Chapter 14: Hidden Truths and Unfinished Business

Chapter 14: Hidden Truths and Unfinished Business

Silvia's POV

The night air was crisp as Silvia and Dragon darted through the twisting alleyways of Ashen Hold. The city was alive, even in the dead of night—shadows flitted between buildings, whispers of illicit dealings carried on the wind, and the ever-present hum of machinery in the industrial district echoed in the distance.

Silvia wiped the sweat from her brow. "That could've gone better."

Dragon huffed beside her, keeping a steady pace. "You think? Next time, let's not take jobs from mysterious information brokers."

Silvia shot him a look. "That was your idea."

Dragon smirked. "And a fantastic one, obviously."

She rolled her eyes. They turned a sharp corner, pressing against the cold brick as footsteps thundered down the main street behind them. Mercenaries—trained ones—still searched for them. But Ashen Hold was a city of secrets, and Silvia had no intention of being caught.

"We need a plan," she whispered. "Something better than 'run until they give up.'"

Dragon glanced at her, his golden eyes flickering in the dim torchlight. "Then let's pay someone a visit. Someone who actually owes me a favor."

Silvia arched an eyebrow. "Oh? And does this person have a name?"

Dragon grinned. "Ever hear of a man called Valen?"

The Underground Broker

The entrance to Valen's den was beneath an old, abandoned factory, hidden behind rusted gears and mechanical scrap. Dragon rapped his knuckles against a metal panel in a rhythmic pattern. A moment later, a hatch slid open, revealing a pair of sharp blue eyes.

"Bromson," a deep voice muttered. "Still alive, I see."

Dragon smirked. "Disappointed?"

The hatch slammed shut, and after a series of clicks and metallic groans, the door swung open, leading them down into a dimly lit hideout. The scent of oil and old parchment filled the air, and maps of the city-state covered the walls, littered with notes and coordinates.

At the center of it all stood Valen—a tall, broad-shouldered man with a cybernetic arm and a knowing smirk. He crossed his arms as Dragon and Silvia stepped inside.

"I assume you're not just here for a friendly chat?" Valen said, leaning against a worktable.

Dragon leaned against the nearest crate. "We need information. Now."

Valen let out a slow sigh, rubbing his temple. "You always do. What's the price this time?"

Silvia folded her arms. "We got caught up in something bigger than we planned. People want us dead, and we need to know why."

Valen's sharp gaze flickered between them before he sighed. "Alright. But I hope you're ready for what you're about to hear."

The Revelation

Valen pulled out an old, tattered document and spread it across the table. It was a map—one that looked ancient, with markings indicating hidden passageways and symbols Silvia didn't recognize.

"This isn't just about you two," Valen said, tapping a section marked with red ink. "There's a movement within the city-states. A faction that's been pulling strings for years, making sure the world never recovers from the Great Emergence. They thrive in chaos, and they're afraid of stability."

Silvia frowned. "What does that have to do with us?"

Valen met her gaze. "Because you're a wild card. You weren't supposed to survive that mission, Silvia. Someone wanted you dead before you could become a problem."

Silvia's stomach twisted, the weight of his words sinking in. "And Dragon?"

Valen hesitated. "He's a different problem entirely."

Silvia turned to Dragon, but his smirk was gone, replaced with something unreadable. "You knew," she murmured. "You knew something was off."

Dragon exhaled. "I had my suspicions. But not the full picture."

Valen leaned forward. "The city-states, the corporations, the underground factions—they all have a stake in this. And whoever's hunting you two? They're not going to stop."

Silvia clenched her fists. "Then we take the fight to them."

Valen let out a dry chuckle. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid."

Dragon smirked. "A little of both."

Valen sighed. "I'll give you a name. A lead. But after that, you're on your own."

Silvia nodded. "That's all we need."

As Valen scrawled something onto a slip of paper and handed it over, Silvia had the distinct feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated.

A Plan in Motion

Dragon studied the name on the slip of paper. "Mara."

Silvia glanced over his shoulder. "Who is she?"

Valen leaned back, crossing his arms. "A strategist. Formerly high-ranking within one of the ruling factions. She disappeared years ago, but rumors say she's resurfaced with knowledge that could change everything."

Silvia's brow furrowed. "And where do we find her?"

Valen smirked. "Now that's the tricky part. She doesn't want to be found."

Dragon exhaled. "Great. Love a challenge."

Valen tossed a small mechanical device onto the table. "That tracker has a frequency linked to her last known safe house. If she's still there, you'll find her. If she's not... well, you'll probably find something else."

Silvia took the device, feeling the weight of their next step. "Guess we're going on a hunt."

Valen chuckled. "Try not to die."

Dragon grinned. "No promises."

On the Run Again

They left Valen's hideout before dawn, slipping back into the winding streets of Ashen Hold. The tracker in Silvia's pocket pulsed softly, a beacon leading them toward their next step.

Dragon glanced at her. "You sure about this?"

Silvia nodded. "If Mara has the answers, we need her."

Dragon smirked. "Then let's go find her."

With the city waking around them and their enemies still lurking in the shadows, the hunt was on.