Chapter 4: The Laying of the Foundations and the Echo of Knowledge
Following that first encounter, overshadowed by Kael's absolute precision and icy determination, the dilapidated building and the few streets surrounding it had fallen under the quiet but firm authority of a new master. As the remnants of the old order were rapidly being swept away, Kael quickly began to establish his own rules. His leadership was based less on brute force than on intelligence, foresight, and a controlled sense of danger that could erupt at any moment. The only voice echoing through the rubble of the building was now his calm but unquestionable commands.
First, he gave the group a new name: "The Echo." It was both a reference to the nature of Kael's own abilities and a symbol of his goal that their actions would resonate throughout this city. The scarred former leader was made Kael's right-hand man, codenamed "The Shadow" for now; his power was diminished but his experience was still valuable. The young boy who had shown his loyalty first and without hesitation had been given the name "Aslan"; his agility, street knowledge, and the lock-picking skill that Kael had instantly sensed made him invaluable for reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions. The sneaky man who had caused Kael's powers to waver with thoughts of treason had been labeled "Zero"; he would be kept under constant surveillance, and the slightest wrong move would be eliminated without repercussion. The others were assigned temporary assignments based on their talent and potential loyalty.
Using the echoing information he had acquired from Aslan, Kael easily opened the building's old, rusted locks and identified the usable areas inside. With the street knowledge leaking from Aslan's mind, he could predict the safest and riskiest areas in the area, the routines of police patrols, and even the departure times of rival gangs with astonishing accuracy. This information formed the basis of Kael's strategic planning. He gave Aslan his first and most important task: to report all whispers, rumors, and potential threats in the surrounding areas. Any information, especially about "advanced" or "strange" events, was vital; this world held dangers and opportunities far beyond ordinary criminals.
However, an empire was built not only with information, but also with resources. Yankı urgently needed money and basic supplies. Based on the initial information gathered by Aslan, Kael targeted an undisciplined and small-scale contraband warehouse operating a few streets away. His plan was simple, but it used Kael's talents perfectly. Taking advantage of the darkness of the night, he threw a small piece of metal he had specially carved into the ventilation grille on the roof of the warehouse from a hundred meters away with perfect accuracy. The piece of metal targeted the grille's locking mechanism, silently disabling it. Then, once again with Kael's instant guidance and his own agility, Aslan infiltrated the warehouse's internal security cameras and momentarily disrupted their viewing angles with small pebbles thrown from a distance by Kael. While outside, Gölge and the others were watching the area. The operation was completed with near-surgical precision, without firing a single bullet or sounding an alarm. The seized goods (mostly stolen electronics and unbranded drugs) and a small amount of cash provided the Echo's initial capital.
This successful operation solidified the group's respect and loyalty to Kael. They had seen that he was not only an incredible marksman, but also a brilliant strategist. Kael could feel this growing loyalty; the echoes in his mind grew more distinct, Aslan's street knowledge sharpened, and he caught glimpses of Shadow's seasoned fighting instincts. It was a symbiotic relationship; as he grew stronger, those connected to him felt indirectly more secure and more willing to offer.
Zero remained a thorn in his side. Kael had deliberately kept him out of the operation. His presence was a living reminder of how fragile loyalty could be, and how certain the consequences of betrayal could be. On one occasion, he sensed that Zero was trying to sneak out of the building, perhaps waiting for an opportunity to leak information to a rival group. At that moment, Kael, on the other side of the building, dropped a tiny piece of plaster he had torn from a crack in the ceiling onto the floor just in front of the threshold where Zero was about to step, as if he had been teleported there. Zero paused in surprise and turned to meet Kael's icy gaze. No words were spoken, but the message was clear: your every move was being watched.
A few days later, Aslan excitedly approached Kael. Among the information he had gathered was a rather striking detail. There were strong rumors that there were intact and functional pieces of Chitauri technology, thought to be from the Battle of New York, in one of the city's abandoned industrial zones. It was said that these pieces were incredibly valuable on the black market, and that some local gangs were even fighting each other to get their hands on this technology. This was both a great risk and an incredible opportunity for Yanki. This technology could accelerate Kael's dreams of an empire, giving him the potential to upset the balance of power in this city. However, this also meant coming under the radar of much larger and more dangerous players.
As Kael thought about the information Aslan had brought, his eyes focused on the skyline of the metropolis, which was shining with night lights. The foundations of his empire had been laid, but the real game was now beginning. Chitauri technology... This could change everything.