SEVEN: Cursed Souls

CHAPTER 27: TWO-FACED

Days later, after saving Darwin, at Skull's lair.

"So, you still take me as a friend after all," Darwin said while looking at James.

"Hey! A little thank you wouldn't hurt, would it? Our friendships been long over but I cannot just turn a blind-eye and let you die," James answered.

"Okay, thank you! But I have to go find my friend!"

James immediately stood in front of Darwin, "Not so fast! You started a war with the wrong group of people and you almost died from it. Stop acting recklessly, Darwin! It's not Uno who killed him."

Darwin pushed James aside, "Stop acting nice to me! Then who did? Do you have any idea? Besides, that One-Eyed gang needs to be wiped out of the face of earth! THEY'RE RUTHLESS!"

James pulled Darwin to face him then grabbed him by his shirt, "Hey! That is not how you thank your saviors! Why are--"

"What? Did I ask you to save me? I didn't!" Darwin grabbed James hand, pulling it away from his shirt.

Maya suddenly stood between them, holding both of their hands, "Will you two stop?! Someone just shot himself a while ago and you almost died too, Darwin. While I agree with you that the One-Eyed should be wiped out, acting recklessly would only do you bad!"

"Maya, what are you saying?!" James asked in confusion, "you meant that they should be dispersed, right?"

"How pathetic of you. You are still a fool up to this day, aren't you James?" Darwin mocks.

Moments later, a fist met with his face. "What did you just say? I am no longer your subordinate, neither that I am your friend, Darwin!" James yelled.

Darwin did not contain his anger and punched James back instead, then the clanging of a metal object can be heard before someone shouted, "STOP!"

Both James and Darwin looked at the person who stands near the door, it is Ryder.

"All of you, calm down and talk to each other like adults!" he yelled.

The room fell silent then Maya pulled James and Darwin outside.

Ina, who is just waking up from the commotion laughed at Ryder.

"What are you laughing at?" Ryder asked.

"This group, you should have never created this group."

"It's just a simple fight, both of them will come to their senses eventually," Ryder answered.

"How come that you believe in that so much? Do you just trust everyone, even those who you just met?"

"Doc, you can't corrupt my mind. This group can't simply be toppled down."

Ina bursts into laughter, "This group was already in shambles before it was even assembled, Ryder! Not only is there a serpent in this group but a two-faced that hides in its facade, and it will soon strike you like a venomous snake!"

Ryder stepped closer to Ina. "As I said, Doc Ina, you cannot taint my mind and put me under your control, because fate convened us here together, having one vision of a better world and justice for everyone!" he disagrees.

"Oh Ryder! To think that fate had interlaced our paths together maybe plausible..." Ina looked at him directly, "but what if it was time that assembled us in this place? Or our network of minds just connected our bodies and souls even before time could interfere? Maybe our paths were planned specifically to converge here? We never know!" she mocked, "you may not understand what I am telling you now but one thing is for sure though, YOU CAN NEVER TRUST ANYONE, even yourself!" she laughed hard.