Last Meal

Hiroto slammed his phone down, the sound echoing across his office. Anger was written all over his face, as he thought back over the frustrating call he had with Enforcer Sato.

That insolent C Ranker Sato had casually informed him that Kaze removed the tracking device from the stolen agency jet shortly after takeoff, disappearing into the wind like the rogue element he was. 

Hiroto suppressed the urge to sweep the contents off his desk in a tantrum. This betrayal cut deep, far beyond professional embarrassment. He had mentored Kaze, recognized his potential, elevated him through the ranks. Now the ungrateful worm repaid that faith by joining forces with that natural disaster.

Raking both hands through his hair, Hiroto collapsed into his chair. The implications chilled him to the bone. Kaze had been privy to countless confidential files, instrumental operations. His intricate knowledge of Eclipse Agency security protocols and procedures posed a catastrophic threat. Hiroto dreaded informing the board of this breach, especially Chairman Kurosawa Misuki. His own position suddenly felt uncertain.

For now, secrecy was imperative. If word got out an elite Enforcer defected while protecting a rogue Anomaly, public faith in Eclipse would plummet. Morale would tank, stock prices crater. Kaze's face must not appear on wanted posters or news broadcasts. This humiliating debacle required delicate handling. 

A sharp sound at the door jolted Hiroto from his spiraling thoughts. Scowling, he barked for the intruder to enter. His scowl only deepened when Dr. Hideo Yamada strode in, lab coat swirling around his rigid frame. Hiroto noted with distaste the 'Dr.' title stitched above the breast pocket.

"What do you want, Yamada?" Hiroto growled. "I'm very busy."

Yamada's lip curled at the discourteous lack of his honorific. "Yes, well, I apologize for the interruption, Nagasaki and its Dr. Yamada now. Anyways, I bring news of the utmost urgency regarding Project K."

Despite his sour mood, Hiroto's interest piqued at the mention of the classified experiment. "Go on," he said, gesturing impatiently for Yamada to sit.

The scientist's nostrils flared at the brusque treatment but he perched on the edge of the seat. "As you know, I have dedicated myself to completing Keito Shinsei's seminal work on Project K. My team has labored tirelessly, and I am pleased to report we are nearing fruition."

Hiroto's eyes widened. This was unexpected, and potentially game-changing. "You've replicated Shinsei's research? I thought the gaps in his notes posed significant challenges." 

Yamada's face briefly betrayed a spasm of resentment at the revered Shinsei's name before smoothing into arrogance. "Yes, well, despite Shinsei's renown, I possess insights he lacked. My intellect and scientific acumen have succeeded where his fell short."

Hiroto refrained from rolling his eyes, well-acquainted with Yamada's superiority complex and envy of his predecessor. "Fine, spare me the dramatics. What remains to finish Project K?"

Yamada's nostrils flared again but he answered crisply. "The sole missing element is a test subject demonstrating gravitational manipulation. As you know, that was Shinsei's intended cornerstone ability."

"Yes, yes," Hiroto waved impatiently. "And without Kaze we have no gravity manipulator. So what's your solution?"

"After considerable thought, I propose an audacious but inspired alternative." Yamada's eyes glinted. "We combine the abilities of Anomalies Daichi and Rin. Their abilities blended within a single subject, could produce groundbreaking results." 

Hiroto leaned back, steepling his fingers in consideration. He disliked Yamada's arrogance but couldn't deny the merits of this proposal. Project K had always targeted amplified abilities in one individual. Combining two could enhance the outcome exponentially. They could even attempt to add Kaze's gravity skill later, once Shinsei's research was recovered. 

"Intriguing," Hiroto mused. "The dual powers do hold profound potential. Let's proceed with acquiring Daichi and Rin." He rose, ready to set this promising plan in motion. 

"A moment, please. There are details to discuss," Yamada interjected. Hiroto repressed an impatient sigh and retook his seat.

"Of course. My apologies." 

Yamada nodded. "Once the test subjects are obtained, I will need several weeks to complete the gene splicing and stabilization process. Additionally, we must run numerous trials to calibrate the abilities and test psychological resilience. I trust the board understands results will not happen overnight?" 

"Yes, they are aware of the complexities," Hiroto assured, standing again. "I will check for updates on Kaze's status immediately and acquire Daichi and Rin within 48 hours." He checked his watch. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Doctor, I have work to do."

Yamada stood swiftly. "Of course. I merely wished to update you on my groundbreaking progress. With the continued resources and support I've been promised, Project K will soon exceed our highest expectations."

Hiroto ushered Yamada out with a noncommittal noise, anxious to exit himself. As the scientist's footsteps faded down the hall, Hiroto's confident expression faltered. While Project K's acceleration thrilled him, Kaze's betrayal still cast a shadow. He would need to navigate this crisis extremely carefully to avoid eclipsing his own bright future.

Kaze stepped out of the stolen jet and onto the leaf-strewn forest floor, scanning the area with sharp eyes. Dusk's deepening shadows stretched between the trees, but he felt no fear. Only purpose.

Behind him, Usagi bounded out, exclaiming, "We made it! I can't believe I'm finally going to meet my uncle!"

Kaze didn't respond, focused on surveying their surroundings. He marched ahead into the darkness, gesturing for Usagi to follow. "Stay close, kid. Can't have you getting lost out here."

"My name's not kid," Usagi insisted with a pout. "It's U-Sa-Gi."

"Tch", Kaze clicked his tongue, annoyed by the childish demand. He had no time for such frivolities.

They continued on in silence, Usagi struggling to match Kaze's brisk pace. Kaze scanned the shadowy forest, alert for any signs of danger. 

A glint ahead caught Kaze's eye - a nearly invisible wire stretched across their path. He threw out an arm, halting Usagi mid-step. "Don't move," he commanded. More hidden traps lay in wait for the unwary, cleverly disguised amidst the undergrowth. Keito's doing, no doubt.

But Usagi, oblivious to the peril, attempted to step around Kaze. His foot snagged the tripwire.

A deafening explosion shattered the silence. Kaze shielded Usagi from the blast, debris peppering his back. A large splinter gashed his temple, blood trickling into his eye.

"Kaze!" Usagi cried. "You're hurt!" Despite Kaze blinking the blood away, tears welled in the boy's eyes.

Kaze cursed internally. He should have expected Keito's protective measures. "I'm fine," he muttered, wiping the cut with his sleeve. "It's nothing."

After checking that Usagi remained unharmed, Kaze scanned the deepening gloom. In the distance, a warm light glowed through the trees. Kaze gestured for Usagi to follow as he crept toward it.

They approached a small cabin, golden light spilling from its windows. Inside, a family gathered around a simple meal. Kaze recognized Keito among them, head bowed in prayer.

"It's my uncle!" Usagi whispered excitedly. He moved to rush forward, but Kaze held him back. The boy turned, smiling. "Let's go say hi!"

Kaze met Usagi's gaze, holding it. The boy's grin faded as he glimpsed the predatory glint in Kaze's eyes.

"Yes," Kaze purred, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Let's pay them a surprise visit."

Usagi paled, withdrawing from Kaze's intimidating aura. But Kaze only chuckled darkly, envisioning the chaos to come. 

Keito Shinsei sat at the head of the table, the warm glow of the cabin enveloping his family in an amber cocoon. The clink of cutlery and the soft murmur of conversation blended into a symphony of domestic bliss. Across from him, his son's eyes sparkled with mischief while his daughter's laughter, pure and untainted, filled the room.

He lifted his gaze to meet that of his wife, her presence a soothing balm to the remnants of chaos that lingered in his mind. "You know," Keito began, a tender smile gracing his lips, "I never thought we'd find such peace."

His wife returned the smile with equal warmth. "We made the right choices," she said, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand.

The laughter faded as Keito's eyes clouded over with memories of a time when right and wrong weren't so clear-cut. "I only wish I could've made amends with Kaze. I fear my actions may have cast long shadows over his life."

His wife's voice, laced with understanding, broke through his reverie. "Keito, we've been over this. You did what you had to do—for us."

He nodded, letting her words wash over him. The family meal resumed its cheerful tempo, but a flicker of unease lingered within him.

Suddenly, an explosion shattered the night. Plates clattered to the floor as Keito sprang into action, his past life surging forward with a force that could not be denied. "Under the table—now!" he commanded.

His family scrambled to obey as he moved stealthily toward the door. A thousand scenarios played out in his mind, each more menacing than the last.

Peering through the keyhole, Keito's breath hitched. Kaze stood outside, a twisted grin distorting his once-familiar features.

"Out the back!" Keito's voice was a harsh whisper as he turned to usher his family to safety.

"Vortex," Kaze whispered, his voice a calm prelude to the storm about to unfold. The air instantly grew dense, charged with an ominous energy that seemed to claw at the very edges of reality.

Around them, the cabin shivered, nails screeched as they were wrenched from their holdings, and the walls began an eerie dance of destruction, bending in ways that defied nature.

From the midst of this chaos, Usagi's voice emerged, sharp and fraught with urgency. "Stop this! You're going to kill them!" His words cut through the air, a desperate plea against the unfolding disaster.

Kaze, undeterred, his eyes fixed on Keito, seemed to draw the cabin's disintegration closer with each passing second. Windows shattered, sending glass dancing like ice in a storm.

With a sudden clarity amidst the destruction, Keito acted. Grabbing his family, he led a desperate charge towards what remained of the door. They burst through the threshold, a brief silhouette against the backdrop of their disintegrating home.

The ground rushed up to meet them, their bodies hitting the forest floor with a thud that knocked the wind out of them. They lay there, a tangle of limbs beneath the canopy, the forest's damp earth clinging to them as a reminder of their narrow escape.

Alive against all odds, surrounded by the fragments of what had once been their refuge.

Kaze approached them slowly, triumph written across his face. "Long time no see, Dr."

Keito stared up at him, speechless and overwhelmed by the ghost of consequences past—a ghost he had indeed helped to create.