A sudden cold and wet feeling woke Konnor up. Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was a man standing in front of him with an empty bucket. He was tall, had a long black mantle that was trailing on the ground, his hands were covered by black fingerless gloves but the knuckles looked shiny and his steps sounded heavy because his boots seemed to have metal tips. Trying to assess his surroundings, he tried to look around but he could barely move. His hands were held above his head by a chain that was connected to the ceiling, his feet were barely touching the ground. He was in what looked like a holding cell. There was barely any furniture, just a chair for his torturer and a small table. His head felt like it was gonna burst at any moment, he had to make a tremendous effort to focus on anything past this headache. He decided to close his eyes to focus on sounds, he could hear screams, cheers and cries. He got pulled out from his focus by a punch to the face from the man in the room. He opened his eyes again, the man was grinning at him and was ready to send another hit his way. Ready to take the punch, Konnor tensed his muscles in preparation but the hit never came, he then relaxed his muscle and a powerful uppercut struck him straight in the diaphragm. Followed by the hit, the man was laughing extremely loudly. The man kept on beating him from different angles, toying with him, sometimes stopping for minutes without making a sound and hitting him when he was expecting it the least. When the man decided to take a break from torturing him, he whistled and a slender woman with a long braid of blonde hair walked in. She took a stool that was behind Konnor and put it under his feet so he would have support and he could finally put his arms down. After that, she went into another room and came back with a bucket of fresh water and some rags, she started cleaning the boy and made him drink water. Her name was Anya, she would take care of him and talk to him when the man would leave. She told Konnor that the man was named Suro. For hours upon hours Suro would come in the room and torture him, sometimes until he passed out due to the pain but waking him up just so he could start again. Then Anya would come to comfort him and talk with him, neither of those two had asked any questions to him yet, the more time was passing the less he felt like he would see the light of day again. He had gotten used to falling asleep with his arms over his head and regulating his breathing. " I have no idea how long I've been in here, everytime I try talking and asking I get met with silence. It's definitely been more than two days of this, I don't know how much more I can take in here... ". As the hours went by only one thing was constantly there : pain. The pain of the chains digging into his wrists, the pain of the bruises on his body but the worst was the mental pain. The constant feeling of being a failure to his one and only friend, next to this, Suro's hits were nothing.

  One day, Suro took the chain off and transferred him into another room where he was laid and strapped to a wooden table. More torture of different kinds came his way, the days were meddling together, his memory and sense of self were getting erased by the pain.

  " This lil shit is still alive? "

  " Yes boss. "

  " Get him up, I want to look him in the eyes. "

  Barely concerned by what was happening, Konnor let Suro untie him and make him stand up without resistance. His eyes were fixed on the floor but a familiar wooden cane made him raise his chin. Lozan was standing here, grinning at him. Suddenly, everything came back to him, his hatred of this man for enslaving his friend, he was the one causing him to be so miserable right now. In a desperate attempt, he tried leaping towards Lozan only to be stopped by Suro's powerful hit to his throat. Konnor landed on the ground gasping for air. Lozan started walking in the room.

  " Listen boy, I don't know much about you except you poisoned my lil Izi's mind with some bullshit. But I can't kill you because I feel he is fragile and would be useless to me. Instead I now have a perfect motivation for him to stay and work even harder than before. "

  " You motherfu- "

  Suro kicked the boy in the ribs, preventing him from getting up, he then grabbed him by his hair and forced him to look up at Lozan. The gang leader kneeled in front of him.

  " But my friend here has a thing for breaking people, I said to Izi we would keep you alive but never that you would be sane or that no bits would be missing. We could cut your arms and legs and feed you with a tube everyday and technically you would still be alive and I would have held my end of the bargain. I just want you to break so you can become one of my soldiers and if you don't break, you will eventually die." Lozan took out one of his metal tubes. " You could have this, you see what it does, it gets better and better every time, I just haven't refined it yet. It's ' unstable'. People down here in the pits are used for my 'experiments'. So maybe I will change my mind and have you experimented on. Anyway next time we see each other, you won't be the same person.

  Lozan stood back up and walked out of the room. As soon as he was gone, Konnor got strapped back down onto the table. As the hours were passing, Suro was getting more and more violent with him, putting him upside down in water, whipping him, and beating him with diverse blunt weapons. He could barely sleep and Anya's visits were getting rarer. One day, as he was back hung by the chain, he thought about dying, how sweet it would feel to not be in pain anymore. He was now used to blacking out and waking up to torture and barely remembering when it started or when it ended. In between his blackouts he was sometimes handed over to the division used for experiments. He was then exposed to different drugs and products tested, some would create an intense fever, some would make him as cold as ice but none killed him, even when he was feeling close to death he had one image in mind " Izi, I'm coming to help you ".

  " Suro, did you bring the boy? "

  " Yeah, he is ready, he is resilient, that's for sure. I've been trying to break him for two weeks and a half now. He doesn't answer much now even though he still has his tongue. "

  " Hmm good , I hate small talk. Strap him to the chair. "

  " Yes brother. "

  Suro quickly opened the door and yanked on the chain attached to the boy's wrist, Konnor entered the dark room that looked similar to all the others he had been in so far, not opposing any resistance he sat on the chair and didn't even flinch when Suro took off the chains to put his hands on the arms of the chair. Almost in a catatonic state, he looked at the small man standing in front of him. The person before him was a very small and thin man, he was bald and had a long grey beard. He was wearing a long white mantle stained by dried blood. The man started walking in a circle around Konnor, studying him, gauging him.

  " Greetings young man, my name is Hürtel, I am the 'magician' of the pits. I was tasked by our very generous and kind sir Lozan to research all the effects of the drugs I could find. Sadly, when patients end up on my chair, they rarely come off in the same state or alive at all. But according to my little brother there you will last, so tell me boy, are you unbreakable? ". Hürtel bent over to look at Konnor, as a simple answer to his question, he simply stared him down, Hürtel had a small chuckle and stood up straight. If a voice could be describe as unpleasant and bordeline painfull, his would fit it." I like you my boy, you don't talk much."

  The doctor walked around in the small room and pulled out a small syringe full of a silverish looking fluid.

  " My research touches lots of topics but my favorite is pain tolerance, how much the human body and mind can take before breaking and you seem like the perfect test subject. This right here, is a diluted solution of mercury mixed with many other substances and drugs I have experimented with so far. Quite honestly, I have never used the full mix on anyone, I always wanted to create a new type of human, a better human, faster, stronger that could resist pain and any poison. You could be my creature. And thanks to hearing about our big guy Spike I discovered how to make another human totally docile and obedient. A few tries and I managed to find the one spot in someone's head to get rid of. So if this doesn't kill you, you will become my puppet. " He paused for a few seconds, tapping the syring one again. " Mercury, hmmmm, merci, merco , mercaa ... Oh I found it! You will be a new human, the first Mercurian! Ahah and I will create a legion of superhumans! "

  " I'm not becoming your slave anytime soon you crazy old fart! You are not god, you are not a doctor, you are just a gang leader's bitch that works on black market drugs!"

  This clearly did not please him, he walked up to Konnor and grabbed his chin with one hand, observing him under all angles.

  " I hate people that talk too much, especially to say such idiocy."

  He then yanked Konnor's face to the side and inserted the needle deep in his neck, at this moment, he could feel a deep burning sensation throughout his whole body. Not able to resist it he threw his head back and started screaming like he never screamed before. It was like his blood was turned into lava, his whole body was shaking from the pain, his thoughts were chaotic. " I'm gonna get up, I'm going to kill him, I can't handle this! Mom dad help me! I wanna die! I wanna die! I wanna die! Save me! Help! Help! Help! Help! Let me die die die die die! " Happy with the current results, the doctor opened the door and looked one last time at his new convulsing patient.

  " I hate small talk but I sure do like when they scream. "

  Walking in the tunnels Izi was still thinking about his lost friend. " He is gonna be alright, Lozan told me he was alive and they are just keeping an eye on him. He will be fine.." It had been two weeks since he got taken away and Izi was really getting worried, between all the jobs Lozan was giving him it was the first time in those two weeks he could come back into the Cauldron. He entered the main lobby but before he could enter the tunnels a voice stopped him in his tracks.

  " Izi! "

  Deep in his thoughts, he raised his head almost hoping it would be Kony but it was just a waitress giving him a sign to approach. He went towards her awaiting the usual 'No kids in there, oh you are so cute are you lost?' He was already sighing internally.

  " Hey, you probably don't know me, but I know your friend, Konnor. "

  Izi's eyes lit up at the mention of this name.

  " How do you know him? "

  " I helped him get inside when he tried to save you, but as I see you are still here I guess his plan failed... do you know what happened to him perhaps ..? "

  Izi took a slight pause, remembering how useless he was while his friend was in danger, how his legs refused to move in fear.

  " I .. I don't know where he is, Lozan just told me he was kept in the pits, I never went so far down in the Cauldron and I don't know exactly where he is. "

  Maureen rested her head in her hands and then nervously rubbed her bald head.

  " This is so not good.. "

  " Yeah tell me about it ... "

  They both sat there in silence, both wondering what they could have changed to their current predicament. Maureen was the first to break the silence.

  " How did he get caught? I mean I'm not a fortune teller or anything but he seemed so confident and so driven that even I believed he would get you out. "

  On the verge of tears, Izi simply turned away.

  " It's because I failed him. "

  He then engaged himself deep into the tunnels. After a while he knocked on Lozan's chamber door, awaiting an answer but none came. " He probably is just making a round in the Cauldron, I'll wait for him inside. " He entered the room and it was indeed completely empty, he realised that he never truly came here alone and was not busy when he was in the room. Taking his time, he walked around the room and remembered painfully the scene that unfolded in front of his very own eyes. Kony desperately fighting off his dad, getting kicked on the floor, choked against the pillar then dragged deeper into the pits. Slowly pacing along the stone pillars he noticed a small engraving behind the fourth pillar he was walking by. The engraving was a square shape inside of a circle with a small L within the square. " What's so small that can fit in this? And for what purpose? ". He didn't have time to think about it longer as Lozan entered the room, as per usual, before giving even a look or a word, he took off his rings and his gloves and dropped his cane on his desk before sitting in his chair, only then did he give a hand signal to Izi to come closer.

  " So, I heard you did the job and no one saw you, good. Keep working like this boy and we will become the most powerful gang in this rotten city. "

  Keeping his head down, Izi did a very small nod. Lozan laid back on his chair and crossed his arms on his chest while grinning at Izi.

  " If you are worried about your friend, I have some news, he is alive, and doing well. Of course he is in a cell but I told them to treat him like he was me. "

  " Really? "

  Lozan lost his smile and got up. Walking around the desk, he stopped next to Izi, the boy stood completely still while he could feel Lozan's beard touching his ear.

  " Are you calling me a liar? Boy. "

  " No sir. "

  " Do you think I would ever lie to you? "

  " No sir. "

  " So if I tell you that he is safe and getting taken care of, you SHUT UP and you just nod! "

  " Yes sir. "

  Trying to cool his nerves, Lozan put his greasy hair back with his hand and went to sit back down, Izi was still completely frozen. " Why can't I ever move when he raises his voice or hands? Why won't my legs ever move.."

  " Don't cry boy, I didn't mean to shout at you."

  Without realising, Izi had started tearing up.

  " I just ... I just don't understand why I am the way I am. "

  " It's love my child, you understand my deep love for you so you respect it and feel bad AS YOU SHOULD when you make me raise my voice. Why do you make me do these things to you? "

  " I don't know ... "

  " Did I do something bad to you? Have I not been kind enough to you? "

  " No sir. "

  " Then what is it? "

  " I don't know. "

  " When your mother died, may the creator bless her soul, she left in this world a poor boy and a grieving man. I did not need to take care of you but I did, I did not need to clothe you or feed you but I did. And what do I get in return? Accusations? Rebellion? My boy, you are gonna be the death of me. " Lozan stood up and walked up to Izi, hugged him and whispered in his ear. " If you weren't there I would literally die, do you understand? "

  " Yes sir. "

  Lozan then slowly put his hand on his throat.

  " You would never try to hurt me voluntarily right? "

  Hardly swallowing his spit, Izi managed to utter a response.

  " N.. No sir "

  Lozan then threw him towards his bed at the center of the room and took a metal tube from one of his pockets.

  " Take your clothes off. "

  As he took his shirt off, he could hear Lozan inhale in the yellow smoke and already breathe like an animal. Once Lozan came onto the bed, Izi just thought about anything else he could, his consciousness drifting away from his body. As a tear was rolling on his cheek he thought " Kony come save me. "

  " Hey Suro "

  " Morning Anya "

  " So how is he holding up ? "

  " The real question is HOW is he holding up?! "

  " What did the doc give him? "

  " I dunno it's been a week and he only stopped screaming yesterday, he passes out from exhaustion or shock for like a minute or two then he wakes up and screams again, we can't even feed him and he almost chokes on water. "

  " Do you think he can hear us? He looks focused but out of it at the same time. "

  " I don't know, let's see "

  Suro walked up to Konnor still strapped to the chair, he was looking straight ahead. Suro simply taped his head .

  " Knock knock? Is someone there? "

  " Suro it's not fun, i know we torture people for a living but this feels .. wrong. "

  " I know, his project of creating 'mercurians' or whatever he calls it is weird .. we are gang members not scientists. But he is our big bro. "

  " Suro you know he aint our blood related sibling, Lozan just picked us all up at the same time, he does that to everyone and calls us his family. "

  " I know but I like saying I have a family. "

  " You seem so sweet for someone that tortures people for a living. "

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  " hmm. "

  A full week of this burning sensation in his body created a few changes to Konnor's body and some of those changes were visibly noticeable but some were hidden. If he stopped screaming it's because he stopped feeling, he had no more sensations, he could move but he could not feel pain at all. At the end of this one week, the doc decided to have him go back to the first room where he was chained to the ceiling and have Suro perform new tests on him and report to him directly.

  " Suro, did you do something to his skin and hair? "

  " Nah it changed on it's own just like that after a week "

  The texture of skin had become harder and harder the more Suro hit it. He noticed his skin reacted to any type of blunt contact with getting more and more resistant and blades could cut but he had to actually use a lot of pressure. His hair previously brown had turned almost a silvery color and his skin had become paler. The white of his eyes had turned black as if he had tried to cry out the impurities contained within his body but it stayed there. He almost looked like a martyr or fallen angel, a completely pale figure hanging in a dark room by chains only clothed by some dark leather pants. During his week of suffering, the only thing that kept him sane and alive was the idea of a possible revenge, so he started making a plan, and the fourth week, he was ready to execute it.

  As always after a long session, Suro went away for a quick break and Anya came in to feed and take care of him. She had brought a piece of bread and a small glass of water which she placed on a small table. She had started feeling remorse at the sight of him and how lifeless he looked. As always she put the stool under his feet so he could rest his arms and she started cleaning the small amount of blood on his chest.

  " Anya? "

  His voice was also different. Either due to the screaming or the products that had ran throught his body. It was more coarse, more rough. Not the voice of the young boy he was a few weeks ago. Anya looked up to him and finally answered him.

  " Yes boy? "

  " Am I gonna die here? "

  " I.. I don't know. "

  " Why do you do this to me? "

  " I don't know young man.. "

  She turned around, unable to look him in the eyes, she felt nauseous. Her back still turned, he kept on talking.

  " Then can I ask one last thing from you? "

  " Yes of course."

  " Die for me. "

  As soon as he said that, he used his legs to grab her head and started choking her with it. In a tight lock, Anya tried using the stool as an advantage but in her confusion she ended up kicking it further from her. Struggling with all her might she tried biting into his skin but it was as hard as steel, her fingertips started bleeding from trying to scratch his torso. The more she was moving, the tighter the leg lock was getting. To accelerate the process, he started ascending the chain and lifted both their bodies, Anya's feet were no longer touching the ground, a tear rolled on her cheek as she left out her last breath hoping the Creator would forgive her for all the suffering she assisted in. As her body became limp, Konnor relaxed the pressure and let her fall to the ground. As she fell she knocked the small table with the glass she had prepared for him. With the noise it made he was sure Suro would be coming to check on them. It was time to bust out of this cell, first he pulled his body upward and twisted his body in order to wrap the chain between his legs. He then moved his legs just like Izi taught him and rotated in order to move up the chain and wrap it around his body at the same time. Each leg movement was helping his momentum and making him go towards the ceiling, he was hearing the usual sounds of Suro's heavy boots on the ground coming towards his cell at a fast pace. Once he reached the ceiling he took a deep breath and waited for Suro's step to be in front of the door. " Five, four, three, two, one, time to go down. ". As Suro opened the cell and discovered Anya's body, Konnor untangled the chain and let his body unwrap from it. The torsion added to the gravity and the weight of his body made him way heavier than what he was in a static position which rendered the chain weaker. As the chain unwrapped from between his legs it snapped from the ceiling, he managed to land on his feet as the rest of the chain fell to the ground still attached to his wrist. Suro was frozen in place, he was alternating between Anya and Konnor. Finally snapping out of it, rage took over him and he advanced towards the boy.

  " What did you do to my Anya you SON OF A BITCH?! "

  Not awaiting an answer he threw a punch aimed right at Konnor's face, unable to move his hands to block he simply headbutted Suro's hand and a loud cracking noise followed. Backing away, Suro looked at his broken right hand in shock. Taking advantage of his surprise, Konnor used the chain like a flail and striked Suro in the face. The strength behind the hit made him turn around. The mercurian then rushed behind Suro to choke him with the chain, it was harder to do than with Anya as Suro was taller and larger than Konnor. The struggle was real for the both of them. But thanks to his initial rush, Konnor managed to pin Suro against the bars of the cell, at the same time he circled his neck with the chain to choke him out faster. Doing his best to resist, Suro used his foot to push against the bars and push both of them backwards. He then tried using his legs to push further and slam his assailant against the back wall of the cell. But as they were going backwards Konnor simply rotated to slam Suro against the wall, still gasping for air, he tried pulling out a small knife from his waist and stab the boy in the legs or anywhere he could hit him. The blade striked air multiple times but when it finally touched skin it broke. In an attempt to gain some time he tried pushing against the wall again but he was prevented from it as Konnor kicked him in the knees to make him fall forward. Now on his knees and still getting choked, Suro was now using his arm strength to push against the wall but once again the boy was one step ahead as he placed his foot between his shoulder blades and pushed. Suro was now unable to move, his face against the cold stone wall, slowly losing consciousness he tried one last time to grab the chain. All that could be heard now in the cell were the last struggle and the sound of the torturer teeth grinding.

  Now that the man had stopped moving, Konnor released the chain, turning Suro's body around, he could see his eyes wide open and foam at his mouth. In an act of compassion he decided to close his eyes. " I'm sorry but I'm gonna need those. " He then proceeded to undress Suro from his gloves, mantle and shoes. " I won't bother taking his shirt, I'll just take the mantle. " Once he was dressed he also closed Anya's eyes and wiped the small tear that was on her eye. Still with the chain at his wrist, with a remorseful look he closed the door of the cell and started making his way in the Pitts. A few minutes of walking and he finally had a clear view of how the pitts were organised. The Cauldron above it was a collection of tunnels but no alcoves. Down in the pitts there were only cells in which experiments were conducted in, many demi-humans and dangerous beasts were in there. " It could work to my advantage to set them all free but they also could make my escape harder. ". There weren't many guards down there, the whole place was probably handled by Suro and Hürtel. Speaking of the doctor, he still owed him a visit and he only had to follow the screams to find him. In the hallway were posted two guards, one was half asleep on a chair at the end of the tunnel and the other was picking his nose waiting for the doc to get out. " Ok I still have chained hands and I want to keep the element of surprise, I need something to distract him. ". Looking around all he had was either small pebbles or a big torch. Looking around the cells he catched a glimpse of what resembled a demi human that had the facial structure and overall muscle mass of a bull. " Seems like a feral fellow. ". Grabbing a pebble on the ground he threw it at its head, entering a state of frenzy, the demi-human started growling and hitting his cell door violently. The loud noises lured the closer guard.

  " Hey! Quiet down you damn animal! Your turn will come soon enough. "

  Taking advantage of him being distracted, Konnor sneaked behind him and used the chain once again to choke him. Noticing the cell behind him was open and empty, he dragged the guard inside it, once he had him in a good lock, he yanked his head as hard as he could. A faint crack was heard from the guard's neck and his body became limp. Slowly dropping the body on the ground he quickly searched him but he had nothing of value. " The other one near the door must be the one with the keys, fuck! ". Looking around the corner, the doctor was still in the room apparently and the guard was still dozing off on his chair with his nose down. Stepping carefully, he sneaked to the door and peeked inside, the doc was lecturing one of his 'patients' with his back turned to the door.

  " ... and the most important value of man is the value it can bring to a wealthier and more intelligent man that stands above him. Are you listening? Oh. You can't hear me because you're dead aren't you? Well another one to the gutter it seems."

  Forgetting all logic and all plans, he simply entered the room and closed the door behind him.

  " I told you not to disturb me while I'm work- "

  The doctor froze mid sentence as he saw the pale boy in front of him.

  " Remember me doc? Do you like my new look? I owe it to you, I don't look human anymore. "

  " No you don't, you are better than humans. You are Mercurian. "

  " That's not even real, it's just a name you made up. "

  As they were talking, Konnor was closing in the distance and Hürtel was slowly backing away.

  " Well young man, if you think about it, all words are made up right? "

  " I don't care. "

  " If you kill me you are going to be full of regrets! I-I-I can get you out of here and in one piece! "

  " Only regret I will have is that I have to kill you quickly and you won't suffer as much as I did. "

  Falling to his knees Hürtel started begging for his life.

  " Wait wait wait! Lozan has a secret room to get out in dire situations! It's a small passage that opens in his chambers! It's valuable information right? Come on, it's precious! "

  " I already knew this. "

  " Ok ok ok! I can tell you more! "

  " Nothing you can tell me will make me stop "

  Hürtel looked left and right in a panic.

  " GUARDS! GUARDS HELP! "

  In order to silence him quickly, Konnor kicked him with the heavy metal boot to the side of the face, the hit was strong enough to dislocate the doctor's jaw and knock out a few teeth out of his mouth. All you could hear from him now were moans of pain as he was holding his lower jaw with his hand. From behind the second guard came and used his sword to slash horizontally at the figure threatening the doctor, he aimed for the neck and what would have normally decapitated anyone ended up as breaking the sword in pieces. Taking advantage of the man's surprise, he grabbed his wrist, and like he saw Richard do before, kicked the man to make him fall and once he was on the ground he plunged the broken sword into his throat. Trying his luck, the doc tried to make a run for it but as soon as he saw him move from the corner of his eye, Konnor used the chain like a whip and aimed for Hürtel's legs to make him fall. After a few kicks in the ribs, the doc was barely moving. Taking the previous dead patient off the chair, he strapped the doctor to the chair. Looking around he saw a few syringes on the table.

  " Doc I guess it's time you get a taste of your own medicine. "

  " No no! Untie me! I created you! I AM LIKE A FATHER! I AM YOUR CREATOR! "

  With a look of disgust, Konnor pierced the doctor with four different syringes.

  " I already have a mom and dad. And they are worth a millions years of torture. Farewell. "

  Konnor was making his way up the Cauldron, for some reason he felt very calm about his plan but he had to make a detour by the main lobby before he looked for Izi. Trying his best to hide the chains on his wrist, he made his way to the upper levels. As he did before he hid in the different alcoves to avoid guard patrols and kept on going. He rejoined the main lobby and ended up finding who he was looking for.

  " Maureen! "

  The bald woman turned around at the mention of her name and tilted her name while she was looking at the pale figure. After a few seconds, some emotions lightened her face : surprise, fear but ultimately joy at the sight of the young boy. She turned around to the other barman.

  " Jorhm, I'm taking a quick break. Handle the visitors, don't let anyone enter behind the bar. "

  " Yes Maam ! "

  She then gave a headsign to Konnor to come with her. He followed her in the reserve, once they were alone, the first thing she did was hug him.

  " Izi told me you got captured! It's been a month! I thought you died! "

  " Almost, but it made me better and almost unbreakable. "

  " What do you mean? "

  Looking around, Konnor noticed a kitchen knife and grabbed it.

  " Ok look at this! "

  " No no wait ! "

  Before she could move, he had tried to stab himself in the guts but the knife straight up broke and he only had the handle in his hands. He looked at her with a smile.

  " See? Not a scratch! "

  Still in disbelief, Maureen caressed his unscathed abs, looking for a scar .

  " Incredible ... "

  " Now I'm going down there, I'm gonna rescue Izi and kill his father. "

  " His father? "

  Already turning tails, Konnor was making his way out of the reserve.

  " Yes Lozan. "

  " Wait what?! You can't drop a bomb like this on me and just walk away! "

  " Of course not, I expected you to follow me. "

  " Why? "

  He shook his head and sighed heavily.

  " We made a deal, you get me in, I rescue you from here, you are coming with me and Izi out of this place. "

  Trying to keep the tears from flowing, Maureen simply nodded.

  " Thank you! "

  " Don't thank me yet, we aren't out. Follow me, I remember where Lozan's chambers are. "

  The two partners then started making their way down the tunnels.

  " How do you know we will find Izi there at this moment? "

  " Do you believe in fate? "

  " Nope, I believe in luck "

  " Then let's just say I have faith in my luck and there is a high possibility that after what happened, Lozan doesn't let him roam freely anymore and allows him outside only for jobs. So if he is in the Cauldron, he will be in Lozan's chamber. "

  " Hmm let's hope you are right. "

  Finding back the right tunnel, they both walked down the path and encountered a minimum of guard patrols. They arrived in front of Lozan's chambers, Konnor looked Maureen in the eyes and she decided to stay a few feet back. He then opened the door and looked inside, Izi was pacing inside the room from left to right while biting his nails. Konnor turned to give a sign to Maureen that the way was clear. They both entered the room, Izi looked towards the door and saw Maureen first, he then had difficulties to recognize who was the white haired figure behind her. Once he made sure no one was coming, Konnor turned around and finally looked his friend in the eyes. They both stood there in silence, almost awkwardly looking at each other. Finally Konnor broke the silence and walked towards his friend.

  " Hey. "

  " Hey? "

  " Yeah, that's what we usually say to say hello. "

  " Nothing else? That's all you have to say after a month .. "

  " Hmmm, I haven't thought about my text so far into my plan. I'm sorry. "

  Izi had a small chuckle and simply walked toward Konnor, once he reached him, he hugged him so tight that if his body was not as hard as steel he might have gotten crushed.

  " You really are a zogla.. "

  " I know Izi, I'm sorry, I missed you. "

  Maureen standing at the door was hearing footsteps.

  " You two are really cute but we got company! "

  Both Maureen and Konnor decided to hide behind the pillars. As always, Lozan entered the room alone but had guards at the entrance. Like he always did, he took off his rings, gloves and placed his cane against his desk. Before he could say a word, Konnor decided to engage in a preemptive strike, using the chains again as soon as Lozan was seated he grabbed him by the throat and rendered him unable to shout.

  " Maureen, Izi! Push the shelf in front of the door! " He then whispered to Lozan." You were right you piece of shit, i'm not the same as the last time you saw me. "

  They both nodded and started barricading the door quicker than the guards could react.

  " Put everything you can in the way, the desk and the bed too! "

  In the meantime, he threw Lozan against the wall behind him, as soon as he was on his feet, Lozan picked a small metal tube out of his pants.

  " Oh no you won't! "

  Using the chain like a whip, he smacked the metal tube away from the gang leader's hand. Lozan tried swinging at him but the boy was just faster. As he ducked under his swing he noticed at his belt the dagger Malik had given him before. Quickly grabbing it he then turned around and rushed towards Lozan and plunged the dagger in his chest. Seeing Lozan struggle made Konnor twist the blade. Out of strength, Lozan fell to the ground, still gripping the dagger. Meanwhile, the guards had called reinforcements and were trying to bust open the door. Konnor turned around towards the other two.

  " Any idea where this famous 'secret' passage is? "

  Izi understood what he meant instantly.

  " Look at this! "

  He then showed the both of them the small engraving in the pillar. Maureen was pacing left to right, clearly nervous.

  " Ok something fits in there but what?! In case you are wondering, YES I'm panicking right now!! "

  Suddenly Konnor remembered what Helen said before he went on his mission " the ring .. ". Looking around he went and grabbed one of Lozan's ring on his desk, one was exactly the shape of the engraving in the pillar. Quickly running back he inserted it into the depression and turned it. And then a passage opened behind the three of them. He then grabbed a torch and started walking in the passage and Maureen was behind him.

  " Let's go! "

  " Wait! "

  The two stopped and saw Izi kneeling near his dying father.

  " Son, I will forgive you if you bring me these fuckers heads. I love you so much. I won't die from this. I survived worse. "

  Izi remained silent, looking at the dagger in his father's chest.

  " IZ ! YOU LITTLE FUCKER LISTEN TO ME *! "

  Izi pressed on the knife.

  " No, you listen to me now! All my life, you always said you loved me, that you hurted me for my own sake, but these people have shown more love for me in such a short span of my life than you during the entirety of it! You are a horrible father, I can't believe I share the same blood with you. "

  Coughing blood at him, Lozan started laughing.

  " Ahaha, you really are ... the most stupid kid I could have ever grabbed. Your mom .. was just a whore. And I made her work, even when you were in her belly SHE WORKED! And she had the audacity to escape working by shitting out a brat like you and dying in the process! Can't even do that correctly fucking woman! I don't even know who your dad is, you are probably the product of hundreds of cocks that went through her ahah! " Izi stood there, frozen. " Soooo? How does it feel ? "

  As an answer, Izi pulled the knife out of Lozan's chest and sliced his throat.

  " Liberating."

  He then stood up and turned around, leaving behind him Lozan that was now gurgling and drowning in his own blood.

  A few minutes later, the small group could hear the guards bursting through the door while they were in the tunnel. So far it was a single tunnel with only one path. Konnor stood in the front with a torch, Maureen was behind him and Izi was at the rear.

  " Humm Kony? Do you know where you are going? "

  " Nope. "

  " I guessed so. "

  " Do you? "

  " Nope. "

  " I guessed so. "

  Suddenly they arrive at a crossroad, one path on the left and one on the right, Maureen was getting fidgety.

  " Guys where do we go now? "

  Konnor was trying to decide when he remembered the second thing Helen said. ".. choose the right path. "

  " 'The right path'. The path on the right? "

  " Kony what are you saying? "

  " We need to go right! "

  " How do you know? "

  " Just trust me, come on! "

  The group went right and started walking in the darker and narrower tunnel, it looked like it had not been used for an eternity. The ceiling was quite low so they had to walk half crouched. The voices of the guards were now only distant echoes behind them. They had been walking in this tunnel for almost an hour, the group of three was getting exhausted but they could not stop. As they were starting to lose hope, they felt a breeze. The outside was close, they hurried towards the outside and emerged at what looked like a disguised cave entry. The exit of the tunnels was actually only a few streets away from the entrance of the Cauldron. Maureen was looking around and noticed a few Nightingales walking the streets.

  " Guys, we need to get off the street for at least the night, if we move at night we are gonna have the whole gang on our assess. "

  Konnor took a few seconds to think and had an idea.

  " I know a place in this part of the city! Follow me quickly! "

  Maureen and Izi looked at each other, shrugged and started following him. After evading a few Nightingales patrols, the small group arrived at the location Konnor wanted to lead them to. He got up on a porch and knocked at a door multiple times. When the door opened a small grandma appeared.

  " Hi Granny Laurynda! I need your help! "

  " Who are y- ... Ohh it's you the hungry boy... you look .. different. "

  " Yes please! Me and my two friends we need somewhere to hide for the night! You would be a life saver! "

  She looked at Izi and Maureen and both of them nodded.

  " Hmm alright get in quick my children. "

  They entered the small house and were finally in a warm place.

  " If I knew I was getting visitors I would have dusted off the place better. "

  Maureen bowed to the lady.

  " It's already a lot to let us in, madam. "

  " I have some pieces of bread but I have no beds other than mine to offer. "

  " We will sleep on the ground and we will leave at the first lights of the morning, right boy? "

  " Yep! "

  " Yep! "

  The grandma had a small chuckle and left them in her small kitchen. The three of them sat on the ground and finally took a breather after hours of stress and pain, they were out. Maureen was looking at the ceiling.

  " So what are you gonna do now that you guys are free? "

  Konnor had a small chuckle.

  " I'll go back to work at the tavern, Malik is gonna kick my ass for skipping on a month of work.."

  Izi laughed at his friend's misery. He had not laughed like this in ages and it felt good.

  " I'll probably work at the tavern with him. "

  " Really? You think you could be a waiter? "

  " If you can I can!"

  " Sure buddy. "

  " Just you watch! "

  The boy's banter was making Maureen nostalgic of a more simple life. " Lissia, you would have loved these boys. " Konnor's voice snapped her out of her daydreaming.

  " Maureen! "

  " Yeah what? "

  " Are you listening? "

  " No. "

  " I was asking what you wanted to do now "

  " I don't really know ... "

  " Well, what if you came back with us at the tavern? Malik pays well, treats his employees well and you can live in a richer part of town. "

  " Going from one waitress job to another ... "

  " Come on! Just the time that you figure yourself out! "

  " Hmmm, alright! "

  " WOOHOO! "

  Both the boys started dancing in a circle while chanting " ONE OF US! ONE OF US! ". Soon after they forced Maureen to get up and dance with them and all three of them were chanting and dancing like maniacs. Laurynda decided to break their little celebration.

  " I'm not as young as I used to be and I need SLEEP!! "

  " Sorry sorry sorry! "

  The next morning, the trio paid their respect to Laurynda and headed in the direction of the tavern. They arrived at noon and they entered an almost empty tavern. At one of the tables, Konnor recognised a familiar silhouette speaking with Malik.

  " Richard ! "

  Richard turned around and smiled at the vision of the boy and invited him to come and sit down. Konnor sat down with a heavy sigh and dropped his chained wrist on the table.

  " Konnor ... What happened!? We were worried about you! "

  " If I tell you you won't believe me. "

  " You saw what I can do, and with how you look now i'm ready to hear you out."

  " Wait first, Malik? "

  The tavern owner raised an eyebrow .

  " What is it kiddo? "

  " For the love of the creator, please, tell me you still have some chicken. "

  Malik had a heavy sigh and looked at Jessamine that was standing at the counter. She then looked at Konnor with sad eyes. He then looked back at Malik.

  " Malik ... "

  " Ok listen ... "

  " Malik .... "

  Malik exploded in a laugh and gave a hand sign at Jessamine. She then went into the kitchen and came back with three full chickens. Konnor let out a heavy sigh and looked at the ceiling, his hands still joined by the chains he closed his eyes and said.

  " Thank you. "