Chapter 11 - Resolve

(This one will be a bit short)

The decision to step away from the grim path of taking lives had been one of detachment. In the Gaia agency, we had been conditioned to perceive human lives as inconsequential, mere blips on the canvas of existence. Death was a certainty, and it was our duty to expedite it or prolong it as required. That was the mentality that had guided my early years in the agency.

Yet, in the presence of George, Hubert, Ace, and the others in the branch, I couldn't help but marvel at how different things had become. They were individuals with their wills, and their own unique characteristics, and their presence warmed my heart. They were living proof that humanity was far from being as uniform as I once believed.

But my past, the ghosts of the lives I had taken, remained etched in my memory. The faces people assumed in their final moments were forever etched into my mind, and those expressions left a profound mark on my soul.

In the old days, taking lives had been an ordinary, mechanical affair. But the trembling of my hands on this early morning betrayed how much I had transformed. The clock read 4 am, and I stood outside, staring at one of my customized dual guns with arms that wouldn't cease their tremors. "It's been so long since I have taken a life," I sighed, the weight of my words heavy on my shoulders. 

The act of pulling a trigger now held entirely different connotations compared to my youthful years. I now grasped the true significance of life and death, and that understanding had instilled in me an emotional conflict I had never anticipated. Ace and the others, despite their emotional capacity and youthful sensibilities, demonstrated a strength that made me rethink my past self.

To quell the fear that had crept in, I sought solace in my reason for accepting this mission. Though I knew I had no right to feel this way at this point in my life, the conflicting emotions welled up uncontrollably. I mused aloud, "Xavier, throughout the years, has formed a happy family. I'm happy for him."

But that happiness was marred by the knowledge that I could have had a similar family. My niece Maki would have been close to Hina, and I pictured the two of them, their differing personalities eventually coming together in harmonious friendship. As for my beloved son and eldest daughter, both of them were intelligent and ambitious individuals who even figured out my true profession. It was a testament to his sharpness and observational skills. 

The realization of the lives I had taken and the grief I had caused settled heavily upon my heart. "Such good people, dead," I whispered, empathizing with the pain of losing a loved one.

But this mission couldn't be undone. A renewed determination surged within me as I spoke to the night sky filled with stars. "Xavier! I must kill you, I just have to. How can I sleep well if I know I let you go when I didn't show the same mercy to so many people who begged for their lives?"

During my turmoil, Shawna appeared outside the ramen shop, catching me by surprise. She inquired about my feelings on this momentous day. "I feel torn inside," I confessed with a heavy sigh.

Shawna understood the depths of my internal struggle. "Figured as much. Your hate for Xavier is still inside of you, but that doesn't change the fact that you're no longer your old self, plus you haven't taken a life in so long." 

She suggested an alternative, offering me an escape route. "I'm here to tell you that if you change your mind on the mission this instant, we'll send you back home. You can live happily ever after with your niece, Maki." The temptation of that offer weighed heavily on my mind, and I considered it carefully.

But then, the names of my family—Hina, Ricardo, Olivia, Maria—crossed my lips. They were the anchors that rekindled my resolve. "No thank you, I am ready. Xavier is going to be a dead man," I asserted, a renewed strength in my voice.

Shawna had one final piece of wisdom to offer. "I am not qualified to advise someone of your stature, but here I go anyway. If you hate killing now, then you simply don't have to kill him. There are other ways to stop him, you know. As long as the mission results in him no longer killing my people, then everything is 'A' okay with me."

Those words were a reassuring balm to my conflicted soul. "Thanks, Shawna. Gaia made no mistake appointing you as a Branch Manager," I expressed my gratitude.

With a hint of a blush, she playfully responded, "Oh, stop it. Flattery will take you far, you know."

After Shawna went back inside the Ramen shop, Ace emerged, ready and waiting. He donned his customary black suit with a bow necktie, with only a subtle alteration - his undershirt was gray instead of the usual pure white. As for me, I chose comfort for the journey, wearing blue shorts that allowed for easy movement and a plain white T-shirt.

"Best we get moving now," Ace declared as he retrieved his car keys.

Curiosity about our journey sparked my question. "How far is the airport?" 

Ace regarded me as if I had misspoken. "Airport? What do you think this is? We're using our boss's private jet. We'll reach our destination in two hours."

"Sweet!" I responded, enthusiasm bubbling within me.