Chapter 6-The Rise Of A Villain

While in the hospital, Ren eventually woke up, although it took him 3 days to do so, as soon as he did he tried to get up from his bed, and find Kazuto, however he was stopped by Kiyoshi who stayed by his side the last 3 days, "your finally awake", Kiyoshi seems delighted by the fact that Ren awoke, you could tell from the dark circles under his eyes that he didn't get a wink of sleep ever since Ren fell unconscious. " How long was I out? and where is Kazuto? is he all right? he's awake right? please... please tell me he is safe", again, Ren seems to be on the verge of crying, but holds back. "Ren... Kazuto is fine for now but... he is in a coma... and the doctors don't know when... or even if... he will wake up. Ren looks like he has been hit by a truck, the events of the last few days have taken a toll on him... and with this news piling on to it...he seems like a different person... even his once bright emerald, green eyes, have now turned a dull, dark color, and now he seems...lifeless. He remains speechless as Lisa, otherwise known as "Midnight Blade", enters the room. "Kiyoshi could you let me speak with Ren for a second? it's important", "as his best friend I think I have the right to know what's going on, right?", with his painful expression, Ren speaks, "its best if you leave Kiyoshi, I'm sorry, once I'm ready, I'll tell you everything". Kiyoshi leaves with a surprised yet dismal expression, he knows Ren is hiding something, but can only hope that he tells him once the time is right. "Ren, are you alright?" Lisa now looks at him like an injured pup, Ren seems truly broken, and she struggles to think of anything that could help him in a situation like this. "I will be, at least after i get my revenge", some resemblance of life seems to return to him...however it's not his usual bright and cheery personality...but something much, much darker, to the point where he seems like a different person, now he truly resembles a "crumbling lotus" like his name suggests. "Ren, I think we both know that you are not ready, your only 16, your young, and I'm sure your father wouldn't have wanted to see you like this, who knows, perhaps it is your destiny to lead the Rogue Syndicate in place of Sir Ryuji, but he wouldn't have wanted you to lose yourself, he would have wanted to stay as yourself, as the last surviving pride of Kuzure". Ren seems to understand what she means however still thinks that the only way to defeat people such as the "heroes", is to fight fire with fire, beat evil...with evil.

"Lisa, can you blame me? I'm sure you saw what happened back there." " you are not ready Ren, and you know it yourself, for now just rest up, my decision is final", "why are you acting like I'm a child? your only 20, I can promise you that I can take care of myself, so do not underestimate me, after all I am my father's son." Lisa seems to smirk at his words, he truly does resemble his father in many ways, both his prideful and ignorant nature, but also in the way he cares for others, " Ren, answer me this, why do you wish to become a villain." " it's the only way for me to get my revenge on those despicable heroes", " well then... at that point...what makes us different from them?". Ren thinks about it for a long while, but is speechless, "Ren, just what is it that makes us villains different from those heroes? what is it that makes a villain." "What makes a villain? Ren looks dumbfounded. "What makes a villain?" "That's a tough one to answer... I'd say it's someone who is willing to do anything to get what they want, no matter the cost or consequences. A villain is someone who sees the world in black and white and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. They care less about who gets hurt in the process, and more about the end result. They are willing to cross lines that most people wouldn't dream of crossing, and they don't feel any remorse for their actions. That's what makes a villain." "Incorrect, try again", Lisa looks disappointed. Ren looks confused as Lisa tells him his answer is incorrect, but he continues, "A villain is someone who is so obsessed with their goals that they don't see the people they're hurting, or the damage they're doing to their world. They believe their cause is just and they're willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. They don't care about the consequences, as long as they get what they want. They see the world in a black-and-white perspective, and they're willing to hurt anyone who gets in their way." "Incorrect, try again." Ren is becoming more frustrated as Lisa dismisses his answers, but he continues. "A villain is someone who is driven by their own self-interest, and that of those they care about. They feel no remorse for their actions and don't care about how it affects others, as long as they get what they want. They are willing to do whatever it takes to get their way, and they don't think twice about the harm they cause. They are selfish and only care about themselves and their own goals, and nobody else matters." "Incorrect Ren, if you are incapable of answering a simple question like that, then it is clear you are still not ready, I shall take my leave, i hope that one day you would be able to understand The Rogue Syndicate, as well as your fathers' goals, and help us, but that day...is not today."

Lisa leaves the room and Ren contemplates the question she asked him, "what makes a villain? i wonder what it could be". Ren stays in his bed for a few hours, after thinking it through, he decides it is time...it's time that Kiyoshi learns the truth of this god forsaken world. As Ren sits down and speaks to Kiyoshi, he gathers up his courage to reveal the truth of the "heroes". He starts by introducing the topic and reveals that during his time with the Rogue syndicate, he has uncovered dark secrets of some of the so-called "heroes": "I need you to listen to me, Kiyoshi, because I know the truth about the heroes you always talk about. I know what they have been doing, and I know who they really are. It's time you hear the truth. "Kiyoshi looks at Ren with a neutral expression, not responding to his words. Ren takes a deep breath and continues, trying to hold back his anxiety and excitement about sharing what he has discovered. "While I was with the Rogue syndicate, I uncovered dark truths about some of the "heroes" you mentioned before. I know what they really do behind closed doors, and I know who they really are. They are not the true protectors of the world and the ones you think they are. "Kiyoshi remains silent, not reacting to Ren's words. Ren takes another deep breath and continues, trying to push down his fears and stay calm. "I know you have always looked up to those "heroes," but it's time you heard the truth. They are not who you think they are, and the things they do are not as noble and selfless as you make them out to be. They are not true protectors of this world, and they do not deserve your respect or admiration. All I ask is that you listen to my words and take them into consideration. Kiyoshi continues to remain silent, absorbing Ren's words. Ren, feeling frustrated, tries to push Kiyoshi for a response. "I know you don't believe me," Ren says, "but I urge you to listen to my words. I may have once thought like you, looking up to these "heroes," but that was before I uncovered the truth. I want you to know that what I've said is true, and I want you to think critically about the actions of these "heroes" you admire so much. "I... I can't say everything. But I can tell you this. Those "heroes" are not the good guys that you see on TV and in your comics." Now Ren was becoming more confident, starting to believe that he could get through to Kiyoshi. "They are not as noble or selfless as you think. In fact, many of them are corrupt, selfish, and cruel. They hurt people for their own personal gain and use their status as "heroes" to get away with it."

Ren starts showing Kiyoshi all of the evidence he has gathered, even the documents, Ren gradually comes to the end of his revelation and hopes for a response from Kiyoshi. "I know it's hard to believe," Ren continued, his voice becoming more and more confident. "I know you have always looked up to them, so it's hard to hear. But trust me, there's a lot more to the whole "superhero" thing than you think there is. Many of these so-called "heroes" are no better than criminals, and some of them are even worse. So please, Kiyoshi, listen to what I'm saying. Those "heroes" are not as amazing and noble as you make them out to be." Kiyoshi looks at Ren with a confused expression. "Are you sure about that?" he asks. "I'm telling you, Kiyoshi, those heroes are not as amazing and noble as you make them out to be. There's a lot more to the whole "superhero" thing than you think there is. I know some of the things these so-called "heroes" have done, and it's not pretty." Kiyoshi pauses, considering this for a moment, before responding again. "I can't believe this. Are you serious? You're saying that those "heroes" are not as good as Kiyoshi responds, Ren starts to feel a sense of frustration and tension growing inside him. "Kiyoshi, please, just listen to me. I don't want to argue with you, but I'm trying to tell you the truth. Those "heroes" you love so much are not as amazing and noble as you think they are. There is a lot more to the whole "superhero" thing than you think there is."

Kiyoshi looks confused, not wanting to believe what Ren is saying. "Those heroes are our saviors. They do what they can to keep us safe and protected. I refuse, do you really think those "heroes" are as good and noble as you make them out to be?" Ren asks. "I'm not denying what you say, Kiyoshi, I don't want to argue either. But I can't just sit here and let you believe a lie. I've seen things, and I know what I am talking about. I don't want to ruin your image of those heroes, but I do want you to see the truth." Kiyoshi looks uneasy and unsure what to think, but he is starting to accept that Ren is telling the truth. "Please, Kiyoshi, just listen to me." Ren was getting desperate now, wanting Kiyoshi to believe him and see the truth. "Those "heroes" are not what they seem, and you need to hear the truth. I can't let you keep believing a lie. Please, Kiyoshi, I'm asking you, see the truth." Kiyoshi starts to realize that maybe Ren is right, despite all his hesitation and doubt. The idea of those he has looked up to not being as good as he thought starts to take shape in his mind, and it's a difficult realization to swallow. "But, Ren, those "heroes" do save people..." "Yes, Kiyoshi, I know they do save people, but that doesn't mean they're as good and noble as you make them out to be." "But that makes no sense. Why would they save people if they're not good and noble?" "The real answer to that question is beyond your understanding. It's not just about saving people. It's more complicated than that." "But, Ren, those "heroes" are what's good in this world. They save people, and they try to keep us all safe. It's the villains who are evil, the ones who hurt people. How can you say otherwise? Are you saying that all these "heroes" are evil?", "No, Kiyoshi, that's what I've been trying to tell you. Those "heroes" aren't good, and they aren't all that they seem. There is a lot more to the whole "superhero" thing than what you see on TV and in comics. "Kiyoshi: "Ren, I just can't believe what you're saying. Those "heroes" are the good guys. I know they are, it's what they're supposed to be. Why would I believe some crazy stuff like that? They're saving people, protecting us, not hurting or killing anyone. I can't..." Kiyoshi pauses, his words petering out as he tries to process what Ren is saying. He doesn't want to believe that what he has always believed might be wrong, but he can't ignore the truth either.

Unexpectedly, Ren chuckles to himself, he looks saddened by the fact that Kiyoshi doesn't believe him, but then again who would? After all the are the heroes the while world has looked up to for so long. "she... She was right... Lisa was right ha-ha". Kiyoshi looks confused as ren starts laughing, almost maniacally, "I guess it's true? from your perspective, it does seem like that doesn't it, the" heroes" are the good guys, and the "villains" are the evil ones... ",

Ren chuckles as he seems to have come to a realization," I know it now, I know what it is that makes a villain in this cruel and oppressive world, Lisa was indeed correct,", his expression has completely changed and now Ren has lost all that made him, him... "I struggled to answer her then..., but now that I know the answer, I guess that makes me a villain, right?.", "R-Ren... what are you saying?", "Goodbye Kiyoshi, I hope you become the amazing hero I know you can be, and that you don't turn out like the rest of them." Ren vanishes and leaves Kiyoshi to think. Ren finds and catches up with Lisa, who he thought would be long gone by now. "Lisa, hey Lisa wait up!". "I didn't think you would come to find me so soon... I guess that means you're ready right? You're ready to do what it takes to change this accursed world? Then answer me Ren, what makes a villain...a villain?", Ren answers...and a gentle smile appears across Lisa's face..." I hope you're ready to meet your fellow members of the Rogue Syndicate, 'Grim Reaper of the Rogue Syndicate' "," Isn't that the title of the leader of the Rogue Syndicate?"," well someone has to take the place of Sir Ryuji, as such the perfect candidate is his son, is it not? ", Lisa walks off and Ren closely follows behind." What about little Kazuto?", Ren looks confused," oh don't worry Ren he is fine, we moved him to the base of the Rogue Syndicate, he will get better help there than in any hospital", Ren looks relieved, and they both walk away. What happens next in this journey of endless pain and suffering, is now up to Ren, the" Grim Reaper of The Rogue Syndicate", and his future lieutenants, "The Nefarious 9 of the Rogue Syndicate".