Chapter 38

"Any idea who called them?" Trance asked the three males behind her but they give her a shrug as a reply. She looked at the man who was now standing in front of her.

"Maybe Artemis."

"Impossible."

"I was the one who called them." Nine said wiping off some blood that splattered on her face and arms. Trance is nearly passed out because of the tiredness and pain she feels if Nine didn't tap her shoulder. Trance looked at her with tired eyes and was about to speak when her sight started to spin and every sound she heard is like from afar.

Trance reached Nine before she completely passed out. Nine left flabbergasted and Hiro shook head before Hiro turned his back at them then lowered himself. Nine pulled Trance away from her and leaned her on her brother's back. He motioned Nine to pick his sister's katana that falls beside Nine. The girl emotionlessly picked it up and handed it to him.

"Why can't I just die? None of those attempts worked." She mumbled as she looked away. Hiro started to walk before her while Trance peacefully slept in his back.

"We're going home." Hiro waved them goodbye.

"Nine can you drive us there?"

"I thought Yen is joking," Raiden commented as he stared at the couple. Kai immediately nudged his arm when Nine stared at him, "Drive safely, Nine!"

"How come she's just a teenager like you and the siblings? I mean, teenagers are scary nowadays." Raiden commented as they walked a separate path.

"Dude, I heard that one of the Valdez is having fond of someone," Raiden said in disbelief. Kai pulled down his mask and give him 'I know something that you don't' look.

"I got now comments regarding that," Hiro retorted while securing his sister on his back also, dragging his chain that produces a ringing sound whenever it creates a contact against the ground. Nine, who silently followed their trails as they made their way towards the sanctuary again, snatches his chains and rolled them on her hand.

"How thoughtful of you, Nine," Raiden commented.

"It irritates me like you." Nine deadpans.

"We only walked here because they entered through the south wing."

"Nine always takes the place with lesser people. I miss you, bro. Give me a hug." The lady grimaced and aimed her golden gun at Raiden who was about to reach her. After confirming that Raiden won't get close, Nine hides her gun behind her pocket again.

"Oh come on! You stepped your foot on my school and now you're despising your headmaster?" Nine swings her foot and kicks the back of his knee, causing him to kneel on the ground while Nine grabs the back of his collar. She easily overpowered the male despite how skilled he is.

"Fuck off, bro," Nine whispered coldly before she let go of him and tailed the siblings.

"Stand up now, it's not good for the fabric of your clothing will be dirty by the dust." She said while Raiden looked at her in disbelief. Her tone is far from what is it earlier like how she whispered to Raiden earlier and that makes the male stare at her as if she's a different person.

"Hiro, just tell everyone that you received an outside call okay?" Trance murmurs while closing her eyes; hoping to snatch a nap on their way home. However, the nap she's expecting turned into rock after Raiden's loud laugh clapped on her ears. Trance shot a glare on his back despite being sleep-deprived and throbbing head.

"Hiro, did you know that man?" She whispered to her brother.

"Yes, he's a colleague. One of the 12 high-rankers like Artemis and others. He's Commander 1126, known as the lightning. You will often be bumped to him now since you're part of our work." Hiro explains while Trance looked at the man standing beside Kai and cracking a joke on Nine.

"12 high-rankers? Well, I won't be surprised since he's skilled as Nine." Trance rubbed her eyes, "Let's talk properly."

"Haha, only two of the high rankers are crazy. The twelve commanders, ten normals with two lunatics. They're the ones who handle s class missions." Hiro lowers himself when Trance attempted to jump off his back. After Trance successfully landed, they continue to walk.

"You see, I'm part of that twelve commanders. Based on Excalibur's rules, one who got his honor, valor, honesty, and loyalty should be tested if they're fit for the rankings." Hiro explained in his low voice; carefully speaking and not letting an unwanted individual hear it. Trance nodded in her understanding.

"So how long for you to enter the high ranks?"

"A month but unlike any of us, five commanders took their position to the high ranks in just a week on their arrival."

"Who?" Trance asked impatiently in eagerness to know everything that digs down on her curiosity.

"Sorry, sister. That's not for me to tell. Maybe you ask your team, they know who."

"Alright, Commander, what about the two crazy? Should I avoid them?"

"That's impossible to do, Trance. Everything is balanced. You can see kindness in evil and you can see evil in kindness. But until that two darkness spawn existed. I don't think you can avoid them, Trance. They're already surrounding you." Hiro nervously laughs while Trance remained in her calm demeanor. She sensed the sudden distress yet she chooses not to make a foolish move that might lead to embarrassment.

"It's Commander Artemis and Commander Nine. I heard once on their mission that both of them tormented the person before they killed it. Some say they skinned their target alive. Commander Artemis alongside Nine, Hera, and Demeter the triumph card of the unit when it comes to strategy. But Commander Nine is the hitman of the organization. With the headmistresses' orders, she slew traitors without thinking twice. No rookies stand her even on their first day, you're the first she treated nicely, Trance."

"Should I thank her?"

"I trust your skills but she can hurt you once something forms on her mind or maybe the worst, she might kill you. I would like you to be careful."