Chapter 2: I CAN FORESEE DEATH
An empty construction site in Kyoto, Japan becomes new host to unfolding events. A young man finds himself surrounded by a swarm of unwelcome guest.
"Kenji Shugo, Age: 21. My schedule has been really strenuous lately. Well, it's always been strenuous I guess but….Studying to be a surgeon at a top university by day and fighting off invaders at night is beginning to take its toll. Sounds like some kinda superhero, huh? In the end, when it all comes down to it, we who call ourselves Gatekeepers are no different than killers…….murderers. True, these invaders were nothing but selfish, greedy, corrupt and some even worthless human beings but……They were still human, still are human. We haven't the right to call ourselves heroes, no……..were just as evil, maybe even more so. I'm studying to become a surgeon so that I can save lives, not……..not take them. To prevent suffering, pain and even death, that is my dream. And it is with this gate of foresight that my dreams will become reality."
"So you've finally showed up." Asks Kenji "Unfortunately for you, my gate of foresight has shown me your arrival, allowing me more than enough time to prepare. And now, the very same shows me your demise."
The light stroking of a few keys within his laptop activates the trap that was set. Almost a dozen cell phones located around the site wirelessly connect, initiating a program known as an artificial gate. Artificial gates are manmade and can be channeled through electrical devices, cell phones being the most convenient. While only being cheap imitations, this device was more than able in ability to combat the likes of invaders.
Kenji watches as the creatures are engulfed in a wall of flames. He could hear them screeching and crying as if in agony, only reminding him of their once human status. This deeply aggrieved him; however, there was far more work to be done.
"Would you care to show yourself?" Asked he. "You've come to kill me, correct?"
"You're pretty sharp." A voice answered back. "That's a neat little power you got there, tell me, did you also foresee your death?"
"I have."
"Oh really? You don't seem scared, what gives?"
"If one can see the manner and the circumstances in which he dies, then he can take the appropriate measures to overcome that fate."
"Sounds like a hassle to me."
"I'm afraid that you have severely underestimated me, Kane Fushima. That is your name, no?"
"How'd you…"
"The gate of foresight allows me to peer not only into my own past and future, but also that of whomever I choose. As I said, you have indeed underestimated me."
"Kane Fushima, Age: 19. Your life has been one full of tragedies and disappointments, thus your reason for siding with the invaders, to quench the lust for power and bring those who tormented you to their knees. The winter season of 2018 was especially hard for you. Mom and dad had accumulated a vast amount of debt as a result of their uncontrollable gambling habits. It is, and will always be forever etched in your mind…….the Thursday in which they left. Waking up to a completely empty and utterly cold house. 2021 was when the bullying got worse. They'd tease you, say how your parents left because you were worthless, useless, hopeless. You knew of the real reasons your parents had left but…..maybe you were worthless, useless, and hopeless. The hatred you possess for your father and mother is what fans this irrepressible lust for power. And now you have sought to kill me in feeding that lust. You seek to cut me down with your gate of swords."
Kane is overcome with anger. How dare he, how dare this loser gaze into my past, my feelings……How dare he!
Calling upon his gate, Kane summons two blades near his side. A Dao in one hand and a Falchion in the other.
"I'll rip you to shreds!" Kane roared.
All sagacity and astuteness were devoured by the rage within him. As far as anyone could tell, this….this wasn't human; this was a beast of unimaginable caliber. His gate was so compelling and his gaze was a relentless binding, so much so that Kenji himself was taken back and accordingly lost temporary control of his senses. This did not go unnoticed by Kane, who then began his assault. Kenji works to regain his composer but hasn't even the time to gasp as the Falchion and Dao hew him in halves. Such incredible speed. You see, the gate of swords or tearing didn't just consist of being able to pull various blades from thin air as it were, but it granted its wielder enhanced speed and strength so as to fully utilize any and all types of weaponry. From knives to unfathomable great blades, all were encompassed.
"How'd ya like that!" Kane laughed. "If you could see so much why are you dead?!"
Kane's laughter is short lived as a result of the tattered Kenji vaporizing.
"A…An illusion?!"
"Correct." Kenji answers, from an elevated steel beam. "The gate of illusion."
The crisp and smoking cell phone at Kane's feet explained all. "Artificial gate?" He wondered, "How?! When did you…"
"As I've said before, you have underestimated me completely. What's more, you are unable to beat me."
"You think you're so strong?! Is that what you think, loser?!"
Kenji remains composed and unfazed. "You've become so twisted in your anger, you failed to notice the water rising."
"Water?"
Another artificial gate, another trap sprung by Kenji himself, in which Kane fell into for the second time. Kane is thrashed about mercilessly by the gate of Pool. Helplessly striking and being pinned against the supporting steel beams of the site. He struggled in opposition to the current as best he could but…..It was like being trapped in a typhoon at sea, a pointless battle.
The water soon erodes, revealing a broken, battered and half drowned Kane.
Kenji watches, feeling regret over his actions as Kane groans in response to his many broken bones and plenty lacerations. Spiting up water, blood and vomit like his body was violently rejecting the fluids. There was nothing more to be done. Kenji had achieved his objective, now all that was left was to report back to the Japanese branch superior, Jean. At least, that was the plan…….
Suddenly, reaching from the shadows a slender arm loosely embraces around Kenji's neck. "Where do you think you're going?" She asked.
"I have business elsewhere to attend to. I don't have time for pointless battles. As I have told your comrade, I have foreseen this ordeal to the end. You cannot kill me and I will not kill you. The events here are meaningless."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"Die."
Pressing her hand onto Kenji's chest this girl calls forth her ability. "No matter how strong you are, death conquers all, there is no opposing it."
The tense moments following seem to reveal otherwise. Yet another illusion, via artificial gate. Kenji had undoubtedly seen the whole ordeal to the end as he had said, however……
"Only fools try to play god."
Kenji Shugo, a young man with the ability to gleam into the past, present and future aims to alter the bleak outlook of this world. It would seem that his battle with the wayward Gate Keepers is far from over. What of the identity of this mysterious girl? What fate awaits Kenji in the future?
