I know it's confusing, but it goes in order, no da…sort of…at least by character…Anyway, I'll add at least two other character chapters in the next round. Now, it's Hikou's turn again and then we'll see what happened to Genrou and Houjun.
The Reluctant King: Hikou
Chapter 2
Hikou looked around the room once more before looking at Kouji again. He didn't know what to do just yet, but could at least tell that his brother was alive, albeit unconscious.
****Flash Back****
As the red-haired man fell back through the hole made by the large tentacle, Hikou caught sight of his brother jumping after him. In the brief instant, his attention flickered and he found himself face to face with a man clad in red and white robe, long black hair pulled back, and an evil glint in his dark eyes as he ripped the trident out of the startled king's hands, grabbing him by the throat with his free hand and lifting him into the air.
"So, you are the one? The new king of Atlantis?" he sneered menacingly at Hikou, the Atlantian struggling to breath. "Don't worry. I'll make your death quick. You aren't needed anymore, after all. Nor is your brother. With both of you out of the way, no one shall stand in our way. Your father was a fool. Uniting the humans with the Atlantians? A foolish dream, really. But, I've said too much, haven't I?" He handed the trident to the remaining cloaked assassin before turning his attention to Hikou. "Now, now, your highness, don't worry. I'll send your brother after you shortly." Dark energy gathered in his fingertip and the young king closed his eyes, praying to Neptune for some sort of miracle. A miracle that came from the man he had seen knocked out only moments ago. The man holding him stiffened in pain, his concentration broken. Hikou acted quickly, gripping his wrist and twisting free. He landed a heavy blow to his wounded side, causing his would-be killer the cry out in pain before casting a light spell, temporarily blinding him. When it cleared, the man was gone and he went to his savior's side.
****Present****
Hikou opened his eyes, realizing that he was getting wet just standing beneath the shattered skylight, and looked at Kouji. "Where would Hakurou have gone? I must speak to him at once."
Kouji nodded, looking somewhat annoyed, though the young king couldn't decipher why.
"This is our base a operations," Kouji explained. "Me and my buddy, Genrou, have been trainin' with him fer a couple years now to be…body guards, ya could say."
"Mercenaries would be a more accurate term. I'm well aware of Hakurou's line of work. He's come to Atlantis before."
"Why?" Kouji asked, wondering why his teacher had never mentioned this before, but Hikou merely shook his head.
"Later, perhaps, you can ask him. I was only three at the time."
Kouji nodded and looked out a window for a moment, searching the skyline for something.
"He's at his home, though it's a bit of a hike from here. Hope you don't mind."
"We'd best head off, then."
Short: yes. I'm working on it, honest, no da :p Besides, it's Houjun's turn next and I know I'll die if people don't find out what happened to him.