Chapter 17——MOLD OUR LEGACY
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//Ryoji//
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Trouncers.
An old, expired convenience store.
The "first" big food store in the N.U.S.N.
Held the title three years before Walmart won that title.
Quite the irony, as rumor has it that corrupted police officers kill and leave the bodies of members of the Assassin's Guild for the past months, ever since the Nevermore Act instantly took effect.
A name derived from the word "trounce", which means "defeat heavily in a contest".
Maybe the "Wall-Mart" actually beaten Trouncers into obscurity, since Haruka is in her late twenties by the looks of it and has decommissioned before her being. Never been into one, or a food market overall.... The Crows, or the ones below us Ravens, gathered our supplements and nutrients.
I was determined to get my friend, Batsaikhan Dorj, to come with me. I only had a leather whip, my remaining caltrops, a small knife but I will not lose him like Castillo.....I won't let that happen.
I won't let it happen again.
The Dolle Incident happened on my twelfth birthday, as the Magpies did not care on our well being or anything that defined us; but our proficiency in battle when it came to it. I knew something was amiss as one of the villagers smiled at me while I wore my mask.
I didn't know there was going to be an aerial ambush, followed by many turning into Daemons and another thing..... My whole memory of it has been scrambled. One part I can remember so well that I can painfully relive them again and again. Who would want to live those sick experiences? It is troublesome when my brain has so much trauma and the only I know is to fight.
At times, I do wonder: What if I was an ordinary child?
What if I knew worried about what homework I was supposed to do?
Or which girl has a crush on me? Actually, I don't not care about that, even if I was normal: I would not
All those questions and I soon remember what I needed to do, those four thingsI had promised myself: Find the truth about my parent's' death, restore the Heart'z honor, atonement from my past and become the first Heart-Bond as a Protector.
Another, my hippocampus cannot fire up to save my life.
The traveling was a bit long, strenuous and my stomach was starting to unravel, I looked around and saw a little sign that said "Now Entering: Houndspire." It was a worn, black green sign yet still to legible to read from a 20 meter distance.
The states were a bit closer than I thought they would...Including the massive crowd of people protesting about something in front of the rumored location.
Are...They expressing opposition against the law here? I thought out of curiosity, coming closer to see the two sides of the story: The oppressed and the oppressors.
One stood as the champion of the weak—their spokesperson. A plump, misshapen man with a limp arm, yet he was filled with energy and charisma.
Discarded by society; yet filled with abundance to change for what is right in life.
"Kudos to you, Guy with the limp arm!"
You shouldn't be referring him by that, Igneus. I scolded him quickly. He was discarded by his masters
"Uhhhh....Sorry. I'll call him.....Charismatic Cult Leader!"
Not exactly an excellent judge of character, are you?
I felt pity for the man.
ZiON lost about twenty chemical plants ever since the Dolle Incident, putting the blame on Sera's mother, Pearline Bishop; CEO of ZiON.
He could have lost his job like the hundreds that did, does not make him any less unique.
All of twenty chemical plants that ZiON in Esthar and around Eurasia, the objective behind their locations remain unknown, had exploded simultaneously when we were there. It perplexed me, considering how that day it was supposed to be safe to go there.
How we were given the "okay" by our superiors
This is a strange world, after all. I thought. Radiation from the plant had enough chemicals to kill things bigger than us, and made Dolle an inhabitable zone.
Dolle can never flourish once again.
It was so beautiful and we had to leave it all in desolation.
This man gained my interest, not only was he an obstacle, he began to inspire me a bit. People like him are victims and are tired of being treated as if they have no voice.
No power.
The spokesman wore nothing more than a dirtied up suit, but it did not matter how he looked: It mattered on how he was presenting himself.
This man had the people's trust, pull their strings effectively.
"It is time to know the truth: The Raven is nothing but a victim against the prejudice and stigma they face by the law!!!" He stated the facts towards the wall of nervous policemen, and began to stand on a higher step. His followers yelled back after him, applauding and getting closer to their oppressors.
A rookie, or at least I assume he was, since he still had his safety on his gun.
"Back up or else!" One policeman warned the rioters with sheer with the riot shield, he was much older than the rookie.
The spokesman raised his arms up higher than before. "Or what? You'll shoot a person who is abandoned by the people——I thought not all heroes wear capes, but I believe that heroes are the ones indeed wearing capes in these times!" He chided at the rookie and the veteran, the two parties was about to engage in a brawl.
I know the body language when someone is hostile, and anybody could initiate the fight. A protester can get become violent, the policeman in front with a stun baton can swing: Anything goes.
There could be a way to diffuse this. This protest can be extremely peaceful: It does not need to derail.
The beast, Igneus, was impressed with his speech. Then again: Igneus would be the same one who believes he could see in his eyes, I quote, "rescue a thousand princesses from the jaws of a giant dragon turtle", unquote.
"Shit, Ryoji: That was mighty deep!" He approved of it
I agree. I agreed with him while feigning disinterest due how good the spokesperson's diatribe was. This is my chance to make it happen!
"Wait!" I hollered out, gaining everyone's attention to me. I didn't think that would actually work. That never happens.
I'm never in the spotlight.
Igneus chuckled and said to me, "well, Ryoji, you manage to get their attention. Even though this is supposed to be a stealth mission.." His voice was intense, very much upset since I have ruined my opportunity to see Batsaikhan.
I knew as well but I can't let things escalate here.
The mastermind stopped and looked at the sky then gazed upon me. "You." He said while pointing at me, everyone looked at me. When I wore a mask, no one could see how nervous I was when I was out in the open.
Public speaking is one of my fears that I need to conquer if I'm going to be in Surwick.
The man asked me kindly, "what is your name, child?"
I didn't hesitate on a fake name. "John....Tick." I emphasize on the "ck" part of my fake surname.
Great, if they were found out who I actually was; then perhaps they put a wood stake in me. I thought frantically, I had no idea on what I was about to do
"John Tick? JOHN TICK? What the hell, Ryoji? Do you really think that's going to work with these people. You really think they're that gullible?" Igneus, my Heart, yelled at me.
"John Tick has spoken!!!" They rejoiced behind him, their appraisal was funny to me as I was unfamiliar to this sensation. The sensation of
They would praise anyone who looks appealing to the cause.
Even Igneus was shocked at their gullibility. "They're gullible, alright...."
All of them wanted me to get closer to the man in charge.
Jebi ga....Here I am if you guys want to eat me alive.
"How do you feel about the heinous act that the government put into their law system?" He asked with a bit of haste. This is starting to feel like an interview now.....I give them two minutes of my time, then I'll see how this goes.
I cleared my throat and said, "Tako je, Kako je. It is what it is." I felt as if I betrayed my fellow brethren, whose lives were lost: I felt like spat on their graves.
It was not "it is what it is".
I'd bring them back in a heartbeat and free their chains; let them take their own path in life. I would do that for them.
They gasped on what I said, walking off before another protester asked, "but don't you want justice for the Ravens? Aren't you upset of how they are treated?"
One question led to another question, I was beleaguered by them; I couldn't get away from them.
"Ryo-I told you but you didn't listen to me, man! Should've just kept out of it but nooooo—You had to make it worse!"
The winds pushed all of us to the side and I was getting enraged by the fact my one comment, as I was the one who shook the jar of speech.
I ignored their questions, and broke my silence. "You want justice? Go to the Supreme Court and make sure the Anti-Nevermore Act is approved, because all this bitching about it isn't going to work." I broke my silence, I had re-escalated the situation as they grew more furious.
A policeman snatched me by my t-shirt, and put me behind him with his fellow workers. "Stay behind us, kid and go back to where you came from! We can handle it from here!"
I can handle myself, thank you very much. I wanted talk back to the policeman, but it was best to keep quiet for now.
One protester, clenched his fists and threw the first punch at one man, a good shot to the jaw made the rookie go down.
Tear gas was starting make the objectors drop to the ground in a defeated fashion.
Every I did not want to happen—happened quickly.
I cursed under my breath. You're right, Iggy. I should have just been an observer....I should have focused more on the mission.... I apologized to him, he was too proud to accept the apology, as he always had, so he said said nothing.
However, I could feel the breath of a living being on me; a breath that should not be there in the first place.
Never has anything or anyone had the guts to surprise me from behind. The result is imminent death in the battlefield, here: They'll live.
"I like the way you think, Ryoji Kazama. Don't lose your way of thinking." A girl my age spoke behind my back, and I looked to see who it was, vanishing quickly as I turned around.
No one that special. I thought.
I never heard that voice before. It was new to me. The girl's voice was a contralto—lower than Akina and definitely Sera, yet higher than Funka's voice.
This girl's voice had a undertone of patronizing me, it seemed to be a innocent compliment.
Kinda words can even drive a person insane.
I wish she can reveal herself to me....Whatever..
I had no time to think about it. Front exit and back exit is inaccessible due to rust and mulch. I checked and my theory was correct.
I can't get through it. I thought as I struggled for a bit before looking up. the only way is the... I finished my brief analyzation while looking up at my next destination.
The Roof.
Luckily; I have my trusty grappling hook gun. I remember it very well and has proved quite versatile.
No one else saw me. Everyone in these territories are so damn oblivious to everything. If there was a giant ball of fire heading towards them; they would paying attention to their social media. The roof should not be standing any longer, yet I'm relieved it would stand for another day.
In a straight line, the grappling hook connected perfectly with the roof, making me go up and saw an unorthodox way of getting in: The ventilation system.
——In The Trouncers Convenience Store——
First impression of the food market: It is riled with expired food, food that is loaded with preservatives and fat, debased freezing sections and the sweet, putrid smell of expired food.
It was very big back then.
A family of rats were eating rotten meat,
I crawled through the vents, while Igneus slashed a hole in to get to the top of a shelf, laying still on it as I sensed Dorj at the cheese section.
"Ohhhhh. Is that a Twinkie?" Igneus marveled at the Twinkie that was still in its wrappers.
No.
"Come on: Stop having a major problem with everything and try some stuff!"
This screams carbohydrates and diabetes galore.
"Dude: Lemme eat it at least."
No! I won't let that go through my digestive system. Besides, you don't need to eat that vile shit.
I was being truthful: He does not need to consume food in order to survive.
There he is!! I became ecstatic to find out that Batsaikhan Dorj, was actually here!
Great! I thought. That's him, alright.
He is an absurdly tall Mongolian with every inch of his body is covered by muscle, adorned with a widow's peak and put in a ponytail. He wasn't wearing a shirt, it also seemed he was in a good fight. He was tied up on a chair.
Before I went down to help him, the doors were starting to open.
The doors opened without difficulty as a key rattled to get out of its keyhole. I thought wrong.
Two policemen walked through the entrance, a tall, black who had an athletic build to him despite his age and a white, plump police officer. Go figure.
How? The door was jammed shut.......I played with it but they had the keys to it the whole time?
"There he is! Man of the hour: Batsaikhan Dorj!" The tall police officer exclaimed to the top of his lungs, his voice higher than it should be. He patted Dorj on the arm a few times before punching his face really good. I was getting angry.
Not good. Keep your anger from roaming free in the plains of prosperity.....
"Yeah, Ryoji: We don't need any blood on our hands.....Okay, man?"
Igneus pleaded me, I could hear the doubt in his voice. He had a feeling that I was going to spill blood.
He is right to doubt me.
I'm a vengeful person.
I'll have my revenge later when they least expect it. For his sake and mine——I will calm down. These donut-stuffers have no idea on who Dorj is capable of......
"Well, it seems we got ourselves a quitter, know don't it, Officer Lewandoski?" The bald black man asked his partner, a haughty atmosphere surrounded
A quitter? No? He's just waiting for you to drop your guard... Then we'll see on how you fare when he uses his halberd to stick up your asses and fire. I fumed.
The Caucasian police officer, Lewandoski, was shorter than a small-sized troll and his beady eyes made him even uglier. "We sure do, Rampart," he concurred, he didn't do anything to him except looking at him. "For you to be a big man: You sure act like the opposite. If I was nine-feet-tall; I would rule the goddamn world.
That smug bastard, the one with the pellicular facial hair, was holding him by his hair, punched him again in the nose and pulled my friend. "Do you know who I am?"
Dorj looked at to up and spoke in a soft voice, "Dionysus Rampart, Head Officer of the S.C.V.E.U Street Crime and Violence Eradication Unit.
"You're well informed, for a badass nigh-immortal assassin like yourself." Rampart insulted my friend, making his partner laugh in sickening glee. "I feel like I've done a pretty good job, catching 'unfortunate' souls like yourself."
"Then-n, I must disagree: You aren't doing well if the heroes are doing your job."
This infuriated the head officer of S.C.V.E.U. From witnessing what I have seen of Officer Rampart was, he is an arrogant officer who could bend the rules as he sees fit. "Watch your mouth!!!!!" He commanded Dorj, grabbing his before swinging it towards his knees.
Full force. His arm was moving faster than 90 mph.
This man did not care of police brutality.
Even from the shelf, I could hear his knees shattered to pieces from the one hit.
And soon after, Officer Lewandoski join in without hesitation but used his feet to kick him. "Watch what you say to Dio!"
Every time he would assault him, there was so much animosity in those little feet of his. I seen it more prominently in the battlefield.
He blamed us for something; calling us derogatory terms and grinning psychotically alongside with Rampart.
Batsaikhan could take the pain. He managed to live from getting shot with a twenty-caliber bullet. He can take the pain. He can take the pain.
I kept repeating myself mentally.
I just wanted him to get of his restraints and give them what they deserve.
Dorj.....No.....Fight them! You can fight them!
He was not moving or countering their attacks.
He was not fighting back.
Why?
WHY? I was beginning to get riled up, I could easily help him in seconds and we could get out together.
I seen him trample many people with no effort, using his beautiful weapon with such ease before he was in Dolle.
I saw him taking down a couple of Delta force prodigies as if they were bugs... While it takes about a few month to graduate and become a part of the American police force.
These insignificant degenerates are the counterpart of a tunicate: Harmless.
A loud "plop" sound hit the ground and I looked to see A box of cereal fell to the ground.
Even worse, Igneus was out in the open, eating that Twinkie even as I told him not to do so. My Heart'z mouth was stuffed with that disgusting snack.
"What?"
How does it taste?
"Like you said: Vile shit."
We're probably caught now because of your gluttony.
"Oooohhh, We can handle them, Ryo. You really underestimate us."
Igneus did not understand why we needed to be caution at all times
"Heard that, Dio?" Officer Lewandoski questioned his associate, Dionysus Rampart, who stopped suddenly with his He was looking for that breath he heard from Igneus's clumsiness.
He got closer to my location before stopping to a halt, he could barely see me, simply laying on the shelf. "Nothing, Officer Lewandoski. It's just your imagination." He reassured his partner before uttering another thing. "Did you get the fuel from the truck? And the water for your boots?"
He shook his head, "No, Dio. We can—"
He was interrupted with a back-hand slap from his superior officer. "Does it look we're equals?" Officer Rampart interrupted him, his partner did not see it coming. That slap generated a subconscious shockwave.
"Let's leave to handle your problem since you wanted to kick him in the face!" He ordered Officer Lewandoski around.
The sounds of their footsteps receded, they were going to get their supplies to kill my comrade.
This guy is an absolute fanatic! I was stupefied, human nature came in endless possibilities and that was shown today.
"Ryoji...Is it really you?" He asked me.
"It's me, Dorj.....It's me."
He beamed, it was great to see him smiling. "I thought you died in Dolle!" It had seemed his pain had abated for now.
"Same here, Dorj."
"What an odd situation I'm in currently, huh?"
"Let me save you."
He shook his head, frowning as he heard the words, "Save you".
He spoke with a hoarse voice. "How did you get out of Dolle, I and a couple others operated the last submarine that wasn't destroyed."
The submarines....Of course, I'd forgot about them!
"It was difficult," I said before explaining the situation, "I managed to get our rendezvous point before the bomb hit Dolle....I'm glad to see you
Batsaikhan still smiled with his narrow cheeks, he could have been proficient in modeling if his height didn't frighten people instead. I always when he could have freedom, I would think he would a job similar to what he likes: Animals. "Never mind that, I guess you're living as a vagabond like me now?"
"Actually....I am currently enrolled in Surwick now." I confessed to him.
He nodded as best as he could before breathing sharply. "Good. You're trying to change, unlike me. They caught me on charges of battery and attempted assault. I did not know that a Chihuahua was there and I had to pet and actually give it food, then-"
"Don't leave me here! I need you..." I was shaking in sadness, interrupting him before going to my knees.
I hate emotions.
He held my hands, he was waiting for his death. I did not want him to die. "Listen to me: You're the last Raven, Ryoji. I want to die this way. The media hates Rampart....So, my death will spark an uproar...It won't be in vain.You have to.. take our legacy and mold it....into something good." He said something extraordinary to me while being in pain, he was bleeding internally.
"Be....better than us...Ryoji, please. Please, I can't die, knowing that you're going to kill those two officers." He pleaded to me, bawling his eyes out as he talked more. "They're probably going to electrocute me in a few minutes with the water and then burn me into ashes. That is to only way to kill a clone like me...Ryoji: Revenge is a fool's game: Look at Na-"
I stopped him politely. "She's an abomination who's loves to kill for a living. I kill-"
"Killed." He corrected me in my clarification.
"???" I had perplexed
He brought me closer. "Promise me: No more killing. Be the good guy for once in your story." He beseeched me, his eyes were glossy.
I can't guarantee that, Dorj. If that makes you die a happier death, then I must....
"I promise. By the Raven's Oath, I solemnly vow to uphold your last words..."
"Dumb and Dumber are back, Ryoji! Hide now!!"
They played with him sadistically before Rampart asked him, "any last words, Khan?"
Great Batsaikhan, the old, powerful one spat in his face as Rampart's face was covered of his bloody phlegm. That's the Batsaikhan Dorj I know!
Rampart's pet punched my friend with all the force he had, which did not have the same impact as it did with his feet. "Damn!" The officer cringed, wiping his face with his beige handkerchief.
"Yeah: I hope karma really bites you back like it for me, you coc-" He said his last words as Rampart's dog threw water on him and the leader grabbed his taser close to him.
So rotten did his body became.
I turned my back, holding my breath as reality hit me harder than ever: I'm the last of my kind.
I'm the last operating Raven that has not out of decommission or disobeyed a direct order.
I stared at his limp body, it was so inhumane of what they just did to him.
Assholes.
There is no faith in humankind if people would stop killing each other for the thrills.
"Did he just threatened me."
"Nah Boss," Officer Lewandoski kissed his superior's ass.
Officer Rampart slapped his partner again, this time out of pure entertainment.
"Come on, pet." He ordered him, I could tell he was still distraught by my friend spitting on him, although his pupils were small; there was a large amount of acrimony in him. "We're going to Whataburger and you're buying me a Patty Melt."
They left one last time and handled the crowd outside the convenience store, they just branded him and left me for people to see.
I looked at his corpse sorrowfully.
There were no tears that ran down my cheeks....I had no time as I knew I needed to progress on to Houndspire.
I bowed down again in respect. He helped me through my whole life to this point in life.
"Look, he said you need to be to mold your legacy and make it into something better. If you want to do the right thing by honoring him: No killing. No being an asshole to everyone."
........Right. I have to tell Babel about this. I need to tell him that I saw Dorj one last time.
"Was he-"
Yeah, before he was ostracized for disobeying orders. I respect him to the upmost, and he lost a foot in the end because of me...
He fell silent.....
His words echoes throughout my mind: No more killing.
No more killing. Can I even endeavor through this?
I shook my head. No. I have to. I honor his word until I die honorably.
Suddenly—My phone was vibrating in my pocket, the whole screen was riddled with cracks. The screen showed "Akina" on the screen with the message:
......
Hey Ryoji we're out now and going home, we've invited Takeo over to our house Are you coming over
......
Her writing skills on her phone is atrocious!
Hold on a second: How do you text on this mobile device? I ruminated as I was trying to figure out how to text on this thing.
"Hit the keyboard to make the text appear." He stated, coming out of my body and poked the screen. The screen pop with each
How do you know this and I don't?
"I'm you and you're me. We're bound to switch information up: We're not perfect." He looked at me and smiled.
............................................
Sure. I'll be there in a few hours.
Great! 😊😊
See you soon, then. 🎆🎆🎆🥅👨💻
Alrighty then!! See u soon!!! 😂😂
............................................
Okay.....Have to be there in a few hours. Great! Akina said her family's welcoming to all of different backgrounds....
"We have to work in your social skills a bit more. Those emojis are 'Fireworks', a soccer goal, and someone who's typing on a computer." He informed me, being quite shocked on how I did not know about emojis.
Really? It's not my fault that this is new technology and I don't know to operate it.
"The technology is an iPhone 5c. That phone is four years old already.....Which makes your excuse pretty moot."
Is that....rain???? I thought as I looked up and raindrops hit my head, changing the conversation immediately. I was going to lose this disagreement.
"But it isn't rain supposed to be wet???"
Maybe the pluviophiles modify this type of weather phenomenon for their own behalf......Where the rain doesn't get a person unwell....
Screw the sun—I do admire the rain.
———Track 16.75 Ended———
CHARACTER PROFILE:
RAVEN: BATSAIKHAN DORJ (29)
THE GENTLE GIANT/ASSASSIN
BIRTHDAY: ???
HEIGHT: 9'0
LIKES: Ryoji, Animals
DISLIKES: Being So Meek, Killing
THE INSIDE STORY:
Batsaikhan Dorj is a good man who was in the wrong profession.
Had he escaped from his captors at a young age, he would have grew up to be a wildlife range.
His weapon of choice was a heavy halberd/rifle hybrid weapon, weighing up to three-hundred pounds.
Since Batsaikhan is a clone from a previous assassin, he has no birthdate. Ryoji and a few selected assassins have been born naturally, deeming them "worthy" or "powerful".
CHARACTER PROFILE:
POLICE: OFFICER DIONYSUS "DIO" RAMPART (38)
THE MENACE OF THE N.U.S.N. LAW
BIRTHDAY: 2-14
HEIGHT: 6'0"
LIKES: Being in charge, Blackmailing others, Violence
DISLIKES: People who oppose him
THE INSIDE STORY:
Although are plenty of good cops in the N.U.S.N., there is a fair share of corrupted cops and Dionysus "Dio" Rampart is the biggest of them.
Dionysus Rampart is in charge of a law enforcement unit known as
S.C.V.E.U.: Street Crime and Violence Eradication Unit
The name is self-explanatory.
He has lived in the N.U.S.N. his entire life and knows the underbelly of the Nation of Heroes.
Controls the south and west parts of Avignon, the north part of Jupira, northeast section of Houndspire and the southeast section of Kurikami (Unebi County), to be give an example of his power,
I get the feeling he'll come back.
CHARACTER PROFILE:
POLICE: OFFICER TIM LEWANDOSKI (31)
RAMPART'S PET
BIRTHDAY: 5-3
HEIGHT: 5'3"
LIKES: His power, Officer Rampart
DISLIKES: His short stature
THE INSIDE STORY:
Nothing special about him.
Follows Dio everywhere.