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Chapter 1 Way of Thinking Psychiatric Hospital Patient: Merswin Luc Evaluator: Doctor Fast Session: # 8 “Merswin, please, I’m trying to help you. Let me…
Prologue: The morning of a new day. People talking, birds chirping, merchants selling, pigs squealing, chickens clucking, blue roving sky and green windy grass. Normal.…
Prologue:
The morning of a new day. People talking, birds chirping, merchants selling, pigs squealing, chickens clucking, blue roving sky and green windy grass. Normal. People weren’t content, but neither suffering, a balance with a break in the fights. The only thing that was unusual today was the request of the Soothsayer, the sacred and most revered character of our simple village. He wanted to meet with me and address something important. That by itself was odd, I’ve already paid tribute and fought my fights for today. But I would do as I am told. I took a chair and trotted up the hill to the old tree that my father planted when he was a child. Butterflies were in the air, and in my stomach. I still needed to do something important later on today, far too important that it won my worry, not the Soothsayer. A brisk wind made the tree dip its branches, it was mature now, just like me. I saw the Soothsayer grow near, he had a grim look on his face and was accompanied with a group of unrecognizable bodies. They forced me up from my seat, made me kneel to the Soothsayer before I could do or say anything. People started to notice what was happening, they didn’t like it. The Soothsayer told me something that stayed clear despite all the yelling tossed around at the wind. The words drifted from his mouth to my mind, worming and clinging their way inside. He raised that staff of his
and.
Chapter 1
Bang! My head cracked up and snapped back towards my bunk, the solid metal bunk. Time blurred and skipped, couldn’t grip onto it anymore. I just went with it, the whole process. I tried to sleep but the violent waves churned and so did my stomach. I couldn’t tell if the captain of this ship was doing a good job fighting the storm or that we were about to sink five minutes later. Everything around me was still solid, and not liquid, so I suppose so far so good. After a few moments of me staring at the ceiling, and its encroaching rust color, that seemed it would stick onto me forever if I even touched it. I decided to get up and go onto the deck, better to risk being tossed overboard up there then be thrashed about by waves down here.
My room was at the bottom of the ship which meant I had a climb ahead of me. It was a medium sized ship made of some metal, if it was even metal, its entirety looked like a cracked bowl of wood with just some rusted sheeting. A few climbs later, I waded through the tired, poor and desperate. I stopped now and then to take glances of my brethren, but I was still moving steadily to get to where I wanted to go. There were many of these here, large compartments repurposed as makeshift housing that would take one and all to a new place, all packed tight of course. Each of them with a glum face. I’ve talked to some of them occasionally, they weren’t so bad, but still they weren’t familiar faces. Their eyes were cast down and their bodies huddled together for warmth most like, the eyes said defeated, but the body said defiant. I saw a child with what I assumed was his father near a small, controlled fire at a corner of the large room.
They were playing peek-a-boo with the man’s hat. They were both smiling, both had absolute joy all over their face, in a flood of uncertainty. They were the light of the room. I saw it and so did everyone else, we all welcomed it for it warmed us more than any fire ever could. We all slowly got back to what we were doing, I was the last to turn away from them. I accidently locked eyes with a man who just witnessed what everyone saw. He wore a nasty knitted hat and beard, with a blank stare and wrinkled face. A brief moment passed, and he gave a good intentioned grin. I nodded silently as if to know what he meant by that. I hurried to the deck before I couldn’t stand it anymore, successful at holding back my tears. I couldn’t figure what came over me, maybe because we were all in the same boat.
The storm let up just as soon as I climbed the last set of stairs to reach the deck. It wasn’t that spacious at all, I figured that it was cut in a way to make more room for cargo. It was in a hemisphere and would probably fit five people on it. I approached the railings when someone caught my eye. I tilted my head in the direction of a boy.
He was looking at the sea. The wind swept his hair, it showed a brown or dirty blonde depending on the light that shined on it. Was in a short tapered style, but the wind still played with the long clump of hair on the top. I could already tell that I was older or looked older, but not by much. I wondered what a boy was doing here alone, but I lost the idea with the loss of interest.
He wore a blue vest with the interior being a light red. The collar looked too exaggerated to be accidental, it reached all the way to the back of his head. He also wore a shiny bright yellow shirt that would no doubt sparkle when the sun kissed it. His trousers were in a split quilted pattern of two colors, orange and yellow. His shoes were like the sea, a deep blue with a tacked on red heel.
He stopped looking at…whatever he was looking at and spotted me. His face was clear, had a tad tan and rounded to be a bit pudgy. The nose was like a button that had a slight tilt on it. Not a single imperfection on his face, which made me a bit envious. The eyes were big and bright but looked irregular. I couldn’t place a single color on them, it seemed that they kept changing by the passing second, I must’ve been losing my reality or needed more sleep. He gave me a friendly grin and a devious look. The grin looked as if it reached from ear to ear and his eyes got even bigger which I thought was impossible.
I shrugged and moved onto the railing though, having him behind me made me have thick nerves. I leaned on one part of the railing, but it cracked, and I almost fell overboard. I heard a chuckle behind me as I balanced myself out.
Dang shoddy wood.
I moved over a tad where it seemed more stable, stopped to take a breather and admire my surroundings, feeling a dread calm. The water was clear enough that I saw my image upon it, like the mirror it was. It showed me an eighteen year old, or was it nineteen now? With a short cut hairstyle, face with a bad but yet, not terrible completion too gaunt I’d say. The musty hazel brown eyes radiated, giving off the only sense of life there was in him. His stubble was light and covered the bottom of the face. The nose was smooth, but dense, which didn’t really make much sense to me. I moved my hand and the image moved with me, together in unison. The stranger scratched his stubble and pulled on his pale skin while I did the same.
I inspected my clothes with the only mirror I had. I wore a black, lightweight, short sleeved duster that reached to my knee, it looked in pristine condition due to my care, but I had it for some time already. I also had on me a long white sleeve shirt which I rolled to my forearms. Below me I had brown trousers with a tan shade hoisted with a brown leather belt with some loose leather strips and a silver buckle. Below that were off-white gaiters that wrapped around my matching shoes with black lining I put on them to make them last a bit longer. Though useless, I thought about going back home, to what the Soothsayer foresaw in the image that was before me.
‘You will bring nothing and nothing will kill you.’
That I too must leave my land, my family, my liberty, my leisure, and my past life. That life wasn't an easy one I’ll admit, but it was mine and the only one I had, the only one I knew. I got tired of thinking about it, pushed it back to the darkest crevice of my mind, only for me to pull it forward again later. The image now showed a face of disgust, breaking apart as the tears trickled down.
I saw an approaching figure in the water, and looked up to see a tall, towering spire. It extended and retracted on the sides of it as if it was breathing. The top seemed odd. It had a white light, but changed in width, it was giving off some type of aura. It kept shooting out different lights from time to time that rivaled the sky’s already blue hue. The lights were probably issuing commands or some other type of mandate. The storms’ natural fog lifted then a little later I saw the makings of land. We were going to a city, it was gigantic. It was surrounded by the standard stone wall, but across from what I could see from the city there were many, from what it looked like, giant construction platforms. The towering light was welcoming its new people, but the question was with open or closed arms?
Chapter 2
I was one of the last ones to get out of the boat, last stop. Around me were people greeting their relatives, strangers striking conversations with newcomers, or some swindlers trying to pick a mark. When I talked to some people earlier, they understood me so at least if I got robbed I’d be able to understand the language. I looked back towards the boat I came on, and it read ‘Mania’, what a funny sounding word. People were in the arms of other people be it for good or bad, nobody was unwanted.
I didn’t have anyone, I was alone. I preferred it that way, besides I’d have to get used to it. I pulled on my duster to cover my face as best I could, pulled my hands in its pockets and slipped away. I didn’t walk two steps before I heard something loud behind me.
“Hey, handsome man!”
I was sure it wasn’t referring to me, so I just kept walking. A few seconds later I felt a force on my head, it felt like a pair of hands. I scrunched my head to my neck and looked up at the same time. Someone jumped over me, their whole body and all. It was the same boy at the deck of the boat. Great, he looks weird and acts even weirder.
“You got the wrong guy.” I said with an annoyed tone, so he’d know not to mess with me. I tried my best to conceal any accent in my voice in case this place hated foreigners.
He stood in front of me with his back towards me and slowly turned around with that ‘friendly’ grin of his. I saw a knife was in his hands now, he was cleaning it with his sleeve. A few steps towards me, he began to look me up and down very, very, very slowly.
“Nah.” he declared. “I’m not mistaken, I would never forget you from the moment I saw you. Now how much, mate?”
“Uhh.” was the only thing I could muster. I think I knew where this was going, but I wasn’t about to say it. “For what exactly ‘mate’?”
The dirk in his hand began to twirl too close to my face, it was closer than I ever wanted it to be. I took a look at the blade, it was a black metal dirk with a pearl and black grip. It was engraved nicely, with an arc at the center of it and on top of it rested a beautiful marked ‘M’.
“For you know, mate.” With that he pelvic thrusted the air and latched his eyes to mine. I couldn’t stand this creeper any longer and leaned my whole body away.
“I’m afraid I don’t roll like that friend, now I need to get going.” I muttered while keeping my sight straight and putting my feet one after the other. I hoped to never see his face again.
He clenched his knife close to him when I passed him “Friend?” he quietly said under his breath behind me, as a child would.
“Now now, where are your manners? Still got questions for ya.’” I felt a pull on my duster and he reeled me back with a force that was too strong for him to have. Pulled me in so fast that I landed on the floor.
“Stay a while.” he lowered himself to my level, face so close I could smell his rancid breath. I wasn’t hallucinating. His eyes were changing color right before me and back on the boat. “Where you from boy?” he said while making his blade dance around his arm.
“Boy?” I couldn’t help, but snicker because I could tell he was younger than me. His eyes stopped changing color, they stopped on red. His grin was replaced with a blank stare and cold eyes. He stopped twirling the knife and edged it towards me. “If it kills you to know, I’m from the isles.” I responded. “The isle called Capere.” he unbent his knee and lifted himself up, his back towards me again. I dared not to get up, his knife was still in his hand. He walked towards the harbor, looking at the sea.
“Damn, if this doesn’t work out for me and if everyone is like you, I gotta go down there some time.” He spoke in a distant and monotone voice.
“Glad I could plan out your next vacation destination.” I said whilst still sitting on the floor, “Can I go now?” I saw half of his face stare at me with the intention to do harm, and his handle knife turned with the intention to kill.
“Oh, I’ll let you go.” A blur and slide happened then he was right next to me, knife to my chest. “If ye say master to me first.” I squinted back at him; he wasn’t going to get anything from me. If this was the new place, I’d have to live in then I’d rather just die now and not deal with the hardship.
A moment later he jumped up from me and pulled me right onto my feet, almost dislocating my arm.
“Relax!” He said like a child that just realized he got in trouble. “I was only kidding, wasn’t going to hurt my friend now, would I?” he brushed the dirt and dust from my clothing, even going in a circle around me to get rid of it all. “You got family close by? Don’t see 'em’ anywhere. Got a plan? What’s the move?” I was bombarded by questions from a stranger that just threatened to kill me.
“No.” I uttered, “my family are left back home, I sort of came here by myself.”
“Well, you got any contacts here?” I shook my head from side to side. He sort of attempted a frown, but a giant smile broke through instead. “This is just great!” he whooped. “No family to bother you, able to do anything at your whim and at your pleasure, you don’t know how good you have it, mate!”
I missed my family; I never saw or knew anyone who would ever speak ill of theirs. It was odd truly understanding what he said. “Well, I could do anything that is legal, mind you, I don't want to get taken away to some prison.” I pulled my duster to me and began to walk away. “Nice meeting you.”
“Hold it!” I felt a tug on the duster. I turned around and jerked his hand away from it.
“What now?”
“You just said that you have no contacts here.” He had that monotone voice in him again, his eyes had stopped to a sorrowful blue. “What are you gonna do now in the big bad city?”
I just shrugged; I had no answer to his question.
His demeanor returned, a wild smile. “Well then, we can’t have your pretty little face turn ugly in this big bad city, I like pretty things.” he lectured me while putting his cold palms on my face. The hands moved so blindingly that I didn’t have an opportunity to turn them away. “Hang with me and we’ll go far.” His words were swaying, and it was good to have the guy with the knife on your side, but that knife was set on a thin rest, ready to fall and cut anyone.
I shook his hands from my face. “Thank you for the offer, really, but I’m going to decline it. Please leave me alone.” And with that, I began to walk away.
He crossed his arms. “Never met anyone that wanted to be all alone.”
I walked a city block or so not knowing where or what I was going to do, reality set itself. Stepping into a new world, making a new life. I walked, but then stopped at a corner, not knowing what to do next. So many things going on that I didn’t understand. People going to things without thinking, were they even people now? A sprawl of people flocking, shouting, didn’t know what to make of it. It reminded me of back home, a warped parody. It seemed so similar, but so different as well. I couldn’t regulate my breathing, and my sight was unfocused, misty eyed.
I saw a few guards or at least they seemed like guards. They gave me dirty looks and whispered to each other. They each adopted frowns and made themselves look even more intimidating. They came closer. One glanced behind me, whatever it was made his face freeze. The others saw what he was looking at and they backed away too. I heard a voice a length away.
“Change your mind yet?” It was him again, flashing the dirk around. I began to think what the next words would come out of my mouth, but he chose them for me. “Look at you, like a lost pup, all lost and not knowing what to do next.” he was lecturing me again. “Stick with me pup before the mad dogs come and swallow you whole.” he extended his hand, but I didn’t extend mine. I could understand the reasons, but not the ends behind it all. Why help me? Why even care?
“Okay you w-” he cut me off and gave me a light punch on my shoulder as if we knew each other since the beginning of time itself. He didn’t even notice or didn’t care that I’ve disrespected him by not shaking his hand.
“Welcome to Deflin.” he shot a quick grin at me, and his eyes were yellow like the sun itself looked at me. “Can’t leave a friend hanging around now, can I?”
Chapter 3
He told me that there was a secret not too far from here, though I didn’t know what type of secret he was talking about, or why we had to travel to it, or why he even told me when I didn’t even ask. But I had nothing better to do, so we went. There was walking and talking. I doing the walking, and him doing the talking. I was admiring the surroundings with a degree of ease. From what this madman showed me, Deflin was an old, but new city. Much of this place was still in change, the buildings were mostly stone, and I wondered where they had kept the wooden homes like back home.
There were pulleys and tools all around, it looks like they were in the process of being changed to the standard metal model homes that I’ve heard so much from the various stories I had in the boat. They talked about it being a marvel, something so unheard of. I wouldn’t believe any of it, until that ship came around to whisk me away to here.
I’ve also noticed that the local peasants had the typical rags, but what was different was that the rags were all in bright colors, matching or in the occasional miss match. Some of them were holding signs or wearing pins on their person. It read B.O.W.S. for Brothers Obedient With Scruples. Another sign read ‘Na’Sule, we are not the Commatar that you think we are.’ I looked back at the stranger who was still talking to me, but fortunately, I managed to mute him some time ago. I looked at his colorful ensemble and figured he was the king of the common. Guess it was time for a talk.
“So can you explain why the people are all so colorful here?”
“What?” he blurted angrily and raised his hands at me. “If you listened to me, you’d already know, since I already explained it to you.”
I jerked my hand forward as if to let an imaginary person pass. “Well, you explained it so well the first time, can you explain it to me again?”
A smirk was revived. “Anything for you gorgeous.” I didn’t get this guy, so maybe I would get what he had to say. “You see the high and mighty, the Na’Sule, wear the plain or ‘desired’ colors. He said that while bending his index and middle fingers of both hands. “Black, Brown, White and the like. They don’t like to be any different than anyone else, they like to be a united populace, see? All the while the poor, the Cammatar, take the more vibrant colors such as Purple, Red, and Orange.”
“And Yellow?” I asked
His eyes flashed a yellow accompanied with a white grin. “Yeah, and Yellow too”
I surveyed him, “So, judging on how you're dressed, you must be really important to them, to the B.O.W.S., the Cammatar.”
His hand shut me down and he laughed but then considered it seriously. “To them I suppose I am, though I wouldn’t want to be around the ‘common tar’ much less a damn Na’Sule.”
I examined my clothes; they were of the opposite faction. I put two and two together. “So that’s what you took me for? Some type of off the boat Na’Sule?”
He stopped walking and put his hands up as if caught. “At first, but I should’ve known you were different, you don’t look like any of those ugly losers.” he arched an eyebrow. “What are you doing with those clothes anyway?”
I shrugged. “I’m not from here nor do I know this places’ customs, this is just a typical thing to wear from where I hail.”
“I could believe that.” he said while taking a stretch. We resumed our pace.
After a few minutes of walking and admiring the sights with the occasional talk of where to get the best entertainment and basic trivia of the town I perked up.
“So, where exactly are we going?”
He raised a finger in the air. “Let me answer that question with a question. We were just in a boat at sea for who knows how long, what was the first thing you wanted to do once you reached Land?”
“That’s an easy one.” I said while thinking about my metal bunk and those constant waves. “Get a bed.”
He had an irritated look, “Yes, that’s a start, but think about it some more, as in, human needs.”
What’s more human than sleep? “Ahh, so better food?”
He froze. I turned to him. He then gave me a disgusted face with a scrunched brow. “Whores man!” he shouted so everyone in the vicinity heard and gave us dirty looks about the dirty mind they thought we both had. “I’m talking about loving, kissing, and touching.”
I had to admit that it was the last thing in my mind, it never had occurred to me. I was someone to keep to themselves and being with someone wasn’t in my to do list anytime soon.
“So that’s why you came onto me?” I asked. “Your needs needed…sating?”
“Nah, those were my honest feelings on ya, never seen anyone as good looking as you pretty boy, except maybe for the other love of my life, and don’t have no jealousy on the matter now”
“Well, like I said before I don’t cross that way, sorry.” I wasn’t in this situation before so I could feel my face turn red as the seconds dragged on. Not of his embarrassment, but fear for his ire.
“I should be the one saying sorry, mate. Your losses are my gains, see I’m an opportunist and I like as many opportunities as I can get.” he cracked a faint grin at me as if saddened of what could’ve been. I was glad at the grin, because I think he understood now to keep his feelings to himself and away from me.
“So where is this place exactly?” I tiredly said.
“Well, I could tell you where it’s not.” While lazily waving his arm around. “Not in this dump, not along with the gunk, not with the tar.” he stopped to look around in an unusual disbelief, but he didn’t really say it with any conviction. A desperate look took his face while he just stood there for some moments. “Anyway, let’s get going.” he violently took my hand, and pushed me forward next to him, there was something gnawing at him to keep going, to forget, to not think. I think I understood it a little too well.
We were ascending to the middle of the city and each step seemed to go up a level in society. While we ascended in level Deflin looked better and better naturally. The poor and the squalor were disappearing while the plain grew in abundance.
The color was disappearing from the world.
I took one look at the stranger and knew we weren’t going to be around here much longer; he was a beacon in this dull place. We would be grabbed by guards for sure. Every so often he would wave to a person, be it a Cammatar or a Na’Sule.
The Cammatar looked normal enough, but the Na’Sule looked odd. He wasn't lying, they acted as one dressing and even looking like each other sometimes. Same hair, same dark clothing, they ignored the stranger, but some shot me puzzled faces.
Every so often the stranger would take something in the form of a pouch and hand it to them. Every Time he did that his eyes remained fixated to one color, yellow. I don’t know how many pouches he had, because it looked like he was getting them from the air. Along the way we saw some guards, they wore brown leather tunics with some black etched on and shiny pearl helmets with the natural sword and shield. Lowly grunts from what it looked like. They gave me a concerned look when they saw me with the stranger, probably wondering what I was doing with the color. But he handed pouches to them too and they left us alone with free passage.
“Pleasure doing business with you.” They cackled while determining the gains with the weight of the pouch.
A few more pouches later, and the stranger turned lively. “This is us, only the best for you.”
I looked to the side to examine. It was a small rundown building, either that or it was in the worst construction process ever.
“No, you dolt, turn your head to this direction.” he said it laughingly, motioning my eyes with his arm.
Now that place was gigantic, a brothel shouldn’t be that size from what I’ve seen around the city. It had gigantic windows that were in arc with a patterned mosaic design that seemed to hum with light coming out of it. Was in the standard slate metal sheeting, but with a pattern around it and that pattern was in gold. There were steps with a stone railing leading up to its black double doors. The sign on top of the doors read ‘Secret’
How original.
Underneath the word secret, there were words and a symbol I didn't recognize. They come to life the closer you get to it. ‘Pick your target’. The symbol looked like a red circle with four red bumps around it.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” he gently pushed my shoulder with his and passed me to jump on the first step.
“Wait.” I extended my arm towards him. What do I do if I lose you in there? That place is awfully big and who’s to say that we won’t be able to find each other.” Fear has seeped into me again.
“No need to worry, mate. I’ll always keep an eye on you.” he grinned again, which didn’t help convince me. He noticed it on my face, looked down and took a big breath. “Okay I’ll do you one better, if you ever lose me in there just ask anyone for Shatter.”
“So, is that your name?” I grilled with a tilt to my head.
“For as all you know, yes. That is what I go by.” he rose in steps, and I followed him. He stopped at the last step and looked down at me with a lift in one of his eyebrows. “Come to think of it, I don’t even know your name.”
“That’s because I never told you.” he caught the defense in my statement, and I felt kind of bad after saying it. “Also, because you’ve never asked me.”
“Well, that doesn’t matter.” he quickly rephrased. “Names don’t really matter, it’s the actions and faces that do. Besides, as I said, I’ll never lose you, so I won’t have to call for you in there.”
The door swung open by his hand and pulled me up to the last step. We stepped in together. The place looked expensive and was loud with the band’s instruments. I always liked music, but this was a bit too much. My ears hurt at every note.
“We’re together.” Shatter said to the bouncer who was muscular and wore a yellow uniform. I found it curious that in a place like this a Cammatar was the bouncer and not some posh Na’Sule. Though the work did seem menial.
I spoke. “But as a party and not anything else.” Shatter furrowed his brow and showed his teeth. He wasn't going to get one over me. The bouncer gave us an annoyed nod and let us through
“No funny business today, okay?”
A smirk found him. “You know me, mate.” he waved him away.
We were in and Shatter put an arm around me to pull him closer to his level and handed me one of his money pouches, though this one was bigger than the others. “Now you have a grand time here, okay? This should last you for the time here, but if you need more don’t be afraid to find me and ask” he pulled me even closer to him which I didn’t think was possible. Our heads were touching, and I could smell his breath. “I love it when people enjoy themselves.” I liberated myself from his grip.
“I’ll keep that in mind and thanks for this.” I held the pouch and handed it to him. “But I don’t think I’ll need it.” I tried to give it back, but he wouldn’t take it.
He scoffed and grew irritated. “Now, don’t be the moralistic bastard here.” he pulled onto his big collar and was loosening it. “Or we won’t leave until you spend all that.” A gang of people that, from what I figured, were workers approached us and they got a hold of Shatter.
“Come on Shatter, let’s talk.” a girl with fiery red hair and a fashionable red sash belt said, grabbing Shatter from the shoulder.
He turned to her “Coming Dear. Now as for you.” he pointed a sharp finger in my direction. “Don’t go from this place.” A small friendly leer. “I’ll know.” The gang left and I was alone.
I found myself next to a wall and leaned onto it. I took out the pouch and pulled out some metal coins, they were black with the same spire that greeted me on one side, on the other, the city of Deflin from the looks of it in an unknown angle. The edges of the coin were engraved, there were a series of vertical lines that bent. The top went to the right and the bottom to the left. With logic, that was probably the currency symbol. I put back the coins in the pouch and put it in my Duster pocket. I wondered what would happen if I left this place, but decided against it, I didn’t want Shatter’s blade anywhere near me again.
The building was two stories from the looks of it, maybe more. Black Drapes all over the window with silver lining, the furniture glowed a dark brown, must be the best quality I figured. The patrons were an odd sort, they didn’t fit the bill with the surrounding atmosphere. They were an unruly bunch. Most of them had bright yellow bandanas. They were wrapped on their head, mouth, leg, arm, etc. As long as they were showing it on their person, it didn’t matter. They wore loose leather jackets that were an assortment of colors, the only pattern thing that I picked up was that they wore their shoes with yellow laces. That was the most I could see without them noticing me. Whatever it was they were doing with the workers. I looked up to avoid eye contact and observed the second floor.
It oversaw the main floor, and it had a lovely wooden railing to, what I guessed, someone could pick his pleasure. Sort of like being in a market, look from up there, get interest, then feel the goods down here. I saw that it was like an important people area, I saw some of the Na’sule there, looking down at us commoners. Movement was coming from upstairs and the group escorting Shatter emerged, I could see them from where I was. They sat in the lounge on a white and brown luxury couch. Talking followed, but Shatter seemed bored with his slouched posture and his hand burrowed half his face. His eyes were wondering, wanting to change. I tried to follow them, and he was looking at some working girls, probably wanting what he came here to do. Him having his time wasted and me wasting mine. I just stared at the band and tuned out, daydreaming.
More minutes passed by. An urge came over me to look up. I met the eyes of Shatter.
He was furious.
His eyes, once again stopped at red, engulfed with hellish fire. Eyes were huge enough to fall out of his sockets, teeth were gritted while the jaw locked tight. He stopped his group's conversation and dropped a story from the railing to the main floor. He was approaching me. I looked at the bouncer who took a sigh and went back to his duties, no help would be found. Shatter came closer to me but left some space to not attract any more attention than the scene he already made.
“Not having fun?” he said. I lowered my head, but he followed it and kept his face where my eyes could view him. “Lemme see your pouch.” he snatched it and noticed that not a coin was spent, a face of disbelief loomed over him, ready to explode. He threw the pouch at me again then got me out of his sight. Shatter exhaled heavily to stave off outraged passion. The interrogation began. “Who’s causing you trouble? Is there a girl you want? A guy maybe? Too shy to ask? I’ll ask for you, no problem, is that what you want? Think you need more money? Do they look at you funny? Are they making fun of you?”
“No.” I responded. “I told you this place isn’t my scene and I’m not looking for any of this at the moment.” I motioned with my hands to the surrounding ambiance. He laughed for the longest time while I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping he choked.
“Please, mate. You need this more than anybody in here.” he scratched his temple for a time. “Guess I have to make you have fun” he gestured to one of the guys with bandanas at the back to fetch something or someone. “Go outside and wait by the door, you’re lucky we’re friends here.” If we were ‘friends’ now, I’d hate the idea of what would happen to me if we were foes.
Someone in Shatter’s group voiced for everyone “Shatter, forget him and get back here. We have things to discuss.”
Shatter’s face tensed, got that killer visage, and turned away from me. “Shut your fucking mouth! I won’t leave him like this.” He seethed badly, uncontrollably.
“It’s okay,” I muttered. “I’ll leave no problem.” I pulled on the pouch of coins and handed it to him.
He beamed a twisted grin. “I should be the one throwing money at your feet, you twat. You’re a damn bank. Just keep it and just wait outside ‘kay?” I nodded and the bouncer opened the door for me. I waited outside for a while and leaned on the stone. I couldn’t shake the feeling that staying here was a mistake.
Chapter 4
A little later a young girl opened the black door and came out of the giant metal cage that I was just in. She looked innocent and I wondered why she was coming out of place like that.
She was shorter than I was, then again most people here were. Her face was pale as if forever touched by ice. She had long strands of black hair that shrouded part of her face. A dull grey eye peeked out of the strands, dull. The nose was sharp, opposite from her soft chin.
The ensemble was a short tight black dress with loose yellow lace tied on the sides of them. I assumed that her fashion sense was sticking out from the rabble, and I would assume it was working. She also wore black combative boots with yellow lining, she was one of them. I could already see how attractive she can be and what she can do to most men. I tried not to look at her or in her direction too much in case she figured me a creep or anyone else.
“Are you the one Shatter mentioned?” She said with a lazy expression on her face.
“I suppose I am.”
She glossed over me like swiping a book. “I see that Shatter still knows how to pick ‘em.” She came closer to me “Fine, let’s make this quick.” she pulled my head down to hers, but I backed away at the last minute.
“Please don’t.” I stood there astonished.
She stood puzzled. “Are you the one that Shatter met on that harbor? He told me a little bit about you.”
“Yes I am.”
“Well, he told me to give him the time of his life, lucky you.”
“Yeah.” I awkwardly said, not knowing what to tell her. “That’s not going to happen.”
She showed me a faux smile. “Wow you’re different from the rest huh?” she put her hands on her hips then sat on the stone railing looking over me.
I didn’t know how to take that, so I took it as nothing. “I guess I am.” I could tell that those observing eyes were looking at me, for what? I couldn’t tell. The awkward silence told me that no one refused her, until now that is. It was probably bugging her that she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I cared not.
“You sure you don’t want any of this?” I didn’t bother to look at her or whatever it was she was doing to beg my attention.
“No, I don’t. I’m sure of it.” I eventually rotated to her direction to ask her a question that was gnawing at me for resolve. “How old are you anyway?” her body was outstretched, and she made sure that I got a good look at her.
She said in a low wispy voice. “I’m experienced.”
“No, not in that way.” I gestured to the deceiving establishment. “A girl as lovely as you doesn’t deserve, or belong in a nasty place like this.”
“Oh, but I do.” she narrowed in. “Shatter takes me out to people he deems that deserve me. And you’re one of them.” she touched my hand, but I reeled it in.
“So he’s a pimp?” I said coldly.
She huffed. “He’s my boyfriend and how dare you talk about my soulmate like that!”
Boyfriend? I couldn’t believe that Shatter, a crazy like that, could hold a relationship or if he was even capable of one. It must’ve not been taken seriously, a ridicule of the word relationship. Maybe I could get through to her.
“Why does your soulmate make you do this?”
“He doesn’t make me do anything. I make my own decision if I want to or not and this time I did, after I saw you enter with him.” she looked at me over again. “Shatter believes in sharing what he has with people and wants to show them why he’s in love with me.”
“Sharing in these types of places usually means sharing other things too.”
Her face soured up after that one. “I don’t have to explain anything to you anyway.”
“Good for you, now I have to get out of here. If you have any sense left you would too.” I saw a glimpse of her face as I passed by, distraught?
Her lip was bitten, determining what to do next. “Drylle said you can’t go anywhere.” she taunted. “And I’ll stop you.”
“Drylle?”
The door swung wide and interrupted me with the crash it made. What came out was one of those yellow bandana men. His bandana was on his right eye, and he somehow made himself look more important with it there. He was dark-skinned, clean shaven and bald. He took a glance at me but took a longer look at the girl.
“Girl.” he slurred. “Shatter says that I’m in dire need of your services.” She gave him a dirty look.
“Shatter didn’t say anything to me about it and I have to agree to it. In this instance, I sure as hell don’t.”
“Don’t be like that, I’m not so bad once you get to me.” The towering brute tried to hug her, but she pushed him away. I looked on; she could handle herself just fine without me.
“Get away from me you damn drunk. I don’t want to do anything with you stuttering Cammatar.” he hit her with a slap that made even me cringe. It was a forceful thing accompanied with a wave of tension.
“That’s for giving me lip girl.” The brute was massaging his hand which was a just thing to do considering the intensity of the slap. She touched her red cheek and hastened behind me. I dug my hand to my face. To assist and stand still or step aside and fight someone even more wicked.
“Step aside elitist trash.” This was none of my business, but I wasn’t just going to let him just beat up this girl with me present. Besides, Shatter would just kill me if I let this happen. I steeled myself towards the idea. Everyone needs a hero; everyone needs to be saved once in a while. Though, they may not deserve it.
“Trash?” I pointed to myself; my posture was in disbelief. “The only trash I see here is that piece of paper blowing in the wind there, see it?” I then pointed to the paper. “That’s trash and you are worth less than that.” A left hook shot towards my face, but I saw it and immediately backed away from it. His balance was in question, so I tested it by tossing him down the flight of stairs. His body toppled on the hard stone. “Stay here.” I said to the girl who was in a snickering, giggling ‘cower’.
“C’mon man.” he rubbed his nose while slowly getting up. “I got needs. I know everyone has them, they always get to people, even people like you.” I didn’t care what this scum had to say, so I stayed silent. “I’m not a man who drinks,” he explained. “But I did today, it got to me, we all have our demons, sins, those dark secrets.” he fought me again, well, it wasn’t much of a fight, but mostly a stumble for him. The man was drunk, but not that drunk, so I still had to watch myself. I put my hands up like he did to mock him, then dodged the slow but nasty punches.
Fighting came naturally to me. In the isle many of us had to fight for our piety. Treated and proved with our fists. “This is harder than slapping girls.” he gave a smirk, but he wasn’t going to have it in a minute. I shot a punch right in his gut, he bent down to his knees, clutching his stomach. He coughed a fit and while I inspected him, he gave an uppercut from his downed position. I barely avoided the punch and stepped back a few paces. Did I just punch the drunk out of him? “You never expect how people will act when they want something.” The fight was on again, but this time it appeared he sobered up.
Each punch of his wasn’t a ball of mess anymore it was precise and this time with pinpoint direction. His motive clear, intention showed. Dodging was trickier, but still manageable, it just cost me a bit more of my stamina. I fought back but he kept blocking my punches. Both of us didn’t want to or give up an inch. I had quickness, but he had strength, though I didn’t think he would tire for me to get an opening, or I would make a mistake so he could capitalize. My reflexes and footwork used that same speed to avoid one of his grabs that would’ve left me vulnerable and at his mercy. “We know you bastards can’t kill because of your little code, but us normal people can.” he took an orange pocketknife from his pants and came slowly forward.
Things happened so quickly that I almost missed them. In my readied state I forgot to check all my surroundings. I didn’t hear the swinging of the heavy black doors open. From what my foggy vision showed, Shatter had jumped down the steps and crashed a flying fist to the drunk with such force it looked like he got hit with a speeding wagon. Shatter ran him over. He was to my left, looking away at the drunk and me. I lowered my fists and scratched at the back of my head.
“I can explain.”
He looked at me bitterly. “Oh, you better, I just flattened one of my best guys to save you.” He was going to the drunk’s position and offered a hand. That would explain these guys being in all of yellow, they were his.
I pointed at the ragged body. “This guy here was trying to ruin my moment with the company you’ve sent, he said that it was his turn or something like that.”
He shot a quick look over at me with a bewildered face. “He said that?” his face moved towards the drunk on the floor who was reaching for Shatter’s hand. Shatter pushed his hand away with his and got away from him. “I didn’t order him to do a damn thing, stupid drunk. Should’ve kept his mouth shut.”
Shatter folded his hands over his chest. “Rire, get out of my face and go home.” his face in a scowl. “Or I take the other one.”
With one jump, he was up. “Of course, sir! Apologies sir, forgive me sir.” he ran away with a slight stumble here and there. Once he was out of our line of sight Shatter came over to my side and held a thumb, pointing to the back of him.
“I see you’ve met Rire, he’s a big dumb one, but he sure is loyal so I keep him around.” We were climbing back to the top of the steps where the girl was leaning on the stone railing. “He didn’t hurt you did he?” Shatter motioned to her, noticing her red check. I saw his eyes turn blue once more.
“Thanks to my shining knight here.” she said while turning her eyes to me “He didn’t do too much damage.” Shatter turned to me with fondness in his face.
“Thank you for defending my girl, mate.” he slapped my arm and smiled. “Now you understand that she’s something else huh?” He then turned to the girl and proceeded to kiss her. I stepped back to let this dysfunctional couple have their moment. The girl waved her hands to catch my attention. Her eyes were open during the kiss to him, staring at me.
“Let’s get inside to talk and settle down.” Shatter eyed her than me. I hope it was just talking like he said or we were going to have a problem, as of right then, I didn’t care if he was a loon with a knife. I was done. Shatter got to the door first and went in without holding it up for me or the girl. I reached for the door, but the girl got in my way at the last possible second.
Turned to me, “I really appreciate what you did for me back there.”
“You didn’t need my help at all. You let me fight him. Could’ve easily gone inside and gotten anybody to help you.”
“What? No such thing, look at me. I’m so frail I could never have possibly fought him off of me. But I do appreciate it and I owe you one. I feel so guilty when I don’t pay someone I owe back.”
I sidestepped her and didn’t bother to keep the door open as I stepped inside to the Secret.
Chapter 5
Shatter signaled his head to the doors in the middle of the main floor. That was probably the back of the place. I looked up towards the railing of the second floor, noticed the girl that was with Shatter and the group. She looked displeased at us, her face was drained, all that was left was draining tiredness. I could hardly blame her; Shatter is a handful. He herded us to a hallway to a roomy end. It had a library of books to one side of it, a table of blackwood was in the middle with a burning fireplace to the end of the room. This looked like someone’s office. I looked behind me and that girl had disappeared to some other part of the building.
“There.” Shatter pointed to two comfy looking chairs opposite the kindling. One was in, of course, yellow, and one in black. He took the worn out yellow one while I sat on the intact black chair.
“This is a nice chair.” I remarked, but Shatter was too busy rifling for something in his pockets.
I took my hands and put them on my face hoping to be out of this place when they came apart, though I was still here, but at least I was in a comfy chair, which was better than being in a fight. Shatter took a small glass pipe from his jacket pocket and lit it with something from the side table next to him. He lit the pipe and coughed a fit. He offered it to me, but I rejected it. I didn’t know if it was some sort of drug or tobacco, but I wasn’t in the mood to find out. An agitated look came over him, but it left just as quickly. A shrug was all he gave me after. He tossed something to the fire, and it erupted. Fire kissed us and the room my face felt scorched, but soon was extinguished. The same didn’t go for my heart.
He took a puff, “So, it seems you can handle yourself.” Another puff. “Rire isn’t a pushover, and he fights better when he’s drunk.” That was something I couldn’t believe without just experiencing it.
I slouched a bit on the chair looking at the intoxicating fire flare. “Yeah, well, my home taught me how to fight.” There was a pause in our conversation not knowing what to say next. “So you were in the same boat with me, but you’re from here as far as I can tell, were you visiting somewhere?
“You could say that, or you could say I was tying up loose ends. Hell, you could say a number of things and they all would be correct.”
“Ah okay.” I said disinterestedly while trying to come up with other things to say.
“So.” I looked around the room again. It had black drapes all around it. Some expensive rugs in a combination of black, brown, and gold welcomed my shoes. “Secret huh? I don’t think management would let us be in this room and know anything about that odd symbol near its sign?”
He knocked a table’s items clean off its surface and pulled up his feet to use it as a rest. A level of pride raised within him. “I am this place, I own it.” I kind of figured that one out, but a weight was off me once he said it out loud. “And that symbol is something I found on my travels. Don’t know what it really means, but I liked the look of it and brought it back here.” I felt bold so I used the information that the girl had said.
“But whose name is it in?” I clenched my hands together and moved my body closer to the fire. “Shatter or Drylle?” he leaned back in his chair and lazily looked at me with his eyes barely open. A second later he spat the pipe out of his mouth and threw it across the room where it shattered in a bunch of shards. His eyes grew cold and hostile. He put his hands to cover his face.
“Now which birdie told you that?”
“The drunk told me.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Rire doesn’t even know my real name.” he put his arm to his mouth and grew fear, having a monotone speech again. “Then that means….” I cut him off.
“The girl told me by accident.”
“She’s not ‘the’ girl, she’s my girl, mate. Her name is love, she’s my love. I would wreck you if I didn’t love you so much.” I did not understand this kid for the life of me, we just met, and he was saying serious things like this. His love came right through, as if on cue. His head raised and he darted to the door. The eyes were lingering purple. I wasn’t going to get in the middle of that and stayed in the comfy chair. A shove put Love on the wall. Shatter held both her arms and pinned her there.
“What are you doing giving people names?” he said slowly.
“Sorry, it just came out by accident, you know how it happens.”
“Not like this I don’t.” he inched his forehead to hers. “What am I gonna’ tell everyone at the arrangement? That an outside knows one of our names? And out of all of them it’s mine?”
“Maybe he won’t be an outside.” Love stood like a statue, unphased. “Well, there’s only one thing to do, what we can do, make him join us.” Shatter didn’t seem keen on the idea, but Love looked eager to persuade him. “Look we're busier than we ever were since the reconstruction process began, King has been hounding us for able recruits and talented people, why not him? You saw him with Rire, he’s more than capable.” he wasn't convinced. “I’ve seen him move, has the makings to be great, being that fluid with movement.” I was overhearing the argument and didn’t like where this was going, sounded like a cult to me.
“Aye, I do suppose that is the only option, well, the only one that would leave him in one piece anyway.” I saw him lean for her and looked away. I cringed my teeth, I had to get away from this place. I looked around, the room was secluded, no windows, only one exit, the door. Maybe I could throw myself in the fire? That is the one and only escape right in front of me. I heard that chilling voice call to me. “Come over here, friend.” I casually got up from my comfy chair and approached Shatter, I tried not to shake so much. His arms grabbed both my shoulders. “Wow, you’ve not gone one day here in Deflin and you already made yourself a somebody in the city.” I saw behind him, that girl looked amused. I had an unsettling feeling that her letting his name slip through her lips wasn’t an accident at all. I should’ve kept my lips shut. “You my friend.” he got such a smug and swagger saying that. His eyes turned yellow again. “You, my friend, are now one of us. You are a Breacher.
Chapter 6
They had grins the size of an ocean, not knowing what to do, I found myself actually smiling back, their happiness of the moment rubbed off on me, we shared in it. He sat back at his yellow chair and motioned me to sit back down to mine.
“Leave us.” Shatter motioned to Love. She darted to the door when he spoke up again “Hey.” her head stuck out the door. “Love you.” In a singsong she replied.
“I know, I know, don’t have to tell me every minute of the day.” She shut the door and we were alone.
“You’re not from here so pay attention to how things go down here.” He lifted his chair and balanced on it with his arm anchored to the wall, looking like he was almost floating. “This is the city of Deflin, the biggest city on the mainland, it is currently the jewel of the world with all the construction and all happening.” he pointed to a supposed map of Deflin and right next to it I believe was a map of the world. I’ve never seen one of those before, the isles were my world.
Shatter looked at the Deflin map. An outraged face, as if it owed him something. “Each city does things a little differently and usually guilds or groups control them, adding their own little twist or flavor on the approach.” I heard attentively, really trying to comprehend the whole. “Here in Deflin things are settled by the almighty contract, contracts are the beginning and end of life here.”
“So, like a ‘live by the sword, die by the sword’ kind of way? But this time with contracts.”
“Gosh, gorgeous and smart who would’ve thought?” I gave him a disapproving nod. “Anyway, usually the populace aren't happy with their contracts, be it their social one, or in the light of all this construction and money getting passed around, the business one. Thats where we come in.” he put a thumb to his chest and then pointed to me after.
“It's just you so far ‘mate’, I haven’t made a contract with anyone just yet.” he noted my rebellious tone and looked amused.
“You’ll change your tune soon enough,” he continued. “We are what they call, Breachers. We operate throughout Deflin helping the people, but mostly we help ourselves, as it should be. We hear what people have on offer or know what they can offer if we don’t like it, then take our contracts.” I understood clearly what he was saying.
“You’re criminals.” He regarded my comment seriously but disregarded it just as seriously in the same second it went to his ears.
“Woah.” he held up his hands while balancing on the chair, defying gravity. “You wound me with your ignorance.” he sarcastically said. “We are professionals, we operate in distinguished locations, we are not common thugs, but yes we have some at our command.” he saw me judging him and it spiked him knowing it, he tried to win me over. “The Breachers were started off by master criminals pulling scores, and doing things to their accord, it was essentially an artform.” he cleared his throat. “But as their gains-.”
“Ill- gotten gains,” I added.
He stood there silently with a blank stare. “Are you done?” I nodded.
“Good, anyway, with their ill-gotten gains they became a sort of criminal syndicate, hiring thugs, investing in businesses, involved in a number of other crimes, etc., etc. But when they see potential, they let them join their ranks, and not as a common thug, mind, but as a professional, held to standard, Breacher.”
“Or, if one of them figures out one of your names.” I interrupted.
He scratched his cheek embarrassed. “That is an accepted form of entry as well.”
“Where is your position in all this?” I asked.
His chest puffed up when he was about to give me an answer. “You’re looking at one of the masters for the Breachers.” Shatter’s eyes were burning yellow.” How in the world was this kid a leader of anything? I don’t suppose his drastic mood swings were good for business let alone the planning.
“So, there’s more masters out there?” he got disappointed that I didn’t make a big deal or scene out of it, his eyes changed to a shineless orange.
“Yeah, there are about.” A pause passed between us. “There's about a dozen, no wait, is it down to six? Was the last number four?” he counted with his fingers. “I don’t really remember and don’t really care, but you’ll get to know them.”
“How do you know that? I never agreed to stay here.”
His chair clanged to the floor and looked in my direction. His knuckles tightly on the armrests of the chair, eyes of blood, teeth gritted white. “You mean my amazing charisma didn’t convince you?!”
Leaning back on my chair as if I was in somewhat control of the situation. “I’m afraid not.”
He then copied me, leaned calmly back in his chair. “Well, you’re free to go than.” Once I heard that I rose from my chair and darted for the door. Somehow, Shatter beat me to it. “I was kidding.”
I stepped away from him and turned my head while taking my hands off the air near the door. “So, what happens now?”
“Well.” he looked around the room. “I can’t kill you; our ‘code’ prohibits it.”
Once he said that I was relieved, but my distress returned soon after. He extended an open arm to the air and waited while looking at me. With his other hand he quickly pushed his jacket pocket, his black luxury knife ejected. It reached his hand, like if it was trained.
“But you know what they say.” The knife was being inspected then was taking a stride next to my neck. “There are some things worse than death.” I swore I heard screams come out of that knife.
Chapter 7
I didn’t know what he meant by that, but I had no desire to find out. I turned around; my back was towards him. I’d rather face the fire to think then look at Shatter’s face.
“Fine I’ll join you, I’ll be a Breacher.” he wheeled around and cast his gaze at me. Cracked a devilish grin. The knife was put away.
“Good!” Shatter said with hands clasped together like an eager child. “That’s better for all of us.” I could tell there was distress plastered all over my face, but Shatter paid it no mind. “It’s almost closing time so I’m going to kick these bums out of my place.” he went off and left the office in an instant.
“No please I’m okay with all this, really.” I replied to the imaginary Shatter still here. I leaned on the wall and gave it a pound with my hand. I was disappointed in myself, what have I done? I’m a simple person, why’d I have to get dragged in all this complicated? I waited a moment then pulled myself to leave the room. Might as well get used to this place since I’m stuck here. Love was there, leaning on the hallway spinning a single key in her hand. I ignored and passed her.
I heard a voice behind me. “Don’t you want the key to my heart?” I gradually turned around, trying to determine if it was the right thing for me to do.
“No.” I put my hands in my pockets. “I don’t want anything from you.”
She stopped twirling the key. “Is that anyway to address a fellow Breacher?
I stuck out an eyebrow. “You’re a Breacher?” she scoffed at me then put her head down. She signaled me to come closer with her finger. I wasn't going to be ordered by her whim but decided just to go with it since that would cause the least amount of problems. I crept up to here as slowly as I could make myself go.
She had a deceptive smile with a threatening tone. “Yes, I am, and I don’t think it would be smart of you to give me an attitude after what I’ve done for you.”
I squinted at her with some anger.
“You only truly thank someone when they do something you wanted them to do, you didn’t.” I tried to squeeze some information from her. “I didn't want to be a Breacher, but you pushed Shatter for it, why?”
She gave me a shrug and put a hand on her hip. “Maybe I wanted you to become one.” I studied her face.
“But why?” It seemed that some sort of honesty seeped in.
“Because you’re different from the others, treated me differently, even different from Shatter. You’re different to me.” she tried to reach for my hand but realized that it was in my pocket.
“You just haven’t met enough people. Everyone is and can be different.”
“No they can’t.” She looked at me deep with her eyes, “People don’t change.”
I addressed her sternly. “Yes, they do, just look at what happened to me today.” She laughed like a maniac.
“You’ve only been here for a short time, but I love you already.”
I shook my head from side to side. “I’ll see you later.”
“Wait, you slow man.” She got in my way.
“This is your room key at the Secret” It was a black engraved key that was illustrious with its appearance. I hung it by one of the loose leather straps on my belt.
“Why do I have to live here?”
She shrugged. “Shatter wants the best for those under him I guess.” I wanted to contest the authenticity of that statement. “Oh, and that key opens two doors.” she gave me a wink. “Yours, and yours truly.”
“I’ll only be using it for one of those purposes.” I said coldly.
“Glad you see it my way.” with the absence of my hand she touched my arm instead. “Come to me if you’re ever lost.”
“With you here, trust me, I won’t ever be lost.” she headed for the door and opened it, making me trail her
“Oh, you’ll be surprised how many people get lost in a place like this.”
We finally left the hallway and we saw that the foyer was completely empty except for Shatter. Shatter was in the bar, taking stock and taking the stock. I’m sure he was already drunk by this point and talking to him would be anything but useful. The place was dimly lit with the exception of a few hummed candles. Love went to Shatter, like a pup who has been lost, but found its way home. They went to the back, towards the shadows, I wanted to stay as far away from them as I could get.
I hadn’t eaten the whole day; I sought any food I could find. There was a jug on a table, I emptied a bit onto my hand and smelled it, it was water, surprisingly. I found a wooden cup on a table, emptied its contents and wiped the side. I roamed other tables for any type of nourishment but couldn’t find any. Why would a brothel carry any food? I sat on a table, clutched and sipped from my only companion and hoped the day would go even faster.
I looked around my new home, taking all of my surroundings in. The place looks bigger than what its outside appearance tells. I guess I didn’t inspect it thoroughly and just looked at its appearance. Without the people in it, this place had an eerie aura to it, like something or someone hungering to be better, or to better themselves. Or to be something it’s not, rather odd. A light appeared behind me, it sat itself on my table, it also brought a candle. It was the same woman that was with Shatter when we first got here. I finally got a clear look of her without the disruption of the house.
She looked older, finally someone mature. Closer to my age than the two across from us. Her hair was loosely tied behind her back with some strands coming away. It was bright, scarlet red but some of it began to dull in color, some hairs were even grey, I suspected that age had nothing to do with it. Her face was thin and had bags around them, but they somehow did good for her overall. The dim green eyes looked heavy, probably a long day. She hesitated talking to me and kept rubbing on her knee, nerves?
“Hey Breacher.” she crossed her arms and put them on the table. “Sorry about the look I gave you earlier.” she held up an arm and offered it to me. “The name is Secret.” I offered mine and we shook.
“Funny, I don’t think I've ever met a brothel before.” She put her hand back where it was and scooted her chair towards the table.
“Yeah, a walking, talking, breathing, and wheezing brothel in the flesh.” We both chuckled at that.
“How did you know I was a Breacher? I could be a patron that never left.”
“Because only Breachers have the deficiency of brain activity to stay here after hours.”
I got my glass and pointed to her before I took a drink. “Breachers like us, you mean.”
I could tell she admired my perception. “Yes, Breachers like us.” I put my glass down and cleared my throat.
“So, I don’t think naming a girl after a brothel is anything but flattering.”
She gave me an approving nod. “Shatter insisted, I’m sort of the mother of this place. Shatter may own this place but he sure as hell doesn't run it.” She gave them a long stare, knowing what I was thinking. “Shatter and Love aren’t bad people, I’d consider them amazing considering what happened to them, but they are still quick to try someone's patience. If only I could move like I used to and get back on a contract.” She put her palm on her face. “Sorry, didn’t mean for my introduction with you to be me complaining”
“No need to apologize, the more I get to know this place the better, and its people.” I patted her other hand that was on the table. “I guess there’s a lot of secrets to this place huh?”
“I wish, but unfortunately there's only one of me.” That wasn't what I meant, there was defense in that answer. “True, it is empty without the other three here, they’re on a contract. I think you’ll meet two of them in the morning.”
I opened my eyes more. “How about the other one?”
She unbent a hand “He’s been gone for a time now, said he had urgent business to do, so who knows.”
I nodded and we continued to talk some more throughout the night. About mundane things like the weather or stories of the brothel.
She stood from the chair while stretching and yawning. “Well, I’m tired, it was a pleasure talking to you.” I couldn't help but shake her hand again like a fool, I was grateful for her, she being the sanest person I’ve met since I got here, I suppose we had the right beginnings to being friends. She gave me a quick smile then slinked to the shadows. I was alone again.
I drank even slower hoping that Shatter and Love would leave, but I still heard noises from the back there near the bar. I was looking for a proper place to put this cup away but couldn’t find it in this darkness. I left it at the table. How much of a rebel I’ve become, I’d deal with it in the morning. I figured the rooms were upstairs, so I went up one of the side stairs. Shatter spotted me. He had a slur to his words, but I could decipher what he told me.
“Hey, lemme show you to your new room since you don’t know nothin’.” He left Love from the bar and jumped the counter, spilling some glasses. He was slowly climbing the stairs hiccupping all the way, he had marks on his neck and his clothes were half off. We entered the back of the second-floor foyer and there were a series of doors. It looked like dorms, one room after the other. “This one is yours.” he opened the door; it was just a mop and bucket. “Damn, never mind, not yours.” After a few minutes wandering around the place, we found it. My room was to itself rather than next to the rest, it was to the side of the main door so everyone that went in would have to pass my room. Shatter opened the door but fell to the floor face down as soon as he did. I tried to wake him up.
“Hey wake up,Shatter.” I shook him, but he passed out. There was no way I could take him and figure out his room in this darkness. He was going to have to stay, but I made it clear to him even though he wasn't listening. “You sleep down here and only here.” I wondered if someone as cold blooded as Shatter would even get bothered by the cold, after some thinking I decided that anyone would. I took the pouch of coins from my duster and threw them at what looked like a desk. I laid the black duster over Shatter, it looked like it was taking his shape, knowing how to cover people, enveloping him. “I suppose you’ll need a pillow too.” I took off my shirt and put it under his head, but then I realized that was the only shirt I owned, so I was going to have to trade him for one of my pillows from my bed.
“I see you’re getting ready for us.” Love was at my doorway holding up a candle. She wore a thin black nightgown.
I put my arms down and showed her Shutter. “There is no us, your boyfriend just passed out on my floor, I was just showing him kindness.” She set off another one of her annoying fake laughs.
“From here it looks like you were going to show him more than kindness.” She shifted her weight from one side to the other. “Though, the view from here is hard to make it look anything but beautiful.” I ignored her and put the pillow carefully under Shatter. I then put my shirt back on and was making my way to my bed while untying the gaiters from my boots. She was still lurking on the doorway not wanting to leave. “My door is always open just so you know.”
“Just shut the door already.” she huffed, went away, taking the light with her down the hallway of doors.
It felt odd sleeping away from home for the first time, not saying goodnight to my friends, family, I missed them so much. A strange place and even stranger situation. I counted my breaths and I thought if each one was now bought, borrowed or even mine at all. Although relatively safe, my watery eyes, my crushed feelings knew deep down. I was in danger, at risk, in fear. I just wished that I would be whisked away to my home, that this was all a dream. Tears rolled down the side of my face, making a puddle on the back of my head. A cough gripped me, sniveling. I thought emptying myself to an imaginary confidant would help, but I would be denying the hard facts. I am alone. Alone and out of place, probably forever. All the time to myself.
I awoke to my bed a mess, an effect of tossing and turning all night. The brain rested and the body was left to toss about. A clear and familiar voice spoke, but with no visible owner. It grew stronger, louder as it repeated. A whisper almost became a yell Shatter rose from the floor. With no light, a silhouette of himself. Striking beady eyes that roamed for a color to pick.
“What did Love say to you?”
Chapter 8
He didn’t move, not even to blink, perhaps not even to breathe. It looked like he was sleeping, but his eyes were awake, and he was talking.
“Are you serious?” I whispered as to not wake the others, he followed my lead.
“Yes, tell me.”
“I'll tell you tomorrow”
“No, please tell me now.” His voice sounded afraid, sort of sounded like me when we first entered the Secret.
“Nothing happened between us, Shatter.” I rephrased. “Except that time when you wanted us to.”
He closed his eyes before them revealing a faint radiating glow. “Oh, okay then.”
That weirded me out. “You’re just going to take my word? Just like that? I’m still a stranger, you don’t even know my name yet.”
“I told you already that names don’t matter, they just get you in trouble and why wouldn’t I? Aren’t we still friends?” I heard a hard gulp come from his throat. “Will you be my friend?”
“But how about the other people you know longer than me? The friends you already have?”
There was silence, the quiet that only two people that can’t see each other have. He was shaking. “More like people I recognize.” he paused again. “Just because they know of me doesn’t mean they know ‘ME'’.” a quick yawn later. “No one ever tells me I’m their friend anymore, so are we still friends?”
Like another mask to wear I thought. “Yeah, I suppose we still are.”
He said in a joking tone. “For forever and ever?” I threw a pillow at him but couldn’t help but widen my wretched mouth to a smirk.
“Sure, I don’t see why not.”
“Good now shut up will ya? Else I’m going to cry cause this is too beautiful.” He crashed on the door and out of my room.
I looked outside my window. It was very early in the morning. The sun wasn't even up yet, but the moon was nowhere to be found. Deflin was dark as night allowed. I lied in bed, not wanting to be awake nor asleep. I put my hands together, joined them. The only motion was my breathing, the only thing alive was my mind. Like that for hours, I supposed it was time to start.
I stood from my bunk and stumbled around until a candle was lit. I took some time to inspect my room since I never got the chance to yesterday. It got as bland as it got, but it was spacious. A miserable table, two chipped nightstands and the bed was pretty much the only decent furniture in it. The wall was a padded pale cream color that matched with the hard floor. I could hardly complain though. It was better than sleeping in the cold.
“Slept well today?” It was Secret who was already dressed in her attire, a turquoise loosened top with slightly baggy tan pants and brown boots. I've also noticed her iconic red sash cloth belt wrapped around her. Standing on my doorway sipping on a cup of something.
“Not really.”
“Maybe this is a dream and you’re just in a nightmare?” After she said that I had an uncontrollable urge to pinch myself.
“I’m in something alright.”
“Well, everyone is in the foyer already. I suggest you hurry; Shatter doesn’t tolerate laziness.” She waved me goodbye while walking down the hallway.
My duster was neatly placed on the foot of my bed with a note on it. I opened it up and read ‘Yesterday was fun, glad to do it again some time.’ I don’t know who wrote that, but knew they were delusional because nothing happened. I was determining if I should ask for new clothes to make myself look decent, I decided against it. I put on my shoe, laced up my gaiters, threw the duster over me, and closed my room. I leaned over a table and Shatter was addressing his group. It probably was a special occasion since The Secret was closed. There were two men that were new to me. I forced my body to go downstairs and stood outside the group.
“Needed your beauty rest?” Shatter got one of his famous smirks. “I’ll give you a pass this time in exchange for a kiss.” I looked over at Love who seemed to be okay with it. The two men looked back, and I stole glimpses of them.
One looked like he hadn't slept for years, never mind days. He wore a green hooded cape that veiled him. I couldn’t make out any hair from as far into it, the hood served as a void concealing everything. The edges of his eyes were completely cracked and bloodshot, there was no way to tell what his eye color was, it was completely ruined. I studied his face, it looked composed and in control. Relaxed and uninterested. The clothes he wore were worn out, layer upon layer of tatters. Shirts had holes in them or completely see through to reveal another underneath. Tan, red, aqua, magenta, pink, a falling apart rainbow. He had only one pair of pants which I found humorous and tried not to laugh. His arms were partially exposed; the sleeves had pieces of cloth and strings attached to them. As if they were the only things holding them up. Ruined lime-colored boots with another set of cloth strips held them together.
The other guy looked like he was quite intelligent as he dressed much more clean. He had a part in his brown hair that screamed ‘means business’, not a single strand was out of place, completely neat. He was incredibly stocky, a fighters build. He sported a short sleeved thick red gambeson that showed off his muscle. Over that was a brown un-laced leather armor for some extra protection. The tunic flowed onto his pale cream breeches which had leather padding on the outer seam, below them he wore long slim red boots with buckles on the side. That was observant of him because you couldn’t tell the color from the blood that was on them. He had a massive wooden boat oar slung over his shoulder, just resting there for some reason. This wasn't a harbor and wondered what it was doing there, though I wasn't going to ask.
Only when Shatter was distracted did Love move closer to me. She tilted her head back to match mine but she only saw my annoyed face and matched it. She backed up into me then left through some double doors. I noticed that Secret was coming down the second story steps with her cup to join us.
The hooded man began to say something. “So, are we going to get a visit from them?”
Shatter began to talk. “Okay, Good, Free, King are calling a meeting for the Breachers’ next move. That next move involves our ‘beloved’ King Reagent.” he said the King’s name with much disdain.
Secret butted in and spoke up. “The place is a mess, so we have to look presentable to the fellow masters, grab a towel and clean your home.” I was a bit taken back that no one protested.
With that being said, everyone began to clean up. I started to look for that cup I left behind yesterday when Shatter put his arm around me. “Now why would I let a pretty little thing like you break a fingernail?” The killer grip was tightening. “I have special plans for you.” I looked over to Secret for help, I even hoped for Love to come back, but she was nowhere to be found. I hated myself for even bothering to look for her. Secret’s eyes were stressed at Shatter then darting back giving me a face of forgiveness.
“Shatter let him be, we can’t afford to fool around.”
“Oh, but this isn’t pleasure, it's business, he’s a Breacher and got to be situated like one.” She rolled her eyes, she got back to cleaning. I loosened his grip from my neck and pushed him back.
“Lead on then.” I responded.
He caught a scowl, “Follow me.” We went over to another part of The Secret and stopped at a door. Shatter opened it up to reveal a small workshop with hundreds of items used for designs. Colors, scissors, wires, straps, brushes, pencils, razors. They were all used for these masks that were held in the forefront, peering down.
“What is all this?” Shatter lit a candle. “Cozy isn’t it?” I was looking at the masks to see all the colorful and weird ideas upon them. Just who created them and what did they had in their mind? “Do you ever wonder why we use aliases like ours?”
“Not really, I just took you guys to being weird like that.” he squinted at me and sighed.
“No, it’s because we’re Breachers and every Breacher needs a mask.” He took a blank white mask from a stack and tossed it at me. “Along with a mask you’ll need to choose a name like the rest of us.” The first name that came to mind was mine, but it was stupid to use your name and be a thief.
“Does the name and mask have to mean anything to you?” I tried to describe what I wanted to say with my free arm. “As in, reflect you in any way?”
“Everything you do and say reflects who you are, so by extension, no it doesn't, but it will in the end.” he looked to the door trying to listen to what was happening at the foyer. “I should check up on them, unless you want me to stay as your…. muse?”
“I think I have it under control.” I tested the mask with my hand.
“These masks are top quality and won't ever break. Pick wisely, think carefully, meet us at the foyer once you’re done.” he left.
I observed the art around me. All these people before me, they had ideas in this very room, I was going to follow the tradition. They all varied, none were the same, the stories these masks could tell, the disturbed minds that captured them. Around the workbench were the utensils begging to be used. Too bad I’m a terrible artist, it would be a disservice. I started getting a brush and dipping it into some black ink. I began to paint the eyes just the while so my brain could form a plan. Round and round my brush went. Before I knew it, I had already messed up, the eye socket had thick black round circles on them. I thought about starting over with a new mask, but I considered Shatter’s words and kept it just like how it was.
While I was in that room I felt change in me, like becoming a new person, in a way I was. I thought about back home, how I cried when I was told to leave home. When I cried when I saw that child on the boat, or almost did. I cry a lot. I got a thin brush, dipped it a dark blue. I touched my face and felt it. I touched where my bags started, etched it onto the mask, mimicking some tears for it. There, I won’t be the only one crying from this moment forward. I reviewed it over, but it was too blank to turn in. I wanted to put a touch of myself on it.
My homeland’s symbol came to mind. The line, the dot and the curve. We were simple folk and so was our logic. The line represented you, strong and undaunted, the longer it was the more versatile you were. The dot was all your problems, what seemed like a big ball that grew and shrank depending on how you handled it. The curve was anything that happened outside of your power, it was in a curve since you didn’t know if it was flanking or helping the dot. The line was blue for good, the dot was red for bad, and the curve was grey for indifference.
I put it on the mask's forehead simply because it looked bare. I was thinking what to draw next, so I put another black circle around the flag. I put it on a pedestal and backed off from it. Looking at it from all the angles of the room. A little bit of the red was running down the masks. My mind snapped to the mask, maybe it looked better like that? I rushed over to wipe it off, not wanting it to stain. No, it didn’t.
Also wanted to put something that represented me as a Breacher since like it or not, I was one now. The Secret’s symbol came to mind, the place where it began. I tried my best to remember how it was, the red circle with the four bumps. I stamped it on in the four directions then viewed my mask, turning each way. There were straps at the end that could be modified to fit your face to perfection. I attempted to put it on, but already knew it would be a bit loose on me. Good enough for walking and talking but anything more would most likely make it fall off.
I searched for more straps to make it hold together better but couldn't find any. I did find some long black cloth, what I took for was a scarf or handkerchief. I wrapped it around the bridge of my nose. It drooped past my left shoulder and appeared like a small half cape on my arm, stopping at my elbow. I then carefully put on my mask for a test, which was a better fit. There was a full mirror and I moved towards it. The mirror revealed an image, a stranger never seen before. I pried it off, pulled the wrap away from my mouth and went back to the foyer.
I opened the doors and saw Shatter and the whole group. Once He saw me his arms were as far apart as he could make them, ready to embrace me into the fold. “So, what do we call you, fellow Breacher?”
I looked at the mask. I hadn’t come with a name. This thing is now a part of my identity. A part of myself, my home, and my new life all rolled into one. It certainly takes some getting used to it all, comprehending it. All I could was the question as to why. Why did the Soothsayer say that to me? All that thinking in my mind was an obsession. Yes, that will be my name.
“The name is Thought.”
Shatter had a puzzled look. “Why did you pick that?”
“Nothing really came to mind.”
Shatter looked at me trying to figure me out. “Right, well, anyway.” he looked at the other two Breachers that I didn’t know. “Rire says that he’s having problems with someone who is uniting the people against his merry gang of pals and pillagers. Now, I don’t care what problems he’s having, but anything that makes us look bad is bad and if the masters hear the gang bitch, then they’re gonna grumble. More importantly at me, so it’s best to take care of it now.” He nodded towards me. “Thought, handle this. Go with Rire, and also get acquainted with these two.”
Rire? If they were against him then they couldn’t be all bad. I tried to protest, but he sallied us out and then waited outside the Secret for Rire and things got awkward as meetings of strangers tend to go.
“So.” I finally said to the one with the leather. “What’s your name-er alias?” he effortlessly shifted the oar from one side of his shoulder to the other.
“Clod.”
I heard it clearly but didn’t want to get it wrong. “Clod?” his face got ghastly, was readying his oar to strike me.
“Who the hell are you and how do you know my name!?” The other Breacher grabbed his oar with blinding speed and put his other hand to his face in sheer embarrassment. Clod settled down and distanced himself, leaving me with a frown. The cloaked man spoke up.
“That’s Clod, he’s not too smart, a bit dimwitted. The idiot got an alias that sounds exactly like his real name, probably so he doesn’t forget it.” He flapped his shirts.
I was looking at the oaf with the oar. “Did someone pick it for him?”
“A master doesn’t assign you your name, well, except on rare special occasions I guess.”
Great. Another Secret that they were keeping from me. I suppose there’s plenty to catch on now. He took out a yellow flask and opened it up. He took a chug of a sort of reflecting dark unnatural pearl liquid, then offered it to me. He noticed the disagreement in my face, so he offered a hand to me instead.
“The name is Vice.” We shook hands then he took another chug, this time it came out a dead brown. What brings you to join the Breachers Thought?”
“I guess you could say the Breachers joined me.”
He picked up the tone in my voice. “Yeah, I heard that you weren’t given much of a choice in the matter, sorry about that, this life isn’t for everyone.”
“I guess it has to be for me now, like it or not.”
A few more minutes passed then Rire and his shiny bald head showed up with a warband of the gang. He saw me, then put on a grimace for all to see.
“I heard I was getting help from these two, but not you, what are you still doing here?”
I was going to speak for myself, but Vice spoke for me. “Heel dog, you're addressing a Breacher now.” he was reaching for his flask while he said, “You may be vicious, but stay loyal to your master and obey.” Rire was fuming, his face wouldn't show it, but his muscles of his neck straightened. Was he mad that I was made a Breacher? He talked calmly, but sternly.
“I was just wondering, sirs.” Clod came down the steps and pushed Rire out of his way.
“Enough with this passive aggressiveness shit, let’s get on with it.” They were walking down the road, I was going to follow suit, but Vice grabbed my arm.
“What are you doing? You’re a Breacher now, act like one.” he walked over to the tallest building in the row and inspected it, even the back of his cloak had patchwork from varying attachments. “Let’s start with your examination, we’re taking the high ground.
He donned his mask. It was a series of colors blended together, every which way, weird pattern and odd design. It was like this thing was made in parts separate from each other. Looked very primitive with all the lines and prints, though in some parts it didn’t look like anything concrete at all, just color splatter. I examined it more seriously, then I saw something, an eye, then another far away and what looked like a nose. A mysterious distorted hidden face through it all? It sort of looked like it was smiling or frowning, I guess that it was on the looker to decide which one. If they even saw it to begin with that is.
He scaled the building with experienced ease, his body one single motion and in rhythm. A quick stretch then he bent down the roofs’ edge looking down. “Your turn.”
Maybe this cool air could wake me up from this dream like Secret had said. I put the cloth over my mouth then put on my mask once I knew no one was around. I rubbed my hands together to look professional. I slowly, but steadily found my way up using a loose brick or a building decoration to help me along the way. My heart was beating steadily, I didn’t want to make a mistake on my first day. Moved faster and faster planning my way up. He was studying me while I was resting. He made it look so easy.
“Well, your adrainaline is actually quite amazing, but it’s all over the place and refinement is a must. You’re tapping into it, but it’s all spaced out. What you need to master powerful controlled micro spurts of it.”
I heaved myself ungracefully from ledge to surface. It was more a test of strength and endurance than skill. The higher I went the slower I was so as to not fall down. I finally made it to where he was stationed
“My what?” I panted, completely out of it.
“Adrenaline, or how we call it, A-drain-aline.” He was looking down at Clod and Rire then gave me his attention. “It’s something that every person possesses, but don’t know how to use on command. We Breachers use it for a number of things.” He put a hand on his chin and explained. “We could gain strength, speed, stealth, a whole number of things, but the one that interests me the most is that the master's claim that the ones who mastered adrainaline get to turn back time. Though none know how or what triggers it.”
“Now why would someone want to do something like that?” I knew he was debating whether to tell me, but I guess my innocence won him over.
He took a heavy sigh and slumped his body, his hood feeling even deeper on him now.
“Me and my brother, we were twins. Abandoned as children, we made our living being criminals in the big bad city. One day we spotted a mark and were going to take him for all he was worth, he insisted he could take this one on his own, so I let him. Younger brothers always want to prove themselves.” His voice raised, but he hushed it, holding it in. “The only time I let him was also the last time.” He sighed and lifted his mask to wipe his face, not of tears but of shame. I think it was now out of habit. “The thing was that he never came back, and I never knew what happened to him. I was distraught, as you can see, I still am.”
He kept his mask where it was then started again. “I kept messing up without my other half until one day I messed up bad and tried to steal from a master of all people, I didn’t care. He saw something in me and took me in, I’ve been a Breacher ever since.” He looked away from me, torn apart. “One day I’ll turn back time and when I do I’ll find him, this I swear.”
“I don’t doubt that Vice, I know you’ll do it and for the noble cause of family.” The whole turning back time bit seemed like a heap of ludicrous stories, something to keep your illusions from breaking and reality from seeping in.
But then I remembered Shatter doing a lot of those types of things, I smirked when I realized he was probably using adrainaline. It’s possible I suppose. Vice reached for his belt which was full of needles. He took one out and injected it into his arm. The arm was full of holes with breaks and pale, a large drift from his dark skin tone. He threw it away and slapped his arm.
“Much better, we’re behind Clod, but I know the way to the area where we're supposed to look, so let’s beat him to it.” I wondered if all the things he was taking were for performance or pleasure.
We started running, building to building which wasn't that difficult, they were mostly conjoined though, there was the occasional gap that you had to jump for it. It was still dark out so I figured the guards wouldn't be a problem. I tried sticking to him, but every time I did he sped up. I saw a huge gap in the buildings that Vice was approaching, I gradually slowed down. He jumped an incredible distance and cleared it, rolling to stop himself. I stopped running when it was my turn for it.
I yelled to him, “I think I’ll take the stairs; they like me better.”
He yelled back “No, you have to do it, I need to see what I’m working with.”
I grumbled, that was something Shatter would say. I shambled towards the edge and to fall would probably be the last one ever. To clear that is inhuman, crazy. This would start or end here. “Okay, if you insist.” I took some paces away from the gap, retraced my steps. Breathing heavy and shaking.
I heard Vice’s voice in the distance. “Concentrate on jumping and not the jump.” Easy for you to say. Hesitation fouled up my mind.
Vice mentored and paced back and forth. “This is just a problem, a gap in your path, so what do you do with gaps?” I looked at him while he clenched his fist to an open cupped palm. “You close them.”
I took a sigh then ran with all that I had; each step closer was that of certainty. Finally jumped at the last possible moment, my vision was of a faint white tint, I felt myself feel light as air for a second. In that second, I felt some of the things Vice was mentioning and in that same second, I could’ve taken on the whole world. I didn’t clear the gap, I fell short, but with my added strength, my hand grabbed onto the wood railing that was just below the gap. Vice ran to the railing and when he first looked at me his movements were hastened. He saw that I was okay, and we both began to laugh for some funny reason. The wood broke off and I fell for a few seconds before Vice caught me and dragged me onto the roof.
Shoddy wood.
We leaned on a roof edge, and waited for Clod and Riff for their turn to catch up. “So, why does Clod carry such a massive oar and why didn’t he scale the rooftops, isn’t he supposed to act like one of us?” Vice took a small brown box out of his infinite cloak and opened it up. It contained some purple powder and snorted some of it before answering my questions.
“That fool should, he doesn’t.” Another snort, “He always comes up with some weird plan and says it’s smart, like that oar he’s carrying. He says that if guards stop him, he’ll convince them that he is a sailor going to port.
“But they don’t use those types of boats anymore, they’re obsolete.”
“That’s what I told him, but he doesn’t listen.” he took another snort. Clod and the group were now visible, he was stealing things along the way while putting his mask on and off each time he did. From what I could see his mask design was a brown or leather like skull around his face, which had a gradation to a red demon like pattern. There were many tiny, faded marks on the cheeks and mouth. I think those were supposed to be teeth or some sort. Even beasts need teeth. The eyes on it were a threatening orange, they looked permanently angry and hated everything that it saw. Right on the forehead was a big black dent that seemed to leak black all over the face of the mask, maybe that’s how he got dumb. He also painted a stupid tongue sticking out of the supposed teeth, I wondered what the point of that was. Surely not to intimidate.
I remarked jokingly “Is he pulling his big heists? Taking the er, uh, score of items?” but Vice just got agitated.
“Every group needs some muscle I suppose and the fool”
Clod noticed us on the roof and put on his mask. He lobbed the oar at us then began to scale the nearby buildings to get to us, for someone his size he could move at least. His massive hands greedily clutched onto the buildings ledges then hunted for the next way up, but not without leaving deep cracks of where he’s been. I ducked out of the way of the oar, but Vice just caught it with one hand, he throw it violently back at Clod who met up with us on the roof.
He pointed over to a pale building that appeared lively despite it having no color. Vice gave it his attention. “Foreigners’ quarters, the man was new to Deflin, another soul trying to make a difference. The door to the Poor Palace has its door unlocked, to let the needy in for their needs. B.O.W.S. signs and its colors swing proudly as banners. Yeah, this is it.”
“Well then.” Clod took his oar and pushed me closer off the edge. “Young blood here can handle that.”
“He doesn’t have to do a thing, but yes he should” I channeled a clueless look to Vice through my mask. “You have to get yourself acquainted to the life.” he looked down as if downtrodden, “This place isn’t pretty, and you have to learn that.”
My fists were clenched, he didn’t have to tell me that because I already learned it. “I know that already, I haven’t seen one beautiful thing since I got here.”
“Still though, you should get used to it.” Getting used to snuffing people out?
Clod spoke up, “Besides this grunt work isn’t worth our time, we're far too important to be lowering ourselves to this.” he edged me on “Now take care of this, I would hate to hurt you, plus I wouldn't think twice about it either because I can’t.”
I looked back at them then made my way down towards Rire and his thugs.
“I can’t believe Shatter made you into a Breacher.” His voice was dry and unwelcoming, you can tell that there was anger there. “You’re just another roach, a insignificant nuisance to the boss.”
I was in no mood for his mouth, “Quite dog, before I give you another lesson.”
“Just remember who has the power to kill around here, not you.”
“You’re talking about killing, but you can’t even fight. You will address me as Thought or I will give you a second slap.” I quickly took command of his crew, I pointed them to the building. I wanted this to be done with. One by one they walked ahead of me giving nods with smiles on their face, or a sloppy salute. They stormed the building with such ferocity, planned execution. They broke windows, yelled at the top of their lungs, took out knives. Rire was eager to join in, but I stopped him, he needed to be leashed. He gave me hatred, what cancelled that was the anguish of the residents inside. The screams, the tearings of lives.
...
We stayed outside for so long that I lost track of myself. I made the decision that we had to leave, or the guards would find us out. The sun was coming up as I approached the door. I kept to the doorway while I heard banging and breaking from inside. There was crying coming from the building, the cries of men, women, and children. The sun shone and revealed a mob of poor bodies huddled next to the wall, two of them looked familiar, the bodies I saw at the boat. I swore it was the same man and son from the boat.
He was already beaten pretty awful when a thug punted his face then turned his attention to more important things, like what to ransack. The thugs tore down everything, knocked down everything, hurt everything, stole everything, hurt everyone. The boy wouldn’t stop crying. The man tried to get the little boys’ attention and calm him down.
They played that game again, this time only my eyes were on them. He took off his hat and put it to the side of his face, he kept the boy's attention. One moment he was bloody and battered. He covered his face with the hat and frantically rubbed the blood away. The next moment, the hat was to the other side of him, he looked spotless, like back on the boat. The little boy gave a joyous smile and hugged his father's head, hiding him from horror. I was the only one that saw this.
I turned my head away and witnessed another, but older boy alone. Deep cuts tore his clothes, then moved onto the skin. He was clutching a broken glass shard, but the threat he wanted was not established. I wondered where the mother was, but then I heard her scream in another room with the revolting sound of a stomach churning beating and pleads to stop. The boy had eyes that said defeated, but his body said defiant.
I stared at him for a long time, not moving away and neither did he. I owed him something, but I didn’t know what. I couldn’t apologize, no matter how much it ached me. A thug jerked the glass away from his hand, threw him to the wall and booted his face.
Never did he take me away from his sight nor relent in his stare, not even to wince in pain. I backed slowly off from the scene and looked at Rire who was now near the doorway. An adrenaline surged in me and I crashed his back to the wall. He wiggled from my grasp, “Alright you mongrels, that’s enough, I said that’s enough!” he shouted.
My mind was empty. All I could hear was the outside, I couldn’t block those out. I stared at the roof where Vice and Clod were supposed to be, but it was empty, they were gone. I looked back at the building, my feelings were left back there, with the people. They were left with nothing.
Chapter 9
It was a long walk back to the Secret, each one of my steps were attached with so many weights. I opened its black double doors to an empty room, or what looked like an empty room.
“How’d it go?” Secret was sitting straight on a stool as politely and nicely as she could make herself, legs crossed.
“Okay.” I looked around the room. “So, where everyone run off to?”
“They haven’t run off, they’re in the files, the place where the Breachers go to disappear I guess, and plan.”
“So why aren’t you there? Feeling a bit left out?”
“Oh no, not in the slightest.” she stated. “Shatter needed a volunteer to see you once you got back. I happily did for some nice peace and quiet.
I smiled at her decision. “Well.” I scratched my face “I suppose I should make my way there, know the way by chance?”
“Please sir, don’t offend me.” She got off from her stool and moved towards the hallway. We went to a room that was filled with odds and ends, I figured it was storage. She removed a brick to reveal an ‘S’. She turned it a full spin and the floor shifted. The stones flopped back to make stairs that seemed to go endlessly down, though there was light down the way to serve a silent guide
Secret nudged my arm; we were both looking at the stairs “I know every Secret to this place.”
“Do you want me to bring you back the main ideas from this little meet?”
“No, not because I don’t want to know, it’s because I’ll already know by then. It’ll be redundant.”
“I don’t doubt that for a minute.”
“This could be a dark place to some people, want me to hold your hand and guide you through it?”
I remembered her clutching that bad knee. “No, I’ll suffer for us both, since neither of us want to go.”
She was beginning to leave but said one last thing before she did. “Hey.” I looked back at her. “Nice mask Thought.”
I took a torch and walked down the stairs. They seemed to spiral and go every which way, but the way you wanted. I knew exactly where I wasn't going. I reached what I believed was the bottom. It was a series of hallways with doors that no light could cast through. It smelled like old musty stone and from what I felt, dust ruled down here
They should’ve called this place crypt or maze, not file. I tried some of the nearby doors, but most didn’t open or were fake, painted. Either that or when I opened them the door opened to a brick wall, who in the right mind would joke in such a dark depressing place like this? Then I remembered that Shatter existed. I was still determining whether the wispy screams I heard coming from his dirk were my imagination or a reality.
My flame was suddenly snuffed out and I felt a sharp lingering pain in my arm and my leg. The pain was overpowering me, causing severe burns inside my body. I couldn’t stand upright anymore, so I took a knee and took my arm to the other trying to find whatever was wrong with it.
The light of a torch came back on and there was Love in all black in my sight. She had on a loose black shirt that exposed a shoulder with a matching pair of black pants with stitched yellow lace on the seams that were in the same design of her boots. She threw a torch down and clasped her hands together next to her face in amazement.
“All of this is so sudden!” She raised her leg in the air. “Yes! A thousand times yes!”
I didn’t know what this dumb child was talking about, but then I saw the position I was in, a bowed knee. I was at a loss. I pulled my arm to my chest, absolutely revolted.
“You’d love this wouldn’t you? To swear fealty?
She touched the top of my head and twirled herself around me. “Of course, I’d love it, why wouldn’t I? “She whispered to my ear. “I love you.”
I soothed my face with my shoulder. The pain in my limbs demanded answers. “What did you do to me?”
“Oh nothing, just want to make it known that I’m sweet, but can also quickly turn sour if people don’t treat me right.”
I was rubbing my injured arm, she’s just as dangerous and deranged as he is. “Where’s Shatter and the rest of them?”
I saw her face turn from sweetness to sickness at just the mention of Shatter. She flipped her hair. “Shatter this, Shatter that, Shatter could shatter himself for all I care. For someone who doesn’t like him, you’re sure on him a lot. What about us?”
“For the last time there is no ‘us’.” I groaned.
“That’s not true.”
“I truly do not care.”
She tried to keep it grim but couldn’t keep it together and a snicker flickered out.
“Okay I’ll show you where Shatter is.”
I nodded my head to her, “Good, lead on then.”
She looked at the torch she set down herself on the ground. “I would, but that torch is about to go out, I don’t want to lose you in this darkness.
“It looks fine to me.”
She stomped on the side of it making the fire hastily begin to die. “Hurry, we don’t have much time left, grab my hand.”
I gazed at the dying fire for a long time. “Why can’t you just give me a bread trail to follow instead, or better yet just give me the directions.”
“Because it won’t work, you may be a Breacher, but you’re not accustomed to the dark yet.”
“I don’t think anyone ever is accustomed to the dark.” I lifted myself. “I’ll still take my chances with it rather than you though.”
She put her hand on her hips and then snatched my hand. Love constricted it with hers and we both knew I had no choice. I defiantly flipped my wrist so my hand only touched her forearm. She considered it a victory either way.
“Stay behind me and stay close.”
I tried to slip some of her grasp away, but as I tried, I felt myself slipping away to this dark place. My senses were going mad. I heard every little insignificant noise that came about, not knowing how they were made. I felt Love’s grasp go away and then come back, like it was fading. Wind was blasted towards my face, but there was no place it would’ve come from, there seemed no end to this place It. Walls of never-ending walls seemed to be infinitely erected, some looked like they would crash down onto me, teetering back and forth. There had to be an exit, an escape, that’s what I needed. As we traveled, I found it harder and harder to breathe, to think, to live. Each breath of air I sucked in was more harsh, more shallow, weaker each time. I tried to talk clearly, but clogged words only slipped out.
“Love…please… I need… to rest…” Now the wind was blasting me in all directions, pushing me to its whim. I let go of Love’s hand and pushed both of mine to my neck. Hoping that some way my fingers would open my throat to let more precious room for air. My body writhed, but my mind was open, I was choking and suffocating fast. I dropped to my knees and my sight was beginning to blur, I couldn’t hold myself together. I kept gasping for air and reached up for whatever I could to help me, but my hands, much like my lungs, came back empty.
I just didn’t want to die
I fell from my knees to curl up but was still fighting to live. I started to kick my feet and punch the floor to see if that would help in any way, but alas, no. I did that for an eternity, deep down inside me my body would soon break the news to my brain. I untightened my eyes and my face, then put my hands away from my throat, maybe this was for the best, somehow. What else sort of malice would I inflict? I moved my hands and folded them in front of my body, shivering in worry the whole time. One final breath to the grave, my last. I accepted my fate.
I heard a voice call to me, “Wake up Thought.”
My eyes were slow to roll themselves open and I was still holding Love's hand.
“You were walking, but I don’t think you were thinking.”
There was no way I was imagining all that. I looked all around me trying to get some evidence to connect me to what happened. My hand rubbed my throat, heart, limb, anywhere I thought I was missing something. I looked for something to light my investigation but couldn’t find any light.
“Something the matter?” Love looked genuinely puzzled and said that in a delicate emphasis. I was inspecting my clothes for anything they would have produced, once I was satisfied, I answered her
“No, guess I’m just losing it.” I looked at my hand that she was holding onto, a bright white sliver of fast-moving light ran around my body, around my veins. I knew I wasn't losing it. Love was still holding my hand; she curled her body towards me.
“Are you sure that the matter isn’t something?” I jerked my hand away from hers and tossed her away from me. I wasn't feeling any different, but once I noticed that it all felt wrong.
“What did you do to me?” I know you did something, .”
“Where’s the hostility coming from? You weren’t like this a time ago. I didn’t do anything.” she was giggling, we both knew that was a lie.
“What exactly happened a time ago?”
“Oh, nothing worth sharing.”
I crept forward to her, I grew sick of her, “Tell. Me. Now.”
“I’d rather not.” Love avoided me, walked to a door that had light coming out of it. She rested herself on the wall, motioned to the door. “The rest of the Breachers are in there, and with your dawdling, we're late.”
A few flexes of my arm didn’t tell me that anything was the matter but having whatever it was in me was making me nervous, “Oh, my apologies, it’s my first time getting drugged.”
“I’m afraid I don’t, now let’s hurry this up and get in there.”
I reached for the door but stopped to look at her. “For the last time, what did you do to me?” She tilted her head, and gave me an aloof shrug as an answer. Not a word came out. I had fire to keep at the conversation, but that died out. I’d be wasting my breath. She wasn't worth it.
I opened the door to a relatively small room, it was lit by an unknown radiating aura in the background that changed colors, painting us in the dark. It mostly resonated from the middle, where everyone's eyes were pointing at. I had no idea what exactly it was, it looked like some lantern I’ve never seen before. The room had maps all over the walls, some had markers and some pieces on it. Some had an x and others had circles on them. Over in the corner there was a charred pile of various items, probably to remove evidence of the various crimes they’ve committed. With the dim light, I could not see the unrecognizable others in the room, hushed faces with dampened filled shadows
They were congregating around a table while few people were talking, I guessed those were the masters. I looked for familiarity in a palette of alien. From what I could see no one was wearing their masks, I suppose there was no need. Though I still couldn’t recognize anyone. I was going to brush sweat from my forehead, but my mask stopped me. It hit me; I was the only one wearing theirs in this whole room. I felt embarrassed and frantically reached for it but reconsidered. Let them see my mask. I was proud of it. I took a wall near the center table in the room. leaned on it, trying to listen in, but couldn’t make much out of what I’ve heard.
“So did yo-” I looked over to a black figure with the familiar voice to my side, he was a phantom.
“Vice, you were going to have to waste going back in time to save me from making my heart stop.”
“Sorry, I was looking for you, then I found you.”
“I could see that. So what did you want to say?”
“Just how that job went? Clod and I had to head back over here, or we would’ve been late to the arrangement. You took too long with it.” That hurt to hear, not one full day in here and the rookie was being left out of it, abandoned.
“I’ll get better.” I looked at Vice, but he was already securing the room, spacing out, not listening.
I decided to let Vice do his own thing and left him to move toward the crowd some more. He would surely find me again if he wanted to. I was next to some of the guys but kept my distance. I then felt something heavy tap my shoulder and push me around effortlessly.
“What you doing with your mask on young blood?” Clod cast himself right next to me, but I didn’t bother to look at him. “You are sticking out like a sore thumb, so damn dumb.”
“I should ask the same thing about that stupid oar you’re carrying, sailor.” he looked at his oar and respected my answer. He moved his hand to adjust a strand of hair out of place.
“You know I could be a master if I wanted to.”
“Is that right? Well, I’m sure you have the treasures to prove it too.”
“I do out do myself sometimes.” I just nodded; this guy sure was an idiot.
I tried to pay attention, but I just couldn’t. I felt uneasy of this place and its surrounding people even though we were all on the same side now. There was a rare gap in the crowd, and I saw individuals that stuck out, a gravitas demeanor, they cowed everyone around them. With Shatter standing next to them, those must’ve been the masters. Apart from my ‘friend’ there were three others present, they were hovering around the table with symbols and pieces that I didn’t understand. Shatter put his weight on the table, was leaning on it, bored, and not paying attention. At least he was honest and was the same way back at the Secret. The other three varied in age, no doubt Shatter was the junior.
One of them had receding bright blonde hair, with a strong face, large brow, tight jaw, and other tough features. It was clear that he was the oldest of the four, the boss? He was a giant that looked like he commanded the room with a forever mean gaze. He had sleeveless leather armor that each section of it was in a different color, united and brought together cleverly. Naturally all of the B.O.W.S. colors and none of the Na’Sule ones. I couldn’t imagine him stealing anything other than life.
The other one looked younger, much closer to Shatter’s age group. He had a loose-fitting green hat that flopped to the side of his head. The edges of it exposed his coiled greyhair. The red garment that he had on was tattered and falling apart, looked like a flowy shawl. It hung over his shoulders, but it suited him just fine. He had some odd breaches that I never have seen before. They were blue and very wide, stopping at the shin. Underneath were spotless green boots, easily the best-looking thing he wore. This one seemed dangerous but couldn't place as to why just yet.
The last one didn’t really look like a Breacher, but I guess I didn’t either. When I first saw him, I thought that he snuck in here like I did, but I knew better than to blurt things out. He had a pale wiry face on him, more like an animal than a human. His hair was long, thick and black. Like a blanket made of dusk formed and tightened around his head. He pushed it back with freakishly long fingers, exposing streaks of purple in it. A hidden flag. He had a fancy white doublet that was stitched in amazing black, gold, grey patterns. It was unusually long, sort of like a robe or cape. I imagined he thought himself important
I wondered how Shatter would fit into all this. My eyes spied back to Shatter to steal a glance. The sneak beat me to it. His eyes and more importantly his focus was trained on me, just like last time.
This time instead of something terrifying, his visage was warm, a nice smile with bright teeth and a bit of gum. He rolled his eyes at the other three next to him then rushed through the crowd to get to me. It looked like the masters weren’t in the mood for games, so I backed away hoping to lose him. I dove into the crowd to get away, I even pushed Clod in front of me as a meaty barricade. I gently pushed Breachers aside to avoid detection, ignoring the unpleasant looks and the muffled curses.
After a good way into the crowd, I stopped. He was now behind a wall of people, it was time for me to blend in, to be a nobody again. The boy had already materialized in front of me when I turned around. I wondered why I kept trying to do anything since he was always five steps ahead of me.
“So how did your first time go?”
“It was nothing.”
His neck flew forward, the head almost flew off. “Oh, there’s nothing like your first, I can attest to that.”
“Once we get back topside, I’ll tell you all about it.” discreetly as I could I pointed over his shoulder to the masters we just disrespected. Shatter needn't not my face, my voice and body language surely already gave it away. He made my finger point obvious then he pointed with me at them.
“Oh, here are the masters we associate with, like I said, Good, Free, King.”
King crossed his heavy arms and scrunched that wrinkled face of his “Shatter, who the hell is this? I don’t recognize the mask.” Shatter got a dull face and rolled his eyes at me, begging me to understand his pain.
“Who the hell is this? This here is Thought, the best damn Breacher I’ve ever seen. The best whore, best fighter, best man, best liar, best cheater, best climber, best talker, and last, but not certainly least, the best good looking than the lot of ya’.” he was praising me like some kind of prized pig, or cow. I gave Shatter a sarcastic tone and whispered so only he could hear me.
“I’m all that am I? You sure you’re not forgetting about something else that got me in?” he reddened and just shushed me with a childish squeal.
“You made me forget one, best friend.”
I heard Clod’s voice from the crowd along with a loud finger snap, “Damnit, he beat me.”
I saw the white clothed man assert himself, clearing his throat.
“We welcome you brother, but we would’ve like to… confirm your acceptance. Shatter has no such authority in recruitment.” I believed this one was dubbed Good, “We will settle the matter on a different time, now please, Shatter regroup with us, we have much to discuss.” Shatter pouted then grabbed my hand, pulled me to the table with a velocity so as to not leave.
“Well, I was gone and wasn't paying attention anyway so you can explain it to the both of us again.”
Good didn’t get angry, but just had irk written all over him. “Certainly.”
Free took off his hat and wiped his forehead from sweat. “Give 'em the short version, I don’t think we all want to be here a moment longer. Besides,” He stuck a thumb at me, “He could be one of them.”
Everyone mumbled in agreement. I was going to ask if I needed to sign some contract to be a Breacher, but that was a stupid question.
Good commenced. “As we stated earlier, King Reagent has contacted us and called a meeting for Breachers. Most definitely to contract us for one of his jobs again.”
King piped up “More for to use us again you mean. A job is all he asks about”
Good gestured his whole body to him. “Indeed. So, we will send a party to represent us in the near future.” Shatter looked bored again, but Free fought for his attention.
“That means you Shatter.” One of Shatter's eyes was red, the other was yellow.
“What?” He straightened his posture with his arms clutched to his chest, “You really mean it?”
Free shook his head “No, not like that Shatter.” he pointed to the three of them “In order to finally make a move against him, we can’t show our faces to him, or our masks for that matter”
Shatter’s eyes both snapped a light red now “But you can afford to show mine? So, I’m the decoy now? Do your bidding? Leaving this master in the back pool to perform the dive of doom?”
Good snapped at him “Better he only knows one master then all of them!” a calm tone set. “It makes sense, even you have to agree to that.”
“Just because it makes sense to you doesn’t make it right to me.”
Good loosed his neck from the doublet and brushed his hair back. He held a daunting voice and asserted himself. “I’m sorry, but we have made a decision.”
King thundered with his voice. “Shatter and his unit are going to meet King Regent when we give the word, see what he wants. We have built his trust up and now it is our time to make our play. More likely it’s a job where we will possess a powerful contract that he wants.” He slammed a fist, “Once we know what it is, we’ll use it against him. That’s when we’ll strike. Stay alert everyone, dismissed.” With that everyone shuffled and grumbled out of the door except a few who appeared to be mirages for standing too long.
King snapped his fingers “Pawn.” In an instance a figure raced up to the table. He had an orange jumpsuit tucked in his purple boots. He wore a luxury brown hat with a purple bill and a small hood that wrapped his head. His hair was a light brown that shimmered. He bowed before King
“At and always on your beck and call.”
“Kiss ass.” I heard Clod say.
He raised him with one sway of his hand “Now where’s P-”
Someone fell elegantly from the shadows of the ceiling and jumped down to the ground almost weightlessly, flawlessly. A girl rose up and she was the most beautiful thing I’ve seen since leaving home. Her hair was brown and full, it complimented her lightly tanned complexion. She had a light pink shirt that had some padding on the shoulders and forearms for protection. There was something around the neck, a thin black leather collar, I wondered what it was for. She also wore pale green tights that were cuffed with three buttons at the ankle. At her feet, were black, small, heeled shoes that housed her petite feet. The shoes had a smooth pink flap around them. A blooming flower around this ugly black environment.
Her face was small, stern, with little freckles peppered on. The hair framed her face almost to a magnificent portrait, the chocolate-colored eyes gleamed so beautifully. She looked stunning, I forced my eyes away from her, but at the same time I sought for any attention she would give me, I wanted her to be sweet to me. Her face looked similar to someone that I left behind, someone dear to me.
Shatter was next to me and saw my eyes through the mask. He put two fingers and aimed them as a reference to see what I was looking at.
King pointed towards the door, “Let’s go.” Without question the three of them moved as one, like a unit. I kept my eyes trained on the girl, hoping that she would notice me, but she didn’t. She gracefully walked out of my life. I fought in my head if I should say something at the last possible moment before she left, but I didn’t.
I was already regretting it.
I put my hands in my pockets and casually dug for some information, “So, uh, Shatter. I’ve met the whole crew and all, nice people mind, Good, Free, King , heard about this King, not our King that was here, mind, but should be quite the character regardless, lovely piece of space this place is too. Is that wooden table prim-”
“Thought?”
“Yes?”
“Just ask your question, you can ask me anything.”
I gulped hard and swallowed the fact that I was putting my trust in someone. “Who was the girl that left with King?”
Shatter kept a straight face for a solid five seconds before he spat out a laugh. I felt heat rising to my head and cheeks. I should know better by now.
He gently pushed my arm with his and motioned for me to walk with him to the door. “See I don’t get you. Want to talk to her? Why not just pay for it? But I guess the reason and outcome are the same.”
I was getting irritated by his talk and anxious for an answer. “What does that supposed to mean? Do you know her name or not?”
“Try lust, mate.”
I stopped while I cracked a little smile and got giddy with glee. Finally looking forward to speak with someone that I wanted to. “So, is that her name?”
“No, it’s what you have.”
Chapter 10
When we left the door, Shatter’s crew was waiting for us. Back to the mysterious night. I bumped into somebody. It was weird that they saw through the black almost perfectly. Light and smoke came from Vice’s mouth, a gold light hugh was overcast on him.
He took out pipes and started handing them off. Shatter and Love were enjoying them with each other in their own world. Clod got his but looked at it with dislike. He threw it up and smashed it midair with his oar. Vice shook his head at him then proceeded to hand me one.
I took it but it was something I didn’t want, whatever it was. Sadness came over me, to take a light would be the only light I could have. I politely handed it back to him and he nodded in approval.
“See? It’s not hard to be courteous huh?” Vice said, but Clod just shifted his oar and shot something out of his nose.
Shatter’s eyes turned a smoky brown then went next to me. He hung the pipe to his mouth. “Sorry about this, mate.”
“Sorry for wha-.” Shatter didn’t even let me finish when he decided to punch me straight out of this dungeon and back to Deflin. The smack hit me so hard that I still felt it on my face even though it was over. I skidded for several moments, and dust stockpiled on. He laid me out. I needed a moment for the blurring and ringing in my head to pass.
Shatter sighed, “Okay, maybe that wasn't the best idea to try out your adrainaline.” Vice put his hand on his face and groaned while Clod was hiding his laugh as best he could. I couldn’t see Love, she must’ve left. My neck, out of strain, wasn't fit to rotate.
Vice got me up then knocked my head a bit to place. He coughed and said, “You’re okay, you know that.”
Shatter motioned to Vice then Clod and they both left. This was the first time he ever struck me, it felt awful, frightening. He was capable of it. Shatter crept up closer to me. “Quite dark in here huh? Perfect for pretty much anything.”
I soothed my back, “I already got my eye on someone, I told you that already.”
“I was thinking of something of a more violent nature, but yes, that pretty little eye.” Shatter wasn't smirking which made me nervous. This place was working something on him. I tried to change the subject.
“So uh, is your adrainaline pretty high?
“I’m high right now, if that’s what you mean.” Shatter twisted the pipe in his mouth and scratched his chin. “Want to see something cool?” That came off more creepily than usual, even for him.
“Like a Secret?”
“Something like that.” he took a puff, “We’ve been working on this project.” He walked over to a wall, and it slid open. There are probably hundreds of doors like those in here, that’s probably how everyone left so quickly. Shatter waved me over to come near him, I went, but stayed away from the opening, hesitant.
“I swear you’ve never seen anything like this before, especially considering that you’re from such a primitive place.” he put a hand on a wall and looked inside the dark room he opened. “Do not be afraid, originally this tool was used to hurt, maim, and kill people and...er uh.... that’s about it I think.” Shatter lit a torch, picked something from the room and handed it to me. “But we made it better.”
I clutched its grip, it was an unusual short sword, never seen anything like it. The point and ridge was in the make of a metal claw on it, forget the touch, it could cut you just by looking at it. The fuller kept getting slender as it moved towards the grip, there was also a small guard on it. There was a button on the grip begging to be pressed, so I did. It sprang to life. The point, blade and a little bit of the Fuller split into three sections. I looked at the point and the claw also split, craving to take blood or blood money.
“It’s called a sword, the Breachers are working on this prototype. Its project name is called Will, we intend to outfit all the Breachers with a tool like this. Can be used in a number of creative ways.”
“Never assumed you guys were the inventing types.”
“Anything to make money.”
There was no arguing with that logic. I nodded. “Oh, and by the way. I know what a sword is.” I carefully ran my fingers on the metal feeling out the blade. It was surprisingly balanced despite the design. The button could be moved and pressed into two other directions, splitting it into two pieces for each side. I offered the hilt, trying to hand it back, but he kept how he was.
“Keep it, mate, you’re going to need it for your tests.”
“It’s okay with the masters that I take this? And what tests?”
“I’m a master and I say that it’s fine to take it. Meet up with Clod then Vice for your sessions, you should be able to find them in here.”
“What if I can’t?”
“Then you’ll die here.” His face was serious for about a second before he giggled “Nah, I’ll probably just drag your righteous ass out of here. That is if I remember anyway, well later.” he didn’t even give me enough time to argue. I shifted the Will on my shoulder and put my other hand in a pocket looking at the darkness, from which I entered it.
I couldn’t see what I was doing, or where I was going. I just put one foot forward slowly at a time, like treading on ice. I think this place was getting to my head. Flashes of mist, of people, people I knew. One in particular bothered me with no end in sight. Buzzing filled my ears, making no sense. Once in a while I think I heard a voice or two. I just kept on.
Just having the Will near me boosted my confidence. Maybe I could use it to keep my head out of this mess, or at least for a while. As I walked I was swinging it, trying to get familiar with the weight until it was an extension of myself. Chop, slash, thrust, parry, riposte, making sure I was ready. After a few presumed hours of practicing, and beating my imaginary opponents multiple times, they stopped appearing. That was good. I heard all too real footsteps coming from the dark and I pointed the Will towards it. I was ready to challenge anything, or anyone at this point.
“Woah, easy there Thought, aren't you thinking?” A second later a torch was lit, uncovering their concealment. I lowered the Will from her direction. “I was thinking actually and unordinary footsteps are usually bad news.”
“Fair enough.” Secret was in her mask. It had a stylish scarlet thread around the face, it looped around and ended on the tip of the nose like a button. Her eyes were crossed out with big bright X's, her mouth also had an X, but there was a faint noticeable circle between the lines of her lips.
I was curious why she was down here. “I haven’t died yet, so that’s good.” Secret didn’t leave after that and a hush caught on, “Y’know if Shatter or anyone is wondering.”
“Like me?”
“Yeah, like you.” She strolled closer to me, noticed the Will in my hand. Of course, she already knew that.
“I see you’re the lucky tester of my latest design.” I gave it a few slashes and thrusts to show that it was in working order, fighting enemy air.
“You made this?” she gave me a nod. I eyed the sword, it was different, didn’t take her for a smith, “I’m not an expert or anything, but it’s a peculiar design” The shoulders of Secret started to droop, perhaps she was tough on criticism. “But peculiar usually means they’re not expecting it, and if they’re not expecting it means it’ll work every time.”
“Exactly! That’s what I was going for.” she said in a proud tone. It probably didn’t matter to her if one, or one thousand people didn’t get the point of it. Or in this instance, the claw of it. As long as one person did that’s all that mattered. I knew she couldn’t see it, but I smiled at her.
“Sure, no problem, happy to help.” Her body jittered, probably because of the injury on her knee. She put her hands behind her arms but couldn’t get her words out. I felt sorry for her, the pain on her was probably dreadful.
“Once you’re done with the Will, maybe you can help me with some other things then tell me how you feel about them.”
“I don’t see why not, sure, anything.” I flipped the Will’s grip to her, and we shook on it.
She laughed, “Here, lemme show you the way.” I walked with her; it didn't seem like a long time. The intimidation of this place, the fear was shrinking in my mind. We were approaching a faint glow coming from a faraway door. Like a moth to the flame, I walked a pace faster than Secret, eager to get this over with. That light gave life to an idea in my head.
“Hey Secret, you know a lot of things huh?”
I glanced back and in the corner of my eye she stopped, bent her whole head in my direction then continued walking. “Naturally.”
“Well, can you tell me about a Breacher that was in today's meeting? She looked amazing, but I’ll try to describe her for you. She has fair skin, rather dreary eyes that look like they can close to sleep at any minute. Lovely full brown hair, a stunning-.” I’ve noticed that Secret vanished from sight, didn’t tell me goodbye. I just yelled at the abyss. “Okay, I’ll tell you about her later!” My only source of normality left again. I sought to keep my promise, without her I’d be aimless. I walked towards the door for Clods’ training.
I’ve opened the door to a dingy lit large room. The room itself was massive, but there was only so much that could’ve been seen. The whole place seemed to be covered in soot or some type of dusty mist. On the smooth stone floor was a drawn up scratchy rectangle cut in two, to each his own. To the side were rows upon rows of seats. This place was an arena, I would never mistake it. Two of those seats were taken. Clod and Vice were chatting about something but stopped when they saw me.
Clod swelled with a smug smile and slowly pointed towards me. He threw his oar at me, it whirled sideways like a scythe. It screamed through the air, it was without hesitation, but so was I. My arm lowered the resting Will from my shoulder, stance ready to catch. The claw caught a side of the wooden killer, and it was pushed away from me with an echoing crack. Vice was already next to me, probably to catch the oar, but grasped the idea that in this instance I didn’t need his help.
He looked pleased and folded his arms giving me a subtle approval. Clod came down the stadium with a thud. Vice flashed a hand sign at him, Clod nodded, they switched. Clod shot a glance at my feet near his most prized possession. I saw a wooden chip of the oar had splintered off. I left it there for Clod and inched myself to one of the white squares. The muscle could go fetch it.
“You enjoy your new toy?” Clod mocked me.
“It’s better than yours.”
There was a pause. Clod had a hearty laugh then knelt by his oar. He considered it but didn’t look too worried. He spotted the chip then tore it out to use to pick something out of his teeth. He picked up his oar and got into his stance with the same chip hanging from his mouth. He used his oar to point to one of the tan squares, instructing me to get on it. I pointed to the other square with my Will.
The voice of Vice from the seats spoke. “A good Breacher knows how to blend in the shadows, though when the shadows dwindle from the darkness he must also know how to fight in the light.”
Clod pounded on his chest “That means we're gonna’ spar.” My silence responded, he didn’t notice it. “That means you’re gonna’ fight me.” I was annoyed and just nodded. We both readied for a signal.
I could barely hear Vice’s voice from my determination, “Thought, you will keep fighting unless you win two out of three round sets. If you collapse, I have orders to leave you here.” There was no saliva in my mouth to gulp. “Now fight.”
In an instant, I felt a force hit my face, and abdomen. My face winced, but I still looked down to see what was troubling it. Something pulled my head further from where I wanted to look. I took a spin and I found myself on the floor.
I heard Vice’s voice through my own groaning. “Clod wins.” He eased from his attentive studying posture and laid back. “Clod used adrainaline to get near Thought’s flank, left elbow struck Thought’s head disorientating him.'' He still reported every single thing that happened. “While Thought was confused, Clod’s right arm barred Thought’s abdomen with a vertical strike. Thought investigated the pain and lowered his head down which Clod capitalized by clutching Thought’s neck and pushed him over the oar as to where he is on the floor now.”
“Yeah, that’s about right.” Clod’s eyes lost their white tint while he returned to his square. I steadied myself up with my Will and limped to my square. Vice adjusted his posture and curled his fingers.
“Again.”
And again, I fell for the same tactic. Again, Vice gave me the same report.
“Vice, don’t count that as a round.” Clod snorted as he loomed over me. “Put it down as a disgrace.”
“Very well, but it does nothing for you.” Vice responded.
“No, I think it does.” he looked down on me. “Grovel on the floor whelp.”
This time things would be different.
“Again.”
I took the elbow to the face but angled the Will slightly without moving its entire body. I pulled Clod’s oar holding hand down with the Claw, gashed him in one move. He still pushed me, but with no oar holding me, I converted it into a roll to the other side of the square.
“You’re supposed to fight me not kill me!” Clod shouted. He reached into his back pocket and took out a white handkerchief. He wrapped it around his right wrist then tore off the piece with his teeth. The red stained the white. He noticed it, and shrugged “Take that damn Na’Sule, red likes me better anyway.” He spat at the remaining white, but then immediately regretted it. “Ahhh hell.” he looked at me angrily and sauntered forward.
He started power swinging wide with the oar, something a soldier would do. If it connected, it appeared I'd be cleaved in two. Payment was due, blood for blood, blood for bone it didn’t matter to him what he got. I held the Will with both of my hands firmly on it, I turned some attacks away but he adapted fast. He was sweeping at my feet to give me pressure. I kept jumping over it and backing away from him each time like it was some sadistic kids game. A pattern emerged and he read it.
On a sweep that I jumped over, he quickly maneuvered his whole body, doing a complete weighty spin strike with one hand instead of the regular two, giving him just enough extra reach to get at me. I landed from the jump only to be struck in my shoulder. I almost skidded down to the floor; I kept my composure to balance myself. I staggered clutching the already bruising shoulder and breathing heavily. I couldn’t keep up like this, I needed an idea, and I found one.
I could read him too.
We rehearsed our same moves like a play, I suffered for it each time. With every strike that he landed, I endured them to focus on what Vice said to focus on. I had to buy time to concentrate, no time to actually train for it. Maybe that’s what they really wanted here. I barely sidestepped away from the latest assault, but Clod was ready to clean up. He hiked the oar up for an overhead chop. I shut everything in my mind in that second.
My eyes earned their continued white hue view.
In a single moment I used the Will’s claw to bind the longer oar to the floor. Clod tried to free it in a panic. I head-butted him, cracking his spirit, and breaking his rhythm. He stumbled a few steps back leaving the oar, but more importantly, himself exposed.
I released the oar then lifted the Will back up to club Clod with the blunt side of the Will to the ribs. He stumbled again, and I had him right where I wanted him. I cracked the stone below my feet using the last of my fortitude to push onward. I thrusted my shoulder forward, toughening it for a tackle towards him. He reeled back due to the sheer intensity. Clod rolled like a ragdoll before stopping himself in his skid. Clod's hair was in shambles, the structure of it fell apart, just as he did. He looked at me gritting his teeth with the toothpick pointed up.
Vice was on the edge of his seat with intense eyes resting on his conjoined fingers. “Thought wins.” While the report was given, I used the opportunity to position myself in front of Clod’s oar. Clod just kept stepping back to the darkest parts of the area, like pacing around his den. Despite this, Vice’s voice was clear and echoed throughout the entire room. You can bet that every word was heard by Clod and with every word his face motioned wishing that he could cut his ears out.
The adrenaline graced me with its strength. So, this is power locked in one's body. All this at one's fingertips, just waiting to be unleashed. If I could do it then everyone could do it, either that or I was just a natural at it. Vice formed his fingers and looked on keenly.
“Last round of the set, fight.”
Clod dashed to charge. A maddened war cry entranced him in a fighting spirit berserk. He was coming closer and closer, a faint waned pulse of white in his eyes. Near the eyes, a single tear by each. I shut mine. There was a break in his run, I couldn’t confirm his presence. But then I heard something, a drop accompanied by a slide of stone. I opened my eyes; they came alive with a swash of called upon adrainaline. I pressed the button and then my Will cackled, unfurling its deceitful appearance.
In a flash, I hovered over Clod’s oar, I guessed right.
He slid desperately to get to his prized oar. His right arm gripped it, but I already had the oar between two of the three pincers and shut it. Clod fiercely tried to free the oar from the Will’s grip. He slowly realized that all the strength of the world couldn’t budge it, let alone his. Even slower did he lift his head to meet mine. He saw me there, kneeling with both my hands plunged down on the clawed short sword.
He let go of the oar calmly then gradually began to lift himself to take a kneel. He took the wooden chip from his mouth to his hand. Both of his arms were lazily spread apart from him and there he was, silent. I let go of the Will, and as I stood up Clods head tilted down humbly.
I smashed his face with my boot, and he violently fell over.
Vice’s voice echoed “Thought wins.”
As soon as that was said I let go of the will, it clanged to the floor. I collapsed right next to Clod. Vice was giving his recap that went on for an eternity, safe to say me and Clod didn’t really care. His voice disappeared, I managed to look up, and noticed that he did too.
A while later, still on the floor. Clod offered his hand to me without looking in my direction. “Good fight.”
I took it, and we awkwardly shook hands the best we could. “I think I got carried away.” My head felt wet, I placed a hand on my head and there was a bit of blood. I nervously reached around my head for a wound but couldn’t find one. With a tilt of my head, I noticed that the blood was flowing down the stone trail.
It was Clod’s, it was trickling from him, to the floor, to my head.
“Are you going to die?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry.”
I didn’t know what to do or say after that. I stared at Clods still body, his eyes were not open, but they were wanting the oar, longing for it. I groaned then gathered my remaining vigor and started crawling for the oar. Each crawl forward was a grueling grind, every movement were pins. Along the way I reached the Will and attached it to one of the leathers strips of my belt. Now was the aching trip for the oar. My body flamed; my mouth let out a cry. I felt myself getting sick, the closer I got the worse it was.
So close, but yet so far.
I pushed forward, relentlessly to get it done to stop the pain above else. I attained the battered, but still battle-ready oar and scraped some strength together to slide it towards Clod. My body gave out to the point where I couldn’t move, I was still. Clod’s body was limp, but one part of it wasn't.
An open palm. The oar fell into it then it clutched the oar with everything it had. He opened his eyes and smiled.
“Thank you.”
I couldn’t open my mouth or move. My eyes were all I had left, and then, I lost them too.
Chapter 11
There was something touching my arm and legs, then it moved onto my face. I felt pressure on my eyelids then a weight was being removed from my face. I immediately woke up and moved away from whatever was prodding me.
“Easy Breacher, just wanted to make sure nothing was broken.” Vice retracted his hand. He set up shop of jars, canisters and other various items. “When you two collapsed, I brought some medical equipment to help you guys out, I started with you first since you got the worst of it.” He squinted, “But when I looked you over to inspect you, your injuries were already healing which I found quite odd.” Vice’s arms wrapped, “Though you were completely fine, the only thing you wouldn’t do is wake up.”
“Maybe he eats good?” Clod mumbled. I sat up to see if I was imagining things or not. He was on a blanket next to salves and powders, he was fixing his ragged hair. There were bloody wraps next to him, his hair was wet with water and not blood. Vice must’ve been a good doctor or herbalist since you could barely tell he took a kick to the face. Maybe he didn’t get a head injury after all, if he did, he would surely die, I don’t recall anyone surviving any of those. I eyed Clod and continued to rake huge hands through that thick hair. What a liar, he didn’t die after all.
Vice scratched his head. “No, I doubt that. But it is an anomaly.” He sighed at the loss then kneeled down to his patient “I moved onto Clod and got him fitted to go in a little bit.”
I felt sick so I sat up. I felt a tingle on my arm and scratched it. A vein radiated with a band of white coursing through it. I punctured my skin trying to take a hold of it, I kept scratching until some blood seeped through. It just wouldn’t go away.
“Something ailing you?” Vice asked.
I shook my head. “No, just got an itch that needs scratching.”
A little later Clod got up, Vice packed up his concoctions, handed me a torch and we set off. They both walked and talked together while I grew in distance from them. My body felt good, but my head was shaky. I felt weariness coming. I was about to go on borrowed time. I wanted to prove that I could keep going even this far from them. There was that wisp in the air again, begging for me to find the way out. It was odd seeing those two going through the dark, like it was natural for them. How can that be natural for anyone?
Suddenly, some dark shade shoved me from my side. I couldn’t react fast enough; it took its grip on my neck and mouth. I tried to wrestle myself forward to Vice and Clod, but the shade was unrelenting, each time I used adrainaline it kept reeling me back further to it. They, escaping from my view. I couldn’t believe that these people could be so deaf.
Struggling and fighting was the only thing I could do, and I was good at both. I managed to knock the dark sleeve that was covering my mouth and howled as loud as I could, “Clod! Vice!”
Footprints came in a pace, and I figured myself saved for a moment. This wicked thing was dragging me faster than they approached. I still resisted, but quick calculating strikes on my back and the feeling of numbness made me quell my thrashing. There was a sharp squeeze on my lower back, the thing shushed me as we stilled, waiting for them to pass.
I heard Vice’s voice “I told you to watch him!”
“I forgot!” Clod thundered. “Also, I wasn't paying attention.”
I heard a smack then something opened with a creak. “Damn it, no more sight, guess we have to do this the tedious way. We search.” It sounded like it was thrown away with a thump. “We’ll split up to find him, meet back at this box.”
“Yes surrr.” Two distinct sets of feat trailed off in the dark. The shade slowly slipped me away from the close rescue. It released me after a fair distance away.
I jumbled back up to my feet. I brandished my Will and searched for it but I came up empty, no one to fight. I heard a whimper creep in, a faint familiar voice.
“I saw you looking at her, taking her in, wanting to drink her.” It vented.
Though sounding demonic, I had an idea on who it was, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, nothing happened.”
It articulated smoothly “But you want something to happen, don’t you?”
I bent my head back then down and I gave it a shrewd tone “Be gone you beast.”
I heard it snicker as it revolved around me. The snicker echoed more and more until it was gone, good riddance. I went back to walking cluelessly in the dark, the only thing I could do besides look for the trainers.
I felt my shoe kick something amidst the black. I looked down very carefully, and what I saw was a gleam of a box with broken vials encased. It was probably the thing that Vice threw away. He mentioned something about sight, perhaps that is how the gift of night vision is bestowed. I kicked it clear out of my way. Stupid box, why couldn’t there be more of you? My wander ended when I hit a wall, I touched it. Smooth, cold rock, a hundred of you are probably in a place like this. I didn’t want to continue so I huddled down with my head on my knees. What a torturous pain this place is.
“Oi! Told you we’d find him.” I didn’t bother to lift my head to greet them. I twisted my head; the box was right next to me.
“It was a matter of time, Clod, always a matter of time.” I felt a pressure touch the wall. “What happened back there Thought? “I uplifted myself.
“Just panicked is all, I’m good now.”
Clod tilted that wooden pick, “Well cry no more young blood, Clod is here.”
I childishly lifted his oar with the Will so he had to bring it back to the shoulder. “What would we do without you dead man?”
Clod scratched the back of his neck, “Shut ya mouth young blood, I don’t know how dying feels like.”
“I do.”
Vice had stepped back from our conversation then opened a barred door, next to where I crouched down. It creaked open. Now how did I miss that? Maybe I wasn't adjusting as well as I intended to in the dark.
“This is us,” he said. “Forward we go.”
The door to a pile of dust and webs. Vice took something from his belt then made a spark to light a massive wall torch above us. We were on an elevated ridge where we would have a good visual of the area despite the darkness. There were many ruins from long ago. None of the buildings were made of metal, this place was left behind. The buildings were made of wood, just my luck. They varied from being a complete crumble to almost new. It all seemed rushed, built over. Some of the old buildings had markings, banners, and things that I didn’t understand. I could barely follow any of the things that people told me, I couldn’t handle anymore history.
Vice reached for something in his cloak. He pulled out an ornamental bronze hourglass that had bumps around it. I’ve never seen those types of candles before; they certainly weren’t wax. He sparked another fire from his fingers then lit each individual bump, turned a dial on the hourglass to slit the smooth sand in one body, wrapped it in a tight cloth then threw it with all his might. It soared through the air, a bright bloom illuminating the surrounding area for the first time in a while, perhaps even the last. It rolled to a stop on the tallest stone building in the vicinity, a beacon.
I shifted my head not really understanding all of this. “What was that all about?” Vice stared at nothing with drumming veins coming out of that dark face of his. He ignored me and after a concise moment he opened his mouth.
“Just taking it all in at once.”
“I see.”
He clapped his hands once then paused to hear the echo, his face was a bit disappointed. “Hope you got a good look of the place, because you and I are going to have a friendly little race.”
In truth I was exhausted, but the stakes were to get out of here and that was an expensive prize. My victory over Clod would have to be my second wind. I sheathed my Will and readied my body, “You won’t win.”
Vice squinted his eyes and scrunched his face. A smirk peeped out. “We’ll see.” he pointed to the beacon. “When that timer on that thing goes off, we only have that time to get to it.”
“What’s a timer?”
I heard a pop then looked at the hourglass. The dial put the body with sand upright, and time began. I instinctively stomped my foot, and triggered adrainaline. Why would I ever take it off? I leaped from the ridge, targeted the nearest ruined roof I could see. I looked back at Vice who found his own foothold. He was crouched down, I couldn’t see what he was balancing on, but it must have been small. He didn’t even move; it looked like he was in shock or stunned. I waited for him to settle, but then wondered why I was waiting for a potential winner.
I sprinted with ease across the buildings. Echoes accompanied every motion I made telling me what I did, creaks gave me information on the building. There was a roof that I had to jump to continue, this building was made of feeble stone. I stopped to make my decision of choosing the stone ledge or a flimsy, shoddy wood board that was sticking out at the side of it. Without thinking twice, I reached out for the ledge. I grabbed on, but the force and my weight cracked the stone, it began to crumble. I frantically got my hand on a stable piece and spun my upper body so my arm could reach for the wooden plank.
Please don’t be shoddy wood.
It held up my weight, but I slowly but steadily grabbed another stone ledge for safe measure. As soon as my hand touched the edge the wood snapped off, again a shoddy piece of wood. I heard a slight snicker then a whoop of laughter followed. I’d like to see Clod do any better. I stole a glance of the competition. Vice barely moved, he stopped at random then looked around to plan his next decision. The light of the wall torch from where we began was receding, and from here on I would move through the dark.
I cupped my palm then put a fist in it, this will not stop me.
I spread my arms to see what I could get a hold of in the dark. I grabbed onto something and ascended forward to my goal, I guessed right. I tried again, my body crashed into a wooden building then I fell down deeper to darkness, I guessed wrong. I went every which way for the longest time, no plan, no idea.
I kept moving and hoped that a wooden work would stay up right enough for me to cast off from. I fell further, and further down to the dark, each time not knowing where the floor would be. Every story I gained one I fell two, I was getting fatigued, and it had to stop somewhere. I threw a rock in anger, I could handle fighting, but this? Out of my control. I didn’t know what to do. I put some thought into it. I imagined how this place would look before, whatever happened to it.
Then I figured what buildings should and started making a layout. I climbed swiftly, but just a bit more careful than my regular pace. It hit me, the race isn’t who would get there first, but who would get there at all. I imagined buildings on where they should be and tested it. I didn’t want to do it, but this place was pushing me to my limits, any place was better than here. I was leaning on a cracked wall then took a breather. A building should be across from here, it had to be, it would make sense. I held my breath then jumped.
It was there.
Before I knew it, I was back in basking light, the hourglass’ light. I was preparing to make the final jump, but my body was becoming as fast as stone. I couldn’t keep upright anymore. All my remaining strength was used to not teeter onto the empty chasm. My face met a hard, but luckily stable roof. My eyes were the only thing I could move, but even they weren’t in my control, empty, dull. I was wheezing weakly, trying to lift myself up.
I heard Vice’s voice echo as he barely came to my view. “It’s tempting to keep adrainaline on isn’t it, to hold onto the power?” he motioned to the eyes. “It’s in the name, it’ll keep you drained.” I got outraged at the realization. I can’t believe that I missed it, my downfall was in the name and my own.
Vice kept a slow pace on his roof growing closer to the hourglass but stopping along the way. “Learn from this, we’ll move onto a new area to try this all over again.”
Clod’s voice came from a distance. “Damnit!”
He wasn't the only one that didn't want to be stuck here. Another stint in a place like this and I would go mad. Anger filled me but with all the anger in the world couldn’t move me. I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer, they shut.
...
Jolted awake, my brain resumed where it had left off, re-energized. Wondered how much time had passed. I suppose not too much since Vice was still there with a couple jumps away from the hourglass. My body could only muster a few actions, but I still didn’t bother to get up. I examined the distance from me to the hourglass. The space between was too great, the jump would only work if I still had adrainaline which I didn’t even dare turn on. Plus, there was no loose openings to grab on to at the bottom, if I missed I would just slide down a long journey to black. I felt a tear slipping down my sunken face. If only I had… the Will to continue.
I scrambled to my feet then unfastened my belt, I had to try. I stretched it as far and wide as I possibly could. I took the Will, let out its true form with the button and fastened it to the very end of a leather strip. Still not enough, I would have to jump near off the edge, peril. I had to try. I ran as fast as my body allowed and heaved the will. Not even caring to aim. My arm was the only thing that saved me from falling into despair. It was an unmovable anchor fastened to the stone roof I was on, the rest of my mouth dangled, a tempting morsel to the jaws of death down there.
The Will screamed with freedom, soaring without a care. Was reminded to aid me, but that was only an afterthought. It soon drifted where I wanted it to go, to the prize, the hourglass. It slung to a wide arc, but it was getting there. Vice had already set foot on the space where it resided. I outstretched my free arm holding the leather belt, that somehow it would help.
Vice’s hand was nearly upon it, even he had not seen what I was up to. Just before victory was his, the Will finally came around and greedily snatched the hourglass right from under him. A second later and my consolation prize would be Vice’s own hand. The Will fell back to me. By the hourglass’s light, it cascaded to my side.
Technically, I touched the hourglass first. Stole Vice’s victory, he was second.
Chapter 12
I was assisted from my predicament off the ledge to better ground. A moment later and I’d not hold on. Vice hid a slight simper etched on his face then looked at the hourglass. “Victory through creativity, good effort. For the time being you’re done with training.” He directed me to his path. “Come, let’s get out of here.” I wrapped my belt to my waist and fastened the Will to my side properly. How long I waited for those words.
Vice gave me instructions and guided me out of here through the simple path he constructed. Even on the easy path, my muscles burned, ready to tear, screaming. We were near the edge that we left Clod on. I jumped, but they were poor excuses for jumps. Each one more feeble than the last. Something nabbed my collar.
“Here, let me help you.” Vice took an enormous leap that lifted us both. He easily got us on the ledge. I wobbled a bit, but didn't fall
“Thanks for that,” I gratefully said.
“You don’t have to thank me, from what you’ve been through, you earned it.”
Clod slapped my back hard with the oar that yanked out my agony. “Good on you young blood, now we don’t have to spend any more time in this damned place.” I was soothing my back from the thwack he gave me.
“Didn’t you hear? The name is Thought.”
Clod raised an eyebrow. “And?”
I dropped it.
Vice crossed his arms at Clod, giving him a muddied look “Clod just shush alright?”
“No.”
“Fine whatever.” Vice lifted an arm towards me. “Thought, you’ll take the lead, we’ll follow you while I give you the route to get out of here.” he shifted his head to the obscure. “We don’t want you to ‘panic’ again.” I bowed my head at Vice, I couldn’t thank him enough.
We went at a sluggish pace, my sluggish pace. I could feel Vice’s eyes pinned on me, trying to figure me out like I was some kind of mystery or test subject. In a way I was, even to myself. Clod was not satisfied with our current step and offered to carry me so we could go faster. I declined, I wanted him to stay away from me, him and that oar.
Vice’s instructions lead us to some sort of metal bucket on a wall with some sort of seal. Vice pointed it out. Clod approached it then turned it leaving it open. There was a wooden ladder in the room with not much else. There was a dim light coming from up the ladder. Vice went up the ladder first, did something along the way, then I felt something moving then a creak happened. Now there was a bit more light coming from above the ladder. I was up next. I climbed up and reached an unrecognizable alley near a street.
Back in Deflin, but I failed to spot the promotion. Crawled out of a dusty hell to another dark hole. What we came out of looked like a pile of trash with an opening on it, the perfect disguise I suppose. Vice put a hand on his chin while his other hand supported it. I went one way of the alley and took a gander of where we were. Just like down there, my vision was affected, I couldn’t tell or see anything. I ceased distracting myself and searched for Vice who wasn't with me. The hair on my arm got tense, panic surged. I doubled back, saw Vice casually walking away from where we came from towards the street.
“Hey Vice, where are you going?” I questioned.
He gave me no answer, and continued to walk, thinking.
“Aren’t we supposed to stick together?” He kept getting further and further away, “Is this another test?”
It looked as though he wasn't in control of his actions.
A Breacher that’s gone deaf. This was as good an opportunity to get out of here, but the heavy footsteps decided for me. Clod shoved me with an oar.
“What are you doing? Don’t you know where home is?”
“I forgot.”
Clod chuckled. “Haha you’re a stupid dolt.”
“Tell me about it.”
Clod clambered up onto a roof. I leaned on a wall and a yawn wanted to drag me to sleep right there, my body would oblige.
Clod rushed down the roof looking around. “Where’d the creep go?”
I mimicked the trainer. “Vice just put his hand on his chin like this, then walked away.”
Clod cringed, “I hate it when Mr. High life goes on his stupid adventures like that, you never know what’s going on with him.” he shifted the toothpick from his mouth, “Alright I’ve seen where we are, follow me.” We walked a few steps then he glanced back at me. “Don’t lose me, okay?”
I wanted to question why he would help me out, but I came up with that he wasn't doing this because he wanted to. The long night was approaching. There were still people bustling around going about their business. A sort of peace that was only brought by the preparation for the next day. There was some familiarity, it was almost like Capere back home, almost.
People had their struggles, their fights, not the fights I endured, but still one of the same. They didn’t show it, but I knew that they had that hunger, the hunger I’ve dealt with, it was universal. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. If it were up to me, we would all strive and not toil.
Clod kept stealing things within arm reach. He would only carry one thing, when he found something better than what he had, he would take that instead. The object would vary going from valuable to worthless to valuable again. I didn’t know if it was his definition of valuable or the Breacher’s
A while later we reached a building with blinding bright light. It was the Secret and from the looks of it looked busy.
“Finally, I can get laid!” Clod excitedly yelled while running.
I trailed him, but some event caught my eye, yelling and shouting. I was hurting, but couldn’t stand idle, so I climbed onto a roof and observed what was going to go down. There were a lot of Guards accompanied by some Na’Sule teens approaching a B.O.W.S. protest. The Na’Sule were in a line formation while the Commatar were a clump of a dense mob. I braced for the worst; groups of angry young men never mix well. A Na’Sule with layered long white hair led the group. All his clothing was in black, with gold buttons fastened on his jacket and silver buckles adorned on his boots.
“Shut your mouths you stupid filthy Commatars! You don’t even know what's good for you and what's not” he said in a harsh tone.
A young B.O.W.S. supporter in colorful rags, and a floppy green hat proudly raised his sign. “You people are a pox, yeah that’s it, you’re a bunch of poxies!” There was a loud laugh between them then another B.O.W.S. talked more sincerely from the group.
“We just ask for a simple fairness is all.” he begged. “Respect goes a long way, for both sides.”
“Indeed, it does.” The Na’Sule brushed his stone hair behind him. “You may join us Commatar, now.” his hand slid over his mouth. “Now, if you all knew how to ask like that, we would gladly give it to you!”
The supporter bowed his head, “I’m sorry, but my loyalty remains with my brothers and family.”
A supporter shouted from the mob. “That’s right he has a family! Something you soulless bastards wouldn’t understand!
The Na’Sule leader snapped, “There’s nothing but family on this side!” His side roared in approval. “If force is how you want to live by, then you will have your ‘respect’ delivered by force.” That riled me up, if that wasn't a challenge to a fight nothing was.
“We…would but we have families to care for, that depends on us.”
There was a pause then they responded, “So do we.”
Some silhouettes appeared out of a nearby alley. I stole some glances from them, they were Shatter’s gangsters. They brandished some crude weapons, wooden clubs, broken glass, knives. They stood in a row in front of the B.O.W.S. mob. They calmly stood idle, looking down at the Na’Sule and their guard entourage. A silence fell, just waiting for someone to push and fill it with action. I saw one person in the mob pick up some brick, or a slab of metal, and throw it.
“The ongoing eyes will serve us!”
The gangsters crashed the Na’Sule lines while the Commatar ripped off metal sheets to use for shields. The Na’Sule spread apart and encircled them.
I clutched my arms over each other, in my state I wasn't fit to do anything. I limped from the roof, hoping they weren’t going to maim each other too much. I questioned what they said. The ongoing eyes.
I made it back to the Secret and opened the door to a packed house. Yells and screams like outside, but this time of merriment. A stark contrast. Probably being repeated in this city over and over.
“Hey, you!” someone yelled, but I figured it wasn't for me. I continued on, but I heard it again. A gangster tapped my shoulder and got my attention. He pointed towards somebody
“Hey.” It came from the bar area, and it was Secret over the counter. She was waving at me to come over with a hearty smile on her face. I smiled then came over, she pointed to a stool, I sat down. She had some help this time with her, but she still seemed over extended, overworked. She pushed back that red hair of hers and leaned on the counter.
“Didn’t I tell you that it was a dark place?”
“You should know.” I nodded my head. “It wasn't much of a well-kept Secret, now was it. Place was more of a pit then… Well, I don’t think I’ll find another place that I can compare it to. We both laughed.
“I heard my Will came in handy for you a couple of times down there. I think I’ll take my thank you now, but later is fine too.”
“Oh please, I think you should be the one thanking me that I even gave it a try.” I teased. Despite my smirk, she was right. It came more than Handy, without it I wouldn't be alive, simple as that, sure as death.
She chuckled then shifted over to service some people. She leaned on my side of the counter again but fidgeted this time. Poor thing, she works too hard.
“So, Thought do you want to help me with some inventions later on today, after this heap of people leaves that is.”
I owed her much more than that,“Whatever makes your job easier.”
She nodded to me, but then her face turned rancid. Secret jokingly plugged her nose and furrowed her brow. “Yeah, I knew that place would linger on you.”
I tilted my head, “Huh?”
“Take a look at what's on you.”
I did and saw that my clothes were beyond dirty, they were covered in dark soot and dust. Although gone from that place, the taint lingered. I really did hope they weren’t torn or punctured, “I take it that my style is a bit overdue.”
She took her hand off her nose then inspected the material. “No, not your style, just the smell. Besides, I think soot and grime are last year's trends.” she pointed up the stairs, “I knew it would happen, so I laid some clothes on your bed that I think will fit you. Handpicked myself”
“Thank you for your kindness, I’m grateful.”
She waved her hand, “It’s second nature to me now. I just had a feeling that your clothes would turn out the way they did is all.
I shifted my seat. “Still though, thanks.”
There was a crash at the main door, and everyone stopped what they were doing to turn. Secret and I copied each other’s annoyed look then we both turned our heads too.
Shatter threw one of his gangsters to the floor. The gangster’s face was terrified, like he was looking at death itself, probably was. His face was puffy blue, bruised black, leaky red.
“Now Clod, I asked nicely.” He knelt beside him, then put his hand on the top of the gangster's head. “Where’s Thought?” Shatter focused his sight then a disgruntled look covered his face. “Damn not Clod, my mistake, mate.” Shatter looked around with a stumble in his step. He swiveled his body my direction but didn’t notice me. Shatter wore a wrinkled orange shirt, baggy mustard pants with blue shoes. His eyes stayed on yellow, but they were strained, holding back the color change.
“Clod!” he yelled.
“Yeah?” Clod was slumped in a chair at the opposite end of the foyer from me. He stopped kissing two girls in a second. Clod had a leisurely light blue shirt with salmon trousers, green boots. I almost didn’t recognize him without his oar. It seemed Secret gave us all a change.
Shatter stepped forward to Clod in a collected fashion. “Do you mind telling me why Thought isn’t here, but you are?”
Clod tensed up. “Well, you see what had happened was that I was tired of the place we were in so I ran over here as quick as I could and…. I sorta left him behind.”
Shatter gave him a punch on the side of his brain, shaking it. “You mindless idiot!” Another punch. “Do you realize how far he could’ve gone by now? Who knows if we’ll even see him again!” Another puch, “He’s a damn foreigner, he doesn’t know this city!” Another punch, “He could’ve gone to another city!” Another punch,“Do you even understand what I’m saying!?”
Secret and I gave each other glances then exchanged nods. I got up from my seat to save Clod.
“Enough of that.”
Shatter yelled while shifting his direction to me “Who said that?” he took one look at me then gave a grand smile with open arms. “Ahhh, there you are.” Everyone went back to what they were doing, setting things back to normal. I looked beyond Shatter and Clod was rubbing his cheek, which wasn't where he was punched. He got an irate leer at Shatter, but then went back to his girls.
Shatter taped the shoulder of the patron sitting next to me. He calmly got from his seat and gave it to Shatter, then he went somewhere else. Shatter motioned me to sit back again, then he held up two fingers to Secret.
He scratched his scalp, “I heard the guys’ report, they said that you did exceptionally well.”
“Yeah well, I couldn’t do it without this here.” I moved my duster to expose the Will.
“I don’t think that you having that thing would’ve mattered.” A lie.
Secret came back with the drinks and Shatter took up his. “Do you think Thought can keep it for a little while longer? Would you allow that?”
Secret blurted, “Of course, it’s fine with me.”
Shatter smiled then pointed to the drink in front of me while he downed his. I just looked at the drink. He was done with his, but then shook his head like he was offended. He reached over then drank mine. The look passed and started up again.
“You know what we should do? We should celebrate your success.”
That didn’t make much sense to me. “But I didn’t really accomplish anything, that was just training. More is sure to come.”
He shrugged “Look, if people can celebrate death then I could celebrate whatever I want.”
I shifted my head back to Secret in disbelief. She nodded agreeing with Shatter. “But before we do any of that, I need to tell you something that I can’t hold inside me any longer.” Shatter slowly put his mouth near my ear. I grinded my teeth and could feel my head getting uneasy. “You smell like something died. He exploded, “I ain’t gonna touch ya with you smelling like that!”
I pushed him away, back to his seat. “Well, that place wasn't the most pleasant.” Shatter, and Secret laughed then I joined in.
I was getting up from the stool, but Shatter dragged me down.
“Where are you going?” He asked.
“Going to my room to change.”
Shatter raised an eyebrow, “Just change right here.”
I slumped my head, and shoulders. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Well alright then.”
“Really?”
“No.”
Shatter harshly slapped the counter, “Can’t be blamed for trying.”
I noticed that this place didn’t have a washroom or somewhere to hang drying clothes. “When I get cleaned up, where do I put up my clothes?”
Shatter gave me an annoyed face. “You’re thinking of washing clothes? Can you be any more boring?” he coughed for a bit then continued, “Look, just do what I do, let Rire handle it.” Shatter turned to the crowd. “Rire!” Rire got alert and stopped talking to a girl. He was coming towards us, but Shatter put his hand up to stop him. “You’re washing his clothes from now on!” Rire raised a hand and nodded, but when Shatter turned away he tackled someone to a table, glad he took it well.
Shatter shook my shoulder in excitement. “Go get dressed, so we can have the time of our lives!” After that was said he fell off his seat and planted on the floor.
I shifted in my seat, viewing him from up above, “Good night.” He wasn't moving, but he was breathing. I angled myself back to Secret, trying her for some answers to what happened. She tapped a glass on the counter. “I put a little extra in his drink. Don’t worry he’ll probably think he just blacked out.”
I scratched my chin, guess things do get past him. “Thanks for that, I’ll see you in a while.” I slightly lifted my hand to wave her goodbye, then got myself up.
I went up the stairs still avoiding eye contact like last time. I eyed someone who was sitting by themselves looking out towards a window. It was Vice without the cloak. Even though he didn’t have it, his hair did a grand job at still hiding his face. He wore a different set of tattered shirts with slim dark purple pants. I passed him, but I heard his voice say.
“Hey.”
I walk backwards to him, “So I take it that your sight works fine, but your hearing needs work?”
“Something like that,” he still stared out the window. “I just had a lot on my mind, you ever get that feeling? To be alone.”
I folded up my arms and stared out the window with him. “I’m sure everyone gets like that, but to answer your question, yes I know that feeling all too well.”
He brushed his hair then bowed his head. “See you later.”
I think I got what he was saying, “Apology accepted.”
I reached my room, and lit a candle, the place looked different. I took a hold of the candle and paraded it around the room. I looked where the bed was. Above it, on the wall was Capere’s symbol, the same one I drew on my forehead. It was an elegantly done painting, not one shaky line. How’d they get this here so fast? All the furniture was not the same since I was last here. It looked fancy, spotless. Couches, chairs, cloths, cupboards, cabinets, and some other things that I didn’t know what they were. They were in mostly Na’Sule colors, the only things that were Commatar were insignificant things like a hanger or a bookmark. I noticed something on a nice-looking chair.
They were the set of Clothes Secret mentioned. A black shirt with a silver trim accompanied with grey trousers. The trousers had really thin, almost invisible red stripes all around them. What an odd pattern.
I removed my garments one piece at a time then put the new ones on.There was no way I was going to let a goon like Rire fiddle with my clothes so I stashed them underneath my pillow. They were all I had left from back home.
I took the Will off my leather belt then examined it, twisting, and turning it from my stare. I grabbed a spare cloth and wiped it, the whole blade to the point. It was the least I could do. After one more wipe, I left it on a weapon rack. There were some beige colored rolls of cloth with tints of brown, from what I guessed were the leftovers from redesigning the place. I found some grey sturdy shoes on the foot of my bed, put them on, they were a bit loose on me. Maybe I would grow into them. I looked down at myself and laughed a little. I looked ridiculous, a stranger. I glanced over the new room then closed the door. I strolled down the hallway; I think I’ll join Vice at the window then wait to help Secret.
I opened the door to the foyer, and it opened up to Love. This outfit of hers was a white shirt with yellow ruffles accompanied with black pants, silver-colored boots with a yellow bandana on her knee. She had her hands on her hips and was looking me over.
“Hmmm…” She inspected, “Yup, I did good, you look good.”
“Wait what?”
She lifted her eyes to mine. “Let's get to know you, let’s get to know the man behind that mask.”
Chapter 13
“What do you mean?” I said, puzzled. “Secret gave me these clothes.”
She put on some whimsical eyes and put a finger on my shirt. “Oh please, she wouldn’t pick something like this for you. I don’t think that she’s ever heard of the word fashion let alone how to do it.”
I just nodded, “Yes, trends are really important to me.”
Love nodded with her eyes closed, then shut the door. She brushed her weight against, pushed herself into me. And more importantly, me deeper to the hallway.
I tried to brush her off of me, but she stuck to me, wouldn’t let go. “What do you want?”
“I want to get to know you.”
I couldn’t help, but chuckle. “I can’t help you there.”
She removed herself from me, shot me a harsh look. “You can help me, but you just don’t want to.”
“There isn’t much to tell?”
She folded her arms, then looked at a grand picture of Deflin’s high reaching spire on the wall. “How about I do something, an incentive.”
I wasn't sure. “Like what?”
She cleared her throat. “Let me rephrase that, something to you.”
“No.”
“Okay how about I tell you something.”
Now that sparked my mind, I lifted my shirt and rubbed my forearm. I could finally know what happened to me in those dark files, where I blacked out. “I don’t suppose leaving is an option?” she already barred the door to the hallway, of course. I took a heavy sigh. “Okay, I’m listening.”
Secret wagged her finger. “Nuh uh, that’s not how this works, I asked first.” That made me grit my teeth. I asked slowly.
“What do you want to know about me?”
She flashed a wide smile. “A whole lot! But not here.”
I looked over my shoulder and all around the place. “There’s nobody here to hear us.”
She smacked my head. “I know that.” She then clasped her hands. “But it’s not romantic.”
“None of this is.”
She ignored that, then moved deeper down the hall. “Let’s go back to my room, we’ll talk there.”
I hated the taunt, my stomach felt like something heavy was attached to it and drowned it. I didn't know what to do. I tried to put my hands on my face, but something wasn't right, something blocked them. All I could feel was cold material, bleak features. I was still wearing my mask, all this time, it never left. No one told me I had it on. Was I even supposed to have it on all that time? Did I lead anyone here?
“You didn’t know you had it on, did you?” Love said.
I didn’t know. I thrashed around with my arms, they kept making their way to my face, resting on the mask. I was distraught, furious. Grunts and curses spilled from my mouth without my say. I was out of it. Soft fingers touched me. It’s been so long since I was stroked without harm, though, coming from Love, it would come right after. I still welcomed the feeling.
“It’s completely fine, really. It is, now come this way.” I couldn't accept that; she could’ve been lying to make me feel better. I tried to go for the door, I had to warn Shatter. A hard jerk smashed me across the door then it swung me back to the hallway. I tumbled backwards to my feet.
“What are you doing!?”
Love rushed me; I saw a glimpse of a stiletto knife. She snuck behind me and kneed my stomach. It made me stagger to the side. Then she pulled me up the wall. There was a long yellow thing at my neck, making it harder to breathe. I couldn’t resist anymore, I calmed down because I came to my senses, not because of her.
“Better?” Love asked.
“I think so.” I responded.
The Stiletto handle was pointed at me, but the blade was pointing at Love.
I laughed, “Do you even know what you’re doing with that thing?” A click later, the point shifted from pointing to her face to my throat. “Okay you do, never mind.”
I took another glance at the knife. The metal was pink with some weird engravings I couldn’t make out. I pulled on the yellow coldness around my neck trying to loosen it. Then I realized it was part of the blade. It was an intricate basket with it going in every direction. A bunch of hoops and hooks, one of them extended, held me in place. I guess you never know what Love is going to do.
She tilted her head, then was sly. “You become a riot when you get crazy.” She then tucked the knife away and her fingers slipped into mine. I sighed, just went along with it. I would’ve left if the door wasn't locked.
Love led me to her and Shatter's room at the center of the ending hall. It looked bigger than my room, of course it was.
She opened the door then gave a welcoming wave. “C’mon in.” I kept close to the door and moved cautiously. I suppose Love didn’t like my pace, she shoved me in. There was a chandelier that lit a good chunk of the room, but its light didn’t reveal all of this place. This room was odd. In some areas it was messier than a back-alley gutter, but in others it looked the cleanest spot in all of Deflin. Along the walls were ornamental objects, things put up proudly like they won them or something, trophies. There were a few desks with charts and maps, I think I saw a contract or two. Things were mixed between Commatar, and Na’sule colors. The room really brought out the dysfunction between these two.
“Make yourself comfortable.” Love said while adjusting a drawer. There wasn't any chairs so I had to sit on the edge of the bed and awkwardly waited for her to get done with whatever. Love took a few minutes then swung to my direction, she put her head down, and had a hand over her face as soon as she saw me.
“What are you doing?”
I didn’t know what I did wrong. “Waiting for you to let me start.”
She looked at the bed with an appalled face. “I tell you to get comfortable and you chose the littlest spot you can take up?”
“Maybe I’m most comfortable here.” I grumbled. Love was reaching for something in her pocket with a Shatter worthy glare.” Okay, okay.” I scooted up the bed and sat up.
She casually stopped reaching and had a satisfied look on her face. She fput her hands on her hips then pranced around the room while keeping me in her sights. “Let’s start with something simple, how about your real name.”
“Sorry. Unlike you, I don’t give out names.”
She grins, trying to edge me on. “Not even your very own?”
I shook my head, if she had to get mad at anyone about it she could get mad at Shatter.
“It doesn’t matter.” She whipped her hair. “I'll know it soon enough.” She murmured.
I looked out a window trying to get away from this situation. “Are we done now?”
“No, we’re not.” she said irritated. “Now tell me about your life.”
I got a good idea, what I said didn’t have to matter. “Well let’s see here.” I cleared my throat to start my rant. “I’m from…” I said the first thing that came to my mind. “Ciscide.”
She raised a hand to her head. “Ciscide?”
“That’s right.”
She nodded slowly “Uh huh got it, go on.”
“Well over in good Ciscide was where I was a bounty hunter and a part time hired killer. I had a man that needed killing, but he and his friends disagreed.” I looked all over the room avoiding eye contact. “Things got complicated, it was too hot for me to stay any longer there, so I moved over and now here I am in Deflin.”
She put her hand over her mouth. “Oh my, what an interesting life you had. Would you care to share a story with me of such an eventful life?”
Eyes widened; I didn’t think I would get this far. “Of course.” I needed time to make something up. “I have many, it’s hard to choose just one.”
“I think I can help with that.” She stares at the ceiling then some of the trophies they had lying around. A few minutes passed and then she turned to me.
“Tell me a time where you killed somebody.”
A loud gulp and the silence revealed the lie to the whole world. She slithered forward, “Well there was this one time.” She was now on the bed. My chest got heavier in a second, like a new weight was set upon it. Love was on top of me now with unpleasant plastered all over her face. I struggled to set myself free.
“Well.” She finally opened her mouth and slowly said “I can tell you that none of that happened.”
“How would you know?”
She looked around the room. “I like the view from up here, I can tell what things are.” Then she ruffled my hair. “And what they aren’t.” I guess it was time for the truth to be out.
“I was born and lived a humble life on the island of Capere.”
“Never heard of it.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised, it’s remote. It has no defining features and not too many people leave it, or swing by for a visit.”
She was unconvinced. “Yet here you are, what made you leave?”
“I didn’t decide to leave, and I want to leave it at that.”
She looked annoyed. “Fine.” Love put a hand to her mouth, probably thinking on what to ask next.
“Did you have a lover over there?”
I was baffled, didn’t know what to make of that. “Does that even matter? Who cares if I did.” I felt myself break apart, “Not like it matters anymore.”
Love made me remember that the Stiletto existed by putting it right next to my chest, one long breath and it would be over.
I winced underneath the mask. I had to choose wisely on what to tell her. “If it kills you to know, I did.” This was going to be difficult, “There was this girl I knew since my childhood, we were the best of friends and little bit more each day.” I lifted Love’s knife so I could take a heavy sigh. “I was…”
Just say it.
“I was going to propose to her the same day I left, she was beautiful and was my best friend… I miss her so much. There isn’t a day that she doesn’t come up in my mind. I should forget about her, but I can’t. How can a half ever live up to be whole?”
Love clapped slowly. “What a terrible tragedy, especially the half part. Oh, so tragic. Luckily though, I found you so I can pick up where she left off. Besides.” She sneered. “You proposed to me.”
I shoved Love off of me and rolled to the side of the bed. “I know you’re the one that grabbed me during my training with Vice and Clod.”
She couldn’t keep a straight face and smiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course, you don’t, I did my part, now it’s time you did yours.”
She leaned back on the bed, stretched then yawned. “I don’t know, I’m pretty tired.”
“I saved you from Rire, you owe me one.” I regretted those words, they were distasteful.
She lowered her eyes. “You think I needed help with that stupid man? Please don’t be like Clod dear.” She grinned. “But I still owe you, true, I always pay my debts, just not now.”
I knew I lost, so I started heading out the door.
“Wait!” Love said. “I promised I’d tell you something, but I never promised if it was something you wanted to hear.”
I assumed that’s how deals in Deflin were made, you have to sign off on everything in the ‘contract’ or deal before you agree. I should’ve been more careful, it was important that I realized that since I wasn't in Capere, not with plain living. I whipped around back to address her, might as well listen to whatever. it might prove useful.
“Fine, please begin.” I groaned.
She was trying to get comfortable on the bed, maybe it was because she lost her pedestal.
“You’re very lucky that I’m in such a good mood today.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’ll tell you how me and Shatter came to be.”
I’ll admit that the story interested me, but I wasn't about to show it. How did this crazy couple even come about?
“Okay, you can begin at any time.” I mumbled.
Love crossed her legs then leaned back to start. “Me and Shatter come from very different backgrounds.”
That was already hard to follow. They act the same to me more or less.
She continued. “I grew up here in Deflin, it was rough.” Love went on. “My parents…. died when I was young, it was hard to carve your way in this city without a contract.
It was the only thing I could offer. “I’m Sorry.”
She poke her head from the crossed legs to greet my face. “You’re fine.”
Love grew monotone. “One night in particular I met a boy in the street, he was just as lost as I was. We kicked it off. Doing everything together, we couldn’t be separated.”
I stared at my shoes, “Heard it. I heard this story in a song once.”
“Life can be a ballad.” She snapped, “During our time together…”
“How much time passed?” I cut in. Love glared at me, and I knew it was my cue to quiet.
“During our time together, we noticed that guards were alert. They were searching and shaking down people. Guards go frantic for no reason. They got into every tiny crevice they could get into, ignoring it when they found it empty. What they were searching for was a boy.”
“Shatter?”
She clicked her fingers. “Shatter.” Love continued. “He was shook up, backed away from the guards, I reached over to him and that’s when I noticed a Na’Sule suit under his pink Commatar cloak.”
I was stunned and needed to know more. This had to be lies, “Shatter was Na’Sule? Now it looks like he leads the Commatar”
Love sat up with the most serious tone she could muster. “He was the son of the most powerful Na’Sule family in Deflin.” she eased herself back to her position, then waved me off. “I’ll get to that.” she paused. “I’m trying to remember the details.”
I sunked to the wall, more like make them up. But I wasn't just going to stop listening, this was a good story.
“We didn’t want to be separated so we hid from the guards, when the family lost hope was when we revealed ourselves, then we did whatever we wanted.”
I rubbed my hand over my chin, she didn’t explain one thing. “His eyes, what happened to those?”
Love played with her hair and grinned. “Done early in our carousing in the street days. Drylle and me took this new experimental drug from worlds away. It was amazing, you felt complete bliss. I wish I still had some on me, so you can try it.”
I got curious, from faraway lands?
“I woke up with the biggest headache and Shatter woke up… like that.” She motioned to her eyes. “It was experimental or something like that.”
I cracked a joke. “So, no instructions were included?”
Love frowned. “Funny, no there wasn't.”
The story was pretty much over so I honed in on the door. Whether this was real or not, she definitely made a better, more convincing fake story than I.
A shrill cry came behind me. “You never took off your mask, let me see your beautiful face. I want to kiss you.”
Ready to get one over on her, “That was never part of the deal.” I turned half my body, meeting her halfway. “Why would I ever take it off? I'm just like what you wanted. I’m a Breacher now.”
Chapter 14
I paid no attention to Love’s crys and opened the door to set myself free. There was a figure hobbling towards here in the hallway. It was Shatter, he was stumbling and hiccupping with no end in sight. I stared past him; he broke open the barred door.
“Ahh, what did I eat? Maybe it was that funny meat I found.” Shatter put a hand on a wall to balance himself. He rolled his head around, but something caught his eye, me. He squinted then frowned. “You.” He drunkenly charged me with his hands up trying to slap me. I dodged his grubby hands and he tumbled on his room's floor. I slammed the door, but I could still hear Shatter yelling through the wall.
“Wait! We didn’t party!”
I don’t care.
I went back to my room and opened the door. I went over to my pillow, where I set my old clothes, but they had disappeared. I should have hid them better, them not there got me heartbroken. I thought about raising a fuss, but I would be patient, all the time in the world anyway. There was also a note on the desk with a large hot plate of food. I read the note first.
‘Thought, I’m going to have to cancel that arrangement of ours, something has come up.’
That was a shame, I hope she reconsiders for later. She probably set that plate for me too, I made a note to thank her. I pulled up a chair and lit a bright candle on the desk. I wasn't hungry at all, tired and no amount of sleep would ever fix it. I lifted my mask and shawl barely exposing my mouth then took a bite out of a large piece of bread. Even that tasted different considering that it was only bread. I didn’t know the taste could be so diverse. Perhaps it was just me still feeling homesick. Perhaps.
There was a purple pink slab on the side of my plate too. It looked like an oddly colored piece of jerky. I smelled it then figured it was ok enough to eat. I took a nibble out of it, tasted very sweet then sour. Maybe I should’ve left that thing for last.
There was a bang then a creak at the door accompanied with some snickering. Their steps were thumping, ending the room’s serenity. They passed by me so quickly that my candle was almost put out.
“Wait, wait wait.” A voice said then they backtracked. “Hey, what are you doing?”
I turned to my side to face the door. It was Clod with that stupid look on his face. There were two shades of red on his face, one for his drunkenness and the other shade was because of the punches. The two smiles on Clod’s girls quickly vanished, replaced with frowns. Yup, still had the mask on.
“Y’know I think there are some men down there to keep you company, since you’re into that.” Clod mocked, he looked at the girls and gave each one of them a nudge, they gave uncertain chuckles. I’ll have fun with this fool.
“I figured you couldn’t get any dumber, but with those punches that Shatter gave you continue to astound me and prove me wrong.” I shrugged, “Well at least your face had a good run, let’s hope your wallet can pack up the slack.”
The girls glanced at each other with wide eyes. They both snorted so maybe there was some truth to my words.
“I don’t need to pay for anything’ unlike you.” Clod huffed, “Tomorrow my face will be back to its normal self.”
“Yeah, to whatever level of normal that is.”
Clod violently grabbed the girl's arms and stormed off deeper into the hallway. I wished the best for those girls.
I realized that there were some tools on my plate, probably used to help eat. That was a first for me, usually people just use their hands. But such were the customs I had to adapt and just deal with it. The hunk of meat called my attention. I could hear that the Secret’s nosy foyer was dying down a little, maybe it was near closing time. I thought about waiting for Secret in case she changed her mind. A bang on my door made me turn my head with a piece of meat sticking out my mouth. I saw Vice on my doorway, peering into my room. He stood there, glancing down the hallway occasionally, mad at something. I shrugged and continued eating, if he wanted to say something he could say it.
“I’m your mentor and I left you behind.” Vice said.
I leaned back on my chair. “Of course, what were you thinking leaving me with Clod like that? But who knew that he managed to have the way back to this place crammed into his mind am I right?”
Vice wasn't laughing. “I left you behind.”
I scratched my head, not knowing what was up with him. “Clod is sort of a mentor too, don’t take it so hard.”
“I left you behind.” he repeated.
There was a pause. I knew where he was taking this. “Don’t get me confused with someone else.” I said shrewdly.
Vice straightened himself out and walked off. “I will not leave you behind again.”
Hope he finds some comfort in his sleep, maybe whatever he’s taking is affecting him.
All this relaxation was doing good for me. Although the day was hard, I didn’t want it to end. If today was only training, I wouldn’t last a normal day. I searched for something to do. My eyes spotted some shelfs. Curiosity got the better of me, so I got up to see what they put in them, maybe a good read in there. I picked out the book with the best cover, usually those are the best.
I plopped it on the desk then read the title, ’Distinctions’. I couldn’t find an author which was odd. I opened it up and skimmed through. This was about the way of Deflin and its people. It reads that they treat their colors like their own skin. The Na’Sule don’t for obvious reasons. I’ve never really noticed that, I just thought that the Commatar just wore whatever was passed their way or rotated between them. Maybe this book wasn't all that accurate, but who was I to know any of this. I read half the whole chapter and skipped ahead to see chapter 2: Shades.
I stretched then yawned. I don’t think this meeting is going to happen today. I got up with the empty plate in my hand but sat down eventually. I put the plate aside, I could deal with that later. I took a break from reading. My bed kept getting better every time I looked at it. I lifted my eyes above it, to Capere’s flag. That symbol was like family since it’s been a large part of my life. The only family that could’ve come with me over here and the only one I had left. I put my head down to the table, those lines were on my mind.
...
I groggily lifted my head from the desk, wiping some saliva off my chek. I guess the desk became a pillow when I rested my head upon it. My back was sore, and I was mad. Why couldn’t have I just fallen asleep on the bed? Why didn’t I just read on my bed? I was warmer than when I was awake. Someone covered me in a blanket for the night. That was nice of them.
“Ahem.”
I lifted my mask to wipe my face then twisted my body and squinted to get a better idea of who it was. Auburn Shirt with yellow buttons and some velvet looking taupe pants. Another outfit, only one person goes through that many clothes.
“What do you want Love?”
She gazed at the open book on my desk then glared at me. “We could’ve done anything we wanted to yesterday, but you chose to read a book by yourself.”
“I could think of nothing better than a good book.”
She grabbed a rag, or something from the dresser and threw it at me. “Well at least you look adorable when you sleep.”
That rubbed the grogginess right off of me. “How would you-.” I realized what happened and drooped my head “Oh, how long were you there anyway?”
“A bit.” There was a pause and I guess guilt ate her. “Don’t worry, I didn’t snoop for your face, well, I did, but every time I wanted to you kept twitching out of the way or hiding under the covers.”
That gave me some relief, whether it was true or not. Judging by the light of this place it seemed dark or early morning, Shatter’s time.
“What time is it, no wait, what day is it?” I had to admit that ever since I left, time just dragged along. Mashed together to this unrecognizable mess.
Love gave me a sympathetic look then moved out of my room to the hallway. “The time is now and today we do something.”
What did that mean? I got up and pulled the sheet off of me. I folded it nicely and placed it on the bed. I passed Love to reach the door to the Foyer. She again beat me to it.
“No! Me first.” she screamed.
I tire of her. “Does it really matter if I’m in front or behind you?”
She smiled on one side. “Yup, it makes all the difference.”
Love opened the door to the foyer. The place looked absolutely raided. Tipped over tables, broken bottles, destroyed chairs, the occasional blood splatter. This must’ve been one of their more rowdy days. Poor Secret.
Love led me outside to the steps where she stretched, and discreetly pointed up. I understood and began my climb to the roof. I stopped mid climb to check if there were any guards present. It wouldn’t be great to be caught in this business. The coast was clear, I reached for a shelf to move forward to. In a blink, I could hear that there was a crunch on my fingers. I opened my eyes with a rage. There was a boot squeezing them. Love’s boot.
“Look up.” She squeezed harder when I didn’t comply.
“Why?” I grunted.
She sighed, “Just do it.”
I looked up.
“Hi.” She replied.
I struggled to free my hand, trying not to get her to notice. “Hey.”
She winked. “Do you like wh-. Keep looking up here!” she yelled. The calm alluring tone came back. “Do you like what you see?”
“No, but it’s only the second worst thing in view.” I looked at my crushed finger. “I hate the sight of this even more.”
I yanked on Love’s leg and threw her down the building, freeing my hand. I stretched each finger, that was better. Luckily, the only injury they had was a boot’s dirty sole. I heard Love yelp behind me in astonishment. If she could’ve helped herself in that Rire fight, then she could help herself here and land on her feet.
Didn’t need me.
I steadied myself to a ledge then steeled my feet. I triggered adrainaline to soar up to the roof, avoiding the rest of that annoying climb up. Why didn’t I just think to do that in the first place?
I saw Clod and Vice were already up here. Who knows how long they’ve been up. Clod was talking Vice’s ear out, probably with a story about his antics, dim people never know when to be quiet. Vice wore a solid but stained yellow coat that veiled him just as well as his forest colored one did.
Clod wore something light for this occasion. Sleeveless navy shirt with some matching twin striped hosen. What was weird were the awkward civilian shoes he had on. Then again, he didn’t climb to begin with. Clod’s face did look like it was back to its normal state, just a hint of punched in it. His oar was resting on his shoulder, looked like it had a little bit of repair done to it, probably because the Will happened to it. I approached them with care, I didn’t know if I was in trouble.
“Hey fellas, how goes it?”
Clod scoffed and showed his back to me. He tried to close in on his conversation with Vice, shutting me out.
Vice shook my hand. “It goes fine.” he crossed his arms, “No training today, we’re awaiting a briefing.”
I scanned the roof, and we were missing people. “So, where’s Secret? She’s part of this too.”
“She’s a vital part in all this, but she’s not in at the moment.” Vice mentioned.
I was disappointed that she wasn't here. Although there isn’t much to be proud in being a Breacher, I doubt all she wanted to do was clean that mess back there.
A raspy voice that sounded like it was spewing rust or slime came from behind me. “So what are we doing out here?” It made me jump a little bit forward, I heard a couple snorts of laughter.
Vice remained composed. “We’re waiting on you.”
Of course, it was Shatter. He dressed important today. Sporting a multicolored Commatar coat, one of the buttons on was missing, the heavy bottom flap on it flopped. The colors were primarily purple and green with a little variations of color here and there. The trousers he had were purple and green pin stripes. On his feet were shabby dirty brown knee high boots. Their muck was an insult to Na’Sule I guess.
He walked passed us to the other side of the roof still laughing. He snapped his finger that made Vice and Clod go into a sloppy lineup. I joined in at one of the ends. Shatter pulled out a piece of paper and was reviewing it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a hand then a body slide onto the roof. Love wiped herself off then strutted over to where I was standing. Her eyes were dull and half open, almost like if they were saying. ‘Really?’
I gave a short discrete nod. ‘Yeah, really.’
She made a loud clang on her shoe as she passed me the made her way to shatter’s side.
Shatter looked over his shoulder “Ah good, everyone’s here now we can start.”
I resented that; we were still missing someone dumb kid. Shatter took a final look at the piece of paper, hoping it would change this time. He ripped it up into tiny pieces then addressed us.
“Alright listen up.” He flowed from one end of our line to the next. “The time has come to pay that dear King of ours a visit. On the master's orders.” The shreds of paper were swept away. “Those right there.”
Our move would be done this quick? I guess the masters don’t waste any time.
Clod buried his head in his shirt. “I bow to no King.” he muttered. Always has to say the thing on his mind.
Shatter's face was vicious that Clod spoke, he was probably still mad that he let me loose. Shatter’s face kept morphing, when it settled, he had the oddest grin. I’ve noticed that this one’s mood never is the same for too long. I tried to remember what I was like at his age, hard to remember.
Shatter walked over to him with that smile of his. “That’s right Clod, never bow. Right now I need your best to take down this king for the masters.”
Clod puffed out his chest with pride. “Aye Shatter, what should I do?”
Shatter pointed to his oar. “What we need are those cunning blending in skills that you’re a master of.”
Clod almost jumped up. “I knew it! That’s why I dressed like this.” I knew where this was going, the worst possible clothing for a sailor to wear.”
“Got any recommendations of your selection of disguises?”
Clod shifted the weight of the oar. “I’m pretty good at playing a sailor.”
“Good! That will do us just fine here. Find out about the enemy, then report back here when you’re done.”
Shatter didn’t even finish before Clod took off. I peeked over the roof, saw him running towards the spire practically with dust streaking behind him. Hope he doesn't get picked up from the guards. Shatter groaned, put a hand over his head. He pointed to Vice without looking at him.
“Now that we got him out of the way. Vice your job is to infiltrate the place. I want to know places, exits, strengths, weaknesses. I even gave you a head start with a distraction”
Vice did a slight nod. “It will be done; they shall not see me.” Vice’s eye slid over to me. “Just keep your eye on the new.”
Vice got an approving tilt from Shatter. “We see what we want to.”
In a flash, Vice vanished from sight. Shatter went straight for Love.
“Now that we're alone.” I peeked over to see what they were doing. They were sharing a delicate and tender kiss. I was resisting the urge to gag. I perched myself to the edge of the roof, my feet dangling off it with an arm holding up my head. A moment to myself. So many things in my mind. Like how do they not get spotted in those colorful clothes? Perhaps I should read that book more? And other stuff, like, should I jump off this roof?
I heard Shatter. “Here I want you to have this.” It sounded like a clank of coins. “Let the men handle this one, just buy yourself something nice.
Then Love. “Ah, thank you silly boy, but you didn’t have to get me anything.”
“But I wanted to, you deserve it.”
I heard some more kissing, then heard footsteps leaving the roof just in time before I almost vomited. I turned my head halfway, only Shatter, and me were left, just us two. He took out another paper and was reading that over and over. It didn’t look that long or hard to understand. I turned my head; the spire caught my view. I wondered who exactly this King was and what he did to warrant our meddling. If he did something to incur our intervention perhaps he isn’t all that bad.
I waited for a long time, but Shatter never assigned me a role to do, all he did was read another paper over and over. I got up to my feet, I should probably help Vice scout. I looked down for a building to land on then calculated the jump. I jumped, but about midway through I activated adrainaline. Shatter shoved me back to the roof while he fell down. I tumbled back and then he came back on the roof.
“What are you doing?”
“You never gave me a job so I went to go find Vice to help him scout the place.” I grunted.
He walked a bit closer, tossing the piece of paper in his hand away. “Oh no, you’re coming with me to meet this King directly, see how much of a bastard this King is.” he looked me up and down. “Besides, Vice told me to keep an eye on you. I didn’t want to, but I really should since you act like a lost child, I got to watch you like one.”
I didn’t like that note. I reached for my belt, but got frantic when I found nothing there, I knew I forgot something. “I didn’t bring the Will with me.”
Shatter shrugged, “I don’t think we’ll need it; they know not to cross with a Breacher. Well, not know at least”
“I doubt they want a mad master at them anyway.”
He shot me a finger. “Exactly.”
We set off to the side of the roof toward the spire, but Shatter stopped, and turned back to me. “Say I sort of forgot how your face looked under that thing.”
I touched it, rubbing my hand over the numbed surface. “Yeah, I think I forgot too.”
“Have you ever taken that thing off since you got it?”
“No.”
Shatter got an insidious smile. “Well then let’s fix that shall we?” Shatter reached for a pocket. “Let me join you, friend” Finally, I’ll be able to see a master’s mask.
Chapter 15
Shatter flicked out a mask, it shined like the sun, a sun right in front of me. Of course, it was yellow. He put it on his face, light shined off it, showing me every detail. The bottom of it looked brushed, and with an effect that made the bottom like gaunt. Something of a creepy wrinkle of layers that made it beam. It had something mine didn’t, an expression. The eyebrows were raised like it was surprised, or amazed while the eyes looked squinted in anger. Hard to tell which one it had though, people could say both at the same time.
Another glance showed me that the eyes were made in a shape so that the people could look at them better, a bold black outline encased them. There was a long, thin, sharp pointed arch that ran through the nose to the forward. What rested on top of the arch was the extravagant ‘M’,the middle of it was different, it had the same symbol as the coin’s currency logo. Throughout the outer side of the mask were small lines that emphasized the importance of the M. Shatter stuck out his hands then pointed to his face, he wanted my opinion.
I had to admit that I was jealous. My mask was more on the bland side of things and not so extravagant. It was also crudely made with an amateur owner. I tried to pass it off as coolly and casually as I could. “Eh,it’s ok I guess, not as good as mine though.” His head went limp, waiting for me to confess. “It’s just okay.”
Shatter snickered, then threw a hand at the wind. “Alright let’s go.” I walked with him for a short while before my mask began to droop from my face.
“Hey, you got some cloth I could borrow?”
Shatter stopped. “I think I do, I got this…” First, he stopped, then he stopped his sentence. Shatter pulled this long white cloth from a pocket, it looked clean, I was surprised. Definitely the cleanest thing he had touched. His voice shrieked. “Brave knight, you may take this prize.” he waved the cloth. “This token of my appreciation when and only when you save me.” I snatched it out of his hand while Shatter yelped. “How dare you brute!”
I exposed my mouth a little bit, just enough so I could wrap the cloth around my face. “Please, you’re far from a maiden in distress.” I scoffed.
Shatter shot back. “And you’re far from a saint.”
I slowly fastened the cloth tightly. He was really right on that. We headed off to the spire. We lept off the Secret then started clearing buildings. I had a bit of trouble keeping up. Shatter scaled buildings with some degree of fineness. Sort of like a spider, frenzying about with blurry appendages. A crazed one anyway. I climbed one limb at a time, better to not use the white until I really needed it. I kept hearing voices coming out of the buildings, so I moved as delicately from building to building as I could to not upset them.
Shatter had gone ahead of me to the point where I lost him. I was almost done scaling this building where he met my face with his, staring down at me from the top.
“Say, we didn’t celebrate you being done with training, did we?”
This was kind of an awkward setting. If a guard came around here we would be caught. “No, you passed out before we could do anything.”
Shatter scratched his head. “It’s odd, I drink more than that before I black out like that.”
I put up a hand for him to take, “Must be getting old.”
“Yeah probably.” Shatter hoisted me up to the roof and after that he pretended to push me off it. The mask covered his face, but I knew that grin was there. “Let’s celebrate now.”
That was a bad idea. “I’m all for not doing work, but what if we miss our audience with the king?”
“So what?”
“Good point… though, I think it’s about time to take my advice on this one.”
“The only thing I gotta take from you is your damn good looks, but maybe one day, I’ll take more from you.” Shatter paused, “I mean, I’ll take advice from a ten-year-old if it makes sense to me.”
I huffed, children do sometimes think clearer than an adult, though I doubt Shatter thinks clearly to begin with. “So, what I’m saying doesn’t make sense to you at all?
He shook his head. “Oh, it does, a little bit, but I just like to keep people guessing and piss you off.” He was wrong, I was just annoyed. He’d have to do a lot to get me mad. He tugged my arm. “Now C’mon let’s watch a show.”
Shatter closed his eyes for a moment then put a hand on his ear. “This way!” Why’d he have to hear? Couldn’t he tell where we were off to? I just followed Shatter up a couple of buildings, falling behind along the way. Voices were surrounding me. I couldn’t tell if they were in my head or out there.
The yellow mask crossed then leapt to an adjacent building further up, just a little bit farther now. I heaved myself up to the roof to where the yellow mask was. He stood still on a corner of the roof we were on.
“This doesn’t look like a show to me.” I said.
Shatter held a finger, as if to quiet me. “Not yet. We are the directors, this is our play, and those are our playthings.”
I looked down. What was shuffling below us were people, a crowd of regular people, innocent.
“Watch this.”
I didn’t know what Shatter wanted me to do, so I just tried to make myself as intimidating as possible. These people were Commatar, trying to get into a big building with smoke coming out. Na’Sule with boards of wood, and guards were checking the Commatar off. I was curious for what, probably the work no one wanted to do. I peeked over to Shatter who kept still, I did the same. The Commatar had their heads down, absolutely miserable. Both Na’Sule and guards looked disgusted at them, or at what they were doing.
A little girl held the hand of what seemed like her mother. Her eyes kept darting every which way, she didn’t want to be anywhere near there. Something caught her eye; I couldn't tell what. She gazed at it, but then something must’ve told her to look up. She spiked her eyes upwards.
Looking directly at Shatter.
I discreetly motioned my head towards Shatter. Both were looking at each other.
The mother glossed over his daughter in concern. Figuring out what she was looking at. She looked up, one by one like a plague ran through them. They all looked up. Commatar in uncertainty, and Na’Sule in grimaces. Every eye in the area was on Shatter, and from time to time I got a few my way.
Moments of Silence passed until an order was given. Shatter pointed to the Na’Sules in charge. Commatar each gave the men grave looks, then reverted back to the yellow mask. They were met with a thumbs down.
A peek of Shatter’s face showed me that his eyes didn’t stay yellow anymore, they were switching with a flurry of different colors. First slow then fast, almost hypnotizing.
“The ongoing eyes will serve us!” Someone threw some wooden thing at a guard then pandemonium erupted. This was the show? To wreak havoc for no rhyme or reason? Bodies crashed into each other on mere sight. The Commatar grew embolden just looking at the eyes, it did to them something. The Na’Sule definitely fought for their health if not their very lives. Warcry and screams together. There’s no mistaking one for the other
My first instinct was to check on the girl, her and the mother got away but not unscathed from the carnage. They’ll remember this fear. I suppose not all the people were up for this, not all of them wanted this.
Commatar continued fighting the guards and were encouraged by what looked like B.O.W.S. supporters. There was a giant on the battlefield, almost as strong as Clod. He flung people all over with ease. Interesting stance, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that one before. Guards cornered him, and there were more coming from an alley. My eyes bounced to another part of the fight. I witnessed a guard subdue about ten people, couldn’t tell if they were hurt or dead. Angry Commatar were trying to rush out of the building to the fray but were stopped by guards heroically holding them off.
One young Commatar with long red hair enjoyed the fight so much he actually looked back at the roof and smiled. Then his gaze shifted to me. He frowned at me.
“Kill that Na’Sule dog on the roof!” I wasn't shocked, but still surprised that he said that. I watched a group of them enter the building we were on and heard them coming this way. The ones that couldn’t fit up the steps flung rocks at me. Didn’t they see my mask? I was sort of one of them.
Shatter spoke bitterly but could tell there was a demented smirk. He sang, “You better get out of here Na’Sule dog.” his eyes still on the people, exciting them still.
I sighed, “Some show.” I activated adrainaline then got out of there, headed to the spire. The shouts of the chaos continued to die down until I couldn’t hear them anymore, but I still heard voices in my head along the way. I wish they would stop. The only thing I could do now is ignore them or try to.
I reached a tall structure that overlooked the island that the Spire was on. Weird that the tallest, and I guess most important building in the whole city was away from the mainland. Alone except for a number of smaller buildings around it. The spire breathed again, like it was the mouth to this world. It’s whole entirety shifted, changed, then a shot of light rang out, pink light with red at the center, what a funny thing. I wish I knew what they meant. I searched for Vice since he would be around here, but I couldn’t find him. He must’ve been good at whatever he was doing.
The light faded then there was something in the water that caught my eye. That was the problem right there.
I couldn’t see clearly that far away, but I had an idea. If adrainaline enhanced the body, then maybe it can also work with sight. I shut my eyes and tried to activate it. I got nothing. I just got on the edge of the roof and squinted as hard as I could. An oar.
Oh no. From how things looked, Clod took or stole a raggedy boat and started rowing towards the island. I put my hands on the back of my neck. What a fool. I hope Vice saves him, or something. I wanted, and knew to look away, to not see what was going on, to not get spotted.
But this was too tense to pass up.
I look on attentively, rooting for Clod to make it. There were some things glimmering over the distance where he would land, waiting to greet him. Those must’ve been the guard’s armor. Clod almost reached the island. He got up from the little wooden boat, then looked to his left then to his right. He threw something in the water. Did he just throw the oar that wasn't his? How does he think he’ll get back? The shine slid over to where Clod was, some distant shouts were heard then it was over. A bull like Clod couldn’t have gone out like that.
A cold breeze behind me told me that Shatter made it up here after making the masses adore him.
He slanted his head. “Your eyes seem shocked. Seen a ghost or something?”
I folded my arms; he had some nerve. “Well, I just ran away for my life from an angry mob that my ‘friend’ made, but above that, I think Clod was taken by the guards.”
“He got pinched?”
“Yes, taken inside there,” I pointed to the place we were going to infiltrate.” So how do we get him out?”
“We don’t.”
I shook my head from side to side. “I’m sorry I think I didn’t quite hear that.”
“I think you heard just fine, we don’t get him. He’s gone.”
“Yeah, I know he’s gone, they just took him inside, He’s not dead though.”
Shatter's tone changed harshly. “He might as well be.” He put a hand in the air. “Look, Regent is only expecting me to come through the spire, but since you're with me you’ll be fine, Clod on the other hand...”
“Is gone.”
He snapped his finger, “Exactly! Gosh you’re smart.”
Well Clod got himself into a nasty deal of things. It’s horrible, I’m sure whatever contract he signed didn’t cover any of this. I’m not going to miss him, but it will be hard to forget him. “Are you sure we can’t go and ask for him? We should hurry so they don’t kill him” I was ignored as usual.
A brief silence found us again while Shatter scouted a way to get to the spire and while I just stood. I wanted a word.
“Who do they think you are?”
Shatter's eyes kept changing color while he looked around. “Who?”
“Those people, the Commatar.”
“Oh them.” Shatter got into a hysterical ascending laugh, then put his arms on his mask, clenched really hard. “Just someone who died a long time ago.”
Sorry I asked. That didn’t really tell me a lot. Of course, Love was lying. I couldn’t imagine this kid being much, especially royalty or whatever he was.
Luckily Shatter straightened himself out in that weird daze of his then pointed to some modern metal boats, the kind Clod should’ve taken. “How about a romantic cruise to the spire?”
I looked at the spire, not wanting to make contact with the ‘ongoing eyes.’ “I don’t think that’s the style for a Breacher.”
“True,” he responded.
What kind of King sends people to his castle without a means of getting there? It was either between a forgetful one or a simpleton.
“So how are we going to get over there?” I asked.
No response came my way, instead I got an action. Shatter twisted me around to put a hand on my throat and the other grasping my back.
I flustered a bit, trying to remove the iron grip from my throat. “What? Am I going to die next?”
Chapter 16
“Shut up and stand still.” That was what he said. Shatter lowered his head from mine and the roof we were on cracked a little bit.
I wanted to say something but kept shut, dying was one of the last things I wanted to do. There was a lot of tension around us and in me. This building seemed like it was going to crumble like one of those ruined buildings under the city. I shut my eyes to blink, and I missed what happened. I just felt a lot of cold wind around my face and body. For a second and a second only, it felt like I was in the middle of a heavy storm. My skin felt like it was ripped out of my body. My legs felt like paper, ready to fall as a stone. What came next was a tranquil breeze that encased me, but no matter how tender it was I was left shaky.
I opened my eyes then tripped a little bit, Shatter desperately tried to hold me up, but I still fell to the floor anyway.
“Yeah, I have that effect on people.” I heard him say.
I looked around to where we were, nothing around but water and the spire right in front of us. It was impossible. I remembered where we were looking from, then I saw it. The same building that we were on was now partially destroyed.
I was breathing heavily and just attempted to comprehend. We instantly transported from there to here, a good distance away. “That…” I looked back at him, “That is not even human!”
“It’s not? Well, it is to me.” Shatter cleared his throat. “What you think as human changes every day and as you get older you perceive what is and what isn’t.” he offered me a hand up. “I’m sure you’ve done things like this already.”
I took the hand and was let up. “Nothing of this scale though.”
“Don’t worry, eventually you will.”
That sentence alone made me worry.
Boots marched outside the spire’s door towards us. They surrounded us with swords drawn, I reached for the leather straps sheathing my Will, but then remembered I left it behind. I didn’t even have the right belt on. I cowardly hid behind Shatter who I knew he at least still had his dirk.
These guards were strange. They were covered in pearl colored armor from head to toe, a glittering uniform. They dressed like birds. They even had elegant pearl wings that stretched from arm to arm. It looked like they would take flight at any time they wanted to. They also wore masks that covered their faces like us, but theirs were metal. Like a helmet the knights of old would wear. On top of that they wore little crowns on their heads, they were just circles held up with two rods coming from each side of the brow.
Weird, it seemed really redundant to have a helmet then another one on top. It didn’t look like they served any real purpose, aesthetics for the most part. All of them were more or less the same, eyes, beak, some type of breather, face cover, wings, few had their little individual flare added though. What were these things?
“Easy fellas.” Shatter said. “We're here to meet your King on his orders.”
“We know, we’ve been expecting you, but not him.” one of them said. They spoke ghastly, sort of like a reverbing echo. How could they breathe with it? Unless that thing was some sort of breather, or something.
Shatter put an arm around me. “Think of him as my personal slave. I go, he goes.” he then let go, eyes still changing wildly.
If they chatted between themselves, we didn’t get the chance to hear. They formed in two lines outside the spire’s doors. Four weren’t in lines and they acted like our escort. Shatter went ahead of me and I trickled behind him. As I passed the pair of guards on each side they bowed their heads to me, but not to Shatter.
The door to the spire split apart which got me a little hesitant, I think I also saw Shatter get skittish.
“Well, that’s new.” he pointed out.
Inside was deathly cold, perhaps it reflected the people who lived here. We went through a hallway then into the grand room of the spire. They motioned us to take the stairs away from everyone so as to not spook them. Everything was mostly a pure shiny black, a much nicer looking Secret place.
There were Na’Sule everywhere. They sounded like they were having a great time. The majority didn’t care to even glance our way except save for a few in a distant corner, they looked angry. Those must’ve been the ones that head into the city and start trouble.
They all dressed formally, obviously. They all looked alike again, the only thing different was the face, and not by much. A few looked this way, but they immediately went back to what they were doing with sad eyes. It looked like some sort of party. Back home, when we rarely celebrated, we did it on the side of the road or in the center of the village.
I stopped without even knowing it.
One guard politely tapped my shoulder. “Move along please.” I stared, one mask to another. I then went onward.
Shatter was looking at the people too. A guard came forward and shoved him along forward. “Move it.” Shatter hissed and looked behind him in defiance.
They rushed us through the side stairs up to the spire, not wanting us to get a view or ideas. But it was too late because we already did. It was hard getting a layout and they knew it.
They kept redirecting us every few minutes. Walls were vanishing and reappearing along with rooms. Swapped, turned now and again.
We finally reached the top and I was panting. A flight up some stairs was an adventure in itself. Our guards were now an entourage with and without that armor. Why’d this King have to be all the way in the top? I wouldn’t, heights and distance were never any friends of mine.
The top floor was in a circle with rooms all around it with a thick black circular rug at our feet. It felt soft despite my shoes on top of it. The King's door was huge, the most important person always gets the biggest door it seemed.
“You’ll find the King beyond those double doors.” Said a pearl guard.
“Farwell.” Said another. They bowed to me and gave some kind of gesture to Shatter. One of them stopped next to me before he finally left.
“I’m sorry fallen Na’Sule.” Fallen Na’Sule? The clothes I’m wearing? They think I’m one of them?
Shatter twisted his body towards the other doors that we weren’t supposed to go into. “How about a memento of our visit here?”
I had to steer him right again. “We could make off with this whole room and I doubt he would notice, or care for that matter. He would just have it replaced before we were out of here.”
“Right on the money there.” Shatter said coldly. “Still though, it would be fun.”
I put my hand on the huge door and then leaned on it. “Let’s just get this over with.”
“Just what was on my mind.” Shatter took a deep breath then opened the door and entered inside.
I sighed then waited a few minutes before I entered.
The place was spacious for being at the top. The first thing you saw was the outside. It was the glass, forming a window that made light shine in. Mist loomed on the glass, still morning. There was a library of books at the side of the walls. Frame made out of stone, black stone. Wondrous black heavy-set armor of old at the side of his desk in a display case. I heard the stories as a boy that only the most honorable people donned armor like that then left for battle. Now a relic and serves as only a conversation piece. It was rigid and sturdy with segmented parts. With all the new things being developed, I doubt anyone knows how to make more of those. Shatter and I inched ourselves forward to the surprising small black desk with the big golden chair in the middle. I got a good look at this King Regent.
He was still a relatively young man, no grey hairs yet, but age clustered on his brow ready to boil over. In truth I expected someone older. His hair was shabby, looked a bit overgrown. Most likely missed the barber multiple times. There was hair under his bottom lip and the beginning of a beard going full circle around the mouth. Face looked similar to many Na’Sule, nose pointed with darting ice grey eyes.
He stood which exposed the already noticeable large fur coat, too big to fit him. Underneath was his regal apparel with a poofy shirt and chains sashed around his neck. Below he wore chausses, even back at the island we don’t use those anymore.
“Welcome my ally… and guest.” he said with arms apart, hubris pride and with a creepy glamour to match it.
Shatter was walking like a shuffling, arms flailing and with no control whatsoever. “Ta wot do we owist der pleasurez Kigsley?” If I was Good, Free, or King at this moment I would be regretting ever nominating him, but this was the decision they made so they would just have to live with it.
He gently pressed his fingertips on the desk and sat down. “Well let’s deal with the formalities.” He pressed down his puffy extravagant shirt. “As you know, I am the King known as Regent, sole owner of Deflin by Contract and by right.
“Is that right?” Shatter retorted.
He laid his arms on the desk then reached for the top of it. “I know you ‘M’, you’ve been causing all kinds of trouble for me, tell me, are you really who they think you are?”
Shatter put a hand on his mask, touching the ‘M’ with the colors in his eyes moving rapidly. He must've had the biggest grin he could possibly make. “Do you know? Because I sure don’t.”
Regent’s face was flustered, but that subsided in the same second. He watched me with more uncertainty. “You don a mask but wear all Na’Sule colors. What brings you to the ranks of these Breachers fallen Na’Sule?” Fallen? I fell out? I was never in. I remained in silence, I knew better than to just speak. I made the right decision.
Shatter put an arm around my neck and held me dear. “He, the fallen Na’Sule, does not speak.”
Regent slid back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. “I think a break of these negotiations are called for, we all seem to be a bit ‘agitated’.” Regent clasped his hands together. “Oh I think I found something of yours”
“Oi Shatter.”
Shatter and I turned to each other wide eyed then darted for the door. It was Clod with women on each arm with more in his company. He was wearing his mask, my eyes stayed on that childish tongue. Can’t believe he cheated death again. Stooge should kiss his mask, was the only thing that kept him alive. Fortune always does favor the fools.
“My guards found him in a dingy beside the island, naturally we would’ve killed him, but that mask made me stay my hand, well at least for the moment. He is what you call the ‘welcoming party’, yes?
I switched from seeing Clod to Shatter. Swirling lava color stayed on his eyes. They were adamant, determining if he should cover for Clod or let him die here and now. Clod was carefree, but also careless, a dangerous combination. I stayed silent, but channeled Shatter to please let Clod live.
“And what a party this man could bring.” Shatter finally said. It was such a relief; Clod was going to see another sun.
Regent said in a hearty voice. “That he can, made himself right at home here. Maybe you lowly Commatar aren’t all that terrible.”
Clod wanted to howl, but a girl calmed him down in time. A group of them moved forward to us while Clod’s group left. Two went past us to go to Regent while Shatter and I each got one. The girl I got assigned to tried to touch me, but I just brushed her off and slid her over to Shatter.
I knew he was mad at that, but there wasn't much he could do here. Not with this sort of company present, I’d just pay for it later.
“Enjoy your stay and in a tad, we’ll talk business.”
Shatter moved away from me and led his girls to a leisure couch. “I’d prefer to enjoy my time in this room. Being around bad company is always good. It gives my personality some time to rub off on people.”
Regent grew a grouchy tone. “Fine.”
I gazed up and down the room. Nothing, but black and white. No in between, not even grey. Sketches of the city, famous places, maybe I’d see them one day. There were also memorabilia hanging from walls, much like Shatter’s room. These two were on either sides, but they had that in common. Seeing these things had me in a, I guess wanderlust. I’ve never even dreamed of leaving the island, but now that I’ve been casted off, maybe I need to cast off to other places. Out of all these places, I’ve ended up here. Unbelievable.
While the gentleman got ‘busy’, I noticed that the longer I stayed the more awkward it got. Standing in the middle of the room didn’t help. I slipped out of the room and carefully shut the door behind me. I flapped my arms to my side. Now what? I figured I should make myself some use and scout out this place now that the guards are gone. I went down a flight of stairs.
I stopped on some random floor and some regular guards walked past me then headed down the hall. They could lead to a guard hub around here; it might be good to know the location. I stalked them for a while until they led me to some lavish place, but I lost them in a Na’Sule crowd.
I wasn't certain where they led me. This place looked like a better version of a tavern, not some base. There wasn't any people stumbling or a counter of any sort. There was a sign, but I didn’t know what it said. I was grateful that my parents taught me how to read and write, but now it was my turn to pick up my own learning. To grow without them.
I entered the place, everyone moved aside from me, some even left probably grossed out someone like me was present. I tried to ignore them. Nervousness and uncertainty ran deep, me trying to avoid them. I gradually moved along to an empty seat with a short table. I then realized that the seat might have been empty, but the table was still in use by others.
Blood rose to my face, I was flush. I saw the scared people who had the table motion for whoever in the back. A man came by then quickly cleaned the table off, before he left some water. A whole circle of eyes were around me. I looked down at the floor until loud heels came into view one tap at a time.
I looked up to an irritated woman in a coffee brown and white dress that accented her hips. I remembered back home that dresses were flowy and not so skin tight, I suppose it was due to the change of climate. Her platinum-colored hair covered one brown eye and that eye was directly at me. She looked too important to ignore, I tried to anyway.
She offered an annoyed look and not much else. “You’re scaring all the other patrons.”
Me scary? “If they think I’m frightening then they won’t last in that city.”
She didn’t smile, but her brow uncoiled, and the intensity of her face softened, “Yes, they are quite lucky that they can retreat to this tower. Though you being here jeopardizes their break from that terror so would you please.” She gestured me towards the entrance
I didn’t want any trouble, so I was going to leave and wander somewhere else, but at that moment my neck singed. A red-hot burning, starting at my spine then my whole body tingled to no end. I put my head down as my body burned up, it was moments of rising excruciating pain, the worst kind imaginable. My whole body was in a fever, my mind felt as if it would break. Eventually it subsided, like hot coals being rinsed away. Leaving the most distant feeling ever.
My body raised its head up, but I didn’t order it to. My heart was on double duty. White mist affected my surroundings. Adrenaline activated, but it wasn't I who made it to. I peered over to my arm. The silver strand stuck in my body, only to be seen through my arm was running amok.
I panicked. I tried to lift my body up, but it just stayed stuck on the seat. All I could do was look around and see what my eyes were seeing, completely isolated from everything. I mustered my mouth trying to reconnect to it and manage some words out. I planned out what I was going to say, ‘I’ll leave.’ I tried it.
“Apologies, but I am not from here. Tell me, are you the Queen of Deflin? If so, then please apologize for my ignorance.”
No this is all wrong! Words came out, but not the ones I wanted. The girl's expression didn’t change, it was the same as before. As silently as she could, she took a seat on my table to not make any more attention which was already absurd seeing how everyone had already left.
“No, In fact, I’m not the queen.” she stayed in a severe tone. “Though some would say I’m quite important. Important enough to have you thrown out of here involuntarily for example.
My body did an empty shrug, “Apologies, like I said I am not from here. I just assumed that in this land the most beautiful person would justly be the Queen.”
She petered out a small laugh. “The most beautiful woman in the world huh?” She looked around the room, “As a matter of fact they do say that, but I just shush them, it’s a ridiculous rumor really.”
My arm wiped the air. I raged inside; I didn’t order it to do that. “Nonsense, you’re the ridiculous one. There’s a reason rumors become legends.” I was just grateful that my mask covered whatever expression my face was putting on. “I can tell you’re the gem of Deflin. A gem that everyone wants to steal, am I right?”
She lowered her head and giggled a small fit, putting a hand on her mouth. “A legend? That’s a bit extreme don’t you think?” she shook her head one more time then leveled out. “A funny jest, bold sir.” She looked about the room to see if patrons were getting comfortable again. The longer the conversation went, the patrons settled. “It’s true, I even put that pig of a King of ours in his place. Every man that has chased me for that matter.”
“Except for me that is.” I had to admit, this ‘persona’ my body morphed to really knew what it was doing. Or at least I think it knew what it was doing.
Her eyes looked amused then she rested a hand on her head. “You're definitely not one of us, yet don’t act like the typical Breacher from what I heard of them, how excoitc.” Her face grew suspicious, “Aren’t You Breachers a bunch of thieves?”
“That is true. A crooked band of vagabonds who live to collect our own gains, but we also steal things that mean much significance to us.”
“Such as?”
My body scooched itself deeper to the table. If I could grit my teeth I would.
“Like stealing your heart.”
She scoffed then was silent for a few, “What’s your name?”
“With respect, why bother Miss? I will say my pleasantries then I doubt you will remember me any differently than everyone else.”
“Well, you don’t know that.” She stayed cool, “I may, on a whim, and only if I had a name and place. Would perhaps deign to write to you.”
My mouth eased to a smirk, “I’d like that.”
“I’d… like that too.” She responded.
And I had enough.
Chapter 17
I felt like I was in a sunken enclosed shell at the bottom of a frozen ocean unable to even wiggle. Somehow, I had to break free from this. I thought quickly, I had to do something, try anything.
I imagined breaking what I felt, ice. Pictured me hitting some ice, first pitiful but each time a little more powerful. Repeating, never giving up, under a trance to keep going until finally a crack. With each break I felt my freedom return. At that moment the empty engulfing void was gone. Instead of water going to drown me, a warm air was blown into my body, giving back life, my life. For each piece of ice I broke I gained the feel of one limb back. I imagined doing this until I felt my whole body restored. One quick check through my senses and was at the helm once again. The sinister silver in my arm was now dormant, if only I could cut it out.
Now I had to settle the problem in front of me. I’d admit that the boast probably wasn't a lie. She was fair and radiating in her own way. But she wasn't the objective nor was it something I’d come for.
I finally did what I was supposed to and bolted out my chair. Excusing myself without saying anything.
“Wait, you’re not leaving without marking your name, are you?” The girl's voice grew shrill.
I nodded and played up the part. “You will find more memorable suitors than I, I’m delighted to just stay with ‘what could have been.’”
She stretched both hands on the table as far as she could, “Ignorant sir, you do know that ‘what could have been’ are the most cruelest words, correct? My name is Mizrole.”
“A lovely owner fit justly for such an elegant place.” I was a bit disoriented finding the exit.
“Are you really going to leave a lass like me at a loss like this?”
It was cruel what my body did without my control, an apology was in order. I went back and slipped my hand over hers as slowly as I could, she let me. “My name is irrelevant and inferior when put up next to yours.” Needed to think of a sendoff. “When you love something, you must set it free, and with that, farewell.”
While I was leaving the place I was greeted with envious visages. To me this girl was nothing special, for them everything. I climbed up the stairs to where Regent and Shatter were. It was time to get back to business.
All I wanted to do was get back to the Secret and avoid losing myself again. I banged the door, but then realized why I even bothered. I threw it open, and the room looked anything, but serene. It looked like it was some type of competition. Who could make the most girls swoon. I mean, in a way I participated, but at least I got the prettiest one.
I walked up to the middle of the room then just kept my eyes on Shatter. He noticed me then showed me a hand sign that I didn’t know. I nodded without knowing what it meant, he tossed a girl off of him then went to my side.
“Regent enough of this, your smell is making me nauseous.” Regent didn’t pay attention to us, I guess we were on his schedule. Shatter’s eyes burned and around his eyes showed scrunched up skin. He directed a hand at Regent. “This fat bastard isn’t worth my time.” I was in his line of view now. “But you are.”
Shatter turned his head over to the door. “So, what hole you run into?”
I shrugged and spoke quietly so only Shatter could hear. “I wandered off a bit by myself.”
He nodded. “The beginnings of a scout or a whore, either way very nice. Though you don’t do enough things of the finer nature, like have fun for one.” Curiosity jabbed at me again.
“Hey Shatter, do you know anyone by the name Mizrole?”
“Do I know her? Everyone in Deflin knows her, she’s the most beautiful person here and that’s a fact.” he grinned. “Well, she’s right behind my Love that is” he went on. “Anyway, she’s an odd one. She's so busty and such a magnificent ass but she won’t let any man get too close. A waste if you ask me. Hell, even I couldn’t charm her. I once, she said groped, but I would say got handsy and the only thing she graced me with was a slap.”
That seemed about right from how Mizrole explained how we were. “I don’t think Love would approve of you eyeing another woman.”
He struck my shoulder then was overbearing me. “Ah c’mon, I need a reminder from time to time.”
“A reminder?”
“Yeah, I need reminders to remind me how good I have it with Love.”
“Makes perfect sense.” I said coldly.
I felt that Regent was losing amusement with whatever he was doing over there. He threw a girl on the glass, and she bounced back. That must’ve been their Queue, they all began to leave. Regent rubbed a hand over his mouth and was adjusting his jaw.
“Okay, here’s what I want.”
Shatter glazed over me with half opened eyes. This should be good.
Regent held a finger and motioned us to come over, I did cautiously, Shatter carelessly. The man behind the desk spoke. “I want you to acquire a contract for me, I’ll give you the location.”
Shatter casually asked while turning his head away unamused. “For what and from who?”
“I’m afraid that information is not on the table.”
The yellow mask slammed his hand on the table. “Well, I guess I’m on the table now, so tell me fat man.” Eyes were a bloody red.
Regent massaged his temples. “I should hang you for that child!” Not so diplomatic.
He looked at that hand with such an intense glare, like that hand was the source of all his problems, eventually he said as quickly as he could. “Inner city building contracts from the Church of the Round.”
Shatter seemed astonished. “The church? Why do you want us to steal from the church?”
Regent looked annoyed but knew we weren’t going anywhere until we were satisfied. “They have contracts for a large area of buildings that they’re saving for Commatar use. I want them.” he tensed himself then furled his brow. “Or is stealing from a church, from a religion, above you Breachers?”
Shatter slowly put his hand back to his side. Then I think he actually pondered it for a moment. “No, it isn’t.” he sighed then a sniffle came out of his nose. He half turned his face to me, wanting my input. Regent also was eager to know it.
I thought back to what sort of religion we had, then my mind crossed to the Soothsayer and what he did to me in Capere, he was a figure of something there.
I slowly turned my head from side to side, saying nothing.
Regent was ecstatic and rinsed his hands. “Fantastic. Now what is your charge to me?”
“Seeing how we won’t know what’s exactly in these contracts, we’ll trust that you make something fair once we have it, agreed?”
“Yes… that’s doable. We have a deal.” No shake.
Once he finished talking, pearl guards breached the doors then rushed to surround us. They grappled Shatter’s arms and pulled them behind his back. I did the same, but they didn’t even lay a finger on me. We were escorted out; Shatter struggled all the way out the door.
Regent yelled back “That should teach him something.”
We were swept through changing hallway doors and stairs that morphed into and out of walls. The only time we stopped was when there were patrons about. It was certainly the express way out of this place and threw Shatter to the floor outside. They simply just let me walk out.
“Hey! We had someone else in there!” A few seconds later they tossed Clod out then his oar.
They shut the door behind them. Clod sat up. “Wow, that was some place.”
Shatter smacked the back of his head then rose himself. Clod offered his hand, but Shatter slapped it away. Shatter outreached his arm and stretched his fingers at me. “Come here,” he said. I remembered how we got here, and it was probably going to be the same way out.
“Oh no, I’m not going to do that again.”
Shatter put his hands on his hips. “Then how else are we going to get home?”
“With that.” We saw Clod point over with his oar to the tiny wooden boat that he came in.
Shatter slapped his head. “How embarrassing.”
I spoke up. “If it bothers you so much you could just launch yourself back to the city.”
Shatter grew frustrated. “What and leave you with this one again and not know where you went off too? I don’t think so.”
Clod gathered the boat and jumped in it. He took out the wooden chip fallen out of the oar and put it in his mouth.
I looked at the boat, the thing was a relic, it was a marvel that it was still able to float. “How’d you even find this ancient thing? “Whose boat is this anyway?”
Shatter climbed in. “Who cares? Does that even matter?”
“No.” I clambered aboard taking a cramped seat next to Shatter.
I saw Shatter squint at the sides of the little boat. “Wait, doesn’t this thing need two of those?” He pointed to Clod’s oar. “Clod where’s the other one?”
“Over ohhh.” A panicked stance took hold. I rested my head on my knees. He did throw the oar away. I groaned and closed my eyes.
A rock in the boat shook me up so I raised my head in alert, just in case we had to abandon.
“Clod, I’m going to ask for the last time, where’s the other one?”. Sweat rolled down from the side of his mask. Clod ripped a piece off the boat’s wood.
“It’s right here.”
The boat dipped a little towards one side. “Uh, I think the boat isn’t supposed to do that.”
Shatter clenched his seat. “What do you mean? Clod, are we going to fall in the water?”
“No, nothing like that, maybe if…” Clod trailed silently in his explanation.
“Just get us back to Deflin.” Shatter sighed.
We set off in a slow row back to the city. Things went smooth, that is until we had an increasingly nasty set of waves. Shatter was squeamish and sunk his nails into me every time we were in a bad crest. He was afraid of the water, either that or seasick.
I winced, that time hurt more than the others. “You’re bound to draw blood out of me at this rate.”
He grabbed my shoulder again. “I hate boats.”
“Then how did me and you ever get here? Last time I checked you didn't swim over here.
“I hate little wooden boats.”
I smirked. “Me too, prone to get bled”
Things were calm once again and I saw the deep blue ocean in the distance that went on forever. We almost got to an edge of the city that we could’ve ditched the boat and gotten into the city. Shatter looked back at the spire then cocked his head back and forth.
“This is far enough.” Shatter and Clod took off their masks and stowed them away. Shatter’s eyes retained yellow. Both of them looked at me, but I wouldn’t take mine off. Shatter pointed to a secluded building’s roof. “We’ll meet up there. Wait for us.”
I nodded and jumped off the boat when I knew I could grab onto something. I moved up when no one's vision was on me. I got to the roof and waited. I understood the reasoning, can’t have civilians seen with a criminal.
Shatter and Clod finally reached the top. Shatter swayed a little bit, then put a glass pipe in his mouth.
“Clod, what do you have to report?”
“The women in there are something else.”
“Noted. Now scurry back home.” I assumed he wouldn’t get anything useful.
Clod leapt off the roof and ran off. Shatter inhaled that glass but didn’t move. I rubbed my arm as things were getting dim.
“Should we head home now or something?”
“No, give him a couple more moments.”
I surveyed the area below trying to catch however was following us. Sure enough he was already behind me. Vice.
“I’ve done a full sweep of the spire and got a bit of information on it.
Shatter's face was in pain. “Tell me then when we need it, my head is killing me.”
“Alright.” Vice unwrapped a small piece of something then chewed it. He came over to me and tried to hold back a smile. “Mizrole huh? Nice.”
I coughed embarrassed. “It’s not what it looked like, but how? We were indoors. How did you even see us, see me?”
That dark sad figure glowed with a slight smile. “We all have our specialties, our ways. I know mine, just know yours.” He kept chewing and pointed a tilted finger up at me. “Sly is what you are, embarrassing but sly.”
I wanted to scream at him, but instead just breathed deeply in my head and calmed down, now I was avoiding my mouth from tilting up that he couldn’t even see, or could he?
“I could introduce you to her, you could take her off my hands.” I said very low
“No, I’m not looking for anything like that, I just want to focus on me.”
“You and me both.” he shook his head and ignored my comment.
He saw off to the distance. “If you’ll excuse me, I now have to shadow Clod, fortunately I too watched his disastrous display of espionage and want to see if he’ll top it.” Vice raced off in the direction that Clod went, I lost track of him like a transformed to a haze.
I wanted to know more about this target. “Shatter what exactly is this Church of the Round?”
He raised his eyebrows and slanted his head up and down. He pointed down to take a seat on the floor. He threw the pipe down to the ground floor and someone yelled in anger, he giggled at that.
“Okay.” He sat down across from me. “The Church of the Round is Deflin’s established way of thinking, religion I guess fits the best.”
“Every religion has a symbol and a leader, tell me the marks.”
“How’d you not notice them before? They’re all over the city, hell there’s a giant one where we’ll be going.” A groan came out of Shatter, he had to explain just like the first time we met. “It looks like- I’ll just show you.”
He took out his dirk then began to cut through the concrete roof with it. First, he carved out a circle, then a circle with many edges, it looked like blocks, then another then another, then another, they were decreasing in sides. He got to the middle where he put a triangle then a single line through it.
“There, that symbol is supposed to mean that we are all united, all one. But you know how people are, they always find a small way that makes it complicated and makes us have problems.”
I glanced over it, Shatter actually took his time with the design of it, even though it was just a couple of lines. “You follow any of this?”
“Who? Me? Never. The only thing I believe and know that is true is that they’re keeping contracts hidden away, they try to keep balance so that not one person is better than the other in the city. Obviously, they’re failing.
I sat back with uneasiness. “Alright, now who’s this leader?”
“Now that one's a bit tricky.” he scratched his back before he talked again. “He’s established, but not there. They have an idea of how the person would look like and what he would do, I think bring Deflin to peace or something.”
Shatter cleared his throat. “The name of the person would be Vanta. Vanta Black.”
“Well Since he’s not there, then in theory, this should be easy.”
Shatter grinned and jumped up; his thumb was pointed at his chest. “It’s going to be easy because I’m on the job.” His eyebrows bent when he saw me. “And I guess you could help.” He smiled then helped me up.
“Didn’t you also say that Breachers can’t kill? Does that have to do something with the Round?”
“When did I tell you that?”
I pointed at the knife. “When you had that thing next to my neck.”
He let out a short chortle. You still remember that? You want it there again?”
“No, but I remember that you said ‘code’ and code usually means rule.”
“Clever boy. Yes, the church forbids anyone to kill, Lives up to their motto of ‘what comes around goes around’. Many Breachers follow the church so that is adopted to our code, damn hypocrites.” Shatter squinted his eyes. “You ever kill anybody?”
What an awkward question, I stumbled to answer it. “Well, I mean, I’ve beaten people before, but they always stood back up, I don’t think I’ll like the sight of them there, never to get up again.” “How about you? You ever killed anyone before.”
I hated myself for saying that, just saying it like some type of casual market day conversation. Life is supposed to be a precious thing. Ruining that something, especially when they had it good, was horrendous. A single second and what you had was over.
Like my life.
“Well, no… but I keep saying it to people, you know like threaten them, or I wish it to others or to myself if I’m really annoyed so it should be easy when the time comes, shouldn't be a big deal. I don’t believe in that Round shit.”
“For someone who doesn’t believe, you sure know a lot about them.”
He went silent.
Chapter 18
I opened my eyes, my body stopped aching from the previous grueling training session. Everyone felt like it would be my last, pushing me to my limit. Today I felt unusually spry, felt like new again. I’ve been here for a number of days, or was it weeks? Months? Who knew anymore. Shatter didn’t yank the covers off of me or screech at me to get up so I suppose this was a free day. I looked at the other half of my bed, empty.
I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t lie in bed forever despite how welcoming it was. I got up from the cot and took a look around. I saw the trampled sheets on the floor. Shatter occasionally slept on my floor in the middle of the night. Love tried to do it once, I practically wrapped her in the covers she brought and threw her out. I thought about applying a lock to my door, but with thieves about it would just be silly.
I pulled up a chair accompanied with a poke to my socket. I still wore the mask; I really couldn’t feel it there anymore. Not sure if that was a good or bad thing, growing or going familiarity. I paired the chair to the desk then sat up to inspect what needed my attention. It was hard not to notice the bundle of money bags at the corner of the desk, I think the desk was ready to crack under the weight of it all. The original one I got from Shatter was the biggest.
Shatter keeps giving me money to do this, to do that, do a person and kept saying to enjoy things more. It infuriated him each time he dropped a bag off and saw that the others were still there. Next to the bags were the letters I got, none of them from home though. Vice got someone to receive and deliver the letters that Mizrol wrote to me. They looked expensive and there were plenty of them, all unopened
In front of me were the stack of books I was reading. The only type of Solace I found. I’ve read about colors and to identify meanings with their different but distinct shades. Not everything could be identified with just the simple Red, Orange, Yellow and so on. The concept was difficult to understand, but I still kept at it. Not much of the simple life around here if they had to remember all this. There was a bang on my door. I looked down at myself. I had a silver shirt and grey sleeping breeches. Good enough to be seen with.
I opened my door to air and no one else. I heard Clod snicker, footsteps, and then a distant door shut. Why would he even do that? I guess I should take that as a note to be ready for anything. I wasn't going anywhere today, but I suppose I should still get dressed. I closed my door for privacy and opened my drawer. I searched and searched, wondering if they were miraculously there, but my original clothes still weren’t returned.
A part of me was still missing.
A gloss over the selection told me that there were only Nice Na’Sule colors. I had Love to thank for that. Didn’t she ever think that maybe I wanted to wear Commatar clothes sometimes? I opted for a white shirt with a silver design on it with black breeches and black knee-high boots.
I wondered if I should go visit Vice about the weird things that were happening to me, familiar voices, familiar images, losing sense of my own body. I suspect he’s already grown suspicious of me, but if his perception is telling, he’s already gone and trying to do some research. As if on cue there was a bang on my door. I opened it. Of course, it was Vice.
“Hello Thought.”
“Hello Vice, is there any training today?”
He stood idly. “No, not today.”
“Okay.” Awkwardness crept as I tried to say something else.
Vice noticed. “Want to join me on a morning run?”
“This isn’t a trick mission, is it?”
“Not at all.”
“Fine, let me just get something.” I turned away from the door and reached for the Will slumped over at the wall. No, I shouldn’t need that. Instead, I got the cloth Shatter gave me and wrapped it around again.
We avoided the foyer, scaled upwards and just ran. I wouldn’t let myself lag behind. I stayed right next to Vice. Copied him move for move, I learned well. After a few houses we reached a part of a building that was under construction. He jumped through a tiny entrance between two buildings, someone easily could’ve been stuck in. I jumped to a side of the building and took a giant leap over it. I wanted to be ahead of the pack.
I waited for Vice to be out of the exit but he never got out. I looked around and even ahead of me but he was nowhere in sight. I feared that he gotten into one of his ‘episodes’. A small metal can bounced off my head, it came from the top. Vice was upright, standing on a dangling construction platform. No one ever looks up. I vaulted up a metal case then balanced on a half destroyed concrete wall. I foresaw the jump over and over in my head then I finally took the leap up. Barely made it.
I looked at Vice who was distracted with a market, overseeing people. We were exposed, but there was decent cover in the construction.
“I lost my brother in a market just like this one.” he said.
I scanned the people milling about. “Were you the older or younger brother?” Stupid question.
“I was older.”
“Ahhh okay.”
“Tell me something Thought, do you care for these people?”
“Who, these?” I pointed to the people down at the market, they were Commatar and Na’Sule alike in an uneasy inheritance. Vice did a slight nod, I sighed. “They are not my country men, so I have no reason to.”
“That’s one way at looking at it.” Vice said.
I was anxious about telling him my problems. “Vice, are there any ailments in this place that makes you lose yourself?”
“How so?”
“As in, not being able to control your body.”
Vice’s eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets then they were suddenly snuffed out. “Not that I know of.”
I looked at my arm, hoping it would do that thing that it does. That silver to shine and show him “How about your arm swashing in this pale light?”
“I’m afraid not.”
I got desperate and asked ridiculous stuff. “Does this seem like a symptom to one of those things you do?”
“You mean drugs?”
Yes! The drugs.”
He rubbed his chin. “Sounds new to me, did you ingest or inject yourself with something?”
“No…”
“Then I’m afraid I have no answer for you, sorry.” One look at my gloomed face, you could tell he still wanted to help me, but didn’t know how. “Maybe you just need to get some more rest or how about talk to someone about your occurrences, you know what they say, no one understands you better than a stranger.” A mental issue?
“Yeah, maybe.” I had to keep that in my mind. We continued to stare at the crowd. Something kept shining in my view and it was incessant. I squinted to capture it better. Rire was strong arming a couple of the market goers with a part of the gang. They were harassing both types of people and paid off the guards to go blind. I think you needed to be a Breacher to do that.
“You noticed him too, didn’t you?”
I grinned. “How could you not? That eyesore is seen from anywhere.”
“Then let’s fix that.”
I barred my arm to stop Vice from leaping off the platform. “Aren’t he and us on the same side?”
He lowered my arm. “More like, the same edge not side.” Fair game
We hopped off the construction platform and positioned ourselves closer to where Rire was. Vice took out a little metal thing that looked like some sort of fishing hook then threw it at Rire. I looked down at him, he took it for a bug bite. Vice took a few steps back then yanked with ivory eyes. Rire flew to the top of our roof.
“What the hell?”
Vice veiled himself and put his hood up. “Turn around.”
Rire frantically did what he was told. He stood up, trying to win back some of his pride. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“What’s the meaning of you bribing the guards out on this district?”
Rire was fuming. His forehead wrinkles extended all the way around. He smacked his hand with the other. “What we were trying to do was make more money for the gang, for you guys!”
“Then do it without bribing or without me spotting you. If a higher up catches you altering pay higher than the takers own contracts, then we won’t be able to help you. Besides, bribing is for Breachers, you’re no Breacher.”
Rire stared at the ground angry. “Yes sir.”
I walked closer to him; he wasn't the only one angry. “I’m not done with you yet.”
He winced. “The hell do you want?”
“What I want are the clothes that Shatter made you wash.”
“I see you’re doing better for yourself; you’re wearing better clothes than what you came here with.” The ends of his mouth curled. “Besides, I'm pretty sure I've already thrown away the trash.”
“You’re lying.”
His brow got rigid along with his jaws. “How can you tell?”
Rire chuckled and began to form a smile, but the wind snatched it from under him. Below we heard gasps from the people. Rire was held up on his throat with a burly arm.
“Where are the Young Blood’s things!?” Our muscle manifested; the sailor was now my savior.
A bit of me got glee and I tried hard not to jump with excitement. “Yes Rire, where exactly are my things?”
“Ahhhh!” Rire looked below at the drop then tried to find some help in Vice. Vice just held up empty hands, I guess he was out of his protection. Clod began to shake Rire and released a finger’s grip the longer he stalled.
Rire sweated then closed his eyes and almost yelled. “Okay, okay! I went upstairs, I entered your room, but no clothes except the ones that were laid out for you, you know the clean ones, the ones without muk. So, I remember saying to meself ‘well I guess someone already took care of that.’”
I was satisfied with that answer, but it still wasn't what I wanted to hear. My clothes gone, that life gone. Clod set him down only when he sensed it was okay to do so. He ran off in a different direction. Vice patted my shoulder. “Let’s go back to the Secret.”
We got off the roof and just left Rire on it, he could get himself down. We raced until the Secret was in view. I trudged my feet to its step. Vice told me he had to take care of some errands and we parted ways. I opened the door and sped up to my room. I lied in my bed for the longest time. I didn’t need sleep, but I didn’t want to do anything else. Sleep was the only option. I would just lie there with my eyes open until then, hoping time would grow wings so that I can forget that today ever happened.
. . .
I heard murmurs. “Thought, hey Thought wake up you beautifully wretched man.” Then all there was restless taps on my mask, like a heavy spider pressing down on me one appendage at a time. I rolled over and Shatter was on the other side of my bed, fully clothed, but still so close that I lost my calm.
He opened his mouth. “It’s time we do this.”
Chapter 19
I invited adrainaline and shoved Shatter off the bed crashing him on the wall. “No.”
When Shatter collided with the wall, he had such a smile on his face. He laughed his hardest. “I got you! You should’ve seen your face, well it was covered up, but still.” he leapt up and crept around until he sneakily grabbed onto my boot. “Your turn.” he yanked me out of my bed, and I found myself next to him on the ground.
I lifted my mask to rub my eyes, this wake up was the worst. “So, can I ask why you wake me from my most peaceful slumber?”
“I didn’t lie to you, it’s time we take care of that Regent problem and as you know, his problems are ours.”
I shut my mask to my face. “Then let’s go handle it then.”
He grinned and left to the hallway. “Get ready and dressed for this special occasion, we’re gonna’ have a grand ol’ time.”
“But I’m ready now.”
Shatter barely lifted a finger to the floor next to my feet. “No you’re not.” I peered below me and there they were, my clothes, myself. I got ecstatic and wanted to thank him, but already vanished giving this moment to myself.
I closed my door and got rid of my Na’Sule attire and switched to the Capere apparel. Even the loose leathers that I use for a belt were here. I inspected the clothing, and it was in a little bit better shape then I came here in. The only thing odd were the same faint little red marks over the tattered areas, hardly noticeable, could be anything. I couldn’t help but feel the touch of these items, I thought I would never see them again. I pranced around the room flapping my duster for all to see, a withheld victory. Panting hard, I fashioned a sheath for the Will, slid it in and headed out.
I headed down to the foyer wanting to thank somebody, but there was nobody around. Then I saw a wave, a secretive wave. She was behind her counter, and I took my stool. She was wiping a glass clean.
I moved an empty glass back and forth playing with it. “Shatter says we’re going to steal for the King, I’d feel more comfortable if we had an extra sword, or dagger or.” I laughed, “An oar even, how about it?” Secret tucked in her lips and smiled, she probably needed that more than the rest of us. It soon dimmed though.
“Tempting, but I don’t go into raids anymore, not since my injury, I really have no use as a regular Breacher.”
That wasn't true, I stopped moving the glass. “No use huh? You’re a valuable asset to the team, never forget it.” Then it all stitched together in my head, Secret was the one that healed my clothes, no one else seemed the type. I tucked in my lips and shut my eyes tightly, a warmth grew on my face. I took the glass and moved around the counter to where she was. Secret was still polishing glass.
“Don’t you know that back here is employees only?”
I gave a short cough then smiled. “Secret, I came from a place where there are stems of conflict, open hostility, unrelenting fights and just plain ugliness abound. But the most important thing that I learned is this.” She turned her body towards me, and I hugged her. I simply couldn’t thank her enough. “The thing I learned is that, if we’re all fighters then we have no one to fight for.” I let her go, but she fidgeted.
“Quite the lesson.” her face was starting to heat up and I feared a fever would soon engulf her.
“Do you need to lie down? You’ve been working far too long.”
“No no, my job is never done.”
I set the glass on the counter in front of her. “Thank you for fixing my clothes Secret.” I started for the door. “We’ll all be back before you realize we’re gone.”
She started wiping the glass I gave her; a dainty smile plastered her face. “Just come back in one piece.”
I shut the door tightly behind me and made my way to the usual gathering spot.
Things were tense. Vice was veiled in a tan cloak and the symbol on his back shined on for two. Clod was battle ready with that brown leather over his red gambeson, this time his arms were guarded. The powerful oar looked as good as new now. Love wore the same black she had in the files, only this time, there were knives going down her legs, her signature stiletto was in a sheath on the end of her back.
Then there was Shatter in his blue jacket, the boy who brought this bunch together. His hands were folded and was staring with his head tilted back. I walked forward looking at the hazy sunset sky. Orange pink red swirls with dotting clouds. A graceful scene like this would surely be favorable for us.
I stepped in front of the whole group.
“Well, those clothes do flatter you well, maybe too well.” Shatter said. If he wasn't careful his teeth would get him killed.
“Eh.” grumbled Love. “I could have done better, Na’Sule scheme, but Commatar design.”
Shatter made himself a prominent figure around us, he was a natural at it, one tell on his face told that he hated every second of it.
“Okay.” he started. “Our target is the Church of the Round, yes I know about our code, and you know about it. A king asks, but a bitch will receive.”
Clod chirped. “I HATE this king.”
Shatter turned quickly “That’s a very good Clod, never bow.” he moved on, “Anyway, we’re meant to take a construction contract for some buildings, what he wants them for? Anyone’s guess. He mentioned nice ones so that means deep in the central district.” Vice squinted and scoped the area around us. Shatter continued but with an eye fixed on him. “If we do this then the Breachers get a fat cut, we’ll be rich.”
I had no care for money, what did I need it for? I lived in a place where I didn’t need to pay for a room, I had all the food I’ve ever want or need, I got a whole desk worth of money for ‘recreational’ use. The only thing I’ve ever see money of use to me is… if I ever want to start a family, though would I want to bring them to this? To this life? It’s not for everyone, not even me. Maybe Vice was right.
Vice looked on straight ahead. “Someone's here, we’re being watched.”
Shatter didn’t move a muscle except the expanding ire in the eyes. “Well, isn’t that just obvious?” he angled himself to me and mouthed the words,
Don’t move.
“We know you’re not Commatar or Na’Sule, not many people could get up here so easily, unless”. Shatter looked so smug when he glanced over each one of us, an eyebrow raised. “Unless they were a Breacher.”
Two entities flanked us from the side. Shatter, Love, and Clod each had their weapons drawn except Vice and I.
“Peace!” the Breacher said “We wish no ill or meddling.”
Vice questioned.,“Address yourselves.”
The Breacher took off his hood and hat. “We are Breachers from King.”
Shatter tilted his head while putting the dirk away. “Welcome to the Secret branch of the Breachers, now what the hell do you want? We have a job that needs taking care.”
Clod spoke up. “I know who that is, it’s King’s yes man, or one of them at least. Pawn no? What are you doing here?”
My gaze shifted towards the other Breacher, the one next to Pawn. There were chills going down my body, my hair stood end on end. I was taken away and was a little short of breath. I feared that I lost control of my body again, but it wasn't the case. It was the Breacher from the meeting, I got to see her again.
She had a hand on her hip while the other one was on a dagger handle. With the position of the arm there was no urgency to draw it, just resting there. Her face showed no emotion, probably bored or dulled by all of this. Wonder what my face looked like? The sunset’s glow made her hair resonate and shower her in a spotlight.
Pawn ruined the moment. “Yes, I know we interfere, but we have business that also needs to be dealt with and our business just so happens to be in the same place as where you are all headed.”
Love put a finger up to her face. “What kind of business?”
“Of the Breacher kind.”
Shatter put the dirk next to Pawn’s neck. “Then why haven’t I’ve gotten word of anything?” Shatter rested the knife on the tender Pawn skin. “You wouldn’t be in it for yourself now, would you?”
Pawn shoved the knife from his face and jumped back, gasping for breath. “Normally I’d say you’re a fucking dumb lout who would only dream to kill and would tell you to try it, but you… you’re different, you might be the right amount of dumb just to do it.”
Love grew angry and hurled a knife at his feet, it stuck out upright, maybe I should be kinder to her. “Just spill it already.”
Pawn straightened himself out then chucked a thumb to his partner. “We’ve been dispatched at the latest convenience by King, we’re not at liberty to say what, but just know that it is there, and it is a contract.”
Love threw a hand at both of them. “Forget it. They’re using us. You can get in once we’re done there.”
Vice stepped in with his voice. “That would be a foolish thing to do, once our group is out with the contract security around that place would tighten and be on alert whilst reinforced.”
Clod scratched himself with the oar. “So?”
Vice turned to Clod, clearly bothered that he didn’t get it. “So that means that they’re surely to be caught in there or be killed by guards.”
Clod put the oar back to his shoulder. “So what?”
Vice was taken back by that comment and apologized to both of them with droopy eyes. “They can serve a distraction at the very least.”
Shatter rubbed his chin very exaggerated. “Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.” I saw him turn back this way, but I was too distracted to pay any attention to him. Shatter shook his head with a slight smile, then suck his lips towards his mouth displeased. “I’ve given it some Thought, we can get along and they can come.”
Love and Clod were disgusted. “You can’t be serious.” They both said in unison.
Shatter moved towards them. “Serious, me? Never, though I am a romantic, just think of the ballads that people will sing once this is over, but in order for there to be song” Shatter motioned to them. “There has to be an accomplishment and with these two that would raise our chances, and future glasses.”
“A romantic?” Love jeered. “Whatever you say darling.”
“It’s settled, we ought to go ahead with this mission now.” Pawn snapped.
Shatter shouldered him to the ground. “You are under me for the time being and you’ll do as I ask. I’m not King and it’s bad enough that he just does whatever he damn well pleases, but I’ll get to him soon enough.”
“Knave.” Pawn said under his breath. He was helped up by the mystery girl. “Thank you.” he said, I staved off the little jealousy that brewed down in my chest.
Shatter was in the middle of the small circle we formed. “Now that we’re all situated, we can head over there.
Pawn and the mystery girl blazed off, I guess Pawn had it with Shatter’s antics. Clod pushed Vice who wouldn’t budge. Vice lifted his head so that our eyes barely connected. He didn’t want to leave, but Clod forced him to. Clod jumped down to the ground, Vice sighed, followed him like a hawk hunting prey. Shatter and Love got done with a kiss, it was like they were saying their final goodbyes, just like the last kiss they had up here. They sped off hand in hand towards the same direction everyone else was.
I was alone once again. I opened my mouth trying to say something, but nothing came out. To whom? I don’t even know myself. I sat down in the middle of the roof, tucked in my right knee and used it as a rest for my right hand. I looked again to the sky, it began to dim in color, approaching night.
We might not share the same place we call home, sometimes it seems like we don’t even share the same world, but at least we all share this sky. Wherever you look it’s different, true. No two people would see it the same, but that difference is what brings us together, to be united. I wondered if they were seeing it the same time I was.
Over in the distance I saw a figure come back to study me.
The Yellow mask.
He came over in a heartbeat, I didn’t even have time to wipe away the tears rolling down.
Shatter walked casually to me “You’re not planning on running again, are you?” I gave no movement and no answer. He then lowered himself so that we were face to face. “Your eyes are wounded, they’re leaking.”
I wiped them. “No, I don’t think they’re the ones hurt.”
He sat just how I was but just reversed. From how he acted, Shatter didn’t know what to do next. A long “Uhhhhhhh.” was the only thing that came out. How comforting he was, knew exactly what to say. But then he struck me with a crippling blow.
“If you want out, just tell me. Give me the word and I’ll give you all the money you could handle, then you could leave. Or you can stay with us, it would make the place less empty.” he was silent. “Or I’ll send a boat and you’ll be at Capere by next morning.”
I didn’t know how to respond to any of that, so I stayed silent. I could go home? I could see home? No, no I couldn’t, wasn't possible. I remembered the small detail why. I weighed my options, I grew bitter and bitter just thinking about them. Angrier and angrier. This wasn't fair, never fair.
I gradually rose up and led Shatter up like a mirror. We both stood upright. “I’m not going anywhere, this is my life now. I won’t abandon.”
Shatter lifted his mask so that his eyes were blocked but I could see his shifty, wily smile. Then he trailed off, probably to catch up to Love. I dug into the mask’s eye holes and pinched my eyes, making the tears die out. I took a deep yell bellowing within then went after them.
Chapter 20
I favored the high rises, even though Shatter was just right next to me I lost him. I got up to a tall building, probably a factory office or some other important building. I couldn’t find him but I did find someone else, Clod. He was moving so sluggish and stealing so much stuff he’d be so weighed down for the actual heist. If Clod is there then that meant... Yes, Vice was in a nearby building perched like a bird. I marked where they were then dropped down to where I would be more mobile
I stood a distance from Vice and followed him follow Clod, they would lead me to the Church of the Round.
I was thrusted into this life so naturally my climbing style was a rushed sloppy one, but when I saw Vice climb and move up and down a building, he did it like it was as natural as breathing or dying. I captured it in my mind then mimicked as best I could, I think he would be flattered, impressed even.
They went on for a bit then Vice halted, he rose then stuck out a hand out of the dark cloak, he pointed finger down, right next to him, I knew what he wanted. I sped up to him in a flash and knelt down to see Clod over the bottom.
“Heard what you were doing back there, a slip in your feet gave it away. You’re not trying to replace me now, are you?”
I wiped my hands together, trying to get some sweat out. “Just trying to get some more practice in before we reach there.”
“That’s good, more interesting than watching a pig turn free.”
I scooped a broken piece of stone and slid it across my palm. “Then let’s make him move a little faster.” I offered it to Vice and he took it. He effortlessly threw the rock at Clod’s oar, I don’t know what kind of face Vice gave Clod, but it made him stop what he was doing and pay attention.
Clod threw his oar upr and climbed up to where we were. The oar spun around in the air, I caught it. The loud clambering got closer, then there was a thud, then it got closer again, Clod appeared.
“Did you fall?” I asked
Clod snatched the oar from me. “Never.”
A howling wind came through us. It made Vice’s Cloak flow and him start. “We have no more time for your small scores, it’s time to go for the big game.”
The wind tossed his hair around and every now and then he would fix it. “Big game huh? You mean like treasure?”
“Well yes, the second most secure place in Deflin must have some nice side treasures, but we're in it for the contracts.”
Clod dropped the little trinkets he had on the roof. “Then what are we waiting for?” I think he stopped listening at the word ‘yes’.
Vice took the lead and we followed. He took us a fair distance away from the Secret, from one side of the dense city to the other. Each side a wall, each face a street looked too similar, couldn’t tell them apart but Vice knew exactly where he was going, like he knew every crevice to this land.
Vice soared up to the tallest space so he could scout, no doubt. When I got up I saw the whole group, we were the last ones to make it there. They were all looking in one direction. I squeezed through them, and saw it for my own eyes, The Church of the Round, a whole compound. It was large, it easily beat the one hundred farms I always used for reference when comparing sizes. The sheer scope of the fortress has us mesmerized. Each of us was probably trying to make this caper happen.
Vice broke the silence. “We should probably plan on how exactly this all falls in place.”
“Acknowledged.” Pawn piped
Then Clod. “Don’t I get a say in this?”
Then Love. “Clod, you say everything all the time.”
He pointed the oar at her. “Quiet, you son of a bitch.”
Love got a confused face. “Clod I’m a girl, that doesn’t even make any sense.”
I let them battle it out, I knew nothing of strategy anyway and I thought they would even listen to me. I got on the rim of the roof and sat. From all the childhood stories my parents described to me, this place looked like a castle, the size of one too just spaced out to cover more area. I think the best word for it would be a citadel.
The place was odd. I was going to say that we had the wrong place but then I remembered the marking that Shatter drew, its large stone symbols were in the same shape as it, just more condensed. Church of the Round banners were hung proudly and over in a far length there was a gigantic stone needle, atop of that was their symbol. These people were proud fanatics, and fanatics made for ferocious fighters.
Throughout the top of the walls there were large fire pits that emitted light in a small, neat bowl underneath and besides them were not too distant watchtowers. If those guards up there could have a clear picture from below them, then that would make things all too difficult.
The lit torches spread out across the tall wall and the bottom of it was a tell that guards were present, a vast amount of them too. I couldn’t mark down any entrances. The night had shifted in for the sun. These guards would make my life easier, if enough picked up that it was now night then they would pick up the torches to see better. They’d light our way in and tell us where they are
I glazed over our immediate vicinity in hopes that there was something else we could use to our advantage. In doing that, I fumbled a little bit and almost accidentally fell off the roof.
The girl was sitting right next to me.
I pretended to still spy the building. I angled myself so that it looked like I was considering something, but in truth, the only thing I was considering was if I should speak to her. The eyes pivoted back and forth throughout the fort. Maybe I should say something so that our sightings were in order?
I finally figured out what I was going to say, but her right arm reached for something. She was putting it to her face, another mask.
This one looked very simple, sort of like mine. From the side I saw, the pattern was colors in overlapping bars, a not so smooth gradient where one bar bleed onto the other. The only white that showed was near the mouth, around the lips. Throughout her mask were small carvings etched into it. Symbols or reminders that I would do anything to figure out
She picked out something else, a pair of gloves. I’ve never seen a pair like those before. The glove’s fingers were black, all ten of them. The palm was vastly different; there was a section of color leading up to each finger. Purple, yellow, red, blue and green. She put them on then tugged on them to adjust. She laid her hands on the rim and gradually pressed on it, making sure that she touched it with the black fingers.
We continued to just stare at our targets until we both got tugged off back into the group. Pawn tupped her and Shatter dragged me. Pawn gave her distance, but Shatter couldn’t physically come closer to me. His mask was still lifted up, but I just wanted to pull it down so that it squashed on his face.
Pawn and Shatter were in unison for the first time. “Do you hear what the plan is?”
It took us a moment to answer. We both shook our heads, we weren't listening.
“How am I surprised that you didn’t hear anything?” Shatter whined as he lifted the yellow mask above his forehead.
Pawn’ face didn’t move, but his mouth began to move, happy and cheerful to tell us what we missed out on. A speedy arm reached out and covered it with a hand.
“I’ll repeat the plan, rest easy now, mate.” Shatter snickered and Pawn pouted. “Alright so this here is the plan.” Shatter pointed to the center of the building. “It’s a sure give away that the contracts are kept close, so that means they’re at the middle of it. the heart. You see how that one seems to end? The structure with only one line, one side at the end? Right there” He let his hand down and looked at me. “Clod and you will take down the guards from the bottom, then work yourselves up. He glanced at Love who blew him a kiss, he caught it. “Me and beautiful over there are going to do the same, but with a twist. We’ll go up and clear those watchtowers” He finally got to the shadow. “Vice will circle the area and will keep watch over everyone and everything that gets in our way, outside and in. In to support when needed”
Clod ran his mouth again. “What I wanted to do was just grab it, amongst some other things and just get out, but no, Vice over here says that’s not ‘logical’ or ‘smart’. Like he would know what smart is.”
“You’re beyond daft.” Pawn griped.
Shatter nodded in agreement. “Say what you two are going to do.” I too wanted to know where he was going to take the lady to.
Pawn pointed. “Me and my partner will look over various buildings of importance, if the contracts aren’t there in the middle then we'll validate that they’re nowhere else.
Shatter shot a peak over to me with a big fat smile while biting his lip. He loved having this hook in me and twisting it. He strolled next to pawn with a cocked eyebrow.
“Partner?” he said. “So does that mean you guys are doing the deed?”
Pawn’s brow moved and forehead wrinkled. “No knave, we are comrades and that is all.”
Shatter bowed his head and turned around. “I’ve got what I wanted. With a grin he mouthed the words, ‘you're welcome’ to me. In this case I was grateful, thanks Shatter.
“I hope you catch death.” Pawn tried to murmur that, but his voice raised it so it was clear to hear. It was ignored by everyone. We didn't make a big deal about it.
Shatter went in the middle of us again and snapped his fingers. “Get this done” They were all gone before I remembered what I was supposed to do again. All except Clod that is.
He put on his mask “Great, I’m stuck with the dumb one he said.” Clod nonchalantly started to pick at his nails at a time like this.
I lifted my duster to expose my Will. “How’s your face? Does it need to be kicked again?”
He violently threw a nail down and his posture slumped. “I’d like to keep my face beautiful actually, I’ve gotten so attached to it.”
I groaned, I’m stuck with him? “Anyway, we’re allies in this instance so, as allies, I say we should go take care of those guards.”
Clod adjusted his oar and equipped it to a holster that he fashioned for it on his back. “Just try to keep up.” Clod readied to jump on a building, I sped up in front to stop him.
“What are you thinking?” I said.
Clod pointed to the top of the building. “About to gain a better view.”
“No, the guards on the towers aren’t taken out yet, they’ll be sure to spot us, let Shatter and Love take care of them first.”
He pushed himself passed me. “You’re not above me, remember who you’re talking to.” Apparently, I’m talking to a child since that’s how he’s acting. I needed to select my words carefully or else I would lose him to idiocy.
“Clod, I’m not telling you to do anything, I'm simply just guiding.”
He already was traveling up, but he stopped to glare back. “Guiding?” he said.
Yeah, that was it. “Of course, I’ll take the role of wise advisor and right now that strategy lacks any… wise.”
“Oh.” he hopped down and was back where he started. “So what do you suggest?”
I looked down, and grinned. I took the Will out, slashed it across the air. “What you do best.” I was over the edge and tapped the Will down.
Clod got it instantly. “Well alright then!” he jumped straight down as I took my time. Climbing down was always more difficult than climbing up.
We were of our element now, or at least I was, Clod probably felt right at home. We went on casually doing a sweep of the area, hoping that some guards would cross our path. It was a large area to cover so it would take some time. And that would probably be enough time so the watchtowers would be done so we could move up.
“You could thank me anytime now.” Clod chatted. Guess it was my turn to be dumb.
“For what?” I whispered.
Clod bent down to get a better angle of the nearby street. “For dealing with Rire.”
I hid the Will from a light wanting to gleam off it. “We all dealt with him, it’s not like we needed your aid anyhow.”
Clod looked up to check on a watchtower. “Bet you the why keeps you up at night huh? Want to know why I helped you?”
“I can’t say it crossed my mind.”
He came to a complete stop, and I bumped into him. “Well, I’ll tell you anyway.” Clod checked both sides before he started. “Believe it or not I know what it’s like to lose something, do you?”
What kind of a foolish question was that? I probably lost the most out of everyone here. No, now that I think about it, maybe I wasn't the front runner after all. I humored him, “No, I don’t know what it’s like to lose something.”
He gave a steady poke to my chest. “Well let me tell you it’s a bloody tragedy every time it happens, I wish it not upon my worst enemy.”
That baffled me. “How about when you steal from everyone else? They lose something when you do that.”
He threw me some air out of his mouth, no big deal for him. “Nah, that’s different.” Clod took out the oar from behind his back and slammed me into the wall.
“Wha-”
He bashed me with the oar again.
“Shhhhhh.” he said. “Over there do you see them? Guards.” He was right. There was probably six or seven, difficult to tell even with the carried torches. They stood with no readied stance, that meant normal and no problem.
I squeezed out from under the oar. “Of course, there’s guards, I’d rather we’d dealt with them now then later.
I flipped my Will in the frosty air, caught it and began to ambush the guards. Clod held me up from the collar of my duster and hoisted me. “Hold it youngblood, do you even know how to take on a group, let alone knock someone out?”
“Yes, you. As for the group, it’s all about beating them one at a time, though it shouldn't be a problem when you have an oar that cleaves them.
He let me down. “Here I’ll take that group on then you could take the next one that comes about.”
That was fine by me. It’s not like I wanted to rush into the first sign of danger or risk my neck. Clod put a meaty hand on my shoulder and lowered my posture. I had a front row seat.
Clod had the oar with one hand and made his way down the passage. He checked each side then continued. The stealthy hunch became a slouched jog and then an all-out run. Clod initial swing got nil, but he wasn't done. The oar went into a mad spin, that was sure to have a surge of adrainaline backing it. Clod stowed that energy until the following swing, the next strike. The guards began to move to investigate, it was too late, too bad for them.
The red mask obliterated the first two that were in the front. Turned into ragdolls, snuffed out like a candle. There was another heavy swing, and he clipped another one idle. The guards finally realized what was happening, they drew swords. Clod tackled one and threw him over his shoulder, he was laid out dazed. A guard brandished a two-handed long sword, a rival, and stabbed at him. Clod struck the handle of the oar down to the dazed guard’s head while he blocked the sword slash with the shaft of the oar.
Now he went and got him mad.
Clod used adrainaline and stamped the guards shin, there was a loud crack then an unmistakable pop, clearly broken The guard reached down to see if he could suppress the pain, but when he bent his body, that was just another opportunity made. Clod pulled the guard’s head down and kneed him, blood splattered everywhere, bright red blood, Clod’s chosen color
Clod turned around and saw a frightened guard. His face was drained, a husk was left with the mouth quivering. Clod looked him up and down like a wild animal, he even breathed on him, smelled him. The guard was shaking something awful. He opened his mouth; no words came out. He tried again, but nothing. The eyes popped and the mouth was wide open.
Clod grabbed his throat. “Shut the fuck up.” one punch and he was out. Clod discarded him with the rest of the mauled bodies.
I ambled up next to Clod while trying to avoid the pools of blood amounting on the floor. “You really did a number to these guys.” These guards were out, but the pain wasn't. With bruises and swelling like these, I fear there isn’t a recovery period, they were going to feel it forever. Mouths were smashed and teeth were missing from two. The guard that was last to lose probably got the best of it, on the physical harm scale anyway.
“Yeah, I did, and that number isn’t even in the list of hurt to begin with.”
I bent down to a guard whose wounds were still gushing. “Have any of these guards died from the strucks?
“Who's to say? I never bother to stick around. I think some succumb to it though.”
“The code doesn’t bother you?”
“What code? Oh, that code.” I heard his lips smack the toothpick. Doesn’t bother me none, some old men agreed to it a long time ago, I didn’t.” Clod dug into a satchel and pulled out heavy wads of cloth. He dumped them on a guard's body. “Well trusted advisor, let’s be off.”
I straightened myself out. “Aye.”
We ran down the street and our pace grew stagnant. Those guards weren’t the last and I don’t think they’ll just ignore their dwindling number. We took cover behind every corner and moved up when it was clear. The grip on my will was tight, I moved it, twirled it and practiced with it.
Clod’s sturdy arm blocked me. He pushed me down to the dirty stone floor while he crouched. He pointed. “More of those, looks like two, yep, definitely two.” Clod patted my back. “This should be a problem for you, so prove me wrong if you can.”
I rolled my body from side to side. “Well, it is my turn now.” They weren’t facing our way, so I had the advantage. This was dishonorably, but I wasn't fighting for honor today. I raised myself up, shook my shoulders and walked on.
They were looking yonder to darkness and missed the shadow behind them. I crept up to them slowly, gently, and carefully. I activated adrainaline as I neared.
Then I struck.
I used the hook of the Will to snare an unsuspecting guard's foot. I tripped him then crashed the broad side of the Will on his ribs. I turned the Will over then slapped the other guard’s cheek, an immediate closing. All in one motion the threat was defeated.
The thrill and uncertainty of the fight. Familiarity and worry returned; both of these things coursed.
Clod eventually got over here and dug into his pouch and threw cloth. “I would’ve done better.” he huffed.
Clod stepped back and inspected the nearby space. “That should do it.”
“Aren’t there more guards out here?”
“There are, but we need to start moving inward. We can’t fight these clowns all night.”
That actually made sense. “Very well, after you.”
I found some cracks in the massive wall and wedged my fingers in for some leverage. Clod just jumped with adrainaline and waited. The climb was uneasy, every time I looked down I saw the guards blood pool get larger. Do not think, just go. The stone felt slippery and different somehow, instead of a cool touch it signed to some degree, just the nerves I hoped
I finally reached the top and noticed that there were no lights from two sets of watchtowers. Shatter and Love were working madly and moved more inward than us. We just barely got done with the outside and reached the first stage, they were on the third.
“That’s not good, is it?” I gestured to the distant watchtowers.
Clod was climbing down. “Nah, just means more work for Vice to do, now hurry.”
There were two guards that met us, they were looking at the watchtower, wondering why they were extinguished. Clod barred the oar to one’s throat while I took the other and choked him off. With more patrols encroaching in the center, we made an effort to hide these bodies.
Clod and I worked tirelessly. The area was spacious, so we had our work cut out. We carved our way deeper and deeper, despatching seemingly endless droves of guards. As we caught up, the area became more visible, eliminating many of the blind spots we used for ambushes. We barely got rid of a batch when we heard metal clanging. “Move them to the side.” Clod yammered. I heaved the bodies away from view, the red mask pointed to a nearby roof with a large sign
We took cover behind it, and hid while watching the massive group of guards, they were led by a shining example. “Shit, that’s a pearl”
The hair on my arm tensed up. “As in Pearl guard? What are they doing here?”
“Ah, ol’ Regent places them here from time to time to ensure that he has the Church's loyalty, the bastard knew we’d be here, but still scheduled them. Made us work harder for our money.”
I fixed my side cape a little, tightening it. “What a deluded king.”
The pearl guard waited for more pearls to twinkle in and he positioned his troops. “That’s a small squad he has, or a large section.” Clod jawed. “It looks like they’re heading outside, they’re sure to find the bodies.”
My mouth became a desert and sweat rolled down my neck like rain. “Do we have a chance at taking them down, do we even have to?”
Clod rocked himself up and down while still kneeling. “I have a chance, but you don’t.” That made me feel numb. “If I know my boy Vice, he's sure to have spotted them already, but I doubt he would have enough time to transport every single body out of their way. Stay here youngblood, I’ll get Vice’s attention and we will set up an ambush for them. Don’t move anywhere or Shatter will have my head.” And with that Clod set off towards the pitch dark.
Over in another corner of shade, a new light sprang up. It bloomed then formed into a body with a black luster of onyx. A black raven. A black pearl.
Chapter 21
I sneaked in some grimaces, trying to predict its intentions. The uniform had some oddities. It consisted of some epaulettes accompanied with a slimmer version of the armor and helmet, and of course the blink tint. It was different for a reason, probably the, or one of their best and brightest. Sheathed next to him was a long rapier. I had to keep an eye on him or her or whatever it was. I moved a little from the original position to spy, not too far though, still in a safe position. It investigated the surrounding placements and knew something was amiss.
The torches, they must’ve been extinguished with the passing of Shatter and Love. It stopped moving and immediately shot his head into my vicinity. I stilled myself and covered my face, leaving no white for him to identify with. From what little sight I had I saw the light sway towards me, I moved to another shadowy spot.
He backed off towards the tower and I gulped. The light showed a dangling guard suspended by a thin rope. He was knocked out and limp, the wind was toying with him, a signal to say we were here. The black pearl’s attention was taken. However, a distant crash called its attention. Too far now to be Clod’s and Vice’s attack. Love and Shatter already passed through here. What could have that been then? Then it dawned on me.
Pawn’s search. The black pearl leaned even closer to the disturbance.
If I didn’t do anything this whole thing would’ve been for naught, blown wide open without any chance of salvaging it. Though if I did, I wouldn’t know what this elite was capable of, who would even know if I could match him. The skulking continued and I had to choose quickly. It was nothing, I was sure of it, no need to risk myself for nothing. A cold howl was my wake-up call. What if it was them? Could I even live with it?
That face… I had to save my life.
I rose up slowly, discouraged, but I still rose. No, I couldn’t live with it.
I stalked the black pearl and perched myself on a wall, waiting. It turned into a small path, it looked like an alley. Perfect place for a takedown. I did one last desperate search for holp, but couldn’t find any, so I had to do this alone. I hovered down like a cloud of desperation and approached my prey.
Skill shouldn’t be a problem, no one can fight while unready, he’d go down just like all the other guards. I was right next to him, that armor practically blowing its metallic air at me. I aimed my will and launched my strike. In a blink, he took one of my arms to reel me in and flattened me to the floor with its elbow.
“You think I wouldn’t hear you?” it looked at me with a stalwart stance and pulled a dagger on me, it knelt and placed it to my neck before I even had a chance to counter. “I even smelled you from there.” It looked at my clothes then put two and two together, black pearl shook its head in sympathy. “Why did you let yourself get corrupt and lower yourself to their heights?” The voice was cold, like archaic metal was talking. “How far you’ve fallen, associating yourself with petty thieves and lowly gangs.”
I didn’t want to tempt or anger death itself, but I couldn’t let the black pearl comment just pass on. “You don’t know them.” Ah, such stupidity. The last thing I would say.
It took the knife and waved it up and down. “You’ve got it, I don’t know them and the less I do the better.” it was breathing heavier from the gas mask. “And the less the people know about them, well that’s just even better.”
Black Pearl lunged the knife forward, with only one intent, my neck. I was dazed, but not dazed enough to just lay down and die. I used both of my hands and resisted the cut. It also had both of its hands on the knife, determined to make an incision, to be done with this. We were both unflinching. Enraged, I broke the draw with the power of pale eyes, I drew the blade away and made him reel back
Black pearl was still up and it began to stomp me. I felt pain rise up from my torso and then it rose all over. I tried to deflect its metallic boot away every time I could so it couldn't get any good kicks in, but he always knew where to stomp.
I reached for my Will. The button shot it to life, ready and hungry to chew through all that armor. I struck the guard's leg armor and the claw hacked it away. I unified it again and bit it into its unprotected leg. While it was distracted with what thrashed it, I swept its other leg so that now we were on the same level, the floor.
I frantically crawled over to him to pin hit down. I reached for the gas mask to pry it from it and smash its face. My efforts revealed the bottom of the face. Just before I got it loose, I heard it take a huge breath. I hung on to an armor plate and started to punch its face to knock it out or for it to gasp. I remembered back at the spire.
How could they breathe with it? They couldn’t.
One, five, ten punches, I lost count, but Black pearl still hung on.
“Why…. won’t you just pass out already!?” I tried to punch him again, but it caught my fist and just held it in place with an unshakable grip. I guess it was tired of that hand, so I just punched him with the other. I hammered away a few more times before the force it gave to my hand that was in its clutches was unbearable. I had to stop and try to free it before he could break a bone. I felt it shift then felt something cold then hot on my forearm.
What a sneak.
It positioned that razor sharp wing and grazed me. In the same instant, I took a look at my arm, the pearl guardian kicked me off of it with a tremendous force. I cracked the stone wall and ended up rolling in the middle of the alley.
Everything hurt, I felt fragile. Any other move and I would burst. My body was floored and brittle. I curled up trying to numb some of this blasted agony. There was no way I could win, I tried to crawl away, but it was no use. It would catch up to me.
I looked around me to see where the Will was, it was back there, right next to that thing. A cold clang snap of metal told me that it got its gas mask back on. The tides turned and the edge was gone, now the favor was in the color ebony. The blood on my arm wouldn’t stop bleeding. A large, agitated groan came out of my mouth as I tried to smear all this seeping blood back onto me
“You want to know why I can’t pass out?” My gaze was on it, at its mercy. The Will was in its sight. A metal sabaton kicked it away. “Because I can’t let people like you pass over your corruption.” it sighed
I lowered my scarf a little to spit out some blood so I could speak “I’m not corrupted, if anyone it’s you Na’Sule hypocrites.” I elaborated, “You people are all slow to accept the Commatar.”
“But we still accept them regardless if they deserve it or not” it snapped, “No, but here you are, a Na’Sule turned Commatar, adopted a damn mask and joined those ridiculous thieves. Look at you, then take a long look at me.” The guard gave me more than enough time to reflect on the stalwart image.
“You had everything you could ever want, but you threw that all away when you joined them. We can give you everything again if you only return to us.” A hand in a gauntlet was held out, I eyed it.
I took it in.
I got up and rested an arm on my open wound. “Okay, I can have anything yeah? So hand me my sword please.” Without question the guard reached over to it, picked it up, and then handed it to me.
“It gladdens me that you are now part of the solution and not the problem.”
“Thank you.” I took a horrendous cough and couldn’t believe what I was aiming to do next. I activated adrainaline and struck at the guard’s knife.
I missed.
It must’ve imagined something like this would happen, so it stuck his blade on my left shoulder. I winced with anguish. I looked at it and it at me. There was a pearl color glowing from the helm. He toppled me back to the floor with a devastating blow.
My head was shaky, and my vision blurred, I saw him coming closer with a long thin black sword. I held up the Will and it sprung again to my bidding.
I caught his blade at the last possible second. He kicked the Will’s grip out of rage for stopping his move, his kill. It snapped up, consuming his blade, breaking it. I used all the adrainaline I had and smacked his face with the blunt side of the will, knocking his gas mask off. Once it was off he immediately went limp, crashed to the floor. I couldn’t do anything else but breathe. He couldn't have been killed just like that, not knowing killed me too, but a good part of me didn’t care. That feeling felt terrible. I felt wrong, so wrong. I threw off my mask to put my hands on my face to get a grip of myself, but something wasn't there.
My face was bloody, but there was no cut that I could find, I looked over to my fingers.
My pinky finger and half of my ring finger were cut off. I hoisted it in the air hoping that this wasn't happening. My hand wouldn’t stop trembling and neither could I. The only screams I could muster were wimpers.
When the guard hit the claw, it snapped back and must’ve gobbled up my fingers along with his sword. I reached over my shoulder and dug for the knife handle still in my shoulder. I breathed deeply, clenched my teeth. I ripped the knife out in one quick motion and threw it away, tainted in black. I got up and kicked the guard, he was stiff, was in some sort of stasis.
I knelt down and pulled his gas mask down to his face, he breathed again, and was still unconscious. I gave a quick view around the place in case anyone heard this fight, when no one came forward, I got my Will from the ground. I released the stuck sword, but my fingers weren’t stuck with it, they could’ve been anywhere. A quick but futile sweep of the area was the best I could do in my state, I didn’t have the energy or the time to look for them. My arm let the will dangle while the wall was my crutch. One foot forward, and a trail of blood followed.
I took up the mask again.
Chapter 22
I took a glance back then entered the building the black pearl was making for. Coldness and shivers returned with every step I took. The building was empty, completely empty. The noise must’ve been caused by some animal or a routine creak.
I risked my life for… nothing, my worst fear. The idea of what I just did snuck back in me and turned itself every inch of my brain. As it unwrapped in my head it became clear.
A cold snap had taken me. I lost control of my body. It let the Will drop, then leaned on a wall, then fell down, collapsed. It rested in vain. I kept my sight on my lost fingers. The other hand soothed the other in sympathy.
“So, this is how it was? This is how it ended?” my body murmured. “If only I had more time. Time was the only thing that everyone needed. Why couldn’t these people understand that? That none of this matters. Matters. Peoples’ lives matter and I made a lot of them terrible. Terrible is what I am, I wasn't so bad back then. Back then I was nice or was. Was is in the past. The past is in the past. I am here now, I am who I am. Who am I again?”
There was a disoriented clang far off and I worried about it, there was no way to tell what it was in this state. Maybe that guard came back to finish me, maybe I should’ve finished it.
My head tilted up to see something. From what I saw there was a grand portrait gathering dust. The bottom of it read. ‘Vanta Black.’ That dead man that everyone believed in.
The dark dripped from my fingers to my clothes below. Please, not them, they’re all I have. Don’t drag them into this. My body drooped and from the corners dark figures lurched at me again, like down in the files. I heard voices, but one voice was distinct, one was real. Warmth was thrust back into me and I took over.
“Thought!”
The hooded figure took off his mask, Vice.
I breathed a lot, and my eyes were heavy. “Did you take care of the patrol of guards?”
Vice knelt beside me, worried. “We split them up, took them down one by one, there was no fight. They were outmatched.” Vice saw me over. “What happened to you?”
“I- I fought a Pearl guard too, he was going to jeopardize this plan, only thing different was that this one was clad in black. Vice, I’m sure that one used adrainaline.”
Vice got stunned about the news but kept calm. “Never mind that now, we must attend to your wounds. A wound on your shoulder and a piece of metal lodged into your forearm, the tip of a sword looks like.”
I twisted my head down and leered at the gash. It was true, the snap of the Will sapped it into me. I didn’t even realize it.
“It struck a blood vessel; I think that’s the only thing that kept you from bleeding out yet.” Vice grunted angrily. “I don’t know if it was clean though.” After he had a good view of it, he immediately pressed down around it, some blood was seeping through.
One thing eluded even him. “That’s not all.” I unfurled my hand. “My fingers, my poor fingers Vice…”
“Oh my…”
A light sprang in my head.
“Vice, I’ve noticed if I shut my eyes or sleep for a time, then my wounds bind themselves, I’ll heal, I'll be better, my loss will get better.” I reassured him.
He nodded his head but with a slight tilt he groaned in anger. “I’ve noticed that too back in the files, a remarkable feat, but we just don’t have the time for that.”
I cradled myself back and forth and put my hand in front of me, hoping tears could wash the blood away.
Vice squirmed and kept talking. “I’m sorry Thought, I don’t know how long you’ll be gone, guards swarm this place. I can fight, sure, but with you on my back we’d both die.”
I struggled to say something. “Can you get another breacher over here?”
Vice held my hand tightly. “Guards will surely find you before I track one down.” He looked up. No wiry black hair strand got in his, we were eye to eye. “I won’t leave you again.”
“Am I going to die?” Those words were terror manifesting.
Vice grew grim at each passing moment. “In truth, I just don’t know. Men don’t lose limbs or appendages and have the likelihood to live. But what concerns me the most is that thing lodged in you.”
He reached for something in his back pocket pouch while still trying to dap the blood away. “This salve will disinfect the wound, but it might take time to close, prolonging your blood loss. However.” he reached for something more. “We can try something else.”
“What?”
He picked out a knife and some burning sticks from a pack. “Cauterization. I’ve studied and researched about it. Should seal up your wound, no blood, but there is a risk that it could leave it infected.”
I weighed my options, die now or die later.
“I’ll take the salve.”
Vice didn’t hesitate. “I’m starting now.”
He dipped my fingers into the red salve. It was soothing, but then it felt like it caught fire. I clamped my teeth shut. Torture. Vice quickly threw out some white bandages and curled them up fast around the bloodied hand. It looked like a mini coffin. The salve got me disoriented and I had trouble keeping it together.
Vice blew some air. “Alright, time for the tough one.” He gripped the sword shard and looked at me. “Ready?” I shook my head
He gave a nasty tug and a part of me left when that thing dislodged. Blood squirted out and Vice splashed salve into it. Another hasty wrap repair. Vice motioned me to take off my duster and shirt, I didn't want to be parted with it again, but he made me, had to get the shoulder wound as well. This shrill wind bombarded the bare skin. Again, it was salved up and wrapped. I laid there and waited until everything set so I could take my duster again. I gained a devastating headache that got me in a crazy mood, I had to keep going.
My aid moved towards a door and checked the surroundings. I got up and put my duster back again, stained with some red though. Still mine. I saw the cold metal double edged sword on the floor, it gave and took. I thought about leaving it, but it was still important to someone. I sheathed it to my loose leather. I didn’t know what to clutch onto since everything was painful, so I just held up my new hand in the other.
Vice came back to me. “We have to leave, there’s no one out there.” he pointed out there, to the dark. “The others should be searching for the contract by now, we should head towards the middle.”
I let out a sigh, looks like I wasn't leaving anytime soon. “I’m afraid I’m of no use in this state, I don't think I can climb either.”
“Without a doubt, I’ll scout out ahead and signal you when it’s safe with this.” He held up a burning stick. “When you see one of these, I want you to move into that direction and only in that direction okay?”
“Okay.” Vice then set off and I waited for the signal. A high up spark emerged from the night. It looked natural up there, like it’s been there all along with the stars, I just never noticed. I made straight away for it, I would never stray. Not every path was clear so every so often the light would be gone. I stayed where I was, not a single muscle was moved. An indirect call would be sent out to me, and I would chase the light again. It reminded me of a game that I used to play as a kid with fireflies. Though now we were playing the adult version and all the risks that accompanied it.
I would stumble occasionally on my own feet, or on some unconscious person. I still didn’t feel too good, I avoided contact and just kept my head on straight. Eventually the light was gone, and Vice met up with me.
“We made it, quickly, through here.” It was the tallest building around and the last one on this path. The single line I think it was. I stepped in and Vice gently closed the door behind. Unlike the other places this building was much better lit, but not too many windows to rouse suspicion. Not too many ways to sneak about in here. The walls weren't stone but were gold and shining. This whole place was a disguise, designed to look unimportant but held choice stuff. Inside, it was like daylight illuminated its way in here. Vice peeked around a corner “They should b-. Thought are you okay?” I came to a halting thud against the wall. Some blood was sown in.
“I’m all right, just need to get my bearings.” There was a crash and the muffled sounds of shouts some floors up. Vice and I both shared our feelings about it. “Do we have to?” I asked. Vice nodded. I groaned. “But it’s not our problem!”
He put an arm on my shoulder. “It is.” I shook it off me and he backed off. I think that hurt him somewhat. “Same as last time.” he sighed. I’ll head up first while you tag along some ways away.” I took a heavy sigh as confirmation. Vice went up first, then signaled me up when it was clear. This place seemed very rich, there were treasures everywhere, gems and a lot of coins. Though they were locked in cells, could look, but couldn’t touch.
We were nearing the muffles and my stomach ate itself. There was absolutely no escape if this turned bad. One false step and it would be over. Vice came into my view and signaled me to come closer. I refused, who knew who was up there. He dashed up to me and held my hand, the one that wasn't bloody, the one that wasn't suffering.
“It’s going to be okay.” Vice reassured me. We eased up the upcoming stairs, I put all my trust in him and on his judgement
I hated that.
The first thing I saw was an oar and I was relieved, it was the group, they made it. Love still didn’t have her mask on, did she forget it? Pawn’s mask was up to his forehead, he was sweating heavily and trying to wipe it off. It seemed Clod barely made it here since he was getting bashed by Shatter. I saw the girl again, such a terrible state for me to be in.
“What do you mean you lost him?! Again?!” Shatter yelped. “Out there with the fucking guards!?”
Vice and I came into view, and he hushed the situation, noise was the last thing we wanted in the thick of things.
Shatter lifted his mask up and rubbed his brow, he then pointed to Clod. “You were supposed to watch him.” then to Vice. “You’re not even supposed to be here, you’re supposed to be roaming.” then to me. “And you.” he noticed and snatched up my bandaged bloody hand. “Had more fingers last time I saw you. What the hell happened?!”
“There was a large set of guards coming out to inspect the patrols, there was no way I could’ve taken them all and look after young blood.” Clod explained. “I told him to stay put near a roof and that I would be back. After the guards were taken care of, I returned, and he was gone.”
Vice started. “And that’s where I found him. He had to tackle on a Black clad pearl guard from discovering our existence, he had no time to wait for either of us, he had no choice.” It was nice that these guys stood up for me.
“Black pearl you say?” Shatter rubbed his chin, and his eyes went large in a revelation. “So, you’re saying that he won?” Shatter jumped up with a smile. “That’s fucking fantastic! Good on ya’, mate.”
I bent my head down, it didn’t win a thing, felt like I lost.
“Poor dear. If only we knew.” Love sounded like she was sarcastic.
There was a clatter of metal and then a thud. Someone’s feet sounded like they were shuffling closer.
“What the fuck are you doing with that thing?!”
“He’s maimed, a casualty, it would be charity to kill him now.” Pawn argued.
I heard a thud then a grunt. Shatter bent down so he could see my eyes. “You can walk, can’t you? Ah I don’t care if you can. Clod!”
I turned to Clod, and he gave an absolute nod to Shatter. Clod put a meaty hand on my shoulder and hoisted me up to his broad shoulders with ease despite me worming around.
Pawn put whatever he took out away. “I’ll have lenity for now, but if he hinders the process any further then it's six feet under for him.”
“Oh, shut up you crazy, you’re not killing anyone. Nothing will happen to him.” Love snarled.
I had a good view of the floor; I didn’t like it but at least I could rest a bit.
“Search and loot the building, raze it if you have to, I’m just about fed up with this errand.”
“Goodey.” Clod said
I shifted my head and saw Shatter and Pawn ransack and break into cells. Clod and I guess, I too also joined in. Vice judged I was taken care of and set off downstairs. The mystery girl went up a flight of stairs while Love squinted at me. Love shook her head and then followed her up.
Clod was excitedly breaking into cells with his bare hands and stuffed various items down his pockets and bag. He wouldn’t stop moving, there was no rest to be had. The bag was getting full and he began to carry things in his hands. “Here, make yourself useful and carry these things since I’m carrying you.”
I sighed then opened my palm. He handed me three things, a finely made tiara, the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen.
And a damned ring.
I threw the items down and Clod let out a long groan of annoyance. He shifted me so I wouldn’t fall then picked them up one by one, he made room for them in his bag by throwing out something of presumably equal value. Shatter opened and closed chests just as quickly as he got around to them, he gradually got angrier. Shatter’s face was flush, growing more insane every time he tried it. Pawn took his time, making sure that each was inspected accurately and with a clearer head.
This floor was finally swept so he headed upstairs to see what else we would rob. Clod and I came across a door that didn’t have a cell in it. We opened it up and it was mostly just furniture, too big for Clod to steal. We stopped and I wondered why, there was nothing here for us. His constant movements and heavy breathing meant agitation.
“Damn Na’Sule.” he mumbled.
He reached into a pocket and brought out a burning stick and lit it. I elbowed Clod’s shoulder; I never knew he’d be this dim to try something like that. We were still in the building and although our approach lacked luster we still weren’t made. Again, Clod mumbled in my direction, put the burning stick down and stamped it out. We made off to steal some more.
After a few eternias of this, we heard Shatters voice come from below.
“Everyone, come down here to report.” he said
Clod ran downstairs and showed Shatter his bag. “I found a lot.” I could only imagine the stupid face Clod was making.
Shatter grumbled “Damn idiot.” One by one the girl, Love and Vice came forward. It didn’t seem like they came up with anything, but Vice moved in front of them. The cloaked body had a question. “Where does a defeated person look?”
I knew the answer since I was doing it most of the time.
Love put an arm on her head. “Uhh, I’m never good at these.”
Pawn was irritated “Get on with it you wretched cur.”
“Down.” Vice stamped his boot, and something flipped from the bottom. “There’s a cellar, the contracts that we are after are most likely there.
“Crack work let’s press on so we can finally quit this place.” said Pawn as he lowered his mask. I was worried about my mask being bland, but his mask couldn’t be any blander. It just read ‘Pawn’ on his forehead. Though, I’d admit the lettering was something else.
Vice stepped down first, then the mystery girl. Love was hesitant to go, but took a deep breath then followed. Pawn and Shatter fought to go in before the other. Clod adjusted the heavy bag and me then we went.
Pawn lit a burning stick and eyed Love.
“Keep your eyes straight ahead,” Shatter warned.
I didn’t like this place, it reminded me of the files. All dark and mysterious, waiting for someone to be taken. The gash at my arm annoyed me. I hope this would be over soon. The group had a swift pace down the stairs, this could’ve been some sort of trap. If they weren’t here though, they weren’t anywhere. We made it to the bottom. Too dark to see.
“Vice, Pawn, figure out the layout and light this place, I don’t want to leave anything to chance.” Shatter ordered.
They left our little line and began to search. I nudged Clod to set me down for a bit, I think we both needed a break. Vice lit another one of those burning sticks and roamed around with it. By torch or candle the place was gradually lit. Then we saw it, it had to be it, there was nothing else here. It was a grand chest, it was covered in Commatar colors with the lock being black as pitch.
Shatter turned to us; I knew he was smiling. “Let’s have a look see at that.” Shatter said. He stepped closer to the chest.
“I don’t think so boy.”
Shatter stamped his foot to the ground, it crumbled with the weight placed on it. “Who the hell called me boy?” Shatter was livid.
“I did.” a wall of stone slid out revealing a door, a man with a staff and in robes bearing the Church of the Round’s crest came out, he positioned himself in front of the chest. “I don’t know who any of you are, but I know this, you will not take from this chest as long as I live.” He stood steadfast, those eyes looked like they saw many things, mostly evil I would assume. His beard was short and the white hair on his head was receding. The skin was wrinkly, all of us knew what that meant, but only to one it didn’t matter.
Shatter put his arms up. “Easy old man, I know you can’t take any of us in a fight, parish a fair one. So why don’t you return to your cot, or whatever and forget you ever saw us before you try my patience you old bastard.” The old man didn’t budge and leaned on his staff. Shatter flashed his eyes proudly. “Do you know who I am!?”
The old man calmly cleared his throat. “I know who you are not, you are not our leader, Vanta Black.”
“But he’s dead.” Vice negotiated. “He won’t ever come back, so please, step aside and there shall be no incident.”
He plunged that staff of his to the stone. “You’re wrong, he shall return to us, true w-“
A streak of white then another zoomed towards the old man. Clod gripped the old man's stomach while Vice tried to pry it off.
“What are you doing? Don’t rough him up!” Vice demanded.
Clod ignored him and squeezed his hand tighter around him. Blood seeped out of the torso slowly but, steadily and the old man’s gate was quivering. His limbs were shaking uncontrollably, and his mouth unclenched where saliva poured. I bet he regrets crossing us now. The old man’s staff gave out and he spilled onto the floor. Thick dark blood flowed down around.
“You see what happens!? Damnit!” Vice scolded. He took a knee next to him, he touched him. “Nah he’s gone, dead.”
Clod scoffed. “What I’d do? Oh, that’s right, I got rid of the problem, he said the only way to get past was to kill him, so I did.” A hand smoothed out a strand of his hair. "I took that as a challenge, people shouldn’t say such stupid things unless they can back up what they say. Anyway, where's my thanks?”
Pawn was already dragging the dead body aside. “You have all of our thanks, good sir.”
Vice put a hand on his head. “I wanted to know more of what he wanted to say, now we’re in the dark. A lack of information is never good.” Vice sighed. “Also, I didn’t plan on him dying in my version, we could have just negotiated with him or at least knocked him out. I don’t know anything.”
Pawn already began to try the lock. “I fear that we would have been here for a span of time if that was the occurrence, an expensive luxury that is far too expensive for any of us to purchase.
Shatter had his hands tucked into each other. “I would normally be angry with this corpse Clod, but why ruin your streak? What is that thirteen now? Shatter approached the body that was still running red and spat at it. “Call me boy will you?”
My mind finally shaped what happened. Clod has killed people before, he could’ve killed me anytime he wanted to, I doubt the word Breacher would stop him. Judging from the garb, this new number must’ve been important. Well, was important. Should’ve just kept to yourself you old man, look what the courage bought you, a death.
Love put a hand on her hip and leaned on my shoulder. “Old fool, just because he’s older doesn’t mean that he’s wise. Right?” She turned her head up to me, but I didn’t say or move. I wasn't sure what to do so I didn’t do anything.
Pawn broke the lock and rummaged through it. He stuck one old piece of paper. “Aha! I got it!”
Shatter approached. “What is it?”
Pawn quickly tucked it into his orange shirt. “Nay. I mustn't show anyone, besides, you’ll see soon enough.” he motioned to the girl which I didn’t like. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be off, we know the way out, so no need to follow or worry.”
Love held his arm and kept him in place. “Oh no, you’re not going out of here just yet, we’re all getting out of this.” Love glared at the girl. “Together.”
Vice dug a single contract out of the chest. “Inner city part of Deflin, ‘nicest’ location available, building construction format, no project listed, this is the one.”
Shatter nodded and pointed to the steps. “Let’s quit this place.” I looked at the old man, leaving him like that didn’t feel right. Before I could do anything, Clod scooped me up back to his shoulders. Vice washed the blood away from his stomach and put him where he came from. Vice put the slab back and rushed back towards us.
Pawn jumped up straight in joy and Shatter almost pushed him down, but he missed him. Pawn laughed; nothing could’ve broken his excitement.
Shatter tilted his head. “Okay, the door-”
A screech of a door killed the mood. If we were all here, then that meant...
“They're here, stay sharp.” Guards
Pawn struck the air; his eyes were antsy. “Piss!”
There was no movement for a time then, loud footsteps, they came closer to us, steadily.
“No room for us to slip past.” Vice whispered, “Everyone up the floors!” We all hurried the steps, narrowly avoiding the new intruders, more pearl.
Along the way we tried for exits but there were only a few and those few would’ve taken too long, and the guards would’ve been already on us. We raced to the top of the building, hoping that something would happen between the time it took for us to get there. That somehow our situation would improve.
I noticed the wound on my forearm and fingers dripped an immense amount of blood. Then I remembered the black pearl’s keen sense, I remembered he said something about smell, probably joking, but it was the only thing to go on. We had stopped, nowhere else to run.
I wormed out of Clods grip, and it was finally time for me to speak.
“They’re here and they’re tracking me.” I slowly said. I held out my wounds. “They’re following my blood, the trail or the smell, doesn’t matter which, it’s the same thing.”
“Like a bloody pack of hounds.” Pawn whispered.
I stole a glance at the girl, she was looking towards me but not at me. Her presence gave me an idea. I tilted my head upward. The rafters were dark and sturdy enough.
“Leave me here, they want me.”
“Glad you’re selfless, you heard him, let's get out of here.” Pawn was quick to say.
“Quiet!” Clod almost yelled. “He had something else on his mind.”
I took a heavy groan and stared at Clod. “See those rafters? Some of you hide up there and ambush the guards while their eyes are on me, then we can get out of here.”
“I don’t like it.” said Vice.
“Me too.” Shatter and Love were in unison.
The footsteps didn’t give anyone any choice. They grudgingly went along with it.
“If you die, I swear.” Shatter said with a hint of annoyance. “I’ll…” he didn’t finish and just took up his post. Love and the mystery girl took up positions on the sides of the hallway. It had obscured dents so they wouldn’t be spotted. I was in the middle of it all, vulnerable, about to risk my own life again.
Love grabbed my attention and gave me a wink and a slight smile, I ignored it.
The Pearl Guards came to view slowly, we stared at each other, a showdown. They were following my blood, but not anymore. They sluggishly made their way to me while checking their surroundings.
“So, you’re the cause of our problems?” One said out of the six there. “You must be the best Breacher out there. Amazing.”
“Of course, he’s the best, he’s Na’Sule isn’t he?”
“Not anymore.” One Pearl Guard pulled out his long slim sword and sharpened it on his wing. “He’s a traitor to the cause, needs to die.” He made a motion, and all the Guards drew swords.
One was reluctant at obeying the order. “Maybe we can turn him around? To our side? Or maybe give him to the Church of the Round?” A Guard objected.
“No.” The one that pulled the sword out put it to my neck when he found the Will on my belt, but then eased off when I made no attempt to draw it. A little closer now.
“You lost your fingers, didn’t you?” I pointed to them. “With what you’re about to lose next, you won’t miss them for long.”
A sack fell from above and the Pearl turned behind them to see what it was. One looked up and that was the cue.
Clod crashed the oar on one’s face while Shatter got another one and lifted the mask with his dirk.
The guard with the sword finally knew exactly what was happening and he thrusted the sword forward. All I saw was Vice’s emblem on the back of his cloak. Vice stepped on the sword and put him down. Love and the girl took out their guards quickly and snapped the latch of their metal gas masks. One was still up, and Clod swatted him with a quick swing.
A faint gurgling sound was heard, Pawn’s
Chapter 23
All the guards were done before they knew what hit them, except that one. Out of luck or instinct I’ve noticed that there was blood on his sword and on his wing. Pawn was clutching the air and when that was in vain he held up the gashes, one on his neck and the other in his chest. Another glance at the sword told me that it pierced through.
The girl put her gloves away and tried to hold the wounds down to stop the bleeding. Out of pity I sat next to where Pawn laid and held out my blood-soaked bandages. He probably wasn't the only one that was going to die today.
We were all quiet, someone dying that we didn’t know was normal, but someone dying that was on our side, well I guess you couldn’t really brace for that. The crew looked down at us. Love, the only one whose face I could see showed no emotion.
Shatter bent down towards him “Well, I didn’t kill you, but yet, you somehow still wound up with a fatal wound. Kinda funny how that works out.”
Pawn grabbed Shatter’s shirt and pulled him closer “You vile fiend, jests at a time like this.
Shatter shoved his hand away. “The only thing to pass time until you’re dead.”
Pawn gasped and moved his shaken hand to his shirt and took out the contract. “Forget about this wound of mine….. take this and report back to King…... It was an honor.”
The girl shook the blood off her fingers and handled the contract with care. She bent her head down and had a brief silent moment. I joined in too.
Shatter got both of our attention then rubbed his chin. “Well, this is touching, but unless you want to end up like your friend here.” He took out the dirk just like he did to me when we first met. “You’ll give us that contract. We’ll deliver it.”
The girl instantly jumped to her feet and pulled out her knife. I gradually got up, but she didn’t pull the knife on me which made me glad. She took a step back while Shatter took a step forward. Then she used adrainaline to run off. I stumbled on purpose and crashed into Shatter to give her time to escape, us toppling to the ground. She came around the other side and Vice pivoted that way. Clod tried to get past him, but she was already gone.
“Vice, why'd you have to go into one of your moments in a time like this? She got away.”
Vice turned to Clod. “Sorry did you say something?
Clod adjusted his bag. “Exactly.”
“And you.” Shatter thumped my head. “I know I’m good looking and all, but why’d you fall for me? Picked a terrible time.” I came up with something fast.
“Sorry I risked my life so much today that I’m kind of sick and tired of it all.”
Love squinted her eyes. “How convenient you got tired just now.”
Shatter got up and motioned to Pawn. “Well, there’s him to deal with before we leave, obviously we can’t leave him here, but we also can’t lug a corpse around.”
Love ripped the mask off of his face. His eyes were still open and were lifeless. Black blood was squirting out and there was no end in sight. Pawns brown hair was coated in sweat and blood, one of his hands was on his throat and the other was open, forever extending the contract to the girl.
“So, what do we do with him?” Love said while attaching Pawn’s mask to her belt.
Shatter looked at the body. “You know those big fire pits we came across?”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Love said.
Vice picked up the body and put him in his arms. Shatter tapped Vice’s shoulder. “We’ll see you when you get back, try not to get caught with that thing.”
“It will be done.” Vice walked off.
Clod got his bag from the floor and got to me. “Up we go.” he said, carrying me again. “Now you behave yourself or I’ll toss you into that fire too.” Clod chuckled but Love and Shatter weren’t laughing.
We slipped out the door and hastily began to leave. Some gates and walls were scaled, avoiding the small, alert pack of guards that were left.
Shatter led the way. “Go. Go. Go.” but all I heard was No. No. No. I was tired, and my eyes were heavy. We were perched up high and I took a look below.
There was the Black Pearl there, just standing in a dim, shining light. So tired.
Chapter 24
I opened my eyes accompanied with a gasp for air. I sat up and glanced around me, still in my room. I sighed in relief. What a bad dream.
Though something was off, I was in just breeches and there were bandages in my shoulder. I grasped at what happened, this was no dream.
I tore the bandages off my shoulder and felt the smooth skin. It healed nicely, practically no scar. Then I remembered the other cut, there was bandages on the arm. I worked my arm off those bandages, and I smiled because it was like the other one. The healing was seamless. The last one was the hardest. I breathed deeply, and saw my left hand, it was wrapped. I took my right hand and revealed the two fingers that were damaged.
They were still gone.
I sat up to stare at them. Stubs of meat are what they are now.
...
I took them away from my sight, somehow move on. It wouldn’t be the last tragedy to befall me. I noticed that my clothes and Will were on a chair. I put on my clothes that were still stained with some blood and sheathed the Will. I went over to my desk, sat down at its chair and gazed at the ceiling.
Might as well read a book. I rested a hand on my desk, and it collapsed on me. Its legs gave out. The weight of the coins finally broke it down, right down the middle. I made my hand into a fist and put it up to think.
“I see you’re awake.” Love visited me and noticed the desk. “Don’t worry we’ll get you a new one.”
“Thanks, so we did it right?”
Love pointed to where the foyer was. “Yeah, we did. King should be over at any minute.”
I nodded.
“So.” Love slithered to the door and closed it. Then she moved deeper into my room. “You Met Mizrole, the beauty of Deflin huh?”
I leaned my head back. “And how do you know that?”
She pointed to the fallen desk. “I’ve been through your mail, do you have feelings for her?
I shrugged. “I don’t feel much of anything.”
“You’re supposed to be with me!” Love screamed. “We’re supposed to be together. And that girl you helped out yesterday what was that about huh?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I lied.
“You’re a terrible liar.” Love set leaned on my bed. You should be kissing my boots for all I’ve done for you. Without me you’d be out there in the streets.” Love murmured.
“And without you, I would still have this whole!” I showed her my hand.
Love waved it out of her view. “We could get over that.”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Alright then.” She opened the door. “Only eyes for each other from now on.” She closed it.
Stuck in a room with nothing to do, dangerous. Time to leave. It was quiet in the rooms. Near the foyer door there was Secret with her cup, kneeling on the wall.
I approached her. “Hey Secret, how’s it going?”
She took a sip and just stared forward nodding her head. She gulped hard. “So how did that job go?”
I put my right hand on the wall. “A few bumps in the plan, but it turned out good.”
“I heard you took a few hits here and there.” She sipped on her cup.
“Oh yeah, on my forearm and shoulder.”
“And?” She pried
“Oh.” I showed my other hand. “This too, but it’s nothing to worry about.”
“I’m truly sorry, I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t be, it was my mistake, no one else’s. Though, now I know better than to cross a Pearl Guard.”
She puckered her lips unsure “Bet he was scary, please take care of yourself better.”
I smiled. “Ah, I got no time to worry.”
“Then I’ll just worry for you.”
I waved goodbye then went to the foyer. I backtracked. “You want me to tell you what’s the meetings about later?”
Another sip. “I think you already know the answer.”
I nodded then headed out.
The crew was in the foyer, waiting. Love seemed mad but that didn’t bother me much. Clod was with his bag, counting up his loot. Vice was off watching a window and Shatter was lazily flipping his dirk. I came down the steps and was met with another one of Shatter’s infamous grins.
“Hey, you’re not dead, how about that.” I tensed up my hand and he frowned with displeasure. “Don’t feel too bad, it was your fingers that were mangled, your face is still amazing, mate.”
“Well yeah, considering what went down that day, I’d consider myself lucky.”
Shatter laughed. “Yeah, you lucky dog, can’t get dead. Now hand me that brew.” I handed Shatter a cup and he downed it. “Ooh strong stuff, want some?”
“I think I need to get more adjusted to this crippled hand than that right now.
“Shatter sighed. “I should’ve known better, I’ll get through to you though.”
The Secret’s door swung wide open and King with some Breachers entered. But more importantly, the girl was with him again.
Shatter flipped his knife nonchalantly. “Your friends dead, sorry.”
The grit in King’s voice showed. “I know that, he showed promise and now he’s dead.” King had on a long Commatar colored coat with Commater colored pants and Commatar colored boots. “A real pity he showed promise.”
“Well, if you didn’t pull your little stunt of yours last minute then we wouldn’t have this predicament.” Shatter said while still flipping his knife. “Now what was the contract anyway?”
King proudly put his arms apart and a Breacher handed him the contract, he smiled. “The contract that we got was fo-”
“Out with it.” Clod said while still counting his loot.
“The Contract for the Pearl Guard.” Shatter was unimpressed but sheathed his dirk anyway to listen.
“Well, that’s stupid.” Love spoke. “Why would Reagent give his Pearl Guard over to the church? He hates them.”
King pondered it too but came up with an answer. “Probably to keep it safe, considering how much trouble it was to get in there. Or maybe he wants to establish some sort of alliance and wants to be in their graces.”
“Should come handy later on.” Clod said.
“You mean handy right now.”
Clod was confused. “Huh? That’s not what I said.”
King slapped his forehead. “That means this crew, your crew, will pay Reagent a visit, but you’ll be delivering a different contract than what was originally planned.”
Shatter pointed to the crew. “We aren’t doing anything, do you realize what we all went through? A big headache. I just want my money, you guys could do whatever fancies you.”
King pranced around the room with slanted arms. “See Shatter, the deal is different now, you must do this too to get paid. It was discussed earlier and confirmed by the other masters. From Reagent work to Breacher work. Can’t you see where are so close at dispatching him?”
Shatter’s gate was open and one of his eyes was open while the other was squinted. “More damn dirty work for dirty money.” Shatter sighed. “Okay, so what are we doing then?”
King handed the contract to the girl. “You’ll infiltrate Reagent’s spire then when you got him cornered, you’ll use this contract to trump him out of his guards.”
The cloak near the window spoke. “That’s idiotic, he’s expecting us anyway, why don’t we just turn in both contracts at once? The delivery would bring his victory and also his downfall.”
King was flustered. “In case you haven’t noticed, it’s daylight hours now. The guards at the Church fort would probably figure out by now that there were uninvited persons. So, they would check their belongings, starting with the most valuable.”
“Then they would relay that to Reagent.” Vice mumbled. “Still, we could just show the Pearl Guard the contract, they’ll see that we’re in charge now”
King shook his head. “Remind yourself that even the ill received have supporters. They’re plenty of Na’Sule nobility that have an abundance of Commatar muscle. They’ll be a riot in the streets. The change of power must be subtle, not violent. This is the best way.” King assured.
“Could pay them off.”
“No, too many, besides, too much money.
“Look, we’re tired, so why don’t you come back to us in about a year or so.” Love yawned.
King soothed his hands then violently threw a glass against the wall. “No! There has to be a new king now! This has to be done now!”
Love wasn't fazed. “What, and you think it’ll be you?”
“The masters and I will discuss that into further detail once we have claimed the spire.”
Shatter smiled while gritting his teeth. “So, what you’re saying is that I could even be King?”
“In a way, yes.” King said disgustedly.
Shatter was laughing while shaking his head. “What a terrible thing to do.” he grunted then realized something. “Will we have any back up on this run? A corpse won’t do us any good.”
“You know this type of work is only for small groups, big groups would just be an all-out storm.” he pushed the girl forward. “She’ll come along to hold the contract.”
Shatter turned to me. “Great.” I had a little bit of glee out of it.
King made his way to the door. “We’ll be awaiting the success report.”
Shatter waved them off. “Yeah, yeah whatever.” King and his entourage left. “Asshole.”
“We’re not leaving right now, right?” Love asked.
“Of course not, at night.” Shatter responded. Shatter pointed to the girl. “You, sit.”
Then to me. “You, watch her.” My body froze so I just agreed with silence and made my way to her. Love’s mouth was open in disbelief, she left with a huff and eyes closed.
Clod left some time ago since it got too noisy for him, the loot still on a table unguarded. Vice took a pipe then went outside, Shatter went with him and tagged along. It was just me and her.
She had already taken a seat when I reached her. I pulled out a seat slowly and I sat down even slower.
It was weird, but weird wasn't so bad once it got established.
At first, I slumped on my chair with an arm on the rest. I tried to make myself look confident, like a rogue I’ve read about. I swiped some glances, but she wasn't looking at me, her eyes didn’t have a care. I sighed then sat regularly. I put my hands on the table and slightly lowered my head in her direction, just in case she thought I wasn't keeping an eye on her like Shatter said.
I tried saying something, I really did, but my voice was hollow. Her hands rose and she slowly postured herself in the same manner I was. She set her hands on the table as well. I think we wanted the same thing or at least I hoped. I barely went over my side of the table and positioned one of my right fingers over to her side. For the longest time I had my finger stationed there. I felt like such a fool every time a second passed. What was I even thinking? I retraced my hands back onto my sides.
Out of pity or something else entirely, this time she moved her hands to my edge and put a finger on my side. Her time was shorter than mine there, almost immediately she set her hands away from the table. I almost smiled. I put my hands on the table, offering her the same digit on her side again. She hesitantly went back to how she was as well.
We each were on the other’s side now. There was a gap between our fingers. Throughout the night we moved bit by bit closer closing the gap between us. Ever closer. By the end of things there was so little room left. Our hands almost touched.
...
Before I knew it, the Secret was in full swing of things. Patrons were all among us but we weren’t disturbed. That’s when I noticed a few goons standing near us and pushed back anyone rowdy coming our way.
I saw Vice walk toward us; the cluster of guards let him pass. He went towards the girl and motioned for her to rise.
“Follow me.” he said.
I watched them walk off towards the door disheartened. I was then thrown out of my seat and spun around.
“So did you kiss her yet???” Shatter said with a wicked grin.
“I was supposed to?”
He pushed me back towards the table and his arms drooped. “Oh… my…”
“What?”
He was shaking his hair. “The problem is what you didn’t do, you had plenty of time to do something, say anything.” Shatter put a single finger on his cheek and smeared it to his chin. “Maybe you need some motivation.”
“Maybe, I just have a lot on my mind. Anyway, what do you want?”
He whispered in my ear. “Time to take down Reagent, come on.”
We went out the door and up to the roof. Again, the crew was there, Vice was watching over the girl at a distance with dullness. An approaching dusk, our stage was establishing its way in.
Shatter moved over to Vice. “I think it’s time for that information.”
“Of course.” Vice closed his eyes. “The spire rotates and shoots light. The spire rotates and changes. Rooms come and go. Details always change within, layout is an uncertainty. Best place of entry is outside and climb up. Those change too.” he opened his eyes when he was done.
Shatter scratched his arm. “This could be challenging, but eh.” he moved next to Love. “I want you to be inside the spire, make sure that no Na’Sule are wise or grow into a panic.”
“I can do that.” Love responded.
Shatter offered her something, probably money. Love leaned in for it and while she did it Shatter kissed her forehead. Love blushed and scurried off.
“Vice you circle around just like last time, take out anyone that’s outside.”
Vice bowed and put on his mask. “They shall not see me.”
Shatter turned back to us with big eyes and a huge grin. “We get the fun part.” He slid his way next to the girl and looked at her, down then up.
He sniffed her hair then put an arm around her hip, then dropped it lower caressing her thigh. A slight move of her mouth told me the girl was creeped out, but she remained composed. I wanted to slip a punch on his stupid white teeth. Shatter angled the girl in my direction for a few minutes and arched her in a way that it seemed a knife was at her throat. We were both helpless from his torment.
“What do we do Shatter?” Clod asked.
Shatter brushed the girl's hair while keeping his eyes on me. “What we’re going to do is the most important. We’ll be Reagent’s personal notice that he’s been… ousted.” he forcefully nudged the girl. “As soon as this one gives us what we want.”
She didn’t give in. Shatter walked away from her and put his hands behind his head. “Fine, we’ll just get it from your corpse when you ultimately die along the way. Clod, even though I think you’ll mess this up again, watch over Thought while I watch over our plus one here.” Shatter shoved the girl. “Move.”
We raced down to the Spire. The trek was numbing. I wondered if I was going to lose anything else. My whole hand perchance, a foot perhaps, my life maybe. These things plagued me. Though what really irritated me was how Shatter treated the girl. A sick twisted type of motivation. The cold wind blasted through my eye slots, giving me an alert to be aware.
We stood on the same building that Shatter and I were on when we first visited Reagent.
“Should I look for a boat we could use?” Clod asked.
Shatter squinted at Clod with an opened mouth. “No, what’s wrong with you?
“No boat?”
“No boat.”
I leaned over the building, crashing waves and an enormous gap. The height shook me.
A voice came behind me. “Clod, cross the way with her, and make sure you don’t lose her.”
Clod shifted. “You heard him.” he motioned with his oar then put it on his back.” The girl put on her mask and gloves. She bent down, eyes neutral, and quickly jumped forward diving to the spire.”
Clod hastily put on his mask and ran, he quickly turned around. “See you on the far side!”
I looked back at Shatter who had the yellow mask, he was staring at the floor. “You ready to go?” I decided to not make a big deal on how he treated the girl, this wasn't the time and thinking could kill.
“I’m not hitching on you again.” I said.
“Then how are you going to get across? Did you see a boat down there?”
I smiled. “No, only courage. I’ll cross myself.”
Shatter folded his arms. “Is that so? Well, I gotta’ see this, I’ll take all the time for the job if I have to.”
I stood in the middle of the roof and looked down, one false move could bring me down to those cliffs. I took deep breaths, each that passed deeper than the last. With every one of those breaths, white lifted in my sight. First it was just a trace, but now it was cased in it. I furled my brown then opened my eyes.
I ran.
And at the last possible second, I jumped with all I had. I glanced over to my side Shatter jumped with me while inspecting if I did it right. I think he was there to make sure that I wouldn’t fall. But I’d done it. Training has finally paid off. I felt weightless, I felt the surge, the strain of adrainaline, I felt the power.
I crashed to the island and rolled, keeping the Will tight on its sheathe. Shatter came later and just stuck the landing.
“I’ve seen better, like me.” Clod scoffed.
Shatter shushed him and we sneaked by the main entrance of the spire. The entrance had Commatar hires with long swords and there were Pearl along with normal Guards patrolling the area as well. The inside of the spire was lit up and many voices came outside. Regent must’ve felt something was awry. Shatter rushed up to a side of the spire.
“This is as good as a spot as we’re going to get, start climbing I’ll keep watch.”
The spire had dark red, almost black stubs and sharp pointy ledges of the same color. This must’ve been how the spire moved, no doubt these things moved too. We used the stubs as a ways to hold onto the spire and calculate our next move. The sharp ledges were used to balance or rest, they were good for a person or two. It also had openings along the way, they must’ve been windows or something like that. Perfect in case things turned bad.
We were some ways up and Shatter joined us when the coast down there was clear. None of us dared to use adrainaline but him. We needed precise movements and to preserve our strength while he skid by from under us and got ahead of the girl.
“I told you, you’re not leaving my sight.”
Clod was my partner, so I stuck with him. Something pulled on my shoes, and I panicked. It was Clod he was laughing out loud to himself.
“Watch out, don’t fall!”
I grunted at him and continued climbing. Soon enough another pull on my shoe.
“Did you feel that?” Clod whimpered. Another joke.
“No, I don’t feel-.”
Without any warning at all, the spire began to turn. The stub I was holding on to was sinking into the spire, it wanted it back. I jumped onto a ledge, but that too was quickly receding.
“Get inside now!” Shatter yelled.
I saw a window not too far where I was and used adrainaline to leap up. I lost my footing and wasn't going to make it. An oar extended out the window I was aiming for and I held onto it. The oar pulled me into the window, a metal sheet covered it as soon as I was done entering.
Clod and I were panting, I see he wasted no time to get over here.
“Thanks.” I panted.
“Yeah, yeah.” Clod drifted the wood chip along his mouth. “I saw Shatter and what’s her face jump into a window higher up. We should find a window to jump out of and fast. It reeks of Na’Sule in here.”
I seized my Will and touched the metal sheet that closed. There was no way I was ripping that thing off.
Clod whistled. “Let’s go advisor, I got the bandages for ‘em ready.”
Clod and I took the tight corridors with care. We cleared one by one then moved forward. Nothing to hear but gears murmuring to their assigned places. Inside was eerie with the voices away. If only they knew what was happening above them. At a turn in a corner Clod gulped and halted. I peeked out, Pearl. It looked like they were repairing something, they had buckets of some sludge coming out of some metal thing, materials maybe. There was no telling when this thing would shift again for a way out of here. We had to take them down, there was no other way around.
“The element of surprise, deadly, never known. I’ll head in first.”
Clod agreed with a twist of his oar. I swung my Will and held it with both hands. I went down that corridor running. I jumped over a Pearl guard, avoiding his wings. In that confusement I used the claw of the Will and lifted a Pearl’s gas mask off, I swung the Will and rattled one’s wing, gaining their attention. Clod charged in, he slammed a Pearl to the floor and put his foot to his chest so he wouldn’t get up. He swung his oar around and he cleaved a few Pearl, making a violent circle. My body and arms dipped down when I saw it. A futile attempt.
There were so many Pearl Guards surrounding, more than I assumed. They were at the sides and weren’t in our initial sight. We thought them only a manageable handful
Clod looked around too, noticed it, but he didn’t care. He kicked the guards mask off and converted the momentum into a swing at another one.
If he fought, then I fought.
I broke a stunned Pearl Guard’s sword and lifted his mask with the claw, he was done. Three Pearl Guards rushed me so I split the Will apart. I tried to break their swords, but they backed off when they’re swords got stuck. We were at a stalemate, but I still tried. I got a glimpse of Clod.
He was still fighting. He deflected a sword and pulled a Pearl’s gas mask right off with his bare hands. A Pearl saw an opening and sliced at Clod’s arm, adding to the number of wounds already there on him.
He needed my help. I finally got a hold of a sword and broke it. The Pearl ran off to the back.
“Pin him down! I need a sword, I’ll be back!”
The other two Pearl Guards heeded this and took up his slack. One lunged forward, I countered his blow and issued a surge of adrainaline to lift the heavy gas mask. I did it and he was downed. Now one on one. I speed up close to him, avoiding his blade. I grabbed a metal plate of his armor and threw him down to the floor. He tried to get up, but every time he did it I stomped him down back to the floor. I raged with adrainaline and used the Will to work on his wings. I twisted them down to the floor, keeping him planted. I knew that he wasn't going anywhere and made my way to Clod. Everyone was focused on him as the biggest threat, and they just let me slip past their line.
Clod sagged and was ragged. He fell a little and I lifted him up immediately. I wouldn’t let him bow.
A Pearl Guard broke through the line with a fresh sword but noticed that the fight was over. The Pearl Guards were backing off, one by one. I still held up Clod. The Pearl Guard made a line to one side of us. Each of them picked up a bucket and held it. One of them held up a hand, and they all readied. Were they going to kill us with mere sludge?
They threw their sludge and Clod quickly made his way in front of me, in front of the… tar. I used all of my strength to get us out of here, the grime made hard for us to move. He held me dear, almost into a hug, I saw white coming out of his eyes along with blue drops. “I may be dumb, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what can be or has to be done.”
He tossed me down a long corridor, and I saw a Pearl Guard hold up a burning stick.
I toppled back and forth on the floor. As soon as I stopped moving. I didn't hesitate. I rushed towards Clod again. I was met with the heat of a distant fire. There was an ear-splitting yell. I put my hands to my ears as they buzzed. I refused to listen in, I refused to believe. I saw something over there.
Clod uplifted the thing most precious to him and waved it around. His oar.
He heaved it to my direction, it was a fair distance away. He didn’t have the strength. Some buzz sound of a bug came out of the wall. A wall began to shut in, shutting me away from the oar. I dived down after it, but the wall was too quick, it locked me out. I slammed down on it, I remembered the Will, and came back to the Wall with it. I scratched, scraped, smashed, and slashed, but it wouldn’t come down.
I sobbed, sheathed the Will and ran.
The fire must’ve activated something within this place because down the hall there was a new window. I leaped out and perched myself to a ledge. I looked up and saw a yellow mask standing on a large slit on the spire along with the girl. I didn’t waste any time. I used adrainaline and launched myself to their window. I hung on and Shatter hoisted me up. I noticed that this opening was shut and they were waiting on this little platform for it to open.
“Hey! You made it!” Shatter looked over the edge. “Where’s Clod?”
I silently shook my head back and forth. I kept gesturing with my arms, but no words came out. That silence remained for a time.
Shatter put his hands on his hips. “Huh. I think I understand” he shook his head. “Well, me trusting him with your care wasn't a mistake this time now, was it?” he tapped my shoulder. “He was a bloody idiot, but… he was my idiot, and he had his uses.” Shatter sighed. “Well, whatever.”
I looked down at my hand, only thinking if I was next.
Shatter noticed that too and narrowed his eyes with misty blue. “Fuck this.” he spun around to the girl and held her wrist violently. He flung her against the wall, the solid metal wall. “Give me the damn contract! If I’d given it to Clod, he would’ve shown it to the Pearl Guard, and would still be alive!”
The girl didn’t move, her head was tilted down. Mask of many different colors and shapes the only place that was empty was on her lips. She slowly made herself get up.
Shatter fumed and punched the metal wall a couple of times. Adrainaline flowed, but that too died down. He got tired and broke. “Let me try something else.” he cleared his throat. “Piece… ”
My mind locked me out when I heard that. Piece, so that’s what her name was all along. I didn't hear the rest of the conversation, but Piece gave the contract to Shatter.
“Thank you.” he soothed his hand and gave me the contract. “Just in case we get separated.”
The spire rumbled and shook. Over the edge you saw the illumination of light coming out, a yellow light. It bled to all three of us. Word had finally gone out of our presence here.
Piece was still shaky after that throw, she lost her footing, and was dangerously close to the ledge. I reached to get a hold of her.
But missed.
Piece fell off and I went after her. There was no way I would let anyone else die today. I used adrainaline, but there was no white haze, my eyes stung, and the color black slipped into my vision. The surrounding parts of my eyes were pulsing. My arm was extended, and so was her’s. Time just seemed to go slower, and I was fast, I didn’t fall faster though. I tried with one hand to reach her, then the other, then both. She finally looked directly at me.
Her large brown eyes weren’t in distress nor in awe. I’ve never noticed how gracefully pure they were. Time was slowed to a crawl, and if I fell to my death with this stranger then I would be just fine with it. But that wasn't the case.
A strong heave in my ankle told me that someone had gotten ahold of me. The yellow mask no doubt. He slowly reeled me in, and the gap between me and Piece thickened. Our arms were still stretched out, but it was hopeless.
Piece. I’ll never know you.
Chapter 25
My body was dragged away from her and catapulted up. I was thrown inside the now open window. Shatter tried to look where Piece was going, but the platform he was on was receding back into the spire. He looked at me, the opening shut in front of him before he could get to me. There were a few bangs on the opening and then all was quiet.
I rushed over the window and banged on it with the will then my hands. My fingers bled as I tried to open it with all the remaining strength I had. I banged standing then stopped until I was weak at my knees.
Well, that was it, all of my team was gone. I was alone. I felt coldness trying to force my way into my body, but I fought it, I needed to be in control. My eyes stung to no end. I wasn't blind and the black that clouded my vision subsided, but they still hurt. I rubbed them, but it was useless, there was no solution that I could think of. I unsheathed the Will and used it to get myself up despite my shakes.
Now what? This plan was a failure, and the only way for this to be over was to move forward. I put my left hand on the window. I would get this done, for them.
A familiar sounded afraid behind me, “Hello? Is anyone there?”
I hoped that it was friendly. I turned around and saw platinum shining hair. It was Mizrole holding a candle with a hint of terror drawn on her face. She was in white leisure shirt and shorts, probably ruining her sleep. “Oh, it’s you.” I said with a bit of friendly and a bit hostility.
“Ah the visitor from the spire, have you finally come to visit me or something?” she inquired.
It would be best to be just straight with her. I didn’t want to hurt her, and I didn’t want to hurt her with a room full of guards around. “I’m afraid not, I’m here to put an end to Regent’s reign.”
She was surprised then put a palm on her chest. “Well don’t worry about me, I’m not going to halt you. In fact, give him a couple of thrashes for me. The man has done nothing but leave Deflin in a pit of woe.”
That got me relieved. “I will, for you. Now find somewhere safe, getting to the top will be a struggle, and I don’t want you to get hurt in the middle of it all.”
She showed me a face of worry. “Don’t want me to get hurt? You’re the one looking worse for wear.”
I searched up some words. “This pales in comparison to being away from you.” I shuddered a tad. “Can you give me directions to get to the top?”
She offered me a hand but noticed my hesitation. “Fret not, there aren’t any guards on this floor, one of the perks of being courted by the King or trying to. Though, first you should rest. Your eyes… don’t look healthy.”
So, there was something wrong with them and it wasn't just my brain playing tricks. I tucked my Will away and took the girl's hand. A different girl's hand. It was warm and soft. The opposite of mine. I polished it with my thumb, so this is what it would’ve felt like.
“So, did you get any of the letters that I sent you?” she said as she led the way.
“I’m sorry, you know how unreliable the delivery service is. Though If I had received them, I would have broken down the whole spire to get to you.” I lied.
Her shoulders tightened up with glee. We stopped at a door. “This is my room.” she opened the door, and I was cautious to step in. She was lighting candles around the room. I saw a lounge in front of the bed and hunched over trying to stop myself from fretting, but I was too on edge. I was about to overthrow a King of his kingdom by myself. I felt up my duster pocket, still had the contract.
“So did you come up all here by yourself?” Mizrole said as she lit another candle.
“Yes.” I lied. “I made my way up here by myself.”
“You must be pretty good since you got up this far, I applaud you.” She posed and softly clapped twice. She took a seat on the lounge and shifted her body to give me her attention.
I came up with something to say. “So, you say my eyes look different?”
Mizrole dipped her head to see my eyes better. “From the last time I saw them, yes. No more hazel.”
I blinked many times trying to solve the problem. “Maybe my body felt it was time for a change.” I faked a laugh.
“Here.” Mizrole scooched over and slid her hands on my cheeks. “Let me take a closer look…”
She unwrapped the cover on my mouth and tried to take off my mask. I only let her have my bottom face. She kissed me, but I didn’t kiss her back. This was wrong, people just sacrificed their lives for me and I would just throw away their pain. I moved my face away from her lips and simply held her. I needed the warmth of someone, anyone to keep me going. She understood and rested her head on my shoulder.
We let go of each other and she held my hands. She noticed one hand was missing fingers, “You’ve been through a lot since last we met, haven’t you?”
“I’m a foreigner and this place might as well be hell.”
“It doesn’t have to be, not if we had a new King who was wise and fair to the land and its people.”
I thought about our plot and who would succeed as the next king, “I think that it would take a noble individual.”
Mizrole’s face had a new sadness, “Yes, it would.”
I stood on my feet off the lounge. If I was going to survive, I needed to get refocused on the task.
Mizrole put her hands together, “You’re welcome to stay, I won’t tell anyone. There’s no need to risk your life anymore, I can help you slip out of here.”
I ignored her, “May you please tell me how I can get to the top?”
She frowned then led me outside the room to a corridor with a dead end. She pressed a button and a small closet appeared. “This little room will take you to the top, no one knows about it so you’ll get no problems at all.
I stepped inside and looked around, wondering how it all worked. I turned around and bowed to her. “Thank you for your kindness.”
Mizrole stepped inside with me and there was barely any room for the two of us. “Are you certain you want to do this?”
I gently nudged her back to her room. “Yeah, I’m certain.”
She frowned again and hit a button; a mirrored door closed between us. She reluctantly waved goodbye and the room took me up.
I stared at the mirror. It showed me a boy with an odd metal sword clutched in his right hand. His posture was slumped, tired of this game. The left hand was missing fingers. His outfit was worn out and with old blood stains. His mask was cold and inside him, ice. One of the symbols that he represented was familiar however, the line, the dot, and the curve.
The eyes were new. Pitch black spots with piercing small white dots in the middle.
So this is what became of the stranger.
The room stopped moving and I instinctively sallied out. I was familiar with this place. I turned a corner and there was Reagent’s double doors lit up by the hanging chandelier. Near the door there were two bodies, two Pearl Guards that were limp, gas masks up. A lone figure was bent down and tired. It clutched onto a black dirk.
It was Shatter, he was alive I couldn’t keep my excitement in me. I ran up to him and yelled. “Shatter!” The yellow mask threw the dirk immediately behind him. It pinned the floor right in front of me.
“Hey, good to see ya.” he walked over to me, picked up the dirk and elbowed me in the gut. “Had to make sure you were real, so how’d you get over here?”
“Luck. How about you? I figured you died when you pushed me in that opening. I even heard banging.”
Shatter moved over to the Pearl Guards and I followed him. “That’s because I was. As soon as I realized it wasn't going to happen, I hung on to the little space I had left and climbed up to a nearby window that opened up.”
“You didn’t check for…”
Shatter got both the Pearl Guard's swords. “No, I did, she wasn't failing anymore… ”
I understood and slowly let that horrid information hit my core. My eyes were losing their cool. No tears, no tears for people you didn’t know. I let out a cough and a sigh. “So, we’re right outside the door, want to rush him?”
Shatter slowly shook his head. “Pearl Guards will be all over since that signal was shot. One of us will have to try and hold them off while the other takes on the King. I’m terrible at decisions, so I’ll let you pick which one you want.”
I reached into my duster pocket. “Neither, we have this.”
“Oh, I forgot we had that, well than never mind.” Shatter’s legs gave out and he slid his back against the door then hunched over. I sat down next to him, and we took a moment to stare at nothing in particular. “With their help this should be done and over.” Shatter lifted his mask to wipe his face and looked towards me. “So, what happened to your eyes?”
“Nothing.” I said.
He awkwardly nodded “They’re cool, whatever you’re doing don’t stop doing it.” There was another awkward moment and I think guilt wormed into him. I realized that he was picking his next words carefully. Very unlike him “I’m sorry… for everything I did. We still friends, please?”
An apology for what happened to Piece. I didn’t have to think hard to find a response. “Yeah, we’re still friends”
“So should we kiss or something right now?”
I slapped his mask down to cover his face again. “Of course not.”
Footsteps closed in and we gradually got up to meet them, Shatter held the two swords in his hands and put the dirk in his teeth. I pulled out the contract and held it out while the Pearl Guard accompanied with regulars surrounded us. It was silent as one of the Pearl got it and glanced it over.
“This is a forgery.”
Shatter flung open the door to Reagent’s door and threw me in. There was a slide along the door then I heard shouting, fighting, and clashes of metal. I tried the lock, but it wouldn’t let me out. We both had our duties.
A dangerous voice begged for my attention. “I knew this would happen, I knew you Breachers were bound to betray me one of these days. That display wasn't for show, Reagent was clad in a full black knight armor and the helmet's visor was up. I walked closer to him and with every step it agitated him.
He reached for his desk and pulled out a long thrusting sword that resembled an Estoc. It was made out of gold with rings made out of jewels on the guard. On the pommel there was a giant black jewel, it shined on in the night.
“What I didn’t know was that they would send a nobody to challenge me.” Reagent pointed the sword to my throat. “I remember that mask, the fallen Na’Sule, though the eyes are different.” He stopped a bit closer, still on his guard. “Did you bring what I asked?”
The little hope he stored in me was sorely misplaced. I answered by swinging my sword and charged ahead. I swatted the golden sword away and went to rip off his helm. He immediately lowered his visor and put his sword up to block mine. He saw an opportunity and gave me a metal sabaton to my stomach. My body screamed in pain, and I was dealt with another blow to my face. I backed off a few steps then triggered adrainaline. I spun around to gain momentum.
One time, two times then three. I clashed with him a fury. The Will’s claw got a hold of the sword but he held onto it like stone. He wouldn’t let me rip it off. He used it to his advantage. He got the claw to work in his favor. He lifted up with his sword and I alongside it. He put a hand on me then connected a fist towards me, crashing at the shelves of books.
I got the worst of the fight; I shouldn’t be surprised anymore. There was still fighting outside. Shatter was still fighting out there even though he’s a pain he hasn’t left, he hasn’t given up hope. If he still fought on then so shall I. I rolled myself out of the rubble as soon as Reagent thrusted his sword. His sword got stuck in a stone and this was my opportunity to strike. I flung myself in the air and kicked him with both of my feet. He crashed deeper into the wall. The stone cracked and buckled on him. I put my hand on my knees for a little respite, Reagent took his time coming out of the ruble and we got into our stances again. Neither one of us could see the other's face, but my guess is that they were exactly the same.
He turned around and lunged for me again. I deflected the stab and backed away, but he kept coming. I spun around his attacks, but he was relentless, a monster. That suit of armor must be doing something to him. His form was sturdy and rigid. The strikes were powerful but with little to no skill. Reagent slashed his sword and clipped the handle of the Will. It would’ve taken off my fingers… if they were still there.
Instead of finishing me with one strike he chipped away at me. He deflected my strikes and punched the side of my face with a nasty metal gauntlet, I tried to angle it so it hit my mask but that only eased the dastardly pain. While I tried to rip off a piece of his armor, he would strike my elbow in hopes of breaking my arm, every time I tried it my arm wanted to recoil but I had to try, I had to fight. I wheezed while trying to plan out my next move, but I waited too long, Reagent kicked my kneecap and it was making me lose my balance. Reagent kicked my cap again and again. I took a knee, but still blocked. I was getting weaker; he saw that too. He reached down and touched my head. I struck his heavy gauntlets again and again, but to no avail. He pulled me down to the floor and when I tried to get up he smashed the back of my face with a steeled stomp.
I writhed a little, out of breath, out of fight. My mouth was dry, and my face was drowning in sweat. The King flipped me over. I tried to stay still and play dead, but I knew I wouldn’t be playing soon. The black knight tilted his head back and forth. He bore his gold sword into the openings of my mask. It almost touched one of my eyes. He lifted the mask up with the sword, just enough to expose an eye and lowered my mouth covering. Reagent saw my eye and looked down to my mouth. He maneuvered the sword and cut my bottom lip.
I cried in pain on the inside. It was trying to release; it wasn't fair for it to be held in.
He slashed my face again, this time at the top of my mouth and a little bit of the cheek. My body did the slightest move, but it was enough of a giveaway. The cuts burned and a stream of wetness flowed around them.
“Huh, still alive.” The maniac moved his helmet to see my eye. He jerked my hands forward and placed them in front of my chest, my heart. He put the weight of a heavy knee to hold them there, then he angled the sword to my neck.
He plunged it downward.
Time slowed again. I was wide eyed and panicked. Every attempt I did to come loose was no good, the struggle came to nothing. All I could do was see the sword slowly come closer to my doom. I calmed myself from my hysteria, so this was how it should be? Even though I moved quickly, at this point it wouldn’t matter if I got loose or not, I wouldn’t be able to move that sword out of its destination. I put my head back down to the floor. I’d rather not see it coming. I was shutting my eyes but I saw something come to view.
An oar.
It darted through the air like an arrow, straight to Reagent. He didn’t even notice the thing coming towards him. It crashed and blew up on Reagent with incredible force. The oar exploded into many pieces. He tumbled back towards the glass window.
I smiled. Shoddy wood.
I couldn’t just give up now. I couldn’t. I put my mask on right and wrapped my mouth despite the blood flowing out. I grabbed the Will from the ground and while Reagent stumbled, I fought. With my newfound speed and the Will’s claw, I clawed my way through that thick armor. I flourished, a rapid strike after the other. He tried to stop the assault by putting his arms up, but I too cut those up to metal ribbons. I called the adrainaline and channeled all the anger that rested in me. The armor began to crack and dwindle. Large parts of it began to come loose and fall apart, they wanted nothing to do with this fight anymore. His feat darted back and forth groggily, unsure. He prostrated on all fours. This time Reagent bowed to me in defeat.
I grabbed Reagent’s helm and flung it across the glass window. His shaggy hair and dark blue eyes were exposed. I thrashed his head as he panted to no end.
“I… just… wanted….” he bowed his head and clamped both of his hands on mine for mercy.
I lowered my eyes to think. My mind erupted with an idea with something better in mind. For us all, to better Deflin in every way and to right every wrong that I’ve done.
Something more me, something more Thoughtful.
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