The screen of the television blared with a news report. It was yet another day of the news channel reporting the search for Folorunsho or at least his corpse. Out of sheer disgust, a cloaked figure switched the television off and tossed aside the remote. He had seen the freelancer's face one too many times over the last three days and had grown weary of it.
The cloaked figure turned to face the man who was seated behind him in a red crystalline structure. He had curly orange hair and pale green eyes; his face and shoulders were covered in freckles. He stared at the now blank screen for a few more seconds without saying anything. At last, he spoke.
"Are you sure that's him?" He asked.
"I assure you," The hooded figure replied. "The two of them are partners. I have seen them work together myself,"
The cloaked figure pulled back the hood, revealing themselves to be none other than Iku; the Man Named Death.
"So if we find him, we'll find the man who killed Darwin?"
"That is not a guarantee," Iku said. "The reports do not state Sola was involved in fighting off the terrorists. The two likely had a falling out of sorts and split ways. However, we could use him to find him or make him come to us,"
"That is, if he is still alive," The orange-haired man said.
"Do not worry, Mr. Landers. He is alive," The mercenary ensured. "And even if he is not, he will be eventually,"
"You seem so sure of it,"
"I have seen things involving him that one would not believe if they had not seen themselves,"
The orange-haired man went silent. He stood up from his crystal chair, causing it to shatter into dust. The two left the room and made their way through the building they were in. They made their way into a large dojo filled with several students dressed in a type of training uniform. All were stood side by side as they tried to manifest crystals with their Revel. An older man wearing a darker uniform walked from side to side as he observed their manifestations, advising those who were falling behind. Upon his entry into the room, the older man and his students turned to greet him.
"Good afternoon, Senior Emile," The older man greeted as he bowed. The orange-haired man nodded in response and bowed back.
"How is training going?"
"Everyone is picking up Hardened Stardust very well," The older man commented. "But they would most definitely do better with guidance from you, Emile,"
"I would rather not teach, especially with what I have going on right now,"
The older man's face darkened.
"Senior, I understand you and Darwin Aurst were close, but you should not let the death of that man cloud your mind so much," The older man's statement was met with a response was met with a glare from the orange-haired man so severe, it made him step back for fear of an attack from him. "I-I apologise,"
"How is our guest fairing?" Emile asked. The older man avoided his gaze.
"She is still confined within the basement of the school. As per your request, she has not been given food or water since her arrival,"
"Good. Hopefully, she is more willing to talk now,"
The older man could only watch in dismay as the two took their leave. He clenched his fists tightly before turning back to his students. There was little he could do for Emile, but he could ensure the next generation of Hardened Stardust users did not end up as spiteful.
Iku and the orange-haired man made their way down a dank narrow stairway. The floorboards creaked with every step they took until they arrived at a steel door. Its hinges creaked loudly as it swung open, letting light come through. Seated in the darkness that was once in that room was none other than Francine.
The dark-haired woman was battered and bruised wearing clothes covered in dirt and grime. Her left eye was swollen black and her lips had several cuts, making them large and puffy. She had her hands tied behind her back and chained to the wall. Her feet were shackled as well. From how skinny she looked, it seemed as though Francine had been in that room for a long time.
Her eyes winced in pain when the light came in contact with them. It had been so long since she had seen it that it had become alien to her. Francine was given no time to collect herself before she was grabbed by the throat and slammed against the wall. Emile's green eyes were staring intensely into hers, sending shivers down her spine as he tightened his grip around her neck.
"I believe I have been lenient enough," Emile said. "But it seems you mistake my mercy for foolishness. Now I will make a fool out of you,"
"I will give you one more chance to tell me what I need to know about Sola. If you do not comply now, I have other ways to make to speak,"
Francine spat a blub of saliva at the orange-haired man's face. Before the spit could get on him, it was intercepted by a flat spherical crystal disc. The woman's eyes burned with fury. Despite all his attempts, Emile was still yet to break her will. However, he only saw this as an excuse to break her body instead. He turned his attention to the robbed man behind him.
"Leave us be," He said. Iku bowed and made way for the exit. "And while you are out, make sure to hire every mercenary in Pedtro and have them look for Sola. Whoever finds him and brings him back alive will be rewarded handsomely,"
The door swung shut behind Iku as he pulled out his communicator. He began making calls, sending messages and setting notices on every dark web mercenary site he was aware of to let everyone know about the hunt for Sola. The Silver Bulwark was about to crumble under the weight of an overwhelming crystal.