Back at my squad’s office. I stare at Kiera’s pendant on the desk. Something in my heart is calling me to pick it up. But I try to look away. Something is poking at my heart to do something. The more I try to ignore that inner voice, the more it haunts me with this strange feeling of guilt.

Kang Yu laughs as he walks into the office. “I can’t believe it. Before today, we were just a squad of nobodies among the thousands of Swordmasters. But now, other squads look at us with respect simply because you killed the Wraith. They even gave you a nickname—the Wraith Slayer. Now I’m proud to let them know whose squad I belong to. I heard rumors that Lord Wrazen himself has taken notice of your remarkable feat. I’m truly enjoying this newfound attention we’re receiving from everybody.”

My expression doesn’t seem to indicate that I share the same joy as Kang Yu, and he immediately picks that signal. “Is something bothering you, Gideon?”

I sip my hot cup of tea. “Enjoy it while you still can, Kang Yu. Jackal is not going to stop looking for opportunities to bring us back down to the dirt.”

Kang Yu says, “I know it’s not easy trying to bury a secret. So did Jackal suspect that we are hiding something?”

I say, “He doesn’t have any concrete proof that we secretly helped New Haven.”

Kang Yu says, “Do you think Kiera would blow our secret that Maleek is still alive? If they were to hand her over to the prison warden Alvus for interrogation, I’m afraid that Kiera would eventually leak about our involvement. They said Alvus has never failed to extract information out from his prisoners.”

I say, “I know Jackal. He wouldn’t believe Kiera’s words at face value unless he sees Maleek himself. My only worry is, what if our squad members eventually leak the truth to Jackal?”

Kang Yu says, “When you spoke to Lionhart, Jega and Tori, they agreed to protect our secret. Are you afraid that they will betray our squad?”

I say, “I don’t know, Kang Yu. Three of them had been placed conveniently into our squad. Lionhart had a history of stealing from his former squad members but was never subjected to the military law. Jega had a murder history that was pardoned after he joined the Swordmaster Academy. Tori pulled strings using her father’s rich businessman status to pass her Swordmaster graduation exams even though she failed terribly. Could they have some invisible connection to the favor of someone high up in our Swordmaster ranks? If they leak that story out and it reaches Jackals’ ears, my life will be over.”

Kang Yu says, “I don’t know if we can trust those three. But I do suggest that we watch every step we take carefully from now onwards. Jackal may be hellbent on destroying your career. But you have won Lord Wrazen’s temporary favor for now. Jackal wouldn’t dare touch the famed Wraith Slayer. You need to use that to your advantage.”

Kang Yu snaps his fingers in front of my eyes. “Stop worrying so much. Our squad did well today. I suggest we go celebrate at the tavern.”

I shake my head. “Not in the mood to celebrate anything tonight.” I punch Kang Yu on his arm. “Why don’t you ask my cousin out instead?”

Kang Yu laughs. “You want me to rekindle old flames?”

I say, “Why not? If you like her, you should just ask her out.”

Kang Yu says, “I may have no problem blabbering sarcasm to you. But opening my mouth to ask your cousin out, I think my heart is not that courageous.”

I smile sarcastically at Kang Yu. “Then how about I ask Sharon for you?”

Kang Yu shakes his head. “No, that wouldn’t be fair to me. How can I make you do something on my behalf? You’ll just make me look like a coward.”

I say, “Then stop acting like a coward and go ask her yourself. What did you like about her in the first place?”

Kang Yu chuckles. “Don’t jump to conclusion yet, my friend. I have not ‘liked’ her yet. But she seems very nice and kind. I think that’s the type of girl I like. But just because I ask her out, it doesn’t mean she would say yes.”

I say, “If you ask, she might say yes. But if you don’t, you wouldn’t know if she may have interest back in you.”

Kang Yu says, “You sure know how to sell your cousin.”

I say, “You’ve already shown sparks of interest. I’m just giving you a little nudge to make the first move.”

Kang Yu says, “Fine. What about yourself? You poke so much into my love affairs. You should start looking for one as well. I have a suggestion. You should consider the pretty girl of our squad, Tori.”

I say, “Tori? I have not really gotten the chance to know her yet. We hardly talked throughout the last mission.”

Kang Yu says, “Yes, you were too busy giving out orders to notice her. But I think Tori might have an interest in you. Just look at the way she gazed at you during the mission—it was so full of admiration. Why don’t you ask her out as well?”

I take another sip from my hot tea. “You can throw your observation skill out of the window. Tori is not that kind of girl.”

Kang Yu snaps his finger. “Wait! I think I just figured out something. You have an interest in the Masked Assassin.”

I almost spit my tea out. “What? No way! How can I have an interest in someone who is from the enemy’s side? And she’s a prisoner waiting for execution. Are you even thinking straight?”

Kang Yu points to Kiera’s pendant on my desk. “Then why do you keep staring at her pendant? Shouldn’t you be handing over an enemy’s item to Jackal?”

I stare long at the pendant on the desk. Once again, the voice in my heart is asking me to pick up the pendant. “Kang Yu, the pendant is merely Kiera’s tool to form a communication link with the wearer. It will serve no purpose to Jackal.”

Kang Yu says, “She provided you the emotional support you needed to defeat the Wraith. I believed she left a good impression on you, even though she’s coming from the enemy’s side.”

Really? Is Kang Yu telling me the truth that my heart doesn’t want to admit?

Kang Yu says, “In the last mission, you were supposed to capture her. But then you sided with her at the end. What changed your heart?”

I too wonder about that question. It was like Kiera’s spirit triggered something in my heart. Did she do that with her Empath powers? Or was that ‘something’ already there in my heart, buried all the while? “Kang Yu, she believes in doing the right thing even if it’s not a popular choice. Such burning fire in her heart—it’s something I’ve never felt for so long. It’s such a shame that she is going to be executed in a few more days. I wish I have more time to get to know why she does the things she does.”

Kang Yu says, “Careful, Gideon. An Empath’s greatest weapon is your emotions. She succeeded in manipulating your former squad leader Itoshi into helping New Haven, and look where it got him. Now as she sits in the death row, she’s getting justice served back to her for what she did to mislead Itoshi.”

I say, “The passion in her is genuine, Kang Yu. We Swordmasters may think she’s serving New Haven’s lost cause. But have you looked at the eyes of the Marked refugees she rescued? They looked up to her as their leader and protector because she genuinely looked out for them. My heart cannot let go the fact that I’m allowing someone good-hearted like her to die.”

Kang Yu says, “It’s not your fault, Gideon. She helped you to defeat the Wraith. You had returned the favor by allowing her refugees to return safely to New Haven. But she decided to come back and shut the malfunctioning portal, knowing with full certainty she would be captured by Jackal’s reinforcements.”

I say, “I know. But I just wish there’s a way to help her out of this situation.”

Kang Yu says, “She’s been placed in a high-security prison. There’s nothing we can do about it. I suggest you throw that pendant away. Looking at it merely triggers more confusion within you. Our mission is already over. Don’t carry any unnecessary baggage from your past mission, or else it will eat you up from the inside.”

Perhaps Kang Yu is right. I need to discard the pendant. It keeps reminding me that I do not have the power to rescue a girl as noble-hearted as Kiera. No point fussing over something that is beyond my control. “It’s been a long day, Kang Yu. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After Kang Yu leaves our office, I continue to stare at the pendant. There is something haunting me from the inside of my heart. I cannot quite determine what it is. Looking at the pendant haunts me. Shall I leave it alone? I pick it up and throw it into a nearby trash bin. But then suddenly I remember something.

A voice rings in my head over and over again. A girl’s voice that says, “I’m dying. Please, somebody help me. Can anybody hear me?”

It’s impossible that Kiera is using the pendant to mess with my memory again. The pendant is in the trash bin. It’s not even touching me. And she’s too far away to be doing any heart-to-heart communication link with me.

“I’m dying. Please, somebody help me. Can anybody hear me?”

Wait! I remember those words.

* * *

When I was thirteen, Hezekiah’s Undead army attacked our former city. When I heard a group of students was trapped in the school, I led two of my friends, Xing and Jackal to return to the school to save them.

Ghouls had overrun the entire school. We did our best to avoid the undead as we scouted the entire school. However, we failed to find anybody alive in the first hour of our search. There was one last section of the school where we almost didn’t want to check because we thought that it was unlikely that anybody would still be alive. However, my heart insisted that we should check that last section.

To my surprise, I heard a girl’s voice coming out from a locked basement. “I’m dying. Please, somebody help me. Can anybody hear me?”

My friends and I opened up the basement door and found ten students who had been trapped in the underground shelter for almost a day without food and water. We quickly brought them to join the rest and get them the medical assistance they needed.

Out of the students we rescued, a girl came to thank me. “I was about to give up hope until you found us. You have given me a second chance in my life. Because of what you’ve done for me, the best way I can repay your favor is by dedicating my life to bring second chances to others who need it.”

When I first suggested this idea to my group of friends to go back to the school and rescued the trapped students, many said I was crazy and suicidal. But I believed that was the right thing to do. So I did it anyway.

I was proud that my actions had helped saved ten more lives. Even better, the girl was inspired to dedicate her life to helping many more others simply because of my decision.

I heard there were a few more schools in the vicinity which had been under attack. Some students were trapped but had nobody coming to rescue them.

So we succeeded in rescuing a group of students from the second school. However, during the rescue mission in the third school, my best friend Xing died at the hands of a Wraith, which left me broken and devastated over my failure to prevent his death. I held myself responsible for his death because I asked him to play hero. Ever since then, I decided that playing safe is the best way. I might have shortchanged my own life because many times destiny required me to step up with courage to do the right thing, but I shied away because I was afraid of pulling others down with me.

As I remember what the girl told me, suddenly it brings me back to the day when the fire of courage was burning strong within me. I thought that was my last time talking with that girl I rescued twelve years ago. But I am wrong.

Today, I met that girl again. She was in the mansion trapped together with me in a locked room while we figured out the way to escape the room and defeat the Wraith. The reason she fights for New Haven’s cause is because twelve years ago, she said that she would repay my favor by dedicating her life to bringing second chances to those who need it.

Kiera.

Twelve years after I rescued her, she has lived up to her promise. Very soon, she’s going to the execution ground to die for the promise she made to me twelve years ago.

And that tears my heart apart. She’s going to die alone for the good cause which my action inspired her to dedicate herself to.

Jackal said my heroic actions twelves years ago had inspired no one. He was wrong!

I’ve made my decision. I’m not going to let that happen. I will help Kiera. I will not let her die.

If I can get New Haven to return Maleek to the Swordmasters, then Kiera will be spared from the execution. But that will mean bigger trouble for me. Maleek will surely report to Jackal that I helped Kiera to knock him out. That will give enough proof for Jackal to destroy me permanently. My greater concern is, my entire squad may get dragged into this whole mess as accomplices. This could mean the end for them as well. My cousin Sharon has so much potential in her future. I wouldn’t want it to be taken away from her prematurely.

I need to figure out a way. I need to have the courage to do the right thing even if the odds seem impossible against me.

Think hard, Gideon. What shall I do?

I know I’m in a lot of trouble for failing the mission objectives. We were supposed to capture the Marked Ones. But having released all the Marked Ones to return to New Haven, I would have to answer to my superior for our incompetence.

Jackal sits at his desk as he looks through the piles of paperwork. Then he stares at me with a puzzled look. “I’ve read your report about the whole mission. Technically, this mission should be considered a failure. Two of our squads got destroyed by the enemies. I lost my right-hand man, Maleek. You said he could have been killed by the undead. But we searched the entire mansion for his body. We found Driesen’s but we couldn’t find his. Isn’t that strange?”

Jackal continues to read through the report. “And you said that the Marked Ones managed to escape through the portal back to New Haven before your squad could find them in time. You didn’t capture the Marked Ones. That means you failed your mission.”

I say, “The lady Masked Assassin, Kiera… we had her. That should count towards the mission objective even though we couldn’t capture the Marked Ones.”

Jackal shakes his head. “Kiera was captured after my reinforcements arrived at the mansion to aid you. That alone disqualifies your squad from earning any performance credits.”

What? I wish I could punch Jackal for attempting to sabotage my squad at every chance he can find.

Jackal says, “A squad that fails their mission will be removed from my division’s active roster and be sent for performance evaluation. For most, this spells the end of their career. However, when I submitted this report up to Lord Wrazen, he saw something else in your report instead.

“You successfully killed a Wraith. I don’t even know what that creature was. But to Lord Wrazen, he was so unusually impressed. He said no Swordmaster has ever successfully killed one before and you’re the first. In most missions to the Outside World, the Swordmasters typically avoid confronting this creature of terror because nobody knows how to defeat one. In fact, nobody even wants to talk about encountering one, because they can’t remember how it looks like. Lord Wrazen wanted me to offer you a recognition for your deeds. But something just doesn’t sit right with me.”

I know what Jackal is trying to do. He’s going to find loopholes that can discredit me.

Jackal says, “You didn’t explain in your report about the exact method you used to kill a Wraith. Nobody from your squad witnessed your act. Off the records here, Gideon, how did you actually kill a Wraith? No offense, I’m not trying to doubt your ability. But I’m curious to know how you pulled it off yourself.”

If Jackal wants to play this game with me, I can do the same with him. “Just use our sword, Commander. It’s not hard to kill a Wraith, all you need to do is just get near enough to it and kill it with our sword.”

Jackal says, “You said a Wraith can kill you with its touch. Were you not afraid of that?”

I say, “It will attack your mind and trigger your fear senses. You need to be resilient and fight it back with your willpower. Once you can overcome that initial fear, you can easily kill the Wraith.”

Jackal doesn’t seem convinced. “If it’s so easy as you said, then why did Maleek and his squad got destroyed by the Wraith? Couldn’t Maleek have easily overcome the Wraith’s attack with his willpower?”

I had help from Kiera. But of course I will not disclose that part. “I can’t speak on his behalf. Perhaps Maleek got overconfident. Apparently, he was not prepared to face a Wraith.”

Jackal laughs in a sinister tone. “I’m going to tell you what I think. You are secretly working with New Haven. Something in my heart tells me that. I sniffed out Itoshi’s secret when I exposed his collaboration with New Haven. I know one when I see one.”

This is intense, to have your superior accuse you of a crime worthy of a death sentence. “I might have been under Itoshi’s squad before. But that doesn’t mean I buy into the stupidity of his cause. Where is your proof, Commander?”

Jackal says, “Only someone from New Haven knows how to defeat a Wraith. They helped you out.”

I say, “In the report, I mentioned that I found a tome that stated the exact method to defeat a Wraith.”

Jackal says, “I’m aware of that. I don’t have time to personally read through that tome so I asked someone else to do the reading. It’s written by the Paladins before they were driven out from this City. It says, only Paladins can use their Light magic to block a Wraith’s mind attack. But you’re no Paladin.”

I say, “But the tome also said great courage can overcome the fear inflicted by the Wraith’s mind attack. I merely followed the Paladin’s suggestion. Really, it’s not that difficult. You should give it a try.”

“Fine.” Jackal nods quietly and then continues flipping through the pages of the report, hunting for more faults he could pin me down with. “I have another issue with you. With ample time given to capture the Marked Ones, you still let them escape right under your watch.”

I say, “Didn’t you read the report? The undead trapped us in the armory. I found a way out by climbing through the attics, discovered the Paladin’s Strategy Room with the tome, and went on to defeat the Wraith. By the time the Wraith was defeated, the Marked Ones had already escaped.”

Jackal slams the report papers on his desk. “You and I haven’t settled our score yet. When I asked you to discipline your squad member, you blatantly disobeyed my command. Such action usually requires me to suspend you according to our military law. But Lord Wrazen forbade me from doing so, he wanted us to honor you for being the first Swordmaster to slay the Wraith. He said your amazing achievement would serve as an inspiring success story for the other Swordmasters.”

Guess who has the last laugh. I say, “Looks like our city lord knows how to appreciate talents.”

Jackal says, “You’re fortunate enough to earn Lord Wrazen’s attention this round. Celebrate your temporary popularity while you still can. But I assure you, your luck will eventually run dry one day when I discover you’re indeed secretly working with New Haven.”

I say, “You forgot to highlight an important truth. We successfully captured Kiera. If I’m truly working with New Haven, now why would they allow us to capture her?”

Jackal says, “Kiera is a fake, she was masquerading as a Masked Assassin, intending to throw the Swordmasters off. She is useless to us. She will never divulge the information regarding New Haven’s mode of operations and the secret location of their base. Since she is not going to provide any more information, we’ve arranged for her to be made a public example. We’re going to execute her.”

My heart sinks when I hear that. Kiera has helped me greatly in killing the Wraith. In return, I granted safe passage to her refugees. Can I bear to sit and not do anything about Kiera’s execution? I know Jackal is studying each and every of my response. But I try my best not to show my true expression.

Jackal says, “I know you’re up to something. I can’t put my fingers to it yet. All I need is one slip-up from you, and then you’ll be finished. One day, I will catch you, and you would have no one else to rescue you.”

This is getting out of my hands. Why is Jackal constantly attacking me even after I’ve done a good job in his eyes? It seems like nothing can ever please him.

I say, “I have a question for you. Why do you hate me so much?”

Jackal says, “Why wouldn’t I? You’re always causing trouble wherever you go. Those who follow your leadership usually don’t have a happy ending.”

I say, “Jackal, there’s something you need to know about the Wraith. I know you hate me because you think I was the one who caused your brother’s death. But the very thing that killed your brother was a Wraith. I remember clearly now.”

Jackal says, “I no longer cared if it was a Wraith or something else that killed him. That doesn’t change the fact that my brother is no longer around because he followed your lead.”

I say, “It took me a while to forgive myself. Why are you not willing to let this go? It has been twelve years.”

Jackal says, “You know what I hate about you. You’re very persuasive and charismatic. If you asked somebody to participate in a suicide mission in the name of good deeds, people would still follow you even if it would lead to their death.”

I say, “I was trying to stand up to the enemies. Your brother was killed by the undead. Why do you blame me instead of our true enemy, Hezekiah? He was the one who started the war.”

Jackal says, “I don’t blame you. I just feel sad for those who still follow you today. Your desire to play hero often leads them to their doom.”

I say, “Xing was my best friend, as much as he was your beloved younger brother. It was not my intention that he was killed by the undead when three of us returned to the school to rescue the trapped students.”

Jackal says, “When we succeeded in clearing the first school, I thought that our heroic actions had done enough good. It was time to evacuate our former city, so I asked you to abandon further rescue missions. But you refused to listen to me. You wanted to break into more schools and rescue more trapped students. Your desire to be the hero had blinded you to the dangers surrounding us.”

I say, “I’m not trying to be a hero. I just believe in doing the right things.”

Jackal says, “Those group of trapped students whom you rescued—do you even know where they are now? Are they still alive today? If they are, will they come and thank you for rescuing them? They probably didn’t care about the second chance you’d given them.”

I say, “That’s not true. You don’t know that. If one of them is still alive today, he or she would be grateful for the second chance we’d bought them.”

Jackal says, “What about a second chance for Xing?”

I say, “Xing died, believing that he did the right things. He agreed to rescue the trapped students when everybody else wouldn’t. You should honor your brother’s legacy by acknowledging his heroic action, rather than trying to make his death looked pointless.”

Jackal says, “I honor my brother’s legacy by making sure a foolish man like you don’t lead others to their doom in your heroic pursuits. Perhaps, it’s both fortunate and unfortunate that you’re appointed as a squad leader in my division. Know one thing, as long I’m in control of the authority in our division, I will not allow you to infect your other colleagues with such foolishness.”

I remember the dream I frequently had. A time where Jackal and I join hands together to fight Hezekiah. Perhaps that dream shall just remain a dream. “In another lifetime where Xing didn’t die, I had imagined that three of us—you, Xing and I would have continued the heroic fight against Hezekiah. Eventually, we would breach the enemy’s capital and succeed in defeating the enemy. But unfortunately, we will never see that day come to pass.”

Jackal says, “Even if that day were to arrive, I imagine that it shouldn’t be you leading that fight. Now get out of my office.”

Ryo shakes his head in disbelief. “Kiera, why are we even asking that Swordmaster Gideon for help? The Swordmasters will not comply with your request for a favor. We have enough refugees to outnumber them. If we fight them, we can win.”

I say, “Yes, we could fight and win. But that would inflict more casualties on the refugees’ side.”

Ryo says, “I can use my Time power to defeat the Swordmasters.”

I raise my palm and interrupt Ryo’s suggestion. “Don’t act abruptly, Ryo. Remember how Maleek countered your Time power in your last fight.”

Ryo says, “Maleek is too wounded to fight at his full strength. I can easily take him out.”

I say, “I won’t put Nisa’s life at risk. Maleek is a typical ruthless Swordmaster who wouldn’t hesitate to kill a Marked One. On the other hand, I hope I have earned Gideon’s trust enough that he will help us.

Ryo laughs at the ridiculousness of the whole situation. “Look at how Gideon moves around his squad members. He’s making plans, but I doubt it’s in our favor. I don’t see how it will benefit him if he lets us go free.”

I say, “I don’t know, Ryo. I’m appealing to the little spark of courage that is in him that he will stand up and do the right thing.”

Ryo says, “What if he decides to attack us instead? Give me the cue so that I can have the first strike. I can use my Time powers to slow them down and beat them to the ground within seconds. They will not see it coming. Once Maleek realizes that he’s without help, he will return Nisa back to us.”

I say, “After Gideon defeated the Wraith, I knocked him out unconscious because I didn’t trust him enough that he would be on our side. I won’t repeat the same mistake twice with my impulsive judgment. If I need him to help us, I need to convey a more trusting gesture towards him. How long more till the portal opens?”

Ryo says, “Ten minutes.”

I say, “Gideon said they have reinforcements reaching soon. I don’t think he was bluffing.”

I look at all the refugees behind us. About over fifty of them. They look nervous over the whole situation, especially Nisa’s father. I raise my hand and nod to subtly signal to them everything is going to be alright.

The time has arrived.

Ryo points to the wall where a door-shaped blue light begins forming out of nothingness. “Kiera, New Haven has activated their side of the portal. They are earlier than expected. And we are still in a deadlock. The portal will only hold for one minute for us until you insert the Portal Stone from our side. It’s now or never. I say, we’ll fight the Swordmasters.”

I remember Ganeson’s advice. If the portal is at risk of being breached by the enemies, I must not activate the portal from our side. If necessary, I must destroy the Portal Stone to prevent it from falling into the enemies’ hands. If the Swordmasters gain access to the portal, they will bring their entire army into New Haven. A war between the Swordmasters and New Haven will be inevitable.

I see Gideon mobilizing his squad. I need to know what he is attempting to do. He sends five of his squad members to form a line a few steps in front of me. Then he walks over to Maleek and whispers something to him.

Ryo whispers to me, “Kiera, we’re running out of time. Gideon is preparing his squad in a formation to attack us. Apparently, your negotiation with the enemy has failed.”

Maleek points at the door-shaped blue light. “Masked Assassin, open the portal now. Do it, and I will release Nisa. If you refuse, I will kill Nisa.”

I say, “If you kill Nisa, you have not seen what my wrath is capable of. I will destroy you.”

Maleek presses the blade of his sword against Nisa’s thigh causing it to bleed slightly. Nisa screams in pain.

If I open the portal in the presence of the Swordmasters, then my action will expose New Haven to the Swordmasters’ attacks. But if I don’t, what if Maleek lives up to his threat and kills Nisa? What shall I do?

“I’ll do it.” I insert the Portal Stone into the door-shaped blue light. Now, the portal is fully activated.

Nisa throws a sucker punch at Maleek’s face and frees herself from her captor’s grip.

That’s the unexpected cue I’ve been waiting for. With Nisa freed, we can now fight the Swordmasters and escape into the portal. “Run straight for the portal, Nisa.”

What’s about to happen next… happens too fast for anybody to see it coming.

In a quick reflex, Maleek grabs his sword and throws it towards Nisa.

Ryo casts his Time power to slow the Swordmasters who are blocking us. He bypasses them and runs towards Nisa to help her. But even he’s too far away to reach Nisa in time before Maleek’s throwing sword reaches her.

The sword is about to pierce Nisa’s skull. Has my action doomed the little girl? I should have obediently surrendered ourselves after opening the portal. Now, Nisa is going to pay with her life... except it doesn’t happen that way.

In a quick reflex, Gideon uses his own sword to hit Maleek’s flying sword away.

Maleek runs towards Nisa with his second sword. “Gideon, stop that little girl from running into the portal.”

Gideon swings his sword and hits Maleek to the ground instead.

Maleek shouts to Gideon, “You traitor! Once I report this to Jackal, I will make sure your head ends up on the execution ground.”

Ryo throws a punch on Maleek’s face so hard that he is instantly knocked out cold.

I signal the refugees to walk through the portal. The rest of Gideon’s squad members look to him if they should engage us in a fight, but Gideon asks them to stand down.

Gideon says to me, “When Maleek attempted to kill Nisa, I don’t think it was right for him to murder an innocent little girl. So I attacked my Commander’s right-hand man. If words get out to my superiors about this action, it would be a death sentence for me.”

I say, “Gideon, I almost thought you would turn your back on us. But you did live up to your promise.”

Ryo says, “Gideon, I suggest to avoid future trouble, you should finish Maleek off.”

Gideon says, “Maleek is a man who carries out his superior’s orders. I won’t end the life of a fellow comrade. Let him go back and report whatever he wants to our superior. I’m ready to take the fall.”

I say, “Not this time. I will not allow another Itoshi incident to happen. You are a man of honor and integrity. Unfortunately, your Swordmaster authority will never reward such values. We will help you take care of Maleek. We will take him as a prisoner in New Haven. One day, when the time is right, we will eventually release him. I promise you, no harm will befall your comrade.”

Gideon is heavy-hearted about the decision. “Perhaps that will be the best decision for now.”

I say, “What will happen to you after this is over?”

Gideon says, “I don’t know, Kiera. The future looks bleak. My squad will be evaluated for our failure in this mission. But let me worry about that.”

I say, “Thank you, Gideon. You have no idea how much this means to us. You will be remembered among the people of New Haven for helping us out. The heroic deeds you did today will never go unpaid, I assure you.”

Gideon shakes his head with a worried face. “Please keep this a secret. I can’t have anybody on my side of the world finds out about this story.”

One of Gideon’s squad members whispers something to him. Then Gideon says, “Kiera, the Swordmaster reinforcements have arrived at the mansion—about a hundred of them. Get inside the portal now and shut it down.”

Ryo enters the portal first, carrying the unconscious Maleek on his shoulder, followed by the rest of the refugees. Once all the refugees have passed, I am the last to cross over.

* * *

I am expecting the mission to be over once I step into the portal. All the remaining refugees have been safely transported to New Haven. We are safe from the Swordmasters’ pursuit.

However, that is not the case. Why does this have to happen during our mission?

As I pull out the Portal Stone from New Haven’s side, the portal is supposed to close... except that it doesn’t.

A malfunction perhaps? Too many things have gone wrong today, it continues to haunt me even after we stepped through the portal. It’s as if destiny wants us to fail this mission. Why?

Ryo asks the portal keeper to inform the Leadership of New Haven that the Swordmasters are going to breach the portal. The portal keeper quickly leaves his post.

Ryo says, “This is going to be the first time the Swordmasters succeed in setting foot in New Haven. I hope our militias are prepared to fight them off.”

I say, “We must not let them come in. A hundred over Swordmasters is enough to tear down the years of effort invested into building New Haven as a safe refuge for the Marked Ones. New Haven is not ready for this premature war.”

Ryo says, “Leadership will send the militias to defend against the Swordmasters. Come on, Kiera, this is no longer just our fight. There’s nothing else we could do.”

Is it true that there’s nothing we could do? Kiera, you know you have one more last trick to save New Haven. But it also requires someone to sacrifice herself.

I say, “I will return to the mansion, unplug the Portal Stone from the other side, thus effectively shutting off the portal.”

Ryo grabs my arm. “Are you suicidal? If you do that, you won’t be able to return to New Haven. Then you’re going to be captured and interrogated by the Swordmasters. Kiera, for many New Haven operatives who got captured by the Swordmasters, they usually ended up on the execution ground. Please don’t do this to yourself.”

I sigh. “As opposed to letting the Swordmasters destroy New Haven?”

Ryo says, “Then let the Swordmasters come through. Our New Haven has enough manpower to fight them until we figure how to shut off the malfunctioning portal.”

I say, “No, Ryo. I know New Haven can put up a valiant fight because that’s what we’ve been training for—but at what costs to both sides? The Swordmasters are one of the strongest military forces in the land. They will not stop until they fully destroy New Haven. How many lives will be lost on both sides? Remember our true enemy—Hezekiah’s Undead. We cannot afford to fight this war because Hezekiah will seize this opportunity to attack our City at its most weakened state. It’s premature to enter into a war with the Swordmasters right now.”

Ryo says, “Then we’ll get Gideon to destroy the Portal Stone from his side.” He crosses into the portal to have a quick look. He returns in a few seconds, shaking his head, which means Gideon is no longer around to help us.

I say, “It’s too late. Gideon’s squad has already left to join up with his Commander’s reinforcements. Nobody else can help us. I must do it myself.”

Ryo says, “I’ll fight with you. I can use my Time power to help you.”

I say, “Even with your ability to slow them down, you’re no match against a hundred Swordmasters. Besides, you’re the only Time Monk left. You’re too important to be captured by the Swordmasters. You are the only one who has the right power to defeat the Immortal Lord. You need to stay alive until that day arrives.”

Ryo says, “I have failed my Time Monks once when I couldn’t stop their destruction at Hezekiah’s hands. I don’t care about saving the world if I can’t even save a good friend from getting captured. I will follow you and fight to the death with you.”

I say, “I wish I don’t have to sacrifice myself this way. But then I realize that I don’t carry any significant responsibility in New Haven. I’m just a counselor helping the Marked Ones to settle into their new lives. Without my presence, life in New Haven will still go on as usual. But if my action alone can prevent a full-scale war from destroying this City and save many more lives, then it’s all worth it. Ryo, I’m asking you to think about the bigger picture. As my good friend, please stay and let me do this.”

Ryo stands in silence as he contemplates my words. “Kiera, you’re not insignificant. You mean a lot to me. You helped me through my darkest moments when I was battling my depression. You mean a lot to Nisa. You gave her hope for a better future. You mean a lot to all the Marked Ones you rescued and helped to settle down in New Haven. You’re significant to us.”

Yes, I know. And it breaks my heart to walk away from everybody. “So are the sacrifices of other operatives who have laid down their lives to give everyone in New Haven a better future. I’m sorry, Ryo. Please tell Nisa that I’m sorry I don’t have the chance to spend more time with her.”

Ryo stares helplessly at me knowing that the decision has to be made. “Sometimes I wish there’s a better way to solve this than you coming up with suicidal strategies.”

I walk back through the blue light of the portal back to the mansion, knowing that the fate awaiting me on the other side is certainly not going to be a happy ending.

Oh, how I wish there is another way to do this...

I open my eyes. I am still in the same Strategy Room. Kang Yu and Lionhart quickly untie the ropes that bind my hands and feet.

Sharon gives me a hand as I help myself up. “Cousin, the Masked Assassin said he will only reveal your location in exchange for letting the Marked Ones leave the armory. We were so afraid that the Masked Assassin had taken your life. They took Nisa with them as well.”

Kang Yu looks disappointed. “Is this the end of everything, Gideon? After a tough mission, we return empty-handed with heavy Swordmaster casualties and without any Marked Ones. This would spell the end of our Swordmaster career. Our squad would be sent for performance evaluation. In the worst-case scenario, we will be sent back to the Academy for retraining sessions to compensate for our incompetence. We will become the laughing stock to our peers.”

I know the consequences if we fail this mission. I slam my fist into the ground. “I thought both of us have already earned each other’s trust. She even gave me her real name. I should have known not to trust her.”

Kang Yu raises his eyebrow. “So the Masked Assassin is a lady and both of you exchanged names? Are you going to ask your enemy out for a drink too?”

I say, “Her name is Kiera. She wore the Assassin’s mask as a facade to intimidate us.”

Kang Yu snaps his finger. “I knew it. Earlier I had my suspicions that it was all New Haven’s facade. Why would a do-gooder noble faction like them have an Assassin in their ranks?”

I say, “I had Kiera defeated when we first met in this room. Later on, she helped me to shield my emotional energy when I went up against the Wraith, the one Driesen called the creature of terror. I successfully killed it.”

Kang Yu is pleasantly surprised. “So you single-handedly killed the creature of terror? That’s truly a remarkable feat.”

I say, “It wouldn’t have been possible without Kiera’s help. So where did the Marked Ones go?”

Kang Yu says, “I don’t know. After we released them from the armory in exchange for your location, within that short time, I think they might have left the mansion. Let’s go home, Gideon. Our mission is over. The Marked Ones had escaped.”

I say, “No. They have not left the mansion yet. They are still in the mansion. They have a Portal Stone. They are waiting for a portal to open up at a specific time and location. Remember the room where Maleek and Driesen’s squads got wiped out? That’s their Portal Room. If we head over there now, we might still be able to catch up with them. How many hours have we been here?”

Kang Yu says, “Almost two hours. Jackal’s promised reinforcements should be arriving soon.”

I say, “Yes if we can stall the Marked Ones until Jackal’s squads arrived, we may still be able to capture them.”

* * *

As we head back into the Portal Room, we find ourselves in a new situation. Wait, Maleek is still alive? He is holding Nisa hostage with a sword over her neck. A slash wound on his chest does seem to hold him back a little.

Kiera and her sidekick are both masked and ready to confront Maleek. The remaining Marked Ones just look on, not knowing what to do next.

I walk over to Maleek. “I’m glad that you’re still alive. But how did you survive the undead’s attack?”

Maleek says, “After the creature of terror destroyed our squads, Driesen and I were pursued by the ghouls. I managed to hide in another room nearby while Driesen wasn’t so fortunate because the ghouls continued pursuing him.”

I say, “Driesen didn’t make it.”

Maleek says, “That is sad indeed. When the Masked Assassins and the Marked Ones returned to this Portal Room, I knew I had to strike them before their portal opens. I knew the little girl is the lady Masked Assassin’s weakness, as she protects her so closely. So I ambushed them and took the little girl hostage. I thought with our two squads dead, our mission would have been a failure. Little did I know that we can still win this game. So what did you contribute to this mission?”

I say, “The creature of terror which destroyed your squads, it’s called a Wraith. I had successfully killed it. It will terrorize us no more.” But I won’t reveal to him that it was achieved with Kiera’s help.

Maleek nods in respect. “Impressive, Gideon. You have avenged the death of our comrades. I didn’t know how you actually pulled off killing it. But your amazing feat will certainly be celebrated among the Swordmasters.”

Maleek points to the Marked Ones. “Our mission goals—the Marked Ones and the Masked Assassins are right in front for us to take. But we can end this mission on an even higher note. Their Portal Stone—we can have their key to their home. The Swordmasters can storm New Haven and take them down for good. One enemy to be struck off from our list.”

Maleek then says to Kiera, “Hand over the Portal Stone to us now. If not, I will take this girl’s life.”

Kiera appears fired up in her eyes. It’s like a different Kiera I knew moments ago. “You wouldn’t dare touch Nisa. We’ll fight you till the end.”

Maleek presses his blade tightly against Nisa’s throat. “Don’t challenge me. Just admit it, Masked Assassin that you’ve lost. I know your portal will be opening soon. If you activate it, we will storm the portal and follow you into New Haven. Your Captain is dead, so you’re the acting Captain now.

“By right, you could destroy the Portal Stone to prevent us from entering it. But if you do that, I’ll kill your little Nisa. Our reinforcements are already on the way and will be reaching this mansion soon. If you put up a fight, many of your refugees will die. No matter what you do now, you still lose, Masked Assassin.”

I study Kiera’s eyes behind the mask. I think she knows she’s in a deadlock.

Kiera replies, “Then we’ll fight to our death if you leave us with no choice.”

Maleek says, “Gideon, go capture all of them.”

Suddenly, I have another idea. I speak to Maleek in private without being heard by the others. “Maleek, hold that thought first. I’ve gained the Masked Assassin’s trust through an unexpected alliance while fighting the Wraith. The enemies are cornered with no escape. If they choose to fight till the end, it will inflict more casualties on both sides. I would negotiate with her to surrender. But if she refuses, then I will stall her time. Jackal’s reinforcements will arrive soon. They will be defeated with ease.”

Maleek laughs in disbelief. “You’re right. I don’t think I can fight at my best capacity with my wound. I’m impressed, Gideon. You’ve really shown your true strength in this mission. Now you really think like a true Swordmaster, determined and cunning when it comes to achieving a mission objective.

“I tell you what, when this mission is over, I will credit this mission success to your squad. You truly deserve it for leading your squad this far. Me? I got my entire squad wiped out by the undead. Today is not my best day. But I will present a good report to Jackal for you.

“You know, Jackal had his doubts on your leadership before. But I think after this mission, you would have gained his trust. To be able to complete a capture mission successfully, your squad will be highly regarded among the other Swordmasters. Your squad members will thank you for that. Lionhart, Jega and Tori had histories they are not proud of. Being in a well-performing squad, this will help boost their self-confidence. Your squad members will be proud to be associated with your leadership. Now, go do your thing and bring the enemies down to your knees. Finish this mission. Let’s make the Swordmasters proud.”

Maleek’s offer to help present a good report to Jackal sounds tempting, I have to admit. Is he sincere about helping me? Jackal has always wanted to bring me down. But that is because I haven’t always been very cooperative with his arrogant behavior. But if we succeed in achieving the mission objectives, it helps to reflect well on Jackal’s leadership as our Commander. So if Maleek can present a good report to Jackal on behalf of us, why not?

I walk over to Kiera and request for a private conversation.

Kiera says, “Gideon, if he lays his hand on Nisa, I will not hesitate to strike him down.”

I say, “I know Nisa means a lot to you and you would do anything to get Nisa back. Our Commander’s reinforcements will be arriving soon any minute. You need to back down. You can’t win this fight without causing more people on your side to die. If you surrender to us, I know everyone will be thrown into prison. But at least you and your people will still be alive.”

Kiera says, “Gideon, I want to apologize to you. When I knocked you out earlier, I was trying to spare you from this exact same situation. I know your heart. You wanted to help these Marked Ones in some ways. But I know you don’t have the heart to turn back on your duty as a Swordmaster. If we manage to bring all the refugees safely back to New Haven, this would be one step forward for the cause we are fighting for.

“You know, the refugees of New Haven, they are seeking for hope in a world where there is none. Each time we successfully rescue the refugees from the Outside World and have them settled into New Haven, everybody is motivated to do more good works. In this war against Hezekiah, our momentum hinges upon winning the small battles. Each small battle we win, the faith of the people grows. It may be a small fire now. But if we win enough small battles, our people would have eventually built enough fire in their hearts to conquer evil. That is how we fight every day—winning one small battle at a time.

“I know you sincerely want to create a positive change in this City. This would start from this very action, by helping the refugees who earnestly need your help. I understand that your performance as a squad leader may be compromised if you help me. And I certainly don’t wish that you end up like Itoshi’s fate.

“Are your squad members on your side? The only person here who is capable of compromising your performance is Maleek. If he were to report about your action to your Commander, your whole squad would be in trouble with the law. You need to figure out a way to remove Maleek from the picture. Will you help us, Gideon?”

Yet, on the other hand, I know Kiera is a good-hearted person who just wants to help provide a better life for the Marked Ones she has rescued. Am I supposed to turn a deaf ear to someone who eagerly seeks my help? If I am in the position to be able to do something about it but choose not to, am I going to be able to live with myself?

I say, “I understand what needs to be done. I’ll discuss with my squad members on what to do next.”

Kiera looks me in the eyes. “I believe in you, Gideon.”

What shall I do? This is getting very difficult for me. I may have to make the inevitable decision soon.

I ask Lionhart to send a message to Maleek who is at the other corner of the room. “Tell Maleek that I have the Masked Assassin’s trust. Wait for my timing.”

* * *

I walk to the rest of my squad members. Kang Yu gives me a worried look. The rest are clueless of what is about to happen next.

Kang Yu says, “Gideon, we should capture the enemies while they still think you are on their side. Kiera has only one fighting man by her side. The Marked Ones are unarmed and defenseless. They may have the numbers, but we can take them down easily.”

I say, “While I was working with her to defeat the Wraith, I got to know her side of story a little better. They are good people. New Haven is helping the refugees to settle for a new life. If we take that hope right out of the refugees and throw them into prison, how different are we from the oppressive regime of Hezekiah’s Undead? They escape from the prison of the Immortal Lord right into the prison of our City. We are in a position of power to help them. Are we going to commit actions that go against the values of our humanity?”

Kang Yu looks disturbed over my indecisiveness. “You’re not thinking clearly, Gideon. I’m all out to help those who need it. There are many days when you can choose to help others, but not today. Because if you help them, you’re sacrificing the future of our squad. That is not helping us at all. Remember what happened to Itoshi? You don’t want to drag the entire squad down that dark path with you. That end of the tunnel only leads to death for our squad. People like Sharon, Lionhart, Jega and Tori trust that your leadership will bring the best for their future. You have heroic instincts, I get it. I have my heroic instincts too. But really, Gideon, not today. If today you choose to do that, you jeopardize everybody’s future. Just like Itoshi, a dead man can never do any good works.”

I believe there must a be way around this. “I know all about Itoshi. What if we’re smart about it?”

Kang Yu says, “My late father was a herbalist. When I was younger, before the war broke out, my father was arrested for selling untested herbs to the citizens. He claimed that they had healing effects. But someone ate it and died from its poisoning effects. Apparently, my father knew about the potential side effects of the herbs but did not fully disclose about it. The magistrate claimed that my father wanted to maximize his business profits and therefore declared him guilty. He was then thrown into prison for his crime. Do you know I had difficulty making friends with others because they associated me with my father’s crime? They said, ‘Oh, you are the son of the herbalist who poisoned one of his customers. Are you like your father?’

“The world can be very unforgiving. Because I lost my father to the prison at a very young age, I had to help support my mother’s living by looking for jobs nobody wanted. Everywhere I went asking for a job, nobody would hire me because they were worried if the son was like the father. I was frustrated. I was being judged for my father’s mistake. One tavern decided to hire me as a lowly floor scrubber. What? I was the son of a well-known herbalist, now turned into some floor scrubber, cleaning up after the patron’s puke and mess. I was working there for a few years till I realized that I was going nowhere in my life. Nobody wanted to talk and befriend me. I was even afraid of showing my face to any familiar faces who showed up at the tavern for fear they would laugh at me.

“Then one day, I had enough. I would not let the world decide my fate simply because I was associated with my father’s action. I had to get out from wiping people’s puke for the rest of my life. So I decided to send in my application for the Swordmaster Academy. I heard they were looking for the best recruits. When a Swordmaster instructor came to the tavern to do a background check on me, my employer gave a bad report about my history. The instructor was looking for recruits with a clean reputation. Once again, being associated with my prisoner-father, instantly caused my application to fail. I would not give in to such helplessness anymore. I must rise above my circumstances.

“You know that I had never liked using a sword. But somehow in this City, I see it as the key to my freedom. So I started practicing sword fighting on my own. One day, a veteran Swordmaster saw me practicing my sword in the alley. He decided to have a friendly spar with me. He said he would send a word to the Academy to allow me to join their recruits if I was good enough to outmatch him. But of course, I failed to beat him. He told me something, ‘Most Swordmasters would just focus on the sword-fighting techniques to rise in the ranks. But your wits can bring you to places a sword cannot. Don’t walk your life like a straight line. Find your shortcuts.’ Such a powerful statement, though I did not fully understand it at that moment.

“One day, a Swordmaster patrolman was pursuing a thief in the alley. He got stabbed in his arm, and the thief was about to escape. I quickly threw my sword at the thief and by some luck, I managed to hit him. When his squad leader arrived at the scene, suddenly I had a brilliant thought. I thought, ‘This is it! This would be my moment for the Swordmaster to report of my achievement up to the Swordmasters and then finally I would be enrolled into the Academy.’ Then my wits spoke to me instead. I did something entirely different. I didn’t know why I did what I did. But I told his squad leader that the Swordmaster patrolman did a great job capturing the thief, and I claimed no credit for it.

“Man, I thought I lost the chance to join the Academy by passing the glory to someone else. But then a week later, an enrollment letter came. I was accepted into the Academy, because the Swordmaster patrolman whom I helped, recommended me. I was overjoyed. Finally, I had someone who lifted me out from a social position where I was stuck due to the stigma of my father’s action. I had found my shortcut.

“I plead with you, Gideon. My wits tell me that if you allow the Marked Ones to escape, you would subject all the members of the squad to association with a traitorous act. I spent many years during my younger days trying to claw myself out from such deep hole. At times, you need circumstances that can lift us out from it. We would be helpless on our own. If we capture the Marked Ones, we would be lifted up in the ranks of the Swordmasters. But if we forego this chance, we would miss the chance to be lifted up in our ranks. If Jackal finds a trace of evidence that reveals our act of treason, our entire squad would be associated with a reputation you cannot hope to shake off in this lifetime.

“With greater power comes greater flexibility. When you’re stuck in a deep pit, you have no flexibility and you have to rely on the mercy of others to survive in this world. We must be at the top, Gideon. We cannot allow others to push us down to the bottom of the pit. And by capturing the Marked Ones, this would give us a chance to push ourselves to the top.”

* * *

My cousin Sharon walks to me. “Cousin, I would like to have a word with you before you make your decision.”

I turn to my cousin. “I’m in a difficult dilemma. I want to know, what do you think if we capture the Marked Ones?”

Sharon has her own side of the story as well. “These people whom you’re contemplating to help, they are not nobodies. If you believe in them and give them a chance today, your action can change their lives.

“With the power in our hands, we are on the verge of sentencing a little girl like Nisa to a lifetime imprisonment. Are we even human for allowing that to happen? When I was a little girl, I used to play with the other kids in the neighborhood. We would play a game of ‘Undead vs Citizen’ where the kids playing the ‘Undead’ team would have to outrun and catch the ‘Citizens’. The big kids nicknamed me ‘kind-hearted Sharon’. They would often place me in the team with the younger and slower kids.

“No matter how many times we were pitted against the older team, my team would always lose to them. When the older team became the ‘Undead’, they would always catch us because we were slower. When the older team became the ‘Citizens’, the game would never end because our team could never seem to outrun them. I was upset because of the unfair advantage. I secretly wanted to join the older team because I wanted to win.

“On one fine day, during the team member selection, I managed to manipulate my way into the older team. We thrashed the younger team, denying them all chances of winning. For once, I felt good in my life because my team won. After that day, the kids from the younger team refused to talk to me. I asked them why. They said I joined up with the mighty to oppress the weak.

“I was like, ‘What?’ It was just another game on another mundane day. Why did they take such offense against me? The kids from the younger team expected me to side with them. It didn’t matter if we lost against the older team. They simply enjoyed my friendship with them. They appreciated that I sided with them as the underdogs even though I knew we stood no chance against the older team. Ever since that day, I told myself that I would help those who need it even if siding with them doesn’t help me in any beneficial ways.

“We know the culture of the Swordmasters values achievement and competence. When I was in the Academy, those that didn’t perform too well, I often befriended them. I had a friend called Aaron who was expelled from the Academy for horrible sword-fighting skills, I was by his side as I watched him packed his bags and left the Academy. I had another friend Hunter who barely passed his exams, but I stood by him and encouraged him because I believed every person on the losing team needs someone to support them.

“Today, Hunter served in one of the squads in Lord Wrazen’s escort team. Today, Aaron runs a successful blacksmith shop down the road. He made this fine sword specially for me when I graduated from the Academy. Aaron’s shop was then appointed as the new weapon supplier for the Swordmasters.

“All I want to say is that if you believe in someone who cannot even believe in himself, you will see that person rising up to meet your expectations. Right now, these Marked Ones are looked down upon and judged because they carried the cursed Marks on their foreheads. By the law, they should be captured and sentenced to life imprisonment so that they would not be a threat to the City. Everybody else will look away and not give them a second thought. But what will you do, cousin? Will you be the one that believes in them?

“I know what Kang Yu will say. He would say that we shouldn’t be naïve to believe that all good deeds are rewarded, and he would quote Itoshi’s example. But what will you do, cousin, if you have the chance to believe in them even if it brings no reward to your side? Will you still believe in them?

I say, “You know this is a tough choice, Sharon. If I choose to help the refugees and our squad gets compromised as a result of my decision, then the burden is on my shoulders.”

Sharon says, “I know, cousin. I know you’re sticking your neck out for this and you may end up carrying the consequences of your decision. I know it’s not easy for you. If you put me in your shoes, I don’t know what I will decide. I’ll probably still look to you for advice. You will always be the leader. But I know no matter how difficult a decision is, you will always find a way through. You always know what’s the best thing to do.”

* * *

Maleek looks at me with his pressuring stare. Kiera gives me a hopeful stare. Both are waiting for me to make my next move. It’s time for me to make a decision. What shall I do?

Shall I provide a safe passage to Kiera and her Marked Ones to return to New Haven?

Or shall I capture the refugees because I believe the importance of boosting our squad’s reputation among the Swordmasters outweighs helping the Marked One refugees right now?

What shall I do?