The next few days were a blur of recovery and clandestine planning. The credits from Roric's wager and The Pit winnings had been more than enough to settle the eviction notice, lifting an immense weight from Kai's shoulders. He'd seen the relief on his mother's face, the return of light to her eyes, and it had solidified his grim resolve. This dangerous path he was on, at least it had yielded tangible protection for his family. For now.
His Anima Core Stability, after the fight with Crusher and the use of the stabilizer, had hovered in the low 70s. The System's warnings about needing "Tier 2 Sustenance" were a constant, low hum in his mind, but the immediate pressure was off. He focused on the Daily Quests – "Combat Recovery," "Strategic Analysis (Basic)," "Controlled Respiration Techniques" – anything to slowly build his EXP and maintain his current stability without resorting to the horrifying alternative. He now had 8 undistributed attribute points and 2 skill points, which he was still hoarding, unsure of the best allocation.
Roric had secured the warehouse unit as their temporary base of operations. It was sparse but functional, and more importantly, private. It was here, amidst stacked crates of newly acquired (and discreetly delivered) basic supplies – med-kits, untraceable comm-units, ration packs – that Roric brought up the next crucial step.
"We need a name," Roric stated, looking up from a data-slate where he was outlining potential recruitment strategies. He was dressed impeccably as always, a stark contrast to Kai, who was in a simple training undershirt, his new crimson and black jacket carefully hung nearby. "'Roric's Initiative' is a placeholder, a project title. A crew needs an identity, a banner. Something that resonates with our colors, our ambition."
Kai, who had been practicing the Anima concealment skill, trying to dampen the faint amber glow that still sometimes flickered in his eyes when he was tired or stressed, considered this. A name. It felt… presumptuous. They were just two people so far, one a reluctant, newly-minted MOD, the other a mysteriously wealthy and dangerously ambitious young man.
"Something that fits 'Crimson and Shadow'?" Kai mused. "And aims to outshine Apex?" He almost scoffed at the audacity of it, but Roric's unwavering seriousness was infectious, or perhaps just overwhelming.
"Precisely," Roric said. "It needs to inspire fear in our rivals, curiosity in potential allies, and perhaps a touch of awe in the downtrodden we might eventually… represent, or at least, not actively prey upon."
"No pressure then," Kai said dryly.
The System, unhelpfully, offered: [System Suggestion: Faction Name Protocol – Optimal nomenclature should evoke core attributes: Power, Resilience, Predatory Dominance, or Esoteric Mystique. Cross-reference with known successful Faction designations for probability of psychological impact.]
Kai mentally swatted the suggestion away. "What about something simple? Like the 'Red Blades' or 'Night Watch'?"
Roric wrinkled his nose slightly. "Too common. Too… street level. We're aiming higher, remember? We need something that hints at a deeper power, something that aligns with your unique… attributes." He looked pointedly at Kai, a silent acknowledgment of the draconic Anima he knew Kai was trying to control.
Kai thought of the dragon insignia on the jacket. Shadow Scale. Draconic. "Something with 'Dragon' in it?" Kai ventured, feeling a strange reluctance to so openly embrace the monstrous part of himself.
"Perhaps," Roric mused. "'Dragon's Teeth'? 'Dragon's Claw'? A bit on the nose, maybe. We want to evoke the essence, not necessarily be literal. Think about the feeling. The shadow, the fire, the hidden power."
They threw names back and forth. "Crimson Talons." "Night Wyrms." "Shadowfire Syndicate." None felt quite right.
Kai found himself thinking about the System's mention of his Anima sub-type: "Shadow Scale." There was a certain resonance to it. "What about… 'Umbral Scales'?" he suggested tentatively. "Or 'Shadow Scale Vanguard'?"
Roric considered it. "'Umbral Scales' has a certain mystique. 'Vanguard' implies we're leading something, which is the goal." He tapped his chin. "But we need the crimson in there too. It's our primary visual. Our statement of intent."
He looked at Kai, a spark igniting in his eyes. "The dragon is a creature of immense power, often associated with both destruction and a kind of primal majesty. Scales offer protection, a hidden strength. Crimson is the color of blood, of fire, of passion, of sacrifice. Shadow is the unknown, the place from which power strikes."
Roric stood up, pacing the small clear area in the warehouse. "We need something that combines the reptilian, the hidden, the fiery, and the elite."
Kai thought of the way his scales had shimmered into existence, dark and hard. He thought of the amber fire in his eyes, the draconic power thrumming within him. "What about… 'Wyvern'?" Kai suggested. "It's a type of dragon. Two-legged, often associated with venom or fire."
Roric stopped pacing. "Wyvern… I like the sound. It's less common than 'Dragon.' More specific. More… predatory." He looked at Kai. "And our colors? Crimson and Shadow."
"The Crimson Wyverns?" Kai tried it out. It had a certain ring to it. Fierce. Memorable.
Roric smiled slowly. "Or, to give it a slightly more… refined edge, a touch of the elite we aspire to be… How about 'The Crimson Coil'?"
Kai frowned. "Coil? Like a snake?"
"Like a serpent," Roric corrected. "A wyvern is often depicted as serpentine, a dragon in its most primal, coiled state, ready to strike. 'Crimson' for our visible declaration, our fire. 'Coil' for the hidden strength, the coiled power, the intricate plans we'll weave. It suggests something that wraps around its enemies, that constricts, that holds immense power in reserve." He met Kai's gaze. "It also subtly evokes the scales, the draconic nature, without screaming it to the world. It's strong, memorable, and has layers of meaning."
Kai considered it. The Crimson Coil. It sounded less like a street gang and more like… something else. Something more organized, more dangerous. It had a sophisticated menace to it that appealed to Roric's grand vision, and yet, it still felt linked to the draconic core of Kai's own power.
The System, surprisingly, offered a positive chime: [Faction Name Analysis: 'The Crimson Coil' – High psychological impact potential. Evokes themes of contained power, serpentine grace, and lethal potential. Synergizes well with Conduit's 'Shadow Scale Draconic' Anima profile. Strong branding viability.]
"The Crimson Coil," Kai repeated, tasting the words. A shiver, not entirely unpleasant, ran down his spine. It felt… fitting. A name for a new beginning, a new identity forged in fire and shadow.
He looked at Roric and nodded slowly. "The Crimson Coil. I like it."
Roric's smile widened, a flash of triumph in his eyes. "Excellent. Then it's settled. The Crimson Coil is born. Now, Leader Kai… let's discuss how we make this Coil felt throughout District 7, and beyond."