Time and space are so flexible. A single change, a single action, can cause reality to spiral in a new direction. A sad ending can become happy, a victory can become defeat. All can be altered by the tiniest events.

Chapter 4

Muzaka sat on the edge of the ceiling, one leg dangling out in the air. The night was illuminated on the horizon by the city's millions of lights. Deep in thought, his gaze was directed downwards, but he was not interested in observing the strange developments of the human. Today he was restless. It had already been several days since M-21 disappeared. Frankenstein and Garda had finally found his physical location, but all they had to report served to increase Muzaka's worry.

The puppy was playing with death. Why?

Soft steps behind him announced a visitor. Muzaka did not have to look around to recognize that it was Garda. He recognized her by her smell. It was the smell of warm, fertile soil cooled by summer rain, mixed with the smell of warm bread.

He had not told her yet, but her smell had a tremendous impact on him. Perhaps it was because she was a werewolf too, or perhaps it was because he had associated her with the life and warmth which he had forgotten about during his stay in the Union or perhaps it was because whenever she was around he didn't feel lonely anymore, his clan, his race, the only member who had stick out with him through the thick and thin of life. Muzaka couldn't help but relax as she drew closer and leaned against the railing, following his gaze down to the city.

"What is on?"

"Frankenstein is teaching the girl how to cook"

"And Raizel?"

"Watch this"

Muzaka snorted, amused as he saw Raizel leave the kitchen to arrive at the Garden, sneezing heavily under the influence of spices that have exploded in the kitchen due to his mishandling of the food processor.

"Nothing new to the puppy?"

Garda shook her head. Muzaka frowned and looked down at the garden again. "Dumb puppy," he muttered to himself.

"Does not that remind you of someone else?" Garda asked quietly, smiling to herself.

"Uh ..." Muzaka did not even try to counter-argue, he knew he would lose. Garda had long lost the shyness that accompanied her personality during his days as the Lord. The Garda of today was not a person Muzaka could easily win in an argument. Besides she always kept her head on and gave him solid reality countering his idealistic mind-set which he had found very useful. He could only imagine what she had been through all these years trying to uphold his name in the werewolf community to become what she had today.

"Frankenstein told me that M-21 is trying to keep a promise he made to his deceased comrades long ago. Wouldn't we do the same if it was us? The only difference is that in contrast to us the puppy has nothing more to lose. His actions only bring harm to himself, not to anyone else," Garda's voice was soft.

Muzaka was unpleasantly reminded of the time after his awakening. He had similar self-destructive tendencies until the time when Garda's patience had snapped. Muzaka did a quick sideways glance at her, "If the puppy continues with his suicidal tendencies you should perhaps put him over the knee."

Garda raised an eyebrow. "Is that still in your bones?"

"My dangerous beauty, every one of your tantrums will remain in my memory forever, because they were so shocking."

Garda chuckled amused and Muzaka smiled in spite of the situation. "We'll get him out of there," he paced back and forth. "A group consisting of the Noblesse, the strongest human alive, and not to forget both of us" he winked at Garda "this should do it already."

Garda winked back then became serious again, "Did you ever notice the smell of the puppy?"

"I did not get many opportunities for it. In addition, he smelled of many things which are less pleasing. Whatever his smell is, you can tell me more about it. You've got the better sense of smell amount us now." There was slight bitterness in his voice as he was reminded of how his time in Union had done his senses no favour.

"I'm not quite sure either," admitted Garda. Something in her voice made Muzaka alert.

"But he has something that gives me the feeling that I should know him"

"He's got a werewolf part inside, does he not?"

"Maybe…" But that part was obvious. There was something else that was making Garda hesitant. Muzaka did not push her for more answers, but he knew whatever it was, it must be important enough to make even her reluctant. Maduke was still out there somewhere, still experimenting on his own people. What was the likelihood that the puppy was connected to a member of their people who Garda knew, to a degree that she even remembered their smell? Muzaka could feel his blood boiling at the thought alone.

"Muzaka"

Garda was pointing to the right on the roofs of the night bar houses. The Loyard-girl was seen disappearing over the roofs. She seemed to be in a hurry. A little later, Raizel appeared and then disappeared with Frankenstein at the same location.

"Looks like it's going to happen."

~.~.~

"Who are you?"

Muzaka looked at the modified man expressionless as Garda swiftly walked past him. He did not need to interfere as he saw the blue modified fly against the wall with a small flick of her hand. 'Pitiful', Muzaka shook his head. The scum was yelping like a wounded animal, coughing blood. It was his bad luck that a single attack hadn't killed him. The sooner they off these unfortunate beings the better it was.

From this wounded modified, from all around this place, Muzaka could feel the same sickening unnatural aura that radiated from M-21 as well. The aura that echoed back to his time in the Union, though he was supposed to have no memories of then. Although Muzaka could not remember anything, even Frankenstein had admitted how shocked he was at the condition he had found him in when rescued him with Garda. Muzaka was still battling with some side effects that will probably never disappear...

But first ... Muzaka ignored the mayhem in his mind and diverted his attention to the children, making some appeasing gestures to soothe them. After all, he was their teacher. Shinwoo had some injuries, a miracle that he was still alive. The Landrage-boy was even more seriously injured, not the least because he had tried to cover Raizel before he and Garda appeared. Hm, brave fellow...

Garda now stood beside M-21 and rolled him carefully onto her lap. Muzaka saw the gaping wound immediately. Even before he had entered the room, the smell of blood had penetrated his nose. The puppy had lost too much blood, the diaphragm and internal organs seemed to be a pierced…and they were not healing. Garda was speaking softly to him trying to rouse him, but M-21 did not react. Muzaka gritted with his teeth and turned away. He could not help and Frankenstein was not here. Either the puppy made it and woke up or...

Shaking his head Muzaka moved in front of Raizel instead protecting him from the modified leaders view, and let a wild smile spread over his face. After waking up from his coma spanning centuries, the first thing Muzaka had done was look for Raizel as soon as his injuries had allowed him. The fact that he could not find anything had greatly disturbed him. Only the assurance that the contract with Frankenstein was still intact, gave them a reason to hope. Muzaka was not exactly aware of the nature of Raizel's power but he had strongly suspected that it linked to his life force.

"Are you a Noblesse?" The modified leader asked him.

Muzaka estimated his future spoils mockingly. "No," he replied, scratching himself casually with his claw on his chin "But not so far away"

The bastard stared at him and then called the injured blue modified, the modified who Garda had snapped against the wall like a mosquito. But before he could take another step, with a mixture of irritation and mild surprise, Muzaka watched as the leader absorbed his fellow-combatant.

Muzaka looked contemptuously at the leader. So, he saw his people as nothing more than a means to strength? The next attack was stronger; Muzaka lifted his hand careful to protect the people behind rather than himself. This attack would not give him more than a scratch.

Muzaka saw the bewildered rage in his eyes and chuckled. "Is that all you got?" He sneered, moving slowly towards him. "Pretty bad for killing one of your people" he paused for a moment and added quietly "especially as I would have liked to killed him." This blue modified was definitely the one who had wounded M-21 before they arrived, he had guessed from the dagger in his hand, and the ugly laugh reverberating in the room when they had entered.

The leader of the modified did not seem to be phased easily, but Muzaka could feel his fear formally with every step. He was not really a sadistic person but this scum reminded him too much of the traitors of his own people. They were also always surprised when they realized how weak they were despite all the lives they took. Muzaka bared his teeth, let his fangs grow, and grinned at the bastard.

"Tao, come here!" the scum bellowed.

Muzaka turned his head to see another modified who he had overlooked in his excitement before. A thin little fellow with an expression in his eyes that Muzaka had seen before. Resignation and bitterness. It was the same expression that M-21 had shown every now and then, when he had thought that no one was looking.

Muzaka hesitated, for him it made no difference, but it would be better to kill the boy quickly, instead of giving him to his so-called leader. To his surprise Ikhan came first. With words and outstretched arms as if to stop the modified from surrendering to his leader. Did he know about him? It seemed so because when the leader tried to attack the children, Tao protected them. Hmm? This kid had surpassed Muzaka's expectations and those of Raizel. Muzaka would not kill him.

Another attack came and the scum was spinning and the children were screaming in fear. Now it was time to finish this. Muzaka grabbed the scum nonchalantly by the arm, he saw his surprise at the sheer speed and hit. The scum died without quite understanding what had just happened, unfortunately. The debris of the ceiling became his grave. Muzaka casually turned his back to the ruins and strolled back to Raizel. It was dead silent.

The children looked through the swirled dust at the rubble and heap. The Landegre-boy stared at him, eyes narrowed. It was clear that the nature of the entire household had just clicked to his mind because he also looked at Garda suspiciously. Now he could not blame the child. The Landegre Clan and werewolves had never understood each other very well.

"Ah Ajussie!"

The puppy had opened his eyes again. He seemed to be somewhat confused and blinked up at Garda. Then his eyes widened in astonishment as Garda helped him get up; he himself was surprised to be alive and looked up at Raizel until the time when Frankenstein and the Lyrod girl arrived. Muzaka could guess it was Raizel who had helped him survive somehow. A small smile grazed Muzaka's features. He was grateful to Raizel again.

As Frankenstein helped the puppy move towards the door, Muzaka turned back to Garda. It was time to leave. But found her crouched over the spot where the puppy was lying and where a big pool of his blood had formed. She had not moved an inch from the spot. Something in her eyes made Muzaka recoil in restlessness, "What is?"

"Do you not smell it?"

Muzaka could only frown as Garda placed her hand in the pool of blood with uncharacteristic eagerness, rubbing it between her fingers.

"What are you doing?" Muzaka was baffled.

Then he smelled it and his heart stopped.

Behind him, Raizel's eyes widened.

Notes: Finally, I finished the 4th chapter, yeah! It has taken more time then I through because I wrote it twice… Thank you Pandora for your patience. PS: Next chapter will be related soon… very soon.