Episode 17: The Useless Invisibility Cloak

The shop door didn't open this time.

Felix and Zira glanced up from their workbench, confused. The little bell above the door had jingled, but no one was there.

Zira squinted. "Felix… did we finally anger a ghost?"

Felix sighed. "If we did, I'm charging it double."

A voice spoke from seemingly nowhere. "Psst. Down here."

They both looked down. A pair of leather boots stood awkwardly in the middle of the room — with nothing above them.

Zira blinked. "Huh. Floating boots. That's new."

The voice groaned. "No, no, I'm wearing an invisibility cloak. It's… malfunctioning."

Felix leaned on the counter. "Malfunctioning how?"

The voice sighed. "It only works if I stand completely still."

Felix snorted. "Sounds more like a statue cloak."

The figure grumbled. "You have no idea how hard it is to sneak through a castle when you have to freeze every time someone looks your way. I tried to rob a noble's vault last night — got stuck for three hours because the guard wouldn't stop eating a sandwich."

Zira chuckled. "You couldn't sneak past one guy with a sandwich?"

The rogue huffed. "He wasn't even eating fast! He just stood there… chewing… staring at the wall like it owed him money. I couldn't move without becoming visible! My leg cramped so bad I fell over when he finally left."

Felix bit back a laugh. "Alright, alright. Let's see the cloak."

The rogue unclasped the cloak, and suddenly, the rest of him popped into view — a wiry man with a mask half-pulled down and a very exasperated expression. He slapped the cloak on the counter.

Felix examined the runes woven into the fabric. "Looks like the enchantment got mixed up. Instead of full invisibility, it activates only during stillness. Basically, it's designed for hiding, not moving."

The rogue groaned. "Great. So I'm a really expensive coat rack."

Zira grinned. "Well, on the bright side, if you ever get caught, you can freeze and hope they mistake you for furniture."

The rogue scowled. "Yeah, 'The Amazing Invisible End Table.' Very intimidating."

Felix chuckled. "Alright, I'll fix it. Shouldn't take too long."

---

Thirty Minutes Later…

Felix held up the newly enchanted cloak. "All done. Full invisibility — even while moving."

The rogue's eyes lit up. "For real?"

Felix nodded. "Go on, try it."

The rogue grinned, swung the cloak around his shoulders, and disappeared completely.

Zira glanced around. "Did it work?"

Felix smirked. "Yeah. He's gone."

From nowhere, the rogue's voice spoke, smug. "Heh. This is perfect. You're a lifesaver."

Zira leaned on the counter. "Hey, don't forget to pay."

The voice went quiet.

Felix raised an eyebrow. "You're not seriously thinking about skipping the bill, are you?"

More silence.

Zira's eyes narrowed. "Oh no, don't even try it, buddy."

They both stared at the empty spot where the rogue had stood.

Still nothing.

Felix sighed and muttered under his breath, "Yeah, saw this coming."

He reached under the counter and grabbed a small, glowing gemstone. With a flick of his wrist, the gem pulsed.

Suddenly, the rogue reappeared, upside down, floating in the air and spinning slowly.

"W-what the—?!" the rogue shouted, flailing helplessly.

Felix smirked. "Built a failsafe into the cloak. Runs on a proximity charm. If you leave without paying…"

He gestured at the spinning rogue. "…you become a very visible, very rotating decoration."

Zira snorted. "You look like a wind chime."

The rogue groaned, face burning red. "Alright, alright! I'll pay!"

Felix tossed the gem into the air and caught it. The rogue dropped to the ground with a thud.

Rubbing his sore backside, he muttered, "You're evil, you know that?"

Felix shrugged. "I prefer 'prepared.'"

The rogue grumbled, tossed a pouch of coins on the counter, and stomped out — the now-functioning cloak flaring behind him.

Zira leaned over to Felix, smirking. "Think he learned his lesson?"

Felix chuckled. "Doubt it. But at least next time, he'll pay upfront."