READ BEFORE YOU CONTINUE! Great, thanks for stopping to read this :)

I am a big simmer, as you can probably tell by my profile pic. I want to design my characters in the Sims 4, and I want your help in deciding who I should make!

If you follow the link in my bio, it will lead you to my Linktree. At the very top should be a Sims survey I put together! Place your votes there, and I will design the winners!

I'm really excited about this! I will post the results on my Instagram and possibly Wattpad as well.

Thanks bunches, and enjoy the chapter!

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Unedited

Sophie's built hands slightly bent the metal beneath it as she clutched onto the railing of the runway.

She didn't know how to describe it. A mass of agony. A pit of atrocities.

"W-What are those?" Maha stuttered, her eyes pinned on the cages. But not the cages that housed the original Mirthless, no, but the ones that housed the Nilfa. The cages held creatures like Cynna.

"We need to get out of here, Maha. No contract is worth this." Sophie kept flashing back to that cave in Egypitnat. To her blades sinking into Cynna's flesh. No, no, no, they were mortal and complete. They didn't belong here. She was selfish, she knew that, but she kept thinking back to Cynna's tear-stained eyes, to her pleas for death. Sophie couldn't stand that again.

Sophie made the mistake of looking in one of the subject's eyes.

They resided in a cell that looked a lot like the one she found in Egypitnat. Deep grooves along the floor and the bars as the experiments writhed in brutal pain. Various cables were linked between the Mirthless and corresponding subjects. They were a small Gnome, the subject Sophie made eye contact with. Needles and cables linked them with a Horoa just a few cells over.

Half of their face was mutilated, black and grime seeping underneath their skin. But their eyes were still so desperate. The gnome merely shook their head, putting their head back in their hands as they rocked on their knees. Sophie did the same thing whenever she was panicked and needed to escape.

Sophie gripped the handles, taking a deep breath through her nose and out through her mouth. Maha was still yet to say anything, her hands clamped over her mouth.

"We need to help them A-Amalia." She finally breathed. Sophie rubbed her face, trying to rub the shock out of her.

"Okay, okay. Let's try to find something." Sophie still used the railing to balance herself as the two of them meandered across the metal bridge. The metal bridge led to another observatory deck, then another metal bridge. It all worked as an observatory over the mass of experiments below.

"Gods, Lia, there are so many children in the factory above us. What if-"

"Please don't finish that thought. I don't want to think about what happens if the Nilfa get out." The Nilfa in the Lord's house must be from here. Sophie guessed he was probably an investor of this place. But the Neverseen seem to be mass-producing Nilfa; why would they have investors? What are these Nilfa going to be used for, and why do people want a cut of it?

"We need to find their ledgers. That way, we can find leaders, sponsors, co-conspirators, and accomplices. We cut off their funding by eliminating their sponsors and alliances, they can't afford to keep this going. If we get the chance, we should sabotage their equipment. This is too big just for the two of us, so we can't outright destroy it. We can hopefully hope Okoye doesn't take that out of our pay." Sophie took a deep breath, "The remaining Nilfa are going to be the real problem here. I'm sure that Fang Guanyu's translator has analyzed the book enough, maybe we can hire them to help us try and revert the Nilfa effects." But from what she saw, that would be near impossible. But Sophie refused to think about the other option.

"What should we start with?"

"I'm gonna find the ledgers see what leads we can find. Since we are not going to be able to knock this place completely out of commission, I want you to scout it out. Look for weak spots and things. Also, see if you can find that nobleman."

"Sounds good. Let's rendevous back at the tunnel."

Sophie watched Maha take a deep breath before taking the stairs down into the red and dark abyss of the Nilfa factory. Maha could handle herself. Sophie knew that. Near the corner of the factory was a dark series of cells, the only glimpse of light being that of blue water, a tank where dark figures swam in their confined tanks. Sophie had a feeling those were the Nilfa that pursued Okoye's men in the first place.

Sophie's fists were clenched as she quickly scanned and searched through the factory. She needed names and numbers, things she can use.

The largest office was in the middle of the factory, elevated above the mass of hell below. That is where she was starting.

She was still in uniform, but the uniform was from the candy factory above, so she did stick out a bit.

Sophie approached the large office, reminding herself not to look down as she slid next to the door and waited. After a few moments of waiting, the door slid open.

The guard was whistling, twirling his key around his finger. Sophie stuck her foot out to stop the door from closing, sliding into the office.

Two guards were sitting in the cushioned seats next to the desk that looked over it all. One of which had an appealing ring of keys at their hip. They both sipped strong black coffee from the candy company mug.

Sophie casually sauntered up behind them, leaning against the heads of their chairs.

"One hell of a week, huh boys?" Sophie sighed.

One of them scoffed, "Yeah, no kidding-" They both froze, slowly turning around and staring up at her.

"Hello there, gentlemen." She smiled. She acted before they could cry out. She wrapped her arm around the neck of the first, ducking underneath the fist of the second in time to snatch them by their wrist. Still holding the first's neck, Sophie took the guard's hand and twisted, kicking their feet out from underneath them and making them hit the floor so hard they were out cold. With a final squeeze, the first guard slumped in her arm, asleep when Sophie let him tumble to the floor.

She kicked aside their bodies and took one of their chairs, huffing as she began to search through the drawers.

Sophie didn't really know what she was looking for. Her brain was drifting as she poked through the documents.

How would someone convert a living being back from Mirthless? Is it even possible?

Where were her Assassins? Could they be subjected to this same fate? There were so many variables that are unchecked and questions without answers. Kynareth breathing down her neck, the safety of her own men compromised, a traitor still scampering around, Leto still sick and mentally unstable, the Ancient Vatarians wanting to return to their homes, Mephala threatening their existence- it was too much. She tried to carry herself with an air of confidence and authority. She wasn't allowed the chance to show her fear.

She remembers when she spent the night at Ruy's apartment, holding him tight as she whispered into his neck her fears, her fingernails cutting into his biceps as she held back her tears. Sophie wanted to be able to do that again, to be able to whimper and run away. But those moments never last, do they? She was always working, always thinking about one thing while another crumbles behind her.

Sirens blared throughout the factory, Sophie banging her knee against the table. Sophie cursed, pulling out the last drawer in hopes of finding something-

An evidence chest was built into the very bottom of the drawer, made of solid titanium. What would they need an evidence safe for?

Sophie plucked the keys off the guard's belt, still asleep on the floor, flipping through the keys before a small silver key clicked into place.

In it was the ledger, smartly tucked at the very bottom. But atop it was a small Inalian style leather-bound journal, secured with a small bronze lock. A strategy journal, just like the one her father had. An unknown family crest was stamped into the back with the initials C.E. The small red ribbon was the thing that made Sophie's blood run cold.

An empty arrowhead stitched on with golden thread in the middle of the ribbon. This belonged to a Cyevan Assassin.

Sophie heard the stomping of guard boots grow closer, but she remained too focused to move. She tucked the leather journal into her jacket and pulled out the large ledger, flipping through the names.

It was the perfect list for her guild—all of the corrupt politicians, businessmen, and plain old criminals endorsing the project.

She flipped back to the beginning, where she noticed the largest numbers resided, scanning through the names. And then she saw it.

Right next to an outrageous number of credits, the Esposita family was written in the thick ledger pages. The Esposita family was sponsoring this project.

Sophie couldn't even hear the sirens and the shouts of guards. The only thing she could hear was her uneven breaths and a ringing in her ear, even when the doors exploded open.

Alexios shuffled towards the Pythia, Mansi and Alvar apprehensively behind him. He just stopped before her and coughed a bit, looking around awkwardly. The Pythia lifted an eyebrow, her raised hands faltering.

"You're supposed to bow before the messenger of the gods, boy." She snapped. Alexios fought back the rolling of his eyes, kneeling down on two knees while keeping his head down.

He could feel the Pythia smirk as she resumed her holy spiel.

"Now, what is your offering?" She proclaimed. Alexios stiffened. An offering? Most people offered a lamb, flowers, incense, or the boon of the crops. He glanced behind him to Alvar and Mansi, who were also on their knees.

"An offering?" He begged.

Mansi shrugged, "I have a stick of gum in my pocket?" Alexios turned to Alvar, "Uh..." The elf rummaged through his pockets, procuring a single gold piece, his grocery list, and a small elven brooch made of silver no bigger than his fingernail.

Alexios turned back to the Pythia, awkwardly coughing, "Isn't our stellar company plenty enough of an offering?"

But the Pythia wasn't listening to him. Her eyes were on Alvar's elven pin.

"That one. Bring it to me." Two priests flickered into view, making the three assassins jump a bit. They hadn't even noticed the two of them. The first priest held out a black and terracotta bowl expectingly, and Alvar apprehensively dropped the brooch into the dish. The second priest sprinkled mysterious ash over it, watching carefully before handing it to the Pythia with a bowed head. She plucked the pinout of the dish and held it up into the torchlight. It was exaact with small flowers adorning the inside.

"Where did you acquire this, Vacker?" The Pythia asked.

"How did you-"

"I can gaze into the futures of men and yet you ask me how I know your name? Quit being a fool and answer my question."

Alvar blinked, "My little sister Biana gave it to me. She wanted to give it to my fiance as a gift."

Mansi gasped, "She did? Aw, I just love that girl."

The Pythia clutched her peplos as she observed it further, "Your sister is an elf too?"

Alvar didn't even try to mask his confusion, "Uh, yes my holiness."

The Pythia nodded a bit, glancing at Alexios, "See that boy? He isn't even from Inalia and he knows how to treat his superiors."

Alexios kept his head low to hide his glare. Never in his 18 years of existence would he imagine ever visiting the Pythia.

The woman sighed, placing the brooch in a dish in front of the Ganalos's statue.

"Ganalo has deemed your offering acceptable. You all may ask one question!" The Pythia announced. Mansi looked a little miffed about being stolen of her gift, but they both looked to Alexios, waiting for orders. He gave them a small gesture. Ask away.

Mansi pursed her lips, "I want to know the future of my family." Mansi had the guild, but she wasn't talking about them. She was talking about Alvar and her child. She seemed so nonchalant about it all, but the tremor in her eyes as she waited for the Pythia's answer said more.

The Pythia nodded, a typical answer it seemed. Her violet eyes went slightly white, her head pointed to the ceiling as she muttered. Just like Lilac does when she makes her predictions.

"The Fire-Breather's embers begin to tremor at the fear of the unknown. Seeds of doubt are beginning to sprout, causing hesitation." The Pythia's voice wasn't wholly her own. Underneath her voice was a slight whisper of gods only know what. Lilac certainly didn't do that.

"I swear unto you, if you continue as you are with a brazen heart and the protectiveness of not only what is old but also new, your kin will persevere all. Through the chains of misery and the broken spines of men, your kin will persevere through it all with love and power at their side."

Mansi blinked, her mouth agape. She looked at Alvar, her hand drifting to her stomach. That wasn't exactly an answer.

"Speak your questions!" The Pythia exclaimed, her head still pointed to the sky.

Alvar jumped a bit, biting his lip as he thought it through. "Will the Lost Cities survive this war?" He resided in Inalia, but his family and childhood was in the Lost Cities. It made sense that he was worried.

The Pythia's lip curled a bit at the thought of looking into the future of the Lost Cities for its well-being, but her mouth spurts the words for Alvar nonetheless.

"The Cities of crystal and glass are teetering, dear Vacker. They have been doomed from the beginning," Alvar paled, so tense it looked like he could shatter like glass, "Survival is one thing, but excelling is another. Elves will survive, but not in the way you are hope. When there is nothing but the shells of crystal holding the cities afloat, how does a species of vanity and secrets react to their truths revealed?"

Alvar's shoulders deflated as Pythia turned to Alexios, awaiting his question. That wasn't much of an answer either. There was no way that they are going to get a real answer out of her. Typical. But maybe he could still get something out of this.

"I wish to know who I should next consult on my quest!" Gods, he sounded like a paladin. But the Pythia smiled a bit, thinking a holy warrior was consulting her. It apparently did wonders for her ego.

"My holiness," Alexios started, making his voice as official as possible, "I wish you would ask Ganalo's favor in my search in the Isle."

The Pythia scoffed in her heavenly voice, "Which isle is that?"

Alexios can speak in riddles too, "The island that remains on land, the one that resides over our homelands as an advisor to all. One built in a forest compared to a quarry. Where dirty gold holds it afloat and hides whatever is beneath,"

Alexios finally looked up at her as if he were nothing but a humble servant, "Where the saint sits upon her throne of snakes, capable of spitting venom capable to bring down empires."

The Pythia finally looked down from the ceiling, her hands dropping slightly.

Her eyes were aflame with anger, no longer faded. She carefully relit one of her incense dishes that had gone out before they arrived, gently waving the smoke around the room. It was a deep scent, the way the dirt smells after a fresh rain.

In hopes of keeping her composure, she gently clasped her hands in front of her, but her tight jaw made it clear she knew what Alexios referred to. She glanced at the two priests off to the side, and they deeply nodded, "I'm afraid the Pythia is no longer taking visitors."

"You still have to answer my question!" Alexios insisted, the two priests herding the three out the door.

The Pythia didn't move, carefully plucking Alvar's pin out the dish once again, observing it in the light as the doors began to close.

"Where do your loyalties lie, Pythia?!" Alexios roared through the crack of the door right as it closed.

The three of them were once again in the silent hallway outside the marble doors, the smell of incense and flowers now closed off.

"Damn it." Alexios cursed.

"What the hell were you talking about?!" Mansi hissed. Alexios opened his mouth, but the stomping of Esposita boots made him curse again.

"We gotta move. Now."

The three of them sprinted out of the hallway right before the Esposita guards entered, skidding around corners and past patrols. They soon made it back out the entrance they originally came in, retracting their steps.

Alexios blew out a breath. He took a risk in there. He could only hope it would pay off.

"In a forest rather than a quarry..." Alvar stopped a bit, glancing to the temples outside of the Gardens of Kassandra.

He put it together, and it seems so did Mansi, "You were baiting her." She breathed. They were finally out of the Gardens and in the village of Kilmaloas, carefully navigating the back ally behind a restaurant.

Alexios straightened his cuirass underneath his robes, wishing he wore more to keep out the cool weather of autumn.

"I knew that we wouldn't find what was in Uncle Allesandro's note, it was far too vague, we would've been searching forever. So, I decided on a different tactic. I wanted to see if the Pythia knew what we were talking about. Or if she at something to hide." Alexios shrugged, "She clearly did."

"A forest, not a quarry. You were talking about the wooden temples of the Gardens compared to the normal ones. With dirty gold keeping it afloat," Alvar looked over his shoulder, "You were talking about the Esposita. The Esposita that are hiding whatever is beneath Adonis's Isle."

Mansi chuckled a bit, "And a saint sitting on a throne of snakes, spitting poison. You were practically insulting her right then and there!"

The two of them waited for a moment as a patrol strolled through the back alley before continuing, "I needed her to know the gravity of what she was doing, and that we knew she wasn't getting away with it. An oracle's words hold massive amounts of power. Enough power to say, bring down empires? I wanted to see her reaction, to hook her in. But I wasn't exactly planning on her throwing us out."