"Geez, man, do you really not trust me that much?"
Ezra's voice betrayed hints of annoyance at Aaron's vigilant actions throughout their long walk through the streets of Corvassa.
His blade rested precariously over his shoulder; however, in secret, the blond-haired boy had told Penelope that if, for any reason, he tried to run or betray him, there would be no sparing a felon, no matter his age.
"You are a thief who shot at me multiple times. I still haven't ruled out the possibility that this so-called sister is fake and that you are leading me into a trap. So to answer your question, yes, I really do not trust you this much."
Aaron's exasperated tone echoed through the dark alleyways that they weaved through to arrive at the black market.
Rats scurried around, digging through trash and other filth, looking for any scraps of food they could find, while the homeless stared daggers into them with saliva nearly dripping from their lips.
It was a disgusting sight for the blue-eyed boy who, even while knowing Sea Fallen was an older city with far weaker architecture, internally blamed the government's mismanagement.
Ahead of him, Ezra's mind was a blur of displeasure and hope, with various factors influencing him.
Maybe this chump could help me get back Abby, but what if he's as bad as those crooks who took her?
His expressions were carefully masked with a scowl as he stopped suddenly while staring at a plain stone wall.
"We're here."
Aaron tilted his head slightly as he listened to the black-haired boy's confirmation, with doubt settling into his mind.
Ezra shook his head in disappointment before pressing his hand against a seemingly regular piece of stone on the wall.
Thhhhnnk…
The heavy groan of machinery jumped to life as the previously bland barrier was replaced by a small archway with a stairway that descended into the depths.
Opening his mouth for a moment to speak, Aaron was instead left speechless by the sudden appearance of the doorway.
"Cool, eh? This entrance is used by the worst of the worst of the city, so make sure you savor this."
Ezra's mocking tone echoed down the cold pathway as candles shimmered to life through what could only be described as magic.
Aaron just stared as the black-haired boy descended into the darkness, with him soon following behind him into the black market below.
…
"FREE PELICANS WITH EVERY PURCHASE!"
"SEA TERROR CUTLETS ON SALE NOW!"
"BUYING USED ORGANS!"
Signs littered the densely packed corridors of the underground as two hooded figures pushed their way through.
The black market itself was a massive cavern with hanging lanterns that drooped with metal chains.
Buildings were dug into the stone with supports jutting off in every direction, grasping for any support they could garner from the trash-ridden streets.
Every stone on the winding roads and paths nearly sent Aaron flying forward face-first into the horribly maintained ground.
As he strolled behind Ezra, his eyes froze for a moment as he gazed at the white birds sitting in cages staring at him ominously.
P-Pelican traders…
On the other hand, Ezra simply scoffed at the terrible salesmen who begged the boy to stop and see the newest deals.
"Blondie. Don't take anything from these chumps. Most of the time they're either cursed or poisoned, so unless you wanna be six feet under, then I'd suggest not touching those cutlets…"
Near a food stall, Aaron stopped his hand from reaching out to grab the sea terror meat with a disappointed frown across his face.
He had hidden Penelope from sight; however, she was to closely monitor anyone within the radius to prevent any stalkers or criminals from finding their next prey.
『Everyone here is as pathetic as that thief you're tailing. Nothing notable about any of them, but I'd keep your guard up… If someone as powerful as that brown-haired gremlin woman appeared, then they might be able to hide their presence in my weakened state.』
At the mention of a certain 'gremlin woman', Aaron laughed inwardly, reminding himself that the girl inside the blade and Cam had a less-than-amicable relationship.
Ever since that spider-demoness nearly pulled me into the depths, she's been hating on Cam non-stop… Then again, she didn't care much for Alice either, so maybe she just doesn't like women in general? But that wouldn't make sense – Dammit, I don't get women at all!
With the heaviest sigh he had ever sighed before, he followed carefully behind Ezra, who continued to push away unwanted attention.
"Damn these sellers. Trying to screw me over with another deal…"
His grumblings only intensified as the two boys shoved their way through another massive group of vendors who stuck their products into their faces.
Aaron carefully examined each of the passersby, making sure they kept their hands out of his pockets while speaking quietly to Ezra.
"Why does the government allow this place to flourish? They must know it exists since this place is massive, but it still operates normally?"
The boy ahead of him stopped, speaking in a hushed tone, careful to avoid the detection of the people who watched from every direction.
"Allow it to flourish? The government runs this place."
Startled, Aaron's eyes widened in shock as he processed the disturbing information.
Wouldn't the Sea Kings and Marshals step in to prevent these establishments? Why the hell would they run it? It makes no sense!
As he pondered the questions that flowed through his mind, he stopped as he noticed something out of the corner of his eye.
Furrowing his brow in confusion as he stared up in complete disbelief at the technological marvel that stood before him.
"I-It's glowing? Is there even magic to make stuff glow like that?"
High above his head stood a neon sign that spelled out a short phrase that further drove him into uncertainty.
The childish question led the black-haired boy next to him to laugh at his ignorance and respond with a quip.
"You ain't ever seen a sign like this, old man? You either live out in the boonies or are straight up an idiot. This ain't no magic, it's basic electricity."
Ezra's jeer only made Aaron scratch his head in confusion as a strange, unusual tingling feeling dug its way into his temples.
Electricity… Why does that sound familiar…
Shrugging off the odd sensation, he turned to the black-haired boy next to him with a stern expression.
"Is your sister inside this place?"
Ezra nodded in response to Aaron's question while scratching his hair softly and whispered under his breath.
"So I kinda owe the boss of this place some money… If he sees my face, I'm as good as dead, so I need you to cover for me. That good, boss man?"
He poked his index fingers together, trying to gather pity, yet the blond-haired boy just stared at him oddly.
"You're telling me you pissed off the owner of a gambling house!? And now you can't go inside and save your own damn sister? I thought you said you were going to pay it off with my money!"
Aaron's angry shouts garnered attention from the vendors, who looked at him with sly smiles as if they knew his dilemma.
Ezra flushed red in embarrassment with the growing crowd around them staring ominously.
"Hush, dumbass! If they see us here, they'll kill Abby… Man, c'mon, I know I stole from you, but you gotta do this for me… If I lose her, then I'll have nothing left…"
As he spoke, he turned his head downward with a solemn expression forming across his lips.
Silently, Aaron pondered the boy's heartfelt request while images of Eleanor's cold, lifeless body echoed in his mind.
Nothing left…
Then, with one heavy sigh, the blond-haired boy spoke calmly without a sliver of regret for his next actions.
"I'll help you, but I'll need something in return."
Within seconds, hope exploded onto Ezra's face in realization of what Aaron had just said; however, a hint of worry also appeared.
"W-What do y'want in exchange…? I'm flat broke and I ain't going to be your male prost—"
Hurriedly, Aaron stammered out an interruption, preventing the words he was about to say from even coming to fruition.
"N-No… I only want you to owe me a favor later on. Nothing like what you were thinking…"
Another extremely awkward moment of silence passed between the two boys, with only the bustle of the surrounding crowd to keep the tension alive.
"H-How about we go inside and find your sister…"
Aaron cleared his throat as he spoke, noticing Ezra do the same.
"Good idea, man…"
And then, with extreme shame, they walked slowly into the glowing building whose sign glitched oddly, making some of the letters disappear into the darkness.
B_lv_der_'s Casi_o