WARNING : : : LONG CHAPTER AHEAD!

I pulled my jacket closer as I felt the piercing cold tingle on my skin heavily. Breathing nonchalantly into my cupped hands, and brushing them, I warmed myself to an intensity. Albeit, the iciness was harsh, there was nothing I could do to diminish the room's temperature. Five air conditioners were aligned on the walls opposite to mine and extractors stood their place at the four corners of the room. The entire climatization of the room was designed substantially to circumscribe the heat and eliminate it with the undying draft. 

Nothing was remarkably unique about the whole room. Everything was so uncanny, to be precise. Personage portraitures, along with greek paintings were embedded on the walls, agilely. A book shelf stood at the extreme right monopoly, a ladder-style piece, and upon each of the shelves were small ornamental items of rarity, most of them which I couldn't recognize, except the small constellation jar, the size of a textbook. Stacks of papers were systematized, and some super-duper black books, that were entirely encompassed in dust, were presented along with the showpieces. 

Two couches–one on which I sat and another across me–were the only furnitures in the room. And that just took me to a whole another level of weirdness.

To be really honest, I didn't even know what I was doing here. The last thing I wanted was to be kicked out of the cafe for doing something really cool. Sure thing all those dudes ended up in the infirmaries, and I didn't even break a sweat for fighting with them. Even the amateurs at my Foundation could combat better than that. Maybe the confidence was overflowing in me, that I took the fight to another level. Halfway through killing them alive, Mr.Reynold, the cafe's owner, came storming out of his meeting session, just to fire me. 

I would have kicked him then and there, but I assumed I didn't want to end up in jail. Also, Melli wouldn't like that. Even if I fought for her, thankfully, he didn't fire her as well. Getting a job in my scenario was really easy, but Melli would have to walk miles and request several owners, before they accepted her, since she lacks experience. Even if Melli forgave me for whatever chaos I caused for her, mom wouldn't. I am pretty sure she will kill me the instant she realizes I ditched the job. 

But then, to my rescue, a big, buff dude in black suit, offered me a job. Even though there was something really odd about his appearance, I kept every questions to myself, and joined for a ride to his guest house in his Lambo.

Shady? Yup. Couldn't agree more. 

An individual glass frame occupied the left-side wall, and I could plainly trace out the contours of people walking outside. Most of them wore suits and carried large cases with them, and some females stood nonchalantly near the reception counter, filling out some sort of forms. The whole building was so new and glistening, and I couldn't accept it when I saw the name of the cooperation "J.LO ASSOCIATIONS" and below it's head title was a small company phrase engraved in gold letters "Ever since 1990." 

Everything appeared so amicable and quiet, and I wondered if I am going to do some monetary-related stuffs. Just sitting here gave me the chills of sitting in some enemy territory. The entire atmosphere was settling cool aura of kill you quick vibe.

A skinny man, who looked about fifty with white strands of hair that stood out on his damp grey hair, opened the door with a large creak sound.

At first, I assumed he wanted to familiarize something to me. But as he moved away from the glass door, his hand still clutched onto the handle, he made way for the man that stood behind him. 

With one look–not a respectable one–I knew who he was.

Jasper Lovetto.

What was he doing here?

I followed silently as he made his way, and stood athwart me. He gave one nod to the old guy, and he closed the door slowly, as if he might break it or, it might break him, and left us alone.

There is that fragmentary feeling, when you are sitting in front of someone you dislike. He seemed the same. Pitch-black hair, except for the fact that they were raised up in a peculiar angle, unlike the usual style. And his dress code–black suit with a mirrored tie–was the same. And as he stood there, arms crossed as he scrutinized me as if I was another target, stressing that he was not in the least a congenial person.

"Well well," The same voice, with that weird well-honed edge to them, appeared a lot pacify this time. "If it's not the undefeated player, Nicole Vivienne Black."

I snorted. I wasn't used to be elevated over by the same crowned nickname, but perversely for me, maybe I was star-crossed to listen to his words. 

"Ah, yes," Jasper smiled. He swiftly adjusted his tie, though there was nothing to be undone about it, and looked at me with an emotion of self-realization. "You don't like me, do you?"

"Is it that obvious?" I said, and instantly regretted it. That was the first thing I have told him, honestly. I had never talked to him, not even once. The only knowledge of him that I possessed was through all the programs I have seen on television. Even if there was nothing too culpable about him, I didn't want to feel so odd if at all there was a conversation about him. 

"Well," Jasper sighed. "I am used to being loathed. So, you don't make a difference in behavior."

"That's good to know," I said. The point that I was making a conversation with him, was so unlike me. "With all the popularity you possess, I thought you ruled the States."

"Precisely, I do," he slipped his hands into his pockets casually, taking a brief glance at the silhouttes of people. "I would have made a run for the President, but unfortunately, players don't get rights like that. But I think I am different on this track of powers, which makes me remain on the peak. Of games and players, anyway."

"So, you are saying that you are influential? Even if your powers are only spread to a certain extent?" I questioned him, even though I didn't conjecture were the discussion was getting to.

"Nico, playing is different," Jasper said, still staring ahead of the glass door. "The Government allows fair games, and a lot of politicians are ready to sponsor them. Why, even the small cafe owners like yours, are ready for that purpose."

"Wait...you know that?" I said, awestruck by the reality that he kenned about it. If Melli had never overheard Lest's and Nancy's conversation, I wasn't sure if I would have ever known about it. 

"Ah yes, I know many things," he broke his gaze away from the people and fixed his eyes upon mine. "And my job is to take responsibility for all these personages. Not everytime these individuals might be cool about losing, they sponsor games because they want to see winners."

"Might be one heck of a job then," I said, and maybe I sounded kind of impolite. But he he didn't say anything, other than give another unwavering smile.

"You remind me a lot of myself," he said, a tint of happiness laced in his voice, "back when I was your age. Maybe, if I took the right decision then, I would not have ended up here."

Though whatever he said made absolutely no sense to me, I stared down at the floor trying to process why I was here. I took a single glance at my watch and it was already past five. Mom would be so anxious by now, though I have always been late on weekends. Except that this wasn't one of those free days. Most presumably she must have made the entire neighborhood aware of my failure get home early. Even if there was no certainty that I would get back, at least not with some guy whom I hate standing in front of me, who was a confirmed pro player. 

"Wondering why you are here?" Jasper asked as if reading my mind, though it was quite obvious. "I don't want to rush things but, oh well."

He fished out his phone in a precise hand indication and dialed on some numbers. Since the phone was kept on the speaker, maybe because he assumed I wanted to hear the conversation–which I did–the call rung for a few seconds before someone answered it from the other side.

"Jake Alexander," The voice said, a slight annoyance in them. "What do you require?"

"Hey, Jake," Jasper said, ignoring the absurdity in the voice. "Bring the documents, along with the photos."

"Photos?" A confusion, perhaps. 

"Yes," Jasper sighed. "I asked you to collect some pictures of the thing in the morning. Don't tell me you forgot about it-"

Without even a solid reply, the call clicked over and Jasper grunted at the response pattern of the speaker.

I pulled my jacket even closer as I felt the cold intensify. I pondered how he managed to stand  straight with all the drafts that's accumulated in the room. Maybe he sensed that something was wrong with the entire appearance I sat, that he said, "Cold?"

I nodded slightly and he sighed, "I asked the old man to switch it off." 

He approached one of the canvas placed at the East, that held a remarkable painting. Even though my knowledge about artistic illustrations were confined only to my history textbooks, that contained more images than theory, I knew the painting well enough. It depicted the image of Perseus, the demigod son of Zeus, raising the the shield of Aegis that had the head of Medusa on it. My history teacher referred it to as "Etching of trinity pious vims meld" It meant the aid that Persueus had received by the assistance of three godly powers combined. 

Jasper turned the painting upside down, revealing a small switch embedded on the surface. Pressing on the exhibited red pin, the entire room dropped in a drastic temperature change. I loosened the grip on my jacket and muttered a light, "Thank you."

"All good," He smiled for what seemed like the tenth time, before placing the painting in the right order. "How does it feel now?"

"Hot," I said. I wanted to add like me, but I considered it for another time. 

Jasper sat down on the couch athwart and crossed his legs elegantly. Even if he had a smile plastered across his face, he radiated a lot of eerie vibes and his posture gave an extreme air of authority. As much as I hated to admit it, he seemed like a nice person after all. I never knew why I hated him, myself. Maybe because he fought only to see bloodshed or, maybe because he didn't have a reason to be here. Just sponsering games itself was a weird hobby. And to know that there are people who would pay just to see someone die, was so revolting.

"I cannot read minds," Jasper said, snapping me out of my truck of thoughts, "but I am assuming you are thinking something about me."

"Yeah," I waved at the air to give him an idea that the entire thing was ridiculous but true, "you are a mystery, as a whole. And I find it weird. Too weird, precisely."

"I get that a lot," he smirked, and it almost looked like he laughed, "most of it comes from my appearance. I wanted to go for a more macho style, but circumstances often lead to something confusing. Or even, misleading."

He had a weird choice of words as well. But I kept my mouth shut, which was really difficult to do. I was always that kinda guy who would talk a lot to someone I never knew. I found that simple. It was easier to talk to someone who knew nothing about you, and you know nothing about them, but yet, sharing feelings among each other will always persist among ourselves. And after that flimsy contact was over, the stories told would be forgotten.

The door opened again, this time revealing an aggressive-looking guy who wore specs loosely on the bridge of his nose, making his eye visible without the lens protecting it. He wore a black suit as well, and he carried a small suitcase with him. He advanced Jasper with the same grumpy attention, without even presenting to take a sight at my side.

"Is this what you wanted?" he said harshly, as he produced the suitcase to Jasper, "I wish I had never met you. Seriously, all you ever ask me to do is run errands for your satisfaction. I have been working here for over three years, watching you hire secretarys while I am standing by your side. I am done, Jasper, I am done for sure."

Jasper, ignoring all the words that he had said, took the suitcase from the guy and placed it on his lap. He clicked open the case and rummaged through it.

"I am sorry, Jake," Jasper sighed, without looking up, "I am definitely checking on you, if you think otherwise. The errands are all part of the contract, right? You signed them yourself-"

"The one mistake I made." Jake grunted.

"-and also, the hiring of the secretary part. Well, let's just say that you require motivation every now and then."

"What?" Jake sounded like he was stabbed a couple of times, "What do you mean? I thought everybody here required the same!"

"Not everybody, baby," Jasper laughed to himself, but Jake said nothing other than clench his jaw tightly, "You are one of a kind. You often fail to produce the correct results, which is a clear evidence of your more inappreciable interest."

"Do not call me baby," Jake grunted again. "That's the last stupid thing I want to hear from your also stupid mouth."

"But anyway," Jasper gave out another exasperated sigh. "First things first. I have to talk this through with him, so if you don't mind, I would like some space."

Jake sat down on the couch, maintaining a fair distance from Jasper, his face displaying varied emotions ranging from upset to dismay. 

"So, the reason why you are here," Jasper said, taking few papers out of the case, "Is to play a part in this mission that had elected by the State of Luna."

"Mission?" I arched an eyebrow, wondering why he wanted me to play a part in this, "Luna? As in, the island hidden beyond the land of sight?" 

"Yes," Jasper handed the papers to me, keeping on a straight face without any expressiveness. Three documents were pinned together, each one talking about various facts about the history of the place. I haven't heard about Luna in specific, other than the fact that it is lost among the wild forests that engulf it, just to protect it from an enemy invasion back in the fifteenth century. 

"As you can see," Japser motioned towards the papers, "Luna had been there for almost 600 years. It's impossible to find it just by travelling alone with the help of some flashlight, like how some tourists and historians do. But if you are ready to accommodate yourself on a chopper, that might work as well."

"Where is this place?" I asked, without any definite reply expected. "I thought it was a myth."

"But do you believe it exist?" Jasper queried, crossing his arms. 

"I do," I paused. "You come from that place, don't you?"

"Well, as a matter of fact, yes," Jasper sighed, almost as if he hated to admit that. "But when you say come, it doesn't exactly mean that I was born there, well?-" I nodded realizing he asked me the question, and he continued, "-I was taken to be part of their community.

"Luna has a specific field of agents that work in the area of battle and weaponry," Jasper continued, "I was trained there for over seven years, before they finally gave me the freedom to work independently."

"Were you held a captive?" I shook my head, confused at the amount of information I am unable to hold on to. "I am sorry. At times it takes more than the required effort for me to grasp something."

"It's alright," Jasper clasped his hands, smiling. "What I wanted you to recognize is the question of why they trained me. These field of agents work secretly among themselves. Hiding from the citizens of Luna, authorized under the name of the island 'State of Luna' They are individualistic organizations, obviously. But they work against the principles of Luna."

"Sucks," Jake muttered under his breath and Japser scowled at his incredulous face. 

"Yeah, it does." Jasper admitted and I pondered if there was much more to this secrecy than I will ever know. "But that's the whole point of it."

"What, sucking?" Jake asked, ridiculed.

"No, jerk," Japser said, slightly pissed off by the choice of words. "I meant, the whole idealogy. Sure thing, that Luna offers a partial commission to it's citizens. Elite class of people were always considered to remain on the peak. All this was finally getting on the nerves of the normal class, or folks of the town."

"Sucks," Jake repeated again, pausing to take a look at his watch. "Sucks sucks and sucks."

"Thank you," Jasper said, disregarding his words again. "When the Battle of Rebellion against the then King of Rivers Land, Lavianne Alexander Prelore IV, broke out, a lot of people were killed. And so is the history of the wars. Some are meant to be killed, while some others are meant to be destroyed."

I nodded, following closely all his words, as if I might skip something before even I knew it.

"The story should have been over there," Jasper said, as I watched his thoughts drift further to something way complicated, as it seemed. "The Elite class won, of course. But the citizens were not cool about it. So, with the help of the rest of the survivors, they decided to steal the one forbidden thing, that defined the whole island."

"Which is...?" I found myself asking him, even if I had no idea whatsoever where the conversation was flowing. The entire atmosphere seemed to pull off more heat than was necessary and I didn't know if it was just my thought processes. My throat almost felt dry from increased dehydration, and I wished I never came here. Sitting across two people who meant nothing to me, let alone have a conversation about helping them out was increasing nerve-wrecking.

Japser almost grinned--I saw that--before he said the one thing that was about to rewrite my whole existence, as my mind roiled with triggered up emotions, "The Crown of Alexander."

"The Crown?" I said, as if that was it. I was expecting something more, because I was naive enough to believe that the thing was too little to cause chaos.

"Yes," Jasper's eyes glinted in a way I have ever seen before. "But they failed, as you might have guessed. Because of that reason, they formed their own arcane society. Hiding themselves away, making plans on how to retrieve the Crown, training new rookies to become established in their stand."

"But...why the crown?" I asked, perplexed that the people resolved more on an ancient object that requires no more recognizition in this twenty-first century, other than an artefact. "What about the King? Why didn't they just killed him?"

"Good question," Jasped smiled, and this time I didn't like it. "It's not an easy job being a King. Instead of threatening his life, why not go for an object that defines the whole brilliance of an island? Or, monarchy? The Crown means power and wealth. It defined everything of a kingdom."

"So..." I said, as momentary hesitation crossed my mind. "What do you want me to do?"

Jasper smirked as he took out some photos from the case and handed them over to me. I'll admit what I saw what absolutely stunning. A perfectly-crafted diamond crown sat on a black satin box, glinting strongly. Just looking at the picture, the amount of vibrancy it spread was enormous. Everything looked so extraordinary, including the satin box that seemed to be gleaming in it's own way.

"Wow..." That was the least I could have said. I was definitely struck by it's beauty, that half-way through I forgot what I wanted to say.

"Awesome, isn't it?" Jasper's smiled widened and Jake grunted at me. "The State of Luna has never known were the crown was kept, mostly hidden away from them. Until a few years back, it was said that the crown was safe-kept at a prestigious academy of Elites on Rivers Land."

I waited patiently for the next word, and he didn't disappoint me, "Eros Academy." 

"Sounds sick, right?" Jake spoke to me for the first time, and that genuinely surprised me. "But the entire school sucks. Everything sucks."

I wondered if he loved saying that. "Yeah," I admitted, nodding lightly. "I do think it's sick."

"The name, you mean?" Jake sounded like he was going to laugh. "Well, yep, it does. But if you realize what exactly is the school about, you wouldn't be too happy."

"Jake," Jasper sighed. "Can't you just shut up for a while?"

Jake looked hurt, but he disguised it with a grumpy expression. "Fine," he grumbled, crossing his arms again. "You like him, don't you?"

Jasper ignored him and continued, "The whereabouts of safe-keeping is still unknown, other than the fact that it belongs to the Academy. Spies and agents have been sent there countless times to find it, but the mission has become impossible. The whole building of the school are supervised twenty four-seven by curators who have been equipped and fed well. Lasers are the most prevalent way they assassinate people, but oh well, even the most basic weaponry like knife are imminent there."

"So," I repeated again, as I felt my mind itch with a newfound problem. "What do you want me to do?"

"Oh, that's easy," Jasper grinned and stood up from his couch. "Find the Crown."

It felt like a weight has been dropped on my stomach. I know I should have overseen were the conversation was getting to, it was obvious. Yet, I laid myself in this pathway of tricks. How does he expect me to find a crown that has never been recovered? What if it just got destroyed? Unless, he believes that it still exists.

"Why," I said as I looked at him. I couldn't exactly trace out the emotion that was playing across his face, but I assumed it was success. "Why me?"

"You are a player," Jasper said, casually slipping his hands into the pants pocket. "Who else could possibly take down armed-guards who were trained well, other than a pro player?"

"Pro? I am an amateur," I said, despite the reality that it was a compliment among players, I didn't feel like that. "So, you want me to go there and take them all down and find the crown, if I am alive, and return it to you? Just like that?"

I wasn't demanding a price, but Jasper face grew wide with joy. And it definitely meant that everything he planned was going his way, since I almost agreed. Almost. 

"I thought you lived in debts," Jasper smiled widely, "I can fix that. Not just debts, all your future sponsorship for studies and jobs, everything. I can even talk to the King Foundations to take your authority as a player. Isn't that all you ever wanted? To live peacefully, I mean."

He was right. That was all what I ever desired. Even though I preferred playing, the fights wore me out more than before. And I played because I was in debt, and yes, Dad aspired me too. But I think five years was more than acceptable to satisfy his happiness, and he would affirm my decisions. Cherry and mom would be pleased as well. They hated me playing, anyway.

"What if I won't?" I asked. I wasn't planning on rejecting the offer, but I wanted to know all sides of a deal. The good, the bad and ruinous. 

"Cherry," He grinned and I felt like I should kick him then. "She is your sister, isn't it?"

"Alright," I said, standing up without a second thought, even though my body ached with pain. "I'll do it."

"This guy," Jake grunted, pointing in my direction, "is an idiot."

"Gee, thanks for that." I muttered, earning a don't treat me like your mama glare from him. But I ignored it and looked at Jasper whose face was alight with glee. "When should I leave? And is there a deadline or something?"

"Even if there was," Jake said, "I am afraid if you will ever make it alive."

As much as I hated to admit it, something told me he was right. Making past the guards, depending on their build, would be hard enough. And since the island trained them, just like how Jasper was trained, I could imagine how they looked like. Also, I wasn't planning on dying by laser attack. 

"Oh no, there is no deadline," Jasper said, walking to the glass door and staring at the evergrowing sea of people. "You can take your time. Just make sure you return with it, before someone else does that first."

"Wait...what?" I asked, awe-struck by the massive measure of erudition he was bringing up. "There are other people after the Crown as well?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Jasper said, spreading his arms, mockingly. "The Crown is worth a fortune, if not, more. And Eros Academy is facing thousands of rivalries from different schools. Most of the other academies sends their students as spies through the Exchange program, since that is the easiest way to get in the school. But you don't have to worry about it."

"Why...?" I didn't know the answer for this one, I'll admit.

"Cuz," Jasper said, making it sound obvious. "You are going to be a part of the school. You can slowly work out your plans, find out where the Crown is and study there, if you are afraid of missing classes."

I couldn't tell if he was joking or not. "You want me to study there? In an island that I never thought existed? Well...I did, but not wholly. But isn't the place miles apart from Texas?"

"That, it is," Jasper sighed. "But it's okay. I'll transport you there myself."

"But," I hesitated. "Mom wouldn't like that. And my Foundation-"

"I'll talk to them," Jasper promised and one part of my mind believed it. "And, Mrs. Ava Black is not going to refuse the charm of someone like me."

I was afraid if he was going to flirt with her. Sure thing mom goes crazy about guys and wanted to be in a relationship, since the loneliness was getting to her. But with Jasper, I do not think she will go crazy. Instead, berserk is the right word.

"Alright," I breathed again, focusing on all the information I received. "What are the chances I ever get back alive, if I ever find the Crown?"

"Few, is my best guess," Jasper sighed again, diverting his attention to me. "Nico, forget the fact of returning alive. Focus on the task at hand-"

"Which also has a fifty-percent chance of ending up dead," Jake sighed. 

"-and before you know it, maybe you have transcended all other student spies." Jasper said, sounding slightly uneasy himself. "You don't have to worry about your family. I'll make sure they stay healthy."

At least, that part was satisfactory. I didn't trust Jasper with my family, but he was all had now to look up to. Maybe he was right about talking everything out with my mom. Definitely she wouldn't hate Jasper in first look, even if he was player.

"You can leave, Nico," Jasper smiled at me, "I'll come to your house, shortly."

I nodded. I didn't exactly have anything to say. I knew I was lifting a viel and I ached to know if I will ever be able to accomplish what was given to me. Albeit everything he asked me to was easier said than done, somewhere along the negative lines, I knew I coveted this. Maybe this will mark the end of my career as a player. And finally I will be able to live in an organised way, unafraid of getting fired and later hired, education status and living with mom and Cherry. Like an happily ever after.

I approached the glass door and twisted the handle to push it open. Before I made another step, Jasper said, "Nico, wait."

I turned to face him, for what seemed like the millionth time, and yearned I never came across the same persona of glee again. "Yeah?"

"This Eros Academy," Jasper's lips twisted into a grin and I wished I never heard the next words. "It is an all-boys school, by the by."