MOVEMENT

The four (3) great families of the Skull brotherhood are the Anya family , Ogkpu family , Ikpa-Idem family and Obara family. Each family are known for each of their unique and differing skillsets. The Anya family are known to possess great visual acuity, the Ogkpu family are known to possess sturdy bones and bodies capable of competing against steel or rock, the Ikpa-Idem are known for their flexibility in both body and mind and the last family, the Obara family which has continuously produced more leaders than any other family for the brotherhood. The Obara family are unique in that they are known for their blood and in the grip of something called "the battle rage" are said to possess all the other families skill set but only for a short period of time.

12th floor,

The Fortress.

News of Mitchelle's return brought about movement from the three great families, that is the Anya, ogkpu and Ikpa-Idem family. After all with the return of the Mitchelle Obara putting in motion the selection process for the next heir or successor to rule the brotherhood for the coming generation.

ANYAI Family Suite.

The Anyai family suite was quite spacious, expansive even. It was decorated with various artworks making the rooms look almost like a gallery, so many of the paintings were so life-like that they looked as if at any moment they will step out of their frame. The painting was also of many colors but some were made of the same color with different shades that intrigued the viewer. Any curator who saw these master pieces (for there were more than one) would have been hard-pressed to appraise how much they would cost as they would have just been God damned expensive. The same curator would also have suffered from apoplectic shock when he/she finds out that the owners of these masterpieces considered them less than nothing, trash even.

As right now again another masterpiece was being churned out as a bespectacled old man with silver-gray hair tied back in a ponytail was hard at work producing another one. He took a step back as he viewed the work from various angles.

“How you can do that at your age escapes me" said a chubby young man as he stepped into the older figures workspace munching on a bag of chips

“Joshua… huh, I don't know what you are saying but am getting old before I could finish this before my morning breakfast but now it takes me half a day."

“HMPH"

“What is that supposed to mean, young man? You could do this in half an hour if only you applied yourself instead of stuffing your face with chips."

“Let's not go there pops"

The old man suddenly flipped his paintbrush at Joshua's eyes who blocked it but the paint ended up in the chips.

“Seriously, again! " shouted Joshua

“You complain too much" replied the old man as he left his work studio accompanied by the chubby young man called Joshua.

“So have you seen your opponent? " the old man said in a more serious tone befitting him as the patriarch of the Anyai family.

“She looks intriguing" replied Joshua more seriously.

“Are you even interested in winning the tournament?"

“Not one bit" Joshua replied cheekily

“Why have I been blessed with both useless children and grandchildren?" the old man (George) asked wearily looking up with sky blue eyes.

“Don't know. Ask God." Joshua replied, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously.

OGKPU Family Suite

Bong… Bong… Bong

Samson Ogkpu was working furiously on the sandbag within the Ogkpu's family gym. The sandbag was literally a hollow round metal surrounded by sand within the sandbag. His punches caused the Bong sound to issue out of the sandbag.

The louder the sound determines how hard the bag was punched.

Boooonggggg…..

" Brother, you seem quite set on removing the sandbag from its hinges." said a voice commenting on the rather disheveled appearance of the sandbag which looked about to fall apart at any moment, sand was already slipping out of some cracks on it.

“Dana" Samson replied as he held the bag steady to stop its revolution. His sister, Daniella tossed him a towel.

“Thanks." Samson caught the towel midair.

“Preparation for the tournament?" asked Daniella.

“What else… glug." replied Samson as chugged water from a water bottle “if she is anything like the chief then this tournament is sure to be interesting."

Daniella could only roll her eyes at her brother's eagerness. One look at the feral smile he was flashing was enough to assure that her brother was a complete idiot and battle maniac. She wished that she had his unflappability and willing eagerness to jump into any fight. She was more prudent and hated fights. The upcoming tournament was already giving her goosebumps and not in a good way.

“You do know that there are other participants right? Me for one. "

“What are you saying? The others are no fun. Joshua is never ever serious, Jasper is cuckoo, hmmm… just someone new is nice that's all" Samson said “By the way, when is uncle returning? "

“Tomorrow or next. You of all people should know that he wouldn't miss it." replied Daniella.

Ikpa-Idem Family suite

“Malcolm, where are you psychotic children?."

"Mother"

So went the conversation between Veronica Ikpa, the Matriarch of the Ikpa-Idem family and her son Malcolm as they strolled down a corridor towards the living room. They were also escorted by her other child, Kassandra who was keeping quiet.

“We can hear you, Grandma." said a voice as the trio emerged into a lavishly decorated living room. The decorator seemed to have a thing for red. The voice belonged to a young man of about 17 years, who had reddish-brown hair and wore rings on four fingers of each hand. He was smiling sardonically while lounging upside down on the couch with his legs sticking upwards and head pointing downwards.

“Father."

“Son."

So went the greeting between Malcolm Ikpa and the young man who was Jasper Ikpa, His biological son.

“I believe you have heard. " chipped in Veronica Ikpa.

“ Yes, Grandma. I have in fact heard about the coming of the great one."

“And?"

“What's there? The only question is how good it will be to cut her flesh. Ha….. I wonder her good it will be to cut her apart." Jasper replied with a rapturous look on his face as he twirled a wickedly curved dagger that had appeared from nowhere.

Veronica turned to look at her son, Malcolm “You wonder why I called your children psychotic."

Malcolm stood rigid refusing to look at his mother the Matriarch and did not respond.

“Where's Janette?" asked Kassandra, which was the first thing she said since entering.

“Oh, I think she said something about checking out the fresh meat." replied Jasper.

“Malcolm!"

“ugh…" groaned Malcolm under his breath “Mother, don't worry. It's not serious and Janette will never disgrace our family."

“I guess so. " said Veronica in a tone that seemed to border between grudgingly and doubtfully.