The world came into view as Sylas opened his rested eyes. Outside, the city glowed in a serene hue of gold. The light stopped at the curtains, barely reaching inside the room. Sylas stepped out of bed and brushed the curtains aside.
The streets were a mix of shouts and calls. Sylas yawned and clenched the door handle.
But the peace didn't last long. The door burst open, smacking him in the face as Kael practically flew into the room.
"Sylas! I made a master plan!" Kael spun a piece of paper in his hand.
Sylas rubbed his nose. "A plan for what exactly?"
Kael spread the paper on the floor. "This is the plan to get Princess Luna's attention."
Sylas scratched his head. "So you made a map for this?" He squinted at the paper. "Uh, Kael... isn't this just scribbles?"
Kael smirked. "Of course not. This is my masterpiece."
Sylas looked back and forth between Kael and the paper. "Can you explain what you wrote?"
Kael scratched his head. "Uh... I forgot, actually."
"YOU WROTE IT!"
Kael fixed his imaginary glasses. "I remember now."
Sylas sighed. "Phew. I almost thought you forgot."
"Sylas, I actually forgot the plan."
"HOW DID YOU WRITE IT THEN!?"
Kael relaxed. "I'm just playing with you." He leaned in and whispered the actual plan.
After hearing it, Sylas raised an eyebrow. "We might need to start gambling if this actually works, 'cause how the hell do you think we'll get this lucky?"
---
The two of them stood before the palace. Kael brushed his hair. Sylas fixed his red tie.
Kael asked, "Do you think buying these suits were a waste?"
Sylas replied, "If this hell of a plan works, then it was totally worth it."
Kael stepped forward to the guards. "We're the new cleaners. The festival's been crazy the past few days."
The guards exchanged glances and burst out laughing.
Sylas thought. No way the plan failed this early.
but one of the guards said, "Didn't I say they were hiring new people?"
"I actually lost that bet," the other replied. "I thought I would definitely win"
The first guard turned to Kael. "Don't mind us. You can enter."
Sylas stood in shock. How did this just work?
---
Inside, the palace was a whole new world. The walls stretched so high they challenged the sky. Gold and silver furnished every corner. Maids walked by in coordinated rhythm. Kael immediately started his usual sweet talk.
Kael paused and turned. "Am I a genius or what? Because This plan is just perfect"
Sylas held kael's shoulder. "Just hope our luck holds. We'll need a hundred times more to finish your plan."
Kael strolled ahead confidently.
Sylas lingered, his eyes drawn to an ajar door. revealing a massive room with chandeliers like stars.
What if I was born here? Would people respect me?
A memory arose. Cold like a dream yet to be forgotten.
---
Rain thickened the fog filled alley. A man slammed a young Sylas against a wall. "How dare you steal from me?"
Sylas clutched an apple. The man bashed his head against the bricks. "Don't you dare look at me with those filthy eyes."
Sylas, bleeding, couldn't even cry.
"Stop this!"
From the alley's edge, Mercy ran in.
She clutched Sylas and begged the man, "I'm so sorry, he's just a child. He didn't mean to."
"Keep your orphans locked up, woman," the man spat and walked away.
Mercy held Sylas, gently wiping the blood from his brow.
"Aren't you angry?" he whispered.
She smiled sadly. "Isn't it my fault you had to steal? Next time, tell me what you want. Please."
She embraced him. "It's okay. You can trust me. Because, don't I trust you?"
---
"Sylas! No way you started daydreaming about this palace!"
He looked up to see Kael waving.
That's right. No place is home without Mercy, Sylas thought, as he started walking.
They began cleaning in earnest.
Sylas polished windows. Kael mopped the floor.
Kael asked, "Sylas, ever feel like there are things you could never tell anyone?"
Sylas paused. "Of course. Things no one would understand."
Kael leaned on his mop. "Not even me?"
"Especially not you."
Kael pointed his mop at him. "How dare you!"
Sylas chuckled. "Not saying you're dumb. There are things even Mercy might not understand."
Kael nodded. "You're a very weird guy."
---
From the side room, a man's voice called for Kael.
Kael looked to Sylas. "Are we busted?"
"I have a plan," Sylas said.
Kael entered. The nobleman sipped tea. "You seem new. Where's your hiring papers?"
Kael stuttered. "Uhm... you see..."
Sylas walked in holding a kettle. "Refill, sir?"
The man looked up. "Wait a second, you loo—"
Tea splashed onto his suit.
"How dare you!" he stood.
"Let me clean that sir!" Sylas tugged at the man's tie. Blades spilled out.
Kael blinked. "this man has knifes?"
The man lunged. Sylas intercepted with a punch, tackling him.
Kael ran out yelling for guards.
---
The guards arrived, and drew their spears at Sylas.
"Let him go!"
Kael jumped in. "Wait, he's the victim!"
"That's not what I see," one guard said.
"Anyone here saw any weapons?"
A maid stepped forward. "look under him there's so many knifes."
Clank. Another knife dropped.
Sylas and Kael: "How many knives does he have?!"
The guards blinked. "It's clear who the assassin is."
An older guard bowed. "Forgive us. We acted too hastily."
Kael smiled. "Well at least you did your jobsq."
Another squad burst in. Spears raised.
Without turning, the older guard stopped them. "These are our saviors. Show respect."
---
Later, seated among staff, Kael said, "Being hailed as heroes isn't bad, eh?"
Sylas relaxed. "It's bliss."
A girl approached shyly. "Thank you for catching the assassin. I don't know what might've happened..."
Sylas smiled gently. "You're safe. That's what matters."
She blushed. "You're very kind, sir."
"Call me Sylas. Sylas Tenebris."
Kael leaned in. "I'm here too—though I didn't do much."
They laughed. She giggled. "I'm Bliss. Can I get you anything?"
"Food," Kael blurted.
"You're gaining weight," Sylas muttered.
"Shut up!"
She laughed. "I'll bring something."
---
Trumpets sounded. The palace vibrated with motion.
"Time to act," Sylas said.
Kael stretched. "Right when I was gonna eat."
Guards lined the halls. At their head, Luna entered in crimson armor, blood-slicked and distant.
"Call them to the throne room," Marceus muttered.
Kael grinned. "Plan changed, but it still worked."
Sylas: "Act normal."
---
They stood in the throne room. Luna on her throne. Marceus beside her.
"So-called heroes," Marceus began. "Caught an assassin, didn't you?"
"That we did," Sylas answered.
"Then what's your business here? You're not cleaners."
"Our orphanage is under threat. We ask for aid."
"And what do we get in return for saving your orphanage?"
"What kind of repayment can you ask from children who don't even know what might come of them?"
Marceus circled. "Exactly. We get nothing."
He sneered. "They'll be sold off anyway. I was raised in one, I know."
Sylas replied, "But look at you. Didn't you turn out fine?"
"I chose the streets over slavery."
Kael snapped. "Mercy isn't like them. She has compassion."
Marceus paused. "Mercy? That witch who ran away when the princess risked her life for her?"
Kael: "W-What do you mean?"
Marceus grinned. "She didn't tell you? Because you were raised to be sold."
Laughter erupted.
Sylas bit his lip until it bled.
He looked at Luna. "Will you help us?"
Marceus opened his mouth.
"I DIDN'T ASK YOU!"
Luna hesitated, avoided his gaze. "Marceus, answer for me."
The crowd laughed louder. Marceus mocked, "That means no."
"We're leaving," Sylas said.
But Marceus stopped them. "Who'll pay for what you broke?"
"I sentence you for trespassing. Guards, escort the rats to their cell. Don't be gentle."
---
They were dragged away. Chandeliers like ghostly crowns loomed. Mockery followed them down the stairs.
"Look at the hero. A rat in a suit."
They passed Bliss. Her hands covered her mouth. Her eyes wide with disbelief.
Kael tried to joke. "Well, it was a fun ride."
"Shut up, Kael."
The underground prison was cold. They were thrown in.
The assassin sat there, now calm.
Kael asked, "Who were you going to kill?"
"No one, now."
Sylas: "You're not a real assassin."
"No. I kill only when darkness is colder than light."
He looked at Sylas. "You have what's needed to leave. So I'll go first."
He snuffed the candle. The flame flickered out. When it returned, he was gone.
Kael: "Where did he go?"
Sylas smirked. "He read me like an open book."