Is this destiny?

~ Close to the border of China with Kazakhstan ~

Tuesday morning…

After breakfast, Sarah, Aiden and Jesse were saying their goodbyes.

"We appreciate your hospitality and teachings.", Sarah said with a deep bow while extending a folder toward Master Hollow. 

Initial plan was to exchange that information for his teachings, but the old man shared his wisdom without it. Sarah and Aiden don\'t need that information, and they decided to give it to the old man as a farewell gift.

"This is…?", he observed the folder without opening it.

"We heard that this is something that might interest you. I hope that we are not overstepping our boundaries."

The old man reluctantly opened the folder and his eyes widened when he saw the photos.

"Tashi…", Master Hollow said under his breath while skimming through the documents which listed details on the whereabouts of his daughter in chronological order starting from eighteen years ago. Tashi... a (then) young woman he abandoned for her own safety. He didn\'t dare come close to Tashi because of danger to expose her to the people who wanted to use her against him. But he always wondered how she is doing, and now he knows...

He looked at Sarah and Aiden in disbelief while his eyes pooled with tears. "How did you know?"

Sarah lifted her arm and pointed at her biceps proudly. "We are more than just muscles."

Everyone laughed. She is the skinniest one amongst eight of them and dares to flaunt her physique?

Sarah was happy that her comical touch broke the awkward atmosphere. She does not want that old man\'s gratitude. Master Hollow accepted her and taught her more than she could imagine, she is the grateful one.

Sarah got from her backpack five drachmas. They are the same ones that they fished out from the bottom of the Adriatic Sea during her birthday treasure hunt, JoAnna helped preserving them and Felix enhanced them with tracking capabilities.

"You can flip this part…", Sarah demonstrated. "If you push the button, GPS tracking will start, and we will get a notification that you need assistance. As long as you keep this coin with you, we will find you. Please accept this as a symbol of our gratitude for everything you did for us."

Sarah gave one to Master Hollow and one to each disciple. She was happy that they accepted.

She gave one of those tokens to each of her Sigma army members as well before she left her Chateau in France.

They all exchanged well wishes and farewells and Master Hollow told them that they can come back anytime. He enjoys their stories. And their company made everything lively in the last few days.

"Take care on your way down. Poachers are in the area recently.", Master Hollow advised as they left.

Haru watched Aiden, Sarah and Jesse disappear in the thick forest foliage with mixed emotions.

"Do you want to join them?", Master Hollow asked.

Haru pressed his lips into a thin line. He was not sure how to answer.

Master Hollow looked at Haru and sighed. "I will not blame you if you do. Their future is adventurous and full of danger. You will not be bored."

Master Hollow knows that Haru craves for adventure, and he is staying here only out of gratitude because he took him when no one saw him as a person. And even though Haru seems to dislike Aiden, this old man can see that Haru admires him.

Haru dashed into one of the cabins and less than a minute later emerged with a backpack. Other than a change of clothes and few trinkets, he does not have much. It didn\'t take him long to pack his belongings.

Haru bowed to his Master and looked at him. Haru wanted to say something memorable, but no words came out.

Master Hollow smiled bitterly. "Go, or you will lose their trail. If that happens, I\'m not sure I will take you back."

Haru smiled. "I will never forget your kindness. You will always be my Master."

Haru turned to his fellow disciples. "And you will always be my family. Take care of Master."

He bowed again to all of them and dashed in the same direction where Aiden, Sarah and Jesse left.

When Aiden, Sarah and Jesse saw Haru approach them, surprise and confusion were written over all of their faces.

Sarah noticed Haru\'s backpack. "You are going down as well?"

"I was hoping to join you.", Haru awkwardly responded while eyeing Aiden\'s reaction. "You need capable fighters, and I am willing to stay by your side. Like him." Haru gestured toward Jesse.

Aiden raised an eyebrow suspiciously. He is confident that Haru dislikes him.

Aiden and Sarah exchanged glances and after a second, Aiden made a face indicating to Sarah that he does not have an opinion. It\'s up to her. As much as Haru\'s personality is not the best, he is a good fighter. But Sarah is known to have some mystical powers which make people behave… and like her.

Jesse was focused on his shoes. He didn\'t want to be part of this. Out of four disciples, Haru is the one with the worst personality. Very impulsive and complaining most of the time.

"How old are you?", Sarah asked Haru.

Haru shrugged. "I never found out the details related to my birth. Master told me that he found me in May 2004, and I was around five years old. That makes me twenty years old now."

Sarah thought how this is very sad but she wanted to make sure he is aware of what he is getting himself into by coming with them: "Are you sure you want to join us? We live in United States. That is far away from here. You will not be able to come here and visit Master often. Also, by coming with us, we will expect you to study a lot, follow our rules, and there will be no lack of dangerous situations."

"I\'m ready to study and face dangers. And no matter what rules you have, it can\'t be harsher than what Master Hollow made me go through."

Sarah stifled a laugh. "That is correct. We don\'t have that many rules. But those few that we have, you must follow. If you don\'t we will bring you back here. Understood?"

Haru nodded vigorously.

Sarah sighed and looked at Aiden.

Aiden frowned. "Why are you looking at me? You already negotiated with him. What happens if I say that I don\'t agree?"

"You would not do that, Boss!", Haru cheekily said.

Aiden turned to Haru. "Why did you call me Boss?"

"That is how he calls you.", Haru pointed at Jesse.

Aiden squinted. They talked on the way up and Aiden told Jesse not to call him Boss because it might be inconvenient. He was going to see how Sarah is doing, and if Master Hollow suspects that Aiden has any high standing he might be warry of him. And Aiden is confident that Jesse didn\'t slip. At least not in front of him.

Aiden turned to Jesse. "How does Haru know that you are calling me Boss?"

Jesse frowned while thinking. "The only time I mentioned was when I spoke with Master Hollow in private, in his cabin. Yesterday during breakfast. Haru was not there… at least not inside the cabin."

Aiden nodded in understanding. "And what did you tell to Master Hollow while Haru was eavesdropping?"

Jesse glared at Haru and then told Sarah and Aiden what he talked about.

"I know that your intentions were good. But in the future, don\'t talk about our private dealings to outsiders.", Sarah warned Jesse who nodded guiltily.

Aiden looked at Haru. "Well, at least you know one side of what we have going on. If you break our rules it will not be as simple as doing squats to redeem yourself. Others might be hurt. You need to listen and be part of the team. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Boss!", Haru exclaimed.

Aiden exhaled. "Jesse, you will be in charge of making sure he knows the rules of the house. He will stay with us in the Cliffside villa."

Jesse felt like crying. Why does he need to babysit Haru? This must be a punishment because he talked with Master Hollow about Sarah and Aiden without their permission. He would rather do squats.

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