"I'm telling you not only as your right hand, but as your best friend, that these guys have amazing potential." Talon follows a chatty Benit down the familiar stairs. “I honestly think these two will be the key we need to overthrow the nine!" He quickly inserts the wax sealed envelope upon reaching the door.

  The door swings open to a startling scene, Skull's helmet lays crushed upon the floor, Skull himself is in the ground to his shoulders. He holds onto Aqua, who is swinging her dagger and threatening to gut a strong looking man, who is being restrained by numerous people.

  Benit snaps back from his stun. "For the love of all that is holy, what is going on here!?" Benit stands confidently snatching everyone's attention, while Talon stands to the side in support.

  "S-sir, a skeleton got in here and the woman is protecting it!” The other men ease off of the big guy as he lowers a large war hammer.

  “I know that. Do you not hold faith in my ability to seek out new members?”

  “N-no sir, but a skeleton?” the others begin whispering amongst themselves.

  “But what!?” Benit regains control of the room, silencing everyone. "Good. be it man, woman, or monster, if they are willing to share their strength for our cause, then who are we to deny them?"

  Talon finally notices Skull, he turns over to Benit with the same look of confusion everyone else has. "Uh, Benit, why is there a skeleton in here?" He leans over with a whisper.

  "Oh, he's one of the recruits, just trust me about this." Benit quietly whispers back to Talon.

  "Alright, you've never let me down before." Talon sighs and softly punches Benit in the arm, before walking towards Skull and Aqua.

  "Sorry about earlier, I didn't know about your … situation. If you still want to join us then follow me." He starts moving down the cold stone halls.

  "I don't know what happened between you three, but I think you should hear him out." Benit reassures Aqua and Skull with a kind smile.

  "Okay, we got this far, might as well." Aqua sheaths her dagger and Skull releases her and climbs out of the hole.

  "Alright back to what you were doing!" Benit calls out to the others and then picks up Skull's caved in helmet.

  Talon and Benit sit on one side of an office-like room, while Skull and Aqua sit on the other end. "My first question, is this cloak yours?" Talon holds up the old tattered cyan cloak.

  "It was tied to my grave post, that's all I know."

  "Then I believe it is." He sets it down on his desk and stairs longingly at it.

  "If you don't mind, what is its importance?" Skull wonders why Talon is so attached to it.

  "None. It just looked like it belonged to someone I knew." Talon leans back to prevent his emotions getting a hold of him. "Alright, what skills do you two possess that gives me a reason to let you join?" He finally gains composure and leans towards the two, beginning the real interview.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Skull dodges an attack, retaliating with a swipe from his wooden sword. He stands the Victor of a mock battle against ten men.

  "I'm impressed you were able to take them all on your own." Talon approaches Skull, along with Aqua and Benit. "Its only been a few days, but you've already proved yourself to be better than most."

  "Here, I managed to fix your helmet again." Benit hands Skull the helmet, looking as if it was Never damaged.

  A man watches them from behind a large rock, gritting his teeth in jealousy. "Hey! What are you standing around for you lazy dog!" The man comes out from behind the rock and yells at Aqua.

  "Oh, Herbert, we were just congratulating Skull for being so skilled." Aqua talks nervously, while Skull looks irritated by his presence.

  "Don't give me any of that shit! You're just using it as an excuse not to train!" He mocks Aqua, Talon turns and watches carefully.

  "N-no! I just wanted to-"

  "Don't you dare talk back at me, you lazy bitch!" Herbert raises his hand to strike Aqua. "What?" He shakes as his arm fails to move.

  Looking up, Herbert sees Skull pissed off and latched onto his wrist. Benit and Talon move themselves in front of Aqua, further protecting her.

  Skull starts to squeeze Herbert's wrist with tremendous force. "H-hey! What the hell is wrong with this thing!?" Herbert begins to panic as he fails to remove Skull's hand.

  "Alright Skull ease off." Skull looks over to Talon before dropping Herbert.

  "Well, like I was about to say earlier, we need more people with your skills. Are you willing to teach them?" Talon looks at Skull expectantly.

  "What? No!" Herbert cuts Skull off before he could say a word. "I will not have this - this thing be on the same level as me!" Herbert stands and whines to Talon. He quickly turns his gaze on Skull, his anger causes his face to become red. "I declare a duel!"

  The two now stand in the center of a ring formed by a mosh pit, the crowd cheers for Herbert. Aqua stays close to Talon and Benit, her concern looms over her.

  "Why did you authorize this fight?" Benit catches Talon's attention.

  "I believe in Skull's abilities, this fight should humble Herbert and give people the much needed faith in Skull." Talon watches the arena as he explains himself.

  Aqua's eyes widen when hearing Talon. "Yah! That's right, beat the shit out of him, Skull!" She looks revived and full of new energy, as she encourages Skull.

  Herbert draws two thin swords. "Where's your weapon, monster?" He looks down at Skull and flourishes his blades.

  Skull uproots a wooden shaft, small sparks come off his hands as he grips it tightly.

  "What was that? Did I see sparks of lightning?" Herbert prepares to lunge at Skull, while his thoughts swirl in his mind.

  Herbert dashes towards Skull. When he goes to strike he is suddenly stopped, as one of his swords goes flying off behind him.

  Skull maneuvers his polearm with expertise, waiting for Herbert's next move.

  "How dare you! Making a mockery of me!?" His agitation grows, causing his face to turn a bright red. He raises his second sword, taking swift repeated thrusts at Skull.

  Skull avoids all of Herbert's attacks with ease, he pivots, spinning around quickly and ending behind Herbert. He holds the base of the pole with two hands and swings it down on his opponent.

  Herbert shuts his eyes, flinching from Skull's overwhelming power.

  "You lost." Skull lowers the rod in his victory. Herbert's eyes shoot wide open, his face full of disbelief.

  "No! I demand a rematch, this shouldn't be allowed!" The audience is in silence as they all watch Herbert complain.

  "Enough! Herbert, I'm disappointed in you." Talon walks into the clearing. "You let your authority get to your head, started this match based on something I decided, and you complain when you lost fairly?" Talon imposes over Herbert. " You are not fit to be a teacher." Talon walks away, demoting Herbert's status.

  Herbert looks devastated as the crowd pushes past him, cheering for Skull. "You'll regret that, all of you." He quietly whispers to himself before walking away.