Part 2: Open Sesame

''Welcome to the Society Hotel! Don't be shy, walk in. We may be 5 star but don't let that intimidate you! So what are you here for?'' said the Concierge. She had a crazy hairdo and makeup that would scare anybody to death. Her smile was even more frightening. A boy across the busy street saw it and started crying.

Rudo couldn't speak. She was in awe. Raised in the countryside on Dodon Island and schooled not to far from it, this was the first time she ever saw a City. Let alone a hotel. Everybody looked and walked very strange and even talked very strangely. Everyone also looked very busy and smart. And the noises. In the country, there were cars but not that many. The main mode of travel in the country was a bike, boat or even trucks. However in the city she saw cars and buses and trams and very big trucks. The buildings were huge and she couldn't see the sky very well. It was such a spectacle she wondered if she was dreaming. Of course not, if she was dreaming everybody's thoughts were silent. Yet here, they were even louder than in the countryside.

Now returning to the hotel, Rudo noticed many people carrying suitcases and wearing suits. Many of them were engaged in conversation or laughing but you could never see a person with a Suit talking to someone without one. She assumed that it indicated class and professionalism at whatever the individual did. ''Yo! I see that you've met my niece, Rudo'' hollered Mugen. He had just stepped out of a taxi cab. He dressed in a black tracksuit and shades. His hair was also recently shaved, making him look like the delinquents in the city. It was the cause of an argument between him and the driver because the driver was afraid he won't pay.

The woman's eyes open. As soon as she saw him, she melted. Apparently Mugen was somewhat a celebrity here. As soon as he walked in, all eyes were on him. ''This is the place I was talking about. It looks like a 5 star hotel but in actual fact, its an Embassy for Crows. There are many all over the world, each with a different style of doing things but one thing is for sure, Crows know their own.'' ''Mhmm, mhmm'', Rudo nodded her head. ''See those people with suits? Those are Crows. I still don't get it but that's how most of us dress or are supposed to dress. Now let's get you a place.'' Mugen took her to the help desk.

Two days earlier,

Rudo asked Mugen how to become a Crow. He didn't know what to tell her so he promised he'd show her how to become one. For most of her life, she felt indifferent towards the notion despite being groomed for it. However, hearing about Phantoms and meeting a Phantom were two different things. She barely managed to fight the Phantom that her classmate Ken had become and it made her realize the job of a Crow. She decided to become a Crow on the spot. At first she wasn't sure what they were doing at a Hotel. However, it became clear as soon as they walked in that it wasn't any ordinary hotel. Though she was mesmerized by the beauty and the City and the sights, the truth is she had noticed a strange aura from the Hotel but didn't pay any attention to it. As she reached the help desk, she sensed it some more.

'Mugen! It's been a while!'' said the woman there. She was extremely beautiful and looked to be in her early twenties. By her gestures and pose, Rudo could tell they had history. ''Yep. It has been Ronda.'' ''Last time you saw me, you promised to buy me dinner but you didn't.'' she said, now looking stern. Mugen just chuckled. Rudo sensed that she was in love with Mugen. She rolled her eyes. ''And who's the pretty lady?'' Rudo blushed. ''This Rudo, my niece!'' Mugen exclaimed. The woman waved and Rudo returned the wave. Mugen leaned close to the woman's ear and whispered: ''213.'' The woman's facial expression changed to admiration. She stood up and said, ''Well, right his way!'' She smiled. ''Ehh, Rudo go on with the nice lady. I've got something to attend to. When you finish, I'll be in the lobby.'' The woman hummed a tune as she walked.

Rudo glanced at her Uncle as he walked away. She felt like a fish out of water because she was following somebody she didn't know and she felt so alone. As if she was the only one on the planet. As they neared the elevator, Rudo wanted to run away. For the first time in her life, she felt as if she wasn't in control and her psychic abilities couldn't save her from anything. However, she felt herself being pulled towards the elevator. As a matter of fact, she felt herself being DRAGGED.

Entering the elevator, the woman pressed an unmarked button. Suddenly she spoke. ''Its mandatory for every recruit to take a special aptitude test. This test involves combat, skills and ability usage. It wasn't always that way though. Years ago, despite being a Secret Society, the governments flooded our ranks with multiple soldiers who didn't even know what they were doing and soon many died in battle. Then they had slaves and victims of trafficking sent to us. They too had many casualties especially in their first missions. The Paladins couldn't handle that and began to look for people well versed in various areas of life especially Gifted ones. Like yourself. Lemme not bore you with too many details. I'm sure Mugen already told you everything.''

The woman leaned against the glass and looked down. She looked sad immediately after she mentioned Mugen. Rudo sensed that, for many years, Ronda harboured feelings for Mugen. Feelings that he didn't return and worse, he even promised dinner multiple times but didn't deliver. Rudo had seen something similar 2 days ago and it saddened her. She wanted to remove the thought of her Uncle from Ronda's mind so she asked a question.

Her statement was: ''He didn't tell me all of that. How long has the Society existed?''

'' I'm not sure how long, but its definitely older than your Uncle-'', she snorted. They both broke into laughter.

They chatted till they reached Rudo's destination. It was as if she had known Ronda for years and she felt as if she made a friend. Eventually, they arrived at the Test venue. It had a gate that read: Crow Society Dodon Branch.

Ronda pressed the intercom on the gate. ''Hello?'' was the response. '' Its a 213. Her name is Rudo.'' ''Rudo? Is she a psychic?'' ''Yes.''

The gates opened. ''I guess this is my stop. But you're journey continues. Walk through that gate and come out a full-fledged Crow! If you need anything, I'll be in the lobby.'' Rudo smiled as the woman walked away. Suddenly, she feels a dangerous aura that makes her hesitate. ''Are you coming in or not?'' was the response from the intercom.