In The Shadow of Asora

1. Zey

In Zey, not minding your own business was a foolproof tactic to end your life.

Jongho sat perched on a metal canopy belonging to one of many narrow houses and watched the spectacle in the main street underneath him unfold. The clamour had also attracted the attention of other inhabitants. Jongho made eye-contact with one of the boys he knew from his errands that sat on the roof opposite from Jongho. The dark eyes underneath his hood glinted with excitement as he observed.

In the alley that they called their most popular highway merely because of its slightly smoother cobblestone pavement, a heated discussion took place. From what Jongho had gathered on his way, one of the merchants that populated the streets had been caught redhanded at a misdeed. The older man with a well-groomed white beard ranted and raved disbelievingly at the automaton that had the task of patrolling the streets.

The considerably smaller human didn't have the same kind of gritty determination that most of Zey's people portrayed. Jongho suspected he had either developed dementia or his position as a person with at least a bit of money to his name had made him cocky. Thus, he had broken the most essential unspoken law.

Either way, the tall automaton appeared less than pleased with the barrage of obscenities that met it. It had barely titled its conical head with the two slits that resembled eyes. It didn't say a word, but from his position, Jongho could see the countless little gears ratter inside the robot's head. White steam rose from the motor inside its chest without pause. In a gesture that was far too human for Jongho's liking, it crossed its arms in front of its torso. Its metal body sat on a large brass ball that allowed it to hunt down anybody who dared to sneak around after curfew.

Jongho knew how to evade them in nightly settings, but in broad daylight, dodging them was a nearly impossible task. They brought what could be considered as laws and justice to Zey, and played a vital role in everybody's lives.

"I keep telling you that I wasn't the one to steal! There was a kid, five years or so, he looked completely different than me! Shouldn't you be hunting him instead of me?!" The merchant pushed his chubby stomach out to seem more intimidating to the uncaring automaton. Wary, Jongho watched it beckon him to follow it to the office once more.

The automatons in all their shiny glory were not the ones making the final judgment. They were programmed for certain tasks that this man currently tried to stall. Jongho adjusted his mask in front of his face to protect his lungs from the poisonous emissions that clogged the air.

The merchant's retreating hairline glistened with sweat. Like hungry vultures, the curious audience watched over him and his fate. Thick tension that only them but not the machine felt filled the air.

The robot tried to urge the man to hurry one last time. When he refused again and only clutched the straps of his backpack tightly, its demeanour changed. As it rose its arm that quickly shifted into a weapon, the people began dispersing to protect their own skins.

Jongho got up and stepped away as the single shot sounded. They never missed.

With his teeth gritted, Jongho swung his body up onto the roofs of the tightly aligned houses once more. He began skipping over the obstacles in his way as he concentrated on getting home soon. No need to think about it.

He had gotten distracted by a person foolish enough to offer help in Zey. Before the merchant had been spotted, Jongho had seen him gesture the kid to run as he blocked the path.

"He had that comin' for him," said a voice behind Jongho as if to finish his train of thought. Jongho didn't slow his steps, and neither did he mind when the man he had seen earlier caught up with him. Jongho barely remembered his name whenever they met; it was that seldom.