Outside the restaurant, Sage stood casually, leaning against the wall with a small, relaxed smile. He spotted Eclipse and Chael approaching and raised a hand in a friendly wave.

  As the two made their way over, Sage greeted them. “I’m guessing you guys are ready to work together then?”

  Chael smiled back, “We need all the help we can get.”

  “So, what’s the plan?” Sage asked, his eyes shifting to Eclipse. “Got any ideas, Jin?”

  Eclipse pulled out a cigarette and ignited it with a spark of electricity from his index finger. “Khali. We need to gather as much intel on him as possible before we plan any attacks. First, let’s lay out everything we know about the Dracoferus tribe and Khali.”

  Sage nodded in agreement. “Sounds good.”

  The three entered the restaurant and settled at a corner table, the same one they sat at the day prior. Sage took a deep breath, preparing to share what he knew. “I’ll start, since I probably know the most.”

  “The Dracoferus tribe was originally formed by Khali’s father, Khaan,” Sage began.

  Chael’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Wait, they were formed by Khali’s father, not Khali?”

  Sage nodded. “Yes, Khaan united all the tribes in the Bloodmoon Region many years ago and brought them under the Dracoferus banner. He was known to be a savage and merciless man who pillaged and raided the strongest tribes and villages around. But as he aged, he began to hand over more and more control to his only son, Khali. By the time of his death, Khali pretty much had complete control.”

  Eclipse stared at him coldly with his usual tired-looking eyes, dark with eyebags, “When and how did he die?”

  Sage paused before answering. “We don’t know the specifics of how he died, but it was around four to five years ago.”

  Eclipse was a little shocked. The timeline was a lot closer than he had anticipated.

  “Before Khaan’s Death,” Sage continued, “the Dracoferus tribe mostly collected taxes from villages and enforced the laws of the Avyssos. But after his death, things changed. Khali took full control, and over the next year, the tribe seemed different - they were far more agitated, and very frantic in their movements.”

  Chael’s eyes narrowed. “Different in what way?”

  Sage leaned in, lowering his voice. “They seemed to be searching for something, and Khali appeared desperate. The Dracoferus tribesmen were everywhere, and rumors started spreading that Khali was losing his mind. He began mass killing civilians and even his own men, which was completely out of character for him. Normally, he wasn’t someone to go on a killing spree, especially on his own men.”

  Eclipse’s brows furrowed. “What made you think he was searching for something?”

  “The tribesmen's behavior was a big clue,” Sage said. “They would search villages with a lot of urgency and leave them in a mess, this had kept going on for a long time. There were even whispers that Khali had gone mad, as if his life was slipping away. Some think he might have been searching for the same thing they’re looking for now - a blood sample or something equally important.”

  As Sage spoke, Eclipse’s thoughts raced. The connection between Khali’s madness and the destruction of Grapefruit Village struck a chord. Had the Dracoferus tribe been looking for him that day?

  Sage went on, “There were rumors that on the day of the late leader’s death, Khali made his way to Grapefruit Village. When he arrived, he went on a murdering spree destroying the whole village along the way, and he left with the earth caved in where the village had been with not even remains left. No one knows how he managed to cause such damage, but needless to say, it struck fear in the hearts of many people. From that point on, Khali’s behaviour became increasingly erratic.”

  Eclipse’s mind raced. What happened to Grapefruit village obviously hadn’t been Khali’s doing, it was his! And The Dracoferus tribe’s pursuit of the Nine Lamentations of Conquered Worlds had been relentless. But if Khali had been at the village that day, why didn’t he take it? And if he had, why was he searching for him and Chael? The questions gnawed at him, each one deeper than the last.

  On the day Celestia had saved him and Chael, the Dracoferus tribesmen had interrogated them about the Nine Lamentations of Conquered World’s.

  Why? What drove their obsession? The old leader’s death seemed to be a turning point, but why was it so significant? Why hadn’t Duozian simply handed over the painting to them if it was so crucial to them? It was just an extraordinary artwork as far as Eclipse understood.

  Chael frowned, “Khali’s behaviour is very strange. Just what could he be up to…?”

  Sage shrugged. “It’s a mystery. Who knows?”

  Eclipse shook his head and focused on trying to get the information he came here to get, “What about the combat abilities and strengths of the tribe? Tell me about those things.”

  Sage took a sip of his sake, then began to explain. “As you might have seen, the Dracoferus tribe fights like a pack of wild animals in the sense that they're brutally savage and chaotic. Their specialty lies in archery and cavalry combat. Most of their tribesmen use weapons like spears, swords, maces, and battle axes. Regular tribesmen don’t possess Tenelux abilities, but a few generals do. Thorn was one of them.”

  Eclipse’s eyes narrowed. “There’s that bastard Dragos too.”

  “Dragos is second only to Khali in terms of strength,” Sage continued. “There are also five other Phacers, meaning they possess a Tenelux. They used to be leaders or children of leaders from their respective tribes before all tribes were united under Dracoferus. I don’t know much about them.”

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  Sage studied Eclipse and Chael, his gaze signalling it was their turn to share what they knew. Eclipse took a deep breath before speaking. “I’m the sole survivor of the Grapefruit Village incident.”

  Sage’s eyes widened in shock at this information.

  “And from what I know,” Eclipse continued, “Khali didn’t attack Grapefruit Village just to find a blood sample. He was searching for something called the Nine Lamentations of Conquered Worlds.”

  Sage raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

  Eclipse’s face hardened as he recalled the vivid memory. “It’s a strange painting I came across years ago of the ocean and the night sky.”

  Sage looked puzzled, “That’s it?”

  “No, it was like I was in the painting, and I could feel and interact with everything around me.”

  Sage thought hard, “It must’ve been an extremely valuable artefact. But it still doesn’t explain why he needs it with so much frenzy to the point he’s slaughtering villages and tearing the lands to look for it…”

  Eclipse nodded, carefully omitting the fact that Khali had been hunting him specifically years ago. “That’s about all we’ve got.”

  Chael spoke up after a while. “What’s our next step, then?”

  Eclipse leaned back, thinking. “The most important things we need to find out are where Khali is and why he’s after the blood sample of the former Xephyr family leader and the Nine Lamentations of Conquered Worlds’. Once we have that information, we’ll be able to track him down.”

  Chael glanced at the waiter as he brought their food. “How do we get that kind of intel?”

  Eclipse stared at Sage coldly,. “You mentioned The Feathered Eyes? One of the six figures of the Avyssos responsible for intel?”

  Sage’s eyes lit up. “Ah, yes. That’s right. The Feathered Eyes are well-hidden… but I’ve got a route memorized that leads to one of their locations,” he said, picking up his chopsticks.

  Chael looked up, intrigued. “How do routes work in the Avyssos?” he asked, taking a sip of his green tea.

  Sage leaned in, explaining between bites. “In the Avyssos, the routes are not just physical paths but also involve navigating through layers of secrecy and influence. The Feathered Eyes operate through a network of informants and safe houses. To find them, you have to follow a specific sequence of locations where their presence is signalled-places that aren’t immediately obvious.”

  Eclipse raised an eyebrow. “So, it’s not just a straightforward trail?”

  “Exactly,” Sage confirmed. “It’s more about understanding the signals and knowing where to look. The routes are often disguised and blends in with everyday locations. You have to be aware of subtle hints and follow a series of clues to get closer to one of their locations of operations.”

  Chael nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds complicated.”

  “It can be,” Sage agreed. “But if we stick to the route I know, we should be able to make contact with them.”

  The three moved silently through the maze of dark tunnels leading to the Avyssos with capes that covered their faces well. The walls of these tunnels were damp, and seemed to be made out of material of stone of some sort. Their footsteps echoed and the sound of dripping water was the only thing they could hear. The path Sage led them on twisted and turned, and they passed through narrow corridors, their breathing heavy in the confined space, then down steep staircases that spiralled into darkness. The further they went the cooler it got.

  They emerged into another tunnel, the walls lined with faintly glowing moss that gave just enough light to see. The air felt different here. Strange in a way that it was more oppressive, as if the weight of the earth above pressed down on them.

  “No one knows the exact number of entrances or exits,” Sage continued, his voice very calm as they walked. “Most people learn the routes, the plazas, and the ways in and out through experience or through others who have learnt the routes. But even then, there could be more than a hundred ways to reach a single plaza. The only way to find the fastest route is through years of navigating these tunnels. Even the most experienced members of the Avyssos don’t know them all.”

  They descended another set of stairs, these ones curving tighter as if spiraling into the very heart of the earth. Their footsteps grew louder in the small space and the sound bounced off the stone in a rhythmic beat that seemed to sync with their breaths.

  “It’s said that even the Six Figures don’t know all the routes,” Sage added as they reached the bottom and continued through yet another tunnel. “There are hidden paths, secret ways that only a few know. And then there are areas within the Avyssos that might never have been explored.”

  Chael and Eclipse exchanged glances as the enormity of this underground labyrinth called the Avyssos became clearer with each step. The tunnels seemed endless, twisting and turning, sometimes leading them down, other times back up, before plunging them into more darkness. It was easy to lose track of time and direction in this place.

  Chael's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "How was such a place created?"

  Sage paused, gathering his thoughts before explaining. "The Avyssos wasn't built all at once. Centuries ago, it began as a series of secret passages and meeting spots for rebels and outcasts hiding from the ruling powers. Over time, these hidden routes expanded, connecting with natural cave systems and abandoned mines.

  Generations of criminals, smugglers, and those seeking refuge from the world above contributed to its growth, carving out new tunnels and chambers.

  Eventually, the Six Figures, the most powerful among them, took control and organised the chaos into the underground empire it is today."

  Chael listened intently as Sage continued, "Nowadays, the plazas - open areas controlled by the Figures - are scattered throughout the Avyssos. There isn't a clear division of territory; instead, each Figure has plazas in nearly every region. The most influential among them, known as 'Lucian Voss,' controls the largest number of plazas, ranging from gambling dens to black markets. Anything that can make him money, he controls."

  Eclipse took a drag from his cigarette as they walked, clearly not interested in the history of it, "Where are we going?"

  "We're going to the southeast of the Avyssos and then make our way to the lower east area," Sage replied with a friendly smile. "The first plaza we'll enter is controlled by the Haimos’ Chosen. They specialise in organ selling."

  They reached a heavy wooden door which looked worn with age but still sturdy nonetheless. Sage took the lead and pushed it open. Beyond the door was a long, dimly lit hallway that stretched out before them. The walls were lined with small alcoves carved into them where flickering lanterns provided the only light. The air stank of the scent of antiseptic and the smell of blood.

  The hallway was lined with stalls on either side and each one being manned by shadowy figures selling various organs displayed on slabs of ice. Hearts, lungs, livers, and other less identifiable parts were laid out like grotesque merchandise. The sellers barely glanced at the trio as they passed and were more concerned with haggling over prices with their customers - buyers with faces obscured by hoods or masquerade masks.

  Chael had been flicking his coin up and down, his eyes wandering around the eerie marketplace. A stall caught his attention. Its surface was covered in skulls and bones neatly arranged in a display. He turned to Eclipse with a grin. "Don't they look so cool?"

  Eclipse was lost in his own thoughts. He kept his head down. Though his exterior was calm, the sight of organs in jars and the dim atmosphere of the plaza triggered memories he had long tried to bury. Dark rooms, strange equipment, and the cold, clinical scent of antiseptic filled his mind. He tried to take these thoughts out of his mind yet they forced their way in.

  Eclipse's irritation grew as the images became more persistent. Suddenly, a sharp jolt brought him back to the present. Someone had bumped into him. Eclipse turned around, his eyes meeting those of a man who glared back at him. The man was tall with a scarred face that looked like it had been carved from stone. His eyes were cold and calculating and he straightened his dark coat.

  He was the debt collector who had come to his mother and demanded money all those years ago. The same one who had chased him down and beaten him after he tried to steal from that shop under his father’s command.