The night that began with a gathering of titans ended in a cacophony of destruction. The attack on the Nebula nightclub resonated throughout the criminal underworld, sending a clear message: no one was safe, not even the most powerful.
In a secluded mansion, Vincenzo Moretti was furious. He slammed the table so hard the wine glasses rattled. "This wasn't a coincidence! Someone here knew we'd be meeting and used it to attack us."
Kaede Takasugi, sitting calmly, she examined a thin knife between her fingers. "If you're looking for a traitor, Moretti, perhaps you should start in your own house. Your men seem too well informed lately."
Before Moretti could reply, Dimitri Volkov raised his hand to silence the discussion. "Enough. The attack was sophisticated and planned. Whoever was responsible didn't act alone. We need to identify our common enemy before it destroys us one by one."
Kaede gave an almost imperceptible smile. "You talk as if this were a game of chess, Dimitri. But it's clear someone is moving pieces while we continue to argue. Perhaps the attack is just the beginning." Her words echoed in the room, sowing palpable uncertainty.
As the leaders discussed strategies, Akihiko Sora remained silent, watching. His mind was elsewhere, reliving the attack. The shadows he had faced were not simple illusions. They were manifestations of an ability he knew could only come from someone connected to the Tree of Eden. But who? And more importantly, why now?
Akihiko looked up for a moment. "What's happening is much deeper than a simple attack," he thought. "This is a message." But he decided to keep his thoughts to himself. In an environment where trust was a luxury, talking too much could be his downfall.
A Personal Mission
Back at the Sora Clan's base of operations, an austere but functional place tucked away among the alleyways of a bustling city, Akihiko meditated in the dim light. In front of him, on a table, his katana rested, barely reflecting the dim light from a lamp.
"The shadows…," he murmured. "That ability can't possibly be the work of just anyone. It must be someone close to the Tree."
His reflection was interrupted by the arrival of Renji, a middle-aged man who had been his mentor since Akihiko was a child. Though cold and distant, Renji had molded Akihiko into what he was today: a lethal warrior.
"You look worried," Renji said, lighting a cigarette. "Did the attack throw you off?"
"It didn't faze me," Akihiko replied without looking up. "But there's something about that power that feels… familiar. Like I've seen those shadows before."
Renji exhaled a puff of smoke, thoughtful. "It's possible someone is using fragments of the Tree to amplify their abilities. It wouldn't be the first time. However, what worries me isn't the attacker, but your role in this. You know that, right? The war for the Lux Aeterna can't be won with brute force. You need something more."
Akihiko recalled the tales of the Tree's power. Each ability was linked to a fragment of its essence, and those who possessed them shared a mysterious, almost spiritual connection. The "void" that dwelled within him had always seemed a paradox: a power that wasn't tangible, yet devoured everything around it.
"I know," Akihiko said in a whisper, his hand resting on the handle of his katana. "That's why I'm here."
Renji nodded slowly. "Then prepare yourself. Tomorrow you will travel to Japan. There is something in the Takasugi Clan archives we need. Something that might clarify the connection between the Tree and the attacker. Kaede won't give it up easily, but I doubt she can stop you."
The Tree at Play
Meanwhile, in a remote and hidden place somewhere in the world, the Tree of Eden remained an eternal colossus. Its roots extended for miles underground, feeding on human secrets and ambitions. On one of its highest branches, a golden light shone faintly: the promise of Lux Aeterna, that unique fruit that would soon appear.
The Tree exuded an almost supernatural presence, as if it breathed with the world. Fragments of its essence, distributed over the centuries, had shaped the mafias' abilities, but had also sown discord. Was the Lux Aeterna a divine gift or an eternal curse? No one knew for sure, but all were willing to die for it.
Beneath the shadows of the Tree, a masked man knelt before a circle of followers. His words echoed with fervor: "The Tree of Eden belongs to no one. Its power must be unleashed, and we will be the instruments of its true will. It is time to break the chains of these false kings and restore balance."
The followers responded with a unified cry, and the shadows around them seemed to vibrate as if an extension of their will. The war was underway, and the pieces were moving on the board.
The Journey Begins
At dawn, Akihiko stood at a secret port, watching containers being loaded onto a ship that would take him to Japan. His katana rested on his back, and his eyes reflected determination.
Renji was at her side, giving her final instructions. "Remember, this isn't just about the Clan. This is personal. If Kaede decides to cooperate, consider it a miracle. If not, do what's necessary. We can't waste any more time."
"I know," Akihiko replied, boarding the boat. "The time for waiting is over."
As the ship sailed away from the port, Akihiko looked toward the horizon. The path to the Tree of Eden grew increasingly dangerous, but he was prepared. He knew he would face not only external enemies, but also the demons lurking within himself.