Chapter One-hundred Forty-Nine: The Prince Kentaro Hotel

Chapter 149

The Prince Kentaro Hotel

They arrived in Apple City, a sprawling metropolis at the southern tip of Apple State, renowned as the most populous and one of the most influential cities in the United States, and indeed, the world. It was a global hub for finance, commerce, culture, technology, entertainment, media, and diplomacy.

There were soaring skyscrapers, the financial district, Broadway theaters, world-class museums, and famous landmarks, such as Epoch Square, Metro Park, and Empire Tower.

Apple City boasts a relentless pace and constant activity. Its 24/7 rapid transit system, bustling streets, vibrant nightlife (from trendy rooftop bars to underground jazz clubs), and endless entertainment options ensured that there was always something happening, day or night.

When Hiroto and Mayumi stepped out with the man wearing the Burger Berserker head, carrying Jaxon over his shoulder, a man wearing a Varg the Viking mascot suit approached the couple, accompanied by two Viking helmets. A young Japanese woman in a pink business dress suit followed. She wore her chin-length dark hair in a bob. Hiroto gaped at the man in the Varg suit.

Hiroto: “What is this?”

He pointed to the helmets. The woman cleared her throat.

Woman: “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Tachibana. I am Aya Kusumoto, Mr. Nakamura’s assistant. As the father and mother of the groom, you are required to wear these.”

She smiled as she presented the helmets that the Varg mascot held up. Mayumi glared indignantly at them.

Mayumi: “Do we have to?”

Aya smiled tightly.

Aya: “Yes, you do. We can’t make Noriko-chan unhappy.”

She said robotically. Jaxon laughed bitterly.

Jaxon: “Reap… sow.”

He muttered. Hiroto glared at him as he and Mayumi reluctantly put on the helmets.

The Varg mascot opened a limo with a Varg the Viking figurine as the hood ornament. When they stepped in, Jaxon sat across from his parents. Jaxon gazed at them and snorted.

Hiroto: “Is something amusing, Jiro?”

Jaxon: “You want me to marry this weirdo, and I had to put up with this for years. Now karma is coming back.”

He huffed. Hiroto clenched his fists, and his jaw tightened. He rose and started punching Jaxon in the face. Jaxon cried out in pain as his fists hit his flesh.

Jaxon: “STOP IT! STOP IT!”

He cried. Hiroto slapped him hard across the face. Jaxon cried out and panted as a red glow surrounded him as he healed himself. Jaxon glared at his father.

Jaxon: “I hope my Green Queen chops you in half when she finds me!”

He rasped. Hiroto grabbed Jaxon’s hair and pulled it.

Jaxon: “YARGH! LET ME GO!”

He screamed and thrashed around. Hiroto smacked Jaxon with the back of his hand. Jaxon yelled out, panting with fury and hurt.

Hiroto: “You and Ichiro both shamed me with that silly ‘Green Queen’. She is NOT coming to ‘save’ you. You’re doing what is expected of you!”

He threw Jaxon in his seat. Jaxon glared contemptuously at his father with burning tears in his eyes.

Jaxon: “Then I hope Ichiro kills you…!”

He hissed through hot tears.

~

They got out of the limo at the Prince Kentaro Hotel.

The central part of the building was a tall structure with a reddish-brown facade and numerous regularly spaced rectangular windows, and it was several stories high.

There was a prominent entrance with a dark green canopy extending over the sidewalk, supported by columns, and an American flag hung from the canopy. Hiroto and Mayumi stepped out, hoping no one saw them in those ridiculous Viking helmets with the man in the Burger Berserker head carrying Jaxon over his shoulder.

They entered a grand, upscale lobby of the hotel with a dark red carpet.

In the center of the room, on a beige rectangular pedestal, sat a large, black, glossy sculpture of a tanuki.

Behind the sculpture, a wide staircase with dark wooden railings and light-colored risers ascended symmetrically to an upper level, splitting into two separate flights.

Several hanging light fixtures illuminated the space. Two very tall, cylindrical, stacked-tier chandeliers with a textured paper finish hung prominently on either side of the central area. Further back, closer to the stairs, there were more traditional, smaller chandeliers.

On either side of the central pathway, seating areas featured black, comfortable-looking armchairs and small round tables, creating a lounge-like atmosphere. The walls and pillars were clad in warm-toned wood, adding to the opulent feel.

They ascended the stairs and entered the elevator. When they reached their destined floor, Hiroto and Mayumi removed their footwear, and the man in the Burger Berserker helmets unzipped Jaxon’s Chelsea boots and removed those, revealing his sheer socks. Aya bowed as they entered the suite.

They entered the tatami suite. Tatami mats covered the floor. The ceiling featured prominent wooden panels and beams, with a central rectangular skylight or illuminated panel that provided soft, diffused lighting.

On the left, there were large, white shoji screens. In the center, a dark, low-lying rectangular table stood with six low-backed wooden chairs with red cushions placed on each side and at the ends.

On the far wall, a vertical scroll with calligraphy was prominently displayed. The room featured large windows on the right side, allowing natural light to filter in and enhance the tranquil atmosphere. The windows were divided into a grid pattern.

Seated at the table was Nobuyuki Nakamura wearing a dark blue yukata with a black obi and a Viking helmet, and Yvette by him wearing a blood orange kimono with an image of Varg the Viking sailing on his foot ship in the sea on the bottom hem, a dark orange obi with a plush Varg in the center of the bow in the back, and tabi socks. She wore her hair up with a Varg hairclip.

Hiroto and Mayumi bowed, and Hiroto pushed Jaxon’s back into a bow. Jaxon glared at all of them. Yvette clasped her hands.

Yvette: “Jiro-kun! You came back!”

She gasped.

Jaxon: “Yup, I came here unwillingly if that wasn’t obvious.”

He said dryly.

Hiroto: “Here he is, Nakamura-san. Here’s my son, Jiro. Now about that footage…”

He smiled and wrung his hands. Jaxon looked away, hurt. Nobuyuki glared at Hiroto.

Nobuyuki: “That will come after the wedding, Tachibana-san. I am not having that American girlfriend of Jiro’s steal him from Noriko-chan.”

He firmly nodded. Hiroto wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Nobuyuki: “If she does and we cannot locate Jiro, you will have Ichiro come here to take his place.”

Hiroto swallowed hard.

Nobuyuki: “If not, the footage will go live. I saw the footage of Ichiro.”

He growled. Hiroto whimpered and bowed. Yvette smirked. Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Yvette: “If the FOOTage goes live, Varg will crush you under his big Viking feet!”

She raised her feather sword. Jaxon shuddered when he saw that.

Yvette: “When Jiro-kun and I get married, Tachibana-san, you will have to grow a Viking beard and do Viking stuff with Daddy, such as chopping wood, and Mayumi will have to remove her fake nails because they’re not natural or Viking beauty!”

She ordered. Nobuyuki smiled. Hiroto’s and Mayumi’s jaws dropped.

Nobuyuki: “Anything for my ViQueen!”

He petted her head.

Jaxon: “Oh, and don’t forget their Viking clothes, too.”

He smirked and glared at his parents. Hiroto and Mayumi both scowled at Jaxon. Yvette’s eyes lit up.

Yvette: “Good idea, Jiro-kun! It will be a true Viking family!”

She clapped and giggled.

In the background, a repeated loop of an ancient Celtic carnyx horn blared, followed by the pounding of large drums, evoking the sound of big feet stomping on the ground. A deep, tribal drone of a throat singer sang over the top of it, singing. “Varg the Viiiiiking. Big feet stomping. Stomping. Stomping. STOMPING. Varg the Viiiiking. Big feet stomping. Stomping. Stomping. STOMPING.”

Hiroto and Mayumi twitched to the repeated theme song.

Mayumi: “Do you have other music to play?”

She asked calmly. Jaxon rolled his eyes. I have to put up with this for years, he thought.

Yvette: “YEP!”

She used the remote to play the theme song again.

Nobuyuki: “Splendid! For dinner, we’re having a Pizza Hutch party pizza!”

He smiled and nodded. Hiroto forced a smile.

Hiroto: “Nakamura-san, Mayumi, and I don’t like pizza. Is there anything else we can have?”

He asked meekly. Nobuyuki glared at him. Yvette frowned at them.

Yvette: “No! You MUST eat Pizza Hutch with us! It’s the Varg special!”

She smiled and shook her head.

Jaxon: “Dad needs his Viking beard on.”

He smirked and stuck his tongue out at his father. Hiroto glared at him and fought all his temptation to strangle his son.

Yvette: “Thank you, Jiro-kun! YES, Hiroto-san must honor the Viking gods as father-in-law and grow a beard.”

Hiroto: “Noriko-chan, I can’t grow a beard now.”

He laughed awkwardly.

Yvette: “That’s okay, I came prepared with a spare.”

She held up a costume beard and snapped her fingers, ordering her servant to stick it on him. An Asian woman in a maid uniform came and placed the beard on his face and fastened the strap.

Yvette: “Now you look like a true Viking warrior!”

She clapped her hands. Hiroto glared at Jaxon, who grinned.

Jaxon: “You look amazing, Dad!”

He laughed.

~

The pizza arrived in their suite. It was an enormous forty-eight slice part pizza advertised as being as big as Varg’s feet. Each of them was served soda in plastic cups with “Varg the Viking” on them and received an activity book featuring Varg the Viking. The activity book was “Back to School with Varg! Learn your numbers with his feet!” The maid served each of them a slice of pizza. Hiroto and Mayumi glared at it as if not even a prisoner would eat, whereas Yvette and Nobuyuki happily savored each bite.

Jaxon picked up a slice and winced at the grease on the crust.

Yvette: “Eat your pizza, Jiro-kun! Or else!”

She pointed her feather sword at his neck. Jaxon shuddered, dreading that.

Jaxon: “But, Mom and Dad aren’t eating their pizza.”

He stated. Nobuyuki glared at them.

Nobuyuki: “Is there a problem, Hiroto?”

Hiroto glared at Jaxon and turned to Hiroto, shaking his head.

Hiroto: “No, Nakamura-san…”

He gingerly picked up the pizza and ate it, gagging as he ate it. Jaxon smiled tightly, watching his parents choke down the pizza.

~

After dinner, Jaxon snuck around the suite looking for a phone to call Tristan, Celeste, or Percy for help. He spotted a telephone and dashed to it, until Hiroto slammed his hand on the receiver.

Hiroto: “You little sneaky bastard!”

He punched him straight between the eyes. Jaxon fell on his ass as tears fell out of his eyes. He glared at his father, scrambled to his feet, and delivered a right hook to his jaw. Hiroto crashed to the floor.

Jaxon: “Fuck you!”

He cried and started to run, but Hiroto grabbed his ankle, and Jaxon fell to the floor, grunting as he made a thud. Hiroto grabbed his hair and yanked his head back.

Jaxon: “AUUUUGGGH!!”

He elbowed him, and Hiroto grunted with each hit and secured something on Jaxon’s neck. Jaxon ran his fingertips over the plastic and felt a shock that sent him crashing to the floor.

Jaxon: “AUUUUUGGGHHH!!”

He wailed. Hiroto rose to his feet, panting and glaring hatefully at his son.

Hiroto: “We never should have had you!”

He growled and kicked him repeatedly as he was down, pressing the button on his remote control to shock him. Jaxon wailed and cried in pain, begging him to stop.

After the beatings and the shocks, Jaxon passed out. A red glow surrounded him as he healed himself. Hiroto glared at his son and left him there.

~

Deimos arrived at Kinneburgh, Peach Tree State, often referred to as “Peach Tree State’s Alpine Village,” which was a unique mountain town nestled in the Appalachian foothills of Northeast Peach Tree State. Its most distinctive feature is its architecture, as the entire village has been transformed to resemble a charming Bavarian village, complete with cobblestone alleyways, traditional facades, and Dusseldorf-inspired shops and restaurants.

Deimos arrived at a charming, old-world-style shop with architectural elements reminiscent of a fantasy setting. The building is constructed primarily of gray, rough-hewn stone, giving it a sturdy and aged appearance.

It had multiple gabled roofs, steep and dark, with several tall, reddish-brown brick chimneys poking out. The central part of the shop protruded forward and was taller than the wings.

There were numerous windows, many of which were bay windows with multiple panes, giving a sense of depth. The window frames and mullions were painted a teal shade of green.

The main entrance was in the center, with a double door painted in teal to match the window frames. Above the large display windows, a prominent sign read “Kinneburgh Gift Shop” in gold lettering against a dark brown background.

The large windows showcased a colorful array of candies, pastries, and other confections, neatly arranged on shelves and in display cases.

Several lanterns hung on the exterior walls, adding to the old-fashioned ambiance.

Deimos entered the shop. The shop exuded a warm, inviting, and slightly mysterious atmosphere, with dim, ambient lighting, an abundance of natural elements, and a cozy arrangement. The lighting was soft and warm, coming from various sources including lamps with shades and candles. The walls were a warm, muted yellow, and the wooden shelves and furniture were in natural wood tones, while some pieces, like the counter, featured more vibrant colors.

The walls are lined with numerous wooden shelves, densely packed with an eclectic array of items. Many shelves held small bottles, jars, and containers filled with jams, tea blends, herbs, and oils.

There was a strong presence of natural elements. Numerous potted plants and hanging baskets with lush, green trailing foliage were suspended from the ceiling and placed on shelves and tables, bringing life and freshness to the space. Dried herbs were also part of the decor and merchandise.

Deimos looked around at the items, wondering what to get for Tristan. His birthday is approaching, he thought. I’ll get him a gift when I return and one for his birthday, he pondered.

A plump white woman wearing a mulberry long-sleeved dress with a white apron over it approached him.

Woman: “Welcome, sir. May I interest you in some vanilla pear white tea?”

She smiled as she held up a cup. Deimos forced a smile and waved his hand.

Deimos: “Sorry, ma’am, I don’t like tea, but my boyfriend loves it.”

He nodded. The woman smiled.

Woman: “We have a wide variety of tea blends, I am sure he would love them, and there’s a selection of gifts for your special someone.”

She extended her hand to a shelf with mugs, wooden plaques, maps, keychains, and other trinkets. Deimos eyed them and froze when he saw a pair of blue crystals die, accompanied by white vector images of different sex positions. His face turned beet red, imagining himself and Tristain in these sexual positions.

Deimos looked away and hooked his thumbs in his jeans, looking at the jars with tea blends. He picked up vanilla rose white tea, peach blossom white tea, vanilla pear white tea, wildflower honey citrus green tea, ceylon gold black tea, and apple spice tea. He brought them to the counter.

Deimos: “May I have these in a gift box and wrapped?”

He asked and reddened.

~

Deimos arrived at a rustic, yet seemingly luxurious, log cabin situated right on the edge of a calm, peaceful lake.

The cabin was constructed with large, dark-stained logs, giving it a sturdy and traditional wilderness aesthetic. It had multiple windows, a metal roof, and a chimney.

In front of the cabin, a wooden deck extended over the water, complete with lounge chairs. A dense forest of tall, dark evergreen trees dominated the surrounding environment.

Deimos entered the cabin. It had a high, peaked ceiling with exposed wooden beams and planks throughout. The lighting was warm, casting a soft, amber glow over the entire space.

In the center, a long, ornate rug with a dark base and intricate patterns ran down the length of the room. The flooring was polished hardwood. To the left, a brown sofa with throw pillows sat, accompanied by a beige, shaggy rug underneath.

Further into the room, to the left, there was a well-equipped kitchen area with wooden cabinetry, a range, and a kitchen island with stools. A window over the sink offered a glimpse of the outside.

To the right, a sturdy wooden staircase with a simple railing led up to a loft area. The loft itself served as a sleeping area, featuring a log-framed bed with red plaid bedding and a wooden railing that overlooked the living room.

Deimos surveyed his surroundings and nodded in approval.

Deimos: “This would have been nice to share with Tristan.”

He hung his head.

Deimos: “I should have asked him to come, but he has work and I didn’t want to burden him… It would be nice to share this cabin with him. Sit by the bonfire and cuddle him. Have him watch me chop wood shirtless, and he admires me.”

He grinned and blushed.

Deimos: “...Make love here… for the first time.”

He bowed his head.

Deimos ascended the stairs and sat on the bed. He glanced at the telephone on the wooden nightstand. He picked up the receiver and dialed Triatan’s cell phone number on the rotary. He heard the ringing tone as he waited for Tristan to pick up. After a few rings, his answering machine kicked in. He heard a recording of Tristan’s voice kick in, “Hello, you’ve reached Tristan Trémaux! If you want me to get back to you, please leave your name and number, and I will return your call as soon as possible.”

Deimos drew a long breath.

Deimos: “Hey, Tristan! I arrived in Kinneburgh safely. I wanted to hear your voice and talk to you. I miss you… I love you. Stay safe. See you soon.”

He replied and cradled the receiver.

Deimos rose and began undressing. He went downstairs to use the bathroom and take a shower.

~

At Jumbo Jones’ Grocer, Trevor was eating a frozen chocolate pie out of the tin using a plastic fork from a bag of plastic cutlery. Larry hovered over him.

Larry: “I have to leave soon to start recording my trve kvlt brutal black metal album as Lord Kradula ov Khaos.”

He said in a menacing tone. Trevor gaped at him as chocolate dripped on Larry’s uniform.

Trevor: “So… you’re going to be Sex Bees but black metal?”

He replied as he chewed on the pie with chocolate smeared all over his face. Larry glared at him, his eyes burning with rage.

Celeste and Tristan entered the grocery store, with Celeste wearing her catsuit.

Trevor: “Hey, guys! Hey, Tristan! I love how those pants cup your ass nicely!”

He laughed.

Celeste: “Trevor, we can compliment Tristan on his assets later. You have to teleport us to Apple City at the Prince Kentaro Hotel!”

She nodded. Trevor looked at her and then at Tristan.

Trevor: “Jaxon got kidnapped again, huh?”

He laughed.

Celeste: “Yes, he did. His fucking shitty father did!”

She rasped.

Larry cut in.

Larry: “Sorry, kiddies, but Trevor has to cover my shift. I got a brutal album to record! Not like you normies would get it! You’re not trve kvlt.”

He drawled. Tristan and Celeste gaped at him.

Tristan: “With all due respect, Larry, I couldn’t care less about your album. This situation is dire. Your album can wait.”

He said coolly.

Larry: “I don’t take orders from Ivy’s heartthrob.”

He scoffed. Tristan glared at him. He shot his hand out over his mouth, placing a slab of ice on it. Larry muffled through the ice gag.

Tristan: “Do not ever mention that name to me.”

He said icily.

Trevor: “Hehehehehehe, I remember Ivy spiking your drinks wearing a purple wig.”

He said to Celeste. Celeste gaped at him and looked away, feeling a sense of discomfort.

Tristan: “Trevor, please.”

He chided him gently.

Tristan: “Will you please take us to Apple City and the Prince Kentaro Hotel?”

He pressed his hands together, giving him a beseeching look.

Trevor: “Well, it beats working here, and I heard Apple City got a pretty cool comic store and a Locking Logs store!”

Larry marched to them with his ice gag, and Celeste delivered a punch to his gut, sending tears out of Larry’s eyes. He keeled over and wailed.

Celeste: “...I was pulling my punch.”

Trevor: “He’ll be fine! He’s the ASS Manager! Get it?!”

He snaked his arms around Tristan and Celeste and teleported out of the store.

~

Jaxon sat in the circular window with the severed collar on the floor. He healed the cuts on his neck. He pulled off his torn sheer socks and gazed out at the twinkling city, seething and panting with determination to be free.

Hot tears filled his eyes and streamed down his cheeks as he clenched his teeth and fists. He turned on his heel, glaring at the Varg The Viking ceramic statue in the room. His fury soared with a mighty scream as he delivered a right hook to the statue, shattering it into a million pieces. Blood dripped from his fist. He healed himself and marched over to the wall, picking up an axe and swinging it at the obnoxious and tacky Varg decorations around the room, destroying them with a mighty swoop, bloodthirsty to destroy them all and be free.

Yvette entered the room and screamed.

Yvette: “NOOOOOO!!! YOU KILLED VARG!”

She rushed to the shattered statue and knelt sobbing.

Yvette: “You destroyed Varg, Jiro-kun! Now you will get Viking torture!”

She pointed her feather sword at him. Jaxon bared his teeth at her, angry like a caged animal. He shoved her out of the way and ran out of the room.

He was then backed into a corner by a man in a suit wearing a Burger Berserker on his head, pointing an ax at him. Yvette smirked.

Yvette: “You’re not getting away from me again, Jiro-kun!”

~

Jaxon was shoved into a large bedroom where the walls were covered with murals of Varg the Viking. On the shelves, drawers, and desks, there were several Varg plush dolls. In the center of the room, a king-size bed stood, with Varg’s head serving as the headboard and his large arms acting as the bed rails. His hands grasped his large feet, which served as the footboard.

Yvette laughed maniacally.

Yvette: “Take his clothes off!”

She commanded. The two men in the Burger Berserker heads unsnapped the buttons on his shirt, pulling it off, and undid the buckle on his pants, sliding those off along with his boxer briefs. Jaxon let out a hoarse shout and tried to thrash away, and they drew their blades at him. He froze and glared at Yvette. Yvette bit her bottom lip as she drank in Jaxon’s naked form.

Yvette: “So sexy… I will never forget our first time…”

She purred, brushing her feather sword over his chest and toned tummy. Jaxon laughed a bit and looked away.

Jaxon: “I wish I could forget it.”

He hissed.

Yvette beamed and shoved him onto the bed, where his wrists and ankles were shackled. Jaxon gritted his teeth and struggled against his bonds. Several little robot hands sprouted from the bed rails and hovered over his body. Jaxon knit his eyebrows. The robot hands started tickling him all over, his neck, his underarms, his sides, his tummy, his penis, his inner thighs, behind his knees, and his feet.

Jaxon screamed through furious bouts of laughter and thrashed around.

Jaxon: “NOOOOOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! ARRRGHHH!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!”

He laughed hard and struggled to break free as the tickling overwhelmed him.

Jaxon: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! NOOOOHOHOHOHOHOHO!”

He wailed with laughter as tears dripped down his cheeks.

Jaxon: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHASE!”

He laughed hysterically, gasping for air in between laughter.

Yvette beamed, watching him scream and beg for it to stop through exhausted breaths of laughter as he always did when they were engaged.

~

Celeste and Tristan entered the Prince Kentaro Hotel and made a beeline for the elevator.

Tristan: “They should be in the tatami suites, according to Sylvia’s report.”

He pressed the button to open the elevator. Celeste impatiently tapped her foot. When the elevator doors opened, the two got on, and the elevator closed behind them.

Celeste: “Did you press any buttons?”

She asked him. Tristan felt a bad feeling form in the pit of his stomach. They heard the speaker come on. They heard Hiroto’s voice say, “Greetings to Jiro’s American girlfriend and his lawyer.”

Celeste and Tristan turned and glared up at the speaker.

Hiroto: “The elevator will keep going up, but what do you think will happen when it reaches the top floor?”

Tristan’s jaw tightened.

Celeste: “We get off the top floor?”

The elevator moved up.

Hiroto: “The elevator will fall according to Reona’s gravitational pull, and you’ll be crushed like the bugs you are!”

Tristan knit his eyebrows and looked for a way out.

~

Hiroto stood on the ground floor, watching the numbers on the elevator rise and fall. When he heard the crash and the ground shook, he laughed evilly.

Hiroto: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YATTA!”

~

Jaxon draped a red Turkish robe over himself. Yvette was near his feet and grimaced.

Yvette: “These smell like mint! Not a Viking warrior!”

She growled and tickled his feet with her feather sword. Jaxon fell over laughing.

Jaxon: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!”

He wailed and crawled away.

The door slid open, and Hiroto stepped in with a smile. Jaxon glared hatefully at him.

Hiroto: “Your little girlfriend will not be interfering with your wedding, and your lawyer won’t help you contest your grandmother’s will either.”

He grinned. Jaxon swallowed hard as dread formed in the pit of his stomach.

Jaxon: “Wh-What did you do, Dad?!”

Hiroto smiled and presented a portable TV that played Celeste and Tristan on the elevator. It then cut to TV fuzz and static. Jaxon’s heart hammered in his chest.

Hiroto: “They’re squashed like the bugs they are.”

He smirked.

Something in Jaxon snapped. It was as if his soul left his body, and a terrifying force possessed him, and all he could do was watch. Before he could think, his fist was rammed into his father’s jaw with a mighty crunch, and he punched him repeatedly with brutal savagery. Jaxon screamed a mighty roar of tears like an anguished warrior, pounding his fists into his gut. Hiroto cried out as he was being attacked, and Yvette grinned, thinking it was the Viking coming out in Jaxon.

Jaxon panted and wheezed as he stood over his bloodied, battered father, and sank to the floor wailing, convulsing, and sobbing until he passed out from extreme shock.