The thing is, everyone loved Lucy. They worshipped the very land they walked on, they followed Lucy like mindless sheep. He didn’t understand what was so good about them. All Lucy brought was pain and suffering, to him at least. Lucy signed away his life, and what was better than getting revenge against the one who let him get hunted down by his father's men? Nothing. He is cornered. Surrounded by men on all sides, he supposes no way of escaping them this time. 2 weeks of constantly escaping them was a good run. Now he would join his mother in the afterlife. Not the best way to go, but he was not about to go down without a fight. Even as exhaustion permeates through his body, and his hands shake. He would still fight. ‘Anything goes to survive’ and if he went down while trying to save himself, he simply wasn't strong enough to survive. His situation was undesirable but he would have to make do. Over 50 men against him, a street rat. What's the worst that could happen? With that thought in his mind, he lifted his hands to his face in fists. A crude attempt to form a fighting stance to help elevate his chances of success against the trained men. He didn’t think when he opened his mouth, ready to provoke the men.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe51dzITpDb
“Come at me, poppies” The outrage and reaction were instant. They jumped at him not given time to think or calculate his next moves, there was only one place he could use to escape. The roofs. Instead of leading with a punch, he turned and jumped grabbing the top of the low wall that blocked his escape. He glanced at the other side of the wall once he got up, nearly cursing, they had come round that way too. His only option was to go up. They seemed to have forgotten that he could climb. After years of growing up in the streets, he had learned that it was better to have the high ground, and what better way than to be above? He knew it wasn't the safest way to escape, but it was his only way to get away from the hoards of men hired to kill or capture him. He couldn’t trust that anything on the walls would be safe for him to climb, but it was a sacrifice he was willing to make if it saved his life. “I can only hope” He whispered to himself, not letting himself pause he grabbed a window ledge and hoisted himself up. It was time to climb. The yells of annoyance and anger were like music to his ears once they realised what he had just done, it was more than enough to know they hadn’t remembered to block this way of escape. Even with the taste of victory on his tongue, he did not stop. He was not safe until he was out of sight, it was only a matter of time before they shot at him. Fired not a few moments after he had thought about their guns, the first shot of a gun. The following window ledge he was about to jump to exploded into tiny wood splinters. He jerked his hand back and changed to grab the less safe conditioning unit, its smooth white surface shining bright in the dark alley he was in. The next shot was fired. They were good aims, the unit was now unsteady, threatening to fall to the ground at the sign of any weight. He didn't have a better option. He would have to risk the jump. Not giving himself a chance to second-guess like he usually would, he grabbed the unit, scrambling to get to the next handhold so he would not fall. Not a moment too soon, the unit fell with an almighty crash, hopefully landing on one or two of the men still looking up at him. He had reached a height they were struggling to achieve with their guns. Guns gradually lost their level of danger as people lost the creation method. Now only a few authentic guns were still around. Anything else was a cheap imitation of the real thing. And now people whisper of knives and daggers being the way to safety, as they say: ‘you don't bring a gun to a sword fight’. The men had fallen silent, he noticed. 220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlT1FHnVW6
He had been climbing for more than 5 minutes by now, and he was only just out of reach from guns, he was barely high enough to no longer hear them. He could not risk looking down to see. He had a good sleep last night giving him the minuscule energy to help him escape them. The adrenaline was wearing out, he wouldn’t last any longer. If they decided to start chasing after him now, he would be as good as dead. He was casting his desperate gaze around, looking for a window ledge with an open window so he could use it to disappear. That would give him a chance to relax and catch his breath, his aching muscles would only last so long, and he was nearing the last dregs of his adrenaline. 220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzCSOgwxUe
“Over Here!” startled, he looked up and hesitated, a few metres above him there was a person. They were small he noted, but he was also small, he couldn’t afford to belittle the person offering help. Even if they looked tidy, like one of the rich Tycoons. Like his father. Being small either meant they were young and innocent, or they were underfed. Just like him. He wanted to survive, and if taking advantage of the person offering help, then he would take it. He had to do anything to survive. There were a tense few moments as he hauled himself onto the Window ledge and tumbled inside, the person moving out his way as he collapsed on the ground, his muscles protesting any slight movement he did. A shadow fell over his face, blocking what little sun was shining into the window. He grunted, eyes closed, even if they had just helped him escape, no one was to be trusted, no matter how innocent they presented themselves to be. “I thought for a second you wouldn’t take the offer,” the person giggled. It was a very feminine giggle, causing his eyes to snap open meeting their eyes, one was Amber the other was covered by a jagged scar as if someone had dragged a blunt knife down her face. She seemed to notice him staring at her scar, as she grabbed one of his arms and forcefully pulled him up into a sitting position, ignoring his pained hisses as the jostling movement. She paused and then dragged him to a wall so he could lean on it, she was pretty strong for someone small enough to pass as 12.
“So, Streets,” she finally spoke after her small struggle to make him sit upright. “Lucy would like to-”
“Lucy?” he ground out at the name. They were the ones to tell his father his location, causing him to be in danger on a daily basis. “Never.” The girl sighed and shook her head.
“You didn’t let me finish” she frowned, “You might want to hear the full thing before you refuse.” The girl had a point, but he refused to answer her, letting her sign in annoyance once more. “As I was saying,” she stated once again “Lucy would like for you to join the informant guild” He scoffed but didn’t reply. “He promises full protection from whoever's chasing you.” Soft manipulative words. He was no idiot. Lucy had purposely put his life on the line, and used the girl in front of him to put him in debt with the guild so he would have no choice but to accept. Unluckily for them, he had very loose morals and wasn’t above using whatever means to survive. If he could leave Norside city he would be free from his father - he was way too cowardly to chase after him. The problem would be evading the Guild. Hu must've been silent for a while, as he brought his eyes up to look at her. She was fiddling with a small curved blade, its sharp edge not touching her skin once, she was proficient, and he was unsure if he would try to risk running from her, smaller builds meant easier travel and better hiding skills. Anything goes to survive, so if he had to bow his head down to the very person who signed away his life, then he would. No matter how much he might hate Lucy, they were strong, powerful, and situated in nearly every city of Fractus. 220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ594gCXxbjM
“I accept” he spoke softly, glaring at the girl, to show his distaste. “Tell Lucy that I Dolion will join his little guild.” It probably wasn’t the best idea to insult Lucy and their guild, but Dolion couldn’t bring himself to care, but he couldn’t bring himself to die. The street kids relied on him, he was their beacon of hope, the one older kid they knew wouldn’t actively try to destroy their homes and would protect them. In this world, there were very few things he felt needed to be protected. The kids were on the top of the list, meaning he had to value his life. No matter how much he wished it, the kids needed someone to teach them to live in a world like theirs, just like his grandfather in all but blood did for him. Dolion didn’t want to see another kid like him, untrusting, jaded from the world, using any means to live. Judging by the look of the girl, she was surprised that he agreed so easily. He scoffed, it seemed that the informant guild didn’t have much information about his personality. He gave her a small smirk, pleased about his small discovery. “Well? What now?” the girl startled and then grinned at him, her scar pulled tight on her face, highlighting the jagged scar over her eye. He briefly wondered how she got it, before dismissing the thought, she didn’t look too agreeable to tell him.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWnZKVm7hl
‘Well, Dolion, you may call me Fia” she spoke grandly, he bright grin sharpening and turning dangerous, “That is my code name” she whispered, as she leaned in, “Yours will be Streets” Dolion rolled his eyes, ‘Fia’ pulled away and rummaged through her many pockets she seemed to have on her outfit, before pulling out some paper. It was the nice type of paper he noted, it was smooth and a nice white. The informant guild must be getting many customers looking for information for them to be able to afford the nicest paper. Dolion didn’t bother admiring the paper any longer, he scanned the sheet, searching for words that he recognized. ‘Streets’ was one, his code name, he supposed. ‘Oracle’ was the next word he noticed, the name of the famous informant guild. That confirmed that Fia was an informant of the Guild, and was trying to recruit him. Nothing else stood out to him and he looked up with a frown, he gestured silently to the paper, with one hand, the informant guild must be lacking if they thought he could read. Dolion’s actions startled Fia and she groaned in realisation. 220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVhkKhs2sV
“Of course, you can’t read.” she sighed again before snatching the paper away from him, clearing her throat;220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tc9eUrb0S
“Streets, I am Lucy. The Guildmaster of the ‘Oracle’ Guild, as you should know, it is the largest informant guild of Fractus and the best one by far. This is due to the reason that we reach out to prospective members. I have reasons to believe that you will be a perfect addition to my Guild, your task, if you accept will be to use your time on the streets to gather information, gossip and the like. Many things can be found in the underground, and I have reason to believe that you have access to what I want.” Fia paused to cough, and Dolion sighed. It seemed he walked into something bigger than he thought. 220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4pbGQXcls
“Of course, your work will not go unrewarded. I hear you have many kids under your care in the streets, I will give you some accommodation for you and the kids to stay in. I will also give you $450 for each piece of valuable information that you give me. Fia will give you more information on where you will give the information you have collected, Don’t worry about your birth father, I will stop him from coming for you. Welcome to my guild Dolion ‘The Streets’” Dolion clenched his fists, some of the things in that letter confirmed his suspensions. Lucy had purposely sent his father after him, and he knew about his connection to the underground and his kids. The only redeeming thing was there was no threat to the kids. They would be safer. If Dolion had to work for Lucy - someone who he now hated for their manipulative personality just from that letter alone, to protect his kids and to survive. He would. Anything goes to Survive’ He gritted his teeth and breathed out heavily. Before speaking,220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywXroQfynD
“Tell me everything.” Surprise coloured Fia’s face but she didn’t hesitate.
“You will find different branches of the Guild by entering the bar called Cordelia’s pub” she grinned, “You can’t miss it, even if you can’t read” Dolion flinched at the subtle jab she sent his way, he couldn’t read, and now she knew that. It would be a weakness that she would continue to exploit if he met her again. Dolion tensed up and made a mental promise to fix that weakness. He had barely finished making note of his weakness before Fia spoke once more “The bar is like a huge business chain, you will find one in every city” Dolion frowned, he didn’t recall a bar called ‘Cordelia’s pub’ and he was constantly on the streets, searching for safe havens for him and the gang of kids that follow him around. “when you enter,” Fia interrupted his thoughts “Go up to the server and say: ‘I would like to order a side of Flower wine’ They will then bring you to a separate room where you can pass off your information” Fia smiled, and her uninjured eye narrowed on him. “If Oracle discovers that you have been leaking information to people then Oracle will eliminate you.” she leaned in softening her sharp smile, not even making it look less dangerous, he shivers as she continued her warning, “I trust you know you situation Streets?” a dark feeling welled up inside but Dolion ignored it and nodded, he hated being indebted to Oracle guild, but he wanted to survive and the only way to do that was to follow their orders, no matter how much he would like to run. Fia straightened and nodded satisfied. 220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZuEAbm6Wj
“You will not be seeing me much. Streets,” she turned away, walking to the door, before pausing and looking back at him, “Avoid the mafia” she spoke softly, startling Dolion. Fia didn’t seem to be a person to warn others, with what he has just witnessed, “They are steadily growing in size and influence, and would gladly use you as someone to throw away when needed” Dolion blinked, taking in the information she just gave him before nodding.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtNxyreBrp
“I will” he spoke resolutely looking at where Fia stood. She nodded then opened the door and left the room they had been in. The door slammed behind her, and he groaned, he forgot to ask how he could leave the building, avoiding all the men still looking for him. His muscles didn’t hurt as much anymore, they had relaxed after sitting for a little bit. He forced himself to his feet, swaying as he did, not fully recovered from his frantic getaway. Doilion stumbled to the door, slowly pushing it open to see a bright corridor, the aged wallpaper was an off-yellow and peeling, suspicious stains littered the walls, some dark and muddied, like dried bloodstains. His eyes flicked down the corridor and frowned, Fia was gone, he hadn’t heard any more doors open after she left, and he was pretty quick to follow her after she left. A bitter laugh welled up inside him as he closed the door and slid back to the ground, if only he had the skills Fia had, he would’ve been able to escape his father's men. Dolion knew that he wouldn’t be able to stay in the room forever, but he felt safer than he had in the past few weeks. With a sigh, Dolion looked up to the ceiling trying to organise all that had just happened. He had been blackmailed, tricked into joining the Oracle guild. He closed his eyes, exhaustion creeping up on him, he didn't realise how tired he was from trying so hard to escape. A harsh laugh escaped his lips, he choked on messy emotions, and tears threatened to fall, but he couldn’t let them. While he might not like the situation he has found himself in, he would have to put up with it. 220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvtK7tvXYs
“It’s this window!” a deep voice called, ripping Dolion out of his miserable state. The men had not given up. It seemed they had decided to climb up after him. Frustration welled up inside as he reluctantly pulled himself to his feet. He couldn't allow himself to get caught now, he wanted to survive, and getting caught by the men chasing him would be a one-way ticket to not surviving. Dolion was out of the room before he could stop and think about what to do next. While he wasn’t all thrilled with his situation, he was not about to let himself die like that. He glanced around the corridor before spotting a sign, it was old and faded but he could make out the shape of stairs and an arrow. It was pointing left. Dolion couldn’t afford to hesitate, he needed to disappear before the men entered the room. With that thought in mind, he turned and ran the best he could down the corridor, towards the stairs, hoping that he could gain the upper hand on the men chasing him. 220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m7yLHVYBe
It wasn’t long until he came across the stairs. All he now needed to do was go down them and hope that they hadn’t thought to ambush the entrance to the building. It didn’t take long for Dolion to reach the ground floor. He glanced around, taking note of how no one was there, a small grin graced his face. Dolion was lucky that the men seemed to not be that smart. Without waiting for anything, he slowly walked to the entrance, his eyes darting around, just in case they had thought to ambush him. He didn’t feel safe out in the open, but he needed some time to get to some shelter and change his clothes. It would confuse the men who only know what he is currently wearing. He was out of the building. No one had come up to him, but he still didn’t relax, being relaxed would cost him. He needed to stay alert. He glanced up at the barely seen sky, a brilliant glow of orange could be seen, like burning flames. He had been running from the men when the sun was bright and the sky an off blue, so he had spent longer than he thought in the building. Maybe they thought he died since they didn't see him for a few hours. It was no use stopping to consider anything, all Dolion needed to do was escape the area he was in. He paused and lifted his hood to help hide his face. One glance gave him the all-clear for him to start his escape. A narrow and dingy alley was the best place to slip away unseen. Dolion couldn’t afford to hesitate anymore than he had. With a sigh, he pulled himself together. ’Anything goes to survive’ He repeated in his head like a mantra. ’Anything goes to survive’. He had nearly reached the Alleyway, and relief welled up inside of him, it seemed his observations were correct, the men were stupid, and once he lost them it would be the end of it.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9aMOC3PPm
“What are you doing there kid?” A voice asked startling him. Dolion whipped around as fast as he could without straining his muscles. A man stood behind him, Tall and built like a stack of bricks. Dread welled up inside Dolion, he knew this person; he was part of the team that his father sent after him. He was screwed220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKZS9pIN1m
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