UNIFIED W

Chapter 18: Change, part 3

Knock... Knock... Knock.

When Zeru opened the door, May stood on the other side, looking as though she hadn't slept all night.

"May, it's barely morning... what's going on?"

He blinked slowly, his messy orange-red hair, black at the top, falling into his eyes.

Zeru looked like someone who wanted nothing more than to go back to bed.

"Pika has summoned us."

Zeru raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"For what?"

May shrugged as she turned away from Zeru.

"Alright. Let me just change quickly, and I'll meet you outside in a few minutes."

Zeru shut the door behind him, then made his way to his weapons and combat gear, deep in thought.

'If this is what I think it is, then it must be connected to what happened last night.'

Zeru saw his reflection in the large mirror in front of him, his face showing a very intense expression.

'As much as I dislike it, I need to leave my weapons and combat gear at home so the Water Clan leader detects nothing.'

Zeru wore a black tracksuit and hid daggers beneath it.

'If things go wrong, these daggers should help a bit.'

Zeru walked outside, May following close behind, and together they made their way to the Water Clan's headquarters.

Every step into the Water Clan's headquarters was met with silent judgment—sharp eyes watching them, just like the ones that followed them on their way in.

The guards and everyone inside made it clear they weren't welcome, muttering awful things about them behind their backs.

One of the guards at the headquarters approached May and Zeru in a very aggressive manner.

"This way, you two."

The guard roughly pushed May and Zeru into the room, straight to Pika's office.

This made Zeru furious, and he was ready to lash out.

"Hey, watch it, buddy. You don't want to mess with me."

Zeru clenched his fists, ready to attack the guard.

"Enough."

Pika's voice echoed through the room, causing Zeru to step back, ready to hear what the Water Clan leader had to say at such an early hour in the morning.

"You two were here for one night, and already there's been an accident. Now, who did it? Speak up before I cut both your heads off."

May took a nervous step forward toward where Pika was sitting.

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Last night, two of my guards who were supposed to monitor you, along with Rose, were murdered."

When May heard what Pika was accusing them of, she dropped to her knees in shock and disbelief.

"What? No... not Rose... this can't be true..."

May couldn't hold back her grief and let out a scream.

Zeru stood motionless, watching May fall apart in grief, before he turned to Pika to clear up the misunderstanding.

"What makes you think we did it, sir?"

"I know you and Rose had your differences, so I have every right to suspect you."