As Joe entered the living room, he was surprised to see a man in a suit with white hair.

  “Guild Master, you’re here too?” he asked.

  “I had to be,” the Guild Master replied. “Eddie is important to me.”

  “He’s in the first room on the left,” Reed said, already anticipating Joe’s question.

  Joe entered the room and found Eddie bandaged from his chest down to his left hand. He pulled up a chair and sat beside him.

  Eddie reached for a sword with his good hand and rested it across his lap. Joe tried to hold back a laugh but failed miserably.

  “What happened?” he asked between chuckles.

  “It’s not funny,” Eddie replied, glaring. “I sent him home with one hand working.”

  “Yeah, nice,” Joe said, pleased. “Is that when he got serious?”

  “He’s just lucky I don’t have an ability,” Eddie muttered.

  Joe straightened his posture, the humor fading from his face.

  “You have to stop doing that,” he said firmly. “Without powers, you can get away with it. But with them—it’s different. Everything changes.”

  “Don’t worry. That’s why I used the guild to fight,” Eddie replied.

  Silence lingered for a moment before Eddie spoke again.

  “What’s up with that little girl?” he asked.

  “Darmian whispered that you’re a traitor and asked me about a girl—young, dark-haired.”

  Joe paused before answering. “So that’s it. The girl’s name is Dakota. You remember her?”

  “She’s got a bounty on her,” Joe continued.

  “How much?” Eddie asked.

  “Enough for all of us to retire,” Joe replied.

  “You mean—”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “Yes. Generational wealth.”

  “Then what are we waiting for?” Eddie pressed.

  “There’s more to it than what meets the eye,” Joe said, standing up. “Get better, buddy.”

  He walked out of the room. The Guild Master was still seated in the living room.

  “Shall we?” Joe asked, gesturing toward the door.

  The Guild Master sighed, stood, and followed him out.

  “Take care of them, Reed,” he said as he left. Reed nodded, closing his eyes in quiet acknowledgment.

  “Joe—”

  “No,” Joe cut in. “You need to put restrictions on Darmian.”

  “It wasn’t entirely Darmian’s fault,” the Guild Master replied.

  “Look, I’m not here to quarrel,” Joe said, his tone heavier now. “Darmian said something too personal this time. Eddie wouldn’t have reacted otherwise—it’s not like him.”

  “I’ll talk to him when he returns,” the Guild Master said.

  “He’s run to Ordelith,” Joe muttered, turning to leave.

  The Guild Master made his way back through District 80, waving at familiar faces that called out his name. When he finally reached the guild, he found the receptionist still at her post.

  “It’s nighttime,” he said. “What are you still doing here?”

  “Waiting for you—in case anything happened,” she replied.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, stepping closer.

  The receptionist spread her hand, revealing another letter.

  “Two in a day? I must have a crush,” the Guild Master joked, taking the note. “What do you think—am I getting more handsome?”

  She chuckled. “Well, be careful who you attract. This one was fast. I blinked, and it was there.”

  “Yeah, that’s not suspicious at all,” he said, opening it. The message was short but chilling:

  “The girl is mine. I’ve got eyes on everyone—even you.”

  The Guild Master handed it back to her.

  “Send it to Joe,” he said grimly, then left.

  Joe reached home and walked into the open arms of Mira.

  “Welcome back,” she said, hugging him tightly.

  “Hi,” Joe smiled. “You’re getting more beautiful every day.”

  “Don’t worry,” she teased. “I only belong to you.” She leaned in and kissed him.

  “Food’s ready,” she added. “Just freshen up first.”

  Joe went to his room, washed up, and returned to find Mira holding a letter.

  “The girl is mine. I’ve got eyes on everyone—even you,” she read aloud, her brow furrowed.

  “Which girl is this?” Mira asked.

  “I don’t know,” Joe said. “But when I do, I’ll tell you.”

  “Just a hunch?”

  “The girl from this morning—remember her? I think it’s her.”

  “So what’s the deal around her?”

  “It’s too early to judge,” Joe replied, taking a seat. “Can I have my food now?”

  Mira set the table—two cups of wine, bread, and red soup.

  “And this is?” Joe asked.

  “Something I remembered from home,” she said, smiling. “You’ll like it.”

  He woke up, body aching.

  “Sk–Sky,” Ben whispered, struggling to sit up.

  To his surprise, she appeared immediately.

  “Ben, you’ve woken up!” Sky said, her voice bright with relief. “Dakota! Bring me a chair!”

  Dakota rushed in, not sure why she’d been called, but when she saw Ben awake, she nearly jumped onto him—only for Sky to catch her mid-air.

  “Not now, he’s still in pain,” Sky said, lowering Dakota gently.

  “I missed you,” Dakota said, clutching Ben’s hand.

  “I missed you too,” he whispered, forcing out each word.

  “What… what happened?” he asked, breath uneven.

  “Not now,” Sky said softly before stepping out.

  Moments later, she returned with a cup holding a watery mixture.

  “Some medicine I bought in the market—drink it.”

  She helped him lift it to his lips. Ben coughed mid-swallow, gagging slightly.

  “What is it?” Sky asked, worried.

  “I’m fine… just the taste,” he managed before dozing off again.

  “Dakota, let’s leave him to rest,” she said gently.

  Once outside, Sky turned to Dakota.

  “I’m heading into District 80. I’ll be back by afternoon. Can you watch over him for a while?”

  “What if—”

  “Don’t worry,” Sky cut in. “If anything happens, I’ll be back before you notice.”

  Dakota nodded.

  Sky changed out of her dress into black jeans and a white shirt. The area around the house was clear—no fence, just open ground merging into forest. She stepped out and looked back once more.

  “If you want, you can lock up until I return,” she said before heading off.

  On her way through the woods, Sky spotted a Nyrrak for the first time. She paused, studying its sleek, black form.

  “You touch them, I’ll hunt you,” she warned quietly, then continued on.

  Sky didn’t show it, but she already had a good idea of what was happening. When she reached District 80, she found the guild easily.

  “This is it,” she muttered. The last time she’d been here, she hadn’t taken the time to notice the details. She walked up to the receptionist.

  “Would you know where Joe is?” Sky asked, skipping the greeting.

  " And who might you be ?" The receptionist countered, her tone measured.