Xarus wasn’t quite sure why, but he was currently riding on a bus headed towards the shopping mall to buy a new video game that he has been waiting to be released for a while now. The game in question is the latest instalment in the Disc franchise, the fourth in the series.

  Now Xarus was originally going to just buy and download the game from the Fire Launcher on his computer.

  But his mum must of overheard him mumble about the collectors edition at some point, because she suddenly gave him a huge allowance and ordered him to go and buy it for himself, saying, "My son deserves the very best. And we're very rich, so something like this is fine."

  so despite the change in his plans he wasn’t actually disappointed.

  The bus jostled as it went over a bump or pothole or something, he glanced over at the small girl sitting next to him who was cutely kicking her legs.

  Perhaps she somehow sensed his gaze, or maybe it was coincidence, but she suddenly stopped kicking, looked up at him and smiled brightly “Are we going to get me lots of yummy food?” she asked.

  Xarus: “Hm, if your good, but maybe not lots”

  Suzie: “I’m always good though?”

  Xarus: “well… You’re always cute…”

  She giggled happily and began kicking again, although it was his mum that insisted he go out, she ended up becoming suddenly busy, so he had to look after his sister, not that he specifically minded.

  His body leaned to the side slightly as the bus came to a stop.

  Xarus: “oh, This is our stop” he said as he stood up and started walking down the aisle.

  Suzie: “ah” she jumped off the seat and followed him off the bus.

  Xarus: “umm…” he spun around on the spot “ah, that way” he said, pointing at a large building and walking towards it.

  Suzie ran up beside him, today she was wearing a cute purple dress with frills that matched her hair. “So where are we going anyway?”

  Xarus: “The shopping mall.” he stated without elaborating.

  Suzie: “I know that! I mean what shop!”

  Xarus: “Well, I’m here to get the new Disc game, so we’ll be heading to Find n Play”

  Suzie: “Ooh! Can we go to smog? I need new stickers.”

  Xarus: “... I bought you new stickers on wednesday though? I had to run around before school to get them.”

  Suzie: “Yea but I made so many friends! All my stickers vanished!”

  Xarus: “... well that's fine, I don’t mind going.”

  Suzie: “Yeah! Hehehe.”

  Xarus: “I really don’t get your ‘friendship’ stickers thing though.”

  Suzie blinked once and tilted her head “? I just give them, and then we’re friends."

  Xarus: “I feel like it isn’t that easy…”

  Suzie: “That’s because your old, and you make things all tough.”

  Xarus: “oh… I see.”

  Her eyes widened as she realised she said something insensitive “Ah! But your only a tiny bit old, not lots old like mama.”

  Xarus: “...thanks?” he said, tilting his head in confusion.

  She giggled as a bright smile crossed her face and she held out her hand expectantly.

  Xarus's eyes softened slightly and he gently took her small hand as they headed towards Find n Play.

  “Can I get this?” Suzie asked, holding out a small plushie of a pink dragon.

  Xarus: “um… I don't think…” her big round eyes made him pause “...fine…” he finally said. He really wasn’t able to resist her when she pulled out the puppy dog eyes.

  Suzie: “hah yay!” she cheered, hugging the dragon plushie tightly, she started to run off but remembered something else and turned back around. her eyes flicking nervously between Xarus and the floor.

  Xarus: "what is it?"

  Suzie stared at the floor "I forgot to ask, but there's something else?"

  Xarus: "?"

  still hugging the dragon plushie under her arm she quickly presented a small cardboard box, holding it out Infront of her. "Suzie, I want these as well!" it was a box of stickers.

  Xarus: "...I did say we could get stickers so you don't need to be shy about it"

  Suzie: "But it was right after asking for the dragon..."

  Xarus waved his hand "It's fine, it's fine."

  She smiled again and hugged his leg.

  Xarus gently patted her head. “although you should thank Mum later, it is her money after all.”

  Suzie: “ah ok” she handed him the dragon plushie and the stickers. He placed it on top of the box he was carrying. The collectors edition of Disc 3, obviously included the game, along with future DLC’s, a 7 inch statue of the protagonist, a life-sized replica of one of the games iconic weapons and besides all of that there were still a couple of other limited items. For everything the edition included the extra price was well worth it. And as expected the box was quite large since it had to fit everything in it.

  He paid for the plushie, stickers and the game, and left the store in a hurry before Suzie could spy anything else she liked. The retreat was a success but he was surprised to hear a voice calling his name.

  Sensing a hand about to grab him from behind he turned around before it could touch him.

  “Oh” Axel said, his hand passing through empty space. Xarus silently stared at Axel as his hand awkwardly hung in the air, but before either of them could speak-

  “Who are you?” Suzie asked innocently.

  They both answered at the same time.

  Axel: “oh, hello i’m a f-

  Xarus: “this is my classmate- … oh sorry, you go ahead.”

  Axel: “ah, it’s cool, and I’m Axel, I’m in a few of Xarus’s classes at Solarius”

  Suzie: “Ah! I see, I see, she said nodding her head thoughtfully “I’m Suzie! I’m Xa’s sister! It’s nice to meet you!” she said politely, holding out her hand.

  Axel: “Uh… Oh!” He gently grasped her hand and lightly shook it “So uh, what are you guys doing here?”

  Xarus: “I came to buy a game, but I had to bring Suzie with me.”

  Suzie: “Hey! Don’t say that like it’s a bad thing!” she loudly complained, pouting glaring up at Xarus.

  Xarus: “uh… that wasn't what I meant.” he said, softly patting her head to calm her down.

  Axel watched the exchange awkwardly, unsure if he should interrupt. After a few moments, Xarus was able to successfully calm the young girl.

  seeing that the danger was over Axel asked. “So uh, what game did you end up buying?”

  Xarus: “oh, it’s the new Disc.” he said, pulling the box out of a bag and showing it to Axel.

  Axel: “Oh Nice! I want that too but I’ll have to wait a bit longer… Wait, that's the collectors edition as well!” he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming “How’d you convince your parents to let you get that?”

  Xarus: “W-well my mum actually made me get this s-so there wasn’t any convincing involved.”

  Axel: “for real? You're pretty lucky then, my mum and dad wouldn't even let me buy it with my own money.”

  Xarus :“Do you have your own money?”

  Axel: “uh, well no… but if I did they wouldn’t let me buy it.” he said, his eyes staring intensely at the box in Xarus’s hands.

  Xarus: “I see…” Afraid that Axel would try and take the box, he hugged it tighter. “This is mine, you can’t have it.”

  Axel's eyes finally left the box and focused on Xarus “I’m not going to take it!” he snapped, clearly offended.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  Suzie spread her arms out in front of Xarus like a shield “he won’t get past me Xa!” despite her height not even reaching his waist and thus not being a very good shield, it was still a very moving gesture.

  Axel: “c'mon, what do you take me for? I’m not a thief…” he grumbled, dissatisfied with the unfair judgement.

  Xarus: “You’re staring alot…”

  Axel: “That doesn't mean I’m gonna steal it!”

  Suzie: “It might!”

  Axel: “It doesn't!"

  Suzie: “hmmmm…. Okay I’ll believe you, but if you try anything fishy…” she paused for dramatic effect “I’ll beat you up!” she karate chopped the air and took a fighting pose she got from TV.

  Neither Axel nor Xarus said anything and just quietly stared at Suzie for a moment who was fiercely glaring at Axel.

  Xarus patted her head “Thanks Suzie, but I think it’s fine.”

  She tilted her head to look up at him “kay.”

  Axel: “... right, well anyway… are you guys going home now that you got your game?”

  Xarus: “N-” he started to say.

  Suzie: “Nope! We’re getting yummy food” she cut in excitedly, her small frame jumping up and down like a spring.

  Axel: “Ohho? Like what?”

  Suzie: “Dunno! Pizza maybe? Oh but Larans isn’t here…”

  Xarus: “We’re probably just gonna scout out the food court.” he said with a shrug.

  Axel : “Ah fair, fair, well have fu-” he was suddenly interrupted by a loud rumbling coming from his stomach “oh…”

  Suzie: “heheheh, your belly made a funny noise.” she started giggling uncontrollably.

  Axel: “um… you mind if I come with you?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

  Xarus: “... sure”

  Axel: “T-thanks.”

  Suzie: “Woah! There’s too much food! What do I choose?” Suzie said as she darted from stall to stall.

  Suzie: “This place has burgers, but this one has sandwiches, and this one has ice cream-”

  Xarus: “We’re not getting ice cream for lunch” he cut in quickly, extinguishing her thought before it became too troublesome.

  Suzie: “Aww” her eyes drooped down and her face turned into a pout… before immediately lighting up again when her eyes fell onto a food stall selling pasta.

  Axel watched her bolt off again and asked “has she never been to a food court before?”

  Xarus shrugged “Dunno, if we’re not eating at home we’re eating at a restaurant or cafe or a fast food place that has its own building or whatever.”

  Axel: “Ah, so seeing so many food stalls together is new to her?”

  Xarus: “well besides at like festivals and stuff, yea.”

  They both watched as Suzie excitedly darted from stall to stall, startling lined up customers with her sudden appearances and disappearances.

  Axel: “Still though, having a reaction like that is a bit much.”

  Not having a response, Xarus lightly shrugged his shoulders. A moment later Suzie came running back and proudly declared “I have chosen!” She placed her hands on her hips and put on a smug face “We will have pancakes!”

  Xarus: “... you want pancakes?”

  Suzie: “Yea!” she grinned brightly and started hopping up and down on the spot “that place makes pancakes!” she pointed to a stall at the back of the food court.

  Axel: “Pancakes for lunch huh? I usually have them for breakfast.” Axel went silent for a moment as he thought about something, and then finally said “that sounds cool, pancakes are pretty good so…”

  Suzie's excited smile grew bigger “that’s 2 against 1 Xa!”

  There were plenty of stalls so he wasn’t quite sure why he had to get the same thing as them but regardless he gave in “fine” he sighed.

  Suzie: “Yes!” she pumped her fist in excitement and then ran off to stand in line. The line wasn’t very long so by the time Xarus and Axel joined her, Suzie was already second in line.

  Xarus: “Guess they don’t have a self checkout station…”

  Axel: “Is that bad?”

  Xarus was silent for a moment “Not particularly, I’m just bad at talking to people.” he admitted.

  Axel: “Really?” he asked, surprised. He thought that Xarus seemed fine when talking to people at school, although thinking about it, there were times when he wouldn't talk much in conversations that consisted of more than two people.

  Axel: “Hm, well I can order then, Just tell me what you want.” he offered.

  Xarus: “... would that be fine?”

  Axel: “Yea, it’s not a big deal.”

  Suzie suddenly spun around and spoke directly to Axel “I want the Ultra Ice cream and Syrup Deluxe!”

  Xarus: “H-hey! I said no Ice cream.”

  Suzie: “But XA! it comes with the pancake!”

  Xarus was going to refuse, he really intended to… but seeing those big eyes quivering made him falter and quickly give in.

  Axel: “Wow, those puppy dogs eyes are really something.” he said as Suzie happily hummed to herself swayed on the spot.

  Xarus: “It get’s me every time” he sighed.

  Axel: “I bet… oh what did you want?”

  Xarus: “Oh…” he took a moment to browse the menu “I’ll have that one, with a hellfire please.”

  Axel: “hellfire huh? you like energy drinks then?”

  He shrugged “Yea, and they help keep me awake.”

  Axel stared at the dark circles underneath Xarus’s eyes “Maybe you should actually sleep?”

  Xarus shrugged again.

  “Next person please.” the cashier called

  Axel: “Oh, that’s us.”

  They finished their lunch and left the food court.

  Suzie: “Those pancakes were super good! Right Xa?”

  Xarus: “hm? I guess so…”

  She looked disappointed with his answer and hung her head, mumbling something that Xarus wasn’t able to make out.

  Axel: “mine were pretty good… though I might be sick later.”

  Suzie turned to him “Sick? Why?”

  Axel: “I ate way too much syrup…” he said, his face taking on a haunted look “so. Much. syrup.”

  Suzie giggled and continued walking.

  Xarus and Suzie had come here to buy a game, which they did, then they ran into Axel and had lunch. It was only now that Xarus realised that they never found out why Axel was here “wait, why were you here anyway?” he asked bluntly.

  Axel: “Hm? Me?”

  Xarus: “Who else would I be talking to…”

  Axel: “Oh true, I originally showed up to get a new sharpening stone for my sword” he pulled out a rectangular object from his pocket and showed it to Xarus “See? I got it from Knocks.”

  Xarus: “Knocks?” he asked

  Axel: “Yea that’s where I get all my gear. it's an independent store so their stuff is generally better than the stuff you get from the big chains.”

  Xarus: “I see…”

  Axel: “What about you? Where do you get your gear from?”

  Xarus quietly stared at him “I don’t.”

  Axel: “Oh, do your parents buy it for you or something?”

  Xarus shook his head “I don’t use any gear.”

  Axel: “Huh? What about when you're training? My dad makes me wear chest and leg armour when I spar with him, well not really against others but still…”

  Xarus: “My sword can only be sharpened using a whetstone made from a super hard to get specific material but the one I have is enchanted to never wear out, so unless I lose it I won't need another one. Oh and I workout a lot but I don’t train too often.” ----------------------

  Axel: “what?” he said, looking at Xarus with a shocked expression.

  Taken aback by his reaction, Xarus nervously asked “I-Is that so surprising?”

  Axel: “Absolutely!” he suddenly yelled, once again startling Xarus and Suzie.

  Suzie: “Eep!”

  Xarus: “egh!”

  Axel: “Uh sorry, it’s just… you were totally going toe to toe against Garris in the Capture the flag game.”

  Xarus: “w-well I’m sure he was going easy on me…”

  Axel: “Sure but that’s beside the point!” he leaned his face close to Xarus’s face "there's no chance you could do that without training all the time!”

  Uncomfortable with the sudden intimacy he took a step back before answering “I don’t train much because I don’t want to, and I don’t need it either.”

  Axel: “wow, That’s pretty arrogant” he said, delivering a fatal blow to Xarus.

  Xarus blushed hard and barely stammered out “I-I-I didn’t mean it l-like that– sorry…:

  Amused by Xarus’s flustered state, Axel laughed cheerfully and said “It’s fine, it’s fine, I think it’s good, I quite like it actually.”

  Xarus: “I really wasn’t being arrogant though…” he mumbled as Axel continued to laugh at his expense.

  Axel: “So I guess you must be one of those extremely talented geniuses huh?” he teased, wiping tears from his eyes.

  Xarus: “Abso-”

  "Absolutely not!” an adorably soft yell came from below them. Axel looked down and was surprised to see a tiny finger pointed directly at his face.

  Suzie: “Xa has no talent whatsoever! Absolutely none at all.” she made an X sign with her arms while shaking her head “no no no, He’s just super, super, suuuuperrrr strong!” she placed her hands on her hips and glared at Axel, all with an adorable pout on her face.

  Axel: “erm… ok, s-sorry?” he said uncertainly. He had no idea why what he said was bad but since it set her off so much the only thing he could think to do was to apologise.

  Although Suzie outburst and compliments made him blush a very bright shade of red, Xarus still felt the overwhelming urge to pat her head, so he did, which soothed her mood to some extent.

  Still patting Suzie's head Xarus opened his mouth “No talent at all, I am good at fighting though.”

  Axel: “that much was clear… but really? Most people our age that could fight Garris like you would be considered talented or gifted or something… seriously if that's all just hard work then you could be definitely the poster boy for all the hard worker types.”

  Xarus opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally mumbling “I guess so…”

  Axel was about to say something else, but before he could there was a loud crash that sounded like a building collapsing. Their heads snapped towards the direction the sound had come from, dozens of people were running and screaming as they desperately fled from something.

  Axel: “What the hell is going on over there?”

  Xarus: “looks like a fight?” he said, confused “bro, come on, who's gonna pick a fight in a shopping mall?”

  Whatever was happening was at the opposite end of the shopping mall, it would be difficult to properly make out what was occurring even if there weren’t dozens of pop-up stores and random attractions blocking their view.

  Axel's gaze flicked between Xarus and the panicked crowd.

  Axel: “A fight? How do you know that?”

  Xarus shrugged “Why else would people be running? If it was construction or some general accident then I don’t think so many people would be freaking out”

  Axel stared at him for a moment before answering “I feel like there are a few flaws with that logic but it does make sense.”

  Suzie: “Xa!” she looked up at her brother with confident eyes “We should go help!”

  Xarus blinked once. Then he blinked again. “Suzie, I'm not letting you join a random fight…”

  Suzie: “No no no, Not me! You!” she said, her voice rising in her exasperation.

  -Then why’d she say we?- Xarus thought to himself.

  As the crowd swept past them Xarus briefly glanced in the direction the loud sound came from, Clang! Blam! Pting! There were still noises coming from that direction but they were much quieter than the large crash that caught their attention. The new noises sounded like a back and forth between something hitting and bouncing off something else. It was only a guess before but now he was certain that the disturbance was a fight. And it was gradually getting closer to them.

  Axel who was also looking towards the sounds, surely came to the same conclusion. “Xarus, you should go.”

  Xarus turned to him with a confused look on his face. “S-sorry?”

  Axel: “We’re students of Solaris, we’re not at all there yet but eventually we’re going to be dealing with a lot of situations like this, getting into fights, helping people and making sure no one gets hurt.”

  Axel turned to him with a smile on his face “Xarus, you have your sister to worry about so you should go and get help. But don’t worry I’m actually pretty strong, probably even stronger than you!” he said as he slammed his thumb against his chest, his smile growing brighter.

  Xarus stared at him with wide eyes, then shook his head. A small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth “Doubt it” he muttered to himself.

  Xarus: "Be careful, and I’ll leave this to you.”

  Axel: “Yea!” he cheered “Leave it to me!” and with that he ran towards the sounds of fighting. They watched him for a moment before he disappeared behind one of the pop-up stalls selling low quality magic talismans.

  Suzie stared at him for a moment. “I would be fine alone for a few minutes… or I could have gone with you and just sit far away.” She hung her head with a mix of disappointment and frustration clear on her face.

  Xarus knelt down so that he was eye level with her and affectionately ruffled her head. “You’re very kind Suzie… but also very little. It’s really not very responsible of me to drag you into dangerous situations.”

  Suzie: “But you’re so strong! You’ll always protect me! You always have…”

  Xarus was silent for a moment before he answered “Maybe, but even so…”

  Suzie: “I-I know…” he smiled slightly and ruffled her head again.

  Xarus: “Good” he stood up “come on, we gotta go tell someo…” his voice trailed off as his gaze drifted off towards the far end of the shopping mall. The same direction that Axel had just ran off in.

  What caught his attention was three -no, four- people running towards him and Suzie, three of whom he recognised.

  Axel who had just left was one of them.

  Ranni, her crimson hair elegantly fluttering in the wind as she ran. Was another.

  And finally Sarah who had her hand outstretched behind her, shooting blue energy from her fingers at the fourth person who was effortlessly dodging her shots while chasing after them.

  They were running for their lives.