Marrakesh, Morocco. It was nearing midnight as the vibrant Moroccan city was just coming alive. Amadi was driving through this city in a luxury car with his advisor and strategist, Jessica Novella and Cole Baker in the back.
"Wow, I've never been to Morocco before. The city is beautiful."
Jessica, aka Kiara the Orchestrator of Madness, pressed her forehead against the glass window as she marvelled at the scenery around her.
"It's like a mix of various cultures coming together to create something new."
"Jessica, don't get too excited and bring down the window. It will ruin your hair."
Cole aka the Iron Guard Bastion, called out to her just as she was about to touch the switch. Jessica looked at her red hair, which was styled in curls and as they rested in front of her chest, while the rest flowed straight down her back.
"You're right. It was a pain to get my hair to stay like this."
Jessica sat back and looked over at Cole. He was dressed in a grey and black tuxedo.
"You're lucky you don't have hair to care about, Cole."
"Me being bald is my choice. I can grow my hair whenever."
"Who chooses to be bald? Your way of thinking is why you dress so blandly."
"What's wrong with my suit?"
"Nothing. It's safe. No expression at all."
"Well, excuse me for wanting to look professional."
He glanced at her. She was dressed in a lavender gown that turned blue near the end. Sapphire gems were bejewelled all over the gown, sparkling like stars.
"Tsk."
Cole clicked his tongue and Jessica smirked.
"You can't even hate on my appearance, can you?"
"Hmph. You have to use your ability to be able to wear something that adult. Don't forget your true figure is that of a child."
"Always talking about women's insecurities."
She turned away with a frown.
"...This is why you'll forever be single."
"What do you mean? I have a lot of women who are interested in me."
Jessica chuckled without saying anything else.
"You little...."
"Can the two of you shut up and enjoy the scenery?"
Amadi spoke with a frown while still driving. The two clicked their tongues and sat in silence. He shook his head and mumbled.
"Today is an important day. History is about to change forever."
Elsewhere in the city, Hiraya was inside a luxurious SUV with Thierry, Scarlett, and Leonid. Thierry was the driver with Leonid in the passenger seat. Hiraya and Scarlett were in the back.
"Goodbye vacation."
Leonid mumbled with a dejected tone and deadpan eyes. He looked down at his attire. He pulled on his black snake print blazer while looking at his black jeans and a grey top underneath. A smile crept on his face.
"At least I look good."
"We're about to usher in a new era, so we must look the part."
Thierry spoke with a small smile. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a cyan floral design. Leonid nodded.
"I agree."
"Why are you two so focused on fashion at a time like this?"
Scarlett asked with a confused face.
"Let them be. It's a joyous occasion after all."
Hiraya wore a small smile as she watched the two.
"Sir Thierry, is ushering an era of chaos a joyous occasion?"
"No, Leonid."
"Then our boss is crazy, like I thought."
"If you don't shut your mouth, you might be buried in that suit you're wearing."
Leonid nodded and remained silent for the remainder of the ride. After nearly 20 minutes, they arrived at a restaurant named "Nitaq". Thierry and Leonid exited the car first and opened Hiraya and Scarlett's doors. They stretched their hands out, the ladies took them, and exited the car. Hiraya wrapped her arm around Thierry's while Scarlett did the same with Leonid. A valet came and drove the car away as the group entered the restaurant.
"Welcome to Nitaq, the domain of kings."
They were greeted by a host dressed in a white tailcoat suit with gloves to match. He looked like a handsome butler one would see in novels.
"Please allow me to lead the way."
"......."
Hiraya looked at the host for a while before nodding. They followed the host who led them.
"I've been meaning to ask, why did we decide to meet in Morocco?"
Leonid asked as they walked.
"I know we want to meet in neutral territory, but why here?"
"Because an annoying person thought it would be fun."
Hiraya mumbled.
The restaurant, which was beautifully decorated with a mixture of European and Arabic styles, was deserted except for them. There were no other customers or staff. Only their footsteps could be heard in the building.
"We're here."
The host led them to a private booth where Amadi and his group were sitting.
"Hiraya."
Amadi rose from his seat and walked up to Hiraya. He took her hand and brought it up to his lips as he placed a kiss on it. He then stepped back and looked at her from head to toe. She was wearing a light blue cocktail dress sparkling with glitter, a pair of matching platform heels, and a dazzling emerald necklace.
"As always, you soothe the brute within me with your lovely appearance."
"Which drama did you hear that from?"
Hiraya pulled her hand away.
"If you like, I can give you recommendations."
Amadi spoke with a smile. He then turned to others.
"It's good to see all of you again. Let's sit and chat."
Everyone took seats around the table in the booth, with Amadi's group on one side and Hiraya's group on the other.
"Now we just need Mishma to arrive."
"There's no need, Cole."
Amadi pointed at the host standing at the door.
"Mishma has been here since the beginning."
"?!"
Everyone other than Amadi and Hiraya looked at the Host in shock.
"For some reason, I'm just now noticing or rather recognising his features…."
Thierry mumbled.
"If Mishma doesn't want you to recognise her…rather, him, you can't."
Hiraya answered.
"That's right. Only 3 people can see through my deception. Two of which is in this room."
Mishma appeared at the end of the table as if he was always there.
"So you're a guy today, Mishma?"
Amadi spoke with an unamused tone.
"Do you even have a set gender?"
"I take it day by day."
Mishma showed a big smile as he looked around the room.
"It's great to see you all here. However…"
He turned towards Amadi.
"Your party is short a member. Where's your second-in-command?"
"Chinara was too busy."
"Really?"
Mishma looked at the ceiling for a few seconds.
"She's watching a movie and eating ice cream."
"Mishma."
Mishma looked at Amadi after hearing his icy tone.
"Don't spy on my sister."
"Hmm…I guess that's my bad. Even if I'm not attracted to the people of this world, it was creepy."
Mishma bowed his head and Amadi sighed. Mishma lifted his head.
"So…You were afraid to tell her what you're planning, right? That's why she isn't here."
Amadi looked away.
"Knowing Chinara, she would kill him if she knew what he was planning. So he definitely didn't tell her."
Hiraya added with a laugh.
"Let's just leave my sister out of this. Okay?"
Amadi didn't hide his annoyance. Mishma snapped his fingers and music reached everyone's ears. A knock came from the door and a waitress entered the booth. The sound of soothing music and people came from beyond the door. They looked outside and saw people at tables with servers attending to them. The previously deserted restaurant was bustling with life.
"How about we enjoy the Moroccan cuisine before we talk business?"
Mishma flicked his wrist and a menu appeared in his hands.
"I recommend the Chicken Tagine, it's sweet and savoury when cooked to perfection."
Everybody looked at him in silence until Amadi spoke up.
".....Seriously, what is your power?"
After over an hour of eating and drinking, the meeting of the Three Calamities had begun.
"First, I must ask..."
Mishma looked at Alala and Sinvula.
"You two are 100% on board with my suggestion?"
The two nodded. Mishma looked at the others.
"And your subordinates support your decision?"
"The Bellum Company will follow our commander into the pits of hell."
"Iron Rain walks with our boss no matter how thorny the path."
Phobos and Bastion spoke with strong determination. Mishma's smile grew into a grin.
"We would like to set some rules first to ensure this doesn't turn into a free-for-all."
Kiara spoke up.
"I didn't think Iron Rain would ask for rules first."
Mishma appeared amused as he gestured for Kiara to go on.
"First, there will be no killing or serious altercations between Iron Rain and the Bellum Company."
"No objections."
Kiara nodded after Alala's approval.
"Second, no matter who destroys Kismet, there will be no hard feelings. Third, once Kismet is destroyed, both parties must celebrate together."
"I see, so you focused on the relationship between us more than anything."
Alala turned to Sinvula with a smile.
"Do you hate being my enemy that much?"
Sinvula nodded and spoke with a playful tone.
"You hating me would drive me to destroy the world to vent my sorrows."
Alala chuckled while Phobos lifted his hand.
"We would like to add some rules of our own."
"Please go ahead, we wanted to leave the more practical rules to the Company since we are forcing our selfishness on you."
Bastion gestured for Phobos, who nodded.
"The Company believes we need to put a limit on how we attack Kismet."
He looked at Sinvula and Alala.
"You two wish for Kismet and Impactor to grow strong enough to challenge you, right?"
The two nodded.
"Then, I propose we only attack them twice a week, with each of you getting one chance. This is to ensure they can grow properly and not die too quickly, before they reach their full potential."
"Once a week, huh? That also gives us time to do other stuff like our mercenary work."
Alala nodded and pointed at Sinvula.
"You also get to fight with the rest of the GHF and Villains blinded by false hope."
Sinvula nodded.
"Then, to make things interesting, how about we put a time limit on our assaults?"
"How about 10 minutes? During that 10 minute,s we can't attack or sabotage each other, but if the other is still fighting after the time limit, we can step in to stop them."
"Also, we can't attack them on the same day, or they will die."
"Agreed."
(They've pretty much discussed all the rules I thought of before I got the chance to bring it up.)
Phobos thought with a smile.
"I ask that only the Calamities are allowed to fight Kismet."
Deimos raised his hand and said.
"I don't want to fight guys basically being trained by you two."
"I second that."
Bastion quickly spoke up.
"...That was our intention from the beginning."
Alala shook her head with a sigh.
"Then, I would like to add a rule of my own."
Everyone turned to Mishma, who held his hand up.
"....What rule is that?"
Sinvula was cautious, more than curious.
"No need to worry, it's a simple rule that will benefit you all."
Mishma's smile faded for the first time.
"If Sin Sentinel gets involved at any point, this game will be over. You two are to avoid fighting him at all costs, even if you have to run away."
".....Why such a rule? Sin Sentinel hasn't been seen in 6 years."
Mishma's rare seriousness caught Alala by surprise.
"While he has been gone, I want you two to be cautious regardless."
"Do you believe we would lose to him?"
"Honestly, I can't say. All I know is that other than you two, he is the only one in this world I'm genuinely interested in. His strength and power are something that shouldn't be allowed on this plane. Well, the same can be said about you two. To be fair, even I don't know how it would go if you two fought him together. Since it's an uncertainty, I want to avoid it."
(Together?)
Sinvula and Alala frowned for a while before nodding. Mishma clapped his hands together in delight.
"Good! Since everything is settled...."
He stretched his hand out bottles of champagne appeared in front of everyone.
"Let's celebrate the coming of a new era of chaos and destruction."
He lifted his hand that had a glass of champagne in it.
"To being villains!"