ZZZ: Dawn of The Black Sun

Deep within a Hollow, a floating mountain of shattered debris and ruins of civilization stretched through the void. Floating rocks joined together, forming a structure of mountains and valleys. Vast ocean of steel stretched atop the sturdiest of rocks, creating a floating base in the middle of a void.

A certain cat thiren's ear perked up as dozens of eyes trailed down at her. A dozen more stepped down from a platform above them, weapons at the ready. Though the sight was nothing more but intrigue, those mooks look childish compared to the true monster she lives with.

"Stand down," a gruff voice boomed from the mountain peak. A mass of steel, lightning, and muscle dropped down a platform, landing right in front of the group. They gazed at the young woman leading the fray, carrying nothing but a suitcase and street sass.

"Oh hey how you doin'?" Nicole said, a hand on her hip and a smug grin on her face. "Fancy little place you got here, making a base inside Hollow Zero, now that's the first..."

"Cunning Hares..." the man narrowed his eyes, steel arms folded before his chest plate as he scanned the group before them. "I was wondering if you ever find yourself here, through the front entrance nonetheless," he turned around gesturing the group to follow them.

The Cunning Hares followed the man, trekking through a landscape of steel, rocks, and void.

"There's a rule I have in this base..." the man began. "Should another Hollow Raider were to discover this place through the Front Entrance," he gestured at the fissure that lead to the depths of Hollow Zero. "They are to be welcomed,"

Nicole raised an eyebrow. "Respecting the strong now, are we?"

Razor glanced back at her; one eyebrow raised. "Strong? Don't fool yourself, no human can discover this place alone," he looked back forward. "You have them helping you, no?" he continued. "The Black Sun..."

"The Black Sun?" Nicole asked.

"Heh..." Razor chuckled, a smirk quirked on his face. "Either you're playing dumb, or you really don't follow the news lately..." he began. "Or perhaps, you are more familiar to their official name... The Phaethon."

They stopped right at the top most platform. A gigantic throne made out of steel and iron looms before them. The man sat on top of it, regarding the Cunning Hares with an amused smile on his face. "Those who are blessed by the Black Sun is always welcome in my place..."

Nicole's shadow shifted and from within it, Eous emerged. The Bangboo stepped closer to the throne, glancing around with wide eyes on its display. "Aww, I'm touched you think so highly of me..." the black sun itself replied. "But really, I'm just an ordinary proxy~"

"Hahaha!" Razor laughed, voice booming through the void. "You're just an ordinary proxy?" he grinned. "Stop fishing for compliments," he smirked and turned to Nicole and the rest. "Looks like your friend's a little confused about your identity, should they know about it?"

"Nah~ Let's keep them guessing," Eous stepped forward. "How's business by the way?"

The man rolled his eyes. "Straight to the point as always," rapped his knuckles, a faraway look on his face. "Business is well, pub sec has been a pain lately, but nothing we can't manage. Our contact got a new supply of anti-corruption serum, but we can always use more of those,"

As the two started talking about their current underground business, Nekomiya took the time to look around. Part of her wondered how and when Belle get close to these group of criminals. Another part of her, frankly, is too afraid to ask. Lest she found herself dragged into another round of messed up things.

The Cat Thiren walked away from the group, looking up and down at the void everlasting. She looked at the guards, licking her hand without breaking an eye contact with them. "Whatchu looking at nyaa?" she teased the guard before walking past them and to another platform.

"Don't play too far kitty cat!" Nicole shouted.

Razor however simply waved his hand. "It's just our observation deck," he said. "That's the cat thiren from the Red Fang Gang, no?" he asked. "I was surprised you managed to get her on your side, right after you killed her father, no less."

Nicole smirked. "It's just the 'Black Sun' doing what they do best. Replacing other people's loved one after killing them in cold blood,"

Eous twirled towards her. "Hey! That's not true! I..." the Bangboo paused. "Okay, we technically did kill Silver Tears and... okay, the one with Grace is..." it looked down. "Huh, now that I think about it... It's almost becoming a theme now..."

"Frankly, I'm not surprised," Razor said. "The only thing strange about you is why you still choose to pretend to be a human," he leaned back. "But I suppose that's what makes you all the more... terrifying"

Nicole raised an eyebrow. "So even the almighty Razor is afraid of this proxy?"

"Only the stupid and ignorant wouldn't fear the Black Sun," Razor declared simply. "Say what you want, I've seen the scope of horror that monster could unleash,"

"Ahem, this monster can hear you, you know?" Eous piped in.

"Only the weak would be affected by mere words, you're not weak, therefore I shouldn't worry about what I say about you," Razor replied calmly. "Moving on," he turned back to Nicole. "Since you are here, I'm guessing you have something else to discuss? Or could this be just a social visit?"

"Well..." Nicole stepped closer. "I do have an offer for you darling~" she grinned. "See, the 'Black Sun' told me that you guys are having a little hostage situation back in Ballet Twins and well..." she put a hand on her hips. "If you'd let us interfere just a bit? Oh don't worry your pretty head, we'll pay you more than what you can squeeze out of those hostages,"

Razor nodded calmly. "By all means, handle it as you see fit," he paused. "Also, there's a rat that just joined in recently, see if you can discern anything about her,"

"With pleasure~"