Author's Note:

Back on the chapter, I hope you enjoy it. Many things happened that will lead to even more things to come. After writing I noticed it was kind of rushed and wasn't sure why. Maybe I'll edit it someday but for now I'll concentrate on writing further on :)

****

The castle was shining brilliantly. Its towers reaching for the sky in a grand manner, stained glass windows gleaming in all colours, large stone beasts sitting on narrow edges ready to pounce. Down below, where giant doors ornamented with gold stood, opened up a large assemble of nobles were standing in wait. They wore their best clothes adorned with rich colours from all over the continent.

Players were crowding around them, interested in what was going on. The nobles were ignoring all the adventurers because of their low fame and chatting only about court among themselves. In the middle of them stood a man in his early twenties. He wore gold and silver to show his rank. To make it even more obvious he put a silver crown. He was the lord of this city and people had to know it.

He was waiting for the adventurers he sent to reclaim the Vascas castle to return and announce their victory. Earlier that day a scout had come to him. The guy said that an army was approaching and everyone in it looked happy and well off so it could only mean they had won. That would be very good news for him.

The sun was high up but the air was still cold. A freezing gust flowed from time to time, chilling him to the bone. Where were those fighters? He couldn't wait till he could come back to his cosy warm room.

Bum! Bum!

A constant sound of many feet hitting ground could finally be heard coming from far away. Players looked around in wonder, guessing among themselves what it might be. It had been quite some time since the recruitment and most had even forgotten about them leaving. This allowed the friends of those who had left to be in a spotlight for the moment. They knew all about it and could spread lots of far-fetched tales which became less believe by each moment passing.

And then the heroes entered the city. First walked the leader in his best armour holding a scary looking war scythe in his hand with his officers flaking him from behind. After them went the army - warriors, rangers, casters and many others with their heads raised high up in the air and backs straight. Their weapons shined from having been polished for hours.

There was a certain aura surrounding them from which all the citizens could sense their joy and pride. Those people had worked hard and now were sowing the fruits of it.

"Welcome back, my faithful warriors! I trust you to have completed the mission" the lord said with his hands raised in the air as if he was blessing them. His long sleeves were swinging gently making him feel like a pope.

Monthu stepped forward and came down on his knee. "We've annihilated the evil forces of goblins that had taken over the castle and saved those who had survived. The remaining two councilmen are sending you their deepest gratitude" he said and took out a letter from his inner pocket, handing it to the lord.

He wanted to act out his part well. The soldiers liked playing real army and he didn't want to disappoint them by being only a normal player. "Many of us had stayed with them and this letter explains everything. It was written by Councilman Doran."

"I hope you passed my dearest wish for them to be well. It is all I want" the lord said taking the letter. He put it in his pocket and murmured some kind of a blessing over the man's head. Then he extended it to supposedly get it over everyone.

He wasn't sure if that actually did anything but he got into a habit of blessing those that did well even though he was no cleric. The skill was created for it but it was so strangely written that he couldn't say what in the world it meant. But no one had called him out on pretending so maybe something happened when he chanted that nonsense.

Finished with the appearances, he turned around and, followed by the nobles, returned to the castle. He went to the chosen room and sat down to wait until Sir Elimas brought the leading party for him to congratulate personally. Those who had followed him went to the ballroom. There were a few bards singing and many refreshments there in preparation of a large celebration in the evening.

He relaxed in his chair and yawned. The day was so boring. Hopefully the upcoming conversation would prove more interesting.

"Go this way, please" a male voice said which he recognized as his right hand's.

That signalled for him to prepare his cards and make sure he won the exchange.

"Come in" he said once the knock sounded and plastered a fake smile on. He had noticed people trusted him more this way than when he remained with a normal expression, his lips in a line. "I'm happy to see you all here" he said good-naturedly.

"What exactly were we invited here for?" Monthu asked, standing in front of his group which was clearly missing a member like last time. The lord calmly turned to Sir Elimas. "Was I not clear enough when I said I wanted to see all of them?"

"He wasn't with them..." the guy said quietly. He was used to the lord's anger and ignored it most if the time.

"Where is your last member?" the lord asked, turning his suddenly cold and lifeless eyes towards the group.

"If you mean Ace, he's left the team."

"Did he go to the quest with you?"

"Yes."

"Did he help you finish it?"

"Yes."

"Does he want to get the reward for it?"

"I suppose so"

"Then tell him to get here right now!" the lord said in a dagger sharp voice, making the group involuntarily take a step back.

"Fine but I can't promise he'll come" Monthu said rolling his eyes; he couldn't understand why would Ace be needed.

/The lord wants to see you because you skipped it the last time we met him. Will you come?/

/If he threatens to not give me my reward, then yes./

/.../

"He said that you have to threaten the reward or else he can't make it" Monthu said relaying what he was told. It was up to the lord to understand what that could mean.

Sparks of interest appeared in the man's eyes but he remained collected. "Then I do that. In case he doesn't show up, he'll be removed from the heroes list and his reward nullified. That is my word"

/You've just been threatened by removal from the heroes list/ Monthu wrote.

/He did what? I didn't ask for him to remove me, just not give me the reward! Keep him busy I'll be right there!/ Ace wrote back in a hurry and explained what's happening to Vera in two words before running off once again. She wondered why he suddenly started to run away all the time when the fact that he left all alone in an unknown city got to her. The search was called in moments.

Nothing of that was known in the castle. People were working normally and allowed the young boy to storm past them. No one even stopped him to ask how he knew the layout so well that he never hesitated before choosing one of the paths when they branched out.

Dang!

The lord's doors burst open making him raise his head. What he saw was a panting young boy with a mane of golden curls and a small flame circling his head.

"Don't… you... dare... to re…move... me!" he said between breaths. After a few moments he came closer and sat on the man's table right before the guy. "Do you hear me?" he asked in a shrill voice.

"I've wanted to meet you for quite some time, traveller Ace" the lord said, relaxing in his chair and creating some distance between them. "I've heard many rumours concerning your existence."

"Really? People are talking about me?" Ace asked happily. There was an eager expression on his face as he pushed himself closer to the man getting in his face again.

The guy tried to back away inconspicuously but the back of the chair prevented him so he gave up on the idea. "Depends on where you listen and what for."

"Huh?" Ace asked tilting his head to the right, reminding very much of an owl.

"I have all kinds of people under my command and a few brought some strange rumours about a killer taking up my city as his hunting place. Do you know anything about it?" the man asked looking straight into the kid's eyes.

"Of course!" Ace said indignantly. "Who doesn't know about him? He's a menace that you did nothing to stop from rampaging and killing innocent people!"

"And that's how my fault?"

"You're the lord! You must take care of your people and protect them from getting slaughtered!" Ace said, pointing at the man's nose who swatted the hand away.

"And what was I supposed to do? No one even saw him, so how could I catch him? A? Any genius ideas?" the lord asked angrily.

They looked at each other with anger in their eyes. Ace didn't answer but lord saw an accusation in his eyes that said much more than any words could. And the kid wasn't backing down. The man stood up in a bout of blind rage and throwing all the papers from the table down turned to leave. At the door he stopped.

And burst out laughing.

"You're good. I give you that" he said, still chuckling. Shaking his head he slowly returned to his seat. "You almost made me forget why I brought you here in the first place"

The kid looked at him with calm eyes in which he noticed a hidden intelligence that he hadn't seen before. He was good at reading people and using it to his advantage, that's why under a year he managed to gain the position of a city lord. But now he got fooled by the kid's looks, underestimating the guy because of how young he looked. That was a rookie mistake and it almost cost him his entire plan.

The mistake shouldn't be repeated and the kid held in the highest regard of his skills from now on. "I think it's time to stop with the pretending and talk about the important matters."

"What pretending?" the kid asked with a genuine surprise in his voice. "That's who I am."

"I really doubt that. You don't really strike me as a kid" the man said almost rolling his eyes.

"But I am!" the kid cried out with annoyance in his voice. "Why can't people understand that?"

"Because you're way too smart to be one? No kid would ever go out of his way to prepare for the mission instead of going into a castle. On top of that you masterfully changed the subject when I picked the Silver Wing. Kid's don't do that."

"But they treat me like one and repeat that I'm a kid every single day!" Ace said crossing his arms and glaring at the guy. "Why else would they do that if I wasn't one?"

"You sound like a NPC who needs his problems solved before they agree to help you out" the man said, making Ace smile.

"Could you do that?" Ace asked hopefully.

"I didn't even get what you were saying, so hardly. But do you plan to talk to me finally?"

"That depends whether I'll understand you" Ace said getting both his legs up and sitting down cross legged on the table. He put his right arm on the knee to support his chin and looked at the man with clear blue eyes.

"Oh I think you will. The topic is Silver Wing" the lord said looking at Ace but the kid didn't move a muscle. He just looked.

"Fine, let me explain it to you. A few months ago a monster started to rampage in my city. He was quite well-known for having lived in the capital for long. There were no leads on him besides the fact that he had light hair, blood-red eyes and no one ever saw him before the dagger was already in their hearts. Nothing that he could be tracked by.

“But then one day a kid came to my right hand man and forced him into complying" the lord said expecting a reaction. Denial or something but Ace stayed still as if he was a statue.

"There were no connections beside the kid knowing facts he shouldn't and having light curls escaping a dark purple scarf. But he gained suspicion when he didn't show up to take up his prize. On top of that Silver Wing took a break when he left for a mission too. Do you see where I'm going?"

Ace's eyes became a bit darker blue but he still didn't say anything.

"I've been thinking about it a lot and collected even more information on the killer. My personal spies questioned every victim themselves until one of them said he saw a slightly pointed ear before his death. He also mentioned the point being much smaller than an elf’s and maybe even half-elf’s. I thought about it a lot and was about to discard it as fake when I remembered a certain race, not like any other. They had slightly pointed ears, thick extremely strong hair but looked human otherwise. It was a race that nobody ever chose. And here I can see one specimen right before my eyes. I hope you don't think it's a coincidence?"

"Maybe..." Ace said finally, a strange gleam appearing in his eyes.

"Don't try to threaten me. Even if you kill me, I'll be reborn and free to tell your secret to the world" the lord said but there was no smile on his face. He was playing with fire at the moment. He surely could be reborn but Ace might be waiting there for him or hire someone to repeatedly kill him. On top of that it would be extremely hard to convince anyone that the sweet kid before him was a heartless killer.

Ace knew that too. He had a tremendous advantage with that but he preferred to tread carefully. This time they might not believe the guy but if more people started talking about it, it would cast a shadow of doubt on him, constricting his movements. "What do you want?" he asked straightforwardly. The man was good enough to see through all the hastily made trickery anyway.

"I want to hire you."

"Wait... What?" Ace asked surprised. He expected to get threatened and forced to do something, not to be offered a job.

"I want to unite the Oradin kingdom and for that I'll need many things. A master assassin is a vital one and you're one of the best I've seen. On top of that, no one will ever think of suspecting you for anything" the lord said heatedly, his eyes blazing.

Ace's eyes widened. "That's not a dream of someone who thinks small. Are you sure it's within your grasp?"

"Crystal clear. I've risen to the position of the lord in half a year while others only learnt how to use their skills well. All I need to start moving on from here is a few people in key positions I could trust. That is all" the lord said putting his hands on the table and grilling Ace with his feverish gaze.

"So confident. You're so going down soon" Ace said shaking his head with a laugh. He didn't believe the guys dream. It was a hard path to becoming a city lord but creating a kingdom from many separate castles that have no wish to do so? A madmen's mutterings.

"I don't ask you to believe me. All I want is to borrow your strength. You will start seeing my way later on when I have conquered and won over all the lands around Lasran!"

"You're so sure of it. Why not then? Let's see how far you can go before falling. Just remember I'll be there to tell you "I told you so"! What is your plan for now?"

"And you think I'll be stupid enough to reveal it? I'll hire you officially secretly and give you your mission."

"And if I do everything well, you might one day tell me your genius plans?" Ace asked with a laugh. He wasn't sure about the guys success rate but was eagerly waiting for his mission. He never expected a chance to become an assassin for hire, not even talking to be a royal one. There would be many new things to see and so much fun to have! "Do you plan to make me into a spy to?"

"Do you have that much free time?" the lord asked raising his eyebrow.

Ace thought for a moment. Vera would never agree to it but he wasn't planning on staying by her side anyway. "I might. Do you have anything interesting?"

"Aren't you a bit too eager? I thought you didn't trust in my abilities?" the lord asked suspiciously.

"I don't. I'm just going to help you as long as I find it fun being a royal assassin. If I get bored, that'll be the last you will see of me. So tell, what do you have in mind now?" Ace asked, dragging himself a bit forward so he was looking down on the man if only slightly.

The lord relaxed back in his chair escaping the kid's gaze. "I didn't expect you to jump at the opportunity so I haven't prepared anything. Come back in the evening I'll have it all figured out by then"

"Too much work. I won't have time to chat with you later on. So it's now or never."

"What about the chat system?"

"What about it?"

"Will you be on?"

"Yes, but I don't remember having you in my friends list."

The lord's eyes flashed angrily but he extended his hand and took Ace's.

*L has requested to become your friend. Do you accept?*

"L? Seriously?" Ace laughed. "Where did you even come up with that? That’s a name that reaches the heights of ingenuity!"

"Just accept it and leave. I have a lot of work to do" the lord said, angrily picking up a random document that had somehow remained on the corner of a table and starting to read it.

"Of course, of course!" Ace said, still laughing and jumped down from the table. He stretched his muscles from a real life habit and left after making a mocking bow. “Single letter…” he muttered chuckling

*L has been registered as a friend*

Out of the room he went to wonder around the castle lost in his thoughts. Everything would be nice and good but first he had to somehow get rid of Vera which wasn't an easy task. She was like a leech draining his life energy and it always hurt to get it off you.

He needed some kind of a plan, a reason why he should travel alone. Something, something... There had to be a way... Accidentally he went into a small chapel. It was eerily quiet inside. 'If I came here, I might as well pay my respects.'

He found the small picture of a golden haired beauty looking innocently with her hands behind her back from which pearly white wings sprouted and fell on his knees before it. He took out a dried flower from his backpack and put it on the small plate for offerings. After that Ace took out his Kris and cut at his finger to let a drop of blood land on the flower. It shined yellow for a moment before losing colour once again.

"Ariel, the fooled one, hear my prayer and help your servant in his time of need. I bow my head before your suffering and share mine. If death befalls me, take me to your side and let us watch the world be swallowed in flames together" he said in a makeshift prayer. It was a random match of different ideas but it was a genuine effort. He really felt for the goddess and understood her pain in a way.

There was no answer so after around an hour he stood up, dusted his clothes off and left. Leaving he heard two stable boys talking in a corner.

"... mad! There's no way we can do that!"

"Why not? It's not like we have anything here and out there we could become heroes! Can you imagine it? Us heroes!"

"But what would we do after running away? Where would we get food and shelter? We'd die from cold! Do you remember that the winter is coming?" the other said annoyed. He was surely the logically thinking one of the two.

'Running away for real... Not only have a few steps made to only get found again in an hour or two. How awesome would that be? But it's impossible... Or is it?' He thought about it. The getting away part could be easily achieved but what would be the reasoning? How could he explain it to her in real life? How?

"It's great"

"Amazing! It's the best thing ever!" Par said in a shout waking Ace up from his musing. He stopped in the corridor deciding whether he wanted to see them or not. He didn't. [Shadow Veil].

He stood against the wall and prepared to wait for them to pass. Par was talking about a new skill book he obtained as a reward and Ace's mind was working. He had a general idea of what had to be done and that required Monthu, Hawk and Aurora gone from the picture for some time.

His mind finally clear, he moved and went to follow the group. If they didn't feel like leaving Par alone any time soon, he was ready to make them. There was nothing that could stop him now that he had a way of escaping Vera's clutches.

While he was planning his escape a certain duo was talking down a very dark and dangerous alley.

"Why didn't you kill him?"

"When you said he's a monster, I thought you meant something else than his powers. You should have told me it's a suicide mission so I could have refused from the start and not wasted all this time. You know I don't like dying?" a certainly female voice answered, waving her hand in the air.

"What do you know about him? It should have been a piece of cake for someone like you!" the man said angrily.

"He's a bastard of a highest level! He always went alone in the middle of enemies' base and still survived somehow. Also he made us do the same. He lured large groups of mobs simply so he could watch how we fight for our lives! And later on he tricked us into opening the gates and left us alone against a never-ending onslaught of mobs!"

"I suppose you didn't die?" the man asked raising an eyebrow mockingly but in the darkness it was missed by his partner.

"It was a close call" the voice said angrily.

"Do you plan on getting revenge? He deserves it for making you go through all of it!"

"He? I don't think so. It's all your fault that I had to go there and suffer" she said calmly and with a swift motion stabbed the man. It did little damage but she repeated it a hundred times more, so fast that the unprepared man couldn't do anything, only watch his health bar drop rapidly. When it was below five percent the rogue stopped the attacks and watched as the man fell to the ground like a heavy log.

He still had some consciousness so she squatted down and whispered in his ear. "Next time hire a madman for suicide missions and get me only for delicate matters. Otherwise, you might get a bad name in the organization and you don't want that, do you?"

There was fury in the man's eyes but the female smiled at him and patted the cheek as if he was a bad child and left. Soon enough the man took his last breath and was forcefully logged off. Now he had a lot of time to think of revenge that he wasn't going to get.

If he even tried to touch her, the whole organization would be on his head and he would have no choice but to create a new character for himself. But there was a person he could reach. A certain monster whose fault it all was.

That guy was unknowingly following his own prey and was growing more frustrated by the moment. 'Why can't he take a step without Monthu? How am I to make the plan work if he's so spineless?' Ace growled in his mind. It had been an hour without any progress. He had noticed Vera's shadow a few times but she didn't get too close to the group, although there was someone tailing them besides him. Luckily that guy was less skilled than Ace and couldn't see him.

They followed the group for three hours more before Ace's chance showed up. Monthu walked into a blacksmith's shop with Hawk while Aurora was looking at all the jewellery in display on counters nearby. Par was supposed to have stayed by her but he had wondered off to the candy stall.

"Two chocolate frogs, please!" Ace said to the merchant giving him a silver.

Par was about to run away but Ace stopped him with his free hand. "Take this first" he said forcing a chocolate treat in his hand. "It's for you."

"Thanks" Par said in a murmur, taking it discreetly and looking around to make sure no one was watching. Then he started to munch on the treat as if it was going to be taken from him at any moment. "I shouldn't be talking to you, you know" he said between bites, following everyone around with his eyes.

"Really?" Ace asked faking surprise. "I thought we were friends? Did I do something I shouldn't have?"

"Monthu was very angry because I lied to him. He said you're a bad influence and I shouldn't stay around you. I trust his judgement but..." Par said quietly with his head down, the last chocolate leg forgotten.

"Don't you find it unfair?" Ace asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Hm?"

"Vera is saying the same thing to me! Almost. She said that Monthu is a bad person and I should never talk to him again! That's why she didn't even want to let me finish the quest! Can you believe that?" he asked with righteous anger in his voice.

"What? Monthu is the best ever! How could she say that?" Par asked, not understanding how anyone could think differently.

"I think grownups sometimes make mistakes too" Ace said with grimness in his voice.

"You mean...?" Par asked wide mouthed.

"Yes. We're friends and should stay that way. Didn't we agree on it that night in the castle?"

"Uhm... I don't think we said anything of the like..." Par said quietly.

"But we were looking for a plan to stay together! So it counts! What's even better is I have it, all I want to know is whether you still wish to be my friend or not!" Ace said in a clear voice gazing right in Par's eyes. There was a question in his own but a different one when the asked. It was more of an accusation that wanted you to tell if you really had lied. Par couldn't say no to that without feeling like a traitor so he did what he felt like he had to.

"I do" he said.

Ace's eyes lightened up. "That's great! Who cares if the whole world is against us if we have each other? Let's go!" he said turning around and taking a few steps in the other direction than where Aurora stood.

"I can't go! Brother won't let me!" Par said taking a step back while shaking his head; the frog leg still remained in his hand abandoned.

"Do you wish to be friends or not?" Ace asked angrily. "I'm tired of you acting like your brother is the god! He isn't! You should think yourself at least for once! I went behind Vera's back, thought up a plan and am probably angering my parents all for the sake of staying friends with you!

“But you, you can't do a single thing by yourself! I thought you were a person but now I see I was mistaken! You're nothing but a puppet controlled by Monthu! Sorry to have wasted your time, oh highness!" he shouted out mockingly, adding an exaggerated bow to it and angrily left ignoring the tears in Par's eyes.

He had done all he could and if the kid was a spineless worm, nothing would change it. He'll create another plan to escape. In the end no one was on his side. To hell with it, he can do it all alone too. All he needed was a new excuse and he was good at creating them. A day or two more and he'll be free no matter what.

Tired and angry he went to the tavern Vera had checked in and went to the room left for him. He laid on the bed and counted wood lines on the ceiling. Five, six, eleven, who cared, fifteen, sixteen, great, twenty, thirty, forty, hate it, hundred. He was sleeping when the doors opened up for a moment before closing again and getting locked from outside.

***

"Par what is wrong?" Aurora asked later in the day. Since Monthu came back from the blacksmith's shop, the kid walked with his head down and he started to cry when she bought a treat to cheer him up. That was not normal!

"Nothing" Par said in a murmur, lowering his head even more.

"Monthu!" she said angrily. "Look at your brother! He's suffering because of something and you're doing nothing to remedy that!"

"What? Isn't it you who always listens to each of his problems night and day?" the guy asked surprised. It was rare that Par would need anything being such a model child while it was even rarer to see Aurora angry, and she was at the moment. 'What is happening here?'

"He's not talking to me! Hawk let's go somewhere so the two can share their secrets without having to kick us out!" she said and marched off dragging Hawk with her. The guy threw Monthu an apologetic look and followed the cleric.

Monthu shrugged having no idea why she was suddenly so mad and looked at his brother who was glaring holes in the road.

"What's with you? You know you've just angered Aurora and will have to apologize to her later, right?"

"No! I don't want to!" Par said, raising his glare at his brother who only now noticed that something was extremely wrong here. Par never ever disagreed or glared at anyone. He just wasn't that kind of a person.

"Par? What is wrong?" he asked gently taking his brother from the main street and entering an empty alley. "You know you can tell me everything, right?"

Tears appeared in Par's eyes but he shook his head. "You never listen to me! Why should I?" he said pretending to be strong but his voice shook along with his whole body.

"That's not true. Why would you ever think that?" Monthu asked taken aback.

"Because it is!" Par said angrily, lightly hitting Monthu's shoulder and running away. He quickly left the alley and entered the main street. Then he disappeared from his brother's sight before the guy could even grasp what had happened.

"Par, wait!" he shouted out but it was already too late. The kid was away and he hadn't the slightest idea why and where to. There was only one place Monthu knew where his brother could go and he went there without a moment's delay.

"Hey, wake up!" someone said shaking Ace's shoulder.

"Tiiiiirrrrrred" Ace said with a yawn and turned to the other side. He had no wish to get up now. There was still no plan.

"Time to get up, sweetie! There's a carnival today and I know how you love fire shows" Vera said taking a step back before Ace jumped out of his bed.

"Fire show? What are we waiting for? Let's go!" the kid said ready to run but Vera stopped him.

"Wait a moment, I need to brush your hair first"

"It's a game, they always look the same!" Ace said annoyed. The game removed such necessities although there was a way to enable them in the options. He didn't.

"Just let me do it, okay?"

"Fine" Ace said keeping his voice in check and sitting down with his back to Vera.

"Good boy" she said with a laugh and took out a brush. She used it to straighten the curls and untangle them but after a moment they all returned back to their places.

Ace sat still as if he was made of stone. He had closed his eyes and was breathing deeply. She made him feel like an obedient dog she took care of. There had to be a way out.

A few ages later she was done and he could stand up. Smiling he led her out of the inn and followed by thirty or so people they marched to the main street. The sun had set so various lanterns hung from the houses and Vera took his hand. 'Was that supposed to make me feel safer?' he laughed in his mind and made [Flare] stay still before his head and light the way.

But they didn't make it to the carnival. A group of three stopped them right before the entrance. The main man holding a scythe looked huge and there was fury in his eyes.

"What did you do to him?" he asked in a growl, pointing the weapon to Ace's neck whose eyes widened.

"Get the hell away from him" Vera said angrily pushing the scythe away with her rapier and taking a defensive stance in front of Ace. "Who do you think you are, pointing a weapon at him like that?" The followers took their position at her sides pushing Ace all the way back.

He stood there for a moment before deciding he wouldn't hear anything useful. Then using [Hiding in Plain Sight] he walked around them and entered the carnival.

Right at the entrance were ten stalls selling all kinds of masks. He looked over them and chose a fox shaped one that covered his eyes and nose. Further on he saw more stalls of which most sold different kinds of treats. He chose a few animal shaped lollipops and went ahead.

There he finally saw what he was looking for. Mimes, sword eaters, illusionists and musicians were on every corner, among stalls selling their talent. He stopped for a moment at each one and dropped a few silvers receiving smiles and grateful nods. What a sad life of an artist.

At one turn a painter was sitting and hopelessly watching people pass by without stopping. Ace went to him and sat on the opposite chair. "Are you good?" he asked.

"Uhmm..." the young man looked at him with surprise. He had come here to maybe earn a few silvers for painting materials but it seemed pointless now. No one wanted a portrait and he had paid a five silver entrance fee! It had been his worst idea ever.

"So are you going to draw or not?" Ace asked with a bright smile that didn't go well with his impatient question at all. To motivate the man he took out a gold coin and put it on his canvas. "If I look any similar, it'll be yours"

"Really?" the man asked, his eyes lightening up.

"Yes" Ace said nodding and relaxing in the uncomfortable chair.

He watched the man study him and then pick up a paintbrush with grim determination. His hand moved with quick and sure strokes, never hesitating or stopping. After some time a crowd started to gather around and talk in hushed voices. Ace like the painter paid them no attention and kept his eyes on the moving brush. It was slowing down little by little. The man's eyes went to Ace more and more often leaving for a second only to return back.

His shoulders drooped and he spoke up. "It's not a masterpiece but I hope you see yourself there"

Ace stood up and walked around to see the painting. He was surprised in a good way. In the picture you could mistake for a photo sat a young beast men ruler. He wore rich clothes, had one leg over the other and gazed ahead. The look was that of a soulless monster. Someone, who would smile seeing a kid being beheaded just as he smiles when two lovers reunite after many trials. There was nothing good in that dark eyed youngster hidden behind a fox’s mask.

"You've done it quite well" Ace said in a level voice, lovingly watching the painting. It was the best thing ever. He took the golden coin back.

"But you don't like it? I knew I shouldn't have put you on a throne and drawn that jungle behind. Sorry for the wasted time" the painter said with a sigh.

Ace laughed. "You got it wrong. I love it and a single coin isn't nearly enough!" he said with a smile and got a pouch out. He pushed it in the surprised man's hands and picked the painting up. The best purchase ever! He was away before the man opened the pouch and saw a hundred gold coins shining inside. He had the biggest smile in his life.

Ace walked on watching all the wonders around, listening to music, hearing bard tales and eating as many treats as he wanted. The carnival was a blast. The only thing missing to perfection was a fire show. But it had to be somewhere around. Vera would have never lied to him.

"... and see people who have conquered fire! They're here! The Fire-Breathers!"

"Yes!" Ace screamed in joy and ran in the direction the voice was coming from. He was about to push through the crowd to the centre when someone grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Ace? Is it you?" the voice asked.

Ace squinted at the guy. It was hard to see in the shadows that were made by all the lanterns but the one before him wasn't wearing a mask. And it was a kid. "Par?" he asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?" His face soon became angry and he brushed the kid's hand off. "Go away. I don't need you to destroy my evening off."

"Wait!" Par shouted out before Ace could leave. "I changed my mind! I don't want to do only what I'm told! They don't have the right to choose who I can be friends and who not!" he said in one breath.

Ace looked at him with wide eyes. He hadn't expected that for sure. He was pressing his luck when he suggested such a thing so it was no surprise, even if it made him extremely annoyed, that the kid had refused. So why was the kid here? He was a good boy, not one who never followed a rule in his life like Ace had. "Are you sure?"

"I want to... see the world through my own eyes" Par said looking straight. His gaze was strong but his voice wavered. Now was the time for Ace to say that he was wrong and let Par come back to his family. He was still young and innocent, uncorrupted by the evils of the world that so many young people succumbed to. There was still a chance to keep him the same.

But Ace wasn't a hero. He wasn't going to suffer so someone else could have a better life. Maybe it made him evil, maybe a bad, egoistic person or maybe… just maybe it showed that he simply was a normal weak human that wished for a happy life. Many people sprout words about sacrifice and putting others before oneself but how often does that truly happen? In an equation between dreams and reality, other people don’t fit in.