A New Life in Xylodia

  It had been almost four years since Orion, Ra, Gabriel, Nerpheus, Tsuki, and Kannie had found each other, scraping together a fragile but unbreakable bond in the slums of Xylodia. They had survived by watching each other’s backs, learning the art of stealth, thievery, and self-defense, all while avoiding the watchful eyes of Lucian’s enforcers and the dangers lurking in the underbelly of the city.

  Now, at the beginning of their teenage years, they were far from the helpless children they had once been. Xylodia’s streets belonged to them just as much as they belonged to Lucian’s men, and though they were young, they were not weak. Their skills had sharpened. Their instincts had hardened.

  Most importantly—they had found a new hideout.

  Their previous shelter had become too risky, too exposed. They now resided in a crumbling, abandoned tavern on the outskirts of the city, tucked away in a forgotten district where the city’s poorest resided. The building, though weathered by time and neglect, provided shelter, multiple escape routes, and—most importantly—privacy.

  From this place, they planned their nights. They stole what they needed. They sold what they could.

  And during the day, they lived.

  The streets of Xylodia bustled with life as vendors shouted their wares, the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats filling the air. People weaved through the narrow alleys, haggling, chatting, and exchanging coins with greedy merchants. The city was alive, pulsing with an energy that never truly faded, no matter the time of day.

  Kannie hopped lightly through the crowd, her thick rabbit-like legs making her movements effortless as she weaved between shoppers with a natural grace. Her long ears twitched occasionally, picking up snippets of conversation, but her focus remained on the pouch of trinkets slung over her shoulder. Orion had sent her to sell last night's haul to their usual buyer, Farrow—a sleazy, opportunistic fence who ran a pawn shop tucked away in the less reputable side of the market.

  She hated dealing with him, but he paid well, and more importantly, he knew better than to try anything. Orion had made sure of that two years ago when he broke Farrow’s nose for putting a hand on her. Tsuki, normally the quietest among them, had been livid, vowing to kill the man if he ever tried again. Even Ra had made it clear that any further incidents would end in Farrow's early funeral. The man had gotten the message.

  Kannie smirked as she approached the shop, tapping a finger against her chin. Maybe she could squeeze a little extra coin out of him today.

  The bell above the door jingled as she stepped inside. Farrow looked up from behind the counter, his beady eyes narrowing slightly before a slick smile slid onto his face. The bruising on his nose had long since healed, but she knew he hadn’t forgotten the pain.

  “Well, if it isn’t my favorite little runner,” Farrow drawled, rubbing his stubby fingers together. “What do you have for me today, sweetheart?”

  Kannie’s nose wrinkled at the term, but she didn’t let her disgust show. Instead, she plopped the pouch onto the counter and grinned. “The usual—rings, lockets, a few nice trinkets. The good stuff.”

  Farrow untied the pouch and began inspecting the items, his sharp gaze flicking over each piece. After a moment, he let out a low hum. “Decent haul. Not bad, not bad…” He tossed a few coins onto the counter, but Kannie didn’t move to take them.

  She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “That’s not enough, Farrow.”

  He grinned, showing yellowed teeth. “Oh, come now, sweetheart. You always get the best price from me.”

  Kannie leaned in, her yellow brown eyes narrowing. “If you want my business, you’ll do better.”

  Farrow studied her for a moment before sighing dramatically and adding a few more coins to the pile. “There. A little extra, just for you.”

  Kannie smirked, scooping up the money. “Pleasure doing business, Farrow.” She turned on her heel and strode toward the door, eager to leave before his gaze made her skin crawl.

  Just as she stepped back onto the busy streets, she nearly collided with someone.

  Books and scrolls tumbled to the ground.

  “Oh, no!” The girl in front of her gasped, crouching down to pick them up.

  Kannie blinked. “Oops, my bad! Let me help.”

  As she bent down to grab one of the scrolls, her gaze fell on the girl she had bumped into—a red-haired, freckle-faced girl with bright green eyes. She wore a finely made cloak over simple scholar’s robes, and the books she carried looked expensive.

  “You must really like this kinda stuff,” Kannie mused, handing her a scroll. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many books at once.”

  The girl laughed, adjusting her grip on the pile. “Yeah, my parents are researchers. They study magical artifacts. I was picking these up for them from the university archives.”

  Kannie tilted her head. “You study at the university?”

  The girl nodded. “Sort of. My parents pulled some strings to let me attend early. I love magic theory, so I study under a few professors.”

  Kannie’s nose scrunched. “Magic theory? Sounds fancy.”

  “It’s fascinating!” the girl beamed. “There’s so much about magic that people don’t understand—how artifacts retain power, how they react to different enchantments. My parents are trying to trace the history of some of the most powerful relics in Enchantera.”

  Kannie’s ears twitched in amusement. “That sounds like a lot of thinking.”

  The girl laughed. “I love thinking! It’s like solving puzzles with magic.”

  Kannie grinned. “Well, I guess someone has to do it.” She extended a hand. “I’m Kannie.”

  The girl shook it. “Tara. Nice to meet you.”

  Kannie’s stomach suddenly growled, making her laugh. “Hey, since I bumped into you, how about I make it up to you with some food? There’s a good stall nearby.”

  Tara hesitated, then nodded. “That sounds nice.”

  As the two girls walked together, chatting about everything and nothing, Tara felt something she hadn’t expected—relief. A break from the heavy expectations of her studies,

  The midday sun hung high over Xylodia, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling streets. The air buzzed with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares, the clatter of cart wheels rolling over cobblestones, and the distant laughter of children playing in the alleyways. Amongst the city’s chaos, two girls sat on a worn wooden bench near a bustling food stall, sharing a meal and an unexpectedly deep conversation.

  Kannie had been the one to insist on treating Tara, waving a skewered piece of grilled meat in front of her with an enthusiastic grin.

  “As an apology for bumping into you,” she said, ears twitching slightly. “And also ‘cause you’re my new friend! I usually just hang out with boys, so this is kinda nice!”

  Tara, still adjusting to Kannie’s relentless energy, smiled as she accepted the food. “Thanks, Kannie. This does smell good.”

  “It’s my favorite! They marinate the meat in some kinda secret sauce,” Kannie said, chewing happily. “So, tell me about you! What’s it like living in the noble district?”

  Tara sighed, glancing down at the food in her hands. “Honestly? It’s not as nice as people think. The houses are big, the streets are clean, but the people? Ugh.” She wrinkled her nose. “They’re all so stuck-up, always looking down on everyone who isn’t them. Even when I go to the royal castle with my parents, I feel like I don’t belong there. They act polite, but it’s all fake.”

  Kannie nodded sagely, as if she completely understood noble politics. “Yeah, rich people are weird.” She took another bite of food, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she chewed. “At least you got your parents, though. Mine—” She paused for a second but quickly shook it off. “Well, never mind that. I’ve got my family now!”

  Tara tilted her head. “Your family?”

  Kannie grinned. “Orion, Ra, Tsuki, Nerpheus, and Gabriel! We’re a family. Not by blood, but by choice.” She straightened up, puffing out her chest. “Lemme tell ya about ‘em!”

  Tara leaned in, curious. “Go on.”

  Kannie held up a finger. “First, there’s Orion. He’s the leader! He’s got dark brown skin, white dreadlocks, and these intense golden eyes. When he gets mad? Hoo boy, you do not wanna be on the receiving end of that stare.”

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  Tara shivered slightly at the thought. “He sounds… commanding.”

  “Oh, totally,” Kannie nodded. “And then there’s Ra! He’s huge for his age—like, I swear he’s half-giant or something. And his eyes? They’re green dragon eyes. I’m talkin’ insane! He’s super strong too. He and Orion are definitely the toughest out of all of us.”

  Tara listened intently, intrigued. “They sound impressive.”

  Kannie grinned. “And then there’s Nerpheus. He’s quiet. Like, really quiet. Doesn’t talk to anyone but us. But you know what’s crazy? He can swim as fast as a fish! Like, no joke, I think he might secretly be a fish. And he can hold his breath underwater forever! Every morning, he brings us fish for breakfast.”

  Tara’s eyebrows rose. “That’s… not normal.”

  “I know, right?” Kannie laughed. “But then there’s Gabriel.”

  She rolled her eyes dramatically.

  Tara smirked. “Let me guess. Trouble?”

  “More like chaos incarnate.” Kannie sighed. “He can fly. Or, like, hover and float. Just a few inches off the ground most of the time, but still! I mean, the more I think about it, the weirder it is. That’s not normal, right?”

  Tara’s jaw nearly dropped. “Not at all! That’s a high-level magic ability! How can he do that at his age?”

  Kannie shrugged. “Even he doesn’t know! Doesn’t even remember where he came from. But it doesn’t matter, ‘cause he’s one of us now.”

  Tara stared at Kannie, trying to process everything. “Your family is… unique.”

  Kannie beamed. “I know, right?”

  Tara chuckled, shaking her head. “What about Tsuki? You mentioned him before.”

  Kannie’s expression softened. “Tsuki’s special to me.”

  Tara blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. “How so?”

  Kannie twirled a strand of her own hair around her finger, her voice quieter than before. “We’ve both been through… bad stuff. Before Orion found us. We were both trapped in the same place. That kind of thing—it bonds you, you know?”

  Tara nodded solemnly. “I think I understand.”

  Kannie exhaled, but quickly perked up again. “So I take care of him, in little ways. Like, I dye his hair! He’s got silver hair, but he likes it black, so I fix it up for him when it fades.”

  Tara smiled. “That’s really sweet of you.”

  “Eh, it’s nothing,” Kannie said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “He’d do the same for me.”

  They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of the market surrounding them. The scent of spices and roasting meat filled the air, and a cool breeze carried the distant chatter of passing strangers.

  Then, Kannie clapped her hands together. “Oh! If you ever wanna visit, you can find us at our hideout!”

  Tara raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  “Yup! It’s in the old business district, in the slums. Used to be a tavern, but it’s abandoned now. We fixed it up, though! Got beds, a kitchen, even a little rooftop spot where we can see the whole city!”

  Tara hesitated, considering it. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to visit?”

  Kannie gave her a playful nudge. “What, you too noble to come see me?”

  Tara laughed, shaking her head. “Not at all. I think I’d like that.”

  Kannie grinned. “Good! I’d love to have a girl around for once. Tsuki and the boys are fun, but ugh, boys.” She rolled her eyes dramatically, making Tara giggle.

  Tara finished the last of her food and stood up, brushing off her skirts. “Well, Kannie, I think I’m glad I bumped into you today.”

  Kannie hopped up as well, stretching her legs. “Same!

  Tara gave Kannie a warm smile. “I will. And thanks again for the food.”

  Kannie grinned. “Anytime, bookworm.”

  With that, the two parted ways, each walking away with a new friend they hadn’t expected—but one that, in their own way, they both needed.

  Tara’s thoughts lingered on her conversation with Kannie as she walked through the noble district toward her home. She had never met someone like her—bubbly, fearless, and completely unbothered by social standing. It was refreshing, in a way she hadn’t realized she needed. The world of nobles was rigid, full of rules and expectations, but Kannie… she was free.

  The sun had set, casting a golden hue over the pristine streets of Xylodia’s wealthiest quarter. Towering manors lined the avenues, their windows glowing with candlelight, their marble facades untouched by the filth of the city. The air smelled of fresh bread and fine perfumes, a stark contrast to the slums where she had spent the afternoon.

  As she approached the grand iron gates of her family estate, something felt off. The usual warm glow of home felt colder, heavier. The guards at the entrance averted their gazes as she walked past. She pushed the feeling down and continued inside.

  The moment she entered, their housemaid, Yvette, was there to greet her. Yvette was older, kind, always fussing over her like a second mother. But tonight, her hands trembled as she smoothed her apron.

  “Miss Tara,” she whispered urgently, “your parents are in the study… with a guest.”

  Tara blinked. “A guest?”

  Yvette’s face paled further. She leaned in closer, voice even softer. “You should go to your room.”

  Tara didn’t need to ask who. The sheer fear in Yvette’s eyes told her everything.

  Lucian.

  A shiver ran down Tara’s spine. She had only heard of him in whispers—his name carried the weight of nightmares. The true ruler of Xylodia’s underworld, a man whose power stretched far beyond crime. He had influence within the royal court, his hands dirtied with every unimaginable sin. Even the king kept him close, indulging in the sick pleasures he provided.

  Her parents had spoken of him in hushed voices, always fearing the day he would come knocking on their door.

  And now, he was here.

  Tara’s feet moved on their own, carrying her toward the grand oak doors of her father’s study. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she pressed her ear to the wood.

  She could hear her father’s voice, trembling yet desperate. “We’re working as fast as we can, Lucian. The Starbeam Necklace’s location isn’t just hidden—it’s protected by magic.”

  A low chuckle. Smooth, unhurried, but laced with a promise of violence. “I don’t tolerate excuses,” Lucian said.

  Her mother’s voice followed, softer, pleading. “We need more time. We’re uncovering maps, ancient references, but rushing could cost us everything.”

  Silence.

  Then the doors flew open.

  Tara gasped, stumbling backward as Lucian’s piercing gaze met hers. He was seated leisurely in a high-backed chair, one leg crossed over the other, dressed in dark, elegant clothing. The candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows beneath him that seemed… alive. For a split second, she swore she saw them slither back, retracting into his form.

  Her parents knelt before him, heads lowered in submission, like broken servants before a god.

  Lucian tilted his head, a cruel smile curling on his lips. “Ah, the little scholar,” he mused. “Curious timing, don’t you think?”

  Tara’s blood ran cold.

  Her father looked at her, his face filled with barely concealed panic. “Tara, go to your room.”

  Lucian chuckled. “No need to be so hasty.” His gaze never left her. “Would you like to come live with me, little one?”

  Tara’s throat tightened. Her knees felt weak. She had never felt fear like this before—deep, suffocating, all-consuming.

  Her mother’s hands curled into fists on the floor. “Please, Lucian. She’s just a child.”

  Lucian leaned forward, his fingers tapping the armrest of his chair. “Children grow up. And if you two don’t produce results soon, I might need some… collateral.”

  Tara couldn’t breathe. She felt trapped in place, her body screaming at her to run. But she forced herself to stay still. To show no weakness.

  Lucian smirked at her silence. “You may leave,” he said, waving a hand lazily. “For now.”

  Tara fled before he could change his mind.

  That night, she made her decision.

  Tara sat by her window, gripping a quill so tightly her fingers ached. Her note was short, shaky, but final:

  I love you. But if I stay, he’ll take me. I won’t be used against you. Don’t look for me.

  Tears blurred the ink, but she didn’t let them fall. She folded the letter and left it on her desk.

  Slipping on a hooded cloak, she grabbed a satchel, stuffing it with essentials—a loaf of bread, water, a small knife.

  Then she climbed out the window.

  The cold air hit her like a slap, but she didn’t hesitate. She dropped down into the garden, moving as fast as she could toward the back gate. The streets were emptier at night, but the fear of being caught turned every shadow into a threat.

  She didn’t have a plan. All she knew was that she had to get as far from the noble district as possible. She had to find Kannie.

  The slums weren’t hard to find.

  The cobblestone roads faded into dirt paths. The grandeur of Xylodia melted into crumbling buildings, broken windows, and streets littered with waste. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and damp wood. Ragged figures huddled in alleyways, eyes watching her as she passed.

  Panic clawed at her chest. The night was colder here, guided only by the vague directions Kannie had given her earlier that day. The streets were unfamiliar, twisted into dark alleys filled with the smell of stale alcohol and filth.

  Tara quickly realized she had made a mistake.

  She was lost.

  A drunken man leered at her as she passed. “You look lost, little miss,” he slurred, stepping into her path. “Maybe I could—”

  Tara turned and bolted.

  She ran, her breath coming in sharp gasps, until she skidded to a stop near a crumbling stone fountain. Her heart hammered as she tried to think. The old tavern, she reminded herself. Kannie said their hideout was near an abandoned tavern.

  Spotting an older man loitering near a fire pit, she forced herself to approach. “Sir,” she said breathlessly, “do you know where the old tavern is?”

  The man’s lips curled, his eyes raking over her. “Yeah, I know it.”

  Tara’s stomach churned. She saw the way his gaze lingered, the way his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was lying.

  She ran again.

  Just when the panic began to set in, she spotted two figures standing near a dimly lit alley. At first, she nearly passed them, too focused on trying to retrace her steps. But then something tugged at the back of her mind—recognition. One of them was massive for his age, arms crossed over his chest, his piercing green dragon-like eyes practically glowing in the low light. The other… was floating slightly above the ground, his blond hair tousled, turquoise eyes gleaming with mischief.

  Tara stopped in her tracks, realization hitting her. “Ra! Gabriel!”

  The two boys turned in surprise. Gabriel’s smirk widened immediately as he tossed a small pebble in the air. “See, Ra?” he said smugly. “My handsome features are drawing in admirers already.”

  Ra exhaled, his face unreadable as he studied Tara. “Who are you?” His voice was calm but firm, like he wasn’t in the mood for games.

  Tara struggled to catch her breath. “I—I met Kannie earlier. Please, I need to find her.”

  Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “What’s the rush, princess?”

  Tara’s hands curled into fists. “Please,” she begged. “It’s important.”

  Ra exhaled sharply, clearly debating. Then, after a moment, he turned. “Follow me.”

  Gabriel floated ahead lazily. “Man, I wanted to get some food first.”

  Tara trailed behind them, keeping close as they led her through winding paths. She swallowed back her nerves, but the weight of Lucian’s shadow loomed over her. She had no choice now—this was the only place she could go.

  When Tara stumbled into the abandoned tavern, she was greeted by the warmth of flickering lanterns and low murmurs. The space was worn, but comfortable—a mismatched collection of blankets, crates, and stolen furniture made it feel more like a home than she expected.

  “Kannie!”

  Kannie had been lounging on a couch, playfully flicking Tsuki’s ear while Nerpheus dozed nearby, his breathing slow and steady. Orion was across the room, balancing on his hands in some form of training. At the sound of her name, Kannie sat up, blinking in confusion.

  When she saw Tara standing in the doorway, flanked by Ra and Gabriel, her eyes widened. “Tara?”

  The noble girl took a shaky step forward before breaking down entirely. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to her knees, sobbing. The sheer weight of everything—the fear, the running, the danger—hit her all at once.

  Kannie was on her feet in an instant, rushing over and wrapping her arms around her. “Hey, hey, what happened?” she whispered, rubbing Tara’s back soothingly.

  Tara couldn’t find the words. She just clung to Kannie, shaking.

  Gabriel sighed dramatically. “Great. Another stray.”

  Kannie shot him a glare. “Shut up and put on some tea or something.”

  Gabriel groaned.

  Orion had lowered himself from his handstand, his golden eyes sharp and calculating. He walked over, arms crossed. “Who is this?”

  Kannie looked up, still holding Tara tightly. “This… is my friend.”

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