24 YEARS AGO
A few days later Izumi, Junichi, Yamato and Zero-Sixteen reached the headquarters for the Reapers of Justice, having had to take their time and be careful while navigating Shibuya – the district having become even more relentless. During this time Izumi worried frantically about Yamato, wondering how long he could hold on but, he amazed her and Juncihi with his strength and determination to live on.
The room was an oversized Rubik’s cube; a box where the walls were composed of thick girders framing squares of glass showcasing Shibuya all around them in its urban glory. At the height they were at, Shibuya looked peaceful and undisturbed.
The room though modern appeared more like a shine housing a deity rather than a base of operations. The glass was tinted bronze so although one could gaze upon the rich, Shibuya cityscape the room was dark and mysterious. Industrial lights above shown gently down allowing the room to give off a holy feel that didn’t seem to disturb the Reapers as the fully-armoured group went about their different tasks.
‘Oi! Sixteen! What is this crap!?’ A man cried from across the room, alerting the occupants. ‘You bring outsiders into our headquarters?’
All eyes fell on Junichi, Yamato, Izumi and Sixteen then the Reaper base erupted into heavy conversation.
‘Sixteen, you know you aren’t allowed to bring unauthorised people in here!’ A woman scolded.
‘Hey, he’s just a kid, he doesn’t know any better. Isn’t that right Sixteen?’
Sixteen nearly became shy but instead he spoke his mind. ‘Shut it you self-righteous bastards!’ His retort sparked laughter from a few of the Reapers. ‘Go on! Laugh! But I’ve seem Yamamoto Akira and I am in a better place to help the people of Japan more than you guys. So continue to laugh.’ Hurriedly he lead the small group out of the room.
‘I can see what you mean.’ Junichi said, rubbing the back of his head nervously.
‘Not all of them act like that. But the most important and needed Reapers have egos matching that importance.’
They passed through a set of steel doors into another world, a world many hundreds of years in the past. The wide corridor they were in was lit by candles down the short length, bright enough so that they could see where they were but dark enough to give a mystical and ancient ambience. Either side of them were sets of rice-paper doors that ran all the way down and as they passed them, Izumi noticed the silhouettes of a single person sitting in each room. ‘What is this?’ She wondered.
‘This is a part of the base that inspires tranquillity which is important for some of the Reapers.’ Sixteen began. ‘Most of us stay outside in the main bunker where we discuss tactics, hold meetings, play with new weaponry handed to us by... people, relax and so on. Here however, is where the more peaceful of us stay, people like Three who needs constant isolation so she can concentrate properly.’
‘They’re meditating?’ Izumi peered into another room.
‘Precisely, for lack of a better explanation. Like I said before, Three has the ability to see everything going on in Shibuya all at once so of course she needs the peace.’
‘Amazing...’ Izumi breathed, somewhat jealous that people existed with such power.
‘As I said, it’s how we’re able to react so quickly to problems not just in Tokyo but around the rest of Japan.’
‘This place is so beautiful...’ Izumi scrutinised the details. ‘The wood looks so rich and so well carved; the sheets on the doors look sturdy and of good quality and the candles look so luxurious and glow so magically...’
Junichi smiled to himself.
The wall at the end of the corridor was taken up mostly by the largest sliding door any of the three had ever seen but unlike the other doors it wasn’t as translucent. Combined with the low light and the lack of transparency, the door almost blended in with the wall. The candles either side of the door burned gently, generating a sweet aroma.
Sixteen kneeled at the door, knocking on the floor twice. The knock was hollow, echoing below the surface. He waited a minute before standing to place a hand firmly on the door.
‘Not many get to see One.’ Sixteen looked back at the eager trio. He’s only taken up his leadership role today but even so his order was sent through Twenty-Nine. Be respectful. Especially you, Junichi.’
Junichi nodded.
Sixteen slid the door open to reveal a plain room with no furniture and no windows, only six candles – three on either side of an object wrapped in fabric and ribbons like a present to someone.
‘Junichi, Izumi, Yamato. This is One.’ Sixteen introduced. ‘He is immortal.’
The trio were puzzled but Izumi soon understood what she was looking at, gaining the confidence to remove her shoes and step into the room to kneel before the holy figure. The others shortly joined her, Junichi and Yamato still confused.
‘I don’t understand.’ Junichi looked at Izumi.
‘Don’t you see Junichi?’ Her eyes met his. ‘This man has walked the world for centuries. Immortality doesn’t grant eternal youth so the man underneath all of this must be very aged.’
‘You are wise girl.’ One spoke.
Junichi and Izumi turned their gaze to the sitting figure wrapped purposely with fine, red silk with golden dragons embroiled onto it. Crossing his form were two wide strips of golden silk with Chinese characters stitched on that passed over his shoulders and under his legs.
‘Thank you.’ Izumi bowed.
‘Leave us please, Sixteen.’ One said in a tone that was heavy with age and wisdom but was also energetic and youthful. An unusual mix, thought Izumi.
Sixteen bowed despite the fact that even One’s face was clothed, then left, sliding the doors closed as he bowed once more.
‘There are three of you.’ One claimed.
‘How do you know?’ Junichi was astonished.
‘I’ve learned a great many things during my time on this world. One of these things is to feel the peoples’ ki; their life energy. The same power that fuels their ability to tap into the world’s energy and do as they do; Keys entering the lock that is this world.’
‘Aren’t you going to ask why we are here?’ Izumi looked concerned.
‘I don’t need to.’ One hadn’t shifted at all and in the low light it was hard to tell if his mouth was even moving. ‘When Twenty-Nine told me of what happened in Shibuya I knew that it was only a matter of time before leadership fell to me. Two is headstrong and too rash. The price of invincibility. I had hoped that in time I would met a person who will be they means for stopping this madness.
‘You can’t mean one of us? We’re only Human with all due respect.’ Stated Junichi.
‘Being a Key is not a sign of class or dominance in society. Even though the people here are of a higher tier than the majority of those in Shibuya, it doesn’t mean that they are better than the people they protect. They go out there with their identities hidden and when their duties are done they fade back into the masses.’
‘So what do we have to do, One?’ Asked Izumi.
‘Things are going to change very quickly. There is a traitor in our midst. She will give us up to Yamamoto Akira and he will come to steal our power.
‘How do you know?’ Yamato finally said.
‘I know because my years of being in this world has allowed me to tap into the world to the greatest degree. I can see the past, present and future. You. With the energy that wavers between good and bad.’
‘Izumi gasped. ‘Me?’
‘Me?’ Asked Junichi.
‘No. Me.’ Declared Yamato.
‘Indeed. You have been scarred but are struggling to stop what you endured from defining who you are. You should let this restraint go and let your true self bloom because in the end people see you for who you are – for what’s on the inside as opposed to who you are on the outside. Look at us Reapers who go out into the world to fight behind masks. People don’t know who we are yet they
remember us by the good we do.’
I should let my restraint go? Izumi couldn’t help but think. I can’t do that, I’m scared of what will happen if I do. But what is there to be afraid of? What is blooming in my heart that has put me on edge? Is it actually darkness?
‘I wish I were one of you.’ Yamato admitted.
‘Your energy burns with a passion for justice which is a quality that many of the Reapers share. I said that Akira will be among us soon and will try to take our abilities but the power of Keys can’t be taken easily. I know of a technique that will allow a person to do this and I will teach it to you.’
‘Why are you teaching this to me?’
‘Originally, I thought that if I could teach someone this technique then you could steal Akira’s power from him. But I see that his will is too strong and his ability will not go easily. I am afraid that in a few days time the end of the Reapers will come. They will perish under the might of Akira’s power to be used as his assassins. This I know for certain. To circumvent this you will go to each Reaper and take their power from them. It is the only way to ensure that you will have the capability to fight for your future.’
‘You want me to take their ability? I don’t think I could do this.’
‘Sometimes my child, we must forsake ourselves for the sake of the greater good.’
‘I... I understand.’
‘Wait.’ Junichi interrupted. If you know that there’s a traitor here then why not stop her?’
‘Because, this particular Reaper is the wife of Yamamoto Akira and so is always be her husband’s side. In fact, Akira himself was part of our ranks before a lust for power nearly destroyed us. Just like how he tried to gain power in politics he tried to gain power by stealing ours.’
‘He knows the same technique and he failed?’
‘Indeed. Now, he will return with an army of Keys and finish the task he set out to do all those years ago which is why I need you, my boy.’
‘But... I don’t think I can survive, One...’ Yamato admitted weakly.
‘One of the Reapers will heal you. You will live to fight on.’ One fell silent for a while before speaking again. ‘You two, please leave us. You, my boy, will stay here.’ The last part was directed at Yamato. Izumi and Junichi stood. ‘When you leave please send the girl in. Sixteen would have told her that she was needed. He’s a good boy.’
And sure enough when Izumi opened the door there the girl stood. ‘Eiko!’ She exclaimed.
‘Eiko?’ Junichi parroted.
Eiko; Izumi’s best friend and classmate as she trained to be a nurse, Eiko; Yamato’s girlfriend.
‘I guess I have some explaining to do.’ She said, laughing.
Izumi didn’t have the words to describe the cocktail of emotions she was feeling but against her will a growl left her lips.