FLASHBACK – GRAY MANOR – YEARS AGO
Yohan was a little boy. Seven years old. A poorly tied tie. Glasses too big for his face.
His father had told him: "You are the heir, Yohan. Everything rests on your shoulders."
So he had learned. He had read. He had calculated. He had excelled. Always higher. Always better. Always perfect.
The Gray empire had fallen. Not his fault. But he had bought it all back. A small casino. Then another. Then another. He wanted to reach the top of the world.
Crow had come. A shadow in his office.
"You have potential, Yohan. I can offer you great heights. But you must prove you're worthy."
Prove. Always prove. Always had been.
His ideal was Patrick Gray. A genius. A family member who shone with his intellect, his aura, his ability to stay one step ahead.
But Patrick had left. Married a Jipanguese woman. Left the family.
His son was named Midas.
Yohan had never forgiven him. Why him? Why Patrick's child, and not me?
---
THE FIGHT – DIAMOND CASINO – YOHAN'S OFFICE
The office was devastated. Collapsed walls. Burned beams. Broken glass everywhere.
Midas stepped back, out of breath, his golden hands dented. Yohan advanced, his diamond body sparkling under the debris.
"You know, cousin…"
Midas looked up.
"You're just an accident. A forbidden fruit."
The diamond blade split the air. Midas dodged. The wall behind him exploded.
They crashed through floors. Through walls, ceilings, collapsed corridors. Each impact shook the casino.
Midas struck. Yohan took it. Diamond scratched gold. Gold dented diamond.
They arrived in Yohan's office.
Midas was at the end of his rope. Back against the wall. Blood ran down his face.
I can't give up.
The best moments of his life flashed by. Gap. Silva. Amélie. Sharky. The Family. The unborn baby.
I can't.
Yohan charged at him.
"Do you know why I hate you so much?"
Midas parried. Stepped back. Took it.
"Because Patrick Gray — your father — is my uncle."
Midas's fists stopped.
"We're cousins."
Midas shook his head.
"No."
"Yes."
"NO."
Yohan sneered.
"You don't want to accept it? After all, anything is possible."
Midas clenched his fists.
"So what? You're my cousin. Why all this? If you were really a member of my family, you would help me!"
Yohan burst out laughing. A bitter, broken, almost insane laugh.
"A member of your family? You?"
He spat on the ground.
"Let me laugh."
He approached.
"You're the fruit of a forbidden marriage. On top of that, I learned that your father died because of you."
Midas didn't move.
"And your mother… that slut…"
The word cut through Midas like a blade.
Slut.
Memories flashed by. His mother. Her smile. Her last expression before freezing into gold.
"DON'T TALK ABOUT HER."
Gold exploded.
The entire room transformed. The walls. The beams. The glass. The metal. The frames. Everything turned to gold.
Yohan's feet sank into the precious metal.
Midas lunged at him.
Blows rained down. A flurry. A torrent. Blow after blow after blow.
Yohan stepped back, off balance. His diamond torso held, but his legs were trapped.
Midas threw him onto the desk. The wood exploded. Yohan landed on his stomach.
Midas crashed down on him, his golden fist raised.
"DON'T TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER!"
CRACK. The diamond cheek shattered.
CRACK. The diamond nose cracked.
CRACK. The diamond eyes clouded with blood.
He struck again. Again. Again. Until the top of Yohan's skull broke. Pieces of diamond fell to the floor. Blood appeared. Real blood.
"DON'T TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER!"
---
THE CALL
Yohan's phone vibrated.
Midas stopped. His fist trembled.
Yohan answered, his face bloody.
"Hello?"
Crow's voice. Calm.
"The special guest is here."
---
OUTSIDE – DIAMOND CASINO PARKING LOT
A brand-new supercar. White. Tinted windows.
Antelope sat in the passenger seat. Silver antelope mask. Evening gown. Long gloves.
"I don't know why Crow asked me to go help that kid…"
She turned to Bull, massive, a bathrobe open over his sculpted chest. He was driving.
"…but oh well, he must have his reasons. I'll still ask Bull to find out more about his intentions. For myself."
Her phone rang.
"Hello?"
A young voice. Calm. Precise.
"Antelope. You are one of the Fifteen Greats. At the head of a financial empire based on a vehicle brand and a hero agency aiming for international heights."
She stiffened.
"But right now, you're putting yourself in danger. Do not go to that casino. Turn around."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Who are you to give me orders?"
"Nanashi Kamo. That's your real name, isn't it?"
Antelope went pale beneath her mask.
"My name is Perfecto. I placed a tracker and a bomb on your vehicle. The detonation will happen the moment you enter the casino's perimeter, if you do not follow my instructions."
She clenched her fists.
"What do you want?"
"I want you to side with me. I have information that could help you. And a very beneficial project."
Silence.
"Speak. I'm listening."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…