Introduction to the Faceless

The next two days passed absurdly slowly, a cloud of fear had set in and while the physical conflict had ended, everyone knew that this was not the end of things.

If a comparison were to be made then the slums were like an explosive fuse and all everyone was waiting for was the first match to be struck.

For the most part, Ambitan simply kept his head close to the ground, afraid to disturb things and draw attention to himself.

The normally packed and crowded streets were abandoned, at most, there would be a stray person, and when there was they were always hurrying from one place to another.

When Ambitan left his hovel to go for scraps in the dumps the streets were practically desolate.

On the first day, he found some more wires and a couple more batteries. The most noteworthy find was a broken tv that he managed to lug back with him successfully. If he scrapped it or repaired it, either way it would bring in some decent profit.

On the second day, he wasn't so lucky with his findings, but he did manage to sneak up on two rats. There was a third rat also but he alerted it when the wind shifted to blow his scent directly into the rat's nose. This of course led to the rat leaping into the air in a startled panic before frantically fleeing.

With the rat furs he collected, soon enough he should be able to make a patchwork blanket out of them. That should get him through some of the colder times, but everything would be tossed into the air once winter struck.

The past couple of days Ambitan had been thinking, like doing some real thinking. Not that monotonous bullshit that had ruled pretty much the entirety of his life.

He knew that what Virgil had said about him was right, 'I do want this whole thing to change,' he thought.

'But at the same time, am I ready to be the one that brings change?'

'Can I just let someone else enact this change?'

'But, if I don't bring this change then who will?'

Eventually, he decided to get up and head to the bar where he met Vergil, maybe if he showed up then he would finally get some answers about what was going on.

So he proceeded to take the same route as last time, avoiding the other option like the plague. There was already a gunfight there before, and Ambitan didn't want to bet on whether or not the conflict had sufficiently died down.

Who knows? At the drop of a hat, another bloodbath could ensue.

Thankfully, Ambitan made it safely to the bar where this time someone else stood sentinel to bar the door.

"Kid what are you doing here?" the new fellow asked.

"Umm… excuse me but I was told by someone named Vergil to come here if I was interested? My name's Ambitan by the way."

"Vergil, you say? Well, why don't you go 'head and tell me why Vergil would want you here?"

"Uh… he t-to-t-told me to just show up here. He didn't really give any reasons."

The man massaged his forehead, before cursing under his breath. "Goddamn it, not another one Vergil…"

"Well? Did he at least explain what's going on?"

"No, not really sir."

"Well get used to that. Vergil feels like it's too much of a goddamn hassle to explain things so he dumps the shit on me."

"Okay, if Vergil says you're good then I'll trust that."

Then without turning his back, he opened the door to the bar, "Go in now, my name's Clemont by the way, nice to meet you I suppose."

Following from behind, Clemont continued talking, "There are some sensitive things that we can't just discuss openly in public. Surely you understand."

Seeing Ambitan nod he continued, "Well you know that whole shebang Virgil said bout revolutions and all that?"

"Yea… wait how do you know what he said to me? You weren't even there?" Ambitan asked.

"Chill out. It's just how Vergil is. How most of us are here as a matter of fact," Clemont said.

"Wait what do you mean us? There's more of you?"

"Can't reveal too much. You don't even know what's going on. If anyone leaks anything then it all goes to shit. Once again, of course, you understand," Clemont said flashing a wry grin.

"Yeah, I got it. Can't tell me anything until I've already been indoctrinated and brainwashed," Ambitan sardonically.

Clemont chuckled, "That's the spirit kid."

"But on a serious note, let me introduce you to what's exactly going on here. Help you get a better idea of what we do around here. Just so you know though, even if you turn down the offer you better not go snitching around, kay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I get the idea, and I don't mean to be impolite but can we get on with this already?"

"Hold your horses Ambitan. Just making sure you're aware that there are consequences to any actions you commit. Surely Vergil told you what his responsibility would be if you let things slip right?"

"It's all clear already, I get it. I really do," Ambitan gestured widely, "Now about you tell me what I'm supposed to shut up about before telling me to shut up?"

"So there is some bite underneath that polite shit. Huh, okay then. Well anyways, take a seat kid. Let me tell you about The Faceless."

"The Faceless? Who're they?" asked Ambitan.

"They're a revolutionary group, seeking to make some real change. Change society, make our lives meaningful. You've probably seen a lot of shit, we all grew up in these slums."

Clemont continued on, "Why should the rich get to live in their opulent ivory palaces while we're condemned to squalor?"

"Why can't we make our Earth liveable?"

"Vergil told me bout what you said, and I quote, 'it seems the further we go the more steps we take back.' And that's exactly what's going on. Technology is supposed to advance society not serve the select few. So what if we actually focused on everybody rather than just have a bunch of selfish arses?"

"Well not like we can do much about it, what can we do? Overthrow them or something?"

Clemont sprouted a wild grin across his face, "You see kid. That's the spirit. Keep thinking like that and you might just stick around here after all."