Sinner Born: Part 1
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Ago Impellere, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Four, 10:35 AM
Fists smashed into the punching bag, the rhythm erratic and fast. The hum of the vents finally died, leaving the LED panels as the only source of light. They cast long shadows across the gym as the last patron headed for the exit.
"Well, at least a lot of people showed up for the closing."
The punching stopped, and a large figure moved toward the exit. "And why are you still here? You clearly don't love this place as much as I do."
In proper light, he was massive, seven foot six (228 cm), with a staggeringly bulky, blonde-furred frame. He had rabbit ears, a cat's muzzle and eyes, a fox tail, and digitigrade legs. Short blonde hair peeked out from beneath a beanie, and his tail threaded through the tail hole of his dusty tan trench coat.
The other man had light purple skin, red eyes, two horns swept back nearly to the sides of his head, and a tail ending in a spade. He was tall as well, but nowhere near the furred man's size. He wore a tight black tank top and light red, almost purple, bell-bottom jeans. His long brown hair was scraggly and completely unkempt.
Barak: "Nothing could be done to save our gym. Ago, it failed. It's time to move on."
Ago: "Barak, it didn't fail. You purposely killed it. Classic greedborn."
Barak: "That's racist, but I won't hold it against a wrathborn. You people are always on edge."
Ago: "You people?" He gave a playful eye roll and smirk.
The two left the gym, and Ago locked up before tossing the key to Barak.
Ago: "I never want to see your face again, you traitorous bastard."
Barak shrugged.
Barak: "I don't know what you're talking about."
With a huff, Ago turned and walked away at a fast pace.
The streets were filled with both species. The greedborn came in a variety of skin colors and horn types, and they almost always wore devilish grins. The wrathborn were, on average, nearly two feet taller, usually around seven foot three (221 cm). They were densely muscled and furred, typically blonde, though gray, red, and other colors sometimes appeared. Ago was simply taller and broader than most of his already imposing kind.
A limousine pulled up to the gym where Barak waited. Ago raised an eyebrow suspiciously and ducked behind a corner, pretending to leave while lingering just long enough to listen. His sharp ears twitched.
Ago was about to go when he heard a door open.
Barak: "I told you not to be early."
Voice: "I'm not. Check the time."
City noise and foot traffic made the voice hard to hear.
Barak: "Tsk. I guess you're right. Still, I hope you don't mind people seeing Governor Eitan on the bad side of the city."
Voice (Eitan): "District Four is hardly the main bad side. Do you have the money?"
Barak: "It's in my account. We'll need to swing by the bank."
Eitan: "Luckily, I know a shortcut."
The door closed, and the muffling swallowed the rest. The limousine pulled away, and Ago let out a slow sigh.
He turned down an alley and crossed the street, where a large "A" logo glowed and the smell of burgers drifted through the air. Ago glanced back at his closed gym. The Ring stood dark, its sign powered off, the building mostly empty save for the ring itself and a few scattered pieces of equipment.
After a moment's thought, Ago turned away from the burger joint and headed off with new purpose.
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Dalia Anaf, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Two, 10:56 AM
The room was dark, lit only by the glow of a phone-computer. A female greedborn with deep purple skin, small horns, and neck-length dark brown hair swiped left and right until she found the folder she wanted.
She grinned like a fiend, opening folder after folder until she reached several videos. Her expression shifted to a confused huh? before she shrugged and began downloading what she could. A moment later, a Disconnected message flashed across the screen.
Dalia cracked the door open and glanced back at her computer before pocketing it. She slipped out into a wide open area filled with computers and employees. A manager stood nearby, clutching a flash drive.
Manager: "Someone get security!"
Dalia took her chance. When no one was looking, she strolled casually down the hallway. She was more lithe than most greedborn, wearing a short white-and-pink vest over a white tank top and blue hot pants.
Just before she reached the exit, a greedborn employee called out to her.
Employee: "Hey. Who are you, and what are you doing back here?"
Dalia: "Name's Dalia. I was just using the toilets." She pointed toward the restroom doors off to the side.
Employee: "Those are for employees. Public restrooms are in the lobby."
Dalia shrugged and laughed.
Dalia: "Oh. Oops. My bad."
She left without further incident and disappeared from sight as quickly as she could. Once safe, she opened the stolen videos. The first two were useless, but the third caught her attention.
It showed a recorded meeting discussing safety protocols for something called the Reclamation Engine. Blueprints filled the background. Dalia's eyes widened, her grin stretching wider.
Dalia: "Score."
She replayed the footage, studying every scrap of information she could glean from the background. Whatever this engine was, it appeared to be located at Warehouse 407.
Dalia rubbed her chin, glanced from the video to a digital map marking Warehouse 407, and licked her lips. With a satisfied nod, she headed toward the warehouse district.
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Fero Onus, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Two, 11:01 AM
The door swung open as Fero stepped into the police station, his expression set with determination. He stood seven foot three (221 cm), dark-blonde fur framing short blonde hair. His blue uniform was spotless, his badge displayed over his heart, BSPD. Thick bundles of wire were taped along the edges of the room, separate from the boxy computers and their own cords.
The department buzzed with activity. Officers answered calls, strapped on armor and sidearms, and hurried out. One officer said, "The air feed's lagging again." As his computer loads a document. One of the officers waved Fero over.
Tendo, very sarcastically: "There goes Fero, the man who uncovers all the super-secret conspiracies."
Tendo was also a wrathborn, with dark brown fur, black hair, and matching eyes.
Fero: "Tendo, even if we only count the cases where I have nothing to show for it, I'm still doing better work than you. You're a crap cop, and I don't know why you haven't been fired yet."
Several nearby officers let out a collective "oh," followed by laughter, as if this rivalry was nothing new.
Tendo raised his hands defensively while Fero continued toward the chief's office. He barged in without knocking.
Fero: "I received your message. What in the silvered hell?"
The chief was a bright white-furred man, his black uniform stretched tight across his sizable frame.
Chief: "I don't know how else to say this. You have to cease the warehouse case."
Fero: "Former Governor Canto doesn't even own Warehouse 407. His money literally vanished. How does he benefit from taking his own funds and losing them to nothing?"
The chief didn't move an inch, his posture rigid and disciplined.
Chief: "You can't prove a guilty man innocent when the city council and the people of Black Stone City have already decided they're right."
Fero spoke faster now, words tumbling out as if speed might strengthen his argument.
Fero: "Governor Canto is one of the most well-known political figures of our lifetime. The news is split straight down the middle between fanatical support and outright hate. How is he supposed to get a fair trial in Black Stone, of all places? This city has some of the most unhinged Canto Lignum haters in the nation."
Chief: "I'm well aware. But it's the city you have to convince, and they deemed him guilty before the trial even started. The Head of Services wants you off the case. Explicitly."
Fero shook his head, his whole body tensing before he forced himself to breathe.
Fero: "So what's the problem, besides racism?"
Chief: "The report reads: Harassing respectable families. Or, translated: Stay out of our neighborhood."
Now the chief himself was angry, pausing to rein it in.
Chief: "It's been one hundred and fifty years since we've had a wrathborn police chief."
Fero: "Yeah, like four months ago. I was there."
Chief: "And I'd like it to go well."
The chief sighed.
Chief: "I'm going to need you to take the day off."
Fero pulled out his phone and held it closer to the thick cables lining the room. A holographic screen flickered to life, displaying a document.
Fero: "Chief, they're clearing out Warehouse 407 right now. We could find out what's been going on just by watching. Besides, I can't take the day off if war with District Three is about to break."
Chief: "I understand what you're saying. But if you investigate this, you won't be doing it as an officer."
Fero straightened, pulling his emotions back under control.
Fero: "I see. Then I'll be taking the day off, sir."
Chief: "I'm not fully convinced either way on this case, but you've found proof in crazier situations."
The two shared a brief smile.
-
Servo Custodia, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Seventeen, 11:14 AM
Servo chopped wood in his backyard, dressed in a black sweatshirt and blue jeans. His fur and hair were the standard blonde, his height just an inch below average for males, his build otherwise unremarkable.
Behind him, goats milled about inside a fenced enclosure. Chickens wandered freely, pecking without a care in the world, while a large red fox lounged nearby, scratching at its collar.
Another wrathborn approached the gate. She was a white-furred woman with long white hair, her casual clothing a sharp contrast to Servo's heavy layers and pulled-up hood. She beckoned him with her tail. Servo stopped chopping and walked over, sniffing the air.
Servo: "Spero? I didn't know you were a canvas."
Spero: "Are you joking, Servo? You thought I was naturally purple and blonde?"
Servo: "You don't have to be a canvas to dye your fur and hair."
Spero: "Fair enough. Look, I'm in a bit of trouble, and I need your help."
Servo folded his arms, gaze drifting briefly toward the house behind him. He then gestured for her to continue.
Spero: "I'm in charge of the side dock at Warehouse 414. As soon as I got the promotion, I somehow managed to forget the master keycard."
Servo: "No way you want me to break in or something."
Spero: "No one can know. I'll get fired!" She pulled out a keychain. "Besides, it's a straight line to my office. No cameras in that section, as long as you don't stray."
A chicken darted between them, pecking at the dirt before scurrying away.
Servo: "I get the feeling this is a bad idea."
Spero: "Oh, it is. But most likely no one's around for the rest of the day."
Servo sighed.
Servo: "Alright. But you owe me a burger or something."
Spero smiled. Servo headed inside, slipping on a combat vest beneath his shirt and grabbing a sturdier pair of foot wraps. He squeezed past his many siblings crammed into the small house, waved goodbye to his parents, then stepped outside again and grabbed a shovel leaning nearby.
Spero: "What's the shovel for?"
Servo: "Guns have been banned in the city for a long time. I need some kind of protection, and crowbars stand out more than a guy carrying a shovel. Now give me the details on where I'm going."
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Talia Tal and Zev Lehaket, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Three, 11:22 AM
The two youths grabbed everything they could get their hands on, stuffing bags with a frantic lack of order.
Talia: "Where are we even supposed to go?"
She had dark purple skin, gold eyes, and long dark red hair pulled into a ponytail, short horns peeking through the strands. Her thick blue shirt clung to her frame, and her tight brown leather pants were patched and restitched in several places. Only her yellow padded vest looked professionally made, standing out from the rest of her worn clothes.
Zev slung a backpack over his shoulder and tugged the straps tight.
Zev: "We could go back to the Red Men compound and bust up their gang again. If they all die, we won't have to flee for our lives."
Zev had light purple skin, short white hair, and small ram horns that curved just slightly. A thick black vest served as his shirt, layered beneath a long heavy coat that draped over his frame. His jeans were a deep, almost ink-like blue.
Talia stopped shoving items into her bag and stared at him.
Talia: "The cops are probably all over their hideout by now. This whole district's about to be crawling with police." She ran a hand through her hair, horns catching briefly on her fingers. "God above... what did we get ourselves into?"
Zev shrugged, trying to sound casual as he zipped his bag.
Zev: "Considering we didn't actually see anything, you'd think we wouldn't be in danger."
Talia: "Cops, gangs, screw them all."
The two greedborn shouldered their backpacks and slipped out of their junk-filled home. The street outside was narrow, hemmed in by apartment blocks that looked stitched together from different decades. Brick and concrete walls were patched with bolted-on metal siding, added wherever the structure had failed. Rust streaked down fire escapes and stained the sides of oversized garbage bins.
The air smelled of burning chemicals, sharp enough to sting the nose if you breathed it too long.
Trash bags lined the curb, torn open by rats and feral cats. Flickering neon lights hummed overhead, their glow weak and unreliable. Graffiti layered the walls, overlapping tags, half-finished murals, angry slogans, and the faded remains of something that might once have been hopeful, now buried beneath crude and perverse drawings. Somewhere above, water dripped steadily from a cracked pipe, plinking into a pothole that reflected the pink glow of a pawn shop sign.
Most windows were boarded or barred. Others flickered with the pale light of televisions.
The few people brave enough to be outside moved with purpose. No one lingered unless they had to. A corner watcher leaned against a wall, pretending to scroll through his phone while his eyes tracked movement. Nearby, three children played on a rusted, barely functional playground, while a mechanic worked out of a shabby open garage, sparks briefly lighting the gloom.
Talia and Zev circled around the side of the building, hopping a low fence just as the front door creaked open.
An old man leaned out.
Talia: "Grandpa?"
Grandpa: "What all-consuming fire lakes are you goin', gal?"
He was mostly bald now, his remaining hair thin and gray. His features mirrored Talia's closely enough to make the resemblance undeniable. He shook his head slowly, disappointment written plainly across his face.
Talia: "The cops are coming in, for whatever reason. Don't you want to get out of here?"
The old man snorted.
Grandpa: "I ain't leavin' my kitchen to be robbed by all these vagrants." His voice softened as he looked at her. "Just... be careful, alright, sweetheart? You're all I got left."
Talia's expression faltered.
Talia: "Oh, Grandpa. I'm more worried about you."
Zev straightened and gave a respectful nod.
Zev: "And I promise I'll keep her out of trouble, Mr. Tal."
The old man squinted at him.
Grandpa: "You keep your hands off my granddaughter, you rotten scoundrel."
Zev smirked.
Zev: "You're literally cooking death in there."
The old man grinned back, sharp and unapologetic.
Grandpa: "And don't you forget it."
-
Ardea Fervidus, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District One, 11:37 AM
Ardea stood near the back of the church, doing her best not to draw attention to herself. It wasn't difficult. Everyone else was focused on far more important things. She pulled her red scarf tighter around her neck and nervously scanned the attendants.
Most were wrathborn like her, with a scattering of greedborn among them. All of the priests, however, were greedborn. Three stood at the altar, dressed in white robes. The two males wore purple sashes, while the female priest wore only white, the distinction in role made unmistakably clear.
One of the male priests stepped forward.
Priest: "In the oldest days, before empires and before doctrine, we had only one name."
He folded his hands into his sleeves.
Priest: "We called ourselves sinnerborn. When the first monarchs rose, they deemed the word unfit. Anti-man, they said. So we became soulborn instead. A softer name. A kinder lie."
He paused, letting the words settle over the crowd.
Priest: "Later, when we fled our first world and stared extinction in the face, we crowned ourselves godborn. The highest form of blasphemy we could manage."
Another pause.
Priest: "Then one day, a group of children called us the children of greed."
A faint, humorless smile crossed his face.
Priest: "And the name endured. Our history is a litany of surrender. Not to God, but to appetite. Even our second near-extinction was not wrought by famine or war, but by hoarding. We clutched everything we had until rot and sin flourished, and the Reclamation Campaign was born."
He inclined his head slightly.
Priest: "God be praised that it failed. Though its ashes gave rise to the wrathborn... and they, in turn, gave us our final name."
His gaze swept over the attendants.
Priest: "We have spent ages trying to define ourselves. But it was only when those without bias named us that the truth emerged."
His voice lowered.
Priest: "Our greatest flaw is not greed alone, but what follows it. The desire to burn down everything we possess, simply so that no one else may claim it."
Ardea turned away before the sermon could continue. As she stepped outside, she caught sight of a child running across the street. Someone she knew.
She slipped out of the church.
In the daylight, her gray fur and white hair were mostly hidden beneath a red bandana, a red long-sleeved shirt, and loose white pants. Her white-tipped tail flicked with mild irritation when the young wrathborn noticed her.
The girl had red, almost pink fur and hair, her clothes dirty and worn.
Fida: "Ardea! I was looking for you." Her tail wagged happily.
Ardea: "Fida, what are you doing here?" She tugged her scarf down slightly so her voice wouldn't be muffled.
Fida: "Hey, District One's the only safe place in the city. It's fine."
Ardea: "Did you forget why I left the theater? Children shouldn't be unattended for a reason."
A car sped past, its engine roaring loudly enough to make both of them flatten their ears for a moment.
Fida huffed, tail flicking with annoyance.
Fida: "Still, it's District One." Then her expression shifted. "I came to find you because two greedborn from the slums have been shaking down some of the other girls. I was hoping you could do something about it."
Ardea: "Are they goons from Micah Shiachor?"
Fida: "I don't know."
Ardea sighed.
Ardea: "Alright. I'll see what I can do."
They walked a few blocks before spotting the problem. Two sickly-looking, thuggish greedborn men had cornered a teenage wrathborn girl.
Ardea's ears twitched.
Thug: "We'll leave when you tell us what you saw in District Five's Fast Tunnel."
Girl: "Like I said, I saw nothing. A few forklifts and big boxes. That's what's always down there."
One of the thugs pulled out a knife.
Thug: "You should stop sneaking into restricted areas."
Girl: "Do you work the tunnels? If it's a problem, call the police. Surely I'd be in trouble by now."
The thug's expression twisted into something ugly, but his response was cut short when his partner let out a startled yelp.
He turned, spat in annoyance, then swallowed hard.
Even wrathborn females towered over most greedborn. When Ardea's shadow fell across them, both men froze.
Girl: "Ah. My guardian angel." Her tail flicked confidently.
Ardea: "You think you can plunder these streets in broad daylight?"
Thug: "You want to cause trouble, animal?"
He brandished his knife. His partner hesitated, then pulled his own.
Thug 2: "Do you even know who we are? We're Red Man. Stay out of our business, or else."
Ardea: "Okay."
There was a pause.
Thug: "What?"
Ardea: "Or else. I'll take it." Her tone was almost childlike, innocent, but edged with unmistakable seriousness.
Thug: "You're stupid. We'll kill you. Red Man will kill you."
Ardea: "They can try. It would give me something to do today."
The two thugs exchanged a look. Ardea watched their fear bloom.
Ardea: "Did you expect me to persuade you? Intimidate you? Seduce you?" She tilted her head slightly. "I'd never give up a good time like having my life at stake. I'm aware of the consequences and wish to continue."
She reached up, gripping her red scarf, and drew her own knife.
Thug: "Uh... actually, we got what we wanted. Let's go, man."
Thug 2: "Hell yeah. I hate this rich-folk neighborhood anyway."
They hurried off around the corner.
The two girls immediately turned to Ardea, voices overlapping with praise.
"So badass."
"You showed them!"
Ardea: "Right, right." She waved it off. "But I heard some of what they said. Why are District Three thugs prowling the good neighborhood?"
Fida and the other girl filled her in. The girl's name was Vola and explained how a wrong turn had landed her in the warehouse district, District Five. She suspected she'd been targeted because a corporation was moving something highly classified through the area, enough to warrant threats but not legal pursuit.
Ardea: "I wonder if it's Cyberpunx Data."
Fida tilted her head.
Fida: "The what?"
Vola: "The Micah guy? What are the odds it was his company?"
Ardea: "Slim. But I've seen him use thugs to silence people before." Her expression darkened. "If something's happening down there, maybe I can sort it out before it spills back onto the theater. The Last Curtain already has enough problems because of me."
-
Dalia and Fero, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Five, 12:01 PM
The sky was gray. The concrete was gray. The warehouses were gray too, their walls dulled by age and weather, metal roofs stained and dented. Dalia glanced down at her phone. No signal.
She huffed, her spade-tipped tail lashing once in irritation.
Her eyes drifted toward the massive brass-colored tunnel running overhead, thick as a train car, carrying internet cables through the warehouse district. She rubbed her chin, then continued down the long rows of buildings. A flick of her wrist brought her wrist-computer to life, the camera feed of a drone giving her a bird's-eye view of the area.
As she walked, a large police vehicle rolled past her, then slowed and pulled over near the river. The waterway was wide enough to almost count as a channel. Vehicles designed for wrathborn were enormous, built to accommodate their size, and a wrathborn police officer was a terrifying thing to behold even when stationary.
Dalia kept her eyes forward, forcing herself not to look. Then the window slid down.
Fero: "Miss Anaf, if I'm remembering your name correctly, may I have a moment of your time?"
Dalia stopped.
Dalia: "And... you are?" She tilted her head. "Sorry, I don't remember every cat guy who's arrested me. I'm not in trouble, am I?"
Fero: "There was a report of a digital break-in today. The sensor logs look suspiciously like your work." He paused. "But I'm off duty."
Dalia felt a bead of sweat form. She forced a grin that strained at the edges.
Dalia: "Ah. So I'm free to go, then?"
Fero: "Actually, I was hoping to get a professional opinion from you."
Her smile twiched.
Dalia: "On what, exactly?"
Fero finished off a bottle of chocolate milk, set it aside, and let out a satisfied breath.
Fero: "On the other side of District Five is Warehouse 407. It's being cleared out due to protests and legal pressure. Everything coming out is unmarked, guarded with excessive security, and moved through the Quick Tunnel to Warehouse 414." He frowned. "The tunnel isn't meant to be used like that. I was wondering if you might've taken a closer look than I'm allowed to."
Dalia scratched the back of her head.
Dalia: "Isn't there a law against self-incrimination?"
Fero: "I'm off duty. Nothing you say here goes back to the station."
Her posture relaxed, confidence settling back in.
Dalia: "Alright, fine. I've been snooping. But the network's locked inside the physical cables. No remote access at all. I'd need, uh... manual interaction."
Fero: "Any chance you could keep me informed about those interactions?"
She raised an eyebrow.
Dalia: "Are you asking me to commit a crime? I thought cops were rigid about following the book."
Fero's tone stayed light, almost amused.
Fero: "That would be irresponsible of me. I'm just saying I'd like to hear how your day goes." He leaned back slightly. "I am by the book. But when the book's written by criminals, I don't see much reason to stick to it."
Dalia's wrist-computer beeped softly. She glanced down, tapped a few commands, and a small drone zipped in from above. It hovered briefly before unfolding spider-like legs and clamping onto her wrist. Panels slid open, and the drone neatly folded itself into the device.
Dalia: "Tell you what. You keep an eye out for me, and I'll do some completely legal-looking investigating." She smirked. "By the way, what exactly are you hoping to find?"
Fero: "Confirmation. I need to understand what's happening before I can build a case." He nodded once. "Name's Fero Onus."
Dalia returned the nod as Fero reached down and retrieved his phone.
Fero: "Every police vehicle has a localized internet hub. If we're going to help each other, we'll need to link up."
Dalia: "Sweet. Just don't go digging through my phone while I'm working."
Fero: "Not without a warrant."
With a few quick taps, Dalia uploaded a secure communication channel. The two spent a moment coordinating routes and points of interest before heading their separate ways into the gray maze of District Five.
-
Talia, Zev, Ardea, and Ago, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Five, 12:07 PM
Talia: "Ah! Oh... it's you."
The greedborn man standing in front of them had deep blue skin, short black hair, a white tank top, and orange worker pants stained with grime. They were just inside the Fast Tunnel entrance, its curved walls studded with green-glowing lights that hummed softly in the gloom.
Shai: "What are you two even doing here? Didn't you cause enough trouble for the Red Men already?"
Zev crossed his arms.
Zev: "They started it."
Talia: "Not now, Zev." She looked back at Shai. "Where are all the gangs?"
Shai blinked, then laughed once.
Shai: "The gangs? Lady, they haven't been around here for months. Your info's way out of date." He leaned back slightly, a devilish grin spreading across his face. "Though I guess, technically speaking, the Red Men are still here."
Zev's tail twitched.
Zev: "Let me guess."
Shai: "They're the main security detail."
Zev groaned.
Zev: "Fantastic. We've achieved the exact opposite of what we wanted."
Talia: "Since when did District Five stop being gangland?"
Shai coughed, clearing his throat as if resetting himself.
Shai: "Since politicians started fighting over the land. You two don't watch the news, do you?" He paused, then waved it off. "Right. Too poor for that kind of tech." He lowered his voice. "Look, I can get the workers to turn around. You'll be able to leave without being seen. I owe you that much."
Talia's tail lashed as she struggled to organize her thoughts.
Talia: "Hold on. We're being hunted by the Reds. Where exactly are we supposed to go?"
Shai shrugged.
Shai: "A church, maybe. Temporary shelter. Then find a job for, uh... living."
Talia and Zev exchanged a doubtful look.
Zev: "If that were possible, we'd have real jobs already. Things aren't that easy."
Talia: "And it's worse for me. Employers just say, get married, like that magically fixes everything."
Shai sighed.
Shai: "Technically, marriage is what saved our species a hundred and fifty years ago. You'll have to forgive a society that clings to tradition when tradition kept it alive."
Talia scoffed.
Talia: "Yeah, and for a long time it was legal to buy and sell daughters. What a wonderful civilization that was." Her voice sharpened. "Honestly, I'd rather see the wrathborn do what God made them for and replace us. At least they have the decen—"
She cut herself off as the noise ahead grew louder.
A crowd had formed near the tunnel entrance.
Ago: "I told you, I'm a journalist. I'm looking into a massive fraud at Warehouse, uh... 407." His voice carried clearly. "I'm just asking questions, and I'm not trespassing. I'm very clearly outside."
Nearby, just beyond the tunnel mouth, Ardea watched with a wary expression. Her eyes constantly scanned the area as more greedborn wearing red bandanas and red shirts quietly drifted closer, forming a loose ring around the lone wrathborn.
Ago had spent hours in the library constructing a borrowed identity, piecing together a fake background from a fan's research. Now he stood here as a "journalist," confused by the silence pressing down on him. No one was talking. No one was answering.
Shai grimaced.
Shai: "That man's going to get stabbed. Red Men weren't hired not to stab people who wander in."
Zev exhaled slowly.
Zev: "There isn't enough silver to coat hell and save our situation."
-
Servo, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Five, 12:07 PM
Servo raised an eyebrow as trucks rolled in and out of the warehouse yard. There weren't many people around, which gave him a flicker of relief.
That relief vanished the moment he stepped past a No Trespassing sign.
He glanced at a wrathborn girl and a greedborn boy nearby, both dressed casually, then down at himself. He wore a sweatshirt with the hood pulled up. He wasn't hiding his face, just trying to stay warm. His fur was short, and he felt the cold more keenly than most. Even so, the heavy clothing made him stand out.
Servo pulled out the borrowed keys, only to find the back door unlocked. He hesitated, watching another truck rumble past. Maybe that explained it.
He slipped inside, easing the door shut and moving as quietly as he could. Despite the promise, people were working inside the building, or at least it sounded that way. Footsteps echoed faintly, voices murmured somewhere beyond the walls. His nerves tightened.
Relying on his long ears, Servo moved only when it was safe, freezing whenever footsteps drew near. He reached his friend's office and began searching quickly, finally spotting the keycard and slipping it into his pocket.
Then footsteps grew closer.
Servo stopped moving altogether, sinking back against the wall, barely breathing. His mind raced for an escape route, a clean way out.
Every option he came up with felt impossible.
-
Day Septem
Black Stone: District Five, 12:08 PM
Dalia worked quickly, scrambling her way toward Warehouse 414. She glanced at her phone and saw a positive message from Fero. With that small assurance, she walked right in, timing her movements to avoid being seen.
She checked corners, slipped into an office, and found a large computer hardwired into the internet. Within seconds, she had multiple files open. With her free hand, she typed a message into her phone.
Dalia (text): They aren't even hiding this stuff, HA!
Fero's reply came almost immediately.
Fero (text): Focus on the mission.
Dalia rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself, and turned her attention back to the screen.
-
Servo remained frozen, waiting for the people nearby to move on. His long ears twitched as he caught fragments of a conversation drifting through the warehouse.
"It doesn't matter," one voice said. "These cat people are going to burn by the time the cops come around."
Servo's stomach tightened.
-
Ago was growing increasingly irritated as the scrappy men closed in around him.
Ago: "I just want to know, are you the security force Eitan Sovel hired? Because none of you look the part."
One of the workers suddenly shouted, pointing.
"You're not a journalist! You're Ago Impellere, the King of the Ring, the gym guy!"
The mood shifted instantly. Knives came out. Heavy labor tools were lifted, grips tightening.
Ago: "All that work building a fake profile..." He sighed. "Alright, look. It's not illegal for me to be here. Technically, I can walk straight through these tunnels. Unless someone rented the entire tunnel today, which I checked and they didn't, I'm free to pass."
One of the thugs muttered, "He knows too much."
Another snapped back, "Shoosh."
-
While all eyes were on Ago, Ardea slipped inside unnoticed. She moved behind Shai and pressed a knife lightly against his throat.
Ardea: "Shai. Where is your boss?"
The two nearby greedborn shifted into combat stances. Talia snapped open her black box, which unfolded into something resembling a crossbow gun. She pulled a bolt clip from her backpack and loaded it smoothly. Zev extended a long metal bar, the rest of the spear locking into place with a sharp click.
Talia: "What in the silver hell do you think you're doing?"
Shai raised a hand, signaling them to stand down. Calmly, he reached up, gently grasped the blade at his throat, and eased it away.
Shai: "The gangs aren't here. You can thank former Governor Canto Lignum for that."
Ardea gestured toward the crowd gathered at the entrance.
Shai: "No idea why they are. They came in with proper paperwork. That means my hands are tied."
Zev: "So which gang are you hunting?"
Ardea paused, studying the two greedborn before answering.
Ardea: "Red Men. They're shaking down some friends of mine, and I intend to convince them to stop."
Shai: "Then you'll need to go to the source. The old gangland."
Talia: "Except their usual hideout was flattened, and the police are about to lock down the entire district."
Ardea: "Lovely." She glanced back toward the entrance. "Then if the Red Men are here, why can't I speak with them now?"
-
Day Septem
Black Stone: District Five, 12:10 PM
Four cars screeched to a halt outside the warehouse. Armed guards poured out, weapons ready, and moved inside with urgency. Nearby, Fero stood off to the side, furiously typing on his phone.
Dalia glanced down as her phone vibrated with a warning. She saw it, absorbed it... and ignored it.
Her eyes stayed glued to the files on the screen. She found the document she needed, but it referenced a chain of emails routed through the command office.
Dalia muttered under her breath as hurried footsteps passed her door.
Armed Thug: "By the actual silver stones, how did Eitan Sovel's name get out? What are you people doing?"
Other Thug: "Don't look at my men. They're just office workers. They're not supposed to know anything. In fact, you just broke protocol by saying his name out loud."
Dalia rerouted her hack, punching deeper into the network. Sweat beaded on her forehead. She needed a distraction. Any distraction.
A grin crept across her face as her finger hovered over the enter key.
-
Outside the tunnel, one of the better-dressed workers received a call. He listened, nodded once, and said quietly, "Understood."
Nice Thug: "Alright, for real this time, mister. Leave the tunnels."
Ago: "Alright, alright. I'm leaving."
He turned and started to walk away.
Thug: "You would've died trying to take us on anyway."
Ago stopped.
Ago: "Is that a challenge?"
Nice Thug: "Silver pain, man. Don't tempt these beasts."
Ago: "Oh? I'm a beast now?"
His fists clenched, muscles tightening.
-
Servo listened.
The lights abruptly cut out, plunging the interior into darkness. Confused footsteps echoed, voices overlapping in panic, but one set of movements remained steady and controlled.
Wrathborn senses picked up what others missed. Servo tracked individual footsteps as they approached. He positioned himself near the door just as someone was grabbed.
Thug: "Who—hey!"
A struggle.
Dalia: "Excuse me, but I work here."
Thug: "Wretch, I work here, and I'm about to bury you!"
The door flew open.
Servo swung his shovel, slamming the man into the wall with a dull, bone-jarring thud.
Dalia turned, but the warehouse was nearly pitch black now. Only slivers of light leaked in from outside, and from her perspective, only glowing feline eyes were visible.
Servo grabbed her wrist and pulled her along.
Dalia: "Excuse me!"
Servo: "They're laughing about killing people. You can complain after we're out."
They burst through the back door just as Fero slammed it shut behind them. Dalia blinked, trying to orient herself. The two wrathborn, however, saw each other perfectly.
Servo: "Excuse us. We're just leaving."
Fero: "Dalia, could you try not to get caught?"
Dalia pulled her hand free and shrugged.
Dalia: "The time board said everyone had the day off. How was I supposed to know armed guards would swarm the building?"
Fero: "Move back. They're securing the entrances."
Dalia: "And go where?"
Servo: "Those aren't guards. Not the normal kind. I've been listening for a few minutes. I think they're gang members from District Three."
The group backtracked toward the main tunnel junction.
Fero: "Alright. Which way?"
Dalia rolled her eyes.
Dalia: "Silvered... the central office, I guess. But without a keycard, we'll have to smash our way in."
Servo raised a keycard, visible only to Fero in the darkness.
Servo: "Leave that to me."
Dalia: "What, do you work here?"
Servo: "No. I'm here for a friend. This is her keycard."
-
Inside the tunnels, workers froze as the situation shifted. Weapons came out. Tools were repurposed. Fear sharpened into violence.
From the entrance, a voice crackled over a radio.
Nice Thug: "Everyone, stop moving equipment and sweep the area. We have a break-in. Anyone who isn't supposed to be here, kill on sight. No questions."
Shai: "Nope. I'm out. Good luck."
He slipped away, careful not to draw attention.
Talia: "It's like this is how our luck normally goes."
Ardea: "I don't know you two, but if you know anything about the Red Men, follow me. I can get us out without being noticed."
Zev pointed toward the entrance.
Zev: "You're forgetting our luck."
At the entrance, Ago was already making a scene.
Ago: "You think you're better than me?"
Thug: "We are better than you, animal!"
The next thing Talia, Zev, and Ardea saw was the thug slammed into the ground, Ago looming over him.
Ago: "I'll tear through every one of you until I find out why you burned down my gym!"
The rest of the greedborn thugs and workers surged forward, piling onto him.
Ardea: "...We can still sneak out."
More thugs rushed toward the entrance. Several stopped, pointing at the trio.
"Hey, you!"
Wham.
A crossbow bolt slammed into the man's chest, dropping him instantly. Talia cocked her weapon as Zev and Ardea moved into defensive positions.
-
Day Septem
Black Stone: District Five, 12:13 PM
Servo swiped the keycard. The door clicked open, and Dalia and Fero rushed inside without hesitation.
Dalia: "Oh hey, I can grab the rest of the files from here."
Fero: "Not happening. I'm not risking civilian lives any more than I already have."
The trio moved quickly to a fire exit and burst outside, triggering the alarm. Its shrill wail sent nearby thugs into confusion as the three headed toward the stretch of road with the fewest bodies.
Fero: "Ah, silver hell. My car."
Servo: "Those people are armed with a lot of sharp, pointy objects. Let's find somewhere to chill and let this beehive calm down before anything else, yes?"
Fero sighed. Dalia grinned, her heart still racing.
Dalia: "This is amazing! What kind of secret conspiracy did we stumble into?"
They paused near the tunnel entrance as another truck rumbled out.
Servo: "No. No conspiracy. I am not getting involved in anything like that. I'm going home."
Fero's tail bristled as more thugs began pointing at them.
Fero: "Sorry to get you involved, kid, but you're running with us now."
He motioned for them to move into the tunnels. Both nodded and followed as Fero did his best to look casual, scanning the area.
-
Ago pushed forward like a battering ram, shoving aside the mob that had jumped him. He laughed wildly as the line of attackers broke. He fought mostly with his fists, occasionally driving a knee into someone's ribs. Soon he was soaked in blood, both his own and others'. Tools and knives barely slowed him.
Ago: "What's the matter? This is life and death. Fight me!"
To the side, Ardea stabbed a charging worker. The man ignored the wound at first, then froze, clutched his side, and collapsed.
Talia fired and pinned another thug to the ground. Her eyes darted across the battlefield, predicting movements.
Talia: "Zev. White vest by the metal barrels. He's going for the forklift."
Zev: "And leave you undefended?"
Talia continued firing.
Talia: "The wrathborn here will keep me safe."
Ardea: "I have a name, you know."
Zev shrugged and vaulted the barrels, stopping the forklift from starting while keeping two other attackers at bay with his spear.
Ardea struggled against multiple foes with only a knife. Pipes, improvised blades, even hammers came at her, but she focused on one enemy at a time, pushing through the pain.
Three trucks roared forward and blocked the tunnel exit.
Ago didn't even look back as he tore a knife from his shoulder and kept advancing.
Talia: "And where exactly are you going, big guy?"
Ago glanced over, taking in the bodies scattered around her and the others.
Ago: "I'm going to punch every bad guy here until I find the boss. Then I'll beat the answers out of him."
Zev returned after securing the area.
Zev: "I don't think video game logic is going to get you very far."
Ardea: "They're regrouping. I can hear more coming. It's time to go."
Talia: "That was my point. Move. Follow us."
Ago: "But I need clues."
No one stopped.
Talia: "If you're hunting the gang, following us is your best option."
Ago opened his mouth to argue, but she was already moving. With a frustrated shake of his head, he followed.
-
Day Septem
Black Stone: District Five, 12:17 PM
Fero did his best to keep the attackers back with his baton. Dalia tapped rapidly at her wrist computer, first deploying her main drone, then pulling several palm-sized drones from her pockets. Servo planted his feet and swung his shovel defensively, doing everything he could to keep blows from landing.
The mini-drones swarmed individual targets, clamping on and discharging jolts of electricity. One by one, the remaining guards and workers went down. When it was over, Fero and Servo paused, breathing hard.
Servo: "They broke the law by attacking us, right?"
Fero: "As a police officer, I can confidently say they made a very bad decision. But right now, we need to find an exit."
Dalia tapped a few commands. The mini-drones folded back together into a compact black block and slid neatly into her pocket. Her main drone stayed aloft, scouting.
Dalia: "Can't you just shoot them?"
Fero: "I'm a cop. Every bullet fired means paperwork. Also, we're in a tunnel. That would shred our ears. Wrathborn ears."
He gestured to himself and Servo. A soft beep sounded as Dalia recalled her drone.
Dalia: "Fair. Good news though. There's an exit right down that road."
The other two followed her gaze and nodded. They started forward until near the exit, a worker-only door slid open with Ago, Talia, Zev, and Ardea emerging.
Two wrathborn workers stepped in front of the exit, likely the only wrathborn assigned here, while at least fifteen armed guards closed in from behind.
Fero drew his gun.
Fero: "Out of the way, or I start blasting."
Nitor: "Are these the intruders, Rideo?"
Rideo: "Nitor, is that really a question?"
Both men had brown fur. Nitor's hair was blond, Rideo's dark, their eyes sharp and brown. Rideo pointed casually at Fero.
Rideo: "Go ahead, officer. You know our kind loves the feel of a bullet in the flesh."
Ago: "Servo?"
Servo's tail flicked with genuine surprise.
Servo: "Oh dang, Ago. You dropped from the game club, man. What happened?"
Ago: "Besides the commute being hell? Work happened. And keeping my life's work open."
Zev groaned.
Zev: "Can everyone refocus? Who's friend and who's foe?"
Fero: "The exit is right there."
He never took his eyes off the two wrathborn blocking the path.
Ago stepped forward beside him.
Ago: "Finally. Worthy opponents."
Dalia and Servo shifted into defensive positions, ready to cover Fero. Before they could fully set, Talia and Zev stepped in beside them.
Talia: "I can tell you don't belong here either."
Zev: "You three running from the Red Men?"
Dalia: "Actually, I'm more of a... adventurous trespasser." She gave a playful flick of her tail.
Servo: "I genuinely have no idea what's happening."
Ardea remained close to the wall, half-hidden in shadow. The glow of feline eyes occasionally flicked toward her, a silent acknowledgment. They knew she was there.
And they were waiting.
-
Ago was the first to charge.
Fero holstered his gun and drew his baton as Ago slammed into the opposing line. Ago and Rideo immediately locked into a brutal exchange of punches, while Nitor lunged for Fero and began dragging him sideways into the tunnel.
Ardea tried to slip past the two wrathborn guarding the exit, nearly making it through, when Rideo caught her by the arm and hurled her back into the tunnel. She hit the ground hard beside Fero just as Servo stumbled backward over both of them, three workers clinging to him in a desperate grapple.
Dalia snapped a glove over her hand, its surface humming with electronics. She tapped a distracted guard on the shoulder. Static cracked sharply, and the man stiffened before collapsing. Another guard rushed in and smashed a brick across her head, sending her reeling.
Behind Ago, Rideo lunged again and grabbed him, while Nitor seized a wooden board and began hammering it into Ago's side.
Talia scanned the chaos and fired a bolt into one of the workers attacking Servo. The man dropped, giving Servo enough room to shove the others off.
Talia: "Shovel boy! Help shock girl and get her to switch with the cop!"
Servo sighed, then moved, swinging his shovel to clear space as he pushed toward Dalia.
Ardea scrambled to her feet and circled wide, flanking the two wrathborn at the exit. Her movement was precise, calculated. When Rideo's gray feline eyes flicked toward her, fear flashed across his face. He reacted on instinct, hurling Ago toward her to create space.
Fero seized the opening and slammed his baton into Nitor's ribs. Nitor snarled and turned, grabbing Fero and wrestling him toward the wall.
Dalia regrouped and unleashed her pocket drones. They latched onto Nitor, crackling with electricity as he and Rideo struggled nearby, both locked in vicious close combat with Ago.
Fero was suddenly swarmed by guards and workers. He fought back-to-back with Servo while Talia covered them with precise shots. Zev held the line farther down the tunnel, his spear flashing as he cut off anyone trying to break through.
Zev: "You aren't going anywhere!"
Dalia lunged in and shocked Nitor directly with her glove. He snarled, grabbed her wrist, ears flat and teeth bared. Before he could crush her hand, Ardea slammed into him, driving her knife into his side. Nitor punched her away, but his movements slowed. Confusion crossed his face as blood soaked his fur.
Ardea didn't hesitate. She surged back in and slashed his throat.
Nitor staggered, clamping a hand over the wound, his expression more annoyed than afraid. He inhaled sharply and held the breath, forcing the bleeding to slow.
Nearby, Ago had dropped to one knee under Rideo's barrage.
Ago: "Cheater!"
Rideo: "Not used to street fights, boy? Anything goes!"
Dalia shocked Rideo from behind. He shrugged it off, but the moment was enough. Ago surged up and drove a brutal left hook into Rideo's jaw. The wrathborn collapsed, not unconscious, but down long enough.
Dalia: "Run! Now!"
All seven intruders bolted down the tunnel. More guards rushed in moments later, but none gave chase. Instead, they turned to the wounded scattered across the floor.
After a minute, Nitor lowered his hand. The bleeding had completely stopped. Seeing the tunnel empty, he kicked a loose rock in frustration.
Far from the warehouse, the seven finally slowed to a walk. They stood in a loose circle, hands on knees, breathing hard.
Fero: "Silvered hell... I need to go back for my vehicle."
Dalia: "And I've got your information. How do you want it delivered?"
Ago looked between them, clearly rattled.
Ago: "Who are you people?"
Fero: "A cop. Obviously. Go home, kid, and let me handle this."
Ago frowned, shaking his head. Off to the side, Talia shrugged.
Talia: "I say you tell us what's going on."
Fero exhaled sharply.
Fero: "I don't have time for this. Fine. I'll write down an address. Meet me there after I make sure my car isn't impounded and none of us are being officially reported."
-
The Party, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Four, 12:36 PM
The building was barely livable. It amounted to a single dining room and a few smaller, empty side rooms, none of them equipped with toilets or even running water.
Dalia: "Dalia Anaf. Super spy. Super hacker. Super smart. Oh yeah."
Her drone snapped a picture as she struck a ridiculous battle pose. Only Zev seemed unimpressed.
Ago: "Ago of the Impellere kindred."
Servo: "Just say House."
Ago: "A lot of greedborn don't know the difference between a house and a House. Whatever. Where was I? Ago Impellere. These people took my gym, so I'm going to punch every last one of them into the dirt."
The drone clicked again, capturing Ago with his arms crossed in defiance.
Servo, slightly confused: "Uh... Servo of House Custodia. I have a shovel. Can I go home now?"
Ago, playfully: "No."
The drone took another photo. Servo stood stiff and expressionless, clearly bored. Ardea gave him a good look up and down before turning away.
Ardea: "Ardea Fervidus. No House, just Ardea. I'm only here because my friends were being threatened."
Another picture. Ardea turned her head, letting her red scarf obscure her face. Fero's eyes took another look, he could see something else in her body language the others missed.
Talia: "I am Talia Tal, and I'd like to know what exactly is going on here."
Click. Talia stood tall, hands on her hips, cocky written across her face. Dalia gave some applause.
Zev: "Zev Lehaket. That's all you're getting."
His picture showed him leaning against a wall, eyes closed, arms folded. Ago gave a huff as he crossed his own arms.
Fero: "Decanus Vigilum, Fero Onus. Yes, I am a police officer, and all of you need to go home."
The drone floated in. Fero immediately straightened, raised his badge, and posed rigidly as the picture was taken. Once it was done, he pocketed the badge and leaned forward again, continuing as if nothing had happened.
Fero: "I can't have civilians involved in something like this, especially when it's already turned violent."
Everyone stared at him in silence. Then Dalia turned to Servo.
Dalia: "Everything else is fine. No pickles, add mayo?"
Servo: "Yup."
Fero's tail flicked in irritation.
Fero: "Are we seriously doing this right now?"
Ago: "Bro. Everyone's hungry."
Fero paused, then sighed. Dalia turned back to him.
Dalia: "What are you ordering?"
She was already tapping on her wrist computer.
Fero: "The full Macro Meal. Water."
-
The Party, Black Stone: District Four, 1:01 PM
Ago and Servo handed out the bags of food, and everyone dug in. Conversation was sparse, punctuated by bits and bites here and there.
Talia: "So, you're saying we aren't on video committing those crimes?"
Dalia: "Yeah, yeah. I hooked my drone up to the net, broadcast it to our location, and checked all the civil streams. Nothing."
Fero: "I was wondering how you were ordering food when we didn't have any internet cables here."
Ardea in a flat tone: "I don't recall doing any crimes."
The four wrathborn each had multi-patty burgers, four per person, with sides like chocolate pie or nuggets. Their burgers were wrapped in lettuce instead of bread, except Servo, who had one of his burgers with a bun. The three greedborn had more traditional burgers with actual bread. Dalia and Zev each had two burgers with fries, while Talia had a single massive burger accompanied by a mountain of smaller sides. After a few bites, her burger began to collapse under its own weight.
Talia: "How is anyone supposed to eat this?"
Servo: "Oh, that's because it's designed for wrathborn. Much easier to eat with a muzzle than trying to tackle this with a flat face."
Dalia: "Man, I had no idea Apex Burgers was this good."
The tagline on the bags read: Fuel Your Edge.
Fero: "Funny, most greedborn rank Apex Burgers low on taste."
Dalia: "I mean, the burger taste, sure, but it tastes like meat at the store. Like... actually good meat."
Fero: "It is. Founded with wrathborn in mind. High protein, minimum fluff."
Ago gave an overexaggerated sigh as he talked to Servo.
Ago: "For real? She came to you?"
Then in a obviously silly manner
Ago: "Spero, you betrayed me. I was right here the whole time."
Servo gave a chuckle.
Servo: "Maybe she thought you busy, plus, I'm a bit more stealthy in walking around."
Ago: "Wearing that? And carrying a shovel? Come on."
Servo shrugged.
After another minute, Fero cleared his throat.
Fero: "Alright, I think we're ready to pick up where we left off in our previous meeting."
Dalia: "Are you crazy? I've only just finished my first burger."
She glanced around the table and saw the wrathborn, who had eaten even more than her, were already done.
-
Dalia remained seated as she began to explain.
Dalia: "Let's start at the beginning. I found some information on something called the Reclamation Engine. Anyone with even the bare basics of recent history knows about the Reclamation Campaign and might assume the two are connected. Technically, no. But also... yes. The Campaign was about trying to save our species from going extinct, you know, instead of just having babies."
A few chuckles rippled through the room.
Dalia: "This Reclamation Engine is also about preserving the greedborn species. I just don't know how, or why."
Fero: "Given how badly the original Reclamation Campaign went, this could be bad for everyone. Do you have enough evidence to get my boss to reopen the case?"
Dalia shook her head.
Dalia: "Not really. I've only found incomplete designs. And honestly, stuff like this pops up all the time as conspiracy theories, and they never play well with the public."
Ago: "It's like there isn't enough silver in the universe to coat all of hell."
That earned a few smiles.
Dalia: "But I do know where to get more information. I hit Out of Ideas Co. That's how I got my first lead, and why I went to the warehouses. I think this project isn't known to the main branch. Warehouses 407 and 414 are dump sites, not development areas. Not secret corporate labs, just... junk."
Fero: "Then I need to speak with someone who's actually in charge. I'll see if I can set up a meeting."
Talia raised her hand.
Talia: "Me next!"
She stood.
Talia: "In District Tree, Zev and I, along with a few other thugs, busted into a Red Man base and tore the place apart. They had some kind of industrial operation going. Parts everywhere. Pictures of something that looked an awful lot like an engine."
The mood in the room shifted.
Talia: "All we know is they were building something for Out of Ideas Corporation."
Ago: "Well silver my chains and thank God for that. That gang keeps showing up in our investigations. Any chance we head into gangland and start twisting arms?"
Fero sighed, rubbing his face.
Fero: "There is no we. This is police business."
Dalia: "You're off duty, so you're just as much a criminal as the rest of us."
Fero: "God help me with these kids."
Dalia rolled her eyes, smiling.
Dalia: "What, are you old or something?"
Fero: "I'm twenty-five and literally the only adult here."
Dalia frowned slightly. She could tell Talia and Zev were around eighteen, but with the wrathborn it was impossible to judge. Their height and build didn't help. When she glanced at them, they answered.
Servo: "Nineteen in three months."
Ardea: "Seventeen."
Ago: "Also seventeen."
The three greedborn exchanged confused looks before Dalia shrugged.
Dalia: "Nineteen is basically an adult."
Fero: "Adulthood for wrathborn starts at twenty, not eighteen like your kind. Regardless, we can investigate the Red Man gang while I work on contacting someone inside Out of Ideas."
This time Ardea raised her hand.
Ardea: "Leave the meeting to me. I can get us one with the CEO."
Several heads turned toward her.
Talia: "You can't be serious. Who are you?"
Ardea: "I know someone who knows Yoel Machina. It might take a few days, but I'm confident I can make it happen."
Fero: "Silver. That works. Since I'll need help navigating gang territory, I guess I don't have much choice but to let you all come along. Just... why are you people even here?"
Talia slid the rest of her fries over to Servo, who was already gathering whatever food hadn't been claimed.
Talia: "Zev and I took down the biggest gang in the city. Once we learned they had corporate backing, staying here stopped being an option. Helping you might be the only way to fix that."
Zev raised his hand.
Zev: "Whatever Talia says we're doing, I'm in."
He crossed his arms again.
Zev: "I've got debts to pay and promises I can't afford to break."
Ago nodded at Fero with a grin.
Ago: "Governor Eitan and someone I trusted destroyed my gym. Gangs and corpos are involved, and I want revenge."
Servo set aside his fourth box of fries.
Servo: "Honestly, I just want to go home."
Ago: "Servo, buddy, this is a classic RPG setup. Villains. Conspiracies. Political intrigue."
Servo: "I have RPGs at home."
Ago waved a hand.
Ago: "Fine. I need a wingman. I can't fight an army alone."
Servo hesitated, then sighed.
Servo: "I don't really fight. But you're my friend, and I won't leave you hanging."
Ago: "Boom. With all these wrathful souls, we've got this in the bag."
Ardea stepped in before the momentum stalled.
Ardea: "I chased off some Red Man members to protect a friend. She was in the tunnel and claims she didn't see anything. At this point, I'm in too deep. I don't do gang wars or police crackdowns. But gangs are a problem, and I don't have much else going on. Let me fight, and I'll get results those two brutes won't."
Ago and Servo laughed. Ardea chuckled with them.
Dalia: "My turn. It's obvious why I'm here. This is awesome. The rush, the danger, the mystery. It feels like a story out of a book or movie, and I want to be the main character."
Fero: "Could you take this a little more seriously?"
Dalia: "Nope. I'll break their systems, ruin their lives, or shock them unconscious with my drones. Anyone's welcome to try forcing me to act my age. They'll fail. Like always."
Fero shook his head.
Fero: "I've put you in prison before."
Dalia: "Speed bump at best. Which reminds me... why are you so invested? Where are your cop friends?"
Fero exhaled sharply.
Fero: "Conspiracies get mocked, but I'm sworn to protect this city. If some Reclamation fanatics and gangs are gearing up to tear it apart, I want to know."
Ago: "Alright! Our code name is Better Than You, and we're uncovering the conspiracy of the century!"
Fero: "No. We are not having a team name."
Servo: "Besides, our name is obviously The Party. If we're treating this like an RPG or a movie, it fits better."
The discussion continued for a while longer, drifting between planning, cleanup, and quiet conversation as the pieces began to settle into place.
-
The Party, Month of Pluvia, Day Septem
Black Stone: District Three, 2:22 PM
Everyone filed off the bus and started down the ramp. Servo lagged a few steps behind the others.
Talia: "Thanks for covering Zev and me. For the ride. And the burgers. I promise I'll pay you back."
Servo: "You don't have to. It's fine."
Talia tilted her head.
Talia: "Are you sure? I really want to make it right."
Servo: "Don't worry about it. I don't mind."
Talia: "Uh... okay." She looked genuinely unsure what to say next.
When the three caught up with the others, the view ahead stopped them cold.
From their elevated vantage point, District Three looked less like a neighborhood and more like a battlefield. Police cruisers choked the streets, lights strobing through rolling smoke. Helicopters thundered overhead. Somewhere deeper in the blocks below, explosions boomed, followed by distant gunfire.
Talia: "Oh. Right. I forgot about that."
Fero: "Honestly? Same. Silver hell... God help me."
His voice was tight now. Real anger edged into it.
Fero turned toward the group, but Dalia was already shaking her head.
Fero: "No. No, no, no. That's a warzone."
Dalia: "What do you mean? It's illegal to buy guns in Black Stone. Police inspect every vehicle for smuggling. Never mind explosives."
Fero exhaled, some of the tension bleeding into irritation.
Fero: "Hey. I know. I'm also the one who keeps seeing how every ban just lines criminals' pockets instead of taxing law-abiding citizens."
Zev: "Forget the politics. Let's focus on how we're supposed to... navigate that."
Fero stared down at the chaos below for another long moment, then nodded.
Fero: "I'll probably regret this."
He turned, already moving.
Fero: "Come on. I know our point of entry."
-
End of Part 1.
