The next day, the Master Family Alliance had read Xenia’s statement following the rejection of her bizarre marriage proposal and convened to discuss her intention to push forward against the United States.

Master Heraklinos walked with Master Karasu, “I quite agree with President Monroe of the United States. He has merely traded one southern aggressor for another. We will stand with him, and as we have all discussed today, we are thrilled to have our newest member so close to the action. You and your ninjas will serve as the first response alongside the United States military if Xenia follows through on her threats of aggression.”

Karasu wore loose black robes befitting of a ninja master as the two men walked through the Heraklinos palace campus. He maintained a stern expression as he replied, “The Karasu Clan, or rather the Karasu Empire as it is now, is happy to prove our worth to the alliance. I think you will find the top seats under my tutelage to be quite impressive, even when faced against BloodStar forces.”

Jarek responded, “The other Master Families foresaw this as a possibility, and indeed, is why many voted to induct you as a Master Family. We are proud to fight alongside you and your ninjas. Your skills are formidable even amongst the ranks of people such as me.”

Karasu laughed, “Jarek, you are too kind. My skills are formidable, but I wouldn’t dare put them to the test against the likes of you. Not yet, anyways. I am working on a few new techniques to deal with the Warlord BloodStar though should she show herself on the battlefield against me.”

Jarek began to respond; however, an obviously concerned Captain of the Royal Guard rushed towards the two men. Jarek instead softly said to Karasu, “It would seem troubling news may have already reached us.”

The Captain rushed and stopped at the feet of the two men, “Masters Heraklinos and Karasu! I have news regarding our rescued prisoner.”

The Captain panted heavily as Jarek said, “Well. Go on. Is it good news?”

The Captain shook his head, “I’m afraid not sir. Peter passed away this morning, and as he did… his body was revealed to be that of the doctor who examined him yesterday.”

Jarek’s expression turned to one of concern as he realized an intruder may be present on the palace campus. He began to speak, but the Captain continued, “Forgive me, Master. There is one more important bit of news. Last evening, the credentials of the same doctor were used to access high-security archives in the royal library. The electronic system indicates whoever used those credentials has not yet left the archives.”

Jarek gave a look of irritation, “Is that so?” He then looked to Master Karasu, “How would you like to help me capture a very crafty rat?”

Karasu unsheathed his sword and responded, “I’d love to. Dead or alive?”

Jarek smiled, “Alive if possible. But if this adversary is of high-caliber, do not hesitate to kill for the sake of damage control”

Karasu nodded, and Jarek took off running, “Follow me!”

The two men ran at full speed causing waves of air to bend the nearby trees and bushes as they waved in the gust left by the two speeding Masters.

They soon arrived at the Royal Library, and the librarian immediately welcome them both, “Masters. How may I be of service to you both today.”

Jarek was polite but impatient, “A murderer has gain unauthorized access to the high-security archives. Show me the security camera at once.”

The librarian wiped the joyful smile from her face as she recognized the current situation to be quite serious.

She brought up the security camera on the monitor as she said, “Dr. Valentine has been skimming high-security files. All related to the BloodStar Empire. He said it was urgent to find a cure for the rescued Pope Peter.”

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They all looked to the monitor with a bit of confusion. It was plain as day to see Dr. Valentine sifting through file after file. The librarian then brought up his credentials used to enter the high security archives, “Badge and biometrics to include voice, fingerprint, retina, and face recognition all matched.”

Jarek frowned, “Something isn’t adding up. Master Karasu and I are headed to have a word with Dr. Valentine.”

He stormed off in the direction of the high security archives coming to the entrance as he scanned his fingerprint, retina, and face before stating his name for voice recognition to gain access to the facility.

The high security archives wing wasn’t huge, and Dr. Valentine was visible from the second they entered.

The doctor turned to face them, “Gentlemen! I have been sifting through file after file for hours all through the night.”

Jarek picked up a stack of papers nearby the doctor and said, “All BloodStar related material. That seems to check out. But did you know that Pope Peter has passed away this morning?”

Karasu stood with his sword drawn; however, he found it odd that Dr. Valentine showed almost no anxiety and paid no attention to the threat of force.

Dr. Valentine continued to make repetitive motions without answering Jarek. Jarek took a step forward and said, “Doctor! Your patient has perished. Answer me. Did you know?”

Dr. Valentine looked up and said, “Gentlemen! I have been sifting through file after file for hours all through the night.”

Jarek reached out to touch Dr. Valentine and found his hand passed right through him. He grimaced, “A hologram!”

He then turned back to the door. He thought to himself, “Sealed shut. But whoever entered should have registered when they exited.”

Jarek picked up the phone and called the front desk, “Does the high security archives show any exits since I entered?”

The librarian answered, “Yes. The second after you entered, Dr. Valentine exited.”

Jarek clenched the phone tightly crushing it into a million pieces as he said, “Come on! Our infiltrator has fooled us for the last time!”

He and Karasu rushed to the entrance of the library as Jarek yelled, “Show me the footage of who exited the archives!”

The librarian pointed past them as she shouted, “There! That woman! She is the one who left!”

Jarek turned with a scowl to see a beautiful woman with long black hair, slender waist, and big boobs walking across the plaza. The woman looked back and smiled at Jarek and Karasu as she seemingly vanished from sight.

However, Jarek and Karasu were able to detect traces of her and began their hot pursuit.

They ran to exit the library and as they did they were drenched in endless images and sounds of terrifying nightmares. While these nightmares preyed upon the victim often taking the shape of specific examples of the victim’s past, Jarek and Karasu were bonified masters. They steeled their mental fortitude and cut through the induction of terror like butter quickly dismissing the crippling mental ki attack.

Karasu yelled, “Follow me! She is headed for the main gates!”

Karasu led the way as they pursued the infiltrator. They caught up to her as she rushed through the columns of the main palace entrance. Karasu sent a perfectly aimed strike of ki from his sword to the infiltrator’s back slicing her deeply across the back.

The woman fell to the ground and stumbled half way down the steps as blood covered the steps she fell upon.

Jarek followed up by sending rings of ki to bind her hands, feet, and neck immobilizing her with the threat of deadly force should she struggle any further.

The woman found herself instantly maimed and restrained at the hands of the two Masters. Jarek slowly approached her and said, “Constance Khan. The Nightmare Witch.” He crouched down next to her, and she smiled, “Jarek Heraklinos. The Perfect Warrior.”

He didn’t return the smile and simply said, “Explain to me what you were looking for in the high security archives. You were there for quite some time.”

She continued her joyful expression despite her injuries and restraints, “I was connecting the dots of history. You have some. We have some. But no one has an entire, full recount of the world’s history. Is it a crime to be curious?”

Jarek stood, “It is a crime to kill a doctor. To use his credentials to falsely enter a high security facility. To attack two Masters with your mental ki attacks. To evade arrest.”

She began to laugh at his list, “Kill a doctor? Me? Never.”

Jarek looked down at her and said, “Tell me where Peter really is. And I won’t kill you, Constance.”

She didn’t take his threat seriously for a second, “Kill me? I don’t think you want to do that.”

Jarek turned to Karasu, “This is Master Karasu. He is better with the blade than any known ki user including your beloved Warlord BloodStar. He could take your head off before you even knew what was happening.”

Karasu stepped forward with his sword and said, “You won’t answer our questions. You laugh at our authority after breaking our laws. It is time for answers, or it is time for death. You choose.”

Constance smiled up at both of them, “You wouldn’t. I dare you to kill me.”

Karasu turned to Jarek for permission to kill on his palace grounds. Jarek nodded, and Karasu raised his blade.

As he raised his blade over his head, a cold-chilling voice reached the ears of all three of them sending shivers down their spines, “As the young Mistress Khan says. I wouldn’t dare.”