Xinglan was accompanying his three superiors; Solvine, Lloyd and Alastair that they were having a meeting with Xingfa and Zhilan Hastings in Legal Affairs Bureau, he also came with Suiren and his daughter Suona in case they need some connections (and Sonata got dragged before leaving with Claire and Gabriel). He folded his arms firmly, before he flinched when someone tapped his shoulder and he turn around defensively with a scowl. "Woah! Sorry about that, remember me?" Nico asked, before he introduced himself.
"Nicholas Xiao-Long Hayek, you must be infamous Xinglan Hausen, right? I'm from Hayek Clan, nice to meet you! I've been wanting to see you in person!"
Nico asked with a smile on his lips, which made Xinglan froze by his sudden introduction towards him. Usually, not all Huaxian people get along and they usually very selective (with Senja as an exception) and they became friends if they were 'beneficial' or 'prosper' from their principles.
Xinglan already befriended with people from National Postal Service, including Sonata and the rest. He isn't a type of person who would get friendly towards people that easily, especially with someone he never knew like Nico. Then, after thinking of why should he trust Nico if they were total strangers and he is aware of the history between the two clans (it happened before Nico was born), he began to politely introduce himself.
"Right... I'm indeed Xinglan, nice to meet you," he replied with a forced smile and shaking Nico's hand--keeping eye contact as he remained professional, not wanting to be seen unfriendly. He usually doesn't get along well with Enforcers, most likely because they were associated with the government of Canaria. "What do you want, Xiao-Long?" he asked him, with his arms crossed. "Zhilan told me about you before I want to see you, I was her cousin," he answered, smiling at him which made him surprised. "You're quite a celebrity, do you want to be friends?"
When he lend him a hand, Xinglan didn't want to trust him yet but he decided to let it go. He nodded as he began to shake his hand, at least he made a friend outside his organization. "Sure," he replied, trying to sound friendly as he noticed a girl behind him. "Oh right, this is my mistress. Her name is Alice Liddell, she's an orphan and her aunt entrusted me to protect her."
Alice was hiding behind Nico, still holding her stuffed rabbit doll in her arms as she shyly look up at the Huaxian Mail-Hunter in front of them. "So, I want to offer a peaceful treaty, as a sign of friendship," Nico said as he offered him a red panda, an animal that native in Huaxia--which is quite popular by the people in the Huaxia Town of Canaria. Xinglan went quiet for a few moments, after he received a gift from him before accepting it politely as he put the red panda on his shoulder--this caused Alice to tilted her head and watch them interact.
Xinglan hold the red panda that made Suona's eyes sparked happily, she squealed upon seeing the furry animal--making Suiren proud of his daughter. "Let's name her, Xinglan!" Sonata said happily, which made her father chuckled and nodded--while Lloyd, Alastair and Solvine thought this was kinda funny to see, which made Alice surprised that he kept on petting it.
"Fine... how about Wen-Wen? I'm bad with naming."
Xinglan replied, seeing the red panda squeaked softly and purred when he patted its head--he don't mind playing with the red panda and keep on petting it, since he was kinda liking this new red panda companion. Before Suona turned her attention to Alice, tilting her head with a smile. "What about you, Miss Alice? Do you want to be friends?" Sonata asked with a smile, Alice may be younger than them (she's twelve while Sonata, Suona and Xinglan are sixteen) but she was wary towards the two Huaxians, so she hesitated.
Zhilan smiled, looking down at her. "Don't worry child, we're all friends and you'll be protected," she said kindly, making Alice more relieved--though she felt conflicted for some reasons.
After that, Xingfa has agreed to form alliance with National Postal Service because he will be a full-time Chief Operating Officer of Stardust Express Station--after they cut off their ties with Alden.
"Regarding the duel, Xinglan..."
Sonata stopped when she heard them talking, seeing Xinglan stopped and glanced at Xingfa and his wife. "I believe we'll do a sparring once I have time, and I apologize for my recent behavior towards you," he said with a smirk and eyes opening a little, making Xinglan smirked a little. "Yeah yeah, maybe when we're done with this whole mess so we can fight someday," he answered, before he turn around to leave.
***
Vincent had heard stories about Hybrids, some rumors of these mysterious humans who has both human and Husk DNA; he never saw any Hybrid in his whole life but he can imagine that they look ugly and disgusting when he first sees them. He will never know who could have made such a horror-type of monsters—such as Hybrids to cause ruckus to the whole civilization. But that didn’t mean he didn’t see any beauty of these creatures, Husk creature’s skin texture resembles with those of insects, that’s when they’re in their true humanoid forms when they haven’t been transformed.
More worse, what if his dismissal from his position as Postmaster-General came true? His subordinates don’t deserve to suffer with him, the members of National Postal Service; Emissaries and Emissaries are hardworking and they’re diligent workers for a living soul. After Lloyd explained everything about his plan, that made Vincent went abrupt silent by the conclusion.
He know how can he dealt with the inevitable but, he knows that if Master Lloyd isn’t here, Reverse Organization would notice and attack the innocent in his place. He’s not foolish as he claims, and so are others who listened in to him. If he’s here, he’ll make sure that his people will be safe and protected from those sinister, dark and evil entities.
But, what if Lloyd became malicious since then? He would became more serious and grim, even suggesting a revolution against the Canarian government, he would ordered them to take down the current Prime Minister and all ministers in his order--something like 'removing their heads off'.
Lloyd have every right and possibility to retake his position back in power if they kick him out, Vincent secretly wondered if this was his backup plan. “Lloyd, listen here...” he murmured, grabbing Lloyd’s shoulders and leaning closer to him as he spoke to him. “Don’t do something stupid and irrational,” he said softly and calmly, his mentor gave him a dumbfound look on his face.
“I’m just trying to say...” Lloyd stopped talking, because Vincent pressed a finger on his lips to make him stay silent.
“Let me finish first,” he said calmly but strict, while his face showed no sign of emotion. “...you have to be careful of what you say and do, do you understand? Don’t let those words slip past your mouth and think about how is everyone going to react if you made such announcement without any evidence,” he spoke quietly, with no hint of malice or anger. “I’m your apprentice, I know that...” Vincent added, making him chuckle slightly at the sound of his own words. “I would do whatever it takes to keep this city and its people safe,” Vincent said solemnly, making his friend smiled.
“Vincent.”
He felt a hand on his shoulder, looking back at Lloyd and his calm expression for a moment in his office. “You’ll be fine, I’ve already told my plan and actions ahead in the conference while you’re away with Xinglan,” he said with soft but sad tone with sadness written over his face, he looked at his apprentice friend with worried expression before he spoke. “This country needs a good leader, I can’t run the National Postal Service by myself... but I can’t have one apprentice so far away from me and another staying next to me.”
“But we need you, that doesn’t mean you should be doing things on your own, that’s not the way it works.”
“I know, I know...” Lloyd trailed off as his attention back to his conversation, but Vincent already left while leaving him alone with his thoughts of doubt and worry, wondering if Lloyd actually threatened if he’ll be removed from the post of Postmaster-General once he finds out about the truth.
But, knowing Solvine is a Deputy Postmaster-General while he’s in charge of superintending the code of ethics of all postal workers like the Emissaries in National Postal Service—and other Postal Office Branches, also with inspectorate division as the Inspector-General.
Which means... Vincent can convince Sonata’s father, he should let him know about this.
Solvine listened to Vincent’s concerns, it made him nodded in understanding. He knew about this for a long time, but Lloyd hasn’t revealed the details of the plan to everyone yet. “As long he hasn’t done anything bad that break the ethical code...” Vincent paused for a moment before finishing what he wanted to say, he sighed as he lowered his head down. “If he done that, you have to warn Lloyd so he wouldn’t make such irrational decision.”
“I already keep an eye on him and keep him warned, but... you know his brain is very strange sometimes,” Solvine replied back with a humorless laugh while looking at Lloyd from the distance, shaking his head. “It’s hard to tell what he has planned—whether is it a good or bad one. But, I’m remained neutral because of my position, if he breaks the ethical code of conduct or if someone reports me, it’s my duty to do something about this... aside from judging.”
Vincent sighed. “I hope this wouldn’t get messier because we can’t afford to wait anymore,” he muttered under his breath, while keeping his usual cool demeanor up.
“I just... didn’t want him to fall into the darkness,” he told him.
Solvine gave a stern nod, folding his arms. “I can assure you that Lloyd is not that type of person... if he goes to war against the Canarian Government.”
“He won’t let the National Postal Service fall to pieces without his presence.”
Vincent cut him off from saying anything further. “However, it seems like the government is abusing and using the Mail-Hunters as slaves for their own selfish gain. We can’t allow ourselves to be treated that way and being looked down upon,” he said quietly, looking away from him. “And, that’s his plot to protect the Mail-Hunters from the Canarian government and Reverse Organization,” Solvine spilled the tea at his statement, that alone surprising Vincent a bit before letting out a huge sigh, shaking his head slowly. “Damn it, now I’m getting side on him. What kind of brainwashing or persuasion is this?”
“There’s a reason why the Mail-Hunters voted Lloyd as the Postmaster-General, from what I heard--he received 5,000 votings and everyone thought that he was the most suitable for this role,” he informed Vincent.
“Yeah, I wonder what if he has been forced to carry out the act and never allowing us to have a say...”
After that...
Sonata was frowning a little, she couldn't believe she had to investigate to that place again--where she had to endure the suffering and pain by those people. She prayed that everything will be fine, but knowing her PTSD might triggered will make things harder than before. The Winter Wolf Mail-Hunter was waiting in the station, her wolf ears tilted upwards as she came with Claire, Gabriel, Suona, Xinglan and Amaris--not to mention they had to get some informations about them. “Sonata, are you okay?”
Sonata shake her head at Claire, she was in the Stardust Express Station when the Mail-Hunters were tasked to investigate the Reverse Organization in underground city of Sybille. “Do I look like I’m okay?” she asked with a frown, pinning her wolf ears back as she was trying to get over the nightmare. “You’re not okay at all, but let’s get over it okay?” Gabriel reassured, both of his hands tucked into his pockets. “I know it must’ve been terrifying for you, but let’s do something that will prevent that from happening.”
Gabriel added, he always came up with every solutions for some problems—although it’s not the same like Lloyd’s ways. “Yeah… just that I need to do something to prevent that from happening,” Sonata murmured, before she whined. “I hate nightmares! Why is it happening at a first day of the fourth week’s Festival of Lights preparation?! I know I have to work harder as an Emissary—but I can’t let this happening!”
Claire sighed because she wasn’t surprised at her whining, she’s sixteen years old after all… even though her mature side always shown… there can be at times when Sonata can’t take it anymore in this rate. Claire narrowed her eyes, resting her hands on her hips before she yelped by Gabriel’s sudden action to kneel before her in front of Sonata. “Claire, I need to tell you something—and it’s important,” he admitted, making her red-faced because of his sudden advances in front of her and Sonata. What is he doing at time like this? They’re in public eye—the Emissaries are watching them! It greatly made her embarrassed and Sonata was distracted by that. “The truth is, I…”
“Don’t you dare continue that next sentence!”
Sonata went comically confused before her face went pale plus agitated smile, hearing Claire’s shout with her cheeks went red. “Please, Claire! I’m begging you, you’re not just my best friend—you’re my master and I’m your servant under your father’s order, I need you to hear my propositions!” Gabriel continued, making Claire trembled with her violet-blue eyes mixed with anger and confusion but entirely embarrassment. “Eleonora Alastrine Farron, will you please accept my—”
DUAK!!!
Gabriel paused when his face got kicked by her foot that covered by her boots, which making it even more painful by her brute strength. Claire panted heaily that he got knocked out instantly by her kick, she really need to glare at the other Emissaries to cover what happened earlier. “Stupid Gabriel… I don’t want to hear it,” she sneered, before she heard a giggle which came from Sonata herself. ‘Sonata?’ she thought, seeing her trying to hold back a laughter but soon couldn’t hold back anymore.
Sonata laughed like a child, it was a soft but genuinely funny for her because of their uncommon shenanigans. Gabriel was surprised as well despite his bleeding nose, before he grumbled. “Claire, please tell me I did it right—” Claire put her foot on his face, stopping him from talking when she look back at Sonata. “S-Sorry about that! That was just a misunderstanding, and Gabriel has been trying to make me look like a princess and that was wrong!”
Claire clarified while trying to hide her laugh, seeing Sonata wipe off the tears from her eyes after calming down. “It’s alright,” Sonata said with a smile, they’re waiting for her to act like her usual self again—so she won’t be preoccupied by the thoughts about her nightmares which affecting her negatively in her work. “I’m alright now, I think that was quite hilarious for me and… I couldn’t hold back to laugh.” Claire immediately put down her foot from Gabriel’s face, allowing him to wipe off the dirt and the blood from his nose.
See? Everyone want to see you smile like you always do.
The Mail-Hunters were relieved to see Sonata smiled again like she used to be, both Claire and Gabriel smiled by her bright smile. “So, what’s the whole master and servant about? And what are you proposing about?” Sonata asked innocently, tilting her head a little.
Both of them gulped, simultaneously nervous and embarrassed.
It took them four hours to arrive in the underground city with the help of Vincent's photographic memory of the place, this reminds her of the trauma when she used to be almost sold to those people in the auction when she was nine-years old. She can still remember the faces of those girls who was going to sell her; how they are young and sweet... it makes her heart ache whenever she recalled it... but she will never forget them--and how she was able to escape from that--they must find some informations about them in here. Suona also had to endure this for once, she didn't want to go back here again--but she had to do it for the sake of the mission.
The six of them arrived in the place where Marauders of Reverse gathered, they were tasked by Lloyd to investigate a human trafficking and exploitation case along the human and Husk creature’s experiments in there. It was obviously disturbing, but as Mail-Hunters--not only as postal workers; they have to defeat the evil or something equivalent to it, which is why they wanted to eradicate this area before it reaches the point of no return.
Sonata hated this place even Suona can’t stand it much, she must avenge those people who were took advantage by selling them or getting involved in the trafficking since they had to get rid of human lives, they have to protect the innocents with heavy burden on their shoulders. "Did you tell your father about this?" Claire asked, Sonata nodded along Suona who also let her father know about this. "We did told them everything what happened to us, they got worried and decided to wait for six of us here," she answered, looking at her childhood friend who agreed with a nod.
“Alright, we should split our tasks individually.”
Claire spoke, observing the view of the black market which was called the Underground City that only existed in a few parts of Sybille like at night--the Mail-Hunters all felt the atmosphere on the area, with some intimidated as they all understood what's happened there.
"Gabriel, Sonata and I will be checking those shops for a moment--Suona, Xinglan and Amaris can check the lab of the Reverse Organization's hideout. We were told that the Hybrids there are very dangerous and this is our duty to prevent anymore victims being turned into a Husk, so we're going to flee once we're done here."
Gabriel nodded, agreeing with the plan. "Sure," Sonata said as she nodded at Suona--ensuring each other to be safe, she grumbled while her wolf ears pinned down--she growled and crossed her arms with a disapproval look on her face, glaring at the hideout and the black market before walking away with the two. "I also got a bad feeling from this area..."
Suona nodded while she was looking for a certain lab she could sneaked into, she's still aware with her steps since she didn't want to get noticed by the Marauders. Even though this area seemed like an office or so, it was quite long and has narrow passages--which could be perfect for hiding or invading the enemies and taking advantage for cover in this area. "I hate crawling..." she whined, Xinglan rolled his eyes when he overheard her, but he also hates to crawl for some stupid reasons. "I'll destroy this place after we're done with these punks..." Amaris grumbled.
As the two kept sneaking to their respective areas, Suona halted when she saw some of the guards--they were walking so she has the opportunity to infiltrate them, she has to think quick. "Let me do the ambush," Xinglan whispered, he was good at ambush stealth since he once ambushing some people during his old missions. "You're going first in the corner, Amaris will be backing us up. I'll be following behind you."
Suona nodded, she hid behind the cubicle. His cloak was seen above one of the crates, but he didn't waste time--Xinglan surprised one of the Marauders whom were preparing his assault rifle, he used his kungfu along with his high-kicks--he kicked the Marauder in the head and slamming his head on the door, even shocking the whole group with his sneak attack.
One of the Marauders turned on his communicator.
"Vector 5, requesting backup on position!" he snapped, before Xinglan knocks him out by swiping his feet with a high kick in no time and Suona knocks out the other one when she punched him in the face and swinging her leg upward, the Marauder fell backward with black eye--no doubt that she gave him a powerful kick to his face.
Amaris cracked her knuckles when she faced with several guards around her, she sensed one of them trying to pin her down and she bent down and kick his foot to make him fell. The guard yelled and fell down, before she spun around to jump-kick some of them with her foot. "Man, this is fun..." she said with a grin, biting her thumb before she charged against them and backing her colleague-friend up so he can handle some of them.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Suona run towards the nearest crates until some Marauders attempted to use their baton to hit her back and head, but she managed to dodge the attack and clawed the Marauder's cheek with her dragon tail and clawed fingers she extracted. After scratching off his skin he screamed in pain, the other Marauder growled angrily as she tried to suppress her anger towards them by grabbing a plank and smack his head--knocking him out.
Xinglan landed on the floor after he knocked out the other Marauders around him, seeing the injuries and blood almost coated his hands didn't bothered him when he cleaned the blood of his skin while wearing his gloves.
One of the Marauders just appeared behind him was about to shoot him in the head, but he smirked when he dodged down swiftly and kicked his face that sending him flying backwards, dropping his automatic gun as he hit the wall behind him hard--making the others turn their attention to him and Suona who were fighting against the guards.
"Hmph, you guys are tougher than these men at Huaxian district--don't think you won't catch me off guard because the others..."
He declared before he step on a stool and captured a rod that he stabbed on the wall, jumping up and capturing the edge of the pipe below him. "Catch this!" he yelled, tossing a pipe towards Amaris and she caught it--before she spun them and knocks some of the Marauders who began to shoot them. He dropped down to the floor swiftly on the area full of crates, giving no chance to the Marauders who were trying to catch them. Suona jumps and grabs a chain that she swung down on one of them while Xinglan punched a Marauder who's unprepared, but suddenly another came up from behind him to grab his arm, Suona throw the bucket at him, making him unable to see and Amaris knocks him out by hitting a pipe across his head--leaving him fallen unconscious.
"Guess you have many fighting styles..." she huffed when the girl was wiping her nape, watching Xinglan grabbed a chain to tie the Marauders up while they were still knocked out. He can able to disarm them quickly without taking up much of time--in short, Xinglan is able to beat them by a mere seconds as if he know their movements. It is believed that he was trying his best and used skills just to ambush the guards without him being cautious. Amaris also skilled in martial arts, but she focused on the brute and delivers an aggressive hit on the jaws, nose and ears.
Meanwhile, Sonata was walking between Claire and Gabriel while looking around the guests in the auction--hiding behind the curtains so they're not being seen. They were suspicious due to how rich they dressed, though the people there don't question them while trying to look for the escaped hybrids and victims. Sonata went pale to see the same people who kidnapped and auctioned her and Suona from the distance, making her wolf ears pinned down and her PTSD triggered again. Her heart squeezed in pain when she tried to suppress her sobs, thinking how long this nightmare will end until it just made it worse.
"Sonata, can you--"
Claire paused to see her kneeling and holding her chest, fear overpowered her heart and tears was seen on her turquoise eyes. She gripped her knuckles, sniffling. "Those people in the auction... They're all the one's who will kidnap me and force us to slavery..." she whispered, shaking a little from the memory in the past. After being stuck in that hell for a long time, she developed a strong mental and physical issues of an inability to believe in or trust others easily--which makes her trauma worse. Because of this, she suffered from mood swings, emotional breakdowns and re-experiencing the childhood abuse by those people. Despite taking her trauma therapy with Suona, the past will never leave her.
Gabriel nodded at Claire before he take out a napkin for her, telling her to calm down. "And also for the poor children who were being put in here..." she added. Claire crouched down to comfort her while Sonata is calming down, as Claire was stroking her hair that calmed her a bit--making her tail moved slowly. "Sonata, you can tell us what are you all been through when you and Suona were captured. That way we can free them from here, but please don't force yourself if you can't explain them in details..." she said to her softly, patting the young girl's head.
After thirty minutes, she spoke up quietly to them. "It was the darkest period of time when Suona and I were both captured, abducted--forced into slavery," Sonata explained, her heart ached by the truth and trying not to cry due to the unfortunate events that happened in her past. "Until... there was some kind of smoke and the auctioneer got attacked, then... I grabbed a key to escape and I freed Suona from there too... we both escaped together," she explained, using a napkin to snort loudly and sniffed. She doesn't mind exposing the secret while she was thinking back, she didn't want to hide this anymore.
"Who was the one who saved you from those bandits?" Gabriel asked, his voice is very serious and stoic while staring at her. "I don't know... nor Suona doesn't know either, because when we were escaping we saw them--attacking everyone and saved both of us along other captive kids. It felt surreal as if our lives are like this..." she said, while trying to find the kidnappers' clue.
Just like her former friends who were Sonya, Serena and Irina who betrayed her and Suona--they weren't very gentle or showed some kindness to her and they left her which hurt her feelings. Suona is the only friend she ever trusted, and it made their bond stronger like a family despite how short their friendship but they made a good memories during these long years and she was grateful of her. "I already told my father about this... he was angry at the Reverse Organization for what they did to me and Suona... even Suona's father, Master Suiren... thankfully our fathers understand and helped both of us..."
Sonata explained, before she hugged both of her best friends and the trio's bond grew stronger--just like Suona with Xinglan and the other Mail-Hunters. "It's okay, take a deep breath... I know you can do this, Sonata. You have to face against your fear, don't ever look back anymore," Claire whispered as she patted her shoulder, while Gabriel is rubbing circles on her back to keep her comforted.
After a moment, Sonata calmed down and nodded--no longer afraid of what she has seen. "I can do this, guys... I don't want to be scared anymore," she whispered, before she pulled away and her eyes showed determination--wiping off her tears. Sonata doesn't need the perfect hero to save her--she just need people who can listen to her struggles, trust and believe in her--so she can move on from the past. It applies similarly to Suona, she just want to move on from the past.
Because a 'regret' and the negative thinking will harm her emotionally and the bond between people who's close to her, those people didn't want to deal with that and nor they could understand her situation. Sonata remembered how her best friend Claire always telling her that if she's feeling down, she always here for her and listen to her struggles. Gabriel also telling Sonata that if she need to take a break, then she should. Sonata remembered Claire said this, when she's at her lowest point:
"Sonata, both of us are weak. All these tears will make the two of us stronger, we're not weak if we're scared but become strong for our future. Even we have our secrets from other people we know, we're capable of defending ourselves for everyone's sakes."
Not only that, Gabriel also said this to her:
"Sonata, remember that the three of us always together no matter what. Claire and I may be eighteen and you're sixteen, but… that doesn't mean we're giving up and being helpless. Don't worry, Sonata, everything will be okay because all the three of us are strongest under the same sky."
For a man, he was calm and much smoother to speak of his mind--but also a good brother figure for her. After Sonata listened to both of them, she immediately hugged them--both of them are her best friends after Suona, Xinglan and Amaris. Claire is her older sister figure and Gabriel is eldest brother figure for her, they never left her side.
"Let's stop them."
Back at the lab...
Suona's eyes widened when she saw the entirety of the lab, with a large golden chandeliers above them with the large water tubes filled with some organic life form and machinery were neatly shown while they managed to avoid the scientist guards and reached the staircase that led to lower levels of the laboratory. Her face went pale, before she coughed while covering her mouth.
"Suona, what's the matter?"
Xinglan's voice, filled with concern as he watched her crouching down and coughing hardly when Amaris was tapping her back. Her PTSD triggered by the memories of her childhood, thankfully she managed to calm herself for a while. "Laboratories… laboratory--" she continued stammering that they couldn't understand, before his cold expression slowly turned soft after seeing her quivering expression. Amaris hold her shoulder carefully, trying to listen to her. "Lab... I'm afraid of those test labs, lab means tests."
Suona remembered when she and Sonata were being captured and almost put into experiment, before they fled and going to be auctioned when they are not being seen by the customers. Sonata saved her during those auctions, however she will never forget the fact the both of them are the subject of human experiments. Her tail was shaking, even her whole body trembled from being tormented and being seen as nothing but object to them. "Suona, is there something wrong?"
Amaris asked, noticing her panic attack relapsed. "Nonono, I'm afraid of needles! Xinglan! Amaris! I'm scared! I can't go down there, please...!" Suona cried, she became hysterical that she was crying uncontrollably--both emotionally and psychologically. She sobbed, almost hyperventilating and clutched her shorts while her eyes looked unfocused at everything around her. Her heart was beating so fast, her skin felt numb and she was sweating a lot from the anxiety.
"Calm down!" Xinglan yelled, unaware how on earth her personality shifts in this panicky situation--his eyes slightly widened when Suona flinched and covered her ears, before she stared at him with her panicked teary-eyed expression with terror. "Don't yell at her like that! Don't you see what happened to her?!" Amaris whispered to him with a glare, completely silencing him and noticing her condition, but right now her emotions has been switching randomly as if she is confused.
Xinglan didn't show any slight disgust or expressionless when she was hiding her face into his clothes, making him comforting her. He know how it feels to have a trauma, it was hard to control their own minds by any forms of intrusion; memories, imaginations, nightmares or flashbacks--by the environment triggers or other events in the real world. He could still recall of his past experiences on dealing and suppressing the emotions to get back to reality, but this is a different case--he felt his chest pang with guilt to see Suona like this while Amaris shushing and soothing her while Suona trying to take a deep breath.
Now he understands how Sonata felt when she experienced her trauma first hand and the reason she cried, it's very difficult. "This is a normal response, I won't blame you if you're afraid--those scientists better go through me if they dare hurt you again."
Suona sniffled, sitting on the floor as she was covering her ears--she tried to suppress her sniffles. "Listen to me, we have to retrieve some documents and that information," he responded to her, her serpent dragon-like ears twitched and she glanced back at him--still sitting on the floor. "Just breath, no need to cry or feel scared. This is not the time to worry and panic, you have me and Amaris, you also have people cared about you--especially Sonata. We can defeat these people, and the past won't happen once again--I'm glad if it doesn't… you don't have to blame yourself for being scared."
Xinglan handed the handkerchief to her, the little girl appreciate the offer and begin to wipe the tears off of her eyes. Xinglan held her to stand up while helped by Amaris, patting her back--like trying to soothe her emotions. He had his arms folded, looking at the scientist's laboratory--surveying the entire area for clues. "I'll keep an eye on her, you can continue to check around. Let us know an update, but keep up your guard," Amaris reminded him, he nodded as he adjusted his Automotive Gear on his back.
Xinglan let Suona take a break while he was heading into the stairs, he needed to check the lab since it was a difficult place to be located. He was watching her expression becoming less tense and seemed not anxious anymore after he has spoken with her. 'The snow is such a nuisance, it reminds me of the snowstorms during blizzards in Huaxia,' he clicked his tongue in annoyance, and he turn around to face her. "Everything is going to be alright... I promised you," he told her calmly, before he heads into the stairs down.
'She's suffering due to her PTSD, it's already expected that she has similar experiences as Sonata does.'
Xinglan thought as he touched the railings, facing forward. 'She needs some time to recover from her trauma, and confronting it with her own willpower to calm her nerves--it took time for me to move on. If those girls we met knew her, I'm not sure if she would return to normal. Maybe… because I was the one who was saved by her back then, she feel comfortable when I'm here.'
No, he can't do such thing as trauma bonding; as of the principles of a Hausen, he didn't want to do that. He will never fall for it, but this experience sure is unforgettable. He reached the laboratories, he remembered about the secret. He clicked his tongue in frustration, he wondered if he could share this information with Solvine and the others--mainly Suona and Sonata's past. He remembered the look of her desperation, he never felt more alive and calm as ever when she is asking for help, her gentle embrace made him smiled softly--as soon he received the comforts for both his troubled mind and the suffering of his sins on his shoulders.
When he checked downstairs, it was a storage room where rifles were stored and kept--even Automotive Gear weapons that belongs to the former Mail-Hunters who were dead by the hands of them. He spoke to the vintage handheld transceiver, reporting everything to the others.
Amaris stood beside Suona who was sitting on the floor, trying to get rid of the numb-like sensation from her body. It took her hours to calm down from hyperventilating, before she heard Amaris spoke. "You know... not everyone has perfect background, I know I'm not perfect... even everyone is not perfect," she explained, making Suona curious about her. "When I was a child, I grew up in poverty after my parents passed away. My younger twin brother and I had to move to different places because our cousins refuse to buy houses for us, until we were able to live with our aunt who has been so kind to us. My younger twin brother is currently working in Stardust Station as a General Manager now, he always liked public service just like me--too bad he can't come to my Mail-Hunter inauguration due to his official duty in Selune... he wanted to come to congratulate me. I really miss him, you know..."
Suona listened as her mood began to lighten up a bit, this is the first time she have heard of Amaris' background since she never tell anyone about herself much. Except this, she seems to open up when Suona befriends with her and Xinglan--making her shifted from disinterested and detached self into determined and courageous self. "After I made some friends, I realized that having people who supports you makes us stronger... it helped me get out of my comfort space and able to move on from the past. Even if some of them doesn't want to help you, remember that you're not alone--there's many people who cares about you."
Amaris said with a smile, patting her head and made Suona pouted with a frown. "Stop... don't touch my head," she whined, until she saw Xinglan returns from the storage room. "There were Automotive Gears belonged to the Mail-Hunters who were killed by the Marauders, I already report the others regarding this matter--are you okay now, Suona?"
Xinglan asked, Suona nodded with a small smile. "I-I'm okay, for now… also, thank you for being my friends, both of you..." she said, before she felt Xinglan hugged her and Amaris also hugged her. "Thank you, Xinglan, Amaris," she thanked both of them, smiling brightly as he pulled away with Amaris--although he didn't smile back; he prefer to take physical touch and some comforting words; he nodded back and turning away from her.
"No problem, let's get going."
In the auction...
There's no other rooms except the VIP room of the private rooms that somehow can be opened so that they're not catching anyone's attention, nor anyone is curious of them being there. "This is sick..." Claire grumbled, when they were standing against the walls. "Stay away from the Marauders who were guarding at front door--they're holding a weapon on their hands, Suona, Amaris and Xinglan should've taken care of them from down there."
Gabriel whispered, before he saw the guests were chatting about some deals from the auction. The guests were wearing masquerade masks similar coming from the cheeks and fancy outfits with the number "N1" printed on their backs.
Sonata growled quietly, why are these people exist? They're probably working for Niebel Industries or in other words; Niebel Union. These people has been conducting experiment behind the scene by stealing the illegal organ in each regions to ensure survival; they're hoping that their activities won't expose to the light; they're willing to eliminate anything and anyone will know about the existence of Niebel Union and the deal with Canaria.
They're even worse than devil because they treat humans as if they're mere tools--even though they're humans, they heard the thumps of shoes and a cackle could be heard as the doors opened. The male auctioneer shouted, the same one who tried to auction Sonata when she was nine-years old with Suona--she told them about him and it made Claire and Gabriel even more angrier, glaring at that man from the distance.
"Now, now, to the next business that you all see! Hybrid-106; being a species of the Husk: known as Four Roses Husk. Young and ready, it's quite obedient despite lacking human emotions, since it's a Husk with modified organic tissue... not only a prototype of its siblings--it also gains advanced superhuman capabilities!"
He declared when everyone seeing the person he was selling and it was a black-haired individual wearing a black cloak as it has long black feathers similar to a peacock; it's wings of a raven but its hair slowly reaching to his shoulders. "It's okay to laugh, laugh at it because it's not worth a penny. And when it returns to nothingness, put a collar and leash on it. It can live the rest of its existence tied to a chain, chained so its fingers are nearly clawing at the ground."
Sonata, Claire and Gabriel were at the balcony in the fourth floor of the auction hall, crouching to the railings so they won't be seen. "Alright, what should we do with this bastard? I rather deal with a monster than a filthy piece of trash that's still standing there laughing like an idiot and treating them like crap."
Claire whispered, annoyed by their expressions. 'What an uncultured bastard... not only that, they even laughing at crying young woman there...' she thought. Gabriel hummed with a nod, his composed expression remained there. "Gabriel, what's the plan for now?" Sonata asked, she didn't pay attention to the person they're trying to bid.
Gabriel turn to look at Sonata, nodding at her. "Sonata, take your position and use Chopin's Nocturne," he beckoned his orders as she nodded--aiming her Chopin's Nocturne Op. 20 towards the victims who was trapped and wanting to be sold. "After I knocked out these bastards, I will approach him. It's been awhile I had a wonderful fist fight, so I'll take a good care of him."
Sonata saw Amaris, Xinglan and Suona returned from the distance as they signaled clear after the people were tied up in the corner and the laboratory were vacant except if a guard will appear, Gabriel instructed both of them to remain their positions and watch the doors for any sign of enemies coming. Suddenly, Sonata's body glowing in bright light while she aimed her focus on them--they were surprised but decided not to disturb her yet.
The trio aimed their respective Automotive Gear weapons into the guests and the guards, using a flash bullet to activate a smoke and flash bomb-like interference that blinds and disoriented them while Sonata opened the window and shoot Chopin's Nocturne. A loud glass shatter from below the window once the smoke blast-off around the area, they have some smoke bombs of their own to use as their weapons--it began to spread around the hall.
"Stop them!"
"Give back those children, dammit!"
"Keep them off!"
"Focus on capturing those--!"
The bodyguards were wide-eyed to see Amaris blasted her Automotive Gear towards them, destroying the entire place and she began to take down the men. The Hybrids suddenly appeared, growling at the Mail-Hunters who were holding up their respective Automotive Gears towards them. Sonya, Serena and Irina grinned as they escaped from the lab through sneaking out of the NPS. "Well well well, looks like somebody has a showdown, huh?" Serena asked, the battle has just begun and the six of them began their battles against them.
Sonata glared at them, she wasn't afraid anymore--she saw Sonya was about to throw an ambush at her and she swung her weapon towards her; making her wide-eyed from being deflected. Sonya landed on the platform, looking up at her. "What the--" she paused to see Sonata's eyes were flaring red, her snow-white hair also glowing in white-blue color as her weapon was glowing in golden light. "Are you expecting me to be scared anymore?"
Sonata questioned, unaware that her eyes were flaring red in front of her. "Huh, what's this? Are you becoming a big girl now?" she taunted, extracting her cicada-like wings behind her back along her clawed fingers. "It doesn't matter now! You're going to die with your little friends, Sonata Nocturna!" she yelled, sprinting and flying above her and charging her claws towards Sonata.
However, something deflecting her from attacking Sonata and she got crashed into the platform. Sonya growled, how can this be? She tried again and it failed when Sonata aimed her Chopin's Nocturne Op. 20 in front of her, making her gasped in fear. Sonya thought she was going to kill her, she closed her eyes when she felt a blast went straight past her side--killing the Husk creature who appeared in the auction hall behind her. When it crumbles into pieces, Sonya slowly opened her eyes and look around--realizing that Sonata didn't kill her out of hatred--she simply killed the Husk behind her. "W-Why did you--"
"Save that for later."
Sonata responded, her eyes went back to normal as she smiled and turned around. "We came here to arrest the Hybrids and getting rid of the Husks, not killing you guys. Also, you're going to regret for leaving me there... Sonya," she warned, turning around as the Mail-Hunter enforcement squad were waiting outside the underground city, arresting the guests and the Marauders--especially the auctioneer who were trying to get away in the moment of blindness.
Claire punched the masked men at the last men that holding the frightened young woman who was about to be sold, knocking them out without harming her--they began to interrogate the auctioneer regarding Simon Gallagher; the leader of Reverse Organization. After an hour and a half, the storm has calmed down.
They found evidence of Marauders and Reverse Organization committed many crimes while kidnapping innocent people for experiments and creating Hybrids that made some Mail-Hunters frowned in disgusted. Even though the organization is opposing the government of Canaria, both sides are not as pure as expected, and they only care about the benefits--no matter what happened. What if their plans succeed? This is a big failure to the sake of future humanity.
"Canaria is not better than United Society, huh..."
The auctioneer whispered, he was being withheld by the reinforcements. 'I give up, don't worry, once Simon hears about this--I won't lose to you guys.'
Sonata sighed heavily, slumping her shoulder when Claire came closer to hug her younger best friend. It took a moment for her to regain herself, Sonata look back at Suona who has been with her through childhood until now--their bond has grown stronger after everything went through during these years, there's nothing she can do for now but try to calm down and recover her stress. "Are you okay? Was... everything hurt?" she asked to her when she hold her hand.
Suona shook her head gently when Sonata squeeze her hand back, then letting go as she was petting the wolf girl's head with a sincere smile on her face. "No need to ask, we've known each other for a long time. And your comfort is enough, besides this... place is disturbing and not meant to be our resting places anyway. It's not about surviving for me and you, it's about living for us--with the path that not means to be ended so soon."
Sonata heard her stated, feeling her hand patting her shoulder. It's true, a trauma will only torment people in every moment when there's a trigger that will affect their condition. Suona is not an exception for a mental illnesses, she didn't want to make it happen at this rate. It didn't stop them to see beyond their trauma, they can live a normal life and heal their injuries--even trying their best to fix their mistakes; this is something that cannot be delayed.
'The Child of Light...'
The auctioneer thought, staring at Sonata from the distance.