The Scavenger’s Sister

Raziel's grumbling slowed as she moved deeper into the store. Tucked between the gaudy outfits and overly elaborate designs, she found something that caught her eye—a sleeveless jacket, rough around the edges but practical. The dark, muted color was simple and didn't scream for attention, and there was something about the rugged look that made her pause.

She pulled the jacket off the rack and felt the material. It wasn't too heavy, and it allowed for full range of motion—definitely a step up from the ridiculous frills she'd seen earlier. "Okay, this isn't completely awful," she muttered to herself.

As she continued rummaging through the clothes, she found a ripped long-sleeve shirt buried beneath a pile of forgotten items. One sleeve was torn off entirely, and the other side had a shoulder completely exposed, the fabric frayed but sturdy. It was worn, like it had seen its fair share of trouble, and for some reason, that resonated with her.

She grinned slightly, pulling the shirt out and holding it up. "Finally, something that doesn't make me want to gag."

Raziel kept searching, and soon her eyes landed on a pair of cargo pants. She quickly noticed how functional they looked—plenty of pockets, durable material, and loose enough for her to move freely. "Guess I can work with this."

Satisfied with her selection, she was about to turn back toward Leon when something else caught her eye. A pair of short boots, scuffed and worn but still in good shape, sat on display nearby. They weren't flashy, just simple and practical—exactly what she needed. Without hesitating, she grabbed them, slipping them on to check the fit. They felt right, snug but not tight.

Then, just as she was about to leave, she spotted something else—a cloak. It reminded her of the one Leon wore, though this one was a bit darker, with a rougher texture. She ran her fingers over the fabric, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. It had the same scavenger feel as Leon's, and somehow, that made it more appealing.

Grabbing the cloak, she slung it over her shoulder and marched back toward Leon, who was still negotiating with the shopkeeper.

"Done?" Leon asked, raising an eyebrow when he saw the new outfit she'd pieced together. He gave her a once-over and whistled. "Look at you. Almost like a real scavenger now."

Raziel rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small grin that crept onto her face. "Yeah, well, maybe you don't have the worst taste after all."

Leon smirked. "I'm shocked you found something that didn't make you want to set the place on fire."

She rolled her eyes, holding the pile close to her chest. "Maybe you should try setting a few things on fire. Might improve your wardrobe."

Leon grinned, finishing up his deal with the shopkeeper. "I'll leave the fire to you. C'mon, let's pay for that stuff."

Raziel begrudgingly followed him to the counter, her new outfit in hand. As they made their way out of the shop, she glanced down at the clothes she'd picked out, feeling more comfortable with her choices than she'd care to admit.

"I don't hate it," she muttered under her breath, pulling the hood of her new cloak up.

As they left the clothing store, Raziel tugged at the edge of her new cloak, adjusting it so it draped more comfortably over her shoulders. She glanced at Leon as he led the way, curiosity bubbling up inside her.

"Where to now?" she asked, a little more at ease after getting some new clothes.

Leon didn't even turn back as he replied, "Weapons store. You're gonna need something besides those flames of yours."

Raziel frowned, her arms crossing instinctively. "Why do I even need a weapon? I've got my powers. You've seen what I can do."

Leon stopped abruptly, turning to face her with a serious expression. "Yeah, and I've also seen what happens when you can't control those powers. You need a weapon for when you can't—or when you need to stay under the radar."

Raziel opened her mouth to argue but quickly shut it when she realized he wasn't wrong. The last thing she wanted was another House catching wind of her abilities, especially not with everything that had already happened. She sighed, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her cargo pants. "Fine. But I'm picking it."

Leon smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

They made their way through the bustling streets of the settlement, passing by merchants selling everything from food to scrap parts. The atmosphere was lively, with the sounds of haggling and machinery filling the air. As they approached the weapons store, Raziel could see all sorts of gear hanging in the windows—blades, blunt weapons, firearms, and more.

She followed Leon inside, where rows of weapons were displayed on racks and walls. The shop smelled of oiled metal and leather, with the faint tang of gunpowder lingering in the air. Raziel's eyes swept across the array of weapons, but she felt a strange sense of detachment. Why did she even need any of this when she could summon flames strong enough to burn almost anything?

Leon, sensing her hesitation, leaned in and whispered, "Remember, we don't need everyone knowing what you can do."

Raziel huffed but nodded. He was right. As much as she hated to admit it, using her flames would only attract unwanted attention. And the thought of being hunted again—by another House—wasn't something she wanted to experience anytime soon.

"Okay, fine," she muttered. "But I'm still not sold on the whole weapon thing."

Leon shrugged. "Doesn't have to be fancy. Just something practical in case things go south."

They wandered through the store, passing by racks of sleek blades and heavy firearms. Raziel's fingers brushed over a few weapons, though none of them seemed to resonate with her. It wasn't until they reached a smaller section, tucked away toward the back, that her eyes landed on a pair of bladed tonfas.

The sleek, dual-wield weapons were sturdy, with sharp, curved blades running along the outer edge of each tonfa. They were compact, practical, but deadly in close combat—exactly the kind of weapon that suited her aggressive, fast-paced style.

Her eyes lit up as she picked them up, giving them a few experimental spins. The weight was perfect, and the blades were sharp enough to slice through flesh and armor alike.

Leon raised an eyebrow, watching her with amusement. "Tonfas, huh? You sure you know how to use those?"

Raziel smirked, gripping the tonfas with confidence. "Not yet, but I'll figure it out."

Leon chuckled. "Of course you would pick something like that. Always gotta be a little different."

She rolled her eyes but grinned. "And here I thought you'd appreciate some creativity."

"Just make sure you don't cut your own head off," Leon quipped, but there was a hint of admiration in his voice. He had to admit, the tonfas fit her—sleek, dangerous, and unorthodox.

They made their way to the counter, where Leon handled the negotiations while Raziel continued testing the feel of her new weapons. As Leon bartered with the shopkeeper, Raziel couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. She had a weapon now—something tangible, something she could actually wield in battle. It was a far cry from relying solely on her uncontrollable flames.

After the transaction was complete, they stepped out into the busy streets once again. Raziel slung the tonfas onto her hips, their weight a comforting presence.

"Well, at least now you won't have to set yourself on fire every time you get mad," Leon joked, his eyes flicking to the tonfas.

Raziel grinned. "Guess you'll have to find a new way to annoy me then."

Leon chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm sure I'll think of something."

After Raziel bought the tonfas, the two wandered through the bustling settlement, their footsteps echoing off the cobblestone streets. The settlement was alive with the sounds of merchants haggling, clinking metal, and the hum of old tech from the various stalls they passed.

Leon glanced sideways at Raziel, still smirking. "So, bladed tonfas, huh? Didn't peg you for the close-quarters type."

Raziel shrugged, flipping one of the tonfas in her hand with ease. "Why bother with long range when I can get in close and do some real damage? Besides…" She smirked, eyes glinting with mischief. "I'll probably end up using them on you if you keep yapping."

Leon chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Oh, I'm terrified." His grin widened as he shoved his hands into his pockets, his gaze drifting to the different market stalls around them. "Still, good choice. Not as flashy as a scythe, but at least it won't draw too much attention."

Raziel huffed, twirling the tonfa before hooking it back onto her belt. "Wouldn't matter anyway. I could carry a broom and still be the most dangerous person here."

Leon snorted. "Cocky as ever."

As they continued walking, their light-hearted bickering filling the space between them, they passed a secluded alleyway. Raziel's sharp ears picked up something—two voices speaking in hushed tones, just loud enough to catch her attention. She instinctively slowed down, her gaze flickering to the alleyway. Leon noticed her sudden silence and followed her line of sight.

"You hear that?" Raziel murmured, her voice low but curious.

Leon nodded, narrowing his eyes. "Yeah. Let's get closer."

They moved quietly, sticking close to the edge of the alley. Raziel pressed her back against the brick wall, peeking around the corner. Two men stood in the shadows, their conversation just barely audible over the din of the marketplace.

"I heard the higher-ups are getting anxious," one of them muttered. "They want that project—what was it called again?"

"Project Ascension," the second man replied, his voice dripping with impatience. "House Infinite's top priority. They're trying to recover the remnants, especially now that some… assets have resurfaced."

Raziel's eyes narrowed at the mention of House Infinite. She shot a glance at Leon, who was also listening intently.

"They think it's connected to that runaway splicer," the first man continued, his voice lowering. "Some priestess or something. Supposed to be dead, but you know how rumors are."

Raziel clenched her fists, her jaw tightening. Runaway splicer priestess? It didn't take much to figure out they were talking about her.

Leon gave her a sidelong glance, noticing the tension in her posture. He leaned in closer, whispering, "This is about you, isn't it?"

Raziel didn't respond, but the flicker of dark flames in her eyes told him all he needed to know.

"I don't get it," the second man muttered. "Why all this fuss over a splicer? Even if she's powerful, the project doesn't need her, right?"

"That's the thing," the first man replied, his voice grave. "It's not just her power they're after. She's tied to something deeper in House Infinite's vaults. Something about her core and its connection to that lost technology."

Leon and Raziel exchanged glances again, this time more serious. The intel was valuable—this wasn't just about revenge anymore. House Infinite was planning something big, and Raziel was caught in the middle of it.

"I heard they've got agents crawling through every settlement, searching for leads. And if they find her…" the first man's voice trailed off ominously.

The second man scoffed. "She's already dead if you ask me. No splicer can survive without their core intact."

Raziel's hand instinctively brushed her chest, where her new core thrummed with power. She muttered under her breath, "Wanna bet?"

Leon raised an eyebrow, glancing at her but didn't say anything.

The two men started moving, their voices fading as they walked further down the alley. Leon waited a beat before pulling Raziel back, leading her away from the alley and back into the crowded marketplace. His mind raced with everything they'd just overheard.

"So, House Infinite's after you because of some lost tech? And this 'Project Ascension' thing?" Leon muttered, his voice thoughtful.

Raziel nodded, her expression dark. "Seems like it. That core… it's not just a power source. There's something else going on, something they're not telling anyone."

Leon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just when I thought things couldn't get more complicated."

"Hey, if you can't handle it, feel free to walk away," Raziel teased, though there was an edge to her voice.

Leon gave her a look, deadpan. "Yeah, sure. Like you'd survive two days without me."

Raziel smirked but didn't argue. The tension between them had eased, but the weight of what they'd overheard hung in the air like a storm cloud.

"We need more information," Leon said, his tone more serious now. "Whatever this Project Ascension is, it sounds like House Infinite is pulling out all the stops to find you. And if they're after that core of yours…"

Raziel glanced down at the tonfas strapped to her belt, her grip tightening around them. "Then let them come. I'm not running."

Leon sighed, shaking his head with a mix of exasperation and admiration. "Yeah, I figured you'd say that."