The market was packed, a messy blend of humans and beastkin. The beastkin had their ears, tails, and fur in plain view, while the humans wore simple, worn-down clothes.
In the middle of it all, I stood there, taking it in. The angry man gripping the girl's wrist, Lily glaring, the two kids shaking in fear. I sighed and stepped forward.
"Okay," I said. "How much do they owe? I'll pay."
Lily whipped her head toward me, eyes wide. The girl looked just as shocked, her ember eyes glistening with something I didn't want to name.
And then, of course, Ignis had to talk. "What are you trying to do, brat? Negotiating? You surprise me by the minute—what a weakling you are."
I kept my focus on the man. "Ignis, this isn't weakness—it's the safer way out."
"Oh yes, let's roll over like a good little mutt. Maybe next time, he'll charge you for the air you breathe," Ignis sneered.
I ignored him, keeping my voice steady. "Let go of her, and I'll pay whatever she owes."
Lily frowned. "Jeffery, you don't have to—"
"Yes, we have to." I didn't let her finish. "We don't know what happened. The man already said they stole from him. The smart thing is to pay him back, not turn this into something worse."
She pressed her lips together, looking away. Maybe she realized she acted too fast.
The man's face eased into a smug grin. Finally, someone reasonable, huh? He let go of the girl with fake generosity. "I'd really appreciate that. Let's see… what they owe comes to five silver coins."
The girl gasped. "Five silver? Two apples can't cost that much!"
The man clicked his tongue, turning to her with a fake sigh. "Do you have any idea how hard it is for us vendors to make a living here?" Then he looked at me, waiting, like he'd already won. "Well, boy? Why so quiet? Aren't you going to pay?"
I looked at the ground, silent.
Lily shifted beside me, about to say something, but I lifted a hand. She stopped.
Then I spoke, my voice quiet but sharp.
"Hey, old geezer," I said. "Do you think I'm foolish?"
The man's smirk twitched. Then, something changed.
The air thickened.
The noise of the market faded.
His breathing turned shallow, his pupils shrinking as an invisible weight pressed down on him.
And then, realization hit him.
His lips parted, but no words came out. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, drowning out everything. His throat tightened. His legs locked.
I stared at him, calm, unmoving.
But to him—
I wasn't human.
I was something else.
Something that should not be standing here in the middle of a busy market.
A monster wearing a boy's face.
His knees wobbled. He tried to step back, but his body didn't listen. Cold sweat dripped down his temple. The people around him—the crowd, the market, the world—it all blurred. All he could see was me.
His lips trembled. "I—I—"
He was choking on his own fear.
The shadows around me stretched, unnatural and wrong. His fingers twitched at his sides, his hands shaking violently.
I took a slow step forward.
His breath hitched.
I tilted my head slightly. "Well?"
He gasped.
His mind screamed at him to run, but his body was frozen.
Run. Run. RUN!
He forced out a laugh—high, panicked, broken. "It—it was a joke, child. Just a joke," he stammered. "It costs three copper coins."
Ignis laughed in my head, full of amusement. "Humans—so weak. Once they feel true power, they shatter. Look at him. He's already given up."
"Let your anger take over. End him."
I closed my eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply. My breath came out slow and controlled, like trying to keep a fire from spreading. The crushing weight in the air faded as I pulled back, but my eyes stayed locked on the man.
"Ignis," I muttered inwardly. "I can't kill someone just for lying."
"And that naïveté," Ignis growled, his voice full of disgust, "will be the very thing that destroys you. Such foolishness will be your downfall, brat."
I ignored him, reaching into my pocket and pulling out a silver coin. I handed it to the man. "This should more than cover the cost. Sorry for any trouble they caused."
The man snatched the coin like his life depended on it, muttering some half-hearted thanks before shoving his way through the crowd.
Whispers followed.
"That vendor has no shame."
"Who does that boy think he is?"
"Beggars who steal should be jailed."
Ignis scoffed, voice dripping with disappointment. "What a dull experience—not a single drop of blood was shed today. You might be the weakest person I've ever had the misfortune of meeting, brat."
"Sure, sure," I muttered. "Like spilling blood here would've meant anything."
The girl stepped toward the beggars, reaching into her hoodie and pulling out two apples. She smiled gently. "Don't worry, the bad man is gone. You can have the apples now."
She handed them over like it was the easiest thing in the world.
"Humans," Ignis sneered. "Why go through all this trouble for things that don't concern them?"
I sighed inwardly. "Not all humans are like that. Some don't care, yeah. But there are those who actually do. The ones who try to help, even when there's nothing in it for them. Those people are real."
Ignis let out a cold laugh. "Good humans? The only good ones are either dead or screaming in agony as they burn. That's a fact."
I didn't respond. There was no point.
Instead, I turned toward Lily. Without warning, I flicked her forehead.
"Ow!" She yelped, rubbing the spot with one hand while holding onto the goods with the other. "Why did you do that?" She pouted at me.
"You shouldn't have stuck your nose where it didn't belong," I said flatly.
Lily puffed her cheeks. "I can't just ignore it when someone is being bullied!"
I sighed, shaking my head. My voice softened. "Yeah, I know. That's what I like about you."
Her face turned red.
"…Is that true?" she asked quietly.
I didn't notice her reaction. "Yeah, but it's dangerous. You don't know who's in the wrong—the beggars or the vendor. So don't do that again, okay?"
Instead of answering, Lily closed her eyes and smiled to herself, mumbling, "He likes me… Kibo likes me… He really likes me."
Ignis snickered. "Your lover is quite the handful. Are you sure you won't dispose of her?"
"She's not my lover, and no, I'm not 'disposing' of anyone," I shot back.
"Tch. What a waste."
The girl turned to the beggars. "You can go now." They quickly left, but neither I nor Lily noticed.
Then the girl turned to us and smiled. "Hello," she said cheerfully.
Lily snapped out of her little daydream, her face still red.
Then the girl suddenly bowed her head deeply. "Thank you both for what you did."
Lily panicked. "You don't have to bow!" She waved her hands around frantically.
The girl watched her reaction and thought, What a lovely person. Father did say there are good people in the kingdom.
Then her eyes shifted to me. I stood there, unaffected, not saying a word.
But this boy… he seems like he doesn't care. Or maybe he's just pretending. With how he handled that man…
He's no ordinary person.
"You're welcome. Goodbye."
No hesitation. No second thoughts. Just those words, cold and final, as I grabbed Lily's hand and started walking away, dragging her with me.
The girl blinked in shock. Wait… what? He didn't even ask anything! Who does that?!
"Wait!" she called out.
I sighed internally. What does she want now?
Ignis hummed in amusement. "Why not just behead her on the spot?"
"Your solutions are always so gruesome," I replied, exasperated.
The girl hurried after us. "Wait!"
Lily turned back, looking guilty for ignoring her. I didn't.
She caught up, barely out of breath. "Sorry for stopping you, but could you please show me around? I'm new to this kingdom."
She smiled sweetly, but I could see the arrogance behind it. Let's see if you can resist helping a beautiful lady like me.
I scowled, already irritated. "Sorry, but we're busy and don't have time. You can ask for directions from someone else."
She froze. What… was I just rejected? But Father said no man could reject me! Even the maids said so!
Before she could react, the bastard vendor from before returned—this time with three guards.
"There they are!" He pointed directly at us, his voice shrill with accusation. "Those are the thieves who stole from me!"
Lily stiffened beside me.
I cursed under my breath. Damn that old man!
Gripping Lily's hand tightly, I muttered, "We've gotta run, Lily."
She didn't question it.
We bolted.
Weaving through the crowd, dodging hands and obstacles, I led the way, my instincts screaming at me to move faster.
Ignis, as always, found amusement in my misery. "What did I expect? Trouble always follows you."
"Not the time, Ignis!"
"Escape? The only thing drawing attention is that girl behind you," he said mockingly.
I glanced back.
She was keeping up.
"What the heck?! Why are you following us?!"
She just grinned.
Lily tugged at my sleeve, urgent. "Jeffery, more guards ahead!"
I clicked my tongue. "Hold on, Lily."
Scooping her up, I carried her in my arms, her grip tightening around the goods.
"Jeffery, be careful!"
I leapt.
Over the guards. Over the street. Landed effortlessly on the other side.
And the girl—
She copied me.
She landed next to me, smiling like this was some kind of game. "You're really skilled."
The guards shouted behind us.
I glared at her. "Why are you following me?!"
She smiled mischievously. "I don't know my way around, so sticking with you is my best option."
I groaned. "Such an annoying girl."
Ignis chuckled. "I like her. She's got spirit."
"Let's see how long you say that," I muttered.
I veered sharply into an alley, shoving past a woman carrying a basket.
She stumbled. "Hey, watch it!"
Lily, always the apologetic one, called back, "Sorry, ma'am!"
I didn't slow down.
"Focus, Lily," I ordered.
The guards' shouts grew louder. Boots slammed against the pavement.
Ignis sneered. "Apologies won't save you now, brat."
"Not helping, Ignis!" I snapped.
We burst out of the alley and into the chaotic streets.
A cart full of cabbages.
I vaulted onto it, using it as a springboard to launch onto a rooftop.
I ran across the tiles, my heartbeat steady despite everything.
"Lily, is she still behind us?"
Lily looked back. "No, she's not."
Good.
"Leaving her was the best idea," I said, relieved.
Ignis scoffed. "Don't be disappointed when you see the girl again."
I frowned. "She doesn't have the skill or the ability to make it onto the rooftops."
I kept running. The guards were still following something below.
Then I saw her.
Down on the street. Still keeping up.
She leapt onto a man's head. "Sorry!" she said cheerfully before using him as a stepping stone to propel herself up.
The man cursed at her. She didn't care.
One more jump—
She landed beside me.
"So this is where you are!" she said, all smug and playful.
My face fell.
Ignis?
He burst into hysterical laughter.
Lily, of course, smiled. "Welcome back."
Ignis snickered. "Brat, this girl gets a pass from me."
I sighed, shoulders slumping.
"…What did I get myself into?"
.
.
.
[Scene opens with a soft glow filtering through the trees. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves, and birds chirp somewhere offstage. Lily sits cross-legged on a mossy rock, weaving a flower crown with her fingers. She hums softly to herself, smiling as she works.]
Lily: (startled) Oh! Hey there! You scared me a bit. I didn't hear you coming.
(She giggles, brushing a stray petal from her lap.)
Lily: You caught me during a little break. Things have been kinda hectic lately – lots of running and training. Not much monster-fighting, though. Mostly dodging soldiers and trying to stay one step ahead.
(She pauses, a thoughtful look crossing her face.)
Lily: It gets tough, you know? Sometimes it feels like we're just barely keeping ahead of everything. But that's okay! We're still pushing forward, one step at a time. I guess that's kinda like life, right? Sometimes it feels like you're just running from one problem to the next without a break.
(Smiles softly, her eyes warm.)
Lily: But hey, it's okay to feel that way. You're doing great, and you're stronger than you think. I know it might not always feel like it, but you've made it this far. Don't forget to give yourself some credit for that! You deserve it.
Ignis (voice-over, scoffing): Seriously? You're giving pep talks now? What's next, knitting circles and tea parties? You sound like a lovesick schoolgirl.
Lily: (frowning, sticking her tongue out) You're just grumpy because nobody's ever given you a pep talk. Or a hug. Or even a little bit of kindness.
Ignis (voice-over, growling): I don't need your pathetic sympathy. Or theirs. (Spits the word like it's venom.) They're just wasting their time, hanging around for this pointless story.
Lily: (smiling, unfazed) Oh, come on. You know they're just here because they're curious! And maybe because they're rooting for us. Or maybe they just like seeing you get all worked up!
Ignis (voice-over, scoffing): Rooting for you? Please. They're probably just here to see when the brat finally crashes and burns.
Lily: (shrugging with a grin) Maybe, but that's their choice! If they want to stick around, then that's good enough for me. Besides, we're just getting started. The real journey's still ahead!
(She leans forward, as if sharing a secret.)
Lily: And honestly... thank you for sticking with us. I know things have been kinda crazy, but it really means a lot that you're here. Even if it's just for a little while. We'll keep trying our best, so you do the same, okay? Don't give up – no matter how tough it gets. You've got this!
Ignis (voice-over, sneering): You're really hopeless, aren't you? Getting all sappy and emotional. They're probably just laughing at you.
Lily: (giggling) That's fine! Laughing's good too! It means they're happy. And I'd rather they laugh than feel sad or lonely. Besides, if anyone's making them laugh, it's probably you, Ignis! You're like a grumpy old cat – acting all tough and scary, but deep down just kinda lonely.
Ignis (voice-over, growling): Don't compare me to a cat, you insufferable little—
Lily: (cutting him off with a bright smile) Hehe! I knew it – you're just a big softie underneath all that grumpiness!
(She looks back at the audience, her expression growing a bit more serious.)
Lily: But really... don't be too hard on yourself, okay? You're doing your best, and that's enough. We'll keep going too – no matter how rough it gets. And if you're enjoying our story, why not share it with someone? Maybe they'll get a kick out of it too!
(Leans closer, eyes sparkling.)
Lily: Just remember, even when it feels impossible, you're not alone. You've got people who care about you – even if you don't realize it. So keep pushing forward. I know you can do it!
[The light fades as Lily waves cheerfully, her soft giggle lingering in the air. Ignis's low, disgruntled grumbling echoes faintly before everything goes dark.]