Author's Note:
Hey, the very first arc of the story is coming to an end. Dangers aside, I'm looking forward to carefully developing my characters, making them grow in certain situations, especially Amato. So you know you can look forward to more crazy situations for him and his famiglia!
Chapter 5: I Have Decided.
Legacy Arms and the Awakening.
Both crucial and testament of the Zanna Famiglia. It is said that every boss of the Zanna Famiglia has had his own Legacy Arm. Even my father. These Armaments embody the strongest characteristic of said boss of that generation, focusing it into a single vessel. Thus, they can provide strength and abilities to their users, passively. I heard stories of some crazy things that my ancestors did. When used together with the pendant I am wearing now, the Tear of the Fang, it forces that focused power into the body, forcing the body to adapt and change to accompany that power.
When this happens, that person has Awakened.
I stand before the assassin in proud stature, my gun still pointed at him. The wind had calmed down, and waves of energy had dissipated. I guess everyone was anticipating what was gonna happen next, as an odd silence fills the scene. It is still strange. My senses sharpened and I could see the movements of the assassin so clearly, his actions is now slower than before, slow enough for me to dodge or parry his strikes. I could hear the sound of butterfly's wing-beat a few blocks away, and see the sign a few blocks away as though it was right in front of me.
"You think that light show's gonna save you?" The assassin cried out, his silver hair blown back by the wind. It sounded almost like he was trying to convince himself. That yell was probably his signal, as he immediately charged towards me, bring down his black-blade, this time, using both hands to input the power of his swings.
I guess I was still hesitant of killing, as I could not pull the trigger when I could.
His foots-steps like thunder, he throws his swing faster than before, almost in-humanly possible, I think, creating a sharp sound as the blade cuts through the air.
"Chink!" The sound exploded from the ground as metal and stone collide once more, I dodged the first and second swings effortlessly, and pulled my body back. Taking on a tradition fighting stance, I immediately pull my knee up and stretch my heel as high as I can, before bringing it down. My axe kick is to break his neck.
"Crack!" The sound induced a slight feeling of success for me. If I finish it now, Sergio and Gina will not have any chance to get hurt. Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a sharp, heavy pain.
"Nggh!" I gave out as the cold, black steel drove itself into my shoulders, like a poison seeping into an open wound. The shadows seemed to expand for a second there as my vision blurred. In reality, after my explosive kick landed on his neck, the assassin used the opportunity to drive his sword into my shoulders. I could feel it wading through my flesh, its chilling surface tensing my muscles, before stopping as it touched my shoulder-bone. Anything to get the job done, huh? I do not know if I should be impressed or terrified.
Immediately, I jumped back so that he would not get the chance to throw another swing, and I think I was in a worse position than him.
"Amato!" I hear Sergio and Gina's voice in unison. I take a quick glance to see them horrified by what happened, tears were slowly streaming down Gina's face. Kiera stood there motionless, but I could see anguish in her face as well. Darn it, I made Gina cry. Sergio tried to approach me to help, but Kiera blocked his way.
"You'll help him a lot more if you stay back and not get caught in the fight." Kiera said so calmly, but anyone could have felt the reluctance in her tone.
Of course, no way the assassin would stop, and in a matter of seconds, he resumed his assault.
"Crack. Crack." Cracking sounds, as bone-chilling as there are, can be heard from his neck as he twist and turn it around. It was as if my kick never happened. Does he feel no pain at all? All accounts to debilitate and hinder his actions have failed. Do I really have to kill him?
Thoughts cloud my mind as I barely slide past each strike, every time the strikes gets closer and closer. My body twitches and squirms in reaction to the pain, throbbing with each beat of my heart. Beads of sweat started forming on my forehead as the pain lingers. It was as if the body is urging me to stop, to rest. I feel it is harder and harder to focus. I have to end it now.
"Die!" The assassin suddenly roar out, a fiendish smile stretched across his face, plastered on his crooked head. The sword cut through the air and as I dodged, it created the loudest clank so far as it hit the stone paths of Venice. As I recovered for a counter-attack, the throbbing seems to get worse, each beat booming like a beat-box in my head. Without thinking, I threw a round-house kick as hard as I can.
"Thwack!" The impact was loud. This time, the assassin flew.
"Arrggghhh!" He roared like a tiger denied of his prey as his robes get drawn by the momentum.
Immediately, I turned and aimed Fenris at him, forcing myself to pull the trigger.
"Bang!" The shot, its explosion similar to that of a wolf's snarl, flew fast and swift, powerful enough to cut through the wind visibly. The bullet flew towards his chest. Though the head would have been a better target, my reluctance forced my instinct to aim for his chest instead. What surprised me most was that the guy actually saw it coming and twisted to his sides. The bullet torn through his right shoulder instead, ripping through his robes like a wolf's claw.
"Crash!" Was the sound heard immediately as he landed at one of the bazaar stands, destroying the fragile wooden foundations, leading to the whole stand collapsing on top of him.
Was.. was it over? Did I... killed him? No. That would be too easy. Did I at least knock him out? The silence of the streets now haunts us as the fighting was over. I turned towards my friends only after more than a few minutes has passed. The waters from the canals clash against the stones walls, as if rowdy for more fighting, the sound magnified by the silence.
That was my mistake.
A crash of sorts, loud and wild, blew off as the assassin erupted from the pile of rubble and wood. He was still yelling, or maybe roaring, for that matter. As my back was turned, he charged against my once again. This time seemingly faster than before.
"Amato! Six O'clock!" Sergio commanded once again, his hand point towards the direction opposite of where I am currently walking towards.
I would slap myself then if I had the chance. I turned a second quicker to be able to see the silver-hair monster drag his jet-black sword on the floor and swing it upwards, I think, aiming for my face. The only action I could manage was moving my arms to block it. The cut not only slashed across both of my arms, but the sheer force actually managed to throw me off my feet. My sharp senses seems to get more dull as my injuries throb. Nevertheless, I flew against the sides of one of the building of the Residential District. I could feel pain as I forced my body to move, landing as I hit the walls with my legs. Then, with as much of my remaining strength as possible, I pushed against the wall. The momentum of the rebound sent me back at the assassin like a speeding bullet.
"Hhhhrrraaaaaggggghhhhh!" I screamed as I pull my the hand not holding Fenris, my left fist, back, throwing it to punch the guy.
"Crack!" Was the sound loudly heard as my punch, accompanied with the force of the rebound, plunged into his face and into his jaw. The strike was much stronger than I anticipated, as I completely lose the feeling of my left fist to numbness immediately after that. The assassin flew from the impact, his face stunned by the chain of events. He knocked against the wall of the opposite building, giving off another loud 'thud', before falling on the ground.
I, myself, limped towards him with bated breath. My wounds scream out with pain, my whole body throbs and aches. I was drenched with sweat and covered with grime. As I got to him, he regained consciousness.
"Will you yield? Stop what you're doing. I don't want to kill you." I gave out coldly, I have little energy to sweeten my words.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha! I'll never stop! If you let me go, I'll just come back as soon as I can!" He laughed it out before coming face to face with Fenris. The last look on his face was one of surprise.
"Bang." The final shot rang across the streets, so loudly was it that the birds flew away, as if avoiding this horrid sight. His head had exploded apart from the impact, blood flew everywhere, some landed on my face. Not a surprise, a shot from from Fenris could blow a solid brick apart.
That was how I wanted it to occur. Instead, I cocked Fenris and put him away.
"No. You have friends, you have family. Is all of this worth it? Think about it." I gave out my reasoning. Whether he chose to heed it will determine his fate. First, his face still had that maniacal smile. Then, it was replaced by wide eyes of uncertainty and confusion. No word came from his mouth as he struggled to get back on his feet and limped away. He gave one last glance at me before disappearing into the dusk of the night.
"It's over..." I gave out with a sigh.
Sergio, Gina and Kiera walked to my side, not knowing the right words to say. I do not blame them, I am surprised Sergio and Gina did not run off when the whole thing happened.
I looked up into the sky, a full moon was up, it light now bathing onto my whole body. The wind had stopped blowing, but the silence was still there. The words that appeared across the pendant vanished, and I can feel the strength seeping away. My wounds throbs loudly in my head. I could feel the warm blood dripping from my wounds, mixing with the beads of sweat flowing down my body.
It is done. He is right. More will come, each time stronger than before. My Famiglia will be in danger. I must protect them.
As the last of the power disappeared, I fell to one knee. The cold of the night chilled my bones but also kept me from losing my consciousness. I find myself staring at the moon. Right, there is only one path. One choice.
"Kiera!" I ordered, for the first time in my life. She looked on with worried eyes. "I have decided." I continued, eyes still looking at the moon, my body shivering slightly.
"I will be Zanna Decimo."
Elsewhere, in a distance away from us. The Cervello has kept their watch.
"Surprising." One of them gave out in a serious tone. They watched as Gina helped me up and the rest helped me walk home.
"The attacks will continue..." Another one of the Cervello replied, shifting her pink bangs back. "Can you protect your family, Zanna Decimo?" She asks, almost in a curious tone.
"We shall see..." The two of them replied in unison as they disappeared into the shadows of the night.
Across the rooftops, another unknown figure stood there vigilant, watching both us as well as the Cervello. In his hands was a notebook, and as he watched, he recorded what details he could. His dark, blue hair was long, just barely below his shoulders, partly covered by his black fedora hat. His hair seemed messy at first glance, but the spikes curving out look symmetrical giving, it a nice, organized look. His eyes, similarly colored as his hair, were serious and calm. He wears a brown waistcoat over his white, long sleeved shirt together with simple black pants.
"Data input complete." He announces to himself with a sturdy and serious tone.
As the words end, he picked up the item lying beside him on the floor, a sniper rifle. It was adorned with sculpted designs with wooden plating, giving it a classical look and feel. It was also about the same length as his body from head to toe. As we left for home, he broke into a dash and vanished into the alleys below...
An hour later, I walked down the very same path in my mansion, my body covered with bandages. At the end of the path, was the throne that I am to sit in. I looked around, scanned the room, The white interior was covered with the black suited members of the Zanna Famiglia. Most of them are injured. Maybe it is just me but I think I can see smiles on some of their faces. I walked on with a worried look. I am to be boss. Me, a fourteen year-old teenager. Can I pull it off? At last I reached the throne, and sat down, in a calm manner.
Kiera knelled before me, offering in her hands a plain black box. Opening it revealed Fenris, placed neatly in its center. As I am instructed, I am to officially take it, and declare my title. Taking the pistol slowly. I looked at the Legacy Arm of the Zanna Primo and wonder if he or she had the same experience, at the same time clearing my doubts. Holding the pistol to my side, I returned to the seat in the most calm and serious way I know. That was when I made the choice that changed my life forever.
"I am Zanna Decimo."
The end of the 'Decision' Arc! Things are really gonna change for Amato now! Originally, I would have had Amato finish off the guy, but, I decided I want him to be a tad nicer. Whatever you think of it, please say it out in your reviews! Oh, Italics!