Damien- the Leader of the Port Mafia

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Chan's POV

I grit my teeth and close my eyes, gasping at the weird tugging sensation that feels as if it's coming from all sides, a strange whooshing sound overwhelming my eardrums as I'm plucked from one place and dragged to another.

I'm completely disoriented in the darkness, and I find myself worrying about my sister, knowing that she's not as used to these little...... misunderstandings as I am.

Celeste, please don't make me have to kill anyone today, so help me.

The prayer is a half hearted attempt to save us from a really long day and a lot of favors to call in.

Finally, I'm spit out of the other side, the silence almost as loud as the roaring darkness, my senses struggling to recover from the quick changes. I blink away the spots in my eyes quickly as I reorient myself and spot my sister kneeling on the ground next to me, a mana gun to her head, but I find no fear in her eyes just determination and worry. She seems to relax when she realizes I'm here with her, and I turn my attention towards the front of the large space, the architecture around us reminding me of Chloe's aunts house, telling me we're still in Revelia.

There's a man at the front of what seems like a dining room, the ceilings stretching towards a roof that has two sky lights in it, placed perfectly between two large chandeliers.

Pretty fancy for a mafia hideout.

Chloe would be impressed.

With my surroundings now studied, I feel myself relax, if only a bit, realizing that we're not trapped entirely, securing at least three back up plans in case its decided they'd rather skip the talking.

The man at the front is facing away from us, sitting at the head of a long table, finishing a meal that seems to be fit for a king, continues on as if we haven't appeared from fucking nowhere and interrupted his fine meal. I keep quiet, and urge my sister to do the same with a pointed look as I take in the man I've been trying to track down for years. The elusive Burning Devil, or the Booegyman as he's more promptly named, recognizable by his striking features.

He has long lushes black hair that falls well below his shoulders, earrings adorned in beautiful rubies as the man leans forward to take another bite of food. His clothes are well tailored and extravagant, and something tells me that this is a very high maintenance and hard man to please.

Damien Jameson.

He was the former next in line to become the right hand man and Commander of Lord Kelvon Brazen of House of Fire. He gave up the title and claimed he would create his own empire one day, refusing to be anyone's play thing or ever be manipulated again.

Not the type I want around my brothel.

I like them easy.

Every movement he makes almost seems calculated. Careful.

Like he's a cougar stalking it's pretty in the trees, waiting for a moment of ignorance, a moment of weakness to prey upon. The feeling is unsettling but I ensure my face reveals nothing, knowing that my every movenement it being watched like a hawk. Even if it's not from Damien, I can feel eyes keeping track of every beat of my heart.

When I look to the right, my blood almost runs cold when I recognize two of the Five Hands of the Port Mafia, the highest ranking officials in the crime organization under the leader himself.

I recognize the Just Hand- Jenesis of Justice, almost immediately,the nickname a sick joke from the stories I've heard of him. He has dark hair that falls into his cat like eyes, runes running all over his body and neck, almost as many piercings adorning his ears and face. But it's not his appearance that causes my apprehension. It's his reputation. The man is not someone that I wanted to cross paths with, much less been caught snooping around for his boss. He alone would be enough to make me worry for my sisters life, not confident that she's been keeping up with the rigorous training that we got drilled into us as children. If it were to come down to it, I'm not sure I would be able to fight him off and protect her at the same time. One of us would definitely get hurt, though maybe we would be able to escape.

But the one who causes me to pause and consider trying to do all I can for a quick attack and escape now, regardless of the chances, is the Calm Hand, who I catch sight of after another quick survey around the room.

Even when I turn back forward, I almost miss him again, but I realize with a start that the entire time I've been here he's been standing only two feet off of Damien's elbow, and even still I almost missed him. The man is bald, as I expected, with a thorned necklace branded around his throat, the perfect form of a fully bloomed lotus at the front center most of the brand. He doesn't try to hide it, and that just confirms just how little people know about the Order of Calla, the man clearly a Monk from the Sacred Mountains, defected as Thomas did from his clan. Though most regard the stories as mere folklore, tales of orphans being dropped off or saved by monks in the mountains that raise these children to become exceptional fighters and teach them the 'true history of the world that they must protect and carry on until the new dawn is upon us' has been carried on throughout the generations. I've only met one once before. Before I ever became the owner of my own brothel.

I watched as an ex Monk who had been caught my Vilin officers and beaten within an inch of his life, took out twenty well trained officers in minutes once he awoken from his forced slumber. I watched in awe as a young man as a half dead man, without weapons or magic put twenty of the strongest warriors in the country in the Healing Institute. It was incredible.

And terrifying.

And to think that a man with that kind of strength is so readily guarding a mere Hybrid that killed and schemed his way to power is a chilling thought indeed. It makes me wonder exactly what kind of power this Damien Jameson has.

I had no idea that any of his Hands were in town, last I had been told, they were separated all over Kaulike, and that one had even traveled to the Alarian Archipelago, though I'm not sure how much weight I would hold on that rumor, especially seeing as the Hand they claimed that went, I'm not even convinced is still alive or even existed in the first place, the stories are so bizarre. Not to mention that no one living has ever seen them and been able to tell the tale about it.

By the time Dameon has finished his meal, I'm sweating so much, my gills open, thinking I've gotten into water.

I look over towards my sister, expecting her to understand the situation we're in and how absolutely fucked we are if we're unable to get out of it. But of course, I ask too high of an order.

Because when I turn, instead I find my sister smiling at the fucking Calm Hand-Khalani, though the man doesn't react at all, his face calm, but blank. Burning Celeste, if my sister doesn't understand how serious we need to be, then we're screwed before we've even had the chance, and there's no way to warn her without tipping off the Hands that watch us like hawks, beads of sweat rolling down my back.

Before I can figure out a way to get us out of this, Damien stands up, turning to face us fully his gaze falling on me immediately before a cheshire grin dawns on his face.

Terror rocks through me, but I do my best to stay calm, trying in vain to slow my racing heart. His eyes are just as terrifying as his reputation, lined in black with cat like pupils, his eyes are a burning red that seem to almost glow in the dimmed lighting. It's as if the power he worlds flashes through his gaze showing you just how helpless one would be if they chose to fight. And while I wouldn't call myself helpless, I certainly don't like the odds of one a half against three of the strongest powerhouses in Kaulike.

No, thanks.

I feel my sister stiffen beside me, malice and sickening curiosity rolling off Dameon in waves as he walks closer, his suit made of the finest silk and clearly tailored. His long dark hair falls fluidly down his back, his elegance overshadowed by the terror he provokes, my body reacting to the power I can feel just feet away. "So," He begins to speak, his voice low and smooth, amused. Deadly. "I heard you were looking for me. Well look no further. What can the Port Mafia do for you?" He asks with a wicked grin that sends a shiver up my spine, Vicky barely breathing beside me.

I swallow, debating on how to move forward, knowing the wrong move could fuck up everything. The Port Mafia is notorious for their violence and for their information network, known for dealing in secrets and information above all else.

I clear my throat and wish deep down that one of my visionary answers would appear, but no dice, leaving me to handle the problem on my own. Good for nothing powers. I take a deep breath before dawning my most charming smile, allowing just a few of my hormones to leak into the air, not enough to tip them off, but just enough to have them more inclined to make things easier for me and my agenda. "You must be Damien. I've heard much about you. My name is Chandler. I own a brothel in the Pleasure District." I introduce myself, but from the sudden intrigued gleam in his eye, I can tell I haven't flown low enough to avoid his radar, dispute my best efforts.

"Ahhh, the famous Divine Spymaster. Quite the name and reputation you've be able to amass. I've been waiting for a chance to meet you, though your spies seem to be too good at their job, seeing as I've never been able to catch one alive to request an audience." He muses, his head cocked to the side as he studies me, pacing back and forth before us. "What can I do for you?"

I ignore the sweat beading at my temple before feigning a smile. "Ahh." Is my response, gears turning as things start to make sense with the wayward confession. I don't dwell on the information though, knowing this isn't the time to drop my guard and get distracted, the Calm Hand standing next to Jenesis, their gaze a heavy weight on my shoulders. "I wanted to see if we could perhaps trade in some information. I've come across some information recently that I thought you could find handy." Absolute bullshit. I wanted to gather as much information as I could as I could find myself a fail safe to fall back on, an insurance policy in case our inevitable meeting went awry. Now I'm realizing many of the stall workers in the market must be in Damien's pay roll.

If they're all over the country, it's no wonder his spy network runs so wide and deep.

Even still, now that I'm caught I need to make sure that Vicky and I are able to get out of this thing with our lives and with some information that will help us find a way to take down Vilin from the inside out.

Destroy the whole fucking system.

Even better if assholes like Dameon go down with them.

"What information could you possibly offer me? My spies dwarf yours in numbers five times over." He scoffs, seemingly offended.

"You may have the numbers." I admit with a shrug. "But I have the quality. And I have information about your father, Commander Finral and the House of Fire." I tell him, thanking my lucky stars that my spy, Devon was able to get me this information before I needed it. I'll have to treat her to something tonight.

If we manage to get out of here.

Damien's eyes flash brightly full of mana, and I tense, worried I upset him, waiting for an attack, but instead he turns on his heels, pacing through the length of the room as tensions only continue to rise.

"Is that so? I supposed it must be the case seeing as you clearly know more of my past than I would care for. What information is it that you seek?" He asks me, as he turns, his eyes narrowing on me intensely.

I swallow thickly. "I need to confirm some rumors about the Port Mafia so I can decide my own course of action." I answer and I watch as he considers my answer, his fingers pressed slightly against his lips as he hums quietly in consideration, his other arm folded around him. It's quiet for a few moments before Damien lets out a laugh that startles the shit out of me, deep and hearty as he snakes his head in mere amusement.

"You have some balls if nothing else, Divine Spymaster. You have a deal. I'm quite curious as to what you'll do with your information and what you have planned. So tell me, what news hails from back home?" He asks casually but I can tell by the tick in his jaw that this bothers him more than he cares to admit. Either that I found out something before him or that I have the knowledge in general.

This is quite the gamble. On the one hand I could be lucking into incredible information, on the other hand, I could be setting myself up for giving up the upper hand and getting myself killed for knowing too much, my sister suffering my fate.

Even still, it's too late now, if I don't answer or give differnt information it'll look like I'm lying or trying to pull one over on Damien. His Hands are already ready to strike, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. But I gather all the courage I have and take the leap of faith, spilling the information I've managed to gather. "There's been information swirling around that the House of Fire is going to be a target in a raid. The intent is to subdue them and use their strength, echoed in their shadows, to fight in a battle on their behalf. I haven't been able to determine who will be the attackers or when, but my spies indicate it'll be within the next two weeks. I don't know how much you know about the spread of possessions and shadow attacks that have been rising in Kaulike, but they're able to create a minion of of your own shadow and use another's or one made from pure darkness to possess our bodies and do their biding without control or little awareness. It's a Hell onto itself and it will descend on your home and families."

While he does a decent job at keeping his face blank, his eyes are a raging fire, his fists balled in anger and remorse, though his voice is as empty as darkness as he answers me.

"The information you seek?" His voice and eyes seem blank and I notice his Hands leave the room before moments later orders are being barked by Jensis surely towards the Mafia members that liter the hideout. They must be preparing to go to House of Fire's aid though I don't know how they expect to transport their leader through Vilin and Capital territory to reach his home, though he could just go straight through the Star Mountains and emerge on the other side of Revelia's northern border into House of Water's territory, making his way northwest from their.

Though it's not my problem, just information thag could serve useful in the future.

Knowing this is another risk, expecting Damien to offer information about his Magia so easily, I still give it a shot, explaining what information I've after.

"Are you the ones that have been supplying weapons, supplies and cover ups for Ameden and Indrid and their planned uprising? And is it true you're the reason there's been Shadows running wild?" I ask, getting straight to the point and I watch as his head swivels towards me in surprise and just the slightest hint of anger, though intrigued is what I see most in his red cat like eyes that narrow im on me.

"Yours spies are admirable indeed." He says through gritted teeth. "Let's say owe no allegiance to Vilin or the rest of Kaulike. I chose my own bonds to honor. Revelia's easy pickings when a blind eye is turned. " He answers before motioning behind me where I find the Calm hand behind me. Before I can answer or even blink, Damone nods to his officer, and the next think I know , I'm being tossed into darkness again, tangible and unreachable all at once.

With a shock and a fear that I've only felt one more in my life, I tumble out into the most familiar place in my life, the Brothel, my sister coming flying through the shadows of my office next to me, landing on her ass with a pout.

My head is spinning from all that happened and I'm thankful for my sister's temporary silence.

There's a lot more going on that Damien was inclined to share. And he just let me know that he knows exactly where I am. And I have a feeling that if I continue to gather information rhe way I am, I will remain a target of his.

It's not like I didn't know what I was signing on to when I started.

Though that doesn't help calm my heart any better, knowing that the Calm Hand along with his boss and comrades can just appear in my house and business at any moment.

Unease racks my stomach.

"Chan I think I want to go home now. I'm tired." Vicky days and I sigh before striding over to where she still sits on the floor in shock. I give her a hug, resting my head on top of her before calling Devon into the room with a quick text.

After making sure she's okay a million times, I finally send Vicky home with the Enchanted, demanding she stay there and guard my sister and her Soulmate until morning, unsure if they know of her as well.

Not what I expected today.

And now, I know exactly where I need to send Chloe and Thomas next. I have a feeling thin scare going to get a lot more complicated very quickly.

I can only hope that we're prepared.

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This scene sets up the beginning of forbidden. Whew that gave me a headache but I'm happy with the result! I finally finish the extra! I love Chan such an icon. First impressions of Damien?

Thoughts?

Comments?

QOTD: favorite pokémon?