(Part 13)

Xavier stared at him silent. Suddenly his phone rang, he answered, "Hello…?"

"Hello my foot! You rascal! How many times should I ask you before you'll reply? Are you coming on not?" Kenzo's voice barged out of the phone. Even without the speaker turned on, his exasperated voice was clearly heard by Alan too.

Xavier chuckled speechless. "I am coming. I was just about to reply." he replied scratching his temple.

"Then, hurry up already. I am waiting! Tch, to have the audacity to make this king call him…" he mumbled hanging up.

Xavier exhaled while Alan rolled his eyes. Instantly realizing he looked at him, "If you are free right now. Mind tagging along? We are heading to the shrine to pray."

"The shrine…?" Alan looked up remembering. "I see…" he thought smiling. "Lost I was and I don't even know the routes here clearly. If I can safely reach the base before 10 beside you and the rest then I really don't mind. I leave this lost self of mine in your care." he gave up.

To think a World ranker would be saying something like this… even Alan was flabbergasted.

"Hehe…" Xavier chortled, "Let's go then. However, before we head there, I have to stop by a bakery my sister urged me to go. Or else, she would insist me again and again asking me if I visited or not."

"No problem at all." Alan replied following.

"By the way, where is your rabbit?" Xavier asked curious, not tracing the sight of the fluffy, little, white rabbit hiding behind his hairs like usual.

Alan smiled, "Rauf's fan 1is with Rauf." The two heading out towards the main road. 

_____

The wind raucous and loud, was filled with the scent of the salty sea. Sea gulls, pigeons and crows surrounding the cloudy sky. Noises of waves hitting the shore austerely, were heard clearly from far. Amid the route to the sea, a huge shrine rested. Hugely constructed tombs and steeples. It had sub-continent/Indian, multicolored and geometrically styled marbled walls, floors and stairs that emitted the sight of ancient beauty.

Devotees swaying on themes for their lord, chants of glory being sung around, innocent ones praying for what they desire and travelers admiring all over the place. That was the grand sight, the shrine of Sufi saint of Karachi held.

Amid the clatters and voices, Kenzo stood with his back on the wall. Taking a deep breath he remembered....

"What…?" he asked baffled.

His gaze furrowed anxiously he nodded, "Alright. I understand. I'll be right there." he assured hanging up.

"What happened?" Rooh asked nervously.

"It seems something unlikely has happened with my friends. I have to go and help them." Kenzo replied restless.

Rooh gasped, soon nodding, "If it's that urgent then you better go. Don't waste time here and wait."

Kenzo looked up, "But, you…" "I am fine. Even if you don't leave now you still have to head back to the base. Don't worry about me. Aidan and Mira are here to take care of everything. So go and take care of your friends." Rooh assured. 

Kenzo bit his lips, "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be, my dear. Just remember to live for the world more than living for yourself. That's how you become benevolent and kind. But, between that do take some time out for yourself too. Because, that's how you become competent and strong. The way a king should be." Rooh advised.

Kenzo nodded, "I will."

"Good boy." she praised.

Grabbing his bag from Aidan's hand he rushed out. Turning around he gleamed, "I will be back!" soon resuming his long, unfamiliar journey ahead.

"Your highness!" Suddenly a voice called. Kenzo recognizing it turned around. "Your highness… huff, pant, pant…" Azazel panted before him grasping his legs exhausted.

Kenzo exhaled, "Why were you running like a chased mouse?"

 "Hehe , I thought I was late captain." Azazel winked playfully. Kenzo smiled.

"The rest…?" Azazel asked looking around.

"Heber's inside." Kenzo pointed at the Shrine. "Cassiel, Seraph and Adam went for a little walk. Else then…" he told as another voice interrupted, "Kenzo! Azazel! We are here!" Turning around, the two saw Feng, Gabriel and Ryan too approaching. Adam, Cassiel and Seraph too returning after the walk.

Tracing Ryan's sight Adam beamed, "Ryan, Ryan is here too!" rushing over, he glomped over him giving a snug hug.

"Easy there…" Ryan cautioned about to fall however, Adam ignored laughing, "Haha! How much I missed you."

"Not that I was gone for long…" Ryan thought speechless.

"Good thing you bought him with you." Kenzo glanced at Ryan. "I didn't bought him. We met him on the way since, the route of our houses crisscross." Feng replied.

"Now only Helios, Poseidon, Ezekiel and Xavier are left." Cassiel counted.

Kenzo twitched his brow, "The audacity! Even when this king gave him a call…" he mumbled cross.

"Who did he call?" Adam asked in a whisper.

"I think it was Xavier since, he didn't reply whether he was coming or not for long." Heber whispered.

Adam shuddering pounced back grabbing his heart, "Where in the world did you pop out from?! Almost gave me a heart attack!"

Heber chuckled, "I came to see if you have all arrived."

"Ah, look I think Xavier's here too." Seraph pointed.

"But… why do I have a feeling, there's someone else beside him as well?" Azazel squinted his gaze trying to look hard.

"Helios maybe…?" Feng guessed.

Ryan too pondered, "He isn't that short though."

Kenzo squinted his gaze. Adam who had guessed right uttered, "Guys… that's Alan."

"Huh?!" they blinked surprised.

Xavier waving his hand greeted, "Good evening everyone."

"Good evening my foot…" Kenzo gritted annoyed.

Alan smiled, "Yo, little sunshines."

"You were late you know." Ryan looked at Xavier who nodded apologizing.

Grabbing Xavier by his neck, Kenzo turned him around. "Rascal, how many invitations did I give you that you bought this package along?" he twitched his brow annoyed while the rest chuckled amused.

"Haha, package." Feng repeated as Gabriel rolled his eyes.

Xavier deciphering the word 'package' glanced at Alan, "Alan? Oh, I bumped into him on the way. He too had nothing to do so I asked him to tag along. The more the merrier." he beamed like a blooming flower.

Kenzo hearing him clicked his tongue irritated while Cassiel agreed.

"Yeah, yeah, Xavier right. The more the merrier! Let's pray altogether!" Adam declared tugging Alan by his shoulder who looked at him clueless.

"Everyone…" Gabriel instantly called.

All of them turning around asked, "Hm?"

The point where Gabriel pointed they looked to find Helios, Poseidon and Ezekiel arriving. Kenzo and Seraph apprehending rushed over. The others who were confused and oblivious followed behind. The three's faces crestfallen and hearts heavy. Seeing Ezekiel injured with Poseidon and Helios weary the boys looked at each other restless abruptly surrounding them.

Alan shocked at their sights stood baffled.

"Are you alright, Poseidon?" Xavier asked worriedly.

Poseidon shook his head silent, his expression hidden. Glancing at his hand, which bled from the point where the cannula was inserted he lifted it up anxiously. "It's alright don't worry. I'll help you take it out first." he assured stroking his shoulder.

Seraph dabbed Helios's back lightly who clutched his fists wordless. Kenzo and Gabriel too looked at him nervous, unable to utter a single word. In case, it turns out to be hurtful instead. 

"Are you alright, Eze, Eze? Who hurt you so much?" Adam asked perplexed.

"Yeah, it isn't painful or is it? Or should we take you the hospital instead?" Azazel inquired uneasy.

"Let's apply a little ice on his cheek first." Feng looked at Heber who acquiesced.

Ezekiel surrounded by the first years and second years stayed silent, his expression blank. Ryan gasped thunderstruck, "What in the world happened to them…?"

The rest of them, encouraging them headed inside the shrine. The third years settled inside. Kenzo listened to the entire incident they had gone through, "I see… so that's what it was."

"Are you serious…?" Seraph gulped baffled, "His father didn't even step forward much less take a stand?"

"Hm." Helios hummed, "It was devastating to witness."

"Eisen's condition might indirectly be connected to Ezekiel however, throwing him out of the family and beating him up without a cause or just because he visited him can be listed down as child abuse. It is severely prohibited." Gabriel informed.

"Had they understood that, Ezekiel wouldn't even had to go through this." Poseidon glared cross. Xavier bandaged his hand silently. 

"Most of the case is because his mother is his step mother. The hatred of her own is intensified at him." Kenzo guessed.

"You're right. She was the only one hurting him. Hadn't I shielded him one last time she would've gladly injured his forehead too." Poseidon told, "I shouldn't have urged him to visit them." he felt guilty.

Xavier patted his hand consoling. "But in the end nothing could be done about it. We are only kids in their eyes. Talking back to them, standing before them, making them understand the difference between right and wrong only backfires the blame at us that we are rebellious, rude and ill-mannered." Helios sighed hopeless.

"You aren't wrong on that." Cassiel concurred, "Else than wishing the best for him and protecting him, we can't do anything else, I guess."

"That's enough too." Xavier smiled looking up, "Rather than listing the things we can't do. Why not do what we can?"

Helios smiled agreeing, "You are right. Let's do what we can for him right now."

Kenzo agreed, "Come on, get up!" "Let's put a line of absolutely fulfilling prayers knocking at God's door." he grinned.