ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 1

FOUR YEARS after the name Midnight Velasquez had been erased and became nothing. The owner of that name opened his eyes. Darkness welcomed his sight. Accustomed to the darkness, he got up from the bed to start his day. Following his routine, he freshened up, changed into his running clothes, and step out from his bedroom to run before the sun peeked in the sky.

After his ten kilometers run, he returned and went straight to the gym to lift weights. An hour later, he went home and made himself breakfast according to his dietary requirements tailored to follow his older brother's body weight and build.

He must be a perfect double. Even a minor flaw was unacceptable because he couldn't afford it.

Finishing his morning routine, he went downstairs carrying his laptop and walked towards the nearest coffee shop from his apartment.

He nodded at the woman behind the counter and ordered a regular coffee and a veggie panini

"Name?"

Without a second thought, he answered, "Knight." He then walked over to a vacant table, opened his laptop, and began doing his task.

The laboratory gave him a tasked to learn different languages. It started two years ago when the laboratory suddenly stopped experimenting on him and even let him live on his own as he wished.

A false sense of freedom.

That was the reason he was in Scranton, Pennsylvania. A faraway place from that abysmal house. However, even though he was thousands of miles away from that hellhole, one call from his father would all it take to drag him back.

And to Midnight, whose mind had been twisted and trained since childhood, his father's words were absolute. 'No' was not in the option and definitely not an answer.

Being away from that house did not make any difference. No matter how far he went, the tightly locked shackle around his neck rendered this so-called freedom useless. He might be able to breathe in the distance, but that did not mean he was living.

From an early age, he came to the realization that he was merely existing, not truly living. Because that was what he was instructed to do.

Although it was a wretched way of life, he willingly embraced it for the sake of his only family. Ready to descend into the abyss - even if it meant becoming a nobody, forgotten by the passage of time.

"Order for Knight!"

When he heard that name, he casually got up to pick up his order, then he silently went back to his table, put back his earphone and continued his Thai language lesson.

Listening to the Thai speech, he picked up his cup of coffee and took a small sip, unconsciously glancing outside the coffee shop's glass wall.

This part of the city was quiet at this hour. Only a handful of people were walking in the pedestrian lane and a few cars were passing by. And amidst this peaceful atmosphere, he saw a girl running. As if she was afraid for her life. One look and anyone would know something was amiss.

But Midnight withdrew his gaze and continued sipping his coffee and listening to the Thai speech as if he saw nothing.

While most people would be concerned or slightly curious, he felt no emotional response and proceeded with his daily routine.

When it was time to go home, he closed his laptop, left the coffee shop, and then went back to his dark apartment. It's not because the lights were not working, he just did not like brightly lit rooms. He preferred being surrounded by darkness—it makes him feel safe.

Before he could put down his laptop on the table, he received a message from his father.

'Find out everything you can about North America and make connections. There will be an Orgánosi's boss selection next year. Don't be useless or your brother will know of your incompetence.'

A task and a threat. He was used to it.

A continental boss? Just like big brother? He really couldn't care less, but his father's words were absolute, so he replied with full obedience.

'Yes, father.'

After sending his reply, he contacted a few people in his contact to start an extensive investigation throughout the whole of North America. These were the independent people he had met while working as a freelance member of the Orgánosi. But most of the time, his missions was given to him by his father.

When Orgánosi was first introduced to him by his father, he was barely ten years old. His young mind could not comprehend the extensive network it had and how it operated all over the world.

As he grew old, he gradually understood what the Orgánosi was.

The organization was comprised of individuals who possessed an unwavering commitment to justice. These passionate individuals dedicated their lives to protecting the world's most vulnerable population. It's an organization that was fighting a losing battle against the Triad.

The toll of the long and exhausting war was evident in the mountain of casualties that had accumulated from both sides. And it's still ongoing, with no end in sight.

And leading these people driven by a strong sense of justice was his father—a man whose evil nature stood in direct opposition to the organization's mission.

What a joke, really.

But who was he to pass judgment on his father? He was no better. For a lab rat like him, who was experimented on to become a perfect killer, calling him a monster was an understatement.

And he was a monster. Just as he was made to be—with an inability to feel remorse, guilt, concern, pity, and other useless emotion that make human a human. His lack of emotion made him an almost perfect killer—almost a monster.

Why almost?

Because of his big brother—the only light in his life. As long as he had his older brother, he wouldn't be an absolute monster. Right?

Uncertainty and fear of the truth gnawed on him, but he immediately squashed it.

Midnight was about to put his phone down and continue his lesson when his phone beeped.

It was a message from his big brother.

Instantly, a smile blossomed on his face. His non-existent emotion fluctuated and stirred.

Big brother: I'm going back to the house next week. Where are you? Have you been well?

Just a simple inquiry about his wellbeing was all it took to bring a smile to Midnight's face.

He replied: I'm on vacation.

Well, it's not a lie. He was indeed given a vacation by the laboratory head.

Big brother: Where? I'll come and get you.

He replied: No need. I'm close by. I'll go back to the house as well.

He had no plans to go back unless he was summoned, but to see his brother, he would willingly go back to that hellhole.

Big brother: Alright. Val is having a cursing fit again. I have to go. Bye! See you in a week.

Their conversation ended, but Midnight's eyes were trained on the name Val in his big brother's message.

He knew Val. He was one of his big brother's many friends. And he was also one of the people he disliked.

His dislike was born from his jealousy. He was clearly the closest family to his brother, but why could he not be by his side like those people?

His twisted mind could conjure up countless reasons, and all of them came from his deeply rooted doubt toward his older brother.

Exhaling loudly, Midnight suppressed his thoughts and focused his mind to his Thai lesson the whole afternoon.

When it was time to sleep, before going to bed, he stood up in front of the mirror and told the 'him' in the mirror, "You are Knight Velasquez. You are Knight Velasquez. You are Knight Velasquez." For almost an hour, he spoke these words to himself in the mirror, the sound of his voice echoing in the empty room, as he fought to maintain the facade and ensure his mask never falls off.

The mask known as Knight Velasquez.

Night passed, and another day rose. The same routine all over again. However, at noon, his routine was interrupted by a shrill from the alley he was passing by.

The shrill sounded like a battle cry that it made him stop on his track.

It was the sound people make when they're in a very desperate situation and ready to fight to death. And he had heard that same sound from himself when he was eight years old—the first time he experienced the words kill or be killed.

Attracted by the sound, he stepped into the alley. As his steps deepened, he gradually saw the scene hidden in the dim alley.

A young girl was being dragged and beaten. But the young girl would not go down without a fight. Even though she didn't know how to fight properly to protect herself, she struggled fiercely. Using every ounce of her meager strength to survive.

The struggling young girl's gaze swept over Midnight and when she saw those cold, emotionless eyes, the words 'help me' that were about to come out of her mouth were stuck in her throat. It was as if the man was there to watch and nothing else. Forget helping her. She would be thankful if he did not hurt her.

"Who the fuck are you?!" One of the men surrounding the woman spat those words when he saw Midnight just standing there, emotionlessly watching the entire scene.

Midnight heed him no mind. His eyes were trained on the girl, who was still struggling to survive.

Somehow, her struggle reminded him of his mother. His mother would always struggle fiercely whenever his father would drag her away. But however much she struggled, his mother never asked for help. Never.

He couldn't do anything to save his mother at the age of four, but it was different now. No longer was he that weak and helpless boy. He was now a man-made monster.

"I won't ask again! Who the fuck are you?!"

The man was ignored once again. Midnight's eyes were focused on the young girl, still fiercely fighting for her life.

The young girl was filled with dread and anger when the man who was just watching the whole scene took a step forward. His whole demeanor screams danger, and his every step sends a shiver down her spine.

She knew this man was more dangerous than these bastards who dragged her to this alley. Her instinct was shouting at her to run—to escape.

I have to get away! I will not go down without a fight!

Between her struggle, she witnessed how the man easily dodged a punch and a knife, and single-handedly dispose the two attackers with ease.

Finally, the men released their grip on her and turned their attention towards the man, leaving her momentarily free from their grasp, but she found herself paralyzed with fear, unable to flee and make a desperate escape. The sight left her stunned as she watched the man effortlessly overpower the four bastards, without even breaking a sweat.

She was rooted in place. However much she screamed at herself in her head, she couldn't move her body. She was paralyzed with dread that she couldn't even open her trembling mouth to speak.

And then she watched the man walked over to her and stop in front of her. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when he crouched down and reach out his hand.

I'm done. She thought. I'm sorry, daddy. I shouldn't have been angry and run away—

Her thoughts halted and her dread turned to bewilderment when the man crouched down in front of her, picked up her phone on the ground and silently handed it to her as if telling her to call for help.

Huh?

Her face contorted with confusion, but Midnight remained silent, offering no explanation. He just waited patiently for her to accept the phone, and as soon as she did, he turned and left without uttering a single word.

After he walked out of the alley, Midnight continued his day like nothing happened. And the young girl in the alley was forgotten by him until a few days later.

A middle-aged man came to his apartment, claiming to be the young girl's father.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Dominick Quinn, the father of the girl you saved in the alley. I came here to thank you."

"No need," Midnight replied coldly.

But Dominick smiled. "That won't do. Please, let me thank you."

"No need." Midnight repeated.

"Please. It won't take long." Dominick still did not give up even though the young man in front of him was literally exuding a 'get away from me' air. His smile even widened. "Come on. It's going to be worth your while—"

"No—"

"—Knight."

Midnight curled his hands, ready to kill at any moment.

"Knight Velasquez, right? Kelleon's boy?"

Midnight remained silent, but vigilant. His face remained expressionless on the outside, but he was already calculating and planning in his mind—who this man was, what did he want, how to kill, etc.

One wrong move and he would kill this man in front of him.

"Come on. I just want to talk a bit," Said Dominick, making himself look as innocent as possible.

Midnight looked past Dominick before returning his eyes to the grinning man in front of him.

This man, who appeared to be alone and harmless, seems to know his father well. However, Midnight knew that this man was neither harmless nor alone. There were two people in hiding, ready to take him down the moment he makes a move. And by the looks of it, these people were no ordinary civilian.

Should I risk it?

While contemplating, Midnight's expression remained cold.

That uninterested and cold look was really challenging Dominick's thick-skinned, but he did not want to leave without talking to this boy who saved his beloved princess. Not after he learned that this was Kelleon's son.

Maybe if Dominick hadn't seen this young man in person, he would have stepped back. But after seeing those eyes, he got curious.

"If you think I'm suspicious, which I am not, we can talk in a more public setting. I'm harmless. I promise. How about it?" Dominick suggested, lessening the boy's wariness.

Midnight replied in a bored manner. "It's not like you can't do anything to me in public."

Dominick raised his hands in surrender. What a stubborn young man. "Fine. You pick the place."

Hearing that, Midnight pushed the door to open wide. "Come on in then. Only you." He glanced behind Mister-I'm-harmless before turning around. "I don't trust you and your people outside."

Dominick smiled as he stepped inside. He was impressed. To actually see through that he was not alone, it seems that this young man had been properly trained.

After Dominick entered and the door closed, Midnight silently gestured to the sofa before taking a seat for himself.

Dominick was thick skinned and immediately made himself at home. "Young man, I'm here to say thank you for saving my daughter."

"You're welcome. If that is all, you can leave now, then."

Dominick stared at the young man in disbelief before shaking his head. "I feel unwelcomed."

"You are. Please." Midnight then gestured his hand to the door. He really wanted nothing to do with this person. His instinct was telling him that this man was trouble.

Dominick swore that his thick skin was suffering. If this continues, that goddamn Von Per would gloat and nag for sure. "I'm not leaving yet! I have more to say to you."

Midnight remained unperturbed. "Then say it."

Dominick sighed and explained the other reason he was here. "Young man, I know you're the continental boss of Asia and I know that you also know who I am. I have a little favor to ask. Don't worry, it's not dangerous or anything. It's just that I don't want this conversation to reach your father or anyone else. Would that be possible?"

Instantly, Midnight's mind rejected it. He was raised to be obedient to his father, to think that his father's words were absolute and that every information he knew must be disclosed to his father. Every fiber of his being was wired and twisted to be a loyal monster to Kelleon.

Midnight nodded, seemingly agreeing to Dominick's request, but at the back of his mind, he was already planning to tell his father whatever this man requested of him and ask how he would proceed.

Dominick, who believed that this was Knight, and that Knight knew him and his daughter since they were both in the Orgànosi, breathed in relief. "Don't worry, no one knows I came here. I'm in hiding, after all. But since you saw my daughter and saved her, please do me a favor and not tell anyone our location. It would mean a lot." His daughter's health still needs to be monitored and they couldn't just move around.

"I won't disclose your location." Midnight easily declared and then added. "If that is all," he motioned to the door. "I still have a lot of things to do."

Dominick was thick skinned, but after being rejected countless times today, his skin had become thin. So, he nodded, thank the young man again and left.

Von Per and Vent immediately joined him when he was already in a safe distance from the apartment.

"So, how's the talk?" Von Per asked.

Dominick stopped on his track and all the warm traces in his expression disappeared. "There's something off with him."

Vent frowned. "What do you mean?"

"He—" Dominick recalled those inhuman eyes. "He's like a soulless person. Like a machine—a robot."

Von Per's eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Dominick took a deep breath. "Nothing. Anyway, he agreed to keep our location a secret, but I don't trust those eyes. Prepare to move as soon as possible."

"Alright." Von Per.

"Copy." Vent.

They left the apartment building at the same time Midnight called his father.

CECELIB | C.C.

A/N: The chapters with the title ANTECEDENT are all about Midnight's past (up to his death in Knight's story). After that, papasok na ang PRESENT CHAPTERS. Para sa mga nagtatanong, Tagolog-English po ang story na 'to. Pero sa earlier chapter, half ng ANTECEDENT chapters ay English. 

I was thinking na flashback sana 'yong past ni Midnight, but I think it would be a disservice to him and his past. Anyway, hope you enjoy it. 

Happy Reading!