Chapter 10

Transformation

The next morning, Psych was walking down the hall towards the door of Asami's penthouse, but despite the fact that she had much to do, her pace was slow. When Asami had shown up at the office today looking especially smug, it wasn't hard to figure out what had happened. And after a few inquiries, her suspicions were confirmed.

Psych had expected some backlash after disturbing the President last night with the phone call, even though they both knew it was entirely necessary. But Asami had only asked if Madoka had been successfully reduced to a pile of rotting flesh.

"Yes, sir," she replied, taking a small case off of a table and handing it to him. Inside was Madoka's left ring finger, complete with a custom ring that identified him as an important investor of Renraku. The shadow runner team had sent it by rush mail earlier as proof of their accomplishment.

"Strange," Asami murmured, setting the case down and peering out the window. "They usually send the whole hand."

"They apologize for the inconsistency," Psych replied. "But they went a little overboard and this was the most substantial piece of him they could find."

"No matter. Was the data retrieved?"

"Yes. It's in the hands of one of our deckers and should be back up on the Matrix mainframe soon."

Asami grunted in approval, toying with a fountain pen on his desk with a slight smile perched on his lips. His good mood was blatantly obvious and Psych decided it would be worth the risk to ask why.

"How did things go with Finder last night?"

Asami's eyes gleamed as he turned from the window. "He learned his lesson."

"You broke him? Already?"

"I thought it time to show him who he was really contending with. And now, we will proceed to phase two as planned."

Psych stopped in front of the penthouse door, ruminating for a few minutes before she went in. It had greatly surprised her that Asami suddenly pulled out all the stops and broke Finder's will in only a few days. Asami was a patient man, and he had spent months, even years, slowly breaking others and bending them to his command. Why had his patience with Finder expired so quickly?

Psych pursued her lips but shook it off. Although questioning the dark depths of her employer was endlessly fascinating, the path he'd chosen for Finder was of little consequence. The "why" didn't matter, it was time to move forward.

Psych tapped a few buttons on the door panel and scanned her retina, heading into the apartment. She spotted Finder almost immediately, curled up on one of the couches like a cat. But even in his sleep, he shifted and twitched restlessly, like he was having a nightmare. Psych stared at him for a few moments, noting that he was no longer wearing the collar that suppressed his mana. Finally, she carefully reached out and shook his shoulder.

"Finder."

The young man's eyes shot open and he jerked away from her touch quick as a blink. Even after his eyes focused and he realized who she was, his pulse was still racing. If Psych had doubted Asami's words in the slightest, one look from those blue cyberware eyes would have easily set her straight. Where once a great fire burned now only lay remnants of smoke. Finder had eyes like a dead person, with no trace of defiance, pride, or even anger. The only emotion they held was fear.

Akihito shakily dragged himself up, looking at her and waiting as she took a seat. The fact that he wasn't angry to see her was a good sign, though she had anticipated this. She suspected that Asami had used sensory deprivation to break him. In the aftermath of that, leaving him isolated in the penthouse would cause him to crave human contact, even with someone that he should have perceived as an enemy.

"How are you today, Finder?" she asked, crossing her legs.

Akihito blinked and stared down at his lap, seeming conflicted as how to answer. He shrugged noncommittally.

"Do you want to talk about what happened last night?"

Akihito's trembling lips pulled into a frown and Psych's gaze softened.

"It must have been frightening for you."

Akihito sucked in a long breath and finally responded. "He…he almost killed me. I've never been so scared in my entire life."

Psych nodded, encouraging him to continue.

Akihito raised his hands, staring at his palms as if in a trance. "I always thought that it wouldn't matter if I died so long as I kept my pride. I jumped off buildings, tracked dangerous people, and ran from gunfire, but I was never afraid to die. I almost thought that my life would have more meaning if I bit the dust in some dramatic way, so I accepted that fate.

"But, feeling my body dying last night, seeing death face to face, made me realize how horrifying it is. My pride can't save me. My magic can't save me. I can't do anything to save myself and it terrifies me!"

Akihito's hands clenched into fists and his teeth began to chatter as panic overtook him. "I don't want to die…I don't want to die…I don't want to die!"

Psych kept her face stoic as Finder chanted that mantra like a prayer of desperation, and fully aware of what she was doing, reached out and placed a hand on his knee.

"Finder," she said calmly. "There's no need for you to die so long as you obey."

Akihito's expression twitched between different emotions, wanting to believe but also wanting to retreat into madness. He finally looked her in the eye, his gaze filled with a strange, vacant frenzy.

"What do I do?"

"It's simple, really," she replied. "Asami-sama has plans for you. They just need to be carried out with your cooperation."

"But I…I don't know if I can. I'm so scared I can't even move."

"I realize that, and I have something that can help you."

Psych took a syringe in a tube from her pocket and held it in front of him. "If you want to live, Finder, I can help you. I can take away your fear. I can make you forget everything that ails you. But, you have to decide for yourself if that's what you really want."

Finder fixed his eyes on the syringe, the blue liquid inside seeming to call to him. It made him tantalizing promises that outweighed all the risks and sacrifices. It sung to him, and it wasn't long before he began dancing to its tune. Without taking his eyes away from it, he slowly stretched out his forearm, baring his wrist for its bite.

Psyche swabbed the area above his elbow with rubbing alcohol, then slid the needle into a vein, injecting the liquid into his body. It had been developed here in the labs at Renraku, and was nicknamed "Blur," and shortly after it began to seep through Finder's body, it did just that.

"Very good," she smiled as a hazy peace started to glaze Finder's eyes. "Now, it's time for us to get to work."

(6 months later)

Asami paced idly out of an elevator and walked out onto the balcony that wrapped around the top part of a floor inside the Renraku research building. Leaning against the guardrail was a man around Asami's age with grey hair and a blue uniform.

"Asami-sama," he said with a bow as the President approached.

"Light," Asami replied, peering over the guardrail down to the training field below where a single figure stood. "How is his progress?"

"Substantial," Light said, crossing his arms. "Not exactly a prodigy but he'll make a decent combat mage someday."

"I don't expect all my chess pieces to be rooks who can destroy everything in their path, Light," Asami said musingly.

Light chuckled. "You flatter me, though honestly I think of myself more as a bishop. Unlike our samurai, I prefer to manipulate my targets rather than plow through them in a single move."

"Fair enough. Now, I would like a demonstration."

"Yes sir," Light said, signaling down to the floor. A safety alarm rang and all the nearby personal braced themselves for a show.

"All right, Finder," Light called. "Let's see what you got. Perform Ram."

Finder turned to a metal file cabinet that was a few yards away and stared intently at it. Seconds later, the cabinet was struck by an invisible force that pounded dent after dent into it until it no longer retained its shape. The metal creaked and groaned as it was forced into a pile of junk resembling a balled up piece of paper.

"In addition to the new spells we've taught him," Light said as Finder flung the crushed object against the wall. "We've also used 'Surge' to increase his mana by forty percent."

"Were there any adverse side effects?" Asami said, knowing the complicated history of that particular drug.

"None, sir. We finally perfected the formula. It had some costly sacrifices, but what you see before you is the result. Finder, perform Poltergeist."

Finder stopped his assault on the remains of the cabinet and concentrated his mana again. Small objects and loose tiles from the floor rose into the air and began to swirl in a vortex around him till he was barely visible.

"Now, Finder," Light said with a slight smile. "Perform Hellburst."

Without letting the objects drop, Finder let out a small grunt and clasped his hands together. A red light came from in between them and his hands moved outward as a crackling ball of fire grew to the size of a basketball. With all his might, he launched it into the nearest wall, where it exploded into a fury of flames. The titanium chamber did not give way to his attack, but several people paused as they felt tremors under their feet. Even the air was warmer.

Light glanced back at Asami, carefully reading his expression. But upon seeing the proud glint in the President's eyes, he knew he would not have to worry.

"Excellent progress for such a short period of time," Asami said. "You've trained him well. Now it's just a matter of getting some experience under his belt."

Light bowed his head in gratitude. "I look forward to continuing my work with him, Asami-sama."

"Good. I must take my leave now. Have Finder sent back to my office when you finish for today. Oh yes, one more thing."

"Sir?"

"Tell Iwasawa to come see me immediately. I have an idea for the next phase of Finder's training."

A short time later, Asami was in his office when a quiet knock came from the door.

"Enter," he said, tossing a pile of papers to the far corner of his desk. A small man in a suit came inside, and despite the fact that he was a Renraku board member, he was distinctly nervous at being summoned to the President's office.

"What can I do for you, Asami-sama?" Iwasawa asked, keeping his voice even despite his fear.

"Iwasawa-san, I'm sure you are aware of the fact that I am training a new mage right now."

"I am, sir."

"I'm looking to introduce him to our combat force fairly soon, however his lack of experience is something I cannot overlook. So I would like for you to contact your son."

At this, Iwasawa's face went pale. "F—forgive me sir, but why? Surely you don't need to deal with the likes of him."

"He is the face of a Shadow runner team. In fact, a team that has carried out many successful missions. You needn't worry about the details, just tell him to come see me."

Iwasawa's face shifted uncomfortably, but he finally nodded.

"Good," Asami said. "I look forward to his arrival."

"Yes, Asami-sama. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some work I need to get to."

Asami nodded and watched musingly as Iwasawa headed out of the door, passing Psych as he left.

She glanced at his briefly and shut the door behind him. "What was that about?"

"I'm planning to use one of our Shadow runner teams to give Finder some battle experience."

Psych tilted her head. "Ah, the team led by Iwasawa's son. Why that one? If I recall, we've have some difficulty with him in the past."

"Yes, but a certain member of that team intrigues me, and I would like a closer look at how they operate. Finder's bioware eyes should take care of that."

Psych nodded. "Very good, sir. Finder is done with Light and is waiting outside."

"Send him in."

Rather than head back to the door, Psych only closed her eyes momentarily, and the office door opened. Finder silently came in, still wearing his black Kevlar training suit. Psych surveyed their newest mage carefully. Even after six months, the blatant change in him was fascinating.

Finder had been honed and shaped like a high-caliber weapon, both physically and mentally. He had been trained in firearms and combat in addition to magic, and had adapted to them very well. His mind had been stripped of unnecessary emotions like compassion or empathy, replaced with unwavering obedience to Asami.

After his first injection of Blur, the transformation had gone relatively smooth. Psych had used her talent of introspective magical psychotherapy to morph Finder's way of thinking, and supplementary drugs had been used to dull his memories till he no longer remembered life before coming to Renraku. In truth, Psych was rather proud of the magnum opus they had created, though she knew the initial credit belonged to Asami for breaking his will and paving a foundation for her to work with. At the heart of his training, they had instilled in Finder a simple truth that as long as he obeyed Asami, he would not die. Asami hadn't just become Akihito's master, he had become god.

"Your telepathy is improving," Psych commented as Finder shut the door.

He nodded, but a slight grimace crossed his face as he turned towards her. He put his hand to his temple, his eyes squinting shut.

"Are you still having headaches?" Psych asked, approaching him. Although the Surge and Blur drugs had the desired effects on Finder, they still caused him a bit of discomfort. But considering how other subjects had reacted to them, it was hardly a problem.

"Yes," Finder replied. "It's annoying."

"I'll prescribe you some more painkillers, but for now, I need to take my leave. Asami-sama has a few matters to discuss with you."

Psych left in short order and Finder turned towards Asami, who was peering out the window.

"I'm rather impressed with progress, Akihito," Asami said, his black eyes shifting towards his vassal.

"Thank you, sir."

"Upon seeing your grasp of magical conjuring, I'm of the opinion that it's time to put you to some use. I'm currently making arrangements for you to complete a joint mission with one of our Shadow Runner teams. Be sure to observe their tactics carefully."

"Yes, Asami-sama."

A hint of a smile crossed Asami's face at Akihito's immediate obedience. "Come here, pet."

Akihito stepped over as Asami swiveled his chair away from the desk, beckoning the mage to straddle his thighs. Despite his lack of emotion, a hunger began to gleam in Finder's eyes as Asami snaked an arm around his waist and palmed his firm ass. Combat had not been the only thing Akihito had learned in his time here. Asami had also honed his skills in sexual submission as well, and now Akihito craved his touch like a drug.

Finder braced his hands against Asami's chest as he was brought closer, his breaths quickening as Asami licked the outer shell of his ear.

"Such a good boy," Asami murmured. "I'll miss having you by my side, even for a short time. However, I'd like to ensure that you remember who your master is."

Asami reached for a small box in his desk drawer, and Akihito cocked his head curiously as he opened it. Inside were a few small tools as well as a shiny piece of jewelry set with a white diamond.

"Kneel."

Akihito slipped off Asami's lap and did as he was told. Asami removed a sterile metal clamp from the kit, as well as a thick needle.

"Open your mouth."

Akihito complied, panting a little like a dog as Asami took hold of his tongue with the clamp and pulled it out even further. A slight grunt came from him as Asami slid the needle into his tongue, and his eyes began to water as blood oozed from the wound. A long stream of saliva dripped from his mouth as Asami took the needle out and affixed the diamond tipped barbell into the weeping hole. He released the clamp and Akihito closed his mouth, smacking his lips a little as he tried to get used to the strange sensation.

"Do you feel that pain?" Asami asked, cupping Akihito's chin.

Akihito nodded.

"Remember that pain, and know that I will increase it a thousand-fold should anyone else lay their hands on you. You belong to me, and no one else can satisfy you but me."

"Yes, master," Akihito said, a bit of a lisp creeping into his voice from his swollen tongue.

"Good. You may heal yourself now."

Akihito summoned his mana and directed it towards his mouth. The wound healed itself instantly, taking all traces of pain with it.

"What do you say?" Asami said teasingly.

"Thank you, Asami-sama."

Asami's dark smile returned. "Very good. Now, why don't you use that pretty mouth to satisfy me?"

Without hesitation, Akihito scooted closer to his master and undid his belt. Soft sighs echoed in the office as the blazing sun began to set, bathing the walls in red and heralding the return of night.

So we're going the "Requiem for a Phantom" route here, what with the brainwashing. I know a few of you are confused about the plot right now, but everything will be made clear in future chapters. Though I can say right now that the difference between the last chapter and when Asami had Akihito trippin' balls after the first lemon is that Asami desires submission, but not weakness. Take that for what you will.

I will also say that if the story is too dark for your taste, turn back now. It's not really going to get better. Though I find listening to Weird Al's song "Party in the CIA" really helps the mood, though that's probably just because I had it on repeat while I wrote this...

My gaming group is actually working on our characters for another Shadow Run campaign, and I'm going to be playing Psych. Should be super fun to play an intellectual character for once instead of going for the heavy hitter. Interestingly, last week while we were making up our characters, (which is a long and tedious process) one of our players actually said something I thought to be very fitting for this story, in conjunction to another player wanting to play an "ethical" decker.

"Ethics? There's no such thing as ethics in Shadow Run."

I've never heard the game summed up so well.

Finderlov, duhorcommonsense, Jade Rojo, SageSapis, Vivist, blackhorse13, SPB Wolf, Neko-fire demon tempest- Thanks for the awesome reviews! Hope to keep hearing from you!

Marxou- Asami is not bipolar. He's an evil ass Mafia boss.

Don't Preach- Can I say I'm tickled and pleased by the fact that I could surpass your expectations of me, dearest? Your reviews make me sing! Or write, I guess...

New chapter out soon! Thanks for reading!

TBF101