The Lotus Garden
The port district never slept, which meant Kirato didn't either.
Third lap around The Lotus Garden tonight. His boots knew every uneven cobblestone by now, every place the street dipped where rainwater pooled. Sailors stumbled between taverns. Merchants haggled over fish that'd be rotting by morning. Someone was always shouting about something—grilled mackerel, sweet bread, a card game gone wrong.
Salt and cooking oil and too many bodies. That's what the port smelled like.
He turned into the back alley. Empty. Crates, cats, the locked kitchen door. He tested the handle anyway—third time tonight, same result—and moved on.
Laughter from the main street pulled him back around. A small crowd near the brothel entrance. Two foreigners talking to a local guide, gesturing at The Lotus Garden's sign.
"—but surely the women here can defend themselves?" Heavy accent. Genuine confusion. "Everyone has powers. Why would they need security?"
The guide sighed like he'd had this conversation a hundred times. Probably had. "City law. Prostitutes can't use powers on clients. Not even in self-defense. They call it legal vulnerability—stops false accusations, extortion, that kind of thing." He nodded at Kirato. "That's why they hire muscle. Security takes the risk instead."
The foreigner frowned. "That seems—"
"Exploitative? Yeah." The guide shrugged. "Don't like it, talk to the council. But don't start trouble inside, or that kid'll ruin your night."
The foreigner glanced at Kirato. Looked away fast.
"Just drinks tonight."
"Smart."
Kirato watched them disappear inside. He'd heard that conversation a dozen times. Foreigners were always surprised. Then they got used to it. Then they took advantage.
He completed the circuit and headed in through the main entrance.
Inside: warm lamplight, incense cutting through sweat and perfume, some badly-tuned string instrument upstairs. The common room was busy. Clients at low tables, women in silk moving between them with practiced smiles.
Three merchants in the corner, half-drunk. Two sailors near the stairs arguing about something stupid. Well-dressed man by the window, alone, watching everything with eyes that were too sharp.
No fires yet. Good.
Kirato moved through toward the kitchen, nodding at a few of the women. Some smiled back. Others just looked relieved he was there.
He pushed through the curtain.
Rose stood at the fire, stirring a pot. "Still making your rounds?"
"How'd you—"
"You walk like you're trying to intimidate the floorboards." She glanced back, smirking. "Real subtle, Kiri."
"I'm not trying to be subtle."
"Clearly."
She ladled rice and grilled fish into a bowl, shoved it at him. "Eat."
"I'm on duty."
"You're always on duty." Arms crossed now. Big sister mode activated. "You haven't eaten since this morning."
He took the bowl. Rose was twenty-three to his nineteen, and she'd been bossing him around for most of those years. No point arguing.
"Thanks."
"Don't thank me. Maya'll have my head if you pass out." Rose watched him eat, then her expression shifted. "Oh—Amber mentioned something earlier. This client, middle-aged guy, well-dressed. Kept asking weird questions."
Kirato looked up.
"About the port's history. Women who've lived here a long time. Old buildings, trade routes." She shrugged. "Amber thinks he's some failed professor trying to write his way back into the university's good graces. You know the type."
"Where is he?"
"Left an hour ago. Paid well, didn't cause problems. Just... odd." Rose leaned against the counter. "But honestly, compared to tonight's general vibe, one weird academic is nothing."
"What vibe?"
"You haven't noticed? More soldiers than usual. Guild members loitering. Everyone's tense." She studied him. "Something feels wrong, Kirato."
"Yeah. I noticed."
"Good." She reached over and pinched his ear. "Stay sharp. And you still owe me a study session."
"Ow! Tomorrow, I promise—"
"You better." She let go, headed for the curtain. "Finish your food. I need to check upstairs."
Kirato ate quickly, alone with his thoughts. Failed professor asking about history. Guild members circling. Soldiers on edge.
Rose's instincts were usually right.
He pushed back through the curtain. The common room was louder now—the merchants definitely drunk. One was trying to pull a woman onto his lap. She was laughing, playing along, but her shoulders were tight.
Kirato moved closer. Just close enough.
The merchant looked up, met his eyes, let go of her wrist immediately. She gave Kirato a tiny nod and slipped away to "refill drinks."
He continued toward the stairs.
The second floor hallway was narrow, lined with doors. Most closed. Music and laughter filtered through thin walls. You could tell a lot by sounds. Laughter meant fine. Silence meant fine. Shouting—that's when he needed to move.
Tonight: calm.
He was about to head back down when a door opened. Lila nearly walked into him.
"Oh! Kirato. Making your rounds?"
"Always."
"Maya wants to see you. Her room. She said it's important."
"Now?"
"Now."
He headed down the hall. Knocked twice at Maya's door.
"Come in."
Her room was simpler than you'd expect—bed, desk covered in ledgers, single window overlooking the back alley. Incense thick in the air. Maya sat at her desk with her pipe, smoke curling up. Fifty-one, gray hair pinned up, sharp red eyes that missed nothing.
"Sit."
He sat.
She took a long drag, studying him through the smoke. "Rose says you skipped lessons again."
"She already told you?"
"She tells me everything." Amusement flickered across her face. "You should study. That girl worries."
"I know."
"Then stop making her worry."
"I will."
Maya didn't push it. She never did. That's what he appreciated—she said what needed saying, then moved on.
She set down her pipe. "There's been more guild activity this week. Nuro group, mostly. Asking around."
"About what?"
"Who comes and goes. What clients say. Whether anyone here knows anything... unusual." She watched his reaction. "They didn't specify. Just fishing."
"You think they're looking for someone?"
"Maybe." Her voice stayed neutral. "I've seen this before. Guilds don't ask questions unless they smell profit. And when they don't get answers..." She didn't finish.
"You want me to turn them away?"
"I want you to be smart. Be polite. Be firm. Don't give them an excuse." Her eyes went hard. "Last thing we need is guild attention."
"Understood."
"And Kirato?" She looked at him directly. "Don't start fights. I know you're protective. I know you care about the women here. But starting fights brings attention we can't afford."
He nodded. "I'll keep it quiet."
"Good." She picked up her pipe again. The smoke made her look older, more tired. "You're a good boy. Your mother would be proud."
The words hit harder than they should have. He looked away.
"Now go. Finish your patrol. Try not to break anyone tonight."
"I'll try."
He stood, closed the door quietly behind him. Stood in the hallway for a moment, letting it settle.
Maya rarely mentioned his mother. When she did, it felt like a punch.
Mira. Dead a year now. Worked herself to death trying to give him a future. The women here had raised him after—Rose most of all—but Maya... Maya reminded him what he'd lost.
He shook it off. Headed downstairs.
The common room was even busier. More noise, more chaos. Kirato positioned himself near the door.
That's when he saw them.
Two Sentinels pushed through the entrance. Silver triangle badges on their shoulders. One tall and grinning like he'd been drinking. The other shorter, mean-looking, scar across his cheek.
The scarred one caught Kirato's eye and grinned wider. Nost. Regular troublemaker, kicked out twice for harassment.
"Evening, kid! We're here for entertainment!"
Kirato stepped forward, blocking their path. "You've been drinking."
"So?" Nost stepped closer. "That's half the point. Come here to forget our problems."
"Maya doesn't serve customers who can't walk straight."
"We're walking fine!" The tall one demonstrated, nearly tripping over his own feet. "See? Perfect!"
"Turn around. Go home."
Nost's face darkened. "Who the hell do you think you are? You're just some brothel brat playing security. You don't tell Sentinels what to do."
"I'm telling you to leave."
"Make me."
Kirato felt it—that vibration in his chest. His barely-there power, stirring.
His hand flexed.
The tall Sentinel put a hand on Nost's shoulder. "Come on, man, let's just—"
"No." Nost shook him off, eyes fixed on Kirato with pure hatred. "I'm tired of this kid acting like he owns the place. Every time, same shit. I'm done."
He stepped forward, hand moving toward his belt. "Move, boy. Last chance."
"Walk away before this gets worse."
Nost lunged—not to attack, just to push past. But Kirato was ready.
He stepped aside smoothly, letting momentum carry Nost forward. As the Sentinel stumbled, Kirato placed one hand on his back—barely a touch—and let the power flow.
Like releasing a held breath. The vibration traveled down his arm, through his palm, into Nost's spine.
Just a flicker. Just enough.
Nost's legs gave out. He hit the floor hard, arms flailing.
"What the—" The tall Sentinel blinked. "Did you just—"
Kirato stepped over the fallen man, faced the tall Sentinel directly. "Your friend slipped. He's drunk. Take him home before he embarrasses himself more."
The tall Sentinel looked between them, clearly torn. Then he raised his hands. "Yeah. Alright. We're going."
He bent down to haul Nost up. The scarred Sentinel was cursing, trying to shake off the confusion and weakness.
"Fucking brat." Nost's face was twisted with rage as his companion dragged him toward the door. "You think you're tough? You're nothing. You'll regret this."
Kirato watched them disappear into the street.
His heart was pounding. Adrenaline still singing through his veins. He could still feel the echo of his power—that strange vibration that lived in his chest, waiting.
Dormant, Rose called it. Barely awakened. Not strong enough to matter in a real fight.
But strong enough to make people fall.
"I saw that."
He turned. Maya stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
"He slipped."
"He slipped." Her tone was bone-dry. "And you had nothing to do with it."
"Nothing at all."
She studied him, then sighed. "That man will come back. With friends. With a grudge."
"Let him."
"Kirato—"
"They were going to cause trouble. I stopped it before it got worse."
"You made it worse." But she didn't sound angry. Just tired. "Try not to make enemies of the entire garrison. We need their business."
"They need to respect the women who work here."
Her expression softened slightly. "I know. And I appreciate what you do. But be smart about it."
He nodded.
"For what it's worth... thank you. For keeping them out."
She disappeared before he could respond.
The rest of the evening passed smoothly enough. More clients came and went. Minor issues, nothing major. The drunk merchants eventually stumbled out. The sailors left singing off-key. The well-dressed man by the window finished his drink and departed without a word.
By midnight, the crowd had thinned. The music had gone soft and melancholy. The street outside grew quiet.
Kirato stepped out for one final patrol.
The air was cooler now, salt from the harbor cutting through everything else. The street was nearly empty—a few stragglers heading home, vendors packing up. In the distance: waves against the docks, ships creaking in their berths.
He walked his route. Down the main street, around the corner, into the back alley.
That's when he heard voices.
Low. Hushed. Coming from deeper in the alley, past the kitchen door.
He froze, pressed himself against the wall, moved forward carefully until he could see them.
Four men. Maybe five. Hard to tell in the darkness. Armed, wearing leather armor—guild style. And on their shoulders, even in dim light, he could see the insignia.
Nuro guild.
"—tomorrow night," one said. "After midnight. Most clients'll be gone."
"And you're sure she's here?"
"Information's solid. Woman named Maya. Runs the place. That's our target."
Kirato's blood went cold.
"What if she resists?"
"We take her anyway. Orders are clear—alive." A pause. "But if the others get in the way, make an example. Boss said burn the building if we have to. He wants Maya. Doesn't care about collateral."
"What about security? That kid?"
A laugh. "One brat with barely-awakened powers? Not a problem. If he tries to play hero, put him down."
"Clean as we can make it, but don't hesitate if things get messy. Go in fast, grab Maya, get out. Anyone fights back, they die. Simple."
More laughter. Cold and professional.
Kirato's hands clenched. His power stirred, vibration building with his rage. He wanted to charge in, fight them right now—
No.
Five armed guild members. Maybe more he couldn't see. Against him alone, at night, unprepared.
He'd be dead in seconds. And Maya would have no warning.
He forced himself to back away slowly, carefully, until he was far enough they wouldn't hear. Then he ran.
He burst through the kitchen door. Rose was wiping down counters.
"Kirato? What—"
"Where's Maya?"
"Her room, I think. What's wrong?"
"I need to talk to her. Now. Alone."
Rose's eyes widened. "Kirato, you're scaring me—"
"Please, Rose. Five minutes with her first. Then I'll explain everything."
She studied his face, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Go."
He took the stairs two at a time. Reached Maya's room and pounded on the door.
"Maya! It's Kirato!"
The door opened almost immediately. Maya stood there, still dressed, pipe in hand. One look at his face and her expression shifted instantly.
"Inside. Now."
He stepped in. She closed the door, locked it.
"Talk."
"Nuro guild. In the alley just now. Five men, maybe more." The words came fast. "They're coming tomorrow night. After midnight."
Maya went very still. "What do they want?"
He met her eyes. "You. They said your name specifically. They're coming to take you. Alive."
For just a heartbeat, Maya's careful mask cracked. Raw fear flashed across her face.
Then it was gone, replaced by cold calculation.
"What else?"
"If anyone resists, they burn the building. Kill anyone who fights back. They said you're the target but they don't care about collateral." His voice dropped. "Maya... why do they want you?"
She turned away, moved to her desk. Set down her pipe with a hand that shook slightly.
"I was hoping I'd have more time."
"More time for what?"
"To disappear again." Her shoulders sagged. "I've been running for a long time, Kirato. Years. I thought... I thought I was safe here. That they'd given up looking."
"Who's looking for you? What do they want?"
Long silence. Then she turned back.
"I have a power. A rare one. Blood transmutation—the ability to modify living bodies at a fundamental level." She held up her hand. For just a moment, something shifted beneath her skin. A flicker of red, like veins rearranging themselves. Then it was gone. "There are people who want to use that power. People with resources and reach and no conscience."
"For what?"
"Body modification. Enhancement. The kind that goes beyond normal awakening." Her expression was grim. "I won't be used as a tool. So I ran. Changed my name. Hid in a brothel at the edge of the world where no one looks too closely." She laughed bitterly. "I thought I was clever."
"How did they find you?"
"I don't know. Maybe someone recognized me. Maybe I wasn't careful enough." She shook her head. "Doesn't matter now. They know where I am. They're coming."
"Then we fight them."
"Kirato—"
"Or you run. Tonight. Right now. I'll help you get out of the city—"
"And go where?" Her voice was sharp. "They found me once. They'll find me again. And running means abandoning everyone here. Rose. Amber. All the women who depend on this place." She closed her eyes briefly. "I won't do that."
"Then what do we do?"
She moved to her desk, pulled out paper and ink. Started writing quickly, her hand steady now.
"I'm calling in an old favor. Someone who helped me before. Someone who might be able to help again."
"Who?"
"Commander Hector." She finished the note, folded it, sealed it with wax. "We served together, once. Long time ago, before I..." She didn't finish. "He knows what I am. What I can do. If anyone in this city can stand against a guild raid, it's him."
She moved to the window and opened it. A bird—some kind of messenger hawk—was perched on the sill outside. She attached the note to its leg.
"Find Hector. Fast."
The bird took off into the night.
She closed the window and turned back. For a moment she just looked at him—really looked at him—with something like regret in her eyes.
"I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to be part of this."
"I'm already part of it. This is my home. You're my family."
"Kirato—"
"What do you need me to do?"
She studied him, then nodded slowly. "We need to prepare the others. But we can't tell them everything."
"Why not?"
"Because if they know I'm the target, someone might..." She hesitated. "Someone might think turning me over would save them. And they'd be right. The guild would probably take me and leave them alone."
"No one here would do that."
"You don't know what fear makes people do." Her voice was sad. "We tell them the truth, but not all of it. Nuro guild is coming. They're looking for someone. We don't know who. But they'll burn the building if we resist."
"That's a lie."
"It's a necessary one." She moved toward the door. "Hector will be here by dawn, if the message reaches him in time. We have tonight to prepare. To give people a choice—stay and trust Hector can protect us, or leave while they can."
She paused with her hand on the doorknob.
"And Kirato? This stays between us. You, me, and Hector when he arrives. No one else knows I'm the target. Understand?"
He didn't like it. But he understood the logic. "Understood."
"Good. Now let's go tell them."
They gathered everyone in the common room. The last few clients had been ushered out. Just the women now—Rose, Amber, Lila, and five others. They looked confused, worried.
Maya stood before them, slipping into the role she always played. Calm. Controlled. In command.
"I'm going to tell you something, and I need you to listen carefully." Her voice carried through the room. "The Nuro guild is planning to raid this building tomorrow night, after midnight."
Gasps. Whispers. Amber's hand flew to her mouth.
"How do you know this?" Rose's voice was steady despite the fear in her eyes.
"Kirato overheard them in the alley. They're looking for someone." Maya didn't flinch. "I don't know who. But they're willing to burn this place down if we don't cooperate."
"Then we leave," Lila said immediately. "Tonight. Right now. Before they come."
"And go where?" Rose's voice was quiet. "This is all we have."
"Better homeless than dead!"
"Enough." Maya's voice cut through the rising panic. "I've called for help. Commander Hector is coming. He's an old... acquaintance. If anyone can stand against a guild raid, it's him. He should be here by dawn."
"And if he's not?" Amber's voice was small, frightened. "What if he doesn't come in time?"
"Then you run. All of you. The moment you see guild members approaching, you go out the back and you don't stop until you reach the docks." Maya's expression was hard. "I won't force anyone to stay. If you want to leave tonight, pack your things and go. I won't stop you. But if you trust me—if you trust Hector—then we stay, we prepare, and we face this together."
Silence.
Heavy and suffocating.
"I'm staying," Rose said finally. She looked at Maya directly. "You gave me a home when I had nothing. I'm not running now."
"Rose—"
"I'm staying," Rose repeated, her voice firm.
One by one, the others spoke up. Some scared, some defiant, but all of them choosing to stay. Even Amber, though her voice shook.
"Then we prepare," Maya said. "Pack essentials in case we need to evacuate quickly. Sleep in shifts. Kirato will keep watch tonight. Tomorrow we make final preparations before Hector arrives."
She looked around at all of them.
"We've survived worse than this. We'll survive this too."
The women dispersed slowly, heading upstairs. Rose lingered, catching Kirato's arm.
"What aren't you telling me?"
His throat tightened. "What do you mean?"
"I've known you for seventeen years, Kiri. I know when you're hiding something." Her eyes searched his face. "What's really happening?"
"I told you. The guild is coming—"
"For someone specific. Maya said she doesn't know who." Her grip tightened. "But you do, don't you? You know exactly who they're after."
He couldn't meet her eyes. "Rose—"
"Is it you? Are they coming for you? Because of what happened with Nost?"
"No. It's not me."
"Then who?"
"I can't tell you. Maya made me promise."
She stared at him. Then her expression shifted—from fear to understanding to something like resignation.
"It's her, isn't it? They're coming for Maya."
He said nothing. But his silence was answer enough.
Rose released his arm and stepped back. "Does she have a plan? Beyond waiting for Hector?"
"She's going to trust him to protect us."
"And if he can't?"
"Then we fight. And we probably die." He finally met her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rose. I wish I could—"
"Don't." Her voice was firm. "Don't apologize for trying to protect us. That's who you are." She reached up and touched his cheek gently. "Just... promise me you won't do anything stupid tomorrow night. Promise me you won't try to be a hero."
"I can't promise that."
"Kirato—"
"You raised me, Rose. You and Maya and all the others. You gave me everything." His voice was rough. "If it comes down to it... I'm not letting anyone hurt you. Any of you."
Her eyes filled with tears. She pulled him into a fierce hug.
"You're an idiot. A brave, stupid idiot."
"I learned from the best."
She laughed wetly, then pulled back. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
"I'm keeping watch tonight."
"Of course you are." She touched his cheek one more time, then turned and headed for the stairs.
Soon it was just Kirato and Maya in the common room.
Maya extinguished most of the lamps, leaving just enough light to see by. Then she moved to the window and looked out at the dark street.
"Rose knows, doesn't she?"
"She guessed."
"She's smart. Too smart for her own good sometimes." Maya was silent. "The others will figure it out too, eventually. When Hector arrives and focuses all his attention on protecting me specifically."
"Does it matter?"
"I suppose not. Not anymore." She turned to face him. "Thank you, Kirato. For warning me. For giving me a chance to call for help."
"I'm not letting them take you."
"You might not have a choice."
"Then I'll make one."
She smiled sadly. "Your mother would be so proud of you. And so terrified."
He looked away. "She'd tell me I'm being an idiot."
"Probably. But she'd love you for it anyway." She moved toward the stairs. "I'm going to rest while I can. Wake me if anything happens."
"Maya?"
She paused, looking back.
"When Hector gets here... will he really be able to stop them?"
Long silence. "I don't know. But he's the best chance we have."
She disappeared upstairs, leaving him alone.
He moved to the door, opened it, stepped outside. The street was empty now. Silent. Peaceful.
Tomorrow night, that peace would shatter.
Men would come to take Maya. To burn the building. To kill anyone who stood in their way.
Commander Hector would arrive at dawn. Maybe he'd be strong enough. Maybe he'd have a plan.
Maybe it would be enough.
And maybe it wouldn't.
Kirato leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the empty street. His power hummed faintly in his chest—that weak, dormant vibration that was all he had.
It wouldn't be enough to stop trained guild members. He knew that.
But he'd try anyway.
Because that's what you did for family.
The night stretched on. The stars wheeled overhead. The port city slept.
And Kirato kept watch, waiting for the dawn.
Waiting for Commander Hector.
Waiting for whatever came next.