Chapter 2

“it all started when we had a lead about one case where my mentor, eric Santiago, goes undercover. Then at night, it was midnight and the streets were abandoned. That’s when a trade took place and we then go undercover for the scoop. We go our separate ways, me with the goods and eric with the men in charge. There were about 5 cars in total where one of them was a pick up truck carrying some weapons. He just slipped into the darkness and towards the other corner of the street maybe since the representatives making the deal was with the car that came the opposite way. While I slipped into the goods and captured some good data. but one of the men almost saw me so I ran as fast as I could and I finally end up at the backyard of this hotel where I saw you guys. Then I thought, how about I ask them for help with this if things get a little messy. But as it turns out, it did since I couldn’t get a hold of my mentor.”

They heardmarias story while being treated at a café of her choosing.

“this story is highly unbelievable. Though how do you suppose to go look for him anyway?” Stacey

“I don’t know.” Maria

“how about we cover ground by searching the entire area.” Yukiko

“that’s it! We could do that.” Maria

“ugh.. and should we agree to this rod? “ flores

“its another mess that we have bumped into.” Sheryl

“hmm.. what do we get out of all this?” rod

“I haven’t thought about that.” Maria

The girls then made a face palm.

“i-I would pay you.”maria

“that’s not enough.” Sheryl said with a grumpy face

“hmm.. the mentor has been a great teacher to me and I owe a lot to him. And he is also the reason why I got into journalism.”

“so your saying your new at this?” flores

“basically, yes. I just graduated this year.”

“how old are you then?” Sheryl

“25 years old. What of it?”

“a 25 year old blond hair girl which just graduated from college and is asking for trouble. That sums it all up.” Rod said as he face palms

“oh come on. Don’t you guys care and help the innocent? That’s what the rumors say about you.”

“if it doesn’t involve us with the dark side yes.” flores

“what of these contacts then? What are they? And do you also have contacts from your mentor?” rod

“im already with him on many assignments for about 6 months so I might have some of his contacts.”

“who and what are they?” Stacey

“I mostly have contact numbers of my female co-workers and co-reporters. And I also have the contact with the chief of police, some politicians, businessmen. Maybe that sums it up.”

“alright then. Only just to find your mentor, we will have those contacts and your pay for the next 5 more months. Deal?” rod

“what?!” all of them were surprised

“rod, were still discussing the details here.” Flores

“I know that this would end up with us trampling into the darkness once more but depending on her answer, we might do it.” Rod

“if you say so.” Flores

“if you deem it worth while, then im in.” yukiko

“I hope that your sure about this. I really don’t want to go.” Sheryl

“im in, but we still better make sure of the details.” Stacey

“yey!” maria

“so? What and who are your contacts?”

Maria then gave them her list of contacts which consists of mostly more reporters and news paper journalists. There was also a detective and the police chief and 2 politicians. She also gave her contact information as per request.

“that sums it up.” Maria

“hmm.. what do you think? There are so many reporters here that we could now form our network.” Rod

“what network?” Sheryl

he then whispered to all 4 girls “we now have the bratva, US researchers, US detectives, government officials in both my country and the UN, contact with the Vatican, and with a network of contacts for reporters. we could now establish our own information network with all this.”

“I didn’t even think of that. If that’s so, then we could step up our company to a new frontier.” Flores

“yes. why didn’t I think about it? Though im still staying.” Sheryl said with a serious face

“lets all do it. “ yukiko said and Stacey agrees

“maria, we agree to finding your mentor.” Rod

“yes!” she jumped for joy

“hold on. Were not finished.” Flores said with a gesture to stop her

“as per agreement, you should sign on a contract with us so that after this mission, we will give you the number to our bank account for the deposit.” Stacey

“alright.”

They then made a contract and they all signed it there. After that, they first dropped off Sheryl to the airport so that she can wait for them in their private jet. And in case the mission would need them to go overnight, Sheryl would have the choice to stay in the hotel or in the jet.

“you already know what to do in case of emergencies, alright Sheryl?” rod said concerned for her

“okay rod. Thanks for the concern

Then on the streets in the afternoon, they arrived on the scene.

“so how will we do this?” maria

“lets all do a wide area search for any clues.” Rod

“got it.” They all nodded

“lets all meet back here after 3 hours.” Stacey said and they all agreed and split up to cover more ground.

And after a few hours, they covered about 3 miles worth of ground but to no use.

“no luck. I cant find any trace of eric from the picture that you have given us.” Stacey

“no luck on our end either.” Rod said as yukiko agrees

“no luck for me too. “ flores

“lets all see a map. Maybe we can find clues.” Rod

Maria pulled out a map from her backpack and listed the distance and what they all saw while they were walking.

“wait, hold up flores. You mean to say that there has been a break in at a church?” rod

“yes. I saw it on the way just right around here.” Flores pointed on the map where the church is. “since a policeman was there by the doors asking a person.”

“guys, we now got a lead.” Rod

“how is that a lead?” yukiko

“because one of the possibilities—“ rod

“would be that he hid himself inside the church! Of course! There might have been a chase where the mafia was chasing after eric which eventually led to him hiding in that church for safety.” Stacey

“its worth a shot.” Flores

“lets go then.” Yukiko

They then go to the church where they were denied entry. There were also guards that noticed that and was ready to action though as they look like tourists, they just watched them go to the entrance.

“can we go in?” yukiko said to the caretaker

“no. and that is final. Even if your rod mason and his girls.”

“why?”flores said as they were also surprised that the caretaker knew them

“entry to this church is strictly prohibited by the pope himself. So I cant.”

“rod, letsjust call the pope.” Stacey

“sure thing.” Rod

“wait! I didn’t think that you could call the pope.”

“yes we can. Though you gotta keep that a secret.” yukiko

“if its just for a look, then maybei can let you in. “

“yes!” they whispered

They were then granted entry to that church where they looked all over for any clues as rod texted the pope on their status.

“hey care taker.” rod

“you can call me harry.”

“okay harry, can I ask if there might be someone who entered this church last night?” Stacey

“there was. The mafia came in with their guns searching for someone. They looked everywhere but they couldn’t find what they were looking for.” Harry

“before that, was there a person before that?” maria

“you wont threaten me right?”

“do we look like we have guns pointed at you?” flores

“good point. There was one actually. He seemed to be injured so I let him in. I offered him first aid but he refused. that was also when the mafia came. I told the mafia that there was no one here but they just barged in and inspect every nook and cranny of this church. I will have you know that every artifact in this church is worth a fortune of artwork.”

“yes yes. and?” maria

“and after the mafia finished with their inspection, they left. I told them that there was no one that came here before them but after they left, he was gone. I searched for him everywhere.”

“I see. So meaning he hid inside this church.” Stacey

“alright then. Lets all search.” Rod

They then searched the whole place and careful not to break anything. They even searched the toilets to no use.

When yukiko searched under an altar, she accidentally hit a switch which opened a secret passage. “whoa!” yukiko surprised

“what is it yukiko?” rod

“look rod. I may have found our answer.” Yukiko said as they looked at the entrance

They then saw a stairway underneath leading to an underground labyrinth.

“I remember this in a science channel. This is the catacombs.” Rod

“catacombs?” flores

“its where they burry their dead in the past.” Stacey

“we should tread carefully inside here and look closely for eric.” Rod

“I agree.” Stacey “one wrong turn and you might get lost. Lets use markers or draw a map of the place.”

“agreed.” Rod

Rod then got a piece of paper in his bag and some flash lights. The paper was also used to draw a map of where they were going as the labyrinth was big.

For each intersection, they would visit later until they reach a dead end. And on the dead end, they would also try to feel if there might be any hidden doors. The search goes on until they reached nightfall.

As they rested on the side where they ended up in some kind of underground cavern.

“im tired. Do you have any food?” flores

“no. last we have eaten it was still early afternoon.” Yukiko

“its already night guys, where entities are at their strongest. And I also forgot that this is underground. Lets all equip ourselves now.” Rod

“your right. “ Stacey said as she got her energy sword from her backpack and the goggles

They then equip themselves but as they saw the place, it was dark all around them. They tried to put the goggles on, it was just a regular cavern but when they put it on they saw only darkness around them.

“Sheryl told me about this, that inside the distortion would be darkness and cold.” Rod

“no wonder I now feel really cold by the time we got into the labyrinth. So only you guys can see it huh?” maria

“yes. just leave everything to us now.” Stacey

“okay guys, since we are inside maybe in a very large distortion, lets turn on our energy swords.” Rod

They then turn on their energy swords to no use.

“how about putting them all together? It may need more intensity to break us from this distortion.” Stacey

They agreed and intersected the lasers that goes through their swords. It then caused an energy burst which lighted the whole place up for a second. The blast also blasted them all away from each other.

“ughh..” said rod as he tries to get up.. “you okay girls?” he then shouts to the girls

“yeah, im okay.”Stacey

“im okay” yukiko

“me too.” Flores

“I think I found maria. Shes out cold here.” Yukiko

“is she alright?” Stacey

“yes. it seems that there was no blood so were okay.” Yukiko said as she flashes her flashlight on maria

“alright guys, the distortion is now gone. From now on, lets put on the goggles while searching.” Rod

“okay. And im still hungry. How about we go out of here after 2 more hours.” Flores

“alright then.” Rod said as they all agreed

Rod carried maria in his back while they move on. After a while searching the cavern, they still haven’t seen eric. Though they saw many distortions at the sides of the cavern. 2 hours later, they decided to go back but after some time walking back, they accidentally found blood behind one of the holes at the side of the cavern.

“got something guys!” flores

“its blood. Let take a look.” Yukiko

There they found eric just beyond the boulder inside the hole.

“how is he?” rod
“hes lost a lot of blood and is suffering from hypothermia.” Stacey said as she checked his pulse

“alright then. Yukiko and flores, can you lift him up and carry him to the exit?” rod

“sure. “ both flores and yukiko

“I will be the vanguard for now.” Stacey

They then made their way to the exit of the labyrinth where the entities would just pass by them. On the entrance to the labyrinth.

“hold on Stacey, lets becareful when we get out.” Rod

“why? Our exit is now waiting.” Stacey

“some of our friends might now be there at the church. You get my point?” rod

“a-alright. I will keep a look out.” Stacey

But as she look up into the exit, it was dark and she saw a mysterious figure coming. She then got back signaling rod and the others to go back and prepare for battle. Rod and the girls set maria and eric aside and ready themselves inside the labyrinth.

they waited for them until one of the mysterious men passed through them. Rod captures one of them, knocking him out at the dull end of the sword. One by one, they hunted down each men, tied them, and left them inside one of the distortions in the cavern. Then they each got their guns and put back their energy swords. After a while, maria woke up.

“what happened?” maria

“shh.” Flores whispers as she stands guard of both of them

After an hour has passed, four persons passed through the cavern. Rod and the girls hid until they passed by completely.

Rod and the girls then got back to flores. “hey flores, lets scram.” Rod whispered in the distance signaling flores

Flores nodded and took maria by the arm “can you help me lift up eric?”

“yes.” maria

When rod and the girls rendezvous with flores, they then go back to the labyrinth towards the exit. And on the exit, they checked once more if there might be someone else.

But as they looked at the exit, there was a man standing in front of the exit, though he was facing the other way from the staircase. There, rod had no choice but to go behind and break the man’s neck. But another one notices that the guard went missing and walks towards the staircase.

There, the man entered the staircase only t be surprised by rod again and broke his neck. They dragged the body down the entrance and proceeded with caution to the exit of the church. When they got to peek at the halls, they saw the guards being knocked out and gathered into the hall. They couldn’t move which was why rod then texted Sheryl.

“hey Sheryl, if you received this, please fly away now! We are surrounded by the mafia here so I would need you to be in safe distance. Please fly back now!”

Rod then turned his head behind where the girls were behind him.

“hey Stacey, has someone already texted Sheryl of our status report ever since coming here?” rod whispered

“yes. I texted her every few minutes and the last I texted her was when we were hiding inside the cavern.” Stacey

“good. She should now be good to go in case of anything.” Rod was then assured.

Rod also texted the pope, the US president, the chief of police, and dutuer on his situation. There were only 2 men who were guarding the strapped people in the hall which are all facing by the exit doors. Carefully, both Stacey and rod snuck up on them and snapped their neck as ordered by rod.

As Stacey and yukiko was untangling the guards and harry, rod took a peek outside and saw there were about 7 cars. They were surrounded while the mafia still had forces to spare.

“there are more of them than us rod. How should we proceed with this?” flores said after the girls also came to peek on the door

“we should go back and just take down the remaining gangsters in the catacombs. Then we prepare for an all out fight.” Rod

“that’s your plan?” Stacey

“there are no other options here. Though we could just attract more of them before we go inside.” Rod said joking about the plan

“no way. We will stick to the earlier plan.” Flores

“got it.” both Stacey and yukiko agreed

They then got back to the catacombs where they hid once more and waited for men to come and go.

Before they hid themselves. “this would be a battle for endurance. Hold out and just take out those men before anyone notices and take their bodies with you in hiding.” Rod

They then agreed and hid themselves. As many men came, they then ambushed as many as they could. Even those that went further in the catacombs earlier who went back was being ambushed by rod. And in there, they didn’t use any guns to take out the men. Though they certainly forgot to get those untied guards and harry back with them.

When rod and the others were hiding, one of the mafia in the car ordered his men to rig the place. After a few more hours more of men coming in to the catacombs, there was no more men that came. Then rod came out and calls the girls out.

“hey Stacey! Yukiko! Flores! Maria! Its clear now.” Rod whispered in a low voice

“yes rod, we can hear you. Lets go and check outside now.” Stacey

“lets all meet up and go.” Yukiko

They then rendezvous with flores who was also still guarding maria and unconscious eric.

“its really the first time I took someone down with the energy sword.” Flores

“yes. Us too. But the situation calls for it.” rod

They all nodded and checked the entrance. Rod took the lead and looked at the entrance but there was no one there. He then got out checking the halls to find no one as well, only the untied guards who were still unconscious.

He then signals the girls that it was now safe and headed to the door. There he took a peek and found one of the mafia having a switch in his hand. Rod had a bad feeling.

“guys! Go towards the center of the church!” rod whispered to them

As he orders their return to the center of the church, there were explosions outside. They ran towards the center where the ceilings are collapsing on them.

As the explosions went off, the mafia gangsters smiled upon the scene of the collapsing church. There were lots of smoke for a second and found that there was nothing left of the church. They then drove off hoping that would solve all their problems.

Rod came conscious only to find him sitting back inside the rubble with his energy sword at the center.

“what happened?”

he then recalls his encounter. “ouch. I gotta find the girls.”

Luckily, he always carry a second energy sword in his backpack which is also a short sword. Then he pulled his energy sword out at the center and pierced the short sword above so that he could shift the boulder sidewards.

Rod then searched for the girls in the rubble where he heard sounds. There he found the four girls having their bodies trapped in the rubble, only their hard backpacks are supporting them. Rod them took the four girls out except eric which was in bad shape. His legs were trapped in the boulders, crushed.

“tch.” Rod then looked away from eric and cried

In the morning, Stacey and the girls woke up to the hospital where they were treated. Rod was on the phone with someone and the girls all looked at each other.

“what just happened?” Stacey

“remember? Rubble just fell on top of us.” Yukiko

“yes, I remember now. Ow!” flores said as she tries to lift her legs

Rod then got off the phone. “stay steady now flores. You girls still haven’t recovered.”

“what happened to eric and maria?” yukiko

“maria is just fine and resting. Good thing you all remembered your training with the hard backpacks.” Rod

“yes. I now thank those backpacks for being excessively large at times of great danger.” Yukiko

“yes, we totally heard your voice back then rod. “remember you training” you said.” Stacey

“im just glad you guys are alright.” Rod said as he kneeled down at the center and cried.

“p-please don’t cry.” The 3 girls all said

Then maria woke up and saw the sight of the 3 girls who forcible got out of their beds and crawled towards rod to embrace him.

“hey guys, where are we? And what happened? Where is eric?” maria

Rod wipes his tears “maria, eric is now in a state of life and death. Hes in a coma.”

“what?!” the 4 girls said as all that hard work to save him

“don’t worry. He will be fine after a few days though the only devastating fact that I could share with his wife at that time was that he could never walk again.” Rod said as he faced on the ground

“oh no.” maria said as she embraces the horrible truth

“and you three should go back to bed.” Rod said as he lifts yukiko up first and puts her to bed. “you girls cant walk yet since your legs were almost crushed by the boulders.”

“so we would be going home then and stay there for a while.” Flores said as she was carried by rod to her bed

“yes, that would be so.” Yukiko

“how about Sheryl, is she alright?” Stacey said as she was being carried to her bed

“shes fine. I just talked to her on the phone where shes now heading back here.” Rod

“I see. So what now?” stacey

“let me brief you on the current situation. First was that the Vatican was displeased at us being in the catacombs. Then the US president yelled at me for accepting marias request when knowing the dangers of it. and the pope also scolded me for the situation and was relieved that no one of us got hurt. Although they now have to clean the catacombs for those dead bodies that we created.” Rod said as he carries a chair towards the center.

“And Sheryl?”yukiko

“Shes worried as hell right now as my mom has her on her leash. “

“really?” yukiko

“yes. Our families are seriously worried now on what we have done.” Rod

“what about the church?” flores

“The Vatican is now covering up the incident and is on their way to reconstructing the church. And the pope was pretty mad that the church was destroyed and all.” rod

“hes mad huh. So what does that make us now?” flores

“we will still be the same as before. The UN informed our parents that it was part of the job though we should expect some yelling by the time we get back.”

“except for me” yukiko

“you have my mother to worry about.” Rod

“oh.” yukiko smiled a bit at the thought

“anyways, we will be expected to report to the UN again on what happened. Which is why I called the origami to pick me up.” Rod

“why is that? Aren’t you coming with us?” Stacey

“no. I alone will be reporting to the UN while you guys should go back to the house where Sheryl will take care of you guys.” Rod

“will you be alright by yourself?” yukiko

“no. which is why mom sent june with the origami to accompany me in the UN.” Rod

“thank you for that. Anyways, we should rest.” Stacey said as she finally lies down her bed

The girls agreed and lies in bed. After a while, the girls were then discharged. they drove all the way to the airport where both the jet and the origami was waiting. Rod accompanied the girls to the jet before going down.

“don’t worry girls. I will take care of my brother.” June said as they came down the jet

The jet then flew back while the origami now flew off to the UN. Then june and rod on the bridge of the origami.

“bro, you almost gave mom a heart attack.” June

“sorry about that. Though it was the only way that we could have used back then.” Rod

“if there was danger from the start, you shouldn’t have accepted it. you knew right?” june

“yes, I know.”rod

“then why?” june

“it was the price for making a new frontier—“

“what new frontier? Were worried sick about you and the girls!”

“yes, I know. They understood the risks and still followed me. Which is why im doing this now.”

“like what? Going to the UN? To do what?”

“to resign from taking requests.”

June got quiet all of a sudden since she also knew what that would mean. That he would resign from being the people’s hero.

“if that’s what you want then so be it, im not stopping you. Though we would be glad if you could do that.” June

at the UN, he then reported to the world leader in a room filled with monitors.

“welcome world leaders.--- “ rod was sitting as he welcomes the world leaders

“welcome my butt! You really have done it now! That is the third time that another fiasco—“ dutuer

“I know so please calm down dutuer.” US president on screen

“I think you all should see this.” He then shows the memory cards of their trip to Russia and the catacombs.

Then after a few hours of reviewing the video and explaining the situation, they couldn’t say anything more as his mission was to save a life.

“we also inspected inside the pockets of eric Garcia and found this memory card containing pictures of the transaction.”

“really?” pope

“yes. though there was a second memory card, it was crushed along with the camera in erics pocket.” Rod

“yes, you have certainly done enough to earn you an award for bravery. Though what you did was really reckless there son.” US president

“fame and glory is nothing from the life one a person. but we did want to establish a network of our own.” Rod

“what do you hope to accomplish anyways?” dutuer in one of the screens

“what I want to accomplish is just to help people, that’s all. though the situation with the mafia was unexpected. We weren’t expecting the mafia to still come around at that time.” Rod

“I see. This would have been an easy mission if it weren’t for them.” June

“so, what do you want to do?” dutuer

“that’s now the question. I want to quit being a hero and all, but I still want to help the world.” Rod

In front of the presidents, rod held his tears as his frustration over what happened looking at the ceiling. The presidents also felt and finally knew what kind of person he truly was. Then a knock came in the door.

As one of the guards opens the door, maria came in. “if you want to save lives, you can still do it! Don’t just give up!”

“what are you saying! He has done enough!”june

“certainly, he has done enough. But my instincts tell me that hes found his calling.” Maria

“oh really?” june

“how can you tell?” dutuer

“because I felt his effort, his resolve, and his dedication to the cause.” Maria

“why not just become a soldier son?” US president

“no. I value my life.” Rod

“you heard him. Though what remains is someone which will provide support to him when the rainy season comes.” Maria

“well, there are still requests to be approved and you have also stated to the world that you are a hero, wh—“ the man in the chair operating said

“responsibility is a very big word. How can he be responsible for those people?” june

“I will volunteer to go with him.” Maria

“what?!” june

“why is that? And who are you anyways?” japanese president

“im maria hall. 24 and a journalist, at least until now. And was with him when the event happened.”

“maria huh. Why are you doing this?” june

“I snuck on board to see if I still can go back to my job but after hearing him, I couldn’t bear to just stand still as he saved both me and my mentors life.” Maria

“this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t stick you nose in mafia business.” Russian president said as he face palms “we were free of the bratva and mafia because of his efforts”

“yes, I know. We are journalists and it is our job.” Maria

“this is why journalists are a pain.” One of the world leaders

“anyways! I will accompany him to the ends of the earth!” maria

“what the hell are you saying? Though I wont hand you my brother.” June said as she pulled her brother

“you know, you have been my hero ever since you accepted my request. Even though there was a payment, that was a small price to pay for leading us to safety. He saved us! I owe every bit of my life to him and the girls!” maria

“he has a company to run you know!”june

“hold on. I will call miss mendez about this.” Maria

“there is no reception here right?” june

“im afraid there is. Though we will also be listening to the call if you don’t mind.” US president

“I don’t mind.”maria said

“hello miss mendez, let me get to my questions straight is that alright?”

“sure. What is it maria?”

“would you let me accompany your husband to do his work?”

“h-husband? Ow!”

“what happened?”

“don’t worry about it. Now tell me the details.”

Maria then told her about all the details.

“for the longest time, we have been with him all this time, supporting him in his decisions. As of the moment, we cant do that for now so we would need someone to support him for now.”

june heard the conversation “I wont allow this!” then she grabbed the phone.

“hello Sheryl, this is june. I wont allow my brother to be in harm—“

“by the time we made contact with the bratva, he wasn’t safe anymore and neither one of us girls. Now let me have maria back.”

“then let me accompany my brother!”

“no! you still got to finish your schooling for doctors! Your brother has high expectations of you you know! “

“you mean that im part of his plans?”

“yes. the company would need a resident doctor as well as another researcher. So shut up and let me talk to maria!”

“what about the company?” june

“we will take care of things here as this will also serve as rehabilitation for them.”

“aren’t you at least bit worried about him?!”

“we are. But this is who your brother is, a hero. From the moment we girls met him, he has been nothing but reliable, dependable, wise, and a great hero to all of us. Now hand over the phone to maria.”

June was perplexed and just handed over the phone

“hello maria! I will leave him to you so support him all the way!”

“yes maam!”

Sheryl then hangs up

“so rod, there you have it! You now need to cheer up! You have a responsibility to do!” maria said as he pulled rod out of his seat and tidy him up

“but a lot would be hurt because of me.” Rod

“yes a lot would get hurt, but doesn’t mean you should give up! You have already come this far!” maria

“I admit defeat. After hearing about the bratva, I thought that I could still pull him out. Brother, you got a lot of scolding when we get home!” june

“so, what would be your decision rod?” maria

“as there is no choice, I would have to overdue my resignation at a later date.” Rod

“there is no going back now rod. You are now in their most wanted list.” Maria

“whose?” june

“the mafia! You think the caretaker didn’t tell them about rod being there?” maria

“your right. Its not the time to mope. I may sometimes be like this, would you still accompany me?” rod

“yes. I owe you my life so I would follow you to the ends of the earth!” maria

“alright then.” Rod got up and wiped out his held out tears. “since there is no choice, first we go back to hurricane industries.” Rod

“what about the requests boy?” dutuer

“that will come along the way. There is something I have in mind.” Rod smiled as he faced the presidents

Rodd then gave the world leaders all that he knew, the bratva and the soul memories.

“what?! Is this all true?” dutuer

“I don’t know. But since the people are also seeking answers to the soul memories that I wrote in my book, I might as well inform you guys of what I found.” Rod

“thank you for the information boy. We will take care of everything from here.” The US president then adjourns rod from the meeting with the world leaders.

When they finished at the UN, they then got back to Philippines where the girls were all waiting for him and was scolded hard by his parents.

At the hotel, he then approached particia.

“did you save my boy?” particia

“yes. hes fine in the local hospital where he was transferred.” Rod

“thank goodness. And I heard from rumors on what happened, are you alright?” patricia

“your friends told you all about it huh. Its alright really.”

“thank you! Thank you so much for saving my boy!”

“here are also some documents that would let you stay here instead, though the house would now be up to you. “

“wow! This wasn’t in the contract. Wh—“

“this is for the contact for bratva. If you can give us your contacts with the bratva w—“

“yes, I will gladly give it to you. Please wait a moment.”

She then gave all her contacts to him.

“go get your boy.” As he finished copying her contacts

Patricia then rushes off to see her boy carrying her daughter.

“is that alright for you rod?” Sheryl said behind him

“yes. its alright. Now lets get to business.”

They then go out of the hotel.

After a few days, rod then established new extensions for the company such as a construction company and the observatory that the pope hopes to establish.

“hey Sheryl, how are things here?” rod came to the construction of the observatory where it was now sheryls turn to check on the construction sites for the new companies.

“just going smoothly as you can see.” Sheryl then points to the observatory

The observatory was built in one of the mountains in rods home town.

“so how are the girls doing in the house?”

“right now, its marias turn to assist them with the paper works that they have to approve. Right now, the company is certainly expanding to a new frontier.”

“though it will be a long time before you could also establish your own information network, since the president really denied your application for an information center.”

“yeah. Anyways, whats for dinner tonight?”

“why not ask Stacey? Shes the one who suggested that it was her turn to cook. I mean shes really stubborn when it comes to sitting still.”

“haha… that’s right.. shes really a woman of action.. though I would hope that this peace would last.” Rod said while seeing the construction tools and machines that they have built.

The idea came from rod right after they came back from the Vatican where he would establish a construction company to help with the jobs for the city. He then requested for the students to make construction machines from project iron heart which was a success.

Then evening came as they all have their dinner.

“hmm.. the food is delicious as always Stacey.” Rod said with a satisfying look.

“thanks, im glad you like it.” Stacey said as she ate

The 3 girls were always in the house where they have to go on rehabilitation process with Sheryl, Hillary, and Patricia helping them with the process.

“it was Stacey who prepared all of the ingredients rod and Sheryl who cooked them. Aren’t you proud you have these ladies with you everytime?” Hillary

“yes, im very proud, and I couldn’t be more proud of them to be by my side.” Rod

“oh brother. Why couldn’t you just pick my own daughter son? Shes a fine specimen is she not?” patricia

“mom.. stop it..” Sheryl was then blushing at the thought while looking at her plate.

“I couldn’t just sit by as I heard that. I think that I am also qualified to be by his side even more.” Stacey

“me too.” Flores and yukiko agrees.

There was then a weird air around them for a while as what happens almost every night.

“u-um.. rod.”

“yes maria?”

“as sort of payment for your services in searching for my mentor and saving me, I actually bought a ticket to Africa for 3…” maria said breaking the silence

“what? How come your going and were not?” yukiko said as the other girls listens

“hold on there missy! Your still injured! You 3 are not going anywhere!” Hillary then shouted as patricia also agreed

“and rod is also not going anywhere. He has already been in enough trouble already!” Hillary

“no maam.. I promise that this would not cause any trouble..” maria

Patricia then calms hillary “calm down now Hillary.. after all the trouble that they went through, he deserves a vacation..”

“But!”

“hes already a grown man maam.. and we are also proud that we came to love your son..” yukiko said as stacey and the girls agrees

“do you promise that this would not cause any trouble?” Hillary

“yes maam. Your son deserves it.. bringing him to mother nature will surely heal his soul as well.” Maria

“a-alright then. Though who else is going with him? There are 3 tickets right?” Hillary

“I was thinking if Sheryl would do.” Maria

“no, this time, i wont be going.” Sheryl

Patricia and maria was surprised but patricia didn’t comment.

“why? I was thinking that you—“ maria

“I have my reasons.. also, I still have something to do here.” Sheryl

Sheryl really wanted to go with rod but she still had something to do, a mission to be exact. Ever since the time in the Vatican, she always remembers her helplessness as she wasn’t able to help rod in his time of need. And ever since that time, she was training on rods training grounds along with flores as her teacher.

“please train me to become much stronger!” Sheryl said to flores one time when they were alone in the room. It was sheryls turn to take care of flores that time.

“are you sure?” flores being surprised

“yes.” Sheryl all serious

“and what do you mean strong—“

“I want to help rod the next time he decides to go rogue again..”

Sheryl remembers that every time rod and the other girls were training, she was just there on the bench just crunching numbers for the company while just training on how to handle a rifle.

Flores understood her as a fellow woman in love. “are you up for the arduous training menu that rod has also gone through?”

“yes.” Sheryl then grabs her hand

“alright then. Better get ready for the training of your life.” Flores then smiles as she touches sheryls hand in return

“okay then. So who—“

“we will leave him in your hands for now. “ the girls then said in unison

Hillary and patricia just stayed quiet from their decision Since the 3 girls were also busy trying to rehabilitate their legs, also with Sheryl, which showed them their dedication to rod.

“o-okay then. You can leave rod to me as he will take his time enjoying in the wilderness.” Maria said feeling the weight of her responsibility

rod totally had no comment in all the conversation as he knows that one wrong comment and it would become a warzone.

“im done. So maria, are you ready for our vacation?” rod said as he stood up
as the girls were totally pissed off with the comment, they just shut up and calmed themselvesfor they knew better on what rod might had in mind.

“y-yes… im done too.. if you need me, I will be packing my bags for the trip.” Maria

“when is the trip exactly?” Sheryl said as the girls were listening

“tomorrow.” Maria said sweating

“i-I see.” Hillary

There was the atmosphere again as the girls didn’t say anything. Rod and maria then made their way to their rooms so that they can prepare for the trip.

Then at the airport, they were greeted by a tour agency where they checked in at a hotel and rested for a while since it was night time. The next day, they were taken a tour at africas capital where they ate food, buy clothes and jewelry, meet people and localities, and buying presents for the people back at home. Rod was wearing jeans and a tshirt while maria was wearing an adventure attire.

The next day, they then went on an African savanna adventure where they ride on a truck and go into the wild to take pictures at wild animals. The trip was very far from the city where the trip took about 5 hours to reach.

“were here!” the driver said

Rod then stopped from reviewing research reports and paid attention to the wild animals at the distance. They were in a place filled with trees while riding slowly as they observed the animals.

“hey rod! Look at the rhinos..”

“yes, I see them. They are huge.”

“look at the left.. there are deers..” she said as she took pictures.

The trip went smoothly for some time as they met and took pictures of animals of the wild. But then a gunshot was heard.

“what was that?!” maria

They then examined they surrounding area only to see the tour guide shot in the head. Maria then let out a scream followed by gunshots on the background.

The driver then said something in African where they dashed to safety only to run into a descending grenade which turned over the jeep.

As maria woke up from rod tugging on her shirt, she was about to stand up and run when rod pulled her back to the ground. He then made a gesture to silence.

“follow my lead.” Rod

Rod then crawls through the ground of the battlefield where bullets came over their heads. As they crawled, she saw the African driver killed at the side. They then crawled for how many minutes now until they reached an area with tall grass where they then hid themselves.

Rod was holding marias hand as they were slowly crouching through the tall grass when they stumbled upon a lion all injured all over its body as if it was in a fight. Then rod saw that the lion has trapped its foot by a bear trap probably prepared by poachers.

“wait rod! Lets just go around the lion..” maria said being scared.

Rod then gestured her to silence herself as he lets go of her hand to get near the lion. The lion was resting that time when it suddenly woke up and started growling at rod. Rod backs away for a while and slowly aims for the bear trap.

The lion made some provocations while standing but eventually lets rod slowly near its foot. The lion responds once with his paw aiming at rod where he dodged it but he still goes near the lion.

Maria standing far at the back, was scared to death as rod was still going for the lion. Then rod finally got to its foot where he point his hand at the bear trap. The lion responded by lowering its guard while rod positions himself at the bear trap.

Then rod slowly opens the trap where the lion made a loud cry and scratched rod. Rod was able to dodge for his face but not for his arm. He then knew by instinct that if he drags this for a while, it was going to be horrible. So with a loud roar of his own, with all his strength, he immediately opens up the bear trap before jumping away and throwing the bear trap to the side.

The lion then lies down immediately as if it has lost energy while rod goes back to maria to tend to his wounds.

“what the hell are you doing rod?! You could have gotten yourself eaten!” maria then scolded him as she tended to his wounds. “oh god, look at these scratches in your arms.”

Rod didn’t say anything for the fact. Then the lion roars at their backs where when they turned around, the lion was standing near rod. Rod then turns himself with a block defending himself from a possible jump when they saw the lion come near rod with one injured foot.

Rod then disengaged and For a while, the lion and rod stared at each other. The lion eventually nears rod and cuddles him. Rod then slowly lowered his hand for a pat in the lions head.

“hey maria, can you now bandage me?” rod said while handing his arms to maria who stood very still at the sight.

“o-okay.. but will it eat me?” maria said while slowly reaching out to rods injured arms.

“probably not. He is appreciating us for helping it get out of that sticky situation.”

“I hope your right about this.” Maria said as she tends to rods injuries.

After wrapping rods arms with some cloth that maria got from her bag, they then walked their way forward along with the lion. Maria was slowly getting used to the lion beside rod until they finally got to the plains.

When they walked forward, following the compass that rod also brought, they then began to see a lioness. Rod stopped maria and pointed at the distance where they now saw another lion resting with other lioness.

They then slowly turned back to walk back the other way when 2 lionesses closed in on them. The lion beside rod growls as both rod and the lion got into their battle positions.

“were trapped!” maria said panicking at rods side

Rod was awfully quiet with the situation as the lionesses circles them. The lionesses then roars where the lions from the distance heard and started to wake up. The lion beside rod then roars back only to meet with a jump from the lioness.

The lion beside ron then battles with the lioness in their own battle as the other lioness ran towards rod and jumped. With his training and instincts, rod then blocks the attack with a regular block where he hit the lionesses head which sends it flying to the side.

“you stay there maria, I will handle this.” Rod said as the heard of lions got near them.

Maria nodded as she wasn’t able to do anything but just sit and pray. The lions then circles around rod while rod readies himself for absolute defense, a technique that he has practiced for hand to hand combat specially made for multiple melee attacks.

Then one of the lioness ran and attacked rod, jumping towards him which he replies with multiple blocks from judo to karate blocks. The attacks were now both simultaneous and continuous where he also attacks the lions at times.

As it was a battle for survival and a battle of endurance, rod continuously defended himself from all the lions attacks except from minor scratches which he slightly dodged. The other lion was finished with its fight with the lioness, as maria got far from rod, that the lion protected her from 2 incoming lionesses.

The lion roars at them which made them leave her and back to rod where he was alone and was hunted by the pack of lions. Rod was almost reaching his limits and adrenaline still pumping down his veins as the pack of lions were bashed hard by rod, also tired from their fight.

Then the lion roars to let the lionesses stay at the side as the big boss himself would take care of rod. Rod then readies himself for combat as the big boss goes walks towards him.

Then the lions attack began, with it running towards rod and jumping. Rod then dodges the attack and grabs its 2 legs behind where he roars and swings it to the side and slamming it on the floor. he then swung the lion once more to the other side and slammed it on the floor again and repeated the process about 5 – 8 more times before swinging and throwing it to the side.

The lion rolled down the side and crashed to some lionesses. After that, the lion that was with rod then ran towards the thrown lion where it then ate the other lion. Rod then walks towards maria where the lionesses then steps aside to let the victor go.

The lionesses then approached the lion who was eating and ate the other lion. Maria was speechless at the sight as rod defeated a pack of lions bare handedly while looking like an animal himself. She then approached rod and tended to his wounds.

After his wounds were tended, the lion came to rod bearing with it, a gift, a piece of lions meat. The lion then goes back to the lionesses to finish their meal.

“eww.. isn’t this raw meat?” maria

“yes it is. lets now build a fire and enjoy this present from them.”

Maria was reluctant at first but given the circumstances, she had no choice. Rod then builds a fire while maria gathers some wood back from where they came. After a while, they then made a campfire and cooked the meat.

“aren’t you grossed at this?”

“given the current situation, we have no choice maria. Lets just eat our fill and begone.”

Maria nodded as they ate the roasted meat. After their meal, they then continued their walk. But as they were about to walk away towards north, the new pack of lions walks near rod. Maria was seriously afraid again as rod readies himself once more.

There, the lions approached rod and cuddled at him, even the other lion that they have rescued. Again, rod slowly lowers his hand towards the lionesses and pats them slowly on the head. They even cuddled at maria who was afraid stiff.

“maria, I think its alright. Since he is their new king, maybe they are appreciating us.” Rod said as he didn’t lower his guard.

“a-alright then. I will trust you..” maria was shivering and had peed herself

Rod notices this and just didn’t tell her. They then go along with their walk towards north along with the pack of lions. Along the way, the lionesses also hunted down deers to present rod with their meat while maria gathers the meat for later.

Then when they found a river along the way, they stopped for a drink.

“stop rod. Let me check the water first.”

“alright.”

Maria then went to the river to check if it was clean along with the lionesses who drank water. But then one of the lionesses almost got caught by a crocodile and ran back only to be chased by the crocodile. The crocodile then went to rod, with him knowing his limits for speed, he just readies himself to fight against the crocodile.

it was a big crocodile where its big jaws then missed rod as he jumps to the side catching the crocodile with its mouth closed. Before the fight, rod suddenly remembered in the science channel where a man wrestled against a crocodile which he then imitated.

With rods arms around the crocodiles neck, he strangles it with the pure power until it eventually gave out. It was a wild wrestle to the death as rod put the crocodile upside down, rod delivers the finishing blow to its stomach, tearing it apart from its body.

After rod was finished, he then came to maria who was again, surprised and stood still as the pack of lions now protected her from harm.

“whew.. that was a close one.”

“you said about it.” she said as she knew she had peed herself yet again.

“is the water clean?”

“yes, it is.”

“perfect.”

He then goes to the river to wash his arms from all the blood, where the injuries stung as well, before drinking the water. While he was doing that, the lions then go to the dead crocodile to feast on it. after they ate and rod finished with cleaning himself from the blood, they then continued their journey north.