10 Half Way To High City

'2 Days After the ship left Anori Ports'

Dante: "High city, I'm so close to it, I've seen pictures and videos of it, but this time I'll get to be there. Right now I need to think about what I'm going to do once I get inside. I have to make a plan. I can't just rush things. I need to make sure not to fuck this up. I worked so hard to get here."

'Some young guy approaches Dante'

Hanzo: "Hi! nice to meet you, my name is Hanzo."

Dante: "My name is Dante. Can I help you?"

Hanzo: "I'm just saying hi, getting to know the people on the ship, you know, since we are all in this together."

Dante: "Oh yeah? and how's that been going for you? Seems like everyone is down and quiet."

Hanzo: "Yeah, I mean, can you blame them? Everyone is nervous. What if we get caught by the guards in High city? We'll be done, who knows what will happen to us. You should be nervous too... Are you nervous? It's OK, tell me, no need to act tough."

Dante: "Well, I'll be lying if I said I'm not a little nervous, I've never experienced something like this before, but I'm not gonna get caught. I have to get inside the city no matter what."

Hanzo: "I feel you man, me too. I need to get inside high city. It's my only chance to start a new life. Good thing my cousin is already there waiting for me. What about you?"

Dante: 'Stays silent for a second' "I guess you can say I'm just another young guy who wants to realize his dreams. You know, make it to the major league in high city and all that."

Hanzo: "Pshh! Good luck with that man. It's impossible to be someone big in high city. You need to know the right people, that know people, that got connections to important people who can get shit done. Unless you are a celebrity, high-ranking gang member, or born in the top district, then forget about your dreams."

Dante: "We'll see about that. I never knew that many people were being smuggled to high city, Is it that hard to get permits?"

Hanzo: "Well, I guess the government is afraid, after all the crazy attacks that have been happening lately. Did you hear about the town that got destroyed? I heard almost the entire town got wiped, it's crazy out there, man."

Dante: "Yeah, I've heard about that attack."

Hanzo: "But it's impossible for anyone to attack high city like that, though. You know, high city guards are not your normal people, right? I heard some of them can control ki, they also got crazy powerful androids. You'll get killed if you try anything funny."

Dante: "Really? They can control ki huh. What about you? Can you control your ki too?"

Hanzo: "No way. I only knew about ki from a crazy old High elf lady in my village. she can control her ki. Some kids even say they saw her flying."

Dante: "Flying? She must be a master. Hanzo, what's the name of your village?"

Hanzo: "I'm from Tora Village near Tora mountain. It's very far from here. Why are you asking?"

Dante: "No reason, just curious."

Dante: "Anyway, it's getting late. I think, I'm going to sleep, good night."

Hanzo: "Good night."

'The Next Day, 8:00 AM'

Four days until Dante arrives to high city. He's starting to get really nervous now.

Dante: "If it's true what Hanzo told me about the guards in high city, then there's no way I can fight my way inside. This plan has to work, otherwise, I'm screwed. It's getting really boring. I miss my friends. I wonder if I'm going to be this lonely in high city, too? What if the shadow figures are not in high city. Then what? I guess there's only one way to find out."

Hanzo: "Good morning Dante."

Dante: "Hey Hanzo, what's up?"

Hanzo: "Are you ok?"

Dante: "What do you mean? Of course, I'm ok, Why?"

Hanzo: "Yesterday, you were whispering in your sleep."

Dante: "Huh? really? I guess it was just a bad dream."

Hanzo: "Ok, then, just wanted to let you know."

Inside Dante head: "Since when I've been talking in my sleep?"

'1 Day till the ship arrives to the smuggling boat'

'Hatch Door open'

Ship Captain: "Listen, everyone, tomorrow we'll arrive to high city borders. I've contacted the smuggling boat and everything is good to go. I want everyone to get ready, make sure you don't leave anything personal behind."

Dante: "It's time, High City here I come."

To be continued...