（ＡＲＣ ２）Chapter 9- Erika Daniels and The Second Step.

ＳＴＡＲＴ ＯＦ ＡＲＣ ２: ＴＡＵＲＥＤSFX of birds chirping, cars passing outside.I woke up at 6 A.M. to the sound of a very fancy-looking alarm clock on the nightstand.The bedroom itself? Luxurious. I hadn't noticed it much last night, but this guest room could've put most five-star hotels to shame. The bed had silk-threaded patterns woven into the tapestry, and the walls gleamed with gilded wallpaper.Yet, despite all that grandeur, I found myself drawn to the window. I walked over, pushed the curtains aside, and looked out. The yard wasn't just big—it was a full-on estate. Perfectly trimmed hedges, sprawling greenery that stretched as far as the eye could see... It was breathtaking.But it wasn't just the scenery that stirred something in me. Closing my eyes, I prayed—like I had every morning since yesterday. Prayed for the sins of my past, for the burdens waiting tomorrow, and maybe... for a little peace in the present.Still, there was no running from my thoughts. No running from Mr. Nakamura, Normand, or even Cathy. Especially Cathy. She must hate me. Hate herself. Hate The Boss.I need fresh air.Deciding I couldn't just sit here drowning in my own head, I went for the door. But as I opened it—Erika Daniels: "Yo, homewrecker, who let you in—Wait... I know you! You're the Karawei kid! Jamie~ It's been so long, do you remember me?"Before I could process anything, this strange girl tackled me into a hug like I was a giant stuffed panda.James Karawei: "Uh... Hi? How do you know my name? Are you another maid? Where's Jack?"She burst into laughter, letting go of me—only to nearly hit me with the baseball bat she spun onto her shoulder.Erika Daniels: "Maid? Dude, I've known you since you were still in diapers. I'm Erika Daniels, the big sister of that little dirtbag."She grabbed my wrist and started dragging me down the hall before I could even blink.Erika Daniels: "I know you don't remember me since you moved to Taured, but you gotta tell us about it sometime! I've always wanted to visit, but work's been... a nightmare."She glanced over her shoulder with a wicked grin.Erika Daniels: "Oh yeah, I work for The Syndicate now. Don't worry, I'm not here to kill you or anything. You're safe... for now."Safe? That's... comforting.Before I could retort, we reached the living room, where Cathy and Jack were already in a heated argument.(A/N* I couldn't get a better image to save my life i literally did like 20 prompts, ignore the 6 fingers this is as good as it gets, also ignore the fact that she isn't floating and the fact that she looks high lmao)Jack Daniels: "Calm down! The cops won't find us, and even if they do, we'll fight them off. Right, James?"Cathy Ariston: "Fight them off?! Jack, we can't stay here forever! And if you're suggesting we kill cops—so help me, I'll beat you to a pulp. Right, James?"Caught in their crossfire, I sighed.James Karawei: "How about we stay for just a week? Let the heat die down. In the meantime, maybe Erika can tell us more about The Boss."Erika Daniels: "Straight to business, huh? That's what I love about you, Jamie~. Fine! I'll tell you what I can, but don't expect me to spill all the secrets. Classified info, ya know? Anyway, you're safe here. Just don't destroy anything else, okay?"I exchanged a quick glance with Cathy and Jack, and we nodded in unison.James Karawei: "Sounds great! Now... no offense, but after everything that happened, I could go for some grub."Jack stood up and did a front flip off the couch, landing with a flair that had zero necessity. I raised an eyebrow, trying to decide if I was impressed or just questioning his sanity.James Karawei: "Who does flips in a living room?"Jack Daniels: "People with style, James. Get on my level."With a smug grin, he grabbed a golden bell conveniently lying on the table and rang it once. Not even a moment later, the maid, Amelia, sprinted in from one of the hallways. She carried a tray with eight sandwiches stacked perfectly with toast, eggs, and bacon. The smell was mouthwatering—an actual improvement from the chaos we'd been living through recently.Unfortunately, she tripped over her shoes. The tray tipped, the sandwiches ready to meet their doom on the floor.Cathy flicked her wrist, and the tray floated mid-air before gently landing on the coffee table. She even cushioned Amelia's fall with her other hand.The maid quietly apologized for the disturbance and left.Erika Daniels: "Damn, girl! Didn't know you had it in ya. Oh yeah, it's decided. I'm training you three to become heroes!"She cackled and patted me on the shoulder before snagging one of the sandwiches and biting into it.James Karawei: "Heroes, huh? You're awfully quick to assign labels, Erika."Erika Daniels: "Oh, don't act so coy. You've got it written all over you. The wide-eyed look, the tragic backstory, the determination... all textbook hero stuff."Jack grabbed a sandwich too and flopped back onto the couch, biting into it with exaggerated relish.Jack Daniels: "Heroes or not, we'd better make a plan. If we're going to train, we need to decide what we're working toward. Otherwise, we're just punching air. So... Erika, got any tips for us wannabes?"Erika Daniels: "Tips? Pfft. Training isn't about tips, Jacky-boy. It's about sweat, blood, and tears—and sometimes a little psychological trauma for flavor."Cathy gave her an unimpressed look, arms crossed as she leaned back on the couch.Cathy Ariston: "Wow. Great pep talk. Truly inspiring."Erika Daniels: "Hey, don't knock it till you try it! Besides, your powers need refining. Right now, you're a toolbox with a bunch of random tools but no idea how to use half of 'em. We'll fix that."I chuckled, but then my eyes caught the thoughtful expression on Cathy's face. For a moment, I wondered if her powers—and how she viewed them—reminded her of something deeper.James Karawei: "You know, Erika, I've been meaning to ask... how do you even know so much about The Syndicate? And why would someone working for them want to train us?"Jack suddenly threw a slice of bacon my way but Cathy caught it, he chuckled through her death stare... His stupidity is almost frightening sometimes.Cathy tries to pop the bacon slice into her mouth and fails as she leans over and the bacon slice falls back onto the tray.That answer didn't exactly inspire confidence, but I let it slide—for now. Jack clearly didn't feel the same restraint.Jack Daniels: "You're being all mysterious again. Just spit it out, Erika. You hate The Syndicate, don't you?"She leaned back, throwing her arm over the couch with a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes.Erika Daniels: "Hate's a strong word, kiddo. Let's just say I have my reasons for wanting to stick around—and my reasons for wanting to see certain people in that organization squirm."Cathy raised an eyebrow.Cathy Ariston: "And yet, you're still working for them. Doesn't that make you complicit?"Jack whistled under his breath. "Oof. Direct hit."Erika Daniels: "Wow, Cathy. Way to kick a girl when she's down."She winked but didn't elaborate further.James Karawei: "Erika, you said something earlier about training us to be heroes. But, uh... what does that entail, exactly? Are we talking about actual hero work or just surviving The Syndicate's mess?"Erika Daniels: "A bit of both. You've got potential, Jamie, but right now? You're all instinct, no strategy. And you two—" she pointed her bat at Cathy and Jack— "are even worse. We'll start with the basics. Strength, focus, control. Then we'll work on using your powers under pressure. Sound fun?"Jack Daniels: "Define fun."Erika Daniels: "Not dying."Cathy snorted.Cathy Ariston: "Great. Can't wait to almost die again."I smiled despite the heaviness of her words. For better or worse, this was our new normal.Erika chuckles and takes another bite of the grilled cheese sandwich which has now unfortunately gone cold, Jack leans back against on the couch and puts his hands behind his head.Jack Daniels: "Did ya know Erika is actually really strong? She is a master at the 10 steps! She's mastered almost every step except for the last three ranks."Erika shoots him a dangerous glance, a 'subtle' warning to not pry any further, we sit in awkward silence for a bit after that.James Karawei: "I know this is off topic but is there a gym here? Also how the heck does your family afford this estate? It's like the biggest one I've ever seen... Or been in for that matter."I grabbed one of the sandwiches and began eating as well, it's surprisingly rich in flavor and the texture is wonderful, but sadly i hate triangles so it only gets a 8/10.Erika Daniels: "Mhm... there's a gym alright, but i don't use it as much anymore... Ah as for the estate it's more complicated but long story short dear old dad founded the coco-cola company and fell in love with our mom, founder of the peppy-cola company. Time passes, yada yada, eventually they get married, have us, and make a corporation together, 'Jacklyn-Richardson Corporation', guess who was the main inspiration for their best selling drink?"She points at herself and wiggles her eyebrows suggestively, how childish... Jack laughs and takes a swig of a Coco-Cola can that just so happened to be unopened and lying on the tray, what great fortune for this air-head.Jack Daniels: "It's this strong alcohol drink or something with different flavors... I wouldn't read much into it, just know that it made our parents rich! And technically we're rich too, but meh... my allowance isn't even that big."Cathy crosses her arms and leans back on the couch, she looks up at the ceiling and looks a little annoyed.Cathy Ariston: "Ah, makes sense... I thought your name is familiar, Erika Daniels... my Dad used to buy the heck out of it when i was younger, i hear it has a kick to it eh? But doesn't that make you famous or something?"Erika Daniels: "Oh it's got a kick alright! Just like lil ol' me! But nah, I just tell people it's a coincidence and they buy it, most of the time at least. Lo-hoo-se-hers~"(losers)We finished breakfast, the lingering tension from the morning slowly dissipating into a more subdued calm. Erika and Cathy had volunteered—or rather been "volunteered" by Jack—to do the dishes. Meanwhile, Jack himself trudged outside to deal with the crater we'd accidentally created on the lawn during our arrival. The grumbling from him as he grabbed a rake was audible even through the walls.That left me alone at the dining table until Amelia appeared, graceful as ever, to clear the tray.Amelia: "You look like you could use a tour. Come on, it's better than brooding here all day."I raised a brow but didn't argue. The idea of getting to know this massive estate was... intimidating but intriguing. I followed her, and almost immediately, I realized how absurdly large this place was. The mansion we were staying in wasn't just one building—it was part of a sprawling property, with three other similarly lavish mansions nestled further out.She showed me the huge garden which featured a hedge maze and beautifully cut and trimmed bushes all around.She led me to the garden first. It was almost unreal: perfectly sculpted bushes and vibrant flowers in every color you could imagine. At the heart of it was a massive hedge maze, its pathways winding and mysterious.Amelia: "Jack and Erika used to have races through the maze when we were kids. Jack always got lost, and Erika..." She chuckled, shaking her head. "Let's just say she wasn't above climbing the hedges to cheat."I could imagine it vividly. Jack hopelessly wandering, probably shouting in frustration, while Erika took the most aggressive shortcut possible.James Karawei: "Sounds about right."We moved on to the gym—a state-of-the-art facility with more equipment than I knew what to do with. Amelia gestured to the weight rack with a faint smile.Amelia: "This is Erika's domain. She spends hours here—part stress relief, part obsession."James Karawei: "She's got the muscle to show for it." I glanced at the punching bags lined up in the corner. "And Jack?"She smirked. Amelia: "Jack's more of a sprinter. He works out just enough to stay fit, but don't let him fool you. He can keep up when it counts."From there, she showed me the library, and my breath caught. It was a towering, cathedral-like room, with shelves that stretched up to the vaulted ceiling. The smell of aged paper and leather filled the air, and I could see why someone might lose themselves here for hours. But amidst the rows of books, something else caught my eye: a white door at the very back of the room.It was out of place, to say the least. Unlike the rest of the library, which was rich with mahogany and gold accents, the door was plain and sterile, almost clinical.I pointed to it. James Karawei: "What's with the door?"Amelia hesitated, her expression faltering for a split second before she replied. Amelia: "Just a storage room. It's nothing special."Her tone suggested I shouldn't push further, so I didn't. Not yet, anyway.We toured the rest of the mansion—kitchens, bathrooms, lounges—before ending up back near my room. As I walked past Cathy's door, I heard something that stopped me in my tracks. A muffled sob.The old me might've walked on. But that's not who I am anymore.I knocked once and opened the door. Cathy was curled up on the bed, her face buried in a pillow. She turned her head just enough to glare at me.Cathy Ariston: "What do you want, idiot? I'm fine."I stepped in and sat down on the edge of her bed. She peeked at me before letting out a huff and tossing the pillow aside.James Karawei: "We couldn't even bury little Norm, huh?"The words seemed to cut through her defenses. She looked away, her jaw tightening, but I noticed the way her eyes started to glisten. Carefully, I reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder. To my surprise, her aura didn't push me away, she didn't seem to notice.Cathy Ariston: "I don't need your pity. Just... just go away."Her voice wavered, and for all her bravado, she leaned into my touch ever so slightly.Cathy Ariston: "I just... I wish I could find my dad and make him pay. He abandoned us after Normand disappeared. Took everything valuable and left. My mom was sick—she couldn't work, and I had to scrape by with part-time jobs just to keep us afloat. And when she died..." Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in her hands. Cathy Ariston: "He should've been there for us. For me. Damn it."Her shoulders shook as she cried, and I felt a pang of helplessness. What could I say that wouldn't sound hollow?James Karawei: "Look, I get it. You're angry, and you have every right to be. But dwelling on the past won't change anything. If you want revenge, then fight for it. Channel that anger into something that'll actually make a difference."She didn't respond immediately. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.Cathy Ariston: "Hey, James... thanks. For listening, I mean. For being here."She paused, wiping her eyes.Cathy Ariston: "And for the record... I don't blame you for Normand. That's on me. If I'd been there for him, maybe he wouldn't have..."She trailed off, her voice breaking again. I stood and gave her a small smile.James Karawei: "I'll see you at dinner."As I left her room, I felt the weight of her words settle over me. Each of us had our own struggles to face, our own grudges against The Syndicate. Sooner or later, all roads would lead to The Boss.I wandered through the mansion aimlessly and found myself back in the library. My eyes drifted once more to the strange white door, which was now slightly ajar.An eerie sensation crept up my spine, like unseen hands brushing against my skin. The whispers began again, faint and indistinct, pulling at the edges of my mind.I took a deep breath and stepped toward the door and—________________________________________________________________________________Author's Note:Yo! Thanks for making it through another chapter of this madness... With that being said i also put the story up on webnovel.com since i found out there's a lot of original anime/manga based stories on it, web novels basically mostly manhwa type stuff but still good. The web-novel version won't have images and will literally just be copy pasted from here but I'm just mentioning it because why not?

FUN FACTS!

Fun Fact: Jack Daniels is based off the real life beverage and the in-universe counterpart is called Erika Daniels, obviously based off his sister. Fun Fact #2: I originally planned on making the 10 steps into 55 steps so the ranks would be exponential, just like The Syndicate ranks but i eventually gave up on that. Fun Fact #3: I have over 1200 hours in Terraria (+ mods). Fun Fact #4: The ai image generators i use are: glif.app/ perchance ai/ vondy ai/ KREA ai.

Anyway, i guess that's it... Cya!

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