The lift hissed as it descended, gears groaning like some tired beast.
Luke watched the walls slide by — metal, stone, and the faint glow of pipes.
It felt different now.
Smaller.
Like the collapse had stripped something out of it — not just the tunnels, but the people too.
Workers moved slower. Voices were hushed. Even the hum of the conduits seemed cautious, as if the city itself was trying not to wake something.
Elias adjusted the strap of his pack. "Feels weird being back."
"Feels the same," Luke said. "That's what's weird."
The lift clanked to a stop. The two stepped out, boots echoing on the platform.
---
Reina was waiting for them near the central scaffolds, datapad in hand. She looked sharper than usual — hair tied up, uniform pressed. The faint scar from the collapse still traced her cheek.
"Good timing," she said, not looking up. "We're finally getting the sector back online."
Luke and Elias joined the line of workers as she began briefing the crew.
"Listen up. The surface has ordered a rotation schedule — everyone's to resume normal duties effective immediately." She paused, glancing around. "But… since the tournament's approaching, the entire Undercity will be given a full day off at the end of the week."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. A day off wasn't something anyone expected.
Reina continued, "Use it to rest. The higher-ups think it'll 'ease nerves' after the recent incident." Her tone suggested she didn't fully believe that.
Then her eyes softened, just for a second. "You all earned it."
Luke caught Elias's smirk. "A free day? That's basically an invitation."
"Try not to get us arrested," Luke muttered.
When the workers began to disperse, Reina called out, "Luke, Elias — a word."
They stopped. Reina folded her arms, studying them like she was seeing something she couldn't quite name.
"You two handled yourselves well during the collapse," she said. "Command took notice. I… might be getting reassigned soon — to Mid City maintenance oversight."
Elias blinked. "You mean… you're leaving?"
"Maybe not for long," she said. "It's just a step up. Better quarters. Less risk."
Luke forced a nod. "That's good news, ma'am."
Reina smiled faintly. "Don't sound so thrilled."
"It's just— the place won't be the same without your yelling," Elias said, grinning.
Reina rolled her eyes. "Then you'll have peace for once. Get to work."
As she walked off, Luke and Elias exchanged a look — not of joy, but unease.
"Mid City oversight," Elias whispered. "That's our territory now."
Luke's jaw tightened. "We'll just have to be careful."
---
They spent the rest of the shift in routine silence — fixing conduit valves, checking vents, patching leaks. The kind of work that dulled thought.
But between the clang of tools and hiss of steam, their minds wandered.
To the armor hidden under the bridge.
To the light of the Mid City and the tournament posters.
To Reina's looming transfer.
Elias finally broke the quiet. "We'll play along," he said softly. "Act normal, keep working, nod when they tell us to. Then, on the day off—"
Luke finished for him. "We make our move."
Elias grinned. "Exactly."
Luke tightened a bolt, the metal screeching under his grip. "Let's just make sure no one sees us coming."
---
The pipes above rumbled again — steady, rhythmic, alive.
But beneath that hum, two sparks were already moving toward something that would change everything.
Not out of rebellion.
Out of curiosity.