The Guardians of Light

A Voodoo Priest

' I don't know what those phrases mean, but I'm guessing you are eager to catch this son of a b***h. '

' Hai. '

' Translation, please? '

' I said, yes. '

' Alright then, let me alert everyone and ask them to bring fire arms just in case. '

After 15 minutes, all the interns gathered at the old lady's residence. 

We put on night vision goggles and went into the sewers one by one. 

Ryan: The target is approximately 200 meters away. 

Steven: Let's stay focussed. We don't know if he is alone or not.

Yugi: Be ready for any kind of surprises, guys. We don't know what we are walking into. 

We all kept moving forward. Everyone kept their watch in a particular direction.  

When the target was 50m away, we located a small shack. 

Ryan: The target is in there. 

Seema: Let's stop talking and signal each other from now on. 

I put ST inside and held the g*n. We all moved stealthily.

Steven: [Signals] When I count to one, Ryan breaks the door, Ayami and Seema, you take my 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock.

Steven: 3...2...1...

I broke the door, and the three of them rushed inside. The Ultimate Thief was just sitting in a chair leisurely, if he was waiting for us to capture him.

It didn't make any sense, but we have finally captured the target and finished our assignment. We cuffed him and returned to the HQ. 

All the Protectors and staff working there were amazed as to how quickly we put a bad guy behind the bars. 

Mr. Reynolds arrived there as soon as he heard about the capture. 

Mr. Reynolds: This is unbelievable. "The Ultimate Thief" in just three days. I have to admit you guys are brilliant. You all exceeded my expectations.

So, who's the mastermind behind the Thief's capture?

Ryan: Well, it's a team effort, Sir.

Mr. Reynolds: Impressive. I'll let you all know about your promotions soon. You all may leave now. 

I thought at least now, Ayami would talk to me, but Nah, she just left. Her ignorance deepened my obsession with her. I thought of talking with her again but then remembered about the punching and stopped myself. 

Everyone left as if that was really teamwork. I mean, it was okay to share the spotlight, but at least I deserve some degree of appreciation. But nada. I comforted myself thinking, that's how people are.  

Suddenly, I remembered about Mia's drama. I was sure she would be pissed for leaving her drama in the middle. 

I got back to my room, and there I saw Evelyn waiting at my door. 

' Hey, Evelyn. Long time. '

' Hey. I heard you captured The Ultimate Thief. A great job for a rookie. '

' I had a good team. '

' Well, looking forward to working with you someday in the future. '

' I heard your team is not so welcoming to the newcomers. '

' They're not wrong, but you are an exception. '

' May I know the reason? '

' Well, I kind of like you. '

' Oh, I see. It's really good to know. '

' Shall we head to the Gyro and have some coffee? '

' I would love to, but I uh have to lay down for a while. I just returned from my assignment. '

' Yeah, I understand. Some other time maybe. Alright then, you take rest, and I'll see you later. '

' It's nice to see you, Evelyn. Laters. '

Evelyn left, and I immediately went to my room and napped.

                                                                            -----*-----

I woke up, and it was 8 o'clock. I went to the living room, and Mia's wasn't home yet. 

' Mom? Where is Mia? '

' She didn't come to the home, sweetheart. '

' I think her play might have lasted long. I'll go and check on her. '

I went to school, and it was so crowded, just like yesterday. I searched for Mia, and there she was gossiping with her friends. I didn't feel like intervening, so I roamed around. 

I thought why don't I pay a visit to the Martial Arts Club. When I reached there, I saw that all the students were standing in a line, and Sensei was sitting in front of them. 

' May I come in, Sensei? ' I asked.

Sensei nodded, and I went inside.

I wondered in my head about what's going on. 

Sensei asked me to stand along with them. I silently went and stood beside the last guy. 

' An outsider arrived, challenged my students, and beat them. I know the opponent is twice your size and strength. I thought I taught you more than just to fight, but after today, I feel I'm unsuccessful in teaching, and I don't deserve to be your Sensei. Before I express my disappointment, I would like to say a few  things about my new student that you all have to learn from. 

 1.    Don't give in to temptation until you know your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. When Godzilla taunted Ryan to attack him, Ryan didn't. Instead, he waited for the right chance to attack."

2.    "The best defence is the best offense. " Ryan did not go offensive from the beginning. He defended and tried to understand how his opponent moves.

3.    Observation. Ryan only attacked whenever he was sure he could land a strike. When Godzilla was in transition, Ryan understood that it was his cue to attack. That is the kind of observation you all need to learn and adapt to. 

If it wasn't for him, there would have been a mole to my pride. My students failed me today because I have failed to provide proper training to them. I'm unfit to be a teacher. '

Aito: I disagree, Sensei. You have been an excellent teacher so far. I am honoured to be your student. It is us that failed you today. I promise that we'll never let anything happen to your pride ever again. 

Sensei had a soft corner on Aito, and his words pleased him. 

' Alright, my students. We will practice with double energy from tomorrow. You all can leave now. '

Everyone started to leave the club. I was the last one in the line. When I finally came outside, Aito was waiting at the door. 

' Ryan, I owe you one for saving the master's pride today. '

' Thank you, I guess. '

' I resent you, because you did the job that I should've done. Also, I admire your skills. So, I wanted to invite you to have dinner at my house tonight. I would be glad if you accept it. '

' Sure. I'm pleased that you have invited me to dinner. I accept your invite. '

' Great. Shall we leave then? '

' Wait right here. I'll be back in a moment. '

I went to talk to Mia. She was still with her friends talking and laughing. 

' Hey, Mia. Can I talk to you for a second? '

Mia separated from the group and came to me. 

' Hey, Ryan. I'm sorry I wasn't able to meet you after the play. '

I thought she would be mad at me, but this is good news she didn't even realize that I was gone. I decided to play along.  

' No big deal, Mia. Listen, I'm going to Aito's home for dinner tonight. Can you go home alone or want me to drop you off first? '

' Nah. Actually, I'm going to have a sleepover with my friend. So don't worry, I'll not be alone. '  

' Fantastic. I'll text my mother that neither of us are coming home for dinner, then. '

Mia went back to her friends, and I went back to Aito. 

' Aito, I'm good to go. '

Aito had a motorcycle. I sat back, and we left to his house. 

Aito's home was small but beautiful. He unlocked the door, and we went inside. No one appeared to be home.

' Where are your parents, Aito? '

' I live here alone . My parents actually stay in Japan. ' 

' Woah. Aren't Japanese schools good enough? '

' It's not that. I have my reasons. '

I understood that he didn't want to share. So I haven't pushed him to say so. 

' Do you like Sushi? ' he asked.

' Well, I don't hate it. '

' Alright then, that is going to be our dinner. '

 As soon as he went to the kitchen, I informed my mother through text, and as soon as she saw my message, she called me.

' Is everything alright, sweetheart? '

' Yeah, mom. Everything's fine. Mia is going to stay with her friends tonight, and I am having dinner at one of my friends that I made today. His name is Aito. I think I'll be back home after the dinner or maybe not. I'm not sure yet. '

' It's okay, sweetheart. I just wanted to confirm that everything is alright. '

' It is, mom. Good night, bye. '

I decided to take a look at his house until he returns. As I was glancing, I saw a photograph that astounded me.

' Ayami? ' I muttered out loud. 

' Do you know her? ' Aito rushed from the kitchen after overhearing me. 

I struggled to answer him.

' No. The name is on the frame. '

' Oh. '

' Who is she, by the way? '

I could see him turning sad right after I asked the question. He became pale. 

' I'll understand if you don't want to share. ' I added.

He sat down on the sofa.

' It's alright. She's my twin sister, but we don't look alike. We loved each other a lot. An year ago, I and Ayami, had a cycle race. It was so competitive and Ayami was a good sport. That day, she raced me along with our dog, Shiro. Everything was going great until Ayami's cycle stumbled over a rock and Ayami's head got hit to a rock, and the dog got hit by a car. It all happened right before my eyes. Shiro was spot dead. Ayami was conscious for two days and then went into a coma and has been in that state ever since. I couldn't live in Japan anymore. Lots of bad memories. That's when I shifted here to Cleveland. '   

I didn't know what to reply or how to explain to him that Ayami was still alive without sounding crazy. 

' I'm so sorry. ' I said. That's all I could think of for the moment. 

Our dinner passed in utter silence. I wanted to get him out of his depression. I couldn't see his plight. 

' Aito. What would you to say to Ayami, if you had a chance to convey a message to her? '

' Well, I'd want her to know that Shiro had a proper funeral and also that I miss her. '

' I don't know if you believe in spirits, but I can talk to them sometimes. I'll convey your message if I come in contact with Ayami's spirits. '

' What are you? A Voodoo Priest? '

' I know it may sound crazy, but I can't deny my gifts. I can tell you one thing about her though, wherever she is, she is struggling with her pain just like you do. '

' She isn't dead, Ryan and I don't want her to suffer like me.. '

' I know, I'm sorry. I probably should head back home now. '

' It's alright.. I'll give you a ride. '