Author's Note: Thank you for your wonderful support for the last chapter! It motivates me every single time without fail! Please Review!

Chapter 18:

"Interesting. A bandit who is really a Chronos member fighting with a current one. Well, this is definitely more interesting than working."


Jenos leaped into the air towards the lake, wanting to end this one and for all. He grinned triumphantly, eager to grab victory for himself, he was excited to see Train's face when he claimed victory, it would be priceless for the cold Train. However, lady luck wasn't smiling at him as an object suddenly knocked him back to the ground. He grabbed his throbbing head as he looks around for the object that had hit him without mercy. To his surprise, the object was 'Hades' with a long red rope attached to it. He couldn't see the other end of it as it went into the lake. He heard a splash and saw Train emerged from the water, wet from head to toe, smirking at him. The end of the rope was in his hand. Train walked out and with a pull, the gun came back to his hand automatically,

"I can't fire bullets in the water, even if I do, the damage and speed would be decreased by half. You know that all to well and threw me into the lake in the first place. However, that doesn't mean that I can't attack from the water. Hah, that's means you still have much to learn, Chronos number 7. This is revenge for throwing me into the cold lake, Jenos."

"Interesting Train, I didn't know that 'Hades' would have that kind of special feature. I guess I underestimate is strength."

"Well, now you learn it, the rope has helped me countless times, including today."

Jenos then smiled smugly.

"I guess I will have to break that special bond."

Train growled slightly.

"You won't have the chance."

"We'll see about that!"

Jenos then dashed towards Train who quickly put on a defense stance. With a wave, the wires had secured themselves tightly on 'Hades'. Train's eyes widened, he couldn't moved his gun as Jenos' strength was greater than his. Jenos smirked slightly and aimed a punch at the bandit. Train didn't have time to dodge so at the last minute, he evaded by jumping to the air with the help of Jenos' shoulder. Jenos was surprised at Train's action as not many use their enemies' bodies as a boost. Train knew he couldn't fire bullets through his gun due to the strong wires that were secured tightly around it but he didn't have to use bullets to claim victory from this battle. In mid-air, he waved his gun from left to right hardly and Jenos was crashed into a tree as the wires were connected to 'Hades'. Big puffs of dust soon came into view. Train landed gently on the ground and disconnected the wires from his gun then waited patiently for the dust to clear. Jenos soon reappeared with a big bruise on his forehead.

"You're as good as any Chronos member Train, but that doesn't mean I'm defeated yet!"

No soon had he said those words, trees started to collapse around them. Train looked surprised, while Jenos smirked at Train's expression. With instincts, Train leaped to dodge a wire. It was a close one, if he didn't dodge those wires; he knew he would end this battle with several injuries. Unfornately for Train, he didn't have the time to dodge the next attack as a wire came towards him with godlike speed. He quickly fired a bullet and uses the pressure to get towards the ground. He crouched down immediately as another wire misses him by a few centimeters. But it was not over as Jenos was coming towards him fast with his wires secured tightly at a tree behind Train, who tried to get up to meet his attacker but in vain. In a blink of en eye, Jenos had Train tightly bound to a tree. Deciding to taunt him, Jenos walked slowly towards Train with a smirk on his face. His smirk widened when Train tried to free himself in a worried way. He placed his hands roughly between Train's head, wanting Train's attention directed to him.

"So looks like Chronos won and the black kitten has lost."

Jenos was getting to close for Train's comfort and he did not like that one bit. He was snapped back to reality when he felt something scratched his cheek and realizes there a cut was slowly forming.

"That what's you get when you don't pay attention to me, Train."

Train winced slightly as he felt the wires tightening its grasp on him. Jenos make sure that the wires wouldn't be too tight for the bandit; he knew he had won the battle, it was simply obvious, his enemy couldn't move an inch, and so he gained victory, right? But shouldn't he have sun fun with him first before letting him go? He turned back towards Train and instead of seeing fear in Train, he saw him forming his own smirk. He grew worried, whatever Train was thinking, he better not let his guard down. He looked around expecting to see something there ready to attack him. His biggest mistake was to turn back towards his captive as Train quickly kicked him hard at the stomach. It was unbearable pain for the Chronos member. Given the chance, the bandit quickly freed himself and stood a distance from his enemy. Jenos winced with pain and cursed silently as he should have bound Train's legs to the tree too.

"Got what you deserved, Jenos. It seems that luck is not at your side today."

"God Train, I can't believe you did that! And I was going to let you off!"

Train just shrugged but suddenly tensed. Jenos looked with curious as Train looked suspiciously in all directions to find the sensation.

"Jenos, there's someone watching us."

"Now you that you have mentioned it..."

Sephira smiled as she knew she couldn't hide her presence any longer from them. She opened the windows and signaled Belze to follow her if he wants to. Grabbing her sword, she leaped to the ground from the second floor and smiled at the surprise audience before her. Belze soon appeared behind her without fail.

"Lady Sephira! What are you doing here? Have you finished with your work?"

Sephira smiled gently at Jenos.

"I'm almost quite done but your fight had captured my undivided attention. Forgive me but can you finish your interesting fight, Lord Jenos and Lord Heartnet? I do want to see it to the end."

'Lord'? It sounds weird to him but one thing for sure, Train wasn't very comfortable with it. He was thankful that Jenos was here but still having three Chronos members around him was pretty nerve racking and backed a little from the crowd. Jenos looked worried when Train inched slowly but surely, he better bring Train's attention back to the battle, before Train ran off somewhere. With a wave, he sends his wire to the bandit who seem to detect it at the last minute and quickly dashed to the side. Train looked up with a bewildered look; he really didn't expect that attack.

"Come on Train, I know you better than that! Sure, we got audience but they are not worth your attention, only I am. Don't you agree?"

Train hearing that, dashed forward in an incredible speed while muttering something but Jenos was sure that he heard it.

"Don't get too cocky."

Jenos got ready to retreat to a safer place when he saw Train coming towards him. However, the banidt disappeared with a smirk plastered on his face and swiftly reappeared behind Jenos. With a strike, Jenos landed on the ground, face first. Jenos spat and turned angrily towards Train.

"Argh! Can't you just throw me into the water or something but instead you chose mud!"

He jumped with grace and attack Train from the air. Giving an answer to Jenos' attacks, Train fired a few shots but was sliced up immediately, seeing that bullets was no use, he dodged the oncoming attacks by half-somersaulting to the side and tried to get near Jenos at the same time. Jenos was also amazingly floating in mid-air without difficulty with the help of 'Excellion'. Unfornately, Train wasn't doing such a good job as Jenos. The wires were an obstacle to him and he ignored the pain when a wire grazed his arm through his coat. It didn't matter so long he could close to the distance between him and Jenos. Suddenly, a rock was send towards him and was quickly dodged. Again Train was surprised at the rock that was thrown at him. He look up and saw Jenos was grinning,

"Forgive me that I didn't tell you darling but 'Excellion' has the ability of keeping me a float for a while and that's not all, it can also throw anything I want at my enemy."

"Thank you for telling me, dear. It's much appreciated."

Train spat while saying it and Jenos could only chuckled. He then landed himself gently on the ground. It was time to end the battle and they both know it. They both got into their stances with Jenos both hands at the hips in a cocky manner and Train who had 'Hades' up, aiming Jenos at the head. The atmosphere was tensed, making the audience not daring to move. Jenos began and ran forward, his wires in front of him. Train took a quick step back and fired several bullets at the oncoming Jenos who dodged all with ease but he quickly stopped. One bullet was missing. Jenos glanced at Train, searching for clues. Train, however, was just casually inserting more bullets. That was when Jenos sensed it, a bullet was coming towards him at a different direction where he least expected it. He tried slicing it but without much success. He silently cursed when the pain went through his shoulder. His attention was immediately snapped back when he heard Train's voice, to add insult to injury, Train's voice was obviously mocking him to the core,

"Is called 'Reflex Shot', dear. Do you like it? Is specially learned to go through stubborn people like you."

"You are cruel, Train."

"Well, thank you for your compliment. But that's what you have to expect from a bandit."

"Time to end it all. Don't you agree Train? It is getting late after all and the girls should be done by now."

"Got to admit, you are right."

Train fired some bullets, but Jenos make sure that he dodged all and came closer to Train. With a swipe, Jenos aimed for Train's neck who dropped to his knees at the unbalance of his body due to the pressure of his gun. The fight ended with Train kneeling but pointing his gun at Jenos at the jaw and Jenos with his wire near Train's neck, threatening to behead him. They stay in that position for a long while with glaring at each other. They look up when clapping was heard,

"Your battle was indeed spectacular. This was better than doing work. My compliments to both of you."

Jenos just grin at Sephira's words while Train just got up and tried drying himself from his still-wet clothes however in vain. When Sephira saw Train's effort, she chuckled slightly.

"Is getting late, perhaps we should retire for the day."

Jenos just stretched his back tiredly.

"Gods, I so agree with you. I'm tired, hungry, dirty, wounded, and my pride is destroyed thanks to you know who."

Train could only smirk. Sephira smiled gently.

"Look at the bright side, your battle ended in a tie and you are friendlier with each other now."

Jenos and Train looked at each other in a creepy way as though afraid that the other person might bite him. They both looked away at the same time and kept their respective weapons.

"One more thing before you go, Jenos."

"Yeah?"

"Please find some dry clothing for Lord Heartnet."

"Will do but I should get revenge for shoving me into the mud. Train, how about it? Want to go through what I suggeste-"

He stopped due to the bullet that miss him by inches, Jenos winced at the loud ringing in his ear. He looked up and there was Train standing in his own glory, gun at ready but no sooner than that, he kept 'Hades' and marched back to the house. Jenos just stood there surprised. Sephira just patted gently on his shoulder.

"Is pretty weird and rare for a bandit to be surrounded by Chronos members, Jenos. And he knows it."

"Oh, that makes sense. But I though everything would be alright because he didn't say anything."

Sephira laughed lightly.

"Jenos! You can't expect Train to tell you that straightforward with us around here, besides, he isn't the type that would do anyway. If I were him, I would have kept quiet too."

"Oh, why is that?"

"Because he has the bandits' reputation to uphold, if he were to voice his feelings out, it would be disastrous for the bandits. After all, bandits are known to be cruel."

"Oh, now that you said it, it makes a lot of sense now."

Sephira smiled lightly when all the explanation was done. She looked towards Belze when he took a step forward.

"Despite all that, he had excellent fighting skills."

"I had to agree with Belze."

"What do you expect; he is after all a bandit. Aren't all bandits excellent?"

"Not everyone, for your information Jenos. I checked out the bandits after they attacked us that night. And only some of them are strong, the weird part is, it seems only Train and Rinslet use normal weapons. I hear their leader used a sword but it seems he could bend the sword in anyway according to his will. As for the rest, I can't say much but judging from the reports, perhaps supernatural powers."

Jenos was surprised at Sephira's words.

"Supernatural powers?"

"Yes, if you put in a way. Remember, Train's companion when they attacked us?"

Jenos frowned as he tried to recall the other night.

"A young girl, wasn't it?"

"Yes and her preferred weapon was fire."

"Fire, Sephira?"

Sephira nodded solemnly.

"Yes fire. Judging upon the words of the solders, it seems they couldn't touch her or they would have been burned severely."

"Interesting."

"That's not all, Jenos. It seems she also spurts fire from her mouth. If you ask me, I really don't know how she does it."

Jenos was totally shocked. Belze then interrupted his thoughts.

"So in conclusion, we haven't truly understood bandits yet, let alone Train. Unfornately on our side, it seems the bandits have know everything about us. Meaning that the bandits might be more powerful than us and have more advantage."

Jenos was silent. Sephira was slightly worried at his behavior as Jenos rarely took anything seriously.

"Jenos?"

Jenos suddenly grinned.

"Things have suddenly got interesting. After all, it won't be fun if our enemies aren't strong!"

Sephira smiled gently at his response, it was comforting to hear that but there's was something she had to ask.

"Jenos, forgive me for my ignorance but what about your friends? Are you going to fight them?"

"Definitely not! They are my friends, not my enemies any longer."

"That's good to hear. Friendship is always best to sustain it."

Jenos grinned at with one last stretched and went off to chased after the bandit while waving back. Sephira nodded and went off to the other direction satisfied with Belze following.


Train was tempted to walk faster when the castle was in view but had to stopped when he heard Jenos. He stopped so the running Jenos could catch up.

"Train, you could have wait for me!"

Jenos panted while Train shrugged at his words. Once he regained his much-lost breath, he pulled Train by his wrist towards the castle.

"Come on, I got to get you out of those wet clothes! You may as well use mine first and don't give me that look. I got one that will suit you well. I used to wear it when I was smaller built. If you still feel uncomfortable with it, then perhaps we should ask the tailor to make you one."

Train frowned at the suggestion, but he was the guest and shouldn't make trouble for his host so he reluctantly agreed. They reached Jenos' room after going up a few more flights of stairs.

"Jenos, your room is situated quite high, isn't it?"

"Yeah, that's was what I thought when my parents stubbornly put me in this room."

Train was shocked to see the size of the bedroom; it was half of their hall at the headquarters, which proved how rich the royalties were. However, a sound from Jenos interrputed his thoughts. Jenos was reading a note that was placed on top of a black package and Train was pretty curious what was in it. Soon, Jenos beckoned Train to come over.

"My father, Sephira and Belze wish you could accept this package."

"What?"

"Take a look at this note if you want."

Train look doubtfully at the paper Jenos was holding, but took it anyway.

Jenos,

Please give this package to your friend, Train. He might like it and perhaps wish to have it, as what Sephira and Belze had suggested. It is pretty useless to keep it here in this palace anyway. Please encourage him to wear it tomorrow at the party. Hopefully he will agree to it.

Father

Train read the note a few times over, trying to understand what it meant. Jenos just chuckled and pointed to the package, indicating Train's permission to open it, Train nodded in reply. With a few tugs and pulls, Jenos was met with a set of clothes and presume to hold it out to have a better view of it. Jenos and Train both gasped as what they had seen. It was a sort of long coat with a smaller vision of coat on top of it and two long sleeves attached to it. There were beautiful gold carvings decorating themselves at the edges of the sleeves and two shiny golden studs were placed at the front of the coat. The collar was stiff and stood high enough to cover their owner's neck. In conclusion, it was a beautiful masterpiece. But that's was not it as they both realized what it truly was.

"Jenos, isn't this a Chronos uniform?"

-End-Of-Chapter-

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