Mentor of Dolion

Assassins burst into a home late at night, they began searching everywhere as the residents were confused as to why. "Have you seen three boys and two girls that look different around here?" demanded one of them to the residents.

"It's just me, my daughter, and my son." replied the head of the place.

"We found nothing, sir." cried an assassin from upstairs.

"Did you check the attic?" asked the leader of them.

"We did, there's nothing up there." he replied.

The leader turned to the head of the residents, behind him was his daughter and his son with hazel eyes and blonde hair. The leader looked closely at the boy as he stared back at him curiously. "Very well," he finally said. "If you see them, report to us immediately according to the mentor's orders."

"As the mentor wish," acknowledged the head of the home. The assassins left and they waited for a while before the boy went upstairs.

The boy went up into the attic, there was barely anything as he approached a wall and magnetized the lock. The wall swung open revealing two girls dress like slaves and two unconscious boys. "You guys alright?" asked Tony.

"I thought we were discovered," stated Xing.

"Not yet, have they woken up yet?" asked Tony. The girls turned back around to look at the other two boys. Their eyes were open but they look awake, they groan to speak and barely moved their bodies. They looked at each other with no emotions as they groaned.

"Whatever happened to them, it took a massive toll on them." stated Princess Zhen.

"That's not a surprise, Dolion kills people to show mercy and tortures them till to a state to increase the pain." stated the homeowner.

"Do they recover?" asked Xing, she was worried about them.

"I haven't heard anyone who has," replied the homeowner, dropping Xing's hopes.

"They will," stated Tony, "they're too stubborn to die. And if they do, I'll bring them back so I can knock some sense into him."

"I hope you're right then, it's time for dinner." stated the homeowner. Tony nodded and pushed the wall back into place before going back downstairs. He left Xing and Princess Zhen alone as they listened to Truman and Zhōng groaning to each other.

The next morning, Tony was eating breakfast with the homeowner as they looked over a map. "Dolion knows we're trying to get off this island." said Tony.

"He'll have guards at every port looking for you guys, it will be suicide if you think you can get through." stated the homeowner.

"Can we fly to the Assassin Empire?" asked Tony.

"Too far away, you'll be exhausted that you'll drown." stated the homeowner.

"How about a trading ship? Will we be close to them?" asked Tony.

"A trading does come close to the island, but you missed it already." said the homeowner.

"Sounds like it's impossible to escape," sighed Tony.

"Father, what about the lifeboat?" asked the girl, she was around Tony's age and had blonde hair and blue eyes like Zhōng's.

"What lifeboat?" asked Tony.

"Mr. Poisoner, perhaps we should pick up supplies." suggested the homeowner as he stood up.

"Still have some time," said Tony.

"If you think assassins are consistent then you're wrong. Besides, I would like you to tell me more about them." said the homeowner. Tony stood up, put his assassin coat cowl over his head, and headed out the door. "Be safe," he said to his daughter I will.

While Tony and the homeowner were gone, Xing and Princess Zhen waited in the cramped hidden room. The groans of Zhōng and Truman kept them up for the past couple of nights. "That's a good idea," replied Xing after Truman groaned.

"What is?" asked Princess Zhen.

"Truman suggested that we rest while they take the watch." said Xing.

"Are they going to groan all the time?" asked Princess Zhen. Her answer came when Zhōng groaned. "I wonder if they can understand us?" she asked, looking at him.

Xing waved her hand in between the two boys, they continued to stare as if it wasn't there. She then moved her brother's head to look at her but his eyes remained locked with Truman's. "They seriously must have gone over their limits." she said after moving her brother's head back.

The wall suddenly opened a crack and Princess Zhen got ready to attack the intruder. "Pardon me," said the girl, relieving Xing and the princess. "I draw a bath for you, I figure you'll like to get yourselves clean." She opened the wall entirely, revealing a tub full of water as steam arises from it.

"Thank you very much," thanked Princess Zhen.

"You're the best second cousin I could have." said Xing.

"I'm your only second cousin," giggled the girl. "I'll give you guys some privacy." she said, she then went downstairs leaving them alone.

The girls looked at the tub hungrily, after putting a blanket to block out the boys. The girls were thinking about who was going in first. The water was only going to be warm enough for one to enjoy. Princess Zhen remembered her mark below her belly, she was terrified of what Xing thought of her. "You can go in first, your majesty." said Xing, she looked disappointed but terrified about something.

"How about we go in together? The tub is big enough for two." suggested Princess Zhen.

"I can wait, your majesty, it's not that big of a deal to me." said Xing, she was shaking and terrified of something.

"Come on, I insist," said Princess Zhen, she sometimes bathed with other girls at school. When she did, she put a cloth over her mark to hide it from everyone.

Xing knew better than to argue, she sighed and turn around to remove her shirt. Her back was whipped and raw, there were bruises and burns due to wax all over. When she took the remaining clothes off, Princess Zhen saw the same injuries like her back. When Xing turned back around, her face was timid and scared. While her body was developing well, there were bruises and cuts all over her. "Please don't stare," she whimpered. She was uncomfortable and in pain by them. It amazed Princess Zhen that she held in the pain for so long.

"I'm sorry," said Princess Zhen, she turned to look at the blanket which prevented the boys from seeing them. She wondered if Zhōng told Truman about her and maybe her mark, although Zhōng had no idea. "Promise me you won't tell him what about to show you." she asked. Xing looked at her curiously, she could see the princess was embarrassed by something that she didn't want her brother to know. After she nodded her head, Princess Zhen undressed as well and revealed her Vow Seal.

"Are you sure I don't look suspicious?" whispered Tony while he and the homeowner walked through the village.

"If you do, the majority of the town would protect you if Dolion dares." assured the homeowner.

"That's not what worries me, I can assure you if Zhōng was conscious, he would make us leave quickly so you won't suffer anymore."

"What happened to my wife wasn't her or my fault. It is neither your nor your party's fault, I blame this on Dolion for making us suffer this much. We live under fear of him but my wife lit a spark that Dolion fears especially since you guys are hiding."

"I'm glad Xing brought us to you, I was hesitant at first."

"So was I when I saw two identical princes." said the homeowner. "Remind me again, what did he do?"

"Zhōng received that can create an exact living image of himself. However, there's a limit and the more damage he suffers, the shorter the span."

"This copy can do anything Zhōng can do as long as it's not taking damage."

"There's another drawback, if one of them gets injured, the other feels the pain mentally. The shard may provide an extra body but not an extra brain." explained Tony.

"And the princess doesn't know about this, and you want this to remain a secret." said the homeowner as they approached a door.

"Zhōng fooled the princess into believing they are two different people. He doesn't want her to know, until he tells us otherwise, we won't speak about it." said Tony, before he opened the door and entered.

"Ah, Mr. Wàng Jì, how nice for you to come by." greeted the smith when they entered.

"Are they done?" asked Mr. Wàng Jì.

"Right this way," directed the smith after checking to see if someone spotted them. He led them behind a wall where no one could see them. There was a table there use for putting hidden blades together. He pulled out a sack and dumped all the hidden blades onto the table. "I made all of them, however, you cannot activate them like mechs." he explained.

"As long as they work like hidden blades, I don't honestly care." said Tony as he tried one on.

"Please give this one to mistress Xing, I designed it for her." pleaded the smith as he handed Tony a beautiful flower design blade.

"I shall, she did say she'll pay for it." said Tony, giving the smith four gold pieces. The man nodded with tears in his eyes as he accept the price.

"What if we don't fully put them in the tub?" suggested Xing. After her's and Princess Zhen's bath, the three girls decided to give Zhōng and Truman one. However, all of them were terrified of stripping them.

"They'll be dirty when we put on their disguises." said the girl.

"Why not wash them with their clothes on?" asked Princess Zhen, she did not want to see them naked.

"Their clothes might get clean but not them." responded the girl.

"Yuzuki, is there no other way around this?" asked Xing to the girl.

"Unless we want to wait till my father and friend get back. But I'm pretty sure you guys will be leaving soon." said Yuzuki.

"Then I guess there's no choice." sighed Princess Zhen, they looked at the two boys who groaned at each other.

"Well better get them out," said Xing. She went to Zhōng and dragged him out towards the tub.

"I'll get him," stated Yuzuki and went to bring Truman.

"Your majesty, can you help me?" asked Xing.

Princess Zhen saw Xing had removed Zhōng's shirt and getting ready to lift him. She gulped as she came over to help. "I am not a pervert, I am not a pervert, I am not a pervert." she thought to herself as she grabbed around the waist and the Ninja Sword. Zhōng suddenly gasped and his eyes went wide as his hand grabbed firmly the Ninja Sword. Truman also gasped and jolted himself free from Yuzuki. The two jerked violently making the girls scared before they stop.

"What just happened?" asked Yuzuki.

"I don't know," said Princess Zhen, they were still shocked by what just happened. They checked on them and saw their eyes were closed and their breathing was quiet.

"Are they dead?" asked Xing.

"Doesn't look like it," said Yuzuki.

Tony suddenly burst in, his weapon was drawn frightening the girls. They screamed before he assured them, "It's okay, anyone hurt?" he asked. He then saw Truman and Zhōng laying by the tub.

"Everything alright?" Mr. Wàng Jì, he was downstairs when they returned.

"They're good, false alarm." stated Tony, putting his sword away.

"Alright, tell my daughter if she's up there to come down and pack her things." ordered Mr. Wàng Jì.

"Why do I have to pack?" asked Yuzuki.

"Because you're leaving too," stated Tony as he went back downstairs.

A few hours later, they were all packed and dressed ready to go. When it was still dark outside, they left the shop, the house, and everything in them behind. They traveled west, trying to stay in the forest for cover and to hide their tracks if they were followed. When they found a place to rest and hide, they made camp and Tony gave them their hidden blades that were made. "I hope you pay him for this," stated Xing as she adjusted her hidden blade.

"We paid for all of them, don't worry." assured Tony.

"Who are these for?" asked Princess Zhen holding up three gauntlets.

"The one with blades on either side is Zhōng's, the extra two basic are Truman's." said Tony.

"Why does he have two on one?" asked Yuzuki.

"I was wondering the same thing when you request it." stated Mr. Wàng Jì.

"You'll be surprised at what he can do with very little to no experience." replied Tony.

The girls went to put the hidden blades on their unconscious friends. While Princess Zhen and Yuzuki put Truman's blades on, Xing put Zhōng's on his left arm when she noticed something. "Guys, is Truman breathing?" she asked.

"Faintly, why?" said Yuzuki after they checked, sparking Tony's interest.

"How long have they stopped groaning?" he asked as he went to inspect Zhōng.

"Since they shook before we tried to put them in the tub." replied Princess Zhen. She saw Tony's eyes go wide as if something was wrong.

Tony approached Zhōng and Truman, he put his hands on their chest as he searched for a heartbeat. "We don't have much time, I need herbs and fast." he stated as he immediately pulled out his potion kit.

"What kind of herbs exactly?" asked Mr. Wàng Jì.

"Doesn't matter as long they are herbs." stated Tony as begin mixing various of samples.

"What's happening?" asked Xing worriedly.

"They're dying, I'll explain later how," said Tony. The remaining group understood the situation and went to search for herbs in the dark.

After a few minutes of searching, they returned with plenty of herbs. Tony took a few with the strongest smell and shoved them into a tube with his concoctions. "What's happening to them?" asked Yuzuki as they watched Tony work.

"It wasn't their fault, the reason why they're like this is because of mech stress. There's a limit beyond the limit in a mech. If you go over, you'll run the risk of fainting and never waking up. There are three phases, the first is you'll be groaning but you'll be in pain. The second is barely any breathing and the third is a cold body. As long as you don't enter the third phase, you can recover. But if you do, you will not wake up for good." said Tony as he stuffed two straws with the herb-soaked balls.

"When will they enter the final phase?" asked Princess Zhen, she was worried about Truman.

"Who knows, Mr. Wàng Jì, I'm going to need your help." said Tony as he got by Zhōng and handed Mr. Wàng Jì the second straw as he got by Truman. "On three, blow this in his nose. A strong smell will immediately kick them back to our world."

"Understood," acknowledged Mr. Wàng Jì. They position the straws into their noses, Tony with his hand held up the number with his fingers and on the third, they blew. The two unconscious boys jerked from the strong smell and were breathing strongly again.

"That was close," stated Tony as he checked them both out.

"But they aren't awake yet," pointed out Xing.

"The herb is supposed to get them away from the third phase. They are awake but are still tired, they won't wake up right away. If anything, they are getting some rest, the rest should follow their example." said Tony.

"I'll relieve you then," stated Mr. Wàng Jì, the girls unrolled some bags to keep them warm. While Tony stayed up for watch, the rest fell asleep on the cold dark ground.

The group continued to travel west towards their last option of escape. "Why did you flee again?" asked Tony.

"The Eight-Year War wasn't supposed to last as long as it did. My cousin had to cut funds to survive for a breath stint of it. Around the third year of the war, we lost a secure fund from him. In order for us to recover the loss we would have to tax our people highly. My cousin wouldn't go higher than where it was at the time. So we left and were heading to the Egyptian Empire to stay for a while but were going to be attacked by pirates. The crew give us their small boat and we sailed to this island where we were allowed to stay." explained Mr. Wàng Jì.

"I assume Dolion wasn't fond of Ninjas staying on this island." said Tony.

"He was only an apprentice when we arrived, the mentor before him was very kind to us." said Mr. Wàng Jì.

"What happened to him?" asked Princess Zhen.

"We don't know, Dolion suddenly took over and the mentor disappeared." said Yuzuki.

"Nothing disappears into thin air," stated Tony. He looked over his shoulder to see Xing and Yuzuki were carrying the still-unconscious boys as they traveled. He and Mr. Wàng Jì would switch out them after an hour of walking and they rested.

"Do you think something happened to him?" asked Xing.

"If anything I know Dolion was involved and it won't surprise me if Hangman was too." said Tony.

The group continued to walk for another mile or two before they saw someone. He was standing in the middle of the road blocking them from continuing through. "This is probably a territorial road," guessed Mr. Wàng Jì.

"Only one way to find out," said Tony and he approached the assassin.

"You not from here," stated the assassin when Tony came forth.

"Just quick passing through," stated Tony but the assassin didn't move. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way and I can assure you, you want the easy way."

"Your threats are nothing without action, I can tell you like to use others to keep your hands clean." stated the assassin.

"I don't mind getting them dirty every now and then." stated Tony, he pulled out his blade and got into his fighting stance.

"Really Poisoner? Cause I don't see you doing that," stated a familiar voice. The group turned around and saw Hangman with hidden blades and wearing assassin clothing.

"Hangman," growled Tony.

"Glad you stop them, mentor, Mentor Dolion wanted them back. Though he only wanted that girl alive, the rest could be killed." stated Hangman as he pointed at Xing. Her face went pale from hearing Dolion's name.

"Mentor?" repeated Mr. Wàng Jì as he turned back around to look at the assassin in front of them.

"It is indeed, Mr. Wàng Jì." confirmed the assassin.

"If you think you can get her again, then you'll have another thing coming," growled Tony.

"Temper, temper, I'm no match for you with a sword. But with my hidden blades, we will overwhelm you." said Hangman.

"Don't think I'll go down easily," warned Tony.

"Are you sure, I heard your friend here struggled against one of us." said Hangman, implying Zhōng who was still out.

"He had no idea what he was dealing with, but now we know." said Tony.

"But can you handle two? Mentor, perhaps we could work together to take care of this." suggested Hangman.

"The fact you are alone, tells me Dolion made a threat to you. You should also know it takes two to beat one assassin. If you lose, you are not an assassin." said the mentor.

"But there's more than two here," pointed out Hangman.

"Perhaps a challenge then, the winner will be decided when one side is eliminated. Or don't tell me you can't do it" suggested the mentor.

"I can win, no matter who is my opponent." stated Hangman.

"Very well, Poisoner, pick your partner." ordered the mentor.

Tony looked at Truman and Zhōng, they were still out and had no sign of waking up. With one of them, they could easily overwhelm Hangman. He looked at Xing and Yuzuki who carried the boys, they weren't fighters and would get killed if they fight. He only had one option to be his partner. "Your majesty, shall we face him?" asked Tony.

Princess Zhen looked at Hangman, he had pride and believe he would win. She hated that he killed people and was responsible for Xing's kidnapping. "Considering he was a Ninja citizen and harmed many, he should pay for his crimes." agreed Princess Zhen as she drew her sword.

Three went to a patch nearby while the rest watched. Tony and Princess Zhen drew their swords and ready themselves while Hangman twirled in the ninja blade that he still had. "After you, princess," offered Tony.

"Only Truman can call me that," stated Princess Zhen. She charged at Hangman as Tony follow in pursuit. A split second after her sword crashed with Hangman's, Tony went for an attack to have it blocked by Hangman's hidden blade.

"Is that all you got?" mocked Hangman. He crashed his blades against theirs as he went on the offensive. Tony and the princess weren't well-synced as they tried to outperform each other. For Tony, he wanted revenge for what Hangman did but he knew Zhōng won't forgive him if the princess gets hurt. For Princess Zhen, she wanted justice for what Hangman had done to get Xing.

"Try this out," stated Tony as he uppercut then sidecut in one movement. He sent Hangman's sword flying away but when he went for the second strike, it was blocked by another hidden blade.

"You know, it was easy to get her, I simply told them to get those two away from her and they should overwhelm you." jeered Hangman.

"If weren't for that, I wouldn't know how to beat you." stated Tony as he sent waves of attacks at Hangman. Princess Zhen joined him but they weren't enough to break his defenses.

"You think I'm a single blader? You should know if an assassin has two blades, they are very good. And I'm the best after Mentor Dolion." laughed Hangman. He continued to laugh as he tried to break their defense. One disadvantage with the hidden blades was they can't get close to a target with a sword in close combat. He swung at them, forcing them back as he laughed hysterically.

"He's too strong," stated Princess Zhen when they jump back and away from Hangman.

"Princess, buy me some time and an opening." ordered Tony, he had an idea.

"I told you, you aren't allowed to call me that." stated Princess Zhen, she charged again at Hangman and parried blows. She knew that overwhelming all around him would get her kill, so she focus on central attacks to force him back.

"You can't beat me, your majesty. These attacks won't work and I've seen what you can do." stated Hangman as he deflects her attacks with his hidden blades. He then head-butts the princess making her stumble back. "Bye, bye, princess." jeered Hangman as he prepare to charge at her.

Before Princess Zhen could recover and Hangman pounced, something penetrated Hangman's left shoulder. They look to see Tony holding an unloaded crossbow. "Bullseye," he stated. Hangman looked down at the dart that emptied its contaminants into him. He looked back at Tony and he looked different. "I've making this one for a while, it won't kill you but it will torture you." began Tony.

"What did you do?" demanded Hangman as the world around them begin to change his view.

"It's called Nightmare, I have a deadlier one called Dream but instead of torture, it gives you discomfort while you sleep until you die. I assume your world is changing, and that you no longer see me or the princess anymore but something worst." said Tony. He was right, Hangman's world has changed they looked like Owl and someone else he killed. They were like zombies and they were others he killed with them. The forest nearby began to burn from a blazing fire and the sky turned dark. He wanted to run but his feet wouldn't move. He then turn and saw something even more terrifying as he fell down. "So they are here," said Tony noticing Hangman was staring at something. "I had a theory that if you fear someone, they'll become the thing you described. Tell me, what do you see?"

Hangman continued to stare deeply at two pairs of blazing blue eyes of fire. They were cold but hot, calm but violent, life and death. He could see they were filled with pain, suffering, determination, fear, and anger. "They don't look like the thing I would describe. They're worst than demons, they don't look human or any creatures I have seen. I can see fangs as their teeth, each one designed for a purpose. There are claws on their hands and feet, like their fangs, they're designed to run, hunt and kill. And their eyes, they're hiding something that I can't see behind their pain. And they're getting bigger," described Hangman as his face was getting paler as he continued to stare.

"The longer you stare, the more terrifying they become. Think of it as your worst nightmare but it's one that you can't escape." taunted Tony.

"Please, I can't take this anymore!" pleaded Hangman, his breaths were getting faster as he stared into the blazing eyes.

"Unfortunately I made a cure but don't have it on me nor the resources for it. Death is your mercy and I'm not done with my fill. You let hundreds of members of the Ninja Black Market die, you betrayed Owl and helped kidnapped Xing. Until we all have our fill, you will suffer." stated Tony.

Hangman's face was white, he was panicking and his eyes were wide with no color. All he could were the burning eyes of the things he was afraid of as they hover above. "Please, I'm begging this is too much." complained Hangman.

"You failed anyway, you can back to Dolion and suffer for a long time. Or wait till we're done seeing you tremble and kill you." said Tony.

The eyes reached new heights as if something had awakened, they blazed hotter and consumed more as Hangman looked deeper. He wanted to see behind the curse demons' eyes, but couldn't now with this new heat and new rage. "Please, end me!" cried Hangman. He suddenly felt something cold through his throat. His world slowly returned to normal as he realized what happened and continued to slide the sword.

When his head hit the ground, Princess Zhen picked her sword up and swiped away the blood. "I believe that's enough," she stated as put away her sword.

"I may had my fill, but what about Xing? What about Truman and Zhōng? Did they have their fill, your majesty?" questioned Tony.

"No one should suffer like this," stated Princess Zhen.

"We're criminals, we are nobodies. Suffering is our justice and justice is our suffering." said Tony.

"And suffering comes from those who inflicted the pain," interrupted Truman. Tony and the princess turned and saw he and Zhōng were finally awake.

"Brother," exclaimed Xing.

"When did you two wake up?" asked Yuzuki.

"During their battle," answered Zhōng, he then turned to look at the assassin mentor. "I assume you won't let us through till we beat you as well."

"You definitely have good eyes, Hangman was right to be afraid of those who cast death within them." said the assassin.

"But I thought we won?" said Princess Zhen.

"Unlike Hangman, I'll take you back except the two I'll kill." compromised the assassin.

"You think it'll be easy?" questioned Truman.

"Come on, Dual Bladed Ninja, let's take him down." stated Tony as he redrew his sword and Truman tried to stand by himself.

"It'll be an unfair fight for then, I've seen moves and I know that's all you have." stated the assassin.

"But you didn't see mine," stated Truman as he finally stood up by himself.

"You'll definitely be a challenge, but I heard about you while you have never heard about me." stated the assassin.

"What are you implying?" demanded Truman.

"He wants to face someone that never heard about." stated Zhōng as he stood by himself as well.

"But I can see you are injured," stated the assassin.

"You think you're the only one that likes to go against the odds?" asked Zhōng as he drew the Ninja Sword. He was still recovering from the experiments and the stress he put on himself and Truman.

"I got this, there's no way I'll lose." stated Truman standing in Zhōng's way.

"No, he's mine, I must have him alone." said Zhōng. He entered the patch passing Tony and Princess Zhen leaving. The princess could see the rage and anger Hangman was talking about dancing in his eyes.

"If you're looking for peace, then peace I shall tell when you win." stated the assassin as he entered.

"That's all I want," stated Zhōng. The assassin revealed his hidden blades and the two clashed. Using only one sword made it difficult for Zhōng to attack and defend against a deadly opponent. Usually, he'll use one blade in one-on-one combat fights or bandits when he took them by surprise. This assassin was ordinary but skilled, his blades flashed out like serpents tongs and his punches were strong and hard. He hit where Zhōng's wounds were recovering, they sent strong waves of pain throughout his body. But Zhōng wasn't going to give up and his blade became a blur. He changed from defense to attack when flick his blade forward, he rotate his wrist and arms and continued to have his blade dance.

Zhōng pushed him back to the edge before their blades locked still. "You are quick to learn, don't think this would be out of bounds." stated the assassin.

"I was counting on that," stated Zhōng, he forced their blades. In sequence, he let his left hand go and revealed his hidden blade as it plunged into the right side of the assassin's chest. They fell down and a gasp could be heard from the assassin. "You should have continued to fall back, now you better talk." stated Zhōng as he grabbed the assassin's collar.

"Hangman is right, you're hiding something behind your eyes. But what he couldn't see, I can see and it's a boy terrified of the world around him." said the assassin as he coughed up blood.

"Did I ask if you could see through me? You better tell me everything I want to know." growled Zhōng.

"As promised, I will give you peace of mind." promised the assassin.

"Who are the Black Assassins and how many are there?" began Zhōng.

"We are a group that believes that the Assassin Empire should fight back. For years, we lost land and territory that our ancestors held and we didn't even fight back. Citizens lost their lands to the Indian and Egyptian empires, and the council did nothing but offer a new home in the capital. We were banished here for speaking out of place, though I show some respect to them, there are some things that they should take responsibility for." said the assassin.

"So you were banished here because you spoke out against an issue and you aren't a threat to other empires." concluded Truman, the others came and approached them after Zhōng won.

"I would have fought only those who fought against us to reclaim our lands." stated the assassin.

"Then what deal did you make with my father?" demanded Zhōng.

"Your father? Then I can assume that you are Former Prince Zhōng. It makes sense that you'll hide your terrified and scared self and put on a curtain of anger and suffering." said the assassin.

"Answer my question," growled Zhōng as he tighten his grip on the assassin's collar.

"Your father was afraid of assassins, he heard about us and requested us to come and exterminate assassins. In exchange, he would offer his daughter's hand in marriage. I would have been too old so I offer my successor to be." explained the assassin.

"So it is true?" asked Xing in disbelief. Her face went pale that her father offered her hand to them.

The assassin mentor turned and looked at her. He smiled to reassure her and said, "If only I taught my successor with more discipline, he might turn out differently. I'm sorry to agree which is why I'm going to ask you. Zhōng, as the head of your family, proclaimed by your father, if you want to break this engagement off, you may. I failed my end of the deal, it will be only fair if I and Dolion take the punishment."

Zhōng looked down and pondered what was told to him, he could end this deal and won't be punished for it. He looked over at Xing who looked at him in worried. "My sister was abused, I won't forgive Dolion and he will suffer the same fate as you." he vowed. The assassin mentor nodded his head in understanding and Zhōng loosen his grip and set him down. "Finally, what is Dolion planning to do after he gets his hands back on my sister?" he asked.

"Dolion is calm on the outside but he is unstable from within. He wants to exact revenge on the Assassin Empire but he won't stop there, he'll take the resources at his disposal and conquer the Indian Empire, the Medevil Empire, the Egyptian Empire, the Spartan Empire, the Ninja Empire, and the Viking Empire. No one can stop him, even now it would be bloody." said the assassin.

"But I thought you said you wanted your lands backed?" asked Tony.

"I wanted them back, but he wants more. He believes the numbers will weaken all the empires and he would slowly conquer them with the help of a few Egyptian Ships." explained the assassin as he took deep and sharp breaths. His time of death was very near.

"Though you perhaps don't deserve this, you can rest easy knowing that you'll be going to a new place." said Zhōng, giving him peace.

"I sure hope so," said the assassin before his final breath.

Zhōng stepped away, allowing Yuzuki and Mr. Wàng Jì to say their goodbye and prepare his body in a resting position. "Did you seriously know they were living here?" whispered Tony to Zhōng.

Zhōng turned to look at him, his eyes were still blazing and cold as his glare hit Tony. "We should continue before more assassins find us and them." stated Zhōng. He began to walk in the direction they were walking before. After a few miles down, he said to Princess Zhen, "Whatever he said, forget about it. That boy is a ghost of my past." He was referring to what the assassin saw before he died.

"What if I don't want to?" asked Princess Zhen.

"Then consider him dead," said Zhōng as he walked faster. He was hurting, not just physically but mentally as he couldn't believe his father agree to a deal with assassins.