Hikaru sprinted through the shadowed streets, the echoes of their battle with Aldric still ringing in his ears. The city stretched beneath the night sky, its lantern-lit roads winding into districts where their presence would be noticed in minutes.
He had to move fast.
Budi kept pace beside him, breathing even despite the fight. Selene pushed herself forward, though her steps were slightly unsteady—her injured wrist and exhaustion weighing her down.
Hikaru exhaled. "Okay. That could've gone worse."
Budi gave him a flat stare. "Aldric almost killed us."
"Yeah, almost. That means we won."
Selene ignored them both. "We need to get off the streets. The Magisterium will already be looking for us, and if Aldric survived that fall—"
"He did," Hikaru muttered. "No way a guy like that dies from bad luck."
"—then we have even less time."
Budi glanced behind them. "Alright. So where do we go?"
Hikaru flicked a card into his fingers. The city had plenty of places to hide, but right now, they needed a safe house, not just a random alley.
A place outside the kingdom's reach.
Then he smirked.
"I know a guy."
Budi groaned. "Of course you do."
The Crooked Hand – Underground Den of Liars
The inn was barely standing.
Wedged between two leaning buildings, its wooden frame sagged at odd angles, as if it had been designed by someone who had never seen a straight line. The windows were fogged, the sign was missing letters, and the front door had a noticeable axe mark in the center.
Hikaru stepped inside like he owned the place.
Budi followed, muttering, "This place looks like it should've collapsed years ago."
Selene glanced around cautiously. Despite her exhaustion, her silver eyes were still sharp. "Are you sure this is safe?"
Hikaru grinned. "Define safe."
Inside, the inn wasn't any better.
The air smelled of cheap ale, damp wood, and bad decisions. Several patrons sat at crooked tables, all equally suspicious-looking. A few had hoods pulled low, one was missing an eye, and another was sharpening a knife that was already sharp.
And behind the counter—
A massive, scarred man leaned against a shelf, cleaning a glass with a rag that was probably dirtier than the glass.
His gaze landed on Hikaru.
And he sighed.
"Not you again."
Hikaru grinned. "Miss me, old man?"
The bartender grunted. "No."
Budi tilted his head. "You two know each other?"
Hikaru strolled up to the counter. "Budi, meet Gregor. He runs the best illegal gambling ring in the lower district."
Gregor rubbed his temple. "It's not illegal."
"Right, right." Hikaru smirked. "It's just heavily frowned upon."
Gregor grumbled. "What do you want?"
Hikaru leaned against the counter. "A room. Preferably one that isn't full of knives."
Gregor eyed him, then glanced at Selene. "And who's she?"
Selene didn't respond.
Hikaru waved a hand. "Just someone who needs a bed. Long day."
Gregor sighed deeply. "This is gonna be trouble."
Hikaru grinned. "When isn't it?"
Gregor shook his head, tossing a key onto the counter. "Upstairs. Second room on the left. If the floor breaks, it's your problem."
Budi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean if?"
Gregor didn't answer.
Hikaru scooped up the key and led them upstairs.
Temporary Shelter
The room was barely holding together.
The wooden floor creaked ominously, the ceiling had exposed beams, and the window was half-covered with an old cloth.
But it was safe.
For now.
Selene sat down heavily on the single bed, her expression unreadable. Budi paced near the window, checking the street below.
Hikaru leaned against the door, flipping a card between his fingers.
Budi exhaled. "Alright. We made it out. Now what?"
Hikaru flicked the card up, catching it. "Now? We figure out what the hell we almost released."
Selene looked at him. "You already know, don't you?"
Hikaru smirked. "I know it wasn't human."
Budi crossed his arms. "We figured that out when it started whispering in our heads."
Hikaru let the card spin between his fingers. "But it didn't try to kill us. Didn't even break the door."
Selene's voice was quiet. "Because it wasn't meant to leave. It was waiting for something else."
Hikaru's grin faded slightly.
The door didn't open all the way.
It only cracked.
Which meant someone else had to open it fully.
Budi clicked his tongue. "So… there's another player in this game?"
Hikaru exhaled. "Looks like it."
Silence settled over the room.
Then—
A soft knock at the door.
Budi tensed instantly. "We weren't followed."
Selene stilled.
Hikaru flicked a card into his palm. "Well. Let's see who found us."
He cracked the door open.
And on the other side—
Was a young boy.
Barefoot, wearing ragged clothes, his eyes wide with fear.
He held up a small, folded note.
Hikaru took it carefully, unfolding it.
There was no signature.
Just a single, handwritten message.
"Meet me at the old bell tower. Midnight. No tricks."
Hikaru's fingers tightened on the note.
Budi peered over his shoulder. "Well, that's sketchy."
Selene glanced at him. "You're going, aren't you?"
Hikaru smirked. "Obviously."
Budi sighed. "Of course."
The kid fidgeted nervously. "A-Are you him? The Card Trick Man?"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "That's a new one."
The boy looked around quickly, as if afraid someone was watching.
Then—
He whispered.
"They're watching you."
Hikaru's grin vanished.
The boy bolted down the hall.
And in the distance—
A bell tolled.
Not midnight.
But an hourglass running out.