Chapter 67 : Ambush

Noche and Mr. K arrived at Circus Maxima. The Colosseum is empty and dark. They cautiously walk deeper into the arena.

"Something's not right," said Mr. K.

Noche looks around. "It's too quiet," she mumbled.

Shortly later, Diabolos comes out from the shadows. Venturi and Rosario followed behind him. Both Mr. K and Noche stay on their guard.

"Welcome," Diabolos greeted.

"Good to see you," said Noche. "Any other job you want to offer?"

"Not exactly," said Diabolos. "You see, some... news happens to reach my ear."

Noche looked at him cautiously.

"I heard that you've been visiting the black market with one of my gladiators, right Albus? Or should I say, Captain Albi," said Diabolos. He turned and pointed to the entrance behind him.

Noche and Mr. K flinched. Few of Diabolos' men pulled Albi out. He was tied to a chair and badly beaten. His mouth is gagged.

Diabolos smirked. "You think I wouldn't know that you're here to spy on me?"

Mr. K looked sharply at Albi, wondering if he had leaked information about them.

"I've been watching you from the beginning," said Diabolos. "The raid at Cirque du Sombre and the raid at L'ultima Cena. They happen as soon as you get involved in them."

"You accuse me based on such a low assumption?" Noche asked.

"Oh, no. Of course not," Diabolos replied. "One of my spies saw you at the black market with Albus. The skill you used in the black market is similar to the one that you used during the tournament."

"My ice magic...." Noche mumbled.

"Once I know your face, it's not hard to find who you are," said Diabolos. "And by the way, the slaves that you freed from the black market, was mine."

Mr. K quietly plays with his watch, trying to send a danger signal to the rest of his team.

"I see... so that's how it is. You really are the king of this planet," said Noche. "Every illegal worker that is hired throughout this planet, came from you. You're the one who provides this planet with slaves."

"Indeed. All my men are scattered throughout this planet. I have eyes and ears everywhere," said Diabolos.

One by one, hunters and mercenaries came out, surrounding them in the arena. Albi struggles. He tried to break free from the ties.

"So you want us dead now," said Noche.

"No no-no. Not yet. Not before I get the rest of your team, Astraeus rangers," said Diabolos. "And I also need to know what's your plan."

Both Kaizo and Axion pulled their swords. She looked around. She can spot a few A-class hunters.

Axion grips her sword.

"Get them," said Diabolos as he walks up to his VIP seat.

Mercenaries begin to shoot. Kaizo activates his energy shield. Axion summons ice daggers and takes down a few mercenaries. Hunters begin to charge in as soon as the shooting stops. Kaizo and Axion fight back to back. They tried to stay close and fight as one. But not only they're outnumbered, the enemies they fought are also skilled.

Axion rolled her brain. Thinking of a plan.

"So, how much did he pay you to get me?" Axion asks.

"Pretty much. 25 million for you and 6 million for him," said a fighter.

"Wow, that's cheap," said Axion. "But hey, my head is still worth more than yours," she said triumphantly to Kaizo.

"Hmph!" Kaizo grunt. "I can't believe you are still joking at times like this," he adds as he parries.

Axion swung her sword, cutting down a few hunters. "Grumpy people get old quickly. So you might wanna joke around and live a little," she said. She beats another hunter and turns to Kaizo. "Laughter is the best medicine to have a long-lasting youth," she adds as she gives a thumb up.

Kaizo looked at her with a done expression.

Albi struggles to loosen the tie. Diabolos' men left him at the edge of the arena. Few sharp weapons fly at him. He uses all his might to move the chair and avoid the weapon. A dagger land not far from him. He squirms closer to the dagger and manages to pull it out. He starts to cut the rope and break free.

"Axion!" Albi yelled.

Both Kaizo and Axion looked at him. He beat a mercenary and took his sword. Albi charged through his enemies and run towards Axion.

"Good to have you join us," said Axion.

"I hope you didn't spill out our information to Diabolos," said Kaizo sharp.

"Don't worry. I didn't say a thing about you two."

"How much does he know?" Axion asked.

"He knows your identity, your team information, and everyone in Cirque du stellar," said Albi.

"I sent a warning to Ramenman and the others," said Kaizo.

"No use. This whole place got jammer. We can't contact anyone."

"Heh! Diabolos really uses his head," said Axion.

The three of them stand close to each other, fighting together.