Merely Existing

Chapter 8: The Origin of Duras (Part One)

In the Cavarone famiglia, there was only one team of assassins, with not more than 6 members and 1 leader. This piece of information had always shocked rivalling families, and provoked their attack. But their underestimation led to tragic massacres, the bloody trail of these demonic people were soon feared above all. The Duras rose to the throne of horrors, led by a mysterious leader that none knew the name or face of, known as the Phantom Leader. The members of Duras were special in many ways, they were created for Claus's sick game, like test subjects, lower than humans but superior in every sense.

Time has come to lift the curtains on a particular story.

A story called The Origin of Duras.

***

The usually elegant and calm boss of Cavarone was wearing a frighteningly serious expression as he contemplated the problem at hand. One hand toying with his wine glass as he sat on his luxurious armchair, with only one other person accompanying, his faithful butler, Roy. Cavarone famiglia was rising to power, but many strong rivals stood in their way, which wouldn't have been a problem if they hadn't threatened him too. The thought of being inferior didn't sit well with Claus, he refused to be a pawn in the game, he wanted to be the player.

Eliminate them.

That was the conclusion he came up with. It was so simple, he wondered what took him so long to figure it out. If something's in the way, get rid of it. A child could tell you that much. But then again how? Sure he could hire some hit men, money was least of his concern. Then again his opponent could do the same thing too. How can he make a difference? What can ensure absolute victory?

Roy simply stood in silence beside his master, watching as he went through files and documents with an uncharacteristic frown. He had a looming sense of danger, a sixth sense telling him the answer to his master's long contemplation won't be pretty.

"Roy, according to these," Claus said as he threw the files onto the table," most of my men are skilled gunmen."

"Yes, sir."

"How good an assassin would they make?" Claus had abandoned his seat, moving to stand across the window, wine glass still in hand.

"They would make good bodyguards, but as an assassin, they lack many things." Roy answered truthfully, knowing that his master is not a fool for flattery.

"As I thought. That's why I hired two professionals for the previous job. Roy, in your opinion how was their performance?" Claus's frustration slowly faded, a slow smile playing at his lips as the picture became clearer to him.

"Costly. They asked for additional payment for every risk they faced, not to mention delaying the task given till the last moment. Very inefficient." As requested, Roy gave his honest opinion.

"Loyalty and skill, that's what they lacked," taking a sip out of his glass, Claus continued, "but that's precisely the two qualities needed for the ideal assassin."

"The world isn't so convenient as to have everything we want, much less anything 'ideal', sir." These words came from Roy's vast experiences, but the effect it brought would haunt him forever.

"If the world doesn't have it, we'll just make it ourselves, Roy." The figure that was leaning against the window, with moonlight shading his handsome features spoke monstrous words. "For example, we can find someone with decent survival instincts, erase their memory, their feelings, their identity, then give them the option of kill or be killed. Wouldn't that be an ideal assassin?"

"T-that's i-impossible! You can't forcibly erase memories, that's not possible!" Besides, that would be worse than an assassin, just a killing machine, Roy thought silently.