Morning sun swept through the windows of the inn. Riche’s daily traffic had come to life early.

  Tsuki stirred in bed. Her body was slow to move, but her mind had already begun racing. She blinked at the ceiling. Images from the night before lingered—the fountain, Geo’s voice, his warmth… the embrace.

  A soft breath escaped her lips as she rubbed her temple.

  I needed that, more than I thought I did.

  She stretched, then swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. The wooden floor was cool beneath her feet. She changed quickly, before making her way through the hallway.

  Downstairs, the rest of Judgment Squad had already gathered around a table in the inn’s dining room. Plates clattered and laughter bounced off the walls. The smell of spiced eggs and riverfish filled the air.

  Knoxx was in rare form—awake and lively in the morning. He mimicked a sword fight with a fork, pleading Azumi to battle him.

  Geo leaned in his chair, grinning while Hatori sipped his tea with a usual quiet intensity. Tsuki joined them, slipping into a seat as Danzo placed a folded napkin beside his plate, clearing his throat.

  “Alright, Tsuki, grab some chow to go. Everyone else fed and fueled?” He asked, giving a tiny smirk.

  Together, they nodded in unison.

  “Good,” Danzo replied. “It’s time to go elbows deep in paradise.”

  “Huh?” Knoxx asked, mouth full with a mix of different foods.

  “The sewers, Knoxx. Our next lead,” said Danzo.

  Azumi stuck her tongue out in disgust. “Knoxx will be right at home.”

  Knoxx gave her a nasty side eye in response. Hatori interrupted the exchange. “Not many options left. All our signs lead to something being down there. If Lantern is running an underground operation, it probably starts underground.”

  Knoxx waved a fork. “Y’all go ahead. I’ll stay here and prep lunch—hell, I’ll take a bath!”

  Azumi grabbed him by the ear and yanked him out of his chair. “You’re coming.”

  “Ah, Azumi! What the hell!” He yelled. Tsuki could feel the glares of other customers, yet, Azumi and Knoxx didn’t seem to mind.

  A devilish grin crossed Azumi’s face. “In fact, I think you should lead rascal.”

  Knoxx shook his head violently. “No! Please Azumi, don’t make me do that!”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Danzo led. Geo nodded in agreement.

  “Good thing democracy is dead,” Azumi added. “At least right now it is.”

  “This should be entertaining,” Hatori mumbled to himself, draining his tea.

  The squad left the inn behind, finding themselves in the main plaza. The caw of gulls above drew Tsuki’s attention. It was a beautifully sunny day—not a cloud in sight.

  “It’s a shame we have to waste this day in the sewage,” Tsuki muttered.

  “What, you don’t like trudging in pipes and grimey passages,” Geo joked.

  Danzo led, contrary to Azumi’s early protest. His eyes scanned the crowds, staying alert for precaution.

  Hatori brooded as normal, quietly judging. Though, a faint smirk did cross his lips at Geo’s joke.

  “Alright,” Danzo started in stride, “sewer entrance should be by the docks. I remember it from long-long ago.”

  They fell into a rhythmed stride, until their feet hit the floorboards of the Riche docks. The largest port in Alden, and it was huge. Hundreds of large ships sat in the bay, with twice the market stalls and business. The sea glimmered under the solar rays.

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  Two massive storage buildings stuck out like a sore thumb. Between them, was a large metal grate embedded in the pier. It was half rusted, and covered in salt erosion and moss.

  “There’s our way in,” Hatori stated, pointing.

  The squad approached, the scent of seaweed giving way to something far less pleasant.

  Danzo stepped up, and with a grunt, hoisted the grate upwards just enough for the other members to slip through. He followed suit, and the large clang above them signaled there was no going back.

  Gone was the seabreeze and sun. Down here, the air was thick, wet and rancid.

  Azumi gagged. “This is nasty. I’m burning these boots when we’re done.”

  Knoxx waved a hand in front of his nose. The squad, all cloaked and masked, made their way further into the unknown of Riche’s sewers.

  Hatori held a lantern and pressed ahead of the others. The light cast long shadows over the weathered stone walls filled with moss. The narrow tunnel echoed every step. The sound of dripping water sounded like whispers.

  Tsuki and Geo walked side by side just behind Hatori.

  “Feels like we’re being swallowed by the city,” whispered Tsuki.

  “Well, we are walking into the belly,” chimed Geo.

  Up ahead, the path split into three. Each way was distinct—the first was curvy and bent into the unknown. The second was wide and sloping downward, and the third looked dry, but silent.

  “Three branching paths,” called Hatori. “Danzo, what’s the plan?”

  Danzo caught up, and did a brief check on each path. “Same groups as last. Knoxx and I will take center. Tsuki and Azumi, you’ve got the left. Geo and Hatori, take the right.”

  The squad nodded in unison.

  “Stay sharp. We’ll meet back here after a full perimeter check. If The Lantern has guards down here, they’ll know we’re here soon enough.”

  “Yes sir,” they said collaboratively. With that, they split once more, vanishing into the veins of Riche’s sewers.

  Tsuki and Azumi disappeared deep within the left tunnel. It was the darkest of the three, lit only by the faint glow of fungus along the edges of the path. Water dripped rhythmically and slowly.

  Tsuki didn’t mind the dark—in fact, she loved it. This was different, though.

  “I swear, it’s always us finding the creepy ways,” Azumi muttered.

  Tsuki raised a finger to her lips in a hush as she whispered. “Someone’s ahead.”

  Their footsteps slowed, inching toward a bend in the tunnel. As they reached it, Tsuki peeked and saw him.

  The Watcher from the alleys.

  He was cloaked in a deep gray, and masked. He stood in the dead center with his arms folded. He didn’t turn—yet, he knew.

  “I told you to go home,” he said, his voice was clear and sharp.

  “We decided we like causing trouble,” Azumi said, not backing down.

  The Watcher raised a single hand—ghostly tendrils of Solena shot forward along the ground. Two cloaked fighters emerged from them, mirroring the summoner.

  “Then you deserve the fate that comes,” he said, turning to face the two. The fighters—ghosts—lunged at them. Azumi pulled her katana, and swung—directly through.

  “What?!” she blurted, before getting slammed backward by one of the ghosts. The Watcher only chuckled, his voice lowered.

  “Their ghosts. You can’t hit them.”

  Azumi rose, grabbing her katana and dodging another leap from a ghoul, before sprinting to The Watcher. She swung her blade and the man drew his to meet. Sparks lit the dark tunnel, as she parried blow for blow. Tsuki didn’t wait.

  She disappeared into a shadow, reappearing behind the man. They had him surrounded, but still couldn’t land a hit. The Watcher parried another swing from Azumi, sending a palm into her abdomen. She launched backwards into the sewer wall, gasping before lifting herself to a knee.

  The Watcher paid full attention to Tsuki now.

  He swung his blade and she dodged low before landing a barrage of strikes. She disarmed him—smacking the sword out of his hand before meeting his fist with hers.

  Azumi shouted, “Tsuki, look out!”

  Tsuki turned too late. A ghost kicked her feet from out below, and followed with a punch into the gut, sending her into the ground.

  “I remember you, girl,” The Watcher mocked, moving closer, peering into her eyes. “You should’ve listened.

  Tsuki used the chance. She brought her hands together, before forming shadow tentacles around the man. They swayed in unison, forming a dark prison.

  “Shadow Cage,” yelled Tsuki, rising to her feet.

  The Watcher struck one of the tentacles, but it rebounded the force back at him, knocking him to the ground.

  Azumi ran over, blood dripping from her lip, and drove her katana straight into his chest—but the body burst into smoke.

  “Decent teamwork,” a voice echoed—The Watcher stood against the wall. Completely unharmed.

  Tsuki’s caught her breath, his ability was unlike anything she’d seen before.

  “Now, I hate to end this so soon,” he whispered, “but I really must be going.”

  He dropped a small sphere from his sleeve—smoke exploded in every direction.

  Tsuki and Azumi covered their faces, but by the time it was cleared—he was gone.

  Tsuki ran over to Azumi, offering a hand to lift her up. Azumi took it, and without another word, the two continued down the tunnel with the light of a clearing coming into vision.

  The Watcher moved deeper into the tunnels.

  He spoke into nothing—yet answered as though someone stood beside him.

  “They’re in the tunnels,” he said softly. “Yes. All six.”