The streets of Tokyo flew past noon, sunlight reflecting off glass buildings. Taki's suit was sticking to him from sweat, and his hands gripped the seat belt like his life depended on it.
"Shoto! Why are you driving so slow!" he yelled. "Do you want that thing to catch us?"
"I'm driving as fast as I can!" Shoto shouted back, his hand tight on the wheel.
A sudden thump echoed across the roof of the car. Something heavy had landed on top. Before they could react, a blade shot straight through the windshield, stabbing Shoto's hand that was on the steering wheel.
"AAAH!" Shoto screamed, jerking the car to the side. The tires screeched as they barely avoided hitting a sidewalk, metal crunching under the sudden swerve.
Shoto slumped back, unconscious. Taki crawled across the seats, his heart racing.
That's when he saw him.
A boy, maybe sixteen, stood calmly on the street. His white hair was striking, and he had no eyebrows. He wore a brown shirt over a black undershirt and black flip-flops, holding a katana that shimmered in the sunlight.
"Don't you dare get out," the boy said, his voice calm but sharp.
Taki froze. "Look… Yurion… I think we got off on the wrong foot."
The boy tilted his head. "Really? So you'll tell me where your boss is?"
Taki swallowed hard. "I… I don't think you understand. If I tell you, we'll be in serious trouble."
Yurion's grip on the katana tightened. "If you don't tell me, I'll be forced to kill you. Then I'll find someone else who will."
Taki felt his stomach drop as Yurion stepped closer. The boy didn't rush, didn't hurry , he just was, and that alone was enough to make Taki's heart stop.
"I… the boss… lives in…" Taki stammered.
Before he could finish, he exploded, fire and metal raining around him.
Yurion stepped back, sighing. "Shit… that's the 5th time this week this has happened. And still, I got no leads. Can't believe I have to go home empty-handed again."
He turned and walked away, katana resting on his shoulder, leaving the burning car with the bodies behind.
End of chapter 1