The problem is that no matter how good your intentions, eventually you want to kill someone yourself. - Kenneth Cain (Emergency Sex (And Another Desperate Measures); True Stories from a War Zone)

* * * *

A delicate finger poked at the glass in front of her, causing it to wobble on the countertop, before righting itself again.

A glass filled with some alcoholic drink appeared in front of Sera’s visage, and she looked up to see the knowing look of Timo.

“Last one for the night, Sera.” He said promptly. “You can’t drive properly if you’re inebriated. Especially considering you came by bike.”

Sera gave a light scoff, waving a hand about. “I can’t get drunk,” she said simply.

Timo said nothing but merely continued cleaning the glass in his hand with the cleaning cloth. Sera was right, and he knew it. Most high-class Gifted are immune to most poisons and find it difficult to get drunk. Their Gifts tend to burn out those substances as quickly as it get into their system.

There is only one known poison that Timo knew of that would work against a Gifted. The same poison that had nearly killed Ness over a year ago, if not for Laura.

“So why are you here?” Timo asked at last. He gave Sera a knowing smile. “Trying to avoid the inevitable?”

Aegis, he knew, was currently anxiously waiting for her return—wherever their boathouse was currently docked.

The ‘duel’ that Sera had with Ebis Ivanor two days ago still had the entire underground buzzing. And without a doubt, the hunters would have learnt about it by now.

Sera groaned, burying her face into her hands momentarily. “Will it be considered cowardly if I said that I’m afraid to know their reactions if I tell them everything?” she asked at last.

Timo’s actions stilled momentarily. The man is a sharp one, and intelligent too. He had been a former Enforcer for a reason. And while Sera has no idea why he’d left, she would bet her beloved bike that Timo is still tied in some way to the underground—whether as an informant or something similar.

She wouldn’t put it past Larissa to plant Timo as some kind of spy either. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, and all that.

So, chances are that while Sera never said anything to Timo and his friends about what she had planned, he likely had guessed some of it.

“…If they abandon you after everything, then they’re not your true friends, Sera,” Timo said at last, and Sera looked at him. The older man looked solemn. Though his words struck a chord in Sera; those words were remarkably similar to what Zest had said to her before.

“We accepted you, knowing that you’re a Gifted, and knowing what you’re truly capable of. We’ll die for you, Sera, like you will for us.”

“I’ve come too far to stop now,” Sera said with a shake of her head. “Even if I have to do it alone, I will. I owe it to those that died as well.” She rubbed at the underside of her wrist where a black blade tattoo was visible.

Whatever Timo was about is say was cut off when the tinkle of the bell echoed around the shop, as the door opened, and a familiar young man stepped in. Sera and Timo both recognised the new arrival at once and exchanged quick looks.

“Hey, Lucas.” Timo greeted. “We’re going to close in an hour.” He reminded, looking pointedly at the clock in a corner.

“I’ll leave by then,” Lucas promised tiredly, taking the seat next to Sera at the counter. “I need a drink. Anything of your choosing. I just want something strong.”

“Okay.”

“It seems like we’ve been running into each other a lot lately,” Sera remarked, keeping an eye on Lucas even as he slumped on the surface of the countertop next to her. Is it just a mere coincidence, or is he following her? “Something wrong? You seem down in the dumps.”

Lucas was silent for several moments, drawing circles on the countertop with his index finger. “I had to apprehend a man for murder this morning for killing his wife,” he said at last. “Later, I found out from Leonid that he did it because his wife was trying to kill their child. A Gifted.” He added.

Sera had to fight to control her facial expressions. Across the counter where Timo was mixing a drink for Lucas, the older man grimaced. Both of them unfortunately have heard way too many of this kind of case. In Sera’s case, she had seen way too many victims that have suffered at the hands of Normals, hunters, and in some cases, even ESA agents.

“And with the way that the laws are in Eldario, the man would likely be sentenced to the death penalty.” Lucas continued, not noticing Sera and Timo’s internal turmoil. “And the child in question will be taken into ESA custody.” Sera had to fight to control her strength so that she wouldn’t shatter the glass in her hand by mistake. “I’m part of ESA. I know exactly how unfair the laws are. We are law enforcement. But the truth is that the hunters have more power over us.”

That is the unfortunate truth that Lucas had learned not even two years after accepting Leonid’s invitation. Officially, they’re a separate organisation from the hunters and even the Council. But unofficially, there are lots of occasions when they have to abide by the hunters—something that Lucas knew many of his colleagues were gritting their teeth about.

At this point, Lucas honestly won’t be surprised to learn if at least half of the ESA either comprises of hunters or hunter sympathisers. The Gifted Task Force for instance—the members are most likely more of the former than the latter.

“I’m not going to say, ‘I told you so’, Lucas, but I did tell you this will happen,” Timo said unsympathetically even as he slid the wine glass in his hand across the surface of the counter to Lucas. “And that you’ll learn truths that you would rather not learn.”

“If you come here seeking sympathy from me—us, then you’re better off finding someone else,” Sera said almost uncaringly, much to Lucas’ surprise. “You’re part of ESA. I don’t know what you even expected when you joined that organisation. Even you would have heard of the rumours surrounding them even before you joined them. Why else would you be questioning yourself back then?”

“I just…” Lucas looked surprised at how harsh Sera was with him. “I thought I could change the system from the inside…” He mumbled, but Sera had very acute hearing and heard every word.

“You’re naïve if you think that,” Sera responded harshly. “Reality isn’t that kind. The law isn’t always just.” She pointed out. “Most of the time, the law fails the common people. The punishment never really fits the crime – assuming that they are even punished, to begin with.”

Lucas cringed. Those words are entirely too similar to the words Misha had said to him before.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Lucas, why are you even with the ESA?” Timo wanted to know. “You know what they are like by this point. Everyone in Eldario knows that they are corrupted. Easily bought. Why are you trying to change a dying system?”

“I thought that it’s the best chance I can use to fix the system. To change Eldario for the better by making it better for the Gifted.” Lucas admitted. “I wanted to do something good with my life…”

Sera resisted the urge to smash her wine glass over Lucas’ head. She hated guys like this. “Some people, Lucas,” she said through tightly gritted teeth, “don’t want to be saved.” Lucas looked at her with confusion. “You can’t change anything without sacrificing something. You want to change the system? What are you prepared to do? What are you prepared to sacrifice?” She challenged. “You’re too naïve. You think that as long as you get the ‘bad guy’, everything will be fine in the end. The truth isn’t so simple, Lucas. In the end, what makes someone ‘bad’? A ’bad person’ to you, might be a ‘good person’ to someone else. And who gets to decide what is right and wrong? Justice in the end is just a set of rules written by someone. And law is made law through power. You should think about it.”

Sera drained the last few drops of her drink before getting to her feet. “Timo, I’ll be leaving.”

Timo said nothing even as Sera left the shop without a second look back, merely clearing the glass that she’d been using earlier. “You made her mad,” he said simply, seeing Lucas’ confused expression. “She’s right, you know, kid? Sera knows this better than you do because she has experience with the way the underground works. You don’t. Seeing you sprout what you did… It made her angry.”

“I-I don’t—”

“In the past, there were those who wanted to ‘save the Gifted’. Whether that be scientists seeking a ‘cure’ for the Gifted, or some random politician that wanted to make an entirely new set of laws for the Gifted.” Timo interrupted. “Newsflash here. At this point, they don’t even care anymore. The Gifted, that is. All they wanted was to be left alone. Sera’s pragmatic. I don’t think she even believes that the system can be changed anymore. The hunters have too deep a hold on this country for way too long. It’s too corrupted. The old laws that were used to keep them in check were all but abolished by them and their allies by the time the war ended.”

Lucas had a stubborn tilt to his chin. “We don’t know that if we don’t try,” he insisted.

Timo only looked resigned; like he knew Lucas was going to say that. He only shrugged. “Suit yourself,” he said. “But whatever you’re going to do, Lucas, you better be careful. The hunters have eyes and ears everywhere in the ESA—something that you know. Those who oppose them or speak out against them have a nasty habit of dying mysteriously. If you want to take them on with your own way, you better be prepared to put your life on the line.”

* * * *

The constant tapping of keys on a portable computer is all the sounds that could be heard, along with the sounds of waves crashing against the rocks.

Both Lucie and Raul were quiet even as they sat on the rooftop of the boathouse. It is night, with the stars above them glittering like diamonds on black velvet. Lucie merely stared at the stars, able to make out some of the constellations that her father had taught her over the years, even as Raul worked on whatever it was that he was currently working on next to her.

Lucie’s mind is still reeling from what she had seen and learned two days ago. Sure, she knew that all of Aegis had blood on their hands. Heck, her own hands aren’t that clean either, considering that she had set half of Agnis on fire accidentally when the hunters cornered her and her father, and more than likely, had killed some hunters and probably even ESA agents that day.

Her father is a freelance journalist. And while Lucie is never really that physically active as an activist; she did participate in some debates online and had always spoken up for the Gifted. Even though she was from a purely civilian background before Aegis, Lucie knew the darkness of the world and had seen reality.

But for the first time, she has no idea what to think.

“Are you afraid, Lucie? Of Sera?”

Raul’s soft voice almost caused Lucie to jump. He had been so quiet next to her, that Lucie had almost forgotten that he was there.

Lucie hesitated before giving out a loud sigh, running her fingers through her hair. “I would be lying if I said I’m not,” she admitted. “I lived a normal civilian life before…this.” She gestured around wildly with her hands. “But even I heard tales of what the hunters did to the Gifted. I’m quite active on online activist boards and forums. And Dad is a journalist. He dug up enough information about it.” Raul looked interested in that comment. “Dad was an activist when he was young—lobbying for more rights and protection for the Gifted, especially during a time when being a Gifted is an automatic death sentence in Eldario.” Lucie hesitated, resisting the urge to give out a shudder when she recalled all the old newspaper clippings she’d seen of her father’s collection, and even of photos and articles, and even blog entries that she’d read online. “I heard that Dad even spent some time in jail because of his actions as an activist when he was young. When he met my mother and had me, he decided to try a different way to fight instead of becoming a freelance journalist. Even though the majority of the information that Dad found never really managed to make it out to the world.”

Lucie however knew that her father ran an anonymous blog where he posted articles and even photos of what he’d found. Honestly, Lucie had suspected that part of the reason why the hunters and ESA had cornered them at Agnis might not just be because she’s a dormant Gifted. It might be that they have finally tracked down the origins of her father’s blog that from what Lucie knew online, is a big thorn in the side of the hunters for years.

Raul sighed and nodded solemnly. “It makes sense why he’s targeted if he’s doing something like that,” he concluded. “And not just because you’re a dormant Gifted. To take on the hunters… You need to be prepared to put your life on the line. Many people have either disappeared or died mysteriously over the years when they have opposed the hunters. It’s to the point that not many dare to go against them.”

On the surface, Eldario is a democracy. But the entire underground knew that it was all a farce. The ones with the true power are the hunters. They controlled the entire law system in Eldario.

It is why the Premier and Hayder were so furious when they learnt about Ebis and what she had done, and even why Abyss had gone into full lockdown the moment that the duel had ended two days ago. Hayder and the rest of the Enforcers must be busy cleaning house.

Raul definitely won’t be surprised to hear about a few dead bodies turning up over the next few days.

And from what Raul knew from his contacts and even from the whispers amongst the underground, the hunters too have gone silent.

“I know the evils of the world,” Lucie said at last, drawing her legs up to her chest, and wrapping her arms around her legs. “I know that Sera did what needed to be done. But…” She trailed off slowly.

Raul studied Lucie carefully. Finally, he shut the top of his portable computer, giving her his full attention. “Do you want to leave?” he asked seriously, much to her surprise. “Sera did say she wouldn’t stop us if we wanted to.”

Though honestly, Raul isn’t sure if there is anywhere in Eldario that is safe for Lucie. The ESA knew who she was. As are the hunters. Unlike the rest of Aegis, Lucie is defenceless in a fight, though Laura and some of the others in Aegis have been teaching her.

Lucie shook her head immediately, much to Raul’s relief. “The civilian part of me—the one that still believes there’s still some justice to be had, says yes,” she admitted. “But my heart and instincts say no. You guys were the ones to help me. Save me. You are my friends. And even family in some way.”

“You know that we won’t force you to remain if you don’t want to,” Raul said seriously. “What we plan to do, Lucie, to be blunt, isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re either in this until the end—and trust me when I say you have to be prepared to die. Or you stay out of it. You don’t have to be in Aegis. You can be a collaborator if you want to help us. Like Alexis and even Ethan. And even Leroy and Alisa.”

Lucie only stared at Raul. There’s something in the way that Raul had phrased his words that told Lucie that Raul knew more than he was letting on.

“I want to change the system, Raul,” Lucie admitted. “That’s why I’m here.”

Raul was silent for a long time. Finally, he sighed, digging about in his back pocket and pulling out a pack of cigarettes, much to Lucie’s surprise—as she hadn’t seen Raul or anyone in Aegis smoke before.

“Do you mind?” Raul asked, pulling out a stick and sticking it into his mouth. “I need something strong.”

Lucie shook her head, only watching as Raul pulled out a lighter from his back pocket and lit up the cigarette in his mouth, inhaling and then exhaling the smoke.

Finally, after several long moments, Raul held the cigarette in between two of his fingers, turning to look at Lucie. “I want to tell you a little story,” he said at last. “Have you heard what happened with my old gang, and even why I’m here now? And also why Aegis destroy them?”

Lucie nodded gingerly. “Tatius and even Laura told me,” she admitted. “They said that your old gang sold you to the hunters.”

Raul nodded, looking resigned. “By all rights, people like Alan—the leader after Yusa,” He added, seeing Lucie’s enquiring look, “should never have involved himself in the matters of the underground. The people of the underground—honour still means something to us. We protect our own.” He tilted his head backwards, looking at the night skies above him. “Yusa especially is a big believer of that. No matter how many hunters came knocking when he was still in charge, he never gave me up. I imagine it’s part of why he got along so well with Sera and Klein too. All three of them are very similar.” He shook his head. “The point that I’m making is that many people would have been perfectly happy if Alan had just stayed in his little bubble and never made waves, and never involved himself in underground business. His actions didn’t just almost doom me. It destroyed the entire gang because there was no way the Premier would have let what he did go. If he had just kept to himself, no one else would have to die. If Alan had just acknowledged his weakness, then maybe I would have more respect for him.” Raul admitted. “And the underground wouldn’t be in the situation we now are in.”

Lucie frowned. “What’s the point that you’re trying to make?”

Raul looked at Lucie straight in the eye. There is just something about that intense gaze that made Lucie freeze. “You have to decide what path you want to take, Lucie,” he said. “Whether you want to go back to a simple life—as simple as being a Gifted can be. Or if you want to change society. If it’s a simple life you want, I believe Sera can get you into the Abyss. You can live there and carve out a life for yourself. You wouldn’t be in any danger. But—” Raul held up one finger to silence Lucie when it looked like she wanted to argue, “if you want to involve yourself in what we want to do, then make sure you’re in this until the end.” He said seriously. “Because if you do what Alan did—if you betray us, even the Goddess wouldn’t be able to help you.” He warned. “There will be nowhere you can run.”

He knows better than anyone else how ruthless Sera can be towards those who cross her, after all.

“Then you know what Sera wanted to do?”

Raul gave a short nod. “Yeah. Yusa is pals with Sera even during our gang days,” he admitted. “We’re allies too with Whirlwind. Letha’s old gang.” He added, “Whirlwind, Blade and Dragonfly are the main pillars of the entire underground.” He ticked points off on his fingers. “It’s honestly no surprise we have so many problems right now with all three gangs decimated. The hunters knew what they were doing.” He snorted. “But yeah, I knew Sera through Yusa. And even quite a few of the other Blade members. Like Zest, Leroy, Alisa, and even Lleucu and Jamie.” He sighed and shook his head.

To this day, Raul still wasn’t sure if Lleucu and Jamie were still alive. Half the bodies of Blade’s members couldn’t even be found. That is if there is even anything large enough of them to identify.

“There’s no way Sera would let what happened to her old crew go. So yeah, I know what she wanted to do. Letha and Laura have some experience with the underground before Aegis, so no doubt they know as well. Heck, with everything going on for the past year or so, I’m sure everyone has some idea at this point.” Raul took a puff of his cigarette. “The thing is, you saw what Sera did to that huntress—or at least, as much as I allowed you to see, anyway.” He added wryly. “Sera has no mercy for traitors. And even hunters. If you double-crossed us, trust me when I say that there wouldn’t be anything large enough of you to find once Sera is done with you. The hunters fear her for a reason.”

Lucie looked about to say something, but the door to the entrance of the roof opened just then, revealing Tatius.

“Sera’s back,” was all that he said, with the redhead jerking a thumb backwards over his shoulder. “Come on down.”