Waking up in a comfortable bed is harder than Markus expects.

  Not because he’s restless — quite the opposite. The softness swallows him whole, far removed from the lumpy, threadbare mattress he’s grown used to. This one all but begs him to stay, to slip back into dreams and ignore the world a little longer.

  Eventually, he drags himself out from under the covers. Yawning, he shuffles to his dresser and opens the drawer.

  Inside sits the strange rock — the Mahoishi.

  He picks it up, turning it slowly in his fingers. Its faint glow pulses, soft and warm.

  “It still feels like a dream,” he murmurs.

  He sets it down and turns toward the door.

  As he descends the stairs, the quiet hum of the TV grows louder. When he rounds the corner, he finds Alexia lounging on the couch, one leg propped up and a bag of chips balanced on her lap. Her eyes stay glued to the screen.

  “Morning, sleepyhead,” she says without looking up, crunching a chip. “Took you long enough to rejoin the living.”

  “Yeah,” Markus yawns, rubbing his eyes. “I thought about sleeping for another three months, but coffee won.”

  He flops down beside her and reaches for a chip from the bowl in the center of the table. Before he can grab one, Alexia wrinkles her nose and snatches the bowl away.

  “Hey — rude,” Markus mutters.

  She grins, then her tone softens.

  “So… I was wondering if you wanted to do something today. Maybe we could go to the park? You know, like we used to — before you started your second job.”

  “Well, right now I’m freeloading,” Markus says, glancing down at the floor. “But… if you’re sure I’m not setting you back—

  Before he can finish, Alexia slides off the couch and kneels in front of him, meeting his eyes with a gentle smile.

  “Then you can freeload at the park,” she says, poking his forehead lightly. “And we can have fun. Like the good old days.”

  Markus lets out a quiet sigh, then gives her a small nod. “Alright… yeah. That sounds nice.”

  He stands and walks to the coat rack by the door. His old black jacket still hangs there — worn, scorched in places, little tears fraying the sleeves. He reaches for it, hesitates, then slowly lets it fall back onto the hook.

  “You know,” Alexia says behind him, “Aunt Linda got you some new clothes. Top drawer.”

  Markus opens the dresser and pulls out a red-and-white striped shirt and a fresh pair of jeans. He turns the shirt over in his hands, wondering if it clashes with Alexia’s usual explosion of bright colors.

  Still… maybe it matches her in its own way.

  He smiles faintly and slips it on.

  When they step out of the house, they walk side by side down familiar streets, pointing out all the little things that have changed since they were kids — the corner store now a smoothie bar, the old bike rack at the school gone, the tree they once climbed now cut down.

  “Remember when my parents dragged us to every superhero movie that came out?” Markus asks, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips.

  Alexia’s eyes light up. “Oh yeah! I forgot how seriously they took release days.”

  Then her smile dims, just a little.

  “You, uh… missed the last few while you were gone,” she says gently. “We can watch them sometime. I’ve been meaning to rewatch the whole series anyway, and it could be a way to—”

  She stops when she notices Markus staring up at the sky, his smile fading.

  “Hey.” She pokes his forehead again, breaking his trance.

  “Oh, sorry… it’s just…” He looks down, his voice quieter now. “I missed them.”

  Alexia rests a hand on his shoulder, her voice matching his softness.

  “I do too.”

  Before either of them can say more, a high-pitched scream cuts through the air.

  They don’t hesitate.

  Instinct takes over, and both Markus and Alexia bolt toward the sound, their shoes pounding against the pavement. They skid to a stop at the mouth of a narrow alley — and freeze.

  A little girl, no older than seven and barely half their height, is backed against a wall. In front of her looms a monstrous rat, nearly waist-high, its matted fur bristling, yellowed fangs jutting from its snarling mouth.

  The creature hisses, muscles bunching, ready to pounce.

  Markus doesn’t think — he moves.

  As the rat lunges, jaws wide, he shoves his forearm into its throat, forcing its fangs apart just inches from his face. Hot, rancid breath washes over him, but he grits his teeth and pushes with everything he has. The beast thrashes, claws scraping for purchase, until with a sharp grunt he heaves it away, sending it skidding across the pavement.

  It doesn’t stay down.

  The rat shakes itself, lets out a piercing screech, and crouches to spring again.

  Markus scoops the girl into his arms.

  “Hold on!” he shouts, breaking into a dead sprint.

  The girl clings to him, sobbing into his chest. Behind them, claws rake the ground — the rat is chasing, fast and relentless.

  Alexia’s eyes narrow. She yanks her Mahoishi from her pocket, the stone flaring with light as magic surges up her arm in answer to her call.

  With a burst of radiant energy, her staff materializes in her hand — sleek, silver, and humming with power.

  No hesitation.

  She sprints forward, staff spinning into position as she closes the distance between Markus and the creature on his heels. With a sharp breath, she slams the end of the staff into the ground.

  Runes blaze to life in a circle beneath the rat’s feet. With a crackle of energy, glowing chains erupt upward, wrapping its legs and torso, yanking it to a stop mid-pounce.

  “Run, Markus! Run!” she shouts, knuckles whitening around the staff as the rat snarls and thrashes against the bindings.

  “Back off and let me eat lunch!” the rat hisses — the words crystal clear.

  Alexia’s eyes widen. The Mahoishi’s magic… it’s translating it.

  Before she can process the thought, the rat lunges with a savage snap of its jaws.

  She meets it head-on — staff slamming against fangs with a harsh clang, the impact jolting through her arms. She forces it back, twists her grip, and sweeps low, knocking the rat off its feet in one fluid strike.

  It scrambles up with alarming speed.

  Alexia plants her feet, raising her guard. “Not happening,” she mutters. “You picked the wrong lunch.”

  The rat lunges again, jaws clamping down on the staff. The force rattles her to the bone, but she digs in, refusing to let it rip free.

  “Persistent little freak,” she growls.

  With a sharp twist and a surge of strength, she wrenches the staff free, flinging the rat to the ground. Before it can recover, she drives the tip down into its side.

  The creature lets out a piercing squeal, its body writhing under the blow. Foaming at the mouth, it lashes out blindly, claws raking against Alexia’s legs and shins in a frenzy.

  She winces but holds her ground, driving the staff in deeper.

  She raises it high, ready to end it.

  But just as she brings it down for the killing blow, the rat screeches and twists free. In that single heartbeat of hesitation, it bolts backward — fast.

  A ripple of energy shimmers beside them, crackling through the air as a portal tears itself open in the alley wall.

  The sudden surge of magic makes Alexia flinch, instinctively jumping back.

  The rat doesn’t hesitate. With a final hiss and a bloody trail behind it, it dives through the rift — and vanishes.

  The swirling portal seals shut with a snap, leaving only silence and the faint smell of ozone behind.

  Alexia lowers her staff, chest heaving.

  “…What the hell was that?”

  “I got enough information for the Morgi Dragon. This planet will do.”

  The voice is cold, alien, and gone in the same instant the portal fades.

  The words echo in her head like a curse. Morgi Dragon? What the hell is that supposed to mean?

  Her phone buzzes in her pocket.

  Markus:

  Got the child. At the park. Let’s regroup here.

  She takes off running.

  When she arrives, her eyes lock on them instantly — Markus sitting cross-legged on the grass, gently rocking the little girl in his arms. Her face is buried in his shoulder, her small frame trembling with leftover sobs.

  “Don’t cry, young one,” Markus says softly, brushing her hair with a gentle hand. “I promise I’ll protect you from that evil rat.”

  Alexia slows her pace, watching from a distance.

  “I know it’s scary,” Markus continues, his voice low and steady. “But maybe you’ll feel better if you’re not with a stranger. My name’s Markus. What’s yours?”

  “M-My name is… Sally,” the girl sobs, clinging to him even tighter.

  “Sally,” Markus repeats, smiling softly. “That’s a beautiful name. How old are you?”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “I’m six,” she sniffles. “I’m six years old.”

  He wraps his arms around her, resting his chin lightly on her head. “You’re so brave, Sally. That thing was scary — but you held on, and you made it through. I’m really proud of you.”

  Sally hiccups and buries her face deeper into his shoulder.

  Footsteps pound across the grass.

  Alexia runs up, staff still in hand, hair tousled, eyes sharp — but the moment she sees Markus holding the girl, her expression softens.

  “The rat’s gone. I took care of that beast,” she says between breaths.

  Markus keeps rocking Sally, her hiccups quieting to little sniffles. “It’s okay,” he whispers. “I promise, nothing bad will happen to you.”

  “You promise?” she asks, tilting her wide, frightened eyes up at him.

  He nods without hesitation. “I promise.”

  His gaze drops to the cell phone tucked in her jacket pocket. “Hey… Sally, do you think you could call your sister? Is her number in here?”

  Before she can answer, Alexia’s eyes widen. She rushes over and crouches beside them.

  “Oh no — you’re bleeding—” She reaches for Sally’s arm, wiping away the dirt until red smears her fingertips.

  “It’s okay,” Markus says quickly, his voice calm but tired. “It’s not hers.”

  “What?” Alexia snaps. “Markus! How does that make it okay?!”

  She turns on him, her gaze sharpening. “Where are you bleeding? Show me. Now.”

  Reluctantly, Markus shifts, revealing his right arm — torn, swollen, and soaked with blood. His fingers twitch, but it’s clear he can barely move it.

  Alexia stares at the wound, her expression hardening. “Damn it, Markus.”

  He gives her a sheepish look. “Well… it’s not her blood.”

  “Hold still.”

  She rises to her feet and grips her staff, taking a steadying breath. Magic gathers at her fingertips as she begins to move the staff in slow, deliberate circles.

  A soft, golden light blooms around the wound. The ragged hole pulses gently with energy as torn flesh knits itself together, muscle and skin restoring inch by inch.

  Markus winces at first — but as the pain fades, he exhales in relief. “How… did you do that?” he asks, flexing his healing arm in awe.

  Alexia doesn’t answer right away. She lowers her staff, still glowing faintly, then fixes him with a glare.

  “Never mind that — do you know how reckless that was? Punching a magical creature with your bare hands?”

  Markus leans in, his voice low and calm. “We’ll talk about this later. Just… not in front of the kid.”

  Alexia exhales sharply, clearly holding back more than a few choice words. She makes a slicing gesture across her neck — a silent you’re lucky we’re in public — before looking back at Sally.

  The girl wipes her eyes and sniffles. “I… I got a message. From my sister. She said to meet her back at the party.”

  Markus nods. “We can walk you there. Just to make sure everything’s safe, alright?”

  He turns to Alexia and mouths a quiet Sorry.

  Sally hesitates. “Are you sure? I… I don’t want to be a bother.”

  “The world’s a crazy place these days,” Markus says gently. “We’re not letting you walk around alone.”

  Alexia crosses her arms but nods. “Especially not with magical sewer rats roaming the city.”

  And so, the three set off — two guardians flanking a small girl who never quite lets go of Markus’s hand.

  They don’t talk much. The weight of what happened still hangs in the air.

  At each street corner, Sally slows. Her steps shrink, her grip tightens, until she finally stops completely — trembling.

  “That rat must’ve been really scary, huh?” Markus says softly, crouching beside her. “It’s okay. We don’t have to move until you’re ready.”

  Sally sniffles, her small hand shaking in his.

  Alexia watches for a beat, then kneels and gently places Sally’s hand more firmly into Markus’s.

  “Here,” she says quietly. “Stay with Markus while I check the corner.”

  She rises and steps ahead, staff in hand, eyes scanning the crosswalk and alleyways. After a moment, she turns back.

  “All clear.”

  Markus glances down. Sally is still trembling. He can feel it in her grip — tight and twitchy, like she’s bracing for the rat to leap back out at any second.

  He doesn’t move yet. Instead, he shifts closer, lowering himself to her level.

  “You’re safe now,” he says again, steady and warm. “No one’s going to let anything hurt you.”

  He gestures toward the empty street. “See? Nothing here. The rat’s gone.”

  Sally looks around, then takes a shaky breath. “I’ll be brave… I’ll try,” she says, slowly letting go of his hand. She starts walking on her own, though her steps are small and uncertain. “But I don’t know how.”

  Markus smiles softly. “Understanding your fear is already a good first step.”

  He hesitates, then adds, “And… I’m sorry. Your parents are probably going to hear about this.”

  “My sister,” Sally whispers. “My sister left me.”

  Markus’s expression softens further. “She must have been scared too. Sometimes, people don’t do the right thing when they panic.”

  Sally nods slowly, eyes downcast.

  “Find someone you can trust,” Markus says gently. “Start slow. Be patient. One day, when you’re older… you’ll be the bravest one around.”

  He pauses, then adds with a faint smile, “You already understand more than most grown-ups.”

  When they arrive at the party, Markus and Alexia hang back, watching from a distance.

  Sally’s eyes light up as she spots her sister and a small group of friends by a picnic table decorated with balloons. The older girl rushes to her, scooping her into a hug. Relief floods both their faces.

  Markus and Alexia exchange a glance and wave goodbye.

  Sally turns back once before heading off — just long enough to smile.

  They walk in comfortable silence back to the park.

  Once there, Alexia spreads a soft blanket beneath a tree and opens the container she’s been carrying.

  “Sandwiches,” she says proudly, patting the lid. “And yes — I made them myself.”

  “You didn’t just buy these and pretend, did you?”

  She scoffs. “Please. I’m a girl of many talents.”

  They sit down, and she watches him with a familiar grin.

  “Good to see you’re still the same old Markus after everything,” she says, handing him a sandwich.

  He smiles, settling beside her. “Trying to be.”

  She leans back on her hands, then straightens—

  “Alright. Pull out your Mahoishi,” Alexia says, her eyes lighting with focus. “Today, we’re working on your mana sickness.”

  Markus unwraps a sandwich and sets the stone on the blanket beside him. He takes a few bites in silence, enjoying the food more than he expected.

  Once he’s finished, Alexia casually picks up the Mahoishi. “Just turning it on for a second,” she says, pressing her thumb into the stone.

  One second. Two. Three.

  “How does that feel?” she asks.

  Markus sits up straighter, waiting. “I barely feel a thing,” he replies, expecting the familiar warmth — the flicker of energy in his chest — and the telltale sting as the whips manifest from his arms.

  “Okay, good,” Alexia says. “Oh — Markus, there’s something I’ve been wanting to show you.”

  She summons her staff. The air hums faintly as it appears in her hands, and she lays it down on the blanket between them.

  “Now… try to pick it up.”

  Markus kneels and wraps both hands around it, bracing himself. He strains, putting every ounce of strength into the effort — but the staff doesn’t move an inch.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he mutters, panting.

  Alexia smirks and, without effort, lifts it with one hand. “See? Only I can move it. Pretty cool, right?”

  She powers down her Mahoishi, forcing herself back to the task at hand.

  “Let’s try a little longer now.”

  She activates the stone again, letting the glow grow brighter. Markus stares at his hands, and sure enough — the power gathers. Energy surges through his arms, and two glowing whips spiral out from his palms.

  “Nine… ten seconds. Okay, turning it off now.”

  “Wait — no!” Markus says quickly. “This feels great. I think I can go a whole minute this time!”

  He reaches for the Mahoishi, but Alexia leans back and lifts it high above her head, keeping it just out of reach.

  “Markus,” she says firmly, “we both learned last time to take it slow.”

  He lunges forward again, almost tripping over the blanket as he reaches for it.

  “Come on, just give me a few more seconds. I promise I’ll stop if it gets bad.”

  Alexia narrows her eyes, still holding the glowing stone high above his reach.

  “Nice try. But you’re not getting this back until I say so.”

  “I feel fine,” he insists. “Look — the whips are still here!” He holds up his hands, the glowing tendrils of energy flickering and curling from his palms.

  But as the words leave his mouth, a wave of dizziness slams into him.

  His arms suddenly feel heavy. His stomach twists.

  The glow from his whips flickers.

  “…Oh no.”

  Markus stumbles to his feet and bolts across the park lawn toward the nearest public restroom.

  “Markus?” Alexia calls after him, confusion in her voice.

  Inside, Markus drops to his knees, leaning over the toilet. He rests his forehead against the cool porcelain, forcing his breathing to steady.

  He waits.

  The wave of nausea passes quickly this time. The sickness doesn’t linger like it used to. His hands still tremble… but it’s bearable.

  “I know mana sickness when I see it.”

  The voice comes from the doorway.

  A man in a black hat steps casually into the bathroom, wearing a yellow-and-orange shirt that makes him look like he just walked off a beach — or out of a jazz club. His presence is calm, but his eyes are sharp.

  “It’s the same no matter where I go,” he adds. “Don’t worry, the Mahoishi only affects you if you’re within a hundred feet of it. Your head should start to clear any second now.”

  Markus flinches, stumbling upright and reaching for his pocket — only to remember his Mahoishi is still with Alexia.

  “Calm down, kid,” the man says, raising one hand in a nonthreatening gesture. “If I had plans to hurt you, I would’ve done it while your head was still in the toilet. Much easier that way.”

  He pulls a bag of marshmallows from seemingly nowhere, the plastic crinkling as he opens it.

  “Here.” He holds one out. “Sugar helps with mana passage. Can ease the effects of sickness. Eventually, you won’t even have to shut it off if you don’t want to.”

  Markus stares at the marshmallow like it might be poisoned. “I’m not eating that. In here.”

  The man — unfazed — shrugs. “Fair. Bathroom ambiance does ruin the flavor.”

  He pops one into his own mouth, chewing casually. “Then maybe we just talk for a minute. I don’t know if there are many magic users on this planet yet, so I’ll ask simply…”

  He leans forward.

  “Are you looking for the sword too?”

  Markus furrows his brow. “The what now?”

  The man chuckles, nodding as if he expected that answer. “Yeah, that look says it all. You’ve got no idea what I’m talking about. Happens a lot.”

  He extends a hand. “Sorry. I think we started on the wrong foot. Easier to talk to someone once they’re not a stranger. My name’s Lemres.”

  Markus eyes him for a moment, then slowly takes his hand.

  The two step outside into the open air, leaving the awkwardness of the public restroom behind.

  “Mind if I ask you something?” Lemres says, pulling another marshmallow from the bag and handing it to Markus without looking.

  “Sure… I guess.”

  “How much do you know about the Morgi Dragon?”

  Markus stops mid-step. “The Morgi… what now? Dragon?”

  “Ah.” Lemres nods like that answer tells him everything. “Thought so. Not the best place to dive into it.”

  He pulls a pen from his pocket and scribbles a string of seven numbers onto a crumpled slip of paper, handing it over.

  “When you get a chance,” he says, “call me. We’ll talk somewhere private. I’ll explain everything.”

  “Markus! Oh, there you are!”

  Alexia comes running up, staff in hand, worry written all over her face. Her eyes flick between him and Lemres

  “I was seriously worried,” she says, catching her breath — then glances at Lemres, her tone shifting. “Oh, Markus, you have friends now? I never knew.”

  Markus groans. “Ha ha. Very funny.”

  Lemres chuckles and casually steps back, giving them space. He doesn’t say anything — just slips another marshmallow into his mouth and gazes up at the clouds like he’s got all the time in the world.

  “I’m sure I’ll be seeing both of you sooner or later,” he says, tipping his hat with a grin. “But for now… until next time.”

  He strolls off down the path, unhurried, as if there’s nowhere in particular he needs to be.

  Markus gives him a small wave, watching until he’s gone.

  Once they’re alone, Markus turns to Alexia.

  “Hey… I’m sorry,” Markus says, stepping a little closer. “I got carried away. After helping that kid, I felt amazing — like I could actually do something. And I wanted to keep chasing that feeling.”

  He glances down at his still-sore arm. “But… I shouldn’t have tried to rush it.”

  Alexia lowers her gaze for a moment, then steps forward to meet his eyes.

  “I should apologize too,” she says quietly. “I wanted this for you. Even after Aunt Linda warned me not to rush it… I still pushed.”

  She pauses. “If you still want to train — we can. Later. Together.”

  Markus nods, his voice steady. “Of course I want to. There’s so much I can do now. It’s like… for the first time in forever, I’ve actually woken up from that coma.”

  They smile at each other, and without another word, share a hug — warm, grounding.

  The moment shatters with the sharp buzz of Alexia’s phone.

  She pulls it out, glances at the screen — her face tightens.

  “It’s my dad,” she says, answering quickly.

  Markus watches. He can’t make out every word, but her father’s voice dominates the call. And then one word rings out clear enough to cut through the distance:

  “Demon.”

  Alexia stiffens.

  “I’m sorry, Markus,” she says, already stepping away. “Something’s come up with my dad. Meet me back at the house, okay?”

  Before he can respond, she turns and runs — fast, focused, determined.

  The word lingers in the air, more omen than explanation.

  Markus watches her go, feeling the weight of something shifting.

  From a nearby rooftop, Lemres pops another marshmallow into his mouth, eyes tracking Markus.

  “At long last,” he murmurs, “I think I’ve found someone.”

  Mahoishi: The Day Magic Found Me.

  I’m truly grateful for all the support you’ve given me as I work on this project.

  August 15, I’ll be releasing one new chapter every Tuesday and Friday.

  I hope you’ll join me for the upcoming releases, and I look forward to sharing what comes next in Markus’s journey.