Chapter XLIV

New Alliances

Adria's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, while Corven marveled at his unexpected fortune.

"How many times have you attempted this?" Raxae eyed her bosses with suspicion.

Markus divulged their past endeavors. "We've been involved in several attempts to bring Gorbat and his umbras down, none of which succeeded. It's dreadful watching Dictaduria decay under this corrupt system in favor of the Evantias."

Bostan then took control of the atmosphere, decided. "Go home, take a shower, get some rest, and come back in ten hours. We'll have a plan by then. We need time to prepare and contact our allies."

Adria glanced at Raxae, then at Corven, who returned her look, his own thoughts unreadable.

After a silent moment in which everyone's anticipation hung in the air, she made her decision. "I'll be back tonight. I want to see how this can unfold. If there's a chance, I'll join this revolt," she declared, providing an answer that seemed to satisfy everyone, at least for the moment.

"This is not what I expected," the newest member of their group remarked.

"What were you expecting?" Markus turned to him.

"A drink," Corven admitted.

Raxae and Adria chuckled, Markus tried to restrain himself, and Bostan maintained his stern expression. Silence fell again, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Are we actually doing this?" The bartender seemed incredulous.

"It doesn't hurt to hear what they have to propose," Adria said, getting ready to leave.

The managers gathered documents scattered around the room

"It's settled then. See you at 6 p.m. I'm going to my block and bringing Bitlan here; it's safer."

No objections were raised.

"I thought we were having a drink," Corven said, his disappointment evident.

"Later?" Adria pondered, thinking of her grandfather. "I'm sure Raxae wouldn't mind preparing a drink for you."

"You left your Fire Tornado..." They immediately understood her hint.

"It was you! That's right. Sorry, I've been struggling to remember everything from yesterday. I'll take that Fire Tornado if you don't mind," Corven connected the dots.

"Markus and I will stay here, there’s much work to do. You won't be disappointed, Adria. Hey, just in case, we'll have a couple of our agents follow you as a precaution," Bostan assured her.

"I don't need it," she said, grabbing another panini. "You know how to find me."

"Later!" Her voice echoed down the hallway after she left the room.

Left in the room, surrounded by strangers, Corven felt a surge of panic and stood up to follow her.

"Hey!" He caught up with Adria outside.

"What do you want?" she asked, clearly on edge.

"To thank you again," he said with a puppy-like expression. "You took a chance on me, and I won't let you down.”

Adria softened. "If you need help, come to Lux and ask them," she gestured towards administration. "I'll see you tonight, Corven."

"Are you okay?" He noticed a change in her demeanor.

"I need some time alone," she said, ascending the silver staircase and soon disappearing from sight.

Corven had to choose: leave or return to the high-stakes discussions inside the office. He chose the latter, stepping back into a heated debate between Markus, Bostan, and Raxae.

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"...Reckless and dangerous. We could all die!" Raxae exclaimed. They fell silent as Corven re-entered.

"I want to help and be of use," he declared, ready to do what was necessary.

"Corven, right?" Bostan approached him.

He nodded, and the intimidating man continued, "Why don't you also take a break? It would be best for you. Once you're refreshed, help us by recruiting anyone you trust who might join our cause. We need good dictadurians, and time is of the essence."

"I don't know many people," Corven lied, knowing well that with Kevary gone, he was virtually alone. Now, Adria had left him too. Building new relationships was his best chance.

"That's fine, as long as they're trustworthy," Markus advised, patting his shoulder. "Don't just invite anyone; assess them before sharing anything. We need quality, not quantity."

"I will find someone," Corven pledged, hoping to gain favor with this trio of dictadurians, grateful for Adria's introduction.

"Thank you. We appreciate your help," Bostan responded politely.

"I'll be right back. Let me fix you that drink before you go," Raxae said, leading Corven out of the Hound House.

"I apologize for forgetting my Fire Tornado earlier. I can't even remember its taste," he tried to lighten the mood.

"Ha! Don't worry about it. I should be the one apologizing for not noticing someone had kidnapped you right under my nose," Raxae admitted, surprising Corven with their remorse.

"It's not your fault. I don't understand how it happened; they were very slick," Corven reflected on the past events, trying to assure them they held no blame.

"You don't remember who took you?" Raxae was puzzled.

"Not really. It's all a blur. I recall a strange smell. It could have been anyone," Corven tried to clarify, ensuring he did not suspect them. "I was off-guard last night. It was foolish of me."

Raxae noticed his lack of energy as they ascended the stairs. "Oh, no! Take that face away, Corven. You got everyone into this mess. The least you can do is give your all to our cause, and that includes putting up with good energies."

Their sense of humor was stimulating for him. "It's been a long day," he sighed.

"I don't doubt it, but now that you're past that, keep going. Be smart and use your experience so it doesn't happen again. Watch your own back. Be triple careful," they advised as they climbed.

"Triple?" He was the worst at it.

"Yeah, that should be enough. They're not giving you another chance to get away."

"Got it. I'll be triple careful."

They reached the main level, and Raxae ducked behind the empty bar. The cleaning party had ended. Corven thought the dark marble on the floor and the metallic edges needed polishing in specific places, details unperceivable when the lights were dimmed.

"I'll get you an extra-large Fire Tornado in a to-go cup. How about that? It has our logo on it!"

"It'll be a nice walk back to my block. Thanks!" Corven wondered if he should go there. Maybe his blockmate wasn't at home; it was early, and he might be working on the construction near the dead forest. He didn't feel like recounting the night to Lilery, who liked to meddle in everyone's business, especially his." So, how long have you known Adria? You seem like good friends."

"Since we were imperials years ago. We've been through a lot." They shook a container filled with unknown liquids.

"How did you get here?" He was probing.

They stopped the mixer and brought out a dark to-go cup from under the bar with a logo featuring a crystal door on it. "It's a game of perseverance," Raxae said, pulling out a silver lighter, an old-school one. The fire ignited the liquid in the glass, covering it with a great flame. "I've been working two shifts since I arrived in Dictaduria." They tossed a stream of freshly made mixers into the air. It caught fire; they controlled it and made the flames dance in circles as theyspiraled into the blazing cup. The tornado came to life, swirling before the dictadurian's eyes.

"Outstanding skills," Corven remembered the night before and then realized something that shocked him. Zanda was the woman with bicolor hair. The gevurah had kidnapped him under disguise.

"I know. It took me years to perfect it." Raxae reduced the drink to a vortex of fire that swirled inside the cup. When the whole mix was inside, they covered it with a translucent lid, allowing him to witness the spectacle of the unstoppable fire whirlpool in their hands.

His mind was far away. "Here you go." They handed it to him with a smile that hinted it was time for farewells. "Be careful. We are counting on you."

"I appreciate it, the paninis and this." He took the cup.

"Don’t mention it. I'll take you to the exit." They circled the bar to stand next to him. "We'll have someone follow you to your block. They'll ask for a pickup time once you’ve reached your block."

"Thank you." He felt reassured; having someone escort him was comforting.

"Keep yourself in the shadows," Raxae instructed.

The crystal door of Lux the Noctis melted away behind him. Corven was left alone, at the mercy of the undercity. He drank from the Fire Tornado, which warmed his entire body in seconds.

His mind was invigorated; that drink was better than any enhancer. Standing there, it struck Corven: there were two dictadurians he could recruit.

****

That's it for Chapter XLIV!

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