". You actually talked him into it.". A soft cracked voice was heard.
". Yes, you are leaving here, master.". Two silhouettes were observed going through an alley, implanted in the underground labyrinth. The purple walls could be identified by in the dim light. They stepped out of the shadows.
". I told you not to call me that.". She repulsed, her white hair following the little air in the alley, covering her face instantly. She removed it with her hands
". You taught me to fight using martial skills.". The man looked at her, his pale white skin was too cold to touch. His long black, back length hair with the permanent dark circles round his eyes made him look more like a ghost. Well, it's not like he was still alive, at least. What's worse; no matter how many times she heard him explain, is about the two brownish - purple scars he had. They never healed, and suddenly started breathing like organisms a few years ago. He didn't know the cause of it either, along with the black mark on his chest.
He did say, it was his replacement for a heart. But hearts do not breathe slowly. He was weird for sure.
". What is it?.". He asked. They were now at the end of the alley. She rolled her eyes while blowing raspberries.
". Don't treat me as a lady,". She looked at him,
". You know how bad I hate it.". She massaged her neck. The man clicked his tongue. The air was far too humid, with the entanglement of putrid smell.
He raised his head, letting his hair fall back. Because of his regen, he had almost no battle scars. Except the disastrous scars that cannot heal of course, everything else could. He looked at her, his crimson eyes gleaming in the dim light. She cocked a brow. Obviously, she was waiting for an answer.
He groaned.". Alright". His right hand combed through his hair. She smiled, placing her hands on the iron door, forcing it open. The air released was different. It instantly made them step into the hall. Everything about the hall was of another class. Some golden lights, and a large decor chandelier hanging by a thin wire from the high ceiling, reaching an astonishing length. The brightly lit room, with its occupants, seeming very modest and upright. One look at them, and the difference was obvious. They were in power. The hall itself ha windows, large ones that began few meters away from the designed ceiling, ending at the length of the chairs in the hall. All eyes were on them, different gazed and glare. Some expressed pity and incredible disgust. Others, filled with fear and anxiety, while some just looked plainly.
". I wonder how Jax must have felt when he left alone.". She whispered into the man's left ear without shifting her gaze. This hall had things they had never seen before, paintings and architecture styles, they instantly came to like.
The sound of high heels hitting against the tiled floor instilled silence in the hall. The red haired lady walked towards them. Dressed in a plain white, sleeveless gown accentuating her natural curves, with red heels that looked a bit short. Part of her hair, done in braids with side fringes across the left side of her face. She fell her hair down, a pretty mixture of broads and long flowing hair.
Spotted from afar, on her neck was a gold thick necklace. Similar to the necklace of Cleopatra, his sister always told him about. With a gleaming, small blue stone in the middle of the neck jewelry. Each step exuded a demeanor of grace and elegance. The two individuals were lost for words. Was she the same person?. Whom he met a few hours ago.?.
". I see you guys made it here.". She looked at them. They maganed to shower, but we're still dressed in the clothes of their fellow ex captives.
". Why are you both dressed in that?.". The lady sighed, using her hands to rub her face. The two ex captives looked at each other, worried.
". We showered, and this are new set of clothes.". The man stated, looking confused.
". Yeah, there's no filth on them.". The white haired girl shrugged.
". You are both dressed in your captive clothes.". She looked at them, her hair following her body movement. She grabbed both of them by the hands, walking in front of them.
". Follow me.". Her heaving was followed by her now hurried and scattered steps. The two behind her just followed, without removing their hands. The chattering continued in the hall, as the participants of the somewhat occasion, recalled Thier activities and discussed with their partners and fellow invites.
They walked to the back of all the seats in the hall, close to an exit door. She prepared to address them.
". You both didn't see the clothes in the training room?.". She asked, shaking her head curiously.
". Well, we did.". The man looked at the red haired.
". Well, ..., Why isn't it on you both?.".
". It didn't fit.". The white haired scoffed. The man looked at the elegant lady. She glared at him, with an expression of , then-where-is-it.
". We tore it, and I ate it.". The man foraged through his hair nervously, trying to avoid the lady's eye.
She blinked numerously at the words, what he produced, and her lips expressed the confusion she had, the next action she wanted to make, but she controlled it and sealed it. Heaving heavily once more,
". I should get used to this now.". She looked at them. They were both avoiding her eyes.
". Lets make this official.". She held out a hand.
". Caramel skinned, white haired woman and ghost looking man, I'm Lanel Bridgesworth.".
The man looked at her hand, and held out his.
". Musaru Kato,.". He shook her hand. She then turned to the caramel female, with her hand still held out.
". Vana.". She shook her hand. Lanel retracted hers.
". Well, you both need to be dressed.". She assessed them fully.
". You are dressed in sports bra and knickers..". She tilted her head towards Kato.
". And you are only in knickers, plus those things on your body are far more displeasing.". She looked at him.
". Ahh, damn.". She cursed. With a snap of her fingers, she teleported with them.
They appeared in a bright lit bedroom. With white walls embraced with minimalist golden designs. The king size bed with a soft white cotton bedsheet. Lanel, walked across, towards the a large grey closet. She opened it, and the inside was marvelous. The clothes in the wardrobe described one thing, wealth.
All these are tied to Gustav, and as worker, she has the right to entry. But damn, they weren't aware how rich he was. She took out two sets of clothes, throwing at across to the room, on the bed. She shut the closet door after.
". That should be good enough.". She walked towards them, removing a strand of hair stuck to her face. The two friends just stood silently. Lanel bent her head to rest on her right hand, to express her disappointment.
". I shouldn't blame you both.". She stretched towards the bed, taking the clothes in her arms and handed out the clothes to both of them.
Vana looked at the dress given to her, a black sleeveless gown with a calf length slit. She looked at Lanel.
". Seriously?.". She dampened her voice, utter annoyance evident in it.
". Yes, .. you have to. This is a formal event.". She held Vana by the shoulders, looking into her eyes.
". I know you don't dress like this, but just endeavour to do so now.".
". I don't get it.". Kato sat on the soft white bed.
". We came in here like we were trafficked, why is there a formal event today on the day of our exit.?". Kato glanced at the red haired. He really didn't like the fact, he would have to wear the shoes and the suit. He hasn't worn that before, he hasn't even wore shoes ever before.
She sighed,". I understand.". She stared at him.
". South Korea sent over some of their artifacts to sign a peace treaty with Japan...".
". So, that's an official event???.". Vana became worried.
". It is, but it's part of it.". She shifted her gaze to Vana. ". Although, the hall is as big as ancient England's ballroom, but it's not enough to formally host and organize peace treaty.". She stroke her face, thinking of how to deeply explain this in their terms.
". Like, one can think of it as an after-party.". She nodded.
". So the party there, are for guests who still want to remain in Japan for the time being?.". Vana walked towards Lanel, her black eyes reflecting Lanel's smooth rose coloured nose.
". Yes and No.". Lanel stared into her eyes. What does this lady think she's doing??. She thought. She partially despised Vana, as she despises ladies who abandon their gender and assumes another.
". So we are basically in Japan?.". Kato asked, his eyes dim now. He seemed displeased.
".No,". She replied forcefully.
". Then where are we?.". Vana chipped in. She turned her .
". I can't tell, Gustav restricts me from doing so.". She replied her. Vana shrugged, then suddenly shoved the dress into Lanel's busts.
". I'm not wearing this, give me trousers and a shirt If I need to be formal.". Vana's domineering tone was pretty much normal to Kato.
". I don't get this, ...". Kato shook his head and stood up.
". Ok, I do not want to ask why South Korea wants a peace treaty for some reason. I thought both countries are at peace...".
". Were..". Lanel interrupted him. Kato's sudden gaze made her stop and shiver.
". Fine, were.. but it's still disturbing that if Gustav doesn't want to reveal the location of this place to us, why would there be guest here?.". Kato immediately gained the answer to his question, just nodding his head, he sighed and sat back down.
". Let me guess..". He looked up to Lanel.
". Our masters are here..". He was hoping it wasn't the answer, at least. The look in her eyes justified his guess. He slowly let that seep in, and for some reason became emotional at that instant.
". Crazy how, corruption gives so much power .". Kato voiced out his concerns, resting his head on his hands. He didn't look up. The room was quiet, only the fumbling noise of the cloth , Vana shoved to Lanel's chest gave life to the deliberate silence. Vana covered Lanel's face with the cloth, leaving her to sort out another as she requested. She walked some feet towards Kato, and stood opposite him.
". The choice was made bro.". Her cracked feminine voice broke the awkward silence.
". You can't live on it.". She held out a hand. She knew, his statement had an underlying meaning to him. She was sorry for him, the amount of pain he faces, is way to scary to even imagine sharing a part of. After what, she found out this evening. His statement did have a deeper meaning.
Lanel walked towards the closet and began searching for the desired outfit, per the request of her new comrade.
". I guess.". He took her hand. She helped him stand up.
". You weren't called 'Evil's Descent' for nothing.". She playful hit him by the shoulder. He looked at her,
". I'm tired of that, to be honest.". The phrase, made Lanel suddenly turn, she hit her head on a steel rod in the closet. She held her head, trying to ease the pain away. They both turned to Lanel. She had eventually brought out the new clothes, Vana wanted.
". Aches bad?.". They asked in unison.
". Not that much.". She replied, removing her hands from her head.
". What do you mean?.". Lanel shoved the clothes on Vana's busts too, seeming like payback. Kato looked down at her in dismay.
". You know what,". He advanced towards, where he could feel her breath against his chest.
". What purpose do you serve, apart from protection.?". He tilted his head to the left, trying to observe her from the side.
". You'll find out as time goes.". She has to keep her calm. Not fret and loose her demeanor. She felt fear seep in, as she looked up at him. His glare was different, plus his hair partially covering his face gave an extreme sense of oppression. Kato observed her then gave a nod.
". Isn't this better?.". Vana adjusted the plain white satin shirt on her body. It was neatly tucked into a black trouser, embroided with minimal gold leaf designs.
". It's good.". He looked at his outfit on the bed, he stared at it for some time, then picked it up.
He removed his knickers. Lanel's eyes widened then she immediately shut her eyes with her hands.
". What are you doing?.". Disgust and disappointment was present in her calm tone.
Kato turned to her.
". Putting on my clothes..".
". You could have just worn your trousers on you knickers.". She sighed. Kato stared at her. Her eyes were still shut, he stole Vana a sideways glance. She just shrugged.
". Well, I guess you're right.". He stopped and stood still.
". I'll wear a robe then.". He said, putting on his knickers. Lanel raised her head from her hands.
". You are seriously thinking of a change.".
Kato went silent after her words. Vana looked at them both solemnly.
He stared at her for some time, not wearing any expression of his face but looked completely dull.
". A robe is fitting,.". There was an underlying meaning in the words, Lanel produced, and every one present in the room was very aware.
He stood calmly, hands by his side, without the slightest thought of putting back on his knickers. It went on for some time, before Lanel finally gave up. She went back to the closet to forage through the clothes.
". What happened?.". Vana came close to him. He didn't respond, just kept his gaze steady at Lanel.
". Nothing.". He replied gulping slowly. Vana turned towards him.
". Put this on, we are about to leave.". Lanel called out, throwing out a blue thobe. He caught it mid air, and observed it.
". It's plain, down to the feet. Don't worry about wearing trousers.". She closed the wardrobe door.
". I'm not.". He finally wore his orange knickers and put on the thobe.
". No shoes?.". She asked, looking at him for a reply but was met with a cold face once again. She turned to Vana, she nodded.
". Alright,.". She snapped her fingers.
They appeared at the back of the hall once again. Kato glanced at the guests who chattered amongst themselves indiscriminately. High class for a reason, ... A lot of money to cover up their dirty truths. Devils in angel hides. He and his firrnd just followed Lanel to the front of the hall, which acted as a stage. The hall was still filled with voices of the members of the party. Lanel picked up a glass beside her on a table, half full with blue wine, picking up a spoon and hitting the spoon carefully to vibrate and produce sounds to shift the guests attention.
It did work, and everyone slowl turned to the direction of the sound. Kato took more deep looks at their faces, they were on masks. He looked at Vana, who seem obviously in discontempt but didn't glance at his direction. She instead just looked up at the tall ceilings and brilliant hanging chandeliers, formed in a candleglass pattern, exonerated with minimal silver jewels. Kato didn't have the time or reason to admire the hall, and stared at Lanel's hair. She was in front of them of course, making a toast which only read to him as murmurs. He was fixated on her,
". When the hell did she put on a mask?.". He touched his face, but he had none on. He nodded slightly.
These people cannot reveal themselves, true.. He knew and understand the reason, after all trafficking is illegal, but not to those in power.
Dammit,.. there was it again. Power, what does it bring, Corruption. Very few people in power, can actually withstand the flaunts and alluring fingers of corruption. What he understood, was that,.. the amount of corruption revealed or displayed even though conceited, was a status of power among these elites. So they work hand in hand,... Power equals corruption, more corruption equals more power or status ranking. He thought back, twelve years ago, to the last time he saw his sister, his uncle, the day he was abducted.
His bully, had power . His dad had status. This is the side of the wealthy. Everyone in the world knows that, even the so called constables, but they are in control and can immediately erase you from the planet if, one be brutally honest. Lies, flow in. Yes, these were the things, the most tangible....
". Kato, ". Vana whispered beside him , not shifting her gaze from the guests. He gulped and adjusted his thobe.
". What?.". He whispered. She just ruined the insights he had just now, and in an instant he forgot everything he had thought about. He was pained but didn't show it.
". Lanel really knows her stuff.". She whispered. Yeah, she did. She worked with the master, Gustav, whose status in the ".underground." is unknown. He was Mexican American alright, at least that's what he informed them about, in his description.
". Everyone's wearing...".
".Masks, Yeah.". He gave Vana a sideways glance. She glanced back at him.
". I think you know why.". Kato whispered almost audibly. Vana nodded slightly and turned back to the crowd.
". In honour of the event, I wish you a good night. Hope this journey was a worthwhile experience.". Lanel raised the glass higher as a sign of toast. The guests did same, and clapped, almost noiseless. Kato just stared on at them.
". South Korea and Japan...". Kato thought back to his yester years. His country has a problem with south Korea as.. one of Japan's Emperor Samurai was killed in their country by their supernaturals, his skills and techniques taken, coveted and restrained by the South Korean government. This caused a war amongst Asia which eventually led to a demi world war. He doesn't remember much of the details, but most countries lost their protectorates, and merged with others to become one. A mass of 3.2 billion dead. Well, that's the dangers of Emperor realms fighting. Though in some countries, it's known as Continent Ranks or Organisational Levels, at least it's what his sister told him back then.
They followed Lanel, going out of the stage to a minimal section in the hall, which seemed like an office.
". Put on your best behaviour, it's been years.". Lanel turned back to Kato. His face was just void. ". If you know what I mean.". She opened the door. The room was small with dim lighting. Three chairs arranged in a nice position opposite a large chair in the middle of the room. A lady dressed in elegant black dress, with gold mask awaited them. Her heels with some strange symbol designs and red bottoms. Kato didn't know what it was, and didn't care, but knew who she was. Vana looked at Kato, as he stepped forward and sat first. He sighed, and looked up slowly.
". You can't keep that on your face forever.". He looked at her. The lady seemed to sigh a bit, and proceeded to remove her mask. Everyone in the room could hear each other's breathing and something that produced cool air, was doing its job efficiently. The lady had two silver strands fall across her face, though her hair was jet black like his, before at least. She had lost an eye but was as gorgeous as ever. She smiled pleasantly at him, and he returned it.
". Mistress Kira.".