Kassius and Arnold head down the stairs.
Kassius: "Do you have plans when this tour thing ends?"
Arnold: "I guess for now I'll just go explore around for a short while. Maybe I'll learn more about the location of the paintings. What about you?"
Kassius: "I'm planning on going for a big snatch."
Arnold: "Already?! Are you sure that's a good idea?"
As they reach the bottom floor, they continue down the corridor.
Kassius: "I have to start at some point. But who knows, I might explore too. Hey, you should come with me."
Arnold, unsure of the offer, stays silent. They see the group up ahead with the man. They blend in with the rest of the group, everyone remaining quiet.
Man: "And that's everyone. Now, I want to close this tour here, so any questions should be asked now."
Jinsoku: "I have a question. Where do we go from here?"
Man: "Hmm... maybe pick a nation to work in. I'd say Thari, a beautiful place. Windsaw is also great, especially this time of year, food like no other. You could also sightsee. The Blood Cove Waterfalls are mesmerising."
Everyone looks at him confused. Noticing the looks himself, he reaches for his pocket.
Man: "If you guys don't mind surrounding me, I'll show you something."
The man removes a rolled up paper out of his pocket. He unrolls it properly and holds the ends, showing them all the page.
Man: "This is a map of the entire continent. The one up North is Vincere. You also have Thari in the West, Windsaw in the East and finally Maldone in the south. That huge area in between is Lake Suba. Used to be major conflict way back when, but these days, the nations are actually on good terms. Every four years, they host a meeting for their leaders. The Royal Medium. There are plenty of places to visit. We are currently in Maldone... around here. If you take the train, you'd pass a fair ton of places before the capital."
The man rolls the paper and puts it back in his pocket.
Man: "Any more questions?"
Kassius: "I have one. Are their police here too?"
Man: "Of course. But why do you ask?"
Kassius: "I want to know what I'm up against."
Man: "...I see. So it is like the other groups."
Kassius: "The other groups?"
Man: "If I'm right, I assume you'll all be interested in this response, then."
The group, confused, remain silent, as he looks at all of them.
Man: "There are regular police in every nation, obviously. However, a while ago, the nations had decided upon a neutral force to stop crime across the continent. They are known as the Anti Criminal Organisation, ACO for short. They are nearly everywhere here, protecting the nations from criminals they put on notice."
Kassius: "What's a notice?"
Man: "When the ACO deems someone or something as a threat beyond regular means, a notice is given all around. It's like an alert of being a serious criminal. Take a petty thief, for example. If he were to steal from a shop, it wouldn't be seen as too serious, so that would be up to the standard police force to deal with them. However, if this becomes a common issue or the ACO deems them a threat, they could get on the radar with a notice. There are five notices; green, yellow, red, purple and black. Usually you'd start off at green notice no matter the crime, but there are exceptions when it's insanely severe. Green is the lowest and is usually for upstarts. You won't be seen as a giant threat so you'd most likely be arrested and interrogated. Yellow follows, and you may be given more attention but there isn't much difference except the threat you pose. It gets more serious at Red, where it's more likely you'll be wanted dead than alive. Going up one more is Purple. Some of the worst criminals have this notice on them and the ACO advises the police forces to take no chances with them."
Jinsoku: "And there's something worse than purple?"
Man: "Yes. That, would be Black. The Black notice is the highest of all. The ACO refer to them as 'The Living Dead'. Anyone on black notice is to be killed on sight, no if's, no and's, no but's. ACO or Police. Seven people alive today have this notice."
Bonnie: "Whoa! Who are these seven?!"
Man: "They are the seven most infamous criminals in the world. There was an interview with an ACO officer. They had said the ACO could not understand their behavioural patterns. He called them 'Wonders'. Now, everybody calls them 'The Seven Wonders'."
Reaching into his pocket again, he pulls out a mobile phone.
Man: "Let's see... Yes. Here. On this website. Somebody created this list of wanted criminals based on the ACO public listings. And... here. The Seven Wonders. Here are the summaries:
1. Archemis Selo - A world renowned genius who suddenly turned to a life of crime. Said to have technology that the ACO can only match with the help of their most elite.
2. Ironmaid's Ghost, Puca - A murderous fiend from the former town, Ironmaid. They roam from nation to nation, picking off victims at random. Famously known for the murder of the Prince of Windsaw.
3. Er'at, Os'ir Hindo - An assassin so skilled, traces of his victims are almost nonexistent. One of the top brass of the ACO that survived encountering him, described him as Er'at, a folklore creature who eats bodies.
4. The Whisperer, Kailo Vocce - The head of 'The Void', a group of high notice criminals, talented in theft. Even as a small group, they have amassed a fortune great enough to build a small nation.
5. Diana - Also known by some as the Queen of The Underworld and has been linked to multiple rings of crime. Description of her appearance has been the key mystery of her investigation."
Kassius (in head): "Wait a minute. Didn't that woman in the food place say her name was..."
Man: "6. Remus - Also known as 'The Giant'. An unstoppable force, that paraded from place to place taking what he pleased, whenever he pleased. Sources suggest he might not be a human."
Marcus (in head): "Remus..."
Man: "And finally,
7. Mekai Ventra - The prodigy thief who rose to infamy during the Union incident (March 4th 3020), which had lead to the request from the world leaders themselves to put him on black notice."
Kassius (in head): "Whoa! Mekai is up there already?!"
Man: "Ok, any more questions?... No? Well, then-"
Marcus: "I have a question. What's your name?"
Man: "Hmm? My name?...Jinsoku, do you remember my name?"
As the group look to Jinsoku, he smirks, slightly laughing under his breath.
Jinsoku: "Now it makes sense."
Bonnie: "What makes sense?"
Jinsoku: "He's Remus."
Bonnie: "What?!"
Marcus: "You... are Remus?"
Man: "Yes."
Sarah: "Are you serious?"
Remus: "I am."
Bonnie: "I thought you said he was called the giant..."
Remus: "It surprised me too. But it's kind of cool, to be honest. Hahaha!"
Sarah: "You don't look strong, no offense."
Man: "None taken. Most usually can't recognise the gap at first."
Sarah: "The what?! You know what? Maybe I should put it to the test, that strength of yours."
Remus: "Right now? I don't think that's a good idea. I haven't fought in quite some time."
Bonnie: "I'm kind of interested too now."
Sarah: "For once I agree with the monkey. Unless, you're a liar."
Remus: "What? Why would I... alright, fine. Why do I bother? It's just like the last group... Ok. You two, step up and the rest, stay back."
Bonnie and Sarah stay in place as the others move back. Remus gathers space back behind him.
Remus: "We'll only do this for a minute."
Sarah: "A minute? That's way too short."
Remus inhales and exhales sharply.
Remus: "It's the opposite."
Remus takes a step towards them. The first step sends a shiver down all their spines. They all begin to tense up.
Kassius (in head): "What the-"
Arnold (in head): "What is this?!"
All the boys behind stand there, beads of sweat dropping from their bodies. The girls are no different. Staring directly at him walking slowly up to them, they struggle to breathe clearly, inhaling and exhaling rapidly.
Bonnie (in head): "Why... won't my legs move?"
Sarah (in head): "Is he... human?"
A neutral face sat on him, Remus continues approaching them. Stunned by fear, a large figure surrounds Remus in their view, almost like a shadow cast over him.
Bonnie (in head): "Wha... h-"
Remus taps her forehead with his finger. Suddenly, the tight air in the room eases up, yet the tension within remains.
Remus: "We're done here. Good fight. I hope that was convincing enough."
Jinsoku: "That intensity..."
Kassius: "How did you do that? What was that?"
Remus: "That? It's Presence Imposition."