Three class holders are approaching quickly. They are all over level 100.

Marcus listened to Xeen's warning and followed Janette's gaze to the night sky. The silhouettes of three men grew closer and the fire painted their gray uniforms in an ominous light. There were no insignia, no signs of authority or rank, just a simple red pin on their collars. That was all anybody needed to see to know they were government, party and the authority.

From left to right. A Shaman, a Spacial Mage and another Firelord.

Marcus' jaw was working hard. "Stay calm and let me do the talking," Marcus whispered to Janette, who was in no shape to cause trouble with anybody. The men elegantly landed only a few meters away and stepped forward. The leading man, the Spatial Mage, approached Marcus with a friendly smile, "I am Colonel Jun and it is an honor to meet the famous Titan." The man bowed slightly and Marcus mirrored him. Perfectly fluent English, as expected from a man of his rank, Marcus thought.

"Greetings, Colonel. To what do we owe your visit tonight?" Marcus said, and tried to look as oblivious as possible. The smile on Colonel Jun's face didn't waver one bit. "Obviously we are here to thank you for your efforts to protect an innocent civilian from a stray group of criminals. Your efforts are quite commendable," the man said. Marcus needed to think quickly to translate the words into what they really meant. They know what is going on. They pretend to see nothing. But what do they want in return?

Marcus smiled, "It was really nothing, more or less a coincidence." Jun nodded fervently and his smile only grew, which made Marcus feel even more alarmed. "Indeed. This is how we see it too. A small mess was made, but nothing worth mentioning," he said and with a wink of his hand the high level Firelord moved like the wind. The man walked along the blazing Jungle and the flames died down. He finished the circle in less than a minute and stepped up to the bonfire of a building and it too quickly diminished. Not even cinders remained.

The Firelord moved to a large pile of forgotten metal beams and stretched his hand out. All the soaked up thermal energy was released and the pile turned to slack in seconds. This is why this class is one of the most dangerous for you. Under the right circumstances they have the capability to destroy your whole body in one go. Nothing remains to be reconstructed.

"Now, this is much better," Jun said. Marcus turned back to him and hadn't forgotten the hidden threat in his last statement, 'This is how we see it'. Meaning, depending on their mood their perspective could change, dramatically.

"We have been hoping you would come and visit our beautiful country for some time. You really should have informed us of your arrival. We would have provided you with a formal reception," Jun continued his act and Marcus was waiting for the punchline. "It was all rather impulsive. I will make it up to you next time I come to visit," Marcus said. Colonel Jun seemed very happy and waved his hand, "No need for that! You have been invited to join our superior officer General Tao, right now." There it was, the snag. Janette next to Marcus tensed up, but he spoke freely, "That sounds rather wonderful. Though, if I were to leave with you. Could I expect my associates to be free to move home?"

Colonel Jun looked utterly surprised, "But of course, why would they not? Who would dare to hinder them to travel freely and to go where they want to? If they like they could stay and enjoy the many beautiful sights the city has to offer. We could arrange a tour." Marcus understood very well and replied, "That won't be necessary. As I said before, we were about to go home." With these words Marcus turned to Janette. "Make sure you let Candis look after your wounds, when you get home. And greet everybody from me," he said, and Janette nodded, her lips a thin line under her helmet.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Marcus turned back, "I fear I have torn my clothing a bit. This isn't proper attire to meet a General." Jun offered a hand and with a soft smile said, "Do not worry Mr. Freimann, we will provide you with everything you need." Marcus kept his smile on and took the hand of the Spatial Mage. The other two officers of the Grand Chinese Army held on to the shoulders of Colonel Jun and a moment later they were gone. "SHIT!" Janette shouted into the night and stomped her foot.

-----

In the early hours of the new day Xiu Han opened the battered door to her apartment and stepped into, what has been, her living room. She dropped her bag and coat and let her gaze move freely over the remnants of her apartment. For the first time in days the sun was breaking through the clouds and soft rays fell into the room, through the missing walls. Her guardian angels were gone. The Brotherhood was gone. As quickly as it had started, it had also ended. She sighed and felt utterly drained.

A sound from her kitchen instantly ripped her out of her lethargy and fear made her reach for the pistol she still carried. Holding the deadly weapon behind her back, Xiu moved slowly closer to the kitchen. With one hand she pushed the door slightly open and peeked inside. A small, dark haired woman was working in the kitchen. She wore a dark leather dress and fitting shoes, Xiu noted. Not standard Brotherhood attire. The woman had her back to Xiu and she used the advantage. Aiming the pistol at the intruder, she stepped forward. "What are you doing in my kitchen?" She asked, with a firm voice in Mandarin.

The woman turned, holding a tray with two tea cups. And suddenly a ghost stood in front of Xiu. "Mio…," she whispered, her heart missing a beat. It was the Mio of her memories, untouched by the passing of time. Mio smiled and nodded slightly, "I go by Rin these days." Rin moved past Xiu and set the tray down on the small table in front of the half-torn sofa. Xiu followed her, still holding the gun, still with her mouth wide open. Mio, no Rin, sat down on the sofa and offered her to do the same.

They sipped on their teas in silence and Xiu used the time to order the torrent of thoughts in her head. So many things could be said and asked, but most of it was trivial, obvious, beneath the level of conversation of a woman like Mi… Rin would expect from her. She was obviously a class holder and also the link that explained Marcus and Janette. Indecision ate up time and in the end Xiu just said, "You gained your freedom…." Rin smiled (what a beautiful smile it was) and nodded, "I did. In contrast to you I didn't achieve it with my own strength. I was saved by my mistress."

"How?" Xiu blurted out, forgetting her plan to appear thoughtful and dignified. Rin chuckled, put her cup down and said, "A few years after you had escaped your own prison I met the Queen of Hearts. When she learned about me and the 'family', how they had abused me and others since childhood, she was furious and wiped them out to the last. I thought I would find death through her hands too. Instead, she chose to give me my freedom." Rin paused for a moment to take a sip from her tea and continued, "Still, being who I am, I was unable to live just for myself. I followed her and made her my mistress. I became a class holder and worked hard to earn her trust and respect. That is the life I chose."

Class holder or not, it was hard to believe that a single person had been able to destroy the century old Kurusawa group, Xiu thought. "How did you know I was in trouble? Did you watch me?" She asked. Rin's lips formed a faint smile, "In a sense. A few years ago I was encouraged by my mistress to explore my personal relationships more. This also prompted me to look for you, but I deemed it unwise to mix our lives, at the time. Still, I made sure certain measures were taken to inform me if you ever got into trouble."

"Enough of me. Tell me about your husband and your son." Rin gazed at her and Xiu felt unable to resist and started talking. Just a few things at first. Then more and more. Rin didn't grow tired hearing about her mundane life. More tea and some cake came and went and Xiu was still talking. Eventually she finished and felt a great yearning to see her son. "I am so sorry that your husband died," Rin said, with a soft voice. "He made me a better person," Xiu admitted, and smiled upon her own overly dramatic words.

Rin rose from the sofa and straightened her dress, she was obviously preparing to leave. A sudden panic took hold of Xiu and she tried to think of anything she should say or ask before Rin might forever leave her life (again). "Will Marcus be okay?" Was what her brain came up with. "Don't worry about Marcus, many people are looking out for him. By now he is already back in safety," Rin explained, with a faint smile. Hearing this took a heavy load from Xiu's shoulders. A moment passed and Xiu couldn't help but ask, "Will I see you again?"

Rin squinted her eyes and thought for a moment. "Next Sunday, 8 PM. Let's see how your mahjong skills are holding up. I will be merciless if you have become weak," she said, and made a step towards the middle of the room. Xiu was excited to hear this and instantly agreed to the date. "And Xiu…," Rin gave her a stern look, "Don't be silly and make up with your son. I expect to hear about your reconciliation next we meet." A second later she was gone. Vanished into thin air.

It took Xiu a few seconds and then she laughed. She laughed from the depths of her heart and thanked the gods she had so often cursed. She was alive, her son was alive, Rin would come to visit her…. With renewed vigor Xiu stood up and looked around in her wrecked apartment. "I better get started," she said to herself. There was lots to do until next Sunday.

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