Souls of the Fallen

Not Alone

You can guess who that fella is. He isn't the formal type of gang leader. That means no suit and tie, no manners, no peons catering to his every step. He turns away from Akira and beckons Hendrix to him. The chef scowls but approaches the criminal. Reno turns around to see what has grabbed Akira's attention. He fails to notice anything out of the ordinary and turns back. "Everything okay, Akira?"

She slowly lowers her gaze to the table she's absentmindedly tapping. Her nerves are obviously getting the best of her. "Yeah... What's your question?"

"It's about the couple that found you and left you in Hendrix's care. Do you remember anything about them?" Reno asks.

"They saved my life. I was lost and a goon from one of the local gangs saw my Eo- fancy clothes. I guess he figured I had money." Akira averts her eye towards the window to try to hide her slip up.

Reno smiles. "Your secret isn't much of a secret to us, Akira."

She looks at him in shock. "What secret?"

"You're an Eon," Riku says. "Hendrix told us."

"Well... Guess I'll continue my story as normal then. Stupid, Hendrix..." she mumbles. "Actually there's not much else to say. I spent my days with them while they were stationed here and once their time was up they gave me to Mr. Looselips over there."

"When they left, did they give you anything or tell you that they'd be back?" Reno asks.

"They didn't say they'd return for me but Mrs. Regina did give me a strand of fabric that she used to wrap her hair with." She lifts her left wrist to show a red ribbon similar to the one around Reno's arm. "I don't wear my hair up because of this," she points at the hair that covers the right side of her face.

"Why do you hide it?" Riku asks.

"It's not normal and some customers consider it gross. So, to not bother anyone, I just try to keep it covered. It's not like it's contagious or anything but people still worry."

"I think we're talking about two different things here," Riku says. "You're worried about your skin condition, but I was referring to your Eon shard."

Akira looks at the younger member of the group. "You wanna see this mess?"

"Only if you're comfortable showing it. I'm sure you're beautiful on both sides of your face. It's how we are made." She lightens her mood a little. Reno reaches across the table and leaves his hand open. "Can I compare your ribbon to mine? I promise to return it."

"How did you get one?" Akira places her wrist above Reno's hand.

He carefully unties the fabric. "Mrs. Regina is my mom. She always had one of these ribbons at the ready. I guess she used them as her calling card." Reno unties his ribbon and holds them together.

"Looks the same to me," Lucas says while looking into Reno's palm. "Does that give you any leads?"

"No... but it gives me something to keep an eye out for." Reno reaches for Akira's hand again and she complies. He carefully ties it back in place in an elegant knot that his mother taught him. As he finishes, the fellow at the bar slides his plate away slightly. He stands to his feet and pats his clothes clean of crumbs.

Akira watches him closely once again. He casually stretches as if he had been there a long time. After his flair, he turns to face the table where the target of his attention sits.

"Akira! You're looking gorgeous as always!" Pontus says while walking in her direction. "I heard it's been a busy day here."

"Your goons came by looking for trouble earlier. That's about it..."

"Oh, really? Were they misbehaving again? Just wait until I get back to the garage. I'll give them a piece of my mind for messing with my favorite girl."

Reno slowly turns his head to the gangster. Riku glares at the guy and Lucas watches him carefully as well. He kneels down next to Akira and ignores the stares from the others. "Can we help you, my dude?" Reno asks.

Pontus looks at Reno for a second then turns back to Akira. "Who is this loser? Someone Hendrix found to make me jealous?"

"What do you want, Pontus?" Akira asks, getting fed up with his games.

"You know what I want, chick. Are you coming with me or do I have to fuck this place up?" His face maintains its calm appearance. His confidence flows from his words and demeanor. "I don't plan on leaving empty handed today."

"You picked a bad day for this, Pontus," Reno says.

"Who the fuck are you? Do you know who you are talking to?" Pontus stands to his feet and faces Reno.

"Oh, shit! Time to have fun!" Riku says as he stands up on the seat of the booth. Pontus gets closer to Reno. The older of the brothers adjusts his glasses without a word. "We should take this outside though, Reno... I don't want to mess this place up."

"Get up, lil bitch," Pontus says, towering over Reno. "Imma show you why you should keep your mouth closed."

Reno laughs. "Is this kid serious?" he asks Lucas. Reno holds his glasses as he flicks his hair out of his face. He bumps Pontus as he stands to look him in the eyes. "Let's go outside. The people here don't need to be involved."

Pontus frowns. He swiftly grabs Reno's glass of water and flicks it in his direction. Nothing happens. Pontus looks back at the glass he's holding. The water is frozen in the cup. He tilts his head in confusion. Reno's eye's flare blue as he turns away from the gang leader. Pontus reaches for the utensils on the table but he's unable to lift any of them. Riku whistles to get his attention. Pontus looks up to him to notice Riku waving a finger and shaking his head at him. "That's not playing fair, buddy. Meet my bro outside."

"I ain't got time to play around!" He shatters the glass and the ice inside of it. Akira flinches as the shrapnel scatters on the table. The ice separates as it lifts from the table from Pontus' control. Reno looks back at the table after hearing the glass shatter. He is met by shards of ice propelling towards his face. The speed of the projectiles would allow Reno to dodge but it would be at the cost of the patrons behind him, but Reno presents his back to the attack instead. His back is soaked in water as Akira reaches in his direction. Pontus realizes her assistance and he backhands her. "You work for me!"

Akira slumps into the booth near Riku's feet. He squats down and covers her. Lucas vaults forward after seeing the attack on Akira. As he dives over the table at Pontus, the gangster lifts two fingers vertically. Lucas is intercepted by a frozen fist made of lemonade to the jaw. He flops on the table and tumbles to the seat below. Riku looks at his empty glass of lemonade that has two ice cubes in it. He swats it over while watching Pontus closely.

Reno suddenly crashes into Pontus. They fall into a booth with an elderly couple. The old man scoots to the wall as the woman tries her best to escape the scuffle. Reno lands a good punch to Pontus' face while holding him down by the neck. He draws his fist back again but Pontus kicks him off. Reno crashes into the counter that displays pastries. The glass breaks and Riku screams, "The cakes! No!"

Reno struggles to get up. Pontus tilts the booth's table towards Reno. As it falls in his direction, Riku stops it. He thrusts his arm towards Pontus causing the table to slide in his direction. Pontus dives to the floor and lands next to Reno. Reno attempts to kick him but he rolls. They both find their way to their feet and set up their stances. Pontus' fist are positioned before his face as he slouches slightly. Reno place one palm before the other and brings one foot back.

"You're on some martial arts shit..." Pontus says while catching his breath.

"Something like that," Reno responds. "Now's the time when I offer you to leave this place with your life."

"Are you high, mother fucker? I'm not the one dying today! I'm playing nice... for now."

"I recommend you leave," Reno says sternly. "I don't want to have to play justice here."

Pontus lowers his hands and stands upright. He tilts his head as he looks at Reno with disgust. Reno lowers his guard. Pontus whips his hand behind his back and aims his pistol at Reno. Without hesitation, he fires. The diner is filled with screams and gasps.

The bullet spins in a pale, glacial hand before Reno's chest. It continues to twirl like a top until it falls to the floor. Snow falls from the large intertwined dreadlocks of a spirit drapped over Reno's left shoulder. She lowers her hand. It crackles and sparkles with diamond dust. Reno opens his eyes. He sees the snow falling by his side but not quite reaching the floor. He looks over his shoulder at the spirit that has protected him. She makes eye contact with him for a moment before closing her eyes and fading away.

Reno thinks back to the words Neve whisper after tampering with his shard. "'Don't fear her' she said..." he mumbles to himself.