The night sky hovered over Ray walking down a dark path, his footsteps making no noise as he moved at a certain pace. The silent path continued through the darkness toward a nearby city, Jade. Like Teqa, this was a hub full of people from around the continent, who browsed through materials of different kinds, but unlike Teqa, the markets of Jade were always open. A city without walls, built on a dune, also known as the wealthiest hub on Aestoriah. Ray walked under the lights as people moved around him. Everyone in a hurry, buying something, arguing, scheming. He felt several gazes on him, or rather on the money pouch attached to his waist. He paid them no mind as he continued through the crowd, his destination unknown even to him.

  Through his hearing, he heard a familiar voice. His gaze tracked the voice, and he spotted Maya and Brandon drinking through a pint glass, with dozens more around them. Maya’s voice for once was loud, open as they both had smiles on their faces. Ray sighed and continued on his way, the gazes he felt closing in. How annoying. He stood still in the middle of the street. Soon he felt a hand grab his pouch, but he made no movement to stop it. In fact, his eyes and ears focused completely on the thief. The world around him faded. Only the cloaked thief remained.

  The thief ran through the alleyways. Ray followed him from the rooftops. After running through the narrow alleys for a while, the thief stopped in a desolate open courtyard. Ray also came to a halt, sitting on the edge of a structure. I can’t tell who it is no matter how hard I focus. That cloak. It has to be an artefact.

  The door of the structure he was sitting on opened, and a few shady men stepped out.

  “You’re here finally.”

  “Show us what you got.”

  Another loud voice pitched in. “Leave the pouch and the cloak here.” Ray sat still, holding his breath, watching as the cloaked thief fidgeted in their steps.

  “This is mine. I got this by risking my life.” The thief clutched the pouch closer to their chest. Ray’s eyes moved through the other men. One, two, three…, seven. Slumped shoulders, loose muscles… they are just some thugs. He stood as the wind blew by, his hair flowing free. Should I use what I learnt from Maximus? A smirk appeared on his lips, and he tried to grab the hilt of his sword, but his hand didn’t connect. A frown followed as he glanced at his waist. Where’s my swo- Ah right, I left it at the arena… He scratched his temple, and he jumped down, his landing making no sound. He moved through the shadows and grabbed a few pebbles. One, two, three. Alright. He stopped just behind one of the thugs, unnoticeable, and pulled him into the shadows, knocking him out. Slowly, one-by-one, he knocked out the thugs until only three remained. The only sounds that filled the courtyard were the thief’s whimpers and the remaining thugs’ laughs.

  He rushed out of the shadows, throwing all three pebbles at the remaining three’s eyes, blinding them. He grabbed one’s head and kneed his face. The thug’s teeth flew out of his mouth, covered in blood. As soon as his body touched the ground, Ray moved to the other and choked him out. The thief watched, their eyes wide. The last remaining thug screamed and ran away, stumbling on his way. Ray sauntered toward the thief and put his hand forward. “The pouch.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The thief flinched and handed him the pouch and stood. He’s right in front of me, but even now I can’t tell who it is. He tied the pouch to his waist and took a seat on a nearby rock. “Where did you get that cloak?” Ray crossed his arms, staring at the thief. The thief took a moment before taking the cloak off, revealing a girl no older than him. She knelt. “Please don’t kill me; I- I’ll return the cloak.” Silence followed before Ray took the cloak from her. “I won’t kill you. In fact, I have a job for you.” She looked up at him, her eyes wide. “W-why should I trust you?”

  Ray shook his head, wearing the cloak. “You shouldn’t, but you don’t have a choice either.” The girl frowned but remained silent. Ray turned to his left, his eyes narrowing. “Meet me here tomorrow with any friends you have. And as a matter of trust, you can keep anything you earn during this.” She blinked and was about to say something when he raised his hand. “Now leave. Someone’s coming.” She flinched and disappeared into the shadowy alley. Ray focused his hearing on the footsteps nearing him.

  —The girl has left; shall we chase her?

  —No, forget the girl; we need to get the cloak back before master finds out.

  Ray sighed, scratching his temple. Did I get myself into trouble? Oh well, I’ll just fig — His eyes widened as even more footsteps surrounded him from the rooftops. He clenched his fists. Well, shit, there’s a lot more than I can count.

  “Hello gentlemen, let’s talk this ou-” He ducked as a sword sliced through the air where his head had been. “I guess not.”

  On the other side of Jade, near the outer markets, Mei Zhi walked between the Eye and the Fist. The people around bowed to greet them, some offering flowers, some trinkets. Lamplights glowed under the starlit sky, reflecting over the silky stalls. Merchants bargained, and the people continued with their endeavours. The Eye hummed a low tune, which carried itself through the cool night breeze passing by. The Fist, his eyes always glancing around, sometimes over Mei Zhi, then over the people around. Mei Zhi had her fists clenched, her face tightened, as blood still traced her neck. She looked around for a way, perhaps to escape, but she always felt his eyes on her back. I can’t run from him…

  They walked for minutes away from the lights of Jade and into the darkness under the moon. A distant smoke caught her eye; the dim light of a fire illuminated through the leaves. Soon they arrived at the fire, and she saw Augustus sitting by it, just like any ordinary man. Carriages stood to the side with guards near them. Augustus, without turning, let out a quick breath. “Welcome, princess.” Pointing at the log before him. “Have a seat.” His smile flickered as the smell of blood reached his nose, and he turned to the Fist. “Ruben… I thought I told you not to harm her.” Ruben stood still, his hands resting by his thighs. “She attacked Matthias. I couldn’t just let her harm him.” Matthias nodded in approval, and Augustus shook his head. “Leave us alone.”

  They both bowed and walked towards the carriages, which soon rode away, leaving only Augustus and Mei Zhi alone in the middle of the forest, by the light of the fire. Moments passed; both stayed silent until Augustus crossed his arms. “How is your father?” Her eyes widened only for a moment before her fists clenched. “How do ye know him? And what do ye want from me?” A smile spread across Augustus’ face, a smile that made the fire seem cold. “Your father saved my life; your grandfather taught me how to fight, to survive a battlefield and an imperial court.” He stood, placing his hands behind his back. “I am who I am because of them.”

  Mei Zhi sat still, her fists clenched. “Why should I trust ye? Ye could very well be lying.”

  Augustus’ smile remained unmoving; he stood tall. “I could be,” he said. “But I wish to protect you.” He raised his arm to his blindfold, tangling his finger over it as he lowered it. He opened one of his eyes — a scar passed through its hazel iris — dug his fingers into its socket and pulled it out. Mei Zhi’s eyes widened as blood trickled down his now empty socket, tracing his cheek down to his neck. “I am blind, but this is a proof of my loyalty.”