Sitting on the edge of the roof of the old theater house, I watched the city. The wind picked up slightly, twisting my black hair. Pulling my dark brown hair out of my face, I looked at the skyline. Dawn was fast approaching. One by one all the city nightlights were going out and the day market was getting set up in the city center below. Mornings like these were so peaceful and rare...

From the corner of my eye, I spotted a figure coming out from a dark alleyway. Right on time.

The tangled graying hair gave him away. Only Mr Kin would have hair looking crazy like that. I watched as he tried to grab one of the merchant's goods. He failed like he did almost every morning.

I watched Mr Kin cause a scene with the merchants, screaming and causing general havoc.

“You damn hypocrites.” He cried out, kicking the leg of one of the fruit stall tables. “Twenty years ago, we were equals and friends. Now look at you all. Groveling to bunch of goons. You let kids starve because they’re too weak. What kind of society are we?”

As the fruit fell and the merchants got distracted, trying to shut Mr Kin up, I saw a small flash. Speeding out from the alleyway Mr Kin had come out from, a little blur flew past several stalls before returning to the alleyway. I smiled slightly. Must be Anna again.

It was kind of funny watching the pair. Mr Kin was plan A, which always failed no matter how many times he tried to change tactics. And Anna was the plan B. Both teaming up to risk life and limb just to get some food. However, I understood why the two did it, risking life and limb.

The alleyway they lived in was the unofficial home of all the street kids. Many were weak or without powers, meaning they were unfit for this society, where power ruled. Most had been abandoned by their families, after finding that they were weak or powerless. 

“Did Anna save Mr Kin’s butt again?”

“Yeah.” I looked at Kan as he seated himself next to me. “Looks like she’s getting faster. I could barely see her. She managed to grab a few things from several stalls. And Mr Kin got vocal again. Although, he did cause more trouble.”

“The man’s going to get himself into huge trouble one of these days. Kan shook his head. “I’m just surprised that the guards haven’t arrested him.”

“What are they going to do with him? He’s already lost his powers and livelihood because of them.”

“True. But you know they’ll probably find something. They always do.” Kan handed me a big paper bag. A dark expression passed his face. We both knew when it came to punishments, the Underworld could get quite creative. "But it’s good they got some stuff. They do have a few more mouths to feed now. Anyway, I got you your favorite. Not that I know how you're able to eat that garbage.”

“Thanks.”

I opened the paper bag and grabbed a burger. Removing the paper covering the burger, I took a bite and looked at Kan. I watched him pick at his salad, sadness showing on his handsome features. Black-haired with the brightest green eyes, Kan reminded me of a fallen angel painting he’d once shown me.

“You okay.” I said, knowing full well he was not. “You’re not worrying about…”

"No… what happened is in the past." he replied, looking at Mr Kin as the old man crawled back to his alley. He looked back at me and tried to grin, but my pointed look stopped him. "Okay, not really. I just hate that they keep that damn festival going."

“At least today is the last day. Then we won’t have to worry about that festival.”

“Yeah…” Kan looked away. “Today is the last day…”

We sat in silence for a moment watching as people prepared for the last day of the Games of Styx. I could feel the anger and hatred radiating off of him. Not that I could blame him. 

“Do you still think about it.” I asked, trying to break the silence. “That day…”

“Sometimes. It’s worse during this time of the year. And you? Do you still…”

I looked down at the thread of purple silk wrapped around my wrist. “You know how I feel about it. How I feel about all of this.”

Kan nodded, before standing up. He held out a hand. “At least it won’t be like this forever. I can’t wait for this sick festival to end. Kids fighting each other to just showcase their powers is disgusting. Some don’t know how to control their powers. Accidents happen like…”

He shut down, but I understood. Like what happened with Philp, Kan’s little brother. The kid he went up against had a powerful fire ability, but the kid lost control of his flames and... I didn’t want to think about the aftermath. 

I placed the half-empty paper bag into his hand and stood up. “It’s not long now. You’ll get your revenge.”

“I hope so…”

***

Buildings and skyscrapers shone in the sunlight as we walked through the busy streets of Eden. Every corner was covered with technology, from holograms to androids walking about. We may have been in the poorer parts of Eden, but the city was still where the Underworld’s head lived. 

As we walked through the dirty streets, people hurrying around, suddenly stopped and bowed as they passed us. I watched Kan cringe every time it happened. He never did like the fame.  

Even when we were still training together at the Kasten Academy, a single word of praise had Kan blushing like a bride on her wedding night. I smirked at the thought. He was probably blushing under the black helmet he was wearing.

“What time do we have to be there?” Kan’s voice broke me away from my thoughts.

“Umm… eight I think is what David told me.”

Kan glared at me as we continued walking. “You weren’t listening, were you?”

“No. You know how much I hate him. The way he goes on and on. Anyway, it’s fine if we skip it. I’ll…”

Kan sighed, interrupting me. “We can’t Runa. Not this year. You know what will happen. We can’t afford for them to get…”

Kan trailed off as I looked away. I knew we couldn’t skip it, no matter how much we both wanted to. This year was the 380^th anniversary of the Games of Styx, and as important members of the Underworld, we couldn’t skip it. Not with everyone watching us. We had to act like the good members we were meant to be. No, that I wanted to. I wanted to…

“Look. We just need to deal with that trash for a few hours. Then I promise, we can do whatever you want.”

“Fine, but only if we go to Miller’s.”

“Again.” Kan wrinkled his nose in disgust as he removed his helmet. “Why can’t you choose a better place? I can recommend some great places.”

“I’ll need something strong today. Especially if I’m going to have to deal with who we’re going to have to deal with today.”

“Fine, but you’re paying.”

“Deal.”