"There you are!" Fence shouted as Atzi arrived at their shack and stand.

  "I'm here on time..." Atzi said.

  "Yeah, but Fence gets impatient easily," Cory replied. "They asked me where you were three times."

  "Wow, you really do care," Atzi said flatly.

  'Yes," said Fence. "About the money you're going to make me."

  Atzi clacked her claws nervously. Hopefully this goes over well. "I was thinking about how we could pull off the blood heist. I have an idea, you two wanna hear it?"

  "You? An idea?" Fence asked.

  "I'm a genius. You'll agree when you hear it."

  "Go ahead." Cory smiled.

  Atzi laid out the plan from start to finish, including getting Fence to handle a distraction. She offered up front to pay slightly less than what they asked for last time. Fence haggled it upwards.

  "Greedy..." Atzi said as she paid over the money.

  "Necessary supplies," Fence replied.

  "What in the hells do you even spend your money on, anyway?"

  "Trade secret."

  "It's that embarrassing?"

  "It's a trade fucking secret!" Fence stomped a clawed foot.

  "It's embarrassing for sure." Atzi laughed.

  Fence sighed. "I liked you better when you were scared."

  "Cory, what do you think of the plan?" Atzi asked her.

  "It's a good plan," she said.

  Atzi smiled dumbly.

  -

  Everything about getting the blood went like last time. They arrived back at Fence's alleyway, Atzi looking down at Cory's burnt wrist. "Ouch. Looks rough."

  "I'll live. Especially once we have that book," Cory said.

  Atzi thought about something. "What do you need that book for anyway?"

  "To study," Cory said simply.

  "It didn't look much like swamp witch stuff," Atzi replied. "Kur- uh, my mom said mages that try other stuff come in two types - losers and sages. Does that mean you're a sage already...?"

  Cory silently frowned.

  "... Did I say something bad?"

  "Are you calling me a loser, Atzi?"

  "Wh-what? No!"

  "Oh really?" Cory looked pissed. "Because it sounds like you were calling me a loser..."

  "I wasn't!" How do I fix this?! Oh no, oh no!

  Then Cory laughed, hard. "I got you with that one!"

  Atzi let out a pathetic laugh. "You did…"

  "Anyway, let's get this book," Cory said.

  Atzi nodded "Yeah." But she did notice that Cory had never answered the question.

  -

  When they entered V's living room, Aelia was there. Fence was not.

  Figures. Fence has no reason to pass along the gossip that I have visions of the future. I was so naive then. Not like now.

  "Were you two successful?" Aelia asked after a pause.

  "Yeah," Atzi said. "Uh, though Cory wanted to ask about something."

  "I'm sure V will be here soon," Aelia said simply.

  "So... how's the last couple years been for you?" Atzi tried to ask.

  Aelia ignored the question.

  Sheesh.... The old crew really doesn't like me…

  Atzi sat around tapping her claws on her legs impatiently.

  V arrived-

  -from upstairs.

  That's different. Why is that different? What happened to cause that? Did that sage sell me out? Did she screw up?

  They handled the matter with Aelia and then dismissed them, before turning to Cory.

  "I assume you were successful in your blood harvest?" V asked her.

  "Yep! But Atzi learned something a while ago she thought might be important. Tell 'em, Atzi."

  "So, um, I saw the book mentioned in the guardhouse..." Atzi continued with the excuse from before as she secretly panicked.

  V looked at Cory. "Come back tomorrow morning and I will take it out to show you. I expect this to be the last of it, however."

  Atzi's eyes widened. That's very different. What in the hells? She looked towards Cory.

  Cory shrugged. "Sure, but why not now?"

  "Do not worry about it. It may simply be paranoia on my behalf."

  "Is... something wrong?" Atzi ventured.

  V looked at her. They held the stare, and Atzi felt uncomfortable. "I expect what I am about to share to not be shared further. Understood?"

  Atzi nodded rapidly.

  "The mage whom the book was taken from is currently nearby. I do not know why, so until they leave, or I discover the reason, I do not wish to take the book from its hiding place."

  That idiot! Atzi grimaced. "Um.... should we be careful when leaving?"

  "Simply take a circuitous route. And if you do find out anything, please alert me."

  "Okay…"

  "You are dismissed," V said, and then headed back upstairs.

  -

  Atzi and Cory walked through the streets together,

  "We'll need a different excuse for tomorrow if I'm gonna be there," Atzi said

  Cory hummed. "V is pretty paranoid. Not just with that mage thing. Between the mage and you showing up a second time, they'll probably expect something is up."

  "So a different plan...?" Atzi asked

  "You could hide on the roof and break in through the window when I give the signal."

  "V noticed a mage just hanging around nearby, you want me hiding on the roof?"

  "Augh, you're right." Cory snapped her fingers. "I need to go off on my own. Meet me back here at dawn. I'll explain what I've figured out then."

  "Sure." Gotta find that idiot mage. Can't risk being seen with her, though.

  Cory and Atzi separated. Then Atzi slinked through the streets, looking out for Terra. Finally she saw her. Atzi let out a sigh.

  Terra was standing literally just a few houses away from V's in her full mage attire. Even her big hat.

  Atzi shook her head. She tore off a section of a nearby poster, wrote down a message, wrapped it around a rock, and tossed it in a bush next to Terra. "You were spotted. Come to the academy gates."

  Atzi then waited for Terra to pick it up before she slinked away.

  -

  Atzi waited near the gates. Eventually, she saw Terra approaching.

  Two of V's private guards followed a few houses behind her.

  Ah shit. Is she dense or something? This mage...

  Atzi headed away from the gates before Terra got there. She needed to find a way to get her alone, without the guards noticing.

  She briefly considered sneaking into the academy, then realized that was a terrible idea, what with the magic wards they probably had all over place.

  Normally food carts weren't allowed on residential streets, but with the festival plenty had been set up. One was empty - sold out of whatever greasy concoction it offered partygoers - not far from the gates. Atzi ducked behind it.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Peeking her head out, she noticed V's guards standing twenty or so feet away, near the entrance of the 'rich district'.

  "Terra!" Atzi whispered over to her. "Those guards followed you. We need somewhere else to talk, not here."

  "Atzi?" Terra turned her head towards the food cart. She started walking towards it.

  "Don't say my name," Atzi panicked. "Or pay attention to me."

  "Oh," Terra said. She looked away.

  "You don't know anything about being subtle! You got noticed and screwed it all up, now I have to try again in the morning and I don't know what will happen!"

  "So I should come back in the morning?" Terra asked

  "Not there! Don't you know any magic for going invisible or something?"

  "Invisibility is a high rank and circle effect, primarily theoretical," Terra explained.

  "What does that mean?!" Atzi asked.

  "It means no," Terra said.

  Atzi sighed. "Then we'll meet further away this time." She gave Terra directions to a place she fled through both previous times.

  "Okay," Terra said.

  "And don't say or do anything to stand out!" Atzi seethed. "You'd have your book right now if you hadn't been so obvious. You even wore the hat!"

  "I like my hat."

  "You might be some great mage but you don't know anything about subtlety. I'll do my best tomorrow but I have no idea anymore how it'll go, I'll just... do my best to get you it."

  "Thank you. I'll try my best to not be too conspicuous."

  "Good," Atzi said. I swear... if I didn't need her help with figuring things out, I wouldn't be bothering. Mages! "Now head inside the academy for now so I can run away without them seeing me. Please."

  Terra did so.

  Wow she just does what I ask her to without much objection, huh? I could- I should focus on this stupid book.

  Atzi slinked off once she had the chance.

  -

  Atzi waited until dawn before heading back where she left off with Cory. I hope she has a good plan. She arrived first, waiting impatient for Cory to show up.

  Thirty minutes later, she saw Cory approaching. "Hey Cory-"

  With someone behind her.

  Alana ran up. "Hi! You're Atzi?"

  She's... she's killing me now? "Y-yes! Who are... you?"

  "I'm-"

  "She's a friend I trust, who will help us with this," Cory interrupted Alana.

  "Oh!" Atzi brighted up. "Oh, good."

  "That's right! I'm Alana, nice to meet you!" She held out her hand for a shake.

  Atzi hesitated slightly. Well, this seems friendly enough. She put her claw in Alana's hand.

  Alana nearly crushed Atzi's clawed hand with the force of her grip, shaking both their arms up and down theatrically. Then she let go.

  Atzi whined in pain.

  "Okay, so here's the plan," Cory spoke up. "V would be suspicious if you were just hanging around outside Atzi, but they don't know Alana. So you're going to pretend to be drunk with her until the time is right. She can also help us escape."

  "So we pretend we've come from one of the parties?" Atzi asked.

  "Yes."

  "We should actually get drunk for this!" Alana suggested happily.

  "It takes a lot to get me drunk," Atzi said. "Swamp dragon blood."

  "When I give the signal, Alana will toss you into the window."

  "I-in the window? That's gonna hurt..."

  "I can't open it beforehand without it being suspicious. Don't worry, once I have the book, I'm sure I can figure out a way to heal you."

  "Oh." She can do that? "Thank you Cory." She's so nice. Atzi then considered that Cory was probably lying to her. But maybe not this time? I'm lying to her though...

  Atzi sighed. She needed the book so she could learn what was happening. Still, she didn't like the idea of betraying Cory. But if you think about it, this helps Cory in the future, after I learn what's going on. So I'm actually being good to her by doing this!

  Cory nodded. "I'll head over soon. You two should go nearby so you can stumble over authentically."

  Atzi turned towards Alana. "Let's, um, find some stuff to drink."

  Alana beamed. "I knew I liked you!"

  Atzi gave an awkward laugh.

  -

  Atzi and Alana stood together at a nearby party, each holding a drink. Most places in the city stopped partying at dawn, but not here in the rich district, where a group of Sostra's wealthiest continued to drunkenly dance just nearby.

  "Betcha I can drink mine faster than you," Alana said.

  "I dunno... I'm pretty fast," Atzi said. I don't have to worry about it at all, so I can put it back like water!

  They both began their impromptu contest. They finished their first drink at the same time. Then Alana grabbed two more and opened her mouth, pouring them both in at the same time without spilling a drop. Atzi watched wide eyed before grabbing her second drink, trying to catch up. It was useless, though. In the end, Alana managed to finish five drinks in the time it took Atzi to drink three.

  "H-how do you even do that?" Atzi asked, incredulous.

  "Practice!" Alana said happily.

  "That's more than practice..."

  "Lots of practice!" Alana sipped her sixth drink. "I love drinking!"

  Atzi chuckled. "You're no normal human..."

  Alana paused, briefly glaring at Atzi. Then she smiled, seeming to relax. "What are you talking about, silly?"

  "Sorry... just never lost at that before," Atzi laughed awkwardly. What is that about?

  Alana laughed too and smacked Atzi on the back, hard.

  Atzi coughed and nearly fell. After collecting herself, she looked at Alana, and had an idea. "Hey, are you single?" Maybe she'll say something that Cory wouldn't.

  "Are you interested?" Alana smirked.

  "Y-yeah, who wouldn't be?" Atzi said, truthfully. As long as you don't try to kill me.

  "I like you!" Alana played a finger on the rim of her cup. "I'm in an open relationship. Don't worry about the details."

  "Maybe after all this we could...?"

  "Sure! Always fun!"

  This isn't happening, of course. Oh well. Atzi gave a fake smile. But that's... interesting. An open relationship. Does that mean Cory...? Does that mean I have a chance?! Atzi internally celebrated, her smile turning real. "Let's go pull this off for Cory!"

  "For Cory!"

  They both drank.

  -

  "Let's go," Alana said. She wrapped an arm around Atzi, supporting her so she could drunk walk effectively.

  Time to get tossed through a window and betray this powerful lunatic and hope the mage can save me. Still, this is nice, for now. The first thing I'm doing when I get that book in my hand and I'm away from V is reading the inscription, just in case.

  They headed over. As they approached V's mansion, they heard Cory's muffled scream.

  "Up you go!" Alana said-

  -And in a single motion, tossed Atzi up towards the second story window.

  "Bugeh!" Atzi cried out as she hurtled through the air. She lifted her arms just in time to protect herself as she crashed through the second story window.

  She landed on the ground of V's office, only slightly in pain from the glass embedded in her scales. She looked up, expecting to see the same thing she always did - guards wrapped in Cory's blood magic, and Cory jumping on V's desk, with V holding the book.

  There was one big difference. V's other hand wasn't empty, instead aiming a crossbow propped over their arm. It was decorated with black scales and had a menacing sheen.

  The one Atzi remembered V said ripped out souls.

  "I see," V said.

  And fired.

  Atzi ducked as fast as she could.

  The bolt struck her shoulder, passing through her scales like cloth.

  Atzi's head swam with pain as she felt like floating away from her own body.

  Is this the end? My soul is going away? She wondered in a detached way. She felt as though the place before her had swept away, replaced with stars.

  Then she felt something grip onto her, and again she was present in the moment, though the pain made her wish she wasn't. She puked.

  She collected herself and sprinted straight towards V. Her clawed feet splashed over Cory's blood magic, which made no attempt to stop her.

  V tossed the unloaded crossbow at Cory, preventing Cory from advancing momentarily. Atzi leapt over the desk towards V.

  V didn't drop the book this time, forcing Atzi to try wrestling it away. They both tugged at the book, neither gaining ground.

  Then Cory recovered, grabbing for the book. She grasped onto it and pulled up, freeing it from the struggle between Atzi and V.

  She ran towards the window and, without waiting for Atzi, leapt out. Atzi followed. Another of V's guards burst through the office door.

  Atzi jumped through the window.

  She fell through the air. On the street below her stood Alana, her arms outstretched towards Cory. Atzi watched with jealousy as Alana caught Cory in a bridal carry.

  Then Atzi remembered to duck and roll with the fall - the crossbow bolt in her shoulder drove deeper with the impact, and she groaned in pain.

  "Let's go!" Cory said to Alana.

  Alana started running. Holding Cory. And the book. In the wrong direction from where Atzi told Terra she'd meet her. And also they weren't waiting for her, either.

  "Wait!" Atzi cried out. She sprinted, trying to catch up to the surprisingly fast Alana.

  She put everything she had into the sprint, wasn't carrying anything, and only barely managed to catch up.

  "Impressive!" Alana complimented her.

  "I prepared... a way out... in advance... it's..." Atzi huffed as she pointed in the right direction.

  Alana and Cory glanced at each other.

  Then Alana smiled. "Okay!"

  Whew. It's going to work. It has to work.

  They ran. Soon they came up on the place Atzi had told Terra to wait. There wasn't anything special about the row of mansions, other than Atzi's familiarity fleeing through it.

  Atzi didn't see Terra. She panicked. Did I do something wrong? Did she get caught?

  Then Terra stepped out from an alley.

  "Ah, there it is," the Sage of Sostra said, staring directly towards her book. She stomped a foot.

  The ground around Alana's legs rippled. She suddenly stopped as her legs sunk, trapped. She lurched forward, accidentally letting go of Cory, who went flying ahead before skidding roughly across the ground.

  Atzi stopped. "Cory, you okay?!"

  Cory got up. She was bleeding, her arms were all torn up, clutching the sage's book closely to her chest.

  "Cory... do you trust me?" Atzi asked.

  Cory looked to Atzi, and then to Terra. Then her eyes widened in realization. "You… betrayed me?"

  Atzi paused. "I didn't expect you to bring your girlfriend along this time. Though... you were gonna let her kill me, right?"

  "Wait 'till I get out of here! I'll kill you, you bitch!" Alana shouted.

  Atzi winced.

  "What?" Cory asked, shocked. "Atzi, we weren't going to kill you!"

  "That's what you did before," Atzi said. "The other one, the one that was slinging rocks, is she nearby?"

  "What are you talking-"

  "Enough of this," Terra declared. She opened a palm towards Cory. "Hand me back my book, or die."

  Cory gripped it closer to her chest.

  "Cory, just hand her the book. I... in four days time, Sostra is gonna be destroyed. This is... there might be a way to stop it."

  "You- you know?" Cory asked, incredulous.

  Atzi's brain stopped. Then she shouted back, "You know?!"

  "Don't tell her anything!" Alana screamed, trying to struggle her way free.

  "Wh-what in the hells?" Atzi asked. "Cory? Alana, you knew too? You... you.... you're in on it?"

  Cory sighed. "This… It wasn't supposed to go this way..."

  Atzi waved her arms. "The army of the undead, too? Are you part of that as well? I... there were so many of them, and... and dad..."

  "What?" Cory asked, confused. Then she slumped her shoulders. "No, nevermind, it doesn't matter anymore." She looked up at the Sage, resolution in her eyes. "It's time to see how good my magic has gotten." She drew back a hand and started chanting. Blood flowed from the open wounds of her arms, gathering into a sphere.

  Terra waved her own hand, but said only a single word. "Die."

  A massive bolt of lightning descended from the clear morning sky. It struck Cory with a thunderous boom. Atzi shielded her eyes from the sudden bright light.

  When she looked back, the sage's spellbook lay on the ground. A smoldering corpse beside it.