“Do you remember where we’re going?” Zeke asked.

“Some place called the Gunbarrel,” Isaac replied.

“What are we going there to do?” Zeke asked again.

“Meet some fella named Nolan,” Isaac answered.

“Why?” Zeke asked.

“How should I know? You never told me!” Isaac exclaimed.

“Good. I was just checking if you knew something you shouldn’t have,” Zeke retorted, approaching a metal ladder.

He climbed, reaching an old fire escape attached to the side of a building. Climbing the metal structure like he was an orangutan in a steel jungle, he moved his body weight gracefully upwards towards the top of the building.

“Hurry up!” he shouted to Isaac.

Isaac shook his head. “Jet,” he whispered as two jets of water shot out from his feet, propelling him up towards Zeke, who suddenly sped up his pace and scaled the walls of the building at an even faster rate, leaving Isaac behind. Isaac leaped up to the top, barely able to keep his composure, briefly kneeling down to catch his breath.

“Still using verbal incantations?” Zeke asked, peering into the distance.

“Yeah,” Isaac barely replied.

“You shouldn’t,” Zeke snarled.

Isaac frowned.

“You’re one to talk. I’ve never even seen you use magic,” Isaac angrily replied.

“Because I don’t need to,” Zeke said, looking up towards the ceiling of the cave. “You saw it not too long ago. How was it? The night sky—was it damp? Was the air chilly and the wind cold?” he asked with a strange longing.

“It’s going to be winter soon, so yeah, the air has gotten pretty chilly recently.” Isaac paused. “You really want to leave this place, don’t you?”

“Very much so,” Zeke replied with a sorrowful expression.

“Then why save me? Aren’t I a bother?” Isaac asked, visibly frustrated.

“I couldn’t watch you get killed because of me, because that lunatic wanted to provoke me. I don’t want to kill anyone anymore. I’ve had enough. All I ever wanted was strength to defend the weak, to defend myself. And look what I got. I’m trapped in this underground maze. I… I really want to go home,” Zeke explained.

“Won’t that be harder now that I’m around?” Isaac wondered.

“Well, now I owe that asshole a favor. So, I guess getting out of here will take longer,” Zeke explained.

“But why not just leave, escape into the caves? I’m sure out there no one would be able to find you,” Isaac asked.

“I tried. Didn’t take him long to bring me back. This entire place is built like a magic pocket. Eventually, you reach a space where the fabric just keeps stretching without actually leading anywhere. When that happens, if you’re important enough, the King himself comes and brings you back. And if not, one of the Guardians is alerted. This place is a perfect fortress. No one can get in or get out,” Zeke explained.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Well, I got in,” Isaac said, visibly surprised.

“Yes, as you know, the city has a lot of export. Simply put, whenever someone or something has to leave or enter the city, a tunnel of sorts is created. A magical space made for the purpose of transportation. Its length and shape depend entirely on the reference point above ground and only those selected can enter it on this side,” Zeke smiled. “However, the same cannot be said for those entering from the outside,” he explained.

“Okay, but how do you get permission to leave?” Isaac wondered.

“Get on that shithead’s good side. Part of my deal is to do something amazing without using magic.” Zeke sighed.

“Well, let’s get you out of here then,” Isaac stood up straight.

“Let’s,” Zeke replied, leaping across to an adjacent rooftop. “Come,” he waved to Isaac.

“Oh god, this shit again,” Isaac shook his head and closed his eyes. “Jet,” he whispered, launching himself across the roof.

The two traveled, leaping across rooftops until eventually, they reached the Gunbarrel.

“Welcome back!” Calisto greeted Zeke and Isaac as they entered the bar.

“Any news from Bertold? Did he tell you when he will finally have my weapon?” Zeke asked.

“Oh, you know him, he said it’s ready when it’s ready,” Calisto replied. “But who’s this?” she asked with an intrigued expression.

“My new subordinate,” Zeke replied, visibly frustrated.

“Nice to meet you,” Isaac said to Calisto.

“Likewise,” she smiled warmly.

“Is everyone here?” Zeke asked, leaning over the bar counter.

“Yes, Mister Nolan just arrived. And the other two have been waiting for about 30 minutes now,” Calisto explained.

“All right,” Zeke said, hopping over the bar, coming into the back room. Isaac anxiously followed, opting to go around instead.

The back room appeared completely renovated, clad in marble and expensive stone, with a glass table in the middle. Four people were seated on two of the eight couches positioned around the table.

“My boy! How have you been?!” Nolan shouted, leaping up immediately after seeing Zeke arrive.

“I’m doing relatively good. How was the wedding?” Zeke asked.

“Ahh, the wedding,” Nolan pulled a cigar out of his pocket and clipped off the tip, “Well, it was nice and all,” he mumbled.

“He botched his speech, got drunk, and embarrassed himself in front of the groom’s entire family,” Fox explained.

“Shut up! None of that’s true! I didn’t botch shit! But those prissy, stuck-up bastards think they’re so much better than me. ‘Look at us. We were rich all our lives.’ If not for my gentle daughter, I would have skinned them alive!” Nolan lit his cigar, visibly frustrated.

“Who’s that beside you?” Hanna asked, leaning on Antonio’s shoulder.

“His name, Number 73. He is your new colleague,” Zeke replied. “The woman there is 71 and the man 72. Together, the three of you make up the Three Faceless of District 7,” he explained.

“You took on a pup!” Nolan retorted while intensely looking over at Isaac. “However, this one looks awfully sickly. Are you sure this was the right call?”

“Only time will tell,” Zeke replied with a smirk.

“Damn right it will,” Nolan laughed, placing his hand on Zeke’s shoulder. “I heard from our mutual acquaintance that you’re going to meet Corp representatives,” Nolan said with an intrigued expression.

“It’s why I called you here. They say you have a good relationship with Koribon,” Zeke replied.

“Me and their representative, Jason Del, have a working partnership. Why do you ask?” Nolan wondered.

“Because I plan on pushing a few buttons,” Zeke replied.

Nolan’s eyes widened.

“Buttons, you say?” he smirked. “But why?”

“Have you seen the streets? People barely living, doing their best to survive within this stale cave. The Undercity is ruled by gangs—vicious thugs using whatever means necessary to assert dominance,” Zeke clenched his fist. “Without the funding of the corporations, the gangs would cease to have so much power.”

“I’m sure you’re aware that once the gangs learn that the corporations are no longer paying them, it’ll be an all-out war. So, what’s your solution to that?” Nolan asked.

“They pay us,” Fox replied, stepping forward.

“So let me get this straight. You plan on starting an all-out war and, in the process, usurping control over the corporations and gangs running rampant within the Undercity?” Nolan clarified.

“Yes,” Zeke replied.

“Perfect,” Nolan cleared his throat. “I’ll support you in whatever you need.”