At the entrance to Black Alley, Zeri walked ahead, her little face sullen, an expression of slight exasperation. Behind her was a youth who had removed his hat; he had dark skin, white hair, and his face was painted with white markings that looked like an hourglass. His eyes were fixed on Zeri ahead, and he said, scratching the back of his head: "Sorry, Zeri, I misunderstood. I thought you wanted to join us."
"But I didn't mean to. I just thought... that only we were still resisting the Chem-Barons in all of Zaun."
"It's okay, I'm not that petty. However, I'm not joining your gang. I'm going to join the Lotus Flower Gang; that's already decided." Hearing his voice, Zeri turned and looked at the youth, then continued:
"But I still don't know your name."
"Even though I can't join your gang, we can still be friends, right?"
Zeri looked at the bewildered youth and smiled faintly, then added: "I think we'll definitely get along. It's strange, but I just have this feeling."
"My aunt told me my intuition has never been wrong."
Zeri was very lively, chirping like a cute little sparrow, gesticulating excitedly in front of the youth. She wasn't deliberately trying to please him; she genuinely had this feeling, as if, in some mysterious way, someone was telling her that she and this guy in front of her were meant to be friends. This was strange, but compared to a girl who could discharge electricity and control its power, it didn't seem so strange after all.
"My name is Ekko."
The youth said, looking at Zeri. He continued, "I'm the leader of the Wildfire Gang."
"Wow, you're a gang boss?" Zeri asked in surprise.
"Sort of," Ekko thought for a moment and nodded.
He looked at Zeri, asking the question he had wanted to ask earlier, "By the way, Zeri, what's this Lotus Flower Gang you mentioned? I've never heard of such a gang in Zaun before, one that dares to oppose the Chem-Barons, protect communities, and help residents."
"It's pretty amazing, right?" Zeri said, grinning.
"Yes."
"But I saw it with my own eyes. If you want to know, how about coming with me to check out the Hope Community?" Zeri raised her hand, made a pistol gesture, and waved her small hand.
"..."
"Just like that?" Ekko hesitated.
Sea Shark District was too close to Black Alley. Going there openly, Ekko was afraid of trouble. After all, many people in Black Alley recognized him.
"Otherwise? In that place, you don't need to hide yourself, because no one will pay attention to you anyway. Everyone is busy with their own business, making the community better, as long as you don't cause trouble."
"Okay, I'll go with you then." Seeing Zeri guarantee it with a pat on her chest, Ekko took a deep breath and nodded.
He was genuinely curious.
The Wildfire Gang often kept themselves hidden, avoiding contact with the outside world, living mostly within their own territory and bubble. Most of the time, the Wildfire Gang was self-sufficient, but there were many things they needed to purchase on the streets. Therefore, the Wildfire Gang's grasp of Zaun's news wasn't as poor as one might imagine. On the contrary, Ekko was very attentive to the situation in Zaun. Because he didn't just want his Wildfire Gang members to live safely; he wanted the entire... the entire Zaun to get better. For this reason, Ekko was very interested in this suddenly appearing "Lotus Flower Gang." If possible... could the Wildfire Gang cooperate with them? They were able to establish a foothold near Black Alley and remain unchallenged by Silco, which showed that their leader must be very strong.
Thinking this, Ekko followed Zeri.
An hour later, Ekko and Zeri arrived at a community.
"Every time I come here, I get so excited! This is what a community, what a home, should be like!"
Zeri stood in front of Ekko, spreading her arms wide, taking a deep breath. The gray haze entered her lungs, and she coughed repeatedly. Then, she turned and extended a hand to Ekko: "Come on, Ekko, I'll show you around. I know this place well!"
Ekko looked around, noticing that the residents here indeed weren't like people in other areas. The people here... had a very familiar expression on their faces.
It was—hope.
Just like the people in the Wildfire Gang, their eyes were filled with anticipation and hope for the future.
Looking at Zeri's hand, Ekko hesitated for a moment, then extended his own.
Zeri held Ekko's hand, swinging her body casually, leading Ekko wandering left and right.
"In this place, as long as you don't cause trouble, everyone will welcome and receive you, Ekko. See that auntie over there? That's Auntie Marna, her little cookies are super delicious, and not expensive!"
"Over there is Uncle Marvin's meat stall, his stir-fried frog meat is super tasty too!"
"This shop is my favorite! Ekko, I don't know what they put in the candy here, but it dances in your mouth, it's super exciting!"
Ekko followed Zeri, listening to her chirping voice, and could tell that Zeri really liked this place. Influenced by Zeri's excitement, Ekko relaxed a lot. He also found that indeed no one was watching him here; everyone was busy with their own affairs. So, he also put his mind at ease and toured the community with Zeri.
But when a group of people wearing graffiti-covered clothes appeared, the street suddenly became livelier. Zeri also saw them, then grabbed Ekko's hand, shook it vigorously, and shouted: "Look, Ekko, those are members of the Lotus Flower Gang!"
Ekko looked over, but when he saw the pink and blue graffiti on their clothes, his pupils suddenly constricted, and his hand unconsciously went to the weapon behind him.
But Zeri's excited voice, and the residents gathering around the Lotus Flower Gang members, made Ekko silently lower his hand.
Phew...
It wasn't her. Yes, not every pink and blue meant she was there. He really didn't need to be so nervous.
Ekko looked up and saw the group smiling, greeting the residents on the street, and buying things from their stalls with money.
But suddenly, a young man casually glanced at Ekko and Zeri, then looked away. But the next second, he suddenly turned back, staring at Ekko and Zeri in surprise.
Then, he walked towards Ekko and Zeri.
"Manzu?"
The young man's departure puzzled the others.
Ekko also looked at the approaching man, feeling somewhat familiar, but couldn't recall where he had seen him before. Alert, he silently grabbed Zeri's hand, his other hand reaching for his weapon, ready to act.
The youth approached, looking at Ekko with a puzzled expression. Then, his eyes lit up, and he went from walking to running.
"Wow..." Zeri was confused about what was happening, looking at Ekko, then at Manzu, completely bewildered but very excited.
Ekko, meanwhile, was tense.
Two seconds later, Manzu reached Ekko, laughing loudly and opening his arms to hug Ekko tightly:
"Oh my god, little squirt!"
"It really is you!"
Held by the other man, the familiar nickname echoing in his ears, Ekko was dumbfounded.