The Guards were certainly working for their pay now. Chaos was unfolding as three young men came into their club and began utterly destroying it. Similar to reports of another brawl in a neighboring club leaving few to ponder over the strangeness of it happening twice before engaging. Music filled the pauses of combat, gunfire, and deafening explosions. Lights and flashes disoriented and blinded them as one moment they fired at the boys and the next flash of a strobe they were gone.

One of the boys had taken to running to the upper floors and picking off the men still coming down with two large blades on pistols of all things while another was going around the perimeter, bar to bar, through rows of seating areas incapacitating those who tried to avoid the dance floor. The most psychotic brat was the one lobbing explosives like candy at a parade. It was as if he didn't even have an objective and was just out to destroy everything as flashbangs and grenades were lobbed clear across the club. They would even land near his supposed allies who would then just bat them away with a fraction of a second left before they blew.

That was what the security saw. In reality, Raiden was frightened out of his mind. He didn't know how it came to this only that his only course of action was to keep throwing. Eventually, he ran out of the stockpile Caelum left and luckily for him, it seemed everyone was willing to leave him be so long as they weren't being blown apart with the dance floor.

Niel on the other hand was enjoying himself thoroughly. He found himself having cleared the second floor and on the stairway to the third with half a dozen men aiming down the tall corridor at him. Shots unloaded in his direction as his aura glowed around him and seemingly in defiance of gravity he jumped high enough to reach the ceiling above them and launched off it. In a display of martial prowess, he landed in the midst of the men and began disarming them, tossing them down the stairs once he had done so.

Once cleared of the men he ran up to the third floor and repeated his process, ensuring no one fired down on his allies. It was enthralling following such a brazen man as his leader. Yet it was also a guilty pleasure, he was a moral man, here for his partner's well-being and yet he could not shake this excitable feeling.

Caelum took to clearing the first floor where most of the resistance was congregated. Slinking along the darkened corners of the club he began disposing of those firing on Raiden's position. His methods were quiet and quick. Holstering his sidearm he took to using his dagger. The hilt was brutally efficient in striking his foes unconscious. If not outright knocking them out then leaving them on the ground discombobulated.

Some of the guards had caught on and began firing indiscriminately at his direction where their allies had gone silent. Diving behind a booth he made his way to a bar, hiding behind its thicker wood. Playing it safe was a pain in the ass, but if they returned to Beacon battered and with damaged aura, they'd be connected to this 'incident' immediately.

Still receiving fire, Caelum checked his sidearm. With a click of his tongue, he noticed the floor beneath him was reflective, a practical mirror. In it between the strobing greens and purples two sets of hands emerged. Caelum lurched forward out of their reach, kicking a bottom shelf out and grasping two handles of liquor. The men fumbling over the counter looked up in surprise at the thick glass smashed against the top of their heads, pouring the amber-colored liquids over them. Caelum then ragged them over the counter. He placed his knee on the bodies to keep it dry from the strong-smelling liquids and glass shards. With his head out of the line of fire, he loaded a new mag and pulled back the action on his pistol.

Caelum ran back into the fray pushing the men backstage when suddenly the very foundation vibrated violently, causing everyone to stumble, the beat had dropped. Caelum clasped his head while the guards, who wore headsets, were less affected. Seeing their opportunity, those close to him tackled him and tried to restrain him. Two bodies became three then four as tasers were deployed and jolted his body.

'So much for subtlety.' Caelum thought as he fought like a rabid dog. He sank his teeth into one man's arm, straining himself as he used aura to strengthen the bite, feeling a crack underneath him as he freed his arm. With the free hand, he rammed an open palm up into one man's jaw knocking him out then followed with a crippling strike to another's ear, causing him to roll away in pain. The final guard fought to restrain him further pinning his joints and even trying to strike him in the groin before finding himself in a tight embrace as Caelum reared his head back.

Between the flickering lights, the man caught a glimpse of Caelum's furious expression. A nauseating crunch came as Caelum headbutted the man in his nose. The guard went limp in his arms as Caelum threw him to the floor.

Suddenly, silence and color returned to his senses. Caelum looked around, pulling his scarf up to cover his face instinctually as he observed the source. On the third floor, across from him, he saw Niel peering over the railing like a child with both weapons in hand and Raiden meekly peered out from his hiding place.

The three saw each other, confirming they were all okay before turning to the stage. There stood with dirty blonde hair, green dress clothes, and a typical frown was Lukas behind the SFX equipment.

"Just what the fuck are you doing here," he demanded.

The four teammates shared confused looks across the club. The once nice-looking venue with dazzling dance floors and sparkling bottles was now worth a few thousand lien less. The dance floor had scorch marks and small craters, holes riddled walls, and shattered glass. A few stray rounds had caught some of the lighting effects and even broke a fog machine leaving it to perpetually leak.

Groans of pain came from the injured security detail as Niel jumped down from the third floor to join Caelum and Raiden to stand before Lukas on the center floor. Lowering his scarf, Caelum showed his unrepentant expression. The two glared at each other momentarily before Lukas spoke.

"Come with me. He wants to speak with you." Unwavering, Caelum approached the stage to follow. Niel and Raiden hesitated, the self-assured look and tone Lukas held meant no good for them. Yet they couldn't leave their leader alone, especially as their objective walked from them.

The three boys began following as sirens blared into existence outside. "Took 'em four minutes. Faster than usual," commented Lukas as the guards who were still able, ran outside to stop the police from entering.

The boys went backstage, past terrified workers who looked at them in fear, it left a disheartening feeling in both Raiden and Niel who averted their eyes and covered their faces. The boys then were taken down a long corridor, and then down several stairs. One could guess they were twenty meters underground when they proceeded to another set of doors with heavily armed men. These wore actual Atlesian grade gear and tech earning a glare from Caelum. The guards stiffened perceiving him as a threat until Lukas waved his hand.

"Don't. His face is stuck like that. Boss wants to speak to them personally anyways."

The two men nodded and relaxed once more. Pushing past the doors with a silver and emerald crest emblazoned on it the group of boys saw a scarlet-clad room with expensive decorum and furniture. Behind a large desk with a luxurious fish tank with exotic species inside, sat a man.

He was tall, apparent even from his sitting posture and wide shoulders. With such a sturdy frame he cut an imposing picture with the addition of combed white hair and goatee showing his age. Leaning back in a large chair with the same emerald emblem, he wore a gray suit with an emerald vest underneath.

The man's jade eyes shifted to them, glowering. "These them?"

Lukas for the first time anyone had seen, bowed respectfully with a hand on his chest. "Yes sir. These are my… teammates." The distaste he had for the word was received by all and wasn't shocking in the least.

"I heard you smashed my club up pretty nice up there. Care to tell me why?" asked the man in his gravelly voice.

Niel stepped forward. "I don't know what my partner has to do with your- Um, business sir but he has an opportunity to do something good with himself! He shouldn't be neglecting it with a business of ill-repute."

Caelum placed a hand in front of Niel, signaling him to be quiet. Feeling he had to say what he needed to, Niel became further upset. When he noticed the angry glare Lukas gave him, however, he chose to do as instructed.

Caelum then took on the conversation. "Your guard assaulted me first, I asked a simple question and I'm sure your cameras caught that. My act of self-defense may have spiraled out of control and so I apologize. We acknowledge both parties are at fault however, we are simply students."

The man raised a silver eyebrow, seemingly displeased with the answer. Raiden pulled at Caelum's jacket noticing the anger on Lukas's face. Undeterred as ever, Caelum pressed on. "Thankfully your son intervened before anyone was seriously hurt. In fact, he is why we're here as you already know Mr. Coil."

Raiden and Niel were perplexed by the revelation as Lukas indignantly stepped forward to silence Caelum. Suddenly a growing chuckle drew all eyes. The man threw his head back in roaring laughter. "Hahaha! My son told me you were a smart ass but not just as smart!"

Taken aback, even Lukas joined the boys as they shared confused looks. At the behest of the senior Coil, they took seats as he continued laughing. Sitting there awkwardly as he made a few calls. While the father spoke it was evident this was not the outcome Lukas had expected, his usual bitter frown having returned.

Soon the man ended his call and addressed the boys once more. "The police have been dissuaded from investigating any further." Niel seemed to be the only one still perplexed as the man explained, rubbing two fingers and a thumb together. "Even Vale's finest has a price, you just need to know how to address them."

Niel nodded even though his expression showed he didn't fully understand the concept. The man began his uproarious laughter once more. "You boys are certainly something! I'd say not a single one of you has anything in common with the other. But that's neither here nor there, so why don't you explain why you did what you did?"

Raiden felt the urge to confess, suddenly spouting from the mouth. "We swear we thought it was for the best sir. We meant no harm, at least, not initially-" Raiden's eyes drifted to Caelum who sat quietly without guilt. "It's just that your son-" Lukas sent a scowl intending to cow him, but Raiden pressed on. "He is our partner and we're worried for him. His grades are slipping and he hardly attends class. When we do see him he storms off alone"

"You going to tell him how you wipe your ass too? Or are you going to shut the fuck up?" snapped Lukas.

His father's fist slammed down atop his desk, the solid structure of which sent a loud thud resounding. "I did not say you could speak boy."

Lukas averted his eyes and grimaced. "Apologies sir." Despite the venom in his son's tone, the man nodded for Raiden to continue.

As he hesitated Caelum interrupted. "We worked off of what information we had. He would disappear into Vale, come to this club after every practice, then drink himself into a coma and return. Sometimes not until the next day. No student has the amount of money or clout to garner such treatment. We deduced nepotism at play but judging by your expression you were unaware of the extent. We intended to disrupt whatever malpractice he may have been a part of and drag him back. These two acted under my orders and the decision came down to me. I was prepared to exercise discipline on my subordinate or cut him off if need be."

Caelum's teammates sent an astounded look at him while a brow of curiosity was raised by their host. Raiden and Niel felt they would never grow used to his audacity as Lukas was wide-eyed by how Caelum knew his routine when he was off school grounds.

The father's eyes turned to his son who couldn't look directly at him. With an exasperated sigh, he tilted his head. "I shall apologize for my son. His dereliction of duty is in direct opposition to my orders."

Caelum nodded. "We seek to correct his behavior if possible."

"That would be preferable, I thank you for your patience young man."

As the conversation carried on, Lukas had had enough. "Why are you talking as if I am some property? As if I can't make my own decisions? I ain't wrong in this!" He pointed a finger at Raiden then Niel. "I don't need some nerd who can barely walk straight or a partner who doesn't even know what the hell table manners are or why there aren't any horses in the streets!"

His eyes then turned to Caelum, staring daggers. "I sure as hell don't need any wannabe soldier try to run how I live. Some snot-nosed shit from Atlesian nobility who doesn't know what it means to go hungry or to struggle!"

Caelum slowly stood to his feet at the accusations. The expression on his face unlike any in the room had ever seen before. A calm, yet furious expression with callous eyes fixated on Lukas. Without looking away or saying a word, he slowly reached into his pockets. What for was a mystery as his hand clasped around the object within. Lukas was uneasy from the glare and instinctively twitched at the motion. Yet slowly as Caelum drew his hand, he placed a pistol down atop his father's desk.

With frantic eyes, Lukas glanced between the weapon and Caelum as he calmly spoke. "Once you're unable to walk, unable to speak, then you'll understand what weight words have. Why you should not speak."

An angered voice arose from their side. "You dare threaten my son? The heir to the Coil syndicate in front of its head?"

Lukas' emerald eyes shook momentarily as they met his fathers, the enraged expression he held did nothing to comfort him. Caelum's brown irises met the elder's emerald eyes and stood steadfast. In a single breath, he answered. "Without hesitation."

An eerie silence took over the room, no one dared blink. The first to interrupt it was the elder Coil. "Lukas, leave us for the moment."

"What? Dad! I-"

"Now" demanded the father as the doors to the office swung open, a guard on either side. "Think over your actions, how you're mother would have felt about this."

Lukas bit his lip and promptly left, the doors gently closing behind him. The father reclined in his chair with a tired sigh. You may sit Mr. Hyalus. Caelum complied, slowly taking his seat and holstering his weapon.

The man rubbed the bridge of his nose and groaned. "First I shall apologize for my boy's hubris and bravado. He is no coward and for that, I shall ignore your declaration."

Caelum gave no remark as his teammates quietly sank into their chairs, attempting to blend in with the background under the pressure. The man glossed over them and settled on Caelum. "Do you know how irrationally brave that threat you made just now was? Who we are? Especially now that you know he is my heir?"

With his spite fading yet still apparent in his tone, Caelum responded bluntly. "The Coil syndicate. Largest underground organization and black market smuggling operation in Vale. Originally one of multiple gangs two decades ago, it is the only survivor today and is rumored to be the sole operator within Vale, all other crime organizations are said to be intermediaries for various businesses and crimes."

"You've done your homework."

"As I assume you have."

"On those two sure" he gestured to Niel and Raiden who flinched at the wave of his hand, the revelation of his influence shocking them. "You however are quite the enigma."

"Not by choice" spat Caelum.

The man shook his head, relating to the statement. Life can be cruel at all ages, I can see it in your eyes. The weariness, the anger, the fear only rivaled by hatred. Allow me to dispel any of those and be clear with you all."

The man stood and walked to the side of his desk and turned around a single picture frame. It was a young man with golden hair and a woman with red locks. "I was gifted a high rank within this organization at a young age due to nepotism, my father was an officer you see. I met my first wife not long after."

With a forlorn look, he stared down at the image before continuing. "We were married quickly and excited for family. All that changed when I botched a job. Maybe my face was seen or my name heard. Somehow, someone knew I was a part of it. They soon found her and took her from me. Left her barely clinging to life so I could find her just in time to see her fade away."

The story earned bewildered stares from all but Caelum who seemed unphased yet listened intently.

"I learned hate that day. I found them and made them suffer far worse. Yet as they died by my hand, They smiled knowing they had taken from me something I could never get back. I then knew what it was like to lose"

With a sigh, he turned the picture back and revealed another. "I began rising through the ranks, intent on making this syndicate the only underground organization in Vale, no more useless territory wars or hits, all so there would never be another Dorothy, another me."

He pointed to the picture where a slightly older man sat with a blonde woman on his lap, both smiling ear to ear. "That's when I met Alice. Lukas's mother and a huntress." He gave a bitter chuckle to himself, recalling memories that his words were sure to fail to describe.

"She was assigned to bring me in, busted my ass well too." He pointed to a scar on his forehead. "But when interrogating me privately, she took pity and agreed change was needed, that something needed to be done, some control. She covered for me and provided info so long as I owned up to my word and protected the night side of Vale. It wasn't till we were expecting Lukas she told me why she was helping me. She had lost her brother in a shootout as a child."

With a deeper sigh, he turned that picture around and returned to his seat. "I did what I swore to but as I became more consumed with it, she raised Lukas and they both saw less of me. Eventually, she couldn't ignore her duties and began to hunt again. One day she returned to Vale and heard that I succeeded. Only it was in the exact way she didn't want it."

Raiden quietly muttered, "The solstice slaughters…"

The man nodded solemnly. "On the solstice festivities, we carried hits out against the heads of each opposing gang that wouldn't submit. Eighty-two deaths in a matter of fifteen minutes by two words, my words. 'Do it.' When I said them I was heartbroken knowing Alice wouldn't forgive me. But as I thought of Dorothy, I had no regret. After our fall out where Alice said I should have trusted her to arrest them, she took to traveling, having nothing to do with me and I raised Lukas, ironically because I could provide a stable home."

He then threw his head back and rested his eyes briefly. "Lukas took to playing with street rats, others he felt he could relate to. He would even go hungry, giving them his food for friendship and lying to me, saying he ate it. More often than not he was attacked or abandoned by them when they learned of his relation to me. Twice he was kidnapped and ransomed. His childhood was never stable. He is my heir, but I don't want him to experience what I have. To learn from my mistakes and to trust. His mother is still in his life but he feels she ran from us. I don't wish for him to stagnate here, he should want to make a name for himself, to learn of honor, and make his mother proud where I could not."

"I'm sorry for your loss but where does this involve us?" asked Caelum, his monotone voice having returned yet making him sound insincere at the worst of times.

As his two teammates stared at him with wild eyes, the man chuckled. "You have a good attitude boy, I wouldn't trust a man like me either. There is plenty in it for you but let us continue with the boy in question." With a snap of his fingers, his son was escorted back in with the two guards in tow.

-Chapter End-