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"Jay?"

Jay turned his head, "Oh? Hello."

Hearth entered the room, "I heard R-R has you chained to this bed."

"Turns out getting injured again this quickly is not good for me."

Hearth laughed faintly, "Figures. Cole tell you about what's been happening?"

"He only stopped by shortly, said he was swamped with work now that Top Dog did somethin'. Before I could ask he was gone."

Shaking her head in amazement Hearth made a comment to his behavior, "While he's not wrong, surely it wouldn't have hurt to bring you up to speed?"

Scooching a chair over she sat, "Fear not, I will answer your questions."

"Black Iron.", Jay said without hesitation.

"He arrived to our front door. Rider Craze right behind him. Apparently took down a few of our Street Dogs too. Top Dog was furious and those two fought while the rest handled Rider Craze."

"Everyone alright?"

"Apparently the Enforcers did their job and handled the rest of Rider Craze. Top Dog beat Black Iron no competition."

Jay felt his muscles relax, "That's. . . good to hear."

"Everyone is fine! So you can rest up. Rider Craze is now in charge of Elmsign Street, and Top Dog finished handling the other gangs for other streets. We're finally the official District, and everything is beginning to look up."

"Except for the fact that I failed my first task as an Enforcer."

"It was Black Iron! You were dealing with a legend of the past while injured. Don't beat yourself up about it."

"I ended up causin' more trouble. . ."

"Top Dog isn't too pressed about it. Instead heal up properly and prepare to prove yourself properly."

Jay nodded along although he wasn't entirely convinced. After riding the high sourced from his victory against Heavy Thorns, Jay felt like he could've rode it to the top. This was like a bucket of cold water splashed against him. He felt idiotic for thinking the way he did.

"Then what about my comrade in death?", Jay asked the next thing lingering on his mind.

Hearth shrugged, "Apparently he's fine, but no one has an idea of where he went. We all kinda guessed he saw the violence and ran off. Nothing against him, this life isn't for everyone. Plus he's young."

"That's a shame."

"If he truly has nowhere else to go we might end up seeing him again. This life isn't forgiving."

"Hope next time we meet it isn't as enemies."

Hearth nodded, "Yeah."

They two remained silent for a bit, simply enjoying the atmosphere. Jay ended up asking, "What about you? How you doing?"

Slightly taken aback Hearth took a moment to answer, "I've recovered after the party. Although a shame I didn't get to join during the peak of all this."

"Glad you didn't see me get wiped by Black Iron."

"Don't remind me! Out of all the things I missed!"

"You wanted to see that. . . ?"

Laughing the two joked about for a bit. Jay felt relieved, moments like these made recovery more bearable. It even helped out with his disappointment in himself. Feeling refreshed he boldly claimed, "Once I'm out of here I'll make my Cred feared!"

"Seems like something you'd do."

"What about you?"

Hearth looked upwards as she thought for a moment, "For now I guess I'll try to aim for Beta?"

"You seem a bit unsure."

"To be honest I'm not confident in leading a team."

"I feel you on that!"

The two chatted for a while longer before Hearth made her leave. Jay let his body rest as he stared at the ceiling. His thoughts wandered for a while. Between his worries for the future, or for his friends. Even the young boy with no name. With his good arm he touched his injured shoulder. Such a small movement carried a lot more meaning for him. A solemn swear to himself. As for what he promised, no one but him knew.

Buzzing with activity the direction this city was shifting towards was a new one. With the rise of a new District the Ghost Hand's Quadrant was growing restless. With the Street Dogs rapidly rising in their Rep, their name was quickly spreading beyond that of Ghost Hand's territory. As Top Dog was solidifying his territory, other Districts were beginning their moves.

Everything on the surface might seem fine. Gangs charged protection fees to make sure the casual citizen has a peaceful life. Other gangs respect territory and thus everything stays in order. With even stronger gangs to keep others in check, surely such a city was just fine? Sure it might be safer than the rumors, but it's not all that simple.

The reason was simple: greed.

Getting a taste of a slightly higher life, eventually thoughts of going even higher would tempt various gangs. So they'll start touching other territories, pressuring other citizens to instead pay them for protection. Slowly convincing the streets to join them, under the temptation of them too becoming a District. This kind of takeover could be slowly and tedious similar to the route Heavy Thorns took. Or it could be a violent takeover completed overnight. At any point anyone could be a victim, leaving to many restless nights.

Those who lived in the Barberry District considered moving. Living in a place with a promoted gang usually meant several changes along with potential battles over territory. Fresh promoted gangs proved to be substantial targets for increasing your territory after all. Such dangers fail to make good space for calm living. All of this was detrimental to the development of the District.

In turn this made Top Dog anxious. He quickly wanted to handle any issues arising to ensure the safety of his territory. He wouldn't be able to run it well without the funds from the protection fees. Additionally if he performed poorly there was a chance Ghost Hand would demote him. He certainly wasn't about to watch his Street Dogs fall after coming this far.

It wasn't just the Districts planning against the Street Dogs either. An old somewhat familiar face stepped into a strange old building. It was clearly abandoned, dust layered heavily in the inside. Walking through it the figure stopped at a particular wall. Lifting a pipe they hammered it against the wall until it broke. Rummaging through the rubble they lifted a small box.

It was a gray technical case. Made of a strange metallic substance it was locked with a secure lock. Only able to open by knowing the code, which you would enter through a small keypad next to the lock, the case proved to be incredibly sturdy. Undoubtedly holding something important. The figure didn't bother trying to open the box. Instead they placed the pipe down, a dent suddenly forming on the end of it as the metal bent out of shape. Pulling out a piece of paper they read the contents, "Damn, I gotta make this trip on foot?"

Weighing the box in their hand they mumbled, "Gotta travel by night too. . . shit this might be too much right now."

Double guessing their actions they instead shook their head, "Whatever."

Eying the pipe on the ground they instead left it. Walking out of the building they stepped onto the asphalt. Slowly but surely they took one step after the other. Unbeknownst to this city, this one person was on their way to perform an act that would shake the city.

Not yet though. In fact not for a long while. Such things aren't instant. Rather it's much like the slow buildup of mineral before an avalanche. This was the first step, and we will see this person again.

For now, we shall return to Track. Currently on the outskirts of the city he approached a shabby home. Adjusting his leather jacket he knocked somewhat apprehensive. A light flickered on, a bit of its glow seeping through the gaps of a curtain covering a nearby window. Compared to the neon filled nights, the outskirts lacked a lot of the light. The darkness of it all made it harder to see.

Rustling could be heard through the thin walled house. Eventually the door creaked open, "Who the hell is bothering me at this hour. . . ?"

Track and the person's eyes met for a second. They sighed, "That answers that, why are you here Track?"

"I can't stop by to say hi?"

"We both know that's not why you're here."

Pushing Track aside the person peeped their head through the door. Looking in all available directions they ushered him inside, "Let's not talk here. Open ears everywhere."

Inside the building was just as shoddy. Every piece of furniture looked like it was on its last leg. One wrong move and the whole place would collapse on itself. Track eyed it all and pitied, "You live like this?"

"Hey, don't diss my place."

"I don't think I have enough words."

"It's been hard okay? I do as I please. Cheapest place I can go, since the gangs don't bother out here."

"How far you've fallen."

"Would you just tell me what you're here for?"

"As per usual I extend a hand for you to join the Street Dogs."

"You know damn well I'm through with gang shit."

"Just a formality at this point. We're a District now after all."

"Districts, Streets, Quadrants, same shit."

"Gotcha. On to the real reason then. I found the guy."

They stopped for a second. With a serious expression they spoke in a straightforward tone, "Don't joke about that. You know damn well who I'm looking for."

"I wanted you to see him yourself. I've never seen someone like him, and he's as close as I can find to what you're looking for."

"Failing to understand your words here Track."

Track looked them dead in the eye, "Then listen to me carefully. I found the guy worthy of your ability."