Prologue

"…after five hours of discussion it looks like the governments came to the agreement. Unfortunately we weren’t able to obtain any further information. The Emperor and ministers keep silent. Defense minister, The Highest General of Japanese Empire Ryousuke, announced the end of the ‘open’ war, saying that all the countries involved agreed to the proposition of British representative. ‘The conflict over new territories will be settled by showing the power of human in a controlled way,’ says the Japanese representative. What is the ‘controlled way’? Is it really the end of bloodshed? Can Japanese society finally came out of their houses without fear?...”

The big screen got turned off suddenly. All people in the room was watching silently the back of the chair in front of them, waiting for the man sitting in it to turn around. When he faced them no one had doubts he was somehow displeased with the current situation. His next words only confirming it.

“Like you can see we were finally have solution to the war but I’m not happy with the Emperor’s decision. Unfortunately, the government hadn’t concur with me when I opposed the decision of letting Rara Avis to recruit men that will be representing Japanese Empire in the upcoming Cold War,” General spoke with unhidden annoyance.

“Cold War?” one of the oldest generals, who already retired from the army but still was a part of the General’s Association of Japan, asked.

“Yes. The agreement signed by all the countries is called “II Cold War”. All military movements are forbidden from now on. I already ordered our soldiers to retreat to the base. In a few months we will send the team that’s going to fight for Japan. You can find the details in files you have in front of you.”

Generals opened the files, scanning the pages with mixed feelings. The Highest General could see fear, worry and understanding but also scepticism and reluctance in his comrades eyes. There was only one person at the table that seemed to be calm at the moment, completely engrossed in the papers like it was nothing out of ordinary. It was a young woman, the youngest general among them all. General was always against her and no one could blame him. Everyone knew her history and they couldn’t help being afraid of her. She had the power in her hands that she shouldn’t have.

The woman looked up at the general with cold expression. Her calmness was disturbing but he had no choice, Japan had no choice. The Emperor already decided who’s going to be the head of the operation and train the team that will be Japan’s last chance for winning this war. If it had to be that heartless woman, then be it.

“The Emperor believes that Rara Avis will save Japan. I don’t have the same believes but I’m not going to hinder. This mission will show what you’re worth, general. Any sign of disloyalty or betrayal is going to lead to punishment for you and your soldiers. You have three month to find and train our representative,” the man said in a serious, cold tone glaring at the woman dangerously. “Are you ready to face the mission and its consequences, general Mitsui Yue?”

The woman took a deep breath and closed the files. She looked up at the man on the opposite side of the table. They were staring at each other for a few seconds having a silent battle. Finally she spoke up while interweaving her fingers in front of her putting her elbows on the wooden surface.

“I am, general but are you ready work along me and not against me?” she asked bravely but the man didn’t answer. Mitsui stood up taking the papers and walking towards the door. When she was at the door pulling it open, the general decided to say his last words for the day.

“Do as you wish, I’m not going to interfere but it would be better for you if they are going to be good. It’s not a silly game, it’s a real war,” he informed her with worry evident in his voice. She understood his fear.

“I know, general,’ she answered and the general was surprised when she turned her head to him and he could see a mix of emotions in her eyes for the first time. He only wished he could know what emotions that were. “I will do anything I can.”

She looked like she wanted to say more. She wanted to say more but restrained herself and left the room walking straight to her office.
 

The woman sat in her chair letting her head to fall back and closed her eyes with a tired sighed. A soft click at the door a few minutes later, made her look ahead. She nodded slightly at the boy that came inside hesitantly.

“Are you okay, General-san?” he asked slightly afraid. She just snorted.

“It’s funny how once plain nickname change into something I almost hate to hear.” The boy winced startled but she gave him a small reassuring smile. “I’m okay, Arioka-kun. It’s just weird to be called ‘General’ when I’m a real one now.” The boy came closer putting a cup of coffee on the desk. She reached for it and took a sip before explaining their current situation to her young assistant.

“What are you going to do, sempai?” he asked with worry.

“Hm, ‘sempai’ sounds better,” she mused before continuing cryptically. “Did you get what I asked for?” she asked.

“Yes.” He handed her the small key. “But I don’t know why you need it right now.”

She smirked and showed the younger to follow her. With hesitation and surprise he went after her silently through the hallways. They took the elevator where she pushed the button with an ‘A’ written on it. Arioka gulped and looked at his mentor with fear. The ‘A’ level was forbidden for many and only with Mitsui at your side you could access it. The boy saw the place only once before and only from the elevator but from the look on General’s face, he realized she wants him to came inside.

The door opened and they came out. The boy looked nervously around, hugging a few files he had in his hands tighter to himself. The corridor was dark and humid, in a few places water was slowly dripping and sliding on the wall. The boy moved closer to Mitsui when one of the light bulbs suddenly started turning itself off and on every few seconds making the place even more creepy.

They stopped in front of the huge iron door and the woman moved to the right in front of a small console with a screen. She typed quickly and put a hand on the screen before pricking herself with needle. One drop of red liquid was smudged on another panel on the left side of the console. The boy flinched and looked away. A moment later the door opened and they came inside the chamber. Arioka’s eyes widened at the sight of a huge computer and thousands of shelves filled with old files.

“Welcome to the archive.”

“Archive?” the boy asked shocked.

“Yes, archive. After they established Rara Avis, all the files from that place were moved here,” Mitsui explained before going to the left to the smaller computer.

“But why are we here?” the boy followed her and observed her fingers typing on the keyboard with precision.

“Because here’s the solution to our problem.” She looked at him shortly before concentrating on a small window that suddenly got opened and a table slide out from the hole.

“Wha- What do you mean?”

“You remember that I was the last one, right? Well, I was the last one who was recruited but I wasn’t the only one they wanted. There were six more people who were supposed to be taken to the laboratory after reaching the right age. Before that happened the ‘organization’ had been… destroyed. These six were all Japanese. I saw the files a few times and found them valuable. I was observing that humans and filling in the files. That was also the only way to prevent the government from killing them,” she explained while slowly trying to open the small box that lay in front of her.

“Are they… dangerous?” the boy gulped again but she laughed slightly and send him a smile.

“At the moment? No, they aren’t but if the files got in wrong hands the government would get rid of the men so they wouldn’t threaten Japan in the future. But I must say, they have lots of potential. They are strong in many ways. They’re special,” she added with seriousness.

“I don’t think I understand,” Arioka said from behind her.

“They all had… idiosyncratic lives. Their histories are all different, you would be surprised how interesting they are even being normal.” She smirked at him. “They are individuals. Different styles, different backgrounds, different likings. The ‘organization’ wanted to make them spies but I want to make them a team.”

“Why? Isn’t it risky? I mean, if they are so different why making them work together?” the boy asked surprised by his mentor.

“You just answered your own question.” Seeing his confused eyes, she continued. “When you have fire, you fight it with water but what if that water evaporate? When it’s dark you search for light but what if you won’t find one or the one you have stops shining? You lose. Other countries will try to find people that will work together the best they can so we need the team that has all kind of people. Water and fire, light and dark.”

“Are you sure it will work?” He bit his lip in fear and looked at Mitsui. The woman finally opened the box and with a smirk put the lid away. The boy went around the table to see better the contents of the mysterious casket.

“Yes, I’m sure.” She put the files in front of her and looked at Arioka. “They are the future of Japanese Empire, whether they won’t it or not...”

She smiled deviously, grabbed the files and exited the room while the wide-eyed boy gulped heavily before following her outside without looking back.

Whether they won’t it or not…

No matter how bad these words sounded, there was no other choice left and Arioka knew it. These men were they last chance. Because even if everyone agreed to the peaceful way of ending the conflict, the boy had no doubts that it’s the last step and from that point there are only two ways. Two possible endings of the war.

Freedom…

…or death.