Is this it?” Takara said.

  Rai gave a slight bow, gaze fixed on the alley’s far side of a red door.

  The other day, they came across a woman who claimed she ran an orphanage.

  She just so had the spots available.

  Rai’s second knock proved unnecessary; a large, aproned woman opened the door.

  “Rai darling, so glad you could make it,” she said. With Takara in mind, “Get over here and give Auntie a hug.”

  Takara rushed into the lady’s embrace, shouting, “Auntie!”.

  She wasn’t her auntie, but Takara grew used to it.

  “I have cookies in the kitchen. Help yourself?” Lucille said.

  “Yay!” Takara leaped with delight, sprinting inside.

  Rai’s belly rumbled audibly.

  Lucille chuckled, and added, “Enough for both.”

  After they consumed many sugary treats, another youngster introduced Takara to the other children.

  Meanwhile, Rai spoke with Lucille elsewhere.

  “No way!” Rai said, pounding his hand on the table in the dining area. “There’s got to be another way.”

  “Aunt Lu, is everything alright?A youngster peeking from a side asked.

  “All is well. Run along now,” Lucille said, and the child rejoined the others. Refocused her gaze on Rai. “This is the only way. We simply don’t have enough room or supplies for another.”

  Rai briefly observed Takara playing with the other’s.

  When she noticed him watching her, she ran over.

  “See my new friends,” Takara said.

  After a brief pause, Rai said, “Hey squirt, we need to talk.”

  They went outside with Lucille by their side.

  The remaining kids huddled together near the edge of the room.

  “Hey, I can’t see,” a girl smaller than the rest stated. Raising her stuffed friend, “Any luck, Plu?”

  Its black beady pupils appeared in the window’s reflection beside many small onlookers.

  “No! I’m going with you,”” Takara said.

  “Taka, don’t you understand? This is our only alternative,” Rai said.

  “I want my brother!” Takara wept.

  “Takara, Rai will be permitted to come and see you,” Lucille said, putting her arm around Takara.

  “Really?” Rai asked.

  “Of course. You’ll have to allow me a few weeks to have Takara adjust to our way of life, but when she is, you’re free to see her whenever you’d like.”

  With a large smile, Rai said, “See Taka, I can drop by whenever!””

  “Promise?” Takara said.

  Rai held his hand out, extending his pinky. “Promise.”

  Takara wrapped her pinky around his, before lunging into her brother’s loving embrace.

  “It’s getting late,” Lucille said, leading Takara inside.

  After parting ways, Rai looked for somewhere to spend the night. As he explored, voices atop a building caused him to glance upward.

  A light flickered from afar.

  As he climbed the structure’s exterior, which was overrun with vines, he recognized individuals gathered near a fire, sharing spooky tales.

  A mischievous grin stretched across Rai’s face.

  Back at the orphanage, the door to the kids room gently shut behind Takara. She was nervously standing in the center with many of the children looking at her.

  Some pretended to sleep, while others welcomed their new roommate.

  “Was that your brother?”

  “Where’s he going?”

  “Are you staying with us?”

  Suddenly, a stuffed sheep popped up before her face.

  “Plu says hi,” the smallest of them spoke. “You can call me Cici. Would you like to play with us?”

  Takara wiped her tears, nodding in agreement.

  At nine, their caretaker, Aunt Lu, came in and dimmed the lights, blowing out the remaining candles while the children got into bed.

  “Goodnight,” they said to Lucille.

  “Cici, the hour has come,” Lucille said, leaving the door cracked open behind her.

  “I’m on my way,” Cici said.

  Takara straightened up in bed. “Where are you going?”

  “My new mommy and daddy are here,” Cici said.

  “You’re leaving...” Takara frowned, handing Plu over to Cici, who stood beside her bed.

  Cici shook her head no. “Plu will be with you,” she said, giving it back.

  “Are you sure?” Takara asked.

  “Mhm,” Cici said, hugging her. “I have to go now.”

  In bed, Takara gazed at Plu, a white sheep with black ears and soft brown fur that encircled its neck and legs. She nuzzled her face against it, and gazed at the stars outside the window. “A shooting star!” she muttered to herself.

  With her eyes shut, she made a wish.

  ***

  “You think it’s amusing, leaping out of the darkness and frightening people?”

  “Relax, it was just a prank,” Rai said, dangling upside down from the edge of a two-story building.

  “By the roots of Yaitweh, Birchet, Acoro, let him go,” Elder Zinnica said, appearing at the fireplace.

  Atop a pig, she stood at around two and a half feet tall with furry pointed ears.

  “Yes Elder Zinnica,” Acoro said, setting Rai back down and apologizing, however, Birchet did not.

  Near the flames, Rai noticed an unusual detail—ears like that of a cat! “No way, you guys are Nefarians,” Rai said, glancing around.

  “Bingo,” a person by the name of Rosa responded—she had horns emerging from her head!

  “You didn’t notice earlier?” Birchet asked.

  “Not really,” Rai said.

  “Hey! I’m Pinet.” This individual with antlers, and was quite jumpy. Leaning in, she said softly, “I thought your little scare was perfect.”

  Everyone gathered around the bonfire, sharing memorable stories.

  Zinnica had even provided Rai with a spare coat to keep warm.

  “Seventeen. Full-grown adults like you and me, vanished without a trace…” Birchet said.

  “Ghost of Dmir. Gotta be,” Rosa interjected.

  Pretending to spit on the ground, Pinet hopped to her feet and shuddered before settling back into her seat, confusing Rai. “Bad luck mentioning ghosts,” she said. Upon noticing her error, she quickly repeated the same action.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Nothing but a myth,” Rai said, sinking deeper into the coat.

  “That so?“ Birchet leaned in, revealing stitching's across his eye, saying, “Care to guess the number of people that have gone missing since this ‘myth’ floated around?” He lifted a finger, and after a brief pause, it was followed by another.

  “Two?” Rai said.

  Birchet lowered his hand, lifting another finger, sorrow lingering in his eyes. “Three hundred,” he said.

  “H-hey,” Rai said, gazing at his finger; the rising flames enveloped Birtchets hand at times.

  Rai’s gaze locked onto the Nefarian’s; where sorrow lingered, hatred now lied.

  Rosa yanked him away. “What the hell Birchet?” she said, seeing his hand. “Someone get me a med-kit.”

  The following day, the melody of birds awakened Rai.

  As he emerged from the tent, he noticed the green coat. He snatched it, tucked it into his jeans, then searched for the quickest way off the rooftop.

  “I apologize for Birchet’s behavior the day before,” Zinnica said. She was standing on the back of the pig, tossing bread crumbs gathering birds. “Those dear to him lost their lives encountering it.”

  “The Ghost of Dmir…” Rai said.

  “Ptui!” Pinet antlers, close by, popped through the roof of her tent. “Ahhh,” she whined.

  A yawn from Acoro echoed.

  “Well, I suppose I’m up,” Rosa said from her tent, voice a low, angry mumble.

  “Everyone's awake…” Rai said.

  “What’s that you’ve got there?” Zinnica said.

  Glancing down, he saw the arm of the coat hanging blatantly out from his pants. In a panic, he yanked it out, before reluctantly, handing it over. “Thanks again.”

  “Keep it. The nights are cold around here,” she said, scattering more crumbs, however the pig sucked them up before any birds could get to it.

  “Really!? Thanks! Just wait till Taka—” Rai took a breath, his sorrow apparent on his face.

  “Something the matter?”

  “Not exactly,” Rai said.

  “What’re Nefarians doing so far out here?” Rai said.

  Tossing additional crumbs, the pig inhaled it before any feathered creatures could reach any. “Family,” she said. “If you should come across any of them, would you deliver a message on for me?”

  “Sure,” Rai said.

  “Let them know, the sun will once more fall upon Kalumi.”

  “Once more, alright you gotmot” Rai said, turning to leave.

  “So, where will you go?”

  Rai walked over to the edge of the building, where massive roots lead a twisted stairway down to the floor.

  “Not sure, figure I'll just go where the wind takes me. If I’m lucky there might be a couple wall-shrubs open to settle down in later.” With a snickering farewell, Rai descended the large intertwining roots.

  “Hey,” Birchets said.

  Turning, Rai caught an amulet with an orange stone embedded into it. “What’s this?”

  Birchet emerged from around the corner. “Might come in handy one day, take it with you.”

  Rai smiled and nodded, continuing on his way.

  Strolling across the rugged streets of the slums of Nyhud, Rai noticed a single walled-shrub with a few individuals trying to climb up to it.

  “Just a little bit more,” one of three men stated.

  They held the other on their shoulders, but they were still a person too short.

  Racing forward Rai jumped off the first adults back, scaling the other two, and with a final push, they all came toppling down while he flipped himself into the nest-like comfort of shrub.

  “Hey, we saw it first!”

  “You snooze you loose,” Rai said, folding his arms behind his head as he closed his eyes and dozed off.

  About an hour passed, before Rai steadily awoke. His stomach growled, prompting him to glance below where he saw a juice box clutched by a man sleeping in a wall-shrub lower than his.

  As the man slept, a single small silver hook fashion from a soda can lid, inched closer to the juice box, and with a steady yank of the string it was attached too, the box was snagged and carefully lifted higher.

  “Half full,” Rai said, taking a sip. “Let’s see.” Digging into his pocket, he pulled a bag of treats Lucille had baked him before he departed. He took a large bite of the cookie. “A little stale,” he said, staring at the half-eaten butterfly design.

  “Maybe we should have moved to Atlas after all,” a woman discussed with a man as they passed by below.

  “With all them Minus running around, we’d need a bodyguard to even make the trip. And an Abminus nonetheless.”

  “Can’t afford that, unfortunately…” As they turned down an alleyway, their voice echoed into Rai’s ears. “By the way, did you hear. Another prisoner escaped,” she said.

  “What!? They haven’t even caught the other yet,” the man replied.

  “Just as bad as Lucy, if not worse I hear. Calls himself Banu,” she said.

  “Wonderful, another motive to remain inside. Can’t so much as appreciate a lousy cookie anymore.”

  “Beware the red rose,” she said with a sigh. “Have a brownie,” she suggested.

  “I’m not a fan of brownies. Too much chocolate,” he said.

  “What was all that was about?” Rai reached into the small bag for another sweet. “So Banu got away...” Rai pondered the thought. As long as Taka’s safe, that’s all that matters. Placing the cookie by his lips, he noticed the design of a red rose on this one. Curiously, he tossed bits of it downward. A bird soared over, gulping it down. Seconds later, it died. Rai fell back against the building wall, tossing the bag of treats away. Quickly, he unloaded the bag of cookies, recognizing a couple others with the same rose. “Beware the red rose…”

  “A cookie,” someone excitedly said.

  Leaping down, Rai snatched the fallen cookie, slapping it against the wall as he chased after the two earlier.

  “What gives?!” someone shouted as Rai left the cookie in ruins

  Rounding the corner, Rai said, “Sorry to bother you!”” Stopping short of the two, he continued, “You mentioned Lucy before. Is that a shortened version of Lucille?”

  “The convict who got away a little under a year ago?” she said.

  “Watch yourself,” the man spoke. “She’s very fond of children, ideally a bit younger than yourself. She was caught doing, unthinkable things to the lot. I pray she hasn’t the chance to do it again.”

  Rai pushed past the two, gritting his teeth. Taka!

  “Meli, you’ve scared him off,” she said.

  About an hour had passed by the time Rai had returned.

  Rushing inside, the place was vacant, and there was no sign of his sister. He checked every nook, even feeling around for hidden levers or hatches, but couldn’t find a thing. In his distress, he clutched his head; then, a growing warmth in his pocket distracted him. “What’s this?” A faint orange glow emanated from the amulet; the heat increased as he drew closer to painting within the home.

  A red thorn bush.

  “Scritch!” a rat ran by, causing Rai to briefly pull back.

  Ouch Rai thought, dropping the amulet.

  Its heat and color faded.

  As he returned the item to his pocket, he refocused on the painting. Applying a minor amount of flux, the painting and the surface behind it peeled back into a bunch of dry, crumbled leaves, revealing a redwood door.

  He dragged his feet as he entered so the creaking floor wouldn’t reveal where he was.

  Vines climbed the walls and snaked across the floor in the candlelit space.

  He peeked around the corner and spotted his sister. “Taka!”

  From a small tube attached to her arm, blood flowed, collecting in a large red flower in the table’s center.

  The plant was the source of the red roots all around.

  Rai freed her from the post, laid her down gently, and removed the tubes from her arm.

  “Big brother,” she weakly said, regaining consciousness.

  Rai hugged her tightly. “Forgive me. I’ll get you out of here.” Chatter of children caught jis attention, prompting him to look up.

  Everyone looked like they’d seen a ghost.

  “We can’t leave them…” Takara said.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll free everyone,” Rai said.

  “So, you’ve discovered my secret spot,” Lucille said, appearing in the doorway.

  “You!” Rai made a sudden move forward, only for the door to slam shut in front of him.

  “Explain yourself!” Rai said.

  Lucille’s voice, broadcast through a speaker, saying, “Legend has it, with the proper nutrients, the blood flower is known to give immeasurable power. Now, it's time for you kids to take a nap.”

  Gas slowly filled the room as the vents opened.

  Rai tried to knock the door down, but it was too sturdy. “Dammit!” Seeing his sister cough, he gazed around frantically.

  “I can help,” a weak voice from the corner of the room said.

  As Rai walked past the children’s cages, he spotted another cage holding an orange-haired boy who looked a little older.

  He was restrained by chains connected to small, glowing red tiles.

  I need help. “These ankle chains have got to go,” he said, pointing.

  Lucille’s voice echoed, “I’ll soon be like everyone else, no, even better!”

  “You’re insane, you old hag!” Rai said, refocusing on the lock. “Hey, what’s your name anyway?”

  “Eiji” the boy said.

  Click! Opening the cage, Rai said, “Alright, here we go!” But when gripping the chain, Rai felt a wave of dizziness. Disoriented, he fell on his butt. After his fall, Rai muttered, “What just happened?”

  “These chains,” Eiji said, his strength failing, “are infused with negative flux.”

  “Negative flux force…” Rai said, rising to his feet. “Alright then,” rubbing his hands together. “It’s all, in the legs!” he yelled, preparing enough flux to counter the chain’s negative flow as he gripped and yanked the chain.

  Moments later, it ripped out from the ground and the red color dispersed.

  Free from the negative energy, Eiji steadily got up. “Phew… Thanks man, you have no idea how cramped this space was.”

  “Don’t mention it,” Rai said, still gazing at the roof dizzy from the negative flux coursing through him.

  Not long after, Rai and Eiji were both standing outside the door.

  Bending his knees and curling his fist, Eiji said “Together.”

  Rai’s eyes widened in pleased surprise before a confident nod. “Right.” He had to shake his head a bit, as the effects of the gas were waying on him. Glancing at Eiji, he couldn’t help but think to himself, does he know how to use flux? I can’t sense a penny of it coming out of him.

  “If you think you’ll be able to break out of a steel door, you’re sorely mistaken,” the woman laughed echoed.

  “Well, no time for second guessing, here we go!” With a forward swing, mimicked by Eiji as well, their fists smashed heavily into the door, and it burst open, causing the gas to cease immediately!

  Rai rushed forward. The moment he crossed into the kitchen, a knife grazed his neck as he lunged away.

  “I have AB negative blood! Why are we so unlike each other?” Lucille yelled, swinging her knife at Rai, though she missed each time. “Why can’t I use flux force? It’s not fair!”

  Takara ran around the corner.

  “Taka, don’t come any closer!”” Rai shouted.

  “Get over here, you little brat,” Lucille said, reaching for Takara. A handful of Takara’s hair was yanked out by Lucille, who then chased after the fleeing girl.

  Get away from her!” Rai shouted.

  In pursuit of Takara, Lucille slipped, striking the kitchen counter with her head, and collapsing onto the floor unconscious.

  Stepping over Lucille, Rai covered Takara’s eyes to block the sight of the blood.

  Later that night, the police took in the remaining orphans after receiving an anonymous tip about Lucille’s location.

  Despite suffering a heavy blow to the head, she was still alive, though she’d soon be moved to a much more secure prison located in the Kingdom of Keltzer.

  The next morning, Eiji was staring at the rising sun. “The sun sets over Kalumi once more?”

  “He’s Nefarian?” Takara said, looking up at her older brother.

  “Yeah, guess so,” Rai said. “Half at least.”

  “But I thought they were animals,” Takara said.

  “No, there just like us in a way,” Rai said. “Some of them at least.” He glanced over at three kids.

  One had cat ears, another had fish scales for skin, while the third looked more like a walking boar.

  Upon freeing the children, they discovered a hidden chamber containing young Nefarian.

  Rai had mentioned the Elder to Eiji, and it turns out that's exactly where Eiji was headed in the first place.

  “What are we going to do?” Palm, the boar-like kid said.

  “Rumors has it, Kalumi is south,” Eiji said, dragging his hand down his face. “Guess we’ll head south. You guys good with that?”

  The children nodded.

  “Come to think of it, if ‘set’ refers to yesterday, you might be a day behind,” Rai said.

  “Behind… Come on everyone!” Eiji said, gripping two of the children’s hands while racing away.

  “Bye!” Takara hollered.

  “And thank you!!” Rai said as they departed.

  The kids shouted in unison, “Bye!”

  After saying goodbye, Takara asked her brother, “Can Plu come?””

  “Plu?”

  “Mhm,” she replied, holding up the stuffed animal.

  Rai smiled and agreed to bring Plu.

  Later that night, in an alleyway shielded from the wind, Rai used the coat he had received to cover himself and his sister.

  Plu proved beneficial, its soft fur providing a dreamy comfort.

  Soon, they both dozed off.

  Awakening from his nap, Rai felt around, his eyes widening as he touched the stone-cold floor and gasped, “Taka.”

  “The man, the myth, and the legend himself,” Banu said, kneeling near Rai. “Lose something?”

  “Where is she?!” Rai lunged at Banu, but a hard smack across the backside of his skull made everything go black.