Lyfers: Amnesia

Chapter 23 - 2 Choices

 Ether ENT's building's entrance felt cold, this night, but the inside of the elevator was even worse. Venom had welcomed Sphinx and Dove inside and led them there, but the floor he selected got the young woman surprised; they were going underground. Yet, what truly caught her off-guard was the sudden change of decoration when they reached it: it looked like a private night club, entirely in bright red hues, lightened by powerful neon of the same color that gave it all a particular ambiance. The atmosphere was warmer there, and as they walked through it, the glances the people present there were pointing at her did not help. But today's event increased her boldness, and she ignored them, walking between the two men with her chin up. They climbed some stairs covered in crimson velvet, stopping in front of three sofas, on which sat some of Amnesia's most eminent members. On the right were Blaze, Claw and Phase. On the left was Ether ENT's main idol, a tall man with short, wavy brown hair and green eyes, named Veil. Beside him was a short girl with a boyish cut of a purple color, herself next to an older, verdigris-haired woman. In the middle were Ether and a man with middle-long blue hair. All of them were staring at her, some with a smile, others without. Her two friends left her side, Venom to sit next to Ether, Sphinx to stand behind Phase, and she was now alone in front of them, keeping her posture as straight as possible. The blonde man's voice was the first one to resonate into the lounge.

– For those of you who still didn't know her, this is Dove, our newest member, he declared to the others. Dove, I believe you know most of us... Except for Dusk, Veil, Tracer and Kiss.

He designated them by a hand motion while naming them, and she bowed slightly as a greeting to each. The named Dusk began to speak.

– Your arrival in Amnesia has been quite uncommon, but be sure none of us regret anything. You've shown your loyalty to the gang in a first, successful mission, and proved to be capable of defending yourself and your family today. I'm unsure you knew about that, but these people were on Amnesia's to-kill list, and you deeply helped us.

She nodded as a reply, and it was Venom's turn to talk.

– Let's start by the beginning, though, he said. I won't enter too much details, since you're a high-rank pureblood and know all you need to know about Lyfers, but you weren't born into a gang, and there's things you need to know about our future operations. Dufferdale is actually counting six main ones; Amnesia, Downtown, Morphine, Royal Red, Black Jack, and Destiny. Every gang is organized identically; we have a leader, several Lieutenants, their right-hands men, legal representatives we call the left-men, and all of our other members. Us, Amnesia, are led by Atlas, and we are currently ten Lieutenants. Each gang has its specialties, legally speaking. For example, ours are pharmaceuticals and entertainment, while Downtown specializes in electronics and equips most of the town. But our position as leaders of the medical market also make us privileged when it comes to drugs, and the other ones and us has a treaty... We are the only producers. However, Morphine broke it lately, copying our chemicals and selling them into other districts. We raided their main lab, but things...

He gave a quick look at Blaze, who frowned; Dove could feel the lingering sadness inside the tall woman.

– Things didn't go as planned. They did not back off, and are persuaded they can now attack us freely.

– But we will not accept that, growled the redhead. Morphine has to pay, and the price will be their complete destruction. We've got Atlas' authorization, and this is part of why you are here tonight, Dove.

Ether, who had previously stayed silent, started to talk.

– You have a choice to make, Miss Dove, and it is between the legal side, and the illegal one. You can not be both a left-woman and an active member, because if you were to be publicly known, your identity as a part of Amnesia would be a dangerous information, both for our legal organizations and your own safety. Some of us manage it, but we are not as high-ranked as you.

Her words made Dove's eyes widen, but she didn't say a thing, heart beating too fast for this; even if she thought she had made her choice, it was more complicated than she expected.

– So, continued Ether, if you decide to choose the legal one, I would like you to enter Ether ENT's trainee program-...

– While if you choose the illegal one, Venom cut her, I want you to train, in order to become my Lieutenant.

– Now, the choice is yours, finished Phase.

She opened her mouth to reply, as Venom's phrase made her sure of her decision, but a silhouette discerned from behind the Lieutenants, approaching until it was right behind the farthest couch. Dove detailed the man who appeared, astounded: he was at least as tall as Claw, slim, with royal blue hair so long it touched the floor, his face hidden behind a white and black masquerade's mask, which tones followed with his suit-and-tie. Despite the covering, the young woman could still feel his piercing look onto her, like it was seeking for something through her entire body, and it made her uneasy. Nevertheless, she didn't flinch, while the others bowed down. When he raised up, Dusk had a wide smirk on.

– Even our leader came to meet you, and trust me, it's uncommon... So, Dove, here is Atlas.

Hearing this, she imitated them and bowed harder than she previously did, in a respectful salute; this man's life flow was one of the strongest one she ever saw. She kept this bending posture until Atlas' low voice sounded:

– Rise, child, and tell us your will.