The Masked Man

[Later that day: Aristocrat District]

Boom! Daniel emerges illuminating the dark gravel beneath his feet. The Aristocrat District is a gated community, only the most prosperous of families were allowed to live here. The rich saw themselves as superior to the struggling families in the country of Hanselgard, and decided to separate themselves from the refugees who began to arrive in waves once the war started. Daniel hears the noise of helicopter blades slicing through the air growing closer, he dashes quickly to hide in a large bush next to a tree.

As large spotlights survey the road where he was just standing "Great. another patrol" He couldn't allow himself to be seen lurking through this neighborhood, especially in the dark. The military police see people like him as criminals and it doesn't matter how many people he saves, they will still put a bullet in between his eyes.

There is a tall white house about fifty feet away, this has to be the source of the business card. This house was owned by a man named Thomas Hart, he runs a business card company and he deals with some shady figures. They frequented his home on the weekends for illegal gambling parties, he paid the police off so they were happy to look the other way.

Daniel silently moves through the darkness, thinking to himself, 'I have never seen house as strange as this one in my life. What the hell does he need six floors for... but this is definitely the address my contract told me about.'

The house had a large white front porch, the design was traditional except for the additional floors above the third story. as Daniel arrives at the creaky old steps, he notices thin motion sensing lasers scattered across the entire porch leading to the door.

This was military grade security which was usually reserved for politicians and high ranking military officials, Thomas was neither of those and this fact worried Daniel "He couldn't possibly make enough money with just a card making business... his 'friends' must be funding him. But even if that's the case, they wouldn't just hand him money willingly" he whispers with sweat rolling down his forehead and arms.

"If his porch is this secure, theres no telling what i might run into" Daniel mumbles as he realizes that teleporting inside wouldn't be smart. Daniel locates the position of each laser with his eyes, the entire porch is bugged. His eyebrows curl inquisitively for a moment and then his shoulders slump in defeat.

He takes one more glance at the door and considers using his powers, but he knows the inside will be heavily guarded and he can't risk it. still lost in thought, 'I'll have to come back at a better time' he thinks, beginning to walk away from the house.

There is the loud Crack of a tree branch behind him. Daniel trembles with fear as he feels a dark and menacing aura, this bone chilling energy stopped him in place. He hears the creaking of century old bones drawing near, causing sweat to fall down his back.

Realizing he has no choice but to fight,he spins around to face the sound. But to his relief there wasn't a skeleton behind him, but a man in an all black suit with a white mask that had short horns and a open mouth with black fangs, resembling a demon.

This man's presence felt like being in a avalanche, the air surrounding him was thick with dread . Daniel instinctively reaches for his pistol, drawing it to fire multiple silenced rounds into the man. But the man was

completely unphased as the rounds rip into his suit and lodge into his chest, he stumbles for a moment before letting out a cold cackle, amused by his efforts to end his life.

Daniel continues firing into the man ; but the man continues to walk with a brisk pace as the bullets bounce off of his chest. Daniel recoils as the evil energy continues to crush his spirit. "What are you??" he says before teleporting behind the man.

Drawing a strange sword from a hidden sheathe with a nervous smile. "I'll slice you up into little pieces, demon!" Daniel declares to the masked man, taking a full frontal stance in defiance.

The masked man launches himself towards him, rocketing into Daniel. This sends him crashing into a tree, and crumbling onto the ground before he scrambles onto his feet. 'Shit!' Daniel gasps with realization as he reaches for his sword and notices it is missing.

Scanning the grass for his blade, he notices it's faint shimmer close to the man's feet. The man in the demon mask continues his evil laugh as he kicks away the sword even further away before unsheathing his own blade. It had a Razor sharp edge and was blacker than obsidian, this was a killers blade.

He closes the distance between him and Daniel in a split second, thrusting his sword at his heart. Before the sword can pierce his body, Daniel teleports to his sword and takes a defensive posture. "Ugh, He still cut me" Daniel says while recoiling in pain from the burning sensation caused by a cut on his chest.

Wasting no time Daniel teleports next to his opponent and delivers a kick to his chest using it like a wall to flip backwards. The moment his feet hit the ground he charges back in to deliver a kill blow.

Daniel's sword is met by his opponents , his attack was effortlessly blocked and deflected from its path. The man delivers a lightning fast slash upwards , but Daniel is too fast and blocks this attack. The force sends Daniel tumbling onto the ground but he keeps a firm grip on his blade and stabs into the ground to catch himself, sliding a back few feet as his sword tears through the ground.

His face twinges in pain, surprised by the strength of his enemy's attacks. "He can't be human!! But I have to find a way kill him...and fast!" Daniel thinks frantically. His eyes frantically scan the man for any weakness but the man's aura was impenetrable, this man's skill was well refined.

"I may be able to outrun him using my ability... but honestly, I'm not so sure" he inquires while watching the masked man intently , the man's fingers are twitching with a killers thirst that can only be quenched through death.

Daniel leaps into action. Teleporting around the man and slashing from every direction quicker than before, he attacks relentlessly but the man continues to calmly parry him. A evil cackle creaks from the man's mask sending chills up Daniel's spine.

The man shoots towards him leaving cracks in the ground as he pushes off and slashes at Daniel's legs wounding him a again.

Pain Jolts through his entire body and there is an overwhelming burning sensation in his left calf muscle; causing him to fall to his knee, unable to put pressure on his left leg.

"I need to teleport away from here. Though he may be able to track me if I use multiple jumps" Daniel desperately searches his mind for a solution.

The man dashes towards him aiming for decapitation. His sword swings through the air where Daniel was, his blood boils with rage at the fact that his prey escaped him.

The man slowly sheathes his katana and begins to sniff the air and he stands as still as a stone column for a moment and releases a sick joyful chuckle from his throat.

Then he slowly strides off, letting Daniel escape into the night far from the Aristocrat District's rows of mansions.

[9:33pm: Haru's Shop]

The muffled ringing of a cellphone can be heard coming from Haru's pocket as him and Brakus conversate over a meal.

As soon as the sound reaches their eardrums Haru's shoulder tense and he jumps in surprise, his eyes widened into circles. He clumsily reaches into his pocket pulling out his phone; revealing the words 'Unknown Caller' covering the screen , this confused him because he wasn't expecting any calls tonight. And if it was Daniel, he wouldn't be calling this phone.

Deciding to answer it, he taps the green 'answer' button on the touchscreen. "Hello? who's this?" he answers with a stoic voice. He is met by a frantic voice scrambling with each word, "We need to meet again!" was all that could be heard clearly.

Haru's entire body stiffens when he realizes that it was Daniel on the phone and it sounded like he was in danger. But it wasn't fear that caused this reaction it was burning rage. Without wasting another moment Haru springs to his feet; dashing in the direction of the secret room. He almost trips on his way to the door, as the effects of the alcohol began to take its toll. But this wasn't going to stop him from rescuing Daniel if needed.

"Wait up old man! can you tell me what happened?!" Brakus exclaimed but his voice was unheard, Haru had already vanished down the stairs. Brakus Notices that he is gone but he still wants to help ,he decides to chase him down the steps to stop him. "Come back! I can help you gramps!" he yells as he runs towards the staircase.

'I need to stop him before he gets behind that locked door, if he does it will be too late!' Brakus thinks while panicking inside of his head; he reaches the bottom of the steps and his eyes meet with Harus back facing him as he briskly strides down the hall.

"Hey! I told you I can help old man, are you even listening to me!!" Brakus yells, trying to get Haru's attention; but he continues forwards disregarding the fact that Brakus said anything at all.

Brakus decides to run after him, closing the distance between them with each step. As he reaches him he grabs Haru's hand.

Haru concedes and decides to hear him out, but his mind is clearly focused on something else, he has a blank stare with sweat running down his face.

The sound of Brakus' voice brings him back to reality. Begrudgingly turning to look at him he responds with a trembling voice, "You can't get involved in this situation" he says with terror in his eyes. Daniel was the lone wolf type, he rarely called for help; this was only saved for absolute emergencies. And if Haru being contacted by him it had to be something serious that is far too dangerous for a child as young as Brakus.

"I will be back, there is no chance I'll let Daniel die and personally, I don't plan on dying" Haru says , his voice is completely calm this time; there wasn't a single shred of doubt at all and his face held a matching determined demeanor. There was something relaxing about his confidence, this caused Brakus to let go with a look of defeat in his eyes ; Haru turns away from him and enters the secret room and closing the door behind him before Brakus could stop him.

Once behind the door Haru opens up a hatch in the floor and pulls out a long suitcase. The carefully unlocks the latched and lifts the lid revealing a long golden katana with dragon etchings. Haru can be seen frowning with a menacing look on his face in the reflection on the blade.

He delicately pulls the blade from the container, taking in it's majestic beauty as it sparkled in the light.

"It's been a while old buddy. Now.... let's see if you still have your touch." He speaks to the blade in a cold foreboding voice.

Pulling out a Diamond encrusted sheath, he stands up as he slides the blade into it with a serious glare full of anger in his eyes.