Broken Circuits and Twisted Metal

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

— Romans 12:18

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"You know, March, I have to confess something. When I first saw your eyes, they unnerved me."

March blinks. "What? Why?"

"They're so vibrant and unusual—aquamarine with hints of lilac. I'd never encountered anything like them back in my world." Xander's gaze drops briefly before returning to hers. "Though I suppose I was pretty overwhelmed by everything when I first joined the crew."

Dan Heng snorts. "You mean the great cosmic mysteries didn't instantly make sense to you? Color me shocked."

A chuckle escapes Xander. "Hey, I'm a quick study. Just needed time to adjust."

March grins, bouncing on her heels impishly. "Well, I think your eyes are awesome too! Like molten gold or something."

"Molten gold? Sounds dangerous," Dan Heng quips.

"No, it's a good thing!" March insists, cheeks pinkening as she realizes her words. "Warm, captivating and..." She trails off, flustered.

Xander smirks. "Why, thank you March. Didn't know you had such a silver tongue."

"She doesn't," Dan Heng interjects. "Just easily impressed by shiny things. Like the geomarrow around us. No wonder she's snapping pics nonstop."

March tries and fails to hide her camera guiltily. "What? No way, I'm not obsessed! I'm just… documenting things. For posterity! And my blog. Maybe a coffee table book too..."

She grins unrepentantly as Dan rolls his eyes. "Besides, you're one to talk! I bet you lowkey love all the sparkly rocks too."

Laughter rumbles from Xander as he shakes his head at their banter. "Well, for what it's worth, now I think your eyes are beautiful too, March. Unique and captivating, like you."

Her blush deepens, a shy smile curving her lips. "Thanks, Xander. That's really sweet of you."

As the playful chatter continues, Bronya studies Xander intently. How could someone so normal-looking harbor such a demonic presence? Pleasant features – strong jaw, defined cheekbones, striking golden eyes glimmering with mischief. Yet beneath, something vile and corrupt lurks, making her skin crawl.

Her gaze shifts to March and Dan as they engage with Xander, teasing like siblings. Sampo occasionally chimes in. A stab of envy lances through her heart. What would it be like to have that easy camaraderie? That closeness?

No. She pushes the thought away firmly. This is how demons ensnare the unwary—with false kinship masking their malicious intent.

Seeking distraction, she turns to Seele.

"What exactly is Wildfire's business at this mine?"

Seele arches a brow in annoyance. "Didn't I already explain this to you, Princess?" She sighs, running an agitated hand through her purple locks. "Many underground mines have fallen to Fragmentum decay. The miners rely on these digs for resources to barter with the Overworld for supplies. This particular mine is still relatively unaffected."

Her tone turns somber. "After the Fragmentum consumed their original turf, a large group of Vagrants made this mine their new home base. Most are just honest folk struggling to survive. But… in any big enough group, the worst always seem to find their way in too."

"The worst of them?"

Seele's expression darkens. "Thugs who steal from the miners. Violent agitators picking fights over nothing. Worse than that in some cases. Huge clashes have broken out over the past couple of days between them and the mining crews. These excavation sites are lifelines for us down here—we have to keep the geomarrow flowing no matter what. The chief brought Wildfire in to try restoring order, leaving me to hold down the fort back in town. But the situation here has become too critical for me to ignore any longer."

Seele's gaze narrows on Bronya. "The chief will determine what becomes of you when we reach him."

"Good. I've been wanting to face the Underworld's leader."

A derisive snort escapes Seele as her lip curls. "Then prepare to face reality itself, Princess."

Bronya flinches at the disdain in Seele's tone—but Xander's concerned voice draws her attention. "Seele... what can you tell us about these Vagrants? What are we liable to encounter from them?"

Seele exhales slowly, expression hardening. "The worst amongst the Vagrants are a desperate bunch—they'll do whatever's needed to survive the Underworld's harsh conditions. That includes scavenging for valuable artifacts and ancient tech from the Fragmentum."

Her gaze turns distant as she continues. "They're organized into specialized teams under a ruthless council—exploration, agriculture, black market operations, and enforcement. They believe strength and power are the only paths to survival, by any means necessary to secure resources and maintain their position."

She shakes her head grimly. "They cultivate crops and psychoactive mushrooms using reclaimed tech, trading them on the black market to gain influence and leverage. Their monopoly on illicit goods and brutal reputation as enforcers make them feared. Clashes with Wildfire are common—some see the Vagrants as a necessary evil, others resent the chaos and devastation they unleash."1

Xander frowns deeply, mulling over her words in silence. March, ever perceptive, leans in closer.

"Everything okay?" she asks softly.

He hesitates, mouth opening to deflect her worry—but stops himself. Shaking his head ruefully, a small smile tugs at his lips.

"It's... not nothing," he admits, keeping his voice low. "But I can't put words to it well yet.2 Once we're back from the Great Mine and resting in Boulder, I'll be able to explain things better."

March's frown deepens, but Xander takes her hand gently. As their eyes meet, his expression is resolute yet reassuring.

"When I promised to share everything with you and Dan Heng, I meant it."

Her features soften and she nods, a shy smile gracing her lips. Xander turns to meet Dan Heng's gaze, expression serious—an unspoken signal passing between them that makes Dan's eyes widen fractionally before hardening with conviction. He gives a curt nod of understanding.

Xander returns it, refocusing on the path ahead—only for Sampo to pipe up slyly.

"Couldn't help but notice that little look between you two peas in a pod," the merchant teases with a grin. "Does our daring leader have some surprises in store? You know how I live for shockers..."

Xander glances back briefly, unmoved. "It's nothing of concern."

Sampo opens his mouth to protest, but Xander cuts him off firmly. "Sampo. Trust me on this."

The merchant subsides with a reluctant sigh. "Alright, alright..."

Seele arches a pointed brow, gaze flickering between them shrewdly. "What sort of leverage do you have on Sampo to make him back down like that? And what's with the serious act—it's so unlike him."

Rich laughter echoes through the cavern. "Let's say that I know where all his skeletons are buried."

Bronya studies him, brow furrowing in distrust. "You were in cooperation together when you brought us down here, then?"

Xander's laughter crescendos, shoulders shaking. "Now that's funny. If I'd had my way initially, I never would've met you—much less moved to the literal Underworld."

Her eyes narrow dangerously. "Then what were your original intentions here... demon?" She can't keep the contempt from her voice.

His laughter subsides as he regards her with an almost pitying smile, golden eyes glinting with amusement.

"Sheesh... this must be how Paul felt addressing those Athenians,"3 he muses cryptically, earning a series of confused looks. Waving it off, his expression turns pensive once more.

"March, Dan Heng and I originally came here seeking information from Serval Landau. We would've disposed of the Stellaron and likely gone on our way, leaving Belobog to continue our journey."

Bronya's eyes widen, curiosity piqued. "Your companion mentioned it before. What is this Stellaron?"

"It's the cause of the Eternal Freeze," he reveals, words heavy with implication. "The source of Belobog's troubles for over seven centuries."

Before Bronya can voice her myriad questions, March interrupts, surprise coloring her tone. "Huh? Isn't that the doctor lady?" She points ahead.

Bronya surveys the dimly lit entrance to the Great Mine, eyes narrowing against the eerie blue-tinted glow. Scattered lamps and lights cast long shadows across the looming industrial buildings and metal structures.

A wide path cuts through the center, leading deeper into the mine—lined with crates, barrels, and various mining equipment, remnants of active operations. Her gaze sweeps over the smaller flanking structures—likely storage or living quarters for the toiling miners below.

Up ahead, beneath a high metal bridge platform, Bronya spots Natasha surrounded by miners and red-banded Wildfire members. They converse in hushed tones as Natasha finishes tending to someone's injuries.

Seele's voice hitches with concern. "Don't tell me the situation's even worse than I feared..."

As they approach, Seele opens the conversation. "Didn't expect to find you stationed here, Nat. Where's the Chief?"

Natasha's gaze sweeps over them appraisingly. "Seele... and Sampo's guests, I see. You've all met."

Xander steps forward, lowering his head respectfully. "Ma'am, I must apologize again for the earlier disturbance. That was my fault entirely."

Warmth spreads across Natasha's features as she waves a dismissive hand. "No need to worry yourself over it." Curiosity sparks in her eyes as she glances between Xander and Sampo. "Seems you two have had a chance to clear the air?"

Sampo smiles sheepishly as Xander chuckles, shaking his head. "Our 'talk' only left me more confused than ever. But we reached an understanding—as long as he behaves himself, we're square."

"I wouldn't hold my breath on that one," Natasha comments dryly, trading an amused look with Xander. Her brow furrows as her gaze drops to his arm. "How's that bullet wound faring? Healing properly, I hope?"

Xander extends his arm, rotating it for her inspection. "Good as new, thanks to your skilled care. You have my gratitude."

Natasha nods, her expression growing more serious as concern tinges in her voice. "How did you come to be shot in the first place?"

Bronya tenses, noticing Dan and March's accusatory sidelong looks. But Xander surprises her by taking the blame upon himself.

"I may have... pissed off a Silvermane guard topside," he admits ruefully. "Let my temper and big mouth get the better of me. Landed me in a bad situation—not my finest hour, but I've learned."

Bronya scoffs and looks away, arms crossed—oddly surprised by his willingness to claim responsibility for the incident.

Natasha seems to accept his explanation with a nod before turning back to Seele, expression sobering. "Haven't seen hide nor hair of Oleg yet. Miners say he took a group and ventured deeper in."

Dan's brow creases with concern as he steps forward. "What about the people gathered here?"

"They want answers from the instigators behind this mess. The area ahead used to be a Vagrant dwelling, but they've sealed off the entrance completely. Many were injured during the initial clashes, so I hurried over to help treat them and try calming things down."

Natasha sweeps her gaze over the assembled miners and their families, weariness seeping into her tone. "Dealing with Vagrants, it's always a coin toss—you never know if you're facing a regular dweller just struggling to survive, or one of their merciless leaders calling the shots. And those ones can be incredibly unreasonable to deal with."

Xander's eyes narrow guardedly. "They're that bad, huh?"

A flicker of undisguised hatred twists Natasha's features as her voice takes on a hard edge. "They're not good people."

Seele shakes her head. "How did things escalate so quickly? Just yesterday, we heard about clashes, typical vagrant stuff, but nothing on this scale." She glances to the side, noticing miners nursing minor injuries, likely just healed by Natasha.

"The First Mining Team... they uncovered an absolutely massive geomarrow vein with staggering deposits. Initial estimates suggest it's the largest find in over thirty years."

Seele's eyes widen in disbelief. "Seriously? That's huge! Why wasn't I made aware?"

Natasha's expression grows grave. "They wanted to keep it under wraps at first. Most of our other mines have been rendered useless by Fragmentum contamination, leaving so many out of work. They were afraid of being overwhelmed if word spread too quickly."

She sighs, shaking her head ruefully. "But the Vagrants have eyes and ears everywhere. The miners couldn't keep such a massive discovery hidden for long. Some of the local gangs caught wind of it and started blackmailing the team for hush money to keep from leaking the news. That was the final straw that broke this whole situation wide open."

Bronya watches the scene unfold, trepidation and intrigue warring within her. Natasha's tale of escalating conflict leaves her feeling deeply unsettled—as a Silvermane elite, lawlessness and disorder should appall her. And yet... she can't deny the twinge of sympathy she feels for both the desperate miners and Vagrants, all struggling to survive the Underworld's harsh realities.

Natasha's arms cross over her chest as her expression turns grave once more. "And that's how this whole clash erupted—heavy losses on both sides before it was done. Wildfire is doing everything it can to regain control, but..." Her gaze lifts to meet Seele's meaningfully. "Did they offer any aid in resolving this?"

Seele shrugs, eyes narrowing slightly. "Couldn't keep watch over them in town and handle this situation simultaneously. Figured I'd kill two frostspawns with one stone by bringing them along to meet the Chief too." She nods toward Xander. "This one wants an audience with him. Wouldn't be too much trouble to lend a hand first, would it?"

"Of course we'll help however we can!" March chimes in earnestly.

Xander turns to face Seele, gaze level and unwavering. "There are likely children caught up in the middle of all this."

Seele seems to search for something in Xander's eyes, and when she finds it, she smiles slightly, nodding in approval.

Warmth spreads across Natasha's features. "You're kind-hearted people, I can see that."

She refocuses on the group, gratitude tingeing her voice. "The situation here is strained, as you've witnessed. If you're able to assist these residents in any way, it would be an immense help."

Bronya clenches her fist. Was the plight of the Underworld residents truly this dire? The thought unsettles her, conflicting with the idealized image of Belobog she has held in her mind for so long.

The group quickly sets off, passing through the gathered miners to make their way up the high metal bridge platform leading deeper into the mine's upper levels. They traverse living quarters that appear to house resident miners before the echoing report of distant gunfire reaches their ears—coming from the direction they're headed.

At the ominous sound, Xander immediately breaks into a sprint far ahead of the others. "Hey, wait!" Seele calls out in frustration as the rest hurry to catch up.

They arrive at a high level, near what seems an actual suspended metal bridge spanning the gap between two towering earth formations within the mine. Geomarrow ore and crates line the precarious edges.

Bronya's attention is briefly drawn to the bridge's structure when Xander suddenly exclaims, "Hey! Hey, hey, hey!" He dashes forward, dropping to one knee beside a crumpled form on the ground—a man bleeding from a gunshot wound near his abdomen.

"I need help, now!" Xander's voice rings with urgency.

The group rushes over. Xander clamps a hand down on the wound, his other feeling for a pulse. Seele skids to her knees beside him. "That's Peak! Is he..."

Xander shakes his head grimly. "Alive, but fading." He glances at Dan and Seele. "Keep pressure on this." He scans the others. "March, can you chill the area around the wound, but not directly on it? Sampo, scout ahead and report back if you encounter anything."

Bronya watches with bated breath as they spring into action. Sampo takes off without a word. March, though visibly perturbed by the sight of the injured man, takes a deep breath and centers herself, carefully applying a localized cold effect near—but not on—the injury.

Xander exhales relief at seeing an exit wound. "It went through. Thank God."

"Why's that better?" March asks, voice quivering.

Dan explains without missing a beat. "A bullet inside creates further risk—more damage if it shifts, the chance of infection, complications removing it..."

Xander strips off his coat, ripping a strip of fabric to bind the wound. Realizing it's not enough, he glances up—

Surprising everyone, Bronya tears off part of her lower uniform and offers it wordlessly, avoiding looking directly at Xander.

"Thank you, Bronya," Xander says, taking the offered material. He turns to Seele. "Help me here, please. Dan Heng, keep the pressure."

As they dress the wound, Seele leans in urgently. "Peak! Stay with us!"

Peak groans in discomfort, his voice weak. "Miss Seele...?"

"There you go," Xander assures. "Stick around a while longer."

"What happened?" Seele presses. "Tell us!"

Through pained gasps, Peak recounts, "These guys... ambushed the mining crew... got me before I could run far. Some Wildfire folks tried backing us up, but..."

Seele scowls darkly. "They abandoned you?"

"Something of higher priority must have forced their hand," Xander says soberly. "Trying to evacuate an injured person could have compromised their ability to operate in this situation."

"Outnumbered..." Peak coughs. "Vagrants took over the vein like it was nothing... armed to the teeth..."

Xander curses under his breath. "Damn it, if only I could..." He shakes his head, turning to Seele with a grave expression. "We need to get him to Natasha. Now."

At that moment, Sampo returns, carrying a woman on his back. Bronya's eyes widen as she recognizes the bruises on the woman's arms and the purplish discoloration on her face, evidence of a beating.

"That's... that's Elaine. She's from the First Mining Team!" Seele's anger is palpable as she takes in the extent of the woman's injuries. "Those bastards... They'll—"

"Focus, Seele. Peak's the priority right now," Xander cuts her off sharply. "Sampo, any other injuries as bad?"

Sampo shakes his head, uncharacteristically serious. "No. Also, I saw wrecked robots and machines but nothing else."

"Shit." Seele's fists clench.

Xander finishes tying the makeshift bandages and turns to March. "Please, go with Sampo and get them both to Natasha. She'll deal with the rest. Also, stay with the group and defend them. They'll likely need a hand in case any Vagrants come their way."

March opens her mouth to protest, but Xander silences her with a look. "I promise both Dan and I will return."

Bronya watches as Dan Heng and Seele carefully help Peak onto March's back, securing his arms over her shoulders. Seele offers reassuring words to Peak, while Xander leans in to speak with Sampo.

"You know what to do."

Sampo nods. "Have no fear, friend."

Xander nods in return before walking over to March. With a tender gesture, he brushes back the hair that has fallen over her forehead and pulls her close, pressing their foreheads together briefly.

"Be safe, be blessed. Go now, girl."

March meets Xander's gaze for a moment, her expression a mix of emotions, before nodding resolutely. She and Sampo then turn and make their way back the way they came, carrying Peak and Elaine on their backs.

Dan frowns once they're gone. "Leaving March back there?"

Xander nods. "Natasha will most likely need the backup in case something goes down, and March is more than capable of handling any Vagrant crew on her own."

Without further delay, Xander begins jogging in the opposite direction, Bronya, Seele, and Dan Heng following closely behind him. "This is worse than I thought," he says grimly. "Seele, about the robots—"

"We'll have company," Seele cuts him off, voice taut. "Svarog's here with his war machines—automated units under his control. He's not one to be trifled with."

Bronya's brow knits. "Robots disobeying humans? Unheard of..."

Xander's voice is grim as he responds, "That's misaligned AI for you."

The geomarrow's fiery glow steadily envelops them as they delve further into the depths of the mine. Suddenly, her gaze falls upon two unconscious vagrants lying near a circular elevator platform.

"Over there." Bronya gestures sharply.

They approach the fallen men, and Dan Heng quickly kneels down to check their pulse. "Out cold."

"Good." Seele viciously kicks one in the ribs. Bronya flinches at the brutality but remains silent. She can't say anything, not after what they've just witnessed.

The Wildfire girl's attention is drawn to a white object on the floor next to the unconscious men. "What's this...?" she wonders aloud, reaching out to touch it. To Bronya's surprise, the object springs to life, beginning to float as it opens up in the shape of a three-petal flower, clearly some kind of robot.

"Beep, beep, beep... Searching for potential user..." the robot intones in a mechanical voice.

"What the—?" Seele's hand instinctively goes for her weapon, but Bronya is quicker, whipping out her rifle and pointing it at the strange device.

Dan Heng raises a hand, halting her. "Wait, it doesn't seem to be technology from here," he says. "Xander, look. It has an Interastral Peace Corporation logo on it. Perhaps it's an antiquity left behind by some past interstellar traveler."

"Beep, beep, beep... Your mom's an antiquity—"

Xander lashes out, cuffing the bot sharply. Snatching it, he begins muttering lowly in a language Bronya doesn't understand.

"¿Qué mierda dijiste de su vieja, lata oxidada? Mejor andá apagándote porque te voy a hacer mierda los circuitos, impresora rota. La recalcada tarjeta madre que te parió, cara de celular Nokia. Seguí hablando pelotudeces y te reviento la motherboard de una patada y te dejo titilando como la heladera vieja que sos, ¿me escuchaste, Windows 95?"4

The robot shakes comically in his grip. "Beep beep! Cannot comprehend language! But Findie apologizes!"

Xander mutters under his breath, "Good. I know you're damaged. Behave, and I promise to repair you."

"Beep, beep, beep... Yes, yes, yes. Call upon Findie, if you need to find something you can't—"

Before the robot can finish its sentence, it disappears, having been pocketed in Xander's dimensional pouch. He looks at Dan Heng, who has raised his eyebrows in bewilderment. Xander looks at him as if he's grown a second head. "It was making us lose precious time. What else do you expect me to do?"

Dan Heng takes a moment to process this, shaking his head and smiling wryly. "Let's continue," he says, seemingly dismissing the odd exchange.

Xander shrugs, while Seele follows with a smirk. Bronya, for her part, can only glower at Xander's back, her distrust of him solidifying with each passing moment.

The group continues making their way deeper into the mine, the sound of commotion reaching their ears. They run through halls of stone, geomarrow, and gas pipes until they reach an open space, where a disturbing scene unfolds before their eyes. A group of miners lie on the floor, being beaten by a larger group of vagrants.

Bronya recognizes one of the vagrants instantly – it's the man she stumbled upon back in Boulder Town, along with his crew. He's currently grabbing a woman wearing a brown mining suit by the front collar, her skin visibly bruised from the beating she's endured. The woman spits at him defiantly, but the man remains unmoved, regarding her with cold indifference. The rest of his crew have their feet planted on the bodies of what seem to be the woman's colleagues.

Despite her injuries, she musters the strength to talk back. "Damn cowards… I don't remember you acting this tough around Svarog's minions."

The man's response is chilling in its callousness. "We ain't imbeciles. And get the fuck off the high road – you can't just find a huge chunk of Geomarrow and hog it all to yourselves."

One of the woman's colleagues, lying injured on the floor and held down by another vagrant, speaks up weakly. "This mine is our territory. The mining team is laboring here day in and day out. You're clearly not going to lend a hand. Why should you profit off of our sweat, blood, and tears—"

The vagrant atop the man kicks him viciously in the back, eliciting a howl of agony. "Who the fuck gave you permission to speak?"

In the blink of an eye, the vagrant's words are cut off as Xander appears beside him, grabbing him by the face and launching him into the air against the wall with incredible force. The sickening crack of breaking bones echoes through the chamber, followed by the man's agonized whimpers of pain.

Xander's sudden, brutal assault seems to spur the others into action. Dan slams another into the rock face. Seele blinks in and out, dropping two more with surgical precision as a gunshot rings out—Xander winging another Vagrant drawing his weapon.

Caught by surprise, the leader of the vagrant crew finds himself smacked to the floor by a powerful left hook from Bronya, the force of the blow leaving him reeling. As he tries to raise his head, he's met with the cold barrel of Bronya's rifle pressed against the back of his skull. "You move one single inch," she whispers, her voice laced with venom, "and I swear to Qlipoth above, I'll end you."

The man lifts his ugly, defiant gaze to meet Bronya's, his expression one of contempt. "Fuck you, bitch—"

Before Bronya can react, another gunshot rings out, and the man's cursing dissolves into agonized screams. Xander's foot comes down on the man's freshly injured leg, pressing down with merciless force and eliciting further howls of pain. With a savage motion, Xander smacks the man's face against the floor, knocking him unconscious.

Bronya takes a moment to study the unconscious vagrant, feeling no pity for the wretched man. But when she raises her eyes to meet Xander's gaze, she can't help but tense. Those golden irises hold a hint of something primal, something almost demonic.

"Make him talk," Xander growls at Dan, jerking his chin at the one he has pinned.

Dan Heng doesn't hesitate, cracking the man across the face. "Why attack these miners? Speak!"

As Dan interrogates the man, Seele begins tending to the injured miners, Bronya deciding to follow suit, helping the woman she'd later known as Antonia to rest against the wall.

The vagrant struggles against Dan's grip, his words punctuated by grunts of pain. "I don't fucking answer to you—"

A blur of motion—Xander fires a deafening trio of shots at the ceiling. Silence rings out as he advances on the man, gun-leveled. "You work and eat with your hands, right?"

The Vagrant blinks, anger and fear warring on his face. "What're you on about—"

"Are you deaf?" Xander cuts him off, his voice dangerously quiet. "I asked you a question."

"Who the fuck do you think you—"

Without warning, Xander extends his leg and pins one of the man's hands against the wall, applying brutal pressure. The vagrant's screams of agony fill the chamber, echoing off the stone walls. Bronya can't help but wince.

"You work and eat with your hands, do you, or do you not?!" Xander roars.5

"I do! I do! I do!" the man shrieks, tears streaming down his face.

"Then you'll answer his questions," Xander nods towards Dan Heng, "truthfully and honestly. Or else, I'll break your hands. And you'll have to make do with just your feet. Go."

The vagrant's bravado crumbles under both of their merciless interrogation. "We wanted to seize the geomarrow vein because we're struggling with provisions!" he blurts out, his voice tinged with desperation. "We can't fill our stomachs!"

Dan Heng's expression remains impassive as he presses further. "Why injure the miners this badly? Why not try to come to a peaceful agreement?"

The vagrant's response is laced with bitter cynicism. "How the heck are we supposed to make them cooperate? Are you too innocent to think they'll just say yes out of the goodness of their hearts? It's every man for himself down here! We're just doing what we can get to make it another day!"

"Funny... while you idiots fought us... the whole vein's been overrun by machines. We're all screwed now." Antonia, the injured miner woman, coughs weakly, her words punctuated by fits of violent hacking.

"Easy, easy," Seele murmurs, helping her find a comfortable position.

The vagrant held by Dan Heng laughs, a harsh, grating sound. "Well, ain't that a kick in the teeth? Wasn't gonna let us walk away empty-handed either way though. We were gonna take their gear and supplies next if we had to. Then you pricks showed up—"

"Total numbers?" Xander's voice slices through like a blade. "How many of you?"

The vagrant hesitates, his eyes darting nervously towards his pinned hand. "Huh? I..."

Xander's grip tightens, the bones in the man's hand grinding together ominously.

"Okay, okay!" the vagrant cries out, his voice tinged with panic. "I'll talk. I'll talk!"

"Alright. Talk."

"I think it was twenty-seven of us, no—that's not right, maybe twenty-eight? I can't recall exactly! Please, don't hurt me!"

Xander's expression remains impassive. "I believe you. Get him asleep, Dan Heng."

The Vagrant's eyes widen in alarm, but before he can protest further, Dan's fist lashes out, cracking against his jaw, rendering the man unconscious.

Bronya watches as Antonia spits a glob of blood next to her, coughing some more. "Serves him right, the asshole," she rasps, her voice tinged with satisfaction.

Xander approaches one of Antonia's colleagues, a man bruised and battered, resting against the wall. He studies his own hand for a moment, narrowing his eyes, before shaking his head. Crouching to eye level with the man, he speaks, "Hey."

The man coughs, a pained grimace twisting his features, before looking at Xander and grinning. "You gave 'em hell. Thank you for that."

Xander's eyes drop, shame flickering across his expression. "Do not thank me. Just do me a favor in return. Can you manage that much, sir?"

A ragged chuckle escapes the man's split lips. "Sure, sure... as long as it ain't too taxing. You understand."

"Believe me, I do. Can you make your way back to Natasha at the entrance? Explain the situation to her—I'm sure she'll come running to patch everyone up."

The man nods slowly, brow creasing. "Reckon I can... but why can't you—"

"Chief Oleg's still trapped deeper in, isn't he?" Xander interrupts. "We need to reach him urgently. I'm sorry to ask this of you in your condition, I know the least you should be doing right now is anything strenuous."

"Ah... right, the Chief." The words seem to catalyze the man as he struggles upright, Xander lending a steadying hand. "Must've taken a harder knock than I thought to forget about him. I understand..."

Seizing the opportunity, Seele turns to Antonia. "Have you seen Chief Oleg?"

Antonia's eyes narrow in concentration. "Oleg? He took a group into the inner section as they fought off Vagrants. Said it was to clear them off and the invading robots."

A bitter chuckle escapes her bloodied lips. "They've been gone a while now. If Wildfire was still around, those thugs wouldn't have dared try anything."

Seele's expression clouds briefly before a steely resolution sets in. "Seems the root of this whole mess stems from Svarog's rogue machines."

Bronya can no longer contain her curiosity. "What do these robots want exactly?"

Seele turns to face her, eyes narrowing slightly. "Your average robot has no will of its own—their aims are Svarog's alone. Svarog appeared out of nowhere after the Silvermane redeployment and rapidly became a major Underworld player. He claims to be a 'guardian of humanity' —all the masterless machines obey his commands now. They've occupied the Furnace Core hub and aren't letting anyone near. Nobody knows why Svarog did any of this... he usually keeps to the Core and only interferes if serious disorder breaks out down here."

"A 'guardian of humanity' who can command machines? I've never heard of such a thing..."

"Looks like those mighty Architects of yours weren't all-knowing after all," Seele scoffs derisively.

Before Bronya can retort, Dan Heng cuts in firmly, "Can you two avoid bickering for once? This isn't the time!" He turns to Seele, expression grave. "From what you've said, it sounds like danger awaits us deeper in. Do you think we can still get through to the Chief safely?"

Seele glowers at him a moment before sagging with a sigh. "...Right. The Chief's still trapped down there with who knows what. It's just scrap metal—what do we have to fear?"

She looks back at Antonia, her voice turning gentle. "Rest here, Antonia. Your friend should be back soon with backup—we're not far from the entrance. These thugs won't be going anywhere for a while."

Antonia meets her gaze with profound gratitude. "Thank you... all of you. Please stay safe."

Once the injured miners are attended to—and Xander reluctantly given a chance to ensure none of the Vagrants' injuries are life-threatening—the group presses on deeper into the tunnels. Mining equipment grows more prevalent as they near their objective.

Bronya follows the others down a path lined with ore cart rails, the tracks stretching endlessly into darkness before them. Suddenly, they grind to a halt, faced with a mangled barricade—a large mining cart lies thrown across their path, surrounded by scattered crates and debris.

"Blocked," Bronya states, frustrated. "Do we blow it out of the way?"

Seele's eyes widen in disbelief. "Easy there! That cart belongs to the miners—we can't just destroy it willy-nilly. Let's try fixing it first."

"Easier said than done... do you know how?"

Seele shoots her an affronted look, pride clearly stung. "Any self-respecting Underworlder worth their salt knows mine cart repair. Let me take a look..."

She approaches the wreckage, eyes narrowing as she examines the damage. "Hmm... even the coupling pin between cart and chassis is sheared. And the rear wheelset's bearing is trashed too. This was the work of Svarog's goons for sure."

Her knuckles tighten, frustration palpable. "Damn it all. We'll need to scrounge for spare parts nearby...we're just wasting time—"

Suddenly, Xander appears beside Bronya, nearly making her jump. He's laden with an armful of parts, expression intent. "Got them. Let's do this."

Seele blinks in surprise. "Where did you... how did you—?"

"Fix the cart now, questions later—we're burning daylight here!" Xander cuts her off urgently. He hands two parts to Seele while taking the rest himself, circling to the opposite side and crouching down. "Also, thank Findie for finding these bits. Or... whatever you want to call it."

The floating robot hovers into view beside Bronya, catching her off guard—she hadn't noticed its presence before. "Beep beep beep! That was incredibly efficient work, sir! It's almost as if you knew—"

"Findie, shut it!" Xander snaps, already focused on the repairs. "Dan Heng, watch our backs. I don't need some stray bullet hitting me again while I'm working."

Bronya huffs in annoyance as Dan Heng just shakes his head with a smirk, summoning his lance to stand guard.

"Beep beep beep! Shutting up!" Findie chirps before disappearing back into Xander's dimensional pouch.

Seele and Xander make quick, efficient work, hands moving with practiced precision. In under seven minutes, the mine cart is repaired and ready to go. Seele eyes Xander with a hint of new respect. "Didn't take you for the type to get his hands dirty, but you seem to know your way around this stuff."

Xander chuckles, wiping his brow. "You'd like my old man—best mechanic I know. Puts me to shame half the time."

Seele grins. "I'll have to hear about him sometime then."

"For sure. Let's get this bucket rolling." Xander waves Bronya and Dan over. "All set over here!"

Seele and Xander heave the cart into motion, and the group presses on through the winding tunnels. The journey seems to stretch endlessly, disorienting twists and turns barely illuminated by the dim mining lamps.

They finally emerge into a vast, open cavern. Abandoned mine carts litter the space, wooden planks set up as makeshift workstations and a lattice of metal rails crisscrosses the floor—designed to transport the excavated geomarrow ore. But dominating the center, bathing the entire chamber in a warm, pulsing radiance, stands a towering pillar of geomarrow—the vein itself.

Bronya's breath catches at the spectacle, awestruck. "Seeing it up close...this deposit is even more incredible."

Seele seems less impressed, resigned. "I doubt the Underworld will ever see it fully unearthed."

A somber silence falls over Bronya, a mix of emotions roiling within her. Disappointment, sadness, conflict—she wants to believe in the indomitable spirit of the Belobog and its people. But the harsh reality of their situation grows increasingly difficult to ignore.

She curses under her breath as Xander shushes them, urging everyone to lay low. She watches him inch closer to the edge of the platform, peering over to get a better look at whatever has caught his attention. Curiosity getting the better of her, Bronya follows suit, and as she takes in the scene below, a chill runs down her spine. She instantly understands Xander's caution.

At the vein's base stands a towering, humanoid robot draped in tattered furs, its single crimson eye pulsing with an eerie glow. The mere sight of the mechanical monstrosity sets Bronya's nerves on edge.

Next to it, a little girl with snow-white hair seems engrossed in conversation, her vibrant red dress jarring against the gloomy cavern. Around them, a troop of automatons has pinned down a ragtag group of miners and Vagrants—Beetles, Hounds, and a hulking, armored Grizzly whose massive frame dwarfs the cowering prisoners in its shadow.

The miners' grimy faces are etched with despair, trembling under the cold gazes of their mechanical captors. The defiant Vagrants thrash and struggle in futile resistance.

The girl's plaintive voice carries through the cavern. "Mr. Svarog, please don't hurt them too much..."

The machine's digitized monotone replies, "Calculating probability of further conflict between these groups... eighty-two percent. Force has been enacted to prevent escalation."

She hesitates, brow furrowing. "But..."

"Clara." The robot's tone gentles fractionally.

She sighs, eyes downcast. "I know, Mr. Svarog... I just don't like seeing people fight and get hurt."

She then turns her gaze upward, marveling at the vein. "This geomarrow... so this is what everyone's been fighting over? I've never seen so much before."

Svarog's mechanical voice echoes through the cavern once more. "Calculating… Based on the average rate of excavation, this vein is enough to supply Belobog with 231 days of energy, with a margin of error of 7 days. But you summoning me is not about this ore in question. State your true intention, Clara."

Clara's eyes drift back to the captives uncertainly. "I wanted you to see how many have been hurt over this vein… can't you help them somehow?"

"I have already pacified the conflict and taken control of this excavation zone," Svarog replies dispassionately. "Evaluation indicates no further large-scale violence is probable in the next 15 days under my administration."

Her voice wavers. "But... I don't think that will be enough. The miners, the Vagrants, Wildfire—they don't understand your actions. If only we could do more..."

Svarog's response is as cold and clinical as ever. "My prime directive is Underworld preservation. The comprehension of minority subgroups is irrelevant to my calculations. Human behavior will inevitably deviate from rational decision-making..."

Suddenly, the robot's gaze snaps upward, fixing on Bronya's group with an ominous crimson flare. "Case in point—their presence represents an unaccounted variable."

Seele, in a display of bravery or foolishness, stands tall, her arms and hands raised in a gesture of surrender. Bronya instinctively tries to pull her back down, but Seele resists, remaining in full view of the robot.

"Svarog!" Seele calls out, her voice ringing through the cavern. "Let them go! If you want to fight someone, fight me instead!"

Oleg's desperate cry rings out from below. "Seele, no!"

Svarog regards her impassively. "Seele of Wildfire... your resistance is futile. My evaluations indicate remaining underground offers the highest probability of survival."

Seele sighs, frustration evident in her tone. "This again... Calculation results, survival strategies... I haven't got time for your thesis. Withdraw your forces, or I'll lose my temper!"

Turning to Clara, who has shrunk back warily, Svarog continues pontificating. "Observe, Clara. Even under dire circumstances, humans prove fundamentally incapable of resolving conflicts through rational means."

"But Mr. Svarog..." Clara's objection is small, pleading.

"Human unwillingness to accept pragmatic solutions represents a critical threat to the survival of the Underworld. Given their leader's presence and their provocative stance, recalculating..." A pause as the robot's eye pulses dimly. "New paradigm established: armed suppression of Wildfire and affiliates."

Seele growls, her eyes flashing as she summons her scythe. "You glorified calculator...!"

In response, the robots' eyes flare malevolently as Svarog raises his hand, a pulsing energy cannon extending from his palm.

"Mr. Svarog, don't—!" Clara cries out desperately.

Bronya raises her rifle, mind racing as she calculates the odds. There are too many robots—ten, twenty, maybe thirty. If she can puncture their shells and hit their systems with precision, maybe, just maybe, she can save at least two, no, four people. She needs to act fast, to—

Suddenly, a blaring, distorted sound rings in her ears. For the briefest fraction of a second, Bronya's vision shifts strangely. A circular area within her sight turns monochrome, as if the color has been drained from the world.

And then, a demonic howl rips through the air.

"—REND!"6

Bronya watches in stunned disbelief as chaos erupts. Robot parts fly through the air like deadly shrapnel, a visceral display of unbridled destruction. Her eyes can barely follow the blinding slashes of black and white energy that appear and vanish like lightning, each strike decimating the robots pinning down the helpless miners, vagrants, and Wildfire members with devastating, surgical precision.

In a single, breathtaking second, all the robots save for the towering Svarog are reduced to mangled bits and pieces scattered across the cavern floor. And there, in the middle of this hellish scene, kneels Xander, doubled over and coughing up thick streams of blood, his body wracked with the violent aftershocks of whatever unholy power he has unleashed.

An icy knot of primal terror forms in Bronya's gut as she beholds the evidence of his capabilities.

"You fool!" Dan Heng's anguished voice rings out as he leaps down, ethereal trails like evaporating droplets shimmering briefly in his wake.7

Seele and Bronya follow, rushing to Xander's side as he continues retching up globs of viscera, his arms shaking, strength fading as he fights to keep from collapsing entirely.

"What did you just do?!" Dan demands, anger and fear warring in his voice. "Think of yourself for once, idiot! If not for your own sake, then for March and me!"

A deep, ominous rumble echoes through the cavern. "Warning. Unaccounted variable detected."

The hair stands up on the back of Bronya's neck as that monotonous, mechanical voice sends chills down her spine. She looks up—and feels her blood run cold.

Dozens of smaller automatons are emerging from the shadows behind Svarog, crimson eyes blazing so intensely that the geomarrow's warm glow seems to turn a deep, unsettling crimson. The towering machine's single optic darkens menacingly.

"Threat to Clara: Critical. Extermination protocol activ—"

Dan Heng's raw scream of denial cuts through as he flings his arms out protectively before Xander. "He would never hurt a child!"

The back of his coat billows as he stands resolute, staring the machine down. "None of us would! Least of all him!"

"Dan...Heng..." Xander rasps weakly, voice strained.

"Stay with me, dammit!" Seele curses, her scythe vanishing as she grabs Xander's face firmly. She slaps his cheeks repeatedly in an attempt to keep him conscious. "Don't you dare check out on us!"

For a brief moment, an image of Bronya's mother flickers through her mind—but she shakes it off, trusting her instincts instead. Raising her rifle skyward, she brings the butt crashing down, sending a powerful shockwave rippling through the chamber as her augmented powers surge.

"To guard and defend..." she murmurs, voice steely with resolution.

Svarog continues observing Xander impassively, energy cannon still aimed squarely at him. For a tense heartbeat, Bronya fears they'll all perish here—

Then the crimson glow fades. The other machines power down in eerie synchronicity and begin retreating to the shadows like spiders fleeing light to parts unknown.

"Emotional output sincere," the robot intones dispassionately. "Subject harbors no malicious intent toward the child. Termination protocol aborted."

He glances down to where Clara had been sheltering behind his leg. "We are leaving. External variables have forced a predictive recalculation—the Furnace Core hub requires enhanced security."

Clara can only whimper and nod obediently, visibly shaken as Svarog gently scoops her up. "I'm sorry," she whispers.

The towering machine turns away, heading for the mine exit as Clara peers back over its shoulder, eyes glistening—but eventually bows her head and closes them.

As the freed prisoners slowly stir and rise, Seele remains focused on tending to Xander. Bronya finds herself leaning heavily on her rifle, a profound hollowness settling over her as Seele and Dan's shouts echo through the chamber.

What is the extent of the damage they have truly caused to all of these people?

——————————————————————

Countdown to Belobog's Long Night of Solace: 3̴̛̪̿̈́͑̀͛̒̔̈͝͠͝͠ ̷̛͍͉̲̲͖̭̹͔̗̺͉̥̦̞̟̝̫͂̅̇͋̈́̀̇͗̈͜ḋ̶̢̻̳̻̳̯͎̭̓̈̾̑͒̐̂̕͝͠ͅa̷̡̡̮̞͖̤̙̮̟͎̥͚̽̌́̒̇́̎̍͌̚̕͝ͅÿ̷̢͍̮͈̥̬̙͎͎͈̪̹̙́s̶̛̪̩͎̟̟͛́́̾̆̇̉̒͌͘͠ͅ remaining.