[ＳＴＡＲＴ ＯＦ ＡＲＣ ２: ＳＥＣＲＥＴＳ ＯＦ ＨＡＶＯＫ]
[The Daniels Estate, Havok, Piasu, Ryomania, May 7th, Tuesday, 6:00 AM, 2025]
I woke at 6 A.M. to the shrill beep of a gilded alarm clock I had no idea was here the night before.
Sunlight streamed through silk curtains, painting the room in gold. The guest bedroom screamed luxury—mahogany furniture, velvet drapes, a bed softer than clouds. But the opulence felt hollow.
I stood up and looked into the standing mirror, the cuts and bruises on my body were already healed just from sleeping.
James Karawei: "It's just from sleeping, surely..." I yawned and rubbed my eyes.
I stumbled to the window and peeled back the curtains.
The Daniels' estate sprawled before me, manicured hedges, marble fountains, and the large family garden where Amelia could faintly be seen watering plants.
After all the chaos of yesterday, we were finally free, for now. I took a deep breath.
For the lives lost. For the guilt festering in Cathy's eyes. For the ghost of Keito Nakamura, whose voice still hissed in my nightmares.
Still, there was no running from my thoughts.
I needed fresher air.
Deciding I couldn't just sit here drowning in my own head, I went for the door. I reached for the doorknob, but it swung open before I could twist it.
A young woman stood before with long black hair that had red streaks of color in it, she had matching red eyes and scars on her face. She wore a white t-shirt with a pink leather jacket on top and some standard blue jeans. She also had on a black backpack with a baseball bat sticking out of it, and a faint golden badge on the side.
???: "Yo, homewrecker, who let you in—"
Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand.
???: "Jamie! Oh my gosh, it's SO good to see you! Eeek!~"
Before I could process anything, this strange girl tackled me into a hug like I was a giant stuffed panda. Laughing and jumping excitedly.
James Karawei: "Uh... Hey? How do you know my name? Are you another maid? Where's Jack? And... what happened to your clothes?"
I said as I pointed to the saw dust and pink paint stains on her t-shirt.
She burst into laughter, letting go of me—only to nearly hit me with the baseball bat sticking out of her backpack as she turned around.
???: "Maid? Dude, I've known you since you were still in diapers, but damn... You've really grown up huh?"
She looked me up and down slowly, smirking and extending a hand to me. I shook it gently.
Erika Daniels: "I'm Erika Daniels, the big sister of that little dirtbag. C'mon! Let's go have breakfast!"
She grabbed my wrist and started dragging me down the hall before I could even blink.
Erika Daniels: "I know you don't remember me, obviously. I heard about everything that happened to you guys from Amelia. I'm sure you met her, she's a cutie. She called me last night So I rushed back home. Work's been... a nightmare. Sorry about the attire, I got into some uh... stuff."
She glanced back at me, chuckling sheepishly. She did look exhausted.
James Karawei: "You weren't home yesterday... Right. It's okay, that's how work can be."
Erika Daniels: "Oh, tell me about it. I... I had to leave in a rush when I heard you and your little friends were here. We've both been busy, huh big boy?~"
She glanced over her shoulder with a wicked grin.
Erika Daniels: "I work for The Syndicate. I know Jack mentioned that already, he can't keep a secret to save his life. We've never talked much about it at home but... Don't worry, I'm not here to kill you or anything. You're safe... for now."
James Karawei: "Safe? Right. That's comforting."
Before I could retort further, we reached the living room, where Cathy and Jack were already in a argument.
Jack Daniels: "Calm down! The cops won't find us, and even if they do, we'll fight them off— Oh, morning bro. Sis."
Jack waved to me before glancing back at Cathy with a smirk. Cathy glanced my way once before looking back at Jack.
Cathy Ariston: "Fight them off?! You're a right nutter, you know that? Jack, we can't stay here forever! And if you're suggesting we kill cops—so help me... I'll beat you to a—James, tell this... creature that w-we can't just... kill people! Right?"
Jack Daniels: "We've already done it in self defense... But I mean..." He gestured with his hands at us.
I looked at Erika, she just grinned and pushed me towards the couch gently, I sighed.
James Karawei: "How about we stay here for just a week? Let the heat die down. In the meantime, maybe Erika can tell us more about The Boss."
Erika chuckled and stepped closer, standing on my right.
Erika Daniels: "Straight to business, huh? That's what I've always loved about you, Jamie... Fine! I'll tell you what I can, but don't expect me to spill aaaall the secrets. Classified info, ya know? Anyway, you're safe here, I'm not on a mission so nobody has to know about you, m'kay? Just don't destroy anything else. You messed up the lawn and all."
Erika put her backpack down on the couch and pulled out a black hair-tie, tying her hair in a ponytail.
I exchanged a quick glance with Cathy and Jack, and we nodded in unison.
Jack Daniels: "Great! No offense, but after everything that happened, I could go for some grub."
Jack stood up and did a front flip off the couch, landing with a flair that had zero necessity. I raised an eyebrow, finally sitting down on the couch next to Cathy.
Cathy Ariston: "Who does flips in a living room? Bloody moron..."
Cathy pinched the bridge of her nose and looked up towards the ceiling. Erika just watched us with a grin on her face.
Jack Daniels: "People with style, Cathy. Get on my level." Cathy shot him a glance and scoffed.
He grabbed a golden bell conveniently lying on the coffee table and rang it once.
Not even a moment later, the head maid, Amelia, sprinted in from one of the hallways.
She carried a tray with four sandwiches stacked perfectly with toast, eggs, and bacon.
The smell was mouthwatering—an actual improvement from the chaos we'd been living through recently.
Unfortunately, she tripped over her shoes.
The tray tipped, the sandwiches ready to meet their doom on the floor.
Cathy flicked her wrist, and the tray floated mid-air before gently landing on the coffee table.
She even cushioned Amelia's fall.
Cathy Ariston: "Watch it, Jack's a natural disaster in all black. Are you okay ma'am?"
Amelia huffed and stood up, adjusting her mobcap.
Amelia Orwell: "It is alright Miss Ariston, it was my fault for hurrying... I've been trying to get faster and faster at answering the bell recently, it's really fun!"
Jack Daniels: "Oh yeah, blame me, huh? Cathy's a political hazard for anyone under 100!"
He smirked as Cathy grabbed the salt on the coffee table, ready to throw it at him.
James Karawei: "Stop. Let's all calm down... What... does political hazard even mean?"
Erika plopped down on my right side on the couch, lounging with her legs stretched out towards my lap.
Erika Daniels: "Just a little bit of horseplay between friends... Right Jamie?"
Amelia and bowed politely and turned away.
Amelia Orwell: "I-I apologize for my clumsiness yet again! It's my fault, please don't argue for my sake..."
Erika chuckled and grabbed the tray off the table putting it on her lap.
Erika Daniels: "You're fine, dismissed."
Amelia nodded and left.
Erika Daniels: "Damn Cathy! Didn't know you had it in ya. Way to show off your... Gravity."
Erika barked out a throaty laugh as she took a large bite out of a sandwich off the tray, gently setting it back down onto the table. Jack also grabbed one and laid back.
Erika Daniels: "Mhm... that's good. Oh yeah this reminds me... It's decided. I'm training you three to become stronger! You're not just going to laze around the house until a meteor falls from the sky, no no no, you're going to put in work~"
She cackled and patted me on the shoulder, grabbing her sandwich again and biting into it.
James Karawei: "Stronger? What for? More of The Syndicate's 'special ranks'? And why are you even helping us?! This isn't right..."
I moved to stand but she put her hand out to stop me, pushing me gently back onto the couch.
Erika Daniels: "Oh please, calm down. I already told you you'll be safe here. And don't act so coy. You've got it written all over you. The wide-eyed look, the tragic backstory, the determination... all textbook hero stuff. Maybe I'm just helping you out cause you're cute~"
She continued eating and winked at me, I turned away and rubbed my forehead.
Cathy Ariston: "The hell is that supposed to mean?"
Cathy finally sat down next to us on the couch, arms crossed. Pouty as ever. Glaring at Erika.
Erika Daniels: "Believe me sweetheart, if I wanted to harm you... You wouldn't have gotten into this house in the first place."
Erika met Cathy's death stare with a sinister grin. I gently grabbed Erika's shoulder and pushed her back.
James Karawei: "Let's not argue... Like Mrs. Amelia said."
Cathy scoffed and looked towards one of the big windows in the room.
Erika Daniels: "Nah I was just joking with ya, oh and Amelia isn't THAT old... She's like, twenty? I actually call her sweetie! But seriously though... I want to help you."
Jack bit into his sandwich with exaggerated relish and leaned over the couch to look at Erika.
Jack Daniels: "Yeah yeah, you have pet names, whatever. Look, we'd better make a plan if we're serious. If we're going to train. We need to decide what we're working toward. Otherwise, we're just punching air. So... Erika, got any tips for us?"
Erika Daniels: "Tips? Pfft. Training isn't about tips, Jackie. It's about sweat, blood, and tears—and sometimes a little psychological trauma for flavor."
Erika winked at me and snuggled closer to my side, I shifted away.
Cathy gave her an unimpressed look, arms crossed as she leaned back on the couch.
Cathy Ariston: "Wow. Great pep talk. Truly inspiring."
Erika Daniels: "Hey, don't knock it till you try it! Besides, your powers need refining. Right now, you're just... Unexperienced. We'll fix that."
My eyes caught the thoughtful expression on Cathy's face. I grabbed a sandwich off the tray and bit into it.
James Karawei: "You know, Erika... how do you know so much about this stuff? And why would someone working for The Syndicate want to train us? Why?! I can handle your... motives. I've seen things. I want to know."
Jack Daniels: "Haven't we all? Hey bro! CATCH!"
Jack suddenly threw a slice of bacon my way but Cathy caught it, he chuckled through her death stare...
Erika Daniels: "Jackie! I told you, no throwing food, ever. Geez... His stupidity is almost frightening sometimes."
She sighed and propped her head on her hand as she looked at me, Jack shrunk back onto the couch, still smirking. He respects Erika.
Cathy tries to pop the bacon slice into her mouth and fails as she leans over and the bacon slice falls back onto the tray.
Erika Daniels: "I know a lot about 'these things' because I work for The Syndicate, obviously."
Jack threw another slice of bacon at me. I moved without thinking and caught it in my mouth mid-air.
James Karawei: "You should quit it... But thank you." I chewed thoughtfully and turned to Erika again.
Cathy looked ready to throttle Jack, she pinned him onto the couch with her powers.
Cathy Ariston: "I swear... Jack If you don't stop acting like a goddamn—"
Erika slammed her fist onto the coffee table, rattling the tray.
Erika Daniels: "HEY! STOP IT. We're having a calm and peaceful breakfast. GOT IT?! Look, I want to train you cause you got potential, don't look into it. Also I'm not under strict orders. Ask me some damn awesome questions or get the heck out of here, you and your three penny looking haircut."
Cathy let go of Jack, struggling to hold in her anger, she met my eyes and once again looked to the window.
Jack Daniels: "Geez... It was just a joke."
Cathy Ariston: "Stupid joke..."
Erika's answer didn't exactly inspire confidence, but I let it slide for now.
Jack, seemingly unphased by anything, grabbed a plate of eggs and bacon off the tray, shoveling it all into his mouth.
Jack Daniels: "Mphm... You're being all mysterious again... Just spit it out, Erika. You hate The Syndicate, don't you?"
Erika leaned back, she grabbed her own knees with a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Erika Daniels: "Don't push your luck, kiddo. Let's just say I have my reasons for wanting to stick around—and my reasons for wanting to see certain people in that organization squirm. And others win. And I can do whatever I want, got it?! Now ask something else, something fun."
Cathy raised an eyebrow and hovered over my lap to sit next to Erika, I once again scooted to the left.
Cathy Ariston: "And yet, you're still working for them. Doesn't that make you complicit?"
Jack whistled under his breath.
Jack Daniels: "That's a fun one..."
Erika Daniels: "Wow, Cathy. Way to kick a girl when she's down."
She winked but didn't elaborate further.
James Karawei: "Erika, what does training actually entail?"
Erika Daniels: "You'll see, right now you're all muscles and instinct. You'll get control soon enough."
She pointed her bat at Cathy and Jack.
Erika Daniels: "But you two are even worse! You repel each other, no pun intended. We'll start with the basics, alright? Strength, focus, control. Then we'll work on using your powers under pressure. Sound fun?"
Jack Daniels: "Define fun."
Erika Daniels: "Not dying."
Cathy groaned and curled up into a ball on the couch.
Cathy Ariston: "Great. Just great..."
I smiled despite the heaviness of her words. For better or worse, this was our new normal. I was starting to like this banter.
James Karawei: "The sunlight is so warm, and I really like this sandwich... Thank you."
Erika chuckles and takes another bite of a sandwich which has now unfortunately gone cold, Jack leans back against on the couch and puts his hands behind his head.
Jack Daniels: "Did you know Erika is actually really strong? She is a master at The Ten Steps! She's mastered almost every step except for the last three. I think."
Erika shoots him a dangerous glance, a 'subtle' warning to not pry any further, we sit in awkward silence for a bit after that.
James Karawei: "I know this is off topic but is there a gym here? Also how the heck does your family afford this estate? It's like the biggest one I've ever seen... Or been in for that matter."
Erika Daniels: "Mhm... there's a gym alright, but I don't use it as much anymore... I like other forms of training. Ah as for the estate it's more complicated but long story short dear old dad founded the Coco-Cola company and fell in love with our mom, founder of the Pep-Cola company. Time passes, yada yada, eventually they get married, have us, and make a brand new ass-kickin' corporation together, 'Daniels-Richardson Co.', guess who was the main inspiration for their best selling drink?"
She points at herself and wiggles her eyebrows.
Jack laughs and takes a swig of a Coco-Cola can that just so happened to be unopened and lying on the tray, what great fortune for this air-head.
Jack Daniels: "It's this strong alcohol drink or something with different flavors... I wouldn't read much into it, just know that it made our parents rich! And technically we're rich too, but meh... my allowance isn't even that big."
Erika Daniels: "That's cause you'd spend it all on Coco-Cola, even though we get them for free!"
Jack Daniels: "I'm not THAT dumb sis... I buy clothes! And action figures! And cool... I dunno, things?"
Cathy crosses her arms and leans back on the couch, she looks up at the ceiling and looks a little annoyed.
Cathy Ariston: "Ah, makes sense... I thought your name is familiar, Erika Daniels... my Dad used to buy the heck out of it when I was younger, I hear it has a kick to it. But doesn't that make you famous or something?"
Erika barks out a laughter and stands up, stretching languidly before sitting right back down on the couch.
Erika Daniels: "Oh it's got a kick alright! Just like lil ol' me! But nah, I just tell people it's a coincidence and they buy it, most of the time at least. Losers~"
[The Daniels Estate, Piasu, Ryomania, 6:31 AM, May 7th, Tuesday, 2025]
After a few more minutes of eating and bickering, we went out separate ways throughout the estate.
Erika headed somewhere downstairs into the basement of the mansion, a large sprawling set of hallways and rooms underneath us. Not even Jack was allowed down there. Or Amelia.
Cathy volunteered to wash the dishes in the kitchen next to the living room, there were three kitchens in the mansion, this menial task allowed her to process yesterday's events.
Meanwhile Jack was outside, trying to fix the lawn by raking the grass back into place and failing.
I took a shower in the upstairs bathroom and finally changed clothes, borrowing one of Jack's black t-shirts and various sweatpants. Erika said he never wore those.
I went back downstairs into the living room, now fully dressed and Amelia appeared, graceful as ever.
Amelia Orwell: "Oh my! Y-you surprised me! Mistress Erika said you could use a tour, Master James. You are new here after all... Come along, it's better than brooding here all day."
I raised a brow but didn't argue. The idea of getting to know this massive estate was intimidating but intriguing.
James Karawei: "Alright, please lead the way."
I followed her, and almost immediately, I realized how absurdly large this place was.
It had four stories as an idea.
James Karawei: "This place truly is massive..." I said as she led me down a hallway leading to the back of the mansion.
Amelia chuckled and slowed down her pace to match mine.
Amelia Orwell: "It truly is, but it's also beautiful! Come on, let's go out into the garden."
She showed me the huge garden which featured a hedge maze and beautifully cut and trimmed bushes all around.
James Karawei: "This is amazing... Everything smells so nice and the air is cool! It feels familiar. Do you tend to everything around here?"
I stopped to smell a rose on one of the bushes, it reminded me of Mr. Nakamura.
Amelia Orwell: "Um... Yes I do! I take care of the whole property, and I don't mind! I love taking care of the garden, I cut out every single bush you see, and mistress Erika occasionally helps whenever she isn't at work..."
James Karawei: "And this hedge maze too?"
Amelia Orwell: "Yes that's right! Mistress Erika and Master Jack used to have races through the maze when Master Jack was younger. He always got lost, and Erika..."
She chuckled, shaking her head.
Amelia Orwell: "Let's just say she wasn't above climbing the hedges to cheat."
I smirked and put my hands behind my back.
James Karawei: "I hope you don't mind me asking but how old are you?"
Ameila stopped and looked at me with a wistful smile.
Amelia Orwell: "I'm twenty years old... Mistress Erika is about the same, but she likes calling me sweetie. I don't mind."
That didn't make sense to me, but her tone implied I shouldn't inquire further. I didn't.
James Karawei: "Okay... Sounds about right."
We moved on to the gym ten minutes later—a state-of-the-art facility with more equipment than I knew what to do with.
Amelia gestured to a weight rack with a faint smile.
Amelia Orwell: "This is Master Jack's domain. He spends hours here—part stress relief, part obsession."
I nodded thoughtfully as I looked around, it was a big open space, about three rooms worth.
James Karawei: "He's got the muscle to show for it."
I glanced at the punching bags lined up in the corner.
James Karawei: "And what about Erika? From what I've seen she's fit too. And she mentioned something about letting go of the gym? Not using it anymore... Why's that?"
Amelia smirked and grabbed a small weight off the rack, 1 kilogram, holding it up with both hands to me. I smiled and took it from her.
Amelia Orwell: "Mistress Erika is more of a sprinter. She works out just enough to stay fit, but don't let her fool you. She can keep up when it counts. She used to train more when I was younger and Master William and Mistress Gloria were around... I'm not sure why she stopped."
She suddenly took the weight from me and with too much force put it back on the weight rack, rattling it.
Amelia Orwell: "S-sorry... I don't like discussing these intimate things, with anyone really."
I held up my hand placatingly.
James Karawei: "No it's okay, I didn't realize it was so personal for you."
Without a further word she went towards the gym's exit.
From there, she showed me the library.
It was a towering, cathedral-like room, with shelves that stretched up to the vaulted ceiling.
James Karawei: "This place just keeps getting bigger and bigger..."
Amelia Orwell: "That's just what it feels like Master James, I assure you it's only as large as needed."
Despite her strange response I continued following her, something was off... But I didn't pry further.
The smell of aged paper and leather filled the air, and I could see why someone might lose themselves here for hours. I surely could.
However at the library's heart stood a white door—plain, sterile, glaringly out of place.
James Karawei: "What's in there?"
Amelia in her tracks, looking almost perplexed as she glanced between me and the door.
Amelia Orwell: "I don't know... I've never seen that door before, it must be something Mistress Erika is doing. She leads a pretty private life."
Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
James Karawei: "Right, probably just a broom closet."
It was out of place, to say the least.
Unlike the rest of the library, which was rich with mahogany and gold accents, the door was plain and sterile, almost clinical.
Her tone suggested I shouldn't push further, so I didn't.
Not yet, anyway.
[The Daniels Estate, Piasu, Ryomania, 10:31 AM, May 7th, Tuesday, 2025]
We toured the rest of the mansion, a few hours passed, I didn't mind the walking at all and neither did Amelia, I saw kitchens, bathrooms, lounges—before ending up back near my room.
As I walked past Cathy's door, I heard something that stopped me in my tracks. A muffled sob.
After everything we went through, I couldn't walk by.
I knocked thrice and opened the door.
Cathy was hovering up on the bed, her face buried in a pillow. She turned her head just enough to glare at me.
Cathy Ariston: "What do you want, idiot? I'm fine... I got over it yesterday, mostly."
I stepped in and sat down on the edge of her bed. She peeked at me before letting out a huff and tossing the pillow aside.
James Karawei: "I'm sorry we couldn't bury Normand... I mean nobody knew that was going to happen. We'll find your dad. Make him pay."
The words seemed to cut through her defenses. She looked away, her jaw tightening, but I noticed the way her eyes started to glisten. Carefully, I reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder.
My eyes widened at the sight, her aura didn't push me away, she didn't seem to notice how my hand was somehow going through her barrier, it happened again.
Cathy Ariston: "Why though? So I can end up like Normand? Fuck... He was just a kid! A scared, stupid kid... And that's exactly what we are, all of us... Stupid whiny babies! We can't... We shouldn't have ended up here—"
We locked eyes again just for a brief moment, she swatted my hand away— Still not noticing the fact that it breached her aura.
Cathy Ariston: "I don't need your pity. Just... just go away."
Her voice wavered, and for all her bravado, she leaned again into my touch ever so slightly.
Cathy Ariston: "I just... I wish things would've gone differently... I miss Jasmine, I miss how life used to be... Even though it was kind of shit."
She chuckled and wiped some of her tears away, grabbing her pillow again and holding it tightly to her chest.
Cathy Ariston: "He... Abandoned us after Normand disappeared. Took Yoshio and everything valuable and left. My mom was sick—she couldn't work, and I had to scrape by with part-time jobs just to keep us afloat, I used to work at a pizzeria we ate at when we were younger, Ron's. And when she died..."
Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in the pillow, her voice barely audible and clearly trying to stop herself from crying.
Cathy Ariston: "He should've been there for us! For me... Damn him!"
Her shoulders shook as she cried into the pillow, and despite my current conditon I felt a pang of helplessness and sadness for her.
James Karawei: "Look, I get it. You're angry, and you have every right to be. But dwelling on the past won't change anything. If you want revenge, then fight for it. Channel that anger into something that'll actually make a difference... Not just for you but for others too. Remember what Mr. Nakamura said... At least fight for love."
She didn't respond immediately, I took my chance to stand up and head for the door.
When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.
Cathy Ariston: "Hey, James... thanks. For listening, I mean. For being here. And for everything else..."
She paused, wiping her eyes.
Cathy Ariston: "And for the record... I don't blame you for Normand's death. That's on me. If I'd been there for him in the first place, maybe he wouldn't have..."
She trailed off, her voice breaking again.
I leaned against the door and gave her a small smile.
James Karawei: "I'll see you at dinner."
As I left her room, I felt the weight of her words settle over me. Each of us had our own struggles to face, our own grudges against The Syndicate.
Except for Jack, I had no idea what his deal was yet. Other than Erika working for them. Even Amelia seemed highly suspicious.
Sooner or later though, all roads would lead to The Boss. Again.
I wandered through the mansion, making my way to the library to read and relax.
I stepped inside and my eyes drifted once more to the strange white door, which was now slightly ajar. A white light seemed to pour out from it.
An eerie sensation crept up my spine, like unseen hands brushing against my skin. The same whispers I heard in the battle with Normand began again, faint and indistinct, pulling at the edges of my mind.
I saw memories, fading memories and visions. I once again shook my head to dispel the thoughts.
James Karawei: "Damn it... I've got to get to the bottom of this."
I walked towards the door and opened it—