The houses built against the walls of the Oasis resembled a giant bookshelf. They were divided into layers, each accessible by a staircase leading to the different levels. An iron railing with ropes protected the edges to prevent any accidents, and people could be seen walking along them. Naomi counted eight floors.
But the structures weren't just built against the wall; there were also buildings on the ground. The four waterfalls met at the center of the circular area, forming a lake that flowed into the desert, creating a stream.
Around the lake, houses were scattered. The Crow paid close attention to the four waterfalls. Large wooden mechanisms were turning with the force of the water. The big paddles were connected to a house.
— What are those for? — Livya asked, pointing at the rotating objects.
— Energy — Michel said, admiring the place. — They turn and generate energy, unlike the Nests that run on fuel. This place operates on centrifugal energy.
— But there are so few.
— Enough for this community — Michel continued. — And they're only turned on at night.
— You have to see it — Gabriel said excitedly. — This place looks like a blaze from afar, with all the lights.
Naomi tore her gaze from the waterfalls and looked at the houses, which were mostly shops or entertainment establishments. There were games, betting houses, fighting rings, bars that would put Aldrey's to shame, inns, and, tucked away in the higher areas, brothels, catering to both men and women.
People were fishing in the center of the area, while further back, a rock under one of the waterfalls served as a diving platform for brave visitors who jumped into the lake below.
Clothing styles and ethnicities didn't matter here, but money certainly did. This was a place for people to escape reality. Crows weren't welcome here, but then again, they weren't welcome anywhere.
Naomi continued to observe the area, noticing shops selling sweets and foods unfamiliar to her. Vendors worked with their children, teaching them the tricks of the trade, and not just that—children were helping their parents everywhere. It was a trade passed down from parent to child, Naomi concluded.
— How are we going to find them? — Michel asked.
Naomi turned her attention back to the group, noticing that Livya was still admiring the place. She joined the trio, moving toward a corner near a house that seemed to sell herbs for cooking, tea, smoking, or chewing.
— This place is huge — Michel broke the silence. — It would be a good idea to split up to find them.
— Livya has never seen either of them — Naomi pointed out. — It would be better if I stayed with her, especially since it's her first time here.
The newcomer looked like she was going to protest for a moment but changed her mind. After all, she had never seen either of them and was hesitant to walk around alone.
— Sure — Michel agreed.
— We'd better get started, then — Gabriel said, clearly eager to explore.
— Focus, Gabriel — Naomi said sharply. — We'll meet back here in two hours?
Everyone agreed, and they spread out. While Michel and Livya went to the houses around the lake, Gabriel headed off to the left, aiming for the houses against the rock wall, leaving the right side for Naomi.
Wasting no time, she began her search. Her eyes scanned each house and the alleyways between them, looking for their targets. She passed through several streets, getting closer to the wall. Unlike the unpleasant heat of the desert, she now felt cold. The sound of the water echoed against the rock, constantly roaring in the back of her mind.
Moss grew on the ground and houses due to the moisture in the air, making it difficult to walk in some places. Signs hung from the houses, lit by neon or painted to glow in specific colors. Bottles lay discarded beside houses and walls everywhere, but no one seemed to care. Every so often, a cat darted across the rooftops or a rat scurried through the alleys.
A street ran between the wall and the last house, leading Naomi toward the back of the cave, where she saw a staircase. Unlike the thick, varnished boards of the Nest, this one was made of bamboo—hundreds of dry bamboo stalks tied together with ropes thicker than her arms.
She felt uneasy watching people climb up and down, the structure swaying slightly with their movements. Clenching her fists, she took the first steps, and despite its appearance, she felt a strange confidence in the wood.
She reached the first gallery of houses and was surprised by the spacious walkway between them and the street, allowing her to walk comfortably alongside several other people. Like the stairs, the floor was also made of bamboo, with wooden beams placed at regular intervals to support it.
The wind, heavy with moisture, hit her back, making her entire body cold, but she ignored it and kept moving. Drunks were shouting excitedly in one of the bars, playing cards, while a boy of about eight years old filled their glasses as soon as they were empty.
Naomi's attention was drawn to a woman walking in the opposite direction. Slim and around sixty years old, she was accompanied by two strong men who were clearly bodyguards.
Naomi finished the first level and climbed to the second, using a similar staircase. She was surprised by a fight between two drunk men, surrounded by a cheering crowd. Normally, she would intervene, but this wasn't her environment, so she walked past as people began placing bets.
She was about to finish the second level when she heard a familiar voice.
— I already said this price is way too high!
— Here's the deal, missy — a third voice replied. — Either you pay up, or we break a leg, your choice.
— Four coins for a shot of what you claim is pineapple liquor! — The familiar voice was filled with indignation. — There's no pineapple in this! I'll never pay for this trash!
Naomi reached an alley beside a bar and saw four men surrounding a short woman with a large forehead and pale skin. Her green eyes stared back at the men indifferently.
Naomi immediately recognized Bia. With her usual short temper, the Crow decided to intervene—not out of fear that something bad would happen to Bia, but rather out of concern for the four who were about to make a big mistake.
"Better leave her alone."
Everyone looked at her, surprised by the interruption. In the Oasis, that wasn't common. Bia saw her and smiled, forgetting the four brutes who had been threatening her life.
"Naomi!" There was surprise in her voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, girl." The man closest to the street cut in. "Don't get involved if you know what's good for you."
"Better do as I said," Naomi continued. "You don't want to mess with Ravens, do you?"
The four men looked at each other for a moment, but they didn't seem afraid and laughed among themselves.
"We don't care about people like you. Now that you're here, you'll get beaten up along with your little friend."
"Hey," Bia said, turning the attention back to herself.
Taking a step forward, Bia landed a precise elbow strike to the stomach of the first man, who collapsed instantly, vomiting all his lunch. Before he even hit the ground, the Raven kicked him square in the mouth, sending him crashing against the bar wall.
The remaining three looked at their unconscious comrade, his mouth wide open, bloody, and missing teeth. They roared in anger and attacked Bia.
Seeing no option but to participate, Naomi kicked the heel of the man who had threatened her, making him trip on his own legs and fall heavily. But unlike the first man, he turned just in time to see Naomi's knee hit his nose with a loud crack, sending his head flying back and bouncing off the ground with a hollow sound, knocking him unconscious.
Bia dodged the punch aimed at her face, and with agility, punched the assailant in the throat. He staggered, gasping for air, which gave her enough time to focus on the last one still standing. Her opponent tried to grab her long hair, but his hands only grabbed air. Bia ducked and got close to him, then swung up, landing a powerful uppercut to his chin.
Naomi saw the opportunity and, while her partner landed a punch on the other, shoved the man who was struggling to breathe against the wall, landing three heavy blows to the sides of his face. The bar bouncer collapsed instantly.
"Nothing like a little excitement to warm up the blood, huh?!" Bia said, not at all tired or out of breath. "So, what did you come here for?"
"I came for a mission," Naomi said, stepping out of the alley with her. "And Jonas said you're in it with me now."
"Great!" Bia got excited. "This monotony was starting to bore me. What's it about?"
"Before I tell you more, why did you get involved in this?" Naomi asked, pointing to the quartet knocked out in the alley.
"They tried to scam me. Who does that? They practically sold pure distillate and called it something else, and still charged way too much. I wasn't going to pay for that!"
Naomi let out a breath and held back a laugh. Bia was known for being very stingy and never accepting to be left behind.
"And about this mission?"
Then the two Ravens leaned in, and Naomi told Bia everything.