
2| The Code
Mikael was impressed, yet taken back with Chance Trahan’s cunning ability, feline reflexes and undeniable strength. Cooking up a plan in his head, the clan’s leader, uttered “Your son had the audacity to Infiltrate our camp and now has knowledge of our operations.. You are left with a bold choice to make, noble one.” Brad was afraid of what was to come next. Mikael Continued, “Either your son dies at the hands of your own will or he can immediately start intense training to join the clan.” An eerie feeling fell over Brad while Mikael spoke. “No one lives to reveal our secret location that is not a full fledged member.. And given his obvious knack for innovative tactics and brutal force, it would be a shame to miss out on the luxury of having such a worthy apprentice.”
Brad spoke sharply, “Chance will never betray our secret… And he will never become A Dragon Assassin either!” Mikael was not happy with his reply, but Brad was not stopping now. Mikael had upset Brad with this demand and in spite of this Brad humbly pleaded. “He will protect our bond like he does our own family. Please don’t do this Mikael, I have vowed to protect him from this kind of life. I have taught him well.” The clan leader sneers, “I can see that.” Mikael looks Chance over briefly, squints and firms his brow to say, “Yes Chance, your father has trained you well indeed and with that said, I’m willing to offer you riches beyond your wildest dreams..” Chance perked up but Brad quickly brought it to a halt by strongly saying, “ENOUGH Mikael! My son will not become one of us! He is enlightened and I vowed to protect his reputation!”
Mikael cocked his brow and said, “Fine Brad, have it your way. But one day he will come to me for our protection, I am sure of it. Once the Shinobi promises delivery of their slain warrior’s vengeance, they will not rest until it has been satisfied. After all, It was at the hands of Chance that their warrior met his demise.” Chance knew what was coming next, he had seen the face his dad was making before scolding him. Brad declared, “I will protect my family and no Shinobi clansmen stands a chance and god forbid you to get in my way Mikael, there will be hell to pay.”
Mikael was convinced with his own confidence of Chance’s return to take him up on his offer, so the humble leader had agreed to excuse Chance and his father of this mishap, “Under one condition will I allow this to be let go, Inferno, if Chance ever reveals our location or any secrets to anybody, you will be forced to personally kill whoever he tells, and then bring me the head of your son, Chance.” Mikael then takes a deep breath while taking brief second to carefully put his thoughts into words… “And once you’ve reported to me of your victory in slaying those who knew too much, you will then turn the blade upon yourself. That is the code of honor.” Brad nods disappointedly and mutters, “Yes, that is the code.” Mikael motions them to shoo with his pristine hand and says, “You two are now dismissed.”
On their way back home, Chance had many questions that seemed to annoy his father. “Dad, why did that man kill grandpa?” Brad replied shortly, “Chance, I cannot tell you these things.” “Why didn’t you tell me you were an assassin?” Brad snapped back, “Because, it’s none of your business!!! Now, please Chance. Stop asking me so many questions.” But the questions carried on. Chance was a curious one and being his father, Brad could only adore it.
“Is this what you’ve been training me for… to become an assassin like you?” Chance’s father let out an exhausted sigh, rolled his eyes and said, “Chance, I trained you to protect mother and also yourself if our home was ever in danger, not so you can become an assassin. Believe me, I’ve thought about it plenty of times and I don’t want that for you!” “But why not, Father? I want to become an assassin… I want to be just like you.” Chance’s father became enraged and backed him up against the wall by his shirt and yelled, “Never! Never become like me!” Gripping to his shirt even harder and raising him higher, he exclaims, “Ever! Do you hear me? You don’t understand what it’s like! You don’t want to have to do what I do and see what I see! You don’t want to be like me, Chance!”
Starting to let go of his grip, his father says softly, “Promise me you won’t ever go back there again. Chance… you must never tell a soul. You hear me, Chance? No one.” Chance remains quiet for a second and his father regains his grip and lifts him off his feet. and screams “Swear to me!” Chance promises, “I swear, I will never go back there. Now let me go!” Chance had wriggled free by this point and straightened himself out. Brad started walking while he said, “It’s just that I worked so hard to keep you away from this sort of life.” Chance questions, “What for, were you scared I would get hurt?”
“No Chance. Heh, it’s not that at all, I understand that you are smart and very strong. It’s just because, well… I don’t want you to have to live with blood on your hands.” “But why Can’t I do something else besides kill people? You saw what I did, I can protect myself.” His father laughs to himself and explains, “I understand, Chance, but you’re not listening to me. I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt because of something I did. I want you to be successful in life, raise a family and be happy.”
Brad didn’t convince Chance though, “God, Can’t I just be a spy for the clan or anything? Mikael said…” Brad’s eyes widen, “No! You must never return to the hideout! Don’t make the same mistake I did. Chance, aren’t you hearing me? I want the best for you and your family and I want you to live a free and happy life. And to never have to worry about getting murdered on a mission like my father did, because your soul will never rest in peace. Revenge will never be enough,” Brad swallows and then carries on to say, “And the thirst for even more vengeance and hatred… Chance, you don’t want that.”
Chance asks Brad, “Father, can I tell you something?” “What is it, my son?” Chance admits, “I’ve been having nightmares…” “What kind of nightmares?” “Well, I’ve been having these nightmares where I’m all alone, it’s very dark, and all I can see is a light. Sometimes it feels like I’m free falling, you know? I feel this constant stinging pain and uncontrollable rage, but it seems to only empower me. and when I feel scared, it only fuels the fire.” Silence fell over the two for a moment and Chance started again, “Then, there’s this whispering voice coaxing me every which way, except I’m in this god awful place trying everything I can to escape. I feel like I don’t know where to go so I just keep running towards the voice. But, no matter how close I get it echoes out again and I start to feel lost by this point.”
“What do you mean, Chance?” “Well, It’s a very scary place with fire everywhere I look and this distorted voice just keeps calling to me. But they aren’t calling me Chance, They’re calling me by this name. It sounds so familiar to me, an… and I… I can’t remember the name. But it’s just so hot there and I feel like I can’t breathe. It’s a very intense feeling, like I’m on fire…” Brad can only bring a frighteningly puzzled expression to his face. “Father? Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?” Brad snaps out of it and says, “I’m fine Chance. It’s nothing. Let’s get home. It’s getting late” Chance, gripping his home made ninja mask walks off with his father into the rising sun