Shadows and Consequences

After the chaos in the town square, I kept my head down. That man in the wanted poster that's me, wasn't about to take any chances. The fear that had settled in my chest pounded like a drum every time I stepped outside. My actions had consequences now. Real ones. The kind that could get me killed. It's funny, though being on the run has its perks. It forced me to sharpen my skills, to think on my feet. I'd become a master of staying unseen, of blending into the crowd. And my magic? Well, let's just say I'd gotten creative.

My minor illusion ability had become my greatest weapon. I could now use it on myself, crafting fake identities on the fly. One moment, I was a traveling performer with a flair for the dramatic the next, a quiet merchant peddling trinkets in the market. To make ends meet, I'd started putting on small shows in the town square. Nothing too flashy—just enough to earn a few coins without drawing attention. I'd switch up my act every few days. One day, I'd be a fire-breathing juggler; the next, a fortune-teller with a deck of glowing cards. Sometimes, I'd even create the illusion of two shows happening at once. Double the acts, double the money. It was risky, but I was careful. I only took what I needed, never enough to make anyone suspicious.

But then, the heroes came to town.

I'd been in the middle of a performance when I saw them—riding in on their fancy carts, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. My heart skipped a beat. Why are they here? I thought, panic rising in my chest. Are they here for me? I quickly wrapped up my act, slipping away into the crowd before anyone would notice me. As I ducked into an alley, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.

Later that day, I was walking through the market, trying to keep a low profile, when I saw it. A little girl, no older than six, darted into the street after her ball. The heroes' cart was barreling down the road, and she didn't see it coming. Without thinking, I lunged forward, grabbing her by the arm and yanking her out of harm's way just in time. The cart screeched to a halt, and the driver—a tall, broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his cheek—jumped down, his face pale.

"Are you two alright?" he asked, his voice gruff but laced with concern.

I glared at him, my heart still racing. "Watch where you're going! You call yourselves heroes? You could've killed her!"

The man clearly not the hero himself, but one of his party members lowered his head in apology. "You're right. That was careless of me. Let me make it up to you. Are either of you hurt?"

The little girl shook her head, clutching her ball tightly. She looked up at me with wide eyes before scampering off, leaving me alone with the hero's lackey. I crossed my arms, my irritation growing. "Never your attention, huh? What are you even doing on this side of town? Shouldn't you be off fighting the Demon Lord or something?"

The man sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We're patrolling. The Demon Lord's been defeated, but there are still stragglers—stray demons, bandits, that kind of thing. We're here to keep the kingdom safe."

I raised an eyebrow. "Patrolling? With a cart? Seems a bit excessive, don't you think?"

He chuckled, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You've got a sharp tongue, don't you? What's your name, anyway?"

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing. Giving him my real name was out of the question. "Kael," I said, pulling the name out of thin air. It was as good as any.

"Well, Kael," he said, extending a hand, "I'm Garrick. And for what it's worth, thanks for saving that girl. You've got quick reflexes."

I shook his hand reluctantly, my mind racing. Garrick. I'd heard the name before—he was one of the hero's inner circle, a skilled fighter with a reputation for being level-headed. Not the type to jump to conclusions, but still dangerous. I needed to tread carefully.

"Yeah, well, someone had to do it," I muttered, pulling my hand away. "You heroes are supposed to be the protectors, right? Maybe you should start acting like it."

Garrick's smile faded, replaced by a look of genuine remorse. "You're right. We'll be more careful. And as for the inconvenience…" He reached into his pouch, pulling out a handful of coins. "Here. For your trouble."

I eyed the coins, my mind already calculating how far they'd go. But then I smirked, a plan forming in my head. "You know what? Keep your coins. If you really want to make it up to me, how about you buy me lunch instead?"

Garrick blinked, caught off guard, before letting out a laugh. "Alright, alright. You've got a deal."

As we walked toward the nearest tavern, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. Sitting down with one of the hero's party members was risky, but it was also an opportunity. If I played my cards right, I might be able to learn why they were really in town—and whether I needed to disappear for good.

But as I glanced at Garrick out of the corner of my eye, I realized something else. He didn't seem like the type to blindly follow orders. Maybe, just maybe, he could be an ally. Or at the very least, someone who wouldn't turn me in on sight.

For now, though, I'd keep my guard up. After all, trust was a luxury I couldn't afford. Not when my life was on the line.

The tavern was a cozy little place, tucked away in a quiet corner of the town. The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread wafted through the air, and the sound of laughter and clinking mugs filled the room. Garrick led me to a table in the back, away from prying eyes. He ordered a round of ale and a platter of food, and we settled in.

"So, Kael," Garrick said, leaning back in his chair. "What's your story? You're not from around here, are you?"

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. "Just passing through. I'm a performer, mostly. Magic tricks, illusions, that kind of thing."

Garrick nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Magic, huh? You any good?"

I smirked, leaning forward. "Good enough to save that girl, apparently."

I felt a flicker of unease but kept my smile in place. "Flair's my specialty. Keeps things interesting."

Garrick studied me for a moment, his gaze sharp. "You know, there's a magician causing a lot of trouble for the king. Goes by the name Ren. You wouldn't happen to know him, would you?"

I froze for a split second, my heart skipping a beat. But I recovered quickly, forcing a laugh. "Ren? Never heard of him. But if he's causing trouble for the king, he sounds like my kind of guy."

Garrick's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press further. "Just be careful, Kael. The king's not exactly known for his sense of humor. And if you're caught helping someone like Ren… well, let's just say it wouldn't end well."

I nodded, my mind racing. "Noted. But like I said, I'm just a performer. I don't get involved in politics."

Garrick raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "Fair enough. Just… keep your head down, alright? These are dangerous times."

I nodded again, my unease growing. Garrick was sharper than I'd given him credit for, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was onto me. But for now, I'd play along. I'd keep my illusions up, my tricks ready, and my guard high. Because in a world where heroes and kings were out for my head, the only person I could trust was myself.

As I sat there, sipping my ale and pretending to listen to Garrick's stories, my mind wandered back to the shadow. That dark, twisted version of myself that had appeared in the alley after the chaos in the square. It had told me this world was just a game, that everyone in it was nothing more than an NPC. At first, I tried to believe it. It was easier that way. If this was all just a game, then none of it mattered. The king, the heroes, the little girl I'd saved—they were all just pieces on a board, and I was the player.

But deep down, I knew it wasn't that simple. The little girl's wide eyes, the way she'd clutched her ball so tightly… that wasn't the behavior of an NPC. That was real. And the fear I'd felt when I saw the heroes' cart barreling toward her. That was real too.

I couldn't keep pretending. No matter how much I wanted to believe this world was just a game, I couldn't. The people here were real. Their lives mattered. And as much as I hated to admit it, so did mine.

But that didn't mean I was going to stop playing. If this was a game, then I was going to win it. And if it wasn't… Well, I'd figure that out when the time came.

For now, though, I'd keep my head down, my illusions up, and my guard high. Because in a world where heroes and kings were out for my head, the only person I could trust was myself.

And maybe, just maybe, that shadowy part of me that whispered in the dark.