Dawn looked at the outstretched hand, dazed, feeling the weight on her back subside as Isa plopped down to the ground. Dawn took the proffered hand, driven by reflex more than anything else.

"Hi, I'm uh, D-Dawn."

The small cheerful man frowned, shaking Dawn's limp clamy hand as he peered at her bloodless face.

"You alright? You look downright awful... ah, no offense."

"Um, I don't—"

Dawn shook her head, trying, failing to get that image out of her mind. Dawn stared ahead, her eyes unmoving from where—where... The man followed her gaze, Dawn shivering as she got another glimpse of the carnage below. The man's eyes widened in sudden recognition.

"Ah shit."

He whirled, blocking her view once more as Isa looked between Dawn and the blood soaked colosseum.

"Oh. Wait, is she—?"

The man nodded, jerking his head to indicate a bar off to the side.

"Come on, she needs something strong.""

The kobold brows crossed and she nodded, gently taking Dawn's hand as she pulled her away. Before Dawn knew it she was sitting on a cool bar stool as Zasil pulled out a folding screen, blocking her view of the gore filled pit behind her. Isa dropped off her burden, scrambling up onto an adjacent stool as Zasil hurried behind the counter and began rummaging around. Isa looked up at her, concern written on her face.

"So, you've, ah, never seen a..."

Dawn absently shook her head as Zasil popped up, producing a multitude of bottles which shone and glittered with an inner brilliance. The kobold's eyes bulged as he proceeded to pour the glowing liquids into a shaker, the rich, varicolored hues reflecting off the polished bartop.

"Wha—wait! Hold up that way too expensi—!"

"It's on the house."

Dawn stared off into the depths of a roaring hearth as the bartender worked, only snapping out of her trance as a drink was placed in front of her. She eyed the drink, gazing at wisps of magenta and viridian as they intertwined, swirling in a vortex around a deep azure center. She looked up at the man who smiled and pointed at the cocktail.

"Eye of the Storm. Drink. It'll help."

Dawn reached for the drink, missing a few times until Isa guided and wrapped her hand around the glass. Dawn brought the concoction to her lips, shaking as she tried to down the glass in one go.

"Woah!"

"Easy!"

The two of them dove forward and managed to wrestle the glass away from Dawn. Spilled drink dribbled down her front as she slumped, burying her head in her hands. Isa and Zasil glanced at each other.

"Woah, I've seen people freak out before, but never..."

"Shush."

The man glared and the kobold threw up her claws as they turned, looking back to the girl who was more rag than girl at this point. Isa reached out a claw, hesitating before patting her on the back.

"Hey, it's okay. I know it's... graphic, but—"

Dawn trembled, shrugging off the kobold's claw as she spoke with a croak.

"Why?"

"—What?"

Dawn looked up and they blinked, watching as tears fell, glinting off the polished wood.

"Why? Why would anyone do—why is this a thing?"

The man sighed, peering at Dawn as he produced a rag and began to wipe the formerly spotless counter.

"You mean the fights?"

"Yes!"

Dawn pounded a fist, her voice coarse as her shock began to turn to rage. The kobold squirmed, shifting as the man shook his head. He gestured around, indicating the lively room filled with boisterous patrons.

"What else? It's Entertainment."

Dawn whirled, glaring at the man as her eyes lit into a roaring inferno.

"That's—!"

She faltered. Her fire went out as a wave washed over her, her head lulling as the alcohol hit her system all at once. Yet it wasn't just alcohol that quieted her. She felt... calm, as if walking through a forest, breathing in the crisp mountain air; As if resting in some rocky alcove, feeling the sun on her skin as the waves rolled in. She tried to summon the same furor as before but just... couldn't. She frowned.

"What, why am I—"

Isa cocked her head, squinted at Dawn with a bemused expression.

"What don't you get? Have you not heard of gladiators?"

Dawn turned to the kobold and shrugged, a litany of movies flashing through her mind. Oh how worse it was when it was real.

"Yes? I've heard of them but—this is wrong. Being forced to fight and die while people... take pleasure is just—"

The barkeep held up a hand, cutting her off as he raised a brow.

"Hold on. I think you're under the wrong impression. Who said they're being forced?"

Dawn jerked her head, snapping to Zasil as her eyes widened in surprise.

"They're not?"

They shook their heads, Isa fiddling with her tail as she spoke.

"No. Well... not really. They're given a choice. Those imprisoned in the pits are criminals, those who would have faced death for the things they've done. They are... given a chance."

"A chance?"

Zasil nodded as he whipped his rag away, his voice distant as he bent and fiddled behind the counter.

"Gladiators fight for a chance; a chance to absolve themselves in the arena of their crimes, of their guilt. A chance to have more than they ever had. They just need the might to take it."

Dawn stared into her cup, watching the colors swirl.

"But why watch? What's the appeal of—"

She waved her hand gesturing behind her as she took another sip, the cries of the crowd echoing in her mind. She felt another wave of calm rush over her as the kobold rolled her eyes.

"Other than orcs being orcs? People like the stories I suppose."

Zasil grunted in affirmation as he reappeared and started to fix another drink.

"People get... invested. They have their favorite pit fighters. They watch them as they rise and pray they don't fall. They follow them as they set out on a path of redemption; A path of fame, wealth, and immeasurable glory—all which lay behind only the greatest of trials. The greatest of stakes... Here."

He slid another glass to her and Dawn shielded her face as a brilliant silver light hit her eyes. Zasil indicated the glass with a flourish.

"Glory of the Challenger."

Dawn hesitated before sweeping up the shining liquid, eying the rosen flecks that floated on the painfully illustrious surface. She took a gulp and gagged as her mouth burned.

"Oh god, what's in this—"

Dawn's eyes went wide as she felt a spreading warmth throughout her body, felt a emotion she had never experience before overcome her. It was... resolve, but not despairing. It was hope. It was acceptance, validation, it was—was... Dawn's eyes narrowed, peering at the two shimmering drinks.

"Wait."

She turned to the man, frowning as she tried to get a clear look at his now misty face.

"What did yous do to me?"

He smiled, pointing to the drink.

"My job? I find no better way to convey meaning than a well placed cocktail."

Dawn blinked, her face flush and numb.

"But how dids yous—? I shee—no, feel things."

Both Zasil and Isa gave her a strange look as the kobold waved the man for a drink, indicating a bottle with her tail.

"Dawn, you realize he's a Barkeep, right? Have you never gone to a decent bar before?"

"Iz, ugh—sure! Plenchy of chimes!"

Dawn felt... disconnected, her body delayed as her head lulled. Her vision swam, twisting and shifting as she remembered back to the clubs she went to in college.

"Lesch see. I proballies wentz out, likez, twisch a month? Dere waz dis reallez chill one dat had jazz andz—"

Dawn slumped onto the bartop, kicking her legs as her head rolled from side to side. The kobold and man looked at each other in surprise.

"She's drunk? Already? She shouldn't, at her size. At least, with how much I put in..."

"Maybe she's a lightweight? She—"

The kobold's eyes went wide with realization and she groaned, covering her face with her claws.

"She said she hasn't eaten in a bit, I was going to treat her, but..."

"Oh fuck."

They eyed Dawn as she poked her face, marveling in fascination at her new state of being. Zasil sighed as he put his bottles away, fetching a more normal affair from a shelf.

"Well, at least it worked. It's a bit too late now but we should still get something in her. Hey Dawn? How does a chowder sound?"

She waved a floppy thumb in the air and he nodded, calling over an orc barmaid who hurried off to a backroom. Zasil poured the kobold her drink as Dawn giggled, rolling from side to side.

"Thanks."

Isa took a sip of the amber whiskey, laying some coins on the counter as the man waved a dismissive hand.

"Nah, it's nothing. This happens every now and then. I... forget sometimes how violent it really is."

Isa nodded and scoffed.

"Yeah but I can get the girl's confusion. Letting people like that out? After they've leveled and become even more deadly? Seems stupid to me."

Zasil shrugged, cleaning the spilled liquid around Dawn as she squirmed.

"Sure but... even if it gives chances to those who don't deserve it, what of the people that do? The people put there solely because they are derided by society, not because of what they've done... to give them a chance, a chance to be accepted, a chance to thrive—isn't that worth something?"

The kobold head snapped up. She narrowed her eyes at the man and gave a slow half nod.

"I suppose. At least the coliseums of the cities don't do half the shit the imperium does in their coliseums."

They shuddered as the barmaid came back, placing a large steaming soup bowl adorned with bread in front of Dawn. Her dilated eyes focused like a hawk and the barmaid jumped back as Dawn descended upon the food, tearing and slurping up her 'prey' with ravenous efficiency. Zasil watched, blowing out his cheeks as he watched his precious bartop get sullied once again by Dawn's furor. He shook his head, stepping away as another roar ran out through the arena.

"Alright, I have work to do, they're moving to the next event. Just holler if you need anything."

Dawn barely noticed as he moved away, rejoining another harried bartender as a flurry of orders came in from an excited crowd. Isa watched with equal parts amazement and amusement as Dawn's sucked down her food in mere seconds. Dawn pushed back the bowl and sighed, closing her eyes as she slumped back down onto the bartop.

"Ohh, Ish hadz no ideaz how mach I neediz dis."

She took another gulp of the silvery drink and spun around in her seat, giggling, feeling like she could take on anything... right until she noticed the screen was gone. She stared down into the stone pit and shrank back, clinging to the kobold in her terror.

"Oh god ish bach!"

"Hey! It's oka—"

The kobold cut off, her head whipping to and fro as Dawn shook her like a leaf.

"No! No! Dun make me wash! Iz—"

"Hey!"

"Iz can't take itz! I'llz—"

"Hey!"

A slap rang out and Dawn reeled backwards, clutching her glowing red cheek. She looked at the kobold like a betrayed—and very drunk—puppy.

"Wha? Whatch did Iz do?"

Isa sighed, pinching the bridge of her snout.

"I'm sorry but you're overreacting. Just... look."

She pointed and Dawn followed her claw without thinking. She looked down at the arena below and panicked, not wanting to see the carnage that lay belo—

"Huh?"

Dawn blinked, her eyes not falling upon a mass of gore but pristine stone, glistening prismatically as magical lights shone upon its rain induced sheen. A man was standing in the center, posing for the crowd as a—Dawn's eyes bulged.

"A Bull-shneak?"

Plodding—slithering up to the atelin standing in the ring was a beast unlike Dawn had ever seen. A thick powerful tail glid across the wet slate as the creature stalked the monkey man, tapering off to a massive front end of a bull. Horns, hooves, and all. Dawn panicked as the monster that had to be at least thirty feet long maneuvered behind the atelin, coiling to strike as he worked the crowd.

"Oh god hesh gonnas—!"

Dawn screamed as the snake-bull uncoiled all at once, a blur even to the most sober of eyes. Dawn stared in horror as the head appeared behind the atelin, horns set to run him through.

Dawn's jaw dropped as the atelin disappeared at the last second, flipping over the beast as it slammed its head into the slippery masonry. He landed, tumbling, flipping around the creature as it shook its bull head in a daze. The atelin stuck the landing and the crowd erupted, laughing and cheering, hooting and hollering as the monkey man struck a pose for the crowd.

"Woah!"

She looked over to Isa as the kobold sipped her drink, watching with mild interest.

"Wasch that ting?"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

She pointed as she bounced with excitement, her eyes shining.

"Da shneak-bull thingy."

Isa followed her finger and shrugged as a barmaid came over, bringing some sort of glazed grilled fish she had ordered at some point. The kobold licked her snout, rubbing her claws together as she replied.

"That's an ophiotaurus, though 'snake-bull thingy' works just as well for it. That's all it is really."

She took a bite, savoring the food as a second ophiotaurus joined the fray and began to work in concert with the first, trying—failing—to catch the nimble atelin. Dawn watched captivated as the monkey man flipped circles around them, his attention seeming to never waver from the crowd.

"Ishn't dis, liak, amazshing?"

Isa shook her head, her focus solely on her meal.

"This? No. Don't get me wrong, something like an ophiotaurus would rip me to shreds... but it's hardly dangerous in the grand scheme of things. That guy's a tumbler, I've seen one his lot dance around a wyrm before. This? This is just to keep the crowd entertained until the next fight."

Dawn paused, deflating slightly as she watched the death defying acrobatics. She gasped as the monkey man flipped over a bull head and landed on its sneak half. The laughing atelin waved to the crowd as its thick tail writhed, desperate to buck him off. Dawn turned, keeping one eye on the spectacle as she stuck her tongue towards the kobold.

"Well youz wrong, I shink tis iz great!"

Isa snorted, flicking out her much longer tongue in reply as Dawn gave in and sunk into the atmosphere. She was immersed, shouting along with crowd and patron as the atelin continued to up the stakes, escaping from what Dawn was sure were nigh impossible odds.

The ophiotauri, growing frustrated, charged in sync from opposing sides. Dawn held her breath as they closed, and she swore the horns touched the atelin before he soared free, twisting, turning in the air as the two ophiotauri collided with a thunderous crash. The two snake-bulls slumped, motionless as the atelin landed. He threw his hands into the air, bowing as Dawn cheered and clapped along with the crowd.

Dawn took a swig of the silvery drink, vibrating as a horde of laborers took to the field, equipped with long catchpoles to haul the massive beasts away. Dawn turned, ready to gush to the decidedly less excited kobold when the door opened and a flash a green caught her eye.

Dawn looked up, bleary, and did a double take at the short human woman who burst through the door. Dawn stared, captivated at her short boyish teal hair that glittered in the firelight; Captivated by her large eyes of matching hue, shining as they reflected the room around her.

Dawn took in the woman's toned form, obvious despite her leather halve cuirass and loose athletic clothing covering much of it up. Dawn felt her face burning as she watched the girl hop onto the stool, glaring at Zasil as she set a unstrung bow—about as large as she was—off to the side.

Dawn couldn't take her eyes away. She was radiant, she was perfect, she was—

"Oh fuuuck, shez totalliz my taip."

The kobold, sitting back as she rubbed her belly, frowned as she picked through her teeth.

"What's that? Sorry, I'm kind of sleep—"

The kobold's head lolled over and she froze, glancing between Dawn and the girl her eyes were glued to. Isa's eyes went round as she saw Dawn bite her lip, saw the deep alcohol enhanced flush on her face. The kobold stammered.

"Wait, you aren't... are you—?"

"I'm gonnaz go ober dere!"

Dawned downed the last of her drink, the silvery light disappearing as she slammed down the glass and jumped up. She ignored the kobold as she tried to hold her back, walking out of her grip with ease. She stumbled forward, everything else a blurry tunnel.

"Ish funny, noraliz I wouldn do 'dis but..."

She remembered all the times in college when—even with alcohol—she still couldn't muster the courage to flirt, afraid of the consequences. But now? She felt giddy, giggling as actual liquid courage flowed through her veins.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

She sauntered—tripped—up to the girl and slid into an adjacent seat, smooth as particularly coarse sandpaper. She smiled, fighting for balance as she rested her chin in palm.

"Heyaz! I'm Dawn. Waz yoar name?"

The girl turned and Dawn felt tingles go down her spine as the girl fixed her in a sharp gaze. Dawn thought she saw her eyes widen for a microsecond before inspecting her dispassionately.

"Xeri. Leave me alone, I'm busy."

The girl turned away, redirecting her glare back to Zasil as Dawn shivered, the girl's massive cold shoulder piercing through even the thickest of drunken hazes.

Dawn hesitated, looking between the stunning girl and Isa, who was waving in desperation to come back. Dawn looked back to the girl, biting a finger in thought. She probably shouldn't, but... Dawn leaned in as she put on her best sultry gaze.

"Hey, dun be laik thaaat! I'lz probabli won shee youz again! I'l be shad, especali cause I wanna..."

Against better instinct she reached out, something screaming in her mind not to. Her alcohol ridden self didn't care. She touched the woman's forearm and brought her lips to her ear, whispering.

"Get'chu know youz bedder."

The girl froze. She turned her head, looking up at Dawn. Dawn's heart leapt out of her chest as the woman smiled. She reached up, as if to caress her face. Dawn's heart pounded as the girl bent forward and—

. . .

"You deserve it."

Dawn sprawled onto the bartop, despondent as she covered the flaming purple-red welt on the side of her face. She looked to the stern kobold as water welled in her eyes.

"I couldn' help it! She's too cute!"

Dawn rubbed at her head, regretting her decisions. Most of her stupor was—quite literally—smacked out of her. She took a sip of her remaining alcohol, the calming drink doing nothing to ease her sorrow as the kobold looked down at her with a sigh.

"Hey Dawn there's something you should—"

"Why can I neber get—"

"Listen to me!"

Dawn blinked. She turned to the kobold as she looked around, eying the patrons. Isa hesitated, wary as she hissed under her breath.

"Dawn, I don't know where you're from, but..."

The kobold brought her head down, whispering into her ear.

"Don't be so overt. Granted, orcs aren't too bad about it, and the city states are better, but still—if they find out you're, well, you..."

Dawn frowned.

"Hm? What do you mean me being—"

Dawn's eyes went round as her alcohol ridden brain caught up. Her blood froze as she scrambled up, staring into the kobold's anxiety ridden expression.

"Wha—they—what'll happen?"

The kobold glanced around, her tongue flickering as she fiddled with her tail. Dawn took a deep drink, trying to steady herself as the kobold replied.

"At most? Exile. And if it comes to that... that's from all the cities, every orc settlement. You wouldn't be welcome anywhere in a couple thousand leagues."

Dawn spat out her drink, coughing.

"Really?! I thought you said they weren't bad!"

Isa nodded.

"I did."

Dawn opened her mouth to ask—before she saw the kobold's shadowed face and thought better. She shuddered, gulping up the rest of her drink as the kobold furrowed her brows.

"Though it's strange, I haven't seen anyone so open about it aside from home, and the jungles of Luridae are about the only place I know where that is—where did you say you were from again?"

Dawn sucked in her breath. She looked at the kobold, wondering if she could worm her way out of this as she let out a nervous chuckle.

"Where I'm from? Ugh, from someplace! Somewhere! It's not really important you know?"

The kobold narrowed her eyes.

"You—"

"No, I'm not running, I'm doing it!"

"Xeri, listen to me!"

Dawn and Isa blinked. They looked over to the arguing pair as the patrons either sighed, rolling their eyes, or chuckled, nudging their companions as they pointed. Dawn saw the source of her heart break as she bristled and glared at the afable barkeep. Zasil sighed, folding his arms.

"Xeri, you're my niece. You've got to understand that it's my responsibility to—"

"To do what exactly?"

He glared at her.

"I promised my brother to—"

"Yeah? And you're not doing it. Not like this."

Xeri snatched up her bow and whirled, stomping towards the door as the man grabbed at his fiery hair in frustration and hurried after her.

"Xeri, wait!"

"Fuck off!"

As Xeri reached for the door it opened and Xeri halted in her tracks. The pub exploded with laughter. Dawn and Isa looked around perplexed as a nearby orc—adorned with a garish wide brimmed hat—chortled and slapped his friend.

"See I told you! Every time! Every damn time they get like this something happens! I wonder what it is this time—"

A huge, heavily armored orc strode into the room and the laughter swapped over to a near unanimous groan. The orc patron dragged a palm down his face as a squad of matching orcs barged into the room.

"Oh hells, not him."

The orc strode forwards, holding out his palms in a half-shrug as he approached Zasil with a cocksure grin. There was an emblem on his scuffed azure blue breastplate. A shining city, surrounded by massive trees as it rests upon water.

"Ay Zasil! How's my favorite human doing?"

Zasil closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before smiling and looking up at the orc who looked more like a wall of sinew than anything else.

"Thron, you have business?"

The orc's grin deepened, revealing sharp, jagged teeth.

"Yeah."

The smaller man's expression twitched as the orc circled around him, eying him like prey.

"Let me cut to the chase. I need to change our... arrangement."

Xeri spluttered.

"What! But Zasil already pays your stupid—"

Zasil whirled.

"Shut it Xeri!"

The girl shut her mouth, glaring daggers at the orc as Zasil turned.

"How much are we dealing with here Thron?"

The orc clapped Zasil on his shoulder, the uncountable scars across his face stretching as he let out a raspy laugh.

"Don't worry, it's not that much. Not much for what I'm giving you at any rate."

The orc gazed around the room, nodding.

"Nice. Quite a turnaround from when you first picked up this hole. I know you want to keep a good thing going here Zasil, so how about this? Let's say... one platinum per moon?"

Zasil's eyes went wide as the patrons roared with outrage. The orc's posse chuckled as they hung back, watching the show. Zasil bit his lip, nodded.

"Fine. Not this moon though, I need to... budget for this."

The short girl whirled, looking at Zasil in horror as the orc smiled and ruffled the man's hair.

"Good boy! Always the lap dog eh Zasil? That's why I love ya!"

The orc turned and spat as he strolled back to the door.

"Alright boys, 'nother mission accomplished! The streets of Gaz'Il are squeaky clean with us around eh?"

They roared in laughter and the patrons scoffed at the scruffy group as they began to file out. But no one did anything. For as much as they grumbled everyone in the room turned and put it behind them as the bar returned to normal. Well, all except for one.

"Hey!"

The short girl marched strait up to the giant of an orc, trembling with rage. She grabbed him as he turned.

"You can't just—"

A massive fist flew down, quick as lightning. It caught the girl in the stomach, sending her flying into a table that collapsed with the force of impact. Dawn gasped, covering her mouth as the orc snarled and shook with white-hot wroth.

"What have I told you?! Don't touch me girl!"

Dawn looked on in horror as the orc stepped over and began to stomp on the girl that was almost half his size.

"Filthy—disgusting—worthless—!"

Dawn looked around in desperation. The patrons, the staff, the guards, even Zasil—all were just... looking. A few even left as the girl continued to be ground into the floor. Dawn sprang up, waving her arms.

"Hey someone do something! He's going to kill her!"

Nobody moved. They continued to stare at the beatdown, shaking their heads or clenching their fists. The becapped orc looked at Dawn and sighed.

"Nah. This... happens to her a lot. Don't worry miss, lil' Xeri will be fine. That girl can take it."

Dawn stared at the orc in disbelief as the floor shook with the impacts. She threw her arm behind her, indicating the beatdown.

"You call that fine? Why isn't anybody doing anything, why aren't you doing anything!?"

He was certainly large enough to at least slow that goliath of an orc. He shifted, looking at Dawn with a troubled expression.

"Stop Thron? He's a veteran of the War of the Faces, and he has the levels to match. No, we can't do anything, just... let it be."

Dawn's jaw dropped as she looked at the meek orc, the immovable crowd as everything shook. She couldn't bear it.

Thron bent, wrapping his hand clean around the girl's neck, squeezing as he pulled her into the air with ease.

"You really should have learned by now. I just can't stand it when—"

"Hey asshole!"

A glass shattered on his head and he whirled. Dawn trembled, fighting her way towards the orc as Isa fought to hold her back in futile desperation. The orc dropped the limp girl as Dawn approached. His eyes red, his face demonic. He looked over to Zasil and snarled.

"Another one?"

Zasil opened his mouth to speak when Dawn broke free, dodging the crowd as they lunged to hold her back. She ran the gauntlet of grasping hands and skidded to a stop, throwing her arms out as she placed herself between the orc and girl.

"Stop! What the fuck do you think you're—"

Dawn blinked, shying away as a gust of wind hit her in the face. She looked up confused, a massive fist as large as her head was mere millimeters away. She stumbled backwards, falling onto bits of debris as she stared at the shadow above her.

A jet black hunched frame, a thick powerful arm gripping the orcs outstretched wrist. It was—

"Hass?"

The orc's eyes went wide as he looked at the gorillo staring him down.

"You? But you're..."

Thron tore his hand away from the gorillo, cracking his neck as he giggled maniacally. Thron drew an axe from his side and smirked as he raised a fist.

"Great, just great! I haven't had a chance to get loose in a while... Boys!"

She heard the rasp of blades drawn from sheaths as Dawn and the patrons panicked, scrambling back from the forming standoff. The gorillo was tense, staring at the twenty or so orcs with a level gaze as he reached for a pouch on his back.

Dawn watched the two transfixed as they set, holding her breath, waiting for whoever made the first move. Dawn spotted movement in the back and flinched—the gorillo relaxed, huffing out a relieved sigh as he looked beyond the guards.

"Looks like you wont get your chance, orc."

Thron whirled and cursed. An orc with presence strode into the room, followed by some of the patrons that left earlier. Thron and his squad scrambled to attention as the orc—who looked more like statue given life than flesh—took in the destruction. He turned, his stone like musculature rippling under his azure laminar armor adorned with gold trim and matching insignia. His face was stern as he spoke with a clipped voice.

"Petty-Officer Thron, what's the meaning of this? Where is your handler?"

Thron tensed, sweating as he worked his jaw. After a moment his eyes brightened and a smirk reappeared as he answered with a salute.

"Floormaster Zal'Morain! We were patrolling when we spotted a known fugitive, the gorillo rogue known as Hass. I regret to inform you that while I don't know where my handler went I—"

The patrons roared in protest at the shameless lie but the statuesque orc held up a hand cut, cutting them off as his brows crossed.

"What gorillo sergeant?"

Everyone turned, eying the space where the gorillo should have been but where nothing save detritus was. Thron turned back to the Floormaster swallowing hard.

"Sir, he is a rogue, he must've—"

The Floormaster tsked, tapping a scabbard at his side.

"Outside."

The guards groaned and filed out of the room, their legs seeming to move independent of their bodies.

When the last one left, the floormaster marched over. Every movement crisp, precise, unnatural as a specter gliding through the air. He came to a stop above Dawn as he scanned about the room.

"Is the owner here?"

Everyone turned to Zasil as the man sat collapsed in a chair, pale, caressing head in hand. He looked up and nodded.

"Yes, that would be me. Er, Zasil Willowmere. Thanks. Though, it's not often you get Floormasters out and about."

The orc bent, Dawn squirming as the orc's intense gaze passed over her.

"It was a coincidence. I was heading to the great hall, when I heard those idiots were making trouble again."

He stood up, pulling out a notebook, and some sort of crystalline stick. He began to scribble with furious abandon as he spoke.

"I apologize but I'll need to make this quick. I'll log the incident. Injuries or fatalities: There were no injuries, except for superficial scratching on female victim A. No fatalities."

Dawn whirled and jumped as she discovered that, not only that the girl was unharmed, she was conscious. She stared, boring a hole through Dawn as the orc continued.

"Damages: One wooden table of common quality and three wooden chairs—upholstered—again of common quality. In addition, I see shattered glass, which I assume comes from a drinking glass."

He finished with a flourish and turned the stick on its side. Dawn's eyes bulged as he ran the stick along the paper, a copy materializing in magenta light as he went. He marched over, proffering the magically formed paper.

"As it is an incident instigated by a member of the watch of Gaz'Il we will pay for any and all damages incurred. Please take this incident report to any watch office with receipt of purchase and we will reimburse you the amount in full."

Zasil took the paper after a moment's hesitation. The orc turned, putting his items away as he inclined his head to the room.

"I apologize on behalf of the watch of Gaz'Il for the inconvenience we have caused. Rest assured, the matter will be investigated and those involved will be reprimanded... Now, if you will excuse me."

The orc left and the door clicked shut, cheers ringing around the arena as the next event started. Dawn sat in the one silent room in the entire district as the patrons cast around, not quite sure what to do after all that.

Dawn watched as the girl sprang up to rejoin Zasil; Watched as the pub's patrons eventually returned to normalcy.

Dawn however was stuck, her mind still working on one thing she just couldn't get over. She turned, staring at the sheaf of magical paper in Zasil's hand as she sat in some tavern in another world.

"Was that a police report?"

. . .

"You idiot!"

Isa stomped ahead of Dawn, furious as they made their way through the backstreets of Gaz'Il. Dawn followed, taking care not to tread on the lizard girl as she raged, her tail making heavy thuds as she slapped the ground.

"Who in their right mind thinks it's okay to walk into something like that!? Just what did you think you were going to accomplish?!"

Dawn bristled, shifting the basket of ore on her back as she threw up her hands in defense.

"Anything?! You saw what was happening, that girl was—"

"Fine! She was completely fine and you just had to— "

"How would I know!?"

The kobold whirled, thrusting a claw under her nose.

"Use your brain?! That girl was obviously an adventurer! She has a combat class! Even if she is an archer... you should have trusted those around you instead of running off to the rescue like you have a second head!"

Dawn blushed as the kobold whirled back around, storming off at the speed of... a particularly energetic rat. Dawn caught up with ease, alit with indignation as they turned and entered a dingy ally.

"Then what else was I supposed to do?! Let her get pummeled!?"

They came to a stop outside a door, a back-entrance to a shop. The kobold sighed as she thrust her claws into a satchel, rummaging around before producing a set of keys.

"What you're supposed to do is wait or get help, not put yourself in front of an orc that could kill you with a disheartened swat!"

Dawn grumbled, following Isa into a dark hall as she unlocked and kicked in the door. The lizard girl threw her bag onto a rack, hissing as Dawn shut the door.

"Igni"

The kobold turned, eying Dawn as lanterns flickered to life and the hallway diffused into a soft orange glow.

"Though I suppose everything ended up well. Come on, I'll show you where to dump that."

Dawn followed her down the well-worn hall, entering into a side room as the kobold lit the lanterns and it came into relief. Dawn eyed the workspace, looking at the neat rows of tweezers and pliers, of punches and chisels, all arranged around a clean work-area lined with a litany of optics and apertures.

Isa plodded up to a miniature version of a forge, complete with a strange hand sized anvil with two horns. She plopped onto a stool, stretching as she waved Dawn forward, indicating a space next to the furnace.

"You can put it over there. Thanks."

The kobold eyed Dawn as she moved over, swinging the basket off her back.

"So, do you want to explain why a notorious gorillo rogue showed up to save your hide?"

Dawn dropped the basket with a grunt.

"Notorious... you mean Hass?"

The kobold nodded.

"Yup, that guy is a member of one of Gaz'Ils most infamous gangs... why would someone like him risk himself for you?"

Dawn froze.

"He's that big of a deal?"

The kobold shifted, grabbing a few pieces of charcoal to toss into the furnace.

"Yes? The 'keys are not the biggest of gangs but... they're known, even outside of the steamworks. Do you... know him?"

Dawn shrugged.

"I met him, along with this guy called Bosbie and some orc earlier but they seemed... well not normal exactly but—woah!"

The kobold lunged and grabbed Dawn's collar, drawing snout to nose as her clawed feet dangled.

"Wha—how—you met Bosbie?! As in the leader of... Why is he—no, tell me everything."

Accosted by a leech of a lizard girl with no hope of escape, Dawn had no choice. After failing to explain without context, she told Isa everything. From waking in an abandoned shop to when they met, omitting certain... key details. When she was finished the kobold dropped down, her tail curling as she paced.

"So let me get this straight. You just... woke up in this shop after going to sleep in your apartment. You met a crazy wizard, who just gave you an enchanting atelier. You saw a 'weird crab thingy' and gained the enchantress class in a day. And after all of that, you just happened to meet the leader of one of Gaz'Ils most notorious gangs, who offered you a job!?"

"Yup!"

The kobold narrowed her eyes, peering at Dawn's carefree grin.

"Out."

"Wha—"

The kobold began to push her as Dawn stumbled.

"I asked you a question and you're just lying to me? If you're not going to answer me seriously..."

"No, I'm telling the truth!"

Dawn flailed as the tiny kobold managed to actually shove her towards the door with surprising strength. She was serious! Dawn searched desperately, trying to find something, anything to prove herself. She dove a hand into her pocket and withdrew her bracelet, displaying it to the kobold.

"See? This is the bracelet I enchanted to get my class? I know it's not much proof but—"

The kobold's eyes went round as she saw the metal bracelet.

"By Azamoths scales!"

Dawn stumbled as the pushing ceased, the kobold backing away as she pointed with a shaking claw.

"How—what is that bracelet?!"

Dawn blinked, offering the bracelet.

"It's just a normal—"

Isa snatched it, inspecting the interlocked links as she muttered under her breath.

"These drill holes, they're perfect! Every. Single. One. And the metal itself! I'm not even sure how you would make steel this pure... This is—"

The color flooded from her scales as she gasped, turning jerkily to Dawn. She held up the bracelet, staring into Dawn's soul.

"What did you say you enchanted this with?"

Dawn backed away, glancing between the door and the crazy eyed kobold with concern.

"My name? I couldn't figure out what or how to enchant it with anything else, so I just inscribed my—"

"You what!?"

The kobold swept up a hammer and charged as Dawn yelped, backing into a corner.

"You enchanted a masterwork, a work that bears equal to the gnomish artificers of old, with your name!?"

Dawn looked down at the kobold as she shook, cradling the bracelet as if it was the most precious thing in the world. Dawn nodded and she collapsed, dropping the hammer as she fell to her knees.

"What a waste."

The kobold sagged, her head hanging low as she stared at the humble bracelet. Humble for Earth that was. Dawn cast about the workshop, taking in pieces of jewelry in various stages of completion. All simple. Filled with minor flaws. Nothing close to the complexity or perfection of the 'humble' bracelet. Isa shook her head, looking weary as she gazed up to Dawn.

"Alright I believe you. Something as absurd as this..."

She shuffled over to her workbench in a daze, laying the bracelet down on an immaculate sheaf of leather as she turned, her eyes ravenous.

"Can I...?"

Dawn nodded and the kobold got to work, lighting a lensed lamp and retrieving tools with practiced precision. Dawn walked up, watching as the kobold maneuvered the tiny tools as if normal, disassembling the bracelet with unnatural speed. Dawn frowned as she looked into the kobold's eyes. it was the same look Bosbie had when he was inspecting her phone. Dawn wrinkled her brow in thought, pulling out a spare stool to sit next to the kobold.

"What do you know about Bosbie?"

The kobold paused, her hands stopping dead in their tracks before she resumed her work with a befuddled gaze.

"Not much really. There's rumors of course, but it's mostly about his gang, The Skeleton Keys."

She carefully removed a pin and measured it with a caliper before depositing it in a wooden tray, recording the measurement on a roll of parchment as she continued.

"It's more than just a name. It's... fitting. They're known for showing up anywhere. No vault is safe. No fortress is secure. If Bosbie wants his way in? He'll have it.

She withdrew another pin, frowning as she took measure.

"They're a small group but there's a reason why they're known, why the other gangs leave them alone. It's said they make examples. That everyone that crosses Bosbie ends up..."

Isa withdrew the last pin as she cut off, shuddering. She jotted down the final measurement, shaking her head as she stared at the row of identical numbers. The kobold turned, gazing at Dawn with a shadow upon her face, her eyes grave.

"Of course it's just rumors but... you said Bosbie offered you a job? Don't do it."

Dawn shifted under the kobold's gaze as a deafening silence overtook them, only the deep thrum of the city audible as they sat. Dawn felt her heart beating fast, a pit forming in her stomach as she shrugged.

"I mean... What else am I supposed to do? I need to make money somehow."

The kobold rolled her eyes.

"Get a job or apprentice yourself? That's what I did. But don't involve yourself with somebody like that! Hold on, don't tell me you're actually considering it?!"

Dawn glared at the kobold's condescending expression.

"Yes! Or did you miss the part where I have no idea where I am?"

The kobold snorted with laughter. Dawn felt something welling within her as the kobold turned, eying the bracelet with maker's envy.

"Oh, sure, sure, but it can't be that different from where you're from right? Just... work with it! Who knows it might even be fun? Learning to live a life in a new city... a new continent?"

Fun? Dawn balled a fist, trembling as the kobold dangled her feet, content as she began disassembling the bracelet's latch.

"Well, whatever the case, I'm sure you can do it. You can learn about your new class and eventually go back home to... hey, you know you never did say where you—"

Dawn snapped, slamming her fist down on an adjacent bench. The kobold jumped, the latch falling apart in her hands, scattering the pieces. Dawn catapulted herself up, thrusting a finger into her snout.

"No! Home isn't like this! It's not like this place at fucking all! I don't even know if I can go back. I have nothing! So don't you talk like you know—"

Dawn blinked as water dripped to the ground. The lizard girl stared dumbstruck as she wiped at her face. Dawn whirled, face alit in flush as she stumbled into a corner and slumped into a ball of shame.

"I'm so scared. I don't know what to do. All of this... stuff has been happening to me non-stop and..."

The kobold sighed, plopping down and sidling over to Dawn as she looked up and stared into the kobold's eyes with desperation.

"Tell me. How am I supposed to deal with all this? How do I go on when I have no control?"

She buried her face in her hands as Isa stood there. The kobold hesitated before she bent, wrapping Dawn in a loose hug. Dawn flinched as flesh touched scale, the kobold spoke with a soft—strangely comforting—hissing tone.

"Hey, I know it must be... overwhelming right now, but please trust me. Things aren't as bad as they seem. How do you go on? Think. Ask yourself, what are the things that you need to fix? What are the things you can fix? Focus on that."

"The things I can fix?"

The kobold nodded as Dawn sniffed, rubbing her eyes.

Where would she even begin? She effectively had no money, stuck in some broken down shop with some class that she didn't even know how to use. Hell, just staying in that place was a health hazard. All that mold and the water flooding the second—Dawn froze, her mind racing as she thought of the one thing she could do.

"At least it would be something..."

The kobold cocked her head as Dawn dug around in her pocket, hoping it would be enough. It wouldn't really solve anything, but it would make things better. She produced her coins, thrusting them out to the bewildered kobold as a shaky smile rose on her face.

"Do you know where I can get some wood?"

...

"Huh?"

. . .

His breathing was strained and ragged as he scrambled through the undergrowth, uncaring of the barbs that gouged his flesh. He turned his head, searching the snow filled sky for—A roar echoed throughout the valley, carried on frozen wind. The young man whirled, eyes wide with fear as he redoubled his pace up the craggy mountain.

He wheezed as he came to the precipice, hauling himself up with one arm to the maw of a cave. He dove in with zero hesitation, running with reckless abandon into the depths. Only when light was gone did he allow himself to drop to his knees, his face gaunt.

The man waited, his heart pounding. Listing, peering, searching for it, the only measure of time passing the slow trickle of water dripping from stalactites.

After the thousandth drop counted, the man well and truly relaxed. After all he was weary, so his body gave out on him and he drifted off to slee—

"Booooring."

The young man's scream reverberated throughout the cave as he scrambled up, clawing to get just one more pace away.

Not that it would have mattered.

A woman materialized out of shadow, yawning as she watched the mad dash for escape.

"Welp, as entertaining as this was, we're done here. Time to move to phase two!"

She clapped, giggling as a gleaming rod materialized in an instant. It hung in the air before it blurred, seeming to stretch as it flew forwards. It pierced straight through the young man, propelling and pinning him to the rock face. The man hung there, stunned, uncomprehending as the cave wall became dyed with crimson.

She approached, laughing at the man as he grasped feebly at the rod protruding from his abdomen in a half conscious daze.

"Whoops, might have gone a little too overboard... no matter."

She flicked her wrist and the blood paused, beginning to flow in reverse as the young man shuddered, finally passing out. She appeared beside him, watching as his flesh regrew around the metallic rod.

"After all, I need you alive! If I can't figure out how you managed to break into our keep, I'll—hm? What's this?"

An object floated out of the young man's pocket, a rectangle of metal and glass. It flew up to her face as she cupped her chin. She studied for but a moment before pressing a button, the glass illuminating to cast light upon where it had never touched. She cocked her head, furrowing her brows as her eyes flicked across the screen.

" 'No service?' "