"Let's make one thing clear: you, like any other client, no matter who you are, will be hunted down by me and my members if you betray us."
The trafficker laid the Renkatas out on the table. The gang members stared at the man with glasses with sharp, watchful eyes.
"I have no reason to betray you. I'm an honest businessman. But if there's betrayal on your part, I'll make you pay."
The trafficker chuckled.
"Really? You? You're just a rich little businessman. Better know who you're dealing with."
He pointed a sword at his neck. Skyler sighed.
"I'm well aware of that. But let me be very clear: I have all the information on everyone in this room. If I want, I can expose you all to the police, and you'll be fu-"
"Don't even think about it, Skyler. We have weapons against you too. If you cross us, we'll destroy your life."
"I can erase any evidence you try to use against me."
"Are you sure about that? We've got people who can do much worse than just expose you to the media..."
"And I can make sure none of you leave this room alive."
"Now you're dead."
The gang tried to kill him…
***
"It's sad when all you want is to do business..."
He lightly tapped the lighter with his fingernail, letting the flame touch the blood from the scattered corpses, which were starting to stink.
"Some little creatures need to feed."
Leaving the small base, he whistled sharply, summoning several Renkai Creatures that rushed toward him.
"I'd better get out of here fast."
With an almost comical calm, he sat in a wooden chair which, when he pressed a button, kicked him with a mechanical boot and launched him out of the Inférius.
***
"Anyone here?"
Luciana entered the underground base, dressed in her training clothes. From one of the rooms came Vector, sweaty and visibly tired.
"Oh, Lucy, what brings you here?"
"Well, came to train, as usual... Why do you look so down?"
She asked, raising an eyebrow. With a weary sigh, the man sat on one of the machines.
"I'm just... drained. I can't get anything done after all those accusations."
"Oh, man..."
Lucy sat beside him, gently holding his hand.
"I can't imagine how frustrating that must be. But I'm always here for you, as a friend or as a sister, if you want."
"I know. Thank you."
He returned the gesture.
Through one of the doors came Alice, still dressed as a waitress.
"...I guess I'm not dressed for this weather..."
Lucy laughed.
"Of course you're not, sis. Go change so we can train!"
"I will."
She went into one of the rooms. Vector stood up again, stretching for the session.
"Alright, let's get to practice. We don't know when Skyler's going to give us a mission."
"True. Actually, it's been a while since I last saw him."
"Me too. Seems he's busy with his personal projects."
"That man... he's going to work himself to death someday."
"I don't think so. But if he doesn't need us for now, let's enjoy the break."
"I'm in!"
***
While braiding her hair, Alice was lost in thought. That night, that conversation, they made her rethink a lot about that man's goals.
Is he doing everything alone just to keep us safe? I hope not...
Adjusting her clothes, another thought came to mind, her daughter.
I should spend more time with her. I hardly have any... work, training... it's so exhausting.
She left the room, ready for the exercises.
***
Carrying a sack full of Renkata over her shoulder, Ferinish walked through the city in search of the Well-Used Renkata.
"You know, with that look you've got, you seem like a man bursting with testosterone."
Aurora, walking beside her, commented with a grin. The warrior rolled her eyes.
"I don't have more testosterone than a man."
"Really? I'm not so sure about that..."
When they reached the shop, the automatic door slid open, revealing a man asleep over the counter.
"And security is apparently a foreign concept to Skyler, huh?"
"Supposedly."
With a light slap to the head, the businessman woke up.
"Good morning, ladies."
"No need for formalities, Skyler. I need a new sword for Ferinish and some reinforced Renkatas. Can you do it?"
The sack was dropped in front of him.
"I really like my sword, but it's so old it's starting to feel as light as a feather. I want a bigger one..."
"Ferinish, better make it clear you're talking about a real sword..."
The redhead froze, mouth open and blushing like a chili pepper. Aurora snickered quietly. Skyler simply rubbed his eyes.
"I'll get you a very big sword. You'll love it."
"Am I the only one hearing the innuendo here?"
Aurora muttered to herself.
The two ignored the scientist and continued their conversation.
"Anyway... thanks for the Renkata. Your items will be ready soon."
He tried to lift the sack but couldn't. Ferinish helped him with surprising ease.
Aurora crossed her arms, watching.
From here, it's obvious that even with few words, they have a palpable chemistry.
She thought, but quickly dismissed it.
Stop being crazy. Ferinish doesn't fall for just anyone... or maybe he's not just anyone?
It was clear that, even if she denied it, the truth stood before her eyes: the two shared a strange connection, as if they had met in a distant past.
The man's indifference toward the woman's body which others saw with desire or discomfort due to her strength, and his delicate way of helping her place the ore in its proper place, as if he knew exactly where to touch so as not to provoke a reaction from the warrior. She seemed to accept his touch with more natural ease than expected; it wasn't intentional, it was subconscious.
She once told me Skyler looked like a man she'd seen before. But where? How did she really meet him, for the first time... ?
***
"Oh heavens, I never thought we'd train this much today."
Leaning against a cold wall, Alice wiped her forehead with a towel. Vector sat beside her, equally exhausted.
"Yeah. Even Lucy couldn't handle it."
He pointed to Luciana, who had fainted after the intense session. With little strength left, the blonde lay her head on the man's chest. Realizing it, he sighed.
"Everyone's tired... not just me..."
Closing his eyes, the lights automatically dimmed from lack of movement in the room. Thus, they all fell asleep in a cozy atmosphere, especially Vector and Alice, whose closeness felt more intimate, almost... romantic.