Underground Veins

The steel bridge over the Dragon-Roost Canal was one of the most nefarious spots of the city, located in a neighborhood by the river, where the poor folks built their improvised wooden houses over the water.

Caelis stood at the edge of the bridge, still wearing the rain cape, through the rain had stopped half an hour ago. He kept his hands in his pockets, wondering if doing so would discourage eventual burglars from picking him for victim. Probably not, but he didn't think he looked like someone who carried anything worth stealing anyway.

He didn't see her coming; when he realized, the girl was beside him, and he lost his chance to greet her first.

"Hey, Sphynx!"

"Ah, there you are" said Caelis, and thought: "Shit, that's not how I rehearsed to meet her, I'm blowing it up." Then he shook her hand like if she was a guy.

"Come, I've told some of the others that I'd bring you" she said, escorting him by the edge of the canal into an alley behind the shacks.

"You didn't say who you are" he mentioned.

"I'm Crypt" she answered.

"Yeah, I've guessed the Crypt was you, but I mean, your real name."

"Never mind that" she avoided. "I don't care much for my name. You don't have to tell me yours either, Sphynx will do. I'm already used to call you like this, anyway."

"Fair enough" murmured Caelis.

He was stepping behind her, admiring how she walked. Her kiss still seared his thoughts, now she wouldn't give him her name.

Soon they reached an old little square, and Crypt led him to a group that was sitting under a tree. She introduced him to Rocket, a thin young man wearing a soccer team t-shirt, Mistral, a round boy with a long dark hair, Pillar, a blonde girl smoking a cigarette, and Jurassic, a shirtless guy with a dinosaur tattoo on his back.  They welcomed Caelis with some interest, but after the usual greeting they continued minding their business – Rocket and Mistral were chatting about a rival gang and Jurassic was apparently trying to get Pillar's attention, but she was a lot more interested  in her cigarette than in his tattooed half-naked body.

"What about the tough guy up there?" Caelis whispered to Crypt, referring to a demi-human wolf who was working out some meters above, using a tree branch as bar.

"That's our main man, Razor."

Caelis knew the name, and waited anxiously for the demi-wolf to come down. A couple minutes later, Razor finished his exercise and landed; he wore an open jacket with hood, used as necklace a military identification tag with his nickname and his tattoo on the chest was a black dragon.

"Hey, Crypt. So this is the Sphynx after all?"

Caelis didn't know how to salute him; would it be right just "hey, man" and a handshake? Or something more solemnly lupine? In fact, the imponent figure of the demi-wolf made it seem like the proper greeting was to kneel before him and wait for his command. In any case, Caelis extended his hand without a word, and Razor shook it firmly.

"Now I recognize you" said Razor, for his surprise. "I've seen you playing with Pablo at the Republic Square. I play with him sometimes too, he's good."

"He's the man" uttered Caelis. It was good that they knew someone in common, but a bit odd to find out that Pablo was popular even among the hoods.

"Now it makes sense" continued Razor. "You had an ass kicking with the AGs pricks some time ago, wasn't it?"

"The AGs? Hector's guys, yeah… I mean, more or less. They painted me up, you know, it was five or so against one, so I couldn't do that much."

"Don't you carry an iron?"

"Not really, I think these are enough" Caelis said showing his claws.

"If it was enough you wouldn't get painted by mutts like the AGs, right? Anyone who walks alone has to carry a piece, otherwise you know what. And now, why didn't you join a gang before messing up with the AGs and overtagging them?"

"Actually I didn't, I mean… I've begun overtagging them after they painted me, and just because they did, that was the only way I thought to avenge myself, and I've heard it's working, they're pissed about it. They'd never suspect or even believe that the Sphynx is me, you know."

"Yeah? Why is that?"

"Hector thinks I'm a sissy. So he says anyway, but I'm not giving a shit about him, for now."

"And if he finds out that the Sphynx is in fact a blue cat that walks armed only with his claws, what happens then?"

"That's a good question" Caelis said uncomfortably. "I'd have to deal with him, as I always did."

"You'd have two choices" numbered Razor. "Carrying a piece, or joining a gang."

Caelis didn't dare to presume what the wolf was insinuating, and just asked:

"But you don't really carry a gun, right? You use a razorblade."

"Only because I've never needed a gun… so far. Because everybody knows they mustn't mess with the Legion. Everybody, except the AGs."

"I see. Hector thinks he's so badass, he… hold on. You're not intending to have a conversation with him, are you?"

"I think someone should settle him down a little bit, before he gets too cocky, for his own sake. You have probably realized that he has the curious philosophy in which you must respect the stronger, but, if you are the strongest, you don't have to respect anyone. The AGs think they are the strongest, so you can take your own conclusions. The Legion will only make clear that they are not. I know this is of your interest, Sphynx. Don't you want to screw Hector's illusions of grandeur? If you can manage to do that yourself, you could have a place in the Legion."

Caelis was so struck that he didn't even notice that all the others were turned at their conversation.

"So, what do you say?" asked Razor.

"Shit, man. That's… I mean, I've already got my revenge on the AGs, overtagging them. That's the only reason I tag, also."

"Fucking lie, you tagged the water box, and there was no tag of the AGs up there" replied Razor.

"That's right. Say, how the hell did you get up there, man?" interceded Jurassic.

"I climbed the structure using a…" Caelis was saying, but Razor interrupted:

"Don't say it. A magician shouldn't reveal his tricks, right, Jurassic?"

Jurassic's curiosity pushed him to make a direct objection, but he limited to ask with certain submission: "But if he joins the Legion, wouldn't it be right to share?"

"After he joins, if he's up to. Unless he doesn't want to, for a beginning."

"Don't get it wrong, I find it amazing and I do admire you guys" admitted Caelis.

"Then you know how to find us when you make your mind" said Razor. The four members realized at once that their boss was saying it was time to go and they stood up. "We'll see you around."

They didn't shake hands again. Razor turned away and the four members followed him obediently. Only Crypt stayed for a little while and smiled to Caelis:

"I didn't expect he would invite you in. That's great."

"Yeah, only that I have no idea of how I could make Hector to lower the mane."

"I know you'll think of something. See you another day, Sphynx."

The sun was setting. She didn't repeat the farewell she had bidden earlier at the Arcadia, and just went to catch up with the others. Caelis walked to the opposite direction, thinking about a large cup of coffee when he reached home.