Streets of Ravetham

Inside the mansion, the wealth and power of Warptor’s household were on full display. The floors were polished obsidian, reflecting the dim ambient light from the floating orbs that hung from the ceiling. The walls were lined with ancient paintings and intricate artifacts—legendary items from across the realms, each exuding their own energy. Gold-plated statues of mythical beasts stood in alcoves, watching over the estate with their jeweled eyes.

In the living room, Warptor’s children were sprawled across a modern sectional couch, completely absorbed in their own worlds. Drakar, the eldest, had a more muscular build and bore the sharp facial features of his father, but with the smooth scales of his kobold heritage. He was texting someone on his phone, occasionally glancing up with an uninterested expression. Lyssa, the middle child, had more delicate features, her scales shimmering with iridescence, and was engrossed in her video game, headphones snug over her pointed ears. Varyn, the youngest, a mischievous-looking child with a blend of both his parents’ features—bright scales and a thin tail—was listening to music, lost in the beat, while also playing a handheld gaming device.

Warptor smiled as he introduced his wife, Xalava, a striking kobold woman with silver scales that gleamed under the light. She stood beside him, her posture graceful yet fierce. Her eyes were a glowing amber, sharp and piercing, reflecting both intelligence and cunning. She wore an elegant, flowing gown, which contrasted with her more reptilian features—her slender, clawed hands and the subtle flick of her tail that betrayed her controlled movements.

“Everyone, this is my wife, Xalava,” Warptor said with a slight bow of his head. “And those are our children—Drakar, Lyssa, and Varyn.”

As the introductions settled, Warptor cleared his throat. “We need to step out for a bit,” he explained, glancing at his wife, who nodded. “We have a meeting with our contact… Zagoth.”

At the mere mention of the fabled dragon, all three guests—Kaelen, Loren, and Elara—visibly stiffened. Kaelen’s violet eyes flickered with a brief spark of tension, while Loren and Elara exchanged uneasy glances.

Warptor continued, oblivious to their discomfort. “Zagoth has been… quite active lately. But more importantly,” his expression darkened, “yesterday, Delphinus, that psychotic dolphin, murdered my wife’s poor wyverns in cold blood. Every time I try to teach that creature a lesson, the media twists it, painting me as the villain. So, we’ll be meeting Zagoth to discuss a resolution.”

Xalava stepped forward, handing Kaelen a folded piece of paper. “Here,” she said in a surprisingly soft, yet firm voice. “A list of things to do, and more importantly, what not to do. I’ve already ordered the kids some anchovy pizza, it should be arriving soon.”

With that, Warptor and Xalava left, disappearing out the door as quietly as they had entered.

Kaelen glanced down at the list with a quirk of his brow, unsure whether to find it amusing or strange. Meanwhile, one of the children, Varyn, turned on the TV, switching to the news. The anchor was already mid-sentence, speaking in a tense tone. “…RPD has apprehended Bankhands today on charges he’s been evading for months. Authorities are calling for citizens to report any suspicious activity as they continue to round up his goons.”

Elara raised an eyebrow, turning her gaze toward the impressive collection of trophies and artifacts scattered around the room. “Man, Warptor really likes to show off,” she muttered, walking over to a glass case displaying what looked like an enchanted sword. “He must have a thing for collecting shiny stuff. I guess when you’re rich, it’s all about appearances.”

Drakar, still texting on his phone, rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that’s Dad for you. Always busy with his vendetta against Delphinus. It’s getting old. No one cares about that dolphin. He’s obsessed. Half of these trophies are from battles no one even remembers. He talks a big game, but it’s the same thing every time. That dolphin kicks his ass, and he complains about it to Mom.”

Before Kaelen could respond to Drakar’s casual disregard for his father, the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of the pizza. The kids perked up immediately, abandoning their games and devices as Loren went to grab the boxes. They gathered around the table, everyone eagerly diving into the slices of anchovy pizza. The rich, salty aroma filled the air, mixing with the warm, melted cheese.

For a few moments, the room was filled with the sound of chewing and the occasional comment about the pizza. Kaelen, Loren, and Elara found themselves swept into the casual camaraderie of the moment, and for the first time that day, Kaelen allowed himself to relax. The simple act of sharing a meal with Warptor’s children felt almost surreal, given the tension that had come before.

As the pizza disappeared and the conversation lulled, Drakar looked at Kaelen curiously. “So, Lost Stray,” he said, “have you ever killed anyone?”

The question hung in the air, and Kaelen hesitated for a moment before deciding on how to answer. “I’ve… been in my share of fights. Let’s just say Red Dot and I handled things, one mission at a time.” He leaned back in his seat, glancing briefly at Elara. “There was this one time Strike and I had to take over a local pixie cartel. They were smuggling illegal fairy dust into the city. It wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done.”

Lyssa looked up from her game, eyes wide. “Wait, fairy dust? That’s some dangerous stuff.”

“Yup,” Elara chimed in. “Not the kind of thing you want falling into the wrong hands.”

As the evening wound down, Loren took charge, ushering the kids toward the stairs. “Alright, time to brush your teeth and head to bed,” she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument.

The kids groaned but complied, and soon the house was quiet. Kaelen and Elara sank into the couch, the tension of the day finally easing off.

About two hours later, just as they were starting to fully relax, the robotic mansion system’s voice echoed through the house: “Delphinus has been spotted. Initiating lockdown mode.”

Turrets activated with a hum, and the TV switched to a live feed showing a floating pink dolphin dodging bullets, its shimmering form approaching the mansion. The turrets fired relentlessly, but Delphinus moved with an almost supernatural grace, weaving through the barrage with ease. The dolphin’s pink hue glowed eerily against the night sky, making it look both beautiful and menacing.

Kaelen, already on edge, muttered, “Knew this was going too smoothly.” He shook his head, feeling the weight of the situation. Fighting Delphinus was going to be a pain.

Elara was quick to tap out. “Nope, not dealing with this. Kaelen, this is all you. Or maybe your witchy maid can pull out a trick or two.”

Before anyone could react, the TV feed changed—Delphinus had vanished, teleporting out of sight. Kaelen tensed, waiting for the next move, but after a long ten minutes of nothing, the mansion’s robotic voice returned. “Target has vacated the premises. Lockdown lifted.”

Kaelen sighed in relief, but that relief was short-lived. The sound of displaced air filled the room, and in the blink of an eye, they were face to face with Delphinus.