At the orphanage's entrance, a growing crowd awaited them. The once-quiet streets were now alive with murmurs and whispers of defiance, as word of their fight against Cabdan spread.
Punjo: "Today's the big day, everyone!"
The gathered crowd, numbering around fifty, erupted in cheers. These were the downtrodden and the desperate, people who had suffered under Cabdan's oppressive rule for far too long. What started as a flicker of rebellion had turned into a roaring blaze.
Rel stepped forward, his voice steady but full of conviction.
Rel: "My parents tell me of a time where the people here lived happily and free, without fear of losing their very homes at the whim of some rich tyrant... The very man who once gave us shelter and food at the cost of what little we could provide has now fully turned his back on us, leaving the slums to be pillaged by his goons. Some of us have had enough. Some of us have chosen to rise up against him, and take back what's ours by whatever means necessary. We stand here today to take another step towards that goal: to free our friends, our sisters, the daughters of those who have already lost their lives... We stand here today, the first day of many, at the start of our journey to put a stop to Cabdan's rule. Together. Together, we take back what's ours!"
The crowd roared their agreement.
Rel's father: "That's my boy! I'm proud of you, Rel!"
Rel grinned sheepishly as the crowd clapped and cheered. Virno stepped forward next.
Virno: "I know I'm new here. My mother and I arrived barely a week ago, but in that short time, you've welcomed us like family. I won't let Cabdan -- or anyone -- take that away. These slums are my home now, too, and I'll do everything in my power to protect them!"
As Virno spoke, his mother stood in the crowd, clutching her chest. A bittersweet smile graced her face, but tears streamed down her cheeks. Pride and worry fought for control of her heart.
Jargen cleared his throat, stepping forward. The crowd fell silent, sensing the weight of his words.
Jargen: "I've got no fancy speech for you. Some of you already know—I used to work for Cabdan. I did things I'll never be able to take back, and nothing I do will undo the damage I've caused. I just hope that, today, that weight gets a little bit easier to carry. True, I'm not in any shape to fight... But to hell with that. A broken body won't stop me from giving that rich bastard a good punch in the face. I hope you all share the same motivation... That's all."
Punjo was the first to clap, and also the loudest. The rest of the crowd followed.
Punjo: "A'ight, folks! Soon as we get the weapons 'n armor delivered, we'll head out 'n tear that place down!"
A man in the crowd raised his hand.
Man: "Weapons and armor...? Where're we gettin' all that from?"
Virno flipped Ballo's silver coin in his hand, catching it repeatedly. Each time, it landed tails.
Virno: "We're getting it from someone who wants to see Cabdan fall. We're not fighting this battle alone."
The crowd buzzed with excitement, the hope of outside help igniting their spirits.
Rel: "Uh... Guys..."
As Virno flips the coin higher, a strange shadow blocks out the sun underneath.
Woman in the crowd: "What in the world is that?!"
The crowd looked up as the silhouette of a flying ship descended, its massive form suspended in the air. Hook lines shot down from its underside, digging into the ground. Crates the size of small sheds slid down the ropes, landing with heavy thuds.
Man in the crowd: "They're sendin' something down those lines...!"
The crates hit the ground, their lids popping open. Inside were weapons and armor of the highest quality. The crowd surged forward, marveling at the armaments.
Jargen: "Speak of the devil..."
Rel and Virno noticed one of the hook lines aiming toward the garden. Riding it down was a figure cloaked in armor.
Virno: "Did you guys see that?"
Rel: "Yeah -- let's check it out!"
Leaving the crowd to explore the crates, the four of them made their way to the garden.
Ballo: "Well, well! That's quite the army you've assembled.
From behind the containers, they heard a familiar voice. As he walked around one of them, they recognized him: it was Ballo.
Ballo: "I brought gifts..."
He gestured to the crates and, with a loud bang, their lids fell away, revealing specialized armor and weapons for each of them.
Jargen: "Holy..."
Ballo, pointed to two of the crates.
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Ballo: "Jargen, Punjo -- those are yours. Steel-plated armor and warhammers. I figured you'd appreciate something with a bit of weight to it..."
Jargen's dark-blue armor gleamed menacingly, its spiked helmet giving him the appearance of a living weapon. Punjo's red armor, adorned with bull horns on the helmet, suited him perfectly.
Punjo: "Feels like it was made just fer me!"
Ballo opens another container, as he points to Rel.
Rel: "... What's up with my armor?"
Rel's armor was mainly leather, all except for his legs: those were steel.
Ballo: "Yes, about yours... My source didn't exactly have as much time as they wanted to fulfil my order, so they had to improvise a bit... Hope that's alright, young man."
Rel smiled.
Rel: "No, no. Don't worry! I think I like it better this way..."
The steel was surprisingly light, making it so that Rel could deliver fast, but incredibly powerful kicks to his opponents.
Ballo: "And as for you, Virno..."
The final lid falls to the ground with a thunderous thud, revealing Virno's armour. His was also leather, though it was a black set with golden linings. The shoulderpads and boots were adorned with gold plates, engraved upon which was a strange symbol he did not recognize. Upon further inspection, all other armor sets and weapons seemed to share this very symbol -- most likely the maker's markings.
Virno: "Cabdan's not going to know what hit him...!"
The four of them suited up, each feeling a renewed sense of purpose. Ballo stood before them, his own winged helmet gleaming under the sun.
Ballo: "Shall we march onward?!"
Armed to the teeth and backed by a growing army, the slums' rebellion had begun.
And march they did.
The cobblestone streets trembled beneath their relentless advance.
Those unwilling to join the uprising hurried to take refuge in their homes, peeking out through dusty windows at the furious tide of armed citizens surging forward.
Jargen: "Your heart pounding too, Punjo?"
At the vanguard, Virno, Rel, Punjo, Jargen, and Ballo led the charge. Their steady, resolute steps echoed like a war drum, each step reverberating with purpose. Behind them, a restless mob of fifty angry and desperate people surged forward, a tempest of fury and hope.
Punjo: "Ya can be damn sure it is... Never thought this day'd come."
Jargen's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his voice quieter, but equally resolute.
Jargen: "That makes two of us, buddy. That makes two of us..."
As the group approached a desolate corner of the slums -- the stronghold of Cabdan's notorious prostitution ring -- they were met with resistance. From the shadows, a large group of men armed with crude weapons emerged, forming a barricade across the street. Their makeshift armor clattered as their leader stepped forward, his imposing frame radiating malice.
Armed Leader: "Alright... You've got one chance to turn around. Whoever does will be spared."
Jargen stepped ahead of the group, lifting his visor. His battle-scarred face reflected nothing but determination.
Jargen: "You stole our line."
A guttural, enraged scream erupted from one of the armed men. His mutilated tongue and torso wrapped in tattered bandages marked him as the same man Punjo and Jargen had tortured days before. Punjo smirked at the familiar sight.
Punjo: "Hey, look! 'Tis that guy! How's life treatin' ya, lad?"
The man's response was incoherent, his mangled mouth spitting only raw hatred as he pointed a shaking finger at the group.
Armed Leader: "So... You're the bastards who did that to him."
As the echoes of the man's agonized cries reverberated through the narrow streets, more men emerged from the derelict buildings, their weapons at the ready. A cruel grin spread across their leader's face.
Armed Leader: "You know what? Forget what I said... A bloodbath is in order."
With no warning, he lunged at Jargen, his boot slamming into Jargen's chest and sending him sprawling back. The resounding clash of metal against stone signalled the beginning of a gruesome spectacle.
Jargen: "... TEAR THEM DOWN!"
Jargen regained his footing, warhammer gleaming in the sun as he locked eyes with the leader. Around them, chaos broke loose. The mob collided with Cabdan's forces in a storm of violence, the sound of clashing steel and cries of pain ringing through the slums.
The cobblestones soon turned slick with blood as weapons swung and fists flew. It didn't take long for desperation to drive both sides to savagery -- the primal desire for survival overriding any grace or mercy they could have otherwise spared.
Ballo: "Follow my lead!"
Ballo's battle-hardened leadership propelled a small group forward, effectively cleaving through the opposing force. They pressed on relentlessly, ultimately reaching and securing the entrance to Cabdan's sordid stronghold. Outside, the mob formed a defensive perimeter, ensuring no reinforcements could enter. Inside, Ballo, Virno, Rel, and Punjo pushed deeper.
Rel, shaken and gasping for breath, grappled with the dreadful reality they had just traversed.
Rel: "Holy shit... Holy shit..."
Punjo, offering reassurance, gave Rel's back a series of light taps, aiding him in regaining composure.
Ballo: "Breathe, lad. It's not over yet -- stay sharp."
As they ventured deeper, an unsettling silence clung to the surroundings, the air itself growing heavier. The narrow halls reeked of sweat and lingering debauchery, the warmth of recently vacated rooms pressing in around them.
Virno: "Something's wrong... There had to have been people here not long ago. If the men are fighting outside, where are the girls...?"
A blood-curdling scream tore through the silence, chilling them to the bone. It came from behind a set of double doors at the end of the corridor. Without hesitation, Virno sprinted forward, the others close behind.
They burst through the doors -- and into a nightmare made real.
Young girls hung suspended from the ceiling, their bodies bound by viscous black cords. Some were lifeless, their broken forms swaying gently, while others writhed and sobbed in pain. The cords constricted their limbs, and fresh blood dripped from their bodies, pooling on the floor below.
Punjo: "What the fuck..."
At the far end of the room sat a man in black armor, his gauntleted hand lazily manipulating the cords. His face was obscured, but his presence exuded malice. With a cruel flick of his wrist, the cords tightened, wringing anguished screams from some of the remaining girls. Blood spurted from them like a fountain, their life's essence further staining the air and floor.
He rose slowly, his voice smooth and mocking.
Dark-clad Man: "So. I take it you're the ones spearheading this sad little parade... See, I'm a showman myself -- welcome to my humble little circus!"
With a gesture, he released several cords. The lifeless bodies of the dead plummeted to the floor with sickening thuds, the crack of bones echoing in the chamber.
Dark-clad Man: "I am Lacerbus, servant of Nox and proud emissary of Spymaster Lunalus."
The man's voice held a chilling reverence as he spoke, his eyes closing briefly, seemingly entranced by his own words.
Lacerbus (Dark-clad Man): "I know these names mean little to a rabble of simpletons such as yourselves, but you ought to know who it was th --"
Before he could finish his sentence, Virno, swift and decisive, reached for a spherical device at his belt. With a deft twist, he hurled it towards Lacerbus. It exploded in a burst of light and flame, scorching Lacerbus's armor and flesh. Yet, as the smoke cleared, a tar-like substance slithered over his burns, sealing the wounds almost instantly.
Lacerbus : "Ah, ignorant worms. I suppose I waste my time on introductions... Let us proceed straight to the grand finale...!"
Ballo, Virno, Rel, and Punjo raised their weapons. Determination burned in their eyes.
The battle for the slums was far from over, but they would face this darkness head-on.