Zai confidently walked in the palace grounds as Shane and the other two children walk behind her. Dumating naman ang butler ng hari na si Ron at sila'y inasista patungo sa lugar kung nasaan ang hari. They stopped in front of a big wooden double door. Bahagyang yumuko si Ron habang bumubukas ang pinto.

Zai went in and the others followed her. Shane and Rui stared in awe at the huge library. Mataas ang kisame at marami ring mga bookshelves ang nakikita.

Sa di-kalayuan ay nakita nila ang hari na nakaupo at nagbabasa ng isang libro. Noong sila ay nakita nito ay tumayo ito at ngumiti. Shane and Rui were hesitating whether they should follow Zai to his place or just stay where they are standing. Even Claysen is thinking of a decision.

Ngunit kusa ring gumalaw ang kanilang mga paa noong lumapit si Zai rito. She confidently stood in front of a royalty that they could barely believe it. Phrim glanced at the children that Zai has brought along. Ngumiti siya sa mga ito at inginuso ang isang malaking mangkok na may lamang mga tsokolate sa ibabaw ng lamesa. Tila ba kuminang ang mga mata nito at nagpunta roon. Zai glanced at their direction, "Don't eat too much sweets." tumango naman ang mga ito bilang sagot.

Shane remained standing on his place as he look at the king, "Uhm.. can I have a look around the library?"

Ngumiti sa kanya ang hari, "Feel comfortable."

Ngumiti naman si Shane at nagpasalamat rito bago ito umalis. The king chuckled as he look back at Zai, "You're fond of kids?"

But the girl seemed uninterested with his question. Phrim smiled and he showed her the seats. They sat opposite of each other. There's a small table between them where there is two empty cups and a teapot. Zai leaned her back on the backrest, "Get to the point."

Phrim picked up the teapot and poured tea into the two cups, "I believe that we should work together to have a greater chance of success. Don't you think so?" Phrim said with his natural calming voice.

Zai rested her cheek on the knuckles of her right hand, "You want a collaboration."

Phrim smiled and nodded, "Yes," his face softened, "I don't want my citizens to die pointlessly. In exchange for some of my soldiers' lives, we must bring victory to this kingdom at all cost. As a king, it's my responsibility to keep this nation standing. If there is a way to raise the percentage of success, I'll do it."

Nanatili namang nakatitig si Zai sa mga mata nito. She then looked outside of the window, "I had no intention in forming an alliance with your nation but a little change of plan is not a big deal. Fine, I'll cooperate with you."

Phrim's eyes were immediately filled with gladness, "I'm truly grateful--"

"However," natigilan naman ang hari noong marinig muli itong magsalita. Zai put both of her hands on the armrest and her natural sharp eyes stared at his kind ones. "In alliances, there's always a catch and you already have yours. The assurance of a helping hand. And I want mine."

Bumalik naman sa pagiging seryoso ang mukha ng hari at tumango rito. Zai temporarily closed her eyes then when she opened them she continued speaking, "Be familiar of these three's faces," nagtaka naman ang hari sa sinabi nito. He glanced at the children that are sitting on the other table. Naroon na rin si Shane na nagbabasa ng isang medical book. Ibinalik naman niya ang kaniyang mga nalilitong mata sa dalaga. Zai squinted her eyes, "You better remember them."

Phrim was confused but he nodded. Zai told him the reason why he should mark their faces in his head and Phrim seriously listened. Claysen, who was listening silently, stopped from eating and glanced at their direction. He stared at the girl when he heard all of her words. His face softened as he purse his lips and he eventually looked away. Pretending that he didn't hear anything.

Pagkatapos mag-usap ng dalawa ay tumayo na ang mga ito. Shane and the others stood as well. Shane closed the book, "Zai, ibabalik ko lang 'to saglit--"

Phrim just smiled at his direction, "You can keep it young man. It seems that you really like it."

Natuwa naman si Shane sa kaniyang sinabi at mabilis na nagpasalamat. They left the library and walked through the hallways of the palace. Claysen stared at Zai's hand as he walk behind her. He was hesitating as he raise his hand to hold onto her. Malapit na ang kaniyang kamay rito ngunit hindi niya ito hinawakan. Sa halip ay sa laylayan na lang ng damit ng dalaga ito humawak.

Zai glanced at him but she immediately looked forward. "So you heard?"

Claysen nodded as he looks down. Hinawakan naman ni Zai ang kamay nito at tinanggal ito sa pagkakakapit. She held his small hand with her cold one, "It's fine."

--

Ero crouched down and picked up a small plant that he spotted. Tinitigan niya ito ng mabuti at tiningnan ang bawat bahagi nito. When he confirmed that it is a herbal plant that's on his list, he put it in the basket that he is carrying on his back.

Pumitas siya ng ganoong mga halaman noong bigla na lamang siyang nakarinig ng pagsabog. Or more like a thunder. He immediately knew who it is, causing for his eyebrows to furrow. He clenched his jaw before he stood up and walked to the direction where it came from. Nagtuloy-tuloy ang tunog na iyon. Ero clenched his teeth, "Those bastards.."

Sinbad once again released a lightning at Trois ngunit mabilis na nawala sa kaniyang pwesto ang binata. Sinbad looked around and shot at him again when he saw him. Tumatagaktak na ang kaniyang pawis dahil sa pagod. Releasing an excelium for a long time can cause exhaustion and his body is already beyond its limits.

Trois clenched his jaw as he feels the pain all over his body. His old wound are almost healed but what's burdening him is his new wounds that Sinbad inflicted. He has burn marks but he can still move. At first, he couldn't keep up with Sinbad's movements because of the absence of his left leg ngunit kahit papaano ay nasusundan na rin niya ang mga galaw nito.

He continued staring at Sinbad as he hide behind the leaves of a tree. He couldn't believe that the former general can still move. Using an excelium for a long period of time is not an easy task. Babagsak na ang katawan mo kapag sumobra ka sa paggamit nito. Your body will ache and burn inside. Your body won't move in the next few days but he's still there, standing. Hindi man lang ito hinihingal. There's still no sign of weakness.

Trois quietly moved from one tree to another. Trois gritted his teeth when he stepped on a twig, causing a low sound. But Sinbad was keen enough to hear it. Lightning immediately went to Trois direction. Trois focused his electricity on his leg then he instantly vanished from his place. Trois clicked his tongue when the lightning still grazed him. His eyes widen when Sinbad appeared behind him and Trois could already feel his defeat ngunit natigilan ang dalawa noong bigla na lamang may humawak sa kanilang ulo at mabilis itong inumpog sa isa't isa. They both groaned when they fell on the ground as they hold their heads. Sinbad touched his forehead while Trois is rubbing the back of his head with his hand.

Tumingin naman sila kay Ero na matalim ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa. He sharpened his gaze at them, "Patients should stay in bed," he sarcastically grinned, "And it seems that I have to teach you both what that means."

--

Bonzo stopped on his tracks when he suddenly heard a loud thunder then another one. May bitbit siyang isang box habang siya'y patungo sa nautical bridge ng barko, "Was that Sin?"

Nilampasan naman siya ni Asta na may bitbit ring dalawang kahon at may nakasabit pang mabigat na mga lubid sa kaniyang balikat. "Hayaan mo sila. Ero will take care of them."

Bonzo followed behind Asta. Ibinaba ng babae ang kaniyang mga bitbit sa tabi ng pinto ng silid at ibinaba rin dito ni Bonzo ang kaniyang bitbit. Bonzo grimaced when Asta went back and carried the last two heavy boxes that are made from woods.  She's carrying the boxes with one hand while the other is carrying a large sack full of rice.

"You're terrifying." saad ni Bonzo rito.

Pagkatapos itong ilapag ni Asta ay ngumiti siya ng malawak at ipinagyabang ang kaniyang mga braso, "I train everyday and on top of that, my excelium is strength."

Inilagay naman ni Bonzo ang kaniyang mga kamay sa loob ng bulsa ng kaniyang jacket, "You have a face of a woman pero natatakpan dahil sa pag-akto mo. You look masculine that's why some think that you're a guy. Your short hair as well."

"Ayos na 'yan! Women are mostly discriminated when it comes to fighting. Some troops don't even want women in their squad so it's fine this way. Tsaka mas madaling makipaglaban 'pag walang sagabal," she then grinned, "Appearances are useless. It's all about the quality and effectivity of the whole person."

Bonzo shrugged his shoulders, "That's some quote you got there. Pinaghandaan mo?"

Asta rolled her eyes as she sarcastically smirk, "Just get moving already, kid. Carry those boxes at the back."

Bonzo groaned.

***

Claysen

Asta