His patience is wearing thin as he loomed over the dark part of the alley. His face was unsettled and remained intact from puffing the cigarette. He did not wait for any further and walked inside the establishment through the backdoor. His eyes were vigilant as the red light coming from the ceiling guide his way. If it were not for Alastor’s suggestion he would not have come here. It is part of his plan. Cid was to convince the remaining mercenaries to join them to fight against the enemies.

“What’s taking so long?” asked Cid as he enters the room.

There, the entire gang of mercenaries sat down in their own stool and table, savoring their drinks as if it is their last cup.

A man approached him. “This is the man you talking about?”

Cole stands up, “Yes, he is.”

The man stood before him, his eyes judging his gravitas. It appears the leader of the pack.

“Hmm.” He grunts.

“Is there something wrong?” asked Cid.

The atmosphere became heavy, but not all threatening.

“Nothing.” The man turns his back and sat down.

Cid raised his eyebrow, “You sure? Because I can tell that you’re measuring me.”

The man smirked, “Everybody does.”

Cid’s eyes scanned. They are all giving him an intimidating look. Cole pats him as if his eyes tell him to let him handle it.

“As you can see,” Cole started “Theo is taking over the city from inside. That mean it—”

“Spare us with that crap!” one of the men shouted. “Death will be the only thing that will grant to us.”

“So, you’re gonna let the bastard win? There is no way out in the city. All roads have been blocked. The only thing we can do now is to fight.”

“And what about the money?” Another man asked, “Since you’re the one who suggests it, I take it you’re gonna pay us?”

Cole fell in silent.

“Yeah, I thought so.” The man said. “No man is insane enough to fight without proper compensation.” He slams down the table.

“Hold down your horse.” Their leader ordered.

The man did not listen and continued the yattering, “There’s nothing good—”

The leader grew bored and stab his hand with the fork. The man shouted in pain as he kneeled and quickly compress it with the towel.

“Stop being a bitch and hear the man out.”

Cid could not take it anymore and so, he stands for himself, “Look, I don’t have anything to offer to you lot, but if Theo will take over the city, then there will be no hunting business anymore.”

“Even if your words are promising, you forgot one thing: we can just pack up and leave here. Start a new life in another country.”

Cid shook his head, “Suit yourself.”

Cole gave him a blank look, pretended not to be shocked.

“Your mom sure raised a pussy.”

“What did you say?!” the man shouted. The table was shook when he slammed his hand. “I don’t know what’s inside your head, swindle knot. But you do not have the right to call names here! Who do you think you are?!”

“I’m the bearer of the truth.” Said Cid. “You think that the problem will be gone if you just walk away? No, though it may not seem to be sound, Theo’s going to expand his connections, control the underground, and limit our actions. Innocent people will die if you let him do what he wants. Only gods above know what will he do.”

“Tell me, what makes you persist this much?” the man asked, “No, there’s a much darker reason lies behind those words. Will you grant me the satisfaction to know your secret?”

Cid gulped, “I do not know what you’re talking about. I only came here to speak out and convince all of you to fight.” He glances around. “Will you supplicate to his demands or are you gonna stand up against him?”

“Your words remained empty. Do you think these men would be foolish enough to fight a war that was never their right to fight?”

“But I believe that all of you don’t want this city to end up manipulated by that man.”

“We don’t care.” Said one of the men. “We care more about our life than this city.”

Cole already knows that this conversation is going nowhere, considering that these men are committed enough to wag their tails off the fight.

Cole asked Cid, “Can we talk outside?”

The two men walk outside. Cole greeted him with a grave look.

“So, what?” asked Cid.

“You know what’s up with those guys.” Started Cole. “They won’t work unless there’s proper compensation. And you sir, have no offer to give.”

Cid scratches his head. “I thought I could convince them with words.”

“What do you expect of them? Patriots? You guys are alike, you all work for money. Now, unless you have something to offer, those guys won’t go with you.” Cole sighed. “I’m saying this to spare you the trouble. At first, I thought that you have something incentive, but after I saw your sappy moves, I was lost.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I don’t know. Tell your teammate that your plan was fucked up.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re already heading to the rendezvous points.”

“What?” Cole asked surprisingly, “You guys honestly expect that talking with these guys will turn the table?”

“We ought to use them as a cover for us to get inside the Kelby Hives.”

“And here I thought you guys are professionals.”

“Hey, we’re in a desperate situation here, so simmer down on being a judge-e.”

Cole looked down. His face is in a serious expression, thinking deeply.

“What to do? What to do?” Cole repeatedly asked himself.

Cole looked up to Cid, “You owe me a hundred-thousand haz.”

Cole walks back inside with an uptight visage.

“Seventy-thousand haz. Help us take care of Theo and you’ll get seventy-thousand haz.”

One of the men dumbfoundedly allows dropping the mug from hearing the price that Cole said.

“And after that, you lot will get another thirty-thousand. Deal?”

“The leader of the mercenary group stands up.

“That is what we call us business. We’re in. Boys! Mugged your drinks, we’re going to war!”

Cid hearing those words coming out of his mouth, grabbed his shoulder.

“Are you serious?”

“There’s no other way. And hey, I only lend my money to you guys, so pay me up next time.”

Cid sighed. “Shit. Looks like my reward ain’t goin’ anywhere for me.”