The streets of Dawnhaven Port were alive with noise and chaos. My boots thudded against the cobblestones as I ran, my chest burning and legs aching. Behind me, shouts and heavy footsteps grew louder, chasing me like a pack of angry dogs.
"Still on me?" I muttered under my breath, a grin creeping onto my face. "You guys don't give up, huh? Must really hate me. Oh wait, that's right—I'm the thief. How could I forget?"
The air was thick with the salty smell of the port, mixed with the stench of garbage. I ducked around a corner, narrowly avoiding a fruit vendor pushing his cart. The guards weren't far behind, their yells echoing in the narrow alley.
"Alright, alright," I said quietly, shaking my head. "You're so curious about me? Let me start from the top."
My name? Let's just say I've got a few. None that are safe to say out loud. People like me live in the cracks of the city, slipping through shadows when no one's looking. When the sun is out, I'm invisible. At night? I'm the guy you blame when your coin purse goes missing.
I work for the forgotten—the thieves, the outcasts, the ones who don't fit into the world's neat little rules. It's not much, but it's better than starving in the gutter.
Right now, though, it didn't feel like much of a life. With the guards breathing down my neck, I could barely think. I darted between two stalls, pushing through the crowd. Their shouts were getting closer.
How did I end up here? That's a long story. But tonight, it all started with a golden book and the promise of trouble.
I turned a corner too fast, nearly slipping on the wet stone. My grin vanished as I saw what was waiting for me.
It was the city's senior guard. The boss. The guy whose house I had just robbed.
"Grandpa!" I said, throwing my hands up in mock surprise. "What are you doing out here? It's late! You should be in bed before you hurt yourself."
His sword flashed, but I was already moving. I ducked low, his blade slicing through the air above me, and sprang up. For a second, I balanced on his shoulders, grinning down at him.
Then I pushed off, flipping through the air and landing behind him. His angry roar filled the alley as I disappeared into the shadows, laughing as I ran.
"Nice try!" I called over my shoulder. "Better luck next time!"
The moonlight cast long shadows over Dawnhaven. The city was beautiful at night, even with its dirt and broken streets. The guards' footsteps faded behind me, and for a moment, I let myself breathe.
But then a chill ran down my spine. Nova. My brother. He had warned me not to mess this up. His voice echoed in my mind, cold and sharp.
Don't fail me.
I ducked into an empty alley, peeling off my coat and pulling out the disguise beneath. In moments, the scruffy thief was gone. I adjusted my glasses, straightened my hat, and slipped the golden book into my pocket. Now I was just another gentleman walking the streets.
By the time I reached the market, I blended into the crowd. No one gave me a second glance as I haggled for vegetables, acting like an ordinary man with nothing to hide.
Once my shopping was done, I headed for the slums. The air grew heavier, and the streets darker. This was Dawnhaven's true face—the one people didn't talk about. Crumbling buildings leaned against each other like drunks after a fight, and the smell of rot clung to the air.
I passed familiar faces. Fellow thieves and rogues. Most nodded in greeting. A few just stared. In this world, trust was a rare thing. Everyone fought for themselves.
Then I saw them—a group of men in a dark alley, their fists hammering down on a small figure curled on the ground. A kid. My fists clenched, but I kept walking. Stepping in wasn't an option. Mercy didn't belong in these streets.
Shaking my head, I pushed on, the glow of Blood Alley lighting my way. Taverns and brothels lined the streets, their signs flickering like dying stars. Thugs and shady merchants watched from the shadows, their eyes following my every move.
At last, I reached the edge of the slums. The buildings here were old and crumbling, their walls thick with grime. Everything felt still, as if the city itself had forgotten this place.
I approached a hidden door, its frame disguised by dirt and decay. With a practiced motion, I unlocked it and slipped inside. The heavy door shut behind me, muffling the noise of the city.
The chamber below was quiet and safe, hidden from the chaos above. This was my home. My sanctuary. A place where shadows like me could finally rest.