The Two Anomalies

“I'll see you both later, okay?” A middle aged man with medium length honey-blonde hair, a well-kept beard, amber-yellow eyes and a masculine physique spoke, his tone low and peaceful. 

His name was Ryūnosuke Toriyama, the number one Paramount-level Anomaly.Toriyama stood in the doorway, facing his wife and their 12 year old daughter. 

They returned his smile, their eyes glimmering with joy. He scooped both of them up like sheets of paper, as if they weighed nothing. 

“I love you both so much,” he claimed as quiet delight lit up his face like a flame. 

“We love you too, honey, but you’re squashing the life outta us.” his wife intoned, her low voice pulling the room even closer.

Toriyama realized he had gone beyond normal strength without noticing as he placed them down gently. His daughter embraced him, her hands holding him tightly, her cheeks rising. 

“Have a good day at work; we’ll be waiting for you to get back, so don’t be too late,” she chirped, her eyes shining like fiery sunlight.

“I won’t, I promise.” Toriyama ventured, a placid smile on his lips. The girl let go of him as she grinned happily, her small yellow eyes closed. 

The wife just simply looked at her husband calmly while he put on his shoes, picked up his black leather briefcase, and opened the door, leaving both of them behind as he headed to work. 

After a long day at the office, Toriyama returned home, trudging through the city’s vibrant lights. 

Towering skyscrapers lined the streets, leaving only a few smaller buildings on either side of the road and sidewalk. 

The sound of car engines was mixed with the cacophony of pedestrians in the vibrant energy of Evernight city. 

He walked at a normal pace as his phone rang in his pocket. He didn’t recognize the number, but regardless he answered: 

“Hello, Toriyama speaking.”

On the other side of the call, a menacing, blood‑curdling voice sighed, its poisonous tone still present even over the phone.

“Good evening, Mister Toriyama.”

“Who am I speaking to?”

“That's not important. You see, there’s an urgent matter I wish to discuss. Meet me at your apartment in 2 minutes and 35 seconds. Arrive any later and I’ll kill your precious little family. Say hello, little lady.”

Toriyama froze, his eyes flickering with a dense yellow light, his hand shaking along with the phone. In that instant his daughter’s shaking voice came through. “Daddy, please… save us…”

The unknown figure returned, his voice drooping with sheer venom. “Well, you heard me, Mister Toriyama. Save them before it’s too late,” he spat. “And keep in mind that I hate to be kept waiting.”

Before the call even reached its end, Toriyama had already vanished, his phone tossed to the ground. He bolted, pulling his necktie and throwing it away. 

I have no other choice, I have to shift, it's now or never, Toriyama mused, a furious look appearing on his face.

At that moment his body underwent a sudden change: sharp fangs grew, his pupils became cat‑like as they effulged yellow, his muscles tightening and accruing, a small yellow aura enveloping them along with his entire form. 

He leapt from the ground to the roof of an apartment building, decimating the ground in the process. 

He accelerated with superhuman speed, vaulting from apartment to apartment, his breaths were uneven as he gritted his teeth. 

Fear propelled him forward, sprinting faster and faster with every heartbeat until he reached his apartment. 

He broke through the door and entered the living room, only to find men with guns already pointed at him. 

His wife and daughter were on their knees, hands behind their heads along with a few bindings. The unknown figure stood behind them, his face dissatisfied.

“Long time no see, Mister Ryūnosuke—Toriyama,” Yoroi sneered.

“Yoroi, please, it doesn’t have to be this way. I’ll give you whatever you want; just be reasonable,” Toriyama muttered, fear glinting in his eyes.

Yoroi cackled with mirthless laughter, his voice like rusted metal being scraped on rock. “Don’t be absurd, Toriyama. If I asked you to bring my family back from the dead, would you be able to?! No, you couldn’t.” 

Yoroi scoffed, a scornful tone escaping his throat as he swung his hands violently. 

“Spare me your frivolous crap! You know why I'm here, Toriyama. It's your choice: either you come with us or you watch your family get a few extra holes. What will it be? 10... 9... 8..." 

Toriyama clenched his fist so hard he cut his palm with his fingernail; blood trickling to his knuckles. 

"7... 6... 5—”

“Fine! We'll do things you're way, but only if you leave my family out of this,” he muttered, his voice shaking, his eyes steady as stone.

“You have my word,” Yoroi drawled, signaling one of his men to cuff Toriyama. The goon produced reinforced cuffs that glowed with a dark maroon light. 

“Just so you’re aware, those cuffs will drain your energy if you try to use it. Don’t be rash; it might cost you,” Yoroi warned as he sauntered towards Toriyama.

One of the goons nudged Toriyama with a gun as he moved toward the door. Toriyama’s wife took advantage of Yoroi turning toward the door and broke her bindings effortlessly. 

She lunged, closing the distance quickly, and spun to deliver a roundhouse kick to his neck. 

Two invisible protrusions caught her by the neck, snapping her head off like a pretzel stick.

Blood splattered over the walls as her body fell, and her head rolled toward Toriyama’s daughter. 

"AAAAAAAAAA!” She screamed violently, letting out a high‑pitched, jarring sound that almost shattered the windows. 

Toriyama turned his head just in time to see his wife’s body missing its head. His eyes dilated gradually, his mouth parting in suspended animation. 

Toriyama was speechless, although who wouldn't be in such an unfair situation. 

Yoroi had promised he wouldn't hurt his family and yet in less than ten minutes he beheaded his wife without hesitation. 

This made Toriyama acknowledge the cruelty of this world, the unfair treatment you get even when you're just trying to live life the best way you can. 

But unfortunately, it's life's occupation to put it's avatars through mind boggling circumstances that leave them with nothing but utter despair...