Cordayl is sitting in a limousine, staring out the window, bored as hell. My man is looking clean, though. He wears a nice black suit and has his hair tied back.
The short man across from him stares at him and then starts laughing.
"Lighten up, Cordayl. You are about to be at an event even the most elite have trouble getting into," the man tells him.
"You do realize that you are bringing the top name on their hit list to said event, right? This will probably be the last time you get invited," Cordayl remarks.
The man laughs again. "Sure, some of these snobs will see the infamous Diablo as my bodyguard and decide that they can never associate with scum like me. But on the other side of that coin will be those intrigued and curious about how a man like me got such a demon to agree to be his bodyguard.
"I have money and power. You by my side will win me respect unobtainable by my hardest of efforts." The man leans to the left, taking the puff from the cigar the young lady next to him is holding for him.
"I'm not on your side. You have a way for me to be around high-ranking white glove members, so I'm tagging along. I'm using you so that I can kill these people. Simple as that.
"I'll let them fools think what they want, but if the word 'bodyguard' comes out of your mouth, let's just say afterward, no amount of money will make these two women want to sit next to you." Cordayl states, turning his attention back to the passing city.
"So tense all the time. You need to massage. A lot. Sugar, go over there and help him relax a bit." The man directs the woman to his right.
The girl does as she is ordered, but as soon as her butt leaves the seat, Cordayl stares her directly in the eyes, and hearing a tiger growl, the girl sits back down.
The man chuckles as he puts his arm over the frightened woman. "Okay, okay, but be cool. This type of party is a social event. People will have protection with them, but nobody is here for a fight. Just networking, drinking, and spending a lot of money. Relax."
"We'll see," Cordayl says. Suddenly, the bright city darkens, and he feels the limo going underground. "Is this an ambush?"
"Goodness Cordayl, relax! What do I gain by betraying you? We're just going underground. This ain't no bar mitzvah. Again, this is the top of the elite. Of course they would have their event somewhere secret. This isn't even my driver!" The man exclaims.
Cordayl nods his head. "And how did you get invited to a party of such prestige?"
"Money may rule the world, but information is king. Its not what you know or who you know, its who knows what you know about them. And that can open doors that you never knew were there before." The man says smugly, taking another puff of his cigar.
The car finally stops, and the driver opens the door for them. The man clears his throat, getting Cordayl's attention. "Gentlemen first." He says, urging Cordayl to get out of the car first.
Cordayl stares at him, knowing that bodyguards usually exit first. The limo shakes a bit before the man is seen being kicked out of the limo
The man quickly stands up and straightens himself out. The two women hop out next, and each takes an arm. After exhaling deeply, he smiles and says, "Time to have some fun!" And with that, they walk in.
Cordayl and the guy walk in, and Cordayl is amazed at this event's size. He had no idea it would be this huge. Many people are there, but the venue is so spacious you can barely tell.
An event worker approaches them and hands them each a sleek black device.
"Don't lose that. Just follow the crowd and find your seat when it starts to go off. You wanna hit the crab's table?" the man asks.
"Not much of a gambler," Cordayl states.
"You're in a war with the white glove. You gamble with your life every fight. But suit yourself. Just remember. Social event. No fighting." The man reminds him as he walks off.
Cordayl hears him and walks off to adventure the venue. Making his first stop at the dining hall, Cordayl walks through the line and accepts everything the servers offer.
Finding an empty table, Cordayl takes a seat and starts to enjoy his meal. Suddenly, a beautiful woman joins him at the table. Cordayl notices her but continues to eat his dinner.
"Cordayl! Well, well, I never imagined that I would catch you at an event like this."
"Why not? I know a lot of white glove members." Cordayl says, cutting into his next bite.
"So I've heard. So, you know who I am?" She asks.
"Shiva. One of the 6." Cordayl states.
"Correct. God, I've been dying to meet you. I'm quite a fan." Shiva admits.
"Thank you. I'll sign this napkin for you after I'm done with it," Cordayl says.
Shiva laughs as she watches Cordayl wipe his mouth. "Got a pen?" he ask. Shiva shakes her head no, and Cordayl just shrugs.
"So, where is your husband?" Cordayl ask.
"He's somewhere around here, probably talking the head off of one of the higher members. Such the socialite," she mentions.
"And you aren't?" Cordayl ask.
"These things bore me. But these aren't the type of invitations you throw in the trash, so here I am." Shiva states.
"Yeah, it looks pretty fun. So, is your boss here?" Cordayl ask.
"If he were, I wouldn't know. I've never met him. All of our communication is on the phone." Shiva responds, taking a sip from her glass.
"So the hunt continues," Cordayl states blandly.
"Yes, it does. But it will end soon. You have a pretty big bounty on your head. Everyone in the organization is dying to cash it in." Shiva smiles.
"Dying to try." Cordayl corrects her. Shiva stares at him after this comment, more turned on than threatened.
Cordayl gets a little uncomfortable and takes a sip from his cup. "Well I'll be going now. I'll see you soon," Cordayl states to the smiling woman.
"Whoa, leaving already? I didn't even get to meet you yet." A big man states, putting a hand the size of a bear claw on Cordayl's shoulder.
Cordayl stares at the giant who snuck up on him and brushes the hand off of him.
"Nice to meet ya, Cordayl. I'm Richard Grayson." the man extends the same hand out to him
"Likewise," Cordayl states, shaking the hand.
Noticing Richard hasn't released his hand. The two men squeeze each other's hands with enough strength to that Cordayl's glass cracks.
Cordayl nor Richard back down an inch, but then Richard bursts out laughing.
"That's a good grip you got, Cordayl. My daddy always told me a good way to measure a man is by his handshake. I know you were on your way out, but oblige me for a bit won't ya." Richard ask, pulling out a flask. "Mind if I have that cup?"
"I'll pass," Cordayl responds, sliding the cup over. "But I'm sure I'll see you around."
Cordayl walks away, just taking in the different festivities taking place. He sees his associate at a gambling table, and when they lock eyes, the guy smirks and throws his dice.
As the crowd celebrates his successful roll, the guy smiles big and points to Cordayl, thanking him for the good luck. Cordayl nods and keeps exploring the venue.
Cordayl notices a few people walking off towards a hallway in the cut and decides to follow.
The semi-lit room becomes darker as he traverses down the hallway and finally enters the room where the gentlemen in front of him led him.
When he enters the room, Cordayl is subtly shocked to see everyone staring at him, as if they were expecting him. Then, as if on cue, they all part, making a path for him to walk to the front.
Cordayl questions the play, but he walks down the aisle anyway, eyes front but sensing any danger that might come his way.
As he walks down the aisle, a voice speaks, "Ahh, Cordayl. It is so nice of you to join us in one of our most proving ceremonies. Would you care to partake?"
"Nope," Cordayl declines, noticing the men lined up on both sides of him.
"We know you are a man of action, so we will let you watch first and decide again after. Who now, future fingers of the white hand, will step forward first to prove yourself?!" The voice asks.
The first warrior steps up and drinks a mysterious liquid from a fancy ass chalice that is held by a silver angel.
The warrior has no reaction at first, but suddenly, his body starts to violently shake. The crowd watches in silence as the warrior overcomes the convulsions and spits out a ray of fire.
The crowd watches in amazement, then cheer in acceptance, as the warrior has earned his gloves. His sponsor steps up, helping him walk away, as they continue to cheer.
The next warrior eagerly steps up, wanting his turn to shine, and takes the nectar straight to the head with a big gulp.
Stepping back, the warrior's body starts to shake uncontrollably, and he lets out a horrific scream, as it is too much for him to handle. The warrior internally combusts on the spot, burning to death in front of everyone.
His sponsor, disappointed, angrily kicks his dead body over an edge Cordayl hadn't noticed at first.
This drinking of the mystery liquid continues as warriors either live and win the acceptance of the white hand, each with a unique display of fire. Or die trying.
The last one left is Cordayl. Cordayl can feel that all eyes are on him and decides he will play their game.
Taking his time to get up to the bowl, Cordayl snatches it from the white glove member. The member is offended, but the announcer raises his hand, allowing Cordayl to do what he wishes.
Cordayl swirls the chalice around, feeling how much is left inside. Then without hesitation, Cordayl drinks the rest of the liquid, taking several gulps as he takes the elixir to the head.
Calmly handing the chalice back to the offended white glove member, who snatches it back, Cordayl steps back and waits for his body to react.
It doesn't take long, and Cordayl's body starts to convulse like crazy. Cordayl wanted to flex on the white glove members, proving their future warriors were weak, but the mystery liquid is no joke as he finds himself completely under its control.
Body shaking like he's being electrocuted, Cordayl closes his eyes as the pain overcomes him, and the moment he does, he finds himself face-to-face with the true form of the angel.
The cute little angel holding the chalice looks nothing like the being staring into Cordayl's soul. Cordayl doesn't flinch at the Uber intimidating glance. He just stares back, looking for his own answers.
"Who are you?" Cordayl hears it ask, as his past memories are forced out of his mind.
Cordayl and the angel watch as character-defying moments are portrayed between them, allowing one to judge them and the other to relive them.
Cordayl watches in silence as he is forced to review his life—his childhood, his adolescence, his present. He stands there motionless as he watches memories of his father, his mother, his home, his adopted family, and his friends.
Joy swells his heart as these sheltered memories are brought before his eyes.
Then the memories take a 180.
Cordayl is forced to witness and relive these things being taken from him all over again. The last hug he received from his mother, Both as a child and as an adult. His father's smiling face before he turned to ash right above him.
His home reduced to ash and rubble. His adopted father bleeding out in his arms. His adopted father torturing him. Esquimo dying in his arms. Prince dying in his arms. Yesseia bleeding out in his arms. Éclair dying in his arms.
All the enemies he's had to fight. All the people he's had to hurt. And more he's had to hurt. And more he's had to hurt. And all the ones he had to kill, as the innocent voices of the Youtound kingdom shout again.
A tear falls as Cordayl watches all of his past shown again before his eyes. The angel catches it and wipes his face. With the evidence presented, the angel locks eyes with him and speaks to Cordayl again.
"I see now, and I pity you. You're journey has been far from easy. So much love and so much loss. Your trials on this plane are none to envy, but before me, I see a being that is truly like none I have encountered.
"Like the dragon, you, Cordayl, are one people envy and fear. And like the dragon you have been hunted, hated, and lived on. So be like the dragon and live. A life of battle in a world that doesn't accept you.
"And like the dragon, show them that you won't go down without a fight." The angel transforms into a woman and kisses Cordayl on the head, light swallowing up the scenery as Cordayl returns to reality.
The crowd watches in utter silence as Cordayl's body, unlike the other warriors, goes completely still. Then Cordayl roars and scares everyone in attendance, as a dragon made of pure blue flames erupts from Cordayl's mouth.
Those who weren't frightened are stunned, as the blue dragon leaves Cordayl's mouth completely and dances around the room.
Then the dragon heads back to Cordayl and collides directly into him as he takes on the fire with open arms and accepts it.
Smoldering and standing tall, Cordayl's chest heaves as he catches his breath. The room is completely quiet, except for one man, Cordayl's associate, who runs up to him, clapping his hands off.
The man tries to pat Cordayl on the back, but Cordayl's body is burning way too hot to be touched.
The attendees just watch silently as all who have witnessed understand that Cordayl is undoubtedly the strongest warrior they have ever seen and the worst warrior they could have waged war against.
Suddenly, everyone's black devices starts to vibrate, and they hesitantly begin making their way to the called location, still amazed at what they have just witnessed. But slowly the room clears out and it is just Cordayl and the man left.
"My goodness, Cordayl! I knew bringing you here would turn heads, but damn, do you know how to leave people with a thing to remember! That was incredible! I'm still questioning if what I just saw was real! What the hell did you dri-" the man falls silent as he sees the tired and dangerous look in Cordayl's eyes.
"Do you have another shirt?" Cordayl asks, still catching his breath.