SJ’s heart raced as she tried to piece together her next steps. The situation was dire, but she wasn’t entirely without hope. Carlito was on his way, and Dave was working on a plan. She just needed to stay calm and think clearly.

‘Dave, what’s your idea?’ SJ thought, her mind racing.

“I am working on it. Give me a second,” Dave said.

‘On what?’

SJ nodded internally, trying to focus on her surroundings. The stable smelled of hay, manure, and the musky scent of horses. She could hear the animals shifting in their stalls, their hooves clattering against the wooden floors. The air was cool but not as damp as the cellar she had been in earlier.

“I know the various stables in District 9. I will start there,” Carlito said.

SJ felt a small surge of hope. Carlito was resourceful and knew the city like the back of his hand. If anyone could get her out of this, it was him.

“Okay. Tell Carlito to stop,” Dave said.

‘What? Why?’ SJ said.

“Just do it,” Dave snapped.

SJ was taken aback by his response. “Carlito, stop for a moment, please.”

“What?” he responded, confusion in his voice.

“Please, just stop for a moment.”

SJ watched as his dot became stationary.

“Okay. Here goes,” Dave said.

SJ felt a sudden flash of pain and scrunched her eyes closed as it soared from the base of her brain to the top of her head in an instant. As soon as it hit her, it went again. That was when she heard Carlito's alarmed cry on the other end of the call. As she opened her eyes, her vision slowly returned. As heaters in a car would slowly clear a car's windows of frost in winter, her vision started to expand again around her slowly. Not that it helped with her head covered by a sack, it was actually concerning only seeing darkness all around her.

‘What did you just do? My vision started to return,’ SJ asked in shock.

“I just broke every rule the system has in place to prevent interference of an AI with an Amatherean,” Dave said. “Tell Carlito to open his map when he can.”

“Carlito, are you okay?” SJ asked after his alarmed response.

“I have no idea what just happened, but my head felt as though it was about to explode.”

“Can you open your map?”

SJ heard the audible gasp as he did.

“What just happened to me? There is a dot showing in District 9. Is that you?”

SJ suddenly understood what Dave had done.

“Yes,” SJ said reluctantly.

“Okay. I will head there in a moment. I feel a little disoriented. I can’t see straight.”

SJ took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She needed to be ready for whatever came next. If Carlito reached her in time, she would need to be prepared. If he didn’t... well, she didn’t want to think about that.

The sound of footsteps approaching the stable made her tense. The door creaked open, and Ulyian’s voice filled the air.

“Comfortable, SJ?” he asked, his tone mocking. “The boss will be here soon. He’s very eager to meet you,” he said as he lifted the sack from her face, the bright lantern light making her squint.

SJ didn’t respond. She couldn’t afford to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, she focused on her breathing, trying to keep her mind clear.

Ulyian chuckled. “You know, I have to admit, I’m impressed. You really had me fooled for a while there, believing you were just a usual being wishing to gamble. Your act against Olivia though. In the end, you are just another pawn in the game. And now, you’re about to be taken off the board.”

SJ’s mind raced. She needed to buy time. If she could keep Ulyian talking, maybe she could learn something useful.

“Why did you do it, Ulyian?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why betray me?”

Ulyian’s laughter echoed through the stable. “Betray you? SJ, you were never on my side. You were using me as a means to an end. The boss has big plans which you interrupted.”

SJ’s heart sank. She had been so focused on her mission—uncovering the truth—that she had failed to even consider Ulyian in any other light than a stupid elf. Ulyian had played her perfectly, and now she was paying the price.

The sound of more footsteps approaching made Ulyian turn. “Ah, here he is. The boss himself.”

SJ’s heart pounded in her chest as she heard the door open again. The hobnailed boots on the stone sent a chill down her spine. She braced herself for whatever was coming next.

“Well, well, well,” a deep, menacing voice said. “So this is the infamous SJ. The one who thought she could interfere with my plans and kill my mistress.”

SJ’s mind raced. She needed to stay calm and think clearly. If she could keep him talking, maybe she could find a way out of this. Looking up she saw the man who had spoken and several other beings with him.

“You must be the boss,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her. “I have to admit, I didn’t see this coming.”

The man chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers down her spine. “Few do, my dear. Few do. But now that you’re here, we can finally have a little chat about your... indiscretions.”

She needed to buy time. If she could keep him talking, maybe Carlito would arrive in time.

“Indiscretions?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm. “I was just doing my job. I didn’t know I was stepping on your toes.”

The man laughed again, a cold, humourless sound. “Oh, you did more than step on my toes, SJ. You destroyed years of planning. And for that, you will pay.”

SJ’s heart pounded in her chest. She needed to think fast. If she could just keep him talking, maybe she could find a way out of this.

“Before you do anything... drastic,” she said, her voice trembling slightly, “can I at least know who I’m dealing with? Who are you?”

The man paused, and for a moment, SJ thought he might actually tell her. But then he laughed again, a cruel, mocking sound.

“You’ll find out soon enough, my dear,” he said. “But first, we have some business to attend to.”

“Business?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. “What kind of business?”

The man chuckled. “The kind that involves you paying for your mistakes. But don’t worry, SJ. It will all be over soon.”

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SJ’s heart raced as the boss’s words hung in the air. She could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her, but she refused to let panic take over. Carlito was on his way, and Dave had already done something extraordinary to help her. She just needed to keep stalling.

“You keep talking about your plans,” SJ said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. “But if your plans were so foolproof, how did I manage to disrupt them so easily? Maybe they weren’t as solid as you thought.”

The boss’s expression darkened, and for a moment, SJ thought she might have pushed him too far. But then he smirked, his eyes cold and calculating.

“Clever,” he said. “Trying to provoke me. But it won’t work. You were a variable I hadn’t accounted for, I will admit. But now that I have you, I can ensure that no one else interferes.”

“And what about the church? Do you really think they’ll just let this go? They’ll come looking for me.”

“The church has its hands full with its problems. They won’t even notice you’re gone. And even if they do, they won’t find you. Not here.”

SJ’s heart sank. She had hoped the mention of the church might give him pause, but it seemed he was confident in his ability to keep her hidden. She needed another angle.

“And what about your people?” she asked, her voice softer now. “Do they know what you’re planning? Do they know the risks you’re taking? Or are they just pawns in your game, like I was?”

The boss’s smirk faltered for a moment, and SJ saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

“My people are loyal,” he said, his voice cold. “They understand the stakes. And they know what happens to those who betray me.”

SJ felt a chill run down her spine. She had hoped to sow some discord, to make him question his allies, but it seemed he was too confident in his control over them.

The sound of footsteps outside the stable made the boss turn his head slightly, and SJ’s heart leapt. Could it be Carlito? She strained to listen, but the boss’s voice cut through her thoughts.

“It seems we have a guest,” he said, his tone almost amused. “Castor, go see who it is.”

One of the henchmen nodded and moved toward the door, his hand resting on the hilt of a dagger at his belt. SJ’s heart pounded as she watched him go. SJ could see Carlito’s dot was now nearby. SJ clenched her jaw, her mind racing. She couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. But with her hands bound and the boss watching her like a hawk, her options were limited.

The sound of a scuffle outside made the boss’s head snap toward the door. She shifted slightly, trying to get a better view, but she couldn’t from her position in the stall.

“What’s going on out there?” he barked, his voice sharp with irritation.

Before anyone could answer, the stable doors burst open, and Carlito stepped inside, his swords drawn and his eyes scanning the stable. His gaze landed on SJ, and relief washed over his face for a moment. But it was quickly replaced by determination as he took in the scene.

“Let her go,” Carlito said, his voice steady but firm. He had transformed into a human male, wearing jet-black leather armour and holding a black blade in each hand.

The boss laughed, a cold, mocking sound. “And who are you to make demands?”

“I’m the one holding the swords,” Carlito replied, his tone calm but with an edge of steel. “And I’m not leaving without her.”

The boss’s smirk widened, and he gestured to Ulyian and the other thugs in the stable. “Kill him.”

The thugs moved forward, their weapons drawn, but Carlito was ready. He met their attack head-on, his swords flashing in the dim lantern light of the stable. SJ watched, her heart in her throat, as Carlito fought with a skill and precision that left her in awe.

SJ wished she could do something to help. All she wanted to do was equip her claws and attack these thugs, but she couldn’t. She felt helpless and at the mercy of the gods. Carlito continued to press the thugs, slowly moving towards where SJ was with the boss.

“Hold on,” he said, his voice calm despite the chaos around them. “I’m getting you out of here.”

SJ just nodded. There was nothing else she could do.

Carlito had dispatched three of the thugs, but there were still three more, not including Ulyian and the boss. His skill was profound, as were the speed and accuracy of his strikes and defensive moves. He was shadow stepping, almost continually searching for openings against his foe.

A fourth fell, then a fifth. Ulyian and one other remained before the boss. They both backed away from him, wary of his skills and ability. He had taken five out, and all SJ could see was a small cut on his arm from all the combat so far.

“Not so brave now, are you?” Carlito said as he stepped forward. “We could have let this end peacefully, but you had to attack me.”

“Peacefully. You come into my dwelling uninvited, and you expect no repercussions?” the boss spat at him.

“And you kidnapped my ward,” Carlito replied.

“She murdered my woman,” the boss bellowed in reply.

“Come now, Samwell, there has only ever been one woman for you,” Carlito said, smiling.

SJ saw Samwell’s face flood with confusion and anger. “You know who I am?”

“I do. I know of you and your brother and who you are.”

“And who are you? I have never seen you before.”

The smile on Carlito’s face widened. “If I told you my name, do you think that would have prevented this altercation?”

Samwell scoffed. “There is not one name in this city that I fear.”

“Really? That is good to know,” Carlito said.

With a sudden flash, Carlito leapt forward, his swords flashing in the dim light. The final thug fell. Pierced cleanly through his chest. Carlito withdrew his blades and stepped back again, leaving only Ulyian and Samwell.

“Would you like to continue, or would you prefer to talk some more?” Carlito asked.

“Get him,” Samwell shouted to Ulyian. Ulyian hesitated. He had a stiletto in his hand, but it was not a match for Carlito. “I said, get him,” Samwell screamed.

Ulyian jumped forward, slashing with his blade. Carlito stepped sideways and brought his blade around flat against the side of his head, sending Ulyian sprawling onto the stable floor. A loud groan left his lips before being replaced with silence. He was out cold.

“And now, just the two of us,” Carlito said, casually stepping toward Samwell.

The bravado that Samwell had shown up until now was cracking, and SJ could see the fear flash across his eyes. Whoever this man was, he had just taken out seven beings without hardly breaking into a sweat.

A smile suddenly broke out on Samwell’s face. “It appears that you have me at odds here. I am impressed with your handiwork. Maybe I should consider inviting you to the gang. It’s obvious you have more skill than those around you.”

“Unfortunately, I will never join a gang,” Carlito said, shaking his head.

Samwell had drawn a short sword when the fighting had begun, but he didn’t hold it threateningly. Instead, it hung limply in his hand at his side.

“That is a shame,” Samwell said. “I could have done with a being of your calibre.”

Carlito smiled in response. It was a warm smile, no hostility in it, just a calmness that betrayed the current situation. He had just dispatched seven beings with an adeptness and speed that was amazing to behold. SJ couldn’t imagine having the ability that Carlito had. His ability to defend and attack so precisely and use his skills was uncanny.

“May I know your name before we conclude this?” Samwell asked.

“I have many names and faces but most know me as Carlito,” Carlito replied.

At the mention of his name the colour drained completely from Samwell’s face. His hand, shaking that held his short sword.

“Carlito, you say? I only know of one Carlito.”

“And that is me.” As Carlito finished talking, Ulyian’s body began to convulse on the floor. SJ watched as foam started to appear at his mouth. “The blades,” Carlito shrugged.

Carlito hadn’t even punctured Ulyian’s skin, only hitting him with the flat of his blade. It was then that SJ realised that they were poisoned with Carlito’s special brand of poison.

Samwell couldn’t hide the fear he now had on his face. His eyes were wide in a panic and terror-stricken state.

“Maybe we could come to an agreement,” Samwell blurted, now that he realised the foe he stood to die to likely.

Carlito tilted his head to one side almost nonchalantly looking at Samwell. His gaze had never left him once.

“And what agreement do you have in mind?”

“Maybe coin?”

Carlito laughed. “Coin. I don’t need coin. I do what I do as a hobby, because I enjoy it. Not for wealth.”

“Power then?”

“And what power could you possibly offer me?”

“I have connections to whom I can introduce you. They would be very appreciative of a being of your stature and skills.”

“If they wished for my skills, they could hire me anyway. And power is not something I seek.”

“There must be something that you are seeking then?”

Carlito stood looking thoughtful for a moment, casually lifting his hand and scratching the side of his face, still holding the hilt of his sword. A drop of liquid fell from his blade and landed on his cheek. Samwell’s eyes reacted, and SJ knew exactly what he was thinking. That Carlito had just poisoned himself.

Samwell began to laugh, a dark, mirthless laugh.

“What a stupid mistake,” Samwell said.

“A mistake?” Carlito said, looking at him frowning.

“Your poison just landed on your cheek. You have just killed yourself.”

“Oh, this,” Carlito said, lifting his blade as he licked it. “It does not affect me,” he smiled.

Samwell’s confidence evaporated again in an instant.

“So, what is it that you seek that I can offer you?” Samwell said, his voice now weak and fearful.

Carlito looked at him once more before he disappeared. There had only been fifteen feet separating the men, and Carlito reappeared, both his blades thrust straight through Samwell’s chest. As the realisation struck Samwell that he was dead, Carlito said one word.

“Vengeance.”