The two of them walked down the pathways of Scratskaslovotskaya. Calling them roads was inaccurate.

So, any places about gear?

Yes, I’ve heard of a few…it seems all the smithies and armories in this city go toward people who want to go into the Deadzone, not exactly specialists in armaments.

Where’d you learn this?

Celis frowned. A thief tried to steal from me, and they were very keen to talk to me after I’d caught them.

Alisson’s eye twitched. You didn’t tell me this why?

It wasn’t important, and, I didn’t want to embarrass myself by saying I’d been robbed. Besides, you keep secrets all the time so I don’t see the problem.

Celis added that last bit on smugly and Alisson frowned. He could see out of the corner of his eyes, Celis staring at him, waiting for a reaction. She wasn’t going to get it.

Where can we speak with this thief, they seem knowledgeable, but more importantly they actually spoke to us – that is becoming apparent as something rare in this town.

They didn’t exactly leave me a business card.

Celis replied, being a bit of wise ass. Alisson frowned.

For now, let’s see to it that our armor isn’t in tatters.

Right.

…

Within a dilapidated part of Scratskoslovotskaya, a small shop lay. It wasn’t one visited by many, and for good reason, it had nothing the common man would want, or need; but the commodities it did have paid well to those select few who needed them. They didn’t come easily however, most were stolen. It was a fine relationship that kept the establishment running. A dealer, a procurer, and the allied tough guys, were all it consisted of, but it served as the vestigial spleen of Scratskoslovotskaya.

The door opened with the ring of a bell.

“Ah, if it isn’t my finest source of goods, Chiji…”

A pudgy man, wearing fine, but dirtied clothes responded as a street urchin walked through the door, sighing. She waved her hand about, before slamming it down on the front table. A few trinkets fell over with the force.

“…It didn’t go well then?”

She looked up to the pudgy man, irate, “I’m never taking a mark from you again! I swear!”

“You know that’s not true.”

She rolled her eyes.

“So,” The man continued, “You look to be in one piece, so these Sidonians must not be all as much as they’re marked up to be.”

The street urchin, Chiji, shook her head. “They’re the real deal – they let me off the hook easily…I managed to catch one of them alone, and slip a purse of coin from them…When I peeked inside, I noticed every single coin was gold – and it was heavy too…then…” She sighed.

“…Then?”

With a scowl, she rolled her eyes. “ ‘Then?’ he says - I swear you friggin piss me off sometimes Marmel, I can see that greed in your eyes – Of course I didn’t make off with the pouch – The bitch I pickpocketed chased me down like a poltergeist! Like a beast! It was crazy!”

“So I’m taking it she caught you.”

Marmel questioned, crossing his arms. Chiji’s head dropped low. “Yeah…I thought I was dead but…she just told me not to do it again and gave me a shove and that was it…”

Marmel hummed, rubbing his stubbled chin. Chiji frowned all the while, long annoyed of Marmel’s treatment of her as a tool and nothing more.

“So, if the both of them were packing that much coin…that means…” Marmel’s gaze washed over Chiji, “I suppose you deserve to know why I told you rob a Sidonian…”

“It’s not like I had a choice…” Chiji muttered to herself.

“Word is, they were packing upwards of sixteen hundred gold coins when they were shaken down by the north eastern gate, and I’ve even heard that one of them was walking down the street just shaking bags of money at people. They’re loaded.”

Chiji’s eyes lit up, seeing this, Marmel broke into a smirk. “Do you see now? We have an opportunity to make some serious cash.”

You mean you’d make serious cash…

Chiji thought, knowing that even if all of those Sidonians’ wealth were to go to them, she would only see a fraction of it. But it was nonetheless better than nothing.

“So, what do you have in mind? I’m guessing Telip’s boys told you, so they’re probably in on this too…what are you going to do? Jump them? A phishing scheme?”

Marmel broke into a chuckle, and then shook his head. “No no…not this time…These, Sidonians, if what I’ve heard is true, trying to force them is out of the question, and seeing as though they’re Sidonians, probably their nation’s best to be so far out here, I don’t think they’d fall for any tricks…”

Chiji crossed her arms. “So? What will it be? I know you’re not the kind of robber to let moneybags pass you by.”

Really, he wasn’t a thief in the traditional sense, that was Chiji’s job, but the way he dealt and spoke, it was thief-like enough for Chiji’s definition.

Marmel’s face steeled. “Why, we’re just going to do some honest business.”

Chiji squinted her eyes. “No really, what is it?”

“Really.” Marmel nodded. “There’s no screwing with these people. At the same time, they seem fully willing to get rid of their cash from what I’ve heard, so why not do some business? Supply and demand; See a need, fill a need, that sort of thing.”

Marmel’s voice gradually became deeper and more devious as his expression broke into a smirk. Chiji furrowed her brow, but reluctantly took Marmel’s words at face value.

“But here’s the risky part, “ Marmel continued, “Since there is always risk in gains…I know no one else will want to have anything to do with them, and for good reason. From that little test I had you run however…I know that they are a modicum safer than what other people will believe…”

He used me…he was fully willing to let me die…

Chiji long knew that this man, who’d taken her in when she was abandoned at a much younger age, didn’t see her as a person. In lieu of any other options, Marmel was Chiji’s only lifeline despite his lack of care for her.

“So, what did that Sidonian you tried robbing say? What was it they wanted?”

Chiji shook her head. “Nothing conclusive…for looking as young as me, that Sidonian was really disciplined, she kept her head the whole time, she didn’t freak out like people normally do when their picked…that, and she was really hard to actually find a vector on, I was lucky to snatch anything in the first place. She kept her mouth shut otherwise.”

Marmel nodded thoughtfully. “Then I think it’s safe to assume they’re Nekomata, it would make sense if they’re more mature and experienced that their appearance lets on. That means that they could want any number of things, but seeing as though they were willing to ask anyone, it’s safe to assume that anyone would be able to supply their demand.”

Marmel’s eyes shot up. “Including me. I’m just far more risk-taking than the rest of this damned city.”

Chiji couldn’t refute this fact. Marmel had been like her, a street urchin, and had made a place for himself in this shithole of a town. For that she had some respect for the man, but after all he’s done, it was a drop in a pond.

“So, are you going to approach them?”

Chiji tilted her head. Marmel cracked a smile in response. “Of course not my good Chiji, that’d be you. Go and wrangle them up here, I’m sure you can tempt them to me, whatever they want, I’ve got; You got it?”

Chiji nodded sternly. She couldn’t go against his word. He wouldn’t tell her to die, but this request, and the one before it, minus will have been shots in the dark that could’ve left her dead in some alley.

“Oh, and I forgot to tell you, but the girl’s name is Silica. And the other one is a boy right? You can always use that effeminate charm you have so much of.”

Marmel added slyly, to which Chiji frowned angrily, her face blushing red.

“I’m getting there, asshole…”

She turned and stomped out of the shop thereafter.

…

Finding them wouldn’t be hard. They were the beacons here, with their bold looks and their tendency to apparently wave around money like Marmel had said. Chiji had encountered one of them while they were alone, which was odd, usually their type stuck together. Them splitting up and being so open to interacting with the city was certainly odd, and dangerous. Chiji could imagine people’s fears. Two rich weirdos roaming the streets waving cash around? The first thought that came to mind were slave traffickers. Slaving was illegal in the Principality, but to say it was enforced in these parts was a fool’s take.

But, when the supposed slavers were a pair of Nekomata with their perfect looks and elegant posture, it was hard to put two and two together.

Chiji spoke with some of her acquaintances, of which she had many, and quickly narrowed down where the supposed Nekomata were. They were apparently making quite the racket.

There was a certain smithy in the inner center of the city, it laid just on the edge of bottomless pit that Scratskoslovotskaya was built around, it looked nothing more than just a few corrugated sheets of metal protruding from the piles of debris behind it, but quite the crowd had gathered outside it. Well, it was only a dozen people, but in this city, where congregation was a threat, it was quite a rare sight.

Chiji pushed her way through the crowd, and came to the front of the smithy. The smithy’s owner, someone Chiji was familiar with, was arguing with another person Chiji knew: The blue haired Nekomata girl. She had her arms crossed, and had this deep, mature frown, that saw only a blubbering idiot and not a real person. She seemed to be guarding the entrance of the smithy from both the owner and the rest of the crowd.

“What shade of evil do you have to be to push a poor man out of his own shop! You’re despicable!”

The smithy owner exclaimed. The blue haired Nekomata coldly responded, “You were refusing to provide us with adequate service. So we’re doing it ourselves.”

After her words, a loud clang could be heard from inside the smithy, the sound of a hammer hitting metal.

So they’ve raided the finest smithy in the town?

Just why was that? Chiji couldn’t think of any reason for them to come here; the old blacksmith who dutiful worked here was one of the most honest and reliable men in the city – he couldn’t have done anything to get on the Sidonians’ bad side.

“Oh Chiji, you’re here, go call Marmel! Have him round up some of his lackeys and teach these delinquents a lesson!”

The old man, upon seeing Chiji round up behind him, exclaimed.

“Sorry pops, but there’s no way anyone in this city can teach them a lesson. You’re lucky they didn’t slit your throat.”

The old man shut up as Chiji walked by him. When the blue haired Nekomata saw Chiji, her frown only deepened, and her eye twitched. “You again…” She said with obvious irk.

Chiji knew the look in her eyes. She was ready to draw her weapons and cut Chiji down, and that was a scary gut feeling. Chiji opened her mouth to speak, when she was cut off by a figure who emerged from the dark of the smithy. They had yellow hair, and looked boyish. He must be the second Nekomata, judging from his sharp eyes and spotless face.

He tossed a pauldron at the girl Nekomata, who swiftly caught it and proceeded to tighten on her shoulder with fast, trained movements that almost left Chiji speechless. He then handed her a gauntlet, that she also slipped on and tightened onto her hand with incredibly deft movements; before Chiji had even blinked, the girl had equipped two pieces of armor. Now, the two of their sights were set on Chiji, being the one most forefront of the crowd. The both of their stares shot through Chiji, and she was frozen stiff for a moment by their eyes.

The boy finally averted his eyes, concluding that Chiji had no business with him, and started to turn away. Seeing this, Chiji sputtered out the first thing she could think of to establish some sort of relation.

“Jeez, you work fast Silica; you Sidonians multiply like rats – how many of you are there going to be by midnight?”

She just barely managed to keep her voice from quivering.

Silica’s eyes widened, and the boy whipped back around, at first staring at Chiji, then at Silica suspiciously. The two of them stared intensely at each other for a moment, before the boy closed his eyes, sighing. He then set his sights on Chiji and said with a frown,

“What’s to say we’re Sidonian trash huh? That’s insult where I come from you know.”

They were denying it? Just how stupid do they think this town was? Chiji broke into a smile at their apparent ignorance.

“Oh come on, this just proves it further, you can’t hide it, everyone can tell.”

Chiji awaited his response. Even though she was so sure of her words, in the presence of these two otherworldly being that could end her life with the flick of their wrists, saying anything that challenged them made her break out into a sweat.

The boy sighed again. “You have quite the courageous demeanor for speaking with people that you’ve robbed.”

“You can’t hold grudges here or you’ll go nowhere.” Chiji responded immediately. She put her hands on her hips, feigning confidence.

“People that you’ve failed to rob mind you. Good day.”

The boy turned without another word and Silica was just about to follow when Chiji blurted out, taking a step forward, “N-no wait!”

The boy stopped, and turned suspiciously toward her.

With the crowd around, it wasn’t exactly easy to think of something nonchalant to say. At the same time though, if Marmel could reach these two’s ears first, he should have them in the bag, Chiji knew how good he was at that. It didn’t matter if everyone knew, she would say it with confidence.

“Word is you need something. I think I can point you in the right direction.”

The boy squinted his eyes at Chiji’s proposition. “And why exactly would you do that?”

“Consider it payback, for letting me go when I underestimated Silica there.”

Silica frowned, anger plain on her face. Chiji didn’t know why she was keeping so quiet when clearly she had some very strong words to say. She must be embarrassed by Chiji bringing up the fact that she was robbed.

The boy looked to Silica, and after another bout of staring at eachother, with various emotions playing out across their faces as if they were having a conversation, the boy turned back to Chiji, and said to her delight, “Fine then. If someone is so interested in us I suppose it’s rude for us not to meet them.”

The boy said, laying a hand on the hilt of a weapon on his waist. Chiji’s eyes widened, and she realized what the gesture indicated the boy thought was going on. He thought he was being targeted and led into a trap, and was willingly going because of his own confidence to deal with it.

Chiji’s heart was beating fast, and sweat was on her forehead.

“R-right this way…”

Chiji said, turning away as to hide her plainly terrified expression. She was scared that they’d just stab her in the back then and there out of suspicion. She wanted to run away for her own safety, her gut instinct demanded her too, but logically she knew that the same thing would happen if she were to see Marmel after having done so.

After a few minutes of leading the two Sidonians, and not even giving any glances back at them, Chiji was quite sure the crowd of onlookers had dissipated into the city. It wouldn’t be long before the whole town was listening in on them, she had reach Marmel’s shop on the outskirts of town before then. Before that though, she needed to make something clear, to put her mind at rest. She gave a wary glance back at the two Sidonians. They both stared sharply back at her and that almost made her want to look the other way again.

“L-look…this isn’t a trap or anything…my employer simply wants to do business with you since you have so much money and everything…”

Chiji spoke quietly, in a pitiful, weak voice, contrary to the sly remarks she had first approached the Nekomata with.

“Really now?”

Silica tilted her head with an almost sadistic smile, seeming to like Chiji’s pitiful expression that begged them not to hurt her.

“I-I’m only the messenger…p-please…”

Chiji added, her shoulders up by her side, unable to speak properly with the overwhelming amount of fear assailing her. She wasn’t surprised to find her hands shivering.

“I understand.” The boy suddenly declared. His voice and the words he spoke, seemed to cut the weight on Chiji’s shoulders in half, and she let out a relieved sigh in response.

“If anything breaks loose, just hit the floor, and stay out of the way. We won’t hurt you if we don’t have to.”

Chiji looked away, to hide the smile she had. The boy’s voice was so reassuring, so calm and surreal, it filled her with an unfamiliar warmth of protection. Marmel never said anything like that.

“Er…just remember…” Chiji hastened to elaborate, “It’s just someone who wants to do business…one guy…I don’t think there’s any need to get violent…”

“Please, do tell us more.”

The boy immediately responded, and Chiji was momentarily hypnotized by his words even though she couldn’t see him, she opened her mouth to say more when she thought better of it. “I-I can’t say anymore, he might get angry with me.”

“I understand.”

Again, the boy responded immediately.

I understand…I understand…

The words swirled around in Chiji’s head and it made her dizzy. For the rest of the walk up to Marmel’s shop, she wasn’t scared, and in fact time flew, it felt like she had some sort of new weight at her back.

…

“This is it.”

The green-haired thief girl said confidently.

At the top of a tall pile of rubbish, was hut protruding from the surrounding debris. It looked the same as all the other ‘buildings’ in Scratskaslovotskaya, aside from its altitude. Alisson was initially wary of the thief girl, who seemed to be nothing more than a street urchin, but having heard her attitude, Alisson knew that she had no malice in her intentions. The same couldn’t be said about the person inside shop before them however, so Alisson kept his guard up as him and Celis pushed there way into the dilapidated metal hut.

Alisson kept a hand on the hilt of Enhérejär, his spells primed. This caution seemed to prove unnecessary however, as when Alisson’s eyes adjusted to the dark lighting of the shop, he saw only a single man smiling at him before a counter.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Ah, if it isn’t the two newcomers…Chiji, thank you for bringing them, you may wait outside…”

“Right…” Chiji mumbled to herself irately, stopping herself short from entering the shop.

Alisson frowned. He’d wanted to keep that Chiji girl close, planning to use her to interrogate the shop owner. Pull her close, knife to her throat, and if Alisson didn’t like what he heard, then off went the girl’s head. Of course, from the looks of it, the thief and the shopkeeper didn’t exactly have a friendly relationship that he could abuse, and now the thief was behind Celis and him, and he feared that she may strike from the rear if it was a trap.

Celis, watch the door.

Yes master.

Celis hence stayed outside the shop with the horses.

Rows of odd trinkets and deformed objects lined the walls of the shop and its shelves. From the looks of it, this seemed not to be a public space, but rather more of a black market sort of establishment, judging by the lack of price tags and carelessness of the placement of the wares. Alisson really had trouble identifying any of it, it was all so alien. They must be artifacts from the Deadzone. Back in the Pūshkinskaya, artifacts were taken and kept under lock and chain exclusively by the Guild, but here, there was any authority stopping anyone from harboring these alien objects.

“Good evening, my name is Marmelivitsky, but you can call me Marmel…It’s a pleasure to meet such fine faces…”

Marmel was one of the only men in the city to have some meat on his bones. This wasn’t to say he was portly, but rather he looked so because of the frailness of Scratskoslovotskaya’s other residents. He was well fed, and from his cleanly, though not fancy, clothing, he seemed to be someone important in the ecology of this town.

Alisson’s eyes narrowed.

“You can call me Kurt. Why exactly do you have such an interest with us? You do know how shady you come of as.”

Alisson was quick to set the tone of the conversation. Marmel in response only smiled.

“Why I’ll be frank – You need a way into the Deadzone. I can provide.”

Alisson’s eyes widened, and he almost stumbled back in surprise. Just how did this lame-looking man know about Alisson’s current objective? After his initial surprise, however, he noticed Marmel’s smirk turn into a sly grin, and Alisson knew then and there that he’d just fallen for a trick. Marmel was clearly happy with Alisson reaction, and Alisson cursed at himself for his lack of fortitude.

“Now just why do you think that’s the case?”

Alisson was quick to ask.

“The same way I know the two of you are both Sidonian Nekomata.” Alisson flinched. Marmel leaned in. “Experience. That’s all. The two of you seem like chickens with your heads cut off: No idea what the hell you’re doing…You think you’re being sneaky and keeping a low profile…let me tell you, this town has its ears affixed on folk like you, and we know what your type want – Nothing to do with us. So, our town responds in kind…”

Alisson frowned. “And since we’ve stuck around…You’ve deduced that we have something to do here…”

Marmel straightened himself. “Bingo. The list of things an outsider would want in this shit hole is very short. Entering the Deadzone…is one of them.”

So he guessed. That made Alisson feel better, but he was still put off by the fact he was read like a book. Alisson blew a burst of air through his nose. “Aside from this, Deadzone, inquiry…I’ll tell you what I really want…I want to know what’s going on at the coast, at Nubin’naya. I want know if there’s any…” he hesitated for a moment on his last question, but Alisson reasoned that if Marmel already knew him and Celis were Sidonians, it didn’t matter. “If there’s Andestine or Irine activity near this region…”

Alisson left out anything about the Kitsune. He didn’t want to say a word about them. Anything could compromise them. If they were out there, he’d hear about it, Alisson was sure.

Marmel seemed happy to comply. “Ah…of course the Sidonians want to know where they’re enemy is…Well I can tell you what I know, for a price…”

“Name it.” Alisson said simply.

“Five hundred gold coins. Everything I know will be at your disposal.”

It was a lot of coin. For simply words? Alisson shrugged. Money didn’t have much value to him. Information did. Alisson forked over the requested amount promptly. When Marmel opened the pouch of coin, his eyes lit up.

“So, start talking.”

Marmel looked up, “Of course…of course…Well I’ll start with this…I haven’t heard anything of any Andestine or Principality movements…at least on land…”

“The blockade.”

“Right…You seem to already know… there’s this blockade that’s been shut tight in our region, preventing any ships from leaving the port village of Nubin’naya down by the coast…They say it’s pirates but to me…with you two here…” Marmel’s eyes set on him and Celis. “I’d guess it’s a direct response to you. They seem to know you’re here…”

Alisson frowned. There’s another viewpoint, now saying what Alisson feared. He had to accept it. Andestine was tracking him.

Alisson crossed his arms. “And what will you do if Andestine Inquisitors show up here, in the town, looking for us?”

Marmel shook his head. “I’ll try to stay quiet…but you know them…I’ll need some motivation to keep my mouth shut if they come knocking…”

Marmel smiled for a moment, but added, “And, son…I don’t mean to be rude but, I know now for sure that your want is to go into the Deadzone…”

Alisson’s eye twitched. In mindlessly inquiring on Marmel’s loyalty, being the only human here who seemed to have an inkling that ‘Kurt’ and ‘Silica’ were heading into the Deadzone, Alisson had inadvertently proved to Marmel the truth. This bastard didn’t miss a beat.

“I’ll kill you to keep you quiet. How about that?”

Marmel’s eyes widened slightly, and Alisson smiled. Marmel seems to have severely underestimated Alisson’s capacity to use force to get what he wanted. It just turns out that using an abundance of coin was easier when it came to humans.

“That…would not be wise…” Marmel started.

“Why’s that? Dead men share no tales. I don’t see why I should just kill you and retake possession of my coin.”

Marmel sighed. “Because…You’d be killing your most powerful ally here…”

Alisson’s brow rose. “Really now? What exactly can you offer me?”

Marmel interlocked his hands on the dusty counter. “You just paid a large sum of money to ask a few mundane questions reaffirming what you already knew…I said that what I know would be yours…And it turns out, I happen to be quite the expert on Deadzone incursions.”

Alisson’s eyes sharpened. “So this is the real reason you wanted to speak with me then?”

Marmel smiled. “Yes…You see, to enter the Deadzone, as I’m sure you’re not aware by the fact you didn’t seek me out first…you need quite the large amount of preparation.”

Alisson scoffed. “It’s a long way on foot through a snowy area with no civilization – Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Well…That’s one part of the preparation…But there are a few things that are exclusive to the Deadzone.” Marmel closed his eyes. “Number one. The Black Energy.”

Alisson tilted his head. “Black what?”

“It’s what makes the air here so deathly, what causes our plants to shrivel and die, and what causes the wastelands in this region…It’s what causes people here to die young, to grow upon them extra limbs or no limbs at all…those sorts of things…We call it, Black Energy. Unfortunately, most of the town doesn’t believe in it, calls it superstition…” Marmel shook his head. He rose his finger and wagged it back and forth. “But give me one example of a city, nay, a region that is in the same situation as us, the smart ones don’t live here for a reason…staying here only shortens your life.”

Alisson’s stomach tightened. What if this ‘Black Energy’ had already shortened his life, by just being in the accursed city?

“It’s also what we think causes that – “

Marmel pointed outside. There weren’t any windows, but, it was clear to what he was pointing toward. The door to the hut had been opened, and Celis and Chiji had slinked inside, Chiji apparently warning Celis of something. The horses too were herded closer to the hut, under the corrugated roof.

“A storm’s coming.”

Chiji reported.

“I’m aware, keep the door open for a moment…” Marmel replied, and then turned back to Alisson. “There’s a reason why the houses here are built out of metal…It’s not only because it’s the only material around here…but also because it’s the only one that protects from the rain.”

“Right.” Alisson nodded. “The rain here is corrosive. I’ve heard.”

On his time in the convoy through this area, he was aware of the simple fact that the rain here was dangerous, but he hadn’t heard anything of this ‘Black Energy’ that Marmel had spoke of.

Marmel nodded. “We have to switch out our roofs every couple years or else they’ll melt away. The same with people. If you stay too long exposed to the rain here, you’ll just melt away…even a drop may kill you decades down in your life…This, this rain, it’s also caused by the Black Energy.”

By the time Marmel was done with his explanation, it had started raining. The sky had been blocked out by this point with black, thundering clouds, and the drops that started to fall were also black. Alisson was slightly intimidated by the ominous display.

“Alright, close the door. I fancy living a long life.” Marmel ordered, and Chiji closed the door.

“But anyway, that’s Black Energy. This energy, the thing is, it’s more prevalent the closer you get to the center of the Deadzone. Dangerously so.”

Alisson put his hand to his chin. “So what makes the Deadzone the Deadzone…it’s this Black Energy…”

“Exactly…If you’re so keen on going in there, you need a way to counteract it…”

Alisson and Marmel locked eyes.

“This is why I said it’d be foolish to kill me. I can provide you the resources necessary to counteract the Black Energy, and keep you from withering away. It’s not cheap though…so most people who go into the Deadzone don’t bother, and they call it baloney…I’ve yet to see one of those naysayers return…”

A moment of silence followed when Marmel continued, “Then, number two.” He flicked his eyes to the door. “Your mounts. Mounts are nonexistent here in the city. No one gets in, no one gets out, they’re simply not used here, there’s no stables…the caravans that pass by always have to make their own accommodations because of this…But I can provide you with a safe place to store your horses while you’re away.”

Alisson’s eyes sharpened, and he thought for a good minute.

“So, you’re saying you’ll handle the logistics of our incursion.”

“Correct, for a price. I’ll also keep it to myself…if you know what I mean…”

“Well if you didn’t, I’d just kill you.” Alisson responded calmly, and Marmel replied, equally as calm,

“I know, believe me. I don’t intend on dying. I won’t say a thing.”

Alisson’s mouth furrowed. Alisson had a bad feeling about the way Marmel was so compliant. Yes, he had the monetary motivation, and the motivation to not die, but there was something off about it.

The rain hitting the metal roof echoed through the small room. Alisson eventually made up his mind. This seemed to be the best offer they were going to get, mostly because he hadn’t encountered anyone else willing to do business with him and Celis.

However, Alisson’s suspicion got the better of him, and he decided to fork over a failsafe.

“Two weeks.”

Alisson said, and Marmel’s brow furrowed quizzically.

“Give us two weeks. Before you sell us out, our gear, our mounts, our identity. If we’re not back by then, you can do whatever you want with what we leave behind.” Alisson’s eyes sharpened. “However…If I do take up your offer…and I do leave to enter the Deadzone…You have swear on your life you will uphold your end of the bargain for at least two weeks.”

Marmel smiled. “Why are saying this? I wouldn’t-”

“I can see it in your eyes.” Alisson snapped at the man. “That disgusting human greed. You’re not the only one who can read a face, Marmelivitsky. This is why I’ll give you full permission to do what you want, I’m simply asking you to delay yourself – I don’t intend on dying. If I come back here within that time frame – To find that you’ve sold us out – I will kill you.”

Marmel smiled. “What’s to say I won’t do so and then just flee the city?”

Alisson sighed. “You could…And I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it…but I don’t think you’d do that, you seem established here, and neither do I think you actually believe in me returning.”

Marmel closed his eyes. “Fair.” He opened his eyes slyly after a moment, “But what’s to say I don’t inform some Andestinians while you’re away and have them slaughter you on your arrival?”

Alisson scoffed. “Please. We have experience with such situations…” For a moment, all the sound in the world silenced as Alisson spoke, “Scratskaslovotskaya will burn to the ground in that case.”

On Alisson’s words, Marmel seemed taken aback. Alisson was quick to push his bluff. Well, not really. He’d prefer it Marmel didn’t cooperate with Andestine, obviously, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he did. It’d simply be a repeat of Pūshkinskaya.

“I see…Well then, you have my-”

Alisson’s eye twitched. “I don’t want your damned word. Human scum. You know what will happen if you try anything.”

Marmel sighed. “So aggressive your kind is…Well then, I’ll get started on preparing what you’ll need to go in their…right now, I’d like to discuss my price…”

“How much?”

Alisson asked without hesitation. Marmel looked up smugly.

“Everything. Every coin you have.”

Alisson sighed. “You sure do love pushing your luck.”

“Not when I know the answer beforehand. Doesn’t Sidonia not use a currency? From your attitudes too, I can tell you don’t value money at all. It’d be such a shame to have all that coin be lost in the Deadzone…”

Marmel knew that Alisson wouldn’t mind giving everything away. There was the issue of tracking – an influx of money was easy to spot – Especially Alisson’s fortunes. At this point though, with everything Marmel had said, Alisson knew that he was already being tracked. A little money wasn’t going to change much if his enemies were already blockading off his rough position.

There was also the monetary loss to be considered – Alisson’s coins were just one in a long list of tools to get what he wanted. Losing it was a negative, but it wasn’t the end of the world, and if he needed more, it’d be a trivial matter for the likes of him and Celis. Though, hopefully, he wouldn’t need coin for much longer if the Kitsune were nearby.

“…Fine then. Deal. I’ll give you the money after you prepare our provisions. How long will it take you?”

“Meet me here tomorrow morning, I’ll have everything set up for you. Friendly word of advice, you should get some rest, you’re going to need it.”

“Thanks.” Alisson said sarcastically, and turned with a flare of his cloak. The rain had calmed down for now, but the clouds still remained overhead ominously. The moon seemed to just about be coming out.

Before Alisson left the shop, he turned to Marmel. “Remember. Try anything, and:” Alisson cut his hand across his own neck.

Marmel, smiling, nodded.

…

“I’m guessing you two don’t have a place to stay for the night? Take my advice, stay out of any inns, the alleys are a quieter place. You don’t know what those innkeepers will do to you while you’re asleep.”

As they walked down the tall pile of rubbish that Marmel’s shop was atop of, Alisson peered at Chiji, intrigued.

“Tell me, who are you exactly?”

Chiji looked surprised the question and averted her eyes.

“Just some thief…that’s all…a dime a dozen in this city…I’ve been here my whole life…”

“If you are so aware of yourself, then you are not like the rest here.” Alisson muttered in passing. Chiji looked up at him quizzically, but him and Celis didn’t stick around. Chiji was left staring on at them, pondering Alisson’s words, before realizing that she had get of the open before another bout of rain was kicked up.

…

The alleys last night weren’t exactly the best place to sleep, but neither were the inns. Well, it didn’t matter with the experience me and Alisson have in Freigat, we can sleep anywhere, and an alley is a luxury compared to that Jungle. I made sure to tease Alisson for falling asleep that one time on watch after we got out of Freigat, and he blushed with shame, but surprisingly didn’t reprimand me.

We awoke early in the morning, and despite the youth of the day, it was already bright out due to the clouds above, shining down at us, painting the city in that monotone of grey light. Because of the light of the sun being equalized by the cloud cover above, the city looked so boring, every surface was illuminated the same, and when one considered that it was mostly grey debris, my eyes almost spun from how samey the city looked. I can’t imagine living here – You’d probably go blind to color. Well, living is a bad word, the people here survive.

A few beasts ran through the streets last night, Alisson informed me. He didn’t bother to wake me though, since none came close to us. They weren’t driven out. They came, killed, and then left. There were some of those thugs, the big, well fed guys, fighting them, but not many beasts were killed. They came, took, and then left. It’s a horrific notion. Beasts harvesting people like cattle.

We made our way to Marmel’s place, the thief girl wasn’t there, so I came inside with Alisson this time.

“Ah…early birds I see…” Marmel wasn’t expecting our early arrival, but apparently he was ready for us. “This isn’t my first rodeo, don’t worry, I know what you need. Never have I had such wealthy clients though – The most I had was this group of knights and this noble, who wanted some tales to tell or something about glory…They came back after a couple days. None of them were missing or anything, the guy just got bored, get that.”

Marmel ranted as he placed numerous objects on the counter before him.

“Regional lords are some of the world’s most curious creatures…”

Alisson mused, staring intently at the items Marmel was placing on the counter. After preparing the items, Marmel looked over me and Alisson, intrigued for whatever reason.

“The both of you seem very calm…I know you’re Nekomata and all, a lot older than you look, but you know it’s still a bit creepy how robotic you two are…You do know what you’re heading into, do you?”

Me and Alisson’s faces are usually blank when talking to humans. They’re just walking talking barriers. There’s no reason to get worked up talking to them.

“Let’s get on with it.” Alisson frowned, not interested in small talk.

“Alright, alright…Okay.” Marmel laid his hands on a small box. “This here is the most sophisticated form of defense against black energy, but it’s not effective in direct, powerful exposure - this will protect you from the normal levels passively.”

Marmel clicked open the box, and inside were rows of black pills. Marmel lifted on of the pills. “The Black Pill, it’s called. This substance in your body will help you absorb and fight off the Black Energy.”

Alisson opened his mouth, but Marmel was faster,

“And don’t ask me how it works. These pills aren’t manufactured – They’re artifacts of the Deadzone and other ruins…They all have the same markings and we know for a fact that it protects you.”

Alisson tilted his head. “How? How do you know this for sure?”

Marmel shook his head. “I don’t. It’s just common knowledge, passed down over the years. I don’t have a clue where the notion came from, but I’m pretty sure it’s true. Take a pill every morning and night – but not too many, or your heart might stop. Some poor bastard was so paranoid that he took too many in one day and just dropped dead.”

Alisson frowned. Marmel, seeing this, elaborated, “But don’t worry, this isn’t going to be your lifeline protection, just a factor. This however,” Marmel shook a heavy box near him, “Will.”

As Marmel began pulling the gear out of the box, he started to explain, “There are certain materials that better absorb the Black Energy…and I should preface this by saying that the Black Energy can be absorbed, you just don’t want your skin to be doing that. Steel works better than nothing, a heavy leather coat is pretty good believe it or not, but a simple tunic, and the Black Energy will pass right though it like paper. You’re already at an advantage by having so many layers between your skin and the outside, but this, this will shield you further.”

Marmel laid out on the counter blocks of metal, fittings and robes with slots, and odd head gear that looked like masks.

“This metal here is lead. It’s more protective than your steel against Black Energy, but it’s a lot heavier. We have here some clothing that’s lined with lead. I have some plates for you here as well if you’d like to implement them yourselves into your armor. The more you have, the better, and make sure to spread the distribution, it’s better to have an even layer of protection than one thick part. These are gloves that are made with lead, just slip them over your gauntlets.”

“Why not under?”

I asked.

“Because, remember, materials absorb the Black Energy. Your gauntlets will become pylons of the stuff if you don’t shield them, and so will any other gear you don’t protect with some lead lined stuff. This whole city has absorbed a hell of a lot of Black Energy having been around for so long…so if anything, the city is probably more of a hotspot than any area around it…just something to think about…”

Marmel smiled sadistically, but continued, “That means though that you’re going to have to throw the gear that you use away after it’s absorbed too much. This stuff here is pretty safe…But deep in the Deadzone is where it’s going to save your asses. Around here in the city, there’s still Black Energy, and these pills and lead will make you invulnerable from it, but there’s so little here that it doesn’t matter unless you spend your whole life here.”

Me and Alisson were quick to grab hold of the lead, and examined the pieces of lead lined clothing that we could wear over our armor. ‘Clothing’ is a bad word, this stuff is heavy, and has some sort of rubbery texture. It’s clearly quite old.

So…you remember those structures in Freigat, and in the hive? How there was probably humans eons before us? They were the ones to make this stuff, no doubt…If they made things like this against some mystical energy…I don’t think it’s so mystical…

Alisson concluded, and I nodded.

“And these here, “ Marmel postured to the masks, “Are meant to filter out air that is noxious, whether it be poison, or infested with Black Energy…Unfortunately, there aren’t any working filters around, but the lead and air tight glass here is better than nothing…that, and if you do find any filters in the Deadzone, you’ll be able to use them to a full extent with these masks. The filters look like flat, round things, you’ll know if you see one, they should be able to screw right in.”

Alisson lifted one of the masks. “Are you sure these aren’t some sort of fashion statement?”

Marmel chuckled. “Yes, they look cool, but they can save your life if you equip them with some filters.”

“So, is there anything else we should know about?”

Marmel averted his eyes for a moment, pondering. “Not really…you two can probably handle yourselves for the stuff that’s commonplace, cold weather, long stretches of desolate land…make sure you bring plenty of food and water. I don’t recommend any sleeping bags or anything like that, just bulid igloos and fires. The beasts shouldn’t give you much trouble…But as for the deeper parts of the area…well I’m as informed as anyone else is, just be careful, but I know you two will do that and then some, you Sidonians.”

Alisson nodded. “Thank you. I wasn’t expecting such a comprehensive response; From the likes of this city at least.”

Marmel smiled. “I said I wanted to do business, this is one of those golden opportunities someone like me can’t miss.”

Me and Alisson spent the next hour fitting on the equipment, and receiving instruction from Marmel about it. It was pretty damn heavy. And swelteringly hot. But in the Deadzone, the insultation shouldn’t be an issue with how cold it is.

“So…” Marmel finally pipped up and Alisson sighed.

“Yes of course, your payment. Silica.”

“Right.”

I placed three large pouches on the counter.

“You can count them, but it’s about a thousand coins. I hope that’s to your liking.”

Marmel smiled. “I was expecting more to tell you the truth, but I guess I sucked a lot of your money yesterday anyway with that info stunt.”

Alisson shrugged. “You would’ve gotten the same amount either way.”

“I suppose your right…” Marmel said, looking through the pouches eagerly. “You know, this stuff wasn’t cheap either…So don’t think I’m pocketing all this…the gear here is worth a hell of a lot of coin.”

“I can imagine. Anyway…good day, Marmel. I will see you within the next two weeks…and if not, do what you like.”

Marmel nodded. “I’ll have my fingers crossed that you die out there.” He winked.

“That’s what I like hear.”

Alisson said sarcastically as we both walked out of the dilapidated shop. Alisson suddenly stopped and turned,

“Oh, and one last thing I wanted to ask…”

Alisson stepped forward toward Marmel. I thought for a moment that Alisson was going to kill Marmel right then and there, but instead, Alisson produced a metal trinket from the inside of his cloak – it was that weapon that he’d plucked of one of the gate guards for whatever reason.

“Do you know what this is?”

Marmel smiled nervously. “Yes…In fact, the previous owner of that magic item was just whining to me yesterday about losing it to you…That there is an imbued item. It’s very esoteric – You don’t insert mana to activate it – You pull that trigger there, and depending on the specific item, it may or may not fire through that barrel there.”

Alisson squinted. “May or may not?”

Marmel shook his head. “Nobody knows what makes those things tick – They’re not made by any imbued masters around these parts, that’s for sure. It’s a gamble if any of them can actually work anymore.”

“So your saying this is a piece of junk?”

Marmel shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe not. I’d keep it, on the off chance it can fire. Just don’t rely on it.”

Alisson nodded, and with that final inquiry, we continued on our way.

After gathering the essential gear from Marmel, me and Alisson set out with the last few amounts of our money to scrounge up food and supplies. It was tough to find anyone selling non-perishables, let alone who’d want to do business with us. Those who didn’t, Alisson roughed up a bit, and we got what we wanted easily.

Next up, we paid another visit to the what seemed to be the only smithy in the town. Once again, the old man wasn’t budging, so Alisson grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, and threw him out of his own store, so that me and Alisson could fit the lead given to us by Marmel to our gear.

It took a while seeing as though smithing isn’t our expertise, but a shoddy construction was better than nothing.

Our manifest looked pretty simple for such a daunting task.

Our armor from Sidonia, in tatters but usable.

Our weapons; Enhérejär, two stilettos, two baselards, a couple throwing knives, but no scrolls.

Our rations, for two weeks.

Lavjoure’s maps, and her enhanced gambesons we still wear.

Sylph’s lighting stick, or whatever it is.

That imbued weapon Alisson pilfered.

Plus the Kitsune medallion – No way we were going to leave it with Marmel.

And all of the anti-Black Energy equipment that we’ve paid for. The lead plates, the lead lined clothing, the masks, the pills.

The both of us spent a solid hour looking over our gear, and everything checked out. I had some very strong words to say to Alisson, but I decided to save them for when we were in a more private setting.

It was about the afternoon when me and Alisson were about to step free of the town.

“You two are really heading out there huh?”

We heard a familiar voice interrupt our proceeding. Chiji stood behind us.

“Yes…about that…I was thinking I’d like to ask you something…”

Alisson said in a hushed tone, and motioned for Chiji to follow. She swallowed, but nonetheless did as asked. The three of us sat outside the ‘wall’ of Scratskaslovotskaya, where no one could hear us.

“Listen…I can tell that you are not a pure maiden…but regardless of this fact, I can tell that you’re a good kid…”

Chiji blushed red. I kind of had the inkling as well. Just our Sidonian guts.

“H-how can you tell! I paid a doctor big money to heal my hymen and -!”

She stopped herself short, her embarrassment getting the better of her. She scowled angrily at Alisson. Alisson waved away her anger with a hand,

“That matters not. I want to ask you for a favor.”

Chiji promptly straightened herself, and strained her ears.

“Marmel. I don’t trust him. You have that knife there at your hip, you can kill him, right?”

Chiji’s eyes widened, but Alisson continued. “I’d rather not kill him if he does stay loyal, seeing as though he will be tending to the equipment we leave behind. But just in case…If he tries to sell our mounts, or if he cooperates with Andestine or Irine…I’d like you to kill him to stop that from happening. I don’t exactly need the whole world to know about me and Silica’s schemes.”

It stinks that there’s no one else we can rely on to store our mounts and gear. If it were up to me, I’d ditch both the mounts and the gear, and just kill Marmel now that he’s given us what we wanted to keep him from yapping. That, and we could just retake possession of our money too. Apparently, Alisson thinks otherwise is more advantageous though.

Chiji swallowed hard, in thought. Seeing this, Alisson withdrew the last of our coin.

“Here. Decide on your own. We need to get moving.”

“Wha…”

Chiji stared at the pouch, and then looked up to Alisson and me as we turned away, forcing her to speak quickly.

“G-g-good luck!”

The both of us said nothing as we walked away from Scratskaslovotskaya, headed west, toward the Deadzone. I stared at Alisson all the while, at his empty eyes, with a frown. We were a good distance from the city when finally I decided to shake him down once more. About why the hell he was even going through with this in the first place.

***