Training

Ashley scanned the table, still calm, and began.

"Right now, Myth and I have only managed to gather surface-level info—mostly while Walker was fighting. There were five VIPs present that day."

She paused, then continued.

"The first was Korin Bell. He owns a construction company that mainly builds structures in the Inner Lowden district."

Ashley glanced at the others, then moved on.

"The second was Raev Turnell. Word is, he's ex-military and currently works for Lazik Dorn, the top boss of Lowden. The arena is under his control as well. Raev... he's unhinged. There are stories—gruesome ones—about him killing people while laughing. He's also known to hurt women."

Ashley's voice didn't waver, but something about her posture stiffened.

"The third was Juno Marel. She's one of Raev's girls. Always seen by his side."

"The fourth was Bragg Dann. He oversees the 'transport' side of Lazik's business—mainly drugs and illicit cargo."

"And the last was someone people referred to only vaguely. But it's clear he holds significant sway in the district's political party. No name yet, but he's influential."

Ashley leaned back slightly and nodded, signaling she was done.

Myth spoke next, his tone polite as always.

"That's helpful. From the looks of it, Raev and his girl Juno might be the weak link to getting close to Lazik. What do you think, Mr. Walker?"

Walker nodded slightly. "Agreed. And with Raev, we likely won't have to worry about police interference—corrupt as they are."

He paused.

"But his personality is a problem. Not just the brutality. I don't think he's the kind of man who talks."

Walker looked around the table, then added in a deeper voice,

"And he's most likely a Seeker."

Ashley crossed her arms. "That makes things even harder. People fear him. Getting solid intel won't be easy."

"So who do you think is the best target?" Myth asked.

Walker leaned forward slightly. "Right now, I'd say Juno. But we need more information."

Then he added, "Let's also dig into Korin Bell. The police might be involved there, but money talks—and there's plenty in the construction business. He'll have rivals, enemies. Leverage."

Ashley nodded. "Makes sense."

"Then it's settled," Myth said. "Tomorrow, after morning training, Mr. Walker and Ashley will begin their information-gathering route. If either of you needs backup, don't hesitate to ask."

"You should come too," Walker added, turning to Myth. "There might be situations where I have to go alone. It's better if Ashley has someone with her."

The reasons were simple.

Victor couldn't be seen with Ashley and Walker—he would be working on the legal side.

Sira was… Sira. No one in their right mind would trust her with a covert op. That was like signing your own death warrant.

That left only Myth.

"I'll be fine alone," Ashley replied.

"I'll come anyway," Myth said calmly. "Ashley, try keeping that confidence to yourself."

Ashley didn't respond. She just turned her head, pretending not to hear.

"What time is training tomorrow?" Myth asked, looking at Walker.

"Seven a.m. Do you know any good locations we can use?"

Myth nodded. "Riff mentioned a few. One's a playground behind an abandoned school. It's near a tram stop, so transport's easy—but there might be a few people around."

He continued, "Second is a garbage dump, abandoned, further toward the outskirts. No tram rides there, but it's empty."

"Last are normal playgrounds—too populated, not ideal."

"Can Riff be trusted?" Walker asked.

Myth shrugged. "I'm not sure. But I asked the questions in a roundabout way and lot of information. He shouldn't be able to trace anything back to us."

"Then we'll try the school first," Walker said with a low, thoughtful tone.

"Can I join too?" Sira asked, her voice unusually soft.

Walker turned to her—and for the first time, his tone shifted.

"Of course."

Then he stood and walked off.

Myth and Ashley exchanged a glance, both quietly stunned.

Walker had never used that tone with either of them. He was cold, distant—sometimes outright indifferent.

'Looks like Walker's got a soft spot for Sira,' Myth thought.

'Or he's trying to sway her to his side.'

Sira looked to Ashley and Myth for their take.

"I don't mind," Myth said.

"Yeah… same," Ashley added.

After dinner, Ashley handled the dishes—it was her turn for chores.

Everyone went up to their rooms.

Except Myth. He stayed on the couch, blanket pulled up to his chest.

Ashley finished up and walked over, catching his gaze.

She grinned.

Myth didn't react. He wasn't about to let her know she got under his skin.

"Are you sleeping well?" she asked, smirking. "Watching someone else suffer reminds me to treasure what I have."

'This woman...'

Ashley turned and walked off before Myth could respond.

But just as she reached the stairs, Myth called out—just loud enough for her to hear.

"A man always suffers to keep his woman happy, sweetheart."

"Keep telling yourself that. Might help you sleep better," Ashley muttered without looking back.

Next Morning

Myth was the first to wake.

Walker and Ashley followed soon after, their morning routines efficient and quiet.

But as expected—Sira was still curled up in bed.

Myth stared at her, annoyed. Of all the people, why did it always fall on him?

"Sira. Wake up… Sira!"

No response.

He tried again, voice rising each time. Finally, with a sigh, he grabbed her arm and pulled her up into a sitting position.

Her eyes fluttered open, hazy and half-asleep. Then she smiled faintly and said with a crisp, almost dreamy tone, "Hey Myth… no need to apologize."

"What?" Myth blinked, caught off guard. "Get up. We're getting late."

That snapped her awake. "Oh—sorry!"

Myth didn't respond. He just walked downstairs.

They all wore plain tunics—functional, breathable. The same ones Ashley, Walker, and Victor had picked up during their last outing.

Once ready, they boarded the early tram and got off at the closest stop. From there, it was a ten-minute walk before the crumbling structure of St. Kora's Public School came into view.

The place had clearly been abandoned for years. The school sign was cracked down the middle, rust devouring the gate. No buildings surrounded it for at least a few hundred meters, just empty dirt patches and scattered garbage.

On the left side of the school was a narrow trail.

"Let's try that way," Myth said.

They followed the path.

It led to a large football field. Or what used to be one.

There was no grass. Just dry, grainy soil—like compacted sand. Two rusted goalposts stood on either end, leaning slightly.

Ashley surveyed it. "Better than I thought."

"It'll do," Myth replied.

Walker stepped forward, tone low and steady.

"For the next week, we'll focus on basic hand-to-hand combat. Before you pick up a weapon—gun, blade, anything—you learn to fight without one."

He paused, glancing at each of them.

"Start with five laps around the field."

No one complained and did as instructed.

Everyone finished the laps, their steps slowing to a halt near the dusty edge of the field.

Myth took a moment to breathe, eyes scanning the group. Ashley didn't look the least bit tired—calm and composed, her breathing steady. Myth himself was a little drained, but nothing unmanageable.

What caught him off guard was Sira.

She looked the best out of all of them.

Not even a drop of sweat, posture firm, eyes lively.

Walker stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the quiet.

"Follow me. We stretch."

They formed a loose circle around him. Walker led the routine—neck rolls, arm swings, calf stretches. Everyone followed without a word.

Once done, he stood tall.

"Now, stance."

He pointed at his own legs as he explained.

"Your dominant leg stays behind at a 45-degree angle. Lead leg in front. Knees bent, hands up to your chin. Maintain your center."

He demonstrated the position with perfect control. The others adjusted, mimicking his pose.

It wasn't hard. They caught on quickly.

"Next. Movement."

Walker's voice stayed calm, steady.

"When moving forward, your lead leg steps first—then the rear leg follows. When moving backward, it's the opposite: rear leg first, then lead leg. No hopping, no bouncing. Stay grounded. Stay balanced."

He showed them, pacing forward, back, side to side.

"Do this for fifteen minutes. Get used to it."

The group moved in silence. Dust kicked up underfoot. Surprisingly, even Sira didn't struggle. She followed the instructions with focus—like this was something she'd done before.

"Now punches," Walker said. "We start with the jab."

He threw a perfect lead punch, smooth and sharp.

"Jab comes from your lead hand. Rotate your shoulder, punch, and bring it back instantly to guard your chin. Don't drop it."

They followed suit.

"Five minutes stationary. Then fifteen with movement."

Myth's jabs were tight, but his shoulder roll needed work. Ashley's punches had snap, but she over-extended. Walker corrected both with short taps and clipped comments.

"Don't lean."

"Use the hips."

"Bring it back faster."

Then came the cross.

"Dominant hand. You shift your weight forward, rotate your hips and shoulder, then strike. Bring it back fast."

He moved like a machine—fluid yet controlled.

"Five minutes. Then fifteen with footwork."

They followed through.

They had also gone through basic dodging—small slips, weaves, body feints. Enough to keep someone alive in a street fight.

Three hours had passed.

Myth's shirt clung to his back. Ashley had dropped to one knee during cooldown. Even she looked worn. Meanwhile, Sira... still standing. Tired, but far from spent.

'What kind of monster is she?' Myth thought.

After stretches, they made their way back to the tram. The inside was warm, the seats stiff, the windows dusty with city grime.

Myth and Ashley sat together. Sira and Walker, on the other hand, chose separate seats—each preferring their own silence.

There was a strange ease between Myth and Ashley. It felt... familiar. Like two people who had known each other longer than they should.

After arriving back at the house, they freshened up. Victor had cooked—a simple meal, but enough to knock the edge off their hunger.

They ate, rested for a short while, and by 1 PM...

The information-gathering phase began.