Death

'Oh, shit… Glover! Your boy is fucked! He's a dead man walking! If he doesn't get any fuel into his steam anytime soon, he'll drop dead for sure!' 

'Silas, you have to-' 

Glover was cut off by the sound of grunting as the two fighters began to duke it out once more. Adrenaline was still sitting rushing the boy's veins, pushing him way past his physical limits… yet, his luck was beginning to run out. 

First, his legs gave out. Literally, in a split second, he lost access to his legs. Then his waist. Then his torso. His arms, shoulders, and neck all loosened to a threatening extreme. 

Seeing the boy trip on his own feet and collapse forward, the guard seized the opportunity and delivered a powerful, well-aimed punch right to Silas's jaw. The blow landed with a resounding thud, sending shockwaves through Silas' face. His head snapped to the side, his cheek stinging with pain as he collapsed to the ground. 

"Ugh… ugh… oomph…" his body ejected everything within his stomach before convulsing seemingly endlessly.

"Tch… stupid fucking kid," the man swat his leg to the side, kicking Silas across the dirty ground. With another few kicks, he landed himself limp, in a pile of tightly sealed wooden boxes. 

The guard wasted no time and unleashed a flurry of stomps, each one aimed at Silas's prone form. The stomps rained down like heavy hammers, targeting various parts of Silas's body with a barrage of blows. The relentless assault continued as the guard quickly reloaded his revolver, each stomp adding to the mounting pain.

"You… piece of… shit…" Silas choked out.

"Tell me who you work for and I won't put a bullet through your brain," The man spun the revolving chamber of bullets, each bronze capsule glistening under the subtle lantern light. And upon clicking the wheel into place, he took aim between Silas' eyes. 

'Say the merchants. Quick. We can capitalize on this situation. We might even be able to save you.' 

"The merchants…" 

His eyes slimmed. The barrel of his gun quivered for but a moment. "You telling the truth? You really a merchant rat?" 

Silas cracked a grin as he felt his life slip between his fingers. "Fuck around and find out." 

'Ah… it's so cold… it hasn't even been a week yet I'm back… reaper, let me rest.' 

From the midst of the confusion and the hazy alley, an ethereal figure materialized. It was like an angelic being, a shimmering and radiant holographic entity. The figure radiated an otherworldly aura, bathed in an iridescent, opalescent light that illuminated the dim alley.

For some reason, it was only he who could see it as the earpiece stuck between each hole leading to the depths of his head didn't even so much as vibrate. The guard on the other hand clicked his tongue one last time, walking through the back doors of the theatre. 

Its form was graceful, with wings of pure light that gently unfurled behind it. These wings seemed to defy the laws of physics, a mesmerizing symphony of ever-shifting patterns and colors. The figure's eyes glowed with a serene luminescence, and its face was serene, projecting an aura of calm and reassurance. It appeared to be a guardian, a being sent to Silas's aid in this dire moment.

The holographic angel reached out with a hand, and a soothing energy washed over Silas. His pain began to subside, and his fading consciousness was gently cradled. It felt as if this celestial presence was offering guidance and protection, urging him to hold on and stay conscious despite the intense ordeal he had just endured. 

STAB

"My prince. You must continue the lineage."

As Silas lay there, face to face with the holographic angel, he watched in surprise as the celestial being produced a large golden syringe from behind her back. With a sense of urgency, she swiftly and decisively pressed the syringe into the side of Silas's neck. The syringe, resplendent in its golden hue, seemed to be infused with an otherworldly energy that made it appear almost weightless.

A warm and soothing sensation immediately spread from the point of the injection. It was as if a healing radiance flowed through his veins, revitalizing his body and mind. The angel's eyes met his with a reassuring gaze, conveying an unspoken message that this was a necessary act to ensure his well-being.

And so, he died.

[Alert! Alert! Alert!]

[Foreign bots containing genetic material have been detected]

[Initiating self-

[System Shutdown Initiated]

… 

Emily los Tetra, the same hacker working with Glover and Silas swiftly reported to the scene, a large briefcase in one hand and a small syringe in the other. 

She was dressed in a sleek ensemble that seamlessly blended style with functionality. Her attire consisted of a form-fitting, midnight blue bodysuit adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the dim light. It was equipped with concealed pockets, intricate belts, and straps that carried an array of specialized tools and gadgets. Her boots were made of dark leather, allowing for quiet, precise movement.

She had striking, sharp features with piercing emerald eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Her raven-black hair was cropped short and styled in a practical yet elegant manner, a stark contrast to the fanciful, colorful costumes that often graced the theaters in Paradoxia. A slim, dark scarf was draped loosely around her neck, adding to her enigmatic allure.

Across her left arm, a sleek silver brace adorned with a holographic interface device projected intricate symbols and numbers in the air. This brace was her trusty tool for hacking and electronic manipulation, a testament to her prowess in the digital realm. Her gloves were fitted with discreet sensors, allowing her to interface with various electronic systems.

In her vigilant gaze, one could sense a mix of determination and a touch of cynicism, traits that often accompanied those who navigated the world of secrets and espionage in this enigmatic steampunk realm.

Emily cautiously made her way through the dimly lit back alley, her footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestone ground. Her eyes fell upon the lifeless body of the first guard, sprawled out unceremoniously. A sense of unease washed over her as she approached the corpse, her gaze narrowing in suspicion.

Kneeling beside the fallen guard, she began to inspect his body, her hands moving methodically. After a moment, her eyes widened, and she saw a trail of debris that drew her attention. Following it, she noticed a pile of wooden boxes at the alley's edge. Her heart quickened as she saw the motionless form of a young boy, his lifeless eyes fixed on the heavens, plastered atop the splintered crates. Concern etched into her features, she hurried over to investigate this unexpected discovery.

"Shit. It's been at least ten minutes, but his body is ice cold… diagnostics…" 

Emily's holographic interface device extended into a dozen slender needles, each one equipped with specialized sensors designed for the utmost accuracy. The needles descended with a soft hiss, their tips gently probing Silas's lifeless body.

These needles were more than just cold pieces of metal; they were her tools of the trade. With their ultra-fine sensors, she could gather vital data, discern hidden clues, and interface with the digital world in a way that most could only dream of. They allowed her to decode secrets, uncover hidden systems, and extract information with remarkable dexterity.

As the needles touched Silas's body, the holographic interface on her brace flickered with data, processing the results of her examination. With a meticulous sweep, she assessed the situation, looking for any signs of life, injury, or anything that might explain the dire circumstances in the back alley. The cryptic aura that surrounded her remained intact, and her vigilance did not waver.

"Aether levels… abnormally above average for a dead body. Seems it's your lucky day kid." 

Emily's fingers moved with practiced grace as she deftly tore open Silas's dress shirt, revealing the smooth contours of his mechanical chest. Her eyes scanned the chest chamber intently, and to no surprise, it was vacant, devoid of any capsule meant to fule his artificial art. 

Calm and calculated, Emily reached for her black briefcase, an enigmatic piece of equipment filled with various tools and devices essential to her clandestine trade. With an air of ease, she retrieved a small aether module, that suddenly expanded in her hand. Soon it reached a size of about two food cans stacked on top of each other, allowing her to place the glass capsule filled with amber liquid into the boy's chest. 

With calculated precision, Emily leaned over Silas's prone form. She maneuvered the aether module into the cavity of his artificial heart and, with an almost surgical gentleness, inserted it into the empty chamber. As the module made contact, faint wisps of amber aether danced around it, connecting seamlessly with Silas's lifeless body. It was a unique, life-sustaining device, now integrated into the young boy's being.

Only a couple of seconds later he was back but slightly, different. Not in his appearance, but the aura surrounding him.