1

Soaking wet, Kilian steps out of the bathtub and dries himself with the bath towel before putting his clothes back on. As he is tying his robe, loud commotion behind the doors follows with the wails and rapid footsteps swarming, echoing across the whole room.

<< What a day to ruin my bath.>>

What now?!

<>

One thought came to mind, Kilian grabbed a bowl and filled it with bathwater and braced himself behind the door, listening for the vibrations. There were loud outbursts and a yelp that sounded like the lady from the front desk. Being the private room is right behind the front desk, that's all he could hear being the lady the only within the vicinity.

“Direct US!” one of the loud aggressive manly voices Kilian heard. Then, the slow footsteps are getting closer from the left as he is facing his right at the closed door. The lock is interchangeable. Kilian assumed as then the footsteps and vibrations stopped when it’s at the door, and sounds of the lock click, unlocking the door.

Kilian with his left hand holding the full bowl keeps himself silent as he leans on the wall when the door opens. The lady walks in first bewildered when she doesn’t see him in the bath. “Where did he go?” She scans the private bath until she turns around seeing Kilian already, blue eyed, all equipped. She freaks out and shouts, prompting the guys to come in and Kilian toss the bowl, slamming one of their faces, splashing the cold bathwater all over the entryway. They all trip over the puddle, leaping in the air before crashing on their backs to the laminated wooden floor.

The three men are temporarily paralyzed as they couldn’t move for seconds other than breathing to their horror.

“You the debt hunters again?” Kilian angrily expressed, pointing the blade near one of their necks. “Same clothes, vinyls, and the emblem. Just like the last batch at the eatery. What the hell do you want for all this damn trouble?”

“We are here to summon you,” One of them said with their eyes shut due to their eyes getting burned from the bathwater mixed with bath beans, containing specialized spices.

“To the Hong An Palace?” Kilian’s eyes raised.

They nodded.

“Then don’t fucking ruin my moment when I was gonna leave. Just wait outside for christ sakes.” Kilian sheathed his sword and kicked their backs, ironically jolting them up from the wet floors unparalyzed. “Show me the way then.” All of them leave first and as Kilian leaves he apologizes to the front lady and gives her extra tips for the trouble. I need to find another bathhouse for my next visit.

He went out of the bathhouse seeing the Hong An debt collectors waiting for him. Their faces are ongoingly traumatized. “Well why are you standing there? Let’s fucking go men!” Kilian screamed, spooking them. They turned around walking downhill, leading the way.

While walking, Kilian urgently called Mei, unexpected that it’s gonna happen today. That came out of the blue. It’s today!

<>

Take it easy during the remaining ten minutes till we arrive.

<>

Kilian tongue clicks needed some reflection while walking through the crowded street, accidentally bumping into one of the passersby. His conical hat flew off hanging on his neck. The person reacted angrily demanding an apology. “Sorry, It was accidental,” Kilian said with a gesture. The man shoves Kilian back and caught the attention of others around them. “I said I’m sorry. Is that not enough for you?!”

The man leaps towards Kilian only to dodge. He keeps doing it again and again, failing miserably with everyone else staring. “You are really wasting everyone’s time. When will that even get into your head,” Kilian said, considering whether to take the easier way out.

“Ah.” Kilian jolted backwards and delayed reaction to his temple getting hit by a thrust hand from the man. His mind flashes briefly before thrusting a loud punch to the man, sending him to the oblivion, crashing to the floor. “What an idiot, man,” he murmured. His head thrusts up looking at everyone who witnessed the conflict before departing the area, leaving the man laying on the street. Better than swords drawn. He brings back up his conical hat and leaves the scene, realizing the debt hunters are gone. “Great…” he muttered, jogging through the crowd.

He pinpoints the tower with the dragon emblem while sprinting downhill till he reaches his neighborhood’s intersection. Turning left, he sees the debt hunters, running towards the palace’s direction. Kilian ran through the narrow pathway, chasing after the debt hunters.

<>

Not my issue. They headed to the direction of the palace anyways.

“You ain’t leaving me behind!” Kilian screamed, speeding up close to the debt hunters.

“Gah! Run!”

The three run in despair for their lives. Kilian isn’t backing down, reaching arms distance. The pathway’s terrain is bumpy, unintentionally thrusting Kilian slightly midair repetitively. Eventually his feet pierces through the pathway, emitting smoke from the sole of his ragged shoes.

“Open the door!” one of the men exclaimed, about to reach the perimeter of the palace’s gates. Kilian looks upwards seeing the palace tower to his left and fellow watchers it seems, scattered around the walls and roofs. The metal clanking coming from the black and gold embedded gates, creaks open steadily.

As the door pulled inward, the three men ran sparingly fast that they missed the opening, leaving Kilian remaining as he was able to drift into the palace’s lot. Finally! He internally yelled being able to successfully control his movement to the direction he desired. He applied the brakes to his legs within his triceps, stopping halfway. Turning around, he sees the hollow pathway outside of the gates, created by the trail from his feet. The watchers ordered the door to be closed. Ironically leaving the three men trapped outside.

This is it? So, this is what the Hong An Palace looks like. Huge lots but not that creative from here.

<>

Do I just walk in now?

<>

Ok before we get in there, you want me to do the dirty work or you?

<< I can’t be certain if I wanted to. It’s your body not mine.>>

I mean despite being Klaus’s original body, I’ll take my chances.

<>

Two men came out from behind the gates keeping the red themed robes but also had wraps around their forearms and legs seemingly substituting armor. They summoned in front of Kilian, bowing. They directed Kilian in towards the main palace building. While walking he can hear the three men outside then banging on the gates to let themselves in only to be left on hold.

He headed up the stairs only to find the hall’s doors open revealing in the distance, the large throne ahead. Entering into the throne room, Kilian sees well-dressed individuals sitting on low chairs behind their own tables corresponding to the side of the walkway. All gave a stare at him walking across the room like they were looking down at him. He hung his conical hat on his back before standing right in front of the throne. A wide middle aged man with a white goatee sat on the throne in front of Kilian. “Ah. Here he is,” The king said slowly.

<>

Why?

<>

I’ll be honest, that sounds kind of insanity don’t you think?

<< Just do it and see what he says.>>

Kilian bowed twice.The king greeted back, either surprised or unexpected by the seemingly politeness. “You’re a rare case. Able to bow properly.”

“It’s only natural,” Kilian said, hiding the true intent. “I assume you summoned me after receiving the word from Yin?”

“I did and heard your offer. I would decline,” The King answered naturally.

“I pardon?”

The king leaps off from his chair withdrawing his blade. Kilian lifted his katana halfway from his sheath. The blades vibrate as it clings to one another. Blowing off the ones attending in the throne room. The tables shattered were blown out of the main hall palace, crashing to the front lot. “I want a duel,” the king said, pushing harder downwards.

Kilian’s legs slightly strain till eventually his eyes glow once more, pushing back at the king’s direction while pulling the last half of his katana out of his sheath. As he pulls the blade carving the latter’s blade, potential energy is generated from his blade. He simulates the motion as if he did a slash.

Vibrating sound of his blade followed by a phantom blast sends the king upward, striking through the ceiling. Kilian shoots himself upward, swarming through the ceiling to find no whereabouts of the king.

Bright yellow blast illuminating from behind, he attempts to deflect the blast. Using his forearm, he strikes the base of the blade, clashing through. The blast scatters to smaller projectiles striking the palace front lot and in the vicinity.

“Umph.” A thrust towards Kilian’s back, striking through the roof of the main palace hall, and crashing on the dirt. Something watery came from his left eye, leaving his left side tainted red. He grunted himself up from the crater floor. Wiping his eye, he was left pure dark red on his forearm. Touching his forehead, his finger is soaked with blood. While picking up his sword, Mei screams in his head. <>

“Huh,” Kilian muttered, innately rotating himself to the right, seeing a glimpse of the king extending his arm fully gripping the blade. “Woah, getting risky here.” Kilian thrusted, distancing himself from the king. While thrusting, he grabbed his sword lying behind him. In retaliation, he unleashed a blue vertical energy slash, towards the King’s back. Immediately, he pierced the blade through the floor, abruptly stopping himself flying away further.

Man… my arm stiff all of a sudden. Kilian thought, holding grip of his hilt. He exerted his thighs pushing himself back up. A sight in front of him, staring at the plumes of smoke swarming the air, hovering above the palace. Blazes of fire curve around the smoke, flashing red and orange, coming from the ground floor. Did I do all of this? What in the world am I capable of? He felt something boil within his soul that he himself can’t comprehend. Glancing at his blade of the katana, the character engraved on the blade, flashes purple.

As he was about to ask Mei, the king’s silhouette appeared within the fire blazes like he just stood himself up. His head looks around and around seemingly desperate. Decent sized whirlwind came out of nowhere to his left, swirling to the plume of smoke. The wind annihilated all the smoke in a flash and Kilian looked to his left seeing one guy with both of his hands out, realizing he summoned the whirlwind.

Switching plans he goes for the whirlwind summoner only to fall for the trap as he gets held by other two similar men, each grasping his arms pulling to his back. “A whole ambush, you bastard!” Kilian exclaimed. The king walks from the site towards Kilian.

“That's how it is, son, it's been fun,” The king said flash stepped right in front of Kilian, prompting him to look up. He lifted his sword with everyone at the scene watching the battle conclude.

Loud clang at the moment the king strikes his sword on Kilian. Light envelops the whole front lot, potentially blinding ones outside the palace that unfortunately glanced at that direction. The light dimmed and the king’s eyes were covered and closed. He opens his eyes, not expecting the blazing light.

To his horror, Kilian, with his head down, still remains intact. The blade landed on his shoulder should’ve pierce through effortlessly. The conical hat hanging on Kilian’s back, hovered directly above his head, selflessly put itself on him. His head jolted up, eyes closed faced directly at the King. Eyelids open saccading around him before focusing on the king. “I will say you are definitely crazy…for lasting this long,” Kilian said while the voice transitions more feminine midway. Kilian’s eyes flashes purple. “Now sit back, Kilian. Let me have the rest of the fun.”

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Mei. Right. I forgot she could do that. Kilian forgot she could just take over just like that. He ain’t in any control of his body. Sitting in the dark void, watching the point of view. He could hear and see, it just feels weird to him that he ain’t doing anything other than connecting the observations through his head. Would that make him a spirit currently? He sighs and relaxes his shoulders waiting for the moment.

Kilian, now Mei, with the two men grasping her arms, faintly flexes her arms, electrocuting the men’s entire surface before collapsing onto the floor, bleeding out of their nostrils. She placed her foot on top of one of them, staring at his faded eyes and heard the shallow breaths.

Splat!

The man’s head explodes when Mei gives her stomp, effortlessly killing him. Remaining tissues scattered around the grass and pavement. Not losing the opportunity, she thrusted the King away with the tip of the blade, sending him crashing to the wall. The whirlwind summoner was too late as Mei impaled his hand before slicing through in half, piercing his other hand. The summoner screamed in pain as he quickly backed away and tripped himself, collapsing on the pavement. Mei stabs through his head.

Rumbling from afar ringing through her ears as her head turns seeing yellow eyes shines through the smoke of debris. She could hear a faint exhale from there as if being forced. Now, he is getting fired up.

<< What are you going to do? >>

Mei was startled by the sudden voice of Kilian’s.

<< Haha. See what I mean. That’s how I always felt at the beginning.>> Kilian chuckled

Ok, ok I get it, but I have to kill him. Don’t know if he recognizes my voice yet though.

<< Have it your way. But we need those two alive. >>

Which two? The one at the church?

<< Yes, I still have something I want from them. >>

The king spurted out of the debris towards Mei, ragged clothes, roaring with no hesitation. Mei turned her legs bracing for impact when purple sparkles generated through the left hand. Clenching her left first, she twists her torso before thrusting a jab to King’s temple. Breaking his speed, crashing him down to the pavement floor, leaving a new massive crater.

Scorching yells from behind. Multiple men leaped into the air. Mei exerted forks of lightning from her back, paralyzing their bodies, sending them into a free fall. “Recognize my voice?” Mei said.

The king breathes heavily while dealing with the dull pain inflicted on his back. Could still move his arms and face. He stares at Mei who in return stares at him with beaming purple eyes. “The outlier, that can’t be you!” he exclaimed, coughing up blood. Pointing up at Mei.

Mei went over to the King’s sword. “This blade is supposed to be forced to not be wrecked with,” she said, glancing over the blade. She looks at the palace and the part of the wall where the king crashed earlier.

<< Woah woah, what are you doing?!>>

Mei lifts her sword and thrusts a one slash motion, unleashing a faint purple shockwave, barraging the wall and striking houses and buildings ahead.

<< Oh for god sakes…>> Kilian not knowingly how but he stood up in the dark void and broke everything around him abruptly regaining control of his body. “Man, what a damage,” he said as the voice returned to normal. Holding the King’s sword and turning back to the King. “Well, karma’s a bitch ain’t it. Breaking the rules of duel, so I did the same.”

“You…have the outlier?!”

“Mei? Yes. But speaking of, This blade is not that good,” Kilian said, having another similar motion of slash, shattering the sword. I’m not gonna even figure out how I lose to this blade. He thought, feeling a little tense about it. “Where are the two?” He asked, placing the sword hovering above the King’s eye.

“What two?...” The king struggled.

“Yin and Reginald!” Kilian yelled.

“Cafeter-”

Swish.

Kilian sliced his katana through the King’s skull swiftly before departing into the palace searching for the two. He took off his conical hat while sprinting through the main palace and the mazes of hallways. He stopped at the center of the palace supposedly being the main garden. With three directions he could choose: Left, right, and straight ahead, he chose the final.

Sprinting ahead, he sees someone ahead at the intersection. “Shit,” he muttered, squatting down as he deployed his blade through the concrete. Shrieking noise tempers his ears as he attempts to drift away from the person ahead of him.

Lucky for him he was able to do so, but tripped into a building. He hit his back towards the brick wall of one of the buildings.

<< That’s what you get for interrupting my moment. >>

Not really, I just need time to practice.

<< You're making excuses aren’t you?>>

Desiring practice is not an excuse.

“Are you ok?” A soothing female voice asked.

“I’m ok. Just have leg turbulence. I have important business to-”

The tall lady kneeled down in front of him pulling out a napkin wiping his forehead. “Bad day?” she asked, showing the blood on the napkin.

“Can’t say. It’s been chaotic forever,” Kilian said, slowly lifting himself up from the floor. The lady helped him up. Curious expression coming from her as her head nudges back at incline, glancing at Kilian. “I’ve never seen you before. Are you new here?”

This is tempting. Kilian nodded. “I have a business to do first, if you have any questions can you wait till then?”

“Then you have to answer this one question. What are you here for?”

<< Is that who I think it is?!>> Mei yelled, sounded like she was gasping and exhilarated simultaneously.

“Do you not trust me?”

Kilian looks across both sides before focusing back at her. Those shredded arms outline her clothing, smooth and tightening like stone. Her primary white robes are more illuminating compared to his opposite darker and ragged vibe.

Swoosh.

“You will get your answer after this business of mine is finished,” Kilian said, already behind her. The lady turns slightly, keeping him in her sight. “When?”

“Obviously today,” Kilian said.

He then asked her where the cafeteria was and she pointed to her left. He sprinted off swiftly. The lady looked in the direction and he was already gone.

2

Kilian arrived at the large building after walking over a mini bridge over a small stream of water. He opens the door, heading inside. Decent amount of attendees eating their food. One story with such a tall ceiling where a second floor was a lost opportunity for to not exist. He slowly heads in and seeing everyone is minding their business, not even focusing at the door.

Tables scattered everywhere, he looked around like he was paranoid and misaligned. Eventually he found Yin and Reginald sitting at the table to his right, across from the center towards the wall. They are accompanied by a few others who dress just as those men from earlier in the duel. Definitely having a good time. Laughing, bantering, and savoring their breakfast.

No one paid attention to Kilian, till he unsheathed his katana. Well aware there aren't any occupied tables ahead of him before the latter, he unleashed a weak shockwave attack, mimicking what Mei used. Luckily it failed and turned out to be weak, striking through the tables in half. Knocking all them to the floor.

Kilian walked through the pile of wrecked tables. Pretty ironic when everyone else in the cafeteria ain’t even budge from their seats or panicking but watching.

Reginald, coughing, almost choking on the food he was about to swallow. Kilian walks up to his face first. “Oh, it’s you? It's been a long while since we last saw each other.” He greeted sarcastically while Reginald was unaware who was in front of him.

“Who?” he coughed, looking up.

Kilian smiled, waving with his other hand. Reginald, losing his composure, Kilian shuts him up with his shoe, stating Klaus’s revenge shall be satisfied.

“Mmmmmmmm.” Reginald attempted to speak through the shoe.

“I’m sorry what?”

Kilian pointed his katana blade above his chest and let go his shoe off of his mouth.

“You ain’t doing shit!”

“There it is. That’s the spirit I was waiting for.” Kilian smiled tightly, grabbing his neck, throwing him across the table. Yin stood up grabbing Kilian’s leg, desiring him to stop. He turned, pointing the blade at her. “You can’t even do anything. Don’t even try useless things.”

She was unwilling to let go, he sliced the skin of her forehead. Resisting as she could, Kilian lost it, glazing blue eyes, he leaped up into the air, and twirls himself midair before crashing down to the floor followed by a loud crack. Feeling of hands around his leg depleted and looked towards his right leg, seeing her arms and hands loosen, tumbled to the floor. He lifted his leg away and stood back up.

Reginald grunts himself up, wounded at his back calling out to Yin. Took a moment to realize Yin was lifeless as he saw a glimpse of blood leaking out of her nostrils. “YIN!!”

Kilian punched him in the face knocking him down to the floor. He starts to break d

“Maybe if you had never been an asshole to Klaus and all your past actions I saw in the diary and his book records yesterday night, you wouldn’t be in this sealed fate.” He kneeled down beside him before giving him the one shockwave fist to the face, killing him effectively.

Suddenly, he felt an involuntary decrease in pressure from his shoulders and as if something was cooling his body. What is this pleasant feeling I’m experiencing? He thought, prompting a theoretical answer from Mei.

<< Maybe it’s the remains of Klaus’s desired revenge left in this body. Now free from his past conflicts. The body is now free from the past. >>

May he rest in peace.

Kilian leaves the site, and a group of men in absolute black clothing storm into the cafeteria, confronting Kilian. “Discard the bodies, correct sir?” The man in the lead asked.

Following along, “Yes, who ordered you to come here?”

“Selina sir,” The man nudged his fellows behind him. They dispersed to the scene, cleaning up the site. The man then handed Kilian a slip of paper. “What’s this? And who is Selina?” Kilian asked.

“Your appointment with Selina, she is the head doctor for Hong An. She was able to figure out the premise and passed the leadership to you.”

<< Huh?! >>

“That was all of a sudden. When’s this valid?”

“Just now,” The man said while observing the cleanup. “I’ll leave you till then. You should go to your new residence,” he said, heading to clean up with the rest of his team. Kilian glanced over before leaving the cafeteria. Now knowing the tall lady earlier was Selina, Kilian wonders about Mei's reaction when he was confronted by her and asked about her relations with Selina. Kilian walks away from the cafeteria, heading left as right is just a dead end.

<< One of my only few friends during my time here. >>

I can see why. She was already concerned about my potential injury despite being a total stranger.

<< You’ll like her. She is friendly and nice but not innocent. Selina is very aware of situations and always prepares herself for any uncertainty in the long run. >>

I’ll keep that in mind.

Kilian jogged the remainder of the distance heading back to the spot he was after exiting the main palace building. Instead, he turns left, returns to walking and stares at the garden, admiring its greenery visuals while passing by.

Reaching a corner dead-end, he turns left again and then right at another intersection. Ahead is a lengthy straight path, where the residence is located.The extra note on the slip of paper told Kilian to grab the key from under the entrance floor, hidden by the rug. Eventually reaching to the end of the hallway, Kilian lifted the rug, grabbed the key and inserted it through the door, opening into the lobby.

<< Welcome home, Your new home. >>

“Looks like shit in the back,” Kilian said, exploring the place. As he went in further, the dining room and majority of the first floor away from the looby smells pungent. The plates still laid across the table in the dining room “Insane! Lazy spoiled brats.” He muttered and went to the windows to find out if the residence has its own backyard within. Fortunately for him it’s wide enough where Kilian started dumping the former leader’s junk to the back. Gripping the table stands and follows out to the backyard before backflip kicks the table. Phew! That smell is gone now.

Former leader’s materialism on useless items became annoying to Kilian as he further toured the residence. The residence being two stories, he tried the stairs. The whole upstairs is open, no interior walls but privacy screens instead. He went behind the privacy screens to see a few women laying on the bed, still asleep. Sighs. “WAKE UP!” Kilian screamed, jolting them awake from the bed and their mouths open gasping for air like being through a nightmare.

“AHH!” The second lady or the one at the center of the bed was the first to notice Kilian standing in front of the bed and pointed deliberately back at him. The two turned from her to him also screaming while covering their mouth. “Who the hell are you?!” The second lady demanded.

Kilian with arms crossed, “Your man is dead. I’ll be taking authority of The Hong An Sect from now on.” Glimpsing at the floor around the bed, he grabbed their clothes and threw them to the bed, “Get dressed. I don’t know what the former leader does with his concubines, but you three keep that bed. It’s not mine.”

He observes the three. From the left, the quieter one is all black hair and short dress revealing a notable scar on her left leg. The second and third lady signals some crazy intent just from their stares, but the third presents herself more aggressively.

Seeing there are a couple of large windows, Kilian starts looking around for any useless items near the bed. To his surprise, nothing. “Well good in bed means nothing worthless here.”

“What happens to us three?” The first lady softly.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“She said what will happen to us three?” The third lady said in contrast to the first.

Loud one.

Kilian clicking his tongue. Sigh. “Well. I guess you can stay here. That’s why I said you keep the bed. I was just thinking. Maybe you and potentially the rest who are still alive here can train with us.”

“We can?”

"Better just being concubines right? Come on we all have a new chapter ahead of us,” Kilian said, heading back downstairs.