While reading this I suggest you kick your inner editor out the window because I did not edit it at all. So what you will be reading is the actual result of the crazy month of November 2007, also known as NANOWRIMO 2007.
Chapter 1- Ghost from The Past
Andy kicked on the accelerator because there is nothing else in sight to kick. The call from Seoul is to be expected. He knew that ignoring the letters of summons would not work. The first time he received summon from his father he just threw the letter to the trash bin after reading its contents. All subsequent letters from him suffered the same fate. Now he sent in somebody he knew he would not ignore. This made him angrier. How dare he manipulate him this way?
He was so mad he almost missed his exit point. It would not be long now before he reaches his destination. The house he built from his own sweat and blood stood far up in the hill. Living in California with the danger of bushfire occurring every summer, did not stop him from building a house far away from other people. He likes the peace and solitude it affords him. He is not concerned with security either. Being the president of his own software development company that develops security software for big companies, Andy is confident that whatever he installs in his own home will work.
The gates to his home opened without any effort on his part. Like everything else in his house, the gates are computer operated and could recognize his car from a few feet away. However, he was surprised to see another car parked in the driveway. It was a silver sports car of the expensive variety. Nobody can get pass the security as far as he knows. He has tried using another car before to test the security features and the lasers installed burned all four tires of the car.
”Surprised?!” a voice coming from one of the upper windows pulled Andy out of his revelry.
The owner of the voice came out wearing nothing but swimming shorts. He stood an inch smaller than Andy but has a more muscular built and matching six packs. Which is not surprising at all because Minwoo, Andy’s older brother live a very active lifestyle that requires him to be always in good physical form.
‘I see there’s no need for me to ask you to make yourself comfortable?” Andy answered sarcastically.
“Is that the way to greet your hyung?”
“Hmm, shall I bow down then Minwoo hyung?!!” Andy said this with one eyebrow raised.
Minwoo ignored his brother’s bad mood and walked over to him to give him a hug.
“I see you’ve lost weight, but still as good looking since the last time I saw you”
Andy could not help but smile at his brother’s attempt to humor him. “Well I can’t help that, It’s probably in my blood!!!”
Both brothers grinned on each other until Andy noticed he is being soaked wet too.
“You’re wet!”
“Well I’m just relaxing my tired muscles in your lovely Jacuzzi, I would have enjoyed it more if there are sexy attendants to keep me company”
“I’m sorry about that, but unfortunately we don’t offer that kind of service here”
“That’s too bad!”
“I thought you’ll be coming next week?” Andy asked his brother while mindlessly pouring both of them a drink.
“The old man thought you might try to run on us so he asked me to come earlier”
“It’s been three months since he sent me his first letter. That would have been plenty of time for me to change address or move into another country”
“Don’t be too hard on him”
“And don’t tell me he suddenly misses me. His the one who told me never to come back even for his funeral”
“Well …..to be honest…..”
“How bad is the situation, for him to be this desperate?”
‘People are dying, and we don’t know why and who did it!”
“People all over die everyday for no reason at all…what’s the difference?”
“Look the elders want you back!” Minwoo blurted out. There is no use dilly-dallying now. Andy is no fool and he knew years before that the elders has pinned their hopes in him and his powers to bring back the glory days of the Guild.
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Then we’ll die one by one without ever knowing who our real enemy is”
“The clans have been killing each for as long as they existed. Now that somebody has taken it upon himself to do that for them, their suddenly panicking?” Andy could barely hide the contempt in his voice.
“So you don’t mind seeing me dead?” Minwoo was surprised and hurt at the same time at Andy’s lack of empathy for their clan. He knew Andy walked away from them because he does not want to use his powers to be use by others to hurt another. But Andy's lack of concern for his own clan members rattled him to the core.
“Your one of the best there is, one of the few with real manna to speak of, I’m not that worried for you!”
“So is Old Shin and his now dead. Found in his room, no sign of forced entry. Looked like he fought to his last breath, but still his dead”
Old Shin is their former teacher. All male children of clans in their Guild train to become Guardians, but only few get a chance to become students of Old Shin. Usually those that have exceptional talent and are willing to work hard to possess the skills to make a good Guardian are trained by him. In their case both Andy and Minwoo, have the gift of Manna or Magik as ordinary mortals call these powers. Together with Eric oldest and only son of the Head of the Mun Clan, Hyesung from the Clan of Shin, Junjin from the Park Clan, and Dongwan, only male heir of the Kim Clan. The six of them has trained with Old Shin since they were young boys. This made them grow closer to each other and look after each like brothers will. All of them possess the Manna, this assured them a spot as Old Shin’s students and a sure future as a member of the Elite circle that are assured of a position in the Council of Elders once their current Clan Head either dies or become too old to perform their function. In the case of Andy and Minwoo, being brothers’ means that either Andy has to give way to Minwoo because he is older or Andy can become the Clan Head because he is the more powerful one. Andy walked away from everything his powers will give to live an ordinary life in America. This disheartened his father and caused him to lose face among the other Clans. It also strained the relationship between father and son. It caused much talk and became the topic of discussion among the clans, because the one they thought would bring back the glory days of the Guild turned their back on them even before he could be of full use to them. None of the Elders dared forced Andy to come back. Because truth be told, none of them possess the powers to defeat him, even Old Shin when they tried to pressure him to force Andy to return told them that his powers is beyond what their imaginations could fathom.
“Old Shin?, but how…..his old yes! But his no fool!.”
“We don’t know. That is why the elders are all getting agitated over this matter. When the others died it did not surprised them. There are very few of us that has been gifted with real manna and except for Old Shin, nobody in their generation is powerful enough to even protect themselves”
“Any idea why?”
“We have no concrete evidence, but it seems what this person or persons wants to happen is for there to be infighting between the really powerful clans.” Minwoo said.
“Our clan is currently at war with the Mun clan, and there are a few other small wars going on “ he continued.
“Isn’t Mr. Mun and Dad really close friends”
“Yes they did. But not anymore!”
“Why?’
“ Old Mun thinks Dad is the one who ordered old Shin dead. There are other reasons but I don’t know much about them. What I know is this, both of them are thinking the other betrayed them.”
“Why would Dad do that?!”
“Everybody knows you’re a watashi. The only watashi born for more than a hundred years.” Minwoo said this with a heavy heart. He knows his brother has refused to acknowledge how powerful he is. Even without much training, Andy’s power is such that even he is afraid to duel with him despite the fact that he finished his training under Old Shin and is one of the few Guardians who are actually gifted with the Manna.
“But how can they suspect me, I live halfway round the world”
“Well only a watashi or somebody really powerful can kill somebody as skilled and as powerful as old Shin”
“Then there must be another one in your midst nobody knows about” Andy said. He really does not want to know too much, because it might force him to become involved. But Old Shin is both a friend and teacher to him and Minwoo and to four others who showed strong manna at such a young age. However, unlike them Andy proved to be stronger than the lot, with powers far beyond what any of them could dream. He was Old Shin’s pride, joy, and the ultimate source of his fears. Andy knew this, because Old Shin himself told him so when he said he is moving away. Their old teacher explained to him his powers and what he is capable of; this strengthened his resolve to move away. He knows the elder will use his powers to their advantage and he does not want that.
“Impossible! There are only six of us who has the skills and power to kill the old man, and none of us would do it” Minwoo said this with much conviction. Old Shin may be a cranky old man and a difficult taskmaster even on a good day but he is a good teacher and everyone respects him. No one in the Council of Elders would dare to order his death; he is just too influential and has too many supporters.
Minwoo knew convincing Andy to return is next to impossible but his return to them is of outmost importance now.
“But what if it’s somebody who did not train with us? An illegitimate child raised outside the circle?”
Minwoo knew that is possible. Monogamy is common especially among the older generations. During the olden days, it was a means to strengthen the clans and assure its survival. Today, it has become some sort of a status quo among the Clan Elders to parade a new and younger wife every few years, like the way you show off a new car.
“Look why don’t just go back!”
“You know why?”
“So you are not coming back?”
Andy wanted to say no. Getting involved with the clan business is the last thing he wants. But he can’t find it in his heart to say no to his brother.
“What’s the deal?”
“Why should I tell you? I thought you are not interested”
Andy stood up and walked out to the deck. The sky is very clear and when he needed to clear his mind he would always come out there and would just gaze at the stars. The magnificent view of the sky day or night is one of the things that attracted him to this place. That and the solitude he craves. Sure, it could get lonely, but he knows being a watashi also means he cannot marry a woman not of his own kind. Those that do not have manna in their blood he can easily kill or hurt in a moment of passion. So he stayed away, hoping the powers he have that others crave will die with him. Old Shin himself told him that power in the wrong hands is disaster for others. It is one of the reasons why he left as soon as he has a chance, he does not want to become the source of other people’s sorrow.
He does not want to come back. But if Old Shin could be killed as easily as that then the majority of them do not stand a chance. There are only five active Guardians who could fight this unknown enemy and if infighting ensues, then their defeat is more than assured. He can stay away if he wants, but despite the difficult relationship, he has with his father he really cannot just stand back and watch his family massacred without a fight.
Minwoo, he is sure will do everything in his power to protect them but he is only one and there are at least a hundred or more family members who do not possess the power or skills to protect themselves. The other four Guardians he is sure would be in the same dilemma, and with Eric definitely siding with his family in this clan feud then they are one less of an ally. He is not sure about the other three. If they take side then it will be a free for all.
He did not notice his brother has followed him outside.
“The Clan Elders are mapping out a peace accord according to tradition”
“And that is?
“Forcing clans to make peace by marriage”
“Ridiculous! In this time and age, who follows the tradition of arrange marriages?’
“There are still some who does that”
“So who’s going to be the sacrificial lambs now?”
“Old Mun offered his youngest stepdaughter, Tamara”
“And who’s the other one?”
“You!”
“You people are crazy!”
“Desperately crazy”
“Why me and not you, your older and should marry first!”
“I’m sorry to inform you my dear brother but Dad will make another more powerful enemy if he marries me off now to another woman”
“You’re spoken for?!, why does that surprised me? Who’s the crazy woman who wants you for a husband?” Andy said with surprise in his voice. He felt guilty for not knowing that his own brother is already engage and he does not know anything about it.
“Somebody from the house of Shin” Minwoo answered. It was the truth but marriage for him and Yuri will have to wait. She is still in University and made it clear to him and her father that there will be no wedding until she graduates. That will be two more years of waiting for Minwoo.
“How come you never told me anything about this” Andy has temporarily forgotten that they are talking about his own betrothal.
“Well how can I tell you when you never call at all? And when I call you always say you’re busy!”
“I’m sorry about that, I’ve been busy” Andy knew he sounded stupid with that lie but what else can he say. The lack of communication on his part is intentional and Minwoo knows that.
“Too busy to even ask if your dear brother is still alive or not”
“So who’s this brave girl?” Andy tried humoring his brother.
“I’ll introduce her to you once we return to Korea” Minwoo said to him with a smile on his face. He does not want to involve Andy at all but desperate time’s calls for desperate measures.
The mention of Korea made Andy remember that they are talking about his impeding arranged marriage to a complete stranger.
“Who’s this girl again? The one you said Dad wants me to marry?”
“Curious are you?”
“Well who wouldn’t be, what if she looks like a gorilla or something”
“I assure you she’s cute and very nice”
“How did you know?’
Minwoo placed his arm around his brother’s shoulder and said, “Because I’m a good hyung so I personally checked her out for you!”
“You went to the Mun estate?. That is stupid! Eric or the others could’ve killed you while your there”
“Nope, Eric wouldn’t do that to his best buddy” Minwoo said this with confidence.
“But I thought our Clan is at war with theirs”
“Well technically we are, so is Hyesung and Junjin’s clans are at war with each other while Dongwan’s Clan is still undecided with whom to take sides, but us, next generation are keeping out of the old people’s business”
“So you’ve seen her?’
“Well there really is no reason to be worried my dear brother, I think you yourself know her too!”
“Who? Tamara? I know Eric has a stepsister but I’ve never met her”
“Ah yes, I’ve forgotten you’ve been away ten years now, you won’t know her because she was too young back then to be allowed to join in any of the Clan functions and Eun Mi came after you were gone.”
“Who’s this Eun Mi?”
“Stepsister number 2, but she’s older than Tamara, and you’ll be very happy to know that Dad did not choose her?”
“Why? Is she ugly as a bat?”
“Eun Mi?, No, she’s actually very pretty but in a cheap kind of way”
“When did you ever became that harsh, if I remember right, every girl is beautiful to you so long she’s a size 1 with a 24 inch waistline”
“Time changes my dear brother, I have found myself a good woman and I want you to have the same”
“And letting Dad marry me to a complete stranger is okay with you”
“Eric is not exactly a stranger to us”
“Time can turn close friends into strangers”
“You’re the one who left Andy, not us!”
“I know and I’m not sorry I did!” Andy knew he sounded harsh saying it but it’s the truth.
“So are you coming back?”
“I might but in one condition!"
“What condition?”
“Tell the clan elders I will do this enemy a favor and annihilate them all in one go if any of them ever attempts to get on my case”
“Ok noted! Anything else?”
"I’m doing this because I trust you.”
“I know”
“So when do I have to come?”
“Tomorrow! I already bought you a ticket and packed your bags”
“You’re that confident I will agree?”
“Actually just so you’ll know, there is plan B just in case you don’t agree”
“And that is?”
“Put a sleeping pill in your drink and smuggle you back home”
“You didn’t do that or did you!?”
Minwoo could not help but laugh seeing his brother’s reaction.
“That was the plan but I figured out my charm and convincing power is enough to convince you!”
“Pabo!”
“Thank you!”
The brothers spent the night talking their hearts out. Andy knew he might one day regret going back home but still, blood will always be thicker than water.
CHAPTER 2 COMING SOON!!!
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