Riven, Mira and Jonas trudged through the Sand City. Towering sandstone buildings, looming over them. Despite, the continuous sand, blowing the market was crowed with traders shouting over one another, selling goods beneath tattered awnings.
It was the norm for, those Exodites who decided to stay here, survive or no longer wants to move there danger up.
Additionally those who stay, aiming to get stronger in this zone.
As known before, this zone wasn't a mix economy like Kaven town, even if it wasn't that much dangerous among Exodites mainly the sand.
In fact, in the lower part of the zone there no rules it really lawless, you can just own what you want or build it, thanks for it Bing far and wide.
The trio eyes scanned around, everyone wore the same cloak or more advanced gear, to protect themselves from, the heat and sand, that you can see what it doing to the building.
Jonas wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to Riven. "So… where exactly are we going?"
Riven kept his pace steady, eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for someone or something. "We have a lead. He knows this city like the back of his hand. If we want to find Sarah, we need his help."
Jonas exchanged glances with Mira, who frowned. "And who is this 'someone'?" She pressed.
"You'll see soon enough."
Mira sighed, shaking her head. The way Riven always kept things vague annoyed her, but she had no choice but to follow. Even then it was hypocrite because, all she and Aiden also does it, which he was at the back of her mind she needed help Riven first.
As they turned a corner, they heard the sound of running footsteps echoing ahead, getting closer.
At that moment they, spotted a young boy, barely in his teens, sprinting toward them, his ragged cloak flapping behind him.
His hair wild, had sand clinging on the strands, his dark eyes darted around as if making sure he wasn't being followed.
"Stop! Don't go that way!" the boy blurted out, hand on knee breathing heavily.
Jonas frowned. "Why? What are you running from?"
The boy hesitated biting his lip. "The Blue-Skin Men." he replied.
Riven expression darkened. "What about them?" Then he thought. I don't know how powerful they are… but I don't have a choice. I know what's on the line.'
"They're at it again," the boy muttered, glancing over his shoulder. "This part of the city isn't safe anymore. People vanish, merchants get robbed… and if they don't like you? You won't last long."
Riven crossed his arms. "And why should we trust you, kid?" He paused, then added. "Unless you think we can't take care of the problem for you."
While he wasn't worried about, the blue men he was more skeptical because what he already heard about them and how they can mess up his plans. At the same time he noticed a pattern, in what was happening with the blue skin men.
"Impossible. I live here. I know what I'm talking about." His gaze hardened as he looked at Riven. "You're taking them straight to where they are."
"That's none of your business… also if they there that good. Trust me, I know what I'm doing this for."
The boy's jaw clenched. "It is my business if you're walking into a trap. They're watching the place…" he jerked his chin toward Riven, "…and they'll be watching you too."
Silence hung between them. The boy's warning was clear, but Riven bravery didn't waver.
Mira gazed at Riven. He wasn't fearless but when it matter he steps more than everyone else.
"Whatever they're up to, we have to stop it," she said. "Turning back now means losing our only lead. That's not an option."
The boy let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Riven glanced at Jonas and Mira, and nodded
"Let's move."
A while later.
The trio arrived at a fortress of stone and steel, an imposing structure in a city built of crumbling sandstone and cloth canopies. Enormous pillars lined the entrance.
A set of iron doors, thick enough to withstand cannon fire, ahead as they stepped inside.
Mira frowned, glancing up at the ornate golden letters above the entrance.
Ezo Bank.
"Is your contact, here?"
Mira looked around at the interior was just as grand vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate carvings, marble floors polished to a reflective sheen, and rows of finely dressed clerks scribbling away behind tall wooden desks.
A few guards stood at attention near the vault doors, their hands resting on the hilts of their curved swords.
Jonas whispered. "The Essence Bank? There's nothing here for us."
This was just the bank, where people came to keep there Essence safe, not to get sucked out or give someone who needs it.
Riven's head dropped slightly as he exhaled. "That's what you think... There's always something happening behind the scenes of every business." His eyes scanned the room. "And that's exactly the problem."
"What do you mean?"
"The Blue-Skin Men," Riven answered. "It there so bad to the city they should be planning to destroy this place."
Jonas stiffened, and Mira's eyebrows rose. She thought. 'If that's true… There's enough Essence stored here to buy almost anything. There must be someone backing them… or someone profiting from it.'
Before Jonas could respond, the iron doors behind them slammed shut. The entire room fell silent for a brief moment before chaos erupted.
Shouts echoed through the hall as the main entrance burst open, revealing a gang of blue-skinned men clad in dark armor, their eyes filled with a fanatic gleam.
The men didn't even speak, but the bank guards immediately their weapons, but they were outnumbered.
The Blue-Skin Men surged forward, smashing furniture and lighting torches. One hurled a firebomb at a row of desks, and flames erupted across the hall.
They were all curious. Why would the Blue Men look to destroy this bank?
Anyway, Jonas and Mira sprang into action without hesitation, but before they could attack…
A shadow shot past them.
Jonas barely caught the movement, but Riven and Mira did.
The blue man moved like a phantom, striking a well-placed blow to the gut sent one of the Blue-Skin Men sprawling to the floor. Before another could react, the figure leaped onto a desk, kicking a torch out of another hand before flipping backward, dodging a wild punch from another.
Riven barely had time to process it before a massive Blue-Skin Man lunged at him, swinging a heavy club. Riven rolled aside, countering with a swift punch to his ribs but the brute barely flinched.
Mira saw a opening. She pivoted and delivered a hard kick to the man's knee, forcing him down. Riven followed up with knee to his skull, the sickening crack confirmed he wouldn't be getting back up.
Meanwhile, the shadow noticed a group trying to reach the vault. It dashed through the crowd, cutting down one attacker before another lunged at it.
The blue men was fast, but shadow was faster it parried the strike and ran small blade through his blue man's side. Then, in one fluid motion, it slit his throat.
The last of the Blue-Skin Men fell. The only sounds left were the crackling of fire and the ragged breathing of the survivors.
Two guards approached, the shadow that now appeared as a, early thirty a tall six foot man, olive-toned skin marked with faint scars, the most notable a small one on his cheek.
His piercing amber eyes swept over them, assessing. Dark brown hair was slightly unkempt, strands falling across his face.
He wore a long, dark waistcoat over a high-collared, long-sleeved white shirt, the fabric stained slightly with dust and sweat. Fingerless leather gloves covered his hands, and slim, dark trousers. A thin scarf was wrapped loosely around his neck.
He adjusted his tinted glasses onto his head, wiping his forehead before looking at Riven and Mira.
"You both fight well. Who are you?"
Riven met his gaze evenly. "Master Jareth. Old friend."
"Old friend?" The man looked Riven up and down. He glanced at the ruined hall. "The bankmaster won't be pleased."
"I need to see Jareth Urgently."
The man he already began to know most of his master contacts, those he never saw and those he saw so. This was a first so see, Riven he didn't trusted but he felt he could easily take care of him if he caused trouble.
The man exchanged looks with thr guards, ultimately, he nodded. "Upstairs," the old man "My master you're looking for is in the private lounge."
Riven gestured for Jonas and Mira to follow as they made their way up a grand staircase. While walking up Riven thought. 'Is this a new butler…what happened to the last on?'
The private lounge was a stark contrast to the chaos below, lavishly decorated with silk curtains, golden accents, and plush furniture.
A single man stood near the tall windows, gazing down at the city sprawled below. He was short about 5'7" with a plump, round face and pale skin.
His golden blonde hair slicked back with expensive oils, and he wore a richly embroidered, sand-colored overcoat over a open collar blue navy shirt.
Loose-fitting, high-waisted trousers that's held up by a pair of suspenders, and polished leather boots.
Beside him, on a couch was a an old man laying with ashen skin, his breath labored. A damp cloth rested on his forehead, and his thin, trembling hands clutched at the fabric of his blanket.
The standing man turned as the group entered. His gaze landed on Riven, and for a brief second, his eyes widened.
"Riven." His voice was smooth, but there was a heaviness beneath it.
Riven head inclined slightly. "Jareth."