Igneeria. A world filled with differing ideologies. Once a place of inflexibility, it has since become a place of accommodation.

  Within this world is the continent Rha, the Land of Blue Lightning. Humanoid species that were once considered monsters, such as goblins, now rule this land. Rha was the last country to allow travellers within their borders, claiming they wanted to protect their citizens from races who still treated them as lesser. Security is extremely strict, and areas beyond the capital are typically forbidden.

  Hailing from this land is a short lady named Pyx, a mischievous green goblin who cares more about the chase than the catch. She would skulk for anything - valuables, information, even people - if it meant that she would get to feel the thrill of the hunt. Getting paid is just a bonus.

  After stowing away on a ship bound for Nero, Pyx witnesses something incredible - monsters. Hiding under her hooded cloak in a safe location, she observes a mismatched group of fighters band together to eliminate ferocious gargoyles, who were thought to be extinct. She ties her blonde hair into a messy bun and opens her journal. Her golden eyes shine as she scribbles into her notebook with fervour; {Esmond, the infamously solo mercenary, creates threads using blood magic, and can even heal their own wounds with them.}; {Glint, a being made of pure wind, flies on his spear and creates chains of lightning with the very same weapon.}; {Camergue, the hot-headed warrior decapitates monsters with her obsidian blade.}; {Rebecca, great-granddaughter of one of the Four Founders, wields elemental magic and was grievously wounded.}; {Jasper, an angelic looking boy was captured by a gargoyle and used chantless magic to escape.}; {Ferry, a fae humanoid around my size armed with the famous rapier, the dancing blade, destroys a gargoyle instantly.}; {Jasper, the aforementioned chantless mage, performs healing magic on Rebecca while speaking Common, not Celestial.}. After the battle is over, she waits until Esmond leaves before she stows away below. Crimron, she thinks. She copies the name into her journal.

  Upon arriving at Green Port, Pyx dives into the ocean and swims ashore, away from prying eyes. "This has got to be the worst part of my job," she says. She hides behind a tall lighthouse near the shore and wrings out her cloak. She sports black waterproof clothes; a sleeveless turtleneck crop top and skin-tight leggings. She loosens her hair and shakes the water out. I should follow them while I dry, she thinks. She takes a bronze spyglass out of a pouch that looks too small for it. She surveys The Black Diamond while moving closer, hiding nearby. Ten minutes pass before the group walks down the ramp of The Black Diamond. About bloody time. The group stops when they reach the outskirts of the marketplace.

  "Thank you, again," Rebecca says to Jasper. "Your healing saved my life."

  Jasper smiles at her sincerity. "Oh, that's okay! I had to get saved too, so don't worry about it."

  Rebecca smiles back warmly. "And thank you to everyone else, too, of course." Everyone's attention turns to her. "Camergue and I will be staying at the Green Port Inn tonight before travelling to Silver Mountain City; I would like to offer you all dinner and drinks, on me."

  "I'm definitely in," Ferry says. "Nothing tastes better than a free meal."

  Jasper looks to Glint and Esmond for their decision.

  Esmond scratches their head. "I was planning on eating somewhere else, but sure. I have some questions for you all, anyway."

  "Awesome! But can we check out the markets first?" Jasper asks.

  "Then we'll head to the inn first," Camergue says. "See you later."

  Everyone says their goodbyes and go their separate ways. Esmond, Jasper and Glint move to the marketplace.

  Confirmed, my target has entered Green Port, Pyx thinks. I should head back, but I'm curious about those three. She decides to follow Jasper and the others.

  After a wolf fails their attempt at flirting with Jasper, Glint separates from the group.

  "By the way," Esmond says as they saunter through the crowd. "Are you going to try selling some of your materials here at the market?"

  "I'm not sure," Jasper says. "I was thinking of selling some wherever you sell those monster cor-" Esmond covers Jasper's mouth with their hand. They scan the area and Pyx hides behind a market stall. Esmond pulls Jasper to a different area.

  I couldn't sneak into Captain Croaker's office while they had that meeting, Pyx thinks. However, that confirms my assumption - they're trying to keep the monsters a secret. She decides to follow Glint, who had wandered off.

  Through her spyglass, she watches Glint float above the mansion owned by the Alpha of Green Port. Is that guy an idiot? Arrows fly at him, but he narrowly dodges them and then leaves. "What the fuck was he trying to do?" She notes it down in her journal.

  Feeling let down by the chase, she scurries to the Raider's Guild and scales the back side of the building, entering through a third-storey window. The room is adorned with wooden furniture; bookcases line the walls with books choking the spaces between the shelves. Wooden chairs and banquettes decorated with plush pillows surround a large table centrepiece with a vase of freshly picked flowers. At the back of the room, in front of the window Pyx is entering from, a figure sits in a soft, white wing chair at a wide brown desk piled with documents. A fluffy white tail curls around the back of the chair. Wolven ears perk up atop long, platinum hair.

  An alluring voice speaks from the chair. "You're later than expected."

  Pyx climbs into the room and shuts the window behind her. "I was gathering information that seemed...interesting." She paces around the desk and falls onto one of the cushioned banquettes, making herself comfortable. "Though, the last thing I saw was a bit weird."

  The woman sitting at the desk turns her attention away from signing documents. Her purple eyes shine with interest. "Oh? You were following a trail other than what was requested of you?" The woman leans back in her seat and crosses one leg over the other. She is in an almost completely humanoid form, with only her ears and tail still visible. Her skin is fair white, and her lips are marked with a deep purple lipstick. She wears a loose white dress shirt under a form-fitting brown and purple overbust strapless waist coat. Her waistline is incredibly slim. She wears tight, brown trousers and black ankle-strap heels. She rests a hand on her crossed knee, leans her elbow onto the arm of her chair and rests her head on her hand. "It must have been an enticing hunt." Her head tilts back and her eyes steady a course down her straight nose. "What did you find?"

  Pyx trembles at the sight of an older beauty looking down on her. Selena almighty, she's gorgeous, she thinks. She wipes away some drool. Lock in, Pyx. "Unfortunately, Miss Yashin, we have only agreed on payment for information regarding your target." She sits up from her resting position and pulls out her journal. "Any more juicy details will cost extra."

  The two sit in silence for a moment. Yashin exhales sharply. "I wish my charms worked on you like they do on the Vice Guild Master."

  "Well, he gets paid the same either way," Pyx says, emphasizing the need for payment.

  Yashin rolls her eyes and pulls out a bag of gold. "Here's the negotiated payment for the target; fifty gold. How much more do you want for this new information?"

  Pyx opens their journal and traces their finger down the gutter. "Five platinum."

  Yashin stands from her chair, almost knocking it over. "Pyx, that's ten times the usual rate. You better not be joking."

  "Within these pages contain information about an existence once considered extinct," Pyx smirks. "Monsters."

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  A haunted look flashes across Yashin's visage. "Pyx. This is more than you and me." She glides around the desk and sits across from Pyx. "If you know any information regarding monsters, it is your obligation as a citizen to inform me of what you know."

  "True," Pyx says, closing her journal. "They were gargoyles. However, the information regarding what exactly happened is what will cost you." She waves the journal back and forth. Yashin's eyes fall in thought.

  "What the flamin' hell is goin' on here?!" A strong, rough voice booms through the Guild.

  Yashin moves for the door. "What on Igneeria is he yelling about now?" She grabs a hooded cloak and swings open the door. Pyx follows.

  Standing on the balcony of the third floor, Yashin and Pyx watch as a bald man in a white button-up collared shirt yells at a group of Alpha guardsman surrounding four figures. The bald man is Alfred Stuart, the Vice Guild Master of Green Port Raider's Guild. He is a stocky human with a ferocious face. He has white skin with red blemishes, probably from how often he gets angry. His shirt is tucked into denim jeans, and he wears brown dress shoes.

  "This is a guild, for God's sake!" Alfred continues. "Ya can't just come in 'ere with your weapons and threaten our Raiders!"

  The Alpha, Griseo Ramadi, appears to be explaining the situation in a lower voice.

  Yashin ties her jet-black cloak around her neck. "What are they talking about, Pyx?"

  "Probably the last thing I wrote in this journal," Pyx says as she wags it in her face.

  Yashin rolls her eyes. "Fine. But I'll only take it off your hands for three platinum."

  "Four."

  "Deal." Yashin snatches the journal and saunters towards the stairs. She opens it to the last written page and reads it. "Why would he float over the Alpha's mansion?"

  Pyx follows as Yashin makes her way to the first floor. "Probably because he's an idiot." She turns her attention to the three below. "I believe they all are, Miss Yashin."

  "Noted," Yashin says as she flicks back a few pages. "Esmond's involvement is no surprise - they always seem to be dragged into things they don't want to be a part of." She laughs to herself. "However, these other two are quite extraordinary. A being made of wind? And a boy who uses chantless magic?" She reads further. Her eyes widen and she stops her descent. "Well, isn't this interesting."

  What exactly is she reacting to? Pyx asks herself.

  Alfred's loud voice can be heard clearer than before. "I don't care if you're the bloomin' Alpha. This is private property!"

  Alpha Ramadi sighs deeply. "While I understand that, Vice Guild Master, we have witnesses who have identified a white-haired individual flying above my own home. This is a matter of political security."

  Jasper looks terrified of the situation. Esmond looks about done with it. Glint doesn't care.

  Stopping about halfway down the bottom staircase, Yashin makes her presence known with a loud clack of her heel to the wooden steps and the opening of a silk hand fan. Alfred and Ramadi turn their attention to her.

  "Who's that?" Glint asks.

  "Shut. Up." Esmond responds.

  "Miss Yashin!" Alfred beams.

  "Thank you," Glint says. Esmond punches his shoulder.

  "Guild Master Yashin," Ramadi bows slightly. "Once again, I apologize for the intrusion; however, I must take these three in for questioning."

  Yashin leans on the railing with one hand and fans herself with the other. "Alpha Ramadi, thank you very much for bringing this situation to my attention."

  Ramadi raises his head and locks eyes with her. "Thank you. With that said, I will-"

  "Unfortunately," she interrupts, "these three are currently under my employ, so I can't allow you to take them."

  Ramadi's eyebrows furrow. "Excuse me?"

  "I hired them for a job, you see," Yashin continues with a smug smile behind her open fan. "I asked Glint, the blue-skinned man there, to survey the ocean for a certain ship's arrival; while it is regrettable that he flew over your property, Alpha Ramadi, he is nonetheless new to the area, and therefore did not know any better." She drops the smile and closes the fan. "Regrettably, this whole situation was born from Glint's lack of knowledge. I myself apologize for this plunder."

  Ramadi's eyes narrow on the Guild Master. "You have the documentation?"

  "Yes," she says and picks Pyx up by the collar. "And a witness."

  Pyx stares blankly at the number of eyes on her. I'm not supposed to be the centre of attention, Miss Yashin! She tries to break free from the Guild Master's grip.

  Ramadi's expression relaxes when he sees Pyx. "The informant." He glances at Glint. "Is what they said true?"

  Glint looks at Esmond. They nod. He nods back. He locks eyes with Ramadi. "The food smelt good from the smoke."

  Jasper and Esmond palm their faces in unison. Pyx does the same. Ramadi laughs. The guardsmen look at each other, not knowing what to do.

  The Alpha approaches Glint. "You have good taste, my man." He claps Glint on the side of his shoulder. "My wife is making lasagna for the family. You're welcome to come over later for dinner if you'd like."

  Glint's eyes sparkle. "That would be amazing."

  Pyx huffs as Yashin finally puts her down. She readjusts her cloak. "The Alpha's always so quick to trust you. Men are idiots."

  Yashin waggles her finger at me. "Far from it, young one." Her eyes fall back on the Alpha. "He knows that what I just said was for the public to hear. All he cares about is the safety of his family - the residents of Green Port. He trusts that I know that, even if what I said was a lie."

  Pyx looks back at the Alpha. "Woah. That's kinda hot."

  "He's too old for you."

  "He's too young for you." Yashin smacks her with the fan. "Ow, the fuck?"

  Yashin descends the staircase. "Follow me."

  Pyx rubs the bump on her head. "Sure, yeah, hit me and tell me what to do. I don't always like that, you know?" She follows.

  The Alpha bows to everyone and takes his leave. The Alpha guardsmen follow suit. Once the doors close, a wave of relief washes over the Guild. Nervous laughter and speculative whispers ensue.

  Alfred turns to the gossiping groups. "Right then, off ya go! You got too much time on ya hands if you can spin yarns. Go take a bloody mission or something!" The Raiders laugh and begin dispersing.

  "He sounds scary, but they listen to him," Jasper points out.

  "He's endearing," Esmond says. "Most people in Nero are. While people here respect strength above all else, they're also keenly aware that everyone has different strengths; like Alfred's knack for leadership."

  "He always sticks up for the Raiders who work here," Yashin says. She rests her hand on a cocked hip. "Pleasure to meet you, Jasper and Glint. I've heard of your exploits."

  "Thank you for helping us there, Miss Yashin," Jasper bows at a forty-five-degree angle. He waves at Glint to copy him. He does.

  "What do you mean by their exploits?" Esmond's eyes dart to Pyx. Isn't that the goblin I saw at the markets?

  Yashin holds up the notebook she purchased from Pyx. "I know everything that happened on Captain Croaker's ship."

  Jasper straightens with wide eyes. "Everything?" Glint stands straightens as well.

  "Everything," she enunciates. Glint and Jasper look at Esmond with concern. Esmond glares at Pyx. Pyx glares back. "Let's continue this upstairs, shall we?"

  In the Guild Master's office, Yashin and Pyx sit side by side on a banquette. On the other side of the table, Jasper, Esmond and Glint sit awkwardly. Alfred serves tea. Yashin and Esmond sip it softly. Pyx doesn't touch theirs.

  Jasper takes a sip. "What a, um, unique taste." He smacks his lips in discomfort.

  Glint chugs his tea. "Ew."

  "If you don't like it, don't fuckin' drink it," Alfred says. He leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Jasper and Glint return their cups to their saucers.

  Yashin snaps a finger. [Dvulf.] Privacy. A spark of blue mana expands from her fingers, coating the entirety of the room. "So," she starts. "I suppose you came here to try and sell your monster cores."

  "Among other things," Esmond admits. "I'm glad you're the only one who knows, Miss Yashin. But I don't like how you found out." They scowl at Pyx. Pyx scowls back. "I can't believe you put a tail on me."

  Yashin takes another sip of her tea. "You weren't the target, Esmond."

  "Then who was?"

  "Nunya," Pyx answers.

  "Nunya?"

  "Nunya business, idiot."

  Esmond throws a dagger at Pyx. She pulls out a dagger and throws it at Esmond's, deflecting it. Esmond's dagger sticks into the roof and Pyx's dagger thunks into the banquette between Jasper's legs. Nice reflexes, they think.

  Jasper pulls his legs up. "Can both of you calm down?!" Esmond and Glint look at Jasper. It's the first time he's ever come close to raising his voice.

  "Sorry, Jasper," Esmond says.

  Pyx smirks at Esmond. Yashin raises an eyebrow at her. Her smug look fades away. "I'm sorry too, Miss Yashin."

  Yashin sighs and takes another sip of her tea. "It is true that it is none of your business, Esmond. However, it doesn't change the fact that this notebook has crucial information that needs to be reported to the Founders." Yashin opens the notebook and pulls apart the spine rings, taking out the front half of the pages. "I will keep the information pertaining to my target, but I'd like you three to deliver the rest." She clicks the journal back together.

  "Wait, really?" Jasper beams. My first mission! "Let's do it, guys!"

  "I'm down," Glint says.

  "I don't mind taking this job, but do I have to split it with these two?" Esmond asks. "I can do it myself. We're not even a Raider party."

  Jasper is offended. "Really?"

  Glint doubles down. "Really?"

  "Au contraire, Esmond," Yashin declares. "I was more interested in these two taking the job. You were just an added bonus." Pyx chuckles.

  Foot, meet mouth, Esmond thinks. "Fine. I was heading there anyway."

  Yashin hands the notebook to Pyx. "And I'd love for you to take Pyx with you."

  "What?" Esmond and Pyx ask in unison. They stare daggers at each other.

  "It's her journal," Yashin continues, "so it's only fair that she gets to deliver it herself."

  "That's the dumbest reason I've ever heard," Esmond says.

  "I can buy a new one," Pyx insists.

  "I'm fine with it, as long as everyone else is," Jasper adds.

  "I don't really care," Glint says.

  Yashin switches her crossed legs. "I'll pay each of you two platinum."

  "Let's do it," they all say in unison.