Chapter: Ehito's Rebirth
The day was bleak, a thick fog enveloping Ehito's villa. The sound of the front door closing echoed in a nearly solemn silence. His gaze, usually sharp and unwavering, wandered aimlessly. His thoughts were constantly turned toward Lia. The pain of her loss was a scar he could not erase. Every corner of the villa reminded him of her absence. He could no longer bear this place. It had become too heavy to carry.
"Ehito, are you ready?" Tilan asked, interrupting his dark thoughts. The other boy stood in the doorway, arms crossed, a determined expression on his face.
Ehito nodded slowly, his gaze still distant. He hadn't spoken a word, nor shed a tear, as though he had blocked that emotion within him. The suffering from Lia's death was slowly turning into cold rage, ready to erupt.
"We're going." His voice was firm, devoid of any unnecessary emotion.
He walked toward the exit without a backward glance, Tilan trailing behind him, and Shina, who had been silent since morning, joined them with the same determined attitude. The three friends, now bound by a common goal, knew they had a role to play in this world that had become unforgiving.
They got into Ehito's car, a luxury machine with tinted windows, and drove toward their destination. The direction was clear: the headquarters of his company. That was where it had all begun, and where it might all end.
Ehito's company wasn't just any company. It was an empire. An empire built on his intelligence, his ability to manipulate markets, anticipate the moves of economic and military powers, and turn money into power. But today, the company would take on a new name, a new vision. It was no longer just about wealth. It was about taking back control, building a force that could obliterate those hiding in the shadows, those responsible for the tragedy that had taken Lia's life.
When the car stopped in front of the massive building, the silence of the street seemed to freeze around them. This was where it all happened. Where the great leaders of the economic and military world met. And now, it was up to him, Ehito, to impose his vision here.
They entered the hall, their footsteps echoing on the polished marble. Ehito paid no attention to the guards or the employees hustling around them. He made his way straight to the elevator, Tilan and Shina following close behind. This wasn't their first time here, but this time, the meeting would be different.
They arrived in a conference room where all the top executives of the company were waiting. Faces turned toward him, some surprised, others curious, but no one dared to ask a question. They all knew who he was and what he represented.
Ehito spoke, his voice cutting and emotionless.
"You've all supported me from the beginning, but today, I have a new direction. The company will transform. We're going to invest in the security sector, in the military industry. We're going to build an even more powerful empire, but this time, with one mission: to eradicate those hiding in the shadows, those who took Lia's life."
He paused, watching the reactions around the table.
"From now on, this company, and this branch, will be in my name. No one will control this sector anymore. We will hunt them down one by one, and we'll do whatever it takes to avenge her."
The executives exchanged furtive glances, then a murmur of agreement spread through the room. Ehito wasn't expecting immediate approval. He knew that with the influence he wielded, he didn't need their consent to move forward. He had already made up his mind.
"It's time to act."
The meeting ended quickly, with the executives accepting the new plan without question. Ehito, Tilan, and Shina no longer had any intention of returning to school, nor of living by society's rules. They were already beyond that. At 15 and 16 years old, they were now in control of their own destiny, ready to become stronger and more dangerous than ever.
School was no longer their priority. They had a mission. And tonight, they would step into the company to begin their training. Ehito had already prepared a special room, a state-of-the-art training facility, so they could strengthen themselves physically and mentally.
They headed to the research and development lab where high-tech equipment awaited. The time for studies was over. Ehito no longer had space for distractions. He would no longer be the quiet boy who stayed in the shadows. He would become the shadow itself.
The following months were a period of transformation. Shina, Tilan, and Ehito trained relentlessly. Their training program included combat techniques, military strategy, and crisis management. Ehito learned not only to wield weapons but also to manipulate information, destabilizing an enemy before they even realized they were in danger. Tilan excelled in speed and hand-to-hand combat, while Shina focused on advanced weaponry and tactics.
Their bodies hardened, their minds sharpened. But despite this transformation, a part of the pain from Lia's loss still lingered. That void, that absence, became the driving force behind their thirst for vengeance. They knew that every day that passed brought them closer to their goal. They would take down those responsible, one by one, until there was no one left.
And in the darkness of that training center, amidst their quest, Ehito made a promise: he would never allow Lia's death to be forgotten. She would be the flame that fueled his fire, his reason to fight.
He knew that this thought was childish, that he was letting himself be consumed by a petty desire for revenge, but he didn't care. In his mind, it didn't matter. What he felt was real, and that was enough to fuel his determination. He wanted his vengeance, he needed it, and nothing or no one would stop him. It didn't matter if it was rational or moral; it was the only thing that mattered to him at that very moment. Nothing else mattered but finding those who had wronged him and making them pay, one way or another.