Kiochi froze.

“What do you mean? Why would you want to kill me?” Kiochi asked.

He could sense that she was panicking.

Kiochi could see the desperation in her eye’s.

The type of desperate that had robbed Mrs.Takahashi of her ability to reason.

She was so afraid that she must have forgotten that she was pointing a gun at a Kynigoi.

Kiochi noticed that Mrs. Takahashi’s eyes were swollen, possibly from an excessive amount of crying and her body trembled lightly.

Also, why on earth does she have a high calibre weapon? Kiochi wondered.

“I have no choice Kiochi... I don’t know what else to do.” She said so softly that Kiochi almost missed it.

“Calm down. What do you mean by no choice. Is the council forcing you to do this?” Kiochi said as he carefully kept his voice as low and as calm as possible.

Mrs. Takahashi nodded slowly.

Dammit! Kiochi cursed.

He looked behind her and saw a phone next to where she was cooking.

Kiochi deduced that he council must have called her late in the night and threatened her somehow.

“Please Kiochi, they said that they’d send Kynigoi to kill Rin and my husband. So don’t do your armour thingy… I just want my baby’s to be safe.” Mrs. Takahashi said with a whimper.

Her face was beet red and her beautiful black hair stuck to the tears on her face.

Kiochi didn’t know what to do.

He couldn’t find the words to use in order to comfort or calm her.

[We can incapacitate her.]

Eve suggested.

‘I know, but then how will I explain all this to Rin and his father.’ Kiochi said internally.

“Honey, why are you pointing a gun at Kiochi?” Someone said from behind Kiochi.

Kiochi turned around to find Mr. Takahashi.

He looked like he was on his way to the bathroom.

His eye’s were red and his steps were sluggish.

Mrs. Takahashi let out another whimper before dropping the gun and falling to her knees.

Mr. Takahashi rushed to her side to comfort her.

The two embraced each other for a few minutes before Mrs. Takahashi eventually calmed down.

Kiochi and the Takahashi’s made their way into the living room and turned on the lights, since it was still pretty early in the morning.

This illuminated more of Mrs. Takahashi, who looked even more frightened in the light.

Kiochi and Mrs. Takahashi sat down while Mr. Takahashi prepared his wife some tea.

After taking a few sips, she explained what had happened.

Apparently, the council knew that Kiochi was staying with the Takahashi family and they knew that discouraging Kiochi from partaking in the coming battle would be tough, so they played dirty and threatened Mrs. Takahashi.

Why didn’t they threaten Mr. Takahashi instead?

That’s pretty obvious.

Mr. Takahashi would have declined their offer and joined the frontlines in the battle against the council.

Mrs. Takahashi also said that the person who contacted her was Alexander.

To wisdom holders, he their king, their president or more precisely, their emperor.

Every major decision the council made had to receive Alexander’s approval and the fact that he threatened the Takahashi’s meant that the council was getting serious.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I just didn’t know what else to do. I’ve seen first hand what the Kynigoi are capable of.” Mrs. Takahashi said as she started sobbing again, but Mr. Takahashi gently comforted her back to silence.

After making sure Mrs. Takahashi was calm, Kiochi and Mr. Takahashi stepped out into the corridor for a private discussion.

“I’m so sorry, this is my fault.” Kiochi said with a bow.

Mr. Takahashi patted the young man’s shoulder.

“Really? I don’t think so. One way or another, we were going to have to choose sides in the end and either way. And even if they hadn’t pulled this stunt, I’d still go against the council. Whether you and I met or not wouldn’t change much.” The old man said.

His expression was grim, but Kiochi could see the determination in his eyes.

“So what now?” Kiochi asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? We’re going to war.” Mr. Takahashi said.

“Although I won’t be participating personally, I shall send my son Rin in my stead. Please take care of him Kiochi. Although he’s a Kynigoi, he is still my little boy.”

“Mr. Takahashi…” Kiochi was at a loss for words.

He was about to respond when Rin walked out of his room.

“What’s going on?” Rin asked.

“Pack your things. Were going to Saito headquarters. Oh and wake up Mr. Yassine and Mr. Freeman.” Kiochi said as he made his way to his room.

“Ok.” Rin said as he yawned.

Kiochi put all his things in a duffle bag with little care for organization or neatness and walked out into the main corridor.

There he saw a sleeping Rin alongside Yassine and Freeman.

“Let’s go!” Kiochi said.

“Goodbye and don’t forget what I said Kiochi!” Mr. Takahashi said as he bid the party farewell.

.

..

The situation at Saito headquarters was even more hectic than when Kiochi left.

More and more people were preparing for what seemed like a watered down version of a modern world war.

How did Yamamoto not get called out by government officials?

He simply told them that he was testing out new technology from Saito's military branch and like that, he got away with forming his own private army.

Kiochi and the others made their way to Yamamoto’s office tuned war room.

There they found Yamamoto and everyone else who would be participating in the coming battle.

“Ok. Everyone is here. I want you all to know that we could all very well die in the coming battle and although none of our names will be inscribed on the grand walls of heroes, our actions will alter the course of humanity and prevent out unified extinction. We do this not for ourselves, but for the innocent. Those who don’t deserve the fate that awaits them should we fail.” Yamamoto said.

His voice echoed in the room and any traces of the mad scientist had disappeared.

The man who stood before Kiochi and the others was their new leader and they took his words to heart.

“On to the business side of things. Tiaan, I’ve already sent the money into your accounts. This, however, does not mean that you are still obligated to join us. Those who wish to leave may do so now, but know this… if you choose to stay, any form of betrayal will end in your death.” Yamamoto declared.

No one moved.

“Good. This operation has three phases. In phase one, we will sent out a large number of our forces to deal with the majority of the Kynigoi who are on standby near Vestibule Charlie. Then comes phase two. Kiochi and a team of his choosing will infiltrate the main bunker itself. Their goal is to capture Ms. Lebedev and clear out any internal resistance. How will we get into one of the most secure bunkers on the planet? I’m glad you asked. We will be using the UY-SCUTI non nuclear bomb. Once the diversion of the main Kynigoi forces is complete. Kiochi and his team will get as close to the bunkers entrance as possible. There they will place UY-SCUTI.” Yamamoto explained.

“How powerful is the bomb?” Yassine asked hesitantly.

“Hehehe.” Yamamoto laughed softly.

“Hahaha!” Then he let out a louder, more deranged laugh.

“UY-SCUTI has about fifty megatons worth of blast power. This alone, while transform the battlefield into something from your worst nightmares. However, it will serve us well in the long run, because once the Kynigoi are all dead, there’ll be no one left to guard the Vestibule.” Yamamoto explained gleefully as the mad scientist in him made his triumphant return.

“Now, phase three involve the clean up and retrieval of any and all surviving information. Right now, the council is sitting on knowledge that could launch mankind thousands of years into the future. They are just too greedy and stingy to share it. Oh and if all else fails and we lose at any point, we are to launch as full retreat. I’ve marked several safe houses on the map here.” Yamamoto said as he tapped several locations on the map on the table.

“If there are no questions, move out!” Yamamoto said and everyone in the room scattered as they left.

Kiochi stayed behind along with Rin, Tiaan and Dalila.

“I’ll assemble my team right away. Mr. Schmitt, do I have permission to use a few of your men?” Kiochi asked politely.

“Sure, kiddo. Also, you don’t have to be so polite with me. I know who you are, so let’s dispense the formalities. Call me Tiaan.” Tiaan said as he let out a bright smile.

Kiochi gave him a quick nod and left the room with Rin following closely behind.

“How about me, can I go?” Dalila asked.

“I’m sorry, but I just got off the phone with your father and he says that he doesn’t want you anywhere near me right now, due to the circumstances. So no. I will not allow you to participate in the battle. You can, however, go to your apartment for the time being.” Yamamoto said.

“That’s not fair!” Dalila whined.

“How come Kiochi and the others get to go? Don’t you think I’ll be safe if I go with Kiochi?” She tried to compromise but Yamamoto’s will could not be shaken.

“No. For now, just go to your room and pack your things. I’ll contact you once all this is over. Trust me, this is for the best.” Yamamoto said gently.

Dalila frowned deeply, but she also knew that she could never win in an argument against Yamamoto so she stormed out of the room and went straight into hers.

“Kids, hey?” Tiaan said sympathetically.

“Yeah… too bad I never had any of my own.” Yamamoto said with a heavy sigh.

“Me too. At some point I thought I’d retire, settle down and grow my own little brat, but the job kept calling me back into the field.” Tiaan said.

“You do know that children are not plants. You do not “grow" them.” Yamamoto corrected but Tiaan wasn’t interested.

“Doesn’t matter. Also, what’s with that boy, Kiochi. Although this is the first time we’ve personally met, I have to say he looks rather familiar.” Tiaan said as he scratched his temple.

“What could you possibly mean by that?” Yamamoto asked ask as he looked over the map.

“I don’t know, but it’s like I’ve seen him before… or something like that.” Tiaan said.

“Hehe. Maybe you saw a family member of his.” Yamamoto said.

“That’s the thing! I thought Kynigoi didn’t have family’s. Arrg! It’s Killing me!.” Tiaan complained.

“Try not to think about it too much.” Yamamoto said softly.

.

..

“You don’t have to go! I apologized, didn’t I? So why are you going? You’re not even a soldier!” Dr. Tahiri yelled at Yassine.

He was moved when he saw everyone in Saito headquarters busy and he wasn’t also observant enough to know that what was about to happen would change the world.

He wondered what role he would have to play in the legendary story that would be told by future generations.

Unfortunately, he shot blanks every time he thought about it.

He was after all, an average university student and history had no place for those who were merely average.

The history books were filled with the names of people like Kiochi.

No!

Yassine couldn’t accept this.

He wanted to help.

If he was going to be forgotten then he wanted to do it in as honourable a way as possible.

Not as the man who sat and watched as the fate of the word was decided, but as the man who died along those who changed the world.

Yes.

That was fitting.

Unfortunately, this decision completely ignored the Dr. Tahiri’s feelings.

“I’m telling you, it’s fine. I just want to help as much as I can.” Yassine tried to explain but Dr. Tahiri wouldn’t budge.

She sniffled.

Wait a minute? Yassine thought.

Is she crying?

“How does you dying help me?” She screamed.

Yassine didn’t know how to answer.

He just stood there as tears trickled down her face.

This was the first time Yassine had seen her cry and also the first time he was the reason for it.

“uh…” Yassine tried speaking, but then words couldn’t come out.

He couldn’t comfort her because of his foolish determination.

Dr. Tahiri wiped her tears as she stormed out of the room, leaving Yassine to think about what he had just done.

I didn’t know she cared that much…

I always thought that she thought of me as her pet student and such…

So why…?

Thoughts like that flew around inside Yassine’s mind.

I’ll have to talk about it with her.

But after all this is over. Yassine’s foolish determination resurfaced in his mind.

He wasn’t sure why the professor cared so much for him, but if what Yamamoto said was true and the world was about to end, then he wanted to at least make sure that he help prevent that most dreadful outcome.

Yassine got clothed in some combat hear he found in one of the many crates that littered the building, wore a black ski mask and made his way to the eighth floor.

There he found Kiochi, who was standing in front of twenty people who Yassine assumed were under his command.

Yassine joined the ranks and stood at attention.

“Ok, people. I don’t know if you remember what Yamamoto said, but we are technically a assault squad. We’re going staring into the heart of the enemy territory and we’re going to kill every single one we find. I will be your captain for the next few days. Rin Takahashi here, will be your vice captain. If I die, you will be getting your orders from him. Although, if he becomes your leader, you might as well be dead.” Kiochi said and the room burst into laughter.

Yassine was the only one who didn’t laugh as he was confused as to why they were laughing.

And what did Kiochi mean by kamikaze?

“Ok. Jokes aside, we have our orders. Once the bomb goes off, its shoot to kill. The only person we’re not killing is Ms. Natasha Lebedev, understood?.” Kiochi said clearly.

“ “Yes, sir!” “ Everyone said in unison.

Yassine was awestruck by Kiochi.

How could someone so young have so much charisma? Yassine wondered.

Little did Yassine know that Kiochi was actually masking his trauma with jokes as he had recently lost his entire squad.

Yassine also realized that Kiochi always carried his Nodachi with him.

He would have asked Kiochi why if he wasn’t so terrified of the young lad.

Ring! Ring!

Yassine saw Kiochi answer his phone and after nodding a few times, he returned it into his pocket.

“Ok people, we leave in ten. Gear up!” Kiochi ordered.

Everyone in the hall was clad in black high tech combat gear and armed to the teeth with an assortment of deadly weapons.

Yassine had some experience with rifles and combat since he was in the military once.

But after he completed his duty time, he decided to go to university and study anthropology.

It seems like all that time in boot camp is about to pay off! Yassine rejoiced.

He had never actually seen real combat but he was glad he wasn’t an ordinary civilian who wouldn’t know the first thing about weapons and such.

The allocated ten minutes passed by quickly.

Kiochi and his men were all geared up and ready to go.

They took the elevator to the lobby and got onto two of the many trucks that was head for Mt. Takeo.

Kiochi and his team however, took a different route.

They separated from the main force and head to a private airport, where they would take a helicopter which would drop them off at their designated landing zone.

The helicopter would also drop the UY-SCUTI with them.

Yassine shook violently out of nervousness on the way to the airport.

He had never felt such anxiety in his entire live.

One could almost see him shivering in the back of the truck.

“Yassine? Is that you?” A familiar voice called out from next to him.

“Ms. Dalila?” Yassine whispered.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” She asked innocently.

“I could ask you the same question.” Yassine said.

“Don’t worry about me. I just want to observe what happens. When the shooting starts, I’ll hide behind you, ok?” She said cheerfully.

No! Yassine screamed internally.

“Aren’t you supposed to be a super soldier? Why would you hide behind me? I should be the one hiding while you kill to your hearts content.” Yassine’s whisper came out slightly more scared than he intended.

“I cannot kill under any circumstances.” Dalila said with a coldness that frightened Yassine to the core.

“Ok. I’ll- I’ll protect you.” Yassine said.

He could almost see her smiling underneath the ski mask.

What a terrifying woman, Yassine thought.

After hours of nonstop driving on bumpy roads and through murky forests, they finally reached the airport.

It was completely deserted and the only thing in sight, other than moss covered hangers, was a large military style helicopter that sat in front one of the many moss covered hangers.

The trucks stopped in front of one of the moss covered hangers, near the helicopter.

How long has it been since humans last stepped on these grounds? Yassine wondered.

But he had no time for such thoughts, so he cast them side.

Then his focus went to Kiochi, who, after jumping out of the truck, removed his mask and helmet.

Yassine could clearly see Kiochi’s rather handsome face which was illuminated by the trucks headlights as he walked towards the helicopter.

“Come on!” He beckoned and everyone got out of the trucks.

The group all managed to fit into the giant helicopter and the sound of its massive engines soon filled its interior.

Yassine noticed the big crate that was strapped down to the helicopters floor.

‘That must be UY-SCUTI’ Yassine thought.

Everyone was tightly strapped into their seats as the helicopter took off.

Their destination was about twenty minutes from where they and so everyone quickly double checked their gear.

Yassine saw no problems with his equipment and so he remained still.

“A lot of lives will be lost today.” Dalila muttered.

She was tightly strapped into the seat next to his and she was staring blankly at nothing.

“Why do human kill each other? It’s not for food, nor is it for survival or territory, well… most of the time it isn’t, but still… why?” She asked softly.

Yassine sensed that something was troubling Dalila.

She was so young and yet there she was.

A soldier.

Who knew how many times she came face to face with death.

“I’m not exactly sure I can answer your question. If you want my opinion all I can tell you is that to be human is to be flawed. We make mistakes and sometimes we learn from them… sometimes we don’t.” Yassine said.

He was trying his best as to not anger or displease the Kynigoi next to him and so he spoke plainly.

“I see… So you’re saying that the universe created a dysfunctional lifeform intentionally. Interesting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Yassine.” Dalila said as she gently placed her hand on Yassine’s.

“Uh- of course, Ms. Dalila. Anytime.” Yassine said.

“Remember what I said, just call me Dalila. Besides, you and I are pretty much the same age so you don’t have to be so stiff.” Dalila said.

“Ok… Dalila.” Yassine said.

He was thankful that he had spoken with her.

Because the conversation they had somehow managed to calm his nerves.

The helicopter quickly arrived at the designated landing zone and they all rappelled down to the forest floor.

The crate was dropped near them as well.

The helicopter quickly left them and the forest returned to its otherwise tranquil state.

Yassine saw how the others sank into the environment as the crouched.

It was like they were ghosts or shadows.

He did the same, taking care not to break the formation.

They moved slowly and silently through the forest floor and it wasn’t long before they found the crate that held UY-SCUTI.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s do this.” Kiochi said as he slid on his night vision goggles.

How is he able to remain so calm? Yassine wondered.

.

..

“Already?” Tony whined.

“Yes. Vestibule Charlie is under attack by several unknown personnel.” Camila said flatly.

“Dammit!” Tony cursed.

Good thing we’re not there anymore. Tony thought as he let out a sigh of relief.

They had been ordered to take all the knowledge from Vestibule Charlie to Vestibule Beta in Europe.

This brought limitless amounts of joy to Tony who was afraid that he would die if his feet remained on Japanese soil.

“Phew.” He sighed out loud.

He, Camila and Izanagi were on one of the many cargo planes headed to the UK.

Well, Izanagi said that he had some business to take care of, so he stayed in Japan.

What business could he still have in Japan? Tony wondered.

It was a known fact that most if mot all Kynigoi were orphans, so Tony deduced that Izanagi wasn’t going to meet anyone from his family.

That guy is pretty mysterious. Tony thought.

Also, he was S ranked.

Tony wondered what that meant, but couldn’t find any a answers besides the fact that Izanagi was several times stronger than he was.

“Hey, Camila. Let’s say you were to fight Izanagi or the other one, hypothetically of course, do you think you’d win?” Tony asked.

Camila was in the seat next to one of the few windows the cargo plane had.

She looked outside and saw the clouds slowly passing by.

“I’m not sure. I don’t have any data on him. I do know that he and Kiochi were classmates once.” She said.

Tony’s eyes widened.

“Wait a minute! Doesn’t that mean that there’s a possibility that Kiochi’s S ranked too?” Tony asked with a shocked expression.

“I’m not sure…” Camila said as she thought further about Tony’s question.

Tony sat back and sunk into his seat.

This world was filled with people who made Tony afraid of being a soldier.

But at least he was going to safe in Europe.

“Gasp!” Camila gasped.

Wait a minute! Tony thought.

Did Camila just gasp?

“What’s wrong?” Tony asked.

“Vestibule Charlie… has been destroyed.” She said with her eyes wide open.