Prologue
"So how is Operation Somnus going, Mr. Kogai?" asked a man in a dark suit and white shirt, with a red tie over it, as his gaze darted between two individuals, standing in front of him.
He was seated behind a solid wooden desk in the center of a room illuminated by the light of the full moon filtering through a large glass window on the left side. Opposite it there was a massive bookshelf crammed with books and texts, bound in leather, and just ahead of the desk itself, a large carpet embroidered in silk with gold detailing.
"Slowly," replied the former, giving himself a quick tune-up to the black blazer he was wearing. He was a tall, slender young man, wearing tailored gray pants and a white shirt over which stood a black tie with strange yellowish romboidal symbols and rust-colored gloves on his hands. But the thing that seemed most unusual was his hair, whiter than snow and bowl-cut. "And you don't need to be told to whom such a result is attributable."
The man remained silent, as if carefully reflecting on what was reported to him, then with a fluid and swift movement he rose from his seat, heading toward the large window and entwining his own hands behind his back. The lenses of his glasses shimmered in the reflection emanating from the glow of the pale moonbeams, sharply accentuating the soft dark hair, as his gaze was lost in the panorama ahead: A jungle of concrete and asphalt, with tall skyscrapers glittering like diamonds silhouetted against the night sky, clear, even of stars. Below, the streets, illuminated by neon clouds, wound like the arteries of the human body, tangling and twisting like the coils of a snake, dotted with vehicles of all sorts and magnetic levitation streetcars.
Although it seemed a particularly quiet night, Limit City was more alive than ever.
"Minor issues," he murmured finally, in a tone of voice so distant it seemed feeble.
"Sir?" asked Kogai, confused. The man turned, looking at him for a few seconds without saying anything as a smirk hovered on his lips "Cockroaches," he pronounced later, "That's what they are. And do you know what would be the most suitable action against cockroaches, Mr. Kogai?"
He raised a hand and closed it into a fist "You crush them without any compunction" he took a few steps forward "However, this is a burden that is certainly not ours to bear. We already have those who must deal with it. And then we have far greater matters to turn our thoughts to. And on that very subject, Mr. Kozuka."
His eyes rested on the other individual in the room who had remained silent up to that moment: He was shorter than Kogai but decidedly more vigorous, dressed in an elegant midnight-blue suit and a purplish tie, and with a thick mass of messy black hair that framed a face rosier than that of his colleague, but on which stood out a large scar at the level of his left eye, whose iris and pupil appeared to be pearly white "Have you checked whether the information obtained provided a match or was merely the result of mere supposition? "
"Affirmative, sir," he replied, taking a small step forward. Unlike the other, he seemed to have an even more composed attitude "One of our officers returned a few days ago with the data we needed, confirming their veracity."
"Excellent" retorted the man, spreading his lips even wider 'These are the reports that put me in a good mood' He turned his head toward the young man with the wispy hair "Did you hear that, Mr. Kogai? You should take it as an example."
The latter arched an eyebrow, but the man continued "So, let's start again, and this time, I hope I don't have to repeat myself. So, how is Operation Somnus proceeding, Mr. Kogai?" he pronounced his name with some emphasis, then stared at him intently, as if to make sure he was following his instructions to the letter.
"We have collected about thirty percent of the energy and will reach forty in a few weeks," he explained. The man clapped his hands in satisfaction, "See? It wasn't that difficult."
"However," Kogai resumed, and at those words the man thinned his gaze, "It will take months for the accumulated energy to be sufficient. Moreover, in order to finalize it, it is most essential to obtain the remaining 'you know what'"
The man didn't respond, merely massaging his temples, as if what he had just heard had given him a migraine, finally sighing "Alright. I guess I should have expected that something wouldn't go according to plan," he turned back to the window"In any case, I expect to observe the fruits of our efforts as soon as possible, so make sure to speed up the process and I don't want to hear any more excuses or justifications, understood?" His voice became harsher, as sharp as a razor blade.
"Understood," the two replied in unison, as quick and efficient as two automatons.
The man nodded in satisfaction "Now that we have set the record straight, Mr. Kozuka, what is the current status of our operational teams?"
"Indisposed," he retorted, "They have been assigned tasks of the highest priority that they haven't yet completed."
"I suppose there is at least a plausible explanation for such a setback. Am I right?" His voice was now lower, but no less intimidating, and he stroked the glassware with his fingertips.
"Affirmative, sir. However..." tried to justify himself to his subordinate"Team Kariudo is in the training session after completing a reconnaissance. Would you like me to summon them?"
"Not at all" The man turned toward him, putting his hands behind him and advancing straight ahead, passing him confidently "The mission I have in mind would require a decidedly tactical and discreet approach, reasoning that, it would be totally unsuitable. They are used to using a heavy foot, they would be like a bull in a china shop."
"I see," murmured Kozuka, lowering his gaze.
"Any news of Agent Shadow instead?" the man asked again before taking a seat behind his desk.
"He's right outside," Kogai intervened, pointing to the door to their left, "He completed his assigned task in a very short time and is now awaiting new instructions. I wouldn't keep him waiting any longer than he has to if I were you."
"Excellent!" he exclaimed, snapping his fingers as another smirk curved his lips, "This is the efficiency and compliance our organization needs. Send him in. I have an extremely delicate mission to entrust him with that requires his special skills, then you may take your leave."
"As you wish" The two made a slight bow before turning on their heels and walking away, but once they reached the door, their superior's voice ripped through the silence that had just been created, as if to call them to attention.
"Gentleman" The man crossed his fingers on the desk and leaned a little further forward "I understand how dark the times we are about to go through, but I can assure you that if we follow the predetermined script and stick to our roles, we can finally grasp the goal we set out to achieve. I don't need to remind you how vitally important it is that our little project proceed without further hiccups. And failure isn't among the contemplated options. Have I made myself sufficiently clear?"
"Crystal clear, sir."
"Now go," he added, "I have a lot to think about, and you have work to do."
Kozuka nodded, opening the door and leaving the room. But Kogai, on the other hand hadn't moved, his head bowed as if he was looking at the ground and his hand on the doorknob "Sir," he finally called to him.
He looked up "Is something wrong, Kogai?"
For a moment he seemed to hesitate, probably intimidated by the pressure the man was releasing "How should we act in case the obstacles in our path become more tenacious?"
"Oh, well, in that case..." he placed a forefinger under his chin, as if to reflect on it, then the usual expression disappeared from his face, replaced by a grimace that distorted his entire face into an arrogant grin "We will plunge them into an endless abyss. I hope I have dispelled all your misgivings."
The young man nodded silently, turning the carved brass knob counterclockwise and disappearing from his sight.
Left alone in the quiet of the room, thoughts seemed to crowd his mind. He placed one hand on the cold shelf, his open palm facing his face "I will have to be patient a little longer..." he quickly closed it and lifted his arm upward "...And then, the whole world will be in the palm of my hand!"
That same night in Limit City...
"Come on, let's repeat the plan one more time."
"Again? This is the seventh time we've done this."
"Will you stop with this complaining?"
In the middle of the night, under the pale full moon, Limit City looked more beautiful than ever.
But even such a beautiful metropolis concealed its demons. The area further west was so different that it itself seemed like another city: A tangle of cramped, oppressive streets, lit by dim, unstable light. The streetlights, old and covered with graffiti, emitted a flickering glow that seemed to accentuate the shadows rather than drive them away. The walls of the surrounding buildings were peeling and blackened, marked by years of neglect and the inexorable advance of time. Here, neon signs didn't glow as brightly as in the downtown neighborhoods; indeed, they were often broken or about to go out altogether, emanating an intermittent light that cast the environment in an eerie dance of chiaroscuro. The streets were littered with debris, bags of garbage piled at the corners like small mountains of garbage, and the sound of shattering glass mingled with the incessant hum of old cars driving through the area. The walls were a mosaic of colorful graffiti, some of which looked like cryptic messages left by local gangs. Electric cables dangled from building to building, like abandoned cobwebs.
The air was thick and stale, pervaded by the pungent smell of gasoline, smoke and something undefined but unpleasant. The wind hissed softly through the metal spires of the city, caressing with cold fingers one of the buildings that dominated that jungle. Its facade was so decrepit that it looked like a wreck on the verge of collapse, but it was one of the few spots that could offer a full view of the entire area.
On it was a vast terrace, bordered by steel parapets that glittered faintly in the moonlight. There were satellite dishes and mechanical structures placed haphazardly, like relics of a changing technological age. A light haze, imbued with the smell of wet asphalt and metal, enveloped everything, making the atmosphere almost unreal.
Five figures were standing, cowering in the half-light: one turning his head to the left and right as if making sure there was no one else but them, another in the center pacing back and forth, with three others looking at him in curiosity.
"Focus, team. We're not here to play" The person speaking was the guy in the comings and goings, whose features, albeit in dim light, appeared more distinguishable. He was a young man with short black hair with some strands, more specifically those at the back, a bright orange color, and other strands at the front, instead golden, falling downward and sprouting from the red band on his forehead like unkempt foliage, with a single, slightly shorter tuft pointing upward "We are here because the Commander has ordered me to personally test your abilities before admitting you into our ranks. And since I'm a hands-on type, I believe that direct field experience is the most suitable option for doing so."
He paused, planting his gaze on each of those present, almost as if he were looking for something on their faces "So, we will repeat the plan as long as I feel like it and it will be no more automatic for you than your breathing. Any other objections?"
Two of them shook their heads, but the third one huffed softly, almost hoping not to be heard, which wasn't the case, as the man was piercing him with his gaze "Do you have anything to add, cadet?" In his military green tactical vest he looked even more menacing.
"Absolutely not, captain," he tried to justify himself, at the same time letting out a nervous chuckle. He appeared as little more than a young boy, probably 15, with a thick patch of raven hair with alternating brown and red strands, whose torso, legs and feet were covered respectively by a green biker jacket with a white T-shirt, tight sand-colored jeans and high shoes largely in a dirty green with some red details. Protecting his windpipe was a wide red neckwarmer.
"Damned brat," commented under his breath another one of that strange fellows, a girl, who might have been a couple of years older than the other, wearing a mesh top under which some sort of black bra was visible, tight black jeans with holes and rips revealing snow-white skin, and dark purple amphibians with yellow laces. On top, however, she wore a kind of long green sleeveless coat, the edges of which were frayed, and she had ebony-colored hair, short in the front, although it had two more extended locks on the sides and long in the back instead, with tufts on top of her head that seemed to have a life of their own and made that look even more rebellious.
"What did you just say?" the boy asked aloud, clenching a fist and glaring at her.
"That you're a damned brat," she retorted, shaking her head slightly, staring back at him, but with a look that should have put off any attempt at retort, but the young man didn't seem to want to give in.
"Say it again if you dare," he growled shortly afterward.
"What, are you deaf by any chance?" she asked in an icy tone, raising an eyebrow. She was also wearing something red like the other, although it was the hood of her jacket and a handkerchief on her right wrist.
The boy clenched his jaw, his fist shaking slightly "Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Certainly not a rookie like you," replied the girl, remaining impassive and squinting as a small smirk emerged on her face 'Who gets overwhelmed by emotions and explodes at every slightest provocation' She opened her eyelids, giving him another one of those hostile looks"Do you really believe that someone like you has even the slightest hope of making it? That he has the guts to face what lies ahead? We're not going to the playground, we're at war. So see that you get out of my way and out of my sight. The Crimson Aurora doesn't need guys like you."
"You ugly..." he squeezed his knuckles so hard they almost turned white "You think you're better than me?" he hissed back.
The girl didn't answer immediately. She merely bent her head slightly to the side, staring at him with a mixture of boredom and contempt. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, she moved a step closer, shortening the distance between them "I don't think" Her tone was sharper than a sword "I am"
The tension seemed palpable, like a rope pulled to its end and ready to snap "Then prove it to me" The other decided to take a step toward her as well, putting his right arm on which a gray-colored device with some details was placed, in front of his torso: In a short time, both the left and right compartments opened and unfolded, and simultaneously a triangular shape appeared on each end, with the right side appearing to be a slit. An angular blade of yellowish energy formed on the front.
"I dare you to a duel," he announced through gritted teeth, with a sparkle in his amber eyes.
The brunette raised an eyebrow, probably surprised by his gesture "Uh, uh, it looks like the little guy wants to do like the big guys" But she didn't move an inch; on the contrary, she remained motionless, her gaze fixed on him, as if she was assessing every detail of his posture and intentions, her irises looking like those of a reptile. Then, with a slow, deliberate gesture, she lifted her right hand, letting the device emerge and expand. Similar to his own, but with details in deep red, it fanned open, revealing a blade of greenish energy that pulsed faintly.
"Are you really sure?" she asked, getting a nod in response "I don't know if you are stupid or just thoughtless, but don't worry, I will make you regret even thinking of such a thing!"
"NOW I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" The commander's voice thundered imperiously, crashing like a lightning storm, interrupting the little conflict that was taking place before him and approaching them with determined steps. He stopped between the two, staring at them both with a gaze so stern that it could have silenced even the most daring "What do you think you are doing? Do you think it's a good idea to start bickering in the middle of an important mission? Do you think your enemies would keep quiet and silent and not take advantage of the situation? Or do you instead want to surrender by directly reporting your position? Do you want to desert even before you enlist? Or should I regard you as hostile subjects?"
"But...captain," protested the boy angrily, pointing to the other who was watching the whole thing with indifference, "she started it."
"I don't want to hear any excuses" continued the man "You're about to become a Dawn Keeper, dammit! Do you have any idea what duties that entails?"
"Yes, captain," he replied, lowering his gaze.
"Then act like one!" Then he turned his head toward the other recruit "And that goes for you too!"
The girl made to open her mouth, ready to make her case, though her irritation began to fade completely, probably because of the way the captain was scrutinizing her.
"And now return to your seats" With a vaguely contrite expression, the girl did as ordered, followed closely by the other, who continued to keep his head bowed.
"An odd way to break the ice," commented the other figure, referring to the little interlude he had just witnessed. He was a young man in his early twenties with a fair complexion and sapphire eyes. On his head he wore a red woollen cap, from which sprouted a thick mass of tousled hair, as if it had been hit by a blizzard, of a frost-like hue, with a few tufts curling upward, and he wore a green padded jacket with a thick fur collar and tall black snow boots. The neck was adorned with a short crimson scarf decorated with tiny dark patterns.
The captain turned slowly toward him, and his gaze was enough to dull any trace of a smile from his face "One word too many and I guarantee you will be assigned to clean the base for an entire week. Understood?"
The one raised his hands in surrender "Aye aye, my captain" Making afterwards a kind of military salute as if to ape him.
"The next interruption I will have to regard as a serious act of insubordination and a direct affront to my authority, so it will be severely punished," he stated peremptorily, then the man went back to observing the girl, raising a finger in her direction as if to point her out "While I disagree, I fully understand your eagerness to demonstrate the temper you are made of and also that you want to test your comrades, to make sure you don't have dead weight beside you. But trust me, this isn't the right way. Showing strength means having control, not acting on impulse."
She didn't utter any words to counter it; rather, she bit her lower lip with intensity, as if that speech had struck her to the core.
The captain continued, "In fact, this behavior you know what it denotes in my eyes? Immaturity, and that makes you anything but ready."
"But captain..." she then tried to retort "I just wanted to..."
"I don't want to hear justifications," he interrupted her, "If you want to redeem yourself, show me that you are capable of doing so. Otherwise, The Crimson Aurora isn't the right place for you. As for you, on the other hand," his index finger shifted to the boy, "Getting subjugated by emotions and letting them cloud your judgment is a sign of weakness. No matter how good you think you are, if you can't keep your composure under pressure, you will fail. A Dawn Keeper worthy of this title never lets things like this dominate him, but uses them to his own advantage. Above all, he has as his priority his comrades and the achievement of the purpose for which the Crimson Aurora arose."
The boy stiffened, swallowing hard as he lifted his head to examine his interlocutor, "I'm sorry, captain."
"If you really want to be considered members of our organization," announced the man in a grave tone, "You will have to prove to me that you deserve it, and you must do so by tonight. Discipline isn't an option, it's an obligation. It's what separates fools from those who struggle to achieve their dreams and ideals. Try to remember this at all times. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" the three exclaimed in unison.
"Now that the pleasantries are over and you still dispose of so much will and energy" He did a little about-turn and went back to scanning the recruits "Use it to perfectly execute the orders given and once again lay out your roles and the details of the plan step by step. And we'll start right with you," he returned to point with his index finger at that boy"Step forward."
The latter, with a tense but determined face, advanced a step, inhaling deeply "My task is to secure a perimeter and locate every possible escape route"
"Really goood I would say" The man nodded 'See, that wasn't so arduous' He then commented before planting his flame-colored irises on the girl "You, on the other hand? What role would you fill?"
She stepped forward, a rather serious expression had replaced the mocking sneers of a few minutes ago "Infiltration and collection" she replied sharp.
"Explain yourself," he urged her, with a saying that sounded more threatening than curious.
"I will have to sneak into the facility and get as much information as possible about our adversaries, including sensitive targets."
"Precisely," nodded the captain, "Also, I don't need to reiterate to you how top priority this is. That data is as critical as ever to the battle we are trying to wage. And you blowhard," he turned to the boy in the cap, "What is your assignment?"
With a smirk, the young man took a step forward, "I am the diversion. More specifically, I will make sure to draw the enemies' attention away from my comrades, making them think the attack is coming from multiple points, so that the latter can act undisturbed."
"Not bad," the man merely replied, before returning to the center, scrutinizing them one by one again before uttering any words 'Are there any questions before we proceed?' he then asked, rubbing his hands together.
The boy in the motorcycle jacket immediately raised his hand, waving it in the air as if he thought he might have competition. No one else seemed to want to do so, and the captain deliberately ignored him, later muttering a "No one else?" but no response seemed to come. The man, after a moment's hesitation, sighed and gestured with his hand, granting him the floor "Express yourself," he said, "But do it quickly."
"Are we going to have code names? You know, like real spies?" he asked as if it were the most important thing in the world. The other two looked at him quizzically.
The man brought a hand to his forehead, shaking his head slightly, as if he wanted to utter a 'what did I do wrong?' but after a long breath, he replied "They aren't planned, but I will be sure to report the matter personally to our Leader once I return to camp. You are currently listed as Agent 024; Agent 016; and Agent 011. And before anyone may ask, there is a reason behind this choice, and it will be revealed to you once the mission is completed. Have I satisfied your concern?" that one nodded his head as confirmation "Well, now if there are no other noteworthy questions, I would proceed" he declared giving himself a little dusting on the black sleeves of his shirt"So, know your roles and responsibilities. Once you have fulfilled your duties, I will be waiting for you at the agreed extraction point, monitoring your every action in the meantime. My lieutenant here," he pointed with his head to an individual who was leaning against the wall:
He wore a green jacket with blue and white stripes on the sleeves, a black shirt on which the emblem of a vermilion-colored lotus flower stood out, as did black pants that tucked into black boots with red details. He was tall and slender, with a full-bodied hair that was divided into scarlet locks, some pulled back and others falling over his face, and those below instead raven-colored. Like his superior or the others, he also wore red accessories, notably gloves and a wide handkerchief tied around his waist. "It will provide you with cover in case something should go wrong" He looked at them grimly, making them feel uncomfortable "But I hope for your sake that this isn't necessary, or you will have failed the mission and will be consequently ousted."
"Are you serious?" asked the boy who had been fingered as Agent 024 to his comrade in a whisper and visibly worried "If we commit even one misstep, we will be out or may even be eliminated?"
"Imagine if such a thing is possible," replied the other, trying to reassure him "Captain Athish is known to be a guy who likes to intimidate and frighten everyone around him, in particular he seems to enjoy terrorizing the likes of us. I think he wants to find out how much and how we work under such pressure and with that kind of incentive."
"Oh, that sounds like convoluted reasoning but it might make sense."
"Besides," the captain cleared his throat, drowning out those murmurs 'A good soldier makes sure that in addition to himself, his equipment should also be kept at its best, so' he continued by staging a mini-briefing"Check your decks and duel-disks carefully. We don't want you to run into unpleasant accidents or even worse, to remain unarmed before the enemy."
The three nodded and did as ordered, meticulously and unsparingly ascertaining how everything was in order, then communicating this to their superior.
"I know I appear terribly repetitive," declared the man with his usual phlegm, "But the mission you have been assigned to you, in addition to being demanding, represents a rather significant phase, both for us but especially for you. Therefore, it is imperative that you commit yourselves with every fiber of your being. The Crimson Aurora needs valuable components who will fight valiantly to ensure justice and freedom. Secondly, you never dare to betray the cause or the organization, even in the unfortunate event that they capture or torture you. Do you understand why?"
"Certainly, captain. We would never dream of doing that," replied they once again, although they exchanged worried glances with each other, perhaps out of fear that the opponents they were facing were beyond their capabilities. And since they were mere recruits, why on earth had the mysterious Commander sent them on a mission that was suicidal to say the least?
The man nodded "I hope so for you, for you would compromise not only the mission or your future home, but also the lives of those who will become your family. This is unacceptable!" He clenched his fist as if he was compressing something inside "Moreover, any information you possess is a potential weapon in the hands of the enemy, who won't hesitate to use it to destroy what we are fighting for and sacrificing our lives. We cannot afford that. But this, at the moment, shouldn't concern you, so try not to think too much about it" He probably noticed the stunned expressions those guys had taken on, although they were now looking at him with confusion or a strange frown. But the man tried not to pay attention to them, executing a pose as solemn as ever and drawing to himself the attention of those three who had begun whispering among themselves "Gentlemen, each of you was chosen because you showed potential, so if you want to impress me and not disappoint those who believed in you, try to do your best and always give your best. There will be no second chances," he took a few more steps back, scrutinizing them with cold, analytical eyes "In Tenebris Aurora Surgent. This is the motto of our organization. And it is more than just a phrase, it is our promise, our guide. Our bulwark in the blackest night. And now proclaim it aloud."
"At your service! In Tenebris Aurora Surgent!" repeated those three in chorus. Agent 024 wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and shrugged, while the other boy smiled, probably at the idea of the challenge that awaited him. But it was the girl, Agent 016 who spoke, "We will do our best captain, we have no intention of letting you down."
The man for the first time that evening smiled, though it seemed forced "I don't doubt it. Now go and prove that the Commander has made no mistake in placing his trust in you."
The three nodded, turning and starting to run as if someone was chasing them, dissolving into the haze that was getting thicker and thicker as if they were spectres.
"Good luck guys," whispered the captain, watching them disappear, "You'll need it if you want to get out alive."
Hello people, this is the prologue to my story. It took a while to draft it, also blamed on my busy school life, but it has finally come to your attention.
As you can see some characters have been introduced, shady or some that seem heroic (Who knows?) that will be important to the plot I'm going to create. Who knows what is about to be unleashed in Limit City? Stay tuned to find out.
Anyway, I can't wait to get down to writing the first chapter. I'm pretty excited about it.
I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. I, also remind you, that I'm still looking for helpers and Beta Reader, so in case you would like to participate, please comment or join the official discord server, the link of which is in my Bio.
I thank you and wish you a good read!