“It’s been a long time since I’ve been around the capital,” Ryke said, looking over at Sherlyn.

  “It’s been rough. Different air is important,” she replied. Around them, the city was alive; people were walking everywhere, their voices rising in a constant hum of shouting and discussion.

  “Can we take a turn?” Sherlyn asked.

  “We have time before we have to go to the guild. We can do that,” Ryke agreed.

  Sherlyn took Ryke’s hand and dragged him into an alley. Emerging on the other side, they took a left among the various storefronts until Sherlyn ducked into one. “Wait here,” she told him, beginning to browse.

  'This is a dress shop,' Ryke thought. He scanned the racks, seeing vibrant pinks, blues, reds, and a long white gown.

  “How do I look?” Sherlyn asked, reappearing in a short blue skirt that brushed her knees.

  “Can’t say it’s… I mean, you look good. That’s… that’s what I mean,” Ryke stammered.

  “Thank you! Let me try another one,” Sherlyn said. She turned swiftly, her skirt fluttering upward just enough to catch a glimpse of her thighs. When she returned, she was wearing a blue shirt and black jeans with sandals. “How about this?”

  “Mmm. Add the guild shoes and that would make you a full-proof adventurer,” Ryke replied, referencing the sturdy light boots they usually wore.

  “Like yours,” Sherlyn noted, glancing at his own brown boots.

  “Yeah, these might do,” Ryke said.

  Sherlyn looked around the shop again. “Is there something you would like me to try?”

  Ryke’s eyes went to a specific dress—white and falling almost to the knee. “Are you sure?”

  “Wait, what are you thinking about?”

  “That dress,” Ryke said, pointing to the white one.

  Sherlyn smiled. “I’m fine with it. Wait here.” She took the dress and disappeared again. Minutes passed, and as Sherlyn remained in the changing room, Ryke found himself daydreaming.

  “Can you close your eyes?” she called out.

  Ryke obeyed. He almost tried to peep when he heard the sound of her footsteps approaching. “Can I look?” he asked.

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  “Yes. Slowly.”

  “This is what you should look like… beautiful,” Ryke murmured. He hadn't meant for her to hear, but Sherlyn was already too close. To hide her blushing smile and her shyness, she stepped forward and hugged him.

  Wait, she heard me… Ryke’s heart jumped as he felt her pressed against him.

  “Thank you. I’ll get this one,” Sherlyn whispered into his ear before stepping back. The skirt suited her perfectly; she had exactly the kind of figure that the cut was meant to compliment. Ryke ended up buying everything she had tried on: the jeans, the blue shirt, the white skirt, and the first blue one.

  “The guild is next, right?” Ryke asked.

  “Yes,” Sherlyn replied.

  ----------

  Meanwhile, a young girl walked through the crowded streets, clutching a box of fruit. She wove through the throng, bumping into people as she went.

  The recent "gate situation" had led to massive displacement and a surge in the population of demi-humans. Most were treated as slaves—hard to acquire, but high in value, especially the females. Myrrvale had become a hub for these displaced people; animal ears and tails were now a common sight in the crowds.

  'They are still following me. What should I do?' she thought. She was about thirteen years old, tall with dark hair and a dark complexion, wearing a simple brown skirt.

  She ducked into an alley, hoping the shop she sought was just around the corner. She glanced back and saw a man following her, his pace increasing rapidly. She broke into a speed-walk that quickly dissolved into a panicked run.

  Light was visible at the end of the alley, but the path was suddenly blocked by a shadow. Two men stood in front of her, smiling.

  “What do you want?” she asked, her body beginning to shake.

  “You, of course. Lots of people around here now,” one said.

  “Girlie, did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you are? I mean, we can all see what you'll be in the future…”

  “You will be mmm-mmm,” the other intervened, eyeing her from head to toe.

  The three men closed in—two in front, one behind. Trapped, she suddenly threw the box of fruit at the two in front and spun around to bolt past the man behind her. He caught her by the wrist, pulling her close, but he didn't expect the violent electric surge that ripped through his body. She was to try it again, but a sharp sting hit her cheek, and the world went dark.

  “You slapped her!” one of the men barked, pushing the other.

  “Imagine if she made it out. A slap was just a small precaution,” the other replied.

  “Lightning… she’s a rare one,” the man who had been shocked muttered.

  _ _ _ _

  “What is it?” Rheis asked, standing up abruptly. She moved toward her clothes, her eyes fixed on something invisible. “Where?”

  She began to pace. “So you mean you want me to sit here while my sister is captured?!” she shouted, tears beginning to roll down her face.

  “Rheis? What’s happening in there?” her mother called through the door.

  “Nothing, Mom! Do this, then—you said there are many of them. Fight them for me! I want my sister!” she cried, seemingly talking to the air.

  “Honey, come here! Rheis is talking about Jane!” her mother cried out to her husband, banging on the door. “Rheis, dear, please tell me what’s happening!”

  “I can’t wait for the guild or the knights to intervene. I want my…” Rheis went quiet for a moment, listening. “I know. You do your part. I’ll pay for what I’m asking. I know the risk, but I want my sister. Thank you.”

  She threw the door open. Her father stood there, consumed by worry, while her mother was in tears.

  “Don’t worry, she will return,” Rheis whispered.

  As soon as the words left her lips, a torrent of blood gushed from her mouth, staining her father’s white shirt a deep crimson.

  “Rheis! Rheis! Rhe—” Her parents’ screams filled the room, their voices frantic as they caught her collapsing body. Rheis slowly closed her eyes, her strength failing as blood began to seep from her ears as well.

  _ _ _ _

  On the other side of the city, Jane was being transported in a locked carriage. One man sat inside to watch her, while the other two were perched on the driver’s seat outside, continuing their conversation.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” one said, leaning back. “I mean, how unlucky do you have to be to get killed by a spirit? How can you even fight something like that?”

  “Can you feel that?” the other asked suddenly, pulling the reins to bring the carriage to a halt.

  “What? I feel nothing.”

  “The air… it’s… it’s…” He couldn't finish his sentence. In the middle of the clear daylight, he began to choke, his hands clawing at his throat.

  “Hey, man—” the first guy started, but he was suddenly drenched in a spray of warm blood. Most of it landing in his open mouth. He stared in horror as his friend’s head was squashed clean, blood geyser-ing from the stump of his neck.

  In a blind panic, the man tried to jump off the carriage. Before his feet could even touch the ground, an unseen force snatched him up and tossed him high into the sky.

  Below, the crowd gathered, drawn by the commotion. Fear gripped the street as people looked up to see a rain of blood descending upon them. Discarded organs began to drop from the air, landing on the terrified souls standing below.