Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 1

Roland was never a person who wanted to move from location to location on foot. He much preferred to go on a faster method of transportation but seeing as how he is now wandering about seemingly aimlessly, he decided he should get some experience walking, running, sprinting with those augmented legs of his.

He looked down at his bag and saw how he was running out of food packed for his travels. He did not know how much he would run, but he hadn’t assumed it would take up all his meals, albeit his water. Deciding to stop by a food place would be a good idea, since he didn’t want to gamble more running and not find anything to eat when he really needed it.

And that is what he did.

His little adventure led him to District 12, where the former Lobotomy Corporation once stood place as this place’s Wing. Now, however, it has fallen, and given birth to conflict in search of rewards, territory, and perhaps more.

He wonders what will happen in the future with this area of the City, as the conflict may grow bigger with more parties entering in search of benefit. However, this was anything but his problem, so he didn’t really care as long as he didn’t get involved.

Of course, a conflict spanning the, as said before, entire area of the City, may perhaps drag him into it unwillingly, unintentionally.

He decided these thoughts were utterly useless to keep within the confines of his mind, so he simply entered the restaurant to buy some supplies.

The restaurant was a sort of nice and comforting place, which if any experienced person saw this, would automatically think of it as suspicious. How would a place in the Backstreets of a fallen Wing be ‘nice’ and ‘comfortable’?

Ah well, Roland has the augments and thinking of a Grade 1, he wasn’t an easy opponent to pick on, so he hoped he would be left alone, not because he feared, but because he didn’t want to make unnecessary messes.

“Oi buddy, you look like you got some stuff on ya. Why don’t we trade, yeah?”

Of course, some fights would truly be inevitable, as the stubbornness of grown-up bullies continues in many places in this world, Roland thought.

“Ay, whatcha lookin’ at? The boss just called ya.”

Yet he hoped that people would just give up after seeing him prepare himself for possible fights. But he supposed that wouldn’t be the case in some places, neither did people have the insight for that.

“HEY! You deaf or somethin’?” A man grabbed Roland’s shoulder with extreme strength. Strength that Roland didn’t really feel since this man was weak in comparison to him.

“No, not deaf. Just thinking.”
“Thinking, huh? Aight buddy, how about this, try thinking on how much shit ya gotta give me so we don’t beat you up, ay?”

“No thank you.

“…Excuse me?”

“I heard that if you say, ‘no thank you’ you can stop robberies.”

Some of the men behind the man who was presumably the ‘boss’, looked like they were about to enter a bout of laughter.

The boss, however, wasn’t having it.

“You think you’re funny huh?” The man clenches his fist and prepares to strike. “How about ya keep up that act after I BEAT YA!”

Roland simply... Moved back a step and the man missed. Said miss also caused the man to fall over because he put *way* too much strength into that attack, if you can even call it that.

“AUGH!” The man fell face-first into the floor. A somewhat hilarious sight, Roland thought. Perhaps now he could try to get more funny memories to blind himself to the tragedy he witnessed.

“If you want to use a devastating attack, try to make sure you don’t fall over first. That would leave you wide open otherwise.” Roland said, as he walked away to try and order some food.

“Hey buddy! We’re not done here!” The man called out to Roland, pointing his index finger at him.

Roland simply looked back, shrugged, and approached slowly.

“C’mon! Don’t be scared!” The man grinned, and prepared another strike...

...which was ultimately thwarted by Roland punching him in the gut with insane speeds. It’s only a miracle that the man’s gut didn’t explode.

“FUCK!” The man began coughing somewhat fiercely as the people behind him, most likely his subordinates with how they call him the ‘boss’, prepare to fight as well.

As Roland tsked and prepared to end the fight as quickly as possible with his treasured Durandal, a group of 4 people, looking like a sort of gang, entered the building.

They seemed to be wielding swords, a ‘katana’ of sorts, although Roland is unsure if that’s what the weapon is or based off.

Their clothes… also resembled a sort of gang.

Ah. It clicked in his brain. The Kurokumo.

Quite interesting that they are in this territory, but also unsurprising.

However, what WAS surprising is that a woman, with a sheathed sword up to her chest, and clothes revealing her shoulders was in front of the group.

Surprising for all the wrong reasons.

This was a Kurokumo Captain.

Normally, your average Grade 6 or perhaps slightly lower would be deathly afraid, but Roland just looked surprised that someone so high up the Kurokumo hierarchy is here.

“Mmm... What’s this? A man in a suit… and a few ‘gangsters’ affiliated with us.” The captain looked towards the gangsters, mainly focusing her gaze on the boss. “Could you explain this encounter for me?”

“U-uh, we-well, um... Yes, miss. I can.” The boss was sweating a lot, presumably thinking that he was going to get executed or something of the sort because of who he attacked. Perhaps he thought Roland was part of the clan, or someone affiliated?

After receiving a short explanation of the situation (the man pouring *some* of the blame onto Roland, which left said man in black suit sort of surprised for his audacity), the captain thought for a moment, with closed eyes.

After opening them, those said eyes laid upon Roland, which was merely staring. Of course, they couldn’t tell who he was due to the fact he was always wearing his mask. Angelica taught him to not use it so much and be more open, but he decided that he should go back to how he was before, in case he makes enemies.

The captain smiled ever so slightly. “The explanation was nice and all, yet I receive no name from you. Why is that?

Roland shrugged. “Because I was attacked sorta immediately, not giving me a lot of room for introduction.”

The captain seemed satisfied. “I see... Then can I ask for your name now?”

Roland nodded. “Name’s Roland, I guess.”

“I see... And what brings you to this rather humble restaurant, Roland?”

Roland smiled, although they couldn’t see it. “No introduction from you, Miss?”

The captain chuckled a tiny bit. “Of course not.”

“How rude...” Roland pouted.
“I would ask you to not make me repeat my question.” The captain said, still smiling ever so slightly.

Roland stared at her for a moment and huffed. “Just tryna buy some food for my journey. Ran out, need to get more.”

The captain seemed satisfied with the answer. “I see... May I ask why you are travelling?”

“Moved out from District 9, after that… freak piano thing.” He seemed to struggle to put that last sentence out.

The captain nodded. “I understand. But I will have to ask you to apologize.”

Roland tilted his head a bit. “Why?”

“Because you harmed our affiliate, of course.” The captain said, as she looked towards the smaller gang’s boss, who was grinning, but flinched slightly after she looked at him
.
The man in a suit shrugged. “Sure.” He turned to face the gang leader properly. “Hey man, sorry about, uh… Punching you in the gut.”

The boss shook his head. “No no no! This won’t be enough.” He smiled. “I need some... Compensation.”

Roland sighed. “What do you want?”

The boss grinned and looked at his hands. “I want those very nice black gloves. How about that, eh?”

“No.”

The boss somewhat jumped at the sudden tone Roland took, and the fact he was in a defensive position. “Wh-what? But I said I want them, and I get what I want.” The boss said, trying to look confident, yet seemingly frightened.

Roland looked towards the captain, who was standing there merely staring at this encounter, alongside her men behind her.

The captain smiled.

The man in a suit looked back the boss. “I want no issues. But if you continue… This’ll, be over quick, alright?” He said, seemingly preparing for conflict.

The boss took a step back, seeming more afraid now, looking towards the captain “He-hey! He’s threatening me! Can’t ya help a bit...?”

The captain shook her head. “Unfortunately, you antagonized him first, now that I am present and observing the situation. But if it does go too much south, I will intervene.”

The boss looked genuinely thankful and looked back towards Roland. “Ya hear that, buddy? Captain over there will get in this if you try anything.”

The man in a suit shrugged, still looking directly at him. “Sure.”

The boss looked instantly haunted and confused, who would dare even try to pick a fight with a Kurokumo Captain…? Clearly, this man in a suit is much more than he seems. “Wh-what? Hey, don’t try bluffin’ pal, it wo-won’t work…” The boss started, looking completely unconvincing with his attempt of striking something emotionally into Roland.

The man in a suit clenched his hand and let go, summoning a sheathed blade, Durandal, into his hand.

The captain seemed confused for a moment and stared with slight worry. Who was this man?

The boss, on the other hand, looked like he was about to faint with how pale he went. You don’t just summon weapons into your hand. That isn’t normal. Either that or he equipped that sword stupidly fast. This guy is much more than what he seems.

Roland unsheathed Durandal and prepared for a fight.

The boss prepared his fists, and charged up a strike, before the owner of the restaurant appeared.

“STOOOOP!!” He yelled.

Roland and the boss looked over at this seemingly smaller man, but also not afraid of this encounter. If he *was* afraid, it would be about the fact his restaurant was about to get thrashed.

“PUT YOUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND EAT, OR YOU FIGHT OUTSIDE! THIS IS A RESTAURANT FOR FUCK’S SAKE!”

“SHUT UP! AREN’T WE PROTECTIN’ YA?!” The boss looked infuriated

“Yeah, you’re right man. I’m starving anyway.” Roland said at the same time as the boss screamed at the owner, sheathing his sword and storing it away from… wherever he got it
.
The owner looked at the man in a suit, seeming happy and genuinely grateful with a smile. “Yes, yes! Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. If you want, we can give you the ummm… House special perhaps?” The owner said optimistically.

Roland smiled. “I’d appreciate that.”

The owner nodded and gazed back at the boss. “Don’t you *dare* make more trouble than you already did… You’re going to cost me a fortune trying to repair this place if you break stuff.”

The boss was about to make a rebuttal, but the captain intervened. “Yes, you’re right. We are sorry for this.”

The owner waved her off, showing that it was fine since nothing happened, and retreated into the kitchen.

The captain nodded and looked back at Roland. “Clearly, you are more than your average Backstreets resident. Who are you, really?”

The man in a suit looked at her, with a sort of cocky grin, but the captain didn’t see it of course. “Try introducing yourself and maybe then I’ll give up some information.”

The captain chuckled. “Fine fine. My name is Sayo, the captain of the Kurokumo.”

Roland seemed satisfied. “’kay. I was a Grade 1 Fixer some time ago but retired.”

The captain pouted instantly. “Grade 1…” She glared at the gang’s boss, who was just sitting there in total flabbergast, realizing who they tried picking a fight against.

“You almost picked a fight with a Grade 1. Are you stupid? Are you a fucking idiot?” The captain started with invisible anger all over her face as she walked over to the boss.

The boss looked back at her, extremely scared. “I-I-I didn’t know! I swear! I thought he was just some random guy from around here!” He said, attempting to back away slowly.
.
The captain began displaying her anger. “Well clearly, you should have realized that this man IS NOT A NORMAL RESIDENT!” She screamed a bit at the end, to display her frustration. “YOU’RE LUCKY HE HASN’T GUTTED YOU ALREADY!”

Roland snickered slightly.

As the captain began chewing out the boss, who was still afraid for his life, Roland greeted the owner, who gave him the house special.

The owner nodded. “I hope you enjoy this, sir. And thanks for understanding the whole problem about the fight. I didn’t want to clean up more broken tables honestly…”

Roland chuckled a tiny bit. “It’s no problem, I was starving anyway, I needed this.” He stated as he took off his mask.

The owner made a slightly surprised expression. “Wow sir… You look like you’ve been through a lot, alongside a rather handsome face.” The owner nodded multiple times, seeming satisfied with the examination he made looking at Roland’s features.

The man in a suit made an amused look. “Well, thanks for the compliment, I suppose.”

Roland’s face was clearly much different than it was before the Pianist. If people he knew saw him now, they would most likely barely identify him. Maybe because of his suit, or the fact that his face didn’t change *that* much.

He had slash scars all over, with one nearing his eye but barely missing. He also looked much more mature, perhaps due to aging with stress and the like.

Roland looked back at the food given to him and nodded in thanks while the owner guided him to a table.

“Wait.”

Roland and the owner turned around, and the captain was there, standing alongside her men, seemingly a bit more agitated than before, although looking interested at the slash scars all over his face.

The man in a suit huffed and told the owner to go back to the kitchen just in case, which said owner complied and ran off.

“I wish to apologize and offer compensation. We did not expect you to be so high in the fixer hierarchy. We do not wish for conflict.” The captain stated, clearly agitated about something, but it not seeming about the gang boss trying to brew up a fight with Roland.

Speaking of the boss, he’s not here anymore, his buddies either. Maybe they got chewed out and left? Dunno and don’t care.

Roland looked immediately enticed, now his expression changes being visible due to the mask being put away. “Compensation, you say…?”

The captain seemed even more agitated now. “Yes… We can offer you anything you need… Even one of our heads for forgiveness.” Roland’s eyes widened immediately, and his expression went blank. This was clearly not a usual thing for such a highly respected and prideful Syndicate, because not once has there ever been a case of a Kurokumo Captain literally OFFERING THEIR HEAD. The captain continued, with her subordinates also growing in fear and flabbergast at what their captain just said. “Please, we wish not to fight.”

The man in a suit got up immediately and said “Woah woah! Relax! I don’t wanna do anything with you! I’ll take the compensation, but please relax for a hot second.”

The captain seemed… Relieved? “Thank you… But, if you wish for a reward of sorts, what do you want?” She stated, showing her confusion more so now.

Roland looked back at his plate and then to her. “Well… I know it’s kind of a big ask but… Can I lay low near your places and stuff? I’ve been in motels to rest and… well… I gotta take a break here and there in a nicer place, and I actually need a spot that has a good bed that isn’t made of steel and a damn coffin taken from some graveyard 200 years ago.”

The captain snickered slightly at his comment about motel beds. “We can provide this, yes. But are you sure you do not wish for more?”

Roland shrugged. “I prefer my body to actually be capable of moving and fighting than getting something small as money or respect for killing people.” Although if it was someone, he truly did hate… He wouldn’t mind.

The captain nodded, seeming satisfied with this answer. “Well, I suppose we can offer this much to you, seeing as how you are… Pacified?”

Roland shook his head. “I wouldn’t say that. I don’t underestimate the Kurokumo, speaking frankly.”

The subordinates behind the captain seem to be slightly surprised that a Grade 1 Fixer would not treat them like a light challenge, yet the captain seemed skeptical. However, she did seem fine with this answer as well. “Alright then. You shall come with us, and we will take you to our…” The captain smiled before continuing. “…humble abode.”

The man in a suit threw a thumbs up, packed up his food, and was ready to leave.

Perhaps he can find temporary solace.

Chapter Text

Roland now found himself in an entirely new situation, of which he is following the Kurokumo back to a little establishment they have as a ‘base’ of sorts.

Honestly, he has 0 clue how the events of him revealing he was a Grade 1 led to this, but a thing worthy to mention is the fact that none of them really listened to the part where he said, ‘Grade 1 but retired some time ago’. He didn’t really care, per say, but he found it odd since most Fixers within the City don’t get to retire. They mostly just… die.

But that didn’t matter right now. Looking forwards, he can see 3 of the captain’s subordinates, and barely sees said captain in front of them, since they were covering her back. Perhaps it was a form of avoiding assassination? Dunno.

As Roland looked at the buildings he passed, he noticed most of them were boarded up or protected by poorly made defenses. One could even go so far as to say they could go for 20 Ahn on the market…

Roland looked forwards again and noticed the Kurokumo stopped.

“What’s going on?”

The captain hummed, but he couldn’t really hear that because of the distance. “A gang war, I believe.”

A gang war? Now? Horrible timing honestly.

“Who’s fighting who?” He had to ask to make sure.

The captain gave Roland a curious side-eye. “I believe it’s the Blade Lineage fighting some of us, the Kurokumo.”

The man in a suit walked forwards and set himself aside a subordinate to see better.

Infront of them, a group of Blade Lineage members were fighting a few of the Kurokumo, the Kurokumo being heavily outnumbered.

Roland looked at the captain who sighed, drawing her sword, and began to move forwards. But she looked back first.

“You are not obligated to join us. We will make quick work of this.”

The man in a suit seemed skeptical for a moment, before giving a quick thumbs up and watching as they went into battle.

As the fighting Kurokumo saw how their captain and a few others came to assist, they started fighting back a little bit harder, which left the Blade Lineage a bit surprised, seeing as how conveniently there was a captain right there, but keeping up by fighting back harder as well.

Roland saw as how the fight went on, more Blade Lineage members arrived, and it made one hell of a difference. The captain, Sayo, was fighting multiple at the same time, which seemed to stress her out quite a bit. A few casualties on both sides, however the captain and her subordinates remain alive.

Roland decided it was time to intervene, since they were being so hospital to him, it was time he somehow paid them back even slightly.

And also, because even more Blade Lineage members are coming.

So, it begins.

…

Sayo, with all her strength and her trusty Kokuuntō, was batting away the Blade Lineage, at times killing several with a few swings.

She wasn’t sure if they could beat them flawlessly, nor a decent victory. It might be a pyrrhic one.

But, still, she kept fighting and slashing to try and keep as many of her subordinates alive as possible.

At some point, she began fighting 5 of them at the same time, perhaps drooling over the possibility of defeating a captain of the Kurokumo. That would be quite the blow against said syndicate, so she truly tried her best at fighting back, but she couldn’t keep up that much with 5 of them, plus the fact that her subordinates just kept getting busy with new arriving Blade Lineage members, seeming to try to focus on winning fights with multiple members.

Sayo decided that it *might* be her end, due to the absolutely disgusting ambush the Blade Lineage are attempting, so she prepares herself to instruct the remaining Kurokumo to retreat.

…Until she sees a bullet whiff past and hit a Blade Lineage member in the head.

She turned ever so slightly to see the shooter, and it was Roland. He wasn’t donning his mask this time, so she could see his expression. However, it was naught but blank. Just him and 2 guns in his hands.

Then, suddenly, as if sound itself couldn’t register his speed, Roland *dashed*.

A new weapon originated in his hand, a lance of sorts. It had impaled a Blade Lineage member who was facing off against her.

Sayo looked at the sudden switch of weaponry as if it was magic, because honestly? It *was* magic. Not a lot of people can just do that, and it’s insanely quick how he can do it.

As the Blade Lineage began to panic, they surrounded Roland, who just scoffed, and brought out 2 new weapons. They seemed to be a mace and an axe, dual wielded.

That’s when it clicked for Sayo. He wasn’t switching weapons ‘quickly’. He was… bringing them from somewhere. His gloves are the source of it, they must be.

That ‘ability’ is the trait of a Color Fixer.

That Color Fixer is the Black Silence.

Everyone seemed on edge at the fact Roland stood in the middle of the battlefield, weapons drawn facing towards the Blade Lineage. The Kurokumo seemed *extremely* cautious, as just 1 minute ago they were fighting what seemed to be a losing battle, to suddenly have a new fighter which killed 2 Blade Lineage members extremely quickly.

Before Sayo could say anything to her subordinates and the others who were fighting before their arrival, Roland moved, dashing forward at an insane speed, rushing towards the Blade Lineage with the 2 weapons in hand.

In mere moments, Roland had crashed against the crowd of Blade Lineage members, picking them off one by one. In a mere *second*, 3 members died instantly.

The Kurokumo watched in awe.

Roland brought out a new weapon. It seemed to be a hammer, close to a sledgehammer. Despite it looking mighty heavy, he swung it around like a stick, hitting the Blade Lineage members and sending them flying, most likely also killing them with the blunt force he inflicted which seemed to be absolutely *brutal.*

Sayo, despite being impressed, looked back at the Kurokumo watching in pure awe. “This is not a fight we can help with right now. Let us not intervene.”

The Kurokumo seemed more than happy to agree, seeing as how they were watching a master of constantly changing weapons reduce the Blade Lineage one by one.

3 members rushed Roland down, but he switched his weapon. It appeared to be a sheathed katana, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

The members kept on rushing in hopes they could take him down before he could unsheathe his blade and fight back, but in a *split second*, Roland was behind them and slashes went through the air.

In just a singular second, 3 members were utterly dismembered, verifying their death by their unmoving vessel.

The remaining Blade Lineage began to retreat, although some stayed to fight. That was when all Hell broke loose.

Roland equipped a greatsword. No, that wasn’t a greatsword. That was something *stronger*, *better*, and much more *fierce* than any greatsword the fighters on both sides have ever seen.

In moment’s notice, Roland crushed the ground with said greatsword, and the impact was too much for 4 Blade Lineage members caught up in its area, causing them to die from the force of the blunt impact.

There were no more Blade Lineage.

Roland won.

Sayo watched as his greatsword left his hand and went to wherever he stores them is.

He was much more than a Grade 1 Fixer.

Perhaps he was the Black Silence, perhaps not.

But one thing is for certain.

He was a master of every single weapon he wielded, using them with absolute precision and execution of their correspondent fighting style.

He was akin to an Office filled with several decently-grading Fixers.

That was the difference between mid to low Grades, barely reaching up to Grade 5, which they dealt with on the occasion, and him. A potential Color Fixer.

And still yet, after that entire massacre, he remained stoic. His expression is not changing. As if he experienced so, so much worse than this.

Perhaps this should be obvious in the City, but at the same time, many a Fixer are considered… sadistic.

Roland turned towards Sayo. “Umm… I saw that you were maybe struggling a bit. I also saw how a lotta reinforcements for that other syndicate came around, so I wanted to… y’know. Help out a bit?”

The Kurokumo just stared. That man had massacred their enemies because they were just *struggling?* Not for his own gain? He helped them because he wanted to and saw them struggle?

That type of sentiment is extremely unusual in the City. He could’ve easily let them to their own devices, possibly let them die and then steal all of their belongings.

“Umm… Captain Sayo, ma’am?”

Sayo turned around, with a look of awe still across her face.

The Kurokumo subordinates replicated that look.

“Who *is* that?”

Sayo turned back to Roland, who seemed to be… robbing the dead Blade Lineage members? Then she turned back to her subordinates.

“A man who will be staying with us temporarily due to some… special agreements.”

A subordinate raised an eyebrow. “Special agreement, ma’am?”

Sayo sighed. “An idiotic affiliate almost started a fight with him.”

A subordinate in the back heard this and winced. He did not want to know what would’ve happened if that fight occurred. Which it almost did. But Roland held that anger down.

2 subordinates came up to Sayo. “Ma’am, we got ambushed by the Blade Lineage here while waiting for you to meet up. Thank you for coming to help us.”

Sayo nodded, and Roland came back to them. He was bloodied, red now covering most of his black suit.

Sayo regarded him for a second, as her subordinates also stared in a sort of awe and wonder of seeing such power.

“What’re you guys looking at?” Roland asked as if he ignored the fact he killed syndicate members as if it was child’s play.

Sayo couldn’t help a snort. “How are we supposed to react to that impressive display you put on for us?”

Roland shrugged. “I dunno. Like I said, I saw more of them coming around and I came to help. I don’t think there’s much reacting needed.”

A subordinate came up, seemingly higher rank than the others. “You say that, but you *literally* made weapons appear in your hands, and you killed them flawlessly, without them even hitting you ONCE.” Said subordinate added a little bit of impact at that ending word.

Roland put up his hands. “I didn’t want them adapting to my fighting style, y’know?”

The subordinate just looked dumbfounded.

A subordinate next to Sayo laughed, albeit slightly. “We have a powerhouse staying with us temporarily? That is very reassuring.” He smiled at the end.

Roland copied his smile. “If you’ll have me.”

“However, if it not too much to ask…” Sayo began.

Roland turned to her, eyebrow raised.

“…Are you truly a Grade 1 or a Color Fixer?” Sayo asked, curiously.

The man in a suit pouted. “I *was* a Grade 1, but let that life go. These gloves were from…” He gulped. “Someone else.”

A subordinate looked at him and realized what his expression meant. “Ah. Deceased?”

Roland smiled, ever so slightly. “Spot on.”

The subordinate bowed his head slightly out of respect. Sayo did the same after a moment of speechlessness.

Roland waved them off. “It’s fine, but they were the Color Fixer who used these gloves. They were the Black Silence. I’m using them now, I guess.”

The subordinate nodded. “I see, well, since we heard from our Captain here that you’re staying with us, might as well introduce ourselves.” Another subordinate came up, with one behind him, seemingly being the leader of the group that was fighting here before they arrived. “I’m Yang, direct subordinate under our miss Sayo here.” The subordinate pointed his thumb at the captain, who pouted in such a manner of address. Seemingly not caring, he pointed his other thumb at the subordinate next to him. “This one’s Gin, another direct subordinate.”

Roland nodded. “Nice to meetcha, I’m Roland, former Grade 1 Fixer, I suppose.”

The subordinate, now identified as Yang, smiled. “Good to have ya, Roland. I suppose there is a reason why you’re laying down in our spots for some time?”

Roland copied his smile. “Yup. Needing to take a break from all this travelling I’ve been doing.”

Gin spoke this time, stoically. “We will provide you with a temporary room until the remainder then.”

The man in a suit threw a thumbs up.

Sayo sighed. “If that’s enough interruptions, let us move back to our settlement.”

The 2 subordinates bowed. “Yes ma’am!” Gin began following, while Yang instructed the other henchmen to form a barrier around them to make sure no ambushes get to them.

Roland followed, seeming in the middle of the group.

Sheesh, what a day. Couldn’t even get a nap in.

Chapter Text

“Hey, Sayo, miss Sayo! Miss Captain Sayo!” A woman came up to their group, seeming excited.

Sayo sighed in irritation and made signals to open the little barrier of henchmen they made to stop ambushes, letting the woman come through.

“Hello… Rin.” Sayo said with as much neutrality she could muster.

“Hi! I saw you moving about in these territories with such a large group! Really unusual for our little captain, eh?” The woman, identified as Rin, spoke in a taunting voice.

“If you must know why, it is because we recently entered a fight with the Blade Lineage.”

“Oh! …Did you win?”

“What does it look like to you?”

“Like you lost.”

Sayo knew this woman was taunting her so much that she could feel her own veins about to burst in her forehead. And then began an endless talk about how this Rin woman should stop being so annoying for even one second.

All this had Roland overwhelmed, to be frank. He didn’t expect a woman to be *screaming* in the middle of a warring Backstreets, but what were you to do about it, I guess.

The 2 main subordinates, Yang and Gin, seemed to be talking with citizens who reside near here, and from what Roland heard, ‘collecting protection money’.

Ah, this must be what Syndicates do to gain money and protect people from the thugs going around gutting others for organs to sell.

Weird process, but it’s the City. Call it your average Tuesday honestly.

Roland turned around to see a henchman watching their backs and decided to move up towards him.

“Hey.” Roland said.

“Hm? Oh, what is it?” The henchman said, slightly surprised, it was Roland of all people talking to him.

Some subordinates still somewhat fear for their lives after seeing what Roland did to the Blade Lineage. They didn’t seem to want to push him too far for anything.

“Who’s that woman who just came outta nowhere?” asked Roland.

“Oh, that’s Rin. A direct subordinate under Captain Sayo.” The henchman responded.

Roland nodded. He wanted to know how the Kurokumo hierarchy was built purely as food for thought. He seemed interested in how Syndicates build themselves up.

“’kay, thanks pal.” Roland said with a smile, making a candy appearing in his hand and giving it to the henchman, who smiled back and bowed slightly while taking the candy.

“What’s your name, by the way?” Roland asked, head tilting slightly.

“It’s Ren, Mr. Roland.” The henchman, identified as Ren, responded.

“No need with formalities buddy, you’re good to talk with me normally.”

Ren nodded and bowed slightly. “Alright. Well, do excuse me if I do it sometimes, being a subordinate to the higherups here does have me subconsciously address them respectfully.” He said chuckling slightly.

Roland nodded. “That’s a good thing though, makes you abide by rules and the like.”

It’s nice to have met someone with a seemingly lower ranking than the others. Perhaps this could be a time to make a friend?

Ren nodded and then looked behind him and wore a rather grim expression.

Roland raised and eyebrow and turned around, only to see the Rin woman appear right in front of him. So, he did what any sensible Grade 1 Fixer would do.

Yelp and almost clobber the woman with a punch packing decent power. He even had a glove on. A powerful one. Maybe a gauntlet would be a better name for it.

The woman, Rin, seemed slightly surprised and whistled in awe. “Nice defense measure ya got there, Mr…?” Rin tilted her head to let Roland finish his sentence.

Roland, realizing what he just did, coughed and put the gauntlet back into that dimension of his. “Sorry, spooked me a bit. Uh, I’m Roland. Former Grade 1”

Rin’s eyes began sparkling a bit, in wonder of hearing that this man in front of her was the highest grade a Fixer could achieve AND he was retired. Both very lucky scenarios. “I see I see I see! You must be very powerful then, yes? And very quick! And very strong! And-“

Before she could continue, Sayo smacked her behind her head with the butt of her Kokuunto. “I said stop being so fucking annoying. I won’t say please again.” She seemed rather annoyed. Roland guessed this much.

Rin fell over due to the extremely strong impact Sayo delivered (it was just her exaggerating). “Owwww!! Miss Sayo, be more careful swinging that thing!” She said, wearing a smirk.

Sayo’s eye twitched.

Roland just looked with a blank expression.

A few subordinates in the back seemed more in awe of that dimensional ability of his bringing out a gauntlet from nowhere.

Yang and Gin, seeming done with their protection money gathering, came back, standing next to Roland and staring at the now reawakened Rin and Sayo bicker once more.

Roland turned to look at Yang. “Is this a daily thing?”

Yang scoffed. “More like every minute.”

Roland cracked a smirk at that one.

Gin sighed and explained the situation before them. Apparently, Rin and Sayo are long-term friends who have been with each other for quite some time, with both having each other’s backs. Apparently, Rin is fit to have the captain role due to her physical prowess but lacks leadership too much so that said prowess can simply not make up for it.

Roland nodded, learning more and more.

Rin and Sayo stopped arguing, only for Rin to come up to Roland and reintroduce herself.

“Sorry about that rather funky introduction. Name’s Rin, direct subordinate under Your Majesty Sayo.” She exaggerated using her hands as a form of presentation. Which left Sayo irritated once more.

Roland chuckled a bit at that one. “Yeah, it’s okay. Roland, Former Grade 1 Fixer as I said before.”

Rin smiled and nodded. “Nice to meetcha Roland! But why are you with this band of fellows of the Kurokumo syndicate? Surely a Fixer isn’t being escorted by us, right?”

A few of the subordinates scoffed at the escort part, remembering how Roland *toyed* with the Blade Lineage. Which left Rin slightly confused with a raised eyebrow.

Roland smiled back. “Nah. Made a quick deal with your captain and scored myself a place to take a break for a while.”

Rin seemed confused. “Eh? What about your home? Where’d you even come from?” She seemed more confused every time Roland spoke.

Roland sighed. “I’m from District 9. The district that recently got destroyed by the Pianist.

Rin’s eyes widened slightly in realization. “Ah. Um… Sorry about that. I assume your house is gone then?”

The man in a suit smiled, clearly forced. “Yeah. Came over to this District as a journey of sorts.”

Rin nodded and bowed again to display apologies.

Roland waved her off. “Anyway, uh, if you don’t mind me asking…” Roland looked towards Sayo, who had an eyebrow raised. “How far are we from that settlement?”

Sayo closed her eyes and nodded, reopening them. “5 more minutes of walking.”

Roland nodded.

 …

Roland looked at the settlement.

It seemed to be a 2 story tall hotel (calling it a hotel is inaccurate because of how small it is) which had flags representing the Kurokumo Clan’s logo. He filed that information away in his brain, remembering how to get here.

The whole group began entering, which made Roland follow pursuit and enter as well.

The interior seemed to be nicely decorated, with a bar to his left, which had men and women alike drinking, playing cards, pool, the whole shebang. Must be subordinates doing idle stuff.

While Roland was looking around, Rin tugged at his arm, which made Roland look at her.

“C’mon! I’ll guide ya to your room!”

Roland looked towards Sayo in skepticism, which to respond she merely sighed and nodded, being *some* sort of confirmation that she knew where she was going.

The man in a suit sighed. “Alright, take me away guide.”

Rin laughed at this description, and she dragged him away. After walking down a few doors and seeing a yard in the middle of the hotel, surrounded by other rooms for God knows what reason (looks hella cool though), they arrived at Roland’s room.

“So, Room 340 is mine I guess.”

Rin nodded. “Yep! Well, I’ll let ya move in your stuff then we can catch up later, toodles!” Rin ran away.

Roland waved, dumbfounded. Who even says toodles anymore?

Whatever.

As Roland entered his new room, he noticed this was clearly above the average motel he stayed at. Screw that, this was 10 times better.

“Holy. Shit.” Roland said in absolute awe.

The place was sparkling brand new, with a kitchen, a dining room and a living room all in separate spaces giving enough room to each other. And the bedroom with the shower connecting to the living room? Mwah. French kiss. Beautiful.

Obviously, Roland has been used to high-quality living places before because of his previous employment, but during his journey, he’s lost that sense of accommodation that such quality provided.

As he began setting down a few of his bags of which appeared in his hands (God bless those gloves), he threw himself at his new bed and rolled around after a second of being on it. This was a clear indicator the bed was 3 things:

Good.
Comfy.
Not made of steel.

This was all 5 stars in Roland’s book, which was honestly more than enough for him to pay more than he usually does when attending a motel, but he didn’t even pay to begin with, he’s sort of just… Freeloading.

Eh. Whatever.

As he looked around the rooms, it reminded him of his wife. They were planning to live in a nice house when they retired, and they also wanted to have a kid.

A kid.

…

He reminisced.

Perhaps the joy of being a father had he taken the right choices would be enough to satisfy him, yet he can most definitely discern reality and fantasy.

However, remembering all this also made him conscious of another fact. His wife’s brother.

Argalia.

He wasn’t sure where he was, how he was doing, or anything of that sort. All he knew was that he seemingly had disappeared, not even attending her funeral.

He didn’t blame him, really, he knew her for much longer than Roland did, and most likely could not bear to see his sister dead in a coffin.

Deciding that these thoughts were more than useless to keep himself entertained, he organized his belongings in drawers in their corresponding rooms.

Now that he thought about it, Roland didn’t have that many clothes. At best, he had 3 identical suits, clothes that he used when he went to sleep (he found himself being too professional to say pajamas), and that was sort of it.

Perhaps he could go buy something more casual, like a jacket or a trench coat. Trench coats look really cool.

Of course, one must never forget what color he would choose for those new clothes. Black.

He had a weird obsession with the color, better called the absence of light, but who was anyone else to judge when every person in the City is unique?

Anyway.

After all that thinking, he decided he would go buy clothes at a certain period or when he was free in general. He didn’t know what the Kurokumo would make him attend, if they would even talk to him.

Anyway, it’s pretty late, so Roland just grabbed his food from his bag and ate dinner.

It’s pretty good food… It could perhaps rival HamHamPangPang (That is a lie, he just wants to be kind to the owner who offered such an extravagant looking meal. No one tops HamHamPangPang).

...

After dining shortly, he stretches a bit and decides to venture towards the entry lounge, see if there was anything to do at this time or if he should go to sleep.

And so he steps out, marching towards the entry lounge. As he looks around, some henchmen are hanging around in the hallways, occasionally throwing a glance toward Roland and waving, some deciding to not wave and merely look back to their group.

Roland nodded to those waving to him.

As he exited the hallway to enter the main lounge, he saw a group of Kurokumo cheering and talking, surrounding something.

Roland seemed curious and walked up to see what was going on.

Ah.

Seems like a few people were playing Euchre.

Roland recognized the game, but didn’t really remember much on how to play it. Perhaps he played it with Olivier and Astolfo back in Charles’ Office, but he didn’t remember too much on how to play it since it was only temporary entertainment.

Yang, Gin, a subordinate he doesn’t know, and Rin were all playing.

He glanced over at the score. Seems like Yang was winning.

“Hey there. Got comfortable in your room already?” Said a voice behind Roland.

The man in a suit turned around to see Ren, the subordinate from before. He smiled and waved. “Yeah, just came around to see if anyone is still up and doing stuff.”

Ren nodded. “We don’t all go to sleep so early, and some of us do stay up and do night watch. Never know when an enemy could get inside, let alone find us.”

Roland raised an eyebrow. “Yeah but, you guys have a flag with your clan logo upfront. What about that?”

Ren smiled. “We take it down when we deem it necessary, is all. For example,” He looks at his watch. “In 10 minutes.”

Roland nodded. It’d be weird if a syndicate just waved a flag around saying ‘hey hey hey, we’re over here! Come fight us!’

Pretty gutsy though.

A person humming approached from the left. “I’d figure you want to sleep after being so desperate as to arrive.”

Roland and Ren looked towards that voice. It was Sayo. Without her trusty Kokuunto this time.

Roland shrugged. “I just wanted to explore a tad bit. Wanted to familiarize myself with this place before going to sleep, didn’t wanna wake up tomorrow with 0 clue on where to go.”

Sayo snorted. “Is this to say you are not good at navigating basic 2 story structures?”

Roland looked around, then pouted at her. “This isn’t a ‘basic’ 2 story structure, that’s for sure.”

Ren elbowed him slightly. “Been there, done that. Also got lost a few times myself. Place is way too big.”

Roland smiled at him then at Sayo. “See what I mean?”

Sayo smiled slightly, amused. “Aha. I see. Well, it’s best you get some rest soon then. Tomorrow you will assist us.”

Roland tilted his head slightly. “With what?”

The captain nodded. “You will help us in training. We wish to ascertain how more of the powerful side of Fixers fight, perhaps use it against them or simply get better at maneuvering with a blade.”

The man in a suit nodded and threw a thumbs up.

Ren looked haunted. “Heesh… I don’t think I wanna fight Roland of all people…”

Roland chuckled. “Why not? It’ll be fun! Or…” He elbowed Ren. “You could be on my team.”

Ren instantly looked like he was about to celebrate his birthday.

Sayo shook her head, amused. “Oh no, equal treatment for everybody.”

Ren looked like his birthday got trashed.

Roland burst out laughing. “Well then, since it’s late, I’ll be getting some rest.” He put on a cocky grin. “Don’t think I’ll go so easy on you just because of you letting me live here for some time.”

Sayo smiled back, seeming confident or at least trying to portray that. “I’d have it no other way.”

Roland waved and started heading off to his own room.

Ren approached Sayo. “Ummm… Sayo, miss?”

Sayo hummed at him.

“Are we gonna die tomorrow?”

The captain put away her confident smile. “Most likely.”

Ren looked haunted again.

Tomorrow was going to be a horrible day.

Chapter Text

Roland woke up. It feels AWESOME having a bed that, once again, isn’t made of steel.

But he pushed that thought aside. Today, he will assist in training the Kurokumo.

Maybe it’ll be a one-sided beatdown, maybe not. In fact, it’ll be beneficial for both sides as he still needs to ‘reactivate’ himself, per say. It’s been a long time since he fought several opponents simultaneously for long periods of time.

And so, he put on his suit and walked out into the halls.

He could see many subordinates looking like they had just woken up and decided to wave at them good morning. They nodded back.

While passing through the halls, he could see the garden which looked beautiful and was in the middle of the building which was filled with subordinates doing what seemed to be morning exercise.

He finally made it to the lounge, where the bartender was serving Yang a drink. He decided he wanted something too and walked over, sitting on the stool next to Yang.

“Morning.” Said the Black Fixer.

Yang looked at him and smiled “Top of the morning, Mr Roland.”

“I thought we were gonna drop the courtesies?” Commented Roland.

Yang shrugged. “Call it a morning mood… I still needa get myself awake.”

“I get it. By the way, did you hear from Sayo what we’re gonna do today?”

“Oh yeah… We’re gonna be fighting against you.” Yang looked… disturbed, to say the least.

Roland shot him a cocky grin. “Oh fie! It seems I must go a little bit easy on you! Because it appears to me you are not properly awake and will fall immediately to me!”

Yang snorted, amused, elbowing him. “Can it, jackass.”

Roland laughed. “I hope it isn’t too much of me to act like I know you guys a bit more personally.”

“Meh, it doesn’t annoy me, just be careful with the captain. She’s a very ‘spicy’ one, per say.”

“I’m a what now?”

Roland and Yang simultaneously went pale, turning around to see the captain. She most definitely only woke up recently, as her hair is let down and not in the usual style it is. Roland described it that way in his head because he has 0 clue what the hell that style is called.

Yang saluted from his stool, in an attempt to cover up what just happened. “O-oh! Miss Sayo, ma’am! Nothing much… I was just… Talking about your strength, yes! Unrivaled, very!”

Roland snorted.

The captain hummed, obviously knowing he’s lying because she was there when they commented about her. But still, she looked at Roland. “Is this truth?”

Roland shrugged. “Yeah, he’s not wrong about the part of you being strong, can’t lie to ya.”

The captain shook her head, amused. “I see, if that is all then, I won’t push more.” She began leaving, before she turned around with a smile. “I’d recommend you prepare yourself for the training today. You’re going first, alone, Yang.”

Yang looked shocked, to say the least.

Roland burst out laughing, patting Yang’s shoulder. “Well buddy, I’d imagine you do very well, but that remains to be seen, eh?” He chuckled again.

Yang sighed. “What can be done? I suppose I must unleash my true potential and slay you…” Yang shot him a cocky grin.

Roland smiled back. “What is this, a corny comic? No way are you gonna be able to perform THAT feat.”

“Perhaps… But I gotta try still.”

Roland chuckled slightly.

…

After a few morning routines, everybody was called to assemble at the training room. Roland was kinda excited to say the least, he was eager to see what the Kurokumo can do with ambush capabilities. After all, they weren’t an average Syndicate. Even being a subsidiary of the Thumb, they still showcased power in all aspects of battle.

…Wait.

If they’re a subsidiary of the Thumb, doesn’t that mean that Roland will have to go meet the Thumb if they come around?

That wasn’t a thought he liked. The only thing he knew about the Thumb is that they seemingly put their leaders on insanely high pedestals but also regard Star of the City or Urban Nightmare threats and high-grading Fixers as those who need to be on those pedestals too. That was kinda his only saving grace at this point.

Ah well, thoughts for later. Right now, training was about to commence.

Sayo entered the room from the other side, Yang and Gin behind her.

“Today will be a more unique regiment of training. We will be attempting more ambush strategies against that man.” Sayo pointed at Roland. Everyone looked towards him.

He waved, smiling sheepishly.

“He is capable of many a feat, so do not take him lightly, even in the face of numerical advantage. Some of us have already seen what he can do, now all that must happen is for the rest to do the same.”

Roland saw some of the subordinates twitch. Had he really been that impressive? It really wasn’t that much… He couldn’t bother trying too much since the Blade Lineage don’t seem to be the best at ambushing, but what can you do?

“Yang, of course, will be going first as a demonstration.” The captain smiled towards him. While Yang just sighed.

“Yes ma’am.” Yang motioned for Roland to come up to the sparring sector, while everybody watched. Roland did as Yang asked.

Yang prepared himself for combat.

Roland stood there idle, before smirking and summoning his mask from that dimension.

Yang questioned the usage of it, since he himself has never seen it.

Roland put it on. For him, nothing happened, but Yang saw… something.

Yang saw an old friend who has been slain months ago. He pouted at this development, but due to his slightly higher ranking position, he has better bionic eyes, so he can see through the mask’s trickery. “How uncouth.”

“That’s that, and this is this.” Roland said, mask on face. No expression to be seen.

Yang hummed, smiled, and charged forwards with his blade out.

Roland summoned… other gloves? No, gauntlets are a more preferable term. He prepared himself to parry Yang.

Yang made it to Roland and brought up his blade to crash from an overhead attack. Roland parried it with his gauntlets, while landing a 3-punch combo to Yang’s chest.

Yang staggered back and prepared another assault.

Roland took out another weapon. A blade, a longsword perhaps.

Sayo hummed. It’s the weapon he brought out in preparation against that affiliate of theirs. She was curious to see it, because she had a feeling it was no regular longsword.

And she was right. As Roland parried Yang when he came around to attack from the side, he was faster and had much more force behind his attack. Roland was emanating some sort of smoke from his body, albeit VERY slightly. The sword was empowering him, slightly.

Yang rushed forwards again in an attempt to stab forwards, which Roland thwarted that attempt by summoning 2 blades, which he used to parry Yang and then rush forward extremely quickly. The blades seemed to benefit off of the user’s speed, and Roland showed that very well.

Yang took 2 slashes, which sent him staggering back, away from Roland.

Then, Roland summoned a shotgun.

Everyone watched in awe as Roland aimed at Yang and fired off 3 shots, which Yang BARELY dodged.

That was impressive in of itself because it was a shotgun, and one cannot dodge a shotgun very easily.

Roland hummed at this development and brought out that quick sheathed blade again. He rushed forward, which caught Yang off-guard, unsheathed, and slashed extremely quickly, sheathing the blade immediately after. Yang barely blocked 3 slashes but got hit by 1.

Then, Roland, to follow up, summoned the sledgehammer and smacked Yang on his side. This sent Yang flying but managed to put himself back on his feet.

All watched with impression as Yang seemed to be putting up a fight, but others noticed how Roland wasn’t hitting with much force, and didn’t bother charging as much as Yang has.

Roland nodded and brought out the lance again. He rushed forward at Yang, who dodged, delivering an overhead slash again, which Roland parried with the axe and mace combo, attempting to counter with a mace to the side of the head. Yang dodged.

“8.” Roland said with an ominous tone.

Yang raised an eyebrow. “8?”

Roland smiled, although they couldn’t see it. “When I reach 9, this fight will end rather quickly.”

Yang put on a cocky grin. “We’ll see.”

Then, Roland summoned that greatsword again.

Yang looked at it in awe, albeit briefly. Many, if not all members looked at it just like Yang did, some remembering what it was capable of against the Blade Lineage.

Roland rushed forward and brought the greatsword up to do an overhead attack, which Yang decided was not worth trying to fight back against, and dodged backwards, which Roland accepted and attempted a “stab” with said greatsword. Yang maneuvered it out of the way with a slight parry and slashed at Roland’s side.

Roland kicked the blade away and put the greatsword away.

“9. Let’s try this out then.” Roland looked like as if he was ready to deliver an onslaught.

Yang steeled himself for this development.

In one moment, Roland’s body emanated a sort of black smoke-like barrier around his body and rushed forwards.

For but a split second, everybody could see every weapon Roland pulled out, and they all seemed to combine into the longsword which gave him a boost previously, which he brought up in an overhead attack.

“Durandal!” He roared.

His voice emanated a smoke-like essence as well, in the sense of, it was ominous and distorted, in a way.

Yang attempted to block it, even though he knew he probably couldn’t.

The longsword which Roland pulled out, apparently called Durandal, struck down at Yang’s blade, and hit HARD.

At the moment of collision, Yang could *feel* his bones about to break, and tried to push the longsword to the side, to no avail. Yang was brought down, and the collision and force put between both blades made the surrounding area of flooring tear up.

Everyone watched in awe and silence as Yang groaned on the floor.

The captain also seemed to have a look of awe on her face.

Roland sighed and put away his longsword in that dimension, calming down from that fight. “You okay?” He put out a hand for Yang.

Yang snickered and grabbed it. “Never better. I’d say I did pretty good, whaddya say?” He lightly elbowed Roland.

Roland nodded, taking off his mask. “Yeah, you did pretty good. Can’t say I’m disappointed with this result.”

Yang pumped his fist. He got a compliment from someone who was clearly superior.

Roland put a hand to his chin, humming thoughtfully. “Just try to be more analytical about what the opponent does and when they do it, since blocking the wrong attack can do devastating damage.”

Yang nodded and then shivered. Roland showed that very well when he roared and made that longsword fall over him.

While all other Kurokumo members fell into chatter of what happened before them, Sayo approached the 2 men, humming. “You are truly quite impressive, Roland. But if I am to ask, why did you scream ‘Durandal’ at the end?”

Roland nodded. “It’s because this blade,” He summoned it again, unsheathing it briefly. “Is called Durandal. Every weapon or duo of weapons I bring out has a specific name. The reason I scream out the name is because of this sick little trick which basically is, after I use my entire arsenal, I bring out a weapon, scream out its name and combine the striking power, agility and flexibility onto that weapon, essentially making it into a powerhouse of a combat utility.”

Sayo nodded. Yang looked like a mess after that fight.

Sayo clapped her hands 2 times to get the attention of the Kurokumo. “Now we will attempt to do the same but fight in numbers. We will take turns switching as many of you need to practice fighting more than 1 opponent at the same time.”

Everyone nodded, and Roland stood there, waiting for Sayo to organize a group of Kurokumo to fight against him.

…Oh?

So Sayo herself, Yang, Gin and Rin are all gonna fight against him? How neat.

Roland put up a cocky grin. “Wow, didn’t know you wanted to kill me that bad, Miss Sayo.”

Yang snickered, Gin and Rin smiled and Sayo put up a grin too, albeit not cocky. “Who wouldn’t?”

Roland looked like he had stabbed.

Rin burst out laughing, while Yang and Gin looked amused.

Roland pouted, putting on his mask again. “Unforgivable…”

His opponents just smiled and prepared themselves.

How joyful this combat shall be.

Chapter Text

And so it begins.

In but a brief moment, all 4 Kurokumo members charge forward, each taking a side to flank Roland.

“Heesh, flankers? How annoying…” Roland commented, taking out his axe and mace combo. “Lemme me to educate you on my weapons while I’m at it.”

Roland decided not to waste a second longer, and instead of waiting to defend or dodge, he rushes forward at Sayo, who ceases her charge and prepares to counter.

Roland smirked, although she couldn’t see it. “This one is called Zelkova. Zelkova Workshop.” He brought down the axe and mace combo, the axe landing on her Kokuunto, which she used to parry the strike, and the mace hitting her side, pushing her away. Sayo grunted.

Rin, Gin and Yang all charged simultaneously to catch Roland off-guard, who responded with his greatsword striking the ground, causing Rin and Gin to stagger back and Yang to get sent flying back as he was too close. Roland snickered. “This one is called Wheels. Wheel’s Industry.”

He turned around to see Sayo stab forwards, who Roland parried with a combat knife, and a gauntlet to the side of her head. She ducks her head, moving towards Roland’s side, and going in for a horizontal slash.

Roland pulled out his second gauntlet, and held his combat knife in his first one, which he used to parry Sayo’s attack and punch her square in the face. Sayo moved her head to the side and prepared an overhead slash with her blade.

Roland made his knife disappear and threw a punch at her gut, which staggered her back, stopping her revved up slash, and then a 2-jab combo to the face, which sent her back even more. “These gauntlets and the knife are called Ranga.” Roland commented, looking at Sayo being downed.

He looked around, and saw everyone, except Rin…?

“BAHAHAHA! THIS VICTORY SHALL BE MINE!” Rin shouted as she was flying over Roland and falling towards him in a stabbing maneuver with her blade.

Roland scoffed. “Too loud…” He brought out the quick blade, dodging the stab from Rin, while grabbing her leg, throwing her away, while rushing forward and unsheathing the blade for a quick sucession of strikes.

Rin couldn’t recover fast enough and took 3 out of 4 slashes, resulting in her laying down and taking a breather. “I give up… That hurts a lot…”

Roland sighed. “This one is called Mook. Mook Workshop.”

Rin threw a thumbs up, and went back to groaning on the floor, slowly picking herself up.

Roland walked towards Yang and Gin, who did a double-flank, Yang rushing his left side, and Gin his right.

Roland hummed, taking out Durandal, unsheathing it to parry Yang while utilizing the scabbard to block Gin and throw him off. Yang tries to strike again in an overhead split, while Gin does a horizontal slash. Roland takes hold of Yang’s blade via Ranga’s Gauntlets and throws Yang at Gin, hitting a collateral. Then, Roland equips a lance and lunges forward at them.

Gin barely dodges; however, Yang takes the attack to the arm. “This one is called Allas. Allas Workshop.” Roland commented briefly.

Luckily, they had very good healers on standby and good resources to heal them as well, so it’d be fine.

Roland looked at Gin. “You still gonna keep going then?”

Gin nodded.

Roland copied him. He then pulled out 2 pistols and emptied them at Gin. “These bad boys and the shotgun are called Atelier Logic.”

Gin dodged several shots but got hit by one in his stomach.

Roland then followed up with his sledgehammer, sending him flying away. “This one’s called Old Boys. Old Boys Workshop.”

Gin barely managed to get on his feet.

Roland rushed forwards with 2 new blades in his hands, and slashed at Gin, who couldn’t defend both, only parrying 1 then stumbling onto the ground after being slashed by the second.

Roland looked at him, as the healers approached and began healing everyone. “That one was called Crystal Atelier.” Gin nodded, as if acknowledging that name.

The battle has ended.

…

Roland was rather insistent about the damage he had done to the Kurokumo’s leader and higher ranking subordinates, so he constantly made sure they were okay. “You’re alright, right? Like… You’re okay, right?”

Sayo sighed, a smile formed on her face as she let down her hair. “Yes, Roland. I’m fine. Just like the rest of us. Believe it or not, we can still take hits very well.”

Roland nodded rapidly. “Yeah, I know but like, not to toot my own horn here, I hit pretty hard so I’m just making sure you’re okay, you know?”

Sayo sighed *again*. “Yes Roland, I’m fine. And so are the others.”

Roland nodded one last time, seeming satisfied with this. He turned around to see Yang, Gin and Rin all following, and throwing each individual thumbs up. Roland just sighed in fondness. “Well, I won’t push it if you guys say you’re okay. But still, you all held up nicely. I had to hit a lot harder since I was getting ambushed this time around.”

Yang visibly deflated behind him. That meant he was going easy on him. Rin was trying to comfort him while Gin smirked, amused.

Sayo simply snickered. “Isn’t that a way to say you underestimate us? The part where you said you had to try harder.”

Roland nodded. “Yeah, ‘course. The Kurokumo ARE a subsidiary of the Thumb after a-“ Then it clicked in his brain.

Sayo hummed at him, thoughtfully.

Roland turned to face her. “What if the Thumb comes? Like, here? With ME here too?”

Sayo hummed again. “Yes, well, they will be coming soon. But they respect those of high rankings within society, regardless of it being a threat or a Fixer. Since you are Grade 1, they will most likely respect you and not off you on the spot.”

Roland sighed a breath of relief. He really didn’t want to deal with the Thumb, especially if that means he gets on the bad side of the Kurokumo. Since if he fights the Thumb, he has to fight the Kurokumo due to their loyalty as a subsidiary-class Syndicate. Even then, they are still stupidly powerful without the Thumb backing them. They aren’t a joke, that was for sure.

…

Roland was in his room, reading a few of the books given to him by some Kurokumo members. Ren specifically mentioned this one called “War and Peace” was quite interesting to read, as it delves into the topic of philosophy more thoroughly than other books.

He had way too much free time on his hands now, since he doesn’t have to move around anymore, he can just chill back, relax, drink some coffee or tea and read in peace.

He was enjoying this fine evening. Life was going great.

…

How did he get in this situation.

A sottocapo is staring directly into his soul, backed up by 3 capos glaring at him, specifically at his soul too.

How did he get here again…? Oh right.

Someone knocked on his door. He wondered who it was, so he closed his book and approached the door, opening it to see Ren.

“Hey Ren, something up?”

Ren nodded. “The Thumb is here.”

What.

Roland blinked. “Repeat that.”

Ren sighed. “The Thumb is here.”

WHY?!

Roland thought for a moment and nodded, re-entering his room to clean up himself and some things slightly, getting his bearings and walking out again.

Ren nodded at this development and guided him towards the lounge, where Sayo could be seen interacting with 4 people in suits, with Thumb jackets over their shoulders.

Roland blinked in amazement. Wow. A sottocapo and 3 capos are here!

That worsened his chances, probably.

The sottocapo noticed his presence and looked at him.

Roland flinched and took this as a sign to proceed towards them, leaving Ren behind in the dust.

And so, he stood there. Staring back too, but in a kinder manner, hopefully.

The sottocapo, who seemed to be rather old, nodded. “Greetings, Fixer. We are the Thumb. I am the Sottocapo, Kalo. The 3 behind me are the Capos Katriel, Boris and Denis.” The capos behind him nodded in a sense of respect.

Roland nodded, carefully. “Uhm, hello there. I am Roland, former Grade 1 Fixer.”

The sottocapo, known as Kalo now, hummed. “Former?”

Roland nodded again. “Retired due to special circumstances. Trying to live life, I suppose.”

Kalo nodded. “I see. You have retired for a search of a better life?”

“Yes, I did. However, that didn’t bear much fruit, frankly…” Roland looked put out.

Kalo hummed. “You are of District 9.”

Roland looked amazed for a second but nodded anyway. “Yes… How did you know?”

“We know many who suffered the tragedy of the Pianist, and we acknowledge that trouble.”

Roland hummed. “Well, yeah, I guess. It’s true, I’m a Former Grade 1 who came here from District 9 after its incident and am utilizing this place as a temporary residence.”

“I see. Then, we shall let you.” Wait, what?

“Uhhh… Are you sure? Just like that? I mean, Fixers tend to kill Syndicate members, right? So naturally you see them as an enemy, right?” Roland commented.

Kalo smiled. It seemed to be an unnatural thing as the Kurokumo behind him looked in awe, although he couldn’t tell, just a light sound of gasping. “Truly, yes, but you are retired. Not a working mercenary anymore.”

Roland nodded. He guessed that made sense.

Kalo hummed. “But in exchange for this temporary residence, I ask of you to contribute to battles in the advantage of the Kurokumo and the Thumb.”

Roland nodded again. “Yeah, I can do that. Might I ask a question though?”

“You may.”

“Why do you treat me so well, other than the fact I’m retired?” Roland asked with intrigue.

Kalo hummed. “We treat those of high grade with the respect they deserve, as they worked hard their entire lives for it. The City is not a place where a chance, such as rising up several Grades or rising up the hierarchy of a Syndicate, would occur.”

Roland nodded. Kalo spoke the truth, you could only really get anywhere in the hierarchy with either betrayal, which came to stab you later even harder than you stabbed it first, or you work hard as hell.

Kalo nodded. “We have finished the routine check. Do keep working diligently.”

Sayo nodded. “We will do our best, as we always have.”

Roland kept his stare at Kalo. Apparently, the check was already done, but they wanted to briefly meet Roland before leaving.

Kalo hummed. “I imagine we will meet again, Roland. Do know you assisting us will have very nice consequences. However, doing the opposite will yield the worst of the worst possible situations.”

Roland nodded, putting up a kind smile. “Yeah, I know. Thanks for giving me a chance.”

Kalo nodded, and he, with the Capos, left the building.

Roland sighed a breath of relief. That was way too much for him.

What a day…

But something gave Roland a feeling it wasn’t over. Not yet.

Roland looked around, no one saying anything else. Roland sighed.

“How stressful to have them come around, huh?” He looked towards Sayo.

Sayo hummed and nodded. “Truly a trouble.” Then she… smirked? “But quite nice timing. Yang and Gin are to collect money from our neighbors. Won’t you accompany them?”

Roland looked at her, deadpan, and then sighed. “Fine fine, I guess I can do that. But shouldn’t the captain do it?”

Sayo kept that smirk. “Indeed, I do have to. And that is why I will. We are simply splitting up. After all, you can beat any other wild Syndicates or Fixers, no?”

Roland sighed again. “Yeah, I can.”

Syndicates *or* Fixers, huh… Interesting.

Something or someone could come around and be an annoyance to the Kurokumo, right? Well, gotta pay back the debt Roland owes them somehow.

Chapter Text

SALVADOR’S POV

It’s been quite some time since I’ve handled a request regarding Syndicates… But I suppose someone wanted them off their doorstep. The classification is unspecified due to it being a subsidiary Syndicate, but it’s said to be an Urban Legend-class Syndicate, nonetheless. No matter.

Yuna and Philip patiently wait for my decision upon the matter, as they are rather unsure of it. No matter, we will be just fine. It is a subsidiary of the Thumb, which respects certain Grade authorities, and if the need arises, I am sure we can call for an agreement.

But what strikes me as most interesting is that the Kurokumo have what seems to be a new member within their ranks… Or maybe someone else, just affiliated? Unsure. The witnesses say it’s a man in a black suit and black gloves, with black hair and black eyes. Sheesh, talk about obsessed.

Black suit, hm? It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such formal attire within the Backstreets, especially it being in the Kurokumo.

Although my memory is rather spotty, there was a fellow in the Smoke War who donned a sort of ‘illusion’ over his body… I can’t remember it very well. All I knew at that time was that it was *not* who I thought I saw.

Showing me an old friend of mine who used to fix with me. A very, very long time ago. Yet, I saw it was truly not him. It seemed to be a weapon of confusion and bewilderment. That fellow… Yes, his name was Roland. He did apologize for that incident, which gave me a chuckle here and then.

Wondering of the past occasionally feeds your mind of questions such as:  ‘Is this person still alive?’ ‘How are they doing?’ ‘Where are they?’. Of course, in the City, the most prominent answer is that they have died.

But I have a vague feeling that this particular fellow remains alive. I’d be quite surprised, but I feel as though this one is strong, or was. Perhaps he has graded up, perhaps not. But it’s been quite some time, so maybe he already retired?

Hah. A dream for many, a difficult challenge for all.

“Master?” Philip called out to me. Ah, I must’ve dozed off.

“Yes Philip, I’m quite alright. Merely pondering of our situation.” I look at the paper again. Ah. Philip put some ssanghwa-cha for me. How kind.

“Master, you sure we should take this request? It’s a bit harder from the looks of it, and I don’t like that witness talking about… A guy in a black suit. Sounds important, and important normally means dangerous in the City.” Yuna noted. She wasn’t wrong.

“Mmm, yes, but if we get this over with quickly or reach an agreement, it can be solved quite easily. So, we will accept it.” I stamped it with a stamp that says ‘APPROVED’. “Let us prepare, then.”

“Yes, but before that, Master…” Yuna spoke. Hm? “Here’s the report on the Blue Reverberation.” Ah. Him.

She handed me a paper, and I read it. It seems he’s ‘on the loose’, per say. Committing a massacre in the Districts surrounding District 9. I see now. His sister, the Black Silence, fell to the Pianist most likely. I suppose he’s trying to find out who it was that triggered such an event…

“Well, this we cannot bother with right now. Let us go now, the contract can’t wait all day.” I offer a smile.

Philip and Yuna both nod and quickly dress up and get their weapons.

Let us proceed, then.

…

“Master, this area of the Backstreets… Isn’t it deserted of people? Wouldn’t that Syndicate want money from them?” Philip spoke. Ah, a clever one truly. Grade 5 and he’s already this smart. I like this development.

I hummed. “Truly, you are correct. We are merely taking a more… Behind the scenes approach. See?” I point ahead, to what seems to be 2 Kurokumo members and…

“There’s that guy in the black suit, master.” Yuna said.

I nodded. It was indeed him. He looked wholly uninterested in the matter, remaining stoic upon the face of the Kurokumo asking for money. Clearly, he was with them, but didn’t actively perform in their duties.

“Let us approach slowly and quietly, so we can overhear them.” I spoke. Philip and Yuna nodded.

And we did, we took caution and hid behind a wall to hear them.

“…money?” Hm?

“Yes, I have it right here. Thank you for the protection you always give us.” It seems to be the voice of the resident who is being asked for money.

“It is simply business, nothing more, nothing less.” A Kurokumo member spoke. He must be the leader of that expedition.

“Thank you either way.” The door closed after a moment, and the Kurokumo and the man in a black suit walked with them.

“Say, how many times do you do this per week?” The man in a black suit spoke. A harsh, perhaps rather more mature voice than his ‘vibe’ seemed to give off.

“Mmm… Around 2 to 3 times. We don’t do much nowadays though, since the Blade Lineage is kinda holding back after you… uh… Showed them who’s boss?” One of the Kurokumo members shrugged.

The man in a black suit chuckled. “You’re not very good with words, Yang.” He spoke to the Kurokumo member. That one is Yang.

“Oh how obvious that is, Roland, for I cannot make a sentence of my own will and must rely on words spoken by others to fuel my knowledge.” …What? Roland?

I perk up my head slightly to get more sight of them. A man in a black suit… Roland? Him? The man from the Smoke War?

Maybe, maybe not. All that matters now is that we must take them on or get them to surrender.

They continued talking. Now is our chance.

“We move quickly and efficiently, taking them on.” Philip and Yuna nodded.

We prepare to move, and I dash towards one of the Kurokumo members, about to slash him. Unfortunately, Roland seemed to see me beforehand and blocked the strike, pushing me away. The Kurokumo notice and take out their blades.

“Well master, you tried, but your age is getting to you clearly.” Yuna commented with a slight smirk. Philip sighed.

I hummed. “Would you have wanted to try?”

“Sure.” Yuna said with a taunting voice.

Roland, the man in a black suit stared at me. Does he recognize me, I wonder?

He sighed. He flicked his hands and… It’s the mask! It’s the mask of that boy I met so many years ago! “Hello, Salvador.” Oh, what a surprise! He does recognize me!

Philip and Yuna make a sound of confusion for a moment. The Kurokumo looked at Roland with intrigue.  I decided to address Roland.

“Hello, Roland. It has been a very long time, no?”

“Too much, honestly. How’s fixer life been treating you, old man?” He smirked at me. Calling me an old man… How rude.

“I should be asking you that, no? You are no longer the little boy I met during the Smoke War, are you?” I smirked back. The Kurokumo members seem surprised at this and stare at Roland.

Roland sighed in a sort of… relief, I suppose? “I’ve been doing decent, geezer. Had troubles here and there.” Ah, is he suggesting what I think he is?

“Perhaps you are a victim of the Pianist?” I asked, and he looked at me, eyes widened.

Then, he just sighed again. He sounds… tired. Even though he’s done little to no physical activity, he sounds so exhausted… “Right on the mark, Salvador. I lost… Someone very dear to me. I don’t suppose you would know of the Black Silence?” Hm?

The Black Silence… “Yes… The color fixer by the name of Angelica, no?” I asked, with intrigue. Then, I stared at his hands. Ah. That makes much more sense. I looked at him with an apologetic smile. “I apologize profusely. I didn’t mean to trigger anything.” The Kurokumo followed my stare, and looked at his hands. Then, at him.

Roland stared at me, with a kind and gentle smile. “It’s no big deal, I know you didn’t mean much of it. But uhm…” He raised an eyebrow. “What’re you doing here? And who are those people?”

My eyes flicker to Philip and Yuna behind me, who just seem on guard but a bit more relaxed. I look back at Roland, smiling. “These are my officemates of Dawn Office, Philip and Yuna. Our Office is Grade 4.”

Roland smiled back. “Grade 4, eh? How interesting… Well, can ya answer my first question, then?”

I sigh. “We are to stop the Kurokumo from imposing such heavy tax on a specific residence near here, by violence or mutual agreement.” I look at the Kurokumo, who seem to have their hands over their sheathed blades, then back at Roland, who also prepared a defensive stance.

I smile again. “But I suppose it is not possible against someone with capabilities of a Color Fixer. Or are you not one?” I asked with intrigue.

Roland shook his head. “Former Grade 1.” Former Grade 1? How interesting! He managed to get that high and retire from that life! …Well, sadly, he may need to retreat into the life of violence soon…

I nodded. “I see, then may I suggest trying to find mutual grounds for this dilemma?”

Roland looks at both Kurokumo who think for a moment, and then just shrugs. “If it’s 1 house, it should be fine.”

Roland looks back at me. “There’s your answer.”

I smile once more. “Very good… I also wish to converse privately with you, Roland.”

Roland tilted his head.

I continue. “The Blue Reverberation, the Black Silence’s Brother has been committing a massacre in Districts near District 9.” Roland’s eyes widened. “Perhaps to find the cause of the trigger of the Pianist.” I finished, with a sad smile.

Roland sighed and scratched the back of his head. “Damn Blue Sicko… Always doing the craziest shit…” He sighed again, heavier. “Thanks for that info, sure, we can talk more then.” He shot me a sad smile.

I nodded.

It is good to see the child whom I dared to declare dead, into a grown man and perhaps powerful.

Chapter Text

As the Kurokumo worked out an agreement with Philip and Yuna as a test to their negotiation skills, Salvador conversed with Roland.

“Well, the Blue Sicko was always fond of doing things a… Sicko does, honestly.” Roland spoke.

“Mm… I cannot say much as I myself never knew him, but he does seem to be doing things that could make one see him as a ‘sicko’, as you say.” Salvador spoke with a humored tone.

Roland snickered. “Well, old man, I never thought you’d use really new slang, y’know.”

Salvador sighed. “Old man this, old man that. How about having some respect for your elders? I walked a long path to get here, so you can at least reward me with a compliment for putting in so much work.”

Roland chuckled. “Sure sure, good job geezer. But uhm… About the Blue Sicko.”

Salvador tilted his head.

“Do you know where his most recent area of activity is? I do wanna make sure he doesn’t get too close to where I am, otherwise, something might happen.”

“What do you mean something might happen?”

Roland scratched the back of his head. “Me and him aren’t on the best terms… So, I’m unsure if he’ll try to attack or just be a prick in general. Tryna avoid that, you know?”

Salvador nodded. “Indeed… I am unsure of his recent area of activity, since I did not receive that information. Just know that he is nearby, and if he is a threat as you say he is, do not hesitate to fight him. Unless you are unsure if you can win?”

Roland hummed. “Nah, I can beat him. Still, it won’t be an easy fight. Not at all.” He sighed.

Salvador looked at him for a moment. “Well, if you ever need anything… You can give me a call.”

Roland looked surprised for a moment. “Old man?”

Salvador sighed. “I consider us… Friends, per say. And we can both think of this friendship as a very strong alliance, both having resources such as funds and the other having immense firepower. But I do not want to align myself with the Thumb. Only with you.”

Roland smiled sheepishly after hearing that. “Hah. Thanks, geezer. You’re a real nice fella, you know that?” He patted Salvador’s shoulder.

Salvador sighed again. “When will you stop with such a nickname? It is unfulfilling of these boots, might I say.”

Roland snickered. “Well, that IS what you are, aren’tcha? You’re pretty gosh darn old.”

Salvador sighed again. “Whatever… Come, let us meet with my subordinates.”

Roland raised an eyebrow. “Huh. Didn’t know you had your own office, Salvador.”

Salvador smiled slightly. “Well, with the funds I own and with ties of trust to many, I was able to open my own. Grade 4 isn’t half bad, wouldn’t you agree?”

Roland smiled back kindly. “Hell yeah it isn’t bad, you’re doing pretty good. How many are you?”

Salvador hummed. “Ah, only 3. But I do intend to hire more soon. I wish to see that office prosper just a little more.”

Roland chuckled.

…

“Hey there. Name’s Roland, Former Grade 1.” Roland offered his hand to Philip, who stood there bewildered for a moment.

“A-ah,  hello… I am Philip of Dawn Office, Grade 5.”

“Grade 5, eh?” Roland looked him up and down. “Honestly, you don’t look Grade 5. You look stronger.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, he is stronger in his making of ssanghwa-cha. Very skilled in this endeavor.”

Philip just had a kind smile on his face for a moment.

Roland smiled back. “That so? I’d like to try it sometime. Never had me a good ssanghwa-cha. All I drink nowadays is just water and caffeine with an expired-like scent… but it’s not even expired.” Roland slumped and sighed.

Philip and Salvador both chuckled slightly. Yuna does the same but also offers her hand. “Yuna of Dawn Office. Grade 4.”

Roland smiled. “Nice to meetcha, as I said, Roland, Former Grade 1.”

Yuna nodded. “Former, huh? You managed to retire from that life?”

Roland nodded, then had a sad smile on his face. “Yeah. Had plans to do it with my wife too but… That didn’t go as planned.”

“The Pianist?” Yuna asked, tactfully.

Roland nodded again.

Yuna didn’t speak, just had a moment of silence in respect.

Roland smirked. “But still, merry band of Fixers you got here… You know, I can’t shake the feeling that you 3 are much stronger than you look.”

Philip snickered. “What about you, Mr. Roland? You have a ‘vibe’ of a calm citizen yet has the power of a Grade 1, even if retired.”

Roland laughed out loud. “Well, I try to look casual and normal without showing my powerhouse-like tendencies.” He finished that sentence with a smirk.

Salvador sighed. “Well, we must go now. I assume the negotiations are done?” Philip and Yuna both nodded.

Roland also nodded. “Well, nice to see ya again old man. We’ll keep in touch, yeah?”

Salvador nodded and they left.

The Kurokumo looked at Roland briefly. “You had a wife, huh?”

Roland sighed. “Yeah.”

Yang snickered. “Wonder how a dense guy like you got one.”

Roland put a hand on his heart in feigned pain. “How could you call me dense if I have not shown anything that would suggest to that?”

Gin smiled, amused. Yang just chuckled, and they walked off back to what seems to be the base.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 7

After that whole charade with the Dawn Office, as Salvador called them, Roland managed to snag a new ally. Nice.

Now, Roland was on his bed, back in the Kurokumo base. Seems like everything’s chill right now. He decided to check something though…

He looked through his phone, rather outdated but managed to get the job done when it came to contacting people and checked his contacts.

-Angelica
-Argalia
-Olivier
-Salvador
-Lowell

He searched(not without wincing at the names “Angelica” and “Argalia” right next to eachother), and found some old names. Lowell, being the Director of the Liu, South Section 2. Roland heard something about how he got married some time ago, however he didn’t hear much about it.

Though… Lowell probably removed him from his contacts list. Though, just to make sure…

Roland went over to his contact and clicked it via the pad on his phone, and hit “Call”.

Then he just put the phone up in his ear and waited.

Waited.

Waited.

Waiiiiiteeeeed.

Waited.

Waited!

Waited?

Waited.

After a minute of ringing, someone picked up. “Who is this?”

“Well, I’d like to ask that question first.”

The person on the receiving end, who seemed to be in a very loud spot, perhaps his ‘base’, spoke. “This is Director Lowell of Liu South Section 2. Now, state your name.”

“Roland, ex-Representative of Charles’ Office.” He smirked slightly at that memory.

Lowell, who was on the other side, stopped speaking, and started shushing far away from the phone. That almost made Roland snicker.

“Roland? You’re alive?” He sounded a bit gleeful.

Roland chuckled. “Whaddya mean ‘you’re alive?’ Of course I am. You thought I was dead?”

He didn’t speak for a second or 2. “Yes, I did. I thought you had fallen to the Pianist. The Black Silence did, and I know that you 2 share a bond so I thought you also fell when your name wasn’t mentioned on any news outlets. The Pianist was notorious for shredding through bodies, so…”

Roland sighed. “Yeah, I know. Angie died to the Pianist… I killed it, though.”

“I see.” Lowell answered with a rather listless voice. “I apologize.”

Roland sighed again. “No need for concern, anyway, I wanted to call you to catch up a bit, y’know? It’s been a while since we talked.”

Lowell hummed. “That is true. If I can ask, where are you right now? What district?”

“Uhhh… District 12.” Roland responded.

“I see! We’re in the same District then. Perhaps we could meet up?” Lowell proposed.

“Maybe… Depends, though. I’m more at the west side of it right now.” Roland answered.

“No problem, I’ll be passing by that area.” Lowell guaranteed.

Roland hummed. “’kay. Send me an address and I’ll head there then.”

Lowell hummed back. “I can do that.”

Roland thought for a moment, and then spoke. “Oh, right, before you hang up…”

Lowell hummed in a questioning manner. “Yes?”

Roland smirked. “You son of a gun, why didn’t you invite me to your marriage?”

Lowell didn’t answer for a moment and then laughed. “Sorry, sorry. I thought you were still working!”

“Oh come on, even I can take breaks now and then. Besides, don’t you owe me quite a bit for the work I’ve done for you?” Roland chuckled.

Lowell sighed. “Don’t remind me… You gonna cash that in?”

“Nahh, I don’t need anything. Well, maybe if I need you in the future, but for now you don’t need to worry about it. I’m kinda leaving the Fixer life behind now.” Roland answered.

Lowell hummed. “I get it. So, do we meet up now? If we do, I’ll have to take my subordinates.”

Roland made a ‘huh?’ noise. “Mei and Cecil?”

Lowell didn’t speak for a second. “…Yeah. How’d you figure that out?”

Roland snickered. “It wasn’t that hard, you guys are a tight-nit group. Not to mention your occassional partnership with Section 1.”

Lowell didn’t speak for a second again. “Makes sense.”

Roland thought for a moment. “Wait, who DID you get married to again?”

“…the Maiden of Iron, Xiao.” Lowell answered.

Roland gasped. “Holy shit. The Maiden of Iron? Jeez, having a wife as powerful as that one’s gotta be tough.”

Lowell laughed. “It’s more light-hearted than anything. Recently we have begun taking breaks for ourselves and doing things for eachother.”

Roland smiled. “That’s good! Can’t let the distance between you grow just ‘cuz you’re Fixers.”

Lowell chuckled. “Well, shall we meet up? I need to take my subordinates though.”

Roland asked: “Well, if they’re fine with me accompanying, sure.”

Lowell snickered. “I’m sure they are. The ex-Representative of Charles’ Office isn’t nothing to scoff at, even if he’s retired. You made quite the name for yourself.”

Roland sighed. “Yeah yeah… I don’t agree with that though.”

Lowell chuckled. “Then, see for yourself.”

Roland sighed again. “Alright, see ya soon then. I’ll wait for the address then go.”

Lowell hummed. “Yeah, see you soon.”

After a quick moment, Roland sighed, then got up from his bed.

He went over to grab one of his spare ties and coats to finish the set of his suit, then walked out with the objective of heading to the kitchen.

As he walked through the halls, he greeted the Kurokumo as always, waving or nodded, and such a gesture being returned.

He made it to the main room and looked around. Sayo and Rin were having a conversation, in which Rin was most likely annoying Sayo as always. Welp, just walk to the kitchen.

By mere coincidence, Sayo seemed to see Roland passing through to get to the kitchen, while many subordinates merely stared. “Roland.” She decided to call out his name.

Guess he wasn’t walking to the kitchen. He stared at the woman, Sayo, who called his name. “Need something, Sayo?” He tilted his head.

“Yes. Can you perhaps shake off this maniac? I need to go do my rounds and she won’t let go.” She pointed to the gremlin that was… Now latched on to her like a snake.

“Miss Sayoooooo! Let me go with youuuuu!”

Roland chuckled. “What’s the problem not indulging the snake once in a while?”

Sayo sighed. “Said snake won’t stop pestering me even if I say no, and let me emphasize that word. It is a no, and shall remain a no.”

Roland snickered. “Well, I’ve got my own things to do, I’ve gotta go meet up with some fellas.”

Sayo tilted her head. “With who, if I may ask?”

Roland smiled casually. “The Director of Liu South Section 2 and his direct Subordinates.”

Sayo looked at him, wide-eyed.

Rin looked at him, wide-eyed.

The subordinate that was passing by looked at him, wide-eyed.

The entire room wa- “Tone down on the stares, all I’m doing is meeting up with an acquaintance."

Sayo sighed. “Said acquaintance being on the stronger side of Fixers I see…”

Roland shrugged. “It’s only natural for an Office that was as high as mine to have contact with strong Fixers and the like.”

Sayo hummed. “I suppose so… Well, I shall let you off then. But please, when you come back, entertain this wretch so it leaves me alone.”

Rin gasped.

Roland chuckled. “Sure sure.”

After getting his food and and doublechecking his fit and Ahn, Roland sets out after waving goodbye to the Kurokumo.

…

After a while of walking to the estimate location, Lowell then sent him the precise address. It was infront of a restaurant. It was actually rather close to him, so no complaints here.

Roland turns a corner and sees Lowell, and then immediately hides back. He takes a deep breath. “Okay, let’s calm down.”

You may be wondering why he hid himself again. It’s because XIAO, THE MAIDEN OF IRON, is now present. Hoooly shit.

He peeks a corner, and sees 6 people. From what he could get from his eyes alone, it seemed to be Lowell, Xiao and their subordinates for their own Sections. Sighhh.

Might as well just walk up.

Roland begins walking over to the big group that is receiving attention like a bunch of celebrities, when Lowell spots him, looking away from Xiao who was chatting with him.

“Roland! You made it!” He ‘powerwalks’ towards me, grabbing the attention of everyone else, Xiao included.

Roland chuckles. “I’m not that bad with directions that I wouldn’t be able to make it to a place like this.”

Lowell snickers. He and Roland dap. “I know, but I thought you were a bit farther away.”

“Luckily, no, not really.” Roland answered, as Xiao and the other followers join the talk. Roland looks over to Xiao, the one leading the band.

“Greetings, Mr Roland. I am Xiao, the Director of Liu South Section 1. It is an honor to meet you.” Xiao outstretched her hand with a calm smile.

Roland chuckles slightly. “I should throw that one back at you, meeting the Maiden of Iron is an honor most Fixers don’t get nowadays.” Roland, while smiling, accepts the outstretched hand. “Name’s Roland, ex-Representative of Charles’ Office, now retired.”

Xiao nodded. “Many say that, but I am unsure if my own popularity surpasses Charles’ Office.”

“Ehh, I’d say it does. The Maiden of Iron is a tough Fixer, that’s pretty much known by everyone.” Roland smiled.

Xiao smiled back and nodded. She then turned her head a bit, still looking at Roland. “These are our subordinates. Miris and Chun of the Liu Section 1.” They both nodded. “Cecil and Mei of Liu Section 2.” Cecil nodded with a pleasant smile, while Mei waved excitedly.”

Roland nodded back. “It’s a pleasure to meet the toughest of the Liu if you ask me, haven’t had a lot of connections with Associations back in the day.”

Lowell sighed. “That’s what you say, but you have no clue how many people, Office and Association, wanted to partner up with an Office of your strength.

Roland shook his head. “We weren’t really that impressive. If anything, the fact our bonds were closely knit together might be the thing that made us strong, but that is… Not a good idea for Fixers to replicate.”

Lowell nodded solemnly. Xiao looked to both of us, a bit confused. “May I ask what he means by that?” She looked towards Lowell.

Lowell looked at Roland, and Roland nodded with a light nod. “His wife is dead.”

Roland couldn’t tell very well, but he’s sure pretty much everyone flinched. Xiao looked back at him. “My apologies.”

Roland shook his head. “There’s no need to worry. I’m making do with what I have, moving on and the like.”

Xiao nodded, a bit apologetic now. Roland smiled lightly at this then looked at Lowell. “By any chance, you wanna go grab lunch? I’ll treat you and your buddies here to something.”

Lowell shook his head. “I appreciate it, but let’s just split the cost. I don’t want you to pay for everything.” He pointed towards the restaurant and everyone began walking over there

Roland shrugged. He then followed. “If you say so. But I got so much Ahn on me that I pretty much can’t find anything to spend on.”

Cecil tilted her head. “What do you mean you got so much Ahn on you?”

Roland snickered, then made a money spread gesture with his gloves, and Ahn appeared. BIG bills of Ahn, mind you. Then they dissapeared.

Mei made an “o” form with her mouth.

Miris spoke. “I suppose Stars of the City pay well.” A professional-sounding voice.

Roland hummed. “They pay pretty well, yeah. I can pretty much pay rent for a luxurious department for 3 months with one Star of the City. They pay hella well.”

Chun then spoke. “What of Urban Nightmares?” Roland supposed they were curious about paychecks for direct Fixer Offices.

Roland hummed again. “Around 1 month, so a third of what a Star gives.” Chun nodded at this answer.

 They all entered the restaurant, and everyone began staring at them. Well, that was kinda obvious. Apart from the obvious band of the Liu, both Directors, there was also Roland, a random dude in a black suit. With black gloves.

Roland stood next to Miris while Xiao and Lowell went to pay. Roland looked around, looking at the people that were once eating (Now they’re just staring).

“How goes the work in the Liu Association?” Roland decided to make some talk with Miris.

Miris looked at him and put a hand on his chin to think. “It isn’t very busy nowadays, there are not too many requests that require the Liu to take action. It is mostly, however, the Index deciding to throw their weight around as always.”

Roland sighs. “The Prescripts are certainly a bother… They don’t even make any sense. I find it crazy how people can just follow them without a second thought.”

Mei, out of nowhere, appeared on Roland’s other side. “Who gets ‘em anyway? Other than the Index itself, no one really understands what the hell they’re even about.” The petite woman crosses her arms.

Cecil then appears on Mei’s side. “Really, they talk about random things. Last time we got one from a dead Messenger, all it said was evicting a person from an apartment complex.”

Chun sighed next to Miris. “They are a bother, indeed.”

Roland hummed. “What about the Thumb?”

Miris and Cecil looked at eachother, then at him.“Kind of inactive. They aren’t moving around a lot, seems like.” Miris spoke.

Roland nodded. He was a bit curious as to why the Thumb requested him help them the other time, but he supposed he was technically indebted to them for not offing him on the spot, living with a Subsidiary Syndicate.

Then, Lowell and Xiao walked over. “We ordered some things, so let’s talk over there.” Lowell pointed towards an empty table, and they all made their way over there.

They sat in this position:

 --------- Miris
Xiao --- Mei
Lowell --- Chun
Roland---- Cecil

Lowell spoke up in a more serious tone than expected. “Roland… I don’t assume you came here just to socialize, right?”

Roland answered with a joking tone. “And if I did?”

One of the girls on the other side snickered.

Lowell sighed. “I wouldn’t expect that from you.”

Roland chuckled, then flicked his hand, with a folder appearing in it. He threw it on the table.

Lowell looked at him, then grabbed it and checked its contents. His eyes went wide. “What’s the meaning of this?” He snapped his look over to Roland again.

“It’s a simple deal, really. I just want you to watch over the activities of the Blue Reverberation.” Roland looked at him, in a more serious manner.

Lowell looked a bit confused. “I know that he’s been causing a rampage nearby District 9, but why do you need to watch over him?”

Roland made himself more comfortable in his seat. “It’s rather simple if you ask me. Me and him… We’re not on the best of terms, so I’m checking to see where he is and what he’s doing, mostly to avoid getting into trouble with him.”

Xiao looked over. “And if he is to attack you?”

Roland thought for a moment then smiled. “I’d win. Sure, it’d be a tough fight, but I can still win reliably even with just my main weapon. Now, with the gloves, it’d be even easier.”

Xiao nodded.

Roland stretched. “Well, as much as I’d wanna continue talking to you guys,” he looked around the entire table. “I need to go and do my own things. I’ll be sure to grab the food on my way out though.” He smiled casually, then made Ahn spawn in his gloves and stuff into Lowell’s pockets.

Lowell sighed at this, Xiao moving and him as well to let Roland pass through. “Will we talk soon?”

Roland looked back and hummed. “Maybe. If you ever need a hand or 2, you can send me a call and I’ll be there as quick as possible.”

Lowell nodded and waved goodbye. Roland did the same and left.

Lowell and Xiao placed themselves back in their seats. Lowell sighed.

Xiao spoke. “What’s wrong?”

Lowell looked at her and then their subordinates. “Nothing, just… He spent a lot of money for a private request like this one.”

Mei leaned over the table. “How much?” Lowell supposed she was curious.

Lowell sighed again. “A million and a half Ahn.”

Mei went blank. Xiao went blank. Everyone went blank.

Xiao looked around and then whispered. “Where did he get so much money?”

Lowell shrugged. “Charles’ Office was a prestigious office… I assume he made a lot of money there.”

Xiao nodded.

What a day for the Liu, huh?

Chapter Text

It was just a regular morning, of a regular day, at a regular age, at a regular time. There was absolutely nothing going on at 7:12 AM, just Roland sitting at the bar, waiting for a tea to be made for him, whilst he chatted with Gin and Yang.

“So, y’hear that the Liu is making moves against the Index? “ Yang commented, leaning back on the sofa, casually.

Gin nodded. “I believe there were also witnesses of the Cane and Dawn offices following the Thumb. However, the Thumb is following the Index.”

Roland listened to these 2 gossips while just staring intently at the bar. “So who’s the Index following? Pretty sure they wouldn’t be sitting passively if they’re getting followed both by a fellow Finger and an Association.” He referred to both the Finger and the Association by raising 2 fingers himself.

Yang hummed. “They might be following us, honestly.”

Roland flinched a bit. He turned to stare at Yang. “Whaddya mean?”

Gin hummed as well. “We’ve seen reports of Proselytes appearing near our territory, each time getting closer to this main base.” He looked at Roland.

Roland nodded. “How close are we talking?” He looked back at Gin.

Gin put a hand up to his chin. “1 or 2 kilometers worth. The witnesses are the people paying for protection.”

Roland sighed and slumped on the sofa. “You’re telling me we’ll have to deal with the Index? Well, it’s fine if there’s just Prose-“ He then immediately straightened.

Gin and Yang stared at him. Roland put his hand up to this chin too, then shrugged. “Maybe, I’m not sure how much so, but if another Finger is following and an Association as well, Proxies will definitely be coming.”

Gin and Yang stared each other, then back at Roland. “We’re not fit to deal with those.” Both Gin and said at the same time.

Roland sighed. “I know, I know. If anything, I can distract them or something if you ever need me to.” He put his hands behind his head.

Yang smirked. “Well, thanks for that regardless. Dunno why you fight so har-“

A powerful gun shot rang out in the background.

The 3 of them flinched and got up.

Roland took the initiative and ran over to the front door to look around. Those gunshots are specifically of the Thumb. Which is spooky. You may be asking, how can Roland identify these gunshots? It’s because the special bullets the Thumb uses have very specific sounds. Sometimes it’s crackling lightning after a gun is fired, or things like that.

Roland turned back to them. “Get Sayo up here. We gotta see what’s going on.” Gin and Yang quickly nodded and ran off as more Kurokumo stared appearing in that room.

Ren quickly approached as Gin and Yang ran to get Sayo. “Mr. Roland? What’s going on?” He got a bit closer to Roland. He’s a bit spooked.

Roland stared back at Ren. “Dunno, bud. Thumb seems to be attacking someone, or they’re defending themselves from something. I’m not sure though.”

Ren nodded and looked back, as heels cracked on the floor, sharply, quickly.

Roland looked at the person making the noise. Sayo approached rather quickly, clearly noticing the urgency of the situation. As always, she had Kokuunto on the ready. “What’s the situation, Roland?” She got close enough to peek out the door, as Roland backed off to give her space.

“Dunno. All I hear is the Thu-“ Immediately after mentioning the name of the Thumb, a person appeared, gasping for air. Everyone just stares at him. It’s a Thumb Soldato.

He then straightens his posture. “K-Kurokumo Clan, Subsidiary of the Thumb, report to the frontlines to engage the Index.” He then looked at Roland, then straightened again. “The Grade 1 must come as well.”

After a second of thought, Sayo nodded, then stared back at the mass of Kurokumo behind her. “Turn on the alarm. We are off to fight the Index.”

The entirety of the Kurokumo just whispered between each other and then stared at her, saluting, and the entirety of the force got moving. Some went to get blades, while others rang bells. Yang smacked a button, and an alarm went blaring. Gin, Ren, Rin and several dozens of Kurokumo assembled right at the entrance.

“Well, I suppose we are ready.” Sayo hummed then looked at Roland, who just shrugged.

The same Thumb Soldato, after catching his breath, looked to Roland and spoke. “Sir Fixer, you are allowed to do anything in the battlefield without following the Sottocapo’s command should you find it necessary and, or, advantageous.” He saluted and went off running back.

Roland was bewildered for a moment, then just shook it off. “Well, that’s that then.”

Sayo chuckled and opened the door. Roland went out first to ensure there were no enemies nearby, then exited. Sayo followed, alongside Gin, Ren, Rin, then the Kurokumo just poured out like a flood.

Roland began running off to the gunshots, but at a fast enough pace to allow the Kurokumo to follow at equal speed.

…

After a minute of running, they got behind the Thumb’s lines, where they could see the Sottocapo, Kalo, and his Capos engaging in combat as the Soldatos fired alongside them. Roland could barely make out white and blue, the typical colors of the Index. There had to be at least a Proxy or 2 in there. Roland stood there, assessing.

“There will be Proxies, that is certain.” Sayo stated, walking up to him. Roland could feel a few of the Kurokumo stare at the 2 analyze the situation. Sayo looked at Roland. “I trust you can handle them?” She seemed a tad bit worried.

Roland smiled kindly. “’course I can. You can take Proselytes, yeah?”

Sayo hummed. “I believe we can, as long as we skirmish with advantage in numbers.” She looked put out at the fact they were not able to yet compete with Proselytes.

Roland chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m here, and the Thumb is too.” Sayo responded by looking at him and nodding. Roland summoned his revolvers. “I’ll be going in now.”

Sayo nodded, steeling herself for what was to come. Roland looked at her. “By the way.”

Sayo looked back, tilting her head. “What is it?”

Roland brought up a hand and bumped it on her shoulder, finger not on the trigger. “If you, or anyone else here die, I won’t forgive ya.” He smirked at the end, then dashed straight in.

Sayo looked at the Black Fixer waltz in at high speeds, then sighing in fondness. She stared back at the rest of the Kurokumo. “Come now. Let us go.” They all nodded.

----

Fixer Office/Association POV

Lowell glanced from his cover to watch as the Index and Thumb engaged in warfare. This would not be a very easy fight for either side, as the Index had several Proxies, while the Thumb had a Sottocapo, alongside 3 Capo’s.

He hid again, assessing his forces. The Liu Section 2 and 1 joined up for this conflict, including most of their Fixers, as well as calling for the assistance of their related Office, the Dawn Office, and even the Shi Association. The Cane were also present as they were hired by a rich family near here to observe the situation at hand and, if the possibility presented itself, to attack and perchance win.

Lowell sighed. “This is gonna be rough.” He started, staring at the Liu. “The Fingers have brought out their stronger and more powerful members to engage in this fight. This definitely won’t be a small-scale skirmish.

Xiao hummed. “I see. Then, we are to take preparations and prepare our assault when the opportunity presents itself.” She looked back at the rest of the Offices present.

Salvador, alongside Luna and Philip hummed. “I am only truly afraid of 1 anomaly in this entire scene.” Lowell raised an eyebrow at him. He continued. “I do not suppose you know of someone named ‘Roland’?”

Lowell’s eyes widened a bit in surprise, as he looked at Xiao. Her response was similar. He then looked back at Salvador. “You know of him? The Ex-Representative of Charles’ Office?”

Salvador, in return, widened his own eyes. “Him? I didn’t expect that kid to be the Ex-Representative…” He put his hand up to his chin. “Regardless, yes, I do know of him. He is allied to the Kurokumo.”

…huh?

Nemo, the leader of the Cane, walked up, his LED lights blaring in a frown. “What do you mean he is allied to the Kurokumo?”

Salvador shook his head. “I’m unsure, but he accompanies them when the Kurokumo goes around to claim the protection money. This means that, the Thumb is most likely to call out his and their support.”

Xiao hummed, looking back at Lowell. “This’ll be rough if we also have to deal with him. The fact he wields the Black Silence’s gloves doesn’t make anything better.”

Nemo’s LED lights flared up again. “He wields the what.” In a frown, of course.

His subordinates, Bada and Martina, sighed. Though, it was Bada who spoke. “This was not a mere Star of the City request, watching these titans duel… It also happens that one titan wields a killing machine.” He was rather dull in his expression.

Cecil sighed. “It doesn’t matter now. All we can do is fight them, and hope he isn’t included. If he is, so be it.” She looked at Lowell. “We are Fixers of an Association, and we cannot go back on our word.”

Yuijn, the Director of the Shi, sighed. “Indeed, this is too much trouble to worry about right now. All we must do is engage them quickly. It isn’t as if we can’t beat him, but I also can imagine he will hurt.”

Lowell nodded. “It’s undeniable that, even if retired, that man can do hefty damage.” He sighed. “Well, let’s get moving then.” They all nodded, preparing their weapons. The Liu, their blades and/or gauntlets, the Lady of Iron wielding her guan dao. The Dawn Office, their cello case and Stigma Workshop blades, the Cane their tech canes, gauntlets and briefcase and the Shi their red katanas.

Lowell began stepping out of cover to give the other Fixers space to also get out, preparing to rush an-

“Sheesh, isn’t this way too weak for a Proxy?”

Lowell immediately flinched at that voice, looking at the middle of the battlefield.

Roland stood there in the middle of the battle, wielding a longsword, a few dead Proselytes and…

A dead Proxy near his shoes, lying dead. Roland looked at his body, then kicked it over. “Didn’t expect the Index to be this much of a pushover.” He smirked, making his longsword disappear, staring into the masses of the Index.

One of the Proxies walked up. “Grrr, you’re gonna pay for killing Hubert!” Her body was most definitely cybernetic. Even her head, which just looked like a singular red eye now, was made of metal. Her… Weird body was smoking.

Roland sighed, glancing to his right, and then glancing back to the Index, then snapping his head to what he thought he saw wrongly. “LOWELL?!”

Lowell laughed lowly, with a badly formed smile. He was completely confused by the entire situation and had no idea what to think.

Roland retreated to where the Thumb was. He then pointed at Lowell. “I do not want to deal with that mass of Fixers.” He spoke to the Sottocapo staring at him. Kalo just stared back. “There’s 2 Associations and 2 Offices right there, sir.”

Lowell just watched, as the last Fixers of the Shi Association appeared. He then sighed. “This is gonna be troublesome.” He stared at the dead Proxy in the middle.

Well, the Index was definitely not gonna retreat until they fought for a bit longer now, huh? What a paaain.

Xiao looked at the surroundings, and she made a quick and fair assessment. “This will most likely be all out war in a few minutes.” She looked at Lowell. “Your thoughts?”

Lowell sighed. “Well, I’m sure we could try and divert the situation away from its current destination. The Index wants something, so-

“WE WANT BLOOOD!” One of the Proxies roared out, waving a Prescript in the air, and rushing forwards at the Thumb. Another Proxy and a few Messengers followed.

The Sottocapo sighed, giving a quick order to Roland who nodded, with the Kurokumo in tow, charging directly at them. The Thumb began reloading and firing to give support.

Hoo boy, when these guys make contact, it’ll be hell let loose.