Easier To Run

[Enter Qin Shi Huang]

A chilly wind cut through the night as I made my way to the coordinates Alexander had provided. I'd been delayed, by necessary strategizing and resistance. I should have been there sooner. But he was not here, and that filled me with a sense of dread.

I stood in the dim glow of the street lights, looking at the empty laneway and the street beyond it. Blood stained the pavement, fresh and eerily silent, a stark testament to the brutality that had unfolded just moments ago.

Looking around, I started gathering clues to what might have happened. There were clear signs of a violent struggle - scattered shards of Alexander's EM disruptor, a broken wall, and most alarmingly, a trail of blood leading towards a river.

It was Alexander's blood. I could tell that much from the remnants of his scent that still lingered in the air. But there was no sign of him, and the thought of what might have happened to him sent a jolt of anger through me.

"Where are you, my comrade?" I muttered to the night. But my question was met with silence, broken only by the distant hum of Paradise City's endless machinery.

I crouched down, studying the ground. Blood spatter, consistent with a struggle. More spots, farther away, likely from a pursuit. Alexander was chased, that much was clear. But who was his assailant?

Alexander had mentioned an unidentified person responsible for recent serial killings. Could it be the same person? The signs were too few to make a definitive connection. The situation reminded me of a game of weiqi, the ancient game of strategy. Every piece, every move counted. But here, the board was incomplete, the pieces scattered.

I sighed, straightening up. It was not like me to ponder on uncertainties. I had always been a man of action, a man who commanded armies, not a detective sifting through evidence. But the situation demanded a different approach.

And so, as my old self would have done, I took control of the situation.

"Find Alexander," I told the wind, steeling my resolve. It was a command, not a request. And I would see it done. But first, I had to find the enemy who dared to harm my friend, even if that meant delving into the underbelly of Paradise City itself.

In the quiet solitude of Musashi's hideout, I sat with my thoughts. Alexander's disappearance was a mystery, a riddle within a puzzle within an enigma. And yet, I found myself drawn to it, intrigued by the challenge it presented. In some ways, although loosely, it was similar to the unification of China, a monumental task that had once seemed impossible. Yet I had achieved it, and I would do so again.

The evidence was scarce, fragmented. But it was all I had. I ran through the information, considering every detail, every possibility.

Alexander must have been investigating the recent serial killings. He'd visited the black market informant agency, as the old lady confirmed, trying to piece together the truth. It was risky, but it was in Alexander's nature to face danger head-on. His bravery had always been both his greatest strength and his biggest weakness.

There was the unidentified person, the killer. Was it possible that this person was the one Alexander had fought? If so, it was no ordinary enemy. The blood at the scene suggested a violent struggle, a battle between two formidable warriors.

And then there were anomalies like Genghis Khan, Nero Julius Caesar, Ivan the Terrible…, all of whom Alexander told us to be wary of if we were to ever cross paths. Ruthless leaders from across history, known for their brutal and unpredictable nature. Could it be possible that one of them was the killer? The idea seemed far-fetched, yet I could not dismiss it entirely. In a world where I, Qin Shi Huang, could be brought to the future, anything was possible.

As I sat in the silence, I found my mind drifting back to the lessons of the past. The art of war is simple enough. Understand the enemy, understand yourself. Your victory will never be endangered.

But here, I was faced with an unknown enemy, a ghost in the machine. To fight such an enemy, I had to understand them. I needed more information, more insight.

With a grim sense of determination, I rose to my feet. There was no time to waste. If there was even the slightest chance that Alexander was in danger, I had to act. The time for contemplation was over. It was time for action.

"Alexander," I murmured to the empty room, "I will find you." The vow hung in the air, a silent promise. And I, Qin Shi Huang, Emperor of China, was not one to break a promise.

Gathering Joan and Musashi in the dimly lit main room of the hideout, I began, my voice echoing in the quiet. "Alexander is missing," I stated, a cold certainty in my voice. "And I believe the unidentified killer he was investigating might be involved."

Joan stiffened, a flash of worry crossing her face, but Musashi remained impassive, his dark eyes assessing. I continued, "I visited the place where Alexander was last known to be. There was a struggle. Blood."

"Blood?" Joan echoed, her voice barely more than a whisper. The idea of the indomitable Alexander bleeding, potentially hurt, was something none of us wanted to contemplate.

"Yes," I nodded solemnly, my gaze hardened. "And it leads towards the river. I believe that might be a clue as to his whereabouts."

"What do we know about this unidentified killer?" Musashi asked, his tone sharp and focused.

"Only rumors," I admitted. "The black market informants speak of a ruthless figure who has been committing these serial killings. The details are scant, but the cruelty of the acts points towards someone with a bloodlust. Someone who would not hesitate to attack Alexander."

"We must find him," Joan asserted, her hands clenched in determination.

"Yes," I agreed, "And to do that, we need to track this killer. I propose we use the informants. They are the eyes and ears of Paradise City. If we play our cards right, they could lead us straight to our enemy."

"And what of Alexander?" Musashi inquired, his gaze intense. "You said there was blood by the river."

"I believe that is our best lead," I answered, meeting his gaze steadily. "While I track down this unidentified killer, you and Joan could start the search there. It's possible he was injured and fell into the river, or used it as an escape route."

A heavy silence fell upon us, the weight of our task pressing down. We were in a race against time, and we could not afford to lose.

"We must act swiftly," I concluded, "The sun sets on Paradise City, but the night must not fall on Alexander."

"We have other obligations," I said, meeting each of their gazes. "The mayors...the captured anomalies... But right now, we must prioritize. We must find Alexander."

Joan nodded in understanding, her face a mask of determination. "I agree. Alexander would have done the same for any of us."

Musashi was silent for a moment before finally conceding, "We'll start at the river, follow its path. Alexander is smart; if he could, he would have left clues."

"Good," I affirmed, "And while you two embark on that task, I will wander the city to track down this unidentified killer. Our paths are connected, I am certain of it."

"Be careful, Qin," Joan urged, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and resolve. "This killer... He's a dangerous adversary. Especially if he was able to overpower Alexander."

"I will," I assured them. "And remember, we must stay focused. Finding Alexander... It's what matters most now."

As we parted ways, a sense of urgency fell upon us. Each moment was crucial. Each clue, invaluable. And we were left with the weight of our mission, the lingering echoes of our words a stark reminder of the potential danger that lay ahead.

I found myself navigating through the labyrinthine alleys of Paradise City once again. My boots stirred up the dust of the forgotten places, far removed from the cybernetic marvel that the city appeared to be from the outside. I was in pursuit of knowledge. The faint echoes of Alexander's voice, carried by the whispers of Ophelia's informants, clung to the shadows around me. They said he had been fighting someone, a man unhinged and dangerous. I needed to know more.

"Ophelia," I said as I entered a dimly lit room hidden away in one of the narrow alleyways. The air was stale, thick with the scent of desperation and secrets. She was a tough woman, the matriarch of the beggar network, her scarred face a testament to her survival instincts.

"Qin," she greeted me, her voice a raspy whisper. "Back so soon? I trust you have a good reason."

I placed a small bag filled with Paradise City's tokens on her makeshift desk. "I need information," I said. "About the unidentified killer."

She considered me for a moment, then the bag, before slowly pulling it towards her. "Details are scant," she admitted. "He appeared out of nowhere, been active for a few weeks now. But what we overheard... It seems your friend Alexander knew him from another time."

"Another time?" I questioned, furrowing my brows. "Explain."

"The beggars heard them talking. They spoke of history, of battles fought long ago. Your friend Alexander seemed to recognize him as the Terrible."

A jolt of realization coursed through me. Ivan the Terrible. I knew we were right. Anomaly hunting anomaly. It was a perverse game. And we were all unwitting players in it.

"Where was he last seen?" I asked, my voice calm despite the unease stirring within me.

"Last sighting was in the industrial district," she replied. "Rumors are he's holed up somewhere there."

"Thank you, Ophelia," I said, rising to leave. She nodded, her gaze returning to the bag on her desk. Every second was precious now. Alexander's fate hung in the balance and an anomaly from a dark past lurked in the city's shadows.

Paradise City, it seemed, was full of demons, good and bad.

After leaving Ophelia's alley, I found myself in the gloomy sprawl of Paradise City's industrial district. The old factories, abandoned power stations, and decrepit warehouses spoke of an era long gone. Amid this urban decay, shadows thrived, the perfect hiding spot for a predator like Ivan.

The power station loomed large and foreboding, a relic from a time before the city became a playground for the rich and powerful. It was here, in this hulking, skeletal structure that Ivan the Terrible was rumored to be hiding. I approached the structure with caution, every sense alert for any sign of the anomaly.

The front doors creaked as I pushed them open, revealing the hollowness within. The vestiges of once-thrumming machinery lay quiet and lifeless, their purpose fulfilled and forgotten. A sense of wrongness pervaded the air. I was not alone.

"Ivan!" I bellowed into the cavernous hall, my voice reverberating off the steel and iron structures. "Show yourself! Answer for what you did to Alexander!"

For a moment, silence filled the air, so tangible I could almost touch it. Then came a low chuckle, filled with an insane glee, echoing through the deserted power station.

"Ah, the First Emperor," a voice emerged from the darkness, carrying a heavy, guttural accent. "What brings you to my humble abode?"

His towering figure stepped into the faint light filtering in through the broken windows above. His eyes gleamed with a mad fury, a cold smile playing on his lips. Ivan the Terrible, the infamous Russian Tsar, was indeed an anomaly like us, pulled into this world from a time long gone.

"Where is Alexander?" I demanded, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my sword, ready for the battle that seemed inevitable. He will give me answers.

"You look worried, Emperor," Ivan sneered, his voice echoing throughout the hollowed-out husk of the power station. "Why would I harm your friend? You see, I am not the villain here."

"Silence, Ivan!" I shouted back, my grip tightening around the hilt of my sword. "I demand to know what happened to Alexander."

"Ah, your friend, the Macedonian conqueror," Ivan said, his tone mocking. "Yes, we had a little chat. He was quite...interesting."

I could see the amusement dancing in his eyes, the insane pleasure he took from our concern and frustration. But behind that amusement was an intensity, a madness that felt like a chilling wind.

"And?" I pressed on, my heart pounding in my chest.

"And he was a worthy opponent, a true warrior," Ivan confessed, his eyes wandering into the distance as if reminiscing a fond memory. "He reminded me of the old days, the thrill of the hunt, the sweet taste of victory. Oh, how I miss it!"

"Enough with your games, Ivan," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "Tell me where he is."

"I've told you all I know, Emperor," he responded nonchalantly, his eyes meeting mine with a manic glint. "He fought well, but in the end...he fell."

I could feel my blood turning to ice at his words. If what Ivan said was true, Alexander had lost the fight. But was he... dead? No, I refused to believe that. Alexander was strong. He was a survivor. He wouldn't go down easily.

"Where is he?" I repeated, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Ivan shrugged, a malicious grin playing on his lips. "He fell into the river, carried away by the current. Who knows where he could be now."

I could feel the rage burning in me, but I knew that I needed to keep my composure. Ivan was dangerous, and any wrong move could lead to a fight that I was not ready for.

"One more thing, Ivan," I said, forcing a calm I didn't feel. "Why are you here? What are you doing in Paradise City?"

He laughed, the sound echoing through the abandoned power station like the cry of some deranged beast. "Why, I'm simply enjoying the chaos, Emperor. After all, what's a world without our little... pleasures?"

The power station hummed with a sudden surge of electricity as Ivan reached over and flicked a switch. Dim, dusty bulbs flickered on, casting long shadows that danced with a flicker of the unsteady lights. They hung from rusted hooks, swaying and creaking as they illuminated the monstrous silhouette of Ivan the Terrible.

"You won't find me such an easy opponent, Ivan," I retorted, drawing my weapon. Its metallic gleam contrasted sharply against the dim, eerie light that pervaded the place. "And I don't intend to leave without answers."

Ivan chuckled, the sound echoing around the room and chilling my blood. "You sound so sure of yourself, Emperor. It's almost admirable." He paused, his gaze boring into mine. "But we're not so different, you and I. We both ruled with an iron fist. The only difference is, I embraced my madness, while you hid yours behind walls of stone and rules of law."

"We are nothing alike, Ivan," I countered, my grip tightening around the hilt of my sword. "And I'm not here to discuss history or philosophy. I'm here to bring you down."

A manic gleam sparkled in Ivan's eyes, and he raised his arms in a grand, dramatic gesture. "Then, by all means, Emperor," he said, his voice dripping with derision. "Try."

The moment hung in the air, a razor's edge of tension. Then, as if the old power station took a breath, it shattered. Our weapons clashed, metal on metal, the grating echo consuming the rust-ridden halls. He wielded his poleaxe with the expertise of a madman, each swing a brutal, unyielding statement of his intent.

I parried, using my jian with the precision that was etched into my very being. He was a whirlwind, uncontrolled yet devastating. I, on the other hand, was the river—constant, unwavering.

"Your strength is impressive," I grunted, our blades locked in a power struggle. "But your madness will be your downfall."

He laughed, the sound mixing with the cacophony of our struggle. "And your predictability, Emperor, will be yours!"

Our weapons unlocked, creating a spark that briefly lit the room. I moved, anticipating his next attack, and used the pillars scattered around the power station as cover. His poleaxe crashed into the pillar where I'd been a second before, showering us with dust and rusted metal.

Our battle raged on, a deadly dance between two historical giants under the hum of an old power station. A battle that was as much a mental war as it was a physical one. We studied each other, each movement revealing a facet of our strategic prowess, each breath taken in calculation.

"Ivan, your reign was one of terror," I shouted over the din of our clashing weapons, "You let your madness control you, blind you!"

"And you hid behind your terracotta warriors and great wall, never confronting your own!" he retorted, swinging his poleaxe in a deadly arc.

I ducked, rolling to the side and came back up, my jian slashing forward. He barely moved out of the way, his laughter echoing in the large room.

Despite the dire circumstances, I found a strange thrill in the fight. It was a battle of minds, of tactics, of strengths and weaknesses, and I intended to exploit his. His madness was a double-edged sword, and it was time to turn it against him.

Our weapons clashed again, singing their deadly song in the dimly lit chamber. It was a brutal symphony, but beneath the chaos, I sensed an opportunity. In his madness, Ivan was a maelstrom, but he was also reckless. He attacked with fury, but lacked precision.

I continued to counter his attacks, each strike of my jian precise and calculated. The rhythm of our deadly dance began to shift subtly under my control. He didn't realize it yet, but I was leading him.

"You seem distracted, Emperor," Ivan taunted, his eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure. "Are you missing your precious Alexander?"

"Is that why you've been killing? Looking for your own Alexander to quell your loneliness?" I retorted, driving him back with a series of quick slashes.

His laughter echoed through the chamber, but there was a crack in his facade. I had struck a nerve.

"Loneliness is a luxury of the weak!" Ivan roared, charging with renewed vigor.

But it was too late. I had found my opening. As he lunged, I sidestepped, letting his momentum carry him forward. Then, with all the strength I could muster, I drove my jian towards him. But Ivan was quick too. He twisted mid-air, his poleaxe clashing against my jian, creating a shower of sparks.

We locked gazes, both of us panting heavily. "This is not over, Emperor," he hissed, pulling back.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," I said, readying myself for his next onslaught. This was a dance of death and I intended to lead until the end.

The dance continued. Each strike, each parry, each feint was a beat in the brutal symphony that echoed around the abandoned power station. I had managed to lead thus far, but it wasn't easy. Ivan was strong, crazed, and unpredictably dangerous. But therein laid my advantage - his unpredictability.

Historically, I led China to unprecedented heights with my focus on order and unity. I knew the value of discipline, and it was my discipline now that allowed me to counter Ivan's savage blows. Yet, I had to finish this fight soon, as every passing moment was becoming a gamble.

"Why do you fight, Emperor?" Ivan suddenly asked, his voice echoing within the high-ceilinged chamber. "Is it for power? Is it for control? Or is it fear? Fear of losing your power? Your life?"

I gritted my teeth, blocking another of his wild swings. "I fight for justice," I countered, my voice steady despite the exertion. "I fight for those who cannot. As any king should!"

"Ah, the noble emperor!" He laughed maniacally, launching himself at me once more.

With each passing moment, I felt my control slipping. He was relentless, and though I had thought I was leading him, now it seemed he was dictating the rhythm.

And then, with a sudden clarity, I saw it: his pattern. It was wild and chaotic, but it was there. His attacks followed a particular cadence, and that was my key to defeating him.

Timing my strike perfectly, I waited until he charged once more. As he lunged, I sidestepped, turning to drive my jian through the opening in his defenses. Ivan's eyes widened in shock as he stumbled backward.

"I... I..." he stammered, clutching at his side where my blade had found its mark.

"Your madness ends here," I said, standing tall. I was breathing hard, my side ached where he had landed a hit, but I had won. Ivan the Terrible was defeated.

As Ivan staggered, he gave a grimacing smile. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He met my eyes, his gaze chilling in its mania.

"Do you think this...changes anything, Emperor?" he gasped out, every word punctuated by ragged breaths. "You...you have won nothing. A new Tsar will rise...a new terror...will come. You can't...stop...the inevitable."

With that, Ivan's knees buckled. His body slumped to the cold metal floor, and the echo of his mad laughter lingered in the air, a haunting testament to his chaotic reign.

As Ivan collapsed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread in his last words. The mad tsar may be vanquished, but Alexander was still missing. I just hoped that it wasn't too late.

[Exit Qin Shi Huang]