Milo went with Tristan and Jayden to the facility where they had held the tournament. Klaus and Yusako were standing at the gate. Everyone met and Klaus began speaking without delay.
"After you told me about Aiden's kidnapping, I sent a team of professionals to search for him."
Milo asked, "Have they found anything yet?"
"Not yet. But they'll call me as soon as they do. I know this may sound rude — I'm not your leader — but I'll give you some tasks that could help find Aiden."
"We don't mind you leading. We'll do anything to help find our leader Aiden"
"Good. Then let's start and hurry."
In another city, Murphy was sitting in a house. He drank a medicine. A bell rang at the door. He went to check and found Yossan standing there.
Murphy : "Good that you came "
Yossan "Did I miss something interesting?"
"No. I want you to come with me so we can beat that bastard and force him to return the golden cubes' energy to us."
"For the first time I agree with using violence, Murphy."
The two of them went down to the cellar under the house. The cellar led to a tunnel beneath the building. It seemed to have been prepared long ago to hold an important captive — Aiden.
Aiden was tied in one room of the tunnel, sitting on a chair with Koru restraints. He could not use his weapon or his power. He was also unconscious.
Murphy threw a cup of water at Aiden's face. Aiden woke and said sarcastically, "Thanks for the water. I was very thirsty."
Murphy slapped Aiden until his nose bled. "Even in this sorry state you mock me. Brave."
Aiden asked, "May I know why you kidnapped me and what you want?"
"Isn't it obvious? So you'll return the cubes' power to us."
"Isn't it obvious I will refuse?"
Murphy struck Aiden again. He said, "You will do it by force."
Yossan stepped forward and put his hand on Murphy's shoulder, pulling him back. "Let me talk to him. Maybe he will change his mind."
"Fine," Murphy said, watching Aiden bleed.
"We can solve this without violence. Just return the cubes' energy and you won't be harmed." Yossan said.
Aiden spat back, "So after all the effort and sacrifices I made, I should simply give you the cubes' energy?!"
"We also made efforts and sacrifices for our goals. This is something we share, not just yours."
"But I was the winner in the end. Can't you accept your loss?"
"In the end you had to rely on my help, whether willingly or not, to avoid trouble. Do as I did."
Aiden smiled and replied, "I see the bitterness that pushes you to such a desperate act."
"Bitterness about what?" Yossan asked.
"About losing the contest. About the fact I executed some of your commanders while filling the slots."
Murphy untied the ropes that bound Aiden in the chair. Then he started beating him. Aiden tried to block the blows but the Koru cuffs bound his hands. He could not stop the strikes. Murphy knocked him to the floor.
Murphy leaned over Aiden, holding his hair from behind while Aiden lay on the ground. "I always wanted to beat you badly. A golden chance came, and I'm glad I took it."
"Congratulations," Aiden said.
"Annoying."
Yossan tried a different tactic. "Think about this, Aiden. If we kill you now, the Scholars will have to search for an heir with a rare bloodline like ours. That could take time and cause the extinction of our kind, including people you care about."
Aiden responded, "that mean you'll be doing humanity a favor by making people like us vanish "
"I won't argue more. You're not in a state to think clearly. We'll give you a day to decide—tomorrow we'll talk again."
Murphy and Yossan tied Aiden back to the chair and left the secret tunnel. They returned to the kitchen and sat to talk.
Murphy: "I don't think he will give in easily."
Yossan: "We'll try to persuade him. If he refuses, we will hurt him until he accepts."
"Of course. I like when you agree to violence."
" I don't know why you like that. It might not even work "
" What do you mean ? "
" Even if we hurt him, he may grow more stubborn. Also, we cannot absorb his energy with the connector — that won't work."
" Then we can hurt someone he loves in front of him. That might change his mind."
" Yes. We might have to do that if necessary."
The next day Murphy and Yossan went down to Aiden, who was sleeping from the exhaustion. Yossan woke him.
"Wake up now."
Aiden opened his eyes slowly and said, "Good morning, former leaders."
" You won't stop mocking even now. You are brave but know this won't help you."
"I know that already."
"Did you think about what I proposed?"
"Yes. The answer is no, as always."
Murphy: "Then you'll regret it."
Despite the pain and injuries, Aiden stayed strong during the two days he spent as Murphy and Yossan's hostage.
The next day, as usual, Murphy and Yossan came to Aiden's room. This time Murphy woke him roughly.
"Wake up, bastard."
Aiden rose and said, "Hello. Are we doing the same thing as before?"
"Of course. But this time it will hurt more."
Aiden's body was covered with injuries but he resisted. This angered Murphy
Murphy : "It seems this method won't work on you. We must try something else."
Aiden: "I think I know what that "
"Oh really? What is it?"
"You will hurt someone I love in front of me so I will feel pity and give you what you want "
"Yes, you are clever — I admit it."
"That method won't work on me. But it might work on you."
"Stop the nonsense. I am not—"
"Would you feel pity if she was hurt in front of you or not?"
Murphy fell silent and did not answer. Yossan grew puzzled. Aiden continued.
" Would you feel pity for your relative Betty if I hurt her ? "
Murphy's eyes widened. He was shocked. "How did you know about her?!" he shouted.
Yossan, confused, asked, "Hey, what are you two talking about?"
Aiden : "I sent some of my followers to capture a relative of Murphy. She's in danger unless I'm freed soon."
Murphy grabbed Aiden by the collar and shouted, "If you harm her, bastard, I will show you no mercy."
"Whether you harm her or not is literally in your hands," Aiden said.
Murphy released Aiden and put his hand on his face, sighing in frustration. "Damn that bastard."
Yossan asked Murphy, "Explain to me what relation you have to this girl, Murphy?"
Murphy : " She's my niece . She's all that remains of my family . I can't sacrifice her "
" He says he captured her "
" Yes . I don't know how he found she's my niece. I don't know if he's telling the truth that he holds her captive."
" I don't think he's lying. This isn't a thing to joke about "
Aiden offered, "If you want proof, I will give it to you."
Murphy : " Stop joking. How would you bring proof here and now ? "
" Not here and now. The proof is elsewhere "
" And I'll follow you to that place. There will be no trap and you will bring my niece to me. Do you think i will believe that?"
"It's your choice. Either you go to the place I name, or you let your relative die."
Murphy sighed then said
" Tell me the place. I will go "
Yossan turned to Murphy. " No, Murphy, that's an obvious trap. You'd be walking right into it."
Murphy : "I have no choice. My niece's life depends on it. You stay here to watch him. I will go to the address he gives me "
" Be careful and take precautions "
" Yes "
Aiden gave Murphy the address. Murphy set off. Yossan stayed behind to watch Aiden and talk with him.
Yossan : " How did you know that girl was related to Murphy ? "
Aiden : "Some of my spies told me he treats her differently. He never punished her for any mistake "
" That's not enough. Maybe he just feels pity for her "
" Do I really have to explain how I knew to you ? "
Yossan rose and struck Aiden, scolding him. "You brave fool." He took out a knife and put it to Aiden's throat. "Time for some fun."
Aiden: "You're right. I want some fun too."
Yossan was surprised by Aiden's words. Then something unexpected happened.
Aiden rose, removed the Koru cuffs from himself and pushed Yossan away. He drew his weapon to attack. Yossan also drew his weapon and blocked Aiden's strike.
Yossan asked in confusion, "How did you remove Koru's cuffs?"
Aiden: "Koru was reassigned. These cuffs are not the heir's property. I took different ones from here."
"So that's it."
In the room where Aiden was held , there were chains and cuffs — proof that he had switched the restraints. He had not been lying.
Aiden's weapon was a hunting rifle. He fired several shots at Yossan. Yossan brought out his weapon—a sword—to block the bullets.
Yossan's element was lightning. Aiden's element was water
Yossan lunged at Aiden and Aiden met him with his rifle, which had a small spear fixed to its muzzle. As they clashed, Yossan felt his feet begin to freeze. He realized Aiden was trying to freeze them, so he surged lightning through his legs to melt the ice.
Suddenly Aiden had backed away and fired a rapid series of shots. Yossan tried to parry with his sword but the bullets pushed him backward.
He remarked, "It's your father's famous weapon. Amazing that you know how to use it."
Aiden replied with a grin, "Thanks — your encouragement lifts my spirits, dear."
Yossan snapped, "I'll make you regret that cheek, brat."
"We'll see about that."
Aiden kept firing. Some bullets struck Yossan, though he blocked most. Yossan closed in and managed to wound Aiden in the chest with his sword despite the distance. Aiden drove the rifle's spear into Yossan's arm in return, making him cry out and step back. Electricity crackled from Aiden's body as he held the wound in his chest that Yossan had caused. Yossan, too, was injured — a bullet in his belly and another graze on his neck made him bleed.
This time Yossan hurled a strong lightning bolt at Aiden. Aiden defended with an icy barrier then his opponent suddenly attacked from the left. Aiden fired more shots but Yosan blocked them and cut Aiden's right hand.
Aiden fell back and took a bandage from his pocket. He wrapped the wound using his mouth and left hand. Aiden's right hand—the one he used to shoot—was injured, which was a problem for him. Yossan's right shoulder was also hurt, so he was fighting mostly with his left arm.
Aiden smiled after bandaging himself and said, "Now the fight is even."
Yossan answered, "Yes, it seems so. I admit I underestimated you. But I haven't used all my strength yet, so don't celebrate."
Aiden shot back, "I was held by you for days with almost no food or drink and being tortured . Of course I'm weaker than you, smart one."
"True."
While they spoke, Yossan noticed something . ' Where are the rest of my men and Murphy's guards who were watching this place? Their energy disappeared suddenly ! ' He looked around and saw blood. A bad feeling hit him.
As Yossan hesitated, Aiden interrupted, "Will you finish the fight or not?"
Yosan answered, "I won't, unfortunately."
"Are you afraid of me?"
"No. I have a hunch telling me not to."
"Another way to call you a coward."
"Call it what you like."
Yossan leapt back to show he was serious and would not continue. Aiden followed and they clashed again. This time Yosan gained the upper hand. Suddenly both felt two people approaching. They turned and saw Klaus with Milo beside him.
Klaus stepped forward and stopped the duel. "The fight is over. Yossan Indar, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Lillian Aiden."
Yossan spluttered, "Do you intend to imprison me? If you do, who will fill the slots with Aiden?"
"A replacement has already been found. Don't worry about that. Now, get on your knees and put your hands on your head."
Yossan was practical. He saw he was trapped: Klaus and Milo fighting with Aiden against him meant he would lose. He surrendered and knelt, placing his hands atop his head as ordered.
Klaus came close and put shackles on Yossan's wrists. Milo hurried to Aiden with a first-aid kit and began treating his wounds. Yosan, now bound, was taken to Klaus's vehicle. Aiden was taken as well.