I headed out as soon as the ring told me someone was coming to kill me, but–

“There are three who aim for you, their hostility grows as they grow closer.”

“It gets better,” I spoke sarcastically as I stepped out.

“Casper!” Sunny called out to me.

Outside of the apartment, Sunny, Rusalka, and Evanora were all waiting.

“I have to go,” I went straight for my motorcycle, but she moved to stop me.

“What the hell do you mean–”

“I really have to go,” I cut her off.

Evanora seemed displeased and by extension, so did Rusalka.

“Are you serious? Didn’t you just get back?” Sunny questioned me.

“They move ever closer,” The ring whispered.

Evanora looked toward my hand– So, she was able to notice it being used.

“Are you in danger, Casper?” Evanora asked. “If you are, we can help you.”

I weighed my options. I could rely on Evanora to assist me, she was strong enough, but it would definitely come at a cost. Our relationship wasn’t at the point of where we’d do favors for each without a price.

In fact, she prioritized the safety of her witches beyond all else and if a fight broke out at my apartment, they’d enter the spotlight. Thinking about that made her offer seem more like a debt trap than a genuine proposal of cooperation.

“I’ll be fine,” I answered.

I didn’t waste any time explaining myself or hearing them out and drove off. Whoever was tracking me was getting closer and I didn’t have time to wait around to get attacked.

…

A little while later, I was outside of the gifted examination facility. The large building sitting in a huge public area that was often rowdy with activity. Storefronts that sold, weapons, armor, artifacts, and all sorts of chemicals were in the area. As well as guild centers where applicants could apply for managerial positions in a guild or put in a request to be scouted.

It was an area that made it difficult to start a fight due to constant surveillance and guild presence. Which probably made it the safest area in the city, no matter the time of day.

I situated myself in a small cafe that sold enhanced beverages where even the cheapest drink was a few thousand dollars.

“Can I get you anything?” A waiter asked as I sat near the back.

“I guess the ‘tea of clarity’ and–”

“They are mere moments away.”

“Three cups of ‘brightening water’… I’m meeting some people here,” I said with a smile. “I’ll also take the check right away.”

“No problem,” The waiter replied politely before leaving.

The drinks arrived immediately and I immediately indulged in the $5000 drink. Aptly named, the tea gave me a calming feeling and I felt as if my thoughts cleared.

The door to the shop swung open and three people entered. The ominous air about them gave away their origins instantly. My eyes flickered as I used my Spirit Vision and three bright souls appeared in response.

“Oh, great,” I muttered.

They looked around for a brief moment before turning toward me and approaching my table.

“You guys sure took your time,” I said, gesturing for them to sit.

They were hesitant at first, cautiously looking around for any traps, but they ultimately sat down.

“Those are for you.” I nodded toward the cups.

“At least he has manners,” the woman sitting in the middle of them said.

“I don’t like him, he's too cocky,” The man to her right replied.

“Quiet–” The leader of the trio made himself known with a word, “You know who we are, right?”

“I can guess.” I looked at them.

Their faces were half-hidden underneath their black jackets. The man who seemed to lead them removed his hood, revealing a face that was heavily tattooed with an intricate pattern of lines.

“Don’t guess, tell me,” He asserted, leaning forward so that his face within an arm’s reach.

It almost seemed as if he was daring me to do something, but I wasn’t so easily spurred on.

“New Era,” I humored him.

“Bingo.” The woman whistled at me.

“Well, you all sure work fast,” I said with a chuckle.

“You think this is funny?” The man, who apparently had a short temper, smacked his palm on the table.

I narrowed my eyes at him, before turning back to their apparent leader.

“Listen, I killed– what– two people and some of their henchman? Was there really a need to come to find me?”

I reached into my jacket for a cigarette before spotting a no smoking sign. I reluctantly pulled my hand away, it essentially muscle memory at this point since my stint in the proving grounds deprived me of the urge.

“New Era doesn’t tolerate interference,” The leader spoke grimly, continuing on he scowled at me, “Did you come here because you think we wouldn’t kill you in public? If anything, wouldn't it leave more of an impact to kill you in the heart of the city."

“Huh…” I thought about for a few seconds and I had to admit, he was correct. “If you put it like that, it’s hard to argue against it–”

“Let me break his fucking jaw!” The man who was quick to anger heaved.

“Not yet,” The leader raised his hand as if to calm him. “You must have a purpose for coming here, other than attempting to hide behind others, right, Casper? If you tell us who sent you to kill our contacts, we might change our minds about killing you”

He knew my name. So what else did he know? I felt my eyes sharpen.

“I have had a really, really, long day. Haven’t you heard about it? The ruin anomaly? You couldn’t have at least given me a day to rest a little?”

“Cut the shit and talk or I’ll end you right fucking here, kid,” The impatient one snarled at me, despite the previous warning from his leader.

“No, no you won’t,” I shook my head as if pitying them in an attempt to put on an act of sorts. “You’re right about me being sent to kill those guys, but–” As I remembered those unwilling souls, I felt anger bubble up and I immediately changed my mind.

“They fucking deserved it,” I spoke through clenched teeth. “You kidnapped people with gifts and for what? Just what do you need them for?”

“We save them from exploitation. The people that we saved aren’t brainwashed or abused by us as everyone else would have you think. Most of the people we helped were either being strong-armed by guilds or in danger of serving under government restriction,” The woman in the middle spoke up, her tone was no longer jovial.

“You’re either lying to yourself or you’re blissfully unaware of what goes on, lady. I saw it with my own eyes, I saw the people that were tortured by one of the guys you've paid to deliver people to you. You see, the ones you liberate are usually strong, right? The ones with useless gifts though, do you even know what happened to them?!”

Their posture seemed collectively shift after hearing me shout. The rest of the cafe was disturbed as well, so I took a breath and calmed down. It was astounding to see they were so ignorant of what went on, but since they were technically a bunch of fugitives, they didn't have the 'luxury' of stopping dirt from sifting through.

“Whatever.” I shook my head. “I’ve already called my friends, so like I already said, you aren’t going to do anything if you want to leave here alive.”

Of course, I was bluffing, but I maintained what I felt was a perfect poker face, taking another gulp of the tea.

“Bullshit,” The large, angry, man huffed at me.

I guess it wasn't that perfect after all.

“Think whatever you want, just finish your drink, please. That water was expensive you know,” I replied, shrugging.

The leader of the three smirked at me, his cold eyes darted around before he spoke with surprising calmness.

“You have a father, right?”

My hands trembled for a split second, but that was all he needed to see. His smile grew wider and his posture became relaxed. If I ever held the advantage, it was snatched away by him in that brief window of time.

“Nathaniel Clay, I think his name was. We looked into it, you had to have at least prepared for that outcome, right?”

“Of course,” I answered unsteadily.

“Right, right– It’s just…– If I were to send my two good friends here to ‘check’ on him, he’d be long gone by now, correct? You'd at least be smart enough to send your dad away if you knew we were coming. Or maybe your friends are protecting him?”

“Listen to me,” I spoke seriously. “If you mention another word about my dad, I can promise you this won’t end with just two low-level guys being killed.”

We locked eyes for a moment that seemed to stretch on forever, but he broke away first, turning to his companions.

“Go take care of it,” He said.

They immediately stood up and departed.

“You–” I tried to stand up but he blocked my way.

“That’s your bike outside? Best to get yourself a helmet.” He patted my shoulder but the force behind it felt like someone struck me with an iron bar.

“Get out of my way.” I channeled my blood and forcefully pushed him before running outside.

I took a look around and the two he sent out were already long gone. I climbed onto my bike without wasting a second and dialed up my father. It rung for a few seconds before he answered.

[Casper? What’s going on buddy?] He seemed unaware of me being trapped in the ruin. It was just like him to miss the craziness going on around him.

“Uh, nothing– Where are you?” I revved up my bike.

[Oh, uh, just... the bookshop your mother used to go to.'

“Okay, stay there for now. I'm on my way.”

“Is everything alright, Cas?” He asked with the kind of concern only a parent could show.

“Just stay where you are. Please.” I quickly hung up and sped off.

The cold air stung my face and my eyes watered from the air whipping past me, but I didn’t care. I moved further away from the downtown area into the more open parts of the city where warehouses and storage yards were plentiful. The old industrial area had become a place of storage for artifacts and high-class equipment for guilds.

“An attack from your left,” The ring whispered, but it was a second too late.

Something came flying toward my front tire and struck it dead on, sending me soaring into the air before smashing into a wall.

It hurt, but it wasn’t fatal.

I brushed it off and stood up, feeling blood trail down my head, I gingerly poked the spot above my eye. Luckily enough, my bones were strong enough to withstand an impact like that. I looked at the brick wall that was full of cracks as well as a sizable indention where I landed before turning my eyes to the ones responsible.

“That was a new bike!” I yelled, forcing my wound to close which stopped all bleeding.

“Oh, I feel a little bad now,” The woman said lightly.

I looked at my motorcycle, more importantly, the iron rod that had impaled the front tire.

“I can’t believe you fell for a simple threat, you fucking amateur,” The larger man beside her spat on the ground.

“I didn’t want to take the risk,” I responded. "I guess I'm guilty of being a good son."

I circulated my blood rapidly as they slowly walked toward me. Taking stock of them both, they were weaker than their leader, but that didn't mean much. If I had to fight one on one, I'd have a chance, but together they had the obvious advantage.

“Summon,” The man muttered under his breath. With a flash of bright light, a suit of golden armor appeared around his body.

“That’s hardly fair,” I spoke, feeling jilted.

“Don’t outdo me, you show off.” The woman playfully laughed at her partner.

Thorny vines appeared around her wrists before crawling around the rest of her body, embedding into her. Once they settled, they seemed to be as good as armor for her.

...It was clearly time for me to leave. I waved my hands and sent miasmic blood out that burned with violet fire. A wall of dark purple flame rose up in front of me and I quickly crow-shifted and flew away as they attacked.

I exhaled inwardly and flew as far as my wings could carry me.