- I'm glad you joined us - said Blue. - I was just getting to the main point.

I looked at Hatta. I got the vibe he wasn't really buying whatever this snake was trying to sell them.historical

- We focus on small things like quarrels among ourselves, or the past, but that's not what we should be doing - He looked, up, and I followed his gaze.

Aisha was leaning on the balustrade above us, listening. He smiled at her.

- We should focus on what's more important, but it seems that only I am able to see it, even though we all heard the story - he continued. - There is a city on this planet, with dors to other worlds. Which means there is a chance for us to build our own. We can go back to earth. Do you understand?

- And because of something that might or might not be possible to us, we should just let you do whatever you want? That's not going to happen Blue - said Hatta.

- I know you already thought about it, but even in the situation we have right now, you guys can have the best outcome, and I'm willing to help you achieve it. Right now you got the smallest part of the cake, but there is a completely different cake out there for you to take. Nobody else could do it. I'm talking about the canyon.

He scanned us with a single glance and smiled. It was enough for him to notice that we already talked about it.

- Just as I predicted. You already had a conversation about it, and probably are just afraid I'm gonna make a move when your forces are split, but I won't. I assure you. Whatever you thought I wanted to achieve is in the past. Now I want us to connect with the earth, and this little project requires a bit of expansion. There are many more hunting grounds out there we have never explored, but instead of exploring, and looking for them, we are quarreling over the few we have here. That's why I'm proposing a real truce, that will benefit everybody.

I looked at my friends' faces, they did the same. We wanted to see the reactions each of us had to his words, but we all were blank like empty pages.

- We need to stop hiding like rats, and fighting over a piece of stale bread, and instead expand. Rebuild the city. Grow in strength. All this for one purpose, reuniting with our families. I bet you miss parents, siblings, partners, kids, or other relatives. It doesn't matter. What matters is there is a greater goal right ahead of us we should be chasing right now. Instead, we argue over nothing. So how about this...

He did a little pause to look up at Aisha. I followed his gaze and saw her squeezing the balustrade so hard, that her fingers dug in the wood. I didn't know why she was so mad exactly, I could only guess. And my guess was because he played her just like she played us.

- I will let you go hunt in the canyon, and also explore the other new spots. Your groups, if combined, have the strongest people that can easily look for any future hunting grounds. I will allow you to take priority in picking the most profitable ones. Of course, at some point, we will have to switch, since you need to strengthen the weakest of your men, as well as I will want to profit from those spots as well. We will do some rotation to make sure everybody is getting stronger. On top of that, we will make a council when everybody will have a vote. Isn't this something you wanted? - he looked up again.

- What are you playing Blue? - she asked.

- I'm merely improving your original plan. Setting everything in order. Let's be honest with each other, what happened before was just a facade. This is the real meaning. Those people who left, are in no position to dictate in what direction we should go. On the other hand, we have a duty to this city to lead it. I will give you a moment to discuss and decide. I hope you will choose peace and cooperation.

He stood up and left us. Aisha started to head downstairs.

- Ok... I actually think it doesn't sound half bad - said Boris scratching his beard. - If he is not just looking for an opportunity to strike when half of us is gone, of course.

Will stood up, and grabbed his own head, then dug his fingers into his hair.

- I don't know anymore. I know it might sound crazy to you, but this guy sounds genuine to me.

- As long as we get the priority in the best hunting grounds, I can accept his offer - said Nobuo.

I could read between the lines. Will got lured by the promise of seeing his son again, Adachi wanted to gather strength to strike back. Boris just wanted peace for him and his child.

- Are you really going to agree to this? He is a liar and a deceiver who killed and stole half of Wuxia from you - sadi Aisha, she was at least irritated.

- Isn't peace, and a council something you wanted? Or maybe you just wanted to sit in the main chair? Does your ego hurt? - said Hatta with a smirk.

I knew right away he was just taunting her. Payback for the scheming behind our backs.

- No. This is the complete opposite of what I wanted. I won't allow you and him to do whatever you want in this city!

Hatta just laughed at her.

- Peter? - she turned to me.

I just shrugged.

- You could have what you wanted, but instead, you chose to betray us, and let him go. Now you have to drink what you poured yourself. To be honest I don't care if we agree with him or not. I'm going to the canyon anyway.

- I vote to accept, at least for now - said Nobuo.

- Me too - Boris immediately joined. - We need to put ourselves in order.

- If I have a vote, then I'm also behind this idea - said Will, then looked at me.

I knew exactly what he wanted to tell me with that gaze. He was apologizing, but this opportunity, no matter how slim, wasn't something he could ignore. I just nodded.

- I guess we are accepting it then - said Hatta.

- Hmpf! Fine! - Aisha snapped. - But I won't let you just take over. I want my share from the canyon hunt!

- Your sha...!?

- Fine - I cut of Hatta before he managed to yell at her. - We can take Hailwic with us. She has already been there, so she will know what to do. Does that make you happy?

- No. I'm not happy. I made something good for the people of this city, but you had to ruin it alongside that snake. You are unbelievable. Now leave. I don't want to see you here.

Hatta laughed at her. For a moment I thought she is gonna jump at him, but she didn't. The rest left peacefully. I looked up, at the door leading to Nadia's room, then followed them outside.

Blue was leaning on the cart, surrounded by his men and Williams. We surprised him a bit, and he rose his eyebrow in a silent question.

- We agree - said Hatta. - How about you join us at my office to discuss the details? I think we should write them down as well.

- Fine with me - he answered.

- I'll pass on this - I said before anybody asked, then just started walking.

I had enough Blue for one day. I had enough politics for a whole year. I had enough disappointments for a whole life.

Nadia was still on my mind. I just couldn't forget her, just as much as I couldn't forgive her. Her words were fake, just as her love. It brought me an immeasurable amount of pain to finally accept.

At that point, I couldn't see any other way than her being a double spy and telling everything to Aisha. She then told Blue and that was the full story. Blue just moving on his own when I was so close to getting rid of him, was too big of a coincidence for me. That's what I thought back then.

I tried to push her out of my mind, but it was hard. Planing the hunting expedition made my mind busy for a whole, then I distracted myself with food, but the thought returned soon after. Then I tried to plan the future, and it was good enough to keep my focus at least until I reached my house, and finally went to bed. I was tired and discouraged by today's events, but like everything, even this long day full of disappointments, anger, and sorrow was finally coming to an end.

The day came to an end with 620 181 points remaining on my account and five class points.