The Reason We Fight

Chapter 28. The Letter

Two months later

Going against all reason, Kakume had found herself back into the game. She had slipped through the cracks and into the circle of the family, gaining Aurel Heinrich's trust. Still with the confidence tricks, after all this time, Kakume thought. She had a mind to somehow find a way to sabotage their relationship with the Kakin aristocracy, and slow down, or possibly end, the slave trade.

She started small, but over time, Heinrich had begun to trust in her keen acumen in matters of business as well. In a sense, she, to some degree, channelled Tam in her Veronika character. Charming, perceptive, but also ruthless and greedy. Men like Heinrich respect that kind of person, after all.

Heinrich often took her to attend meetings and business deals with him, as both his muscle and brain, though he would never admit to the latter. That was a useful way to gather intel on the family's methods and standing. She leveraged her position to gain access to confidential files, schedules and contacts.

She gathered that the Heinrich family was financially strained, relying solely on their prestigious lineage to maintain a façade of prosperity and stay afloat. Faced with desperation, they clung tenaciously to the Kakin slave trade as a source of revenue, despite its diminishing returns amid escalating political turmoil within the nation.

She also managed to identify a few individuals within Heinrich's inner circle who might be disillusioned with the family's illicit dealings. Sowing discord through subtle pushes might prove a good strategy.

However, none of that was enough. She couldn't make an empire collapse all by herself. She needed the Red Hands' resources. Thankfully, the organization had eyes and ears in every corner of the world, mice in the walls, so to speak. She knew of a place, here in Zaban City, where criminals and other disreputable characters would go to get patched up, would they need to, outside the prying eyes of the law. The black market doctor, a certain Elias Varga, was known for its sympathies to the Red Hands, and was somewhat of a contact to reach them.

She banged on the steel door in the middle of a dark alley in the city's underbelly, surrounded by rats and garbage cans. A pair of eyes appeared in the peephole. "Yeah?", a gruff voice called out.

"In the shadows, we find our freedom", Kakume responded. The bulky man opened up the door and let her pass. The clinic unfolded as a realm that catered exclusively to those who preferred anonymity over the scrutiny of hospitals. Dimmed overhead fluorescent lights cast a muted ambiance, revealing a series of makeshift examination rooms separated by thin, barely soundproof curtains.

The air bore the sterile scent of antiseptic. Kakume kept on walking, passing rooms that were equipped with small examination tables and basic medical essentials. She finally found Dr. Varga, nose deep in a dusty book. She knocked on the door frame to alert him of her presence. His eyes darted up.

"Where is Arlan?", she uttered, concisely and to the point.

The doc narrowed his eyes. Those eyes bore the weariness of someone who has seen too much. His sharp gaze hinted at a keen intelligence that had been hardened by the shadows of his profession. "And who the hell might you be?", he asked.

Kakume took her silver wig off. The doctor's hard eyes softened. "Ah, if it isn't Kakume!" He got up and gave her a warm bear hug. She didn't know what to do. All she could focus on was the wine stain on the sleeve of his crumpled shirt. She patted his back awkwardly. "And I'm happy to see you too, but how about an answer first?"

Varga adjusted his sharp rectangular glasses and mumbled uncomfortably, "Yes um, well I'm not sure you really want one. Arlan is furious. Ready and willing to take your head off, last I saw." He paused. "Not that I agree with him, per se. What you did was a damn brave thing."

"And what good did it ever do me to be brave?", she asked, smiling sadly.

He shrugged, putting the book back on its shelf. "Tell you what, though. Give me a day to put in a good word for you, as a matter of easing up the transition back into his good graces. They currently hold their operations in that old abandoned church, you know the one on Ghostwood Avenue?"

Kakume nodded. "Got it." She put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "It's damn good to be back, Elias".

-

Kurapika stared at the letter again, disbelieving. It was addressed to Neon, not him, but he filtered through the mail, as a matter of security. Light Nostrade was particularly thin-skinned since the bombing, and saw enemies in every shadow. It read:

To whom it may concern,

You are formally invited to Hofuku Keep for a game of chance, that will surely turn your luck around! The stakes are exquisitely high, as concealed within the castle's labyrinthine passages lies a treasure of unparalleled beauty and worth. The object in question, a singular piece of flesh of extraordinary beauty, commands a price that transcends the boundaries of the conventional market. Its rarity and incomparable allure make it a prize covered by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide!

The first individual to uncover the hidden treasure shall emerge victorious, claiming not only the priceless bounty, but also the prestige associated with it. Your participation is voluntary, and the decision to pursue the treasure is yours alone.

Kindly arrive at Hofuku Keep on the 16th of April, at 7:45 PM sharp. There, your quest will commence. The castle gates will open to you, and a very special journey awaits those daring enough to accept the challenge.

There was no signature. Was it a trap? Trap or no, he had to accept. There is no other choice. He will go in Neon's place. A singular piece of flesh of extraordinary beauty... thought Kurapika. What else could it be?

He showed the letter to Senritsu, asking for her opinion.

She glanced to the side. "Seems to me like a good way to ambush a few selected individuals".

Kurapika thought, a finger resting beneath his chin. "But that's good, isn't it? If the sender's targets are the people who would be willing to get their hands on flesh parts, then our goals are the same. That might prove a good opportunity to get more information on the locations of the other Scarlet Eyes..."

Senritsu sighed. "Listen, Kurapika. I know by now not to try to stop you when you set your heart on something. But know that I will not follow you this time, into this obvious trap. As much as I like you, I still have a will to live. Besides, I have found my own leads on the Sonata of Darkness..."

Kurapika chuckled, good-heartedly. "Well, Senritsu. I can always trust you to tell me how it is." He hesitated. "Nevertheless, I thank you... you are a true friend".

(AN: Hofuku translates to Retribution, yes I know, it's a bit lacking in nuance)