The Reason We Fight

Chapter 45. The Regret

In the pulsating heart of the nightclub, the atmosphere was electrifying, a symphony of vibrant lights and thumping beats that reverberated through the air. Kakume walked through it, heading for the bar. July 25th, Eclipse Lounge Nightclub in Swardani City. That's not a lot to go by... The dance floor, a prism of hues, became a playground of motion, where bodies swayed and gyrated in rhythmic unison. The bass-heavy tracks seamlessly blended into an intoxicating mix that fuelled the collective euphoria. There were enough people here to blend in rather seamlessly. She couldn't afford to wear a disguise, as the seller was looking out for her specifically, though she herself didn't know who it was. It was frustrating.

Kakume settled into her seat and ordered herself a drink to loosen her nerves. At least there was no chance of getting ambushed in such a busy spot. She surveyed the surroundings, keeping an eye out for a familiar face. A needle in a haystack, is what it is. A haystack the size of Yorkshin.

"Bad day?", the bartender inquired. Without lifting her eyes, she twirled her straw, sulking and pointedly ignoring him. You can say that again...

When she took a gulp of her drink, something solid slid down her throat. She had a fit of coughing and complained loudly to him that she didn't request an olive in her cocktail. The bartender turned back towards her and smiled. Her blood froze. No. No, no, no... Her vision blurred, and she staggered back, her heart pounding thunderously in her chest.

"You've been a very naughty girl, Kakume", Tam declared, jumping on top of the bar top and kicking people's beverages aside. "You know, I still have a sore spot where you hit me in the back of my head".

He flung her back with force with his Nen, propelling her into a glass wall, shattering it into pieces. "I think it's high time for you to be dealt some parental discipline".

Tam pushed the club goers to each side of the room, creating himself a pathway between them through the use of his power. So, he's spiked everybody's drinks with his Nen... that's bad, really bad. It means he could exert control over any and all of them. He advanced towards her, a sinister grin on his face.

Kakume rose from the floor, small shards of glass mixing in with her blood. The electronic music was still playing full blast. He sent three men after her, manipulating them like puppets. Kakume defended herself skillfully against them, pirouetting around and dealing non-lethal strikes. That bastard... he knows I don't have it in me to kill random bystanders.

"You know... all this time, I've been wondering why. Why would you want to dispatch me? I've taken care of you, given you shelter, taught you everything I know. Ungrateful, is what you are. But I get how it is... it's you or me, right? Only one gets to live".

Kakume didn't understand what he was saying. She rolled over and kicked one of the men towards him, forcing him to evade. Why was he not controlling her? She had one of his beetles inside her body... He's playing, enjoying himself. He's testing me, out of amusement.

"Of course, I could have just let time do you in", he continued. "You've been taking the Vitum for what... a decade now? How much time do you got left, five years tops? But as you know, I ain't a patient man".

She evaded an attack from both sides. "Enough, Tam. Let these people go. And if you're going to kill me, just do it, already. I didn't come in for my daily helping of bile. Unless your plan is to talk me to death".

"Oh, cry me a river. These people are like locusts, destroying everything in sight in their relentless, pointless desire to exist. But sorry if this is boring you". He flicked his wrist and broke her leg, making her collapse on the floor in pain. "Maybe this should prove a more interesting challenge? Three limbs left... can you protect your locusts now?"