The street swallowed Abell whole the moment he stepped outside.

  People moved differently here than in Iridius. Much faster with their heads down and shoulders tight, like everyone had somewhere urgent to be. The crowd flowed around him, and Abell let himself get pulled along.

  Hugo's warning echoed in his head, but he pushed it aside. Hugo had left him alone in a strange city. What did he expect?

  The buildings towered overhead, their stone facades carved with the Benedict family crest at every turn. Guards stood at intersections, eyes constantly scanning. But despite the oppressive atmosphere, there was life here. Merchants shouted from windows. Vendors hawked their goods. Children somehow found space to run between carts.

  Abell's stomach growled, cutting through his observations.

  “That bastard left me without any food,” he thought.

  Abell followed the smell of roasted meat until he spotted a vendor tending skewers over a small flame.

  "What'll it be, boy?" the man asked without looking up.

  "How much for those?" Abell pointed at the skewers.

  "5 sols for two Lunae skewers."

  “5 sols? What is so special about these? he asked

  The man looked up scoffing, “I can tell you're not from around here but this is the going rate kid.”

  “Whatever, I’m hungry anyways.”

  He handed over the coins and took the skewers. The first bite was... fine. But the meat barely had any seasoning. But he was hungry enough not to care.

  He kept walking, chewing as he explored. A few stalls down, another vendor was shouting to passersby.

  "Fresh Lunae skewers! Two for 100 rays!"

  Abell stopped chewing. He looked down at his half-eaten food, then back at the other stall.

  That bastard just scammed me.

  Abell glared at the first vendor, but the man didn't even notice.

  He probably pulled that trick on tourists all day. Can’t believe I fell for that.

  "Excuse me."

  Abell turned, pulled away from his thoughts.

  A girl stood a few feet away, maybe his age. She had silver hair tied back loosely and wore simple clean clothes. She held a small book against her chest, fingers gripping it tight.

  "Um." She took a half-step forward, then stopped. "I saw what happened. With the vendor."

  Abell blinked. "Yeah, What about it?"

  "He overcharged you." Her voice was quiet, almost hard to hear over the market noise. "100 rays is the normal price."

  "Yeah, I figured that out," Abell muttered.

  The girl hesitated, then reached into a small pouch with a golden sun encircled by a ring. She pulled out a few coins and held them out. "Here. You should take this. To make up for—"

  "You running some scam too?," Abell said, bluntly

  She flinched slightly, pulling her hand back. "N-no, I’m not—I just thought—that what happened to you wasn’t right."

  "I don’t need your money." Abell crossed his arms. "Thanks, I guess."

  An awkward silence stretched between them.

  The girl's eyes darted to the side, then back to him. She looked like she wanted to say something else but couldn't figure out how.

  "Sorry for bothering you," she said finally, her voice even quieter now. “I’ve gotta go now.”

  She turned and hurried away, disappearing into the crowd before Abell could respond.

  He stood there for a moment, watching her go.

  That was weird.

  But also... kind of nice? Most people in this city seemed to only care about themselves.

  Abell shook his head and kept walking.

  The market district sprawled in every direction. Stalls selling fabrics, weapons, jewelry, food and even useless junk.

  Abell wandered without any real destination. Just taking it in. The noise of the crowd and the sheer size of everything.

  “This is nothing like Iridius. I can’t believe it.” he said.

  After maybe an hour of aimless exploring, he found himself at the edge of the main district. The street ended abruptly at a wide stone staircase that descended sharply.

  Abell stopped at the top, looking down.

  The stairs were worn smooth from years of foot traffic. They led down into a lower section of the city, literally lower, built into the hillside beneath the main streets.

  Even from up here, he could tell it was different. The buildings below were older, more cramped together. The stone was darker.

  A few people climbed the stairs, passing him on their way up. They kept their heads down, moving quickly like they didn't want to be noticed.

  Abell glanced back at the market district behind him, then down at the stairs.

  This looks like trouble but…why not.

  He started going down the stairs.

  The temperature dropped as he descended. The noise from the market faded, replaced by different sounds—shouting, clanging metal, a baby crying somewhere in the distance.

  By the time Abell reached the bottom, the difference was apparent.

  The buildings here were cracked and weathered. Laundry hung between structures, blocking out what little sunlight made it down. The smell of sewage and smoke from cheap coal fires hit him hard.

  People sat against walls, some with empty bowls in front of them. Others huddled in doorways, watching him pass with hollow, wary eyes.

  Barely any Guards were present. The few stood in clusters at intersections, just talking, not even working.

  Is this still part of Hallion?

  Suddenly.

  A child darted past him, barefoot, clutching something wrapped in cloth. Seconds later, two guards appeared at the end of the street.

  "Stop! Thief!"

  The kid didn't stop. He ducked into an alley and vanished.

  The guards didn't follow. One of them spat on the ground, said something to his partner, and they both turned back the way they came.

  Abell stood there, frowning.

  What the? They didn't even try to stop that kid.

  Abell kept walking, deeper into the area.

  The streets here were narrower, twisting in ways that made no sense. Alleys branched off in every direction, some so tight he'd have to turn sideways to fit through.

  He passed a group of men huddled around a small fire, passing a bottle between them. They all glanced at him but said nothing.

  A woman with brown hair called out from a window above. “We’re open early today, boys come and play!"

  Abell looked up. Play?

  The group of men all smiled, getting up from their fire. They headed into the building, visibly foaming at the mouth.

  Abell frowned.

  He decided to keep walking.

  The further he walked, the more lost he became. Every street looked the same—worn stone, cramped buildings, that constant smell of smoke and rot.

  I should probably head back, it’s getting late.

  He let out a slight smile. Finally it dawned on him he was completely lost.

  Abell turned down another street, this one slightly wider than the others. A few shops lined the walls—a butcher, a tailor, what looked like a general goods store.

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  Then he heard voices up ahead.

  Abell slowed down to listen.

  "—know you were here last week! Where's the money?"

  "I don't have it! I swear! I was just following orders—"

  "Orders from who?"

  "Raxus! I just collect what he tells me to collect! I don't keep any of it!"

  Abell moved closer, staying near the wall. He peered around the corner of a building.

  In a small courtyard ahead, a well-dressed man was backed against a wall. He wore clean expensive clothes. Definitely out of place down here.

  And standing in front of him was a boy about Abell's age.

  He had dark hair, worn clothes with a mask covering his full face. One hand pinned the man against the wall.

  "You expect me to believe that?" the boy said coldly. “Look at your outfit.”

  "It's the truth! I'm a nobody! Just a collector okay!?" The man's voice cracked with fear. "Please, I'm just trying to survive like everyone else—so he doesn’t hurt my family"

  The boy stared at him for a long moment, then released his grip.

  "Useless, Get out of here. I don’t wanna see you again."

  The man stumbled back, eyes wide. "Really? Thank you"

  "Leave."

  The man nodded quickly, backing toward the courtyard entrance. "Thank you, thank you—"

  Abell watched as the man moved.

  Something felt off.

  The way the man's hand drifted toward his coat. The way his eyes shifted, with a twisted smile leaking out.

  Then Abell saw a flash of metal, it was a blade hidden in the man's sleeve.

  The boy had already turned away, thinking it was over.

  The man lunged for a cheap shot.

  Abell moved first, He stepped into the courtyard and drove his fist into the side of the man's head before the blade could reach its target.

  The man crumpled instantly, hitting the ground hard. The knife clattered across the stone.

  The boy spun around, eyes wide with surprise.

  For a moment, neither of them spoke.

  Then the boy looked down at the unconscious man, then at Abell.

  "Why did you—?"

  Abell shook out his hand, wincing slightly. “He was going for a sneak attack."

  The boy's expression stayed calm. He looked at the knife lying on the ground, then back at Abell.

  “I already knew he was going to attack me.” the boy said calmly.

  “No way your back was turned all the way.” Abell said, still wincing.

  "Trust me I was prepared, Anyways did you see all of that?"

  "I heard a bit but I was just walking by," Abell said. "Then I saw him try to attack you."

  "Why did you help me?"

  "I hate cowards." Abell's tone was flat. "If you're going to fight, fight. Don't pretend to run and stab someone in the back."

  The boy studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

  "You don't even know me. It's pretty dumb to help someone for that." the boy said finally.

  "Doesn't matter. I hate cowards and sneak attacks."

  The boy scoffed. "You sound like a dumbass."

  “Dumbass?” Abell said. “Who the hell says that to someone who just helped them?”

  The boy walked over to the unconscious man and crouched down, searching through his coat. After a moment, he pulled out a small pouch. Coins clinked inside.

  "So, this is what he collected this week," the boy said, more to himself than to Abell. "Maybe some from last week too."

  He’s ignoring me? I hate this guy already

  Abell sighed, crossing his arms. "So what’s your deal?"

  "My deal isnt your business.” The boy stood, tucking the pouch away. He looked at Abell again. "And you should probably leave before—"

  Heavy footsteps echoed from the main street.

  The boy's expression darkened. "Too late."

  Six men appeared at the courtyard entrance. Each one wearing black masks.

  The one in front stopped when he saw the scene—the unconscious man on the ground, the boy standing over him, and Abell nearby.

  His grin was dangerous. "Well, well. The masked thief is causing trouble for us again?"

  The boy remained calm. "Well he stole money, I’m just taking for myself."

  "He didn’t steal anything, that money is business fees." The thug's eyes moved to Abell. "And who's this? You got yourself a partner now?"

  "I'm not with him," Abell scoffed, looking confused.

  "Yeah sure, we saw you knock out our boy." The lead thug cracked his knuckles. "You know Raxus doesn't like people messing with his collectors."

  The boy glanced at Abell. "You should've kept walking."

  "Probably," Abell admitted.

  "Now you're stuck in this."

  "Looks like it."

  The thugs started moving forward.

  Abell's hand tightened on his broken blade. Six against two. Great.

  "Well?," the lead thug said, grinning. "Are you going to come quietly, or do we to teach ya a lesson.”

  Abell smirked, “You know what, I was itching for some action.”

  "I'll take that as option two."

  The thugs moved in.

  The first one lunged at the thief with a knife. He sidestepped smoothly, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting. The club clattered to the ground, and the thief drove his elbow into the man's ribs.

  The thug gasped and stumbled back.

  Two more came at Abell from the other side.

  Abell drew his broken blade and swung. The first thug barely dodged, the shortened blade passing inches from his face. The second one came in with a knife, slashing low.

  Abell blocked with his blade, then kicked the man's knee. The thug grunted and fell back.

  But there were still four more.

  And they weren't playing around anymore.

  "Forget taking them alive," the lead thug growled. "Kill them."

  Three of them rushed the thief at once. He moved fast, faster than Abell expected dodging, blocking, deflecting. But even he couldn't hold off three at once.

  One of them landed a solid punch to his side. The thief grunted but didn't go down.

  Abell swung at the nearest thug, but another one grabbed his arm, twisting it back. Pain shot through his shoulder.

  Dammit—

  The thief kicked the man holding Abell in the back of the knee, sending him stumbling forward. Abell yanked his arm free and slammed his fist into the man's jaw.

  "We need to move," he said. "Now."

  "Where?"

  "We’ll lose them."

  The thief grabbed Abell's shoulder and shoved him toward one of the alley exits. They broke into a run, the thugs shouting behind them.

  "After them!"

  The alley was narrow—barely wide enough for one person. Abell's shoulders scraped against the walls as he ran. Behind them, heavy boots pounded against stone.

  "Keep moving!" he shouted.

  They burst out of the alley into another street. This one was more crowded, people shopping and kids playing.

  They weaved through the crowd. The thugs crashed through after them, shoving people aside.

  "Move! Outta the way!"

  Abell glanced back. “They're gaining on us…”

  The thief turned sharply down another alley, this one even narrower. Abell followed, his lungs burning.

  They came out into a small marketplace. Stalls packed together, goods piled high. The thief vaulted over a table stacked with crates, scattering them behind him.

  Abell did the same, hearing the thugs curse as they crashed into the fallen crates.

  But they didn't stop.

  "Left!" the boy shouted.

  They turned down another street. They ducked through a broken fence, squeezed between two buildings, and came out near what looked like an old warehouse.

  Abell's legs were screaming. His shoulder throbbed where the thug had grabbed him.

  "Are we safe yet?" Abell gasped.

  Nope."

  Behind them, the thugs were still coming. Relentless.

  The thief stopped suddenly at a junction where three alleys split off in different directions.

  "What are you doing?" Abell hissed. "They're right behind us—"

  "I know." His eyes were focused. Then he closed them for just a second.

  When he opened them, something shifted.

  Three figures appeared in the alley, copies of the thief running down each of the three paths.

  Abell's eyes widened. What the—

  "Move," he said, grabbing Abell's arm and pulling him into a small alcove hidden between two buildings. They pressed against the wall, staying completely still.

  The thugs burst into the junction seconds later, breathing hard.

  "Where'd they go?" one of them shouted.

  "There!" Another pointed down the left alley. "I saw them!"

  "No, they went right—I saw them too!"

  "Split up!" the lead thug ordered. "Two down each path. Find them!"

  The six men split into pairs, each group running down a different alley.

  After the thugs disappeared from the street.

  Abell and the thief stayed frozen for another few seconds. Then he exhaled slowly.

  "That was a Lux," Abell said quietly, still catching his breath.

  "Yes, I don’t like using it in front of others but I had too this time.”

  "So people here have Luxes too."

  "Obviously." The thief stepped out of the alcove, scanning the street. "They'll figure it out eventually, but we've got time."

  Abell followed him out, still processing what he'd just seen.

  This guy, he seems really strong.

  They walked for a few minutes in silence, putting distance between themselves and where they'd lost the thugs. The adrenaline was fading now, replaced by exhaustion.

  The thief stopped at a junction where the street split in two directions.

  "This is where we part ways," he said.

  Abell looked around. He had no idea where he was. Every street looked the same down here.

  "Which way is the market square?" Abell asked

  The thief pointed toward the left path. "Follow that street until you hit the stone stairs. They'll take you back up to the main district. From there, ask a guard or something

  "Right."

  He turned to leave, then paused. "Word of advice, stay out of the lower quarters. They know your face now so…”

  "Don’t tell me what to do." Abell said.

  “Like I thought your just a dumbass..”

  The thief started walking down one of the other paths.

  "Wait," Abell called. "What's your name?"

  The thief stopped, looking back over his shoulder. "Gaius."

  "My name is Abell. Remember it."

  Gaius nodded once, then disappeared around a corner.

  Abell stood there for a moment, watching him go.

  Seems like leaving home was the right idea.

  Abell turned and headed down the path Gaius had pointed out.

  After a few minutes of walking, he spotted the stone stairs rising up ahead.

  Finally.

  He climbed slowly, his legs protesting with each step. The buildings grew cleaner as he ascended. Guards appeared again at intersections.

  At the top of the stairs, Abell stopped and looked back down at the lower quarters below. The cramped buildings. The narrow streets. The smoke rising from cheap fires.

  What a mess.

  He turned and headed into the main district. After asking two different guards for directions, he finally found his way back to the Crescent Moon Inn.

  The sun was setting now, casting long shadows across the street.

  Abell pushed open the inn door and stepped inside. The common room was quiet. A few patrons sat at tables, eating dinner.

  He headed straight for the stairs, hoping to get to his room before—

  "Abell.”

  “Where were you?...”