When he was a child, Kaelon's mother would point to the sky and tell him.
"You can reach the sun Kaelon! These slums can't limit you son. Dream big and work hard to make your dreams true."
He'd followed her finger and saw the sun rising over the Altan temple. Kaelon looked at the mountain the temple stood on with awe. There wasn't a sight more beautiful than this one, at least to him.
His mother had long since died when a plauge passed through. The church didn't do anything, not for them. In these slums it was kill or be killed, people had to struggle to survive. His mother just couldn't hold out for long, especially someone as frail as she was.
Now Kaelon didn't have to worry about that too much. The slums were dangerous as always, that didn't change, he did. Kaelon had no choice but to get stronger over the years.
Now he lived in "communal housing". He and 4 ofher vagrants took over an emptry house and shared it. All of them found work with a local gang.
The gangs basically ran the slums. City guard didn't even patrol the area. In their absence 3 gangs rose go power. The Grate Lords, The Last Coin, and Madam's Grip. The Grate Lords controlled smuggling routes through the sewers. The Lash Coin ran a gambling den, lastly Madam's Grip ran the brothels.
Kaelon was basically just disposable muscle for the Last Coin. He guarded a small casino just outside the slums. Everyday he would walk through the slums of Altium to sit outside the storefront. Today was no different and Kaelon quickly left the dilapidated house.
As he opened the door he was greeted by an ever present stench. Trash was littered through the streets of the slums. Kaelon hurried to the casino with bated breath. In a few minuted he was at the door. As usual he didn't step inside and walked to the side of the building instead.
With a few rhythmic knocks the side door's slit opened. Kaelon looked through it to see a set of eyes peering at him from behind the door.
"I've come to spend my last coin."
Kaelon whispered to the figure behind the door.
"The final coin buys the fiercest chance."
A raspy voice echoed from inside before the door opened with a clang. Kaelon stepped inside to find Bogar a gruff and rugged gangster. He was someone who had a lot pf experience. Clearly a dangerous man, even by slum standards.
He didn't come here often, Kaelon had only seen him twice. Once when a top guy in the Last Coin visited and another when there was a gight nearby. The giant man looked down on him menacingly.
"Hey kid, I suggest you sit quiet today. Shit might go down here."
Kaelon looked up at him with surprised eyes. Bogar honestly didn't seem like the kind type, especially not like someone who would warn him.
"Alright I will. Don't even worry about me."
Bogar's expression changed at his words. His eyes darkened before he lashed out.
"Worry? That's an overstatement just stay out of the way! I don't need to deal with your little ass while I work."
Kaelon nodded profusely before quickly stepping away. Inside the casino proper, Ian saw the usual. Slumrats and guards, all gambling their loose coins woth fervor. There was a slight buzz in the atmosphere. As if it could go of in an instant and combust.
Kaelon went up the stairs on the left side of the room. He sat in a overlooking hall that could see the entire gambling den. From up here he would make sure no one did anything or went anywhere they shouldn't.
Contrary to Bogar's warning the day honestly went by smoothly. A bit smoother than usual even. There were little to hiccups but Kaelon didn't have to fight anyone. Which honestly is a rare occasion.
The day was coming to a halt when a man came in. He wore a lizard pin on his chest and was covered head to toe in leather armor. A sword hung on his waist and a cloak covered his facial features.
Bogar stepped up to the intruding man and put his hand on his sword. The few guests in the casino began hurrying out. Kaelon looked on from above, preparing to bail.
"What brings you here? Huh, Ray? I thought you guys were busy in the sewers."
The cloaked man stepped up to him while taking off his hood. He was a chiseled man with dark hair and a sharp look in his eye.
"Bogar, I hoped I could see you in better circumstances. I would've bought you a drink but my job is clear."
In the blink of an eye Ray had drawn his sword and launched an attack at Bogar. The blade came inches from Bogar's face as he backed off. He drew his own sword and steadied himself before rushing at Ray.
The two clashed and a resounding clang echoed out. Kaelon watched their exchange with wide eyes. He felt not only fear but yearning in his heart. He wanted to be as strong as they are, he needed to become as strong as they are, stronger than they are.
Kaelon stood dazed as their fight spread destruction. The casino, already almost empty was ravaged by sword strikes. Tables were slashed apart and scars littered the floors and walls. A piece of debris flew right past Kaelon jolting him from his dazed state.
He quickly dashed back and down the stairs. Luckily they hadn't reached his side of the room yet so he was safe to come down. That safety though, was definitely in jeopardy now. The two men were still fighting and their conflict was bound to reach him.
Kaelon looked on in horror as the last few patrons became collateral damage. Blood began to cover the floors, now only Kaelon remained.
Something shot toward Kaelon at high speeds. It crashed against the wall and went through, Kaelon jumped away and hid behind a bar. He peeped out above the bar and saw Bogar stepping out of the wall. He was heavily wounded and bleeding. He staggered out eyes dead set on Ray.
Looking at Ray, he was in a similar state, wounds littered across his frame. Blood trickled on the floor as he walked toward Bogar.
"You were stronger than I thought Bogar. Killing you will put us at the top of these slums. Now the Grate Lords will rule Altium City."
A bleeding Bogar turned to him with a smirk.
"You won't rule shit! This city at the end of the day belongs to Altan. We mortals can't hope to take it from Him."
Ray paused at his words before rushing at him while laughing.
"Hahahahaha! The gods won't save you Bogar! Altan doesn't care about this city!"
The two clashed one last time. Only this time Bogar buckled, and he fell. Blood pooled on the floor as his huge body fell. Ray looked over his corpse for a moment before he turned away and left him to die.
On his way out he definitely saw Kaelon, they made eye contact. Kaelon shivered when their eyes met, the coldness in them frightened him to his core.
"Don't worry kid, I won't kill you. My job was to kill that guy. That's all I'm gonna do, you can just run away."
Kaelon was frozen in his fear. Only after Ray left did he move. He went up to Bogar's body. He mostly felt disgust when he looked at the corpse, fhat and some fear. With a bit of reluctance Kaelon closed Bogar's eyes and recited a prayer for him.
"I know we didn't know one another but I didn't think you should've died. Your warning ended up being real and for that I'm sorry. May Nihil be kind to you on your way to the next life."
With that Kaelon took his sword and stepped away. You never know what can happen, especially in a place like the slums. A weapon will vome in handy, even if he didn't know how to use it well.
He was approaching the door when he heard loud sounds echoing throughout the slums. Chaos had broken out and it sounded like there was a whole gang war going on. Kaelon rushed upstairs again and looked out of a window. Outside smoke billowed as fires spread in the slums.
The Grate Lords were attacking, they fought both the Last Coin and Madam's Grip. It seemed the scales of power had tipped in their favor. The balance that maintained peace in the slums was broken and chaos spread.
Kaelon froze in fear for a second before his resolve set ablaze. He would survive this, no way would he die. Kaelon would reach the sun!