Not a minute over half an hour had passed before Gan found his way home.
Riding the subway system was easier without a guide than he thought possible. The passengers made sure to stay out of his way as his aura warned them of an incoming fury. All in all, the experience was a peacefulness he appreciated after the ruckus which transpired earlier that evening.
An eerie cacophony of silence bleated on the path his boots stomped upon. Not a soul graced his gaze as Gan fell to stand before the mighty pearlescent gates that impeded his way forward. Most of the guards were gone by this time leaving a near skeleton crew of some veteran employees most loyal to their master. Despite what one might remark on their aging faces, the men were elite in their work, having recognized every partner, as well as friend, that locked arms with the family. That is why when Gan flashed his face to the camera, cinched to the top of a column, he expected for the gates to be unlocked yet discovered the opposite.
Whoever was controlling the mechanism could only have fallen asleep at the panel for there was no reason to keep the entrance locked. This was the first element that went unnoticed by Gan. He simply handwaved the event as precisely that, the employee caked in a deep slumber. The night had drawn on dreadfully long where even he experienced trouble with walking due to the weight bearing down on his eyes. A shrug left his shoulders as he promptly strengthened his calves, jumping over the structure then landing with a muffled 'thud' onto the tarred path of the other side. By this point the road was slick with the leftover fluid from the acidic rain, however, it sufficiently ended only serving to remain a sickened scent as the vaporous waves of green steamed from the ground.
'Still so much to do tonight.' Gan couldn't help but to let out an exasperated sigh at the thought of it all. Killing was easy. He had done it already, but then he had the help of that Hero, Miss Bubbles, to aid in covering it up. If he were to go along with his plan, then many would need to go missing. There was no way he would allow for his parents to learn of it either. They should be kept believing the truth of their innocent child, anything else may surely damage their perception. Thus, making them accomplices to his many abhorrent deeds. That idea shivered his spine just with the predicted gape of his mother's mouth.
The pathway was arranged so that the flower beds beautified either side up to the mansion, which stood tall over the landscape of Corodone. A beacon of light that could be likened to the north star. Flowers, which were all real bestowed by their natural scent and texture, blotted the front garden as critters hurried to them. The naturalistic objects were transported from the capital's greenhouses all the way to this property. Such were the achievements of Gan's father in his weapons business that he was given special privileges regarding the limited resources of the leftover world. These weeds were planted when Gan was born, a meaning that was lost on the boy. He appreciated the kind act but didn't care for the objects. They didn't glisten like the falsities, nor did they shine like crystals. It was simply a dull texture to them all too similar to humans. Organic luster that was all too abundant already.
The beds also provided cover to the second sign that Gan dismissed. A splatter of unknown color leapt out from some petals. However, his own arrogance on the subject assured that even if the color was noticed he would have no mind to dedicate attention to it.
'Kage may be willing. He's already killed it seems and there doesn't appear to be any reports out looking for him or even about their deaths. Did he erase the bodies?'
Long ago, Gan ascertained the truth regarding Kage's ability. It wasn't all that difficult. The first clue had practically been gifted to him as his friend never was seen without his gloves. They almost seemed to be born upon his hands. No matter the circumstance they were never removed, causing Gan to seek a bit deeper into Kage's story. The documents filed to the academy detailed his ability to disintegrate inanimate materials. That word "inanimate" was especially given importance. It was almost like someone was attempting to assuage worries by adding such a word.
From there, Gan partook in extracurricular activities with the principal's secretary. Nothing too lewd, he was properly coupled, he dared not cheat on a lady waiting for his presence. But what he discovered gave more credence to another entity fixing the files to their own delight. A sense that painted across Kage without his awareness.
"Oomph!" Gan haphazardly tripped on a spot to the path. Glancing at the location where his foot had seemingly been caught on something, there was only solid brick. It was then he recognized how the road was transformed into the direct brick tiling that led to the mansion's front door. "Guess I'm going quite fast today." All too soon did Gan return to the insides of his mind paying no more attention to the event.
When the secretary finally pulled Kage's file for Gan's viewing pleasure, what was found was near nothing. Within, large gaps of knowledge were ignored. For three years there was simply not a lick of information regarding his whereabouts. Even before then all that could be written without a black line titled, "Redacted", hiding it was his hospital of birth, his sister's birth location, as well as Kage's age. Someone was conscientiously modifying then observing his friend. Gan was then left to realize that the ability of his friend must have another aspect to it. One that could not be caught by the winds of the government or anyone else. Subtle movements alluded to Gan's prediction. Kage rarely ever touched anyone and when his hand, arm, or leg came close, he would flinch back.
'What if it wasn't just "inanimate" objects? What if this person who's watching Kage knows this as well.' The idea persisted since that second month of interacting with Kage. On the fifth day of that month did he learn and hid such thoughts away. It was a concept that could be explored later especially when Kage seemed to have no mind to such actions and this hidden person having made no moves in the present.
Then, their fight in the park occurred. Somehow it was too easy for them all to get off without a single charge. They recklessly fought Villains putting dozens of lives at risk. Kage had even been present as some were already killing regulars.
Yet, it happened. All of that information simply disappeared. The media outlets never revealed their names or identities. What remained was the moniker, "Overture", Kage's Hero name. The person undoubtedly influenced such information in an attempt to keep not only Kage hidden but his friends as well.
'Will the same happen this time? Does this person already know what we are doing?'
There was no more time to delve into the concept as Gan finally arrived at the gilded doorknob of his home. Straightening his clothes a smidge, then brushing his fingers through his hair to ensure it wasn't a wild blonde mane, he knocked on the wood. The knock echoed in the home while a burning furnace swept fumes over its occupants, enlightening their senses with the cooking.
Meanwhile, Gan was left to his own devices for a time, awaiting a return of the door being unlocked. Finally, his last hint was ill taken. Him being deeply lost within the recesses of contemplation regarding his pants failed him to acknowledge the absence of artificial light from the mansion's windows. Not a single light could be seen coming out from the inside. Thus, only a husk of darkness stood in its place.
Absent-mindedly, Gan pushed a hand against the door only to realize it had never been locked. Only then did his awareness finally kick in, for his home was always locked. There were always guards, no matter how hidden they were. Despite this present information, Gan was always able to spot at least six of them in their covert locations. Then there was exactly that. His march up to the door was plagued by a hazy fog on his brain which refused to relinquish its grasp. An unknown force playing with him to fall upon this spot. He simply was unable to see the blood nor the bodies that fell in the flowers. When he tripped on the leftover piece of an arm, it stood invincible to his senses but now it laid there caked with its own fluids as a bone punctured out from the flat of the palm.
Instantly, Gan dashed back down the path, away from the door. An effort that was ceased as a figure coveted the end of the brick road. It was one that Gan had no experience with but was told of by Jacob.
Its arms fell to a point just touching the tiles. Mounds of saliva were exerted from behind its wooden mask sketched with the smile of a clown. Thighs wide enough to encompass three versions of Gan shoulder to shoulder. It was the second Villain Jacob had fought on that night.
The beast known as Pochi slobbered at the sight of another tasty morsel.