Arcane: Broken Mechanism

As the boys made their way upstairs, they were greeted by soft lighting, created by old-fashioned lamps hanging on rough metal chains from the low ceiling. The warm, amber light bounced off the wooden walls, which, despite numerous dents and scuffs, looked as solid as Vander himself. On them hung old photographs, rusty gears, and other objects, reminding one of the history of the bar and those who had visited it.

The centerpiece of the room was a massive dark wood bar, behind which Vander himself stood. It was decorated with knife marks, mug marks, and warm memories from the many stories told here over the years. The floor was covered in worn wooden planks that creaked softly underfoot, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

Several tables and chairs lined the walls, seemingly assembled from odd bits of old machinery, giving the place a Zaunian charm. In one corner stood an old broken gramophone that Vander had been promising to fix for years, and next to it was a small cabinet filled with bottles and cans, each container seemingly unique.

The air in the bar was thick with the aromas of beer, metal shavings, and a hint of tobacco. However, this place was more than just a bar - it was a symbol of unification for those who lived in the lower levels of Zaun. Everyone knew they could find shelter and support here, especially the children, who looked up to Vander as an unofficial leader and father.

The bar seemed to say to everyone who entered: you are safe here, even if the world around you is crumbling.

Vander, a stocky and tall man who looked to be in his forties, stood behind the bar, wiping glasses. To their great surprise, Benzo was sitting right in front of the bar.

"We're ready, Vander," Vi said, adjusting her backpack on her shoulders. Her voice was firm, but there was a familiar note of youthful stubbornness in it that Vander knew all too well. "Morning, Benzo."

"And stay healthy, kids!" Benzo said, raising a glass of juice that shone with an amber sheen. His tone was playful as usual, but his eyes slid over their faces, as if he were assessing their mood and whether they were ready for the day.

"Is it too early for juice, Benzo?" Milo asked, grinning and nudging Claggor to join in the joke.

"Juice?" Benzo feigned surprise and twirled the glass in his hands. "It's just for show. Are you ready? Or is Vi going to do everything for you again?"

"Hey, I'm always ready!" Milo protested, folding his arms dramatically across his chest. — Someone is just taking things way too seriously.

"Quiet, Milo", — Vi raised her hand, stopping him, and looked at Vander. — Everything as agreed, right? No surprises?

"None", — Vander nodded, putting his glass behind the counter. His voice was deep and calm, but it conveyed the same concern he always showed for this group of teenagers. — But if something goes wrong, you come back right away. Got me?

"We understand, Vander", — Vi nodded. She glanced at her friends, who were already standing nearby, charged with the energy of the upcoming task. Even Powder, although she was hanging back, looked full of enthusiasm, hugging her toy. Vander glanced at her, frowning slightly, and briefly addressed Vander:

"Are you sure this is a good idea? She's still a little girl," he said, literally reminding Vi of the last time they almost got caught on a mission because Powder dropped a boulder from the roof, creating an echo.

"I can handle it," Powder said firmly, her voice sounding a little louder than usual, but without an ounce of doubt in it.

"Well, look, Vander. She's definitely your student. The same look you had when you were young," Benzo looked at her with interest. Vander grinned, but said nothing, just nodded. His expression became softer, but there was still caution in his eyes.

"Okay, go ahead. But be careful. And Powder," he leaned towards her a little, as if he wanted to say something just for her, "stay close to your sister, okay?"

"Okay," she answered quietly, but her voice still sounded determined.

Vi waved her hand at her friends, and the whole group headed towards the exit of the bar. Behind them, Vander and Benzo exchanged glances, but remained silent, each realizing that these guys were now choosing their own path.

As the boys exited the bar, the door closed quietly behind them, leaving Vander and Benzo alone. The men exchanged a quick glance, and then Vander continued to polish his glass, trying to keep a calm expression despite the weight of the conversation that lay ahead.

"They're getting too bold, Vander," Benzo began, moving his glass closer to the bar. "The crime lords have been more active in the last week. It looks like something's brewing."

Vander frowned, setting his glass aside. His broad shoulders tensed, and his gaze grew heavier.

"I've noticed, too. Things are getting restless in the city. The kids are telling me that there are strangers in the alleys more and more often, and not from our area. The gears are moving, Benzo, but I can't see the whole machine yet." Benzo crossed his arms, resting his elbows on the bar, and nodded.

"That's why you, the Hound of the Lower City, need to take a firmer grip on things. You know where this could lead if they're not stopped. Gang feuds are one thing, but now… they're starting to coordinate things too well."

Wander narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. He knew Benzo was right, but his friend's words, as always, held more than they seemed.

"You think something big is going to happen?" Wander asked after a long pause, his voice quiet but wary.

Benzo didn't answer right away. He looked at Wander, as if weighing his words.

"I don't know. Maybe him. Or maybe someone new who decided he could take over the streets of Zaun. But I know one thing for sure: we can't leave this to chance." Benzo drank the contents of his glass and looked at him. - It's a good idea to work with the Piltovers to keep order in Zaun, but

"I have it under control," Vander said firmly, though there was a hint of doubt in his voice. "First, we need to figure out who they are and what they want."

"Control is good, Vander, but what we need now is more than just control. We need action before they make a move," Benzo said quietly but insistently. "I heard there was a new crime lord named Finn a year ago. He's young and ambitious. You haven't had a meeting with the other lords in a while, and you haven't met Finn in person. Luckily for you, I've gathered information. The kid is brazen and wants more power. I think he'll be the cause of all the problems in the lower levels of the city if he's not reined in."

Vander frowned even more, rubbed his face with his hand, and sighed.

"I don't want to drag the boys into this mess. They're still kids.

"It's not just them, Vander. It's the whole city. If someone's starting a new game, we're going to have to play by their rules."

The bar was momentarily silent, broken only by the sound of creaking floorboards, as Vander paced the bar. His thoughts were heavy as concrete. He knew all too well that Benzo was telling the truth.

"Okay, Vander, let's talk, but I have to get ready to go to the shop. Ecco will wake up soon, and you know how he is. If you don't keep an eye on him, he will either blow something up, or take it apart halfway and forget to put it back together. You have to keep an eye on that kid."

Vander smiled slightly, allowing himself to relax a little for the first time all morning.

"Ekko is a real brat, but you know him. He finds a way to fix everything, even if he's done something wrong. He has a talent for fixing things, just like Powder"

"He will fix it", - chuckled Benzo, getting up from his seat and stretching. - But every time it's another half a day of work to figure out what he was trying to do.

Vander laughed a low, booming laugh that momentarily drove the anxiety out of his thoughts. Perhaps in this gray and unfair world, only children and the younger generation could cheer him up. He himself had long since grown tired of fighting the system, and realized that if anything requires sacrifice, it was children.

"If he were in your place, he would have turned everything upside down long ago, but you still put up with it. That means you're stronger than you seem, Benzo."

"I put up with it because he's talented, even if he's a bit of a wimp," Benzo said with a grin, adjusting his jacket. "Okay, buddy, I have to go. And you should think about our business," he headed for the exit, but before opening the door, he glanced over his shoulder. "And Vander, don't drag it out. The sooner we deal with these lords, the less reason we'll have to worry about our guys."

Vander nodded, watching his friend leave, and then returned to his work, but his thoughts were already far from the glasses and the bar counter.