Jairo’s Café…

  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 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…”

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

  Both of them bow their heads; “We’re sorry…”

  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 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 shouts 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 speak; “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…”

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “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. Carlos exclaims; “Hey, those are mine…”

  “Carlos, why did you say all those things to Alejandro…” Chelsea asks as she continues eating chips. He avoids looking at her; “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...he wants 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; “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 18th; Yggdrasil’s Base…

  After school, Carlos, Chelsea and Alejandro went to Yggdrasil’s hideout located under Jairo’s Restaurant...Alejandro was going to meet with Allan Carter...The Director of Yggdrasil in America…

  “Very well, let’s begin with our meeting…” Kasumi puts the orb on the round table. The orb breaks into four parts and a reddish light illuminates the whole room. The light forms a hologram of a man standing next to Kasumi.

  The man has white skin, blonde hair and blue eyes. Everyone stands and bows to him; “Director Carter, welcome…”

  “Now, now, there is no need to be so formal...Call me Allan …” Allan Carter feels overjoyed. He looks at Alejandro and asks; “So, you’re the boy that Rosa and Jairo have been recommending for months now…”

  Alejandro, feeling nervous, replies; “Yes sir...my name is Alejandro Sanchez...and I like to join Yggdrasil…”

  “I see...okay you're in…” Allan says it so casually.

  “WWHHHATTT?” Everyone looks surprised, Carlos immediately stands up:

  “With all you respect sir, weren’t you a bit too flexible, I mean you just accepted him to be part of our secret organization without hesitation.”

  Allan begins to laugh; “Carlos, you’re always too strict. We are a secret organization that dedicates itself to protect the world from evil, such as Sombras or Yokais...But let me tell you something, in the rulebook, there is nowhere that it says that we are a private club that only accepts specific members…”

  “Really? I didn’t know that?” Shion immediately takes out her handbook and begins to read it. Carlos sighs; “I understand sir…”

  Allan looks at Alejandro; “Alejandro, Yggdrasil will accept you, we accept anyone who is willing to risk their lives for the sake of maintaining balance and peace in the world...However, as you may have seen, members of Yggdrasil, including me, often risks our lives in dangerous missions and against dangerous monster like the Chupacabras…”

  Alejandro remembers the attack of the Chupacabras. Allan continues to speak; “Right now, we have agents working all over the world. There are countries like the Scandinavian countries in Europe and Japan that support the organization, but there are others that don’t. We are currently in a hostile area, this country does not support Yggdrasil, that’s why we have a small number of members here. They have their own system when it comes to fighting the supernatural.”

  Allan shows a map of the world and continues to explain, pointing at Latin America; “In Latin American countries, we also have few members working and cooperating with the Order of the Holy Cross and Holy Maiden...that’s the Catholic Church’s Organization in charge of protecting people from evil beings. Yggdrasil doesn’t have members in Mexico, because they are also protected by the church. “

  “I see…that’s awesome…” Alejandro is very impressed by Allan’s explanation. Allan continues to explain; “Since we don’t have enough members and many of our Elites are busy in Europe or other regions, we were forced to make an Alliance with El Charro Negro...Good thing he is your friend right?”

  Allan makes the globe disappear and continues to speak; “Now, I already explain what we do, our advantages and disadvantages...Alejandro, I want to hear from you...why do you want to join Yggdrasil? and be honest with us...otherwise, you will face consequences…”

  (GULP)

  Alejandro looks at his hand and thinks about everything he has gone through. He takes a deep breath and looks at Allan with a confident expression:

  “The truth is that my whole life, people have been protecting me...ever since that night 5 years ago when an angel saved my life during the earthquake…”

  “An angel?” Kasumi thinks to herself. Alejandro continues to speak; “When I was saved from falling to my death, I decided I wanted to be strong to protect people, but it has been the contrary. Now, I learned that there are powers that can help protect people, that’s why...I... want to be part of this organization, I don’t care if I put my life on the line...if it means that I can protect the people I care about...I will take that risk…”

  “Man, that is so lame…” Carlos chuckles along with Chelsea.

  “Shut up, you two…” Jairo looks at them angry. At first, everyone is silent, Alejandro gets nervous as he thinks; “Did I say something wrong? No, I said what I felt and what I feel my purpose is...if he says no...then…”

  “Hahaha...you know, I like your motivation, Alejandro...To be honest, the things you said were so lame and cliche…” Alan chuckles, Alejandro looks at him feeling weird, Carlos quickly whispers; “See, I told you…”

  Allan continues to speak; “Alejandro Sanchez, I, Allan Carter...Director of Yggdrasil, American Branch, accept your request to join Yggdrasil...welcome aboard…”

  “Seriously…” Alejandro says with excitement, Kasumi sighs at first and then smiles; “Congratulations…you’re one of us now…”

  “Seriously...that idiot…” Carlos looks mad. “I think it’s fine…” Chelsea chuckles, Shion smiles along with Jairo. Rosa cries; “Wahh...Alejandro, my son, I knew he could do it…”

  Allan looks at Kasumi; “Kasumi, please take out the seed…”

  “Right…” Kasumi goes to the panel located in the front and presses one button.

  Suddenly, a small door opens, and an object begins to come out. The object has the form of a giant seed, the seed shines in a bright silver color and illuminates the room.

  “What is that?” Alejandro asks nervously, Kasumi turns around and smiles; “This is one of the World Tree seeds.”

  “World Tree...you mean it actually exists?”

  “It does, but its location is a secret...I know you have seen our Esper Suits right?”

  “Yes, I have seen yours…” Alejandro thinks back to when he saw Kasumi fight the Chupacabras. Kasumi continues to explain; “Our esper suits are the manifestation of mana, they help us release and control mana. We obtain the esper suits by absorbing the seed.”

  “Wow.” Alejandro is speechless. Allan begins to explain; “Alejandro, you will absorb the seed and obtain an esper suit…”

  “Really?” Alejandro looks excited. Allan continues to explain; “Of course, you will need some training first…”

  “Wait what?” Alejandro looks confused. Allan chuckles: “You see, in order to obtain the power of the seed, you need to be strong on both body and soul. That’s why...Kasumi’s team will train you in order to be strong enough to accept the seed...I’d say, it will take you six months to be prepared…”

  “SIX MONTHS?” Alejandro looks shocked. Kasumi begins to explain:

  “That’s right, it takes around six months to a year to be fully prepared. That’s why agents go to school in Japan and learn about controlling their esper suits.”

  “Japan, I mean that’s too far away…” Alejandro laughs nervously.

  “Don’t worry, we will make an exception, since Kasumi and her unit are on a mission. We will train you here in Sun City. That intense training will only be for three months, and you will be able to get the seed.”

  “What happens if I touch the seed now?”

  Shion steps forward; “You will be consumed by the seed, and you will turn into mana and forever be lost in this world….”

  (GULP)

  Alejandro chuckles nervously; “I guess...I prefer to train…”

  “There is also the situation with your left hand, that golden key may also absorb you…” Allan comments with a serious expression. “Alejandro, every time you use the key’s power, you are shortening your life..”

  Kasumi looks at Alejandro, Alejandro smiles and says with confidence:

  “I know..I promise you that I won’t use it, unless my life depends on it…”

  “Excellent...very well everyone, please stay safe…” Allan ends the holographic meeting.

  Kasumi sighs and looks at Alejandro; “I guess, it was fate, huh…” Kasumi walks towards Alejandro; “Very well...Alejandro, Carlos and Jairo will be in charge of your physical training...and Shion will be in charge of your mental and soul training…”

  “EHH WHY ME?” Carlos exclaims, Kasumi looks at Carlos with a sad expression; “Are you...against it…”

  “So cute…” Carlos bleeds from his nose as he shakes his head; “Not at all...I will do my best...Senpai…”

  “Okay everyone, I declare this meeting over…” Kasumi puts away the seed.

  Meanwhile…

  “Phew...that was tough, good thing Alejandro accepted right?” Allan sitting in an office stands up and walks to the window, standing in the window, a beautiful red-head woman smiles; “You know that Rebecca will get mad right?”

  “I know...but, I see potential in him...plus, he is friends with El Charro Negro…and we need to protect that golden key...”

  “I see...Allan...you always like to think ahead...don’t you…” Allan smiles at her; “Heidi...you know me too well…”

  “Very well…I will take my leave…” Heidi begins to walk away, Allan smiles; “I know that he will be the strongest member…”