❄️ The Law & Disorder Event has begun. A new group, the Freedom Fighters, has taken on Silva Industries and chaos is spilling out onto the streets. Read the first part of the story below! ⬇️

The man in front of her appears to have spent all his energy puffing out his chest, rather than developing the spine needed to maintain his posturing. His hands shake uncontrollably, rattling the cuffs on his wrists against the metal table. 

How disappointing, Acantha thought to herself, unable to stop the smirk stretching across her mouth. His eyes widened as he caught her smile. 

“I will ask again.” Acantha drawled, circling him as she ran a clawed nail across his neck slowly. “Who is your leader?”

The man gulped. A single sweat droplet rolled into his eye. 

“I already told you…I don’t know what you’re talking about”

“And I’m supposed to believe that one day you woke up and chose violence? During the holidays no less. What happened to peace on earth and goodwill to all?”

“It wasn’t supposed to become violent!” he exclaimed. “It was supposed to be a stunt.”

“You vandalized Silva Industries Headquarters and then threw a molotov into the reception.” 

Acantha repeated calmly, reading from the sheet in front of her. “That doesn’t sound like a stunt.”

“Things got out of hand.” The man cried, slumping back in his chair. 

Acantha flicked her eyes to the clock on the wall. Someone had decided to throw a string of tinsel over it in a tragic attempt to brighten up the space. 

“Your actions sparked panic on the streets. And ruined the rugs in our foyer. They were antiques, you know.” She tutted.

“I’m sure Rosa has enough money to buy new ones.” He gritted his teeth.

Acantha’s smile faltered at his unexpected determination. “Oh she does. But I don’t think you were objecting to her taste in interiors. So what’s this really about?”

“We know about the Artifact. Or should we say…Artifacts. Silva’s reign of terror is over. The corporations need to be stopped.”

Acantha rapped her nails on the steel table, enjoying how he wriggled as the silence drew on. “Is that a threat?”

The lackey blanched, all the blood draining from his face. 

“No answer? You’re already on the naughty list. But you have a chance to redeem yourself here.”

“Look, I’ve told you everything I know. You have no right to keep me! I know you want to act like it, but you’re not the police.”

Acantha leaned back in her chair and propped her legs up on the table. “As per our corporate guidelines, we are permitted to detain and interrogate any potential security threats.”

“I never agreed to your poxy guidelines.”

“You didn’t need to.” Acantha said, her eyes rolling. These rented agitators all followed the same script. “They came into effect as soon as you stepped foot on our private property. Which you admit you did, when you broke in through the glass and began setting fire to all our furniture.”

The man tried to stand, pulled down by the cuffs which encircled his wrists and pouted. “You cannot keep me.”

“Enough with these childish theatrics. Now, I’ll ask this once. Is it just Silva Industries that you’re targeting? Or are there more on your list?”

He glanced at her, licked his lips and took a ragged breath. “There are others, but Silva is the main target.”

“We’re truly flattered.”

A scoff escaped his lips as Acantha resumed her questions. “Who else is on your list?”

The man stared at the floor, silent. 

Acantha sighed, watching the minutes tick by. “Look, I’m feeling unusually festive, so I propose a deal. Co-operate and you will walk out of here. You can go and celebrate. Carve the turkey. Wear tacky sweaters. Pretend to like your family members.”

”And if I don’t cooperate?” The man croaked.

“Then you’ll end up like the turkey.”

The man sighed, and Acantha watched with satisfaction as his shoulders fell and he looked her in the eye. She had him hooked.

“Good choice. Start from the beginning. Tell me everything you know about the Freedom Fighters.”

More details and dark secrets are yet to be revealed, so keep an eye out for more lore updates in-game!

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