I realized that I was no longer on the street. I was in some other place. I could not look around that much as I was placed on a table, but I noticed quickly that this was someone's home.
Two men were standing in front of me, talking to each other. I listened carefully to their words.
"Today sure is our lucky day, right!" one of them said with excitement.
"Yeah, you're right. We are quite lucky to find this golden ring." The other man picked me up and began tossing me in his hand.
"I am sure the boss will be happy… after all, we managed to steal from the nobles, plus this golden ring we found on the street."
They both laughed. I was still being tossed around, then placed back on the table again. Their laughter stopped the moment another man entered the room.
He wore a cloak. I couldn't see his face clearly.
"Do you really think I will be pleased with this?" His voice cut through the air like a blade.
"I–I'm sorry, boss, but we did—" one of them tried to answer, but the cloaked man interrupted immediately.
"You barely escaped from the noble mansion. The guards saw your faces."
The thief tried to argue. "No, boss, they didn't see us—" But his voice shook, and I could tell he was lying.
The man laughed coldly. "Didn't see your faces? Is that so… Then explain this." He pulled out two pieces of paper from his cloak. Wanted posters. Their wanted posters.
Both men froze. They stuttered, tried to explain, but their words tangled up.
"You know what happens when someone fails their mission, don't you?"
"Please, boss, forgive us! We don't want to die!" They fell to their knees, voices trembling.
"You already know the consequences. You also know I do not forgive easily. Did I not set an example when I killed Caz?" He walked forward slowly, step by step, until he reached the table.
The men pleaded harder. "We didn't expect the guards to patrol there! Please give us another chance!"
"I already decided to kill both of you and I will not—" He stopped. His eyes had fallen on me. He leaned forward and picked me up.
"Where did you find this?" His voice dropped low.
Quickly, the two explained. They told him they found me lying on the street after their escape.
The man's lips curled into a grin. "Then I suppose I will forgive you both. Worthless as you are." He stared at me with fascination, turning me over in his hand.
The underlings exchanged glances, confused. "Boss… it's just a normal ring, right?"
The man laughed softly. "Normal? No… this is the Atheas Ring."
The two still looked lost, not understanding his words.
But me… I was curious. Very curious. What did he mean by calling me that?