The trudge through the Outlands took a toll on the seven. The wounds and aches from the previous battle festered among them all. Ceri used her little knowledge of biology to help with caring for the wounds. She would lament that if the group had Cells, magic healing could be used to cure the problem, yet the group expended all the Cells against the worm. Having more could only be another wish in their hearts.

  Every step taken led them closer to the grey, foreboding outer wall of the city. The structure climbed to the sky far beyond their comprehension, even the mountainous arcane worm could never hope to scale it. The wall stood as a reminder of the city they often felt trapped in. It ran beyond the horizon as it encompassed the massive city, seemingly never ending. Inside was no better for the wall ran through the city dividing it into the seven districts. No matter where one may look, the wall remained a monument to entrapment of the city.

  Reaching it remained uneventful and when reached, a noticeable gap of about fifty feet stood between the base of the wall and the piles of garbage. Billy briefly mentioned something along the lines that the trash movers often drive near the base of the wall to help with traversal.

  The section of wall the group reached had a twenty foot gate sealed shut. The area around the gate had seemingly no indication on how to open it, but Ceri began knocking around the wall near the gate. The sound of a hollow section could be heard, gaining Ceri’s notice, and she pressed into the section of the wall. A metallic plate pushed inward and slid to the side. The opening revealed itself and with hasty joy Baba exclaimed, “Oh good, we have a way in.”

  Ceri in her neutral tone quickly corrected, “No, this is an emergency entrance space that still needs a security clearance in order to get in. Since we don’t have a key, I’m going to have to pick the lock, so to speak.”

  The space within the wall was metallic and bare except for a keypad at the end of the five foot long crawl space. The keypad not only required a password but also a key card. Ceri crawled in and began to use her tools to open the space behind the keypad, revealing a tangled mess of wires. She shouted to the group, “This will take me a few days. I am not very knowledgeable about wires, but it’s a subject I can quickly learn. Take the time to set up camp.”

  With not much else to do, the group followed the command given. With their miscellaneous knowledge, Miracle directed Voltaire into building a few small tents. Baba and Mimi gathered materials for the tents and for a fire. Once the fire was set, Billy started to cook the supply of food remaining in his pack. Medoe spent the day searching through nearby machines to find Exhausted Cells. His effort would be spent in vain.

  When nightfall came, Ceri left the crawlspace, ate what food was given, and began sleeping, offering few words to the group. The rest of the group began to prepare themselves for the night. During this time, Baba picked up her tent and mentioned to the group, “I appreciate the efforts you all have put into this camp, but I am a bit ashamed to admit that I am still not comfortable around most of you.” She eyed all the men of the group and Miracle. “I will sleep a bit aways from the camp but not out of sight. I know it riskier to do so, but I just can’t-.” Explaining no further, Baba walked away from the camp almost in shame. The group allowed her to do so in peace.

  Halfway through, Mimi came running holding the tent in both hands. She exclaimed to Baba, “It wouldn’t be good for a mercenary captain to allow her co-captain to sleep alone in the Outlands. I will be by your side in case of an attacker.” She gave a wide grin to Baba who gently smiled back and gave a thank you.

  The night passed and morning arrived. When the light hit Ceri’s eyes, she awoke and with no hesitation headed back into the crawlspace to resume her work like an automated machine. The rest of the group slept in, having no motivation to get up. With the camp already set, the day would be empty. The morning was spent with idle chatter between members of the group, none of which evolved beyond small talk.

  To pass the time, Baba strolled over to the crawlspace and sat down next to it. She played with her hair, twisting and curling it before releasing it. Her head turned to the space, and she spoke loudly, “Ceri, a thought had occurred to me. During our first evening together, you mentioned that you had no desire to ever come back to District S, yet when we arrived, you knew what to look for and what tools were needed. For someone who never wanted to go back, you were very prepared to re-enter.”

  All from the crawlspace, the twisting of screws could be heard next to the sounds of zaps from the wires. Ceri’s voice echoed out, “I’ll admit. There were times I considered going back, and I made my way to this gate. The temptation nearly pulled me in, but I turned away every time.” Baba poked their head a bit into the crawlspace and asked, “How come? What makes you turn away every time?” The sounds of work stopped. There was a brief pause before Ceri answered, “I gave up on the lie that there was something for me here.” After the response, the sounds of work resumed.

  Baba slumped back at the wall to observe the Outlands not too far away. Looking up at the sparsely clouded sky, Baba wondered if she too was believing the same lie. She dwelled in those thoughts for the rest of the day.

  Not far away, the melodies flowed from Medoe’s flute. Voltaire sat nearby, silently tapping away in time with the flute. Billy and Miracle discussed the best ways to cook animals with Miracle insisting their programming was flawless. The pleasant music and chatter halted to the sound of a large thud emanating from the wall. Standing at the base, Mimi swung her hammer against the wall. Every bludgeon given was backed by her full might.

  A perplexed Billy called out to her, “What in tarnations are you doing? Trying to bring the wall down?” She gave one last swing before catching her breath. Readying another swing she huffed out, “I’m not necessarily trying to bring down the wall. I’m just trying to leave a mark. I heard no one’s left a mark on this thing. If I did it first, I’d be legendary!” She screamed as she striked the wall, failing to leave a mark.

  Billy found himself interested in her statement. Looking around the wall, he could not point out a dent or scratch, yet the wall had existed for almost as long as the city.

  Mimi, exhausted from her futile efforts, leaned on her hammer and shouted to Voltaire, “Hey, tattoo boy! Use the magic from that thing to see if it will leave a mark on the wall.”

  Voltaire curled his lip, and yelled back, “I’m not going to waste my time doing something you want me to do. Besides, if you can’t make a dent in it, what makes you so sure that my magic will have an effect?”

  “What was that?” Mimi sarcastically said putting her hand up to her ear, “Your magic is super weak and useless. Did I hear that right?” Voltaire groaned and left, ignoring her childish taunts.

  Medoe wandered to the wall and put his hand on it, stating to no one in particular, “I know the story about the wall if anyone is interested.” Both curious, Billy and Miracle asked that Medoe tell them while Mimi sat down nearby stating that she needed a break anyway.

  Medoe cleared his voice, warmed it up as if preparing for a show. He started, “When I was in school, we were taught the history about the wall. The wall was built-” Billy interrupted, “Hold on son. You tellin me you got a formal education?” Medoe’s posture dropped and he timidly responded, “Wait, doesn't everyone get some form of education.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Mimi shook her head. “Nope. We just learn the basics needed to survive. Maybe the job that Ma and Pa have, but education is for the rich. Are you telling us your rich Medoe?” She leaned with a smug smile.

  Medoe rubbed his hand on the back of his head while he looked away. In a low voice, he responded, “My parents were wealthy, but they died a few years ago. I did inherit all of their wealth, but let’s just say that I have-” He paused to take a deep breath. “Lost is all. Not a credit is left in my name. It’s why I had to leave my home.”

  Mimi sat disgruntled on not having access to wealth. Miracle with concern asked, “How did you lose it? Perhaps there is a way we can help you attain it back.”

  Medoe waved his hand, pushing the subject aside, “Let’s not talk about it. I thought we were supposed to be talking about the wall.” The group agreed to move on and adjusted themselves accordingly. Medoe resumed his story like there was no interruption, “Before the wall, the city could never last. Every few years, a monster from beyond the mountains would come and bring most of it to ruin. The exhausted city decided to build the wall in response. To help lead the construction, they hired Willamina Claudia, the lead researcher of Cells at the time.

  For the first couple of attempts, no permanent progress could be made. A monster of some kind always managed to knock it down or obliterate it. After the third or so attempt, a frustrated Willamina decided to lock herself up in her lab until she found a solution. She remained there for months with a few of her colleagues thinking she had died.

  One day, she suddenly bursted from the lab, laughing like a maniac. She claimed to have created a mixture that would make the wall invincible. Her team ignored her smell and dirty looks to let her pour in her mixture into molten metal. When the metal became solid, it was invincible. Nothing could affect it and no Cells magic could change it. With the mixture being added, the wall could be built, and the city grew to what it is now.”

  Billy and Miracle listened intently while Mimi daydreamed through most of it. Billy asked, “If we once made an invincible metal, why in hell isn't it used more. Not to mention, I’ve seen the inner walls be dented and beaten up. Why are they made of different materials?”

  Medoe scratched his head and began reciting from his memory, “If I can remember, before the inner walls were constructed Willamina vanished. All of the mixtures were made by her alone, so she was the only one who knew the formula. When she went missing, so did the formula, and no one has been able to replicate it.”

  Billy leaned back nodding, satisfied with the answer. Miracle asked their question next, “Why are the seven districts divided by the walls? Why are you physically divided amongst yourselves?” The question stumped both Medoe and Billy. Medoe could not recall any teachings from school and Billy had not heard as much as a conspiracy theory about it. Billy decided on his answer after a minute of thought. “Not much we can do about it though. That’s how it is. That’s how’ll it be. We don’t need to think about it much more.” Medoe and Miracle reluctantly agreed. Mimi attached herself to the end of the conversation saying that she also agreed, not knowing what she agreed to. With the story over, she shortly went back to hitting the wall with no success.

  The evening returned signaling everyone to sleep with Baba and Mimi breaking off from the group again. While everyone drifted into slumber, Voltaire laid awake. He shifted his eyes amongst all of the slumbering bodies patiently waiting for them to reach a deep sleep.

  The moonlight illuminated the Outlands with its pale glow. Voltaire found his opportunity and slowly crept over to Mimi and Baba, observing every step landed only on the soft dirt. He reached where the two slept and confirmed both of them to asleep.

  With a plain face, he lifted his left arm, aiming his tattoo at Mimi. With deep breaths, his arm trembled in its aim. Why did he struggle? He has killed in the past, including those in their sleep. Did it truly matter if he betrayed the changes he tried to make? If Mimi ever spoke about his past to the group, they would force him to leave. He needs their power. They have the strength to help him get Irene back.

  He sturdied his resolve and prepared to kill. It was all for Irene. If his new morals stood in the way of Irene, he would remove them. She matters far more than anything. Besides, Irene never needs to know.

  With dead eyes, he aimed at his target. “You really are going to kill her. Aren’t you?” Voltaire jerked back his arm and stopped the magic flow. He turned his attention to the awakened Baba staring condemnation upon his soul. In slight terror, he asked, “Why are you awake at this hour.”

  “I couldn’t sleep,” Baba sharply replied, “How can I, knowing men like you are around?”

  Guilt washed over him. He desperately tried to lie about the situation, but Baba ignored it all. “Why?” she coldly whispered, “I can tell you are not one to do something for no reason. Tell me, now.”

  His heart hit upon his chest. Voltaire desperately wanted to give an answer to satisfy Baba, but none would suffice. The truth was horrible, and his past must not be brought up. He could only take a small gulp as he matched his gaze with hers.

  Baba approached Voltaire, her face full of hate. She fiercely whispered her command to his face. “Leave us. You have proven yourself a threat to all of us. Leave or I'll tell all of them about tonight.”

  Anxiety increased. Voltaire’s breaths became more shallow as his hands became colder. Killing Baba was not an option nor did he want to. He is being crushed by the weight of his own trapping.

  He muttered out, “I need everyone’s help. I can’t get Irene back on my own, and you all are the best chance I have. I swear on my- no, Irene’s life this will never happen again.”

  His earnesty met only deaf ears. Baba’s face contorted with rage. Her hands lifted up as if to strangle Voltaire, but with all her might, held them back. Gritting through teeth, she furiously whispered, “I’ve heard men like you say that line too many times. You swear you will change, but you will return back to your bullish self when no one sees you. You’re nothing but a common, violent man.”

  Every word stabbed into Voltaire. He desperately desired to argue against her claims but found no strength to do so. Baba calmed herself down enough to reach out her hand. She quietly demanded, “If you want to swear on your love’s name, put your words to action. Give me your locket, and it will be returned when you earn my trust.”

  Voltaire’s fear morphed into vengeance. How dare this other person come between him and Irene. He would kill her. He would kill Mimi. He would kill anyone who dared to get in between him and his love. Gripping onto the hilt of his blade, he challenged Baba with eyes alone, letting her know her command would not be met.

  Their souls clashed in the silence of the night with every breath ready to be the last. Neither would give into the other. Voltaire readied his blade and prepared to become who he used to be.

  He froze. Baba is right. His gaze broke away from her first. The similarities between Baba and Irene in the moment, proved them both right. He had not changed and never would unless he did something drastic.

  Taking his hand off the sword, he slowly reached towards the locket and gazed upon it one last time. With one last kiss to the locket, he handed it to Baba. As if begging for mercy, he asked, “Please, take care of it. That’s all I beg of you.” Baba allowed herself a moment of pity and gave a stern yet gentle nod towards him..

  Voltaire staggered away, Baba watching him walk a bit away from the camp. Once alone, Voltaire dropped to his knees in agony. He let out soft yells of pain to not alert anyone of what happened. The guilt had not been removed as he hoped, and the one part of Irene he had, was lost. No one was to blame but himself, and the loneliness of the blame only increased the guilt pressed upon him. Sobbing, he passed out in a pool of tears.

  Regret filled Baba’s heart as she lay down with the locket. She should destroy this locket and force him away, not offer him pity. Had she not learned? He will take advantage of this kindness, and the others will suffer because of it. Kindness is weakness. She must remain strong and never be weak again. The tears welled up within her eyes, and she removed the locket from sight. The fear of who she might become, broke her soul a little more.

  When everyone awoke, they remained blissfully ignorant to the events of the night. Voltaire anxiously waited for Baba to tell the group fully expecting what he deserves, yet nothing occurred, easing his worries.. He looked to Baba when no one else was observing them. She discreetly revealed the locket before putting it back. Voltaire received the message. Change must occur or else he loses more of Irene.

  Almost precisely in the afternoon, the gates began to open. Ceri hurriedly crawled out in order to watch the gate reach its opening. She stood proud of her work as the group gave a few cheers for her work. After their short celebration, the group readied themselves for what lay ahead in District S.