The towering gates of the Coliseum loomed behind Anazitis and Lion as they stepped inside. The crowd's deafening roar poured out after them—a chaotic blend of cheers and jeers that echoed through the bustling city streets. Neither of them looked back.
Some said the match had been the best, others claimed it was over, but the memory lingered in their minds.
Outside, the streets buzzed with life. Merchants called out to passersby, hawking everything from glimmering trinkets to weapons that looked suspiciously well-worn. The mingling scents of roasted meat, fresh bread, and unwashed bodies assaulted the senses. Children darted through the crowd, their laughter rising above the din—playful and full of joy—while a drunken brawl spilled out from a nearby tavern, accompanied by distant music and laughter.
Anazitis moved swiftly, his eyes watching the lively crowd as a faint smile touched his lips. Behind him, Lion's imposing frame parted the throng with ease. His cold, unreadable expression and sheer size ensured no one dared stand in his way.
"They're loud and lively here," Lion muttered as they passed through the streets. "City folk are so chaotic. The forest is still the best place."
A merchant shouted, "You'll get used to the city, most adventurers and travelers do. Just takes a few days."
Anazitis glanced at Lion. "I'm used to living here now."
"What are you selling here?" Anazitis asked the merchant.
"Just a few weapons, hah."
Lion smirked. "I prefer my hands, but you've got a great collection. Try selling them in the ruins or the forest."
"That's what we do, hah. You know our plans well."
As they moved away from the noisy market, the clamor softened, replaced by the quieter hum of the city's outskirts. Their destination came into view—a modest hotel with a wooden façade, its sign bearing a carved crescent moon cradling a lantern.
---
A Night of Rest
Inside, the hotel was a world apart from the chaos outside. Warmth radiated from a crackling hearth, and the faint scent of lavender filled the air. Polished wooden floors creaked softly beneath their feet, while a handful of patrons nursed drinks at scattered tables.
The silver-haired receptionist greeted them with a polite nod. "Second floor, last room on the left," she said, handing over a key.
The room was small but serviceable. Two sturdy beds with quilted blankets stood against opposite walls. A round table sat in the center, accompanied by two worn chairs. A small, unlit hearth occupied one corner, above which hung a faded painting of a forest.
Lion dropped onto the bed nearest the window with a sigh, kicking off his boots and stretching out. "Finally," he muttered, staring at the ceiling.
Anazitis looked at him and said, "You look like you never rest," before pulling a rolled-up book from beneath his cloak. "I've been writing notes, just in case."
"You're not going to rest?" Lion cracked one eye open.
"Not yet," Anazitis replied without looking up, his focus unwavering as his mind turned over what was to come.
Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the occasional creak as Lion shifted. Then the door creaked open, and Halfy sauntered in with his usual exaggerated flair.
"Hello, not-so-cool people," Halfy announced, his grin firmly in place.
Lion chuckled. Anazitis smirked, watching Halfy. "And here's our champion," he said.
Halfy's ears turned red, but his grin didn't waver. He flopped into one of the chairs, propping his boots on its edge. "So, what's the plan?"
---
The Plan
Anazitis gestured at his notes. "Here's how it works. Halfy, you'll be the distraction. Tomorrow, your job is to draw as much attention as possible—especially from the knights. You know what to do."
Halfy leaned back, folding his arms. "Easy. All I have to do is show my face, and the whole city stares. Relax—it's our first time doing this in a while, and no one knows about our movement."
Lion snorted, muttering under his breath, "That's not wrong, but we never take or investigate under strong people—that makes me uneasy."
Anazitis smirked. "Lion, you'll head to the tavern near the knights' barracks. Start a fight—but nothing too serious. If more than three knights show up, retreat immediately. Don't get hurt—or hurt them just enough to make it look like a mistake. We'll see them a lot in the future as allies."
Lion frowned. "And if no knights show up?"
"They will," Anazitis said confidently. "They're predictable. They finish patrols near that tavern, and some always end up there. You'll get along with Betty well," he added with a smile.
Lion nodded. "We'll see. I'm still just here to get what we want—like always."
"And about how to disrupt them more—make sure to use the items we already have."
Halfy frowned. "You mean those won't be very effective? It'll need a lot."
Halfy looked at Anazitis, who met his gaze. Halfy continued, "The items will only make them lose track of time and souls for a bit, but if it drags on too long, it'll fail."
"And me," Anazitis said, his tone dropping to a steely calm, "I'll set the forest ablaze—with a fake black fire."
The room fell silent.
"Black fire?" Halfy repeated, his grin faltering. "Are you insane? You know what that symbolizes."
Anazitis nodded. "Exactly. It's the symbol of chaos seekers. The knights will rush to the forest, leaving the city vulnerable. While they're distracted, I'll infiltrate the Sages' meeting."
Lion sat up straight. "And what's your endgame? What are you hoping to find?"
Anazitis leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Fysi—or their secret."
---
The Truth About Fysi
At the mention of Fysi, both Halfy and Lion stiffened.
"The power to reshape reality itself," Halfy murmured. "Every seeker dreams of it, but no one knows if it can really be obtained—or how. It's common knowledge they're not seekers or researchers after all."
Anazitis said firmly, "The Sages have been studying it for centuries. They believe Fysi is the key to absolute control—not just over the kingdom, but over the very fabric of existence. And we need to know what they're hiding."
Lion frowned. "And you want to stop them and save the world?" he smirked.
Both Anazitis and Halfy smiled back. "All for the greater good," Anazitis said.
"And I want to know their plans," he added. "If Fysi falls into the wrong hands, it could destroy everything. The Sages aren't the only ones after it. Every major faction—lately, something feels off. We've been studying this at the academy, doing research under their name. We know something's happening. And I'm not going to lose this race. Even chaos seekers are starting to show signs here."
Anazitis said firmly, "No one should have that kind of power except us, of course."
Lion stood, stretching. "Fine. Rest it is. But this won't be easy. If the knights are as good as you say—"
"They won't be easy to fool," Anazitis interrupted. "They've been acting strange lately—more alert than usual. And more tired, dark, worried about something. That's our best and perfect shot. Lately, they aren't using their abilities. If they start using their powers, things could get messy. And even if they don't, you can't handle it."
Lion frowned. "Strange?"
"Overworked, maybe. But that's not everything," Anazitis said, though the explanation didn't sit right with him. A nagging thought lingered at the back of his mind, but he pushed it aside. There was no time to dwell on uncertainties.
"The plan starts tomorrow morning," he said. "Tonight, we rest. We'll need every ounce of strength."
Lion raised an eyebrow. "And by 'we,' you mean just you and me? Halfy can't sleep here? There are only two beds."
Halfy scoffed, swinging his legs off the table. "I'm going to find a proper place to rest. My budget isn't an issue like some others."
Anazitis finally looked up and locked eyes with him. "The place doesn't matter. For now, smaller is better. We don't need attention here. We're not in the kingdom."
Halfy grinned but said nothing.
"Let's get some rest," Anazitis finished. "Tomorrow, we move. The stage is set."
---
Halfy left the hotel, the wooden door creaking softly behind him. The cool night air greeted him, carrying the muffled hum of the city settling into its quieter hours. He adjusted his coat, the faint crescent moon casting long shadows as he strolled down the cobblestone street.
His usual grin faded into a thoughtful expression. His gaze wandered over the darkened storefronts and flickering lanterns, but his mind was elsewhere—on Anazitis.
"That idiot," Halfy muttered under his breath, shoving his hands into his pockets. "He always wants to shoulder everything himself."
He thought back to the discussion about the knights. Anazitis had brushed off their strange behavior far too quickly. He hadn't even brought it up until the plan was laid out. Halfy knew him well enough to recognize when something was being left unsaid.
"Lion noticed something too. He just didn't want me to investigate," Halfy said to himself. "We've been together long enough for me to know that look he gets when he's holding something back. But I'm no knight. If I didn't know how strong they were, I'd say they're getting weaker."
It wasn't the first time Anazitis had done this. He had a bad habit of thinking everything had to rest on his shoulders—that every risk was his alone to bear. Halfy kicked a loose stone across the street, watching it skitter into the darkness.
"He thinks he's protecting us by keeping quiet," Halfy murmured. "But it just makes me worry more."
He stopped in front of a shuttered bakery, leaning against the cool wooden frame and crossing his arms. The faint aroma of stale bread lingered in the air—a reminder of the simple, predictable lives most people led. Halfy envied that sometimes—living without the constant weight of danger hanging over your head.
But this was the path they had chosen. And Anazitis, more than anyone, seemed determined to see it through—no matter the cost.
"Damn it, Anazitis," Halfy said softly, his voice almost lost in the night. "You're so focused on the plan, on Fysi, on doing it all yourself... You don't even realize how much you make the rest of us worry."
With a sigh, he pushed off the bakery wall and resumed his walk, the sound of his boots echoing faintly against the empty street. He'd find a proper place to rest, as he'd told Lion, but he knew sleep wouldn't come easily. Not when the weight of Anazitis' burden felt like it was slowly becoming his own.
Halfy was already thinking of all the possibilities the future held. And he muttered in a mix of anger and happiness, "Gray hair, go. He'll let me have gray hair at this young age... and my hair is white."