“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~
“Where did they go?”
“They can’t have gone far!”
“Find them!”
Klein breathed heavily, examining his side where he currently had his left hand pressed against the deep gash that stretched towards his abdomen. He looked towards the side where two others were huddled against the wall in the side alley—all of them hiding from the hunters that had converged on their territory—their town, in droves all of a sudden—trying to flush out the Gifted.
And after what had happened to Blade over a year ago, Klein only has to admit that it will only be a matter of time before the hunters descended on Zalfari like starving locusts, despite what Zalfari represented to the underground.
After all, when have the hunters ever respected anyone but themselves?
Klein had already sent out an emergency message to the Premier the moment that the hunters had attacked, but whatever help she could send would likely get here too late as it was.
“Boss, we have to go.” One of the two with him breathed heavily, with a deep gash visible above his brow that was causing blood to flow down the side of his face. Similar deep slashes were visible on his clothes. “We need to get out of here. Or at least, Letha has to get out of here.” He turned his attention towards the sole female in their group. “Without a doubt, they’re after her.”
Klein shook his head, tearing a strip of cloth from the hem of his shirt, and using it as a makeshift bandage for his right hand. “Even if we’re Normals, they’ll kill us,” he said wryly. “They sure didn’t hesitate taking down the rest.”
Letha flinched. “…Maybe if I give myself up—”
“No.”
The looks that both males with Letha shot her told her what both thought of that idea.
“Letha, you and I both know that the hunters don’t care if you’re a Gifted or a Normal,” Klein stated. “If you get in their way, you’re guilty too by association. Half of Blade’s members are Normals, and they are killed as well.”
Letha flinched with that reminder.
It was a great shock to the underground when news of Blade’s demise had hit them. It is part of the reason why nearly all of them went deep underground into hiding after that. And it is true what Klein said; half of Blade’s members are Normals. There are a few who are Gifted. But unlike most, they never really relied on their Gifts. Their leader had trained them that way.
Even now, quite a few members of the underground are relatively certain that there are survivors of that infamous street gang. You don’t get a reputation like the one Blade has without having some mad skills. Klein was amongst those who had believed that there were survivors—probably even their leader.
And from what Letha knew from the other members of Whirlwind, it seems like Klein was quite good pals with Blade’s leader.
“…Boss, I’ll draw their attention.” Klein turned his attention towards one of his gang members; probably one of the few still alive tonight, at any rate. Said member grinned wryly, closing his hand over one of his daggers. “Get Letha away.”
“Don’t be stupid—”
“You need to survive.” He cut Letha’s protests away. “Unlike Dragonfly, we don’t abandon our own. Or even give them up to hunters!” His eyes were full of fire. “It is the greatest sin in the world to turn on an ally.”
“I can’t let you give your life up for me!”
“Can it.” Letha’s protests were once again, cut off. “We’re people of the underground, Letha. Gang members. Mercenaries. Our life expectancy isn’t as long as it is. But if I can die protecting my friends, that is worth it to me.” He gave a wry grin at Letha and Klein. “Remember what we always told you, Letha? In Eldario, especially in the underground, you’re not remembered by the way you live. You’re remembered by how you die. But whatever the case, it doesn’t matter anymore.” He shook his head, his hands shaking even as he pulled out his gun from the side holster. “One more fight. This will be the night that we make our final stand. But no matter how it turns out, I will always be part of Whirlwind, and you guys will always be my friends. If there is a next life, let’s meet again.” His eyes hardened as he looked at Klein who nodded. “Boss, take her and go!”
“Wait—”
Before Letha could protest, he had already darted out of the side alley. And judging by the shouts, is leading the hunters further away from their position.
“Come on, we need to go.” Klein closed his eyes briefly before opening them again, looking at Letha. He knew that he would likely die here tonight. But if Letha could survive… “We need to get you out of here.”
“Klein… I…”
Klein bent down to grab hold of Letha’s wrist before he tugged her after him as they headed out of the side alley where they were hiding. The skies were darkening above them, threatening rain. And already, light rain is starting to come down on them.
Zalfari is his territory. There was no one else who knew the town better than Klein did. Though with the hunters mucking around and killing anyone who even stands up against them, it is of no surprise that everyone is in hiding at the moment.
‘If we can just get to one of the exits…’ Klein thought, a bead of sweat already flowing down his neck, his eyes darting about in several directions at once to ensure that none of the hunters were nearby.
“There they are!”
“Shit!” Klein cussed, seeing the unmistakable sights of hunters in the distance. “Come on, this way!” Pulling Letha after him, they both ducked into one of the abandoned shops in the district, ducking below the window.
“Klein… I…” Letha’s lips were starting to tremble. Her pale blue eyes were wide with horror and terror. “I’m sorry… I should never have come here…”
Maybe if she had never come to Zalfari when her parents had thrown her out when her powers had manifested, Klein and his gang would never have the fate they had. They have taken her in when she had nowhere else to go and accepted her as one of them. Sure, they’re leery of what she could do; who wouldn’t? But still, they accepted her. And now, it seems like Letha had led them to their deaths.
“Don’t say that.” Klein’s breaths were coming in hitches, as he pressed his hand against his side. He gave Letha a weak, wry smile. “We don’t abandon our own, Letha. You know that. Do you think we would let you die? Or even give you up in exchange for our own lives?”
“I…”
Letha was taken aback when Klein bent down to her height, pressing a light kiss against her lips. “Maybe if things had been different, I would have tried to pursue a relationship with you,” Klein murmured against her lips, caressing her cheek gently. “But it’s okay. It’s fine now. I’ll draw their attention. Go!”
Letha’s eyes were starting to water, but she nodded; ducking out and leaving through the backdoor of the abandoned shop that they were in which Klein knew would lead to a shortcut that would take Letha towards the town’s graveyard—the best place for Letha to hide at.
Her Gift is to control the dead, after all. A graveyard would be the worst place in the world for the hunters to corner Letha—if they ever do.
With the rain, Klein could already hear the sounds of footsteps pattering against wet pavement, and he sighed. “Wish that I can get at least one last smoke,” he murmured, hand reaching towards his pocket and pulling out his phone. “…I guess I know now how you had felt the night your gang fell, Sera…” He dialled a number before pressing it against his ear. The call was picked up before it had even finished ringing a second time. “…Heh. I knew that you were still alive.”
There was a shocked silence on the other end of the line.
“What in the…? Klein?! The hell did you get this number?! And how in the name of the Goddess did you know I survived?”
“…I got your number from Ethan a while ago,” Klein murmured, sliding down the wall he was leaning against until he was sitting on the ground. Dark spots are starting to appear in his vision due to the amount of blood he has lost. “I called in one of my favours that he owed me, and he couldn’t refuse. Besides, I never did believe that you’re dead. I always knew that there were Blade survivors out there. And I knew that you’re one of those. Besides, I had my suspicions since the rumours of Dragonfly’s destruction started going around.”
There were a few moments of silence.
“Klein, what’s going on? Did something happen?”
“Y-Yeah.” Klein coughed harshly. “I… I think my gang is about to bite the dust. Do me a favour. Two favours. Make sure that the hunters don’t get their grubby mitts on Zalfari.” He coughed again. “T-Tell the Premier…that I’m sorry. I tried my best. I was unable to protect Zalfari. She’ll…need a new guardian for Zalfari now. To safeguard it. And my second favour… Make it my last. There is…a Gifted in my group.” There was a hitch of breath on the other end of the line. “Her name is Letha… Please… Whatever you do, Sera… Please… Keep her safe… I’ll…repay my debt to you…in the next life…”
“Klein, wait—”
Klein ended the call, letting the phone crash against the ground. Wherever he would be going after this—he wouldn’t be needing it any longer.
“The Goddess be with me,” Klein murmured a short prayer beneath his breath, before he stepped out of the abandoned shop, removing the gun from his side at the same time, flicking back the safety. The hunters are gradually approaching. “All right, you bastards. Let’s see what you got.”
‘Letha… Please… Stay safe…’
* * * *
“—reports of hunter activity is rising—”
Timo turned off the television in a corner, with the newscaster reporting about the rise in activity by the hunters. Hunter activity had been on the rise since Blade’s demise. And if Sera isn’t certain before; she is now about the fact that most likely, the hunters have targeted her people on purpose.
The members of Aegis who were all currently gathered in Cross Café exchanged looks. It is currently raining; and with the weather, there likely wouldn’t be anyone coming into the café for a while.
“This is getting out of hand.” Laura scowled down at her cup of coffee. “We’re going to need to do something.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
For several moments, no one said anything even as they exchanged looks. Sera took a sip from her cup before placing it back on the saucer.
“…I guess I understand now why they targeted Blade,” Sera said at last, not looking at anyone. But a dark look flashed across her features. Raul who is seated next to Sera, caught the expression. And despite himself, he shivered.
“With the underground’s protectors ‘gone’ in a sense, it only makes sense that they’re on the move once more,” Claudia concluded, scowling. “Damn it!”
“To be honest, I’m more surprised that it hasn’t turned into a full rebellion yet.” Kailey pointed out grimly. “It’ll only be a matter of time if the hunters continue the way they are. Not to mention what had happened first with Blade and then Dragonfly, it has put the entire underground in a huge mess.”
Raul agreed. “It’s going to take time for the Premier and her people to able to fix things within the underground.” He pointed out. “Though something is amiss. I’m worried.” He admitted.
“It’s not just you kids.” Timo added, collecting the empty cups from the counter that Sera, Raul and even Tatius were seated at, “Even the Normals are getting nervous. As is the Premier and her people.” He added, exchanging a meaningful look with Sera. “The hunters are powerful and influential enough as it is. If they gain even more, not even the ESA will be able to stop them.”
“Not like they are that useful or competent to begin with.” Laura scoffed at the mention of the ESA. “Any Gifted that even sided with them are just fools and morons.”
No one had the chance to reply to that statement, as the ringing tone of someone’s cell phone caused them all to startle; with hands automatically reaching out for their cells. It was a frowning Sera who pulled out her cell phone from her back pocket.
“Sorry, it’s mine,” she murmured before answering it. “Hello?”
There was a light, familiar chuckle from the other end of the line just then. A voice that Sera is more than familiar with.
“…Knew that you’re still alive.”
Sera’s eyes widened. “What in the…?” She was unable to find the words that she needed for a moment, ignoring the confused looks that the rest of Aegis exchanged with each other. “Klein?! The hell did you get this number? And how in the name of the Goddess did you know I survived?”
There were sounds of harsh breathing on the other end of the line, and Sera frowned. From the sounds of it, it seems like Klein seems to be quite badly injured.
“…I got your number from Ethan a while ago.” Klein spoke at last, “I called in one of my favours that he owed me, and he couldn’t refuse. Besides, I never did believe that you’re dead.” If there’s anyone who could guess at Sera’s survival, it would be Klein. “I always knew that there are Blade survivors out there. And I knew that you’re one of those. Besides, I had my suspicions since the rumours of Dragonfly’s destruction started going around.”
Sera tried to resist the urge to groan out loud. Now that she thinks about it, maybe she was a little too hasty when it comes to Dragonfly back then. There aren’t that many that could do what she did to the remainders of that particular street gang. And while not amongst the strongest street gangs in Eldario, Dragonfly is no pushover.
Raul felt his ears prick up when he caught the name of his old street gang from whoever was on the other end of the line with Sera.
“Klein, what’s going on?” Sera wanted to know. “Did something happen?”
Whirlwind is after all the guardians of Zalfari; a very special place even by underground standards. It is where the majority of the black market resides, and where you can find the best information brokers there. If there is information that one wants, they will be able to find what they need at Zalfari, provided they have the coin.
“Y-Yeah.” Klein coughed harshly, “I… I think my gang is about to bite the dust. Do me a favour. Two favours. Make sure that the hunters don’t get their grubby mitts on Zalfari.” He coughed again, with his coughs sounding even worse than before. “T-Tell the Premier…that I’m sorry. I tried my best. I was unable to protect Zalfari. She’ll need a new guardian for Zalfari now. To safeguard it. And my second favour…” He coughed again, “Make it my last. There is…a Gifted in my group.” Sera’s eyes widened. She had never heard about Klein having a Gifted in his gang before. Though like any good gang leader, he is bound to keep it quiet; especially with how fanatic the hunters have been, even before Blade’s destruction. “Her name is Letha… Please… Whatever you do, Sera… Please… Keep her safe… I’ll…repay my debt to you…in the next life…”
Sera’s eyes widened; never even realising that she’d gotten to her feet. Or that nearly the entire cafe was staring at her; Timo included.
“Klein, wait—”
The line went dead at that point, and Sera scowled at her phone, before hurriedly calling back to the last number. The call however was unable to be connected.
“Damn it, Klein!” Sera cussed, banging one fist down on the surface of the countertop, “This is no time for you to start playing hero or become a martyr!”
“What’s going on?” Ness wanted to know, as confused as everyone else.
“Sera, was that Klein on the line earlier?” Raul asked urgently, tugging at Sera’s sleeve. Being formerly part of a prominent street gang, he too knew about Whirlwind; Zalfari’s guardians. Yusa had made sure that every single member of his gang knew who the important people were in the underground, and who not to anger. Though in this case, it’s probably more a case of knowing who not to piss off. “What’s going on? Is Zalfari in trouble?”
Raul’s heart felt as if it was going to leap out of his chest. Whilst waiting for Sera to respond, Raul definitely didn’t miss how at least half of Aegis that are familiar with the ways of the underground were all staring at Sera, concern and fear visible in their eyes.
If Zalfari falls to the hunters, it won’t be good news for the underground. If that happens, a war between the underground and the hunters will be in the works.
“We need to head out!” Sera said instead, looking around at her people; at Aegis. “I know it’s raining right now, and not the ideal conditions to be steering the boathouse, but we have no other choice!”
“I can control the waves somewhat,” Laura reassured. “We should be fine even if we steer the boathouse in this weather.”
“All right.” Sera nodded before she took a deep breath. This is no time to be losing her cool. “I’ll explain on the way. We need to head to Zalfari. Now!”
* * * *
It is raining again.
Bad things always happen when it rains, Letha recalled telling Klein that once when he had asked her why she hated rainy nights.
It was after all on a rainy night when she had manifested her abilities, and it was also that same night when her parents threw her out of their home for ‘being a freak of nature’. It was also on a rainy night when Letha had almost died at the hands of some fanatics just for being a Gifted, had it not been for Klein who happened to be passing by.
And it is also on a rainy night—tonight—when Klein and the rest of Whirlwind had more than likely met their end when trying to defend her from hunters.
“…Goddess above… Did I do something wrong…?” Letha whispered, her knees drawn up to her chest even as she sat at the foot of the enormous weeping willow tree that towers over the town of Zalfari. It was believed by the locals that this particular tree was the local guardian spirit—a guardian sent directly by the Goddess to protect them. “Why is this happening?”
She could already hear the sounds of wet footsteps approaching her initial direction but didn’t move in the slightest. She could also hear the faint sounds of the leaves crackling, and the familiar sounds of bones cackling in the graveyard behind her, even as her Gift reacted to her feelings of turmoil.
“…There she is!”
“Surround her!”
Letha didn’t move, just letting the rain pelt down on her, hearing the movements of the hunters surrounding her.
It wouldn’t be so bad…to just die here, right?
…Maybe she can even meet Klein and the others of Whirlwind.
“You’ve sure led us on quite the wild goose chase,” The lead man—the lead hunter, snarled. From the number of wounds visible on his body, it is apparent that Klein at least must have given him quite the workout before he had met his end. “But this ends here—”
And then, a translucent, green barrier sprang up around Letha before the man could grab her.
“What in the…?”
Letha didn’t move within the barrier—her mind, however, was entirely coherent, and she knew what was happening around her—watching even as a group consisting of people near or around her age arrived on the scene.
“Looks like we made it.” Sera Kroix breathed—having run all the way here the moment that the boathouse had docked at the only pier at Zalfari. Laura who is currently being supported by Kailey looked very pale; having overtaxed her Gift when they were rushing to the town. “Laura, rest. Kailey, keep an eye on her.”
“You got it.” Kailey nodded.
“Who are you?!” One of the hunters snarled, one hand reaching towards his handgun by his side. “Gifted? Great. More freaks of nature.”
“It makes no difference either way, no matter how many of you are here. You freaks are all going to die here.”
“I think you should be a little more concerned for yourselves.” Sera didn’t seem to be too overly concerned with those comments and remarks, though more than one member of Aegis was bristling with fury. Neil, for one, looked ready to start snapping necks. “In case you didn’t receive the memo, hunters are not welcome in Zalfari.” Her eyes are cold.
The people amongst Aegis who were more than familiar with how the underground works—at the moment, that is only Sera, Raul, and perhaps Laura; knew it as the truth. Zalfari is off-limits for hunters, and even ESA agents on duty.
It is known as an underground town for a reason.
“We don’t take orders from you.” One of the younger-looking hunters—a boy who is barely any older than them, sneered at Sera.
“I see.” Sera glanced at the rest of her friends. She sighed. Either way, it looks like someone is going to die tonight. Or at least, a lot of someones. “Kill them all. Leave none of them alive.”
An almost maniac grin appeared on Raul’s face before there were loud cawing sounds. When the hunters looked up at the branches of the willow tree, they were taken aback to see that the branches were almost filled with scores of crows—with the large black birds all glaring at them with beady black eyes.
“I’ve been waiting for that order,” Claudia murmured, a maniac grin on her face even as she twitched her fingers. The winds started to pick up.
“What in the—”
The simultaneous caws from the crows above were the only sounds that could be heard before the hunters’ vision was blocked by the flurry of black feathers.
And then, all they knew was pain.
* * * *
Sera knelt before the unresponsive Letha, even as Neil lifted the barrier that he had placed around her to keep the girl safe from the hunters. Sera was a little concerned with seeing how unresponsive she had been for the last couple of minutes.
“Hey. Are you Letha?” Sera asked quietly. “Klein told me about you.”
With the mention of Klein’s name, a flicker of recognition went through pale blue eyes, even as Letha lifted her head to look at Sera. Her light blonde—almost silvery hair was almost matted to her cheeks and neck due to the rain.
“…Klein…?” Letha’s voice was hoarse. She licked at her chapped, and dry lips. Behind Sera, the rest of Aegis who were checking through the pockets of the dead hunters exchanged uncomfortable looks. “Where…? Where is he?”
Sera hesitated. Klein’s body was the first thing that she’d seen the moment that they’d entered Zalfari; with his body being littered with so many bullet holes that it’s a wonder that she is even able to identify him at all.
Raul was the one to move Klein’s body into a nearby, abandoned shack before they continued their search for Letha.
“He…didn’t make it,” Sera said at last. “None of the rest of Whirlwind did.” Considering that hunters managed to make it this far, Sera knew it to be the truth. Unlike Dragonfly, Whirlwind’s members are all highly loyal to each other, and Klein. There is a reason why the Premier had left Zalfari in their hands. “We’ll at least make sure they have a decent burial,” Sera reassured Letha. “Klein…” She closed her eyes briefly, recalling the call that she’d received from him—probably made moments before he had gone to meet his death. “He asked me to take care of you. You’re a Gifted, aren’t you?” Sera asked.
Letha let out an anguished sound that seemed to be a cross between a scream and a sob; before she lunged forward and grasped hold of Sera’s forearms. “Is it me?” Letha wanted to know. “Was it my fault?! Did I do something wrong? Klein and the rest of Whirlwind… They didn’t have to die! Yet, despite knowing what I could do, they took me in. Treated me like I was one of them. And then, when the hunters came, they protected me even at the cost of their lives. Why?! Why did they do that? They should have just…given me up. Give me up…” She whispered. “I’d rather die than let them die!”
“And that is the reason why they sacrificed themselves for you,” Sera said firmly, reaching down, and removing Letha’s hands from her arms. “Those of the underground will never sell our own out.” She said quietly. “Betraying a comrade is a grievous sin.”
Tatius exchanged looks with his siblings. He definitely recalls Sera saying that to the leader of Dragonfly not that long ago when they found out what had happened, and that the after-mentioned gang had given Raul up to the hunters, and even how angry Sera had been.
Letha only stared at Sera with wide eyes, before she fell back onto her bottom; uncaring, even as the rainwater soaked through her pants. “Klein… He said that once,” she whispered, her lower lip trembling. She gave out a choked sob. “…It shouldn’t have been him. It should have been me. Klein… He is everything I’m not. He’s a good person. He’s the future. Me? I… I’m just Zalfari’s monster—”
Slap!
Everyone present flinched as the sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed across the surroundings.
Letha blinked owlishly, with her cheek stinging with the force behind Sera’s slap, as she turned to look at the other girl. Sera looked angry.
“I don’t want to hear you say that about yourself ever again,” Sera said forcefully. “Do you understand me?” Letha blinked slowly. “You’re a Gifted. Your abilities and what you could do… It is not abnormal. You are one amongst the hundreds, if not thousands, that possesses special abilities. The Goddess’ Blessed. The only freaks and monsters here I could see are the hunters themselves who didn’t care who they hurt and killed.”
Behind Sera, the rest of Aegis were nodding with agreement. More than one of them have been witnesses and even victims of the hunters’ zeal in hunting down the Gifted—whether they’d committed a crime or not. In certain parts of Eldario, the murder and vilification of a Gifted wouldn’t be a crime.
Letha cradled her stinging cheek. “You… You’re a Gifted, aren’t you?” she asked slowly, blinking up at Sera. Only a fellow Gifted would understand another Gifted’s general situation, and how Eldario looks at them as a whole. The sympathisers tried, but no matter how they tried, they would never be able to truly understand the feelings of a member of the Gifted community. Not unless they are one themselves.
“All of us,” Tatius grunted, stepping forward to stand next to Sera. For the first time, Letha then noticed the rest of Aegis, and she tensed. “We’re all Gifted.” He jerked a thumb backwards over his shoulder. “You think you have it bad? At least you’re still alive. Like the rest of us. There are loads more that have suffered the worst of the prejudice and the hunters’ zeal.”
“Klein…”
“Your leader… He saw something in you that is worth dying for.” Laura rasped from where she is currently using Kailey as a crutch, “so live on for him. Because you are the proof that they have existed.”
Letha looked down at her hands. “Klein…” she whispered. She choked back a sob. “…I’m so sorry…”
Sera looked back at Aegis, and then at the already cooling bodies of the hunters around them—with blood trailing from their bodies and running together with the rain.
“First things first, we need to take care of these bodies.”
“I’ll do it,” Ness spoke up, raising a hand. “I could use a hand here, though. Raul? Tatius?”
“You got it.”
“I’ll call up a few people, and get their help. At the very least, I can ensure that Whirlwind are given proper burials.” Laura spoke from where she was still leaning against Kailey.
“Guess I’ll go and find the townspeople that are in hiding.” Neil sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck.
“Someone is going to need to contact the Premier too, and tell her what had happened here,” Raul spoke up seriously. “And if I know her at all, she’s going to be furious.” He added wryly.
Sera sighed and nodded. “I know. But we’ll take care of things here first,” she said. “I’m taking Letha back to the boathouse. Kailey, you and Laura might as well come with me.” She said, helping Letha to her feet. “Laura looks as if she needs a nap.”
“I might have overdone it,” Laura admitted sheepishly.
“You got it.”
“All right. Let’s get to work.” Tatius murmured.
With murmurs of agreement, the rest of Aegis split into different directions to do what needed to be done.
Before leaving with Letha, Sera took one last look back at the weeping willow tree.
Help Letha. Protect her.
She recalled Klein’s last words to her.
Sera closed her eyes briefly.
“I will,” she promised.