BOOK ONE Gods of Desterrados: The Banished Ones

21 The Quelling of The Storm

Brazil was not the sanctuary Carlos expected. 

The violence in the streets of Rio De Janeiro was just as apparent as it was back home. 

Nevertheless, it was a necessary respite from the Organization's aftermath of devastation that his father, El Leon had unleashed upon most of Honduras. 

And now the new Capitan Novio's destruction was leaving virtually nothing untouched and resources were diminishing.

It was not the way business was usually conducted under El Leon's reign. 

But there were certain outside influences that capitalized on his father's unraveled state of mind over the last few years before his death. 

It was causing dissent amongst the ranks, however, most Capos remained loyal assuming one day El Leon would see reason eventually. 

Chupa was one such man, biding his time until things returned to a sense of normality once again. 

But once again, that was no longer a possibility now that the Organization was under Novio's rule.

"It was a shame the Watchmaker did not take the initiative to succeed because circumstances could have been different for Fuego," said Chupa as he primed his opium hookah.

Carlos had no issues with the manner of El Leon's assassination because it was only a matter of time since it was well known that his father was losing control of the business.

Chupa proceeded to explain further. 

"And by Novio scheming his way to Capitan the way he did, it was a necessary evil in order to facilitate change within the Organization because Novio's carelessness will be a means to his eventual destruction." 

Carlos was furiously doing push-ups as he listened on, breathing steadily.

"Yeah, I get it," he breathed clearly uninterested.

The old Capo was not always as profound and philosophically enlightened. 

There weren't many men in the Organization still alive who knew him when he was one of the most revered sicario in South America.

Chupa demanded his men to display an extremely cut-throat and aggressive sense of authority while collecting war taxes and recruiting. 

Otherwise old world justice was required to set an example to the people who chose to revolt.

Back then, the Organization was not a force to be reckoned with. 

Respect was a difficult feat unless you paid your dues and Chupa was one of those men that commanded by example.

Carlos' friend and mentor, was Brazilian-Portuguese. 

He grew up in Japan during turbulent times between the US and Asia. 

His parents were missionaries hoping Chupa would be immune to the ravages of war and its aftermath.

Carlos heard stories about Chupa from El Leon when he was growing up. 

He even recalled that whenever his father spoke of Chupa, it was with a reverence and deep respect. 

Carlos also believed that El Leon might have even feared Chupa.

Chupa, whose real name was Guaraci Pedro, was a descendant of the last emperor of native Brazil, Dom Pedro II, known to the people as "The Magnanimous". 

Chupa had a strong belief system regarding respect, as his ancestor did. 

Respect had to be earned, regardless of your lineage.