Haia hadn’t expected to find herself back at the Dragon Palace so soon after her last escapade, but after all the Empress had threatened her with, she knew that she needed to go back. But, it was not because she was repentant and ready to return the Blood Pearls as Mai had asked.

No.

Haia had returned for her brother.

Kenji Gozen.

The adopted son of the Empress and Heir to the Empire of the Golden Dragon.

Now, it may seem odd that Haia— a notorious criminal— would be the sister of the Empress’s son, but, in fact, it made perfect sense considering the circumstances that had led to the siblings’ drastically different lives.

Circumstances that Haia preferred not to think about.

As the thief arrived at the public training arena outside of the Dragon Palace, she noticed a ring of Kenji’s fangirls— the daughters of prominent nobles and ministers— lining the perimeter. They giggled and cooed, waiting for Kenji to walk out from inside the palace to complete his weekly training session— a session that these useless, vapid girls treated as some kind of show. Haia rolled her eyes as they flapped their fans shyly, trying to catch Kenji’s eye as he finally (finally!) entered the arena, tying his martial arts uniform. He winked at a few of his fans, amused by their fawning, but this only sent them into another series of banshee shrieks that had Haia plugging her ears.

After two years of attending these weekly training sessions religiously, one would think that Haia would have become accustomed to these chittering buffoons, but she hadn’t. She still thought they were absolutely useless, good for nothing other than wasting the civilians’ precious tax money on extravagant fashions while gossiping and gawking at boys.

She spat on the ground, unable to control her disgust. One of the girls noticed and wrinkled her nose, turning to her friend to no doubt spread rumors about the “nasty wench” who always “sullied the palace.” Haia may have been a “nasty wench” but she still had functioning ears and heard all the terrible things the girls had to say about her.

She didn’t care, though. All that mattered to Haia was that Kenji was safe, and seeing him walk out into the arena unscathed lifted a heavy weight from her shoulders. Mai hadn’t made good on her threat.

Yet.

The thief shook off the chilling thoughts as she watched her brother flip around a bow staff. Two years ago, when Haia had first run into him at a training session (she had come to pick the pockets of the nobles watching,) he had been fighting six opponents with a bow staff just like this one. All thoughts of robbing the rich had left her mind when she’d seen the star-shaped birthmark on his cheek.

A birthmark she had only seen on two people.

Her father.

And her baby brother.

Both of them had been killed. Or so she had assumed.

At first, Haia had been too scared to approach Kenji Gozen for fear of being wrong about her suspicions. He couldn’t be her brother.

Could he?

But then Kenji had approached Haia himself. He had noticed her attending his training sessions every week, even more religiously than his army of fangirls. She always watched him with a keen intensity so different from the rest of his audience, making him curious enough to introduce himself to her at the end of one of his training sessions.

Haia had been pleasantly surprised by his boldness. She hadn’t expected for him to approach her or for their relationship to go beyond a cordial introduction, but she soon found herself looking forward to visiting Kenji every week. The more time she spent with him, too, the more she became convinced that he was her brother. Everything about him pointed to it. His age, his looks, his birthmark. The timing of his adoption.

“Mai rescued me from a burning house and raised me all on her own,” he told her one day.

Haia hadn’t believed him, but she’d kept those thoughts to herself. Kenji didn’t need to know about her suspicions. He would probably laugh at her for thinking something so ridiculous.

It wasn’t until a few months later, however, that her suspicions were confirmed when, much to her disgusted surprise, Empress Mai approached her with a grisly request to terminate one of her rivals at court.

“I need that idiot gone, but I can’t risk having fingers pointed at me. No one knows about you, though, do they, Silver Serpent? You’ll do the job for me, yes?” she had demanded.

How Mai had discovered that Haia was the Silver Serpent, she did not know, but the thief wasn’t surprised. If there was anyone more cunning and conniving than her, it was the Empress.

“I’m not killing anyone for you,” Haia had spat back in her face.

“Oh, well, I just thought, that given that your brother’s life is in my hands…you would be willing to, ahem, cooperate,” Mai had sneered.

“W-what?” Haia had stuttered. Could it be….

“Yes, Haia. Kenji is your brother. I took the poor child in when you abandoned him. Don’t you remember?”

Haia did remember. She remembered all too well. The blood drenching her parents’ slit throats. Mai standing over their bodies, clutching Haia’s wailing baby brother. Then, her feet running away with a mind of their own, her head refusing to turn back even for one second.

A coward. That was what she had been.

She would be a coward no longer.

So Haia did what Mai asked. A life for a life. Anything to protect her precious brother. She would never make the mistake of risking his life again.

Yet, here she stood, today, her brother’s life hanging in the balance once again because of her actions. She breathed deeply, trying to organize the swirling thoughts in her mind…there had to be a way out of this…

“Attention!” the Golden Guards called, interrupting Haia’s thoughts. “Salute to her Majesty, Empress Mai Gozen!”

Everyone saluted as told. Everyone except Haia.

The thief stuck out her tongue instead, comfortably hiding behind the swarm of citizens who had gathered to watch today’s match. She would not salute her Royal Pain in the Ass.

As the monarch dropped her cloak and sashayed cockily into the fenced arena, her eyes roved over the audience. The thief pulled her mask tighter to her face. She was not willing to risk recognition so soon after the Empress’s threats.

At first, the man Haia was hiding behind blocked much of her view. It took a few well-timed hops and painful neck craning before she could finally see the Empress about to pounce on her brother.

Kenji was not fazed, however, by Mai’s attack as he nimbly slipped to the side, returning their deadly dance to equilibrium. The pair once again began circling one another, boring the yawning noble girls to tears. The girls began tittering amongst themselves, debating about whether they should leave or—

SMACK!

Kenji attacked, twirling his bow to tap Mai’s right hip as his audience jumped in surprise. The Empress swiftly slid underneath the staff, causing the boy to stumble forward.

You put too much weight on your front foot, Haia thought.

“You’re putting all your weight forward. Distribute it more evenly so you don’t pitch over. Again,” the Empress ordered before she circled back behind the boy, once again locked into a slow orbit, like two charged stars in a cosmic dance.

Before long, Mai grew impatient once again and launched another attack, this time feinting to the left before tapping Kenji behind his right knee. He stumbled but quickly recovered, his short ponytail swinging wildly as he flipped backward over Mai and landed a blow to both of her knees. Cheers and applause erupted as Mai fell to the ground, but Haia did not clap. She was too busy watching the Empress keeling, waiting to make her next move like a wounded snake.

With a snap, Mai launched her staff, aiming for Kenji’s neck. The boy parried, sweeping his weapon across the floor to try and trip her feet, but Mai jumped over it and came in with her bow spinning in dangerous, pointed circles. Kenji blocked every maneuver with ease as she danced circles around him, but he was frustrated that he had not been able to defeat her yet. In his desperation, he dodged and rolled to Mai’s flank, raising his weapon to strike, but Mai knowingly shielded herself.

Over and over the pair clashed, until finally, Kenji slid between her legs when she aimed for his neck and knocked her to the ground face first. He then tapped the side of her neck with his bow staff.

“It seems I have won this time, your Majesty. But, it’s all in dedication to you—”

Haia tried not to gag at her brother’s flattery.

“—because without you, I would not be as skilled as you have made me. Thank you, your Greatness, for taking me in as a young orphan and shaping me into the warrior I am today.”

Empress Mai rose from the ground, looking as regal as she could with so much hair out of place and sand covering her fighting gear and face. Her posture was impeccable and for once she smiled with little venom, much to Haia’s indignation. If there was anyone Mai wasn’t a snake around, it was Kenji, and Haia had noticed. Perhaps it was because he was the spitting image of their father, Hiro, with his silky black hair, light brown eyes, and star-shaped birthmark. No wonder her Royal Pain had a soft spot for him.

He looked just like the man she had once loved.

The Empress said nothing in return to Kenji’s words as she bowed to him, returning her staff to the stand before scanning the crowd. Haia stilled, pulling her hat over her face to cover as much as she could. She didn’t see Mai’s gaze brush over her figure. The Empress smirked slyly, knowing very well who stood there watching. The thief would certainly return the Blood Pearls soon, she thought to herself. If Haia cared enough to come here, risking her life to ensure that her brother was safe, she would give up the Pearls to save his life, just like she always had done. Kenji was her only weakness— a weakness Mai loved to exploit.

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As the Empress strode out of the arena, Haia lifted her hat up and watched as Kenji put his weapons away and tied the sash of his commoner kimono-shirt. She waited for him to exit the arena, ready to catch his attention before the gaggle of girls swarmed him with their praises.

Much to her surprise, Kenji looked toward her first. His entire face lit up with a dimpled grin as he skipped over to her.

“How’d I do today, Haia? I knocked Mai to the ground, did you see?” he asked enthusiastically, his expressive demeanor so different from the way he had spoken to Mai two seconds ago. “Come on, let’s go for a walk and you can tell me what you thought. I want to get away from here.”

The boy grabbed Haia’s hand and dragged her away before she could answer, sprinting away from the gaggle of disappointed noble girls.

“How can you stand those idiots?” Haia laughed as she ran alongside Kenji. She loved being near him like this. These small moments were the only good things to reflect on after long, harrowing days. It almost made her forget about the Blood Pearls and the threat looming over her brother’s head.

Her smile immediately dissipated.

“Well, I can’t stand them, which is why I asked you to follow me away from the palace. All those girls do is try to get me to fall for one of them, but they’re so silly and shallow and barely even speak when I’m around. That’s why I love you, Haia. You’re the only one bold enough to talk to me, and you don’t treat me any different because I’m Mai’s son. You treat me just like any old friend—better yet, like a brother!” he said, happily as they walked the streets of the capital city. “Oooh, wow, they have dragon berries today! Want some?”

Haia shook her head, her heart still twisting at his previous words. Treat him like a brother? She wanted to tell him so badly that he was her brother. He was everything she had right now. Everything precious. She could not lose him. Maybe she should give up the Blood Pearls…but no…how would she ever…

“Well, it’s your loss,” he said, interrupting her ruminations. He popped a berry into his mouth. “Mmmm, so good. Anyway, you never answered my question. What did you think of my performance today?”

Upon hearing his question, Haia shoved aside thoughts of the Blood Pearls and recalled all the advice she had thought of while watching him fight in the arena. “Well, you’ve definitely gotten better considering you beat Mai today. But, I still have to say, you put too much weight into the balls of your feet. Try to distribute the weight more evenly. That way, you don’t risk falling face first.”

Kenji nodded thoughtfully. “Mai said the same thing. If I didn’t know any better, I would guess you were some kind of professional fighter, not some kind of trader like you claim.”

Haia grimaced at the lie. She was an Underground fighter and thief, not a trader like she had told her brother. He didn’t need to know the truth, though, she had decided. What would he even do with it?

After walking in silence for some time, Kenji finally spoke again. “You seem distracted today, Haia. What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing,” she lied. She could never speak about the truth of the Blood Pearls to Kenji. It would get him killed, and that was the last thing she wanted. “Just worried about my next trade.”

“Why, is the buyer giving you trouble?” he asked earnestly.

Haia didn’t know what to say. Instead, she absentmindedly gazed at the screaming children running past her, wreaking havoc on the streets as their parents chased them. They shoved past vendors begging for buyers and beggars begging for scraps.

Miserable.

All of them were miserable like her.

“Uh, Haia? Did you hear what I asked?” Kenji said, poking her shoulder.

“Hmm?” she said, startled even though she had heard him the first time. She turned to him to answer, only to pause upon noticing how much he had grown since she had first rediscovered him two years ago.

He had been nothing more than a gangly boy then, but, now, he was taller than Haia and his teenage frame was lanky, as if his body had grown taller before it could fill itself out. His legs and arms, though wiry in appearance, were clearly corded with powerful muscle and strength. His eyes were full of a wonder that only privileged people could afford, and he was staring at Haia as if she held all the possible answers to every impossible question in the world, including the one he had just asked her.

The thief finally sighed. “Yes, the buyer is being difficult with their demands. But don’t worry about that. Let’s talk about something else, please.”

Kenji clasped his hands behind his back giving her a knowing look as they walked past a person on the street squabbling with a woman who lived on the second floor of the building before them. She had thrown out ashes from a pot onto his head, unfortunately for him.

“Yeesh, that looks ugly,” Kenji said, steering clear of their path. “How do you deal with this? The constant fighting and squabbling and endless noise?”

“You grow accustomed to it,” Haia replied, chuckling bitterly. “There isn’t a moment where it isn’t noisy. During the day, it’s people working and shopping and living that makes the noise. At night it’s all drunk people and prostitutes who haven’t gotten the money they asked for. A lot of the time it’s also hungry children screaming because they’re starving. But, you learn to live with it.”

Kenji looked bothered by this. “That doesn’t sound good. I’m lucky, aren’t I? I don’t think I have ever gone a day without food.”

For some reason, this snapped something inside of Haia. Of course his pampered ass had never suffered a hungry day while she had wandered streets for days at a time with nothing but tainted sewer water to drink when she became desperate. “Wow, imagine not having to wonder whether you’ll wake up the next day since you haven’t had food to eat for a week.”

Kenji winced at Haia’s harsh words, but the thief immediately regretted what she had said, a wave of shame washing over her for her self-centered behavior.

“Sorry, I—I don’t know why I said that,” she apologized. “ It’s not your fault that you were given a good life, and I’m happy for you. Really, I swear.”

The boy raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re not jealous?”

Haia laughed. “Of course, I am jealous. Who wouldn’t be? You’re one lucky bastard.”

“That’s what I thought—”

“Oh, shut it!” Haia said finally, shoving him with her elbow, getting a chuckle in response.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop making fun of you,” Kenji said as they continued on their stroll. He paused for a moment, his expression more serious as they passed two Golden Guards violently tugging at a shouting civilian’s arms.

“I swear I didn’t steal anything from the Dragon Palace!” he wailed. “I have a family. Please! Why would I ever want to risk their lives by angering her Majesty?”

Haia turned to her brother, noticing his pensive expression. “You know what that’s about?”

Kenji nodded his head. “I do, but I can only tell you if you can keep a secret.”

“Yes, of course, I can.”

“Okay,” Kenji started, his eyes shifting around to make sure

no one could hear him, “I’m not supposed to tell you this, but…the Blood Pearls have been stolen and Mai’s livid.”

Haia feigned shock even as her gut lurched with fear. Great Dragon, this was too close to home for her liking. “How is that possible?”

Her brother shook his head. “I have no idea. Whoever it was has got to be the smartest person in all of Haan— even smarter than Mai. She’s been trying to keep everything quiet by ordering the Golden Guard’s to discreetly search for the culprit.”

Haia’s blood chilled. If Mai was sending out Golden Guards to search for the Pearls when she already knew who had them, it could only be for one reason— the Guards already suspected the Pearls’ disappearance. The Empress had to send them on a hunt if she didn’t want to appear suspicious for doing nothing to find her most precious heirloom.

The Empress was very cunning. Too cunning.

Haia would have to do better.

“I’m surprised she hasn’t found the Pearls yet, but in a way, I am happy about this whole ordeal,” Kenji mused.

“And why is that?” Haia asked, intrigued by this revelation.

“I think it’s better that someone stole the Pearls. Mai shouldn’t have any Magic attached to her name. Whoever stole them has done her a favor,” Kenji said,

“Really?” she said, hiding her surprise as best she could. Haia had assumed Kenji would have been angry about the Pearls’ disappearance since after Mai’s death, they would be passed on to him.

“Those Pearls are a stain on the Gozen dynasty. I bet you it was a Mage that took them. They probably wanted their dirty Magic back, and, so be it. When the Extermination happens again, the Pearls will be found and I’ll ensure they get destroyed. They don’t deserve to exist. I don’t care what Mai thinks,” he said.

“So, what you’re saying is that if you saw the Pearls right now you’d destroy them?” Haia asked, laughing nervously.

Kenji nodded earnestly. “Yes, I would. It would be like they never existed.”

Haia’s blood froze. She looked around wildly to make sure no one had heard their conversation. She pulled Kenji closer. “Kenji, that’s treasonous! You could get beheaded for saying something like that!”

Kenji pulled out of his sister’s grasp, giving her an indignant look. “Mai would never find out. Unless you plan to blabber.”

Haia gave him a look saying that she would rather murder him herself. “Of course I wouldn’t rat you out, but it's still not smart to say something like that!”

Kenji laughed. “Seriously, Haia? You’re usually so much fun. I can take care of myself, trust me.”

Haia gave him a long look that he ignored. She knew he overestimated how much he could take care of himself, and he clearly had no idea how dangerous his words were…or how much Haia agreed with him about destroying the Pearls. The only difference was why they wanted them gone in the first place.

But Kenji didn’t need to know Haia agreed. She did not want to encourage his treasonous behavior.

“I better head back to the palace before Mai lectures me on spending time with too many ‘unsavory’ souls,” he finally said, breaking their silence.

“Already?” Haia asked, a pang of longing piercing her heart. She hated saying goodbye to Kenji. Every time she did, it felt like she was losing him all over again. Even more so, today.

“Yes,” Kenji said, oblivious to the emotions besieging his sister. “But I’ll see you next week.”

Haia nodded sadly, trying not to give way to tears as she watched him turn to leave.

“Wait,” she said, unable to help herself. Kenji turned around, waiting for her to say something, but the words remained lodged in her throat, obstructed by emotion.

Haia swallowed anxiously as she watched her brother’s puzzled expression. She didn’t know what next week would look like. She didn’t know if she would even be alive.

If Kenji would be alive.

This could be their last moments together—and she wanted to remember every second.

So, Haia memorized everything she could about her precious brother—the curve of his lips, the star-shaped birthmark on his cheek, the warmth in his playful eyes. She basked in his childish, carefree spirit and strange, innocent honesty.

Kenji, Kenji, Kenji. A brother lost, a brother found. A brother who was the only ray of light in her dark heart.

“Haia…?”

She silenced him with a finger to his lips, smiling soft as a feather as waves of tender affection lapped at her heart. “Shh.”

Kenji opened his mouth to say something again, but before he could, Haia smothered him in a hug.

“Whoa. What’s all this?”

The thief didn’t answer, instead squeezing his lanky body against hers as she inhaled the scent of his sweaty, teenage boy smell (Great Dragon, he needed a bath!)

She closed her eyes, feeling.

Just feeling.

She would treasure this memory for however much longer she would live.

“Haia? Are you okay?” Kenji asked, his voice muffled by her hair. “I’m not going away forever you know. I’ll be right here next week. Remember?”

Haia felt her gut lurch. Poor, sweet, innocent, Kenji. He had no clue.

Please, Great Dragon. Save his life, she prayed, silent dread creeping up her throat. She couldn’t lose Kenji again.

She couldn’t.

And that was when an answer to her troubles tumbled forward from the deepest recesses of her mind. She gasped unconsciously. The solution was so simple…if only….

“Haia?”

The thief sighed deeply. She knew what she needed to do.

“Yeah, yeah. You’ll be here next week. I know.”