The Awaited Day

Kassius kicks up.

Kassius: "Already? Well, time to go!"

Kassius picks up Arnold and carries him on his back. He starts walking towards where the flare shot up from. Kassius walks through the forest. Not the slightest noise being made.

Kassius (in head): "This second test was something. I'm beat! Hopefully the next one won't kill me hehe."

Kassius walks for a while. He looks ahead in the distance.

Kassius: "An open field? Are we back?"

Kassius walks past the trees and reaches the center of the woods where he sees a few students and the bus.

Kassius: "Looks like we're back."

Kassius walks up to the group and lays Arnold down on the ground near the bus. Kassius stands in the group and Romulus walks up to them

Romulus: "You finished your second test. Congratulations on not dying. For being the Get on the bus and let's get moving."

Everyone starts heading on the bus. Kassius picks up Arnold and places Arnold's arm on his shoulder and takes him in. He seats Arnold in a chair near the window and sits next to him. Kassius looks behind at the back of the bus.

Kassius (in head): "Not many people left. At least Bonnie and Jinsoku made it."

Hermes enters the bus as it starts. The bus drives out of the woods.

Arnold: "Mm..."

Kassius: "Yo. You're awake. Check it out. You passed."

Arnold looks up. The board displayed the winners of each block.

Arnold: "You too."

Kassius: "Yep. Now all that's left is the third test."

A random participant near the back stands up.

Participant 1: "Um, excuse me? I think we're missing a few people. My friend, they aren't on the bus."

Romulus: "Everybody is here. Everybody that survived, that is."

Participant 1: "Survived? You don't mean..."

Hermes: "..."

Participant 1: "Who did it? Who killed him?! Tell me right now!"

The bus stays silent.

Participant 1: "So that's how it is?! Then ma-"

Romulus: "Enough!"

Everybody looks towards Romulus.

Romulus: "Do you think this is a game? That you're here to have fun?! Are you mocking us?!"

Participant 1: "No, I..."

Bonnie: "You, just like those that didn't make it, signed up, knowing the risk. Furantur builds strong thieves. Death, is merely a small part of what you'll face. And you're already whining?! You might as well quit right now and save us the trouble."

The person, trying to think of something, ends up mute. He slowly sits down.

Random person 2: "So what happens to their bodies?"

Romulus: "They were given a proper burial. The woods is their resting grounds now. Now I'd prefer silence right now if that's possible."

The bus goes dead silent and it continues driving. After a while, Kassius starts falling asleep.

Man (in Kassius's head): "Don't forget, you have until then. Don't disappoint hehe."

Arnold: "Yo."

Kassius: "Huh? Oh Arnold. What's up?"

Arnold: "You were mumbling in your sleep."

Kassius: "Oh, sorry."

Arnold: "No problem. Just woke you, in case you might've blurted out something embarassing."

Kassius: "Hehe. Thanks. Hey, Arnold."

Arnold: "Yeah?"

Kassius: "Why are you trying to become a thief?"

Arnold: "Why? I guess I'm doing this for someone I care about. I made a promise to her and I'll keep it."

Kassius: "Who?"

Arnold: "My little sister."

Kassius: "Aww. How old is she?"

Arnold: "She would be eleven."

Kassius: "Oh. I'm sorry."

Arnold: "It's alright."

Kassius: "If you don't mind me asking, what did she ask for?"

Arnold: "If you want to know, she asked me if I could bring to her grave a Shingeto painting. She said it was her most favorite one."

Kassius: "A Shingeto painting? Aren't there only two in the world? That painting must be worth a fortune."

Arnold: "It is. I can't afford it, so I'm going to become a thief and get my hands on one."

Kassius: "I saw rumors that say the paintings let you speak to the dead."

Arnold: "I know. But that is an old legend. I'll be happy enough if I can even just give her the painting."

Kassius: "You care about her a lot, I can tell."

Arnold: "Anyways, what about you?"

Kassius: "Me? I'm in it for the glory. I just want to live as I please without restriction. To become the greatest thief known to man. I also promised a certain person I'd meet him again one day."

Kassius removes his wallet from his pocket.

Kassius: "He gave me this and we bet our lives on it. The winner will take the belongings of the loser. The ultimate battle of thieves."

Arnold: "Do you know where he is?"

Kassius: "Zero clue. I never really checked the news. I don't even know if he's alive hehe. But I'm confident he is."

Arnold: "How long do you have? Until this fight?"

Kassius: "Well, I believe we agreed four years from when hit the news first. He said he'll only do it if I'm big enough. Otherwise it'd be a pointless battle."

Arnold: "Four years. That's not a lot of time. You think you'll be able to win?"

Kassius: "Well, I hope so. Otherwise my whole life was pointless hehehe."

Arnold: "I'm going to rest. You should too. I have a feeling this next test will be tiring."

Kassius: "You're probably right."

Both of them close their eyes, going to sleep. At the back of the bus, Bonnie stares out the window with a tired look.

Jinsoku: "Looks like you were roughed up pretty bad."

Bonnie: "Looks who's talking, mummy boy."

Jinsoku: "Heh. You got me. But I don't get it. You passed. Soo why're you so gloomy?"

Bonnie: "I didn't win."

Jinsoku: "Huh?"

Bonnie: "I passed out. I didn't walk away the winner. I'm weak. That's why I'm gloomy."

Jinsoku: "Weak? Cmon. Don't sell yourself short. Besides, who really cares if you're weak or not? Being a thief isn't just about being strong."

Bonnie: "It is for me. A thief that cannot be toppled. Strong resolve and an even stronger body. The force that can break through all. That's what I aim to be. I'll get stronger no matter what."

Jinsoku: "I believe it."

Bonnie: "Huh?"

Jinsoku: "You seem strong willed. I believe you can do it. I respect you."

Bonnie: "Thanks. People usually laugh or mock me. Well, except Kas. That's why he's my friend, you know? I guess you're like a second friend now."

Jinsoku: "I don't know about all of that..."

Bonnie: "This is your second time, right? Why are you trying to pass?"

Jinsoku: "Honestly, I just want to leave this shithole. I never really wanted to be a thief. But I'm broke. So I guess become a thief is my only way out of this place. And when I become a thief, I can explore the world and figure out some things. Find out what makes me special."

Bonnie: "Hopefully we can both pass and get closer to our dreams."

Jinsoku: "Heh. By the way, you're the first person I've told this to. Don't go tattling."

Bonnie: "Don't worry. I won't tell. I kinda picked up the whole secluded vibe."

Jinsoku: "Thanks."

Jinsoku eyes shut and he falls asleep. Bonnie continues staring outside the window and her eyes slowly shut. After a while of driving, the bus stops.

Romulus: "Everybody up! We are getting off!"

Everyone wakes up and starts heading off the bus. They get off the bus and line up.

Romulus: "Test two is complete. Welcome back to Furantur. It's very early in the morning right now so I'll let you guys get some rest. To the people who have passed, you will head to the room you had started the exam in where food and sleeping accomodations will be provided. Your third test will be led by the principal. The rest will be free to go home. May you fair better next year."

Romulus looks at Jinsoku and Arnold.

Romulus: "Seems like this year has a decent group. May the best pass the next test. You are dismissed."

Everybody walks into Furantur and Romulus walks away.

Romulus (in head): "I've learnt enough. Seem the one I was watching lost to the supposed failure from the Subayai family. The other kid, no doubt about it. He must be the prodigy from the Jenovise family. They both might have the greatest potential in that group."

The group that passed walked into the building. They walked all the way to the room. When they entered, there was a long table with food all over it and sleeping bags at the back of the room.

Principal (on speaker): "Have as much food as you want. Get some rest too. The final test is in a few hours."

Everybody walks to the table and takes some food with them. Jinsoku grabs some food and goes to his sleeping bag. Bonnie stacks her plate and walks away. Everybody looks at her.

Kassius: "Bonnie!"

Bonnie turns around.

Bonnie: "Huh?"

Kassius: "I challenge you."

Bonnie: "Can't you accept defeat?"

Kassius: "We'll see about that."

After a few minutes, Kassius is lying down on the floor groaning.

Kassius: "I can't..have... another..."

Bonnie: "You're still no match, Kas."

Bonnie cleans her plate.

Bonnie: "Done! Challenge me when you're actually a challenge."

Everybody watching starts laughing. After a while, everybody heads to sleep. At 6 AM, the sun light cracks through the window at the back.

Principal: "Everybody up!"

Everybody starts waking up.

Principal: "Need I repeat myself?"

Everybody stands up and runs to the front. They stand in a line. The Principal starts pacing around.

Principal: "So we are down to twenty huh? Only half will pass this final test then. This will be the test to decide the next batch of thieves. So let's get this third test started shall we?"