A wave of disgust rippled through Lux as he caught sight of a white skull eerily grinning. Whatever it had once been, it was now just a cluster of bones entangled in scraps of rotten cloth. It must have been wedged in the rock for ages.

  Lux stared at the remains, contemplating his next move. Was he supposed to drag it out? Or sift through the decaying mess? Lux didn’t relish the idea of running his hands over old bones. He took a steadying breath, reached for the skeletal leg, and gave it a cautious tug. Horror jolted through him as the leg snapped clean off, just a boot and a bone, offering no resistance. Lux recoiled, gagging, and flung the grisly limb back onto the body.

  “Damn it, that’s gross!” he exclaimed, dry heaving and wiping his hands on his pants, trying not to puke. He glanced back toward the cave entrance and raised his voice. “Hey! Silver, I can’t get the body out!”

  Novgar’s voice echoed back. “Is there a pouch?”

  Lux's stomach dropped. The only way to search the body was to climb over it. Why had he ever thought coming to Mystic Beau was a good idea? He grumbled under his breath, feeling queasy.

  “Novgar thinks the little human is squeamish. Do you think he will pass out again?” Novgar’s voice drifted down the crack, sounding far too amused for Lux’s liking.

  Novgar’s words made Lux bristle. He wasn’t fragile! “Dead bodies can’t hurt me,” he muttered, repeating it like a mantra as he manoeuvred over the lifeless pile of bones. His stomach churned, but he forced himself to start patting down the skeletal remains, determined not to vomit.

  Lux hurried his search. His hands shook as he fumbled through the tattered clothing, finally discovering a pouch under the remains. He gave it a sharp yank, the entire skeletal frame jerked with the motion. “Fuck my life,” he hissed. Attached to the pouch, he spotted a leather belt and cursed again, then set to work on the clasp.

  “This is a low point in my life. I can’t believe I’m undressing tattered remains,” Lux grumbled. He slid the belt free from the skeleton, the pouch coming with it. “Finally!” He didn’t bother checking the body any further, just started wriggling backward toward the exit, eager to be anywhere else.

  When he finally emerged, Lux brandished the belt in front of Silver and Novgar, triumphant. “Got it!”

  “Well done, human Lux!” Novgar grinned widely at the sight of the belt dangling from Lux’s hand. Lux quickly passed the belt to Silver, then hurried over to the grass, wiping his hands on the green blades, desperate to rid himself of the body’s taint. He never wanted to do anything like that again.

  Of all the things he’d imagined when he came to Mystic Beau, none involved crawling around outside the city walls, much less robbing a corpse. He’d blown right past his comfort zone today. The thought of a safe city made Lux’s heart leap. He turned hopeful eyes to the two adventurers. “Can we go to Pinkton now?”

  Silver nodded, then walked over to the golden book lying on the ground. Just that simple confirmation from the silver-haired man filled Lux with relief. He could finally head somewhere safe and start enjoying his vacation!

  Silver bent down to pick up the golden book, but to Lux’s surprise, the book didn’t budge. A frown creased the man’s handsome features. “Tsk.”

  “What is it, Silver?” Novgar moved to where Silver was standing, and Lux trailed after, curiosity prickling at him. Silver jabbed at the book with his toe, his jaw clenched tight.

  Novgar followed Silver’s movement, then bent down to try and pick up the book. “Novgar was not expecting this.” The golden book refused to budge from the ground. “Did that small amount of monster cores really start the activation process? It looks like we cannot move the book now.”

  Lux glanced between the two, a grim mood settling over the group. His whole body tensed. He was the reason the book had started to absorb the monster cores. His mind raced, desperate for an idea to get them out of this mess. “You said the activation process started; if we finish it, can we move the book?”

  Novgar scratched his chin, deep in thought. “Novgar does not know, but it is worth a try. The only problem is that we can’t just leave the book here while we look for monster cores. What if someone else finds it and finishes the activation process before us?”

  Silence fell over them. Lux glared at the wretched book, frustration simmering in his chest. If it hadn’t absorbed his monster core, he could be on his way to Pinkton and safely behind city walls by now. He lashed out with his foot, aiming to kick a pebble to vent his annoyance.

  His foot missed the pebble and struck the book instead, sending it flying. Lux’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Ha!” Lux instantly recognised that voice. Dread pooled in his stomach as he turned to see who had spoken. A small smile and shining silver eyes momentarily stunned him until Silver shoved him toward the book.

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  “Lucky charm.” The words were soft, velvety, and sent a shiver racing down Lux’s spine. It was the first time he had heard more than a single word from the silver-eyed man, and he immediately wished he could go back to hearing nothing but grunts from the guy.

  He had a very bad feeling about this! Hearing the man speak was a terrible omen! As if to confirm his thoughts, the devilishly smooth voice came again. “Looks like you can keep the little human, Novgar.”

  “Haha, Novgar can’t wait to show him to Bargav! He will be so jealous!” Novgar strode over to Lux, slashing his green arm as he went. Before Lux could react, Novgar dipped his finger into his own blood and smeared it across Lux’s forehead.

  “Human Lux of Earth is bound to Novgar of the Bluehill Boulder Tribe!” Novgar’s words thundered out, and Lux felt his entire body freeze. A weird tingling sensation raced across his skin, pulsing once before vanishing. “Novgar shall call you 'Lucky Charm', a token of Novgar's greatness! You are now mine!”

  It took Lux a second to snap out of his shock. “The hell I am! I did not agree to that!”

  “Ah, Lucky Charm, don’t be angry. You will never get lost now because Novgar will always be able to find you!” Novgar pointed to the fresh blood smeared on Lux's head.

  Lux felt his whole body start to tremble, anger surging. He clenched his fists.

  Novgar, however, was no longer paying him any attention. “Silver, look! Novgar has a Lucky Charm!” Novgar’s grin was almost blinding.

  “Mmn, take good care of it.” Silver nodded, as if this was the most normal thing in the world.

  They talked about him like he was a pet! What on earth had he gotten himself into? Lux’s patience snapped; he was not sticking around to see what else these two lunatics had planned. If he stayed, he just knew his life would never be calm again.

  Without another thought, Lux turned and bolted for the trees. “Lucky Charm, did you find something else?” Novgar’s voice boomed behind him. “Silver, quick, we need to follow!”

  Heavy footsteps thundered after him, and Lux ran like his life depended on it. He dodged through the trees, lungs burning. Ten minutes later, he was out of breath and out of options. “Shit, I’m unfit.” He collapsed to the ground, panting. He hadn’t lost them at all. With a groan, Lux accepted his fate.

  Two giant figures loomed over him. “What did you find?” Novgar peered down, waiting for an answer.

  He wasn’t a dog! He hadn’t found anything! Lux was about to protest when a creature suddenly dropped from the tree above, landing right next to him. Lux yelped and rolled away, startled.

  “Novgar’s Lucky Charm!” Novgar’s roar was delighted.

  A sinking feeling hit Lux; whatever this thing was, it had to be special. His mad dash had led them straight to it. Now Novgar and Silver would be convinced he was some sort of good luck magnet.

  Novgar and Silver sprang into action, attacking the creature with wild enthusiasm. Lux took the chance to escape while they were distracted. He forced his tired body to run again, this time more hopeful that he’d finally lose them. The sounds of fighting grew fainter behind him.

  He stumbled over a rock and crashed to the ground. He’d been wandering for what felt like hours, completely spent and dying of thirst. Maybe running from those two wasn’t the best idea after all.

  In his rush to escape, Lux hadn't quite considered how he’d survive in the wild or even locate the nearest town. Wandering aimlessly felt like a sure way to become some creature’s snack, so he forced himself to pause and think. He slumped against a tree, the rough bark pressing into his back, and tried to devise a plan.

  The sun was already dipping low in the sky, casting long shadows around him. Lux glanced about, a sinking feeling gnawing at his stomach, there would be no soft bed awaiting him tonight. He needed to find shelter, and quickly.

  Lux rubbed his forehead, frustrated. Coming to Mystic Beau had clearly been a terrible idea! He let his head fall back against the tree trunk and stared up at the branches overhead. For a moment, he blinked in surprise, they curved gracefully, almost like a bow.

  The more he studied them, the more they reminded him of a hammock. Curious, Lux got to his feet and leapt, catching hold of a low branch. He scrambled up the trunk, hauling himself higher. When he finally perched on a sturdy branch, a grin spread across his face. He’d been right! This tree was perfect for sleeping in, high above any threats lurking on the ground.

  As for food and water, that would be a problem for tomorrow's Lux to solve. His entire body ached with exhaustion, and he decided to postpone the remainder of his survival plans until morning. Settling himself across the sturdy bough, he drifted off almost immediately. The day had wrung him dry.

  He awoke the next morning to a sound that made his blood run cold.