Akira is alone walking in a desert. If she were to look up, she'd be able to see the Milky Way Galaxy. Her clothes are all dirty and some parts of her pants are ripped. She's been walking aimlessly for what seemed to be an eternity for her.
Finally, she sees a light in the distance, and she begins to walk toward it. At this point, she is just dragging her feet. Unable to muster up any more strength to do anything but the bare minimum. As she gets closer she can begin to hear people talking in a language she had never heard before, nor clothing she has ever seen people wear in modern times.
A pair of women stand near the light and are wearing ancient attire but Akira is more focused/confused about why she can understand what they are saying. The two women are talking about the baby's beautiful eyes. Akira is finally a couple of feet from them. She can see a woman who appears to be the baby's mother holding the baby in her arms. Neither the baby's mother nor her friends notices nor even hear Akira.
But the baby looks over in Akira's direction. The baby's eyes are every color humanity would ever discover and then some. They all appear to be outside a shack alone in the beautiful night sky. The baby reaches out for Akira. Akira instinctively reaches out to the baby but then. It all goes dark. She opens her eyes, looks around, and sees Samuel who is watching a movie on a TV screen on his bed right next to Akira.
**********************************
**********************************
December 17th 919 Somewhere Above the Atlantic Ocean.
She slowly gets up and looks over to her right seeing Mirage and Power who are fast asleep. Akira whispers, "I had…" Mid-sentence she loses her train of thought. "Um… Akira? Are you okay?" Whispers Samuel. Akira stays silent but finally says "How much longer until we get to Montreal?" Samuel looks at her kind of funny but tells her they still have 3 hours to go. Akira looks outside her window. The sun is barely peeking its head out of the Atlantic sea.
"Why couldn't… I remember what I was dreaming about… Why didn't Jaden and Iris come with us? Don't they have family in D2 (District 2) as well?" Asks Akira. "They are trying to figure out who hired those 2 who came to the hotel for you and Ichrio's partner." Akira pouts as she's looking at Samuel. Akira wanted to be there when they found out why that group is after her. "But you're gonna be able to see Waka very soon?"
Samuel and Akira have known each other for 10 years. They used to go to the same elementary school. Samuel introduced Akira to her boyfriend Waka when they were 11 years old. Jamal is also able to manipulate his arua, but he is more focused on other aspects of his life rather than being part of the Mafia. So he asked Samuel to join the Mafia with Akira. So she would have an acquaintance that she already knew.
Akira's mother and her father were both aware of her desire to join the Mafia. As they were once part of it as well had no reason to stop her from doing what she wanted to do. As they do of course worry for Akira as she is their only child they understand she is far more capable than both of them when it comes to taking care of themselves.
Akira yawns, "Go back and get some sleep." "I will. Goodnight." Akira turns around and begins to fall asleep. Samuel texts the boss to see how everything is going.
******************************************
******************************************
Canada, Montreal. 8:47 Am. December 17th 919
They all exit out of the private plane in a closed hangar. While Samuel is talking to the pilots, Power begins to transform into his vehicle form. Akira and Mirage begin to put their and Samuel's bags into the trunk of the car. Samuel gets a text from the boss telling them to go to this address. The hanger doors open and Power drives off, Akira texts her boyfriend that she has landed safely and hopes to see him soon. After a 24-minute drive, they arrive at a mansion in a gated community. Akira's Mother and Father are waiting in the garage.
Akira's Mother is 5'1 and is 120 pounds. While her father is 5'9 160 pounds. As Power stops inside the garage, Mirage, Akira, and Samuel all get out. "How was the mission baby?" "It was okay." "You must be tired you guys" "Let me deal with the luggage. You three," says Akira's father. Samuel offers to help him and they both begin to take the luggage inside. Power begins to transform back into his human form. "Please come inside, you four." They follow Akira's mom into the mansion.
The mansion has 3 floors, 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and a pool outside They are all in shock at how beautiful the mansion is. "Your boss filled us in on how there are Yakuza/ maybe possible agencys after Akira," says Akira's Mother. She leads them into the kitchen. Inside the kitchen, there is a floating island in the middle with 8 seats. On the floating island, there is a bouquet of maple leaves.
Power, Mirage, and Akira take a seat at the table. As Mrs. Alarie makes them coffee, She asks, "So how was your previous mission Mirage?" Mirage and she begin to make some small talk as Power and Akira sit there listening. Power never really talks to anyone other than Mirage and the boss. So it's normal for him not to say anything and Akira has her stuttering and just doesn't like communicating with people unless it's necessary or if she really likes them. Akira's father enters the kitchen.
"Where's Samuel?" says Mrs. Alarie. "Phone call." replies her husband. Akira's Father is a man of few words but he enjoys listening to others talk about their passions and loved ones. As Akira's mother is giving them all some coffee. They hear some footsteps " Akira who had her forehead on the table looking at her feet swinging as she couldn't even reach the floor jolts up. "D-Did you hear that?" She says. It falls silent. The footsteps keep getting closer with each step. "Samuel?" says Mr. Alarie. "Yes, Miss it's me. Sorry if I startled you." They all breathe a sigh of relief. "Damn, I thought someone already found out where we are," jokingly says Mirage.
Samuel enters the room, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Alarie. So I just got off the phone with Jaden and the Yakuza have no idea where we are." "How do you know this Samuel?" says Mr. Alarie. "Both Jaden and Iris are with the guy we kidnapped in Paris. They are trying to get into the Yakuza hideout as his bodyguards. The next meeting where some of the higher-ups will be together will be in 3 days. So that means we have to wait three days before we can make our next move. Iris has recommended we have another Totsu user with us. So she's asked a retired colleague of hers to help us."
He continues, "Power and Mirage's abilities don't work well in hand-to-hand combat. I'm a late bloomer so I don't think I will be much help. That leaves Mr. and Mrs. Alaire and Akira. I know Akira is good at hand-to-hand combat but we personally believe that it would be important if we have someone with a sensory-type ability."
He finishes off with, "Someone who knows where each one of us is at all times and can tell us if there is something unusual happening. Plus he's pretty funny from the times I've met him. So if you all agree I can get him here by tomorrow." "Anything to protect my baby," Says Mrs. Alarie. "Perfect, I'll let her know that he can begin to pack his stuff."
**************************
**************************
December 18th. Montreal, Canada.
There is a knock at the door. A 5'7 man with a military hairstyle a black Marines sponsored T-shirt and camo pants is at the entrance. Mr. Alaire opens the door. "How many people are in this house?" "There are 6 people in the house. 3 on the middle floor and 3 on the top floor sir" " "Impressive." They both enter the house. "I apologize for my rudeness."
"No, it's okay. Iris told me the whole situation. Even I would be skeptical especially if their target was my own daughter." The man who was at the entrance puts his hand out. "My name is Rohan. I am the boss' cousin's husband." Akira's father shakes his hand. "Thank you, Rohan. My name is Lucas. Thank you for being here with us." Lucas leads Rohan to the living room where Samuel and Mrs. Alaire are. Rohan shakes both of their hands. And sits down on the couch.
"Nice to meet you all. As I have told Lucas, My name is Rohan. If it's no bother to you all. I'd like to understand what you all can do. In case of an emergency… I'll go first." Rohan stomps his foot and the other side of the couch is now in the air. A giant rock has formed underneath.
"My ability allows me to control the earth. It doesn't matter how high we are up. If anything I am standing on is touching the ground I can use my ability. The rock didn't actually create any damage. It was brought up here by my ability. So don't worry about the damage to the floor." He laughs. " I can also know where anyone is 30 feet away from me due to soundwaves people create from walking. Now, If you are comfortable sharing. What are your abilities?"
***************************************
December 20th Berlin, Germany
Iris, Jaden, Ember, and Mr. Ichiro. Exit out of an Uber. All of them were wearing suits without ties. A Japanese flag pin is attached to their suit. Ichiro is wearing a cast for his left arm, an eyepatch, and a black hat. He has cuts all around his face that haven't healed over the last 6 days. Iris gives the driver 180 Euros as a tip. "Woah, You sure own a nice hotel for a foreigner Ichrio-san. How many people did you hypnotize to get all of this?" Iris sarcastically says.
"Stop with the honorifics, Iris. Ichiro-san and I want to get off both of your radars," says Ember. "Should have thought about that before you agreed to help kidnap one of my cute co-workers." "I'm telling you we are just doing our job." "You know, if you would tell me who sent you to do their dirty work we wouldn't be here right now Ember." Ichiro interprets them both, "And that's why we are here. An American man who goes by Frank is here who closely works with the man who sent us to kidnap Akira-san. And Iris stop calling me Ichiro-San." Iris rolls her eyes as they enter through the back entrance, and the employee standing near the door gasps and says.
"Ichiro-san! What happened, sir?!?! You look like you've been in a fight." "My apologies, boy. I had urgent business to take care of and things got… a bit messy.." The Employee looks at Iris and Jaden. They both smile at the worker "Um…I've never seen these two before sir. Are they your new bodyguards?"
"Enough questions young one, I'm here for an important meeting in room E4." The employee presses a hidden button and a hallway opens up behind him. Ember signals to Jaden and Iris to follow them. They all walk into the hallway, and as soon as they are all inside, the entrance behind them closes up.
They continue walking through the hallway. The walls are painted gold with white lines running across every couple of feet matching each gold chandelier hanging from the ceiling. "This hallway is made out of arua correct?" asks Jaden. "Correct," says Ichiro. They get to an elevator at the end of the hallway. As Mr. Ichiro is about to press the button the elevator door opens up. 2 guys who are around 6 feet tall are arguing with each other covered in blood and ripped clothes.
They all step aside but one of the guys bumps into Iris who now has blood on her suit. Mr. Ichrio & Ember become scared. "Fuck she's gonna kill them." they both think to themselves. The man who bumps into Iris apologizes. "...It's fine, don't worry about it, accidents happen," replies Iris. The man once again apologizes and both men leave, still arguing. They all enter the elevator and Mr. Ichiro and Ember sigh with relief.
They stand in silence for a while until the elevator door opens, and they are now in a huge room with at least 13 different bars. With people, drinking, smoking, making out, etc. Each bar has 4 different TVs showing a fight live. As they continue walking over to the meeting room there is a huge roar of screams in the distance and from the people at the bars "What's over there?" curiously asks Jaden. "It's an underground fighting rink where those who work for us in the Yakuza can hone their fighting skills." Replies Ember "How do you explain to regular people that there are people who can use Totsu?" asks Iris.
While there are individuals in this world who can manipulate their arua to do super human-like things. There is a secret code that most people follow, and that is to never publicly state that anyone can attain this power. The USSR back in the year 889. They did an experiment in what was once known as the Republic of Korea (North Korea) where they gathered all North Koreans and in detail explained how to use Totsu.
Within a week all but one man was dead. Those who lived near the border in South Korea had to be relocated due to the screams and crying they were able to hear throughout that week. The USSR gave each of those who were affected, hush money. Of course, some who tried to talk about it were killed before they could even finish what they trying to say.
Ichiro laughs, "We tell them they are nothing more than just actors. Each one of those who are watching has these glasses and we tell them it's all just an act." Iris looks at the screen and sees that those in the stands are all wearing some sort of glasses. "What if they take them off?" "Iris you're asking too many questions," replies Jaden.
As they pass the last bar, 2 men are standing at the entrance of room E4. Etched onto the walls are two Dragons that are looking at those who enter. Once in the room, there are 2 females in their early 20s who are ready to blindfold Mr. Ichiro and take him to his seat. In front of each seat is a Shoji, a paper wall so those on the bottom floor may not see the faces of those to whom they speak.
Bodyguards do not get this privilege as their face is exposed so everyone can fully see them. In the room, there are 6 Shojis, 4 of them are unoccupied from what Iris can see. The walls of the room are painted blood red. 4 candles are in each corner of the room. With one chandelier in the middle where those who are neither bodyguards nor Yakuza enter and sit down on the lonely chair below those who are part of the Yakuza.
In the room already a Yakuza, Wakagashira (First Lieutenant) is sitting behind their Shoji, and their 2 Kumi-In (Bodyguards) standing beside him. "Too bad Ichiro-san, I really wanted to if the rumors were true and see your fucked up face." Loudly says one of the bodyguards. "Shut it, Kumi. You were always jealous the boss liked me more." "Yet, the most important mission he gave you. You fucked up, big time. Those two new Kumi-In, Look weak." The bodyguard smiles staring at Jaden and Iris who look bored, "Look at how one loss has made you fall."
The Yakuza that Ichiro and Ember are a part of, is one that has extended its reach to 3 other districts other than their own, one of their outposts is in Berlin, Germany (Where they are right now). Another one in a separate district is Little Tokyo, United States, and last but not least, another one is in Manila, Philippines. Mafias (Yakuza in this case) need to understand what is going on in other districts whether that be for money, jobs or to make political alliances.
Most mafias such as this one work independently from the governments, But others work with governments to do their dirty work. An example of this is the Mafia that Akira, Mirage, and Power are in. Some Mafias do a bit of both but it's an extremely rare case.
As the Kumi and Ichiro keep bickering, there is a sudden change in the air, Ember shivers a bit. It feels as if one is getting stabbed by tiny needles repeatedly. A man walks in, he is the American Ichiro and Ember were talking about. He has brown long silky hair that almost goes past his chin, and his eye color is brown as well. He is 5'10 (177.8cm) and is wearing what everyone else is wearing but with a USA pin on his suit.
"Ah, Gomenasai, I kinda forgot that we scheduled the meeting today, to be honest. I usually don't like to be present unless HE tells me to be." The loud Kumi is in disgust, he hates that American but has to act very politely to him. "Frank-sama, I do understand that the United States has its Zoom. But in Japan, we like face-to-face conversations. "
"Yes, I know, Ishi-san. Now. " He finally sits down on the chair, "Ichiro. Would you like to explain how you lost 1 of my best bodyguards and why that girl isn't here?" Ichiro stays silent. "Never let a foreigner do your job for you." Frank gets up from his seat. "Like come on, how difficult is it for your people to capture a fucking 5'3 GIRL." Ichiro is still silent, and Ember is afraid to speak up.
Frank stares at Jaden and Iris then asks "What's your rank?" Iris and Jaden look at Ember confused. Iris looks back at Frank and asks "What do you mean?" Frank laughs at her question which pisses off Iris a bit. Ember explains that in this Yakuza each person who is able to use Totsu gets a star ranking out of 5. She's a 3-star and It's only based on combat as that's the only thing they care about in this rating system.
"You're a 3? They must be fucking desperate." Iris says laughing. Jaden says, "Guess we are both six stars then sir." "Yeah, I don't think you are." All of a sudden Frank's arms which were in a natural position are quickly stuck to his sides. He is unable to move them. Iris' chains begin to appear around him. Her chains begin to squeeze him every time he struggles.
Frank's face begins to turn purple but Iris loses her chains. Frank falls to the ground gasping for air. Iris begins to walk over toward the other yakuza head. Kumi his bodyguard tries to stop her but Iris just knocks him out smiling as she does so.
The other bodyguard begins to manifest his ability but Iris knocks him out as well. Iris walks over to Wakagashira and puts his arm on his head. "Your Kumi needs to learn how to shut up." She says in perfect Japanese.
Wakagashira looks at her with disgust. Iris pats his balding head and looks at Frank, "So American. Whose your boss?"
Chapter 3 ends.