Kai

Returning to Oboro and seeing David and Luis waiting for me, I knew they would question my whereabouts. But facing them didn't seem all that hard to do after dealing with Solomon. Having confronted a chevalier head on in negotiations and even getting information David wouldn't share with me, I felt braver. Hiding the fact I have microscopic microphones and a phone used to only contact Solomon, dealing with David and Luis felt like nothing anymore.

"Where have you been?" David asked with scrutiny. Seeing Saya in the background and unsure if she spoke about Konella or not, I had to make David give me a hint.

"Why you wanna know?" As nonchalant and aloof I can act, he didn't seem fond of my action and narrowed his brow further.

"The enemy can attack us at any time, this is no time to be off on your own." Arms crossed and not giving any kind of hint to what he might know, I had to give him something.

"…just visiting a few friends of mine. Kinda left without notice, you know?" Acting nonchalantly, seeing his eyes shift to Luis a few times, he said nothing more and walked away. "Hey, Saya, got a minute?"
She came over quickly, acting as usual as we headed upstairs to my room and Haji being sure David and Luis were not listening in. After a few minutes of waiting and Haji nodding that the area was clear, I sat on my bed and was ready to speak about my conversation with Konella and Solomon.

"I managed to find Konella and have another conversation. But I mainly spoke with Solomon about the terms and what we need to do on our part."

"And?" She was curious. Her expression showed regret and hope, maybe concern as I mentioned Solomon. But that was beside the point. I made the decision to find Konella, spoke with Solomon and even got some of the past shared with me I knew wouldn't have been said. Saya needed to understand only one thing.

"With a few conditions they will help us; but until you regain your memories and not be so judgmental of her choices in the past, contact with them is limited. They will assist us…" unsure how to say it, she bit her lower lip and looked at me with teary eyes.

"…what else?"

"Everything goes through me." Not giving her everything of what Solomon and Konella and I spoke of, figuring it was for the best I knew what was really intended here, she was beside herself. "They made it quite clear after your talk that they will not have you conversing with her so rudely as you did. Going through me at least would take off some of the load off your shoulders."

"…yeah."

"Saya, understand that they are protecting her just as Haji protects you. A little differently, since Solomon is Konella's husband and Trae being her biological son and all. They will do everything to protect her."

"I really messed up…huh?" She looked at me and sat on the floor moping. "I guess this is a start though. She'll help with our fight against Diva, and I know she's alive and safe at least."

"Of course." Patting her head to what was to come now, this was at least better than I'd thought it go.
Saya and I spoke a little more before she returned to her room. The next day, David and Luis gave us the news of us going to Russia to meet with someone in the Red Shield on leads to Diva. It wasn't a welcoming trip, but having Riku by my side and being part of the organization now gave me quite a bit of insight into dad's work. Never in my wildest dream would I consider this something I would do for the rest of my life but feeling the way I do and wanting to protect Saya and Riku, Konella's help would be lifesaving. I only hope that me being the bridge won't make it crumble apart.

As time allotted, the journey to reach our destination took some time until we reached a place called Vladivostok to take a train to the city of Tyumen. David kept me busy with reports and training on how to handle myself in fights. Luis kept Saya and Riku busy, and in my downtime when there was no one around I would report to Solomon where we were heading. Never hearing a response from them, it was strange to be doing this at first, but the silence on their end I felt was needed as not to be traced. Least that's what I made myself to believe.

"Kai," David was searching for me and I had to quickly hide everything. I met with him standing alongside a woman and wondered who the hell it was. "This is Elizabeta, she works with us and will be leading us to our next location."

"The pleasure is mine," her Russian accent heavy, she reached out and pulled me close to kiss my cheek!? Hearing Riku laugh at me and approaching the woman casually, doing the same she did to me, he explained it was a form of greeting.

"Geez Kai, get a grip." He teased as David and Elizabeta took their leave to meet with Haji and Saya. "You ok?"

"…yeah," wondering what the train ride would be like as we boarded, I felt insecure somehow of this. A weird feeling kept me wary of everything and I was unsure what to think.

Elizabeta was a strong-willed Russian woman. She held her rank within the organization and even shared her stories with us as we ate in the dining cart. Though she was curious of Saya, perhaps even wary, watching her eat she became more at ease and didn't think of her as a monster.

"You eat quite a sum," making light conversation, Saya looked at her with a little embarrassment, but never really stopped eating. "No need to be shy love, it is healthy to eat and to enjoy the food." They spoke casually from then on, though I stayed out of it to look out the window and see nothing but snow and darkness beyond, Riku suddenly got up and waved at someone?

"Ma'am!" Excitedly waving over an old woman, I recognized her from the station and watched as Riku assisted her to a seat.
With another person joining in and feeling crowded now, I took my leave and headed to my cart, hoping to keep myself busy by making a report to Solomon. The moment I opened the door, I was startled to find Trae inside. I slammed the door behind me, my heart racing.

"What are you doing here?!" I drew the curtains to a close and looked at him. "Seriously?!" I hissed, my voice trembling.

"You worry too much," he said, casually drinking a glass of wine as if this whole situation didn't concern him. I plopped onto the seat and ran my hands through my hair, trying to steady my nerves. "I have a message from my father," he continued, his tone suddenly serious. "Amshel was seen heading to the train station, but we lost visual of him. Father believes he is here, but I can't sense him."
I had to recall who he spoke about, but remembered Solomon speaking of him and clarifying my thoughts.

"Amshel is the guy who's been with Diva the longest, right?" Trae nodded, confirming my thoughts and recollection. "Are Konella and Solomon here as well?"

"No. I volunteered to come and aid you if things were to go wayward. The problem right now is not being able to sense him. He's more dangerous than the others, and with our absence, he might be exuding extreme malice."

"…that's troubling. And it's not like you can walk around here without—"

"I can." He said this with such confidence that I had to wonder why—how? "Saya should merely ignore me while I'm here. If her intent on the alliance is true, then my presence should not matter to her. This will also give me some clarification of her mindset on our alliance, fragile as it may be."

The cunning look of Solomon was now clearly depicted in him. The way his eyes narrowed and how he held himself reflected his father when we spoke at the beach. Trae was smart and devilishly clever from the few interactions I've had with him. Saya will have to catch onto his actions without my say and uphold her end of the deal.

"Saya and the others are in the dining cart. Shall I let her know you're here at least?"

"No. I want her honest reaction." His cold intent was clear, and I sighed, wanting to leave to say something, but after a few minutes, we began having our own conversation to pass the time. Soon, we heard the door open and saw Saya and Haji return first, followed by the others.

"Kai…?" Saya's eyes widened, but she did not react defensively, nor did Haji. "Who's your friend?" She asked, playing it off strangely as David came into view. I was relieved she was being smart about this.

"I met him on my way back here. We started talking and lost track of time." I acted casual, more relieved that Trae was dressed like a young traveler than a businessman, making it easier to pull off this stunt.

"Nice to meet you guys. You all travel together?" His way of speaking threw me off more than Saya and Haji, and it took a second to register how to act.

"Yes. A family trip, you could say," David answered coolly. "And yourself?" he asked, making conversation to avoid giving themselves away.

"Family travels a bit, but I like more exotic places than the norm my parents go to." He spoke like any young 20-year-old that hangs with his family often, and it was baffling to wrap my head around it.

The way Trae acted, and his aloof attitude, brought David's guard down a bit as he spoke to Luis behind him, allowing us to continue our conversation for a while longer. Saya and Haji sat down uncomfortably, eyeing Trae as he kept up the act until a switch flipped and he returned to his proper mannerisms.

"Greetings, Saya."