Returning to the city, we see a distressed Volunteer captain named Alexander. Walking over to him, I ask what's going on. "The parliament has decided, the South is to be now considered a vassal city to the north."
Turning to Raven, I see him lean on the wall. "This is not good. Ken, come with me." Turning to Ella, she just gives me a nod, before she runs off. "I'll be right behind you."
Following Raven, we ran to the nearest shop with a functioning radio. Arriving at a cookie shop, we push in through all the people.
"It's official, the south will now be known as southern Aquaria, even through the large protest of the royal family, the parliament has decided to grant the south its independence."
"That's interesting John, but what does this mean for our slum listeners?"
"Changes will happen, mainly-"
Feeling Raven pull on my sleeve, he tells me that we're leaving. "Why? They're still explaining what's going to happen." Stopping outside the store, Raven takes a deep breath.
"While yes, they're explaining what's going to happen I can already imagine it, but that's not the problem. Before you say anything let me finish. There's going to be an emergency session for crime bosses."
Stopping him right there, I joke. "For you, Raven. I'm not a criminal... Okay, I'm not a crime boss." Rolling his eyes, he tells me to follow him. "Where are we going this time?"
Dragging me somewhere again, I see a smirk form on his face. "Home."
"Why are we going to that old warehouse? I don't think there's anything of importance there?" But as I say that, I could see us make the wrong turn. "Raven?"
Looking at Ella, She just shrugs and runs after him. "God Dammit! Will anyone ever explain things properly to me?!" Running after them, we stop under an apartment.
Pushing on the door, it opens. "Raven, I don't think a door should work like this."
Waving me off, we walk to the top floor. "So, you don't live in the warehouse?" I asked. "No, I live here, I just couldn't stand to be around here."
Opening the door, we enter a small apartment with a balcony. Walking straight into a room, Ella and I are left looking around.
"No wonder he couldn't stand it." Hearing Ella say something, I see her holding a picture. Handing it to me, I see a much younger-looking Raven. "If Raven looked like this, I wouldn't have my doubts about him being 17."
Getting a chuckle out of Ella, I look at the other person in the picture. It's a woman, with black hair, with a skin pail like the snow.
"I'm not going to lie, it looks like Raven took a picture with a female version of himself."
Getting a nod from Ella, we look at the back. "Raven and Alice. 16-18, She was older than him." Placing it back down on the shelf. We walk into the living room.
"Yeah, everything here screams that two people live here." A couch for two, two chars at a table, two mugs. It's obvious.
Hearing a loud shuffling in the room where Raven is, I ask. "Do you need help?" Not getting a response. I open the door and see Ravne in a totally messy room, but what's more surprising is the wall.
Pictures, and documents, are all connected to one person, Lilith. "Raven?" Finally getting his attention, he pops out of a pile of papers. "Ken! What are you doing here?" Hearing Ella walks behind me, I ask him.
"I think a more appropriate question would be as to what you're doing?" Sitting down, he sighs. "I'm looking for a formula. Call me crazy, but know that the North will abandon the slums things will get hard. Without the financial support, everything will get expensive."
Shuffling through the papers, I feel like I know what he's getting at but, I ask to make sure.
"You plan to go back to being a criminal?" Stopping, he just nods his head before continuing to search. "Raven!" Grabbing him by the shoulder, I continue. "Don't, you're not a monster, you don't need to be a criminal!"
Handing me a paper, he pushes past me into the kitchen. "Take a seat, let's talk about it." Being overly calm for my liking, Ella. chuckles. "I'm gonna make us something to drink." Trying to crack the sudden ice that was raised between us, I speak first.
"Raven, I'm sure you could make a living by doing other things, like being a mercenary?"
Shaking his head, he continues. "You don't understand Ken, I don't have an option." Trying to argue back, an Arrow flies through the window. Both jumping up ready to fight anything. I raise my hand to shield Ella.
"Falls alarm, it's the underground post service." Grabbing a paper of the arrow, I slam my hands on the table. "Who the fuck sends mail by firing an arrow through a window!?"
"My Father used to do it, apparently it was easier than walking to a close camp back during the war." Grabbing Ella by the shoulder, I say. "Okay, but we're at peace! The war is no more!"
"Ken, calm down. It's just a notice for me. At Midnight, I'm to report at the Grinning Hotel for a meeting with the underground leaders." Crumbling that paper, in his hand. He throws it into the trash.
"Raven... What would happen if you didn't show up?"
"Since this is an emergency meeting even people who normally skip them like me. I would become a loose end, and none likes that." Sighing, I could see the regret in his eyes.
Nodding my head, I unsheath my blade and stab it into the ground. "Raven, you saved me and helped me achieve something. It's time for me to do the same, I swear to get you out of the life of crime!"
Chuckling, he extends his hand. "Okay, you smooth talker." Shaking hands, I feel us taking a step closer to a better future.