Arcane Anew

Silco's name wasn't exactly a mystery as the industrialist of the Undercity. His dealings with Shimmer, however, were a little more obscured. But when you worked in the mines- and a criminal body needed an unknown and disposable body- word spread.

And it wasn't necessarily a bad thing for those trapped in the mines either. What else did they have outside of their miserable lives? Travel beyond the city, where they knew nothing of the land, the food, or the dangers?

Many weren't willing to face that unknown. The fear of it- just like what kept many away from certain sectors of the fissure mines, where eerie horrors echoed from the dark- kept people from leaving. The lack of money was another factor.

But working with a criminal syndicate?

That was still a familiar world. And if one could survive the task ahead- a 50-50 chance between suicide and jail- status elevation was guaranteed. People knew this. Some did it willingly, some unwillingly. Regardless, for those who survived but were thrown back into the mines, word spread.

And this was how Isha first heard of Silco's name.

Deformed and malnourished figures, with purple veins and new, bulging tumors she had never seen before- this was how she learned about Shimmer and Silco's operation.

Did people believe the man who returned as an abomination to the mines? As always, opinions were mixed. Some thought he had failed his gig and was trying to hide it. Others assumed he had overdosed on Shimmer, and once exposed, was cast out.

Fear trickled into Isha the first time she saw such a sight. Pity for the deformed soon followed. She tried to help them- offering to lift their carts or carry their pickaxes- but she stopped after witnessing one enter a frenzied fit and bash his own head into a bloody pulp against the rocks.

A corpse. A haunting memory. A lesson for her. And a deeper disdain for Shimmer.

Yet here she stood. In the same room as Silco.

And Orion- the man somehow connected to both her idol and her disgust.

The dots finally connected.

The money? Silco's money. Something she both sniffed at and desired.

The revenge? Against Topside. That part she liked, simply because it was Topside.

Ekko and Powder? Past friends, tangled in some kind of abandonment with him.

And Orion? He repeatedly claimed it wasn't Shimmer but what else could it be? Regardless, he was a golden ticket if she kept on his good side… and stopped him from overdosing on Shimmer.

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'He's so stupid,' Isha complained mentally as she stormed back into the fissure mine with her cap. 'He can't even get the basic handsigns right!'

"Oh? You're back, Isha?" Greg, the foreman who had taken care of her food needs for six years, said gruffly in surprise. "Thought you had your ticket out!"

He laughed and teased her, and Isha flipped him off with a glare. Grinning, Greg kept going. "Did he catch on to you being a little sneaky rat?"

Isha sighed, shaking her head and gesturing gloomily. "No, he's an idiot. He's slow."

"So... why are you bothering?" Greg asked. "Stupid gets you killed faster than these fissures."

"A chance," Isha signed.

He snorted dismissively. "A chance, my ass. But if you really want to take that chance, none will stop you. And you'll always have a spot ready for you here."

He gestured at her miniature pickaxe, propped against the wall near his desk.

She smiled faintly, her gaze briefly drifting to the clutter of other pickaxes- grime-covered, rusted, and in some cases, bloodstained- before reaching for hers. Despite all the chaos topside, gripping its handle again brought a sense of security, and a faint smile crossed her lips.

A disapproving sigh escaped Greg. "Don't get attached to this life. It's not healthy for you."

Isha raised a brow, glancing at him as she clutched the pickaxe close to her chest.

"I really hope it turns out well for you, kid. Else, you'll end up like me." Greg eyed her up slowly, scratching his bald head with dried skin, scabs, and discolored patches before waving her off. "Now get lost. I'm busy."

"Nn."

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"You're the kid from the market," the female enforcer said in surprise as Isha stood by the front door of the arcade.

She had been struggling to contain herself after meeting the gang, frequently peeking through the glass- until this person showed up.

This enforcer.

Sniffing, she put on her best poker face and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Orion is in there with the others, I'm taking it?" the enforcer asked as a commotion grew inside.

Isha shrugged again. 'I'm not giving this enforcer anything! But... she knows them?'

Rolling her eyes, the woman flicked her blue hair back before crossing her arms with a smirk. "I saw you with him that day. Now, coincidentally, you're here."

As she stepped forward, Isha instinctively took a stance. The lady chuckled in amusement.

"Don't worry. I'm just here to talk to them. Besides, you've been wanting to go in too, haven't you?"

It was true. Isha glanced at the door longingly before catching herself and snapping her glare back at the enforcer.

Still glaring.

Still glaring- oh, the lady opened the door.

Still glaring- but somehow, her feet were following.

Oh, whoopsie. She was inside now.

'I was never told to stop anyone from coming in. Just to stay outside.'

A triumphant little grin briefly crossed Isha's face before she wiped it clean. 'Not my fault! The lady forced her way in!'

There was Vi- Vander's vicious pup- again. She met her with surprise- well, not surprise anymore. At this point it was becoming a question of 'Alright, and who else' with Orion.

And Orion was talking to... people she didn't recognize.

Where were the other two?

Isha squeaked with surprise as Powder and Ekko landed in front of them. Ekko glared at the enforcer while Powder tilted her head, watching Isha curiously.

Their eyes met, and Isha froze.

Powder briefly glanced at the enforcer before returning her gaze to Isha with a sly and knowing grin.

'Ahhh! She knew!' Isha thought excitedly. 'I knew it! She catches on to everything! Not like that idiot-'

Her wide eyes, filled with admiration and excitement, flicked to Orion briefly before shifting to confusion as everyone started heading toward the ring.

'What's going on?'

(One more to catch up the perspective and cover the events up to his awakening?)