(Reverence 5, 59 / 9:42AM)

  Four men and two women sat underneath the first floor of the adobe.

  In a stone-warm basement that trapped them like pets in a cage, Luke sat on a chair nearest the staircase that led up to the first floor. To his right, Christian and Pacifica sat together, while to his left, David and Iris too. In front of Luke, an old man with long spiked white hair wearing a bck robe coldly sat with his hands together.

  His chin and cheeks prickled with shades of white hair, his hands and face were condensed with sagged wrinkles. His eyes staring coldly at the young man in front of him, he cleared his throat, whilst loosening his feet that glued down at the stone floor.

  (Kenji) Now tell me, Luke Fenix, what do you want to propose to me about?

  Luke’s eyelids were on the verge of shutting down his eyes, his hands unable to clutch or hold themselves together. Having his forearms and elbows hold up his upper body and head, his eyes were shaded red, his eye bags gooing more purple the longer he tried to stay up.

  Noticing Luke’s ck of sleep, Christian and Pacifia softly looked at him, their hands twitching the more they noticed Luke’s dazed face. David, Iris, and Kenji however, paid no need to his exhaustion, as the middle-aged man and woman crossed their arms over their chest.

  (Luke) I want … to save my friends sir … t-that’s all I ask for… And … I need the help of some of your soldiers…

  Kenji scratched his cheek, his nails sweeping off any unneeded dead skin that lodged into his prickly hair. The more he looked at Luke, the more his eyes softened at the boy’s exhausted face, ceasing his scratching as he pced his hand on his other.

  Clutching them together again, he tilted his head up.

  (Kenji) What kind of soldiers do you need?

  (Luke) I just need the help of David … and maybe Ms. Sumiko. It’s too much to ask for both Christian and Pacifica right now… And I’m willing to offer you something in return …

  Luke softly let out a smirk, his right lip reaching the halfway point between his ear and his jawline. Moving his right hand onto his left hand, Luke’s legs softly wobbled, his feet starting to feel numb the more Kenji stared at him.

  While Christian and Pacifica widened their eyes, their hands twitched evermore by seeing Luke's smirk.

  (Luke) While on my way, I gathered a group of green donkeys that originally fled from the Zirardge Ranch. Since they were bred for speed, strength, and stamina, and because they were raised to be perfected by the Zirardges, they can be used in whatever activity you want.

  (Kenji) Hmm…

  Pcing his hand onto his chin, Kenji tapped repeatedly onto it, nodding slightly while taking in the info like a piece of pie.

  David and Iris both let their eyes widen at the hearing of Luke’s reward, with David looking at both Kenji and Luke. Meanwhile, Iris gnced down at the cup of coffee in front of her, seeing her reflection amongst the bitter liquid.

  Stopping his tapping, Kenji let the tip of his finger stop right on his chin, his old blistered fingernail hovering over his skin.

  (Kenji) Is this all you’re giving me? A measly group of green donkeys?

  Luke wiped the smirk off his face.

  Upon hearing Kenji’s furrowed question sprout out from his lips, Luke pulled both his hands off the table. Seeing Luke’s surprise, Christian and Pacifica both gulped down whatever load of saliva stuck to their throats.

  (Luke) Uhm…

  (Kenji) I’m giving you my two best pawns and you’re giving me a group of well-bred donkeys?

  (Luke) B-But…

  (David) Permission to speak sir.

  Standing up from his seat, David had both of his hands clenched together while hovering them over his crotch. Clearing his throat, he looked at the old man who furrowed his right eyebrow up.

  Noticing Kenji’s furrowed expression, tapped both of his boots to stick together side by side, before straightening his back.

  (David) Even though you raised me, that group is my second family. Even if they were sent to the deepest pits of hell I would still find a way to get them back.

  (Kenji) Perhaps you all misunderstand me.

  Kenji pushed both of his feet off the ground, his leather sandals helping him stabilize on the stone floor. His palms pced firm on the table, letting his back hunch an inch while setting his eyes onto the cowboy hat-wearing man.

  His stare made David release a drop of sweat from his cheek, he also gnced at both Iris and Luke for a split second. Their faces widened, Iris had her head up, her hands clenched together while looking at both her father and David.

  (Kenji) I want to get them back. A father will do anything to rescue his daughter, no?

  (David) Expin your dissatisfaction with Luke’s trade.

  (Kenji) He thought that I would be hesitant to go. A fool of him.

  Kenji turned his eyes toward the widened-eyed Luke, noticing his lips puckered up amidst his eyes on the verge of putting him to sleep. His body swaying back and forth, even a simple gust of wind would be enough to knock him down.

  And a body so exhausted that even lying down would be enough to curse him to sleep.

  Folding his arms underneath his chest, Kenji continued to furrow his right brow, tilting his head up as his spiked hair began to nestle itself onto his forehead.

  (Kenji) Jumbo is a great soldier to me, and it’s obvious Jenny is a daughter that’s dear to me. For your friends, whoever is family to David is family to me. Believe me when I say that I’m not against your decision to save your friends.

  (Luke) Then … was your questioning a test of my bargaining skills?

  (Kenji) Yes, and you aren’t the best at it.

  Pushing in his chair, Kenji looked toward the two siblings that kept quiet ever since the meeting started. Both Christian and Pacifica cast their eyes down onto the wooden table, their hands hovering over their crotches.

  Not wanting to look up, not wanting to look at anyone, both of them bit onto their lower lips. Along with David and Iris joining Kenji, their stares only caused Christian to dig deep into his knuckles.

  (Kenji) As for you two; rest here with Luke. You three have been up for far too long.

  (Luke) P-Pardon me, sir…

  Kenji looked over at the exhausted young man, seeing his right eyelid twitching.

  Luke’s hands rubbed against each other, tilting his head down while both corners of his lips scurred upward. Sweat protruding from his palms, his fingers began to itch, leading them to drop down to his sides.

  (Luke) W-What do you mean I should rest…

  (Kenji) Your eyes are swollen, you smell, and you’re mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausted. Me, David, and Iris shall bring them back.

  Christian softly nodded at Kenji’s words, his hands unclenched as he felt his body feel swollen and broken. As much as revenge seemed good, his body couldn’t bring himself to enact it.

  But Pacifica’s hands balled themselves into death-gripping fists, her long nails stabbing itself into her palms yet again. Steam hissing out from her mouth, her eyes gred inward at the wooden floor below her feet, ignoring everyone’s worried stares.

  (Kenji) You’re not thinking well.

  (Pacifica) I want to fight…

  David remembered a girl who said that to him, a girl simir to Pacifica but only a shade lighter in her skin.

  His hands balled into fists, and he pced them inside his pocket, not wanting to let anyone see his trembling hands. Darkening his eyes and eyelids, his jaw rubbed against each other back and forth, but unnoticed to those around him.

  Her attitude, her gre, yet her loyalty to those that she called friends, it was enough for him to treat her like his own daughter.

  Kenji ignored David’s silence.

  (Kenji) You’ll not only endanger yourself but for others. Revenge being driven by anger is a path that’ll lead to hatred or death.

  (Pacifica) I want to fight.

  Her eyes gred up at Kenji.

  Standing in front of her, his eyes only softened, leading him to huff out a breath of air onto her face. Her nostrils unwrinkled from Kenji’s beef-jerky-smelling breath, her whole body shook as she looked into Kenji’s eyes.

  Even when Christian’s hand gripped her wrist, even the touch of her elder brother wasn’t enough to clear her crimson eyes.

  (Kenji) As your boss, I only want what’s best for you. So please … rest.

  A hand cmped down onto her shoulder.

  This time, the hand felt different, a pale hand stained with sweat that sunk deep into her clothing. Gncing to her right, Pacifica soon mets eyes with…

  Luke.

  Her anger and frustration still kept her gring eyes and clenched fists in motion, the only thing that loosened was her stiff shoulder that he gripped. Kenji, who noticed that Luke’s right eyelid twitched more, also acknowledged Luke’s eyes that strained red despite his forced smile still on dispy.

  (Kenji) Have anything to say, Luke?

  (Luke) I know I’m not a good bargainer, but…

  Raising his other hand that didn’t grip Pacifica’s shoulder, he stuck out his thumb, pointing it to himself while straightening his back. Getting everyone’s attention, Pacifica’s eyes sparkled at the sudden confidence coming from the usually timid Luke.

  (Luke) Instead of a trade deal from before, how about a bet?

  Kenji hummed out a low monotone groan from his wrinkled throat.

  Christian’s hands trembled, his fingers shaking and colliding against each other while the air thickened exponentially. Noticing David’s silence only growing, Iris rapidly gnced at David and Kenji with rgened eyes, and Pacifica gawking her mouth open…

  Before he could do anything, Luke extended his hand to Kenji, his fingernail barely touching his chest.

  (Luke) If I win, I get to travel with David and Iris to get my friends back and give Christian and Pacifica the right to tag along if they want. But if I lose, then all three of us follow your orders to rest.

  Kenji maintained his cold stare at Luke.

  Pcing his right hand into his bck robe’s pocket, he inhaled a good abundance of air into his old lungs, letting it travel through his airways. Pushing rustic air out of the deepest parts of his air sacs, the chunk of air bsted itself straight onto Luke’s face, feeling Kenji’s dry meat breath molest his nostrils.

  Without smirking, without smiling, and without frowning; Kenji nodded.

  (Kenji) I’ll pce my hopes in this bet. But since you proposed the stakes, I believe I should propose the concept.

  Turning his body to the direction of the staircase, he looked upon the stairs that led up to the first floor, causing Luke to stare at them as well. Seeing the stairs, Luke slowly raised his hand to the back of his head, his palm making contact with the oily hair that hadn’t been washed for a couple of days.

  Scratching his head, Luke clicked his tongue, while puckering his lips to hold his breath.

  (Kenji) Me and you shall spar against each other with just our fists. Outside, in the garden, on a ring.

  Iris widened her eyes.

  Both Pacifica and Christian’s faces turned deathly pale, their hands and feet cmming white at the cold sentence drawn out from Kenji’s mouth. Christian, who was unable to speak, tried to mutter a single word from his quivering throat, his vocals caging his words like a wild animal.

  But David had finally broken his silence.

  (David) With all due respect sir, this is ludicrous.

  (Kenji) What's ludicrous son?

  (David) You know Luke stands no chance against you; master of The Art of Togo.

  (Kenji) Then let us find out.

  Walking to the staircase that was just beyond the wooden door, Kenji let his hand hover over the handle, whilst keeping his face straight as an arrow. Grabbing the handle, he let it sway open, as he began walking up the stairs to the first-floor door.

  Gncing from behind him, Kenji reached the other door in front of him, his eyes trailing to the pale-faced men and women.

  (Kenji) You could take as much time to prep, but I shall wait for you, Fenix, in the garden outside the Adobe.

  Opening the door, Kenji walked out of the door before softly closing it from behind. Leaving Luke and the others to take comfort inside the stone walls of the basement, the dawn of the sparring duel only left David to walk up to Luke.

  Shyly gncing at David, the middle-aged man raised his right hand onto his shoulder. Tightening his grip on Luke, Luke’s eyes averted away from David’s, pinning them onto the stone-cold wall.

  (David) Are you serious?

  (Luke) Sorry, but I got to save my friends.

  (David) And you’re willing to go toe to toe with my foster father? The man who taught me everything about the martial use of Togo?

  Luke plopped both of his hands down to his sides.

  During the attack on Lagefor, David dispyed his strength by sending a lich fifty feet high in the air. If the man who taught and harnessed that strength within David happened to be the one dueling Luke, it was like comparing a hydrogen bomb to a coughing baby.

  With all the cards stacked against him, Luke pces his right hand onto his left arm, rubbing it shyly while keeping his eyes on the floor.

  (Luke) I know he could beat me senseless in that ring, I’m smart enough to know that. Even so…

  His left-handed fingers jabbed themselves straight into his leather jacket, his nails sinking deep as they penetrated his skin. Continuing to have his shy demeanor portrayed on his face, his face paled under comparison to David’s, causing him to click his tongue once.

  (Luke) I can’t let my failures be passed onto others, I can’t.

  Sucking in a huge vast air inside of the basement, Luke let his boots lead him to the staircase that led him to the first floor. Without thinking, he opened the door, as everyone else just watched the young man walk into a Rex den.

  ______________________________________________________________________________

  (Reverence 5, 59 / 7:32AM)

  (Elizabeth) Johnny!

  Out of a door stood a trembling young man with blonde hair.

  His hair wrapped in a ponytail reached his upper back, and his lower eyelids enveloped a swell of darkness up to his upper eyelids. Both of his hands were motionless, unmoved, unwilling to ball or flinch his fingers. He id his exhausted eyes on the cat girl.

  Inside the train cart, twin bunk beds organized the yout of the guard barracks, which were empty. Since they were the only ones inside the barracks, all of the beds were made, as if a maid or indentured servant had fixed them up…

  Limping his way to the cat-girl, he dragged his right foot on the harsh metal floor, the tip of his boot being scraped off its old leather. Reaching the cat-girl, Elizabeth widened her eyes at the swollen bruises pstered all over his pale face, followed by dried-up blood smeared all over his mouth.

  (Elizabeth) What happened to you?!

  (Johnny) Vivy punished me, but I didn’t think she would take it this far…

  (Elizabeth) That … that—

  He pced his hand on top of her head.

  Settling himself down onto the same bed she sat on, her body softened under his smooth palm. His breathing was coarse and hard, and his eyelids flickered repeatedly the more he pushed them open, leading him to slug his shoulder onto hers.

  Moving his hand to her other shoulder, his eyes finally closed shut.

  (Johnny) I need to take a small nap.

  Slowly, the right side of his face snuggled its way onto the cat-girls p, his ear pressed against her skirt as his heart steadied. His face warming up from her presence, a small gasp of air stormed out from his dried bloodied mouth, and his breath reeked of iron and metal.

  Her body quivering, she softly pced her right hand on the top of his head in return, trailing her fingers up and down along his blonde hair. Looking down at him, the chiffon rays of the desert sun gzed the sand-flecked windows from above.

  (Elizabeth) Before you take a nap, I want to hear your words.

  (Johnny) What for?

  (Elizabeth) The day when your father called you, right before The Attack on Lagefor.

  His eyes still closed, Johnny remembered hugging her tightly after the call, making a vow to run away with enough money to support themselves. That promise, that single promise, was one that both of them yearned to have.

  So close, yet so far.

  Her eyes barely held warm tears, her scleras were pinkish red from the salt that came with it.

  (Elizabeth) Would we … Do you still keep that vow?

  Both of his jaws gripped onto one another, as a low groan wept out from his throat. His face and upper body shaking from his jaw strength, Elizabeth ceased her rubbing on his head, her fingers stopping underneath the yer of hair.

  (Johnny) We have two vows that I keep. And I’ll promise you a third one.

  Opening his eyes, his pupils looked at the desert rays plowing through the upper window of the train. Unwilling to look at Elizabeth’s reddened eyes, nor at anything else, the sun that warmed his pale face brightened more the longer he stared.

  (Johnny) No matter what, I’ll always watch over you; how does that sound?

  Tilting her head upward, she also stared at the burning sun that welcomed both of their faces, leaving them alone in a barracks; inside a train with a rich name.