Reality As She Knows It

Chapter 18: A visit to an old friend

This may get boring for some who's waiting for more Ayako-Eiji moments but this is neccessary so please bear with me >.<

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            Katsu crouched low, the men of Red Lions staying undetected behind him. He had prepared for this battle but still he had that heavy feeling on his chest. He was after all about to kill the man who used to be his best friend.

            But I need to do this.

            They were at the middle of the forest, a few feet away from Kang Dae's vacation house. Eiji had informed him of that place. It's been a week since then and there had been a few more attacks towards Ayako but with Eiji and even some of the Crescent Curse protecting her, Katsu was assured that she was safe.

            Kang Dae shouldn't have threatened his daughter. That drew the line to his patience.

            Not a moment too soon, Kang Dae appeared on the doorway of the two-storey house.

            Katsu signaled to his men who silently moved in and attacked. They caught Kang Dae's goons off guard but they quickly recovered, shooting the Red Lions with their guns. Katsu left the site because he knew his men could handle the fight well.

            His battle was with Kang Dae.

            He ran towards the house where he saw Kang Dae retreat. Kang Dae's men tried to stop him but they were instantly silenced by his katana, their hands not even able to touch the trigger on their guns before they were killed.

            When Katsu slammed open the door of a room heavily guarded by men, he saw Kang Dae sitting comfortably on the office table.

            “I've never really understood why they prefer guns. It's so artless. But they seem to think they stand a better chance with it than with a sword. Foolish thinking, if you ask me.” Kang Dae's voice held amusement.

            Katsu was saddened by what he saw. Or rather, what he didn't see. On the surface, Kang Dae looked like the way he was years ago, only older. But gone was the sincere light on his friend's eyes. It was a replaced by a detached, insane look. He wasn't the friend he used to know anymore. He was a blood-thirsty monster.

            “What happened to you, Kang Dae?”

            “My name is not Kang Dae!” he said hysterically.

            “Yes, you are. You can't deny it to yourself,” Katsu said, advancing.