(a/n): A quick thanks to my reviewers and on with the show.

Daniel Wesley Rydell: Thanks for having the patience for such a long delay. Glad you liked the chapter. Hopefully, you'll like this one too.

Dynamis: Hehehe. Well, I'm not going to comment on your hopefulness. I'll leave the shocking discovery to you. . Here's another chapter that requires thinking. Enjoy.

And on that last note. Enjoy, everyone.

Chapter 15: Missing Piece

"Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by heart and his friends can only read the title." — Virginia Wolf

"He only won by one frag!" Romulus exclaimed furiously, as he was nearly tearing his hair out. "We all know that Trini's better than him." He was walking in circles with folded hands.

"Trini?" I asked.

"I mean what was that? That was a cheap shot." He ignored me as he made another revolution around the living quarters.

"Just because he happened to shoot you, doesn't mean you should go criticizing him." Satan said, as she was leaning against the wall, inspecting her nails in boredom. "Just thank him for not blowing your brains out instead."

"He still fragged me!" He turned to her with open arms, palms up. "It still hurts like hell when a bullet rips through your body, you know?"

"Yes..." Her gaze was still on her hands. "We all know how it feels to get fragged. You're not the only the one." She glanced at me for a moment. I frowned and Romulus folded his hands back again and scoffed. Satan ignored us both. "Just because he's better than you—"

"I'm not listening!" Romulus plugged his ears with his fingers and sat down on the couch beside me.

"You just cannot admire a good challenge." She continued.

"Blah, blah, blah! What did you say?" Romulus called back with his fingers still in his ears.

Satan signed and shook her head in disbelief. "I cannot believe Wraith hired such an—"

"Can't hear you, can't hear you." Romulus kept repeating it over and over.

As comical as this was, I was beginning to feel a serious headache coming. Besides I wanted to find Wraith and talk to him. Ever since he won, everyone dispersed quickly. Prism and Asp had just left, me and my gang said nothing, and Wraith's friends did say a few kind words.

I thought as a team member I should at least tell him that I had nothing against it. Even though, secretly, I felt like I should have won. But after my conversation with Wraith, it felt awkward continuing the match and pulling the trigger. Wraith, evidently, felt otherwise.

"I think I'll go see him." I said finally and stood up.

Apparently, Romulus heard me, as he unbelievably yelled, "What? You can't do that." He took his fingers out of his ears and grabbed my hand. "That will be the same as if you're yielding."

"I'm not going to congratulate him." I said and pulled my hand away and wiped it off. Romulus didn't notice.

"Oh, than let me come with you!" He jumped to his feet and kicked the air as he said, "I'd love to give him a good kick in the face after what he did to me."

"I am not going to fight him, either." I watched his happy face frown. "I just need to talk to him." I stood up and turned towards the door. "Oh and Romulus don't forget to wash your hands." And I left the group and sighed. Now, where could he be?

After an hour of searching, I finally found Wraith in the training arena, talking to Torch in the farthest corner. I quickly walked towards them, ignoring the two big contestants sparring in the middle of the room. I had no intentions of attracting attention. One match was enough for one day, wouldn't you agree?

A few feet away, I was about to call out Wraith's name when someone took my hand. I pulled back quickly and was ready to strike when I turned to face—"Malcolm!" I exclaimed, surprisingly. Lowering my fist, I stared in disbelief. "Malcolm, it is really you!"

"Hi, Trinity. Long time no see." He smiled broadly.

Tall and handsome, as usual, Malcolm was one of the faces I would never mind seeing. Even at his age, he was well built and attractive. With hawk-like eyes behind those sunglasses, he was as dangerous as ever. A true combatant, one I would be honored to fight along side or even against. I never minded that he took my place as Champion; he was born for this.

I was happy to meet him here; I haven't seen anyone from the past tournament. Things were finally starting to look up. Maybe, just maybe, he might know if Dessloch was here.

"Two years was it?" He asked sweetly.

I nodded quickly and smiled widely. "It is so good to see you!" I said and extended my hand. Finally, we meet again.

"It's good to see you, too. Although I wasn't expecting to see you again, it is sure a pleasant surprise." He shook my hand and searched my eyes. "My god, have I forgotten how beautiful you looked."

I slapped his shoulder lightly and winked, "You also seem to forget how dangerous I could be."

He chuckled. "True beauty is always deadly, I admit. Anyway, what brings you to this miserable junkyard? And where is Dessloch? You guys aren't together?"

Shit, that could only mean one thing. He didn't see Dessloch. And that little bit of hope was crushed yet once again. "Dessloch is the reason why I'm here." I decided to stick with the truth. "I need to find him. Last I heard he was here."

"Here? Didn't he escape with you?"

"Yes, but he disappeared one day. I think he might have gotten caught."

"Caught? Why would he? Didn't you decide to leave the planet."

"Yes. And we did. But he was caught about two months ago."

"I thought Liandri didn't have operations on the moon."

"They don't. He was captured by the League."

"He joined the resistance?"

"He disappeared before he got a chance. One day he just told me he has business to take care of and never came back."

"Maybe he did sign up. But before he got a chance to go home, he was captured."

"No. I already checked. I went there the next day and asked."

"You could do that? What if you are a spy for the Emperor?"

"I had to use persuasive methods, okay? But I still found out the same truth. If he was going to sign up, he was intercepted before he did."

"So what does that mean."

"All I know is that the Emperor demands all suspects to be either killed or imprisoned. But Dessloch was careful." I paused. How did I miss this? "Which means that someone had to report him."

"But who would report him?"

I gritted my teeth. Why didn't I catch this sooner? One day, Lostis just arrived, saying he knows where Dessloch is. But why would Dessloch get caught in the first place? It couldn't be the Empire; we weren't part of any resistance groups, and we kept discrete. Who would report him? We made no friends purposely. No one knew we even existed. Something wasn't right here.

"We have eyes watching us." He suddenly said as he nodded to something behind me. I turned to see Wraith and Torch looking straight back at us.

I looked back at Malcolm and smiled. "Oh, don't worry. They're my team members."

He smiled. "You have a team?" Then he shook his head. "What am I saying, of course you do. You're the champion." He glanced at them and smiled. "Mind introducing us?"

"Oh. Of course. As you wish." I came up to the two with Malcolm trailing behind me. "Hi, Wraith. Torch." I nodded to them both. They both inclined their heads simultaneously. Neither said nothing. I ignored their cold hellos and turned to Malcolm. "I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine, Malcolm."

Unlike the two blockheads, Malcolm had a warm smile on his face as he extended his hand to Wraith, saying "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Wraith shook Malcolm's hand. His mouth was a thin line, and his good eye was narrowed. "Likewise." His voice was as cold as stone. They just stood there looking in each other's eyes. One was smiling, and one was not. After what seemed like an eternity, Malcolm let go and passed his hand to Torch who just nodded without unfolding his arms.

"Say." Malcolm turned to me and grinned. "What would you say to a little match. My team versus your team in capture the flag? A friendly match, of course."

I opened my mouth to speak when suddenly Wraith cut me off with a simple "No."

Malcolm's smile vanished. "Sorry?" His gaze trailed to Wraith.

"I refuse the offer."

"Well, I'm not asking you to enter the match." Malcolm put an arm on my shoulders. "I'm just asking if I can borrow your leader and two members for a little while."

I winced as Wraith coldly stated, "I am the leader."

"Say what?" Malcolm took a step back and then looked at me. "No way!"

"It's true." I said quietly.

Malcolm raised an eyebrow, as he measured Wraith from head to toe. "No one defeats the Champion." He said plainly. "No one." Leaning in, he stared into Wraith's eyes.

I sighed and looked at Torch who shrugged. This will be a long night. I frowned and shrugged as well.

"Believe what you want." Wraith fired back. The two were nearly touching each other's noses. "I deny your request."

"Why? 'Fraid of something?"

"Malcolm." I squeezed between them and pushed them apart. "We'll be there."

"No we won't." Wraith said firmly, his eyes not shifting from Malcolm.

"No." I took Wraith's chin and forced him to look at me. "You won't." Ignoring the anger in his eyes, I turned to Malcolm. "I'll be there, promise."

"Great. How about tomorrow morning at seven?"

"Great."

Malcolm smiled once more and patted me on the shoulder. "See you there. Hopefully, you'll change your mind." He looked at Wraith. "I'd love to see how powerful you are. After all, you defeated the champ." And thus he walked away. Leaving me with an enraged Wraith.

When Malcolm finally was out of view, Wraith turned to me. "What was that?" He asked, folding his arms.

"Who." I corrected him. "Who was that."

"That's not what I'm asking."

"Wraith." I was getting tired of this. "This is not official. It's just a practice match. I'm not asking you to come. I just haven't seem Malcolm in a long time."

"And the first thing you think of is versing him?"

"Wraith, it's something you will never understand. Him and I versed before. This is a friendly competition. For us, it's like the good old times where you actually know your opponent. This is the big league, Wraith, not for someone who had just entered the tournament."

"You talk as if I cannot handle it."

In the distance, I saw Torch shake his head, smiling, as he made his way towards the exit. Naturally, I ignored him.

"No, you just denied his request. I do not deny challenges."

"So, you would say yes to any senseless challenge? I do not see a purpose in it."

It was my turn to fold my arms. "Wraith, it's not a senseless challenge. You know I won the tournament two years ago." I paused, watching Wraith look away. "He is the champion now. I versed him in a practice match and lost. He is not a friend as you would see him. He is a good competitor. I would like to verse him, not as an enemy or as a friend, but as a rival competitor."

Suddenly, Wraith's eyes softened as he looked at me. "The tournament has changed passed these years, Trinity. He has more than enough of practice."

I smiled and softly punched him on the chest. "Then it should be a good match. You sure you don't want to come along?"

There was a long pause. Then Wraith let out a deep breath and gave in. "Oh, alright. But the reason I'm coming is not because I accept the challenge. I'm coming to make sure nothing happens to you."

"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow.

A smile crawled on his handsome face. "I hear sanity is the first thing to go." He mocked whispered.

"What did you say?" I blurted it out.

He winked and said, "Good night,Trinity" And made his way out of the area.

"Hey!" I screamed and ran after him. "Don't think you'll get away with that! Hey, get back here!" I quickly caught up with him and matched his pace. "Where you think you're going."

"Uh...to the quarters? We have a match tomorrow. And according to you, a very challenging one at that." He grinned. "The almighty 'champ' losing to Malcolm." He said it sarcastically, still grinning. "Yeah, 'no one defeats the champion. No one'." He mocked the rest as he chuckled.

"Shut up." I frowned and looked away. "I just went easy on you."

When we finally reached the elevators, Wraith summoned one. And I went passed them and continued up the stairs. Wraith only hesitated for a moment before following me.

"You went easy on him, too?" He asked when he reached me.

"Har, har, very funny."

"Admit it, Trinity, you lost. Fair and square."

"In your dreams. You know I could kick your ass to the moon and back."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure you could."

"Could you please take the elevator?" I asked when I reached the next floor. "It'll be a long way up if you don't."

"Good exercise, I guess."

I groaned and threw up my hands into the air. "Alright. Have fun." I said and summoned the elevator this time. Sadly, Wraith didn't continue up the flight of stairs. "I thought you're taking the stairs." I sounded annoyed.

"I thought so too." I gritted my teeth and he grinned wider. "Trinity, you take things too seriously."

"Yes. Or so I've been told." I didn't have the patience to wait for the lift so I continued up the stairs. Wraith followed me. "Do enjoy tormenting me?" I burst at half way up the stairs. "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what, exactly?"

I sighed. "You know, following me everywhere?"

"Actually, it was you who came—" I shook my head in disbelief and continued up the stairs. "—downstairs to the training area." Wraith wasn't far behind. "Did you want to say something?"

Oh yeah. I forgot about that. But, oh well, not anymore. "Nope."

"So what brought you down there?"

Persistent as usual. "I was looking for Malcolm." I simply lied.

"Malcolm? You seemed pretty surprised when you saw him."

Bastard. Watches my every move. "I was shocked at how old he looked." I glanced at Wraith and smiled evilly. "You know, two years passed but aged as if a decade gone by."

Wraith raised an eyebrow. "Right. You're a bad lier."

We stopped on the next floor and I looked at him. "Think what you want. Now, are you taking the stairs or the elevator?"

"Why do you ask?" I glared at him and he chuckled. "Still the same old Trinity. Never feels like talking."

I felt like adding some to that, but Wraith pulled by my arm, guiding me to the elevator. "Let's take the elevator. I promise I won't bother you." After he let go of me, he he pressed the round button embedded in the golden rectangle on the wall. I folded my arms and frowned. Promise, huh? We'll see.

When the elevator doors opened, I went in with Wraith trailing behind me. Inside, I leaned against the wall and massaged my temples.

Thankfully, our way up was quiet. As promised, Wraith didn't say another word, and we reached our destination after what seemed like an eternity. When the doors slid in different directions I walked out, heading towards our quarters. Judging by his footsteps, Wraith wasn't far behind. We reached the dorms quietly and entered the living room area. Boris was inside, sitting in the armchair with folded hands. Most likely, he was waiting for me.

Wraith nodded towards him and then looked at me. "Good night, Trinity." He said and walked towards his room. I waited until he closed the door after him before I looked at Boris. He had a serious look upon his face.

"What? What is it?" I asked as I came up to him.

Boris shook his head and sighed. "I hear you met Malcolm."

"Who told you that?"

"Torch did."

"Oh."

"He also told me Malcolm challenged you."

I narrowed my eyes while folding my arms. "And what's wrong with that?"

Boris leaned forward and looked up at me. "Trinity, you do remember what happened last time? At Face."

I groaned and collapsed in the couch. "So what? Things are different now."

"Yes. Very different."

"Boris, I just want to verse him."

"This is not why we came down here."

I closed my eyes, sighing. "I know, Boris. I'm looking, believe me."

"I'm not saying your not." He stood up and walked up next to me. "Just be careful around him. Zack sounded serious when he explained that if we enter any matches, we should be careful with the spawning devices."

"Oh please, what's the worst thing they could do?"

"Zack was very persistent."

"He always is." I sat up. "Plus, how would he know?"

"He told me he got an inside man."

I raised an eyebrow. "Inside man?"

Boris sat beside me and said, "Yes. Zack did not specify, but I believe you know him, the Necris that is seeing you?

I nearly choked on my own saliva. "That didn't sound right."

"Pardon?"

I sighed. "Never mind. Anyway since when is Lostis our inside man. He is like this mystery that will never unveil. I don't trust him, either. I have a feeling like he has an agenda of his own. I mean where the hell is he?"

"That is true." Boris rubbed his chin in thought. "Either he is keeping away not to draw suspicion or he got caught."

I looked at Boris. "That can't be good."

Boris' eyes bore into mine. "No, that can't."

"What if they find out, what will happen?"

"Lostis will suffer the consequences. Which, I do not know. But he will be dealt with as a traitor."

"And us?"

"I haven't the slightest clue. But I'm sure Losits knows what he's doing. Zack praises him."

"Yeah I know. But still, I never trusted him. I mean, the guy is absolutely scary and unpredictable. First he met me on the Lunar Colonies, and next thing I know he has access to that insane underground lab, cell rooms, and practically every floor. He personally escorted me to our quarters. Oh, and let's not forget my personal favorite; he has guards that actually work for him. What kind of rank will give him all this freedom, and yet keep him on a leash from a higher officer?"

"That is a little strange." Boris leaned back and looked up at the ceiling.

"Strange is not even near the word we're looking for." I said and looked down at my folded hands. Lostis, I have only seen your shadow, haven't I. Is Lostis Zacron even your real name? How did Zack meet you? Where have you vanished to? And how did you know about Dessloch? How did you get me here in the tournament? What was your cover-up story? Why would you be allowed to leave Earth in the first place? Lostis, who are you really?

One day, you arrived at the Lunar Colonies, claiming you know where Dessloch was. You killed your own men, saying that the one who ran away was the only one who truly worked for you. How did you explain this to your commander? Did you say that I killed them? How did you know Dessloch was in the tournament in the first place? Liandri never had operations on the Moon.

When you finally did get me in here, you were able to keep contact with me. It didn't matter where I was. You still had a way of getting to me. And yet I haven't seen you in quite some time. You said you need to talk to me, leaving with your last words of wisdom. Whatever happens, Tanya, don't get fragged, don't die. And then you happened to pop in and out, but you never talked to me again.

What is really going on here? I always had a feeling Lostis had his own agenda, and for the first time, I feared of what his intentions may be. The great bookLostis. And I thought I could read the title.