The Astral soul system

There were no resources or riches in this place . What could he possibly gain, and how was he related to this plague

The most obvious answer was he was trying to make an army but that wouldn’t make sense.

Plagueridden couldn’t be controlled as far as he’d seen. They simply attacked whatever was in their way. If Kane really wanted to take over the city he couldn’t use these, they’d destroy everything.

Which brought him to his next question.

How had these things not destroyed everything.

A single one would’ve been all it took to start a disaster,yet apparently these things were in the hands of some people and nothing had happened. He doubted the gangsters were just disciplined or well informed, and he doubted the boss just gave it to some random guard. Then why had nothing happened yet? Someone had to have heard of this, right?"

[Read]

[A mysterious substance with an otherworldly aura]

Not much information to go on

"Hey,you"

Theia turned back to Axe

"Ever seen this thing before "

She asked, pointing to the syringe

"Know what this is?"

He shook his head.

"It’s a performance enhancing drug. Not that kind, I’m sure you’re fine in that regard, this one enhances abilities. Did your boss ever mention that. Your fire flinging friend outside had one "

"Stan? The boss did call him in to give him some reward but he never told us what it was"

"A reward huh?"

She shot a glance at Zen.

Either the big boss was experimenting on his subordinates,or he wasn’t aware of the side effects.

He looked back at the letter, examining it again and again but in the end there were no clues or hidden messages that he could find.

This meeting might be their only chance to get Kane before he disappears again. But how?

...

...

...

"W-why are you looking at me?"

*******

Although it had taken a bit more convincing, they were all huddled around Axe as his watch dialed the boss

"Please, please, please don’t make me do this. I’ll give you whatever you want,I swear"

"..."

A few seconds passed before the other side picked up,an angry voice coming from it.

"You useless bastard! I told you not to disturb me!"

"B-boss. Please listen. We’re under attack. Some people came and killed everyone. I mamaged to escape with the safe in your office but I don’t know where to go. Boss, please help me"

At this point, Axe had started crying, further selling the deciet.

Though... the tears probably weren’t fake

The furious voice on the other side went silent for a while before coming back,more composed than before

"Everyone?"

"Everyone that was here. They were too many,they overpowered us completely. I grabbed the most important looking thing and ran. Please boss I need your help. Where are you?"

"You-"

"Boss,one more thing. Right as I was running,I heard one of them yell Hydra is eternal. Boss,do you know what that means? "

The voice on the other side went silent for a few seconds again before.

"Alright. I’ll send you my location now. Hurry, don’t stop for anything "

"Thank you boss. Thank you!!!"

The communication was cut off and a few seconds later a location appeared on the watch a small distance from here.

"Way to sell it dude"

Theia praised

"Those actually looked like real tea- oh my gosh those are real tears "

She said, shrinking back.

"I did what you want. Now let me go"

Zen shook his head, picking him up by his collar.

"You still need to lead us to your evil clubhouse, silly "

Theia pointed out.

"Come on, it’ll be fun"

He sniffled, looking like he was about to cry again but didn’t complain, turning to the door and walking with them in tow.

After a few seconds of walking , Theia looked back at Iris still following them.

"Um... Honey,you know you can go home now. We can take care of the rest"

She shook her head vehemently

"No. I want to make sure it’s over with my own eyes. I’m not a kid,if I don’t fight I won’t earn anything "

Hearing that, Theia grunted, looking at Zen, her eyes saying "look what you’ve done "

He didn’t really care what she did. At the end of the day, this was no longer about her for him.

She’d coincidentally led him to this new development,so he had no intention of hurting her, but he didn’t really care about her crusade either.

Besides,her crusade was pointless. The gang wasn’t the one she owed money. Most likely they were just hired by whatever corporation in the inner city that her parents owed money to harass her and force her to pay up it happened more often than people would think, even though neither side would admit to it. They weren’t the top of this pyramid,once they were gone, another set of bullies would take their place and the cycle would continue .

As they exited the building, Zen looked back. Realizing what he was thinking, Theia asked.

"So, what happens to corpses in this place? You know, the whole death cam thing"

"What?"

"Nevermind"

That was enough of an answer for them. Looks like they didn’t have to worry after all. Still, better safe than sorry.

"Who would’ve known lack of healthcare could be beneficial,am I right? Hahaha.... That was really insensitive, I’m sorry"

She said, disappearing into the system.

Pulling a mask out of his ring he put it over his face, pulling his hoodie up.

If Kane was there,he could be recognized. Even though it had been a really long time, Giovanni had managed to recognize them so he wouldn’t leave it up to chance.

In case he couldn’t kill him.

They kept walking with Axe at the forefront, regularly checking the map while shivering.

He’d asked for maybe a walking stick or a bandage to help him walk with his busted leg but Zen refused.

He’d told the boss that he’d barely escaped from a massacre. If he arrived looking anything less than absolutely miserable then the plan wouldn’t work .

They were about halfway there when a shadow suddenly swooped down from the rooftops, charging towards them.

Zen raised his arms, preparing to be attacked but was surprised when it passed right by him, grabbing iris instead and hovering in the air for a few seconds before flying off.

It was challenging him to follow.

"Stay put"

He suddenly said to Axe, startling him since he’d never heard Zen speak before.

A pair of wings also sprouted out of Zen’s back and he took to the sky, following the shadow.

Axe watched them for a few seconds,jaw on the floor before turning around and running as fast as he could. Glancing back, Zen didn’t bother him. He’d never expected him to listen in the first place.

The two figures flew for a few seconds in an aerial chase, but Zen wasn’t exactly the best flier so he didn’t really get close.

After a few seconds the shadow stopped on top of a building that was just slightly less ruined than most and Zen dropped down on the opposite edge.

"It seems I was right about you. You really aren’t human"

They spoke, holding Iris in one hand

[Read]

[Race: ???]

Not human. Good enough

A blade appeared in his palm, illuminating his figure.

"Whoa, slow down"

The other said, raising their hand.

"You’re not supposed to be here,in this backwater. I had doubts that you’d follow me for this inferior lifeform,guess I got lucky"

He wasn’t sure if they were talking about this area or the entire world, but it wasn’t their business.

"What do you want?"

Theia’s voice came from behind the mask.

The figure went silent for a second before answering.

"Not trouble. Just that syringe. It fascinates me. Drop it and I’ll let your little pet go"

"Fine,set her down first"

"Alright then"

The moment her feet touched the ground, the shadow beneath her feet grew, swallowing her entirely.

The figure seemed surprised, silent for a few seconds before clapping.

"Very good. Your kind are known for their tricks after all. Now hand over the syringe."

"Why should I? You’re out of bargaining chips"

They suddenly burst out laughing

"You still have no idea what’s happening in this world. Hand it over and I just might help you survive it"

He waited for a few seconds before throwing the syringe at them.

"Good choice"

They said, catching it

"What do you intend to do with the plague"

"You know what this is? Color me impressed. Though that’s not for you to know"

They said, flying off and leaving him on the rooftop.

He waited a few seconds for them to be long gone before opening the shadow portal and bringing out Iris.

"I’m sorry!"

She immediately apologized

"It’s okay. We’re just happy you’re safe"

"..."

He looked in the direction the figure had disappeared to.

"So we lost the plague?"

He shook his head, bringing out a small vial that still had some of the liquid.

He had what he needed