The Vanguard of the Fallen

Prologue: The First Domino

𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑜r
   "Heyyyy Dadda, can we play with my dolls and    have a tea party pwease?", asks an enthusiastic little girl.
   "I have work honey, I am so sorry. I will play dolls and have as many tea parties as you want on the weekend okay, peanut! Work has been busy and I'm doing a lot for you and your mother", Says her father.
Her father gives her a hug and a sweet kiss on the forehead before telling his wife goodbye and heading to work. His name is Shinsei Mara, a well known security officer who works for the company, VoltNova. He is a compassionate man that always goes out of his way to help others. He is a tall and muscular man with a tough demeanor, but on the inside he is soft as snow. Shinsei is driving to work, but soon he receives a phone call from his intern.
An ecstatic voice then begins to prattle and says, "Helloooo? I hope I'm not bothering you Mr. Mara, but umm, do you have work today? I was hoping you could teach me more about.."
"No. What was the first thing I told you after I showed it to you?" Interrupts Shinsei. "I'm not mad kiddo. Just be careful alright, because I want you safe."
"It is a secret and we are not allowed to know about it. I know. I know. I'd never mess up like that, I was just excited for a moment. I'm sorry." His intern says, "Maybe we can get lunch and talk later?".
Shinsei clears his throat and responds. "It is okay Zy. I might be able to get lunch. I have a lot of work to do. I also have a night shift tonight, so I want to spend time with my wife and daughter before then too."
Zylar Jin is a young security officer in training. He has been working under Mr. Mara for almost a year now. He is an introverted kid, and isn't passionate about many things. Such behavior, might stem from his lack of a childhood. However, he does not think much about his troublesome past. Instead, Zy looks towards the future and smiles. His goal is to make at least one difference in the world before he dies.
    Shinsei grabs a cup of warm coffee before signing in to his job. He handles a stack of paperwork and then signs out. He is off for the day until it is time for his night shift so Shinsei calls Zylar and tells him to meet him at a nearby cafe. The 2 officers eat lunch and discuss work related business until Shinsei changes the topic.
    "How are you doing at home, kiddo?"
    "What do you mean?" Zy asks. "Everything is okay, I'm just taking care of myself sir."
    With a melancholic expression, Shinsei says "I want you to move in with me and my family. You are 17 and living on your own. Such a situation isn't fair to you. You're a good and sweet kid. You have a good heart, better than mine to be honest. I can tell you are struggling. It's just a power we dads have.
    Before answering and fingers trembling, Zy stands up and hugs him. "Yes. Yes. Absolutely. Thank you so much. You don't know how hard it has been, Trying to force a smile on my face and trying to take care of my sister. I'm scared of failing her, Mr. Mara"
    "I know you are. You won't need to worry about that as long as I am around. It's been almost a year now. You've met my family and my daughter loves you. You are like family, and hell will freeze over before I let family be alone during such sorrowful times. I'd like you to stay at my place for the night and don't worry about your sister. We have extra room for her too.
The 2 of them walk down a grassy pathway towards a set of apartment buildings. It's cloudy and it looks like it is going to rain soon. "It looks like rain is coming" says Zylar. "Rain can be so majestic sometimes".
"Yes and that means we should hurry to my home. My wife also has already picked your sister up from school" states Shinsei.
As the glistening rainy day soon nears its end, Zylar has a tea party with his sister and Mr. Mara's daughter. The 3 of them have a blast while Mr. Mara prepares for work. After putting his uniform on, he heads to he and his wife's room. She's waiting for him and gives him a hug.
With a worried look she says, "Be safe okay. This is your last job before you are released and retire. You know how VoltNova is...and the documents you found."
With a shiny smile, Shinsei chuckles and says, "You know I'll be okay. I'm gonna have fun and enjoy my final shift. I love you."
The 2 of them share a kiss and he departs for the door. Before leaving he gets a hug from his daughter and Zylar's sister. His eyes meet Zylar's who is also smiling and holding a gaming controller. "I'll be back in the morning. Keep up the good work okay, and will you please look after those 2" laughs Shinsei as he points towards his wife and daughter.
Shinsei grabs Zylar and gets everyone together for a quick photo with a small polaroid camera. He snaps a photo and waves once again. Shinsei steps out of the door before Zylar can respond to his previous statement. Elva, Shinsei's daughter looks up at Zylar while pulling at his shirt and she asks, "Are you my big brother now?"
Zylar's face glows as he smiles and says, "Yes Elva, and you know what that means. Infinite Tea parties!!" He then looks up and wipes away a few joyous tears. "How about this" Zylar says, "Let's have a full family tea party tomorrow and that includes your dad."
Elva smiles brightly and nods before running off to play with Eden, Zylar's sister. Zylar opens the door and waves goodbye as Shinsei drives away. Like Zylar had predicted, it began to rain. The spot where Shinsei works has a gorgeous view of the moon and on nights like this the moon's lunar essence is more beautiful than ever as it shines through the rain clouds. Shinsei enters his mini security office. His one job is to monitor the entry to a VoltNova facility. Shinsei kicks back in his chair and grabs a notebook from his bag. He flips through this notebook and chuckles to himself while reminiscing the past.
Shinsei ponders "I wonder if I will see one tonight. Perhaps something new? Or will tonight be a boring night? Either way I'm honestly thankful to have experienced this job. Who knew such things existed. I wonder if VoltNova has any other secrets. Probably so but it isn't my business."
A few hours into his shift a sudden noise grasps Shinsei's attention.
𝑩𝑨𝑵𝑮! "What the hell? Did something hit the roof?" Thinks Shinsei. In response he walks outside with a flashlight and gun. "Anyone there? If so reveal yourself" he commands. Suddenly a figure dashes out of sight. Shinsei once again thinks, "What the hell did I just see? Was that even human?" A young man who seems scared approaches him. Shinsei out of instinct, points his firearm at him and commands him to freeze with his hands up and visible.
"Hey now, no need for hostility" says a creepily calm voice. "I was just walking through the area ya know. I'm doing a scavenger hunt for my college party. Am I trespassing?"
Knowing the truths of what could be going on, Shinsei says, "Stick out your tongue! Now! Or I will shoot."
A confused look is casted over the man's once scared face. "Why does that matter? And eww no I'm not doing such a thing." Responds the young man.
Shinsei analyzes the situation. He begins to think, "So he is tall, slender, with some visible muscle mass. He looks like he is Zylar's age however the green eyes are odd. He has an unnerving presence....Yeah, I don't trust this guy. He came out of no where after that figure bolted out of sight. I can shoot at the ground near him and truly figure out what is going on. I have a feeling I'm dealing with another mimic"
Shinsei fires his gun and the man dashes sideways. He then reaches into his jacket pocket and throws something in blink of an eye. Shinsei shoots the window and vaults into his office to break line of sight.
Shinsei grunts in pain as he pulls a kunai out of his side. "The name is Darren. Not like it matters though. I will say, you are impressive Shinsei Mara. I wasn't expecting you to retaliate so quickly, and to ask me to stick my tongue out as well?! How impressive! To answer your suspicions I am no mimic Mr. Mara." Darren says. He walks to the entrance of the office and his entire appearance has changed completely.
"I got you!" shouts Shinsei as he points the gun at Darren. Suddenly the gun drops to the ground. "Z-z-Zylar?" Shinsei says.
"Nope it's still Darren" he replies.
A moment later Shinsei's body drops and the only thing filling the silence is the ice cold rain shower that's washing away the blood. Shinsei crawls into his office and with the last ounce of his strength he reaches into his bag and holds tightly onto a small Polaroid photo.
1 𝑊𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
As 4 tall and tough looking men lower a casket down into a grave, cries are heard throughout the funeral. Family, friends, and his squadron members are the only people around. Viva holds a sobbing Elva tightly.
"I miss Daddyyy, I don't want to say bye I don't wanna!" cries the heart broken girl. As she is crying a tall man with short blonde hair and a muscular complexion and scars beneath his eyes, covers his face with one hand and begins to shed tears. After that an even bigger guy looks away and a stream of tears fall from his face as well. At the end of the line of officers stood a smaller and more thin officer in training, Zylar. He looked ahead silently with a stunned expression.
The funeral ends as the sun is setting. A girl approaches Zylar who is standing looking off into the distance again. Light rain begins to shower down and the girl says, "Everything okay Zy? I'm here if you need me you know. I'll leave you be though, I'll be in the car okay. I'll keep the umbrella since you love rain showers okay!" She hugs him and walks begins to walk away.
"I hate the rain Elia" Zylar says. "I'll be there soon, we are going to find out who did this. I do not care when or how long it takes." Tears begin falling from his face and he finally cries out. Elia stays and comforts him