NOT MUCH LONGER I (Ch. 115)

One week, incessant gruelling abd inhumane training, endless, the team lay wasted on the titanium reinforced ground, panting with heavy breaths, Harold beholds the sight with approval, 

(These kids are monsters) he mules, (that tournament might be a massacre) he grins, no matter, he'd just train a young team of his own, nevertheless he'd maintain his integrity, all information divulged to him would remain with him, nevertheless hus stay in the UWA had him pick up a knack for it, teaching, 

(I actually quite enjoy it, or maybe i just like flexing on the young ones) he muses, "Rest up lads, the final decision comes tomorrow" he states,

"A tournament format perhaps?" Yanick questions,

"How would that work?" Jayson questions his question alluding to their uneven numbers,

"No...not a tournament, a free for all" Harold grins, "last man standing wins" he declares, 

"Fine by me!" Dennis states,

"I agree" James follows,

"It's settled then" Harold confirms with a clap, "how about we go cheer the little ladies on, i'm sure after a while week of training and conditioning there ready for the conversion" he states,

(That reminds me, you were never this meticulous in preparation for my conversion) Raven questions Silver,

{I didn't need to be, your will was weak, nevertheless your will to live was enough},

(And their won't be?) Raven questions,

{You lack awareness, you were by nature an optimistic fool, desperate for change but lacking in action a coward, to cowardly to fight but all the same to cowardly to die, the latter is all the will i needed, in addition, the change isn't nearly as daunting as you make it seem, though i suggest for the self esteem of the young ladies we exercise patience, it's quite embarrassing to be covered in piss and shit from losing bodily control} Silver replies,

"No, i believe in them, they'll get it done" Raven states,

"Well i'm going" Dennis replies, 

"No you're not" Jayson replies holding him back by the shoulder, 

"And why can't i?" He questions gearing to strike,

"Enough!" Harold states, "i believe it's best you all head to your quaters, i'll keep watch over proceedings, Voss, you stay behind".

The rest make their way out, casting glances towards the white eye teen and the mountainous hulk of a man,

"What do you think?" Harold questions,

"In context" Raven replies,

"Dennis",

"No, should the need for a leader arrise wether that be me or another he'll never listen",

"Will he be participating in the conflict?" Harold questions,

"Not in the main one at least, the mission designated by the aunty positions them elsewhere" Raven replies,

Harold holds silence momentarily. A squint of his eyes then a question,

"How are the side effects?",

"What side effects?" Raven questions, "I'm quite satisfied with them, i prefer myself this way",

"Do you?, Well i don't know you well enough to compare, nevertheless kid, you should never forget what it is that facilitates your motivation for power, never let the Relic govern too much if your sentience, never lose sight of what really matters".

Raven cracks a smile, "thanks for the pep talk old man" he replies, 

"I see you've gotten comfortable, i hate to see what you'll become once your family" Harold chuckles,

"Pardon?, Family?" Raven questions,

"Oh my, don't mind me, a simple slip of the tongue" he muses,

(BULLSHIT!)

{BULLSHIT!} Raven and Silver reply in tandem, 

"Get some rest kid, for tomorrow, your going to need it" Harold states, Raven blurs towards his quarters with Harold making his way to the girls.

Laura and Maya take seat center if the titanium dome, their, standing beside Amy Mari watches over them from several meters away, picking on the sound of Harold steps thundering against protesting titanium,

"Oh, they've started?" He questions,

"Just now" she replies devoting her utmost attention,

(I see) Harold muses watching the usual emotionally controlled Shifter gaze upon the two young women with an expression betraying genuine concern,

(She's probably unaware) he muses further.

Laura and Maya pant, moaning as pain thrashed their bodies, 

(I'm tired of being weak) Laura ponders,

(I don't want to be a burden anymore) Maya mules,

(I want to help, I want to be STRONG!) Laura mules,

(So we can stay together) Maya ponders, memories of the tragedy that befell Daryun, (if only we we're strong enough),

(To help him and to save him) Laura groans as memories of her hidden conversations with the female guard in black flash, the two bite back screams that reverberate through their throats as they struggle to hold, their bowels loosing contraction, soaked in piss shit and bile, nevertheless,

"They've done it!" Amy screams,

"Yes" Mari sighs, a weight lifted if her heart, "yes they did" she confirm with a blossoming smile.

Harold nods in acknowledgement,

(This group, their bond, they're definitely something special) he smiles picturing them in several years to come.

The hospital's walls gleaned winter white, accompanied by the sickening stench of drugs and sanitary cleansers, a middle aged lady who looked to be coming to health lay on the standard bed, beside her a sun blonde haired teen dripped in all black, his visage soft as he gazes upon her sleeping form, his heart determined, the war was coming, finally the madness could end, he'd have one try, no re-course, he had to win, this war,

(I HAVE TO WIN!).

"We're home" Warden states,

"Not yet" Nathan replies, his staunch expression contrasted by the bubbly girl in his hands pulling on his budding beard,

"Yeah yeah" Warden replies, "we're here to make sure Dexter held his part if our deal, that they're protected" he replies,

"That and to drop Yerin off" Nathan replies finally giving a toothless smile.

The two using their keys gain access into the complex's doorway, bluring up the steps with ease, in a flash they arrive at the top, a thundering sound if the clap delivered resounds, 

"Shit!" Elaine shouts clutching her hand, "how the hell could you just leave!, You didn't even explain yourself!" She bellows while glaring at Nathan with a wounded gaze mirrored by the entourage of Alexa and Ary behind her,

"And you!" She turns to Warden who flinches back from here death stare, "you're the one with some atom of common sense, why can't you act like it, you even too my child!" She shouts snatching Yerin out of Nathan's grasp, "i can't have you too rubbing off on her, how the hell is she going to find a husband?"

"She doesn't need one",

"I'll kill the bastard" Nathan and Warden reply in tandem,

"Enough joking around, it's good that you too are finally back home, where you belong" she smiles hugging the two as the group fall into each others arms.

Several minutes later the sight of Nathan and Warden looking away from Elslaine one with a sheepish look the other with his ever stoic gaze, the only sign of conflict to be found in his eyes, 

"so let me get this straight..." She states menacingly with a dreadful pause, "WE NOW WORK FOR THAT BASTARD!!?" She shouts,

"Elaine, we don't have a choice" Warden states, his statement triggering a memory that'd lingered at the back of his mind, the deal Duke had proposed, 

(Can i really put them in that kind if risk?, After everything we've been through...no, no, we'll stand with MERCHANTS) he states with decided determination.