A young boy, no older than six, was idly striking the embers in the wood-fired oven in his family's kitchen with a poker. The oven had been burning quite some time ago, and the ashes were just hot enough to make some pretty sparks.

  The boy's sister watched, gears turning in her head. It did not take long before an idea struck her, and a mischievous grin formed on her face.

  "Hey, Taizo," she began, replacing her expression with a wholly innocent one. "Have you ever heard the tale of Cinder Claws?"

  "Huh?" Taizo glanced up, confused. "What's that, Miskah?"

  "She's a ghost that lives in fireplaces and ovens just like these," Miskah continued. "She's as pale as ash, slender as death, with long and tangled hair the color of soot and smog. And, whenever a child's been naughty, she emerges from her den and snatches them up! She drags them into the fire with her claws so that she never has to burn alone!"

  The boy crossed his arms and gave his sister a stiff upper lip. "I don't believe you. You made that up," he said, defiant. Still, he couldn't help but glance back at the oven, just to be certain.

  "Ha, hah," Miskah chortled. "Believe me or not, Cinder–"

  Thump.

  The sound clearly came from the chimney, and it sounded just like…

  "Wh-whoa!" Taizo exclaimed, looking away, face flushed. "Miskah, this is getting too scary!"

  But Miskah was scared as well. "N-no way, Cinder Claws can't actually be–"

  With a sudden WHOOMPH and a cloud of ash and sparks, Sayuri crashed down in the oven, covered in ash and soot. "That was a close getaway," she thought, "Thank the Will that there wasn't a fire burning."

  She glanced up to see two frightened young children, staring at her with gaping mouths.

  "H-hello?" Sayuri said, raising her hands. But she had gotten some ash in her lungs, and her voice came out raspy, sounding more like a "HELL."

  The two children screamed in terror, their faces drained of color. "Cinder Claws!" they cried out in unison before turning tail and fleeing from the kitchen as fast as their little legs could carry them.

  Sayuri blinked in confusion, not entirely sure what just transpired. She looked down at her soot-covered body, realizing the terrifying visage she must've presented to the youngsters.

  "Ack, I really messed up this time," she muttered, coughing up more ash. Still, it wasn't the worst outcome considering her narrow escape from Maise. Shaking off the unsettling encounter, she decided it was best to make herself scarce before the children returned with their parents or, Will forbid, the guards.

  ... Though she did pause to snack on the fresh platter of milk and cookies the two children left behind.

  Cautiously peering out one window, Sayuri spotted Maise clutching her broken nose. Peering out another, she caught a glimpse of Leon perched on the rooftops, surveying a wide area with his revolver trained. They were staking her out– but neither one of them knew the town like she did. With renewed determination, Sayuri slipped out of the house, keeping to the shadows and out of sight from the bounty hunters. She needed a plan - she couldn't keep running forever. Her best chance was to regroup with her fellow urchins and come up with a strategy.

  —

  Ophelia and Miko had done as Sayuri suggested, and took the other urchins to the limestone park to enjoy the day.

  Odes Valley was a hot, dry, and dusty place without a hint of green vegetation, but it was certainly not devoid of all natural beauty. The limestone park was a testament to that, with its stunning rock formations carved by the elements over countless centuries. The urchins played among the limestone pillars, their laughter echoing off the rocky walls.

  Ophelia watched over the young ones, a stern but caring expression on her face. Her pink hair shone brightly under the sun, a stark contrast to the arid landscape. Miko stood beside her, his quiet demeanor a comforting presence.

  As the children played, a sense of unease crept into Ophelia's heart. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She turned to Miko, her voice laced with concern, "Miko, do you think Sayuri's alright? I know raiding the Imports Depot was a risky move, but she couldn't have actually been caught, could she?"

  Miko fidgeted, his gaze wandering as he pondered Ophelia's question. "I-I'm not sure," he admitted, his voice tinged with worry. "Sayuri's always been able to handle herself, but this time feels different. The Imports Depot is heavily guarded, and we've never attempted a heist there before."

  Ophelia nodded, her brow furrowed with concern. She knew the risks all too well, but she also had faith in Sayuri's abilities. "We should have gone with her," she said, her voice laced with regret. "Strength in numbers, right?"

  "But Sayuri said—" Miko began, but he was interrupted by the sound of rapid footsteps approaching. Both he and Ophelia tensed, their bodies instinctively shielding the younger urchins.

  To their surprise and relief, Sayuri emerged from behind a limestone pillar, her face smeared with soot and her clothes disheveled.

  "What the hell happened to you!?" Ophelia exclaimed. "I told you raiding the Imports Depot was a bad—"

  "Nah, the Imports Depot was no trouble at all," Sayuri grinned, albeit sheepishly. "It was, uh, what came after that threw me off."

  Sayuri quickly recounted Mr. Orden's meeting with the bounty hunters, Maise's relentless pursuit, and her narrow escape through the chimney. As she spoke, the other urchins gathered around, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and fascination.

  Miko gasped, his face pale. "Bounty hunters? Here in Odesvale? But why?"

  "Mr. Orden has finally had enough of me. Stealing the curry from the miner's festival yesterday must have been the straw that beat the dead horse's back," Sayuri answered with a crooked grin. "Whatever a 'horse' is."

  Ophelia shook her head, a mix of exasperation and concern on her face. "This is serious, Sayuri. We can't just keep running and hiding forever. We need a plan."

  "I am being serious. This is my serious face," Sayuri said, gesturing to her expression. "This is my fault for taking things too lightly. The price of..." she furrowed her brows. "Compleniency? Compatiently?"

  "Complacency," Ophelia offered.

  "Right, complacency," Sayuri nodded. "The price of complacency. I've put us all in danger, and now it's time for me to fix this."

  Ophelia sighed, her frustration with Sayuri's antics tempered by the severity of the situation. "What do you suggest we do, then?"

  Sayuri's eyes gleamed with determination as she addressed her fellow urchins. "First, let's head back to the hideout. You all need to lay low, where it's safe, and I need time to recover," she began.

  Maise had made it abundantly clear. "Once I've caught your scent, I can track you down anywhere! Running was your first mistake, girl" she had said.

  "Starting tomorrow, I'm not going to run anymore," Sayuri declared, a fire burning in her eyes. "I'm going to learn how to fight back, then best Maise and Leon head-on at their own game. It's the only way to get them off our backs for good."

  Ophelia and Miko exchanged worried glances, but they knew better than to argue with Sayuri when she had that determined look in her eyes. The younger urchins, on the other hand, were buzzing with excitement at the prospect of their leader taking on the bounty hunters.

  As the group made their way back to their hideout in the abandoned ore depot, Sayuri's mind raced with ideas on how to best prepare herself for the inevitable confrontation. She knew she had to be smart about this – her agility and quick wit had always been her greatest assets, and she would need to use them to her advantage.

  —

  "I'm a complete idiot," Benji lamented. "An absolute dumbass."

  Lulu cricked her back. Being thrown by Maise left her pretty sore and achy, but she was trying not to let it show. "What are you talking about, Benji? This isn't your fault."

  "I'm talking about the Bandit Princess. Sayuri," he said. "She told me her fellow urchins rely on her. She’s stealing for more than just herself. All this time, it was for the kids," he realized, his voice tinged with frustration and regret. "And I just kept trying to stop her without even considering why she might be doing it."

  Lulu raised an eyebrow, surprised by Benji's sudden change of heart. "You're not seriously feeling sympathetic towards that little criminal, are you?" she asked, her tone a mix of disbelief and disapproval.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "She's still a thief, yes, but think about it, Lulu," Benji pressed, his gaze intense behind his glasses. "These kids have no one else to turn to. Odesvale's economy is doing surprisingly well despite the great gold crash, but it's by no means stable. We lost the town's only orphanage more than a decade ago and nobody's stepping in to reopen it..."

  Lulu crossed her arms, her brow furrowed as she considered Benji's words. "I get what you're saying, but I just can't bring myself to accept it! We've worked way too hard mastering our strategies and techniques to throw them all away and give up now!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration and disappointment. "I get it, Benji, but we’ve chased her for years. You really want to throw all that away?"

  Benji sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm not saying we should let her off the hook entirely, Lulu. But maybe we can find a way to help her and the urchins without constantly trying to arrest her. Maybe there's a way for them to contribute to society legally, so they don't have to steal to survive."

  Lulu scoffed, shaking her head. "And how exactly are we supposed to do that? We're guards, Benji, not social workers. Our job is to enforce the law, not find loopholes for criminals."

  Benji stood up, his expression resolute. "Are you really saying you're not willing to try?" he said, disappointment evident in his tone.

  Benji's words hung in the air, a challenge that Lulu couldn't ignore. She hesitated, her gaze shifting from Benji to the ground, then back up to him. "I… I didn't say that," she finally replied, putting up her cheeks like a scolded child. "Whatever you decide, I'll follow your lead," she finally said.

  There was an unspoken tension between them that hung in the air like a dark cloud. Typically, they got along well, which meant neither one had experience dealing with the other's disapproval. It was an unfamiliar and uncomfortable feeling for both of them. Benji, trying to break the ice, offered a small smile. "Thank you, Lulu. I know this isn't easy for you. It's not easy for me either. But I truly believe it's the right thing to do."

  Lulu sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I trust your judgment, Benji. You're the brains of this operation, after all. But I still don't like it. It feels wrong, letting a criminal run free in our town."

  "I understand, Lulu, and I appreciate your trust," Benji replied, his expression softening. "We'll figure this out together."

  The two guards fell into a contemplative silence as they continued their patrol through the central plaza. The weight of their newfound knowledge and the potential consequences of their actions hung heavy in the air.

  —

  Two miners checked behind themselves as they walked down a barely used tunnel. As they turned a corner, they reached a narrow crevice that looked as though it were just a small alcove. Yet as they slipped through, it opened up into a larger, well-lit chamber where multiple other miners had gathered.

  In one corner of the room, kegs of cave rice sake rested on top of wooden crates, their frosted surfaces iridescent in the dim torchlight. The stench of alcohol filled the air even from a distance, seeping into the nostrils of anyone who stood too close. Near the kegs, a jovial miner with a thick beard and a red face was chatting loudly with his companions, regaling them with stories about his escapades in the mines.

  The center of the room was dominated by a large ring, drawn out in chalk. Two shirtless men traded blows, their fists meeting with loud thumps and grunts of exertion. One man was burly and muscular, his body glistening with sweat despite the cool air. The other man was slightly smaller but no less ferocious, his attacks sharp and precise.

  As the two men circled each other, their movements calculated and measured, the other miners cheered on their favorite fighter. "Come on! Show him what you're made of!"

  The smaller fighter bobbed and weaved expertly around his opponent, landing quick punches and jabs while dodging the larger man's swings. Every now and then, as the larger fighter's attacks grew more wild and heavy-handed, the smaller fighter would dart in and land a solid right hook before darting away again. Despite being outsized, he held his own with surprising ease.

  The larger fighter roared and charged at his opponent, swinging a massive punch that looked like it would knock the smaller fighter out of the ring. But the smaller fighter was one step ahead, ducking and weaving before landing an uppercut that sent the larger fighter stumbling backwards out of the ring. The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement and energy filling the chamber.

  "Who's next!?" he shouted.

  Then suddenly, silence.

  Everyone turned to the hidden chamber's entrance as Mr. Orden entered through the crevice. One man dropped his mug in shock, spilling sake all over the floor. Orden's presence loomed large in the hidden chamber, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the gathered miners. The air grew tense, thick with anticipation and a hint of fear. No one dared to speak or move, waiting for Mr. Orden to make the first move.

  The mining foreman surveyed the scene before him: the makeshift fighting ring; the kegs of cave rice sake; and the shirtless men who had just moments ago been engaged in a heated brawl. His eyes narrowed as he took in every detail, his disapproval etched into every line of his face.

  "I should have known," Orden growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I should have known that you lot would be wasting your time with this… this debauchery."

  He stepped further into the chamber, his boots crunching on spilled sake. The miner who had dropped his mug scrambled to clean up after himself even though it was already too late.

  The smaller fighter quickly made his way over to Orden, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Foreman," he said, his tone respectful but not overly deferential. "What brings you down here?"

  Mr. Orden simply shoved the fighter back. "Get back in the ring," he said. "I'll be your next opponent." The smaller fighter's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly composed himself. He glanced around at his fellow miners, who were watching the scene unfold with a mix of curiosity and concern.

  "I don't think that's a good idea, Foreman," the fighter replied cautiously. "I don't want any trouble."

  Mr. Orden let out a harsh laugh. "Trouble? You think you can cause me trouble, boy? I've been fighting since before you were born."

  First, he stepped into the ring. Then, he flexed his arms and puffed out his chest, tearing his buttoned shirt apart at the seams.

  The murmurs grew louder as the miners stared in amazement at Mr. Orden's rippling muscles. He did a few practice jabs and swings, the force of which made the air whistle in their ears. The smaller fighter hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. He knew that Mr. Orden was not a man to be trifled with, but he also couldn't back down from a challenge – especially not in front of his fellow miners.

  "Alright, Foreman," he said finally, stepping back into the ring. "If you insist."

  The crowd of miners buzzed with excitement as the two men faced off against each other. The smaller fighter took a deep breath and raised his fists while Mr. Orden cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders.

  Without warning, Mr. Orden lunged forward with surprising speed for such a large man. The smaller fighter barely had time to dodge before Mr. Orden's fist whistled past his ear.

  The fight was on. The two men circled each other, their eyes locked in intense focus. Mr. Orden threw a series of powerful jabs and hooks, each one aimed to take the smaller fighter's head off. But the smaller fighter was quick and nimble, ducking and weaving around Orden's attacks with expert precision.

  As the fight progressed, it became clear that both men were skilled fighters in their own right. Mr. Orden had raw power and ferocity on his side while the smaller fighter relied on his speed and agility to avoid taking any serious hits.

  Sweat poured down both men's faces as they continued to trade blows, neither one willing to give an inch. The crowd of miners cheered them on with bloodthirsty enthusiasm.

  In a momentary lapse of concentration from Mr. Orden - which he swiftly paid for - his opponent landed a swift uppercut that left him momentarily stunned.

  "Hah!" exclaimed the foreman after spitting out some blood. "You've got some bite to you, boy. I like that," he said with a grin that seemed to hold more respect than anger.

  The smaller fighter nodded in acknowledgment, a glimmer of pride in his eyes despite the fatigue setting in from the intense bout.

  "But let's see how you handle this!" Mr. Orden suddenly rushed forward again with a powerful haymaker aimed at the smaller fighter's chest. The impact sent him stumbling backwards onto the ground where he lay gasping for breath and seeing stars. Before he could recover entirely though, Orden swooped down and grabbed him by the collar, lifting him into the air with one hand alone.

  "Enough of these games," Orden growled menacingly as he held the smaller fighter aloft. "I came here for a reason, and it wasn't to trade blows with you lot."

  The room fell silent once more as the miners exchanged nervous glances. Mr. Orden's gaze swept over the crowd, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and disappointment.

  "You all seem to have forgotten your place," he continued, his voice low and threatening. "You're miners, not fighters or drunkards. You have a duty to me, to this town, and most importantly, to yourselves. I won't stand for any more of this foolishness."

  With that, he tossed the smaller fighter aside like a ragdoll and turned to face the rest of the miners. They all stood motionless under his glare; even those who had been cheering moments ago now cowered in fear.

  "As punishment for your loafing about, I'm enlisting all of you for a special operation, one I expect the lot of you to keep mum about for now," he began, motioning the group to leave the hidden grotto. "Some of you are too young to remember the days before the Great Gold Crash, when all of Tehra– including this town– put all their faith in the value and stability of gold. If it weren't for mankind's complacency, we would not be in the worldwide depression we're currently in. The reason we've done as well as we have is because we learned our lesson," he continued, monologuing from the front of the pack as they walked through the tunnels. "Which of you know what that is?"

  "Hard work?" one of the miners bravely answered.

  "Hard work!" Mr. Orden repeated, "… is only half of the picture! We could've mined gold 'till our backs were slick with sweat, and it would have all been for naught!" he said, "That hard work needs to be directed into all possible avenues, not just one. It's called diversification, and it's what saved Odesvale from total collapse."

  The miners listened intently as they walked, their minds absorbing every word of Mr. Orden's impromptu lesson on economics and the importance of adaptability.

  "You see," he continued, his voice echoing through the tunnels, "We may have built our town on the back of gold mining, but when that proved to be unstable and unsustainable, we didn't just roll over and die. We adapted; we learned to mine iron ore; amethyst; limestone - whatever resources this valley had in abundance!"

  As they rounded a corner in the tunnel system - one that some members began recognizing as their approach towards a restricted area long thought disused - Mr. Orden paused momentarily before pressing on with renewed vigor.

  "Now we face a new challenge! Today, we're venturing deeper underground than ever before, for a resource that will finally put Odesvale on the map. We've survived long enough, it's time for us to thrive!" Mr. Orden announced. "I'm giving you all one chance to back out. Anyone who does will be reassigned to slag duty– an unpleasant, but safe punishment. Anyone who wants to be part of Odesvale history can follow me into the Deepsprawl."

  The miners exchanged nervous glances, the weight of Mr. Orden's words sinking in. The Deepsprawl: a place where reality seemed to warp and twist, where the very concept of geometry became unstable. It was a risk, but the potential rewards were too great to ignore. Up until now, mineshafts were abandoned the moment the Deepsprawl's influence became even slightly apparent, but Mr. Orden seemed willing to set that aside for whatever prize he was alluding to.

  One by one, the miners stepped forward, their resolve hardening as they made their decision. They had faced countless dangers in the mines before; this was just another challenge to overcome.

  After descending through the mineshaft, they came to a rack of belts, each with a pair of short ropes and carabiners attached to them. Next to it was a tunnel marked by a long rope that ran along the wall, stretching on into the darkness.

  "As long as you're in this tunnel, you must wear this belt and have at least one carabiner attached to the rope at all times," Mr. Orden said, his tone gravely serious. "The Deepsprawl is unpredictable, and the last thing we need is someone getting lost or separated from the group," he continued, his eyes scanning the faces of each miner to ensure they understood the gravity of the situation. "I don't want any heroes or risk-takers down here. Stick to the path, and follow my lead."

  One by one, each miner picked up a belt and secured it around their waist before clipping their carabiner onto the rope with a resounding click. As they did so, an air of tension settled over them all - a silent acknowledgment that they were about to venture into territory most would never dare tread.

  As Mr. Orden led them deeper into uncharted territory within Odesvale's mineshafts, he began explaining in hushed tones what was at stake: "Our scouts, who bravely set up this rope path, have reason to believe that beneath our very feet lies a massive untapped vein of Luftonite – metal unlike anything else on Tehra."

  The miners' eyes widened at the mention of Luftonite, a rare and valuable resource that could change the fortunes of Odesvale forever. The metal's unique properties made it highly sought after for various applications, from airship construction to advanced machinery. If they could successfully mine this vein, their town would become a major player in the struggling global market.

  "Odesvale was once a colony on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Jethro. Before the lot of you were born, this town used to receive regular shipments from royal airships! But as the Gold Crash took effect, the kingdom was forced to scuttle their airships and salvage them for resources– and even that didn't stop it from going bankrupt and collapsing," Mr. Orden explained, his voice tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and bitterness. "But with this Luftonite, we could rebuild those airships and establish trade routes that span across the entire world! We could bring prosperity back to our town and secure our future for generations to come! We could even spark a new age of exploration into the Infinite Frontier!"

  The miners nodded in unison, their determination growing stronger with every word from Mr. Orden's mouth. They knew the risks, but they also understood what was at stake – not just for themselves or their families but for the entire community of Odesvale.

  As they ventured deeper into the winding tunnels, Mr. Orden suddenly stopped and raised his hand signaling everyone else to halt as well.

  "Quiet," he whispered urgently as he noticed a faint glow emanating from around a corner up ahead - something none of them had ever encountered before within these depths.

  Cautiously edging forward while keeping one hand on the rope secured to his belt; Mr. Orden peered around the corner, his eyes widening at the sight before him. There, in a vast cavern untouched by human hands, lay an expansive deposit of Luftonite that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. The metal's surface shimmered with iridescent hues, casting dancing shadows on the walls of the cave.

  For a moment, everyone stood in awed silence as they took in the sheer magnitude of their discovery. The Luftonite vein was larger than anything they had ever seen before - a true marvel hidden beneath their very feet.

  Mr. Orden turned to his fellow miners, his face split into a triumphant grin as he spoke aloud what they were all thinking: "This changes everything."

  The excitement among them was palpable; some even dared to dream about how their lives would change once Odesvale became one of Tehra's most important towns - but there would be time for celebrating later.

  "Alright you lot." Mr. Orden's voice cut through the excitement, bringing everyone back to the task at hand. "Let's get to work. We need to map out this vein and set up a transport line to get this luftonite to the surface!"