𝑾𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑫 𝑫𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑴𝑺 ━━ 𝚂𝚝𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚜

10 A Life For A Life

Edda and Aeron had settled into a rhythm, navigating their precarious lives in the chaotic yet vibrant city of Madripoor. It was a calm afternoon, or as calm as it could get in a place known for its perpetual undercurrent of danger. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows on the bustling streets below.Aeron had taken a job to build a cloaking device for a squadron, a group of smugglers who needed to move in and out of high-security areas without being detected by cameras or satellites. His workshop was cluttered with electronic components and tools, a testament to his meticulous nature and technical prowess. 

As he soldered wires and adjusted circuits, his thoughts drifted to Edda.He admired her resilience and strength, how she handled each mission with a grace that belied the turmoil she had endured. They had come a long way from the shadows of their pasts, carving out a semblance of normalcy in a city that thrived on chaos. Aeron felt a sense of peace in these moments of routine, a stark contrast to the constant danger that usually surrounded them.

 Despite the calm, Aeron couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease that had settled in his gut since Edda's nightmare. Her distress had shaken him more than he cared to admit. He knew the depths of her pain, the scars that ran deep within her soul. Her conditioning and the traumas she had faced were formidable adversaries, ones that surfaced in the dead of night to haunt her dreams.Aeron's thoughts returned to the task at hand. He needed to focus, to ensure the device was flawless. The squadron was counting on him, and failure was not an option. 

Each wire, and each connection, had to be perfect. As he worked, his mind wandered to the future, a future he hoped would be filled with more moments of peace and fewer battles. He dreamed of a life where he and Edda could leave their pasts behind, where they could be free from the shadows that hunted them. 

 Edda, meanwhile, was on a mission of her own. She was helping a friend of Seraphina's smuggle his wife and daughter out of Venezuela and into Madripoor illegally. The family had no means to escape their dire situation, and Edda had taken it upon herself to ensure their safe passage. She moved with the grace and efficiency of someone who had faced danger countless times before, her mind focused on the task at hand. 

 The sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city. Aeron finished assembling the cloaking device and leaned back, satisfied with his work. Just then, he heard a knock at the door. The team leader of the squadron, a burly man named Viktor, stepped inside.

"Right on time, Viktor," Aeron said, wiping his hands on a rag. "It's all set. This device will keep you invisible to any prying eyes."

Viktor nodded, inspecting the device with a discerning eye. "You've outdone yourself, Aeron. This will make our operations much smoother."

Aeron handed the device over, and Viktor gave him a hefty envelope in return. "Here's your payment, as promised."

Aeron counted the money quickly and nodded in satisfaction. "Pleasure doing business with you. Stay safe out there."

Viktor gave him a grim smile. "Always do. See you around, Aeron."

With the transaction complete, Viktor and his men departed, leaving Aeron alone in the workshop. He tucked the money away and began tidying up the space. His thoughts returned to Edda and the idea of surprising her with something special. Aeron made his way back to their apartment, his mind racing with plans. Once inside, he surveyed the clutter and set to work cleaning up. He wanted everything to be perfect when Edda returned. He scrubbed the floors, dusted the shelves, and arranged their belongings neatly. After the place was spotless, he turned his attention to dinner.