"I hear a pulse!"
"What! Impossible!""He's alive!" The voices were audible. "Yes! Not like that boss. Boys, stop the movement, Vito is alive." The voice was distant. As Shawn Rossacks slowly regained consciousness, the rhythmic beeping of the heart rate monitor flooded his ears together with the voices. His body felt heavy as if he were floating in an abyss, disconnected from the world around him. Confusion clouded his mind as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.He opened his eyes and he saw a team of doctors and nurses running towards him. "He's alive," another masculine voice confirmed. "Check his vitals.""All perfect.""No, this is impossible," the masculine voice, now reckoned to be the doctor exclaimed. "This is magical!"With his eyes closed, Shawn realized that there was no pain whatsoever in his head. He stood still as he was injected, the bearable pain bringing about a twitch. Images from the moments before his apparent death flashed before his closed eyelids. He had been forced to his knee atop a desolate hill, with no sign of houses around. A gunshot rang out, and a searing pain exploded in the back of his head. The force of the impact had propelled him off the hill and into the vast expanse of the ocean below.Shawn knew he should have been dead. His body lost to the ocean's depths, should have remained hidden forever and devoured by aquatic mammals. Yet here he was, alive and breathing, albeit in a peculiar situation. The images were from the minutes just before his death. What led him to the hill? Memories flashed back. ***Bloomfield, New York. February 10.***Shawn Rossacks was the lowest-ranked worker in the Goldfield Canopy. The household was known as the founder of the city called Bloomfield, harnessing the treasure thereof and were the rulers.However, working in Goldfield's canopy wasn't enough to make Shawn rich. Countless have been appointed after him but they had moved to the higher elevations of the skyscraper while he was on the first floor. Shawn wasn't unlucky, he wasn't idle, he was smart and diligent - but he was too upright. To survive in the Goldfield's canopy, you must steal or work for the thieving elders in the canopy but Shawn won't do that. His salary was the lowest, after many petty roles aiding the record officer.It was payday and Alicia's birthday, his girlfriend. She had requested a package consisting of five shades of expensive clothing which Shawn won't naturally afford. But he was willing to do anything for Alicia for the sake of love. He was standing on the lowest level record officer when he heard him making a call about fixing the water closet up on the third level. "I will do it, sir," Shawn said. "It's just a breakage. Let me fix it and pay me.""Well, there is someone for it," the officer said."I need the money, boss. Please let me," Shawn pleaded and he received the contract. In the respite that followed, Shawn was in the elevator for the first time. It wasn't about promotion, but he was going up for the shitty job. He was off his suit, off his shoes and official clothing but was in a brown scrub, required for the duty. On the third floor, Shawn kept his eyes down as he manoeuvred his way among the higher staff. He approached the room and knocked, but he got no answer. Shawn pushed the door open. Right before him was Alicia seated on the lap of one Mr Finn, who was employed in the canopy at the same time that Shawn was. Alicia tried to stand but Finn held her by the waist. "Shawn? You're the plumber now?" Finn asked. "That aside, have you no manners? You've spent four years in the lowest level of the company and you have no manners still. I guess you must be raised in a ban.""I'm sorry. Sir," Shawn added as an afterthought."My girlfriend her peed and it couldn't flush. If that's what you are here to do, go ahead," Finn said and pulled Alicia to himself, to ensure that she rested on his chest and he wrapped his hands around him. Shawn looked into her face and then walked into the restroom. When he closed the door behind him, he sighed and placed his head by the wall. That was the love of his life with Finn. She was the reason he wanted to fix the WC. But there she was with his colleague now turned boss, waiting to use the WC. Shawn was reminded of the day when the log book arrived on his table. Should he have signed it, he would be on top of the world now. He would have enough money to buy Alicia what she wanted and host a grand party for her. But he couldn't, and Finn could. Shawn changed his mind and walked back to the office. "Fixed?" Finn asked and Shawn stood there looking. He wasn't looking at Finn but at Alicia. He was riveted on the spot, reminiscing the promises of love that they shared while Alicia was there, staring back, with no sign of remorse. "I am talking to you, idiot!" Finn blurted. "I am not fixing it anymore," Shawn said. "What?" Finn stood from the chair. "Alicia here has been my girlfriend for four months…"Four months? The time range made Shawn marvelled. For the past four months, she had been asking Shawn for money and he had been giving."Now she's in my office and she can't use the toilet?" "I'm sorry. Sir," Shawn answered. "You have to fix it," Finn said and walked close to Shawn. "You will fix it or lose your job as a plumber and as an aide."That was the biggest threat of his life. He would mend his heart for the heartbreak but losing his job would render him hopeless.No sooner had he been threatened than Finn's secretary came in with a file. "Your attention is needed," she said.Finn took the file and smirked after reading from it. "I guess I'll be going to level four soon. Do you know what that means? Double the pay," he looked at Shawn and gave him a sly grin. "Now I have the power, I can fire you."Shawn changed his look sporadically from Finn to Alicia and then lowered his head as Finn signed the document. He knew that it was another corrupt deal, something he wished he'd done but his dignity won't allow."After the signature, sir, submit the file to the secretary in level four," the secretary said and left."Alicia, pee in the cup and bring it. This is the least punishment that you'll get," Finn said and scoffed. Alicia went behind the table and after a while, she brought her urine in a cup and rested her arm on Finn. "Bow, or get fired," Finn said. Slowly, Shawn lowered his head before Finn. He can't afford to get fired. As he stared down, Alicia's urine rained on his head. Shawn pressed his lips together to avoid the liquid seeping into his mouth but he couldn't prevent the stench. "Oh…" Alicia said and giggled. Finn dropped the file on the table and took his key. "I'll go drop my babe. Clean the floor and ensure to fix the WC before I return," Finn ordered and cuddled Alicia by the waist as they walked out. When they were gone, Shawn angrily walked into the restroom. He knew what to do but he was so saddened that all he knew about plumbing went off his head. As he paced about, an idea popped into his head and he stood, heaving heavily. He went to the office, locked the door from behind and went straight to the table. He opened the file and there it was - a file that depicts an unlawful and unregistered transport of raw gold to foreign countries. Finn had signed. Shawn saw it as an opportunity. He can't join them, how about destroying them? He returned to the toilet and washed his face. Then, with the file, he went out of the office and went straight to the disciplinary room where he requested to meet the leader of the team."I have a theft to report," Shawn said. His heart beat faster as the meeting was scheduled and within five minutes, he was seated before the head of the team. Mr Clinton. Shawn handed the file over and looked forward to being commended. As he watched, a call was made. "Okay, sir, okay. Okay, sir""Mr Finn signed it," Shawn said affirmatively. Happy that a call was made for the report. "Do you know the hierarchy?" Clinton asked. "Yes," Shawn answered. "List the top most powerful three," Clinton asked. "His excellency, great dictator Alfred Goldfield who is the chairman of the Goldfield Canopy and the head of the household; Vice chair lady Ann Goldfield; and Venerable Ben Goldfield, who is the head of affairs," Shawn listed. "Good, Shawn, you know too well. Now, this deal is spearheaded by Venerable Ben," Clinton explained and Shawn nodded in anxiety. "I have just reported to the chairman, now, take this proof to him. He is in Spence Ace Road waiting for you. Words of this should go to no one or you'll be comprised!"Shawn rushed out and went down to his floor. He got his suit and took a taxi set towards the Spence Ace road. But the taxi took another turn. "It's a shortcut," the driver said.Soon, they were joined by two other men, now keeping Shawn in the middle. The tension was sensed and Shawn wanted to escape. But the still cold sensation of a gun silenced him.He was taken to vulnerable Ben and now, it all was seen as a plot by all. The canopy was corrupt and made for the corrupted. Shawn realized late. He lifted his eyes at Vulnerable Ben and tears rolled down his face. "You know too much, Shawn! You cannot be allowed to live. Kill him, feed him to the sharks."The next fifteen minutes were spent on the road, and next into the thick forest that led to a hill. The coverage on his face was removed and he looked far into the water body. He was forced to his knee atop a desolate hill, and when he looked around, there with no sign of houses or people. Now, Shawn regretted a life lived in vain. He had lived and was leaving without a trace. A gunshot was heard, and then the cold sensation of the water below. ***Bloomfield, New York.February 11.***Shawn opened his eyes and his gaze met with the doctor's. "Mr Vito," the doctor said. "Welcome back.""Boss, we thought we lost you!" a man said when he rushed in. He wore a jacket and a chain hung down his neck. "I am not your boss, I am Bruce, Bruce Wayne!" he replied. "Boss, look at me," he said, terror in his eyes. "I am Arturo, Arturo Vof. The ass-kicker, the throat slither.""I don't know you," Bruce maintained. "He must be in shock. But he is one hell of a tough guy…" the doctor was cut short as Arturo choked him by his collar."My boss? A guy? He's a god, the god of the street! Now if you don't want me to show you why I'm the throat slither, shut your gob!" Arturo blurted and knelt beside Bruce's bed. "I understand, boss. With time, you'll be fine." "Me! A god?" Bruce said to himself amidst the argument. "Let's do a final check, please," the doctor said with a plea and Arturo walked out after a nod from Bruce. The nod came as an afterthought.Immediately Arturo was out, Bruce sat up on the bed. "May I have a mirror, please?""Wow," again the doctor exclaimed and gestured
After the call, Bruce dropped his head in fear. Arturo stared at him and for the hundredth time, Bruce wondered what would have been Vito’s response to the things that were showing up before him.As Bruce, they were tough to handle, but for Vito, could they be less tough? Also, Apart from being Vito’s incarnate, he had a lot to conceal and the first was how to prove that he was okay after being shot six times. The next was how to lead the Mane District to war. He lifted his eyes to look at Arturo and he stood there looking back at Bruce. "Boss, anything?" Arturo asked.Bruce knew that Arturo was suspicious. "Leave me be for some time," Bruce managed to say and Arturo nodded before he walked out.Immediately the door was closed, the sounds came again – cranking and beeping, and finally, the voice.SYSTEM: Hello, Bruce. I know you must be confused about what to do in Vito’s body. Your enemy has shone himself to you but there is still more to know. Isn’t it?"Definitely!" Bruce answered
Bruce sprang into action as soon as he received Arturo's distress call. Without wasting a moment, he briskly made his way to the bathroom, preparing for the task at hand. The cold water cascaded over his body, sharpening his senses and focusing his mind. As he took his bath, a sense of urgency dawned upon him and he hurried through the early morning cultures. With renewed vigour, he stepped out and approached his wardrobe, carefully selecting a pair of pants and a comfortable T-shirt. To complete his ensemble, he reached for the iconic trademark jacket and slipped it on.As Bruce made his way outside, he found Arturo anxiously waiting in the hallway. Arturo's eyes were filled with a mix of fear and despair, his firsthand experience of the outposts' destruction evident. Arturo had been a loyal henchman in the Mane District, but this sudden and devastating attack had shaken him to his core. Bruce acknowledged his distress with a solemn nod, silently understanding the gravity of the si
"Attack!" Bruce ordered. "Attack!" Host ordered too.The air crackled with tension as chaos erupted in the Mane District. Gunshots echoed through the narrow streets, intertwining with the shouts and screams of combatants who fell to the floor and winced on the verge of death. In the brief lull that followed, the forces of the Mane District swiftly manoeuvred into position, familiar with the intricate pathways surrounding the mansion. They took cover behind sturdy barricades, bulletproof cars as they know them and unleashed a relentless barrage of bullets upon their adversaries, while the Yaaz hustle struggled to find adequate shelter amidst the chaos.Bruce and Arturo, perched atop the mansion, rained down fire upon the attackers. Arturo briefly departed, disappearing into the confines of Bruce's room, only to return moments later with a sniper rifle in hand. Passing the weapon to Bruce, they locked eyes, their determination unwavering. Memories of the rifle were that it had taken o
The Goldfield's canopy was a high-security area, and access was strictly restricted. It was peace to finally be back where he once worked as Bruce Wayne. But he was going in as Vito DiMarco, the mafia boss. Bruce, however, was determined to enter. He pounded on the doors, demanding to be let in, causing quite a commotion. The security personnel checked the CCTV footage and were surprised to see such a persona on the premise. Alarmed, they contacted the CSO, who rushed to the scene."Who are you? What is going on here?" the CSO asked, holding his handgun."Bind me with whatever you can," Bruce said knowing that it was a day when the chairman and all heads of the organization would be present. Also, he knew that he would be watched are the moment. "Just take me to the chairman. I know something that he has to know. I have a piece of information that would keep his life and the company."In the respite that followed, a call came through for the CSO and after the call, he ordered that Br
Bruce waited patiently as the rescue team untied his foot, lowering him down from where he had been suspended.He stared into their faces, knowing that there would be allies, and probably, a mole within them. Somehow, Bruce realized that he was having two memories - he remembered his place and position as Bruce Wayne, coupled with his interaction and impact at the Goldfield Canopy; also, he remembered the feeling as Vito DiMarco. "We thought you were dead," one of them exclaimed, to which Bruce simply nodded.He didn't recognize anyone from the team, nor did he know the details surrounding Agent Payne's demise. But he had a feeling that it wouldn't be long before he found out. Right now, all he knew was that he was Agent Payne, and he had been killed by someone who needed to be nabbed. Once his feet touched the ground, Bruce stood up and let out a sigh. He surveyed his surroundings and noticed an adjoining room with an open door. "We need to check on you, sir. You have been missin
Bruce sat in the front seat of the van, his eyes were busy, staring at the trees as the van zoomed past the road. He felt the air as a new being, three minds entwined in his single being. For the first time, he had the time to imagine the concept of the 6-Tier system. He had aspirations, but he thought it was all over when he died as Bruce. Only to be reborn as Vito DiMarco. Also, in his death as Vito, all he could see was darkness. Only to be reborn as Agent Liam Payne. The reality that he was a mix of Bruce Wayne, Vito DiMarco, and Liam Payne brought about a concoction of fascination, something he marvelled at."I'm alive," he said to himself and smiled. He changed his gaze to the driver, junior Agent James Watson. As he looked at him, a flood of memories surged through his mind as if someone had triggered them intentionally.James was once a young boy whom Liam had found in the depths of the city's creeks. Homeless and battered. He had taken him under his wing, paying for his ed
In the luxurious ensuite hotel room where Bruce had taken temporary residence, he couldn't help but marvel at the opulent surroundings.He went close to the window and checked out the city which was illuminated by the collection of lights from all angles and he wished he had the time to savour all about his wealth. He had received calls of donations from many districts, all meant to take care of himself and this was an add-on to the amount he had on his credit card. He knew he was rich. As he surveyed the expensive decor, a bittersweet sigh escaped his lips. This was a life he could never truly have as Bruce Wayne, he could have it now, but he was burdened by the responsibilities and expectations that came with his new identity.Bruce's tired gaze shifted to the worn-out clothing he wore, remnants of a mission that had left him weary both physically and mentally. Slowly, he loosed his kits and became free from the malodorous scent of his. Hoping for a moment of respite, he longed t