Zeke gripped the wheel with one hand, his knuckles pale as he guided the rickety horsomobile down the uneven road. The stolen ride groaned with each bump, but it carried them forward—away from the chaos, away from Bors’ wrath. Beside him, Harlow sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, staring at the road ahead. In the back, Nailah lay motionless.

  "Under normal circumstances," Zeke muttered, his voice dry, "we would’ve taken her gold and left her there."

  Harlow scoffed. "I don’t want to owe this woman anything."

  Zeke exhaled through his nose, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Yeah… If it wasn’t for her holding her own against that knight, we wouldn’t have made it."

  Nailah stirred, eyes fluttering open. The ache in her body was instant and unbearable, a reminder of the brutal fight they had barely survived. She forced herself upright, her breath hitching as pain flared through her ribs. Bandages wrapped around her arms, chest, and legs, evidence of wounds she had no memory of dressing. Panic flickered in her eyes as she scanned her unfamiliar surroundings. The room was dim and narrow, coated in dust, its sparse furnishings hinting at neglect.

  "Where am I?" she croaked, voice hoarse from exhaustion.

  She pushed herself up, biting back the pain that shot through her body, and stumbled toward the door.

  Zeke and Harlow were seated at a worn wooden table when Nailah stepped into the dimly lit room. Their eyes snapped to her immediately.

  "Oh, she’s awake," Zeke remarked, stretching his arms over his head.

  Harlow smirked. "Finally."

  Nailah, still disoriented, had her eyes wander around the room. "Where are we?"

  Harlow leaned back in her chair, smug as ever. "My hideout."

  Nailah’s gaze swept over the room—maps, weapons, and scattered trinkets lined the shelves and tables. It had the feel of a place where plans were hatched and secrets kept. The lack of decoration suddenly made sense.

  Harlow gestured toward the empty chair beside them. "Sit down. We’ve got to talk about the gold."

  Nailah huffed. "Don’t give me orders."

  Still, she took the seat.

  "Did something happen to the gold?" she asked, eyes narrowing.

  Zeke exchanged a glance with Harlow before answering. "Kinda…"

  Harlow tapped a finger against the table. "We still have it, but I had a contact of mine convert the gold into gold bills. Makes it easier to spend without raising suspicion. We each lost ten gold bills in the process."

  Nailah nodded, accepting the loss. "Fine. So where’s my share?"

  Zeke grinned and shoved two briefcases toward her. "Here."

  The moment she opened them, a wicked gleam filled her eyes. Stacks of crisp, golden bills stared back at her, although she was from a wealthy aristocratic family just a about two years ago, that felt like an eternity ago. This wasn’t the most money she’d ever had—yet it felt like it. A slow, triumphant grin stretched across her face, and then she burst into laughter—loud, unrestrained, and teetering on the edge of madness.

  Zeke and Harlow exchanged an uneasy glance.

  "She’s acting weird," Zeke muttered under his breath.

  Nailah finally composed herself. "I hope you’ve got drinks."

  Harlow snorted. "Of course, bad weather head."

  She reached for a stash behind her, tossing bottles toward Zeke and Nailah before grabbing one for herself.

  She raised her bottle. "Let’s drink—to new wealth and new beginnings."

  Nailah clinked her bottle against theirs. "To new wealth and new beginnings."

  Their voices joined in unison, their glasses meeting in a sharp chime.

  After a few sips, Nailah leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "So, what’s next for you two?"

  Zeke sighed, swirling his drink. "I’m heading east. I hear it’s a great place for adventure. I’ll start there and work my way up—become the greatest thief to have ever lived."

  Nailah arched an eyebrow. "Ambitious. What about you, Harlow?"

  Harlow shrugged. "I was saving money to head north. Now that I have more than enough, I guess it’s time."

  Nailah tapped her fingers against the table. "How come neither of you are staying in the region? You know… with Damon gone and all."

  A heavy silence fell over them. Zeke scoffed, shaking his head. "Forget it. It’s a lost cause."

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Why do you say that?"

  Harlow exhaled through her nose, folding her arms. "Don’t you know about the Three Honchos?"

  Nailah frowned. "The Three Honchos?"

  Zeke clicked his tongue. "Oh right. You’re not from here."

  He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Damon was one of them. The weakest one, actually. The other two—Bluebeard and Refu—are the real underground lords of the region."

  A chill ran down Nailah’s spine as she took in the weight of his words.

  Harlow continued. "Among the Three Honchos, Damon’s territory was the least significant—just a pit of addicts and beggars, a resource for the others. If you want real power in this region, you need control over one of the other territories."

  Zeke rolled up his sleeve, revealing a long, jagged scar along his forearm. "That’s how powerful they are. Damon was nothing compared to them. They used him. Just like they use everyone else."

  He turned to Nailah, pointing at her with the neck of his bottle. "Anyway, what about you? You haven’t told us your plans."

  A slow, confident smirk crept onto her lips. "I’ll take the whole region for myself."

  Silence. Then—

  "Idiot!" Harlow snapped. "Didn’t you hear what we just said?!"

  Nailah leaned back, unfazed. "These ‘Honchos’ or whatever will be nothing more than stepping stones for me."

  Zeke chuckled, shaking his head. "She’s crazy! Well, let’s just celebrate!"

  They drank deep into the night, toasting to their futures, laughing, and forgetting—if only briefly—the burdens of their pasts.

  The morning arrived too soon. At an intersection on the outskirts of town, the trio stood with their briefcases, ready to part ways.

  Harlow sighed. "This is where we split."

  Nailah crossed her arms, smirking. "I’ll be waiting for you at the top of Elysium."

  Harlow scoffed. "Not even in your dreams. I’ll be the one waiting."

  Zeke chuckled. “Can’t say I’m aiming for that, but hey, knock yourselves out.”

  They turned, walking in different directions, leaving only their parting words behind.

  "We’re sure to meet again."

  As Zeke disappeared into the distance, he glanced over his shoulder, his thoughts lingering on Nailah.

  "I remember when I first saw her… she was just a powerless girl. Now she’s stronger than both of us. But I feel a lot of hate emanating from her… way more than an ordinary Slumdog. I just hope she doesn’t lose herself in it."

  Nailah, standing with Tommy and Olivia, watched them go. A quiet determination settled over her.

  "This money is a start. But it’s not enough to reach Skyland. I’ll need the Crimson Bandits to take down the Honchos."

  Her gaze softened as she looked at the two kids.

  "At least, for now, I can make their lives better."

  Skyland loomed on the horizon, its towering structures bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. Among them stood a grand building emblazoned with a golden canine—a symbol of the the Golden Retrievers, the knight order specialized in proprety crimes.

  Inside its headquarter, Bors stood rigid before a long wooden table, facing three knights seated in judgment. Three high-ranking knights. Two Platinum Knights and one Diamond Knight.

  Erik Red, one of the Platinum Knights, sighed, his sharp features cast in flickering candlelight. “That’s a huge failure.”

  Harold Sven, the other Platinum Knight, leaned forward, his steely gaze pinning Bors in place. “You’re lucky they haven’t pressed charges—against the thieves or against you.”

  Agravain Maysun, the Diamond Knight and the most composed of the three, finally spoke. His voice carried the weight of authority. “Indeed. But these thieves planned their robbery too well… almost as if they knew Elysium wouldn’t press charges as long as they didn’t take everything.”

  Bors stiffened as Agravain continued. "But you have hurt the reputation of the Order of the Golden Retrievers. You made us look like fools in front of Elysium. And for that, you will be severely punished."

  Bors clenched his fists. "Please, Commander! Let me make this right! I can find them—"

  Agravain cut him off with a glare. "They’ve likely already converted the gold into money. The perpetrators are lying low. How exactly do you plan to find either?"

  Bors hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn’t tell them about the arcanist. That would only add to his disgrace.

  "…"

  Agravain scoffed. "I thought so. Get out of my sight. We must discuss your punishment."

  Without another word, Bors turned on his heel and left the room, his mind clouded with frustration and humiliation.

  The three knights remained seated, the tension lingering even in his absence. Erik shook his head. "To think one of the ‘Brilliant Six’ would fail so miserably on his first mission."

  Agravain exhaled sharply. "That’s why I wanted my brother Gawain to join me. But the fool went with those useless knights instead. He’s punishing himself for letting his friend down."

  Harold arched a brow. "The Order of the Watching Owl?"

  Erik scoffed. "Crime prevention? What a waste of his talents."

  Agravain’s expression twisted in disgust. "He followed that worthless Commander Geraint, who does nothing."

  Elsewhere in Skyland, a lone figure walked with a slow, pensive stride. His long hair flowed gently in the breeze, but the weight on his shoulders was heavier than the air around him.

  Gawain stared at the Skyland station leading to the Lowlands, his hands tightening into fists. Forgive me, Nailah… I knew you were innocent, and yet I did nothing to save you. I’m a coward.

  He sighed, his expression distant. Skyland feels so empty without you and Kenny.

  A sad smile crossed his face as he gazed at the city below. "I wish I could see you all again… and make things right."

  Meanwhile, in a modest house in the Lowlands, Nailah sat at a wooden table with Tommy and Olivia. The scent of warm food filled the air, but her mind was elsewhere.

  Life hasn’t been kind to me. At times, it felt like the universe was against me… She glanced at the two children, their joyful chatter grounding her momentarily.

  But things are slowly getting better. I’ve gotten stronger and wealthier. This new journey will begin in the shadows, but I’ll rise above them and bring hope to the less fortunate as I promised.

  Her thoughts drifted to those she had lost. I hope you’re all watching over me, Father, Kenny, Mother…

  Her heart clenched at one final name.

  Edward…

  Far away, in an unknown place, a lone figure trudged forward. His body bore fresh scars, and one of his arms was gone.

  Edward’s breath was heavy, his steps uneven. Yet, his resolve remained unshaken.

  "Mistress… please be safe…"