Traitor

In a tavern that served drinks and food, there were a couple of Minks gathered together and there was another that stood alertly to the side covered in clothing that covered up their whole body.

Milo was among them and he was sat eating the fish on his plate, he continued chewing until he swallowed everything which allowed him to speak to those that were waiting for him. "Ahem."

He turned towards the covered Mink who was the Mink that was his sword and had been turned down by Pixel to be her own sword.

Milo spoke with a lowered voice and passed a note. "Go to this address and pass on my message. Tell them I am prepared."

His sword nodded before leaving Milo behind, he moved quickly like a silent assassin until he finally reached his destination.

He entered the building after knocking and passed over the note. "The young master agrees with your plan and is prepared for what is to come."

The person standing there looked extremely messy in appearance and was full of various scars which showed that he was someone who normal people would usually avoid.

He had a rough beard, long hair that was messy and his clothes were old and full of stains.

The stains were a mix of different things but there were stains which came from blood that had not been removed right away.

The more that a person saw him, the more they would believe that he was involved in some criminal type of lifestyle.

The man looked at the note and a creepy smile appeared on his face which flashed his missing teeth while the remaining teeth in his mouth were a yellow colour. 'Hmm.. so the plan is going ahead as planned. My business has dropped a lot over the years, hopefully this can help gain back what has been lost.'

He looked towards the sword of Milo then waved his hand. "Tell your 'Young Master' that he should remain where he is until this is all over."

The sword nodded quietly before disappearing which had left the man behind to close his door.

Shouts came from behind which were filled with laughter. "Hey boss!"

"Is it time?"

"How much of a cut will we get this time."

The boss had showed a frown for a moment. "It depends on how much you can contribute."

He looked towards the corner where some pitiful looking children that were malnourished and dirty had gathered together. "My dear children, it is finally time for you to pay me back."

The way he talked was full of oppression and like he was doing them a favour for keeping them there but the fear the children had towards him suggested that they would rather be anywhere else and that he had done nothing for him.

One of them looked down towards the ground with a hopeless look in his eyes. 'We have done everything he has asked… but we get nothing but scraps. I hate him! I hate this place!'

Each of the children had similar thoughts but could not argue against the man.

Experience had taught them that keeping quiet and going along with what the man said would result in less misfortune for each of them.

Each of the children were orphans, runaways, lost children that got separated from their parents or were kidnapped away from their family so they either had nowhere to go back to or they did not have the ability to run away.

Some may have been living in good conditions originally while others may have had very little as a result of them living off what was provided by the orphanage they lived in or through begging on the streets if they lacked a home.

Those without any protection or that ventured off on their own were the most vulnerable to be targeted by criminal groups.

Some were made to do tasks or jobs without pay or rewards, some were forced to commit crimes to bring berries back to the boss then others that were more valuable would be sold off as slaves.

The door was knocked on again then a group of clothed people had entered.

The room became crowded with everyone gathered and one of the cloaked people lowered their hood.

If Pixel was there then she would have recognised that person right away.

It was the young master of the Glutt family who was a hyena Mink who had grown older and taller since she had seen him last.

She had only met those of the Glutt family by chance a couple of times when she was out with Doctor Miyagi but the young master of their family had rarely shown himself in front of her.

The only time that she had seen him was during the hunting competition but that was enough for her to remember him.

Pixel would never forget someone who had provoked her and her family in such a way.

The young master of the Glutt family let out a cackle along with the laughing humans. "Finally our time has come. Hehehekakaka."

The surrounding people had joined in with the preparations that were being made.

What they had planned on the island would not be anything good and it likely involved those from the Meridian Family.

The worst part of it all was that one of the heirs which was Milo had already turned traitor and had some knowledge on what was about to happen.

The day was passing by peacefully on the surface but that was just the calm that appeared before the storm.

Each of the heirs were still undergoing their test but it was uncertain if that would be able to be finished.

Even if it was finished and there would be some survivors that made it back home, those returning back to Zou may not have been as many and the result could either have a positive or negative effect on the future of Zou.

It was not just a simple squabble between two families but it had the future of Zou's supply line being taken over completely by one of the two families.

The Glutt family had been patient to wait for a more opportune time where they could act away from the eyes of the dukes or anyone else that could hinder them.

That time had presented itself on the island that the Meridian family was on since the Meridian family could no longer put off their heirs trial any longer.

Once the heirs had left, the Glutt family had already followed further behind after they had made their preparations in advance.