VACUM — Prologue: Neutral Ground

While KNNN is still under development, I'll be publishing my earlier web novel, VACUM, chapter by chapter.

I hope it helps make the wait a little more enjoyable.

Though it's an early work and far from perfect, I hope you enjoy the journey.



Clank.

Primitive beasts bit down on the mechanical harness and pulled us forward.

With every strain of their muscles, metal rang. Gears locked into place, and steam hissed through the gaps.

The wind slapped against my face.

"I could use a drink before I sleep."

The orc's laugh mixed with the grinding gears.

"Idiot. All you ever think about is booze."

Aina's golden hair whipped through the air, brushing against Lily's mouth and eyes behind her.

Lily tapped Aina's head with her toy.

"Ugh. It smells."

"Tie it up."

I couldn't help but laugh.

I couldn't explain why.

---

The city opened up ahead.

Smokestacks rose above the rooftops, and steam hung low between the flags.

A breathing city.

A boiling city.

Neutral ground.

Here, even when blood is spilled, screams do not come first.

The sound of calculating the price comes first.

"Holton."

"Slow down a little."

"Gren."

"You should be used to it by now."

Clank.

Markets and taverns.

Steam engines and people.

Sounds and smells piled over one another.

Then—

My eyes drifted toward an alley.

A woman.

Through the overlapping voices, one short sound.

"...Don't."

The next words never came.

Instead—

Scrape.

The sound of metal dragging across stone.

The cart came to a sudden stop.

Gears screamed.

Valves burst open.

Steam exploded outward.

My body lurched forward.

"What the hell?"

Aina stepped down smoothly.

The gear pressed tightly against her chest shifted on..