(Aquatic Academy)

Aiden(Chief in Commander of Aquatic Country)- We have finally got the whereabouts. He is in the country!! Are you 100% up for this mission??

Carson (to aiden)- Absolutely!! Anything for the country!! No, anything for the world!! We may never get an opportunity like this again to catch him. You also know that he has already caused enough losses till now. Leaving him is not an option at all. That man must be killed!! This is the only way to make up for all the losses!!

Aiden(with a dejected look)- You are right about that.

****

(Cafe, Dragon Country)

Ginto(while taking a sip of coffee)- Ah! Before I forget, there is something you should know. Back when I was at our base, a long-pending decision was finally taken by the boss. "He is thrown out of the dushyanta."

Chronos(with a shocked face)- About damn time!! No wonder there was a ruckus going around in the Aquatic Country! Glad to know that boss's eyes finally opened!!

****

(Lord of the Fries Restaurant, Dragon Country)

Tegan- What's the state of Aquatic Country?? Are things settling down over there??

Nyx(with a disappointed look)- Regretfully, it isn't. The whole country is in panic mode. Many people have already lost their lives.

Tegan- I see... I will pray to God, Dragon, that it gets better.

****

Narrator- While Livon, Raiden, Hinaka, and Ayumi were at the Dragon Country competing to win the "Carnival", their home country, Aquatic, and its soldiers were up against one of the most feared men in the entire world, right alongside the Leader of Dushyanta, "Chrollo", the man touted as the "Reincarnation of the Devil", "X.".

X, whose real name, face, and shakti element to this day remain a mystery, is a serial killer who famously has killed a lot of "Elite Soldiers" of all the countries, thus giving him the other nickname, "Elite Soldier Killer.".

X has found his way to the Aquatic Country, where he plans to extend his evil clutches, and now the Aquatic Country Elite Soldiers must fight together to kill him.

(TV Set)

Journalist 1- Have we entered the dark age? This is the question on everybody's mind right now, considering how a single man has terrorized an entire country!!

Journalist 2- Today we have been joined by the Leader of Enforcers, a former Elite Soldier, Nyx!!

Nyx(with a smile)- Happy to be here♡

Journalist 1- Tell me, Ms. Nyx, do you really think that there is any way that we could stop X?? We don't know his real name, his face, or his shakti element; we know nothing!! Do you still stand a chance against him??

Nyx- Trust in the Aquatic Country!! I am sure we will prevail!!

Journalist 2- I am sorry, but the time for trusting is long gone!! Just yesterday, a female dead body was found behind a corporate building, and it also had an X mark on its face. The people of this country deserve a proper answer!! All our lives are at stake; anyone could be killed on any given day!!

Nyx(with a gloomy look)- I understand and sympathize with the perspective of a common person, but I can assure you that we, the Enforcers, are giving our all to safeguard everyone of you. I am not an Elite Soldier anymore, so I don't really have any knowledge as to what the status is, but I am sure that they are giving their best as well. We will continue to cooperate with them until we kill X.

Journalist 1- Hmph, no one believes in the Elite Soldiers!! They are all a bunch of losers who can't even defeat a single serial killer!!

(Switches off the TV, Inside a room, which had two men and one woman)

Zayne- The fuck is this?! These journalists sprout nothing but nonsense!!

Diana- Seriously!! Do they really expect an officer to give away information so easily on TV?!!

Carson- We gotta kill X quickly!! So we could finally shut down these people for good who doubt the Elite Soldiers!!

Zayne- Hmph, you are right!!

Carson- By the way, what's the progress with... (felt a sudden pain in his chest and instinctively clutched it with his hand)

Diana and Zayne- CARSON!!!!

Carson- Everything is good; don't worry. These things can happen sometimes. (looks at his watch) Oh, it's about time to visit the old man.

Diana- If you are not feeling well, then me or Zayne could go and meet him.

Zayne- Yea, you just rest for now.

Carson- No, I am alright. I am pretty sure that old man wouldn't talk to anyone besides me. You guys continue with your investigation.

Narrator- As Carson was about to move, he saw that it was raining outside, so he took an umbrella, which was kept on a table near the door. He further opened the umbrella and headed out.

(At the Old Man's House, Living Room)

Narrator- The Old Man himself opened up the gate for Carson; they didn't greet each other; Carson simply entered the house, closed off his umbrella, and had a seat on one of the sofas.

The old man headed straight towards the kitchen and brought a tea kettle along with two cups. He gave one of those to Carson, then poured the tea onto it.

Carson(while having a sip of tea)- So, what did you want to talk about, Kento??

Kento- I have heard that you are taking care of the mission involving X.

Carson- Yes, I am, but what about it??

Kento(while coughing)- I know something that could help you capture him.

Carson- Go ahead. Tell me what it is, then.

Kento- Several years ago, before X came onto the scene, there was a perplexing case involving the death of a man in his 30s who was found in his room with his throat slit by a knife. The man was a father of two sons, and at the time of his death, his wife and both sons were present in the house. Strangely, none of them claimed to know how the tragedy occurred. Initially, we, the Enforcers, suspected an outsider might have sneaked into the room, committed the murder, and escaped unnoticed. Despite a week of investigation, we made no progress, and our suspicions began to shift toward the possibility of an insider being responsible. We collected fingerprints from all three family members and sent them to the lab for analysis. That same evening, the results came back, revealing that the elder son's fingerprints were on the knife. However, before we could apprehend him, the entire family vanished without a trace. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to locate them, and the case was eventually closed.

Carson- Okay.... But how is this case related to X in any way??

Kento- Lately I have been having dreams around that case, where I see the face of that man covered in blood with the elder son having a knife in his hands. And I see this scene where the elder boy, turns into a grown man. I think.... that elder boy is X!!

Carson- Any evidence to back that??

Kento- None. I do know that this sounds stupid, but I have a feeling, and I want you to work on that case.

Carson- I am sorry, but I already have my hands full with other matters. I can't take a case just based on your "feelings".

Kento(with an angry tone)- You don't understand!!! How old do you think X is right now?? Probably in his 30s. He has been active in the killings for close to a decade now. The case I am talking about took place 10-15 years ago before even X came onto the scene, meaning there are chances that he might be the elder boy!!! Listen, Carson, my time is about to get over. If there is anything that can remotely help us get closer to X, even if it involves stupid assumptions like these, we have to take it seriously. Please, I beg you, kindly look into that case!!

Carson- Fine. I will do it.

(Aquatic Academy, At the Front Desk)

Carson- Excuse me, I am Carson, an Elite Soldier, and I would like to look into the crime file of the Enforcers for the case that happened in the year 82.

Receptionist- Oh, hello, sir!! Sure, I can tell you, go to the 4th floor. There will be a room on the right-hand side, and that's where all the crime-related files are kept.

Carson(while feeling a pain in his chest)- Okay, thanks for telling.

Narrator- As Carson was taking the lift, he encountered Nyx.

Carson- I thought you were giving an interview for a news channel!

Nyx- Oh, that's a pre-recorded one.

Carson- Some really stupid questions were asked of you, I must say.

Nyx- You can say that again. Anyway, what brings you here?? Came here to have a chat with Aiden??

Carson- No. I wanted to look at an unsolved crime case file from 25 years ago.

Nyx- Hmm?! That's interesting. And why do you wish to do that??

Carson- Its a long story, I will tell you some other time.

(Records Room, 4th Floor)

Narrator- It was an empty room. Carson first turned on its lights and then began searching for the file.

After fifteen minutes, he finally found it. He took the file out and had a brief look at it.

Carson(while reading the file)- "The elder boy kills his own father. The rest of the family covered it up and ran away." The name of the elder boy was "Valor". (took out his photo and had a look at it) A little boy like him killing is his own father?! What kind of hell are we living in?! Mom's name was "Miyabi", and his younger son's name was "Eclipse" Huhh?!!! Eclipse?!! Wasn't that the name of an Elite Soldier who went to jail?? (took out the younger sons photo) Blonde hair!! Could it really be?!!

Narrator- Carson hurries and goes to Nyx's room, where he explains to her the entire situation.

Nyx- This is Eclipse.

Carson- Are you sure of it??

Nyx- Yes, me and him were in the same batch of Elite Soldiers; there is no doubt that's him!!

Carson- Why is he currently imprisoned??

Nyx- There were apparently allegations against him that he had helped X get away when he had a chance to capture him, when that was his mission. But who told you about this 25-year-old case??

Carson- Kento, former leader of Enforcers told me about it. He specially called me and told that he was having a feeling that this case was related to X in some ways, guess he was right. (feels a sudden pain in the chest, results in disbalance)

Nyx- Carson, are you alright?! Here, take this water!! (hands over a glass of water, which carson further drinks)

Carson- I don't know why, but I have been feeling this sudden pain in the chest recurring all day today.

Nyx- You should immediately go and visit a doctor then!

Carson- It's not that serious right now. Coming back to Eclipse, he is locked up in the Abyss Prison, right??

Nyx- Yeah, he is. But if you are planning to visit there yourself, then I won't let you! Your health takes priority; you don't need to overwork yourself.

Carson- Capturing X is the most important task!! I can't let my health be an hindrance to it!!

Nyx- How about I go and meet him? He was my comrade, and I am also currently the leader of Enforcers, so that should help, as we all know how stubborn Foster can be sometimes.

Carson- You have a point, but I wanted to be the one...

Nyx- It's okay, carson. You visit the doctor and take care of your health. By the time you get better, I will already be back here.

Carson(with a relieved face)- Okay. But do give me regular updates over phone calls.

Nyx(with a smile)- Sure! Huh, if I remember correctly, the 5th batch of soldiers, which include your son Raiden as well, are also there in the Dragon Country, so would you like me to give him any personal message??

Carson- Nah, nothing. Let him focus on his mission, and I will focus on mine.

Nyx- As you say♡

Carson(with a serious look): One thing: don't let anyone know whatever we discussed here. Any of the details leaking out could potentially be dangerous.

Nyx- Absolutely! I am aware of that.

Narrator- With that, Nyx packed her things and left for the Dragon Country. Meanwhile, in the evening, Carson visited the doctor.

(The Next Day, Carson's House, 12:12 p.m.)

Narrator- Carson was at his desk, surrounded by papers, when his phone rang. It was a call from Nyx, which he picked up.

Carson(while talking on the phone)- Hello!!

(Dragon Country, At the Street)

Nyx(while talking on the phone)- Foster refused me to have a conversation with Eclipse.

Carson(with a surprised look)- And why is that??

Nyx- Apparently he was caught helping another Elite Soldier escape the prison, so he has been put under solitary confinement.

Carson(with a disappointed look)- Sheesh!! Didn't you try to tell foster about our situation??

Nyx- I did, but he outright rejected any of my pleas. He looked very angry; maybe something really drastic happened at the prison.

Carson- Talking to eclipse would have saved a lot of our time. Damn it!! We will have to solve the case in some other way now! You can return now.

Nyx- Alright then. (hangs up the call) Sheesh, I feel hungry. (reads the name of the nearby restaurant) "Lord of the Fries Restaurant". That will work. (enters the restaurant)

(Carson House, Aquatic Country)

Narrator- There was a strip of medicine left on the desk, Carson took one of the pills out and swallowed it with a gulp of water.

Carson- Guess it's time for a field visit!!

(At the Street)

Carson(while looking at a house)- House number 63. This is the one where Eclipse and his family used to live. Judging by its old pictures, it looks like new residents have found their place here.

Narrator- Carson walks up to the main door and rings the bell, to which a middle-aged man answers.

Carson- Excuse me, I am Carson, an Elite Soldier. I just have a few questions to ask you; would you mind answering them?

Middle Aged Man(with a confused look)- Sure, no issues.

Carson- Okay, so, could you tell me what year you started living in this house??

Middle Aged Man- Year 82

Carson(in his mind)- Same year as the incident.

(to the middle aged man)- Were old furniture and household items still in here when you shifted? I know I am asking about something that happened more than two decades ago, but if you can remember, then it would be really helpful.

Middle Aged Man- I was 9 back then, so I don't really remember it myself, but my mother might know. I will ask her. (calls her mother out; she comes walking with a cane) Mom, while we shifted to this house, do you remember if the furniture and household items were still in here? This gentleman right here wants to know.

Old Lady- I think they were, but not completely. They missed some sets; both the furniture and household items.

Carson(with a surprised look)- Who sold you this house? Remember that??

Old Lady- I am sorry, but I don't know that.

(An Old Man walks straight in from outside)

Old Man- Miyabi; that was the name of the lady who sold this house to me.

Carson(with a surprised look)- ..........

Old Man- I still remember the look on her face when she was selling this house to me. She looked so frightened!! Little did I know that she was hiding a murder case culprit from everyone!!

Carson(to the old man)- I presume that she sold this house immediately before running away.

Old Man- Hmph, yes.

Carson- And you never met her after that, did you?

Old Man- Yes, never.

Carson- Got it. Thanks for helping.

Narrator- As Carson was walking down the street, he saw an old lady living next door staring at him.

He glances at her for a couple of seconds before turning away. But unexpectedly, that old lady called out for him.

Carson(to the old lady)- Yes, could I help you?

Old Lady- You are an elite soldier, right??

Carson- Yes

Old Lady- You came in here to talk about Miyabi's elder son case, right??

Carson- Yes

Old Lady- I have something that I want to tell you, then!! Please come inside!

(At the Living Room, Old Lady's House)

Old Lady- I realize I should have done this a long time ago, but I just never had the courage. However, enough is enough; I can't let my life pass by without sharing this with someone.

Carson- What do you want to tell?! Please, quickly!!

Old Lady- On the day Miyabi planned to run away, I saw her and her younger son, Eclipse, pleading with X, begging him not to turn himself in.

Carson(with a confused face)- What??!!! Begging?!!

Old Lady- Yes, begging!! I myself was shocked to see a mother literally down to her knees, pleading with a son not to turn himself in after he had just killed her own husband and Eclipse's father!! I still think that it was a planned murder carried out by those three!!

Carson- But what would they gain from that?? Insurance money, perhaps? No, the claim amount was also too low, so it's not like it would have helped them!! Then what?!

Old Lady(with a tense look)- .........

Carson- Tell me, how were they all as a family?? And what sought child was valor??

Old Lady- As a family, I think most of the time they acted pretty normal from the outside, at least. But I often did hear them argue, and usually it was something related to valor. He was a very peculiar child. I never thought he was fitting in the family; he always had that dark aura surrounding him. At least that's what I felt whenever I talked to him.

Carson(with a tense look)- Is there anything in particular that stood out from him and the other family members??

Old Lady- Nah, nothing of the sort.

Carson- Any idea where they shifted from here??

Old Lady- Sorry, but no.

Carson- I see. Ok, then, it was nice......

Old Lady- Wait!! I do remember once hearing from Miyabi about the location near the sports market that Valor really liked to visit.

Carson(with a surprised look)- The house near the sports market probably has numbers somewhere in the 180's, if I am correct!! I will go there and check it out!!! Thanks, old one!!

Old Lady(while joining her hands)- I pray justice is given real soon!! Good luck!! (then carson left)

(Same day, Evening, 7:07 p.m.)

Narrator- It was raining, and the moon was out. The street lights had just turned on. The smell of cooking came from every house, making the neighborhood feel warm and cozy. Everything seemed like a regular evening until, it wasn't.

Carson walked towards the entrance of house number 62, the home where he had previously spoken with the old lady. She had told him about a potential location where Miyabi and her children might have moved. He pressed the doorbell repeatedly, and within a couple of seconds, the old lady appeared at the locked main gate. Recognizing Carson, she opened the gate. In that instant, Carson swung a baseball bat coated with his shakti element, "Metal," and smashed her head. The old lady fell to the ground, dead.

Carson stepped over her body and entered the house. In the kitchen, the old lady's daughter-in-law was cooking when she heard the sound of the bat striking. She rushed to the entrance and saw the old lady's body, screaming in horror. Carson ran towards her and struck her head with the bat, killing her instantly.

The old lady's son and grandson stood just a few meters away, frozen in shock. The son, realizing the danger, ordered his own son to run away and call the enforcers. Carson immediately charged at the son and smashed his head, killing him. Meanwhile, the grandson had already dialed the enforcers' number. Before he could say a word, Carson caught up to him and smashed his head as well.

As Carson surveyed the scene, the reality of his actions hit him. Surrounded by the lifeless bodies, he began to cry. Suddenly, a Mace pierced through his heart from behind. He placed a hand on the mace to see if it was real, and as he saw the blood on his hands, he turned to see a man wearing a black raincoat, his face barely visible even up close to him.

Carson(with a stunned face)- It's you, "X"!!

X(with a smirk)- ..........

Narrator- X retrieves his mace back, then it instantly disappeared, and then left the house with his face down.

Carson falls to the ground, and slowly and slowly, an X mark starts developing on his face, starting from the forehead and going to the jawline.

Carson(in his mind)- What a failure I have been, right from the beginning up until the very end.

Narrator- This marks the end of Carson. A man who lived his entire life, trying to prove everyone his worth. He began his journey at the Aquatic Academy, where he wasn't even part of the original four that got selected to be an Elite Soldiers. He tried and tried up until he got strong enough for the position to be eventually offered to him by the Chief in Commander, Aiden. He never took being an Elite Soldier for granted; he gave out his best even when it wasn't even required, just so people could start looking at him in a different light. Getting a high-profile mission of killing X was one of the best ways for him to finally make his mark, but he failed. Despite the failures, he was an excellent father and husband. Loosing his wife when Raiden wasn't even ten years old, he raised him both as a father and a mother. He even took on the responsibility of parenting Livon whenever he could, showing his great stature as a human being. Welcoming Hinaka and Ayumi into the group as his own children and making all four of them bond together was his way of securing a better future for them. Regardless of the lack of appreciation shown to him by the public, he never harbored any jealousy towards any of the soldiers; he just continued to walk down his own path. Even if X today hadn't killed him, he was going to meet his demise soon enough, as his recent visit to the doctor confirmed that his heart had gotten weaker and he wasn't going to live much longer. Interestingly, right before his death, the image that popped up in his head was that of Livon, Raiden, Hinaka, and Ayumi going happily together for their next mission.

TO BE CONTINUED