Tokyo, 1987
The prosperous capital of Japan was showered in a dazzling show of white and gold lights, if one were to view the city from a high altitude. The streets and roads were packed with traffic; the majority of cars, trucks, and motorcycles threaded across the smooth stone of the roads at a controlled pace. The pedestrians occupying the sidewalks were equally controlled with their pace as well.
All of them may have had different dreams and goals in mind, some of them may have even achieved higher levels of success than most would in their lives, but when they all utilized any sort of public walkway, it was expected that they would become one piece that created the flow of the herd. They would either go to complete the tasks of their day, or go to their homes and rest to prepare their minds and bodies for the following morning.
It was just another simple and predictable night for the city. The unusual cycle that gave the city its tranquil atmosphere after the sky transitioned into a dark shade of black.
However, despite how stunning the city's nightlife appeared, even its brightest lights weren't powerful enough to get rid of the dark corners that lingered in the background. Just like any other city, Tokyo was no stranger to having a dark side that was hidden behind its towering skyscrapers.
While the majority of the general public stayed away from those dark corners of the city, the evil and sinister forces that lurked in the shadows would drag them into their affairs. Most times the innocent bystanders wouldn't know it until it was too late. And it would often end with severe losses.
Time and time again, the police and its special units have successfully brought some of the worst evildoers to justice, compared to most other police forces around the world. But, some of the officers among the higher ranks had to admit that they weren't capable of handling everything that was thrown into their laps. While the chief of the police held immense pride for leading some of the most efficient and professional lawmen within his walls, some lacked the time or dedication to commit themselves in solving some of the most concerning cases that threatened the safety and security of the public.
So when the police chief realized that the city of Tokyo and its people would soon be in grave danger by forces far beyond his capabilities, he had to turn to the one person that would give him the help he needed... Saori Kido.
...
Inside one of the many rooms of the Kido Mansion...
9:00 P.M.
The chief of Tokyo's police, an old yet solidly built man sporting a streaked military flat top with a matching thick mustache, sipped the reddish brown tea that was graciously served by one of the many butlers that worked under the name of the Kido's.
But right now, the chief could not enjoy the exquisite taste of the tea. The impending talk he was going to have with the one and only heiress of the Kido fortune was putting him on edge. He never spoke to her once, that much was obvious. Although, from the things he has heard from the press, she wasn't some spoiled brat who shamelessly flaunted her wealth wherever she went. She was a young woman who was far more mature than most CEO's, and probably a lot smarter than them.
But that didn't mean she was always a prim and proper princess he has seen in a few televised interviews. There were times where she had to remind everyone why Mitsumasa Kido spent the last years of his life raising her, teaching her how the family business works as well as he did. The chief has done his research on her list of business ventures. And they were incredibly impressive.
Around a year ago, she made the bold decision to sway a group of European investors who were interested in a prototype that belonged to one of her rival companies, Tanaka Incorporation. Not only did she succeed in bringing their interest and money to the prototype her company had been working on, which exceeded the expectations of the investors, but a few of them would eventually become one of the Kido Corporation's most trusted investors. And the project Tanaka Inc. has been trying to get off the ground was scrapped due to a lack of proper funding. A year later, that same rival company was struggling to get its stocks back up. It probably wouldn't take long before she swooped in and offered them a place in her company.
Young she may have been, but there was no denying that Mitsumasa did a damn good job raising Saori as the successor to his empire.
He looked down on the folder that was resting next to his cup of tea, its contents secured well inside. He hoped that this rich girl with a busy schedule would at least be kind enough to take this case seriously. Although, perhaps that would be asking too much from her. It already seemed as if he was going to be wasting her time on this. But... he couldn't back out now. He has made it this far. He wasn't going to let his fears get the better of him.
knock knock*
He brought his attention to the door opening. One of the younger butlers stepped in, greeting him a courteous bow.
"Sir, Lady Kido has just arrived. She humbly apologizes in advance for her late arrival."
The chief of police was quick to wave off the apology. "It's alright. All that matters is that she's here."
"Understood, sir. Is there anything you require before you speak to her?" The younger butler asked, patiently waiting with a straight posture.
He answered with a negative shake of his head."No, thanks. I think I'm alright over here."
The butler nodded, accepting his wishes. "As you wish, sir. I won't bother you any further." With that, he stepped out of the room, leaving the police chief alone.
A few minutes passed before he heard the doors opening again, and the person that walked through was the beautiful heir to the Kido empire; Saori Kido. The police chief has heard countless descriptions from all sorts of people about her unbelievable beauty. And while the words of those people were undoubtedly accurate, they didn't quite seem to fully grasp what they were talking about now that he was seeing her in the flesh.
The police chief was by no means a beauty expert, but he was damn sure that the heiress approaching him with graceful strides had to be the picture perfect image of natural beauty. Her face was absolutely stunning to look at, almost as if he were staring at the Mona Lisa. Her body was just as stunning as her face. She possessed a lean and curvy figure, emphasized by the golden metal corset that hugged her abdominal area. She had to know that she had been blessed with a body that would make tons of jaws effortlessly drop to the floor. It would be no surprise if tons of women envied her.
The police chief forced his eyes to look at the folder he brought, scolding himself for ogling at Saori for too long as if he were a hungry dog. He hoped that she hadn't noticed, or bothered to notice, about how he was shamelessly gawking at her.
"Ms.Kido, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to talk to me." He rose from his chair and greeted the heiress with an extended hand, his eyes paying attention to her neutral expression.
She reciprocates the gesture by taking his hand from across the table, shaking it. "You said you needed my help, Chief Matsumoto, and I cannot neglect that. No matter how demanding my grandfather's company is." She then took her seat, giving her undivided attention to him.
"Well I hope I didn't interrupt anything too important."
She replied by gently shaking her head. "Let's not worry too much about the state of my company. You called me, saying that you needed my help with a case you were struggling with?"
Chief Matsumoto nodded. "I assume that you've probably heard of the various shootouts that have been taking place these past few days. Two of the largest Bosozoku gangs have gotten wrapped up into a turf war, and for some inexplicable reason, they have gotten the firepower to fight back against us." He then slid the folder towards her, letting her see all of the evidence and details his investigation unit had gathered. "A lot of good people died because of these shootouts."
Saori opened the folder and began shuffling through all of the information that was inside. The eyes of Athena's reincarnation shuffled past the papers that documented the behavior of these biker gangs, she already had a decent understanding on how they operated. Instead, she focused on the pictures of the bloody aftermath of this gang war. Her fingers gently caressed the lifeless faces of the bystanders and police officers that have unfortunately perished. She may have not shown it in front of the police chief, but seeing those innocent lives all get snuffed away was a painful jab to her heart.
She knew that this unnecessary bloodshed had to stop, before the city would throw itself into a turmoil. "Yes, I have heard that so many innocent people have suffered from these gang wars." For a second she sounded soft, yet disheartened. Before the police chief could notice it, her voice regained its stern edge. "But the Bosozoku gangs aren't the main problem. It is the person who is supplying them with those firearms, correct?"
Chief Matsumoto nodded in slight satisfaction. It was very reassuring to him that she was taking the situation seriously. "I want to bring down the people who are adding fuel to the fire. And I know that you have some people nearby that could help me put out that fire."
Saori put down the folder, crossed her hands together, and laid them against her lap. "Are you referring to my Saints?"
"Yeah, and if word on the street is anything to go by, these Saints are far better at bringing down the worst of the worst than even my most experienced men."
The purple haired young woman raised a single brow at the older man. "Do you believe whatever it is that you've heard about my Saints?"
The police chief sat in silence. He had to carefully choose his words and deliver a response that didn't sound like he was trying to be rude. The last thing he needed was to ruin this chance of receiving the aid from the CEO of Kido Corporation. "At first, I didn't. I thought the Intel I got about what these Saints were and what they could do was more in line with a children's fairytale. But then I remembered the human trafficking bust that happened a few months back."
"Are you referring to the Major Cabaret bust in Osaka?"
"Yes, the same exact thing. Dozens of young foreigner girls were found inside the basements of the most popular cabaret clubs, planning to be sold off in an auction supported by politicians, members of royal families, celebrities, and anyone else who had a lot of money to their name. And the strangest thing is that no one knew who was the guy that exposed the world to this."
He then balled his hands together, placed his elbows on the table, and rested his face in front of his interlocked hands. "That was, until a reporter interviewed one of the girls. In that interview, she claims that a guy came out of nowhere, took down all of the guards, destroyed all of the doors of their cells, and disappeared before anyone could say anything. Of course, nobody believed her and thought she was hallucinating a lot of the details."
Saori just listened, her attention solely focused on him. The chief took her silence as the sign to continue.
"But the one thing she was able to make out was that her savior was wearing a horse shaped helmet before he disappeared. And if I remember correctly, one of the fighters from the tournament you hosted a few years ago wore a horse shaped helmet."
Saori nodded curtly. "It seems you have pieced it together, Chief Matsumoto. But where exactly are you going with this?" She asked, not because she felt offended or upset for his skepticism towards her Saints, but because she was genuinely curious about what he truly felt about them.
"After I remembered the Major Cabaret bust, I think the information I got for your Saints may not be as absurd as I originally thought." He leaned back and crossed his arms. "But I want to actually see what they are actually capable of. Trusting the words of others is not my preferred style, Ms.Kido. I... hope you understand." The police chief tried sounding apologetic and sincere in front of the heiress.
She dismissed his sentiments with a gentle wave of her hand, sending him a gentle smile. "No, I understand. I certainly would think the same as you if I were in your position, Chief Matsumoto." She rose from her chair, the police chief following suit. "So, shall I show what my Saints are truly capable of?"
"If you wouldn't mind." Chief Matsumoto politely answered, giving a slight bow to the heiress.
...
Meanwhile...
At the front of the Kido Mansion, a single dark limo slowly drove over the pebble stone path, its tires softly screeching to a halt once it reached the marble stairs that connected to the main doors. The headlights shortly turned off, and the chauffeur, a middle-aged man with neatly combed gray hair, stepped out. He calmly walked over to the left rear door and opened it.
"We're here, young master Shun. Do you need help with your luggage?" The chauffeur politely asked.
"No thanks, Henrique. I can handle it on my own. You can go and get some rest." Saori's guest politely declined with a gentle smile.
The chauffeur smiled back, watching the young man step out of the luxurious vehicle. "As you wish, sir. Lady Kido and Chief Matsumoto are waiting for you at the outdoor garden."
"Thank you, Henrique. I'll see you around." Excusing himself with a curt nod to the chauffeur, and swiftly making last minute adjustments to the straps of Pandora's Box, he went on his way to meet Saori and the chief of Tokyo's police force.
…
At the outdoor garden of the Kido Mansion...
9:20 P.M.
"Tell me, Ms.Kido, who is exactly coming over to give us the demonstration?" Asked Chief Matsumoto, his posture straight and confident with his hands clasped behind his back.
Choosing to keep it simple, Saori answered. "That would be the Saint of Andromeda, Shun. Perhaps you've heard of him."
The chief of police shook his head. "I'm sorry to say this, but I haven't. Haven't gotten in touch with what everyone is talking about these days. Is he popular in some way?" He inquired, raising a single gray brow.
The purple haired young woman answered, placing both hands on her abdomen. "He has become a bit more popular as of late, yes." She ended with a soft chuckle, expressing her amusement before it was gone in an instant, her neutral face returning. "But if you don't truly know who he is, then I won't bother you with the unnecessary details."
The old police chief didn't need to think about complying with her suggestion. All he wanted to see tonight was what these Saints were made out of. "If that's what you feel, then I won't ask for anything else about him." He said to her,
Saori nodded, accepting his wishes. "Very well. Is there anything else you would like to know more about?"
Before he could answer, from a distance, they heard a young man calling out her name. "Saori! Saori!"
The young woman glanced at Saint Andromeda, giving him the most tender smile that would make any man feel a comfortable warmth. "Hello Shun, how has your night been treating you?" The chief was quick to notice that the barely noticeable shift in her tone and voice sounded a bit more... maternal? Was that the word that could best describe what he was hearing?
"It has been alright, Saori." He sighed as he massaged the back of his neck. "Today's photo shoot was a bit more of a pain to get through, though."
Saori's smile lost a little bit of its tender air. "I hope that those in the agency haven't been overworking you too much, Shun. Tell me when someone over there is starting to give you trouble, and I'll deal with them to the best of my ability."
Chief Matsumoto could hear the subtle threat lying underneath her concerns for the young man. He most definitely could imagine her saying 'I'll hire the best lawyers to sue those vermin if they caused any problems for you' inside her mind.
Averting his eyes away from her, he took the chance to analyze the boy that had just arrived at Saori's doorstep. His face was best labeled as feminine in appearance, seemingly inheriting little to no masculine features. His hair and eyes were instant attention grabbers; the boy was blessed with a pair of striking green pools that shone like emeralds under the moonlight, and a healthy green waterfall of hair that was as fluffy as a teddy bear.
His choice of apparel made him look like the walking definition of a good and innocent boy who held no ill towards anyone. The short sleeve t-shirt that matched the color of his hair and eyes hugged his slender and delicate figure like a glove. His white pants were held in place by the white cotton suspenders that ran over his shoulders and down the rear of his pants. His boy next door look was topped off with a clean pair of black shoes.
The police chief of Tokyo was now glad that he wasn't meeting the young boy under a different set of circumstances. He would have developed a migraine if he had to bring one of his daughters. Especially his youngest. That girl was far too obsessed with any pretty boy whose face would get plastered on the front of an advertisement. There was no doubt in his mind that she would have immediately squealed in glee the second she laid her eyes on him.
"Chief Matsumoto, I would like to meet Shun, the Saint of Andromeda." Regaining his front as the collected and confident police chief, Matsumoto extended his hand to the young man.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Shun."
Shun returned the gesture and shook the hand of the older man. "Likewise, Chief Matsumoto." He said with a welcoming smile.
"You can just call me, Matsumoto, kid. You don't need to act so formal since we're gonna be working together soon." Internally, he hoped that would be the outcome. "So, do you know why Ms.Kido called you here?"
Shun nodded. "She said that you need help. And I have a feeling that it has to do with all of the shootouts occurring all over the city. Right?"
The police chief nodded with slightly widened eyes, a little impressed and surprised to see the boy show actual concern to the chaos brewing in the city. "Things have gotten out of hand for us, as you might guess by me being here. All I want is your help to take down the people who are giving away those guns to the gangs. These gun fights have gone for far too long, things will only get worse if we don't put an end to them."
"I understand what you want, sir. These shootouts have destroyed far too many innocent lives. And trust me when I say that I will do everything I can to help you and your men." He said so with a hand resting over his heart, which was met with a slow nod from the older man. While he was glad that the young man was on board, he did not share his level of determination and commitment to maintaining peace for one reason.
Matsumoto was beginning to have second thoughts about this. Right now, in front of Saori and her so-called 'Saint of Andromeda', he felt very doubtful about a number of things: the first being Shun's physical capabilities. He didn't exactly look like the type to start fights, much less get involved in them. As a matter of fact, he seemed like the type to avoid getting into fights to prevent his pretty boy face from receiving permanent scars. And then, there was his barely impressive figure. The old police chief knew that he had no right or place to tell a stranger, much less a teenager, how they should eat everyday, but did this boy have anything to eat back home? Why did he look so thin? Doesn't he have a grandmother that spoils him with a feast whenever he gets hungry?
The other thing he felt doubtful about was whether he possessed the proper intellect to carry out what needed to be done. What very little intel he got for Saori's Saints wasn't enough for him to decipher how they acted on the field. Pair that lack of knowledge to the obvious and concerning fact that these Saints were far too young to be involved in such intense and demanding battles to maintain law and order. Did Shun have what it required to bring down the worst of the worst? Would he listen to any figure of authority and act accordingly? He wanted to think so, but... he has come this far. Labeling him as incapable seemed to be unfair. Maybe, just maybe, this green-haired pretty boy would surprise him.
"I'm glad you understand me, Shun. But, I want to know if you have what it takes to handle this case." He took one step towards the young man, looking him dead in the eye. "I want to see what you are made of."
Shun, standing his ground in the face of the police chief, softly inclined his head. He understood what he wanted to see from him, and he wasn't intending on disappointing him tonight.
"Okay, sir. I promise to not leave you disappointed."
Taking a few steps back, he gently set the marble box he had been carrying on his back to the ground.
Saori and Chief Matsumoto took a few steps back as well, a silent gesture telling him to go ahead, and an attempt to give the young man a sense of space and freedom.
Chief Matsumoto did not have to wait long for Shun to begin. Although, he wasn't expecting nor anticipating the following moments.
One second, he was standing still on the cobblestone path of the garden, and the next, he leaped several meters in the air. He couldn't determine the exact number since numbers weren't his specialty, but with how high he was in the air, it definitely surpassed what most athletes could do.
But the boy's gifted athletic prowess wasn't what made his composure break.
The perfectly cut marble box he set down just a second earlier was beginning to open... by itself!? Its marble panels separated and slowly sank to the ground, unveiling what the box was protecting...
"Is... is that a statue of a woman?" Chief Matsumoto spoke, his eyes as wide as dinner plates, and his mouth gaping.
"No, it isn't." Saori corrected, her eyes looking only at her Saint. "That is the armor blessed by the beautiful yet selfless daughter of Cepheus. That is the armor that shall always bring all of the innocent souls in this world a powerful sense of security the moment they glance at the one who wields its power. That... is the armor of Andromeda."
Right after that dramatic speech, the 'armor' of Andromeda flew high into the air, following after the airborne boy. The statue of Andromeda broke down into an array of different pieces, before they all launched themselves like a comet to the still airborne Shun.
From head to toe, the pieces of Andromeda latched themselves onto every limb of his body. The pink metal pieces encased his feet, shins, knee caps, and upper thighs, covering his lower body in an instant. His upper body was just as quick to be suited up as his hands and forearms were enveloped by fingerless gauntlets, while his biceps and shoulders were shielded by two large pauldrons. His torso was next to be covered by the largest pieces, perfectly fitting the slender build of the young man. The final piece was a two horned circlet that gently descended down on his head, settling around his fluffy mane of green hair.
With his entire body suited for combat, Shun began his descent to the ground, landing effortlessly on the grass.
The jaw of Chief Matsumoto has dropped, his mind could not comprehend nor believe what he just witnessed. An empty, lifeless suit of armor threw itself at the young boy! And it seems like this wasn't the first time he went through this out of this world suit up. He looked far too incredibly calm, his face a relaxed, neutral expression, despite how every little piece of that pink armor attached itself to him at blindingly fast speeds.
Regaining his ability to move, he turned to Saori, hoping to get some sort of assurance that his aged mind wasn't suddenly conjuring an incredible hallucination.
"Ms.Kido, please tell me that a suit of armor flying in all directions isn't something that my head just made up." He pleaded, the professional and confident police chief that made the most difficult decisions that would guarantee law and order in the city of Tokyo was gone.
Saori closed her eyes and shook her head. "No, Chief Matsumoto. Everything that you have just seen was all real. But if it's alright with you, maybe we could let you take a moment to yourself." She kindly suggested, her smile gentle and warm.
The body of the older man was a lot more honest than his mind as he responded with an unconscious nod of his head. "Y-Yeah. I would like that."
The beautiful young woman kept her smile. She turned to her Saint of Andromeda, her eyes silently asking him if he could aid the shocked police chief. "Shun, would you mind helping Chief Matsumoto to the nearest chair? I'll ask the butlers to make him something to drink."
...
9:30 P.M.
"Here you go, Chief Matsumoto."
"Ah, thank you, Ms.Kido."
Seated on one of the chairs of the rear balcony, Saori presented a white glass cup of warm brown tea to Chief Matsumoto. The mind of the older man was still struggling to comprehend everything he had seen, but the tea should bring his old soul some comfort and tranquility.
After drinking the tea, and taking a few breaths, he began speaking. "So... I'm guessing it's going to be a long story if I ask how it is possible that some armor is able to move by itself?"
Both Saori and Shun nodded. The former spoke for the still reeling police chief. "You are correct. The story of the Cloth's properties and capabilities is quite complicated to explain."
Chief Matsumoto nodded, thinking that it is probably for the best if he didn't know every little detail of the boy's armor. So, he focused on something else she mentioned. "Cloth? Is that what you call Shun's armor?"
She nodded back at him. "To us, it was a bit more simple to label it as such. After all, armor is a warrior's clothing. Wouldn't you think?"
Matsumoto didn't want to pry any further, so he accepted what he got with a simple nod. "Yes, I suppose it is."
The eyes of the older man then glanced at the teenage boy standing by Saori's side, taking a chance to closely analyze all of him. His striking pink armor no longer made him appear as if he was the delicate pretty boy all young girls would go crazy for. Now, with that kind, gentle expression in his eyes, he looked more akin to a hero one would see on a kids show.
As he further inspected him, he noticed that his arms were surprisingly toned and filled with a healthy amount of muscle. Obviously, he didn't seem like the type to do any heavy weight lifting, so the answer as to how he got such a lean, well-defined physique was most likely due to calisthenics. It seemed like the activity that fit him the most.
But the most peculiar thing he saw were the metal chains wrapped around the gauntlets of his armor. It may have been a bit too early to say, but he had a hunch that those chains were more than just a fancy decoration to make him look a little more menacing...
He redirected his eyes away from the young man, making eye contact with the crystal blue eyes of Saori. "I think I am ready to continue where we left off, Ms.Kido." He declared, his composure returning.
She accepted with a gentle incline of her head. "What is it that you would like to know, Chief Matsumoto?"
Gently pushing the cup of tea to the side, he thought about what he wanted to see first from the green-haired youth. What were the limits of his physical capabilities? Is his armor just for show, or is it highly durable? Why were there a pair of chains hanging around his arms? There was just so much he wanted to know about Shun's abilities. "Well... there's a lot I want to see, Ms.Kido." His brown eyes drifted down to the chains hanging off from Shun's fingers. "Tell me, what are those chains for?"
"I believe a demonstration will be more effective. Shun..." She turned to him, her eyes silently asking him if he could give the police chief what he wanted. He accepted with a nod of his head.
"Mr.Matsumoto," The police chief brought his attention to the Andromeda Saint, "Please pay attention to my chains."
"Wait, what for-"
The Andromeda Saint didn't let him finish his sentence as he winded his right arm, twisted his hips in reverse, and brought the arm gripping his chain forward, extending it in one smooth motion to generate more speed and power.
The police chief quickly complied with the boy's suggestion. He immediately focused his eyes on the chain that was moving in a wave-like motion, its triangular shaped end aiming directly at the full moon. He thought he would have heard the distinct 'crack' of a whip once it hit the empty air, but his expectations were shattered at the flick of a finger.
The end tip of the chain began twisting and turning in a circular motion, transforming the chained metal into a spiral that practically destroyed what the entire world knew about physics and gravity. Not only was the chain going against all known laws of physics and gravity, but it was also extending in length, reaching farther and farther into the night sky, it almost appeared as if it was trying to reach the stars themselves!
"Holy shit..." The older man spoke, his breath gone. His eyes refused to look anywhere else but the chain that kept on growing and growing smaller in the dark horizon.
Saori did not frown at the foul language of the police chief. It was only natural. But if he ever became aware of what he said and apologized, she wouldn't hesitate to forgive him.
"U-Um... could you stop what you're doing, Shun? I think I've seen enough." Chief Matsumoto politely requested, which was immediately followed by the young man calling back his chain as it shrunk back to its normal length, instantly wrapping itself around his pink gauntlet.
"Thank you," He said to him before turning over to the ever patient Saori, "Alright, so I assume both of his chains can extend?"
She nodded. "You are correct. But they are more than just weapons."
She would have said that Shun's chains could detect the nearest threats, or act as a defensive barrier, or emit electric volts that could end the life of a normal man, or that he could unleash an unblockable barrage of armor piercing chains to his opponents. But she refrained herself from doing so. The poor man was still trying to recover his sanity after seeing the sentience of his Cloth, halting his recovery by adding in all of that information would have not been ideal.
"They can do more?" The older man asked before he shook head slightly. "Alright, at this point you've convinced me, Ms.Kido. Tell me, when is Shun available to help me out?"
The green-haired youth stepped forward and answered for Saori. "I have the next two days off, sir. If you want, we can get started tomorrow in the morning."
The police chief looked at Shun, surprised to hear such commitment from a teenager.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Shun? It could get pretty heavy, and I don't want to push you into this for my sake." He needed the help he could get, but he didn't want to feel like he was forcing anyone to do this. Desperate he was, but heartless he wasn't.
Shun laid a hand on his heart, answering the older man. "I truly appreciate your concern, sir. But I can handle whatever you give me. You have my word."
Chief Matsumoto was still uncertain about Shun. Dragging a teenager into a crime case that involved murder and gun smuggling was considered too intense for a still growing young man, but his eyes, sparkling with so much youthful positivity, had a fire swirling inside them.
That fire told the old police chief that the horrors waiting ahead would not deter him from helping those who needed it. As a matter of fact, it only served as fuel that determined fire.
Rejecting him was no longer an option. He had to bring him.
Sighing, he stood up and extended a hand to the young boy. "If you insist, son. I'll call you first thing in the morning?"
Shun accepted, shaking his bare hand with his gloved one. "That would be fine, sir."
Their temporary allegiance was set. All that remained was for Shun to pull through and bring the chaos brewing in the city to a stop.
It wouldn't be easy, but as a young Saint of Athena, the Andromeda Saint made a pledge to fight for peace and justice in this cruel and dark world. And he wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice his own blood if the moment demanded it.
…
Edit of February 2025: I decided to combine the first two chapters since I feel like it had to be one long, introductory chapter.