Aethosphere Chronicles: The Rat Warrens

On the dystopian isle of Junction, those occupying the foundation slums of the Rat Warrens live a hard life shrouded in near-perpetual darkness.

Fen Tunk is one such unfortunate youth. He’s a scavenger and a gang runner, who might have just found his fortunes changing after he snatches a sack-full of cash from an unwary courier. But, what at first seems like his ticket out of the darkness, ends up plunging him deeper than he could have ever imagined.

As the slum around Fen teeters closer and closer towards violence and upheaval, he tries to stay one step ahead of the local gangster and his bruisers, the imperial whistlers, and other mischief gangs prowling the under-streets and access ways. But who can Fen turn to when things start to get complicated? His scrounger sister, who spends her days climbing through the Warren garbage heaps looking for bits of flotsam to sell, or his long-time gang mates who take what they want? Does he side with a charismatic merchant with his promises of wealth, or does he slip back into obscurity to stay clear of the butcher's clippers? Does he even have a choice? Only the Gutter Lady and her cards seem to hold the answers.

In the end, climbing out of the Rat Warrens requires walking a fine line with finesse; step too far in one direction, and one can find oneself falling over the precipice.