Three Day Storm
Prologue
X X X
Ginji didn't always remember the things he was supposed to remember. He got lost a lot, was terrible at lying, and he wasn't always convinced that his enemy was evil. But his instincts had always been good and when it came to the Limitless Fortress, he knew when something was wrong.
Something was wrong, even if it didn't look that way. Lower Town was into the fifth year of Makubex's rule, and with it came a curious tranquillity that he had never been given the luxury of as a child. Makubex's Officers, marked by their navy uniform, were scattered throughout streets that were brimming with life. Trade was lively and there were children playing everywhere. An outsider wouldn't have seen the differences – but he had grown up in this maze, had been a sovereign once upon a lifetime. In that time, he always moved with others, whether for their safety or his own. Yet here he was, walking alone.
Life in the Fortress was not yet perfect, but Ginji knew it was better than what he could have ever achieved. Whilst he would defend Lower Town as long as he had life in him, his old friend had done what only a child genius would think to do - remove the threat of the Belt Line altogether. No-one had ever thought it possible, until Makubex found the way. Now, every day that the people of Limitless Fortress lived through without danger was another day that meant success in Makubex's name. Ginji could not help a smile at the thought.
But there would always be people who followed a darker path, seeking to end Makubex's power. Ginji had learnt this a long time ago, in his days as Emperor. There was always someone who was not satisfied, someone who did everything to bring down the established order.
They were the kinds of people that made him come to the Fortress on his own, because friends like Shido would want to beat them up, the ones like Hevn would worry… and nothing like that would help.
Ginji side-stepped a flock of children as they went running past, wishing that he could go with them. When they were gone he turned his fifth corner of the hour, feet following no particular route except one that took him inwards.
Something was wrong and it called to him – he didn't know what it was, but he'd come to find out. That was his responsibility, wasn't it?
After only a handful of steps down a new street, Ginji stopped. That didn't make sense. Someone with a better sense of direction (it was probably Kazu, a long time ago) had told him that this sector didn't have cul-de-sacs, yet here was a dead-end. He frowned lightly, turning to head back - and stopped again.
A figure blocked the path.
Two thoughts flashed through his mind before Ginji was aware of them – it was not a child, and it was not a familiar face. Instinctively, his hands curled into tight fists. Brown eyes swept across the form briskly, taking in all the details that he could - age, sex, body-shape. Recognition dawned on him like a metaphorical lightbulb. His hands loosened almost immediately, form straightening from the defensive stance he'd dropped into.
His smile was thin. This… wasn't right, even in Limitless Fortress.
"You look different," Ginji said simply, taking a few steps forward. "I almost didn't know it was you." He waited for a response but instead, his friend turned and began to walk - a glance over the shoulder became a silent order for Ginji to follow. The Lightning Lord complied easily; it never crossed his mind to be defiant. As he fell into step behind his newfound Guide, he sent a haphazard grin and a wave upwards to one of Makubex's security cameras.
Things would be okay.
X X X
To be continued.