Chapter 2: Chapter 1

Sitting on the edge of the roof, I watched the city. Dawn was fast approaching. One by one all the city nightlights were going out and the day market was getting set up. I watched as Mr. Kin came out from a dark alleyway. He tried to make a grab for one of the merchant’s goods, but failed as usual.

Not that that ever stopped him from trying his luck every morning. He may look like your average homeless thief, but he wasn’t. Mr. Kin had once been a super powerful man, however, he refused to join the Underworld. Because he broke the rules, he was crippled. Not only did they take much of his powers, but he was also blacklisted. No one could hire him, not without making the Underworld their enemy.

As I watched Mr Kin cause a scene with the merchants, a flash caught the corner of my eye. Speeding out from the alleyway Mr. Kin had come out from, a little blur flew past several stalls before returning to the alleyway. I smiled slightly. Must be Anna again.

It was kind of funny watching the pair. Mr Kin was plan A, that always failed no matter how many times he tried to change tactics. And Anna was the plan B. Both teaming up to risk life and limb just to get some food. However, I understood why the two did it, risking life and limb. The alleyway they lived in was the unofficial home to all the street kids. Many were weak or without powers, meaning they were unfit for this society, where power ruled everyone and everything. Most had been abandoned by their families, after finding that they were weak or powerless. 

“Did Anna save Mr Kin’s butt again?”

“Yeah.”

Looking at Kan as he seated himself next to me, I continued. “Looks like she’s getting faster. I could barely see her. She managed to grab a few things from several stalls.”

Kan handed me a big paper bag. “That’s good. They do have a few more mouths to feed now.” Kan’s face darkened slightly, before he plastered a bright smile on his face. Not that could hide what he was truly feeling from me. “Anyway, I got you your favorite. Not that I know how you’re able to eat that garbage.”

“Thanks.”

Looking at the paper bag in my hand, I smiled, before opening the bag and grabbing a burger. Removing the paper covering the burger, I took a bite and looked at Kan. I watched him pick at his salad, sadness coming his handsome features. Black haired with the brightest green eyes, Kan reminded me of a fallen angel painting he’d once shown me.

“You okay.” I said, knowing full well he was not.

 

The Games were happening, the worst time of the year for Kan. His little brother died because of the Games and Kan couldn’t forgive himself for what had happened. Not that I blamed him. I knew what it was like carrying that guilt, not being able to forgive yourself, no matter how much people tried to prove you that it wasn’t your fault.

“Yeah.” he said, looking at Mr. Kin as the old man crawled by to his alley. He looked back at me and tried to smile, but my pointed look stopped him. “Okay, not really.”

“At least today is the last day.”

“Yeah…” Kan looked away. “Today, is the last day…”

After that, we sat in silence watching as people started getting ready for the last day of the Games. The Games was a horrific festival, that all children between 12 and 15 had to participate in. Children would be paired up and forced to fight each other, to showcase their powers. As powers were not controlled in these matches, many children would get badly injured, some even dying. Kan’s brother, Philp, was one of them. The kid he went up against had a powerful fire ability, but the kid lost control of his flames and... I didn’t want to think about the aftermath. 

As for those that did, well the Underworld would ‘invite them to join them. Of course, the invitation was just a formality. Everyone knew that you didn’t refuse the Underworld, unless you wanted to end up like Mr. Kin or worse.

Those that were accepted by the Underworld would then be trained at the best academy in the world. Kasten Academy. There, students were trained into becoming soldiers for the Underworld.

“Do you still think about it.” I asked.

“Sometimes. It’s worse during this time of the year. And you?”

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“You know how I feel about it.”

Kan nodded, before standing up. Holding out a hand, he said, “At least it won’t be like this forever.”

Grabbing his hand, I smiled. “It’s not long now.”

 

***

As we walked through the dirty streets of Eden, people hurrying around, suddenly stopped and bowed as they passed us. I watched Kan cringe every time it happened. He never did like the fame.  

Even when we were still training together, a single word of praise had Kan blushing like a bride on her wedding night. I smirked at the thought.

“What time do we have to be there?” Kan suddenly said, breaking me away from my thoughts.

“Umm… eight I think is what David told me.”

Kan glared at me. “You weren’t listening, were you.”

“No. You know how much I hate him. The way he goes on and on. Anyway, it’s fine if we skip it. I’ll…”

Kan sighed, interrupting me. “We can’t Runa. Not this year. You know what will happen. We can’t afford for them to get…”

Kan trailed off as I looked away. I knew we couldn’t skip it, no matter how much we both wanted to. This year was the 380^th anniversary of the Games, and as important members of the Underworld, we couldn’t skip it. Not with everyone watching us. We had to act like the good members we were meant to be. No that I wanted to. I want to…

“Look. We just need to deal with that trash for a few hours. Then I promise, we can do whatever you want.”

“Fine, but only if we go to Miller’s.”

Kan wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Again.”

“I’ll need something strong today. Especially if I’m going to have to deal with who we’re going to have to deal with today.”

“Fine, but you’re paying.”

“Deal.” 

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