Shadow Syndicate

What happens before anything else

Before heading to Flina City, Ash revisits the site of the old facility where he underwent experiments, desperate to find the scarf his mother gave him. 

Discovered by a worker assigned to demolish the building, Ash explains his quest, and the worker leads him to a storage area where abandoned belongings are kept. Luckily, Ash finds his cherished scarf. Grateful, he thanks the worker before continuing on to Flina City. Through eavesdropping and inquiries, Ash learns that his father was recently spotted in the city, igniting his eagerness for a reunion.

Meanwhile, Lukas arrives in Flina City, driven by the pursuit of one of the ten individuals responsible for his sister's death. Settling in temporarily, Lukas frequents bars, red-light districts, and other locales to gather intel on his target. His emotionless demeanor, coupled with a monotonous voice, sets him apart, making people take him seriously. Lukas crosses paths with Ash, leading to a collaboration in their shared quest.

The Furion brothers, seeking a fresh start, take odd jobs in the city to afford their own place. Staying at the same motel as Lukas and Ash, chance encounters occur, with Ash and Callum engaging in casual conversations. 

Lukas sees Ash as a temporary replacement for his lost sister, while Ash views Lukas as both a big brother and a parental figure. Despite their shared goals, Lukas and Ash face tensions when Ash discovers his target has left the city, prompting a heated confrontation.

In the aftermath, Ash encounters Callum feeding a puppy named Jason in an alleyway. Bonding over caring for the dog, they become friends, sharing snippets of their pasts without delving into certain traumatic details. Lukas continues his solo mission, eventually tracking down his target, who happens to be Zane's boss. Lukas and Zane collaborate, successfully eliminating the man responsible for Lukas's sister's death.

Zane inherits the store from the man and, with the help of Callum, Ash, and Lukas, raises enough funds to rebuild and rename it "Anna's Convenience." The four friends move in, along with the newly adopted Jason. Living together, Ash and Lukas temporarily set aside their vendettas to enjoy their newfound home and family. Callum and Ash attend school, experiencing a semblance of normalcy.

During this period, it becomes apparent that Callum and Zane struggle with urges to take lives due to their upbringing in U.R.E. Despite their efforts to resist these inclinations, the brothers consider themselves sociopaths or psychopaths. 

Ash, haunted by memories of his time in the basement, exhibits discomfort in confined spaces, and gets triggered by tubes, syringes, or anything related to sexual assault.

Lukas, molded by his experiences on the streets, lacks remorse when taking a life but restricts such actions to necessity.