The hideout

After getting the information we needed, we returned to our house.

Walking slowly as no not make any noise we entered the house only to find Lyra standing with her brows furrowed.

"Where were you two in this time? And what were you doing?", she asked, her voice low but she was clearly angry.

"Nothing, mother, I'm tired right now let talk tomorrow.", I was really tired, killing Ryn still weighted on my mind but i knew that it will happen sooner or later, I'll get used to it eventually.

"Okay, let talk tomorrow." She answered, still angry, but there was nothing I could do, if we get back alive tomorrow, I'll try explaining. I won't bother doing so now because I'm sure she will never let us do what we're planning.

After that, we went to sleep, knowing that it may be the last night I'm gonna sleep in this world.

The next day, we started executing the plan. It began with spreading a rumor to get Gorren leave his hideout.

By evening, the slums buzzed with whispers, and I couldn't help but feel a grim satisfaction as I watched the rumor spread like wildfire.

Jack and I had planted the story ourselves—a hidden ruin on the outskirts of the city, supposedly containing ancient texts about innate abilities and the secrets of Essence. It was the perfect bait for Gorren, a man who hoarded power, he won't allow it to fall into others hands.

We stood in the shadows of a crumbling building, watching as the rumor took hold. People spoke in hushed tones, their eyes darting nervously as if the ruin's secrets might already be watching them.

I glanced at Jack, who gave me a small nod. The plan was in motion.

"He'll take the bait," I muttered, my voice low. "Gorren's too greedy to let anyone else investigate something like this. He'll go himself."

Jack smirked, his fingers brushing the hilt of the knife at his side. "And that's when we move."

The next morning, we watched from a distance as Gorren and a small group of his enforcers left the hideout.

The man was a mountain of muscle, his presence commanding even from afar.

He moved with a predatory grace, his eyes scanning the streets as if daring anyone to challenge him. I felt a chill run down my spine but pushed it aside.

We didn't have time for fear.

"He's gone," Jack said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's move."

We slipped through the alleys, our movements quick and silent.

The hideout loomed ahead, a grim fortress of stone and iron. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their eyes sharp and their weapons ready. But we've come prepared.

From my bag, I pulled out the small clay spheres we'd crafted the night before. Inside each was a mixture of herbs that, when broken, released a potent sleeping gas.

I had learned the recipe from an old alchemist in the slums, and though it wasn't perfect, it would do the job.

"Ready?" I asked, glancing at Jack.

He nodded, his expression grim. "Let's hope this works."

Based on the information we got from Ryn, there were two guards in the entrace with two hour shifts.

The two guards were preparing to switch. The first went through a door on the side to inform the others. It was time to move.

Jack went to the guard running from the front taking its attention.

Underestimating the boy, tried taking care of Jack alone.

I went silently from the side. Once I got in range, I shot the clay ball into his face.

Noticing something was wrong, the guard tried alerting others but it was too late now. Jack was fast to slit his throat.

Next, we moved in unison, approaching the door. We tossed the spheres inside at the feet of the guards. The clay shattered on impact, and a thick, sweet-smelling smoke began to spread. The guards barely had time to react before their eyes rolled back, and they crumpled to the ground.

"Go," I hissed, and we darted forward, stepping over the unconscious bodies, we worked nonstop to send them to the afterlife, Jack using the rusted blade and me with the one I looted from Ryn's corpse.

The hideout's entrance was a heavy iron door, but I was already working on the lock, my tools moving with practiced precision. After a few tense moments, the lock clicked, and the door creaked open.

Inside, the hideout was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of oil and sweat. We moved quickly, our footsteps echoing softly in the empty halls. According to Ryn, Gorren kept the book in a hidden room, but finding it was another matter entirely.

We searched room after room, our frustration growing with each passing minute. Time was running out, and we couldn't afford to linger, least the guards notice us or worst, Gorren returns.

Just as I was about to suggest we retreat, Jack stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary wall.

"Wait," he said, his voice tense. "There's something here."

He ran his fingers along the stone, his brow furrowed in concentration. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, he pressed against a small protrusion in the corner.

There was a soft click, and a section of the wall slid open, revealing a hidden trapdoor.

"Got it," Jack whispered, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

We descended into the hidden room, our hearts pounding. The space was small and cluttered, but there, on a dusty shelf, was the book.

It was old, its leather cover worn and cracked, but the title was still visible: Beginner introduction to Innate Abilities.

I grabbed it, my hands trembling with a mix of excitement and relief. "This is it," I said, tucking it into my bag. "Let's go."

We retraced our steps, moving as quickly and quietly as we could. But just as we reached the entrance, a low, rumbling voice stopped us in our tracks.

"Leaving so soon?"

I froze, my blood turning to ice. Gorren stood in the doorway, his massive frame blocking our escape. His eyes burned with fury, and the air around him seemed to crackle with energy. He had returned far sooner than we'd anticipated.

"You've got some nerve," he growled, his voice like thunder. "Breaking into my hideout, stealing from me. Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"

I tightened my grip on the knife at my side, my mind racing. We were out of options. Gorren was too strong, too fast, and with his innate ability, he was practically unstoppable. But we couldn't just stand there and wait for him to kill us.

"Jack," I said, my voice low and urgent. "Run."

But it was too late. Gorren's muscles bulged as he activated his ability, his body surging with unnatural strength. He charged at us like a freight train, his fists clenched and his eyes blazing. I barely had time to dive out of the way, the force of his movement sending me crashing into the wall.

Jack wasn't so lucky. Gorren's fist connected with his left arm, sending him sprawling to the ground. I heard the sickening crack of bone, and my stomach turned.

"Jack!" I shouted, scrambling to my feet. But Gorren was already turning toward me, his lips curled into a vicious smile.

"You're dead," he snarled, his voice dripping with malice. "Both of you."

I gripped my knife tighter, my mind racing. We were outmatched, outnumbered, and out of time. But I wasn't going down without a fight.

As Gorren lunged at me, I braced myself. Even as fear overwhelmed me, I still searched for a way out.

Out of nowhere, I got an idea.

'Wait, that might actually work. Fuck it, that's our only option now, let do it.'