The Lightning Flash

Chapter 6: Killing for a Reason

4 Years Ago:

"What are you hesitating for, Vassago?" asked a voice that was cold as ice.

Vassago Casals' hand that was holding his handgun was shaking violently in fear as he stood in front of the man that was being restrained in front of him.  He had a mask covering his face so that he couldn't see Vassago's face or the faces of the rest of the Korean crime syndicate that was behind him. The man's hands were tied behind his back, tightly, with rope and, to Vassago's  knowledge, he had been badly tortured for a while.  Vassago Casals had been with this organization for little over a year, ever since that fateful day where he killed his mother and his whole world changed...him and his sister's both, for that matter.  Struggling to find work, Vassago ended up working for the Korean crime syndicate that surrounded him, now, which was called the "Agma," meaning "demon" in Korean.  The name felt appropriate to Vassago given what his own name represented and, at first, the jobs that the group had him do were nothing too difficult and rewarded him with plenty of cash to help take care of this sister. Unfortunately, what was being asked of him now was something he knew would be asked of him, eventually, but didn't think it would be so soon.

"The man in front of you cannot be allowed to live, Vassago," said the same man as before, the leader of the Agma, who referred to himself as "Mawang" which meant "Demon Lord" in Korean which, again, made perfect sense to Vassago. 

The man was Korean but, just like the rest of his syndicate, he could speak English...actually better than most of his own men.  He was much older than Vassago, seeming to be in his late 50s or early 60s but that didn't undermine his intimidating presence in any way.  In fact, it only made him fear the old man even more. The fact that he could still be so ruthless, despite his age, was terrifying, in and of itself. 

"Hm, I see," said Mawang to himself as he made his way towards Vassago. 

Vassago flinched as he got closer to him, thinking that he would discipline Vassago in some violent way but, instead, the older man put his hand on Vassago's shoulder.

"Come with me for a second, Vassago.  I'd like to have a word with you, if you don't mind?"

Vassago gulped, nervously, as he lowered the handgun that he was pointing at the restrained man that was in front of him.  A part of him was relieved that he wouldn't have to kill a man, yet, but dreaded what the conversation with Mawang was going to be about. 

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"Vassago, you've been working with us for quite a while now, haven't you?" asked Mawang as the two were standing at a bit of a distance from the rest of the syndicate.  "And, on top of that, you've done excellent work so far.  With the money you've earned, your sister is faring much better these days, is that correct?"

The fact that Mawang knew about Vassago's sister only made him feel more on edge.  One false move or fuck up could not only put himself in danger but his sister as well.

"Yeah, she's doing good.  Real good."

"I'm glad to hear that.  Do you mind if I give you some advice?"

"S-Sure; although, I'm not sure what kind of advice is going to make murdering a man easier for me," admitted Vassago through gritted teeth.

"Hm.  Murder.  That man out there is responsible for the deaths of many in my syndicate which, as you know, I consider my family.  He is just as viscous and heartless as me and the rest of Agma.  We're all killers. Unfortunately, you having to kill someone, Vassago, was going to happen, eventually.  I heard...that you've killed before, is that right?"