ellion in the oppressive gloom of the slums. But the victory was bittersweet. Amar

s like a storm, interrogating anyone who might have seen or heard something. Busines

ress for a customer who wouldn't meet her gaze. She could feel the te

ed as she handed over a bu

woman hurried out, her eyes dart

The slums were suffocating under Elric's grip, and it

-

an abandoned building. The group was smaller now, their nu

a wiry man named Tomas, said. "Elric's men are everyw

k, his voice sharp despite his injuries. "S

eed to be smart. Striking out like we d

but firm, cutting through the tension in the room. "Elric thrives

heir faces a mix of exha

t move?" anothe

who nodded. She took a de

ons, supplies-everything Elric needs to keep his enforcers in

attention to ourselv

ome. The more pressure we put on him, the more

reed, and the room buzzed

-

e docks, their breath visible in the chilly night air. The plan was s

lans rarely

her grip on the crowbar in her hand, her palms slick with sweat. Besid

y signal,"

the guards began unloading the crates. Loria

catching the guards off-guard. A flurry of shouts and th

vements quick and precise as she helped l

t-the sound of an en

ee one of the guards driving

orian to the ground as the truck ba

heir carefully laid pla

-

to secure most of the supplies, but at a heavy cost.

he stared at the crates. The victory felt hollow,

Tomas said, his voice breaki

t respond.

-

enforcers stormed the slums, dragging people from their ho

she listened to the sounds of violence outside. She kne

k finally cam

!" a voi

e to go. Instead, she grabbed a knife from her worktable and mov

st inward, and two enforcers stepped i

, his tone mocking. "You'

on the knife, her min

ould act, anothe

oug

commanding. He looked around the shop, his

," he said, his voice calm but dangerous.

fear giving way to anger

faintly. "Y

rs grabbed her, dragging her out of t