Chapter 620: Alice's Nightmare

Odgar's agency turned up many leads pertaining to the suspicious deaths of starlets. Recently, around the start of August, an up-and-coming idol of the Ansoft agency was found dead atop a broken car. She had presumably jumped from the 10th floor of a less than notable hotel in Odgawoan's lesser popular district. Dubbed the most dangerous area of the town, nestled between the outskirts of Carter Lake, a naturistic retreat from the abundant glory of the trademarked nightlife. When exposed to the wild and the vile nature of greed, humans had the habit of finding the worst in a good situation. A green resort turned dark red during a power struggle. The police tried but could never infiltrate said area, its name, Alice's Nightmare, nickname one should say. On paper, the place was referred to as Keln. Truth be told, the name spawned from a very well-received journal written by Alice Handeria. She grew up in a poor family of struggling actors and dancers, tis was the common story of any struggling artist. 

At the dawn of Odgawoan's rising popularity as a metropolis of entertainment, the drug trade and arm's deal garnered much attention. Gangs formed, well-established familia's expanded their reach. Where money flows, so does the blood of the unruly. 

The resulting conflict wasn't much to complain about. People were sawed in the middle of the street, heads literally rolled to the gutters. Mask men riding in black vans. 

Poverty doesn't allow one to have much choice. Each night, her neighborhood would scream and cry, the thunderous deluge of gunfire and deathly howls. As the eight-year-old she was, with parents bearing greater ambitions than caring for their daughter, she'd stay home late. Down the shabby first-floor bedroom, she'd often witness the blatant murder of bystanders. None ever bothered to reach out or call law enforcement. The traumatic experience forced a coping mechanism, hers came in form of writing. 

Years went by, the murders kept on increasing, her parents fell to the folly of narcotics. Long were the days of innocence, her parents, most notably, her father, forced his wife and daughter in dubious activities for a chance at a shot of God's ale. She entered high school, the kids saw her as an easy target for bullying. Drug-head parents weren't something one could hide, the teasing grew harder and harder, some even broke into her house offering drugs in exchange to have their ways with her, the father accepted. No matter the circumstances, she held strong and began to take to social media. Tis the time the Arcanum was at its infancy. The gangs noted her distress but paid no heed. She graduated despite the treatment, a newly established familia offered to pay for her education, she accepted and joined the Lerado's familia, a different faction from the main familia at Tole. Money rolled in, the father grew frustrated, her mother one day disappeared to only reappear the next day in a black body bag. Her stomach had been carved with the initials of boys from her past. They joined a rival familia. The mother's death came from loansharking, she had placed her life as collateral.

The loss left the father so devastated he placed a shotgun to his mouth and pulled. Even then, her will to survive never dwindled. Instead, the journal she had kept for so many years came in handy. It harbored names and addresses of specific individuals of those who killed her parents. A copy was sent to the Lerado and another to a publisher. What happens in Keln, stays in Keln. She broke the unwritten law. Blood clogged the dirtied street once again. The Lerado fought to the last men and lost. The will to survive stood strong, rumors say she tried to claw away from her execution. They took her legs, yet, she fought till the curb where the bullies pulled the trigger. Alice's Nightmare, the tale of a truly unfortunate girl plagued by drugs and the associated life.

Years later, her name's concrete with Keln's history. The posthumous publication sky-rocketed her popularity. A deep dive into the life of an innocent girl who only wished to be a doctor. Watching her parent's dreams fail, their hard work betrayed and the effect of narcotics. A movie was planned to occur two years ago. The scouts and team members trying to have the lay of the land were returned to the film company in moist cartoon boxes. 

Slowly but surely, Odgar's investigation followed a faint trail to one of the founding familias. Alas, before concrete answers were discovered, a terrorist attack shook Melmark's core. A still under construction building was blown to bits. First, of many other attacks, their duty swiftly turned to the search for the bomber or the organization. Law enforcement deployed the military and heroes to prevent needless deaths. The continent mourned the fallen, outrage from the public took to Lime's Square, banners and posters heavily chastised the monsters who'd do such an awful deed. Many thought it to be the same who decimated the forest of Quendoel in Legrury, the southern-most district of Alphia, regardless of the official statement. 

A few weeks later, Odgar's nose fell off the scent, the faint lead disappeared. Around said time, the Anti-Narco Unit expanded activities into the south, a place relatively lax in security. Lerado's smuggling operations were squandered, Cimier forced the issue by a surprise raid at the harbor. Property previously owned by the Dark-guild was laid to dust, men were slaughtered and dropped to sea. The Lerado's amber flickered into fumes, the familia lost power, prestige, and members. 

Fast-forward to when Igna returned, Éclair's private business included checking on the foreign affairs. The lovely reunion escaped into a private meeting in one of the skyscrapers. Dimmed lighting and dark atmosphere made for a memorable discussion. 

Elliot, Yves, Tia, Julius, and Igna, the five would normally be present, however, matters have escalated in Tole. Elliot, Yves and Tia were out on missions, leaving Julius and Igna as well as Elvira to have a tête-à-tête. 

Godfather Shadow presided ominously at the table; a hologram showed the current situation in Alphia. The Dark-guild's influence was none. "Welcome everyone," said the godfather sharply, "-the dinner was very scrumptious." 

"Congratulations on the victory against the Empire," added Elvira, "-tis a grand feat you've achieved. The devil of Glenda, quite the fitting name."

"There must be a reason we're here," interjected Igna.

"Very well," firmed lady Courtney, "-the Lerado have breathed their last breath. Mallie Lerado's in hiding, there's an immense bounty on her head. She was able to escape, Elliot and the others are on a mission to escort her to Hidros."

"As sole manufacturers of God's Ale and Angel's Dust, the situation has us compromised," intervened Elvira, "-godfather Renaud's at his wit's end. Sadly, the business must continue, therefore, the Overlord's selling directly to Alphia, we're losing out on profits. The organization needs to get in power and to do so, we need control over the drug market."

"The Overlord's entrusted the operation to me," added Godfather Shadow, "-we can't hang back indefinitely. Cimier's a threat, yes, still, it doesn't mean we ought to give up."

"I understand," said Igna, "-is the mission to reestablish power in Alphia or wipe out the opposing factions?"

"The latter is a tall order, they're backed by the conglomerates," said Courtney, "-their reach is known to you, personally, I'd hope." He nodded in agreement.

"Might I ask a question?" voiced Julius. She nodded, "-Is there possibly a way to abstain from the operation?"

"Excuse me?" she frowned.

"Lady Courtney," added Elvira, "-I sincerely apologize for the impromptu report. Between Apexi and Xenon, the prince's schedule's pretty taxed."

"I understand," she graciously shifted her posture, "-with the matter as is and what's at stake, I can't force thy hands."

"I'll do it," interjected Igna, "-Godfather Shadow, please allow me the opportunity to grow the dark guild's influence."

"Why the sudden interest?" her brows crinkled, "-I gave the nickname Pluton for the sole reason of not getting involved."

"I was a fool before," the head shook, "-I understand what I must accomplish. Please, allow me to take to Alphia and do what's needed."

"As is wished," she exhaled, "-what's the reason," she glared.

"To avenge Aceline," he glared back, "-I know who killed her. The world works in strange ways. Besides, I can't stand back and watch as our hard work is spat all over. I've had enough of Cimier and their scheming ways. Goes double for the conglomerates, I'd love to see them crumble into dust." 

The room fell into disarray, the determination pulsed. A few glances led to, "-I have a condition," he said.

"Name it."

"That I'm allowed to use any means necessary, and I mean, anything. Kidnapping, killing, the destruction of a whole town if need be," they feared the statement.

"Listen," said Elvira, "-I don't want to say no, honest. Sadly, Phantom can't get involved in Alphian politics, we might cause more trouble than its worth."

"Which is why I never forced anyone to accept," interjected Courtney, "-you'll be alone and without support. The duty entails starting from nothing, the birth of a new familia."

"-Once a strong enough hold is established, the Dark-Guild will ally to the new faction and inflate the popularity, have I assumed right?"

"Yes."

"Another question," the fingertips locked, "-money, will I have to fund my own projects and activities or?"

"A new faction means a fresh start, and I mean start from nothing and climb to the top," said she adamantly. "-Money can be traced."

"Fine," he violently stood, "-I get it," the bank card escaped the wallet to fly across the table, "-the almighty Phantom and Dark-Guild won't be supporting my adventures. It's no matter," he smirked, "-I'm free to keep what I own already, is that correct?"

"Yes," smiled Courtney, "-listen, it's not like I want you to be all alone and without support. Our hands are tied as of this moment. We ought to wait and watch," she threw the card right back, "-use the money as is wished," she chuckled, "-Éclair's smart enough to make it untraceable." 

"Just what I wanted to hear," he stretched, "-I'll be taking my children with. Lady Elvira, forgo of matters to Alphia." 

"Go ahead and make a name for yourself," smiled Courtney, "-I trust you completely."

"I'll leave shortly. Have a jet be readied for Odgawoan." And so, Pluton, the unaffiliated lone wolf had a daunting task to accomplish. Build a faction on par with the current familias ruling the underworld of Alphia. The night followed into a private dinner in the company of Alicia. There, he explained the situation, her reaction remained stern and disappointed.

"I did warn of this possibility," the meal ended.

"I know," she sipped wine, "-didn't expect the time to come so quickly. Say, how long is it going to take?"

"No idea," a melancholic gaze onto the cityscape diffused her frustration. Her eyes firmed and darted to be halted, "-no, you're not coming with me."

"How…" 

A smug half-smile said, "-you're predictable. Attend to Ansoft, aren't you the manager of Vorn. They need help and whatever support we can muster. The place I'm headed isn't fit for even the dogs. I rather keep the people I wish to protect to a minimum, respect my wishes for once."

Left on a bitter note, Éclair arrived to head for the private airfield where Julius waited patiently. Stopped before the black jet, "-looking good there, cousin," commented Igna. 

"Drop the jest," marched a strong refusal, "-what's this about starting over. Won't it be simpler to-"

"No cousin," he grasped the prince's shoulders, "-tis a task I must fulfill no matter the cost. I leave the rest in thy hands. Take care of Ansoft and the new friends. Also, keep an eye on Alicia, she's infuriated."

"Didn't you come with her?" he glanced to see a murderous beast in her cage of which was the car. "Oh, I understand," he chuckled.

"So long, cousin," they kissed and parted ways. 

The jet growled to life, '-the underworld, my fated adversaries, here I come.'