Awakening 1

The rain poured from the sky, soaking Liam to the bone as he crouched in a narrow alley across from the Yakuza's main hideout. In daylight, the building looked like just another corporate building—mirrored glass and concrete. But hidden from the world was a fortress, a hideout specializing in crime. 'In the night, this place looks more like a creepy place.' Liam thought.

Tonight, it would all end—all the fear, corruption, and violence the Yakuza had spread throughout the city. Liam tightened his grip on Incursio. Though currently unawakened, Liam felt that the weapon could sense his intentions.

Liam crossed the empty street, his feet barely making a sound on the wet pavement. He approached the side entrance, a relatively unguarded gate, moving as fast as possible in the hopes of avoiding detection. 

Two guards stood by the door, their figures barely visible in the dim streetlight. Before either of them noticed, Liam had closed in. He drew Incursio, and the first guard fell to the ground—a swift strike severing his head from his neck, ending his life instantly. The second guard tried to react, reaching for his earpiece, but Liam's hand was already around his throat, not letting go until the guard's body went limp.

He slipped inside, the metal door closing behind him. The interior of the compound was old and dirty, a big difference to the powerful presence the Yakuza wanted to project. The hallway stretched forward, lit by old yellow lights, 'there's people up ahead,' Liam thought after hearing distant murmurs of conversation echoed from further in.

Liam moved silently. He knew the layout—he had memorized every corridor, every possible exit. The information he'd gathered from the safehouse had painted a clear picture of this place, and now it was time to bring it all down.

He could hear the voices ahead. A group of Yakuza soldiers, their tones casual, unaware that someone was approaching them. He got closer, his eyes narrowing. There were four of them, leaning lazily against the walls, their weapons holstered. They didn't see him coming.

Liam jumped forward, his movements swift and precise. The first man fell with a gurgle, Incursio's blade cutting across his throat. The second turned, eyes widening, but Liam's fist struck his temple before he could make a sound. The remaining two drew their weapons, but Liam was already moving. He spun around, evading a knife strike, his knee driving into one man's ribs before spinning and stabbing his sword into the other.

The hallway was silent once more, the bodies slumped to the ground. Liam paused, his breath coming out in controlled exhales. This was just the beginning.

He moved deeper into the compound, reaching a hallway that opened into a larger area. Liam saw them—men clustered in groups, some playing cards, others drinking. 'I can't take them all on at the same time. Not if I want to save the hostages,' Liam thought.

He navigated the corridors until he found a reinforced door, 'that has to be the place where they keep the captives,' Liam thought. The smell hit him as soon as he approached—an air mixed with fear and despair. Liam took a deep breath, pushing the door open.

Inside, the room was dark, and the stench even worse. He saw them—women and children, huddled together, their faces streaked with tears, their eyes wide in terror. Liam's heart clenched at the sight. This was why he was here.

"It's okay," he said, his voice softer now. He crouched down, looking at them, his eyes locking onto theirs. "I'm here to get you out."

The captives looked at him in disbelief, their eyes darting between Liam and the door. He took a step forward, extending a hand. "You're safe now," he repeated, his voice steady.

Suddenly, Liam heard movement from behind—rapid footsteps followed by the clicking of weapons being readied. He turned slowly, his heart pounding as he saw them—Yakuza soldiers, dozens of them, their guns aimed at him and the hostages. He tightened his grip on Incursio, his eyes flicking between the armed men and the hostages, calculating his chances.

"Follow us. The boss wants to see you," one of the soldiers said.

Liam's jaw clenched, but he slowly nodded, his gaze shifting back to the terrified captives one last time before turning to the soldiers. The Yakuza surrounded him, keeping their weapons pointed at him as they led him through the compound. Step by step, they ascended a flight of stairs, tension thick in the air.

The soldiers guided Liam to a set of doors, which opened to reveal a luxerious room—completely different from the corridors below. There, surrounded by about thirty heavily armed men, stood Hiroshi Sato. The boss wore a dark suit, his eyes regarding Liam with a mix of amusement and disdain.

"Just as predicted," Sato said, a smile curving his lips as he looked at Liam. "The hero who couldn't resist coming to save the captives. You might be wondering how I knew, right?" After a short pause, he continued, his smile widening. "I planted that evidence in the safe house, knowing you'd come running. And now look at you—like a rat trapped in a cage."

Sato gestured to one of his armed men, who approached as Sato whispered something to him. The man nodded and, with a motion, led five others into a back room. Liam's stomach twisted, and his knuckles whitened around Incursio's handle.

Moments later, the men returned, bringing with them five hostages—two children, an elderly woman, and a young couple. The captives' eyes were wide with horror as they were forced to stand against the wall, near where Liam stood.

Sato turned to Liam, his voice dripping with mockery. "See? Now because of you, they are going to die. I want you to watch, little hero, as the people you came to save meet their end. Their blood is on your hands."

Liam's eyes darted between the hostages and the man holding them at gunpoint. The children's faces were pale, tears streaming down their cheeks. The young couple clutched each other, trembling, while the elderly woman stood in resignation, her eyes meeting Liam's, as if thanking him for trying.

Sato stepped closer, a dark glint in his eye as he looked at Liam. "What are you going to do now, little hero?" He turned away, as if Liam were no longer a concern, then barked, "Kill them."

Time seemed to slow. Liam's heart beat heavily in his chest, every fiber in his being screaming at him to act. In that split second, he made his decision. He moved.

Incursio flashed forward, the blade cutting through the air, and before the executioner could register the movement, Liam's sword sliced through his neck.'Got him just in time.' The man fell, but not before the sound of a gunshot echoed through the room.

Liam's eyes widened in horror as he saw the elderly woman stagger, her frail body slowly collapsing to the floor. The children screamed, their high-pitched voices shattering the silence in the room.

"No!" Liam's voice was raw, filled with pain and anger. He spun around, his eyes filled with fury as he faced Hiroshi Sato.

Sato watched, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "See? This is what happens when you play the hero. You can't save them all."

Rage bubbled in Liam's veins, his grip on Incursio tightening until his knuckles turned white. His entire body trembled—not with fear, but with fury. 'How dare he? This isn't over. Not yet.'

"You will pay for this," Liam growled. Sato smirked, stepping back as his guards moved in, weapons raised. "I don't think so. After all, you are next," Sato said.

Liam was outnumbered, but he no longer cared. The fire in his soul burned brighter, Incursio blazing, it's handle shifting forward. 'We can do this. No, we HAVE to do this,' Liam screamed out in his mind.