BLACK STORM: The Abandoned Son

Chapter 0: Dead End

Rain... the sound of rain fills the streets of the coastal city Exln, but that wasn't unusual, a sound so omnipresent that it often faded into the background. Vatn truly is the world of rain such as Niflheim is the world of ice. Exln, the shining City of this nation. It's a beacon, her only equal is her twin sister who resides in the Southlands. The city had towering skyscrapers and plazas carved from marble. Her citizens fear not the relentless deluge because she provides boundless shelter. In the commerce district, many of the nation's wealthiest corporations stationed their headquarters there. In the city center, the church erects its cathedrals.  The city's sons and daughters were prosperous, but the city was a bad mother. Many of her children were left wanting. 

"Spare change?", a beggar cries out.

"Honey look at this wretch little thing, so unsightly.", a woman nearly walks past him but stops.

There's a man next to her, "You're right. Tell you what, you want some change? Have this."

The man proceeds to toss half a dozen square coins at the man's face. The coins seem to have their edges sharpened to a point; the sharp metal pierces the beggar's skin as he yells in pain. The couple walks off laughing.

The drainage system is an engineering marvel, but it was never able to drain away crime and intrigue. Men in blue rain jackets roam the city, the word 'Terror' printed across their backs. They are ready for a fight; their guns and ballistic vest say as much. The citizen looks at them with both fear and admiration. There are hundreds of them skulking around the streets at this very moment.  Are they peacekeepers maybe? They don't seem to carry themselves with the demeanour of a government employee, so they're just hired guns then, shameless corporate thugs. 

At night the city almost seems to stand still, the streets are almost empty because it's too dangerous for the average citizen. What a shame, the skyline is just too beautiful at night for no one to be there to observe it. The many gangs of Exln sure think so as they roam the streets victimizing any poor soul still on the street.

"Hey, you over there! Where do you think you're goin'... you can't cross our turf without paying first.", a gang of hooligans yell.

"No please, I have a family!", a man cowers in fear.

Stray cats roam the many alleyways, the discarded pets of spoiled affluent brats. Frankly, those brats should have just starved those cats to death, it would have been a mercy compared to having to live on the streets of this city. Nighttime is the best time for them to scavenge. Take this orange cat here, he digs in the dumpster. He finds a fish skeleton. He seems excited, this is his first meal in a week after all. It's easy to pity him, but don't, your pity does him no favours. 

Danger waits at every corner. A man runs across the street, holding a loaded gun in one hand. He haphazardly fires it at a man's head. But the man simply jerks his head to the side, he avoided the bullet. His reaction speed was unbelievably fast, and he was attacked from behind, nonetheless. The attacker is horrified, he runs off into the night, but the man returns fire and shoots him in the toe. The attacker is left bleeding on the ground.

"Fool, he should know better.", a bystander says.

This man seems to be no ordinary human, but who is he? His uniform sports a familiar design. He works for Terror, there are two of them, they walk into an alleyway. One man looks younger than the other. They met up with another one of their own. 

"Ben, what are you doing? The commander will be here anytime soon.", one of the men says as he walks into the alley.

"No way man, it's your turn to take the rookie.", he replies, while pointing at the younger man.