The first step

[Owen]

Fate is a cruel and twisted woman. One can be striving and struggling for something all their lives only to be cast off into a strange and unknown path. Just when you finally think you got all the answers, just when thing are finally making sense, life throws you a curve ball. In the end it feels as if you have no control over your life, but still one must continue. Such was the way Owen felt then.

The members of his company, his late father’s company, had ruled against him and bought him out as heir and director of the Genji Tower. He had been thrown off the only home he had known and had nowhere to go. In the end he left China and traveled to America, hoping to find some answers, something to do. However outside the comfort of his company, he found the land to be cruel, miserable and extremely dangerous. Between traveling cost, food expenses and the in between assaults, he was almost to his last dime. But his resolve didn’t falter. He had heard talk, rumors really, about a secret society of scientist. It was the only thing he knew how to do, the only thing he had been thought, science. So he decided that he would do his best to find them and help them however he could.

His travels were cut short as he realized several facts. He was defenseless, a pretty boy, young and weak, alone he couldn’t survive. He was also almost broke. He had tried getting odd jobs, but the real money was in far more dangerous activities. He needed to find a powerful person that could aid him on his travels. That explained his presence in the underground fighting club, a world that was completely unknown to him. Where his life had been quiet, neat and organized, this place was loud, dark and chaotic. He felt confused, alienated and scared as he watched the cruel matches. The foul stench of blood and sweat nauseated him and the thunderous roar of the audience deafened him. He was a fish out of water, completely out of his element. But where else would he find someone strong?

[Eva Saroari]

The audience roared, it deafened her ears and brought a headache pounding to life. She was covered by the hood of her cloak. It shadowed her face, hid most of her body. Her fists were raised, her knees bend in her classic battle stance. The man in front of her attacked again, swinging ham-sized fists at her. She dodged his fists, landing a hard kick the the side of his massive head. She heard the crack and pop of bones as the blow landed. He spun once and fell dead.

She turned and pushed her way into the mass of people, collecting bets and cursing the winner or loser, and towards her prize. Money was useful, water, some food. She needed it. She could survive by it. She kept her head down as she walked up to where her prize waited and transferred it to the pouch at her side quickly.
The body of the loser was being carted off to the daily burn pile. Burn the bodies, prevent rapidly spreading diseases.

Eva finished her battles for the day. She could rest up for a little bit, while she couldn't relax in this blood-soaked city, she could avoid fighting. She looked at the crowd, her silver eyes falling on some one quite out of place in the city. He was skinny, pretty, weak-looking; pampered was term that stuck in her head. She couldn't help but stare at him. She cocked her head to the side, debating on giving him the warning to get out of town and quick. Unless he wanted his pretty face rearranged by the riff-raff that accumulated and populated the city.

She pulled her hood further over her face and walked up to the blond-haired boy and spoke very calmly in a soft tone that still sounded firm. "You best leave while you still have your legs. This city isn't kind to those who don't belong. You don't need to be here," concern leaked through, she knew that he'd join the dead if he stayed much longer.

[Owen]

Owen pushed through the crowd to get closer to the ring. While doing so, he had bothered a few of the scary looking spectators, but other than a disgruntled grunt here and there and a few pushes, he was still in one piece. Though now he had worsened his disgust by adding the element of human proximity, which meant the stench of sweat being drench over him by the exuberant people that pushed and pushed and pushed with their overjoyed cheering. From time to time spit from the towering trolls would also shower him. The whole experience made him gag, but there was no other way.

When he got closer to the ring he was immediately concerned about the match up. They had pitted a tiny little person against a bulky man. He was sure that he or she was about to die by the hands of that mammoth. But in the end it reminded him of the old tale about David and Goliath. And just like the fable, the giant was felled.

After the match, the winner claimed the prize and surprisingly marched up towards Owen. However what astounded Owen the most was the calm feminine voice with just a tiny hint of concern leaking through. He looked at her wide-eyed, though much was obscured by her hood. “I can’t do that. Even if it means my life for a little while, I can’t be intimidate by this, when I have to face bigger perils,” though he tried to be brave, his legs were shaking and he had the look of a child who was about to cry. “I need a bodyguard and I won’t leave without one, even if it means I have to hang around these smelly thugs!” he had only meant it as a way to project confidence, but it was unfortunate that it came out louder than he anticipated.

“What did ya say, pretty boy!” said the giant besides him, crackling his knuckles. Oh boy, here we go again… thought Owen taking a trembling step away from his opponent.

[Eva Saroari]

Eva had to look up to see the man who was obviously more than pissed about the “smelly thugs” comment. She was tired, too tired to end another fight quickly. If a battle broke out she’d take a few blows before it was over. If they found out she’d been changed by radiation, it would be much worse. No one knew, it was better that it stay that way.

Without thought she grabbed Owen by the arm and yanked him behind her. She’d have to protect him but it wasn’t so easy in close quarters with the giant of a man. She inclined her head only a fraction, keeping the hood of her cloak up was a priority. She sized up the man, if this man was going to want a fight, she’d have to battle him and spare the kid humiliation and death.
“Let’s not get into a scuffle here. We can work this out without resorting to fists,” her voice was confident, her words ice-coated. She wasn’t about to back down, even though the man towered over her. Her hand tightened on Owen’s arm.

“What are you his bodyguard?” he puffed out his massive chest.

“Yeah, I am. Back off or you’ll end up like him,” she jerked her thumb towards the dead man who’s limp form was being dragged from the ring.

“Wanna bet!” he took a step forwards.

“Wanna die?” she tossed back, not budging, keeping her grip on the boy. If he bolted, she’d not have the chance to save him. She let out a low growl in the back of her throat, sinking into her battle stance, the movement so slight it was barely noticed.

[Owen]

Owen braced himself, expecting the worse. The last time he had been assaulted the thief had picked him up and threw him around until Owen surrender his money to him. Fortunately his injuries had been minimal, but he wasn’t sure that would be the case with this one. However he wasn’t prepared for the movement from behind him. At first he assumed the worst and thought that the stranger was preventing him from running away. But her words shattered that assumption. That stranger was helping him. She immediately had moved Owen behind her and taken control of the situation.

Though Owen was glad that she was there, he felt guilty about involving her. She had approached him to give a friendly warning and instead his big mouth had gotten them both in trouble. She was strong, he could tell by the iron grip she had on him. But that man was so huge and she had just stepped out of the ring.

He prayed, hoping that perhaps the other would back up, but he knew the look he had in his eyes, bloodlust. That man was not going to let them walk away. Owen had to do something. Could the stranger really fight comfortably while protecting him? But that wasn’t even the worst case scenario. This whole place could easily be riled up into a huge bloody brawl. People there were gathered for two things, money and death.

“Wait!” Owen urged the man. He tried to move toward him, but the stranger’s grip overpowered him. “We don’t have to do this. I’m sure that you have a match coming up too. You’re a fighter!”

“Yeah, so what? I’m in the mood for a little warm up,” he said locking his gaze on the stranger. He knew that if he looked away for a single moment, she would make her strike.

“But she’s so strong. You saw what she did to that man. What if she hurts you? What if you have to fight your next match injured? You’ll lose money, maybe even your life!” he pleaded. “I’m sure there ‘s some other way to compensate your troubles.”

The man laughed. He was going to enjoy beating them both to a pulp, but then he had a brilliant idea. “Okay, you’re right little boy. There’s no need for blood. Just give me her prize money and I’ll let you two walk,” he said with a dark grin.

“She has nothing to do with this. She’s not my bodyguard! Please don’t drag her into this I don’t even know her.”

“It’s too late for that! She became part of this since she decided to stick her nose where it don’t belong! Now cough up the dough or die!” he said crackling his dark knuckles one more time. Owen flashed an apologetic look to the stranger. He had only wanted to help, but instead he made things worse.

[Eva Saroari]

Eva wished the boy would have kept him mouth shut. He had just made this whole situation much worse. She cursed softly before a menacing smile curved her lips. She could beat him but it would have to be in the ring, it was best that way.

"You want to fight, that's fine with me. But let's be smart about it. We do this in the style of this city. We fight as it's intended to be, in the ring, one-on-one, to the death, winner takes all, no weapons. Do you accept or forfeit?" she could beat him in the ring. She had to or she'd forfeit both her life and the boy.

"Perfect. I'm going to enjoy this," he stepped into the ring. The announcer walked up to the man, he exchanged the information that was needed.

"You run off, I will hunt you down and kill you," Eva told the boy as she slipped her bag from her shoulder and handed it to him. "Just hold this and pray I win," she stepped into the ring, rolling her shoulders, working out the kinks. The crowd fell silent as the announcer held up a hand.

"This one has issued a challenge to The Hammer! Winner takes all, hand-to-hand, to the death combat! Fighters take your positions!" he waited while Eva and The Hammer faced each other. "Begin!"

The man attacked her first, she dodged his fists, he was fast but her small size and speed kept him slightly off balance. Eva dodged a kick, jumping back and delivering a strong punch to his side.

[Owen]

It’s a dangerous world, this one, thought Owen. He was in shock. His mistake had cost one life. Whatever the outcome of the death-match, he knew that his stupidity had killed one of them. Sure they were warriors that came for that sort of sport, but still he felt their blood tainting his hands. I have to be more careful. I’m not in China anymore.

Still, he watched their battle in awe. Even his inexperienced eyes could tell that The Hammer was having trouble with the girl. She was quick and strong, and it was obvious that the man was uncomfortable. Owen couldn’t tell what was happening or how she was doing it, but whatever she did, he couldn’t match up to her. Don’t die, don’t die… he chanted as he watched the girl carefully. Never in his life had he felt so useless. All his studying and experimenting seemed worthless in this world. He felt as if he had wasted his childhood cooped up for nothing. But the memory of his late father reassured him. It was his duty to create a better world, but not through violence.

[Eva Saroari]

Eva dodged more punches, The Hammer was quick, but she was faster. She had her speed, her small size allowed her to be agile, light on her feet. She skidded to a halt and attacked, she went in low and aimed for the stomach, connecting a punch solidly against his diaphragm knocking the air from his lungs. She brought her knee up as he doubled over.

The man didn't take long to recover from the blow, he grabbed her and tossed her across the ring like a rag doll. Eva cursed and pushed herself to her feet, pain radiating through the shoulder she'd landed on. She shook it off and rushed in. She faked left and came in from the right, landing a two successful kicks to her opponent's side.

Her control slipped, her mind blocking out the sound of the crowd, the shouts and yells that surrounded the ring. The Hammer swung his massive fists at her, she dodged the first blow, the backhand catching her in the side of her head, blackening her eye and knocking her off her feet and back a few yards.

"Wrong move," she growled and got up as The Hammer stalked towards her, ready to break her in half and finish the battle. Eva let a menacing smirk curve her lips, though it went unseen from the cover of her cloak. She rushed forwards and ducked as he swung for her. She rammed her fist into his unprotected groin, and popped up as he went down, landing a solid kick to this head, snapping his neck instantly.

"The winner is Silver Bullet!" the announcer signaled for the body to be disposed off and prepared to announce the next two fighters as Eva walked from the ring, people parting as she went.

She grabbed the boy on the way and dragged him behind her. As far as she was concerned, he owed her a decent explanation and proper response to her earlier warning. She didn't stop walking until they were well away from the fighting rings located around the center of the city. She pressed a hand to the bruise on her face, that covered from her right temple, to her jawline, along with her entire right eye which had swollen shut. She grabbed the boy by the collar of his shirt and pushed him against the cracked wall of a building.

"You had better learn to keep your mouth shut around this place or be able to back it up! If you want a bodyguard so bad, go to a bar and hire a mercenary, they won't kill you for running your mouth!" as her temper waned, the pain flooded into her body along with the fatigue. She dropped the boy and turned away from him. Why was she always getting herself into trouble like this? A few fights, some money, perhaps a little food for the trip and she could be on her way. But she had to go and protect a loud mouthed boy with a death wish.

[Owen]

Owen quaked with terror. This girl was as tall as him and yet she picked him up so easily. But more than that, she had just killed two towering men. What could little Owen do against her? Relief flooded through him when she let him go. Then tears flooded under his pretty green eyes, but he held them. If dad saw me like this, he’d be disgusted. Taojin are strong and mighty. Show some guts, Owen!

“Wait…” He said swallowing his fear and doubts as he stood before her. He looked at her, eye to eye. Silver… “I’m sorry, I caused you so much trouble,” he managed, no longer shaking. “All my childhood I was never just a child. I was my father’s son. Everyone looked at me with respect, they knew that one day I would be president of his company, and treated me as such. Then when I began publishing my research and experiments, everyone admired me. I was a prodigy. Never once have I felt so useless and powerless as I do now. I always had servants, bodyguards, assistants…” he trailed off. His eyes dropped to the ground and a single tear streamed down his dirty cheeks. “I got none of that anymore. But I have to be strong. My late father’s company was taken from me. In a single sweep my whole life was turned upside down.”

He sighed and ran his hand through his yellow hair. It felt crisp and tangled, almost alien to him. He was used to being pampered, to having everything he needed at his disposal. He was a hard worker he just wasn’t used to hard work. For him working was long hours cooped up in a lab or an office. He was a pencil pusher. The closest he had been to the field, was during research and he always traveled comfortably.

“Silver bullet,” he continued. “I need to be a scientist. It is the only thing I know how to do. It’s who I’ve always been. Without that… I don’t’ know who I am. What I’m supposed to do. And when I finally found a possibility at doing what I do best, it turns out to be a journey I won’t survive by myself.” He took her hand and kneeled before her. Slowly he craned his neck towards her and continued. “Please. Please! Travel with me. As I am right now, I can’t make it worth it for you. But If I find the scientist, I’ll be able to pay you back somehow,” he finished. His eyes shone with the strength and determination of his past. No longer did they quake with fear and doubts. At that time, even if it was only for an instant, he was Owen Taojin, former president of Genji Tower, and his eyes burned with the fierceness of his office.

[Eva Saroari]

Eva could only stare at the boy. She didn't even know his name. She didn't know anything about him. She let the words process, she had no idea how to respond to him. She didn't have people skills. She was tired from the battles, tired from the emotional upheaval of "what if" when she'd shielded the boy without thought.

"You don't want to travel with me. You don't want me as your bodyguard. I'm the last person you'll want to be around on any sort of journey; especially with the destination you have in mind..." she paused, in her mind flashed an image of Alex. The man who'd died because he'd protected her, because he'd shielded her, because he loved her. He'd never pitied or distrusted her because of her mutations. He cared for her and treated her no different than if she'd been a normal person. Could she ever trust anyone the way she'd trusted Alexander?

"I'm not normal," she managed to get the words out slowly. A hand clamped around her heart and squeezed hard. She'd just admitted what hurt her most. "You'd be better off hiring a mercenary. They're more suited for what you have in mind. I don't even know your name!" she rubbed a fist over her heart to ease the pressure lodged there. She couldn't let him know, he wouldn't understand.

This pampered and sheltered boy had probably learned more about the world in the short time he'd spent there than he had in all the years he'd kept himself locked away in a lab. But nothing prepared the mind for her secret, no words could describe her appearance and make people understand it. Understand her.

Eva took a step away from him. This poor boy would die in the wastes without someone to help him learn to survive. But she couldn't, she couldn't teach him the world. It was the world that had rejected her. She had no friends, no family, nothing. She had nothing in this harsh cruel world to offer him.

[Owen]

For a split second Owen believed she would help him. She had that look in her silver eyes of clouded doubt. However her words didn’t match her eyes at all. While she listed the reasons for which she couldn’t accompany Owen, he saw in her eyes sadness and pain, dancing with another emotion he couldn’t identify. It took him a while but eventually he placed the facts in order and there was only one plausible explanation. It explained perfectly her mysterious demeanor, her superior strength, her silver eyes and the pain that came with her words.

Owen stood and brushed the dirt from his pants. His heart felt a deep sympathy towards her. “I am Owen Taojin, the young head of the Taojin Corporation. At least until my board ruled me out, to chase more fruitful endeavors. But before I left, I foolishly stole something important.” he said as he dug through his backpack and fished out a sturdy sphere. “This is an HD sphere. It’s a durable hard drive that contains a lot of valuable information. It’s very resistant. If the computer suffers any external damage, the HD sphere would endure it. Whether I travel with you,” he paused. “…a mutant or by myself, I’m probably going to die.” He sighed and looked away. At the time he had thought he was so clever by stealing the HD sphere. But after being assaulted, he realized that when the board found out, they would hire people that could easily kill him and take it back. He had signed his own death warrant.

“Most likely they know of the sphere by now. I can’t go to a bar and hire mercenaries, because I may just run into someone that has already been hired to kill me.” But then he sighed and realized that what he was doing was wrong. It was foolish of him to expect so much of her, when he had so little to give back in return.

“I’m sorry,” he began. “We all have our own lives. It’s rude of me to think that simply because I wish it so, you would do as I say. I’m just a pampered jerk. For too long people have been obeying me without questions, but it’s wrong of me to expect it of strangers. Of anyone for that matter,” he said staring straight into her silver eyes. “I promise that if I make it, I’ll find you Silver Bullet and repay your kindness for sparing my life twice,” he said as he began his departure.

[Eva Saroari]

Eva felt like scum, worse than scum. More like the bacteria that fed on scum. Could her life get any more complicated? Was she being punished for something she did? The boy would die out there, he had little sense about the world as it was and now he was just walking back into the death trap again.

“Wait,” she said the word firmly, grabbing Owen by the arm. She ran an impatient hand through her hair; the movement pushed the hood of her cloak back. Her silver hair spilled over her shoulders and down her back. “I’ll help you get where you’re going. I can’t just let you walk back into the world as unprepared as you are. You need someone to make sure you don’t get yourself killed and seeing as how many of the thugs around here are more brawn than brain; the task falls to me. As long as you’re with me, you won’t need to worry about dying; I will protect you,” she managed a smile and held out her hand to him.

“I’m Eva. Nice to meet you, Owen Taojin,” she had a soft tone in her voice. If he could handle her appearance, her oddness, than she could at least protect him for the time being. Once she committed herself to something, she had the will to fallow through with it. She’d finish what she started. However long or short of of a journey it was.

[Owen]

Upon hearing her call out to him, Owen had a brief mischievous smile. Manipulation was never a pretty tactic, but as the young head of an organization sometimes a little acting went a long way. Still he felt the sting of guilt clamp his heart. After all Eva would have to face many dangers to protect him. She could handle it, he was sure. But still he felt bad for abusing of her kindness. He decided he would pay her back for all her troubles one day, for sure.

“Thank you,” Owen answered and shook her hand. “I won’t be able to reward your kindness in the near future. But one day, I’ll definitely pay you back double. Whether if money or something else. Tell me and I’ll defiantly get it for you!” he said with a warm smile. Then he fished a small purse from his bag and weighed it content. The few coins inside clinked together. “I should have enough to buy a meal for my new bodyguard,” he said with another ice-melting grin. He turned left and then right. “Umm… I didn’t see any restaurants on my way here. There has to be a place with some decent food around, right?”

[Eva Saroari]

Eva had to laugh, it was the first time she had in years. The sound was soft, innocent, and reminiscent of wind chimes. Working with Owen was going to be interesting, the boy really had no clue about the world.
Restaurants! If there were restaurants here, you'd have to wonder what they hell they were serving you. In this city, you won your meals or you went hungry. Eva looked at the sky judging the time before dark. What she'd won would sustain them for a little while.

"We'd better find a place to sleep tonight. We can move in the morning. I've got some supplies to get us to the next town," she pulled up her hood. "The way I work doesn't cost much. I hope you don't mind sleeping under the stars, Owen. We can eat in the morning before we leave," she shrugged her shoulders and started towards the outskirts of the city. The most abandoned parts were safe enough for them for one night.

"Come on. The buildings along the edge of the city are safe enough for one night," she smiled at him and started towards the edge of the city. If he wanted her help, he would follow her and trust her.
The bruise blooming in vibrant shades of purple along the right side of her face hurt, though she knew it would fade and disappear in a few days. But her hair color, her pale skin would have to remain hidden under the cover of her cloak. She couldn't let anyone know, or she'd be risking her life, as well as Owen's.

[Owen]

Owen was definitely disappointed. Like a businessman, he had envisioned himself sharing a meal over a nice table with Eva. During this dinner, they would discuss the terms of their agreement and reach a conclusion that was beneficial to both parties. Afterward they would enjoy a fine taste of wine and retire to a nice inn. Of course they didn’t have the money for that, but when daydreaming there’s no need to mind reality. However what truly troubled Owen was leaving their terms unclear that alone usually lead to disappointment and resentment either in one or both parties.

But they would be traveling together for a few days at least. He would seize an opportunity and fully discuss their partnership. To him she wasn’t simply hired helped, by accepting to travel together she became involved in something that was bigger than both of them. Owen simply wanted her to understand it fully before exposing her to the dangers ahead. There was much more to the sphere than what Owen shared, like what information it contained and how it could change everything.

“Wai… Wait!” shouted Owen after running towards her. They walked together for a while, saying little until they reached the building near the edge of the city. It was a quiet place, in fact for Owen it was far too still. That hiding hole amongst the tall and abandoned towers of concrete was a dark and scary place. Owen felt trapped, as if they were in a maze of ruined buildings, just waiting for the horned beast to strike them in their sleep. However he put all that aside, he trusted Eva. But if they were attacked even someone like Owen knew they were done for. Eva was tired and he had no talent for fights, so he prayed that none would disturb their rest.

“Should I keep watch?” he asked remembering, that in his books heroes always took turns guarding the hideout while the others slept. Though at most Owen would was only capable of waking Eva if trouble came. Still he found it imprudent, if not polite to ask.