The Shadow Flame

This world is so pitiful. People living under the powerful thinking they have freedom. The big shots at the top who lie to the people they are meant to serve from the evils of the world.

In this world everything is depending on the power you were born with. If the strong found someone powerful they would brainwash them and use them, use them until they are nothing but a corpse. They set up the anti-crime agency so they can get rid of the big threats.

It's not that the citizens don't realize what is going on in this twisted, dark world. They simply can't do anything against it. People who do, quickly get disposed of.

Every so often an ''abnormal'' is born. Abnormal is a title given to those who developed two powers instead of one. Most of them are usually kidnapped as soon as it has been identified that the child has two powers.

And that's where I come in. I was born from a mother and a father like anyone else. My family was relatively wealthy compared to most people.

I went to school like anyone else. I participated in after school activities like other people. I helped the staff at the school. Not once did I misbehave, not a single time.

So why. Why did they have to kill them? Why did they kill my parents in cold blood? Why the Anti-Crime Agency? No mercy. Their blood was everywhere. They were ruthless bastards. I will never forget the smiles on their faces. They were enjoying every second of this.

After they butchered the two I held dearest in the world they walked towards me. Each step muffled by the gunshots from upstairs. My eyes fogged from all the tears. No matter how much I rubbed them, I couldn't see. It felt horrible. It's like getting tortured without being able to resist at all.

At that moment, it was not sadness or anger that I felt. What I felt back then went beyond that. What I felt was euphoria. It felt good. No. Good doesn't even begin to describe it. It felt fantastic. The adrenaline coursing through my veins acted like steroids for my powers.

In one instant the tall man that had mangled my parents was smirking in front of me. And in the next was his burning corpse. As his head rolled across the floor the expression of fear was visible. The pitiful face of a man who couldn't fight back against a kid. It felt so…good. Avenging my parents was a piece of cake. But why should I stop here? This power feels fantastic. I want to wield it every day. Every minute. Every second. I just want to kill.

I could completely demolish society as we know it. Nothing compares to my blue flame power. I can make sure no one suffers through the same fate as my parents did. Yes. I could make a truly free world. Where these politicians would get killed off by the wolves. Where people with potential shined.

But that will be no easy feat. Many obstacles exist on that path. Like getting strong enough to completely knock these ''powerful'' people off their high horse. But the first step was to deal with the remaining ten intruders. But this, of course, was the easiest obstacle.

After my family had been killed off, I realized that nothing can be done by one man alone. So I ventured the country looking for powerful people who also sought to have the cruel leaders of this crooked world suffer like the suffering they inflicted on citizens. But to maintain a fully operational group requires large sums. Luckily for us, we received a secret sponsor. They provided us with funds to power a base of operation.

Each member received a special watch that could not be tracked by the government special agents from our secret sponsor. It was perfect. The technology used to construct and to code the watch were a dead giveaway to what company sponsored us. They designed the watch with everything an assassin needed.

We learned various martial arts and spy techniques from grandmasters who wanted to help our cause. Everything was provided to us. The only condition our sponsor stated was that we had to tear down the world as we knew it.

After gathering a sufficient number of members and located a hidden location for our base, we officially created our gang to fight against the government.

But as the gang grew more and more, so did the violence against civilians. No matter how much I tried to rid our gang of those idiots it never stopped it got worse. More and more victims came up with claims that our clan had attacked them.

Then and there I truly realized that no matter how much you want something and you receive it, there will always be a catch. You can never get exactly what you desire. If you would, this horrible world wouldn't exist.

And so, I went solo. I simply couldn't bear to watch my fellow gang mates attack innocent bystanders. It was such barbaric behavior.

Everywhere I looked there was violence. Nowhere was truly safe for the people who did not have sufficient strength to defend themselves.

Now I strive to put an end to violence from the corrupt government and the small-time criminals. Citizens call me a hero even knowing my past as a criminal. They support me with everything they've got.

How can I stop doing what I do when so many people depend on me to take actions where they can't. But even if they didn't support me, I would never stop doing this job. Not until most of the evil is gone.

And now, I sit atop this roof, hidden by the veil of darkness. Ready to attack my prey like a fox. No one stands between me and my target. And if they do, well how can I beautifully put this. Hmmm. I guess they simply just die.

It's nearly the hour hunting. This prey was a high ranking employee that works for the Anti-Crime Agency. Taking him out of the game would make future battles significantly easier.

The Anti-Crime soldiers will be going into battles blind and have no coordination whatsoever. He was the perfect target. Thinking about burning his corpse from the inside creates a smile stretching from ear to ear. Thankfully no one could see it due to my mask and also due to the lack of people being on this particular roof.

According to my information, he was supposed to be picked by a blacked-out SUV in front of the Southern park entrance. He is being transported to the annual meetup of the ''13 Tyrants''.

The 13 Tyrants are the people in charge at the very top of the country in terms of power. Of course, each of them has a different power level.

When I say power level, I don't only mean the strength they possess individually, but the number of bodyguards and security they have.

If I had to measure myself on their level, I would rank up to Johnny (13th Tyrant). But that's when he is at his top security. When he travels he only has about 15% of his full power. Perfect opportunity for me to take him out without breaking a sweat.

Three blacked-out SUVs pull up in front of the small park entrance. Four jacked dudes wearing tuxedos around a plumpy looking older man. They quickly walk to the designated pick up area.

It was my time to shine. As I said, I have two powers. One is blue flames. And the other is shadow travel. Shadow travel allows me to travel through darkness, which includes shadows of course. I would say it's faster than light but that wouldn't make sense.

Either way, in a single second I was right in front of Johnny. The shock of what had just transpired laid clearly on their faces. Seeing this shock really does put a smile on my face.

''Hello there Johnny. A fine evening, isn't it?''

''Wh-Who are you. What is your business with me?''

''Oh, nothing much. It's just that, a little bird told me that you were going somewhere important.''

''Boy, don't you know who you are talking to? You are talking to Johnny, the 13th Tyrant.''

No matter how much Johnny spoke, he could not gain back his composure. His bodyguards didn't show it but deep down they were scared. Their fear is so delicious.

''Boss, isn't this the hooligan who keeps attacking our Anti-Crime buildings? We should take this chance to end him.''

''Y-yeah. You are right. Crush him, men.''

The four bodyguards rushed straight towards me at full speed. It's felt like staring directly at a herd of bulls running towards you. Most people would be scared.

But everyone knows that no matter how many or how strong, bulls will never beat a dragon.

Blue flames sparked in the palms of my hands and feet. Both agility and power have been set to 35%. I shouldn't overdo it.

The men stared directly at the blue flames. They feared it, yet they couldn't stop charging. They knew that either way, they weren't surviving this battle.

I flicked my finger towards the charging men and released a huge bolt of blue flames. The men instantly disappeared. Nothing but ash was left, getting blown in the wind.

''L-L-Look, I can pay however much amount of money you so desire, just please let me go.''

''Oh, you aren't getting away so easily. You don't know how long I've wanted to kill one of you tyrants. But since I am feeling a little nice, I will give you a ten-second running head start if you answer me one simple question.''

''Yes. Yes, anything. Ask away.''

''Since you are so eager to spill your secrets then don't mind if I ask. Thirteen years ago, a group of soldiers was dispatched to my residence. They slaughtered everyone except one boy. Do you know why that team was dispatched?''

''Oh yes of course I know. I received orders straight from the 1st Tyrant Danny to form a team to kill the boy. It was because the family had a secret potential skill of developing a third power. We wanted to steal it and use it for our benefit.''

''I see. Thank you for your honesty. Too bad I wasn't honest about giving you a headstart.''

The look of terror quickly overtook the joyous face of Johnny. Bursting into tears he begged for mercy. He wailed as loud as he could in the hope that someone would save him. But no one came.

''For being honest I shall grant you a quick and painless death. May you be treated equally for your actions in hell.''

And with a quick bright flash, Johnny's body turned to ash. The wind blew through the trees. It was the only sound that could be heard. Most people slept as the Shadow Flame gained another victory.

''A third power huh.''

And so he headed back to his lair to plan out the next plan of attack.

*END OF CHAPTER ONE*