"Master Anwir, a guest has arrived," one of the servants in Paven's Residence reported.

"A guest?" The corner of the Tigerkin's lips curled up into a smirk. "And, just who is this guest?"

"He introduced himself as Percival Evander," the servant answered. "He is accompanied by someone named Dixon."

"I see." Anwir resumed writing the letter that he was working on, but not before he ordered the Servant to bring his guests to his office.

Several minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and the servant announced the arrival of their guests.

"Come in," Anwir stated as he finished the final part of the letter that he was working on.

Anwir then blew on the letter that he had just finished writing to help dry the ink on it.

A few seconds later, he raised his head to look at the two people that had entered his room, and gave them a smile.

"Hello, Taiga," Anwir said. "What are you doing here?"

"That's not my name," Percival replied.

Anwir only shrugged before resting the side of his face on the palm of his right hand.

"So? What are you doing here?" Anwir asked.

"Is it true that you now have the same power as me?" Percival asked back.

"Are you referring to the Emperor's might?" Anwir arched an eyebrow. "If that's what you're referring to, then I have it as well."

As if to prove that his words were true, Anwir raised his left hand enveloping it in dark flames that blazed fiercely.

"Zion is really something," Anwir smirked. "Having him as a Sworn Brother is the best thing that happened to me."

Percival, whose gaze was locked on the flames that were burning around Anwir's left hand, felt an ache in his heart.

Although the color of the flames were different, there was no doubt in his mind that Anwir was using the same technique as him.

Half a minute later, he took a deep breath and met his step brother's gaze.

"Fight me," Percival declared.

"Fight you?" Anwir snorted. "And why should I do that? Are you going to act like a spoiled brat like you did with Zion and demand that you fight him over and over again? Oi, Taiga, I am not as free as you, okay?"

Anwir then folded the letter he had written and placed it inside an envelope. A moment later, he let the candle wax drip over it before using the ring in his hand to stamp it.

Anwir's seal, which was now recognized by the leaders of the Underworld, was only given to those who had the ability to accomplish the tasks that were written inside the envelope.

"This is the last time I will ask you to fight with me," Percival stated. "After this, I will not ask you to fight me again."

"Oh?" Anwir sneered. "Who are you to demand such a thing? Also, must I remind you that you've gotten your ass handed to you by a seven-year-old, who is several times weaker than you? If you can't even beat Zion, do you really think you have the chance to beat me?"

"I didn't come here to beat you," Percival took a step forward. "I came here to settle things between us."

"Now you're talking." Anwir nodded. "I can accept your challenge if this is your reason for coming here. But, before that, Amery, can you deliver this letter?"

The cabinet inside the room opened, and the Assassin, who was now Anwir's right-hand-man appeared in front of everyone.

"Should I deliver it to 'Him'?" Amery inquired.

"Yes," Anwir answered.

"Understood." Amery nodded.

The Assassin then walked out of the room without even glancing at their guests, who had come to challenge his Boss.

"Well then, let's go," Anwir ordered as he stood up from his chair. "I don't have a lot of free time to babysit you, Taiga. So, let's end this quickly."

Knowing that Anwir would keep calling him Taiga, Percival no longer corrected him and just followed behind him.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the back of Paven's residence, which served as the Training Area for the guards.

Anwir and Percival faced each other, and took a fighting stance.

"One question before we start," Anwir said. "What do you plan to do after our duel ends?"

"I'm going back to the Barbarian Lands," Percival replied.

"Oh? Does that mean that you plan to leave your family behind?"

"I've already told them of my decision. Father and Mother didn't dissuade me because of Cleo's vision."

A frown appeared on Anwir's face because his step sister, Cleo, was one of his reverse scales.

"And, what did she see?" Anwir asked with genuine curiosity.

"I'm not telling you," Percival stuck out his tongue. "If you want to know, go and ask her yourself."

"Cheeky brat, I guess it's time to pound some real sense to you."

"Do your worst, you sorry excuse for a brother."

After that exchange of barbed words, the two unleashed their Emperor's Might, raising their fighting prowess to their limits.

A few seconds later, both of them vanished from where they stood and clashed at the center of the arena, sending dirt flying in every direction as a shock wave expanded outwards.

High above a tree branch, Vassago groomed his wing, while giving side glances to the two Tigerkins, who were duking it out with each other.

He had already expected this outcome, especially after saying those words to Percival a few days ago.

'Zion really knows how to ruffle the feathers of others,' Vassago thought. 'But, it seems that his prediction about Taiga returning is coming true.'

The PocoPoco had grown fond of his mysterious Master whose intellect surpassed children his age.

'I just hope that Poca, who is following Cristopher, will return with good news,' Vassago sighed in his heart.

Although he was worried about the chubby boy, who was loyal to a fault, he trusted that Zion wouldn't send him to a place that was too dangerous for him.

Right now, all of them had important roles to play, which would become evident a few weeks from now.

The Tigerkins and the Barbarians had almost finished their war preparations.

It was only a matter of time before their armies marched and faced each other on the Warsor Plains, where Thirteen's forces would congregate in the not-so-distant future.