Chapter 25 - Chapter 25- The Black Market

The next morning came with a sharp chill in the air. As the three of them dressed and gathered their things, Helios broke the silence. "Hey, you guys wanna hear something crazy I found last night?" Bow perked up immediately. "Sure, let's hear it." Helios grinned, eyes glinting with excitement. "I saw some weirdos rush out of an alleyway that was supposed to be a dead end. Got curious, so I checked it out. Turns out, the wall at the end wasn't real. It had traces of mana all over it." Bow's eyes widened. "NO WAY. That's awesome!" "I KNOW, RIGHT?" Helios said, practically bouncing. "We should check it out tonight." Before Bow could answer, Halo grabbed Helios by the shoulder, his expression flat. "Helios… what you found wasn't some secret hangout. That's the black market." Bow's excitement faltered. "Wait… like, an actual black market? With smugglers and criminals and, y'know, illegal stuff?" Halo nodded grimly. Helios leaned closer to Bow, ignoring Halo's glare. "So? Still down to go?" Bow grinned wide. "HELL YEAH!" He slapped Helios's hand in a loud high five. Halo's face twitched, a vein practically popping in his forehead. "Did you two hear a single word I just said? It's dangerous. Illegal. The last place you want to go wandering." Helios pulled a childish pout. "C'mon, don't be such a drag, Halo. Just stay here and wait for us to bring back something cool." Halo's cheeks flushed with frustration. "Fine! If you're really dumb enough to go, then I'm not letting you two run off alone." Minutes later, the three of them were moving across the rooftops, keeping low to avoid drawing attention. The city spread beneath them in golden light, the towering cathedral casting its shadow across Sanctus. Even in the thrill of sneaking toward danger, they couldn't help but be struck with awe at the breathtaking view. The shadow of Sanctus's towering wall stretched over them as they crouched on the rooftops. Helios waved his hand, pointing down toward the narrow alleyway. "This is the spot," he whispered. They waited, watching. The alley looked ordinary, silent, empty, a dead end of weathered stone. Bow frowned. "You sure it was here?" Helios shot him a look. "I'm positive. Besides, it's not night yet, dingus. You think criminals set up shop in broad daylight?" Bow clicked his tongue but didn't argue. Halo only gave a quiet nod, though there was a crease of worry in his brow. Minutes dragged. Just as Helios began to tap his foot impatiently, a lone figure entered the alley below. Without hesitation, the man walked straight to the wall, and vanished into it as though it weren't there at all. All three of them froze. "Oh my god…" Halo muttered under his breath. "You actually found an entrance." Helios stifled a laugh, his grin wide with both thrill and unease. "Man, I'm so excited, and kind of terrified." They slipped from their perch, dropping into the alley with soft thuds. The passage seemed darker now, colder, as though the air itself warned them back. They stood before the wall, the faint hum of mana pricking at their skin. A shiver ran down each of their spines. Helios broke the silence, squaring his shoulders. "Well… I found it, so I'll go first." And before either of the others could stop him, he stepped forward. The illusion rippled like disturbed water, and he passed through, emerging into a vast underground expanse. Tents and stalls sprawled in every direction, lit by lanterns that burned with strange-colored flames. The air was thick with smoke, incense, and the low roar of a hidden crowd. Merchants barked their offers, selling things no legitimate shop in Sanctus would dare display. Weapons, strange potions, bound creatures, and relics that pulsed with forbidden energy. The Black Market of Sanctus was alive before him. As Helios stood inside the bustling market, a mischievous idea sparked in his mind. His lips curled into a sly grin. He focused, stretching his senses until he caught hold of Halo's familiar mana signature. Then, without warning, he reached through the illusionary veil of the wall and grabbed the front of Halo's shirt. From Halo's perspective, it was chaos. One second he was staring at the blank stone wall, the next a phantom hand shot out and yanked him through. He stumbled into the underground plaza with wide eyes, nearly tripping over his own feet. "WHAT THE?!" Halo's voice cracked as his heart hammered against his ribs. He spun around, stunned beyond words. When he saw it was Helios, the shock snapped into fury. He smacked Helios over the head hard enough to sting. "DON'T. DO. THAT. AGAIN! You almost gave me a heart attack!" Helios rubbed his skull, laughing nervously. "Sorry, man. Couldn't resist." Bow came through the wall a moment later, catching sight of Halo's stiff posture and pale face. His laugh burst out instantly, loud and unrestrained. "Pfft, HAHAHA! You looked like a stiff plank falling through!" Helios tried to hold it in but Bow's laugh was contagious. Soon, he was doubled over too, clutching his stomach as he cackled. "Y-you should've seen your face!" Helios wheezed. Halo stood frozen for a moment, cheeks flushing red. He muttered something under his breath, then stormed ahead on his own, his embarrassment plain. Still chuckling, Helios and Bow trailed after him, taking in the sights. The deeper they wandered, the stranger the market became. Cages lined the pathways, filled with bizarre, half-recognizable creatures, some with too many eyes, others with limbs bent the wrong way. Weapons gleamed under the lantern-light, their steel etched with runes that seemed to shift when stared at too long. Potions bubbled in glass containers, glowing faintly like bottled stars. Then Halo suddenly stopped. Helios and Bow nearly bumped into him before realizing he wasn't moving. His gaze was locked forward, fixed on a stall where shelves stretched high with rows upon rows of scrolls. The parchment seemed old, some cracked with age, others sealed with shimmering wax. The signs above them read in jagged lettering: Formulas of Flame, Chains of Binding, The Art of Shadows, The Flow of Water. Each scroll promised techniques, ways to shape and bend mana itself. Helios and Bow followed his eyes, their amusement fading into the same hushed awe. "Damn," Bow murmured. "This place really has everything." As they weaved through the maze of stalls, Helios's eyes caught a flash of light from across the market. Drawn like a moth to flame, he drifted closer, his steps quickening until he stood before a velvet-draped table. His breath hitched. Three Apex Gems rested on embroidered pillows, their faint glow pulsing with mana like beating hearts. One shimmered with crackling sparks, another radiated a gentle floral glow, and the last carried a primal, wild aura that almost growled in his chest. "HALO! Come look at this!" Helios blurted, his voice cracking with awe. Halo hurried over, his eyes widening. "Woah… they're actually selling Apex Gems?" Before either of them could lean in, the merchant, an older man with sharp eyes, snapped his fingers. Two burly guards stepped out from behind the tent, looming over the boys. "Easy, kids," the merchant said smoothly, his tone calm but firm. "Apex Gems aren't toys. They react to whoever touches them, and I can't have that kind of mess here. Back up, no accidents." Helios raised his hands in surrender and stepped back, still staring at the gems. Curiosity burned brighter than fear. "How much are they?" The merchant smiled faintly, clearly enjoying the effect they had. He gestured with a ringed finger. "This one here, the Thunder Apex Gem." Blue sparks danced along its surface as if acknowledging the name. His finger slid to the middle. "The Flower Apex Gem, gentle in appearance, but deadly in the right hands." Finally, he pointed to the gem on the right, its glow wild and untamed. "And this one, the Animal Apex Gem." "All three range between five to fifteen thousand gold pieces." Helios's jaw nearly hit the ground. "FIVE TO FIFTEEN THOUSAND GOLD?! I feel broke just standing here." The merchant chuckled, folding his arms. "That's the price of power, boy. Nothing worthwhile comes cheap." His eyes narrowed, voice dropping lower. "But… if you want one badly enough, I can hold one on reserve. You just find yourself the coin, or the means." Helios shook his head with a helpless laugh. "Nah, I'll pass. I don't think I'll see that kind of gold anytime soon." The merchant's smirk didn't fade. "Suit yourself. But these gems have a way of finding the hands bold enough to claim them." Out of nowhere, Bow came barreling through the crowd, leaping onto Halo's back with a wild laugh. "WHAT THE?!" Halo stumbled, completely unprepared. His balance gave way, and the two of them toppled forward. Helios's eyes widened in horror. The merchant's smirk vanished. Even the guards froze mid-step as if time itself had slowed. Halo's hand shot out to catch himself, and his fingers brushed against one of the gems. A sharp crack split the air. In an instant, the Thunder Apex Gem flared with lightning and vanished, sinking into Halo's hand as if it had been waiting for him. The stall fell silent. Bow rolled off Halo's back, wheezing with laughter, until he saw the way Helios had gone pale, his gaze locked on Halo's twitching body. Sparks crackled faintly around his clenched fist as Halo groaned in pain. The merchant's face twisted, his earlier composure shattering into rage. "You little thieves!" He seized a fire poker glowing hot from the brazier beside him and swung straight for Bow's skull. Helios's body moved before his mind caught up. With a sharp kick, he sent Bow tumbling out of the way. The poker hissed through the air where his head had been. Grabbing Halo by the ankle, Helios hurled him toward Bow. "GRAB HIM AND RUN, YOU IDIOT!" Bow's eyes widened as the truth clicked. Halo hadn't bought the gem, he had stolen it by accident. The guards lunged, blades scraping free of their scabbards. Bow hoisted Halo onto his shoulder and bolted toward the entrance, his legs pumping like a wild animal's. The guards roared and gave chase, the crowd scattering in panic. Helios clenched his fists, his heart pounding as he sprinted after them. The black market behind them erupted into chaos. Helios caught up to the guards in a blur. He drove a brutal left hook straight into the chest plate of the man on Bow's right. The steel caved in with a sickening crunch, sending the guard staggering backward before he collapsed with a groan. The second guard lunged at Bow, sword raised, but Bow spun on instinct, his body twisting midair as he snapped a clean jump-kick across the man's temple. The guard toppled like a felled tree, crashing unconscious to the ground. "BOW!" Helios barked, his voice cutting sharp over the chaos. "You've got to be kidding me! Because of you we're basically criminals now!" Bow winced, clutching Halo tighter across his shoulder as sparks still twitched from Halo's limp fingers. "Hey! It's not like I planned it!" "NOT THE POINT!" Helios snapped as they bolted through the narrow path, weaving between stalls. The three of them burst out of the illusionary wall, the cool night air slamming against their faces. They didn't stop, didn't even glance back, as they scrambled up the nearest stone wall and vaulted onto the rooftops. Boots pounded against tiles as they ran across the moonlit cityscape, shadows of the cathedral towers stretching long over their path. Finally, panting and frantic, they reached the inn and dove through the window of their room. Bow dropped Halo gently onto one of the beds, his chest heaving. Helios slammed the shutters closed and pressed his back against the wall, his breath ragged. The three of them stared at one another in silence, the weight of what had just happened pressing down like a storm cloud. Helios dropped onto the bed with a groan. "I can't believe we just became criminals over a single gem…" Bow shuffled his feet, eyes downcast. "Yeah… I'm really sorry, Helios. I was just messing around, I didn't mean for it to get this bad." Helios sat up and gave him a calm look. "It's what it is. We'll deal with it when the time comes. No point losing sleep over it tonight." Bow nodded, still feeling guilty, and lay down quietly. Halo shifted slightly on his bed, groaning but otherwise fine. The room fell silent, only the faint sounds of the city outside reaching their window. Helios leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before closing his eyes. All they could do was rest.