Xavier had always noticed the strange way Ash acted from the very beginning. He constantly tossed glimpses at him. He was an anomalous young man. It was a pity that Xavier couldn't get to ask him questions. 

Xavier leaned back in his chair; finally getting comfortable. He sighed, looking at the giant dome that seemingly covered their sky. "I know it's been only a year ... but it feels like we've been in here, in this dome, for decades."

Ash gazed up at the dome. "Well, at least we're safe in here. I don't think there are many who would survive more than a day out there, not with those Demons roaming the area. 

"I honestly miss the old world. In this dome, there is always a fight for everything. Fight for shelter, fight for money, fight for democracy, fight for food."

Xavier tittered. "Then I guess this wasn't the place for my wife and daughter. They can Rest In Peace now after loosing their lives in the attempt to make it here. Apparently it's better outside there than in here." 

Ash gazed up and out of the dome above them. "You know, I have a lot of people I love out there ... out there where the demons are. Most of them were friends. They didn't make it."

Xavier glimpsed at him. "You have my condolences, boss."

Ash carried his cigarette to his mouth. "Save 'em. I didn't give any condolences after hearing your wife and daughter died, so you don't have to give any to me."

"Ah, I see," Xavier said. "You probably gave me condolences in your mind. You're that great of a man, boss. You're not even a man yet!"

But he did certainly look like an adult already. Merely seventeen summers. Lasting a year amidst this barrier was a great feat, especially when in the mafia. 

Xavier continued. "You're just kid, and you're running this whole place. It amazes me sometimes. How a seventeen year old could be a father, a king, and a bad-ass at the same time. You even hooked up with a woman nearly thirty."

Ash looked up at the sky. "Dianne's twenty-four."

"That still makes her seven years older than you." Xavier said.

"Age is but a number," Ash smirked. 

"Those teenage girls staring at you right now would all think the same way," Xavier glimpsed over his shoulder, "age is but a number."

Ash looked over his shoulder. There were four girls peering at him in particular. They were his neighbors, and had grown accustomed to doing this for quite some time now. From the time he had looked at them, they became noticeably uneasy. Ash simply gave them a casual wink. They all squealed and laughed as they would ussually do. 

And yes, Ash had become much like a celebrity in this place. But mostly, he was just another man everyone wanted dead. Death was prevalent in this new world anyway. The world wouldn't care about losing single measly young man.

The girls all skipped away on their feet, euphorically. Ash shook his head, and looked away again. He continued to peer up at the sky. 

Images flooded his mind. Images of his friends at the verge of death. He had to quickly look away from the sky. He wasn't well in the head. Having been the only one to make it to the safety zone, Ash felt oddly guilty. 

He had no idea when the nightmares and daymares would end. They had gone on for so long. 

Xavier flicked his used cigarette on the floor. He stood; heaving, and walking in front of the fence. He stood in front of Xavier, his back turned on him. "Now that those girls are gone ... I want intend to get down to business with you, Ash.

"This new world is domination and poverty. The weak can't dwell for long here, not when almost everyone have their abilities. Which begs the question ... how are you doing it? How'd you go from nothing to nearly a King once Courtez is deceased? How'd you do this without an ability?"

"I strived," Ash said, "using the blood on my hands as fuel."

"Well I refuse to believe that," Xavier said. "There is no way you were able to defeat so many powerful men without any powers. I already know it's impossible. In fact," his eyes gleamed, "that's only reason why I'm here right now." 

Ash kept his eyes to slits. "I saw it coming. What are you here for? Here to kill me?"

"Precisely," Xavier said. "I want to see it with my own eyes. This power of yours. But my main aim is to kill the king of the mafia and take his throne. Why not kill a weakling who everyone thinks is strong? I'm a bit too early for this, given that Courtez is alive, but I do believe that things will go smoothly once you're dead."

Ash drawled, "Alright, I understand. But let's go this quick. Your ten minutes with me is up." 

Xavier smirked. "Ah, you are correct. Time wastes for no one. It was so boring, these ten minutes.I suppose it's time to," suddenly his body erupted into flames, "heat things up at notch!"

"Are you sure you want this, Xavier," Ash said, still sitting.

"Of course I do!" Xavier's body was suddenly swathed in bright, scorching flames. He snapped his fingers, and the there was suddenly a ring of manifesting flames around them.

The fire quickly spreaded around them, burning away grass on the floor. Xavier stood in the center of the ring where there were no flames, his back still turned on Ash. "And boss, do not spare me if by some miracle I loose ..."

Ash slowly stood, clutching his hands to his metal bat. "Don't worry," he slung the bag over his shoulder, "you see her? She's merciless. Plus you don't have to worry about getting spared, because I don't like backstabbers in my gang."

Xavier smiled. "A quick morning of war!"