The 6-Tier System: The Adventures of Shawn Rossacks

Chapter 4 - The will to be

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 situation.

"Gather the household, after that call the remaining outpost to gather here," Bruce peeled out the orders as he walked to the large living room, accompanied by Arturo who began making calls.

Together, Bruce and Arturo walked towards the living room and in a minute, the rest of the household had gathered. Arturo was tasked with bringing everyone together, and he swiftly complied, rounding up the seven wives and the loyal servants. A heavy silence hung in the air, each bracing themselves for the news that was about to unfold.

Bruce stood at the centre of the room, his gaze moving from one face to another. The tension was palpable, and he cleared his throat, ready to address the assembly. He took a moment to observe the women who were his wives, Vito's wives. Vito's memories relayed that there were products of extortion, debt repayment and power proofs. None was happy to be there.

He contemplated their happiness and the lives they had led as the companions of a mafia boss. There was a flicker of determination in his eyes, a silent promise to change their fates.

As the silence lingered, Bruce allowed the gravity of the situation to sink in. The scene was set for a transformative journey, one that would test their mettle and redefine their lives.

"Listen, everyone," Bruce began, his voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and resolve. "I know this is hard, but we have to do what's necessary. The time has come for you to depart with the house of DiMarco."

The room fell into a hushed silence, broken only by the crackling of the fireplace. Bruce's gaze swept across the faces of his comrades, catching the surprise in their eyes. Arturo, his most trusted confidant, appeared visibly taken aback, his shock echoing through his expression.

"But, boss," Arturo interjected, his voice laden with concern but barely above a whisper into Bruce's ears. "If we act now, the war will be over. We can finally trample on Director Ben and put an end to Yaaz's reign. We won't even need to relieve the servants and your wives."

Bruce's gaze hardened, his resolve unyielding as he whispered back. "Arturo, I understand your perspective, but we can't let a selfless thought cloud our judgment. We need to ensure the safety of the innocent. The women and the servants, they deserve a chance to start anew. Without a bond, without being coerced into it."

"Boss, there is another way," Arturo said. "We keep them somewhere else. When the uproar is down, they'll easily return."

"They don't want to stay. Look at their faces," Bruce said and pointed to them. No other words from you, Arturo," Bruce snapped. "That's what I will do!"

He turned towards the seven wives, who had been observing the exchange with a mixture of fear and hope. "Take whatever you need, whatever you want to leave with. Arturo, see to it that they are settled comfortably, and ensure that their needs are met. They have suffered enough."

Arturo's frustration simmered beneath the surface as he reluctantly nodded, his eyes narrowing with discontent. Bruce's next words only added fuel to the fire.

"And while you're at it, Arturo, release the servants from their bondages as well. Also, all that are imprisoned are to be set free too," Bruce commanded, his voice unwavering. "They have been subjected to a life of servitude, and it is time they receive fair treatment."

The tension in the room escalated, and the weight of the impending change was felt by everyone. Bruce's decisions challenged the very fabric of their existence, unravelling the established order they had come to rely upon. Whispers of dissent murmured among the group, their loyalties divided between their boss and their doubts.

They were reluctant to turn as they guessed that it was a test. That version of Vito was what they had never seen.

"Go!" Bruce shouted and they started packing.

As if on cue, the sound of cars reverberated through the mansion. The yard grew tense as the goons of the Mane District from remaining and uncompromising districts flooded in, their presence an intimidating reminder of the dangers that lay ahead. The air filled with the clinking of weapons and the whispered prayers of those preparing for battle.

As the goons flooded in, the seven wives, the servants, as well as the prisoners all left. Just as Bruce had wanted, the mansion was filled with fighters that are dedicated to the course of the Mane District.

With Arturo by his side, Bruce walked up to the balcony above and placed his hands on the bannister while looking down at the goons as they gathered below.

"This district has been our haven," Bruce declared, his voice echoing through the empty streets. As he started, silence governed the mansion. "It's been our protection, our shelter, and our provider. Together, we've built it from the ground up, and it has been the source of your livelihood. Now someone wants to buy it all, buy you all. I told him he's not getting it so he's about destroying it. The claim holds still, no one is taking the Mane District!"

The goons cheered in agreement, pumping their fists in the air. They had heard rumours of rival gangs planning to invade the district, but Bruce reassured them that they were ready for anything.

"We've faced tougher challenges before, and we've come out on top," Bruce continued, his voice growing louder and more passionate. "We've got each other's backs, and with that, nothing can stop us!"

The goons started chanting, "Mane Mafia District! Mane Mafia District!" The chant grew louder and louder until it filled the entire district, echoing off the buildings and bouncing back to them.

Bruce raised his fist in a sign of victory, and the goons followed suit. "We're going to protect this place, no matter what!" he proclaimed, and the goons cheered in agreement.

Arturo ordered the goons to take position and they did as told.

Bruce sensed the seething anger in Arturo's eyes as they stood together, surveying the surroundings and dwelling still on the earlier disposition. Placing a reassuring hand on Arturo's shoulder, Bruce leaned in and whispered, "I see this place crumbling. We need defenders, not liabilities. This place will stand and the legacy will live on. For you!"

"For me?" Arturo asked, perplexed.

"Yes," Bruce answered. "You'll soon find out."

Arturo's eyes widened with surprise as he processed Bruce's words. Before they could delve further into the matter, a deafening explosion shattered the tranquillity. The gate leading to DiMarco's mansion was torn apart, leaving a chaotic scene in its wake. Arturo's attention shifted from the destroyed gate to Bruce's determined face. They didn't know it would be soon.

As the dust settled, several vans rolled in, bearing a surprising sight—a white flag, a symbol of peace. The juxtaposition of the flag and the earlier explosion elicited an ironic chuckle from Bruce. Arturo, however, remained vigilant, ready to respond to any threat.

A voice boomed from a sound boomer directed specifically at the leader of the Mane District. The voice repeated an offer, demanding the surrender of the leadership conch, warning that it would be destroyed before their eyes if not relinquished. Bruce's eyes narrowed with determination as he prepared to respond.

"I will never surrender the Mane District," Bruce declared firmly, his voice carrying a resolute tone. "Director Ben can claim the conch only over my dead body."

The tension in the air thickened as a silence settled upon the scene. Then, Director Ben's voice sliced through the stillness, unwavering and cold. "So be it," he proclaimed, his words dripping with calculated menace.

Bruce's jaw clenched, and a steely resolve took hold. With his hand still on Arturo's shoulder, he turned to face the incoming threat. "We stand together, Arturo," Bruce affirmed, his voice steady. "Our district, our people—they depend on us. We won't let them down."

Arturo met Bruce's gaze, finding solace and determination mirrored in his eyes. Nodding in agreement, Arturo's expression hardened, ready to defend their territory and the values they held dear.

The stage was set for a clash of wills, as the defenders of the Mane District braced themselves against the encroaching forces. The battle for power and freedom was about to unfold, the outcome uncertain, but their resolve unwavering.

While the two parties waited for an order or for a shot to indicate the hostile kickoff, the leader of the Yaaz hustle hopped down from one of the vans.

It was the first time someone without a shared memory with Vito surfaced before Bruce. The figure was bald with a towering figure, having a sword sheathed in the holster around his waist.

"Vito! I am Host, the new boss of the Yaaz Hustle," the figure said and utter silence coursed through the mansion. "I know you must be shocked to see me here instead of Marcos."

The name Marcos rang a bell. Marcos was Vito's mentor.

"Well," Host continued. "I heard he trained you, but I killed him. I guess there will be a repeat as I'll be killing you too. You have ten seconds to reconsider. Submit the Mane District to Director Ben or die," Host said and raised his hands in the air as he began with the countdown.

A beep happened in Bruce's head and it was the right time.

SYSTEM: It's your call, Bruce, to go around the mountain, accept the deal and avenge your death while working with Director Ben. Or take it the hard way by fighting your way and will out. This will retain the legacy Vito left behind though. It's your call.

4!

3!

2!

Bruce lifted his gun and aimed at the Host, he fired a shot and expected Host to drop dead. However, Host met the bullet in the air with the placement of his sword.

"Attack!" Host announced.