Chapter 15:

  Sunden. It was enormous. As Shogai entered through a magnificent archway, he was hit with the sheer scale of this city. Buildings were towering over him, looming structures full of people and prestige. The whole place was buzzing with life and feeling, people happily walking about, interacting with market stalls and their vendors.

  Children were racing about, screaming as their friend tagged them. A city of wonders and dreams. It was unlike anything Shogai had seen before.

  Jade was having a great time, looking up and down the crowds of people.

  "I've read all about this place. It was scary how busy it sounded, but it's not so intimidating. I'm glad I came here."

  Shogai was still thinking about leaving his friends. He figured he needed to pay Mira back as well. He owed her… something. He browsed around the market stores. He heard Jade gasp in front of him and turned to see what had happened.

  A bookshop.

  "Jade, are you alright?"

  Jade didn't respond, walking almost trance-like toward the books. She sat down on a stool and grabbed a random book.

  "Um, Jade? Hello?"

  Jade snapped out of her state and saw Shogai, confused.

  "Oh. Sorry. I'll be here for a while."

  "...alright."

  Shogai wandered out of Jade's new home and skimmed the stores beside it. What would Mira want that she couldn't buy herself?

  Bread? No. Meat? Definitely not. Food wasn’t fitting. A new dress? No, plus he didn't know what kind she’d like.

  So what….?

  "Sleeping perfumes! A guaranteed night of sleep per spray!"

  Shogai remembered what Mira had said the night before. Sleeping was a problem for her. But why wouldn't she buy this herself? Shogai then recalled Mira hiding her insomnia. Maybe this wasn't about the money. Maybe she didn't want people to know that she had these problems.

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  Maybe this was something he could do for her.

  "How much for the bottle?" Shogai asked, bringing coins into his hand. The lady at the booth looked it over and shook her head sadly.

  "You might need a bit more there, son. I'll keep it reserved if you can gather more money by evening?"

  Shogai thought about this, then checked where the sun was. Right overhead. He probably had around three more hours to earn money before they left. Jade was occupied. Mira was busy. He had time…

  "Yeah, I'll go for that, please. Thank you."

  Three hours. He needed to find a way to get more money in that time. What was available?

  "No, no, no. I'm not going back there!"

  Shogai walked in on two people arguing. One was cowering and covered in bandages. The other person was pressuring him.

  "Did you not see the prize money? I know you lost, but get right back in there. We can live off that for weeks!"

  "No! Why don't you fight that champion instead?"

  "I'm not the fighter, you are!"

  The bandaged man ran off, and his friend followed him. They dropped some parchment as they left. Shogai warily picked it up and read it.

  Black market fighters requested: Prize Money:...

  Shogai dropped the paper when he saw the prize. This felt… dishonest. But at the same time…

  "Interested?" A hooded man appeared beside him. "If so, follow me. If not, we never spoke."

  The man walked off. Shogai didn't have long to decide. He was either doing it now or not at all.

  This was for Mira. She'd saved his life. She'd saved Jade's life. The least he could do was help her sleep.

  Shogai followed the man.

  The black market was underground and terrifying. Everyone carried themselves as if they were either homeless or a criminal. Shogai didn't belong here. He was going to enter, win, and leave.

  "Hey," Shogai walked up to the hooded man and tapped him on the back. "Where is the fighting arena?"

  The man laughed. He sounded younger than Shogai expected.

  "Awfully polite for someone in the market. Straighten yourself out. This isn't some playground. If you're not ready, give up now."

  Shogai did not give up. He was here now. And he wasn't about to be scared away.

  "Right then. Tell me where the fighters need to go." Shogai's tone was rough and very unlike him, but if this is what he needed to do, he'd do it.

  The man pulled down his hood with a smile. He had a pretty face and was in his early twenties. Not much older than Shogai. His messy hair was black with a single white streak down the side.

  "Welcome aboard. We only have six other fighters, so there's no need for formalities. All eight are here."

  "You're a fighter too?"

  The man laughed.

  "I'm the champion."