The room was dimly lit, the faint glow of a desk lamp casting long shadows across the room's furniture. The shadows mysteriously lingered longer than usual in its place, a signature of the man sitting across from Nova.
Vincent Alaric, also known in the city's underworld as the Specter.
He rules the northwestern underworld of Bales City with an unshakable grip, his influence tend lean more to businesses like casinos, bars, and clubs that bled money by day and laundered it by night.
Some thrived in the shadows, running underground fights where fortunes were made and lives were lost. When required, they handled contracts that ended in death.
He has built the organization from scratch when he came to Bales City 16 years ago.
Nova sat across from him, still adjusting to the weight of what had happened. His body felt fine, too fine actually, as if he hadn't been shot and left for dead. But his mind was racing.
Vincent studied him in silence, fingers laced together, elbows resting on his desk. His dark eyes, sharp and unreadable, never left Nova's face.
"You've been out for two days." His voice was calm, controlled. "I was hoping you'd wake up sooner."
"Two days…" Nova muttered slowly as the realization struck him hard.
That night… The running, those bastards that chase him down… It was obviously not a dream.
"Fuck!" Nova clenched his fists, closed his eyes to calm his raging thoughts. After a few seconds, he let out a slow breath. "Guess I just needed the sleep, boss."
Vincent's lips twitched, not quite a smirk, not quite an approval either. "Two days ago, you were found in an abandoned factory. Covered in a pool of blood, there was bullet holes in your shirt but there were no signs of injury. Why is that?"
Nova shrugged. "I don't know what to say, boss. They got me."
Silence.
Then Vincent leaned forward slightly. "Tell me what happened. I want the truth Fillius… and enough with the boss thing."
Nova who expected this slightly smirked, he was already prepared to tell the truth. It also cemented the fact that he trusted his uncle a lot, he was the only family he ever had ever since growing up.
He had replayed the events in his head a hundred times, but now, sitting under Vincent's scrutiny, he knew every word he was about to say mattered.
"They were waiting for me. A group of nobodies. They chased me, cornered me in." His fingers drummed against his knee. "I fought, got a few good hits in. But I was outnumbered. Then…"
He exhaled sharply. "I got shot."
Vincent didn't react. He just nodded slightly, as if putting pieces together. "And yet, here you are."
Nova met his uncle's gaze, unreadable as ever. But there was not a shred of doubt in his eyes.
The room felt smaller as the silence continued. The staring contest lasted only for a few more seconds until…
Nova forced a smirk, leaning back slightly. "Alright, you win as always."
Then Vincent nodded slowly, satisfied with the outcome. "I'm glad you're alright kid. Do you know who they were?"
Nova's smirk faded. "Not exactly. But I have my suspicions."
Vincent leaned back, reaching for a glass of drink. "While you were unconscious, we've been busy. The city hasn't been quiet."
He took a sip before continuing. "The hounds have been making moves. They're aggressive on disputes than before." His gaze sharpened. "And some of our men were attacked too."
Nova frowned. "They're pushing harder than usual."
Vincent nodded. "Because someone's backing them and I don't like loose ends." He set the glass down with a soft clink. "Obviously, they want war. Either through you, or something else."
Nova felt a prickle of unease but deep down he was excited. With a slowly forming smirk on his lips, he blurted out unconsciously. "hehe yeah… I'll shoot those fuckers first."
"What did you say?"
Nova's train of thought was suddenly broken by his uncle's questioning. He straightened his posture and appeared stoic, "What? I didn't say anything."
Vincent watched his nephew's stupid face twitch trying so hard to conceal his smile. He knew what Nova wanted, his thoughts were easily read matching his expression.
Revenge is best to enact by oneself, forget about forgiving. Revenge is still satisfying. Seeing people beg for the things they have done and Vincent will not deprive of It from him but it was still dangerous for now.
Nova, looking at his uncle's scrutiny, a flicker of thought flashed through his mind.
The same strange sensation from before.
- Lillian Hayes… 32. Orphan. Lukes Nursing Academy.
There were more details of it, he just set it aside.
The information had popped into his mind instantly when he looked at the nurse. But now, sitting across from Vincent, he expected it to happen again but there was nothing.
Not a flicker of words entered his mind again. Nova's stomach twisted with unease. Does this mean that it was just some random thing.
He masked his confusion quickly, shifting in his seat.
Vincent tilted his head slightly, as if sensing something off. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Nova scoffed. "I'd be more worried about the ghosts trying to see me."
Vincent's stare lingered for a moment longer before he let it go. "We'll deal with this problem soon. But I want you to stay put for now. You might be breathing, but you're still a target."
Nova clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Not a fan of hiding."
"You're not hiding. You're waiting, there's a difference." Vincent's voice was final. "And come to the living room once you're ready."
Nova exhaled, leaning back into the chair. This wasn't over, the gangs, the mysterious words that suddenly appeared in his mind when he looked at the nurse.
He had every intention of finding out exactly what was going on. Even if he dies again for the second time.
"On second thought… let's just not die."