Martial Artists, Ki Manipulators and Magicists of the Eye, wore a similar uniform regardless of their rank – cedar brown sleeveless keikogi upper, dark grey cargo trousers, and black ninja boots. Most of the fighters would wear inners, vests, or shirts under their uppers, and, if the weather called for it, a robe over the whole thing.

However, the monogram on the chest with the Eye’s symbol at its centre, was of a different colour for every rank – golden for a Zaatsu, white for a Sokidu, green for senior students at academies, known as Dominus, and blue for juniors students, known as Datimus. A Mystic’s monogram, golden in colour, was different from the rest. It had a Hawk engraved on it instead of the eye.

Ella brought similar clothes for their prisoner, just black in colour. They did not have the monogram either. He took a good look at them and said, “I will need an inner, like a full sleeve vest or something. This fabric feels itchy.”

The Mystic chuckled and Neil looked at Hugo. “What makes you think you’re in a place to make demands?” the captain of the Zeta Squad asked.

“Let’s see…” Vincent closed his eyes and waited a few moments. “In fact, let’s count,” he said. “One, you have kept me alive. Two, you are in quite a hurry to get me ready to go on what quite clearly seems to be a mission of high priority. Three, you are telling me to come along, which means that you need me, somehow. But this mission… Can’t lay a finger on it. Has a remnant been stolen or something? Or are you just playing with me?”

But before anyone could reply, he further added, “There are a few reasons why I can make demands, Zaatsu. And a few reasons for why you will listen to them.”

Frustrated by the remarks, Neil looked again at Hugo, but the captain was staring straight at Vincent. He moved a step closer, leaned in, and said, “Let me explain something to you, White Bolt…”

Firmly grabbing the bounty-hunter’s throat, the Zaatsu threw him out! Vincent went flying through the bars, before smashing on the ground about 5 meters outside the cell. He rolled a further few before eventually stopping.

Ella and Neil stood shocked. They had seldom seen Hugo show any emotions let alone anger.

They saw as he then moved up to Vincent and sat placing his knee on the prisoner’s chest.

“You have no idea who or what I am,” he said, calmly, before grabbing his throat again. “You have no idea why I’ve brought you here. You haven’t even a clue about who you are. You think you know much but rest assured, you know nothing!”

The Zaatsu was choking him, but just as Ella and Neil began to move closer to stop him, he let go.

“But alas, you’re no use to me dead either,” Hugo said and then leaned in. With his mouth next to the prisoner’s ear, he whispered, “I know you’re thinking you can get out of those bracelets, but you can’t. I know his liquefaction techniques. They won’t work.”

Saying that he got up. Looking at Neil, he said, “Separate the bracelets and loosen the grip a little. Then show him where the restrooms are.” Then looking down at the prisoner, he added, “You have 5 minutes to freshen up and be out front. One look at you and I can tell you are a survivor. So, don’t try anything funny or you will regret it.”

Neil did as he was asked and so did the prisoner. The Zeta Squad knew Zaatsu Master Hugo Baylis was never a man to lose his temper but on the rare occasion when he did, they knew even better to stay away from giving him a reason to unload on them. The deputy stood outside the restroom as Hugo and the rest of the squad waited at the entrance of the Atramentum upstairs.

Eventually, the two came out as well. Out of nowhere, Vincent charged at Hugo. Loosening the grip of the bracelet had given him more control over his Ki. He could now use up to 40 percent of his maximum strength. He punched an unprepared Hugo who flew many paces back. But just as he hit the ground, he vanished.

“You were a part of the Outsiders I see,” Vincent said.

Hugo had teleported behind him. “How long will these antics of yours continue?” he asked with a Ki charged fist about an inch from Vincent’s tail bone.

The bounty hunter calmed his Ki down. “You’re bleeding,” he said with a grin. “Now we’re even, bastard!”

“Touché…” said the Master Zaatsu and charged down his Ki as well. He took out a handkerchief and cleaned up the blood from and under his lips.

The rest of the gang looked a bit surprised. “What do you mean Outsiders?” Marcus asked.

“A common misconception,” Hugo said. “Many rogues and Cultists make that mistake. I sometimes use techniques not commonly taught to Martial Artists here at Ayn because I served the Outposts for so long.”

Everyone looked at each other and felt a bit relieved. The peculiarly vast array and mix of uncommon and strange techniques, which he would use to take down far stronger opponents, was exactly what made Hugo Baylis famous.

“Alright team,” the Captain said. “Who can tell me what a Keeper is?”

The entire squad looked at each other but remained silent. So, he further said, “Come on, guys.” He shook his head then stood arms akimbo. “You’ve all graduated from different academies and every last one of them teaches about the Keepers. Even I remember talking about them in lectures.”

Ella raised her hand. “They’re guardians of the metaphysical, right?” she asked.

“Good!” The captain nodded. “But I want a more detailed explanation.” With another shake of the head, he added, “This is not going to look good on your monthly report, knuckleheads.”

“They are guardians of the metaphysical,” Camille said, looking down. “They are limited in numbers – less than 100, I think.” She looked up and added, “But they are always there. If one dies another takes his place.”

“Correct. Anything else?”

“There is divine intervention in their appointments, and it is nearly impossible to find them if they don’t want to be found.”

“Awesome! Anyone else want to add to that? There is one more thing you must know, guys…”

“Oh! Oh! Post! Post!” said Marcus, in his usual amplified way. “They have the Post! Their base of operations, man. It’s invisible to the naked eye. Looks like a home, or something, but it’s actually their base of operations.”

Hugo nodded. “Well done, Marc,” he said. “Some Keepers indeed have a known Post or base of operations. Next question. Why are they called Keepers?”

This one was easy. All of them gave the answer in slightly different words. The Keepers got their title from the fact that they were rumoured guardians, or keepers of the Scriptures of Dark Arts written by Rasalhague.

“Well done, gang,” Hugo said with a smile. “Full points.” He looked at Gina and asked, “Did I miss anything?”

“Seredums, sir,” she replied.

“Ah, yes! Do explain.”

“All the Keepers with known Posts also have certain disciples with them known as Seredums.”

“They work with and under the Keeper’s command.” Hugo added. “I have seen them at work actually. Strange people with even stranger skills.”

Vincent was looking up at the sky the whole time. Finally, with closed eyes he sighed. “Protecting scriptures, guarding knowledge, interfering in matters of balance, and preserving powers forgotten or forsaken,” he said. “The Keepers – they don’t wear symbols, they appear ordinary, and they endure.” He looked at the group then and added, “You might have already met one – they don’t announce themselves, you know?”

Everyone stared at him in silence, his voice deeper and calmer. “But why, I wonder,” he said slowly, “does the Order never believe in their existence?”

Hugo chuckled. “Now there’s a debate for the research circles,” he said then shook his head and smiled. “You’re awfully well versed for a bounty hunter, you know that?”

After a moment’s pause, the captain looked at his team and said, “Well guys! Our mission right now is to visit a Keeper’s Post.” They all looked at him and got attentive. “It was attacked,” he continued. “We have reason to believe the Keeper is missing. We’ll be going there to investigate further.”

Ella asked, “But Master Baylis, a post is not easy to find, right? In fact, very few people in the world can know where it is.”

“And why are we bringing the clown along?” added Neil.

“A Keeper’s Post is nearly impossible to find, yes,” said Hugo. “But mister Vincent here is rumoured to have been locating them all the time. And that’s why we’re bringing him along.”

Ella looked at Vincent and asked, “How do you find them?”

The White Bolt shrugged. “Oh, you know,” he said, casually. “Bribe a couple of operatives here, torture some there… buy info off the shelves in a black market… take your pick. The Eye is leaking a ton of info these days.”

An awkward silence followed but before it could be dragged too long, Hugo moved ahead. He placed a hand around Vincent’s shoulder and began walking away with the bounty hunter. The entire squad quickly followed.