Lucien sat in the dim light of their small home, his mind still churning over the stories Lara had shared with him. Their father's sacrifices, the syndicate's protection, the dark layers of their Hive City's hierarchy — it all echoed within him, filling him with pride. He even thought to himself. I have to say I'm impressed.
His gaze drifted to his sister, who, though wearied by life's trials, remained a pillar of strength. He was determined to understand everything she had shown him, to make sense of their history and use it to shape their future.
After a time, Lucien rose and made his way through the winding pathways of their Hive City level, his thoughts settling as he neared his usual meeting spot with Mar. He found her sitting by their stairwell, her thin frame relaxed against the railing as she waited, lost in her own thoughts. When she noticed him approach, she gave a quiet nod.
"Hey," he greeted, leaning against the wall. "I just talked to Lara. She told me about… everything — my dad, the syndicate, why we're protected."
Mar's eyes lit up slightly as she took in his words. She was quiet, as always, but Lucien could see the depth of her understanding in her gaze. She nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, that makes sense," she replied softly. Then, glancing down the stairwell, she added, "Have you ever been to the lower levels?"
Lucien shook his head, his eyes following hers down the steep, shadowed stairs. "Not yet," he admitted. The stories he'd heard about the lower levels were bleak, but he was curious — he needed to understand the lives of those who lived even deeper in the Hive City.
Without another word, Mar slipped her hand into his and began leading him down the stairwell. They descended for what felt like ages, the air growing thicker and colder with each step, until the sounds of their level faded away. Finally, they reached a new floor. As they stepped off the stairwell, Mar glanced at him with a subtle warning in her eyes. "Be careful," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness.
Lucien nodded, matching her cautious footsteps as they wove through narrow, twisted streets that seemed to echo with suffering. In the dim lighting, he noticed people huddled in the corners, their faces drawn and hollow, eyes distant. Their clothes were ragged, bodies thin and frail, with hands clasped tightly to keep warm.
As they moved deeper, Lucien's gaze was drawn to a scene not far from them. A group of burly figures were beating a young man, his cries muffled as they struck him repeatedly. Lucien's jaw clenched, his fists tightening. He turned away, his face a mask of barely contained anger. I'm no saint, he thought to himself, but this… this is an outrage. They're beating up free laborers, if I were them I would use them as a work force for building more advanced technology and considering their current life they would be satisfied with a pay that's beneficial for me.
Mar tugged his arm gently, sensing his anger. She gave him a small, worried look. Lucien exhaled slowly, letting his frustration ease. "I've seen enough," he said quietly, his voice tight.
Mar led him away, guiding him toward a hidden alley on the edge of the level. At the end of the winding path stood a small, humble dwelling, where an elderly woman sat quietly, wrapped in a thin shawl that barely shielded her from the cold drafts. Mar's grandmother.
The old woman looked up as they approached, her eyes softening as she recognized her granddaughter. Lucien greeted her respectfully, bowing his head as he entered. He noticed Mar's discomfort, the way her gaze remained fixed on the ground as though trying to hide her surroundings from him.
"Have you been alright here, Mar?" Lucien asked, keeping his voice gentle, though his heart ached with the quiet desperation he saw etched into every inch of this place.
Mar nodded, though she seemed to shrink under his gaze, her face reddening slightly. She looked away, avoiding eye contact. Lucien frowned, sensing her unease. What must it be like to live here, day after day, surrounded by so much suffering? He felt a pang of guilt, realizing just how sheltered he'd been, even in their own struggles.
With a gentle smile, he offered, "You can come stay with us. You and your grandma." His tone was insistent, warm, but Mar quickly shook her head.
"We… we don't want to intrude," she murmured, her hands wringing together.
Lucien met her gaze firmly, his voice unwavering. "Mar, it's not an intrusion. It would be better this way, and I'm not taking no for an answer."
After a moment of hesitation, Mar finally relented, a faint smile crossing her lips as she nodded. With that settled, Lucien shared his latest plans with her, his voice brimming with ambition. "I've decided to meet with the man who's been courting Lara," he began, "I need to know more about him and his gang. I think it's time I see if I can get recruited, gain some access to tech and Magia relics… if I'm going to make real progress, this could be the way."
Mar's eyes widened slightly, though she nodded in understanding. "You think… he'll help?"
Lucien shrugged. "If not, I'll find a way. Besides," he added, "I'd like you to join me. We'll need each other."
She smiled softly, and Lucien could see the spark of determination in her eyes as she nodded. She'd always been quiet, but there was a hidden strength in her that had grown over the years. He trusted her implicitly.
"Are you still practicing the martial arts I taught you?" he asked, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
She nodded confidently, her hand drifting to her side, where she'd once awkwardly imitated his forms but now moved with fluidity. Satisfied, Lucien nodded back, feeling a surge of pride for her.
Over the course of the following week, Mar and her grandmother moved in with Lucien and Lara, their small household becoming a little less lonely. Lucien noticed how Lara and Mar's grandmother seemed to share a quiet understanding, a bond of survival and hardship that spanned generations. The house felt warmer, more alive, even as he and Mar began to plan their next steps.
One evening, after the Hive City had descended into its restless nighttime rhythm, Lucien and Mar slipped out quietly, navigating through the maze of corridors, heading toward the heart of the level. They passed under dimly lit pipes and cracked walls, each step drawing them deeper into the city's underbelly.
After some time, they arrived at the bar section, a small but lively area where the local gangs often congregated. It was a long, worn table with a few stools in front and barely enough room for the bartender to move behind. The air was thick with the stench of cheap alcohol and desperation, a stark contrast to the quiet life Lucien and Mar had led until now.
Lucien scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on the man they'd come for — tall and rough-edged, Lara's suitor sat with a group of men, laughing and clinking glasses. Lucien felt a strange mixture of anticipation and apprehension rise within him as he observed them, sizing up the group.
He turned to Mar, who gave him a small, steady nod, her quiet strength lending him reassurance. With a final breath, Lucien stepped forward, the beginnings of a new chapter unfolding in his mind.
"Ready?" he asked Mar, glancing over with a slight smirk.
Her eyes sparkled with determination. "yeah, Always."