Nebulous Emperor

Kendrick sat and waited for something to happen while Nave did the same.

'Is this guy gonna do something?'

Nave sat and waited longer than he expected to. It turns out that Kendrick was pretty patient.

Kendrick, on the other hand, was smiling. As if not knowing what was going to take place next was fun for him.

He stayed in his position just as everyone else did. Until he got bored, he got closer and started to examine his options.

Kendrick could just cut the sunshade and expose Nave, but that wouldn't be as fun.

As he was about to make his mind up, the umbrella started moving toward him rapidly.

His smile was reborn, and he put his hand out. The tip of the umbrella protruded out, and Kendrick grabbed it and stopped it abruptly.

Just as Kendrick was about to grab the edge of it with his other hand. The umbrella began to move to the side.

The parasol pivoted suddenly and rotated with Kendrick at the center. It pivoted around him, and he calmly followed it and watched what was happening. He decided he would allow it but wouldn't let it be too easy.

Kendrick gripped the protrusion of the umbrella even harder and grabbed the black fabric edge of it with his other hand.

It once again stopped in it's tracks, but it had gone far enough.

Instead of being on the complete opposite side of the room from the doorway, pivoting around Kendrick did the trick. They were the same distance now, and Nave had spawned an opportunity to win out of nowhere.

Nave appeared again from behind the shade like a magic trick. He sprinted away from it, and Kendrick wasn't far behind him. He quickly ran through the dark doorway and quickly turned to face it.

Nave saw a man standing in the doorway. He looked like a dark being with the light to his back and stood there menacingly.

Nave put his arms back up and prepared himself for the real fight to begin.

They were now in an enclosed area; Nave didn't have anywhere to go. Fortunately, no one could see into the dim doorway, especially with Kendrick's figure in the way.

Kendrick started to walk closer.

"You did all of that just for me to get you into a corner. Congrats!"

Nave provided no response.

Kendrick walked closer with the same smile on his face.

Nave tensed the muscles in his body, knowing he'd have to take a hit or two to get the job done.

Just as Kendrick was about to get into range, he stopped.

"You know, I've been apart of this gang for a long time. I've seen things here—crazy things. It affects you."

He looked at Nave, a long, deep look.

"I thought you were like me. After I heard what you did, your little project on Harry and Sergei, good job, by the way."

Nave listened with a calm expression on his face.

Kendrick continued, "I remember you being in that office, drunk as a skunk. Why were you there?"

Nave gave no answer.

"Fine, don't talk, but make sure you listen." He said it sternly. "I gave you a chance to prove your loyalty, and you messed it up. Just like your mother."

Nave snapped to attention at the last sentence.

"Now you're really listening," Kendrick realized.

"Like I said, I've been in this gang for a long time. Your mom did some work for us a while back. Good work." He closed his eyes, and his smile widened. "Some really good work."

That was enough for Nave to make his mind up. He looked to the side, behind Kendrick, to make sure no one was standing in the doorway. They were close, but not close enough to see everything.

Nave's eyes glowed green, and he lunged at Kendrick. Just as Nave reached him, a dark, opaque box appeared in front of Kendrick's eyes.

"What the?!"

Kendrick didn't know what was going on, but he instinctively put his arms in front of his face.

Nave suddenly went to Kendrick's side and pulled his knife out of his pocket. His knife entered Kendrick's neck, and Nave felt his flesh and tissue move around his blade.

The box in front of his face disappeared, and Kendrick fell to his knees, holding his neck.

Gargle Gargle Gargle

Kendrick attempted to say something.

"Can't talk so much now, can you?"

Nave walked behind him, grabbed him by the back of his head, and slammed him to the ground.

He walked out of the doorway with his bloody blade in his hands, clear for everyone to see.

Everyone stared at him with stark shocks present on their faces.

Nave walked to the counter and stared at Mr. Smith with dark, uncaring eyes.

He started cleaning the blood of his knife with his own shirt.

"You'll be taking our protection."

Mr. Smith looked at Nave with wide, fearful eyes.

"Y-yes sir."

"Sorry about the mess."

Nave finished cleaning his knife and turned away from the counter.

He walked out of the store without saying another word.

Nave slowly made his way home, uncaring for the possible angry gang members who could find where he lived or the inevitable conversation he would have to have with Rahesh.

He walked inside and plopped himself right on his bed.

Nave felt horrible.

The last time he had killed someone, he hadn't felt much.

But this time, he felt something in his heart. He felt a pang of pain.

Even in that moment, his heart was beating like it wanted to jump out of his chest. He couldn't come to terms with it.

Whenever it came to topics of his mother, Nave tended to lose himself.

When he thought of her, he had a natural urge to protect her, even if she wasn't there anymore.

Now his pain was clear and present, and he didn't know what to do about it.

Nave laid in his bed and wallowed in his pain until he fell asleep.

Nave awoke clear of his anxiety and went to work.

At the end of the workday, someone knocked on his office door.

"Come in."

Rahesh entered and took a seat.

Neither of them said anything as they stared at each other.

Nave thought, 'Why does everyone do this?'

Nave got tired of it. "How can I help you?"

"Why did you kill Kendrick?"

"He attacked me first." Nave responded.

"I was told you didn't listen to his command."

"Yes, I didn't, because it was excessive and unnecessary."

Rahesh sighed.

"The command was appropriate; you just weren't willing to do what it takes."

Nave shrugged his shoulders.

"Even if I am willing to do what it takes now, Kendrick is dead."

Rahesh started to become angry.

"Look, the only two reasons you're not beat half to death for killing an influential member of the gang are because of your position and that we need you."

Nave looked at him blandly.

"You need me?"

"Yes, we need you. Something big is happening, and I haven't been told what it is yet."

"Why didn't you just beat it out of whoever knows?" Nave said with a smile.

Rahesh didn't smile at all.

"Anyway," he continued. "We need someone who is willing to and can do things that most people can."

"Which is?" Nave questioned.

"Whatever we need you to do."

"And what do I get out of it?"

"What you wanted but couldn't get from this position, real power."

Nave looked unimpressed.

"Yeah, that's cool, but what do I really get?"

"Specifically, you get more connections and a higher position in the gang."

"Not bad. What do I have to do?"

"First, stop killing members."

Nave responded.

"As long as they don't give me any problems."

"Second, we'll be asking for more funds and potentially using your employees for things unrelated to mining."

"Depending on how much of our funds and as long as the use of the employees isn't too inconvenient or puts them in danger. And as long as you compensate them fairly."

"That won't be an issue."

"Good."

"Anything else, Rahesh?"

Rahesh stood up.

"If anything else comes up, I'll let you know."

Nave nodded his head, and Rahesh left.

Right after he left Ciara walked in.