The Dark Path : The Start of Darkness, The Beginning of True Struggles

Chapter Two

- Chapter Two -

The sound of crickets filled the quiet night in a small rural village somewhere in Japan.

Most residents of the village had already returned to their homes, enjoying dinner and the company of their family members. Chatter and laughter could be heard from the homes, giving a homely feel to any who might happen to hear them.

A calm wind blew the trees in the village about causing them to look like they were dancing to the music of the crickets. The cherry blossoms trees were the most majestic trees of all the trees in the village as they danced. There weren’t many blossom trees in the village however, as they were only found to be situated near a small restaurant that lay in the heart of the village.

From the entrance of the restaurant, the bright lights of a car’s headlights could be seen. The rumble of the engine ended the crickets’ cheerful melody, scaring them into silence.

A few of the villagers looked out from their homes as the car passed by the front of their houses. Not a word was uttered by the villagers as the car passed, the silence hiding the fear in their hearts.

The car came to a stop in front of the small restaurant with the cherry blossom trees surrounding it.

The headlights dimmed and the engine became silent as it was switched off.

A man of average height stepped out of the driver’s door while another man of similar build came out of the passenger’s door.

Not a word was uttered between them as they made their way to the front door of the entrance. A lamp hanging overhead was the only source of light illuminating the front door.

One of the men slide the door open and neither of them bothered to wipe their feet as they entered because they couldn’t be bothered.

Looking inside, the two men found most of the chairs had been neatly arranged due to the fact that the owners were planning to close the establishment for the night. Only one table still had its chairs in disorder. At the table sat a young school aged boy who was finishing his noodles.

Upon seeing the two men, the boy stopped eating and looked at the two men.

“Oh, Silver Mantis and Reborn Blade…I didn’t expect you to come this late. We were planning to close the establishment for the night once I am done with meal.”

One of the men stepped closer to the boy. “We can come anytime we like, Keiji. You know very well why we are here so don’t waste your time asking me any stupid questions.”

Keiji gulped as he started to sweat. “Well, you see…we don’t have enough money to pay you right now…”

The man slammed his fist on the table. “What! That is not the answer I was expecting to hear! When the boss gets wind of this…”

The other man placed a hand on his associate’s shoulder. “Let me handle this, Reborn Blade.”

Silver Mantis looked at Keiji with cold, expressionless eyes. Keiji could feel as though his very soul was being stared at by the man.

“Keiji, you had already postponed the payments of the last few months. Now, the boss is an understanding man and he knows about your situation but everyone has a limit to their patience. Unfortunately for you, his limit has already been reached. You know very well what would happen if the boss does not get what he wants.”

As they were talking, a young woman in her middle 20s wearing a yukata appeared from behind one of the doors. As soon as she saw the two men, her eyes immediately narrowed.