Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective owners.
Note: Okay, "Cupid Chronicles" proved I could do funny OS stuff. Now I'm trying action stuff. Sort of. Well…just read and see.
2nd Note: I'm aware there is another story with a similar plot (Hazanko using an assassin to get Gene & Co.), but please don't even begin to think that I stole the idea. I had been planning on writing this story for several weeks when I noticed that someone else had a similar idea. I guarantee that the stories will be different. (And, if necessary, I'll even halt production on mine and read the other to make SURE they're completely different) I despise plagiarism and will not be a part of it.
3rd Note: I'm not sure how it was explained on the show, but here, Leilong will normally be referred to as Shimi among the Anten Seven. Any of them using his real name (Leilong) should be considered a sign of great disrespect. (Notice that Hazanko almost always calls him Leilong...)
Summary: Hazanko introduces Leilong's replacement to the rest of the Anten Seven.
He has no name.
Only three things truly belong to him:
A partial memory that hints at his past
A sentient ship that knows his every thought
And the limitless power to make his dreams a nightmarish reality
He has no name, only a title:
Dark Prophet.
Dark Prophet
Chapter 1: Loyalty
"So Leilong has finally deserted us, has he?"
Lady Iraga looked up from where she crouched. "Lord?"
Hazanko blinked once. "That one had a rebel's heart. I knew he would defect, one day. It is earlier than I would've preferred, but..." He trailed off, his eyes focusing on nothing and everything all at once. "Gather your comrades, Iraga. It's time you all met Leilong's replacement."
Lady Iraga blinked in surprise. "Replacement? So soon?"
Hazanko did not punish her for questioning him...this time. "Yes. This Gene Starwind and his crew are going to become a nuisance. I want to stop them before they do any further damage to my plans. For that, I require an individual who will follow orders with hesitation or doubt."
Lady Iraga managed to hide her smirk. "As always, I am prepared to serve-"
"No," he interrupted sharply. "That task is too important for you idiots, obviously. However, if you want to prove yourself, you can start by finding Leilong and destroying him. As for Gene Starwind...he would be a perfect test for my trump card. Yes, a most excellent test, indeed."
She frowned. Lady Iraga knew nothing of this "trump card" that would replace Leilong, and of all the Anten Seven, she was Hazanko's most trusted advisor in such matters. "Lord Hazanko," she said slowly, knowing the great risk she was taking, "are you certain that such a serious situation should serve as...a test for some unknown warrior?"
Hazanko's eyes landed on her. "That is twice you have questioned me, Iraga. If I did not have all confidence in Leilong's replacement, he would not be considered. Also, he is no mere warrior. His skill is beyond anything your puny mind could possibly imagine. And if you ever dare to question my methods again, I will see to it that you serve as the replacement's next test. Is that clear?"
"Y-Yes, Lord Hazanko," she stammered.
"Good. Get out of my sight, you filthy wretch."
Lady Iraga turned and quickly left the room. She'd never seen Hazanko so angry over anything before. She was certain that he really did have all confidence in the replacement, now that she had seen his reaction to questioning it firsthand. But how could an unknown warrior possibly defeat the XGP and its crew? She, like the rest of Anten Seven, would get the chance to find out firsthand.
* * * * *
"Get up, kid. Now."
The boy grunted and forced the dark cloud away from his vision. Pain attacked every part of his body, and blood flowed freely from his mouth. He gradually raised his head to see Leilong squatting in front of him.
No. Not Leilong, he reminded himself. Always Shimi in front of the others.
Beyond Shimi, he could just make out Hitorega cleaning the blood from a sword. My blood, he realized as another round of vicious coughs hit him.
"Get up," Shimi repeated, his gaze hardening.
The boy shuddered and somehow made it to one knee, then forced himself to stand.
Shimi stood with him, smiling grimly. "Good. Now let's run the drill again."
The boy's eyes widened. "No...please...I'm so tired...it hurts to breathe..."
Shimi glanced back at Hitorega, and both Anten assassins began to laugh.
The boy blinked and leaned against the wall, trying to rest at least part of his weary body. "What's so funny?" he gasped, the air suddenly leaving him again.
"Kid, there's something you should know." Shimi grabbed his shoulder and squeezed it roughly, nearly breaking some bones. "This is a drill, but it's very real. We could've killed you if you weren't ready."
"Would've," Hitorega corrected, coming to stand beside him. "We're not pulling our punches in here."
The boy's face paled. "You...you're not?"
"Did you think we were?" Shimi asked, leaning forward.
"Well...yeah. The stuff you did really hurt, but I just figured you were holding back so you wouldn't kill me."
"No, kid," Shimi replied. "I've been fighting at my best."
"As have I," Hitorega confirmed.
"Then...why did I feel like you were holding back?"
Shimi frowned and looked away.
"W-What?" the boy asked. "What's wrong?"
"You're better," Hitorega said at last.
"I don't understand. What do you-"
"You're better than us, kid," Shimi interrupted. "Maybe not faster, but definitely stronger. Why do you think you're still alive right now?"
The boy stared at them, shock dominating his features. No. This is wrong! Shimi and Hitorega...they're stronger than me! They HAVE to be! They're part of the Anten Seven, and...and...I'm just a kid!
Hitorega suddenly grabbed him by the hair. "Listen to me. Do you know why we're pushing you like this?"
The boy slowly shook his head as best he could.
"It's because around here, you either do it right or you die. If you're ever not at the top of your game during a drill, we'll have no choice but to kill you. Hazanko won't accept anything less."
"And when he drills you, you HAVE to be ready," Shimi added. "So we have to beat you like this. If we held back, even a little, you wouldn't be strong enough to face Hazanko. Taking it easy on you would just be signing your death warrant."
The boy blinked slowly. "Does he...drill you, too?"
"Let's just say there's a reason he wears that thing and leave it at that," Shimi replied, gesturing at Hitorega's mask.
The boy swallowed noisily.
"Now. Again."
Hitorega released him, and the two assassins fell back to the other side of the room. Both armed themselves with new swords before facing him.
The boy stared at the two men. They were very different, but alike in so many ways. Both were great warriors. Both were incredibly powerful. Both had beaten him senseless, and then beaten him some more. His first reaction had been to hate them, of course.
And then he'd realized why they were only two assigned to train him. Any of the others would've gotten bored and killed him by now. But not these two, possibly the strongest of the Anten Seven. They had hurt him greatly, yes, but the wounds always closed, and most of the scars healed. He was learning, too. The way they moved, the way they fought. He would never be able to move like that, but he was starting to avoid some of the more dangerous attacks.
The boy knew with sudden clarity that they hadn't been lying earlier. The Anten Seven were supposed to be heartless, cruel, and quite creative when it came to torture. They would kill him, if he didn't try to survive. But Shimi and Hitorega weren't like the others, he knew. They enjoyed fighting, that much was obvious. But they still had hearts, though it was hard to tell sometimes. They valued things other than death and destruction.
Somehow, the boy knew those values would eventually force Hazanko to destroy the two. Neither man could work for him forever. It was just a question of when Hazanko decided having them around was dangerous to the group.
Just like he'll decide with me one day...if I survive his first drill.
The boy made a silent promise to himself. He would get stronger, as strong as his frail, human body allowed. And then, when he had the skills to do so, he would escape Hazanko and run to wherever he would be safe.
But I'd have to return. I'd have to give Shimi and Hitorega their freedom. Death shouldn't be the only way out of this horrible place.
"Now," Shimi said, breaking into his thoughts.
The boy nodded and waited as the two men advanced. They were his teachers, his tormentors, and probably the closest thing to friends he would ever have. He wouldn't be afraid anymore. He would fight for them, for himself, and for freedom from Hazanko. And what didn't kill him did indeed make him stronger.
Hitorega's sword reached him first, surrounded by layers of Tao magic.
Just wish it didn't hurt so damn much...
* * * * *
"Do you know me, boy?"
His eyes opened slowly, as was expected. He'd been asleep for quite some time. "Of course, Lord Hazanko," he replied automatically.
"Excellent. Come forward now."
The restraints on his arms and legs fell away, and he stepped to the floor, quickly adjusting to his height difference. When did I get so tall...?
"Who trained you?"
"Shimi and Hitorega."
"Who do you serve?"
"Only you, Lord Hazanko."
"And what of the Anten Seven? What are they to you?"
His lips twitched slightly, possibly in the start of a smile. "Whatever you would have them be."
"Yes. Good. Very good." Hazanko's eyes darkened. "And would you turn on the ones who trained you, if I commanded it?"
"That is impossible, Lord."
Hazanko frowned. "Is it?"
"Yes. In order for me to 'turn' on them, I would first have to have some sort of allegiance with them. I have no responsibilities to anyone other than yourself."
"The you would destroy them if I ordered it?"
"Of course, Lord. I live to serve you."
Hazanko smiled. "Then everything is as it should be. Come, boy. There is work to be done."
* * * * *
Hitorega was the last to arrive. As he entered the chamber, the rest of the Anten Seven looked at him, then went back to their conversations.
Perhaps we should call ourselves the Anten Six now...unless this meeting is to replace Shimi.
As if on cue, Hanmushi turned to look at him, the top half of her mask visible behind her fan. "Tell me, Hitorega," she said quietly. "Do you know why Lord Hazanko has summoned us?"
"No, Hanmushi. I was wondering the same myself."
"As was I," Jukei added, walking over to them. "We all were, no doubt."
"It isn't your place to wonder," Lady Iraga snapped from the corner. "Just stand there and wait."
Jukei glanced over his shoulder at her, snorted, then turned back to Hitorega and Hanmushi. "Looks like the Lord's pet caught some of his wrath today."
Hanmushi nodded in agreement. "Someone should de-claw that kitty cat." Then, with her shoulders shaking slightly in laughter, she added, "I hope it's me."
If Lady Iraga heard their comments, she chose wisely not to show it.
Jukei lowered his voice a bit. "Have you heard anything of Shimi, Hitorega? Is he really dead?"
Though she was speaking with Tobeigera across the room, Hanmiyo stopped and glanced at the three before continuing the conversation.
"All signs point to yes," Hitorega stated. "And even if he wasn't, he might as well be to us. I'm surprised Hazanko hasn't sent someone after him yet."
"Be surprised no longer, Hitorega," Hazanko said as he entered the chamber. "Leilong will be taken care of. However, that is not why I called this meeting. I want you all to meet the newest member of our little group."
The young man seemed to appear out of thin air. Dark hair framed his pale face and spilled well past his shoulders. He wore only a black bodysuit, and combined with the darkness, he looked like a floating head. For some reason, that effect seemed to suit him perfectly.
"Who is this boy?" Jukei asked, resisting the urge to scoff.
Hazanko smiled. "He has no name, and he doesn't need one. He will do what I command, and that is all I desire. But I need to test his abilities to make sure he's not...rusty. That's were you six come in." Hazanko suddenly vanished, and the room began to fill with harmless gas. "Defend yourselves, if you can."
The only sound was the hissing of the gas. Then a muffled scream broke the near silence.
* * * * *
Move. Silent. Block. Dodge. Attack.
The young man didn't need sight to locate the rest of the Anten Seven. But then, he suspected they didn't need sight to find him, either.
His hand flew out, the knuckle catching Jukei on the chin.
One.
Tobeigera appeared behind him. He sidestepped, waited, and slammed his fist into what felt like the remains of a ribcage.
Two.
He ran forward and leaped on Hanmushi's back, chopping her neck twice as they fell.
Three.
He sensed two more coming straight at him. He jumped and ducked all at once. Hitorega's sword just missed his feet, even as Hanmiyo's kick sailed over his head. But before he could attack, they were gone.
He would find them later. Or they'd take care of each other first.
Then he found his target. The dagger materialized in his hand as he leaped. One arm wrapped tightly around her mouth, while the knife buried itself in her throat, greedily lapping up the blood that spilled forth. But even as the knife tore her flesh open, she managed a half-scream through the blood pooling up in her throat. Then Lady Iraga fell to the ground, never to rise again.
Instantly, the gas was gone.
The rest of the Anten Seven lay sprawled about the room, each apparently unconscious.
"Very good," Hazanko said quietly, staring at him. "You've done well, boy."
"Thank you, Lord Hazanko."
"Now go. Bring me Melfina and the XGP."
"What about Gene Starwind and the crew?"
Hazanko paused for a moment. "If at all possible, capture them and bring them to me. I want to see them to die slowly. However, if they give you no other choice, feel free to exterminate the pests. Just be sure that you bring me their heads as proof."
"Understood, Lord Hazanko. I will not fail you."
Hazanko smiled as the young man ran out of the chamber. "Yes, boy. I know you won't."
Continued in Chapter 2: Justice
Gene Starwind and his crew get a strange message from Gwen Kahn. Aisha finds a small girl with a horrible tale to tell. And a certain young man retrieves another piece of his past…
