[B]Post-Slam
17 months later
Etna National Park
Outskirts of the Castello Cartel Hideout
10km from Catania, Sicily
05.03. 9:38PM[/B]

Etna National Park was famous tourist spot of the island. People all around the world could observe the still active volcano or watch the beautiful scenery of the nature and all-organic agriculture. 
But the aging Adamo Conti drove there for there a completely different reason. Ever since nearly 2 years ago, the near-catastrophic event known as “The Slam”, the world underwent a big and chaotic change. Sicily was no exception. While on paper remaining under the authority of the Italian government, in effect Sicily was split into numerous turfs owned by the local crime leaders. Weapons, soldiers and new technologies flooded the market which gave these people far more power than what they previously had. These turfs in effect became tiny nation-states with their own military supporting them. Even though 70% of Sicily’s cities were not under their direct control, their influence and constant aggressions made people live in constant terror during the past two years. 
It was a nightmare from which Mr. Conti wished he’d wake up soon. But the bad dream didn’t end, only intensified. After losing his daughter and his son-in-law to immediate chaos spurred from the Slam Mr. Conti was about to lose the last of his family, his grandson Elio Conti. 
Two days ago Elio had been kidnapped straight from school, his bodyguards found dead. Few hours later Mr. Conti had received a phone call from a man claiming to work under the Castello Cartel, a relatively young crime group rumored to be led by the drug lord Dino Castello. They demanded no ransom, instead requested a private meeting with Mr. Conti on Wednesday night. 
He was given the exact date and GPS coordinates of the meeting, explicitly told to come alone unless he wished to only get back Elio’s corpse. Mr. Conti was the major of Catania city so he could roughly guess what the kidnappers wanted but with the current state of affairs he had no choice but to follow their demands. So in the middle of the night Mr. Conti drove alone, hoping the gangsters had kept their word.
When he had arrived, Mr. Conti was welcome with the headlights of several vehicles. As expected the gangsters weren't alone. On the center there was a black limousine surrounded by 3-3 military HumVees on both sides.
Mercenaries. Most likely also drifters from another world.
Mr. Conti knew their kind and wasn't too happy to see them.
"[I]It seems you're just in time, mayor Conti. Welcome![/I]"
"[I]You... You aren't Castello.[/I]"
"[I]Of course. The Don has more important matters to attend. I'm his representative, Angelo D'Antonio. And...[/I]"
"[I]... I think you two have already meet each other, right?[/I]"
"[I]Elio![/I]"
"[I]This is what you're here for, right? As for we, the Don wants you to sign a few documents. That's all.[/I]"
"[I]I knew it.[/I]"
[I]"Yes, Don Castello has no use for your chump money. What we need is something more...collateral.[/I]"
"[I]Catania![/I]"
"[I]Not just that but well... there's no reason to discuss such small details. We have your kid. You have your signature. I think we can reach an understanding.[/I]"
"[I]... Yes.[/I]"
"[I]Good. You're a very smart man, Mr. Conti. I think you also brought your signature device with you. If not we can just provide you with one.[/I]"
"[I]Yes. I have it with me. Let's get this over with.[/I]"
"[I]Aaah. That won't do it, signore.[/I]" A distant voice said.
"[I]Who is it? Bastard! Didn't I tell you to not involve the police?![/I]" Angelo said nervously. Pushing the pistol's barrel against the kid's skull while turning his head around, looking for the source of the mysterious voice.
Suddenly a shadow dropped somewhere at the edge of his vision.
Few moments later two of the nearby guards fell unconscious.
"[I]Don't be mistaken, pal. The old man has nothing to do with it. I'm only here on my own accord.[/I]"
Dozens of guards moved around the same time, pointing their guns at the new figure.
Seemingly unperturbed, the unknown man calmly took a few steps, entering the space lit by the cars' headlights.
"[I]The name's Kainé Fablesmith. The rest you'd better learn on your own.[/I]"
He was a young man, roughly in his mid-20s. His face had a clear complexion with rust-red hair and vibrant green eyes. He wore jeans and something resembling a pilot jacket with a gray striped shirt underneath. But those were the least shocking.
The guy had a big sword just lazily held over the shoulder... wait!
No, on a closer look that 'sword' was rather thick and without an edge.
Its purpose seemed closer to a heavy cudgel than something one would use to tear through flesh.
That explained why Angelo's men had been just knocked out instead of getting violently cut up.
But that wasn't the issue here!
Why the hell did this unknown guy just butt in?
And he seemed strong and annoyingly confident.
That shit-eating grin just radiated the message 'You guys are no threat'.
"[I]This doesn't explain anything! Out in the wild and in the evening. What the hell are you doing here! What's your business, huh!?[/I]" Anglo said with anger.
Kainé sighed in response. "[I]That should be obvious by now.[/I]"
"[I]Don't try to play the smartass. Answer me or I'll blow the kid's head off![/I]" Anglo shouted, tightening his grip on th pistol.
One wrong move and he would've really killed the boy.
"[I]No, Elio[/I]!" Mr. Conti said, rightfully fearing the life of his grandson.
For a few seconds Kainé hung his head down, seemingly defeated.
"[I]...Man, you really don't get it.[/I]" 
"[I]What!?[/I]"
"[I]I said it, didn't I? This old man and I have no business with each other. Why should I care about his little mutt?[/I]" 
"[I]But you di-[/I]"
"[I]Yeah-yeah, I would rather not see a 6-year-old get his brains splattered all over the place. That boy has tons of future, you know? Unlike a certain somebody.[/I]"
"[I]Hey, I'm already 7![/I]" Elio suddenly spoke up, correcting Kainé.
"[I]Alright, thank you... Elio, was it?[/I]"
"[I]Okay, where were we at? Yeah, I don't want the kiddo to die. But well, shit happens. Whether the boy lives or dies, it isn't my business.[/I]" Kainé gave the cold answer. His indifference was nearly criminal in Mr. Conti's eyes but it also meant Angelo no longer had a shield.
Feeling cornered, Angelo turned the pistol away from the kid's head and aimed it on Kainé.
"[I]You.... Bastar--- ![/I]" ...Or he was supposed to. Because at the same moment Kainé's figure disappeared.
"[I]You let your guard down.[/I]" Kainé whispered. A moment later he grabbed Elio and delivered a clean blow to Angelo's head.
The mob leader flew a good sixty meters, disappearing in the night.
Everyone stood there shocked at the unexpected development.
Kaine used this moment to crouch down and talk with Elio.
"[I]You alright, kid?[/I]"
"[I]Uhm.[/I]" He responded weakly.
"[I]Great! Now listen to what I say. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Don't open it under any circumstance--![/I]"
"[I]Oooh, shit![/I]" Kainé cursed. The mercs started to recover from their surprise, hastily pointing guns at their boss' killer.
"[I]No time to talk! Hop on![/I]" And with that Kainé quickly pulled Elio to his left shoulder.
Just a second after he was done the mercs opened fire.
But in the same instant Kainé was already on the move.
Escaping the soldiers' sight he went back several meters to get a clear overview of the enemy.
They were trained people alright. Kainé's night-perceptive vision picked up exactly 24 of them lined in a nice symmetrical formation.
Perfect for Kainé.
Striking down his weapon to the ground, he grabbed his medallion Ignis Caligulae. The pedant glowed with an ominous red light accompanied by steaming black smoke when he finally invoked:
[B][[Manus Noctis Duplex Maximae]][/B]
Suddenly two giant hands manifested at both sides, enough to cover all soldiers. They had an ominous black texture, they were magic creations of shadowy mist.
[B][[IM---PACT!!!]][/B] Kainé shouted.
In that instant the two giant palms closed on each other, squashing all soldiers caught within. 
By some miracle, aside from minor concussion, the mercs remained unharmed. Yet for some reason they couldn't get up, like they were put in coma.
Indeed, the soldiers were afflicted with a minor curse that sapped their life force. While not particularly lethal the soldiers couldn't wake up in for a few hours or so.
"[I]Phew, that's for one! Now let's get rid of this baggage. Kid, you can open your eyes now.[/I]"
Kainé carefully put the boy down.
"[I]It's over boy. Took care of all the baddies. Now get back to your grandpa![/I]"
He said. This was the first time he saw Elio smile. The boy and his grandfather could finally reunite.
([I]Yeah, completely worth it.[/I])
Thought Kainé with satisfaction as he watched the two getting back to the car.
Before sitting behind the driver's seat,Mr. Conti turned around for a last time, looking back at the young man.
"[I]Thank you Sir...[/I]"
"[I]Kainé. Kainé Fablesmith. And I just did what I wanted to do. No need to thank me. Instead make sure that kid never gets to experience this again[/I]."
"[I]...Yeah.[/I]"
Mayor Adamo Conti wished he could bombard the youth with tons of questions.
Who is he? Where is he from? What's his goal? Or What was that strange power he used?
But seeing the youth's general attitude it was unlikely he'd give any answers.
"[I]What are you waiting for? Move, old man! I'm pretty sure this place will be flooded by Castello's man in an hour. Hurry![/I]" Kainé told him impatiently. Saving the kid was one thing but Kainé was never too good at protecting people.
(Why? Why do I know that? Is that a fragment of my past or something?)
Kainé pondered as he watched the major's car gradually disappearing in the distance…