Part 05: Inciting Incident

ACT 1: Inciting Incident

Ilyas' perspective:

Ilyas and his team were taken into Hougang Hibiscus, guided by the proprietor himself, Lee Chen Kwang. They sat around a table, and a specially brewed Hibiscus tea was prepared and poured into small teacups.

Lee Chen Kwang briefly mentioned that he has a dojo where he trained many students, and two of them being his sons. He bluntly said that his eldest son was not getting the technique right, mostly because he was not interested in picking up the technique unlike his younger brother.

After a short exchange in words, Jun Cheng and Edelyn were sent to the dojo to watch the training as Chen Kwang wanted to speak to Ilyas alone.

Chen Kwang set his cup down onto the saucer and had a rather serious look on his face.

"How much do you know about that boy, Jun Cheng?"

Ilyas was not prepared for his sudden question, and was nervous to speak to him. He then changed to his other self once more, and his eyes lit up.

"I just joined the company for 3 days. This is my first mission, so I barely know much about him."

"That camera… is a forbidden weapon, known among the proprietors as a taboo." Chen Kwang said. "It was skilfully handcrafted by a famous inventor. It was passed down through the family line, which somehow ended up in his hands."

"What is that camera?" Ilyas asked, twiddling his fingers as Chen Kwang's gaze was still directly at him.

"Do you know what a Hub Crystal is?" He asked as Ilyas shook his head.

"A Hub Crystal is in the core of every building, made to store a proprietor's information. It contains a huge amount of data that is sent back to the Town Council or the Elite Proprietor Unit on a daily basis." Chen Kwang said. "Your sword is able to absorb information from the Hub Crystals and copy its form and techniques."

"My sword…? Right, Josh did mention something like that when I chose it..." Ilyas said.

"So… your sword was an option?"

"Yes, Keaton asked me to choose the weapon I wanted…" Ilyas paused as Chen Kwang's face was distraught.

"I see what is going on." Chen Kwang said, picking up his tea and sipping it. "They made a decision to let you choose, as an indicator on whether he lives, huh…"

"What are you talking about?" Ilyas asked, scratching his head and not understanding a single word.

"Do you notice… that destruction? Those ripples were the same from an incident that happened 6 months ago." Chen Kwang said. "You wouldn't know… but most of the proprietors have been debriefed to keep it a secret among the public."

"I've never heard of this incident. What happened?" Ilyas asked, as the air in the room started to turn cold.

"The Parc Sunshine Case." Chen Kwang said, walking up towards the sliding door. "Your colleague was involved in it. No, he was the root of it."

"You are saying… that he caused the incident?" Ilyas asked, clenching his fingers tightly. "He didn't seem like that type of person-"

"A boy and an old man were left unhurt during the whole incident. Three people were killed, 75 left with injuries. The ripples ripped apart the top floor of a penthouse in Parc Sunshine." Chen Kwang knew the article like it was on the back of his hand. "A camera was found destroyed in the quake. The boy was sent to the hospital but could not remember anything due to the trauma. He received counseling and was put on trial as a suspect for killing innocent lives. However, under the DEA's protection, he was spared and all of the evidence leading to the destruction was covered up."

"This is a lot to take in…" Ilyas said.

"Parc Sunshine was demolished thereafter, and all of the residents moved to different places." Chen Kwang said. "This story was repeated to us to not trust the DEA in anything they do."

"Then… why did you-"

Chen Kwang slashed a wooden sword right in front of Ilyas. It stopped right as it was about to reach his neck, as an old man called out to him.

"Chen Kwang." The old man said. "Don't resort to violence."

"What… What is the meaning of this? Am I the one who caused it? That doesn't make any sense." Ilyas rebutted as Chen Kwang drew back his weapon and sat back down on the floor.

"The camera was put back together after the incident. The DEA has lied to me… and probably everyone else."

"There was an agreement for the camera to be destroyed forever." The old man answered. "But seeing Jun Cheng with the camera means… that the DEA has once more betrayed the government."

"The proprietor unit and Town Council came together in a formal discussion with Keaton, the head of the DEA, to arrest Jun Cheng for the destruction and to hold responsibility for his actions." Chen Kwang explained. "The camera was also to be banned from being made and all of its blueprints had to be surrendered to the government. But Keaton told us that the boy was innocent and acted out of his lack of emotional control."

"That means… if I have chosen the camera…" Ilyas gulped down his saliva.

"So you had that option…" Chen Kwang sighed, crossing his arms. "We can't do anything about it now, but everything rested on your decision."

"Why… did it have to be me?" Ilyas asked, still trying to piece together what the hell was going on.

"Keaton made a bargain that if someone else held onto the camera, then Jun Cheng would be given all the charges." Chen Kwang said. "Of course, that made no sense whatsoever."

"So instead, he said to sign an agreement and everything related to that camera would be surrendered to the government. Resources on making it were to be controlled and monitored before being sent to the DEA to prevent the camera from being produced. But Jun Cheng gets to be free and under his supervision." Chen Kwang said. "To think it was crafted once again… would mean that Keaton was hiding something."

"Who the hell created this thing in the first place?" Ilyas asked.

"Jun Cheng's grandfather perhaps." The old man said. "He was the first proprietor of Ripple Bay, then succeeded by his own son. Nobody knows how he came up with such a powerful tool, but he was also known as the leading inventor for the Hub Crystals used today."

"So the camera has a Hub Crystal?" Ilyas asked.

"Yes. A powerful one that was compressed with a ton of radiation crystals." Chen Kwang described. "To think Jun Cheng is still holding onto it."

"As much as he is the one who caused the incident, he does not seem to be evil." Ilyas supported him.

"Naivety will get you only so far till he stabs you in the back." Chen Kwang said, as he poured another cup of tea. "To be frank, we couldn't care less about the destruction he has caused. And the fact that the DEA has broken the terms is not surprising to say the least."

"Then what is the underlying issue here?" Ilyas asked.

"The camera itself is a Dozer." Chen Kwang said. "The reason it went berserk is because it used up a lot of energy. Without proper control, a second incident would happen."

"Keaton knew the repercussions yet still gave birth to this fact again."

"The only reason why I am telling you all of this is because we selfishly need someone to tap into that power. That was Keaton's bargaining chip all along."

"His proposal was that someone had to have faced the trauma, so he could learn and adapt to the strongest amount of power."

"And we all stood silent for a minute, and came to a resounding conclusion."

"That if the choice that you have made proved his words true, then we would not arrest Jun Cheng for his mistakes."

"And you made that choice."

"To not take up the camera… which proved his point."

"That a man who has not experienced true fear, could not pick a weapon that could potentially end your life."

"Wait…"

"Jun Cheng was never going to be charged for his mistakes and was given permission to wield the camera once again." Chen Kwang said. "I lied to you about the agreement because we never accepted it in the first place. The meeting with the DEA all boiled down to what we all wanted. We wanted Jun Cheng to continue using that camera, for the sake of destroying Dozers."

"Then… why…"

"I had to test you." Chen Kwang admitted. "But after hearing your questions I can sense it. The reason you did not pick the camera wasn't because you were scared of its power. But because you were genuinely afraid of it."

"How… did you know?"

"Because if you knew of its power, then we wouldn't need to have this conversation." Chen Kwang grinned finally after the tensed discussion. "The fact that you never knew about it meant you never had the intention to even ask about its power."

"This guy… he saw through my confident disguise. My other self…" Ilyas thought.

"Quit trying to be someone else you aren't." Chen Kwang got up and opened the door. "It'll only tire you out."

"Besides, I am telling you this now because it is important to the rest of us." Chen Kwang said firmly. "It is important that you see Jun Cheng as someone with the potential to become stronger, than as someone who has committed a crime."

"But… as much as I want to believe in him, I do have my doubts." At this point, Ilyas' Other Self faded away and he spoke from his own heart for once.

"I know. People did suffer from what he did." Chen Kwang said. "It does not justify his actions, but letting him go through the pain is the only option we had."

"After all, the DEA was made to throw you guys off the bus. I am just speaking from experience here."

"If we had locked him up for his actions, someone else would have to hold that camera. We needed someone to master it, but… as I said, no one else would be crazy enough to do it. I mean, who would want to carry a Dozer around in your hands?"

"Not even me."

Chen Kwang remembered Keaton's words vividly in his mind. The way that man could convince the Town Council and Elite Proprietor Unit was insane. But he did it anyway, extremely well.

"If Jun Cheng has tasted what destruction that camera can do, it is the catalyst that can drive him forward." Chen Kwang said, almost sounding as if he was remembering his past. "He is a criminal in every proprietor's eyes, even among your own peers. But we could never recreate another incident that can deeply affect someone new who can take his place."

"So you are just using Jun Cheng as a secret weapon? That is…" Ilyas bit his lips, feeling like all that was said and done were merely justifications for letting Jun Cheng live as a lab rat.

"It's better than letting him rot in prison." Chen Kwang said, as soon as Edelyn and Jun Cheng came back from the dojo.

There was now an awkward silence, but Ilyas knew the truth behind his past. He realized that this was the only way for him to accept Jun Cheng.

Or else, if he had known it too late, or not given the full context, Ilyas would have just seen him as a criminal.

"Be his pillar. You are the only one that can do it." Chen Kwang whispered in his ear and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"You chose it after all…"

Chen Kwang guided them to the Hub Crystal, and Ilyas placed his sword near it as it glowed brightly. Particles of light were emitting into it, and the hilt started to change form. After it was done, Ilyas heard a loud beep as his sword started to change shape into the same one that Chen Kwang held in his hands.

“So this is the power of a Dozer weapon.” Chen Kwang smirked, as a distress call was heard from one of his men.

“Your eldest son! He… he is gone from the dojo! Again…” The voice cried earnestly. “Sorry, he left in a fit of rage and is going up to meet you, Sir.”

“Let him come.” Chen Kwang said as the angry steps of his eldest son, Lee Chen Wei approached them.

“I am not undergoing your training anymore. It is ridiculous and you know it!” Chen Wei threw a tantrum for his lack of skill.

“Chen Wei, I’ve told you a million times and I will say it again.” Chen Kwang said with a sigh. “Your heart is not in your sword-”

“No! The Hibiscus Technique is garbage!” Chen Wei yelled back. “Training hours on end without rest… trying to hone a skill that doesn’t even work. What is the point?”

“Then suggest to me how you would want things to be changed.” Chen Kwang asked. “Your little brother is already halfway there in perfecting it. Yet you are here grumbling and wasting your time drinking away and hooking up with your friends outside.”

“I have my freedom, Father.” Chen Wei unleashed his sword. “I’ll fight against you to prove my worth.”

“So you decided to wield a flimsy sword instead of using the Hibiscus Needle?” Chen Kwang asked.

“Fancy, isn’t it?” Chen Wei asked. “I will show you that power is trained from the weapon you hold. Not some stupid technique that you refuse to let go of.”

“Hmm. Interesting.” Chen Kwang smiled as he pushed Ilyas forward. “If you can defeat this guy here, I will have a battle with you.”

“Who is that?” Chen Wei asked, as he swung his sword against the ground. “No matter. He looks scrawny and weak. I am sure all he needs is-”

“Remember the conversation we had, Ilyas.” Chen Kwang said. “The Hibiscus Technique is the same… it requires your heart to be opened to it…”

Ilyas dashed forward instantly, as if he knew what the technique was by memory. Chen Wei could barely react, but stepped back in a defensive stance.

“Real Agent’s Sword. Hibiscus Form!”

Ilyas activated his hilt, and was able to adapt it into the Hibiscus Needle in an instant.

“This sword… reacts to my words.” Ilyas thought to himself, as he swung the needle cleanly through Chen Wei’s sword. It chipped off a bit of the sword, but Chen Wei kicked him back and swung his sword to Ilyas’ side.

“I guess he wasn’t focused enough.” Chen Kwang thought.

Ilyas blocks it with the Needle, but the force tossed him aside as he tumbled to the ground.

“Don’t underestimate me.” Chen Wei smiled in excitement. He was clearly gaining the upper hand on Ilyas who was less experienced in fighting.

“Ilyas, are you alright?” Jun Cheng cried as Ilyas stood up from his place.

“To think that Jun Cheng could act as if nothing has happened… I don’t even know whether to trust him or not…” Ilyas thought to himself as Chen Wei dashed in for another swing. “His concerns…” Ilyas blocked the incoming attack as their weapons clashed and sparked. “Why is he hiding it all?” Ilyas thoughts clouded him, and was too distracted to use the Technique fully.

“Is it because…”

“...he cannot trust anyone to believe in his story?”

Ilyas took a step back, as the sword grazed his cheek.

“Concentrate, Ilyas.” Ilyas took a deep breath and cleared his mind. A figure came rushing past him, as a glow of light shone in his eyes.

“Overuse it and you’ll die… Ilyas.” The soft voice whispered as Ilyas dropped his sword immediately.

Chen Wei was too late as he realized this, but Chen Kwang snapped his sword in two at the nick of time. Ilyas sat down in fear, as he realized that the sword was burning hot. The energy in the radiation crystal was almost used up, and required it to be recharged.

“Looks like the Hibiscus Technique is far too difficult for your skill level.” Chen Kwang said. “Do you guys know how a Dozer weapon works?”

“It combines with our conscience, and acts as we deem fit.” Edelyn said. “The more we can match its strength, the less energy it uses up.”

“Correct.” Chen Kwang said as Ilyas felt like the world was spinning around him. “The Real Agent’s Sword, no, the Dozer that is your sword is trying to calibrate your skills with its power. It is amping up its strength to match your weaknesses. That’s what Keaton wanted to test. Its adaptability… with human beings.”

“Hence, the reason why I asked for this battle is because you barely know your weapon.” Chen Kwang stared at Chen Wei. “And that includes you.”

“I beat him with my sword!” Chen Wei said. “This further proves that your technique is worthless!”

“So… wait.” Ilyas slowly got up from his drowsiness. “The Dozer adapts to us?”

“Yes, it is the reason why a corrupted Dozer weapon consumes a person if it is not hibernated by an energy crystal.” Chen Kwang explained. “It is why there is a danger in using these. Usually humans are gradual learners that require time to pick up a skill. A radiation crystal can keep them hibernated, allowing someone to use its adaptability and slowly draw its power. Of course, there is no perfection, hence the crystal dies really quickly if someone is not experienced.”

“Oi, don’t ignore me, Father!” Chen Wei yelled, holding his broken sword up for a challenge. “Our duel is now settled.”

“How are you going to fight me with a broken sword?” Chen Kwang asked as he threw it on the ground. “Fine, Jun Cheng, bring this guy another sword.”

“Right.” Jun Cheng took one that was lying on the shelf.

“Now I’m ready!” Chen Wei said as he held his sword with two hands. “I’ll show you my greatest-”

“Hibiscus Technique, Petal Slice.” Chen Kwang swooped in and drew back his Needle in a second. Chen Wei barely moved, and could not see what just happened. All he knew was that his sword was cleanly sliced in two.

“Your enemy is right in front of you.” Chen Kwang said. “Keep your eyes peeled and don’t run your mouth.”

“That’s… that’s not fair!” Chen Wei cried, as his Chen Kwang could not be bothered to continue the argument.

“Leave my sight.” Chen Kwang said. “You are ruining the family’s image.”

“It’s been years, Father.” Chen Wei said, more seriously this time. “The Technique has failed to protect at least half of your students in the fight against the Dozers. Not everyone can perfect it like you, and you have them believe that it is all possible through training and concentration.”

“It is what it is. Death is inevitable if you lack the skills.”

“No, it is because you only care about keeping the tradition.” Chen Wei argued. “I am not the only one who gives up on your technique.”

“Then leave.” Chen Kwang said. “I don’t need to mentor a child like you who gives up on-”

Before Chen Kwang could finish his sentence, Chen Wei had already left the room.

Chen Kwang turned to face Ilyas and his team, apologizing for the whole commotion. Taking a closer look at their Dozer weapons, he noticed that the three of them do not know how to handle them.

However, due to the lack of time, Chen Kwang did not have the luxury to train them in his dojo.

"You three would have to learn on the fly." Chen Kwang said, as he pointed to the Hub Crystal. "But first, Ilyas, you have to charge up your weapon. The Hub Crystal is a constant energy source, so you can use it to power your sword."

"What about us, Sir?" Jun Cheng asked as Chen Kwang stared at him trying to look past the incident.

"Jun Cheng." Chen Kwang said. "How much do you know about your camera? About that ability you own?"

"It is really difficult to control. I thought I would get a hang of it but… it is rather tricky." Jun Cheng said.

"You barely answered the question." Chen Kwang narrowed his eyes.

"Oh. I don't know much about the camera." Jun Cheng said. "I was just handed over from Josh. It was the only choice I have left."

"Is he acting? How does he not know it works?" Chen Kwang thought. "Did the trauma caused some sort of amnesia?"

"Is something the matter?" Jun Cheng asked, as Chen Kwang snapped out of his thoughts and covered his mouth with his fist. He coughed loudly, and asked to take a look at the camera.

Just by holding it, Chen Kwang can feel the energy that is emitting from the Hub Crystal inside.

"There is a Hub Crystal stored in your camera that has the power to store information through images." Chen Kwang explained, while pointing to the body of the camera. "All Hub Crystals are connected to the Town Council and Elite Proprietor Unit's Base Crystal which stores all of the information across the country."

"Wirelessly? Jun Cheng asked. "That's pretty cool. How do you know so much about it?"

"W-Well… It is known to the proprietors as one of the strongest Dozer weapons created. Your grandfather from Ripple Bay invented it after all." Chen Kwang said awkwardly.

"Oh, you know my grandfather?" Jun Cheng rubbed his nose. "Well, my family is a bunch of elites. My younger brother, too, is the current proprietor of Ripple Bay."

"So he still knows he has a family…" Chen Kwang thought.

"But…" Jun Cheng said suddenly.

"For some reason, everytime I hold this camera, all I sense is fear." He looked down towards the ground and his eyes were shaking. "It was as if… something crazy happened… like the sound of explosions."

"E-explosions?" Ilyas and Chen Kwang looked at one another. "And can you remember what it is inferring to?"

"I… I can't remember… anything that happened…" Jun Cheng said. "All I know was that I woke up from the hospital bed, and then Keaton was there, giving me this camera."

"That was after the decision between the DEA, Council and PPU was finalized." Chen Kwang thought. "So… Keaton planned this knowing Jun Cheng has blocked out those painful memories…"

"Snap some photos of the exterior of Hougang Hibiscus." Chen Kwang passed his camera back to him, knowing that he had the responsibility to ensure his safety. "Your camera converts photographs into data, and then copies the proprietor's skills into spells."

"I can't control it." Jun Cheng said. "The Ripple Bay ability I had… was from a photograph that was already in the camera. I can't remember when I took it."

"Your camera is a glass cannon. It is able to store a lot of energy since it has a Hub Crystal." Chen Kwang said. "But it amplifies any magic ten times, which means it consumes a lot as well."

"So the output cannot be controlled?" Jun Cheng asked.

"You would have to experiment." Chen Kwang said. "It is your weapon after all."

As soon as he said that, a large howl was heard outside. The group dashed towards the window, as a pack of Wolf Dozers were surrounding the supporters that were fighting below.

"Sir, we have trouble." Chen Kwang received a distress call. "There's plenty of wolves emerging out of nowhere."

"How many are there?" Chen Kwang asked, as he signalled for the three to head down immediately.

"A hundred? No… there are more incoming." His supporter replied back, as they made their way down hurriedly. Ilyas has fully charged his blade, and Jun Cheng held onto his camera with more determination. Edelyn followed behind, activating her suit's shape-shifting abilities.

"Oh right, Edelyn. I barely had time to discuss your suit." Chen Kwang cried, placing his hand on his sheath.

"It's fine. I know how to use it." Edelyn said, as Jun Cheng scooted out the entrance and snapped the building quickly.

Several Wolf Dozers were howling away in unison, but Edelyn noticed that they were not adapting to any objects nearby.

"These Dozers appear to have already been adapted… but with what…?" Edelyn said.

"Guys, it's time to eliminate the Dozers." Chen Kwang said, darting around to find the leader.

"I thought… eliminating isn't part of the proprietor's goals?" Ilyas asked, as his handle started to spin and turn.

"Well… with a horde like this…" Chen Kwang said, unleashing his weapon and grinning from the impending doom that awaited their arrival. "The Town Council wouldn't mind if I destroy a few."