"You think he'll be okay by himself?" Amir asked, still very apprehensive about leaving Jamison alone.

"He won't try to run if he knows what's good for him." Decha huffed. "N9899 will let us know. That place is secured. I made sure." Decha stepped in front of the door to his home and typed in the code. When the lock clicked, he opened the door.

The sound of giggling interrupted the room's silence. Amir and Decha didn't pay any mind to it until they went into the living room. "Holy heavens..." Amir's jaw dropped at the sight before them.

Decha watched Amir's expression change and narrowed his eyes, then he looked up and his heart almost stopped.

Rory was on the staircase, smiling and posing as Jessica took pictures with her camera. Rory was twirling around like it was a photoshoot.

But rather than looking at his mother acting out with playful behavior, his eyes focused on Rory. He recognized the garb she wore. The royal blue skirt outlined her figure extremely well. And the white shawl that was draped over her shoulder but didn't cover her skin irked him.

There was a flower hairpin clipped in her hair that made her stand out even more by complimenting her skin. It even drove Amir to a state of hypnosis.

It all went in slow motion for them. From Rory's smile to her shy eye fluttering, and then her twirling.

Then the dreaded moment came. Their eyes met. Rory's smile widened when she saw Decha, and it almost gave him a heart attack. "Amir..." Decha clenched his fists.

Amir didn't respond. He was also entranced. Amir didn't believe it was the same Bracketer who went to Grandell. The one person whom he suspected and despised was now a newly transformed and beautiful Astellian princess.

"Shite." Both men uttered at the same time.

"Oh! Decha!" Rory grabbed her skirt and flicked it up so she could walk down the stairs. A breeze went around the furniture and sent a chill down both spines of the Generals. Decha almost got whiplash just from her movement.

Each step she took matched the beat of his heart.

"Who do I have to kill?" Amir murmured. "To make sure no other man is rewarded with this feeling?"

"There are 50 Generals stationed around the house." Decha clenched his teeth. "I'll kill half and you work on the other side. And if you tell a soul about this, I swear that I'll rip your eyes out before I kill you."

"Lucky dastard." Amir scowled as Rory approached. He hated to admit it, but he felt attracted to her. In just a matter of seconds, Rory had them in the palms of her hands. They had animalistic rage brewing with an urge to shed blood.

Decha could smell the perfume before she got close. The sweet scent made him feel like he hadn't had a decent meal in weeks.

All she had to do was give the word, and both men would drop to her feet and wait for her orders.

"Decha," Rory grinned at him and reached for his arm. When her fingers wrapped around his wrist, his eyes dilated and his mind went completely blank. In one swift moment, he snatched Amir away and shoved him out of the door.

"What the heck!?" Amir shouted. He turned around but came face to face with the door as Decha slammed it closed.

"Decha!" Jessica sneered. "That was rude! Let Amir back in!"

"If you open that door," Decha advised Rory as she grabbed the knob, "I'll kill him."

Rory released the knob immediately and stepped back. She knew by his tone that he wasn't joking. She wondered if the two got into a fight before they arrived. If so, she didn't want to be involved. "There's something I have to tell you—"

"What the heck are you wearing?" Decha snarled. "Take it off."

"I allowed her to wear it, Decha," Jessica frowned.

"It's cold. She needs to cover up or she'll get sick!" Decha lied. He just wanted Rory to cover up so she wouldn't see the effect that she had on him.

"I... I told you it wouldn't suit me," Rory grimaced and looked at her feet. She got all excited to see his reaction. She even built enough courage to think about asking to see his traditional garb.

But it seemed like Decha was very upset about it. Was it against the law? Maybe it was his warning to her.

"I'll take it off. Sorry, I didn't mean to cross any boundaries."

"You think it doesn't suit you?" Decha spat. He couldn't believe she didn't know what she was capable of in their attire. If she walked out and other Astellian men saw her, she could have an entire fleet to command.

"Well, I... you seem pretty mad about it, so—"

"I'm not upset because you're wearing the dress." Actually, he was, just not in the way she was thinking.

"Make up your mind, son, your eyes are dilating," Jessica teased.

"Stay out of this," He glared at her. "You... you did this..."

"I don't have any clue what you're talking about, Decha." Jessica fluttered her eyes innocently. "Oh, look at the time... I need to tell the chefs what to make for dinner!"

"You can tell them from here!" Decha shouted after her as Jessica walked away. Once she disappeared into the kitchen, Decha tensed.

"I don't mean to offend you, Decha." Rory began, "Jessica suggested it and I thought it would be fun. And the garb looks nice, so I wanted to try it. But I'll change. Just don't be mad at me, okay?"

"You look beautiful." Just as Rory turned on her heel, she heard his words and froze.

"You think so?"

"I thought you told me you hated it."

"I never said I hated it. I said, " I can't imagine you wearing it." Rory smiled and Decha felt his heart stop again. "Blue is my favorite color. So I like this one."

Decha watched as Rory grabbed her skirt and fixed it. "It's just so long and takes a bit to get used to."

"The length of the skirt is there to make the dance that goes along with it appear more graceful."

"There's a traditional dance that goes with it?" Rory gasped.

"Yeah,"

"Do you know it?"

"Yeah," Decha moaned. "Unfortunately."

"Can you teach me?"

"No." Decha rolled his eyes and walked up the staircase.

"Wait! Why not?" She whined. "You think I can't dance?"

"Rory," Decha stopped, "Did you forget that you have IDS?"

"Oh." Realization hit her like a brick, and Decha laughed. "Cut it out!" She was already embarrassed. There was no need for him to rub it in. "Okay, tough guy. After my surgery, promise me you'll teach me!"

"It's gonna cost you," Decha smirked.

"I don't have any Tekels. Not now at least. But you know what? Add it to the list of other things I owe you. I'll pay you back eventually."

Decha sighed but kept the smile on his face. He thought she was cute. He pulled a small flash drive out of his pocket and handed it to her. "It's a message from your father."

Rory stared at it in awe. Her eyes went back and forth from the flash drive to Decha repeatedly. She was beyond shocked. "Are you... serious?"

Rory thought because her father was locked away, she wouldn't be able to communicate with him for a long time. But he managed to find a way for her, again.

"I'm not known for joking, Rory,"

"Oh my gosh..." Rory grabbed onto the railing and began to hyperventilate.

"Rory, breathe!" Decha grabbed onto her arm before she could tumble down the stairs. "Do you need to sit down?"

"I... I don't know what to say! I don't know what to do—"

"Give it to me," Decha snatched the flash drive out of her hands and dragged her up the stairs. "Just read it." The two entered his bedroom and Decha grabbed one of his tablets before inserting the drive into the port. The text began to load and he handed the device to her.

Rory took it hesitatingly. It had been 2 long months since she'd heard from her father. She wasn't sure what he was going to say.

'Rory, how are you feeling? I hope you're taking care of your health as I told you to...' Rory read the first line and giggled softly. He was still worried about her condition. He was still the same even after all of the chaos. Rory continued to read some more.

'I'm doing well. And I'm very proud of you for remaining strong. The weeks I've spent looking for you gave me a chance to reflect...'

Rory's heart stirred. He was looking for her.

'You're in good hands... show respect and humility to those who are taking care of you. Don't aggravate N96... I know that you still ramble...'

Rory sniffled, and Decha began to wonder what was said in the letter that was making her cry.

'Stay strong, brave girl... I love you, hugs from your dad...'

"What's wrong?" Decha stepped forward when tears started to stream down Rory's eyes. He took the tablet away to read it, but the text disappeared and expired before he got the chance. "What did he say?" He mumbled to himself.

Rory wiped her tears away and took some time to wrap her head around all the emotions she was feeling. She was so happy and touched. But more importantly, she was grateful to Decha.

"Rory, are you okay—"

Rory yanked Decha down by his shoulders and gave him a soft quick kiss before pulling away. The action sent him into a brief daze, as he was still mesmerized by her beauty.

"You are just..." Rory embraced him. "Thank you, Decha. Thank you so much. You're the best!"

"Uhh..." Decha blinked again and again, trying to process and think of what he was meaning to say. His mind was completely blank. This is something that never happened to him before. He wasn't so easily distracted that he couldn't think.

"Um..." Decha huffed. The only thing that came to mind was the jeweler's words on Bloom Day.

'It's a feeling like no other, to see her smiling at you like that.'

Rory stared at him lovingly. Her hands were still wrapped around his shoulders. He was having so much trouble trying to respond. He tried forcing it out, but there was nothing.

"I owe you so much." Rory bit her lip and looked down. "Is there anything other than payment in Tekels that you want from me?"

Decha wasn't normally one to initiate any type of affectionate act. But Rory didn't realize that right now, she was in control. if she just snapped her fingers, anything she requested would be done.

"Decha?" Rory frowned.

"Huh?"

"Are you... okay?"

Was he? Decha's face felt warm. Maybe it was because of his temporary state of hypnosis, but he felt dizzy too. Rory pressed her hand against his head and gasped.

"You have a fever!"

"Do I?" Decha swallowed hard.

"You're sweating!" Rory panicked. "Let me get Jessica—"

"You don't have to—"

Rory nudged Decha toward his bed and shoved him back. She almost slipped and fell on top of him, which would've made things way more awkward. But she caught herself.

"I'm getting Jessica. Stay here." Rory commanded him, and Decha gladly didn't protest. It was only when she left his room that he snapped out of it.

He felt something running out of his nose, and when his finger smeared the liquid away, he saw his red-stained fingers. It was blood.

Jessica took care of him over the next couple of hours. When it was night, and nearly everyone was asleep, or sent home, Jessica walked into the room just to check on her son.

"How is it that you caught a fever and a nosebleed just by talking with Rory?" Jessica teased and handed Decha a hot mug of tea. Then she placed her hand against his head.

His temperature had gone down.

"It wasn't because of Rory..." Decha denied. "I had a long day at work. Transporting a witness from one location to another hidden area is no easy task."

"Uh-huh." Jessica played along, knowing good and well that Decha was smitten by Rory in their traditional dress. She knew her son well. One way or another she was going to make the two have their first kiss by setting up traps.

She knew that Decha was attracted to Rory. But getting him to act on it was nearly impossible. Why was her son so stubborn?

"That tea will put your mind at rest. Do you need me to schedule another massage for you?"

"No." Decha refused a little too quickly. The last time he got a massage, it did clear his mind, but the way it made his body feel was... not something he wanted to admit to anyone.

"Alright," Jessica chortled. "Are you okay if I schedule Rory's surgery in 3 weeks?"

"Absolutely," Decha furrowed his eyebrows. "What makes you think I wouldn't be okay?"

"You'll have to take time off. Since you'll be donating, it'll take time for you to recover. It could be months."

"I doubt it'll take me months." Decha snorted.

"Decha, donating an organ isn't as simple as you think it is. One wrong decision could be detrimental to your health."

"We'll focus on that later." Decha shrugged. "What do I have to do before the surgery?"

"Make sure no harm comes to your body. Protect your body. It means your life and Rory's." Jessica explained. "Eat proper meals, and exercise regularly. Keep up a healthy routine."

"Make sure Rory doesn't find out about this," Decha sipped on the tea and placed the mug down on the nightstand.

"She'll find out after the surgery, Decha,"

"I know she will. But until then we have to keep quiet." Decha knew that if Rory found out about him donating, she'd probably back out and refuse to have surgery. "It's late..."

"Kicking me out of your room?" Jessica snickered.

"I'd like to sleep, yeah,"

"Alright, son," Jessica nodded. "Try not to get another nosebleed while dreaming of Rory,"

"I told you, that's not—" Jessica closed the door before he could finish.

~~~

Decha walked down a long corridor that led to a short stairway. His father was on the landing while an Agent was helping him fix his appearance. Decha snorted and walked over to him.

"Seems a bit much. You sure you wanna dress up when the crowd could be carrying rotten tomatoes to throw at you?"

"This announcement has been approved by the Council. Looking polished is a must." Theodore rolled his eyes. "It wouldn't hurt to adorn yourself once in a while N96,"

Decha wore what he usually wore. His uniform plus a battle tactical vest covered his torso, biceps, and forearms. His belt was clipped right around his waist, but with tranquilizers and tasers instead of pistols.

"Fix your hair," Theodore pointed at him.

"My hair is fine," Decha rebuked, "Worry more about your words than my image."

Theodore didn't want to say it honestly. He was nervous. The announcement he was about to make was about to cause a greater racket than the bombs. It was a lot of pressure, but that came with the job of being the Director of the Agency.

Theodore swallowed and finally took a step forward. He pushed the double doors wide open and entered the open square.

"Holy crap." Decha gasped softly when he saw all the reporters, cameras, and protestors standing aside on the walkway leading up to the stage. He wasn't expecting the entire city of downtown to be here.

Jax was standing next to the podium as a representative for the council since he was in the middle of his trial to become a future member.

Theodore held his head high and approached briskly. The cameras began to flash and flicker as the massive amount of people began to throw harsh questions at him. He barely reached the stage and people were shouting out curses.

Decha marched behind him and led a line of Generals to prevent the people from crowding the zone.

They both walked onto the stage and Theodore extended his hand to the sky. Everyone shouting and yelling quieted down until all anyone could hear were soft murmurs.

"The people of Astell are very outraged by my decision, and it's very understandable," Theodore spoke into the microphone. "The Council and I, head of the Agents who keep our cities safe acknowledge your concerns. They're major."

"So why'd you release the dastard who killed our families?!" One man from the crowd roared, and other people began to sneer in agreement.

"Due to thorough investigation, we have reason to believe that Jamison Clarke, a lower-classed Bracketer, is not the culprit."

"Bull crap!"

"The lies!"

"What an atrocity!"

"Settle down!" Theodore's tone changed and he became more serious.

"You've lost your mind! Which Agent investigated this case? Everything points to that Bracketer!"

"The man in charge of this case isn't one of my Agents... He's a warrior from the Outside. N96."

Theodore shifted his gaze to Decha briefly.

"Isn't he the dark-eyed warrior?"

"Didn't he adopt a bracket boy years ago? Doesn't that make him biased? Heavens! We're doomed!"

"N96 is a General in the High ranks. He's more than capable to handle our predicament." Theodore huffed. "He's a rare kind, having 15 or more pins. Most of you have only heard of him."

"Isn't he also the General who executes criminals? The one with the high body count?" One woman up front whispered to another.

Decha felt weird to witness this conversation that was about him. All the people had to do was look to Theodore's left and they would see him standing there.

"He is," Theodore confirmed. "You've all heard of his abilities. And as head of the Agency, I'm putting my full trust in him. The Council has approved letting him have custody over Clarke until we have found the true culprit."

A robotic gurgling sound echoed across the crowd. The sound was too familiar for Decha's liking.

Jax and Decha eyed each other and acted immediately. Jax stepped over to Theodore.

"Director, I think you should step away for a moment."

"I'm not done," Theodore pressed his lips together. "There is still more to be said."

The glitching distortion noise became louder, and by the time Jax and Decha looked up, it was already too late.

POYO landed in the square and the tile around its metal legs flew out of place. The crowd all gasped and paid close attention to the droid.

Theodore and the Generals watched in horror as POYO drew its weapon, a blaster and a long blade. "Protect the people!" Theodore shouted the command. "Don't let it get away!"

"They can't take that thing," Decha reached for his belt and frowned when the realization hit him that he didn't have any good weaponry on him. "Shite!"

Decha turned to face Theodore, "Tell them to fall back!"

"No," Theodore refused. "We have to take that bot down!"

"Are you stupid? That thing can eliminate this entire crowd in 5 minutes!"

Before Theodore could say anything else, POYO sprinted forward. It was faster than any of them could register. The crowd began to scream as a bolt of electricity trailed after it.

POYO was aiming for Theodore. He pulled out his blaster and aimed for the robot, but he was much slower. He was going to be stabbed if he didn't move.

Decha caught on quickly and hopped in front of his father. Then he extended his hand and waited for the blade to impale him, "Dad! Get out of the way!"

A loud clash rang across the entire court, silencing everyone.

"Decha..." Theodore's eyes widened. Not only had Decha used a title he hadn't heard in a long time, but also the sight before him was so unreal.

Decha blinked in amazement when he saw his gloves form a long bo staff in the palms of his hands. "What the... heck?" He muttered to himself as he wrapped his fingers around the weapon. POYO's blade pressed down, but it was knocked back the moment Decha stepped forward.

"Where did you... get that weapon?" Theodore coughed.

Decha couldn't answer. It was the first time the gloves acted this way.

POYO growled and swung its sword multiple times at Decha. But he blocked its blows by placing the staff in its way. There was a magnetic barrier that formed around Decha's front every time POYO struck.

Decha grabbed the staff and it separated, forming two large sticks in both hands. "What in the world?"

POYO took an opportunity to attack Jax, who was standing aside watching everything. Jax couldn't react quickly enough and collapsed when the robot swung at him. Decha quickly hopped in its way and blocked the blade.

He caught on pretty quickly. It reminded him of dual wielding. An ancient fighting style that was long forgotten by Astellians. He never tried it, but he was going to test it out with his current knowledge.

Decha spun around and slashed both sticks upwards before ramming them into POYO's torso. Each hit pushed POYO back.

"Kraaaaaaargh!" POYO screeched while Decha continued to pummel it with the sticks. The crowd behind them began to cheer as Decha fought.

"Get." Decha huffed, "Away! Leave!"

The bot turned its torso and aimed the blaster merged onto its arm at the reporters and protestors.

"No, you don't!" Decha snapped.

Decha merged the staff back together and jumped onto POYO's back before snagging the staff under its neck and yanking it back.

POYO roared in a scratchy noise and activated its propulsion. It zipped into the air with Decha clinging on. Then it flew away from the square.

"Decha!" Jax panicked and aimed for the sky. But he hesitated, fearing that he could accidentally hit his partner.

"What are you doing!? Shoot!" Theodore scoffed,

"I... I can't!"

"That thing will kill him!"

"He could also die if he falls from that height, Director!" Jax shouted back.

Theodore's mind raced for an idea. But he had none. "Gather a bunch of Agents and track him. Follow him and make sure the robot doesn't assassinate him!" Theodore commanded. Anxiety overwhelmed him. The crowd was too stunned, so they began to disperse and leave after the attack.

~~~

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