“Alright, alright, I'll tell you where the prize money is.” As Erica said those words, Ruben II spun to face her, listening to what she has to say. “It's locked in a vault beneath the stadium.” That statement was true. “The bad news is that Warlin knows the combination.” That was a lie, the wizard was after something else, though she wouldn't put it past him that he would be capable of mastering the combination either by magical means or technological means. “If you catch him and bring him back here, we could extract the information out of him.”

“What does this Warlin fellow look like?” he asked.

“He's very thin and old with a long beard and walks around with a staff.”

“Sounds easy enough.” He stated.

“He's a lot smarter and he looks so I'd be careful if I were you.” Erica suggested.

“Woman, there isn't a man who can swindle Ruben the second and live long enough to brag about it.” Omitting the fact that the one who actually swindled him was a woman.

“So you'll do it?!” Erica asked, hoping that he would comply, so that he can hunt down Warlin himself while she searched for back up and ultimately catch both Warlin and this lummox who wants to steal the prize money.

“Not until I'm certain that this isn't some sort of trap. I'm not leaving this stadium empty handed.” The Cinnabarian demanded, he wasn't going to risk his neck for a woman. Specially for a girl he just met. He needed something concrete, an assurance that he wasn't going to be thrown under the bus like what happened when Punakas betrayed him and ruined his reputation back in Red Kingdom.

Erica saw Ruben II stretch his gloved hand and gave him something that was valuable to her.
She gave him her best friend and confidant—Clyde.

“Seriously,” Ruben II looked at the rubber duck incredulously, “you're giving me this old thing?!”

“He's sacred to me!” Erica blushed. Ruben II squeazed the rubber duck with his large stubby fingers as Clyde squeaked.

“This was not part of the plan!” Clyde quacked.
“This was your idea!” Erica talked back.
“This was not what I had in mind.” Ruben II confessed. “Tell ya what,” Ruben returns the rubber duck to Erica, “you can keep this thing as long as you don't rat me out. I'll find Warlin and you give me a sum of the prize money. I'll use Warlin as a scapegoat. If I do get caught and thrown out, you'll have to watch Ratu for me.”

Ratu? Oh yeah, the little boy who fought in the tournament and got knocked out during the match. Wait... he's the guy who signed the boy to fight. “You should be arrested for child exploitation! You sick freak!”

Ruben II shrugged at her accusation. “A guy's gotta make a living.”

“You heartless bastard!”

“Heartless orphan you mean.” The stereotypically soulless redhead didn't mind being called heartless, but a bastard. Nope. He was the only child his parents procreated, and within the bounds of marriage. If it wasn't for the siege that occured 15 years ago, he wouldn't have been in the care of his bitter aunt when his parents died. Heck, his parents wouldn't have been killed in the first place.

“That's no excuse!”

“I'm not gonna stand here and get lectured. You don't feed me nor pay for my expenses. If you're not gonna watch out for the runt than I will.” Ruben II barked before he took the cleaning cart to keep up with the façade.

Clyde stared at Erica as if saying, way to ruin the plan.

Six silver skinned teenagers were heading on their way to the stadium, but they had to meet up at the gas station first. They all made an agreement through text to regroup with their disguise as a keyword for shapeshifting.

It would be really suspicious that one of their moms caught on to what they were planning. The bright side of having shapeshifting half siblings is that they can help you escape with a convincing act.

One of the acts they have used since they've finally gotten to known each other well were;

The sleepover — where one or two of you half-sibling shapeshift to look like your best friend or a classmate for a sleepover.

The fake date is the one where you pick a half brother (or half sister) to shapeshift to look lile your crush while two or three more siblings morph to play the role of the fake crush's parents, plus the fake crush's sibling to make the fake date look legit as long as the fake crush doesn't look like a celebrity — or too close to one.

The school project act can participate between two to four half siblings, props includes to make the school project come to life, bonus points if its on videochat. The shapeshifting siblings take the role to look like the classmates of said sibling under supervision. If mama eagle makes a vibe check on the school project and pass, the mama bird leaves long enough for the sibling to formulate a plan.

The chaperone is codeword for Glasgow to shapeshift into a serious adult like a cop, a gym teacher, a pizza delivery guy, or a security guard between a half hour to three hours depending on how long the plan lasts.

The babysitter is codeword for Crystal to shapeshift into said babysitter to lay out the plan while one of their moms are out.

The job interview is the excuse either Crystal, Glasgiw, Sheen or Vanni use to their moms to leave early in the morning.

The pet nanny is codeword for Mimi to imitate an animal or shapeshift into a real one, mostly as a distraction. She is also the only one out of the six to successfully shapeshift into a real animal, can imitate over 150 animals, and possibly and the catalyst of Warlin discovering them thanks to her imitation of the White Tiger.

The downsides of shapeshifting; it could take a toll on the body if they shapeshift into a body that is not their own for a prolonged period of time than intended, like acquiring muscle spasms or sore joints for excessive use of  shapeshifting or facial paralysis. Imaging looking like a disfigured version of Quasimodo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Phantom Of The Opera combined and to top if off, your face is stuck that way for several hours. Thankfully Vanni found his true calling of being a physiotherapist because of this. The other downside, someone could spot an irregularity even if they're posing as someone else, or the worst case scenario being that one one of their half siblings get you in trouble for something you didn't do. In order to prevent any misunderstandings, or plans backfiring, they regroup to ensure their plan is full proof.

Espe Jo and Glasgow waited for their half siblings to arrive any minute now. Glasgow kicked a pebbled as it flipped and rolled to the pavement before a young girl between the ages of 14-16 walked on the sidewalk and arrived at the gas station.

When they saw her, she walked towards them. As she approached, the texture of her face changed from flesh into a glassy, translucent shade, almost mirror-like as they recognized her immediately.

“Crystal.” Espe Jo greeted.
“Meth.” Crystal replied, Glasgow snorted.
“Crack.” Glasgow sniggered while Espe Jo narrowed his eyes as his Scottish half-brother.

“Anyway, I got your text. What I don't get is why the old man is calling for back up if he has the Inquisitors Guild under his beck and call.” Crystal recalled the last time Warlin had contacted them around two and a half years ago, back when Warlin and the Emperor had sent a spy to search for the White Tiger which was rumored to be roaming near the stadium.

This incident was around the time Warlin had found them individually and introduced them to each other while the already struggling teens were assimilating the fact that they were related to a fighter referred to as Combat Mirror, let alone being spawned by him. If it wasn't for Warlin, they wouldn't have known each other. Nor they hadn't had known that their own biological father was just a sneaky shapeshifter, he had the audacity to dodge child support through all these years.

“Let's be honest, everyone pretty much hates him. The only reason the Inquisitors Guild tolerate Warlin was because he had dirt on everyone. Including we-know-who.” Espe Jo mentioned, indirectly referring to their biological father.

“He must be scraping the bottom of the barrel if he's asking for our help.” Crystal said.

“More like demanded.” Espe Jo added.

“Even so, it's been a while since we've gotten into trouble.” Glasgow smirked, his Scottish accent a lot more noticeable.

A woman with a colorful wig came into view, strutting her way to the gas station, swaying her hips like a supermodel wearing a skimpy outfit, including the fishnet stockings and rhinestone jacket. Glasgow catcalled at the woman. The woman approached at the trio angrily onky for Glawgow to realize that he catcalled his flamboyant half brother once he shapeshifted to reveal himself.

“Sheen?! The bloody hell?!” Glasgow fumed.
“Be grateful that I didn't turn into yo mama.” Sheen retorted, then flipped the side of his wig full of sass.
“You asking for a Glasgow kiss, bro?” Glasgow threatened.
“Oh please, as if I'd be stupid enough to let you break my nose with that thick skull of yours.” Sheen remarked, preening the fringe of his wig. “This trip better be worth it. I didn't put a raincheck on my recital to put up with this macho.”

“We're getting front row seats into the Gladatorium that's a half hour from here.” Espe Jo stated.

“That old joint where Mimi pulled the White Tiger trick? Fat chance darling.” Sheen declined as he headed out of the gas station.

“What's the matter, Sheen? Scared that a lil' dust will ruin you mascara?” Glasgow teased.
Sheen turned his heel to confront his thick-headed half-brother.

“Nah-uh, oh no you didn't. You did not just diss my brand, bro. You do not wanna mess with me, Glasgow. I can handle the grime, but can you handle my shine?” Sheen went out all diva on Glasgow, or as he'd called him that one time, ass-hoe.

Crystal had to get between them to prevent bad bro Glasgow and Sheen the drama queen from fighting each other. “We didn't come all the way here for you two to start fighting like cats and dogs.”

“He's the one who started it, and I'm not gonna stand for it.” Sheen crossed his arms and whipped his head to look the other way. At the corner of his eye, he spotted the other two half siblings they were waiting for.

Mimi and Vanni arrived just in time. Mimi was in her human form, with her blonde hair braided in rows on both sides while the front was loose, adorned with animal themed hairclips that swept the braids in place. She was dressed in her casual clothes as if something Lisa Frank made had barfed on all over her get-up. Vanni looked as stoic as usual, even if he shapeshifted to look like a man hitting his thirties, there was nothing that could get rid of his resting grouch face.

“It's about time!” Sheen whined, “What took you so long?”

“We took a pit stop at the icecream parlor.” Mimi answered with the most innocent sincerity, even if she is not as innocent as she looked.

“I got her a strawberry swirl as long as she would stop bugging me with her magpie imitation.” Vanni summarized.

“It was fun.” Mimi replied.

“No, it wasn't.” Vanni refuted nonchalantly, with the same stone face that even Kristen Stewart would be proud of.

“Vanni, do you still have a copy of your stepdad's ID?” Espe Jo asked him.

“Obviously.” He held the ID card.

“Good.” Espe Jo smiled before Vanni put it back in his wallet.

“I'm not giving it to any of you.”

“Fine. Just take us to the Gladatorium.” Espe Jo requested.

“I don't have the car.” Vanni informed.

“What do you mean?! We agreed to go there using your stepdad's car. What gives?” Espe Jo snapped.

“I got caught, and my mom sent me to my grandparents' house as punishment.” Vanni admitted. Espe Jo facepalmed.

“Don't worry EJ, my mom will take us there.” Mimi said right before a van drove into the gas station and Mimi's mom got out of the van.

“Mimi, pay the gas! And get the milk and bread while you're at it!” She hollered.

“Ok!” Mimi hollered back.

“And don't forget the churros lile you did last time!” Mimi's mother hollered before Mimi opened the door and entered the gas station to get what her mom ordered while Espe Jo, Sheen and Crystal rolled their eyes. Glasgow and Vanni walked towards the vehicle, Vanni stood next to Mimi's mother while Glasgow leaned to the front door next to the glove compartment.

At the hospital, the Yamitzu trainer visited the Nylvalenorian eld for the second time that day. Ryo was sedated and didn't want to see anyone. All he wanted to do was grab his Spellblade and leave the hospital. It was bad enough that the medical staff didn't let him leave, let alone make any sudden movements that could exacerbate the heart valve or any other cardiac terminology used to refer to hos operation.

He had no idea where his sword was, and he had no idea where Nulekai is. What happened while he was out? Did anyone else from the tournament survive? Was the same place where he fought Nulekai still in one piece? And more importantly, why won't this man leave him alone?

Ryo looked at Yin at the corner of his eye, then stared at the ceiling. He didn't want to lie down on the hospital bed staring out into space. He wasn't used to staying in one place for too long. He liked to stay active, focused.

He wanted to find Nulekai, kill him, and redeem himself. How was he going to do it while he was depressed and sedated? How was he going to get out of the hospital without this guy getting in the way? How was he going to fight Nulekai if he doesn't know where he is? He didn't even know where his sword was? Where was his Spellblade?

Where did it go? Where did his will to fight went? Oh wait, they shot out his will to fight, his will to live. Damn Nulekai and his necromancy.

“I know that I picked the wrong time to visit, but I made the right choice to keep you company.” Yin spoke as he tried to lighten the mood. Ryo rolled his eyes at Yin's endeavor to cheer him up.

Ryo elicited a defeated exhale. “What do you want?” Since the elf didn't had any other choice in the matter, the least he could do is listen to him.

“I want to keep you company in your time of need.” Ryo resisted the urge to roll his eyes again, it was the only thing he could do since he got sedated. “I also wanted to tell you that I took care of the man that tried to kill you.”

Wait a minute? How did a frail old man like him managed to take care of a powerful sorceror. And a high ranking necromancer like Nulekai Crane?! Ryo's eyes widened at that revelation.

“Impossible.” He willed himself to sit on the bed. “I've spent the last two years hunting down the most fearsome necromancer in all of Nylvalenor and you've managed to defeat him in one day?! Explain yourself, elder?!”

“I simply blocked his chi using my Yamitzu technique. I hit the pressure point located on his spine and severed the connection with his magic and disabled him.” Yin explained, then balled his wrinkled hands into fists and punched the air recreating the technique as a clear demonstration. “You'd be surprised on how effective it is in combat.”

“Impressive.” Ryo admitted, “Not many manage to cross Nulekai Crane and live to tell the tale. That, and the fact that he silences those who he revives with his necromancy. Now I have another query: where is my sword?”

Yin stroked his beard and recalled the teenage boy who had helped him distract Nulekai. “I'm not sure. Only Ryan knows where it is.”

Ryo arched an eyebrow.

“He and his friends picked it up while we took you to the hospital. Hadn't seen it since.”

“And Nulekai, what happened to him?”

Nulekai Crane laughed triumphantly before Yin struck him from behind, as his knuckles applied pressure on blocking the chi that channeled from the spine and lumbar, the necromancer howled in pain from getting his spine dislocated with such brute force that the deceased drop to the ground once more.

Breloq opened the door for Yin to kick Nulekai out the door. As the door closed shut, it faded out of existence before Yin rushed in to help Ryan and Breloq lift the 6ft tall Nylvalenorian elf, which was difficult to pull off. Ryan casted a levitation rune to lift Ryo off the floor.

“I kicked him out.”

Nulekai Crane opened his eyes as he found himself inside a tent. There was no one there. His body ached, his back hurt even more.

He saw a silhouette approach the tent, so he decided to keep still and pretend he wasn’t awake by the time the owner of the tent came in. Nulekai heard voices approach the tent as well, he couldn't understand a single word they spoke.

Alibabbem, Hashim, and Dirsha were the ones who followed the healer to tent enquiring about the condition in which Nulekai was found.

“Wuşah, how is he?” Dirsha asked while the healer washed her hands inside a bowl full of water, then flicked her wrists to dry her aged hands from years of manual labor.

“He is alive and well, aside from being dehydrated. The only thing he has is a knot on his back. He'll be able to walk in a matter of days, though I'm going to need help to turn him over from time to time. I haven't seen a giant like him in centuries.” Wuşah stated.

“Are you sure about this, nana?” Hashim asked her.

“It would depend how severe his condition is, and the climate.” The healer replied as she went to check on the sojourner, to inspect him. She lowered the bottom of Nulekai's eyelid, his sclera was seen briefly before she closed it. “He also needs more exposure to sunlight, he looks more pallid than a phantom.”

If Nulekai had understood their language, he would have taken offense to the healer's commentary about his natural complexion, but since subtitles couldn't be magically placed in the real world, he had to play dead — or in his case — play more or less ill than he actually was. Alibabbem approached the bed cautiously, careful not to startle Nulekai.

“Has he woken up yet?” Alibabbem asked.
“Not yet. I'll let you know first thing in the morning.” The healer prompted while Alibabbem's hand over Nulekai's shoulder before the healer swatted his hand from the newfound sorceror.

“Ow!”

“In the morning!” Wuşah hissed. Hashim nudged Alibabbem to leave, then Dirsha and Hashim did the same. The healer then put an incantation on a jar full of olive oil and used it as ear drops on Nulekai, then placed a stone on his forehead before she spoke.

“I know you are awake.” Nulekai understood her clearly. “I lived long enough to know that you are not from this land, nor of this world. I will heal you of your disease as long as you don't harm anyone on my tribe.” Nulekai looked at the aged healer who looked more acrid than he is.

“My disease cannot be cured by mere herbs.” Nulekai rasped.

“Of course not, you are rotten on the inside and out.” Wuşah eyed him in disdain, “More so than the unclean ones. The stench of dark magic emanates within you.”

Nulekai gaves haughty, crooked smirk.