Part 3: Bumera's Redemption

Bumera had settled the two boys in apartment 1C in District 49 yesterday. The place was filthy, not fit for anyone, let alone starving children. The walls, stained with years of neglect, sagged under the weight of peeling paint and grime. A threadbare couch sat against one wall, its cushions sunken and misshapen, as if it had long since given up on offering comfort. A chipped wooden table, its legs uneven, balanced precariously in the corner by the door. The few pieces of furniture that remained were relics from a time when this place may have first been built.

She let her gaze rest on the window, a small, cracked thing. The faint glow of neon from the street filtered through the grime-coated glass, casting a sickly orange hue across the room. Outside, the city pulsed with life, yet it was always cloaked in a shadow of perpetual night. The sun did not touch District 49—or any part of the Underworld. The only light came from the relentless flicker of holographic ads, massive and invasive, hovering over the streets like synthetic ghosts.

Bumera handed the boys glass tablets, the glow from their screens harsh against the murk of the room. She had loaded them with more credits than Gorgaius had instructed. She had hoped they might use it to buy new clothes, some food, and perhaps plan their escape. They were smart, cunning—after all, they had hit the Gab Nori from Gorgaius of all people. But now, as she watched them sit there, their innocent eyes wary with exhaustion and confusion, it felt like an offering of nothing.

Bumera had hoped Esa's Gab Nori would show her a way out, a path to freedom—for herself, and maybe, just maybe, a chance to find her mother. Instead, it had brought nothing but more chains, dragging these two young boys into Gorgaius' servitude. She was responsible for bringing them into this situation.

"You know how to use one of these?" She asked, handing Esa his glass tablet, her voice heavy with guilt.

Esa shook his head.

"I do," Mazi said, his small hands gripping the tablet with surprising skill. "I used to use one to navigate my mistress' estate to complete my chores."

Esa spoke up, his voice softer. "Yeah, he used one to get us out of the estate yesterday. There was a huge ruckus around the entire house... something big was happening. Everyone was everywhere. The Khoraz just left, just like that."

Mazi continued speaking without thinking, caught up in the excitement of having his own tablet. "The Khoraz have one of the largest noble estate, you see, the chancellor had made an announcement about the Queen—" He paused, suddenly realizing he said too much. He stumbled over his words, his face flushing.

Bumera's eyes widened, stunned. "So it's really true... You used to live on the floating islands?" Her voice barely above a whisper, she said, "You worked for a noble family call Khoraz. What announcement did the Chancellor make about the Queen? I haven't seen anything about it here on the streams."

Neither of them said anything.

She tried another angle to get them to speak. "Is Esa one of the sky gods—I mean, one of the noblemen's children?" He certainly looked the part, with his auburn hair, green eyes, and olive skin.

Esa, who had been sitting quietly on the couch, playing with his glass tablet, suddenly floated off the seat. Bumera's breath caught in her throat as he soared upward, rage blazoning in Esa's eyes. He shot up to her face, his small form suspended in the air as if weightless.

"I'm no sky god," he said, his childish voice sharp with defiance.

Before Bumera could react, Esa extended his small hand in front of him. In an instant, she was yanked off the ground, her feet leaving the floor as if a force beyond her control had lifted her off the ground. She found herself pulled up, suspended by the raw power of his outstretched hand.

But he has the gift. The thought struck her like a cold knife. The sacred gift of the sky gods—the very power she had only heard of in whispered legends—was now right before her.

Bumera's heart pounded in her chest. She trembled in fear, but said nothing.

Mazi took a deep breath, his small hand moving to Esa's leg, gently guiding him back to the floor. As his fingers made contact, Bumera felt herself sink back down as well, landing with a soft thud, her feet meeting the ground once more.

"Listen, Bumera, Esa is no sky god. He got the gift, but he is no sky god." Mazi repeated, his voice unnervingly mature.

"Okay, I believe you," Bumera said, her voice light, though a lingering doubt still flickered in her mind about what she'd just witnessed.

Mazi continued. "We don't have much. Please just let us sleep, and we'll be gone soon. We gave your man all we had—that emerald ring."

A burst of guilt washed over Bumera. "I'm so sorry, boys," she said, her voice thick with remorse. "I shouldn't have brought you to Gorgaius. If only you knew how bad things are for me." She paused, her throat tight. "I thought the Gab Nori could help me, help us all—get us out of here once and for all."

"That Gab Nori is not for sale," Mazi said, interrupting her, stepping protectively between her and Esa, protective anger flickering in his young eyes.

"I know that now," Bumera said, biting her lip. "But may I ask why?" She winced, hoping it wouldn't set Esa off again.

"It was my mother's," Esa answered, a tear slipping down his cheek. "It's all I have left of her."

Bumera's heart broke hearing Esa's words. He had lost his mother, just like I did. She felt it—deeply. "Listen, boys, I'm going to get you out. I promise. Give me a couple days to make arrangements?"

They looked at her with innocent skepticism, unsure if they could believe her.

She took a deep breath, pushing away the haunting image of Esa and Mazi's emaciated faces as she locked the door to apartment 1C behind her last night. To ease her guilt, she reminded herself that the Esa could open it if he really wanted to...

Just then, a honk from the transport beside hers snapped Bumera back to the present. Ava Nori, she thought gratefully, relieved that she had put her old transport in self-driving mode.

She pulled up in front of one of the tallest, most expensive buildings in all of the Underworld. At the entrance stood a snake halfbreed woman waiting for her—Vega. She was probably around Bumera's age. Her skin shimmered with faint scales that caught the neon lights, radiating an ethereal beauty. Long, flowing hair—almost silvery blonde—cascaded down her shoulders, framing her captivating features.

As she stepped out of the transport at the android valet, Bumera shifted uncomfortably in her figure-hugging charcoal dress. The asymmetrical cut and sheer long sleeves lent the outfit an effortless elegance, while the soft fabric clung to her curves, accentuating her tall frame. Simple strappy heels completed the look, adding a quiet grace to each step as she straightened herself and moved toward the entrance.

Vega gave her a seductive smile, her slitted yellow-green eyes sparkling with a charm that felt almost otherworldly. They embraced and kissed each other on the cheek, like old friends. Vega wore a sleek, midnight-blue dress that clung to her figure, shimmering with metallic threads. The deep neckline and daring V-back revealed flashes of her scaled skin, while her glossy black heels clicked sharply on the floor.

"I see you've changed your hair," Bumera said, noticing how Vegas hair was no longer brown.

"I like how you wear yours, so I went to your girl and asked for the same," Vega replied with a sly smile. "Come, let's get a table." She led Bumera to the bustling restaurant inside the building's lobby, one of the finest in the Underworld. Bumera hoped Vega was treating her tonight—because she certainly couldn't afford it.

"So, what's so urgent? Did Gorgaius do something again? I'll talk to him," Vega started, her tone assuming, shaped by the countless calls Bumera had made to her over the years for help.

"No, it's nothing like that..." Bumera said, pausing to think for a moment.

Vega was Gorgaius' weapons dealer. She also was distantly related to Gorgaius somehow, though Bumera had never fully understood the connection. Over the past five years, the two had become friends. Vega was well-connected, with resources Bumera could desperately use to help Esa and Mazi. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out how to frame her request.

"He's going to eventually marry you," Vega said matter-of-factly. "He's a rough man, but there's a heart in there, somewhere." She began to scan the menu, her fingers tracing the items idly.

The thought of marrying Gorgaius and being tied to him for life made Bumera feel nauseous.

Bumera was still lost in thought when Vega continued, her voice dropping slightly. "There are rumors brewing. I don't know if you've heard, but something terrible happened on the floating islands last week." She leaned in closer, as if to whisper. "They're saying there's a rebellion starting."

"A rebellion?" Bumera asked, recalling what the boys had mentioned about their mistress' estate. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to form in her mind.

"Yeah," Vega carried on, "whispers are that the Queen's own cousin is making a move for her claim to the throne, and some of the noble families are fleeing the islands. Word is, the Queen might even be under house arrest, facing charges of treason." Vega signaled to a waitress as she spoke, her tone casual, but her eyes sharp, like the flicker of a snake watching its prey.

"But none of that is on the news streams," Bumera said, leaning forward, her feline eyes narrowing.

"They'll never air it until it's all done and said," Vega replied, waving her hand dismissively. She leaned back in her chair, letting the neon lights from outside flicker across her face. "They say it's all connected to the talks in Parliament about halfbreed rights."

"What?" Bumera blinked in confusion. That's real? She thought, her mind in overdrive. "Is that actually going to happen—freedom for halfbreeds?"

"Well, who knows," Vega shrugged. "It's always about a play for power—how one sky god family up there," she gestured toward the underside of the floating islands, "takes it from another." She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering. "My sources say it's really about the Queen's cousin wanting to end the Queen's reforms and tariffs because they're costing the noble families a lot of money in international trade. And on top of that, he wants to reclaim the Atlantean lands we lost in Kemp during the Alemeurian War..."

A young human waitress approached their table, moving with quick, confident strides. Her dark hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and the faint trace of makeup highlighted her sharp cheekbones and full lips. Her uniform fit her curves perfectly, the fabric stretching just enough to show off her figure. She exuded energy and a certain fiery confidence in the way she carried herself.

Without waiting for Bumera to speak, Vega smoothly placed the order for both of them, her voice casual, yet commanding. Bumera flinched slightly—Vega was always so assuming, always in control.

As the waitress turned to leave, Vega's eyes followed her, a sly grin curling on her lips. "Careful, darling," she called out playfully. "You'll make it hard for anyone else to focus."

The waitress shot Bumera a quick, knowing glance before striding away, her hips swaying with every step. Vega's gaze lingered a moment longer, her smirk deepening.

Bumera shifted uncomfortably, she was usually objectified, and she hated it.

"Anyway, I could go on and on about this," Vega continued, her tone casual, but with an edge of impatience. "A lot of new business has come up because of these rumors. Everyone's scrambling for laser weapons, and many are after Matapuan ore. That stuff's hard to come by, so expensive." She paused, then tilted her head slightly, studying Bumera. "So, why did you ask to meet today?"

Bumera sat back in her chair, her thoughts swirling around the weight of everything Vega had just revealed. Her mind churned. Given the new information, she couldn't shake the feeling that Vega might have ulterior motives when it came to the boys. It wasn't safe to share anything about them—not after all Vega had just told her.

She forced a smile, her pulse quickening as she scrambled for something to say. Then, as if the words had a life of their own, she blurted out, "I think I'm pregnant."

The moment the words left her mouth, she froze internally. Why did you just say that? She berated herself. You stupid girl. The lie had come too easily, and now she couldn't take it back.

Vega sprayed the water in her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise. "What?" She leaned in, narrowing her gaze. "Is it Gorgaius'?"

"I don't know," Bumera replied, her voice faltering ever so slightly as she scrambled to keep up with the lie. "I— I haven't figured it out yet." She forced a smile, hoping it looked convincing enough. The words felt foreign in her mouth, but she couldn't back out now.

Vega raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharpening. "So what do you want to do?"

Bumera had no idea what to say, so she stared blankly at Vega. She needed an exit strategy, fast.

"Okay, I get it," Vega cut in, her tone firm and knowing. "Listen, I know a healer. She's good. She'll take care of you." Without waiting for Bumera's response, Vega pulled out her military-grade tablet, quickly scrolling through it with practiced ease, tapping a few commands.

"I want to keep the baby," Bumera said, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. Her hand shot up to her mouth in disbelief. Why did I just say that? The lie grew larger with each passing second.

Vega paused, her brows furrowing. "What?"

Bumera took a deep breath, her mind spinning—think, think, think... She needed something, anything... sympathy, yes. Her eyes shimmered, as though holding back tears. "Well, you know... they said most of us halfbreed women..." She hesitated for just a moment but pushed on, her words heavy with intention. "Can't have children." She forced a tremulous sigh, glancing up at Vega through her lashes. "I really want to be a mother."

That struck a chord with Vega. Her face twisted with sadness for a brief moment before she fought it back, masking it with a tight, almost reluctant smile. "I'm going to help you. I don't care that you still owe Gorgaius two years time."

Bumera's heart skipped at the unexpected offer. This is too easy, she thought. Why didn't I think of that before?

Vega leaned in closer, her eyes sharp. "Listen, you need to go to the Southern Mountains. There are plenty of halfbreeds there, and healers who specialize in our kind. They'll help you with the birth. There's a monastery—Order of Dawa, I think it's called. The monks there, they protect halfbreeds and their children. It's a completely different world from here. There are a few trains leaving later tonight. The tickets are expensive, but I'm going to transfer the credits. You just leave tonight, don't tell anyone."

Bumera couldn't believe her ears. "What about Gorgaius?" She asked, almost breathless. She couldn't fathom the sudden shift in Vega's attitude.

"Whatever you owe him, I'll clear it with him after you're gone," Vega said, her voice unusually soft. "Then you and I can settle the score once the baby comes. Okay?" She spoke almost gently, a tone that felt foreign coming from her. Then, awkwardly, she reached out to touch Bumera's arm, but quickly withdrew her hand as if repulsed by the very thought, her expression hardening again.

The women ate in silence, the only sounds between them the clinking of silverware against porcelain and the low hum of conversation in the bustling restaurant. Bumera's mind, however, was a world apart, her thoughts racing ahead to how she would get Esa and Mazi on the train with her.

When she finally stepped out into the cool night and slid into the driver's seat of her transport, a feeling washed over her—one she hadn't felt in so long. It wasn't relief exactly, but something close to it. The weight of the Underworld's grime, the crushing heaviness of her life under Gorgaius' thumb, seemed to lift just a fraction. She wasn't out yet, but she could see the way forward now, clearer than ever before.

She had hoped to negotiate a way out for the boys, to secure their freedom, but had somehow secured her own escape.

She pressed the button for the auto-pilot and let out a slow breath, watching the city lights blur past, her thoughts buzzing with the possibilities. For the first time in ages, she allowed herself a moment to dream, to feel the spark of hope flicker.

Just then, a message from Gorgaius appeared on her tablet: "Meet me at 1C. Let's get this Gab Nori. Bring your favorite knives."

Her stomach churned. No, no.

She gripped the steering wheel, taking manual control of her transport. Her foot pressed hard on the pedal, the engine roaring to life as the vehicle surged forward. The streets blurred past her in a dizzying rush. Normally, it would have taken at least twenty minutes to reach District 49, but today—today, she made it in less than seven. Not a single cop had pulled her over. Her luck felt too unreal, like the universe had bent for her just for a moment.

As Bumera approached the door to apartment 1C, two armed men stood guard, their eyes scanning her from head to toe. She felt their gaze weigh on her like a heavy cloud, and she adjusted her dress, the tension building in her chest.

Taking a steadying breath, she forced herself forward into the apartment. Her eyes immediately landed on Gorgaius, who stood by the window with the Gab Nori in one hand and Esa in the other. How did he get it? Her jaw dropped, but before she could ask, he grinned widely, his face lit with triumph.

"See, Bumera?" He said, his voice thick with satisfaction. "With the element of surprise, I knew we'd find it." He held out the Gab Nori, the glowing ancient tablet almost pulsing in his hands. "I can't believe this is the real damn thing," he chuckled, his joy so genuine that it was hard to ignore.

His laughter echoed through the room, deep and full of pride, but it was a bit too loud, too brash, almost animalistic in its rawness. She could smell the sweetness of ambrosia on his breath, the telltale sign of his indulgence.

"We're going to be the richest halfbreeds in this filthy town," he said, still beaming, his voice carrying a sense of excitement that filled the room.

She saw Esa's face, his eyes ablaze with rage, though he was doing his best to keep calm. Her gaze shifted to Mazi, who was silently mouthing "Don't do it" to Esa, shaking his head with urgent intensity. Bumera felt the tension in the room thicken as she glanced from the boys to Gorgaius, who was laughing loudly, clearly drunk and savoring the moment.

"How did you come across such an ancient, rare tablet?" Gorgaius asked, shaking Esa. "Did you steal it too?"

"It's his mothers," Mazi said, his voice trembling. "Please let him go, and no one has to get hurt." He said, quietly.

"Hurt?" Gorgaius roared with laughter, shaking Esa again, the Gab Nori still in his hand. "Who's going to get hurt?" His laughter was guttural, as he pocketed the Gab Nori, clearly savoring his victory.

He dropped Esa, who hit the floor with a thud. Gorgaius, eyes gleaming with malice, turned to Bumera. "They're all yours," he snarled, the stench of ambrosia heavy in the air. "Do your worst."

Before Bumera could respond, Esa was back on his feet. His small hand shot out in front of him with startling precision, fingers spread wide. It was like something out of a nightmare—in that moment, Bumera knew Esa wasn't just a child.

Gorgaius' laughter faltered as his hands shot to his throat, gasping for air, eyes wide in disbelief. "He has the gift!" He breathed, barely managing to get the words out. He spun around, trying to process what was happening.

"I have more than the gift," Esa's voice was low, almost serene as he tightened his grip. With a sudden surge of power, he lifted Gorgaius' large frame into the air, the thug's body dangling like a ragdoll, before slamming him into the floor with an earth-shattering thud.

The men outside, clearly on alert, knocked on the door. "Everything okay in there, boss?" one of them asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine," Bumera called back, her voice steady, almost unnervingly calm given the chaos unfolding around her. She locked the door behind her with a soft click, the sound barely audible.

"Esa, please," Mazi pleaded, his voice a mere whisper.

As Gorgaius struggled, Esa lifted him up again with the small movement of his hand, only this time, he drew his other hand forward. He grasped both fists together, as if grabbing hold of an invisible branch, then snapped them apart.

The loud "CRACK!" echoed through the apartment, sickeningly final. Gorgaius' back snapped like a twig. He died instantly, his body crumpling to the floor, lifeless. The men outside began pounding on the door, shouting for them to open it, but inside, a heavy silence settled.

Bumera stared at Gorgaius' body, feeling both horrified and relieved. Then she looked at the boys, thinking of what to do next.

Esa stood in shock, his eyes wide.

Mazi broke the stillness, his eyes locked on Gorgaius. Without a word, he walked over and retrieved the Gab Nori, slipping it into his own pocket. The men outside the door continued to scream and bang on the door.

"We need to move quickly." Bumera whispered, as her gaze flicked between the boys and the window. She grabbed one of her knives from her belt, the blade gleaming as she swiftly threw it at the lone window. It shattered with a loud crash, glass scattering across the floor like rain.

"My transport's just outside on the street," Bumera said, quickly. "Come with me. I'll get you on a train to the Southern Mountains. It's your best shot to get away from here."

Mazi's gaze shifted to the lifeless body of Gorgaius. After a moment, he spoke: "How do we know we can trust you?"

"You don't," Bumera said, her voice firm as she moved toward the door. "But we don't have time to figure that out right now."

Before she could climb through the window, Esa stood motionless by the shattered glass, his small body trembling. His hands were clenched into tight fists, his gaze distant.

Then, with a sudden surge of raw power, Esa extended his hands, and the wall around the window creaked and groaned. The concrete buckled beneath his grip, and with a violent push, the wall shattered, leaving a gaping hole large enough for all three of them to walk through. The air outside was cold, but the fresh chaos in the apartment pushed them forward.

Bumera didn't hesitate. She grabbed Mazi's arm and nodded for him to follow. They dashed toward her transport parked just outside. The engine hummed to life as she manually took control, her hands steady on the controls, every instinct screaming at her to move faster.

She drove through the narrow streets of the Underworld, her heart pounding. The roads were slick, but no sign of Gorgaius men behind her. Bumera focused only on the path ahead, her mind darting between the need to get to the train station and the realization that, somehow, against all odds, she might be pulling this off.They were going to be free. She was going to be free.

As if out of nowhere, Esa finally spoke up from the backseat. "There was a new verse revealed today in the Ava Chapter of the Gab Nori" he said, his voice steady. Then, in a tone far older than his years, he recited:

"Through shadows deep, we rise today,
With Ava's light, we pave the way.
The chains that held, we cast away,
Today we stand, and claim our day."

Bumera felt a chill crawl down her spine. The verse had weight—power—and as Esa finished, he closed his eyes.

Pulling up to the train station, she checked her tablet. There it was—Vega's message, along with the large sum of credits for the expensive train ticket, medical care, and stay she would need. Vega had kept her word.

Without wasting a second, Bumera led the boys through the crowded station, every step carrying them further from the wreckage they'd left behind, from Gorgaius's death, from everything that had held them in the Underworld. The South, and safety, were only a train ride away.

Finally, they stood before train 664, the last train to the Southern Mountains. Bumera glanced at the doors, checking the time—ten minutes until departure. They had made it. This was it.

"That's the train," she said, looking at the boys with relief. "This train is our way to freedom."

She had enough credits—enough to buy them all seats. She glanced at the boys, her heart heavy with a mix of guilt and hope.

"Wait here," she said softly, her voice steady, despite the rising panic in her chest. "Let's get you tickets."

She walked to the nearest A.I. ticket booth, where the hum of the machine greeted her as she began inputting the necessary codes. But as her fingers tapped the screen, a sharp crack split the air.

The first shot struck her in the chest, the force of it throwing her backward. The second laser shot hit her in the lower back, and she collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud. Blood pooled around her, the warmth of it spreading across the cold floor, but the world began to spin in and out of focus.

Gunshots echoed in the distance—Gorgaius's men. They had found them.

Her vision blurred, but she saw the boys. Esa's eyes were wide with shock as he reached for Mazi's hand, lifting them both off the ground. The last thing she saw before her body went numb was the boys disappearing into the crowd on the train, the doors sliding shut behind them, just as Gorgaius' men arrived at the platform, too late.

At least I did something right... Bumera thought, her breath shallow. Ava Nori, I'm coming.

With that, the world around her darkened. The sounds of the station faded, and her last breath was a quiet, broken exhale.