Izari took a deep sigh as he faced the tall man. "Look this is a really bad time.."
"You're late, by two days."
Izari could detect his boss was trying to hide his anger.
"What happened?" Esme continued.
"Wait didn't she tell you?" Izari confusedly pointed at a wide eyed Janice.
"I want to hear your part of the story."
Izari sighed as he stepped closer to the empty bed frame, the room now looked weirdly larger now that it was nearly empty.
He gave the bed frame an empty smile as he sat on it and faced an exasperated Esme whose index finger was restlessly tapping on his blue pants.
"I did everything as you asked, I called him asked for a rendezvous point and we agreed on meeting in the alleyway next to that Oxorm poster."
"And."
Izari looked up at Esme, it was not difficult for him to remember since it was literally yesterday, but because he almost died.
"When I got there, he…he was dead torn apart by whatever that thing was."
"Was he alone?"
"No there was another body, a mine worker, no identification tag or anything, he was dead too."
"Surveillance ?"
"None, the camera there was already destroyed."
Esme took a deep sigh as his eyes moved around the room, deep in thought before focusing his gaze back to Izari.
"What about the creature?"
"I don't know, last time I saw it I was literally running for my life in the sewers."
Esme still had his eyes on Izari as if studying him looking for any signs of a lie but all he could see was a tired looking young man.
He took out his comms and made a call. It was a brief conversation which involved him asking if they found them after a short pause the reply was, affirmative. He then asked if it looked like the work of some killer or something else and the reply was it was highly likely to be some animal more than human, he could hear one of the men on the other side of the call wretch. His last question to the men was if there was any sign of the data chip to which the men said they were still looking for it. Esme told them to check the sewers before ending the call.
He then turned and raised an eyebrow at Janice.
"Do you believe him?"
Janice shrugged.
"What was in that chip that's got you so worked up?" Izari asked standing up.
"Classified."
"So you don't know."
Esme walked closer to Izari, his tall stature towering over the short man.
"I have a better question, who the hell were those two people you were with before you disappeared underground?"
Izari suddenly looked down avoiding his gaze.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
Esme leaned in close as Izari retreated.
"You know very well what I'm talking about, infact the man's jacket was one of the Silver echo's yeah?"
Izari remained silent.
"What about the girl and the Bronze skulls. Wait were they after…"
Izari remained silent.
"What are you hiding from me boy?"
"Who was after the girl, what does the Silver echo want from her and better yet what happened down there?"
Izari remained silent.
"You are never this silent, answer me."
Izari shook his head, "Nothing that concerns us, okay."
"No, everything the Silver echo does is always bad for business so yes it concerns us."
"Nothing, he just wanted my help protecting his daughter from some sicko with a grudge so I led him down to the tunnels beat the Bronze skulls and left."
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
Esme turned to face Janice again who was now looking at Izari.
Both of them were clearly unconvinced by the story Izari had just made up.
"Well, Izzy your failure will be communicated to the higher ups…"
Izari shuddered.
"I'll get the data chip if that's what you want just please don't." He pleaded.
"I'm sorry there is no way else…"
"I have twenty thousand with me I'll send it to you please don't her.?
Izari cut him off to his annoyance however something else caught his attention.
Twenty thousand crisse.
"From the Silver echo guy?"
"Yes."
"Good boy." He patted Izari's shoulder as he whispered to his ear.
"Now you don't have to worry about her finding out about you letting her down."
He walked away from him and izari collapsed on to the metal bed frame his hands covering his eyes.
"A word." Esme beckoned Janice who followed him out of the room.
"So do you believe what he said about the Silver echo dude?"
"No."
"Twenty thousand crisse, that's aloot of money for a protection job."
Janice continued.
"Exactly." Esme added.
"That's why I want you to find out what really happened, my boy looks shaken whatever he saw down there I need to know. Okay."
"Okay." Janice replied.
Esme smiled as he left the apartment.
Back in the room, Izari suddenly clutched his side again the pain now returning twofold. He slowly raised his t-shirt to take a peak and muttered a painful "No." As the infection had now returned and even spread further along his ribs but this time there was a faint green glow.
Lorian struggled to open his eyes in the now dimly lit room. He wasn't sure if it was the constant never ending giggling of his two little sister or the sweet smell of whatever his mother was cooking in the kitchen that woke him up. With a groan he sat up the chair stretching so had the audible popping of his bones into place could be heard all around the room.
This drew the attention of the two girls who immediately ran up to him.
"Are you okay Lorie?" The one with the bun asked.
"Yeah, don't worry about me." He stood up grabbing the girl by arms and playfully began spinning with her all around the room.
"I am as good as I'll ever be."
The other sister just jumped asking for her turn to which Lorian complied and their laughter intensified.
Rona stood by the window of the tenement room, his eyes looking out at the crowded street. The now dim street lights were now flickering as they struggled to remain operational.
Through the stained glass he could see his face. He was pale, thin and anemic. He had lost too much blood down there and now there wasn't much he was capable of. He knew he would be dead if it wasn't for Lorian's help. He squinted harder to get a better look at the grime covered street below looking at any potential signs of danger but everyone down there seemed to preoccupied with their business.
He only managed to catch the reflection of a happy Lorian playing with his sisters.
Rona turned to face them, all feelings of sadness for his current state leaving him and being replaced a feeling of relief.
At least someone was happy.
His hand suddenly felt a bump on his pocket. He immediately fished out whatever it was only to realize it was the piece of paper Lorian had handed over to him when he woke up yesterday. He said it was from Izari.
He tried to open it with both hands only to remember that half of his other arm was missing.
He grimaced as he unfolded the paper with his good arm and looked at it.
It was just Izari's number alongside the words 'see you later' at the bottom.
Rona gave a weak smile as he pocketed it back and turned his attention towards Cassia.
She still hadn't woken up but every now and then she would mutter something incoherent. Toka had knelt beside her holding some a small vial half empty with a dark blue liquid.
He gave Rona an unassuring look as he got closer.
"How's she feeling today?" Rona asked seating beside the tired looking man.
"Still the same as yesterday." Toka muttered.
"So is she your daughter."
Rona was about to reply only for Elara to interrupt by announcing that breakfast was ready.
Toka was still waiting for Rona's response but the man was so hungry that he immediately turned his attention away from him the moment breakfast got announced.
"Welp, let me go lend her a hand." Toka excused himself to the kitchen.
Lorian, Mira, Nesa and Rona sat down on the matted floor as Elara and Toka served them each a huge slice of sythentic tofu like substance and thick green beverage that surprisingly tasted good. Rona was still studying the meal as the family quickly ate up before they heard a knock on the door. It was a very gentle knock one too familiar.
Rona's eyes widened as he watched Elara get up and walk towards the door.
He knew the words he wanted to say but they were stuck in his throat. Horror plastered on his face as Elara walked past him. Lorian immediately noticed him and got up scampering behind his mother as she got a hold of the door handle and twisted it.
Rona was up on his legs and was now lumbering at the door.
No, it couldn't be.
Lorian gave him a confused look and instantly snapped to the direction of the now open door.
He felt his knees almost give way as the seer stood on the other side of the door, smiling.
"Brother Narr."
Elara happily called out the seer.
"Brother?" Rona gave lorian a questioning look, Lorian shook his head.
"Oh Elara you flatter me. How are you doing?" The seer asked still looking at her.
"Oh I'm fine thank you." Elara replied, she seemed almost excited mich to Lorian's discomfort.
"And the kids ?" The seer turned his attention towards Lorian, he was still smiling.
Lorian just glared at him.
"Well the little girls are okay but as for my little boy…" Elara took hold of Lorian's hand "Isn't doing so well."
"Oh." The seer remarked in a concerned tone.
Lorian almost spat at him.
"Can come in, I need to know what troubles him, maybe I can help."
Rona limped over to the door behind Elara and her son and looked at the seer who raised his eyebrows as soon as he spotted him. Rona opened his mouth to object only for Elara to cut him off.
"Sure thing."
Lorian's heartbeat intensified as the seer stepped into the house. In that moment he stared at Lorian a cold emotionless look. He suddenly stopped as he took a long good look at Rona.
"And what happened to you?"
Rona kept silent.
"Oh Brother Narr welcome." Toka rose from the matt to greet him.
"The pleasure is all mine." The seer replied as he made himself comfortable on the couch. He looked all around the room until his eyes landed on an unconscious Cassia. "Might I ask who is that?" He pointed at her. "None of your concern." Rona interjected.
"I'm sorry if I have offended you in any way sir." The seer replied with a feigned apologetic tone. Lorian was slowly walking towards him when the seer suddenly sat up.
"Nesa! Mira! How are two of the most gorgeous girls on the planet doing."
The two girls jumped up from Toka's side to run to the seer who got out of the chair to embrace them. "Both of you are so cute." He mused as he turned to look at Lorian who had stopped in his tracks. "Why didn't any of you tell me that your big brother was coming home today?"
"Yes, about that." Elara replied with unease.
"Let me guess it has something to do with that girl over there."
"They killed Solomon."
"Oh I'm so sorry." He feigned concern again as he stopped embracing the girls and held their hands.
The rage boiling in Lorian had reached its boiling point and he clenched his fists hard and bit hard as he took a step closer to the seer only for Rona to hold his hand, his gaze set on the two girls near the seer.
The seer got up releasing the two girls, who still stood there looking at him expectantly.
"Okay." He said playfully as he dug into his coat pocket and fished out four wrapped candies. The girls excitedly giggled "Thank you." In unison as they snatched them from his hand and ran back to their father. The seer then walked past Lorian and Rona to Elara hugging her for a brief moment.
"I am so sorry for the loss."
"Well actually my son is also affected greatly by this tragedy." Elara pointed out. The seer pulled out of the embrace to face a triggered Lorian. "We must have not met before this, my apologies for not introducing myself, I am brother Narr, I am Elara's spiritual counsellor and a family friend."
"Huh, how funny I am hearing of you for the first time today."
"Sorry it's just that I like to keep a low profile."
"You don't say."
"I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mentor, I heard he was such a good man."
"As you should."
"Son! Behave." Elara scolded her son. Lorian didn't apologize he instead kept his glare trained on the seer. The seer simply smiled back before turning to Rona "And who might this gentleman?"
Rona did reply.
"A friend of my son." Elara answered.
"What happened to you?" He asked stepping closer to Rona. "I got attacked but luckily Lorian was nearby to help." The seer nodded as if satisfied by the reply before turning to the girl "And her, was she with you?"
"Yes."
"Elara you have an amazing son, I would really like to take him under my wing so that he could be of help to more people down here."
Lorian scoffed as Elara shot him an accusatory glance. The seer turned his attention towards Cassia.
"That being said I would recommend calling the authority to handle the situation regarding Solomon's murder and also getting this girl immediate medical attention."
"Yes sure, right away." Elara complied as she took out the analog phone attached on the wall.
"Wait I'll take her to a medical center myself, besides I also need help." Rona interjected.
"Yeah I'll accompany them mom no need to worry alright?"
Elara nodded as Lorian picked up Cassia lifting her with his arms to a cradled position and began walking towards the door before someone called him.
He turned to face the seer who was standing right behind them.
"I'll come too, the more the merrier am I right?"
Lorian nodded uneasily as Rona opened the door to leave and the four of them were in the corridor then the metal steps leading further down and then out of the tenement building. It was when they were outside in the crowded street that Lorian let out a huge exhale nearly dropping Cassia as he struggled to figure out which feeling was finally overcome him fully, fear for his family or anger that this monster had once again showed himself after dragging him through hell. He didn't have much time to think further as he realized Rona was nowhere in his line of sight.
"Ron…" his speech was cut short by a groan as he turned to see the seer stomping furiously on a weakened Rona. Lorian's hands glowed a dim reddish orange as gently put Cassia down and charged at the seer.
" Oh no no no you stay right there, touch and hundreds of my creations under this god-damned building will tear it down and kill everything in sight."
Lorian stopped.
"Good." The seer turned his attention to Rona who was heaving and coughing out blood as he struggled to get up. "I hate you know that?" The seer spat as he picked up the struggling man by his collar. He kicked Rona so hard he wet flying into some huge old metal trash bin which collapsed due to the stress causing the mutated vermin's inside it to start skittering away some into the dark end of the alleyway and some into the busy street.
The people walking by didn't even seem to take notice of what was happening to the poor man they just walked.
"See that." The seer pointed at the busy crowd "These are the people you are fighting for, these are are the people whose lives you want to make better." He then burst out laughing as Rona used the wrecked bin to stand. "It's…cough…because of…cough…people like you thay are like this." Rona coughed as he lunged a weak punch which the seer easily ducked landing a devastating blow to Rona's abdomen causing him to spew out more blood. "Wrong!" He leaned over the squirming man. "All we do is offer them something to believe in, we give them purpose, belonging not false hope like you and your organization." He snapped his neck to face Lorian who had gotten closer to him and then Lorian felt it the scratching of hundreds of whatever was below them. The metal ground creaked as hungry shiny black eyes peered over through the drainage holes. The seer smirked before turning to Rona again "And if you keep on clinging to those misguided beliefs you and your friends will keep on failing and failing until you have nothing else left to cling on to."
He then pointed at Cassia.
"And leave her out whatever you and your friends are cooking over there in your little circle jerk offs." He spat again. "She was very happy with where she was at home with her family." He barked as he began to ease himself and stood upright.
"Okay now that that's done, I need to know everything you saw and heard down there."
He turned to Lorian.
"Don't worry I'll bring back, as for the state he will be in well you can only pray."
Lorian now enraged charged at him. The seer ducked the impulsive attack before tripping him to the ground.
"Easy now kid."
"I'll kill you." Lorian roared as he tried to grab him while still on the ground, this earned him a kick on the nose.
"Careful now I don't want to dirty my shoes any further."
Lorian got up and lunged again this time with the intent of grabbing his jacket.
"Whoa there." The seer sidestepped causing Lorian to stumble on to the metal steps. He was now on the verge of tears.
"Please just leave us alone." He turned to face the seer again, his tone was pleading.
The seer slowly nodded as if acknowledging his words much to Lorian's surprise, that was when he looked over his shoulder only to notice Cassia wasn't there.
"No." was the last words d he managed to say before getting knocked out cold by the seer who straightened himself and walked up to a still struggling Rona who was now guggling incoherent curses at him.
"Oh yeah I remember now it was both you and that ragged kid, you lucky bastards were the once who got the blessing of seeing her in all her Majesty and hearing her beautiful hymn." He then began chocking Rona out until he fell unconscious.
"The congregation is waiting, best not to keep them waiting."