Chapter Three - Royal Verdict

I've been away from the market for four years, and I could tell many things have changed, as evident from Spades. A glimmer of hope lingered in her glistening eyes as she waited patiently for my answer, but I had nothing. If I stay any longer, I know I'd be sucked into a pool of what-ifs. So, I force myself to break away from the embrace and turn my back to Spades.

Giving her an excuse to not reach out again, I scoop off my helmet and latch it back on. Pretending to keep my hands occupied, I flick the voice modulator on and off, which still buzzes to life, much to my delight.

"So, what now? How long are you gonna stay here?" She asks, which makes me wince.

Even if I ask my friends in high places to watch over me, there's no reassurance that I wouldn't become a target. Staying complacent in these rat tunnels again would be like playing Russian roulette. I still remember the bounty hunters that came after my head when I left the market. Safe to say, I won't see them since I made sure to put a bullet in each of their heads, but that doesn't apply to those who had a next of kin.

Plenty of the factions down here are loyal to a fault and would do anything to protect their businesses. Some of Not like I blame them for being paranoid. Had I deferred to a rivaling gang, an all-out territory war might have started.

"When is Ace's anniversary coming up again?" I sarcastically hint.

"His… His anniversary is in two weeks from now." She hesitantly says. It didn't take long for her to piece it together as her face turned pale from the revelation of my question. "Don't, please don't… Nobody wants you to do this."

"Watch it! Just, who exactly are you calling a nobody!?" I snap, gritting my teeth.

Slamming the call button, I bring up the elevator to the market and refuse to spare a glance at Spades. Not even when she steps to my side and clutches my arm in a death grip.

"Don't let this be a massacre. Look, we could grab the others and then-" She begs, but I cut her off mid-sentence and yank my arm back.

"The others? You mean to repeat what happened four years ago! Don't you remember, Spades… We're strays. We have no one to turn to from the very start."

She was about to quip back as she raised her hand, but the elevator interrupted our train of thoughts with a simple ding. Planting my heel in the doorway, so we had no more surprises, I decided to hold her gaze despite my growing irritation. Strangely, she brushed off my attempt to hear her out and went inside the elevator. While her expression was stony, those emerald eyes held a tinge of fear. Fear of the past, I had to force her to remember as I dragged myself in, hanging my head low as my own memories surfaced.

A death in our tight-knit group of friends was never uncommon. Names can simply be shuffled around and given to someone else when necessary. Our prime example would be Joker. While he has been by our sides for a long time, he wasn't the first Joker. That title initially belonged to a kid who died long before any of us managed to kill our first mark. We're lucky enough that anyone is still alive after everything we've been through.

She mutters under her breath, "King… I'm sorry."

Heaving a deep-seated sigh, I bang the back of my head against the steel wall and stare into the ceiling, "Don't be... Just remember that there's still someone out there who wants to bury that incident, and he'll most likely die for that very cause. Once I gather my things and claim a contract, I'll be out of your hair. Just leave it at that for now… please."

"You were the one who told me to forget the past…." She trails off. "How none of it mattered so long as you never allow it to tie you down. But… there was nothing left to look forward to... You were one of the only things I had."

She clutches her wrist, flexing her hand methodically. On closer inspection, her hands showed small amounts of scarring dotting across. Each time she balled up her fists, they became more pronounced as if they'd just healed. As her sleeve shifted, it soon became apparent that those weren't old battle wounds but self-inflicted.

"Spades…"

Those cold emerald eyes grew hazy as they followed my gaze. I could see a mix of fear, happiness… and a hint of ecstasy behind them. Seeing this side of her made me wish I held my tongue. A glimmer of blissful ignorance might have helped, and I gave her a head full of anxiety instead.

For the rest of the elevator trip, we remained in silence. As much as I wanted to reach out to her one last time, I was afraid I'd hurt her more than anything. I don't want to see the rest if she's like this. Soon, we came to a halt, the doors creaking open to an assault of bright floodlights and a platoon of armored guards on standby.

The familiar yet peculiar guards of the market. They all aimed their guns at us, not a moment of hesitation gleaning from their eyes until they noticed Spades by my side. Keeping to the boss's tradition, they wore a set of BDU clothing underneath their Kevlar vests, standard-issued hip holsters, and balaclavas concealing their identities. The key difference from the past was the sheer amount of them. A small detachment would first come out to greet the threat before, not a force of twenty.

A person in the back yells, "Everyone, stand down!"

Upon hearing the order, they stiffen up and drop their guns to their sides and make a clearing down the middle like routine. With hushed murmurs echoing amidst the crowd, I knew I made enough noise to call upon the market's wrath. The floodlights dim as two familiar twins step through the guards: Clubs and Diamond.

Clubs had grown since the last time I met him, standing at about six feet tall. Sporting a professional look, he wore shined-up, black dress shoes glinting in the light, immaculate matching slacks, and a buttoned-up white collar shirt. His skin is lightly tanned and blemished from days on contracts outside. He runs his hands through his short brown hair, reminiscent of my old style, before scratching his clean-cut face. Never expected him to pull out an exotic Aidos Armament hand cannon from his drop-down leg holster, though.

Not much is known about Aidos Armament aside from the fact they supply the Enforcers with most of their guns. The only scrap of public information on them is that they were formed a few months before the launch of Scrap City and came to fame through their intricate yet bulky bullpup weaponry that allows anybody to use large calibers with ease. Getting your hands on one is nearly impossible since each gun is tied to the user's life, self-destructing when the user flatlines. I still can't wrap my head around it for him and his sister to reconstruct that slick nickel-plated slide and complex looping magazine system without compromising the meticulous details such as the fluted barrel and textures.

Speaking of his sister, Diamond stood a few inches shorter than him and seemed to have hardly changed besides newly dyed hair. Appearing almost ghost-like due to her milky pale skin, she was the polar opposite of her brother, and her clothes showed it: worn-down white sneakers, baggy denim jeans, a thigh satchel, and a black pullover hoodie. Sweeping back her long violet hair from her amber eyes, you'd think she was trying to bore a hole into my helmet with just her gaze. Keeping that trained gaze on me, her slender hands drop down to her satchel and draw out three tanto-throwing knives, teetering them between her fingers.

While it might be odd, if not suicidal, to not carry around a firearm, a knife can be just as frightening. Even if body armor and enhancements are prevalent, gaps are bound to appear, and Diamond took that lesson to heart, except for my feelings about throwing knives. I taught her how to use a gun, so there's no need to attempt to clear the distance and risk exposing yourself. Throwing knives are suitable as a distraction; it's not meant for frontal combat. There's only one person I know proficient enough to use them in these situations: Queen. If she taught her, I'm in for a nasty treat.

A chill went down my spine as each memory came flooding back. I grew almost ecstatic at the fact that they were my students. Too bad I can't stay here any longer than necessary, but a test could be in order. Not like I can avoid fighting them without the entire market falling under lockdown.

"Spades, you seem to be having trouble with the newcomer." Clubs teases, clenching his teeth tightly to mask the anger drenching his tone.

Spades was about to speak up, but I placed my arm in front of her. A part of me is still stuck in the past, whether I want to admit it or not. As their mentor, I want to see if they improved and as a necessity for me. I needed to know if I had made a mistake all those years ago.

"So, this is what changed in the market. This is a complete and utter disgrace if you can't handle one man anymore." I jeer, the buzz from the voice modulator grating their ears.

Walking forward confidently, I clapped as the guards took aim. I could smell the tension waft through the air as the guards took a step back at my approach. Once they did, I outstretched my arms in a welcoming gesture to put them on edge. Chances are some of these men likely respect Spades, but for her to be humbled is unnerving.

I knew every tactic up their sleeve, so none of what they'd throw would surprise me. The guards wouldn't risk entering a firefight with me even at this range unless they wanted someone to get caught in the crossfire. More questions as to why they changed their ways. I can't help but think some of them are new now just by watching how they grip their guns. These kids haven't even killed anyone before.

"Sorry, but we can't take any chances here. Nobody gets by Spades on their own without a few tricks. How'd you manage to do that without getting a single scratch on her?" Clubs remarks smugly, seemingly attempting to sway this into an interrogation.

"Do you really expect me to tell you?"

"No, but you seem to be the reasonable type. Why don't we drop our weapons together and have a nice, long chat?" He smirks as he signals for his men to stand down.

I knew something was immediately wrong when Clubs turned his back against me, but I thought he'd be the one to break the ceasefire, not Diamond, who dips past his lengthy frame and tosses a knife straight towards me. Being far enough, I barely managed to catch it by a hair's breadth. Taking a second to roll it between my grip, it surprises me that she's able to use such a hefty throwing knife with electricity running through the edge, which stops at the rubberized handle and is meant to take down armored personnel. It wasn't until the light gleamed off it that I saw a slight coating of some kind, most likely neural toxins. Catching it a second too late, I would have been done for. Letting a drop of this stuff into my blood would slow me down to a snail's pace.

Clubs whistled at this display, but Diamond wasn't pleased by this. Like a hungry dog, she began to circle around me, analyzing every nook and cranny of my exposed flesh. While those two seem ready to wage war at any moment, flicking my gaze to their entourage, it's clear they aren't used to the siblings snapping and genuinely thought a cease-fire would commence.

"Who are you?" She softly utters, barely coming across the crowd's chatter yet still managing to profoundly jolt everyone's spirits.

"A ghost," I cackle as my gaze hops over to Clubs, finding myself staring down the barrel of his gun.

"Is that so? Dead men tell no tales last I checked." He says as he steadies his aim before his expression soon turns sour. "I don't know who you are or how you have Spades wrapped around your palm of your hand, but I'd prefer if you'd return her."

A look of unease spread amongst the guards as we all stood there, not moving a single muscle. Even Spades felt the intensity, looking frantically for a way to end this, but she couldn't find it in herself to step out of the elevator's safety. Still, being in this stalemate wasn't enough to force their hands despite having a clear advantage. Maybe, I'm not an imminent threat with the pristine condition of Spades; however, there's one word that might cause a stir: my name.

"So... where's King? Word on the streets says he died recently, but a little birdy told me otherwise." I casually remark as I watch the twin's confidence fade. "Now, I wouldn't mind telling all of you… For a price, of course."

Diamond was the first to fall for the bait, throwing her knives straight and true in rapid succession. While I strike down one with the knife in my hand, the other slips past my guard, hitting me dead center in the chest. As soon as the blade met the plating of my jacket, I thought I'd be fine until a jolt of electricity ran through my body.

Luckily, the blade didn't scrape against the other metal plates as it clanged to the floor, allowing me a small recovery frame. It didn't have enough weight behind it to penetrate, but if it weren't for the fact that I'm not cybernetically enhanced, I would have been rendered completely immobile. Diamond doesn't let up her attack either as she lifts the blade that got deflected and rushes at me. Forcing myself to meet her head-on, our blades locked together, her eyes filled with a burning desire to see my throat slit.

"Where is King!?" She hisses.

"Closer than you might think," I mutter as I push back against her; sparks bounce off our blades.

*Bang*

"You idiot!" Diamond barks at Clubs as a bullet barely misses my head, a whiff of smoke billowing out of his gun's barrel.

Clubs only snickered as his sister flinched after firing a round without a care in the world, giving me a chance to break away. Once she took a step back, I kicked off her stomach and rolled backward, making sure to keep the wall behind me. One fatal move I didn't consider was using Diamond as a human shield against Clubs, though.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

Whizzing past me and shattering the concrete, the bullets grazed my helmet when I took the tumble, breaking off chunks of the plating and leaving my jaw exposed to the elements. Staggering back up to my feet, I took a chance and aimed at Clubs gun.

*Bang*

This time, I was barely quicker on the trigger, sending his gun skittering across the floor. Having his shiny toy taken away from him, the delight of the battle quickly drained from his face, fear soon replacing it. Not letting this moment slip, I sweep Diamond's knife from the floor and toss it back at her, just managing to graze her cheek. This has the desired effect of sending her reeling back, but she didn't know as she raised her guard: she wasn't my target. As big as a threat she is, any gun is a familiar friend to Clubs.

With at least one person at every angle, it would be foolish for the guards to use their guns, and they knew it as they whipped out their batons. The few guards keeping a close eye on Clubs form a defensive line in front of him, acting like a shield. Sadly, this shield has a hole in it, allowing me to only need to break through one of them to make it past.

Charging down the middle while getting pelted by blows left and right, I cut through their formation with a flying knee. Hitting the guard square on his chin, he falls backward into Clubs' arms, who quickly masks his fear as he grits his teeth. Pushing the guard into me, Clubs gets into his fighting stance, back-peddling away to face me alone.

Although more of a marksman than his sister, Clubs is still a good fighter. A Kenpo fighter using speed and open hand techniques, the same moves I taught him when he started. This is clear as he flicks his right hand at blinding speed towards my face, followed by a low kick. While he never expanded his hand-to-hand arsenal like Diamond, repetition breeds deadliness even if it's predictable.

The best way to go against him is to flow with the strike and counter. Shifting my weight to follow his impact, lessening the jab, and raising my shin against him felt like it did during practice all those years ago. As soon as his kick collided against my shin guard, he winced in pain, stumbling forward as the weight of his leg weighed him down. Before he could regain footing, I stepped into his guard and followed up left hook straight to his liver. That made Clubs hit the floor instantly like a sack of bricks, barely catching himself from face planting into the ground.

The guards stood on edge as they waited for me to pounce on their fallen champions. Instead of seizing the opportunity to get shot, I took them off-guard and wordlessly motioned for Diamond and Clubs to stand up. Seeing this as a challenge of authority rather than a raid, Diamond acknowledges me by standing up, albeit on wobbly legs. She looks at her brother, who nods back before she pulls out a small syringe and injects it into her arm before she holds her hand towards me.

Suddenly spurred by the moment, Spades jumps between us and urges Diamond, "That's enough! Don't do it!"

Diamond shakes her head and looks back at me, unwavering determination etched into her eyes. That's when nanobots escape from her sleeve, coating her in armor reminiscent of the prototype. Compressing her body tightly, it covers her head to toe, akin to a pitch-black chrysalis. Then it slowly layers itself, becoming similar to scales before slowly parting away from her face and forming a half-mask.

Seeing this, I started to laugh like a maniacal madman. It just felt too cruel to be true. I couldn't help but think: So much for my students who respected me. Four years have passed, and this is what I come back to? Combat mistakes can be corrected, but doing something irreversible to your body is different. And, out of everything she could have chosen, why'd it have to be those damn nanomachines?

I drop my hands down, much to the surprise of everyone around me. I was done; I didn't want to see anymore. My head felt like it would split over the next minuscule problem, and I'd have no way of stopping it. Not even the guards moved to pin me down as most of them noticed I still had my revolver.

I heave a deep sigh before I shout, "Rule one of combat: Never let your emotions get ahead of you!"

As soon as my voice rings out, everyone quiets down. The only ones out of the crowd who seemed to recognize me were Clubs and Diamond, frozen in place as they tried to find the words to answer me. The nanobots surrounding Diamond responded similarly, clattering onto the concrete floor like spent ammo casings.

"Rule two of combat: Never bring more than four people into combat," I say, my voice slowly beginning to waver.

Tears started to trickle into the foam padding of my helmet that I tried to fight back, biting down on my lower lip. This isn't my old friends and family anymore. Only a cruel memorabilia for Ace. Such cruel memorabilia for me, in fact that I hurled my helmet onto the floor out of frustration.

I gritted my teeth and choked back the tears, remaining stoic as I faced the crowd. "Rule three of combat: Never hide your strength in a life and death situation. You all failed."

Keeping a vise grip on my revolver, I started to walk through the guards. Glaring at them with murderous intent, they parted a walkway except for the select few in front of me. Once I pushed and shoved them away, I felt their guns trained on me from all directions until Spades came running, all of them easing off.

"King, wait!" Spades pleads, pushing aside their guns as she joins my side.

"For what?! For more disappointment? No. I had my fair share." I bark, venom drenching each word heavily.

Hearing those words, Spades was taken aback, refusing to look me in the eye. That's when the guards began to murmur around at the talk of my name.

"That's King? Hey… King's back, everyone!"

"King? Wasn't he one of the main leaders down here?"

"With King back, we can finally take back topside."

After all the back and forth white noise from the men, I grew more and more agitated by them, digging my nails into my padded hands. They wanted a savior out of me, but I couldn't even protect Ace. Why would I even want to protect them?

The only voice that cut through the static was Clubs as he simply utters, "King… is that you?"

Turning to face him, he wobbles around, struggling to catch his breath as he clutches his side. Unable to stand correctly, he beckons for his men's support, who flock in droves. This added more fuel to my rage since I felt he didn't need the help when he used to take severer blows in the past. He lifts his hand at me like a child grasping feebly for their parents.

I stared into his eyes and said bluntly, "Yes, but you're not Clubs. What you displayed was a one-trick pony trying to mask its flaws. Learn to fight on your own two feet again, or you'll be just a sorry excuse for a leader."

Without another word, I walked away into the colorful and bright black market filled to the brim with stalls even as I heard him plead. To me, there is no excuse for this tragedy. I neither expected them to use the same tech that Ace died for nor even think about forgetting those memories with Ace, feeling nauseous at the thought. I don't even want to guess how the rest are doing, with Spades and the twins being more than enough.

Seeing them try to follow me into the overly crowded market, I wasn't out of trouble. While the market's configuration may have changed, I'm no stranger to the flow of my old home. Cutting my way through claustrophobic stalls of men endorsing weapons and spare parts to the makeshift tents, I stopped in a decrepit alleyway once I believed I shook off most of my pursuers.

All except one person who tugs at my sleeve like a lost child. Diamond, the person resilient to change… or so I thought. Glancing over her, the nanobots seemed to have receded, showing her pale skin, but that didn't stop the scowl tugging at my lips. In her hand, she surprises me as she clutches my helmet, keeping her fingers away from the jagged pieces of metal. Streaking down her cheeks were tears of the past, which hit the stony ground beneath us.

"Why?" I growl, slamming the back of my hand against the concrete wall.

A simple answer with multiple answers. I shouldn't have to feel like an overbearing parent right now, but... this tastes bitter. It worsened when she didn't answer, clenching tighter onto my sleeve. From how she stands, it almost feels like I tower over her even though she should be about the same height as me.

I couldn't look her straight in the eyes anymore, and I cursed myself for my weakness. I could see the quiver of regret hang on her lips. I couldn't even stop the slight jitters in my hand.

Forcing myself to reach out, I run my hands through her silky hair, just barely stopping short to where the dye faded towards the ends of her hair. She flinches at my touch before settling down. As much as I'd like to say I held my hand to comfort her, I'd be a liar.

"It's… It's okay." I choke out as I let out a sigh. "You don't have to tell me right now. I shouldn't have the right to speak to you like this. Not after all this time."

This is true since what right do I have to ask them? I've been gone for four years. I can't change the past in a matter of days. Ace will still be dead, but I can't let that go. This seemed to have shaken her the most as she finally looked me in the eyes.

Shaking her head furiously, Diamond met my gaze with glassy eyes. The tears wouldn't stop flowing for a moment, like the rain going down the gutter. I don't blame her since only a select few knew where I was for the past four years. Even those who knew I was there had most likely written me off as dead after the first month of not returning. She opens her mouth, but no words spill out for a few moments until she regains some composure.

"E-Everyone said you died that day. I-I didn't know what to think. I never stopped looking! I promise! Never… Never…" Her voice became so distant that you'd believe you were talking to a mouse.

Seeing this side of her, I couldn't help but feel pity, sapping my anger away. I drew her in for a tight embrace. The only human thing I could do for her now was to comfort her. She is my fault, to begin with. And, it's my fault for asking such a selfish question that would place me in the same predicament if I were in her shoes.

"Will you ever come back?" She asks, quickly trying to hide behind her stoic façade as she rubs out the neverending tears onto my jacket.

I weakly chuckle, "Do dogs have nine lives?"

She'll know this meaning, even if it's not at this very moment. Or maybe she does, but the tears are too blinding. I broke her, whether I like to admit it or not. She had a reason to pursue her own goals prior, yet the anxiety of needing to worry about whether I get killed will cloud her mind. Breaking the embrace and holding her at arm's reach, the invisible ties binding us need to be severed.

"From this day forward, I'm not your master, nor you are my student. So promise me this... Forget about me. Live your life. Protect your brother," I somberly say as I shake my head.

She nodded back at me, wiping her tears from her face. Seeing a few tears stray down her cheek, I let them collect into the fibers of my glove, turning away from her when they've all dried up. I can't let myself flare up again, lest the regret overwhelms me.

"King, please take this."

Hearing Diamond's voice made me perk up as I peeked over my shoulder out of curiosity. She returned my helmet to me, holding it out in both hands, which I pluck straight out of her hand. While the entire lower jawline is exposed, rendering the voice modulator useless, the protection is still viable.

"Where is the slave market?" I ask as I slip my helmet back on.

She hesitates when she hears this, leaving her mouth open before saying, "It's in the central market square. Do you need me to take you there?"

"No, you'll only draw unwanted attention." I sigh. "Also, remember, from this day forward, you aren't my student. Don't follow me; it will only lead to pain and suffering."

As I exited the alleyway, she tugged at my sleeve again, slipping one of her tantos into my palm. Much to my surprise, it was lighter and had no electricity coils running through it, unlike the one I used against her. Inscribed on the blade is my name. My eyes locked on its crude and well-worn engraving. It was oil-stained yet well-maintained, as evident by the slight chips along the blade. I could only imagine this was meant to be a gift for me before I left.

"Thank you, I'll cherish it."

Tucking the blade into my combat boot, I trotted into the market. I have a feeling Diamond won't respect my wishes, but at least I was able to cut off that part of my life. Now, I need to find a slave before this market consumes me.