Chapter 15

Leon's eyes darted at the person in front of him with a sign of panic at the sudden attacker.

"What the hell is going on?" He asked quickly, preparing himself for a fight.

"Quiet, don't draw attention to us," the person quickly responded.

"Then out with it, tell me what you want."

"Follow me a short distance and I will provide you with that information," the man said before quietly walking past Leon and deeper into the alley.

Leon, of course, followed the person into the depths of the darkness. They traveled for only a short while before entering into what seemed to be an abandoned home as did the others surrounding it. This one, however, carried a small light that brightened the inside of it. A bed, a chest, and some knick-knacks flooded the room they had entered.

"Where are we exactly?" Leon asked.

"You are from the new Faction, aren't you?" The man quickly asked.

When Leon turned to face the man, he finally got a decent look at the person that had begun this small venture. He stood tall with long black hair and a black cloak, his pale skin carried a small brightness about it whenever the light hit him.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Leon answered.

"Listen, friend, I am offering help here. I also have information, most know me for being skilled at what I do."

"And what exactly do you do?" Leon asked, impatiently this time.

The man slowly stepped back into the darkness, disappearing instantly.

"I am one with the dark, I am a piece of the world that can only be found when wanted. Some call me the Dark One, some call me Hawk. It just depends on the relationship we carry," the man Hawk answered. His voice echoed from all sides of the building they were in.

"Alright Hawk, what exactly do you think you know?" Leon asked, intrigued at the sudden events happening.

"Faerlu, the Faction that the whole Expanse is gossiping about. Started with Caecis and Catarei, and now they are here to find the Old Government for their services with the Official Faction Department. Rumor has it, the Relnad and Dusk Alliance usually have the abandoned Floaters on the east side of Njomon, surprisingly guarded for unknown reasons. I have heard that two individuals snuck into that area and caused issues for the opposing parties, weird there would be issues at all in abandoned areas of the city," Hawk began, the information flowed out perfectly.

"Kai and Aida..." Leon muttered quietly to himself.

"Yes those two," Hawk stated out loud, hearing Leon whispering to himself before continuing. "The reason why I showed myself to you, was due to the latest information of a member of your Faction being a traitor already, more will follow if you do not have someone to listen at all times. This is why I would like to offer my services," he finished finally as he reappeared from the shadows.

"I see," Leon responded simply.

After a long walk back across town and to the docks, Leon and Hawk finally arrived at the Paddler where two other individuals awaited.

"Who the hell is this, ay?" Portam quickly asked.

"This is Hawk, he is an interesting individual that I think can provide a much-needed presence within the Faction," Leon answered. "Where are Kai and Aida?" He asked afterward.

"Not sure, sir. Been waiting for about an hour now," Dulgit answered this time. The two had the small Paddler stuffed with bags and supplies.

Leon had Hawk help him load the few bags of food and barrels of drinks that they had prepared earlier for their journey.

"Are we to leave them here?" Dulgit asked as Leon and Hawk untied the Paddler and began to climb aboard.

"We will circle back every hour until they are picked up. If a day goes by and they still aren't back, then we will leave to continue our Journey," Leon responded.

Portam and Dulgit slightly nodded, showing they understood. The waters were quiet as they made their way back to the Booster. Once there, the Faction members that stayed and waited were at the side where they would dock the Paddler and raise it up the deck level of the boat. Multiple individuals began grabbing bags and barrels and supplies of all sorts as the four men returned.

"Leon, where are the others?" Eileen asked as she greeted her lover.

"Hopefully back soon."