Maestro's First Swing

My God, it's so loud here. How do people tolerate this noise? As the two walked through Osaka's crowded, noisy streets, Sarai missed the village where he lived as a child.

“Where are we heading? We've been walking in circles for so long.” His back arched with exhaustion.

“Dammit! Since they allowed magic to be used in construction, these streets have kept changing so fast.” Enji looked all around him. “I swear there was no turn here!”

Oh yeah, I read about this in a book I stole in the orphanage.

Natural Mana flows in all living things. It can manifest as elemental magic, something different than Faithful Sorcery. A few years ago, the governments of the world permitted its use in many domains, especially construction, health care, and the military.

“Oh, this way!” Enji quickened his pace.

“This is the 15th time you've said that…” Sarai sighed.

Is this loser really a spy? He began to regret his choice of joining the agency.

As they stepped around Osaka’s lively Namba area, uneventful minutes passed, and sunset began to bloom in the evening sky.

“Take.” Enji stepped out of a sketchy coffee shop and handed Sarai a cup of black iced tea.

“Thanks.” Sarai took a sip.

“Pfffft!” He spat it out instantly, drenching a passerby’s shoes.

“You brat!” A sickening punch landed on his nose, slamming him to the store’s wall.

…I deserved that.

“Hahaha! Your memory loss can't be that bad! How'd you forget that vomiting on people is wrong?” Enji laughed so hard he could barely stay on his feet.

Asshole…

“How about you taste it for yourself?” Sarai handed him the cold plastic cup.

“Sarai-kun, you're making such a big deal—Pffffft!” The coffee he spat dyed a passerby's elegant vest.

“You bastard! I sold my left nut to buy this vest!” A solid uppercut sent Enji flying to the wall.

A normal guy succeeded at what Kraus failed at. Sarai chuckled.

Cough. Cough. Cough. The two spat whatever coffee stuck to their tongues.

“I'm sorry, I got no cash, so I bought you the cheapest one I know in this ward.” Enji stood and helped Sarai to get up.

This is how you welcome a new member? “Whatever.”

“Actually, there is a homeless old Turkish man. He loves coffee. Let's give it to him. No need to waste it.” Enji looked around him as he spoke.

“There he is! Next to the kebab shop. Hand me that.” Enji grabbed the plastic cup and headed toward the homeless man.

“Are you sure about that…” It tasted like camel piss.

“Teşekkürler!” The old man gestured gracefully and grabbed the cup. Enji bowed. He turned and walked back to Sarai.

“Anyway, I know the way from here. Let’s go.”

Thud.

I knew it. Sarai watched the old homeless man collapse on the spot after the first sip. He ran away.

“Woah, Sarai-kun, what's up?”

From the kebab shop, numerous shouts erupted aggressively, followed by a flood of speeding steps.

“It's that orange-haired guy!”

“What did you feed our Turkish godfather?!”

“Get that loser!”

“At least tell me!” Enji sprinted, following Sarai. A herd of Turkish immigrants rushed after him with slurs.

…

The sky was stained black, stars adorning it. Dotonbori Street was engulfed in neon lights of stores, buildings, and restaurants. Huge display screens flickering with advertisements.

Karaoke, J-pop contests, bars, and all sorts of delightful spaces were scattered around. A palace of entertainment, motion, and color.

Amidst the river of people, Sarai and Enji bent down, hands on knees.

“You… you caused us so much trouble.” Sarai gasped heavily.

“I… forgot that guy had an allergy… to cold stuff.” Enji could barely breathe.

Sarai looked around him. “Where are we now?”

“Dotonbori. Don't worry, the way to the agency isn't so far from here.”

The two began walking through the crowd.

“There are so many people.”

“Are you not used to the city?”

“Not really, I came from a rural area.”

“Ahah. Do you have any relatives?”

Sarai hesitated for a second before muttering, “Not really, I've been in an orphanage for a while—

Something’s off… An eerie shiver invaded Sarai's senses.

The huge screens enhancing the landscapes and shops began to flicker, some of them shutting down.

Eventually, they all extinguished, people's figures reflecting on their dark surfaces.

The lights illuminating the city glitched, seconds away from shutting off too.

The city was swallowed in obscurity, masses screaming and panicking as they waved their phones’ flashlights.

What's happening…

In a flash, white light blessed every single screen, becoming the only illumination to the smothering city.

Out of the blankness, a dark-hooded figure emerged, its smile faint and threatening.

Its lips twitched.

“You are the worm hiding deep beneath, from a truth that exposes your false nature.”

The United States–New York, Times Square.

"Hypocrites and slaves, open your eyes and see through the lies of your leaders. Your religion and law are the language of foulness.”

Italy–Milan, Piazza Gae Aulenti.

“...A smiling madman runs between the woods, yet you killed your God?”

Russia–Moscow, Aviapark Mall.

“...An all-black pupil veils the celestial sun, yet you claim true Faith?”

Japan–Tokyo, Shibuya Crossing.

“...A pharaoh sinks into the ruins of existence, yet you massacre those who believed?"

Japan–Osaka, Dotonbori.

“The Devil of The Fallen Triune shall claim your fate.”

...

Pzzssszzt

The huge display screens blacked out, and the city’s lights pulsed back on.

For a moment, silence felt louder.

“Is that some kind of prank?”

“Mom, that person was scary…”

“God! I have an exam tomorrow.”

“Damn, the internet will explode.”

“Let's get to the train.”

“Hackers nowadays!”

"I need to call my parents."

"A madman in the woods...? Interesting."

The noise of chatter conquered the busy streets' atmosphere. Sarai stood still at the scene, gazing at the blacked-out screen.

“Enji-san… What's that…?” Sarai pointed at the screen. A faceless, hairless figure was projected from it, looming terrifyingly. Despite having no eyes, Sarai could feel its gaze assaulting his senses.

“Hmmm. What are you talking about?” Enji looked at Sarai’s sweating face and wide-open eyes.

“You must be seeing things. Your memory is messed up after all.”

“Yes… I must be seeing things…” The faceless figure shattered into glass fragments like an ancient mirror.

“Also,” Enji’s eyes narrowed and his tone deepened, growing earnest, “that hooded figure, just now, probably declared war on the government. The words he said… Things will become catastrophic.” He patted Sarai’s shoulder and walked away.

Catastrophic, you say… Not a big deal. It had always been like this.

The screens came back to life, and Sarai followed his new companion, hurrying to the agency.

Every soul on the planet swam through the mysterious sea of fate. Humanity blinked once more, ignoring the violins of its corroding history.