"Four Guardians: Legacy of the Fallen" [Original Apply Fic]

Episode 4: Digging Deeper

Adrian awoke before the first light of dawn, the kind of early where the world still clung to its nocturnal secrets, shadows lurking in the corners of the room. He squinted at the clock, its red digits burning in the dark, telling him he had a bit of time before meeting the others.

With a sigh that seemed to echo in the stillness, he slid out of bed, the floorboards creaking beneath his feet as if whispering forgotten warnings. He made his way to the kitchen, where the air was thick with the remnants of yesterday's thoughts. The coffee pot waited, a silent sentinel on the counter, promising warmth and the familiar bitter comfort.

Adrian set to work, the ritual of grinding beans and boiling water both mundane and sacred. As the rich aroma filled the room, he found himself wondering what the day would bring, a flicker of unease curling in his stomach. The early morning silence was thick, almost tangible, as if the house itself held its breath, waiting.

As Adrian finished grinding the beans, he carefully placed them in the coffee pot, the familiar, repetitive motions bringing a strange sense of calm. He set the machine to brew, the gurgling sound of water heating and dripping through the grounds becoming a steady, rhythmic background noise, almost like the heartbeat of the quiet house.

He moved to the small desk in the corner of the living room, a sturdy piece of furniture that had seen its fair share of late-night plans and hastily scribbled notes. Pulling out a file, he flipped it open, the worn manila folder revealing pages of neatly typed information. The names Jacob Markov and James Fulton stared back at him, stark black ink on white paper. Two very influential men in Detroit, their power and reach extending like invisible tendrils through the city's underbelly.

Adrian's mind drifted to Daniel, Dean, and Daikon, the people he would meet later today. Each with their own roles to play, their own shadows to wrestle with. As he scanned the information, his eyes narrowing at the more disturbing details, the scent of brewing coffee began to fill the room, mingling with the early morning air, a small comfort in the midst of the growing tension.

Adrian flipped through the first few pages of the file, his eyes scanning the neatly organized information about Jacob Markov and James Fulton. Despite their outward appearances as legitimate businessmen, there were unsettling undercurrents that hinted at something far darker.

**Jacob Markov:**
- **Occupation:** CEO of Markov Industries, a major player in Detroit's construction sector.
- **Public Persona:** Philanthropist, involved in numerous charitable endeavors, including funding for local schools and hospitals.
- **Financial Records:** Clean, but unusually perfect. No discrepancies, no fluctuations, almost too consistent for a business of his size.
- **Background:** Immigrated from Eastern Europe in the early '90s. Built his empire from the ground up, starting with small construction contracts and gradually expanding.
- **Rumors and Whispers:** Allegations of ties to organized crime, specifically the Russian mafia. Unproven, but persistent. Several competitors who opposed him ended up bankrupt or disappeared.
- **Personal Life:** Divorced, no children. Known for being a private man, rarely seen in public outside of business functions.

**James Fulton:**
- **Occupation:** Owner of Fulton Financial Group, a major investment firm.
- **Public Persona:** Respected financier, frequent guest on business news programs, often giving advice on market trends and investments.
- **Financial Records:** Impressive portfolio with high returns. However, some investments are linked to shell companies with opaque ownership structures.
- **Background:** Born and raised in Detroit. Attended prestigious universities, including Harvard Business School. Rapid rise in the financial world, gaining influence quickly.
- **Rumors and Whispers:** Allegations of insider trading and money laundering. Whispers of connections to political figures and backroom deals. Several former employees have sued for wrongful termination, claiming they were silenced after discovering unethical practices.
- **Personal Life:** Married with two children. Publicly presents as a family man, but there are rumors of extramarital affairs and a penchant for high-stakes gambling.