HQ Party

"Where....here!!!"

A loud shout came from Ernesta. We're here in front of a huge mansion. It's most likely three to four times bigger than A-1 HQ. It's white with so many windows and a huge door.

"Okay, let's go!"

Ernesta pushes the huge door. After opening it, a huge number of people inside the mansion look at us. They have the same uniform as us but different colors.

"Ernesta, you're being too loud.", Commander warned her.

"Who cares, we're at the party." she replied.

She's might be right, we're at a party but this is not the kind of party that Ernesta not should expect. Some of the people here are in a higher position and some are the same as us. This is kind of the party that you shouldn't be loud or noisy.

The people look at Ernesta for a second and get back to what they doing. They don't mind Ernesta's loudness, maybe they're used to it or they just respect her.

"This is not the kind of party that you should be noisy, Ernesta."

A girl appears out of nowhere warned Ernesta. She has long black hair and small eyes, and she's kinda small like Ernesta.

"Relaine!!! Nice to see you again. Did you miss me?"

Ernesta jumps and attempted to hug her. The girl immediately pushes her away but Ernesta is so persistent.

"Just shut up! You're being noisy again and also, I'm don't miss you whatsoever."

"You might be getting stronger and change so much but there's something that didn't change to you."

"And what is that?"

"You're still smaller than me."

Ernesta pointed her finger at Relaine and start laughing.

"Shut up!! You're just one centimeter taller to me."

"Well, I'm still taller than you."

"Urgh!!! I can't take this anymore. Electro-"

"You two sure are close huh."

Another man appears. He has the same uniform as Relaine.

"Want me to burn you alive?"

"My bad my bad."

"Who are they?", I asked Commander.

"They're from A-2 HQ, that guy named Steve, he is Commander while Relaine is the Vice."

"I see I see. How about Ernesta's relationship with Relaine?"

"Relaines and Ernesta are childhood friends."

"Hmmm."

"Don't mind it, it's normal for them to fight like that. Especially with Ernesta's personality."

"Thanks for the info."

"She's also the strongest Vice Commander."

This time, it's Darius now who spoke.

"Strongest Vice Commander?"

"Yeah, but originally is from Ernesta but as time pass, Relaine takes that title."

"She's a really big deal huh."

From their looks, it's hard to say that they friends but they look like they enjoying doing that.

"Ahh! jeez, come on Steve let's leave."

"Yes yes."

"Awww! Come on Relaine, let's play more!!!"

"Shut up, and we're not even playing in the first place."

Two of them are already let.

"Okay, let's go now."

Even though we're at the party, will still have a mission. It is to gain help from the others, of course, we can't ask help from other headquarters since they have a specific place to protect. We're going to ask for help from other powerful people. We have to find a person that has the ability and willingness to give help to us.

When I heard about this mission I suggested asking for some help from Vinna's father but Commander refused. Maybe she doesn't want to think that the A-1 uses one of its members to gain some power.

Since this party only happens once a year, we have to accomplish our mission before the party ends.

"So, who should we ask first?", Ernesta asked.

"Let's get some information first."

All of us walked around the mansion. We can see different people from different HQ and people from different places.

I look at Vinna, she looks disappointed while facing the ground.

I can't spot anyone who came from Moirai. Even the king itself. Maybe they have important business to take care of.

"Oh, isn't the A-1 HQ."

Someone call us.

"It's a pleasure to meet you here Prince Rafael."

Commander greets a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes, he's a little taller than me.

*Prince huh.*

What he wears, how he stands, and how he looks is very prince-like. He's really a prince.

I saw Ernesta glaring at the prince

"It's been a long time since we last met, you still pretty. Why don't you become my wife and be the next queen of Polos?"

*I see. Now I know why Ernesta glaring at him like she's going to murder him anytime.*

"Sorry, but I have no interest in becoming a queen."

"I see. Oh!"

The prince stopped for some reason and look shocked.

"You're the princess of Moirai right?"

"Yes, and then?"

"Why don't you become mine instead?"

My mind goes blank for a second. I was going to grab my knife when Ernesta stops me.

"Ernesta..."

"Don't do that."

I let go of my knife.

*That was close.*

"Sorry, but I rather marry Hiro than a person like you."

"Geh!"

"Geh?"

"I-its nothing."

*I almost slip there.*

"I see, but I won't give up. See you again princess."

The prince already walks away.

*Sigh*

Even though I'm not the one who spoke to the prince, I'm most likely relieved when he's gone.

I don't know whether I should be happy with what Vinna said. When I think about it clearly.

*Wait! Did Vinna hate me or I just misunderstood what she said?*

Instead of thinking about that deeply, I just continue walking with A-1.

We pass through many people but no one seems to have the capability to give us what we want.

I decide to go to the restroom and Darius follows me.

"It looks like we're having a hard time."

"Yeah."

"Hey, Hiro, what should we do?"

"I actually don't know. But we have to get more information about the other people here."

After washing our hands we're planning to go to our group when Prince Rafael saw us.

"Oh, you must be one of the new members of A-1."

"Y-yeah."

"Can I know your name?"

"I'm Hiro."

"Hiro huh."

"Yes, I'm Vinna's fri-"

"It's kinda disappointing to see a servant in such a place."

"Um..."

"Oh, you're saying something. What's your relationship with Vinna again?"

"I-I'm Vinna's...."

"What?"

"I'm Vinna's servant."

"I see I see. Of course, some lowly servant like you couldn't be a friend with a princess right?"

Even though he's insulting me, I try to calm myself as much as I can. I just look at the ground to avoid getting read my emotion.

"Sorry for wasting your time. Come on, let's go."

The prince and his servant walk away.

"Hey, Hiro, you okay? That must be tough."

"Don't worry. I got a plan now."

"Really? Wait, don't tell me...."

"Yes, he's my prey now."

"But why?"

"He's the only one I can see to be fit in our mission."

"Can you explain?"

"Of course."

________________________________________________________________________________________

We're still finding some people who can help us. This is taking so much more time than I expected. We are now sitting to rest.

"Sure Hiro and Darius taking too long huh.", Ernesta said.

"Yeah."

"Hey, Vinna."

"Yeah?"

"You should explain to Hiro what you said to that prince."

"Why?"

I was confused about what Ernesta said.

"Hiro might think that you hate him even though you love him."

"I don't hate Hiro and also I don't love him!!!", I shouted.

Thank god that all of the people are busy chatting with each other.

"Wait, does what I said really look like that?"

Ernesta nodded while her arms crossed.

"I see, I'll explain to him later."

"That you love him?"

"Yea-no!! You moron!"

"Hehe"

*This girl!*

"Jeez."

________________________________________________________________________________________

"That's the plan. How was it?"

"I see."

*I wonder if he's disappointed.*

"I think it's cool."

"It's cool?"

"Yeah. I can't believe you can do something like that."

"Eh? No, it just, it's an emergency."

"Just kidding."

The person that I think can help us is none other than Prince Rafael. Even with his personality, I can manipulate him easily. To all of the people here, I can say that he's the most inexperienced one. Most of the people here in higher positions are kings if I exclude the members of HQ. He's the only prince here, so that means, he's the less capable person in this mansion. I can't say that he's not great for his position but he's the only person that I can manipulate. I will use his pride to achieve our goal.

"Let's go, Hiro."

"Yeah."

We went back to our group. All of them are sitting. There are two free chairs between Greg and Rick, we sit there.

"You take so much time there. Don't tell me you sneak up on Girl's Bathroom?", Rick said.

"Ah no, there just too many people, that's all."

"I see."

All I have to do is to think of a plan on how to get Prince Rafael's trust.

"Hey, did hear something?", Ernesta asked.

"Hmm, I don't think so."

"Wait!"

We hear some steps from outsides. From what it sounds, looks like something huge coming this way.

"Everyone!", someone shouts.

After that, a huge thing destroys the wall of the mansion. It's an Outsider who looks like a giant elephant, it's three meters tall with gray-skinned and night sky eyes. Its tusk is filled with a blue line.

"Ooooo!!!", sounds came from the Outsider elephant.

It runs in different places, destroying anything he passes through.

"Prince Rafael!"

"Wait that's!"

The servant of Prince Rafael shouting his name.

I look at the prince whose now being targeted by the outsider. He's laying on the ground. If he didn't get away, he will get stomp by the Outsider.

"Ernesta! Use your steel thread."

"For what?"

"To throw me at the Outsider."

"What?"

"Just do it! There's no time."

Ernesta immediately grabs her threads and wraps them up to me. After that, the thread moves on its own and throws me directly at the Outsider.

The Outsider notices me and tries to thrust his tusk into me. Ernesta immediately moves her thread to dodge the tusk. I landed at the prince's location.

"Hey, you're still alive?"

"S-save me, please!"

"Don't worry, I'll handle this."

I removed the thread around me and throw it at the prince.

"Wrap up to your body."

"Eh?"

"Hey, you Hiro! Don't just use that without my permission!"

"Just let him use it."

"Ah jeez."

Ernesta finally uses her thread to get the prince away from the Outsider.

"So what now?"

*The Outsider is too big for me to fight. His huge feet are enough to crush me. From what it looks, its body is too thick, I don't think I can cut that.*

"It doesn't matter."

I grab my two knives. I was ready to jump when Commander shouted.

"Hiro, get out!"

"Eh?"

The ground is shaking for some reason. I jump away.

The ground swallowed the feet of the Outsider. The Outsider tries to remove its feet to the ground but it looks like it can't. After a few seconds the ground where the Outsider stock split into two creating a huge pit, it's wider than the Outsider. The Outsider falls into the pit and the ground closes again.

My mind couldn't process what happened. I'm still confused and can't say anything.

"Are you okay?"

The Commander and the others run into me.

"Ah, eh, I don't know."

"You're not okay."

"What just happen to the Outsider?"

"Oh that, it's been swallow by the ground.", Ernesta replied.

"What I mean is, who's the one use that ability?"

"Wait, you don't know who's ability is that?"

"It's from me."

I look at the person who answers my question.

"Commander?"

"Yeah."

"Wait... are you serious?"

I never thought somebody has that kind of power.

"That's why she's the Commander you know."

*Now think about it, if Ernesta can do some incredible things, that means...*

"Quit wandering, let's check the people around here."

"Y-yeah, sorry."

I run towards Prince Rafael. He's shaking.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Your highness!"

His servant arrived.

"T-thanks."

His voice is so low. He's still scared. He tries to stand up but because of so much shaking of his body, he loses balance. I grab his body and put my face near to his body.

"You shouldn't act like you're scared, remember you're the prince.", I whisper to him.

"Huh? G-got it."

He stands up properly and the shaking seems to lessen.

"Thanks again."

"No worries, that's our job after all."

"Sorry."

"About what?"

"The way I treat you in the restroom and calling you a lowly servant."

*Oh no.*

"Y-you don't have to worry about that. You shouldn't mention that after all "

"Eh? Why?"

I can feel a dark aura on my back.

*This is bad.*

Vinna walks slowly towards the prince and holds both of his shoulders.

"Tell me, what did you say about Hiro?"

*Gulp*

I swallow my saliva. I walk towards them.

"You don't have to worry about that. He already apologized."

Vinna glared at me with piercing eyes.

"This guy calls you a lowly servant and you just accept it!?"

"Well...yeah?"

"Jeez Hiro, you shouldn't let other people look down on you."

"But!"

"No buts! This guy should pay!"

She holds his shoulder tightly.

"W-wait, please spare my life."

"Vinna, a princess shouldn't act like that."

"Who cares about being a princess if your friends treated like that?"

*I see.*

*Sigh*

I sigh.

"Okay how about this, let's make a deal Prince Rafael."

"A deal?"

"Yeah."

"What kind of deal."

"Well, how about this, our team needs help, you know manpower or power or something like that. How about you help us in exchange for sparing your life?"

"Help? T-that's all?"

"Yup."

"I see, then I'll help you."

*Gotcha*

Even though I haven't come up with a plan. I think everything is going well.

"How about that, Vinna?"

"Tsk."

She looks disappointed after clicking her tongue.

"By the way, thanks again. Can I ask your name?"

"But I already give it."

"What I want is your full name."

"I see. Well, I'm Hiro Sage."

"Wait! What did just said?"

"My name?"

"No! What's your name again?"

"Hiro Sage?"

"No way! A Sage?"

*This guy is creeping me out now.*

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Hey."

He walks slowly towards me and holds my both shoulders.

"How much?"

"How... what?"

"How much do you want for you to join in my side?"

"W-what!?"

"Just name your price!"

*When did I become a product?*

"Why you're asking me that?"

"Well of course! You're a Sage after all."

"So, what about that?"

"...Wait, you didn't know?"

"Yeah."

"Wait, Hiroro, you didn't know anything about your family name?"

"Yeah?"

"Then let me explain."

Ernesta volunteered.

"Sage is a family of smart people!"

"Smart?"

"Yes, after all, they're the ones who created amulet to fight Outsiders."

"Wait! Sages created the amulet?"

"Yup! The first one ever created is from the Moirai, so that means, your family is the one who created it first."

"Woah, I never thought you have amazing blood on yours, Hiro.", Vinna said.

"Sages are actually family of travelers. As time pass, the Sages travel again to other countries. Now, it's actually near to impossible to see a Sage. Having a Sage in your place is actually a blessing."

"I see."

I don't know how should react.

"So, Mr.Hiro, are you interested in my offer?"

"Sorry, but I'll pass."

"Eh? Why? It's not enough?"

"Hey! Who said you can take away Hiro?", Vinna protested.

"Well..."

"You know, I'm not really interested in that. I owned the king so much."

"I see, well, that's sad. But if you change your mind, don't hesitate to come with me. Okay?"

"Yeah."

"This place is a mess. You guys should go home.", Commander said.

"So long partner."

"Partner?"

I think about what Ernesta said regarding our family.

*Think about it, if they the ones who created this amulet, that means they know what my amulet power is?*