The silence between Kai and Icarus was thick as they walked deeper into the subgrid's shadowed corridors. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of their surroundings pressing down on them from all sides. The twisted metal, the constant hum of malfunctioning machinery, the flickering lights that barely illuminated the path ahead—everything about this place felt designed to make you feel small, insignificant.
But Kai wasn't thinking about the darkness around him. His mind was consumed by the promise Icarus had made—medical supplies, weapons, and food. A chance to recover. It was tempting, but it also gnawed at him. It felt like too much of a lifeline, and he wasn't used to depending on anyone. The subgrid was a place for survivors, not for people who relied on others. Trust here was as rare as clean water, and Kai knew better than to offer it easily.
Icarus seemed to sense his hesitation. Every now and then, Kai would catch the man glancing over his shoulder, as if waiting for Kai to say something, to ask more questions, or to call him out. But the only thing Kai felt right now was exhaustion—physical, mental, and emotional fatigue. His body still ached from his previous encounters, the blood loss still dangerously high, and his stomach growled in protest, demanding sustenance. The last thing he wanted was to be at the mercy of another person, but Icarus was right. He didn't have the strength to keep going alone.
"Are you always this quiet?" Icarus's voice broke the silence, cutting through the oppressive stillness like a knife. "I thought you survivors had more to say for yourselves."
Kai grunted in response, not bothering to meet his gaze. He had nothing to say. At least, not anything he wanted to share with a stranger, even one who seemed somewhat trustworthy. He wasn't in the mood for small talk.
Icarus didn't press further, and the two continued walking in silence. They passed through a narrow passageway, the walls lined with ancient wiring and exposed pipes. The air here was thick with the scent of rust and oil, and every breath felt like it left a residue in his lungs. He didn't even know how deep they were inside the subgrid, but he had a sinking feeling it wasn't going to get any better.
After what felt like an eternity of walking, they reached a large open area. The space stretched out in front of them, the ceiling so high above that it was swallowed by the darkness. In the middle of the room, faint lights illuminated a series of crates and broken-down machinery. The area looked abandoned, untouched, but Kai knew better. This was where Icarus's supposed "cache" was located.
Icarus stopped at the entrance, turning to look at Kai with a knowing smile. "Here we are. Welcome to my little slice of the world."
Kai took a cautious step forward, scanning the room. It was as desolate as it appeared. The crates were stacked high, some of them marked with old symbols that had long since faded. The only sign of life was the occasional hum of machinery, still running despite its dilapidated state. If this was what Icarus considered a safe haven, it seemed like a far cry from anything Kai would have ever imagined.
Icarus walked toward one of the larger crates and pried it open with practiced ease. "Medical supplies first. You need to patch up if you want to survive any longer." He tossed a small first aid kit in Kai's direction, the contents rattling inside the plastic case. "Take care of your wounds. You've got to stop the bleeding if you want to stand a chance."
Kai eyed the kit warily but knelt down to open it. Inside, there were bandages, antiseptic wipes, and a small vial of what looked like a healing serum. It wasn't the most advanced equipment, but it was enough. The antiseptic stung like hell as he cleaned his wounds, but he gritted his teeth and endured it. The healing serum was a little more promising, and once he injected it into his arm, he felt an immediate rush of warmth, a soothing sensation that spread through his veins. His heart rate slowed slightly, and his body felt just a little less like it was on the verge of collapse.
"Better?" Icarus asked, watching him with a detached interest.
Kai nodded, though the physical pain wasn't the worst of his issues. He still had to figure out his next move—what he was going to do once he was healed.
"Yeah," Kai muttered, standing up and wiping his hands on his pants. "What else do you have here?"
Icarus grinned, clearly pleased by his response. "Weapons, food, and some other odds and ends. The usual fare for people trying to survive down here."
Kai's eyes narrowed as he walked over to a pile of weapons. He picked up a short, jagged blade that looked like it had seen better days, but it would do. The weight of it in his hand felt familiar, comforting. A weapon was always useful in a place like this.
Icarus continued, "I've got a couple of guns around here too, but you look more like a blade kind of guy." His smile was half mockery, half approval.
"I'll take what I can get," Kai replied, eyeing the assortment of firearms nearby. "I'm not picky."
He couldn't afford to be picky. As much as he hated the idea of relying on Icarus, he knew he was walking a fine line between survival and death. And in a place like this, there were no guarantees.
"What's your plan after this?" Icarus asked, leaning against one of the crates. "You can't stay down here forever, especially with people like the woman you met earlier."
Kai stiffened. He hadn't forgotten about her, or the giant man she'd been with. They were still a threat, one that loomed over him like a dark cloud. He wasn't sure if he was ready to face them again, but he didn't have much of a choice.
"I'll figure something out," Kai said, though he didn't feel as confident as the words sounded. "I have to keep moving forward."
Icarus watched him carefully, his expression unreadable. "Just remember, moving forward means making allies—or enemies. It's up to you which one you choose."
Kai didn't respond. He didn't need to. He knew what Icarus was implying. In a place like this, there were no neutral parties. The subgrid was a battleground, and everyone on it was either a friend or a foe. No one survived in the middle for long.
He picked up a few more supplies—food, a couple of water pouches, and a few more medical supplies—and packed them into his bag. Every item felt like a lifeline, each one a step toward staying alive just a little longer.
As he finished securing his gear, Icarus clapped him on the shoulder. "You're ready now. But remember, Kai, nothing's ever as simple as it seems. The deeper you go, the more you'll need to learn how to play the game."
Kai didn't know if he agreed with that sentiment. But for now, it was the only option he had.
[End of Chapter 9]