The gloom in the air was almost tangible, the sense of impending doom putting a sour expression on everyone.
I shook my head as I studied the faces of the men gathered around me, all sitting in a circle. After tying up the man, all Rosefire members had come together for an emergency meeting, right in the middle of the parking lot. The merry mood of early tonight had entirely vanished with the news of Fight House declaring war against us, and for good reason. No matter how I looked at the situation, there was no easy win for Rosefire.
Most of the residents of my territory had also gathered, although they sat in the back. I was touched by their concern for the fate of Rosefire, so I didn’t bother asking them to leave.
“Alright men. You might be thinking that this could be the end of Rosefire. However, I would like to remind you that Rosefire is actually going to be a global superpower soon, so I don’t really think there’s any reason to be worried,” I declared with absolute confidence.
Immediately, everyone gathered turned to me with incredulous gazes, wondering if I’d lost it under the pressure.
Upon seeing my teasing grin, however, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
“Look at you lot. One little obstacle and you’ve lost all hope. I made it quite clear when you all signed up that we would be making enemies at every turn, each one an insurmountable mountain. Fight House is only going to be the first of many. And each time, we will make it through, despite all opposition. As long as we trust each other, and keep our wits about us, Rosefire will be unstoppable. I know there’s a voice in your head telling you that it's impossible, that it's better to give in instead of fighting those who are so much more powerful. That voice is the embodiment of what has been drilled into your mind since the day you were born, to make sure you don’t follow your true nature as humans and upset the balance that the strong have set. But all of you are here because you beat that voice, because you understand that humans are born to be free, and to live a suffocating life under the rules of the world is to not live at all.”
By the time I finished, my face was flushed with passion, but it had done its job. The fire of determination glowed in each and every person’s eyes, their fighting spirit emanating out of them. The melancholy of the atmosphere had completely vanished, the men now eagerly chatting with each other.
“So, what’s the plan, then?” Ren finally asked from my side, after letting the chatter settle down.
I smiled at his question, having been waiting for a chance to show off my idea. “They may have the advantage when it comes to numbers, but having more people doesn’t always mean victory. A large group of people is hard to maneuver and organize, and that’s where our advantage lies. Now that we know about their attack, we can launch a preemptive strike. I’m thinking we split ourselves up into small groups and strike at key places, immobilizing them before the war can even start.”
There was a moment of silence as the men absorbed my idea, weighing its pros and cons.
Ren was the first to respond. “Just like how you would fight a person bigger and stronger than you: with quick jabs at weak spots. I like it,” he said with a grin.
The people gathered nodded thoughtfully at his words, seeming to come to the conclusion that it was a good tactic in fighting this battle.
“But, there is one problem,” Brian spoke up. “How are we going to get the information we need? If Fight House had such easily identifiable weak spots, they wouldn’t have kept their seat in the top three for long.”
I frowned at his question. Caught up in the excitement of coming up with a good plan, I appeared to have overlooked a slightly crucial factor. However, before I could admit that, Ren piped up, a smug grin on his face.
“Oh, that’s simple. After all, we have something that all those other gangs don’t.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Really? What’s that?” Leo asked, asking the question that was on all of our minds, mine included.
“Me, obviously,” Ren responded, his grin unperturbed.
A collective sigh was heaved at his answer, as the hope people were beginning to feel was once again squashed.
“What?” Ren asked indignantly. “I’m actually quite talented at reconnaissance. I’ve spent the better part of my life training for that, I’ll have you know.”
Everybody perked up at that. “Really?” I asked him.
“Yup. Give me a day, and I guarantee I’ll have the information you need,” Ren claimed, oozing confidence.
“Well, that’s one problem solved. Anything else, guys?” I asked, turning to the men.
“So the plan for Hellwalker is going to be put on hold then?” Edgar asked.
I laughed. “Hellwalker? By the time we’re done with Fight House, Hellwalker would pay to merge with us,” I proudly declared.
Ren raised an eyebrow at that. “I thought we were just defending ourselves?” he asked.
“What? Why would we do that? Those guys have the audacity to declare war on us, and you think I’ll stop at just fighting back? I don’t know who the owner of Fight House is, but he’d better enjoy his position for now, because it’s not going to last long.”
Ren laughed at my response. “Of course. How could I forget who I’m talking to?”
I nodded, smug now that I could imagine the wonderful turn that Rosefire’s path could take with this war. Of course, I was not delusional. I understood how difficult it would be to usurp a first-rate gang with a group of thirty people. But I was ready to give it everything nonetheless.
“Alright. Everyone, go get some rest. Your lives are going to get real messy from tomorrow, one way or another. In the morning, we’ll hammer out the details of how we’re going to deal with these people,” I said, signalling the end of the meeting.
The men around me got up, making their way to their respective homes as they buzzed over the uncertain future that lay ahead of them.
Watching their retreating backs, I felt a strange weight on my chest as I realized for the first time that their futures were now irrevocably linked to mine. My failure would be their failure, and my success would be their success.
A hand patted my back, bringing me out of my sudden and worrying realization.
“Not so easy to be reckless when they’re other people who’re counting on you, huh?” Ren asked.
Once again, I was at a loss as to how Ren had managed to read my expression so well without being able to see, but I was quickly realizing that it was something I was better off simply accepting.
I sighed at his question. “I’ve never cared about when or how I die, as long as it happens while I’m fighting for what I want. But now that there are people who’ll be there fighting beside me…I don’t know.” I sighed again. “It’s not so simple anymore.”
Ren smiled softly. “Life rarely is. Doesn’t change one thing though. Only thing you can do is fight as hard as you can to protect your dreams, and theirs.”
I mirrored his smile, his words bringing me some relief. No matter who or what I was fighting for, it didn’t change the fact that all I could do was give it my best.
“Speaking of which, are you really confident in finding out everything you need about Fight House in one night? It won’t be easy, considering they’ve managed to survive for quite some time.”
Ren’s smile grew into a grin. “Trust me. The shadows are my home. And nothing can hide from the dark.”
His confidence was more than assuring. I let go of a deep breath, letting the tension that I hadn’t realized I was holding seep out of me. The dark stillness of the night around me was calming, and before I realized it, my thoughts drifted as I studied the twinkling stars far above me.
With a light pat on my shoulder, Ren eventually got up and walked away, his walking stick lightly tapping against the gravel until he vanished into the dark.
I hardly noticed him leaving, my mind already occupied, not with the precarious future that lay ahead of me, but with the vast heavens that sat so far above me.
A promise, made long ago, more symbolic than actually meant, drifted into my mind.
One day, we will soar through the sky, looking down on the world. We will never bow our heads to anyone, never say anything we don’t want to, never do anything we don’t want to. We will be like the stars at night, unbound and unchained, free in its truest form.
I smiled at the stars, wondering just when I’d finally be able to join them.