Dim light shone over her draped hair as Mei Zhi walked down the street, the surrounding markets still as noisy as ever. Merchants pitched to her their wares, but none of their voices reached her ears as she continued. Augustus’ words, his actions still a haze, before her eyes. I… first him, now Augustus… A long sigh escaped her mouth as she looked up at the night sky. He knows our tradition of proving one’s loyalty… but I shouldn’t blindly trust him… She scratched the back of her head, another sigh escaping her lips. Father… Lost in thought, she missed the nearby ruckus. The merchants cursed as their goods trailed along the ground. Several footsteps followed after one. A cloaked figure rushing through.

  A frown etched itself on her face as she finally noticed the turmoil beside her when the cloaked figure rushed past her. Her eyes followed their path, but she couldn’t tell who it was. Halting in their tracks, the cloaked figure turned to her and called out her name. “Vivian!” Her eyes widened, but she still couldn’t recognize who it was until. “It’s me, help me!”

  “Who?”

  “Just help me and I’ll tell you everything.”

  Her brows deepened into a frown. Just then, a sword thrust toward her back; she turned and caught it between her knee and elbow, resting her cheek on her palm. “I don’t know who you are, but sure, I’ll help. Also, what is that cloak? Where did you get it?”

  “I stumbled upon it.”

  Is it Ray? A smirk formed on her lips, and she punched the attacker square in the face. “You expect me to believe that?”

  “I guess.” He said, shrugging his shoulders. “Also, you look injured… I didn’t know you were a thug.” Her smirk faltered, her fists clenching. “I didn’t know you were a thief.” As their exchange went on, they noticed they were surrounded. Ray turned around, his back facing hers. “Where’s your sword?” She asked.

  “Won’t need it.”

  The men dressed in black readied their weapons as more of them proceeded to surround Ray and Mei Zhi. A few moments passed; the chilly wind passed through them. The surrounding people, merchants already fled with no guards in sight. The men rushed at them, swinging their weapons. Mei Zhi blocked their attacks; Ray dodged the swords and spears aimed at him. She jumped, blocked, and counterattacked all while monitoring Ray’s cloaked figure. The way he speaks seems like Ray, but I'm not sure because of that cloak… I want it.

  Meanwhile, Ray dodged all the attacks by a hair's breadth. His focus split between the attackers and Mei Zhi’s gaze. He took a deep breath, planting his feet firmly in the ground. I practiced her movement technique; I don’t get it but… Followed by a haze in the wind, he moved, leaving behind an afterimage of his silhouette. The wind burst around the attackers as his afterimage dissolved, leaving them confused. Mei Zhi’s eyes widened. Did he just…?

  “Ah! Yes, I did it!” His voice echoed; all the pursuers and Mei Zhi turned to look at him at a distance from them. He flinched, feeling the gazes land on him, and ran into the alley. The pursuers followed him, leaving Mei Zhi alone as she kept staring at his fleeing figure. He just used Imperial Stride… did he try to copy me? Idiot! She clenched her fist and chased after them.

  Meanwhile, Ray continued through the alley, a frown covering his face. I sprained my leg. I’m not trying that again. He ran, his footsteps uneven, other footsteps and shouts following him. At a sharp turn, the pain permeated through his veins, and he stumbled, crashing into the wall. The footsteps closed in; the moonlight reflected off a blade aimed at his neck. He ducked as the blade passed over his head. An arrow followed through, inching his neck and hitting the wall. He shot to his feet, albeit stumbling, and dodged another attack aimed at his neck. The assailants didn’t stop; they continued attacking, but Mei Zhi jumped from atop, blocking their attacks. “We need to talk after this. Now go!”

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  Without another breath, he turned and ran, still limping slightly. A few followed him; the others glared at Mei Zhi. She stared back at them, her ears focusing on the surrounding heartbeats. There are a lot more than I can handle. She gritted her teeth, her fists clenching harder than usual. “Damn bastard!”

  They attacked; she dodged and jumped inside the nearby building. For me to have to flee as a warrior…! Her nails dug into her palms, blood tracing their edge as she ran.

  On the other side of the same alley, Ray snuck through the darkness, holding his breath. He took the cloak off, his gaze hovering over the area. A smile formed on his lips when he spotted a man sleeping on the ground. He sat beside him and knocked him out, then waited. The pursuers arrived soon after, and one of them pointed his weapon at him. He raised his hands. “Woah, calm down. I caught a thief. Your thief, I presume?” A moment passed, and they lowered their weapons. “Who are you?” One of them asked, lowering their mask.

  A smirk played on Ray’s lips. “I’m tasked by Headmaster Charles to patrol some areas.” Pointing at the dark blue armband tied below his shoulder. “See? You wouldn’t happen to be… thieves yourself, would you?”

  The man shook his head. “No, we are not. We serve Lady Moonschilde,” Ray tilted his head slightly. I don’t know who that is… but… “I see. Well, here you go.” He tossed the cloak at them and stood. “I’ll take this guy to the dungeon.” The man nodded, and they turned to leave. Ray let out a deep, low breath and slumped his shoulders. Thankfully, that worked. His gaze drifted to the sleeping man, and she shook his head. He opened his pouch and tossed a few coins near him and walked away. He looked up at the unchanging moon, distant footsteps fading. I hope she’s okay.

  He walked through the now deserted streets of Jade, except for the place selling alcohol. He halted and spotted Maya and Brandon still having the time of their lives. The number of glasses around seemingly doubled. He walked over to them expecting Maya’s glare to pierce him again, but it didn’t. In fact, she glowed when she saw him. Maybe because she’s drunk?

  “Come here, Ray. Have a drink.” She jumped to her feet, stumbling toward him, grabbed his hand and handed him a glass. His gaze moved between the glass, her, and Brandon, who had passed out. He took a seat before them, taking a sip. His face contorted, and he spat it out, wiping his mouth. “Ugh, that’s bitter.”

  Maya laughed as it echoed around the deserted surroundings. “You're still a kid.” He shook his head, putting the glass down. He glanced at her, gulping down the alcohol. “I thought you hated me.” She put her glass down and wiped her mouth. “I still do, but you’re Amelia’s kid, and not David’s. That cuts you some slack.” He tilted his head, crossing his arms. “Amelia? That’s not my mother’s name.”

  She gasped, slamming her hands on the table. “What?! It’s not? Did he lie, that bastard?” She bit her nails, then looked at Ray. “What is it? Your mother’s name.” He took a moment before responding. “It’s…” His eyes widened as his mind remained blank. “It’s…”

  What is it?

  Maya stared at him, occasionally taking sips from her glass. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember your mother’s name.” She placed her glass on the table, her gaze hardening. “She brought you into this world, you ungrateful brat.” A frown appeared on Ray’s face; his jaw clenched. His grip tightened around his glass, cracks followed, and it shattered, spilling the drink all over his hand and the table. He stood, gave her a look, his frown remaining, and walked away.

  As he limped down the path, the streets slowly started filling with the usual crowd. People murmured about the masked men running around; merchants kept glancing between their goods and everyone around them. Ray continued, his fists clenched as blood trickled down his right palm through tiny shards of glass stuck between flesh. He walked and walked until he reached the edge of Jade, just outside the remnants of the shimmering lights. He let out a quick breath, the pain from his sprained leg and cut palm quivering through his veins. The blood trickling from his palm pooled in the dirt near his foot. Shaking his head, he looked up at the night sky; the moon reflected into his eyes. What is her name…?

  He searched his pockets, stared at his empty hands, his eyes darting around. Memories of things flashed through his mind. The library, his room — hole — near the barn, the annoying villagers, the fat sack of meat... He gritted his teeth. “Hubert! I remember his name but not my mother’s!” He grabbed his head, the blood rubbed off his blond hair, covering it in red. The glass shards left scratches on the side of his forehead. He knelt, his head touching the ground. “I forgot the one thing I shouldn’t!” Dirt flew around as he punched the ground, the distant murmurs fading into the echoes of his memories, or what remained of those, and the night continued on.