The streets were quiet, calm, and still, a deceptive trap that unfortunately many people fell for when they first entered this megacity. But if one lifted the figurative veil that covered this place, they would find that underneath it was only rot, corruption, decay, and scum.
Murderers, thugs, gangbangers, rapists, corrupted law enforcement, politicians, all of them cowards who hid behind false bravado just to feel a sense of control. But it was a lie; they lost any shred of humanity when they became what they are.
Monsters.
And not the monsters that came out of the terrifying nightmare gates; many awakened and took up the duty of closing and protecting this city.
No, these monsters fooled your everyday people by looking just like them, wearing human skin; they didn't have humanity, no matter how much they attempted to fake it, and if that's what they wanted to be, they would be put down like one.
That was usual, but strangely, eerily peaceful on this particular night. The people of this city quickly learned that they could never trust the peacefulness, for that was always when the worst things happened.
But that didn't mean they didn't enjoy it while it was there.
Despite its many faults, NQSC could be beautiful if one looked in the right places or found the right people.
Nothing of interest was taking place tonight except for the constant lightning. It was cold, damp, and dark in the early hours of the day, and a thunderstorm was happening. Rain pounded against the windows of houses, beating down on them like a jackhammer, never ceasing. Pedestrians slowly filled the streets, running by to get to the closest shelter, and others huddled together waiting for transportation to get to or from work.
Some remained in their homes, sleeping soundly or turning on their projectors to attempt to drown out the sounds of the storm.
One particular room of a two-story home had the news on while a delicate young man slept.
"This is news reporter Linda bringing you up to speed on current events. Last night, local authorities discovered the body of a known sexual offender with his limbs torn off, nailed to a wall in an alleyway by a known nightclub with the letter R carved onto his chest. This has been the seventh victim of these past two months, all of them having the common factors of being predators, sex offenders, human traffickers, or gang members. Some had their ears ripped off, others beaten beyond recognition, but all of them had their hearts ripped from their chests with a singular letter carved into their torsos. This victim is different. Police forensics have announced that not only were this victim's limbs torn off by someone's bare hands, confirming that the serial killer is indeed an awakened human, but that the body was more than six days old." The mundane woman paused momentarily to take a breath, then continued.
"When put together, the letters spell, and I quote, "MONSTER." Witnesses say they saw an unidentifiable person in all-black clothing covering every inch of their skin, wearing a black mantle and a strange mask, leaving the area. This has been the first and only time the suspect has been seen leaving the crime. Police have yet to figure out whether it is one person or many, or if it could be a cult wanting to punish, which is prompting the government to step in and assist our authorities. We urge you to contact the authorities and run away immediately if you see this person. We now move on to the news of the Sovereign Broken Sword of the Immortal Flame Clan, along with Queen Ki Song, who both recently closed several category four nightmare gates in North America this past week, making the continent more in line with what it was before the dark ages. Listen to what the Police Chief-."
The young man had been awakened not by a lightning strike booming over his home but by soft footsteps outside his room. He had heard enough, so he turned off the projector. Rubbing his eyes tiredly and fixing his messy, long black hair, he sniffed the air and caught the aroma of coffee and bacon. He checked his communicator; it showed three o'clock in the morning.
Seems like his housemates were already up and about as usual.
"Six days, fucking days, and not a single person said anything, not a report, nothing?" He frowned.
The seventh murder in over two months. Whoever they were, they were trying to make a point. Trying to put fear into the scum of the city, and it was as much as he hated to admit it, it was working.
Yes, they were only taking out the filth of this city, but what if they got bored or angry? What if they started going for civilians? This lunatic had to be caught.
Begrudgingly, he got out of bed, put on a shirt, and left his bedroom.
"Sunless! Good morning, my friend." His friend smiled at him. He was tall and slender, with strange silver eyes and an easygoing, genuine, friendly smile. He wore a simple black suit, had neat hair, and tied his tie in front of a mirror.
"Good morning, Mordret," Sunny responded while yawning.
"Good morning, Sunny. Did you sleep well?" Another melodious voice called out from the kitchen, where the delicious smell came from. An obnoxiously handsome face with auburn hair and electric green eyes peeked his head from around the corner of the kitchen with a dazzling smile.
"Yeah, but not as much as I wanted to." Sunny sat down at the kitchen table.
"I'm sorry, but why did you get up so early? You don't have to go to work for an hour from now." Kai asked while handing him a plate of bacon.
"I couldn't sleep. Did you two see the news?" Sunny grabbed a piece of bacon and munched on it.
Kai nodded.
"We did, it is terrible. But I suppose the silver lining in this is that whoever they are, they seem to be going after the worst of the worst." Mordret sat down with them.
"Hardly, what if they change tunes and start slaughtering innocents?" Kai's eyes were full of worry.
"Let us not focus on hypothetical scenarios right now. I am more curious about the government being involved. Sunless, what do you think about it?" Mordret asked, grabbing a piece of bacon as well.
"They only get involved when awakened, which is the cause of the issue. It makes sense considering that the government has a plethora of more awakened than any department in this city, second to the great clans." Sunny told them while getting up to pour a mug of coffee.
"I see." Mordret nodded.
"Speaking of great clans, how's your family doing, money bags?" Sunny slightly smiled, trying to lift the mood he had brought down from the subject.
"Oh, they are doing well, Father is still the same as usual, and Mother is with Morgan helping her plan this year's annual ball." Mordret smiled.
"It's good to hear that from you. And what about the others? How are they doing?" Sunny raised an eyebrow.
"The more dangerous, emotionless one is still handling the business part of Clan Valor, accompanied by the other two as the heir for the time being, alternating days, on which one takes the place. The fearful one is handling the touring around the world with Clan Song while being accompanied by the other two to fill in the places he can't, such as public speaking and talking to strangers. They are in the Eastern Quadrant; they arrived there a few days ago. As usual, we occasionally check on each other through mirrors to see how the other is doing." Mordret smiled again.
"I do know, and that's good to hear." Sunny nodded.
Sunny was still living on the outskirts when he met Mordret after trying to steal food from the trash can of his mansion for him and his little sister Rain. Anvil, the king of swords, wanted to punish Sunny for going through their trash can and nearly did. But luckily, Mordret's mother, Gwyn, convinced Anvil otherwise.
Gwyn tried to adopt him and his sister, but Anvil refused, so young Mordret took action and started visiting every day, not by getting dropped off but by walking. Mordret, along with his butler Sebastian and occasionally his uncle Modac, walked to the outskirts to see Sunny, Rain, and the rest of his family daily. He told them about life in the city and gave them real food.
Naturally, Sunny was suspicious of the guy, thinking he would ask something in return for his actions; it was how people were. At least people in the outskirts were; to them, nothing in life was free; it was always an eye for an eye, but to his astonishment, the young Prince never did. The visits continued for years until Sunny turned sixteen, became infected with the nightmare spell, and conquered his first nightmare. He did so well that the spell had decided to give him a divine aspect.
Shortly after that, he met Kai, otherwise known as Nightingale. The three of them became best friends instantly. Once Kai had learned of his family situation, he begged his parents for days to let Sunny and Rain stay with them.
Eventually, they gave in.
It may have sounded like all happy times and Sunny still prays to dead gods that it was, but it wasn't. Not after his Mother and father were robbed, then murdered by a group of awakened in broad daylight, no less, when Sunny was sixteen, just after he conquered his first nightmare.
That wasn't even the worst part. Sunny saw the cops trying to help cover up the murder.
Sunny decided to join his chosen career at age eighteen, while Rain stayed with Kai's family. Sunny now had the power to ensure that no one else had to experience that.
He looked at Mordret.
The Prince of Valor was an extraordinary person. He had a rare condition that reversed his organs, and not only that, but Mordret was unfortunate; he was thrust into his first nightmare at the age of twelve and emerged a completely different person.
After his first nightmare, Mordret was 'accidentally' pushed over hard by another kid and hit his head. Instead of getting mad at the child, he smiled at him while his head was bleeding.
Sunny could tell something was wrong with his friend even at seven.
Sunny still remembered the shock of discovering that instead of being one person, there were seven of him.
Luckily, the older man and Modac taught the seven fragments of Mordret how to get along and work together, to fill in the certain emotions that the others couldn't.
Only the dead gods know what would've happened if they hadn't.
Before he could reminisce any further, he heard his name.
"-less, Sunless?" Sunny looked over to see Mordret and Kai staring at him.
"What? What is it?"
"Your communicator, Rain, is calling," Kai informed him.
"Hey, brat, what's up? Is everything okay?" Sunny answered, holding the communicator to his ear.
"I told you to stop calling me that, I'm twenty years old now!" Rain's voice resounded in his ear.
"Yeah, you're still not old enough to drink, so you're a kid in my eyes," Sunny told her dryly with a hint of mirth.
"Whatever, I just wanted to check up on you, making sure you're not dead or nailed to a wall or both." Rain huffed, but he could hear a hint of concern.
"I'm fine." His voice softened, letting his tough exterior slip for a moment.
"Good! I'll call you later, brother. I love you! Stay safe. Tell Mordret and Kai I said hello!"
"Yeah, I love you too, pipsqueak, and I will, don't worry." He hung up, allowing a smile to grace his face momentarily.
Ever since his parents were murdered, they relied on each other a lot more, as well as Kai, who they considered a brother at this point.
Sighing tiredly, he grabbed a mug and poured himself coffee, then sat on the couch beside Kai and Mordret, who had moved there to give Sunny a sense of privacy.
"How is she doing?" Kai asked with a smile.
"Good. Rain was checking up on me." Sunny nodded.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock at their door. Sunny got up to open it, and he was met by a dapper elder gentleman wearing a stylish maroon suit. The older man held an umbrella and an expensive-looking cane in one hand and was grinning at him humorously.
"Sunny! How are you, kiddo?" The elder man removed his shoes, stepped inside, closed his umbrella, and clapped his hand on Sunny's shoulder.
"I'm good, Grandpa Jest." Sunny slightly swayed from the force.
"Good! That's good! I take it that Rainy is good as well? And quit calling me grandpa! I'm not that old yet!" Jest leaned on his umbrella with an expression of annoyance.
"Yes, she just called me a few minutes ago." Sunny smiled and led him to where Mordret and Kai were.
"Wanna hear a joke?"
"Not really."
"Why was the gift late to the party?" Uncle Jest grinned.
"Because it was all wrapped up," Sunny answered, holding his face.
"Yes! Because it was all wrapped! That joke will never get old!" The older man burst out with laughter.
"But you are Uncle Jest." Sunny frowned, his eyebrows creased.
Jest looked at him with outrage.
"Brat! Respect your elders! And smile more, will you? You'll never get a lovely young lady if you keep scowling like that! This city and the people are already gloomy enough. Besides, ladies love a man with a sense of humor, ask my wife!" he chided.
As much as Sunny hated to admit it, the old geezer was correct; this quadrant already had enough gloominess hanging over its head like an umbrella.
"Good morning, Uncle Jest." Mordret smiled innocently.
"Good morning, Saint Jest." Kai nodded.
"Good morning, boys." He smiled crookedly and gave Mordret a long look.
Though he already had children, Uncle Jest was practically a second father to Sunny, Rain, Kai, and Mordret. The first being Kai's father, who was a real softie.
Jest was also the one who tracked down their parents' killers once he found out what happened to them. It was the first time he saw him angry, of course. He didn't show it in front of Sunny or Rain; he hid it behind his usual humorous smile, but his eyes betrayed him; they were filled with rage and malice.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out what he did to the killers and cops who helped cover it up. The news had reported that multiple people had gone missing and were found at the bottom of a ditch with their bowls ripped out and their teeth stuffed within their stomachs.
Dismissing the dark past, he focused on the present conversation Jest and the others were having.
"So, Mordret, are you ready to go to boring speeches and parties?" Jest eyed the plate of bacon hungrily.
"Yes, I am. Have a good day, you two! Be safe!" The Prince smiled while leaving the house with the old Saint holding the umbrella over them. They entered the PTV and soon after drove off.
Sunny watched them leave, then looked at the sky, pouring down rain.
It was time for him to leave as well.
Returning to his room, Sunny took a shower, brushed his teeth, tied his hair into a ponytail, and put on an expensive black button-down shirt with dark grey accents and pants. Then, grabbing an umbrella, he walked back to the living room looking for Kai.
"Kai?"
"I'm in here!" He called from the bathroom.
Sunny followed his voice and saw his friend looking in the mirror during his daily skin care routine. Next to him on the sink sat an unassuming cap, face mask, and sunglasses.
"Really? It's four in the morning, Kai. Also, you're a Master; your skin is near perfect." Sunny rolled his eyes.
"So? I've told you for years that this takes time, Sunny. Contrary to popular belief, I don't wake up like this. You should try it again sometime! Like when we were kids!" Kai scoffed at him, then smiled.
"Maybe one day, whenever Morgan finally stops pretending she doesn't like you, I'll do it." Sunny sighed.
"Well, then it will never happen!" Kai picked up a comb and ran it through his hair.
"Have hope, my friend, have hope." Sunny patted his shoulder.
"I'll see you later. Hopefully your shift is good!" Kai pulled him into a hug.
"Yeah, I hope so too." Sunny smiled, hugging him back, then gently pried himself from his friend's embrace.
Leaving the house and closing the door behind him, Sunny took out his umbrella, held it over his head, and went to the driveway. Standing there briefly, he contemplated how he should get to work.
'Shadow Step or PTV?'
After a few seconds, Sunny got into his vehicle and backed out of the driveway. He wanted to have time to think.
Driving down the streets, his mind began to drift again.
Today is three years since Kai, Mordret, that boisterous woman, and Sunny chose to conquer the second nightmare together.
Well, not the Mordret who had left with Jest, that one couldn't fight to save his life even if he wanted to; they conquered it with the emotionless Mordret who pretended to have feelings.
All the Mordrets were his best friends, but the emotionless one was someone Sunny was the most wary of because of his unpredictability and lack of genuine feelings. It was why he had to be watched by one of the song's daughters, Seishan.
It made sense, considering Mordert was the closest to Seishan out of Ki Song's daughters. Sunny was positive that something was happening between them, but never said anything about it.
He would eventually ask him one day.
Yes, Sunny could be out there like Princess Changing Star and her family, slaying nightmare creatures and doing crazy things like The Immortal Flame Clan did.
But why would he?
Sunny was perfectly content with his life as of right now. He had everything he wanted and had everyone he needed in his circle; he had no crazy aspirations like conquering every nightmare or becoming a god.
Sunny stopped his thoughts and looked at the building he was approaching. It was time for another day to begin. Slowing down, he drove into the parking lot, found a parking spot, and turned off his vehicle. Getting out and then locking it, Sunny walked through the building door.
Once Sunny was inside, he closed his umbrella and nodded to the people greeting him.
"Good morning, Detective."
"Morning, Master Sunless."
"Have a good shift, Sir."
"Detective Sunless."
"Hey, kid, get ready for our guests. Word is that we're going to have a mandatory buddy system with the government until this killing spree is solved, meaning we'll likely be paired up with whoever they send here." A handsome man with smooth dark skin, neatly cut hair, and electric blue eyes told him.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Static." Sunny nodded.
"Of course, the Captain wanted me to tell you to meet him in his office; he has news for you."
"Thanks." Sunny walked off to the Captain's office.
"Sir?" Giving the door a few knocks, he heard a deep voice answer him.
"Come in."
Sunny opened the door, went inside, closed it behind him, and sat across from the Captain at his desk.
"Lieutenant Static said you wanted to tell me something?"
"Yes, I do. As I am sure you have heard, everyone will get a partner from now on, no exceptions. We cannot have the risk of one of you ending up in a body bag because you were alone without someone watching your back. Awakened or not, you're not invincible. I know you have worked independently in the years you have been here, and you have been exceptional at your job, but from now on, you will not be solo, do you understand?" His Captain's voice was calm and smooth.
"Yes, sir. Permission to ask who I am working with?" Sunny nodded.
The Captain shook his head.
"No, because they'll be there at the investigation that's already going on, so they will be your partner from there. You can go now. " He looked behind Sunny and presumably aimed his gaze at the door.
"Yes, sir." Sunny got up to leave but was stopped.
"Wait."
"Sir?"
"She is a no-nonsense kind of woman and does not take anything from anyone. I think you will get along well. That is all, you are dismissed."
"Captain?"
"Yes?"
"Tell Master Naeve and his daughter I said hello."Sunny smiled slightly.
"Very well." The Captain nodded.
Sunny bowed and left the office.
Captain Bloodwave was a Saint from the House of Night, but since the members of Night were rarely needed unless for Aquatic events, they took up either mundane jobs or joined the government until they were called upon. Bloodwave did the former, and he was interested in law enforcement. He didn't take long to rise the ranks and become captain.
Refusing to allow his rank as a saint to give him an advantage, he did it the usual way, or at least tried to. Everyone in the force knew he had an extreme unfair advantage because he was a transcendent human, but no one said anything, and Bloodwave chose to let his actions speak for him.
If it wasn't obvious enough, Sunny had deep respect for the man, and the man had deep respect for Sunny.
Going to the fleet management, he was greeted by a bored-looking woman in her forties. She immediately lit up when Sunny went and signed off on the assigned PTV he used for stakeouts and getting to investigations.
"Detective! Good morning, how are you doing, dear?" She smiled sweetly.
"I'm good, Doreen, and you?" Sunny gave a smile as well.
"The same as every day, you know my daughter has been asking about you?" Doreen smiled wider.
'Not this again.'
Sunny's smile became a bit forced. "Oh? It's good to hear she's still just as curious as ever. Well, I'm off! Be safe!"
"You too! See you tomorrow!" She waved as Sunny was leaving.
He waved as well, heading outside to get into his unmarked PTV. Once inside, he started it and began to drive to the ongoing murder scene.
"What's their goal? Is it vengeance? Did these people kill their kids? Or is it just some awakened trying to play superhero by taking out the trash?" Sunny thought out loud.
Who knew?
After twenty minutes of driving, he arrived at the scene. When he pulled up to the parking lot of the nightclub near the alleyway where the murder took place, there were already forensics looking and taking pictures of the body. Around them was the yellow tape and a white chalk outline drawn around what was left of the bastard.
Getting out of the PTV, Sunny went towards the scene and got a strange look from a young, beautiful awakened woman who looked to be in her twenties, a new rookie who was going to stop him from entering.
"I'm sorry, sir, but this is an ongoing investigation; you can't enter, " the young rookie told him, her eyes a mixture of determination and sympathy.
Sunny didn't hold it against her; she followed the rules. He flashed his badge at her, immediately prompting her to apologize.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, detective, I-" She began.
Sunny held up a hand, waving her off dismissively. "Don't sweat it, I would have been mad if you hadn't stopped me and let me waltz through. No need to apologize for doing your job, rookie."
"Yes, sir." She held an embarrassed look on her face.
"Good." He nodded, giving her a pat on the shoulder and walking past her.
Walking up to the forensics, he glanced at the body. "Anything new to report?"
"Nothing we haven't already seen, we're about to finish up, so you can look at the body. The witnesses have already been talked to."
'Already talked to? Must have been that lady.'
"Thank you." Sunny nodded.
Five minutes passed before they got everything they needed and went elsewhere.
Sunny moved closer to look at the gruesome scene.
'Burn marks on the neck, they were tortured before this. The body may have looked to have its limbs torn, but they weren't; they were cut off sloppily, intentionally to make it more painful for the victim.'
'Patch marks on the body to keep awake so they wouldn't pass out from the pain of having their limbs hacked off.'
He understood this, but what he didn't understand was why each victim had their heart ripped out.
Was it because they were—— Suddenly, he stopped. Sunny sensed someone's shadow behind him.
"Heartless." A woman's voice spoke from behind him.
'Hm?'
Turning around to the source of the voice, he couldn't help but widen his eyes a bit.
"Because they were heartless, the killer figured that they didn't deserve it." She told him.
'That makes sense.'
Giving the woman a long stare, he earned a look from her.
"What are you looking at?" She raised an eyebrow.