“You’ve done an outstanding job, Xia Bai.” Sebastian stands on a balcony staring at Xia Bai as she sits on the edge. “Without you, tracking the Mattox boy’s trail would’ve been more difficult. Sadly, we’ve lost track of him and his Pieces now, so if you would be so kind as to help us in our search.”

Xia ignores him, staring out into the distance.

“Unresponsive.”

“Listen. I couldn't care less about what you are or what you’re planning. All I want is Isaac back now! I held up my end of this deal and spied for you. Now we’re done and we’re leaving this game and going back home!”

“Fine. I guess a deal’s a deal.” He snaps his fingers.

A pair of heavily armored men enter, carrying Isaac by both arms. At Sebastian’s command, they throw him to the ground with Xia rushing to his side. She helps him up and stares at him, noticing the dirt, grime, and bruises covering his body.

“Isacc, are you okay?”

“Fine. Just fine.”

“Good. Now let’s go home, they already have your Piece so there’s no need for us to be here anymore.”

“About that.” Sebastian smiles.

Isacc holds out his hand and his King Piece emerges shocking Xia. “Why… why do you still have that?”

“The Mistress has determined that having a few extra hands aboard the ship would be beneficial.”

“I’m working under Morgan now. I’ve given her my remaining Pieces to distribute among her ranks.”

“Why would you do that?”

“To make sure they didn’t kill you.” Isacc looks away. “I did what I did to protect my last ally. My only friend left in this world.”

Xia lowers her head and glares at Sebastian. “What did you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Isacc. He’d sooner die than work for or with Morgan. So, what did you do to him?”

“Do you not believe I sacrificed my ideals to protect you?” Isacc asks.

She glares at him. “No! The Isacc I know is a stubborn fool who’d rather die than let someone as evil as Morgan take power if he could help it. He’d never help her with anything she has planned with this ‘Great One’.”

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“I see.” Isacc’s face twists into a wrapped twisted grin. “The plan was a bust from the start.”

“Who are you? A shapeshifter?”

“I can assure you that is Isacc. Or at least his body. We just put something else in there instead for a while.” Sebastian smiles.

Xia’s body ignites. “What did you do?”

Fake Isacc sighs and holds out his hand. Xia’s flames die out and she collapses to the ground in pain. She struggles to breathe as Sebastian and the fake stand over her. Her eyes go to the King Piece in the fake’s hand.

“You…”

“Part of the fun was figuring out what this thing can do. It can suppress your Mana and all kinds of things. Makes me wonder just what soul came up with these things. They make for marvelous toys.” The Fake says.

Sebastian smiles. “Have your fun. But don’t forget, we still need her.”

“Oh fine.”

“Give Isacc back?”

“Sorry, but not until you do something for us.” Sebastian lowers himself and whispers into her ear. “If you want your dear Isacc back, then you’re going to help us capture the Mattox boy and his entire entourage.”

She nods. “Fine.”

“Good. First, where is his island?”

“Don’t know. We never set foot or found the name of it. Considering what happened, it’s doubtful he ended up on his island.”

“Right, a teleportation mishap. We were thrown all over the place. Thankfully, I was touching the sacrifice. If I hadn’t, I would’ve lost her.”

“So what? Can we kill her? I’m sure if we skin her out, we can make use of her like the others.” The fake states.

Sebastian shakes his head. “No, I’m going to honor my deal with Isacc. For now, she lives as long as she is of use.”

“What did you say?”

“That’s none of your concern. What matters is how can we use you.”

“Talia and Luka are out searching the surrounding islands. But an extra pair of eyes can never be a bad idea. Go assist them in their search. If we’re lucky, the others are chasing after their leader as we speak.” Sebastian orders.

The pain fades as Xia stands. She glares at Sebastian and the fake only for him to squeeze on the King Piece in his hand. She feels something rumbling inside of her and she bows.

“Fine. I’ll go on the hunt.” Her wings spread wide, and she takes off into the air. “I’ll hunt them down. But I better get Isacc back. And if I don’t, I’ll tear your little fortress apart with my bare hands!”

Xia flies off into the sky with Sebastian and the fake Isacc watching as she fades into the distance.

“How long do you think she’ll last?” The fake asks.

“It’s fine. She’ll be a useful tool and, in the end, we can carve her out and put one of our own inside of her if need be.” Sebastian smiles.

“Does the Mistress know? I wonder just how much that clueless girl knows what you're planning?”

“She knows what she needs to do. She’s a useful tool for our purposes. And until the moment she proves herself truly useless, she’ll be a tool and then she’ll be come the meal needed for our final resurrection.” Sebastian smiles as the lights in his eyes fade away. “I can still hear him inside of this body screaming out from the inside whenever I’m near her. It’s a truly brilliant feeling!”

“I’m sure. This one is oddly calm. But it just makes me want to push her more to crush her hopes and see if that gets a reaction out of this guy.” The fake laughs.

“Now go hide yourself away. For now, we have to make preparations. The sacrifice needs to be readied, and the Mistress needs to be distracted.”

“Alright. Have fun playing Butler. I’ll be in the hold having fun.” He laughs, marching away.

Sebastian turns to the distance. “Our lord will be revived and we’ll get our revenge. We’ll reclaim what was stolen from us and bring this world to its natural state.”