The air inside Katherina Kaiser's small, worn-down home felt heavy, saturated with the scent of old furniture and the weight of grief. The house, like its occupant, had seen better days. The peeling wallpaper, creaking floorboards, and dim lighting reflected a life that had been upended by tragedy.
Detective Darwin Gainees stood in the middle of the cramped living room, his tall, lean figure draped in a long coat that smelled faintly of tobacco. His jet-black hair fell into his piercing eyes as he surveyed the surroundings with a practiced indifference. In his right hand was a half-burned cigarette, smoke curling lazily upward. He exhaled, filling the room with his distinct brand of disdain.
"Charming place." Darwin muttered under his breath. His tone was dry, almost mocking, but his eyes betrayed a sharp intelligence as they darted across the room.
Behind him loomed his partner, Jack "Rager" Holt, a 6'7" mountain of muscle whose bald head gleamed under the faint light. The cap on his head, embroidered with the word RAGER, was tilted slightly to the side. Jack said little, as usual, letting his intimidating presence speak for him.
Katherina Kaiser sat on a faded couch, clutching a tissue in trembling hands. Her eyes were red and puffy from days of crying, and her once-carefully styled hair hung in limp strands around her face. "I told you, Christian hasn't been here," she said, her voice cracking. "He's my son—he would never do what you're accusing him of."
Darwin took a long drag from his cigarette, his gaze unwavering as he studied her. "Mrs. Kaiser, your boy didn't just kill six kids—he turned them into bloody confetti. That kind of thing doesn't happen by accident. Now, we've got to figure out if this is the result of some kind of... condition. Or if your little genius had a hell of a lot more going on upstairs than anyone thought."
Katherina flinched as if struck. "Christian is a good boy. He's kind. He wouldn't hurt anyone!"
Darwin exhaled a plume of smoke, his expression unreadable. "Sure. And I'm the Easter Bunny."
Jack, standing by a dusty shelf lined with books, finally spoke. His deep voice was calm but carried an edge. "Found something. Old study. Books everywhere."
Darwin flicked the ash off his cigarette onto the carpet, ignoring the burn mark it left. "Bag 'em all. Anything that gives us a lead on these marks or what's going on in these kids' heads is worth a look."
Jack nodded and began packing the books into boxes with the care of someone used to dealing with delicate evidence.
Katherina watched them with tear-filled eyes. "You're taking everything." she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What's left for me?"
Darwin paused, looking at her for a moment. His expression softened ever so slightly, though his tone remained brisk. "If he comes back, Mrs. Kaiser, it's better if you're prepared. Trust me, you don't want to be caught in the crossfire."
From a safe distance outside the house, Christian Kaiser watched the task force move through his home. His glowing white eyes, once filled with wonder, now reflected only pain and despair. He stood among the shadows, his unkempt, spiky hair falling over his forehead as he tried to force a smile. It didn't reach his eyes, and tears streamed silently down his cheeks.
He could see his mother, fragile and broken, pleading with the investigators. The sight twisted his insides, guilt clawing at his chest.
"I'm sorry, Mom." he whispered, his voice trembling. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
He clenched his fists, the veins in his forearms pulsing with the strength he still didn't fully understand. It would be so easy to intervene, to send these intruders running. But he couldn't risk it. Not here. Not now.
Meanwhile, Izanagi Fuzaro had followed the faintest trail, his determination unwavering. He refused to believe that Christian, the sweet, shy boy he had once known, was capable of the atrocities being attributed to him. To Izanagi, Christian was a victim, not a monster.
When he arrived at Katherina's home, the task force had already left, their black SUVs disappearing down the street. Izanagi approached cautiously, his wooden kendo stick strapped to his back.
Katherina Kaiser sat on the creaking porch of her home, her hands trembling as she clasped a cup of cold tea. The once lively woman looked frail, her face lined with sorrow that seemed far too heavy for her petite frame. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she noticed the figure approaching.
Izanagi Fuzaro, his posture rigid but his movements cautious, walked up the porch steps. His kendo stick was strapped to his back, and his scarred face was partially obscured by his black hair. He stopped at the base of the stairs, bowing slightly.
Katherina's tear-streaked eyes studied him, her suspicion apparent. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice wavering.
Izanagi stepped closer, keeping his voice soft. "My name is Izanagi Fuzaro. I was a friend of Christian's. I came to see if you're alright... and to ask if you've heard from him."
Katherina's breath hitched. Her grip tightened around the cup as though clinging to it for stability. "Christian... no. He hasn't come home. But they're saying... they're saying he's a murderer." Her voice broke, tears spilling freely. "He's not a killer. He's my boy."
Izanagi nodded solemnly, taking a seat on the edge of the porch steps. He hesitated, searching for the right words. "Mrs. Kaiser, I don't believe Christian is a murderer either. That's why I'm here. To find him and... to protect him."
Her gaze softened, though her tears didn't stop. "Protect him? From what? From those monsters calling themselves police? From the people who want to tear my boy apart? Tell me, Izanagi, can you really protect him?"
Izanagi stiffened, his hand instinctively brushing against the scars on his face. "I can try. He's my friend, and he deserves someone on his side. He deserves someone to see him for who he really is—not what the world thinks he's become."
Katherina stared at him, her eyes searching his face as if trying to find the truth in his words. Then, without warning, she leaned forward and cupped his scarred cheek with trembling hands. Izanagi froze, his breath hitching as her fingers traced the jagged lines.
"These scars." Katherina whispered, her voice breaking. "You've been through so much, haven't you? Just like my Christian..." Her eyes filled with motherly sorrow, and she gently pulled him closer. "You've both been hurt by this cruel, hateful world."
Izanagi didn't know how to respond. The warmth of her touch and the raw emotion in her voice threatened to crack the walls he had built around himself. Slowly, he allowed himself to relax, his eyes closing briefly.
"He was pure." Izanagi said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "Christian was kind. A genius, yes, but he had such a big heart. I refuse to believe that's gone."
Katherina let out a sob and pulled him into a hug, wrapping her frail arms around his sturdy frame. She held him as if holding on to a lifeline, as if by embracing him, she could somehow find the strength to keep believing in her son. "Thank you." she whispered, her tears soaking into his shirt. "Thank you for still believing in him. For not giving up."
Izanagi hesitated before slowly raising his arms to return the hug. "I won't give up on him. I promise."
After a long moment, Katherina pulled back, her hands lingering on his shoulders. "Wait here." she said, her voice still trembling but resolute. She stood and disappeared into the house, leaving Izanagi on the porch.
When she returned, she held a small, leather-bound book. Its cover was worn but intricately detailed with celestial symbols and chains. She handed it to him with trembling hands. "This belonged to his father." she said. "It's called the Vincula Imaginis. I don't know what it is, but Christian used to spend hours reading it. I hid it when the government came, but... maybe it can help you."
Izanagi took the book, his fingers brushing against the worn leather. He felt a strange energy radiating from it, as though it was alive. He looked back at Katherina, who watched him with a mixture of hope and desperation.
"I'll use it." Izanagi said firmly. "I'll use it to find Christian and bring him back safely."
Katherina nodded, her tears flowing freely again. "Thank you." she whispered. "Please... please save my boy."
Izanagi bowed deeply, clutching the Vincula Imaginis tightly. "I will."
As he turned to leave, Katherina called after him. "Izanagi... you're not alone in this. Remember that."
He paused, glancing back at her. For a moment, the weight of his mission felt a little lighter. "Thank you." he said, his voice barely audible, before stepping into the night with the book tucked under his arm and a newfound determination in his heart.
Darwin and Jack, driving back to their headquarters, reviewed the evidence they had gathered. "Books, notes, theories... Bet there's a whole rabbit hole of crazy in here." Darwin said, tapping the box beside him.
Jack, focused on the road, asked, "You think the kid's really a killer?"
Darwin lit another cigarette, his expression unreadable. "Doesn't matter what I think. Kid's got a mark, and that makes him a threat. Our job's to find him before he burns the whole world down."
Jack nodded silently, the hum of the engine filling the car as they sped into the night.