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Informant

"So the news isn't faking it. I thought the messenger is having his manipulative actions again regarding in relaying the message to the masses. Man, is he into change now?" An old man in his mid-40's with a thick black beard, his left neck tattooed with a dragon, broad shoulders, a fixed jaw, a large earring in his right ear, and a piercing on his nose, messy dark brown hair said. Brushing his arms off from the table, he stood up and pointed Kinzel.

"What do you mean, Mr. Limps is faking some of the news? But he's a fine man." Miguel asked and looked over them.

"Of course. Not all things are true, my child. You know, you should be careful sometimes to those who own or seek possession of the things they want to have. They are incumbent and often they don't want anyone to know about the truth, that's why they needed to twist up the stories being told, or maybe adding some spices to light it more." Mr. Elikai sighed.

Silence just entered the house. Everyone was in deep thoughts about the message being relayed a week ago – the Sniper, Bridget, had been killed. She's the one responsible and was on guard to those who're eliminated and are trying to get inside the city again. She's a reaper, the blood shedder. The news has ruled the entire place that she was killed, but the mastermind of such crime hasn't been captured.

"So what brings you here and the others, woman? You sure the Jack didn't see you heading here at my place? I don't want to deal with that man, you know that." He added. Mr. Elikai's eyes showed how serious he is. His voice stiffened.

"No. We aren't being followed. I'm sure of that."

"Mhm...Then I should not be worrying then. The truth is, I'm glad to welcome you all here. It's been a gloomy day for me. Thanks to you, you have come today."

"Of course, you're a dear to us also, Informant. We're here because we need valuable information." Kinzel added, clasping her hands. Vixen went outside and grilled some fish for their dinner. The team decided to stay for a night with the old man and discuss their plan thoroughly. It has already been thirty minutes when the Era is able to talk with Mr. Elikai. The man was being suspicious to the team. Hence, it didn't take long for Kinzel to be back at his place again to seek information. She had come for him in his house several times before, secretly, to know about the whereabouts of the other levels and other places, just like the secret club.

"Information, I see. You know the rules here."

Kinzel placed a brown pouch with red silk being wrapped on it. "That's a gold bar, in exchange for your mouth to speak."

"Woah!" Everyone was in shock as they saw the thing.

"Where did you get that, woman?" Guilbert asked.

"Mmm…That's a secret. You don't have to know. Geez. And hey, I'm no criminal here, okay?"

Mr. Elikai smirked and pulled over the pouch to him. He looked intently at what's inside it, and for sure he had gained another treasure to treat himself. He cleared his throat and walked around them. Miguel and Guilbert joined their conversation and stayed in their seats to listen. They needed Miguel for his Memory power and not to lose track of the information from the Informant. It will just take them less than a day to have what they need to know – they have to stay alert. Quinten was in a hurry to go to the comfort room, while Loshiana left the house and went to help Vixen.

Being at the end of the city, where the boundaries are, it isn't the safest place to be in – the most dangerous of all. Not just it is prohibited to dwell in, but it is near the gates that lead to the outside forest. There are a lot of stories being told and to tell on what lies beyond the Embreal City. To them, it's a curse not to be spread out. Few have gained consciousness about the truth – that people do exist outside the city and the forest has things that are ayont to what exists on the inside. Until then, no one has ever dared to talk about it freely, or gunshots will be fired to those responsible gossips.

"We want to know how to pass the gates to the other levels." Kinzel straightforwardly said, no doubts.

The man stood beside the fireplace and lit his last piece of cigarette. "There are five gates in the city. The three of them, located at each level will lead you to the forest. And two left will be the passages for every level. The first one is here, located at the Bervetin Hall. Almost eighty guards are guarding the place. Though, they are into half…day and night. It will be safer for you if you go there at nine in the evening. Most of their guards are not in the hype to do their work well by that time. You know, sleepyheads."

"Do you have any directions that we can take?"

Mr. Elikai shifted his seat, facing Guilbert. He chuckled and said, "You can take the tunnel. But uh, everything is on guard. The only time that you're free to go in, is at exactly five in the evening. The guards are on their way for roaming. It won't be easy, but I can assure you you'll be able to get inside the tunnel. It will lead you straight to a passage inside an abandoned warehouse. It's full of junks, but it is the nearest spot to the first gate. You have to be careful, I heard they're using a special weapon to detect doubtful actions near them."

"That's it? I guess that's simple." Quinten said, leaning over the wall, crossed arms.

"No. That's not it. Before you can actually pass the gate, you have to go to the secret club and find the Butcher." Mr. Elikai said and sip his tea.

"Who's the Butcher?" Loshiana asked. Vixen was there too, holding a rusted tray filled with grilled fish, the man fetched by the nearest lake. "We're going to the club?" Vixen excitedly pondered. She placed the tray over the wooden table and joined the others.

"Where's Cody?" She consciously asked as her eyes roamed over the place. Horseshoes, breastplates, rusted knives, snake's skin and a head of a bull were hanged over the walls. A lamp was placed over the.

"Comfort room," Miguel replied.

The man lives on his own and no one had ever harmed him in his place. Something is awful and mysterious in his ways. Vixen wasn't sure if it's right to use her power to see the man's weakness, but she did it – a way for her to seek protection not only for herself but for Era. The cause had already brought them to almost deathly situations and she knew there's no time to make shifts and try to lure themselves in changing destiny. Vixen had been gifted to see what fears a person and his weaknesses, Clairvoyance. At some point, she's the only one who has the kind of power.

Lie – that what's Mr. Elikai's weakness is. He can't handle to see or hear such a thing. It makes his body into a whimpered state where he will lose his energy. Right after she knew, Vixen realized why Mr. Elikai made himself as an Informant – to avoid himself with lies and to protect his soul with the truths only being surrounded. It was a haven for him. And the things around him have brought reasons for Vixen to understand – the location of his house, isolation, the environment, and peace – all are his plans to protect himself with the dreadful sins of humanity. And she totally knew that it is his only way to avoid such lies lurking around the city – by taking much solitude at the end of the city.

Vixen looked over the dark forest. It's untouched, but fresh in the eyes. She sees it differently from the others. And at some point, it's calming her and doesn't hold any danger.

"You're reading me, aren't you?" Mr. Elikai asked her.

"No."

The old man suddenly felt a tingling sensation behind his nape. He winced and rubbed it gently.

"You're lying, child."

"I-I'm sorry."

"There's nothing wrong if you will tell me the truth. And no worries, I'm not an enemy here. You can trust me, right Kinzel?" Mr. Elikai said.

"Yeah, sure. He's the old hag we can trust." Kinzel smirked.

"So yeah." He clapped his hands. "It's better if we start eating while discussing the situation here. We don't want the food to get cold."

Everyone prepared their meal. It was a tiring journey and they needed to eat. Quinten was excited since he's the first one to get a part of the fish.

"Will you behave according to your age, sometimes?" Cody shrugged at him.

He nodded and munched his food. "Hell, sure. Just after I finish this, then I can give you my mood swings, Codfish."

The others started to enjoy the food. The cold breeze entered the house, giving them chills at their backs.

"It's colder here, don't you think Mr. Elikai?" Loshiana said.

"Yes. The forest is also a thing and it keeps such fresh air even here in the city."

"Have you gone outside?" Loshiana abruptly said, which made the others stare at the man. "

"Yeah…"

Vixen was despondent in seeing the man answered the question without thinking twice or having doubts. Indeed, she's aware that the only thing that will keep him alive is either, to tell the truth, or not to speak at all.

"But you don't need to know how I was able to get there outside." He added and cut of the subject immediately.

Kinzel threw the bones through the window. "Back to our discussion, why do we need to see and deal with the Butcher?"

"He has something you need to get to the Elites."

"Unbelievable. I can't imagine we'll have to go to the club just to see that pig." Kinzel hissed.

An arm was suddenly put over her shoulder. She saw a wicked grin being plastered on her brother's face. "Now, you have to take me to the club where you used my money, my dearest sister."

Cody coughed. Vixen's eyes went round and Quinten laughed extravagantly. "I should have taken a photo of you. You should have seen your reaction, Kinzel. Such a poor baby. Luckily, cameras don't exist on our level." He mimicked what she said a while ago.

Kinzel rolled her eyes and elbowed Guilbert in his side. "Yeah. Brace yourself. Tss."

"You need protection when you get to the gate, that's why you have to see the man in the club."

"We're going to the club, babies!" Quinten shouted.

"Sssh!" Mr. Elikai stood from his seat and immediately hushed him by covering his mouth. "You don't want the others to hear about the club, especially the enemies. It's sacred."

Everyone sighed. Loshiana patted Quinten. "You should learn to shut that mouth of yours if you want to protect Era." Her words are swords sharply struck to his mind. He nodded. Mr. Elikai slowly took off his hand from Quinten.

"The Butcher will help you, but his service is not free." The old man said. "After you see him, he will give you what you need. When you arrive at the gate, surely, the gatekeeper will see you. Don't worry they're friendly…enough to pull a trigger anytime on your forehead." He chuckled. "But yeah, the gatekeeper will be asking something from you, and that connects why you need to see the Butcher." He added and yawned.

"I think I'm being robbed by myself just to get at the top," Guilbert said, stretching his arms.

"Yeah, brother. That's why you need to save more for in times like this."

Guilbert made faces at his sister. After a while, they finished their dinner. Some stayed below the tree and enjoyed the scenery. Vixen and Loshiana were in the kitchen, washing the dishes. Guilbert and Kinzel were at the dining table and had a serious discussion of being siblings. The old man went to join the others outside and had a lovely take. Surely, their stay in the old man's house was worth it.

Loshiana was amazed when she saw how clear the water was, flowing freely in the faucet.

"I thought I'm the only one who got that expression when I saw that," Vixen said from behind, drying the plates with a piece of clean white cloth.

Loshiana turned her gaze to her. "How come the water is clear here? In fact, Mr. Elikai lives in the same level with us."

Vixen placed the plates inside the drawer. A large web was decorated with a spider at the top of it. "Simply because he's the Informant." She replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you realize that he lives in the very edge of the city and he chose to stay here with the Lowies?"

Loshiana tried to understand what Vixen is explaining to her, but she didn't respond. "Okay." Vixen moved closer to her and whispered something. "It's because he wants to blend in with those who're seen to be fragile, curling cats and won't fight for their freedom – of course, the Lowies, we are known for that. Tsh. He wanted not to get much attention, especially to those who don't deserve his valuable information."

"Do you think he's also working for the other levels?"

Vixen sighed. "I've read him a while ago, Losh. I know it's not the right thing, but I did. I should have at least ask his permission. But, based on what I've seen through him, he's a neutral guy. Let's just say, if the Jack is working on his own in accordance with his faith, Mr. Elikai is the man who's working for the truth. Though living is a must, he gives information to people, whether on the same or different levels. Truth is truth. Sometimes unbearable, but it will always be what it's called."

"So, he is working for anyone who needs his help, other than those who will use force to seek such information."

"Yes."

"He's a true man."

"True. We're on the right track with the help of him." Vixen said and gave her a smile.

Small knocks were heard from the wall. "'I've heard my name." Mr. Elikai said with a steady tone. He just changed his clothes into a grey faded shirt and cargo pants.

"Oh, you're here Mr. Elikai." Loshiana said.

"Please do continue your talk. I would love to join." He smiled pleasingly. He went over the counter to get a glass and filled it with water. "Uhm, Mr. Elikai. I was wondering what's in the outside." Vixen asked.

"Mhm. I think it's better that the two of you will not know about what's going on outside, especially in the forest." He replied timidly.

"I just want to know if it's safer there," Loshiana added almost like a whisper.

"Let's just say it's different from what you heard inside." He winked at them. "I need to go now. And oh, thank you for our dinner. It's fascinating." The old man patted the two girls and left them smiling.

Surely, they're enjoying each other's company.

___

"Do you think the others will agree?" Guilbert asked Kinzel, who's busy sketching their route.

"It will surely be chaos." She drew the pavements and the known sites in their place. "To think they really wanted to come and visit the club." She added and chuckled.

Guilbert rubbed his nose. The dust being swept a while ago is piled up just beside the door. The sky was pitch black, stars are shining and frogs croaking – it's peaceful. The two of them heard laughter and saw the fun in the eyes of their team, who're enjoying a story from Mr. Elikai outside.

"Do we really have to bring all of us there? It's risky, Kinz." He's anxious about what will happen and what's waiting for them.

"Let them go with us. For sure, they will just be disappointed with what they will see in the club." She laughed a bit.

"What's inside the club?" Guilbert asked. His face went blank and his eyes are serious.

"Just random people looking for fun." She replied and whistled.

"Is that it?"

"Of course not, silly. The club is the place where we can talk about wealth, glamour and fame. You'll see it once we get there, okay?"

"I'm excited." He whispered.

"I know that. It's clearly seen in your face."

"Hey. You still owe me a hundred."

"Yeah. Fine. Can I just treat you there instead?"

"Deal."

Kinzel clapped her hands. "A deal is a deal, brother." She pointed her finger at him. The others went back inside the house with happy faces. They quite enjoyed hanging with the old man. Quinten was acting like a different person – a generous one, patient and most of all respectful. He was smiling and talking with Cody, which his greatest enemy in the group. They are cats and dogs. Loshiana elbowed Vixen. She seems to see the unusual behaviour of the young man. She pouted her lips, pointing it straight to Quinten and Cody who're acting like best friends.

"Is it magic?" Miguel suddenly stood beside Loshiana.

"I think so. W-wait. They're not supposed to be like that." Guilbert said. Quinten looked at him and was curious about their expressions. "Hello? What's with that look?"

"Are you Quinten?" Kinzel asked.

"Of course, you fat ass."

"He's definitely Quinten." Guilbert shrugged.

"Totally he is."

Mr. Elikai stamped his feet. "I guess we have to sleep now. You still have an important mission after this. It's better if we conserve energy and get ourselves ready for tomorrow."

"Mr. Elikai is right. We have to rest. After this, our plan will start."

A smirk was plastered on Kinzel's face.