The abandoned building stood tall in the midst of Shinzato's downtown area, its crumbling facade a testament to neglect and decay. Ivy crawled up the walls like skeletal fingers, as if attempting to claim the structure as its own.

Rain-soaked streets glistened like polished onyx, reflecting the faint glow of streetlights struggling to penetrate the darkness. Water dripped from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the damp, musty basement.

A faint whimpering echoed through the space, followed by the sickening crunch of metal on flesh. The sound sent a shiver down the spine.

A human body lay on the ground, twisted in an unnatural pose. The face was a grotesque, disfigured mess, with blood dripping from the mouth like a macabre waterfall. The skin was deathly pale, with dark bruises mottling the surface like a sickly rash.

The hands were nail-less, the fingertips raw and bloody, as if the nails had been ripped out with sadistic glee.

Next to the body, another human form lay barely alive. The face was smashed, the features unrecognizable. The legs were missing, severed just above the knees. A faint gurgle emanated from the throat, a desperate attempt to cling to life.

The basement was a charnel house, a place where humanity had been reduced to its most primal, terrifying form. The silence was oppressive, a heavy blanket that suffocated the space. The only sound was the relentless drumbeat of the rain outside.

The man's voice was cold, devoid of empathy, yet laced with a hint of curiosity. He stood over the mangled form, his eyes fixed on the barely alive individual. In his hand, he grasped a gun, the metal glinting in the faint light that filtered through the grimy basement windows.

"Who sent you?" the man asked, his voice rising above the din of the thunderstorm raging outside. The sound of rain pounding against the pavement and the occasional clap of thunder created an ominous backdrop to the scene.

The person on the ground, despite their obvious pain and distress, managed to utter a faint whisper. The man leaned in, his ear inches from the victim's lips, as he strained to catch the words.

"What did you say?" the man demanded, his voice cold and unyielding. "Speak louder."

The victim's eyes fluttered open, filled with a mix of fear and desperation. They tried to speak again, but the words were lost amidst the sound of thunder crashing outside.

The man's grip on the gun tightened, his finger hovering over the trigger. "I don't have time for this," he growled, his patience wearing thin. "Tell me, Before I kill you..."

As the man, Alex, stood amidst the carnage, he gazed at the lifeless body before him. His eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications of the victim's final words. Suddenly, a hulking figure emerged from the shadows, its massive frame silhouetted against the faint light.

"Sir, do you have any idea who they were?" Mike, Alex's secretary, asked in a deep, rumbling voice.

Alex's expression was unreadable, but his voice betrayed a hint of unease. "I have an idea, but it's not confirmed."

Mike's eyes widened, his gaze locked onto Alex's face. "What is it, sir?"

Alex's voice dropped to a low growl. "Inform every member to stay on high alert. Something is coming, a big storm. I can feel it."

As if on cue, a deafening clap of thunder shook the very foundations of the building, making Mike stumble. The sound was like a physical blow, leaving both men breathless.

The air seemed to vibrate with electricity, and Alex's eyes gleamed with a mixture of anticipation and wariness. He knew that the storm brewing outside was nothing compared to the tempest that was about to engulf his world.

"Mike, get the word out. We need to be prepared for anything," Alex ordered, his voice low and urgent.

Mike nodded, his massive frame disappearing into the darkness as he went to relay Alex's orders. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the basement, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts.

The storm outside raged on, its fury mirrored by the turmoil brewing within Alex. He knew that the next few hours would be crucial, and he steeled himself for the challenges ahead. Little did he know that the biggest storm of his life was just beginning to unfold.