Legend of the Cerafix

Full Summary: Darkness is slowly consuming the world of Jewlimar and the worst part is no one even realizes it. Fate has chosen a boy named Shoa to be the world’s salvation, but to complete his destiny he is going to need the help of a mysterious thief named Kyran. Together they are Jewlimar’s only hope to resurrect the Light in the world…if they don’t kill each other first.

Hello, one and all. Darkness here and I am bringing you a very special treat today. About three years ago I tentatively took my first step into the wonderful world of Original Writing and thus ‘Legend of the Cerafix’ was born. I recently went back and read over what I had of the story and I think I died a little inside. It was horrendous! I loved the concept and the character’s, but the writing itself was just…blregh. So, it pestered me and pestered me until I gave in and decided to rewrite it.

Now, there’s not much difference (Except for the writing itself, that’s a given) but I did change the two main character’s names and switched around some of the event’s that happen in a different order…not that you’ll notice since I doubt any of you have read the original draft ^-^; Well, go forth my naughty little monkey’s and I hope you enjoy this. *shakes fist* Enjoy!

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It was a warm, pleasant day and the glorious city of Gloramical pulsed with life. The city was alive with activity as its citizens carried out their daily routines: Shopping in the markets, working to support their families, and conversing with friends, all the usual goings on in a city.

Gloramical wasn’t the largest city, but it was by no means small and it was known to be the trading central of the continent Bailamar. If someone needed to trade something, Gloramical was the best place to go. Of course, not all of the trade was considered good in the city. Anyone could trade for common, as well as exotic, drugs just as easily as they could trade for a rug. Anything could be traded in Gloramical. Though that kind of trading was only done in the most rundown, forgotten part of the city, littered with unsavory and undesirable characters. Most sane people dared not travel there if they wished to leave with their throats in one piece.

It was in this dangerous part of the city that a cloaked figure made their way through the dark, winding narrow streets. A determined stride in their step, as if nothing was going to stop the figure from reaching their destination. If one were to give this person the quickest of glances they would not be able to discern anything of their looks or gender, the cloak rendering the figure indistinguishable.

The figure made their way down the dingy, filthy streets, the boots clothing their feet not making even a whisper of a sound. A bar soon came into sight and the person halted and seemed to study the building. Compared to most of the shops and houses in the area, it was in decent shape, though it was renowned for being one of the roughest bars in the whole city. Only the most wicked, cutthroat, merciless people used the bars services.

An odd chirping, clicking sound caught the figure’s attention and they turned to the building connected to the bar. It was a small, rundown little stable and a large; reptile like head was sticking out one of the windows and looking at the cloaked figure expectantly.

It was a beautiful animal. At first one might mistake it for a dragon and they’d only be slightly wrong. It was, in fact, a close cousin to the dragon called a drakken. They were much smaller than dragons and flightless. Most used drakken’s like one would a horse, for riding, whether for personal enjoyment or battle, and for manual labor like pulling carts.

The one currently staring down the figure had deep, emerald green eyes and its body was covered in beautiful, dark red scales. It tilted and shook its head, continually chirping at the cloaked person.

A deep, amused chuckle came from the figure and they approached the large animal. A gloved hand emerged from the folds of the cloak, followed by a bare arm, whose skin was a sun kissed golden brown.

“Hey, Drek. How’s it goin’ big guy?” the figure asked, and from the tone of the voice it was made evident it was a man hidden under the cloak.

A series of clicks came from the beast as it leaned its large head into the outstretched hand. A second hand joined the first to help scratch and pet the tough scales.

“Are you getting antsy back there, boy?” the man asked as the drakken fidgeted from one set of clawed feet to the other. “I suppose Rosalina hasn’t taken you out for a good ride lately, with as busy as she’s been. I’ll see if I can talk her into letting me get you out of here and let you stretch your legs out…if it fits into my schedule, that is.”

The odd chirps sounded more joyful at that suggestion and Drek stuck his snout in the hood to nuzzle the man’s face.

“All right, all right, that’s enough,” the figure said with a laugh, stepping back. “I have business to attend to, so I’ll come lavish attention on you later.”

With that the man left the beast and headed for the bar, taking the steps two at a time. With one hand he pushed against one of the swinging doors and let himself in. Thick smoke and a multitude of voices assaulted the figure’s senses, but they were easily tuned out. The occupant’s of the bar looked like the kind of people that crawled out of someone’s worst nightmare. All rough, tough, and intimidating in one pretty little package.

Some of these hardened citizens lifted their eyes to look at the new arrival. Those that recognized the cloaked silhouette immediately averted their eyes and kept their heads down. Other’s stared openly, not as wise as those that knew better.

Ignoring every single one of them, the figure made his way to the counter, aware of how low the volume of chatter had become and how the atmosphere became thick with tension. Someone was about to do something stupid and they all knew it.

* Suddenly two very large, burly men broke away from the crowd and stood in the cloaked man’s way. All eyes turned to them as the figure stopped and seemed to examine the two men.

“Is there something I can help you with, gentlemen?” the man asked politely.

“Yeah, there’s a great deal you can help us with,” one of the large men said. “Ya see, my friend Benj here has a sick uncle, doncha, Benj?”

“Oh yeah, sick, very sick, Sterlic,” the second man said, nodding vigorously.

“But the sad thing is, Benj has no money to get a doctor for his sick uncle. All very sad indeed. So, why don’t you be a pal and fork over some money for my buddy?” Sterlic asked with a wide grin, revealing several rotten and decayed teeth.

The figure became aware of a slight buzz around the bar as people watched the scene intently.

“Are those guys new? Do they have any idea who they’re trying to hassle?” murmured a man.

“I’d only be stupid enough to do that if I had a death wish,” said another.

“Poor Rosalina is going to have a mess on her hands,” muttered a waitress, holding a serving platter to her tightly.

A wicked grin stretched across the man’s face, hidden by his hood. The people here knew him far too well. He spread open the folds of his cloak, revealing a lean, toned body.

“Well, let us see here,” the man said as he made a show of patting down his sides that were wrapped in a tight black shirt. He made sure that the two men saw his hand brush against a long, sheathed dagger at his waist. Then the hands stopped searching and the cloak settled back into place, hiding the man’s body once more.

“Nope, I’m terribly sorry. I seemed to have left my coin bag in my other cloak. So sorry, but give my regards to your uncle,” the cloaked figure told them apologetically. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some important business to tend to,” the man said then made his way to brush by the two men. He had hardly taken a step before a hand was on his shoulder, stopping him. The figure looked at the hand then up at the man named Sterlic.

“Sorry, maybe I didn’t make myself clear,” Sterlic said. “My pal here really needs it. So fork over the money, please.” The man’s hand tightened on the shoulder in his grasp to the point of being painful.

At this point many of the people around them got up from their tables and moved to a safe distance. The two large men didn’t seem to notice or care.

A sigh issued from the cloaked figure. He had been hoping to avoid this, but it was hard to stop the stupid.

“Look, I would love to stay and “chat” but I really do have something I need to do, so I’m going to say this once,” the figure said and his tone became low and steely. “Kindly remove the hand now, before I remove it for you.”

“Oh ho ho! Did you hear that, Benj? He’s going to remove my hand for me.” Sterlic bent down enough so he and the cloaked man were face level. “I’m shakin’ in my boots,” he spat tauntingly.

“Well, I did warn you.”

In the blink of an eye Sterlic found himself on his knees with his arm twisted behind him and the cloaked man’s boot resting against his straightened elbow.

“What the hell? How’d you do that? Kayfick, stop it!” the man cursed through clenched teeth as the boot started pressing into his arm, making it bend in a way an arm was never supposed to bend.

“I was trying to be nice, really I was,” the cloaked man tsked. “But now you’ve gone and pushed my buttons. Such a bad, bad thing to do.”

A pained cry came from Sterlic as the boot jerked forward in warning when the large man tried to struggle.

“I really have no problem messing you up so bad even your own mother wouldn’t recognize your ugly mug,” the figure growled as the man in his grasp whimpered. “So just give me one reason and I’ll make you even less of a man than you are right now.”

After watching this Benj had enough and stepped forward to try and help his friend. No one talked like that to Sterlic.

“Stay where you are,” the cloaked man hissed, making Benj freeze. “Take one more step and your friend is going to have one less arm to help him through his measly little life.”

Benj looked from the man to Sterlic, not sure what to do.

A growl came from Sterlic as he looked up at the other man.

“Benj, I swear to the gods you better help me now or else you’re going to wish this guy finished me off,” he threatened venomously.

“You really want me to break your arm, don’t ya?” the figure chuckled in amusement.

Benj continued to look from one to the other then scowled at the cloak man as he advanced.

“Ooooh tsk tsk tsk. Bad decision there, Benj,” the figure sneered before looking down at the other man. “Believe me, Sterlic, this is going to hurt me a lot more than it’s going to hurt you,” he said as he lifted his foot. “No, actually I’m lying. This is going to hurt you a lot more.”

An ear splitting scream tore through the bar as Benj and the other occupants watched as the boot hit Sterlic’s elbow with such force it snapped the bones like a twig. The man was released and he crumbled to the floor in a pitiful, sobbing heap and his arm hung at an odd, gruesome angle.

“There, maybe now when someone asks you to do something nicely, you’ll do it,” The cloaked man chided, like a mother scolding a child.

Benj stared at his fallen comrade in shock then locked his eyes on the mysterious figure with hate and anger.

“You’re going to pay for that, you bastard!” he yelled in rage as he lunged at the cloaked man.

“People never learn,” the figure sighed before he jumped away just as the meaty fist swung at him.

Benj attacked with everything he had, swinging his powerful fists that would have knocked any man out cold. But no matter how hard he tried, none of his punches landed. The cloaked man dodged easily with such agile grace that Benj had never seen before.

The excitement in the bar started to crackle and mount as the two men went at it. The people around them cheered and hollered, encouraging the fight to continue.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” they all chanted and some began to bang on the tables in rhythm to the cries.

Benj snarled savagely as he missed the man again and his fist went straight through a table. Once he locked the cloak figure in his sights he rushed at him and aimed to crush the man’s head in. A gasp passed Benj’s lips and his eyes widened when the cloaked figure stopped the huge fist with only one hand.

“I think you need to find a better moron to follow,” the man advised. “So I won’t have to do this again.” As quick as a cobra’s strike, the heel of the figure’s hand connected with Benj’s nose, crushing it instantly.

Benj’s cry of pain was stifled as thick blood gushed from his nose and soaked the lower part of his face. The man stumbled back as he covered his broken nose, trying in vain to stop the flood of blood. Distracted, he had no chance to defend himself as the cloaked man’s foot kicked him in the gut and sent him flying back, effectively breaking another table.

“Well, that takes care of that,” the figure said as he clapped his hands together, as if dusting off some horrible filth. He was rather surprised when an arm was suddenly around his neck, trapping him between it and the strong body it was connected to.

“I’m going to kayficking kill you, you cocky bastard,” Sterlic’s voice hissed in the man’s ear as his good, muscular arm worked on crushing the trapped throat.

Everyone in the bar watched in stunned silence as strained gasps for air and harsh coughing and wheezing came from the cloaked man. A strangled cry came from him and he clawed at the steel like appendage as he was lifted right off his feet and left dangling in the air, strangling him more.

In a desperate attempt to free himself, one of the cloaked man’s hands fumbled for the dagger at his waist. When his fingers wrapped around the rough hilt it was quickly drawn and the gleaming blade cut a deep gash into the arm.

Sterlic let out a guttural cry as he dropped the man and tried to stop the flow of blood with his other hand, but it laid useless at his side.

As soon as the cloaked man hit the ground in a crouch he swung around and plunged his dagger into the most vulnerable part of any man.

All the men in the bar turned their gaze and made sympathetic grunts, covering their own family jewels.

Sterlic’s voice was left raw from his screams as he dropped to his knees and cradled his groin with his hand, the blood from his arm mingling with the blood from his nether regions.

“Son of a kayficking whore,” the cloaked figure snarled and his boot bashed against the side of Sterlic’s head, sending him sprawling to the ground and he made no move to get back up.

When the cloaked man was sure Sterlic was out of commission he allowed himself to lower his blade and grip his abused throat with his free hand. The figure climbed to his feet as he coughed harshly, mentally scolding himself for letting his guard down. He groaned when he saw Benj up again and blood was still pouring from his nose, but he was clearly ready for another round.

“What? You want more of this?” the cloaked man snapped, pointing his bloody dagger at the man. “ ‘Cause trust me, I was going easy on you before, but now you two are really starting to piss me off and you’re really not going to like me when I’m angry,” he told Benj, becoming less and less amused by the situation.

Benj looked from the figure to Sterlic’s unconscious form and back. The man narrowed his eyes and took a fighting stance.

“Say your brars!” Benj yelled as best he could and just when he was about to lunge at the cloaked man a bright, blinding light filled the bar and everyone cried out as an earsplitting whistle followed.

When the light faded away it took everyone several moments to see clearly again.

“That is quite enough,” an irritated voice told the dazed, fighting pair.

Everyone in the bar looked to see who had stopped the fight and instantly huddled down and remained silent when they saw the owner of the voice.

It was a very beautiful woman, but the stern look on her face commanded the utmost respect. Luscious, curly brown hair framed her face and cascaded down her shoulders and contrasted her green and white dress that served to lift and show off her bosom and constrict her small waist.

“Break it up, both of you,” she ordered, glaring at both Benj and the cloaked man in turn. “I will not have this senseless fighting in my bar. If you want to act like savages and kill each other than do it outside.”

The cloaked man quickly wiped his dagger off on Benj’s shirt, before the large man realized it, and sheathed it. He then made a slight bow to the woman.

“Sorry, Rosalina, but they started it,” he apologized and inclined his head in Benj’s direction.

“I don’t care who started it just knock it off. Don’t make me use this again,” Rosalina huffed, holding up a pale stone that had caused the flash of light and the excruciating noise.

Benj side glanced at the cloaked man before glaring at the bar owner.

“Shud your mouth, bar whore! You can’d orber me around!” he yelled at her. His eyes widened and he stiffened when the dagger that had been put away was now at his throat.

“I’m sorry, but did you just call her a bar whore?” the cloaked man asked, his voice low and dangerous. He slowly came around until he was in front of Benj and the tip of his dagger was resting right beneath the man’s jawbone. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you how to talk to a lady?”

Benj’s body shook as the blade tip broke the skin and a small trail of blood ran down his neck and joined the rest of the crimson fluid that covered him.

”I think I’ll show you to the door,” the cloaked man hissed and used his dagger to prod Benj to walk backwards, toward the door. When they were out on the small porch the figure withdrew his blade.

Before Benj could even think to sigh in relief a swift kick to the chest sent the large man barreling down the stairs and to the filthy dirt street below.

“Hold on, one more thing,” the cloaked figure said as he retreated back inside.

Just as Benj was climbing to his feet something came hurtling out the swinging doors and bowled the man over as it crashed into him. A groan came from the thing and Benj realized it was Sterlic.

“Don’t forget to take that with you,” the cloaked man said as he reemerged from the bar and crossed his arms. “Now, I suggest you leave before I take Rosalina’s advice and finish you off out here.” He watched as Benj quickly got up and began dragging his friend with him. “And if I ever see you here again it’ll be the last mistake you ever make!” the figure called after them. Once the two were out of sight the cloaked man turned and went back into the bar, greeted by a wave of cheers.

The figure made his way to the counter, graciously accepting compliments and slaps on the back from the other occupants.

“You sure showed them. I knew those guys were sniveling wimps.”

“They had no idea who they were messing with.”

“That was amazing! You’ll have to teach me how to fight like that sometime.”

“It’s never boring when you’re around.”

The cloaked man smirked. The people that knew him and his reputation did whatever it took to stay on his good side, knowing full well what he was capable of. It always amused him.

Once he broke away from the crowd he sat at the bar counter, signaling to the other’s that he was done with them and they all dispersed and went back to their business quickly.

Rosalina sighed wearily as she walked behind the counter after ordering a few of her people to clean up the mess the fight had caused.

“I leave to get something from the cellar for just a few minutes and all hell breaks loose,” she muttered. Rosalina placed the pale stone underneath the counter and sighed again as she stood back up. Placing her elegant hands on the counter surface she stared at the cloaked man with narrowed eyes.

“What?” the man asked innocently.

“What? That’s all you have to say for yourself?” Rosalina asked and suddenly smacked him upside the head.

“Ow! Hey!” the man exclaimed, covering his head with his arms.

“Do you have to cause a ruckus every time you come in here, Kyran?” the woman asked, crossing her arms under her breasts, making them look even perkier. “You know I hate it when these people get all riled up. Believe it or not I’m trying to run a decent establishment here.”

“By serving the cutthroats and the scoundrels?” the man known as Kyran asked incredulously.

“Someone has to feed and water the lot,” Rosalina replied with a shrug.

“Hmm I suppose,” Kyran said. “But really, Rosalina, what was I to do? Just let those two push me around? For once I really didn’t start it. I was actually trying to end it before anything happened, but you see how well that went over. There’s only so much I’ll take from someone that isn’t you.”

The bar owner shook her head and turned to grab a bottle from the shelf behind her.

“Well, if it couldn’t be helped it couldn’t be helped,” she said as she pulled out the stopper and poured the contents into the glass. “And I suppose you have my gratitude for running those two out of here.” Rosalina placed the glass in front of the man and returned the bottle to its perch.

“Why do you say that?” Kyran asked as he lifted the glass and sniffed at its contents. “Oooh, Rosalina, I’m flattered. This is your good stuff,” he said as he took a small swig of it.

“Well, call it a thank you for doing my dirty work. Those two have been coming in here the last few weeks hustling my customers, like I guess they tried to do to you. I’ve tried time and time again to keep them out, but they kept sneaking in here when I wasn’t looking,” Rosalina told him as she leaned her crossed arms on the counter. “Then there’s also the fact,” the woman said, lowering her voice, “that I hear that Sterlic guy you just de-maned is a rapist. Of course, that’s just the rumor floating around,” she said casually as she grabbed a rag and began wiping down the counter.

“Really?” Kyran asked, becoming rigid and still before downing the rest of his drink. “I should have figured. I wish I had known so I could have made sure to cut the disgusting thing off completely.”

Kyran had his own faults, he would never say different, but rapists he found the lowest of the low in the crime hierarchy. He had no mercy for them and had taken out a good few in his time. If he had known Sterlic was a rapist he doubted the man would have left the bar still breathing.

“Kyran, take the hood down,” Rosalina said, drawing the man out of his mulling. “There’s no reason to wear it in here.”

”Awe you’re no fun,” Kyran chuckled. “How am I supposed to look mysterious and menacing with it off?” he asked, but reached up and pulled it down regardless.

Glossy black hair was shaken out of its confines and settled gently along the man’s back, caressing where the middle of his shoulder blades were. Kyran tucked a few strands behind his right ear where earring clips were placed in his earlobe and the top of his ear and the two were connected by a thin, silver chain. His tanned skin made his startling red eyes that much more piercing and they gleamed with playful mischief. Overall the man was exotic looking, by Gloramical standards, and extremely handsome. Kyran could make both men and women swoon if he turned on the charm, which he used whenever it benefited him.

“You don’t need a ratty old hood to make you look mysterious and menacing,” Rosalina told him with a roll of her eyes.

Kyran rested his elbow on the counter and held his chin in his hand. He grinned at the woman and showed off his white teeth.

“I know, but its fun anyways,” he said.

“Right. So, where have you been? You haven’t visited me in a few weeks. I was starting to get worried,” Rosalina asked as she prepared another drink for a customer further down the counter.

“The mighty Miss Rosalina was worried about little ol’ me?” Kyran asked. “My you’re just turning on the flattery today. First free drinks now you’re worried about me. I think I’m going to start blushing soon,” he teased.

“Down boy,” Rosalina told him. “The only reason I’m worried about you is because if you go down for one of your little stunts I’m most likely going to go down with you as an accomplice for hiding you away time and time again,” she said dryly.

“Ooh, Rosalina, you wound me so,” Kyran said dramatically.

“Good,” the bar owner said with a small smile. “So, really, what have you been up to?” she asked again.

“Mmm, plotting,” Kyran replied simply.

“Plotting?”

“Plotting.”

“I don’t like it when you plot,” Rosalina said with a frown and her brows creased. “It usually ends with me getting a headache, wanting to tear my hair out, and get the urge to run you through a wall.”

“I tend to have that effect on women,” Kyran said coyly with a lazy smirk.

“So what are you plotting this time?” she asked, placing a hand on her hip.

“Ah ah ah, no, no, my dear, Rosalina,” the man chided with a wag of his finger. “Just like an artist never reveals his masterpiece before it’s finished, a thief never discusses his plans before they come to fruition.”

“You and your secrecy,” Rosalina muttered with a roll of her eyes. “So are you taking a break from your plotting by gracing my humble bar with your presence?” she asked sarcastically.

“Ever the sharp tongue you have, my dear,” Kyran said with a grin. “But no, I’m fitting the last pieces of my plan here before I execute them,” he explained.

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I’m meeting our ever friendly merchant Rasputin Gabor here. He has a certain item I’m interested in acquiring from him,” Kyran told her.

Just as Rosalina opened her mouth a scruffy orange tabby jumped up onto the counter. It rubbed up against the woman then turned to Kyran and let out a plaintive meow at him.

“Hey there, Marmalade, long time no see,” the man greeted as he ran his gloved hand along the cat’s back. It meowed loudly at him again before jumping up onto his shoulders and purring loudly as it rubbed itself against his head.

“I swear, I don’t know how you do it,” Rosalina said incredulously. “That cat is a ball of teeth and claws to everyone but me, but the second you’re here she turns into a lump of purrs and love.”

”I think you’re forgetting who found her and deposited her into your care,” Kyran chuckled as the cat draped herself over his broad shoulders and butted her head against the man’s cheek.

“Hmm, you have a point. Now, about you and Rasputin,” Rosalina said, going back to the matter at hand. “How many times have I told you I don’t like you doing that kind of business in my bar?”

Kyran pretend to count on his fingers while his other hand was busy petting Marmalade.

“I think I stopped counting after the first few hundred,” he told her, and smiled sheepishly at the glare he received. “Oh, come on, Rosalina, you know you love me. My business is always innocent compared to the other transactions that people do in here. What’s the big deal if I do a little deal here and there?”

“Because it’s those “Little deals” that could cause this place to be shut down and I can’t afford that. And you know I’m just as strict with the people here as I am you, if not more,” the woman told him as she let one of her bartenders pass behind her.

“Like anyone would have the balls to try and shut you down?” Kyran asked, his cheek resting against his knuckles again. “You have more connections in this city than the mightiest Slum Lord.”

“Even so, precaution is everything,” Rosalina retorted. “Connections can only get you so far.”

“All right, if you really don’t want me doing business here I’ll tell Rasputin to meet me somewhere else,” Kyran offered, not wanting to go against the bar owner’s wishes.

Rosalina stared at him before sighing and waving her hand in a dismissal gesture.

“No, I suppose it won’t do any harm,” she said. “Besides, your business partner is already here.”

Kyran blinked at her before turning in his seat and seeing a tall, robust man with unruly red hair and matching beard standing directly behind him. The man stared at the seated man with scrutinizing eyes.

“That was a pretty fancy display you put on. Never one to miss a chance to show off like a trained monkey, I see,” the man said gruffly.

“Rasputin! You made it! As punctual as ever,” Kyran said brightly, ignoring the insulting comments.

Rasputin grunted and his cheek fluttered with an annoyed tick.

“Let’s just get this over with. There are far more important things I could be wasting my time on.”

Kyran sighed and pouted at the man.

“And as impatient as ever too,” he muttered.

“If you boys want some privacy you’re free to use the back room. It’d better than someone spying what you’re doing and getting any ideas,” Rosalina offered as she reached into the top of her dress and produced a small, brass key, seemingly from her cleavage.

Kyran took the offered item and coaxed Marmalade off his shoulder’s, to the great displeasure of the feline.

“You’re a doll, Rosalina,” he said as he slid off the bar stool and headed to the back of the building with Rasputin right on his heels. When they came to the designated room Kyran unlocked it and the men entered before anyone took notice.

It was a small room Rosalina used for storage of both items and paperwork for the bar. Shelves filled with boxes and binders lined the walls and a table was pushed almost all the way to the back.

Rasputin closed the door behind them as Kyran hopped up on the table and made himself comfortable.

“So, old buddy, old pal. Did you bring it?” he asked with a cheeky grin.

A deep frown was set in Rasputin’s face as he walked over to the other man.

“Of course I did. There’d be no reason for me to be here if I didn’t and I’m not your buddy or your pal,” the merchant said as he pushed Kyran off the table. He ignored the protest that came from Kyran as he pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment from his coat.

“I believe this is what you were looking for,” Rasputin said with a smug grin as he unfurled the parchment and laid it out on the table before he stepped back to let Kyran have a look.

Kyran’s eyes studied every inch of the parchment, not overlooking the smallest detail. It was a map, a very extravagant map that showed every nook and cranny to whatever building it belonged to. Kyran traced his finger along one of the paths until it ended in the very center of the map.

“Magnificent. Spectacular. Wonderful!” Kyran exclaimed with unabashed glee. “It shows every pathway ever built in the catacombs and which ones are false ends and which are the true paths! This is absolutely brilliant! However did you come across such a treasure?” he asked, turning to the man standing behind him patiently.

Rasputin glared at him and grunted.

“That is my business. You know I never disclose any information on where I get my goods.”

Kyran rolled his eyes and waved his hand as he turned back to the map.

“Right. Right. How silly of me. Ooh this will make things go so much smoother and I won’t get my ass lost again and that first time was just for scouting, mind you,” the man muttered to himself.

“So you’re actually going to go through with your little plan to try and steal from the castle?” Rasputin asked, crossing his arms with a disbelieving look.

Kyran turned to him and leaned his hand against the table as his other hand rested on his hip.

“Of course, I wouldn’t ask you for this delicious little item if I wasn’t serious. And I’m not going to try I will steal from the castle. Not just steal, but rob those snobs’ blind. My only road block was not knowing my way through the catacombs, but with the help from this little baby, that’s not going to be an issue now,” he explained with a broad grin.

Rasputin shook his head, not believing what the man was saying.

“You’re crazy, you know that? If the Count catches you your life will be as good as done for,” he told Kyran and slid his finger across his throat, accenting his point.

Kyran’s eyebrows rose in a look of surprise, before he smirked.

“Oh, is that concern I hear in your voice?” he asked teasingly.

The red head snorted.

“Don’t you wish? You’d be worth more to me dead than alive. I’m just giving you fair warning is all.”

“And it has been duly noted, but nothing is going to stop me. This will be my greatest achievement to date. My masterpiece! What do I care if there are a few risks involved? Risk is what makes a heist worth it. It’s the attraction to this profession. If there was no risk to stealing than I would consider leaving it behind and going legit,” Kyran said as his eyes roamed over the map, trying to absorb every detail. He gave a start when a booming laugh sounded behind him.

“You? Legit?” Rasputin roared with laughter, a rare sight to see. “Now that’s a good one, Kyran. The great and fearsome “Phantom Shadow” going the straight and narrow? I think the world would end before that happened,” the man chortled.

Kyran huffed and pouted as he rolled up the map.

”It’s not that funny,” he muttered as he slipped the parchment in his cloak. “And don’t use my thief name so freely. You think I want everyone finding out who the man is under the mask?” he growled lowly.

“Sadly, no, which is why you’re blackmailing me to make sure your secret remains a secret,” Rasputin grumbled, looking away from the smaller man.

“You’re kayficking right I am. You know my secrets and I know yours. So if you happen to let mine “slip” yours will suddenly be the talk of the town,” Kyran warned.

“And don’t forget that works both ways,” Rasputin shot back.

“Exactly, that’s why our relationship has been working so well,” Kyran said with a grin as he saddled up beside the man and gave him a pat on the back. “Now, Rasputin, old boy, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you,” he said as he took a step back and gave a deep bow. “But I must be off. I must put the finishing touches to my plans for the greatest heist that will go down in the history books!”

Kyran made his way to the door, but Rasputin grabbed a handful of his cloak and wrenched him back.

“Not so fast,” the merchant growled.

“What?” Kyran asked in bewilderment and blinked when the man’s hand was suddenly in his face.

“My payment, Kyran. You may be crazy, but you’re a damn fool if you think I’m going to give you a map like that for free,” Rasputin told him, a hint of menace in his voice.

Kyran laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head.

“Oh, right, sorry about that. I nearly forgot,” he said innocently as he reached into his cloak.

“Yeah, I just bet you did,” Rasputin spat, not amused in the least.

Kyran pulled out a small, cloth bag that jingled as he presented it to the man.

“Here you are. Gold and silver pieces that are worth roughly around five thousand coins, just as you asked. Thanks for your help,” he said with a grin as he tossed the bag to the other man.

Rasputin caught it and weighed the bag in his hand before opening it and drawing out a lump of gold. He looked it over carefully before biting into it to see if it was real.

“Oh, Raspy, that hurts,” Kyran said, looking aghast. “Must you do that in front of me? Do you not trust me that much?” he asked dramatically.

Rasputin put the gold back and retied the bag.

“Don’t call me Raspy and I trust you just about as far as I can throw you,” he snapped as he pocketed the bag.

“I don’t think that’s the expression you want to be using, big guy,” Kyran said with a smirk and a pat to the man’s arm. “I’m sure you could throw me clear to the next block.”

Rasputin growled and he smacked the younger man upside the head.

“Don’t get smart with me,” he grumbled.

“Ow, learn to take a joke, will ya?” Kyran said as he rubbed his head. “And what’s with everyone smacking me around today?” he muttered as they exited the room and Kyran made sure to relock it.

They slipped back into the main room without anyone noticing. When the men approached the counter Marmalade was the first to spot them and she yowled at Kyran, who responded by petting and scratching the attention needing feline.

“So, you’re all done with your little deal?” Rosalina asked as she finished wiping off the counter again. More of her product ended up on the counter than it did in her customers.

“Yep, all squared away and I thank you kindly for use of the room,” Kyran said as he gave her back the key. Marmalade yowled again and the man scratched under her chin as he rubbed his face in the cat’s fur. No one noticed when he whispered something in the tabby’s furry ear.

“No problem. I can actually say that I can trust you more with things like that than anyone else,” Rosalina told him.

“See, Rosalina trusts me,” Kyran said smugly to his business associate.

Rasputin grunted and shook his head.

“Why is beyond me,” he grumbled.

Kyran laughed as he lavished a bit more attention on Marmalade.

“Well, I shall catch you two around. I have much to attend to and time is of the essence. So I shall bid you both good day,” he said respectively.

“All right, goodbye, Kyran, and stay out of trouble,” Rosalina said, though she knew that was impossible. Trouble and Kyran could be considered lovers.

Kyran chuckled mischievously as he leaned over the counter.

“But I like trouble,” he said and planted a kiss on the bar owner’s lips before she could react. The man then turned on his heel and ran for his life. He was out the door before Rosalina even realized what happened.

“Kyran Ardon!” she screeched, using his full name. “You little hooligan! Get back here!” Rosalina clenched her teeth and seethed when she realized he was long gone. “That little bastard. No one steals a kiss from me. Not even a thief,” she grumbled. Oh she was going to make him pay.

“See, what did I say? You can’t trust the man,” Rasputin said and sputtered when the rag was thrown in his face.

“You be quiet,” Rosalina snapped.

Rasputin scrunched his face and wiggled his nose as he pulled the offending material off.

“Only telling you what you already know,” he said as the woman snatched the rag back.

“Speaking of what I do and do not know,” Rosalina said, crossing her arms and staring up at the giant of a man. “What is Kyran scheming now? What is it that you gave him?” she ordered.

“Now, Rosalina, as a business woman yourself you know I can’t tell you that. As much as I despise the man I must abide by the code of confidentiality,” he told her matter-of-factly.

Rosalina tapped a finger against her arm and if looks could kill Rasputin would have hit the floor.

“Rasputin, darling,” she said as she leaned over the counter and placed her hand on his chest. Her voice was eerily sweet and red flags went off in the merchants head. “When I ask a question I expect an answer. So—” The dainty hand was suddenly tangled in the red hair of Rasputin’s beard and yanked him down so the two were eye level. “Rasputin. Now,” the woman hissed.

A pained grunt rumbled in the man’s throat and he was sure that the woman was going to rip his precious beard out by the roots.

“All right, all right,” Rasputin murmured in defeat and rubbed his chin when Rosalina released him. “Kyran is planning to break into the Count’s castle and steal from his private Treasure Chamber,” he explained in a whisper and noted the horrified look that appeared on the bar owner’s face. “I just supplied him with a map that will give him a way to enter the castle undetected. The rest is up to him.”

Rosalina stared at him, not believing what he just told her.

“The castle? No, not even he would be stupid enough to attempt something so—so utterly moronic!”

“I thought the same thing when he told me,” Rasputin said as he straightened his posture. “But I’m telling you what I know and when he gets that mad glint in his eye, you know he’s serious.”

Rosalina groaned and buried her fingers in her hair.

“Oooh, that man is going to give me grey hairs! He’s so infuriating! Does he honestly think if he attempts this crazy plan that he’ll escape with his life?”

“Who knows? He is either very confident or very foolish,” Rasputin replied.

Rosalina crossed her arms and blew a strand of hair out of her face.

“How about both?”

Meanwhile, Kyran was loitering in an alley across from the bar. He was still chuckling over his little stunt. Messing with Rosalina was so much fun; she was a great sport. Kyran was very fond of the strong willed woman. She was one of the only ones in the city that he could honestly say he cared for. Rosalina was like the big sister he never had and Kyran loved her dearly for it.

He could still remember the first day he had stumbled into Gloramical, looking for a new city to dwell in. Kyran had found himself in trouble with the law almost immediately, which he found to be a ritual when he moved somewhere new. He ducked in the first place he could find for safety, which happened to be Rosalina’s bar. Without so much as a word she had hid him from the soldiers in pursuit of him and they didn’t dare question Rosalina when she said she hadn’t seen anything. After that, and after she gave Kyran a good scolding and a thrashing, they had become good friends, even if Rosalina wouldn’t admit she cared for the man.

Kyran reached for his hood and pulled it over his head, hiding his face. He waited against the wall of the alley, mentally ticking off the minutes in his head.

“Three, two…one.” Kyran grinned widely when a commotion came from the bar and Rasputin’s voice carried over to him.

“Son of a whore! Rosalina, your cat attacked me!!!”

A moment later Marmalade bounded out of the bar and ran across the street to Kyran. The man held out his arms and the cat leapt into them. He chuckled as he took a small bag from the cat’s mouth, who purred happily in his arms.

“Good job, Marmalade. Who’s my girl? Who’s my girl? And they say cat’s can’t learn anything,” he cooed to the orange tabby as he scratched under her chin. “I got a map and my money back, a good day I must say.” He adjusted the cat in his arms in order to open the bag and deposit half of its contents into a pocket in his cloak. He closed the bag and held it up to Marmalade.

“Go take this to Rosalina’s room. I’m sure she could use it,” Kyran instructed.

Marmalade took the bag in her mouth and jumped from the man’s arms. She trotted across the street and instead of going back in the bar the cat made her way up on top of the stable. She then leapt to the overhang that covered the porch and slipped into a half open window on the second floor.

Kyran smiled and his cloak fluttered as he turned and disappeared down the alley.

“Sorry, Raspy, but easy come easy go. He is right though,” the man muttered to himself as the afternoon sun painted the sky blood red and orange. “Putting your trust in a thief is a risk not worth taking.”

==================Ch. 1 End

*Snickers and rolls around* Oh my God. I can’t believe I forgot how much I love these characters and I love them even more now since I’m developing their personalities more than previously. Especially Rosalina, she’s just a wild little fire cracker. I’m now all antsy to see how much different this new, improved version will be compared to its counterpart.

Do tell me what you think and I know there was some abdominal kissing between a man and a woman *hides* But believe me the next chapter is going to be filled with yummy man love, so stayed tuned and remember reviews are love *lick*