37 A Trip Down Memory Lane (Part 1)

The streets of New York was bustling with celebrations as New Years was soon to arrive. Families, friends and loved ones stepped forth into a brand-new year.

Angers forgiven and bonds forged stronger. With many resolutions in their mind, they sought to overcome their challenges and stay committed to it.

Such a wondrous moment was found evident within New York city. The lights were decorated at the Times Square. The multicolored lights flickered across as the New Year signs were hung up all over.

Food, beverages were shared among many and the smell of alcohol filled the air. Unlike its usual toxic smell, this smelt rather too festive. An exciting mood indeed.

Stepping into the year 1980, Richard and Tony walked along the streets enjoying the harmonious atmosphere around them. Covered from top to bottom in their winter clothes, they carried a beer bottle in their hands and entered Times Square.

With Golden Enterprises' becoming one of the top companies in the world, Richard and Tony drank to their heart's content and chattered.

They forgot about their business. They didn't want to talk about their powers. None of it at all. They simply discussed the littlest things which made them contented.

"Have you seen the new 308 GTSi?" Richard stared at Tony with a questionable look in his eyes. He wasn't too aware of cars.

"Which brand is it?"

"You should seriously learn something about brands." Tony scoffed as took another sip of his beer. Beer and cars simply made him go ecstatic

"And you should train more instead of screwing around. Our clash with DW-Industries has to stop. Pretty shitty name for someone who simply changed it from the Dark Wolf Faction." Tony couldn't help but silently agree.

More than a complaint, it served the duo as a warning to become stronger and cautious against the likes of Aaron.

Looking at Tony, who clearly seemed disinterested on this particular topic, Richard sighed as he placed a hand over his friend's shoulder.

"I'm sorry. Since I promised to only have fun, let's just do that." Tony smiled a little as they headed over to gaze at the beautiful ball drop, in Times Square.

The ball drop was splendid indeed. Thousands of eyes were glued to the ball on top of the Times Tower and anticipated for the ball to drop exactly at midnight.

Richard and Tony joined in the fun as they perched their heads up too.

"You know, we could've just flown to the top of a building and observe the ball drop right?" Tony asked in disbelief. Having been dragged by his friend, he arched his neck all the way back. He felt it quite the annoyance.

"Where's the fun in that? The whole point of the ball drop is to view it from the square itself and with our superior visions, we shouldn't even have a problem of looking at it closely. Stop being such a complain king and just watch." Richard's teasing caused Tony to rather give up in disappointment.

He'd rather hop on a sports car and drive around New York. This, however, just wasn't his cup of tea. Richard frowned when his eyes perked by the at narrow alleyway behind him.

Having noticed it too, Tony silently nodded his head, as both of them vanished from their spots without the slightest trace. Someone they were eerily familiar with, ruined their precious night.

--

The harsh winter proved it worse for her. Her messy black hair and her dirty face proved it all the more evident. What made matters worse was the thin line of clothing she had on her body. Her clothes were torn and tattered all over.

Thievery was something she was really good at. She had the ability to remain calm and collected. For a nine-year-old girl, it was indeed a gift. Glancing at the small piece of bread on her hand, she bit her lips in frustration.

Not once, not twice, not thrice, but for the past four years, she had been eating nothing but bread and drank water wherever she could find. Ah, then there were those rare moments when she stole a chocolate donut from a bakery once. The baker turned into a demon and further kept an eye on the girl.

It was as if he had predicted, she made her grand appearance to steal another donut of a different flavor. Chocolate was indeed delicious, and yet the human mind of hers, awoke the insatiable curiosity of wanting to try other flavors.

The end result wasn't what she had expected. The baker was simply too strong. Having been kicked out of the store, fear was introduced to her. Along with frustration too. She never went back to the donut place.

She gave up. Climbing on one of the pipes by the alleys, she climbed and sat on top and gazed the beautiful city. The lights covered the endless darkness lurking within the city. She was well aware of it.

Her admiration was suddenly interrupted when she heard footsteps enter the valley. Looking from below, she noticed a woman enter the valley. An unknown feeling of fear crept up. She immediately hid behind the small wall on the roof top.

Despite the fear, she widened her eyes as she noticed such a fearsome and yet beautiful woman in front of her.

She had nothing to fear and yet the woman who had entered the alley, screamed nothing but fear for the little girl.

Lightly peeking over with her blue beady eyes, the woman suddenly halted. The sound of the footsteps halted, as silence took over the valley briefly, until multiple footsteps were heard.

She felt troubled. By the trash bin, was her small precious house she built for herself.

Unlike a closed one, this was rather was an open house. She took pride in it. Decorating it with whatever small broken toys she could find, she painstakingly built it and slept there.

Getting destroyed was something she couldn't bear to see. She interlocked her fingers and silently prayed for her house to not be destroyed.

Peeking over again, the beautiful woman's words were inaudible.

The girl's eyes shifted towards three people who had just entered the alley. Wearing black coats and black hats, they truly blended into the dark and began discussing.

Moments after their conversation, the woman's nails grew longer stunning the girl as well as the men opposite to her. In an instant, the men's throats were slit as blood gushed out of their throats and their bodies slumped to the ground.

Terrified, the girl looked away and covered her mouth tightly as extreme fear took over her. Danger screamed in her mind as her hair on her hands stood straight. Never had she thought, such a circumstance would be thrown at her.

"My my, what do we have here, a little thief?" The girl neither shrieked nor screamed, despite the fear.

She leaned against the wall with all her might and stared at the woman. Visibly shaken, she was unable to run away.

Not that she had the ability to do so. She wasn't even able to escape from an ordinary baker, where and how could she possibly escape from this woman?

Seemingly aware, the woman walked closer to the girl and crouched in front of her.

"You seem to be very strong for someone you rage, I'm already liking you little cutie." The girl remained silent and yet was unable to take her eyes off her.

The woman's smile was neither evil, nor was there any love to it. Yet, there was a hint of playfulness to it. Weirdly enough, she felt safe in front of her.

"Your-"

"What is it?"

"Y-Your smile is pretty, pretty lady-" The girl immediately shut her mouth and looked away from the woman. Contrastingly, the woman laughed leaving the girl surprised.

"Why thank you sweetheart, aren't you a lovely one?" Caressing her head, the girl smiled a little as she closed her eyes in content. None had ever shown such a concern for her.

"Say little girl, would you like to come with me?" The woman brought the girl closer and hugged her. Sunk within her embrace, the girl teared up. A heart which had been locked up all along shattered just a little. Still, better than a lifeless doll.

"I don't know who you are though pretty lady." Coming out of the embrace, she looked at the woman questioningly.

"You could think of me as a well-wisher. If you come with me, I'll buy you many lovely toys and chocolates you like." The girl's eyes widened in elation.

"Toys… Chocolates… Yay! But-" The girl squealed a little, before returning to her stoic demeanor.

"But?"

"But I don't know who you are." The girl timidly replied.

"Are you afraid of me?" The woman asked as she released an extremely tiny amount of aura. The girl stood still, without stepping back.

Though her body writhed in pain, she remained standing and took the aura head on.

"NO!" Just then, a small barrier appeared in front of her and eradicated the tiny wisp of aura. With the barrier disappearing, the girl panted in exhaustion. Despite the exhaustion, there was astonishment mixed in it.

It was the woman's turn to become surprised. She never expected a person to awaken her mana at such a young age, amidst such an awful part of this city. Truly, miracles indeed existed as a matter of fact.

"Oh, look at you little cutie, aren't you a special one?"

"How did I…do…that?"

"I will tell you all you need to know, if you come along with me."

The little girl slightly nodded and fell to the ground unconscious.

"A great talent indeed, and now this person shall be my weapon against His worst enemies. They will all be crushed soon! Oooh, I can't wait to walk over their dead bodies…" Her excitement was discontinued when she noticed two auras approaching her with high speeds.

"Ariam of Falcon Steels, I should've guessed better." Tony spat on the ground as he slowly landed on top of the terrace. Having committed many atrocities, this woman was nothing but filth in his eyes.

"Stop that Tony, you could be disrespecting her feelings." Having heard Richard's sarcasm, Ariam turned around and put forth her seductive smile.

A smile which melted the hearts of many. However, she was not their type.

"Richard and Tony wow! It's so good to see you." Ariam clapped her hands once in delight as she stood right in front of the unconscious girl.

Noticing the girl behind her, Richard and Tony were perplexed and yet remained on guard in front of the woman across.

"Who is that girl and what have you done to her?" Richard needed to save that girl from her no matter what.

"This girl? Well, I found her peeking, when I was doing some important work and I even thought of killing her."

"Cut the crap, we saw the work you did. Killing three of your own members? I think you have totally lost it. But that still doesn't answer my question. What have you done to her?" Richard scoffed at her idiocy.

"I think you're the one who has lost it. I still haven't done anything. She is going to be my new toy to play with and I'm so excited!" She jumped in delight as she thought of the possible ways of torturing the little girl.

Richard and Tony's killing intents shot through the roof as they dashed towards Ariam to kill her.

"Are you sure you can beat me?" She reflexively dodged their oncoming strikes and grabbed the girl along with her.

"Leave the girl and get lost, otherwise you are going to go through the same thing you lover did!" Tony shouted as he formed an axe with his mana.

Standing towards the edge of the roof, she hatefully glared at both of them.

"If I hear you say one more thing that I don't like, I will make sure to rip each organ out of your body and grant you a death unlike never seen before."

With her entire aura being released, the building they were on began trembling immensely, as it began to crack.

Tony and Richard hurriedly stepped back. Her strength was something they were unable to fend off without their weapons and armors.

"Remember this, when He returns, you will all be dead in due time. Your death is decided by Him after all. Till then, happy living!" She laughed hysterically and flew off into the darkness.

"Stop it Tony! Let alone killing her, without our weapons she would kill us as soon as we run out of mana. When the right time comes, we shall kill them all. But who was she talking about? Was she talking about Aaron?" Richard was perplexed by Ariam's statement earlier.

"I am just as confused as you are. Like you said, she might be referring to Aaron and that guy is another obstacle we must eliminate." Looking towards the sky Richard withdrew his aura and closed his eyes and stated:

"We will Tony, we will."