The night air in Berlin was thick with uncertainty and danger. The streets, once bustling with activity, now seemed empty, as if the city itself sensed something imminent was about to be unleashed. Akihiko, with the fragment of the Fruit of Revelation hidden in his pocket, walked down an alley lit only by moonlight.
The fragment pulsed gently against his chest, radiating an energy that made him feel restless. He had tried to ignore it, but every time he closed his eyes, the visions returned: the entire Tree of Eden, its dazzling brilliance, and an indescribable chaos surrounding it. In those visions, a mysterious figure also appeared, shrouded in shadow, seemingly watching him from a distance.
Kaede had contacted him earlier, telling him that a high-level meeting between the major mafias was being held at a secret location. Everyone wanted answers, and everyone knew that the Hub's collapse and the energy flare were linked to the Tree. Time was running out, and Akihiko knew he couldn't trust anyone.
The Web of Intrigue
At a luxurious hilltop hotel, mafia leaders had begun to arrive. The conference room was decorated with crystal chandeliers and red velvet carpets, but the tension in the air was palpable. Seated around an oval table were figures from all over the world: Italian boss Vincenzo Moretti, Russian matriarch Ekaterina Volkov, influential Chinese boss Li Feng, and other leaders whose mere presence was intimidating.
"We know someone has the fragment," Moretti began, his deep voice filling the room. "And we also know that this energy wasn't a coincidence. The Fruit of Revelation is active again."
Ekaterina, with an icy smile, retorted, "And what do you suggest, Moretti? That we simply hand over control of the Tree to whoever is lucky enough to have a piece?"
Li Feng intervened calmly, though his eyes flashed with danger: "We are not here to fight each other. We should focus on finding the bearer of the fragment and deciding together what to do with it."
From a dark corner, a hooded spy watched and listened intently. It was Takeshi, who had been sent by Akihiko to infiltrate the meeting. His job was clear: gather information and ensure that no one discovered that Akihiko was the bearer of the fragment.
At that moment, Ekaterina turned her gaze to where Takeshi was hiding. For a moment, her eyes shone with a supernatural gleam, and Takeshi felt a chill run down his spine. The Russian matriarch smiled slightly, but said nothing. Takeshi knew he had been detected, but also that revealing his identity would jeopardize the meeting. He remained motionless, trusting that his cover would hold.
A Dangerous Encounter
Meanwhile, Akihiko was heading to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Kaede had received information that Lucius had survived the collapse of the Hub and was recovering there. If anyone had answers about the Apple and its energy, it was him.
The warehouse was surrounded by silence. Akihiko drew his katana, feeling the cold of the steel in his hand as he stealthily moved toward the entrance. His void power thrummed within him, ready to be unleashed at any moment.
Inside the building, the atmosphere was stifling. The shadows seemed to move of their own accord, and the air was permeated with an oppressive energy. Akihiko moved forward slowly until a familiar voice echoed in the darkness.
"I knew you'd come," Lucius said, emerging from the shadows with a wicked smile. His suit was torn, but his presence was still imposing.
"Lucius," Akihiko said, raising his katana. "Give me one reason not to finish you off right here and now."
Lucius raised his hands in a gesture of calm. "Do you think you can simply destroy me and get the answers you seek? You don't know what you have in your hands, boy. The fragment you possess is only a small fraction of the Tree's true power."
Akihiko frowned. "Then enlighten me."
Lucius approached slowly, keeping his hands visible. "The Tree of Eden is more than just a source of power. It is a living entity, a web that connects all those who have ever been touched by its influence. Every fruit it bears carries within it a fragment of its will, and the Fruit of Revelation... is the most dangerous of all."
"Because he can control the world," Akihiko replied coldly.
Lucius shook his head. "Not only that. He can rewrite it. He can erase what was and create something new. But to do that, he needs a worthy wielder, someone who won't be consumed by its power."
Akihiko felt a chill. "What does that have to do with me?"
"You are a vassal of the Void," Lucius replied, his eyes blazing with intensity. "That energy within you is the key to unlocking the Fruit's true potential. Without it, the Tree cannot fulfill its purpose."
Before Akihiko could respond, a deafening sound echoed from outside. An explosion rocked the warehouse, and they both turned toward the entrance. The gangsters had found the place.
Chaos and Decisions
A group of armed men stormed in, firing mercilessly. Akihiko and Lucius were forced to fight together, albeit with palpable distrust. Lucius's shadows merged with Akihiko's Void, creating a terrifying spectacle of dark powers. In the heat of the battle, Akihiko began to feel his Void power react differently, as if the shard were amplifying it.
Amidst the chaos, Akihiko felt the Fruit fragment vibrate with a surging energy. His mind filled with visions: the Tree, the mobs, and an unknown figure that seemed to be watching him from above. This figure had such a powerful aura that it made Akihiko feel a mixture of fear and curiosity.
"You have to decide, Akihiko," Lucius said, panting as he blocked an attack. "The Apple is calling you. But be careful: if you answer, you might not be the same afterward."
With a final roar, Akihiko unleashed a wave of Void energy that knocked back his enemies. When the dust settled, Lucius was gone, and Akihiko was left alone, the shard glowing brightly in his hand.
As he left the warehouse, one thing became clear in his mind: the Apple was changing him, and the fate of the Tree of Eden depended on the decisions he made from now on.