A standoff ensued in the dimly lit alleyway. Mitchell, the charismatic leader of the gang, stepped forward. "Evening," he drawled, his voice laced with a dangerous charm. "Looks like you've had a good day, bard."

Ebony, though startled, maintained a calm demeanor. "Indeed, I have," he replied, his voice steady. "So it seems."

Patsy, the nimble pickpocket, moved closer, her hand reaching for Ebony's bags. But Ebony, quicker than expected, stepped back, his eyes fixed on her. "I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, miss," he warned.

Butch, the muscle of the group, stepped forward, his large frame looming over Ebony. "Hand it over, and no one gets hurt," he growled.

Ebony, undeterred, met Butch's gaze. "I'm not afraid of you," he said, his voice firm. "And I'm not giving up my hard-earned money."

Mitchell, sensing a stalemate, stepped forward. "Look," he said, trying a different approach, "we're just trying to make a living. Let's make a deal. You give us half, and we'll leave you alone."

As Mitchell moved closer, Amilco stepped between him and Ebony, his expression cold and calculating. "What are you, a bodyguard now, monkey boy?" Mitchell sneered.

Amilco didn't respond, his gaze locked on Mitchell. "You think I'm scared of you?" he asked, his voice low. "That street performance was just a show. I doubt you people can even fight."

Mitchell hesitated, his confidence wavering. He knew that Amilco was no ordinary monk. The man exuded an aura of strength and danger.

"Fine," Mitchell grumbled, "a quarter it is."

Ebony internally took a deep breath and started to continue talking. "That's the best deal I can offer for my pearls," he said.

Mitchell's face darkened. "I don't think so," he growled. Suddenly, four more figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding Ebony and Amilco. Ebony's heart pounded in his chest as he realized the gravity of the situation.

A brawl erupted, swords and daggers flashing in the dim light. Mitchell charged at Ebony, his dagger raised. Ebony, agile and quick, dodged the attack, weaving through the narrow alleyway. Amilco, a skilled martial artist, blocked Mitchell's attacks with ease and counterattacked with swift, powerful strikes.

A particularly vicious bandit, armed with a dagger, lunged at Ebony. But before he could strike, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Mei, her eyes flashing with determination. With a swift kick, she sent the bandit flying.

Ebony was momentarily stunned by the sudden attack. As Benny lunged forward, he grabbed Ebony's hair and delivered a powerful punch to the back of his head. Before he could react, another blow landed, knocking him to the ground.

Mei, seeing the danger, sprang into action. She delivered a swift kick to Benny's face, forcing him to release Ebony. Ebony, dazed but determined, scrambled to his feet and fled down the alleyway, his bags clutched tightly in his hand.

Meanwhile, Amilco and Mei continued to fight off the remaining bandits. Amilco, with his superior skill and strength, held his own against multiple attackers. Mei, smaller and more agile, used her speed and agility to dodge and weave, striking with precision.

One of the bandits, a burly man with a menacing grin, charged at Amilco. Amilco, anticipating the attack, sidestepped and delivered a powerful counterattack, sending the bandit crashing to the ground.

The other bandit, a nimble thief, tried to sneak up on Mei. But Mei, ever vigilant, spotted him and countered with a swift kick to his ribs. The bandit doubled over in pain, giving Mei the opportunity to launch a counterattack.

The fight raged on, a blur of fists and feet. The alleyway echoed with the sounds of grunts and groans, the clash of weapons, and the shouts of the combatants.

Ebony ran, his heart pounding in his chest. He could still hear the sounds of the brawl echoing behind him - the grunts, the shouts, the clash of weapons. He knew that Amilco and Mei were skilled fighters, but he also knew that they were outnumbered.

He had to do something, but what? He couldn't return to the fight, not without risking his own life. He had to find help, but who could he turn to? As he raced through the streets, his mind raced, searching for a solution.

Ebony, realizing he couldn't simply run away, turned back towards the alleyway. He needed to help his friends. As he approached, he spotted a few empty buckets nearby. Quickly, he filled them with his belongings - his money, his clothes for the ball, and his precious lute.

With the valuables safely hidden, Ebony grabbed a nearby plank of wood. Armed with his makeshift weapon, he cautiously approached the alleyway. The sounds of the brawl were still intense, but he was determined to help.

The fight raged on, Amilco and Mei holding their own against the relentless onslaught of the bandits. But as the battle wore on, their strength began to wane. One of the bandits, a burly brute, raised his sword, ready to strike Mei.

Just as the blade was about to descend, Ebony emerged from the shadows, armed with a wooden plank. With a swift and powerful swing, he connected with the bandit's head, sending him crashing to the ground.

Patsy, caught off guard, was momentarily stunned. Ebony seized the opportunity, swinging his plank with renewed vigor. He managed to strike Patsy's hand, forcing her to drop her weapon.

Patsy, enraged, lunged at Ebony, her fists flying. She landed a few solid blows, but Ebony, fueled by adrenaline, managed to block most of them. He swung his plank again, but Patsy was too quick. She dodged the attack and delivered a powerful punch to Ebony's face.

Patsy, despite her small stature, tackled Ebony, pinning him to the ground. With a swift movement, she disarmed him, leaving him defenseless.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Fight back, ugly!" she taunted, her voice filled with malice.

Ebony struggled against Patsy, his untrained movements no match for her agility. He tried to block her punches, but his defenses were weak. He felt himself weakening, his body aching from the punishment.

Meanwhile, Amilco and Mei continued to fight off the remaining bandits. Amilco, a seasoned warrior, moved with grace and precision. He dodged a flurry of blows, then countered with a swift kick, sending one bandit flying. He turned to face another, parrying a sword strike with his bare hand before delivering a powerful punch to the bandit's jaw.

Mei, though smaller, was no less formidable. She danced around her opponents, her movements fluid and effortless. With a swift kick, she disarmed one bandit, then turned her attention to another. She dodged a punch, then countered with a swift elbow strike to the ribs.

The bandits, overwhelmed by the skill and ferocity of their opponents, began to retreat. But Amilco and Mei were relentless, pursuing them into the shadows. One by one, the bandits were defeated, their weapons clattering to the ground.

As the last bandit fell, Amilco and Mei turned their attention to Ebony. They found him struggling against Patsy, who was relentless in her attacks. Amilco rushed forward, his movements a blur of motion. With a single, powerful strike, he disarmed Patsy, sending her weapon flying. Mei, meanwhile, immobilized the other bandits, ensuring they couldn't interfere.

Patsy, defeated, could only watch as Amilco and Mei approached Ebony. They helped him to his feet, making sure he was alright. Ebony, battered but unbroken, thanked his friends for their help.

The alleyway was silent, the dust settling after the fierce battle. Ebony, bruised and battered, leaned against the wall, catching his breath. Amilco and Mei stood beside him, their expressions a mix of concern and exhaustion.

"You know, for a bard, you're quite the coward," Mei said, her voice sharp. "You ran away like a frightened rabbit, leaving us to fend for ourselves."

Ebony's face flushed with anger. "I didn't run away," he protested. "I went to get help."

"Help?" Mei scoffed. "You were gone for what, five minutes? And all you came back with was a stick?"

“What was all that confidence back at the table? “You said you could handle it. How are you? And you're going to be any closer to a Shaolin Warrior when you run away like that?”

"It was the best I could do," Ebony replied defensively. "I couldn't just stand there and let you all get killed."

"You could have stayed and fought," Amilco interjected, his voice calm. "You could have used your wits, your intelligence. You're not helpless, Ebony."

"I'm not a fighter," Ebony retorted. "I'm a musician."

"And a coward," Mei added.

Ebony's anger flared. "I had to get my valuables out of the way before they stole it. You've always had each other. I don't have that."

"And what about your stuff?" Mei retorted. "You left it behind. You could have just given up."

Amilco tried to mediate, "He was scared, Mei. It's understandable."

"Understandable?" Mei scoffed. "He abandoned us, his friends, in the middle of a fight. That's not understandable, that's cowardly."

"It was the best I could do," Ebony replied defensively. "I couldn't just stand there and let you all get killed."

"You could have stayed and fought," Mei interjected, his voice calm. "You could have used your wits, your intelligence. You're not helpless, Ebony."

"I'm not a fighter," Ebony retorted. "I'm a musician."

"And a coward," Mei added.

Ebony's anger flared. "You don't know what it's like to be alone, to be vulnerable. You've always had each other. I don't have that."

"And what about your stuff?" Mei retorted. "You left it behind. You could have just given up."

"Are you serious?" Ebony retorted. "You think I just left my belongings behind? I had to protect them. Without them, I'm nothing."

Mei was taken aback. She hadn't considered that. "But still," she argued, "you could have stayed and fought. You could have helped us."

"I did help," Ebony insisted. "I got you time to regroup. And I came back with a weapon, a weapon I could use to defend myself and you too."

Amilco nodded in agreement. "He's right," he said. "We should be grateful for his help."

Mei sighed, her anger slowly subsiding. "I suppose you're right," she admitted. "But you still need to work on your courage."

Ebony nodded, determined to prove himself. He knew that he had a lot to learn, but he was also determined to become stronger, both physically and mentally.

Amilco placed a hand on Ebony's shoulder. "We're here for you, Ebony. We're your friends."

The tension in the air was palpable as the three stood in the dimly lit alleyway. Mei, still fuming, turned away, her arms crossed.

Amilco, sensing the escalating argument, tried to interject. "Perhaps we should focus on the positive," he suggested, his voice gentle. "We managed to defeat the bandits, and Ebony did play a role in that."

Mei rolled her eyes. "A very minor role," she muttered.

Ebony, feeling the weight of her disapproval, hung his head.

He knew he had made a mistake, but he also knew that he had acted out of fear. He had to learn to control his fear, to be brave.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I know I could have done more."

Mei softened slightly, her anger beginning to subside. "It's not too late," she said. "You can still prove yourself."

Ebony nodded, determined. "I will," he vowed. "I'll train harder, I'll become stronger. I won't let you down again."

Amilco placed a hand on Ebony's shoulder. "We believe in you," he said. "But remember, courage isn't about being fearless. It's about facing your fears and overcoming them."

With renewed determination, Ebony nodded. He knew that he had a long way to go, but he was ready to face the challenges ahead. As they left the alleyway, he glanced back, a sense of resolve filling him. He would become stronger, braver, and he would never let his friends down again.

The alleyway was silent, the dust settling after the fierce battle. Ebony, bruised and battered, leaned against the cold brick wall, his breath ragged. Mei and Amilco stood nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and disappointment.

"You know," Mei began, her voice laced with a hint of frustration, "we could have left you there. You ran away like a coward."

Ebony defends himself. I made excuses that he was going to get for help. But when that didn't work, he left his stuff off and came back with a wooden plank. To help them and He went to grab a weapon. . amilco comes to his defense. But I think he's an ungrateful coward who they gave him food and some clothes, and yet he just ran away. And the fact that he ran away, she just can't get over.

"We'll see about that," Mei retorted, her expression softening slightly. "But for now, you need to learn a lesson."

With a swift movement, Mei grabbed Ebony's arm and dragged him towards the nearest fountain. She forced him to wash the blood and grime from his face and hands.

"You're not just a musician," she said, her voice firm. "You're a survivor. And sometimes, survival requires more than just talent."

Ebony listened, his heart heavy with guilt. He knew that Mei was right. He had to learn to be stronger, both physically and mentally.

As they walked away from the alleyway, Ebony couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. He had been given a second chance, a chance to prove himself. He vowed never to forget the lesson he had learned that day.

Mei, with a sigh, pulled a handkerchief from her pouch. She gently dabbed at the blood and grime on Ebony's face, her movements both gentle and She watches. Doing it out of pity or caring. "You're a mess," she muttered, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern. "You can't go to the ball looking like this."

As she cleaned his face, she couldn't help but think about how easily he could have been injured more seriously. If he had just learned to defend himself properly, he wouldn't have been so vulnerable. She wondered if he would ever take his training seriously, or if he would always rely on luck and charm.

Ebony looked up at Mei, surprised by her sudden act of kindness. Her expression, usually so stoic, softened as she tended to his wounds. It was a strange feeling, being cared for by someone he had just met. Yet, there was a hint of underlying frustration in her eyes. She doesn't seem the type to Let It Go.

Ebony, I thought, popped to his head. his stuff he charged in to go get his stuff on the buckets. Ebony, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him, rushed back to the alleyway. He needed to retrieve his belongings, especially his precious lute. As he approached the spot where he had hidden his things, a wave of dread washed over him. The containers were still there, but something was missing. His money, the hard-earned coins he had saved, was gone.

Frustration and anger boiled within him. He clenched his fists and punched the wall, leaving a dent in the brick. How could someone be so heartless? He had been robbed, twice. First, by the bandits, and now by an unknown thief.

Amilco and Mei caught up to him, their expressions concerned. "What's wrong?" Amilco asked.

Ebony pointed at the empty container. "My money's gone," he said, his voice filled with despair. "Someone stole it."

Amilco and Mei exchanged a worried glance. "Damn," Amilco cursed. "Someone's been watching us."

Mei's eyes narrowed. "It's the same person who's been stealing from Ebony's apartment," she said to herself, her voice filled with conviction. "And probably the same one who stole from the monastery."

Mei moved away from the others, her gaze scanning the ground. She pulled a small, red container from her pouch, revealing a resin-like substance. "I need to find some clues," she muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, Amilco consulted with Ebony. "We need to be careful," he warned. "This thief is skilled and dangerous."

Mei continues scanning the area for Clues looking at track marks or something boots on the floor. She didn't want to throw the resin since she only had three of them left and didn't want to waste them. These resin is very valuable and usually help to track down.

Ebony's frustration turned to anger. "I won't let them get away with this," he declared, his voice filled with determination. "I wish I could punch him in the face and steal their shit and see how they like it.”

Amilco and Mei exchanged another glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They knew that Ebony was capable of great things, but they also knew that he needed guidance.

"We should probably head to the ball now," Amilco suggested. "You'll make more money there. Don't worry, we'll find a way to get your money back."

Ebony took a deep breath, his frustration palpable. "Well, that's the only thing I can do right now," he muttered, his voice filled with disappointment. All his hard-earned money, the 550 Pearlcoins he had meticulously saved from his street performances, was gone. Just a hundred more and he would have had enough for the short sword.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the city, the trio made their way to the ball. The anticipation was palpable. Ebony, despite his recent misfortune, was determined to make the most of the night. He would perform his heart out, captivate the audience, and earn enough money to replace his losses.

As they walked, Ebony couldn't shake the feeling of unease. He knew that the thief was still out there, lurking in the shadows. He wondered if the thief would strike again, targeting the ball and its wealthy attendees. He resolved to be vigilant, to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.