Guan: So we were called here over nothing?! And the party was just getting started too. Petra, what are you going to do about this?

Petra: Oh… I don’t remember asking you here Guan. In fact the door is not locked. You can leave to your precious little party if you so want to.

Kato: Come on now guys. Even as adults you’re still at each other’s throats?! I’m beginning to get tired of this.

Nablon: Whatever differences you have, I’m sure we can come to a conclusion if we just sit down and talk. Make peace not war.

Petra: I’ve been meaning to ask earlier, who is this fine man you brought with you today.

Mirika: Oh Petra, surely you must have heard of a guy that gave us a bit of hassle.

Petra: Oh… He’s quite a catch if I should say. Does he have a name?

Nablon: I’m Nablon, pleasure to meet you.

Petra: Nablon… that’s a cute name. The pleasure is mine.

I’m Petra Von Strauss; I’ve been looking after Kato and Mirika ever since their cry baby days.

Kato: Tch… you were just fierce back then that’s all there was to it.

Petra: And you were just a cry baby back then.

Kato: Tch…

Guan: Let’s hurry and get the hell out of here.

Mirika: Hehe.

Emmanuel had been radioed by his assistant; Anthony, and relayed the important news to him. It seemed to be urgent.

Emmanuel after cutting of the com with Anthony pressed on to Kato and the others and informed them of the news.

“Guys, I hate to interrupt to but we have urgent matters to attend to”.

Kato: What is it?

Emmanuel: It’s the fourths’ right hand man. Our source believes that he’s going to be executed.

Kato: What?!

Long ago before the god king came to this earth, there were 6 kings whom each were overlords of their respective continents. Though most of the countries and continents lived in peace, there was constant struggle for power. The 6 kings had been at each others throats for years fighting over who gets to unite the 6 continents and be its sole ruler; an overlord. But one day a message went across the whole earth warning them to lay down their arms and live in the ‘utopia’ he was going to create. Upon his arrival he crushed everything that stood in his way. He destroyed countless armies singlehandedly and effortlessly. This turn of events was a mind changer to the 6 kings; the then leaders of the people of the Earth and as such they called a truce. Their only chance of survival was joining forces to face the threat.

The 6 kings of the various continents of Earth joined forces and marched their armies but before long, they were defeated even after the 6 kings stepped down to battle. He defeated them easily. The 6 kings were known to be rulers of their lands because they were the strongest there was. They could reach the ends of their lands without trying and their prowess shook the very earth itself. Nothing on earth could bring them to their knees but they were defeated in a heart beat. Instead of being granted death, he requested they become his kings and so the reign of the god king begun with the formerly 6 great kings as his kings. To the people they were still kings, but in the god-kings they were they were elders, even if they were called kings, they were nothing before a god.

Emmanuel: During the current kings’ reign, some of the kings found his ways to be crude and regarded as endangering and oppressing the citizens. The fourth king; Darius Curtshall was the main leader of the uprising but during the war after his defeat, his right hand man was arrested on the battlefield.

Mirika: But I didn’t think he’d be executed.

Nablon: How do you guys know so much?

Mirika: Everyone knows about the war between the 6 kings and the god king. It was a long time ago; they used to even sing about it when we were kids.

Petra: They still do you know.

Kato: But to think the great Grant Wilberforce would still be alive by now. It’s roughly been a hundred years since the first Great War. But I’m guessing that’s shouldn’t be a surprise. Let’s report it to him then. Though I’m sure he’s already heard.

Petra: Then I suggest you leave immediately.

Guan: I’ve been itching to leave this place anyway.

Petra: No one asked you anything.

Mirika: This never gets old.

Without much delay they left Center and to the HQ, the story building that stood 8 floors high.

Upon receiving the information, Kato had Emmanuel inform the key members of the renegade and have them assemble at the common room. By night fall, a few hours after the party had come to a close they converged at the common room as informed.

Kato: We have urgent news, one we never thought we’d have. Grant Wilberforce is to be assassinated tonight.

There were murmurs among the members assembled there. Bickering like a swarm of bees; they didn’t know if they should believe what they were hearing. Grant Wilberforce was one of the 6 great generals. He is widely known in history to be a trusted member of the fourth king and the most strategic among the generals.

Malcolm: This is a joke right? No this has to be a joke. Legend has it that he fell in battle, died an honorable death protecting the 4th king. Have you considered the fact that this could be a trap?

Malcolm had been around just as long as Guan had been and as such he had as much say a right hand man should. He was competing with Kato for the role before he was chosen over.

Emmanuel: Malcolm, you’d doubt my intelligence? [He gazed at him with eyes that could burn through steel]

Kato: Malcolm, I understand what you’re trying to say and I appreciate it but rest assured I am sure it is not a trap.

In the midst of their intense misunderstanding, Mirika walked over to Kato

Mirika: He’s ready.

Kato: Alright send him through.

With a flick from her tablet, a video was thrown unto the monitor.

The renegade members that were present were in awe, some shocked. It was the fourth king, Darius Curtshall. They were awed not because they thought he was dead, but he seldom showed himself to just anyone, only a handful of the key members had seen him, even on screen.

Darius Curtshall, the fourth king after escaping the second Great War went into hiding and hadn’t been heard off for a very long time until the 3rd Great War, when Kato and his friends rebelled against the god king. It was during that time that he first showed himself to them and offered to support them. This land that is now their new hideout was given out to them by him, their resources, and livelihood are supplied by him. He was their mentor and benefactor and as such, his presence even though virtual honored them greatly.

Darius: So I see you also caught wind of the news.

Kato: Fourth king, you knew?

Darius: Of course I knew. But I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you younglings to rush in needlessly.

The members present in the common room were silent as they listened to the conversation that ensued between the two.

Kato: We are making preparations to rescue him.

Their mentor and benefactor was silent for a while before saying anything because he was well aware of the risks involved with going in for a rescue mission. Many scenarios run through his head, why now of all times? What was their end game?

Kato: 4th King, I know the risks involved with the mission but if we were to succeed we would at least have an upper hand.

Darius: Very well. Contact Erik when you’re in the area. He’s been supervising the area for quite a while since I caught wind of the news.

The conversation ended and the team knew what had to be done. But they were awaiting Katos’ command. After the screen went off, Kato turned around to the team and starred at them for a while before saying anything.

Kato: I know this is a suicide mission. We’ll need some able members here to take command when we leave in case of anything..

Letto: What are you saying? You’re our leader and your orders are absolute. We’d walk into a volcano if you requested it.

Kato: Letto… I wouldn’t ask something so ridiculous off you. Those ready to go, get the necessary equipment needed. We roll out in 10.

The members that were choosing to stay behind upon hearing Kato’s words felt hesitant in staying behind but Kato had given them a mission if they did but it didn’t make it any easy; they’d gladly give their life if they had to. Of the 8 key members, three were ready to leave the common room but they felt prompted not to, as Kato turned around. It looked as if he had something to say.

Kato: Nablon, how about joining us on this mission.

The whole room was stupefied and not all of the members were pleased.

Guan on looking could do nothing but sigh. He knew what Kato was up to and now wasn’t really good timing but of all his years of knowing Kato there was one thing that he knew. As long as Kato set his mind to do something, he’d do it.

Among all the people present, Mirika stood up to protest.

Mirika: Kato, isn’t this a bit too soon, he’s barely used to this. And he hasn’t even decided to join us. Seriously I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately.

Guan: Aahhh… [He said in a soft tone] Mirika is right you know.

The three [Mirika, Kato and Guan] stood in the front row of the seats arrangement with Nablon. He was short of words; he didn’t know what choice to make.

The silence was broken as footsteps gradually approached from their behind.

Malcolm: Kato, you can’t be serious about this. You really can’t be serious. [Everyone that knew Malcolm could tell he was infuriated but for what reason, you’d have to ask the vein that was pooping out of his forehead].

How long have we known this guy? How much do we know about him? For all we know he could be a spy sent by the Schnelligkeits to come spy on us.

Mirika: Malcolm! [Mirika tried to yell him back but he didn’t budge. He still went on rambling]

Malcolm: Or have we forgotten about the fact that he went on a rampage and almost pinpointed our location to the enemy. He injured our members, our friends… brothers.

Guan: Malcolm, that’s enough! Are you saying this out of care for the others or you’re just sour you lost to him.

The room was tense. Silent but tense, like they were being crushed between walls.

Kato: Malcolm, he’s coming with us, whether you like it or not.

Malcolm: I’m not going on a mission with someone I can’t trust. You could all get caught by the Schnelligkeits for all I care.

He walked out of the room with his two goons and was followed by another. Now they were down to 5 key members; Kato, Guan, Mirika, Letto and Emmanuel.

Letto: Don’t pay much attention to Malcolm; he seems to have a problem adjusting to reality. But … I can’t say I don’t agree with Malcolm. I mean he’s not entirely wrong. Nablon is a stranger to me and even if I wanted to get to know him, there’s little to know which makes it the more suspicious. But there’s always a room for a new member.

And not just any other member, a direct request from the big dog himself. I’m all for it. [He launched himself unto Nablon’s shoulder]

I’m Letto. A little warning… Beware of Malcolm and his little band, his team is sour because they don’t know what hit them; heck you’re something. They say they didn’t even see it coming. Well, I got to go gear up. See you on the other side newbie.

Letto had gone off and now it was just the four off them, the room silent for a while until broken by Nablon.

Nablon: Sorry. I seem to have caused a lot trouble for you guys; even after you treated me so well.

Mirika: Oh come on. Don’t be silly. You’d have done the same thing if you were in our position.

Nablon: But will everything be fine with your team mates?

Guan: Eventually it will be. Believe it or not this happens from time but they’ll come around eventually.

Nablon: What about the mission?

Kato: No matter the falling out, we always show up for a mission to have each other’s back. That’s a basic rule here.

Mirika: So what do you say? Just tag along. I promise you won’t have to do anything you don’t want to.