They left under the waterfall as the sun was setting, bringing the night with it. The lights started to turn on everywhere, and Livya understood why Gabriel had said it looked like a bonfire from afar. Lights of all colors were shining through the houses and streets, some round, others long, placed in a way that formed images or words.
Bars and restaurants wrote their names with them, some leaving them blinking while others kept them on. And unlike before, when the city already seemed quite busy, now the movement seemed to have doubled.
The sound of bottles and glasses breaking, with the shouts of drunks and gamblers, competed with the sound of the waterfalls. The group walked along the side of the wall, ignoring the wet clothes that clung to them, and entered the streets again.
— What was the real reason you're here? — Gabriel asked, as soon as they could hear again, to Bia and Samuel.
— You were after this Hylari, why? — Naomi asked.
— It was Jonas' mission — Bia replied, sounding guilty for deceiving them. — The idea was to come here and find out who controls this city.
— We didn't intend to deceive anyone — Samuel added. — We really thought we were just coming to do the usual patrols, but we found out about this goal at the last minute.
They continued walking until they reached one of the streets. Michel had to jump over a puddle of vomit, and Livya noticed who had made it.
— Was it a murder? — Gabriel asked, naturally.
— No — Bia continued. — It was just for us to know it was, I have no idea what Jonas is thinking.
— But I never imagined she'd reveal herself to us so easily — Samuel whispered. — If I'd known that, I would've brought several Corvos with me from the start.
— That's not important now — Michel cut in. — If the information is true, we're facing a much bigger crisis.
— It's reached other Covas, then — Gabriel muttered.
— The good thing is our goal ended up helping yours, which is now all of ours — Samuel said. — And tomorrow we can check out the subway.
— I believe no one has doubts about that — Naomi said. — But it would be good to rest a little until tomorrow morning.
— We're staying in an inn near the entrance — Bia started. — Nothing special, but cheap.
— Just show us the way, then — Gabriel asked.
The group continued through the flashing streets, where people drank and gambled without any shame, others naked in a house shouting the prices of their services, which made Livya blush, causing loud laughter from Samuel.
Colored drinks passed from hand to hand. Gabriel saw two children pickpocketing two men passed out from drinking too much. He felt a strange nostalgia for his street days as he watched them.
Bia guided them to a three-story building where a neon sign shaped like a bed was displayed. Near the open door, a sign read: "Room for one night, four coins." They entered, taking two more rooms, with a surly clerk.
The accommodations were indeed basic, but the beds were soft. Naomi was kept awake by the noise. She had to change positions several times, while her partner had already fallen asleep beside her.
They woke up to Michel knocking on the door. They went down to find the others in the lobby and headed towards the city's exit. The lights had been turned off and drunks were lying around in the corners. The night had been lively. When wasn't it? Livya thought, kicking a bottle.
— Where did you leave the cart? — Naomi asked.
— Many people come here with their own carts. You saw the level of some of them yesterday at Hylari's place — Samuel said. — We left the cart with them.
They left the cave-shaped structure, jumped over the stream that led to the desert, and kept close to the rock until an entrance appeared. It was like a smaller cave, full of carts and a car.
Livya looked at the vehicle with sparkling eyes. A car with two doors and tires bigger than they should have been. At least, that's what it looked like to her.
— It's going to be a bit tight — Bia noted.
Bia took the wheel, her partner sat as the co-pilot, and the other four squeezed into the back. Gabriel had to sit on Naomi's lap.
With that, the group set off towards the subway.