There’s only two ways I can ever imagine Prophecy being available to the populace. Either every single person has the power, or no one does. This would be trivial to understand if you know the mechanics behind how Prophecy itself works, which is hard to write down on these pages.
-From Professor Shokolov’s Journal, 12th Entry
AxEl found it annoying to move the couch. It didn’t help that it had started snowing recently, but moving a large piece of furniture through the tiny door of the Professor’s house seemed an insurmountable task.
Nook was inside the house, giving instructions on how to move the sofa they’d bought into the house. AxEl slipped on some snow and dropped the couch–and himself– onto the ground.
“Could you not have picked something lighter!” AxEl shouted.
“I measured it right! The scale must have been wrong!” Nook explained. AxEl shook the bits of ice off of his coat and stood up. “Did you use the right side of the ruler?” AxEl accused.
“Of course I did,” Nook said. “That’s a mistake you’d make!”
AxEl gave him a unpleasant stare. He pointed at his friend and then back to his position. “We’re switching.”
Nook found no mercy in his eyes, so they did switch, and finally got to move the couch into the living room. Then they finally enjoyed the fruits of their labour, which included a half-frozen couch.
“Turn the temperature up, Nook,” AxEl asked. He didn’t seem to mind how cold the couch actually was now that he was on it.
“Speaking of which. You do know we have to pay the old man’s bills now?” Nook said. That got AxEl to focus.
“So a cut of our profits go to…electricity bills?” AxEl asked.
“They don’t really check who’s paying them, so we can just mail them the amount every amount.”
“This house isn’t rented, right?”
“Nope, the professor was wealthy enough to buy it or build it,” Nook said. He looked at his phone and realized how much time had actually passed in moving their new furniture. AxEl’s legs were kicked up on the arm rest, so Nook gave them a shove.
“We’re off schedule. Have to get today’s batch done, remember?” He said to AxEl. AxEl sighed and got off to put on his apron. He’d found it easier to work with the chemicals in the lab once he did. The Prophecy production didn’t release any fumes or anything, but it was dirty work, and being clean enough to head on home was a major concern for the both of them.
They were bathed in blue light as they began the process. Over the weeks they’d been doing this, it had become so routine in fact that they had no issues. The products were still of the same quality, but the production rate was much faster.
They made small talk in the meantime, about their favourite mafia films and what not. After a while they were done processing the pills and separating them into bags, they walked out.
****
Nook walked in to the house to find AxEl still there. He thought that they’d both agreed to leave, but he was still there. His new phone sat on the table in front of him as he snored. Nook walked up to him and once again bumped his feet to jolt him awake.
AxEl flailed a bit before looking at Nook and groaning.
“Could have let me sleep a bit longer,” AxEl said, annoyed.
“You spent the night here? What about your mother?”
AxEl grabbed at his phone and unlocked it with a few deft swipes. He showed her the messages he’d sent and Nook understood. So, she thought he was with me.
Nook placed his bag on one of the chairs and started unpacking. “Don’t stay here too many nights. Here’s last week’s cash,” Nook said as he dropped the numerous bills on the table. They were building an alarming collection at this point.
AxEl sat up and looked at the pile, then dragged his eyes over to something else. “Do you think we should do something about that? I don’t think we could keep dragging so much money around at all times,” AxEl said.
“Let’s not use too much of it at once, so our parents don’t get suspicious,” Nook said. He took a glance at AxEl’s gaudy phone to confirm.
“It was a splurge,” AxEl reasoned. He held it in his hands like a treasure. “And I needed a new phone anyway.”
“I thought your mother got you one?”
“Too small. Doesn’t work well for all the calls I keep getting now. This one’s for business,” he said, holding up the large technological slab.
A ring signalled on both their devices and they realized it was time to cook again. “Let’s get it done early. That new movie’s in town and I want to go watch it,” AxEl said. He and Nook began another day of hectic pill creation.
The mushrooms, as far as AxEl knew, grew really fast. Though sometimes he swore he saw the greenhouse looking smaller than before. He didn’t bother thinking too hard about that fact as he finished up the batch. This would last them long enough that they wouldn’t be shackled to the house for at least the next week.
AxEl saw how dirty his clothes had gotten and went upstairs to take a shower. The old man’s house had basically become theirs at this point. They left their belongings here, watched movies and even took meals in the lounge when they were too tired to head home. It had a similar design to his old house, so when he decided to rub at that special spot on the wall, he was a bit surprised to not find it there.
I should really spend more time home, he thought to himself. He then continued on his way and emerged from the shower cleaner and fresher. The air outside was still cold however, so he immediately put on layers upon layers of clothing as he exited the bathroom.
AxEl sat and ate a simple meal while he waited for Nook to walk up from the lab. And he waited a while at that. What’s taking him so long?
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Nook then stomped up the stairs with a tense look about his face and stained gloves. He took them off and threw them down the stairs before sitting down on one of the open chairs.
“Something go wrong?” AxEl asked. Nook looked up from the ground and answered.
“I’ve been trying to recreate that pill you’ve been talking about. The one that let you see real far. Tried increasing the concentration of the mushroom, tried running the machines longer than usual, nothing works!”
“Well the professor had been studying this stuff for ages. If you really want to know how to make those kinds of pills, you’d need to ask him,” AxEl said.
“And that’s another thing! Did the Green Reaper take him or something? We’re messing around with his equipment and not a single peep.”
AxEl shifted uncomfortably in his seat. If the professor did really come back, the worst that would happen is that he wouldn’t be able to sell the pills anymore. They’d been cavalier about the whole affair since the man had gone, but after reading his notes, living in his house and using his machines, he felt like a distant uncle they’d rather not anger.
“Can’t be dead. Someone would have come for the house then,” AxEl reasoned.
“Maybe he had no family to take it?” Nook made a conjecture.
“What do you think, AxEl?” Nook asked. AxEl’s phone rang, interrupting them. AxEl picked it up with haste and made an excuse before moving out into the hallway.
“What’s wrong, Lex?” AxEl asked. He’d needed to get himself familiar with his dealers if he were to run a good business. He just hoped he remembered it right this time.
“Some gang ambushed us,” Lex said, coughing, “Cornered us and took every bit of the stuff we had, the bastards. They were smoking some Firewire.”
AxEl heard him heave a sigh. Didn’t think Kel’s gang would go so far.
“I’ll make more. Were you the only one they ambushed?” AxEl asked.
“Me and a couple others.”
“You get yourselves patched up. Don’t tell anyone this happened and I’ll handle the rest.”
“Alright, boss,” Lex replied before ending the call. AxEl went back into the room and looked at Nook with a sullen expression.
“Someone’s taken notice of us.”
****
Riiiinnggggg.
Rriiiiinngggg
AxEl really didn’t want to pick up on this number.
Kel.
But he knew he had to. Nook was already worried enough, so AxEl had sent him home. He wouldn’t want to say it in front of him, but Nook was physically weak. AxEl had to protect him from getting hurt.
He calmed his nerves before clicking on the answer button. A silence filled the room for a few seconds.
“Hey there, AxEl! How are you doing?” Kel asked, his tone still that joyful one that AxEl hated.
“What do you want, Kel,” he asked.
“Did you get my little present?” Kel asked. AxEl could feel how proud the man felt of his accomplishments.
“I did. Don’t go after my dealers again. If you have a problem with me, we can settle it ourselves,” AxEl said.
“I do have a problem with you, AxEl. Come to the old alley again, let’s see if you and I can’t take care of it like grown adults,” Kel said.
“And what if you decide to bring along other people?” AxEl asked.
“You’re a slippery kid. Fine, we’ll meet tomorrow while the sun’s high. That way you can run away like a coward; again.”
AxEl clutched his phone tightly. “Be there,” he said before closing the call immediately.
****
Alleys, alleys, always alleys. AxEl was beginning to get sick of their sight. After today, he promised himself he’d never meet another person in such a dirty place ever again.
Though it suited its one occupant fine. Kel stood with his back against the wall at the end of the alley, grinning contently. He saw AxEl approach with a bag full of cash but didn’t bother reacting.
AxEl walked up to him and threw the bag on the road, letting a few bills loose for show. “There. That’s more than I’ve ever owed you and some extra on top of that. Now stay away from my dealers and never contact me ever again!” AxEl said to the man.
Kel peeled himself off from the wall and looked down at the bag. He moved the packed bills around, looking impressed at the amount AxEl had gathered.
“This much from such a short while? You’ve really taken my lessons to heart, haven’t you, kid?” Kel said.
“You didn’t teach me anything, Kel!” AxEl shouted back, letting his anger out.
Kel put a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I can’t believe you’d say something so heartless. But you’re right,” he said as he stood up,” I didn’t teach you anything. And I certainly didn’t teach you to keep secrets,” he finished as he pulled out a pill. A blue luminescent pill that AxEl recognized all too well.
“No, you kept those secrets all by yourself. I’m hurt that you would, since I thought I was pretty lenient with you,” Kel said as he began to move forward.
“But now that our debts are settled, why don’t we start over? This new pill of yours does wonders from what I hear. Where did you even get it?” he asked.
“I’m not telling you anything. You’ve gotten your money,” AxEl said as he turned away.
“I don’t think so,” Kel replied. AxEl heard a lighter flip open behind him. A cigarette hung from Kel’s mouth that he set alight.
But AxEl had prepared. He fished out a blunt for himself before putting it in his mouth. Kel looked impressed, almost.
“Mind if I use your light?” AxEl asked. Kel smiled.
“Not at all,” he replied as he threw the lighter at him. AxEl lit the cigarette in his mouth and took a deep hit. Both their eyes began to glow an ashy grew, contrasting against the white snow that covered every inch of the alley.
“You ready?” Kel asked. Before AxEl could answer, the other man was already on him. Kel brought a fist down on him, but AxEl blocked with his elbow and shoved the other man back.
Kel kicked him as he fell back, nicking him on the face. AxEl growled and threw a glass bottle that was sitting on a nearby trash can.
Kel grabbed it out of the air, then smashed its ends against the wall, leaving jagged edges. Kel swiped at AxEl and he backed away. This song and dance continued until AxEl felt the wall at his back. Kel slashed once more and caught on AxEl’s coat, ripping it.
AxEL kicked, forcing Kel to drop the bottle onto the snow. AxEl stomped on the bottle and slammed a fist into Kel’s stomach. Kel staggered, but didn’t fall. He grabbed AxEl’s arms, then flipped him over and onto the ground.
AxEl began coughing immediately. He rolled over and saw Kel standing above him with a smile.
“Let’s make this more interesting,” he said before taking one of the Prophecy pills he had. AxEl grabbed at his feet, but the other man kicked him away. When AxEl stood up, Kel was still smiling, but there was an unevenness to his eyes. Like he wasn’t completely focused.
AxEl took advantage of that and rushed Kel’s defences. But even a novice with Prophecy was good. Kel effortlessly dodged the attacks and landed more hits of his own. AxEl ached from his head to his toes. He finally landed a lucky kick, using a punch as a feint.
While Kel was stunned, AxEl searched desperately for any Prophecy pills on him and took the first one that came into his hand. Immediately, images bombarded him and he realized his mistake.
The Phantoms were useless. They shifted rapidly between one sight and another. There was no way to discern what would actually be useful information before it blinked out and was replaced with another sight.
But If I’m seeing these, then… AxEl punched Kel in the face. The other man couldn’t even block them. The images were overwhelming him. Every weak defense the other man put up, AxEl broke down.
Kel brought up his fists to guard his face, but then AxEl punched him in the stomach. He kicked at his shins, brought him down to his knees and with the final wink of his Firewire’s power, headbutted Kel onto the ground.
The other man collapsed and soon AxEl’s Phantoms returned to normal. The images no longer shifted, which meant that Kel was unconscious. That didn’t mean his work was over, however.
AxEl slapped Kel awake and the other man winced. He opened his eyes and glared at AxEl with hate.
“You’ve got fight in you, that’s fo-“
AxEl slapped him again. “Don’t care. Tell me who you work for,” he ordered.
“What does it matter to you? We’re done, like you said,” Kel answered. His glare returned, no façade hiding it.
“You’re going to keep sending your guys after mine until I stop it. So tell me now and I don’t beat it out of you,” AxEl said, putting his intent behind every word. Kel broke the gaze away from AxEl and turned to look elsewhere.
“The Revolvers. Those are the people what stole from your dealers.”
AxEl scoffed and stood up. He left him there in the cold alley. He didn’t even bother taking the money, as the sight of the bag disgusted him. The less leverage I can give a snake like Kel, the better. Should have sent him to Hell’s Icebox myself instead of waiting for the Reaper to do it.