The trio arrived at the Harada residence, a place usually filled with tranquility and familial warmth, but today, the weight of Luna's kidnapping hung heavily over them. As they entered, Fumio Harada quickly noticed Luna's absence from the group. "Where's Luna?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. Jake gathered his parents, Fumio and Elisabeth, and began recounting the harrowing tale of Luna's abduction. The atmosphere grew tense as they detailed the ambush and Luna's subsequent kidnapping.

Fumio, embodying a stoic calmness born of quiet strength, listened intently, his brows knitting together in concern. Elisabeth, always the compassionate heart of the family, radiated warmth, but worry for Luna's well-being was clear in her expression. The adults provided their words of wisdom, hoping to guide the teenagers through this crisis.

Elisabeth, her voice laden with a mother's anxiety and urgency, broke the heavy silence. "This is serious, Jake. We should contact the police immediately," she insisted, driven by her maternal instinct to protect and seek justice for Luna.

Fumio, thoughtful and measured, nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's important to handle this correctly. You teenagers shouldn't handle this alone; the authorities need to be informed," he said, his voice steady but underscored by the gravity of the situation. His suggestion, rooted in wisdom, emphasized the importance of proper channels in ensuring Luna's safe return.

Jake, however, disagreed with involving the police. "Sorry, Mom, Dad, but I don't think going to the authorities is the best move," he said, respecting his parents' advice but firm in his conviction. "FuturForge is a large corporation, and they could easily cover this up." He expressed his determination to save Luna without involving law enforcement, fearing corporate interference.

Carter chimed in, supporting Jake's stance. "Jake's right, Uncle and Auntie. We need another plan to save Luna!" His words reinforced the group's resolve. Akane, though silent, nodded in agreement, her expression showing solidarity with Jake and Carter.

Fumio and Elisabeth, despite their concerns, recognized the determination in the three teenagers. Reluctantly, they decided to trust their son's judgment and listened to their plan. They understood the seriousness of the situation and the urgency in finding a solution that could effectively counter the influence of a powerful corporation like FuturForge.

"So what's the plan?" Fumio Harada asked, understanding the trio's determination but still harboring slight worry for his son and his friends. He wanted to learn more about their intentions so he could provide some form of advice and ensure their safety.

Elisabeth, despite her heart being a tempest of unease and maternal worry, placed her trust in Jake's judgment. Though reluctant, she spoke with a delicate blend of apprehension and unwavering support. "We'll support your decision, Jake, but please let us know your plan," she implored, her words a testament to the unconditional faith she placed in her son's abilities. Like her husband, she wanted to understand their strategy before fully endorsing it, seeking reassurance that they would proceed with caution and thoughtfulness.

A moment of silence settled over the room as everyone weighed the risks and benefits of their plan. The tension was palpable, with serious expressions marking their faces. The initial plan to involve the authorities had been dismissed, leaving them to consider alternative strategies.

Suddenly, Carter, unable to contain his frustration, exclaimed, "Ahhh! I cannot take it anymore, let's just barge in and save Luna!" His straightforward and direct approach was immediately rejected by everyone in unison, "NO!"

As the brainstorming continued, Akane, who rarely voiced her ideas, spoke up. Her soft voice, like a whisper of wind, carried a hint of uncertainty. "We could try... infiltrating FuturForge disguised as deliverymen," she suggested hesitantly. "I think delivery parcels are sent daily to FuturForge, so it would raise less suspicion." Everyone in the room turned to Akane, surprised by her idea.

"That's a good idea, Akane!" Carter exclaimed, catching onto the plan with enthusiasm. "We can use the car park and the cargo lift to move around unnoticed."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Jake nodded in agreement, further developing the plan. "We can blend in with other deliverymen easily. There's no specific age or appearance requirement for a delivery person, so it won't draw attention."

"We managed to take a keycard from one of the assailants," Carter added, highlighting a crucial point that boosted their confidence in the plan's success. "It should provide us access to areas that are normally off-limits." The keycard offered them an unexpected, tangible advantage, potentially granting entry into secure areas of FuturForge Innovations. This access could be the key to finding Luna and uncovering the truth behind her abduction. With the keycard in hand, the group felt a renewed sense of purpose and readiness to face the challenges ahead.

Elisabeth, embodying the quintessence of maternal concern and love, moved to stand before Jake and Akane. Her hands, gentle yet firm, came to rest on their shoulders—a blessing, a plea, and a reminder of the bond that tethered them to home. "Please, be careful and look out for each other," she implored, her voice imbued with the depth of her worry and the strength of her faith in their unity and purpose.

"Thanks, Mum, Dad. We will save Luna and come back safe, I promise!" Jake assured his parents.

"Don't worry! I'll take care of Jake," Carter added, showing his protective side. Akane, quietly contemplative, nodded in agreement as the trio prepared to depart for FuturForge.

As they were about to leave, Fumio called out, stopping Jake in his tracks. "Jake! Take this!" Fumio said, tossing a sheathed katana to him. Jake caught the katana, puzzled by the gesture. His confidence had always been anchored in the familiar feel of his baseball bat. "Dad, I'm pretty good with my bat," he said, hesitating to accept the solemn gift.

Fumio's expression remained serious. "Use this only if absolutely necessary. It might help when things don't go as planned," he advised, his tone heavy with concern. "Remember, only use it when absolutely necessary—take it as insurance."

Seeing the seriousness in his father's eyes and knowing there was no room for argument, Jake accepted the katana. "Noted, Dad. I'll only use it when it's absolutely necessary," he agreed, accepting the weapon with a respectful nod. It was a silent promise to wield it only as a last resort, understanding the gravity of carrying such a weapon.

With a final nod to his parents, Jake, along with Carter and Akane, set out for FuturForge, ready to execute their plan and determined to bring Luna back safely. They made their way toward Fumio's car, with Fumio and Elisabeth Harada looking on, waving farewell to the group and praying for their safety. The trio got into the car, their resolve solidifying as they prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. As they departed, the weight of their mission hung in the air, but they were united in their determination to save Luna and confront the mysteries that awaited them at FuturForge Innovations.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/00/Marcus_Steele_Profile.png]

At FuturForge Innovations, Luna found herself in a dimly lit interrogation room, bound to a chair. Standing over her was Marcus Steele, the Chief Security Officer, a towering figure exuding an aura of unyielding authority. His sleek, polished bald head reflected the harsh light of the room, and his deep, obsidian eyes bore into Luna with a penetrating gaze. Dressed in his signature black security bomber jacket, Marcus's robust physique and stern demeanor underscored the gravity of the situation.

Marcus, wielding his taser with practiced ease, began his interrogation. "Tell me about the swords," he demanded, his voice a mix of curiosity and command.

Luna, wincing in pain, struggled to maintain her composure. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied, her voice strained.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/21/Electro-Interrogation.png]

Marcus, unrelenting, activated his taser, the Electro-Interrogation technique at the ready. Controlled shocks, meant to extract information without causing permanent harm, coursed through Luna. "Don't play games with me. Your connection to these swords is clear. Speak the truth, and the pain stops."

Luna gasped, feeling the sharp, electric jolts. Her resolve wavered under the intensity of the interrogation, but she clung to her secrecy. "I really don't know... I'm just searching for them..."

In the shadows of the room, an unseen figure observed silently. His interest was piqued by Luna's evident connection to the legendary swords, and he watched closely, evaluating her responses and Marcus's tactics.

As Luna endured Marcus's relentless questioning, her friends were en route, unaware of the dire situation unfolding within FuturForge Innovations. The stage was set for a confrontation that would not only test their resolve and bravery but also bring them face-to-face with the formidable and calculating Marcus Steele.