Chapter 2 : The encounter

The streets of District S, considered the most stylished of Arkanoth, are in truth the lair of gangsters and reapers, seasoned assassins supposedly scarier than death, in other words maniacs who enjoy torture.

Bright neon lights stretch over a seemingly endless alley, it's hard to see where I'm heading off to and posters up disaffected buildings are promoting guns. The street is large, but not enough for all those people, you could almost mistake them for robots, as if just a simulation, walking at the same pace, all head down. They all wore ties wrapped around the same type of suit, it always was a strange experience to return to the streets that saw me grow up.

I checked every dark corner in this bright hell, you never knew what lurks behind the lights, that's what I hate about the rich districts, they always are the most unpredictable ones, all those lights blind you, and before you realize it, you no longer recognize the person behind the mirror.

My target should be at the 4th alley, Tovernus Street. That reminds me, Tovernus was a famous personality of our town but I can't remember why, I don't even know why I think of that, I'm going to take part at what will probably be the most dreadful and dangerous fight of my career, maybe even worse than when T betrayed me.

Perhaps I should retire after this one? After all I made a little fortune with all those contracts, and I doubt anyone to have the balls to try and steal it from me. It would be a good opportunity to start a new life, I never really enjoyed being a contractor, I just hadn't had any other options at the time, but I guess it's different now.

I should concentrate on my work, I ought to give my best for this contract. I've almost arrived at my destination; the street lights slowly fade out as I approach Tezca's lair.

I got to know a little more about that den of his by listening to passers. His hideout was a lair of bandits known as Tovernen.

Actually they're pretty famous, a bunch of madmen devoting a cult to Tovernus, and I still couldn't remember what he was famous for. Anyway, he must use them to hide and do whatever he wants without anyone noticing a thing, and even if they did, they would simply put the blame on the Tovernen.

They might as well be worth a good warm-up before I clash against Tezca, it will also allow me to get used to the weapons Leolio gave me, because, honestly, it doesn't look like anything I've ever seen, a miniaturized semi-Tesla rider as my handgun, with 45mm electric bullets and a silent mode, and an assault rifle of ancient generation if things went south, an "AK-47" which was apparently modified to be of use, as for the last weapon, let's just say it was a surprise when he presented it to me.

24 hours earlier

"Hey mister, didn't you tell me I'd get three weapons, where's the third one?"

"That is a good question, this might be a problem. Without it you will be unable to terminate your target, however I do not possess this weapon, our enemies do. Considering this, a stealthy approach will be required, for they will destroy it if Tezca came to learn of the presence of an intruder."

I interrupted him, asking him why they would do such a thing just because of an intruder.

"The problem is," he answered me, "they were ordered to destroy it at any intrusion because while it is a powerful asset in their hand, it will be a catastrophe for them when someone else obtains it."

"Wait, they? You mean my target isn't alone?"

"Indeed, he will not be alone. Unfortunately for us, their identity remains a mystery, my informant couldn't find much information, they might as well be civilians payed by Tezca, bandits, a mercenary group or even worshipers. I do not know, that is why I did not simply tell you first thing that he is accompanied by an unknown threat, if I did you would have refused my contract without even listening, but now you won't, am I wrong?"

I grumbled and approved. I couldn't quit now, not after what he promised me. I asked him about this third weapon, and when he sat down to explain it to me, it seemed as if never did he had a more trying task in his life.

"Well, the weapon...it's special-"

I interrupted him. "Like most of what you said, huh? Well fuck," I whispered and sat on a chair. "Okay, now tell me."

And that was about it, I still had a hard time processing everything, like how his plan could possibly work, but mostly why I should use that, I mean-he did explain me why, it just didn't make sense. But I still got to follow the plan, he's the contractee and if I mess up because I didn't follow his orders, it will all be on me, and I got nothing better, although his plan is senseless, at least to me.

As I stop thinking, I realize I have arrived. The bandit's lair is right in front of me, the air slowly becomes heavy and the lights darken, the building is scarred by cracks and bullet holes and there is a smell of moisture mixed to an oppressive feeling, like I'm being watched.

The door was opened, as if they knew of the arrival of a distinguished guest.

I checked my weapons, right pocket waiting to contain the mystery weapon, my modified assault rifle hung at the back of my right shoulder and the handgun in the left pocket of my pants, and my boots were tight. I replayed my plan in my head before going in. I go in stealthy, and if I'm spotted I will simply run and try to find the weapon before they destroy it. Now I'm ready to go.

I inhaled deeply, ironically it was in these moments that I felt the most alive, the thrill of death I guess. I never chose this life, and if I could I'd probably get out of it, actually that's what I count on doing, to live a quiet, calm and monotonous life in which nothing extravagant or dangerous could happen, but fate thought otherwise. I had to brandish arms, encounter people I am not proud of knowing, and slowly becoming one of the monsters of this city, one of those madmen they arrest, then I escaped and I was betrayed, but I stood up once more, just one last contract and everything would end, all this madness would take an end. I exhaled and approached the door.

It was unlocked when I tried to open it; beyond stood nothing, no life nor furniture, so I made myself at home and entered, walking on tiptoe like a child waking at night trying to reach the chocolate box without waking up their parents.

I kept my assault rifle on my back, after all it was supposed to be a "stealth" contract, I couldn't just go in rushing in like a madman, and using my handgun would be nothing but a waste. Instead I opted for a more old-fashioned way : mano a mano, hand to hand till' either them or me died. A second door appeared at the end of the room, noise coming from it. I slowed down, work would finally start.

A short breath and I was ready. I approached, crouched, hands outstretched toward their sweet, fragile neck, then I jumped up and broke the neck of the first of three targets, a loud crack shattered the silence, I launched myself to the fiend at his right, a fast punch aiming his throat followed by a broken neck. Following was the last survivor, as petrified by this dreadful situation of his than surprised by its sudden apparition, he couldn't even defend himself, killing him was simple.

I took care of the first few enemies as planned, maybe I had overestimated them?

I took the chance to peacefully observe the room. There was an old solarian light dangling up the ceiling; some bookshelves with a collection of cobwebs and rat poop. Weren't Tovernen the undenied kings of District S, so why did they live like some poor District Z hungry men?

Ignoring that, two choices appeared to me, a door to my left and another to my right. I heard nothing from the left one, deciding to check it later, starting with the right one from which a muffled sound could be heard if you listened carefully.

When approaching the door, the muffled sounds became human voices, which then became a twisted composition of screams, laughter, and a terrible stench. It promised for a big crowd, I would have to be careful.

I glanced and saw hell, a dozen of men cheered and feasted upon the very still alive and screaming corpse of a burning man. My eyes trembled, fear and surprise paralyzing me.

I watched them roasting him over a bonfire and remembered. The Tovernen consider themselves as the descendants of Tovernus the famished, one of the infamous pillars of Arkanoth, he had greatly helped boost the early growing of the city, a feat caused by his...unique method; the best word to describe him wouldn't be famished but gourmet, he loved to discover new flavors, yet to be uncovered by his palate, the one dish he never would get tired of, however, was the purest of meat, that is, human meat. A punishment would befall sluggish workers, 'to be eaten, in the glory of our great city and valiant citizens, for no one shall starve' became his motto throughout the years. On a side note, the perfect cooking temperature was, according to him, of 45° degree Celsius.

I just entered a den of lunatics. Damned hells, I want to throw up; the stench holds to the nose and just won't go away, I could even smell the fear in the eyes of this poor soul, the suffering, the disgust, then the acceptance, but always the pain. As for the demons, laughter mixed to the feast, some picking an ear, others a piece of brain and even a giant bald tearing apart a whole rib away from the poor lunch.

My arm searched for my rifle from instinct, but I restrained myself, it wasn't worth it, even if it meant letting an innocent soul suffer hell, the stakes were higher than just one person. So I waited, waited, and waited even more, still as a statue, until the perfect occasion appeared, given by none other than bald Conan joking and making the assembly of man-eater laugh and vulnerable for more than a whole second, I took the chance to run to them and sucker-punch the first I could, not a sound could be heard when he collapsed, as if time itself stopped no one dared move an inch, I saw them trying to process what just happened, then time resumed and Conan screamed.

"You bastard! Who do you think you are to punch one of my men!" His scream woke me up from my train of thoughts, I decided to begin with him, however a man interposed himself between us. A sharp knee to the diaphragm cut his breath and he fell to his knee, a circular kick smashing his head, he collapsed, eyes rolled back.

Only seven to go.

One of them ran to me, hoping to butcher me with his knife, too slow, I dodged his attack and countered by pushing his knife in his heart, crazy what you could make someone do by a simple twist of his wrist.

Only six to go.

I picked up the knife of the deceased and threw it to someone's back, can't let no one leave. My next target was Conan, he seemed to be using weapons from the ancient era, I think those were called 'kunais', a kind of short leaf-shaped blade with a handle having a ring on the pommel, it clearly wasn't for better handling, but I had no idea what it could possibly be used for, I comforted myself on the fact Conan surely wouldn't know either.

The fight started; he approached me with his two kunais, he attacked me from everywhere, cuts kept appearing as I lost stance; the advantage using two weapons at once procured was flagrant, he was much more agile than I had thought, but it wasn't enough to kill me. I kept retreating, giving him confidence, as soon as he stopped being careful to go all in I broke the cycle by jumping toward his blades, it surprised him just enough so I could punch him to the throat with all my strength followed by a tackle, as he fell I took one of his kunais and pushed it to his throat. Hell, I hate it, all this dirty blood on my clothes, after this was done a shower imposed itself.

I saw one of the last survivors running toward me, I feigned ignorance, then, when he was one foot away from me, I extended my arm and grabbed him by the collar, what followed was a flying man hurtling to the ground and a loud crack resounding across the room.

Only four to go.

I calmly approached the next victim, he was paralyzed by fear, I took out a kunai from my previous enemy and threw it right between his eyes.

I had almost finished cleaning out this room, it seemed like the last of them tried to cooperate, not that it made them any more threatening. One to my left and the other to my right, one of them held a knife. As they rushed to me, I lightly moved when they both were centimeters away from me, it was too late for them to stop, I watched as one got impaled and finished off the other one.

The room was painted with blood and corpses, a terrible smell floating in the air, I walked toward the dish and closed his eyes still filled with dread and pain, no one deserved such fate, but I had to move on.

There was another door leading to a hallway brimming with red light, if what Leolio told me was true, the weapon should be close. I slowly walked, the silence of the hallway strangely violent to my ears after the bloody fight and screams from earlier.

A luxurious door stood in front of me, it was engraved with drawings depicting the construction of Arkanoth, with two men to the left and another three to the right, and of course, Montezio stood alone, in the upper middle of the graving, he was depicted as fairly handsome, a light beard covering his jaw and sides, with a piercing gaze and smooth dark hair falling to his shoulders. I opened the door and there I saw it, the knife was right there, I had found the third weapon.