The next day.

  Nigel and Rin woke up. Rin looked around.

  Rin: where is the fox?

  Nigel looked around.

  Nigel: I don't know.

  Outside on the ship were Ace, Kaya, Rho and Ximen.

  They were laughing and talking.

  Ximen: I have to be honest with you, you all are so beautiful...

  Kaya: and you are so nice.

  Ximen: I can't help myself, when I'm in the presence of such beautiful ladies...

  Rin approached him from behind and put his hand on his shoulder, holding him tightly.

  Rin: I think I was clear last night when I told you to stay away from the girls.

  Kaya: its fine Rin, we don't mind.

  Ximen: yes Rin, I don't bother them, he said with a smile but again mockingly.

  Nigel: well, you're bothering us instead, come here.

  Ximen looked at the girls.

  Ximen: I'm sorry I have to leave you for a moment, I was glad to talk with you.

  Rin rolled her eyes.

  Rin and Nigel took him to a slightly more private place.

  Nigel: ok now, what are you planning?

  Ximen: I'm not planning to do anything, really.

  Nigel: drop that act, you may have fooled them, but you didn't fool us.

  Ximen: I really don't know what you're talking about...

  Nigel: I don't believe you...

  Rin: me neither.

  Kaya: Guys! Leave him alone, after all, we should go.

  Nigel: we'll keep an eye on you.

  Nigel looked at him serious

  Ximen: Feel free. He was always smiling, but there was something in his eyes…

  They got off the ship and went to town.

  Nigel and Rin were behind them following them. They watched Ximen charm everyone else.

  Nigel: I don't believe him.

  Rin: me neither.

  The girls were laughing with him.

  Nigel: what do you think he's doing?

  Rin: I don't know, but we'll find out.

  They arrived in the city

  Kaya: Guys, look!

  People looked happy. It was as if they had come to another island.

  Rho: There are so many people. There was a bigger crowd.

  Kaya: Wait, where's Ximen?

  Ximen appeared in another place, gathering people, he spoke to people.

  Ximen: finally your terror has come to an end, remember this day well, because this is the day when we are all finally free.

  People cheered.

  Ximen: and here are our heroes.

  He points to 6 of them

  Ace: what the...

  Ximen: don't be shy, come here for everyone to see you!

  Everyone looked uncertainly at each other but stood on the “stage”.

  Everyone cheered

  Ximen: they saved us from our nightmare, now we can finally dream.

  Rho: what are you doing?

  Ximen: I show you my gratitude. He turns to the people. If you agree. We should all show them how gratefull we are. You can ask for anything you want and you will get it.

  Kaya: even money? Rho smacked her lightly and shook her head.

  Kaya: oh...

  Ximen. Anything.

  Ace: Well, I could go for a drink.

  Ximen: can I join you?

  Ace: I don't care, but I'm going to drink.

  Ximen: okay then.

  He smiles and starts to follow her

  Rin: I'll come with you.

  Ace: but you don't drink?

  Rin: I'm drinking now.

  Rho: I would like to visit the library of this island, if that's okay.

  Ximen: of course, do whatever you want.

  Soon they all separated.

  Ace, Rin and Ximen went to drink, Rho went to research the library, and Kaya went to the museum, to learn more about this island,

  The rest are Nuri and Nigel.

  Nuri: do you want to do something?

  Nigel: I will explore the island.

  Nuri: great, I'll go with you!

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Nigel: if you really have to.

  Nuri: You know, it wouldn't kill you if you smiled once in a while.

  Nigel: It probably would.

  Rho was in the library doing research.

  Rho: strange...

  She looked at one book

  Kaya in the museum.

  She observed the past of this Island, the wars fought by the rulers who ruled.

  She saw a statue of a fox

  Kaya: excuse me, why is this statue there? Can you tell me something more?

  Woman: of course, You see, the ruler who ruled before always had a fox with him, and in a big battle 7 years ago, he lost his life fighting for us, he didn't like to have his pictures anywhere or statues, so that's why we made this a statue of a fox, for him, to continue to remember him.

  Kaya: 7 years... if I'm not mistaken, the last 7 years were ruled by Daruxs? Which is...?

  Woman: yes, since he took over, nothing has been the same, but now we are free thanks to you.

  In the bar.

  Ace is drinking beer. Ximen looks at her smiling, Rin stares at him.

  Rin: People here know you a lot?

  Ximen: we all know everyone, on this Island, people stick together.

  Rin: then why did you run away?

  Ximen: because here when night falls, you either have to hide, or everyone fights for themselves. The rules are different during the day and at night.

  Ace: but that's over now, right?

  Ximen: Of course, beautiful. Rin rolled her eyes.

  Ace gets up.

  Rin: where are you going?

  Ace: to the toilet, she goes, Ximen looks at her.

  Rin leaned over the table, towards Ximen

  Rin: hey! Now you will look at me.

  Ximen: But she is so much more beautiful.

  Rin slammed her fist on the table. Ximan looked at him.

  Rin: I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I won't let you hurt any of my crew, understand?

  Ximan crossed his arms.

  Ximen: Tough guy, huh?

  Rin: as long as you behave properly, I won't do anything, but make sure you don't cross the line.

  Ximan just laughed: whatever you say…

  Nuri and Nigel.

  Nuri: hey look, chess! Can you play?

  Nigel: yes.

  Nuri: how good?

  Nuri raised an eyebrow, Nigel looked at him

  Soon they started betting money to win in chess.

  Nuri: you are good!

  Nigel: this will be good.

  He smiled evily.

  Rho left the library, and looked for anyone she knew. She saw an article in the library about her from the past, when she had a different name, and when she was working on a project in government.

  She remember it posing for that picture. (not digital, in that time they would draw pictures)

  Past

  She was standing next to Davon.

  Davon: don’t forget to smile… this is your first time going public…

  She wasn’t feeling like smiling, she never once smiled happily, but she managed too fake a smile, looking like she really mean it.

  Davon: that is more like it…

  Present

  She looked at the picture of two of them and…

  She tore off that sheet and took it with her. She couldn't let anyone see it or let anyone recognize her.

  She soon saw Kaya

  Kaya: oh hey! Did you manage to find anything?

  Rho: I managed to do a little research on the island, but I can tell you, they don't have as much information as I thought they would, as if an entire period of the island's life was erased.

  Kaya: I know what you mean, I felt the same way in the museum.

  Rho: what do you mean?

  Some grandmother was walking with a lot of things.

  Rho: let us help you.

  They helped her with things.

  Old woman: thank you very much.

  Kaya: excuse me, can I ask you something?

  Old woman: of course

  Kaya: I don't want it to sound bad but... how did you manage to survive on this island?

  Rho: Kaya...

  The old woman laughs: it's okay, I understand your question. The truth is that I survived much worse things than this, I grew up in the time of war. It wasn't easy to survive, but it wasn't impossible either. Actually everything got better when Kiru ruled, but then that mountain appeared... Teirbtwiac, and after Daruxs entered it, it was never the same.

  Kaya: I see...

  Rho: Was he the only one who entered that mountain?

  Old woman: for a long time it was said that someone else entered that mountain with him, but he was not seen with that person for a long time, no one knows anything about it.

  Rho: How is possible that Darux took the position of a ruler?

  Old woman: He took it by force dear.

  Rho: What about the law? Shouldn’t there be a law that could have prevent that?

  Old woman observed her a bit.

  Old woman: Law is only good in theory my dear but never in practice.

  Rho looked like she was thinking.

  Rho: So law could not protect you…

  She looked a bit sad, old woman noticed.

  Old woman: It is more important to have a good leader… We had that, we lost it…

  Old woman looked always.

  Old woman: If you ask me, this world really changed to worse after we lost a really good potential leader from a government.

  Kaya: Who are you talking about?

  Old woman: I am talking about Nexara my dear.

  Rho froze.

  Kaya: Oh yeah… but isn’t it like forbidden to talk about her?

  She whispered.

  Kaya: But she is definitely one of the mysteries… I always wondered what really happened to her… It is a shame that she died so young.

  Old woman: Honestly, I always thought she was our last hope.

  Rho stopped walking.

  Rho: Why?

  They both stopped walking and the old woman looked at her.

  Old woman: Because she had a good heart.

  Rho: And how do you know that?

  Old woman smiled.

  Old woman: My son worked for her, he told me stories about her, and how many times she stood up for something greater. Unfortunately he disappeared too, no one knows what happened to him… I just can hope that one day, both of them will somehow come back.

  Rho was silent.

  Kaya: I am sorry to hear that…

  Rho: What was the name…

  Old woman looked at her

  Rho: Of your son…

  Old woman: His name is Isaac.

  Rho remembered.

  Rho: Brave heart and good heart, combination that can’t loose…

  She said that very quiet, that was a quote that her son liked to say. Rho realized that she said that out loud, even though she said that quietly, her heart started to race, she was afraid that she will get caught. Old woman looked at her, she heard her, her smile faded, they just looked at each other, no one said a word. Kaya was confused. Then old woman smiled.

  Old woman: Well we should get going I don’t want to keep you for too long.

  They helped her carry her things home.

  Nuri and Nigel were winning.

  Another one challenged Nigel to chess.

  Rho and Kaya escorted the old woman home.

  Old woman: Thank you, really for everything.

  Rho: No need for that really

  The old woman looked at Rho

  Old woman: You are very familiar to me dear, I feel as if I have seen you somewhere before.

  Rho: I don't believe it, it's my first time here.

  The old woman watches her and then laughs.

  Old woman: Thank you girls, good luck. She turns to Rho.

  Old woman: Stay strong... Nexara (she said quietly) and laughed, and went into the house

  Rho eyes softened a bit, she even smiled a little. Kaya didn't hear that.

  Kaya: Is everything okay?

  Rho: Yes.

  Kaya: What a nice lady...

  They heard Nuri's voice.

  Kaya; Are that Nuri and Nigel?

  Rho: Looks like, let's go say hi to them.

  Nuri was counting the money they got from betting.

  Rho: Really?

  Nigel and Nuri turned

  Nigel: How long have you been standing there?

  Kaya: Long enough to see your bets.

  Nigel: So what?

  Rho: You know how your betting can turn into an addiction and you can lose a lot, or even worse, everything?

  Nuri: But Rho, we're wining!

  Kaya: You are good...

  Nigel: I know.

  Kaya: You know what, I want to get in on your betting.

  Rho: does no one here listens…

  Nigel: You want to play against me?

  Kaya: No, but something better. I want to see you and Rho play, and I bet on her.

  Nuri: Uuuuuu

  Nigel: I don't have a problem with that, but I'm not sure how our innocent Rho will take that bet.

  Rho sat down at the table, she was calm.

  Rho: I'm ready.

  Nigel laughed, surprised and impressed by her confidence.

  Nigel: I thought you weren't betting?

  Rho: It is not betting if you know you will win. I don't bet, I just know.

  Nigel: This is going to be fun. Just please don't cry when I beat you.

  Rho: Shut up and play.

  In the bar.

  The three of them were still sitting, a random person approached Ximen and whispered something.

  Ximen: excuse me. He got up and went outside through the back door.

  He was gone for a while.

  Ace: He's been gone for a long time, do you think everything's okay?

  Rin: As for me, we can get up and leave right now.

  Ace: What is it between you two?

  Rin: I could ask the same about you two.

  She looked confused, she sights,

  Ace: I am going to check if everything is okay with him.

  Rin: I will. Gets up. Wait here.

  Rin searches the bar but he is gone, he goes out the back door and sees no one, until suddenly the door closes and Ximen is standing behind him. Rin turned around

  Ximen: what took you so long? He blows dust into him Rin coughs.

  Rin: What was that? he looks pissed .

  Ximen: Oh nothing, just something to keep you from using your powers for a while.

  Rin: If you think I can't do anything without my powers, you're wrong.

  He looked even more pissed.

  Ximen: Oh I know how strong you are, that's why I had to do this, don't worry, I just need to hold you for a bit, that's all.

  Rin: and how do you plan to do it?

  Ximen laughs, and 4 people appear and attack Rin.

  Ximen: As much as I'd like to stay, I can't let the lady wait for me, and good luck to you.

  Rin: Don't even dare to touch her! Rin attacks, but 4 people hold him back, without his powers he was still very strong, but it was quite difficult for him to fight them all.

  Ximen: don't worry, me and her will wait for the others, we will wait for you to find us. Goodbye for now.

  Rin: I'll kill you!

  He left, Rin doing his best to get rid of them.

  Ace: Where's Rin?

  Ximan: He's waiting for us outside, shall we?

  Ace watched him bit suspicious. And then she got up and went outside.