Attempts at Settlement

This was it.

The room that they were being led to...this may be where they die.

Officer Meng looked at his fellow officer colleague from Tuas Terminal found themselves having to answer to their unofficial employer, now standing at the door into their boss' office, looking at each other nervously. They had heard stories before, rumors and chatter about the people who had failed the one they called the Blood Lion.

They never saw his face, they knew whoever he was, he must be someone from an extremely elite background, probably a high earning lawyer, judge, military official, someone who had a huge amount of power in his hands and now...they were next in line. The men who failed to kill the Soultaker.

"Get in. You owe him an explaination." An extremely tall and muscular Indian man pushes the two nervous officers in.

The room was dark, a corner office that resided at the top of the Concourse Building. A postmodern tall 43 storey commercial and residential building near the heart of Singapore's biggest office district area.

The room had it's sides constructed with pure glass, providing a clear view of the gorgeous Singaporean city skyline on full display. A long maple wood desk, right in the middle of the office with a man the two officers recognized from their years in the country.

The minister and CEO of Cheng Finances himself, Kenneth Cheng.

Beside him, Inspector Huang, one of the highest ranking officers within the police force. The officer knew that he was in deep shit, the level of power these two men held...he couldn't even dent their reputation even if he tried his best. The only way out is to beg for mercy.

"You all had guns. There were a dozen of you and none of you could get him. Why?" Kenneth placed his arms on the table calmly, leaning back in his chair.

"Sir...we...we tried to shoot him but he was moving in an unpredictable fashion, every move he took...I don't know how to explain it but the way he moved was just so...feral. You have to understand sir, most of us here are amateurs, just ordinary men who wanna get paid. We don't have any experience in combat." Officer Meng begged.

"Then what am I paying you for?" Minister Kenneth hissed.

"What he took from us was needed to protect the rest of our operations. If those fall because of your failure to kill the Soultaker, we will not only make you suffer unimaginable pain for yourself, but we will find anyone and everyone that is related to you and we will make them suffer too." Inspector Huang adds.

Inspector Huang stood behind Kenneth, awaiting his next command.

"This Soultaker guy has gone on for too long. I want this crusade of his to end now before I end up losing more shit." Kenneth tells Inspector Huang who whispered back:" I will send the call out, place every single officer in the country to go look for him. I'll start sending squads out and I'll get every last camera in the country scanning for him."

"I give you one week. I don't want to keep paying for the Red Scorpion."

"Yes Sir."

Inspector Huang left the room, leaving the two terrified officers alone in front of Kenneth. "You two failed...which on a regular day to day basis I would have you be in either crippling financial debt that would make you suicidal within a week or have one of your family members killed. However...I am feeling generous today. I'll let you go scot free on one condition."

"Yes sir?" Officer Meng nervously asks.

"There's a fork over there. Stab yourselves in the hand and give that a good twist. Either is fine."

The officers looked at each other in pure horror as a wave of dread washed through them. "Sir...is there another way...?" Officer Meng's friend tried his luck, hoping that the Minister would grant them the mercy they so desperately wanted.

"Ruben, come in." Minister Kenneth raised his voice a little as the door to the officer opened, the muscular indian man from the outside walking in, cracking his knuckles. "This man here wishes for another way. Show him."

The Indian man walked up to them as Officer Meng eyed his friend: What did you do?

Ruben placed his hands on the terrified officer who was shivering beyond his own control, tears starting to flow down his fac, looking at Officer Meng with pure terror in his eyes. "What...what is-"

A painful crack echoed across the room.

The officer's neck, snapped like a twig as his corpse collapsed onto the ground.

"When I say I'm generous, don't ever EVER think I'm joking. My words are final so now...for you, will you take up my generous offer?" Kenneth turns to Officer Meng who nods quickly, grabbing the fork and jabbing it through his palm.

Reynesh knew he couldn't let his friend just die.

He showed up at Maxus' apartment, a shopping bag full of instant noodles, drinks and canned food, knocking on the vigilante's door. Maxus answered the door, glad to see his best friend willing to meet him again. There was an awkward vibe in the air and hearing from Leah, Reynesh had heard that Maxus was recovering well but even so...

He knew he would go out as Soultaker again. He cannot be left alone.

"I didn't want you dead. As much as I hate to see you...being this whatever you call yourself." Reynesh tells his friend who let him into the flat."I know you don't want me doing this...but trust me when I say this isn't just about me. There is something running in our society, something dark and I don't know how long it has been going on, but people are suffering because of them."

"Which is why I'm still here. I realize you aren't doing this for just yourself." Reynesh agreed, setting down his bag of food.

"I know you don't have time, so here." Reynesh pointed to the bag to a grateful Maxus, giving his friend a thankful nod.

"You're coming back to school on Monday right?" Reynesh asks when he noticed puddles of water all over his kitchen, his vigilante suit drenched and hanging like a wet sock on his kitchen dining chair. "I mean I should, it would be extremely suspicious if I don't." Maxus comments.

"You do realize...it's not about the suspicion right?"

"What else can it be?" Maxus replied coldly.

"Your life Maxus. Is Soultaker everything you have? I don't know if you realize it but you have people around you too. You may have lost the closest ones to you but there are others out there, people you will meet and have met that you can form bonds with." Reynesh reprimands the vigilante.

"I know. I will come to school alright?" Maxus replied.

"So what have you found so far?"

Maxus brought Reynesh towards his room where on his study desk, phones lined up and all of them, went through thoroughly to get information. His punching bag in the middle of the room was, bloody and dirty while bags of items, small knives, chunks of metal, powders and metal bead laid all over the floor. "How the fuck do you live like this?" Reynesh asks.

"Bed's untouched." Maxus pointed his bed out.

"Okay...do you know about the news? Have you read about the articles on you?"

"I know. Police is conducting a nation wide manhunt for me." Maxus answered. Reynesh knew Maxus wasn't afraid but still..." My suggestion to you, lay low for the time being. Come to school, hang out with us, study and...be normal you know? You have done enough for now. Give yourself a break, your injuries haven't fully healed either right?"

"I probably will." Maxus reluctantly agreed.

"What the hell is all this?" Reynesh looked towards the floor to see a vest of sorts being made, cans of black spray beside it. " Kevlar. I stole it from some smugglers yesterday night. They were shipping weapons, drugs, all that good shit. I just took some of it."

"And you're using it to make a new outfit."

"Bullet, knife and heat resistant armor in my outfit yes. I'm planning to integrate some of those metal and Kevlar to create a mask, to better hide my face." Maxus tells Reynesh who looked confused:" How? You don't have the tools for that."

"Why do you think I'm going to school for?"

Monday.

Leah met Maxus at the bus stop once more.

"I was wondering if you could make it." Leah sarcastically teased him. "Well I did promise you to come to school on Monday. Here I am." Maxus presents himself to Leah who studied Maxus' small bag, raising an eyebrow:" Tell me you at least brought some stationery."

"I have a pen and....a notebook." Maxus admits as Leah gave him a sarcastic smile:" Yeah notebook and pen huh. That's an improvement but...did you at least bring a thumb drive, we might need to access the computers for some modules later on."

Maxus nods, pulling out a thumb drive from his wallet. "Hm not bad, way better than the first day of school. Last thing, did you bring the notes I passed you last week, we only went through chapters 1 and 2. Ms Ang said she would be going through chapter 3 today."

"Wait. You're kidding." Maxus paused.

"You left it at home?"

Maxus awkwardly nods. "Should I go back and take it?" Leah gave him a duh look:" Yes! Come on quick! I'll wait for you here."

The duo made it to school shortly after where Reynesh, Luke and Amy joined them for breakfast before their first class began.

"So you wanna know what you missed?" Luke asks.

"Please, share." Maxus gave the go ahead.

"Two entire module projects." Luke gave a sneaky smile when Maxus pulled out a file from his bag, showing his completed homework to Luke's shock. "Yeah you're welcome." Leah punched Maxus in the arm teasingly as Luke looked at her:" Wow, he actually did the work."

"I mean, I'm not gonna fail my first year man. Not gonna happen." Maxus felt like he was straight up lying. "You should be...still able to catch up. We are still in the...early stages of the modules." Amy's nose was red as Reynesh handed a tissue to her:" Hey you alright?"

"Yeah, let me go to the restroom real quick." Amy hurried off.

The group of friends made it into the lecture theatre shortly after where their psychology lecturer came into the class shortly after, beginning the lecture.

Maxus peeked into his bag while taking out his stationaries, strips of Kevlar and bars of metal, nails and belt straps packed neatly at the bottom under his textbooks. He knew he could access the engineering block once classes ended, the only issue was how he could avoid looking suspicious in the meantime.

Reynesh knew what he was planning as well. Maxus was paying attention in the lecture and taking down notes like an ordinary student would, but deep down Reynesh knew his heart wasn't in the lesson at all.

Lecture after lecture, Maxus went through the lessons like a zombie.

Maxus was acting. He pretended to look interested, even asking a question or two per class, questions that were...genuine. If Reynesh hadn't stumbled into his flat that day, he would had never suspected a thing too. Maxus was just too...thorough.

6pm. Their last lecture ended.

Maxus grabbed his bag, ready to sneak into the engineering block. "How long are you planning to spend in there?" Reynesh whispered to him. "Depends, if not I'll just take borrow some of the tools home and return in later on."

From the corner of his eye, Maxus spotted Leah with a few of their classmates, Amy, Alex, Daren and Mei Ling walking out of the lecture hall behind him and Reynesh. Personally he only had talked to most of them once or twice only but Leah, being the social butterfly she was seemed to blend in perfectly with most of the class in just a few weeks. "Yo Leah, wanna join us for dinner?" Alex asks.

"Oh uhh where are you guys going?" Leah looked worried.

"Junction 8. " Mei Ling answered.

"Uhhh I think I'll pass. I didn't bring enough money out." Leah rejects when Alex stepped in front of her, leaning forward awfully close to her face. He was a pretty tall guy, almost 180cm in height dressed extremely fashionably with a thick leather jacket that fit nicely with his oversized inner white tee shirt, ripped jeans, silver and black ear piercings and sharply combed hair.

"I have money, I can treat you if you just come with us. Anything you wanna eat, I'll order it for you." Alex offered.

"No thanks...I...I actually need to be home. My mom cooked already." Leah took a step back, clearly disturbed.

"Aw...alright it's fine, next time alright?" Amy asks.

"You sure? I know a few cafes nearby we can look at together after dinner. My treat too." Alex persists. Leah pretended not to hear him, instead replying to Amy's question"Yeah of course. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Leah walked away from the group quickly, spotting Maxus waving goodbye to Reynesh. Maxus turned around to the side of the corridor, grabbing a drink from the nearby vending machine and ready to spend a long night in the engineering block when Leah walked over to him:" Maxus, you gonna go home now?"

Shit. How do I...?

"Yeah...yeah of course." Maxus lied.

"Alright, don't mind me I'm just gonna go with you." Leah chirply tells him. Maxus was flustered for a moment, surprised by her sudden enthusiasm. She was...bringing a warm vibe to him, a feeling he didn't remember, much less one he ever thought he wanted.

Maxus didn't even thought that he'll be...tolerated again, much less approached in such a heartwarming manner. He knew he needed to continue his mission, to not be distracted by his personal life but...his heart didn't want to say no to her.

Maxus realized he dug himself into a hole he couldn't climb out of anyway as he threw away the thought of sneaking back to the engineering building today.

You know what...Reynesh is right. I can rest for one day right?

"Yeah that's fine. Let's go." Maxus agreed.

Maxus and Leah both alighted at the same bus stop again.

The vigilante's stomach was growling since the last lecture he had, Maxus turning towards Leah and realizing that she was going to be heading the same direction as he was, towards the coffee shop under her block. "You...buying food or something?" Leah sharply noticed.

"Yeah I...don't have dinner. Not a good idea to constantly eat instant noodles anyway."

"You wanna eat together then? I don't have dinner too." Leah asks.

Maxus recalled the conversation she had with the other group of classmates. "I thought you told Alex, Amy and the rest that your mother cooked or something?" Leah sighed, nodding her head embarrassingly:" Yeah please don't tell them but...my parents don't actually cook after they end work. They are just way too tired every evening, working since the wee hours in the morning after all. I just told them that because I don't have the money to eat something fancy."

"I thought Alex offered to treat you?" Maxus asks innocently.

"Yeah but...he's like...I don't feel comfortable around him. He tends to be too...physical is not the right word I would use. He invades my personal space and he made some...he just hits on me way too much. Not just me apparently Mei Ling has complained about that to me as well." Leah admits.

"Oh...urm I guess just don't get too close to him." Maxus gave a shitty reply.

"Probably. But now that you are here, what would you like to eat?"

"Anything cheap will do." Maxus suggests.

"Perfect. Economy rice?"

"Sure."

The pair got their food shortly after as Maxus sat down for the first time in over a year at an actual dining place outside other than his house. He didn't even think about it until now, he had spent an entire year in his flat training, using every last ounce of his being and strength to make himself as physically fit as he could while spending the rest of his time honing his skills in combat and tracking clues relating to his father's death.

It felt nice. To finally be outside after so long and actually having someone to talk to while eating. Leah looked around them as a coffee shop uncle walked up to them:" Drinks?"

"Milo Ice. Maxus?" Leah tells the uncle.

"Erm...Kopi C Kosong. Cold."

"So...how's your first day of school?" Leah joked as Maxus took a bite of his rice, giving her a cheeky smile:" First day huh? It's so scary man, so many new faces and teachers. I miss secondary school so much." The vigilante answered sarcastically.

"Talking about Secondary school, I've always wondered. Were you in a martial art CCA?"

"No actually...I was in NPCC."

National Police Cadet Corps. A youth uniform group in Singapore that is greatly affliated with the Singapore Police Force.

"You were in an uniform group too? Wow I couldn't have guessed. " Leah's eyes lit up with curiousity as Maxus took notice of her words:" Too? You were in a uniform group as well?" Leah nodded:" Yup. Girls guides, you probably know us for our cookies."

"They were good to be fair."

"I mean any food that a bunch of teenage girls offer will taste nice to any guy." Leah pointed out which Maxus gave an agreeing frown to her:" Fair enough." Their conversation paused for a moment as their drinks arrived, Maxus and Leah both offering their money at the same time, both of them looking at each other awkwardly.

"I'm the guy, let me pay." Maxus offered.

"Nope. We're both poor, don't argue with me." Leah stopped him as Maxus quickly replied:" Okay we pay for our own portion."

"Yes."

The two got their drinks, finishing their meals as Maxus was reminded with the thought of his original plans. It was already 8pm. The engineering block should be completely vacant by now, this was the perfect chance for him to go back to school now. "I guess I'll see you in school tomorrow?" Leah asks him.

"Yeah of course."

"Remember, don't say a thing about what I told you man. I don't wanna have to silence you." Leah teased as Maxus raised his hands up playfully in a surrender gesture:" I know you will. Wouldn't risk it."

Maxus watched Leah take her leave as they parted ways, Maxus immediately heading back to the bus stop.

The vigilante looked through his bag, checking that he still had every item he needed when he noticed a familiar figure walking past in front of him. He knew he had seen him somewhere and dug through his memories quickly before suspecting someone he knew.

Alex? From his class?

Alex was wearing a hood, sweating profusely and marching quickly towards somewhere with a black sling bag across his shoulders but... those oversized ear piercings were a dead giveaway. Was he looking for Leah? No way, it seemed stupid that he would despite having a notorious reputation for being flirty. Nevertheless he still looked suspicious as hell.

He was up to no good for sure.

Maxus followed him, watching as Alex walked towards another familiar place he knew.

Uncle Lim's shop.

His neighborhood was not very crowded, which had allowed Maxus to sneak back into his apartment as Soultaker on countless occasions. He wondered if Alex knew this as well, watching from behind a pillar as Alex set his bag down, looking around to ensure no one was looking before taking out a can of red paint from his bag, wearing a mask and sunglasses to protect his identity, confirming Maxus' suspicions.

Alex was a loan shark...or a loan shark runner at least.

The vigilante quickly set his own bag down, grabbing the materials he had and quickly suited up as the Soultaker himself. He couldn't risk doing the job of Soultaker as Maxus Tan.

Alex began, opening the can and splashing the paint on the doors of Uncle Lim's shop, a common practice by loan sharks to show everyone in the community who owes them money. Alex quickly sprinted away, throwing the empty cans on the floor as Maxus gave chase, grabbing his half done mask and covering his face.

Maxus knew he had to take extra care, keeping up with the speed while running with just his toes making contact with the floor, trying to be fast yet silent. Alex soon turned a corner, running up the stairs of a random block which Maxus followed, not being spotted at all.

Alex was making a mad dash down the corridor of the block, seemingly looking for an apartment before knocking loudly on one:" Oi Uncle Lim! Owe money pay money you old ass bitch!" The teenager quickly set his bag down, grabbing a paint can and ready to splash it at Uncle Lim's door when Maxus stomped his feet, silencing Alex in an instant.

All Alex could see was the infamous vigilante, Soultaker, glaring at him from across the corridor.

"Put the can down." Soultaker growled.

"Alright...okay...okay..." Alex froze, his legs began shivering and did as he was told.

The Soultaker marched towards the teenager when Uncle Lim's door open from the noise Alex was making." What the hell is going on...oh no...you-" Uncle Lim watched as Soultaker walked over to him, quickly shutting the door in fear which was good for Maxus, one less witness to worry about. "Before I make you bleed in ways you don't want to experience...you will stop harassing this old man."

"I...I cannot..."

Soultaker grabbed a knife out of his pocket, shoving it towards Alex and stopping by a mere inch away from his eye, greatly horrifying the teenager who fell onto his knees, his legs giving out on him. "Do you want to try again?" Soultaker snarled.

"I....okay...I...I'll leave." Alex blurted.

"Go." Maxus gave him the word he needed to hear as Alex grabbed his bag, sprinting down the corridor as fast as he could and back down the stairs he came from.

"Fucking cunt." Maxus whispered to himself.

Kenneth resided in one of the offices of Tuas Terminal, awaiting his report of goods.

The minister leaned back, trying to enjoy his takeaway latte when his phone buzzed, picking it up:" Hello?" Kenneth's voice softened when he heard who was on the other side of the call. "Mommy is asking if you will be home soon? It's going to be 11."

"Sorry honey, tell Mommy I will be working late." Kenneth answered.

"Okay. Bye bye." His daughter's voice called out to him as Kenneth smiled, replying to her:" Bye bye." The door of the office opened abruptly as two officers from Tuas Terminal entered, holding on a beaten Officer Meng who had his palm bandaged. Kenneth was visibly annoyed, turning to them:" I thought I instructed everyone to give me some privacy, why are you two here?"

"We know what's inside those boxes."

"We know you bribed Officer Meng. You two will be reported, you can kiss your political career goodbye." One of the officers threatened.

Kenneth read the names of the officers through their name tags: Hui Long and Jihan.

He studied them before.

"And?" Kenneth didn't even look bothered. Jihan took out his phone:" I know you ordered us to keep these boxes safe, used us to protect your illegal goods while you authorized and even ordered these drugs and weapons again and again using us as guard dogs. "

"We know it's not the government, not the SAF, you. We've recorded evidences of you doing all these, I don't know what you are trying to do Minister, but all this bullshit? We're done being your dogs. Would you like this chance to explain yourself?"

"A chance for me to explain? How about this. I give you two five thousand dollars each to shut your mouths, do your job accordingly and I will also be paying for your children's school fees." Kenneth offered as Hui Long paused.

"How did you know...we had children?"

"My assets are being shipped by extra hands, hands that are not from my men. You think I wouldn't do my research on who you are? I have information about you, not just you, anyone not under my payroll I pay extra attention and care about. So cut the shit, are you going to accept my offer?" Kenneth asks calmly.

"How many people are you bribing you fuck?" Jihan demanded.

"I take that as a no?" Kenneth sipped on his latte.

"Fuck you. You can kiss your political career goodbye." Hui Long spat as he took his phone out, ready to dial the police when the swishing sound of a chain roared through the air, the door being kicked open a saber, flying through the air and slicing Hui Long''s hand clean off, dropping his phone.

A ninja...

A literal ninja,dressed in red combat robes, a black belt, combat gloves and boots wielding two blades attached to a long chain, the Red Scorpion himself barged in, hurling his blade right into the skull of Hui Long, the weapon bursting through his head as blood splattered onto the horrified Jihan who drew his pistol, firing at The Red Scorpion who ducked under his bullet, closing their distance and driving his blade through Jihan's belt.

Officer Meng stood at the corner of the room, frozen stiff as Kenneth looked at him:" You should have learned what to do by now right Meng? You try and pull any of this bullshit and I promise you, your family will see you again every single week one piece at a time."

"Yes....sir..." Officer Meng trembled.

"You gotta clean this shit up later you know?" Kenneth muttered.

"Get your other dogs to do it for you." The Red Scorpion, Eden Lee answered as he pulled the blade out of Jihan, the fallen officer collapsing onto the ground as pieces of his literal heart poured out.

Next Chapter- The Red Scorpion