Chapter 1: Countdown (Prologue)

Prologue Poem

In the shadows where the broken dwell,

There lies a tale no heart can quell.

A vendetta born of blood and pain,

A vow to bring wicker's revenge.

Within a dark room, the dim light of a single bulb flickered weakly, casting eerie shadows across the cold, dump cell. The air was thick with the scent of dump earth and decay filling it, chains rated as Hiroshi battered and bruised, laid on the filthy floor, his wrists bound to the wall, the stench of mod and despair and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the silence.

Hiroshi Yamaguchi, was once the top assassin of the notaries Yamagachi-gumi Mafia Family, was now their prisoner. His journey from a loyal son, to a vengeful outcast began years ago.

On one, rainy night his father, the ruthless mafia boss, murdered his mother before his very own eyes.

As she had tried to escape the dreadful life of crime with her son, when he was just a child, seeking a peaceful existence away from the violence that had consumed their family.

But her defiance was met with a brutal retribution death, and Hiroshi watched in horror as his father ended her life on that rainy night.

On that day, Hiroshi vowed revenge; he would destroy the mafia and kill everyone who was responsible for the death of his beloved mother.

His hatred filed his rise within the organization, but a few months ago, Hiroshi fled the organization in search of a new life, fulfilling his mother's dying wish, but his attempts were in van, as his father later captured him, with his true intentions revealed, Hiroshi became their enemy.

Now, he found himself within the underground solitary confinement center, as a prisoner and was brutally punished by his father, who has deployed this as a warning to all those who would think of leaving the mafia.

In this empty bottomless pit, Hiroshi was alone with only his thoughts, as his demon remained him of his unyielding desire for revenge. Hiroshi sat in the cell; with lifeless eyes, his mind far away from the cold concrete walls that had confined him. He only focused on the numbers within his mind, counting backwards.

100… 99… 98…

A technique he had been using to endure the torture and a way of him maintain his sanity.

87… 86… 85… Outside Hiroshi's cell, a group of mafia enforces made their way thought the labyrinthine corridors.

In front there leader, a scared brute named Takeshi, as he lead the way, followed by two more enforcers and fresh new recruit who had never been to this hellish part of the mafia domain.

The new enforces gagged at the overwhelming smell of death and despair that permeated the air. "Why the hell does stink so badly in here?" The man complained, his voice tinged with fear and disgust. 

Takeshi chuckled darkly, "You enjoying yourself back there, rookie?"

The rookie gave him a puzzled look. "Enjoying myself? Are you can't be serious?"

"Just you wait," Takeshi said, with a sinister grin on his face. "We're almost at the main attraction."

45… 44… 43… 

The group approached Hiroshi's cell, and turned to the rookie. "You ready?"

The recruit swallowed hard. "Ready for what?"

Takeshi grin widened. "To meet the man himself."

25… 24… 23… 

The door then creaked open, as the harsh light flooded the inter cell. The enforcer's stepped inside, their faces twisted with sadistic glees, the new recruit eyes then widened in recognition. He had heard stories of Hiroshi, the infamous assassin who had fell from grace. Now, seeing him in the flesh, shackled and battered, the recruit's fear turned into outright terror.

15… 14… 13…

In his head Hiroshi continued counting down paying no mind to those before him, he remind silent, his eyes cold and defiant.

"Look at the mighty Hiroshi," Takeshi sneered "Not so thought now, are you?"

Takeshi knelt beside Hiroshi, grabbing his hair forcing him to look up.

"Guess what, we're going to have some fun tonight," Takeshi hissed. "Let's see how long you can keep on that brave face."

The beating began fists and boots raining down on Hiroshi body. Each and every blow sent waves of pain throughout his inter body, but he refused to ever cry out. Instead the number in his head kept going down.

6… 5… 4…

Bloody and bruised, Hiroshi reminds silent, whispered within the recesses of his mind began to emerge, from his inner demon. The enforcer's taunts and blows faded into the background as the final numbers approached.

3… 2… 1…

And with the final number, Hiroshi lifted his head, meeting Takeshi gaze with burning and cold, murderous light in his eyes. He whispered.

"Zero."

Beginning the massacre; suddenly a surge of energy coursed through Hiroshi whit a burst of strength, Hiroshi lunged forward, yanking the chains with all his might. The old, rusted metal gave away, freeing himself. As the element of surprise was on his side, and before the enforcers could to react, Hiroshi was already upon them.

Hiroshi rushed forward, attacking his enemies with his bare hands. And with a swift and brutal motion, ripping one of the enforcer's throat wide open, the gurgling scream cut short by the gory spectacle.

As he then lunched himself at the next enforcer, moving like a shadow in the darkness. And within a blink of an eye, he vanished and reappeared behind the enforcer, snapping his neck with a single, swift but brutal twist.

Takeshi left for last, tried to fight back "YOU FUCKING BUSTARD!" he yelled, pulling his gun, aiming it at Hiroshi. And with swift precision, Hiroshi kicked the man's jaw, completely breaking it with a sickening crack. The man's eyes widened in a mix of fear and pain as he crumpled to the ground, paralyzed.

Hiroshi stood over him, watching him, his expression cold and detached. The man attempted to speak, but only garbled sounds escaped his broken jaw. Blood pooled beneath him, spreading across the inter floor like a crimson tide.

Ignoring Takeshi leaving him to completely suffer, as Hiroshi walked away. Takeshi's desperate attempts to move were futile, as the blood loss quickly darned his strength. And within moments, the man led still on the floor, his life slipping away, as his blood colored the floor with a dark, sticky sheen of red.

The cell was a blur of violence, and within moments, the new recruit was paralyzed by his own fear, he could do nothing but watch as his superiors were brutally slaughtered. The fear had completely consumed his body, as his legs gave out beneath him, He fell to his knees trembling uncontrollably in fear. Hiroshi paid him absolutely no mind, completely ignoring him, as he walked out of his cell.

Realizing his freedom was just a few steps away, Hiroshi eyes narrowed with determination, He then dashed for the exit, resolved and ready to eliminate anyone who dared to stand in his way.

Hiroshi Yamaguchi, the prodigal son of the Yamagachi-gumi mafia family, was finally free from his restraints. His journey for revenge had just begun, as he stepped into the corridors, he knew, he stopped at noting till he had completely destroyed all those who had taken everything from him.

For now the time of counting was over, now it was time to act!

End of the 1st Chapter.