The fog over East Borough was thicker than usual, curling around the cobblestone walls. The three friends Erwin, Abel, and Louis moved with casual confidence, hands in pockets, coats buttoned against the cold. They had spent the rest of the day planning, revising, and preparing for what came next
And tonight was the first real step
Weapons. Identities. Connections
Everything a group of transmigrators needed to survive Backlund
Braveheart Bar wasn't far from the bridge, tucked into a stretch of old brick buildings where the windows always seemed a bit darker than the neighboring streets. When they entered, the smell of tobacco, and alcohol wafted about
In a dim corner a small band of three played a jaunty tune, but no one seemed to be in the mood for dancing. The patrons were the usual sort dockworkers, petty thugs and bored night workers
Dangerous people pretending not to be dangerous
They approached the counter. The bartender an older man with graying hair and a worn vest looked up with calm, evaluating eyes
"What'll it be?" he asked.
Erwin leaned forward "We're looking for something… specialized. Can we speak somewhere more private?"
The bartender didn't flinch with a subtle tilt of his head, he motioned toward the back
"Follow me"
He led them through the bar, past a hallway lined with doors, and into a billiards room. The smell of chalk and old wood hung heavy in the air. Two tables stood unused, the lamps above them casting long shadows.
"Wait here," the bartender said.
The moment he shut the door behind him, the mirror on the far wall rippled just barely
None of the three noticed
A faint outline formed on the reflective surface, delicate and pale. A girl young, blue eyed, wearing a gothic black dress stood within the mirror as if it were a doorway instead of glass
Her expression didn't change. Her gaze remained cool and unreadable as she observed the three strangers
Three young men with firm posture, sharp eyes, and active spirituality
Interesting
Just as silently as she had appeared, she vanished dissolving back into the mirror when footsteps echoed outside
The door opened
A young man with a pale face and eyes that were staring daggers wearing a white shirt and black vest. One of the bar's new owners
"Bartender told me you're looking for equipment"
"Revolvers, ammunition, and identification papers" Abel said calmly "Three sets"
He raised a brow "Not cheap"
Louis stepped forward, placing a small purse of coins and banknotes on the billiards table
"We're not here to waste time"
He stared for a second "Alright then guns and IDs aren't handled by me personally, but I'll point you to the someone"
He jerked a thumb toward the hallway
"Down the hall fourth door on the right knock three times, pause, then two times. Ask for Kaspars Kalinin. He's our supplier he'll set you up"
He turned toward the door, but paused just before leaving
"One more thing"
They looked at him
"You three seem to be the type who is curious about certain gatherings "
Erwin kept his expression neutral "Gatherings?"
"Beyonder gatherings" he said casually "There's one this Friday. If you're interested, ask Kaspars for the code"
Then he was gone
The door closed softly behind him
The three of them followed Marric's instructions. The hallway was dim, the lamps flickering slightly as if responding to the presence of hidden supernatural forces
They approached the fourth door on the right
Louis knocked three times, waited a beat, then knocked twice
A voice responded almost instantly.
"Enter"
Inside sat and old man with a big nose and ugly scar running from his eye to the corner of his mouth. A ledger open on his desk. His hair was neatly combed, and despite his surroundings, he carried himself like a proper gentleman
He looked up at them with a businessman's smile.
"Kaspars Kalinin. I hear you gentlemen need equipment"
Erwin nodded "Three revolvers. Ammunition and chest holsters"
"And identity documents" Abel added
Kaspars's fingers danced across the ledger
"Revolvers are ten pounds each. Ammunition two pounds per fifty bullets. Holsters 1 pound each. Identity papers… depending on quality, fifteen to twenty pounds"
"Good quality" Louis said "Nothing sloppy"
Kaspars smiled wider "Of course"
He stood and opened a long wooden crate behind his desk
Inside lay several revolvers clean, polished, and well maintained. He selected three identical ones and placed them carefully on a blue cloth laid across the desk
Six boxes of ammunition followed then three leather chest holsters sturdy, adjustable, discreet
Louis inspected one of the revolvers, spinning the cylinder with expert precision
"These are good"
"I only sell good products" Kaspars replied
Abel paid without hesitation, placing the notes neatly on the table
Kaspars counted them quickly, then nodded with satisfaction
"As for your identity papers you'll need to come back Friday night. Everything will be prepared by then. Names, backgrounds, occupations… you'll look like you've lived in Backlund for years"
Erwin folded his arms "And the code phrase for the gathering?"
Kaspars leaned back slightly, lowering his voice.
"There is no code phrase just a knocking pattern. The one to use is 3 quick knocks followed by 4 long knocks
He closed the ledger
The three exchanged brief glances.
A real Beyonder gathering
Their first step into the supernatural underbelly of the city
Kaspars continued, "The meeting will be on Friday evening the building across 5 down, lower floor. Don't be late and don't draw attention"
He handed them a small slip of paper with a time and the catch phrase
8:00 PM "3 short 4 long"
"Until then" Kaspars said with a polite bow of his head
Leaving Braveheart bar with their shoulders easing slightly heavier each carrying a revolver, a chest holster, and a box of ammunition tucked discreetly inside their inner pockets
The fog had thickened outside, wrapping the street in a hazy gray blanket
They didn't speak for a while, quietly absorbing the tension and excitement of the night
Eventually Abel chuckled
"Well…" He tapped his coat lightly "Feels like we just stepped into Act One of a crime film"
Soon they all started giggling as they continued walking down the road
They passed by a canal bridge, the lamps reflecting off the water. The wind carried faint whispers of horse hooves, carriage wheels, and distant factory whistles
"We have three days" Abel said "Before the gathering"
"And we need to be ready" Louis agreed.
Erwin looked up at the hazy night sky
"We will be"
They continued down the street, steps in sync, shadows stretching together in the fog
---
After the trio left the bar the pale man retunerd to his room. A dim light from the lamp cast shadows across the room as he simply sat there waiting
Soon the young woman in the gothic dress appeared again stood by the window half ethereal. She looked as if she were part of the room itself a pale silhouette watching the night sky above
He eventually broke the silence
"You didn't have to help them"
She didn't move
"You're not the type to interfere unless there's a reason" he added
She remained still, the faintest sway of her hair the only sign she'd heard him
After several quiet seconds she answered, voice soft and even "They're useful"
He huffed a small breath "That's generous Kaspars yold me one of them nearly dropped his revolver earlier"
She didn't react
He studied her "You see something?"
"A chance" she replied
That made him straighten slightly her intuitions were rarely simple
"You think they'll matter?"
A slow nod
He tapped the cane again "Is that why you invited them to the gathering on Friday?"
"They should come"
He frowned "It's not a place for beginners"
"It will create a feeling of debt towards us" she said
He let out another breath and nodded "Fine. Friday"
She stepped away from the window "Make sure they wear masks"
She drifted out of the room, leaving him alone with the dim light and a growing sense that something was waiting ahead for all of them