Clara stepped onto the rooftop and heard from Simone that there were people scattered around, taking a good look at where they were living. And those people didn’t have good intentions. She asked everyone to stay calm and remain where they were.

She walked to where she usually stayed, and upon crossing the wooden bridge, she saw Dante sitting on the edge of the building, looking down.

"They're back," Dante didn’t turn around. "How was it at the Reservoir?"

"Not good. The Joneses showed up. You said they wouldn’t come."

Dante chuckled.

"I didn’t say they wouldn’t come, I said they were afraid, and I was right. If they weren’t, they would’ve come all the way up here and taken everything while we were away."

Marcus walked to the workbench and grabbed his thermal goggles. He threw a dark green cloak over his shoulders, put on the equipment, adjusted the leather plates on his arms, and strapped the ISE carbine across his back.

"What’s the plan, ma’am?" the shooter asked. "What do we do with all these guys?"

"I don’t know." Clara looked at the street. The road was long, but she could see the two brothers walking from far away. "Clerk managed to install the lights on the poles, but it’s not much. Even if we keep everything lit, it won’t scare them. Only the Felroz."

"They need to feel like we didn’t do that out of luck."

Marcus and Clara stared at Dante, who seemed completely relaxed. In fact, he didn’t even look annoyed or intrigued. He pulled a cigar from his pocket and placed it in his mouth, lighting it with a snap.

"We can make them understand that this city is yours, Clara." Dante looked at her, smiling. "If they don’t listen, we’ll make them. But first, we make a deal. My father taught me that if you have the advantage, you negotiate with what your enemies fear losing the most, and they’ll do the same. Knowing what they want and why, we can break their pride. And just look at how they’re coming."

Closer now, the two brothers were pushing cars aside, forcing the street to submit to them.

"They’re underestimating us. If Marcus fired from up here, one of them would drop before even realizing what hit him." Dante laughed. "But they need to know we’re playing fair. That way, when you want what you asked for, they’ll have to give it up. What do you think?"

"The Jones brothers are famous for having strange abilities, Dante. Don’t think this will be easy."

Marcus unlocked his gun.

"I want to make sure they understand this isn’t their home, ma’am."

Clara sighed, out of options.

"If you want to go, then go. I’ll turn on the lights. Be careful with the Felroz."

She got up and went looking for Simone. Marcus didn’t sit beside Dante; he kept watching the two brothers in the middle of the road, shoving cars aside. He knew a bit about how they had taken control of the collection zone with ease, forcing the previous leader to kneel and lose an arm.

Isaac Bonder, a man who had a great future ahead of him.

"Yeah, Marcus." Dante stood up and scratched his chin. "Looks like it’s time to say hello to our neighbors. Can you back me up on this?"

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"They’ll understand that Clara is the one in charge here." He gripped the ISE carbine with both hands. "I’m not in the mood for small talk. They’ve made a fool of me before; they won’t do it again."

The tip of Dante’s cigar burned, always. He took it from his mouth and exhaled the smoke.

"Then let’s go. Let’s show them who won the Reservoir."

The two of them jumped off the building into the night. They descended swiftly and landed on the ground with force. As soon as they took their first steps, the streetlights flickered on, illuminating at least a hundred meters. Narrow alleys, dead ends, rubble, even the insides of some buildings were bathed in light.

Dante stopped in front of the first car and stretched his leg.

"Let’s throw a great welcome party."

His kick sent a dry sound through the air as the vehicle flew forward, spinning into the others and rolling toward the two brothers. Marcus didn’t see what happened next, but Dante let out a laugh and kept walking.

"I love it when things like this happen," the old man said. "The day feels too calm, and then someone comes along to stir things up. I just wanted to fix our building first, but the rats can’t resist the smell of cheese."

When the two Jones brothers saw Dante and Marcus approaching, they stopped. Dante waved his hand and casually pushed a car aside. Marcus walked forward until they were about twenty meters apart, then halted.

"I told you we were going to take the battery," Meliah said. "Looks like you’re still deaf. Well, I’m not surprised, Marcus. You took quite a hit last time we came. Simone must have patched your ear up nicely."

Degol Jones laughed.

"It was fun watching him run after failing to hit us."

Marcus didn’t fall for the provocation, still staring at them, though he occasionally glanced at Dante to see what he would do. But he just smiled, saying nothing.

"And now, you managed to take the Reservoir on your own and have a power source. You should’ve called us to pick it up as soon as you secured it." Meliah looked at the lit streetlamps, impressed. "Would’ve saved us a lot of time if you had sent a messenger. You wouldn’t have wasted your time pulling this whole stunt. Do you think this will help in any way? The Felroz don’t care about fairy lights on poles."

Still, Dante said nothing. He just pulled the cigar from his mouth and inspected the burning tip before putting it back.

Degol Jones let out a loud burp and then casually pointed at him.

"And the old man, where did he come from, huh? We sent Luma to tell you that you’ll have to come to Sharm with us. Don’t play deaf. Why aren’t you saying anything?"

"Oh, am I supposed to talk?" Dante let out a dry chuckle. "I thought you’d take the battery by force. That’s why I’m here, isn’t it? You’re going to try and take what we spent an entire day bringing back, thinking nothing will happen. I’m impressed by how arrogant you two are. And don’t worry, the lights weren’t turned on to keep the Felroz away."

"Then why turn them on?" Degol didn’t like Dante’s tone. "You think just because you took down a few Felroz, you stand a chance in a direct fight? Do you even know what we did in the industrial sector? How many of those stained demons we skinned and wore as clothing?"

"First," Dante interrupted him, "that’s disgusting. Seriously. Wearing Felroz skin? You guys are insane. Second, knowing who you are doesn’t add anything for me. Your names, titles, where you’ve been, or who you’ve beaten—I don’t care about any of that. I want to know what you’re going to do when the people up there, on the rooftop, watch Marcus and me kick your asses. Oh, that’s why the lights are on. They need some entertainment now and then, and seeing two idiots waltz in here was a great way to lift their spirits."

Meliah held Degol back before he could lunge at the old man. Marcus was already ready, just waiting for a move, just one.

"Your name is Dante. You arrived recently, didn’t you?" Meliah was always the calmer one. This time, he didn’t want to get into a serious fight so soon. "I’m aware that you’re strong, but with Marcus to protect, you’ll end up failing. I’m only asking you to hand it over, and we’ll leave. That’s all."

"Protect Marcus?"

The shooter felt Dante’s gaze, and he laughed again.

"You’ve got to be kidding me. Alright, if that’s how it is, I’ll make you a bet. Here’s the deal—take Marcus and me down, and the whole city is yours."

"And if we lose?" Meliah’s face hardened. "What do you get?"

"Clara said yesterday that she needs beams for the new columns. You’ll give us what we need. But if you don’t keep your end of the deal, don’t worry, I’ll go to the industrial sector myself. Kappz is a pretty big city, isn’t it?"

Degol broke free from his brother and started walking toward him.

"You think you’re in a position to make demands, old man?"

Marcus sighed.

"Too close."

He raised his gun toward Degol’s head, and the man stepped back. Not just the two of them, but even Dante was caught off guard. Marcus was breathing heavily, his finger pressing slightly against the trigger.

"Here’s the deal." His finger sank deeper against the iron plate. Marcus wasn’t hesitating. "You two are getting your asses kicked right now!"