Confusion and uncertainty gripped my mind as I witnessed the fractured scene before me as it gripped my attention like a vice. The sensation of both being a current spectator and an active participant was unsettling, causing me to produce beads of sweat across my forehead and down my back.
My heart pounded in my chest, and a surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins. The weight of the revolver in my hand suddenly felt heavier, as if it carried the weight of the decisions I would have to eventually make.
But just as quickly as the fracture had appeared, my concentration wavered from my uncertainty and the scene dissipated into nothingness.
A great sensation of confusion and anxiety washed over me. The dimly lit theatre, the figure in black up on stage, and my coworkers by my side—it was a scene filled with tension and foreboding. But what was its true meaning? Was it a real glimpse into a potential future, a warning, or merely just an illusion? And how soon was it? Alexei did say that I shouldn't trust every fracture I see.
Realizing I had lost control of my ability, I got up to leave in a hurry. I gave back what bullets I had left to the range owner and thanked him goodbye.
I made sure to hurry right back to the Den, the sweat becoming stale in my black uniform shirt from the cool afternoon air. Thoughts raced through my mind, intertwining with the questions that had plagued me since my induction. The enigmatic higher tiers, the mysterious figures in my visions, and the secrets that lay hidden within the church—it was a tangled web of mysteries that I needed to unravel. I was hoping everything would start to add up sooner than later.
Walking back, I once again noticed that there were rather a number of enforcers patrolling. Far more than in the morning. Was something sinister going on or had they found out more illegal arcanist activity? Personally, I'd rather it be neither.
As I entered the Den, my thoughts were interrupted by the sight of two unfamiliar figures stepping out of Darius's office with the boss himself. Their presence seeming to dominate the room, and an aura of power surrounded them, making them stand out even among the arcanists present such as Fleur, Lucas and Jean.
The first figure was a short woman with striking white hair, cropped neatly and adorned with bright red lipstick. Her eyes were sharp and observant, and her every move exuded confidence. The second figure was a tall, tan-skinned man with very dark brown hair. He carried himself with a sense of calm authority, his eyes scanning the surroundings with keen intensity.
Before any introductions could be in order, Felix burst into the room, panting heavily. Despite his usually reserved demeanour, he spoke up in a hurried tone that demanded everyone's attention.
"Boss, I got new information from my informant," Felix said, his voice surprisingly steady despite his breathlessness. "People from the homeless district have been disappearing rapidly, including children from the orphanage."
Darius's expression turned grim, and he wasted no time. "Felix, tell me everything you know. Elias, Fleur, get your active uniforms on and bring your gear. We're heading out immediately."
My heart pounded in my chest as I hurried to comply with Darius's orders. Without a moment's hesitation, I dashed to my quarters, quickly changing into my active uniform. I strapped the gun holster around my waist, securing the revolver in place, ready for whatever lay ahead.
As I dressed, my mind still lingered on the fracture I had witnessed earlier at the firing range. Despite knowing that this current mission wouldn't be the one I saw in the future, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Both Lucas and Jean were in the fracture and they didn't seem to be coming today. But the scene had seemed so real, so vivid, and the thought of a future confrontation weighed heavily on my mind.
Pushing aside my worries for the moment, I focused on the task at hand. I needed to be present and focused during this mission, to protect those in need and uncover the truth behind the disappearances.
Once ready, I joined Fleur outside the Den, where Darius stood by a carriage at the ready, the white-haired woman already seated inside. Darius nodded approvingly as we approached, acknowledging us both.
"Good, you're both here," Darius said, his eyes scanning us both. "I want you to meet Jo. She's an arcanist from the capital, and since she's here, she's able to assist us in this sudden incident thankfully. The other guy is Erick, but he's staying back to help with Lucas and Jean. Jo, this is Elias, our newest member, and Fleur, one of our best."
Jo extended her hand with a warm smile, "Nice to meet you both. I've heard good things about you both from Darius."
Fleur shook her hand while I just nodded. An arcanist from the capital was not someone I expected to meet so soon after joining the crew. Well, Alexei was an exception as he wasn't here for long. It seemed that this investigation carried more significance than I had initially realized.
Without wasting any time, we all boarded the carriage and took off. As we rode through the city streets, Darius began to fill us in on the details of the situation.
"Felix filled me in," Darius started. "We know that people from the homeless district have been disappearing rapidly, and yes this includes children from the orphanage. But they seem to be vanishing without a trace. Nothing is left behind and nobody is doing anything about it."
Fleur's brows furrowed in concern. "Do we have any better leads? Any idea who might be behind this?"
Darius shook his head. "No concrete leads yet. The disappearances appear to be well-coordinated, and whoever is behind it is careful not to leave any evidence, but it's highly likely to be arcanist related. We're heading to the homeless district to investigate the area and see if we can find any clues."
As the carriage approached the outskirts of the homeless district, I peered out the window. The district was a stark contrast to the bustling streets we had just left behind. The buildings were dilapidated, and makeshift tents and shelters lined the narrow alleys. People huddled around small fires, trying to stay warm during the sunny yet chilly day.
While the carriage rolled on, I noticed a significant increase in the Enforcer's presence once again. Their imposing figures patrolled the streets, their uniforms gleaming under the sunlight. It was clear that everyone was on high alert.
"Enforcers are on high alert," I mentioned to the others. "They must know something's going on as well. Someone might have tipped them off."
"It's possible," Jo agreed. "We should be cautious and avoid drawing attention to ourselves."
Darius nodded in agreement, "Agreed. We'll have to scout the area from the carriage for now. Let's see if we can spot anything without getting directly involved for now."
As the carriage rolled through the streets, we kept our eyes peeled, searching for any signs of abnormalities but the homeless district was vast. It was challenging to narrow down our search without more actual information.
"You know, people have been known to use live humans as sacrifices to test false artifacts in the past," Fleur mentioned. "It could be likely that someone has taken these people hostage."
Jo interjected, her voice calm and composed. "While that is a possibility, it doesn't explain how the people would be transported, and to where would they go? It would have to be someone or something very skilled with similar abilities to a Porter of some kind."
Darius looking deep in thought spoke up. "No, that could be something. We can't rule out the possibility of false artifacts being involved. If someone is using human sacrifices to create these artifacts, they must have access to quality materials and resources. It's not something one can easily obtain without leaving traces behind."
Fleur nodded, understanding Darius's line of thought. "There's an underground market not far from here. If anyone is involved in creating false artifacts or using them for nefarious purposes, they would have to frequent there. Any kind of hideout would need to be relatively nearby."
"Let's check out the market first," Jo suggested. "If we don't find anything there, we can proceed to look for hideout locations."
As we followed Fleur's lead, the carriage brought us closer to the entertainment district in the north of town. The atmosphere changed noticeably as we approached the clandestine underground market. The streets became quieter, and the buildings seemed to close in on us. Enforcer patrols were sparse here as if they deliberately avoided the area. I expected more around here but most of them would probably be around the homeless district today.
Fleur led us down a narrow set of stairs concealed behind the warehouse. The air grew damp and musty as we descended into the underground depths. The flickering light of lanterns illuminated the dimly lit passageway, guiding us through the labyrinth of corridors.
The market was a bustling hive of activity. Arcanists alike huddled in small groups, conducting their business in hushed tones. The atmosphere was tense yet vibrant, filled with a mix of excitement and secrecy.
Fleur mentioned on the way, that the market's existence had been kept hidden for over a century, and its secretive nature was evident in every interaction. We would have to keep this information as confidential as humanly possible. As all our lives would be on the line.
Navigating through the crowded corridors of vendors selling goods, we reached a guarded door at the end of the market. The guards wearing full navy trench suits and white masks covering obscuring their faces knocked on the door with a specific rhythm, and a few moments later, the door creaked open.
Before us stood a man who was more than just imposing; he was an enigma. Towering over two meters tall, he ducked under the door frame as he stepped out to greet us. His appearance was striking, wearing an immaculate fully white suit with a black tie and black silk gloves. His long white hair cascaded down his back and chest like a flowing waterfall, drawing attention from all who laid eyes on him. But what intrigued me the most were his eyes – one a piercing blue, and the other beneath the noticeable scar a dull grey.
The man took a long drag from his fancy-looking pipe, blowing out smoke that seemed to add to the air of mystique surrounding him. His demeanour exuded sophistication and power, commanding respect without uttering a word.
As the man surveyed Fleur standing before him, he seemed lost in thought for a moment, as if sizing her up without saying a word. The atmosphere grew tense, and an air of authority enveloped him like an aura. Finally, with a deliberate and slow voice, he began to speak, addressing no one in particular but making his presence felt.
"In the labyrinth of shadows and secrets, where whispers weave tales of clandestine affairs, the underground markets thrive, and its enigmatic King stands tall." He took another puff from his pipe, the fragrant smoke swirling around him as he proceeded to lean in the doorframe. "The currents of fate have led you to this place, where only those who understand the dance of darkness dare to tread."
He glanced over us, his heterochromatic eyes seeming to pierce through our very souls. "The underground is a realm of promises and betrayals, where every step you take may lead you closer to glory, or your undoing."
The man gestured with his gloved hand, and his guards discreetly stepped back, allowing the main crew to approach him. "Speak your purpose, for the King's time is a precious currency not to be squandered. What business do you have with the King?" His tone remained calm and slow, but beneath it lay an unspoken warning—tread carefully, for this, was a man who commanded a kingdom of shadows, and he was not one to be trifled with.
"King," Fleur uttered to the imposing man. "We need your help."