Madam Elise

Sol decided it was time to leave the Luminara District. As tempting as it was to linger in this acid trip of a district, he had more pressing matters to attend to—supplies and preparation for his training. His first stop was Azuran's. That sentient blob of information still owed him, and more importantly, Sol wanted to see what kind of whispers were floating through the city's underbelly.

Azuran's Emporium was as chaotic as ever, a vast space filled with rare artifacts, illicit tech, and whispered deals. Traders and smugglers haggled over goods while cloaked figures lurked in the darker corners. Sol slipped through the entrance, keeping his head low and his movements casual. He didn't know anyone here, and that was exactly how he preferred it. His focus remained on the massive, translucent form shifting behind the main trade counter.

"Ah, Sol!" Azuran's deep, smooth voice reverberated through the air as his body pulsed in shifting hues of blue and violet. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd vanished entirely. You've been making waves, little ghost."

Sol slid into a seat across from the counter, resting his arms on it lazily. "Waves? More like ripples. People just have too much time on their hands."

Azuran let out a rumbling chuckle. "Ripples that make men nervous. Tell me, Sol, how does it feel to be the talk of the lower districts?"

Sol smirked but kept his expression neutral. "I didn't ask for it. Not my fault people don't have better things to gossip about."

Azuran's form quivered in amusement. "Oh, but they do, my dear boy. And yet, here we are. The story of a man who leaves nightmares in his wake? That's not something the underworld forgets so easily."

Sol exhaled slowly. He figured there would be talk, but he had underestimated how fast rumors spread. "So, what's the latest then? You still owe me some information."

Azuran's colors darkened slightly in mock offense. "I always pay my debts, Sol. But information is like a drink—it's better when savored, don't you think?" He leaned forward—or at least, as much as an amorphous entity could. "There are quite a few interested parties poking around about you. Some familiar, some… less so."

Sol arched a brow. "Less so?"

Azuran's form rippled with intrigue. "A name came up recently. Vex. Doesn't ring any bells, does it?"

Sol's expression didn't change, but internally, he felt a thread of irritation. That name again. "Heard it once or twice. Who's asking?"

Azuran hummed, the glow within his form flickering like liquid stardust. "Someone with deep pockets and a very keen interest in you. Normally, I'd say it's just another job request, but something about this one feels… persistent."

Sol drummed his fingers against the counter, deep in thought. "Sounds like trouble."

"That it does," Azuran agreed, his form shifting to a lighter shade. "And trouble, my friend, is something you attract in abundance."

Sol smirked but didn't argue. "What else do you know?"

Azuran's colors brightened mischievously. "Now, now. That would be telling too much at once. But perhaps a trade? I have my interests, after all."

Sol sighed, already expecting this. "What do you want?"

Azuran's form stilled for a moment before he chuckled. "Tell me, Sol—what exactly did happen at Lovers' Bar and Ashas gambling den? I've heard many versions, but I'd rather hear it from the source."

Sol exhaled, shaking his head with a smirk. "Figures. You just want the juiciest version, don't you?"

Azuran pulsed in amusement. "Naturally."

Sol leaned back, deciding whether or not to indulge him. "Alright, before I tell you anything, what exactly did you hear happened first?"

Azuran swirled in place, his hues deepening as he considered. "Oh, the stories vary quite a bit. Some say you walked in, made a few veiled threats, and left a pile of unconscious bodies behind. Others claim you manipulated the entire room into seeing their worst fears before casually strolling out the door. And then there's my personal favorite—the one where you made an entire gang believe they were drowning in an ocean of their own failures." His voice oozed delight. "Now, which version should I believe?"

Sol blinked, his smirk faltering as he stared at Azuran in sheer bewilderment. "When the hell did I do that?"

He let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Listen, none of that happened. What really went down is a lot simpler. I was minding my own business and out of nowhere they sent third-rate thugs after me. So, I turned the tables and paid their boss a visit. She wasn't exactly welcoming, and things got a little… heated. I made my stance clear, and let's just say she wasn't happy about it. That's all. No mass hysteria, no drowning illusions, just me handling business."

He leaned back, sighing again. "And at Lovers' Bar, some grizzly bear-looking guy wanted me to steal something. When I said no, he attacked me. So, I kindly calmed him down. But now here I am, stuck in this mess."

Azuran pulsed in shifting hues, clearly amused. "Ah, so the truth is far less dramatic. Shame. But that does explain why some parties are so interested in you."

He shifted slightly, his form undulating like waves. "Now that you've satisfied my curiosity, let me return the favor. Vex isn't just some name floating in the void. He's got ties to the upper echelons of the underworld. A real phantom—dangerous, methodical, and not someone who just hires bounty hunters without good reason. And yet, here he is, throwing credits at anyone willing to dig into your past."

Sol frowned. "And what exactly does he think my past is?"

Azuran chuckled. "That's the fun part. No one knows. Some think you're a runaway from a powerful family, others believe you're an experiment gone rogue. Hell, one of the more amusing theories suggests you're some fallen noble looking to carve out a new legacy in the dirt. But Vex? He isn't interested in theories. He wants facts. And he's not stopping until he gets them."

Sol drummed his fingers against the counter. "Great. A shadow with money and connections hunting ghosts. Just what I needed."

Azuran's glow pulsed in amusement. "Careful, Sol. You may think you're just a ghost, but ghosts have a nasty way of becoming legends. And legends? They attract even worse things than shadows."

He leaned forward slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Alright, now I have to ask—what exactly are people saying about me?"

Azuran's form rippled with amusement, his glow pulsing as if savoring the moment. "Oh, where to begin? The underworld loves a good mystery, and you, my dear Sol, are the perfect enigma. Some whisper that you're an exiled heir of a fallen syndicate, hiding in the shadows until the right moment to reclaim your throne. Others believe you were a high-level assassin who vanished after a botched mission, resurfacing now with a vengeance. And of course, there are those who insist you're something… unnatural."

Sol arched a brow. "Unnatural? That's new."

Azuran chuckled. "Indeed. They say you move like a ghost, appearing and disappearing at will, leaving only nightmares in your wake. Some believe you have powers that warp reality itself, turning men's fears against them. And, considering how many people have been found screaming after encounters with you, can you blame them for thinking that?"

Sol exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Great. So I'm a noble assassin with reality-warping powers who also happens to be a vengeful ghost. Wonderful."

Azuran pulsed in amusement. "It does have a certain flair, doesn't it? But almost all the rumors have one thing in common—there's something wrong with your head."

Sol narrowed his eyes slightly. "Oh? And what exactly does that mean?"

Azuran let out a deep, reverberating chuckle. "Almost everyone is calling you deranged or a psychopath. They say you don't react like normal people, that you treat danger like a game, and that you seem to enjoy watching people squirm. Some think you're unhinged, while others think you're just playing a very, very long con."

Sol scoffed but didn't let the irritation show beyond the flick of his fingers against the counter. "That's rich. You'd think people would be more concerned about their own lives instead of obsessing over mine."

He exhaled, then stood up, stretching his arms. "Thanks for the entertainment, Azuran. Now, I've got things to do."

Azuran's glow pulsed. "Heading somewhere in particular?"

Sol smirked. "Cosmic Drift. Need to check in on a friend."

Azuran rumbled with amusement. "Ah, Candy, wasn't it? You do have an eye for amusing company."

Sol simply winked and turned away, making his way through the bustling Emporium. Moments later, he slipped into the Cosmic Drift unnoticed, his illusions masking his presence from the crowd. Only one person saw him—Candy, who blinked in surprise before rushing over.

"Sol?" she hissed. "What the hell are you doing here? Don't you know people are looking for you?"

She glanced around, expecting eyes to turn toward them, but no one reacted. It was as if Sol wasn't there at all.

He laughed, giving her a playful wink. "Don't worry, no one can see me."

Candy's eyes widened as she tried to process what he meant. She looked around once more and, sure enough, people's gazes seemed to slide right past him, their eyes shifting away as if their minds refused to register his presence.

"What the hell?" she whispered, dumbfounded. "How?"

Sol smiled mischievously. "Magic."

She clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes. "You're so annoying."

Despite her exasperation, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the bar. "Come on, drink's on me. I need something strong if I'm gonna deal with your bullshit."

Sol smirked, settling onto a stool as she poured his usual drink. "So, Candy, what's the latest gossip around here? Anything worth my time?"

Candy leaned against the bar, arms crossed. "You mean besides the fact that half the people here would love to cash in on your head? Yeah, there's been some talk. Word is, there's a new bounty floating around—nothing official, but high-paying. No name attached, but people are guessing it's about you."

Sol raised a brow, sipping his drink. "That so? Who's putting up the credits?"

She shrugged. "No one knows yet, but the fact that it's unmarked means it's someone with real connections. Maybe corporate, maybe someone in the syndicates. Either way, it's not good news for you."

Sol exhaled, setting his glass down. "Well, I'd be offended if no one was looking for me. But a nameless bounty? That's an interesting twist."

Candy watched him carefully. "You don't seem too worried."

He grinned. "Should I be?"

Candy rolled her eyes, but there was an edge of amusement in her smirk. "I don't know, Sol. Maybe just a little? You've got half the underworld whispering your name, and now someone's putting money on finding you. Seems like a good time to start worrying."

Sol leaned back against the bar, swirling his drink idly. "Worrying's a waste of time. Besides, if they can't find me, they can't do much, can they?"

Candy snorted. "Cocky bastard. What if they hire someone with half a brain?"

He gave her a pointed look. "Then they better bring their best. I'd hate for this to get boring."

Candy scoffed, shaking her head. "You're impossible. But hey, at least you keep things entertaining."

Sol chuckled. "And here I thought you liked me for my charm."

Candy smirked, tilting her head. "Your charm's tolerable. Barely."

Sol raised his glass in mock appreciation. "I'll take what I can get."

She leaned on the bar, studying him for a moment. "So, what's next, ghost boy? You got a plan, or are you just winging it like usual?"

Sol thought about it for a moment before shrugging. "Nope. No plans, really. To be honest, this whole thing has gotten out of control, but it's not really my problem."

Candy raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "Not your problem? Half the underworld is looking for you, Sol. Where does your confidence even come from?"

Sol considered it for a beat before answering, his tone unusually thoughtful. "I don't really know. It's not that I'm confident or cocky… but this?" He gestured vaguely. "This is honestly just a child's game compared to everything I've dealt with before."

Candy stared at him, baffled. "You think half the underworld looking for you is a child's game? What the hell did you do before you came on this ship?"

Sol changed the subject, leaning forward slightly. "Anyone been here looking for me?"

Candy hesitated for a moment, clearly still wanting to dig into his past but ultimately deciding to let it go. She tilted her head towards a table in the far corner. "That group over there has been waiting for you for a couple of days now."

Sol's intrigue was piqued. He took a casual sip of his drink before asking, "Oh? Do you know who they are?"

Candy leaned in close, whispering just beside his ear, her warm breath sending an unexpected shiver down his spine. "They work for Madam Elise. She's also Asha's boss, by the way. You know, the one from the gambling den you made a mess at."

Sol blinked, slightly taken aback—not just by the information but by how close Candy had gotten. He could feel the heat from her breath, his heart beating just a little too fast for his liking. A faint blush dusted his cheeks before he leaned back, clearing his throat, trying to play it cool but failing miserably.

Candy smirked knowingly. "Something wrong, ghost boy?"

He quickly redirected, ignoring her smirk. "So, what's the deal with Madam Elise?"

Candy chuckled, resting her elbow on the bar as she twirled a stray lock of her hair. "Oh, so now you're interested? Thought you were too busy playing it cool." She grinned, enjoying his discomfort. "Madam Elise isn't just some club owner. She runs a big part of the underworld here—gambling, information, entertainment, you name it. She's got connections from the lowest gutters to the highest towers, and she doesn't like messy disruptions in her business. Which, lucky for you, is exactly what you did."

She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering just a bit. "But unlike a lot of other big names in the underworld, she actually has a damn good reputation. She doesn't dip her hands into the real nasty stuff—no trafficking, no slaving, none of that scummy business. All she cares about is running her empire and protecting her people. Most of her workers? Strays she picked up, people with nowhere else to go. Women, kids—she keeps them safe, gives them jobs, and makes sure no one messes with them."

Sol raised a brow at that, intrigued despite himself. "So, a crime lord with a moral compass? That's rare."

Candy smirked. "Rare, but real. And that's why people respect her."

Sol frowned slightly. "Didn't realize my presence was that much of a problem. Then what does she want with me? Last time I checked, I'm no stray."

Candy raised a brow. "You embarrassed her people, Sol. Worse, you walked away untouched. That doesn't happen in her world. Makes her look weak. So, if I were you, I'd tread carefully. She doesn't go after people with brute force—she's smarter than that."

Sol let out a low whistle. "So, you're saying she's more of a chess player than a brawler?"

Candy smirked. "Exactly. And right now? You're just a very interesting piece on her board."

Sol drummed his fingers against the counter, mulling over her words. After a moment, he exhaled and leaned back. "Alright, Candy. Any advice?"

Candy raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying his rare moment of asking for guidance. "Depends. You looking for a way to get out of this mess, or are you planning to make things even more interesting?"

Sol smirked. "Who says I can't do both?"

Candy sighed, shaking her head. "Then my advice? If you're going to keep playing, play smart. Elise isn't the type to waste time on small fry. If she's interested in you, she either sees potential or a problem. You need to figure out which one you are to her."

Sol swirled the liquid in his glass, considering her words. "And if I'm a problem?"

Candy smirked. "Then you better make yourself a bigger one."

Sol chuckled, setting his drink down. "And if she sees potential?"

Candy leaned in slightly, resting her chin on her palm. "Then she might make you an offer. And if she does, you better be damn sure about your answer. Elise doesn't ask twice."

Sol exhaled, tapping his fingers against the counter. "Noted. Anything else?"

Candy tilted her head, studying him. "Yeah. Don't get yourself killed, ghost boy. Would be a shame to lose one of my favorite customers."