Chapter 1

One day at the rural areas of their nations capital.

“morning kid.” Dutuer

“morning mr president. So, how is the project going?”

“quite well. To think that you have thought about this in your dream.”

“yes, and im also proud of it. “

“with this, we can also save the environment.”

“what about project green sir?”

“project green is a go. Though we would need the people’s cooperation for this.”

“yes, we do. And is the project ready for take off?”

“yes. Our chemists have already made a combination that would definitely capture carbon dioxide and turn it to crystals in mid air.”

“when will be the testing?”

“soon. Though as good as your ideas might be, this place is still a bit smelly.”

“yes, which is why those people now have jobs where the government would pay them.”

Dutuer agreed as they went their way back. Then in the car riding towards the airport.

“so how are the girls today? Are the good?”

“yes they are good. They are back at the company right now.”

“with all those women, tell me. Whom do you choose?”

“I still don’t know.”

“you really have to choose between the four of them you know. No woman would want to be a mans second.”

“yes, I know. But as I am also eternally grateful for them for their service and being close friends with me, I want to choose wisely between them.”

“and if you choose, you can just have all 4 of them. You now have the money and power for it.”

“no. its not because of that I cant choose between them. Its just that my heart isn’t settled. “

“I see. Though you know our religion, you should choose whats best for all of you.”

Rod thought for a while on the times that he has been with them “I will see if I can choose.”

“good. And here is your stop.”

They have arrived at the airport where they said their goodbyes and rod going back to the company.

In his office, he had a call.

“hello.”

“hello rod. This is dutuer speaking. “

“good day to you. What is the matter now?”

“actually, the UN is asking for a request of you.”

“sure. What is the request?”

“the request would be from russia where a Russian made the request of one of the old castles. Her little brother got lost inside that castle at night and says that she needs you.”

“we will see to the sighting and try if we can locate her brother. But what will we get from all of this?”

“her mother said they will pay anything to find the brother. Intelligence say that the mother has ties with the bratva. “

“wont that be like.. “

“a bit shady? I know. Though you would have some merit with this one. She says that shes not with the bratva.”

“hmm.. let us think about this.”

“though that info had been over 10 years old which might have been in the cold for now. Anyways, think about it.”

“sure. Thanks.”

After they said their goodbyes, rod then issued a meeting for them later and discussed about the request.

“no. smells too fishy to me.” Sheryl

“yes. It might be a trap or something.” Yukiko

“hmm.. I think not. If she is so desperate as to ask for the UNs help, maybe the situation is bad as we thought.” Flores

“yes, your right. Though we also cant dismiss the fact that she might be with the bratva. “ rod

“there are too many variables here rod. I don’t think that we should help though there is definitely merit in making contact with her.” Stacey

“you mean your ready for some shady deals?” yukiko

“we have been a clean company for some time already. I don’t think that we should dirty it.” Sheryl

“alright then. The decision for now is not to agree with the request.” rod

“yes, I agree.” sheryl

“me too.” Yukiko

“me too.” Flores

“me four. “ Stacey

“Alright then, this meeting is adjourned. So yukiko, whats for dinner tonight?”

They then had a full course dinner from yukiko later. later that night, when they were asleep in their house in the outskirts of the city, a driver then dropped a woman and a child off at their house.

“hello, good evening. Is there a rod mason here?” she said as she knocked the door

“mommy, im hungry.” The child spoke in russian

“later sweetheart. First we must get to rod.”

“okay mommy.”

“hello!”

In the morning, Sheryl woke up to the alarm clock while sleeping beside rod.

“oh yeah, its my turn now to sleep with him. “ she remembered as the girls made an arrangement on who sleeps with rod for each night.

She then tries to wake him up by sitting on top of him.

“rod, wake up.” As she touched his chest

He just moaned.

“wake up rod!” as she then tugged in his chest

Now she rocks her body in waking him up.

“rod, wake up! Its now morning!”

After a few seconds of rocking, he then woke up while Sheryl was on top of him.

“good morning Sheryl. “

She then stood up on top of him with her being wet and his sword strong

“now look at me. You took too long to wake up.” sheryl

“haha. Sorry Sheryl. “ rod

“geez. Now im in the mood.” Sheryl

“alright then. Lets do—“

“hold it there. “ Stacey said as she checks up on them. It was also her turn to cook that time.

Both of them were surprised with the sudden intrusion.

“its his fault you know, so he gotta take responsibility and take it all the way.” Sheryl

“then let me also let in on the fun.” Stacey said as she starts to undress and smiles

While downstairs, flores is making coffee for the morning and then goes outside for her daily running routine. When she got to the door, it was a bit heavy when a woman fell from the door, waking her up upon falling.

“whoa! What are you doing here?!” flores said as she stares at the white haired woman.

“im sorry but is mr rod mason here?” she said

“yes, but its still early in the morning and his office will only be open until later.” flores

“I just need to see him. Its about my boy.”

Flores thought about her words for a while and she remembered their meeting.

“oh I see. Come in first.” Flores said as she showed the way to the living room.

She then gave her coffee to the woman and goes to rods room. There she saw him with Sheryl and Stacey all naked lying down in the bed. And as she got into the room, his sword was then strong once more.

“ehem.. rod, you have a visitor, I mean we have a visitor.” Flores

“oh, alright then. So early in the morning?” as he got up.

Flores was still staring at his sword but she knew that there are more important matters to attend to than this so she just stared at him while he changes. Then after a while, rod and the girls go down the stairs to find a woman in the living room.

“is mr rod mason here?”

“yes, im rod mason. What can I do for you?”

“im patricia utravic and I have come to make a formal request from you.”

“whats your request then?” rod said as he sat beside her while the other girls sat on the other chairs.

“I already have the request passed through UN but I dont think that would work. My request is for you to save my boy.”

“can you tell us the details of this request?” yukiko

“this is when they were playing in the afternoon. I took them on a field trip one time to an old castle ruins. They were playing by the snow when I lost sight of them. When I found them, it was just her that I found.” She said as she patted the child sleeping on her lap

“whats her name?” Sheryl referred to the girl lying in patricias lap

“sasha.”

“ Anyways, we have already received the request which was approved by the UN. How can we say this, but we decided to reject your request.” Stacey

“why? Why wont you save my boy?”

“its what we have decided maam. Please don’t—“ rod

“listen here, I flew all the way from Moscow, I lost my purse, and my blouse is in ruins as I walked by the heat of the sun. and I wont take no for an answer when even my daughter was almost kidnapped when I asked the locals in where to find you.” She said as she glares at them with anger while holding a shaking cup of coffee, crying.

There was silence in the room when after a few second, her sasha woke up.

“mommy, whats wrong?”

“don’t worry sweetheart, rod will surely help us with kevin.” Patricia

“whats going to happen to happen to kevin mommy?”

“he will be saved dear. He will be saved.”

Sasha then also cried as her mother cried.

“alright alright. But we have to lay down all the cards on the table first.” Rod

“that’s fair enough.”

“so what would we gain from helping you?” Stacey

“I will pay you anything! I currently have over 6 billion in my swiss bank account. Anything for my boy!”

“calm down miss patricia.” sheryl

“our sources tell me that you have ties with the bratva. Is that true?” yukiko

“no. “ she said as she faces the floor thinking of something.”

“our sources are definitely legit. So you are saying they are lying?” flores

“umm..”

“you know, which is more important? Your son or a secret?” Stacey

“if you have all that money, why not live somewhere else where they cant touch you?” rod

“we have nowhere else to go. “

“why is that?” Sheryl

She then thought long and hard for a few minutes.

“if that is all, we have more important business to do.” Rod said as he looks at his watch “maybe some other time?”

“no, its alright. But im just thinking where to start.”

“start where you want to start maam.” Stacey

“it all started when I was young. I fell in love with a young man not knowing that he is the heir of a criminal organization. Soon enough, we got married. But after I was pregnant with our second child, there was a fight within that organization and we have to evacuate. Gladly, he had a friend in the police where we were able to hide ourselves. And one day, as my husband was out shopping, he was assassinated by them leaving him without the head. I knew I had to keep this a secret from them so I decided to cremate him instead to hide that secret. “

“in short, it was an in-fight where forces clashed and you guys were in the middle of it. “ Stacey

“yes. That is correct.”

“we still have to weigh our choices im afraid. “ Stacey

“wait, can you still contact them?” rod

“maybe. I was close friends with their wives from that time.”

“what are you doing rod? This would be against what we decided.” Sheryl

“yes. But as it now stands, we still don’t know the extent of how project iron heart was implemented or the damage being done by the project on the dark side.” Rod

“so you are willing to go to the dark side just to check up on that?” Sheryl

“yes. I have a bad feeling that things are now not as it seems.” Rod

“right. But if there might be anything that would happen—“ Sheryl

“lets take the chance. “ yukiko

“what?! “ both Sheryl and flores

“I think that we should ride on this. Just like rod says. Ignorance is bliss.” Stacey

There was silence in the room.

“yes, ignorance is bliss. But we also have to tread carefully on this. I think that by the time we would contact them, it would be the time that we step into the darkness. “ rod

“yes. Which is why we would just take the money. “ Sheryl

“She has come all the way here so we should respond her efforts with kind. “ yukiko

“alright then, its decided. We go to Moscow.” Rod

“thank you mr rod. Thank you all.” Patricia cried as she was holding her child which was put to sleep by her mother during the conversation

by the time they got ready, patricia was left in a hotel owned by the school where they would stay while waiting for them. They then go to the airport to ride on their private jet.

Rod then texted the president that they are going to Moscow to accept the task and ready their thick coats. Then they got to Moscow where they rode the taxi and was recognized by the taxi driver.

“you! You are rod!”

“yes.”

“where to? Robot fight? Meet president?”

“ghost hunting.” Rod

“can you take us to a castle in the mountains?” stacey

“sure. And the ride is for free for your signatures.”

They then signed on a paper and gave it to the driver and has gone on their way. At the outside of the castle, they have now arrived and got camped there until nightfall.

“its 9:00pm now. Its time. “ rod

They all agreed and equipped themselves with energy swords. There they split only to return after 3 hours back to camp, that was their plan.

They put on their spectral goggles and split up. After a few hours of walking and finding around the castle, they couldn’t find anything.

Then on the way back rod caught sight of lights up ahead. He got near to those lights only to find himself in the highway where 2 black cars meet. There he saw an exchange of arms for money where they also talked about a lot of things.

An hour later, they had gone down the road. When rod came back to camp, the girls were talking on where the child might be.

“nothing on our ends rod.” Sheryl

“nothing on my end as well.” Rod

“maybe we have been walking in circles here.” Flores

“how about we also search the castle.” Rod

Sheryl was scared at the thought of going into the castle but she just tough it all up.

They all agreed and gone towards the castle. There in the abandoned castle ruins, they scoured the whole castle to find nothing, though there was an entity hiding always on the side. They even scanned the walls of the castle with a portablex ray scanner only to find nothing though there are times when they find secret doors.

"how about here?" rod

"lets just get back to like, all of them later." sheryl said as she grabbed rods coat.

"alright then. As we already have walked to all of the castle except the 3 secret doors, where do we go now?"stacey

"h-how about there." sheryl pointed at the old garden at the back of the castle avoiding the secret doors.

"okay. Lets go then. If there isnt anything there, we go back." yukiko giggles as she stares at sheryl and sheryl sticks her tongue out.

They then made their way towards the gardens where later on, at the center, they saw an old medium sized well.

"weird taste for a garden. There is a well in the middle." flores

"yeah. But are you seeing what im seeing?" rod readies his energy sword

They saw a big disturbance in the well where there is a glowing entity that came out of it. All of them now readies their energy sword and dropped down their bags.

"this is quite the large distortion that we got." stacey

"yeah. Lets be careful. " sheryl

Then the entity approached them and swarmed around them.

"sheryl and flores, go get the kid. We got this!" rod

"okay!"flores said as she pulled sheryl and got their bags

Rod, stacey and yukiko swayed their swords everytime the entity approached either from crawling, flying and hovering towards them.

"now sheryl.. slice open that distortion and get the boy out. I got your back!" flores

Sheryl then sliced through the distortion which was at the mouth of the well. She then saw the boy at the bottom. They then let down a rope and with sheryl going down to rescue the boy.

The entity notices this and tries to get to them but rod caught the tail of its shadow with his energy sword. Stacey and yukiko then secured the entity at both sides. As sheryl pulled on the rope, flores pulled them up.

They got out safely and put some distance with the entity where they guarded the boy. Rod and the girls let go of the entity where all 4 of them grabbed their bags and ran away after that, straight in the front of the castle and passed it. They ran until they made it to the highway and started to call the satellite phone.

"hello president. I have got the boy."

"and what time do you think it is? Is there a better time for you to call?"

"sorry sir but this was the only time that we can encounter the disturbance. At day, there is only a small chance that we can see it." rod

"so, is the boy safe?"

"yes. Can you now call the russian president to pick us all at out coordinates?"

"alright. I will try. If not, i will come to pick you up in about 3 hours."

"alright then."

"i will call you by the time i can get word."

Dutuer then drop the phone and called the russian president. It was now 11pm and they are waiting by the road, camping by as they also warmed the boy up.

"rod, this is bad.. Hes experiencing severe hypothermia and might be half dead." stacey said checking the boy

"if only the request came earlier.." rod said clenching his fist "im just glad hes still alive."

"are you alright sheryl?" yukiko

"y-yes, thanks.." sheryl said as she shivers

After 3 hours, a helicopter approached their position where a soldier came down before they landed down. They then go towards the russian airforce base where there was a welcoming company.

"liutenant, how is the boy?" rod

"just alright. He just needs to go to a hospital for a check up. He has been gone for 48 hours after all."

"i see. Anyways, i may have something for you as payment." rod said as he brought out 5 memory cards.

"whats that?"

"wait and see."

He then gave the memory cards and plugged it in a laptop where it showed a video of what they are doing. They skip forwarded to the fight with the entity and to the rescue of the boy. They even saw the record of the exchange at the roadside.

"can you translate what they said?" stacey

"sure but are you sure? This is sensitive info you got."

"yes, were sure." sheryl

"okay then. The conversation states about an arms deal with the bratva and some big arms dealer. And info about the mafia being busy about something lately. While the bratva is busy with preparing for war against the mafia."

"this is bad."yukiko

"i got to report with the russian president about this. You can now go."

"thank you liutenant. Well now be on our way."rod

They were then accompanied by a soldier to the city where they checked in for the night.

"soldier, please tell them to book only one room."stacey said to the soldier

"but miss, you are all 5 people and theres no more 5 bed space"

"how about 3?" sheryl

"there is but are you sure?"

"yes. We can manage." rod

The soldier then booked a room for 3 and gone back after. Rod and the girls then slept for the night. When morning struck, a ring in his phone woke them up.

"hello."

"this is the russian president. Good day rod."

"good day mr president. "

"thank you for your help on this matter but can you spare more time for my request?"

"sure. What might that be?"

"i want you guys to help us with the situation with the bratva."

"i see. And why might we be needed?"

"i want your armored troops to also take care of the matter when the war starts."

"how about we infiltrate their ranks and—“

“we have already done that but the war will still be going on. The bratva leader, rene utravic, really intends to start a war with the mafia which will start by tonight. What you also heard was the deal being made from one of separate arms dealers.”

“they really intend to start an all out war huh.”

“yes. And I want you guys to stop them whatever it takes.”

“alright mr president. We will try.”

The president then hangs up and rod explains the situation with the girls. They all agreed to help and called in reinforcements from their company.

Then at the night of the operation, on the empty lot at the suburbs of Moscow, many cars came in from both north and south. both of them spoke Russian threatening each other to give up and leave their respective territories.

But as both sides refused to yield, both readies for battle. Then as the Russian police now reveals themselves, a fire fight started between bratva, mafia, and the police.

“police chief. Do you speak English?” rod in the armor spoke

“yes. we have them surrounded but they have more men than us.”

“alright then. Keep firing and we will take care of the rest.”

“alright. God speed.”

Rod then saluted to the chief.

“team, lets go. “ rod said to the team in armor right at the back

“yes sir!”

They then infiltrated the battlefield, hiding behind police cars before running towards the center of the firefight. They then go into battle with their tonfas, running towards both the mafia from the south side and began fighting, knocking down every mafia members.

Then they ran towards the bratva on the other side when they tried to escape. But as they have some cars that have flat tires, only some were able to escape while the others fell into the hands of rods team unconscious.

“all clear now chief.” As rod brought a walkie talkie

“thank you. Over.”

“well then, mind doing us a favor? You understand me right?” rod said while his team had a member still conscious

The person nodded.

“good. Let us go to your leader.”

“where are we going rod? I thought we talked about this.” Sheryl popped up beside him from running holding a sniper rifle.

“yes, but I have a feeling that this isn’t over yet. So I will personally talk with the big boss himself.” Rod

“and what would the topic be?” yukiko

“one would be to leave patricia and her children alone and the other would be to stop all this fighting.” Rod

“you mean to try and stop all this fighting. You know the consequences right rod? In stepping into the darkness.” Flores

“yes, I know. Which is why we are going to bring both together.” Rod said with a smile

In their safe house, one of the bratva members were able to relay that they lost to the police and ended up running away.

“there were also men in silver armor which had stopped us along the way. We are the only ones that remains.” Bratva speaking in russian

“I see. So the president took action and called them in.” mysterious figure sitting in a couch

“what should we do now? The police now have both territories and we are thinning out.”

“so what? We still have power right? We can still rule over this place as we want to.”

Then they heard gunfire behind the doors. When they heard gunfire, they got into action and picked up their guns. Then the door opens to some people in black armor.

“hold it. we are here for peace talks.”

As rods team all wore helmets, their faces couldn’t be seen.

“what gives you the idea to barge in my place? Are you rod masons men?”

“and why would we be? How can you be certain? Anyways, We have come to make you an offer.”

“and what would that be? This better please me or else.”

“it will. Though would it hurt for us to sit down and just talk?”

“sure, have a seat.” Mysterious figure pointing at the chair behind the door

Picks up the chair and sits on it. “now on to business.”

“yes? What is it?”

“we know of your origins and we have the true hier to your throne.”

“what the heck do you even know?”

“that you might have killed the previous head to attain all this but what do you get out of all of it? your men is now thinning out right? And you guys are at your last straw.”

“don’t play with me. To you, im currently a valuable asset right now. You could have easily captured all of my men right now but you didn’t. why is that?”

“yes, to us, you are an asset. Which is why im proposing 2 things.”

“im all ears. This better be good.”

“im proposing that you leave miss patricia for good.”

“and so what? I already left her to rot. What do you need now?”

“I want you to make a new identity for her and her family. Make her have the freedom that she deserves.”

“so what? Shes already free and she already came to you guys right?”

“no. she came to the UN for help, not anyone that you think.”

“hmm.. is this information reliable? Since my information says she rode to your country to beg for you. Done treat me like a fool boy”

“what if shes only going there to hide from you?”

“what if hes saying the truth father? My friends only said that shes gonna ask for help and if not, then shes gonna hide.” A mysterious woman then appeared out of the darkness. “im hidea and this is my father rene.”

“hello hidea and rene. So, will you agree to my offer?”

“whats in it for you anyway? Shes already lost to us and—“ rene

“you still got contacts right? You can always order another identity for her and her children.”

“yes we can, but it will take some time.” Hidea

“alright then.”

“Whats in it for you anyway like my father said?”

“she officially requested us instead since no one seems to agree with her and shes got no one else to turn to. Anyways, we also have another proposal.”

“oh? And what might that be?”

“I will bring you to the head of the mafia for free.”

“what?!” rene and hidea shouted

“it’s a good deal right? It benefits both of us since we also have some business with him. And you guys are in a war with him as well. “

“you got some nerve—“ rene said as he reveals himself from the darkness.

He was in his fifties and sixties with an old rugged face and white hair, wearing a fur coat.

“hold it father. Maybe they can help us with our problem. “

“why are you stopping me huh? Do you—“ rene

“oh shut up father… ever since you pick a fight with the mafia, everything has been going sideways with us! You already know the losses that we have..” hidea said with a serious face, angry at her father

Her father, reluctant, hid in the dark once more and sat In his chair.

“so how would you propose to get us to the head of the mafia then?” hidea redirects her attention to the mysterious figure

“first things first, hidea stays.”

“alright then. Granted. Now what?”hidea

“follow us.”

It was now past 2 am and everyone was asleep. There are also many guards guarding the entrance way to the safe house of the mafia head.

There in the darkness, one by one, the guards are being hunted down and taken down like dominos. They now enter a night club where the majority of people fell asleep or are drunk and the service crew are half asleep.

In the darkness, each service crew went down by a blow dart until only the dancers remain on stage. It was a slow night for that night club but it was also the favorite hiding place of the head of the mafia.

There, on the VIP lounges on the second floor, the mysterious figures then put knock out gas on each room so that all customers would fall asleep.

in his sleep, they then have the head of the mafia in their sights as he lays in his bed with a stripper in his side. The next thing that he knew was that he was being taken butt naked to an abandoned warehouse where he saw rene, the mysterious people in black armor, and the rest of the bratva.

“good morning there don. It me.”

“rene, I should have known. What is all this? You already know when you attack the mafia.”

“no, I don’t. but I had a little help.”

“greetings earthling… Haha…. Anyways, were here for a deal. Though first things first.” gestured rene to go first.

“okay then.” Rene said as he crunches his hands.

“hold it rene! Lets all talk about this!”

“no holds bar here don. You have pissed me off for a while now so no excuses.”

Rene then punches don until he was bleeding and with a black eye.

“satisfied now?” a voice behind him

“yes. You certainly have a deal with pa—“ then a blow dart was shot in the neck followed by a punch in the face.

“hello mr president.”

“yes rod, good day.”

“how are my presents doing?”

“yes, they are nice presents coming from you. We now caught the majority of mafia members as well as bratva. I think you might now have made some enemies here.”

“yes, as I have feared. But I have also made a deal with them which leaves the city streets at peace for a long time. “

“what the hell have you dealt with boy?”

“nothing. I just stated the fact that if this guys goes, a new boss will be appointed where the mafia will now rule over their turfs, if they can. “

“you sneaky bastard.”

“yes, I know. I got the information out of them on where their turfs are and where they hid their stashes.”

“are you a hero or not? You certainly have gone dark boy.”

“no mr president. Your request was to help you with the gang wars. But after stopping one war, we thought that the war would never end and the bratva will fall. So why not just give them an offer they cant refuse right?”

“your certainly diving into dangerous waters here rod. I would hope that you know what you are doing. Though what I ask was just for you to help with the current war that had gone in the suburbs which would have inflicted damage to civilians.”

“I see. but as a request, we would like to see it through to the end. Though it was also our fault with the misunderstanding, I would hope that those guys would suffice as an apology for the misunderstanding.”

“apology not accepted rod. This is certainly too much! Though I appreciate you handling this matter personally, it doesn’t mean that im proud of you going this path.”

“no worries mr president. I had settled matters to the best of my power. “

“what did you just deal with kid? Please tell me.”
“alright then since you said so. First I had the bratva handed over to his daughter, hidea. I had a deal with hidea that I will just send her brother to jail and that is all.”

“which is why the note done let rene die.”

“and for the mafia, I had a messenger send a message that you can appoint a new leader for the mafia as your current head has been captured. And at this rate, business will halt if you wont assign a new leader. And besides, what merit would they hunt us down? They would just be wasting resources just like their previous leader there.”

“so which is why we can do anything to the mafia leader while rene stays alive huh. True that both do deserve a death sentence but since you have helped us more than we could ask, also handing down information about their turfs and ware houses, we could just keep rene alive as payment for your services.”

“yes, thank you for understanding sir.”

“also, since your team has also captured the entire mafia gang and their operations in just one night in a night club, though as you just informed the police about it the next morning which would be a little crude I think. After all the torture that you have done to some of them”

“we were in a hurry that time mr president. Please forgive us for the crude handling. We needed to extract the information from them so that we would also gain the upper hand in handling the situation.”

“haha. Its alright. You know, its really easy for us to just destroy the mafia and bratva, but that would be inhumane and unlawful of us right?”

“yes, I believe you mr president.”

After the president said his goodbyes, rod was then relaxing in his chair in the private jet. He and the girls were now sitting on the private jet sipping away some water. Him still reviewing the status reports of the students researches along with Stacey while Sheryl and yukiko were playing chess and flores listening to music on one ear.

“so the package was successfully delivered.” Flores

“yes. And the president was very thankful” rod

“do you know how many times that I really wanted to speak up?” Sheryl said as she was moving a chess piece while pouting

“yes. But it would give away our plan if that was the case. Thank you for holding out for us Sheryl.” Yukiko said as she was smiling

“the woman was really begging rod to spare him.” Sheryl

“Though we sure know that balance must be maintained.” Yukiko

“after all that, she sure did show some appreciation though I cant agree with her kissing rod.” Sheryl said still pouting

“us too. But we will let her off the hook for now.” Flores said and the girls agrees

There was an awkward air around them. Then the phone rang.

“hello.”

“hello mr rod. This is the emissary of the pope calling you for an invitation to our research facility tour.”

“really?”

“yes. You can come by tomorrow if you can.”

“yes, we can come by tomorrow..”

Rod then hangs up the phone after a few seconds of confirming the everything that the emissary said.

“girls, we are now going to the Vatican” rod

“is it about a new business opportunity?”sheryl

“maybe. Anyways, lets go. “ rod

The girls agreed. “captain, take us to the Vatican.” Flores said as she picked up the phone and called the captain

They were then off to the Vatican.

Arriving at the airport, they landed and got to another taxi.

“where to sir?...” he then turned his head to find rod. “Oh its rod mason!”

“yes. And us girls too. “ stacey

“yes! Can I have your autographs?”

“sure. “ they then signed on a piece of paper one by one.

“there is definitely more of you. Im afraid one or two would ride another taxi.”

“no worries.” Sheryl said as she sat at rod.

“that unfair.” All 3 girls complained

“driver, take us to the popes office.” Rod said by the storm of complaints from all the girls

“sure thing boss.”

“rod!”

“come on! Were about to be late!” rod

The girls then just decided to separate as there were more people.

In the middle of the road, they were being followed by the police.

“boss, we are being followed by police. We have to stop over.”

“alright then.”

They stopped over the side of the road as the police car stopped behind them.

As the driver rolled down the window. “sir, we are here to accompany you under the orders of the pope and world leaders.”

“so they decided that we now need an escort?” rod

“yes sir.”

“alright then. Lets go now.” Sheryl

They then went on their way to the popes office.

At the foot of the main church, they stopped and paid the meter.

“no.. no.. its free” the driver said as he stopped rod from paying both taxis.

“really?”

“yes.”

“thank you.”

They then headed towards the church where they were stopped by the officers in the escort cars.

“hold on sir, the place is not that way. Let us take you there instead”

“really?” Sheryl

“we will take you to the research facility instead.”

“okay.” Stacey

After a while of waiting, a limousine parked on the corner with the police officer with the signal saying after you and went their way. They then arrived at a research facility where the pope was waiting.

“hello child. Good day to you.”

“good day to you sir.” They then bowed

“it’s a good day today for a research tour isn’t it?” pope

“yes. Thank you for the invitation.” Rod said as they now went their way inside

Rod and the girls were then introduced to advanced technologies and advanced researches while Rod also assisted the pope in walking as well.

“that was illuminating.” Sheryl said as they were on the way out of the facility

“yes, it was.” Pope

“do we have some more to go?” flores

“yes my child. We have 2 more facilities to go.” Pope

“and may I ask on why are you accompanying us? Might you still have some jobs left to do there?” rod said as they hop on the limousine.

“don’t mind me. This is just an old man who wants to accompany young ones” pope

“so its an escape from work.” Stacey

“yes. Just for Once in a while.” Pope

“we totally get you on that pope.” Flores said as she giggles

They were then taken to the different research facilities where there were advanced research.

“hey pope. I have a suggestion.” Rod said after their last tour to the last research facility

“what is it my child?”

“can you also help with our research facility?” sheryl

“sure. But why?”

“because we still don’t have the advanced research that is currently present in any other country… such as particle acceleration perhaps.” stacey

“so you desire such advanced research?”

“yes pope.” rod

“I see. Let me ask you some questions then. “

“sure. “ all of them

“will you be doing research for the better good of mankind?”

“yes.” Rod said and the girls nodded

“will you use that for evil purposes?”

“absolutely no. “ Rod said and the girls nodded

“do you believe in a one and absolute God?”

“yes.” Rod said and the girls nodded

“though there might be some other lesser gods, there would be only one god which has created everything which is true for all religions.” Yukiko

“do you worship science?”

“absolutely no. science is made by humans and it is our source of knowledge about the universe.” Stacey said and rod nodded

“will you do another stunt like the last 2 events?”

“maybe. It would depend on the situation that we are in if it would so require.” Flores

“I see. Then let me suggest you one thing instead. After seeing that your country has a research facility that researches for the benefit of man, I would like to establish an observatory there by the mountains.”

“so you have also done your research on our facility?” Sheryl

“yes child. And I saw plenty for me to believe what you said. Since you have all chemical, bio, engineering, and that energy technology that you always show in the internet.”

“yes. Its true and we are also researching on cures and bio chemicals. And we continue to expand by the day, though we are having problems on how to proceed with expansion. “ rod

“so would you like to manage the observatory that were going to establish?”

“yes we would like to. Though we would also like some things as well.” Rod

“what are those my child?”

“a satellite and a copy of your research if possible.” Stacey

“I see. I will see what I can do.”

“thank you pope.”

They then arrived at the hotel where they will be staying and checked in.

“rod mason.” He pulled on rods sleeves when he was about to get out and the girls already outside “please do be careful what your up against and what you might be into. I hope that God will always lead you the way. And do be wise in choosing either one of them. It would not be my place to pry, but let me tell you this as an old man who is concerned with a young man with promise.”

“yes, I will pope…” rod said with a smile. “Though I cant guarantee with the last one.” Rod said ironically

“why is that?”

“because I already like all 4 of them so much. Everyday is always a good day for me when they are there.” Rod

“alright then. But I warn you always to be fair. This world isn’t forgiving as anyone thinks.”

“yes, I will heed your words on that pope.” Rod

“hey rod! Over here! We already got the room keys!” Sheryl said in the distance

“I will be going now. God bless child.” Pope

“thank you pope.”

“this is certainly my first time in Europe.” Yukiko

“yes, me too. “ Sheryl

“I hope that our visit here wouldn’t become like our visit to Russia.” Yukiko

“me too.” Sheryl

“we are also too tired for that right now. “rod

There was a knock on the door. “I will get it.” Sheryl said

The other girls then came in.

“its really not fair that im on the other room. “ Stacey said pouting

“just suck it up Stacey. That’s what happened when you draw the short stick” flores

“everyones here huh. What do we talk about?” rod said as he was laying down in the bed to relax first

“are you dissatisfied that were here?” flores

“nope. I just want to get some rest for now.”

“oh. You can just rest easy there rod. We girls would still have a lot to discuss about.” Stacey

“alright then. “ rod then slept while the girls still had their girl talk

When rod woke up, they were all asleep in pairs in each bed. Yukiko with flores and Sheryl with Stacey. It was 11pm and as rod was awake, he thought of taking a hot shower before checking up on the company.

Then in the showers, he thought about all that has happened before and recently.

“it has been a long journey since then huh.”

Then he thought about the disturbance in the well.

“what the hell was that there?”

He thought about the entity always running around them as if its playing with them.

“that entity was quite active and unlike with the forest of death. The entity in the well was almost like a child in comparison with what we have experienced in the forest of death.”

“hey rod, can I also enter?” Sheryl said by the bathroom door

“sure. And your awake already?”

“yes. I had a nightmare about the time we rescued that boy.” Sheryl said while undressing

“that was a scary experience for us to be there. “ rod said while sheryl entered

Rod stared at sheryl who went beside him to also take the shower, in skin contact. Rod then points the shower head to Sheryl.

“me too. As I enter the rift, it felt as cold as the cold outside. and inside the rift, I only saw darkness around me.”

“I see. To think that that entity was also inside there, what damage could that have done to the poor boy.”

Sheryl then hugs rod in the side.

“it really made me think of the time that I was still bullied in school before.” Sheryl

“you were bullied in school?”

“yes. for being a rich kid. And I was also too ignorant back then so I just endured the torment from those bullies.”

“your parents would have noticed it right?”

“no. they were too busy and when my maid noticed it, I just smiled at her and rub it off like nothing.”

“you shouldn’t have Sheryl. “

Sheryl swung her head left to right in denial “thanks to that happening, I got to meet you rod. Like for the first time, there was someone who actually helps me and who became my closest friend. “

Sheryl then hugs him tightly, with him feeling her breasts.

“though you also did take something from my family along the way, I could ever thank you enough for the second life that you have given me. “

Sheryl looks at rod in the eyes.

“that was also the first time that my world was back with color. Thanks to that, my parents now notices me and calls me every time, I don’t have to go to college anymore and get to go to these adventures. And with each adventure, I always see a side of you being the hero that you really are. my hero, my husband, my closest friend, my everything.”

She then lies her head on the side of his chest. Then she also saw his sword strong.

“you are really a bad guy rod.”

“I cant help it when a man is in my situation right now.” Rod said with Sheryl giggling

Sheryl just hugged him tightly after that.

“you know, I never also got to tell you when I fell for you.” Sheryl

“care to tell me now?” rod

“oh your such a tease. Anyways..” she breathed in and out. “it was along the way though. At first, it was a deep appreciation of you both saving my life and being considerate with my parents. But after some time being with you and seeing what your capable of..”

“wait, your aiming for me with that?”

“just listen to my story.” She pouts “and for everything that you are. call it love while observing your favorite thing in the whole world.”

“and what part of me are you in love with?”

“your asking that question huh.”

“cant help it if im curious.”

“well.. if I have to put it.. that you always do your best at everything, your kind, your cute, your fun to be with and so much more.”

“hearing that really makes me love you even more.”

“what about you? What part of me do you like?”

“your cute, friendly, caring, and your always the first to stand up when im involved. Makes me want to have you even more.”

“likewise.”

They then kissed and continued on in the bathroom.

when they were finished, both of them got out of the bathroom where Stacey has already woken up.

Sheryl being surprised. “j-just when did you wake up?” blushing

“don’t worry. I just woke up now.” Stacey

“whew.”

“why are you asking?”

“nothing. Nothing at all.”

“then tell me what are you doing there with rod?”

“we were just bathing, that’s all.” sheryl

“yes, we were just bathing. There was nothing that happened at all that involves what your thinking.” Rod

Sheryl then stomped at rod, pouting to the side.

“owww!!!”

“hahh..” Stacey doing face palm “anyways, im going for a swim for a while at the hotels pool. Care to join?”

“sure.” Both of them agreed.

Both flores and yukiko woke up to rods scream a few seconds earlier.

“why are you guys up in this hour?” yukiko

“we are just wondering if you would also like to come and join us in the pool.” Rod

“sure! We would love to. Right?” yukiko

“sure. We don’t mind.” Flores

They all descended and went to the hotel’s pool.

Rod waiting for the girls. “how long do girls change anyways.” It was already about 30 minutes that he waited.

“sorry to keep you waiting.” Yukiko

He then saw them all in their swim suits, all of them wearing a bikini of different designs.

“you all look pretty.” Rod

“thanks. Though we would be happier if that compliment belongs to one of us.” Flores

They stared at him. “c-come on. The pool is there so lets all get going.” Rod said while sweating and pointing at the pool

“hahh.. fine.” The girls sighed but let it slide anyways.

They then go to the pool where they had lots of fun and drank beer as well along the way. The pool that night was empty as it was already 1am.

Sheryl was also a bad drunk so they had to finish up and carry Sheryl to bed. But as they were going back, rod notices a sound of a snap shot from afar. He viewed the entire pool area but was unable to see anyone.

“hey rod, hurry up!” Stacey

“coming!” he they catches up to the girls

Later in the morning, they checked out of the hotel. But lurking at the side, there was then a woman who was holding a camera waiting for them to exit. When they were about to exit, the woman suddenly appears and stops them.

“stop! I have a request for you.”

“who are you and why are you stopping us?” yukiko

“im maria hall and im with the European papers. I have come to you for a request.”

“sorry but we are heading out now to go home.” Flores

“im not going to. Please hear me out.”

“for any requests, please submit it to the UN for approval.” Stacey

“I was going to but I heard from my sources that you guys were here. Anyways, im not going to move until you hear me out.”

They tried to get passed her but she instead go to the entrance doors to block their way while looking serious.

Rod scratching his head “alright then. Lets hear it.” Along with the girls being grumpy