Chapter 116: Night’s Ember vs. the Saka Samurai!

Neo glanced around the base. Everyone was here. Perfect.

No better time for an announcement.

He straightened, his voice calm but carrying that unshakable confidence that always made people listen.

"Everyone, I've made a decision," he said. "I'm opening a bar."

That caught their attention instantly.

"The name's going to be Night's Ember."

He let the words settle, like embers drifting through the dark.

"It'll follow the Afterlife model—drinks named after legends. Each of you will have your own signature cocktail on the menu. But unlike Afterlife, it won't just be about glory or death—it'll be about our story."

"Night's Ember Bar, huh?" Lucy said softly. "I'm not against it. You know that. Whatever you do, I'll back you completely. But I need to ask—why a bar, Neo? Why not… something else?"

Neo smiled faintly. "I'll answer that in a bit," he said. "First, I want to hear what everyone else thinks."

Rebecca was the first to jump in—of course she was. "Wait, wait, wait! You said each of us gets our own drink? Like… on the menu?" Her eyes gleamed. "You mean there's gonna be a cocktail called Rebecca?"

Neo nodded. "Exactly. And you'll decide its recipe yourself. Whatever you think fits you best."

Rebecca blinked, then broke into a grin so wide it nearly split her face. "That's—holy shit—that's so cool!"

She launched herself at him again, hanging off his neck like a sloth made of pure chaos. "You're so cool!"

Lucy sighed quietly, but her lips curved upward.

Neo knew she wouldn't give any more feedback now. Neither would Rebecca. They were lost in their own kind of excitement.

So he turned to his old friend.

"Jackie," he said. "What do you think?"

Jackie Welles rubbed his chin, thinking hard—a rare sight. Then he nodded slowly.

"Night's Ember, huh? A bar that mirrors Afterlife… named after each of us."

His grin returned. "Bro, you're trying to rewrite the damn legend, aren't you?"

Neo raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Jackie gestured with both hands, getting more animated as he talked. "Think about it. In this city, Afterlife's not just a bar—it's a symbol. It's the cathedral for mercs and fixers, man. If you get a drink named after you there, you're immortalized. You've made it. Everyone who's anyone dreams of that."

He leaned forward. "But you—you're trying to create something else. A second symbol. A new beacon for who don't bow to corps. You're not fighting Afterlife, you're evolving it. That's… big."

Neo clapped his friend's shoulder. "Jackie, that's the smartest thing you've said in months."

Jackie grinned, mock-offended. "The hell, man? I'm deep sometimes."

David spoke up next, his tone thoughtful, grounded. "He's right," he said. "One man, no matter how strong, can only change so much by force. You've already proved that, Neo. But this could change hearts. A place where people can belong, where your message spreads without bullets… it's smart."

He nodded to himself, as if the idea had already clicked into place. "Once Night's Ember opens, people will start choosing sides. The city's mercs, netrunners, fixers—they'll split into two camps. Those who believe in you and what you stand for… and those who don't. Either way, you'll know who's with you—and who's waiting for a knife in your back."

Neo's smile deepened. "A very tactical way of putting it, David."

Maine cracked his knuckles and spoke up. "I ain't good with fancy talk. But I get it. You're right to do this. Hell, since the day I stepped down and handed you the lead, I've never once doubted your calls. Whatever this turns into—I'm in. You point, I smash."

Dorio chuckled softly beside him. "When Maine says that, it's as close to poetry as he gets. So yeah—count me in too."

Pilar raised a hand, grinning. "Yeah, what they said. No notes. You're the boss, boss."

Lexington straightened like a soldier. "I'm still new, but… if all the veterans are in, then so am I. Just tell me what to do, sir!"

Neo nodded appreciatively. Then his gaze shifted to the last man at the table.

"Viktor?"

The old ripperdoc had been silent the whole time, watching, thinking. Finally, he exhaled a slow puff of smoke.

"You know, kid," he said, "I've seen a lot of people try to change Night City. Corps, mercs, even a few idealists. They all ended up crushed by it."

He leaned forward, eyes sharp. "But you're not trying to change the city—you're trying to redefine who stands outside it. That's different."

He chuckled. "This city's like a boxing ring. Corps, mercs, psychos—they're all just fighters in the same cage. The best ones win a few rounds, maybe even rule the ring. But it's still the same fight. What you're doing…" He grinned. "You're trying to take the fight outside. Challenge the damn promoter himself."

Neo laughed softly. "You make it sound grander than it is."

Viktor shook his head. "No. I'm saying you've got guts. Do it. Whatever happens, we've got your back."

"Good," he said simply. "Then it's settled."

...

He unsheathed the Unregistered Katana X. The blade hummed softly, data static flickering along its edge.

A swing through the air, and Johnny Silverhand materialized beside him, muttering before he'd even fully formed.

"Goddamn it, every time you swing that thing, I get motion sick," Johnny groaned. "What is it now?"

Neo folded his arms. "You ever feel like singing?"

Johnny blinked. "Come again?"

"I said—want to sing? You're the lead of Samurai, remember? Thought maybe you'd like to perform again. For Night's Ember."

For a second, Johnny just stared. Then he started laughing—loud, raw, genuine.

"You serious? You want me to sing… as Samurai's frontman and as part of your little edgerunner club?"

Neo's smirk matched his. "Exactly. Night's Ember x Samurai. Sounds like a hell of a show, doesn't it?"

Johnny's grin turned feral. "You know what? Screw it. Let's make some noise."

He snapped his fingers, the ghostlight flaring around him like neon fire.

"If we're doing this, we're doing it hard. Loud enough for Arasaka to hear from their golden tower."

Neo's eyes gleamed with that familiar, dangerous light.

"Good," he said quietly. "Then let's burn the night together."