In the middle of a dark void of undreamt Dreams, a lone constellation spun in many sparkling lights.

Within this bright world of happiness and purity, several Dream kingdoms pulsed in their beautiful colours, and began to light up the void with the happiness of their Dreams.

But not all the void was light, and unknown to the people in Dreams, denizens of Nightmare began to thrive in their own, black city, hidden in the shadows of the void.

After many years of waiting in obscurity, the single kingdom ruled by Nightmare sought to take over, spilling its darkness and ill wishes onto the kingdoms of Dreams.

Slowly, the peaceful balance of the Dreams was broken, and the cities were in anarchy. Dreams tried to rebuild themselves, turning on their own rulers in despair and anger.

But unnecessary rebellion does no one good … and before long, the rulers lay silent, lifeless on their broken thrones.

Blood spilled from the stones, and the kingdoms became corrupted, turning towards the Nightmare kingdoms to regain their harmony.

All their efforts to regain the beauty of Dreams were lost … for a kingdom in which blood and anger ran … was already Nightmare.

It was a dark age … broken and terrifying. The corrupted Dreams struggled on to regain their previous peace … all in vain. Their futile struggle alerted a powerful mage, one that had been locked away in an underground cave since the beginning of the void.

He lay for years, listening to the sound of despair seeping down through the ice roof of the cave. The only sound in his prison for many years, was the sound of lost hope.

And he became angry.

It should not have been. Mages should not involve themselves with the struggles of the Dreams, or the Nightmares. They are the children of the void … the neutral.

However, Mages do not always tread right or wrong. They are not Dream or Nightmare.

And an ice cave will melt, even a magical one. It had had no reason to melt before. Yet now, it did.

Water gushed from the isolated prison, deep in the void. It sparkled and glittered and shone with light, although there was only darkness. It surged through the void, sending waves before and after it, crashing and thundering along its path until finally, it slowed.

And the river Elin separated the Dreams from the Nightmares.

-

"Nineteen … twenty … just look at all of this …" the girl grinned, dark ivy green eyes ablaze. She sifted the treasure through her fingers, letting it fall into her lap. "You say that rich guy could fit all of this into the one purse?"

Someone chuckled beside her in the shadows of the alleyway.

"It had one of those 'infinite holding' spells cast on it. I saved the bag. I mean … it could be useful, right?"

"Yeah, sure …" Harmony murmured, gazing down at the pile on her lap. "But seriously, how did you get this? Rich guys like that don't just leave their purses lying around."

The girl beside her chuckled again, and Harmony looked up at her.

"You're not serious – he really just left it there?!"

"No, 'course not!" the other girl grinned. "He was just unlucky enough to be wandering around without any guards … and a proper disguise for that matter."

"I like your choice of words, Ri." Harmony snorted. "Unlucky?"

Riana's scarlet eyes glittered. "Yes, well … did you hear the news?"

"News?" Harmony asked vaguely, picking up a jewelled cerise girdle and looking at it curiously.

"The old king died. Last night." The answer came in a murmur, so soft Harmony nearly missed it. As it was, she did, and blanched. The jewelled belt slipped through her fingers, and landed softly on the floor of the alleyway.

Harmony recovered quickly, and stared up at Riana. The small girl was leaning against the wall of the alley with her legs stretched out, and her arms behind her head. She didn't look at all worried as to what the news declared.

"You're joking." She said loudly. That was surely the answer … Riana was simply teasing her … trying to make her scared. Harmony twisted a bronze lock of hair in her fingers unconsciously.

Riana opened one crimson eye.

"Don't you just wish I was," She answered loftily. Harmony stared at her, a dull flush staining her cheeks. How could that girl be so casual in the face of disaster?!

"Don't you know what this means?" she demanded furiously. "How can you treat a catastrophe like this as a game?"

"Don't you think you're overreacting a little?" Riana retorted. "It's not as if the king didn't leave an heir! What does it matter to you, anyway?"

"Because the kingdoms are vulnerable without a king to lead them! If I were the Nightmare ruler, I'd send my whole army down here –"

Riana only stared at her. Harmony realised she was confronting her, and breathed in deeply, unclenching her fists.

"Maybe you're right, …" she said thoughtfully. "I mean it doesn't really matter to us. Do you know when the funeral is going to be?"

Riana cocked a blue brow at her curiously.

"Why do you ask?"

Harmony grinned, her temper restored, and her thief's logic kicking in.

"Because everyone's required to be at the ceremonies and the procession. Everyone. Guards, nobles, priests, citizens –"

"So you're saying this is a perfect opportunity to gain a little more gold," Riana interrupted. "But we have to attend as well, remember?"

"Don't interrupt! As I was saying, there's always some fancy banquet or other after the burial, where all nobles are forced to come, and anyone lower than a noble isn't allowed to attend. Which means that it'll be the perfect window of opportunity for us! And with any luck, the mage's tower might be deserted as well …"

Luck comes luck goes. And their luck? Well … it had just flown out the window of opportunity.

-

The sky was overcast, the clouds hanging low over Corin. It was going to rain.

Max's normally cheerful face was sombre as he gazed out of the glass wall of the palace.

"What happens now?" he asked finally, large blue eyes gazing straight ahead, unwavering. The comment was directed towards a group of three sitting (or standing) behind him.

None of them answered him, knowing he didn't really expect them to. Max sighed, closing his eyes.

One of the three men behind him glanced up, chocolate eyes showing genuine concern. After a moment's hesitation, he stood up and walked over to his friend, the future king.

Max didn't open his eyes, although silently grateful for his friend's presence. Another hour passed. The clouds outside the window grew darker, and hung lower. The room became cool and dark.

Finally, one of the other young men sitting on the pale wooden floor behind Max stood up.

"We should get to sleep." He said quietly. Unlike the young man beside Max, he was not dressed in armour – instead wore soft navy trousers and a white tunic top over that. They were very plain and undecorated, yet comfortable. In fact, he looked entirely unremarkable. He was instantly recognizable as a traveller … but what was a traveller doing in a palace?

Max made no move.

"Max." the young man beside him said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. After a few minutes, the blonde nodded, and turning abruptly, left the room.

The third young man was still standing, not having moved an inch in the whole three hours they had been with the prince. His eyes were closed, and his arms folded.

"He was really stressed." The young man who had been next to the prince said finally.

"Of course, Tyson." The traveller said, somewhat tiredly. "His father just died, and he's been in over his head with diplomats from the other kingdoms, preparations for the funeral and procession, things his father hadn't had time to do before he died, papers and not to mention he hasn't had a spare moment to himself since last night …"

Tyson blinked, russet eyes startled.

"Well yes, I knew that," He began to say awkwardly, then faltered.

The traveller sighed, running a hand through his long raven-black hair.

"This has been such a mess." He mumbled. At this, the third young man who was leaning against the wall spoke up.

"Speaking of which, we should get some sleep, as you said so before." He said quietly. Although his voice was soft, it held a certain direct authority.

"Yes, of course." The traveller agreed. "Tyson?"

The blue-haired boy opened his mouth to complain, and then caught the traveller's frown.

"Alright." He grumbled, and left the room, followed by the amber-eyed traveller. The young man was left alone in the slowly darkening room.

The first few raindrops splattered against the window. He stood there, listening. His garnet eyes remained closed, and shadowed by his spiky slate coloured bangs. A few peaceful moments passed as he stood listening to the rain. The door opened quietly behind him.

"Hello, Kai." Yet another male spoke up, coming to stand beside him. The young man opened his reddish-brown eyes.

"Hello Tala," he drawled.

The newcomer – Tala – stood about an inch taller than him … give or take. His blood-red hair was in striking contrast to his frosty blue eyes. His skin was pale, almost as pale as Kai's own.

"How has he been?" Tala asked, getting straight to the point. Kai shrugged evasively. Tala sighed.

"Would you care to elaborate?"

Kai glanced at him, and then stared out the window again.

"Somewhat erratic, to tell the truth. I think the stress is getting to him."

Tala grimaced, and turned his gaze to the rainy skies outside.

"Then this probably wouldn't be a good time to mention the raids?" he asked, frowning. Kai shrugged again.

"Whatever you like. He's heard about them already."

"Talkative today, aren't you?" Tala smirked, and returned his attention to the scenery.

Kai didn't respond. The young men stood side by side until the sun set completely, and the soft lights of mage-torches began to illuminate the streets of Corin.

-

The procession wound its way slowly around the streets of Corin. Grave-faced clerics carried the body of the old king in a litter, followed by wailing priestesses and dancing girls and sorrowful musicians in front. The one thousand priests of each of the four temples of the city followed, dressed in heavy robes, and each bearing one gift to bury with the king. Max followed them, surrounded by his guards, and each of them looking silent and serious. Behind them, all the nobles of Corin and surrounding kingdoms trailed behind. There were at least five thousand people in total.

Several dozen mages were scattered throughout the procession. Their job was to support the thick streak of magic overhead, which was protecting the procession from getting wet.

As the rain continued to pour down, and the king's body was slowly taken around the city, the commoners and lower class people gathered in each street. They stood silently, most of them not really knowing what the king's death meant. They were dressed in their drab and shabby clothing, each watching grimly as the king's body passed.

There were quite a few children, and beggars. All their clothes were muddy, and wet from being in the rain. Max gazed at them from his peripheral vision. There were so many. Had any of them ever known his father? Most of them had cursed him many times, he could tell. Some watched them go past with satisfaction, others with bloodthirsty gazes of revenge. He swallowed, and raised his head, blinking away the tears of grief and standing straight and proud.

From a rooftop above the procession, Harmony and Riana watched, crouched on the roof, well away from the edge and any curious eyes.

"Look at them." Harmony said under her breath, watching the nobles go past in their elaborate robes. Riana's crimson eyes were fixed upon the gilded trinkets the priests were carrying.

"Fantastic." She said incredulously. Harmony nodded, lilac bangs slipping ahead of her eyes as the rain continued to pour down. She brushed them out of her ivy eyes impatiently, ignoring the rain. Riana tapped her fingers impatiently against the gutter of the roof, and glanced at Harmony out of the corner of her eye.

"Well?" she hissed finally, dipping her pale fingers in the gutter and splashing her friend. Harmony grimaced.

"Watch it! That stuff's dirty." She snapped, glaring at Riana. "What do you want?!"

"You said we could get to work when the procession started!" Riana whined. "I'm bored. All they're doing is yelling. And walking. And –"

"I said we could get to work when the banquet started." Harmony interrupted, fixing her attention back on the nobles. Riana made a face, and looked back at the procession lethargically. The rain continued to pour down, and soon, her long blue hair was soaked through. Not to mention her clothes …

"Harmony!" she whinged, wriggling out of her saturated jacket, and wringing it out over the edge of the gutter. Harmony grimaced, then finally gave in.

"Okay, okay! But we have to dry off before we go."

Riana looked relieved.

"Thank you!" she sighed, and scrambled off the back of the roof. Harmony followed, jumping off and landing in a puddle.

She didn't notice, being soaked through already.

"Come on!" Riana wailed softly, already hurrying around the corner. Harmony followed more slowly as Riana entered the emptying bar.

Only a few people were seated there, sly thieves and stupid thugs who couldn't care less about the king's death. The barkeeper was drying glasses with a cloth behind the counter.

"Hello misses." He drawled, seeing the girls make their way to the counter.

"Hello Garth!" Riana greeted cheerfully. "You haven't run out of those useful invisibility potions, have you?"

Harmony glanced at Riana, and sighed inwardly. The little idiot. She was going to spend all their money on stupid spells and potions before she even got it.

"Sorry, miss. They're all out." Garth informed her lazily. Riana's face fell.

"Oh-h …" she sighed, greatly saddened. Harmony stared at her. So did Garth. All of a sudden, Riana perked up.

"But you do have those … refills, don't you?" she asked. Garth nodded slowly, reaching under the counter and bringing up a bottle of … tint? (1)

Riana tucked it into her pouch, and pushed two rubies over the counter. Harmony gaped at her. Two rubies?! For tint?! Riana caught her staring and grinned, getting up. Her oversized shabby jacket was nearly black when wet, and hung down past the tips of her fingers.

"Can we go now?" she demanded suddenly. Harmony glared at her, and got up quickly, taking Riana's arm and leading her out.

"Quiet!" she whispered, once they were outside. Riana looked sheepish, and repeated her question softly. Harmony glowered at her, and then took off at a run.

Riana followed her, grinning.

-

"They're so slow." Tala said disapprovingly, watching the procession advance through the city from the palace balcony.

Kai looked up, almost amused.

"You dislike the fuss."

"I do!" Tala snarled, whipping around and rounding on him. "This should be kept quiet! Apart from the indecency of it, who knows what Nightmare scum is lurking around in those streets?!"

"We check the city for spies daily." Kai said calmly, arms folded. Tala glowered.

"It's still indecent. The kind would never have wanted this much fuss –"

"Yes, but a king lives for nearly twenty thousand years usually." Kai interrupted smoothly. "They're merely … excited."

"Excited." Tala sneered, and turned back to the city view, hands on hips.

"We're going to get wet if we stay out here any longer." He said finally, a tone of resentment in his voice.

"You're not cold." Kai pointed out. Tala glowered at him.

"That's because of you!" he snapped. Kai shrugged slowly, enjoying the warmth while it lasted. Corin's priests were all intensely jealous when mages began to show their abilities in public.

"Suit yourself." He said amiably. "I'm staying out here."

Tala stormed past him, growling. Well … wasn't he tense today? The rain began to pour down ever faster, accenting life's tediousness with every drop that fell.

-

The sky was dark. The procession was over. Thousands of little lights signified the nobles progressing to the palace … ready for their feast.

Harmony crouched behind an overlarge statue, ready to run when the moment presented itself. She was taking a risk, and she knew it. Apart from her street-rat appearance, which immediately marked her out of place in the immaculate Upper City, anyone could peer around the statue and report her to the guards …

She was alone for now, having split up with Riana. They felt they could gather more gold if they separated, and combed the Upper City thoroughly.

Corin, the Golden City, was made up of four 'rings'. Your status depended on where you lived … or the other way round. The Upper City, the circle area of buildings and beauty was in the middle – where all the temples and palaces were. And the mage schools, and houses. A few of the monarchs from various kingdoms resided here on their journeys.

The second area was the Noble area, where all the high-ranking officials, members of court, judges and important members of the army lived. Then, there was the Merchant area, made up of mostly vendors, shops and trades. The houses were situated on top of the buildings. And last … where the beggars lived. Beggars, thieves, brothels, taverns …

They were all found in the unrespectable Beggar's Zone.

Everyone here was poor. There were no houses. No one could afford it. But there were plenty of buildings. Mostly, everyone slept in the taverns … if they could. And if not, the Whore Pits were next cheapest. But if you were wise, you slept on the roof, where no one could get you, save an archer … and the rain.

Harmony shuddered to herself. The Beggar's Zone was a place she most definitely wanted to be out of, and quickly. She looked cautiously through the gap between the statue's ankles, just in time to see the last noble party disappear through the gate from the Noble area to the Upper City.

She looked around quickly. There were no guards progressing up the paved streets, and no stray nobles in the windows of the houses. The rain pattered softly around her, and she looked up at the walls blocking access to the Upper City and the Merchant Area.

There were obviously no sentries on duty tonight … she let out a sigh of relief, and sprang up, to the nearest house. The glass door was closed tightly. She looked at it, puzzled. There wasn't a lock or anything that it appeared to open with …

"Door?" she whispered, painfully aware that she was speaking to a glass panel. However … nobles were known for their magic …

There was silence, broken only by the consistent patter of rain in the darkness. She scowled at it.

"Open!" she hissed angrily, slamming her palm against the glass. She could see the inside of the house from here … so warm and rich …

She kicked the door angrily, and ran from the doorstep with the intention of circling the house. There was an open window at the back of the giant house … more like a mansion really, she thought vaguely. She examined the window from a distance. Years of thievery and pain in the streets of Corin had led her to be rightfully suspicious at most things.

And an open window? Somehow she doubted the nobles were that stupid. Then she remembered Riana's noble-in-disguise … carrying around a bag of infinite holding 'concealed' on his fat person … cut jewels in his pocket.

She leapt through, landing lightly on a dark wooden floor. She remained crouched for a few moments, surveying her surroundings in the darkness. She had been born in a city of darkness … she knew the shadows. She could see right through them … through the darkness. Her dark eyes shimmered through the obscurity of the gloomy house, penetrating the dimness.

A small chest was lying open in the hallway. The owner had placed a shadow spell on it … obviously believing it would be impossible to see in the dark.

"Bingo …" Harmony smiled, eyes widening and the telltale shimmer in them spreading …

-

A lone figure was standing in the square, so still in the shadows that if you didn't already know she was there, you would have missed her entirely. Her blue hair was soaked through, making it seem as dark as the stormy night sky. It covered her pale face, shadowing the skin.

Harmony walked slowly through the square, gazing uncertainly here and there. Upon seeing the figure in the shadows, she smiled, and approached quickly.

"Are you finished?" Riana muttered, crimson eyes closed. She sounded as calm as anything …

Harmony nodded. "I'm all done."

"No you're not." Riana hissed suddenly, opening her eyes. Red orbs flashed through the rain. Harmony looked surprised.

"What do you mean?" she asked, the familiar feeling of anger spreading over her. Who did Riana think she was, ordering her about? Harmony was one year older than her … and Riana had always been taught that she should respect her elders. Though it wasn't as if either of them listened to that now. And it wasn't as if Riana's past accounted for anything … not now. Not here.

"We still have one more place to go." Riana snapped, shrugging her drenched blue locks away from her skin.

"Oh, really?" Harmony said hotly, and then stopped. Was that excitement in Riana's eyes? She was probably pleased about the treasure she collected –

"Look," Riana muttered, pointing a pale finger towards the Gate. It was open.

"What are you saying?" Harmony asked, not sure she liked where Riana was going …

"I checked. The Upper City is practically empty." A small grin began to creep its way about her mouth. Harmony frowned at her.

"One – Practically empty. Two – there are really powerful mages up there! You think they'd abandon the place without leaving proper spells? Three – the banquet is being held in the Upper City! In the Great Hall! You expect us to rob a spell, guard, mage and PEOPLE-FILLED CITY?!"

"Yes!" Riana answered cheerfully. "It's perfect – they'll never expect it! A robbery right under their noses –"

"Exactly!" Harmony stormed, glowering furiously at the brainless idiot in front of her. "Right under their noses! They're not expecting it – so what?! They'll still have guards and spells and –"

"Your faith in your abilities as a thief are astounding." Riana responded cheerily. "Are you coming or not?"

"No thanks," Harmony spat out. "I think I prefer to remain alive. And in one piece."

Riana shrugged. "Suit yourself." And she walked away towards the Gate, humming. Harmony glowered after her.

That idiot was going to get herself killed! Riana faded into the shadows, out of sight. Her scrawny, well-hidden figure slipped through the Gate a moment later, unseen to any eyes but Harmony's.

Harmony twisted her lilac bangs, anger evaporating. Riana was going to rob the palace? A sick feeling started somewhere in her stomach and moved its way up to her throat. Harmony pushed it down forcefully, furious again. Why was she the one who always had to run after Riana while she went her merry way of suicide missions?

Her eye began to twitch as she felt a sudden urge to scream.

"She's going to pay for this …" she growled, and raced through the gate.

-

1. Nail polish.