Five months ago…
Armored cars screeched to a halt in front of the hotel. Inside one of them sat the Mayor of Kaze City.
Guards in black suits surrounded him, moving as if the air itself carried danger.
They entered the lobby. One of the guards called out to the receptionist for access to the penthouse.
No answer.
Instead—gunfire erupted from a rooftop across the street.
"Mr. Mayor, get down!" a guard shouted, shoving him to the floor.
The group bolted for the elevator. The Mayor and six guards piled inside, the doors sliding shut just as another bullet cracked the glass behind them.
"They're on the way up," the sniper muttered into his comm.
"Copy. You're clear to fall back," came the reply.
Inside the elevator, the guards gripped their weapons, sweat beading on their brows.
Who would be crazy enough to attack the mayor in broad daylight? And why aren't the cops here yet?
"It's those Agenda scum. I just know it," the Mayor growled.
The elevator chimed. The doors opened on the fifth floor.
"We'll move up to the penthouse using the stairs," one guard ordered.
But as they reached the stairwell, two figures blocked their path—a swordsman in a white suit, and another man in maroon.
Gunfire exploded in the hallway. The Mayor and a single guard sprinted upward, leaving chaos behind.
The gunfire ceased. Footsteps echoed. The two men from the stairwell began climbing after them.
"Listen," the Mayor panted, "if you can get me to safety until the police arrive, I'll make sure you and your family are awarded a spot on the government committee."
But as they exited the stairwell, the guard suddenly grabbed the Mayor's hand—shoving him into a room with a long table at its center.
"What are you doing?" the Mayor demanded.
"Hello, Mr. Mayor… or should I say, Ex-Mayor."
A young man spun around in the chair at the far end of the table.
"Please. Have a seat. We have much to discuss."
The Mayor reluctantly sat. The two men from the stairwell entered behind him. Soon, the sniper, the impostor guard, and another figure joined them.
"This city has become a hunting ground for criminals," the man at the head of the table said.
"I always wondered why you never did anything about it. Then I discovered you had those same criminals on your payroll—along with corrupted officers."
The Mayor's face twisted. "Tell me… have you ever thought about why all those men suddenly cut contact with you?"
"You were behind that?" the Mayor snapped.
"Those men were some of the city's finest! How dare you attack them!"
"We didn't," the man replied calmly. "The new police chief took matters into his own hands and arrested them. But you… you're still here. And you're still the Mayor. I don't want to harm you if I don't have to."
He leaned forward.
"So I'll ask you this: tell me who is on your payroll, and you can leave this city. Never come back."
The Mayor hesitated. Then, slowly, he began to speak.
"As you know, this city is split into five parts—Central Kaze, Northern Kaze, Eastern Kaze, Southern Kaze, and Western Kaze. Each of these areas is ruled by a higher power known as a Supreme King."
His voice hardened.
"I am the Supreme King of Central Kaze. And I will NOT let you or your goons take that away from me!"
He rose to his feet, shouting:
"Yes! I am the main source of all criminal activity in this city! But guess what? Aside from you all, no one will ever know. You will all be labeled as the ones who tried to kill the Mayor!"
The Mayor burst into laughter, convinced of his victory.
But the man at the table only smiled.
"Mr. Mayor… I forgot to mention. Everything said in this room is being broadcast across Central Kaze."
The Mayor froze.
"The police are already on their way. But I'd suggest you watch your head on the way out. A lot of people are going to be very, very angry with you."
"Have a good day, Mr.—I'm sorry—Ex-Mayor."
The Mayor sprang up, pulling a gun. He fired three shots at the leader.
The bullets froze midair.
Then, with a flick, they reversed course—slamming into the wall behind him.
The Mayor collapsed, trembling.
Moments later, the police stormed the building.
The Mayor of Kaze City was arrested.
And from that day forward, Central Kaze knew peace.