《Eternal hypnagogue》


 Manasei

    Drops? §àf water echoed throughout the underground path? as? a cloaked figure moved with unease, his ruffled clothes brushing against damp stone walls. His steps were uneven, his shoulders hunched? as? ?f bracing against? an invisible weight.


    Beneath the hood,? a pair? §àf bright blue eyes shimmered with? a restless light, framed? by tan skin and jet-black hair that fell neatly? t§à his eyebrows.


    The faint glow? §àf the dim sewers caught? §àn? a metallic pike strapped? t§à his back beneath the cloak. Thin and worn, the weapon bore the scars? §àf use, its surface marred? by faint, dark red stains.


    The boy¡ªyoung, around 17, and burdened? by more than fatigue, moved with cautious steps, his mind clouded? by the weight? §àf his actions.


    For the first time? in his life,? he had taken another''s.


    The memory clung? t§à him like the stench? §àf the sewers, inescapable and suffocating. Yet beneath the weariness and the pounding urgency? t§à escape the city enforcers? §àn his trail, there was something else.? A calm.? A peace.


    It was this feeling, this unsettling serenity, that chilled him most? §àf all.? As though? ?f death came now, here? ?n the darkness,? he would greet? it with open arms and? a quiet, unbidden smile. The thought terrified him. And yet,? as much? as? ?t frightened him,? he could not deny it.


    He understood the value? §àf life, and until this moment,? he had held firmly? t§à the belief that striving for survival was? a right owed? t§à everyone, regardless? §àf status.? It was why? he stole what? he lacked from those more fortunate,? a practice that had defined his life? §àn this island for years. Yet,? as much? as? he took from others,? he had always viewed the act? §àf killing? as something entirely different¡ªlike night and day.


    And yet, here? he was, taking? a grim satisfaction? ?n the death? §àf another,? n§à matter how difficult? ?t was? t§à admit. "That damn old man deserved it;? he tricked? me and made? a fool out? §àf our promise!"? he repeated? ?n his head countless times,? as? ?f trying? t§à convince himself that the gift? §àf life was not owed? t§à the sinister.


    The boy being? a poor orphan, roaming the streets? §àf this unforgiving city, never understanding what "family" truly meant. Yet,? he had found something close? t§à? ?t? ?n the form? §àf other children like himself, different? ?n countless ways but bound? by shared struggle. They weren''t his family? by blood? §àr circumstance, but? by choice. They depended? §àn him, and? he didn''t mind that burden.? As long? as? he could see them survive and smile for just another day,? ?t was worth it. But that old man had dared to...


    As the boy tried? t§à unravel the weight? §àf killing, distant shouts and hurried footsteps echoed behind him, snapping him out? §àf his thoughts. His heart raced? as? he quickened his pace, weaving his way through the labyrinthine sewers. His movements were deliberate, each turn carefully calculated until? he felt certain? he had shaken off the enforcers. Finally,? he came across? a flight? §àf stairs that led upward.


    He ascended cautiously, lifting the manhole cover just enough? t§à poke his head out. Scanning his surroundings with sharp, nervous eyes,? he stepped out into the open and quietly replaced the cover. Pulling his hood tighter over his face,? he looked? up briefly. Above him, flying airships hovered, propelled? by the hum? §àf anti-gravitational runes glowing faintly? in the evening sundown. Around him, the cacophony? §àf honking vehicles and the distant hum? §àf city life filled the alley. With? a sigh? §àf exhaustion,? he pushed forward, heading deeper into the slums.


    Oh crap,? I have? t§à wash off the blood,? §àr else the kids will get curious.


    The thought stopped him? in his tracks. Turning? §àn his heel,? he made his way? t§à? a filthy fountain with? a narrow stream? §àf water trickling down into the sewers.? He held his metallic pike under the flow, watching? as the crimson stains gradually faded until? n§à evidence remained. Satisfied,? he darted back into the maze? §àf alleys, moving with purpose.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Eventually,? he arrived? at? a small, single floor? apartment tucked within the slums. Houses like that were common? in this area, stacked next? t§à each other,? it had? a small flight §àf three step stairs that led onto the door, and? a single window on the left side of the stairs. The structure was worn and unremarkable, blending into the rundown surroundings. Yet? t§à him,? it was? a refuge,? a place that felt,? in some fractured way, like home.


    "I wonder? if Big Brother will? be back? by now,"? a young girl''s voice drifted from the house, soft but hopeful.


    "That would? be surprising.? He usually doesn''t come back? at this time," replied? a boy, smirking? as? he peered out the window.


    Outside, the cloaked boy paused, catching the boy''s eye.? He tilted his head and placed? a finger against his lips, signaling for silence. The younger boy''s smirk widened slightly, and? he gave? an understanding nod.


    Before the cloaked boy could even reach the door,? a loud, excited shriek erupted. "Mannyyyyyyyy!? I can''t believe you''re back? s§à soon!"? An even younger boy burst through the door, throwing his arms around him? ?n? a tight hug. The cloaked boy, Manny, stumbled slightly but laughed, his free arm circling the child.


    The commotion caused the girl? t§à slide off her chair? at the dinner table, abandoning her book? as her face lit? up with joy. She rushed over, wrapping her small arms around Manny? in? an equally warm embrace. For? a moment, the dim, worn-down house seemed brighter.


    At? a glance,? it was clear that these children bore? n§à blood relation? t§à Manny. Their silver hair shimmered faintly under the dim light, matched? by equally silver, furry tails that swayed behind them. Each child had six pointed ears that twitched slightly? at the sounds around them, and their striking red eyes glimmered like polished amethysts.


    Kicking off his worn boots and setting his metallic pike carefully aside, Manny scooped the little girl? up with one hand, her delighted laughter filling the room? as? he carried her toward the dinner table. Meanwhile, the eldest? §àf the two boys slipped into the kitchen, his movements practiced and quick.? He emerged moments later with? a loaf? §àf bread,? a cut? §àf deer meat, and? a handful? §àf green leaves¡ªingredients for what this small family affectionately called? a "feast."


    For them, the meal wasn''t about luxury but celebration,? a rare moment? t§à indulge simply because the head? §àf their unusual household had returned earlier than expected.


    Manny sat the little girl, Lily,? §àn his lap, her small frame resting comfortably against him? as the other two siblings took their seats? at the table. The slightly older, more mature-looking one, Goneth, settled? ?n with? an air? §àf quiet focus, while the youngest, Leneth, plopped down with? an eager smile.


    As the family ate, Manny''s eyes drifted? t§à the worn book lying? §àn the table. His curiosity piqued,? he glanced? at Lily with? a gentle smile. "What are you reading about this time?"


    With? a mouthful? §àf meat and lettuce, Lily tried? t§à respond. "Alchemists!? S§à? I cwan become wan!"


    Her muffled reply caused Goneth and Manny? t§à chuckle, their amusement filling the small room. Meanwhile, Leneth put? §àn? a stern expression that, due? t§à his age, came off more endearing than intimidating.


    "You shouldn''t talk while eating, dummy,"? he scolded, his small voice brimming with exaggerated seriousness. "What? if you choke?"


    Goneth and Manny exchanged endearing smiles.


    "Yeah, kid," Manny said with? a playful grin, "You''re going? t§à become the most mighty alchemist? in the Myriad Sea! Then we''ll all? be able? t§à depend? §àn your awesomeness for the rest? §àf time!"


    He waved his arms dramatically, his face taking? §àn? an exaggerated, longing expression? as? if imagining? a life? §àf ease under her future greatness. Lily giggled? at his antics.


    "Yeah, right! That''s going? t§à? be me!" Leneth retorted, his voice full? §àf fiery determination. "I''ll clear all the dungeons around the world, then they''ll pay? us? a bucketload? §àf money, and we''ll finally live? in the coolest villa? in Starfallen City!"


    He slapped the table with? a triumphant grin, then jumped onto? it with? a burst? §àf energy, raising his index finger high? in the air? as? if making? a grand declaration.


    Leneth''s triumphant declaration earned him? a swift flying shoe? t§à the face, courtesy? §àf Goneth. The younger boy tumbled off the table with? a yelp, landing? in? an unceremonious heap.


    "Feet off the dinner table, you brat!" Goneth scolded, though his tone betrayed his amusement.


    Laughter rang through the small house.


    -------


    After dinner, Manny clapped his hands and stood. "Alright, it''s time for bed now."


    "What? It''s only? a little past sun down!" Lily grumbled, crossing her arms with? a pout.


    "So?" Goneth retorted, his voice carrying its usual no-nonsense tone. "We usually have? t§à wait? up for Manny, but since he''s here earlier than usual,? I can put you guys? t§à bed now. Let''s go."

 Family(1)

    Despite their grumbling, Goneth herded Lily and Leneth toward their shared room. Meanwhile, Manny stayed behind, washing the dishes.


    As Manny washed the dishes, the repetitive motions of scrubbing and rinsing gave way to the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. The events of the day replayed vividly, each moment dragging him deeper into contemplation. He knew with certainty that the matter wasn''t over.


    Killing someone of the old man''s stature wouldn''t just stir the city''s law enforcement; it would ripple into something far more dangerous. Perhaps even something that reached beyond the mortal realm; alchemists, forces he dared not fully consider.


    A cold gleam flickered across his face as he came to a grim decision. Whatever the consequences might be, under no circumstance would he allow these kids to be caught in the crossfire of his impulsive actions. The choice he had made was his alone to bear, and so would be the repercussions.


    Finishing the last of the dishes, Manny quietly dried his hands. The house had fallen silent and the moon had unknowingly already risen up; Goneth had tucked the younger two into bed, and their soft, rhythmic breaths confirmed they were fast asleep.


    By the faint glow of a candle, Manny sat down at the rickety table. He pulled out a pen and paper, his hand steady despite the weight of his thoughts.


    This letter was for the kids, a set of instructions on what to do if he didn''t return after tonight and also his farewell. Manny understood that what he was about to attempt could easily be called suicide by anyone with a shred of sense. He folded the paper carefully after finishing, his jaw tightening as he stared at the words one last time.


    Quietly, he crept over to the bunk bed he shared with Goneth, placing the letter on the smaller bed beside his. Goneth, for all his youth only being fourteen¡ªwas the most responsible of them all. It was a reality that pained Manny. A boy of his age should have been attending school, playing in parks, or dreaming of adventures, not shouldering the burdens of survival. Yet, Goneth would frequently do odd jobs for whatever change he could get his hands on, ensuring their small household functioned despite their grim circumstances.


    Manny had always been grateful for Goneth''s maturity. It was the only reason he could even consider stepping away, knowing that someone capable would remain to guide the others. Goneth took on so much to lighten Manny''s load, even managing their meager finances with precision and care. Unlike Manny, who often caved to Leneth and Lily''s whims, Goneth ensured every coin was spent wisely.


    Placing the letter there felt like entrusting more than just instructions; it was handing over the fragile hope that this family could endure without him. With one last look at his sleeping sibling, Manny turned away, the weight of the night pressing heavily on his shoulders.


    Manny picked up his pipe, strapped it securely to his back, and draped his cloak over it. His gaze was steely, his resolve unwavering as he stepped out of the small house, careful to make no noise that might wake the others. The quiet night wrapped around him like a shroud, and for a moment, he thought he''d left without a trace.


    But just as he reached the edge of hearing distance, a hoarse yet familiar voice rang out behind him, piercing the silence and stopping him in his tracks.


    "Amongst the kids, you''re perhaps the only one who understands what I do outside of this house," the voice began, its tone trembling with restrained emotion. Manny froze, his fists clenching at his sides, his face contorting as if someone had thrown an onion in his path. Guilt. That voice, reading the letter he had written, churned up a guilt so deep it almost made him turn back.


    "And to be honest, I''ve never been ashamed of it. As much as I advocate for an upright life for you guys in this city, it''s hypocritical of me to go behind your backs and rob others. But I don''t care! I''m just that willful, and if there comes a day where I have to face the consequences, I''ll gladly take them on!This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "Throughout the past few years, I''ve managed to save up quite a bit of money¡ªenough for you guys to stay afloat for a long while, so take that money and find a better place to live, away from here at least. Just do Not stay in this area after i leave, please. Because I..."


    The voice faltered, and Manny could hear the anger creeping in, quickly suppressed but unmistakable.


    "I won''t be here, perhaps ever again. But the kindness you have done for me is something I don''t think I can ever repay, and it''s not the only reason I stayed with you kids. Because you didn''t just save my life that day¡ªyou saved me. It''s your reliance and willingness to survive, no matter how much this city pushed you down, that kept me around for this long. But today, I may have to say goodbye."


    Manny turned, his chest tight, to see Goneth standing in the doorway, clutching the letter in trembling hands. Tears threatened to spill from the boy''s eyes, but it wasn''t just sadness etched across his face;it was anger. Pure, unfiltered anger, glowing in his red amethyst-like eyes, making them burn brighter in the dark.


    The young boy glared at Manny, his small frame trembling with barely restrained fury. "You think I don''t know what you''ve been up to this past year?" His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened.


    "What?" Disoriented and caught off guard, Manny barely managed to croak out the word.


    "You''ve been saving up money to give us away to an orphanage, haven''t you?!" Goneth''s voice cracked.


    Manny''s face twisted, the guilt he''d tried to bury now bubbling to the surface. "Have you been following me? How could you?" he shot back.


    "Don''t give me that!" Goneth snapped. "You know as well as I do how an orphanage owned by those damn elves would treat descendants of perpetrators like us!"


    Manny froze, he wanted to tell the boy this orphanage was different, that there was an elf out there who did not follow the rest of his kind like sheep, to justify himself but it was of no use at this point. Because then maybe he would have to also tell the boy what led up to the current predicament, His tongue heavy. He couldn''t summon a response, on some level Goneth was right. Dead right.


    In this world, the conflict between six-eared people and elves was a deeply rooted grudge that had been woven into every aspect of life. The ruler of the lands had forced reconciliation, but everyone knew it was little more than a thinly veiled truce. The prejudice lingered, manifesting in subtler but equally cruel forms. No orphanage owned by elves, would ever accept them as equals, and not as children in need.


    After a long silence, Manny turned his gaze away from Goneth, unable to meet the boy''s piercing red eyes.


    "I failed," he spat out, the words bitter.


    "You what?" Goneth''s eyes widened in shock.


    "I failed to negotiate with the orphanage," Manny said, his voice steady but tinged with defeat. He let out a sigh, meeting the boy''s gaze.


    "Then why? Weren''t you going to leave us because of the orphanage?" Goneth''s voice faltered, his anger muddied by bewilderment.


    "No," Manny replied firmly. "It''s because I failed that I have to go. Otherwise, they''ll find you guys."


    "You''re not making any sense! Who''s going to find us?" Goneth demanded.


    "The city enforcers, or worse, alchemists," Manny said grimly, his tone thick with emotion that he tried to rein in. "That''s why you need to take that money and head deeper into the slums. It''s the only way to keep you all safe."


    Goneth struggled to follow the conversation. He had assumed Manny was planning to abandon them; or, more accurately, leave them at an orphanage. A part of him even understood why. Despite cherishing his bond with Manny, he had always found him to be something of a mystery. Manny hadn''t always lived on this island, and Goneth had never pressed too hard for answers about his past.


    If there was one thing Goneth was certain of, it was that Manny''s past haunted him. There were nights when he would talk in his sleep, fragments of his dreams revealing pain that Goneth could barely imagine. Out of respect, he chose not to ask about it. Yet, he couldn''t help but pity this big brother figure, as much as he admired him.


    Manny had his own goals, his own objectives, whatever they were, and yet he still stayed. He cared for them, took on their burdens, and protected them as if they were family, despite the fact that they were practically strangers when they had first met. That thought made Goneth feel both grateful and guilty. Grateful for all Manny had done for them, and guilty that he couldn''t lighten the weight Manny carried.


    One could ask why Goneth was so angry at Manny if this was the case, and the answer was simple. He wanted him to stay. The thought of Manny leaving felt like a betrayal, as if he was disregarding how much his presence meant to them. To Goneth and the other kids, Manny wasn''t just a provider, he brought color to their otherwise bleak lives.


    It was selfish, perhaps, but that''s how children often are. No matter how much Goneth tried to act mature, deep down, he was still just a kid. And like any child, he clung to the people who made him feel safe and whole.


    Now, however, his anger had been thrown into disarray. There was more to the story than he had realized, more than Manny was telling him. He simply stood there, struggling to process the whirlwind of emotions.

 Family(2)

    Manny could see the turmoil playing out in Goneth''s eyes, Without hesitation, he walked over and gently wrapped his arms around the boy''s smaller frame, pulling him into a firm embrace. His hand moved to caress Goneth''s hair.


    After a moment, Manny knelt down, bringing himself to eye level. He gazed directly into Goneth''s sharp, red eyes. He should have anticipated this moment, he realized. Someone as clever as Goneth, forced by circumstance to understand the nature of people far earlier than he should have, was bound to see through the cracks in Manny''s plans. But even knowing that, he wouldn''t have done anything differently.


    Manny could feel it. Danger was closing in, the walls around them tightening with every passing moment. If he were alone, without anyone to care for or protect, he wouldn''t feel this way. He would welcome the risk, face it head-on without fear.


    But he wasn''t alone. He couldn''t abandon these kids to save himself, not when their lives had become his responsibility. Manny sighed inwardly, steeling his resolve.


    "Look, Goneth, it''s not what you think. I''m not leaving permanently," Manny began, his tone softer now. "I''m just taking a risk. A very big one. That''s why I said I''m not sure if I''ll ever come back."


    "Risk?" Goneth echoed, his voice tight with concern.


    "Yes," Manny replied with a weary sigh. "I''ve made a huge mistake... and I''ve Found things I never should have. It''s only a matter of time before bad people come to the slums looking for me."


    Manny couldn''t bring himself to tell Goneth the full truth; that he had killed someone for their sake. It was a weight he didn''t want the boy, or any of the kids, to carry. Whether his silence was born of guilt, shame, or something else entirely, he wasn''t ready to confront it. The incident had been a storm of uncontrollable anger and self-blame, emotions he couldn''t begin to untangle now.


    "I''ll be honest with you, Goneth," Manny continued, his voice firm. "This is going to be more dangerous than anything I''ve ever done. That''s why I need you to take the kids and hide for a while. If I don''t make it back, use the money to keep afloat until you can leave this island."


    Goneth''s eyes trembled, his composure cracking as he fought to hold back tears. "Why can''t you come with us? We could run away together, start over somewhere new!"


    "Don''t be stupid!" Manny snapped, unable to keep his voice from rising. "If I go with you, we''ll all be caught, or worse, killed. I''m not taking that chance!"


    The sharpness of his tone made Goneth flinch, but after a moment, the younger boy nodded reluctantly, his shoulders slumping.


    Manny smirked, with a wink he said. "You have known me for long enough to tell now, i am as unkillable as a thousand cockroaches, so I''ll come back in one piece."


    Manny''s attempt to lift the mood wasn''t much, but it was enough to brighten the boy''s spirits, even if only a little.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡ª----------------


    The sun rose over the slums of Starfallen City, casting pale light on the narrow alleys and crumbling rooftops. Goneth stirred awake, forcing himself into motion as if the events of the previous night had never happened. He slipped quietly into the kitchen, beginning to prepare breakfast for his younger siblings. As he moved about, he tried his best to mask his unease, to act like everything was as normal as any other morning.


    But Goneth knew it was only a matter of time before Lily and Leneth caught on. They always did. As he worked, he rehearsed in his mind how to explain their abrupt change of plans for the day. Normally, he would walk them to school, where they spent most of their day until noon, while he stayed home to tend to chores or run out for supplies.


    The thought of school tugged at an old memory, one of the many arguments he had with Manny. Manny had always insisted that Goneth should attend school, just like the younger two, while Goneth firmly refused. He felt his place was at home, helping with the housework and looking after Lily and Leneth. It was an argument that neither of them had fully won, and one that still flared up from time to time.


    Unlike private orphanages, which Goneth deeply distrusted, schools were different. The ruler of the land had decreed that education was to remain untouched by the old feud between the elves and six-eared people.


    That didn''t erase the systemic racism that lingered in subtle ways, but it made school one of the few spaces where clashes were less common, if not entirely absent.


    Despite the challenges, Manny saw education as a lifeline. In a city where opportunities were scarce, school offered a foothold, a way for children from the slums to build lives of dignity, even if it didn''t compare to the elite status of alchemists. That belief was why Manny refused to give up on the idea of Goneth attending school one day. For Manny, it was more than an ideal, it was a way out.


    Breakfast was simple¡ªeggs, a loaf of bread smothered with a strange green paste, and a glass of milk accompanying each plate. Goneth placed the three plates on the table before heading into his younger siblings'' room. Watching them snore peacefully, he let out a quiet sigh, then shook them awake. The two stirred reluctantly but eventually rose, groggy and slow-moving, to get ready for the day.


    When they finally sat at the table, the absence of Manny didn''t surprise either of them. It was common for him to leave early, so they thought little of it as they began eating.


    "So, how''s school?" Goneth asked, gesturing with his fork as he broke the silence.


    "It''s not so bad," Leneth replied casually before glancing up with a sly grin. "When are you going to start? You''re not that much older than us, you know."


    Goneth flinched at the question, caught off guard. Before his awkwardness could linger, Lily chimed in with a smirk on her face.


    "Heh, don''t let him fool you, Gon. He actually gets bullied."


    "By who?" Goneth asked, his composure quickly returning as his curiosity piqued.


    "It''s these two elf kids," Lily replied matter-of-factly. "I''ve seen it happen a lot."


    Leneth practically jumped in his seat, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Quit lying, you brat! It''s just kids playing around. Plus, I''ve never lost a fight to those two."


    Lily rolled her eyes, her smirk turning into a full grin. "Who are you kidding? If it weren''t for the money being paid to the school, you would''ve quit already."


    Leneth glared, clearly flustered, but Goneth could only chuckle at the exchange.


    "Well, good thing you won''t have to worry about that for a while," Goneth said calmly.


    "What?!" both Leneth and Lily exclaimed in unison.


    "We have to ''move'' again," Goneth explained as he finished his plate. "It won''t be for long. We''ll just be away from this house for a little while."


    Moving wasn''t a foreign concept to any of them. Back when it had been just the three of them, small, scrappy kids,they had drifted from house to house, hoping to find somewhere that would accept their meager savings. More often than not, luck wasn''t on their side, and they had learned to live out of whatever temporary shelter they could scrape together.


    "What are you saying?" Leneth asked,"We haven''t done that in ages. Surely it''s not because of money, right?"


    "No, it''s not that," Goneth replied smoothly, keeping his tone steady. "It''s just... we''re looking to move out of the slums for good. While we look for a proper house, we need to stay away from this neighborhood in case of... accidents."


    It was a flimsy excuse, one he knew wouldn''t hold for long, but it was enough to keep their curiosity at bay for now. Manny had been explicit, they needed to move first thing in the morning. Goneth didn''t have the luxury of overthinking.


    Despite their protests and lingering questions, he told Leneth and Lily to change their clothes and wait outside while he gathered the stash of money Manny had left him. As he rummaged through the hiding spot inside the house, the siblings waited in front of the shabby structure.


    Unbeknownst to them, a hooded figure approached.


    The stranger''s frame was tall but lanky, their movements haggered as they drew closer to the house¡­.

 Toothless

    Manny wandered through the alleys of the slums, he was looking for someone or more accurately their hiding place.


    This person wasn''t known for physical strength or an imposing presence. In fact, quite the opposite. He was meek, ingratiating, and easily overlooked, a shadow in the of the slums. Yet, his influence stretched farther than most.


    Manny had first encountered this individual not long after meeting the kids. The man''s peculiar nature had struck him immediately. His skill set was unique: information gathering. Every whispered secret, every scrap of gossip that fluttered through the streets found its way to him, thanks to his network of "rats."


    The rats weren''t a formal group. They were just a collection of street kids, born into the slums and desperate enough to scrape together coins by any means.


    They had structure, but no symbol, and no identity. They simply existed, scurrying about the city, always watching, always listening. This man, their handler, paid them generously for the secrets they uncovered.


    Manny found him eccentric, to say the least. The man always seemed to know more than anyone should. But in the slums of Starfallen City, knowing things often meant the difference between survival and death.


    All morning, he had felt an unshakable tension, like the air before a storm. It gnawed at him, the sense that danger could strike at any moment.


    His greatest fear wasn''t the danger itself but failing to act first. That was why he was here, why this was his first move: finding Toothless, the info broker, before the people who would inevitably come looking for him did.


    But Manny wasn''t entirely sure what he intended to do once he found the man.


    Trust was something he rarely extended, and Toothless was no exception. The broker held too much information, on Manny, on the kids, on countless others, and that alone made him a potential threat.


    Yet Manny had no intention of harming him. On the contrary, they had always been on decent, even great terms. But in the slums, business and friendship were worlds apart, and Manny knew better than to blur that line.


    His distrust wasn''t personal. It was precautionary. This wasn''t just about survival; If worse came to worst, lives were on the line, and he wasn''t willing to gamble with those odds.


    Manny''s thoughts steadied as he arrived at a shabby street lined with ramshackle stalls. Vendors hawked their wares, shouting over one another in an attempt to sell their miscellaneous items, most of which Manny was certain were scams.


    But he paid them little attention. His focus was on the crowd, carefully scanning the passersby while trying to avoid attracting notice himself.


    It didn''t take long for something or someone to catch his eye.


    A young human boy, no older than ten, stood near the edge of the street. His torn blue jacket hung loosely over a thin frame, his worn-out sneakers scuffed. Black leather pants that seemed far too big for him were cinched at the waist with a torn out belt. But it was his behavior that drew Manny''s attention. The boy''s gaze darted around the street, sharp and attentive, as if he were cataloging everything he saw.


    One of Toothless''s rats, Manny thought, his lips tightening. He didn''t approach right away, instead watching carefully to confirm the boy''s purpose. After all, in the slums, appearances could be deceiving.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The boy spotted Manny too, his body tensing as if ready to bolt, but recognition stopped him in his tracks.


    Manny didn''t hesitate, closing the distance quickly. He grabbed the boy calmly but firmly, steering him into a nearby alleyway where the bustle of the street faded. Once they were out of sight, he let the kid go.


    "You recognized me, didn''t you?" Manny asked, his tone steady but pointed. "So you should know I''m good friends with your boss."


    The boy, unfazed, adjusted his torn jacket and looked up at Manny with an unbothered, deadpan expression.


    With a resigned shrug, he reached into his pocket and tossed three brozen coins at the boy.


    The coins glinted faintly in the dim light, each one stamped with the image of a six earred person, his sharp features, pointed ears, and spirited gaze captured in elegant detail. The figure''s vest, crafted from what appeared to be silk, was a clear emblem of nobility and wealth.


    The boy caught them deftly, his expression instantly brightening. "Oh, three Gelos! Not bad. The rumors are true, you''re a real nice person, sir!" he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.


    Manny rolled his eyes. These kids were always quick to butter him up, and while he knew it was largely insincere, he couldn''t help appreciating their resourcefulness.


    Over the years, his occasional need to find Toothless had made him a familiar figure among these street kids. Bribing them had become a routine, though whether they would still help if he didn''t have a good relationship with their boss was anyone''s guess.


    "Alright, brat," Manny said with impatience. "I''ve got urgent business to deal with. Take me to your boss. Now."


    The boy let out a playful chuckle and bowed theatrically, one arm extended as he gestured down the alley.


    "Why, of course, my good sir! Right this way!"


    Manny snorted at the boy''s antics but followed him without hesitation.


    One after the other, they slipped through the alleys, leaving behind the crowded slums and entering a sprawling garbage dump.


    The air was thick with the stench of rust and decay, broken machinery piled high around them. The boy scanned the area carefully, his eyes darting around as they moved toward the far end of the junkyard.


    There, nestled among the wreckage, was an abandoned warehouse. Its walls were riddled with rust, and the faint creak of loose metal panels swayed in the wind. Just as they began to approach, the Man froze, grabbing the boy to halt Him.


    From a distance, a group of figures surrounded the warehouse entrance. The two crept closer, their steps cautious, taking care not to draw attention. As the figures came into focus, Manny''s stomach tightened.


    They were enforcers.


    Clad in their signature black-and-blue uniforms, the enforcers stood in a rigid formation, their militant presence unmistakable.


    Each one held a baton at their side, its metallic sheen catching the dim light. Emblazoned on their chests was the emblem of the empire: a Si-Ren, its design as intricate as it was menacing.


    The creature depicted had the head of a human with flowing blue hair, its eyes sharp and otherworldly. The torso was adorned with the claws of a bird, extending into the lower body of a fish, its tail covered in shimmering blue scales that seemed to glint even on the flat, painted surface.


    This symbol was no trivial design, it was a mark of authority that could not be faked. To attempt such a thing was to invite a death sentence, as those caught forging the empire''s emblem faced swift and brutal consequences.


    Manny clenched his jaw, his mind racing. The presence of enforcers here wasn''t just a coincidence. Something serious was unfolding, and it likely spelled trouble for him, and for Toothless.


    The little boy''s pupils shrank in panic as he instinctively moved to rush toward the warehouse, but a firm grip on his shoulder stopped him in his tracks.


    "L-let go! The boss is in big trouble!" he protested.


    "And what''s a brat like you going to do about it?" Manny replied.


    The boy hesitated, then reluctantly crouched back down behind the wreckage. His small hands clenched into fists as he struggled to calm himself. After a moment of silence, he muttered, "I don''t get it. The boss''s location changes almost weekly, and hardly anyone knows where he is. So how did these bastards find him?"


    "Because as much as we help you, we only do so because the boss treats you as a friend," the boy said, his voice trembling. "In these dirty slums, the boss gave us a way to survive. He took us under his wing. There''s no way we could tell on him!"


    Manny observed the boy silently.


    "Who knows?" Manny shrugged slightly. "But there''s one thing I can guess."


    "What''s that?" the boy asked


    "Your boss has probably escaped already," Manny said with a furrowed brow.


    "Huh? How would you know that?" the boy asked.


    "If they''d already gotten Toothless, it wouldn''t make sense for them to still be here, searching the place."


    The boy blinked, the logic sinking in as he glanced back at the enforcers.


    "Also, you need to leave this place," Manny said firmly. "I''ll go check the warehouse and see what''s going on inside."


    "Let me come with you! I might be of¡ª"


    The boy''s words were cut off swiftly by Manny''s sharp tone.


    "No. You''ll just be a burden to me," Manny replied, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Thanks for your help so far, but you''re free to go now."


    The boy froze, staring at Manny in silence for a moment. He could sense the stern refusal that wasn''t going to change no matter what he said. With a heavy heart, he gave a small nod, then turned and quietly left.


    Manny watched him disappear.


    His mind raced as he analyzed the situation. He planned to sneak in first, assessing the scene before making any moves. But if subtlety failed, he was prepared to let his pipe do the talking.


    Though he often avoided confrontation with the enforcers, he wasn''t afraid of them. Battles in the past had proven his strength, and he believed himself capable of taking on a dozen of them if it came down to it.


    His resolve hardened as he moved toward the warehouse.