On September 8th, 2005,
James Forelie's plane was on the verge of landing in Nova Urbis, a city known as the "Land of Dreams." He was coming to reunite with his close friend, Albert Dubois, who had deep connections in the city's underground families and a bold history in Ombreville .
Albert had persistently urged James to join him in Chinatown, Nova Urbis, for years. After countless phone calls and thousands of emails, James had finally decided to heed his friend's call and make this enigmatic city his new home.
However, Nova Urbis was in a state of turmoil. The city was undergoing extensive reconstruction due to rampant criminal activities, and three main islands constituted the heart of Nova Urbis: Portville Harbor, Hjontuga Isle, and the Isle of Kamashida, also known as Havocian Harbor Isle.
Each of these islands was controlled by powerful underground families. Portville Harbor was primarily governed by the Leone mafia family, and they had a hostile relationship with the Triads, resulting in frequent violence.
Hjontuga Isle was entirely under the sway of Latin cartels, including the Colombian, Peruvian, Argentine, and Mexican cartels. While they often collaborated, tensions occasionally boiled over into violent clashes.
Lastly, Havocian Harbor Isle was dominated by the Yakuza families. In 1982, the Kamashida Yakuza had defeated the cartels, earning a godlike status among the citizens. This event had led to the island being named after the Kamashida Yakuza, who subsequently clashed with the entire cartel network.
Minor gangs also added to the city's complexity.
As the plane touched down,
James disembarked at Saint PL Airport. He hailed a taxi and engaged in a brief conversation with the Chinese driver.
Chinese Driver : "Where do you want to go?"
James : "Chinatown."
The driver seemed somewhat surprised. Few passengers, apart from Asian immigrants, ever requested rides to Chinatown. He couldn't help but wonder if James had connections to the Italians, particularly the Leone family.
Chinese Driver: "Please, come in."
James stepped into the cab.
Chinese Driver: "So, why Chinatown?"
James: "Pourqu- I mean, why not?"
The driver couldn't shake the suspicion that James might be here to meet Albert.
Chinese Driver: "Ah, Albert, he's a good man."
James: "Right, certainly a man of his word. Haha."
Chinese Driver: "Haha."
The car proceeded to Chinatown. On the road, They were gossiping about something then the driver was mumbling something in Chinese. Luckily, James understood a bit of Chinese and could make out one sentence: "Today is someone's last day."
James felt a shiver down his spine. He had a history in Ombreville that was more complicated than Albert's, and their friendship had its own complexities.
Upon reaching Chinatown, the driver refused to accept any money from James.
James: "How much?"
Chinese Driver: "Haha, nice joke!"
James: "What?"
Chinese Driver: "I give everyone their first and last ride for free."
James: "What do you mean?"
Chinese Driver: "We might not meet ever again."
The driver then left the place, leaving James standing there, puzzled. James was about to enter Albert's place, but a series of questions swirled in his mind. What had he really gotten himself into? What was the true nature of his friendship with Albert? And why was the driver's parting message so cryptic?
**End of chapter 1: lazor de Hemandad**