Hello everyone! How're you? Hope you're fine and safe :D

Thanks a lot to Scarlet Witch of Terra, TwilightUniverse018, LadyPeach7, Sohana Sarkar, CuteTyHil, Rock the Road and Ezabella for reviewing. Also thanks to Rock the Road for faving and following it :)

Here's the third chapter, in Russia.

Warning: Gore scene, alcohol and drugs, torture scene with a lot of angst.

So...enjoy!

P.S: I don't own "Castle of Glass". Linkin Park is the rightful owner of the song :P

"Chooooo!"

"Chuff-chuff!"

Ignoring the outer world, the eerie darkness of the underground railway stations, keeping the stony walls by both its sides, the train was progressing without stopping once. Sirens were blowing, the wheels of the long vehicle were sliding against the pebbles of the tracks. Tiny fireflies were sparkling, springing from frequent frictions. The passengers were looking outside with awe. To them, they were motionless and the rest of the external environment was making them lag far behind.

Inside the compartment, a few dim oval-shaped lights attached to the roof were lit, only misting over the murk-concealed aura. A typical Russian fully covered in brown fur coat was sitting on the soft couch, almost on the verge of snoozing. As the TGV was moving, his head was swaying by fits and starts. Before him, round metal hanging straps were swinging from a straight bar. The dual-haired Russian was standing, holding one of them. He grimaced as his amethyst orbs watched the world out of the rounded quadrangular windows running, almost challenging an invisible leopard.

Einstein was a nerd. Then, how could he be so quirky to the agent by reminding him about his lingering behind the world through the visual representation of the theory of relativity?

Flashback:

"31," A womanly voice entered his left ear through the earpod, "Julia Fernandez here. Sorry that you had so little luck at the bungalow. It is really hard to determine where father Dickenson has been taken. We lost the track of him in the airport."

"Very good." Kai mumbled, almost hissing, clenching his teeth.

"The agency, however, feels that we have already fulfilled the end of our deal," The Spaniard didn't care of the sarcasm in his voice, "And expect you to comply with the terms by completing a minor assignment in St. Petersburg."

"Hn."

"Your objective is to take out an ex-KGB officer, participating in a secret meeting," The dual-haired lady explained, "Solely arranged so that you can take a clean shot at him. The meeting is going to take place at 1300 hours today in the Pushkin building on Varosnu square. The room is on the first floor, in the western wing. Hope you have the photo."

Kai pulled out a rectangular frame from his pocket. It had been captured on a random snow-bathed day. The mansion was three-storied and E-shaped. The center portion of the structure was lower than the other two were. Rectangular, arced and gridline windows could be seen respectively attached to the walls of the ground, the first and the second floors. Two parabolic openings of the second level were marked red and pointed with an arrow. The agent didn't have to work hard to understand that it was the destination where the assembly would happen, so might the removal of a character from God's own musical.

"The building is the former FSB headquarters," Julia added, "And can only be assessed from the square. There're one main entrance and one back entrance-both heavily guarded by FSB paramilitary personnel. The target must be eliminated during the meeting which is scheduled to the last five minutes."

"Hn."

"Another thing," Stern her voice sounded, "Absolutely nobody in the assembly must be harmed save the aimed one. This is very important, 31."

"I know."

"Upon your arrival at the metro," Julia smiled, "You will find your equipment and paraphernalia in locker #T at the station. Your escape route is returning with the train."

"Anything else?"

"Avoid all kinds of contacts with soldiers and guards," The Spanish warned, "They are instructed to remove the civilians from the area."

"Thanks." Kai pronounced, putting the photo back.

Flash forward:

The sound of the train was literally banging inside his head. Anyone would want to destroy it; quite mutual the feelings were. Especially for those who were obsessed with quietness, who loved to be soundless, it was the salt on wounds. Thankfully, his compartment had only two men. His companion was peacefully travelling around the wonderland of Alice, so he didn't have to worry much. He was tolerating all the pricks that were stabbing his feet on his way. He had to finish a black spirit and save a white soul. That's why, he had to be attentive.

'I suspect that both guards and soldiers here are well-trained and highly suspicious of the foreigners,' Kai noted, 'I have to rely on the element of surprise-they don't expect me. If I keep it cool, clean and quiet, they'll never know what hit them. Now, I just have to find locker#T.'

"31!"

Out of nowhere, the Spanish girl exclaimed, calling his id number. The slate-haired Russian was lost in his own thoughts and plans. He felt startled a bit. Coughing, he spoke, "Yes?"

"Nothing..." A sigh escaped from the lungs of the orange-banged lass. Russia, the icy land, reminded her of someone. The guy was a Tatar, yet, he used to reside in her core. For that, often her colleagues taunted her, saying that she had a heart made of ice which couldn't be splintered. They weren't wrong, she was strong, determined and courageous. She should have loved the abode of her beloved. But...

She hated the land. The mention of the country made her leave the meetings and assemblies with silly excuses. Why not? In the same country, her affectionate mother, her father who had used to treat her like a princess, at last but not at least, her twin brother, one of the pieces of his heart, had breathed their last.

"Raul!"

The ten-year old dual-haired girl rushed towards the lying boy with her tiny, yet rabbit-like footsteps. He was vulnerably reposed on the ground on a pool of blood. His unfledged, soft chest had three sieves which had been created by the bullets of an M60 rifle. His infantile body was convulsing to bear the immense pain. Gradually, the thin brooks of blood were rolling down from his nostrils. Clenching his teeth and clasping the merciless ground with his nails, he was trying to eradicate the soreness. His emerald eyes sparkled with tears as they captured the view of the burning mansion. The crests of the outstretching flames defeated the height of the pinnacle of the manor which had been the epitome of aristocracy once upon a time.

The little female Spaniard kowtowed beside him. Her petite fingers softly, yet, firmly entwined his fallen palm. Pulling it closer to her chest, she glanced all over him. He didn't want to die so soon. He was craving to live. To his sister, he kept staring as if only she had known how to revive him. Like a half-slaughtered bull, he was jerking.

"Sister..." He mused, "I'm feeling sleepy. But it's aching...a lot..."

"No Raul, it's not the time of sleeping!" Julia blurted, trying to soothe her brother, "Don't you know what mom and dad said to us? It's not good for health to sleep at this time. Come on, let's go to play!"

"Then why... are mom and dad...sleep...sleeping now?"

Julia bent her head down. Ironically, she didn't have any logical answer to his question. She rubbed his palms frequently for keeping them warm.

"Julie...mom used to sing lullabies for me when I couldn't sleep," Raul's words hitched, "Mom herself is sleeping now. Please...sing one for me nah..."

The Spanish girl looked here and there. The sun was drowning in the western ocean of vapors bit by bit. Slowly, its crimson glow was also fading. Nightfall was pouring itself all over the earth. Not a living creature could be seen around them, let alone a human being to whom she could beg for help. No profit it would bring, at that period, there was no elixir which could bring the dying boy back to the ruthless world. Sniffing, the elder sister kept patting the head of the kid whose lips were curled into a smile. Slowly, he closed his eyes, drifting to the world of siesta which had no bottom.

The sun has already slept, the evening has spread,

Silent the sky is, on the pillow, the world has laid her head,

You also go to sleep, oh my dear brother,

Please, listen to your beloved sister.

You're the piece of my heart,

You're the pupils of my eyes,

My love you are, my affection splashes for you,

A sweet juice this is, showering from the paradise.

She is stranded, she doesn't know further,

You also go to sleep, oh my dear brother,

Please, listen to your beloved sister.

"Julia!"

Gasping, the Spanish girl came to the reality. She couldn't realize when her eyes had started sprinkling the emotional fluid. Dabbing them, she smilingly spoke, "Nothing, 31. Just go back to your mission. Good luck!"

He stood by the side of the rail-lines as the train left the station, again screaming like a demon. He puffed, glancing all over the platform. It was quite desolate, yet gorgeous. The floor was made in chessboard style of wood-looking tiles. Dark red composite pillars were standing on soft-yellow brick podiums. Golden serpentine structures were wrapping them with the oeuvres of firearms. Two or three candle-chandeliers were sagging from the roof. Over the curved entrances and exits, fused tube-lights were attached to the walls.

Turning left, he approached another opening. There was a series of metal lockers which were clinging to the barriers. His eyes cautiously searched for the chosen one. It came out 4th from the left in the third row. Popping out a lockpick, he went to the drawer and penetrated the needle inside the keyhole.

"Halt!"

Kai baulked as he felt the muzzle of a handgun placed against his head. Not dropping the key, he turned back. A scarlet-haired Russian, putting on the uniform of Tatar soldiers, was standing there, directing a silver desert eagle at him. His eyebrows and nose were wrinkled. Icy blue orbs were fixed on the face of the dual-haired agent. The phoenix-prince felt as if those eyes had been about to burn him without setting any fire. But they weren't unrecognizable to him. He knew them very well.

Since his childhood.

"Ting!"

The glittering blades of two particular swords knocked each other. Fastening the scabbard firmly into his fingers, he beckoned the opponent to come forward. The amethyst orbs of the eight-year old were holding an evil but determined expression. His left was stepped back. He leaned forward a bit, somewhat folding his right knee.

"Taste this!"

The red-haired challenger rushed towards him with full acceleration. The phoenix-prince also charted him, trailing in the direction of his appearance. After six or seven steps, he leaped up, leaving all the masses on his back leg. While landing on the earth, he penetrated his vane into the gap of the metallic holder of his opponent's weapon. Not waiting at all, he hauled it up, causing the rapier to collapse on the ground.

The opponent gasped as his feet touched the soil. Shortly following his dumbfounded look, a grin appeared on his face. Nodding and accepting his defeat, he expanded his hand to the victor, for a handshake. Understanding it, the winner grinned, entwining his hand in arm-wrestling style.

"Back to the race, ah?" The gun-holder grimaced, "Don't you know that foreigners aren't allowed here?"

"Cut me," Kai sneered, "You'll only find Russia."

"So much patriotism?" The redhead cocked an eyebrow, "If you love Russia to this extent, why were you dallying to come here?"

"You know that well," The dual-haired agent replied, "Our pasts aren't different from each other."

"Of course," The wolf nodded, "But surely, the presents are. You're a free bird and I'm caged here."

"It was your decision, Valkov," Kai slapped on his shoulder, "I told you hundred times to flee with me. But you preferred to be the slave of BB to gain your liberty. Don't blame me for this."

"Forget it," The scarlet-haired Russian pretended to sigh, "Anyways, tell me your id."

The slate-haired guy narrowed his eyes which made the guard chortle a bit. Covering his mouth, peeping here and there, he whispered, "I know that you're not telling lies. But I need your confirmation. It's my duty as a spy. I cannot overlook it."

"Fine," Kai muttered, "My id is KH142857."

"Good Sourpuss."

Smirking, the blue-eyed bod unlocked the locker#T. There was an SVD sniper rifle with some ammos. Purple pools gleamed seeing the orange wooden handle and the black silencer. Striding towards it, he picked the Dragunov up and wrapped its strap diagonally covering his left shoulder and right waist around his body. Filling his pockets with bullets, he turned to his comrade.

"31," The feminine tone over the headset seemed curious, "Who's that?"

"You yourself say that." Unplugging the earphone, the Russian handed it to his companion. Shrugging, the redhead attached it to his ears. Clearing his throat, he greeted, "Hello?"

"Tala!"

Julia almost dropped a file from her hands. Sitting in the control room, she got to hear the voice after a long time for which her soul had been yearning. The sounds escaped from his throat left cool sensations in her heart. Unlike her nature, she concealed her emerald orbs with her eyelids. Two droplets of tears slid across her cheeks.

How long will it take to reconcile?

With the man of my heart? For him, my nights pass in vigil.

Like the pied crusted cuckoos, through the entire night,

The black moon is staring, in awe and fright.

Because I'll be...I wanna be his Juliet,

But it doesn't happen, the player is my fate.

Why? Why cannot this distance fall apart?

When will I meet the man of my heart?

Whereas, the red-haired Russian was also surprised. He doubted once whereas his ears were cheating him or not. No, they weren't deceptive. They were sending the gleeful vibes of meeting the queen of his own-created kingdom to his neurons through auditory nerves. He closed his eyes, offering all his concentration to her soothing voice. His whole life had been passed through hardships and obscure mazes. Her vocal cord was a glinting sun; it was a burning torch to show him the right path.

"Jules..."

I haven't seen you for many days,

Still, I can remember your face.

On the mirror of memories' sphere,

Still, your reflection appears, oh dear.

For many days, you aren't with me,

Still, the thirst of my heart forgot to flee,

When the dear ones go far,

Strangely, they become dearer.

"How're you, Tala?" Julia questioned, biting her lips, pressing the earpiece against her ear.

"Fine..." Though it was a complete lie, he had to tell it in order to raise a smile on her face, "And you?"

"Me too..." She whispered, lowering her head. In her cheeks, Spanish roses bloomed. Her voice reached Russia, the temperature of Arabia reached her face.

"You didn't forget me, right?" The redhead managed to grin somehow.

'How could I forget you, Tala?' Julia didn't answer, 'It's you who were there with me in my bad times. When I couldn't sleep at nights because of the dark nightmares, you comforted me over phones and video calls. It's true...it's true that we have never met each other in reality because of our chores but...the distance between us never seemed to cease our love. We both have troubled childhoods; we share the same mentality. I know, Tala, I know that you were never able to keep a hand on my shoulder so that I could feel better. Yet, your words and expressions were more calming than that. Seeing your face, my eyes felt cool.'

'You are the one who taught me to live, Julie,' The redhead didn't also wait for the reply, 'Staying with Boris Balkov, my brain started rotting. I wanted to escape from the abbey and join you all. My childhood friends, Bryan, Ian, Spencer...all ended their lives, unable to receive the torture. I've seen them dying bit by bit, day by day, being crushed under the hydraulic press of conscience and repentance. But...it is you who kept me alive. Though I helped Kai flee, I couldn't...because the lives of my parents were in the hands of that eggplant. When the obstruction ceased, I felt my feet to be chained and my throat to be chocked. I don't know whether I will get to meet you before the removal of the dickhead or not. I wanted to revenge him...just waiting for a precious moment. Till then, I'll be alive. Only for you, Julie, only for you.'

Because you'll come, the sky is overcast with clouds,

Still, it hasn't rained.

Because you'll come, the gulmohar flowers are blooming,

Yet, they haven't become stained.

Because you'll come, the singers are waiting,

Still, they haven't sung.

Because you'll come, the temple bells are silent,

Yet, they haven't rung.

"I'm leaving the ear-set here," Being annoyed, kept his hands on his waist, "Talk to each other fulfilling your hearts' content. I'm going."

"Hey no!" The Spaniard cried, "Don't do that. If I lose your track once, we all will be doomed!"

"Bye Jules..." Tala murmured, handing the microphone to Kai. Taking it, the slate-haired Russian softly patted his shoulders. Covering his upper face with the hood of his black hoodie, he quietly left the station.

Climbing the ladders of the sewer, the phoenix-prince got up to the earth. In front of the cesspool, there was a military truck. Under it, there was a set of Prussian blue uniform of Russian soldiers. At the other side, guards were roaming with AK-47s in their hands. Holding his breaths, Kai crawled under the vehicle and changed his cloths only in order to be safe.

Not bothering to approach the rest of the soldiers, the Russian turned back and started running. The sky was hazy, cloaked behind the icy clouds. The whole ground of the area was looking like the scoops of vanilla ice-cream. The marks of tires were obvious on them, rising up and stooping on the gradients. Like the petals of white roses, snow was falling upon him. Against the brick walls, piles of frost mustered as if crystal granules. Yellow, violet, green buildings kept standing, bathing in them. He continued sprinting across the streets of Moscow, silently, just like a feline.

"31," Julia worriedly spoke, "The meeting will begin in five minutes."

"I know." Gritting his teeth, Kai rotated his head left and right. The targeted building was beyond some high-walls which couldn't be climbed at all. They were slippery and covered with prickly nets. Some entrances were heavily guarded with "No Entry" signboards. Despite being in disguise, he couldn't take any risk.

He beheld a yellow two-storied building. Tilting a bit, the view of the levelled manor could be seen. Not wasting a single second, Kai loomed towards it, not running. With slow towpaths, he opened the main wooden door of it. The roaming combatants rotated their necks at him once but didn't mind. Closing the gate, the phoenix-prince again scurried. Foggy lights were illuminating the corridors and stairs. Over his head, shining electric bulbs were hanging with wires. The stairway was diagonally twisted inside the building resembling snake wrapping a tree. Climbing it, the slate-haired Russian entered another room. There were three doors at three sides of it. The fourth wall had an open window with white ligneous partition. Through it, the meeting in the opposite building could easily be viewed.

Aiming the tube of the firearm at the opposite window, Kai set his right eye at the black hourglass-shaped monocular. Closing another, he kept beholding the scene. Four Russian generals were sitting surrounding a rectangular table on stilted chairs. Leaning lazily, they were talking to one another. On the desk, wine bottles were kept. They were pouring the cherry-colored inebriating liquid in crystal goblets and having sips from them. Smokes of cigars were often hindering the phoenix-prince to have to proper view. That's why, the face of the targeted officer couldn't be identified accurately by him.

"Julia," He mouthed, "It appears that four generals have joined the meeting. I need extra information to pinpoint my target."

"That sounds strange, 31," The Spaniard glowered, "Unexpected as well. Here's what I have got. The target is about 55 years old."

"As far as I can see, children aren't sitting there."

"Okay, do not execute until you have an absolute positive id about your target, 31." The girl spoke, rummaging through some old files and documents kept beside the computer table.

Before the lens, the slate-haired Russian saw a certain purple-haired man around 50. His square face had a mask around his eyes. Slamming on the table continuously, he was blabbering something. Kai couldn't listen to him but seeing him, his blood started bubbling in his veins. The clutch on his rifle grew tighter, so did his fangs. Ire held him as a captive right then. His feet were quivering but his grip on his weapon was immobile.

"Thud!"

"Aah!"

Falling down, the seven-year old boy looked at his trainer, clinching his head which was paining. Quite obvious it was, the violet-head was holding an AK-47 in his hands. The head of the younger had been smacked by its handle. His aventurine orbs became widened in fear. He retreated, skidding, not getting up.

"Hold it!" The owner of the abbey literally flung the Kalashnikov at him which landed on his forehead. A gash appeared there, exuding two slender streams of the crimson bio-liquid. In pain, he shrieked, grasping the wound. As his back met the wall, finally, he stood up. He was courageous enough. That's why, he was able to manage some place for anger in his orbs.

"Why are you doing these things to me?" The toddler hissed, "Don't you know that my grandfather is very powerful? Don't you?"

The tormentor remained silent for a few moments, cocking an eyebrow and pretending to ponder over something. Then, all of a sudden, he burst out laughter. The spooky sound evaporated the infuriation of the little Hiwatarian, increasing his frights.

"Little Kai..." He giggled, "About whom are you talking? Your grandfather? You may not know that he's the one who left you here."

He trilled hearing the words emitted from the filthy mouth of the monk. His eyes were filled with disbelief. He tried to grasp the rock-made wall behind him but it wasn't possible. Maybe, it was as cruel as his destiny.

"Yes," Boris clenched the greyish-blue hair of the kid firmly and shook his head by it, "Sir Voltaire Hiwatari needed to perform an auspicious task. You know, for venerations, something should be sacrificed. That's why, he dropped you here as the sacrificial lamb."

The child dropped on his knees, slumping against the barrier. He was feeling exhausted. No, not for the wound on his temple. For the harsh truth. Despite being awake, despite keeping his eyes open, he had to see the bitterest nightmare named reality. His unfledged brain couldn't take that much pressure. Bit by bit, he was losing his abilities of matching his eyes with the environs. Everything was spinning, everything was losing color. The grandfather...who had used to cradle him in his arms...who had fed him with his own hands even in the last month...did this?

His stranded condition amused the torturer. Again, he exploded with wild exultation which left shivers even in the lifeless brick walls of the abbey. The floor shook though any earthquake wasn't happening in the outer world. Pulsations swirled across the glass windows.

Take me down to the river bend,

Take me down to the fighting end,

Wash the poison from off my skin,

Show me how to be whole again...

"Boris Balkov!" He muttered angrily, "Today, I'll finish him!"

"No!" The Spanish girl alerted, "You cannot do it. It's forbidden to kill anyone in the meeting save the targeted one."

"For me, Boris is my target," Kai seethed, "My hands are itching to take his life out of his body, Julia. I can sleep in peace only after doing that!"

"I can understand how you are feeling, 31," Julia's voice softened a bit, "But try to understand. From the video clips of your last mission, it is quite clear that this Boris Balkov has something with the abduction of father Dickenson. If you kill this eggplant right now, possibly, you may never find your friend out."

"But...if I kill the target, won't Boris be alarmed?" Kai re-questioned, "By letting him go, aren't I putting father Dickenson's life at stake?"

"He won't be alarmed," Beside him, a manly voice retorted, "Because it's his plan to knock that KGB officer out."

The phoenix-prince didn't have to remove his eyes from the victim to the speaker. Immediately recognizing his voice, the slate-haired Russian frowned, "Tala?"

"Don't need to be shocked," The redhead conversed, "I've just come here to check out whether you're performing your task properly or not. Just do what Julia is telling you to do."

"But..."

"There will be plenty of chances in future to you, Kai!" Tala churned, "But like you, Julia has the right of avenging the deaths of her dear ones too. Try to understand what she feels. Only you can give her that solace, Kai. Trusting you, she has agreed to guide you. Now you cannot step back and ruin everything by killing that eggplant!"

From the other side of the earpod, the phoenix-prince heard the irregular sounds of sniffing. The girl wasn't speaking to him at all. Despite tears' not having any auditory effect, he could hear them.

"I have lost my dear and near ones too, Julia," Kai heaved a sigh, "Of course, I won't forget and forgive Boris Balkov ever. But only for you, I'm giving up my own vengeance. This time, I'll prefer my profession to my emotion. Give me further details about him!"

"Well..." The girl wiped her tears, "I'm leaping through some private footages from the last year. Hang on...looks like he's right-handed."

"At least 70% people in the world are right-handed," The phoenix-prince verbalized, "That narrows it down. But still, no positive id. My time slot is slipping...any additional info?"

"I have a feed from a database regarding his medical profile," Julia included, "Apparently he drinks a lot."

"Close enough," Kai acknowledged, "But still...not 100%."

"Let me ask Hilary." The Spaniard got up from her seat and left the room. After a few jiffies, she entered the cubicle with a chocolate-haired girl, chattering a bit. Taking the microphone, the brunette spoke, "What happened, Kai?"

"These generals are seeming lookalikes to me." Kai replied. Beside him, the red-haired Russian was anxiously standing, glancing all over the room. The footsteps on the same floor hit his ears. Thankfully, the weapon of the dual-haired agent was suppressed. Before his arrival, the wolf had added a silencer to it.

"Hmm..." Hilary turned over the pages of a book, "He's bald. Apparently, a non-smoker."

The agent rotated the tube of his sniper. From a certain person, the smokes of cigarette weren't being emitted. No sign of hair could be noticed under his military cap. The purple-haired man was standing behind him, keeping his hands on his shoulders. Seeing them, a sly smirk appeared in his lips.

"I have visible contact and positive id." Kai marked, before pressing the trigger.

"Sleesh!"

The glass of the opposite window got shattered into pieces. The man who'd been sitting on the chair fell on the ground, making the rest of the people inside the room gasp and stand up. Following that, the slate-haired spy dropped the sniper. Tala caught his wrist firmly and pulled him towards the doorway. Opening the door, they met some Russian soldiers having Kalashnikovs.

"Bad news!" One of them blurted, "Sir Makarov has been shot."

"We're also coming from there," Tala's answer was ready, "We have seen the shooter climbing down the wall through the window and fleeing. Looks like he forgot his SVD sniper there!"

"Why couldn't you follow him?" Another hissed.

"Are you mad?" Kai tilted his eyebrows, "What if we died?"

"Cowards!" Kicking at the ground, the troopers stormed past them. Huffing, the redhead and the slate-haired Russian climbed down the stairs. Coming out of the through half-dark labyrinths, they rushed towards the same sewer. The snowfall had already increased. Branches of bald trees were wearing the jewelries of ice. Clover-leaf street lamps were radiating the white rays of the evening. Beside the roads, river Volga wasn't streaming, freezing completely in whiteness and void. But they didn't have the time to view of frightening and breathtaking beauty of beautiful Russia. Avoiding the eyes of the Russian combatants and Mafia bodyguards of the generals, descending through the ladders of the manhole, they ran across the darkness, reaching the same railway station.

"It's safe...,." Tala panted as they stopped at a safe point in the stoppage, "Nobody will suspect you here. The train will arrive anytime, leave the place."

"You?"

"Me?" Pointing at himself, the redhead chuckled, "I'm a caged bird. It shouldn't leave its cage ever."

"But..."

"Don't worry about me, Kai," Tala placed a hand on his shoulder, "Nothing will happen to me. I'll be alive and alright just in order to be a part of the assassination of Boris Balkov. I promise, you'll be the one to kick him out of this planet. Till then, I have to be patient."

The train stopped at the underground station, whistling loudly. As usual, it came out empty. Before getting in, Kai looked back and waved a hand at his childhood friend. Smiling bitterly, biting his inner lips, Tala also nodded. The sliders of the train closed. Soon, it left the place.

Heaving a sigh, the redhead murmured, "Congratulations, my dear friend. I'm proud of you."

"Good luck, pal," Kai wished silently, holding one of the hangers in his compartment, "May you be victorious always."

"Kai!"

A contented smile rose all over his face as he heard the familiar womanly voice, uttering his real name for the first time on that day. He spoke, "Yes, Julia?"

"Thank you..." After a long pause, she mused which curved his lips into a smirk. She had a lot of words to say but her vocal cord wasn't permitting her to do that. She felt as if her late brother had descended on the earth from heaven and been smiling at her. Her soul got peace after a long time. She wanted to retain it. She was willing to cherish it. However, seeing the blushing brunette standing beside her, Julia handed her the microphone.

"Congrats, Kai..." The chocolate-haired girl spoke, smilingly, "Finally, you have been successful to control your emotions. You deserve to be appreciated."

"Hn..."

"By the way, your next mission may be in Italy," Hilary informed, winking and mixing some playful devilishness with her tone, "What do you think, agent 31? Are you ready?"

Leaving the hangers, the phoenix-prince kept crossing his arms on his chest, closing his eyes. Bit by bit, a wicked leer displayed itself in the corners of his lips. Then, he let her know:

"Always, my lady."

So...how was it?

Do read and review. Pardon all the grammatical mistakes and the spelling errors. Take care :D

-Misty ^_^ ^_^