Herosae Kitsune: Chapter 9: Reunion of the Revenants

Splinters and perforations, the wood still bore the scars of notices, papers still stapled to beams and corners alike. No matter how many billboards were installed over the frequent markings of careless advertisers, any surface they could pierce with a cheep stapler was pinned up over the towers illustrious history. Below the sixty eight was known for how bad it was, but the walls were never really this marked as Sarephel could remember them. People moseyed along, poor esteemed individuals who in spite of their ability to live, spent their earnings shoddily on everything but the essential. Anyone could afford to eat, but no one could afford a habit. Indicating her hunch, Sarephel moved her hooded figure into the darkness, knowing she wasn't far off.

Allys, though darker and much drearier, appeared more cozy than their popular front side road. Empty, her search continued. Down the halls, through the backroads. Pipes and tied wires crossed above. In the opening ahead, a small loading quarter stood two men. Their conversation hushed to the sound of her steps, noticeably changing pace into a malevolent gossip over an apparent 'kobbleholf' who had been harassing him all month. Beyond them was a raised platform and stairs leading through it to a farther network of trouble. Without change, Sarephel passed by and out of ear shot, their shady business bore no fruit today.

Out passed the courtyard, a few men stood, two women with them chuckling along. Their eyes drained. Standing with a horrible hunch, one woman began telling a story of her room mate who appeared before the door naked to any stranger knocking on it. Their conversation began to bore Sarephel and she left.

After what seemed to be an hour, her manhunt stumbled. The shifty people she met were a run of the mill and utterly regular kind of shady folk. Even the two foreigners she investigated knew nothing. Wandering carelessly, her path came onto a wide ally, some stairs pulling out from a local business; a man walking out from said stairs. His face was familiar. Large crooked scar, tight melted cheeks, his hair all fallen out with a tiny tuft scruffy and thin. She pulled the cloth over her, walking along, his gaze reaching her. Into the next ally she walked, pretending not to care. He kept to himself, turning away to leave another way.

This dark and shady ally wasn't abandoned. Two individuals walked down, crossing the strange familiar man's path. Their paths rolling around the invisible circle of comfort they didn't care to cross. Open wide, he passed by the odd ally of attention. A stranger nodded as he walked by. One man turned to a different path. Wherever the scarred went there was someone around. This walking network revealed his connections, walking steadily below, two hanging shadow above him. One of those shadows was the chills that he emitted, the second waiting for a moment to strike.

Everywhere was a person in sight. Sarephel could hear the conversations, deadening her breath, all her senses were anxious. “Tellem, next time if he ain't got the time, he ain't holding his weight.” Trying her damnedest to stay silent, in the maze of upper walkways. He already seen her outfit, she could not be found behind him. Not yet. Leaping from one wall to another, holding the strain inside as she exhaled slowly from her stretched, shaken tank of air. If not for her efforts, at least no one ever looks up. Balconies and ledges were abundant but the back road opened up again. Sarephel forced to walk on foot. No one was here. She waited for him to turn the corner and jet for it. Peering into the path, he looked behind, Sarephel ducking out in time. Climbing the wall from outside she got her height to peer back in.

His gaze still set as he walked forward, tripping on a box. “Glad no one actually saw that.” Continuing, he muttered to himself.

Sarephel began to plan her attack, making it ahead quickly was painful and difficult but he was alone here. More voices came out, sweating Sarephel returned to her stalking tempo. “Fawnally, om'on realizes ma brilliance.” Determining it was ahead, Sarephel held tightly to the edge. Two men appeared turning tightly into her target who threw one aside. “Um, 'orry man.” Showing a streak of mercy, Sarephel used this advantage to get closer as her target struck up a few words.

“You'd be watching yourself. Clumsy rot like yourself is bound to ruddle the bosses name. Right then, off you be before I have to reckon you again.” “Mutts.” He whispered under his breath, turning left at the three way. He passed by an alcove, a kind of outside holding area, roof lowered to the first level. Boxes in between, he gazed into the moving shadows that came from them. “Augh!” He groaned. Being dragged into the abyss, his mouth covered. The sweet sound of a mistress called him.

Sly and as venom “Vlane,” She greeted, “It's been a while.” Sarephel retracted into the dim pale light that shallow illuminated her one side.

“You!” He grumbled, pulling the entity from his vessel. “What is this?”

“A present. Last time we met, we didn't leave on the best of terms so I thought it would lubricate this conversation.”

“A needle? You're drugging me? You've got some gumption to show yourself here again! What is this some fictional truth serum or something?”

“Well, actually it's a deadly neurotoxin that induces blood curdling hallucinations, so yes but you won't like them.”

“Why? We did as you asked.”

“You should also know that it distorts your perception of time, stretching out your suffering for what seems like days until your adrenal glad eventually explodes. I hear the nightmares that kind of pain makes is very complimentary to how real they feel to you.

Furious, “You'd laugh at it too, wouldn't you, you sick...”

Sarephel cut of, laughing sadistically. “Don't get too upset, straining will only make it work faster.

“Why, why damn you? Why?”

“Feel it working yet?” Falling him forcefully back into the pile of boxes, she whispered just audible enough to instill. “Where is your bosses new hangout? I've missed the old bastard.”

“Why should I tell you?”

Returning to the light she held out another needle. “You don't happen to want the antidote do you?”

“Like you'd give it to me you cantankerous wench!”

“Well, if that's how you feel.” Sarephel waved it loosely by it's tip. “I waste this cure, and you die a terrible death, otherwise we can make a deal. Your choice.”

“So, I die. Big loss.”

“Don't give me that honour among thieves shit, you're a coward who is going to die a whole lot worse than anything Camine can send your way so spill before I find another chump to backhand.”

Wet anguish poured off his skull, down the bridge of his nose and itched the end. Cold sweat *add three lines*

Pressing harder, Sarephel reminded. “You've got about five to ten minutes before you loose cognitive thought, I suggest acting faster.”

Bright glimmer rolled off the welcome mat. Dim but visibly guarded exterior blocked the way in and not an another orifice in sight. Camine's lair per usual contained one entrance, and two goons to bounce the front of shop. The biggest flaw was the designer rafters and tile roof, indoors, it was just a poor choice. Click, fell a pebble but no response. Down fell a pipe brace, clanking loudly.

“Horey crap! Ya' see at?” One bouncer said.

Raising her brow, the other bouncer studied it. “Is this place falling apart?” Going out to inspect it, eyes shifting.

“You don't ink um'ones trying to lour us out, do'ya?”

“Relax, no one's around... Yeah, this thing is as rusty as old man's nut. It was a matter of time until it came down.”

“At so?” Walking out from under the cover. “You'd ink at this greeeaaat” Mockingly “Herosae feller ould take bedda care of da' place.”

A whistle caught him off guard, his partner following their instinctive turn, reaching for their weapons. “Ah!” Sarephel shouted. “I drew first.” Both guns drawn atop the tile platform, aiming precariously steady at their heads. “Put'em away. Toss them toward me, by the barrel. Come on. You have all the time in the world after this is over to think about how you're going to kill me. You've got three seconds before I cap you.” Nervously they complied. “Open the jackets, I know you're carrying. Pull them out slowly... There you go.” The bouncers pulling the cloth aside, exposing Sarephel's hunch. “Out with them, just the same. Don't think, just do...” Tossing them aside, Sarephel congratulated them in her demeaning manor. “Good now leave the lobby and don't even check if I'm still here. If I see you turn around, I know how to fire those automatic pistols you just dropped there.”

Defenseless, the two bouncers left as instructed. Sarephel dropping down the claim the weapons. Carefully, she entered checking if the ruckus had alerted anyone. Pleasantly she strolled in, passing the arena seating to the main room. Tapping the foot of a patron, she slid him a present from below. “Here, have a free gun.” Hood over her head. Walking into the center, around the stairs down to the bedding and along the other set, Sarephel wrapped her arm around one of the server's knecks as they passed by, whispering. “Tell Camine he has a guest that demands his presence, and bring me a tremendously gay cocktail.”

The server nodded, turning to prioritize the request. Back into the bar they went, dropping the order before running into the next room. The eyes of at least a dozen patrons fixed themselves on the stranger, concealed in thick rag, her anomaly struck a hefty deal of curiosity. One man got up behind her, determined to straighten her out for the rude interaction with the server. His walk turned astray, Camine flung out of the curtain. All dressed lavishly, golden jewellery and fur wraps on royal coloured robes hanging only by his waist. Scarred biceps and pecs. His stomach barrel sided and toned muscle with the rest not quite fitting the same level of fitness. Once her saw Camine's attention direct to the hooded woman, the patron walked on by finding a good drink to watch the show. By his face, Camine didn't appreciate the interruption. “You've disrupted my meditation. I hope you have good reason.” He called out, audible for the gathering to hear.

“What? You're fryer grease and girly mag time?” She returned. “What a loss.” A patron spat, choking at her loud remark.

“Sarephel!” Asserting his hatred. “Take that damned hood off.” A vessel crinkling in his head.

Dropping her entire robe, she revealed herself “Long time no see, how did you like that gift basket I gave you?”

Walking to his pretentious throne, Camine retained his composure. “That threat wrapped around a bottle of Carrals Reserve, I still have it for a special occasion.”

“Ah, but you left town. You also forgot to mention the bottle of baby oil and that erotic novel I left for you in there.”

“You are an impertinent one, Sarephel. No class, no dignity; look at me, I've got all of it, people swarm around me because I'm powerful and you are a punk with a sword.”

“I've got a gun aimed at your head dumb shit.”

Turning in a hurry, his expression of shock riddled with frustration put him at ease. “What, was that a cheep ploy?”

“Yeah, and now that I've got your attention...” Sarephel announced, whipping out her side iron after all.

“Hold your fire!” Camine shouted, almost every patron had their own drawn. “You plan on killing me? You've done a sloppy job of it. Look around you, you fire that around me and you'll be more holey than a drunken saint at mass.”

“Ah, but look at me. As long as I have your head locked to two semi-automatics, no one can pull the trigger. You're now my hostage.”

Heartily, Camine laughed. “Hostage, for what?”

“Tell me about the holes.”

“I did, drunken saint, yadi yada.”

“I'll be telling you about the holes in your head yadi yada, now tell me everything about those passages through the tower and exactly what your men are doing with them.”

“You don't get it, do you? You think you have all the power because you have a gun pointed at me. Let me tell you where you are horribly mistaken. You should never mix your hostage with your target. You kill me, you know nothing, everyone shoots you. You see, really” Dropping his hands. “I... Have all the power here.”

“I cap you, no one gets paid to shoot me, I leave here alive.”

“You shoot me, they'll be mighty angry they don't get paid, they shoot you, you die.” Closing in, Camine returned, condescending his way up to her. “Isn't it funny how the tables change?... And what if you miss, the closer I am the better chance I have to dodge... Really.” Coming right up to Sarephel “By the first law, you don't get your information, you loose. And you don't have it to kill me.” Taking his final words before being jabbed. Staggering, he ejected the needle, tossing it aside with the force to shatter it.

“I should inform you that the liquid of that syringe contained a highly deadly neurotoxin that induces blood curdling, nightmarish hallucinations. I don't need to hit you now.” The patrons returning to fire

“Don't shoot her! Only she knows where the antidote is!”

“Best of all, you're alive long enough to pay your men before you die, and I'm sure when I'm done here they will be flocking to you like a hoard of hungry vouchers. I get to watch you crumble for all the times you tried to mess with my girlfriend, and when you're through I can go to the next gang of wannabes and interrogate their leader. Interesting how the tables can change, huh?”

“I don't want to die... Please... PLEASE!” He shouted. “Just kidding... I call your bluff. I've been drugged plenty before, I know a placebo when I feel it.” Returning to his feet. “Without your bluff, and your pistols dropped to stab me, which, I have not a clue why you were dumb enough to drop them; intimidation? You're back to square zero, you have no threat, and you are in my hands completely. Interesting how the tables have turned, again.”

“Yes but imagine if it wasn't a placebo, if by some chance that what I injected you with was an even more powerful serum that you couldn't detect as a drug. Perhaps something with a little more in terms of impairing your movement. And once again, as you have mentioned earlier, I am the only one who has the antidote for.”

“I think you're out of luck.”

“Really, because I picture you on the floor in a few seconds.” Snapping her fingers.

Stiff as a log and twice as loud, the floor shook as Camine crashed into the ground “What!?” He exclaimed, winded

“Hold your fire.” Casting her arm to the crowd. “As I was saying. What you were actually injected with was a paralysis injection. Once it sets in fully, your vital functions will stop. Now unlike most paralysis injections, without my antidote, this will kill you much faster than a simple neurotoxin. After all, this isn't any old chemical reaction, they're nanobots. Too small to do anything constructive, but they can still work their way into your heart and congeal your blood until pop goes the pervert king. Isn't it amazing how the tables have turned?”

Deep malice flowed through him, holding him in a caged fit of horrendous rage and humiliation. Coarse breath howled through his lounges. “Alright.” Burning crimson plastering the edge of his bitter face. “Now, you have my attention.”

“Good. We were discussing those holes in my daddy's tower, mind telling me how you got wind of that?”

“Yeah. Those holes were made by me, after I ran out of room to put all my damn money.”

Picking him up, Sarephel's patients wore thin. “Cut the crap.”

“You see...”

Merely moments after the sharp thud hit his side, Sarephel rose him higher. “You can still feel pain.”

“Look at this place!” Camine cussed, his anger billowing behind a very serious laughter that choked hysterically under his frustration. “My men already dwindled with your crusade... My loyal followers missing. My empire is crumbling under the filth between my nails and you want to piss all over me now? As I see it, I've got the next hour to piss around with you before this really kicks in to make your life a fraction of how miserable mine is right now so hold your seat, I'd recommend getting a snack for you and your damn harlot...” Falling down to her knee, he rolled off “I deserve that...”

“What's the matter Camine?” A strange voice called from the side. “Big man fell down?” Walking down, an even more muscular man than Camine came into the ring, skinny and spotted in burn marks that made up the image of a bird along his left arm and neck.

“Selmo, you shmuck.”

“Now that the big guy is down and out, I say someone ought to look after the place while he's gone. What say you lady? Twenty five hundred down, you take him and dispose of him to the boys up stairs and leave me the joint, huh?”

Disgusted, and unimpressed. “How about I cap you right here instead?” Sighting her actual firearms on his head.

“Right now, there are three people who are gutsy enough to take his place, two of them are aimed for you. You drop those guns and we can settle this without having to shoot you, otherwise you're not making it out of this one. Come on, just you and me, and anyone else who's brave enough.” In the house of jokers, every face lit up around her as she looked about. Still being aimed at, her careful undertaking fell under the coup of every sly varmint ready to slit the others throat for the jackpot. “Got no other choice. Shouldn't have stirred the vat honey but while you are, I'll step in.” Lowering her guns, Selmo continued. “Everyone, drop them before this gets real ugly and we don't know who we're shooting... Kellar.” He called, yanking the man from the back out. “Kill her and I'll make you deputy.” Kellar staggering back, “An you don't even have to fight me.” His mind changing by the moment of looking into the stern man's dangerous eyes.

“You,” Sarephel pointed towards the bar. “That drink I ordered.” Nodding they brought it out. She sipping it carefully, remarking after spitting it out. “If this was any fruitier, I'd have to go back to dating men.” Crashing the glass across Camines face as she dropped it casually.

Entering half heartedly Kellar gauged his opponent, far to tilted and extending his arm unprofessionally, he took three test shots out of range. Approaching in a lowered guard, Sarephel opted the same response with a less cocked footing, her arm extended out without the intention to hit. He skipped about unamusingly while Sarephel gauged the rest of the bear pit. Withholding far too much, she could see Kellar didn't have much of fighting spirit in him. Beckoning him, he flinched to engage. She saw enough and moved in, lowering her left arm guard and her stance. In a cowards retaliation he moved forward to punch, only slapped away by her extended arm. Again he tried, comboing, her other hand raised to deflect each hit. Turning with each hit, she spectated the sidelines, circling their pitiful quarrel. Now engaged, Kellar struggled to even get close, always a tad out of range. Faster he advanced, faster trying to keep up her sidestep and retreat. Sarephel ducked back, foot planted into his stomach. Slowly backing off she beckoned him again. He realized something, the strike of his face changing he retreated.

“Get in there or I'll beat you myself!” Selmo cursed. Kellar returning rapidly. His fist whizzing past her, and soon his whole body came flying over. First glance from his back as it hit the floor was the definite treads of her soles before his neck.

“Get up.” She demanded, Sarephel taking note to a new contender. Chasing Kellar off he came running back as Selmo enraged his fury anew. The new guy was tired of waiting through their charades, lead knuckles and brass teeth, tattoos and bad hair cuts, his stance held proper to fight someone and intend to hurt them good. Kellar held back, waiting to strike from the side or behind, itching farther around every skip. She ignored him for now, tall and ugly took her attention. Planning something, he herded her around, aiming her just right. Without a beat Sarephel turned to Kellar, cowering his guard over his face, only to be whipped along the side by the inside of her foot. Returning to face the other, his lunging punch got knocked away as Sarephel intercepted twisting inside his intimate range and cut up his jaw with her returning elbow as she stepped even further into him.

Stepping in, Selmo finally showed himself. “That's cute.” He said entering his stance. “You got a brain, I knew that, but you seem to be holding back.” Moving in on her, the split of powers roared up at the side lines. Hollering and shouting, the mangled voices dog piled the other anticipating the big show. “Anyone want to join me? My offer stands, whoever wrings her neck gets to be my deputy.”

“So, you're just going to make everyone else fight for you?”

“Cleaning house, really. Don't worry, I'll be right here, waiting for the moment you mess up. Show me what you really got.”

Three combatants got the idea to enter together, each circling around her. Targeting one, Sarephel rolled her arms up the centre of his strike, kneeing his gut. She wrapped around him, the other two striking while another entered. Blocking one, the other came in receiving a standard issue parry and clobber “You're running out of moves, girl.” Selmo heckled “Show me something new.”

Shouting from the floor “I guess I'm no longer in the picture, now am I?” Camine butted in.

“Dead men can't talk so cram it roadkill.”

Falling flat, the next victim came crashing through into the pillow pit, another man breaking in on his back. Two more tried splitting her off again, holding chains and blunt weapons. With the ugliest sticks she'd seen in months, it's wielder closed in, twirling his two splintered stakes. Spiked in crude rusty iron, Sarephel kept her distance. Trying for a strike at her, Sarephel intercepted, grabbing him by the joint of his arm and slid under it tripping him. Chains stepped up, swinging his clout. Over Camine's body she leapt, dragging him up with her to guard the chained swing “Errr!” Camine groaned.

“Heh...” Her assailant chuckled.

“You better hope I don't get out of this.”

Kneeing him from behind, Sarephel got her chuckles too. “Here” She said, passing the meat shield over to her happy birthday boy. Right in the gut as she turned, Selmo forcing her back.

“I told you not to mess around or mess up,” “And looks like you did just that. You took your eyes off me.” Sending her into her old friend with the ugly killing twigs. Dodging his blow, Sarephel turned with a knee in his side and a choke hold grapple to the floor. Bouncing off his shoulders, his grips fell. Retrieving his bludgeoning batons, she prepared, planting one stick between his cheeks.

“Stay.” Sarephel commanded on the griping man's back. Grabbing the man with the chains, Selmo forced another member back at her. Telegraphing a full strike down, chains grappled the club. Twisting it, Sarephel slid under his grip forcing it up. His retaliation with a kick tilted him unbalanced, dropping her grip on the club she helped him lift him up and back on his ass, drop kicking his gut “And that is a practical kick.” Stealing her weapon and new chain toy, she swung out at her circling opponent. Hitting directly, everything stopped. Her gaze catching something unheard of. Standing still, Selmo grabbed the club pushing it away.

“Heh...” Huffing cockily, he smiled. “Your loaner is worthless.” Taring the shirt off his side. Embedded deep, the bird along his arm who's beak cawed in fury, cried in anguish. The scars of burns made a brilliant tattoo of a tiger taring into the falcon and a symbol of his beliefs making up the sun above them, just below his neck. “If you only knew the pain I can withstand, you'd be running lady. What now?”

Staggering back in a waddle, Sarephel reassessed the room.

“Thanks for wiping out the competition for me hon. You've made my job a lot easier.

“So your the last tough guy here then, huh?” Pulling her guns out again, Sarephel declared “Here's a deal,” Announcing firmly. “I take brick head over here and you weaklings can sort it out yourselves who's the new boss, sound like funzies?”

The crowd stood silent. “And why would they? They know they ain't got what it takes to be the ruthless leader we need. There is no one left with a mind to oppose me. Any ant without a mind know someone will overthrow him if he's brittle. They need someone strong to guard them, someone who can take the load and knows the other gan...”

“Tough crap!” Firing aside his feet and returning her aim. “All of it means Jack squat If I kick you into the floor boards. If you're dead, their in thick anyway so I can kick you off however I wish.” Retreating her pistols. “I want to see just how much you can actually take.” The cold chills flowing down from her waist, all tails flowing back. Taking a new stance, her form showed a brand new school.

“Well this is new.” He said preparing his guard.

Lunging out with tremendous speed, Sarephel curled around his side. He swung aside, swatting away but she caught his arm, and pulling herself in with it, forced her leg into his chest. Unhunching his he was kicked off, her footing regaining to lunge again. With his other fist he struck, deflected with an elbow in his ribs, following a quick knee into his abdomen. Unable to grab her, his free hand reached to grasp not even a hair and deflected again she jabbed him another time. Escaping under his legs, he closed the gate, her shoulders blocked at the door. Forcing her arms in under his knees she split the crack with the strong tendons of her biceps, lifting him over her, out of his clutch.

He grabbed her, bear hugging as he pounded the floor on his back. Both legs lanced his neck, jarring his grip to escape. Dumbfounded, he staggered up, head rattled and woosey. She attacked again, close to his intimate range he reformed her favourite knee lunging with a twisting redirection of her body into one of the pillars. Unscathed, Sarephel instead leapted off the wooden diving board and flying into his over twisted body. Onto his knees he fell, Sarephel lining herself up, before he could recover. Standing barely able to react, he thrusted instinctively, realizing the trap he jumped back as she was already too close. Her elbows barely missing his jaw bone as her uppercut yanked back, only for another lightning lance of her kick to jar him against the same pillar he tried to pin her against. Another knee into his gut, and as he collapsed forward, her locked elbows came crashing into the back of his skull.

Looking out to her stunned audience, she called out. “If you want him, you can have what's left of him” Panting. “But Camine is coming with me. Enjoy the meat salad over there, or take his place, I don't much care.”

“Start talking roadkill.” Sarephle commanded, picking her puppet up to a limp sitting

“Here Daddy,” Childishly Camine mocked. “This is where the mean girl assaulted me.”

“I could just skip to locking you into the PKE machine and let Intel have their way with you. Their always looking for pretty boys like you to work on.”

“What, going to abserpt your power again to get what you want?” Camine taunted. Aloud, to the remaining few left in his audience. “You want to know who tipped us off?... You want to why we are in your damned back roads? What we're doing there?... I've got a good one for you; come a little closer...” Reluctant and narrow eyed, Sarephel stretching his cheeks. “A long time ago, when I was just a boy, my Aunt used to tell me that one day I'd be a king and then some dyke would come by and rape me out of my kingdom.” Dropping him, Sarephel walked towards the bar, hailing the worker still hiding there watching the whole thing. “Your daddy knows a lot more than he like to gives on.” Shouting loudly, Sarephel halting to it's absurdity. “As I've heard, I think you should go ask him about it. Jog that royal memory of his.”

One drink in down the hot grim streets dragging her victim behind her, trailed by a raving protester, his anger bouncing off her like rubber twigs. “You said it would drive me into madness in minutes,” Vlane exclaimed. “But look at this you lying harlot!”

“It's called a placebo Wet Water. The mind is a funny thing isn't it?”

“You've got a lot of gull you conniving, cantankerous, filthy...

“Uhuh, uhuh...”

“...despicable, bellicose, bedeviled, provocating demoralized,” Walking out into the main streets, still nodding at each ugly remark as they continued their scene. “Ornery, barbaric” People staring. One such person approached.

“You ma'am, can I ask why you are carrying this man?” Holding out his badge. Pale green light fleshing through Vlane's skin at the sight.

“Her ex!” Vlane claimed. “Walking out on me with some guy.”

“Like I'd date that.” Sarephel remarked reaching for her own badge casually, as she walked.

“Why do you always say this? Everyone you talk to, wouldn't d...”

“You're not the first one she's said that too.” Camine butting in.

“Sixth Tier royal guard,” She identified. “Sarephel Lysel Herosae, apprehending a criminal back to the station.”

“And he would be?” The guard redirecting Sarephel behind her.

“Probably stoned.” She mentioned, leaving the men to sort themselves out.

“Alright then.” The guard attended. “Let's get you checked out.”

Defending “So, you're just going to take her word for it?” Vlane argued. “Guards have romantic lives too.”

“Sixth tier down here, if you only knew who she's probably taking away you'd be reevaluating your love life.”

“Yeah,” Camine shouted. “Wouldn't you like to know who I used to be ten minutes ago...”

The air had changed, unnervingly calm and tiresome “Here.” Sarephel announced, administering a sharp sting. The ally began to lift higher as nerves returned to feel it's filthy ground, a floor up from their meeting place. Still numb at the tips, the touch of moving fingers rejuvenated Camine, anew his limbs could speak their prideful banters and directed accusations.

“What next?” Aiming his convicting hand. “Drop me off at the station to be interrogated? Don't you want to have one last moment before they turn me into an electric casserole?” His animosity culling the lasting damning words from his spitting oral gateway.

“Nope, I got what I wanted. You're free to go.”

“I don't believe you.”

“Look. I have my own reasons for doing this,” Her ears cocked guiltily. “And whatever you think is irrelevant”

“You're just as pathetic as you've always been.

“There are some people I rather not deal with right now.” Her ears now twitching

“I feel honoured. Tell your girlfriend I said hi.”

“Walk” Sternly demanding.

Staggering off, Camine turned to boast. “Take one good look honey!... Coz when I walk into that trap around the corner,” Pointlessly directing to his doom, “You're never seeing me again.” Striking desperately under his sturdy mask of malice.

Sarephel already turned away, flipping her diplomatic farewells as she walked, the glowing light of her tablet walling him off from in front. “He's there.” She announced, walking unhindered past the haulking fury.

“Why did you have to send us all the way out here?!” The familiar gruff voice shot out “You know how busy we are dammit!”

“Take it or leave it.” Sarephel returned, still engaged in her messages, blind to the final blazing stand of dishonour she incited. “Hey, sis...” Her message read. “Just bagged Camine, you'd think I'd get a little more of a thank you from Mr. Gruff.” Message sent, quarrels of pride still ensuing behind her. “Camine squealed something a little upsetting. What's worse is it wasn't like him, it wasn't his normal ring leaders squabbles, for a moment I almost believed him. He said that father knew more about this than he told us... It's been eating at me.”

“Good job” Her message returned “Oh... He's not a very creditable source.”

“It's not like I could ever trust anything he has to say, I can't explain why it's still stuck with me.” The memory replaying in her mind that as though for once in their relationship of enmity, upon reflection, he seemed to be completely open. It would be like him though, to only do so at his leisure.

“Something to bring up with Father then,” Her sister returned. “I'd give it some time. Besides, I have some things to mention to him too.” “Record check came back form Jaela, she pulled a positive on the results. I'll see if anything else comes first though, gives you time to think, maybe figure out what you're going to say.” “It's not really a simple thing, I get that.” “You are sure it's worth mentioning... Right?”

“I have things to do in the meanwhile anyway, I'll meet you at Daddy's balcony whenever you're ready.” Hesitantly, “Yes” Sheathing her PDA.

Floors fell underneath her, once again returning to the floor ninety three, beauty and all it's calming glory.

The elevator rose again. Heavy thoughts dragging it along as though an mas of demons clung to it's ridges, getting caught in the gears. One by one, the waves of platforms ascended her beyond the public gate into the faculty stations above.

The unbeknownst golden rays born into the sky, crawling into the hollow behind the deck, evening was coming into existence. From her side, Kaunzi appeared, grieved behind a convincing facade of duty. “Father is ready.” She announced humbly, Sarephel taking note, her face still undecided. “You know what you're going to say?” Shaking her head, Sarephel turned fully to her sister.

“Anything come up.”

With a weakened mask, Kaunzi nodded. “PKE on Camine came up positive, he wasn't fully lying about Father but neither of us really know much yet at this point either. Rather, he believes it truthfully, is how I should put it.” Deeply, Sarephel breathed in, returning herself to the duty at hand. “I know it's not the news we wanted,” Kaunzi consoled, firmly holding Sarephel's shoulder. “But it doesn't criminalize Father. I can take the lead if you still need time to think.”

Pulling though the frustration and confusion, Sarephel creased the sides of her lips “Thank you.” a tone happier than earlier.

Side swept, their shadows poured crooked into the open gathering room aside the pillow seets and mats. Their figures reflecting off the waxed floor rippled like frightened beasts as they walked, their bodies still calm above the worn hall mirrors. Pacing out into the open from his home, Father Herosae greeted them. However busy, the sight of his daughters brightened up his face and for a moment while looking at him, all allegations seemed forgiven. “You two wanted to speak with me.”

Sarephel confirmed, her sister taking over. “Father.” She greeted, then to the man at ease by the doorway “Izeal... Jaela pulled out the records even more but nothing futher has been revealed.” Kaunzi informed. “I was hoping that you could shine some light on this man named Twal Degraden.”

A silent gear paused in Farther Herosae's head. “I've... Heard of a man by the name, I think. Let me ponder. I think I met him once... I think only once. It would have been with my father. I wish to say he was an odd fellow but most of my fathers business was at that age. The only reason I seem to remember him was something else I had heard, that for the life of me, it remains a blank. If it is who I think, he had pulled my father away for a moment to discuss business.”

“The records list him as an investor.”

“Ay, he was.” Coming to his memory more clearly. “There isn't much else for me to say that isn't already written. And thinking about it, actually no, there isn't much use of reading on it either. I remember hearing he had a rather large drama that surrounded him. That is what identified him to me that night. Right.” He recalled “He had an argument with one of his co-workers...” Dawning off him, Father Herosae clasped his beard. “I'm not really surprised anymore that you should bring his name into light. His work helped end the research into controlling bio matter. There was first a spark over morality, then inevitably the credit of discovery before it's official closure and it followed into a scandal of stolen research. The drama had lead into many rumours and slanders towards both sides that it is impossible to pick any truth from it at this point. It was a fiasco that most citizens had pondered over the course of it's matter well past the conviction of the other party; sending that man away into TX83 over solid terms of treason and conspiracy against the tower, claiming T... Twal as the rightful stander. What though have you on this?”

“It's reassuring, but I had not come across the scandal. Could he have erased it?”

“If there is any truth, it may be a guilt. Over time, enough people will forget, sources lost, cares for a drama easily passed away without proof.”

Sarephel added “Who could just erase something that big?”

“That puzzles me as well...” Their father sundered, his mind turning a new set of cogs. “It seems to be an anomaly.”

“And what of the many sent to TX83?” Kaunzi inquired, a curious gleam to her next lead. “Is he still alive?”

“A man, for over fifty years in confinement. There ought to be little left of him if any. If you are planning to see him, his name is Yaundrae Haro. If he is still there, I couldn't credit him but it may give you a new light.”

“I want to see this Twal, but we can't convict him yet. It's all very condemning but I want to hear the other side of this.”

“The sooner, the better.” Imploring, Father Herosae deemed in calm urgency. “Though it's just a single piece of this mess, it would lay a great burden off all of our shoulders if we could tell the origin of this catastrophe.” Kaunzi nodded in form, “Oh, and Sarephel...” Her father continued, “You had word to speak with me as well...”

“I...” Sarephel stuttered on the spot, still unclear. “It's just something bothering me.”

“I understand, there is a lot going on lately, we all need some peace. Tell me about it.”

“Well, I don't know how to really say it... Or what the protocol is.”

“Forget your work for a moment,” The soothing voice of her father sinking in. “Just speak.”

“Do you... Know anything else about these tunnels, than what you've told us?”

His face saddened, looking onto his other daughter who also hid the fear inside, her shadow cast darkly upon her father's feet “Mnn,” Exhaling, he sighed with a nasally vulnerability, he opened his mouth with a pause of thought. “I do not suppose there is any way to defend my honour that is sound or infallible... Come.” Beckoning back to the balcony. “Please know I have taken every immediate action, in respects to it's consequence for my people and my family, before thought of any other motive.” Passing into the light. “You both know how much you mean to me, and there are matters that you don't need to burden yourself with but I would do anything to lift this weight from you two. If there was some truth to prove myself better, I wouldn't see you suffer a moment longer. There are no secrets between us. -- Gaze out to the reaches... Do you see the mountains that border the western horizon beyond the blinding sun?”

“It's kind of bright but...” Sarephel confirmed.

“Yeah?” Kaunzi added.

“Every evening, and every morning before I meditate here, I look off onto it. We sit so high... Almost, gliding the tops if we think about it hard enough. And below us, every person who we share trust. This monolith of hope, our dreams, our desire of fulfillment. Home, family, our existence all rests on them to continue the legacy of this tower. We all play a part in it, every man, every woman, every child, ever visitor and guest is a piece of us. You two especially play a role in my life, and with all the trouble you gave me growing up... Even now, you are kids with weapons, and hope to make a difference. Time and time again, I think how much we've all grown but I think to the children with malice in their hearts. I think of the adults who's hands hold tools, and minds of children. The power they have, mislead, irresponsible, the power to crumble our dreams. Think the burden it would be, for a child to burn their house, to find their fire had wiped out their neighbours. It happened, in Alturnial a few hours east, a child razed half the village by accident. His parents couldn't let him join the festival so he started one on his porch. The poor child, imagine the shame of being so careless... And again to our state. That story was the first image that arose when I heard about these holes...”

“Some people don't care.” Kaunzi countered.

“Maybe, mislead, but the damage would be insurmountable. Should it all come crashing down, like a tree infested in bugs who eat it's very flesh, where would the birds nest then? And how many would actually fly before it ended.” Father took his time. “What should be the day, when we loose our footing and no longer do we deserve the honour to speak with those beautiful mountains on equal standing... Once this is over, I will survey the damages and rebuild what must be rebuilt. Eighty years is a long time for a hole to exist, it shouldn't fall quite yet... Nevertheless, it's unsettling.”

“We'll make sure it doesn't happen.” Sarephel reassured.

His grin breaking the crack of dusk, “You bring me a lot of pride, and worry. Please don't hurt yourselves for my sake to smile, it would hurt much more than I am as is.”

“This hurts me too, I'd rather this pain go away than linger.”

“It's a sad day when the child must take the role of the father, to protect their old man. I wish it were a different situation, but I am no warrior, and you two are far too young”

“We should head out.” Kaunzi informed, holding both of their shoulders, and tugging Sarephel away.

“Ay, should you find anything, do forward it to me. Even if the man is only a shell of his former self.”

Bowing, they retreated, Izeal returning post. Beyond the roofed patio, they returned to the vacant living room. Adjacent the kitchen and aside was the bedroom. A worn seat in the carpet along the door. Shoving her distracted sister, rolling over the back of the couch like old times, Kaunzi snickered as she walked by.

The door closed, following down the hall, Kaunzi began to talk quietly. “Do you believe him?”

Dragged back in, Sarephel considered it, assuring her indeterminate trouble. “I still don't know, I want to but it still doesn't explain why what Camine said came up true.”

“It doesn't.”

“Can someone outdo a PKE machine?”

“Doubtable, he would have be lied to, or convince himself of his own illusions. Then again, PKE has unravelled many self fed lies in the past, which is why it's used. More likely it's the prior.”

“So what does he know?”

“Intel is still running him without an update so not much as of yet. Anyway...” Turning the corner. “I'm off to TX to interrogate a madman, if there is one. Why he wouldn't opt out by now is beyond me so I'm not too hopeful.”

“Hey!” Sarephel caught up. “I'm coming too.”

“Nah!” Kaunzi waved off. “I've got this handled.”

“What, you're afraid I'm going to botch it up again, aren't you?”

“No, it's probably nothing and you shouldn't waste your time on it.”

“This could clear father up, I'm coming.” Sarephel instilled forcefully.

Groaning “I'll update you if I get anything.” Kaunzi assured.

“I want to know what's going on too, so stop being an ass.”

“Look!” Kaunzi shot. “I'm giving you time to be with her... Okay? Just take it.”

Sarephel's frustration melted, realizing the implication. “Oh...”

“Go, spend time with her, alright? Take the night off, for your sake. I told you, I'll update you.”

“Mnn.” Sarephel confirmed. Hopping staggered, she began backtracking. Kaunzi watching as her sister leave around the corner again. “Thank you!” Sarephel hollered late, peeking around the corner, Kaunzi barely visible.