Wait...what boy was he talking about? I groan when I stand, and check the alley. Ghelly is frantically struggling against the ropes around his wrists and ankles, moaning furiously into the cloth around his mouth. He sees me and wriggles faster, trying to inch towards me.

I squat down and remove the cloth from his mouth. "That bastard!" he hisses, face flushed and sweating with exertion." I can't help myself: I chuckle. "It's not funny!" he shouts, but my laughter just gets louder. Maybe it's not purpose I need: just a laugh. But it would be nice to know how I can fill the vast, aching, emptiness that consistently grows larger with every day and every thought. Ah, I'll deal with that tomorrow.

I'm able to cut Ghelly free in a few quick movements. He doesn't stop swearing the whole time, even as he explains what happened. A child after my own heart.

"Why did Baer leave you tied up?" Ghelly snatches his sword from the ground, buckling the naked blade to his worn belt.

"Because he's a crazy old coot!" I level my gaze so our eyes meet. He catches my eye and brushes himself off. "He caught me sneaking out, okay? He helped me, then he just knocked me out and tied me up! It still hurts," he mumbles, rubbing a lump on the back of his head tenderly.

"Why were you sneaking out?" I ask, leading him out of the alley and into the throng of people.

"I was tired of being cooped up in the tavern."

"You've only been there one day!"

"It felt like an eternity." He looks up at me and stuffs his hands into his pockets. "I didn't ask to be anxious, alright? I just...if I'm in one place too long I go stir crazy. I need to move. I need fresh air."

"If you want 'fresh air', you won't find it in Malor," I pat him on the back and he stumbles a bit. It's rare that I'm taller and stronger than someone; it's kind of nice to have someone to boss around. Makes it more fun to look after the little brat. "But if you want to still hang with me, then breathe that smog in deep." Despite himself, Ghelly smiles. Sure, it's full of crooked teeth and his breath smells like death, but it looks good on him.

"Where are we going?"

"Donyoku," I reply.

"Where's 'Donyoku'?" he asks.

"Not a where, a who. Well," I scratch the back of my neck. "What is actually more accurate. He's a Baku, one of the forgotten chimeras. He can get you to anywhere in the cosmos. For a price."

"Is he nice?" Ghelly asks, his hand on the pommel of his sword. Most people in Malor aren't nice, per say. Or mean. They're a messy gray blob of shifting values and principles. Donyoku is no different. Still, Ghelly isn't bursting with self-restraint. I don't need him getting us both killed.

"It's probably best to let me do the talking," I say.

||||||||||

Donyoku's place is in a quiet part of Southway. Sailors and rogue members of Karha's crew patrol the docks, dividing it from the Jungle. The only other Baku in Malor lives in Northridge. It's probably a good thing they live on opposite sides of the city; I doubt they get along.

I motion for Ghelly to come closer as I pound the heavy knocker on the door. "Whatever happens," I say, looking down at him. "Don't say a word. Got it?"

"I can watch my own mouth," he assures me.

"Yeah, sure you can. But Donyoku has a way of getting under one's skin. He can be—"

"Ah, Namonai!" The door bursts open with a whoosh of warm air that smells like wet dog. I refrain from wrinkling my nose, and partially block Ghelly's body. It's not that Donyoku is easily offended. He's just vindictive.

"Hello there, old friend." I say with a flourish of my arm. The large Baku looks down at me imperiously. His matted fur is damp, his eyes glowing.

"'Old friend', is it? Funny how you only call me that when you need something."

"Hilarious," I say and dip my head slightly. "May we come in?" I ask without looking up.

"And who is this little one?" he asks. I grab Ghelly by his long hair and yank his head down so he's bowing like me.

"Just a straggler I picked up. Pay no attention to him," I catch Ghelly's eye out of the corner of mine. Please don't say anything, please don't say anything.

"I am just fortunate Mr. Namonai found a lowly urchin like me," the boy murmurs, deepening his bow until his hair nearly touches the ground.

"You may enter," the Baku says, raising one eyebrow. It would look hilarious if he wasn't so dangerous.

"I'm impressed," I whisper to Ghelly as I stand. He rights himself abruptly, flinging his dark locks back.

"You so owe me," he replies, slipping into the small house.

Donyoku leads us through his small home, his bulk brushing the hallways. Furred tiger paws pad softly on the wood so it doesn't creak. His large scaled torso has rubbed paint off in several places, leaving smudges on the walls. An ox's tail with a flame tip swings dangerously close to the antiques he has piled everywhere. The Baku turns his head back to us, beady eyes roaming over our bodies. Dangerous horns poke out of his forehead, resembling the tusks near his mouth. His elephant's trunk curls and he frowns.

"It's been awhile since your last visit. It will be a tight squeeze with company." Donyoku is a rainbow of blue; all different shades and hues, ranging from sky to ocean. Every scale ripples and shimmers with his movements. He sits himself down heavily while Ghelly and I squeeze to take our place opposite him in the living room. The only decoration is a fire pit in the center, separating us from the Baku.

I shake my head when he offers tea, but Ghelly eagerly takes a cup. "Naiomi sent me," I say before Donyoku has a chance to ask. The less chance he has to speak, the better. "After the great and magnanimous alchemist, Marinette, graced us with her presence, she decided to leave us with a task."

"So, she's a bitch?" Donyoku questions.

"That accurately describes Marinette," I answer, which prompts a chortle from the misshapen chimera. "She's looking for a power source."

"And you need help finding it," the Baku says with a contemptuous smile.

"I know exactly where it is," I say. He frowns, sipping at his tea. "It's in the Dream Realm." A large grin spreads across his face. He knows exactly what I need.

"Well, you know the price, Namonai. With that, I will happily guide you there." I sigh and slap my thighs. I always hate this part.

"Alright. Ghelly, wait outside." He's about to protest, but Donyoku speaks up first.

"No, the boy will stay." I stop and look at him, narrowing my eyes. "In return, you will pick the memory this time." Maybe I should bring Ghelly along more often; I never get to pick the memory. "As long as it's good," he adds. Of course. I slowly nod my assent.

"What's happening?" Ghelly asks as Donyoku leans his trunk across the fire pit.

"He's about to bring out one of my worst memories and make me relive it," I say as casually as I can, sweat dripping down my arms. Gods I hate this part. "Don't worry, you'll get to watch."

Donyoku's trunk touches my forehead. I have an instant, a mere second, to decide which one I need to give him. I frantically pull a memory from my mind, and it shines like a projection over the fire pit.

I keep my eyes closed, watching the same scene as Ghelly, every feeling as vivid as the day I was there.