Whispers of Solinum
Arjun’s knife hit the bullseye dead center. He let out a frustrated sigh, barely sparing the target a glance. Another perfect throw. Another reminder that no matter how skilled he was, Ringo still left him behind to practice on the Soulchaser while he hunted bounties alone. Three years of rigorous training, three years of mastering every task Ringo threw at him, and yet he still wasn’t allowed to step foot on solid ground during a job.
He gritted his teeth as he retrieved his blade. What more does he want from me? Arjun’s mind drifted to Hoepria and the life he’d left behind. No family worth staying for—except Christopher, his adopted brother, who he worried about constantly. Yet here he was, stuck on this airship with nothing to show for his sacrifice.
In what felt like an eternity, the airtight door finally creaked open. Ringo stepped inside, tattered and burnt, his usual coolness worn thin by exhaustion. He limped to the liquor cabinet, pouring himself a whiskey without so much as a glance at Arjun.
“You find Ramirez?” Arjun asked, crossing his arms.
Ringo shot the drink back, sighing as he quenched his thirst. “Found ‘im, alright. Fuckin’ trophy hunter tryin’ tuh burn down the savannah. And fer what? Tuh bag a couple lions? He put up a fight, but a bullet through that thick skull put his flame out real quick.” He poured himself another glass.
“It could’ve been quicker if I was there. Maybe your flesh would be less cooked.”
Ringo’s eyes flicked over to Arjun. “How many times I gotta say it? I’ll take yuh when yer ready.” He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his voice low and firm. “One wrong move, and yer mistian food. Ain’t no comin’ back from that, kid. Sides,” Ringo’s clothes magically restored as the burns on his skin instantly healed, “ain’t like I can’t fix myself up a tad.”
Arjun’s jaw tightened. “I’m ready now, Ringo. I’ve done everything you’ve asked—no, I’ve mastered them. Tracking, climbing, swimming, fighting. I can take on any man, and you know it.” He stepped forward, his voice rising. “What more do you need me to do?”
Ringo set the glass down with a heavy thud and met Arjun’s gaze. “Look, kid. The people I hunt—they ain’t normal. They’re the kind nobody else can handle. And you?” He pointed at Arjun. “Yuh don’t even know what real danger feels like yet.”
“Then give me an Epithet.”
That made Ringo laugh—a short, sharp bark. “You? With an Epithet? Yuh ain’t even close tuh ready fer that.” He placed a hand on Arjun’s shoulder, his expression softening. “I’ll tell yuh what. You can come with me when I’m lookin’ fer leads. Once I get a location, though, yer back on the ship. Deal?”
Arjun’s eyes lit up. “You mean it?”
“Just till I find the target. I’ll handle the rest alone.”
“I can live with that.” Arjun couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “Where are we going?”
“Vanaia. Theres a woman in Solinum says her husband and a few others been goin’ missin’ in the night. Folks hearin‘ things ‘fore they vanish in the southern swamps, of course.”
“So you think it’s an Epithet user?”
“Reckon it is, but we won’t know till we look. Prep the ship. We leave now, we’ll be there ‘fore midday tomorrah.”
Arjun leapt from his seat and hurried to prep the engines, his excitement barely contained. After years of relentless effort, he finally felt the faintest glimmer of recognition. Tomorrow, he thought, tomorrow I’ll prove myself. I’ll bring in this guy and show Ringo I’m ready.
He couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face as he powered up the Soulchaser. Arjun knew he excelled in training—his precision, stamina, and reflexes all far outpaced anyone else his age. But Ringo had been blunt: training meant nothing without real combat experience, especially against the kind of dangerous combatants Ringo hunted daily. This gap between practice and reality didn’t temper Arjun’s confidence; instead, it fueled an ego as sharp as it was fragile. He felt untouchable, a would-be demigod in the shadow of a legend. Only his past kept him humble, the memory of what it had cost him to get here.
The Soulchaser ascended gracefully into the skies as Ringo set their course for Solinum. An hour passed as the vast emptiness of the Great Gas Sea stretched endlessly below. When hunger finally tugged at him, Arjun stepped into the galley and prepared his usual comfort meal: olive oil and bread with an assortment of cheeses and cured meats. It was simple, quick, and—though he hated to admit it—a reminder of his childhood.
He smirked to himself as he arranged his plate. With a few pickled vegetables and dried fruits, this would be no different than the military rations he might’ve eaten if he’d been drafted at five years old. Life had a way of circling back, didn’t it? Running from the draft had led him here, to a life that felt just as disciplined, just as dangerous. He settled at the small table in the corner of the main room, eating and dreaming about the next day.
In his mind, he cataloged the ship’s weapons as though flipping through a merchant’s wares. Blunderbuss? Too loud. Halberd? Too heavy. He was still debating when Ringo approached, stepping away from the navigation console.
“Yuh know,” Ringo drawled, pulling up a chair, “you can ask me tuh make yuh a warm meal every now and then. Snap my fingers, and whatever yuh want’ll be on that plate.”
Arjun continued chewing, glancing at his meal. “I like it simple. Cold food’s quick, no fuss.”
Ringo gave the plate a skeptical look. “Glad I don’t gotta eat no more.” He reached into his coat and placed two weapons on the table: curved blades, each attached to a chain. “Well, I’ve been meanin’ tuh give yuh these.”
Arjun sat up straight, his eyes widening as he studied the weapons. “These are for me? What are they?”
“They’re called gamas,” Ringo said. “Came from a world long gone. An immortal named Aayan gave ‘em to me millennia back. Made of tyran—shit’s indestructible. Better yet, they’re artifacts. The chains’ll adjust to whatever length yuh need. Perfect fer usin ‘em up close or throwin ‘em long-range. Reckon it’ll take some gettin used to but you’ll figure ‘em out.”
Arjun lifted one of the blades, the weight perfectly balanced in his hand. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
Ringo leaned back, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Don’t say nothin’. Consider it payment fer yer years of trainin’. Just be smart with ‘em, yeah?” He stood and stretched, motioning toward the quarters. “Now get some sleep. Five hours tuh Solinum—enough time fer a proper rest ‘fore we land.”
Arjun nodded, his enthusiasm palpable as he carefully hung the gamas from the top bunk of his bed. They swayed slightly as the Soulchaser hummed through the air, their hypnotic motion lulling him to sleep. Arjun smiled and closed his eyes, eager to take on the upcoming day
Ringo, however, didn’t need rest. Being a soul vampire had its perks, and the absence of sleep ranked near the top. Clearly, immortality and matter manipulation had their uses, but the ability to keep going, uninterrupted by exhaustion and sleep, gave Ringo an edge few others could match. He remained at the helm, guiding the Soulchaser through the quiet expanse of the Great Gas Sea.
Ahead laid the Walled City of Solinum. Founded in 242 AE, it had grown from a desperate fort built by a doomed expedition to the proud capital of Vanaia. The original settlers—ten surveyors who crashed their hot air balloon in the swamps—had dwindled to four survivors over a decade of isolation. When they were finally rescued, they were each awarded land on Vanaia for their resilience.
Their old fort became the foundation for Solinum. The first Warden, Alerio of Riothamalia, chose the site for its pre-built defenses, building the fledgling town within the safety of its walls. Over eight centuries, the city had expanded, each new district wrapped in another layer of defenses. The inner walls remained, creating a maze-like network of sections that gave Solinum its unique character.
Now home to over a hundred thousand souls, Solinum was small by Imperial standards but steeped in history. The outer walls stretched from the island’s edge deep into its heart, a towering eight meters of reinforced wood and iron. Though modern technology had rendered them obsolete for war, the walls remained a point of pride, a symbol of the city’s resilience.
Ringo scanned the horizon, the faint glow of Solinum’s lights just beginning to break through the fog. Another job for him—but the first real test for Arjun.
Sunlight streamed through a gap in the barracks’ curtains, rousing Arjun from a restless sleep. He bolted upright, excitement coursing through him as he leaped out of bed. His new weapons dangled above his bunk, catching the morning light, a tangible reminder of the adventure awaiting him. With purpose, he strode into the main room of the ship.
At the helm, Ringo sat calmly, his back to Arjun as the Soulchaser soared through the skies. Ahead, the Walled City of Solinum loomed, its intricate design and towering walls cutting an imposing figure against the horizon. The ship hummed steadily as they approached Vanaia’s capital city.
“Mornin’, kid,” Ringo said without turning, his eyes fixed on the vista ahead.
Arjun nodded, still groggy but alert. “We’re almost there?”
“Just gettin’ tuh Solinum’s airspace now,” Ringo replied.
Before Arjun could respond, the ship’s radio crackled to life, cutting through the calm with an automated message:
“This is a recorded broadcast to all ships attempting to enter Solinum. The city is under martial law due to an unknown threat. Travel to Solinum is strictly prohibited. Please reroute to Daedilium or Vercelli for resupply. Again, docking in Solinum is strictly forbidden. Violators will be prosecuted.”
The message repeated, its sterile tone at odds with the gravity of the situation. Arjun furrowed his brow, leaning closer to the console. “Citywide martial law?”
Ringo adjusted the ship’s controls, his expression unreadable. “It’s worse than I thought,” he muttered. “Doesn’t change the plan, though.” He picked up the radio. “This is Soulchaser tuh Solinum docks. Requestin’ clearance tuh land. Over.”
Moments later, the broadcast cut off, replaced by a live voice. “All docks are closed under martial law. No exceptions. Over.”
“This about the disappearances?” Ringo asked, his voice steady.
A pause crackled over the line. “How do you know about that?”
Arjun frowned, stepping toward the ship’s periscope. He scanned the city below: empty streets, closed gates, and peacekeepers stationed at every district entrance. The tension was palpable. “This isn’t just martial law,” he muttered. “This place is on lockdown.”
Ringo ignored him, pressing the radio button again. “I’m here tuh help, partner” he said plainly. “Need a pad fer a helium submistial explorer. Over.”
“I told you, all docks are closed. You’ll need to reroute. Over.”
Frustration simmered in Arjun. He watched through the periscope as peacekeepers in the North Dockyard began to take notice of their approaching ship. “Ringo, maybe we should just—”
“No.” Ringo’s voice was firm. “We’re dockin’ in town. The swamps’ll swallow this ship whole if we try landin’ anywhere else.”
The radio fell silent. Then, the automated message resumed its relentless loop. Ringo tightened his grip on the controls, annoyance flickering across his face. “Damn bureaucracy,” he muttered. Grabbing the radio again, he growled, “I don’t care about yer clearance. What pad’s open in North Dockyard IX? Over.”
Arjun swallowed hard, a heavy weight settling on his chest. He felt the suffocating pressure of the unknown, his breath quickening as peacekeepers below began mobilizing toward the dockyard. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
“Hey, kid.” Ringo’s voice broke through his panic. He glanced over to see Ringo, calm as ever. “Stand yer ground. I’ve got this.” Once again he pushed the button on the radio. “Yuh gotta give me somethin’ partner, I’d rather not wreck yer docks, but I don’t gotta problem with it. Over.”
Finally, the radio crackled to life again. “ND IX XVII. I’ll anchor you, but the peacekeepers will be waiting. Over.”
Ringo smirked. “Much obliged. Over.”
As the Soulchaser descended, metal hooks locked onto its hull, securing the ship in place. A walkway extended toward the airship’s entrance as a dozen peacekeepers surrounded the pad, weapons trained on the door.
Ringo downed a shot of whiskey, his calm demeanor never faltering. “Alright, kid,” he said, adjusting his hat. “Last chance tuh sit this one out. I know yuh don’t like the military type.”
Arjun tightened the chains on his gamas, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach. “I’m coming.”
Ringo nodded, spinning the ship’s hatch wheel. The door creaked open, revealing the armed peacekeepers. Both men stepped out slowly, hands raised. Ringo moved ahead, shielding Arjun slightly.
“Howdy,” Ringo drawled. “Don’t mean y’all any harm. I reckon I can help with yer predicament. Let’s put the guns down and talk.”
The peacekeepers adjusted their grips, keeping their aim specifically on Ringo. The head peacekeeper, a sharp-eyed woman, stepped forward. “I am Vigile Alexis of the Solinum Peacekeepers. You’ve violated the direct orders of Warden Victor XII of Vanaia by docking here. You’re under arrest. Approach slowly with your hands in the air.”
Ringo sighed. “Yer missin’ the point. Arrest me, and this thing out there keeps takin’ yer people. Let me talk tuh yer Warden and I’ll fix this.”
Vigile Alexis contemplated her words carefully. “We have strict orders to arrest anyone disobeying the lockdown. I won’t tell you again, approach slowly with your hands in the air.”
Ringo shook his head, spitting on the walkway. “More people are gonna be missin’ and that’ll be on you 'cause yuh didn’t listen. Take me to yer Warden and I’ll get yer city some normalcy again.”
“Enough,” Alexis snapped. She raised her hand into the air as her men cocked their rifles’ hammers. “Ten seconds, or we’ll open fire. Ten! Nine!”
Arjun’s heart raced. “Ringo—”
“Stand yer ground, kid.”
“Eight! Seven!”
Time slowed as Arjun struggled to calm himself. He glanced at Ringo, who stood rooted, unshaken.
“Six! Five! Four!”
Arjun’s jaw clenched. He gripped the gamas at his hips, ready to act.
“Three! Two!”
Ringo tilted his head down, his fingers brushed the brim of his hat, his calm expression giving nothing away. He smirked, finishing the countdown on behalf of the Vigile. “One.”
Vigile Alexis swung her arm down as the peacekeepers fired. Arjun winced at the deafening gunshots—only to realize nothing had hit them. He opened his eyes to see rifles ripped from the peacekeepers’ hands, their bullets halted midair before clattering to the lower docks. Chains of energy tethered the weapons to the bullets, pulling them into the depths below.
The peacekeepers staggered, baffled, as Ringo chuckled. “Y’all didn’t see that comin’, huh?” He stepped forward, lowering his hands. “Now, unless yuh wanna keep losin’ good people, take me to yer Warden. Yer lucky all I did was disarm yuh fer threatenin' me like that. Don't tarnish muh graces by tryin’ tuh portray me as a villain.”
Vigile Alexis stared at the old bounty hunter, her jaw tightening. Finally, she raised her hand, signaling her men to stand down. “What's your name?”
Arjun glanced at Ringo, a glowing admiration in his eyes. While he had been traveling with him for years, he had never seen him in action before. The control he maintained throughout the entire situation, the calm aura he exuded, Ringo was more than Arjun could have ever imagined. For the first time, Arjun felt a flicker of understanding: what it meant to stand beside a legend.
Ringo slowly walked up to the Vigile and stood right on the edge of the walkway and docks. “I go by a few, but yuh can call me Fischer. The boy behind me is Arjun, we specialize in takin’ care of Epithets which I reckon is the situation we have here.”
The Vigile turned to her peacekeepers. “Alright men, get down there and grab your weapons,” she ordered before facing Ringo. “And Fischer? I’ll take you to the Warden. But one wrong move, and you’re done. Got it?”
“Loud and clear,” Ringo replied, his grin widening.
As they walked through the empty streets of Solinum, Arjun stuck close to Ringo, unable to shake the mix of excitement and unease coursing through him. The Walled City loomed around them, its normally bustling districts eerily quiet. The only sounds were the echo of their boots and the distant hum of swamp creatures beyond the walls.
“You’ve done this a lot, huh?” Arjun asked under his breath.
“More than yuh can imagine,” Ringo replied, his voice low but reassuring. “This ain’t nothin’ new. But listen close, kid. This is just the beginnin’. Keep yer eyes open and yer mouth shut.”
Arjun nodded, his hand instinctively resting on the new gamas hanging from his belt. He felt the weight of responsibility settle in. This wasn’t just about proving himself—it was about life and death.
As they approached the grand doors of the Capitol Building, the city’s storied past seemed to press down on them like a heavy cloak. The towering walls, adorned with faded banners and worn carvings told a story of the people of Solinum. Arjun inhaled deeply, steadying himself. Whatever haunted the swamps of Vanaia was waiting for them, and he wasn’t about to falter now.
Ringo pushed the doors open with effortless confidence. “Time tuh meet the man in charge,” he said over his shoulder, striding into the dimly lit hall. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and aging wood, and a faint hum of voices died as the two entered.
At the head of a long, wooden table stood Warden Victor XII, a broad-shouldered man whose presence demanded attention. His face bore the scars of a hard life: a jagged line running from his cheek to his chin, and the weathered, piercing eyes of someone who’d seen too much. Flanking him were advisors, their desperate murmurs replaced by tense silence. Victor’s gaze locked on the newcomers, narrowing with a mix of suspicion and disdain.
“So, you’re the assholes who docked despite my orders,” he said, his voice laced with irritation.
Ringo tipped his hat, unfazed. “Call me what yuh want, Warden. The name’s Fischer, and I’m here tuh clean up yer mess.”
Arjun stiffened but said nothing, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it—the moment he’d waited for, stepping into a world far more dangerous than he’d ever imagined. Yet doubt lingered in his mind. Fear and concern consumed the faces at the table. Could he truly handle this? He considered listening to Ringo and going back to the ship when it came down to it, but this was his opportunity to prove himself. One glance at Ringo, calm and unshaken, was enough to stoke the embers of his resolve. This was his chance. He wouldn’t let it slip.
Victor folded his arms, a humorless smile playing across his lips. “Fix it? You? I’ve already sent twenty of my best peacekeepers into those cursed swamps. They vanished without a trace, just like the rest of the victims. But sure, let me humor this fantasy. Tell me, stranger, what miracle are you about to sell me before I toss you in a cell?”
“He might not be bluffin’, Warden,” Vigile Alexis interjected from behind them. “This man disarmed my entire squad on the docks without so much as a twitch.”
Victor raised a skeptical brow, his gaze flicking back to Ringo. “Is that so?”
Ringo stepped forward, placing his hands on the table and leaning in slightly, his confidence filling the room. “What yuh got here, Warden, sounds tuh me like an Epithet—a person granted powers they ain’t equipped tuh handle. Muh partner and I specialize in takin’ care of folks like that. If yuh give us what we need—resources, witnesses, anythin’ tuh give us an inklin’ of whats goin’ on—I’ll head intuh the swamps and deal with it.”
Victor’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. “And what makes you think you’ll succeed where trained peacekeepers failed? What makes you different?”
Ringo smirked, leaning back. “Simple. I’m the best damn bounty hunter round these parts. Hell, yuh could even say the world. If anyone can handle this, it’s me.” He gestured toward the Warden. “Sides, what other choice yuh got? South Alsium?”
Victor’s jaw tightened, the mention of the elusive military was a sore spot. “I radioed South Alsium days ago. They’ve yet to send a single decan.”
Ringo shook his head, his smirk never faltering. “There’s a war drainin’ their resources and the new Emperor’s barely older than that kid over there,” he said gesturing to Arjun. Yuh could wait till the end of time, but unless theres a Zhang armada in those swamps, they ain’t comin’. Lucky fer you…” He tapped the edge of the table. “I’m here.”
Victor studied him for a long moment, then tilted his head. “What’s the catch?”
“I reckon 100,000 senecs tuh cover the risk would be sufficient.”.
Victor’s fist came down on the table with a resounding thud, making the advisors flinch. “A hundred thousand?! I should lock you up just for suggesting that! I’ll give you 25,000—if you come back alive. And you should count yourself lucky I don’t arrest you for breaking the lockdown.”
Ringo sighed, his smirk softening into something almost resigned. Slowly, he made his way around the table, stopping in front of Victor. “Fine. 25,000. But yuh best have it ready the moment I get back.” He extended his hand.
The Warden hesitated, his sharp eyes searching Ringo’s for a trace of deceit. Finally, he clasped Ringo’s hand in a firm shake. “Deal. But don’t think for a second I’ll hesitate to throw you in a cell if you step out of line.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Ringo replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Releasing Victor’s hand, he turned toward Arjun and gave him a quick wink. “Looks like we got some work tuh do, partner.”
Arjun nodded, his nerves steadying as he tightened the straps on his gear. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it—alongside Ringo.
Ringo turned back to Victor, his tone suddenly all business. “Now then, Warden, I need everythin’ yuh got on this. When it started, how many victims, and if there’s any survivors. A woman named Ophelia called me tuh say her husband went missin’—can I speak tuh her?”
Victor’s expression darkened. “You can ask her all the questions you want… if you find her in the swamps. She disappeared three days after her husband.” He paused, folding his arms. “Do you understand the magnitude of this? We’re in a citywide lockdown, and it may need to go islandwide. Ten days ago, people started disappearing—a handful at first, then dozens, then hundreds. We’ve caught some of the infected before they escaped the walls, but every one of them was insane—raving, violent, almost like they had cruxium poisoning. But instead of runnin’ for the mist, they were headin’ inland.” He shook his head. “It’s chaos.”
Ringo’s confident demeanor slipped for a moment, replaced by something far more somber. “I met that woman years ago, back when she was just a little girl. Her father was killed by a gang of smugglers. I told her she could count on me if anyone threatened her or her family.” His voice lowered. “Now I just hope I ain’t too late.”
Victor frowned. “That woman was eighty years old. If we’re talking about the same Ophelia, she’s the only one with that name among the missing.”
Ringo’s gaze turned distant, almost wistful. “Guess it’s been a long time since we crossed paths.”
Victor rolled his eyes, frustrated with Ringo’s cryptic tone. Gesturing to Vigile Alexis, he snapped, “You’re back on the case. Get them what they need and escort them through the city. And don’t let Mister Fischer here break any more laws.”
Vigile Alexis nodded, carefully masking her dissatisfaction. “Fischer, Arjun, I’ll take you to the hospital where we’ve been keeping the survivors we managed to apprehend.”
As they exited, Victor called after her. “Vigile, one more thing.” Alexis stopped and turned. “Don’t let this get personal again. Get them what they need, send them into the swamps, and report back to me once they’ve left the outer wall.”
She nodded firmly. “Understood.”
By the time she stepped outside, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and the streetlights bathed the cobblestones in a dim, flickering glow. The moonless sky stretched black and infinite above them. At the bottom of the stairs, Ringo and Arjun stood chatting.
Her eyes lingered on them, curiosity creeping in. Fischer was no ordinary man—his black bovine leather attire, worn yet pristine, looked like it had weathered centuries. He was an ancient relic, untouched by time, but he fit into no history she knew.
Then there was the boy. Half-Aenean, half-Tarkhanian—a coloni mutt, by the looks of him. His dusky skin bore the unmistakable signs of Tarkhanian lineage, but his lighter features hinted at mixed heritage. She wondered how he escaped the draft, evading the military for at least a decade. And why for that matter since he’s taking on something far more dangerous: bounty hunting.
She descended the stairs to join them. “Alright, the sur—”
“What’d he mean, yer back on the case?” Ringo cut in, his sharp gaze locking onto hers.
Alexis paused, her expression tightening before she let out a slow breath. “Remember the twenty peacekeepers who never came back? My brother was one of them. When the Warden shut the city down, I tried to lead volunteers into the swamps to find him and the others. The Warden stopped me, put me on guard duty for the duration of the lockdown, and made it clear he’d demote me if I disobeyed again.”
“Must trust yuh now tuh send yuh with us,” Ringo said, his tone light in an effort to ease the tension.
She let out a dry laugh, the sound brittle. “Trust? Hardly. This is punishment for bringing you to him. He doesn’t think you’ll succeed—Crux, he’s counting on you failing. But he’s out of options. These whispers are spreading faster than we can track, and anyone who leaves the walls disappears without a trace.”
Ringo pulled out a hand-rolled cigarette and lit it with practiced ease. He took a deep drag, the ember glowing in the twilight, then exhaled a long plume of smoke. “Preciate the vote of confidence, darlin’. Guess I’ll be sure tuh collect muh payment when I prove y’all yella-bellies wrong.”
Her lips twitched into a reluctant smirk. “We’ll see about that.” Her voice softened as she added, “For the record, I hope you do.” Her eyes shifted to the cigarette in his hand. “That gaigo?”
Ringo arched a brow. “Tobacca. Ain’t nothin’ illegal ‘bout it.” He flicked the ash onto the cobblestones. “Reckon we should get tuh the survivors now.”
Alexis narrowed her eyes, catching the earthy aroma of the smoke. She sniffed and shrugged, knowing it was nowhere near the distinct stench of gaigo. “Fair enough. Follow me.” She led them to the civic stables tucked behind the Capitol Building. Inside, several boars stood saddled and ready, their thick hides gleaming under the dim light. She gestured to the mounts. “It’s a ways to the hospital, by the southern outer walls. Pick a boar and get on.”
Ringo didn’t hesitate, climbing onto the nearest one without ceremony. Arjun took his time, scanning the animals before approaching a smaller boar. He placed a hand gently on its head, and it let out a soft snort, closing its eyes in contentment. Arjun smiled. Animals always felt simpler, more honest than people. Taking the boar’s huff as permission, he climbed onto the saddle and grabbed the reins.
Ringo glanced over, a genuine smile crossing his face. “Just like old times. I miss muh first mount. Hell of a stallion.”
Alexis mounted last, choosing a boar she clearly knew well. She patted his side before looking at Ringo. “What was his name?”
“Padre,” Ringo said with a chuckle. “Got him when I was twelve. Loyal till the day the world ended. Sacrificed himself tuh save me.”
Alexis tilted her head, impressed. “Sounds like a Catanian steed.”
“Couldn’t tell yuh,” Ringo replied, puffing on his cigarette. “It’s been too long. Can hardly remember.”
She pointed to Ringo’s boar. “That boar there’s Sty,” then to Arjun’s. “And that’s Pipsqueak. She’s feisty, but if you’re gentle, you’ll be fine.”
Arjun grinned, patting the boar’s neck. “I’ll be alright.”
Alexis nodded. “Good. Let’s ride.”
The trio trotted down the cobblestone roads, the boars’ hooves echoing softly in the quiet city. Alexis led a few meters ahead, with Ringo and Arjun riding side by side.
Arjun leaned closer to Ringo, lowering his voice. “So, Fischer, huh?”
Ringo rolled his eyes. “That was muh last name when I was born. They omitted it from the Crux, but muh full name was Ringo Fischer ‘fore the moon crashed.”
“But why use it now?” Arjun asked, tilting his head.
Ringo inhaled deeply from his cigarette, the smoke curling around him before drifting into the night air. “Keeps the zealots off muh back. Less attention when I’m passin’ through their towns if they don’t realize I’m the one from that damn book.”
Arjun frowned. “But the temple on Hoepria said you were trying to do the right thing. In a way, you’re kind of a hero.”
Ringo let out a dry chuckle. “To you, maybe. Mono-Cruxists kinda think I was doin’ somethin’ noble. But the rest of the Empire? They see me as the villain who caused the apocalypse.”
“But—”
“No buts, kid. I ain’t nothin’ but a villain to most folks, plain and simple.” Ringo nudged his boar forward, pulling ahead toward Alexis. “How much longer we got, Vigile?”
She glanced back over her shoulder. “Not far now.” After a beat, she added quietly, “Why did you come here, Fischer?”
Ringo exhaled smoke, his eyes fixed ahead. “Someone had to.”
They arrived at the hospital—a decrepit, crumbling structure that seemed to sag under the weight of the screams and moans pouring from within. Two peacekeepers flanked the entrance, their hands resting on the grips of their handguns as if they expected trouble to burst forth at any moment.
Vigile Alexis dismounted and approached them. “Men, would you mind taking these boars to the stables?”
One of the guards straightened up. “Of course, Vigile. Has the Warden made any progress on the situation?”
“That’s what we’re here to find out,” she replied, gesturing to Ringo and Arjun. “They’re here to fix it.”
The peacekeepers exchanged uneasy glances but nodded, taking the reins of the boars as Alexis motioned for Ringo and Arjun to follow her inside.
The hospital was chaos. The stench of sweat, blood, and antiseptic hung heavy in the air as they navigated the narrow, crowded halls. Patients strapped to their beds writhed and screamed, their voices overlapping in a discordant symphony of madness. Nurses and doctors moved frantically, dodging stray beds while trying to administer sedatives or bind struggling patients more securely.
Arjun’s gaze darted from one bound figure to the next, his voice hushed. “That’s… a lot of people.”
Alexis glanced back at him, her expression grim. “That’s just the ones we caught before they vanished.”
Ringo stepped ahead of Alexis, scanning the chaotic room. “Any of ‘em in shape tuh talk?”
“They can talk,” Alexis said cautiously. “But don’t expect it to be coherent.”
Ringo nodded, his jaw set, and walked toward one of the patients: a young man whose frantic wailing cut through the noise. He was thrashing against his restraints, his voice raw. “Let me go! I need to leave! Let me go! Please!”
Ringo crouched at the bedside, his voice calm but firm. “Easy now, partner. What’s goin’ on?”
The man froze, his wild eyes locking onto Ringo’s. For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath. Then the patient whispered hoarsely, “You… She’s waiting for you. In the swamps. Come with me. Please—let me go!” He began thrashing again, screaming louder.
Ringo gripped the edge of the bed, his knuckles whitening. “What’d yuh mean? Who’s waitin’?”
The man strained against the straps, his voice rising to a desperate howl. “Let me take you to her, Ringo! She whispers! She calls for us! Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!”
Around them, other patients stirred. One by one, they took up the chant, their voices ragged and chilling. “Ringo! Ringo! Let us go! She calls, Ringo! Let us go!”
Ringo recoiled, his face paling as he staggered back. The haunting chorus grew louder, echoing through the hospital walls. Without a word, he turned on his heel and marched toward the exit, his movements stiff and deliberate.
“What the fuck was that?” Alexis called after him, rushing to catch up. “Are they talking about the Ringo from the Crux?”
Ringo didn’t answer, his expression grim. He stopped abruptly, spinning to face Arjun and Alexis. “Take the boy back tuh muh ship,” he said, his voice low and steady. “There’s only one woman that could be in that swamp.” He placed a firm hand on Arjun’s shoulder, locking eyes with him. For the first time, Arjun saw something he’d never expected in Ringo: fear. True, bone-deep fear.
“Don’t try tuh follow me, boy. Yuh ain’t ready fer this. Stay on the ship till I get back.”
“Ringo?” Arjun’s voice wavered, a thread of desperation weaving through it. He searched Ringo’s face, hoping for reassurance, but all he found was dread.
Ringo turned to Alexis. “Please. Get ‘im outta here. I gotta go.”
Alexis nodded, her usual sharpness softened by concern. She grabbed Arjun by the arm as Ringo strode toward the gate that led to the swamps.
By the time Ringo reached the city gates, two peacekeepers stepped forward to block his path. They tensed as he approached, their hands hovering near their weapons.
“Stand down!” he barked, his voice cutting through the tension like a whip. “I gotta save yer damn city.”
“Let him through!” Alexis called from behind, keeping a firm grip on Arjun.
The guards exchanged uncertain glances but obeyed, pulling open the heavy iron gates. Ringo paused at the threshold, the cold night air swirling around him. He closed his eyes, taking a long, steadying breath. When he opened them, the resolve was back—but it was brittle, like a mask barely concealing the storm beneath.
Arjun watched in silence as Ringo stepped through the gates and into the swamp. He wanted to call out, to stop him, but the words caught in his throat. Something was wrong. This was the man who had faced the Lost God without flinching, who had hunted millions of Epithet users without fear. And now… now he was afraid. Whatever was in that swamp, it was enough to terrify Ringo. And that knowledge sent shivers down Arjun’s spine.
Alexis placed a firm hand on Arjun’s shoulder, her tone steady but urgent. “Come on, Arjun. It’s time to go.”
“I can’t,” he said, his voice tight with defiance. His eyes stayed locked on the gate where Ringo had vanished. “He’s in trouble.”
“There’s nothing you can do,” she said firmly. “He went out there on his own, and he told you to go back to the ship.”
She tried to turn him away, but he wrenched his shoulder free of her grip. “No! I have to help him!” His shout echoed in the night as he bolted toward the closing gate, his legs pumping with desperation.
“Arjun! Wait!” Alexis shouted, her voice cutting through the cold air. “Stop him!” she commanded the peacekeepers, sprinting after him.
The guards moved to intercept him, their arms outstretched, but Arjun didn’t slow. His hand shot to his side, pulling one of his gamas free. With a sharp flick of his wrist, the hooked blade sank into the wooden gate frame, and he used it to vault himself high into the air.
The guards reached for him, but he twisted in midair, yanking the gama free as he landed in a crouch. The gate was nearly closed, the heavy iron bars grinding into place. Arjun’s momentum carried him forward—he dropped to the ground and slid under the narrowing gap just as the bars slammed into the cobblestones with a deafening clang.
“Damn it!” Alexis shouted, grabbing the cold metal bars, her knuckles white with frustration. She could only watch as Arjun’s figure faded into the darkness of the swamp.
“Arjun!” she called, but there was no response. Only the low, eerie hum of the swamps answered her as he disappeared into the night.
Ringo trudged through the oppressive heat of the swamps, the rising sun casting long shadows over the muck and foliage. The air was thick with the hum of insects and the occasional rustle of hidden creatures. Each step was deliberate, his boots sinking into the muddy shallows as he kept his eyes sharp and his hands ready on his revolvers.
The trail was faint but undeniable—broken branches, scattered footprints, and trampled reeds pointed the way. With every new cluster of tracks, his unease deepened. He was getting closer.
Pushing through a dense wall of foliage and into a clearing, Ringo barely had time to react when a man lunged out of the underbrush. Cold hands gripped his head, and the stranger whispered, “Hold still.”
It wasn’t a request.
Ringo’s body betrayed him, freezing in place. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t will his limbs to move. The man gave a guttural laugh before vanishing back into the swamp.
A soft rustle brought his attention forward as a figure emerged from the shadows. Her skin was pale as snow, contrasting sharply with the flowing black-and-purple dress that billowed around her. The smile on her crimson lips was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.
“Well, well, well,” she taunted, her voice dripping with cruel amusement. “Look who finally decided to show up.”
Ringo’s eyes widened, but his jaw refused to move. She studied him, her dark eyes gleaming with something between malice and delight.
She sighed, rolling her eyes. “Of course.” Stepping closer, she leaned in, her breath brushing against his ear. “You may speak.”
His voice came out gravelly and cold. “Someone found yer prismon?”
“It only took a few centuries. Were you hoping it’d be longer?”
“Reckoned I’d at least kill the Lost God ‘fore I had tuh deal with yuh again.”
Her smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. “Five hundred years, Ringo. You couldn’t finish anything without me at your side?” She circled him, each step slow and deliberate, like a predator savoring its prey.
“I’ve been doin’ just fine without yuh,” he snapped, his tone defiant despite the paralysis gripping him.
Unbeknownst to them, Arjun was nearby. He’d been searching for Ringo when the sound of voices drew him closer. Quiet as a shadow, he climbed a nearby tree, hiding himself among the thick leaves, his blades ready.
Valeria continued, her voice a mockery of concern. “A poor hunter stumbled across my prismon looking for reptile eggs. Imagine his surprise when he found me instead. Of course, he gave his life to free me.” Her smile darkened. “And imagine my delight to learn you were still out there, skulking around and feeding on souls.”
Ringo let out a dry chuckle. She trailed her nails along his shoulder, dragging them lazily across his back. “You never had ambition, Ringo. I pushed you to greatness, and you threw it all away. You threw me away. Eternal void, was it? Just for wanting more?”
Ringo’s voice was sharp, his anger cutting through the still air. “Yuh took the Clockwork Heart and stuck it in yerself. Yuh started a war we weren’t ready for. Yuh went against every damn order I gave. I did what I had tuh.”
Her eyes flared with fury, though her tone remained honeyed. “No, Ringo. You were scared. Scared because I’m the only one who can do what no one else can.” She leaned in close, her breath chilling against his neck. “Kill you.”
Ringo strained against her spell, his muscles trembling uselessly. “I ain’t scared of yuh, Valeria!”
Her laugh was sharp, almost manic. Her laugh quickly died as her eyes narrowed. “Then why trick me into a prismon!?” She slapped him hard, the force jerking his head to the side and freezing in place once again.
As his head turned, his eyes flicked—just for a moment—toward the tree where Arjun was hiding. The sun caught the faint glimmer of Arjun’s blades through the leaves.
Valeria caught the glance, her gaze snapping upward. A wicked grin spread across her face. “Oh, you have a new little minion!”
“Get outta here!” Ringo cried out to Arjun.
Valeria’s sharp laugh echoed through the humid air, her dark eyes locking onto the tree where Arjun hid. “How adorable,” she sneered. “Your little lamb has come to save his shepherd. How long before he realizes you’re just leading him to slaughter?”
Arjun froze in the foliage, his mind racing. His heart pounded in his ears, louder than the swamp’s ambient hum. He tightened his grip on his gamas, weighing his options. If he struck now, could he catch her off guard?
“Arjun!” Ringo barked again, his voice laced with uncharacteristic desperation. “Run!”
But Arjun stayed rooted to the branch. He saw the tension in Ringo’s jaw, the flicker of helpless rage in his eyes. Ringo—the unshakable, unstoppable bounty hunter—was trapped, and she was the one who had him.
Valeria turned her back to Ringo, her eyes narrowing on the tree. Her voice dropped, taunting and melodic. “Come now, little one. Are you scared? Don’t be. I don’t bite—” her lips curled into a wicked grin, “—much.”
She took a step toward the tree, her dress rippling unnaturally as though stirred by an invisible wind. Arjun gritted his teeth and flung one of his gamas toward her with deadly precision. The blade cut through the air, aimed straight for her heart.
But with a flick of her wrist, Valeria caught it mid-flight, stopping the weapon inches from her chest. Her cold smile widened as she studied the blade. “Hmm. Not bad for a fledgling,” she mused before snapping the blade in half with her bare hands.
Arjun’s stomach dropped.
“Bold,” Valeria said, her voice dripping with mockery as she raised her hand. “But foolish.” Raising her palm, she whispered, “stay put,” and blew the words toward Arjun.
The air around the tree seemed to shimmer and thicken. Arjun felt a crushing weight press down on him, pinning him to the branch. His limbs refused to move, no matter how hard he strained against the invisible force.
Valeria tilted her head, savoring his struggle. “You remind me of him, you know. All fire and fury, thinking you can take on the world. But let me tell you something, little boy.” She began to rise off the ground, floating effortlessly toward the tree. “Ringo doesn’t care about you. He never cared about anyone but himself.”
“Shut yer damn mouth!” Ringo growled, his voice trembling with rage.
Valeria shot him a sly glance over her shoulder. “Touched a nerve, did I?” She returned her focus to Arjun, now only feet away. “He’ll use you until you’re spent, and when you’re no longer useful, you’ll end up like all the others. Forgotten. Disposable.”
Arjun clenched his teeth, refusing to look away. “You’re wrong about him.”
Her eyes flashed, and she smirked. “Am I?”
In a split second, Ringo acted. Though his body was still bound by her spell, his soul energy flared, burning with raw defiance. The air around him shimmered like heat waves, and his fingers twitched toward his revolvers.
Valeria’s smug expression faltered as she felt the shift. “What—”
With a roar of sheer willpower, Ringo broke through her hold just enough to draw one of his revolvers. In a blur of motion, he fired.
The shot missed her head by a hair but grazed her shoulder, sending her spinning midair. The force of the blast shattered her concentration, and the crushing weight pinning Arjun and Ringo vanished.
“Move, boy!” Ringo shouted.
Arjun didn’t hesitate. He leapt from the tree, landing in a crouch as Valeria whirled around, her composure cracking.
“You’ll regret that,” she hissed, black energy crackling around her fingertips.
“Not as much as you will,” Ringo snapped, leveling his revolver for another shot.
Arjun scrambled to his feet, his second gama at the ready. He locked eyes with Ringo, and in that moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them.
This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
Before anyone could react, Ringo raised both revolvers to his ears and pulled the triggers. The deafening blast ruptured his eardrums, leaving his world consumed by a relentless, piercing ring. Blood trickled down the sides of his face, but he grinned through the pain.
“Try yer whisperin’ now!” he roared, defiance etched into his features.
Valeria’s expression twisted into something darker. Floating higher, she cupped her hands around her mouth, her lips moving in a silent incantation. When she was done, she opened her hand and the words unraveled into the air, slithering like invisible serpents, spreading through the nearby swamps.
Then, the command flooded the ears of everyone in the vicinity: Kill Ringo Fischer.
Though deafened, Ringo caught the change in Arjun’s demeanor. The boy’s body went rigid, his eyes glazing over as the magic struck him like a blow.
Arjun staggered, gripping his gama so tightly his knuckles whitened. His breathing quickened, turning ragged, before he finally froze. His pupils dilated, and the world around him bled red.
Ringo’s stomach dropped as he saw Arjun’s gaze snap toward him, devoid of recognition. The hum of the swamp grew louder, joined by a sinister rumbling. From the shadows of the dense foliage emerged a horde of crazed figures, their movements jerky, their eyes wild. They poured into the clearing like a tidal wave of chaos.
Ringo cursed under his breath and fired into the mob. His shots were precise, aiming to disable rather than kill, but the sheer numbers were overwhelming. He reloaded in a blur, emptying another twelve rounds in quick succession, but they just kept coming.
Above the chaos, Valeria cackled, her voice thick with cruel glee. “Go on, big shot,” she mocked. “Kill them all! Let the slaughter begin!”
Ringo could no longer hear her, but the malicious delight on her face was unmistakable. He glanced at Arjun, who had leapt above the swarm, using his remaining gama to propel himself forward. The blade struck the ground with a resounding crack, sending tremors through the earth as Ringo dove out of the way.
Grunting in frustration, Ringo rolled to his feet, smashing the butt of his revolvers into the heads of nearby attackers. Arjun was relentless, his movements impossibly fast and deliberate, the boy’s body a weapon driven by Valeria’s command.
“Damn it, kid,” Ringo muttered, vaulting onto a low-hanging branch to escape the surging tide of bodies. He climbed higher, leaping from branch to branch like a predator navigating the canopy. Behind him, Arjun followed with mechanical precision.
Ringo’s gaze flicked to Valeria, who hovered above the chaos like a queen surveying her court. Her smile grew broader, her eyes alight with sadistic joy as Arjun closed the distance.
With nowhere else to go, Ringo made his move. He funneled every ounce of his soul energy into a final leap, launching himself off the tree and toward Valeria. Midair, he fired six shots directly into her chest, each one a precise strike. The force sent her spinning as he crashed into her, the impact driving them both toward the ground.
But before they could land, the mob surged forward, hands clawing at Ringo from every direction. He snarled, thrashing against the onslaught as Valeria slipped from his grip. The horde began pulling him apart, dragging him down into their sea of limbs.
Desperate, Ringo released a powerful pulse of soul energy, the shockwave rippling outward and blasting the attackers away. It created a momentary opening, and Ringo didn’t hesitate.
He summoned the last of his strength, his body trembling with exertion. Then, time itself froze.
The world around him stilled, the chaos locked in eerie suspension. Faces contorted in rage and madness hung motionless. Valeria’s body floated mid-spin, her smile frozen on her lips.
This was not a power Ringo used lightly. Stopping time consumed over a hundred mortal souls per second, burning through his reserves and leaving him drained. It was a choice of desperation, not strategy, and the toll on his body was immediate. His limbs felt heavy, his vision swam, but he pushed through.
Ringo rose to his feet, his mind racing. Every motion was deliberate, every breath a calculated effort. Time was frozen, but his window was vanishing fast.
Ringo spotted one of his revolvers on the ground and snatched it up. With deliberate steps, he approached Valeria, frozen mid-motion in time’s grip. Her body was riddled with seven bullet holes, yet no blood seeped from the wounds. The gash on her shoulder had already begun to heal.
Wasting no time, Ringo leveled the gun at her head and released time with a pull of the trigger. The bullet struck true.
As the echo of the gunshot faded, the madness infecting the minds of Solinum’s citizens unraveled. A silence fell over the swamp, broken only by the groans and cries of those waking to a grim scene of destruction. Arjun stirred among them, blinking against the sunlight as he shook off the haze of Valeria’s control.
“Arjun! Over here!” Ringo called, his voice sharp and urgent. “I need yer blade.”
Snapping to attention, Arjun stumbled over, handing Ringo the remaining gama. “What’s going on?”
Ringo, still deafened, didn’t hear him. Instead, he took the blade and plunged it into Valeria’s chest, splitting her dress as the cloth dulled to gray. With a precise motion, he sliced down, exposing the mechanical heart embedded within her chest. The intricate gears and pipes churned in defiance, sustaining her even now.
The artifact glinted in the dim light—a relic of a forgotten age. Ringo gritted his teeth and yanked it free. Valeria gasped, her body shuddering as the last vestiges of life left her.
The swamp grew still. Ringo examined the heart in his hand, its metal casing cold and unyielding. “It’s over,” he muttered, letting out a long breath. He poured soul energy into himself, healing his wounds.
Arjun, still dazed, managed to blurt out, “What the fuck was that?”
Ringo handed back the gama, his expression grim. “Valeria of the Auxian Islands. We used tuh run together. I gave ‘er that Epithet, but powers ain’t never enough fer people like her. She started collectin’ artifacts—this heart bein’ the worst of the lot.” He held it up, the gears still faintly whirring. “Gave her immortality, sure, but it stripped her humanity. Turned her cruel.”
Arjun frowned. “Why didn’t you kill her before it got to this?”
“Think I didn’t try?” Ringo’s voice hardened. “Yuh saw what she could do. She could whisper into yer mind, control yer thoughts. All it’d take is one word from her, and I’d be gone.. I trapped her instead—lured her tuh a prismon.”
“A prismon?”
“Looks like one of the Staff of Crux’s gems, but it’s a trap. Lost God made ‘em tuh stop mortals huntin’ the Staff’s pieces. Anyone who touches it gets trapped inside ‘til they waste away.” He glanced down at Valeria’s lifeless form before tossing the cold, mechanical artifact to the ground. “‘Cept that damn heart kept her alive all this time. Centuries longer than it should’ve.”
Arjun shook his head, still processing. “But today, you still could’ve—”
“Today, I almost didn’t.” Ringo cut him off, his voice low but steady. “If it weren’t fer yuh, kid, none of us would be walkin’ out of here. Don’t let it go to yer head, but… I was wrong. Yuh’ve got what it takes, least with me around.” He placed a hand on Arjun’s shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “Now, I reckon we get these people home.”
Behind them, the survivors stirred, their faces pale with confusion and terror. Many wept openly, while others stumbled to help the injured. The air buzzed with murmurs as they pieced together their fragmented memories.
Ringo fired a shot into the air, silencing the crowd. “Listen up!” His voice cut through the chaos like a blade. “Name’s Fischer. Yuh got dragged out here by that abomination,” he said, gesturing toward Valeria’s body. “But she’s gone now. Yer safe and we’re gonna get yuh back tuh Solinum.” He turned to Arjun. “Keep the rear. Make sure we ain’t lose any stragglers.”
Arjun nodded and began herding the dazed survivors into a line. He kept an eye out for stragglers, helping those too injured to walk on their own. As he scanned the ground, his gaze caught the shattered remains of his gama. He stooped to pick up the pieces, tucking them away before falling back in step.
Meanwhile, Ringo knelt beside Valeria’s body, stripping it of every artifact—rings, necklaces, and other trinkets she’d hoarded over the years. Each one carried dangerous power, and Ringo knew better than to leave them behind. Once finished, he slung her lifeless body over his shoulder.
“Alright!” he barked. “Form up and follow me!”
The survivors shuffled into line, their steps slow and uncertain, but they obeyed. Ringo led the way through the swamp, his revolver at the ready. The weight of Valeria’s body on his shoulder was heavy, but it was a burden he bore without complaint.
At the rear of the group, Arjun lingered and kept watch, his gaze flicking between the swamp and the survivors. He stayed vigilant, ensuring no one was left behind.
The trek back to Solinum was long and grueling, but the sight of the city’s towering walls filled the survivors with renewed energy. They quickened their pace, eager to return to safety. Guards stationed atop the walls spotted the group approaching and lifted the heavy iron gates, welcoming them back to the city.
As they entered, peacekeepers rushed forward to reunite with their loved ones. Tears flowed freely as they embraced, their relief palpable. Among them, a decorated peacekeeper in a uniform similar to Vigile Alexis’ stepped forward and approached Ringo.
“You’re Fischer?” he asked, his tone brisk but respectful.
“Reckon I am,” Ringo replied, tipping his hat.
“My name is Vigile Rodric. Warden Victor and Vigile Alexis are expecting you at the Capitol Building. I’m here to escort you.”
Ringo shifted Valeria’s lifeless body on his shoulder and handed her over to Rodric. The man recoiled slightly but took her without protest. “Much obliged,” Ringo said. “She was gettin’ heavy. Yuh got boars fer us to ride, or we hoofin’ it?”
“We have boars waiting for you, sir,” the peacekeeper replied. His voice softened as he continued, “I just want to thank you. The patients at the hospital—they’ve all woken up from their delusions. They’re themselves again. We owe you.”
Ringo gave a modest shrug. “Just doin’ muh job. No need fer thanks.”
Soon after, Ringo and Arjun mounted the boars provided by the peacekeepers and rode toward the Capitol Building. Inside, Vigile Alexis was already in the main hall, locked in discussion with Warden Victor.
“The southern hospital reported that all the patients have recovered,” Alexis pressed. “We need to send a group to search for the survivors.”
Victor, seated at the head of the large table, shook his head. “If that bounty hunter truly stopped the whispers, they’ll make it back on their own. I can’t risk losing more people out there.”
“It wouldn’t take much—”
Their debate was interrupted as the heavy doors swung open. Ringo strode in, carrying Valeria’s corpse, with Arjun close behind. Without ceremony, Ringo dropped the body onto the table, making the advisors jump.
“I reckon yuh owe me a hundred thousand senecs,” Ringo declared, his tone even.
Victor raised a skeptical brow. “I reckon we agreed on twenty-five thousand,” he said, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. “That said, you’ve done this city an immense service. We’re grateful.”
Ringo tilted his head. “Grateful enough tuh throw in a refuel fer muh ship?”
Victor chuckled. “Fine, Fischer. A refuel it is. You’ve earned it.” He gestured to an aide nearby. “Tycho, fetch the payment from the vault.”
The advisor nodded, leaving the hall briefly before returning with a stack of senecs. He handed the money to Ringo, bowing slightly. “Here you are. Thank you for your help.”
Ringo pocketed the payment, tipping his hat. “Much obliged. If yuh ever need my services again, tune yer radio to 42.615 AM. I’m always listenin’.”
As Ringo and Arjun walked out the door, Alexis called after him. “Wait!” She jogged to catch up. “I’m glad you’re both safe—especially you, Arjun. I didn’t know what to do when you left the city on your own.”
Arjun smirked. “I’ve learned from the best. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Ringo ruffled Arjun’s hair. “Kid saved muh hide out there.”
Alexis smiled warmly. “Thank you both, truly. If you’re ever in Solinum again, you’re always welcome here. Just tell them you’re a friend of mine.” She extended her hand toward Ringo.
Ringo shook it firmly. “Much appreciated. And if yuh run into a lady named Ophelia, let ‘er know I’ll be back. Didn’t get to say hi with all the commotion.”
Alexis nodded. “I’ll pass it along. Good luck, Arjun and Ringo,” she said with a wink. “I hope to see you again someday.”
Ringo tipped his hat one last time. “Yuh take care now. Try not tuh need muh help anytime soon.”
As they walked back to the docks, Arjun pulled out the broken pieces of his gama. “Think you can fix this?”
Ringo shook his head. “Tyran? Not with muh powers, kid.”
Arjun’s shoulders slumped. “Oh…”
“But,” Ringo added with a grin, “I know someone in Sufar who can. Looks like we’re headin’ tuh Entella next.” He handed Arjun a portion of their earnings. “Here. Yer cut of the bounty.”
Arjun stared at the money in disbelief. “This is for me?”
“Yer workin’ alongside me now. That means yuh get a cut.”
A smile spread across Arjun’s face. For years, he’d worked to prove himself, and now he had. He’d earned his place beside Ringo, not as a student, but as a partner.
As they boarded the Soulchaser, refueled and ready, Ringo fired up the engines. The ship lifted into the sky, its course set for new horizons. Arjun leaned back in his seat, exhaustion finally catching up to him. The past days had been the most challenging—and rewarding—of his life.
Ringo glanced over as Arjun’s eyes began to close. “Get some rest, kid. Yuh’ve earned it.”
The Soulchaser pierced through the cloudbanks, its engines humming a steady rhythm as it carried Ringo and Arjun toward the unknown horizon. Inside, Arjun slumped into his seat, exhaustion claiming him. Yet, behind his closed eyes was a spark—stronger, sharper, and more determined than ever. He had proven himself, not just to Ringo but to himself. Whatever awaited them next, he was ready.
Below, the city of Solinum began to stir. The gates groaned open as wary citizens stepped out into the sunlight, their faces etched with both weariness and relief. The radios, once a source of fear and control, now crackled faintly before falling quiet for good. The automated warning ceased for Solinum, bruised but resilient, began to heal. The oppressive hum of Valeria’s whispers was gone, leaving only silence in its wake.
