By morning, Jacob sits cloaked in shadows, alone. Samuel materialises like a ghost beside him. He kneels, voice low. "Boss, all clear. We can go in."
Jacob's lips curl into a chuckle. "How many men?"
"More than 15, sir. Just mercs, no elite marks. Don't know their power levels though."
"See the boss?"
Samuel shakes his head. "Not a glimpse."
Jacob leans forward, eyes glinting. "Tell me about the fortress. Battle prep? Anything?"
A smirk tugs at Samuels lip. He stands and demonstrates sarcastically. Exaggerating his demonstration by using his hands.
"The fortress is settled.. In a harmonious star like beauty.. Peace and gentleness resides.. People patrolling casually. A lovely smell of roses dominates the air.. In the blossom of Solas and peace. A building made of bricks and showery blooms, Maidens–"
Jacob cuts in, raises a hand, palm out. "That's enough. I didn't ask you to recite poetry for me." A frown creases on his brow. "Hmm.. that means, they're not trying to fight. They're rather trying to discuss.."
He sprints to his feet. "Gather the others, tell them to prepare, we leave."
"Right away boss," Samuel strides away.
-----------------------------
Ellen walks beside Patience, as they walk through the street.
Patience pace forward, and stand in front of Ellen. "We've been walking for probably 10 Minutes now.. where is the store?"
Ellen sighs. "I'm beat.. I don't like walking with you, you're pushy. But it is better than going to that fortress."
Patience's eyebrows shoot out. "Why'd you say that?"
"I hate fighting.."Ellen says, with husted excitement.
Patience steps aside, her countenance darkens with exhaustion. "Okay.. is the store near by now?"
"The store is right there," Ellen points.
Patience squints. "There? We're close?"
"Yes, that's the store."
Patience taps her jaw thoughtfully. "Wait... who's doing the sewing?"
Ellen shrugs, "The cloth's already there, it's just a black duster. Plus, the boss says I should get you glasses and a hat. And also... bulletproof."
Patience's eyes widen. "Huh!"
Ellen starts striding ahead, a determined look on her face. Patience hurries after her. "Okay... tell me about yourself."
Ellen raises an eyebrow. "What about myself?"
Patience waves her hand vaguely. "Like... where you're from. Or something."
Ellen sighs exhausted. "You're a drainer."
Patience furrows her brow. "Are you sure you're a fighter?"
"No.. definitely not."
They arrive at the doorstep of the store, They enter.
Patience eyes glint excitement. "Woohoo.. I love these clothes.. okay, I'll pick the purple duster.."
Ellen strides up to the store manager, a calm smile on her face. "Hello..." Her voice is like a gentle breeze.
The manager beams back. "Hello! Welcome to our store. What can I get you, young lady?"
Ellen's eyes don't flicker. "Black duster, eyeglasses, and a hat."
Patience saunters closer, eyes narrowing to slits. "No... I said I want the pink one."
Ellen yawns, a slow, exaggerated stretch. "The boss's order. Black duster, black hat, bulletproof, and glasses."
Patience's brow furrows. "The bulletproof is weird... why would I wear that?"
Ellen's lips curl into a sly smirk. "Because you're weak." She lets out a mocking laugh. "Hahahahaha."
Patience's eyes flash. "But you're weak as well..."
Ellen's grin widens. "No, I'm better. You might be the only one in the world I'm stronger than."
Patience scoffs. "Ha... You're weird..."
--------
The Black Mercury gang approaches a huge mansion. Jacob points. "Samuel, is this the fortress?"
"Yes, that's it," Samuel replies.
Jacob nods. "Good. We stay on guard. Don't know what might happen next."
A man stands at the door. The 6 figures approach closer. The man steps forward. "What's your business here?"
Jacob pulls out a letter. "An invitation was sent to my subordinate. We meet your boss."
The man takes the letter and goes inside. Another man comes out, with a strong jawline. Nine other men follow him. He steps closer to Jacob. "I'm the lieutenant."
A sly smile creeps onto Jacob's face. "Nice to meet you, then..."
The lieutenant raises an eyebrow. "Sorry to disappoint. The crocodile woman is the one that was invited."
Jacob chuckles, a low, confident sound. "That woman is my own. My associate. I'm the leader, and I demand to see your boss."
Meanwhile, inside the fortress...
A girl sprints down a corridor, her feet barely touching the ground. She bursts through a door. "Master Terri!"
Terri looks up from his seat, eyebrows raised. "Yes, Sophie. What's the issue?"
Sophie's words tumble out in a rush. "6 figures are outside. A man is speaking – I think he's the leader. I'm guessing the crocodile woman's with them."
Terri springs from his seat like a cat. "What makes you think so?"
Sophie's eyes are wide. "I've been watching from upstairs. The man showed the letter to the guards. I'm pretty sure they got something, or they're her messengers."
Terri strides towards the door like a storm rolling in. "Follow me."
Jacob's lips curl into a warning. "If you don't let us pass, we'll have to take some violent measures–"
A goon raises his gun, cracked and loaded. The others follow suit, fingers twitching. Jacob shakes his head, a disappointed smirk on his face. "What a disappointment."
Terri bursts out of the building with Sophie hot on his heels. "Shamu!"
The lieutenant snaps to attention. "Boss."
Terri's voice is steel. "Put down your gun."
Shamu hesitates. "But boss, they're–"
Terri cuts him off, eyes flashing. "If this man has the legend crocodile by his side as an ally, do you think you can take him down? Don't wake a shark, damn it!"
Terri advancing closer. eyes darting between the Black Mercury gang members like he's sizing them up. He steps into Jacob's space, extends a hand.
A handshake. "Which of you is the crocodile?"
Jacob points to Shion. "She's the crocodile."
Terri's face bubbles with surprise. "Holy heavens... I never expected the crocodile woman to be..." He cuts himself off, turns back to Jacob. "Dear leader of legends, we have a request to make."
Terri drops to one knee, his men following. "Great leader of legends, please... we beseech you, help us."
Jacob's eyebrows shoot up. "Huh!" He steps back, surprised. "Stand up, man... no need for that."
Terri rises, determination etched on his face. "Please, listen to our request."
Jacob scratches his cheek, thinking. "Let's go inside. You need to formally welcome us."
"Right." He signals, the door fully opens and is ready for them to enter.
Inside the mansion, they gather around a round table, the tension palpable. Jacob leans forward. "So tell us what your request was again?"
Terri's eyes plead. "Dare leader of legends... we need you to help us."
"And what are the things you want from us?"
Terri's voice drops. "Just one. We want to join your empire. My associates and I will become your subordinates."
Jacob's eyes widen, shocked. "What makes you want to make such a request?" His gaze narrows, searching.
Terri shakes his head, a mix of frustration and desperation on his face. "I'm tired of Silas and his empire. Sure, I have a fortress, sure I have men... but I can't keep living in Silas's hell."
Jacob's expression darkens. "So, what kind of hell does Silas put you through?"
Terri's face twists. "I'll have to provide girls for trafficking, sex slaves, selling young girls to faraway lands... execution, torture... so many things..."
A cold calculation in Jacob's eyes. "Hmm... I take it Silas uses all his warlords to do the dirty work, while his tracks remain clean... is that right?"
Terri nods curiously. "Yes, dear leader, yes. That's what he does. Believe me, I've only seen Silas 5 times in my life. He's like a shadow. You wouldn't even know who he is!"
Jacob sniffs. "Speaking of which, there's something I gotta ask. And that's the main reason I came to this town."
Terri leans in. "Right, ask away."
"I'm looking for a girl, an abducted girl. Goes by the name Clary Pintosa. She's been taken for like a year now. Have any clues?"
"No, not at all. But give me a few days to search for her. If she's taken by any warlords, I'll let you know," Terri assures.
Jacob smiles. "You're so kind.. I'm grateful."
"No, don't say that.. I'm glad I got to help a leader of legends like yourself."
Nina Manifest behind Jacob. She leans in. Speaks low "Boss, there is trouble."
Jacob twists his head. "Tell me."
"I spotted enemies from a distance. They're much, probably like more than 50."
"How far will they get here?"
"It'll take them 10 Minutes or less."
"Go observe the surrounding area and come give me a report."
Nina vanishes into thin air.
Jacob clenches his jaw.. "Is Terri behind this? Or is he..."
Jacob speaks aloud. "Enemies are coming from far away. And my Intel told me that there are many."
Terri's body goes rigid, like he's been electrified. His teeth chatter. "Should we fight?"
Jacob's lips curls into a cold smile. "That letter was a public invitation, it gave the enemies clues.. I need to figure out who is behind this."
His eyes flicker across the room, calculating. "K.B is formidable... Samuel and Spike can hold their own. Maxwell.. but Shion..."
"What are your suggestions, great leader." Terri asks desperately.
Jacob sprints up, with a steel voice. "We retreat."
The whole room speaks in unison. "Huh!"