The four Ashenworths decided to meet with Rodin and Aisha. Finding Rodin knitting a scarf while Aisha was preparing coffee for them.
"So... You wish to know more about what we're like? I mean why?"
"We might have to go into the Shady Enforcer's Causality... So we need to know." Aquila said where Rodin and Aisha took a moment to glance at each other.
"The Enforcer that we serve. A man who values pride and honor. At a club, when we heard him sigh because of some remarks... Remarking how the Gambit King's son is a useless brat... The Book Keepers slaughtered that entire gang out of our own volition. That's the level of loyalty you expect from an Enforcer's Crew. People who do not question orders. We also run racketeering, drug operations and prostitution. But he made sure that they were all protected. When a man harmed a girl in our care, the Enforcer sent that man to the hospital and made everyone know that if someone is under his care, he will do worse things as part of the correction." Rodin spoke as he knitted the scarf, then putting it to the side.
"That and we have a lot of blood on our hands. We follow the Books. Doesn't matter who or when. The two of us accompanied him to an award ceremony where he beat the crap out of an actor who had hired criminals to harm the Gambit King. Then there was that one time when he killed a President of a country. He told us to stay back and he faced against them. Soldiers with guns and all that. He left enough corpses to make the devil laugh in joy. So if you enter it. It's not going to be all fun and games. It's going to be difficult but the Book of Wrongs and Book of Corrections may no longer exist when you arrive. It may even be changed entirely because he always felt the book was too rigid, needed to be changed here and there. And if the consequences made us respectable people. Then it might be a whole different world than we remember. But the core rules must be the same. They might not even be Book Keepers. Your crew is your own. We were called Book Keepers because our Enforcer was someone who brought the books back. He said it was necessary because we were too timid." Aisha spoke as she poured the cups of coffee, making lattes for four Ashenworths.
"What about weapons?" Aquila inquired.
"Depends on you. Our Enforcer only fought with his fists. But others used a variety of weapons. From swords to maces. Whatever that you want. We chose the kopis but we're good with our fists. I mean, Rodin's a brawler. I'm using his kopis most of the time cause he prefers to beat them near an inch of their lives. Then letting me do all the correcting."
"In terms of threats, for us plenty more. Maybe for you just other gangs with Enforcers like us. Raven was called Big Brother because he helped raise the boy. He was only 12 when he joined the crew. Four years later, he became the Enforcer because the others abandoned the Gambit King. The Gambit King passed on but his son, who was only 8 years old at the time when Raven became the Enforcer? Had been groomed by Raven to become a boss that was ruthless but kind. The story goes after the entire time, Raven needed to leave to spend time alone. The Enforcer said to the Gambit King, that his siblings will come over to pick up the slack. You really want to go and see this Causality?"
"We plan to soon. After a few more days with Ivona. There's no rush for us right?"
No rush.
Time moves fast in Causalities.
For this one maybe you will not be here for a few days.
"We'll go in after a week. This'll be the best time."
"What about Raven?"
His causality is different.
Just like that a week passed. Ivona was able to understand that her parents and uncles were going to be busy for a while but she put on her bravest face. Saying that it's okay. A tight hug for her but Deep Down, Astravion, Granver by her side. Inzaka and Ulfang who will make sure she wouldn't be lonely but then seeing her cousins, Corvus and Ciara. Then her aunt in laws, Corona and Yennifer.
"Your family's here, Ivona. We're here too." Those words had an effect as Ivona let out her tears. For her parents to leave and her uncles to leave again, it was something that would cause her to feel lonely. Through Raven's memories, they all heard about how painful it was for Ivona. They didn't want to leave but it was to bring someone else back. Someone who would love Ivona beyond words like their parents. All of this would be for her.
The four of them now stood in a white open space. Opening their eyes to see the Shade Ink on their bodies. Dolores had a pair of shades, a large furcoat over her shoulders. Pants and leather shoes. Aquila wore a longcoat with his hands in his pockets. Falco simply wore a black tanktop with a wrist watch. Jeans and leather shoes. Stervy wore a sleeveless hoodie.
"Let's go." Aquila led as the four of them found themselves on a private jet. Champagne in their glass, a glance to the right to see Dolores who was fiddling with her phone. Glancing to the back seats to see Falco eating a meal and Stervy who was checking details on the laptop.
"Stervy, talk to us."
"Gambit King's name is Glenn Fria. He's 18 years old, currently a student at a university but he's also the Gambit King. He also legitimized the business as a bodyguard service and protection service. He got benefits and tax relief, it's like a company that actually takes care of its workers. Then he got into construction and other businesses."
"Says here on the underground network, our kid brother's known for his skill. There's videos of him doing all the things that Aisha and Rodin said. He's brutal. But the city we're going to is called Hazenkor. Glenn attends Hazenkor university. In terms of crew, we're the only Enforcers who don't run with a crew. It also says that we may not need a crew with the condition of the city. The Book Keepers are by his side."
"What about our weapons?"
"Falco uses fists. Aquila uses a pair of sabers, I use a katana and Dolores carries a mace. So there's that. In terms of rival gangs, there are a few trying to get into Hazenkor. But it's most likely we'll need to set them right."
"Just bash some heads in. No big deal."
"Who said we're bashing them in, Falco? If they still operate with the books that Raven mentioned, then we're more likely to go kill them instead." Dolores intervened as she took a sip of her champagne. Enjoying the sweetness as her eyes glanced at Aquila who seemed content with the view from the windowseat. Stervy continued giving details that Glenn Fria was enrolled in a university as Glenn Ashenworth. Taking on Raven's surname, which makes Glenn their kid brother in a way.
Arriving at the Hazenkor International Airport. The four of them got off, as they checked their phones. It was a photo of Glenn being caught in a hostage situation with several other students. Grabbing to get their gear with Stervy carrying a katana by the sheath, Aquila grabbing the sabers and Dolores with the mace. Falco putting on a pair of gloves. A man in a business suit came over, seemingly tired.
"Please... We." The four of them watched as a car rolled over to their position.
"Falco, you're driving." They got in as Falco drove through the streets, flooring the accelerator pedal. Going fast through the streets as they reached the location where they were being held as hostages. Police officers, reporters and SWAT teams were standing by. A mansion where a party was being held. Parents of the students were screaming and demanding answers. Tears fell as they hoped for their children to survive.
"Hey, you can't go through there!" Aquila, Dolores, Falco and Stervy walked through the yellow tape. Officers tried to stop them but hesitated when they saw the tattoos.
"You... Who are you?"
"Enforcers." Aquila said as bullets zipped past them, the four of them just kept walking. There was an odd calm that kicked in. It felt like something or someone was guiding them. It wasn't the system and in the spree of gunfire before their eyes. The many flashing barrels. Gave them a brief vision of Raven, how he would just walk through the gunfire. No hesitation. Only taking a step to the side to dodge the bullets. A gunman fumbled the reload as Falco stood in front of him. Lifting the man with one hand, then smashing the man to the ground. Staining the soil with blood and pieces of broken bones.
Aquila drew his sabers as he went after the gunmen, slashing the limbs. Then a thrust that pierced through the body armor, skewering another two more to his blade. Leaving the blade in their bodies as he went after another gunman, slashing the man in half. Dolores swinging her mace, bludgeoning her coat and clothes with their blood. Single hits that caused bones to break into places where they shouldn't be. One of them went after her with a knife, stabbing her shoulder. Not a groan of pain as she headbutted the man back, then a hit to the head that forced the head inward into the chest.
Stervy was moving fast. Like clockwork, every 5 slashes to the neck. A snap of his fingers and their wounds would burst open. Forcing them to bleed out as he held a grin on his face. Watching their last breaths with a grimace. Lighting up cigarettes with Falco punching a wall that caused the doors to be turned into mush. Walking over to see the remaining gunmen who had guns on the students. Stervy sheathed his weapon so did Aquila, Dolores dropped her mace.
"Why are the Enforcers here?!" Stervy snapped his fingers as the gunmen fell down to the ground but one survived, the one near Glenn. The blonde haired boy, only to watch Dolores grab the gunman by the mouth, smashing him into the wall. Glenn's eyes met with Aquila, Stervy and Falco. Dolores began to torture the gunman, interrogating on who inspired the attack and the like. Breaking fingers, ripping teeth out.
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"Hey, he doesn't want people to know he's the Gambit King." Stervy whispered to Aquila and Falco. Dolores was still busy getting the man to talk as he began to spill everything. The who, where and why.
"The Gambit King said if trouble comes knocking here, we should take care of it. It's just his way of keeping everyone safe." Aquila said as Falco and Stervy brought knives to free the students from their restraints and freeing their mouths from the gags. The calmness in their actions, it was far too natural. Even when they were part of the Weapons of the Empire Causality, they felt this sudden chill over their bodies. They didn't react to it as they headed out, letting the police handle the rest. Reporters aimed their cameras at the four Enforcers but they did not even glance at them. When they got in the car.
"Falco, get us to the house. Step on it."
"Y-..Yeah!." They were feeling it, something sinister that was brewing from within their hearts. Arriving at their residence, they quickly got into the house. Immediately,falling to their knees. Dolores was puking in the kitchen sink, Aquila just grabbed a nearby bucket. Falco and Stervy headed to the toilets. All four of them were groaning in pain. Like their mind could not believe what had just happened. How they became incredibly violent, how they were not bothered by what they just did. It was a one sided massacre and Dolores who would never use torture or any other methods? Suddenly was able to do all of that without much hesitation?
The way they killed those gunmen. It wasn't like their usual selves. It was like they were deliberate in the bloodshed. Not for a noble cause or purpose, but for the sake of leaving warnings. Even the drawback from Durandal wasn't this bad?
It's because your body is synching to the Causality.
You're too good natured for this Causality but it has unlocked a skill.
This is due to the fact that your karma is far too good originally and it's going through the effects.
Aquila's Skill : The Stillness of an Enforcer Your mind is now calm. No matter what cruel actions you take. You will not be affected emotionally, spiritually or even habitually. It lets you kill anything and anyone without issue. Increased resistance against mental attacks. Dolores's Skill : Forced Talk You can threaten foes with aura/mana(when in Causalities that allow it) and you also increase your threatening presence. Foes that are weaker will feel the pressure. More likely to speak because of how cruel you can be when they don't want to give information. Stervy's Skill : The Grimace Grimacing at your foes grants a sudden shock to their actions. Can interrupt them and force them to leave openings. Falco's Skill : Rapid Execution. Your fists have been enhanced along with your strength. Allows you to perform execution techniques on enemy. Shade Ink (all) Increases damage resistance by 50%. Lethal attacks are negated once. The Enforcer's Way The Enforcers have a menacing aura to human enemies. +50% damage increase against human enemies + 20% damage for humanoid enemies. +50% chance to intimidate enemies.
Finishing their puking session as their body readjusted. The doorbell rang, as they opened the door seeing Glenn Fria along with a few Book Keepers.
"Hello. I take it you must be..."
"We're your big brother's siblings."
"Technically sister in law." Stervy corrected Dolores. The other Book Keepers seemed a little bothered, wanting to ask some questions but Glenn did that in their stead.
"He's not here anymore is he? Is he in another Causality with Aisha and Rodin?"
"No. He's in another Causality alone. But we came here because we wanted to learn more about him in this world. Your Shady Enforcer, and the Book Keepers. What do you need us to do?" Glenn smiled as a Book Keeper gave them documents.
"A few gangs have been encroaching our territory. Despite warnings. I don't like trouble in the city. I know it's too much because you already saved me once but..."
"Our kid brother left you in our care. So we'll take over." Stervy said as he rustled Glenn's hair where the young boy smiled.
"Big brother used to do that too..."
"What about the police?"
"The Police commissioner and governor already gave the okay. He said it's easier to work with us rather than against us." With those words, the Ashenworths grabbed their weapons.
"The Book Keepers will be bringing you to the location where the gangs are located. It's up to you to decide how you want to operate. I won't hold you to the book that Raven uses." To which Aquila's phone rang. Picking it up and putting it on loudspeaker.
"Hey, Glenn."
"Big brother? Where are you?"
"In another Causality. Seems like mine is getting chaotic. Lots of monsters and stuff. Those are my elder siblings. In that world, you're their objective. They aren't as bloodthirsty as I am but they'll take care of you. Just throw them at gangs. They can deal with it."
"How's that Causality Raven?"
"It's difficult, Aquila. If I had more allies I could bring it may be easier but I can't. Karma system is locked too. So I can't do much about it. This is an S-Rank Causality so the stakes are higher than ever. And not the kind I can finish so quickly. But why Shady Enforcer?"
"If we clear it, we get more skills and you get Shady Enforcer back in your hands." Raven paused on the line.
"It's one of my more powerful melee personas. Getting that guy back would be great but don't push yourselves too hard now. Got to go, seems like this phone I got from Vinter is useful." Raven hung up. Glenn smiled, hearing Raven's voice was something he had wished for quite some time.
"Get the cars for them, the gangs that plan to encroach on our territory are having a meeting at a location. They brought their own Enforcers. Come back safe." With that he got a headpat from Aquila, Stervy rustling the hair, a tap on the shoulder from Falco and a nod from Dolores. The four of them followed a Book Keeper who led them to the limousine.
"I hope the Enforcer is doing well in your world."
"He is. The Book Keepers are enforcing his rules by the Book. Our latest correction had us destroy a country."
"Sounds like him. I'm sure Aisha and Rodin must be happy to be by his side." The Book Keeper spoke as he brought them to the limousine. Opening the doors for them.
"Your the Enforcer's siblings. I must show you that respect... Is it possible if I observe your execution?"
"Sure. As long as you tell us what our kid brother was like." Aquila said as he got in first, followed by Dolores, Falco and Stervy. The Book Keeper closed the door as he went to the driver's seat. Driving out with the radio on. Smooth jazz that was a calming effect for them.
"The Enforcer always liked jazz. Saying it helps him to relax. Tight lipped about himself though."
"Really? I expected him to be more talkative."
"From what I understand it's the whole Personality Matrix. As the Enforcer he rarely opened his mouth unless there was a need to do so. His actions and the rules he added to the books were all that we knew of him. We value honor. If any of us got in harm's way or our family's got into trouble. He'd tear an entire town just to get it settled. Negotiations weren't with money. He'd break fingers, arms and legs as payback."
"I mean.. He did that. He shot a Hunter on live television and then killed him. Then he walked away."
"Yeah, the Enforcer's that kind of person. Mess with his family and people, you'll be dead. Guess that's the same for you four?"
"More or less. Though we're not like him, since he could kill families without batting an eye. We're not as ruthless, yet." Falco said as he lit his cigarette, where the windows were lowered down for that.
"We'll be arriving at the gang area soon." Upon arrival they see Glenn who wore a mask as the Gambit King, the Book Keepers, along with the Gambit members present for their arrival. They had the place surrounded.
"Seems like they're here to watch."
"Seems like it's an audition?"
"Nah." The four of them stepped out, as they see the five gangs who were armed to the teeth. Their Enforcers all dressed up in super fancy clothes, flashy watches and golden chains over their bodies. Roughly around 300 to 500 people. 15 to 30 Enforcers.
"So the Gambit King shows his face. I've always wondered what you're like." A smug sentence from a man in a suit. Falco picked up a rock, glancing at Aquila who lit a cigarette. Waiting for Aquila to give the nod. A nod was given as Stervy held his katana by the sheath while Dolores readied her mace.
"You're not so hot shit without your Enforcer are y-" They watched the smug man's face turn into a gaping hole. Just from Falco throwing a rock. Giving Stervy and Aquila the chance to get close. Their attention was diverted.
"Kill th-" Before the order was given Stervy was already right in their path, drawing the katana with a grimace. Separating heads from their necks, as Aquila skewered a few of them with his sabers. Then ducking as he pulled away, with Dolores swinging her mace around. An Enforcer went to intercept her, only to take an elbow to the face. Followed by Falco ripping the Enforcer's jaw off, bashing into the Enforcer's head with it. Another Enforcer came to strike at Stervy from the side with a machete. Using the sheath to the hand, forcing the machete downwards then slashing the Enforcer's body repeatedly. A snap of his fingers as the wounds burst open, causing the Enforcer to bleed out even faster than before. A kick to the face as Stervy went after the other gunmen. Firing their shots but Stervy just weaved through it. Using the sheath to strike the arms. Forcing the gunmen to drop them and a spinning attack. Turning heads into fountains of red.
The chaos had begun but the Enforcers that they brought? It was safe to say that their techniques were unique. The two strikes left by Aquila's blade, Dolores's mace causing the men in armor to have their bones broken from within. Stervy's attacks and that finger snap that left the ones inflicted to bleed out faster. Then Falco's fists? They were essentially cannons as the jabs themselves broke pieces of flesh and skin. It was like cannons being fired as they made contact with another object. Whatever that was by Falco's fist? It would have its face turned to mush.
Bloodied clothes, calm expressions and smoking cigars. To the ones who knew the Shady Enforcer. A brief memory resurfaced. It was like seeing the Shady Enforcer who was in the middle of their formation. The Book Keepers and Glenn felt that sight burn into their eyes. Right down to the way they held their cigars in between their fingers and even the direction they puffed the smoke. All of it. Reminded them of the Shady Enforcer.
"Good work." Glenn spoke as the four of them gave a nod to him. The other Book Keepers gave a nod out of respect, lowering their gazes away from the four Ashenworths. Making their way to Glenn as the Book Keepers stood with their hands on their backs, letting their shade ink be seen as the four Ashenworths pass by them. Where Glenn gave them four keys and a set of pins. The Gambit King's signature pin. Four Aces of the Four Suits.
"That will be your pin to show that you're an Enforcer under Gambit. The keys are for the homes in the territories you will manage. Most of our businesses are legitimate. So you won't need to do anything too illegal. Just gangs, maybe a few drunken brawls here and there."
"Thanks. We'll head first to our territories to take a look." The four of them grabbed their keys, making their way to the cars that Glenn provided.
"I hope you'll be able to find your crew, like Big Brother did." Glenn said with a bow as the others followed his gesture.
"We'll figure it out." Stervy said as he got in and they all went their separate ways.