Sparkling White. The abducted boy was regaining his consciousness. As he was opening his eyes, everything he could see and sense felt white. He was wondering if he was in a white room-torture cell which was very plausible since the men from alley said they were taking him hostage. Then again, abductors keep the hostages safe and conducts necessary deals with the redeemers. He also didn't know what time it was or how long he was passed out. Not to mention his swirling thoughts of why such a big organization was taking such drastic measures against a teen. He almost accepted that he was going to die at this rate.
His life started to reflect on him. Thinking back what he had achieved and realized it wasn't that unpleasant. The academy was a joint facility, why'd any mafia society have a public educational institute anyway. From sixth grade, he constantly came on second in every term, somehow managed to participate in kickboxing with his half-boiled drills to 'National' level, made it to state level in chess championship and also earned a few small titles on art by drawing random landscape which he thought was trash, the pros would also think the same but the amateurs think them as masterpiece.
Just when he tried to remember more of his feats, a man in his early 20s came to visit him. More like interrogate him.
"State your name," demanded the calm and older man in a fine and plain white shirt, looking clean and gentleman, giving an eerie feeling that the tied up boy to a chair thought was not good to mess with.
"Alan," replied the teen. A bit of a silence. The older man just looking at him. "What's with that look old man? I'm tied up with this dinosaur like ropes. What can I even do? On top of that, who knows how many layers of security you lots have deployed for me or just for the infrastructure."
"Call me Raven." came from the older man, looking pretty attractive that any girl would fall for. A modern quiff with under cut fade, and the hairs slightly falling of forehead making him look like a pro model. "And Don't make me feel that old. I'm only 22. I don't want you to meet with me again." came with a seething and eerie voice from Raven and he swiftly took a karambit out of who knows where and cut the ropes Alan was tied up with. Being confused, Alan said, "Am I free or what?"
Raven picked katana with a black scabbard and threw it towards Alan while keeping another for himself. "You've got time until my sword and yours clang. It's upto you whether we do a QnA or a Death Duel. I'll be heading towards you with my Katana if you don't say anything."
Alan practiced swordsmanship too for a pretty long time. So seeing and handling a sword at this situation made his blood boil. Excitement filled him. As Raven was closing the distance between them with his Katana, Alan also took his Katana out of the scabbard sharply, giving a concrete proof of his efforts and skill on swordsmanship. The distance was so close. And the two swords were an inch away from clashing and Alan shouted, "QnA!!"
The sudden change of mind didn't startle Raven at all but he stopped anyway since he gave Alan 2 options and Alan didn't say anything but stood there with a custom stance that no historical figure or any style matches in formal swordsmanship. Alan was laughing at that stage.
"I've practiced this thing for more than 7 years. Bold of you to think I wouldn't notice it no matter how clumsy I am." said Alan with a little smirk.
"It would have been so much easier and simple if you died in a Duel with me. I know what I did was cheap but it's not often to see such youngsters as you to catch it. I'll give you that."
"What are you saying? People at this time fall for this cheap trick? You just loosened the handles that I became aware the moment you threw it into the air."
"Sharp eyes. Magnificent."
"Ask me whatever you want to know and leave me already."
"Seems like you are in a hurry. No problem, as long as you don't lie, it will be fast and smooth. So let's begin. But before that. Just remember, the consequence for lying will be annihilation of your family." Raven said with a grin.
"As if you have the ability to slaughter the Dravenor Family."
Raven stayed silent not with hesitation but with a confident and evil smile on his face and said, "We'll see about that. For now you just answer me, Alan Dravenor. Why did pry on our goons?"
"Accident"
"Elaborate"
"Tsk. Just returning from School and stumbled upon them."
"Why chose the alley while having a cozy highway on the road?"
"The alley feels more cozy."
"What did you hear from them?"
"Some delivery crap. Although don't know what parcel, just heard that it was some F-tier package which I have no idea."
There had been a bit of silence. The atmosphere was a mixture of trust and uncertainty. Raven keeping a straight face, accepting all the things Alan said proceeded to ask again, "What's the story of you finding the ring? That can't be a coincidence. The plausibility is low, no, Zero."
"I don't know what you are talking about. I literally found it lying outside the compound." irritation was visible on Alan and the tone reflected the same feeling.
"Aye aye, don't get mad so quickly. You need to be patient here. After all, both your family and your life is on the line."
"If you tried to intimidate me, then you've failed miserably. S-I-R."
"Will you meddle in our business again?"
"Heck no," as soon as Alan said that, the room turned crimson. 'It' was intimidating
"Lying ain't good, Kid." Raven said with a true evil face and a smirk that made Alan almost drop on his knees. But somehow managed to keep his balance. Terror on his face, "I-I..I didn't lie!!"
"Yes you did!!" here Raven upscaled his voice in a vallain-ish way," The truth is you will get in our way if we meddled with you."
"Are you insane? Who'd not do that here?" stuttered Alan
"You should have clarified it. If you did I would have released you and the story would have ended. But you didn't clarify it hence essentially making your statement a 'lie'."
"But-"
"It's late now"
Suddenly Alan also started to give a psychopathic laughter and Raven got a hold of himself and gave the appearance when he entered the room to interrogate Alan.
"You think I am scared, I'd beg for my life. Keep dreaming. If you lots are going to throw stones at me I'll prepare boat load of bullets for you." came from Alan.
"That's a pretty bold statement for someone as incapable as you. The session has ended. You are free to go now." with that Raven took out a button out of ordinary from his leggings and pressed it and Alan fell unconscious again.
~~~
"So the Dravenor is the one we'd be dealing with now?" a voice came from the shadow behind the door of Raven.
"Of course it is." Raven replied casually with a smile.
"Don't mess up"