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The Return of the Hades Feared Gangatsu
111Hearing the name "Gangatsu," Lavinia's expression shifted. Her brow furrowed in confusion, her eyes narrowing slightly. She'd heard rumors of Gangatsu before—stories of his skills as both a formidable fighter and a healer. Yet, these stories painted a portrait far different from the man described in whispered tones by the frightened herborist. Darien, who had been inspecting the vivid blue flowers, turned sharply at Timothy's words. He attempted to project confidence, trying to lighten the mood. "No problem. I'll just have a chat with Gangatsu," he said. His casual dismissal masked an undercurrent of tension; his jaw was set, his eyes alight with a mixture of challenge and curiosity.Timothy chuckled nervously, the sound more of a choke than a laugh. He wiped his forehead with a tremulous hand, his earlier apprehension blossoming into outright fear. "You don't understand, Mr. French," he said, his voice cracking. "Gangatsu isn't just a healer or a warrior; he's a force of nature
The Return of the Hades Kaida
112"So, the infamous Darien French finally steps into the light," Gangatsu mused aloud, his voice now calm but laced with dark anticipation. "This may actually simplify matters. Timothy, you may have inadvertently done me a favor. But listen closely, don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. If I find out you have, it’ll be the last mistake you ever make."Timothy’s voice was barely audible as he replied, "Yes, sir. I understand. I won’t say a thing.""Good. Keep it that way," Gangatsu said before abruptly ending the call.As the line went dead, Timothy stood frozen, his heart racing. He was both terrified and relieved, unsure if he had just averted disaster or if he had stepped further into it. He glanced around his small, cluttered office, filled with reminders of a life spent walking on the edge of danger, and shuddered.Meanwhile, Gangatsu stared at the now-silent phone, his mind already weaving new, more sinister plans for Darien French. The game, he decided, had just become much
The Return of the Hades 113
113The next morning, Darien and Lavinia made their way to the old coffee shop where they were meeting The Viper. It was a small, worn down place in an unremarkable strip mall. Just the type of location where discreet conversations could be had without drawing attention. They settled into a corner booth with their coffees and waited anxiously. After a few minutes, a grizzled man in worn jeans and leather jacket slid into the seat across from them. His face was weathered, and his eyes scanned the room warily."Viper," Darien greeted him with a nod.The man returned the nod. "Darien. Been a long time. And you must be Lavinia," he said, glancing at her. She nodded politely in return. "Alright, let's get to it. What do you need to know about Gangatsu?" Viper asked, taking a sip of his black coffee.Darien leaned in. "Anything you can tell us about his background, affiliations, operations. We need to get a handle on what we're dealing with." Viper sighed, scratching at the stubble on hi
The Return of the Hades 114
114 Darien's house, Darien thumbed the contact on his encrypted phone, the screen lighting up his furrowed face in the dimly lit room. He paused, taking a deep breath before hitting 'call.' His thumb hovered momentarily over the button, his mind racing through the possibilities of what was to come. Amelia picked up on the third ring, her voice a comforting melody amidst the cacophony of his worries. "Darien! It's been ages. How are you holding up?" He hesitated, his voice a notch too casual. "Hey, Amelia. I'm... well, it's complicated." There was a pause on the other end as Amelia shifted gears, her tone now laced with concern. "That doesn't sound like the Darien I know. What's going on?" Darien exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "It's a bit of a mess. Do you know someone named Gangatsu?" Amelia's response was immediate, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Gangatsu? Yes, I've heard of him. Marco DeSilva's right-hand man at one point. Quite the reputation—powerful, fe
The Return of the Hades 115
115 Kaida slipped through the shadows on her return to Gangatsu's compound, her mind racing with the information she had gathered. As she approached the secure facility, the hum of heightened security buzzed in the air. She knew every corner of this place, every face that moved within its walls. She found Gangatsu in his private office, the room dimly lit by a single lamp. The heavy curtains were drawn, and the air smelled of incense and aged leather. He sat behind a massive oak desk, his fingers steepled, deep in thought. "Gangatsu," Kaida began, her voice low and even, "I have news from the coffee shop." Her eyes, sharp and observant, watched him closely for any shift in emotion. Gangatsu looked up, his expression unreadable. "Speak," he commanded softly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "They know about the monkshood," Kaida reported, standing rigid, her hands clasped behind her back. "Darien and his associate, they are probing, seeking ways to access it." A slow smile crept acros
The Return of the Hades 116
116The morning sun rose over the city as Darien woke, determined yet wary.Lavinia, armed and vigilant, checked her equipment twice. "You're sure about this? Going in alone?" she asked, her concern thinly veiled.Darien adjusted the concealed holster under his jacket. "Yes, it's the only way Gangatsu will respect this meeting. Any sign of a group, and he'll either walk away or worse."She nodded, her expression tight. "Alright, but I'll be nearby. If things go south—""—you'll be the first I call," Darien finished, offering a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. After a quiet breakfast with Lavinia going over plans one last time, he made his way to the old mill. The building sat empty, the machinery long gone, nothing but dust and echoes within the walls. Darien arrived early and did a sweep, senses on high alert for any signs of ambush. Finding nothing amiss, he stood in the center of the main room to wait. Noon came, and right on time, Darien heard the crunch of ti
The Return of the Hades 117
117Gangatsu chuckled coldly. "I highly doubt that. But by all means, amuse me with your brave last stand."At a nod from Gangatsu, the room erupted into chaos. Men surged forward, weapons drawn. Darien moved with a fluid grace that belied the danger, drawing his gun and firing in swift, precise shots. One by one, Gangatsu's men fell, their attacks futile against Darien's superior speed and skill.As the gunfire echoed off the walls, Gangatsu's face twisted into a mask of fury and disbelief. "Impossible!" he hissed, stepping back as his men continued to drop.Darien's smirk widened. "You should've brought more men," he quipped, dodging a desperate punch and countering with a brutal strike to his attacker's neck.From the shadows, Kaida emerged, her eyes narrowing as she watched Darien dismantle their carefully laid plans. Stepping forward with a cold smile, she called out, "You're quite the performer, French. But this dance isn't over yet."Darien turned to face her, his back to Ganga
The Return of the Hades 118
118Darien kept his gun trained on gangatsu, his sense sharp, ready for any move the crime Lord might make.Gangatsu, though visibly frustrated maintened a veneer of calm arrogance."You've made your point, Mr. French," Gangatsu said, his voice laced with disdain. "But you underestimate the lengths I'm willing to go to protect what's mine."Darien's grip tightened on his weapon. "I'm not underestimating anything, Gangatsu. I know exactly what you're capable of. That's why I'm here."Gangatsu smirked, his eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. "Oh, you think you do, do you? You are not the first to come seeking what I possess, and you won't be the last. But mark my words, you'll regret crossing me."Darien scoffed, his tone dripping with defiance. "I don't regret anything. I came to do what's right, to reclaim what's been misused. And I won't let anything–or anyone–stand in my way."Gangatsu smile turned sinister. "Bold words for a man staring down the barrel of my gun."Darien jaw clenc