jorge_guillem

In a world ruled from the shadows by powerful international mafias, a mysterious tree known as “The Tree of Eden” becomes the epicenter of a global conflict. Every 1,000 years, this tree produces a single apple, a legendary fruit that grants the possessor absolute power capable of changing the fate of the world. However, the tree also grants special abilities to those who are part of these mafias, fueling a constant war for control of its power.
Akihiko Sora, a 17-year-old prodigy, has lived his entire life in the darkness of organized crime. Cold and calculating, Akihiko has learned to survive thanks to his unique ability: the manipulation of the vacuum, a devastating power that has made him one of the most lethal weapons in his organization. Armed with his katana, “Kurai no Kiba”, and guided by a code of conduct, Akihiko has learned to survive. and guided by a code of honor that contrasts with the chaos of his environment, his loyalty is shaken when he discovers fragments of the truth about the tree and the link that binds him to its dark origin. .
But as the world's mafias embark on an all-out war to claim the forbidden fruit, Akihiko is drawn into a conspiracy beyond his understanding. Ancestral secrets, unexpected betrayals and a destiny that seems written in the heart of the tree will push him to question not only his purpose, but also the price of power.
Will Akihiko be able to unravel the mysteries of the tree before its fruit falls into the wrong hands, or will the weight of his skill and his past condemn him to eternal emptiness?
In this struggle for truth and survival, one thing is certain: the next bearer of the apple will have the power to decide the future of the world .

Shikkoku no Eden

The impact was brutal. Akihiko barely had time to react before the assassin struck him with inhuman speed, sending him tumbling into a pile of rusted beams. The metal creaked under his weight as dust rose into the air.

Isabella flung out her resonant threads in a desperate attempt to immobilize the figure, but shadows enveloped her before she could react. An instant later, she was thrown to the ground with an invisible force.

Kael, seeing that technology wasn't working against this enemy, opted to improvise. He pulled a small cylindrical device from his belt and threw it into the center of the factory. A bright flash lit up the area as an electromagnetic blast shook the air.

For a moment, the killer's shadows seemed to waver.

Without hesitation, Akihiko launched himself with all his might. His katana glowed with void energy as he slashed in an arc toward the enemy.

But before he could touch it, the figure disappeared.

The Enigma of the Murderer

A thick silence fell over the factory. Akihiko looked around, breathing heavily. Isabella struggled to her feet, while Kael frantically checked his device, trying to track any signals.

"He's gone..." Isabella murmured, a hint of frustration in her voice. "But not because he ran away."

Kael nodded. "He was sizing us up. He wanted to know what we were capable of."

Akihiko closed his eyes for a moment, trying to process the situation. This enemy was not only powerful, but also possessed meticulous intelligence. He didn't fight on instinct. He fought with purpose.

Kael checked his screen and frowned. "I don't know if it's a coincidence, but right around the time the assassin's signal disappeared, there was a power surge in another sector of Neo-Prague."

"Coincidence?" Isabella crossed her arms. "I highly doubt it is."

Akihiko put away his katana and looked at his companions. "Then it's time to find out what's in that place."

The point of interest turned out to be an underground warehouse, hidden beneath an old, disused train station. At first glance, it looked like an abandoned site, but as soon as Akihiko and his team infiltrated, they found evidence of recent activity.

Remnants of surveillance equipment. Hastily burned documents. And most disturbing: symbols etched into the walls with surgical precision.

"These symbols..." Isabella murmured, touching one of them. "They're not just marks. They're coordinates."

Kael stepped closer and pulled out his handheld scanner. "Not only that. There are traces of an energy signature similar to the killer's. This wasn't just a hideout... it was a staging point."

Akihiko looked around cautiously. If this place was linked to the killer, it meant they weren't alone in this war.

"Which means there are more like him," Isabella concluded.

Kael exhaled with concern. "And that what happened with Viktor is just the beginning."

Akihiko looked at the symbols one last time before clenching his fists. If this was the shadow looming over the criminal world, then he was ready to face it.

"We're running out of time," he said finally. "We must move before they do."

And with that, the hunt continued.

Chapter 54: Moving Shadows