Later that night...Jairo managed to convince Kasumi to include Alejandro in the Yggdrasil meeting...The meetings are held on a floor just below the cafe…

Yggdrasil is a global organization created to fight demons, monsters, ghosts and in this part of the world; SOMBRAS...

Every member of Kasumi's team is there, sitting at a round table that is located in the middle of the room. Alejandro sits on a chair as well. Kasumi, who is the leader begins speaking:

“Alright, thank you for coming today, we have important matters to discuss...but first, I would like to ask Alejandro, why did he request to be in this meeting..”

Kasumi Miyazono has orange hair and as always she has a ponytail with braids. She wears glasses and has orange eyes.

Before Alejandro could speak, Carlos interrupted him; -TCH- “Senpai, why are you letting this guy be here...this is ridiculous, he is not even part of Yggdrasil...so…”

(PUUM)

Chelsea interrupts him by giving him a chop attack in the head; “That’s enough even after everything he has helped us, you’re still treating him like a stranger?”

“Damn you…”

“That’s enough you two...Senpai asked him to speak...now both of you be quiet…”

“Okay…”

Shion has blonde hair and yellow eyes. Carlos has black hair and blue eyes. Chelsea has light blue hair and pink eyes.

Everyone looks at Alejandro, who suddenly gets nervous. Alejandro clears his throat and speaks:

“Okay, the reason I asked to be here is because I had another vision…”

“Another vision? What do you mean, hijo?” Rosa asks Alejandro with a worried expression.

Rosa Gutierrez is a 40 year old widow. She has a robust body and a chubby face. She has white skin and red hair.

Alejandro looks at his left hand, the one that has the golden key sealed and begins to explain;

“I had a vision about the same old man that appeared before Tiwa and I on the night the Chupacabras attacked…”

Kasumi nods in agreement; “Yes, I remember you mentioning that before, so he appeared again huh...but why?”

“I don’t know, Tiwa said that the old man resembles the founder of the Ysleta tribe...honestly, I don’t know what’s happening…” Alejandro chuckles as he scratches his head. Kasumi sighs with his eyes closed, she proceeds into biting her nail thinking:

“What does this all mean? Why is this happening here? And why a golden key?”

Shion looks at Kasumi worried, Kasumi lifts her head and looks at Alejandro; “Anyway, thank you for letting us know...Alejandro you may wait upstairs at the cafe until the meeting is over…” “Yeah, about that…'' Alejandro stands up, everyone looks at him wondering what he will say next, Carlos looks at him with suspicion; “Oh boy...don’t tell me…”

Alejandro lifts his head with determination and shouts; “I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN YGGDRASIL!”

At first the room is silent, everyone is surprised except for Carlos who sighs with his eyes closed thinking; “I knew it…”

Rosa immediately stands up; “Hijo, do you realize what you just asked?”

“Yes I know, I am asking you this, because I am tired of being weak...after the events of the dance, I realized that there is something I need to do...I can’t just be relying on everyone…”

Shion looks worried and begins to explain; “Look Alejandro, I understand that you want to help, but Yggdrasil is an organization that has so many enemies, you’ll be a target…”

Alejandro lifts his left hand; “But I already have a target, being part of Yggdrasil is what I need right now? So please…”

(PPUUUMMM)

“SHUT THE HELL UP…” Carlos stands up really angry, he walks towards Alejandro and grabs him by the neck of his shirt; “YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING? YOU THINK THIS IS GAME? OR A MANGA WHERE THE HERO JOINS THE GROUP JUST LIKE THAT? HELL NO!”

“I am just saying that I want to join to help you guys…”

“NO...YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND, NONE OF US CHOSE TO BE HERE! WE WERE FORCED TO BE MEMBERS FROM OUR FAMILIES OR BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO! I HAVE SEEN MANY COMRADES DIE BEFORE MY EYES, THOSE BEAST KILL MERCILESSLY...YOU UNDERSTAND RIGHT?”

Alejandro looks down, Carlos remembers seeing one of his friends die before his eyes, he remembers holding a dead body covered in blood.

“CARLOS, THAT’S ENOUGH!” Kasumi stands up and grabs Carlos’ arm. Carlos sees Kasumi furious and lets go; “I’m sorry senpai, I need some air…” Carlos lets go of Alejandro and walks outside.

“Carlos wait…” Shion says to Carlos but he doesn’t listen. “Shion, let him be...he needs time to think…” Kasumi says to Shion. She sighs with her eyes closed and looks at Alejandro:

“Forgive him...he has a rough past…”

“I’m sorry, I guess asking you was a little too direct…” Alejandro looks down, Kasumi smiles; “Not at all, you see...Rosa and Jairo already submitted a request for you to join?”

“Really?” Alejandro looks enthusiastic, he looks at Rosa and Jairo smiling at him. Rosa begins to say; “I always thought of you as my own son...that’s why, when this mission is over, I want you to come with me…I believe that you are strong and smart, worthy of being a member ...”

Jairo also speaks; “She’s right dear...I also think that we need more members, and having you would be very beneficial...I personally recommend you to be part of our team…”

“Ms. Gutiérrez...Mr Jairo…” Alejandro feels happy. Kasumi continues to explain; “Alejandro, keep in mind that once you enter Yggdrasil, there is no turning back…”

“I know that Ms. Miyazono, I understand that this is going to be rough, but I have left to lose…”

“Good, I like your determination, I need to speak with Mr. Carter, the head of the American Branch of Yggdrasil about your application...you see in order to become a member, you must first need to pass a trial...but I will give you more details, later on…”

“I understand…” Alejandro with tears in his eyes begins to say; “Thank you...for believing in me…”

“Go home for now...you will see Mr. Carter on Monday night...be prepared okay…” Kasumi comments to Alejandro, Alejandro smiles and nods in agreement. Chelsea, who only saw everything without saying a word, chuckles; “I can’t wait to tell Carlos…”

***************************************************************************

The building next to the cafe is where all the members of Kasumi’s group, except for Flor and Rosa, stay. Up on the roof, Carlos lay down looking at the sky…

“So, this is where you were?” Carlos hears a feminine voice walking in his direction. Carlos continues to eat chips not paying attention to the voice.

“Hey, I’m talking to you…” The girl says in an angry tone and steps on Carlos’ face.-PUUM- “Ouch...What do you want Chelsea?”

“Well, you were ignoring me as usual…”

“Sheesh, you’re so irritating…”

“Oh shut up…” Chelsea pulls Carlos’ ear. “Anyway. Why are you here?” Carlos asks Chelsea, Chelsea grabs the bag of chips and begins eating them. “Hey, those are mine…”

“Carlos, why did you say all those things to Alejandro…” Chelsea asks as she continues eating chips. “Because...I just don’t like him...that’s all…”

“Really...are you sure it’s not because he looks like Max?”

Carlos immediately gets up and grabs Chelsea from the shirt neck; “Shut up...that name is off limits…”

Chelsea gets mad and pushes him away; “How long are you going to keep evading that name? Look, what happened that night, the moment he died, he did it protecting you...that’s all…”

Carlos remembers Max; A young man with the appearance of Alejandro, only with white hair and bluish eyes. Carlos gets angry; “It’s just that I don't want to see anyone getting hurt...I mean, we don’t have a choice, but why does that idiot want to join?”

“It’s probably because he feels the same way as us…”

“What do you mean by that, Chelsea?” Carlos asks Chelsea, she grabs the bag of chips and replies; “Simple...we want to find the purpose of his life...just like you and me…”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?” Carlos pretends not to know; “Oh please, don’t play dumb, you joined because you want money to help your family...and I joined because I was forced to by my father...but truth is, I also want money...that’s why we’re here…”

Carlos looks at the setting sun and replies; “You got a point, I just want to be rich and help my parents and little brother who suffered from poverty...that’s why I accepted to come here to America…if all goes well...then they wouldn’t suffer anymore...”

Chelsea chuckles, Carlos looks clueless; “Why are you laughing?”. Chelsea begins to explain; “Well, you have a determined face again, and your eyes have a dollar sign..”

“Oh shut up…” Both of them chuckle. Chelsea looks at Carlos and says; “They are going to accept Alejandro as a member you know…”

“I know...and I guess Kasumi-senpai will want me to help him...I guess I have no choice…” Carlos puts on a pervy expression; “Maybe then, she will let me fondle her boo…”

(PPUUMM)

Chelsea hits his head; “No pervert thoughts, okay…”

“Yeah...Yeah…” Carlos and Chelsea look at the sunset. Shion is behind the door, smiling.

***************************************************************************

February 17th; Sun City International Highschool

Alejandro walks slowly towards the school, he looks down because of what happened the other night…He was informed by Maria about Uriel’s current situation...he was relieved that his friend was alive and recovering...however, he remembered the bet that he made with Aleister...

“I lost...now everyone will be expelled...and what’s worse, I was useless yet again and couldn’t help my friend…I totally forgot about the competition...damn it…”

“Alejandro...Alejandro…” Marjorie runs to Alejandro’s side. “Oh hey Marjorie...what’s going on?”

Marjorie Bellerose is a 16years old girl. She has long silver hair with a black ribbon on her left side and blue eyes.

“Is it true that Uriel was badly injured on the night of the dance?”

“Yes he did, and he will be out for a while now…”

“I see...that’s too bad…”

“So did you have fun at the dance?”

Marjorie looks down as she replies; “To be honest...there are some parts I don’t remember...I guess I felt sick that night…”

Alejandro looks at her suspiciously, he sighs and says; “Yeah, but we lost…”

“Oh don’t worry, you did your best against us, and I am proud of you…” Marjorie smiles, Alejandro blushes and scratches his cheek; “Thank you…”

“So how is Uriel doing?” Marjorie asks with a shy tone, Alejandro feels a little jealous and replies; “He’s doing well, he was granted a leave of absence for two weeks due to his injuries.”

“Oh, that’s too bad...hey can I come with you to visit him sometime?” Marjorie asks Alejandro, Alejandro who is feeling jealous, avoids looking at her; “Well...right now I am too busy, plus I don’t think he likes visitors…”

“Oh...I see…” Marjorie looks disappointed, Alejandro walks towards the school; “Anyway, I have things to do so…”

“Alejandro, wait up…” Aleister walks towards them, Alejandro and Marjorie feel a chill down their spines. Alejandro turns around and asks; “What do you want?”

Aleister Lucifugus is a 16 years old young man, he has black hair with red eyes, he is considered the most handsome guy in the high school division and the current Student Council President...

Marjorie, feeling nervous, begins to walk backwards; “Aleister I need to go to class…”

“Marjorie you stay here, I want both of you to hear this…”

“Are you going to expel us?” Alejandro asks nervously, Aleister smiles and replies;

“No...no...my friend...actually I am here to talk to you about the future of the Student Council…”