In the past, before all the chaos settled in the system, the currency was given to the new holder after the death of the old one. However, as a result, I was the first to receive the coin in absolute secrecy; the others were initiated, but the coins would not be delivered to them until later, in separate ceremonies. The coins would be delivered to the new members the moment they were ready.
There was a purpose in the way they acted and I had no right to know. All I know is that an even bigger target was painted on my back the moment I received the coin. I was expected, I was prepared for it my whole life and now it's time to show myself;
I'm coming out of the den, but I'm not the prey, but the predator.
***
As planned, Jullius guaranteed extra security for my meeting, which would be in a luxury hotel in Salvador. When we arrived, we have ushered down a long corridor leading to the penthouse, filled with men who didn't need weapons to look dangerous.
The hotel room was spacious and had a spectacular view of the sea, but what amazed me was to find out who my host was. Jullius, who was beside me, smiled when he recognized him.
— Dio Santo! How can you? I thought ... you were the last person I expected to see here. — I approached correcting my posture to give the honour that my host deserved; I knelt and kissed his ring. I would recognize that coat of arms anywhere on the planet.
— Sit down and join me for a drink. I think we have important matters to deal with.
I sat down and accepted the drink offered by the waiter. My host would look a lot older than I expected, and his tired face showed years of experience.
— I imagine you have a million questions on your mind, but it's not yet time to ask them, son." You will have time for this if you are successful in your mission.
— Yes, indeed. — I replied recovering myself.
— Jullius must have told you part of his story, although many secrets must remain where they are.
— Yes, it did ... and I thank you for complying with my request.
— It is I who should thank you for calling me, Ricco. Let's get to the reason I asked for this meeting. In your immersion in Umbria, you received a specific list, and I believe you have memorized and destroyed it; Am I right?
— Yes, I did. But I don't understand, why did I receive it only?
— Son, our families have many secrets ... secrets that do not belong only to us, but that was given to us to protect and prevent misfortunes from happening. Kingdoms, governments, and agreements between nations were built on a lot of blood.
— There are many tips, and we have to keep them together.
— The keepers were created and trained to protect these secrets and all the people who know them. There are five holders and five coins, each protecting a secret, and yours protects everyone.
Bile rose in my throat and the responsibility weighed as never before, but it was not for me to question, that was my legacy.
— I'm the judge, the jury, and the executor.
— Yes, that's why I'm here. The time has come for you to assume your legacy.
The host got up, took a folder with a biometric lock, and passed his retina through the reader to open it; he took out a black velvet case and took out a small book.
— Here are the four coins, the object of your murderer's desire. — the man handed me the book.
Upon opening the copy, I came across the second coin attached to a page full of information. The wedge was solid gold, on one side there was the design of a sphinx with the face of César and his laurels, and on the other the coat of arms of the family of the former owner. In the book, just above the coin was an inscription with a surname, and below it, the same emblem followed by a quote.
This second coin held political secrets so that its holder would have very great power, as it would have rulers of all nations in the palm of his hand. I dealt with some Brazilian politicians and found the work exhausting, as they are like pacifiers and grasshoppers. The holder of that currency would assume an extremely difficult task.
I put the coin in its place and went on to the next page. Coin number three was silver, and like the other had the surname and coat of arms of the holding family, and just below a sentence. The holder of that currency would be the holder of financial secrets and would therefore be responsible for a large fortune. I feared for the life of those who would receive it because money and greed always attract death to destruction.
On the next page was the bronze coin, which, like the others, bears the coat of arms and surname of the family to which it belonged on one side with the motto below, and on the other, the symbol of justice — a scale that hung money on one side and the other arms The holder of that coin was the holder of the secrets of the legal world; I wondered how many judges, lawyers, and prosecutors the organization had around the world.
Coin number five held the most dangerous of secrets: the secrets of the mafia and various criminal organizations around the world. This coin was black and heavy, both the inscriptions and the coat of arms is carved in gold that contrasted with the black, and gleamed revealing every detail of the emblem; I also feared for its owner.
I took my coin in a secret compartment of my watch and looked at it closely for the first time, never wanted to look at it, in an attempt to keep the curse away from me., If I didn't know it, she couldn't.
— Your currency says Quis custodiet ipsos custodes. There are many secrets, Ricco; a lot of power, but nothing is more important than the family, because without it none of this has value.
— Who was that coin with before it was delivered to me?
— That is not up to you to know. But keep in mind that the true heir did not deserve it and neither did his successor. But you, son, don't have that choice because if you fail, many will fall with you.
Analysing the coin, I saw my last name engraved on the top, my family's coat of arms, and the phrase "Sanguinem Intus no Foris". On the other side, there was an angel made from the material of each of the other coins; its head was made of gold, its arms sculpted in silver, its boot in bronze, and its feet were made of black metal, the sword was made of red gold resembling a flame — the flame of revenge.
Around the engraving the Latin sayings "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"*; I was assigned the task of protecting all keepers, I am the guardian of the guardians and also the avenging angel. Once again I was being reminded that it was my legacy.
I twisted the coin between my fingers before putting it in its place of honour in the book and put it back in its case.
— Each of the coins has the secret to open the bank where their respective secrets are confined and comment on the keeper and guardians of the safe know how to get to him. From now on, these coins will be your responsibility; you will be the only one who can summon the Commission, and you will be the first to be called if any family is in danger. The Commission evaluates and judges, but the last word will always be yours, Ricco. That is a great power, my son, use it wisely.
— I will earn it, I promise.
— I know you will. It is up to you to decide how to conduct this mission, but stay tuned because your enemy will go to great lengths to take that power out of your hands. You are very valuable now, so be careful. — warned my host.
— Will I see you again?
— If you win, yes. Now go, it is not safe to spend more time in my company. Bye!
The short trip back seemed to last for hours, I was surprised by the latest discoveries, but reflective about my new mission. When I got home, after making sure the coins were in a safe place, I sat down with a drink. Before starting my saga, I needed to relax and forget, so I would drink and have sex until I didn't remember anything else.
— Ah! Drink and a lot of sex, not necessarily in that order.
***