Helaine

Evryn patted himself down. "Your clothes are soaked—same for Razek. How about both of you change into something dry?" Cyrus said.

"Alright, where at?"

"The door over there." Cyrus pointed to an old, fragile-looking door across the room.

"Are you sure you're okay with me borrowing some of your clothes? Or whoever's in there?"

"Eh, I don't mind. Not really attached to anything in there anyway. Razek usually buys the most random stuff." Cyrus shrugged.

"Hey! I get the best clothes I can find." Razek pouted like a kid.

"Sure, sure. Whatever you say. Just don't take too long in there."

"Understood, boss." Razek saluted and ran into the room.

Cyrus turned to Evryn. "What are you waiting for, kid?"

"Right, my bad." Evryn followed after him.

As Evryn entered the room, he saw Razek digging through a pile of clothes like a kid on a shopping spree. Jackets, shirts, and pants of all kinds were strewn about—some sleek and futuristic, others rugged and worn. Razek pulled out a bright red coat with gold embroidery, whistling in admiration before tossing it aside. Next, he grabbed a sleeveless leather jacket, holding it up to his chest as if imagining himself in a dramatic showdown.

"What do you think, Ev?" he grinned. "Badass or too badass?"

Evryn shook his head. Then he saw it.

A black, fitted coat—shorter than a trench but longer than a typical jacket, stopping just at his waist. The material had a subtle, almost ethereal sheen, as if it absorbed the light around it. Silver-threaded patterns ran faintly along the sleeves, barely noticeable unless caught at the right angle. The high collar gave it a sharp, imposing look, while the inside was lined with a deep crimson hue, adding just enough contrast without being flashy.

He paired it with a fitted black shirt—slightly textured, snug but comfortable—and a pair of tactical pants reinforced at the knees, sleek yet built for movement. On a nearby shelf, he spotted a set of fingerless gloves and slid them on instinctively. They felt like they belonged. The final touch? A belt with a metallic buckle, simple yet engraved with a symbol he didn't recognize.

As he adjusted the coat, letting it settle naturally over his shoulders, he caught his reflection in a cracked mirror. It wasn't just clothing—it was a statement.

Razek turned around, eyes widening. "Okay, okay… now that is tough."

Evryn rolled his shoulders, feeling the weight settle in. He smirked. "Not bad."

Meanwhile, Razek finally settled on his own outfit. He tossed aside a few more ridiculous options before grabbing a dark gray zip-up jacket—slim fit, lightweight, and slightly worn, giving it a rugged charm. The sleeves had faint stitch patterns running along them, and the collar sat casually folded. Underneath, he wore a simple white shirt, untucked, with slight distressing along the edges.

His pants were a deep charcoal color, slightly looser than Evryn's but still fitted enough to move comfortably. He threw on a pair of black fingerless gloves—less for combat, more for style—and strapped on a simple utility belt with a few small pouches. His boots were sturdy but broken-in, the kind of footwear that had seen plenty of action yet remained reliable.

He struck a dramatic pose in front of the mirror, grinning. "Simple, smooth, and functional. The ladies will love it."

Evryn raised an eyebrow. "You mean the fight itself won't be enough?"

Razek shrugged, flashing his signature playful grin. "Why not have both?"

Evryn noticed a pair of panties on the ground and pointed at them. "Whose are these?"

Razek turned to him, confused. "Huh?" He followed Evryn's gaze to where he was pointing.

"Oh, those are Helaine's."

"Who's that?"

"She's a friend of Cyrus and me. A very unique one, I'll say."

"Where is she now?"

Razek scratched the back of his head. "Uhh, I'm not really sure. We can go ask Cyrus—he might know!"

Evryn and Razek stepped out of the closet, the door creaking slightly as they re-entered the main room. Cyrus glanced up from where he was lounging on the couch, his eyes immediately landing on Evryn's new outfit.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Not bad, kid. You've got taste."

Evryn adjusted his coat, feeling the fit settle on him naturally. "Thanks." A small smile formed on his lips 

Razek patted his chest as if he was testing the fit. "Man, I feel good. Anyway, Cyrus got a question for you." 

Cyrus raised an eyebrow. "shoot." 

"Where's Helaine? We uh… found something of hers lying around."

"Oh yeah, that sounds like her—leaving stuff around," Cyrus remarked.

"Do you know where she is?" Evryn asked.

Cyrus smirked. "Oh? You interested in her now?"

"No, no." Evryn waved his hands. "I'm just asking because… well, why would a girl's panties just be lying around in a closet?"

Cyrus shrugged. "It's the only closet here, so…" He trailed off, thinking for a moment. Then his expression shifted. "Now that you mention it… she has been gone for a while. Probably getting into a fight or doing something she shouldn't be."

With that, Cyrus pushed himself up from the chair.

Evryn exchanged a glance with Razek. "Should we go find her?"

Razek stretched his arms over his head. "Might as well. If she's in trouble, we get to play hero. If not, maybe we just crash whatever chaos she's causing."

Cyrus sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. Helaine's a handful—last time we had to track her down, it ended with three pissed-off mercs and a bar bill I'm still not sure got paid."

He grabbed his coat off the back of the chair, throwing it on. "Let's check the usual spots first. If she's not there, then we worry."

Evryn adjusted his own jacket as Razek cracked his knuckles.

"Alright, let's go find our troublemaker," Razek said with a grin.

The three stepped out through the concealed exit, a rusted metal door hidden in the shadow of an alley. It shut behind them with a heavy clank, blending seamlessly into the worn-down wall as if it had never been there. The world outside had changed. The sky, once dim and clouded, had deepened into full night, the city now drenched in neon and shadow.

The streets were slick from earlier rain, reflecting the flashing reds, blues, and purples of the countless signs above. Cars rumbled by on cracked asphalt, their headlights cutting through the haze. The air carried a mix of engine fumes, street food, and the faint metallic scent of the city's underbelly.

Evryn adjusted his coat, his breath barely visible in the cool air. The streets weren't empty, but the crowd had changed. Gone were the tired workers and aimless drifters from earlier—now, figures moved with quiet intent, lurking in alleys, huddled in dark corners, or walking with the kind of confidence that came from knowing no one would dare cross them.

Razek stuffed his hands into his pockets, whistling low. "City's got a whole different vibe at night."

Cyrus took a slow look around, scanning the shifting lights and silhouettes. "Yeah. And depending on where we're headed, that's not a good thing."

Evryn followed their gaze, taking in the towering structures above, the tangled wires and pipes stretching between buildings like the veins of a living machine. The city was massive, and Helaine could be anywhere. But something told him that wherever she was, trouble wouldn't be far behind.

Cyrus exhaled, then started forward. "Let's move."

They made their way through the alleyway and onto the streets.

***

On a nearby rooftop, someone peered through binoculars, scanning the area they had just left.

"I found them."

As they continued through the streets, they passed an adult lounge where prostitutes lingered out front.

Razek gasped and yelled, "Prostitutes!" with a big smile, as if he were excited to see them.

An older woman with barely any teeth grinned at him. "Hey, sugar. Looking for some fun?"

Razek's smile instantly vanished, replaced by fear and disgust. "Never mind…" he muttered, sounding utterly defeated.

Evryn snickered at what had just happened. "What does Helaine look like?"

"You'll know when you see her."

"Okay."

They approached a pawn shop, its neon sign flickering under the constant drizzle. The entrance was cluttered with various trinkets, tech, and oddities, almost like a treasure chest for anyone willing to look. The smell of old leather and dust hung in the air.

Razek pushed open the door, a bell jingling above them. The shop was dimly lit, filled with a maze of shelves stacked with items ranging from rusty weapons to strange gadgets that hummed with foreign energy. Behind the counter stood an older man, gruff and balding, flicking through a pile of papers.

As they moved deeper into the shop, Evryn's eyes were drawn to a raised voice near the back. There, a woman was standing face to face with a much larger man, both of them engaged in an argument.

"You're gonna have to do better than that if you want to walk out of here with anything decent," the man growled, his voice rough and condescending.

The woman, standing tall with a defiant look in her eyes, shot back, "And I'm telling you, I don't need your pathetic excuses. Just give me what I came for, or I'll take it myself."

Evryn's eyes narrowed. This pale-looking girl had short, spiky black hair, with a few strands sticking out, covering her forehead and partially the side of her face, giving her a slightly wild or unkempt look. Her red eyes stood out the most against her dark hair. She was wearing a dark hooded jacket, the collar covering her neck, with long sleeves that covered most of her skin. The jacket reached past her crotch, but her thighs were still visible, and she didn't appear to be wearing shorts. She wore gloves that didn't cover her fingers and black boots that went up to her calves. The woman's posture, the fire in her gaze—something about her was striking.

Razek nudged him. "That's her."

Evryn blinked, his mind processing the words just as the woman turned toward them, her sharp gaze meeting his.

"What are you two doing here, and who is he?" 

"This is Evryn, and Evryn, this is Helaine."