Downgrade

Stepping Rocks

"Isn't it just wonderful to look at those birds?" Cody said, having himself lying on the green grass.

"Yeah. Freedom is everything."

"Hey, I wanted to try something," Vixen added, moving an inch towards him, with a grinning face. "Will you try making the buried ones alive?" Her eyes glimmered, yet it was freaky and horrific to ask something like it.

"O-Of course! B-but I wouldn't do it. It's too risky. If I let someone have his life again, I would definitely be playing cards with death and it will drain much of my strength. And, I won't be able to have control over a…zombie…once I do it. Perhaps, they could still be moving and thinking on their own, not like the objects that I used to control fully. It's different… when you'll do the resurrection on a thing that had already lived from the past." Cody said and punched Vixen over her shoulder slightly.

"I know. I know. It's just that…Hah! I wanted to see how bad their reactions would be if they see a dead person moving around their ground levels." She hysterically laughed.

"You're creeping me out, Vix." Cody shrugged and rose from the ground and yawned.

"Have you ever noticed someone crawling under your bed at night?" Vixen's said, her eyes were bigger and her voice began to shallow and shady.

"That's probably a mouse." He said calmly.

"How about the one you saw above, looking straight at you?"

"That's you silly. I wouldn't mind if you look me from above. I mean it's a double-deck bed. So yeah."

"Hahaha!"

"Nice try in making me scared. We have to go back. Guilbert wants us to have a visit with the Informant." Cody muttered and stood.

Vixen looked at him. "Are we going to the Riverside?!" She asked in a high-pitched tone.

"Definitely."

Both of them started to walk by the main street without wearing the Era's resemblance, the black cloth. The first level looks like a deserted place, more like a compost pit from the two levels above them. It would be a miracle if they can drink crystalline clear water and eat lavish foods. Yet, that would be impossible for now. Vixen and Cody went to the market where fish, clams and meat are being sold. Several clothes are also there, but mostly everything moves in trading if you don't have the money to buy. Something had suddenly caught Vixen's attention as they passed by the other Lowies. It was a lotus red flower. She walked towards it. It was a rare thing to see these days.

"Do you want it, dear?" An old lady said smilingly, freckles and wrinkles can be seen clearly with her beauty. Vixen looked at her and smiled. "How much?"

"Do you have something to offer?"

"Uhm.." Vixen cupped inside her wallet. "I-I don't have any."

"Well. You can offer some labour for me, in trade for this lotus flower." The woman said. Vixen nodded her head immediately.

"Yes! I would definitely give you some labour."

"Okay. Come here by nine in the morning and help me at the farm for 2 hours only, three times a week."

"Thank you so much!" The woman gave her the lotus flower and smiled.

"Where have you been, Vix?! You disappeared all of a sudden and now you're here bringing that crap thing with you." Cody said bluntly.

"It's not crappy. Anyways, thank you and I'll be here tomorrow." Vixen waved her hand to the woman and eventually pushed Cody to walk. "W-what are you doing?! H-hey! I…can walk!"

"Yeah. Yeah. You can." She said and didn't bother to stop pushing him.

"I-I'm going to tell Kinzel about this."

"Yeah, go ahead, Codfish."

"Hey! Stop saying that!"

Their walk wasn't boring, in fact, they just quarreled along the way about the flower that Vixen had.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" A man with sunken copper eyes and an average body appeared in front of them. His shirt was paled green and he wasn't even wearing some shoes or slippers. Both of them looked at the man with their curious faces.

"Who are you?" Vixen asked.

"I'm a trader. I have here some biscuits for that flower if you want."

"Thank you but no." Vixen directly said.

"B-but those are biscuits, Vix. We can eat those rather than that flower you have bought from that old hag."

"No." She said again and started to walk, passing by the trader in front of her.

Cody couldn't do anything. Perhaps, he already knew how persistent Vixen can get when she wants something. He eventually followed her and left the trader behind dumbfounded. A trader had been a popular role in their levels since it is a way for them to earn and survive their ranks. Despite such an opportunity, it's been a trick or treats for some. Might as well violence can be added behind the street walls, in return for such convenient things that anyone will want to have. After fifteen minutes, the two arrived at the abandoned house, where the others are waiting for them.

"Where have you been?" Kinzel asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Buying a lotus flower." Cody rolled his eyes, remembering how Vixen didn't trade it for food.

"Look." Vixen raised her hands and let everybody glanced over the lotus.

"The hell is that?" Quinten said.

"It's a lotus flower, obviously" Vixen promptly said, she was enjoying her new plant.

"Okay, that's a flower. Now, grab your stuff, we'll be going to the Informant immediately." Kinzel said and went to the door. "We need to get there before dawn, so better get your butts working." She added with full authority.

Cody and Vixen went straight ahead to their room and grabbed their necessary things.

"Seriously, you're going to bring that flower with you?" Cody aggregately pondered.

Vixen calmly nodded and put the flower inside a small pot with water and gently placed it inside a box.

"You're unbelievable." Cody shrugged.

After they packed, they went back to where the others are waiting. They started to walk, rather than taking a truck for transportation. The driver would probably ask for a cost that they couldn't afford. As usual, the river isn't in its good state, specifically, it turned from brown to barely a pitch black. Even the fish will not be able to handle the water's state.

"Why did that old man decide to put up his own house at the very end of this city?" Quinten asked, walking like a grumpy man.

"Maybe to keep himself safe from unauthorized businesses and maybe he's just a type of person who wants to keep such privacy at any cost." Kinzel pondered.

"He's a loner," Cody commented.

"Definitely."

The sun is totally bursting its magnificence upon them. They knew that it would take them enough energy just to get useful information about the other levels, and the only person they can think of is the man they are heading for. The first level, the place that just sucks for the ones who live in it. Too bad, most of the people are curling cats who're afraid to deal with the wolves' discerning powers. Despite the warry and infidelity of the people for the higher authorities; their promises, morals and hopes for the city, the Era seems to hold still on what they're fighting for.

The team passed by the abandoned, wrenched Oh Happy Days food factory. The establishment raised a bizarre mood to them. It has been known for its high-quality production of food and the company's aid for the masses, not until a bomb had hit it destructively, leaving a great detriment to the place a long time ago. Cody had noticed Vixen's impression as she looked over the part where the bomb had hit the factory – a large crater had been painted, making a clear view of what's inside – large machines, plastics, containers and such. He patted the woman by the shoulder and gave her a smile.

"Care to share your thoughts?" He apprehensively asked.

Vixen sighed and tried to hide the fear she just caught. Suddenly, her expression swerved blank as she remembered something.

"Are you familiar with someone whose name is Jack?" Vixen pondered.

The others froze from their walk as soon as they heard the name. They fused their gaze to Vixen, making her felt angstful. Kinzel stooped in front of her and looked intently.

"What did you just say?"

"I was just asking if anyone of you knows a person called Jack."

"There's only a man who has that name." Loshiana butted in.

"Oh, Guilbert. Why don't you use your power to teleport us to the man's house?" Quinten aggravatedly asked, scratching his head. He seems tired of walking. Totally, he had changed the topic.

"It's not time for you to squabble how tired you are, Quint. And stop showing off being a Hot Head." Miguel rushed.

"I'm just trying to save us time. Call it as a suggestion."

"Enough." Kinzel stopped the two from getting into a fight. "Where did you hear that name, Vix?" She added.

"Oh…nothing. I just read one of those papers posted on the walls near our base, that I guessed he is part of it." She answered with a small laugh.

A lie had just been made, but why. Why would Vixen lie about having such a meeting with Jack? She was uneased with her response but she thought that it will be safer to just keep such interaction with herself for now. Era shouldn't be warry with the lurking ones, especially with a person who's known for assassination.

"He's not the person you'll like to deal with." Miguel abruptly said. "Also he often takes things according to his wants. More like, he doesn't care about the local ranks as long as he lives with his faith." He added.

"Okay. As long as he's not touching one of our comrades, we are safe." Kinzel added.

"But what local rank is the Jack under?" Vixen asked.

"The Royals." Guilbert immediately said.

She knew that her intuition was right – that the man comes from the third class, a mere representation that he's above them, a privileged one. It has been thirty minutes when they started to walk to their destination, but it seems that it's taking them longer to arrive at the man's place. Hence, the hanging bridge was cut off – the least that they expected. They couldn't pass and the only way they have is either to pass the river exactly or go to the other side where another bridge is located. Time is ticking, so does life a mysterious beast. The water is currently high, but they decided to pass it.

Taking some small steps, Guilbert led their way.

"Are we near? How long are we going to walk just to get there?" Quinten said with a sore voice.

"The place resides at the other side of the river, at the edge, near the boundaries," Kinzel said.

"Hey, Guilbert. So, tell me, why can't you use teleportation for us to get there?" Quinten asked again, with a grim face as he passed by the dark subtle water.

"I can't use my powers to places that I didn't visit."

"You mean, you still didn't meet the old hag?" He hysterically said.

"Yeah."

"Impossible. You should be the first person to see him. Didn't your sister bring you together with her when she needed some data about the secret night club's location?"

Cody whistled. Miguel destructed Loshiana by pointing to some mountain ranges from the distance. Guilbert's eyes went round as he looked over Kinzel's expressionless face.

"What?"

"You went to the old man just to get the club's location?"

It was clear then that she just slammed by the secret that has been told. Kinzel glared at Quinten for being loquacious.

"Well…what?

"What your ass. That payment you gave to the old man cost me a hundred to save. And oh…it's not only that, I was caught into a fight with the two gatekeepers that time."

"It's just a hundred –."

"Yeah. It's just a hundred, Kinzel Flores. But it took me hours to get that kind of amount." Guilbert cut off his sister.

"I'll repay you if you want. You're getting into a mad man right now."

"I am definitely."

"Ridiculous."

"Can you cut that thing off, guys? We're here for a quest remember?" Vixen said.

"Whatever," Kinzel said and made her way first, leaving others with her pace and a mad face.

"Geez. Sometimes, I will never understand their situation, especially having a sibling." Loshiana commented, which was also agreed by a nod from Miguel.

So who said that quarreling with a sibling will help them? Of course, it's just destruction that shouldn't be getting the attention. Continuing their walk, Cody decided to plug off his headset and let the music be heard with his friends from her phone. He hummed as he listened with it. Loshiana and Miguel were moving slow, making them like the last two from behind.

With such curiosity, Loshiana asked him regarding the club's location. Everyone had thought that the club had vanished a long time ago, or it never existed. To them, it was just a kind of a fairy tale place that is hard to find if it deals with such reality.

"Did Kinzel really know about the club and where it is hidden?"

Miguel rubbed his chin, looking above the thickly layered dark clouds. He has been into Kinzel's misfortunes and daily adventures. He might be a serious type among the Era, but he is good at dealing with someone's memory. Hence, he was able to read most of their minds. He thought for a while and said,

"Yeah. I remembered I was about to go with her to the club when something came up with Era that I needed to flee and talk to the old man before."

"You mean, you needed important details from the person?"

He nodded and crossed his arms. "Mhm. The club is real, Losh. It has always been. Though, we believed that it is a secret place to keep it inconspicuous and only those who have weighty transactions should recognize and visit it. I tell you…it's perilous. If I were you, you wouldn't want to know where it is or the things, hmm…might as well the people inside the place." Miguel patted her.

"So you still didn't go to the club?

"Yep. The thing is, Kinzel is telling the truth. The club is real…and so do the sleeping guardians." Miguel added and eventually joined the others in catching Kinzel. Loshiana was left with no choice but to hurry up her pace.

After some time, the Era passed the river competently, except for Quinten. Wearing his usual looks of having a rabid expression – mad as a bear, he had an aqua phobia. It wasn't a severe one, but often he would stiffen by himself, just like this time. Quinten was nailed in his place. He couldn't move anymore, even though he's trying his all to fight his fear.

"You can do it, Quint. It's not that deep." Cody said from a distance.

"Oh, screw that 'not that deep' of yours, Codfish. Clearly, can't you see how deep this sickening river is? It's up to my belly?! " He irritatingly said, moving his hips and arms on the water.

"You should lend him some help, Cod." Vixen whispered to him.

"Aye, aye. I got you now, Hot Head." Cod whimpered. Scratching the side of his head, he slowly went back to the river and fetched his pal, who is now getting impatient with himself.

"Can you hurry up?!"

"Oh, I'm coming for you, our princess."

Quinten rolled his eyes and waited for Cody to be beside him. With a grin plastered on his face, Cody slowly patted him by the shoulder. "I came here to save you, your highness."

Quinten shrugged his hand. "Cut that off. Hurry and help me now, you fish."

"Geez. Even in time like this, you never cease to give me that maddening behaviour of yours." Cody said and grabbed his arm, putting it around his shoulder. He gently dragged him slowly to the edge, where the others are waiting for them. Kinzel's face clearly showed a mock as she watched the two have a moment with each other.

"I'll definitely give her a punch." Quinten gritted his teeth, locked eyes on Kinzel. Shivers ran down on Cody's spine as he saw how Quinten looked over their boss.

"You surely have some guts to say that. I envy you."

After some time, Quinten reached the land. He was welcomed by the loud, thundering laughter of Kinzel. The woman slapped her by the shoulder and continued to laugh. "I should have taken a photo of you. You should have seen your reaction. Such a poor baby. Luckily, cameras don't exist in our level." She said and pinched his cheek.

Sitting on one of those rocks, Quinten glared at her as he dried himself. "Who said a hundred won't give you a scold from a brother." He smirked. He knew he won again.

Kinzel's reaction shifted in a snap – a lion that wanted to eat a human. Guilbert suddenly held her head. "Enough. It's getting late. We have to hurry. And stop whining about how childish you are to use my money for that club." His voice demanded authority. Kinzel gulped and nodded silently. Guilbert led their way. Still, the two of them are exchanging their deadliest glares.

"This adventure is totally fun, don't you think?" Loshiana sighed and smiled at Vixen.

The sun is setting to its sleep – it was getting dark when they arrived at their destination. They are nearing the boundaries that separate them from the outside. . A small cultured wooden house, with bountiful herbs and plants welcomed them. Fireflies flew peacefully, the scent of lavender circled around and the fire that was made gave them heat. Quinten hurriedly went to the fire. Logs are piled up beside the old tree at the corner.

"Yeah, give me some heat," Quinten said to himself as he sat, enough for him to dry himself completely. The others stood up behind the main door. Kinzel cleared her throat and carefully knocked several times. They waited for a response but it seems that the Informant is not there inside.

"We have to wait until he gets back," Kinzel said, stretching her arms upwards. Loshiana and Vixen joined Quinten and sat beside him. Cody and Guilbert decided to roam around the area and went to see the boundaries.

"I wonder where that old man is right now. He should be here at this time." Kinzel thought with herself and sat on the rock facing the others.

"Man, I'm starving."

"No food, not until we meet him." Loshiana sighed, pushing a dried stick to the fire. It was one of their rules. The thing that keeps them – their patience. It was a part of their practice, their training – to not eat, not until they have found or dealt with something that is important for the group. They have been doing such a rule for over a month now. Kinzel decided to take such action, also because she wanted to have control and lessen the consumption of their food which can barely sustain their hunger. She knew that Lowies are underprivileged and they needed to deal with how complicated and obscure things are.

Her thoughts are slowly consuming her, not until small almost soundless steps are heard from a distance. The Informant had come. He welcomed everyone with a pleasing smile and several claps.

"Never did I expect to see you again." He smirked and looked at Kinzel who is now giving him a grin in return. The woman walked towards him and gave him a pat. It's always been their way to greet someone – patting by the shoulder. "You never change, old hag."

The old man laughed hysterically, roaming his eyes around his place. Guilbert and Cody have also returned and saw the man standing in front of them. Vixen stood up from her seat, tapping dust from her shirt.

"Well, well, well. I didn't expect more to see such new wonderful creatures tonight."

"So you're the old hag, I supposed," Quinten said straightforwardly.

"Aye, it's me, young man. It's me. So what do we have here?" He added.

"We need information." Guilbert uttered.

"Then you came to the right place…Mr. Flores." Mr. Elikai Bryson splendidly said.