"What!", Alfred and Eugene chorused.
"I can't help but admire Mr. Valdez you know. He still left some of his minions mobilized long after he is gone", Dennis said aloud.
"So, right now they dominate the black market. They are still into smuggling monsters from the other world to ours and sold to rich people as bodyguards", Eugene said.
"Same thing that made Mr. Valdez a rich man", Charlene remarked.
"But you must understand that these people no longer had any connection with Valdez. They operate on their own", Master Jeremiah said.
"What do you mean?", Dennis asked for clarifications.
"Actually, they did not like way Mr. Valdez managed the business before. They actually rejoiced when he died and they all had the business ran as they pleased."
"Traitors", Vincent remarked.
"Master Jericho, are you alright?", Jenny asked.
The rest looked up and saw Jericho pacing back and forth, apparently losing all the patience he had.
"Are you still waiting for someone?", Jenny asked.
"Well, actually yes----", Jericho replied but they were all shook up with a sudden explosion from the forest at the rear of Jeremiah's house. They all got to their feet and rushed outside to know what was happening. When they reached the backyard, there was smoke everywhere that they could not see what was beyond. But a fragrant smell greeted their noses.
"The air is so sweet", Jenny said.
But Jenny gasped a little and grabbed Eugene's arm when she saw a four-legged creature stumble in front of them, dead.
"What is that?", she asked.
"It is a monster. How did it get here?", Jericho asked.
No one knew the answer to Jericho's question neither know what to do that time. Dennis squinted his eyes and tried to look beyond the thick smoke. He could see movements, more of a fight between a man and another four-legged creature. They all waited for the fight to end before taking action. Dennis became aware of the scent surrounding them and realized he had smelled that odor before.
"That smell", he said. "I know that smell."
"Me too. It is a familiar scent", Vincent said softly beside him.
They all watched as the man beheaded the creature with a sword, ending its life. Dennis looked at the man and held his breath as the shadow strode towards them and emerged from the smoke. They were all surprised as a raven-haired girl appeared before them.
"Reika! I thought you wouldn't make it", Jericho said and approached Reika.
Dennis' jaw dropped a little in astonishment. So that is why the smell of the air is familiar, he thought. But why is it familiar to Vincent too? He had not met Reika yet, so how come-----
Dennis snapped back to his self when he sensed someone standing in front of him. He blinked his eyes several times before realizing that Reika was there, staring at him.
"Are you all right, Dennis, Reika asked.
"So, you are Reika, Reika Hanzo?", Jenny asked.
"Yes and no", Reika replied with a smile.
"What?", Eugene and Alfred chorused.
"Yes, I'm Reika but no, my last name is not really Hanzo. It's Valdez. I'm Reika Valdez, the only daughter of Mr. Valdez."