Grand Showdown

Volume 3: Fire, cast my freedom avant-garde

[Chapter 15]: North Pylon

The Island of Crescente was always known for its fascinating artificial archipelago formations and "divided yet united" communities. Society itself had developed a unique hierarchy that contributed to the huge economic growth and had continued to thrive ever since humanity had discovered a revolutionary method to reduce and reuse toxic waste as both stabilizers and fertilizers on their large-scale machines. But within the outskirts of Northern Crescente, a desolate land, lived a wealthy family on a villa high above the mountains that relied on traditional practices to secure their prosperity; The Helias, despite their extreme wealth, their reputation is next to none and kept a low profile among the citizens. They tend to avoid media and rejects journalists that would cover on their lifestyle. They refused to be a part of society's interests, for reasons unknown.

Mari Helia, the youngest of the three siblings followed by her older brothers, Cyrus and Tyrone. Mari bore a reserved personality resulting in her sibling's methods of upbringing, Cyrus was calm yet strict, while Tyrone was short-tempered and candid, yet both of them were equally responsible. Their parents were famous entrepreneurs that worked abroad with having little to no time to spare for their children, therefore only Mari and her brothers were the only people that lived inside the huge, empty villa. They had maids and butlers in the past but shortly quit after countless cases of being mistreated and abused by the brothers that corrected their non-professional behavior at their services. Cyrus and Tyrone had no choice but to take care and set examples for Mari for when she grows up. At that time, she was only nine while both Cyrus and Tyrone were already in their twenties.

Mari secretly suffered from the complex standards of her brothers, both of them aimed high from the start and expected too much regarding Mari's academic excellence since she was homeschooled by none other than Cyrus. Twelve hours of severe tutor every single day. By the time Mari was thirteen, her brothers enrolled her to a bonafide private academy. She developed new emotions as she saw new people around her age. However, her brothers disapproved, Tyrone intentionally pressured any student who dared approach Mari the moment she was dropped off at the university entrance with his intimidating face and sharp figure. Mari had to walk to her class all by herself while other students kept their distance. She had never opened her mouth nor spoke inside the university, yet everyone were fine with it. After all, she was a Helia, one of the infamous and fearsome families in the entire Northern Crescente. Though Mari couldn't defy their decisions, she simply believed it was the best for her and nodded to all their demands without the idea that she was being manipulated.

On a Monday morning, Mari, Cyrus, and Tyrone all woke up early to get dressed, it only took half an hour before the three left the villa. Cyrus owned a Dodge Hellcat, though Tyrone drove it most of the time, in caution to his brother's instinct to drive at high speeds. Tyrone followed a specific road path that efficiently led to Cyrus' workplace followed by Mari's school. After Cyrus left, Mari switched to the passenger seat. After ten minutes, she was dropped off at the university entrance.

"I have a busy schedule so I'll pick you up at four. You better be here," Tyrone warned Mari as she left the car. "and don't talk to those kids, they'll corrupt your mind."

"Sure, have a nice day.." Mari walked mindlessly towards the university hall.

"Cy?" Tyrone picked up the phone the moment it rang, "Yes, I didn't forget, I'm all alone in the car now. Don't worry, there's plenty of time, see you soon."

Tyrone hung up and floored the gas when Mari was out of his sight. The car's engine roared as he cruised through the highway towards Cyrus' workplace. They had a secret rendezvous that involved "taking out the trash".