Inside the dimly lit, high-tech meeting room of the CyberHunter Association headquarters, five silhouettes are cast against the glowing screens, each displaying different segments of security feeds and data. At the center screen, a large image of Jaede's interruption during a news broadcast flickers intermittently.
Orion Kade, sitting straight-backed and authoritative, watches with a steely gaze. "Again, he surfaces without sanction. He's been at this…for months. Engaging in combat without a CyberHunter license is illegal, and yet, he wields considerable power—he possesses the Devil's Core. If he can harness both the black and the red core without succumbing to their chaos, he might be more than just an unregistered rogue. After watching the cam footage of his combat, it's safe to say it's concerning now. Though before, we let him slide because he's an asset, a vigilante in the making. He's dealt with our toughest opponents, but each time, he gets even more psychotic. Or maybe..I don't know. There's a change each time he fights. I wouldn't say psychotic, I would say chaotic. It's only a matter of time before he goes all out and he's fully consumed by the black and red cores—."
Dante Fenrir, A former augmented soldier with unparalleled combat skills, leading field operations, interrupted, "Bullshit. You're using his feats to take down our toughest enemies so we won't risk losing any new CyberHunters. Our newest recruit, Klem, went on her first mission today, and she intercepted him."
"And where's the issue with that?"
"Tch."
Luna Seraph, always the caring one, her voice calm and soothing, interjects with a note of concern, "But if he's not one of ours, and he's using those cores, couldn't he potentially be a puppet of our enemies? His power is undeniable, but his intentions, uncertain."
Dante Fenrir, who's been clenching his jaw the entire time, suddenly slams his fist on the table, causing everyone to flinch. "We can't just sit here and analyze! This loose cannon is out there, making a mockery of what we stand for. Not to mention, he's collecting bounties that are rightfully ours!"
Astra Nyx, engrossed in her tablet, adjusts her glasses and speaks up with a hint of excitement, slightly oblivious to the rising tension, "F-Fascinating, isn't it?! His integration with these cores could provide us invaluable data! How has he stabilized the chaos within? Imagine the advancements in cybernetic enhancements if we could just study his—"
Cutting her off, Vega Lux, whose eyes haven't left the screen, mutters, "Slow down. Data's one thing, but let's not forget the risk. He's becoming too prominent, drawing attention not just to himself but potentially exposing us, meaning he can put other CyberHunters in danger. If we don't act, the equilibrium we strive to maintain could be shattered."
Orion rubs his chin thoughtfully, considering each of his council members' inputs. "The risks are indeed high, and yet, he draws us an unconventional path. Perhaps it's time to bring him in, we need to verify his allegiance. We need to know if he's truly harnessed the Devil Core, or if he's just playing the part. And I know just the way to find out. It's my fault for even allowing this brat to do this for so many months, just because I was fearful of losing the one thing I built from the ground up. I was afraid of losing my own soldiers, my own CyberHunters, since the threats out there are ten times as strong as the last one we kill. Those affected by the cores are unpredictable, as soon as they merge with one, they are already dead. And the main question is, who exactly is reaching through the barriers of the Tree's and extracting the cores? Our devices don't ever track anything, and nothing can get past the barrier. It's so damn..frustrating. I guess now I need to start acting like a leader."
'I need to put the association first. I'll assert dominance against Jaede the Reaper now.'
Luna smiled peacefully, "Whoever is breaking through the barrier is really really dangerous. We'll need to put up stronger defenses for it." Luna sighs softly, her voice always looking for harmony, "Let's approach this carefully. We need to protect the balance we've fought so hard to maintain. Maybe he needs guidance more than condemnation."
Dante grumbles in agreement, though his tone remains gruff, "Fine, but I'm not playing babysitter to a fucking wildcard."
Astra, ever the enthusiast, chimes in, "Oh! I can prepare a containment protocol and monitoring devices to study his interaction with the cores!"
Vega, with a resigned sigh, starts preparing her hacking tools, "And I'll ensure our networks are scrubed. If we're bringing him in, let's not give him any more broadcast opportunities."
Orion gives a final nod, his decision made, "Then it's settled. We bring Jaede in. Test his intentions and stabilize any risk he poses. We must control the narrative before chaos does."
Dante asked Orion, "He's been at this for months, why the hell haven't we decided to go after him before?!"
"You know. He's dangerous. And plus, he's doing our job for us. He's easily taking down those merged with the cores or who tries to manipulate them for gain."
'I used him. At what cost? Fear? What kind of a leader am I?'
Orion Kade - The leader stands tall and imposing, his presence almost regal. Side of his face and his left arm are replaced with sleek, silver cybernetics that glint with a network of tiny, luminescent blue lines, pulsating like a living circuit board. His eyes, one natural and one cybernetic, are a piercing blue, the latter providing enhanced tactical data directly into his vision. His hair is a sharp contrast of jet-black with streaks of silver, slicked back to stay out of his face during combat.
Luna Seraph - Luna emanates a serene beauty, her long, flowing hair shimmering in shades of midnight blue that seem to absorb and reflect the room's dim light. Her left eye is replaced by an ancient, rune-engraved ocular implant that changes hue according to her mood, currently a soft violet. Her skin appears flawless but upon closer inspection, it reveals faint glowing patterns resembling arcane symbols, enhancing her connection to ancient lore.
Astra Nyx - Astra is the embodiment of a tech wizard. Her vibrant hair is a bold electric blue, styled in an asymmetric bob cut. Half of her face is covered with a lightweight, matte black alloy, with delicate, etched designs that resemble the motherboard circuits she so often tinkers with. Her arms are fully augmented, capable of transforming into various tools and weaponry essential for her engineering feats. Bright green eyes, along with her quirky glasses that constantly display scrolling data, give her a perpetually curious look.
Vega Lux- Vega's appearance is sleek and shadowy, suitable for a spy. Her skin has an almost imperceptible silver sheen, a nano-composite mesh that provides a cloaking ability. Her hair is short and jagged, dyed in gradients of black and deep purple. One eye is visibly enhanced, a glowing amber that scans continuously, interfaced with various data streams. Vega also sports a series of tattoos across her arms and back, which are actually live data feeds and hacker code continuously scrolling.
Dante Fenrir - Standing apart with his decision to relinquish all cybernetic enhancements, Dante retains a rugged, raw human appearance. Tall and muscular, his physical prowess is the result of intense training rather than technological augmentation. His hair is a wild, untamed mane of deep red, and his face carries multiple scars, badges of his combat-filled past. Sharp, alert eyes, a deep forest green, miss nothing, proving that even without technological aid, he remains a formidable warrior.
The tension in the CyberHunter Association meeting room suddenly spikes when each screen flickers to reveal Jaede, grinning broadly as he waves cheerfully at the council. "Yo! You guys must be really mad at me, but I'll come in and apologize." His casual demeanor starkly contrasts with the alarmed expressions of Orion and his team, who are visibly shaken by the breach.
Orion stands abruptly, his voice thundering through the room, "How did he hack our encryptions?! This system was designed to be impenetrable!"
Luna clutches her chest, her usual calm demeanor all but forgotten, "This is... unsettling. How could he have managed to infiltrate our network so seamlessly?"
Beside her, Dante is already on his feet, fists clenched with fury, "He's making fools of us! Right in our stronghold! I'll kill him now!"
Astra, bewildered and somewhat impressed, pushes her glasses up, "The coding he used... it's unlike anything I've seen before! He's amazing! We could be the best of friends!" To think he could bypass our defenses—"
Before Vega could finish checking the security logs, the sound of the heavy doors swishing open interrupts her. Jaede strolls through confidently as if he owns the place.
"Damn it's cold in here. Brr."
Everyone gasped In shock, and Dante jumped up, saying, "This bastard! This Devil Core brat is here to end us all!"
Orion held him down, saying, "Wait. You can't take him, not without any augments or enhancements."
"Tch! Doesn't matter, I chose that for a reason. And you know why."
Luna smiled, "Oh dear, I'm pretty sure he's not here to fight…I should've baked him something to welcome him properly."
Astra exclaimed with excitement, "Yo, Jaede! We can definitely be hacking buddies!"
Vega rolled her eyes, her arms folded, looking away, saying, "Good grief…can I leave now?"
Suddenly, an enhanced security guard rushes towards him, yelling threats, placing his arm on his shoulder.
"You can't just barge in here—!"
Without any visible effort, Jaede grabs the guard's arm and flings him across the room. The guard's body slams into the wall with such force that it creates a sizable dent in the reinforced concrete.
Jaede waved his finger and smiled, "Touching is a no no, pervert."
"What the—" Dante starts, his eyes wide in disbelief. "That wall is reinforced with FlexSteel carbon threading! How on earth did it dent like cheap plaster?"
Orion raises a hand, signaling everyone to calm down, though his own heart races with a mix of anger and caution. "Regain your composure. We're in control here." He turns to face Jaede, who stands unfazed by the turmoil he's caused. "Jaede, you have our attention. Clearly, you have skills that are... remarkable. Why infiltrate our systems? What is it that you truly seek?"
Luna steps forward, her voice soothing yet firm, "Jaede, this isn't just about the destruction you could bring, but the lives at stake. We seek balance, and your actions suggest otherwise. Can we not find a path to understanding? They are fearful that you will eventually become even more chaotic one day. We want to make sure you can help us, because if you're controlled, then—."
Dante interrupted, "Stop being so nice to people, Luna! You always do that! Spoiling people! You even did that to Klem! Anyway, brat Jaede, that's less of a problem we have if we contain you, but I'd prefer to kill you. But our leader here allowed you to run rampant and kill our most notorious and strongest targets. You killed them with ease, and figured—."
Orion interrupted Dante, "Enough."
Astra was happy, saying, "Ohhh a fight!"
Vega rolled her eyes, almost falling asleep, "Just kill each other so we can go home."
As tension fills the room, each member of the council watches Jaede closely, ready to respond to his next move, their strategies rapidly forming and reforming given the unpredictable nature of their uninvited guest.
Vega, still focused on her terminals, mutters to herself while frantically working to lock down any further breaches, "We need to isolate our systems. Now. This is such a waste. Too much breaking in is a drag.."
Orion asked Jaede again, "You kill those without hesitation, the bad people of course. You realize we're assassins. But not just any assassins, defenders, protectors. You are shunned by majority of the people and regions of Dark Light. What do you truly want? And be honest?"
Outside of the room, Klem was listening, had her arms folded, and she thought, 'They're actually giving him a chance to speak? That's crazy.'
In front of her, there were dozens upon dozens of other CyberHunters, whispering:
"Jaede the Reaper is actually in there now?!"
"I'm just waiting for there to be screaming and combat."
"I can't wait to hear his heroic speech."
"Please don't make him a CyberHunter, Orion!"
"No way they're planning on letting him in. He has the devil's core! He even controls it! No matter if he seems normal now, he might slaughter is later on!'
Klem thought even more, 'Devil's core. Such a dumb nickname. They gave it to him for being able to fight death itself when merged with it. And that gave other idiots hope that they could do the same, people in Dark Light risk their lives to be able to control so much power. Even after seeing what happens, they still take chances. Those are the ones who don't have anything to lose. Me? I have a lot to lose. That's why I'm in this place.'
Back in the meeting room, Jaede said, "I used to be weak. Weak as hell even. School sucked because irresponsible parents gave their children enhanced augments in school because they were afraid of those being merged with the black, red, and white cores."
(FLASHBACK)
In the vast, chrome-laden halls of the Amethyst Future Academy, the air shimmers with the digital pulse of learning modules projected onto transparent screens floating around each student. Here, surrounded by the cold, opulent embrace of advanced education, young Jaede hunches over a holographic desk. Blueprints of core technology spiral in intricate loops above his workstation, yet his eyes cast downwards, troubled.
Bullying is rife among the pathways and platforms of the school. A group of students, enhanced with sleek silver cybernetic limbs and muttered clique algorithms, targeted him mercilessly. Jaede, lacking the physical and digital enhancements that adorned his peers, found himself pushed against sanitized titanium walls, his digital tablet clattering to the ground.
Words laced with venom, sharper than the edge of a data blade, pierced his ears, "Think you can hide behind those obsolete brains, Jaede? This is not a place for the weak!" Their laughter echoes, metallic and devoid of warmth, as they swagger away, leaving him to nurse internal bruises no bio-scan could detect.
Transitioning from these enclosed tech-laden walls, the scene shifts to a night cloaked in a storm's embrace. Rain cascades down in relentless sheets, blurring the neon glows of towering grave markers. Jaeda stands alone before twin graves, the epitaphs etched with the glowing names of his parents. Each drop of rain slams against the ultra-toughened glass shields protecting the graves, his fists clenching by his sides, his body trembling — not from cold, but from a storm of emotions raging inside him.
Suddenly, the chilling wind carries whispers, and from the shadows emerge figures clad in deep hooded cloaks. Their footsteps create no sound, their presence barely registering on the moisture-laden air. One steps forward, a subtle motion that belies the tension of the moment. An outstretched hand emerges from the folds of the cloak, revealing a palm cradling two pulsating cores — one ebony black, absorbing light as if it were liquid, and the other a vicious crimson, pulsing like a beating heart.
"Our power can redeem your pain," a voice, modulated to soothe yet carrying an unmistakable edge of urgency, breaks through the rhythm of the rain. "With these, no one will ever overlook your potential again."
Tears mix with the rain on Jaede's cheeks, his eyes reflecting the storm above and the turmoil within. With a final glance at his parent's names, light refracting through his tear-dimmed eyes, he reaches out. His fingers wrap around the cold, pulsating cores, and at that touch, a surge of unseen energy courses through him — promising strength, vengeance, and a destiny rewritten.
As the cloaked figures envelop him, leading him away from the graves into the darkness, the flashback fades, sealing away the moment Jaede's fate was irrevocably intertwined with powers that both terrify and tantalize.
[Present Day]
Jaede continued, "They planned to take me in, and they made me merge with the red and black core."
[Another damn flashback]
In the vault-like silence of the ancient cave, dust motes danced in the stale air as shadows thrown by flickering torches flicked against the craggy walls. Bound tightly upon a stone altar, Jaede writhed against the coarse ropes, his muscles straining as hooded figures encircled him in a macabre congregation.
As their chants accelerated from a dire murmur to a fevered pitch, their voices harmonized into a sonic force that seemed to stir the very air. The leader of the group, distinguished by the intricate golden embellishments on their robe, advanced with a sinister grace. In their hands, they cradled twin cores: one pulsating with a menacing red light, the other a deep, abyssal black. With ritualistic precision, the leader pressed them into Jaede's chest. The cores fused into his flesh with a sickening, sizzling noise, their vile energy seeping into his veins like poison.
The transformation erupted instantly. Jaede's eyes snapped open, their whites now replaced with glowing crimson, his pupils dilated into feral slits. A terrifying scream escaped his lips as a dark, red aura exploded around him, the power of the cores unleashing an ungodly strength that shattered his bonds like brittle twigs.
Freed, Jaede surged upward, his every movement supercharged with an unholy vigor. He lunged at the nearest figure, his hand closing around a jagged piece of stone. With an animalistic roar, he drove it into the figure's chest. The stone sank through cloth and flesh with a gruesome ease, blood spurting in a dark fountain.
His assault was a blur of crimson and black. He spun, the makeshift weapon in his hand a deadly extension of his will, catching another hooded figure in the throat. The impact was sharp, decisive. Cartilage and bone gave way, a gurgling scream cut abruptly silent.
With relentless ferocity, Jaede moved through the crowd of his tormentors. Each strike was both spectacle and slaughter. His body moved with an otherworldly grace, weaving between his attackers, his limbs delivering blows that were brutally efficient. A swipe of his arm was enough to send another adversary flying, their body crumpling against the cave's wall with a crushing thud.
Blood misted the air, painting the ancient stones in a visceral tableau. With each fallen body, the ground became slick, reflecting the dim torchlight in macabre patterns. The remaining figures, however, met their grisly ends with disturbing jubilation, their laughter echoing off the walls, their faces twisted in grotesque smiles.
Jaede's rampage culminated as he grabbed the last of the hooded figures, lifting them off the ground with a single, powerful arm. With a swift, precise jerk, he snapped their neck, the sound echoing ominally in the now-silent cavern. Dropping the lifeless body to join the others, he stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving, the cores' energy pulsing visibly beneath his skin.
Blood dripped from his hands as he surveyed the ruin he had wrought, each drop a stark reminder of the raw power coursing through him. His scream of agony and triumph reverberated, filling the cave as he collapsed to his knees, tormented by the dualities of his new existence. His tears mingled with the blood splattered across his face, a poignant symbol of his transformation from victim to monstrous victor. As he escaped into the night, his howl lingered, a ghostly echo of his pain and primal fury.
Jaede emerged from the ancient cave, his breath ragged, his body thrumming with unchecked power. The moon hung low over Neon Heights, its light diffused by a haze of pollution and neon glow. Below him, the city sprawled like a circuit board of light and shadow, a cyberpunk metropolis pulsating with life.
As he descended into the heart of Neon Heights, his feet barely touched the weathered asphalt. His eyes, glowing crimson, reflected the chaotic dance of neon signs and holographic billboards. Giant digital displays flickered above, advertising everything from the latest synth-food flavors to new models of cybernetic enhancements. One billboard displayed a family smiling over a steaming meal of Neo-Ramen, ironically juxtaposed against the backdrop of Jaede's feral sprint.
The streets of Neon Heights were bustling with nightlife. Cyber-enhanced citizens, some with glowing tattoos and others with mechanical limbs, paid little heed to the swift, shadowy figure darting among them. Jaede's form was a blur, a specter fueled by demonic energy, weaving through the crowd with predatory finesse. His mind urged him to devour, to destroy, but somewhere within, he fought to control the beast the cores had birthed.
Restaurants and food stalls lined the thoroughfares, their aromas wafting through the air—a mixture of synthetic spices and real ingredients. Jaede lunged at an open-air noodle bar, his hands tearing through the synthetic bamboo facade. Noodles, steaming and slick with sauce, vanished into the ravenous maw of the transformed man. Ceramic bowls shattered against the concrete as he devoured contents indiscriminately.
The synthetic meat vendor next saw its stall decimated, packs of lab-grown beef and chicken strewn about like confetti as Jaede engulfed the proteins in his desperate hunger. His laughter, a wild, unhinged sound, mingled with the city's cacophony, drawing startled looks and whispers from the crowd.
"Is that a new promo stunt?" one passerby asked, eyeing Jaede's chaotic feast with a mixture of horror and fascination.
"It's got to be some kind of viral ad, right?" another speculated, her mechanical eyes zooming in to capture the frenzy.
Some screamed, "Oh my goodness!"
"Where's the CyberHunters?!"
"Run!"
"Shit! Shit!"
Above, another giant screen flicked to life, displaying an advertisement for a horror vid-stream series. The terror on the digital faces mirrored the real emotions flickering across the faces in the crowd as they took in the scene before them.
Yet, as Jaethe's laughter peeled out again, more manic and less human, the crowd hesitated, uncertain if what they witnessed was entertainment or something darker. His form streaked past them, a blur of motion and menace, leaving behind a wake of destruction and uneaten scraps.
Spotlights from police drones began to sweep the area, their bright beams cutting through the neon haze, seeking out the source of the disturbance. Jaede, feeling the heat of the pursuit, dove into the shadowy underbelly of the city, his laughter echoing off the high-rise buildings as he disappeared into the maze-like alleys of Neon Heights.
As the searchlights scanned and the murmurs from the crowd grew, the scene in Neon Heights was a tableau of modern madness—technology meeting primal fury, the future clashing with the uncontrollable past. And above it all, the glowing billboards continued their endless loop, oblivious to the chaos below.
The chaotic symphony of Neon Heights fell behind as Jaede, guided by a tangle of sorrow and memory, found himself standing before the somber gates of the city's oldest cemetery. Rain drizzled down in a soft, persistent patter, beads of moisture glistening on the wrought iron as he pushed through the gates with a force that belied his inner turmoil.
The cemetery lay shrouded in a gauzy veil of mist, tombstones rising like silent sentinels from the lush, dark earth. Jaede's footsteps squelched softly in the sodden grass as he navigated the familiar path to a small, secluded plot under the canopy of an ancient willow tree. There, two modest gravestones bore the names of his parents. The glow in his eyes dimmed as he approached, his heart weighty with the pain of loss and the monstrous fury still pulsating within him.
He knelt between the graves, the rain mingling with his tears, streaking down his blood-stained face. His cries of anguish pierced the quiet, a raw, ragged sound that seemed to echo endlessly against the stones. "Mom, Dad..." he gasped between sobs, his hands clawing at the muddy ground. "Help me... please."
The fierce energy that had fueled his rampage still surged through his veins, urging him toward further destruction. Jaede's body tremoured with the struggle, his fists clenching and unclenching as he fought the demonic urges. The rain intensified, drumming a relentless rhythm against the leaves and stones, a natural orchestration to his torment.
As the battle within raged on, a profound exhaustion began to overtake him, draining the fight from his limbs. His head bowed, and he whispered brokenly into the rain-soaked earth, "I can't... I don't want to be this monster..."
It was then, in the depths of his despair, that Jaede felt a warm, gentle presence envelop him. It was soft and familiar, a comforting weight against his back. He froze, hardly daring to breathe as the sensation of a hand resting lightly on his shoulder pervaded his senses. The touch was both ethereal and heartbreakingly real.
His mother's voice, a tender echo in his heart, seemed to whisper through the veil of rain, "It's okay, my love. Let it go. You are not alone."
Tears streaming down his face, Jaede lifted his head. The red in his eyes dimmed, overtaken by a deep, clear shine as if the warmth of the touch had quelled the fire of the cores. His breathing steadied, each inhale and exhale syncing with the rhythm of the rain, washing away the fury, leaving a tranquil calm.
As he sat there, the sensation of his mother's touch lingering, the storm around him began to ebb. The rain softened to a gentle drizzle, the mist started to dissipate, and rays of moonlight broke through the clouds, casting a silver glow over the graves. Jaede looked up, his gaze serene. In that moment, amidst the tranquility of his parents' resting place, the beast within was tamed, and Jaede found peace.
He rose slowly, his heart filled with a bittersweet clarity. As he walked back through the cemetery gates, the monster that entered was left behind, replaced by a man, a son, healed by memory and love, walking calmly into the mystery of the night.
[FLASHBACK END]
[Present Day]
Jaede continued, as he took his mask off, revealing his true face: He has dark red eyes, a scar across his left eye, and a birthmark on the top corner of his forehead, and had a young face.
"I wanted so much damn power, shunned because I was weak before. But now that I have power, I'm still shunned for it. I thought it would be better. But I got so much power, at what cost?"
Orion, feeling sentimental, stood up, and said, "Come with me."
Dante scoffed, "You're seriously going to believe that story?!"
Luna smiled, "He's so handsome without his mask."
Astra exclaimed happily, "I wanna see those memories myself! I'll create a device that can do that!"
Vega replied to Astra, yawning and putting her feet on the table, "….Fool. There already is one."
"Oh right. Gotta find it!"
Jaede followed Orion through another door, and Jaede thought, 'It wasn't a lie. Whoever gave me those black and red cores I still wanna know who they were or who they were with. They had to be the ones who can reach through the barrier to the Tree's right? Even I can't do it.'