Legacy's Wake

Sable, still tailing Finnovare, kept herself well-hidden as she watched him pause at an alleyway, eyes focused on something in the shadows. He stood there, patient and alert, when suddenly, a figure dropped from the rooftops in front of him.

A woman landed gracefully, using her palms for support before pushing herself upright. She adjusted the hood on her head, concealing part of her face, but not enough to hide her striking features.

Sable studied the woman intently. She had long, flowing white hair that seemed to catch whatever faint light there was and shimmered like moonlight. Her sharp, vivid blue eyes radiated focus and intensity. The woman wore a sleek, dark hoodie with a subtle star emblem on the chest, paired with a delicate pendant necklace that gleamed softly. The look on her face was serious and contemplative, as if she were evaluating a decision that could change everything.

Rai leaned against the wall, arms crossed in a way that made her right sleeve slip slightly, revealing a delicate flower tattoo that curled around her forearm. For a moment, she said nothing, her gaze steady and cool as she scrutinized Finnovare. Then, she spoke, her voice low and laced with skepticism.

"So...? You wouldn't come here just for the thrill. You need something... I can already tell." Her face remained impassive, betraying no emotion as she sized him up.

Finnovare's expression hardened, but he maintained his composure. "I need info, that's all, Rai. About Nathaniel and Yipsiv. I haven't seen them together in ages, but it looks like Yipsiv wants Nathaniel dead, even though they used to be like brothers."

Rai's eyes narrowed slightly, the only sign of interest flashing in them as she considered his words. "Okay... So, what kind of information are we talkin' about? And why do you want it? But before you get too comfortable, let's set the ground rules. I'm not about to spill everything. To be honest, I don't know that much."

Finnovare's voice was calm, but the edge was sharp, like the blade of a knife. "I want to know why Yipsiv wants Nathaniel dead. That's a simple question, isn't it?"

Rai's eyes flickered with something sharp, almost like amusement, but she quickly masked it with her usual stoic demeanor. She uncrossed her arms and pushed herself off the wall, taking a step closer to Finnovare. Her gaze met his, icy and challenging.

"Alright, you want to know why Yipsiv wants Nathaniel dead? Here's the thing: it's complicated," she said, her voice softening into something almost conspiratorial. "Back when they were tight, before everything went sideways, they were unstoppable. Best friends, partners in crime. Yipsiv was wild, full of ambition, and Nathaniel... he was smart, but with a streak of loyalty that was almost scary. They were the kind of pair that could shake up the whole damn world if they wanted to."

Rai paused, letting the tension seep into the silence between them. The distant sound of laughter and clinking glasses from the casino floor below seemed to echo in the background. "But then came that night. The one that changed everything. The night Nathaniel made a choice that Yipsiv couldn't forgive. You see, Yipsiv, as ruthless as he is, has his own code. Betrayal? That's one thing he'll never accept. And Nathaniel? Well, let's just say he picked a side that wasn't Yipsiv's."

Her expression hardened, the small flash of vulnerability now completely gone. "Now, Yipsiv's out for blood, and Nathaniel's in the crosshairs. That's the short version, but you didn't hear it from me. So, what are you gonna do with this little tidbit of info, Finnovare?"

She took a step back, eyes narrowing, waiting for his answer.

Finnovare stepped closer, pressing his palm against the wall as he met Rai's gaze. "When I ask for information, I expect the full truth. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to end up back where you came from—the dead." His touch grew cold as his fingers traced her jawline and then slid down toward her chest.

Rai's eyes narrowed, and with a swift motion, she caught his wrist and held it firmly. "Threats don't work on me, Finnovare. If you want answers, you'll have to do better."

Finnovare smirked, pulling his wrist away and taking a step back. He folded his arms and tilted his head. "Tell me everything about Nathaniel. Why did he betray Yipsiv?"

Rai's expression darkened as the memories flooded back. "Nathaniel never wanted to betray Yipsiv. He was loyal to him, through and through. But loyalty can become a heavy burden when the price for it is too high. The betrayal wasn't planned—it was a consequence of desperation."

She glanced at Finnovare, her voice softening. "It started when the government caught wind of a major operation Yipsiv was planning. The crew was aiming for something big—an old legend, a weapon said to rival even the most powerful marine arsenals. Nathaniel was tasked with finding it first, a move that came from the higher-ups. The stakes were too high, and he was promised immunity, safety, a future where he could keep those he loved from harm."

Rai looked away, her eyes shadowed with regret. "Nathaniel was between a rock and a hard place. When he found out the weapon was more than just a legend, that it was tied to Yipsiv's past, he knew he had to act. He reached out to the agency, warning them of what was coming. But they didn't just want information—they wanted control. They made him a deal: hand over the location, and they'd spare the crew. Refuse, and they'd wipe them out."

Finnovare's brows furrowed, the story sinking into him like a needle. "And Yipsiv? Did he know about this deal?"

Rai's lips pressed into a thin line. "No. Nathaniel couldn't bear to tell him. He feared that Yipsiv would try to fight back, put them all in danger. So, Nathaniel made the choice to go behind Yipsiv's back, to hand over the weapon's location and cut a deal. He knew it would come with a price, but he couldn't let the agency take the crew, not like that."

A pang of guilt flickered in Rai's eyes. "The night Yipsiv found out, it was already too late. The weapon was gone, and so was Nathaniel. He disappeared into the shadows, a man marked by his own choices, hunted by both the agency and the crew he betrayed."

Finnovare stared at her, a smile playing at the edges of his lips. "So, he did it to save the crew but ended up a fugitive. What a twist."

Rai met his gaze. "But Yipsiv never found out the truth, did he? And now, Nathaniel is a ghost, running from a past he can never reclaim."

Finnovare's grin deepened as he heard Rai's reaction, the surprise flashing across her face just as he anticipated. He turned his back to her, flicking his hand in a dismissive gesture. "That's all I needed, sweetheart. Run along now. You're more trouble than you're worth." A short, sinister laugh escaped him. "Oh, and just so you know—word is the Phoenix Pirates have shown up at Casinova. I'd be careful if I were you. Their captain's in town, too. Best not cross paths with them. Goodnight."

The words hit Rai like a thunderclap. Her eyes flew open wide, and the blood drained from her face. The name Phoenix Pirates was synonymous with chaos and death, and she knew it well. A tremor of dread coarsed through her, making her fingers twitch as she reflexively traced the tattoo on her shoulder. The inked image—a stylized flame intertwined with a bird—seemed to pulse in response to her panic.

"Damn it…" she whispered, teeth gritted as she clenched her fist so tightly, her nails almost pierced her skin. The thought of them in Casinova sent a chill down her spine, a feeling far worse than anything Finnovare could have threatened her with.

Before she could second-guess herself, Rai pushed off the wall and sprang into motion, moving with lethal grace. Shadows became her cloak as she darted through the alley, vanishing into the darkness. The mission had just shifted from survival to something much more dangerous.

"You're gonna get yourself killed," she muttered under her breath, her voice carrying the weight of a warning and a promise. The hunt was on, and Rai would do whatever it took to stop the storm before it came tearing through Casinova.

To be continued...