Chapter 8
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Seth's growled deep in his throat. Unbelievable!
"So it had been conformed?" Ken asked. "They are really our targets?"
"Yes," Seth snapped, whipping his head toward Ken; his onyx hair flung in the air wildly. His anger had risen to a dangerous level. "And to think!" he barked out a laugh, "I…I…"
"I know Seth," Ken injected, trying to calm his livid friend.
"You know nothing," Seth hissed bitterly. "I really…really…I…"
Ken smiled softly, "You love her," he finished for Seth. "And it's hard; especially when we have a hunch that our newly aquatinted friends could be a possible threat."
"I just…and she is," Seth stuttered, "how is it possible!" he turned pleading eyes toward Ken. "How is it possible?" he whispered painfully.
"I don't know, Seth," Ken comforted sadly; "I don't know…it just is."
The stage had been set and the players assembled. Somehow, Eclipse has a feeling that everything is going very wrong.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Ryuu grinned softly.
Eclipse snorted, "Since when do you pick up western sayings?"
Ryuu shrugged. "Since the moment we met our prey," he replied casually.
"You know," Eclipse frowned at the mentioning of their new friends, "I'm worried."
"Oh?" Ryuu raised a brow.
"Our traitor had been found dead," Eclipse explained. "It seems like the work of Thunder and Phoenix."
This time a more curious, "Oh?" escaped Ryuu. "I did not know they were involved."
"Well," Eclipse responded in an offhanded manner as she flicker her brown hair toward the side. "It would seem that they are very much involved."
"Do you believe that they are sent to hunt us?" Ryuu grinned suggestively, his eyes sparkled with mirth.
Eclipse grinned mischievously, "I hope so-we do so need a challenge!"
Seth and Ken sat in the familiar café waiting for Rin and Char to arrival.
It's a big day, and there are many things to be done.
Seth started outside the window in a melancholy mood.
"This is it, isn't it?" Seth muttered underneath his breath; lost in thoughts. "Today is the last day that the four of us view each other as friends, isn't it?"
Ken nodded sadly. The irony of it all; the pain of it all. "Yes, it is,"
Rin ran up to the little café shop in excitement. It had been a while since she had last seen Seth and Ken. But most of all, she also understood that the game had just begun. Rin grinned to herself; what a twisted humor she has. Perhaps it was because Ken and Seth are her targets, or perhaps it was because she truly respects their talents; either way, she just can't wait to hunt them.
"Ready, Eclipse?" Ryuu asked with great amusement. "Ready to hunt?"
"Of course, Ryuu," Eclipse replied sweetly. "Let's show them what we can do!"
The four friends greeted each other outside the café in almost a script like fashion. Everyday it was the same; a polite hello from Ken, a firm one form Char, a loud, energetic one from Rin, and a cold one from Seth.
"How are you?" Ken implored.
"Good," Char nodded; his eyes hid his mirth well.
Rin grinned cheekily. "Great! And you?"
"Still hanging there," Seth replied dryly with a hint of mockery.
Rin glared.
Suddenly the window of the shop flung open.
"What?" Everyone whipped toward the source of the commotion.
A golden eagle flew in. A letter attached to its leg. Swooning down, the great bird dropped the message genteelly upon the table.
No one moved as the bird flew off.
Ken held the letter with curiosity and caution. Glancing at the others, he opened the envelope.
Everyone leaned in to see…
XX/XX/XX
Dear Thunder and Phoenix,
We, Guardian Eclipse and Guardian Ryuu invite you to conduct and perhaps finish some business which concerns all of us midnight of tonight. Location: XXXX XXX. We hope you will accept this invitation.
E/R
Seth and Ken glared at the piece of paper. It would seem that both parties have the same in mind.
"What is it?" Rin feign confused. "What's going on?"
"Nothing Rin…nothing," Ken waved it off. "Nothing of an importance. We just have some matters to take care of."
Char and Rin nodded understandingly. "Don't let us keep you."
Seth and Ken gave a hesitated smile and got up. Rin and Char followed them out the shop.
"See you some other time?" Rin inquired.
Seth stared. Not knowing how to respond Seth grab hold of Rin and pull her into an embrace. "Good bye, Shun Rin."
Rin seems to understand his hidden message loud and clear. Blushing, and then whispered thoughtfully, "It's a shame really…but you too; good-bye, Sir Knight."
Chapter 9
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Thunder and Phoenix arrived at the destined location and time with minutes to spare. To say the least, they were shocked that they were discovered and revealed before their targets were. But speaking of targets; it was strange. The letter was delivered when all four of them were present. Could it be that Rin and Char are not their targets? No…that wouldn't make sense. Rin clearly understood Seth's message…or could it be that she misinterpreted?
Thunder groaned. The puzzle that he had spent hours uncovering suddenly seems to be scrambled again. Shaking his head in frustration, Thunder shouted, "We have arrive, Guardians!" Seth wanted to get this game started as soon as possible; perhaps then he could finally get some answers.
"Always the impatient one aren't you, Seth…or should I call you Thunder?" a tender voice.
Thunder and Phoenix whipped around. Although they had a suspicion, what they saw still shocked them.
"don't look so surprise, Thunder," Eclipse whispered lightly, her eyes flickered with mockery,
Before them, stood two figures under the pale moonlight.
"Char," Phoenix gasped.
"Ken," Ryuu smirked. "Seth."
"Seth," Rin grinned almost maliciously. "So we meet again Mr. Knight,"
"Rin," Seth's heart clutched painfully. It's not fair.
Ryuu smirked excitedly, "Let's make a deal."
Eyeing the two with distrust, "What deal?" Phoenix inquired darkly.
Eclipse's grinned widen. "If you win-which is unlikely, we'll tell you everything. If you lose, you forfeit everything to us."
"That is if you are not dead yet," Ryuu smirked.
Thunder glared. He can taste his own bitterness of the situation. "Don't underestimate us," he growled.
"Likewise," Eclipse's cold orbs stared into his; the smirk never left her face. "Let the game began boys…let the games began."
So, there they were: a notorious pair of assassins against the legendry Guardians; facing each other, survival to the fittest.
Eclipse threw Ryuu a knowing nod, "Ready to go wild?"
"Let's," Ryuu replied, his eyes never once left Phoenix's.
Fingers intertwined gracefully around the special set of knives, Eclipse threw them swiftly at Thunder and Phoenix. The latter jumped to avoid the blades as they glazed pass their clothes.
Thunder dashed toward Eclipse; his dagger in hand.
Eclipse stood unmoved.
Thunder growled, "You are foolish to not defend yourself!" with a swift turn, he grabbed her hostage; the dagger under her neck.
Phoenix stared at the captured girl. "Looks like we win."
Eclipse laughed. "Really? Is that what you think?"
"Yes," Thunder smirked behind her. "We are skilled."
A cold wind blew pass.
"It is far from over," Eclipse smirked. "They are not bad, Ryuu. Don't you think?"
"No they are not," the forgotten Ryuu commented; both Thunder and Phoenix's eyes widen Shit! We forgot about him!, "But they are not good enough!" Ryuu attacked with great force from the shadows, sending the two flying.
"Our teamwork is absolute," Eclipse grinned, "while yours is not. You should never forget your other opponents, or view any failed attack unimportant" Her fingers curved as if she was trying to crush her opponent with an invisible force. Surprisingly, Thunder and Phoenix collapsed; a sudden pressure washed over them.
"What?" Thunder gasped.
"You see," Eclipse's hand tightened, "the knives were meant to glide pass both of you," Thunder and Phoenix gasped for breath as the pressure increased, "I attached a special, durable wire strings on those blades…and as you can see," Eclipse's hand tightened into a fist; the pressure doubled, "with a little of control, I am able to… exhaust you." She smirked.
Phoenix's paled, his breathing became heavy. "Why?" he panted out, "Why?"
"An order," Ryuu answered coldly. "We are ordered to eliminate you."
Chapter 10
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Thunder's eyes widen. This answer…it's just like last time. "You killed my parents!" he huffed out.
Eclipse's icy orbs turn to gaze at him. "Yes, I did." She loosened her hold on the strings. "Funny thing, really," she continued impassively, "you are adopted by the one who had hired me to kill your parents."
"What!" Thunder wheezed, "What do you mean?"
Eclipse raised a brow, "Don't you know? Mr. Wu and Mr. Fei hired me to do the job."
Thunder paled. "Why…?" Why?
"Your guess is just as good as mine," Eclipse shrugged indifferently. "However, we would like to know, why would they want to eliminate us."
Thunder and Phoenix laid in silent.
"Oh?" Ryuu inquired. "No comment? It's not wise to stay silent. Eclipse here is not made head interrogator for nothing."
Eclipse drew out her poisonous needle in agreement. "Talk!" she ordered. "Or do you wish I to use force?"
Phoenix glared. "Torture us all you what, we don't know anymore than you do!"
"Is that so?" Ryuu muttered. "Well then, Eclipse?" he questioned, waiting for the younger girl's instruction.
Eclipse scowled, and turned her attention toward her captures. "We have won the bet," she stated firmly. "You are ours now; to play with, to kill; ours."
The boys glared, but remind silent.
"I have no desire to kill you," she continued. "However, you are ours, and it seems like we have a common enemy as of now. You will assist us," Thunder and Phoenix looked up in surprise then defiance. "…or," Eclipse frowned, "we could just kill you now."
When either of them conformed their grounds, Eclipse took it as a "no" and began to advance, her double blades firmly in hands.
Ryuu watched the exchange with unease. Despite what he had told Rin about not getting to attach to their targets, Ryuu himself have already cross the lines. Perhaps it's because they are the first friends that he had made outside his own comrades. Perhaps that was that reason why he did not wanted to see the two boys in front of him to be cover in red. Inwardly, he was disgusted of himself. How could he be so weak to feel for his targets? But it doesn't matter. He cared. Unable to stop himself, he sprang to life as Eclipse made her way toward the two boys.
A flash of blue blurred pass; Ryuu stood between the prisoners. "Wait!"
Eclipse's eyes narrowed dangerously as Thunder and Phoenix gasped in shock. "What is the meaning of this, Ryuu?"
"Eclipse, we don't need to kill them!" Ryuu exclaimed. "They…they are of value!" turning toward Thunder and Phoenix, Ryuu plead, "Don't you want to uncover the truth?"
The question struck cords. The two boys relented. But somewhere in their eyes they both promise Eclipse and Ryuu that their fight was not over yet…
The four, now allies of some short, head toward Wu mansion; two with confident, one with anger, and one with concern. Mr. Fei was said to also be visiting there.
"Have you spoken with the Council?" Ryuu asked.
"Yes," Eclipse conformed, "they have given us the authorization to eliminate both Wu and Fei once we receive some answers."
Thunder who trailed behind snapped sharply at Eclipse, "Wu is mine!"
Eclipse glanced back at Thunder frostily, "You have no power to demand anything."
Thunder opened his mouth to argue when Phoenix interrupted him, "Stop it, Seth. We can argue over this once we capture them."
Thunder threw his partner a concern look, "Are…are you ok with this? He is your father."
"And he is your uncle," Phoenix snorted. "I don't care for murders…but you are like my brother, Seth. I care for you."
Thunder smiled in relief.
Ahead of them, Eclipse and Ryuu grimaced at the display of companionship.
Wu Huan was not a man with a conscience; he had lost them when he hired assassins to kill his own brother in cold blood for wealth. Yet, for some reason, as he sat drink wine with his old friend and accomplice, Fei Ein, a sense of dread filled him.
"Are you sure that the brat will be taken care of?" Huan questioned nervously. "That he would just disappear?"
Ein grinned, "Of course, old friend, do you doubt me?"
"No, No," Huan denied. "It is just that what if the police questioned? Won't people notice?"
"Who would notice?" Ein snorted, "You had never let the boy out in public, and the only one knows is Ken and he too will be taken care of. The Guardians are professionals. They will not leave a shred of evidence, or data of the boys ever existing."
Huan nodded eagerly, picking up his glass of wine. "Yes, I'm sure everything will be taken care of."
Ein tilted this cup in agreement. "It is great that all of our plans are doing so well. My wife is already pregnant and I will soon have a new heir to replace the old."
"Are you sure your wife is alright with this?" Huan raised a brow.
"Of course, she is like your wife," Ein teased, "When it comes to money, what is the lost of a son?"
Both men laughed.
Suddenly the window flung opened as a great wind howled through. The electricity flickered wildly before the lights died out; the room became an eerie black.
"You two sickens me," a soft hissed was heard.
The men paled.
"Looks like it's going to be a red moon out tonight…"
Chapter 11
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"Mr. Wu, Mr. Fei," Eclipse's smoothing voice floated through the room, "How nice to see you again."
"Yes," Thunder spitted out hatefully, "How are you doing Father, Uncle?"
The addressed men paled and frozen in their spot, unable to move; fear washed over them.
"From what we have heard," Ryuu glared, "It would seems like Mr. Wu and Mr. Fei here are unwilling to pay for the assassination of their sons, thus he purposely helped our traitor by sending him to Thunder and Phoenix, hoping that we would kill them along with our little traitor."
"It would seem quiet so," Phoenix hissed.
"Please," Mr. Wu spluttered in fear. "We'll pay you now…we'll give you money, any amount, don't kill us!" Every reason or courage left him.
"For a man who is merciless to his competitions, it is ironic that you ask for mercy now," Eclipse's icy eyes flickered coldly.
"You have been a thorn on our side Sires," Ryuu smirked, "and I can't say I wouldn't enjoy tearing you into pieces."
"You…you wouldn't dare," Mr. Fie somehow found his voice, "we have connection in high places, we are well-known…everyone will know we are murdered if you kill us!"
"Oh, but you see," Eclipse mocked, "we have connection in higher places. And even if the police investigates, we are feared…the public will be informed that the cause of death was an accident at best, if not suicide," her needles glint dangerously in the light of the moon, "and I'm sure yours and your wives death will be no lost to the world."
The men shivered. One word echoed through their head: Monsters!
Unearthly screams echoed into the night…a crimson moon hung in the sky.
Mr. and Mrs. Wu, along with their friend, Mr. and Mrs. Fei laid dead. Their body was skinned, fresh dug out with blades, eyes stockless, and bones broken, on their backs the symbol of a winged circle with a phoenix and lighting bolt was burned onto the flesh, while the chest embossed a image of a star, connected from corner to corner of five orbs, each label an elemet; Metal, fire, water, earth, wind, and in the middle of the star the number 12 sat in its glory; the unborn and undeveloped child of Mrs. Fei was torn out of her stomach. On the wall of the red soaked room, was a message:
Let this be a lesson, those who cross the Guardians shall face death himself, and the wrath of hell shall consume their beings.
We are the Guardians, and we SHALL be FEARED!