（ＡＲＣ １）Chapter 5-Nostalgia and The Twin Kings.

Wind whooshing throughout the grain fields SFXJack and I stood silently by the makeshift grave, paying our respects to the stranger who had tried to kill us.He really was controlled, huh?I exhaled, my breath visible in the cool evening air, and turned away.

James Karawei: "Let's head back."

Jack gave a small nod, and we walked inside. I made my way to my room, finding Cathy sitting on the bed. She tensed the moment I entered, hurriedly wiping the tears from her face.Cathy Ariston: "What do you want, idiot? Weren't you going to touch grass or something?"Ignoring her jab, I sat down on the edge of the bed. My gaze landed on the standing mirror across the room. Yesterday felt like a lifetime ago. I'd changed—not just emotionally but in ways I couldn't quite explain. My reflection felt foreign(A/N* ignore the bad reflection and the goofy stars, man these ai pics suck...)James Karawei: "I look so different and the same all at once..."Cathy scoffed, hovering slightly above the mattress as she crossed her arms.Cathy Ariston: "You're such a dummy... Yeah, I guess a lot happened—don't make a big deal out of it or anything."Before I could respond, Jack stumbled into the room, a can of Coco-Cola in hand. He popped it open and chugged it without hesitation. Seeing him like this—casual, carefree—felt oddly nostalgic.James Karawei: "What did you guys mean earlier? When you said we used to hang out? I mean, you spent a lot of time with me, but I didn't think much of—"Without warning, Cathy hurled a soda can at me. It hit me square in the chest, and I flopped backward onto the bed, sprawled out like a starfish.Cathy Ariston: "We were always friends! Did you think we played house with you because we pitied you? Yeah, sure, you were lonely, but that's not the point! You didn't have to just forget about us like that! I mean, you did go away to Taured for eight years, but still... We care about you, always have. So yeah! We're friends, dummy! Never forget it!"Jack caught the can Cathy had thrown at me, polished off the last few drops, and grinned.Jack Daniels: "Starting high school with property damage and homicide is SO like you!"He chuckled, tossing Cathy another soda. It got stuck in the purple barrier of her aura. She frowned and sent it flying back at him telekinetically.James Karawei: "Well, that's settled, then. We have to stick together if we're going to get to the bottom of this Syndicate thing. Cheers!"The three of us clinked soda cans. Cathy's aura made it a little tricky, but she managed.Jack Daniels: "Ah... This is nice. So, uh... You're just going to keep that tombstone back there? It's a nice gesture and all, but what about the police? They'll show up sooner or later, and that tombstone screams murderer."He playfully nudged my arm, earning a smack from Cathy.Cathy Ariston: "Enough. I don't want to hear it... Let's talk about something else. I didn't tell you guys this before, but my father works for the Syndicate. Along with my two brothers."Her tone darkened, and I froze.Cathy Ariston: "His name is Obadiah 'The House' Ariston."Jack Daniels: "The House? What is he, a real estate agent?"Cathy didn't hesitate to hurl another soda can at his head. Jack ducked. Barely.Cathy Ariston: "I get the whole 'find The Boss' thing, but my dad ruined our family's name. I want to fix that. And now that I have this power—this Divinity—I'll beat the crap out of him."Her fists clenched as she spoke, her aura flickering dangerously. I couldn't help but find her determination... admirable. Maybe even a little endearing. But now wasn't the time to dwell on that.(A/N*sorry for the bad pic, it's the best i could generate)James Karawei: "If your father's involved with The Syndicate, why didn't Keito mention him? Strangely enough, he did know our names."Jack, now sprawled out on the floor, let out a loud belch before sitting up again, ew.Jack Daniels: "Excuse me. Yeah, Cathy's family is wild. My sister's in the Syndicate too. Neither me or Cathy knew much about them until today— My sister never really liked to talk about it... We thought they were just another corporate giant, but they're global. They've got buildings in every capital in the world."Cathy sighed, pulling Jack back onto the bed with her telekinesis.Cathy Ariston: "Don't make a big deal out of it. I didn't know much either. My psycho dad forced my brothers into this. If I catch him, I'll gut him. I just want my brothers back."She crushed her empty soda can and tossed it into the trash. I hesitated, then flopped back onto the bed.James Karawei: "I didn't know much about my parents either. My dad was kind, though. He taught me so much. Honestly, I didn't want to tell you guys this, but I..."My voice faltered. I swallowed hard.James Karawei: "I planned on dying today. I wasn't enjoying life and—"Before I could finish, Cathy hurled another soda can at me, nearly knocking me out. She stood over me, trembling with rage.Cathy Ariston: "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE, YOU STUPID MORON! I WON'T LET YOU DO ANYTHING! GRAH!"She tackled me onto the bed, and we wrestled briefly until Jack intervened, kicking her away. She floated off the wall and hovered mid-air, tears spilling down her cheeks again.Jack Daniels: "Calm down, you two. Man, I knew something was up with you, but this? You're a dummy, bro. Get a grip. You've got us, so don't worry."I sat up, my grip tightening on the soda can in my hand. Their banter, their frustration, their support... It warmed something in me I hadn't felt in years. I smiled.James Karawei: "I'm fine now. I have a promise to keep. And I vow to never do the unthinkable."Cathy's aura flickered again, and I reached out, trying to hug her. My hands met the barrier, and she broke down completely, sobbing.Time flies. It's now 7:32 PM.Cathy was resting in my parents' empty bedroom. Jack wandered the backyard, juggling soda cans.I sat alone in my room, replaying the events of the day. It was insane—terrifying and exhilarating all at once.My reflection in the cracked mirror caught my eye.Tentatively, I raised my hand, focusing.Thinking back on it, when I touched Keito and took the white rose from him I felt a shiver throughout my body, I didn't think much of it but what if... What if I absorbed his power?A tiny rainbow bubble formed, floating briefly before shattering against the glass.I grinned.James Karawei: "No way... I have powers! YEAAAAH!"Jack opened the door, smirking.Jack Daniels: "Powers, huh? That's cool and all, but you cracked the mirror? That's, like, four years of bad luck."He smirked at patted my shoulder.James Karawei: "I don't believe in that stuff... Um... I think when I touched Keito and he gave up his life I absorbed that weird 'holiness' he talked about, I can make bubbles if I concentrate! Look..."I closed my eyes and shot another bubble at the mirror.Jack Daniels: "Man! Not the mirror... That's 8 years of bad luck now... Seriously though, that's really cool... But I'm not weak either, my sister trained me in The 10 Steps."I opened my eyes and stared at him in confusion, 10 steps? To what... Success? Sounds sketchy if you ask me.James Karawei: "10 steps...? Oh! Is that how you healed your arm? Wow... That's cool! But what is it exactly?"Jack stared at me in disbelief, he took a deep breath.Jack Daniels: "You seriously don't know about the 10 steps? The greatest martial art in the world? Invented by King Gilgamesh in ancient Mesopotamia! It's the strongest! It's absolute! It utilizes the soul energy of all living things to make the user truly strong! My sister taught me aaaaallll about it, she's a damn genius at this stuff you know!"He confidently said while he put his hands on his hips and grinned at me.James Karawei: "But why is it called that? Also I didn't take you for the kind of guy to believe In soul energy but after everything... i guess I'll believe you, bro."I chuckled as I sat back on the bed.Jack Daniels: "Because there's 10 steps to the art! Well... Technically each step is it's own martial art, it's really complex... And I'm glad you've warmed up to us, bro! Also...i did notice that Keito guy use The First Step: Pouncing Tiger."Suddenly we heard police sirens in the distance and before we knew it a cop car had pulled into the small path leading to my house.Cops: "THIS IS THE HAPD, WE BELIEVE YOU ARE SUSPECTS IN THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURED TODAY AT OAKWOOD HIGHSCHOOL ON 23RD STREET, STEP OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE SO WE CAN CONFIRM YOUR IDENTITIES"They spoke through a megaphone, i looked at Jack unsure of what to do and stood up instinctively. Jack Daniels: "Welp. We're cooked, what now bubble boy?"I ran out of the room and went into the living room to find Cathy coming towards us.Cathy Ariston: "You said they wouldn't find us out here! Damn it... What do we do?"James Karawei: "Face the consequences I guess... Man... And I said I wouldn't get caught."Before I could answer, a deafening thunderclap echoed outside. The screams of the officers cut through the night, followed by silence. We stepped outside cautiously, only to find the officers dead and their bodies being absorbed by one of the two figures standing near the burning cop car. The one who absorbed them was a sickly-looking boy draped in a tattered blanket. The other was older, with black and white hair. Both wore the Syndicate logo.(A/N* imagine this, but it's night time and the black/white hair kid is actually taller and older and imagine them wearing the Syndicate logo.) Cathy's voice broke.Cathy Ariston: "Normand? IS IT REALLY YOU?!"The younger boy's gaze flicked to her briefly before the older one raised his hand, punching her so fast a bolt of lightning shot out of his fist— Saying it was a blur would be a gross understatement. It struck Cathy in the torso, sending her crashing through the house.Raijin Hogo: "We're here to take you down. Boss's orders. We're 'The Twin Kings'—Raijin Hogo and Normand Ariston!"________________________________________________________________________________Author's Note:YO! Thanks for making it through another DIVINE chapter, um... this one was mostly a lore dump, but a necessary one. I hope you guys don't mind the ai images.FUN FACTS!Fun Fact: Cathy loves both her brothers, but only Normand loves her back, and no... Raijin isn't her brother, just another assassin.Fun Fact #2: Jack Daniels has an IQ of 132, he legit just chooses to act like that.Fun Fact #3: James's pupils are star shaped.Fun Fact #4: James can steal 'holies' (shorter term for holiness) but only if the user of one dies and James touches them as their soul leaves their body, which is how he got Keito's Powers!Anyway, thanks for reading this chapter, tell your friends about this if ya liked it.✍️👁️(P.S: this is my oc from now on fr fr).________________________________________________________________________________