[18+] the Boat of Charon (grapevine & vyssini)

[vyssini]

 

La Barca de Aqueronte

 

How much pain can be kept inside a heart?

 

This is a story of the boy who lost his innocence and buried his kindness deep in the sea of revenge. He who took the rapier of a slayer to avenge his loss will meet his fated love.

 

Will he be willing to take that chance and wash his hands off his chosen path?

 

 

[grapevine]

 

Vyssini's Character

 

 

 

Grapevine's Character

 

 

 

It's the world's tallest building that surpasses the previous title holder by leaps and bounds. It stood on a private island and the seclusion made it possible for a promise of better security. It's construction was a top secret and it's launch shook the world. It has a total of two hundred floors. It provides and serves top quality service, entertainment, food and wines. The building security is too excellent making it the nest of the wealthiest businessman, politicians and the likes. There is a rumor that it is a front company of a wealthy underground boss that made it possible to seal and hush up all news about the building's construction. Though, no one can find a single dirt or dust. It's employees are undoubtedly normal citizens that had founded a great name for themselves in the line of their careers. Those elites and experts that are all drawn here made quite a small fuss in the media world. It was then that a rumor started that the compensation provided and given by the owner are too sweet to refuse. But it's reputation is too good which only attracted more and more millionaires.

 

[vyssini]

 

An organization that controls and leads the underground society.

 

It is the most influencial organization whose powers extends to every countries in the world. It has several group of It manages requests from different factions and always stays neutral. It's people are trained and experienced to almost every necessary fields. It has the most advanced technology and most effective medicines that you couldn't find anywhere in the market.

 

It has a very systematic operation. This system ensures protection of the identities of the members as well as clients and safeguards the secrets of the organization.

 

Division. It is composed of three divisions: boat, boatman, and paddle.

BOAT: It is the logistics team. It is responsible for assigning tasks and making necessary arrangements. Of the three division, the boat members are the only ones who had a visible connection to the outer world. It's base is a bank owned by the sHade Group that serves as its front company. This made it possible for all members to visit and act without much suspicion from prying eyes.

BOATMAN: It is composed of the core members of the organization. It's members are cold-blooded assassins who underwent training and passed several assessments in the organization's facilities since young. Those who failed became the first victims of those who passed. Killing and bathing in blood is their everyday meal. They only live for completing a task assigned by the organization. Boatmen are prohibited to have any relationship and any significant connection to a person.

PADDLE: It is the shadow team whose roots are deeper that one can dig and breadth wider than one can reach. It is responsible for bringing commission from different individuals and factions. It is also responsible for gathering inteligence and passing it to the Boat for updating their data files. The planning of the task to ensure success and passing the directions and information to the boatmen are their most important role. The paddle serve as spear and shield from any external factors that may affect the task. They are also the thread that connects the boat and boatman but even they don't know the faces of the boatmen.

 

CORVUS:

It is a widely distributed genus of birds ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-sized jackdaws to the common raven. It is the messenger of the organization. Though only high ranking officials, elders and elite members are given the opportunity to raise one for themselves. You can say that it is a symbol of the holders of absolute power within Hades Organization.

 

Ranks. Each division members are classified into four ranks. This rank signifies the strength and the worth of the members. Seniority doesn't come with age but of experience and ranks: [white], [grey], [bronze] and [black]. The newest and inexperienced members are naturally white while the most elite and professional experts wear a black badge. The black badge signify great authority and power over any other member of the lower ranks.

 

Ranking Up. To rank up, a member has to meet all the necessary requirements for an upgrade. Completing an assigned task gives the members a monetary compensation and appropriate plates in accordance to how well they did their job. Some completed tasks are but a meager contribution to the organization and thus only compensated by money and a rare plate shard if one's lucky. This shows how hard it is for a member to collect the plates. When the required number of plates are met, they will be given a provisional assessment badge(pab). It is a transparent circular badge with a small gem in the middle matching the color of their next rank. All those who received the pab will undergo some tests and will have to compete for the limited position of qualified rankers. Qualified rankers are then asked to enter a certain door complementing the color of their next rank. Whoever survived received a rank up and a new badge with it carrying a higher compensation and privileges. Every lips are sealed and no one but themselves knew the horrors behind the doors.

 

 

 

[grapevine]

03:00 || sHade Island Hotel

 

 

He stared wide-eyed on the scene. His heart was tightening on his chest. He wanted to cry and he wanted to run away- away from that place, away from these people. But he couldn't even lift his feet and even if he could, he had no where to go. "Anong tinatayo-tayo mo dyan? Tara na!" His adult companions grabbed his hand and ran away but not before his gaze was met with one set of eyes.

 

Raphael woke up with ragged breath, his shirt soaked with sweat. It had been so long since he last saw that dream. But he never forgot the expression of those beady little eyes. He pulled his hair in frustration and immediately checked the clock on his bedside table. "03:00" He knew he couldn't go back to sleep so he hit the shower and let the water flow.

 

He has a big day ahead of him. He elegantly sipped the cup of black coffee while standing in his bath robe looking at the enchanting lights of the island through the glass wall. His hair dripping wet, the corner of his lips curved up. He will be meeting the infamous "Mad Dog". He was assigned by the higher ups to look after him. He heard his exploits as an unprecedented genius with 99% pinpoint accuracy. "A seeded candidate for the bronze rank-up,eh?"

 

He chuckled as remembers some memories. He finished his coffee and wore his suit. He dismissed those unnecessary thoughts and dialed the number of his vice-manager. "Send 'him' to me when he comes." Right, he was a hotel manager of the world class island hotel, sHade. His work was exhausting but he liked it and of course, the compensation and bonus were truly enormous. That's why he didn't have too many worries because his people were all competent individuals that the owner fished out from every corners of the world. It was different with him though. He didn't come for the money but he had a goal in mind.

[vyssini]

13:40 || Madrid’s Museo Nacional de Pintura

 

 

Those who visited the museum weren't ordinary. They were renowned artists, actors, businessmen and politicians who all decided to take a breather on their usually tedious jobs and careers. But today was a little unusual. Men or women would knit their brows, sneer, mock or taunt a certain boy who seemed to mistake the museum for a park.

 

A white haired boy at the age of 18, wearing a white t-shirt underneath a conspicuous black leather jacket and black pants stood still in front of a certain painting. His gaze was fixated on the 1887 oil on canvas and allegorical painting. He stood out in the crowd for his unusual attire and tenacious atmosphere. The boy took no offense on the insults thrown at him. You'd think of him being thick-skinned or shameless but in fact, he didn't hear a single thing. He had been rooted on that same spot for half a day without moving.

 

The painting was an interpretation of damned souls journeying across the River Acheron towards the gates of hell. The protagonist, a lone figure with a shroud, was a merciless harvester of condemned souls. The boatman of classical mythology named Charon.

 

The boy slightly moved when he felt the vibration on his left pocket. 'It's time' He turned his head and awed everyone. His face was pale, flawless white and his eyes were golden brown. They couldn't decide whether to call him cute or beautiful. He looked a lot like those cold ivory sculptures of vampires. But just like earlier, he seemed oblivious to the stares of his audience. The boy walked out murmuring the title of the painting one last time.

 

"La Barca de Aqueronte"

[grapevine]

5:00 || sHade Island Hotel

 

Alfred entered a room that served as his office. He wasn't fond of extravagance so it was simple and well-lit with minimal furniture. Though, everything inside from floor to ceiling wouldn't fall short of the status of a world class hotel.

 

Being an employee of sIH is an honorable status on its own. He was pulled out by the owner from a prestigious Brazilian luxury hotel in Rio. The benefits were shocking but what reeled him in was a promise of prestige and greater chance of self-improvement. For him being the vice-manager, said a lot on his skills. He also had a competent manager that even he can't help but admire. Speaking of the hotel manager, he just received a call from him an hour ago reminding him of some major matters. As expected of his superior, very responsible. He sighed in contentment and admiration. That's why he has to work harder to meet his expectations.

 

He was just checking about the arrangements for the arrival of an important 'guest'. With the attention his manager was giving 'him', Alfred knew he can't possibly screw up. He steadied him self and walked out of his office towards Aurora, the elegant tower in the western part of the island.

 

As usual, his breath way taken away by the sight of the tower and his eyes glazed with pure veneration. He really admired the owner's ingenuity and artistic sense.

[vyssini]

Garden of the Gods

 

Shade Island was a private island with a very strict security. The island had some buildings constructed atop it with the sHade Island Hotel in the very middle. The formerly desolate island had been made into a beautiful place, like an unearthly utopia.

 

The most enticing place in the island without doubts would be the western side. The highlights of the west was the "Garden of the Gods." All sorts of flowers were blooming and eye-catching. After careful arrangements by experts, they appeared all the more beautiful and captivating. There were also white pillars that stood in the garden with very eccentric designs that competes with the century old trees in height. The only entrance into the garden was an archway designed with blue roses that led to a small garden bridge above clear waters with colorful small fishes.

 

The center of attraction would be the Greek architecture, the Astronomy Tower. Inside the tower, you would surely lower your head and look at the ground just to pick up the jaws and eyeballs that you just dropped. The term beautiful wouldn't do justice to describe the beauty of the tower. Where else could you find the aurora borealis enclosed inside a dark, western tower which looked like a cylindrical galaxy lit by stars and constellations.

[grapevine]

6:01 || Aurora Tower. Garden of the Gods

 

His gaze darted to the only 'thing' that destroyed the scenery. His eyes turned to slits and veins started popping in his head. Alfred clenched his fist and gritted his teeth before he hastened his pace and strode towards the 'thing'. His stepped on the 'thing' before further putting some more force and grinding his soles to it's stomach.

 

*coughs* *coughs* "Oh, honey! You came! You must have missed me so much." A man whose face was designed with red marks for too much sleeping slowly rose up beneath the bushes. He scratched his chin before soothing his stomach with gentle caress. "Alfy, honey, your S nature really excites me." He whimpered before putting on that silly smile on his blushing face.

 

If there's something that made Alfred doubt the Owner's eyes, it would be the perverted 'thing' in front of him. Unkempt golden hair, disheveled suit, droopy eyes -in short- a sloppy, useless bum! How could the Owner tasked this 'thing' to be the head security of sHade Island was something he would never (or even try to) understand in this lifetime! 'It' never did anything but sleep in the Aurora tower. Upon hearing it's voice, his anger would boil to the max and he would lose his calm. The 'thing' was actually named Hazel, an elite FBI agent who resigned and opened up a security agency-according to Alfred's investigations. But he couldn't even fathom how 'it' was called elite. But since it was decided by the Owner (AND he couldn't find anything that could be used as proof of it's incompetence), he grudgingly accepted the fact that 'it' would be his co-worker. He decided that for the sake of sIH, he would make sure to work 'it' to the bones even though he really couldn't see 'it' as an individual.

 

"Tidy yourself up! This work can't be handled poorly or the manger will not be too forgiving-even if it's you!" Alfred handed a medium-sized blue envelop. Amusement glinted Hazel's eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared as if it never happened. Alfred thought he just mistook what he saw and dismissed it immediately.

[vyssini]

14:00 || Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas

At a certain airport, an eye-catching young man holding his flight ticket and passport stood in the crowd. He was wearing the same clothes when he visited the museum almost half an hour ago except the inconspicuous horned mask dangling his neck. The airport security seemed to turn a blind eye on the unusual attire of the young man with an exceptional visage. Beneath the beautiful face and weird sense of fashion, was someone known in the underworld as Cerberus or Mad Dog, an assassin with a very excellent marksmanship and high proficiency with knives control.

 

When he was ushered to the business class accommodation of the plane, he took his seat and stared at the window until the plane took off. He denied the flight attendants any attention and nonchalantly closed his eyes.

 

"Stay there! Don't make a sound, ok? It's like playing hide and seek, understand?" The beautiful lady hastily put him in a secure cramp space. Her voice was frantic and her long white hair were disheveled. The kid followed the lady's words and waited. A hazy cloud surfaced and scene changed. He was shivering in fear, he wanted to cry out and shout but stopped himself by covering his mouth. Then there was another kid looking back at him. Tears streamed down his cheeks but he remembered the lady's words well. The other kid was pulled by someone and glanced at him for the last time.

 

*huff* *huff* He woke up and his heart was beating loudly ready to jump out his chest. Darkness. Blood. Gunshots. A kid. A strange mark. His anger calmed his nerves and he regulated his breathing. His memories of that night was hazy but he remembered some bits of it too clearly. He embarked on his search for the kid and the mark. His investigations led him to a certain organization but everything else were gone- the records of that incident, the evidence, the people connected to it- all of the traces disappeared and a faint connection to Hades was all but left. He couldn't let go of the possibility of finding the key to his memories with that last bit of information so he joined the organization. He believed that he could find something there-sHade Island Hotel.

[grapevine]

6:03 || Aurora Tower. Garden of the Gods

 

Chad Hazel scratched his chin lazily and leered at the vice manager with lust. "Baby, you just have to ask and you shall receive." He licked his lips, inviting. He shuddered in the threatening gaze of the stiff and proper man. But it wasn't in fear but in overwhelming desire. His brain went fuzzy and his belly flutter in excitement. He was so attracted with the elite vice manager of sIH and he made sure to show and say it bluntly every chance he got.

 

But he knew the man hated him. He was called despicable, shameless names. But he never retaliated nor prove the claim wrong. And that seemed to piss off the man big time. Though it wasn't exactly how he wanted it but he knew he wouldn't be forgotten by the young elite. So it worked fine. Better to be hated than be treated with indifference. Besides, there was a very thin line between love and hate.

 

He was the head security of the whole island. And he was doing well though he never left the Aurora Tower. But it wasn't his choice but rather his task. The tower was enchanting but poisonous. It was the center of the Garden of the Gods. But was it that simple? Of course not. And he, the guardian, wasn't a nobody either. His background was non-existent. In short he doesn't exist. And that made him the best to guard the tower. He was the Island's Boss' lap dog. But nobody had to know especially the apple of his eyes. Except the manager. The manager knew everything and the man's background was darker than his. He shuddered at the thought of the darkest black eyes he ever saw.

 

Alfred handed him a medium-sized blue envelop. Amusement glinted Hazel's eyes but it disappeared quickly and went back to the normal droopy eyes. Blue Envelop. he-he. This would be fu-un. He bit the blue envelop and staggered to stand, brushing and patting his ass.

[vyssini]

08:30 || Beijing Capital International Airport

 

Yefim slung his travel backpack over his shoulder. He didn't have much possessions and all he had had been neatly stacked inside his commando bag. Even though he just move out from his tiny studio in Madrid, he wasn't bothered much. When he received the yellow envelop last week, he was even ecstatic. Inside was the order of his transfer. It was his long-awaited chance.

 

Three men in black suits approached him-all shared the same muscular build. "Cerberus, I presume? Thanos." The one in the middle spoke offering his hand. Though Yefim didn't miss the circular sensor attached to the black gloves of the outstretched hand of the man named Thanos. Yefim squinted his eyes but held his own gloved hand. "I go with Yefim." The vibration and soft was felt by both men.

 

"Good." Thanos withdrew his hand and gestured Yefim to walk after. "Everything has been prepared. We'll meet the SecuHead on Taijin Port." Suit 1 and Suit 2 didn't even spare him a look neither some words nor they introduced themselves. They just followed Yefim as they strode out of the busy airport.

 

He was glad to be escorted to the black SUV. He hated crowds. He threw himself on the back seat and massaged his temples. The flights drained his energy. He was in Beijing Airport. They had to travel southeast to reach Taijin which would at least take two hours. From there to Taijin Port, one and fifteen. In short three hours of hellish drive. "SIH" He whispered to himself.

[grapevine]

10:39 || Somewhere Beneath the Yellow Sea

 

Hazel staggered and pretended to lose his balance. With a sharp glint in his eyes, he swayed in the direction of the vice manager. The goody-goody man tried to lend him a hand. "Oopsies!" They fell together but he twisted his body so he would fall first and have Alfred safe within his embrace. He didn't want him hurt after all. They still end up with their bodies pressed so close to each other. He didn't let the chance slip

 

A flowery scent wafted from Alfred's body and assaulted his nostrils. A lecherous smile tugged at his lips which certainly didn't escape the notice of his beloved. A murderous glare met his gaze. With his hand around the man's waist, he tightened his embrace and slipped his other hand down.

 

He grabbed Alfred's ass cheeks and massaged it before a resounding slap left a red palm mark on his own cheeks. The stinging pain was worth the price for the experience. Of course, he wouldn't mind even a punch or two. Alfred's face was burning with rage. "Y-you! You! You!"

 

His thoughts weren't unheard. He didn't notice his hold loosened. Before he could even blink, Alfred had already released himself from him. His beloved was fuming mad. If looks could kill, he would burst in flames with his innards on the gorgeous Garden of the Gods. He received a straight one-two. He could have deflected it or avoided it but he did neither.

 

Inside the submarine, Chad Hazel had a wide smile while his hand caressing his left cheek, remembering the scene when his beloved vice manager stormed out of the garden with a barrage of curses and a very red face. He found Alfred trembling with anger too cute. If he didn't have to go to Taijin Port and meet the special guest, he would have ran and went after Alfred. He checked his wristwatch. Another half hour and they would be reaching their destination. He was whistling an anonymous tune. Nothing could put away his good mood.

[vyssini]

11:25 || Taijin Port

 

The sudden stop of the SUV woke him up. Yefim was a light sleeper not just because of the nature of his job but mostly because of his past. He always had nightmares making it impossible for him to have a decent sleep. He used it to his advantage and used his time to practice and temper his skills. His obsession to increase his strenght was well-known.

 

The dark circles around his eyes said much about his lack of sleep. That's why he took it upon himself to take some rest and close his eyes when he had a chance. He was used to taking naps when he was presented a free time which was rare. Especially after he joined Hades. He couldn't sit still. Taking up missions after missions, exhausting himself and stoping only when he was about to fall over.

 

He always worked alone. Never he had taken others with him even if the mission required more than two hands to complete. His distrust and aloofness garnered scoff and scorn from others. He couldn't care less because no matter how much taunting and jeering he heard being whispered, he knew none could really question his position. Being a seeded candidate for the bronze rank-up was gained with his blood and sweat.

 

His bag on his shoulder, he stepped out of the opened car door. His gaze resolute and firm. He watched the men waiting for his arrival with indifference. He had a goal, a mission. NO ONE should dare to stand on his way or he'd shot them down, their blood painting his road, leaving their bodies for the others to learn lesson from..

[grapevine]

Mission Envelope

[table=width: 580, align: center]

[tr]

[td]white[/td]

[td]missions that are not too dangerous and doesn't have time limit to fulfill[/td]

[/tr]

[tr]

[td]yellow[/td]

[td]missions that require an immediate response or fulfillment but not too dangerous[/td]

[/tr]

[tr]

[td]blue[/td]

[td]missions to be handed with care and caution. Confidential information[/td]

[/tr]

[tr]

[td]red[/td]

[td]missions that are dangerous and difficult to handle, require one to kill, might require one to suicide and destroy the envelop if necessary.[/td]

[/tr]

[tr]

[td]black[/td]

[td]things handled by the highest authority, can't be handed to just anyone, certain death to those who glimpsed at the envelop itself, extreme caution is required[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

11:25 || Taijin Port

 

Chad sat at the crates that were stacked high in the port with a goofy smile on his face. The sun was at its highest and it was really humid. Every man who were assigned to this welcoming mission stood uncomfortably under the scorching sun but none of it showed on their faces. They all stood stiffly and unmoving. They arrived at the port earlier and had endured since then. Only their superior, Chad who sat above the stacked crates was seen to be having a great time waiting. The mentioned security head had that wide smile that stretched to his ears while whistling to an unknown tune. It would be better if it was rhythmic at least but unfortunately, the said man was tone-deaf. The notes and rhythm was off though none would ever mention it in front of the concerned if they wanted to keep their heads on their shoulders. Thus, they silently endured being toasted under the sun and their ears tingling from pricks to gong.

 

Chad blinked away his trance. Setting aside his plans for his beloved vice-manager, he jumped down from the crate he was sitting on. His dignified walk and sharp gaze none of the love-craze idiot he had been a moment ago. Now, stood Chad Hazel, the Security Head of the sHade Island. With a flick of his hand, everyone lined up in two straight lines parallel to each other forming a way to the submarine.

 

"""Sir.""" The men who accompanied the Mad Dog gave a loud greeting to their SecuHead and bent their bodies almost at the right angle (90°) that almost made Chad snort. He was amazed by the stiff regulations of the island but amused that the people actually followed every protocol no matter how absurd it was. He schooled his expression and only gave them a curt nod. He directed his full attention to the sickly pale boy at the middle. He couldn't help but raise his brows. Shock was an understatement. The name Cerberus was really well-known. The accomplishments of the man surpassed many of the records in the organization. He expected either some tough, burly looking man or a ragged, deranged youth at the very least befitting the title Mad Dog. But in front of him was a boy! He learned not to judge a book by its cover and not to let his guard down in whatever circumstances but this delicate looking flower was really out of his expectation. "Chad. Chad Hazel. Shade Island Security Head" He extended his hand. "We'll use the submarine to reach the island. It'll take a few hours."