Chapter 20: A friend and a shadow

Becca attempted to hit Axel in the face, but he easily parried her blow and knocked her to the ground, saying, "Again." He paced back and forth.

Becca was worn out and sweaty, "I can't move. My body hurttss." She groaned.

When he reached the ocean to wash his face, Axel said, "Take a break." When he had finished washing his face and unbunked his hair, Becca slipped up behind him and shoved him into the water, saying, "Payback." She yelled and laughed.

As Axel prepared to throw her into the water, a pink fireball exploded in the sky above Neverport. As a result, they both suspected something was wrong right away.

Without thinking, Axel rushes toward Neverport, abandoning Becca in his wake. Within ten seconds, he reached a field of purple mist. The residents were apparently sleeping on the floor.

"They are all right, my friend." Pi and Jay stood above him, "Sleeping gas has its uses, when you want to a job down without any issues no." Said Pi

Pi saw Axel's right arm as they descended to the ground, "I see you got new toys into your arsenal. Could you tell me what it is? Maybe a giant, a dragon, or a demon?" He ask as they make contact with the earth.

"Something more divine Pi, I see that you become more dependent on others," Axel said as he started to tie up his hair and approached Pi and Jay slowly.

Pi walks up to Axel and says, "He is a new member of the Lost Brotherhood and a friend of mine. Even though he is still learning the ropes, I have no doubt that he will succeed. How about you yourself? Your appearance has changed over the past fifteen years."

Axel's right arm began to glow, "Life changes once you are no longer a prince; why are you here? And could you give me back Ivy?" He said

Axel was not particularly pleased, but Pi was grinning softly as the two stood across from one another.

"Don't worry about her? I placed her in a cell where we can decide whether or not you can see her." Jay remarked as he advanced slowly while maintaining a serious expression.

However, that sentence caused Axel to laugh so hard he almost fell to the ground, "What is so-" Jay began coughing again before he could finish.

As he wiped away his tears, Axel stopped laughing and asked, "Did you cut off her right arm?" He asked

The question halted Jay's movement and caused Pi to turn his head towards him.

Jay did not say anything, only looked frustrated and disappointed, "Rookie mistake, my friend." Pi spoke to him.

"So, the only leverage you believed you had has just backfired. So tell me, why are you here? Unless you want your friend to have matching scars." Asked Axel.

As Jay attempted to approach Axel, his hair and eyes started to glow. "Keep talking or I will burn this entire village-" Jay said.

He was knocked to his knees after being struck in the stomach with a sudden blow. "Shh, the adults are talking." Axel then kicked Jay in the side of the head, knocking him unconscious.

Axel sat on Jay's back after that and said, "Now Pi, start talking?"

With a sigh, Pi remarked, "We know that you and Kurtis have joined forces to capture us. I was thinking that my sanctuary would be a better place for you, friend. Although we both had difficult pasts, I think we can still become friends. Do not you agree?"

With a small laugh, Axel answered, "You understand why I like to participate in negotiations. It is the process of building trust between two people while keeping your true motivations hidden. Perhaps you will not be like Kurtis." Pi was starting to notice his serene smile.

Pi frowned at Jay before turning back to Axel, "I want you to be the leader of the Lost Brotherhood. With the boy genius on our side, the underground world will really rise. As of right now, only three individuals are capable of producing Hax at 60 percent potency, but they all vanished. But I believe you can turn Hax into humanity's third magical system with no drawbacks." He explained.

"And you and Kurtis?" Axel asked.

Pi chuckled softly and declared, "I am a cold-hearted murderer. However, I still feel compassion for those who are struggling to survive. All of my friends in the sanctuary were being mistreated by an unjust king who prioritizes royalty over his subjects. You should understand what happened next-"

"AXEL!!!" Pi and Axel both saw Becca was coming at them quickly on Diego.

Alex grinned and said to Pi, "I must decline the offer of being the leader of the Lost Brotherhood, even though it is tempting. However, I will admit that I would prefer to work with you over Kurtis. Everything rests on her." When Becca arrived, their gazes shifted to her.

She grabbed one of Axel's swords and climbed off Diego. When she panned over the purple mist, she stopped, "Emily." She mumbled softly.

Then she gripped the sword tightly, "WHAT DID YOU DO YOU BASTARD!!!" She yelled as she rushed in his direction.

"EMILY IS OKAY!" Axel shouted, stopping Becca.

"Calm down, everyone will be fine; it is just sleeping gas." His words helped to calm her down a little. But she still looked angry.

After getting off of Jay, he put his bandaged hand on Jay's head.

His eyes were glowing, and so was the symbol. A few seconds later, he let go and walked away.

After approaching Jay and hoisting him over his shoulder, Pi said, "The gas will last for five minutes. Everyone will then awaken and things will resume as usual. Hopefully, my friend, we can alter the path of history." Pi said, then turned to leave.

However, Becca was perplexed and irate, asking, "Where are you going? Ivy, what happened to her? King Kurtis claims that you are killing innocent people, but why? Why did you come here?" She screamed, still dissatisfied with the outcome.

Pi turned to her and said, "I wish I could tell you right now, sister. It is evident that you do not fully comprehend the story. I will therefore state that Kurtis is a man who engaged in actions that would only be justified by a royal. I understand if you do not believe me, but think about who you should put your trust in." His body exploded with white gas, and he and Jay vanished right away.

Axel sat down on the ground beside Becca and said, "It appears that we ought to have a meeting tomorrow to discuss this. Whether we go with Kurtis or Pi." Becca's hand, which she had been squeezing tightly, caught Axel's attention.

She then let go of the sword and questioned, "Who are you? Why did he know you so well and talk to you so warmly? Kurtis is the same; why did he come back after you sent him that letter? Tell me, who are you?"

Looking up at her, Axel said, "Will you ask me this question again at a later stage? It is too early, in my opinion."

Clutching down, Becca sighed and ask, "Promised I am not making a mistake with you?"

Additionally, he squatted and uttered, "It depends on whether you accept me. But I promise." Then he gently taps her nose with a soft smile.