Lewis dropped Sera off in front of the Royal palace and vanished back into the night without a trace. He wandered through the city making his way to the address Kate had given him, a bar on Swan street. He'd only walked through the Anterius for a few moments and was already hating it.
For some puzzling reason, Kate had suggested they go to a different place from their usual, and annoyingly Eric agreed instantly giving Lewis no room to argue. Why they had to switch was beyond him, but here he was on the streets of Elysi wandering through crowds.
Swan street was located near the city centre and as a result was absolutely flooded with people, and of course they were pretty much all drunk. Subduing his irritation Lewis shuffled through the crowds, thankfully the second anyone recognised him they quickly shuffled out his path. He passed by dozens of different restaurants and bars, whose lights bounced of the stones of every building turning the street into a living rainbow, eventually he arrived at his destination, 'The Imperial'.
At first glance, the bar seemed to be of simple design, just one floor but was so wide that it took up the space of two buildings. The front was crafted nearly completely of glass and, inside he could that an extravagant, intricate bar ran along the entire back wall, stools lined neatly alongside it. On the far left of the bar he caught sight of Kate and Eric, conversing with a bartender.
Lewis entered and approached the bar, walking past tables and chairs occupied by dining customers. Without a word he sat against the wall, on the stool next to Kate, and glanced over the alcohol displayed behind the bar.
"Well hello to you too," Kate said.
He grunted.
"Are you still sulking?" Eric asked, his mouth twitching as he clearly tried to hold back laughter.
"I'm not sulking," Lewis retorted, his gaze never leaving the display.
"Are you serious?" Kate said deadpan. "How can you just randomly become so juvenile?"
"Shut up," his attention switched to her, "I just don't understand why we had to change?"
"Because the Redhouse was a shithole. And rightfully so, it's being shut down, getting replaced with a café or something," Kate stated bluntly, matching his attitude. "This place was recommended to me, and it's actually nice. And not that fake 'nice' you use to call the Redhouse because they let us drink without ID."
"Recommended by who?" Lewis questioned.
"It doesn't matter," she said, shrugging off his question and piercing gaze before sliding a drink over to him. "We got you your usual, same price as the Redhouse. Now stop moaning." In front of him was an old-fashioned glass containing a mixture of bourbon and carbonated soda.
"Thanks," he muttered, before taking a sip. A faint but enjoyable burn ran down his throat.
Glancing over, he saw Kate was drinking a fizzing crystal liquor, in an identical glass to Lewis, and Eric was drinking from a stein of golden beer, a subtle bubbling flowing through the liquid. He noticed they were both trying out new options and their drinks looked quite expensive. Then again, this whole bar was looked expensive, it was in the city centre.
"Lewis, they've got good whiskeys and bourbons here. You should try them instead of that cheap shit you always drink," Eric informed, while finishing off his stein glass.
"No I'm alright. I like the way these taste better," he said, gesturing his glass.
"How do you like that stuff?" Kate asked, her body shivering slightly. Lewis just shrugged unbothered as he took another gulp.
"Lucina told me you stayed late with her," Lewis abruptly addressed Eric.
"Hmmm, oh yeah." He nodded.
"How come you were late?" Lewis cut straight to the point, his gaze now jumping between both of them. "Or should I say, who were you meeting?"
Kate and Eric traded a rapid, sheepish glance and then Eric sighed.
"Joker," he admitted.
"How come?" Lewis inquired. "You two aren't the type to just hang out."
"Don't bother beating around the bush and just tell him," Kate grumbled. "It obvious he's already figured out something is up."
"For a while now, there have been rumours that Blade has made his return. And well, turns out they weren't just rumours," Eric explained.
Blade or if being called by his official alias, Mr Blade was an infamous serial killer and drug lord, known to operate all over Elysia however, he'd vanished over two years ago, once the military finally destroyed his operation.
"Mr Blade huh, still such a stupid name," Lewis smirked. "I'd take the piss out of him more, if he hadn't killed an upsetting amount of people." He turned and faced Kate, "I'm assuming you know where he is?"
"Yeah," Kate confirmed.
"So what's he doing back?" Lewis inquired. "I Didn't think he'd be so desperate to reinstate his death sentence."
"To be honest we don't know. All evidence seems to lead me to the idea that he's using his old contacts to transport something into not just the country buy Elysi herself. Gods knows what it is, but it surely can't lead to anything good if its dragged Blade out his hole. He was never exactly interested into plushies and flowers was he," Eric informed. He then hesitated a moment, as if he was wondering if he should continue. "I plan to act in two days. That's when we think he'll next move."
"When were you going to tell me?" Lewis question, irritation lining his voice.
"I am now."
"I mean if I didn't bring it up," Lewis said.
"I wasn't," Eric said bluntly. "He's my problem. You don't have to worry about him. Wait, why are you even bothered? You don't this anymore. You haven't acted in well over a year, you haven't even came to a single training session never mind fought anyone. I thought you were done with all this?"
Lewis froze, Eric wasn't wrong. What was he doing? He'd sworn all this off. Shaking away the thoughts, he returned to his drink. "Fine."
"Alright then," Eric responded.
Lewis didn't miss Eric's reaction, he'd been slightly stunned for a moment but it had faded as quickly as it came. Kate didn't both trying to hide her concern, her gaze prying thoroughly into Lewis. Feeling an uncomfortable pressure brewing upon him, Lewis quickly finished his drink and ordered another.
"So anything new with you" he asked breaking the silence.
"Erm yeah, I guess," Kate turned back towards the bar, giving up on her analysis. She stretched out across it studying her drink in both hands, "General Zeit has decided to take me on."
Both Lewis and Eric glanced at each other puzzled.
"What do you mean he's took you on?" Lewis asked.
"He's made me his assistant. Well sort of. Actually, I don't know what I am, my job doesn't really have a title. Maybe General's liaison would work. He's basically giving me more important work, takes me with him on pretty much all work errands, and also he gave me a raise," Kate explained.
"I didn't even know you got paid," Lewis mumbled.
A smile crept up of Eric's face. "He must've finally forgiven you then," he joked, causing Lewis to slowly breakdown into laughter, as he recalled the incident or better said incidents.
"It's not funny!" Kate snapped annoyed, punching their arms. "It completely halted my career."
"Halted your career? Kate you've worked there for less than a year. Most officers your age are still in the academy and yet your stationed in Elysi," Lewis shrugged, "Anyway we helped you get the job, we're allowed to have a little fun."
"I guess, but our past has involved me doing a hell of a lot of paperwork," she muttered. However, her expression then abruptly lit up. "Oh yeah, I'm coming to the Atlas Games now as well."
"Hmm?"
"Yeah, General Zeit told me he's bringing me as part of his cohort. Something about helping with security," she explained.
"So we're all going then," said Eric, causing Kate to snap towards Lewis.
"You're coming?"
"Yeah," he scratched his neck, "the whole orphanage is going as guests or something, I don't really know, I wasn't listening when Becka and General Jager explained it. But I basically have to come as makeshift staff."
"So you're coming only as a spectator?" Eric inquired, curiously.
"Yeah," Lewis replied. Annoyingly the flame in Eric's gaze never faded.
Their night continued, and it was going well, it had been ages since the three of them had properly hung out and Lewis was even starting to like the new bar. However, fear soon crept up Lewis' spine after a few more drinks had been drank. Kate turned to Lewis, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
'This can't be good.'
"I heard you're teaching a class in our old school," Kate said.
"Really?" Lewis said, doing his utmost best to not let his surprise reach his face. "Weird."
'How the hell does she know that.'
"Yeah, also heard you've already taught a few classes too," she continued, her enthusiasm not fading.
"How do you know?" Lewis grumbled.
"Becka told me the other day," she admitted.
"So you finally gave it a go," Eric said, amused.
"Finally?" Lewis said, slowly turning towards him, baffled.
"Well, you've always been good at teaching, so I always thought you'd try teach at least a few classes," Eric explained.
"How did this even come about?" Kate asked.
"Do you remember Mrs Whiteside?" Lewis questioned.
Kate nodded, "Our teacher in year 5 and 6."
"Well Eri's in her class this year and since she took the name Athra as well, Mrs Whiteside was able to get in contact with Becka and then eventually to me. She asked If I would teach a few classes on magic, and I agreed," Lewis informed.
"Well you were always the best, even if you never liked to show it. And I doubt she hasn't missed any of our 'excursions' over the years. Gods knows the rest of the city hasn't," Kate stated, before finishing off her drink. "Do you want another drink?"
"Yeah go on, but I'll pay for this round," he replied before drinking the remains of his glass.
Suddenly Lewis and Eric's attention was drawn towards the bar's entrance after sensing a set of familiar mana signatures. Those overwhelming sensations were unmistakable.
Lewis stared baffled as he watched Alex and Korra enter the bar along with a man he hadn't seen in a good while. Grey Astrum, he was only slightly shorter than Alex, but still towered over most people they passed, standing at six foot two inches. He had a strong jaw and pitch-black hair, it was slightly parted but still overwhelmed with a similar messiness to Lewis and Alex's. Below his fringe rested a pair of grey eyes, that were so dark they almost seemed black.
"How come they're here?" Lewis questioned. As they approached, he noticed the stupid grin on Alex's face and suddenly everything clicked in his mind. "They recommended this place to you, didn't they?" he asked. Before his friends could respond Alex, Korra and Grey arrived.
"So you did end up coming here then. I told you its good," Alex said happily.
"Yeah me and Kate like it, and I don't want to speak too soon, but Lewis doesn't seem to hate it," Eric responded.
"Look at that, miracles do happen," Korra joked, shaking Lewis' shoulder.
"It's a nice bar," Lewis admitted bitterly, before shrugging her off. "So is this where you three come? To be honest I thought you'd go someplace more expensive, and private."
"We've been coming here since it opened a decade ago. Now it's just our go-to bar," Alex explained.
"Well don't let us keep you," Lewis gestured to the bar, "have at it."
"No, not down here. Like you said, we draw a bit too much attention," Alex stated, causing them to all notice everyone in the bar glancing over. Whether they were trying to hide it or not, it was obvious everyone was watching them, even people outside were peering in, stunned. After spending so many years in their accompany, Lewis knew this was inevitable. Because of their 'accomplishments' during the war, they were possibly the most famous people on the planet. More renowned than celebrities.
"Grab your drinks and come with us," Alex told them as he moved towards a door beside the bar.
"Where to?" Lewis asked, not moving an inch.
Unlike him, Kate and Eric instantly grabbed their drinks and hopped off their stools, with Kate even grabbing Lewis' glass, forcing him to follow.
"There's a bar upstairs that we'll have to ourselves, it's usually closed but the owner gives us access," Korra explained, before walking through the door currently held open by Grey. The three of them followed suit and once they were through Grey let the door close behind him and made his way to Lewis' side.
"How've you been?" he asked, as they followed the others down a small corridor, passing the toilets.
"I'm alright. What about you? Been gone awhile?" Lewis asked. The corridor turned left revealing a set of stairs leading up to a second story.
'So it did have one,' Lewis noted. Must use one way glass or be hidden at the back.
"I've been on longer deployments as of lately," Grey explained as they reached the top of the stairs. "But apart from that, I'm the same as ever. Just keeping the peace."
"What type of missions?"
"You know I can't tell you that," Grey stated, in that familiar, exhausted tone.
A grin grew on Lewis's face, he had already known what Grey's response would be, but he still always loved to ask, whether out of hope he'd one day get an answer or just to be a pain in the ass.
The upstairs bar wasn't as big as the one downstairs but it also had none of its space taken up by dining tables, instead it had been fitted with sets of couches surrounding short, circular tables. The actual bar was positioned on the back wall with the front wall being comprised of entirely glass, revealing the night sky and the bustling street below.
"Alright I'm going to get us some drinks, do you three want anything?" Alex asked, walking over to the bar.
"I'm good for now thanks. You can just go behind the bar?" Kate questioned, as she handed Lewis' drink back to him.
"Yeah, we just put it on our tab," Alex explained.
"And the owner is okay with that?" Lewis asked.
Alex just gave him a shrug before moving behind the bar. Leaving him to make drinks, the five of them made their way to a set of couches near the glass wall. Lewis sunk into the one facing out into the city, appreciating its comfort after an hour on the stool. Grey crashed down next to him, Eric and Kate sat across from him and Korra took the armchair to his right.
"Oh I almost forgot," Grey turned to Lewis "Has Senshi contacted you recently?"
"No, haven't seen him for a while. Why?" Lewis asked confused. The mention of the man's name caught him completely by surprise. This couldn't be good.
"He wants a word," Grey told him.
"Do you know why?" Lewis asked.
"No," Grey admitted. "But I may have an idea." His tone had turned grave.
'Oh. Great.'
"While we're on the topic of Senshi has anyone seen him lately," Eric asked, turning to Grey, "he's been gone longer than you."
"We've all been busy lately," Korra said. She paused, "Well most of us have." As if on que, Alex appeared next to the table placing down three drinks and taking the armchair opposite to Korra.
"What are you guys talking about?" he asked, confused on why they were all smiling, trying to stifle their laughter.
"Nothing, we're just talking about Senshi," Korra responded.
"Oh, well if it helps, he's coming to the Atlas Games," Alex informed.
"Well that's saves you searching for each other." Eric told Lewis.
Lewis watched a confused look wash over Alex's face, "He wants to speak to you? … Let me guess, In private?" Alex asked.
"Most likely," Lewis said. Alex mumbled as he took a drink from his beer, but Lewis couldn't make out what he said.
"Speaking of the Atlas Games," Korra said breaking the awkward tension. Her attention switched to Eric. "How's everyone's training been going?"
"It's going well. Hopefully makes for some interesting fights this year."
"I'd hope so, I know a lot of other countries' competitors and they shouldn't be underestimated," Korra stated.
"Is that including your new apprentice?" Alex muttered quietly from within his stein.
"It might," she responded, not skipping a beat.
"You've got an apprentice?" Eric blurted out, stunned.
The whole room went silent. Even Lewis found himself caught off guard for a second time in one night. To his knowledge, Korra had never taken on anyone, unlike a lot of the military higher ups. She wouldn't even take on Lucina despite them sharing same magic discipline, always stating Lucina was an anomaly, which technically wasn't an incorrect statement, and that she wouldn't know how to teach her. Lewis wasn't concerned about Korra rejecting Lucina, he was more than capable of teaching her, but that excuse was bullshit any they both knew it. Korra had always been hard set on sharing the same principles as her own master and would only take on a fellow Patheon.
'So is that where she's been?' Lewis mused.
"You found another pantheon?" Eric asked, his tone sharing the shock and excitement everyone was feeling.
Korra nodded.
Summoners are one of, if not, the rarest magic discipline of the modern age. Their numbers were once great but they were hunted to extinction around a thousand years ago, a pathetic product of fear. As a last resort the surviving summoners sacrificed themselves and created the pantheons. Beings who are linked to the Old Gods and have the power to summon creatures straight from mythology. Only four pantheons can exist in this world, all with their own unique abilities. If one dies, their power is transferred back to the world and a new pantheon, possessing the magic of the deceased, is born in their place. There are also other summoners known as minor pantheons however, they're nowhere near as powerful, usually only capable of summoning a single creature. In the modern world these four beings are the only summoners with a power similar to those from centuries ago, with the exception of one person. One girl. Lucina Athra. She possesses the same magic used a millennia ago, however, is no pantheon.
"So, who is this person?" Lewis asked.
"Azra Ece. Found her in Aetia," Korra informed. "If you want to know more, speak to her yourself at the Atlas Games … Please do, I really want her to have some friends in Elysi."
"Don't worry, your apprentice will be welcomed with opened arms," Kate comforted, but her words were betrayed by her mischievous smile. Dread washed over Korra's face.
"Anyone but Kate," Korra quickly declared. She then turned to Lewis, "To be honest my request was more directed at you. I've got a favour to ask."
"A favour?" Lewis asked, suspicion laced his voice.
"Yeah."
"You know normally to get a favour, I need to owe you one right?" he stated, but he could clearly see she didn't care. "Go on," he sighed.
"Not here," Korra said looking around at everyone staring like vultures at a fresh carcass, her stare then switched to his empty glass. "Come to the bar and get another drink."
Ignoring everyone, they wandered to behind the bar. Korra quickly glanced back to make sure no one was eaves dropping.
"Well since you were so good at teaching Lucina summoning magic I was hoping you could help Azra out," Korra said. "But you can't tell anyone, her skills may be lagging behind the title but she definitely has the pride of a pantheon."
Lewis raised a brow. "You know the point of being a mentor Is to do the mentoring right?"
"She's struggling with some aspects that came to me instantly so I'm finding it difficult to help her."
"Again, it's your job to figure out a way around those issues. Just like your master did when you struggled."
"One, I only struggled the most advance techniques. Two, I'm very busy."
Lewis stared deadpan. "One, make time like your master did for you. Two, so am I," Lewis stated confidently, while pouring bourbon into his glass.
She turned to him with thin eyes. "Busy doing what? You don't go out anymore."
"I do other stuff."
"No you don't. Just give it ago, you know you want too anyway."
She wasn't wrong, it was an extremely rare opportunity to meet a Patheon never mind train one. Usually the role was taken exclusively by their own race. His interest and curiosity quickly got the better of him. "I'll speak to her and see what I can do after the Atlas Games," he told her. while completing his drink with a brown carbonated soda.
"Thanks, I owe you" she smiled.
"I'll add it to the list," he grumbled.
"What about your mentor?" Lewis inquired. "Would he not take her if your so shit at it?"
Korra glared but denied none of his words. "I haven't heard from him in years," she informed. "And he's never left anyway to contact him. Like always he just appears and departs as he pleases."
They then quickly returned to their seats with the others.
"So that's the team you're going with this year?" Alex asked.
"Hmm?" Lewis voiced his interest to what they've been talking about.
"Emily, Ike, Arthur and Lucina are our representatives for the group battle this Atlas Games," Eric explained.
"Solid team," Lewis noted.
"Especially Jager, she's turning out to be quite the monster. Might even be able to even give you two a run for your money," Grey teased.
"Very possible," Lewis admitted. Being honest, he'd never truly fought her, so he had no idea on her full capabilities. However, from the rumours he'd heard she wasn't to be underestimated.
"Oh before I forget, I'll wish you all luck now," Grey said raising his glass. "I'm being deployed again in three days' time."
Everyone clinked their glasses together and downed their drinks.
Lewis was the only one to walk on his own, everyone else's home residing within the centre of the city.
He quickly escaped the flashing lights and loud streets of the Anterius and travelled along the King's Canal watching the stars and moon bounce off its calm waters.
He could easily fly home, even in his inebriated state, but he always loved a wander home at night to clear his head. Lewis breathed in the night's cold air and watched as it dispersed into a comforting, cloudy mist every time he exhaled. It didn't take long to arrive at the street that the orphanage called home.
Suddenly he stopped. He spun on his heels and faced out towards the city. There was a familiar, eerie sensation. Like he was being watched.
Lewis stared out, enhancing his eyes and scanning for mana signatures however, he found nothing. It should've been relief he felt but he felt nothing of the sort. If anything, his discomfort only festered. He remained motionless, until suddenly the ominous feeling started to fade. Within in moments it vanished and he was alone was again, accompanied only by the night.
'Must just be the alcohol,' he assumed. Slightly embarrassed, he scratched the back of his head and made his way to the home. 'Probably.'