The toxic sky covering Open Buffet had been pouring acid rain for days, as if tirelessly vomiting. Every drop falling from the grey clouds made a sizzling sound like water hitting a hot pan upon touching the ground, filling the air with a dense, nose-burning metallic smell. The wind was relentless; it pierced through layers of wool clothes, leather, and tarps like an arrow shot with full force, carrying a dry cold that seeped into one's bones.
On the northern slope of the town, thin grey smoke wafted from the chimney of an old hunter's cabin facing the raging sea. The exterior of the cabin, with its damp-swollen wood and peeling paint, resembled the skin of a dying animal. Its corners had long been invaded by spiders; dust-covered webs swayed with the slight draft leaking from the edges of the window.
Inside, there was a warm but uncanny atmosphere, isolated from the apocalypse outside. Hakan was sprawled in his creaky old rocking chair, rhythmically swaying back and forth. Slowly stroking his thin mustache, he fixed his eyes on the logs crackling in the fireplace. The orange reflection of the fire danced on the sharp lines of his face.
Muffled voices mixed with the howling of the wind outside were heard. Then, three sharp knocks struck the door. One of the pirates standing guard for security opened the door slightly and poked his head inside. Cold air rushed in. "Commander, Mr. Nedim has arrived."
Without taking his eyes off the fire, Hakan gave his approval with a slight nod of his head.
The door swung wide open, and a soaking wet figure burst in. With trembling hands, Nedim took off his worn-out holy mask, which had lost its luster, and threw it angrily onto the floor. The mask stuck to the wooden floor with a wet thwack.
"One has to be either crazy or suicidal to come out of their den in this weather!" Nedim grumbled. His voice was cracked from the cold. Shaking off his coat, he walked toward the fireplace.
"You finally made it, Nedim," Hakan said, stopping his chair. His voice was calm but threatening.
"So? Offer me some tea at least; what kind of dry hospitality is this?" Nedim grunted, extending his hands to the fire to warm up.
"You remember our deal, don't you?"
Nedim rolled his eyes. "You're a very blunt man, Hakan. Yes, I remember."
"Well?" Hakan slowly drew the hunting knife at his waist from its sheath and ran his index finger along the sharp edge. The knife glinted in the firelight.
Nedim swallowed hard, avoiding looking at the knife. "No matter how much I have my men search, we can't find him. Or... did you call me because you found him? Let me tell you right now, if you don't give me the masks..."
He couldn't finish his sentence. The dull, predatory look in Hakan's eyes had choked the words in his throat.
"No, I haven't found him. It's as if the earth opened up and swallowed him..." Hakan started twirling the knife between his fingers like a pen. "I've been watching that brat since the first day he joined the council. At first, he was just a lucky, weak hitman. I could have easily crushed him even with one arm tied behind my back. But as time passed... he got stronger in an unbalanced way. And he continues to get stronger."
Nedim raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What do you mean? I haven't seen any change. He's still the same blind kid."
Hakan stood up slowly. His shadow cast onto the wall. "There is an anomaly in that kid. You can't see it because you're a merchant, Nedim. But if you swing a sword on the battlefield enough, you can tell who is the prey and who is the hunter from their scent."
He opened the cabinet under the counter. The air of the damp room changed instantly; an exotic, refreshing, and rich aroma filled the room. Hakan had taken out a package of Huza Tea from the cabinet.
"Bring the teapot by the fireplace so we can cleanse our palates," Hakan said, carelessly tossing the priceless leaves into the cups.
Nedim stuck his nose in the air and inhaled the scent, his eyes widening like saucers. "This smell... It can't be... Is that Huza Tea?! Come on, no way! I thought the Coalition stopped sending this to the island years ago. Have you been stashing this all this time?"
A smile appeared on Hakan's lips as he took the teapot from Nedim's hand. "I'm not stealing anything, Nedim. Let's just call it... tax." He filled the cups. As the hot water met the leaves, the aroma intensified. "That kid is still angry at our beloved boss. The moment he feels strong enough, he will try to kill Firel."
"Unless he was cast aside and left to die, of course..." Nedim said, reaching greedily for his cup and taking a large gulp. "I'M BURNED!" He spat the tea onto the rug as the boiling water scorched his tongue.
Hakan looked down at him. "He isn't someone who would die that easily, have no doubt. Anyway... The reason I called you here from your warm bed was to remind you of our plan. We will pull Aiden to our side, sharpen him like a whetstone sharpens a dull blade, and unleash him on Firel. Quite simple, isn't it?"
Nedim spoke with a lisp due to his burnt tongue. "Yes, we got it. I don't understand why you felt the need to remind me of this."
Hakan's face darkened instantly, and he hurled the knife in his hand. The knife sliced through the air, passing just a few millimeters from Nedim's ear, and embedded itself in the wooden wall behind him. The handle of the knife continued to vibrate.
Nedim froze where he stood, his breath cut short.
"Then why did you stop extracting the gold that Aiden has been after for years!?" Hakan roared.
Nedim's shock gave way to hysteria mixed with fear and anger. "Do you liken mining to sitting at that damn table and giving orders?! Do you know what's down there? A giant carnivorous worm! It lives inside the tunnels like a tapeworm! I lose miners constantly; I listen to my men's screams every day!"
Ignoring this excuse, Hakan walked quickly toward him. He pressed his forehead hard against Nedim's and pushed him back. "Bullshit! Don't try to trick me, you cunt-mouth!" His eyes were blazing. His voice turned into an icy whisper: "While no eyes are watching... what if I introduced you to the gods right here?"
Nedim was trembling but didn't step back. He locked his eyes with Hakan's. "Council laws... Members cannot kill each other. I am not afraid of you."
Hakan paused for a moment. Then, with a mocking, annoying laugh, he threw his tea cup against the wall. The sound of shattering porcelain was deafening. He got right back in Nedim's face. "I didn't do anything... We'll put it in the reports like this: 'Mining Chief Nedim was poisoned because his mask tore in the tunnels and died in agony.'" He tapped Nedim's shoulder condescendingly. "The Coalition has already punished us all for insufficient mining. Firel holds a grudge against you. I don't think your absence would create any problems."
These words blew the last fuse inside Nedim. He pushed Hakan's chest with both hands with all his might. "Wouldn't create problems?!" he shouted, his voice shaking the cabin. "Do you think Firel put me in charge of that mine for my good looks, you moron! Without me, no one can manage the mine's ventilation system or the toxic gas chambers! Without me, you would be eating your own shit out of hunger!"
He slammed his cup hard onto the counter. "I am the only person who understands the mining structure and veins of this place! Even if there were others... no one else has the balls to go into that deadly poison, understand?!" He was out of breath. "Firel might be angry enough to punish me, but he isn't stupid enough to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs."
Hakan took a step back. The desire to kill on his face was replaced by the disappointment of a predator losing its prey. He realized that fear didn't work on Nedim, that the man's survival instinct had overcome his fear.
With this momentary victory, Nedim headed for the door. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob and spoke without looking back: "If a mining chief disappears, he is hard to replace, but there are plenty of commanders like you, Hakan. Don't forget that."
He opened the door, and the howling of the wind filled the room again. "We have common interests in killing Firel, that's all. I don't give a single fuck about your revenge! Know that I am not doing this for you. Do not contact me unless there is a development. Just do your job."
He slammed the door with all his might and left Hakan alone with the silence of the dying fire and the knife trembling on the wall.