LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE ARC III 2011 TO 2016

by DanteVirgil09

This is the final arc of this particular saga where it is reaching closer and closer to its climax. When transcending choice for others and making them for some, where every emotion and motive for all characters will have to face and handle to the best of their abilities. Will everyone rise and pave their destinies or fall from grace? But all roads lead to the stars in the end.

4. MARCH 2012

LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE

A CROSSOVER STORY

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

This third chapter will be set in a country that has recently caught my eye based on film and television programs: Morocco. A country that is set apart from the rest of North Africa with its intact monarchy, its rich culture, close ties to European exposure and where for decades the internationals used it as a stage for espionage, writers, artists, musicians, and photographers.

CHAPTER THREE

MARCH 2012, WEEK FOUR

TANGIER (طنجة ), MOROCCO

'War Experience'

Degrees of groping thought have taught me to conclude

That when a man began in youth to learn truth crude

From life in the demented strife and ghastly glooms

Of soul-conscripting war-mechanic and volcanic, -

Not much remains, twelve winters later, of the hater

Of purgatorial pains. And somewhat softly booms

A Somme bombardment: almost unbelieved-in looms

The daybreak sentry staring over Kiel Trench crater.

[GRAND HOTEL VILLA DE FRANCE, 8:23AM]

Eda read the lines of moving yet poignant poetry by Siegfried Sassoon. At first, the name threw her, thinking he was a German poet, but in fact, he was British. Ever since London she started to read more poetry on the side in line with headlines and the more war and slaughter she reads upon, the more these lines make sense. The lines made more sense now, all members of both sides are now here: LMM is together again and the magi have all come as opposed to a handful from last month in Athens.

She closes the book and looked out of her hotel room, decorated in the classic Moroccan style as she looked out into the harbor, "Now the pieces are on the board. The board is now set. Time to play and win," she said to herself.

She sets her book down on the bed, grabs her bag with her notebook and camera and headed out of her bedroom.

EARLIER THAT MORNING

TARIFA, SPAIN

[5:15AM]

At the harbor of Spain's most southern town, a steamship was about to disembark for Morocco. Unlike most of the ferries that travel between Spain and Morocco, this ship was older, a century old steamship as big as the R.M.S. Corsican back in the heyday of steam powered ships of the early 20th century. The magi Alastair now has under his command were watching from their quarters as the workmen were getting things on the ship and set sail. William in his nightshirt so he can get a bit of sleep, opens his quarter's door and meets with one of the workmen, "How long will we be dock in Tangier," he asked.

"We'll be setting off soon lad. And it should take no more than two hours to arrive. Get some rest, I know you lot had a long trip by train," the tall strongman told William and walked off for the rest of his rounds.

He sighed and closed the door and lied back down on his bunk with James sleeping above him, exhausted from the train. This was his first time on the water and the first to ride a ship. This was all new to him but no doubt, something he's excited to see the sea first hand; especially how the train going under the Channel back home nearly gave him a heart attack. At least with sailing, it's straight forward he thought.

Meanwhile, back on the main deck, Alastair checked in with the captain who went over the schedule for one final time, "Captain, calm waters today?"

"Yes Mr. Rathbone. Calm waters around the strait nearly all year. And we'll disembark in the next eight minutes or so and arrive in Tangier in less than two hours," the captain relayed the time schedule, "Good, very good," Alastair replied as he checked his watch.

Then the first officer came in and whispered to the captain who nodded his head in return. As the officer left, the captain turned to Alastair, "Your equipment is installed and ready for use. Are you sure this WWAEI will make landfall in Morocco," the captain asked the young mage in question.

"Without a doubt they would. And according to new information, it's an assassination plot with a plan to recruit locals to their cause. Since this was a stage for a major battle once upon a time," he told the captain who nodded in understanding and Alastair continued, "Not to mention since many of the magi I have recruited and now in command of them, Morocco is a new area for us to be in and none of us knows the layout of Tangier or the country as a whole."

The captain thought for a moment, "Well for your sake, it is best to hire some locals to help you and if you do have allies in your wings that might provide more assistance, all the better for you."

Alastair couldn't help but give a light smile to the captain's words, "We do and are prepared to administer their aid. But they are a unusual group and would be, obtuse if you know what I mean."

"I do yes. Well, head to your quarters and we should be there in two hours or less," the captain

HOURS LATER, BACK IN TANGIER

[MEDINA, 8:34AM]

Delilah was with Ahmed and Fatma in the winding streets of the old quarter of the city, "إلى أين نحن ذاهبون؟ قلت أنك سوف تأخذنا لرؤية متجر العتيقة، أليس كذلك؟ مررنا عدة بالفعل. (Where are we going? You said you would take us to see an antique shop, didn't you? We passed several already.)," Ahmed pointed out.

"أعرف أن لدينا المتأنق. (I know we have dude.)," Fatma told him, "ولكن قال لي المسنين اليونانيين من المحل الذي لا يزال هنا وتبيع العناصر الصوفية والسحرية التي قد أو قد لا تساعدنا أو وويي. وبعبارة أخرى، سنرى ما إذا كان محايدا أم لا. (But the Greek elder told me of a shop that is still here and sells mystical and magical items, which may or may not help the WWAEI or us. In other words, we're going to see if he is neutral or not.)," she further explained.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the story, which was up a flight of stairs, a store called رياح الصحراء or 'The Desert Wind' in English, also in French, 'Le vent du désert'. It was a store only known to the esoteric communities of the city and one of the most well known due to the quality of the goods sold inside. Invisible to many of the regular population unless like most places, invited in by a familiar to the community; then a man greeted them as they entered the store by the sound of the door's hanging bell.

"الزوار والعملاء! مرحبا، كيف يمكنني مساعدتك جميعا؟ (Visitors and customers! Welcome, how may I help you all?)," the man in question wore his head wrap with his robes colored black and white and he sported a healthy beard indicating his age to be in is early forties, "مرحبا، أنا فاطمة حيرة أسغاري. تحدثنا على الهاتف، تذكر؟ (Hello, I'm Fatma Hahira Asgari. We have spoken on the phone, remember?)," she reminded him.

His eyes lit up, "أه نعم! قال لي صديقي القديم من اليونان عنك. من فضلك، كل واحد منكم تأتي معي إلى الخلف. أنت أيضا يا سيدي. (Ah yes! My old friend from Greece told me about you. Please, all of you come with me to the back. You too sir.)," he looked at Ahmed who came with them, thus able to pass through the door and see what's inside.

Passing the rugs, necklaces, statues of wood, and other items for sale, they all headed to the back with the man in question. In the back room, there were shelves of elixirs, tomes, relics, rugs, even old weapons between 200 and 700 years old, from all over North Africa. The man was a collector and sells them at reasonable prices for esoteric clientele.

"هذا ما اقترحه الرجل العجوز لك. (This is what the old man probably suggested for you.)," the Moroccan jokingly suggested about his old friend and handed to Fatma a simple but elaborate tapestry with regards to its material but designs of the legends regarding the region's role in the Great Esoteric War. As she examined it, the rest looked around.

Delilah looked outside and found two fliers in Arabic, the first written for the WWAEI:

"للحفاظ على العالم آمن من الكفار، والمؤمنين في الثعبان، والانضمام إلينا في الحفاظ على الفصل بيننا وبينهم. من أجل صالحنا والبقاء على قيد الحياة ككيانين متساويين ولكن منفصلين. (To keep the world safe from infidels, believers in the serpent, join us in maintaining the separation between us and them. For our own good and survival as two equal but separate entities.)"

Then local groups going against the WWAEI wrote the other:

"هذا الفصل الطويل قد انتهى. إن الألفية الجديدة والقرن الجديد يتطلبان المصالحة والوحدة. مقاومة الدافع للتعصب وأكثر من قادة متحمس. الوقوف ومقاومة! (This long separation is over. A new millennium and a new century demand reconciliation and unity. Resist the impulse for bigotry and over zealous leaders. Stand and resist!)"

Delilah sighed and continued looking around while Fatma spoke with the old merchant, "هذا النسيج يصور معركة خاضت هنا خلال العصور المغربية، ولكن يبدو قرون بعد ذلك الوقت وبعد الحرب العظمى. ولكن إذا كان الأكبر مرة أخرى في أثينا هو الصحيح، وهذا هو أفضل فكرة لدينا في ما سبب الانقسام. (This tapestry does depict a battle fought here during Moorish times, but it seems its centuries after that time and after the Great War. But if the elder back in Athens is correct, this is our best clue into what caused the split.)"

"كما هو الحال مع جميع الكتب والقصص، فقد تغيرت الأشياء أو كانت في عداد المفقودين المعلومات بسبب فقدان أو تدمير. لذلك ما لدينا هنا هو فقط على أساس الذاكرة الجماعية. (As with all books and stories, things have changed or rather missing information due to loss or destruction. So what we have here is just based on collective memory.)," the man told her who nodded.

Ahmed then asked in English, "Are we all in danger or this new alliance with the magi is needed," and the man looked at him and responded in English to his surprise, "This is unusual right now, but needed. And I will admit, both of your groups will not find this easy."

Fatma looked around and uttered, "We're starting to realize that now," and continued to look around the shop.

MEANWHILE,

[PORT OF TANGIER, 8:36AM]

William was bed ridden while the rest of the crew and Alastair were preparing for tonight's rounds for scoping out the city. Jane brought him a light breakfast, "Here brother, some bread and water for now. Funny how you became seasick," she quipped amusingly.

He groaned, "This is complete bollocks," he responded groggily, "I'm a mage for Merlin's sake," he exclaimed and then groaned in pain, shifting under his covers

Alastair however was on his computer, with Henriette using it for him, accessing LMM's website, watching what Eda and the others filmed in Athens last month. He was sure something was caught on film from either on the ground or in the air. So he watched:

VERITAS Media

"Now the police are coming in with water cannons to start spraying the protestors and rioters…Oh shit! Rubber bullets," Eda said as she was reporting and Bernhard who was filming this, the footage was shaking around.

Asuka who was on the other side of them was filming the scene before them, "Holy shit," her voice rang out in the footage as the scene before, utter activist chaos.

Then footage shook as Eda along with Asuka and Bernhard were leaving the area as the police began firing tear gas into the crowds, "The police are now firing canisters of tear gas into the crowd! This is getting really out of control," Eda reported.

Henriette then switched to the footage Dante filmed with his drone that same day, "Can you pause Asuka and Eda's footage," Alastair asked and Henriette nodded. The footage stopped as did the audio and looked at it and found something, "Can you cut this image out and clear up the footage?"

"Of course," she told him and did just that while he looked at Dante's footage from above, seeing the sea of humanity from above and then sees mysterious figures on the roof of a building above the square below, "Stop," he told her and she also stopped Dante's footage.

He looked closely at the stopped footage, "Can you magnify the area ear the Greek Parliament building, where the police are stationed," he asked and she nodded and so she did, magnifying the image near the building itself, "It's a bit blurred. I can take this image and try to clear it up with additional software. Can you wait a bit?"

"No problem. What I see here was that LMM filmed a scene where the WWAEI were at and didn't know it. While we still have our own member in custody for further information," he told her while she worked on the computer.

Then in a jiffy, she finished, "Now let's see…Oh my," she saw the detail, small as it was, "Their logo, right underneath the badge for the police," she said, which confirmed the shared fears of Alastair and Dante.

"They're undercover, right before our eyes," he said and she nodded, "What are going to do if we encounter them here," she asked and he thought for a moment, while she then played the footage but on low volume.

The rest of the day for both sides went about uneventful on the surface anyway. LMM are rehearsing music as well as preparations for their video assignments, while the magi are making their rounds.

TUESDAY

[PETIT SOCCO, 1:12AM]

Dante was in a room in an empty apartment, with his posture near the floor as the sound of typing was going on at the far end of the room. Eda was typing away on an old-fashioned typewriter. Zane and Zach were filming the scene with their new cameraman, Michael "Mike" Stanislaw who apologized for not coming in their Mozambique trip. But was here anyway and now Mohammad in a guest voice appearance was narrating via microphone and recorded on their laptops which then, Yasmin cued him to start narration:

"In Tangier, I lived in one room in the native quarter. [a shot of Eda typing] I have not taken a bath for year, nor changed my clothes, or removed them. Except to stick a needle every hour in the fibrous grey wooden flesh, of terminal addiction.

"I never clean, nor dusted the room. Empty ampule boxes and garbage piled up to the ceiling. (a shot of substance in a syringe and more of Eda typing)

"Water and lights turned off for non-payment. I did absolutely nothing. I can look at my shoe for eight hours. (a shot of rubber tubing tied around Dante's arm)

"I was only roused to action when the hourglass of junk, ran out. (a shot of Dante's face in ecstasy).

"Cut," Zane shouted and everyone relaxed and Dante got up, dusting himself off while undoing the strap on his right arm, "Can we look at the footage," Eda asked.

Zach and Mike motioned them to come and look at the various shots from three cameras. This was taken from the novel Naked Lunch, by William S. Burroughs who came to the city to avoid prosecution after accidentally shooting his wife to death in a drunken accident in Mexico City. He was apparently high for the novel's writing process, but perhaps the greatest writer of the 'Beat Generation' from the Fifties and Sixties, "Not bad! Not bad at all," Eda complimented, "Am I supposed to be out of focus," she asked.

"Well its to show the lack of focus except on one thing on everything else," Zane explained and she nodded and Dante looked at his footage, "Do I need to do anything else?"

Mike shook his head, "Nah not really. I mean, we did rehearse on online and rehearsed it along with your musical repertoire. Which are what again," he chuckled as he forgot himself.

"The pieces of music are by the composers Antonio Vivaldi, standard for us I know, but one with Oskana coming in as cellist, plus a selected piece by Spanish composer Luys de Narvaez, and one overtures by Jean Baptiste Lully to begin and end our segment before the next group to perform traditional Moroccan music Mohammad and our organizer here pulled strings for it. Plus, Andalusian music that have ties to Morocco and the rest of North Africa."

Then Dante yawned, "Well we have a few more days to decide whether or not to improve our footage. So, let's go back, get rest and prepare for the morning rehearsals," he told them.

"Finally someone focused on what's really important," Mohammad joked with his musicians and some chuckles were heard.

Asuka looked around, "Oh and where is the Russian singer you brought on board? Is she arriving late or she's resting at her hotel," she asked him, "She's at her hotel, she will be with us at rehearsals as usual and then there is that."

She nodded and went back to work with the rest, working out if a retake would be necessary or not. Mohammad was then speaking with Zane about his narration and agreed to repeat one line to be edited in.

SEVILLE, SPAIN

[LA MACARENA NEIGHBORHOOD, 7:12AM]

Yuri was in is safe house in the city at the moment, located adjacent to the Macarena Gate, following intelligence that members of the WWAEI are here as well as recruiting them for something heading south. He woke up nude and opened the curtains of his Spartan quarters. He looked out into the city contemplating the road he's taken from Moscow to here. Hunting Neo-Nazi magi and mystics, which was the epitome of irony for him, then entering esoteric law enforcement and since then now a field operations officer. He's trained his mind and body to be as strong as iron, as well as his own talents as a mystic to aid his work and work within the parameters of what is considered legal and less so.

He then got a phone call. He walked back to his lamp stand where his phone was charging and answered, "Говорить (Speak.)," he said.

"This is Asuka. We need to meet sometime this week," she relayed and he walked around the room smiling a bit, "Your show in London was impressive. But you need to exercise finesse," he bantered lightly.

He heard her chuckle, "Out of practice. Then again, that was the point for your crowd, no offense," she said and then continued, "Anyway, what do you say to my offer?"

As she asked this, he held his 9mm Glock 17, "When and where," he asked, "I'm in Tangier. Where are you," she asked back, "Seville," was the response he gave as he sets down his gun

There was silence for a moment, "…On Wednesday I may come to you then to Seville," she suggested, "No, too risky. However, I'll meet you there within a day or so. Be on the look out for my presence. Take care," he then hung up the phone.

BACK IN TANGIER, MOROCCO

[GRAN CAFÉ DE PARIS, 11:23AM]

Dante was drinking is coffee along with Fatma at the famed café and him eating a croissant and her just her coffee, "It's moving along now. And the morning rehearsals aren't helping either," he mused.

"For sure. I'm lacking sleep at this point and feeling really cranky," she admitted, "Though it's good we're sharing a room of course," she added and he lightly gave her a look where he was content with her answer.

"Indeed…Say, do you feel we are on the same page with the magi or Alastair in particular," Dante asked her and just listening to the traffic as background noise to let the nerves flow off a bit.

She sets down her cup and thought for a moment on this, "Well…we are and we aren't," she started and continued, "It's like this. We came into this situation from what we witnessed in Philadelphia. They are coming in due to what happened in London. Eda told us about this new arrangement from Mr. Rathbone. Now, what happened in Athens was perfectly clear; they are monitoring us while also doing their own agenda. So…we're running parallel for now, but we'll eventually run perpendicular to each other," she further explained.

This didn't calm his anxieties at all, but kept up his straight face, "I see. Well, my worry is around Mr. Rathbone, not knowing if he has an alternative game plan contrary to our own. But," he sipped more of his coffee, "We'll see."

They finished their small coffee break, "So let's head back shall we," she asked, referring to their rehearsals, "Let's," he replied when he leaves the payment on the table, offered his arm which she took and off they walked.

"Any word from Gwen and Kevin," she asked, which caused him to sigh, "They are working on an angle from their end, but will come to our aid in our next location," he explained, which satisfied her curiosity, for now.

MEANWHILE…

The WWAEI were in their safe house in an undisclosed location in the city. The blinds and window shutters were closed and only the light of lamps and laptops were the only sources inside, "Network is up and ready. And our system has confirmed the location of our first target," one tech said to the team's leader.

"Relay the information to our assets on the ground and confirm the assignment for 1300 hours local time tomorrow," the leader, whose voice was a woman, gave the order, "Yes ma'am."

"Ma'am, the people we fought have been spotted in the city," one tech who reviewed the city's CCTV and phone call logs of travelers from the past 48 hours confirmed, "What are they doing," she asked.

"Scouring the city in small groups, the same goes for the magi and keeping their activities low level," another tech responded, "I see. Very smart, which is something we can already expect from them," the leader spoke.

She paced around to see everyone working, which pleased her, and ordered, "Keep an eye on them. No doubt they will catch wind of our plan or have already. Maintain surveillance until our time here is complete," she ordered in a calm manner.

"Yes ma'am," and the only sound was the typing on the keyboards and the clicking of a mouse. She paced around, thinking and considering her options pending the results for tomorrow, a day that would either break them, or break the opposition.

[PORT OF TANGIER, 11:30AM]

The magi returned from their morning rounds and James walked into Alastair's office, "Alastair, we finished our rounds around the city. We spotted some members in and around the older parts of the city," he relayed the information.

"Then that confirms it. Tomorrow is when they will strike. Send word to the magical and mystic authorities in the city, as well to our new allies in LMM. No doubt Dante has similar suspicions about the location," he told him.

"Sure. But regarding LMM, our agenda is to capture two more WWAEI members while risking the plot to succeed. They will most likely stop them at all costs, and find the first target and move him to a mystic stronghold or a neutral area. Either or," Alastair explained and then paused to pour himself the last of his tea.

Then he continued, "Or they will most likely bound themselves into a corner and display the more destructive behaviors. That or double-cross us and go their way, which will start a manhunt on them. So you see, an elegantly violent chess game."

James was both impressed and concerned if this new partnership with LMM was this volatile. However, they are a necessary group for their cause, so in his mind there will be some stomping on some toes in the beginning. So for the moment, he agreed with a nod and left Alastair's study/quarters. His mind now racing on what's to come and none of it looked good.

WEDNESDAY

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

[MOHOMMED V INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, 9:23AM]

Two planes landed at three terminals, one from the UK and from Saudi Arabia. The two individuals, two mystics are coming into play, unknown to LMM, WWAEI, or the British magi group; the third however is coming in via Casablanca. In customs, one was in line with luggage in tow, passport in hand. With the window in sight, she gave her passport to be checked in, while adjusting her sari. The man looked at her as the computer checks her in, then it was accepted, Anan Bhattacharya was allowed to enter Morocco. So she got in the cab and headed for the city for her hotel.

At another terminal, a Saudi young man walked with his bodyguard behind him, with the recommendation of his father, and handed his passport to be checked in. Dressed in traditional white robes, he was thankful his sword would come in with his luggage hidden; otherwise, he won't be able to challenge these infidels personally.

"مهبير الهاشم (Mahbeer El Hashem.)," the man spoke and the young man responded, "نعم فعلا؟ (Yes?)"

"مرحبا بك في المغرب. (Welcome to Morocco.)," he handed back the passport and the young Saudi walked ahead with his 'bodyguard' who also was allowed entry and then go to their hired driver to take them to their destination, a reservation with one of Morocco's esoteric royalty.

MEANWHILE, TEN MINUTES LATER

"And may I ask what is the purpose of your business in Morocco, Mr. Tong Li Shen," the person at the desk asked the Chinese mystic in question in accented English, "Business, for only a few days to a week," Tong smiled as he responded, in accented English as well.

The person at the window nodded, checked the passport and when everything was cleared, "Okay, welcome to Morocco," the guard handed back the passport and Tong puts it back in his robes.

Once out of the terminal he hailed a cab, "How much time is it to Tangier," he asked in English, which thankfully, the driver knew a little, "Three and a half hours," he said to Tong, "Sounds perfect, and timely."

Then the cab started up and off they went from the airport and made their way to the expressway for the city in the north.

MEANWHILE, IN LONDON

In a tech hub for hackers, Scarlett was with her team to monitor from a safe distance, on recommendation from Dante this time around to track their progress with her own team, along with Tucker's team of hackers who will work in real time, "WWAEI are on the move. Their asset is in play," one of the hackers told her.

"Relay this information to Dante immediately and give him up to date data on the asset. And keep an eye on the online activity of the WWAEI. Sure enough they will cover their tracks as best they can from us," she ordered and her team and her online team set to work.

She looked at the screens and at the main one in front of her, thinking to herself about wanting to go but at the last minute, was told to remain in London for her safety. She protested but after seeing the two assets coming in, this was a different vibe compared to two months ago. Instead, she began to worry about the viability of the operation now going down in Tangier, 'I hope we don't fuck this up,' she thought in so many words.

BACK IN TANGIER

[PORT OF TANGIER, 9:31AM]

The magi left their ship in rows of two with Alastair now giving them orders, "Now then! Head up to the main bazaar and scope out the area around there! The group's main target would head there for a meeting so we best thwart any attempt on his life," he told them.

"And LMM," Rachel asked, "They should know what is going on by now so if we do meet them soon, work with them, but we also have our own agenda. If LMM is daft enough to interrupt our plan, then," he waved his wand around.

"We best subdue them for their own safety," he said and the magi understood, "Which lucky for us, they are at rehearsals at the moment and if it all goes according to plan, we should resolve this cleanly before they finish."

He explained and the magi understood, "Now go in teams of two, cover each other's backsides. Move!"

So the magi went off in different direction on a path Alastair suspects the WWAEI might take to track the target and escape. Their only wild card is LMM, not knowing how they will handle the same situation. Unknown to them, it was one of the mystics to be on patrol, but rather surprising…

[KASBAH, 10:42AM]

Emiko and Koji were at adjacent points to observe the group coming in, emissaries for the WWAEI from the port. Through binoculars, they can see the black white vans coming from their docked ship and heading into the city, "彼らは動いているように見えます。 (Looks like they're on the move.)," Emiko told him.

"彼らはすぐにストライキはしませんが、すぐにそうするでしょう。 (Call it in. They won't strike just yet but will do so very soon.)," Koji told her and so, she sent Shinji a text:

MEANWHILE,

Shinji as he rested in his chair and others taking a small break from rehearsals, he received a text from Emiko. It read as follows:

黒人は現在、市内の港からのバンです。 まだ活動はありません。

Blacks vans from port now in the city. No activity yet

He read it and was instantly filled with anxiety. The very fact of no activity yet filled with a deep fear that whatever is coming is going to be either a bombing, or an assassination. He gets up calmly walks to Asuka, Dante, then walked over to Fatma, Wilfredo and Cecilia, then finally the rest of his friends who volunteered for this endeavor. Meanwhile, Mohammad looked on at the piece of relaxed, yet tense 'theatre' on stage as Shinji sits down and texts someone on his phone.

'それで...ドラマが始まります。(And so…the drama continues.),' he thought as he looked on at his orchestra. The text Shinji sent was as follows:

それらをフォローしてください

Follow them but remain out of sight

He puts his phone back in his pocket. He looked at his friends who looked at him for a second but the shared look to each other was a silent acknowledgement of what needs to be done.

[Music bit: "A Painless Death" from Game of Thrones Season Six OST]

A FEW HOURS LATER

[CAFÉ BABA, MEDINA, 1:23PM]

Dante was sitting at a table drinking his mint tea playing backgammon with Wilfredo, who for the most part was schooling him, "Cristo! Otra vez," he exclaimed while his Portuguese friend looked on, smugly.

"What can I say, I'm good in this game," Wilfredo calmly said as he moved his domino pieces around, "Remember, this game relies more on skill in manipulating chance as opposed to chess," he reminded his Argentine friend once more.

Dante chuckled, "Well…speaking of chance, we're here, stationed within blocks of the main target and nothing yet," he said as he also had his bag hanging from the back of his chair, with masks barely visible to any onlooker, "And that inactivity is not scaring you," he asked Wilfredo.

Wilfredo chuckled and drank his mint tea, "Not really," but then turned serious, "But…that spike in aural activity is, come on," he ushered Dante to get up, leave their payment and run up the alleyway away from the café and the smell of THC.

As the two got into their position, Wilfredo motioned for Dante to take out their masks so they can put them on. Instead of just covering their faces like common gangsters, these were now veiled masks that would cover their face up to the neck; only allowing visibility through a horizontal slit. Dante gave him the signal to go forward and so he did, Dante followed covering his backside to the location in question as they head up the alleyway, which led to stairs. Wilfredo knocked down the door to find the man in question and then, "Oh shit!"

MEANWHILE,

Near the Petit Socco, Asuka along with Fatma and Cecilia chased three-masked WWAEI on the rooftops, "Chasing the crows out of the nest! Preparing to shoot them down," she radioed to others in LMM.

Then they made a hard left and jumped downward, landing in the square below and disappeared into the crowd, "Making their way towards the Old Synagogue! Team 3 get your game on," she shouted on her radio as the three girls ran to try and catch up.

MEANWHILE,

In the Old Synagogue, Delilah caught up with Koji, Emiko, and now with Shinji who were chasing the masked men here on foot and motorbike and were now caught in the crowds as one of the masked men took a boy hostage. Koji charged forward to disarm him while Emiko took the boy to safety. The shaman in training was holding his own with his staff and using his robes to distract this rogue. Shinji chased another down the paths of stores at a fast pace and then tackled him to the ground. They wrestled and exchanged blows. Then Shinji was kicked back and in a daze, landed in a pile of oranges. The rogue gets away before surprisingly, Emiko is chasing after him.

On the rooftops a bit away from here, Asuka was leading her team as they chased their guys from above until they leapt down and started to fight them as aggressively as they can. Unknown to them, the mystics who arrived or already here, are about to introduce themselves and the magi are coming in and fast.

MEANWHILE

Wilfredo and Dante looked around and yes, the man was dead amidst a chaotic scene of broken pottery, papers everywhere, and furniture in tatters, and unnoticed by them or anyone, "They must have used a silencing charm to hide the action. Clever and well, obvious," Wilfredo explained.

"Even so, this poor man is now dead and we need to report this," Dante texted everyone about what happened now and as he waited for responses, more than likely not to happen, Wilfredo looked around and found a clue. A shell casing, which he puts in a sandwich, bag for analysis later and wore his gloves for good measure. He then found something else, "Their mana is all over the place."

"Even if they used a silencer on the guy," Dante said, "Which…doesn't feel right. Why leave a lot mana around unless…unless," Wilfredo spoke and waved his hands around and slowly the mana field dispersed and before them was the true crime scene.

"Oh God," Dante silently said as he took out his camera to take pictures, "The casing was a ruse all along. Now we know it's them, and the hunt is on," Wilfredo rushed out and Dante puts his phone away and ran after him, something telling him that another development was imminent.

BACK WITH TEAM ONE

Asuka along with Fatma and Cecilia were now relaying information to their friends back at the hotel who were updating them with police traffic coming their way and with masks on and lack of extensive CCTV, they have a slight advantage. They then cornered three WWAEI members at a dead end, "Now, you got no where to run," Asuka declared but the three rogue members remained silent and only then took out their guns with silencers on and had their wands at their hilts.

Asuka puts up her AT Field that stopped the rounds. Then the rogues abandoned them and took out their wands to fire at Asuka, but she was protected by Fatma and Cecilia who then walked closer as their aura was used to deflect the spells and curses; which caused the rogues to abandon their wands to then resort to hand to hand. The girls' skills were on par with the rogues and disarming guns, but the knives made contact and now the girls were on the defensive using their hijabs, but kept the masks on to fight them off. The fabric was able to deflect the blades coming their way used them to grapple and leverage them to the wall hard. Then out of nowhere, Henriette along with Rachel and Angelina Apparated there to prevent a final blow to the rogues, but the magi apprehended one of the three and allowing the two to escape. In a flash before the LMM girls can react the magi disapparated before declaring, "It's part of the plan!"

The girls looked at each other, now feeling crossed headed for the docks. Meanwhile, the British Punjabi woman was on the roof and then leapt down between two buildings and disappeared. Fatma sensed this new aura but kept walking with her friends.

MEANWHILE WITH TEAM TWO

Emiko was by the wall and then found a metal pipe to use as Koji and Shinji fought. She began to use the pipe in kendo like fashion to attack and defend while Shinji improvised with broken pieces of wood from a stall when he was thrown to disarm, defend and incapacitate the rogue. Koji was elegant and quick with his portable khakkhara with the rings on it still to defect mana blasts of mystic and magical properties and knock out the rogues. He felt he and others shouldn't take them out unless they had no choice out in the open. Emiko knocked out one but were in a fierce battle of sword styles with her holding a pipe while he with a saber, which she got her nicked. But she knocked him out with a low blow to the legs and a knock to the head.

Just then the rogues got reinforcements from locals who are now in masks and now outnumbered where then in for a surprise. A man swooped down from one from one of the roofs above and landed on his feet. He wore Nigerian priestly robes colored purple in designs that showed who he was in a traditional style. He then powered up as only Emiko and Koji sensed and then he used enhanced strength to vibrate the earth below and then he charged for the rogues. He took them out one by one with relative ease with wrestling moves, grappling and throwing them across the way that they landed 20 feet away.

Once all were down for the count he turned to the three in question, "Come! Follow me! I know where your friend is when she made the left turn," he said and wordlessly the three followed suit.

MEANWHILE WITH DELILAH

Delilah separated from her group as she chased the other rogue that separated from the ones that her friends were fighting. As she chased him down an alley she was now at a dead end and then was blasted to the wall, catching her off guard and then turned around to face a rogue who is pointing a wand at her face, "End of the line, girl," he told her but she then side kicked him off balance and kicked the wand out of his hand.

He tried to fight her but he then was overtaking by her due to her skills in Krav Maga as he was more a magical user in the group than more well-rounded than the rest. Then he surprised her with a quick slash of his knife. It made contact with her hand as she blocked it with her aura, but to her surprise, it slashed through it and made contact with flesh. Now she was on the defensive. Quick swipes that then led to grappling fight over the control of the knife and then subjugation of Delilah with the knife at her jugular spot.

Then out of the blue, two human forms moved swiftly from two adjacent alleyways and struck the man with multiple slashes with their scimitars and once they sheathed their swords, the man fell to the ground dead. She got herself up and looked at the Arab looking men, "Thank you, and you are?"

When the two gave their names and titles to her, she was silent before she spoke, "Listen, I don't know why you are here but I suspect, something else is at play that…if you answered our call for aid, thank you very much. But the others need to know this."

The older man nodded spoke as the younger man looked at her, "But of course miss. Lead the way to your allies and team," he told her and she nodded.

The younger man whispered to his 'bodyguard', "Why is she alone? Considering her reputation is known in the Canaan area of the Middle East," but the older man whispered, "Keep quiet as to why she wasn't to subdue her opponent, things here are more complicated than expected."

The younger man nodded and the three walked out of the area and headed for the docks, along with the other teams who know that the magi interfered for some reason. However, two of them are still contending with another matter…

BACK IN THE MEDINA

Dante and Wilfredo were running on the rooftops chasing a rogue they caught in time before the woman escaped. But they also caught the attention of both local police and esoteric police mixed in, numbering about nine total after them. As they run and jump across rooftops they see the masked woman jumping across a wide gap to the other building one floor lower. The two men followed in pursuit, losing the police but the esoteric police were after them still and will attempt to cut them off once they exit at a point where they can't run. A true cat and mouse game.

"Scarlett! If you can trace the rogue we're chasing based on our movements right now, relay real time information as we run in this maze," he radioed to the Brit in real time.

"Got it. He's got some twists and turns before finding a way out in this manner. The police are still on your tail. Both you two and the rogue will meet them at this pace in seven minutes. Capture him and take him to the magi if possible, since she is closely linked to the group's tech crew. Copy?"

"Copy," he relayed and then the two guys caught him in sight who seems to be stuck, sprinted to his location and jumped from window to window to get to him and immediately Wilfredo tackled him to the floor.

But then, another rogue who hit in the shadows surprised Dante. This was a ploy to corner them to this closed quarters combat. Dante was held with his back to the wall by the throat and he tried to force him to let go with hits and kicks but nothing and then the man threw him to the floor. He took out his knife and stabbed the rogue's leg and then used his AT abilities to manipulate the blade to then wrap around the man, while Wilfredo and the woman were fighting ferociously.

As Dante's man was put down, the woman heat butted Wilfredo and grabbed the man in question, "Where are the others? What have you done to that poor man? Answer me," he demanded.

The woman then was fighting a slightly dazed Wilfredo, who still held his own, but the match was turning and the woman, gained the upper hand. As good as he is, she was outclassing him due to her own training. His mystic abilities activated and were also nullifying her own aura, preventing her from using magic, "Impressive, but you're holding back."

She said and then she did a suplex and delivered him to the floor so hard, he got knocked out. Dante was alone and raised up his AT Field to him and his friend. She looked at him and then got her comrade. They then jumped out the window, apparating out of the apartment. Dante shook Wilfredo awake and in moments, the police were near. They bashed down the door, but the two were gone. They climbed down the drainpipe of the building, took off their masks and melted into the crowds nearby. They headed east, to the docks, to find out what was going on…why their plan failed?

[End music bit]

[PORT OF TANGIER, 1:45PM]

Inside the ship, Wilfredo and William were wrestling and the others were cheering on or arguing about their differing agendas this day. The magi believed that to truly kill the beast of intolerance, they needed information first hand from what is now, POWs of their struggle. LMM wanted to limit this to a more straightforward intelligence gathering and taking out the enemy with little haste. As the two fought, Dante and Alastair were weirdly discussing their shared mistakes while also discussing a new development, sitting across from each other in armchairs.

"The last time my team and I faced this debacle on how to press forward was after our involvement in Moscow years ago. Now it's repeating itself," Dante calmly stated to his British counterpart, "Care to explain?"

"There is nothing to explain, sir. This is something I have trained for in my profession. And no, not just as an Auror; there are things and deeds I've experienced and done that will put you all in shock and fear," he explained with weight, but equally as calm as his co-commander.

Dante nodded, "I do not doubt that. You have your POWs; we have our information on their next target and how they concealed their first. We need a united front or lest we die in the process," and stated the pressing reality.

Alastair nodded in acknowledgement, "You must realize that I am also evaluating our ability to work together, but your tactics will not work well with us due to differing contexts," he spoke, "So what then? I for one am working to thwart them in the digital platform that will take physical reality."

Dante countered, but, "But also you're relying too much on your bag of tricks to really benefit from our own talents to aid your rabble lot," Alastair argued back and both were at a stalemate as are Wilfredo and William in the background were unable to beat the other, even as their blood boiled with excess mana that even Gwen was surprised to witness in her mind's eye.

The two gentlemen, Dante dressed in a white buttoned shirt with the top buttons undone with black trousers and black shoes, while Alastair was in a more formal attire with his robes hanging from the chair drank their glasses of brandy in silence with the noise continuing on, "So…with all that said and done, I have information on when the next target would be," Dante finally spoke.

"Which I assume is spot on with my own intelligence," Alastair spoke, and as the two looked at each other, they silently passed each other notes on when and where the second operation will take form. The two read the information, "It's a match," Dante replied, "Yes," Alastair said in agreement.

The two looked at each other and the hear, "FINISH HIM," and the two gentlemen looked on as they see Wilfredo and William panting, bruised, bleeding and their shirts torn, "Fucking stay down…fucking wanker," William told Wilfredo off.

Wilfredo panted, "Same to you…filho da puta," then the two delivered one last blow, but knocked each other out, falling down on the floor, "Well, that solved everything," Dante said with a sigh, which Alastair repeated and stood up as he remained seated and watched.

"Both of our groups are in the same position as these two men before you," Alastair spoke and gestured to the collapsed mystic and mage, "Irrational, beaten up and licking wounds and we will remain so unless we cooperate! No communication! No forethought! Nothing whatsoever! LMM you lot are completely ill equipped for this sort of operation and would be better to stand down this time!"

Shinji crossed his arms, "Then leave us be to handle them and us alone," which Alastair walked up to him, "Why so eager to be left alone when I agreed to leave the Aurors off your tails long enough to prove your intentions?"

"All of us have been brutalized with loss, betrayal, and that has made us brutal in return. We hunted them to prevent further casualties to occur if they do decide to take more innocent lives. There is no going back from this moment. If we overstepped our duties while you lot did your job, fine. But do not discount us from the line just because our styles differ."

Shinji told him and like always, his voice, which he rarely speaks up to voice discontent so once again, his statement spoke for all of LMM in a coherent capacity, "So, what are you implying so we can proceed," Henriette was the first mage to speak up.

"If we are to move forward, we move as one," Fatma replied, "We move as one and trust no one but those in this room now. William and Wilfredo are done now, and I don't want a repeat where we are playing separate games on the board. Make no mistake though, this is to the bitter end," she emphasized the last point.

"Are you sure we can trust you? Your tactics today were shoddy at best and doesn't display you in a good light," the prince, Mahbeer spoke and Fatma walked up to him, "Then why are you here, hick?"

The young man's face turned serious and angered, "To see if glory can be found here, heretic. But if you have nothing to offer, then leave this for men to solve. You and your female colleagues are at best," he looked around, "Forgive me, but a distraction."

Fatma was calm but knew the others would stop further altercations at this point. But then the other new mystic, the Punjab British woman, Anan stepped in between the two, "Sir, you need to realize that all of us have our backs against the wall, your title means little in this scenario."

The prince grimaced, but relented, "However, Ms. Hahira, you really need to relax. I know you and your friends are on the frontlines, but it is no excuse to act like arseholes."

Fatma was surprised but relented as well and Anan felt better now the tension subsided. She looked at them both and then at the two sides in question, but then the taller, older gentleman of the group, named Hakeem whose presence is felt even by Alastair spoke, "As a priest and man of God's law, all of us has a part to play here for the greater good," his voice, deep as it was resonated with the lot.

He continued, "And now it is time for cleaning your wounds and looking to what's ahead. That is the only way to win and save many lives in the process. Is it not why you are all here? If so, then get to work. The road to glory is hard and long," he finished and picked up his heavy staff made of dense wood.

The magi and Alastair, in that moment, now got a clearer picture of the mindset of LMM than from just the field; people who are desperate to put this to an end but also channeling that anger to the real problem at hand. Which made them thankful that the orchestra isn't viewing them as the enemy, but at the same time, they are coming off as assholes. Intentional or not, it was a pet peeve for them to try and bear with. And the new mystics are anomalies in themselves but would rather not draw their ire as well, so they kept quiet about their presence.

Alastair having heard enough waved his hand around and uttered a spell where the injuries on William and Wilfredo healed instantly, "William, head for your quarters and rest up for your nightly patrol. Wilfredo, head back to your team," he said in a commanding tone.

The two men got up and went in opposite directions, "Shinji, thank you for sharing what you and your lot are thinking and feeling. Now, head out and head back to your hotel. We'll be in touch in the next 36 hours," he said and Shinji bowed leaving the cargo bay along with the rest of the LMM members.

William headed upstairs with the rest to talk and discuss what went down, with Alastair heading upstairs to his quarters/study to figure out how to rectify this mess they all made and do better next time.

Meanwhile, outside LMM were approached by the new mystics, "Say, where will you all be tomorrow," Mahbeeb asked, "We will be in Jajouka tomorrow to interview the master musicians," Wilfredo spoke.

"Really? Intriguing. So you lot will be out of action tomorrow all day," Mahbeeb said but his bodyguard then asked, "Unless you are contacting people who might have insight to all of this, correct?"

Dante smiled, "No, just us doing our own work. If we do contact or find someone who can see what's going on," he adjusts his shirt tucked in his pants, "We'll let you know."

"Which by the way, can we have your contact information," Asuka stepped forward and Mahbeeb, his bodyguard, Anan, and Hakeem provided their phone numbers and all of LMM provided theirs to them. Which took a few minutes to get across but once done, LMM bid them a farewell and both groups went their separate ways.

Mahbeeb now alone with his bodyguard spoke, "Uncle, can we truly trust them? Especially with that Persian girl as well as the Israeli girl in their ranks," he asked, which his uncle took out his dagger and looked at his reflection, before sheathing it again.

"It's like this, which I have mentioned before, things are more complicated than we imagined. There is no reason an orchestra is supposed to be doing this, but here they are, civilians fighting in a battle they know all will take part if we fail to answer the call. They committed a crime of theft against the magi and must pay for it, but in the moment, our best allies."

The young prince thought for a moment, "I do hope you're right. I am just unsure whether to trust a fire worshipper and a follower of David," he said, which his uncle responded briefly with this, "All paths connect in the end," and both continued walking.

LATER THAT NIGHT

[HOTEL CONTINENTAL, 10:23PM]

Oskana was in her hotel room again, relaxing after a productive day with LMM regarding rehearsals, exploring the city and enjoying Moroccan food. She just got out of the shower with her music sheets on her desk and sat down on the bed's edge. She then heard her phone buzz with a text message; so she grabbed it from the charger, unlocked it and read the message from a woman code named "Rain":

I will meet you tomorrow afternoon at the Grand Souk Market indoors. Then we head somewhere private

She read this and thought about the failure her new friends had been dealt with today. She replied back, saying she will meet her at the decided locale and puts the phone back on the charger, then laid back, reviewing the music scores assigned to her to perform, "Such wonderful music. Melodic and dissonant, such as is in life."

Then she heard a knock on the door, groaning from just starting to relax she got up and answered, it was Ahmed, "Oh hello Mr. Said. How may I help you?"

"Sorry for disturbing you, I'm just relaying a message from Mohammad. Since you are busy tomorrow due to an appointment, you have the day off essentially. We'll be back probably around late morning on Friday," he told her, and realizing he disturbed her evening.

"Thank you for telling me yourself. Have a good night," she said and he nodded, walking down the hall for the elevator to head upstairs to his room. She closes the door and returned to her bed to resume looking over the music.

THURSDAY

[JAJOUKA, MOROCCO, 2:23PM]

80 kilometers south of Tangier, LMM are now in a town where the musicians, also known as the Master Musicians of Jajouka, are excused from manual labor to devote themselves to musical training, an honor from the royal family who consider them their favorites. Mohammad made an appointment with them so they can demonstrate their talents and perform with them in a few days time that already rehearsed material for the occasion. The orchestral members were beyond excited, in particular who once recorded an album with the famed, The Rolling Stones.

Once in the village, they were greeted and welcomed as honored guests. A grand meal was already underway, preparing for eating later. Zane, Zach and Michael arrived hours earlier to get a grounded and relaxed feeling from the village and just enjoyed the people, who are also dubbed, 'The saintly people', and the quiet vibe of life here, soothing. They got footage of the village preparing chicken, a goat slaughtered for the feat, butchered in the traditional style, and kids playing around.

Mohammad and Dania were led around by the village elders and representatives, with the orchestra behind them walking and looking around at the landscape. There were trees; shrubs, green grass, birds chirping and the hills dotting the landscape gave it a peaceful vibe. Dania, Yasmin who also arrived with Liam, and the girls in the orchestra had on either scarves or hijabs to show respect, but since this was Morocco, the attitudes of foreign women and local women to don the headwear is more relaxed than most parts of the Arab world.

Michael, Zane, and Zach were in a photographer's heaven with the scenery of hills, green grass, the happy people, children, agricultural life, and the master musicians…so much to post later on their website, the imminent danger of the rogues for now at least, seem a million miles away. Not even in the background of their minds, just their new assignment on the ground and they will enjoy the hell out of it. Their only concern is whether they'll smoke some cannabis today or not?

MEANWHILE BACK IN TANGIER

Alastair on patrol with his bodyguard, who as they walked, he caught notice of something, "Your ears are showing. It's safer here than your home, but people will ask questions," he whispered to her.

She felt them; pointed ears so she adjusted her hijab, "Thank you, sir. Now, why are we here in the hills surrounding the city? Shouldn't we be hunting the rogues in the city," she asked.

He motioned for her to follow him and jumped over the wire-fence that led to a radio tower, "We are going to use this realm, sorry, Earth's method of spying, listening in on all telecommunications at once to gather more intelligence than just one facet. If these rogues are really using all the tricks of the trade, then they have not abandoned all other forms of staying in touch."

She nodded, "Certainly more compromising than just sending a letter via a pigeon or raven," she commented as he opened the metal box, "Now, if Dante's instructions are clear, Scarlett's technique is to attach this device here…put in a four digit code and…" the device lit green.

"Is it working," the bodyguard asked, "I assume it is. This is truly my first time doing this," he replied before closing the metal door for the box, "Now let's wait for results to come, hopefully with luck on our side, within 12-36 hours," he said as he and the bodyguard jumped over the fence and walked down the path, heading back to the city.

"With time for Dante and the rest to come back from their assignment. Oh, the new mystics are at their hotels as we speak and going about with observing the city for movements and monitoring the people," she told him and he nodded.

He looked at the city ahead and the sea in the distance, "The board is set and game has officially begun hasn't it," he asked, "The answer is right in front of you, sir," she told him and he turned to her, nodding in agreement before walking ahead.

MEANWHILE IN TANGIER

Tong was in a rented apartment during his stay in the city. He can feel in the aural plane of what is charged and at rest at the moment. The rogues and their propaganda on one hand, while the magi/mystic alliance on the other are fighting it, with an orchestra in tow to balance this mad game. He smiles as he sipped his tea by his window and sees the Medina a mile away to the east and saw the action there yesterday, observing the main players and the new ones who entered.

Then he gets a phone call, "你好？ 是啊，你好嗎？ (Hello? Ah yes, how are you?)," he asked and proceeded to listen to the person on the other line, "對...是的，老玩家和新玩家都在船上，並設置得更加一致地對付敵人...不，我只是在等待著看，不要給我回來的話！ (Right…yes…Old and new players are all on board and set to more in unison against the enemy…Well no, I'm just waiting and seeing…don't give me that back talk!)"

He heard a police car in the distance and a bird flying outside, "道歉...是的，是的，我會遇到他們，當他們成功...我怎麼知道？ (Apologies…yes…yes I will meet them when they succeed…how do I know?)," he smiled and sipped more of his tea, "直覺。(Intuition.)"

ELSEWHERE IN THE CITY

Yuri was in his safe house, acquiring intelligence from both the people and online activity. According to his software, Dante and the rogues are the most brazen ones active. He chuckled at this, but also wrote down some things to relay to Asuka shortly when she returns, but decided to converse with her in the next few days, still too dangerous with the WWAEI lurking around. He saw a seagull outside flying about that was paired up with another and flew off for the sea to the north.

LATER IN JAJOUKA

[7:34PM]

That evening after dinner, before the master musicians play to demonstrate for what they'll perform alongside LMM, the orchestra decided to play a piece they rehearsed in Arab/Andalusian instruments from the times of the Moorish Caliphate. So for their piece, which they will perform in two days, simply titled "Danza del Viento" and it consisted of viols, rebab, tambor, percussion, zither, Spanish baroque guitar, and oud. The piece was short, lasting barely three minutes, but it was on Mohammad's part to show his intention was pure and a collaborative one. Once done, the master musicians clapped and congratulated the young orchestra for their talent and enthusiasm.

"Very well done! Now we are more inclined to perform for you and join you in two days time in Tangier," the leader of the band said in heavily accented English and his band mates nodded in acknowledgement.

So as LMM put their instruments away and sat down in a circle where there was a bonfire, the master musicians tuned their instruments where the sounds of the Arab world only Delilah, Ahmed, even Fatma can fully enjoy and recognize. The rest of the orchestra sat down and anxious to hear what these famed musicians from the country can do that has attracted the attention of not

Alberto stood up and asked one of the oud players with Ahmed translating, "Hey, can we play a duet, me on my oud and you on yours and Cecilia on drums," he requested and as Ahmed translated, the young man nodded with a grin and Alberto gave a V sign and sat down, causing some to laugh good naturedly.

Then once the masters began to play, LMM, in one of those times rare in their professional lives, blown away but the synchronicity of the players, the music, the nightly air, the fire, the strings, woodwinds, percussion in a multitude of songs that lasted for 15 minutes…if any of them were in the 'right frame of mind', a mesmerizing experience. Cannabis however wasn't needed here, the musicians, Mohammad, Dania, Yasmin and Liam all were entranced, as well as their fixer, an American woman who's stayed in the country since the 1980s to document the lives of the people from all walks of life and documenting music of the region.

Even the three cameramen of the group who joked amongst themselves about the green plant, felt it unnecessary now. Then the woodwinds came on to play and well, no words from them. Just relaxed smiles, enjoyment, the burning fire, the gentle breeze from the northwest, this was more their element. The rogues, magi, that was a job, but this was their livelihood.

Sometime later in the evening, as Alberto was having a bit of fun with the young oud player and seeing how each other stack up, Fatma was with some elders in the distance alongside Delilah and Ahmed. A few others saw this, among them Eda, Dante, Christine, Asuka and Shinji, knowing that the others will know that whatever is going on with what Fatma is planning, they know they will need it later, and as soon as possible.

FRIDAY

TANGIER, MOROCCO

[CAP SPARTEL LIGHTHOUSE, 5:30AM]

Oskana was dressing up as she looked out the window of the hotel room, seeing the lighthouse. It wasn't her, but the woman she's been seeing since coming to the country, and contacted beforehand. Rain was silently looking at the Russian woman she's contacted over the past month and wondered who was she and for Oskana, how to turn this into her advantage.

"So whatever you've just said last night and now, accurate," Oskana asked as she turned around, finishing putting on her sweater.

The woman in bed nodded, "The target is somewhere in the Medina, but evaded the rogues the first time round. But he was sighted and will be eliminated, pinning the blame on the unusual orchestra," she confirmed the intelligence as Oskana nodded and knelt down to grab her purse, dressed to go now.

"You will be contacted again later regarding our next location," Oskana said as she knelt down to kiss the woman on her forehead, "Poland," Rain said and the Russian nodded, silently bidding each other farewell.

[MEDINA, 5:45AM]

Mahbeeb and his uncle were now reviewing the pursuit LMM had with the rogues since yesterday, now in contact with the other new mystics, Anan and Hakeem. The young prince was surveying around and felt something odd, "العم ... الهواء خاطئة. (Uncle…the air is wrong.)"

His uncle stopped, "لا رسم سيفك، انهم ليسوا هنا. (Don't draw your sword, they're not here.)," he then was silent, for a moment before speaking, "لا يخطئ رغم ذلك، انهم على هذه الخطوة. (Make no mistake though, they're on the move."

"هل وجدوا الهدف الثاني؟ (Did they find the second target?)," the prince asked but the older man nodded a no, "ليس بعد ... ولكن أيضا ... شيء آخر أشعر ... اتبعني! (Not yet…but also…something else I sense…follow me!)," his uncle then started running and the prince soon followed, leaping to the roofs via the railing and sped off.

MEANWHILE IN LONDON

[HACKNEY, 6:07AM]

Scarlett Ingram was in a new vacant loft with her team, after police raided the previous location. Luckily they got out in time and law enforcement got very little and her team are typing and clicking away on their laptops, "Everyone, we do our best today and clear out by nightfall. No excuses," she told everyone as she looked out the window to another rainy day.

Then one tech called out, "Next target on their database has been confirmed," and Scarlett approached her, "Where?"

The female tech pointed to a particular spot on the screen with the map of Tangier displayed, "Best call Dante now and have them move as soon as possible," she told her boss.

Scarlett got out her phone and called Dante, "…Hello...Hi love, I got some news for you…Your next target…Yes…He's in Tangier…the rogues are on the move…right…I'll await when you're on the ground…right, bye then."

She hung up, "Everyone, prepare to give Tangier a light show," she smirked and they knew exactly what she meant and started working right away on a taxing assignment.

TWO HOURS LATER

TANGIER, MOROCCO

[HOTEL CONTINENTAL, 8:15AM]

LMM arrive back at the hotel after having breakfast in Jajouka and now unloading their things from their vans, Mohammad spoke, "You have the morning off to rest or go around town! Have fun once you unpack everything," he said in a jovial mood and the orchestra cheered.

As everyone was talking, the core members looked at each other knowing what must be done first, and Dante looked at the mystics and his comrades on what is next, contacting the magi. So he took out his phone, and called the ship's captain to relay a message, "Captain? Yes, it is I. I have a message I need you to pass on to your company aboard immediately."

[PORT OF TANGIER, 8:31AM]

Alastair walked to the hangar to gather his magi friends, "Listen! LMM has returned and relayed new that the rogues are indeed on the move and will target the next high profile individual. The new mystics are on the move as well in the city. Both groups are arriving here as we speak. And this time we will be teamed up as a legitimate force in this maze of a city!"

"Finally the fun begins," William stated which got Alastair to administer the teams, "William! You'll be assigned to Wilfredo, Asuka, and Hakeem."

Then he continued with the list, disregarding William's protests, "Rachel, you'll be with Fatma, Dante, and Mahbeer and his bodyguard, Angelina with Koji, Shinji, and Anan. Hanford, you'll be with Cecilia, Bernhard, and Eda; the rest off you will be split between these four teams as buffers, acting as defense and offense. Understood?"

He sees them nod and motioned to pack up and meet LMM outside. Alastair walked down the halls to his quarters and dressed in robes with light armor, since this city demanded fast mobility as opposed to the European stage, he damned it since he felt more exposed. However, he was comforted as his elf guard came into his room and handed a pouch of vials containing potions, "In case. I'll tail you around the city, but out of sight," she told him.

He nodded, "Thank you. Now then, let's meet our team," he told her. Moments later, the magi meet LMM outside the ship on the docks. They looked at each other and Alastair looked around, "Where's Eda?"

He heard the beeping of the horn, "Hurry up! This van is rented," she said and she smirked, as the mystics and pilots got in the van silently. The magi looked at them and felt a bit more at ease, but know that this better work. So the teams formed inside by the row of seats and she decided to drive off into the city.

[OLD SYNAGOGUE, 9:15AM]

The old man was inside, sitting down in one of the pewters, contemplating his fate in the hands of the rogues. His colleague has been murdered two days ago and now here he was, on the verge to be hounded and killed. The doors opened and a voice called him, "Stand up and come with us quietly," it was one of the rogues.

So he did and exited the synagogue with them waiting for his death. Then the rogues were shot down from above, lying down on the ground dead, scaring some locals. LMM came in with their bandanas, in this case, Asuka who puts the safety on her sniper rifle and Wilfredo came in along side William and Hakeem, "Okay sir, we're taking you to safety," she told him.

"How can I be sure you're really on the good side," he asked, "You don't, but we aren't," Wilfredo said and the two escorted him down an alleyway, with William and Hakeem covering their front and backsides.

Asuka radioed Dante, "Quick and seamless, over," and got a response, "Roger. Proceed to the location we agreed upon, Mahbeeb's guest residence, over."

"Copy that," she said and the four rushed out of the area for safety's sake and elsewhere, the groups were doing a good job of combating the enemy on more equal grounds throughout the course of the morning.

[PETIT SOCCO, 9:50AM]

WWAEI tracked the first group to come through here after radio silence, now in the alleys, they were closed off from open traffic but then, a staff came in to strike one in the head, a knife to another's chest, and the other two knocked out when struck in pressure points. With the three bodies now lying down in agony, Shinji radioed everyone at once, "Team two is down, over."

"Copy that," it was Dante whose voice rang out as Koji and Anan moved the bodies alongside the wall. Then Shinji was at knifepoint from behind with a blade to his throat, "No one move or I'll…"

Then a metal bar was flying from no where and hit the man dead in the head, knocking him out, Shinji looked up and sees Emiko, "Where were you," he called out in a bit of a shock, "Here," she responded and leapt down to meet them.

[PROMENADE, 10:30PM]

Team three was having a bit more trouble as Hanford, Cecilia, Bernhard and Eda were in a chase avoiding pedestrians and drives between Eda's van and another van, an armored black one, "If we're shot point blank we're fucked," she screamed as she swerved to and fro.

Bernhard opened the sliding doors, "Keep her steady," he yelled as he readied himself as Hanford looked on. Then a rogue jumped and Bernhard dodged and kicked him out and the man landed out and died immediately on impact. It shook the German a bit but Hanford was next.

"Bombarda," he yelled and as his wand launched the spell, the van jerked and crashed into a lamp pot hard, Eda swerved, "What's going on!?"

"We're winning, now drive," Bernhard yelled and she shifted gears to drive further into the city, with proper boulevards and disappeared into the traffic.

[KASBAH, 11:12AM]

Fatma, Dante, Rachel, Mahbeeb and his uncle are in position after leading the rogues in their general direction. The four are now in position to await an ambush, Dante giving Fatma the go ahead to move in the shadows and he remained still, "Rachel, give your position," he radioed.

"I'm above your position," she relayed, "Copy," he stated and then pressed the radio's button again, "Mahbeeb, where are you?"

The answer came in, "Adjacent to your position, six o'clock to you and Rachel," he radioed in, "Roger."

The four waited, Rachel's wand hand was twitching, Mahbeeb and his uncle's hands were on their swords' hilts, Fatma was against the wall and Dante cocked his 9mm pistol, with a silencer attached. Then, they heard them, saw their uniforms and, chaos ensued; Rachel fired spells on them in rapid succession, Mahbeeb and his uncle cut them down with their scimitars, Fatma knocked one out and killing another in a mixture of her hand to hand skills and mana attacks overwhelming the nervous system and shutting it down. Dante shot two and knocked one on the ground and shot him in the chest twice.

He took out his radio and called it in, but then a mage came from behind to strike him, shouting, "Crucio!"

Dante yelled and fell to the ground in a fit of pain, but as opposed to having him on the ground incapacitated with pain, he got up and shot the mage in a fit of rage, "But…But its not possible," the mage said, gurgling with blood.

Dante coldly shot him again, marking him dead. He puts on the safety and the rest looked at him, concerned if what will transpire, "Dante calling it in. The batch of rogues are killed," he said in a pained voice.

"Confirmed dead here as well," Asuka's voice, also pained called it in, "Confirmed as well," Shinji's voice rang out, also pained, as if all three were attacked at the same time by similar mages with the Crucio curse, which later was confirmed to each other.

Dante turned off the radio, "Come on, let's go," he told his group and the four left, Rachel, Mahbeeb and his uncle, looking at Fatma for information on what's gone on…

Shortly after, the team reunited with the buffer team in the other magi, escorted the man to a safe zone in the city, near the royal residence where Mahbeeb is staying for security. The magi and LMM looked at each other and gave brief nods, and James tried to extend a hand, but LMM took the van and headed back to their hotel, the magi now awaiting Alastair to return, which he did a few moments later.

"What happened to you," Jane asked him, "A run in with my old friend in Roland, but not important. Did this go accordingly to plan," he asked, which got him a nod in confirmation, "Good."

SATURDAY

TANGIER, MOROCCO

[TABADOUL, 7:30PM]

The musicians of Jajouka were performing music for their bit before LMM can continue to perform. Mohammad had to call ahead to see if this was allowed in the cultural center, but since the owner knows of the orchestra's work, he was allowed and the famed national musicians, even more so. Since this was a small venue, it was more intimate, passionate and relaxed. As the famed musicians took their bows, LMM stepped up to tune once more for their piece in Andalusian music and to conclude with something more along their lines of repertoire, then it will conclude with Alberto and one of the oud players to play an improvised piece. Alberto first played a piece by Luys de Narvaez on a Baroque guitar called "Mille regrets".

The repertoire for LMM as followed consisted of "Danza del Viento" as it was performed before, "Nuba Ushushak-mîzân btàyhí" sung by local singers Mohammad hired, and another Arab-Andalusian piece called "Danse de l'Âme", two concertos by Antonio Vivaldi, "Trio Sonata in A Minor, RV 86 and Concerto for Strings in G Minor, RV 157", familiar ground but a nice treat for their audience tonight, as was the piece by Jean-Baptiste Lully, "Armide Overture". This was crafted months in advance as a way to show Vivaldi and Lully on where they started, and how they progressed into other musical instruments; of course no where near as polished as the master musicians, but light years ahead of what their contemporaries are doing in Europe or America, and that says volumes. Oskana herself performed on cello for the more European pieces, since she can't really sing along in Arabic with proficiency.

The magi and new mystics watched in their seats, dressed in Muggle clothes and they had to admit, LMM know how to perform music and just enjoyed their evening away from the ship before heading out in the morning. Alastair enjoyed seeing Eda performing and enjoying the sounds of music that for the European music, familiar, while the Moroccan/Arab-Andalusian music was exotic to the ears. His bodyguard was seated next to him and watched him closely as she also watched and listened to the orchestra, "How are plans for their judgment," she asked in a whisper.

He glanced at her, "Like the music, coming along nicely. Results will come in by next month. Lydia herself wants to see what will come next by then," he replied and the elf nodded and resumed listening to the music, business will come later.

[9:20PM]

Since alcohol is forbidden in the Medina, LMM decided to get a drink along the beachfront. Liam and Yasmin left the rest to their devices as the two sat down at one sandwich joint to get bocadillos, Spanish styled sandwiches consisted of ham, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, French fries, and hard boiled egg in a crunchy French loaf, with a side of French fries to boot.

"This is lovely," Liam exclaimed happily and Yasmin chuckled, "I know I'm a cheap date as your fiancé but you know, we already got some drinks," she said and he nodded.

Liam then puts down his sandwich, "This past week was a weird one for us all. Your charges are essentially putting themselves in harm's way, different from what we've done in Libya last year and continuing to go on and off to report on progress. Why allow it," he asked.

She turned serious and a bit sad, "Well, years ago, something happened to three of them, Dante, Asuka and Shinji. Something that…put everything into perspective," she halted and continued, "So for what's going on now with them and this, esoteric business…sometimes there are things only certain people can do."

Liam listened, "So what you're saying is…you let them because you know only they can handle this sort of problem on their terms. And trust them to not get killed," he worded it carefully, not to antagonize his fiancé in any way.

She nodded, "I know it sounds crazy…but I swear it's the truth. Something you knew since Philadelphia and last year and now, since London," she stressed and reached for his hand, who held hers in return.

"I believe you. Hell, there are things in my life I would like to share soon and I hope you will consider it just the same as I am considering yours," he replied and she smiled, thankful that he did understand her.

She nodded, "Thank you," she leaned in to kiss him, which he returned, "Now let's finish up and get some drinks before returning back to the hotel," she offered, "Deal," he replied enthusiastically.

MEANWHILE

Along the beachfront, Asuka was walking with Yuri listening to the gentle rippling of the ocean waves, "So that's what happened, even when Dante was no where near your location," he said, referring to when her friend was attacked by the Crutiatus curse.

She nodded, "Yes. Do you know why that is," she asked which caught him to think for a moment, "Well, I would say that for some reason, which I noticed long ago, you, Dante and Shinji are interdependently connected by some force. It is not mana like what most mystics and magi have. It's more…constructed, artificial. Do you know what I mean?"

"Whole heartedly," she said without skipping a bit, "It's complicated and will take a night to explain. But I swear…what I'm saying is the truth," she told him, which had him stop as did she.

He breathed in and out before speaking, "I am not your enemy, nor do I have disbelief in your testimony. Also, be aware of Oskana since she doesn't come across as she claims. She is a familiar as I am as well. You will know soon enough, and more immediately, Alastair is not working against you. I hope you understand."

Asuka looked at Yuri, "I do. I don't know what you mean for Oskana, but if you're saying she knows more than she lets on, then I'll take your word for it, with caution. As for Alastair, he would've put us in prison if he were an enemy. But he's not entirely open, as if playing a separate game compared to the rest of us."

Yuri chucked, "He is and he isn't. He's playing a standard game as many from my country's past with the Soviet Union had played, and continue to do so behind the scenes," he said and she laughed a bit.

"True. Your president likes to take his shirt off though. Tough guy sure, modest, not in the least," she quipped and Yuri laughed loudly as the two continued to walk.

[PORT OF TANGIER, 10:23PM]

Mahbeer, his uncle, Anan, Hakeem, along with the only magi who came to this small meeting; Angelina, Henriette, Hanford and Basilio who were called upon by Alastair who was sitting in front of them. The magi were a bit tense with the mystics since, they did volunteer to come to their aid, and they are essentially outsiders even by the already tense ally in LMM.

"So we agreed to ally ourselves to your cause, and keep LMM at a distance? But from what I observed," Anan spoke first, slightly skeptical, "They are legitimately trying to help the situation."

Mahbeer however spoke, "Like we discussed already, even if they are on our side to prevent a war breaking out, with our backs to the wall no less, they still committed a crime that was not needed. They have to answer for it," he said in a serious tone and Anan was silent, slightly upset.

"But," the local priest Hakeem spoke who was wearing his traditional robes, "We shouldn't ban them from further excursions with regards to them being more traveled and know Europe almost as well as many of your friends, Alastair," he told the mage in front of him.

Alastair nodded, "Agreed. But in any case, I have a few gifts as tokens to Mahbeer here and my own friends," he said and pointed to boxes of various sizes and looked particularly at Hanford, Angelina and Basilio.

Anan and Hakeem looked at each other, "Just them," she asked and Alastair nodded, "These are things I feel would benefit them more specifically since I feel…" he chose his words carefully and then relayed it, "You two would actually benefit less from these relics."

Anan and Hakeem were sort of satisfied, but decided to not press the issue. So, Alastair gave some relics with inherit power to his friends and new allies; to Mahbeer, a scimitar with the blade made of Damascus steel, circa 12th century AD blessed to sever demon limbs and prevent them from rejuvenating in this realm, to Hanford the "Crossbow of Qurra Gwath" a lightweight design for long range firing but standard in design except for a silver Basilisk maw for decoration, for Angelina the "Talisman of Voroth" a dagger shaped charm made of Caroger bone used to command beasts for her alone and if a beast locks eyes with her it surrenders its will to her completely, for Henriette a hand-held dragon shaped flamethrower called "The Dragon's Heart" made of a metal like gold in appearance but as hard as folded titanium, and finally Basilio the "Ring of Marratsu" which contains a power that connects it to the Void, which will be revealed to him when the time is presented when he's overwhelmed in the very near future.

As the five examine what they've been given and as Alastair explained the qualities to each of them, Anan sent a text to Fatma covertly to tell her what has gone on:

Five relics, four to magi and one to Mahbeer. Will tell you later

Then Alastair released the mystics to head back out into the city while Alastair told his magi friends, "Notify the others, we leave at first light tomorrow," he said and they nodded as they Apparated out of the ship to find the rest of their friends.

[Music Bit: "Needle" from Game of Thrones: Season 6 OST]

SUNDAY

TANGIER, MOROCCO

[PORT OF TANGIER, 5:23AM]

The ship's captain was relaying orders to his crew over the intercom system so everyone heard what he said. The magi were already on board, ready to go home, but then Alastair on the bow's railing sees Eda at the docks, wearing her jacket, jeans and black boots and her hair down. Her expression was somber but focused, looking up at the ship, "Need a weight off your thoughts?"

She focused again and sees him to her right, hovering about the port a few meters up, "A bit. You're heading home now aren't you," she asked softly.

He landed and walked a few steps towards her, "Yes. Are you," he said and asked back, which she nodded a no, "Actually we're staying two more days due to Mohammad has an old friend here from Lebanon as well as one of Peter's old friends hosting a garden party in the suburbs of the city. Plus we'll film a morning prayer before leaving," she explained the rest of what they'll do.

He nodded and the two stood apart for a few moments, "This is still awkward," she said which got him to look at her, after averting his gaze, "Why?"

"I'm not sure where you stand yet, but I know now, you are on our side regarding te rogues," she said, "Good, I'm glad we can make this step forward," he told her.

Then the ship's horn blew and he looked to his left, "Listen, I must get going now. I'll see you lot in a month's time," he said, which she nodded in agreement, "Right. We'll be better about all of this next time," she told him, which he nodded.

He levitated upward and back onto the ship's deck, waved goodbye to her, which she did in return as well, and walked away back to the van. After the van drove away and out of sight, he walked back into the ship and headed for his quarters, then his elven bodyguard approached him again, "Ellessar, what do you have for me," he spoke and formally called her name regarding what happened two days ago.

"After you chased down Roland and had your duel with him, I followed another group of the rogues to a location at the western edge of the Medina. But as I followed they disappeared. It had a bad air about it, something Prince Mahbeer said to his uncle as well."

He looked at her, "Interesting. Could it be something to do with supplying weapons for the future," he asked, "Or something we know is more dangerous," he asked, almost in a rhetorical fashion, something Ellessar understood.

She nodded, "More than likely the latter, but we will be certain of either outcome in Poland next month," she said, which he nodded to, "Agreed," he responded as both headed back to his quarters, to discuss potions and make love, something of a regularity in their relationship.

MEANWHILE

A vault in an undisclosed location opens to an officer. Inside was dark, darker than pitch black with only the light of the Plumber badge to light his brief path from the door to inside. The human officer carried the object in question in a container with red light and sets it down on the wooden crate that has, "Danger: Hazardous objects inside."

He puts in his password and the small container opened on all sides to reveal, a blackened statues of the Lady of Fatima, acquired from Angola when the Plumbers were investigating a crash in the remoteness of the desert. Brought there by past missionaries and when the aliens found it, it caused electrical failure, shadows to form in the night around them while awaiting help. Now with this statue in hand, placed it on a platform where a force field activated around it. He then heard voices as low as whispers and the lights blinking in and out, which unnerved him slightly. But what clinched it was his radio buzzing, "Hello? Come in?"

He heard a powerful, dark voice with a menacing message, but was garbled, followed by incomprehensible noises and mutterings and his radio died. He looked around, gulped and briskly left the storage chamber and the doors automatically shut. Then one officer radioed him "What? What happened?"

The officer in question sighed and responded, "I hate it here. This place gives me shivers."

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

[NATIONAL MUSEUM (Národní muzeum), 7:34AM]

A truck pulled up front and two people exited with the truck to go around to the back of the place. The two people showed passes to allow entry before people came to visit, under the guise of part of a renovation team. The museum is closed to the public until it will reopen in 2017. However, as they walked up the stairs of the main hall, they walked down the hallway to a part of the museum they knew to go, the Department of Archaeology.

In the midst of the dust and over their own notes of floor plans and those before them, they found the spot along the walls where a secret compartment laid. With a slight push, they found them; documents with rites on rituals and instructions on one particular one to do, "Szanowny Panie, znaleźliśmy ich. (Sir, we've found them.)"

The man said in Polish so the group's leader came to him and also spoke in Polish, "Idealny. Worek, zamknij przedział i wyjdź przez plecy zgodnie z planem. (Perfect. Bag it, close compartment and head out through the back as planned.)," he instructed and they followed suit.

As soon as they entered, they made their way to the back of the museum downstairs, once outside, got in their truck and drove off into the city, none inside the wiser, nor would their enemies….

WEEK FOUR, WEDNESDAY

MANHATTAN, NYC, NY, USA

[SEVEN-EYES BOOKSHOP, GREENWICH VILLAGE, 3:23PM]

Wilfredo got off the bus and crossed the street to enter the bookshop. Although the neighborhood has long since been gentrified and little of its bohemian past remains, it still has an enclave remaining for the esoterics who own the buildings in the neighborhood, who adapt and survive the changing times. The Seven-Eyes Bookshop has been around for nearly two hundred years in selling books, rare, old, and even for the esoterically inclined. It also acted like a library for old tomes and grimoire books from families who have no immediate relatives to pass them on, so instead of having said knowledge disappear, the store acts like a library for young magi and mystics to research, study and hone their talents. It is one of five in the entire city, one per borough.

He comes in and a late middle-aged man greeted him at the door, "Buenas tardes, señor. (Good afternoon, sir.)," he greeted in Spanish, in his native Spanish accent, "¿Cómo puedo ayudarle? (How may I help you?)"

"¿Es usted el señor Juan González-Reverte? (Are you Mr. Juan Gonzalez-Reverte?)," Wilfredo asked, also in Spanish with a hint of a Portuguese accent, "Sí lo soy. (Yes I am.)," the man responded now looking curious.

Wilfredo sets down his backpack on the desk, "Disculpe, pero tengo algunas preguntas sobre algo que sucede en nuestros círculos. El WWAEI. (Pardon me but I have a few questions regarding something going on in our circles. The WWAEI.)," he explained but whispered the last part walls have ears after all.

The man with a thick white mustache, white hair, wire-rimmed glasses took them off to wipe them clean, "¿Cuál es tu parte en esto, muchacho? ¿Es usted un partidario de ellos o usted está luchando contra ellos como debería? (What is your part in this, boy? Are you a supporter of them or are you fighting against them as you should?)"

"Estoy contra ellos y en las líneas de frente mientras hablo. Yo y mis amigos; necesito ayuda con respecto a la línea de frente aquí. (I am against them and on the frontlines as I speak. My friends and myself; I need help regarding the frontline here.)," he explained and the man puts back on his glasses and motioned for Wilfredo to continue.

Wilfredo then took out a portfolio with printed out documents of financial records and names of men and women for the man to look at. He looked at the list and photos of said list, did a double check and looked at Wilfredo with a serious expression, "¿Y qué oración quieres hacer con lo que voy a encontrar en este lote? (And what pray do you wish to do with what I will find on this lot?)"

Wilfredo smiled a bit and responded, returning to a serious tone, "Traerlos a la justicia, y conseguir mis patadas al ver la caída alta y poderosa como un árbol hace en una tormenta. ¿Lo que usted dice? ¿Me ayudarás? (Bring them to justice, and get my kicks on seeing the high and mighty fall as a tree does in a storm. What say you? Will you help me?)"

The man thought on this carefully and after sifting through the papers, he smiled lightly and looked at him, "Por supuesto. Inmediamente. (Of course. Right away."

TO BE CONTINUED

Three months. Three fucking months! Or a bit more than that now! I can't believe this delay this time around. New job, volunteering, family drama going on, and got really sick for a month, which sucked ass!

Anyway, I'm still alive and kicking and never really stopped writing; just conceptualizing with friends like A. , HolyDragoon, and Lilyflower 00, and friends outside of this fanfiction community. For the musical repertoire, Jordi Savall and his ensemble Hesperion XXI, Eduardo Paniagua with his ensemble Ensemble Tre Fontane, for Vivaldi's pieces look into Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Il Giardino Armonico, as for the Lully's overture, Les Musiciens du Louvre.

Phew, so stay tuned for my next chapter and now, I request patience. Read, review, critique, and as always, see you soon readers!