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Flashback...
The Trilaksana Organization members went to Dieng Tourism Village where the area has a cold temperature with the fog around the hills and the mountains, it was cold enough that the Trilaksana Organization officers had to wear coats. Especially when they were ordered by Indonesian government, to find the two remaining members of Legion Revengers who are hiding in the village and the rest went missing. Kaname look around as he adjusted the coat over his uniform, folding his arms while he observed the foggy village before them.
“These scientists’ names; Dr. Solomon Rizal, Dr. Veronica Edwards, her husband... Dr. Heinry Edwards, Dr. Gerald Walters, Dr. Alyssa Chamberlain, Dr. Reynaldo Williams and lastly, Dr. Francis Fortuna. They are known for their unethical experiments and broke scientist’s code of ethics... they used their knowledge to create weapons that will be deployed against humanity, but this time they are targeting the Phantom Beasts.”
Hokuri informed, showing their profiles into hologram--as he looked over to see his teammates and their rookie. Shania grimaced, learning that they were the ones behind the Phantom Eruption and the World Government will do anything to subdue them, Hokuri and Kayla continue reading them in the eyes of their rookie students. Luca watched the hologram for a moment, before he look back at the tablet on his hand and swiped the screen, "They were the research team who conducted experiments on Phantom Beasts in their secret base back in their homeland... even killing some of them to the brink of the crisis," Hokuri explained.
The village was filled with fog that has cold temperature that makes people shiver from the chilling air, it was suitable for people who were born in the winter or cold places like Dieng where they are now. “It's cold...” Alda said with a frown, wrapping her arms around herself since her main attributes didn’t help even the coat didn’t do well. Lastier glanced at his wife, seeing her shivering a little. “Do you want me to warm you up?” he asked with a smile, like usual his eyes were closed under his frameless glasses. Alda nodded, stepping closer to him when he engulfed her with his coat around both of them--he used the coat like a blanket around her.
"Anyways, tell us the big problem here," Julian asked with crossed arms, it has to be relevant or else they will have to explain. Kayla grimaced as she checked the hologram, she tapped her fingers onto her tablet before the hologram displayed images of the wanted criminals they seek.
Hologram of the remaining members of Legion Revengers appear, revealing a light tanned male with silver hair and red-amber eyes under his black framed glasses. He wears a black mantle over his leather long sleeved black body suit with a silver hoodie, black and silver gauntlet on his right arm and left thigh and black high knee-length boots with two belts on the side that has knives on the side. "This is Dr. Francis Fortuna, the Leader of the Legion Revengers, a strong but annoying leader of the crew. He's a doctor and an engineering, physicist, biologist, and a martial artist who studied to make weapons for World Government, until it starts going to south. But, he doesn't look like a leader, because he has a foul mouth that causes him trouble and lacks any charisma. Apparently, he can't do a lot of things unless it is related with the study of the virus," Kayla explained.
She took a deep breath, the next hologram consisted of the photo of blonde haired woman with fair complexion, blue eyes and square shaped glasses. She wears a white lab coat over her white tank top and black tight shorts, but with pale skin legs along with black thigh-high stockings and white stilettos. A small pendant attached to her chest and a wristwatch on her left wrist, "Dr. Veronica Edwards, 28, a physician and a researcher... one of her subjects is analyzing the new virus that recently spread in Africa. She's known to do anything to get what she wants, even resort to cruel and violent methods."
Aliyah swiped her index finger, change the hologram to another photo. "This is her husband, Dr. Heinry Edwards, he's a sickly man but notorious for his genius intellect and a tactician of the Legion Revengers with a special ability to copy the abilities of any opponents he faces when he wants, he's the founder of Legion Revengers and technically he's the actual leader," Alda explained as a hologram of the male showed up in white lab coat with a dark red turtleneck sweater and black pants with brown lace-up knee high boots, also like his wife--he wore white round shaped glasses over his brown eyes and lightly tanned complexion with short brown hair and a red rose pin attached to his collars. The aura around them means business.
"The next one is Dr. Alyssa Chamberlain," Luca continued, calling her name. "She is a graduate from Ph.D. in biology and chemistry, an expert in toxicology and pathology and a professional in the art of anatomical specimen, apparently she wants more subjects that can be perfect for her... unfortunately they refused, because she gets bored at least."
Kayla couldn't help but feel chills upon seeing her facial expression, similar to an ordinary expression if it weren't for the slight scowl and squinted eyes with a thin smile. Shania shivered by seeing her face, before the hologram switched to the other one as Kaname added. "This is Dr. Gerald Walters, the senior and the eldest of them and a doctor of medicine who became an activist of health and dietics for the next century, a pacifist and hated confrontations--along with having ability to manipulate his kinetic energy to cause physical damage," Kaname said with folded arms, revealing the man who wore white lab coat and buttoned blue shirt with grey vest over it and blue jeans along with glasses over his closed eyes and brown eyes. His grey hair was swept into a quiff.
"Dr. Reynaldo Williams, a former detective and virologist before his promotion," Hokuri announced as his hologram show up, his eyes were wide with golden-green irises with shades and a small scar on the left cheek. It revealed him wearing a lab coat over his tank top with a blue flannel over it and black ripped pants, his black long hair was tied into a loose low ponytail and a neck-choker. Shania couldn't help but stared at him, if he's not a bad guy--she will definitely ask him on a date due to his stylish attitude and appearance. "Lastly, Dr. Solomon Rizal..." Kayla muttered.
The hologram shows a middle-aged Filipino man with curly chestnut brown hair with black sunglasses, even though he's a scientist he wore a white fancy suits and black slacks. Shania raised an eyebrow and question why did he wear such an attire as if he was going to a party. "From the information we gathered, those missing scientists also have joined him in the village... we are now tracking their traces right now and we can only move. So, let's not just stand here, alright?" Alda ordered, turning to Lastier.
Julian was curious about Dr. Alyssa Chamberlain, if she can't get her way--what makes her so dangerous? All the scientists are missing people since the case they are assigned was the crisis that was first started. Andrew told him to focus on them, so they can gather some informations about these criminals. The other Executive Officers were all busy with dealing the fog and the cold weather, so they were unable to walk around freely in the village--that alone made Kayla had to make sure the officers are alright. “Sheesh, it’s cold in here!” Hifumi whined with a pout, adjusting his long furred coat around himself. Luca rolled his eyes when he heard the man whining from the cold, before the Indonesian glanced at him.
"Excuse you? You lived in United States before and there should be winter in there and you never complained," Luca reminded him, Hifumi scrunched his eyebrows sheepishly but still whine. Then, he suddenly raised his hand up and look at it with the usual grin and didn't worry about his surroundings, Aliyah found his cheerful nature amusing. “Why would I wear something to cover myself with such a low temperature? I’m wearing a long ass coat and I look cool doing it, right?” Hifumi grumbled, not bothering to use his fan to cover his face. “That’s the problem with your logic, of course you will feel cold as heck, you fucking idiot... aren't you the Director? So act like one then!" Aliyah reasoned.
His face fall but there wasn't any more reaction from the Indonesian, while Kayla could only sweat-drop at the sight.
Alda walked beside her husband, watching the scenery of the village as she wrapped her hands around her own coat tightly. “Is there really a place like this in Indonesia?” Hifumi grumbled, before Kayla sighed as she look back at him. “Of course! We have several lands that we haven’t discovered yet. This is actually a tourist spot, because there are lots of beautiful spots here, you just have to look around. I know it’s cold in here, but is the cold similar to the winter in Japan?” she asked him, he nodded in response to her question. “And it’s not that bad, at least it’s better than the weather in Russia," Aliyah stated, since she went to Moscow before.
“I can’t believe that there is a place like this exists in the world...” Kaname whispered, he was busy with sightseeing before he heard one of the subordinate officers informed him. “Sir! We found a hideout nearby the village!”
“What? Where?!”
Kaname exclaimed, turning his head to face his subordinates who informed them. “It’s located in the middle of the forest near the mountains, Sir,” one of the agents reported. “We are currently approaching the location, but there is a very strong wind blowing inside the forest. The fog is covering the entire area, but we are able to locate the hideout by using the thermal imaging device.”
He informed, making him sighed softly. “Alright, make sure it is secured,” Kaname said, nodding to his subordinate officer before the officer left with the other officers. Kayla approached her colleague-superior Kaname since he’s one of the board directors and Executive Officers like her, she saw him observing the view of the mountains and hills surrounded by fog; the morning sky was cloudy due to the weather.
“Are you enjoying the scenery?”
Kaname heard his subordinate asked, still folding his arms. “Yes,” he nodded, turning his head to look at her with his violet-blue eyes under his bangs of his light-orange short hair and his light snow complexion almost matched with the fog. “I never knew that there is a place like this exists in the world, I guess it wasn’t bad to work with Trilaksana Organization,” he spoke calmly, before he look back at her who’s shorter than his height. “Are you cold?” he asked.
“No, I’m fine,” she replied, shaking her head. “I am used to the cold weather, since I grew up in the countryside with my older brother,” Kayla added with a smile, remembering the days she spent with her brother until their parents died. Her brother always cared about her despite being three years older than her, he always helped her whenever she got into trouble. “He taught me how to defend myself if I ever needed it,” she continued, her voice slightly trembling. “My father died when I was fourteen, so my mother and older brother took care of me. I remember he has an issue with a certain girl before they broke up and made him a single-parent to a daughter. I also help him taking care of his daughter because I don’t want to pressure him, so does my mother with my niece.”
Kayla explained, looking at the bracelet on her left hand she has from her older brother as a charm that he made for her. "I know it’s not much compared to what happened to you, but it reminds me of how important it is to protect those you love,” she said with a solemn tone. “I never thought that I would have this kind of job as a Secretary-General of Trilaksana Organization and one of the Board Directors, I’m still twenty-one years old though... but I am happy that I have met you guys. You saved me from the hell I lived in, thank you.”
Kaname stared at her, before he look away from her. "Yeah... you're welcome, Kayla."
Hifumi watched them from the distance, he was too busy to warm up himself and he hates it when Luca keeps teasing him even though he supposed to be helping him, he could see Alda and her husband Lloyd walking together while Aliyah was keeping an eye on the officers with Hokuri investigating their traces with his device. It was nice to see how the members of the Executive Officer were cooperating together, despite the fact that they are different in terms of personality. Aside from Hifumi's elegant, cold and flamboyant personality, he actually a playful and childish young adult man.
“Sir, we have another sighting of the Legion Revenger in the western district,” a subordinate officer reported, making Kaname turn his head to face him. “There are two of them roaming around the street. One of them carrying a bag that looks suspicious.”
“Send in the agents,” Kaname commanded, sending out the agents to capture the three Legion Revengers. The officers who were assigned to the team went inside the building where the Legion Revengers are hiding in, until they received information that they found the three of them in one of the houses in the district. “Take them down!” Kaname ordered as he and Golden Demon joined to capture them, with the two teams of Trilaksana Armed Forces and Officers approached the house, one group was going to attack the rear as the other entered through the front door.
“They are... Dr. Reynaldo William and Dr. Francis Fortuna,” Alda stated, watching the officers captured them without any resistance. She look at Lastier whose eyes remained closed while smiling, he was already to the point of using his tactics of torture and intimidation. “Well well well, you criminals are leeching around just to spread fear to the world,” he spoke calmly when he approached them, smiling eerily. “I will ask you one more time, where is the other members of Legion Revengers who are hiding now?”
They were silent, Hifumi was glaring at the criminal agent while Kaname was eyeing on them. “Are they in Dubai?" Alda asked the two criminals, they remained silent. “Well then, torture time!” Hifumi said with a grin, before he used his hypnosis from his light blue eyes towards the three of them--forcing them to tell the truth. “Tell us where they are, or else... we’ll torture you.”
The Executive Officers were given absolute authority to torture their suspects in order to get the information they need, it is how they able to gain informations quicker. One of the way is to use their special powers, they can manipulate people to tell the truth since their thoughts are controlled due to being controlled by their powers.
Hifumi forced the two of them to spill the beans--screw getting their information, it doesn't matter if he has to twist their arm and leg to get information. He was brutal to the point the man on the floor was screaming in pain, they have no other option. They were bound and tied in order to prevent them from escaping as soon as the hypnosis affect them, Lastier smiled eerily while Hifumi didn't mind it since it was his kind of field to torment the prisoners--it was part of the job. Not only that, they were trained by Secret Police on how to deal with them without wasting time waiting for orders--since Alda gave them the authority for them. By Hifumi’s hypnosis, Luca’s intimidation, Hokuri’s torture, Kayla’s wiretapping skills, Kaname’s violent method and Aliyah's hacking, they can make any informations out of the culprits whenever they ask. They were all perfected from their methods, after all they are professionals in their fields.
Shania witnessed on how they tortured the prisoner in front of her, with Julian and Andrew could only stare at the sight; sweating a little. "What did they do to deserve that?" Andrew gulped, making her turn her head to face them while she shrugged and fold her arms, she find the sight quite normal considering the terrorists and the criminals are doing a bad thing by doing the crimes.
"Should I remind you guys about the reason of their harsh methods? They do this to acquire the information they wanted and we have to admit it... torture is effective," Shania replied with a shrug. Julian sweated nervously, at least they were not afraid of killing the criminals anymore. Andrew, on the other hand... was having the second thoughts of becoming one of them in the future when he saw Hifumi kicked him to the chest, breaking his ribcages and kicked his face repeatedly.
Bloods splattered the wall from the torturing, but he and the two other officers only stared at their higher-ups sadistically and the others are doing their jobs--no feelings and whatsoever. "Okay okay! We'll tell you... just please stop!" one of them begged, tears falling down from his eyes. "Speak," Alda ordered coldly. Shania and the others can only watch as the criminals spill the information, she suddenly recalled a dreadful memory of seeing the victims who were once tortured by the members of Secret Garden including Nadya herself.
She knew about her friend's dark history, and how she regretted the days she had with him as the memories are haunting. It is how she promised she would always be there for him, even though it is harder with their own differences but in the end... she had to accept the darkest truth to save them all. Even to stop anyone from making him become a monster again. 'Perhaps, I shouldn't judged Kayana's case,' she thought with her eyes glancing back at Kayla as a doubt fell to the ground. Maybe... just maybe, she should have been a little considerate.
Luca wrote the remaining information of Legion Revengers' whereabouts to the tablet he carried before glancing over his shoulder to face the group. "How did he manage to receive some money that will help World Government's development projects?" he asked in suspicion. A cough escaped from the other prisoner when he look up. "Solomon pays you if you work for him, I don't see the point on how this shit will work, but we want to get the cash."
Kayla made several notes related to their situation while her left earpiece's communication device allowed her to hear the conversations the other agents and officers might discuss. Julian clenched his fists, listening at how one of them was beaten to the point he turned to face the girl beside him. "So... this is the method of how you can get the information quickly?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow. Kayla nodded, before she stared at him. "Yes, I have to warn you before you work here... you must know how far we are willing to do the impossible for the safety of the world. No matter how you see it and hate it, we are professionals--and you are no longer have a chance to back out after we took you in," she reminded them.
Andrew scratched his head, adjusting his glasses. "Sheesh, you guys are an overdo," he replied with a sigh, as Hifumi smirked in response. Then, Kayla began to wiretap both Reynaldo and Francis through their electronic devices when she received connection through the signal she learned, to gain further connections she might hack through the internet. She let Hokuri help her, since she was not familiar with the program. Her eyes turned blank when she begin her investigation with the device attached to her hair clip and earpiece, so she's not distract with anything at all. "I was expecting these criminals will keep their mouths shut, perhaps some torture will let them do," Kaname stated.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"We'll let you go, but with one condition... don't tell your fellow members of Legion Revengers to know what you have just told," Hifumi threatened him, making them nod. "Okay..."
End of Flashback...
Kohaku was practicing his Tiryag power in the wild grassy field in the hill, it is not far from the warehouse. He was in his Tiryag form while controlling the flames that began to form on top of his palm. Now that he didn’t use a bullwhip with this form, he’s wondering if he can transform into a second form of his Tiryag power—but it might take some time to learn since Damien and Hisato are busy with their assessment. Byakuya also training with his younger sister Kyouka, even Nadya was planning to catch up on Kohaku to accompany him.
Kohaku took a deep breath as he was meditating calmly with his Tiryag form, it was difficult to achieve his true potential and his newfound power. He reflected from what happened in the past until now by recalling his suffering and such, it took few weeks for him to overcome his emotional instability and coping with his trauma. He was thinking of suicide in the first place, but he stopped himself because there’s no point of suicide as he still have people cared about him--he still have future that he still upholds and that he didn’t want to fail.
All of a sudden, the energy and aura around him began to envelope him with circulating orbs that has white and golden colors. He opened his eyes as he was now in a domain, somewhat unfamiliar with his surroundings until he realized it was the Heruka’s Sphere where all of the eight Herukas gathered--it was none other than Yamantaka’s domain.
“We meet again.”
Yamantaka greeted him which made Kohaku surprised to see him once again, he thought he was gone after a long time-but he was wrong. Kohaku didn’t say anything when he did, he’s just staring at him with slight of caution. “Yeah, I guess…” he replied, unsure if he gave him the answer he wanted or not. “Why are you here?” he asked him, but he wasn’t sure if he should be angry or not.
“I’m curious why you’re trying to obtain your true power,” Yamantaka said with a smile, approaching him while watching his every movements. The Heruka walked around Kohaku in circle, looking down at him. “You’re not the same person I met before, you have changed from your emotions,” he continued, he stood right before him with his hands folded on his chest. “Impressive, Kayana Sahanaya Tirta,” Yamantaka addressed Kohaku by his real name, so that will remind his past. “Now tell me, what makes you worth?"
“Because I want to be better,” Kohaku answered without hesitating, he didn’t even know why he had to ask him those question in the first place. “And I will not let anyone hold me back, and I will do anything to achieve it,” Yamantaka hummed in amusement when Kohaku explained his motives, but his expression remained neutral. “I am sure you already had the answer.”
“My answer?” Kohaku paused for a moment, before he was about to speak up. “My answer is... I want to protect what’s important to me,” he replied with the reason he chose, but he didn’t give him the answer he expected. “But, I need to be stronger if I want to protect them,” he continued, thinking of his comrades. “And, I know my weakness quite well—I’m mentally strong when it comes to every problems. But... personally, I’m very much fragile,” he added, closing his eyes as he recalled his memories.
He was silent, but he spoke again. “I’m not as strong as everyone, that’s why I want to be stronger... so I can protect them.”
Yamantaka listened to him, he was a little bit surprised of Kohaku’s answer. “Your answer is not good enough.”
The Heruka said to him, his smile faded as his eyes became colder. “But, it’s understandable enough. You are not an idiot, but you are not clever as well—but I can understand your answer,” he told him, he walked around him again while Kohaku was watching his every movements. “But, if you want to be stronger, you must learn to see your weakness and your strengths—you also need to accept and forgive every part of you,” Yamantaka said, as he stopped right in front of him.
“If you can’t do that, you will not become strong enough,” he added, seeing Kohaku looked at him as he was silent for a moment. “I might not be around you for a while, because the other seven Herukas have to deal with ‘other things’ that no humans should not have knowledge of,” he paused, seeing Kohaku’s expression didn’t change. “So, I have to say it now,” Yamantaka added, before he pointed his sharp finger at him. “You are still weak, you are not powerful yet.”
Kohaku didn’t say anything, and he was silent for a moment. He gradually accepted that fact, so he nodded at him. “But, that’s not a bad thing. Weak people can be strong, but you have to be aware of your weaknesses. And, you need to work hard to overcome it,” Yamantaka explained, smiling once again. “I don’t give a shit about the whole stereotype that human men should not cry and be strong, you also have feelings other than using your rational thoughts and logic. Emotions and feelings are the source of the power, and it makes you become strong.”
“You’re right,” Kohaku replied, nodding his head. “I will do what I can.”
“That’s more like it,” Yamantaka said, his expression slowly became more serious. “But, remember that you will not have my protection forever,” he continued. “Once you able to wield these two powers of your two forms... you will unleash your true potential as a Tiryag, and as a Tiryag—you will have to face your enemies on your own—not relying on the others. And you have to defeat them alone.”
After the long talk, the white and golden orbs vanished as he returned back to his physical form—he was sitting on the grassy ground. The sky became brighter, there was the sun in the middle of the horizon.
Kohaku nodded with determined expression, he close his eyes when he saw the Phantom Beasts has gathered around him. He was able to move past his lowest point and always remember that he wasn’t alone, before he growled and activate his Secondary Form of his Tiryag form; Yamantaka Amber--after gaining his first Prime Form when he awakened for the first time; Yamantaka Inferno.
Kohaku’s long hair was colored with pure white with a streaks of light purple and violet ombre with sparkles that goes darker at the end, his long uneven bangs covered his bluish-amber yellow eyes with slight of purple hue and sharp black pupils--retaining his porcelain complexion. He gained purple long pointed horns above his forehead, along the earrings with a seal-like tags attached on them and black ribbon that tied the bangs of his long hair behind his ears into half-ponytail.
He wears a dark magenta-purple high-collared cloth that covered his black sleeveless bodysuit, white sleeves on his upper arms and a frilled cape draped over his left shoulder behind. With a batik-like purple patterns under his cape, he wears a black corset around his waist and black belt, wearing a black tight shorts and purplish-black tights with black thigh-high boots with white plates and a back heels with amber-like light violet colors on them with his attire. He wears a long black fingerless gloves, he carries a white, black and purple flintlock with a moon orchid ornaments on his left hand, and a sword-like weapon held on his right hand.
Kohaku jumps and swirls before he shot down the Phantom Beasts before he sprinted towards them, severing their limbs into pieces and created an amber-like crystal cocoons around the beasts—stabbing them which the flames creates a ‘fire of elegance’ and floral flames. He defeated the beasts, before he reverted back into his human form as he grunted in pain—rubbing his back.
“Man, it hurts a little bit… I think I can move now,” Kohaku said, standing up with a little struggle. “It might take a while until I get used to it, I feel like my power is amplified.”
“Looks like your power will be revealed sooner,” Byakuya commented, folding his arms. “But don’t reveal your power to everyone outside the mission, remember that we need to keep this a secret.”
Kohaku nodded, before he reverted back to his human form. The white and golden orbs vanished, and the flame color was gone. He yawned as he stretched his arms, he’s wondering how will his newfound power will affect him. “Well, it feels like a weight was lifted off from my shoulders,” he admitted, his face was blank but he didn’t have any expressions—mostly because he was tired as hell. “Yeah, I understand. I want to be stronger like you too,” Byakuya agreed, folding his arms. “We will tell Damien and the others once we arrive, and I suggest you need to rest.”
Kohaku nodded, looking at him before he grumbled. “I feel like a decrepit youth even though we’re twenty-one years old... I’m so fucking exhausted,” he admitted, grumbling a little. “Let’s head back to the hotel, we still have few hours before our mission.”
Meanwhile...
Terrence was waiting for the Utopia Tree to be experimented before them, since Catherine’s the one who created the tree and Utopia Virus as the biological weapon. Until he saw the LED lights above them suddenly flash. He looked up, realizing that something was activated in the trap—he immediately grabbed the trap remote and turned it off as fast as possible—the trap that he activated was a shock-wave that will hit him once he steps on its pressure plate. “What the hell!?” he exclaimed, confused by the sudden appearance of the trap. “What’s going on?!” he demanded, they heard the sound of metal clashing with metal from inside the trap. He had no idea what’s going on either so does the other bioterrorists, until Catherine screamed to see the Utopia Tree was surrounded by the electric cables that fell from above the ceilings.
Catherine panicked at the sight of the wires, and she quickly tried to cut the wire that surrounds the Utopia Tree. However, the wires were electrified and zapped her body with electricity, leaving her paralyzed and unable to move. ”Catherine!” Terrence shouted, which made Reynaldo and Francis getting tense as there were exploding mechanical parts below the Utopia Tree. “S-Someone save her!”
Francis hid the remote from their sight, while Reynaldo gestured him to keep everything hidden. “You can’t do anything about it now, Simmons!” Catherine screamed, as she tried desperately to stop the wires but still electrified by that. “Don’t step any closer to me! I thought everything went smoothly as it planned!" she snapped at him, but he ignored her and walked towards the Utopia Tree, ignoring the pain that he was feeling from the electric shocks.
Veronica wasn't shocked to hear this, but she couldn’t believe she spilled that out before them. “You...” she clenched her fists, seeing the chaos happening in front of them. Solomon glanced at the view as he folded his arms, knowing that they messed up and he wondered what was the cause of this mess. He glanced at Reynaldo and Francis who remained quiet, unsure of what they're doing. The wires were still electrocuting him even more, causing his clothes and skin to be burned by that acid--which she stepped back from him. “We have to deal with this matter first, we have to remove those wires first before we can do anything else.”
“Leave her!” Veronica demanded, that made William, Reynaldo, and Alyssa stunned by her orders--because she was the second-in-command of Legion Revengers; she has the absolute authority to command them. “Veronica!” Terrence shouted angrily at her, causing her to glare back at him. “This isn’t your concern, it’s none of your business! You don’t even know why I’m doing this right now! Why didn’t you even bothered to ask me?! You don’t know anything about what I was planning for this operation!”
“We know you’re planning something stupid because of what you want to accomplish. We know everything that you’ve been doing ever since you’ve come here from infiltrating my base to killing the Phantom Beasts, and now destroying that tree."
Veronica stated, stepping back while allowing the debris of the ceilings crushing against Catherine--leaving her dead. The rest of the Legion Revengers were shocked to see the death of their fellow comrade, but they knew that it was just their turn for death soon. “Let’s get out of here,” she commanded her subordinates, who were nodding at her. “Get all of the assets from Catherine’s lab,” Veronica ordered him, before she take out her phone. “I’m going to call my the backups.”
Terrence was startled by that, but remembered he promised her to get all of the assets from her laboratory. “Okay,” he answered, he does what Veronica ordered him to do. After Catherine died, Veronica called a meeting with her backup team of bioterrorists in order to discuss her next plan of action. Her team were sitting and chatting in a conference room inside her mansion, drinking coffee from a thermos flask. “So... what are we gonna do?” Veronica asked, sipping the hot coffee. “We have the Utopia Tree and the Utopia Virus, what should we do with it now?”
“We can use it to create a new virus,” Dr. Alyssa suggested. “One that will destroy all the countries in the world.”
“Yeah, but we should avoid using it in case it explodes again,” Dr. Gerald added, making Veronica nod. “I agree with Gerald,” Veronica answered, folding her arms. “It’s a good idea, but it wouldn’t be a good idea if it exploded again. We need to adjust the new cells inside the Utopia Tree before we do anything with it. Besides, we have no idea what kind of properties it has, so we should do some tests first before we start our experiments.”
“I agree with the last part,” Dr. Gerald nodded at her. “Let’s wait until Heinry recovers, and then we can start experimenting with the Utopia Tree.”
“Right, until then, we should keep this secret from them,” Veronica reminded them, knitting her eyebrows together. “I don’t think he’s that trustworthy, considering his past with... raping a college student and humiliating his victims, his abuse of power as well—I doubt if he can be trusted. We should kill him before he finds out the truth.”
“If Heinry wakes up, then we can talk to him later,” Alyssa said, looking troubled. Besides she covered her fear towards him with her haughty and bored persona in front of Veronica, considering that she was older than her. But she never thought that she would have to face her one day, although she knew that the odds of her dying in battle is higher than the odds of her winning against him. “That’s a good idea,” Veronica said to her. “If Heinry can wake up, then I’ll talk to him personally soon."
Dr. William agreed with Veronica, before she look back at the other bioterrorists who were holding a meeting with them without their leader. “So what about the rest?” he added, making the latter hummed. “We have to find another way to obtain more of the assets,” Dr. Gerald spoke up, looking at them. “We need to get more assets in order to continue our research.”
One of the scientists entered the meeting room, informing Veronica. “Dr. Edwards, your husband is awake,” Veronica lifted her eyebrows, before she went stern and stand up from her seat. “He’s finally awake?”
“Yes, I told him that you’re here."
“Okay, I’ll go now then.” Veronica stood up from her chair, she left the conference room and headed towards her husband’s bedroom in his office, Veronica was mostly calm and endearing to her husband--since they have similar ideals and vision. He was the reason why she decided to become a bioterrorist in the first place. But she was still very afraid of him, especially when he lost his memory back then. Heinry was lying down on his bed while reading a book, when he heard someone approaching the door. There were several footsteps coming near him, and Heinry heard the lock being unlocked. Heinry looked up from his book, seeing Veronica standing right in front of the door. “Hello, darling,” she greeted him. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Her husband smiled at her, feeling relieved upon hearing her voice. “Veronica... how was the progress?” he asked, before he saw Veronica’s expression becoming annoyed. “Why are you asking me that? Of course I know where the hell is this place!” Veronica yelled at him angrily, glaring at him as he stared back at her. Heinry sighed, looking down from his wife’s gaze. “Sorry,” he apologized, trying his best not to upset her. “I just... I didn’t know that you guys were having a bad time, my health has been deteriorating recently. I’m not sure why it did that to me, but I don’t think that I’ll be able to remember things anymore.”
“Don’t say that...” Veronica murmured with a frown, hugging her husband tightly as tears ran down her cheeks.
Heinry wiped away her tears. “Please stop crying,” he said gently, smiling at her. “You shouldn’t cry because of me, as long the assets and the datas are still with us,” he said, making her nodded. “Are you alright?”
“Just a little tired,” Heinry said as he coughed once more, before he slowly stand up and put on his lab coat. “I need to see the others, I have important matters with them,” he spoke, making her nodded at him. “Alright, I’ll accompany you then,” Veronica replied, as she helped her husband putting his lab coat on.
They froze when the Trilaksana Organization has gathered around them--in no time that they faced the torture.
“We don’t have any choice, right?”
Veronica admitted to them, when the Executive Officers nodded at her. Hifumi giggled which he was excited for it, now it was time for him to deal with the bioterrorists with his colleagues. "Hifumi," Lastier ordered with a smile and eyes closed, while Alda gave him the permission for the torture. “Understood~!” Hifumi responded while Kaname and Kayla stayed with him even Hokuri, but the bioterrorists were still worried about his actions. Shania watched as she clenched her fists, she happens to saw Secret Garden assassins inside the headquarters who were waiting for them--but relieved that Kohaku is alright for now. “Hermano,” Luca called his older brother, seeing Damien stopped and turning around to face him. “Huh? What is it?”
Luca was quiet for a moment, before he grinned at him. “Don’t get caught, I know what you did,” he reminded him. Damien listened to his younger brother, before he scoffed with a smirk--turning around and walking away with his fellow assassins. “I’ll meet you later, once it’s over,” he told him, before he and his assassins left--completely far from their sights.
Hifumi smiled wickedly at Veronica as he reached out his hand towards her, making Veronica scream in fear. ”I have read your memories about every single event in your life—all your sins that led to your current fate of being a traitor,” he explained in a sinister tone, as he touched Veronica’s head with his fingers, making her scream in pain. Heinry was trembling in shock when he was witnessing that, so did Alyssa—she screamed when Aliyah forced her to call one of her business partners while the call is being wiretapped. “This is going to be the proof of your deal with other corrupt officials, and that will be over for both of you,” Kayla declared, making Alyssa forced to call them while being wiretapped.
Kaname was torturing Dr. Gerald mercilessly with a help of Golden Demon, to the point of making him injured and confessing his crimes by force. Francis wailed in fear when Luca take out his black gloves to put them on his hands, before he grabbed his head with his hand slammed his face into the ashtray on the table. “I remember how you look down to those people with those eyes, is that how you hated the world?” Luca taunted as he grinned, he was no different than his older brother--he was the same with his sadistic tendencies to his enemies. “If you want to change the world, then stop taking the lives of innocents."
Hokuri intimidates Dr. Solomon as he used a black riding crop in front of him, slamming it in front of the scientist. “You two-faced freak, you stole half of my journals… now I will make you feel like the pain that you can’t forget,” he said with a smirk, before he slapped the tip onto his skin--making the scientist screamed in pain by the torture while being handcuffed by the officers.
“Stop it! Stop it!” Veronica pleaded him, as she closed her eyes tightly--she was terrified of Jade Demon who restrained her and her husband Heinry on the floor. “I’m not a traitor!” she shouted, hoping that Hifumi will listen to her pleas and release her from his control.
Alda smiled at her, it was an eerie smile that similar to her husband. “Let’s see how much I can remember about what you and your dear husband did in the past, shall we?” she asked which made Hifumi chuckled. Veronica flinched when he touched her cheek, sending chills down her spine. Her nerves were jolted because she’s not expecting what Hifumi is going to do after that, it was to torture her. “H-How dare you...!” Veronica yelled at him. “You’re nothing but a criminal!”
“Yes, we are,” Hifumi smirked, making her shiver in fear. “But, we’re doing this for good reasons; to purge all of you bioterrorists and preserve the peace of the world. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name’s Hifumi Kujou, former assassin of Secret Garden... sadly I retired because I’m bored, and I want to find some fun things to do. I’m specialized in infiltration and assassination, and I know how to break people’s mind in order to get what I want... now I’m in Trilaksana Organization, this is a payback for kidnapping my colleagues as if it was easy."
Veronica gasped in disbelief as Hifumi continued explain her worst crimes and sins in front of everyone, even exposing Heinry's worst actions to the innocents and he was no different than the bioterrorists. “I know you’ve done terrible things in your life, I know all of them... but... why? Why would you do those things for us?!” she asked him, tears rolling down her cheeks from her eyes of agony.
“You’re nothing but a demon! No matter what you did in the past... you’ll be unforgiven for being a good person!” Heinry shouted at Hifumi, as his wife continued crying in terror. “I’m not a bad person,” Veronica whimpered to her husband as Hifumi glared at her angrily, making her sob more. “You’re not a bad person? How petty.”
Lastier stated, before he opened his eyes that intimidates them. Julian was getting interested to see them suffer, screw them because these criminals are nothing but pests. Andrew merely watching them, while Shania was interested in this 'session'.
“This is… just the beginning, now tell us… before we sent you to the worst prison that you can never imagine.”
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