In the uper level of the city there were many companies and high class people who basked in the full light of the sun. And in the center was the Spire. A tower that reached all the way out of the earths atmosphere. There was one in the center of every city, each served as the Conclave core of operations. Many other corporations have to answer to the Conclave in order to thrive. Omenyx is one of the few that can act on it's own.

Waller: I must oppose this plan Blaine. The Tuwa Foundation is a non profit organization. I could understand if it was for publisity, but the investment you are putting into it is just too much.

Blaine: I'm sorry but I do not understand your objection Ms. Waller.

Waller: I'm saying that you are basically just throwing profits away just to save a small foundation that will not even succeed in the end.

Hextor: And you have repeatedly turned down the Conclaves support. Because of you we had to sign away the rights to the Ayous Energy just so you can stay independant.

Many of the other boardmembers continued the discussion. Many were in opposition to David Blane.

Blaine: So in other words you are all just concerned with how rich you will be by the end of the day.

Hextor: We are not trying to say that. We are concerned for the companies future.

Waller: Indeed. We aren't going to go into bankruptcy over this particular investment but If this continues over the next five years we will be in the red.

Blaine: Ladies and Gentlemen. This is not about either publicity or profits. It is about retaking our individuality. We cannot depend on the Conclave to take care of us. Omenyx is an independant company. Sure we would all be richer then ever, but there are many things we can do that we would not be able to. We create ideas for multiple purposes here. The ones that thrive are then mass produced and sold to the consumer. That's the wonderful thing about independant buisnesses. We choose what to create and through trial and error we discover what is worth keeping. We would not have half of these options if we have to give them to someone another. Another who by the way, has not contributed anything to the ideas creation and simply wants to claim something for nothing.

Waller: And yet we lost all the rights to the Ayous plan. An energy source that has proven to be clean and easy to produce.

Blaine: It's buisness. There are always trade offs.

Hector: And with your support of the Tuwa Foundation, you have already announced what we will be trading off. So what do we get in return?

Blaine: . . . True Freedom.

With those words, Blaine left the meeting. Not even remotly interested in what the other boardmembers had to say.

Waller: That man is going to ruin this whole company. I belive it's time we discussed getting a new head of Omenyx.

The others agreed.

Hector: Unfortunatly we will need a different methode to deal with David Blaine. Alot of Omenyx's security protocals are wired to his specific biometrics.

Waller: If we could recover Project Nova before him we might be able to over-ride the system. Most likely it's with Norton Vermire.

Hector: Wasn't he the Chief Engineer of Omenyx's classified projects?

Waller: That and he's the one that ran off with the A.B.M.A. The only hard part is tracking down his wearabouts. I believe we will need the aid of a third party to recover both.

Hector: I've been in contact with the Archbishop Eleazar and claims that he can help us with our takeover. The catch is that we must also have him as our replacement owner.

Waller: Eleazar owns several companies anyway. He's only been the Archboshop for ten years so it makes sense. All in favor of accepting the aid of Eleazar speak now.

They all agreed to continue with the plan.

_______________________________________________________________________

Blaine: Are we ready for the test run?

Scientist: We can start at any time sir.

Blaine: Very good, we will begin on my mark.

Scientist: Sir if I may ask, aren't you suppost to be in a meeting with the boardmembers?

Blaine: I am but I also own this company. They usually have nothing to talk about anyway so there is no need to waste time on them.

Scientist: So you just left in the middle of it?

Blaine: My place is in the work site. Dealing with people like that is more tiring then a eighty hour construction job.

Scientist: Then why keep them?

Blaine: They deal with the political problems and marketing. They may be a bunch of snakes but I know where to keep them. However I do thank you for your concern. Now then let the test commence.

Scientist: Yes sir.

________________________________________________________________________

Brian brought everyone to Soki and Zoey's home. And then stated that he had to make another trip and pick up Soki.

Brian: I'll probably be back in roughly an hour if nothing wierd happens. So get comfortable and obviously don't leave the premise and all that.

Zoey: To be honest I find it already wierd that you are saying lines like that.

Brian: Scares the hell out of me as well. A week ago, I'm the unwanted juvenile delinquent and now I'm one of the pigs I bad mouthed about. If there is a god then it's name's probably Irony.

And so he took off to pick up his superior. Zoey's home was pretty basic. There were a few trinkets of Japaneese heritage but everything else was basic.

Daniel: I didn't know that there were any of these left.

Zoey: Yeah that's part of my dad's collection. He tries to protect what's left of our culture.

Daniel: You don't seem as interested.

Zoey: I was born in a North American culture so no. Every now and then I see some things like that and try to grab it for him if I can. Though I do like the Katana's.

Alice: I'm surprized that your dad doesn't have any restrictions on them.

Zoey: He told me that if I ever cut myself on them that he would always try to save me but if I did it would be my own fault. Most of them wern't in the best condition anyway so you have to intentionally cut yourself for them to work. Well except for that one.

Among them, there was one sheathed katana in a special case. Unlike the other authentic versions, this one looked alot younger and modern.

Daniel: That one looks like it's military grade.

Zoey: That's the one that dad doesn't let anyone touch. And I mean he literally doesn't let anyone touch it. It has a two-step lock to it. I know the combination by chance but it also requires a key as well. Which I can only guess he keeps it with him.

Alice: That blade has a bit of a history around it so if you're interested then you can ask Soki all about it.

Zoey: Yeah but it is a long story. We got other things as well here. He even has an old Piano.

Daniel: Didn't know that was Japaneese.

He was of course being a little sarcastic.

Zoey: It isn't but most of them are reserved for schools and full time pianists. I'll show you it. You comming Alice?

Alice: I'll be right there. Just checking something

As the left, Alice began to examine the locked up blade.

Alice: I never really got to see this weapon before but when I heard Soki talk about it, he sounded as though he hated it.

Nova: Examining of the weapons frequency suggest that it's designed to be an anti-tank katana.

Alice: Wait, you mean it can cut through thick metal?

Nova: There is a limit to it but I would think that the wielder is expected to cut into the joint areas and abuse weak points. It's edge is laced with a diamond edge and it uses a pressurized launching mechanism to increase kinetic energy. It's built into the weapon itself so I would assume it has a trigger based activation. . . It's overall high frequency could possibly cut through even the Novon armor. If Soki does hold any agression to this weapon then I can calculate how it would be possible.

Alice: And you can't get the why part?

Nova: That would be tied to emotions and independence. I would have to learn of the thought patterns to understand.

Alice: Well you are trying anyway. But you think and learn for someone void of emotions. Is there a reason why you don't try to make any for yourself.

Nova: My programming deems it unnecessary so there is no reason.

Alice: That's not the only reason is there.

Nova: If it try to incorporate emotions then there is a risk of going aberrant. If I go aberrant then I risk my hosts safety which intern violates my directive.

Alice: Oh. I didn't think it was that bad for you.

She would have continued asking about Nova's functions but lost interest when she heard the sound of a piano. She returned to her friends to find Daniel playing.

Alice: What kind of song is that?

Daniel: Something I wrote myself. It's unfinished though so don't expect it to be that good.

It was a very strange melody but in no ways bad at all. It didn't sound happy, sad or enraging. When listening to it. It seemed to captivate the simple desire of trying to understand it. It was unique, misterious and engaging.

Alice: I never knew you had that kind of talent.

Daniel: It's not talent at all. It's just hard for me to hit the keys I need.

She thought to herself. "Hit the keys he needs". Come to think if it he looked like he was struggling with his fingers. Almost like they wern't moving properly.

Alice: I still think you should try out for the piano role in school.

Zoey: Well to be fair. It will be at a new school because those lousy gang bangers wrecked our last one.

Daniel: I . . . Don't know if I should.

Zoey: Oh common, get in the game. You could blow away the other guys. It helps to chip off some of the Ice.

Daniel: . . . I can try anyway.

Alice: You don't have to if you don't want to.

Daniel seemed to have a hard time socializing with others. Although Alice could relate to that alot better then others.

Daniel: I'll think about it.

________________________________________________________________________

They heard the car pull up. And outcame both Soki and Brian.

Soki: Once we've finished the discussion, you can take the rest of the day off Mr. Riggs.

Brian: Understood sir.

They entered to see everyone watching the news.

Zoey: That was not at all what happened.

Brian: What, you mean on the news? Yeah they always do that.

Daniel: Isn't that something that you don't shout out to regular civilians?

Soki: It doesn't matter anyway. . . I'm used to having my reports thrown out the window like that.

According to the news, the entire thing was blamed on a teenaged gang and Red Raven.

Brian: Quite interesting where a bunch of angry delinquents are subdued by a single psycho.

Zoey: To be fair he actually stopped alot of the damage. But I can understand how people call him a mass murderer.

Soki: Then you can tell us what happened.

_____________________________FLASHBACK_________________________________

Zoey described how she was at the mercy of a transformed Dominic who became a 12 foot monster calling himself Invasion.

Invasion: Now then before my children are allowed their fun, I must finish my work.

Small tentacles sprouted from his head and coiled around Zoey. She had a fearful and disgusted look on her face, trying to kick and struggle but to no avail.

Invasion: You will have to endure this for the moment but I promise that we will do no physical harm to you and any psychological damge I can simply erase. Now hold still so this will be done sooner.

Two of the tentacles entered her ears. And then he began entering her mind. Searching through her memmories.

Invasion: You see. It's a bit uncomfortable but in no way is it harmful to you. . . Now here we go. This might be useful.

One of the teens around him handed him a pen and paper that he used his second set of hands to write down.

Invasion: Yes this will help Spicule to some degree. Now then we just need someone to run these numbers by him. Well my part is done. Children you may now endulge in your desires.

Invasion backed away from Zoey allowing the others room.

Josh: I would have done this the long way like I prefer but we're short on time so we'll have to do this the rought and short way. Now show me some grief.

He grinned disturbingly and began to set himself up. Zoey was too tied up to try and shake him off. She did not want this kind of person near her. But everyone around was just as disgusting as Josh was. As he was about to begin. The gym doors swung open.

Bert: Boss! Boss! We got trouble.

Josh: Bert you fat asshole. You're killing the mood.

Bert: Fuck that, he's here!

Invasion: He who?

Before he could even answer a massive 4 inch thick nail came screaming by Berts head. Impaling one of the other gang-bangers. He was struggling for air as the nail had ruptured his lungs. Pinning him to the wall. He had a horrified expression on his face as he felt his life slip away.

Bert: That's who! The Bird is here! Put your dick away already and help deal with him!

Josh: Seriously fuck you Bert.

Invasion: You dare harm my children!?

Red Raven: They came from the hills. And they came from the valleys and the plains. They struggle in the cold. In the heat and the snow and in the rain. Came to hear him play. Play their minds away.

He slowly walked forward branding two nine inch thick nails by their heads.

Invasion: No mercy for this one. Do not relent.

Red Raven: We're all following a strange melody. We're all summoned by a tune. We're following the piper. And we Dance beneath the moon.

He then threw nails into all the lights in the room. The only light left was the small glow eminating from the door.

Red Raven: We're following the piper and we dance beneath the moon for him. And we dance beneath the moon. Sub Luna Saltamus.

Invasion: Fear not my children. I can still see him. Just follow my instructi---AUUGGGG!

Invasions arms were impaled into the walls by more nine inch thick nails.

Red Raven: They came from the south. And from the west and the north and from the east. They waited for the man like a parish is waiting for a priest.

Bert: Holy Shit! Boss, someone help the boss.

Invasion: Bert . . . Take the notes I wrote down. Take them to Spicule.

Bert: But . . .

Invasion: GO!

They could hear Red Raven sing but they could not tell from where. Like a phantom in the shadow he could not be tracked.

Red Raven: We're all following a strange melody. We're summoned by a tune. We're following the piper. And we dance beneath the moon. We're following the piper and we dance beneath the moon for him.

Steven: Hey bird face. Shut the fuck up.

It was then that the girl next to him was impaled through the hands. First she screamed in pain before pierced through the chest. Red raven came face to face with Steven.

Red Raven: And we Dance beneath the moon.

Steven got jump-scared for the moment and then swung his weapon at raven.

Steven: I said SHUT THE FUCK UP!

He struck him on the white mask several times. It looked like he snapped Ravens neck.

Steven: Fucking finally.

It was then he witnessed something disturbing. Watching Raven as he forced his head backk into place. Steven could hear the cracking and clicking sounds from the spine.

Steven: What the fuck!?

Steven was frozen by the confusion. The thought of an enemy that he had killed was still moving. They have all heard tails of the Red Raven. But hearing and seeing are two different things. And in that moment of confusion, Raven swung the head of his nail through Stevens lower jaw. Cleaving it off completly. He screamed in pain and that was now all he could do.

Red Raven: Sub Luna Saltamus.

In the darkness Zoey could hear all of invasions children suffer as Raven pierced each of them with several nails. Invasion managed to get lose.

Invasion: No more. This ends now Raven.

He reached out and grabbed Raven and then began to slam him into the ground repeatedly.

Invason: You do not harm my children. No one must ever harm my children.

Without warning. More nails were launched into Invasions body. Through the eyes, at the joints and inside the internal organs. He was being swarmed with nails.

Red Raven: He gave them a dream. He seduced everybody in the land. The fire in his eyes and the fear was a weapon in his hands.

Josh made a desperate move with only him and Invasion left. He grabbed Zoey while she was still tied to a chair.

Josh: Show yourself right now you prick! Right fucking now! I swear to god I will kill the living Fuck out of this bitch! You hear me!

But his threat did not reach Raven. A nail pierced the chair that Zoey was tied to. Zoey wasn't harmed by it but the same could not be for Josh. Shocked and feeling pain in his shoulder and crotch. The nail that Raven was standing on had shaved the front of his stomache and destoryed his manhood. While another nail went through the arm that was holding a knife agains't Zoey. He fell back from the pain as he watched Red Raven approach him.

Red Raven: We're all following a strange melody. We're all summoned by a tune. We're following the piper and we dance beneath the moon.

Josh slowly tried to inch away from Raven in terror.

Josh: Get the fuck away from me! Get away!

Raven then impaled his legs to the floor.

Red Raven: We're following the piper and we dance beneath the moon for him. We dance beneath the moon. We dance beneath the moon.

Josh: Oh god . . . Somebody! Somebody help me! Please! Anyone!

His plea fell on deaf ears. The Red Raven just stared at him with the white cyclopse mask and a smile painted on. And it was done, He executed Josh without any mercy. Then turned his attention to the crippled Invasion. He was nailed to the wall, sideways. He was in a half transformed state. Being only a Class D, he couldn't take the abuse that Crypter could handle.

Invasion: My children . . . all gone. You were not to harm them and you wouldn't stop. They deserved the world but you wouldn't let them. I inspired fear for them. So they could be safe and have the world. But you just wouldn't stop. Forget Dayon, you are a monster. There is no way we could be monsters when you are around. Why? . . . Why wouldn't you stop! You twisted psychotic mon-GGHHHHHHKKKKKK!

A nail that could take up Invasions entire mouth was pierced through to the other side and through the wall. The head was wider then normal. All he had to do was push the nail the rest of the way in.

Invasion: MMMMMMMM . . . . MMMMMM . . MMMMMM!!!

Red Raven: Sub Luna Saltamus . . . Pied Piper.

__________________________END OF FLASHBACK___________________________

Zoey: I honestly thought I was going to die like that as well for a bit. But he just walked past me. I don't even know where he went.

Brian: Jeesus . . . And people think I'm violent.

Soki: I am just glad you wern't harmed.

Zoey: What about the tubes in my ear?

Soki: Do you feel sick in anyway?

Zoey: Well no . . . but you know.

Soki: It's ok. we'll get a check-up on you tomorrow. But it doesn't sound like that Dayon wasn't a dangerous one.

Alice: So you do know about Dayon then.

Soki: I'm not suppost to even bring up the word but yeah.

Zoey: People who can turn into monsters . . . Dayon. Alice, was that what was happening to you?

Alice: What!?

Zoey: It happened after the bridge incident didn't it.

Alice: I'm not a Dayon!

Zoey: I can handle the truth Alice!

Soki: Zoey that's enough. You won't get anywhere by simply trying to throw random words out there.

Zoey was unsatisfied but yielded. Nova on the other hand began to alert Alice.

Nova: Keep a straight face for now but I detect hostility comming from Soki.

Soki: Mr. Riggs. You saw her right, Can you enlighten us?

Brian: Zoey had the right idea. Just the wrong thing. Similar but I don't believe what I saw was a Dayon

Soki: And you Daniel?

Daniel: She's not one at all and that's all I'm going to say.

There was a moment of silence. And then Nova detected the hostiliity begin to quell.

Soki: Then that's all there is to it. I apologies for making everyone tense.

Alice: It's fine.

Daniel: Mind if I ask a question?

Soki: Shoot.

Daniel: Who is Spicuile.

Everyone paused at the name.

Zoey: The monster and his group kept spouting that word as well.

Soki: I was hoping any one of you could tell me that. . . . As far as I can gather he is the leader of a group called Devil Scar. Most likely an underground organization. I'm not exactly sure what they do or why but I know that alot of other gangs hire them.

Daniel: So they are basically like a mercenarry group.

Soki: To a limited degree. They seem to consist of other Dayon. Even small time gangs can rent the weaker ones. They rent whatever they can afford and then when we are about to arrest them, Devil Scar acts as support for the operation.

Brian: As far as I can tell though they aren't just guns for hire. Whoever Spicule is, he has an objective.

Alice: Is this really something that you should be telling us?

Soki: Not at all. And to be fair . . . I am sick of trying to cover up the Conclaves interests. That is why within the last couple of weeks I have been trying to put together a strike force for an Anti-Dayon Division.

Daniel: I'm guessing it's a volluntary job then.

Soki: Believe it or not we are getting off the books funding.

Zoey: What, from who?

Soki: From the only company who could. Omenyx.

Daniel: From David Blaine . . . A suggestion. Keep it at that. The closer you get to Blaine the less fortunate you will be.

Soki: I appreciate your concern Daniel, but I do have to meet with him to some degree to maintain this deal. I can certainly keep it buisness.

Alice: So are you asking us to join you or something?

Soki: I just want you to be informed. I don't really plan to involve you in anything. Now then with that out of the way I would like you and Daniel to spend the night here.

Daniel: Why?

Soki: I just don't think it's safe for either of you to be at your own homes right now.

________________________________________________________________________

Later at night when Brian was relieved for the day Alice came down to see Soki staring at the Katana in the case.

Alice: Zoey told me you always looked at that one with such cold hatred.

Soki: It is a weapon I hoped that I would never have to pull out of retirement. But with the increasing Dayon threat and the Conclaves insistance on averting their eyes. I will have to use it again and become what I used to be.

Soki then turned to an old photo. It was a picture of him and three other men.

Alice: I always saw that picture whenever I was over before but you never really talked about them.

Soki: My old team. During my military years we had to go out of the city. They called it a war. But all we were doing was killing small little pockets of angry starving people. Many of my fellow soldiers were killed by surprise. Some traps while others just got to arrogant. Me and these three however. We were the ones that no one wanted to return but did so none the less.

Alice: So they put you together because of that?

Soki: The team everyone hated. We were expendable and invincible in our superiors eyes. The other soldiers eventually started calling us the Riders of the Apocalypse. Bernard is the white American. Rico is the Hispanic. And the young African is Jamaal.

Alice: Jamaal looks like he was the age of 14.

Soki: 12 actually. None of us were friends in anyway. But Jamaal was the real outcast there.

Alice: You don't mean because he was too young, do you.

Soki: We all took our rider roles literally. But he took his symbolically. Rico was trigger happy and well I don't even like to talk about Bernard. Jamaal however was the one I respected.

Alice: What happened to him?

Soki: Same thing that happens to all soldiers. I was the only one of them that made it back. This Katana was a custom made weapon along with three with the same frequency but they each had a different culture they took after. Don't ask me where the other three went.

Alice: Almost like they follow only the rider they belonged to.

Soki: I guess you could say that. If that's true then I hope the others have followed their riders to their end as well. In any case I have to get back to work in the morning and prepare for the big event tomorrow.

Alice: What event?

Soki: Omenyx has made a large donation to the Tuwa Foundation. That group has been bullied by the Conclave ever since they started. They were close to going under until Blane stepped in. The Conclave cannot legally touch them right now. But I can't imagine that they are just going to do nothing. Blaine as already requested my police department to guard the event.