My story begins when I was 21; a mission that I had with the Dokusensha organization.
I had the weekend off and I was waiting to read a new book I had just bought, but my book would have to wait for I got a phone call. A man from Dokusensha named Mr. Kim had called and said that I was needed for a special mission to retrieve a book from a place on a remote island called Incognito that was located in The Philippines, and that it would take at least the weekend. My birthplace…I had never really thought that I would ever go back there; this news didn't really didn't have any special meaning to me, but it still seemed a bit interesting that I might return from whence I came.
I agreed to the mission and within the hour I was on an airplane to the Philippines.
Mr. Kim wasn't lying when he said it was a remote island, if there wasn't a guide for me there already I would have never found it; not even the natives knew where the island was. We had to take a boat privately owned by the Dokusensha organization to get to it. It took about an hour to get to Incognito, it didn't really have anything special on it: there was a small mountain that had a mansion built into its side, with some trees surrounding it and a sandy beach. As we moved closer I saw that there was a dock with a boat resting at its side. We stayed away from the dock for some time, waiting until the sun set. It was during that time that my guide informed me on my mission.
Pulling out a blueprint he began pointing at various places. "This is where we believe the book is, in the third tower on the right. Our observation crew has informed us that that is the only building that lights are on inside; the rest of it seems abandoned. Over here is where we will drop you off at and from there you will have to make your way into the lair on foot. Over here is where we will pick you up." Pulling out pictures he showed me what the book's bindings looked like and that it was called Twilight Blaze by a codenamed author called S.H. Cooler. Handing me an ear-piece and a small microphone he then informed that I had an hour to infiltrate the building, find the book, and get out; if it took longer than that without finding the book then I would have to abandon my current position and head to the rendezvous point. If I found it and I was on my way to the meeting place, then I would have to radio in more time.
He gave me a satellite picture of the island and the blueprints. He said I had 30 minuets to study everything before I had to prepare to begin the mission. Carefully I studied the schematics…
I have known some Paper Masters to carry around their paper in suitcases, but I didn't prefer such a thing. Instead I carried paper in a backpack and 2 folders that I tied together and carried in my hand. Changing into my battle outfit (the dark clothes and a black trench coat) I left the boat and sped down the dock, easily evading any noticeable traps. From the dock there was a pathway that led to the mansion that I initially took, only to go away from the trail and search for an alternative entrance. The place wasn't very heavily guarded, in fact the only thing to protect the mansion was the obvious booby-traps that were so obvious to me.
As I drew closer to the mansion I saw that no one had tended to it for years; there were vines climbing up the sides of the walls and tall grass surrounding the entire parameter. Taking out some paper from my first notebook I threw it towards the building and made it cut the grass so I could more easily get to the walls. Then with those same sheets of paper I made a grappling hook and threw it to the top of the first tower (which according to the map was the second tower on the left) and made it bind to something that was on the roof. Quickly, I climbed up the tower and than stood on the roof.
The next part was easy; I folded a pair of wings out of the paper in my backpack and flew over the roofs of the towers, making sure that no one noticed me. When I got over the roof of 'the third tower on the right' I used the wings to cut a big hole in the wall for me to enter. Unfortunately that hole made a large crashing sound and I was sure that whoever lived here was alerted by this. Making the paper return to my bag I looked down at my watch to see how much time was left…seventeen minutes. I had to work fast.
The room I entered didn't have bookshelves, I had to look elsewhere. Exiting the room I saw that there was only one way to go, down. Hurriedly I ran down the stairs, making sure not to waste time, and ducked my head into each room to see if anything regarding books were in them. Nothing. All there I saw was empty room after empty room, and nothing even resembling a bookshelf or bookcase. Fifteen minutes. Suddenly I heard a voice from down below asking who was here and what I wanted. He knew I wanted his book and I had no other choice but to take him on.
I ran to the bottom of the stairs to find a large open-spaced room with pillars all around the ends of the room and candle light for illumination. I stepped into the center of the room and called out, "Give me the book.'
He laughed, believing himself to be superior to me and my skills, foolish. Stepping out from a pillar at my left he revealed himself: a tall man, at least 6'4 and ghastly-pale skin as if he hadn't been outside for months. His hair was long, down to his back, and brown. He had a scrawny build and wore a white trench coat.
Smiling a crooked smile he said, "Well well, it's been quite some time since I had a decent fight. Tell me young one, what is your name? I need to know what to write on your grave."
"Tetsuhiko, and that's all you'll ever learn from me," I replied.
He began to laugh even more, "Ha, this should be amusing." And with that said he removed his coat, showing that he had throwing knives in straps all over his body and two large daggers at his sides.
Taking some out, one for each finger on his right hand, he thrust them at me and then ducked behind a pillar. Using the paper in my second folder I shielded myself from their sharp edges with a paper shield that encircled me, and then I heard them clattering on the floor as if made useless.
"A Paper Master…I see, this should be better than I thought!"
He grabbed one of his daggers with his left hand and took another handful of knives with his right, and tried the same throwing maneuver he used before. I easily blocked his knives with the paper shield, then lowering it I saw him dashing at me with animal like speed. Thinking fast I made the shield into a two large blades and blocked his attack with one blade, then struck at his side with the other causing him to bleed.
He laughed again and then pulled out his second blade, "C'mon, give me all you got!"
With his second dagger he cut my defensive sword in half, but I made the split half of it return to regular hard paper and then I sent then flying at him. I watched them cut his body all over, making his limbs bleed too much for movement. I used the second blade to bind his limbs to the ground so he couldn't move. He was trapped.
Grabbing him by the collar I yelled, "WHERE THE HELL IS IT?" His sight looked away from me and to a large black stone on the middle of the floor.
"Its there…now kill me, I've lost," he replied in a sorrowful tone.
Letting him go I said, "I'll let Dokusensha deal with you. I personally have no interest in killing you." His anguish in defeat disgusted me. I moved to the stone and easily removed it from its holding place, and sure enough it was there. Twilight Blaze…
I looked to my watch, THREE MINUTES! I took the book and using my remaining paper I folded a second pair of wings and flew out of the tower and towards the rendezvous place. I tried radioing in for more time but the signal wasn't strong enough. Two minutes. The island seemed so large now, like its size grew as my time shortened. I needed to get there before they left without me. Over the hills and trees I flew, speeding as fast I could. One minute. Almost there but I might not make it. Thirty seconds. I see it, they're so close yet its so far. Fifteen seconds. I'm almost there but they're starting the engines, damn this weak signal. With all of my strength I forced the wings into overdrive and burst into beyond bird-like speed. My wings are falling apart; I'm not going to make it. Five…four…three…two…one…
With the last of my energy I crashed onto the deck of the boat, making a big skid mark across the surface. I almost lost the book to the sea, as my hand was off the edge, but I didn't let go, not once did I let go. I gave the book to my guide and he in turn handed me a toilet paper roll that he said was a 'voucher' for my payment. Only one? I remarked on this and reluctantly he gave me second one.
It was a long trip back; all I could think of was my book that awaited me. The sea currents dragged us along back to the mainland…what a nice current.