Chapter 1: Whispers

  Wind blew above the head of the two guards. It was a very cold night, a bit unusual for Star City. The massive gate creaked as it was assaulted by the wind. The left guard was shivering and chattering his teeth while the right guard pretended not to notice. Eventually, he had enough.

  “God, man! Pull yourself together! You’re bringing down my reputation! How is it possible to look cool guarding a gate while your partner can’t stop quivering like a wet kitten!”

  The left guard, taken aback, had an aghast expression on his face.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?! I can’t believe you’d dare to say something like that to me, of all people. Reputation? What reputation? The last time you attempted to flirt with Miss Mina, she didn’t pay any attention to you, and pretended to be comprehending the clouds, or some shit! I was forced to watch on in horror as you continued bumbling around like a drunk nymph! If anything, you’re ruining my reputation!”

  The right guard looked horrified.

  “You said you wouldn’t ever mention that again. How could you? That was a low point in my life.”

  Left guard was still pissed off.

  “Oh, I told people. I told Jack, Mason, and Roran! They all thought it was hilarious! How about that! Still want to call me a—“

  The left guard’s tirade stopped as a man arrived in their sight. He was young, and carrying a scythe on his back. The man didn’t seem tired, even at this ungodly hour. He had a fair complexion, with long black hair that extended down his back. He had an arrogant face, one that seemed to look down on people. He exuded a certain heroism, nobility, and strength. The two guards had been guarding doors for years now. They knew that this was an important man.

  He walked forth, not acknowledging the guards. They debated reaching out to stop him, but they didn’t have the guts. In both their hearts, they knew. This man wouldn’t stop for anything.

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  Cassius passed by the guards. His hearing was excellent, so he had picked up most of their prior conversation.

  Heh. Silly guards.

  The guards missed the amused smirk that played out across Cassius’s face as he passed them by. So this is the famous Star City Wall? Wow…

  The enormous gate loomed over the young man’s head. It opened before him, but the gate’s yielding didn’t take away from its majesty. Cassius took in the landscape that revealed itself. Outcropping buildings soared upwards into the sky, breaking the clouds. The city had levels. It bordered the ocean, but the tallest parts were far, far above sea level. The government building reached even higher than that, throwing its head upwards past the clouds.

  Cassius wasn’t here to appreciate the beauty of the city, though. He, unfortunately, had a job to do. Those old bastards running the World Council had decided he needed to investigate some silly rumors about disappearing slum-goers. Apparently, this specific job had been sitting in a file on some desk for a few years. As expected of those old bastards. So lazy.

  Cassius took his job very seriously. He was a pro, the best of the best, a 10 time agent of the month. Yes, he had been agent of the month 10 times. Incredible. Even for a pro like Cassius, though, this was more like a punishment than a job… Whatever. Cassius still had to get used to solo investigations. Up until 15 years ago, he’d been taking his little brother with him, and after that, the WC would typically assign him a more combat-oriented partner to contrast his infiltration skills. Not that he couldn’t hold his own in a fight, of course.

  Cassius’s strides were long, and his gait was quick, especially downhill. It carried him swiftly past the bright lights of the hotels and restaurants, and through the busy, luminous streets. The city slept for no man.

  His destination? The slums, of course. They were quite close to this gate, anyway. He might as well tackle those first.

  Moving down the slope of the city was also moving downward in society. As a democratic government employee, Cassius couldn’t help feeling a bit disgusted by the blatant caste system presented in front of him.

  Stupid free cities. I bet the old bastards could put together an operation to take control of all these fucking billionaire backwater freaks. Uh oh. I think the indoctrination they put me through is starting to work.

  Cassius laughed at himself, making the surrounding people look at him strangely. He didn’t care. After all, he was getting closer and closer to the real slums of this place. The people looking at him didn't want to cause him any trouble. Not yet.

  Cassius’s leisurely walk began to irritate him. He had things to do, after all. He picked up the pace.

  Ten meters.

  Twenty meters.

  100 meters.

  Cassius began to sprint, becoming a blur weaving through the sidewalk. Sometimes he’d run onto the road and race past one of the cars. He always made sure to smile and wave at the astonished drivers. Eventually, after spotting an appropriately seedy bar, he judged that the slums were appropriately “slummy.”

  Can’t you think of any better words? What a shit narrator.

  I don’t want any lip from you, fucker.

  ……

  Ok, I’m sorry.

  He slid to a stop, dusting off his cloak. Cassius always made sure to look the part. He was a 10 time agent of the month, after all.

  The women outside the bar whistled and clapped his dramatic entrance.

  The operation was going great already.