story

The butcher let out a grating laugh, a mix of condescending and amused, “Of course, here’s your tour. This is the marketplace, over there is the barracks and at the base of the cliff are the mines. Ya need sleep? Go to the camp place. Or ask the goblin ...

Van broke the awkward silence that enveloped the four of them by shooting straight at the tall, swarthy mercenary.

"So do you have a name? And what exactly are you anyway?"

Chandra cast a disapproving look at her pilot, but her angel seemed unphased by Van's rough tone. He answered ...

Chandra couldn't see anything at first. She leapt forward, shielding the mysterious girl with her own body.

"They aren't moving."

Van drew closer, tactically. Chandra placed her hand over the girl's mark, but it seared her palm. Nowhere else felt feverish. Tearing a piece of cloth to ...

As Chandra turned, Van was already by the stream, lifting the girl’s limp body from the water. The cold clung to her skin like death.

"Are you okay?" Van’s voice was tight with worry as he cradled her close. "You’re freezing, girlie." He glanced up at Chandra, his expression grave. "She’s ...

The first punch sent Van sprawling. Before the second could land, he was already rolling, gun in hand, eyes sharp. Chandra saw the glint of metal and froze. Even in self-defense, even with all of Van's boasting in his skill, that gun terrified her.

A second group of men surrounded Chandra ...

"I was this close to something valuable. If that job went through, I'd have big money right now. And instead, I am soaked in gritty blood in a biome devoid of water or rain, wasting my effort on these unwelcomed beasts. Dang it!" He started walking off angrily in the direction his gut led ...