In the wake of the factory's mysterious destruction, the city found itself caught in the crossfire of an unseen war. News reports echoed tales of a blazing inferno that consumed the once-standing factory, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake.
The Wyrm's servants, shaken by the unexpected assault from the spirit world, scrambled to identify and neutralize the threat. Fear spread among their ranks as rumors circulated about a pack of Garou from the Uktena tribe. Meanwhile, the Garou in the city, sensing an opportunity to strike back against the forces of corruption, intensified their attacks against the company connected to the destroyed factory.
Days passed and the city became a battleground in this hidden war. Acts of sabotage and aggression escalated, leaving a trail of chaos and uncertainty. Adam, though not that involved in the skirmishes, knew that his actions had set off a chain reaction.
During the ongoing war, Adam took a few days to rest. Engaging in various activities like meditation, reading, training his combat skills, blindfolded combat training , practicing magic and even enjoying some video games, he allowed both his body and spirit to recover.
On the third day, a sense of unease lingered around the dinner table. Faith, Adam's mother, couldn't ignore the peculiar atmosphere any longer. She looked at Adam, concern etched across her face.
"Adam, did you do something?" Faith asked, her gaze piercing through the room. Jessy and Lucy exchanged curious glances, their attention now fully on the unfolding conversation.
"Are we… are we talking about something in the house?" Adam asked with fear in his voice.
"No, I am talking about the war in the city." Faith said
"Oh that, it's nothing I just burned a factory." Adam confessed, a hint of pride in his tone.
"You did what?!" Lucy exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.
"Why would you do that?" Jessy questioned, a mix of surprise and disbelief on his face.
"It was a wyrm corrupt node." Adam explained "I burned it in the spirit world and the effects carried over into the real world. I think that started a war, now both Garou and the servants of the weaver are fighting the wyrm."
"Weaver?" Lucy asked.
"Wyrm's less crazy sister, or brother, or whatever." Adam said.
"Is that why the psychics are having an easier time doing their things?" Jessy asked, his curiosity evident in his eyes.
"Wait, you guys still meet with those guys?" Adam asked.
"Yes, Adam, we are." Faith confirmed. "I actually helped Jordan and that lady Izzy infiltrate one of PsyTech's offices. We managed to remove all of their names from the hit list."
"Why did you do that?" Adam asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. "There is a war in the city, you could have just mentioned the location of the PsyTech offices to one of the Garou tribes and watched them burn those places to the ground."
"Not everything has to be explosive, Adam." Jessy said. "Sometimes stealth missions are better than going guns blazing, killing everyone. That is especially true for people that don't have a strong healing power like you."
"No, I get that." Adam conceded. "But guess what would have been stealthier than what you guys did? Not being there in the first place. You could have let others do it."
"And I plan on letting that happen later." Faith assured. "I just wanted to make sure those psychics are safe. Jessy and those guys have been helping each other a lot."
"Also, now that we talk about them, can I ask what the fuck, Adam?" Jessy said.
"What? What did I do?" Adam asked.
"When we mentioned we were your family, they backed away like we were monsters." Jessy explained.
"Yeah, those guys really were afraid of you." Lucy added.
"Wait, how do you know them?" Adam asked Lucy.
"Jessy said they were cool people, so I went to visit them." Lucy revealed. "Me, Mum, and Jessy have been helping them. I even managed to kill a couple of Fomori. That was great."
"Yeah, I know, killing Fomori are awesome." Adam said.
"Can we go back to what Adam did? I want to know why they are afraid of him." Jessy pressed.
"I killed a spiral dancer in front of them." Adam admitted.
"I remember one of them mentioning you almost killing one of them." Lucy chimed in.
"I did no such thing." Adam defended himself. "I did act a little threatening, but that was for their own good. I was trying to save them."
"That is why you don't have any friends." Lucy remarked.
"What? I didn't do anything wrong." Adam insisted.
"Trying to make you more social is like wrestling with a wall." Lucy teased before returning to her meal.
"I still don't understand what I did wrong?" Adam puzzled, Jessy only shook his head, and Faith couldn't help but chuckle.
"So, Adam, what are you going to do?" Lucy asked.
"About what?" Adam replied.
"The war you started." Lucy clarified.
"Sit back and wait." Adam said. "I'll probably look into the vampire problem we have while the Wyrm and others eventually stop fighting."
"How do you know it will stop?" Jessy asked.
"Because that is how it works." Adam explained. "The factions don't want normal people to learn about them. They also have things that are important to them and want to protect those, so they will eventually stop and go back to a cold war."
"And what is this thing about vampires? Is there a problem there?" Jessy inquired.
"There is a faction, basically a vampire death cult, I want to see what I can do about them." Adam revealed.
"Actually, I need to teach you something tonight." Faith interjected. "I managed to get some of my people to the city, but local gangs are causing trouble. Lets say I managed to get a chance to teach you some hypnotism."
"I can do that, how does it works." Adam said.
"I will tell you later." Faith responded. "I also might have some works for you if you are interested."
"Wait, hold on, are you using Adam, your son, as an enforcer?" Lucy questioned.
"I don't mind." Adam interjected.
"That doesn't make it right." Lucy argued. "You are forcing Adam to do be a criminal for you so you can do your drug lord bullshit?"
"It is a little more complicated than that." Faith defended.
"Yeah, I don't mind crimes." Adam admitted. "Truth be told, I started killing when I was a lot younger. It is in my nature to do these things. I also asked to help Mum with her work."
"This still doesn't feel right." Lucy voiced her problem, her eyes locking onto Adam's.
"I really don't know what to do with that." Adam admitted. "I kill people and Mum needs people killed. Besides, the Wyrm's servants sell drugs, so helping Mum would be fighting them."
Lucy's dissatisfaction with the explanation didn't continue the discussion, but the tension between their perspectives lingered. The family, finished their food in silence. As Lucy and Jessy left the table, Faith halted Adam with a serious look.
"Hey, listen, I want you to go get your things." Faith instructed, her tone carrying a weight that Adam recognized as urgency. "Don't bring your fang daggers, bring human weapons. I also want you to get gloves, you should always have gloves with you. I want to teach you something first, then we will talk about killing people."
Adam simply nodded, he loved to learn new things. He made his way to his room. Choosing an ensemble of black attire, including a hooded jacket, a T-shirt, boots, cargo pants, sunglasses, and a leather glove, he prepared himself.
Under his bed, he retrieved a metal storage trunk, revealing an arsenal of weapons. Among them were throwing knives, a ritual knife, a tactical tomahawk, a machete adorned with tribal markings and enchantments, a compact hand crossbow, and a Glock 19 with extra ammunition. Each weapon held a unique significance, but Adam knew he couldn't carry them all. Opting for practicality, he selected his tomahawk and five throwing knives.
As he emerged, geared up and ready, he found Faith meticulously arranging her own weapons. Clad in a black business suit, she concealed a Taurus G2C pistol, a switchblade, and a snub-nose revolver for quickdraws.
Faith and Adam made their way to the garage, stepping into the dimly lit space where Faith's luxury sedan awaited them. The sleek vehicle, complete with tinted windows. Climbing into the car, they silently drove away. The sun was still up so Adam was forced to wear his sunglasses.
As Faith took the wheel, the engine roared to life, and they cruised away from the safety of their home. She drove the car a few blocks away from their house.
Faith parked her car near a group of people who awaited their arrival. The anticipation in the air was palpable as they approached the waiting group. Among them, Adam's attention was drawn to a formidable figure. Towering over the others, the man sported a shaved head, a thick beard, and arms adorned with tattoos. His imposing frame was dressed in a short-sleeved t-shirt and denim jeans, with a leather jacket casually slung over his shoulder. A pistol and a knife were prominently displayed on his belt. As Faith and Adam neared, Victor smoothly donned his jacket.
Three black SUVs flanked the group. Faith expertly parked her car nearby, and both she and Adam stepped out. A man from the waiting party swiftly approached, and with a respectful nod, Faith handed him the car keys. He promptly drove the luxury sedan to a nearby garage, blending it into the shadows.
"Hello ma'am." the burly man greeted Faith.
"Hello, Victor." Faith replied, acknowledging his presence before heading toward one of the waiting SUVs.
"Hey brick." Adam greeted Victor with a friendly smile. "What are you doing here? I thought Mum sent you back to New Jersey."
"Hey there, Adam." Victor returned the smile. "Boss called in, saying she wants us here. I don't blame her, this place is really good for business. There are other gangs that might be gunning for us so be careful."
"Sure." Adam responded with a nonchalant nod, matching Victor's ease. As they continued toward the waiting SUV, the atmosphere crackled with tension and unspoken intentions, setting the stage for a night filled with shadows, secrets, and the harsh realities of their supernatural world.
The driver navigated through the city, and soon enough, Faith and Adam found themselves in the Arts District. They pulled up to a seemingly ordinary warehouse, its exterior hiding the clandestine activities within. Guards stationed at the entrance recognized Faith and allowed them inside without hesitation.
Entering the warehouse, Adam was greeted by the sight of his mother's people working diligently, alongside unfamiliar faces handling crates, crates undoubtedly filled with guns and ammo. The air was charged with a sense of purpose, and the warehouse seemed to hum with activity.
Parking the car inside, Faith and Adam stepped out. As they emerged, Adam couldn't help but notice the mix of confusion in the eyes of the new workers as they saw a teenager with their boss, contrasting with the avoidance of eye contact from the more seasoned members.
Faith wasted no time and inquired about the location of the captive. A man from her entourage provided the necessary information, leading them through the vast expanse of the warehouse. Victor, or Brick as Adam called him, followed in the car behind them, he got out and followed them on foot.
As they walked through the massive storage area, Adam observed the carefully labeled crates containing an array of weapons, each crate marked with cryptic symbols denoting their contents. The second section, veiled behind a nondescript door, hinted at more covert operations. Dimly lit rooms, separated by soundproof walls, held an air of secrecy and guarded intensity.
"This is where we handle things that need a more personal touch." Faith said.
"Feels like a dungeon in here." Adam said.
Arriving at the designated room, Faith and Adam entered. The room was shrouded in darkness, accompanied by the constant sound of dripping water. When the lights flickered on, revealing a tied-up man with snake tattoos on his bald head, the room's eerie atmosphere intensified. The man sported a defiant look despite the visible signs of physical distress.
"Victor, get everyone other than the ones I trust out of this room." Faith commanded.
Following her orders, Victor cleared the room, closing and locking the door behind him. Victor himself stayed in the room as he was trusted.
Faith's demeanor shifted as she addressed Adam, her tone warmer than the way she addressed the others. "Today, I want you to learn how to influence someone's mind."
Confusion and anger filled the captive's voice as he protested, "What the fuck is this?"
"Do you want me to cut off his balls." Adam said cheerfully. "I can also skin his dick slowly. I'm sure that makes him say whatever you want."
"Dude what the fuck?!" Victor said with a disturbed face and covered his private parts.
"Now hold on, I am willing to talk." The bald man said, he was very scared.
"That is good but no." Faith said with a small laugh. "I want you to do it in a more mental way. I thought the basics of hypnotism to you now it is time for action."
"Wait what?" the bald man asked, he was really confused.
"You should stay quiet." Faith said to the bald man, her voice was cold when she wasn't talking to Adam. "You will keep your eyes open and let my son do what he wants. If you cooperate, I will think about letting you go if you don't then my psychotic son will do what he wanted to do with you."
"I can do that." The bald man said with a gulp.
"So, what should I do?" Adam said.
"Make eye contact and project your will." Faith explained. "Don't worry about his will, for two days we kept him in a completely dark room with only the sound of dripping water that on its own can be extremely disturbing and we also only gave him water to drink so he is very weak."
"Okay." Adam said.
Adam faced the challenge of penetrating the man's weakened mental defenses. Faith had told Adam that both Garou and hedge sorcerers could hypnotize people with only using their will. Adam had the advantage of being both but he wasn't that practiced. Adam managed to project his mind, that part came to him easily but penetrating the victim's mental protection wasn't that easy. The projection of his will caused the weak victim to feel dizzy but nothing happened for a while. After two minutes of this, Adam finally felt the man's will break.
"I did it." Adam said without breaking his eye contact.
"Good, now send your mind in and see what you can find." Faith said.
Entering the man's mind proved easier for Adam. He gathered surface-level information about the man's gang affiliation, their gathering places, and other easily accessible details. Attempting to delve deeper, Adam encountered resistance, prompting him to withdraw.
"I got something." Adam said. Sharing his findings with Faith.
"That is enough. Now, enact your will and force him to forget why we're here." Faith said.
The process of erasing the man's recent memories proved challenging for Adam, a mental struggle akin to running with weights on his back. For him the breaking of the will was like walking a long distance while clearing the man's mind was like having weights on his back and running a short distance. Eventually, the task was completed, and the bald man was left in a dazed state.
Faith made eye contact with bald man and seem to enact her own will. She finished her job a lot faster than Adam so she stood and turned to Adam with a smile.
"All right, that was good." Faith said.
"That was harder than I thought." Adam said.
As they exited the dimly lit room, Victor couldn't help expressing his fascination.
"It's always cool to see magical things." Victor said.
"Don't get used to it too much." Faith said calmly.
"But ma'am, we might need it soon" Victor said.
"Why? What is going on?" Faith asked.
"We are a new gang that is pushing on the others. Things might get dicey." Victor said.
As the trio conversed, Victor opened the door, leading the way out. Two guards moved to follow them, but Faith halted them with a casual wave. Once outside, the conversation took an unexpected turn.
"Adam, can you kill some people for me?" Faith asked.
"Sure mum." Adam said.
"First, go kill that guy, break his neck. I don't want blood." Faith said pointing at the capture they interrogated. "Then, I want you to take some information from Victor here about who he thinks is the problem, and then I want you to kill them. I will send more specialists to Victor later but if you can help it would be a great way to save money."
"Okay." Adam said cheerfully.
Adam retraced his steps back to the dimly lit room where the captive man awaited his fate. The command was clear, break his neck. Adam grasped the man's head and in one determined move, twisted it backward. The sound of cracking bone echoed briefly as the man's neck snapped, leaving his lifeless body in a twisted position.
"All right, I have some other business to tend to, you and Victor take care of the rival gangs. Also remember to train what I thought you a little more." Faith said and left.
"All right follow me." Victor said.
Victor made a call to a cleanup crew before leading Adam to a seemingly ordinary office area. Amidst the paperwork, a conspicuous book of occult sat on the table, catching Adam's discerning eye.
"You trying to learn magic?" Adam asked pointing at the table.
"Yeah, I love magic." Victor said.
"That book is probably mostly fake." Adam said.
"Well it's not like you can find these things easily so I have to use whatever I can." Victor said.
"Listen, Mum wouldn't like this but I will give you a small hint." Adam said with a sigh. "Malleus Maleficarum is your best bet. It isn't exactly a spell book, it teaches how to fight witches. It was written by catholic sorcerers so there is some good wisdom and some spells in there. It also helps you to find actual occult books that work."
"Malleus… what was the rest?" Victor said as he scrambled to grab a note and pen.
"Malleus Maleficarum, it is the hammer of witches." Adam said. "Listen, mum doesn't like it when I share our secrets but I don't think she would mind what I told you. Still don't tell her I told you this."
"Yeah, don't worry about it, thanks man." Victor said.
"So, about the gangs." Adam said.
"Right the gangs." Victor said as he searched through the papers. "There is this gang that have been a pain in the ass. They call them the grey bulls. They are the ones that control the Long Beach and the fucking port so that is a problem."
"Do you know any details about them?" Adam asked. "I want something like hideout location, businesses, gang members, where I can find them, things like that."
"I have no clue." Victor said. "Those fuckers are very secretive. I only know that all local gangs work for them in that area, they basically own the Long Beach and if you want to bring anything to the city from the port then you have pay them. I sent some guys to check on them but they never came back."
"Sounds like a fun bunch." Adam said. "All right, I will go see what I can find. This probably is some supernatural bullshit so I might call you to bring me some spare clothes."
"What does that means, get you spare clothes?" Victor asked. "You always say that you might need spare clothes but you never explain why you suddenly lose your clothes."
"Magic shit." Adam said.
"That isn't a good explanation." Victor said.
"Sorry Brick, somethings I simply can't explain." Adam said. "Mum says that human mind protects us a little from the supernaturals. You might learn about it later but not right now."
"Fine, whatever you say." Victor sighed.
"Got anything else about these guys?" Adam asked.
"Not really, that's it." Victor said.
"Okay, thanks for the info." Adam said.
Adam left the office and started to make his way toward the entrance. As Adam departed from the warehouse, he couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in the atmosphere around him. Conversations hushed as he passed, and curious glances followed his every step, particularly from the newer recruits within the gang. It was evident that news of his swift and decisive action had spread like wildfire among the members, leaving an air of cautious reverence in his wake.
The once casual chatter now carried an undertone of fear, as whispers echoed snippets of disbelief at Adam's display of brutality. The newer recruits, in particular, seemed to regard him with a newfound mixture of respect and wariness, their previous nonchalance replaced by a more somber acknowledgment of his presence.
Adam proceeded with slower steps, his focus shifting to a Garou gift, the Blur of the Milky Eye, compelling those around him to ignore his presence. For approximately half an hour, he moved away from the warehouse, maintaining the gift's effect then he dropped the power.
Adam, wasn't familiar with the city so he decided to ask around. Approaching individuals walking in the streets he posed his question with a casual air. Some people seemed taken aback by his appearance but answered nonetheless. After a few inquiries, he gathered that it was about 8 km(25 miles) away from where he was. Realizing it was farther than he anticipated, he decided to head back home and plan a little.
Adam hailed a cab and climbed into the backseat, giving the driver directions to an area close to his home in Westwood. As the cab weaved through the streets of Los Angeles, Adam gazed out of the window, watching the cityscape pass by in a blur of lights and motion.
Upon reaching the area close to his house, Adam instructed the driver to stop a few blocks away from his house. He paid the fare and stepped out onto the sidewalk, the cool evening air embracing him as he closed the door behind him.
Adam stood for a moment, surveying the familiar surroundings, before starting to walk towards his house. He again used the blur of milky eye as he walked back home.
Adam made his way to his room. He powered on his PC, the screen illuminating his face in the dimly lit room. Settling into his chair, Adam began his research, diving into the depths of the internet in search of information about different areas of Los Angeles.
He pulled up maps, scrolling through the city's sprawling layout, familiarizing himself with various neighborhoods and landmarks. Local news articles provided insight into recent events and occurrences, giving him a sense of the current state of affairs in the city.
Adam's attention then turned to surveillance systems, his brows furrowing in concentration as he delved into the intricacies of security technology. While he wasn't the most tech-savvy person, he knew enough to navigate the basics. However, he also recognized the limits of his knowledge and made a mental note to reach out to acquaintances who might be able to offer assistance in this regard.
Adam immersed himself in the study of the city, hours slipping away unnoticed as he pored over maps, news articles, and surveillance information. The fading light of the day gave way to the embrace of night, casting shadows across his room as the city outside transformed under the cloak of darkness.
As Adam glanced out the window, his gaze fell upon the moon hanging in the night sky. Though not yet a crescent, its presence stirred something primal within him. For Adam, the moon held a special significance, particularly when it approached the crescent phase, the time of his birth moon.
The sight of the moon ignited a fire within Adam, stirring feelings of rage and strength deep within his being. Normally, this rage served as a source of power for a Garou like him, fueling his resolve and enhancing his abilities. However, under the crescent moon, Adam knew he had to tread carefully.
Born under the Waning Crescent, Adam was acutely aware of the challenges that came with this phase of the moon. For the next few days, he would be more sensitive to spiritual effects, his perception heightened to the unseen world around him. Wraiths would be visible to him, and his eyes would pierce the veil between the physical and supernatural realms without his control.
Soon after, Faith's voice echoed through the house, calling Adam down for lunch. Descending the stairs, Adam found his mother in her usual attire, a comfortable blouse that seemed to be her staple choice for home wear.
"Mum, I completely forgot, tomorrow is the crescent moon," Adam exclaimed as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Shit, I also forgot." Faith responded, a tinge of concern creeping into her tone. "Are you feeling alright? Do you think you can handle these few days? Remember, only one day you are at your worst, but it doesn't mean the other days you'll be fine."
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Adam reassured her. "It's not like I'm an Ahroun, I am a theurge. The worst that can happen is that I will summon some spirits. Besides, I am stronger in these few days."
"You didn't have a berserk frenzy in your life, so you wouldn't know." Faith reminded him. "I saw theurges going into berserk frenzy and it was not pretty. I also saw you under a crescent moon, your howls could shake the gauntlet around you. Now imagine if you frenzy, you can tear open the gauntlet and send some spirits into the skinland."
"Hopefully, I wouldn't have to learn what berserk frenzy feels like." Adam replied, his expression serious as he contemplated the implications.
"Frenzy is like a car crash." Faith said. "It is a tragic thing but it will happen. Even if you are careful others aren't and they will push you. The important thing is to be ready for the eventuality."
"Good point." Adam said.
After the brief discussion about the upcoming crescent moon with his mother, Adam and his family gathered around the dining table to enjoy lunch together. The atmosphere was calm, with occasional light-hearted banter filling the air as they shared a meal prepared by Faith. As they finished their meal, Adam helped clear the table, silently appreciating the warmth and familiarity of their home.