Kai

Far south of Baldimore, in the region of Atlanta, I arrived at a large warehouse on the outskirts of town. Low population here, great place for a hideout. The weather was warm, even though it was almost December. I ran here on foot as soon as Cindy told me what happened. It took just one night; Aria's training really paid off. Speaking of Aria, she was somewhat right in her judgment. While it was true that I knew where my dad was hiding, we didn't keep in touch. I haven't spoken to him ever since he fled Baldimore that day. He just left me with an address, in case I needed him. Well, I damn sure need him now, to explain what's going on. That bastard Keith hurt my friend. I can't just let that slide.

I know what the old man is planning; he wants his territory back. I know he wants me to help him out, but I just can't do that. I'm with The Fam now, Dad, just like you wanted. I won't double-cross them though. That's just not my style. So, I'll put an end to this mess myself, and wipe out the rest of the red dragons.

I ran down here in a fit of rage when I found out what Keith did. I've calmed down since then. Yeah, I'll need a clear head if I'm taking these guys on. Although they just learned about aura, those fuckers are still tough. I should know, I've been around them my whole life. Hell, they used to run Baldimore, after all. It'll be a challenge, but I'll still win.

I walked right up to the entrance of the warehouse, my palms slightly sweaty as I spotted a person guarding the front. Is that old Joe? Still alive and kicking, I see. I confronted the pointy-eared old elf, who'd been a part of the red dragons for as long as I could remember. He gave me a wrinkly smile as we met face-to-face.

"Kai, long time no see. How've you been?" he asked enthusiastically, greeting me with open arms.

"Where's my old man at, Joe?" I replied in disdain, waving off his friendly gestures. "I don't have time for warm greetings."

"Still a hothead, I see. Have you finally come back to join your father's side? Or are you here for different matters?"

"I'm here to kick his ass. I'm here to kill Keith. And if you or anyone else tries to stop me, I'll kill you all," I replied, my voice full of venom.

"Disappointing," he said. "How disappointing. He had a place for you, you know; after he rebuilt his army. You could've stood beside the Don and become heir to his empire."

"Fuck the Don and his empire too. If you plan on causing more trouble for my friends... well, we can settle it right here and now," I scowled, shrouding my body in aura.

More thugs appeared, coming out from the warehouse in droves. They were armed with guns, swords, and various other weapons. I spotted a couple of snipers on the roof of the building as well. How many are there? At least fifty, I think. Probably countless more inside too. The old man's really been putting in recruitment work, I see. This should be fun.

"I really hope you'll reconsider, my friend," Joe said.

"No thanks, fuck off," I retorted, charging straight for the warehouse.

I was instantly met with a barrage of gunfire and steel, all laced with aura. I evaded most of the bullets with ease. A few of them managed to graze me, but no serious damage was done. I unleashed a barrage of aura-filled punches, taking down the grunts one after another. They're still weak. They just learned aura, after all.

Soon, swords and knives came at me from all directions. I blocked and dodged as many as I could. Some landed clean hits, but my aura-shrouded body was able to wane them off. I just kept running while they continued to shoot at me with no signs of letting up. I was hit again and again, my armor of aura slowly weakening as the barrage of enemies just would not stop. I did not know how long I could keep pace. Sure, I was stronger than all of them, but they just kept coming, and I was still only one person.

"Aura sphere," I yelled, concentrating a small yellow sphere in the palm of my hand. The signature move that I had been working on. Let's see how much stronger I've gotten. I started hurling the small spheres one after the other. First, I aimed for the snipers on the roof. I took out a few, but the bullets still rained down. Then, I concentrated on the enemies on the ground. I focused on maintaining the aura sphere in the palm of my hand while focusing the remainder of my aura in my legs, for maximum quickness. A risky move, I know. But, I was out of options.

There were about twenty men left that I had to get through, as I thrust my palm of aura into an enemy's chest, knocking them down instantly. Before I even had room to breath, the rest were charging at me from all angles. I narrowly dodged a sword strike from behind that would've taken my head off. Another aura sphere went straight into his face, burn marks surrounding the man as he went unconscious. The last wave came in as soon as I attacked again. I received a knife to the back, my legs, and a slash to the face. If I did not keep going, I would be dead in a few more seconds. My aura had gotten stronger, but I was reaching my limit. With machine guns still firing down, I resolved myself to a final attack.

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I jumped. I jumped as high as I could, landing on the roof filled with snipers. They quickly reacted, drawing their pistols to take aim and finish me off. My reaction was faster, however. I didn't even know that I could draw a pistol that fast, but it was over in an instant. Five shots, each to the heads of the remaining snipers on the roof.

"Hey, you bastards like lead?" I yelled down from the roof with a rifle in my hand. The thugs panicked as they scrambled about, fleeing for safety. I picked the remaining ones off, a kiss of aura in each bullet. Finally, I could confront that bastard.

I jumped down from the roof, my body wincing in pain. My aura was running on thin ice as sweat, blood, and dirt mixed together on my body. I was getting dizzy too, but I kept moving forward. I still had to kill that man I had yet to see; the bastard Keith was inside there, I just knew it.

My breaths were ragged and my legs were limping, as I approached the only man left standing. The old elf Joe was standing at the front of the warehouse without a scratch on him. Guess he hid away when things got heated. The old bastard was clapping his hands slowly with a look of joy on his face.

"Splendid, absolutely splendid, Kai. Your father would be overjoyed if he could see how strong you've gotten," he said, continuing to clap.

"Cut the shit already. Hands, now!" I yelled, pulling my fists up to my face.

"Kai, how much longer do you think you'll last in your condition? Is it not wise to just accept your loss? Come, join your father, and take your rightful place beside him. He will be thrilled to have you back. You are his son, after all."

"Is that why he tried his best to kill me?" I replied, gritting my teeth. "Joe... why put so much faith in my old man? This is all pointless. You know he can't win. He wouldn't even get past a director. So, why? Why continue this pointless pursuit of power?"

"Why?" he asked, his smile twisting into a frown. "If you're really asking me such a question, then I'm afraid you still have much to learn about loyalty, boy," he responded, as blue light gathered around both of his hands. "Aura shaping." He equipped himself with two lances shaped with aura, his stance battle-ready with a fierce glow in his eye. "Come, boy. I should teach you a thing or two about respect."

I gathered myself once more while barely hanging on to consciousness. I lifted my fists up firmly and coated only my right one in aura. I concentrated the rest on my legs once more as Joe began to charge at me with full force. I would need to end it quickly, that was the only thing I knew. There were still battles ahead inside of that building.

The confrontation was over in almost an instant. My fist planted firmly in his stomach, his clothing surrounding it disintegrating like sand. I narrowly avoided having my face mutilated, as the old man's lance stopped right in front of it. He coughed up blood and fell to the ground as he left me with his final words.

"Absolutely brilliant, young Kai," he said with a ragged voice.

"Sweet dreams, old man. You'll wake up soon... probably."

I carried on into the warehouse while on the verge of collapsing. It was dark, humid, and cold at the same time. I could've sworn I started to hallucinate as well.

This is not good. Maybe I should... retreat for now. No! Keep going.

I panted so hard as I walked aimlessly through the large building. There must be an ending somewhere. Doubt crept in. Was my old man even there? Did he trick us once again? Damn, and I played right into his hands, didn't I? I'm such a moron. Then, on the brink of finally succumbing to my wounds, I found the light once more. The light was in the form of a man named Keith as he called out to me.

"Yo, Kai. Looking pretty rough there, buddy," he waved at me with a smile in those thick, foggy glasses.

It was more like I found the red to be more accurate. That was all I could see when I laid my eyes on that man. The rage invigorated me as I found untapped energy once again.

"Hey, rat bastard. Look who finally came out of hiding," I replied, balling my fist up with aura.

"Scary," he said, taking off in a dash. I quickly trailed right behind him, but he still managed to keep me at bay. I tried hurling aura spheres at him, but my energy had become too faint; it wasn't enough to reach him. After chasing around the bastard like I was a rabid dog, I ended up in a storage room full of equipment and boxes. Keith was out of sight.

"Keith! I don't have time for hide and seek, motherfucker. Just come on out so I can kill your ugly ass!" I yelled. I was met with nothing except for the sound of my own echoes. I kept yelling more, louder each time until my throat was raw and laced with traces of blood. "Get the fuck out here right now, Keith! How dare you come for my friends... just because I didn't want to work with you bastards. How dare you do that to Cindy! I'll make sure you have a nice, slow death, right after you tell me where my old man is hiding. If you don't come out now, I might torture you for days on end though. It's your choice, fucker!"

I kept screaming into the void like a madman, ragged breaths with every word I said. Just a little while longer, until I kill that bastard Keith. Then, I could rest.

"What does that half-elf mean to you, anyway?" Keith said, his voice coming in from multiple corners of the room.

"How about I tell you with my fist? That sound good to you? Stop hiding like a coward and fight me!" I was met with no response and I just stood there in silence. "Do I really need a reason to defend my friends?"

"We were your friends," he finally responded. "We're your family. And you betrayed us. The Don would be ashamed."

"Oh yeah? Where is the old man? I've gotta give him the work too after I've finished you off."

"The Don is not here, unfortunately. This was just his old hideout. I'm glad you came though. One less ant to pick apart."

"Figured. He always was a damn coward, just like you."

"Kai, you have gotten stronger, old friend. Your strength is incredible. Unfortunately, strength isn't everything. I'll tell the Don that you said hello."

As Keith finished speaking, the dark room instantly lit up. Bombs in the shapes of hearts were planted all around, glowing bright with aura. They were so bright, I could not see a thing. The bastard left me with a few parting words before the bombs exploded.

"Kai, just give up on searching for your father. The Don's heart would break if he saw what those people turned you into. Consider yourself disowned from here on out."

Those were the last words I heard before the bombs around me exploded. The bright light quickly turned to blistering darkness.