Vladimirs eyes twitched, the ground felt hard under him. His eyes slowly flickered open, the sun barely peeking over the buildings but yet was blinding against his freshly awoken eyes. He pushed himself up onto his feet while leaning against the wall.
He looked up and groaned while staring into the blue sky, he remembered what happened the day before. He felt his arms tense in worry, that person from before was with the Verindax Cult, they knew of him, not to mention him killing an Arch Cardinal.
He looked at the ground while standing up, sighing deeply in irritation. He looked slightly up to see Vivillia still asleep, silent, like she had passed away in her sleep. The man from before was still there, laying down unconscious.
Vlad tugged at his sleeve slightly, a bit of worry regarding his survival. He hissed to himself before walking to Vivillia, kneeling next to her as he pushed her shoulder gently. He rocked her slightly trying to wake her up.
"Hey, come on, time to wake up"
She stayed silent, unmoving. Vladimir looked at her in annoyance, though he couldn't be that angry as he also is a heavy sleeper after living in the underground. He pulled his hand back as she refused to wake up, he sighed before moving a finger closer to her cheek.
Suddenly she grabbed his wrist in an iron grip "Don't touch my face" She barked demandingly.
Vladimir nodded nervously as she let go, she sat up quickly while stretching and letting out a long yawn. Vladimir stood up as he stood with one leg against another, he looked at her blankly, his eyes dull.
Vivillia muttered "Good morning…I think, what time is it?"
Vladimir shrugged as he bluntly responded "Like seven I think"
Viv looked at him irritatedly as she groggily said "Come on, couldn't have let me sleep in like a few more hours?"
"This is a normal time to wake up"
Vivillia sat cross legged as she said "For you maybe"
Vladimir sighed before taking a few steps away while asking "Why are you so pushed about me nearly poking your face? You've been in the underground, someone touching your face is probably the most sanitary experience"
Viv leaned back on her hands as she said "Ehhh, I just didn't want you to touch my face"
Vladimir stretched as he said "So, do you know if that guy is dead?"
Vivillia hummed nervously as she said "I don't know, probably not the best idea for you to kill someone like him"
Vladimir raised his hands in a guilty way "Hey, you landed that final hit, I'm not taking the blame"
Viv chuckled as she said "We both have passed the blame to someone else plenty of times, buuuuut there are ways to avoid being given it"
"Yea like not being there in the first place"
Vivillia nodded understandingly, leaning back against a wall. She whistled to herself, calmly staring upwards at the sky that slowly became brighter over time. Vladimir grabbed his knife and made sure he had his mask.
He put the knife away before turning back to Vivillia and saying "So, what are you gonna do now?"
Vivillia held up the gem as she said "Sell this, hopefully live comfortably"
Vladimir nodded understandingly, though he raised his head as he asked "One last question?"
Viv shrugged "Go on, then go"
"Why did you let me go?"
Vivillia looks surprised at the question, despite how obvious of a question it is, she responds bluntly "I…Well I guess it was fine to see a familiar person in this place, someone like me who managed to find his way to the top"
Vladimir looked surprised, his eyes wide. He turned away as he stared down, his eyes shaking in shock, his breaths heavier. He looked down at his hands in horror, he didn't realise it, he had become something he hated, someone in power.
His hand swung by his side as he begrudgingly took a step away, his eyes staring forward wide and fearful, but also a sense of anger. Every step he took felt his whole body weight, every step lifeless like he was already dead.
Vlad said "Thanks…Vivillia…G-Goodbye…"
He left, leaving Vivillia on her own, only an unconscious hotel attendant to keep her company. She looked at the attendant for a moment, her eyes wide behind her mask. She relaxed as she stood up, walking and standing over him.
She gently kicked the top of his head, stating demandingly "Hey, wake up, you're coming with me"
He groaned slightly, making Vivillia sigh in annoyance. She pulled her leg back before landing a heavy kick to his head, making him yelp as his eyes shot open. Vivillia sat down cross legged, staring blankly down at him.
The attendant groaned as he looked up at Vivillia, his eyes widened as he asked worriedly "What the hell are you doing with me?"
Vivillia smirked as she responded "Depends on how I'm feeling"
The air left his lungs as he looked in horror, muttering to himself "Higher…Grant me safety, grant me peace…"
Vivillia placed a hand on his mouth as she said "Nope, none of that higher bullshit, they're not gods, they're people…Like you and I…And I believe you will learn that soon"
"Please, don't do this"
"Depends what you think I'll do"
"I-I just want-"
Vivillia stated harshly "I don't care what you want, you'll be working with me from now on, got it?"
His breathing was heavy and scared as he said "I-I-"
"Got. It?"
Viv held her claws in front of his face as he swiftly said "Yes yes I understand!"
As she retracted the claws she asked "Name?"
He looked in confusion before responding "Victor Smirnov…"
Vivillia stroked his golden hair as she said "Vivillia…"
He looked at her in surprise, but also a slight sense of expecting more, Vivillia looked down with a harsh glare that removed any thoughts. Although she was wearing a mask he could still feel the look she was giving him.
Vivillia said calmly "Let's get moving shall we?"
Far across the city Vladimir was still walking with a shock expression, the sun now risen and glowing brightly on him. He walked through the empty streets, though now there was sound coming from the buildings, people waking up.
He was staring forward as his mind constantly ran on that one idea, one thing he never wished to have in his life. He was content with staying at a middle ground, he didn't want to be poor, he didn't want to be rich, he didn't want to worry about losing all his money gambling.
He leaned against a buildings as he stared directly at the sun, his eyes weren't strained though, he was able to stare upwards without a care. The suns gaze was no longer a problem to him, he was used to it, his eyeballs had strengthened over time too, now capable of surviving the sun.
He gritted his teeth while pulling his arm up, swinging and slapping himself in the cheek as he scoffed. It wasn't his main problem at that moment, he had bigger things he needed to do, he couldn't worry about his status then.
He could feel the key in his pocket, he began walking faster, he needed to get back to the hotel, find Ivan, and get the amulet to Lev. He didn't know if Lev was ready to meet them yet, and he was worried about interacting with Ivan after what he said before.
Eventually he made it, the sun was bright, blinding, though he no longer felt it, it was like his eyes had an extra layer. As he walked into the main room he saw several attendants arguing, he kept his head down, clearly knowing what they were arguing about.
He swiftly made his way up the stairs, skipping several steps each time he walked. As he entered the room he could see steam coming from a couch, a small stream of it. He squinted his eyes as he looked at the cause.
Ivan was sitting there, his back arched, his hands between his legs, a coffee on the table in front of him. He slowly looked up to see Vladimir, his eyes dull and tired, clearly having not slept at all.
Vlad asked "Hey, are you okay Ivan?"
Ivan groaned as he looked down "Yea, was working on some stuff, just…Please tell me you got the amulet"
Vlad nodded, reaching into his pocket and pulling it out, Ivan sighed in relief as he leaned back, his arms laying over the couch head. Vladimir sat down on the couch in front of him, placing his knife and mask to the side.
Ivan asked groggily "Do you know if you were watched?"
Vlad tilted his head as he responded "I don't think I was, though the attendant did try to attack me and Viv"
"Oh great you're on nicknames with her, fan-fuckin-tastic"
Vladimir looked at him annoyedly "Is there a problem?"
"Do you know what I was doing last night?"
Vlad shook his to which Ivan continued "Of course you don't, well while you were getting it on with a possible cannibal I was trying to salvage the mission and make sure nothing bad happened with you getting an amulet from the thief"
"And what proof do you have she is a cannibal?"
"Underground, Verindax cult, you do the maths…Though I guess you are just attracted to Cannibals…And fucking Xeiemia for some reason"
"What's your problem with her?" He annoyedly demanded.
"You ever try to help someone? No, of course YOU wouldn't…Well I've tried to, her in particular, she was new, young, in danger, so I helped her…And she pushed me away, she didn't appreciate it at all"
"You have to look out for yourself, that's how this world works, you aren't thinking of the reality" Vladimir said harshly.
Ivan sat forward as he said calmly "I know that more than anyone, but in our job, wouldn't it be better to know the person you're fighting for your life next to?"
"I-...Well…" He looked down as he fidgeted with his fingers, stating defeatedly "Yea I guess so…"
Ivan crossed his legs as he said "Xeiemia makes this job harder than it already is, that's why I refuse to ever go on missions with her"
Vlad continued looking down as he asked "Have you ever tried to ask her about it?"
Ivan shrugged as he responded "Never get an opportunity, she doesn't talk to any of us, the only one that can get close enough is Merk, and he only does it so he doesn't need to bother with her, he isn't trying to know her"
Vlad looked at him in confusion as he asked "Why? Merkolax seemed nice enough"
"He isn't…Not that much…He only does something if it benefits him"
Vladimir groaned to himself as he said "What is wrong with all of you?"
"You've said it before, this world is cruel, you need to adapt" He pointed at Vladimir.
Vladimir hissed to himself, before stating "Well I would've thought people at the top would be having it easier"
"What do you even constitute as at the top? We're not the top, we struggle and fight for our lives every day, every day I wake up and I don't know what will happen, every day I wake up and I am scared that this will be the day"
Vladimir looked down as he said "Yea I've lived like that too"
"Great, you've got experience, you need to get used to this life too, it's a lot more complex than your old one"
Vladimir nodded defeatedly, he exhaled deeply while leaning down, his arms hanging lifelessly above the ground. He reached into his pocket and placed the amulet on the table, not even looking at it.
Ivan picked it up as he said "You positive this is it?"
Vlad nodded "Yea…I think"
Ivan placed it into his pocket as he leaned back, stretching his back out harshly. He sighed to himself as he looked upwards, his eyes dull as he stared at the roof. Vladimir leaned forward as he rubbed his chin, his fingers tensed.
Vlad asked "Do you think maybe we could an Order to convince them?" His fingers held together tightly.
Ivan looked at Vlad as he sternly responded "No" His eyes sharp and serious as he spoke.
Vlad nodded "Yea right, that's probably not correct when doing negotiations"
Ivan shook his head "No, I would do that, if I had a mind manipulation Order, you can't use any ability you want, Orders are decided when you are born"
He sat forward and leaned his arm on his leg, the fabric ruffling "Unless you ignite a mind manipulation Order at a perfect time, we have to think of something else"
Vladimir glanced down as he curiously asked "Well how many Orders do we have?"
Ivan shrugged "Dunno, I have five, but you'll have at least seven"
Vladimir raised an eyebrow "How? And why specifically seven?" He leaned both his arms on his legs.
Ivan continued "Grace Orders guarantee seven Orders at least, but you might have additional ones, they also guarantee a lot of Veles, though the Grace Order itself always has a terrible flaw"
Vladimirs eyes widened in shock, he worriedly muttered "What's mine?"
Ivan stood up as he cracked his neck "I don't know, though supposedly the last user died to his own Order"
Vladimir gulped nervously "I see…Okay then…" His body was tense with fear and shock.
Ivan took a few steps from the couch, stating calmly "I'll bring to them and…You know what, I'll just tell them we managed to negotiate, hopefully it turns out fine"
Ivan walked through the door swiftly, adding one last thing "Vladimir, fix yourself up, you look like you just rolled through a mudhill"
With that, he closed the door, leaving Vladimir alone with his thoughts. Vlad looked at the door before looking down, his fingers hurt, they burned, he wished he could get Ennzoll to heal them then and there, but he wasn't there.
Vladimir sat back on the couch as he groaned to himself, looking up at the ceiling blankly. He did everything right, yet he felt like he messed up somewhere, he failed somewhere, he could've done something differently.
He sat forward and let his arms droop over his legs as he muttered to himself "Vivillia…What would you do?" His eyes were dull as he stared downward.
He grunted to himself before standing up, noticing Ivans coffee only half drank, he glanced at the items he used to make it, still out. Vladimir walked over curiously, reaching out and picking up a cup.
He muttered to himself "So he poured the water first, then he poured the beans in…Hmm…"
He cautiously redid everything he saw Ivan do, albeit with less efficiency or speed. He poured the beans before eventually pouring the milk in, though he only did a small amount. He ended it with dropping half a teaspoon of sugar in.
After mixing it it came out steaming like before, his eyebrow raised as he cautiously grasped the handle. He gulped nervously before lifting the cup to his mouth, he took a short sip of the steaming liquid before noticing something.
Despite using less milk and sugar than Ivan did, it felt too sweet, like usual. He grunted to himself but sighed afterwards, carrying it over to the couch calmly. He placed it on a coffee base as he waited for it to cool.
He let out a deep exhale as he stayed sitting, his body slowly relaxing. He bobbed his head side to side slightly, looking around the large room, it was closer to an apartment than a hotel. He glanced at a magazine on the table, raising an eyebrow.
"I forgot these are still made" He muttered to himself as he picked it up.
The title was The Insight On Viraj, An Insider Documentary. Vladimir raised an eyebrow as he opened it, though it soon turned to confusion. The documentary was talking about celebrities and famous peoples basic life experiences.
He muttered "This is…Worthless, who cares? It's supposed to be a documentary on life here right? Why focus on the lives of famous people?"
He took a deep breath in before flicking through the pages, it was the same thing until near the end there was one that caught his eye. A page with no pictures, just text, blankly put without any formatting.
It read, the loss of a beloved saviour, the one who watched our bustling city for over a century, a gift from the gods in human skin. The next page had a single picture of a woman surrounded by bodyguards, her clothes fancy and clearly expensive.
Vladimir raised an eyebrow as he looked through the page, his eyes widening in surprise as he saw one last part. It stated her name was Arni, the duchess of Viraj. Vlads eyes shook in shock, the duchess of Viraj, the same one the man from before mentioned.
He flicked through the pages swiftly, deep sighs escaping his lungs as he saw there really wasn't anything interesting. Still the idea jabbed at the back of his head, the idea of a duchess of Viraj, one who lived for a century.
The door to the hotel room cracked, Vlads head perking up as he heard it. It opened and in walked Ivan, a serious but also nervous look on his face. He looked at Vladimir, his eyes widening slightly, but soon relaxing.
He walked over to the other side of the table, taking a seat across from Vlad. Vladimir placed the magazine to the side as he saw Ivan nervously fidget with his fingers. Gulping to himself while avoiding eye contact with Vlad.
Ivan looked at the table and shakily asked "You made yourself some coffee?"
Vladimir tilted his head as he asked "What happened?"
Ivans face went cold, he took a deep breath before speaking "They're agreed to sign the contract, though they said they want to talk in person"
Vladimir nodded "I see, you'd be best to take the centre stage talking" Vladimir picked up his coffee.
Ivan exhaled deeply "They asked for you specifically, to talk alone"
Vladimir stopped in place, coffee dribbling down his lips, his eyes wide. He lowered the cup as he wiped his mouth, looking at Ivan in shock and confusion. Ivan returned a look of concern and slight fear.
Vlad muttered "Alone? They want me alone?"
Ivan nodded nervously "Yea…An hour from now"
Vladimir gritted his teeth as he muttered "Yebat!..."
Ivan nodded "Yea…Yebat…"
Vladimir shook his head as he asked "How do I even get ready? What would they want me to look like?"
Ivan took a deep breath "It's fine, an hour is enough time" He stood up swiftly and pulled Vlad up by the arm, continuing swiftly "They like brighter coloured clothes, I have a spare white suit, you can borrow it, it might look a bit big but it'll be better than black, to them at least"
Vladimir nodded as he took a few steps to the bathroom, stating swiftly "I need to wash up quickly"
Ivan nodded "You go, keep your hair the same though, they like flat hair, don't comb it"
Vladimir nodded as he went into the bathroom as Ivan swiftly went to his room, he reached into a closet and pulled out another white suit like the same he was wearing, albeit straighter. Ivan pulled it off the hanger as he puffed it down swiftly.
Vladimir quickly turned on the shower as he splashed some water on his face, his eyes wide as he felt the soft clean liquid hit him. He took a deep breath through his teeth, the clean water was enjoyable, though he couldn't keep enjoying it.
He got into the shower and quickly started washing himself, it was his first proper shower in months, usually he only had drips of water to clean himself with. He couldn't appreciate the shower enough though, he was out as quick as he entered.
He quickly got himself into some of the supplied post shower clothes before exiting the room, seeing Ivan standing there with the suit padded down. Ivan winced as he kept looking at the suit, though he sighed as he knew he had to rush.
He turned to Vladimir and held out the suit, stating swiftly "Put it on, be gentle with it, we can make it look nice after you're in it"
Vladimir nodded as he took it, he looked it up and down in slight amazement, it was so perfectly tailored, though not for him clearly. He gulped as he put it on swiftly, his nervousness and twitching caused him to ruffle and crease the arms slightly.
Ivan winced as he saw Vlad fully in the suit, he wasn't bad but it was clearly too big for him, though they couldn't do much at the time. Ivan could fix it to fit him, though that would require a bit longer and sufficient supplies, both of which he didn't have.
Ivan crouched down to his legs which were the clearly worst part, the trousers fell past his feet. Ivan grabbed the ankles and rolled them up enough that it didn't look too big, but also wasn't noticeable that it was rolled up.
Vladimir tapped the shoes slightly, the fancy design and soles were foreign to him, but he just had to accept it. Ivan padded Vladimir's arms, rubbing across his elbows, making sure it didn't look bad.
Vlad tugs at the sleeves of the white slim fit suit, rolling up the sleeves to his wrists. Ivan pulled up the shoulders firmly, puffing the arms but avoiding the rolled up parts. The legs were also rolled up, just to his ankles.
Vlad said nervously "It's a bit big"
"Yea it is, but it'll have to do" He tugged at the front of his shirt, straightening it.
Ivan took a step away as he looked Vlad up and down, nodding calmly as he decided it was good enough. Vladimir rolled his arms as he made sure he could move in the suit, it had a very straight fabric.
Ivan went behind him and pushed up the collar, while also looking Vladimir up and down to make sure his back was fine too. Thankfully the outfit was designed to be seen from the front rather than the back.
Vladimir asked worriedly "What do I need to say?"
Ivan shook his head as he said "Whatever comes to mind, I didn't bring anything for us to talk long range"
Vladimir raised an eyebrow as he asked "Telepathy?"
Ivan shook his head as he lowered his head "Nah, we can't, not only is the range limited, I can only communicate in single words"
Vladimir inhaled deeply, raising and relaxing his shoulders swiftly. Ivan rubbed his shoulders from the back, making sure it looked fine enough. He wasn't happy that his hair perfectly opposed the suit, but he had to work with it.
Ivan smacked Vlads back as he harshly said "Go, now" He wasn't letting him wait, he needed him to go.
Vladimir groaned annoyedly but nodded nervously, he walked to the door with Ivan close behind. The two were silent as they went down the elevator, not looking at each other, only staring downwards.
As they left the building Vlad felt like every eye nearby was on him, his shoulders felt heavy, he wanted to hide away. The streets felt both long and short, like they stretched forever while also being only a step apart.
He arrived to the building, the same bodyguard outside, he gave Vlad a glare before nodding to Ivan. Ivan took a deep breath as he nodded back to him, the two walked in the building swiftly, it had no changes from before, still as fancy.
A man approached from the side "Ah yes, may Vladimir Nikito accompany me this way?"
Vlad and Ivan glance at each other nervously, though Ivan just waves his hand in front of Vlad, following it up with a firm push to his back. Vladimir stood to the side of the attendant who smiled gently to him.
Ivan called out curiously "Just one question, why Vladimir in particular?"
The attendant is surprised but responds "I'm afraid I don't know, Sir Kruschev requested him specifically"
Ivan exhaled deeply, but nodded calmly as he took a few steps towards the exit. He gave one last glance to Vladimir before nodding to him, Vlad returned the nod nervously. Once Ivan left the attendant looked at Vlad and smiled before taking a few steps towards a door.
"Just this way Mr Nikito" He walked calmly, he posture straight and dignified.
Vladimir nodded nervously as he followed close behind, he glanced around the rooms as they walked through the building. From a large hall filled with portraits from across hundreds, even thousands of years of the Kruschev Organisation.
Vladimir raised an eyebrow as he asked "What does the Kruschev Organisation do?"
The attendant responded calmly "The Kruschev Organisation are a family of senators across Viraj and other Provinces in Vermen"
Vladimir looked at him in surprise, Vermen had several provinces with countless cities across them. Vladimir already knew of the size of Vermen, though he believed it was simply a large country, even a continent, though he now knew that couldn't be further.
The attendant asked curiously "Do you mind if I ask a question Mr Nikito?"
Vladimir looked at him in surprise but nodded "Sure…"
He continued calmly "You don't need to answer if you don't want to, however I was wondering, did you ever consider moving from the underground? Perhaps to Infaime?"
Vladimir looked at him in surprise "W-What? I mean…" He looked down slightly.
Suddenly the attendant opened a door to a large room, in the centre was a single table and two seats, like a top of the line restaurant. The attendant pulled out one chair and smiled calmly to Vladimir who nervously sat down.
The attendant stated "I'm sorry if that question made you uncomfortable, I stepped out of line, please enjoy yourself, goodbye now Mr Nikito"
He walked out of the room the same way he entered, closing the door behind him. Vladimir nervously tapped his fingers against his thighs, looking down at the table. It had rows of different sized cutlery and silverware.
He sighed deeply "This won't go well" He silently muttered to himself.
His head perked up as another door opened, a voice following "My apologises, I should've been ready earlier, after asking you to come on such short notice, very rude of me" The voice had a sense of superiority.
Vladimir glanced to his side as he looked where the voice came from, his eyes widening in surprise as he realised it was Lev. He swiftly sat down across from Vladimir, his hands between his legs in a gentlemanly manner.
Vladimir shifted in his seat nervously, he glanced around the room frantically as Lev sat still in front of him. Lev had a soft smile while Vlad nervously frowned, his body tensed like he had just done a workout.
Lev stated "I'm impressed you got the amulet so quickly"
Vlad raised an eyebrow as he said confusedly "Thanks? I guess I'm just good"
Lev nodded calmly as he said "Yes, you're very good at being a detective, why didn't you go into that work? It's less deadly than being a Champion, I could get you a position"
Vladimir looked down for a moment, he was in thought until Lev chuckled "I'm kidding, I know you Champions are loyal to each other"
Vladimir looked at him in surprise but nodded nervously, his fingers tapping together under the table. Soon a waiter approached their table, though Vladimir didn't even feel that hungry, nor did he know what he could order.
The waiter asked in a calm deep voice "What would you two like for a drink?"
Lev said calmly "Give us both a Kvass please"
He sat straight in his seat as he spoke, his voice the waiter left.
Vladimir placed his arms on the table as he asked "What do you need?"
Lev looked at him for a moment before stating smugly "You know it's rude to have your arms on the table" His head slightly tilted as he smiled.
Vlad pulled his arms off and crossed them calmly, prompting Lev to continue "Ah, you really have no manners, though to be expected of a bracken like yourself"
Vlad asked calmly "You knew?"
Lev waved his hands as he responded "Since the first meeting, you don't hide it well, especially when I was talking about your fellow Bracken…" He leaned forward as he looked at him calmly "Speaking of which, what really happened between you and Vivillia?"
Vlads eyes widened as he asked "You know her name?"
Lev shrugged as the Kvass arrived "Of course, she and I were very…Very close"
"Why did you need us if you knew her?" He held his chin calmly as he looked at Lev.
Lev opened his Kvass as he stated "Sorry, let me just get some alcohol in my system, talking about her is nearly impossible otherwise" The cap popped off as it sizzled in the cook air.
Vladimir opened his calmly, his eyes constantly focused on Lev, why would he know about Vivillia and want to find her? He stopped right as his Kvass opened, his eyes glanced at the small cap covering the beverage.
Lev stated calmly "Don't worry, it isn't spiked, and you don't need to drink it at all, I was just getting us some so we could loosen up for a nice chat"
Vlad looked at him coldly as he stated "Don't act like you care about us in any way Pesdo"
Lev jumped up from his seat swiftly, his hands slamming on the table causing multiple glasses to tip over. He took a deep breath before falling back into his seat, he groaned silently before picking up the Kvass and taking a huge drink from the bottle.
Vlads eyes widened slightly as he looked at Lev act in such a crude way, gone is his elegant demeanor and now he is acting so brashly. Vlad held his kvass nervously as he pulled over a small wine glass, he never looked away from Lev.
"Don't bother with the glass, I don't care" Lev held the bottle next to his head as he stated.
Vladimir looked down at it as he asked "How do you know about Vivillia?"
Lev took a quick sip before groggily stating "She and I…Got into some business, though it turned out badly" He looked down at his drink before continuing "I…Am just worried about her okay? She is important to me, even if she hates me now, I'll always love her…Please…Tell me she's okay"
Vladimir leaned down as he stated "Yea, she's okay"
Lev gulped deeply, he sighed as he looked down "I…Am happy to hear that" He gulped as he closed his eyes for a moment before continuing "I'm open for us to sign the contract, you've completed our request"
Vlad crossed his arms as he stated to himself "So I was right about you looking for a person" He picked up the kvass calmly.
Lev took a long swing of his drink before slamming the empty bottle down harshly, leaning forward to Vlad, his arms on the table. Vlad took a short drink of his kvass as he thought about the contract, what exactly where the terms?
"We'll supply you with monetary support and we'll have rooms open if you need to come here at any time" His fingers interlocked calmly.
Vlad thought in confusion, he knew he was thinking about the terms of the contract? How? Does he have a mind reading ability? Does he have an Order? Vladimir gulped slightly as he sat forward, looking at the man before him calmly.
"Monetary…How much?" Vlad leaned forward as he cupped his hand together on the table.
Lev waved his hand as he responded "Over ten million a month"
Vlad stopped in place, ten million? How much? He couldn't even imagine that much, he held his chin for a few moments as he thought about it. Ten million a month could fund even a large business, it could even make you a ruler in the underground. This was a lot at stake.
Vlad asked calmly "What is our side of the contract?" Vladimirs crimson eyes stared at Lev with a harsh look.
Lev responded while unnerved "There's nothing really, I just wanted confirmation on the safety of Vivillia, though I suppose you Champions could be a regular protector for the city if you're offering"
Vlad responded swiftly and bluntly "Make it twelve and we'll consider it"
Levs mouth remained open slightly, his eyes wide in surprise at Vlads response. His throat crackled as he gripped the Kvass in an iron grip. He let out a short chuckle as his head slightly tilted, a soft smile on his face, his eyes squinted.
"I like you, you know that?" Lev stated calmly.
"I don't return it"
Lev nodded calmly "That's fair"
The room was silent as the two stared down, the drinks in the bottles sloshing against the glass. Vlad took a short sip of the Kvass, it was strong to him, even though it really wasn't in the first place.
Lev reached over to the radio on the side, clicking a button on the top as he asked "You like Daniel Mershi?"
Vladimir sat forward as he said "Well I've heard of him, don't know much about him though"
The radio clicked in on itself as Lev said happily "You're in for something good"
The radio began to hum before suddenly a soft voice came through "You looked through me, like a mirror~ You saw only yourself in me, like a mirror~"
Vladimir looked at it in surprise "This…Feels like something…"
Lev nodded as he said "That's the big thing about him, he's been doing this for over forty years, and yet every song even today can move people"
Vladimir said "It has a sense of nostalgia"
"Yea…I get that too, people say he has some magic, he can make you feel like things are as best as they can be"
Vladimir muttered to himself "Maybe they are" His eyes were getting wider in surprise.
Lev tapped the top of his bottle as he spoke "So, I've already had my assistant contact Javin"
Vlad looks at him in surprise "I don't know who that is"
Levs eyebrows raised as he responded "Right yea, you're a newer one right? Though I feel they should've given you a rundown"
Vladimir nodded "Yea…They aren't the most descriptive people…" He sighed deeply.
Lev nodded understandingly "I get it, I was made a senator without any experience, I had no clue what I was doing or who I had to talk to"
Vladimir looked at him in surprise, though he soon sat straight "So…You are willing to sign the contract?"
Lev nodded as he stated "My assistant and Javin are working it out, you've done good, I'd like you to enjoy the rest of your stay in Vira-"
A door swung open, an assistant called out frantically "Sir Kruschev! It's the Cracker! He need to speak to you urgently!"
Levs eyes widened in shock and horror, his breaths became shallow as he stood up swiftly, his Kvass nearly falling over as he walked from his seat. He frantically walked in front of his assistant who returned a look of fear.
He asked silently "A-are you positive?"
The assistant nodded firmly "Yes…He wants you, he is serious"
Lev hissed through his teeth, he swiftly spoke as he walked past his assistant "Bring Vladimir out, I need to be alone to speak to him!"
The assistant nodded as he walked to table, where Vladimir was nearly standing up from. Lev swiftly walked down the corridor, his breaths heavy and laboured, the assistant nervously stood in front of Vladimir who gaze a look of concern.
The assistant stated "I apologise, you need to go, I'll bring you out"
Vladimir nodded "That's fine, I get it, I'll leave" He could understand this was beyond him.
The assistant swiftly lead Vladimir out of the room, through the front door with slight rushing, the front guard and Ivan having a friendly conversation out there. The guard seemed far happier than before, unlike when he saw Vladimir.
Lev on the other hand was running through the hallways nervously before reaching his office, he scrambled to grab the phone and direct the call to himself. He fell back into his seat, sweat pumping from his forehead, he felt like he was going to collapse.
He took a deep breath as he accepted the call "H-Hello?"
A stern voice came from the other end, Levs eyes widening in fear as he sputtered to himself. The one on the other end was speaking slowly, it felt like each word was further tearing him apart, it was nearly agonising.
"Y-Yes I know, I know the Champions, t-they're here!"
Meanwhile, Vladimir was with Ivan and the guard, Ivan stated to him "I hope we'll meet again Tobias, good luck on your marriage"
Tobias saluted him "Thank you, I'm glad to be working with you Ivan"
Vlad and Ivan turned to the street, calmly walking away. He couldn't help but slightly smile, despite the end of it, Vladimir feels that things actually were good. Ivan noticed his positive stance surprisedly.
Ivan asked "So, did you get it?"
Vladimir nodded "Yea, ten million a month, pretty good right?"
Ivans eyebrows raised as he responded surprisedly "That can't be it right?"
Vladimirs eyes widened in confusion "What?"
Ivan chuckled as he stated "I'm messin, ten million a month is great"
On the other side Lev was still speaking in fear "No sir, that's…No you're right…I can do it…Let me fix this…"
They spoke at the same time, although they were far apart, it was like they were in the same room. Vladimir next to Ivan, and Lev with the man on the far other side of his phone. They spoke to their other side at the same time.
Vlad says unawarely "It went well"
Lev frantically spoke "That's mad!"
Vladimir smiled as he said "We got a good contract"
Lev continued "You're messing with the Champions!"
Vladimir stated calmly "I think we got along well too"
Lev nervously assured "No No, I can do this-I can do this…"
Vlad said "Maybe…This stuff isn't so bad"
Ivan shoved Vladimir in the shoulder "Don't jinx us now, but yea, once you get used to it, this job isn't too hard"
Vladimir looked upwards, a soft smile on his face, finally, things are improving, being a Champion doesn't seem so hard anymore, maybe life is better. He chuckled to himself, Ivan noticing, but keeping quiet, he knew how good it felt to finally have something go well.