Shadows danced across the rough cave walls, cast by the glow of Angelo and Sol's auras as they tensed for whatever approached from the darkness. The steady scrape of footsteps grew louder until a figure emerged into their light, holding a lantern that threw harsh shadows across his weathered face.

  The man was in his forties with dark skin marked by deep lines, clutching both the lantern and an unusual tool—something like a pickaxe, but with a drill where the point should be. His eyes widened as he took in the three strangers, and a single word escaped his lips.

  "Shit."

  He immediately raised his strange pickaxe in a defensive stance, though his hands trembled visibly. "I-I don't know who you people are," he declared, voice wavering despite his attempt at bravado, "but I will stop you no matter what it takes!"

  Through their shared mental link, Red's voice sliced into Angelo's consciousness with its usual irreverence. "Look at this old timer! He's shaking so hard I can practically feel the vibrations from here." Red was still in smoke form, rushing toward them alongside Blue.

  Angelo placed a steadying hand on Sol's shoulder. "Power down," he murmured. "He's terrified, not dangerous."

  Sol's silver eyebrows pulled together in doubt. "You sure about that?" he whispered, not taking his eyes off the trembling miner and his drill-pickaxe. "That tool looks like it could do some damage."

  "Trust me." Angelo held Sol's gaze until an understanding passed between them.

  Both men relaxed their stances and let their auras fade away, plunging the tunnel into relative darkness save for the miner's lantern. The sudden shift clearly confused the man, whose weapon lowered slightly in response.

  "See? Not so scary after all, Angie," Red's mental voice practically dripped with amusement. "Even with that scowl permanently etched on your face."

  "Silence," Angelo shot back mentally before turning to Neiva. "You're up."

  "Me?" Surprise flashed across her face before understanding dawned. She nodded, brushing past Angelo with a nervous smile as she stepped toward the still-wary miner.

  "H-hello there," she began, tucking a strand of bright red hair behind her ear. The miner's grip on his weapon loosened slightly at the sight of someone who appeared more nervous than himself. "Are you one of the miners who work here?"

  The man lowered his drill-pickaxe another inch, uncertainty written across his features. "I... who are you people?" His voice cracked with lingering fear.

  Neiva's smile softened. "I'm Neiva Wines. These are my friends," she gestured behind her, "Angelo Ashworth and Solomon Thron."

  "Just Sol is fine!" Sol chimed in with a bright grin that seemed to light up the dim tunnel.

  "We're travelers," Neiva continued, choosing her words carefully. "We came to Thunderclap Port on... personal business." She decided against mentioning their investigation, at least for now.

  The miner studied them for a long moment, eyes darting between their faces before finally lowering his weapon completely. "Josef," he said, shoulders slumping as tension left his body. "Been mining these tunnels for twenty-four years now."

  "That's perfect!" Neiva brightened, confidence building as the conversation normalized. "We were hoping to ask you some questions, if that's okay?"

  Josef shifted his weight, the lantern light making his face look hollow. "I... I don't know—"

  "I'll start," Angelo stepped forward, his directness making Josef flinch slightly. "Why were you ready to attack the moment you heard us coming?"

  Josef ran a calloused hand over his face, embarrassment replacing his earlier fear. "Thought you might be thieves. First figured you for Cliffhangers since I didn't recognize your voices, but when I didn't see those noose tattoos..." He shook his head. "Can't be too careful these days."

  "My turn," Sol cut in, barely containing his excitement as he leaned forward. "What do you know about the gem that vanished from here a decade ago?"

  The question hit Josef like a physical blow. He staggered back a step, his face draining of color. "What do I know?" A bitter laugh escaped him. "That's when everything went to hell around here."

  Neiva moved closer, her voice gentle. "Would you mind sharing what happened? We'd really appreciate hearing your perspective."

  Josef sank down onto a nearby rock as if his legs could no longer support him, setting the lantern beside him. Its light cast long shadows across his face, deepening every line and wrinkle as he spoke.

  "Thunderclap used to be different," he began, staring at some invisible point in the darkness. "Small town, yeah, but we had something special here. Looked out for each other. No one worried about their own bank account because the mines provided for us all."

  He gestured vaguely at the tunnel around them. "These Geodite mines—they're special. Mining it ain't like regular rock. Takes skill, patience. Pride in the craft." A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. "And the mountain rewarded us for treating it right. Simple life, but peaceful."

  His expression darkened. "Then we found that cursed gem."

  Angelo crossed his arms, brow furrowed in confusion. "I thought it was valuable. What made it cursed?"

  "Oh, it was valuable alright," Josef's eyes took on a faraway look. "Bright as fire—deep orange and red. Roughly the size and shape of a human heart." His weathered fingers curled in the air, outlining the memory. "We called it the Heart of Geovale."

  Sol leaned against the rough wall, interest sharpening his features. "My source mentioned you found a buyer quickly."

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "That's quite the source you've got," Josef remarked, making Sol stand a little straighter with pride. "But yeah, that's right. Didn't just post it on some website—we reached out through a network of high-end art collectors." His eyes widened at the memory. "When I saw the final offer, I couldn't believe the number. Finally thought we could build Thunderclap into something more."

  Josef's shoulders hunched forward as he traced patterns in the dirt with his finger. "Tried to be smart about security too. Hired two separate teams—one handling the equipment, cameras and such. The other providing guards." He looked up. "Figured that way, neither could tamper with the other's work."

  "Sounds like solid thinking," Angelo nodded approvingly.

  "That's what we thought too." Josef's laugh was hollow, echoing grimly through the tunnel. "But when that gem impossibly vanished, those two teams just pointed fingers at each other. Confusing everything, made finding the real thief practically impossible." His voice dropped to a whisper. "And that was just the beginning of our troubles."

  Neiva leaned forward, her green eyes wide with curiosity. "But how did things get worse? I mean, losing the gem was bad luck, but..." She trailed off, hands opening in a questioning gesture.

  Josef dragged a hand down his weathered face. "In ways I couldn't have imagined." His fingers tightened around the lantern handle. "We'd promised those security companies serious money. All based on what we'd make from selling the Heart." He kicked at a small rock, sending it skittering into the darkness. "When it vanished..."

  "You went into debt," Sol concluded, the pieces falling into place behind his thoughtful eyes.

  Josef nodded, shoulders slumping further. "Begged them for mercy, for time, for anything. Both companies refused to budge." His voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "That's when he showed up."

  "Who's 'he'?" Sol asked, shifting his weight as he sensed they were getting to the heart of the matter.

  "Hugo Reid." Josef glanced nervously over his shoulder before continuing. "Goes by 'The Hanger' these days. Boss of the Cliffhangers."

  Angelo's expression darkened. "I think I see where this is going."

  "They offered us money," Josef confirmed, each word heavy with regret. "Enough to pay off the security companies. The loan had ridiculous interest rates but—" he gave a hollow laugh, "—no due date."

  Neiva's forehead wrinkled in confusion as she tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. "But that's not how loans work. There's always a payment schedule or something, right?"

  "That's exactly it," Josef tapped his finger against the rocky ground for emphasis. "It's an unending debt. That's how they took control, bit by bit, until they owned everything." He gestured vaguely toward the direction of town. "Now every Lumen Thunderclap earns flows through them. They 'protect' us and decide what each person gets." A bitter smile twisted his lips. "That's why prices are sky-high for outsiders. We don't see tourists anymore—just the way they want it."

  "Protection money," Sol muttered, crossing his arms.

  Angelo's eyes narrowed. "In my experience, you're paying to be protected from the very people you're paying."

  "But..." Neiva's voice grew small, almost embarrassed. "Isn't all this illegal?"

  Josef's laugh echoed harshly off the cave walls. "You think they care about laws?" He turned to Neiva, his expression grim. "Know why they're called 'The Cliffhangers'?" The lantern light cast deep shadows across his face. "Because people who cross them end up hanging from the cliff edge outside town."

  "And here I thought they just loved suspenseful endings," Red's voice suddenly echoed through the tunnel as he materialized from the darkness, his gray-tinted copy of Angelo's form stepping into the lantern light with his trademark wild grin.

  Josef leapt to his feet, nearly dropping the lantern. "Who—who—who—" His eyes darted frantically between Angelo and the newcomer.

  Red sauntered closer, hands stuffed casually in his pockets. "Relax, old timer. Don't get your panties in a twist." Meanwhile, Blue's azure smoke slipped silently back into Angelo's body.

  Josef's mouth opened and closed several times before he managed to speak. "You have a—a twin?" His gaze flicked rapidly between Angelo and Red, looking for differences.

  "What if I do?" Angelo snapped, jaw tightening with irritation. "Never seen twins before?"

  Josef sank back down onto his rock, taking deep breaths to calm himself. "Sorry. Thought it might be a Cliffhanger." He wiped sweat from his brow with a trembling hand. "Besides," he added with unexpected heat, "I've had it up to here with twins!" He raised his hand well above his head.

  "Something against specific twins, or just a general twin-phobia?" Sol asked with a hint of amusement despite the tension.

  "Both, at this point." Josef rubbed his temples. "The Cliffhangers have their top enforcers. There's Veronica, 'The Thunderwhip'—an evolved energy Auron."

  "The bitch who trapped me!" Red's thought blazed through their mental link. "So that's how she spotted me."

  "Then there's the Light Twins," Josef continued, his voice hardening. "Two light Aurons. Not evolved, but absolute monsters in human skin." His hands balled into fists. "They strut around like they own our souls, treating everyone like dirt beneath their boots. And we just have to take it."

  "What about the big boss himself?" Sol broke in, steering the conversation back on track.

  Josef shook his head. "Never seen his abilities in action. Don't know anyone who has and lived to talk about it."

  "So what do we know?" Angelo pressed, his patience wearing thin.

  "Besides him being built like a mountain?" Josef shrugged helplessly. "Not much else."

  Blue's scholarly voice filtered through their mental connection. "I believe considering his position of authority, it would be prudent to assume his capabilities are substantial. Underestimation would be a tactical error."

  Angelo nodded, coming to a decision. "Right. That settles it."

  "Settles what?" Sol asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

  "Sol, Neiva—you handle the gem mystery." Angelo's tone was final, brooking no argument. "I'm taking Red and Blue for some training."

  "What?!" Sol's face contorted with disbelief. "Why?" Beside him, Neiva's expression mirrored his concern.

  Angelo crossed his arms, his stance widening as if bracing for a fight. "This situation can't continue. The Angel of Death won't stand for it." His eyes hardened with determination. "I've got an idea how to get much stronger."

  "Hell yeah!" Red's excitement bubbled through their mental connection. "Finally, Angie has a good idea! Been too long!"

  "You're planning to take on an entire gang?" Sol's voice rose dangerously. "Have you completely lost your mind?" Josef frantically motioned for him to lower his volume, terror flashing across his weathered face.

  Angelo remained unmoved, calm as still water. "You don't have energy vision. While we walked through town, I measured up some Cliffhangers. Most are fodder." He glanced at Red, whose grin stretched impossibly wide. "If things get messy, we'll let Red handle them."

  "You can't be serious," Josef whispered, eyes wide with disbelief. "Taking them on is suicide!" Yet something flickered behind his panicked expression—a tiny spark that might have been hope.

  "My mind is made up." Angelo's voice dropped to that dangerous, quiet tone that had made criminals fear the Angel of Death. When he opened his eyes again, they glowed orange like embers in the darkness. "Those with evil in their hearts are a plague on humanity. It's my duty to either cleanse that evil or end it."

  Sol crossed his arms, jaw tight with disapproval. "So you're just abandoning the case? After everything?"

  "No. If you need help, I'll be there." Angelo's expression softened slightly as he turned to Neiva. "Besides, you have Neiva. She's more capable than you think."

  Neiva straightened, surprise and pride washing over her face. "You really think that?"

  "I do." Angelo held her gaze steadily. "You've surprised me many times. I'm sure you'll be crucial to solving this one too."

  Sol pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling control of the situation slipping away like sand through his fingers. Finally, he turned to the miner. "Josef," he said, his voice serious, "can we trust you to keep quiet about everything we discussed today?"

  Josef looked between them, something shifting in his posture. His shoulders straightened, his chin lifted—a man remembering what courage felt like after years of fear. "Even if it costs me my life," he said with quiet determination, "my lips are sealed."