The team stood on the bridge, full of fright and questions. They wondered who this new threat was and what the future held for them and everyone living on the planet. "I can't believe it," Elly said in a quiet voice, "A whole town wiped out in such a gruesome way." "It looks like we're dealing with a powerful new enemy," Fei remarked. "Hey Billy?" Rico asked, "Do you know anything on this Kriltine character?" "I know nothing," Billy said, "I know absolutely nothing," "I believe I can shed some light on this matter," Citan said as he walked out of the elevator, "I was downstairs looking up information on Kirtine." "What did you find, Doc?" Hammer asked. "Kriltine's past is almost a mystery," Citan explained, "It's believed that his father was killed in a Gebler attack on a cruise ship thirty six years ago. His mother went on to marry another man four months after the accident. This man had also lost his wife in the same attack. The man also had a son. His name was.... Krelian." "Krelian!?!?!?" Fei gasped in shock. "Yes, Krelian," Citan replied, "Kriltine is Krelian's half-brother." "It's not possible!" Chu-Chu said. "Well, it's the truth," Citan said, "When Deus and Urobolus were defeated fifteen years ago and Krelian repented for his sins, he was never heard of again. Kriltine found out about this and was enraged. He figured his half-brother was killed by Fei and Elly and began planning a plot to kill both of them. However..." "However what?" Sigurd asked. "Billy, I'm not sure you want to hear this next part," Citan said softly. "No, it's okay," Billy replied, "It can't be THAT bad whatever it is." "It's a lot worse than it may sound, Billy" Citan warned, "but I'll go on if you can handle it." "I can handle it," Billy responded. Citan began telling the story again. "Well, Kriltine found a way to reactivate the Zohar Modifier so he could get his gear working again. He then installed something simialiar to what Xenogears has. Something that would keep the gear running even if the Zohar Modifier would be shut down again or get destroyed. Anyway, Kriltine's plan for world domination and his plot to assassinate Fei and Elly we're put to a halt six years ago because of one man. That man was Jesiah." "Father?" Billy asked in shock. "Yes," Citan replied, "your father found out about the plot. He overheard a couple of Kriltine's soldiers talk about it near Dazil. He decided to go after Kirtine and try to stop him. He also found out that their headquarters were at the Tower of Babel. Surprisingly, he defeated many soldiers by himself but when it became overwhelming, he decided to ask you to come along with him, Billy." "So we weren't going after old Solaris information after all," Billy said, "Why didn't he tell me the truth? Why didn't he warn Fei and Elly about this? Why?" Billy slammed his fists on the controls of the Yggdrasil. Billy began to cry, "He shouldn't have died!! If he had warned Fei and Elly, he wouldn't have died!!" Fei and Elly just looked at each other in shock and disbelief. "Billy!" Citan responded, "the reason is he didn't want Fei or the rest of us to have to go after him and get eliminated that way! He believed in his heart that he could defeat Kriltine with your help. Because of him, Fei and Elly are alive. Because of him, your alive! He crippled Kriltine's army enough to hold his plot off for nine years! Your father is a brave hero, Billy!" Billy slumped to the floor, still crying. "If you had only told me," he said, "I would've been there sooner!" "It's not your fault," Margie replied, "The last thing your father would want is to blame yourself." "She's right," Fei said, "Jessie wouldn't want you to suffer with the guilt of you believing that you caused his death." Billy soon got up and wiped the tears streaming down his face. He looked up toward the heavens and remained that way for a few minutes. Franz, the helm man, came up to the team. "Sigurd! We're approaching Bledavik but we are extremely low on fuel!" "Thank you!" Sigurd replied, "Return to your station!" Franz nodded and returned to the bridge.
The Yggdrasil landed at the front gate of Bledavik about five minutes later. As the team departed from the Yggdrasil, they were met by some of Bart's officials. "Fei," said the head official, Bob, "I'm Bob, President Bart has been expecting you." "Tell him I'll see him in a few minutes," Fei responded, "I just need to take care of some things here before I see Bart." Bob nodded and then solutes Fei as he and the other officials walked back toward the palace. "Listen guys," Fei replied, "I don't want Bart to know about what happened at Dazil until the tournament is over with." "He has a right to know," Elly remarked, "I mean Dazil is in Aveh." "Fei's right," Rico said, "Bart will get all worried and would then have to let the people know." "Agreed" Citan said. "Same here," Maria responded. "Is that clear Margie?," Fei demanded. "Why are you snapping at me?" she demanded back. "'Cause you have a terrible habit of blowing secrets to Bart!" Rico snapped. "I do not!" Margie shouted. "Just don't tell him okay?" Fei snapped. "Okay I won't! Geez!" Margie replied. The crew entered Bledavik. "Sigurd, please fuel up the Yggdrasil," Fei ordered. "Yes sir," Sigurd replied as he went off toward a nearby shop. The market place was as crowded as ever. People were buying radishes grown in Lahan and other fruits and vegetables. Children ran in and out of buildings, playing hide and seek and other related games. In North Bledavik, people entered the Hall of Mirrors, watched people pay to see stunt men blow fire and others buying cool refreshing drinks to cool off in the cloudy, hot and dry day. Others went north toward the tournament grounds and began reserving their seats by setting up camp so other people wouldn't get them. "Guys," Fei said," you all head for the palace. I need to sign up for the tournament." "Okay," Citan answered, "we'll meet you at the palace." "And remember, no telling Bart what happened until after the tournament," Fei said sharply. "You have our word, bro!" Hammer responded. Fei headed for the sign up station. As he approached it, he saw a soldier standing near the gate. It looked exactly like the ones he saw in Dazil. Fei began to worry. It looks like Kriltine's forces have followed me," Fei thought, I must warn the others." Fei reached the sign up station. "Mr. Fong Wong," the registrar exclaimed. "Shhhh! Not so loud!" Fei snapped, "oh I'm sorry, I just don't want too many people noticing me before the tournament." "No problem!" the register said, "I'll put you down for the tournament tomorrow!" "Thank you," Fei said. "Good luck tomorrow," the registrar replied, "I hear there's gonna be some tough opponents tomorrow but I know you can defeat them!" Fei smiled as he walked off toward the castle. He looked toward the spot he saw the soldier and saw he had vanished. "Maybe I should tell Bart after all," Fei said to himself, "for the safety of me, Elly and my friends." He walked off toward the Aveh castle.
A joyful reunion took place at the castle that afternoon. Bart invited the crew to have dinner with him plus spend the night in the castle. "Where's Emeralda?" Bart asked as he looked around the room. "She wasn't able to join us," Elly explained. "That's too bad," Bart said as he took a sip of some Bartweiser," When will Fei be here?" "Any minute now," Citan replied, "he's signing up for the tournament." "We got Ramsus to fight the fifth round," Bart explained. "How on Earth did you get him to fight tomorrow?" Rico asked. "Actually, Dominia forced him to. She said that it was good for his skills." The crew just laughed. "Sir! Fei has arrived!" Bob shouted. "Bring him in!" Bart exclaimed as he stood up. Fei walked in the room. "Bart how's it going?" "Hey Fei! It's great to see you again!" Bart said as he hugged his best friend. "God, I can't believe it's been fifteen years since we had a good fight!" Fei exclaimed. Bart just laughed, "I hear things between you and Elly are good." "Damn right they are!" Fei exclaimed. "Please have a Bartweiser!" Bart replied as he handed Fei a can. "Thanks," Fei answered as he took the can. The two joined the rest of the crew at the table. They exchanged funny stories but the fun and humor was short lived when Billy told the tragic story to Bart. "I'm so sorry, Billy," Bart said sympathetically, "I know you were close to your father." "He's in heaven now," Billy replied, "where he belongs... with God in paradise." "Do you know who these soldiers were?" Bart asked Billy. Billy paused for a moment and then turned to Fei. "Uh, Bart," he said in a fearful voice, "there's something you should know." The rest of the team looked at Fei with eyes of confusion, asking themselves why Fei would tell Bart when he specifically told them not to tell. "What is it?" Bart asked. "We have a problem," Fei explained.
Bart was left in shock and disbelief when he heard Fei's story. "Are you saying Krelain has a half-brother that reactivated the Zohar Modifeir, had plans to kill you and Elly plus attempt world domination?" Bart asked. "That's exactly what I'm saying," Fei answered, "As far as we could tell, there were no survivors." "Shit!" Bart shouted, "How can this be? How in the hell could they wipe out an entire city?" "Their power is the strongest we've encountered in fifteen years," Citan said, "they're not gonna be easy to beat." "We must take in consideration that Kriltine's forces will attempt to destroy Bledavik," Rico added. "Rico's right," replied Elly, "There a good chance they'll invade Bledavik AND take it over!" Bart just stood there with his arms crossed and his head down. He then walked toward the door that lead outside to the balcony. "Excuse me, friends," he said in a sad voice, "I must let my country know." "You can't!" Fei shouted. "Why not?" Bart demanded, "Ain't I the one who's running this country? Aren't I the one who should let my people know of a danger that has invaded this country?" "Yes you are," Fei responded. "Then let me do my job," Bart snapped. "Fei's right, young one," Citan added, "You can't warn the people yet." Bart turned around and gave Citan a dirty look. "Why not?" he demanded. "If you tell them now, during a huge festival, there will be massive chaos and people will scramble around and get hurt! If you consider yourself a good leader, than you'll wait until a least after the tournament tomorrow," Citan answered strongly. Bart continued to look at Citan. Then he turned toward Fei, then his friends and then toward the door. "Your right," he said softly, "I'll tell them tomorrow. Everyone better get some sleep, especially you, Fei." "Good night Bart," Fei said as Bart passed by. "Same here," Bart said as he passed by and headed for his room.
Fei and Elly quickly got settled in their room that night. Elly laid in the bed with nothing on at all. Fei came out of the bathroom and got in bed with her. "Tell me," she said, "why did you tell Bart about what happened in Dazil?" "If I tell you, you'll just worry about it all night and won't be able to get to sleep," Fei explained. "No, please tell me," Elly begged, "I promise I won't worry." Fei hesitated for a moment but then agreed to tell her. "Alright," he began, "when I was signing up for the tournament, I saw one of Kriltine's soldiers standing on the other side of the arena. He held a machine gun with him in his right hand while he held a clip for it in his left." Elly began to shake. "Di...did.... he.... see you?" she asked in a fearful voice. "Luckily no," Fei responded, "but Kriltine obviously knows I'm here." "I don't want anything to happen to you, Fei!" Elly said as she began to cry, "I don't want you to get hurt! I don't want you to die!" "Don't worry about me," Fei confidently said, "I'll watch my back. Besides, I know Bart will have guards all around so if anyone tries anything, they'll be sorry!" Elly seemed to calm down a bit. She held on to Fei tightly, and wished she would never let go. She was scared. She was scared of what might happen to Fei tomorrow. Fei, too, was also scared. He couldn't imagine life without Elly. He knew if he died, he would be at peace with God, but Fei believed he wasn't ready to die. No! He had too much to do with his life still! He had too much to accomplish yet. "Elly, I promise I won't die," he said as he held her, "I won't die until God wants to take me!" Elly stopped crying and fell asleep. Fei looked out of his bedroom window, knowing that somewhere in the city, his assassin waited patiently to rid him of the earth. Fei fell asleep in hopes he would be safe that night.
Fei and Elly woke up early the next morning. "Fei," Elly said, "if you're feeling scared, Bart said you didn't have to fight if you didn't want to." "I'm not going to forfeit because of one lone soldier out to kill me," Fei replied as he got prepared for the tournament. "Promise me you'll be careful," Elly whispered, "Promise me." Fei hugged Elly and said, "I promise." Fei and Elly joined the crew downstairs. "Listen, Fei," Bart said, "I have placed ten guards on each side of the fence, each equipped with a automatic rifle, and a pistol for a backup." "Thanks," Fei replied with a worried look on his face. "Hey, don't worry, pal. You've been in worse situations then this," Bart said in a comforting voice. Fei nodded in agreement as he stepped toward the arena. "Kick all of their sorry butts off of this planet, bro!" Hammer shouted. Fei turned around and gave him a thumbs up. He stepped into the arena as his friends stood in the front row. The announcer came on. "For our first match up, we have the champion for fourteen years straight, going for the record of fifteen years straight, Fei Fong Wong against Gonzalez, who is a native of the former Imperial Capital, Nortune. Gonzalez stepped into the arena. "Okay, get ready and... FIGHT!" the referee shouted. Fei defeated Gonzalez with no problem. "The winner is Fei!" the announcer shouted. Bart cheered from the balcony while the rest of the crew cheered from the stands. Fei fought and defeated three more opponents with no difficulty. "Our last fight will be Ramsus, former military leader of Aveh!" Ramsus came out into the arena. "What's up?" he asked Fei. "Not much, how about you?" Fei asked back. "Just been training for this fight," Ramsus replied. "Begin!" the ref shouted. Fei and Ramsus put up a good fight. They were about equal in speed but Fei had the advantage in strength. As Ramsus was about to jump kick Fei, gunshots were fired into the arena. Everyone screamed and ran for their lives. Fei quickly ran behind a metal pole and looked over toward Ramsus. He had been shot four times in the back. "Ramsus!!!!" Fei shouted as he ran toward the fallen commander. Bart saw these events take place and ordered every soldier in the area to search for the gunman. "Ramsus, your gonna make it! I know you will!" Fei shouted. "You... got... confidence... kid..." Ramsus said, "I'm... sorry... for.... fighting you... fifteen.. years ago...." Fei began to lose hope when he looked up and saw the soldier, pointing the assault rifle right at him.