Ali waited as the guard went inside the building to announce his arrival. A minute later, he was inside under the suspicious gaze of everyone present. The head of the Rashedi family was on the bed with his eyes closed. The teenager knew he shouldn't be present but it wasn't like he had a choice in the matter.

Is he still alive?

As if in response, the man opened his eyes and turned his head towards the teenager.

“Come closer,” he spoke weakly.

After checking that the guards weren’t going to kill him for stepping forward, Ali approached the man. He could see all the bandages wrapped over the man’s upper torso but the man’s eyes were what caught his attention. The light in them was dimming quickly, as though he was seeing the last moments of the man. What he didn’t understand was why the man wanted to speak to an outsider like him. The man urged him to walk closer so he did so knowing that he was no threat to a dying man. Once he was beside the bed, he watched the man’s hand form into a fist before gently tapping him in his abdomen. Upon contact, his body was paralyzed and, seconds later, he was surrounded by darkness.

“My time is limited so I will only say the following once.”

The voice seemed to belong to the head but it was much stronger. Ali couldn’t understand what was happening but the man didn’t give him a chance to think.

“My time is almost up but my daughter needs a safe place to hide. She will go with you into the slums and you will keep her safe with your life. I’ve already placed a curse on you so, if she dies or is harmed, you will suffer a worse fate than death. That’s my insurance ensuring that you will do as you are asked. Beyond keeping her safe, I expect nothing else. If fortune smiles upon her, she might turn things around on her own. That’s it for my last words! My loyal servants will get you two into the slums.”

The next time he blinked, Ali found himself in the streets again. A quick look confirmed that he was indeed back in the slums. His delivery bag was over his shoulder and, when he checked inside, the promised payment was there. His eyes then landed on the daughter of the Rashedi head. It was obvious she was still grieving but, trusting that the curse did exist, he urged her to follow him back to Ryu’s store first. The girl was no longer wearing the expensive looking clothes anymore. If one judged from her appearance, one could easily mistaken her as a resident of the slums. Once they arrived, he had the girl wait outside while he quickly delivered the payment inside. Afterwards, he left hastily so he could meet with Aok to see how he should address this unexpected development.

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“What’s your name?” Ali asked as the two of them walked down the street.

When the girl didn’t answer, he asked a second time.

“Miniya,” said the girl softly.

Ali waited for the girl to continue but she stopped talking.

It’s never easy to grieve someone close.

For a brief moment, he thought he could see Svenne further down the street. He rubbed his eyes only for the image to vanish. He then pushed the thought out of his mind knowing that the dead couldn’t come back. While resurrection spells existed, they were generally evil like the one used for the ash corpses. Eventually, the two of them made it to Aok’s shop and the teenager simply walked in. The man had a big smile until he noticed the girl behind Ali.

“We need to talk now,” said Aok as his smile turned to a frown.

“Please wait here for now,” said Ali as he gestured to one of the chairs in the room.

Once the girl sat down, he walked out through the back to speak to Aok. He tried playing the scenario in his head but he didn’t know what he could say. At the end of the day, he was just afraid of the curse and hoped Aok could aid him in the matter. When the man asked, he shared everything, daring not to leave out any details. When he was done, he hesitantly looked up at Aok’s face.

“I don’t think that’s a bluff,” said Aok whose expression had softened. “I’m still surprised he left his daughter in your hands but that’s probably his intention as his enemies couldn’t possibly foresee it either. It won't be easy for his enemies to track down his daughter given the distrust between those in the slums and those in the faction sectors.”

The two of them discussed for a few minutes before Aok suggested that they let the girl stay with them for the night. They could always decide on an action the following day after they could fully digest the situation.

“Are things really bad with Miniya here with us?” asked Ali.

“Min…I see. Yes, things could get bad if people learn of her identity. For our safety, we must make sure her identity is never revealed to anyone outside of the Dark Cult.”

Aok then ordered Ali to prepare an extra bed for Miniya. During supper, he introduced the girl to everyone and kept the situation brief. After supper, Belen pulled Ali aside and asked about their relationship.

“There is no relationship,” said Ali. “I’m cursed so, if she dies or suffers, my fate is worse. That’s all there is to it.”

Ali could see that Belen didn’t buy it so he suggested that she spoke to Aok. After his companion left, the teenager walked into the backyard and stared at the sky.

I wonder if I doomed us all with my actions. It’s not like I have a choice, right?

Feeling like he was getting nowhere, Ali entered the storeroom with the intention of going to sleep earlier than usual. As he was about to lie down, Miniya approached him.