Winter is already upon us. Icy wind gusts all over the streets.

Sceadu, melds with the dark alleys as he prefer them as "better allies", always attached, always preserved. As he looked-up to the heavenly skies, he wondered how the stars able to shine from the darkness and compared it to those who are "living the life" in this world.

What kind of a person are they?

As Sceadu pondered, he lit up the last stick of his Lucky Strike and waited.. patiently.. for someone who can explain this question.

Vanbrilliance has just finished giving away 'mysterious meat buns' to hungry hobos lurking in the streets. Whatever kind of meat those buns contain, the hobos will never know. When Vanbrilliance turned towards an empty alley, he noticed a figure smoking a Lucky Strike. He examined the elegantly dressed figure and recognized that it's Sceadu.

"Old friend," Vanbrilliance spoke firmly and remembered the time when he traded lamb chops with Sceadu. "It seems that you're wallowing deep in the labyrinth of the mind. Are you probably thinking about the hustlers and romantics of our world? The spectrum is vast, indeed. We'll probably meet evil souls along the way, while most are good allies. What matters, I presume, is that we are all...seekers..."

Vanbrilliance cleared his throat. "We are seeking something in this life. You seek Lucky Strikes and prestige. I seek prosperity and better funding for my meat bun production. But yeah...we are seekers."

**

He nodded diligently. Sceadu agreed to every word Vanbrilliance recited. He used to get some advice from his old friend and always felt contented for every comments he got.

Seekers.. Hhhmm.. ~took a puff on his cigar~ As wise as ever. Always my friend. Your words never gets old, indeed.

He took his time to think of the word 'seeker' as Vanbrilliance prefer. Thought is very true that everyone's a seeker, sometimes for a reason mostly for answers. But a question pops out of his mind.. 

For those people "above us" I say.. Godfathers/mothers, Don's, Consigliere, all of them. They've got power, money, loyalty I suppose and almost everything a man can ask for his life to be. What do they seek? Vengeance, for some eh? Perhaps Peace? ~took another deep puff~

Vanbrilliance, also intrigued with answers by those people "above us" as Sceadu refer to, he decided to join with his friend for awhile. Waiting for someone or somebody to pass by chance..

Vanbrilliance pondered about Sceadu's important question. The question took him deep in the crevices of his mind, back in the dusty old town of Corleone where life is cheap. He remembered the goats, sheep, and pack mules in the open. He also remembered the lupara-wielding Mafia chiefs who are truly aware of the meaning of power...even in the old times. 

"America is changing," Vanbrilliance spoke and took a meat bun wrapped in tissue. He handed it to Sceadu. "Just like the meaning of power. In this life of ours, the Upper Structures - those who hold the strings - are really seeking for different things. It could be vengeance, or just the plain desire to control every business or racket. But it's undeniable. Those who are in power will seek an important thing."

Sceadu took a deep puff and wondered what is that 'thing.'

"Those who hold power are seeking for this thing: greater power." Vanbrilliance continued, firmly.

**

"Great power.." *sigh*

He took Van's meat buns and bit a chunk. Those buns tastes incredibly delicious than it looks. Sceadu always wondered how this man created those buns, but whatever they're made of, it sure tastes "hell of a heaven" for him! As the meat grinds through his mouth, he thought of those people who had claimed "Great power" ..

My father used to tell stories about some people he had worked with, just can't recall those names, wasn't that interested before too. But I remember how he got screwed up by those who had "stepped down". That "Great Power" sure is complicated eh?

*Finished the meat buns before resuming his phrase*

Have you ever thought of having that "Great power" my friend? If you'd be given a chance, would you rather claim it?

*Lits another stick of Lucky Strike*

Vanbrilliance remembered Sceadu's father and his taste for venison cuts and Barolo wine. Those were the glory days, Brilliance thought.

"Power is always complicated. It corrupts even the purest man, and the rewards often coexist with punishments." Van said. "That's why we have to watch our backs. Given the chance, if destiny hands it to me, I'll grab it. But...not now, perhaps. Goombas love meat and I'm here to give it to them."

Cold wind blew in the dark alley, as if it emulated the breath of a watchful dragon. Vanbrilliance and Sceadu pondered about their strategies in the Life. Uncertainty is, indeed, imminent. They are like two sailors drifting in an ocean of lead and blood, driven by the faint whisper of the American Dream.

**

Hhh-hmm. A never-ending sequel indeed, never been easy.

Sceadu took another deep puff.

But Power, can it be tamed?  I've seen people treat Power like a household pet, it feels like, people nowadays are not threatened by Power, or should they rather be? How should we react with those who have Power?

There's a ton of questions going into Sceadu's head. It's truly a Labyrinth as VanBrilliance mentioned. Seems endless. The night's going deeper and the wind's getting colder. Sceadu thought that it's about time for some spirited booze to lighten up their mood.

I know a good Tavern my friend. I hope you're a fan. Brew's offered there tastes.. exquisite I say. You can add one on the house if ordered twice. Fair enough eh? 

Vanbrilliance smiled. He realized that he hasn't tasted booze in quite few hours now. After all, meat-chopping really takes too much time, especially if the butcher is dedicated. 

"Awesome, my friend. Let's go to this tavern and spend the rest of the night chugging liquor," Van checked his pockets. "But forgive me. I only have two meat buns left...looks like it won't last 'til morning."

Sceadu let out a small laugh, but it was cut short by the muffled sounds of gunshots. Vanbrilliance quickly estimated that the shots were only a block away. Instinctively, the two mafiosi drew their pistols and readied themselves for what might happen. Everything went still - even the cold, bone-cutting monsoon wind. 

**

Just when they taught that it's about to free their minds, the echoing sound of gun fire caught their attention. Sceadu always palpitates when adrenaline rushes. He looked at Van.

"Let's check it out." 

They both run off to where the sound came from. After a couple of turns from the alley way, they saw a man in suits struggling to defend him self to 3 other man. He aims randomly as the crew beats him hard to the ground. A baseball bat nastily hits his leg. 

"For god's sake Van! Hurry your ass off!" 

VanBrilliance running far off his back waiving to hold-on as he catch his breathe. As Sceadu aims, he noticed that the group was familiar. Then figured they're goons of Tyler Durden! God damn thug-roaches! He fired continuously with his Nambu Pistol Type 14 but his palpitation always gets in his way. The bullets flew randomly until he ran out of bullets and killed none. It was 8 shots to none. Van was still catching his breathe as he laugh at him. Sceadu never had that shooting skills compared to Van ever since.

Sceadu successfully caught the thug's attention and now heading to their way. They both brace them selves.

Blasted Durdens, Vanbrilliance muttered. He felt the rush of adrenaline in his head, arms, torso, and legs. The thugs are now approaching, weapons ready and poised to kill. Van concentrated in that split second and aimed with the trusty 357 that was handed to him by his old man. As he pulled the trigger, the dragon-like gun bellowed, almost illuminating the street.

The bullet shattered one of the thugs' head, blood and brains splattering.

Van unleashed two more shots before the thugs fired back. Sceadu pulled Van behind a large crate, since the latter is getting trigger-happy again.

"We're sitting ducks here." Sceadu spoke, readying his pistol for another round of ass-whuppin. "But we won't go down without a fight!"

"Yeah! We need to get this over so we can have our favorite drinks!"

Van stood up like a madman from behind the crate, unleashing shots deliberately. Sceadu rolled in the ground to evade few bullets (but more likely to calm his palpitation) and shot continuously. A bullet wheezed just half an inch away from his cheek. Within moments of shooting, three of the Durdens fell dead. Only two remained...and they scampered.

"Alright!!!!" Van exclaimed in joy.

It was cut short, however, when he heard the hum of an engine. A truck! In seconds, sinister men rushed out of the truck, like a devastating wave of death. More Durdens. More fuckin' Durdens. A truck-fucking-load of them. Vanbrilliance turned to Sceadu.

"Uhhh, is there a shortcut away from here?" Van asked Sceadu sheepishly.

**

"Oh-please!"

Sceadu stood up and looked at Van. The Durden's are already rushing 2 blocks away from them as the truck roared the streets. He thought of Van's question and remembered the nearby alleyway he used to walk during Jail breaks. It's just across the street. Fire shots from the truck afterwards.

"Jesus! Van! Over there! Stop shooting those baboons!"

Van's still shooting with a smile on his face. Sceadu decided to grabbed Van's neck tie then rushed to cross the street. Then Van remembered the man they're trying to save.

"Hold up brother! He's still breathing!"

Sceadu looked to where the man lie's and looked at Van who just nodded and unleashed a load of fire power to the Durdens.

"I hate it when this happens!"

Sceadu run's to aid the man. He rolled it's body to check it's face and was shocked about it.

"Fuck! VAN! This is one of Don Scratchy's guards!"

Van stopped shooting and ran to Sceadu to see it for himself. Speechless and a face palm was all he can do. It left them no choice but to grab the Don's guard and rushed to the alley.