Chapter 26 West Highway (1/2)
The Slums were connected to New Casablanca by four highways, one for each cardinal direction. Currently, Fell wandered close to West Highway, his eyes darting everywhere. It was his first time leaving the Slums, his chest pounded in excitement, and a bright smile plastered on his face.
The tainted sky wasn't enough to diminish his curiosity, and he was already trying to imagine how the central districts were. Having only heard about them from a few drunkards, he was excited to see those gigantic skyscrapers for the first time.
Fell left the Slums this morning. As soon as he ended his last cultivation session, he swiftly went to notify Sifiso.
Sifiso wasn't surprised by the young man's future plans. He already expected Fell's departure since the beginning. The Slums were too little for his meteoric rise and would only block his future progress.
He helped him amass the necessities he needed for his journey and paid him his gains in the Gladiator's Heaven. Fell ignored the old man's money and left him with one of the credit cards he looted from DarkSun.
The old man later was left dumbstruck by the incredible amount of Credit that he received, it was enough for him to retire and live his life more comfortable in the central districts.
A few gladiators noticed that he was leaving and decided to escort him with Sifiso. Their kind act touched fell. This place forever engraved in his heart.
Then he strutted in the direction of Pig's Paw, the only place that offered him help when he needed it. Moha was in the end, his single paternal figure. He couldn't afford to leave without bidding his farewell to his old man.
As soon as he entered the bar, he noticed the weird look on the customers' faces. The rumors were true, Moha the Butcher got his youth back.
Moha's smooth and spotless face left his regular customers smitten as soon they entered the tavern. Although, they swiftly figured out that he was the same as before, a pure native from the Slums.
He was smoking behind the counter, his cheap brand of cigarettes between his lips. Fell was relieved that Moha's new appearance didn't turn into an annoyance for his business. The Butcher's reputation wasn't frail enough to be shaken by his softer physique.
Moha wasn't surprised by the news either, as he was also expecting Fell's departure since his first day at the arena. He could see the heaven-defying ambition in the young man's face, and a simple slum wasn't enough to block him in his path.
”Be safe in your road, don't let people trample on your pride. If you can't secure victory, at least secure your own life…” Moha spouted an endless number of advice, worry and expectation marked on his face.
Fell could only nod vigorously with a wry smile under the old man's constant instructions.
”Now take this and leave before I kick your ass!” Moha gave Fell a carton of cigarettes, turned his back to hide his face. In the side of his eyes, a clear tear glistened before sliding on his smooth cheek.
Fell didn't know what to answer. His emotions were in disarray. He grabbed the carton, bowed deeply in the direction of the man and left the bar with long strides.
Moha kept trembling for some second before turning back. His eyes darted all over the room to see if his protege was still here. He sighed before noticing a card on the counter, smiling he grabbed it and put it on his pocket.
”Wow, boss became quite the p*ss…” a drunkard exclaimed before being slapped in the face by his buddy, stopping him from continuing his nagging.
”If you wanna die that's your own choice, but don't cause me problems with your stupidity” his buddy explained before emptying his glass, he darted from the bar fearful that anyone heard his friend's stupid remark.