Griffin stared at the curtain over the window as Aria moved quickly to it, drawing the curtain aside and revealing the double-glazed window, locked tightly.
"What are we going to do?" Rayden asked in a panicked tone, his body pressing against the banging door, the guards on the other side demanding it be opened.
"Calm down, old men! Have you no shame..." Liam muttered, referring to the persistent guards. They banged on the door as if their lives depended on it.
The window was a thick, almost archaic pane of reinforced glass. The frame was crafted from polished dark wood, and secured by a complex locking mechanism – a series of interlocking levers and steam-powered plungers, all gleaming with oiled brass. It was undeniably locked heavily.
Aria's eyes assessed the window. Rayden and Liam, bracing themselves against the increasingly violent assault on the door. Kai sprinted towards the door to assist Rayden and Liam, while Aria took a deep breath as she coiled her legs, and launched herself at the window. The first impact sent a tremor through the reinforced glass. Not a clean break, but a calculated strike, focusing the force on a weak point she'd identified in it.
Griffin stared at her, bewildered.
Don't tell me she is really trying to break that kind of window with her leg? Even a zebra can't possibly do it, not to mention about the human leg... I can't say, she might have lost her senses for a while or is she undergoing quick brain reset? He fixed his gaze on her, as if he were intrigued by a play written by Theodora Bellweather.
She was a popular playwright, born in the Upper District as the daughter of a well respected family. While her family had expected her to marry young and settle down, Theo had other plans for herself. She would sneak away to libraries and read numerous books from dusk till dawn, finding in their words a potent expression of her "inner" self. At 16, she ran away to the Lower District, securing a life and freedom in writing plays to entertain people of the Lower District. Her quick wit and innate understanding of dramatic timing soon caught everyones' attention. To keep the long story short, she was quite popular and loved until... she was found dead in her humble abode two years ago.
A few seconds later, a spiderweb of cracks, like fine, glittering capillaries, raced across the glass slowly, leaving Griffin in a whirlpool of amazement. His eyes lit up like wide flames as they widened, akin to a microscope switching to three lenses at different intervals. Then, with a sound like a thousand tiny screams, the glass shattered.
"What!? That's practically impossible!" Griffin subconsciously blurted out with a mouth wide open. One whack from that leg, and anyone on the receiving end might find themselves permanently auditioning for a role in a circus—unless, of course, death decides to take a detour and sign the crossover contract instead!
"..."
The explosion wasn't a single, clean break; it was a cascading avalanche of destruction (Mind me! I love describing this way) a symphony of shattering glass. A torrent of sharp shards rained down, a miniature blizzard of crystalline death, before a gaping hole appeared. The air was filled with the high-pitched whine of fractured glass and the low rumble of the door groaning under the relentless hits of the guards.
"Griffin, go! Now!" Aria commanded, her voice tore through the pandemonium. Griffin didn't need a second invitation. He launched himself through the jagged opening with his bag slung onto his back, of course, an empty bag... One can't find themselves perfect at something they did for the first time unless they've had some slight disagreements with their past lives.
He landed into the maelstrom of the Upper District street below, right in front of people, who were startled by his sudden appearance. Multiple screams were heard from different females as they were shoved to the side while Griffin ran through as fast as he could, his legs were presumably floating.
Eleanor followed down the window, startling another set of "rats" - the nickname given to people of the Upper District. Her movements were fluid and controlled as she ran through the street, no one dared to interfere. They all ran in different directions as commanded by Aria.
One by one, and quickly, each of them climbed down from the window.
Aria, the last to go, waited until the door splintered under the force of the guards' assault.
A triumphant smirk twisted her lips as she perched on the windowsill, silhouetted against the scene within the study. She blew a kiss—a gesture of pure, unapologetic defiance towards the enraged guards—before launching herself into the street. Landing on the ground with a slight thud, she sprinted forward.
One of the guards cautiously poked his head out of the broken frame, his anger was undeniably murderous. He pulled a whistle from his pocket and blew it as he watched Aria run off. The whites of his eyes were now laced with tiny red veins, giving them a bloodshot appearance.
"Get those rift wraiths now!" he declared as multiple guards began flying through the window in pursuit of the group.
Ordinary citizens wondered how much they were being paid for all this commotion. The streets had turned into a scene of chaos.
The sounds of the chase erupted in a cacophony of whistles, shouts, and the pounding of many feet.
The Upper District was switching to its evening activities slowly, even on the eve of the worship day. But the peaceful market stalls, horse-drawn carriages and some powered through compressed steam without the use of horses, and people now getting closed from work was all shattered by the sudden eruption of six figures from different angles of the district, sprinting for their lives. The air filled with the piercing shriek of multiple whistles and armed men running by.
The six of them ran through the crowded streets, now far from their original escape routes. Griffin's planned route had flopped spectacularly; his brain cells had let him down.
"Men, this hasn't gone well at all! Clearly, we need to find a decent line of shady business... robbery isn't on the agenda anymore," Griffin contemplated inwardly as he ran, panting heavily and shoving the wealthy "rats" aside.
The cacophony of whistles pierced the air like a swarm of angry wasps, each shrill note announced the guards' pursuit.
Panic surged through him, but he quickly quelled it, replacing his fear with sharp focus.
As he rounded a corner, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows that stretched across the pavement. The rich scents of foods from different restaurants and bars—spiced meats, sweet pastries, and roasted nuts—filled the air, Griffin barely registered them. His old friend- hunger, was now coming back for a visit.
Grrr! (Low)
"Not now! My life is in danger, come back later!"
His mind was a whirlwind of calculations, assessing every alley and side street as potential escape routes.
"Think, Griffin! Use the layout!" he urged himself, his breath coming in quick bursts.
The district was busy with the evening crowd, oblivious to the chase unfolding just beyond their stalls. Griffin dodged a group of well-dressed ladies, their laughter ringing out, blissfully unaware of his panic. He could hear the guards shouting, their voices growing closer, a chorus of anger, agitation and determination to get him.
"I have seen one!" One guard announced as he pointed his finger at Griffin running ahead.
"Get him! Don't let him escape!" The other shouted together.
His legs propelled him forward, each stride was fuelled by adrenaline. He wove through the throng, using his smaller frame to slip between the bodies of the busy citizens.
"This place bares no difference in sense of crowd to the Lower District," he thought, eyes darting to the left where he spotted an alleyway—a narrow passage.
With a quick glance over his shoulder, he saw four guards barreling through the crowd, their uniforms stark against the fading light. Their faces were set in grim determination, eyes were narrowed and focused solely on him. The sight ignited a fire within him; he couldn't let them catch him.
"Ha! Not today..." he muttered under his breath.
As he veered into the alley, the sounds of the street faded slightly, replaced by the echo of his footsteps. The alley was dimly lit, shadows pooling in the corners.
He pressed on, "If I can just make it to the next street, perhaps I can lose them in the maze..."
He took a sharp left, then another right, steering through the twists and turns with the ease of someone who had spent years exploring these streets. The guards' shouts echoed behind him, while he was already formulating his next move.
"If I head towards the mill seen in that map, I can climb onto the roof and get a vantage point..." he reasoned, his long gone senses began kicking in.
Emerging from the alley, he found himself on a quieter street, the shops here less opulent, their windows were somewhat dusty and cracked. He could hear the guards' whistles growing fainter, though he didn't let up.
He sprinted past a group of children playing, their laughter was quite annoying to him. "Move out, ducklings!" he thought, wishing he could throw them ruthlessly into the sky.
Seconds later, He approached a old mill, its silhouette loomed against the darkening sky, he spotted a rickety ladder leading up to the roof.
Without a second thought, he leapt onto the first rung, hands gripping the splintered wood as he climbed swiftly.
"Come on, come on!"
The sound of the guards grew louder again, their determination was quite unwavering.
Reaching the top of a three storey building, he pulled himself onto the roof, panting heavily. The view before him was a bit exhilarating and terrifying. The streets sprawled out like a vast arras, the rooftops were all interlaced with chimneys and skylights.
Below, he could see the guards gathering, their faces were laced with frustration as they searched for him.
Griffin crouched low, his heart pounding hard against his chest.
Wow... they resemble the incarnation of pigs, so relatable... Oh, I should hold my laughter. I can't afford getting caught...
A smirk creeping onto his lips slowly as he stared at them. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, mapping out his next move.
From his vantage point, he spotted a series of rooftops leading away from the mill, a potential escape route that could take him towards the outskirts of the district.
"Jumping to that next building, I'll be in the clear..."
Taking a deep breath, he prepared to leap, calculating the distance with precision. The guards below were still searching, their frustration being palpable as they shouted at each other
In one fluid motion, he launched himself from the edge of the mill, the wind whipping past him as he soared through the air. He landed deftly on the next rooftop, careful to aim for a section with worn tiles that would absorb the impact rather than create a loud noise. The thrill of the jump sent a rush of exhilaration through him, and he quickly regained his footing, glancing back to see the guards still oblivious to him.
"So relatable to those deaf dogs...." Griffin joked.
Griffin continued to move through the rooftops. As he finally approached the edge of the district, he felt a surge of triumph. He had outwitted them! The guards were now mere shadows in the distance, their whistles had fade away.
"Now, how would I go about reaching the Old Well? Going straight ahead will only lead me to the cathedral..."
He quickly began to plan how to get to the Old Well from his current location; the distance wasn't that far from here. A few turns and he would be there; he only had to remain quiet while moving. He held his bag tightly and focused his gaze on the view ahead.
"Surely, once I'm close enough, I could simply teleport there... However, that would be foolish because I can't determine the distance from wherever I am. From here, it might look close, but who knows how it would be until I begin the walk?"
The layouts of the Lower and Upper Districts were obviously the same; it was similar to a long street now divided by just one wall. Anyone who knew their way around the Lower District could surely give a tour of the Upper District all by themselves, but distance was the problem, as the length and twists of the streets here were unknown to citizens of the Lower District who hadn't been here.
"I wonder where the Range Academy is located..."
....
Meanwhile, Aria, Eleanor, Kai, Rayden, and Liam were still running, their minds were set on the Well. They planned to use no other escape route; well, none was known to them other than that.
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the Upper District. The streets were getting busy with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares and citizens moving about their evening routines. Each of the five—Aria, Eleanor, Kai, Rayden, and Liam—was running through this streets, their focus was solely on reaching the Old Well.
Aria dashed through a narrow alley.
The scent of freshly baked bread wafted from a nearby bakery.
Two men were inside the bakery, their hands tucked into their coat pockets. They turned around to view the street and sighted Aria running by. They judged her by the clothes she wore and the way she ran.
"She doesn't seem like one from this District, right?" the first man asked, curiosity lacing his tone.
However, the question seemed to deserve no clear answer, as his tone and flow suggested he already knew the answer and was merely seeking confirmation from his friend.
"I suppose she might be one of those thieves from the Lower District," The second man started calmly. "Just look at the way she's running—certainly from something… Wait, why even ask me when you know the bloody answer?" the man barked out in irritation.
In response, the second man raised his hand and made a gesture, tapping his temple with his fingers to imply that Birdbrain was lacking sense for even questioning Aria's origins in the first place.
As they continued their argument, a woman called out to them, "Gentle sirs! Your three loafers of bread are ready, and that will be 20 Gilas."
The price seemed steep, considering it was typically just a few Gilas for three loafers. However, the high taxes charged in the Upper District significantly inflated food prices. The ingredients used for baking, such as premium flour and organic yeast, were heavily taxed, making even simple breads costly.
For example, a basic white loaf was usually around 5 Gilas, while a rustic sourdough could go for 8 Gilas due to its artisanal preparation. In contrast, these same types of bread were much cheaper in the Lower District, where lower taxes allowed bakers to offer more affordable prices.
Griffin had always preferred breads to cheese when he was younger, relishing the variety and textures. However, as he grew, his tastes and preferences changed, leading him to appreciate the complexity of cheeses over the simplicity of bread.
"Birdbrain, pay the lady!" the second man shouted at his companion. Surprisingly, "Birdbrain" was indeed the last name of the first man.
"Right, right," Birdbrain muttered, fumbling in his pockets as he shot a quick glance at Aria, still darting away.
She was a blur of motion, darting past startled pedestrians. Her blue hair whipped behind her as she turned sharply, her eyes scanned the path ahead. She then emerged onto a busier street, she spotted a group of market-goers crowded around a stall. Quickly, she leapt over a low stone wall, landing deftly on the other side.
She weaved through the crowd, most attentions were fixed on her in curiosity.
Meanwhile, Eleanor found herself in a crowded square, filled with laughter and chatter. She moved gently as the whistles of the guards slowly vanished, her eyes darted around.
She passed a stall overflowing with colourful fabrics, and spotted a woman distracted by the vendor's animated pitch. In a flash, Eleanor slipped past, her fingers deftly lifting a small silk scarf draped over the edge of the table. The woman remained unaware, her attention was fully captured by the vendor.
Eleanor smiled to herself, tucking the scarf into her bag.
"This is worth over 1000 Gilas." She mused as she increased her pace.
The scarf was valued at over 1000 Gilas due to several factors. As always, the taxes imposed in the Upper District significantly inflated prices on luxury items like silk.
The cost of raw materials, such as premium silk and craftsmanship, contributed to its price.
Additionally, the scarf's unique design and limited availability in the market made it a sought-after item, further driving up its value. In a district where luxury goods were often reserved for the wealthy, the combination of these elements justified the extravagant price tag.
The minimum tax on one piece of silk material is approximately 200 Gilas.
In contrast, when it comes to bread, the tax situation is quite different. The tax on half a pint of flour is 2 Gilas. Given that three loaves of bread can typically be made from this amount of flour, the total tax charged on those three loaves would also be 2 Gilas.
Summary of Tax Calculations:
•Silk Material Tax:
•Minimum tax: 200 Gilas for one piece of silk.
•Bread Tax:
•Tax on half a pint of flour: 2 Gilas.
•Tax for three loaves of bread (made from the flour): 2 Gilas.
This highlights how luxury items like silk are heavily taxed compared to staple foods like bread.
Eleanor was well-versed in price calculations, able to assess the value of an item with just a glance. She recognised how taxes influenced luxury items, making them prohibitively expensive, while everyday essentials remained relatively affordable.
In addition to her pricing acumen, Eleanor was savvy about the resale market. She understood that once an item was stolen, its value could fluctuate. To avoid arousing suspicion when selling stolen goods, she would set the price slightly below market value, making it an attractive deal for buyers while ensuring they wouldn't question its origin.
Her ability to gauge the right price point allowed her to profit without drawing unwanted attention, so since she couldn't grab anything from the mansion, stealing the scarf had covered a bit of her loss.
A few streets away, Kai was moving through a winding alley, his tall frame allowed him to cover ground quickly. He spotted a group of children playing a game of tag, their laughter rang out like music. He took a running leap over a low fence, landing gracefully on the other side.
"Dang it! Those children are well-dressed than I am. They could be considered as Royals in the Lower District..." Kai gave a glance over his shoulder to the children. Their little eyes were also on him in amazement..
He continued down the alley, then took another turn, jumping over a low fence.
Surprisingly, it seemed that all the guards chasing after them had retreated, so now they were just getting away from the District.
The current time was 3:55 PM.
Rayden was further down the street, his eyes searched for potentialtargets to pick pocket, taking extra bonuses for the road.
He spotted a well-dressed gentleman standing near a fountain, engrossed in conversation with a friend.
With a quick glance to ensure no one was watching, Rayden approached the fountain with a calm walk over.
In one fluid motion, he reached out and plucked a fine leather wallet from the man's back pocket. The gentleman continued to chat, completely unaware of the theft. Rayden felt a rush of excitement as he pocketed the wallet, his pace quickening as he moved further into the crowd.
"Lucky me! Just you look at that, I can't imagine how much is in this "rat's" wallet."
Tap! (Light)
He gave a light tap to his pocket where the wallet was placed.
Liam, not far from Rayden, was making his way through a busy market, his eyes were also keen for opportunities. He noticed a young boy, his face smeared with chocolate from a recently devoured treat, standing by a stall. The boy's attention was fixed on a street performer, his eyes wide with wonder.
Liam pressed on his temples. "Thinking of stealing from a child...? Like what exactly? I will just have to take that today is not my lucky bonus day."
He whirled around, continuing his run, his grip firm on the bag containing the real money.
They each made their way through the Upper District, as each of them were focused on their own path, determined to reach the Old Well.
Aria turned onto a quieter street, the sounds of the market fading behind her.
She paused briefly. "I somewhat knew that the planned escape route wouldn't work out once we were faced with this kind of chase, completely surrounded.
"Well, I would count that as my fault. Truly, I seem to have more interest in Griffin's brain... was it really of a human? I could tell he isn't street smart but book smart, a good and profitable addition to the team."
Catching her breath, then she pressed on.
Eleanor was now threading her way through a maze of alleys, the air thick with the scent of spices. She felt exhilarated as she recalled the scarf she had taken. It was a small victory, but at least the gain was something.
She turned a corner, her eyes fixed ahead.
Kai continued to pass through the streets, his long strides carrying him swiftly past shops and stalls. As he approached a particularly narrow passage, he took a deep breath and sprinted, leaping over a low barrier and landing gracefully on the other side, not slowing his pace for an instant.
Rayden was still weaving through the crowd, his senses were heightened. He spotted another opportunity—a woman with a large handbag slung over her shoulder, her attention diverted as she chatted with a friend.
With a quick sidestep, Rayden slipped past her, his fingers deftly lifting a small pouch from her bag. The woman remained engrossed in conversation, completely unaware.
Rayden was out for the slightest opportunity, he was also the one who made more money for the gang.
Liam found himself near a group of young adults enjoying a lively debate.
"Oh, I can't say yet... Every turn is a new opportunity to reach the top."
He approached a young man, his attention fully captured by the discussion. Liam quickly snatched a small item from the man's pocket—a shiny trinket. He turned his back to them as he walked in slow motion with a grin plastered on his face.
Griffin, on the other hand, was now very close to where Liam was, but he had no knowledge of this. He walked calmly on the street, staring at the bars and studying his surroundings. He tried hard to figure out his way around the Upper District, so as to reach the Old Well before the others left without him.
A few moments later, Aria, Eleanor, Kai, Rayden, Liam, and Griffin were now converging on the Old Well from different directions. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the stones.
Aria arrived first, her breath coming in quick bursts as she took in the familiar sight.
She glanced around, ensuring no one was around before she approached the Well, her heart racing with anticipation.
Aria rested on the well's surface, breathing in and out.
"That was some exercise, off the list..."
Following up, Eleanor appeared from another route.
She spotted Aria and quickened her pace to her.
"We arrived together, right?" Eleanor asked as she got closer.
Aria nodded her head, also planning to apologise to the whole team for what she did back at the mansion.
Kai arrived next, a grin plastered across his face. He joined Aria and Eleanor, their camaraderie was evident in their shared smiles.
Rayden and Liam arrived almost simultaneously, their expressions mirrored the satisfaction of their successful escapades.
They exchanged knowing glances.
"Dumbass, it's quite amusing how you didn't die on your way here.." Rayden joked with a hand sign in the shape of a gun, pointed at Liam.
"Bam! Bam!" He mimicked the sound of gunshots.
Liam shrugged, not following in the play. Rayden gave him a long stare and scoffed.
"Boring! And also, you need a mental check, just a reminder."
Griffin suddenly appeared behind Aria, just as she was lifting herself off the well's surface. Sensing a presence behind her, she reacted instinctively, pivoting on her supporting foot to launch a powerful back kick. Her hips turned slightly, allowing her leg to extend backward in a fluid arc without fully turning her body.
Griffin's instincts kicked in as he dropped to the ground in a split second, narrowly avoiding the full force of her kick. It slashed through the air like a blade. His heart raced, nearly leaping from his chest as he recalled the immense power behind that leg.
He stared up at Aria, who had also turned to face him. She was surprised to see Griffin there.
"Griffin? How did you get here without showing up from any side...?" she asked, confusion evident in her voice.
Before Griffin could respond, Kai interjected with a sigh, "Isn't that obvious? He is awakened..."