Waking up from the sudden Claps of thunder. Feeling fatigued by the abrupt wake. I look around the room, dimly lit by the clouded stars and moon outside the barred window. Feeling my self being hit by the drops of water passing through the window, making my clothes transparent. I decided to stand and sit beside the cell's door. Slouching as I look down on the floor.

Hearing the heavy rain, listening to the sound of clapping thunder, perceiving of the sounds of raging gales. This kinda makes a nice rhythm... Though not all can enjoy this. I close my eyes, listening to the sound of natures wrath to sleep.

Suddenly the feeling terror and fear fills me to the brim. Making me shake uncontrollably, feeling goosebumps everywhere, making every hair on my body stands, just like a final confrontation. Bracing myself covering my body with Qi, I look ahead where the source was, I see a similar slim figure standing in front of me. He wears black pants and a long sleeve shirt with a breastplate. his black hair and blue scarf whip around by the strong winds. Thunder strikes behind the figure, revealing his metallic right arm, a white mask with weird carvings on them, along with disfigured faces pulling him down from below, both male and female voices shrieking on top of their lungs in pain and agony... This person is Rana...

"Good evening Sova, it's quite a bad weather isn't it," he says in a happy manner breaking the grim atmosphere.

Shaking from the feelings of pain and uneasiness, I thought to my self what is this ominous aura, wait for a second, aura? Is this what May felt like when we first met him? May I think I kinda understand why you're scared, I thought to my self before asking:

"W-what are you doing here, and how do you even g-get in here?"

"Are you cold? And what's with your face? Don't tell me... Let me try something," as he said that his aura disappears, vanishing like it was never there before, the disfigured entities suddenly faded away, leaving this room quiet.

He continues saying, "Hahaha, The fact you can sense me now means you truly are blessed by the gods," he says sounding very happy before continuing saying:

"Well I want a company to talk to, and that's you," he takes a sit, crossing his legs.

I look back at him saying:

"I don't really have anything to talk about... Wait May and sis what happened to them? How are they doing now? Please tell me, I'm begging you!" I lean forward as I beg him.

He then looks to the ceiling and said, "Well, I don't usually give information about something personal, but for you, it's on the house," he says sounding happy, continuing saying, "Let's just say it's not going so well for them. Your sis, well she now looks cold, like how she was back then when I first met her. May your girlfriend, well she doesn't talk to your sis anymore, distancing her self away. I guess your family is breaking apart," he explains before looking at me face to face or mask.

Leaning back towards the wall I thought to my self, guess that's more reason for me to quickly go back home and explain or tell them I'm alive and okay... Sis, I don't really know what happened for you to become like that, but when I got home I guess I should ask and spend more time with them... I need to get out.

"Well, that's where I come in. I'm busting you out of here," he says as though he read my mind.

"Wait why, They say they're going to release me tomorrow. I shouldn't break out now," I reply back to him only for him to laugh maniacally and say:

"Hahahahahaooohahahah, No seriously pffff hahahaa, you make my side hurts phew~ Do you seriously trust those people, like didn't you hear what your girlfriend told you. This place is the most untrustable or treacherous place in the world, presumably. And those people are using some old tricks and not very good at it, I mean let us be honest here.

They are using you to blackmail your sister, the moment you tell them you are related to her, they probably thought it's bollocks, but it's a matter of time before they find it's true and say: "Hey chap sorry but can you please answer just some of this follow up questions," and in the end they will be like, "Whoa you're great chap, why not join us and help us out we will take care of you," he says trying his best to hold his laughter while throwing some mockery along the line.

I listen quietly to what he said. I reply back saying:

"But aren't they World Hunters, the most trustworthy and dependable group?"

"Well, it's true that they are World Hunters. But the most trustworthy, the most dependable, the bestest of the best in combats, the righteousness of justice are only the main 5 led by the leader himself the so-called World Strongest. Like seriously the others are just titles, and if they want to seriously help you, they would let you drink that potion when they treat you. He's doing that to make you indebted to him. And let's see no food, no treats and just threatening you by saying you will be sold off somewhere. I say they do a bad job trying to convince someone they're on your side, and oh please don't get me started with more," he explains throwing more mockery before calming down and continue saying, "Let's be honest here, would you trust the one who save you on multiple occasion and prove you with actions or just some people with grandiose title giving you lip service. I say it's pretty obvious," he explains calmly giving me a choice.

(He did save me on multiple occasion... But sometimes he leaves me alone and pretty untrustable too. But I need to get back as soon as possible...)

I decided by answering:

"I will get out of here." I look at him in the face as I said that.

"Perfect choice, now let's get-" I stop him mid-sentence.

I continue saying:

"But first, tell me who you really are? I need to know who I'm partnering with, even the people who interrogate me don't even know who you are, I mean you call your self the Hero of the Confederation yet they don't know you?"

"Partnering that's a weird way of saying it but okay," he says before murmuring, "How do I explain to relate to you..." before he looks at me saying:

"Have you ever heard of the Hero of Rebellion," the moment he said that thunder struck near the window causing a short pause...

"That's weird and bad timing. He's the leader who led the remaining rebels during the civil war's aftermath 6 years ago. Do you know him?"

"Well, of course, I may not be good in the exact dates and details but when it comes to heroes, legends, and fairy tales, then ask me anything. I heard him push back, beat down, and made a mockery of the Aologi's army. There's even rumor of him defeating a group of those extraordinary templars by himself, and there's even rumors of him leading a battle of 1 : 4 and won with no casualties and it is said that his still alive hiding somewhere in the northern monarch kingdoms."

"Well kid all those rumors are true except the part about him hiding in the northern kingdoms, and as a bonus trivia he defeated all of the Templars without getting a scratch."

"Wait, what!? That's unbelievable, I mean I heard those Templars are all as strong as Special Ranking Hunters if not stronger," I exclaim.

"Well, I'm similar to him but instead of becoming a key figure leading and doing some stuff to etch my name in history. I decided to stay in the shadow and do stuff quietly," he answers calmly.

"I don't really see any similarity. Wait so you're saying that you're either equal or stronger than him?"

"Yes, sadly his stronger than me when it comes to combat prowess, tactics... And I would lose if I fight him head on... Either way, since I'm not that popular, like him. Only very few and certain individuals ever seen or even know me like you and your sis let's not forget your girlfriend too," he explained.

"Wait, wait, wait, so if I may know how did you meet sis? And I seriously have so many questions to ask but, I don't even know where to start," I ask sounding confused.

"Well, let's just start with Rubeca. 3 years ago, I was tasked to protect one of the remaining rebel's key figure. There I met your sis who was still in the Aologi army, she was part of the Elite Military Police Force, pinpointing and cracking down our hideout in a flash or a few weeks after I receive my mission. She was successful in capturing the rebel and we fought a little before I have to leave reporting mission failed teehee," he explain as he jokes around.

"Huh? Sis was part of the Aologi army? So you're the bad guy? And sis can see you? What? Wait, let me sort the timeline here... You know what let's just stop there. I'm baffled with how much information I'm receiving right now."

"Good, let's bust out of here," he stands up and walks in front of the door as he said that.

"But how? You haven't even explained how you get in here?"

"Well first stand up," he commands me.

Blinking a few times, I stood up feeling a little numb on my legs and butt. I look at him and regain my balance.

When he suddenly ask:

"Are you sure you're not a girl? You're super cute and hot right now with a wet t-shirt," he says in a creepy manner.

Feeling disgusted by his remarks I immediately retort saying:

"You seriously disgust me, Why did I trust you again? And here I thought you want me to be your companion." I say sounding disappointed.

"Oh well, I still do. It's just that if I want you to be mine, I want a companion who stays by my side all the time. I need the person to accept me, both my advantages and disadvantages. While also being very loyal," he explain to me as he wish for it dearly.

"Sorry, but I'm not going to be your boyfriend," I reply to his wishes.

"That's not what I meant you DUMB IDIOOOT," he screams at me, before continuing saying:

"Where do you even get that idea? Like if you seriously say something similar again... I will curse you," he exclaims as I feel him gazing at me.

Before I knew it I was already smiling and laugh saying:

"Hahaha, Thanks I need that."

"What? Hmph, Oh I forgot to tell you that this cell has a camera, so they've been seeing you talking to your self all this time, they are probably think you're cray cray and laughing their ass off while reinforcing the entrance. So are you ready?"

Cray cray what does it even mean? I thought to my self before continuing to say, "Wait, why didn't you tell me that! Now we got to fight through them, you got to be kidding me!"

"Well since you're definitely growing stronger, now I need you to experience a little how a qi user fight," he answer back at me.

"I think I had enough fighting my sister for a year and back then."

"Oh, you~ Now go fight more to gain experience!"

Taking a huge sigh. I nod back telling him I'm ready and back away from him. When he starts stretching his slim arm and legs, before finally saying:

"Lets get a riot for two," and spin kick the door. Breaking the door as it fling infront of him slamming to someone as I heard the person crashed between the broken door and the door infront of my cell. The sound of bells ring through the hallways, and I could hear multiple footsteps coming our way from the left.

"Whoa is he dead?" I ask exclaim, I suddenly hear the person groan revealing a mans voice, "Phew his alive, Rana where do we go now?"

"Well to the right now, follow me and follow quickly," he starts to run outside the cell and went to the right.

I started following him and as I went out screaming:

"Sorry!!!" and followed Rana out.

*******************************************************************

As we run and hit a dead end, Panic I quickly as him:

"What do we do? We hit a dead end."

"Well don't worry I know this place," as he hold a certain part of the wall twisting it.

The walls starts to deconstruct and open up. Showing a dark narrow passage way, he summon two green flames, one beside him and the other going beside me and starts to run inside. Seeing him running, I followed behind him. When the walls behind me starts to combine together again closing up. Following him through the dimly it passageway I ask him:

"Where are we exactly?"

"Well we're in the Reliquary," he answered back.

"What, not again! I thought we finally left that place. Will there be more of those monsters and illusions?" I ask in sounding troubled.

"Don't worry, there won't be anymore of those stuff here. This place is th-" as he stop mid sentence and reach a dead end he starts to grab a certain part of the wall and twist it again.

The walls deconstruct, revealing a giant dome with grand 2 meter statues made of stones with torches beside them some still kindles and some not. Showcasing full plate armored knights, circling around the dome from where I stand until what I see infront of me. The giant statue of an old man in his fifties with long hair and beard, posing with his giant ornamented sword. Wearing a armor with a dragon head ornament as his shoulder guards, leg guards, gauntlets, belt, shoes, waist guards and his cuirass. His description fits what I read in the public library that's the statue of Emperor Rucina.

I look at Rana when he starts dispersing his flames and enters the dome and goes to the left and stop midway again beside a statue. I halt my steps and look at him, seeing him staring seriously what's ahead of him. I bend and look what's beyond only to be dumbfounded, I see a women in her 18-19 crouching infront of me, with a light yellow skin, and long jet black hair tied up like horse tails with her bangs hold by a bolt headband. Wearing a weird silver full plate armor that look like multiple plates riveted together in a ladder like manner from her cuirass that have it's shoulder parts protruding beside her neck, her shoulder guard, gauntlets, leg guards, and waist guard. Looking closely that armor is similar to the design of the armor from the break off neighbouring country, the samurai armor. The armor their elite warriors wear, in the Eclipse Empire... Hanging from her waist are the sheated red katana, blue rapier below, and behind her is the yellow mace.

But the reason I'm dumbfounded is not her armor nor that someone is already ahead of me, standing in my way. But it's because she has two different colored socks of black and white in her hands. With buttons as it's eyes making it look like sock puppets.

When I see her move the white sock puppet, it open and close it's mouth saying, "Hey Aoi are you really gonna do it? If you do, I'll be comply to help you out and share you my ideas, hihihihi" in a high pitch voice... This is making me cringe to the core... I don't know if I prefer this sensation or fear.

When she moves the black sock's mouth and said, "No Aoi, you should follow your orders and keep him imprisoned. That way, we can use him and make the old man happy. Why do you care so much for that stranger anyway do you even know him?" the black puppet say in a evil and weird broken voice.

The white puppet then starts to bite the black puppet making a weird grumpy sound, Aoi stop them by pulling her hands away from each other. Saying to the puppets, " Kuro and shiro, please stop fighting, yes I do know him or like knew him," as she raise the white puppet high folding it's arm and looking smug?

Gazing down on them. Saying, "See? of course she does. Besides she already make a promise so she can't say no now. Promises are sacred in everyone's culture here in this continent," the white puppet says in a proud manner.

"Promise smoochies, she already break her promise once and she will do it again. Just like old times," when the black puppet stare at the white puppet and look at Aoi next.

She then starts to sulk and sit down. Taking a huge sigh, looking down on the floor. When the white puppet begins pet her with it's hand? saying, "Now, now Aoi, remember that we join this group to restore our name," before hitting the black puppet saying, "Look what you did you made her remember her darkest time."

"Huh? why do you care it already ha-," stopping midway.

Rana then starts to grab me by the arm, dragging me out. As I accidentally drag my feet and create a noise, she immediately look at me and begins to shriek loudly in surprise, "Eeek, wha-what who? Wait... No this is not-" she tries to get the sock puppets off, but ripping them instead making her scream," Noooo, Shiro, Kuro I'm sorry," and look at me with a embarrased yet grumpy face.

When she became surprised and said, "Eh, you're the prisoner Sova. How did you get out of your cell? And you're not suppose to be here. Get back to your cell and we will not prolong your stay here okay? And forget what you see?!" she screams at me.

"Sova listen up, she can't hear nor see me now. So do as I say, we're gonna surprise her and run away got it," he said that as he walks beside me.

"Okay then," I replied back at him

"Eh you will?" Aoi said sounding surprised, probably thinking I replied to her. Continuing saying, "Thank you so much for being cooperative. If you're so obedient in the first place you should just stay in your cell. Don't worry we will pretend this never happen okay?" She smiles innocently, sounding very happy with her face still red.

Feeling bad for some reason now. I turn my back on her. Rana then says, "Now I want you to pretend like you're throwing something as hard as possible okay? Some little trick will do it. On the count of three. One, two, three."

As he said that, I begin to bend my right elbow, turning my body to the right, lifting my left leg upwards. I turn to the left, stomping my left foot to the ground and swing my right arm. Pretending to throw something as hard as possible. When suddenly a rainbow colored flame, shape like a knife appeared beside me quickly flinging towards her... If I remember that attack correctly... Wouldn't it kill her? When I though I see her slicing the rainbow flame with her katana. It exploded engulfing her creating a massive display of rainbow fireworks. Making me cover my eyes.

"Why did you do that! You killed her," I scream at Rana. Putting my hands down as the lights dim.

"What? Psss no. If she is a High Ranking Hunter she will be half dead so it's okay now hu-," Stopping mid sentence when suddenly a red slash came at me at fast speed. Rana then slash the wave dispersing it with his bare hands.

I look into the fire display, seeing a silhouette moving in the rainbow flames walking closer. Aoi walks out slowly towards me. Taking no damage, she bends her neck left and right making a cracking sound. And said, "So you're a Silencer huh... But if this is the path you choose, so be it boy. Very regrettable... Actually no. Who cares if I owe her. I'm making you take my secret to the grave," the air around became scorching hot and the atmosphere around turns immensely dense and murky.

She then bend her body forward along with her right knee. Holding her katana taking, a slashing stance. The armor part that's protruding beside her neck starts to make a mechanical sound as it extend, covering her entire head as to form some kind of helmet. After it's done encasing her entire head except her face and her tied up hair. The armor beside her face shuts together forming a mask quickly concealing her entire face. The mask has a enraged face with it's mouth and eyes still open when suddenly, her mask burst into large blue blazes, along with the gaps and joints of the armor engulfing her in a swirl of blue inferno. As the flames disperse.

Rana stand ahead of me, slashing the flames with his bare hands. Scattering it to the side lighting up the torches in the dome with blue torches. Looking at her from behind Rana. I see her armor turns blue, along with her tied up hair is now replace with writhe blue flames resembling some kind of tentacle whips. Now she has a enraged blue mask with it's mouth on fire along with the gaps and openings in her armor, ending her transformation as her eyes starts to gleam blue. Resembling the demons from the Eclipse Empires fairy tales... It may be impractical, but I want that kind of armor. Maybe I should ask Nicole to help me make that.

"Well boy looks like I really underestimated her. I'm more surprise she hasn't join the main 5 yet. You should consider your self lucky, since you can't sense magic at all," he said sounding astonished.

I have no weapon, no armor except my now dried up clothes thanks to the flames, and I'm not even wearing any shoes! It's freaking hot here! I look at Rana only to see him pointing at Aoi, gesturing me to fight her saying, "Now's your chance kid. Fight her," he says in a exited tone.

I thought to my self... It seems negotiating is out of the table now, why did I follow him again.... Are you kidding me! Damn it, I'm fudge.