at 5:36 p.m.
It was evening with the sun fading, creating shadows. A quiet atmosphere without any real hustle and bustle. Saei, Valsar and Adrian still hadn't returned home.
Reys'a was watching TV while lying on the floor with Caelus who was sleeping soundly next to him. A fragrant smell that pierced his nose came rushing into the living room, coming from the kitchen. Apparently, Mitsuya was cooking supper. Meanwhile, Zu Sheng was captivated by looking at his smartphone until he forgot about the time that had passed.
knock... knock... knock! A loud knock from the front door woke Caelus from his sleep. Reys'a was in the living room when the loud knock on the door piqued his curiosity.
As the entrance door opened, it turned out the knock came from Saei and Valsar, who had just gotten back.
Saei, whose head was still bleeding, was quickly brought inside by Valsar. Reys'a was stunned at the sight, while Caelus, having just woken up, remained in shock and clueless about what had happened.
"MITSUYA!" With desperation in his voice, Valsar screamed his name. Mitsuya, who was in the kitchen, was startled when he heard Valsar shouting his name, calling out to him.
"Yes, what's wrong? What happened?" He answered, his voice trembling, "it's Saei, he's bleeding, grab the first aid kit, quickly!"
"Huh? What the hell happened? Where have you been?" A look of disbelief spread across his face—he was in shock. "I'll explain later. For now, grab the first aid kit." Saei gripped the back of her head, trying to endure the pain.
Mitsuya rushed to get the first aid kit from the shelf. Seeing Saei like that, Reys'a and Caelus immediately moved to lift Saei and bring him to a safer spot. Mitsuya then came bringing a first aid kit.
Mitsuya wrapped the bandage around the wound to stop the bleeding. He carefully laid Saei down on the pillow, making sure he was comfortable.
"Where is Zu Sheng?" Valsar said. "He's in the basement, if I'm not mistaken." Replied Reys'a. "If that's the case, please call him, there's something I want to tell."
Reys'a immediately went down to the basement, to call Zu Sheng. "How could this have happened?" Said Mitsuya. Reys'a and Zu Sheng came upstairs to the living room, after hearing Saei was injured. "What happened? what happened?" He was utterly flabbergasted upon hearing that.
"Saei and I have discovered who's been spying on us lately. It's the Phenix group, led by Damian Herian. I'm still not sure what they want from us." Said Valsar with a serious expression on his face. Reys'a frowned in confusion. "Phenix group?"
"Phenix group, is a group that previously worked in the underworld. But due to some reasons, they have surfaced in the upper world, which is where we are now. Their operation mostly involved hired killing. But that's all I know when they are in the underworld— nevertheless, I don't know what their goals are right now." Mitsuya answered Reys'a question.
He stared blankly—unable to believe what he'd just heard. "Why are they targeting us?" Reys'a asked. "Not us but... brother— Adrian, they are targeting the eldest Brother." Replied Valsar.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Reys'a wondered. "I'm not sure, but the eldest brother has stated that he has been targeted by someone during the last few years." Valsar responded.
"But now we know who is targeting the eldest brother and have uncovered their refuge. This is our opportunity to destroy them once and for all." stated Saei. He then rose from his reclining position.
"Are you alright, Saie? It's fine. You don't need to get up, just lie down. Your head is still throbbing and has just been wrapped, simply rest." Caelus Remarked.
"It's okay, I'm alright. This is only a little cut, there is no need to be concerned about me."
"So what should we do now?" Said Zu Sheng. "We must now wait for the oldest brother to return so we may discuss this with him. We are unable to take action alone, and if Damian Herian's members are involved, this could take an unforeseen turn." Mitsuya made a comment.
"Yes, exactly. Elder brother must handle this, we cannot behave carelessly." State Saei.
"Dinner is almost done right now. Let's eat first, then consider this. Come on over and assist me in getting the plates and cups, Reys'a and Caelus." Mitsuya shifted the subject, easing the tension.
"What about me? What should I do?" Zu Sheng replies that he also wants to help. "If that's the case, get a mat to place underneath the food." Replied Mitsuya.
"Alright, it will be executed shortly."
They delighted in the meal that Mitsuya had cooked. It was already becoming dark, which meant it was night, as they waited for Adrian to return home. As always, the streetlights flashed, illuminating the night.
Even though it was 10:14 p.m., Adrian had not yet come back. Reys'a and the others have grown drowsy and are taking care of themselves after waiting for a long time.
As the evening became late, the sound of footsteps approaching the home from outside was heard. After speaking with the Hyken family, Adrian had returned from his excursion, as he discovered when he opened the door.
"I'm home," announced Adrian who had returned home.
While waiting for Adrian to return home in the living room, Valsar became aware that he had returned. "I want to discuss something with you, brother." Valsar wore a grim expression, as if there was no tomorrow.
Adrian was intrigued by his behaviour and wondered what he was going to say. "What do you want to say, Valsar?"
When Adrian returned, Valsar called the other siblings to discuss the situation with them. Everyone had assembled, and the mood was quiet and motionless, with no one initiating the conversation.
"What has happened to your head, Saei? Until it got wrapped like that." Adrian doesn't understand what's going on. "There's no need to worry, it's only a minor wound."
"Elder brother, we have discovered the whereabouts of the person who has been spying on us recently. I and Valsar slaughtered his guys— and it was discovered that it was the Phenix group. What I want to know is why they are after you. You did not explain the cause previously." Saei started the conversation.
Adrian raised his voice, his face despondent. "I apologise for not telling you why, Phenix eh… but I didn't think they would be the ones pursuing me.
I had previously believed that it was safe and that we should just concentrate on our objective."
Adrian let out a breath. "I've snuck into a lot of organisations before, and at the last one, I stole one of their Hearthstones and ran away. There have been those who have been after me for the past few years, but I have dealt with them, and I recall that the only people who are preventing us from moving forward are the governments of the world since we have publicly opposed them." said Adrian
"But with whom does Phenix collaborate? They are being guided by someone, aren't they? It must be the work of a mastermind." Mitsuya answered.
"I'm not sure about it, they might have their own agenda or be working with the World Government or— with Ezra"
"Who is Ezra?" Reys'a said. "He is among the leaders of the modern world. However, I am uncertain if he is the one haunting us. To the best of my knowledge, he has never worked with anyone. Perhaps this is someone else's creation."
Reys'a ignored it and got right to the topic. "We already know where they are hiding, so why wait? At this point, we continue to attack and force them to identify the mastermind." Reys'a answered without hesitation.
"Hold on, we can't just launch such a careless attack, and they are a seasoned outfit. They wouldn't often make such a mistake. His subordinates, of course. They must have recognised the attack on their base by Valsar and Saei, and they will undoubtedly not keep quiet and will take rapid action." Caelus spoke after a prolonged period of observation.
"Yes, Caelus is correct. Without a comprehensive plan, we cannot assault. We need to keep an eye on their movements right now, and if they approach any of you, let the others know right away so that you don't act alone." Replied Adrian.
"Okay, then." With open arms, Reys'a took it. Adrian's statement was also endorsed by the others.
Zu Sheng, who was deep in meditation, was contemplating something. "Oh, lest I forget, I designed a gizmo to determine our whereabouts." Zu Sheng displayed a little chip. "This is not a typical chip, it is equipped with technologies that I developed.
I created it particularly for us. Consider using it." Zu Sheng handed one to each person. Zu Sheng approached Reys'a. "Here, take this Reys'a. Now try to put the chip on your wrist." Reys'a put the chip on his wrist.
The chip was then converted into a bracelet with varied shapes. Reys'a has an empty and flat bracelet, whereas Mitsuya has one consisting of little spherical beads that resemble balls and creates a bracelet around his arm. They, like the rest, are not exactly alike.
"Even though they are different, I created them based on each individual's ability, but the core remains the same. We can use the device to track each other's whereabouts, which are displayed on the hologram on the bracelet.
It also has certain advantages, but it is not a smart phone that can make calls; yet, it is more useful and faster than searching or texting on a phone."
Zu Sheng's latest creation left Reys'a and the others in awe. "Whoa... This thing is amazing." Unable to talk, his mouth was open.
"Although it appears to be a simple bracelet, this can be highly useful in determining our whereabouts." Caelus said.
"This is rather impressive." Valsar and Saei want to learn more about this chip.
Mitsuya, meanwhile, appeared perplexed as to why his bracelet had spherical balls and no visible hologram, it simply appeared to be a regular bracelet. "Why does mine appear to be an ordinary bracelet?" Mitsuya enquired.
"This is due to the fact that you are somewhat unique. Take one of those balls and try lifting it up." As soon as Mitsuya lift one of the balls, a little hologram appeared on his arm. "If you pull one of the balls and throw it or utilise it, each one has a unique ability.
"So, in addition to knowing where we are, this may also be utilised for self-defence?" Zu Sheng couldn't wait to say more. "Indeed, it can be employed in combat even if pressed."
"That's good, I'm grateful, Zu. You are definitely expected." Zu Sheng's nose flared with pride as Adrian gave him accolades. "I am, of course, Zu Sheng, the world's brightest person, hehe."
"If there's nothing else, you can already relax. You didn't even have time to rest, older brother, after returning earlier. The food from dinner is still there, just heat it up later." Said Mitsuya worrying about him.
"Yes, exactly. You must take a break. You recently got back from a lengthy absence. We can talk about this issue on a different day." stated Caelus. "Okay then. I'm also exhausted and wish to rest for a while." Adrian then got up and went straight to his room to relax.
The others instantly left and returned to their own room. Reys'a and Zu Sheng then descended to the basement, where they normally stay.
"Hey Zu, do you think we can achieve our goals by fighting and bringing down the higher-ups and making the people around us happy?" Reys'a enquired, perplexed by it. "Of course, we have an older brother, and I am confident we can do it.
Even today, we have you, Reys'a." Said Zu Sheng, holding his hand. Okay, let us go to bed, tomorrow we plan to go shopping.
'After returning, Adrian forgot that he had met the chief of the Hyken family. What did they discuss? What followed? That encounter will undoubtedly alter the course of that family's destiny!'