The afternoon sun was high in the sky as Adonis left Burban Wolf's office. His mind buzzed with the information he had gathered, though most of it had little value for his immediate goals. After offering a vague but convincing report to the City Council on his investigation, Adonis made his way to the library, as had become his routine. But as he sat there with another thick volume in his hands, a realization dawned on him—mere research would not be enough to secure his escape.
Reading about the Empire, the capital, and its politics gave him a theoretical understanding, but he needed real-world action to complement his newfound knowledge. The plan had to come together perfectly if he was to leave this city undetected.
Leaving the library, he wandered through the streets, his eyes scanning the people rushing about, unaware of the upheaval he was orchestrating beneath their feet. His thoughts drifted to the original Adonis, whose memories still lingered in the back of his mind like a faint echo. One such memory surfaced—of a taxi driver, an old friend of the original Adonis. That connection could prove useful in his escape.
After some walking, he found the driver's regular spot near the edge of the business district. The man, a rough but trustworthy fellow named Felix, stood by his cab, casually smoking a cigarette as he waited for his next fare. When he saw Adonis approaching, his face lit up with recognition.
"Adonis! Haven't seen you in a while. You need a lift?" Felix asked, his voice gruff but warm.
Adonis shook his head. "Not right now, Felix. I need a favor, though. Ten days from now, I need you to be waiting for me near the city outskirts. No questions asked. I'll pay you double your usual rate."
Felix's brow furrowed, but the gleam of easy money was enough to dissolve any doubts. "Ten days, huh? What's the plan, Adonis?"
"I'm leaving the city," Adonis replied, his tone neutral. "I just need to get to the nearest train station. That's all. You don't need to know the details."
Felix considered for a moment before nodding. "Alright. If that's what you want. I'll be there. Just don't get me into trouble, alright?"
"I won't," Adonis assured him, slipping Felix a handful of credits as a down payment. "This is for now. There'll be more when the job's done."
With that settled, Adonis left Felix and made his way back through the city, his thoughts still buzzing. He needed more money, not just for his escape but also to ensure his survival in the capital. Fortunately, the original Adonis had been somewhat of a gambler, and he had a particular establishment in mind—a gambling house where luck could be manipulated, especially with his newfound powers.
The gambling den was a smoky, dimly lit room tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city. The stench of sweat, booze, and desperation hung heavy in the air, but Adonis was unfazed. He had only one goal in mind—to increase his funds using the Chain Path.
Sitting down at one of the tables, Adonis took out his remaining credits—1700 credits. It wasn't much, but with his powers, it would grow. He focused his mind on the subtle currents of fate, feeling the Chains of Fate twisting and tugging at the edges of reality. With a subtle nudge, he altered the outcome of the games.
The first round went smoothly—he won a modest sum, just enough to avoid suspicion. The second game brought him even more, the winnings doubling. By the third game, he had amassed enough to catch the attention of a few other players, but nothing that raised any alarms.
Adonis knew when to stop. His winnings totaled 3600 credits—more than enough for his immediate needs. He gathered his money, nodded politely to the dealer, and left the gambling house with a small smile. The manipulation of fate had worked perfectly.
As he walked through the quiet streets back to his apartment, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. The pieces were falling into place. He had secured his driver, his finances were in order, and tomorrow the first article would be published in The Elysian Gazette. The city would start to simmer with unrest, and within days, the lower class would be ready to rise. By the time the Council realized what was happening, it would be too late.
Entering his apartment, Adonis felt the weight of his exhaustion. The day had been long, but productive. He undressed, slipped into bed, and let his thoughts drift as sleep pulled him under.
Tomorrow, everything would start to change.
For now, rest was the only thing left to do. The storm he was orchestrating would begin soon, and he needed to be at his best when it did.