He grips his wound, voice cracked, unsure—"Backup… anyone… I can't endure." Static answers, cold and afar, As darkness hums beneath his scars.
Mori fell to his knees, arrows lodged in his jaw, his face, his body—nearly 13 in all. Blood poured from a gaping hole in his chest, his breath coming in short, broken rasps.
As he made a call for help.
Somewhere far from the battlefield—
Slot machines chimed in the background. Neon lights flickered. Laughter echoed.
It looked like a regular casino lounge… until the phone rang.The mood dropped instantly.
And there they stood—four men at the summit of the world.Four of the ten Elite Guards sworn directly to the President himself.
Lives defined by rise and fall.
Acutalized talent of the highest level. Skills mixed with a work ethic that allowed them to surpass their limits countless times. Hearts of steel, forged through countless setbacks.A lifetime of effort spent forging a single sword.
Their swords always aimed beyond the horizon.
A red-haired teenager—#10—froze mid-laugh. The shy and slightly feminine person whispered "A call came through the encryption?" he asked, voice shaking. "Is it… the President?"
"No, Number Ten," slurred a slower, deeper voice. Darkened—#9—lounging on a velvet chair, didn't even look up from his drink. "The President would never call us. It's probably… "her."
#8—Rufus face paint and all, leaned over and wrapped an arm around #10, tousling with his hair playfully. "She did say she liked your pretty red hair, didn't she?" he teased, smiling like a wolf. "You can tell us. Did she groom you?"
#9—Darkened the creepy, lanky and awkward man seemed to have a soft spot for #10, he lowered his voice and said quietly, "Oi, calm down it's not a joke, I wouldnt let that happen to him.."
The phone kept ringing.
#10 placed a kiss on the cheek of #9 as he awkwardly said "T-thank you?" Not knowing how to react to #9's "concern" he does what he was taught by his mother.
Across the table, #6—Epicurus—looked up from his cards, face tight with concern, his crown and cloak marking him, the clear leader of this group. "You do remember our contract says our conversations may or may not be recorded, right?" He glanced at #8. "I think you're trying to get us all killed."
#8—Rufus—put his hands in the air casually. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry." He exhaled, then muttered, "But let's not pretend we don't know the truth.
Darkened whispered, "I do think the President gives her too much power."
Epicurus whispers "It's because of her ability. Its simply too much..."
Darkened and Epicurus averted their eyes—both clearly aware. Neither spoke.
Epicurus thought to himself, I have relationships with Rank 2 and even Rank 1, but Rank 5—that woman is... It's hard to be comfortable even speaking about her.
#10 looked toward Epicurus. "Won't you be replacing her as #5 soon… Epi-kun?"
But Epicurus didn't respond.
He just stared at the ringing phone—still unanswered.
The phone rings again.
#10 puts his hand on his ears as his anxiety reaches his peak. Realizing the phone is going off and nobody is paying attention to it the phone call ends no one picks up.
Epicurus realizing the phone call ended almost shits himself – he spits out his food as he comically runs over to the phone calling back. Showing extreme seriousness and responsibility.
As he sweats, he holds the phone close to his face.
#10 sighs softly, the tension hanging heavy.
When Mori picks up, he whispers faintly, "Help me." He sends his coordinates.
Rufus breaks out in a cold sweat. "Mori? Wait, did he actually do it? Impossible?"
As his heart sinks into his ass, His turquiose mascara almost melts off his face as he sweats, 'I thought it was a suicide mission? Is the God stick really that powerful..'
#10 nervously bites his fingernails. "Are you okay?"
A vein pops into Mori's head 'No I'm not okay? The fuck. Why would you ask that? I don't even have the energy to say that out loud man.'
As Epicurus tries not to laugh "He fought Osprey."(pause)"And he's still breathing."
#10 "Woah.... really..."
Darkened: 'He doesn't even know what we're talking about.'
As Darkened takes the phone he asks the important question. "Is Osprey dead? We're coming to get you stay alive."
Mori hesitates "I defeated him, he's incapacitated likely dead but I couldn't confirm it. He's too far away I can't walk right now-
Blood leaks from his mouth as a large volume erupts from his face, he thinks 'Is it possible that those arrows were laced? My blood won't clot.' As Mori runs cold he's losing too much blood, he wheezes riddled with holes. "I can't confirm the kill."
Epicurus: "Oh.... lol. Okay no problem good work, Mori as promised Elite Gaurd Rank 2 will grant you the spot of Elite Gaurd Rank 7."
Rufus frustrated gets up out of his seat as he walks closer to the call visibly furious "What absolute nonsense. Not a confirmed kill, no corpse to show? Just because he has a great weapon doesn't mean he's a great fighter much less a great leader."
He stops just short of Epicurus, his voice low, but clear. "Bullshit."
Epicurus's gaze lifts. His voice is colder now. "Speak up."
Rufus adjusts the cuff of his sleeve, keeping his posture relaxed, but his words cut sharp.
"It is I who has been in the organization for 5 years,
It is I who helped unify the peace treaty between Italy and the United States,
it is I who is a great asset to this organization.
Brute force does not keep this country running, politics does.
I keep it running!
Rufus throws off his short black coat from around his neck.
"I don't make the rules," Epicurus says. "Mori accepted the mission. The reward was the #7 seat. If that bothers you, take it up with #2. He handles placements."
Tension rises in the air at the mention of Elite Gaurd Rank #2.
Then Epicurus slow walks leans in just slightly, tone lowering. "Unless you want to challenge the decision right here."
Rufus pushes him to the side not biting his bait "I do not wish to fight you, I simply seek a equal oppurtunity to promote just like everyone else."
.....
Epicurus holds Rufus's hand that tried to push him away as there's a slight awkward silence.
Epicurus bursted out laughing so hard his spit went all over Rufus's face.
"You? Rank 7? Your pathetically weak—
Rufus throws a punch and ducks low charging in for a double leg takedown, however Epicurus's hand found it self right in the face of Rufus as he simply whispers.
"IF you grapple me I'm going to stab you to death."
Rufus backs off and gets into his stance "I'd break your arm in 100 pieces before you can try."