A Path To Omniscience

October 5th, 2033

"I still can't believe you're actually going through with this," Liv muttered, exasperation clear in her voice. She and Asher sat inside the quiet interior of the armored truck, the faint hum of the engine and distant street noise filtering in as they were driven somewhere.

"I mean, I've thought about it since you explained everything, but I still don't get why you chose these people in particular. Wouldn't it be less risky to just go straight to the slums and recruit from there?" She asked, to which Asher gave her a half-nod in response.

"Maybe, but there's no guarantee the ones who sign up have the drive I'm looking for. Not every Faunus in the slums turns to crime. For some, it's a moral issue, but in the end, morality alone won't stop someone from doing what they have to. No, the real reason many people in those situations avoid crime is simple—fear." Fear of getting caught, fear of punishment, fear of ending up in an even worse position than what drove them to crime in the first place.

Liv narrowed her eyes at Asher, who sat across from her, lounging with his eyes closed. If he wasn't actively responding, she might have thought he was taking a nap.

"So you're saying being a criminal is brave? That's... an interesting take," she said dryly.

A smirk tugged at Asher's lips, followed by a quiet chuckle.

"I wouldn't put it that way. There are plenty of cowards in the criminal world. It all depends on their background. And from what I saw, that group that tried to rob us has exactly the kind of background I need for people in my division. Of course, there's always a chance I'm wrong about them, but if I am, I'll just try again." He shrugged.

"Trial and error isn't exactly new to me. Besides," he added, his smirk widening just a fraction, "I'm giving them a second chance at life."

Liv let out a sigh, shaking her head.

"You know, I can never tell if you're being sarcastic or if you actually believe that, which is slightly concerning." She turned toward the one-way windows, watching as Mantle's familiar skyline flashed by.

"But anyway, why are we back in Mantle? And downtown, of all places?" Lights stretched across the sky, casting a glow over the towering buildings, their luminescence creating a stark contrast to the quieter residential areas of the city. It didn't feel quite like Atlas, but it was alive—bustling with people crowding the streets and cars filling the roads.

When people dreamed of moving to Mantle for a fresh start, this was the image they likely had in mind.

"I set the meeting spot here in Mantle—somewhere they'd at least feel somewhat familiar with. Also, my parents refused to let me rent out a place that was more... discreet," Asher said, his eyes still closed.

"Besides, bringing them up to Atlas and showing them luxuries they've been denied their whole lives would only make them despise me more than they probably already do."

"I see. So I'm guessing you already sent out the invites," Liv mused.

A brief pause, and then she hesitated before adding, "But... what if they don't show up?"

At that, Asher finally opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them. Liv shifted slightly in her seat when she caught it.

"Then they'll be arrested for violating the conditions of their expungement and sent straight back to jail. And this time, my parents won't be guaranteeing they'll spend the rest of their lives somewhere safe."

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"I don't think I've ever felt more out of place in my life..." The one speaking was a person from Indigo's group. They walked together down the sidewalk, their movements tense, eyes darting around as if expecting trouble at any moment.

They wore the same muted-colored clothing as the rest of Mantle's residents—practical, non-aesthetic, meant only to keep out the relentless cold. But simply walking through the city wasn't what had them so on edge.

"Damn, I knew the buildings downtown were tall, but I didn't think they'd be this big," another one of them muttered, their voice tinged with awe as they stared up at the towering skyscrapers, some flashing holographic logos across their glass exteriors.

Ignoring the murmured conversation, Gray leaned toward Indigo, who led the group.

"Hey, are you sure this is where we're supposed to meet the guy?"

"Yes. Why the hell would we be here otherwise?" Indigo snapped, shooting him a sharp look before turning her attention back to the paper in her hand—a handwritten letter that had been delivered to her.

Not long after they agreed to Asher's deal, they had been let go. Going back to the slums after so long in jail had been strange, but it gave them a chance to check on their friends and families—most of whom had assumed they'd gone missing or wound up dead somewhere.

We couldn't tell anyone close to us what we were getting into for the next year or why we'd be coming home less often. That was part of the deal. In a way, maybe that was for the best. I can't imagine how fast things would fall apart if word got out that we were working with the Atlas Military.

Especially to the rest of the Night Talons.

A few days after their return, someone under Asher's orders had come to the slums, delivering this letter to Indigo.

The cursive handwriting was unnaturally smooth, every stroke flowing perfectly, each letter spinning together with precision. The message was short and to the point: Indigo was to gather everyone still committed to their agreement and bring them to the address written on the back.

Anyone who didn't show up would be assumed to have chosen prison—and would be arrested the next day.

It was a threat, but in the end, it wasn't necessary. They had all decided to come.

"We should be close," Indigo muttered, glancing between the letter in her hand and the street signs. As they walked, she and the rest of the group ignored the stares they were getting.

Sure, they were dressed like the typical residents of Mantle—but only those from the lower-end residential areas.

Downtown was different. People dressed differently and carried themselves differently. And more importantly, Indigo and her group were Faunus. That alone was enough to earn them a fair share of dirty looks. It wasn't anything new. They were used to it, and aside from the occasional flicker of irritation or unease, they ignored it.

"Okay, I think this is it," Indigo said, coming to a stop in front of a towering forty-story building. The others halted beside her.

Rows upon rows of glass windows stretched up the structure, reflecting the glow of the city lights. Smooth steel and concrete made up the rest of its exterior—nothing like the rundown buildings at the edges of Mantle.

Gray eyed the building, unimpressed.

"He really couldn't have picked a normal coffee shop or something?"

"I feel like we'll get kicked out the second we step inside," one of the Faunus muttered.

"Well, at least there aren't any 'No Faunus Allowed' signs," another offered.

"Maybe we'll be fine?"

"Stop talking and let's just get this over with," Indigo cut in, silencing the conversation as she led them through the revolving door.

The lobby was exactly what you'd expect from a building this high-end—dark grey, polished floors, sleek metal pillars stretching up to the ceiling, each lined with soft white lighting.

There were even green walls and perfectly trimmed indoor plants, their vibrant color standing in contrast to the otherwise muted interior.

Talk about money... What even is this place?

The silent question lingered in Indigo's mind as she made her way toward the reception desk. She didn't miss the way the armed security guards stationed around the lobby immediately locked onto her and her group the moment they stepped in.

Bastards...

She sneered inwardly but kept her expression neutral as she reached the desk. The receptionist, dressed in a crisp, professional uniform, greeted them with a polite smile—one that was obviously fake.

"Excuse me, can I help you, miss? You and your friends seem a little... lost." The thinly veiled condescension, wrapped up in a cordial tone, made Indigo's eye twitch. But she forced herself to stay composed, inhaling a silent breath before responding.

"We were given this letter and told to meet here," she said, holding it out.

The receptionist took it with a practiced ease, flipping it open and scanning the contents with hardly any interest. That changed as she reached the bottom. Her eyes froze for a split second, widening slightly before darting back up to Indigo and her group.

Without a word, she turned to her computer, fingers flying over the keyboard as she checked something. A moment later, she looked up again, her smile now noticeably more genuine—though there was a nervous edge to it.

"My apologies, miss. Mr. Frostvale is expecting you and your friends on the thirty-ninth floor, meeting room 3906. I've unlocked the elevator for you, so you can head straight up." The shift in tone was almost jarring, and Indigo just stared at her for a second before giving a slow nod.

"Right. Come on, guys." She motioned for the others, leading them past the reception area and toward the only open elevator on this side of the lobby. As they stepped inside, the doors slid shut behind them, sealing them in. Gray pressed the button for the thirty-ninth floor without a word.

The elevator hummed to life, carrying them upward. A moment of silence settled over the elevator before someone finally spoke.

"So this is what it's like having friends in high places?" Gray turned to them, expression flat.

"Yeah. Except this kid isn't our friend—he's just holding our lives hostage to make us do what he wants." That remark brought another bout of silence as the elevator continued its slow climb.

"Well, to be fair, Indigo did threaten to shoot him in the face," another voice pointed out.

"Yes, we're all very aware that I fucked up, smart ass," Indigo muttered, not even bothering to turn her head. A few seconds passed before someone else spoke up.

"I wonder how much we're actually getting paid for this. He did say we'd be able to get ourselves and anyone we care about out of the slums."

"Are you seriously asking about money right now?" The Faunus next to him shot him a look of disbelief.

"You do realize we're about to sign away a whole year of our lives to some kid, right?"

"Look, if we have to work for him for a year, I'd at least like to know how much we're getting paid. Might as well make the best out of a bad situation, you know?"

"Will all of you just shut up?" Indigo snapped, turning to glare at them. The elevator went dead silent.

With a sigh, she turned back around just as the doors slid open.

Stepping out, they were met with a well-lit hallway lined with wall-mounted lights, the floor covered in a soft carpet that muffled their footsteps. Indigo glanced at the plaques on the doors before turning right. It didn't take long to find the right one.

Two bodyguards in black suits flanked the entrance. One of them was instantly familiar—he had been with Asher when they were still locked up.

Neither of them reacted as Indigo hesitated before reaching for the handle. It was unlocked.

With a quiet click, the door swung open, revealing a meeting room beyond.

A long glass window stretched across one wall, overlooking Mantle and the streets below. Even with the lights off, the city's glow bathed the room in a soft, ambient light. At the center of the room stood a long wooden table with twenty chairs, only two of which were occupied.

The moment Indigo's group stepped in, their eyes locked on Asher and Liv, seated at one end of the table.

"Oh, good, you're here," Asher said with a smile, gesturing for them to sit.

"A little later than I expected," he added. 

"Yeah, well, we don't usually conduct 'business' in this part of Mantle," Indigo shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"Oh, don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to get used to it." Asher's tone was light, but there was an unmistakable weight behind his words. As the group hesitantly took their seats, some of them caught sight of Liv, who was flipping through a briefcase, searching for something.

"Woah... so that's Liv Melone?" One of them whispered, their voice carrying a mix of disbelief and admiration.

"Can't believe she's his attorney." As murmurs rippled through the group and everyone settled in, Asher finally spoke up.

"So, since all eight of you are here, I'm assuming that means you're accepting my offer?" Indigo narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah. As long as you've held up your end of things." Asher spread his hands in response.

"Of course. I'm a man of my word." He turned to Liv.

"If you wouldn't mind." Liv met his gaze with a nod before rising from her chair, which rolled back slightly as she stood. In her hands were eight neatly stacked sets of documents. She walked around the table, placing them in front of each of Indigo's crew.

As she passed by Indigo and Gray, the two of them couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease.

It wasn't every day you sat across from someone you had robbed—or at least, tried to rob.

"These are the contracts you requested," Asher said, as Liv finished placing them on the table.

"As you asked, they outline everything I plan on having you and your friends do and are legally cleared. And, of course, they include the one-year limit you wanted." Indigo and the others picked up the contracts, flipping through them as Asher spoke.

After a moment, Indigo looked up.

"And what about our second request?" Asher barely paused before giving Liv a casual glance and gesturing toward her.

"I've already talked to her about it. She's all yours. Feel free to go over everything in the contract with her—she'll break down anything you need. And, of course, you can ask me any questions as well." At that, one of the Faunus hesitated before slowly raising his hand. The small movement immediately drew everyone's attention, though no one stopped him.

"You don't have to raise your hand," Asher said, leaning forward.

"What's your question?"

"I- I was just wondering how much we're getting paid. You did say we'd be paid for this..." His voice carried the same uncertainty as it had in the elevator. Gray let out a groan, running a hand down his face, while Indigo sighed in irritation.

But, Asher ignored them and simply answered. 

"That's right, you'll be getting paid. The exact details are in the contract, but as a base salary, you can expect anywhere between Ⱡ25,000 and Ⱡ33,300 per month during training. Once you're fully trained, that jumps to around Ⱡ62,500 per month." The moment the numbers left his mouth, the room fell into stunned silence.

"How much did he just say?" Someone whispered.

"Did we mishear him?" Another muttered.

"Wait, what? Are you being serious right now?" Indigo asked, sounding more disbelieving than anything.

Asher nodded.

"Yes. Considering you'll all be working for me for a year, as long as you meet the minimum requirements and don't violate your contract, you're looking at an annual salary of around Ⱡ400,000 to Ⱡ750,000. And that's just the base. If you go beyond minimal requirements and do good, your pay will naturally increase." Liv, already familiar with the figures Asher had put together, wasn't surprised. But even so, she internally sighed.

To them, these numbers were insane. Life-changing didn't even begin to describe it.

At that salary, just two years of work would be enough to get them not only out of the slums but out of Mantle entirely—straight into Atlas. Buying a house in Atlas, where property was worth millions, might be out of reach, but a high-end luxury apartment? That was well within reason.

And if they wanted to move their families? Considering a decent apartment in Mantle could be bought for around Ⱡ250,000, they could easily purchase a proper home in just a years time.

This wasn't just a salary. It was a shift in status.

"In any case," Asher continued, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed smile, "all the details are in the contract. Make sure you read it in full."