Rel: "Well, at least it wasn’t anything too serious. You sure you don’t remember what happened, though?"

  Virno shook his head as the two walked through the crowded streets toward the arena. Though Virno walked with a slight limp, he seemed otherwise fine.

  Virno: "All I remember is getting my ass kicked. Next thing I know, I’m home."

  Rel: "And that’s all...?"

  Virno hesitated, recalling Faya’s words about trusting Rel.

  Virno: "Well... I do remember hearing the doctor. He was there, too. I’m guessing he showed up after that bastard knocked me out."

  Rel: "The doctor sure seems to gravitate toward you a lot..."

  Virno nodded but didn’t say anything else. Ahead of them, two familiar figures were chatting loudly -- Jargen and Punjo from the orphanage.

  Jargen: "I told you it’d be worth the coin! What a show, what a goddamn show!"

  Punjo: "Hahaha, who’d’ve thought it’d be so one-sided! Poor guy, I ‘ope he makes it."

  Jargen: "Faya seemed kinda groggy when she left, though. Wonder what happened there..."

  They noticed Rel and Virno approaching.

  Jargen: "Oh! Rel and Virno, don't tell me -- you two are buds now?"

  Punjo: "That’s real ‘olesome, that is! Betcha today’s fighters won’t be makin’ amends that easy, hahaha!"

  The pair laughed, but Rel’s expression turned serious, startling them.

  Rel: "What did you say about Faya?"

  Jargen: "Oh, well, Barr brought some hidden razors into the fight. One of them scraped Faya’s side -- nothing major, though! She still beat him by a landslide. You should’ve seen the state he was in by the end!"

  Rel: "But you said she was groggy...?"

  Jargen: "Ah, yeah. She wasn’t walking so straight when she left. But I’m sure whatever it is, the doctor’ll handle it. Nothing to worry about -- so turn that frown upside down, boy!"

  Rel’s face tightened. Without another word, he broke into a run, heading toward the orphanage.

  Virno: "HEY! What’s the hurry?!"

  Rel: "... The doctor isn’t coming today!"

  Jargen and Punjo exchanged worried glances.

  Punjo: "Jargen --"

  Jargen: "Of course. Let’s go."

  After exchanging a knowing glance with Jargen, Punjo grabbed Virno to help him keep up, and the three of them rushed toward the orphanage, trailing after Rel.

  Rel reached the orphanage first, his heart pounding as he found Tyssa standing guard outside Faya’s room.

  Rel: "GET OUT OF THE WAY, TYSSA!"

  Tyssa: "NO! Cabdan said --"

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Rel grabbed her collar, yanking her close.

  Rel: "I don’t give a SHIT about what Cabdan SAID! Knowing that fucker, he's bound to be the reason she’s in this state in the first place!"

  Virno: "Rel, calm down --"

  Rel shoved Tyssa aside, barging into the room. Inside, Faya lay unconscious on a narrow bed, her face pale. A nurse hovered nearby, wringing her hands nervously.

  Rel: "HEY! What happened to her?!"

  Nurse: "What are you doing here?! You must leave at once!"

  Rel:"I’m not going anywhere, dammit! Now, tell me what’s wrong!"

  Rel’s voice caught as his eyes fell on the wound on Faya’s side. It was jagged and discolored, with an ominous purple hue spreading outward.

  Rel: "G-guys..."

  Jargen and Punjo entered, their faces falling when they saw the wound.

  Jargen: "Oh boy... That doesn’t look good."

  Punjo: "Do ya think she was poisoned...?"

  The nurse trembled under their stares.

  Nurse: "I -- I’m not equipped to treat such wounds... I’ve only been administering painkillers!"

  Rel’s eyes widened in disbelief.

  Rel: "Painkillers?! That’s all?!"

  The nurse nodded shakily, and Rel bolted from the room without another word.

  Jargen: "Ahh, crap..."

  Punjo: "Rel, hold on, lad!"

  Outside the orphanage, Rel paced furiously, his fists clenched.

  Virno: "What are you going to do?!"

  Rel: "I’m going to find that fat bastard Cabdan and make him help! There’s no way he doesn’t know what’s happening!"

  Jargen: "Rel, calm down! Nobody even knows where Cabdan is -- where’re you gonna look?"

  Rel: "I don’t know! But I can’t just sit here doing nothing. I have to do something!"

  Virno: "Then let’s get the doctor. He can help!"

  Rel: "Only Cabdan can summon him... We need to find him, no matter what."

  Punjo: "That might take too long... She needs more ‘elp than just painkillers now. Isn’t there anyone in the slums who can ‘elp...?"

  Virno thought back to Sadduccee’s conversation in his home the previous day...

  Virno: "... I know someone who might -- no promises, though. Let’s split up. Two of you can search for Cabdan, and whoever's left can come with me. We’ll meet back here once we’ve got something."

  Rel: "Good idea. Jargen, go with Virno. Punjo, you’re with me. Let's get a move on!"

  The four split into two groups, each racing against time. Virno and Jargen hurried back to the boy's home, arriving just as Anya was heading out for work. She’d had experience with plants and dangerous situations in her past. Maybe... just maybe...

  Anya: "Oh, you’re back! I was just on my way out. Is everything alright?"

  Virno: "Not exactly, mom. I need your help!"

  Her face fell with concern.

  Anya: "Are you hurt?! I told you not to push yourself --"

  Virno quickly explained the situation.

  Anya: "I... I can’t make any promises, but I’ll take a look. Take me to her."

  The three of them turned and headed back toward the orphanage. In the meantime, Rel and Punjo weaved through the slums, searching for Cabdan.

  Rel: "We can’t just wander aimlessly... Do you know where he might be?"

  Punjo: "...There’s a place I ‘eard about. Cabdan’s supposed to spend a lotta time there. But it ain’t exactly nice..."

  A chill ran down Rel's spine -- he had a feeling he knew what Punjo was talking about.

  Rel: "... Doesn't matter. Lead the way."

  They entered a grim section of the slums, the air heavy with a sense of foreboding. The homes here were even more dilapidated than usual, save for one -- a two-story building that stood ominously against the backdrop of decay.

  Punjo: "That’s the place alright..."

  Two burly guards stood at the entrance, glaring at them as they approached.

  Gorilla: "Where do you sewer rats think you’re going? Get lost."

  Rel’s eyes caught sight of young girls leaving the building. Some had red, puffy eyes, others wore vacant, emotionless expressions.

  His stomach turned.

  Rel: "We need to see Cabdan -- tell him it’s Rel."

  Gorilla: "Rel? Never heard of you. Beat it."

  Rel: "Listen -- this is important. Just tell him!"

  The guard shrugged.

  Gorilla: "Look, kid, take your fat old man with you and get lost, you're scaring the customers away. Cabdan's not even around here today, so you're shit out of luck. He had to take care of one of his best fighters and hasn't returned yet... Apparently, the injuries weren't pretty."

  Rel’s blood ran cold.

  Rel: "A fighter...?"

  Punjo: "That must be Barr!"

  Rel: "If Cabdan’s keeping the doctor with Barr, then he’s keeping him away from Faya... On purpose."

  Pulling away from the guards, Punjo’s face darkened as Rel explained the events of the previous day.

  Punjo: That bastard...

  Rel: "We need to get back, tell Virno and Jargen what we know. This is looking worse and worse by the minute..."

  Punjo nodded, and they turned back toward the orphanage, their urgency mounting.