Sages

Chapter One: Artemis

"Thank you, come again!" Artemis thanked a passing couple as the purchased a basket of apples.

Artemis watched as the smiling couple walked away, forgetting her existence as they beamed at one another. Newlyweds? Recently engaged? Whatever it was, they couldn't wait to be in each other's company. She wondered what that was like, to be so madly in love with someone you never wanted to be separated. They'd cut those apples and serve it to one another. It was disgustingly perfect. A part of her wanted that but she wanted the freedom more. To walk beneath this steam-ridden sky and do what she pleased. No one to answer to, all on her own. Free.

Her daydream was cut short by the sudden tug of chain at her ankle-cuff. She looked over her shoulder and saw Morris grumble to herself as she almost crashed into a display of herbs and spices. She turned angrily to the chain and kicked it. It was heavy, it didn't move far. Artemis rolled her eyes; the woman was ridiculous. Everyday she'd trip over the same chain in the same spot and curse beneath her breath. Mostly likely complaining on how much of a nuisance Artemis was. She shook her head, this wasn't what she really wanted; had it been up to her she'd never know of Morris and Morris would never know of her. As she stared out at the narrow and crowded town square, the noise level rose. Much higher than what she was used to. Something was happening, looking at people's curious and nervous expression, it couldn't have been anything good. It was the Black Hawks, special operatives of the government who served to keep crime in check--gangs in Alexandria were prevalent, the government liked to pretend otherwise but they controlled the country. The large continent of Astra was divided between four powerful gangs, each had their own district and territory. The rule was to respect to the borders to avoid any conflict. Under those four were smaller gangs, either affiliated or independent. The government aimed to strike low and climb up the ladder, promising that soon there would come a day when gangs and rampant crime wouldn't exist but the people lost their faith in the government a long time ago; for some areas, the gangs had been good to the people. They brought wealth into cities, provided certain protections, and kept petty and violent crimes under control. While the government tried to strike down on the Big Four, they gained recognition from the World Sovereign Agency. With the WSA's stamp of approval, it made it difficult for the government to establish a full assault, unless the government found the gangs breaking the critical laws of the WSA, they were untouchable and the gangs made sure to stay that way. Keeping their hands clean, affiliated gangs taking the fall for anything the Big Four could not claim to be their doing, the leaders hiding in the shadows and plain sight-the people lost faith because as long as the WSA deemed their legitimacy, the Big Four could do what they like without consequences.

Her mood dramatically decreased upon seeing them, two passed in nicely tailored suits and eyes shaded by sunglasses. They were impeccably dressed, dirt slipping off them. They looked average but the Black Hawks were deadly. She heard they underwent rigorous and brutal training that the average person wouldn't be able to withstand. They acquired skills beyond normal human capacity, carried supernatural weapons, some say the Black Hawks were a different breed of human; super human almost. They went back and forth between stands and people, holding up a flier that no one seemed interested in taking a look at. Another problem for the government, they rarely received enthusiastic public support. The Big Four had won the hearts of many of the regions they occupied. Rohan was an exception, a dead end that no one wanted part in, they had no loyalty to the Big Four nor to the government. Even if their lives depended on it, they'd never help either. She let out an annoyed sigh, she hated seeing them. She knew the operatives saw themselves above anyone they came in contact with but when they passed through Rohan, she knew what she thought of them. It wasn't like she had any special affections towards Rohan but their negative thinking of the city reflected to her as well. While she would never get on the bad side of the Big Four, she had a few run arounds with the operatives. The were forbidden of harming citizens as long as they weren't being attacked. So, she'd mess with them. Especially as a child, she smirked at the memories of mischief.