LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 11: The Rats’ Nest
The gentle rays of dawn spilled through the broken shutters of the abandoned house, painting the room in hues of gold and amber. Noctis stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he took in the serenity of the moment. The house, though crumbling, had a charm in the way it stood against time—a forgotten relic. The rain had driven him inside, and the constant pitter-patter on the roof served as a reminder that the rainy season had fully arrived.
For a moment, he stood by the window, watching the sunrise. The vibrant colors blending into the grey clouds were mesmerizing. "I guess it's not so bad being inside," Noctis muttered to himself, the warmth of the morning light softening his usual wariness.
Despite his newfound shelter, the house wasn't his haven—not entirely. Noctis had always preferred the openness of rooftops, the sky above and the world below. But with the rain's persistence, he had little choice but to settle within these walls, at least for now.
Noctis rolled his shoulders, feeling the familiar tension in his muscles. It was time for his daily routine.
Out in the open, under a clearing sky, he began.
100 sit-ups—each motion steady and deliberate, his breath syncing with every rise. 100 squats—the burn in his legs a welcome challenge. 10-kilometer run—the streets of the city his unspoken training ground.
He finished with a focused meditation session, his breathing shifting into the controlled rhythm of Sun Breathing. The technique not only enhanced his physical prowess but also sharpened his mind. Deep within, he could feel the progress of his mana core.
"Eighty percent…" Noctis murmured, a small smirk forming on his lips. The core's growth was steady, each day bringing him closer to unlocking its full potential. Yet he couldn't shake the question from his mind. Was this progress due to his rigorous training? Or was it because of the fighting he did yesterday, or something else entirely?
"I don't know what it is," he said aloud, the words dissipating into the still air. "But it's something good, alright."
Later that morning, Noctis wandered through the familiar streets of his part of the city. The air was damp, the ground still slick from the rain. His destination was a small fruit stand tucked into a narrow corner, one of the few places that reliably stocked fresh produce.
As he approached, his eyes caught a flicker of movement—a group of kids darting into the shadows. He recognized them immediately: the Dune Rats gang. A small-time group of troublemakers who had learned the hard way to keep their distance from him.
Their faces were wary, their steps hurried as they avoided crossing his path. Noctis couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. "Looks like they've learned their lesson," he thought, remembering the last time their paths had crossed. He wasn't cruel, but he wasn't the type to tolerate needless trouble either.
With the fruits in hand, Noctis continued on his way, his thoughts drifting. The Dune Rats were quiet now, but their presence lingered like a shadow. Something about them, about this part of the city and the other parts, always seemed to hold secrets just beneath the surface.
And Noctis was starting to feel that it was time to uncover them.
"Somehow, I feel like I should go and see these guys... talk to them," Noctis thought, his gaze following the small group of children he had noticed earlier.
"Now that I think about it," Noctis thought. "Even in their ragged state, the leader, though young, exuded a quiet authority, his gaze unwavering even as he studied Noctis. Noctis noticed how their steps were deliberate, their eyes scanning the streets like seasoned survivors."
"Maybe I can make some allies. I know I just defeated them yesterday, but if I help them get back on their feet and grow stronger, perhaps, in the future, they'll be able to assist me when I need it most."
Noctis's thoughts were filled with a sense of purpose, the idea of forging bonds through support and shared strength resonating deeply within him. He wasn't one to make decisions lightly, but something told him that this path might just hold unexpected opportunities.
Noctis' footsteps grew quieter as he followed the trail of the Dune Rats. They were good at blending into the city's shadows, but Noctis knew this place like the back of his hand. He weaved through the alleyways, his eyes scanning the environment with a sharpness only honed through months of survival. The scent of wet earth and damp stone filled the air as he moved deeper into the heart of the city, where the abandoned structures and hidden corners held a different kind of life.
He spotted them—a group of kids, ranging in age from 7 to 13 or 14, huddled together in a derelict building. They were talking in hushed voices, their faces a mix of apprehension and defiance. Noctis leaned against a nearby wall, just out of sight, watching for a moment before making his move.
"Alright, what should I do now?" he muttered to himself, his mind already calculating the best approach. He could march in there and demand answers, but that wouldn't get him anywhere. Noctis was no fool—he knew that strength wasn't just in physical prowess. There was power in words, in making people feel that you were on their side.
Taking a deep breath, he walked into the building. His presence was like a wave crashing over them, but he made sure his steps were calm and deliberate. As soon as the kids saw him, they froze, their eyes flicking between him and each other. Noctis noticed the familiar faces, the fear in their eyes, and the hesitation in their movements.
The leader was sitting and watching from near a broken wall. His brown hair swayed in the air, and his light brown eyes flickered with several emotions, but it wasn't hate—it was respect for Noctis, mixed with annoyance and self-doubt for himself. "It seems like he will listen if I am good enough in talk no jutsu, like Naruto," Noctis thought to himself while moving near the leader and standing in the middle, surrounded by everyone else.
"Hey," Noctis said, his voice low and steady. "I've been thinking… about what happened yesterday."
The kids were silent for a long moment, exchanging glances. One of them, a skinny boy with a patch of dirt on his cheek—the one who had brought everyone to Noctis—spoke up. "You gonna kick our asses again, or what?" His voice was defensive, but there was a hint of uncertainty in it.
Noctis smiled, the edges of his lips curling just enough to disarm. "Not this time," he said. "Actually, I was wondering if we could talk."
A few of the others shifted uncomfortably, but the skinny boy narrowed his eyes, his wariness evident. "Talk? What's there to talk about? You already beat us fair and square."
The leader remained silent, just watching without saying anything.
"Yeah, well," Noctis said, his eyes scanning the room, "maybe we can come to an understanding."
He took a step forward, careful not to invade their space too aggressively. "You guys are tough. I saw that when we fought. But tough alone isn't enough. You need something more—discipline, training, focus. And I can help with that."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to take his words. One of the girls, a lanky teen with unkempt hair, spoke up. "Why would you want to help us? You beat us. We're nothing to you."
Noctis' expression softened, and he leaned against a nearby pillar, his posture relaxed. "Maybe not yet. But I see something in you," he said, his voice quieter, more serious now. "You don't belong here—scrapping for whatever you can get. You've got potential. And I can help you unlock it. Teach you how to fight, how to survive without constantly looking over your shoulder."
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Noctis thought they wouldn't buy it. But then the skinny boy spoke again.
"You really think we can be more than this?" he asked, his voice tentative.
Noctis nodded. "I do. I've been in your shoes before. But it takes more than just fighting to survive in this city. It takes strategy, it takes loyalty, and it takes strength of mind. If you're willing to put in the effort, I can help you build something better. Not just for me, but for all of you."
There was a long pause as the group seemed to mull over his offer. The girl with the messy hair exchanged a glance with the others, then turned to the leader, who was still silent.
The leader ran a hand through his messy hair, his jaw tight as he finally spoke. "You think we need your help? We've survived this long without anyone." His words were sharp, but his tone wavered, betraying his uncertainty.
"I don't doubt your survival," Noctis said, his words measured and sincere. "You've made it this far on your own, and that's something. But surviving and thriving are two different things. You don't have to keep scraping by like this. If you let me, I can help you build something stronger. Not just for today, but for the future."
He took a slow breath, his eyes never leaving the leader's. "I'm not offering you a handout. I'm offering a chance—one that you can take or leave. But I think you know that there's more to this world than just getting by."
The leader sighed, "Shah… Alright," he said, his voice firm but tinged with skepticism. "We'll hear you out. But don't get comfortable—we'll need more than just words to prove you're worth our time."
Noctis's smirk deepened, his eyes gleaming with a mix of challenge and certainty. "Perfect," he said, his voice smooth and unyielding. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
As the conversation ended, Noctis's thoughts lingered on what he had heard whispered throughout the city—of a power rising in another part of town, consolidating control over the streets. The Dune Rats might be scrappy now, but with the right guidance, they could become something more. Something vital.
As the Dune Rats began to trust him, Noctis felt a shift—like a key turning in a lock. For the first time in a long while, the future seemed to offer more than mere survival. It held purpose.