Amon

A deafening roar from the crowds vibrated through Amon's chest as they entered a new fighting arena. As always, it was filled to the brim with eager spectators, and Pat Gillman was in his element, hyping up and entertaining the audience for another match. But today, Amon's purpose was different; he wasn't here to fight or watch.

“Do you see him anywhere?” Sonja asked beside him. Amon hadn’t come alone this time. If they were going to have an alliance with the Banshee, Sonja and the crime lord would have to make formal introductions eventually. Besides, it had only been three days since she had healed him, and he still felt sluggish.

Amon looked around, his gray irises now a faint green, scanning the faces of the guards. He knew that Kalon was not usually stationed in this area; he was often assigned to guard specific fighters. Fortunately for them, this was one of those rare times. Amon's gaze settled on Kalon's tall figure, but it seemed that Kalon had already noticed them. He stood near the entrance to the arena below, reserved for new fighters taking on the challenge. This meant that he couldn't leave his post until someone replaced him, so they approached him.

A grin grew on Kalon’s face as they walked towards him. “Well, well, look who is here.”

“Kalon,” Amon nodded. “I would say it's nice seeing you again but…” Amon trailed off, the memory of being knocked out twice by Kalon and then dropped off outside Mencer’s bar still fresh in his mind.

Sonja gave Amon a quick, puzzled look as he bantered with Kalon. He usually didn't engage in playful back-and-forths, but it was necessary for their ruse. Plus, Amon found himself enjoying Kalon's personality. Despite his recklessness, Kalon reminded him of Jeb in some ways.

“I’m sorry, just following orders,” Kalon replied, shrugging apologetically. “We, however, have been missing you quite a lot.”

“I needed some alone time to get the necessary information,” Amon said matter of factly.

"I had a feeling you'd resurface. However, the Banshee was less than thrilled when we lost your trail." His gaze then shifted to Sonja, his face reflecting curiosity. “And who might this be?”

"This is Sonja," Amon introduced her simply, "she’s part of my crew."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance," Kalon extended a hand.

Sonja took it reluctantly. “Likewise.”

“Is it possible for you to set up a meeting with the Banshee for us?” Amon asked.

Kalon thought for a moment, then seemingly made up his mind, “Yes, I’ll escort the both of you to her.” As he said it, a guard passed by, and Kalon called out to him. They had a conversation in whispers and the guard shot them a displeased look, before taking up Kalon’s spot.

With that resolved, they followed suit and trailed behind Kalon as he weaved through the crowded arena, heading towards a set of stairs.

“Aciel, you’re going to have to break it to me how you managed to lose Yael on your tail,” Kalon spoke ahead of them as they ascended the stone steps.

Sonja shot Amon another look. He knew what she was thinking: why was Kalon being so friendly and open about his crew? It went against everything their own crew stood for.

Amon had forgotten to mention anything about it when she was altering his appearance. At the time, their focus had been preparing her for meeting the Banshee. But he would have to fill her in later on how Kalon always behaved like this, ever since being assigned as one of his personal guards during his ascent up the ranks.

“Did you just disappear in a puff of smoke or something?” Kalon asked, pulling Amon out of his thoughts. "She was pretty angry about it; I've never seen her that pissed before." A small chuckle could be heard in Kalon's voice.

“You need to learn all kinds of things down here if you want to do more than just survive,” Amon replied.

“You’re an interesting one, Aciel,” Kalon laughed. Reaching the top of the staircase, they continued to walk down a hallway. Taking a left turn, Kalon stopped in front of a large door. There was a box standing next to it. He turned to face Amon and Sonja. “Going to need you both to remove your weapons.”

Amon had suspected this. It was also one of the main reasons why Sonja accompanied him today. If anything happened during the meeting, she was a weapon herself. So, pretending to be sour, he gave up his twin swords and handed them over to Kalon. He accepted them and laid them down on the wooden box. Kalon then looked at Sonja, expecting her to do the same.

Sonja made a show out of it as well, sighing loudly before reaching into her cloak and pulling out two daggers from the sheaths at her hip. Their blades were dark steel, etched with intricate patterns. They glinted in the dim light as Kalon accepted them with a nod and put them away just as he had done with Amon’s.

Without missing a beat, Sonja continued to retrieve her weapons, this time pulling out her throwing knives. Small but lethal weapons concealed at various points across her body. As she produced knife after knife, Kalon’s eyebrows raised higher and higher until they seemed to disappear under his bangs.

“Is there an end to this?” he asked as he struggled to hold onto all of the weaponry.

“I believe…” Sonja paused dramatically before bending down and slipping out two more knives strapped tightly against her thighs. She placed both of them on top of the weapon pile in Kalon’s arms. “That should be all,” Sonja answered smugly.

Seeing the bewildered expression on Kalon’s face, Amon quickly coughed to conceal his laughter.

“Wouldn’t want to meet you in a dark alley,” Kalon murmured, the corners of his lips tugging up slightly.

With the weapons stored on top of the box, Kalon turned to open the door and gestured for them to follow. He led them into a spacious lounge area with a prime view of the fighting arena - much better than the private room Amon had been given. The left side of the lounge was entirely made of glass. A sizable black couch was arranged in a semi-circle, accompanied by a table in the center. In addition, there was a solitary red chair positioned at the front, facing towards the view. Sitting in the chair was the Banshee, her back turned to them.

"My lady," Kalon addressed her respectfully, "I have brought Aciel and his companion Sonja."

The Banshee turned around, her dark eyes fixing on them. She was dressed in the same outfit Amon had seen her in before, only this time the patterns were a vibrant shade of red.

“Thank you, Kalon,” she said, her voice a haunting melody. “You may stay.”

Kalon nodded and moved to stand by the door.

“I will admit that I am surprised, but pleased to see you Aciel,” she said. “And I see you have brought a friend.”

“She is one of my most trusted crew members,” Amon responded.

The Banshee's eyes scanned Sonja up and down, but she stood confidently and returned her gaze. “As trustworthy as you say you are, Aciel?”

Amon smiled and bowed. “Of course.”

“Remains to be seen,” she said and motioned for them to take a seat on the couch before her, and despite Amon’s instinct telling him to remain standing, he and Sonja moved to sit.

“When you disappeared, well, we assumed the worst,” the Banshee continued. “My patience was almost running out.”

“As I said back then, an enemy of the Surgeon is an ally of mine,” Amon responded. “I don’t turn on my allies.”

“It is heartening to hear you say so,” her lips curled into a cold smile. “Now, you said you would return once you had information about the Surgeon’s main facility whereabouts.”

Amon nodded. “Our informant is scheduled to meet us just outside Cyx tonight. She'll give us coordinates that we can use to strategize our assault. I'm here to request one or two of your men as support.”

"Cyx," she pondered aloud before making her decision. As one of the two biggest crime lords in the Undercity, she would not be a stranger to the location and its dangers. Besides, letting two of her men accompany them would reveal who Amon’s informant was, which was valuable information. "Alright, you'll have your escorts. It would indeed be unfortunate if things went south during this crucial meeting, so I'll send along two of my best to ensure everything goes smoothly.”

“Thank you, my Lady,” Amon said, bowing his head.

The Banshee smiled coldly at him. “So bold, yet so respectful.” She then turned in her chair, directing her attention towards an obscure corner of the room. “Yael, you may show yourself.”

Amon saw Sonja’s eyes widen in shock as a woman emerged from the dark corner like a phantom materializing from thin air. Her short blonde hair framed her jawline neatly, drawing attention to her pointed ears that stuck out prominently. She bowed towards the Banshee.

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“You are to accompany our new friends here along with Kalon,” the Banshee instructed her.

“As you wish,” Yael responded and turned to look at Amon. Her black eyes narrowed.

“Yael is blessed with the Gift of Umbra, which allows her to manipulate shadows and blend into them effortlessly," the Banshee explained. “I am not surprised that you may not have heard of it. It is an extremely rare Gift.”

Suddenly, everything clicked for Amon. The mysterious force that held him back in the alley hadn’t been Kalon or any of the male guards present during their meeting; it was Yael all along. She had been there, hidden in plain sight, using her abilities with shadows to remain undetected. It had been quite clever to keep her hidden.

“Her blessing will prove itself invaluable, I am sure,” Amon responded.

“I will do my best to ensure our success,” said Yael, tilting her head slightly.

“Now, off you go,” the Banshee purred, dismissing them with a wave of her hand.

* * *

They were walking in silence along the worn path that would lead them to the meeting point. It was outside of Cyx, but close enough that the streets had transformed into a desolate wasteland of ruins and decay. Their steps seemed to echo in the eerie stillness, and a chilly mist had arrived, draping the empty cobblestone street like a silent ghost.

Amon scanned their surroundings, taking in the crumbling remnants of what once had been a bustling street before the war had happened. Broken pillars jutted out of the ground like skeletal remains, casting long shadows that stretched ominously across the ground. Crumbling stone buildings leaned in all kinds of odd directions, missing several chunks of their walls or completely falling apart all together.

Amon began imagining what it would have looked like the days before the war. Had these streets been teeming with life? Had children been running around, in between market stalls? And what about these buildings? He wished he could go back in time to see it. But now, only silence remained—broken only by their footsteps and occasional whispers carried by the wind.

Kalon and Sonja walked beside him. They both had their weapons out; Kalon wielding a sword that had a hilt almost as long as its blade which curved slightly upwards at the end, like a butcher's knife. And Sonja had two of her daggers at the ready.

Yael trailed behind them all, her wiry frame blending seamlessly with the shadows. She was just like Sonja, soundless. Amon didn’t like it. He could usually identify people just by the sound of how they walked, and it was odd to not being able to rely on it.

They reached a junction, where two streets intersected. Amon halted. The meeting point was supposed to be nearby, but it was difficult to discern anything in this sea of ruins.

“It’s the right path here,” Sonja said, and they all followed, falling silent again. They didn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention to them, though them being here already would draw anyone's attention. Just hopefully none that were dangerous. The wind picked up, carrying with it the distant sound of howling. He saw Kalon gripping the hilt of his sword tighter—they were all on high alert.

Ten minutes had perhaps passed and another ruin came into view. And Amon knew they finally had reached their meeting point. The building seemed grander than the others, and Amon wondered if it had been a gathering hall at some point. They walked through what once had probably been a magnificent gate, but now hanging on its hinges and swaying in the wind. Two statues flanked the steps leading up to the building, both damaged but one still recognizable as portraying a Divine figure with folded wings behind its back. Its face wore a mournful expression, covered in layers of dirt that concealed its once pristine white marble.

As they climbed the steps, Amon felt a shiver run down his spine—the air seemed to grow colder around them. The massive wooden doors creaked eerily as they were pushed open, revealing a dimly lit hall shrouded in shadows. The interior was adorned with remnants of its former glory—faded tapestries hung from the walls while dust-covered chandeliers swayed gently overhead. There were benches and tables situated around the hall, and a familiar woman was sitting on one of them.

As her head lifted, the woman's chestnut locks cascaded down her face, framing her exhausted features. Amon hadn't seen her in years, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to have deepened. He had tasked Sonja with meeting with her after their initial agreement of a lasting alliance. But he still remembered how during their first encounter, she had remarked on his striking resemblance to his father.

She smiled at them. “I'm glad you could find it,” she spoke. “Though, it seems there are more of you than I expected.”

“You chose a dangerous spot to meet, Naomi,” Sonja said, walking forward. “You can trust them, I would never have brought anyone that we were not sure of here.”

Amon and Kalon followed, Yael choosing to remain behind. “I’ll stand guard by the door,” she said and disappeared.

“It was sadly necessary to pick a location far away from prying eyes,” Naomi answered. “Did Amon not choose to accompany you?”

“Not today, I'm afraid,” Sonja replied.

Naomi’s eyes fell on Amon. They seemed to pierce through him. “I see.” And then her gaze flickered back onto Sonja. “We don’t have much time,” she started and pulled forth a map from the bag that hung around her shoulder. She unrolled it across the table and pointed at a location. It was north of where they were, deeper into Cyx. “The main facility is deep within Cyx, so they can work undisturbed.”

Kalon swallowed. “Work undisturbed on what…?”

Naomi looked at him, her eyes darkening. “It’s best if you see it for yourself.”

Kalon fell silent, a shiver running through him.

“When will be a good time to strike then?” Sonja asked.

“The Surgeon is scheduled to be there tomorrow,” Naomi replied. “It would be best to do it right away. They still do not trust me to the extent I'd like, and I'm not sure I can keep the airs up for too much longer.”

“Alright. Tomorrow it is then,” Amon said and shared a look with Sonja. She wasn't pleased. But she knew just as he did that there wouldn't be another opportunity. “Explain to us the layout of the place.”

“The main entrance is heavily guarded,” Naomi said. “There are two main checkpoints before you reach the inner work area. The Surgeon’s office is deeper within.”

“I see,” Amon said. “Are there any secret passages or hidden entrances we should be aware of?”

“Unfortunately I do not know if there is any,” Naomi sighed. “But, there is a back entrance, meant for us healers the closest to the Surgeon.”

“Do tell.”

“It’s not as heavily guarded, normally there are only two of them.”

“Alright, so that is where we will enter from,” Amon said. “Will you be able to open the door and create a distraction for us?”

“Depends on what type of distraction you mean,” Naomi said.

“We only need their attention on something else for a few minutes,” Amon explained.

“That should be doable, yes.”

“Great. Now, what of reinforcements? Should we expect any surprises once we breach the facility?”

Naomi’s eyes flickered with a hint of uncertainty. “I cannot guarantee there won't be unexpected challenges,” she admitted.

“So we move forward with stealth,” Sonja chimed in.

Kalon nodded in agreement. “For as long as we are able to.”

"I will lead you as far as I can. But once we are past the second checkpoint, we are going to need one of the personal assistant nurses to pass through to the rest of the facility.”

“Will that be an issue?”

“The Surgeon only has two personal assistants, and they are usually at the facility at all times. Tomorrow one of them will be overseeing my section for the day, so it will not be hard to find her.”

“Understood,” Amon said, pondering upon the information they had received. “We will arrive at seven. You will divert the attention of the guards at five past seven. And I want us to be inside within ten past seven.”

“I will be ready,” said Naomi and stood up from the bench. She picked up the map and rolled it back into her bag. “I must return now, my shift is starting soon.”

Amon interjected, "And Naomi, if there's anything else you think we should be aware of, especially regarding the layout of the facility or any potential risks, please do not hesitate to inform us tomorrow."

"I will keep that in mind," Naomi assured them with a determined expression. "I want this mission to succeed as much as you do."

“Take care Naomi,” Sonja said. “And thank you.”

“There is no need to thank me. This has always been bigger than just us. What the Surgeon is doing must be stopped,” her voice trailed off as she added, “my husband would have wanted this as well.” With a final nod, Naomi bid them farewell and disappeared out the wooden doors.

“A tough lady that one,” Kalon said.

Sonja nodded in agreement. “More than any of us will ever understand I fear.”

Amon turned to Kalon. “Kalon, for this operation to succeed, we need to know what the Banshee wants so badly from the Surgeon.”

Kalon’s eyebrows raised up in surprise. “I am not sure if I can share that information.”

“We can’t have any unknown variables popping up out of nowhere,” Amon added. “Not when we have gotten this far.”

While Kalon stood thinking about what Amon had said, Yael entered and joined them. “She is looking for my twin brother,” she answered. Kalon shot her a look that she returned. “It is also my secret to share, besides, Aciel is right.”

“The Surgeon has your twin brother?” Sonja asked.

Yael nodded. “He was kidnapped just a few months ago during a mission.”

“Your twin brother must be quite valuable to the Banshee if she is going out of her way to rescue him,” Amon said, earning himself a cold look from Yael.

“He is,” Yael answered. “The Banshee took us in when we were just kids, giving us shelter and teaching us everything she knows.”

So that's why she had been so emotional, Amon thought. The Surgeon had basically kidnapped her son.

“We will do whatever it takes to–” Amon's sentence was cut short by a sudden, inhuman scream echoing through the air. And it was close by.

“Everyone, be completely quiet,” Yael urged, throwing her arms out. Shadows engulfed them, wrapping them in darkness. But despite this, they were able to still see clearly through it. And just a split second later, a hooded man walked into the hall.

The hooded man stopped in the hall and slowly scanned his surroundings. His face was concealed, but Amon noticed that his uncovered arms were discolored, which was a common side effect from working in the mines. However, something about it seemed off. Amon’s eyes followed down to the man’s hands, which had long, black nails with traces of blackness creeping up. Amon had never seen someone’s hands in the mines like that.

The man lifted his head, and it appeared as though he was sniffing the air, and a worried expression grew on Yael’s face. Suddenly, the man looked directly towards where they were standing. Amon held his breath. But then his gaze swept over them. He hadn't been able to see them. Another piercing scream erupted from the man. And then with an unnerving speed, he was gone.

The group exchanged wary glances, unsure of what they had just witnessed. Kalon broke the uneasy silence, "What in the world was that?"

“It didn’t even sound human,” Sonja commented, her eyebrows furrowed.

“I suspect we will find out tomorrow,” Amon said.