Yasuke : Rise of the Black Dahlia

Yasuke, Chapter 18 : Luck and Probability

"I cannot label what I'm about to say as the truth, because truly I don't know. But, I heard that King Nebuchadnezzar became King by defeating the previous King before him, King Solomon." Logias explained. "The same King Solomon who was able to defeat the previous King of Spartania, King Apollo."

"He beat King Apollo?" Domitia said in shock. "Doesn't King Leonidas consider King Apollo to be stronger than him?"

"I've heard him say that before." Mephisto answered. "But, I cannot tell if he's selling himself short to uphold the respect he has for him. King Apollo was like a father to King Leonidas. The only family he had that cared for him."

"Whether King Nebuchadnezzar is capable of defeating Leonidas doesn't matter. All that matters is that he is a formidable opponent, that we'll have to come together to defeat." Mona stated.

"No." Domitia thought. "This is a matter King Leonidas should tend to himself. As much as I'd like to enlist in the battle, King Nebuchadnezzar seems to be completely out of my league. Maybe Captain Perseus and Hercules will be able to assist him, but the rest of us should just stay out of it."

The young Spartans found themselves at the end of the golden path, which seperated into four different roads all leading to different parts of the city. Naturally, the Spartans instantly looked to Mona for guidance.

"We're closing in to the entrance of the City." Mona pointed out. "King Musa's castle is directly in the middle of it, so it doesn't matter which path we take. These are used to direct you into the section of the city you reside in."

"Mona, I'm going to continue to carry you to the Castle. But, I'd like to send my brothers here to do a quick scan of the City. To make sure it's secure and help any of it's citizens that could need us. Is that okay?" Domitia asked.

"Yes, that's fine." Mona replied. "After you're done, you can join us in the Castle."

Logias and Mephistopheles seperated and went down their own paths. Logias went down the furthest right path and Mephistopheles went down the furthest left path. Domitia sticked to the left one of the two in the middle. It wasn't long before he began to see the damage caused to the city. Traces of destruction was left all over the scenery.

"King Nebuchadnezzar was able to destroy all of this just by unleashing his chi, you said?" Domitia asked.

"Well, his chi sent me flying through the castle wall to where you three found me. From what I can tell, everything in that distance was effected by it." Mona explained.

"How much would fixing all of this cost?" Dom asked.

"I'm not worried about that." Mona replied. "Musa's wealth is enough to upgrade all four other kingdoms to the state of wealth of his own."

"How did he manage to attain so much wealth anyway?" Domitia stated.

"You'll be able to meet and ask him yourself. I can see the Castle in the distance now." Mona responded.

"Yeah, I can too." Domitia realized.

Domitia glanced a few times at Mona, who's head was just dangling over his left shoulder. The last time he looked, she caught him and looked at him as well. This caused Domitia to pause slightly and then turn his head back facing the castle.

"What is it?" Mona asked. "What are you thinking about?"

"Well....I was just wondering if King Musa allows the Knights in his order to have a...romantic life?"

"Why are you asking me whether I'm allowed to date or not?" Mona quickly replied.

"Well, because every King has his different rules and opinions on how his Order should be run." Domitia explained.

"Are you allowed to date?" Mona asked in response.

"Well, I've given the same amount of time of devotion to being a Spartan that all of the other Spartans do before they get married and have kids so it's normal for me to." Domitia answered.

"Then you should go find a wife, young Spartan. I personally have given my entire life dedicated to serving my King as a part of the Order. So, there's nothing like that in my future." Mona replied.

"Unless, he retires you before you die." Domitia corrected. "We both have a long life ahead of us, it won't hurt to wait."

"Whatever, just bring me to my King." Mona dismissed.

"I'm not sure what she's thinking, but that wasn't a no." Domitia thought. "I have a chance, and that's all we Spartans ever need."

Domitia stood just before the stairway that led up into the castle. There was plenty of debris there that required him to be very meticulous with his steps as he ascended. Through the doorway, he saw a seemingly unconscious person's head tilted and Mona instantly realized who it was.

"Samor!" Domitia heard Mona shout just behind his ear.

"I'm assuming this is another one of King Musa's Knights in the order." Domitia stated as he rushed through the doorway.

He sat Mona down next to Samor's body and assisted her in aid.

"This is my Bishop." Mona stated as she began to check Samor's vitals. "It's faint but she's still alive."

The sound of them entering the castle grabbed the attention of a nearby approacher. Footsteps could be heard coming in the direction of the two. Domitia turned around to face the person who created these audible footsteps and he was surprised to see a very familiar face.

"Spartan Captain Hercules!"

Hercules was carrying King Musa's body, who was still conscious but clearly not able to operate as usual.

"King Musa!" Mona stated. "Samor's heart is still beating, but she's not waking up."

"Set me down by her, Spartan." Musa nonchalantly commanded. "I may be able to fix this."

Hercules did as Mansa Musa commanded and placed him next to Samor and Mona. Musa opened his hand and extended his arm towards Samor as a ball of his glowing orange chi rose.

"What are you going to do?" Domitia asked.

"Sphere of Promise." Musa stated. "Reverse the damage caused within the Kingdom of Neserus."

The ball left Musa's hand and hovered in the air. Soon after, it disappeared in a flash of blinding light. Once Domitia, Mona, and the others could see again, all of the damage caused from King Nebuchadnezzar was gone. Musa was back in his regular condition, and so was Samor who woke up instantly. She looked up to Mona and Musa, slightly confused but visibly relieved.

"King Musa...Mona...I'm glad you're both okay." Samor declared. "All I remember is that guy building his aura of chi, and then it was black. I supposed you handled things then, King Musa."

Unlike Mona and Samor, Domitia was dumbfounded at how easily King Musa was able to repair all of the damage dealt to the Kingdom of Neserus. Mona, Samor, and King Musa instantly being healed also contributed to his disbelief.

"Wait, everything is just snapped back to normal that easily?" Domitia pondered. "How did you manage to do that?"

Samor snapped up quickly and approached Domitia.

After glaring into his eyes for a moment, she began to scold him.

"As much as I thank you for helping us and King Musa, I will not allow such information to be spread so recklessly." She said. "I know you're a Spartan, but it's-"

"It's okay, Samor." Musa interrupted. "I know he won't do anything harmful with this information. Truthfully, young Spartan, it begins with my ability Luck Share. It's something I developed to be able to have a little manipulation on how things happen for me, the alteration of luck or probability. My Sphere of Promise is used to change the quality of both inanimate and animate things, but I manipulate the chances of something greater occuring. For example, when I was younger, I used to use chi to break pieces of the ground. Then, I would use my Sphere of Promise to fix the broken pieces of the ground. Once I incorporated my Luck Share, the pieces of the ground would not only be repaired, but could also be turned into gold or diamond."

"And this is how you starting to build your wealth, right?" Domitia replied.

"Yes, I've done a lot of things to help accumulate the wealth I have today. But, it wouldn't have been possible without my Luck Share." King Musa answered.

"Can you believe that, Captain Hercules?" Domitia said in amazement. "That's unbelievable!"

As Domitia and Musa continued their discussion, Samor quietly approached Mona on the side.

"I know this is random, but you already know I quickly scan the mind of everyone who comes into direct contact with the King." Mona heard Samor say in her head. "Once I scanned that Young Spartans mind, all that I found was you. He has about a million thoughts a minute, but you're the only thing that keeps popping up consistently."

"And what exactly did you tell me this for?" Mona replied.

"Because you're the exact same girl who said she wished men around her would praise her for more than just her combat skills." Samor asked. "I can assure you that boy is not thinking about fighting you."

"Either way, he doesn't have a chance." Mona replied.

"Mona, you just seen how the probability of chance can be altered right in front of you. I think he may be the lucky guy."

"Whatever Samor, I think we should just focus on the task at hand." Mona concluded.