The sun settled in a large city. Dust choked out the streets and covered the stone pathways that weaved between tall red wooded buildings. Towering spidery trees sprouted between plots of land in clusters providing little patches of cool shade. Hot air was thick in the citizen's throats who still wandered about the city. They would have to go in soon. The last rays of sunlight mark the beginning of a mandatory curfew.

A scrappy-looking dog the color of sand trotted along the edge of the road sniffing for scraps. It's nubbed tail waggled when it spotted a bird carcass. It galloped closer on large paws before halting sharply, a new scent tickled its dry nose. Behind the corner of a sullen-looking building, there was a short girl cloaked in dark robes across her face and shoulders. She watched the dog with striking blue eyes barely visible beneath her hood.

The sound of metal boots thunking on the stone road startled the dog more and it ran off. The girl sunk deeper into the shadows. "That should be everyone inside now," the first guard spoke in a gruff tone, absentmindedly picking at his uniform. The other nodded while wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Let's go head by Erin's and get a drink, eh? I've had a long day..." their voices faded as they walked past the corner, and the girl in hiding relaxed and slid to the dusty ground. She winced as grains of dirt dug into the burns exposed on her legs. A nasty burn covered in boils and scabs stung, spreading across her whole upper left thigh.

I'll need to find ointment for this soon, She thought to herself as she let out a shaky sigh. She fumbled with a bag that lay next to her and pulled out a single card lined with gold. A soft green light emanated from the card and her right hand that she now swept over the burn. Her skin numbed, but not much else was changed.

"HEY! You shouldn't be out, it's past curfew!" A guard had approached and now stood at the head of the alleyway.

The girl staggard up, fumbling with her bag. "I-I'm so- so sorry I-" she pulled out a second card and threw her arm up. A trail of thick smoke followed the card up, before expanding out quickly and blinding the guard. The girl ran past him, sliding on the loose sand and dirt as she turned the corner. She ran to the next building over and jumped up, latching onto protruding bricks.

She hauled herself atop the building, sending loose bricks to the ground with a fwump. The guard was still gathering his barrings, all the while trying to clear the smoke before he spotted the girl running across rooftops. She hissed in pain from her skin pulling on her burn.

The sun had nearly set and the girl slowed her pace, now nearing the inner part of the Lower City. She could see the great wall that divided this sector and the Median Sector. Looking in the opposite direction, she could faintly see the first wall that gave way to the Outer City and open world.

A blaze of fire streaked across her face suddenly, nearly missing the girl. She snapped her gaze to see a man and a younger boy, about her age. The man had his fists lit up in flames and the boy had markings of white light running up the length of his arms. "Halt!" the man yelled at the girl as she jumped down from the roof.

She ran quickly, dodging stands left outside, and guards stunned to see her, only to relax again at seeing the two chasing her. More fire was shot at her and hit her shoulder, which she frantically patted out. A crack formed in the ground before her before bursting into light. The girl staggered back and changed her course. Her leg was throbbing, each push of her leg causing a new wave of pain.

She was completely caught off guard when a body slammed into hers. They both rolled through the dirt before the girl found herself on her back with an arm pressed against her neck. The younger boy was over her, while the older man slowly came into view. "Slippery little one, ain't 'ya?" He spoke slowly while scratching his beard. "Micah, get off the ground."

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Micah hauled them both up, positioning himself behind the girl with her arm pinned behind her back. The older man trudged closer, kicking up clouds of dust as he dragged his left foot. The girl spat on his face. Micah muttered something under his breath all the while pulling on her arm more.

"Mind telling us what you're doin' out here?" The man seemed unphased as he peered at the girl with dark green eyes. "Or perhaps, a name?"

The girl was quiet for a long moment. Telling them her name would change nothing, so there would be no harm and telling. But, she was the stubborn type. It would take a lot more to rip her name for her throat. "From out of town," she began, her voice as rough as the sand they stood on. "Mind telling me yours?" she almost seemed to mock the man.

He simply chuckled a little and looked at the ground for a half moment. The lamps around them slowly glowed to life as the last rays of sunshine drowned beneath the horizon. "Name's Lucas. Say you're from out of town then?" He stepped a little closer, looking down at her with a look of disappointment. "Sure have caused a lot of trouble to this place for someone new."

"Let's just get this over with and take her back to Headquarters," Micah spoke behind her sounding bored.

"Patience, my boy," Lucas stepped back aways. "This little lady has yet to tell us her name," he looked from Micah to the girl, then down to her leg. "We should hurry, though. That burn looks pretty bad."

The girl, Ginger as Lucas now referred to her as, was sat in a carriage wedged between both with her arms bound behind her back. She told them nothing, remaining silent as stone. Ginger simply stared ahead of her while Lucas continued to look at her burn. Micah was silent as he stroked a cat that formed from the shadows. The only thing not made of a black abyss was its yellow eyes.

They were traveling to the Median Sector, where their Headquarters was located. From the brand on their backs, a crow clutching a crown, Ginger knew they were GHOST members. An elite organization full of powerful mages that work for the King. They do all his dirty work.

Ginger looked out the side of the carriage as the trio neared the gate in the wall. Ginger had spent several weeks in the Lower City wondering what it must be like in the second richest sector of Kuumythia. It was greener on the inside of the gate, no doubt the work of a powerful magician.

It was only a matter of minutes before they reached a large building. It was almost like a miniature castle. There was no one outside, but several lights were on, on the inside. Ginger felt her stomach drop. With a closer look at the front doors, she could see people, guards most likely, standing by with large swords strapped to their backs.

The halting of the carriage caused ginger to surge forward while Micah was quick to jump from the vehicle. Lucas stood Ginger upright while keeping a firm grip on her shoulders and the trio marched to the front doors together. Micah pressed a pad on the side of the door, and Ginger could just barely hear a voice coming from it.

Ginger was ushered through many halls once inside, the whole building seemed to be one giant maze. Her feet were killing her, and Lucas' left foot slowed them down. It was when they all approached a large door when Micah broke the tense silence, "Finally."

He slammed his fist into the door three times, and a soft "Come in," came from inside. Lucas opened the door and Ginger was the first to go in. Inside the room was a large office. At the farthest wall sat a grand desk with a large window behind it. Bookshelves lined the walls, and small potted plants were clustered here and there.

There was an older woman at the desk, her face illuminated by a single lamp on her desk. Her skin was tanned, and her dark hair was pulled tightly into a ponytail. Everything about her seemed sharp and cold, and she held herself in a prestigious manner. "Ah, Lucas and Micah," Her voice reminded Ginger of freezing water, "Who have you brought today?"

There was a moment of silence as Lucas sat Ginger down on a stiff couch, while still standing close behind. "Found this runt runnin' round the Lower City after dark. Claim's she's new in town. Magic-user."

"Ah," The woman propped her elbows on the desk and rested her chin atop her fingertips while looking into Ginger's eyes. "A magic-user, you say? Pray tell what kind."

Ginger cringed when Micah dropped on the couch beside her, the same bored look still on his face. "Card stuff."

The woman looked at Micah and smiled briefly before turning her indifferent gaze back to Ginger, "Card Mage, eh? Haven't seen one of those in decades," She leaned back in her chair, "And what might your name be young las?"

Ginger stayed silent. She didn't tell the others, she wouldn't tell this woman. Lucas sighed behind her and stepped forward a smidge, "Won't tell, we just call her Ginger, like her hair."

It was silent again, no one said a word as the woman at the desk seemed to think to herself. She crossed her arms and stood. The woman turned to look out the window while leaning against the desk, "Well, Ginger. I have a proposition for you."