Tuponili invited his fighters to his cabin for a meeting. Akachi, Fadala and Nyatui felt tired from everything they had seen in the last few fights, but decided to keep up appearances. They went to the box and listened to what the manager had to say. He had set up a dinner table and opened a bottle of sparkling wine.

"You've made me a few million richer. Come, drink some champagne with me!"

Fadala and Nyatui looked at each other. They soon realized what this was all about. The man hadn't called them to praise them, he wanted to ask them something.

"Mr. Trent, your performance was exceptional. You should have come to me sooner."

"Thank you, Mr. Tuponili."

"Look, listen. I've devised a scheme where we'll earn double, or even triple. Your earnings will be even greater."

Akachi was the only one who didn't quite understand the direction of the conversation. He crossed his arms and asked:

"Scheme, what scheme?"

"Oh, Mr. Fenyang, you know how it is, just business. You've done very well so far, but we need to put the brakes on. There are bigger interests involved, and a lot of money involved."

"I don't understand what you're getting at…"

"He wants to arrange the outcome of the next fights in the fifth round."

Akachi looked at Fadala in surprise. As far as the young medium was concerned, there was no reason for them to hand over the points before he could infiltrate them. He decided that he would deny such an offer, but before he could speak, the undertaker gestured for him to be silent.

"How much are we talking about?"

"Millions of Credibits. You don't have to give up before you get in the ring. Deliver the fight, make a little scene, before that, cheer up the crowd. Then pretend to be down, too fragile to continue. Give up, I promise you'll make a lot of money out of it."

Nyatui's muscles tensed. They emitted a crunching sound. He decided not to speak, he was too nervous, and if he tried to counter-argue, he would break Tuponili's face. Agreeing on the outcome of a fight was a tremendous offense for those who sat on the Throne of Force.

"Don't worry, Mr. Trent. This has been going on for years at the Grand Arena fighting tournament. In fact, many fighters only come here for the money. Those recruited by General Luena don't seem to have a very happy ending."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Fadaal raised an eyebrow. He winked at Tuponili; that information could be useful.

"What are you talking about, you're not trying to make us give up, are you?"

"Oh, no, believe me! There are rumors that these fighters are turned into… I don't know, they become guinea pigs for perfecting cybernetic supersoldiers. They become some kind of high-tech combat cyborg. It's likely that those defeated in the tournament, if still alive, will suffer the same fate."

Tuponili dragged on a cigar. He was in full condition to splurge. He let out a puff of pleasure. He smoothed his short hair and said:

"Don't let me down, tomorrow will be a great day."

"Thank you, Mr. Tuponili. We will."

"Ah, Mr. Fadala, don't you dare make fun. You know what happens when a dog tries to bite its master's hand."

"Yes, I do. Leave it to us, sir."

"You can go, sleep with the angels, or the devils, if you like."

The trio stood up. They left the private cabin. They made their way leisurely to their bedrooms. Along the way, they took the opportunity to chat. They couldn't obey Tuponili's orders. A thud echoed down the gray corridor. Fadala and Akachi turned around. Nyatui had slammed his fist into the wall.

"Bastard! Who does he think he is to ask us to do this? You should have beaten him up."

Fadala loosened his navy blue tie. Everyone was tense, even the hitman was not immune to it. The trio were on enemy ground, on a difficult infiltration mission, and containing their greatest skills during fights so as not to compromise themselves. Apart from the fact that there was no external support, there was no chance of a safe retreat if they failed.

"Something like this was foreseen. For Tuponili, we were nothing more than opportunistic fighters. I know this hurts the pride of a former savior, but reconsider. Let's not throw everything away now. There's too much at stake."

"I know, Fadala. I'm just not used to doing things this way."

"Nostalgia is a problem these days."

Akachi listened to the whole discussion. His eyelids closed, and his thoughts drifted to his father. He leaned against the wall, removed his glasses and wiped them on his shirt. The lenses became even foggier.

"I hope Mashal, Feruzi and Spin Bomb are okay. Have they reached the urban guerrilla hideout?"

"I think so."

Fadala was curious about a subject that hadn't yet been touched upon.

"In case we are discovered, or need to flee at some point, how will we get to the hideout?"

"Rest assured, I have the exact location right here."

Nyatui raised an arm and pointed his index finger at his head. A drop of sweat trickled down his teammates' temples. Fadala shouted:

"What if you die? We won't be able to find the others. Tell us the location."

"Are you already counting on my death? What an ugly thing to do, undertaker! Don't worry, I'm a tough old man."

Fadala clenched his fists. Akachi smiled at all that overconfidence. They made it the last few meters of the corridor and went to their rooms.

"I hope no ninja come to visit me tonight."

"They won't, Akachi, none of them. They fought today, they're more tired than we are."

"I hope you're right, Fadala."

Akachi went into his room. He locked the door with the magnetic key. He pulled the handle twice to make sure. He flicked the switches. He went to the bathroom sink and washed his face. He went to the bed and lay down on his stomach. He rested his right forearm on his forehead. Tomorrow would be the start of the fifth round. He didn't know what to expect.

The enemies were more dangerous and more willing to win. He rubbed his chest. The zits of the Scratched Point Magic concealed the metal exoskeleton, but not the key in his chest. He picked up the Spiritual Key of Faith and smoothed out the pentagram that adorned its base. Akachi was at that moment the bearer of his people's greatest faith, he could not fail