The alleyway Tsuki and Azumi walked through was cramped. The deeper they went, the tighter the fit was between the two impeding walls. Riche's cheerful hum had long since faded behind them. In its place, the soft drip of water and the distant clatter of metal against stone. The cobblestones beneath them were damp and uneven, overgrown with tufts of green and creeping vines.
"I swear… this place smells like secrets with a hint of secrets and wet socks," Azumi said, plugging her nose.
Tsuki gave a deadpan look. "Well… I'm definitely hoping for the secrets."
"Yeah me too. Just wish the reek would go away," Azumi said, swinging her hand in front of her nose in disgust.
The two took many turns and twists as they followed the alley's direction. Eventually, they rounded one last corner to find a hidden seemingly abandoned building. However, the backdoor was half-open with a soft amber light pouring out. The sounds of a quiet conversation flickered from within. Tsuki raised a hand, gesturing to slow down. The two pressed against the nearby wall, crouching just below a cracked open window.
Inside, one man stood hunched over a table. He was short with overly greased hair. His shirt and pants were a matching pattern and sewn with silk. He muttered about district shipments and ghost routes. Another man entered the frame—he was taller and bulky, and wore his hair in a man bun. A heavy iron chestplate and unguarded pants covered his legs and torso. Truly an odd combination.
Azumi whispered, cupping her mouth. "Their clothes… they aren't from Riche."
Tsuki nodded. "The midget's clothes look to be Zimalan."
"Zimalan?" Azumi whispered, taking a second peek.
"Yes," Tsuki responded. "You can tell by the patterns. It's common wear in the district—they think it shows wealth."
Azumi nodded, glancing again—however, the bigger man stiffened. His eyes turned to the window just after Azumi lowered.
"Did we just get made?" Azumi whispered under her breath.
Tsuki started tip-toeing below the window. "No, but let's not wait until we are."
The two slipped away, quiet as shadows. Once they'd cleared the alley, Azumi let out a large breath. They continued down the path leading into the main road through Riche. Ahead, the roar of the crowds had returned.
"Okay," she started, still with nerves, "so, someone is smuggling goods from APC-aligned territories. That's something."
"Could be worth bringing up to Danzo," Tsuki muttered. "Or… could be a trap to see who's watching."
"You always this paranoid?" asked Azumi.
"Only when I'm right."
The two kept walking—now more alert—and vanished into the market crowd.
Across Riche, Hatori and Geo roamed with their masks and hoods up. Their legs took them into the Saltmarket Square that lay just beyond the fishmonger stalls. The air was thick with brine, spice, and the taste of something sour. Hatori and Geo moved calmly, their cloaks pulled tight as the sea breeze rattled signs and swung creaky door hinges.
They stepped into a low-lit shop wedged between two storage houses. A weathered oak sign swung overhead reading "Delvin's Findings."
Hatori gave a faint nod to Geo before stepping through the entrance. Inside, it was all shadows and whispers. Shelves of scrolls, maps and ledgers cluttered the walls. At the far corner, a squat man with a metallic left hand leaned behind the counter. His voice rang out with a sharpness.
"Well… I'll be damned. A couple government goons walkin' in to my shop! Sniffin' without leashes are ye?"
Geo calmly approached, Hatori close behind. "We aren't with the government, I assure you."
"Oh really?" The voice said, standing straight up. He placed his hands on the counter, eyeing the men down. "Then who are ye?"
Hatori stood unavoiding of the stares the man gave them. "We're with Memento. We mean no harm, just want some information."
The man chuckled, his eyes piercing under bushy brows. "Memento, eh? The hell y'all doin' out here?"
Hatori continued, his voice a bit softer now. "We're in search of Riche's representative. Anything we can find. Name, home, associations… anything."
The man gave a faint smirk. "Well then. Good thing Delvin knows things," he said. "And Delvin would be me."
"What can you tell us?" Geo asked. "Do you know who they answer to? If they're clean?"
Delvin laughed hysterically this time. His metal hand hit the counter with a sharp crack of the wood. "Clean? Ain't nothing clean 'round here boy. City's been washed by the tide so often, the filth sinks to the bottom. Sure is quiet, but there nonetheless."
Delvin leaned in, scratching the counter with his metallic fingers. "There's a man. They call him the Lantern—real name's kept under wraps. Runs certain operations 'neath the docks supposedly. Real close to someone high up in the APC."
"A councilman?" Hatori asked, his arms folded and ears listening intently.
"Not quite," Delvin chimed. "Closer to… let's say, a private backer. But big. Possibly bigger."
Geo's brow raised. "Got a name?"
"Information like that's gonna cost you extra laddie," the man said, a small grin on his face.
Geo reached for his pouch, before—then paused.
"Only if the intel checks out. You've got a reputation, right Delvin? Don't ruin it now."
Delvin hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Fair 'nough. I'll pass you the name at the bar tonight. The Clogger, right?"
Geo's face fell in shock, Hatori still remained calm.
"You're well informed," Hatori said slowly.
"Comes with the territory," bragged Delvin. "Now, I'll see ya at the Clogger. Don't forget the moola."
Hatori and Geo turned to leave, each giving a final wave. Geo smirked with his hood up, and whispered to Hatori.
"Hope he's right," he said.
Hatori shoved his hands in his pockets. His eyes scanned the crowd like a routine. "Dude's a tool. But he's got info. Will be very helpful to have as an ally."
The two men continued down the stone path, content with their find.
Knoxx and Danzo were already in the Knockin' Cloggin, being that their earlier searches hadn't gotten anywhere. Knoxx tossed another shrimp in his mouth as he leaned back on a bench and kicked his feet onto a table. It was dark by now, and the bar had begun to come alive.
"You know," Knoxx muffled with a mouth full of food, "I could really get used to this district. It's nothin' like Igumi, back home!"
Danzo sat classy beside the ill mannered teen. His eyes scanned the bar looking for the rest of Judgment Squad. "Yeah, I hear you. Always forget you're from Igumi."
Knoxx nodded. "I love it. You know, I never wanted to leave Igumi in the first place."
His voice was still loud, but carried a softer tone.
"I loved my people! They're good humans over there. Very afraid of the APC, and that's their problem!"
Danzo looked at the boy. "I've heard they hate us in Memento. They love their calm, peaceful lives over there."
Knoxx shook his head violently. "Propaganda Danzo! They don't hate Memento at all, in fact, the opposite. Part of the reason I left, actually."
"What do you mean?"
Knoxx scratched the back of his head for a moment. "Well, y'know, the APC took control of Igumi quite a while ago. I saw everyday that my people were scared to act, scared to live how they did previously. The APC monitors Igumi like no other, in large part to the Alden Chronicles."
Danzo's eyes squinted, deciding whether to believe Knoxx's out of nowhere intelligence on the subject.
"Alden Chronicles?" He asked.
Knoxx just laughed. "It's… complicated. I'll tell you another time, pops. Anyways, I decided to leave Igumi to join Memento. I had an ability. They'd find me in Igumi eventually. I figured it'd be better to die with a meaning, with the goal to eventually free my people, and gaze at those lanterns one last time."
Danzo couldn't help but force a smile. This is the first time Knoxx had genuinely been upfront with him, the first time Danzo could see his heart behind all the awkwardness and rascally behaviour.
"Of course, I wouldn't mind using Miagi to slice a few stalkers on the way. I mean, they deserve it right?"
And he had to go and ruin it, Danzo thought. There's the Knoxx we know and love.
"Hey Danzo," Knoxx said, lowering his feet and stepping up. His expression became serious again. "Can you tell me what happened?"
Danzo eyed the boy, unsure of the intent. "What happened?"
"With the APC. Why you left."
Danzo's eyes widened a bit, then lowered to the ground. He stretched on leg out in front of him and folded his hands.
"My stalker squad and I were stationed here, actually. Weren't here legally, as we've said, Riche is a neutral district. Neither side is accepted here."
Knoxx carefully listened, which was out of the ordinary.
"My… friend, Iodoyami, was a kind woman. Truly kind. To this day, she may be the closest I've been to someone. She was someone who, even through the academy, didn't believe in all the nonsense."
He breathed heavily.
"Our mission in Riche was a hunt. A woman about twenty years old. Iodo found her before the rest of us did. She was going to finish it… but she couldn't. When we caught up, Iodo was defending the girl. Her arms spread wide, eyes locked on the ones in front of her. My emotions were twisted… so damn twisted."
"What happened, Danzo?"
Danzo's eyes remained on the ground. A single tear formed in his eye, though, it didn't fall.
"I chose the wrong side, even for a moment. We had discussed our doubts of the APC… but, I remained loyal, even when I thought different. She knocked out the other two—careful not to kill them…"
He gathered a breath. His voice was shaky, and his hand along with it.
"I… killed her Knoxx. I killed Iodo. I was so scared of the APC, so afraid of what would happen if I betrayed… I was selfish. Stupid. It cost me the only woman I've ever loved. Her blood is on my hands. Forever."
A tear fell. Knoxx let the moment hang. Danzo continued.
"I never forgave myself. I followed hers, and my actual beliefs as a way of coping—a way of making up for a sin that wouldn't ever be forgiven. That's why… that's why I want to protect you all. And when Maro told me the story behind Tsuki… all I heard was Iodo. I didn't want to make a similar mistake, I wanted Tsuki to know even if she felt doubted, that I wouldn't doubt her. Because Iodo wouldn't either."
Danzo wiped his face quickly, a smile forming—a soft, jagged smile for show, but he wore it anyway.
Knoxx didn't think, he gave Danzo a hug, wrapping his arms around him.
"I'm sorry Danzo, I really am." He said, patting his back a bit awkwardly. "No matter what, we're family."
The moment caught him. The boy Danzo viewed practically as his rascal son was the one who'd gotten him to crack. And yet, the boy who was always loud, turned out to be a decent listener.
Danzo backed away slightly, before raising his hand and ruffling Knoxx's red hair.
"Thank you, kiddo," he said, a warm smile on his face.
Knoxx just grinned. The chaos of the bar seemingly returned to their ears as their conversation came to a close. The distant laughter of drunkards and the beginning of a string melody filled the air.