Chapter One: The Shadow Thief

It was always uncomfortable to be in someone else's shadow. It pressed against him, cold and heavy, like wet cloth clinging to his skin. Saburo squirmed around in the oily dark, arms aching from being twisted into an irregular shape. He’d never gotten used to how strange it felt—trying to fit into another’s shape.

‘When’d boss say the truck was coming in again.’ 

For a while now, he felt small whispers of sensation pass through him, and among the echoes, he was able to make out a conversation. Three people by his count. He couldn't pinpoint exactly where they were headed but he knew the moment they rounded a corner.

The shadow jerked, sending him bouncing through the shadow walls. Every step they took warped the room in ways he didn’t even know were possible. His mind after the whole ordeal was now as fogged up as the mysterious swirls in his space yet still as eager for new information.

‘Damn I’m hungry.’ 

Well not exactly every detail was useful. 

With the creaking sounds of the warehouse doors he knew they were in. He was hit by a whole new batch of sensation. The touch of cold on another’s skin, smelling through another’s nose. Not one bit pleasant.

‘How long’d the lights been on in here?’ 

He groaned, knowing exactly what was going to happen. The dark world collapsed and his body again went… missing. With the fading of the man’s shadow, the concept of space itself was distorted, with no longer a definitive idea of here or there. It felt like an endless torment while the room reformed and fell apart, taking Saburo in and out with it wherever shadows went.

‘Well there’s the truck. I’ve been tired of waiting.’ 

Finally, he thought, and with a strange sensation like squeezing through a tube, he emerged out of the pitch black pool of the man’s shadow with a crash. Immediately, a rush of light hit him like a slap to the face. Feeling around with his arms, he dove behind a large, metallic crate. He was in. 

Stretching, he felt every part of his body scream in protest. His world shook vigorously for quite a while until everything balanced, as if his brain was never calibrated till now. Thoughts raced through his head, all of his senses coming back to him. The soft buzz of unattended machinery and the rust that caked every surface.

He deactivated his shadow-sneaking spell, and his ‘wand’–really his mother’s pendant–now hung still on his chest, only a few threads of shadow aura escaping. That was fun, he thought, allowing himself to let out a happy smile.

Carefully, wrapping his fingers around the edge, he peeked around at the warehouse. Heaps of crates and boxes lay scattered around the room, each of them marked with the same standard labeling. 

Now he was able to properly eavesdrop on their conversation. “Make sure this goes straight to the boss. You tell no one about this.” The short man whose shadow Saburo was just inside responded, “Understood, sir.” Any moment now, he thought.

“Raaeeek!” The three men stuttered. Just in time, he thought, pulling out his slingshot. The culprit of the noise was none other than the boy’s partner in crime, the Sun Dragon, Azumanthyus.

Not the great, fire-breathing terror of legend but a creature no taller than a wand,

and no wider than a spellbook is long. From high above, its pristinely polished scales radiated with a brilliant white light. Shining through the smoke which curled through its nostrils at every breath. With a delicate flutter of its wings, the creature came plummeting in, a regal smirk pulling at his face. 

The main leader –or at least Saburo thought so– immediately pulled out a gun. “Who let this bite-sized lizard in here?” He fired off multiple rounds as the dragon wove through the air, cackling widely as it danced around bullets. 

The dragon flew for the boy, and once again activating his spell, he fell into the realm of shadows.

This shadow was warmer than the last, almost like a soft hug from a long lost friend. He drifted freely through the water-like world, dancing through as the dragon blitzed around the old building pipes. Patiently he looked for the signal.

‘Now!’

This time with a pop, he materialized behind their leader, setting off a dart that whirled through the air, hitting the man in the back of the neck.

The three other men screamed. One of them bolted to set off the alarm system, panting frantically, leaving himself exposed. Saburo didn’t hesitate, firing a quick round from his slingshot, causing the man to fall with a satisfying thunk. 

“He’s a thief!” shouted the short man, fiddling with his coat–most likely reaching for his ‘wand’. The boy looked at him mockingly, twisting his head, “What? No, I’m one of the good guys,” then he kicked him in the face. 

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

One more to go. However the last guy was already on the floor, done before Saburo could blink. 

“Smoked him,” the dragon said pleased. Its tail wagged in delight and it glowed even brighter.

“As long as you’re happy,” ignoring him, he walked into the truck and surveyed the stack of boxes. “Come on, let's get out of here.” Pulling out a pouch, –a void room to be precise– he packed all of the crates inside, carefully checking each one for the signature off-brand labeling.

Closing it off, he left the old factory for the brilliant purple of the forest. He headed back to Violet City.

—

Saburo was waiting for the sponsor. Not that he wasn’t here, he was just too nervous to go in. His heart pulled him with both fear and excitement, but they were both dragging him in one direction. Forward.

The sky burned with a bright sunset glow, reflecting off the Obsidian Gate. Saburo turned around pointing at Azumanthyus, “Please, I don’t want you to do anything crazy.”

“Got it, got it. I’ll just stay out of your way, and pop out when I’m least expected.” Then laughing he slithered back into Saburo sending a shudder down his spine. Taking two nervous steps forward, he knocked on the wide Obsidian Gate.

Thud, with a metallic clank, the two doors spread open, and Saburo was immediately pushed to his knees from the pressure. He was definitely here. 

Lo and behold, a figure clad in an intricately layered robe of amethyst marched down the elegant gold pathway, his midnight shaded heels clicking on the cobbled stone. His presence warped the crisp autumn air around him and the ground jumped frantically with his steps, sending the ever-present purple leaves into a tumbling whirlwind. The man kneeled before him, tilting his head and peering daringly into his eyes, “Behind you.”

Poof, the image faded back to the air and its chill ran down his spine. Saburo turned back with a jolt, a cold sweat running down him, now face to face with the real deal. The Illusionist, Kirin Satō. 

A sparkle in the man’s eyes, he waved at him, “Hello. It’s been a while hasn't it, Saburo.” Instinctively he jumped back, heart pounding in awe, this man was well above his league. “Sorry, you caught me off guard.” Standing up, he dusted off his own robe of muted blue, combing back his disheveled hair. He wouldn’t want to appear ill-mannered.

Kirin smirked, his eyes sparkling with amusement, “I know. It’s what I do best.” He walked closer, putting his arm around him, “Say, why don’t you follow me.” It’s not like Saburo could refuse.

—

Saburo sank in a chair that was far too fancy for the simplicity of this meeting. The leather cushion embraced him as he settled in, and the armrests were just the right height — but enough about the chair. The massive room was lined with portraits of dark, shadowy themes. Philosophical quotes or cryptic messages were carved into the signs that hung on every wall but he could care less about those. There was something important he was here for.

Kirin leaned back, eyes studying Saburo before asking, “So, what brings you,” his voice echoed deliberately across the hall while he spun around in his chair, taking small sips out of his goblet.

“I was wondering if you would fu-” 

“What makes you think I should,” Saburo gulped, he knew this question was coming, “But don’t worry… Of course I will,” the man put down his glass with a clink, “But only on one condition.” 

Inside Saburo was glowing with excitement, Kirin had finally agreed to sponsor the foundation of his dream company. He’d never dreamt it would go this smoothly, planning to mention his latest fantastical endeavours or the future missions he had lined up.

“The condition is that you’ll accept my son into your company. And… sorry, but there won’t be any money for you.”

Saburo’s heart sank. “What… no money?” He shifted, trying to read Kirin's expression, but the man just smiled. Perfectly timed, a straw-bodied boy walked through the door frame, clutching a book to his chest –The Fairy’s Guide to Magic. His bony fingers wrapped around a standard fairy’s wand, but there was an unmistakable fire in his eyes. He wore a loose-fitted purple shirt with a small leather pouch strung over his shoulder and a circle-lensed pair of glasses perched on his nose. Saburo blinked, staring at the thin figure in front of him. This… this wasn’t the Satō prodigy he’d imagined.

“This isn’t what I meant by a sponsorship!”

“Sit.” The boy was shoved back into his seat from an immense aura pressing in from above, there was no contesting his word. Reluctantly he mumbled, “Alright, I accept.” Then more demandingly he asked, “But when I come back here the next night, I’d like for you to grant me one wish.”

“Sure, I don’t see why not,” he stood up and with a swish of his coat cast another order, “Now, the both of you get out.”

—

Saburo walked down the street with the boy following closely behind. Kirin hadn’t even bothered to say his name. That wasn’t even mentioning that his new teammate was practically thrown at him without any warning. He was going to be fine with it if the boy wasn’t such a wimp too.

‘You want me to ask him? I can do it if you're scared.’

No, stay put, he thought back, his dragon had been pressuring him with threatening remarks the whole time.

‘Really, I promise I can do it. He won’t be scared one bit.’

“I’ll show him.”

 Saburo went to a stop, “What did you just say?” The boy stuttered, “Sorry, you weren’t meant to hear that.” 

“Ok,” he replied, continuing on walking. After a little bit of awkward pausing, the boy spoke up again, “He’s getting rid of me. Using this as an excuse to throw me away.” Then a new fire blazed in his eyes, “I’m going to prove him wrong.”

Suddenly Saburo felt a whole lot better about his new partner.

“Oh well that’s great then! I was worried you’d be sad forever.” He grabbed onto the boy's hand, “Come with me.”

“Hey! At least tell me where we’re going first.”

Still running, the dragon slithered out of Saburo, causing the boy to jump back wide-eyed, “HQ!” exclaimed Azumanthyus.