The Will of Daiki Tennojima

Ten Years Ago

“Huff… Puff…”

Rei lay flat on the ground; rain drops falling on his face. He was seventeen, barely had any money to his name, and working as a part-time delivery man for a cake shop in the outskirts of Tokyo Sky.

One of the thugs that ambushed Rei, the ugly one, spat on his shirt and kicked him in the leg.

“Unnff!”

Rei anticipated the kick and used his power to shield himself. Having weak aether, he was getting good at pinpointing locations in his body to have it manifest. Still, he pretended as if he got hurt more than he did and cringed at the pain.

The thugs laughed. The one standing in the back, the uglier one, crouched down and picked up Rei’s delivery box. “Hey, guys, some let down this is. It’s just cake.”

“You kidding me?” the first thug said. “Who the hell crosses this part of town to deliver cake?” he turned around and prodded Rei with his boot. “You daft or something, punk? This is Earthwall territory.”

“I… I didn’t know… I was just—”

The thug kicked him again. “The hell you say? Never heard of the Earthwall gang?”

Sounds mighty stupid, but no, I haven’t.

“Yo, Shiz, the package from the upper wards might still pass through here,” the second thug said. “Can’t waste anymore time with this loser. Let’s go.”

“Yeah, yeah.” The first thug finally walked away. “Hey, hand me over some of that cake, at least its…”

Rei groaned in pain. The ground was wet and caked with mud, but if he just… tilt his head slightly… he’d get a pretty sweet view of the ascendant city rising up from the ground like a waterfall made of stone. The part with all the colorful buildings must be Ikebukuro.

It’s been two years since Rei moved to the outskirts of Tokyo Sky, attending school and working odd jobs, but he barely had the chance to visit the actual city itself. How the hell did he get into his mind that the city would welcome him simply because he was exalted? Oh, the exalted were celebrated in Tokyo. Feared, even. But that was only for ones that were recognized by the city as theirs. They had to be registered and everything, complete with the funny angel wings stitched on their clothes.

Rei could potentially register but the ‘how’ was complicated. The fact that he didn’t have proof of being born there was enough to make him suspicious. They might even consider him an exalt spy from other ascension circles. The commonly accepted theory, after all, was for a person to live at least seven years inside an ascendant city for the mere chance at being exalted. Even then their numbers amount to only seven percent of the total population. They were closely monitored.

A train line crossed the sky above Rei, moving from Ikebukuro to one of the chunks of land that led to Shinjuku. Damn, how beautiful its lights dazzled in the rain.

Rei sat up and straightened his clothes slightly. Best day to wear white. And those thugs really took his cake. Damn them. The shop owner was nice, so he doubted he’d get punished for losing their delivery. But the shop wasn’t exactly making much to begin with.

“Well, no use feeling sorry for yourself,” Rei whispered to himself. He used a bit of aether to stand up. “First, apologize to the owner. Second, remember to never take this shortcut. Third… Tokyo Sky. One step at a time, Rei. One step at a time.”

One week after the death of Daiki Tennojima

December 9th, 2050

Ikebukuro Heights

“If you knew the world would end, would you spend the rest of your life trying to save it?”

Daiki Tennojima stood at Heaven’s Reach, observing what few stars he could with his telescope before the night was devoured by impending bronze. He turned, with pain, to raise an eyebrow at the person who asked the question.

But the memory ended there.

Rei couldn’t quite see who it was who asked, but he had a feeling it was somebody he recognized. Whether it was him or Daiki Tennojima who did, he couldn’t quite tell. Recalling his visions was like recalling a dream. Familiar and frustrating.

“I guess I should write this down…”

It had been a week since Rei used his powers, but he was nowhere close to figuring out anything important. He’d written several notes on what he saw in his vision, cross-referenced it with Ruby Tennojima and some of her close staff, but most of what he gleamed were portions of Daiki’s life that was known publicly. From his childhood living in Enoshima, to the Ascension, to his university life, his wife, working, lots and lots of working, to his son and eventually granddaughter before she became a sadistic blackmailer, and then finally death. Of sickness and old age.

Perhaps what was more interesting were the flashes of memory that came to Rei at random times, triggered by things Daiki interacted with in life. It was as if he was recalling them himself.

It wasn’t the first time a vision had made him ‘remember’ things, but this was probably the most it has happened. Probably because of how much aether he spent using his power, but also because he was constantly surrounded by the subject’s family and belongings.

Still, this wouldn’t last very long. He needed to find the secret before the memories faded completely.

“Have you ever used your powers to prevent someone’s death?” Ruby asked. She sat facing Rei at the back of the limousine as they drove up the highway across Ikebukuro Heights. Rei stared at the colorful buildings he used to look up to below the city. Funny enough, they never quite captured the magic from this angle.

“No,” Rei said. “Chief Ninomiya had the same idea once. Death is the part I remember most, but unless someone is dying very soon, then most people I use my power on actually live very long lives, or die pretty randomly.”

“Have you tried warning them?” Ruby asked. “This is quite the powerful skill to have.”

Rei sighed. “I… have,” he admitted. “But nothing’s been prevented yet. I’ve used it on people in immediate danger before, but they all ended up dead. You know, detectives are usually invited to the party after a crime has happened. The chance for me to use it is low to begin with.”

“Make sense,” Ruby acknowledged. “And the way I hear it, your agency primarily chase after petty crooks.”

“Oh, those are the exciting jobs,” Rei countered. “Usually, we investigate which celebrity is sleeping with who. Want me to ruin your favorite one? Like I said, not much chance to flex whatever it is I got.”

Ruby laughed softly. “And the Shinozuka case?”

“Those ones… well, the chief can be excitable at times,” Rei admitted. “Is that how you got involved in it?”

Ruby answered with a smile. Typical.

“You know I need answers too, right?” Rei said. “Particularly about this second ‘request’ of yours. I already told you everything I can from my vision of your grandfather. Aside from scary looking experiments, which made no sense to me, I got nothing. No secrets. I need to know what the other request is so I can buy the Ninomiyas’ freedom. It’s been a damn week.”

And what an odd week it was. Rei spent most of it in interrogation over at Tenno Hospital, all while getting to know Ruby’s security staff.

Yukari and Kiyotaka for example were distant cousins of Ruby. Some of the few relatives she had left. Yukari was a college student learning fashion, while Kiyotaka was… well, he was a bum. A bum currently listed as part of the Tennojima security staff. Smart kid, though. Good with technology like Airi.

As for Issei and the blonde guy Rei punched, his name was Masaomi—or just Masa as he kept insisting—they were both ex-military that was hired into the family. Issei was the strict, all work kind of guy, while Masa was the type who thought himself a playboy.

Rei was genuinely worried he started to like the staff. They were nice to him after that first day. But ultimately, they were his abductors and this woman, Ruby, was still a mystery. If she wasn’t discussing his vision, she was out in the city ‘working’. On what exactly? That pretty smile of hers was always the answer. If there was anything Rei learned, it was that Ruby was only one year older than him. Twenty-eight to his twenty-seven.

“To tell you the truth, I was hoping the second request wouldn’t be necessary,” Ruby said as she stared out the window. “Involving you further comes with a lot of risk. But I’m going to need any advantage I could get.”

They reached the road that spiralled up to Shinjuku, just as the sun was about to set.

“I suppose now’s a good time as any to tell you,” Ruby added. “I need you to play the role of Shinozuka’s son.”

The skyway had a fantastic view of the sun sinking into the Pacific Ocean. As the limousine made a turn, it—

Rei blinked, then started dumbly at Ruby.

“Excuse me, what?”

Later that evening

December 9th, 2050

Shinjuku Outer Palisades, Tennojima Mansion

At the edge of what used to be an affluent neighborhood in Shinjuku was a man-made forest comprised of Japanese cedar trees, designed specifically to act as a shield wall at the cliffside of the district. The only structure in the area was a lone mansion home to the Tennojima family.

Built long before the ascension, the western-style building stood two stories tall, with a small tower to the east used as an observatory, a Japanese-style garden along its perimeter, as well as the forest itself keeping it one with nature.

Fitting, Ruby thought, for tonight the mansion was filled with wolves and vipers.

A group of people gathered in the recreational hall on the west side of the mansion. It was there that the last will and testament of Daiki Tennojima was read.

Standing at the small stage was the family lawyer, Jirou Kawasaki. He was a thin man of sixty-five years, with a mousy face and comically large spectacles. He used to be in charge of the Tennojima Research Institute’s legal affairs, but now primarily handle their personal matters.

Next to the man was Keisuke Yamaguchi, grandfather’s brother-in-law and Ruby’s great-uncle. He was older than grandfather at seventy-eight with clear eyes and a soft demeanor. He took charge of the business-side of the institute until his retirement a few years ago.

Sitting at the front of the audience was of course, Ruby, along with Kiyotaka and Yukari’s father by her side. The few direct relatives of the deceased.

Amongst the rest of the audience were grandfather’s three apprentices: Ringo Sakai, a heavy-set woman in her fifties with heavy eyes, small lips and a bobcut hairstyle that was a couple decades old. Akihiko Fukuyama, an exalted man in his forties with a slender frame, droopy eyes, and a resting scowl. And finally Carlos Ferreira, a man of Brazilian descent in his early forties with bright brown eyes and a toothy grin. All three were often at odds but took their work seriously.

There was the son of grandfather’s old research partner, Hidenori Matsumoto. He was a fashionable man in his early thirties with a pretty face, brown hair and a pleasant smile. His father was a great scientist who passed away some years ago.

Sitting three chairs from Hidenori was the daughter of a work associate, Ayane Kujo. She was a woman in her early twenties, short of stature, black hair done in intricate curls, sharp eyes, full lips painted red. She wore a gaudy dress with ribbons and frills. Ruby didn’t know much about her, other than her father was somebody the institute relied on quite often.

And then there was Ana Lucia Armstrong, an exalted woman in her late twenties from the Nevada Circle that grandfather taught when he stayed in America for work. She had an easy smile and carried herself with a stylish but sophisticated look. She was also an accomplished scientist, having written papers on the ascension.

There was also Gen’ichi Hirano, a large man in his sixties with a full mane of black hair and beard, broken nose, and a face hardened with scars. He was a former general in the military that grandfather worked with to maintain security across Tokyo Sky.

And finally there was Souichiro Miura, the grandson of an old drinking friend. He was a young man in his early twenties with bleached white hair, eyes used to smiling, and eyebrows that carried judgmental weight. He wore casual clothes and an oversized grey hoodie.

There was one more guest invited, but they never showed up to the summons.

Ah, and how could Ruby forget. Sitting by his lonesome at the edge of the group was Reiji Shimomura, the supposedly idiot son of Junichi Shimomura, a former student of grandfather, known in the underworld as Shinozuka. The detective-turned-conman elected to wear a black overcoat on top of the yellow plaid jacket Yukari loaned him.

The reason for all ten guests, along with the relatives, was obvious. Grandfather’s bequeathal. Most of it was work-related at the research institute, while family members inherited personal possessions.

There was a second reason, however, something that Keisuke warned Ruby about prior to her grandfather’s death. It was a secret Daiki Tennojima was willing to bestow to whoever was deemed ‘worthy’.

A truth that could shake the world a second time over.

*

“…and finally, the house that has been in the family for generations will go to my granddaughter Ruby,” the lawyer read in his awfully dull voice. “It is in my hope that she cherishes the property more than I ever did. But whatever she chooses to do with it is to her own volition.”

The lawyer cleared his throat, then put the letter down. “This, erm, concludes the last will and testament of Daiki Tennojima.”

Rei did his utmost to stay awake throughout the whole process.

The reading had mostly been standard rich people crap he’s heard in the past, whenever the chief was hired to investigate wealthy benefactors to failing corporations. The only thing different was the assignment of duties at the Tennojima Research Institute. Most of the people invited were colleagues of the old man, so it made sense, but it really was more about work. Something Daiki did too much in life.

Funny enough, the only thing Shinozuka was given was an old car. Apparently, it meant something to the man, but hell if Rei knew anything about that. Perhaps the real son would care, but from what he was told, the guy was locked up in another country for gambling-related problems.

Ruby’s great-uncle, Keisuke, walked up to the lawyer on the stage and chatted with him in hush tones. They nodded to each other, then bowed to the audience.

“Now,” the lawyer started, “as I’m sure you’ve all been told, there is another part that Daiki wishes his invited guests to participate in. It is in relation to his final work as a scientist.”

The crowd murmured.

“However,” the lawyer continued, “let me begin by saying that this… request, is highly unusual, and not something that is given or legally binding. My task is to merely facilitate the matter.”

A hand was raised. It was one of the apprentices. “Does everyone in the room get to stay for this next part?”

“That is so,” the lawyer answered. “It is precisely Daiki’s wish for twelve of his invited guests to participate. If at all possible.”

“We’ve been told sensei made a breakthrough on his study of the ascension,” Ringo, the female apprentice, said. “It’s something he devoted the last few years of his life researching.” She awkwardly looked towards the others in the room. “If this is related to his work, something he spent great lengths to conceal, would it not be best to reveal it only to those of the institute?”

“Ringo’s talking about issues with patent,” the other apprentice, Akihiko, said. “A lot of the research is done through the institute and rightfully belongs there. I understand why Ruby and Keisuke should remain, but no offense to everyone else, you can’t know about this.”

Good point, Rei thought. It would be a legal nightmare if someone like Shinozuka’s son got hold of this secret and sells it to some other research group.

Could this secret have anything to do with Shinozuka’s drug? Perhaps that was the reason Ruby wanted to get ahead of the will by forcing Rei to use his powers.

The lawyer took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his temple. “I understand your concern, but this is Daiki’s direct instruction. I am legally required to comply.”

The apprentices didn’t sound convinced with the way they muttered to each other.

“Let’s just get it on with,” Gen’ichi, the military man, said, his voice like the roar of a lion. “Daiki was many things, but wasn’t a fool. He must’ve known this but decided to give all of us here a reason to listen to his findings.”

“Is this knowledge something we can share outside of this room?” the American, Ana Lucia, asked. “Legally that is. I’m afraid I’m not that familiar with Japanese law.”

“Of course you’d want to know,” Akihiko spat. “You’re not even his research partner from Nevada, but a representative. This is what makes it dubious!”

“Was the old man even sane at the last few years of his life?” the woman in the frilly dress, Ayane, asked. “I hear he was really sick.”

“There is merit to your question, but you should refrain from disrespecting, Professor Tennojima.”

“Oh, please. You’re as much an outsider as she is, Hidenori.”

“Excuse me?”

“What about this Miura fellow? Grandson of a friend? Really?”

“Dude. Unlike you asshats, my gramps was actually on friendly terms with the old man.”

“Everyone, please.” Keisuke raised his hands to calm the audience’s verbal spat. “Now isn’t the time for fighting. We will proceed regardless of anyone’s opinion on the matter. I think we can all agree that Daiki wasn’t the easiest person to deal with in life, but I’d like to think he had garnered respect for a reason. The least we can do is extend that respect and listen to his final wishes.”

The room eventually settled to a temporary truce. Which was a shame because Rei wanted to throw in a few jabs in there. Preferably at Ruby. For acting’s sake.

The lawyer cleared his throat, almost fearfully, then continued to speak. “If, uh, if everyone will please refrain from speaking, I will start the video Daiki Tennojima prepared for us.”

That definitely shut everyone up.

A large screen lowered from above the stage and, after checking with the staff, the lights of the recreation hall lowered to a soft dim. The video started, and the familiar face of Daiki Tennojima appeared as he sat on a chair facing the camera with the backdrop of his hospital room.

Daiki looked very much sane, his eyes clear as if he saw everybody in the audience.

“As per the matter of my final work,” the old man said, his voice soft but authoritative. Like a teacher. “I’ve spent the entirety of my life in pursuit of the phenomenon we call the Ascension.”

“Out of any nation in the world, Japan has benefitted the most from this change. In part because of the rate our city ascended, but also because of the great progress our scientists have made in understanding the magic of it. I will not mince words and say that I took a big part in that research.”

“But, as many of you hearing this should know, I have been a recluse in the last stage of my career. I left the institute to pursue my own research. My reasoning for this had always been the illness that I contracted. This is true. But what was this illness?”

“To put it simply, my body was deteriorating. It is an unfortunate symptom of old age, but in my case, it accelerated immensely due in part because I became exalted.”

“And I used my power to its fullest.”

Inaudible gasps echoed across the room.

Rei did not sense aether on the old man when he saw him in the hospital, but then again, he could barely move.

“I am not a man of humor, but even I found the hilarity of this event. I studied aether all my life but never attained it until I was close to the end. There is more irony to my words than you might gleam, but I will leave it at that.”

“Here’s a small lecture for old time’s sake. When aether is attained, the magic evenly coats the entire body until the user elects to dominate a specific part. Most will favor their arms for strength or their legs for speed. Some will extend their aether past their extremities and create objects or tools. The clever ones use their aether to dominate their minds, allowing them access to unconventional powers.”

“I have to admit, choosing to have something foreign dominate my mind is a scary thought, even after decades of studying exalts and knowing how little it actually affects cognition. Alas, I chose to use the power I gained somewhat differently.”

“Under normal circumstances, exaltation and aether control would’ve made my health better. But with my knowledge of the subject, I decided for my power to dominate one specific part of my being. That is, my eyes.”

Rei, who’d been attentive the entire time, suddenly felt blood drain from his face. He never realized this from his vision, but… Daiki Tennojima was the same as him?

“I wished to see the truth of this world,” the old man said. “And I did.”

No, no, no.

There should be plenty of exalts out there who had trained aether into their eyes. Ability to see farther, ability to see things clearly as if time had slowed. Rei had learned all sorts of things other exalts could do. The chance that he and Daiki being the same were low.

And yet…

“I learned many things from my ability,” the video continued. “Things I speculated proven right and wrong. Things I never even imagined. My life’s work complete.”

“But if there was anything I learned most, it was that I was a coward. With the answer before me I did not know what to do. I could not make a decision. The answer was as exciting as it was terrifying.”

“And so I chose to leave it to you. All of you. My colleagues, my friends, my family.”

“My final bequeathal is the burden of my knowledge.”

“But not before one last act of deterrence. I did say I was a coward. Three simple challenges I pose to whoever is worthy. Or foolish enough.”

“Complete it individually, work together, it doesn’t matter. Learn the truth yourself.”

“And please, for my sake and all who live in this world, make a decision.”

The video ended, but none dare speak. The lawyer looked over at Ruby and Keisuke, then nodded.

“I will now explain the first challenge.”

Three hours after the lawyer read the rest of the will, two people already died.