Seigan Atasa kicked his feet up on his desk and let out a deep sigh as the lunch bell rang. He finally got to rest and eat after all the lessons and a ridiculously hard math exam. A second desk was suddenly pulled up next to his. Inezo Kyurao—his best friend, a pale-skinned boy with short jet-black hair and dark blue eyes.
Inezo: Yo Seigan… you alright? I saw you scratching your head a lot during the exam, looked like you were struggling over there.
Seigan: I was! That exam was so unnecessarily complicated, none of that made any sense! Wait…Inezo, how'd you even see me? You slept most of the exam, did you even finish yours?
Inezo: Yeah I finished. I looked at you the few times I woke up, actually, the whole class was looking. You were the last one done in the entire class. The test wasn't that hard, you're just terrible at math. Make sure you study before the end of term exams, unless you wanna be flipping burgers for the rest of your life.
Seigan: First of all, don't insult burger flippers, they're the backbone of our society, and second of all, it's not even the third term yet. I'll be fine by the time the year ends. What you need to worry about is getting some sleep, the bags under your eyes are getting bigger by the day, look.
Seigan took out his phone, opened the camera, and flipped it so Inezo could see his reflection. Inezo lazily gazed at himself, tilted his face to the left, then the right, shrugged, then grabbed the phone to turn it back on Seigan.
Inezo: The bags under my eyes don't go away no matter the amount of sleep I get. They're just part of who I am at this point, but look at yourself— is this a face you wanna see in your local WcRonalds?
Seigan took a long look at the reflection of himself, analyzing each aspect of himself carefully; his light brown skin that he got from his father's African American roots, his brown dreadlocks tied in his signature ponytail style, his black eyes, and even his headphones that he takes everywhere.
Seigan flashed a sarcastically confident smile at Inezo.
Seigan: I don't know, I think I could pull it off; I could be the world's best-looking fast food employee. What do you think?
Inezo watched as Seigan continued to look at his own reflection and say fast food worker lines, Inezo sighed and closed his eyes as he laid his head down on the desk.
Inezo: Whatever, just wake me up when it's time for us to go to our next class.
Seigan: Wait, Inezo, you can't go to sleep yet! I haven't finished complaining about the math exam, who am I gonna talk to? Inezo! Hey Inezo! How'd you fall asleep that quickly?
Seigan shook his friend to no avail. Just as Seigan gave up, the door flew open; a figure zipped across the classroom and attached a third desk to the duo's. The third piece of Seigan and Inezo's group: Takuro Rimio, a multi-sport student who falls into the more popular side of their grade. He's notorious for both his athletic ability but also because of his royal purple eyes and hair.
Takuro: Mornin' Seigan. Seems I got here a bit too late, Inezo's already taking his late-morning nap. Heard we had a math test today, how'd that go? From what I've been hearing it was super quick and super easy.
Seigan: Hey Takuro, the math exam was utter agony! There must have been a class study session that I wasn't invited to because I seem to be the only one who found it remotely difficult. Why weren't you here for the exam? Aren't you worried about your grade?
Takuro: I had Kendo club practice, then I had to help the baseball club run drills, and after that, I was busy helping the track team. But don't worry I already talked to Mr. Hidan, he said I could take it another day.
Seigan: Lucky, I already know my grade on it isn't gonna be the best. I wish I stayed home, I can't believe he gave us an exam on an optional day.
Takuro: Yeah, that's unlucky, especially since you don't show up for them often. Oh, also I know I've asked you before but are you sure you don't wanna join a sports club? You're in good enough shape for it.
Seigan: It's just not my thing. Nothing against the clubs but I truly just don't think it's for me.
As Seigan and Takuro continue talking, three figures observed the school from a nearby building.
Mysterious Man: Ok! It would seem that some of the targets are together on the 4th floor and the other ones are down on the 2nd…hmmm, I was hoping to capture them all in one fell swoop but this will do.
The man clapped his hands as he directed his attention to the other two individuals who occupied the roof with him. One bulky muscular man and the other a tall skinny man.
Mysterious Man: Ok! Here's what we're gonna do, or should I say what you two are going to do. You my Rook will handle the targets on the 4th floor while my Bishop here takes care of those on the 2nd, does that sound like a plan or does that sound like a PLAN!
The two didn't respond, they continued to look at the man with glossed-over eyes and saliva dripping from their mouths as if there were no thoughts going through their heads.
Mysterious Man: Ok! Seems you two aren't all that talkative but you were the best pieces I could find in this town full of garbage. Regardless, climb on the rook's back so you can go and capture them, and if you fail…well you won't have to worry about that because those who have the privilege to serve me are above the concept of failure.
The bell rang signaling the transition of classes. Seigan, Takuro, and Inezo grabbed their stuff and shuffled out with the crowd of students into the hallway. Takuro talked to Inezo about the test and what else he's been up to since Inezo was asleep for the initial conversation. Inezo yawned in between responses and thought about whether he should take his early afternoon nap as soon as he got to class or wait until the teacher started talking.
Seigan: Hey guys, what do you wanna do when you guys get older? Do you know what you wanna do for the rest of your lives, or at least have some kind of idea?
Takuro: I've actually put a lot of thought into that recently…
Seigan: Oh? What'd you decide on? Something with kendo or maybe one of the other thousand club activities you participate in?
Takuro: Yeah probably, I've put a lot of time into kendo; also my parents think that's the best path for me.
Seigan: Your parents can't just decide everything for you.
Takuro: You'd be surprised. It's been like this my whole life.
Takuro began recalling how his parents had planned his whole childhood. Seigan decided to direct the conversation topic towards his other friend.
Seigan: How about you Inezo? Have you decided on a dream job yet or are both of us gonna be flipping burgers at a WcRonalds?
Inezo: *Yawns* I wish you would give me a little bit more credit. I've known what I want to be since we were 1st years.
Seigan's eyes lit up as he saw the resolve on Inezo's face.
Inezo: I want to be…A PROFESSIONAL MATTRESS TESTER!
Seigan slapped his hand to his face and let out a disappointed sigh, then he laughed.
Seigan: Well I guess you're in the same boat as me, we can flip burgers together until you figure out what you wanna do.
Inezo: Right… Well, if you want to avoid that I can tutor you in math, I'm sure if you apply yourself you could—
Seigan: Hold on, be quiet for a second…Do you guys hear that?
A series of loud thuds grew increasingly louder as they approached the school. Then they abruptly stopped; suddenly, the building shook.
Takuro: What was that?! It was like a bomb went off beneath us!
Seigan: It sounds like it came from the 2nd floor, let's go downstairs before anything else happens.
Inezo: There must've been an accident in the chemistry lab, the fire alarms should go off at any moment.
As they walked towards the stairs a sudden explosion in the classroom in front of them stopped them in their tracks. Smoke surged from both classroom doors as students screamed while they scrambled out of the room, some of them bleeding and others limping.
Even though the halls were filled with screams and cries from students, the trio didn't hear any of it. All they could hear were the heavy footsteps coming from the classroom; a massive hand emerged from the door and crushed the frame, as a silhouette walked through the smoke. The boys didn't know who was there or what they wanted, but all three of them knew one thing. The figure was looking at them.
The smoke cleared to reveal a giant of a man. He had cuts all over his arms, some of them still embedded with shards of glass in them. He lifted one of his massive hands and pointed at them.
Rook: Seigan Atasa, Inezo Kyurao, Takuro Rimio. Targets found. Capture.
The three of them all break out into a cold sweat upon hearing their names. They exchanged glances, then turned back to the muscular man.
Takuro: Why're you after us?!
The man didn't respond.
Seigan: What'd we do?!
Still no answer.
Inezo: Guys he's clearly not answering. Let's use the other stairs. C'mon!
In unison the boys turn and take off down the hall; Takuro leading, followed by Seigan, then Inezo. Takuro looked behind him at their pursuer and was surprised to see that he hadn't moved from where they left him.
Then; the behemoth assumes a sprint position, pressing his foot into the floor.
Takuro: Holy sh-
Before Takuro can even finish his sentence the man has closed more than half the distance between them. Takuro spun, grabbed his two friends, and dove into the nearest door narrowly avoiding the man's grasp.
The man blitzed by the door and came to a screeching halt a few doors down, Seigan rose, he took a look around to see which room Takuro had made their new safe haven.
Seigan: We're in the teacher's lounge! Oh, and I really appreciate the save Takuro glad we can count on your quick reflexes.
Inezo: Yeah thanks, not sure how much longer I could've kept running like that.
Takuro: No problem guys, but WHAT was that?! No human should be able to move like that. He shook the whole building!
Seigan: I'm not sure what that was, I know we need an escape plan 'cause we're obviously not gonna outrun that human freight train.
Inezo slowly walked over to the door, he peeked down the hallway in the direction of the behemoth. The monster wasn't moving but he was still looking in their direction. Inezo looked closer and saw that the man's leg was bent out of shape with bruises all over.
Inezo: Hey guys! It looks like he's hurt so he can't move, try to find something we can use.
Seigan and Takuro started flipping the room upside down, opening cabinets, drawers, and even the abandoned bags left behind by teachers. While the two boys ransacked the room, Inezo continued to observe the hulk of a man that's after them.
Beads of sweat chased each other down Inezo's face as he watched what seemed impossible. The behemoth's leg snapped back in the right direction and the color started to return; after lifting his leg up and down a few times, the goliath began to walk again.
Inezo: Time's up he's coming back! You guys better have something!
Seigan & Takuro: Ready!
Inezo rejoined his friends on the other side of the classroom. Seigan, holding a fire extinguisher that was in the corner, Takuro, holding a metal baseball bat that was confiscated by one of the teachers earlier in the day.
Seigan: Okay, here's the plan: we'll jump into the hallway and I'll let off the fire extinguisher, he said he wanted to apprehend us so hopefully he won't try that charge if he can't see us, he can't take the risk of crushing one of us. Once the smoke screen is up we have to make a beeline for the same stairs we were going for initially. Got it?!
Takuro and Inezo both nodded and gathered their courage for the impending danger. As the heavy footsteps slowly approached the boys knew they had to move.
All three boys took a deep breath.
Seigan: NOW!
They rushed out the door and just as planned Seigan released the foam down the hall towards their pursuer then promptly executed a 180° turn and sprinted to catch up with his friends.
Inezo glanced behind him and didn't see any movement within the foam.
Inezo: Nice work Seigan this might be the only time one of your plans has worked this well!
Seigan: Hey! I know I don't have the greatest track record but my plans have a sixty-three percent success rate.
Inezo: That's still not the best that's basically—
Voice: Help! Help me!
As the boys approached the stairwell they heard a voice from the classroom the man originally emerged. It's coming from a student…
Takuro instinctively swerves into the room. He started trying to lift debris off their trapped schoolmate. Seigan and Inezo look at each other and hesitantly follow suit, worried that they might have just lost their only opportunity to escape.
Seigan: Takuro don't get me wrong you're a good guy and I respect you for helping, but you are aware of the juggernaut that could cover the distance between us in less time than it takes you to say "apple," right?
Takuro: Don't worry there's still foam and this won't take too long.
Takuro turns to the student as he continued to lift the cabinet.
Takuro: Hey man…I'm Takuro and these are my friends Inezo and Seigan, what's your name?
Student: …Kuvan, my name's Kuvan Yoshiko.
They finally manage to lift the cabinet off Kuvan's leg. Seigan helped him back to his feet. Kuvan had to use a desk to support himself due to his leg injury.
Takuro: Well Kuvan, that guy outside seems to be after us three for some reason so we're gonna keep moving, you should be fine here just wait here a bit after we leave. Oh wait, can you walk?
Kuvan: It'll be slow but I'll manage.
Kuvan took a look around the room.
Kuvan: As of right now, I think I'll move to the roof…I'd rather not stay in this room.
The trio's eyes widened as they realized what was around them. They had been so focused on the chase and helping Kuvan, they hadn't noticed the numerous bodies that were scattered around the room and the strong smell of copper.
Takuro gagged while Seigan and Inezo looked at the floor and the ceiling respectively. The sight of the classroom is something no one should have to witness.
Seigan cleared his throat.
Seigan: ...understandable. Takuro, Inezo let's go. I'd also rather not be in here any longer than I need to.
Inezo: Right, we're in the home stretch now.
Takuro: Alright Kuvan, be safe and hopefully we'll see each other again.
Kuvan: Yeah, you guys too, hope you escape.
The three returned to the hallway, there was still foam but not enough to block the behemoth's vision. The boys made eye contact with the giant's soulless eyes and saw the silhouette of his arm raise.
The man planted a heavy foot on the ground, the force behind it rocked the entire building. He heaved something from out of the foam, Inezo's eyes widened as a desk flew towards them with insane speed.
Takuro: WATCH OUT!
The desk shattered into splinters on impact with the wall.
Seigan: Move! Now!
They piled into the stairway and started their descent, the heavy footsteps that shook their bodies were getting further away yet didn't get any quieter.
They all smiled as they reached the 1st floor.
As they turned the corner they were met by a new problematic scenario, three girls on the other end of the hall being blocked by a tall, lanky man. The girl in the middle yelled at the man in their path.
Girl: Out of the way creep! I don't know what you want with us, but I'm getting real sick of you!
Inezo: We gotta help them, I think that guy's the same as the one on the 4th floor.
Takuro: Are you sure?
Inezo narrowed his eyes at the man on the opposite end of the hall.
Inezo: Positive.
Takuro nodded and charged towards the girls and the tall man. As he approached; the man kept his focus on the three girls.
Takuro: Hey Asshole! Over here!
Takuro leaped into the air behind the towering man who still hadn't given him a glance.
Then in an instant, the man's head spun to face Takuro, while the rest of his body retained its original position. Takuro looked into the man's eyes and was met by the same empty look the behemoth on the 4th floor had. Seeing this, Takuro steeled his resolve, and he swung the bat with all his might.
The sound of metal meeting flesh rang through the hall. The lanky man's head slammed against the wall and he crumbled to the ground. Takuro pumped his fist and looked down at the man, he had a massive bruise on the left side of his head; he looked down at the bat…the metal bat was bent at almost a 90° angle.
Seigan and Inezo came to a halt next to Takuro and the unconscious man. Seigan clasped Takuro on the shoulder and smiled.
Seigan: Good hit Takuro! I guess helping the baseball team really came in handy.
Takuro: Yeah, that swing felt good. But did you see his head spin?! It's like he's part owl or something.
The three girls joined the huddle. Seigan turned to them and his smile immediately dropped, as he came face to face with the person he hated most in the school; no, maybe even on the entire planet. Akida Mizuza.
Seigan looked at the two girls on either side of Akida, the Priesner twins.
Seigan: You two alright? Got any injuries?
The twin on the left of Akida spoke up.
Left Twin: We're good! Thanks a lot, no clue what that guy's problem was; he was ultra weird. He came flying in through the wall on the 2nd floor when we were in the classroom earlier, like BA-BOOM! Oh! Takuro take this, I'm sure you'll use it better than us.
The talkative twin took a kendo stick out of her sister's hands and passed it to Takuro.
Takuro: Hey thanks, the baseball bat worked but this is definitely more my style.
Akida: Sakiko don't say thanks to Atasa, he didn't do anything besides run over here after Takuro did all the work.
Seigan rolled his eyes at Akida's remark and chose to ignore her.
Inezo: Regardless of who did what, we've gotta go. If this guy's anything like that Goliath on the 4th floor then he won't be down for long so I suggest we leave.
The group dashed back up the hallway and rounded the corner towards the main entrance. A crash echoed behind them as the man pursuing Seigan, Takuro, and Inezo slammed through the ceiling as if he were summoned by Inezo's words.
Takuro: He came through the floor?! What do they feed this guy?!
Seigan: Doesn't matter anymore, once we're outside he can't bulldoze us; there'll be too much space we'll be able to dodge around.
The group stormed through the main entrance having to shield their eyes from the high afternoon sun. The courtyard was almost empty, all the students and staff were long gone. The only thing in the courtyard was one man…A man with crimson hair and flawless skin, he's dressed in high-quality clothing from head to toe, like royalty. Complimented by his gloves that exhibit the same radiant color as his hair.
Man: Ok! It would seem my servants have failed me, how disappointing, outsmarted and beaten by a group of children. I know they weren't the best but I had faith in them. What. A. Shame!
Akida: So you're the one who sent that lanky bastard after us?! What's your problem? You got a bone to pick with us?!
Takuro: Don't bother, now that we know he's with them, we know he's not gonna let us just walk away.
Takuro took a fighting stance and prepared to charge at the man in the courtyard.
Man: Ok! Ok! I'd rather not have to dirty my hands let alone my clothes but you seem very eager to pick a fight with me boy, hmmm how about this; I, the great Prince Undinis will humor you just this once, does that seem fair?
Prince placed both his hands in front of him, his left hand extended outward and the right hand closer to his body. It was a stance strangely full of openings. The man smiled a devilish smile as if he was baiting Takuro to approach.
Takuro furrowed his brow and prepared to attack.
Takuro: [I can take him]
Just before he could make his move a hand reached out from behind him.
Inezo: Takuro wait!
Inezo grabbed Takuro's shoulder, halting him before he could try his luck on his crimson-haired opponent.
Takuro: Inezo let me go! This isn't the time for this, I've got the best chance out of all of us to—
Takuro turned around to look at his friend. Inezo's hair was standing on end and his hand was shaking. His eyes focused solely on the crimson-haired man.
Inezo: This guy's different, he's not like the behemoth or the owl…I don't know what it is but you won't beat him!
Seigan: Well he's blocking the gate, so we might as well try our luck with him.
Inezo: No! We can't! Let's just back up into the school, regroup, and think of a plan; I'm sure we'll be able to think of something.
As Inezo backs up he's met by a wall. He turned to see the behemoth towering over him. With one swipe of his massive arms, he grabbed all six of the students in his unrelenting grip.
Akida: Way to go Eye Bags! Now we're caught.
Seigan: His name's Inezo, and I didn't see you offering any ideas.
Akida: Neither did you! All you did was sit and watch as Takuro did all the work!
Seigan: Well Takuro saved your ass! Maybe we should've just saved the twins and left you to deal with the bean sprout!
Prince: Ok! That's enough bickering back and forth between you two, oh Bishop! Come over here.
The slender man rounded the corner from where he had been knocked out, the wound on his head still very noticeable, yet he moved as if it wasn't there.
Prince: Ok! Now that we're all here and we have six high-value targets it's time for us to take our leave. Oh! But first things first…
Prince strutted over to the bishop and delivered a violent kick to his left knee. The man buckled as they heard the bone shatter and he dropped to the ground.
Prince: Ok! You not only failed to capture a single target but you also got beaten by them! As I said before, those who serve under me…DO.NOT.FAIL.
The man swiped his hand above the owl man's head in a swift motion as if he drew a line out of thin air. The lanky man's eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed to the ground, motionless.
The group of six still trapped in the giant man's arms all looked at each other, with a mixture of concerned and confused expressions.
Akida: The hell? What happened?
Inezo: He cut the string that was connected to that guy.
Seigan: Huh? What're you talking about?
Takuro: Shhh he's coming over here.
Prince: Ok! Now that that's taken care of, I can turn my attention to you six! But, I can't have you all up and about while you're being transported can I?
Seigan: Transport? Where are you taking us?!
Prince: Ok! I know you're excited but calm down, you'll see soon enough. But before that…who should I deal with first? How about the boy who made me kill my servant
Prince approached Takuro and sized him up.
Prince: Ok! Seems I made the right choice, when it comes to physique you're much better than the rest of them. Thank you for volunteering.
Takuro stared at the crimson-haired man with a perplexed look.
Suddenly Prince reeled his fist back and delivered a devastating gut punch straight into Takuro's abdomen; knocking him unconscious.
Takuro: *gasp*
Takuro's head fell and his body went limp.
Seigan: I don't know what you need us for, but you're gonna pay!
Prince: Ok! I like that fire behind your eyes, but don't worry the Prince treats all his guests equally.
The man swiftly incapacitated the rest of the group with five more powerful blows.
Seigan: [dammit, I gotta stay awake, who knows what this lunatic is gonna do with us…]
Seigan joined the rest of his classmates as his body finally fell limp.
Prince: Ok! I should probably obtain another servant on the way back since the last one was defective, but regardless; Mission Accomplished!