Chapter 1: The Tragic Loss
The city of Cagayan de Oro lay quiet beneath a canopy of stars, its streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlamps. The stillness was deceptive, masking the turmoil that churned just beneath the surface. For Hanjie, tonight was not just another night in his quiet life; it was a night that would shatter his world.
Hanjie had always admired the way Anthony, his older brother, carried himself with quiet confidence. Anthony had been his protector, his mentor, and his best friend. Tonight, Hanjie had hoped to catch him for a brief chat before bed, but the scene that greeted him was a nightmare.
The front door to their modest home was ajar, swinging gently in the breeze. Hanjie's heart pounded in his chest as he pushed it open, the creaking sound echoing through the eerily silent house. He called out for Anthony, but his voice trembled with a fear he couldn't quite understand.
"Anthony?" he shouted again, this time with more urgency.
The house seemed to swallow his words, amplifying the oppressive silence. Hanjie stepped inside, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings now marred by chaos. The living room, once a place of warmth and laughter, was in disarray. Furniture lay overturned, and shards of broken glass crunched beneath his boots.
Hanjie's breath quickened as he ventured further, a growing sense of dread gnawing at him. His gaze fell on the photographs scattered across the floor—pictures of happier times, now tainted by the mess and destruction. The sight made his stomach churn, but he pushed forward, driven by a need to find his brother.
His search led him to the kitchen, where the smell of blood was unmistakable. Hanjie froze, his heart racing. He spotted a dark, ominous stain spreading across the floor, leading to the back door. His pulse quickened as he reached the door, hesitating before pushing it open.
Outside, the moonlight illuminated the scene with an almost cruel clarity. Anthony lay motionless on the ground, his eyes closed as if in peaceful slumber. But the blood and the unnatural stillness told a different story. Hanjie's breath caught in his throat as he fell to his knees beside his brother, tears streaming down his face.
"Anthony!" he cried, shaking his brother's shoulder, but there was no response. Despair clawed at his insides as he clutched Anthony's cold hand, his tears mingling with the blood-soaked earth.
The distant sound of sirens began to pierce the silence, but they felt miles away, insignificant compared to the crushing weight of his grief. Hanjie's mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. Who could have done this? And why?
The sight of a small, blood-stained envelope beside Anthony's body caught his attention. With trembling fingers, Hanjie picked it up and opened it. Inside was a single, ominous note:
"The demon's price is paid in blood. The next will not be so merciful."
The words sent a chill down Hanjie's spine. A demon? What did that even mean? His thoughts raced as he struggled to make sense of the note. The only thing clear to him was the promise of vengeance—he needed to find the demon responsible and make them pay.
The sirens grew louder, and the flashing lights of emergency vehicles bathed the scene in a harsh, intrusive glow. Officers and paramedics arrived, but Hanjie could barely register their presence. All he could think about was the note and the void left by his brother's death.
As the paramedics prepared to take Anthony's body away, Hanjie stood up, his resolve hardening. He knew he could not stay here. He needed answers. He needed to understand why this had happened and how he could stop it from happening again. But more than anything, he needed revenge.
He walked to the front door, his mind set on his next steps. The weight of the note in his pocket was a constant reminder of the promise he had made. He needed to prepare for the journey ahead, one that would take him far from the safety of Cagayan de Oro and into the heart of danger.
With a heavy heart, Hanjie made his way to his room, determined to find whatever strength he had left. He had to start training immediately. His brother's killer was still out there, and the only way he could honor Anthony's memory was to become strong enough to avenge him.
Hanjie gathered a few belongings, including a small, old-fashioned sword that had been in his family for generations. It was a relic from a time long past, but it would serve as a symbol of his commitment to his quest. He also packed some basic supplies—food, water, and a map of the region.
Before he left, he took one last look around the house. The memories of Anthony were everywhere, from the family photos on the walls to the personal touches in each room. It was a painful reminder of what he had lost, but also a motivator for what he needed to do.
As dawn began to break, casting a pale light over the city, Hanjie stepped out of his home for the last time. He was joined by Chris Michael and Jed, his closest friends. Chris, with his easy-going humor, tried to lighten the mood, while Jed's quirky demeanor added an unpredictable element to their dynamic. Both had been close to Anthony and were now determined to help Hanjie in his quest.
Chris slapped Hanjie on the back with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Alright, Hanjie, looks like we're in for a wild ride. Ready to kick some demon butt?"
Jed, his gaze intense and thoughtful, nodded in agreement. "We'll need to be careful. Demons are not to be underestimated."
Hanjie gave them a solemn nod, his determination unwavering. "I'm ready. Let's find this demon and make them pay for what they've done."
With that, the trio set off on their journey, leaving Cagayan de Oro behind. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with danger and challenges, but Hanjie was fueled by a singular purpose. The quest for revenge had begun, and he would stop at nothing to see it through.
As they left the city, the first light of day breaking over the horizon seemed to signal the start of a new chapter in their lives—one marked by pain, perseverance, and the pursuit of justice.