A Little Deal At The Low-side

    On any other normal day, Rion wouldn't be sitting across the foyer and staring off into the ominous streets of Tritos. Unlike in Theios, that's silent in a very disciplined way, Tritos had a very different kind of silence. The buzzing streets were nowhere to be seen, and the people barely leave their homes. It was because of the absolute order of May Frior, who turned out to be much paranoid than Rion thought. He thought that once he comes at this part of the Den again, he'd still be welcomed by the occasional noises of people doing their business, but he was not.

     Leo didn't tell him that, considering that he's living in Tritos, and it seemed like he wanted him to be disappointed than ever. He wanted to be in a different place other than Antes because he's growing sick of it. If Rion is still on his younger years, it would take his life to go to other parts of the Den—at least just Tritos because Sequi and Theios are crazy about their security—but now, all it took him was to introduce himself as a new Defender.

     "See, I told you," Leo said preparing their drinks. "We should have gone to Antes instead. It might be dangerous but there are lots to do. Say, for example, women."

    Rion stared at his abnormal friend and fought back the urge to roll his eyes. Leo was well aware that Antes is a very dangerous place, with thief and murderers hanging on the street, and the chance to get caught up in a crossfire of gangs and notorious groups like ERYTROS was 100. 10 percent, so being in there would be too dangerous for them. Not that Rion and Leo can protect themselves, but being in Antes is tiring.

     "Women. Right. You can go hit it off with everyone you see on the streets of Antes unless you want to get killed while having sex." Rion muttered under his breath, somehow waiting for someone to make noises in the empty street where Leo's quarter stood. "But that's not the thing. What the heck happened here?"

     "Frior's orders." Leo shrugged. "They said that he's trying to keep everyone safe if ever a god attacks Tritos—or the other parts of the Den. It killed everyone's buzz, but they can't possibly rebel on his orders. They'll get killed discreetly, or worse, their execution will be held in public. You know Frior, strict as a goddamned fu—"

      Then what's the point of the Defenders? Rion thought. He grew up seeing Defenders go in pack, with their sharp specialized blades and powerful guns, getting in action outside the walls. Whenever this situation happens, Rion would always find a way to sneak from their home and silently watch the Defenders. All of them are brave and strong, their faces fierce despite the gigantic gods waiting for them outside the walls. Rion wanted to be like them, he was about to be like them. Then Tanner's subject happened.

    "What, doesn't he trust the new slayers of the gods?" Rion mocked and let our a scornful laugh. Leo just gave him a weird look then shook his head while chuckling lowly.

     "No, I don't think that's it," Leo said. "The other day, I think? Some Parasites burrowed their way towards here in Tritos."

     "Hold on, what?"

    Rion couldn't help but think how ridiculous that sounded. For hundreds of years, the wall kept them safe, but also the strong barriers located under the ground did so. It was one of the things that protected the Den, and now it was getting bypassed by the Parasites? Was it getting weaker by the years or the Parasites found another way? Suddenly, the small sense of safety that Rion felt vanished with his chance to be a Defender.

    Leo gazed at him, tilting his head. "It's not what you're thinking," Leo said finally. "The Parasites came from Antes. Someone told me that they were out there intentionally, to attack Tritos."

    This time, Rion couldn't find the right words to say, but he wasn't that surprised. He knew that it was a very fucked-up place, and he should because he came from it. But Parasites from Antes? When did people learn how to engage Parasites? Had he been far away from the Den for too long to miss this information? And why would some people do such a thing? Sometimes, Rion wished that he never came back from the training camp and just stayed there forever.

    Then, Leo grinned. "And guess what?"

     "What?"

     "We're assigned to find out who are they so we're not entirely useless. You remember the guy from Aegis that talked to us before we left the Core?" Leo asked, still grinning. "He said to me that it was the duty that we're assigned to for now. So I just told you. If you didn't leave there, then you'd know, too." then he rolled his eyes.

      Rion's eyebrows furrowed, remembering the small man that literally pulled them beside like a damn creeper. It was another man from Aegis itself, another messenger that was delivered by the head of the Defenders, Reina Dominique. He said so himself.

      "You two must be Sedra and Albrazak?" The small man  had said, his eyes thinning. "There's a slight change about the upper hand's decision for you, two."

     Rion never felt so angry his whole life. They were treated as pawns, the players moving them and changing their positions even if it's not allowed. A marionette that can do nothing but to sway with the strings and the handles of their master. He didn't train all his life to be like that, but somehow, he turned out to be one. And he can't do anything about it. So before the small man said another thing, he walked out in the hope of not connecting his fists to the small man's face and tell him to fuck off.

     Remembering it again made him feel butter and awfully angry. He glared at Leo, who was happily grinning despite their situation. "Like that changed anything."

     Leo gave him a confused look. "Mate, it changed everything." He said. "I don't get you. That day, you were so angry that we were left behind, and now you're like that?"

     Of course, the easy-going Leo, the laid back Leo, couldn't understand him. Unlike Rion, Leo was contented about whatever that came in his way, accepting them like a damned long lost child of his and get over with it. Rion wanted more. He wasn't greedy, no. He wanted more because he knew that he deserved more. It was enough for him to go all crazy and moody.

     But what choice did he have, actually? He can't do  anything about it, and either he liked it or not, he's going to do whatever the small man said to Leo. He can turn back and walk away, but he can never escape the changes and the orders of the higher-ups.

     "Don't mind me. I'm just thinking fairly, unlike you." Rion said, which earned another laugh from Leo.

     But thinking about it, it's probably when he tried to get out the safety perimeter of their camp that's located outside the wall, high at the mountains, where little trees can be found. Thinking that they're completely safe in the high grounds, he got a little bit far from the camp, and soon, he was lost.

      Then came some of the Parasites, hissing at him with their four, gigantic mouth circled with razor-sharp teeth, the acid dripping from their tongues and eyes, their skin that seemed to sweat blood. They were just parasites, Rion thought that time, sheathing his greatsword. It was easy at first, and he practically slew two of the Parasites. He was proud that time but before he knew it, he was surrounded. That's where his maestro's words made sense. They may not be as strong as the Skywalkers, but they depend on their numbers. Like a pack of wolves, they attacked Rion, and he knew full well that he had no chance, then came Leo.

      Rion wasn't entirely grateful for Leo. In fact, he was furious, claiming that he didn't need his help and all that. Then he got lowered in his rankings and spent another year to top his squad. Of course, that's what happened to Leo.

     Thinking about it made Rion nostalgic. It's been so many  years, and with the hope to be one of the greatest Defenders. He seriously thought that his hard work would pay off, and there'll be a welcoming. He guess not.

     "Anyway, don't you think we should tell Reina about all this?" Leo said out of nowhere, earning Rion's famous eyebrow scrunch.

      "You literally just called her earlier," Rion stated. "And she cut you off mercilessly." then he laughed.

     "That doesn't mean that she can't help us." Leo pushed. "Look, we both know that Reina got jaw-dropping toys hidden under her sleeve.  We can borrow it for a while, you know? It will help us."

      Back in the days, weapons aren't really a problem for the two. They always had a variety of choices. Rion for the great sword and Leo for the big guns,  but right after they graduated from their training, their weapons were taken back from them. It was the most unbelievable thing that the camp did to them, much unbelievable to expect them slay a Skywalker as the camp's tradition. These days, Rion found himself reaching for the great sword that's strapped on his back in his previous years, only to remember that it wasn't there anymore.

      "Well, her weapons will, but she won't." Rion raised his thick brows, daring Leo to argue with him. The young man just scowled at Rion then grunted. He knew that Reina wouldn't even lift a finger to help them. "But I know someone who would, actually."

     Leo shot him a curious look. The fall about weapons and help made Rion's thoughts drift on one person in Antes. Back in his training days, Rion befriended a girl from Antes that shipped weapons to their camp. They all called her Wilde, with amber-colored eyes and a  mischievous look, etched on her face. Rion didn't know where the girl found the guts to leave the wall just to deliver weapons, but she always had the newest and strongest weapons from Aegis itself.

    "Oh," Leo voiced, reading Rion's thoughts. "No way.

     Rion groaned at him. "Well, she's our only choice. We can't possibly go for the weapons that are presented by the merchants. It's second hand and made from the materials of the Old World. Before we can even use them, we're god feed."

     Leo thought of this and realized that Rion was right. "Fine, whatever. But I really don't like her."

     "Why not?" Rion asked in an innocent tone. "Is it because  she bested you in combat back then? Geez, just to remind you, you're the one who challenged her."

     The reminder made Leo scowl. "I know that." He said, yet popping another can of beer. It was his tenth. "But seriously.. she just ugh."

     "It's not her fault she made guys and girls swoon in the camp whenever she came," Rion said, snickering. "And damn hell it's not her fault that you didn't dodge her blade's swing."

      Leo grumbled under his breath and grabbed an empty can beside him, throwing it to Rion. Rion just gave a teasing smile in return when he dodged the can effortlessly. Leo might be an easy-going and charming dude, but he was never good at accepting that someone's much better in him in the fields he's proud of. That is his looks and his skills.

     "Whatever," Leo waved his hands dismissively. "A favor, though. Kill her for me tomorrow."

     "Tomorrow?" Rion asked. "When exactly do we need the weapons?"

     "Right after the new Defenders of the city are introduced in public," Leo answered, making air quotes. "Which is three days from now, I think? At least that's what the rumors say."

     Rion didn't know whether to feel dreadful or a bit excited.  Then, he thought of how the higher-ups rejected them, told them that they're no longer needed, and after some minutes, told them that they're going to work on a secret mission as slight change. He decided that he felt dreadful.

    "Stupid Liberators and stupid Parasites." He grumbled under his breath.

    "You sound bored." Leo noticed, chuckling for a reason that Rion did not understand. "Don't you find this all exciting?"

    Rion didn't know whether he should smack his friend's face or just give up, sleep, and never wake up ever again. He decided to roll his eyes and groan. "I don't," Rion said, his eyes now focused outside of Leo's quarters. "But I'd rather have  my ass out there after three days than being stuck in here and sulk over because of being a reject or something."

    Leo snorted. "Or something." He said. "I swear on my Old World underpants that if I didn't tell you this, that's what you really would do."

     "Disgusting. And yes."

     Rion couldn't even imagine what he would do besides being bitter and angry at the Liberators if ever. And probably starting a protest or something. That, he can imagine.

     "Whatever," Leo shrugged, a smile on his face. He grabbed the cans on the counter and three it one by one at the trash can as he make his way towards underground, where both of their rooms are located. "I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when it's the morning."

      "You're kidding me," Rion said before his friend reach their rooms. He squinted his eyes at a distance, seeing the orange and red Ray's of the sun rise from the horizon. He thought that this time would be considered as magical in the Old World, with the beauty of it and all that. But now, in the New World, the rise of the Sun was just another sign for humans that the Skywalkers are descending to the ground. "It's morning already."

     Leo stopped on his tracks, looked outside, and scowled. "You're telling me that we've been sitting there all night?"

     "If you weren't so talkative, then no."

      "You mean if we didn't visit some places that were absolutely pointless just because you want to shout from the top of your lungs, kick some random stray animal and act like a complete idiot, then no?" Leo retorted, rolling his eyes. Rion remembered the things that happened outside and cringed at himself. "But that doesn't matter. Does this mean that we have to go to Antes right now and meet your friend?"

      "Looks like it," Rion answered.

      Having to live in Antes made him learn that real business starts early in the morning, or late in the night. That's when the shipping, the deals, and murders happen in Antes. Somewhere deep underground, somewhere at the most narrow alleys and hidden places. And when the Sunrise and the whole place is alive, no one would give a damn about the multiple bodies found dead, or the riots or the weapons scattered on the ground, because why should they? It was just a normal day in Antes, and no one cares about it.

     And Wilde, that girl, even if she doesn't admit it, Rion can smell it from her skin, the alleys she had been, the guns that she used, the smell of gunpowder and blood. Antes has marked her. She's probably working for someone or something, or maybe, she was the one who's being worked for.

     There are two kinds of people in Antes. The workers and the bosses. That's it. No in-betweens. Rion was a worker before he decided to talk with the Defenders that he's seeing every night, beg them to take him, train him, promised them that he won't be a piece of extra baggage, and do whatever they want. After all, no person in Antes can actually afford to enroll themselves in the program that Aegis had for the aspiring Defenders. So Rion begged. Until they nodded, gave him a gun, and commanded him to shoot a stray cat. It was easy for Rion. It was just a cat. Then the next thing they wanted him to shoot was a person.

     And now he's here.

     Leo's heavy sigh brought back Rion to the present. "Dude, I don't want to go," Leo said. Room stared at him in shock. Leo groaned. "I mean, I don't wanna see her face. Just thinking about it, asking her for help is just plain annoying. I have a feeling that if ever we see each other, I'm going to try and kill her."

     "Is that really it?" Rion asked. He never heard Leo actually say I don't want to go because going anywhere and annoying people is his passion. "Why are you being weird right now?"

      "I'm always weird, thank you very much." He said then grunted. "And yes, that's really it. I just hate seeing her, man. If only you know..."

      "If only I know what?" His eyes narrowed. "You're not telling me something, are you? What did you and Wilde got.." He twisted his middle and forefinger together and wriggled his eyebrows suggesting something. Close.

     Leo looked like he wanted to barf. "You're disgusting, Sedra," he said. "It's not like that, shit head. You wouldn't get it."

     Rion considered this. He never really got his friend, not really. Not his hobby about annoying people, having tons of girls with him on a bed, his easy-going attitude, or about how just accepted the Liberators' first decision for them. Leo was a cluster of things wrapped in one body and covered with clothing that Rion didn't get. But Leo would always make an effort for Rion to have a little peek inside his brain at times, and this was not of those times, so Rion didn't push it with his friend.

      "Yeah, I don't and I won't," Rion said. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're coming with me. What, you're just going to sit here all day long while I work my ass making deals with Wilde and avoid getting murdered or robbed in Antes?"

     "Yes. So?"

     Rion rolled his eyes. "Don't be such a pussy."

     "Damn you, mate," Leo said and backed up from his tracks. Rion watched him as he pull a random dark coat that's stacked on one of the chairs messily and wear it with a grunt. "Just promise me that you'll stop me whenever I try to kill her."

     The time that the two got ready to leave their quarters, the Sun was up in Tritos, highlighting the slightly chaotic buildings and the deserted buildings that Mau Frior never destroyed in the way. Just like in Antes, Tritos got this chaotic sense and style oozing from some of the parts of it, but it was much better than Antes in terms of orders. Few people can be seen on the streets, a sense of fear in their moves like they're being watched. And they are. Every now and then, there are microbots hovering in the air of Tritos, sending live feeds to its headquarters. Behind the buildings, deep inside the bushes—Mau Frior's eyes are literally everywhere.

     Passing several buildings and fear-stricken citizens, the   pair got to the entrance of the underground passage of Tritos. Not everyone can go to the different parts of the Den so Rion was thankful for nothing in particular that they can use their identity for granted when it comes to traveling in the underground passages of Tritos towards Antes's. That is if they don't disclose the fact they're not real Defenders.

     Rion's eyes studied the cars in front of them. It looked like it was never used. "Really, when was the last time that these cars are used?'

     "Who knows?" Leo said, shrugging.

     The two entered the nearest car, and soon enough, they were greeted by a bulky-looking man, his eyes a startling shade of blue. He's sitting on one of the installed chairs, staring and glaring at the empty space before him. On his chest was an 'X' sign, the symbol for someone that was about to get deported to the other parts of the Den. It's either this man did something horrible in Tritos, or he did something very horrible in Tritos.

     Two more guys in black uniform emerged from one of the connecting cars. Tritos's force, Rion thought. They must be the ones that's guarding the bulky man.

     Leo cleared his throat and widened his eyes a little at Rion like leave him alone and approached the last seat, but he couldn't follow Leo. Seeing the man made him remember some awful memories. He stood there, feeling shock deep inside him. How many years has it been? Ten? Fifteen? How long has it been since he saw his mother get thrown out from the wall when he saw how the Parasites take away her body one by one with their fangs and claws, how they burned off her skin and the blood spill from her eyes, her detached legs and arms, her bones and muscles popping and snapping every time the Parasites rip and twist her arms and legs and neck? The shrill cry from her as she scream Rion's name for help? He couldn't remember how long has it been, but everything came back to him with a fresh sting on his chest.

       Will that man be like his parents? Will he be killed, too? He can see what would happen to the man, eaten alive by the Parasites, his eyes widened in fear as he hear his own bones snapping, and how his flesh make that sloshing sound as the Parasites rip out his flesh, just like what happened to his mother.

     The man's eyes suddenly snapped at him and he snarled. "Whaddya want?" The man asked, yanking back Rion from the past. "Ya wanna piece o' me, huh?"

     "No." He said weakly and forced his eyes to go find Leo. He turned away from the man and walked towards the seat where Leo was, his knees threatening to buckle.

     As  soon as he plopped himself beside Leo, Leo said, "What the heck was that?" He asked. "You stared for that dude for like, almost a minute. Love at first sight?"

    "It's nothing." Rion murmured. "I'm just wondering where they would deport him."

     As if on cue, the entire car's system lit with blue lights on the linings. Outside, the whole car was encased with a magnetic field around it to keep it on track when it's moving. It was the sign that the car will now depart, and Rion couldn't help but think where the bulky man would be deported to. He tried to shrug off the thoughts inside his brain, which, thankfully, he succeeded to do, and focused his eyes outside the car, where cool lights were emitting. They mu no feel it but they were moving—really fast. In no time, they'd be in Antes.

     "Probably to the underground prisons." Leo finally answered, whispering. "I've seen those kinds of forces before. They're not your friends, typical officers of Tritos. They're Frior's personal workers. I've heard that those peeps are the ones that deliver people to their doom."

     "What do you mean?"

     "Exactly what I mean."

      "There's an underground prison in Tritos?"

      Leo rolled his eyes. "That's literally what I just said."

     Rion pursed his lips. He's never heard of such thing. "What do they do in those prisons?"

     "It's either they're interrogated for something or Frior has his own plan for those peeps. Who knows? It's not like I'm one of his prisoners." Leo said. "Why are you interested, anyways? It's not like—don't tell me you did something?"

     "If you don't stop accusing me of things, maybe I'll actually do something." Rion couldn't help the irritation in his voice.

     Leo just gave off a small laugh and didn't say anything, which Rion was thankful for. Finally, everything went to a  halt. Rion immediately looked at the two officers as they drag the deport out of the car. The man struggled against the officers, but the two officers were much stronger than him.

     "I didn't do it!" The man yelled at the officers, doing his best to burn holes on their body with just a glare. "You don't get it! It was Mau who—"

      "That's useless." Leo murmured as he watches the man struggle against the officers—and was obviously failing despite his size. "Denying it won't change anything or worse, it will make everything much horrible than that."

     Rion immediately got what Leo meant. There's no chance  that a person can escape or reason their way in Tritos. It was a city known for its laws. What was seen, what was heard, it was just that. The forces won't waste their time knowing the reasons for your actions or your words. It was the highest order of Mau Frior. The law was based on a person's acts, not on his reasons. That enough made the people of Tritos think of their acts and basically live their lives as a living robot.

      The air in Antes smelled like sewer and the people were looking at them suspiciously, their eyes glinting. The chaotic arrangement looked like it was intentionally made for the robbers as multiple escape routes. Looking around the structures that looked like they would cripple and fall under a slight force made Leo stay away from them. It was not his first time in Antes, but seeing the whole place in broad daylight made his stomach churn for some reason. Besides, the streets are stains of blood and rats chasing one another. Dying beggars are scattered around, slumping on the pedestrians. He always thought that Tritos and Antes are somehow alike, but now that he thought of it, there are no and strays or beggars, and there are absolutely no bloodstains.

      He looked at his friend, Rion, who looked unfazed with all of these. It was hours ago since they reached Antes, but he never thought that they were going to the very edge of Antes, Kharé. Rion said to him that it would take some hours for them to reach it. Thinking about it ruined his mood, no, knowing that they have to go all the way to Antes just because to see some sarcastic, snappish, and moody girl for weapons can even ruin his whole life.

     "Gee," Leo said, carefully eyeing the hooded people walking past them. He never knows who might be a murderer or a third or both passing him. "You never told me that Antes is like a big slaughterhouse with pig people."

     Rion has Leo his usual frown and one of his rare eye rolls. "You spend most of your time in the streets, letting girls hook with you all night until you're spent, and now you're telling me that?"

     Well, Leo thought. That's not exactly wrong. He shrugged, trying to keep his pace with Rion who seemed to be in a hurry. "That's not what I meant. Keep the countless girls that I've charmed out of this." Leo wanted to add a 'they're innocent' but then he figured that they weren't. "What I meant was—does this place has a leader?"

     That replaced the frown on Rion's face with a blank look. Rion looked around, his eyes kind of wary then shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, it has but... He or she—"

     "Let's go with her."

     Rion groaned. "She never really shows in public, and as you can see, she doesn't do anything around here. Psychopaths, sociopaths, beggars, strays, thieves, murderer, etcetera, etcetera—are still here." He said. "Or maybe Antes had a leader. Who knows if she's dead?"

     Leo didn't say anything and let Rion's words sink into his brain. The leader of Antes being dead was very possible. Antes was made out of everything nasty in the Den, and even the Liberators and Aegis itself can't do anything about it. Leo couldn't help but laugh thinking that it was the hopeless part of hope itself. Of Aegis itself. His father once said that the Old World was just as worse as the present, minus the alien beings that literally just sprouted and descended to Earth randomly.

        He tried to imagine what the world used to be. With countless vehicles producing smoke (Reina told him that it's called Air Pollution. He didn't care) or the buildings that kissed the blue skies, the Sun and the moon and the stars shining despite the thick clouds—Leo never saw the stars—and everything that was erased in the New World.

       "Will you look at that," Leo suddenly murmured when he saw what's in front of them.

      He was so busy looking around that he actually didn't notice the looking wall over them. He never saw Antes's wall this close in his whole life. The thick cemented, and metall barred walls that dug deep down into the Earth and pierced right to the sky looked like the roof of the Earth this close. He craned his neck, squinting his eyes as he tried to look for the end of the wall deep inside the clouds. He couldn't. And to think that they're not even on half of the edge of Antes blew his mind. The walls looked and felt close.

     "The wall of Antes."

    Rion was such a genius.

     Leo looked around, noticing that the people of Antes was looking at them both weirdly like What, you haven't seen a wall your whole life? What a loser. Leo remembered Reina right after he marveled about the wall. Reina wondered how long did it take for the people to build the wall, how many times it was destroyed before succeeding. How the people of the Earth didn't even turn extinct while waiting. A hundred years, maybe, Reina said. Or they've been working on it before the invasion of the gods.

     Leo's heart tugged a little as he remembered Reina's steely demeanor and her stern attitude. The look of her hair against the sun, her famous scowl, and the calculating look in her eyes. How her plump and red lips would turn into a  hard line whenever she's thinking about something she doesn't like. Reina was a woman of science, and emotions are overrated for her. Heck, maybe she doesn't even have emotions in the first place. She was rude and salty, but it made Leo want to talk to her more.

    Leo shook his head, shocked about how his thoughts floated from the wall to Reina.

    "We stopped," Leo mentioned. "Is this Kharé already?"

    "We've been in Kharé for like hours, Leo," Rion said. "This is just the place where—I think—we can see Wilde. That girl's like a stray cat."

    Leo shot Rion an offended look. "You underrate her." He said. "A sewer rat would do much nice."

    "Wow, you really hate her."

    "Anyone in their right mind will," Leo replied, thinking about how that girl beat his ass—no,  he won't admit it to himself that he was beaten by that girl. And there are other reasons he doesn't want to think about it. "Anyway, if what you're saying is right, then where the in the new hell is she?"

    Sure, there are people all around them, but they were acting like it was the first time they saw other people like Leo. Their eyes are wary, and whenever Leo catches their eyes, they would glare and look away as they cover their faces with their shawls,  scarfs, and hooded and ragged robes. Leo wondered why they were acting like that, but he didn't have the chance to ask Rion when his friend sprinted forward so fast that a rush of air crossed his face.

      "Oh, for fuck's sake," Leo murmured under his breath. "Here we go."

      Leo saw where his friend stopped like an idiot. In front of Rion was a girl—a girl that set Leo's veins in fire and his stomach getting hollow. It was Wilde. That's how they call her, but Leo knew better. Even with the dark hooded cape that the girl was wearing, Leo can sense rather than see, that it was really the girl that he hated. Cursing under his breath while praying he wouldn't kill the girl if ever, he walked towards the two.

      Rion and the girl spun around to look at him, and there was this sense of amusement that came into him when he saw Rion's expression turn into a troubled one. But then, it disappeared when he noticed that the girl that beat him, shamed him and basically ruined his life back then didn't even react when she saw him. The girl still had that hard yet blank look in her amber eyes, her lips set into a frown. Suddenly, Leo felt ridiculed. Had he spent years of his life hating a girl that didn't even seem to mind him?

     He felt anger well up in his chest.

     "Oh, look," Rion said in fake enthusiasm. "It's our buddy, Leo! Yeah?" He said then looked suggestingly at Wilde.

    She shrugged. "I don't even know who he is. But okay." She squinted her eyes at Leo, and the end of her lips quirked up slightly. "What's up, frenny?"

    "Frenny?"

    She shrugged. "It's an Old World slang."

    Leo couldn't feel annoyed enough. The girl doesn't even remember him? He bit back a curse and offered a tight and forced smile. "Well, how are you, Wilde? Some things you did bit back your ass? I'd like to know."

      "You remind me of someone." The girl just said then turned to Rion. "You were saying?"

    It took a second longer for Rion to say something. He first glanced at Leo like Do we continue this? You're not going to try and kill her? Based on the uncertainty on Rion's face, Leo's look didn't give any answer.

     "You do remember me, right?" Rion asked expectantly.

    "Who would forget someone that almost got himself killed just because he wanted to prove something and failed miserably?"  Wilde's eyes danced with amusement for a second, then it dimmed out just as fast. "Everyone. But you do look familiar. Lion... Lion what again?"

     "It's Rion, actually. Rion Sedra." Rion said, his voice having the edge of disappointment. Well, he looked so sure and actually called Wilde his friend just earlier. "From the Defenders' camp. The one where you used to go to ship some weapon—"

     "It's the same thing and I do remember the camp, thank you very much," Wilde said, the look on her face saying well, what do you want?  She kept glancing around and shifting on her feet. She's uncomfortable and wary, just like everyone. "Well, are we all just going to stand  here and waste each other's time?"

     "We need your help," Rion said, and Leo couldn't help but glare at Rion's way. He always hated to ask for help. Especially from a girl like Wilde.

     Wilde's lips quirked. "As if I don't know that." She crossed her arms. "Help about what, exactly?"

    "Well, we need weapons," Leo answered for the first time, wanting he conversation to end quickly. "My friend here—Rion—knows that you're working for someone that smuggles weapons. If  you can't help us directly, we'd like to talk to your boss."

    Leo didn't know if it was just his imagination or he saw Wilde's bored and tired look harden because she smoothed her face just as quickly. Although, she's squinting her eyes at Rion now. Of course, Rion wasn't sure of that thing, but Leo took his chances. Everyone in Antes is working for someone. That's how they lived.

    Before Rion can deny what Leo said, Wilde mumbled, "I can't help you with that problem, then." She said. "My boss and I, aren't exactly in good terms."

     "Then just tell us where we can find them. If he or she asks where we got the information, we won't tell that it was you." Leo said immediately, not wanting Wilde to say anything more that will make their chance go zero. "Look, we don't owe you anything—"

    "I'm glad you realize that." Wilde cut him off, her amber eyes turning into a darker shade as she glared at Leo. "You don't understand half of the shit you two are dealing with."

     "Yeah, and we're so awesome we actually want to know the half of it.  And guess what, you're ruining it."

     Leo expected Wilde to go all angry at him for his remark, but instead, her glare softened into an amused look with the end of her lips quirked up slightly.

     "You're good at making friends, strange man that I have no idea about, but you're clearly not here from Antes to go all feisty on me." She said and then she looked at Rion. "Maybe your friend Lion here will understand. I work for Fernando Dachili."

      It was the silliest name Leo heard (because he doesn't like the person who said it) but something about it made Rion tense. Then, a memory came back to him. Rion mentioned that name once to him when they were talking about Antes. He said that whoever that guy is, he's the leader of the most notorious group in Antes. He didn't know what's the name of the group, though, but the way that Rion said it, it seemed like he was there personally as he talks about the group's largest crime all over Arcane. Clearly, Leo didn't mind him.

     "Who cares about him?" Leo found himself saying. "If he's your boss then we're your damn client."

     The girl shrugged, letting out an exhausted sigh. "Sure, then." she said. "but before anything else, I'd like you two to do me a favor."

    "Excuse me?" Leo voiced.

     She ignored him. "I demand four red golds right now. Consider it as your payment for my help."

     "Red golds?" Leo wondered. "You're demanding money, right? Why not ask for chips?"

     She rolled her eyes. "There's no such thing as chips in Antes. We don't have our names written in Arcane's database, so digital money doesn't work."

     Rion pulled something from his pocket, a sphere-shaped gold that actually shone red under the lights. "Location before golds. So?"

     Wilde looked like she wanted to claw out the golds from Rion's hands. She groaned, "You can find him right inside the Core. He's now working for Aegis."

      Leo's forehead scrunched. How in the world did a notorious gang leader from Antes just popped out in Theios?

     "Where, exactly?" Rion demanded.

     "The latest facility. Just beside the Defender's circle." She said. Leo's ears perked up with what he heard. Wilde continued, looking bored and lazy to even talk. She cocked her eyebrow. "Well?"

     Rion sighed then handed Wilde the red golds. "This is legitimate information, right? You're not shitting with us?"

      Wilde didn't even made the effort to answer and got on her way after she looked at Rion and Leo like something was about to happen. It was one of the things that Leo hated about the girl, ever since in his trainee days. The knowing look, the slight quirk of her lips, and her over-all foxy appearance. Leo's eyes followed the girl as she strode across the people and silently vanish in one of the narrow pathways beside a small building. She might have been pretty if she wasn't just herself, Leo thought.

    After their encounter with Wilde, they decided to go back to Tritos instead of staying in Rion's quarters in Antes. It would much faster for them to reach the Core in there. The whole day, Leo spent his time doing the thing that he least did. Thinking. On any other day, he'd find himself drinking, flirting with girls, and telling himself to keep his chill every time. And besides thinking, the second thing he hated happened. He tried to contact Reina (for reasons that he, himself, couldn't fathom) and got rejected mercilessly. He told her all about their secret mission and Reina, bing herself, was uninterested.

    "What does this information has to do with me?" Reina had asked, sounding stern as ever. She was looking at Leo with a hard look. Leo couldn't help but notice Reina's overall appearance. Her pale green eyes burning and freezing at the same time, her lips set in a hard line. Her prim posture, her black coat fitting her gorgeously—

    "Leo,"  Reina said. "What do you want from me?"

    Reina's voice yanked him back to his senses, or more like helped him out of his senses. How many times should Leo hear Reina's cold and smooth voice until he gets tired of it? Ger voice still had the same effect on him. He still felt drawn to it but at the same time, intimidated. It stirred inside him. Reina was just too attractive for Leo.

     "I was wondering if you have any information about this. Maybe it could help us." Leo finally answered, and behind him, Rion laughed.

     Reina's brows knitted. "I study the origins of the gods, not someplace where random Parasites that attacked Tritos came from."

     "I'm just asking. Geez." Leo mumbled, not knowing if he'll ever feel reasonable and clever in Reina's eyes.

     "And I don't have the answers that you're looking for." Reina retorted. "Now, if you'll please excuse me, I had a very... unnerving day."

    Leo saw Reina's gesture beside her. She's about to hang upon him. Again. "Wait, what do you mean?"

     Reina actually looked like she was considering telling him. She sighed a thing that she rarely does based on Leo's observation. Reina crossed her arms, frowning.  "The new God slayers. I met one of them."

      "God slayers? You mean the people who Dr. Niell Tanner experimented on?" Rion asked this time, slamming down his mug of coffee on the table a little too hard. Reina's frown deepened the moment she heard Tanner's name. "How in the world did you met that person? Aren't they supposed to be in the mysterious stage?"

      "I don't know. I don't even support the idea of implanting a god's DNA to humans in the first place. The Liberators invited me to Theios and I met Dr. Tanner. We talked about his project, and of course, I opposed it. It's too dangerous. For me, it's more safe and reasonable to depend on the Defenders instead of new-invented monsters disguised as humans."

     "Yeah," Rion's voice was grudging. "Me, too."

    "But Tanner, he brought someone with him. A girl. A former agent of Aegis. She's one of the four subjects that Tanner experimented on."

      "What's that gotta do with Tanner and the meeting and all?" Leo asked.

     "The girl—the subject. She's impressive. She's like..." Reina's lip twitched a little. "A thing that I couldn't understand."

      "What do you mean?" Rion asked, now approaching Reina's holographic image closer.

     "Would you believe me that this girl had matched a god perfectly? Think of it as two identities inside one body, but still bonded. Moving and acting like one." Reina shifted on her feet and did something on her desk that they couldn't see. "It was impossible. A god and human acting as one. Even the other three of Tanner's subjects are still coping, and they couldn't control the gods in them. But this particular girl, she did."

      "Soon, they won't need us." Leo heard Rion murmur under his breath. "How can you say so?" Rion asked, louder this time.

      "I saw," Reina said simply. "It's impossible to explain."

     "You  sound and looked impressed."

    "I am, but it doesn't mean that I support it. I still think that the only way to get rid of these gods, although it sounds impossible, is to learn where they came from. To learn more about them. A couple of abnormal human subjects wielding a god's strength are not enough." Reina stated.

     "But, did you learn anything about it?" Leo couldn't help but ask. Because it'll be fun if you didn't.

     Ever since he met Reina, all she's on is about the god's origin and life in space. She told him that the Old World called her likes Exobiologist. But thinking about, Reina hadn't shared information about the field that she studies and specializes in ever since.

    "I did," Reina said nonchalantly then shrugged. "Although, I'm not ready that sure. I still have to find proofs if the Skywalkers really did come from another galaxy, or if the Parasites has been there longer even before humans."

     "How?" Leo wanted to keep the conversation going. It was the longest conversation he had with Reina.

     "Spaceships." Reina shrugged.

    "Wait, what?" Rion cut in. "This place has spaceships?"

     Even Leo was slightly shocked. He never thought that Aegis has those things. For him, Aegis alway seemed..isolated and kind of poor in advancements outside the wall. He never heard of the higher-ups communicating outside the wall. The Den and its inhabitants are kept to themselves. He always thought that they're in that ers where they are stuck and was just waiting for their death despite being inside their sanctuary.

     He remembered his father talking about spaceships and the people traveling across the galaxy. The Old World called them Astronauts or space rangers or whatever. The stars and the planets are something that the Old World spent time and money to understand. They sent people and space vehicles. Some came back, some didn't. Some had gone insane, some just disappeared, he remembered his father said.  It was something Leo didn't take interest in because the stars are gone from the skies. He never once saw them.

      Reina looked like he wanted to throw Rion out of the Den and feed him to the Parasites. "Of course. And the other places that survived the gods' invasion. What, do you think that we're the only ones that survived? Besides Arcane, there are places that have their own sanctuary."

     "What the heck? I didn't..." Rion looked mind-blown.

    "Aegis has been supporting the people that take interest like mine. They sent people outside Earth and did some research. They had colonized on one of the planets that the Old World found habitable." Reina continued, looking at Rion like you better listen to me, dumbhead. "From there, information is sent to us—to  Earth."

    "Are there gods there, too?"

    "The gods are everywhere. But they're dealing better on it than us." She answered. "They have advanced tools used against the god and we don't."

    "Why didn't they told us this? Or just announced?" Rion asked.

     "It was," Reina shrugged. "Just a long time ago. For their pea-brained minds, it wasn't a big deal for them, so the talk died immediately. It seemed like they are more interested than being stuck in here and waiting for their deaths." Reina looked around her then pursed her lips. "Enough of this talk. We have many things to do."

     "But—" Leo started to protest but Reina ended the holographic call. Leo sighed. "Every time."

    "So that's what happened years ago.." Leo heard Rion murmur. He didn't ask anything because Leo was used to Rion's random mumblings. Every now and then, he'll act like a damn weirdo.

    Rion's eyes flashed to Leo urgently. "We should get to This as soon as possible."