Chapter 6:

Demons In Suits

Code: SIN


35 Minutes Earlier elsewhere…

Inside a moving vehicle, Zayne and Nikolai’s eyes slowly opened. Realizing they were sleeping their eyes lazily scanned the area. Their eyes widened, acknowledging not only were they in a vehicle but there was another row of seats in front of them in the large luxury vehicle filled with three individuals. The male on the left looked clearly like the bodyguard. To the right, was a woman in business attire, with the clipboard she had in hand, one could assume she was a secretary. At their center, an older gentleman was very well dressed in a high-class suit.

Older Male:“Allow me to start by saying you two are in no danger here. But as an old man, I’ve seen a lot in this city. And I fear I still have seen the worst to come.”

Zayne and Nikolai looked at each other curiously before returning their eyes to the group, they seemed to present no hostility, prompting the two men to relax more.

“I understand you two are becoming important men within the ranks tonight. Allow me to pay for your attire expenses; I assume you were given an allowance for it but how about we just let you keep that as pocket money?”

“Giving quite a bit to people you haven’t even met or given your name…” Zayne responded to the question.

“Ha forgive my rudeness. For reasons let’s stick with Mr. VC. I learned we have a mutual friend, Callia Kale. She had been a friend of mine for decades. And all I ask in return is that you two listen to an old man’s words. Times are changing young men…Unfortunately, great decisions for us all are to come. Perhaps I could shed some light on the attack you’ve found yourselves mixed in last night”

He had their attention but now the older male had their interest, evident by the look on their face and their silence. All acknowledging the name of the woman he spoke of. Callia Kale was a woman who ran an orphanage raising both of the young men until their mid-teenage years. All accepting the moment of silence for the passing of a caring woman.

Moments later….

The vehicle would be driving along through the city yet with the vehicle tinted windows they could see out but no one could see in.

“So it wasn’t a random attack”

“But a tactical strike went wrong.”

“Indeed and it is not the first. However, it’s a mystery at this moment who’s behind these plans. It could be some new or old ruffians trying to make a name for them…”

The older male watched as the gears turned inside both young men's heads.

“Or one of the families is behind it…or so it would be easy to think that at least” Nikolai began, soon followed by Zayne.

“Right. It’s the first attack we’ve heard and seen of but there were others. It only makes sense that our meeting has something to do with those attacks.”

The older male seemed surprised at the young men’s ability of deduction, bringing a smile to his face

“You are both correct, having been involved in last night's events has drawn the attention of a few individuals, however, it’s that attention of which you are being taken as guards tonight. A falsified promotion to not only ensure your participation but also to ensure you know such events are to be kept secret from the public”

Zayne Mayvin:“We’re being told to keep it quiet…and this meeting includes important people. But-”

Nikolai Vera:"That doesn’t answer why they’re so interested in us two”

Zayne Mayvin:“Exactly, you didn’t say they were interested in anyone else even though we weren’t the only ones to get out alive or before the cops came”

The old male and female simultaneously looked surprised at the level of cunning presented by the due. Although it may not seem like it, the duo was actually intelligent, more so than they would expect from those with pasts like theirs. A silence filled the space of the vehicle for a few seconds before the older male began laughing. The woman next to him was surprised but it brought a light smile on her face to see the old man’s joy. Even the eyes of the cold silent bodyguard whose eyes had been locked peering outside the window the entire ride glanced over to see the old man laughing, bringing a light smirk and a chuckle before returning his gaze outside the window. Zayne and Nikolai watched the trio carefully, seeing how the old man’s laughter was enough to change the serious tone of his company. It was at this moment they both realized something critical. After a second, Zaybe spoke once more.

(The whole time this man has been talking to us. The woman hasn’t taken her eyes off us besides then. And he’s not just looking out of the window…)

Zayne & Nikolai:(They seem close…They’re just not guarding this man. They protect him from something)

“My apologies young men. It’s just here I was expecting to give long-winded explanations but here I am, fascinated at how quickly you two pieced things together. It just reassures an old man’s heart his faith is being placed in capable hands.”

“Faith in us? Wha-?”

“Unfortunately I can’t tell you what for. I can’t honestly say I have the faintest clue as to what the future holds. But I do know you two will have a vital role in what’s to come. As things transpire, all of your answers…present and past will likely be answered in the time to come.”

At the note of past and present, Zayne noticed the flow of the old man’s words, along with direct eye contact with Zayne as well.

“Will you be at the meeting tonight then? I think by now it’s safe to say you’re one of those important interested people”

A somber expression covered the faces of the old man’s company, he himself however held his smile.

“Unfortunately not. Those certain changes to come will prevent me from attending that meeting. But that brings us to where we are now. With those changes, I can assist you two in moving up the ranks, but what you do after, and what you decide to do will be on you two to decide. Well, it seems we’ve arrived.”

He finished saying after the car had stopped moving. The woman leaned forward and handed Zayne and Nikolai a black card each.

“It is for this city I’ve done what I could. To be more frank, it’s for my granddaughters. Greed, Pride, and other forms of power will attempt to bend and break you. I have faith you’ll see the deception in everyone’s ranks for their hold can only increase over you too like a noose. The truth you seek, I believe you and my granddaughters to…well I shouldn’t say too much but I trust all of you will make the right choices. Mm, feel free to spend whatever you like on those cards. Sadly our first meeting will be our final as well”

“Wait final?”

Nikolai questioned somewhat loudly.

“Haha yes. But it was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime meeting for me. Never had I thought a flame long gone would cycle into life. *sigh* By far one of my greatest honors. In an hour a car will arrive to take you two”

Suddenly a tear slid from the old man’s eye. Quickly wiping it away it took the two by surprise.The car door opened by the driver, allowing Zayne and Nikolai to step out, and after them the older male and his bodyguard. The weight of the conversation to its sudden change fell on the young men at once, taking a second to look at each other. Both of them got the same grim feeling from this meeting with the man’s earlier words. But hearing the surrounding noise of people in the busy surroundings caught their attention. It was then they were awe-struck by the beauty and development of their surroundings.

“Young Men, Welcome to Lok. This is one of the entry towns of and around the central district.”

“Entry?”

“Mhm, you boys have spent your lives in and between the other districts. I’m sure you acknowledge the large size of territory by the families, yet these officially protected centers, the myths of a utopia are virtually true, but its span is as great as its reputation. I just wish the entire city could share in this but as you may know”

Mister V.C answered, explaining as he began to, walking along a sidewalk and into a moderately sized clothing store.

“It’s virtually impossible to get through the checkpoints and security…It’s even more seemingly impossible to get an alpha through any of those…”

Zayne chucked at Nikolai before a smirk came to his lips. Nikolai looked at the old man, already knowing what was just confirmed for them. Where they were they all knew to speak openly in any more detail wouldn’t be the brightest idea. But it was now obvious to them both as it was for the older male to know they were able to confirm his knowledge.

(So the guy knows about me huh?) “You must be as good as you are important, more than you’re letting us on. Just a stranger with a lot of info no one knows about.)

“Especially when one of those secrets happens to be something one and only one person know about. So, just who are you?”

“We could at least get that right?”

“I cannot reveal that at the moment but you two are clever young men who I’m sure will be able to find that answer as well. Yet….that would simply be rude. So please, feel free to get whatever you wish here, the clerk will show you to a more private stock of fashions.”

It was then one of the store's clerks arrived and led Zayne and Nikolai to a private room, which essentially looked like a whole other secondary building in size. After a short spree of excitement, the two found themselves at the counter with their bagged and paid for clothes and accessories. Walking out with the older male and his guard they returned to the exit. The bodyguard opened the door but the two were stopped, the woman who sat next to the older male stepped from the car with what looked like a normal and took their bags and placed them inside before turning to walk past the two males with a saddened look on her face. Her eyes fell to the floor when standing in front of the two men. A tear streamed from her eyes but she looked up at them with a small smile.

She shook the older man’s hand gratefully and embraced the bodyguard in an emotional hug, while the older male maneuvered his way to standing next to Zayne and Nikolai.

“A fine example of how childhood friendships can be one of the most rewarding things life provides in the long run”

It was apparent to them both, this seemed more like a final farewell instead of a car ride and a close to their most interesting encounter of the day. It was then; the question had to be asked by Zayne.

“Hey…what the hell is the real reason for all this?”

“Mmm. It is about time I become blunt with you two”

With the gesture from the secretary, the staff of the store had left the building and all entered the vehicle they had arrived in. During their transition, the conversation continued.

“Let me start with an apology young men. I am Vergil Ignis Calicio.”

They were not shocked; instead, the two chuckled in response.

Nikolai Vera:“Heh, well we knew you said were important.“

Zayne Mayvin:“Just important is a big understatement for one of the cities leaders…It’s just crazy how our luck works”

Zayne said, shrugging his shoulder and chuckling alongside Nikolai who couldn't help but speak his mind.

“It's straight shit I swear. With all that talk of having faith in us and the city, this has got to be something really bad about to happen, I can feel it”

“Or they just want a couple of gullible pawns.”

Their lax demeanor shifted into one more serious yet still holding smirks on their faces towards the Calicio head and his guard. By this time all had been evacuated and they could hear the car outside pulling off.

Vergil Calico:“The only ploy in play here is a man of many sins in this city. Power, Money, Family…you learn to claw at whatever surface to rise to the top or at least to hold onto something at the least. In a time without a person knowing it could be a damaging way to live. I've asked my enemies and I have concluded that the torch shouldn’t be passed on….but instead, a new flame to light the way. Like that night.”

Vergil stopped and looked to his guard and placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. This prompted the two to strongly and emotionally shake each other’s hands before transitioning into a half hug. It was then the guard finally moved from Vergil’s side, catching Zayne and Nikolai’s attention, it struck them as odd the man now stood side by side with them facing the older man.

“It seems I’m running out of time rather quickly so… the Alpha are not some form of higher punishment nor genetics. The beasts that appear are those who become lost in their way of acknowledging who they are. In the intense moment, the soul in a way overflows mind and body. All the details are a mystery to me and the Prime Arch even, but you are now the only ones other than I who knows this truth. If one is aware of themselves for who they are and their sins in truth without rejection, the soul stabilizes letting them keep their mind and bodies but individually various abilities. Not unlike yourself Zayne or my friend here.”

They were speechless at the sudden revelation yet in their silence Vergil Calicio took the opportunity to continue in his short time.

“Unfortunately, only the leaders of each family are aware but…someone has managed to construct some chemical to greatly enhance the transformation into exponentially more powerful and dangerous beasts. Whoever has that chemical, their plans; it was all interrupted by your arrival onto the scene. More so, your defeat of one of these creatures is what intrigued us, leaders. Because of you two, we were able to learn that they gradually become stronger up to their limit the more and more they slip away further and further. In truth, your gang is the most largely oblivious to anything ever going on really. They bring resources, social concept standards and among other social benefits to the government….”

Zayne Mayvin:"Hey…hey hey…is that seriously happening right now?!”

Nikolai Vera:“V-V-VC”

Vergil Calico:“It’s quite an alright boy I’m aware. It appears this is where I place my faith in you guys. The ones you were involved in last night have moved onto a new form of warfare…The families and even the government will be put to the occasion or we all will fall.”

The bodyguard began taking off his jacket and shirt, tossing them to the ground. Beginning to panic, they both understood the situation.

Zayne Mayvin:“A new war…starts from the top. Your faith in us isn’t just to find and beat who’s behind this later. It starts now though…with saving the city from you”

Vergil Calico:“…..Indeed”

Zayne Mayvin:“Nico”

Nikolai Vera:“Yeah, I guess you’re right, sounds like they got him already. All these years and your secret might get out?”

Zayne Mayvin:“If this guy next to us has to get ready then I can tell this isn’t about to be easy”

He said, leading his friend to nod in confirmation before quickly bolting out of the door.

Zayne Mayvin:“You’re a durable man anyone else would have lost their minds already, or at least cripple to the pain. So what couldn’t you say in front of Nikolai?”

Vergil Calico:“Hoho sharp still. You two are more tied to the chaos than you may realize. I hope as you learn the truths hidden in this city’s blood. Hm, it seems even in death they were right…no. There was no right way to go about it. Forty years and now I see. While we scrambled for our own sanity and power, they were attempting to save something far greater. You being in front of me now, Seeing what you have become…It seems in our worst days I still will have to rely on them. I always trust and supported their ideals but eventually, things just got dangerous. Forgive me Zayne, but you are one part of the solution to the world's impending doom. A fate Milla and Marrick would attempt to save you two from your burden.”

Zayne’s eyes shot wide open and he was paralyzed with shock at the mention of his parent’s name, far too long since spoken only remnants left of a broken past. Before he could fully process the thought his sight was taken up by a sudden mass exertion of steam from Vergil's body from every pore. The steam screened Vergil from their sight and with enough force to quickly take Zayne and the bodyguard off of their feet.

All windows to the store were quickly shattered as the buildup area of steam was released onto the streets. The screams of civilians could be heard through the steam. From a bird’s eye view, many could be seen running or driving away from the scene. Within the screen of hot steam, many crashed to a stop could be heard from their vision suddenly being blocked. A large impact from in front of the store caused some of the lingering steam to be dispersed by a body being sent flying through it into a building wall across the street. The body stopped, caving in the brick buildings wall, sitting up the male sent flying was Zayne. His fist gripping onto the remnants of the wall to help him sit up, his face only expressed shock as he peered deep into the steam towards the storefront.

“W-What the hell is that thing? What the hell is this?!”

Was all Zayne could muster in his split-second reaction, the sounds of crashing impacts and civilian screams could be heard, gradually but sure dissipating the steam with each clash of impact. The clashing stopped but all sounds were quickly nullified by a horrendous monstrous wail. The sounds spread well and far through the area, even shattering some windows and other glass in the area. The wail continued even after the steam was gone with the deafening sound causing Zayne to cover his ears in pain yet powering through the pain he was able to open his eyes and look forward. His eyes laid sight upon the Calicio bodyguard on his back on the ground, arms locked in a battle of strength with the beast that reached to grip his head. Vergil Calicio’s new form was tall and slender with elongated arms with flesh-like elongated claws. Its mouth filled with all sharp fangs and it did not appear to have eyes but rather flesh seemingly burned. Zayne could see the monstrous former Calicio leader wailing towards the guard's face. It was then Zayne had noticed the guard bleeding ears, along with his slightly bulked up state but of course, Zayne knew he was an alpha as well. The veins in his arms neck and face easily told how he was using much of his strength to hold the best from him and endure the attack at point-blank.

From a distance, the X of a scope would be placed over Zayne before quickly moving to the beast. “….What the actual fuck man shit is that?!”

Nikolai exclaimed, backing away slightly from the scope, a fearful look in his eyes from the monstrosity and the sound it created damaging his ears. Nikolai would be a great distance away with a sniper mounted on the window sill of a building. Behind him was the Calicio secretary, who stood distraught and tearful yet somehow strong in her position with her hands placed over her ears as well yet seeing as how they lacked the same reaction as she did, she spoke assuming they could still hear her...

“That is Sin. Alpha’s are just the public term for those like your friend. But there are those who transform into truly horrendous beings of death and destruction. Vergil felt he could only rely on the man you see under his claw as we speak. Vergil had a deal with the prime arch, we are only in the entry area for manageable damage for the prime-arch but in an area to keep all three of them out of the sights of the other families. But I can’t leave him to fight the boss alone. You claimed to be a better shot, and your record suggests that true so you’re behind the shot, now shoot!”

He turned his head to face her with his fearful expression, yet it quickly changed as a thought entered his head. Quickly Nikolai yelled to the extent of his voice at the woman from simply needing to say it with haste.

“I can’t understand any of that right now! Tell me have you heard of any alpha getting a lot of power but not going berserk?! Maybe their body doesn’t go through a big change, maybe eye color?!”

The secretaries eyes gradually widened as if she understood what he meant initially, but as he continued, his questions only reaffirmed her thoughts as if the possibility of saving grace to turn the situation. Leading her to blurt out a response before he attempted to ask another question

“YES!”

Nikolai quickly reached into his jacket with one hand and extracted the clip for the sniper with the other. From his hand, he laid a handful of several types of bullets along the window sill. Popping the first two bullets out and replaced them with the two fifty-caliber bullets out of the assortment and quickly placed them and placed the clip back inside the gun. The secretary watched as he did this with such proficiency to her it resembled a well-trained soldier. Looking into and moving the scope over to Zayne, He could see Zayne looking at the beast in just as much shock as he was. Zayne was rising to his feet as Nikolai moved the scope back over to the monster’s head.

“……Ya-Ya Bitch!”

He exclaimed before pulling the trigger, releasing the second bullet he had loaded in there. The bullet brought definition to Nikolai’s distance and angle as it became apparent Zayne and the monster wouldn’t be able to be seen by the naked human eye at the distance they were, pulling off a magnificent shot, the first bullet traveled to its true target. The beast's head only just then turned towards Nikolai in time for the bullet to impact its face. This gave the Calicio guard under him an opportunity to attempt to escape its grasp but his efforts quickly failed as a claw came from the belly of the beast into the guard’s chest. From Zayne’s perspective, his eyes widened seeing the sudden hope of the guard's escape fail just as quickly as the opportunity came yet he could see the beast was spawning a clone from its body, yet at that second the second bullet made its mark. It wasn’t a normal bullet, which became apparent as it quickly spread into blue flames on the creature's face, causing it to leap off the guard, leaving its spawned clone on top of the guard as its body separated into another.

The instant appearance of flames fixated his attention on them as they quickly began to burn azure, not for their being but their meaning, knowing the only person who had such ammunition and most importantly what it was the signal for. The complexity of its multiple meaning dispersed all surprise and shock within Zayne, shifting his whole expression into one of pure anger. His fangs starting to bear, the extremely dark Azure color of his eyes lit up into a bright Azure.

He began to chuckle while getting to his feet in haste, staring directly at his targets, with the flames dispersing on the main one who was at this time spawning the third clone of himself dramatically more rapidly than the last. But from the look on Zayne’s face, his anger only grew until his expression would heavily suggest he has lost his mind to the rage. Suddenly an azure flame spontaneously combusted on different areas of Zayne's body yet, earning the attention of the Calicio Secretary with her scope and the bodyguard who had just taken a fatal injury. All looked upon him, yet he could only growl as the flames increased with his anger intensely. Suddenly his expression changed like he had an epiphany, the rage calming and he began smiling with excitement, the burning flames now flowing around his feet, hands, and shoulders.

“Ya-Ya!”

The beast on top of the Calico guard attempted to look up to the sound of Zayne, his flames getting each clone's attention like moths to a flame. Before any of them were able to turn their heads directly at his location, Zayne launched himself forward, leading him to be in mid-air, face to face with the beast on top of the guard. With a fist already pulled back and his body angled for a superman punch. Quickly with a powerful thrust of his fist forward, his fist sank and temporarily disfigured the creature’s face. A burst of flame upon contact added more to the shotgun-like punch. As the beast was being sent flying away from the punch, its claw was removed from the guard earning a terrible grunt of pain from the impractical removal of the claw. The strike left the creature flying backward through the air and a building as well. Zayne smirked seeing his attack connects but he quickly became serious, his eyes shooting to his side. Forcing his body to lean away just in time to avoid a claw swipe towards his head from the original monster, yet the other clone did not waste a second following behind its creator, shoulder bashing Zayne from another direction right after his own dodge. Sending him through the air just as he had done one of the monster's clones only seconds ago. At great speeds his body raced parallel to the streets, flipping his body and landing on his feet. Sliding to a stop, Zayne regained his balance but the beasts wouldn’t waste a second. Already closing in on Zayne, they raced to him on all fours. The creatures and their strength plowed through all vehicles and debris in their way. Taking a deep breath and bringing his fists up, Zayne stood his ground in preparing himself for these creatures. Zayne already learning more about their speed and power from that quick second they took advantage of an opening. Suddenly a bullet would graze one of the creature's face, the shot missing and crashing into the street, breaking through the concrete.

The single fire quickly earned the gaze of the creatures in the direction of the shots., quickly a barrage of shots, began being fired towards the beast, most of the shots and staggering the beasts until they all began a massive wail all together, shattering all nearby glass and once again hurting the ears of those unfortunate enough to still be within range. As they wailed it caused Nikolai to cease firing. The wail caused Zayne to cover his ears and his flame to stop, he forced himself to look around at the beasts only for his eyes to widen from the shock of what he was seeing. Where Nikolai and the secretary were, they would be seen buckling near the ground with their eyes shut and ears covered, their expressions making it evident they were still in excruciating pain. Powering to his feet Nikolai struggled to open one eye, but when he did, what he saw was enough to cause both of his eyes to forcibly open wide.

“Wha….No…no fucking way man!”

He yelled as fearful tears began streaming down his face. The beasts had begun to slowly stop wailing as one leaped off at great speeds towards Nikolai, Zayne’s head turned quickly his eyes followed the one knowing where exactly he was heading. Baring his fangs angrily, the Azure flames combusted around him, yet with his new anger, they were denser. Zayne would almost instantly turn towards his right and weave right under a strike from one of the beasts, its claws barely missing him, passing over his head. From his crouched position, he launched his drawn-back fist, propelling himself from his low stance forward, tossing his full weight and momentum into the blow. His fist pressed into the beast's torso forcefully deforming the beast's torso.

“Hnuaah!!”

Code: SIN