Old Josh is seated at his usual table in the library's inner sanctuary. This is his home.
What amazes everyone however is that noone remembers or knows where he came from but that he is Rockville's librarian and everyone says he has never aged between all that time. He never bothers to clarify but at least everyone knows he is a Grandmaster, part scribe part warrior.
Today across him sits 3G who has just had a fruitful first day with Kumo. On the table rests a teapot and two cups of which occasionally Old Josh takes a sip from the one in front of him. On the other side however it can be seen that 3G is clearly lost in his mind until Old Josh decides to break the silence after finishing his cup of tea.
"Anyone would think you lost a fight to Kumo," he says as he refills his cup.
3G looks up towards Old Josh."It's something else. You remember your suspicions right?"
Old Josh nods his head at this and 3G continues," I thought it would take a week or even the whole fortnight to confirm but I already have the answer."
"And what would that be?"
3G looks up, his eyes meeting Old Josh's for the first time. He shrugs his head, then picks up the cup of tea and downs it down in one gulp. He puts the cup down and he says, " Kumo is indeed a descendant of Alhazir. I looked closely at the mark you suspected and indeed even I believe it is a tattoo like the boy says."
"If not the tattoo, then how come you're so sure?" asks Old Josh.
"I was talking to him and he told me about visions he's been having. He calls it Sixth Sense. He says he can sense killing intent directed towards him. However its the visions that make me sure about him. I believe he has begun tapping the reality law."
Hearing 3G's words, Old Josh had a panicked expression. He leaned forward and said in a low voice, " So you're telling me, this young boy is a descendant of Alhazir, the strongest god ever. That's what I suspected. But to tell me he's already altered reality as a novice, that is insane and even rumours suggest Bruno has never altered reality."
" I'm telling you, he has seen a step into the future and I believe it's not once," said 3G. He then continued, " For starters, if we've already found out it won't be long till he whispers it into the wrong ear. I know it's hard and you've served The Empire for long but I think you should give him to Yuri."
After 3G said this, Old Josh stroked his beard for a full minute before saying, " Yuri you say."
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"You know what, most of the time you make me wonder why you get paid and I pay you on top. I thought the Serpents were supposed to be the ultimate spies and information organisation yet you can't give me the thing I need urgently. Anything to help strong-arm Kumo suppose he plays hard to get. The only thing you say he cares for is money but we all know he can make that as an independent assassin. Find something, anything. Suppose look for ink shops around SkillHill City to find if anyone has done a tattoo of a spider. Have you tried that?"
The man who was on his knees hesitated before answering, " No, we haven't."
" YOU SON OF A ...GET OUT THIS INSTANT. I NEED SOMETHING I BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT OR I'M AFRAID YOU'D HAVE FORFEITED YOUR LIFE." shouted the man in the darkness.
The man who had been bowing, stood up and disappeared into th night. The other figure was left alone and said to themselves, "Now Kumo, it's up to you whether you will join the easy way or the hard way. Either way, you're joining the Serpents. And the best part, you will be faithful to me. The incentive, just to make sure you'll be a good boy. So better be a good boy and you'll never know about it. You make a good friend."
The figure stepped into the light. It was the heir of House Ali. Spencer then continued, "The only thing left is that I find something useful. I'm trying to protect you from joining Commander Vader for we all know you will always be held as inferior to Ryan."