Page 32 of Dust to Dust

Ever again.

"It is all a part of something bigger, son. Smaller skirmishes make up the game; battles create the war." Dad pinched the bridge of his nose as if a headache or some other type of pain was beginning to set in, "The history of humanity can be wrapped up in two words son, power, and order. Man always wants power, but you need order and control to have power. We sought control over the lands and animals. Then we wanted power over the neighboring tribe. As tribes grew, we created kingdoms and then fought, kingdom to kingdom; so one winner could call themself the High King. We have evolved in many ways but are still flawed with the need for more. At our core, we are starving for one thing that continues to grow our appetite. Power changes in forms, but the root is the same—the ability to hold all the cards. You know as well as I do, son. I'm not merely talking about money because when you are at the level we have amassed, money isn't even a factor when it comes to power. The Rites of Passage is how they started, son, and how we all will end."

"The Rites of Passage?" Nova questioned.

Father nodded, "They arethegroup. The Rites of Passage. Their power is infinite, ever-growing, and ever-lasting. Infinity. A series of tests, because that is what life is about. From early man, The Rites of Passage has been in power. They were born at the dawn of man and will continue long after most of us do ourselves in. They are the power behind us all, son. The Rites of Passage birthed smaller factions like the Knights Templars, the Freemasonry." Dad waved his hand in the air. I'd never seen this side of my father. He seemed defeated but content in that defeat. That wasn't the man that raised me.

"King Corporations belongs to The Rites of Passage.Webelong to The Rites of Passage. The son pays for his father's sins, and soon Titan, my boy, I will pay in full. Then you will be free from the past transgressions and be ready to take your rightful place." Stress lifted off my father's shoulders. "My son shall be saved with the payment of my death." Dad looked away from the fire and stood. He walked over to my chair and knelt on his knees. Nova's gun followed his every step, and when father knelt, Nova stood just a foot behind him, ready to shoot if he harmed me. It made my heart swell with a pride I'd never felt before because I knew I had her forever at that moment. She'd kill if someone hurt me, and I'd do the same for her.

I shifted my gaze back to my father, who knelt below me as if I were the king. Lucas King bent a knee to no one. In making this gesture, he put himself below my level. Every muscle in my body was on alert. A king never kneels to another. I was forced to sit on the floor like his dog as a boy. I wasn't granted a chair until I proved myself after I made my first kill. Things a boy should never have learned how to do.

"You think you were sent to Initiation 101 with boys like Dante De Luca, Anders Elden, Cillian Collins and Leo Molotov." Dad rested his hand on my knee as if he wanted his bizarre words to soak in deeper. A mere touch that tried to convey some sense of caring; My father never cared for me like a father should. "Everything in your life has been plotted out, my son. They have been watching you grow into power, but most importantly, they also have been judging how you boys have used that power. Your little club, The brotherhood, was exactly what The Rites of Passage wanted you boys to do. They wanted you to have each other's back."

I jerked back at his words, "Weformed the brotherhood. Not you or The Rites of Passage!"

"No, son, you think you formed it. We laid the breadcrumbs that you boys ate up. We needed you all to unite, to be friends. Together you are unstoppable. And Titan," Father paused, his blue eyes, which were mirrors of mine, stressed and darkened, "You can't go against them because you are them, son. All of you boys are."

"As fun as this was, you have skirted around what you did to my parents," Nova demanded. I was thankful for her quick interjection. I needed a moment to think. There was no way my father could take credit for the brotherhood…

Or was there a link to my father? Did our families torture us knowing it would cause such hate that we'd all form the brotherhood? I pinched the bridge of my nose. My reality was spinning. Fact and fiction were merging. When a soldier loses his senses, it marks his end.

The beginning is the end.

I had to remain grounded, or my father would be walking out of this office today, and I'd be the one six feet under.

"I told you," My father exhaled; frustration grew on his brow as he glared at Nova, "I didn't kill your parents. Those responsible for their death are part of Titan's final task. I admit guilt when I'm guilty. I knew my son loved you. I knew you were alive but kept you hidden. I don't have much more time, so please don't interrupt me as I make my final confession. The Rites of Passage wanted Stepcon Tech, your parents' company. What we want, we take, but so does our enemy. Your father thought he could pick no side, but in picking no side, he chose no alliance. The enemy couldn't risk keeping him alive, letting his tech get into our hands or someone else. So it was simple," Lucas clasped his hands, "They killed your parents."

"No, I have proof from my hacker.”

Lucas laughed, "You think if I wanted your parents dead, I'd resort to blackmailing and paying off a city worker to do the job?" Lucas raised a brow, "Sometimes we try to connect dots that are not there. My enemies covered up their tracks by blaming us, The Rites of Passage. When the dust settled, and anger grew, all fingers pointed at us. I have personal teams of assassins," My father looked over at me. I knew all too well about those teams. Fuck, my father had armies devoted to him.

Were they loyal to him or The Rites of Passage?

"If I need a job done, I take care of every detail. I wouldn't be so quick to believe a faceless person behind a computer, Nova." Lucas cleared his throat, "As I was saying. My son didn't fare too well after your supposed death, but we must all struggle before claiming our prize. I let Titan believe you were dead and let you become a stronger woman. Ultimately, I knew your need for revenge would lead you back to my son. Everything would be full circle again." Lucas began to cough, "The beginning is the end. The end is the beginning. A series of trials one must pass to continue to gain power. The Rites of Passage at its core values."

"Why? Why would you play us both?" Nova asked. She still didn't get it. Nova grew up with parents that loved her. She devoted her new life to avenging them. She couldn't relate to having a father like mine.

My father looked at me, and I noticed a speck of blood on his lip. It wasn't from when I punched him in the jaw. That bleeding has stopped. This blood was fresh. Dad smiled at me. It was a look of manic pride. A smile a madman would gesture when the world crumbled and turned to dust around him. "Because I need Titan to be strong. I needed Elsa to be his match."

Before I could speak, dad's hand flew up and grabbed at his chest. He coughed again, more blood spewed out from his lips. His blue eyes found me. At first, I saw fear in his eyes. He knew at that moment he was facing death.

I knew it also.

As quickly as the fear came, it vanished into acceptance and pride as he looked over my face and grinned. His eyes rolled back, and he fell on the rug he used to make me sit on as a child.

No, this wasn't how this was supposed to happen! We came here to kill him and get closure. Not for him to leave us with more unanswered questions.

"Dad!" I yelled as I flew from my chair. I was begging for him not to die. I needed him alive a little bit longer before death took him.

My fingers curled around his shirt but is skin was already losing the warmth of life. His body was lifeless. I noticed the color drain from his face. The new color that replaced his complexion was a color I had come familiar with.

Death.

There was no rise and fall of his chest, no pulse in his neck. I beat on his chest.

Thump!

Thump!

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