A man wearing a gas mask with the green lens with a large canister on the back stands behind Amber. "I wouldn't do it if I were you. I drop it or I'm gonna shoot her kidney" Letting go of the spear I stop Edward from jumping. "Don't! you can't stop him before pulling the trigger." Seeing the crowd of people all run away. 2 guys wearing green shoulder pads run up. Trying to aim their guns they quickly get shot by the guy.
"NOW!" Taking advantage of the moment I throw an air lance disarming him. "BASTARD!" Revealing a pipe underneath his sleeve he sprays a weird green gas in front.
Edward jumps back with Amber. "Catch!" Throwing me my cane I stand back up. "Thanks!" Using the cane as my support. I reach on my way up into a puddle and pull the water as if it was jello. 'Water control' Freezing the weirdly pulled water I tear it off at the bottom creating a weird staff.
"Amber! Catch!" Throwing her the Ice staff. She catches it mid-air and instead of using it like a normal person she throws it.
"What are you doing?! I gave it to you to use for defense so Edward could attack!" Yelling at Amber she just shrugs my worries off. 'I swear to god I will change that attitude.' "And if it's so bad! Just make another Ice staff for me!" Amber yells.
"Right right!" I yell back. Hiding my right hand behind my back I feel the ice frost slowly melt off the glove and my skin.
'I guess that's the reason why I was stripped of my name. How the hell am I a Nordstorm? We pride ourselves in our Ice magic yet I can barely cast one spell without suffering the drawbacks.' "KYAaa!" Hearing Amber yell I see her flying to me. "Amber!" Catching amber I fell to the ground. "Amber! Are you okay?!" Hearing her faint breathing I sigh in relief. "Edward! Can't you hurry up?! Just punch him already!"
"Easier said than done!" Swinging his arms like crazy. He finally hits the guy once and it's over. Hearing the rushing footsteps I quickly yell "We need to get out of here!"
Lifting Amber up we started to run, even though we knocked that guy out, too many green pads started to show up even for us to handle. "Where are we running to?" Edward asks. "Nowhere for now! Continue running in any direction! We just need to lose them!" I shout. "Oh, just a question. Why are you both on my back?!" As I, who can barely walk, wouldn't be able to outrun them, I climbed on Edward's back with unconscious Amber. "Ah please, you can triple your strength. Right? It's as if you're running like a normal person, so you better hurry 'cause they're catching up!" Seeing one of them dash close enough to stab us I start to swing my cane around. "Edward, we need to speed up!" "I'm trying!" Jumping up we run across a roof to safety.
"Did we lose them?" I ask only to not get a response. Looking at Edward I see him lying on the ground breathing like crazy.
"Do * seriously *gasp* expect me to reply?!"
Shrugging my shoulders I look at Amber only to see her drooling on my coat. "Eww! Hold this for me please." Handing him Amber he looks at me confused. "I know I'm your right-hand man, but I'm pretty sure that being a babysitter wasn't amongst my duties." "Potatoes, potatoes" Brushing off his worries. I start to walk in a certain direction. "Wait for me!" Running after me I stop behind a corner. "Shhh'' Peeking from behind the corner I see the green pads running around.
"Hey Raven, where are we going?" "How am I supposed to know? we're stuck in the center of the slums far from my turf!"
Suddenly getting a call on my phone, I pick up. "Yes?"
"Raven, It's me Niab. I just heard something interesting.
You Beat up that Toxic guy right?" Sounding overly excited.
I reply. "I think? You mean that... Guy with a weird gas mask?"
"Yes yes! It's the talk of the black market! That bastard Daemian must be cursing you with all his might!"
[Daemian]
It's not a common name by any means necessary, not meaning that it's a name that nobles usually use. Thinking about it for a second. I suddenly feel something blunt and cold press against the side of my head. "Hang up" This voice! It's the masked guy. Trying to turn my head I feel the cold metal dig into my head. "Don't and hang up"
"Raven? Why aren't you talking? Is something wrong?"
"Don't worry Niab, I was just talking with someone. Since now is not a good time to talk. May I call you later?" Not Waiting for an answer I hang up. "Satisfied? Demian"
Not knowing if he's surprised or shocked as his mask blocks my line of sight. I can feel the uneasiness in the air.
Looking at Edward I see him in the same situation as I am.
"Stand up!" Ordering me around I slowly get up. "MOVE!"
Getting shoved by a random gangster I start to count.
'1..4…9…12?' Not moving my head much, I scan the area using my eyes. "Raven!" Suddenly hearing Amber scream I try to turn around only to get my head smacked.
"Against the wall! I said." Walking over to the wall I stop.
"Now turn around!" Turning around I see his disgusting green gas mask, but for some weird reason, I'm smiling. The adrenaline moves through my veins. My heart beats like crazy. "Oy did you not hear?!" Pushing his gun against my forehead, he says "Mask off!" Not thinking straight I quickly grab his gun and stab him in the gut using my cane. "GOHH!"
Turning him around, I put the gun to his head and yelled.
"Don't you dare move! Now let those two go or he gets it!"
"You don't know who you're playing with!" Trying to scare me.
I grab his mask and pull it off. Revealing his short icy white hair. "A Nordstorm?!" Everyone was surprised. He looks at me with pure hatred in his eyes. "Bastard! Give it back!" Trying to wiggle out. Taking the initiative I hit him in the back of the head. "Boss!" one of the gangsters that's pointing at Edward, brings his gun against me only to get slapped so hard by Edward to be sent flying. Starting a large brawl.
Amber takes a broken pipe and uses it as a staff.
Throwing Daemian on the ground I shoot the gun a few times to scare off most of the gangsters.
Having one of the gangsters run towards me. I panicked and pulled the trigger, only to shoot him in the head. Seeing the blood splat on my mask I freeze for a second only to be brought back out by a guy hitting me in the gut. not hesitating I put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger again.
Not hesitating again I fire the pistol off 2 more times until it's empty. Finally calming down, I hide the gun inside my coat.
"DIE! DIE!" Hearing Amber yell, me and Edward quickly run in behind a corner only to see Amber stabbing a gangster over and over not stopping for a second. "Bastard! You pig!" Edward quickly runs over to her and holds her tight.
"It's fine, it's fine, He can't hurt you." While comforting her I walk over to the body of the gangster and poke into him a few times only to get no reaction. Crouching down I put my hand on his neck only to feel it cold to the touch. Looking up I see Amber crying in Edward's arms. Getting up I speak. "I think we should leave." Leaving the area I tell Edward to go straight home and that I have something to do.
In reality, I just wanted to take a look at something. Entering an old run-down shop I look at the violin on the display.
"Are you interested? in that?" the old shopkeeper asks.
Nodding my head I ask if I can take it out. "Of course."
Taking it out, I try to play a few notes. The old and rusted strings create an ear-bleeding sound. but the frame is comfortable. The wood has a nice antique smell to it.
Smiling, I play a few more notes to get used to the bow.
"I like it. I will buy it from you with some replacement strings."
Leaving the store. I decided to take a break from all the crime and just sit down in the park. Letting go of my cane I open my violin case and start to change the strings.
Relaxing in the park. I suddenly got my cane stolen by a little girl. "Hey! I can't walk without that!" "I'm sorry mister, but please help me! He's trying to hurt me!"
Using my can as a spear she keeps pointing at a guy.
He slowly comes and slap's the cane out of her hand. "Sydney! You're coming with me!" Looking around I see everyone acting like it's not happening. I mean these are the slums but still.
Trying to stand up I feel my legs give up. Instead, I look at the man and I speak. "Let her go! Who are you to do this to a child?" Looking at me he spits in my face. "Mind your own business, weirdo! I'm her father!" Seeing the girl in distress I'm struck with a decision. Ignore it and be part of the crowd or try to stand up and act. "Mister! Mister! Please help me!"
Looking at Sydney she reminds me of my little sister. Having enough I reach into my coat and pull out the empty gun.
"Let her go!" Getting scared he runs away leaving the little girl behind. Crying on the ground I pat her little head.
"It's fine he can't hurt you anymore." Lifting her up I sat her down on the bench next to me. Waiting for her to stop crying.
"Can you tell who that man was?" Sobbing, she replies.
"My dad." surprised, "I thought he was lying about it." Shaking her head she tells me that her dad is really mean.
Thinking about what I can do to lift her mood up. I see her take interest in the violin. "Mister, what is that?"
"Are you interested?" Nodding her head I show her the violin.
"This is a violin. It's a musical instrument, wanna hear it?"
Nodding her head again I start to play. Even though the strings are not properly tuned. I continue to play as her bright eyes watch in awe. Playing for a bit longer the replacement strings even though new out of the package are still old suddenly snap, whipping my fingers. "gah!" Dropping the violin the little girl catches it. "Mister! Are you okay?!"
Holding my hand I smile. "Of course, it's just a small cut."
Hiding my hand inside a pocket I continue. "What did you think? did you like it?" Forgetting about my hand she nods her head. "Yes! It was nice! Do you play professionally? or do you just play for fun?" Her questing struck me hard as I always just thought of it as my duty. Looking at her plugin the strings
I ask. "Do you want to learn how to play?" Smiling, she replies. "Of course!" Handing her the bow I speak. "rest your head on that black pad. your hands are too small so keep them extended but don't stiffen them. let them rest, for now, I just want you to press the strings down and slide the bow across however you want." Already getting overwhelmed by my instructions, she says. "but my fingers hurt! how do you do it?" Laughing, I reply. "You get used to it after a bit of practice, it won't hurt anymore." Giving her a few tips I see the sun start to set.
"Look, the sun is starting to set. I think you should go home."
"I don't want to go home!" Grabbing me by the leg. she continues. "My dad is mean to me! You're Much better than him! Why can't you be my dad?!"
Scratching the back of my head, I reply. "It's just the way it is, I can't do anything about it either. but I do believe that there has to be something you can do. Like the police perhaps?"
Shaking her head she replies. "The last time I tried it. It was just dismissed as a child joke!"
Knowing far too well that the so-called police that some districts have is extra corrupt. "I don't think I can do anything, but if it helps you can come here every evening and I can teach you how to play." Smiling wide, she finally lets go of my leg and speaks. "But you better be here tomorrow!"
Nodding, She smiles and runs off. Looking at my leg I think about the fact that even though she jumped and did all sorts of tricks on it I barely felt anything.
Letting it go as if it's just a small thing I pull out my phone and call Niab. "I've got time. I will listen to all you have to say but first I need you to track a certain chip and find an empty apartment near the facility."
...
While Raven was teaching the little girl. Edward arrived home with Amber. putting her down on the bed. He leaves the room.
Sitting down he wonders. "Now what. I said that I would be a man of justice, but instead, I'm a crime boss's, right-hand man."
Looking around Edward found some booze in the cabinets.
"You shouldn't drink if you're underage." Turning around, Edward sees Amber walking out of the bedroom.
"You're okay now?" Looking at amber I see her puffy eyes.
"No…. I… I don't know." Sitting down she looks at Edward.
"I know I said you shouldn't drink, but I heard that booze is good to forget things." Looking at the bottle of Rum I'm holding. I sigh Grabbing two glasses as I sit next to her. pouring the rum I get attracted by its sweet smell.
"It's not too late to back out now." Not wanting to really drink it. I look at amber that just chugs the entire glass in one go.
*Cough* Coughing a bit she looks at me. "Another!"
Giving up I drink my glass empty. To my surprise, it actually tasted good. It's like cough syrup, but sweeter.
Pouring another shot, Amber asks. "What do you want to do?
Why did you become a criminal?" Her questing takes me by surprise. Thinking about it, I reply. "I guess circumstances, my family was destroyed and I and my brother didn't really have much of a choice." Nodding her head she drinks the rum. Then Amber speaks. "I just wanted to be free. My mother always said that I need to do better." Taking a sip Amber continues. " Afterwards I… I had a diplomatic marriage arranged by my mother. It was to this guy I didn't even know.
So I just decided to see the world outside the walls I guess."
Drinking the rum Edward started to feel his stomach act up.
"I…See. Do you also feel like you're going to puke?" Seeing Amber nod her head, I bring the bucket. "Question Edward,
Why is Ravena a criminal? I mean he seems smart. I don't see a reason for him to be a criminal." By now she's just holding the entire bottle while I listen.
Drinking straight out of the bottle she starts to cry.
"I'm a murderer! I killed him even though he begged me to stop!" Sobbing, she starts chugging the bottle.
"I just wanted to know how people truly live! But now I'm just a wanted criminal!" Having an absolute breakdown she fell on the floor. "Amber!" Foreign for a second Edward panics and looks at Amber only to hear her snoring.
.....
As I'm sitting on the bench Niab replies.
"What do you mean? track a chip? And all the talk about listening now doesn't sound like you." "I'm sorry if you don't believe me, but I'm in a hurry so how about we skip all this and I listen to you, and you track a chip for me?"
While waiting for a response, I pick up my cane and get up.
"Fine, I will check for the chip, but you have to listen to me.
I have a great idea about the money laundering business.
The chip is currently on the new street north of you. Anyways about the buss-"
Not paying attention to what Niab is saying afterward. I reach into my coat. Pulling out a gun that I stole from one of the gangsters. Sadly I ran out of ammunition, or so I thought. After cocking the gun back I see that it's just jammed by the last bullet. "So, Raven, do you agree?" Hearing Niab I quickly reply. "Of course, I see no problem." Unjamming the pistol, I'm left with an empty mag and a single bullet. Putting the bullet into the magazine I load the gun.
"Niab, I asked you for help with finding an empty apartment."
"I know, I know, It's just that there aren't any! the slums are already overfilled with people."
Sighing I start to walk. "I see, well then the worst option is the only one left. Can you contact Edward? I have a bad feeling about this." Asking, I hear the sounds of the keyboard.
"Yes. want me to connect him to your mask?"
"You can do that?" caught off guard by that answer. I just hear the dialing tone, only to hear Edward.
"Great! Raven! You're smart right?" Confused, I replied. "Define smart?" Telling me off for a bit he gets all quiet and whispers. "How do you deal with a drunk person?"
Now even more confused, I reply "Like... Getting rid of a hangover?" Hearing wooden planks break, Edward replies. "More of an Aggressive Drunkard swinging a bottle of rum?"
"Right…. How did a drunk person get into our apartment?"
Hearing Amber scream in the background I start to think if I should turn around and help Edward instead of going after a little girl whose name I don't even…. no I do know her name.
Her father called her Sydney in front of me.
"Fine! Here's the truth! The drunk person is Amber. I gave her a bottle of rum and she drank it all! And I don't know how to stop her! she just fell on the floor sleeping for a bit and then she suddenly got up and started screaming all sorts of profanities!" Yelling into my ears. I feel like I'm about to rip my mask off. "GOD! Don't yell! Ehmmm, just approach like a child. Act all fuzzy, fuzzy, weirdly, promising ice cream and others and then just wait for them to pass out."
"Okay… Come here little Amber??" Hearing him clap his hands I just decided to hang up. "Interesting" Hearing Niab,
I realized that she was listening to the entire time.
"Forgive him." Stopping in front of a rough-looking apartment building. I ask Niab. "Can you record videos on the mask?"
"Of course, you can. How else would I be able to know what you're looking at?" agreeing with her I walk to the apartment's door only to see it barely hold in place. Giving it a slight push the doors fall to the ground.
"Please stop!" Hearing screams on the upper floors I start to climb the stairs. "Tell me! Whose is that man? Do you think that this is a joke?! My brother is the police chief! I will have him locked up in no time!" Finally arriving in front of the door I look for a bell only to find none. Lifting my cane, I knock on the door. Covering the peephole with my thumb I wait for him to open it. Hearing heavy footsteps at the door, He screams. "I told you to not bother me!" Opening the door without a thought.
I stab him in the stomach using my cane.
"Gah!" Almost puking he falls to the floor. Walking over him I look around only to see two girls huddled in a corner.
"Mister!" The little girl tries to run to me only for her older sister to stop her. "Stop! you know him?!" Shaking profusely,
I raise my hands in defense. "Calm down, I'm not here to hurt you." Taking a step closer I see her huddle further into the corner. But it wasn't me who she was scared unbeknownst
to me her father stood back up, behind me. Breaking a piece of plank over the back of my head I fall to the ground. Feeling my vision get red. I reach into my coat pulling out the gun.
*BANG!* Not hesitating for a second I shot him straight in the shoulder. Screaming in pain. I get up using my cane.
Wobbling over, I look at him laying on the ground in pain.
"Mister? Are you a criminal?" Hearing the little girl speak, I reply. "Sydney, I just did what had to be done." Not wanting her to know the truth, I play innocent. "I…. See…."
Hardly speaking she just watches her father bleed out.
"You worthless child…" With his last words cursing his daughter, I cover her eyes. "Let's leave this place." Pushing her out the door I look at her older sister. Her brown messy hair. with eyes that scream lack of sleep, I see that there's barely any sanity. but I didn't care. Lifting her with my hand, I feel her bones. like a fragile porcelain doll, I carry her down the stairs. With each step, my legs feel like giving up.
"Mister? Is sister Iris fine?" Smiling beneath my mask I reply. "Don't worry she might not look like it but the fact she tried to protect you from me is all the proof I need to try and save her." Looking at her older sister now named Iris. I take small wobbly steps outside the apartment.
Entering the cold autumn streets of Aquaria. I take my jacket and throw it on Sydney's older sister. "Sydney, you're a smart girl. You will need to take care of your sister. I'm a busy man and I won't be able to be there all the time. I will send you money and other things. but-"
"Don't worry mister! I will take care of her!" Smiling widely. I decided to bring them to our apartment. After all, I can bring Edward and Amber to the Facility. Walking to the apartment,
I can already see Sydney's eyes open wide.
"Wow!" Running to the door she tries to instinctively open the door only to get stopped. "Mister! I think your door is broken.
I can't open it." Shaking my head I reply. "Your door was broken, this is how at least partly a normal door looks" in truth the door's lock doesn't work so as long as you pull the handle and push the door slightly, it opens. "oh, and stop calling me mister. My name is Raven." Walking in I feel her older sister stop shaking my hand. "hush, hush. It's fine, it's nice and warm here.
That's a lie, there's no heating system but it's still warmer than outside. Climbing up the stairs, Sydney asks me. "Mi- Raven?
Why did you help us? Do you want us to d-" Cutting her off I speak "No, no! It's just…. You remind me of my sister"
Jumping up the stairs, she lands next to me. "You have a little sister? Will I see her?" Shaking my head I replied. "No, but you will probably meet my roommates." Knocking on the door,
I expect Edward to come and open the door. Instead, nothing happens. Opening the door I see Edward passed out on the couch with Amber in his arms. broken floor not to mention some cupboard doors straight ripped off and thrown on the floor. "Okay, What the hell happened here?" While I'm terrified at the state of the apartment. Sydney runs past me and stops. "WOW!" Her eyes open wide and she starts to run around.
"So big! And clean!" remembering the state of their home I can agree that this is still pretty clean. Walking into the bedroom I put her older sister in bed. the moment I put her down I see that she has fallen asleep in my arms.
Smiling, I cover her in a blanket and leave the room.
Walking over to the couch. I see Amber passed out holding an empty bottle while hugging passed-out Edward.
Poking Edward with my cane he wakes up. "W..What?" Seeing me his eyes open wide. "Raven! Thank god you're here! I need help with Amber!" "You two lovebirds go find a room, in the meantime, you get up and help me repair this apartment.
Pointing at the holes in the floor. Edwards starts to explain the entire thing with Amber screaming and crying that she's a monster with no future, like the worthless me.
Taking offense to that I think of waking amber up only to stop myself as that would bring more trouble than it's worth.
"Hey, mister! Are you Raven's friend?" Out of nowhere, Sydney jumps at Edwards's lab scaring the hell out of him. "JESUS!"
his loud voice wakes up Amber. "Heh? Can't you be quiet? I feel like my head is going to explode" Getting up she covers her mouth and leaves for the toilet. Pulling me by the coat Sydney asks. "Raven, is that miss okay?" Shrugging my shoulders I reply. "I don't know, but I do believe that she's more than fine." Sitting down on the couch I yawn. Looking at the clock I see that it's about to hit midnight. Seeing Edward fixing the floor, Sydney questions him.
I decide to Secretly pull out a syringe and stab it into my hand. Putting it away I fall asleep.