The slums of Vellstone didn’t glitter. They cracked.
Rell sat with his back against a rusted pipe in an abandoned forge, the baby manticore curled in his lap like a shadow-stitched cat. Its barbed tail twitched in its sleep, wings flickering with tiny pulses of magic. He watched the sparks rise from a half-dead brazier, thinking too hard.
This world wanted gods and villains. He didn’t want to be either.
Thessia had gone to meet a contact. She said she’d be quick. He knew that was a lie.
—
Thessia stood in a dim backroom of the local Adventurer Guild outpost. Her arms were crossed. Her cloak hung damp beside her. Across from her sat the Guild’s regional handler: a woman named Greena, face lined with more suspicion than age.
“You let him go,” Greena said.
“I helped him escape,” Thessia corrected.
“You’re aware what that means?”
“I’m aware he’s not the criminal here.”
Greena tossed a report across the table. “This came from Lord Varellion’s house. He wants him classified as a ‘magical insurgent.’ That would justify lethal force if caught.”
“He saved dozens of children,” Thessia snapped. “Freed cursed captives. Took down a manufactured beast in the middle of town—”
“And caused a noble-led panic,” Greena cut in. “You’re lucky we haven’t frozen your license.”
Thessia’s jaw tightened.
“You have one week,” Greena continued. “Bring him in peacefully. Clear his name. Or your contract is void and the Guild’s support ends.”
Thessia left without a word.
Outside, rain soaked the cobblestones like spilled ink.
—
Back in the forge, Rell was trying to feed the cub a chunk of smoked root meat.
“No, bite soft. Soft—no, not that—OW—okay.” He pulled his finger away. The manticore chirped, unbothered.
He chuckled under his breath. “Small demon… big bite.”
A knock came at the hidden panel behind the forge wall.
Rell tensed, hand already glowing faintly.
Then Thessia stepped through.
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He relaxed, barely.
“You… alright, are?” he asked.
“Not really.” She slumped into the dusty bench. “They gave me a week to turn you in.”
Rell raised an eyebrow. “You gonna?”
She met his eyes. “No.”
He blinked, then smiled faintly. “Think that, I did not.”
She looked at the cub, who yawned and stretched on his lap.
“That thing’s cursed.”
“Maybe… cursed I be.,” Rell said, stroking its head. “Still soft.”
She watched for a long moment. “It’s bonding to you. It’s mimicking your energy. I’ve never seen that from a cursed creature.”
“Maybe… cursed I be. I’m cursed too.”
Before she could answer, a flicker of air shimmered in the corner.
A new voice entered.
“You both definitely are.”
Nexya stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame like she owned the ruin.
She wore travel leathers now, one sleeve torn, one eye half-lidded in amused boredom.
“You blend terribly, by the way,” she said, strolling inside. “A glowing kitten and a fugitive hiding in a forge? Subtle.”
Thessia stood immediately. “What do you want?”
“To offer help. Obviously.”
“Bullshit.”
Nexya shrugged. “Call it curiosity. Or boredom. But I like what he’s breaking.”
She crouched beside Rell, resting a gloved hand near the cub. It growled.
She grinned. “Smart little monster.”
Rell stared. “Why help, you would?”
“Because someone needs to. And you’re… interesting.”
Thessia moved between them. “He’s not a game.”
Nexya’s smile widened. “But you’re still playing it.”
A long silence.
Then Rell stood. “Soon, we go.”
“Where?” Thessia asked.
“Back to the forest. The eggs need home. Before more die.”
Nexya gave a lazy wave. “I’ll be around.”
Then she vanished again—like smoke refusing to be caged.
Thessia glanced at the cub again.
“Your problem’s only getting weirder.”
“Maybe… cursed I be.,” Rell said, pulling his cloak over the eggs. “Why protect, I must… that is.”
—
END CHAPTER 2