As I passed through tightly packed rows, I deliberately bumped into a table of floating ghosts. They shot upward like startled pigeons and then resettled in their hovering Their outlines constantly shifted—no clue what gender or species they were—like they were solving themselves into existence through some puzzle logic. But they interacted just fine with the material world, tossing cards from a fresh deck and flailing their hands whenever they won a round. I plopped down on a bar stool and rang the bell three A moment later, a door to the back swung open—and out stepped a man. Just a man. Flesh and Well, not just. He wasn't tall, but damn was he built. His sweater clung to bulging muscle, and when he rolled up the sleeves, a whole topographic map of tattoos curled along his dark skin, forming a mad constellation of The bartender—because who else could he be—flashed a bright smile and greeted me. What can I get you? The Common tongue sounded wildly alien in the heavy quiet of this freakish tavern. I'll have one… no, make it two ten-year If you've got that on your menu.- His eyes went I mean wide—like his sclera might roll out onto the counter, dragging his pupils with them. You talk?! You're not one of Them?! Them who? - I asked coolly, gesturing toward the bar's eclectic
-You mean your fine patrons?-
You're human, - he gasped, grabbing his head like it was about to blow off. - I don't believe it! Prove it! If you keep this up, I'm - I made a show of rising from my seat, which sent him into a mini-meltdown.
No, please—don't! - He blurted, immediately embarrassed by his outburst. Then he dropped his -You're the first human I've seen in ages. My name's Phoenix, and I've been stuck here for months Nice to meet you. I'm Alenari. - I softened and offered my hand. He gripped it like it was a lifeline, holding on so tight my fingers turned The guy looked like he thought I might evaporate if he let go. Eventually he released me and launched into a full-blown monologue, gushing with excitement and abandoning all attempts at dignity. I, meanwhile, admired his short, tightly curled hair and the sparkling diamond studs in his ears.
This bodybuilder had trained for years with the Cappers, a paramilitary sect that lived underground, honing their bodies through combat drills and meditative purges. They trained in every form of violence known to man: guns, plasma weapons (though those were rare due to cost), hand-to-hand, and all types of transport.
Cappers were required to study the ever-mutating bestiary of creatures that emerged from beyond the Wall — even though that -bestiary- changed daily, with a few exceptions—and be ready to face them with both physical and spiritual weapons.
Internally, I scoffed. Yeah, I knew all about the Cappers. Half-sect, half- commando unit, formed to fight the dark things -for the sake of humanity. - Sure. All noble actions spawn equally grotesque reactions, and it was no surprise something like this popped up. But just like everything else on our filthy little planet, their ideals had already been rolled in the dirt and trampled under muddy boots.
The Cappers were fighting less and less, holed up in their bunkers and selling their services to the rich and powerful, who always needed trained mercs for their shady business And you know what? That was the one part of their new doctrine I actually agreed with—because saving people for free? Go find someone brain-damaged for that. I charged triple for my services and wished the same for everyone else.
That's why I never tried to help those naive fools throwing themselves at the Obscurity's horrors, thinking they could win. Most of the beasts couldn't be taken down with aluminum-grade weapons. You needed different kinds of firepower—firepower only I And honestly, why would I breed competition? So yeah, the Cappers dropped like flies. One after the other. Still, there were always a few brave (read: stupid) loners or duos who dared to cross the Wall—and stayed Forever. And now I was one of them. Guess that made me an fool, too... and that's putting it mildly. Long story short, finding a living Capper in the Obscurity shook me almost as much as my sudden appearance did him. Like any self-respecting stereotypical bartender, Phoenix was wiping dusty glasses with a rag and talking and talking: Don't take me for a fool, (By that point, we'd switched to - you.-) -Like my brothers, I got my hands dirty following my Chapter's orders. Can't say I hated it. Everyone needs money for basic needs…- -And for the gym. - I cut -Nah, that's free, - Phoenix smirked, flashing those pearly whites again. Was that just his teeth sparkling—or was something sparking between us? I didn't know. But I had already mentally stripped and redressed that muscular tank a few times by now.