By the time I heard the echoes of the battle the wind had turned sharp. It smelled of iron and asphalt in the alley the blood and the dust mixing with the sweetness of cheap cigarettes. The prostrated bodies of Black Fang were scattered on the ground and groaning or insensible, degraded now to the silence of night the former heroism that had been so blatant. Comet, with the heaving of the chest, the little clouds of breath in the cool air. Adrenaline shook his knuckles and his arms. Everything around him seemed to slow down a little: the beat of the traffic at a distant place, the vibration of a lamp-post in the dark, flickering over his head, the beat of his own heart, which was throbbing in his ears. Kaiser was a few steps forward, in the dark orange light. He towered, and almost edificed of serenity. He wasn't even breathing hard. His uniform had been torn rather slightly, a streak of red on his cheek, yet he was evidently not hurt--some one of those figures that are hewn with control and silent authority. He stared at the fatally wounded leader of Black Fang then turned back to Comet. "Scared?" The tone of Kaiser was impossible to read, neither scolding, nor sympathetic, but merely interested. Comet swallowed, and strangled his voice through the starchiness of his throat. "Not… anymore." Kaiser smirked faintly. "Good answer." He walked towards the mouth of the alley where the dying sun was smearing the city with rusted gold. "You learn fast." Comet came after, yet sucking in air. His head was the lightning-cloud — glimpses of fists, of steel striking wall, of Kaiser in motion. Each picture reproduced itself in flashes, bright and crude. When they moved back into the open avenue they once more heard the noise of the urban surroundings, cars, talking, the squeeze of speakers in a close-by store of conveniences. They were just two students who were going home as could be seen by anyone passing by. It was business as usual and people were unaware of the violence that was lurking between the buildings. Well, said Kaiser, put my hands in my pockets. "You've got instincts, Comet. Not the technique yet -that will come. But it is not like you move, the way you look... it is different. Comet blinked. "Different how?" You do not fight to win, said Kaiser simply. "You fight to understand." The words were still in the head of Comet when he got home. He wished to enquire further, but Kaiser said nothing, and looked about the streets as though he observed an impending event. The omnibus clanked on, headlights slicing the dusk, and Comet knew - Kaiser was looking over the road. He was watching everything. Comet did not sleep much that night. Each time, when he shut his eyes, he had glimpsed flashes, the chain flying toward the face of Kaiser, the knife glittering an inch or two on the)rost of his chest, and the crash, as his fist struck the ribs of some one. It was not fear that was making him stay awake, it was something different. Excitement. He turned on his back and looked at the ceiling, at the dim moonlight streaming through his window. The urban exterior was swarming like an impatient animal. There somewhere the gangs such as the Black Fang had reformed and were plotting back vengeance. Somewhere within R.I.S High there were other names and faces that ruled the corridors, unknown forces, competing gangs, students who smiled in the day and plotted in the night. And he, the new man, had just entered the middle of it. Morning came heavy with fog. In the background was the school, its grey form piercing the mist like a fort. Comet was walking slower than usual, the hurt in his arms was a reminder of the fight the night before. All the sounds, foot steps, laughs, whispers, now sounded bettler. As he came in, eyes trailed him. Some curious, some cautious. Word had already started happening. Did you hear? somebody said. "Black Fang got wrecked." Well, they say Kaiser did it again. "Not just him. Some new guy helped." "New guy? You mean that transfer kid?" The burden of their words was felt by Comet. He didn't look back. Kaiser came near the lockers--tall and imposing, and an imposing presence even in a crowd. Composed, cool, the smile of the same faint expression on his lips. You are trending, you know, Kaiser said dangly. Comet gave a half-smile. "Not sure that's a good thing." "It's not," Kaiser replied. But it is because they have taken notice of you. He leaned closer. And that is that other people will, as well. "Others?" Kaiser glanced along the passage — to a cluster of students standing near the stair-well, gazing at him. The silver claw-shaped pins were used to label their uniforms. They did not talk, but their glances were sufficient. Kaiser said, Silver Hounds. "Different breed. They do not struggle to be in control, but they struggle to be sportive. Comet frowned. "And you?" The stare of Kaiser stiffened, but his voice did not. "I fight to keep balance. You'll understand soon." A voice interrupted the passage before Comet could reply. "Kaiser!" Everyone turned. A slender figure came forward: lean and self-confident, in the same school uniform, but with rolled-up sleeves, exposing his scars on the fore-arms. His hair was silver-white, his smile big and threatening. "Long time no see," he said. The smirk came off Kaiser and he narrowed his eyes. "Rex." Comet sensed the air tighten. The small talk was killed off immediately. Even the buzz of fluorescent lights appeared to be lowered. The name was sufficient in itself, Rex, Head of the Silver Hounds, one of the most dangerous student groups in R.I.S High. Up and down looked Rex at Comet, he was amused. "So this is your new recruit? Cute. He doesn't look like much." Comet straightened himself with nothing. The tone of Kaiser was composed but incisive. "He's not my recruit." Rex laughed, short and low. "No? Why is he walking behind you like a shadow then? Comet experienced the sensation of heat in his chest. Kaiser made a step or two in front of him, enough to conceal Rex. You there because you want to, or are you merely trying to get back in touch with your voice? The grin on Rex's face widened. Finding out whether the king has his crown or not. There was a moment of silence between them two predators measuring distance, reading breath, waiting until the other could be seen to make the first move. Then the smile of Rex was kind of friendly. "Relax. I'm not here to start a war… yet." Once more he looked at Comet with glistening eyes. "See you around, rookie." He walked out of the room, his crowd trailing him like fellow shadows disappearing into the crowd. As they vanished they started to hear once more, with chatter and voice and the deception of the usual. Comet exhaled slowly. "Who was that?" Kaiser did not reply immediately. His eyes were still staring down the hall, at the area where Rex had disappeared. That is the sort of trouble I mean, by yesterday, he added. Later in the day, two men crept to the edge of the cafeteria and approached Comet. The former, Taj, was as big as Kaiser, and of a wiry strength, with a half-practical smile, which increased the magnitude of his presence to something greater than life itself. The second, Wasif, was not so tall, but broad-shouldered and calm, and emanated a quiet intelligence that had the effect of weighing the room. "You okay?" Wasif inquired, in a low and rather protective tone. Comet nodded. "Yeah… just trying to keep up." Taj leaned closer, smirking. "Don't worry. You're with Kaiser now. So stay here, and you will know the ropes in a flash. But… we don't baby rookies." Comet looked back and forth and a feeling of relief and tension settled over him. "And you two…?" Wasif, the short one replied in a simple manner. "I watch the patterns. Ensure that nobody gets on cross lines. And Taj?" The taller one grinned wider. I also ensure that the entertainment is not monotonous. That's the difference." Comet knew he had supporters now, not Kaiser alone. Dogs he could rely on, at least in the meantime, dogs who would outlive him. Kaiser came up, leaning on a pillar that was close by. He towered above them with his composed air like it was straining the air around him. "Good. You met them." There was a slight nod of the heads of Wasif and Taj as a sign of respect. The day was finally over and it was no longer dreadful but comprehensible, and Comet felt the burden upon his shoulders. He wasn't alone. The final bell rang. Kaiser was in the forefront of the band outside the city, the city hanging in amber light. The same dark figure, which had been peering on the roof of yesterday, changed position somewhere above. The pulse of Comet quickened, though he had nothing to fear. Not anymore. He was prepared that the storm should arrive.