YOKO HIDEOUT – NIGHT
The motorcycles were parked in tight rows. Hundreds of them. The Yokomandji men stood before their leader, the blond man in the white jacket. The atmosphere was electric.
"We're going to show them, guys!"
The crowd roared.
Midas stood in the shadows, with Daek-Bin and Silva. Sharky, a little further back, chomped at the bit.
"They're ready," Daek murmured.
Midas nodded.
"Then let's launch the scheme."
---
THE RUSE
Black Snake members, disguised as Yokomandji, attacked a neutral territory. The real Yokomandji struck back. War was declared.
But it was a trap.
Midas had tipped off the police. Elite undercover units positioned themselves around the fight scene.
"Let them fight," Midas ordered. "When they're weakened, the authorities will step in."
His men pulled back.
The battle raged. Bikers struck each other with chains, bats, fists. Blood. Cries. Rage.
Then the sirens rang out.
Police surrounded the perimeter.
"YOU ARE SURROUNDED! LOWER YOUR WEAPONS!"
The Yokomandji tried to flee, but the exits were blocked. The Black Snake, meanwhile, disappeared into the alleys — guided by Daek.
The Police Captain approached Midas.
"Are you the one in charge?"
Midas extended his hand.
"Midas Gray. I'm delighted to cooperate with law enforcement."
The Captain hesitated, then shook his hand.
"Good work."
---
THE NEXT DAY – ARMSTRONG ACADEMY – CLASS C
Midas entered the classroom. The neon lights illuminated the immaculate desks.
All the students were gathered around one desk.
"What's going on?"
A boy turned to him.
"The new kid, sir. He's so dumb."
Midas approached.
A young man was sitting there, a long nose, an embarrassed smile. His eyes gleamed strangely. Around him, boys snickered.
"Is he for real?"
"He said 'shit' to the math teacher while shaking her hand."
"Well yeah, we told him it meant 'hello' in Japanese."
The newcomer looked at them, lost.
Midas understood. A mean-spirited joke. Hazing.
"So, you're clenching your fists, bastard?"
One of the boys pushed him.
The newcomer was indeed clenching his fists. His knuckles were turning white.
Midas was about to intervene when a shadow formed.
In the hallway.
In front of the classroom door.
Clang.
A demon. Twelve eyes on a deformed face. Mantis-like limbs. A large, white, gleaming belly.
The Ether in the air was thick, almost palpable.
Panic seized the students. Screams. Falling chairs. Stamping.
Midas stepped in.
Without thinking. His body turned to gold.
CLANG.
The demon's limbs struck his chest. He slipped. He fell. He got back up.
"FUCK…"
His power was failing. The attacks rained down. He retreated.
The demon raised its limb to finish him.
"WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT?!" Midas shouted.
The newcomer threw himself in front of him.
Splash.
A strange sound. Liquid. Not blood.
The demon collapsed. A gaping wound in its belly.
The newcomer's eyes gleamed.
"Return to sender," he murmured.
Midas looked at him.
"What is that…"
"My ability. I deflect attacks. That's how I handle Ether."
He extended his hand.
"I'm Perfecto."
Midas looked at him, then at the hand, then shook it.
"Midas."
The demon got back up.
SHING.
Midas touched it. His fingers met flesh. Gold spread.
The demon froze.
Then it fell.
Rigid. Brilliant. Inert.
---
THE MEDIA TALKED ABOUT IT – ON A LOOP
A young man performed a heroic act at Armstrong Academy. Midas Gray, 15 years old, neutralized a Class C demon alone, unarmed, without support. The institution salutes his exceptional courage.
Perfecto watched the television, sitting on his hospital bed. He was smiling.
He's perfect.
In his mind, it was the Holy Grail. He had found the perfect element. The one who would write his legend.
---
MIDAS'S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Silva leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"Do you realize what you've done?"
Midas sat on the couch, his gaze empty.
"I saved lives."
"You put yourself in danger."
"It's my role."
Silva approached. Her voice broke.
"Midas… all of this… school, the gang, the three-step plan… isn't it eating you up inside?"
He didn't answer.
"We have enough money to run away. Take a plane. Go far away."
She sat down next to him.
"Abroad. No one will find us."
Midas looked at her. He took her hand.
"Someday."
His voice was soft.
"When I've avenged Gap. When it's all over."
Silva lowered her eyes.
"We'll leave together. Far from here."
She looked up.
"Promise?"
He smiled.
"Promise."
They kissed. Long.
Then they lay down on the couch, hand in hand. Calm breathing. Eyes closed.
The statue of his mother watched them.
She seemed to be smiling.