The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the busy streets of Xylodia. Orion, his golden eyes scanning the world around him, wandered through the maze of winding alleys and narrow roads. The city was alive with voices—merchants calling out prices, children playing in the dust, and travelers bartering for goods. The sheer noise and chaos overwhelmed him. He had been on his own for so long that the bustling city felt more dangerous than the wilderness.
But something gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. The boy with the green dragon eyes. The one who had fought off those older boys with an ease that had left Orion both awed and unsettled. There was something raw and dangerous in him, something Orion couldn’t ignore. He had to find him.
As if fate had heard his unspoken desire, Orion found himself in the lower quarters of the city, near the docks, where the air stank of fish and damp wood. A commotion ahead drew his attention. A group of townspeople had gathered around a lone figure. Orion quickened his pace, slipping through the crowd until he saw him.
The boy with the wild black hair and piercing green eyes stood in the middle of the square, his face calm despite the jeers and insults hurled at him.
“Go back to your mother Ra, you filthy bastard!” a woman spat, her eyes burning with contempt. “Go back to that addicted whore!”
A rock flew through the air, striking Ra on the shoulder. But he didn’t react. He simply bent down and picked up a piece of half-eaten bread that had been thrown at him, tucking it into a small bag at his side. His face remained unreadable.
Orion clenched his fists. He wanted to step forward, to yell at the crowd to stop, but his instincts warned him against it. Instead, he watched, studying Ra as the boy endured the abuse in eerie silence.
Finally, the crowd lost interest and dispersed. Ra turned and walked away, his posture unbothered but his steps heavy. Orion trailed behind him, keeping his distance, watching as Ra navigated the city’s dark alleys and side streets with purpose. Eventually, he stopped near the docks, but rather than heading toward the laborers, he disappeared down a narrow passageway leading into the underbelly of the city.
Orion hesitated for a moment before following him. He wasn’t sure why, but something compelled him to shadow Ra, to see where he was going. He kept his distance, slipping through the streets unnoticed as Ra made his way through the city’s lower quarters, where the buildings were more rundown, the people more desperate.
Eventually, Ra stopped in front of a small, dilapidated house. The roof sagged, the windows were cracked, and the walls were covered in grime. It looked abandoned, like a place no one should be living in. But Ra pushed open the door and stepped inside, leaving it slightly ajar.
Orion crept closer, his curiosity piqued. He moved to the side of the house, peering through one of the cracked windows. Inside, the house was even worse than it looked from the outside. The furniture was sparse and broken, and the air was thick with the smell of sickness and decay. In the far corner of the room, lying in a small, tattered bed, was a woman—Ra’s mother.
Ra knelt beside her bed, his expression as calm as it had been in the square, but there was a tension in his eyes, a pain he wasn’t showing. He reached into his bag and pulled out the bits of food he had collected, placing them on a small, rickety table beside her.
“Is this it?” she croaked, her voice sharp despite its weakness. “Where’s the money, Ra? You promised me you’d bring back money.”
Ra didn’t answer right away. He stared down at the food he’d brought, his green eyes clouded with something Orion couldn’t quite place. “I didn’t get any money today,” Ra said quietly. “But I’ll get some tomorrow.”
His mother’s face twisted with frustration. “Tomorrow? What about now? I need my medicine, Ra. You know that.” She tried to sit up, but her body was too weak, and she slumped back against the pillows, gasping for breath. “What good is this food if I don’t have the medicine?”
Ra didn’t argue with her. He didn’t try to explain or defend himself. He simply stood up, his expression unreadable. “I’ll get the money,” he said quietly. “I’ll find a way.”
His mother turned her head away from him, coughing again. “You’re just like him,” she muttered bitterly. “Just like your father. Useless.”
Ra’s shoulders tensed, but he didn’t respond. He didn’t argue or lash out. He simply turned and walked out of the house, closing the door softly behind him. Orion, who had been watching the entire exchange from the window, quickly ducked out of sight as Ra stepped back outside.
Without a word, Ra began to walk again, heading deeper into the city. Orion hesitated for a moment before following him once more, keeping his distance as he shadowed Ra through the winding streets. He didn’t know why he was following him—maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was something more. But something about Ra drew him in
Orion hesitated before following. The deeper they went, the worse the stench became. The air was thick with something sickly sweet and bitter. He had never smelled anything like it before, but it made his stomach twist. Then he saw them.
Men and women slumped against the walls, their eyes hollow, their bodies gaunt. Others exchanged small packets of white powder, their hands shaking with desperate need. A den of addicts and dealers.
Ra moved through the space as if he belonged there. He approached a man sitting on a crate, his arms covered in scars and tattoos. The man—clearly a dealer—looked up, his bloodshot eyes narrowing.
“You’re late, kid.”
Ra didn’t flinch. “Had some trouble in the square.”
The dealer grunted, tossing a small dagger onto the crate. “That rival gang? They’re getting bold. Take care of them.”
Ra picked up the blade without hesitation, its crude iron edge catching the dim light. “Where are they?”
“Near the west docks. Make sure they don’t come back.”
Orion tensed. Ra didn’t even question the order. He just turned and walked away, slipping the dagger into his waistband. Orion followed, keeping to the shadows. Something about the way Ra carried himself sent a chill down his spine. This wasn’t just a street fight. This was something darker.
They reached the west docks quickly. A group of older boys stood near a stack of crates, talking in low voices. Orion counted at least six of them—bigger, stronger, and armed. Ra approached without hesitation, his green eyes cold.
“You were warned,” Ra said simply.
The biggest of the boys, a thick-shouldered teen, smirked. “And what? You gonna stop us, little bastard?”
Before Ra could move, one of the older boys lunged at him with a wooden club. Orion didn’t think—his body moved on instinct. He sprinted forward and leapt, driving his knee into the boy’s face with such force that he heard the crunch of breaking bone. The boy crumpled instantly.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
Ra turned, his expression unreadable. He said nothing, but there was an unspoken understanding between them now. Orion wasn’t just watching. He was fighting.
The next attack came fast. One of the older boys swung a knife at Ra, but Ra ducked, slipping under the strike before driving his own dagger into the boy’s side. Blood sprayed the dock planks, but Ra didn’t pause. He twisted the blade and yanked it free, his movements precise and practiced.
Another boy charged at Orion, swinging wildly. Orion caught the boy’s wrist mid-swing, his grip tightening like a vice. Without thinking, he drove his fist into the boy’s chest. The impact was horrifying. Orion felt bones crack beneath his knuckles, heard the wheezing gasp of breath leaving the boy’s lungs. The boy collapsed, unmoving. Dead.
Orion froze for half a second, staring at his own hand. He had killed before he even understood what he was doing.
No time to think.
Another came at him. Orion sidestepped, pivoted on his heel, and drove his elbow into the attacker’s temple. The boy dropped instantly. Ra had taken down the last one, his dagger coated in crimson. He flicked it to the side, splattering the ground with blood, then turned to Orion.
“Thanks.”
Orion exhaled, still shaking from the rush of battle. Ra sheathed his dagger and looked at him again, his green eyes scrutinizing.
“You should go,” Ra said flatly.
“No.” Orion crossed his arms. “I need money and food too.”
Ra’s jaw tensed. “That’s not my problem.”
Orion stepped closer, his golden eyes burning. “It is now.”
Ra stared at Orion for a long moment before stepping forward. Without warning, he swung—a wild, brutal hook aimed straight at Orion’s jaw. Orion barely managed to dodge, the punch grazing his cheek, leaving a sharp sting in its wake. Ra wasn’t testing him. He was fighting him.
Orion didn’t hesitate. He retaliated immediately, a sharp jab aimed for Ra’s ribs. But Ra twisted at the last moment, deflecting the strike with his forearm. Their small fists met with the force of grown warriors, the impact sending a shockwave up their arms. They moved too fast, too precise for boys their age, their bodies acting on instinct honed by hardship.
Ra dropped low, sweeping Orion’s legs. The attack should have sent him crashing to the ground, but Orion twisted mid-air, his body contorting in an unnatural display of agility. He caught himself on his hands, then flipped back onto his feet, barely missing Ra’s follow-up punch aimed at his stomach.
Their fight was relentless, a dance of survival and pride. Orion surged forward, launching a flurry of punches aimed at Ra’s midsection, each strike faster than the last. Ra blocked the first few, his stance wide and stable, but one punch slipped through, slamming into his ribs with a dull thud. He grunted but didn’t falter.
With a snarl, Ra countered. His elbow snapped forward, narrowly missing Orion’s temple. Orion ducked, feeling the rush of air as it passed, and struck back with a spinning kick. The force behind it sent Ra staggering, but he caught himself, planting his foot and launching forward with renewed fury.
The dock beneath them trembled as they fought. Each movement was a calculated risk, each strike delivered with the intent to prove dominance. Orion knew Ra was strong—maybe even stronger than him—but he refused to yield. This wasn’t just a fight. It was survival.
Ra feinted left, then drove his knee into Orion’s stomach. The impact knocked the wind from his lungs, and for a brief moment, Orion’s vision blurred. Ra saw his chance. He drove a fist toward Orion’s face, aiming to end the fight. But Orion’s instincts screamed at him. He twisted, just barely avoiding the punch, and latched onto Ra’s arm. Using the momentum, he spun, flipping Ra over his shoulder and slamming him onto the dock.
The wood cracked beneath Ra’s weight. For a heartbeat, everything was still. Then Ra surged upward, tackling Orion to the ground. They rolled, fists flying, elbows striking, feet kicking. Blood splattered against the dock, their knuckles split, their lips bruised.
Ra caught Orion’s wrist, twisting it, forcing him down. Orion gritted his teeth, fighting against the pain. With a sharp breath, he wrenched his arm free and slammed his forehead against Ra’s. Stars exploded in his vision, but it did the job. Ra reeled back, giving Orion the opening he needed.
With a primal roar, Orion pushed off the ground, driving his shoulder into Ra’s chest. The force sent them both crashing into a wooden post. Orion pressed the advantage, his fists a blur as they struck Ra’s sides, his ribs, his jaw. Ra spat blood but didn’t fall.
Instead, he grinned.
“You’re strong,” he muttered, wiping his mouth. “But let’s see how much you can take.”
Then he lunged.
Orion barely had time to react before Ra’s knee drove into his stomach again, harder this time. Orion stumbled, and Ra followed up with a savage uppercut that sent him sprawling. He hit the dock hard, pain flaring across his back. Before he could move, Ra was on him, his weight pinning Orion down.
Orion struggled, his muscles screaming. He refused to lose. With a sudden burst of strength, he twisted his hips, throwing Ra off. Both boys scrambled to their feet, panting, blood dripping from their wounds.
They charged at the same time.
The next exchange was pure chaos. Every strike was raw and desperate. Kicks cracked against ribs, fists slammed into jaws, but neither fell. The pain no longer mattered. The world around them faded. There was only the fight, the burning in their lungs, the fire in their limbs.
Ra swung again, but Orion ducked, slipping behind him and locking his arms around Ra’s waist. With a roar, he lifted him off the ground and slammed him down. The impact shook the dock, but Ra rolled with it, springing up faster than Orion expected. Before Orion could react, Ra’s foot connected with his shoulder, sending him skidding back.
They stood again, barely able to hold themselves up. Blood dripped from their noses, their lips split, their bodies covered in bruises. And yet, neither one stepped back. They had nothing left but their will to keep going.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, their bodies gave in. They collapsed onto the dock, lying side by side, bruised and panting.
Ra wiped the blood from his mouth. “First time I’ve met someone my age this strong.” He turned his head slightly toward Orion. “How are you this strong?”
Orion stared up at the sky, catching his breath. "I… I don’t know," he admitted. "Before now, I just moved. Instinct, I guess."
Ra pushed himself up slowly, wincing as he did. "Come on. We need to go see someone."
Orion followed Ra through the dimly lit streets, the air thick with the scent of smoke and damp wood. As they walked, Ra spoke. "Sometimes, I work for him. The drug dealer. He gives me coin, food—things for my mother." His voice was tight, filled with something unreadable. "I don’t like him. He… took advantage of my mother before she was in the state she is now. She wasn''t always like this."
Orion listened in silence. He knew what it meant to do what you had to in order to survive. Still, he could hear the weight of Ra’s hatred beneath his words.
When they arrived at the drug den, Orion immediately understood why Ra despised the man. The place reeked of rot and sweat, the walls covered in grime and filth. The dealer himself was a repugnant figure, his grin yellowed and his eyes hungry with malice. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burnt substances, and dim lanterns cast eerie shadows along the cracked walls.
In one corner, an addict whimpered as the dealer loomed over him, a sick smile curling his lips. The man was frail, bones jutting from his skin, his eyes hollow and sunken. "Come on now, don’t you want your fix?" the dealer taunted, waving a small vial in front of the addict’s face, pulling it away whenever the man reached for it. "Dance for it. Beg. Maybe I’ll be generous today."
The addict sobbed, clawing weakly at the air, desperation in every movement. The sight made Orion’s stomach churn, his hands clenching into fists. He wanted to do something—anything—but he held back, knowing that starting a fight here wouldn’t end well for either of them.
Ra stepped forward, tense. The dealer chuckled, tossing him a small bundle wrapped in cloth. "Here, something extra for your mother. Make sure to kiss her for me."
Orion clenched his fists. The man''s tone was sickly sweet, filled with cruelty. Ra said nothing, only grabbed the package and turned away, his face a mask of control. Orion followed, keeping his fury in check. As they walked back, he noticed Ra''s hands trembling, gripping the package tightly.
They arrived at Ra’s home—a rundown shack, barely standing. The walls were warped, the windows cracked, the roof patched together with whatever scraps Ra could find. Inside, Ra’s mother sat slumped against a makeshift bed. Her body was thin, her skin pale, and her eyes clouded with addiction. The moment Ra handed her the drugs, she snatched them, desperation clear in her movements.
She inhaled deeply, her body twitching, but something was different this time. Her expression softened as she looked at Ra, a rare moment of clarity shining through the fog in her eyes. "You… you''re starting to look like your father," she murmured, her voice weak but filled with something tender.
Ra stiffened, unused to such affection. She reached out, brushing her frail fingers against his face. "Come here," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Let me hold you."
For a moment, Ra hesitated. Then, slowly, he leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her fragile frame. She felt so small, so breakable in his grasp. Her fingers weakly brushed through his hair as she held him, whispering words only he could hear.
She then turned her weary gaze to Orion, her lips trembling into a faint smile. "Is this your friend?" she asked Ra softly.
Ra looked at Orion and hesitated before answering. "I guess."
Her smile grew just a little. "I''m glad… that you’re not alone."
Orion glanced at Ra, then decided to step outside, giving them a moment alone. He stood by the door, staring up at the night sky, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He had lost his mother too. He knew this pain.
Inside, Ra sat there, still holding onto her as her breathing grew shallower. His grip on her tightened slightly. Deep down, he knew something was wrong. The drugs he got this time—they weren’t the same. He could feel it, an unshakable dread sinking into his bones.
Her breath hitched. "I love you," she whispered, barely there. "You’re not alone, Ra. You won’t be alone."
Her breathing slowed, then stilled. Ra didn’t move, didn’t make a sound. He just held her, memorizing her warmth, her scent, her voice—knowing that soon, they would all be gone.
The night stretched on, cold and silent. Orion sat outside, arms resting on his knees, keeping watch over the broken home. The air was thick with the lingering scent of desperation and grief.
When morning came, Ra stepped outside, his expression unreadable. His eyes were red-rimmed, his body tense as if bracing himself for something unseen. He glanced at Orion, then frowned. "Why are you still here?"
Orion met his gaze calmly. "Didn''t your mother say she was glad you wouldn''t be alone?"
Ra’s lips pressed into a thin line. For the first time, the hard exterior he always carried seemed to waver. He didn’t respond, but he didn’t tell Orion to leave either. Instead, he sat down on the wooden steps, staring at the sunrise as it bathed the ruined home in golden light.
Orion sat beside him, saying nothing. They just sat there, two boys burdened by a world that had given them nothing but pain. Yet, for the first time in a long while, neither of them felt completely alone.
After a long silence, Ra exhaled slowly, still staring at the rising sun. Then, without looking at Orion, he spoke. "There''s something I have to do. Would you join me?"