Kanashi was of average height with a figure on the thinner side, His straight light brown hair was long enough to hover over his tired looking crystal clear blue eyes. He had on a black t-shirt with the number 17 in large white letters across the front and a pair of black shorts beneath that.
He was the kind of person to blend into a crowd. For all intents and purposes he was just a normal looking guy. But what isn't normal was the situation he found himself in. The entire world knew of the organization who’s leading members he found himself in front of.
He sat with them at a large white round table with a glistening smooth stone cover. He knew three of the people there already. The oldest was El-Saber, the president of the organization. His long white hair which was pushed back contrasted greatly with his wrinkled and leathery red skin. His mustache, sideburns and beard all merged into one long wild mane that oozed power much like a Lion's.
To his side was a young man with childlike features, This was Hayai, His sharp black eyes focused on the glistening tables surface, Like his adoptive father El-Saber he also had white hair but his was much frizzier like he’d been hit with a strike of lighting.
The final person Kanashi was familiar with was Jin, He was probably most familiar with Jin who he’d spent the most time with. Jin was handsome with messy flat blonde hair covering VERY expensive black sunglasses and below that was an equally expensive custom tailored suit. Jin leaned back slouching in his chair with his hands rested firmly in his pant pockets clearly wanting this meeting to end.
“Well, Gentleman, I've called you here today for the purpose of discussing the inauguration of Kanashi into the Venator Society.” El-Saber said, breaking the silence, "But since Kanashi is unfamiliar with some of you here, why don't we all introduce ourselves? Won't you begin Kanashi.”
“Uh sure.” Kanashi said, sitting up as straight as he could and clearing his throat, “I’m Kanashi Sarumalder. I’m 18 years old and from the city of Azhar in Saharis…. I’m also the only survivor of February 28th…”
“What do you mean survivor?” One of the unfamiliar faces asked, perking up.
“We’ll get to it, Pompeii.” El-Saber said, raising his hand calmly. “But since you’re rather excited, how about you begin to introduce yourself?”
Pompeii looked at Kanashi and smiled. He had tan skin like someone who worked outside all day would have and messy short black wavy hair. His most drawing feature thought were his emerald green eyes. “Yo, I’m Pompeii Sarnus, Captain of the Delta department.”
El-Saber looked to the man next to Pompeii who had fair white skin and long dark brown hair. He looked rather girlish in some respects with his long lashes and silky hair but his stern brow and rippling neck muscles showed he was for sure a male. “I’m Julius Phoenicia, Currently Captain of the Gamma department. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said.
Next to go was a man with medium length flat white hair and constantly squinted eyes. “I’m Cao-Li from the Theta department, Sorry if it seems I’m giving you a mean look. I suffer from Photophobia.” He said, opening his eyes to reveal a very bloodshot sclera which made Kanashis skin scrawl because of how painful it looked.
Next was the final man Kanashi didn't know, He had sunken in tired eyes with a strong brow and poofy black hair like an afro. “I’m Stephen Gate, Captain of Department Zeta.”
Going back around the table to Jin who looked at Kanashi with one of his trademark goofy wide smiles, “Jin, Captain Of Alpha.” He said
Next was Hayai, “Hayai Ignius, Captain of sector Beta.”
“Well then that just leaves me doesn't it now, I’m Francisco Gutierrez Ignius but it seems everyone calls me El-Saber. I’m the current and 5th overall president of the Venator Society.”
“Nice to meet you guys.” Kanashi said with a wave.
“Well now we can return to Pompeii's inquiry, Yes Kanashi is in fact the sole survivor of February 28th also known as the date of Azhar's destruction. In the span of 30 minutes Azhar went from a sprawling metropolis spanning over 600 square miles to a leveled wasteland with not a single person or their remains to be found, Except for Kanashi that is.”
Julius raised his hand and El-Saber nodded, “Do we know why Kanashi survived? I don't sense that he can control his aura so does he have some kind of divine protection?” Julius asked.
“Good question, At the moment we don't know how or why Kanashi survived. Our tests have scanned his body and soul to reveal no signs of Divine protection or any other reason for him being unharmed. Though it’s possible he had some kind of Divine protection in that moment rather than an actual “vow” or “contract” but it’s pointless to speculate since he and his family were not Magic users and wouldn't know if something like that did in fact did exist.”
Stephen raised his hand next before speaking, “Why was it reported that Azhar had no survivors in national media if there was no clear divine intervention or him being strong enough to survive an attack from a [Swordsman Of The End].”
“Because the entire world would want to know how he survived, The incident is being reported as a “Nuclear reaction.” caused by the Nitrus dust in the Red mountains so if one random guy survived they’d wanna know why and we’d be fighting the entire world over him and risk exposing the existence of the Five Horsemen and magic to the greater populace.” Jin cut in.
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“But the united nations already recognized the existence of the horseman so they could-”
“Sorry but who are these Horsemen?” Kanashi asked abruptly.
“Ah, Sorry Kanashi, it seems we got a little carried away. This might come as a surprise but the legend of Murlock is true.” El-Saber said and then paused, waiting for Kanashi to react.
“Well I already knew that, There’s too much evidence for it not to be.” Kanashi replied with a proud smile.
El-Saber smiled in return, “I should have known someone as smart as you would know the truth! Well there's a part of the legend which was never recorded in the Evangelium for fear of public hysteria. In his dying breath Murlock uttered the words “Even though my soul has been destroyed my will shalt not be, In 500 years a man who embodies evil will transcend upon his death into a horseman and in 500 years another shall follow until their fifth kin arrives, When that day comes they shall unleash their blades and strike the planet eradicating everything which calls it home.”
Kanashi felt a lump in his throat begin to form, “So the year 2500 A.M. or a year and a half from now…” he muttered nervously. It was currently May 12th of 2498 so 19 months? “How scary.” He said with a nervous smile and a bead of sweat tickling his spine.
“You’re pretty tough dude, I like it.” Pompeii said with a smile, He reminded Kanashi of Jin who’d shown the same kind of brazen attitude when they had hung out.
“Well we can only theorize that it’s the fifth horseman having a “pseudo” awakening which caused Azhar's destruction but there’s no obvious evidence and we don't know of any candidate for which would embody evil.”
The whole group felt Kanashis untamed aura writhe and seethe. Even though he tried to hide his emotions physically he had no idea how to make his soul tell lies yet. So there’s someone I can kill then. The word “REVENGE” was basically being spelled out to everyone in the room.
“You can’t kill them.” Julius said reading him like a book, “If so we’d already have done it. You could drop a nuclear bomb on one and they’d be fine, But in return they can’t do anything either except wander the endless nights with an un-drawable sword at their side waiting for the 31st of December 2499.”
“So then what? We just wait around until we die?” Kanashis face contorted in visible fear.
“There is a way, But it’s not easy. Two items exist which we can use to stop the horseman. The [Spear Of Longinus] and The [Philosopher's Stone], When the spear pierces the stone the spears wielder will be granted one wish, With that wish we can destroy the swordsmen.”
“Then why haven't you done it already?”
“The Spear is currently in Edoland and the Philosopher's stone is in the possession of the Vulracious Emperor, Randolph Sisyphus Freyr.”
“Well I’m sure if you explain to them they’d be willing to give it over right?”
“Normally Edoland would happily return the Spear to us, We gave it to them so they could seal it away for safekeeping, but after Azhar's destruction and the national consequences of such a thing the Orochi Kingdom found their way into Edolands parliament creating a silent takeover and are currently looking for the spear. The Emperor Orochi has his own wish to be granted and so does Randolph. At the moment our hands are tied.”
“This is… a nightmare.” Kanashi sighed, putting his head in his hands.
“Well luckily that's where you come in.” Hayai said, breaking his silence.
“Ah, Thank you Hayai, it seems to have slipped my mind. Well since Kanashi is not known to still be alive we plan to use him as a spy for the Edoland liberation.” El-Saber declared with a clap.
“Wait what?” Kanashi asked, lifting his head.
“Pardon?” Julius asked full of shock.
“Interesting.” Pompeii said with a smile.
“Kukuku.” El-Saber chuckled, "It's quite a crazy plan but since our databases were compromised all our members have had their identities published to the outside world, So they will never expect Kanashi here to be the one who sets up [Way Points] for Jinen to warp in our liberation effort.”
“But he can't even use Magic!” Julius cried, throwing his hands up in the air.
“That’s where we come in.” Jin said, standing up from his seat and placing his hand on Kanashi's head.
“What do you mean?” Julius asked worriedly.
“In eight weeks I’ll teach Kanashi how to use Magic and You’ll teach him physical combat as well and swordsmanship.”
“Eight weeks isn't enough time for him to even master Observation, Enhancement and Reinforcement!” Julius barked back.
“That’s where you’re wrong young man! Kanashi is currently under something I like to call an [Xp boost]. Whatever happened in Azhar made his soul burn like crazy, In eight weeks he’ll draw blood from you.” Jin said with a patronizing smile.
A vein grew on Julius temple and he grit his teeth, “I find that to be rather insulting Jinen, I don't doubt your strength but maybe you’ve let it get to your head more than it usually does.”
“Alright alright.” El-Saber said, clapping his hands. “Kanashi won't be engaging in combat. He simply has to place the [Way Points] in suitable places for Jinen to warp our forces in. This training is only for the worst case scenario.” He said.
“I just.. I don't want to place the fate of the world on someone who can't accomplish the mission, Nor do I want to have the blood of someone on my hands. It’s not that I don't trust you El-Saber, I don't trust myself more than anything.” Julius said.
“Vulracious Royal Guards are trained to be safe and calculated, and while that’s a good way of keeping things as they are and stopping them from getting worse it’s also a way to never improve. Sometimes it’s best to take a risk.” El-saber said with a smile.
“If it’s your orders then I have no right in disobeying.” Julius said, raising his hand in submission.
“It’s not an order but a request, Julius.” El-Saber said.
“Can’t make it easy for me can you?” Julius asked with a nervous smile.
El-Saber cleared his throat and looked around the table. “Well, For all of you who have attended today I ask that you keep everything we discussed in utmost secrecy, No one should know anything about Kanashi other than he is a rookie member invited by and under the tutelage of Jinen.”
“Got it.” The group of Captains responded in unison.
Oh boy… Kanashi thought with a nervous grin.