《The Gifted Divide》 Chapter 1 Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on. - Criss Jami, Salome (In Every Inch In Every Mile) * * * * This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Chapter 2 Vengeance is sweet. Vengeance taken when the vengee isn¡¯t sure who the venger is, is sweeter still. - Gary D. Schmidt (The Wednesday Wars) * * * * ~Waters of Aurora; December 230~ Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Chapter 3 To seek greatness is the only righteous vengeance. - Criss Jami (Killosophy) * * * * Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Chapter 4 Vengeance is one of life¡¯s great motivators. - KS Brooks (Lust for Danger) * * * * If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 5 ¡°I know there are people who believe you should forgive and forget. For the record, I¡¯d like to say that I¡¯m a big fan of forgiveness as long as I¡¯m given the opportunity to get even first.¡± - Sue Grafton (V is for Vengeance) * * * * ~Zalfari; May 231~ The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 6 ¡°Where does seeking justice end, and seeking vengeance begin?¡± - Paula Stokes (This is How it Happened) * * * * Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Chapter 7 If you¡¯re betrayed, release disappointment at once. By that way, the bitterness has no time to take root. - Toba Beta (My Ancestor was an Ancient Astronaut) * * * * ~Agnis; September 231~ Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 8 To punish someone for your own mistakes, or for the consequences of your own actions, to harm another by shifting blame that is rightfully yours; this is a wretched and cowardly sin. - Richelle E. Goodrich (Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, and Grumblings for Every Day of the Year) * * * * ~November 231; ESA Headquarters, Zhane City~ The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 9 To seek greatness is the only righteous vengeance. - Criss Jami (Killosophy) * * * * ~December 231; Waters near Zephys~ The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 10 ¡°Vengeance is sweet. Vengeance taken when the vengee isn¡¯t sure who the venger is, is sweeter still.¡± - Gary D. Schmidt (The Wednesday Wars) * * * * Sera has no idea what time it even is at the moment. Probably a few hours before dawn breaks, even. It was nearly three o¡¯clock in the morning before the rest of Aegis had turned in for the night, but Sera knew her people well enough to know that none of them would be having very restful nights. As for Sera herself, after more than an hour of tossing and turning to no avail, she finally decided to get up and search for information regarding the smuggling ring that Alexis had mentioned. But like what Raul had said, even the Black Network didn¡¯t even have so much as a whiff about those rumours. However if whoever is behind this smuggling ring is insane enough to delve into human trafficking in Eldario, then they would also be cunning enough to hide all traces of it. She had managed to get in contact with Ethan, and even he wasn¡¯t able to uncover anything. All that he managed to find out was that the hunters seemed to be up to something again. Zest too wasn¡¯t able to find anything, though he had promised to keep an ear out on the ground. And then again¡­ Sera frowned, leaning back against the couch. ¡°Is there really one?¡± she wondered out loud. She¡¯s been in the underground scene all her life. She knows exactly how it goes. Even for something like this, no matter how tightly guarded it is, there are bound to be rumours of some sort. But there¡¯s nothing. Sera rubbed at the back of her neck even as she tilted her head backwards so that she was looking at the ceiling. She raised her left hand so that she was partially covering her vision of the ceiling. ¡°¡­Chris¡­¡± ¡°¡­My name¡¯s Chris¡ª¡± ¡°¡­How much time left?¡± ¡°Nine hours¡­!¡± ¡°¡­Let¡¯s make a promise. You have to live. No matter what, you have to. And should we both survive, let¡¯s meet again on the outside¡­¡± ¡°Sera?¡± A muffled voice from behind the front door of the boathouse shook Sera out of her inner thoughts just then. She blinked. Has she been that lost in her thoughts? She hadn¡¯t thought about the past for a long time. ¡°Sera, you in there?¡± A knock sounded on the door. ¡°The lights are on, so I know there¡¯s someone.¡± ¡°Hang on.¡± Sera unlocked the front door and opened it only to reveal an exhausted Alexis who had bags visible beneath his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s nearly five in the morning.¡± Sera looked at the clock in a corner. ¡°Have you slept at all since leaving us earlier?¡± ¡°Pot, meet kettle.¡± Alexis deadpanned, and Sera tried to hide a smile. ¡°I¡¯ve been investigating.¡± He followed Sera in and closed the door behind him with a nudge of his foot, sinking into the couch with a relieved sigh. Sera meanwhile busied herself with preparing a cup of coffee for Alexis. ¡°I also got Ethan on board.¡± He grimaced, before taking the cup of coffee from Sera with a relieved thanks. ¡°I don¡¯t like him, but he¡¯s the best when it comes to information.¡± ¡°Yeah. I too agree that we need to handle this fast, especially if it concerns human trafficking.¡± Sera pointed out. ¡°But we need more information before we can do anything. I¡¯m not going into this blind.¡± Especially not when the rest of Aegis are involving themselves as well. Sera is fine with risking herself, but she will never risk her friends. ¡°About that, we¡¯re in luck,¡± Alexis said, stifling a yawn. ¡°Hayder got in contact with me earlier. There is an informant that might have the information you need ¨C number of smugglers, their motives, how many children are held, and even their exact locations since they tend to move bases every few months.¡± Sera raised an eyebrow incredulously. ¡°Thing is, from what I know from Hayder, this informant is a bit on the¡­eccentric side. Very unlike Ethan. He¡¯ll only meet you in a place of his choosing. And he¡¯ll only see you. You have to come alone.¡± Sera¡¯s eyebrows only rose higher with this statement. This is getting more and more suspicious to her. ¡°¡­Am I the only one who smelt a rat here?¡± Sera deadpanned at last. Alexis let out a short bark of laughter. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re not the only one. I felt the same way too when Hayder passed on the message to me when he received this bit of intel. I think it¡¯s one of the Enforcers who passed on this piece of information to him. But the truth is that most informants are quite secretive. Ethan is the odd one out as he doesn¡¯t bother to hide his identity at all. But then again, that guy can easily handle himself in combat.¡± Alexis frowned. ¡°The saying that information is worth more than gold is truer than you think. It¡¯s why the well-known informants can pick which clients to take on and fix their prices.¡± ¡°Regardless, if this piece of intel is true, and if there is a smuggling ring out there somewhere, we can¡¯t ignore it.¡± Sera declared tiredly, and Alexis nodded. ¡°¡­Tell me the time and place.¡± * * * * ~The Black Cat Tavern; Zalfari~ Leroy exchanged incredulous looks with Alisa over Sera¡¯s head even as he tried to process what he¡¯d just heard. It had been a busy year for him since he¡¯d taken up the mantle of being the protector of Zalfari. And like what Sera had told him when he¡¯d first told her about it, people did flock to him when he had started putting out feelers for assistance to rebuild the town of Zalfari. Now, nearly a year later, Zalfari is a bustling town well known for its connections to the underground and the black market, though one must also know which vendors to approach, and the passwords they use to gain access to the more ¡®special¡¯ products. As such, it had also been nearly a year since Leroy had even seen his old friend. Leroy groaned even as he buried his face into his hands, much to Alisa¡¯s amusement. Even the bartender behind the counter looked amused. ¡°I hadn¡¯t seen you for nearly a year; and granted, it might be my fault too that I hadn¡¯t contacted you for a year¡ªbut the moment I take my eyes off you, you get caught up in something like this?¡± Leroy ran his fingers roughly through his hair until it stood on the ends. ¡°Am I the only one to find this situation fishy?¡± It is currently noon, and thus, The Black Cat is pretty much silent save for the three of them and the bartender. From what Alisa had explained, it seems like the apartment above the bar is where Leroy and Alisa have their flats. Heck, they were the ones to help build said bar; so, in a way, they were co-owners in the business. ¡°No. I find it strange too.¡± Sera admitted. ¡°I can¡¯t find anything about this so-called smuggling ring. Not even Raul could when he reached out to the Black Network. Ethan too can¡¯t find anything.¡± ¡°That¡¯s strange.¡± Alisa agreed with a frown, and the other two agreed. Blade had prior encounters with Raul before the entire mess with Dragonfly and has even met Ethan numerous times before. Both Leroy and Alisa knew that both Raul and Ethan could uncover and gain information that most were unable to. If even the both of them can¡¯t uncover anything¡­ ¡°You said it¡¯s a request made by Hayder? With Alexis playing the part of messenger?¡± Leroy asked at last after several long moments of silence, and Sera nodded, a contemplative look on her face. ¡°Leroy, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Alisa wanted to know. ¡°We will know if something like a smuggling ring is going on, Alisa,¡± Leroy informed the girl, a frown on his face, ¡°especially in a place like Zalfari. Even in the underground, if someone is doing something like this, no matter how quiet they keep it, there will be rumours or something like that. It¡¯s impossible to keep something like this under wraps, regardless of the mess that the underground is in at the moment.¡± He added the last part. Last that Leroy had heard, Larissa and her Enforcers were handling the upheaval on their side which is probably the reason why she¡¯d asked Sera to handle this. It¡¯ll likely be another year before they can even fix the entire mess with the underground caused by the loss of Blade, Dragonfly and even Whirlwind¡ªthree of the major street gangs wiped out in just a year. ¡°As a general rule, the underground doesn¡¯t take kindly to smugglers. Especially those smuggling children. Drugs and smuggling are two things that are not permitted to be carried out on Eldario soil.¡± Alisa pointed out with a frown. ¡°It¡¯s a universal law here. No one is insane enough to pit themselves against Larissa and the entire underground scene. Not even the worst crime boss. The rest of the underground will be obliged by underground law to hunt them down, even if Larissa won¡¯t do anything.¡± She added the last part. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s a valid request?¡± Alisa asked Sera bluntly. ¡°Something very weird is going on.¡± Leroy agreed. * * * * ¡°Well, we¡¯ve set out the bait. Now, we just have to wait and see if she takes it.¡± A huff, and white tobacco smoke wafted in the air. ¡°She will. If it¡¯s her that is behind this entire Aegis business, she will show herself. If there¡¯s one thing that the Death Reaper and the Black Demon have in common, it is that they don¡¯t tolerate drugs and human trafficking, especially when it comes to children.¡± A scoff. ¡°A couple of bleeding hearts like that, being the leaders of Eldario¡¯s most infamous street gang?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be in a world of pain if you underestimate them, Mathis. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡± ¡°They¡¯re both going to die. They¡¯ve been massive thorns in our side for years now. And just as we thought we¡¯d gotten rid of them, this entire Aegis business surfaced and started fucking with us once more. You set the bait for them. We¡¯ll handle the rest.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate them.¡± ¡°Even they won¡¯t stand a chance against six squads of highly trained hunters.¡± A black-clad figure remained hidden behind a wall even as the pair parted ways. He, however, remained hiding, clenching his hands into fists even as he tried to contemplate what he¡¯d just heard. ¡°¡­Sera¡­¡± He murmured. ¡°I will not lose any more of my friends.¡± * * * * Sera could almost hear Leroy¡¯s mocking voice in her head, going, ¡°I told you so.¡± She knew it was a bad idea from the start; opting to go alone instead of informing at least her old Blade comrades or even Letha, Raul, or Laura that she was going to meet some informant who might have information on what they want. From the start, it smells fishy, and Sera knows that it is entirely likely to be some kind of trap. The ¡®meeting place¡¯ is in the northern part of the forest about five miles east of Zhane City¡ªand even when Sera had heard about the where and when from Alexis, it had already started ringing alarms in her head. Sera sighed, slouching slightly with her hands tucked within the pockets of her jacket, looking around her surroundings at the thirty or so hunters surrounding her, armed with weapons of all kinds. ¡°I really wish I could say that I¡¯m surprised, but I¡¯m not,¡± Sera said nonchalantly, her mismatched gaze falling on a particular familiar individual. ¡°So how much did they pay you to be the one to lure me here, Ale?¡± ¡®Ale¡¯, and to this day, Sera is relatively sure that it is an alias of some sort rather than his real name, only shrugged, accepting a thick wad of cash from the lead hunter. ¡°I need to eat and put food on my table,¡± he responded. ¡°Don¡¯t blame me for this. Most wouldn¡¯t do any differently.¡± No, they wouldn¡¯t, Sera thought to herself inwardly. No informant worth their weight in salt would sell out someone of the underground to the hunters and even the ESA. To do so would result in the entire underground hunting them down. It is one of the underground¡¯s most absolute laws, and why they were so furious over what Dragonfly had done to Raul. ¡°You¡¯d better find a very good hiding place, Ale. Or better yet, get the fuck out of Eldario as soon as you can.¡± Sera said without moving, even as Ale stepped past her to leave the forest. From how the sounds of footsteps stopped, she knew that Ale had stopped in his tracks. ¡°Because I will hunt you down and kill you, assuming of course, that Leroy and Alisa don¡¯t get to you first.¡± Or even Zest. At least with Leroy and Alisa, they would make it quick. If it¡¯s Zest who got to Ale first, however, the latter would be begging for death even before Zest is done with him. ¡°You talk like you¡¯re going to leave this place alive.¡± Sera didn¡¯t respond even as Ale resumed his trek out of the forest, never removing her eyes from the surrounding hunters who were starting to get unnerved by her stony gaze. ¡°Oh, I will,¡± Sera responded in response to Ale¡¯s statement. ¡°No hunter will ever get the best of me. I earned my reputation for a reason, and it¡¯s high time they get reminded of that fact.¡± ¡°You talk like you could beat us all.¡± One of the hunters¡ªSera has no idea which one had just spoken, trying to sound brave, but Sera could easily hear the waver in his voice. ¡°New rookie, I¡¯m assuming?¡± Sera looked in the direction where the voice had come from, only to see a particularly young-looking hunter flush red. He¡¯s probably not all that much older than Sera. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t have all day, so let¡¯s get down to it. I hope you hunters have all gotten your affairs in order because I don¡¯t plan on letting any of you leave alive.¡± The hunters tensed even as Sera hooked the littlest finger of her left hand in the hoop of the dagger by her side and drew it out of the holster by her hip, twirling the dagger about with ease before grasping it by the handle. ¡°Let¡¯s get this show on the road.¡± No one knew who was the first to move. But the hunters were all moving in a synchronised and practised formation when the screams echoed around the forest, and two of their numbers were already down on the ground¡ªeyes blank and with bloody gashes visible on their necks. ¡°Keep moving! Surround her! Gun her down!¡± Sera easily dodged the bullets, stopping it in mid-air with her Gift, and ¡®sending¡¯ it back to the recipients who soon joined the first two on the ground. ¡°You¡¯re a fool if you think superior numbers can work against me.¡± Sera sneered, moving out of the way of a thrown dagger by the rookie hunter from earlier. And before the latter could move or respond, Sera was in front of him, one hand wrapped around his neck before snapping it cleanly and letting the body fall to the ground. ¡°Damn it! How is she doing this?! We outnumber her!¡± ¡®Still about twenty or so of them left. And all in close quarters.¡¯ Sera mused to herself, easily navigating herself and dodging another hunter, and letting the one behind her get shot in the head. ¡®It¡¯s going to be tough, but¡­¡¯ BANG! The sound of a gunshot echoed around the forest, sounding unnaturally loud. And almost in slow motion, a hunter that had been creeping up behind Sera collapsed to the ground with wide eyes, and with his head practically blown apart. As one, Sera and the remaining hunters looked towards the sound of the gunshot. Sera had to squint and let her vision focus before she spotted two dark figures perched atop one of the tree boughs on a nearby tree. It wasn¡¯t long before she recognised the two arrivals. ¡°Leroy! Alisa!¡± Leroy gave a shark-like grin, flicking back the safety of his gun before he leapt down to the ground with ease, landing lightly on his feet. Alisa followed his actions, also with a gun visible in her hand. ¡°Are you sure you aren¡¯t losing your touch, Sera?¡± Leroy taunted lightly, eyes flickering around the gobsmacked hunters who suddenly all looked very nervous. At least a good half of them recognised Leroy and Alisa. ¡°These guys shouldn¡¯t be a match for you, even without your Gift!¡± ¡°We got Ethan to keep tabs on Ale for us,¡± Alisa answered, eyes flickering around. ¡°He won¡¯t let Ale escape our net.¡± Sera nodded, not feeling all that surprised that Leroy and Alisa had done what she needed. ¡°Former Blade members?¡± The lead hunter finally found his voice. ¡°What are they doing here?¡± ¡°Blade don¡¯t abandon our own.¡± Alisa countered, flicking back the safety of her gun. ¡°You hunters might have gotten the best of us that one time, but we don¡¯t repeat the same mistake twice.¡± A cold smile tugged at the ends of her lips. ¡°Unfortunately for you, you didn¡¯t get all of us that night. The third one is on his way here after taking care of your ¡®backup¡¯. And from my impression, he isn¡¯t too happy with you right now.¡± ¡°The ¡®third one¡¯?¡± One of the hunters echoed cautiously. The sounds of thuds echoed around the forest even as three bodies were dropped down unceremoniously from above¡ªall of them dressed in obvious hunter garb, and with deep gashes visible across their throats. The remaining hunters paled, before a dark figure dropped down from above, landing lightly on his feet beside Sera. Zest eyed the hunter coolly, a dagger visible in his left hand, and with a small smirk tugging at the ends of his lips.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°Third.¡± Zest agreed coolly. Leroy felt relief settle in him immediately upon catching sight of Zest. Sure, he¡¯d heard about it from Sera¡ªthat Zest did survive that night as well, and he¡¯d even exchanged messages with him when he was on the way to aid Sera. But it is a huge relief to be able to see Zest in the flesh with his own eyes. ¡°Zest¡­¡± Leroy was relieved. ¡°You¡¯re alive!¡± Alisa smiled. ¡°The Black Demon, Zexter Mifaelen!¡± The lead hunter snarled, his expression morphing into something horrid the moment he had laid eyes on Zest. ¡°So, you¡¯re still alive, after all!¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t gone by that name for a long time.¡± Zest was unfazed. ¡°My name is Zest now. And if you know who I am, then you know what I can do. Do you seriously want to take me on?¡± The look in his eyes made even Leroy and Alisa nervous. It reminds them too much of the first time they met Zest in the streets of Zephys. The remaining hunters too were very obviously nervous. Only some of the older hunters recognised Zest, and they looked horrified¡ªa reason that probably, only Sera knew. Zest had his reputation amongst the hunters for a reason, and not a good one. There is a reason why he had ultimately turned on them and left. ¡°You¡­traitor!¡± Spittle flew from the mouth of the lead hunter, even as his hands shook, as he tried to steady his hold on his gun. More than any of the other hunters currently present, he knew just how dangerous Zest could be. The latter had a hit and bounty on his head amongst the hunters for a reason, with a flee-on-sight order for novice hunters. ¡°To be a traitor means that I first have to be loyal to you.¡± Zest¡¯s face was unsmiling. ¡°You¡¯re now facing the survivors of Blade, hunters. The members of the inner circle. Do you still want to take us on?¡± He challenged. ¡°It¡¯s not like we can let them leave alive anyway, Zest.¡± Leroy shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°Especially not with what they tried to pull.¡± ¡°True that.¡± Zest rubbed at the back of his neck. ¡°Just like old times, huh?¡± ¡°I hope you hunters have your affairs in order,¡± Sera commented, eyes flickering around. ¡°You won¡¯t be leaving this place alive.¡± And then as one, the four of them moved. * * * * The first rays of dawn were peeking over the horizon even as Leroy was making a few calls to the Cleaners¡ªa specific group within the underground that ¡®cleans up¡¯ the activities of the street gangs for a fee. Alisa meanwhile was poking at one of the dead hunters with the toe of her boot. Whereas Zest and Sera weren¡¯t too far away, talking in low tones. It didn¡¯t take too long for the former members of Blade to deal with the hunters. They were some of the top members of the infamous street gang for a reason. ¡°I¡¯ll say ¡®I told you so¡¯, but I think you learned your lesson well enough.¡± Zest deadpanned whilst leaning against the nearby tree trunk, arms crossed over his chest. Sera only flushed with embarrassment, scratching idly at her cheek with one finger. ¡°Sorry.¡± Zest only sighed. ¡°I won¡¯t try to reprimand you because I know that is what you are like. You¡¯re the type to always take things on yourself, and never ask for help. Heck, I¡¯m the same way,¡± he grumbled. ¡°But Sera, you¡¯re not alone. You know that. Even if not us, you can always ask your current crew for help.¡± He pointed out. ¡°Zest¡¯s right, you know?¡± Alisa called out from where she was, having overheard the conversation. ¡°I hadn¡¯t had the chance to meet any of them yet, but considering that Raul and even Letha are part of your current group, I got a faint guess of what they are like. If they¡¯re anything like how we used to be, they wouldn¡¯t mind giving you a hand.¡± Alisa gave Sera a hard look. ¡°We said this countless times even back during our days as Blade. Stop taking on all your burdens by yourself. We¡¯re here to help. We wouldn¡¯t mind.¡± Sera sighed, raking a hand through her hair. It¡¯s a bad habit of hers since her Blade days, she knew. She always tries to handle her problems by herself. It is something that Leroy, Zest, and all the others have grumbled about from time to time. ¡°I really should stop repeating the mistakes of the past, huh?¡± Sera murmured. ¡°Though if I know my guys at all, they probably already knew about this, and I¡¯m in for a rolling once I¡¯m back.¡± It wouldn¡¯t take Raul all that long to get information, after all. And that is if Alexis or Ethan hadn¡¯t seen fit to inform Aegis about what she is up to. Alisa only snorted. ¡°You got that coming,¡± she said bluntly, and not far away, Leroy only laughed, hanging up his phone. ¡°How is it, Leroy?¡± ¡°Cleaner squad is on their way. Thirty minutes out.¡± Leroy reported. ¡°They only asked for us to stay put until they arrive.¡± If so we won¡¯t have anyone accidentally stumbling upon this scene, were the words that went unsaid. If some random civilian comes across a forest clearing full of dead hunters, it will end up as a fuss that will be impossible to cover up. Worst case scenario: there will be a war between the underground and the hunters. ¡°Though it seems like this ¡®request¡¯ is nothing more than a trap.¡± Zest pointed out, drawing quotation marks in the air with his finger. Next to him, Sera nodded in agreement. All of them had their suspicions when Alexis had first brought this request to Aegis. She isn¡¯t the only one to find the lack of information suspicious. Raul had found it fishy. So did Laura and Letha. ¡°This means that the hunters are on the move.¡± Alisa pointed out grimly. ¡°And they know that Sera is alive.¡± ¡°This also means that the rest of us need to be careful,¡± Zest concluded slowly. ¡°If the attack on Blade nearly two years ago is the catalyst to everything, considering what had fallen upon Whirlwind and even Dragonfly barely a year after the attack on Blade¡­¡± He trailed off slowly, a calculating look on his face. ¡°The hunters are up to something.¡± ¡°Nothing new.¡± Leroy scoffed, waving a hand about. ¡°They¡¯re always up to something.¡± ¡°But first, we need to handle this mess,¡± Sera said grimly. ¡°If someone high up in the hierarchy of the Abyss is behind this non-existent request, it means that they¡¯re compromised. And Larissa needs to handle that leak. The last thing we want is for hunters to infiltrate the Abyss and the underground system.¡± Especially since they¡¯ve already done that with the ESA and the ruling council, were the words that went unsaid. ¡°¡­There¡¯ll be nowhere for the Gifted to run to if that is the case,¡± Zest concluded grimly, feeling coldness grip his heart at the mere thought of such a scenario. ¡°¡­Hold up. Hold up.¡± Leroy spoke again after several moments passed. He looked directly at Sera from where he still stood not far from Alisa. ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention that this non-existent request was passed onto you by Hayder?¡± Sera nodded. ¡°The head of the Enforcers? The second-in-command of the Abyss and the entire underground scene? Has Hayder been compromised too? If yes, it isn¡¯t good news.¡± Leroy swallowed nervously. Sera groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. This has all the potential to blow up in their faces! ¡°We need to deal with this clusterfuck.¡± She muttered irritably beneath her breath. Slight movements out of the corner of their eye caught the attention of all four former Blade members. As one, they turned only to see one of the downed hunters whom they thought dead getting to his feet, with a gun in his hands. It was one of the senior hunters, with blood covering one side of his face. He looks as if he¡¯s barely standing, but his eyes are clear with determination, even as he points his shaking gun at Sera and Zest. ¡°Fuck! I thought that I¡¯d killed him!¡± Alisa cursed, reaching for her gun by her side, but already knew that she was too late. ¡°Sera! Zest!¡± ¡°Die, abominations!¡± The hunter screeched. Sera threw herself to the side, with Zest doing the same thing, even as the sound of a loud gunshot echoed through the air and sent several birds taking flight from the nearby trees. She was however quick to get to her feet after a quick roll, ignoring the dead leaves currently sticking to her jacket and the pained howls of the hunter, only to see the distinct sight of a knife currently in the right hand of the hunter, and with his gun on the forest bed. A quick look at the nearby trees soon identified a gunshot mark on the trunk of a tree not far away. ¡°Not today, you piece of scum!¡± Alisa¡¯s face twisted up in an ugly scowl even as she pointed her gun at the head of the hunter. ¡°Die!¡± The sound of a gunshot rang throughout the forest once more. And then, almost as if in slow motion, the motionless body of the hunter collapsed to the ground with a light thud¡ªthe visible sight of a gunshot on his temple, with his eyes wide opened with shock. This time, he is dead for sure. ¡°Hey, you both okay?¡± Leroy hollered, also with his gun out and covering the hunter even though he was dead. He did a double-check over the bodies of the hunters currently littering the forest bed to ensure that they wouldn¡¯t be getting another surprise. ¡°Y-Yeah, we¡¯re both fine.¡± Zest coughed, even as he got to his feet. Sera only gave him a worried look. Zest after all had only just come out of a long coma. He isn¡¯t back to a hundred percent yet. ¡°That knife, though¡­¡± He approached the dead hunter carefully, with Sera close behind him. Sera narrowed her eyes as she noted the angle of how the silver knife had gone through the hunter¡¯s hand, thus also causing him to lose grip of the gun and potentially sparing both Zest and Sera. But that¡¯s not all. ¡°Is it me, or does that knife look familiar to anyone else?¡± Leroy questioned with a frown, tilting his head to one side. ¡°Not to mention the angle¡­¡± Zest murmured, bending down, and closing his fingers around the hilt of the knife. With the way it had gone through the hunter¡¯s hand, the knife had to be thrown from somewhere high up. ¡°And this knife¡­¡± He pulled it out of the hunter¡¯s hand, wiping off the blood on the hunter¡¯s shirt. ¡°You know, now that you mention it, it does look familiar,¡± Alisa noted with a frown. Sera had a calculating look on her face, even as she eyed the knife carefully. Zest looked up towards the treetops surrounding them. His sharp eyes noted a shadow filtering away. ¡®Jamie?¡¯ * * * * Hayder Beck was expecting lots of things when he¡¯d first gotten up that morning. Having his office door all but kicked in, and having four of Blade¡¯s survivors threatening him at knife and gunpoint isn¡¯t one of them. Hayder let his eyes go towards the shaking and shivering form of Ale on the floor before him. The normally arrogant informant seems to be a shadow of his normal self at the moment, and he is clutching at the stump of what was once his right hand. Only members of the underground understood what was done to Ale. Years ago, it was an old punishment implemented for betrayers or traitors to the underground scene by removing a limb. If the person survives it, it will mark them everywhere they go. The mark of an Oathbreaker. Remnants of the old system of the underground back when the Abyss didn¡¯t have laws and rules governing them. ¡°We would like some answers, Hayder.¡± Zest was smiling even as he eyed Hayder down by leaning over his desk. His smile is however cold, and his red eyes even colder. ¡°Perhaps you would like to explain why this non-existent request that you asked Sera to take on ultimately leads to her walking into a meeting with over thirty hunters!¡± Everyone present in the room nearly winced as one when Zest slammed his hand down onto the table so hard that no one would be surprised if a crack had formed down it. Outside Hayder¡¯s office, there was already more than one head peeking in through the doorway where there was once a door. ¡°And this sorry excuse of an informant had the guts to sell one of our own out to hunters of all people!¡± Leroy sneered, slamming one foot onto Ale¡¯s back whilst ignoring his pained cries and whimpers. ¡°If I don¡¯t like your answers, Hayder, then I hope you had your affairs in order,¡± Sera spoke up, her eyes cold. She isn¡¯t new to people trying to kill her. But if it is machinated by someone who is one of the very few whom she trusted¡­ ¡°Look, it isn¡¯t me.¡± Hayder raised both hands. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m suicidal enough to target you, Sera? I¡¯m not suicidal! Besides, why on earth do I want you dead?¡± The four former Blade members eyed Hayder without blinking for several moments, with the latter not even daring to move or blink. ¡°Swear on the name of the Goddess that you had nothing to do with this,¡± Zest growled finally. ¡°Swear that you didn¡¯t order this, hoping to get Sera killed and that you¡¯re working with the hunters.¡± Hayder didn¡¯t hesitate even as he met Zest¡¯s eyes. ¡°I swear on the name of the Goddess and the honour of the Abyss that I did not order this,¡± he swore, ¡°and that I¡¯ve never, not once in my entire life, had ever plotted against anyone of the underground.¡± Sera nodded slowly as she didn¡¯t remove her gaze from Hayder. She can tell when someone is lying or withholding details from her. And Hayder is telling the truth. ¡°He¡¯s not lying,¡± she said simply. ¡°Hayder¡¯s not the mastermind.¡± Hayder gave a sigh of relief when Zest straightened to his feet and slotted his gun back into the holster by his hip. Not far from Sera and Zest, Leroy and Alisa did the same thing. ¡°It seems like we¡¯ve all been played.¡± A soft voice came from the doorway. As one, everyone in the room turned only to see Larissa walking into Hayder¡¯s office, a stern look on her normally beautiful face, even as her eyes flickered towards the broken form of Ale on the office floor. ¡°Boss,¡± Hayder murmured. ¡°Larissa.¡± Sera nodded to the woman politely. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± ¡°Indeed, it has been.¡± Larissa gave Sera a small smile. ¡°We should find the time to catch up soon, but that time is not now.¡± Her eyes flickered towards Ale on the ground before turning her attention back towards Sera. ¡°Do you mind if I handle Ale? His actions can¡¯t go without punishment, and I do want to learn more about his interactions with the hunters.¡± Her eyes are cold. Sera looked as if she wanted to say something to that effect, but her self-preservation instincts were kicking in, and she only nodded. ¡°Excellent.¡± With a snap of Larissa¡¯s fingers, two men whom Sera recognised as part of those serving as the Abyss¡¯ guards entered the room and pulled Ale to his feet, dragging him out. Ale was pleading and screaming the entire way until they could hear him no more. The former Blade members exchanged looks. Wherever they¡¯re taking Ale to, and whatever they¡¯re going to do, they are all relatively certain that the informant wouldn¡¯t be leaving alive. Regardless of how the underground conducts their business these days, they still have rules and laws to follow, and Ale just broke one of the most absolute ones. Sera cleared her throat to break the uneasy silence. The former Blade leader is looking at Hayder. ¡°I heard from Alexis that you were the one to ask me to take on this non-existent request,¡± she said coolly. ¡°Who told you about this to begin with? The false information that ultimately leads to you making this request?¡± Hayder hesitated, and Larissa frowned. ¡°Hayder, answer Sera,¡± Larissa said sharply. ¡°Who fed you false information?¡± Hayder gave a sharp look at the eavesdroppers currently hanging outside his office, and they immediately scampered. Finally, he looked from Sera to Larissa and then to Zest. The latter¡¯s eyes were stormy, and Hayder had no sympathy for the mastermind once Zest catches them. That is if Larissa and the other Enforcers don¡¯t get to them first. ¡°¡­One of the Enforcers,¡± Hayder answered at last reluctantly, eyes moving from face to face. ¡°Ebis.¡± Sera frowned, exchanging looks with Zest. Not far from them, Leroy was frowning, looking as if he was trying to remember something. ¡°She¡¯s our covert agent. She has never given us bad or false information, so I didn¡¯t doubt it.¡± Larissa nodded, not giving anything away from the impassive look on her face. She looked towards the doorway, and another Abyss guard appeared. ¡°Get Ebis for me,¡± she ordered before the guard nodded and left. ¡°Ebis. Ebis.¡± Zest murmured. ¡°This name is familiar¡­¡± ¡°I met her in Abyss over a year ago when Larissa summoned me.¡± Leroy volunteered the information. ¡°That was my first time meeting her, but something about her gives me the creeps.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s you who¡¯s saying it, Leroy¡­¡± Alisa murmured. She would have elaborated more on her statement, but the same Abyss guard from earlier returned at that moment with a young woman close behind him. ¡°You called for me, Premier?¡± Ebis, the young woman, questioned politely. Her eyes flickered towards the former Blade members, and a flicker of some emotion flashed through her eyes so quickly that hardly anyone caught it. Sera however frowned, studying the new arrival carefully. ¡°I¡¯ve heard quite the interesting story today, Ebis,¡± Larissa said pleasantly. Sera however wasn¡¯t fooled. She knew Larissa well enough to detect the steel in her voice. Hayder noticed the same thing as well, with the way he got to his feet silently and without attracting attention from the others in the room. ¡°It seems like you set up Hayder with false information that leads to him requesting Sera here that ultimately nearly ended up in getting her killed by hunters.¡± SLAM! Half the room flinched with the loud sound as Larissa smacked her hand against the surface of Hayder¡¯s desk. ¡°You did that on purpose, didn¡¯t you?¡± Larissa¡¯s eyes were cold. All those present in the room now know exactly how the Abyss functions, especially the Enforcers. As their name suggests, they enforce the rules and laws of the underground and make sure that it is followed to the letter. They only interfere when a crew or a member of the underground is making a show of themselves or breaking those laws and carrying out the will of the Premier. Essentially, they are the equivalent of the ESA for the underground. As a result, the last thing that an Enforcer would be is incompetent. There is no way that Ebis, an Enforcer and their covert agent, will give Hayder false information by accident. Ebis let out a huff, her eyes cold as she turned her gaze onto Sera who was leaning against the side of Hayder¡¯s desk, watching the events play out. ¡°To think that thirty hunters can¡¯t even take you down. The reputation of the Death Reaper is well-earned.¡± ¡°Ebis¡­¡± Hayder growled. ¡°So, it¡¯s true then. You tried to set Sera up.¡± ¡°She¡¯s a Gifted.¡± Ebis almost spat the last word out like it was a curse. ¡°A freak of nature! An abomination! What does it matter if one or two Gifted gets taken out¡ª¡± SLAP! Even Sera was taken aback when Ebis¡¯ venomous words were cut off suddenly by a harsh slap dealt out to her by Larissa. ¡°B-Boss¡­¡± Hayder was speechless. For as long as he¡¯d followed Larissa, he had never seen her this furious before. ¡°You have my apologies for this, Sera,¡± Larissa said formally, turning towards Sera. ¡°It¡¯s my people who are involved in this hare-brained scheme. But I am as much guilty for trusting them unconditionally. As you¡¯re the wronged party in this case, I¡¯ll leave it to you to decide her punishment.¡± ¡°You¡¯re leaving a freak of nature to decide my fate¡ª¡± ¡°The only freak here that I see is you,¡± Hayder cut off Ebis¡¯ venomous words, feeling quite sick to his stomach to realise that he had allowed Ebis free reign amongst the Abyss for years, with a good half of its residents being Gifted. Did she say or do anything to them? Is her failed plot against Sera even the first? How had he never realised that Ebis loathed the Gifted to such an extent? ¡°The very sight of you turns my stomach. And to think that I once counted you amongst my allies.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what had me concerned right now, Hayder,¡± Zest spoke at last. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Tell me something, Ebis.¡± Zest ignored the questioning looks from the others in the room, never removing his gaze from Ebis who is starting to look uncomfortable. ¡°When was it when you started working for the hunters? Were you one of them from the start?¡± That statement caused shocks to go through the entire room. ¡°¡®For¡¯?¡± Leroy and Alisa echoed. Sera nodded with agreement, getting what Zest was driving at. ¡°You don¡¯t harbour that much hatred for the Gifted when none of them did anything to you unless it¡¯s something taught to you from early childhood,¡± she reminded. It¡¯s part of why the Gifted is so ostracised in Eldario right now, mainly due to the propaganda by the hunters for decades. The only place where they could be safe at the moment is just the Abyss. Sure, there are always certain members of the underground who also dislike Gifted, but unlike the civilians and the hunters, they don¡¯t harbour extreme hatred for them. The people of the underground values power, and most Gifted have that in spades. ¡°Even amongst the common civilians¡ªit is true that the majority of them dislike and feared us.¡± Sera uncrossed her arms, studying Ebis intently. ¡°But even they know better than to try to kill a Gifted.¡± It is after all common knowledge by now that a Gifted¡¯s gifts will lash out and try to protect them in times of great duress. There is always the odd one out, true, but most of the time, they never survive long to regret their actions. The incident with Lucie when hunters and ESA agents alike have cornered her in the town of Agnis is living proof of that. ¡°There is however only one exception to that.¡± Sera narrowed her eyes at Ebis who was starting to look nervous. ¡°For example¡­ If you¡¯re born in a hunter family and raised as a hunter. Isn¡¯t that right, Ebis Ivanor?¡± Half the occupants in the room paled with that statement. ¡°I-Ivanor?¡± Leroy spluttered with shock. ¡°That hunter family?¡± ¡°Hayder, you brought a hunter into the Abyss?¡± Larissa was outraged. Though it now explains the leak and even the problems that the Abyss and the underground have been having in recent years. ¡°Look Boss, I didn¡¯t know!¡± Sera and Zest in the meantime ignored the small commotion going on around them and merely focused their attention on Ebis. It however didn¡¯t escape Leroy¡¯s attention how Zest seems to be the only one of them who didn¡¯t seem surprised by Sera¡¯s statement. ¡°¡­What gave me away?¡± Ebis wanted to know. Her face is however nonchalant. ¡°Something has been bothering me since the attack on Blade nearly two years ago now,¡± Sera answered, closing her eyes briefly. ¡°It was chaotic that night, and even raining, but I remember the faces of the people that attacked us. One of them in particular seems familiar to me, but I can never put my finger on it. And yet, I could swear that I¡¯ve seen that person somewhere before. I remember now. You¡¯re one of the hunters from that night.¡± Hayder only raised a confused eyebrow, looking from one person to the next. It was common knowledge amongst the underground that the attack on Blade and the town of Zephys was an unsanctioned mission by ESA agents. And yet, here Sera is claiming that it was really by hunters? From the looks on the faces of the other Blade survivors, it is apparent that they too knew that the attackers were hunters, as none of them looked all that surprised. ¡°Sera don¡¯t forget faces once she¡¯d seen one,¡± Alisa commented, answering the unasked question. ¡°And unsanctioned or not, the ESA won¡¯t dare to attack Zephys then. Just like how Zalfari was off-limits. So, we suspected that it was hunters, even from the beginning. Not even the most bull-headed ESA agent would want to pick a fight against the underground street gangs.¡± She added. ¡°I see.¡± Larissa closed her eyes briefly, her quick mind putting the small clues together. ¡°You joined us as an Enforcer nearly five years ago now, claiming to be a member of one of the street gangs that we¡¯ve lost to the hunters around that time. You climbed up the ranks quickly and became an Enforcer. You¡¯re the leak that we have. The problems we have in the Abyss and the underground system¡­ You¡¯re the one behind it.¡± ¡°To get hunters infiltrating the Abyss.¡± Hayder finished the statement. He made a mental note to do a full house cleaning after this entire mess. Abyss will go into lockdown for however long this house cleaning is going to take. The last thing he wants is for hunters to infiltrate the Abyss! ¡°But to do that, you need to take out the biggest threat you have. Blade in particular is especially good at sniffing out hunters. That¡¯s why the hunters went after them. Take out the Gifted¡¯s greatest protectors, and one of the pillars of the Abyss and the underground system. It¡¯s not just because of Sera. Or Zest.¡± The two mentioned twitched slightly but said nothing to that comment. ¡°Dragonfly. And even Whirlwind. Zalfari too.¡± Larissa closed her eyes slightly. ¡°Two of the other street gangs that are not just allied with Blade, but also one of the three main pillars of the entire underground system and the Abyss. The attacks on them took place not even a year after the one on Blade.¡± And without the three main pillars of the underground, needless to say, it is probably entirely too easy for Ebis and whoever she had been in contact with to mess about with the underground. Even though Leroy is now the new guardian of Zalfari, he can¡¯t do everything by himself. Not without his crew. Sera, Klein of Whirlwind and even Yusa of Dragonfly command much respect amongst the underground for a reason. The fact that two out of three of them are dead now explains a lot. And even why Sera has to go into deep hiding. Aegis¡¯ existence so far is assisting in that regard, but even they could only do so much. Zest let out a loud sigh, breaking the uneasy silence, and causing all attention to fall on him. ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem like Nicolosi¡¯s plan,¡± he remarked. ¡°Too reckless, and not well-thought-out. Were you acting on your own, Ebis?¡± Ebis snarled. ¡°You don¡¯t get to address me, traitor!¡± she spat. ¡°We took you in, raised you, and how did you repay us?¡± ¡°You turned Zest into a weapon for your sake.¡± Sera cut off Ebis¡¯ tirade, narrowing her eyes at the woman. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend that you did what you did for Zest¡¯s own good. You were doing it for your own sake. You hunters¡­¡± She shook her head. ¡°You are all the same. You¡¯re poison. Every single one of you. You just did whatever you wanted without considering the consequences, or how it affects others. I¡¯m sick of it.¡± ¡°Sera¡­¡± Alisa murmured. ¡°How long have you been a hunter?¡± Hayder wanted to know. ¡°They start their training early, especially those born in hunter families.¡± Zest supplied the information. ¡°I was always one.¡± Ebis ignored Zest, answering Hayder¡¯s question. ¡°I was one when I was born. And I will be one when I die. I will live up to the legacy of the great Gene Alescio!¡± There were sharp intakes of breath from every single person in the room, and Sera¡¯s fingers twitched¡ªlike she was itching to reach for a weapon. ¡°You dare mention that man¡¯s name in this place?!¡± Leroy snarled; his face twisted into an ugly scowl. ¡°Especially after what he¡¯s done?!¡± ¡°He¡¯s a hero!¡± ¡°He¡¯s a monster!¡± Alisa countered those words, one hand resting by her side where her gun rested in the holster. ¡°Don¡¯t even speak his name! Especially not in the Abyss!¡± ¡°Hold!¡± Larissa placed a hand on Hayder¡¯s arm to stop him from drawing his gun, considering how furious he looked. The underground was never a fan of the hunters to begin with. But there are always that few that the underground wholly detests because of what they did, and Gene Alescio is one of those, even if the man is now long dead. To this day, Larissa is fairly sure that the ¡®accident¡¯ that killed the man and his wife isn¡¯t one at all. ¡°Larissa?¡± ¡°You dare mention that man¡¯s name. So, you¡¯re indeed a hunter.¡± Not that Larissa had any doubts about what Sera had said. ¡°You did quite well in pulling the wool over our eyes¡ªnot an easy feat. It answers a lot of questions about why and how our intel kept getting leaked to the hunters, though. Who would have thought that one of the Enforcers would be a double agent?¡± Larissa¡¯s eyes were cold. Ebis sneered at Larissa. ¡°How does it feel, Larissa? To execute numerous of your people loyal to you just because you thought they were traitors?¡± There were sharp intakes of breath, and Zest and Sera exchanged quick looks. Even they¡¯ve heard about those incidents over the years. Discoveries of ¡®traitors¡¯ within the Abyss¡¯ ranks, with those traitors being given a quick and quiet execution. It didn¡¯t take long for Sera to put the pieces together. It must be a plot machinated by Ebis. To solidify her position within the Abyss¡¯ ranks and to have Hayder and Larissa trust her. Hayder turned pale with the same realisation. ¡°¡­The ¡®evidence¡¯ that condemned them¡­¡± Hayder closed his eyes with grief. ¡°It came from you. You ¡®presented¡¯ it. You were the one to raise doubts about their loyalty. That¡¯s how you attained your position. Because you ¡®proved¡¯ yourself. And those ¡®witnesses¡¯ you gathered¡­ I¡¯ll bet they¡¯re either your informants or even fellow hunters. Is that right, Ebis? Was it fun for you? Plotting the deaths of innocent men and women just to get what you want? And you call the Gifted monsters.¡± Hayder just wants to see the end of the day at this point and curl up in his bed and cry. Ebis said nothing, but the malicious glint visible in her eyes told everyone what they needed to know. Out of the corner of her eye, Sera noted how Leroy and Alisa had very carefully shifted themselves so that they were standing on either side of the broken doorway¡ªprobably so that they would be in a good position to stop Ebis if she tried to run or do something. Larissa let out a sigh, turning towards Sera. ¡°What do you want to do, Sera?¡± she questioned bluntly. ¡°By our laws, you are within the right to demand retribution on her. She might be a huntress, but right now, she is still an Enforcer. And as such, she falls under our brand of justice and laws.¡± The colour practically drained out of Ebis¡¯ face with Larissa¡¯s words. And it didn¡¯t escape anyone¡¯s notice how Larissa didn¡¯t even bother to use Ebis¡¯ name. The underground, or the Abyss¡¯ brand of justice and their laws can be considered cruel and ruthless, especially for civilians. But every single member of the underground knew that those laws were there for a reason and followed it to the letter. It was actually eons better than decades ago back when there were literally no laws and rules for the underground at all. ¡°You can¡¯t do that! I¡¯m a hunter! I will not be subjected to your laws!¡± Click. The loud click of Hayder flicking back the safety of his gun caught everyone¡¯s attention. The expression on his face was grim and terrible, and Sera knew that it wouldn¡¯t take much to have Hayder kill Ebis right now in his office. ¡°Don¡¯t make me shoot you, Ebis,¡± Hayder warned. Sera who is still leaning against the side of Hayder¡¯s desk only eyed Ebis carefully before turning her attention back to Larissa. ¡°Even if we report this to the hunters or even the ESA, and she¡¯s tried by Eldario¡¯s legal system, nothing will come of it anyway,¡± she said simply. ¡°We all know that.¡± That is the truth, and everyone in Eldario knows it. The amount of influence and control that the hunters have over the legal system in Eldario had been concerning for not just the underground, but also the ESA, for years. And even in the ESA, it is almost an open secret at this point that there are different factions within them. The Gifted Task Force, for instance, is almost entirely tasked by hunter sympathisers, if not hunters themselves. ¡°Indeed.¡± Larissa agreed. ¡°So, what do you want to do, Sera?¡± Knowing Blade¡¯s former leader the way she does, Larissa is relatively certain that there is no way that Sera will just let Ebis off. Sera was silent for several long moments, merely eyeing Ebis in a way that it looked as if she was trying to decide whether to charbroil her alive or not. Finally, her mismatched eyes swivelled towards Larissa, and even she flinched at the cold look in those eyes. ¡°¡­A duel,¡± Sera said at last. ¡°One to the death. I challenge her to the Pit.¡± Sharp intakes of breath could be heard from every single person present in the room. Whatever colour there still is in Ebis¡¯ face drained immediately. Even the hunter knows what the Pit means. ¡°She had my people killed. And tried to kill me. Would probably have succeeded the second time if not for Leroy, Alisa, and Zest. Maybe if she faces me with nothing but her own power, she might just understand what she¡¯s getting herself into.¡± Ebis flinched when Sera turned her gaze upon her. ¡°I might dislike the name of the Death Reaper, but I earned that reputation for a reason. You¡¯ll be facing me in a one-on-one battle, hunter. And if I¡¯m you, I¡¯ll get my affairs in order.¡± Larissa only nodded. ¡°Very well, a duel to the death,¡± she remarked, showing none of her unease. ¡°Name your second.¡± Chapter 11 We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue. This truth holds me close, rocking me like a child in a mother¡¯s arms. It binds me in its love as death swallows me in its grasp. - Tomi Adeyemi * * * * Needless to say, that when the rest of Aegis caught wind of what¡¯s going on from a short phone call by Sera, they aren¡¯t exactly pleased when they learned, once again, that Sera had left them out of something as important as this. The ones more experienced and familiar with the underground like Raul, Letha and Laura however could understand why Sera did what she did, and the reasoning behind it. Not to mention too that two out of three of them actually knew Sera for years even prior to Aegis. ¡°There are times when I really feel like throttling her.¡± Claudia grumbled as she opened her soda can with a light pop, taking her usual place on the couch on the first storey of the boathouse, with the rest of Aegis around her. ¡°What part of ¡®ask for help¡¯ is so difficult to understand?¡± Next to Raul on one of the side couches, Lucie only giggled nervously. Whereas Raul is half hunched over his portable computer as usual, only giving out light grunts to show that he¡¯s listening. ¡°Well, we did find the lack of information about this ¡®request¡¯ suspicious to begin with.¡± Raul pointed out without looking up. ¡°I¡¯m honestly not surprised that Sera went looking into it.¡± There were several moments of silence as everyone pondered on the how and why, and even the fact that Sera walked right into an ambush by nearly thirty hunters. Sure, they have no doubts that Sera probably could have taken them on, but she wouldn¡¯t be able to walk out of it entirely unscathed. ¡°If the hunters have set this trap for Sera, without a doubt, they likely know that she¡¯s alive.¡± Letha pointed out grimly, and there were nods from around the room. ¡°This is going to get complicated for us moving forward. No doubt they would have suspected that Sera is the leader of Aegis. It started up not long after Blade¡¯s demise, after all.¡± She pointed out. ¡°And there are only a handful of people who could pull off what Aegis is able to do. The hunters aren¡¯t stupid. This will probably just be the first of several attempts to lure her out.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll discuss this with Sera when she returns.¡± Neil remarked from his place at the kitchen area, and there were nods from all around. ¡°Though what is this ¡®Pit¡¯ that Sera had challenged the hunter to?¡± He asked, directing this question towards Letha, Laura, and Raul¡ªarguably the three who understood the underground¡¯s ways better than anyone else at present. Raul finally looked up from his computer at the question, exchanging looks with Letha and Laura who both looked concerned. The others meanwhile only looked puzzled or confused. ¡°The Pit is the underground¡¯s answer of deciding justice.¡± Raul was the one to answer after several long moments passed. His tone was sombre. ¡°Two goes in. Only one comes out alive.¡± Eyes widened with shock at the answer. ¡°That¡¯s barbaric!¡± Kailey spluttered. ¡°No, it isn¡¯t.¡± Letha shook her head, putting up a hand to stop the protests that she knew is soon to come. ¡°It¡¯s part of the underground law system. Granted, the Pit hasn¡¯t been in use for years, if not decades, but it is still part of the underground law system, and still valid.¡± ¡°Why would Sera¡ª¡± ¡°She might not have much choice.¡± Raul interrupted, rubbing his temples. ¡°The legal system won¡¯t, or rather, can¡¯t deal with Ebis Ivanor. Not with the influence that the hunters have over the legal system. How many times was a case thrown out before it¡¯s even taken to the High Court, or a hunter was let off with just a slap on the wrist or even let off entirely without punishment?¡± He nearly challenged, and there was silence. It is after all, true. ¡°It¡¯s even worse if a Gifted is involved. There¡¯s a reason why so many of us were involved in the underground, you know? It¡¯s the only place we can call home. With a hunter being involved in this entire situation, and not to mention Sera¡¯s own position, this might just be the only way. The only way to seek justice¡ªespecially if it¡¯s true that the hunter is involved in the attack on Blade, is through the Pit system.¡± Ness who had remained silent whilst listening to them speak, could only nod with agreement. ¡°Couldn¡¯t have put it better myself.¡± ¡°Honestly, I thought that Sera would go for a quick execution or something.¡± Laura commented, twirling her hair in between her fingers. ¡°That she¡¯s going for something as public as the Pit only proved how furious she was, and probably still is. It¡¯s a message for the hunters too, I bet. And for anyone stupid enough to go up against her.¡± ¡°The Pit is a remnant from the old system of the underground.¡± Letha pointed out grimly. ¡°During a time when the underground has no laws, and everyone was fighting to be top dog. When we became more¡­civilised, you can say, the Pit is just a leftover from that old system that is still in use today. And if it is of any indication, then you can imagine just how cruel and lawless the old system was. Even the underground needs rules. That¡¯s why we have the Enforcers. And even why the street gang leaders and even the informants tend to drop by the Abyss once every few months to report on things. It¡¯s to keep things under control.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Silence fell amongst them once more, with the only sounds being that of the waves lapping against the sides of the boathouse. ¡°There is one universal rule amongst the Abyss and the underground that is still followed today. A remnant of the old system, like the Pit is.¡± Letha spoke up, her expression grim, even as she curled her fingers together with each other, looking from face to face. ¡°Survival of the fittest.¡± She spoke. ¡°You need power to back up your own words. Heck, I bet that Sera had been through Hell herself back when she was establishing Blade in Zephys before they became the top dog. She earned her reputation for a reason. Like how Klein did. And even Yusa of Dragonfly.¡± Raul nodded with agreement. ¡°And as much as we are at loggerheads with the hunters, even they understood this universal truth. As does the ESA. It¡¯s one of many reasons why the hunters never attempted to try to pull anything with the Abyss, and why the ESA always tried to form a somewhat tentative working relationship with the underground. They know that the Premier will eat them alive if they do otherwise.¡± ¡°Though I was always under the impression that it was the ESA that attacked Blade and Zephys.¡± Kailey looked at her twin for support, with Neil nodding with a frown. The twins were at Zephys during the days after the attack on Blade, and the memory was still fresh. Even they¡¯ve heard the news, and even the rumours after that. That is how they¡¯ve met Sera after all. ¡°Yeah, so did I.¡± Letha admitted. ¡°I think almost everyone in the underground believes that. Though from my impression, it seems like none of the Blade members believed that. They likely knew that it was the hunters, and not the ESA, but never spoke about it for reasons known only to them.¡± ¡°Sera¡¯s really been keeping a lot of things from us, huh?¡± Lucie sighed, disheartened. ¡°I mean, I understood her reasons why. But I¡¯ll be lying if I said it doesn¡¯t hurt, you know?¡± ¡°Considering both the hunters and the ESA are after her, I¡¯m honestly not surprised.¡± Ness remarked. ¡°She¡¯s been on her own for a long time. We just need to let her know she can trust and rely on us. That is all. Though with everything that we have been up to as Aegis, I¡¯m honestly not surprised that the hunters are on the move.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve infiltrated the ESA and even Eldario¡¯s legal system.¡± Raul sighed, closing the top of his portable computer. ¡°I¡¯m not surprised that they¡¯re attempting the same thing with the Abyss. From what I heard; Hayder is going to put the Abyss under a full lockdown after this. He¡¯s going to do some major house cleaning to ensure that there will be no hunter influence within the underground and the Abyss.¡± ¡°If that happens, there¡¯ll be nowhere for the Gifted to turn to.¡± Claudia concluded grimly, and there were nods from all around. ¡°Whatever happens at the Pit two days from now, Sera better make it memorable.¡± There were snorts from those surrounding Claudia. ¡°I¡¯m going to bet that none of you have seen Sera in a real battle before.¡± Letha had a grin on her face, and Raul seems to be trying to hide a smirk. ¡°The underground call her the Death Reaper for a reason. Trust me, if Sera challenged this hunter to a battle in the Pit, the hunter wouldn¡¯t be leaving alive. And whoever Sera¡¯s second is won¡¯t even be showing their face in the Pit.¡± Lucie tilted her head to one side, confused. ¡°What¡¯s this about a second?¡± Letha blinked. ¡°Oh, you caught that, huh?¡± She exchanged looks with Laura. ¡°It¡¯s part of the Pit rules. A second is there to take over should the challenger dies.¡± Cue pale faces. ¡°Nothing to worry about. I doubt Sera will need hers to take over. You don¡¯t know her the way Raul and I does. Blade is the top dog for a reason. I have never seen Sera lose a fight before.¡± Neil frowned. ¡°Where is she by the way?¡± He wanted to know. * * * * When Hayder had first made a request via Alexis for Sera to take on a request, that understandably, had him concerned due to the ¡®rumours¡¯ and news that Ebis had brought him, he sure wasn¡¯t expecting for it to blow up an entire can of worms the way it did. ¡°The Pit, huh?¡± Larissa had a smoking pipe in between her fingers even as Hayder, and even Alisa and Leroy made themselves comfortable in her office. ¡°The last thing I was expecting is for Sera to challenge her to the Pit. Ebis wouldn¡¯t be leaving alive or in one piece, if I know Sera at all.¡± That is true, and everyone in the underground knows it. One doesn¡¯t gain a moniker like the ¡®Death Reaper¡¯ for being soft. ¡°I know that Sera is ruthless, and rightfully, might I add, upset over what had happened in Zephys and Blade.¡± Hayder remarked. ¡°But I didn¡¯t think that she¡¯ll challenge Ebis to the Pit. I thought she would demand for an execution or something. Not the Pit. It hasn¡¯t been in use for decades.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a message to the hunters.¡± Larissa concluded. ¡°And speaking of hunters¡­¡± As one, Larissa and Hayder looked at Alisa and Leroy who were seated side-by-side, looking wholly innocent. ¡°I was under the impression that it was ESA agents that wiped out Blade, not hunters. Did you know from the beginning?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Leroy was the one to answer. Seeing the unasked question, he sighed, raking a hand through his hair. Well, there¡¯s really no point in keeping quiet anymore, either way. ¡°If it ever got out that it was hunters that wiped out Blade, what do you think would happen?¡± He almost challenged. ¡°The relationship or lack thereof between the hunters and the underground is nearly non-existent as it is. To be blunt, we hate each other¡¯s guts.¡± He pointed out. ¡°If it got out that it was actually hunters that attacked us, what do you think would happen?¡± Hayder sighed. He understood why the Blade members have kept the truth of the attack quiet now. ¡°The underground and the street gangs will want vengeance.¡± Larissa concluded grimly, curling her fingers together beneath her chin. ¡°Blood will run in the streets of Eldario. Worst case scenario: a civil war will break out. There¡¯ll be a bloody massacre.¡± It was bad enough when word got out about the attack on Whirlwind and Zalfari by hunters. If not for the situation with the underground as it is, Larissa has no illusions that the underground will want revenge. As it is, Larissa is well aware of the fact how certain members of the underground¡ªparticularly the informants, have been subtly sabotaging the ESA in the ways that they could. ¡°Exactly.¡± Alisa agreed. ¡°It¡¯s why we kept quiet about it. Better that people think it¡¯s the ESA who attacked us than hunters. At least with the ESA, they still had some protection, considering they¡¯re an official arm of the ruling council.¡± Due to the ¡®lie¡¯ however, it also can¡¯t be denied that they¡¯ve also made things very difficult for the ESA when it comes to the informants. After the attack on Blade, majority of the informants have pulled out of their dealings with the ESA. ¡°The hunters are on the move.¡± Larissa concluded, her quick mind working furiously. ¡°There was what happened with Blade, Whirlwind and Dragonfly. Everything that happened since. This entire situation with the Abyss caused by Ebis. And now this. They must suspect or know that Sera is alive, and more than likely, Aegis¡¯ leader.¡± ¡°Considering how much Aegis had been fucking their plans up, I¡¯m honestly not surprised.¡± Leroy made a roll of his eyes. ¡°But Aegis or not, the hunters will want Sera dead. They know what she can do. They know how much influence Sera has over the underground scene. And I think that¡¯s what scares them.¡± ¡°Not to mention the increasing number of Gifted that has been appearing in recent years.¡± Hayder pointed out. ¡°More and more Gifted have been appearing for the past decade than they have in years. It probably means something. Like a sign that something is going to happen soon.¡± Chapter 12 "But eventually, you''ll have to ask yourself precisely what you''re fighting for. And you''ll have to find a reason to live past vengeance." - R.F Kuang (The Dragon Republic) * * * * This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Chapter 13 ¡°Vengeance ought to be spoken through gritted teeth, spittle flying, the cords of one''s soul so entangled in it that you can''t let it go, even if you try. If you feel it--if you really feel it--then you speak it like it''s a still-beating heart clenched in your fist and there''s blood running down your arm, dripping off your elbow, and you can''t let go.¡± - Laini Taylor (Strange the Dreamer) * * * * If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 14 ¡°To punish someone for your own mistakes or for the consequences of your own actions, to harm another by shifting blame that is rightly yours; this is a wretched and cowardly sin.¡± - Richelle E. Goodrich (Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, and Grumblings for Every Day of the Year) * * * * Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Chapter 15 ¡°I will write your name in the ruin of them. I will paint you across history in the color of their blood.¡± - Seth Dickinson (The Monster Baru Cormorant) * * * * Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Chapter 16 The problem is that no matter how good your intentions, eventually you want to kill someone yourself. - Kenneth Cain (Emergency Sex (And Another Desperate Measures); True Stories from a War Zone) * * * * A delicate finger poked at the glass in front of her, causing it to wobble on the countertop, before righting itself again. A glass filled with some alcoholic drink appeared in front of Sera¡¯s visage, and she looked up to see the knowing look of Timo. ¡°Last one for the night, Sera.¡± He said promptly. ¡°You can¡¯t drive properly if you¡¯re inebriated. Especially considering you came by bike.¡± Sera gave a light scoff, waving a hand about. ¡°I can¡¯t get drunk,¡± she said simply. Timo said nothing but merely continued cleaning the glass in his hand with the cleaning cloth. Sera was right, and he knew it. Most high-class Gifted are immune to most poisons and find it difficult to get drunk. Their Gifts tend to burn out those substances as quickly as it get into their system. There is only one known poison that Timo knew of that would work against a Gifted. The same poison that had nearly killed Ness over a year ago, if not for Laura. ¡°So why are you here?¡± Timo asked at last. He gave Sera a knowing smile. ¡°Trying to avoid the inevitable?¡± Aegis, he knew, was currently anxiously waiting for her return¡ªwherever their boathouse was currently docked. The ¡®duel¡¯ that Sera had with Ebis Ivanor two days ago still had the entire underground buzzing. And without a doubt, the hunters would have learnt about it by now. Sera groaned, burying her face into her hands momentarily. ¡°Will it be considered cowardly if I said that I¡¯m afraid to know their reactions if I tell them everything?¡± she asked at last. Timo¡¯s actions stilled momentarily. The man is a sharp one, and intelligent too. He had been a former Enforcer for a reason. And while Sera has no idea why he¡¯d left, she would bet her beloved bike that Timo is still tied in some way to the underground¡ªwhether as an informant or something similar. She wouldn¡¯t put it past Larissa to plant Timo as some kind of spy either. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, and all that. So, chances are that while Sera never said anything to Timo and his friends about what she had planned, he likely had guessed some of it. ¡°¡­If they abandon you after everything, then they¡¯re not your true friends, Sera,¡± Timo said at last, and Sera looked at him. The older man looked solemn. Though his words struck a chord in Sera; those words were remarkably similar to what Zest had said to her before. ¡°We accepted you, knowing that you¡¯re a Gifted, and knowing what you¡¯re truly capable of. We¡¯ll die for you, Sera, like you will for us.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve come too far to stop now,¡± Sera said with a shake of her head. ¡°Even if I have to do it alone, I will. I owe it to those that died as well.¡± She rubbed at the underside of her wrist where a black blade tattoo was visible. Whatever Timo was about is say was cut off when the tinkle of the bell echoed around the shop, as the door opened, and a familiar young man stepped in. Sera and Timo both recognised the new arrival at once and exchanged quick looks. ¡°Hey, Lucas.¡± Timo greeted. ¡°We¡¯re going to close in an hour.¡± He reminded, looking pointedly at the clock in a corner. ¡°I¡¯ll leave by then,¡± Lucas promised tiredly, taking the seat next to Sera at the counter. ¡°I need a drink. Anything of your choosing. I just want something strong.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°It seems like we¡¯ve been running into each other a lot lately,¡± Sera remarked, keeping an eye on Lucas even as he slumped on the surface of the countertop next to her. Is it just a mere coincidence, or is he following her? ¡°Something wrong? You seem down in the dumps.¡± Lucas was silent for several moments, drawing circles on the countertop with his index finger. ¡°I had to apprehend a man for murder this morning for killing his wife,¡± he said at last. ¡°Later, I found out from Leonid that he did it because his wife was trying to kill their child. A Gifted.¡± He added. Sera had to fight to control her facial expressions. Across the counter where Timo was mixing a drink for Lucas, the older man grimaced. Both of them unfortunately have heard way too many of this kind of case. In Sera¡¯s case, she had seen way too many victims that have suffered at the hands of Normals, hunters, and in some cases, even ESA agents. ¡°And with the way that the laws are in Eldario, the man would likely be sentenced to the death penalty.¡± Lucas continued, not noticing Sera and Timo¡¯s internal turmoil. ¡°And the child in question will be taken into ESA custody.¡± Sera had to fight to control her strength so that she wouldn¡¯t shatter the glass in her hand by mistake. ¡°I¡¯m part of ESA. I know exactly how unfair the laws are. We are law enforcement. But the truth is that the hunters have more power over us.¡± That is the unfortunate truth that Lucas had learned not even two years after accepting Leonid¡¯s invitation. Officially, they¡¯re a separate organisation from the hunters and even the Council. But unofficially, there are lots of occasions when they have to abide by the hunters¡ªsomething that Lucas knew many of his colleagues were gritting their teeth about. At this point, Lucas honestly won¡¯t be surprised to learn if at least half of the ESA either comprises of hunters or hunter sympathisers. The Gifted Task Force for instance¡ªthe members are most likely more of the former than the latter. ¡°I¡¯m not going to say, ¡®I told you so¡¯, Lucas, but I did tell you this will happen,¡± Timo said unsympathetically even as he slid the wine glass in his hand across the surface of the counter to Lucas. ¡°And that you¡¯ll learn truths that you would rather not learn.¡± ¡°If you come here seeking sympathy from me¡ªus, then you¡¯re better off finding someone else,¡± Sera said almost uncaringly, much to Lucas¡¯ surprise. ¡°You¡¯re part of ESA. I don¡¯t know what you even expected when you joined that organisation. Even you would have heard of the rumours surrounding them even before you joined them. Why else would you be questioning yourself back then?¡± ¡°I just¡­¡± Lucas looked surprised at how harsh Sera was with him. ¡°I thought I could change the system from the inside¡­¡± He mumbled, but Sera had very acute hearing and heard every word. ¡°You¡¯re na?ve if you think that,¡± Sera responded harshly. ¡°Reality isn¡¯t that kind. The law isn¡¯t always just.¡± She pointed out. ¡°Most of the time, the law fails the common people. The punishment never really fits the crime ¨C assuming that they are even punished, to begin with.¡± Lucas cringed. Those words are entirely too similar to the words Misha had said to him before. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°Lucas, why are you even with the ESA?¡± Timo wanted to know. ¡°You know what they are like by this point. Everyone in Eldario knows that they are corrupted. Easily bought. Why are you trying to change a dying system?¡± ¡°I thought that it¡¯s the best chance I can use to fix the system. To change Eldario for the better by making it better for the Gifted.¡± Lucas admitted. ¡°I wanted to do something good with my life¡­¡± Sera resisted the urge to smash her wine glass over Lucas¡¯ head. She hated guys like this. ¡°Some people, Lucas,¡± she said through tightly gritted teeth, ¡°don¡¯t want to be saved.¡± Lucas looked at her with confusion. ¡°You can¡¯t change anything without sacrificing something. You want to change the system? What are you prepared to do? What are you prepared to sacrifice?¡± She challenged. ¡°You¡¯re too na?ve. You think that as long as you get the ¡®bad guy¡¯, everything will be fine in the end. The truth isn¡¯t so simple, Lucas. In the end, what makes someone ¡®bad¡¯? A ¡¯bad person¡¯ to you, might be a ¡®good person¡¯ to someone else. And who gets to decide what is right and wrong? Justice in the end is just a set of rules written by someone. And law is made law through power. You should think about it.¡± Sera drained the last few drops of her drink before getting to her feet. ¡°Timo, I¡¯ll be leaving.¡± Timo said nothing even as Sera left the shop without a second look back, merely clearing the glass that she¡¯d been using earlier. ¡°You made her mad,¡± he said simply, seeing Lucas¡¯ confused expression. ¡°She¡¯s right, you know, kid? Sera knows this better than you do because she has experience with the way the underground works. You don¡¯t. Seeing you sprout what you did¡­ It made her angry.¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°In the past, there were those who wanted to ¡®save the Gifted¡¯. Whether that be scientists seeking a ¡®cure¡¯ for the Gifted, or some random politician that wanted to make an entirely new set of laws for the Gifted.¡± Timo interrupted. ¡°Newsflash here. At this point, they don¡¯t even care anymore. The Gifted, that is. All they wanted was to be left alone. Sera¡¯s pragmatic. I don¡¯t think she even believes that the system can be changed anymore. The hunters have too deep a hold on this country for way too long. It¡¯s too corrupted. The old laws that were used to keep them in check were all but abolished by them and their allies by the time the war ended.¡± Lucas had a stubborn tilt to his chin. ¡°We don¡¯t know that if we don¡¯t try,¡± he insisted. Timo only looked resigned; like he knew Lucas was going to say that. He only shrugged. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± he said. ¡°But whatever you¡¯re going to do, Lucas, you better be careful. The hunters have eyes and ears everywhere in the ESA¡ªsomething that you know. Those who oppose them or speak out against them have a nasty habit of dying mysteriously. If you want to take them on with your own way, you better be prepared to put your life on the line.¡± * * * * The constant tapping of keys on a portable computer is all the sounds that could be heard, along with the sounds of waves crashing against the rocks. Both Lucie and Raul were quiet even as they sat on the rooftop of the boathouse. It is night, with the stars above them glittering like diamonds on black velvet. Lucie merely stared at the stars, able to make out some of the constellations that her father had taught her over the years, even as Raul worked on whatever it was that he was currently working on next to her. Lucie¡¯s mind is still reeling from what she had seen and learned two days ago. Sure, she knew that all of Aegis had blood on their hands. Heck, her own hands aren¡¯t that clean either, considering that she had set half of Agnis on fire accidentally when the hunters cornered her and her father, and more than likely, had killed some hunters and probably even ESA agents that day. Her father is a freelance journalist. And while Lucie is never really that physically active as an activist; she did participate in some debates online and had always spoken up for the Gifted. Even though she was from a purely civilian background before Aegis, Lucie knew the darkness of the world and had seen reality. But for the first time, she has no idea what to think. ¡°Are you afraid, Lucie? Of Sera?¡± Raul¡¯s soft voice almost caused Lucie to jump. He had been so quiet next to her, that Lucie had almost forgotten that he was there. Lucie hesitated before giving out a loud sigh, running her fingers through her hair. ¡°I would be lying if I said I¡¯m not,¡± she admitted. ¡°I lived a normal civilian life before¡­this.¡± She gestured around wildly with her hands. ¡°But even I heard tales of what the hunters did to the Gifted. I¡¯m quite active on online activist boards and forums. And Dad is a journalist. He dug up enough information about it.¡± Raul looked interested in that comment. ¡°Dad was an activist when he was young¡ªlobbying for more rights and protection for the Gifted, especially during a time when being a Gifted is an automatic death sentence in Eldario.¡± Lucie hesitated, resisting the urge to give out a shudder when she recalled all the old newspaper clippings she¡¯d seen of her father¡¯s collection, and even of photos and articles, and even blog entries that she¡¯d read online. ¡°I heard that Dad even spent some time in jail because of his actions as an activist when he was young. When he met my mother and had me, he decided to try a different way to fight instead of becoming a freelance journalist. Even though the majority of the information that Dad found never really managed to make it out to the world.¡± Lucie however knew that her father ran an anonymous blog where he posted articles and even photos of what he¡¯d found. Honestly, Lucie had suspected that part of the reason why the hunters and ESA had cornered them at Agnis might not just be because she¡¯s a dormant Gifted. It might be that they have finally tracked down the origins of her father¡¯s blog that from what Lucie knew online, is a big thorn in the side of the hunters for years. Raul sighed and nodded solemnly. ¡°It makes sense why he¡¯s targeted if he¡¯s doing something like that,¡± he concluded. ¡°And not just because you¡¯re a dormant Gifted. To take on the hunters¡­ You need to be prepared to put your life on the line. Many people have either disappeared or died mysteriously over the years when they have opposed the hunters. It¡¯s to the point that not many dare to go against them.¡± On the surface, Eldario is a democracy. But the entire underground knew that it was all a farce. The ones with the true power are the hunters. They controlled the entire law system in Eldario. It is why the Premier and Hayder were so furious when they learnt about Ebis and what she had done, and even why Abyss had gone into full lockdown the moment that the duel had ended two days ago. Hayder and the rest of the Enforcers must be busy cleaning house. Raul definitely won¡¯t be surprised to hear about a few dead bodies turning up over the next few days. And from what Raul knew from his contacts and even from the whispers amongst the underground, the hunters too have gone silent. ¡°I know the evils of the world,¡± Lucie said at last, drawing her legs up to her chest, and wrapping her arms around her legs. ¡°I know that Sera did what needed to be done. But¡­¡± She trailed off slowly. Raul studied Lucie carefully. Finally, he shut the top of his portable computer, giving her his full attention. ¡°Do you want to leave?¡± he asked seriously, much to her surprise. ¡°Sera did say she wouldn¡¯t stop us if we wanted to.¡± Though honestly, Raul isn¡¯t sure if there is anywhere in Eldario that is safe for Lucie. The ESA knew who she was. As are the hunters. Unlike the rest of Aegis, Lucie is defenceless in a fight, though Laura and some of the others in Aegis have been teaching her. Lucie shook her head immediately, much to Raul¡¯s relief. ¡°The civilian part of me¡ªthe one that still believes there¡¯s still some justice to be had, says yes,¡± she admitted. ¡°But my heart and instincts say no. You guys were the ones to help me. Save me. You are my friends. And even family in some way.¡± ¡°You know that we won¡¯t force you to remain if you don¡¯t want to,¡± Raul said seriously. ¡°What we plan to do, Lucie, to be blunt, isn¡¯t for the faint of heart. You¡¯re either in this until the end¡ªand trust me when I say you have to be prepared to die. Or you stay out of it. You don¡¯t have to be in Aegis. You can be a collaborator if you want to help us. Like Alexis and even Ethan. And even Leroy and Alisa.¡± Lucie only stared at Raul. There¡¯s something in the way that Raul had phrased his words that told Lucie that Raul knew more than he was letting on. ¡°I want to change the system, Raul,¡± Lucie admitted. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here.¡± Raul was silent for a long time. Finally, he sighed, digging about in his back pocket and pulling out a pack of cigarettes, much to Lucie¡¯s surprise¡ªas she hadn¡¯t seen Raul or anyone in Aegis smoke before. ¡°Do you mind?¡± Raul asked, pulling out a stick and sticking it into his mouth. ¡°I need something strong.¡± Lucie shook her head, only watching as Raul pulled out a lighter from his back pocket and lit up the cigarette in his mouth, inhaling and then exhaling the smoke. Finally, after several long moments, Raul held the cigarette in between two of his fingers, turning to look at Lucie. ¡°I want to tell you a little story,¡± he said at last. ¡°Have you heard what happened with my old gang, and even why I¡¯m here now? And also why Aegis destroy them?¡± Lucie nodded gingerly. ¡°Tatius and even Laura told me,¡± she admitted. ¡°They said that your old gang sold you to the hunters.¡± Raul nodded, looking resigned. ¡°By all rights, people like Alan¡ªthe leader after Yusa,¡± He added, seeing Lucie¡¯s enquiring look, ¡°should never have involved himself in the matters of the underground. The people of the underground¡ªhonour still means something to us. We protect our own.¡± He tilted his head backwards, looking at the night skies above him. ¡°Yusa especially is a big believer of that. No matter how many hunters came knocking when he was still in charge, he never gave me up. I imagine it¡¯s part of why he got along so well with Sera and Klein too. All three of them are very similar.¡± He shook his head. ¡°The point that I¡¯m making is that many people would have been perfectly happy if Alan had just stayed in his little bubble and never made waves, and never involved himself in underground business. His actions didn¡¯t just almost doom me. It destroyed the entire gang because there was no way the Premier would have let what he did go. If he had just kept to himself, no one else would have to die. If Alan had just acknowledged his weakness, then maybe I would have more respect for him.¡± Raul admitted. ¡°And the underground wouldn¡¯t be in the situation we now are in.¡± Lucie frowned. ¡°What¡¯s the point that you¡¯re trying to make?¡± Raul looked at Lucie straight in the eye. There is just something about that intense gaze that made Lucie freeze. ¡°You have to decide what path you want to take, Lucie,¡± he said. ¡°Whether you want to go back to a simple life¡ªas simple as being a Gifted can be. Or if you want to change society. If it¡¯s a simple life you want, I believe Sera can get you into the Abyss. You can live there and carve out a life for yourself. You wouldn¡¯t be in any danger. But¡ª¡± Raul held up one finger to silence Lucie when it looked like she wanted to argue, ¡°if you want to involve yourself in what we want to do, then make sure you¡¯re in this until the end.¡± He said seriously. ¡°Because if you do what Alan did¡ªif you betray us, even the Goddess wouldn¡¯t be able to help you.¡± He warned. ¡°There will be nowhere you can run.¡± He knows better than anyone else how ruthless Sera can be towards those who cross her, after all. ¡°Then you know what Sera wanted to do?¡± Raul gave a short nod. ¡°Yeah. Yusa is pals with Sera even during our gang days,¡± he admitted. ¡°We¡¯re allies too with Whirlwind. Letha¡¯s old gang.¡± He added, ¡°Whirlwind, Blade and Dragonfly are the main pillars of the entire underground.¡± He ticked points off on his fingers. ¡°It¡¯s honestly no surprise we have so many problems right now with all three gangs decimated. The hunters knew what they were doing.¡± He snorted. ¡°But yeah, I knew Sera through Yusa. And even quite a few of the other Blade members. Like Zest, Leroy, Alisa, and even Lleucu and Jamie.¡± He sighed and shook his head. To this day, Raul still wasn¡¯t sure if Lleucu and Jamie were still alive. Half the bodies of Blade¡¯s members couldn¡¯t even be found. That is if there is even anything large enough of them to identify. ¡°There¡¯s no way Sera would let what happened to her old crew go. So yeah, I know what she wanted to do. Letha and Laura have some experience with the underground before Aegis, so no doubt they know as well. Heck, with everything going on for the past year or so, I¡¯m sure everyone has some idea at this point.¡± Raul took a puff of his cigarette. ¡°The thing is, you saw what Sera did to that huntress¡ªor at least, as much as I allowed you to see, anyway.¡± He added wryly. ¡°Sera has no mercy for traitors. And even hunters. If you double-crossed us, trust me when I say that there wouldn¡¯t be anything large enough of you to find once Sera is done with you. The hunters fear her for a reason.¡± Lucie looked about to say something, but the door to the entrance of the roof opened just then, revealing Tatius. ¡°Sera¡¯s back,¡± was all that he said, with the redhead jerking a thumb backwards over his shoulder. ¡°Come on down.¡± Chapter 17 ¡°Two for vengeance. One for love.¡± - John Gwynne (Ruin) * * * * Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Chapter 18 Vengeance ought to be spoken through gritted teeth, spittle flying, the cords of one¡¯s soul so entangled in it that you can¡¯t let it go, even if you try. If you feel it¡ªif you really feel it¡ªthen you speak it like it¡¯s a still-beating heart clenched in your fist, and there¡¯s blood running down your arm, dripping off your elbow, and you can¡¯t let go. - Laini Taylor (Strange the Dreamer) * * * * Two Years Later January 233 If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Chapter 19 ¡°It is unwise to let a man who isn''t king sit on a throne for too long.¡± - Costanza Casati (Clytemnestra) * * * * Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.