CHAPTĒR 11
Chapter 11: Signals in the Smoke
"Okay... let me get this straight," Frank muttered, eyes fixed on the thin, transparent rectangular disk in his hand. "I now have a stalker? First, I get yanked into this world for some 'higher calling' nonsense... and now I'm a bloody target?"
He furrowed his brows, resting against the sleek balcony rail. Below, a couple of guests—early party leavers—were piling into their hovering transport vehicles. The sleek rides glided just above the cobbled ground, humming like tame lightning as gate guards gave courteous nods and opened the ornate golden gates.
Frank exhaled sharply. "Well, might as well enjoy the party while I can," he muttered, eyeing the lush marble walls and crystal lanterns lighting up the chancellor's mansion. "I mean, damn... this place is huge. Don't think my old apartment back home could even fit into one of their guest toilets."
He lingered for a while, watching the guards interact. His inner monologue returned. "A guy gets one secret message and suddenly he's Jason Bourne. Great."
---
Dawn had fallen, and the city's main transit hub was alive with color and motion. Frank and his team stood in awe at the glimmering center of Elarion—a sci-fi fantasy marvel where shimmering glass towers leaned into lush magical flora, and arcane glyphs hovered like lazy fireflies around the train station's entrance.
"Whoa..." Joel gasped, mouth slightly agape. "Tell me this place doesn't scream budget massacre."
Frank smirked. "Screams it, sings it, throws it a parade."
A massive train, shaped like an aerodynamic blade with sleek blue light strips running along its sides, hissed to a stop in front of them. Doors unfolded silently as dozens of passengers began boarding.
"Team, this is where we split," Raymond said, tone serious. He adjusted his coat as they entered. "Frank, Elias—you'll handle Sector 12. That's along the outskirts. Chancellors' spies claim it's a possible Rogue escape route."
"Tayla, Joel—you're posted at Sector 3," he continued. "It's a sewer-connected district. Rumors say the Rogue base is somewhere beneath it."
"Figures... I always get the stinky assignments," Joel sighed.
"Raymond and I will go undercover as Rogue sympathizers," Kaido added, adjusting the serpent insignia now tied to his arm. "We'll infiltrate their network from the inside."
Frank leaned in, voice low. "You two sure you can pull off 'lawless vagabonds' with those cheekbones?"
"I moisturize. That's not a crime," Raymond shot back.
Everyone chuckled, the moment briefly breaking the mission's gravity.
As the train moved like a whisper across invisible tracks, Frank leaned near the window, eyes scanning the outer walls of the floating towers. Despite the levity, the memory of last night's message scratched at his brain like nails on chalk.
Elias nudged him. "You okay?"
Frank gave a half-smile. "Yeah, yeah. Just thinking."
"Dangerous pastime," Elias muttered.
"Tell me about it."
---
The city of La Jar sprawled out like an artist's fever dream—futuristic towers layered with stone-carved balconies, magical lanterns pulsing in sync with distant clock towers, and streets woven with ancient-looking bricks and floating arcane signage.
They booked rooms in a small inn just between the city's marketplace and a narrow alley that led to the suspected sewer system.
Raymond stood at the doorway. "Alright, gang. Kaido and I move first. Time to play Rogue."
Frank leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Just one thing. Are we the only crew with a fifteen-year-old playing attacker?"
Tayla chuckled. "He's technically sixteen next month."
"Oh, well that totally fixes everything," Frank said, deadpan. "Definitely not an insurance nightmare."
"He's got skills," Elias added. "Could be some past trauma."
Frank looked at him. "Is that your go-to for everything? 'Maybe they had trauma?'"
Joel grinned. "Hey, don't knock it. Trauma builds character."
Raymond and Kaido departed, fully disguised. Black cloth marked with a coiling serpent symbol adorned Raymond's forehead and Kaido's face mask.
---
"Ugh... these clothes are tight," Kaido grumbled as they stepped over two unconscious men in an alley.
Raymond smirked. "Mine's too loose. We make a perfect pair."
Kaido rolled his eyes. "Just knock."
Raymond tapped a card onto the metal scanner embedded into the rusted door. A holographic dashboard flickered to life before the door slowly creaked open.
---
Elsewhere, Frank and Elias moved through Sector 12. The streets grew narrower, and the polished city gave way to grungier buildings. Frank's eyes darted at every stranger.
"You're acting paranoid," Elias muttered.
"I am paranoid," Frank said. "I got a stalker with great timing and possibly a death wish."
Elias smirked. "Stay sharp."
Unknown to them, a hooded figure stood on a rooftop, dark cloak flowing. The same masked woman from the gala, now visible with tanned skin, pale blue eyes under black-rimmed shades, and three glinting rings on her earlobe.
"Targets in sight," she whispered, activating her comm from a sleek holographic watch.
The message blinked: [Awaiting further instruction...]
Frank felt the hairs on his neck rise.
"Elias..."
"Yeah?"
"Ever feel like you walked into someone else's chess game?"
"All the time."
---
[To Be Continued...]