Violet, Ivan and Penny walked through the market. Ivan stayed close to Violet like she asked him to. But he had that feeling of running around and exploring. There were so many people bustling about in the market, some normal humans and there were sorcerers and sorceresses. It made him happy and nervous and excited. He almost bounced back and forth with excitement.

He whined and Violet had to laugh as she picked up a bottle.

"We just got here, ya munchkin," she said. "And I already wanna explore," he pouted at her. She chuckled then looked around for a moment before she sighed. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let him look around.

"Alright, alright," she relented, "but take Penny with you."

Ivan smiled happily and he took Penny's leash and the two started running. Violet chuckled softly and shook her head.

Ivan and Penny walked through the market. There were so many things to look at; people with magic potions and elixirs and even more strange and magical things that Ivan had only seen in his books. He had never been so curious.

He looked around before he saw a hooded figure standing in front of a stall and studying a bottle of red liquid. Ivan tilted his head curiously and Penny followed his gaze before she started growling.

Ivan looked at her and rubbed her head to soothe her. "Hey, it's okay," he said. He slowly walked over to the hooded figure.

"Um... excuse me?" He said. The figure looked at him. He had porcelain skin, bright red eyes and reddish-pink hair.

"My caretaker is looking for a potion. I don't know what it looks like specifically but do you think you could help?" Ivan asked.

The boy stared at him before he sighed deeply and removed his hood. "I'm Lucas Snakeglow," he said, "and that potion you're holding is called Tonic of Bloodlust. Weirdly enough it's got a crazy effect on people who use it. Not even a normal human would be able to withstand the effects."

Ivan looked at the tonic and grimaced.

Lucas chuckled, "well, what's your name?" Ivan looked at him and smiled sheepishly. Shoot, he never did give the sorcerer his name, did he?

"I'm Ivan Blackwood," he said. Lucas stared at him in shock. He took a small step back. Penny tilted her head. Ivan blinked, "um... Lucas?"

"You really shouldn't be in the market, kid," Lucas said warily as he looked around cautiously, almost nervously. Ivan furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "what do you mean?"

Penny sniffed the air before she started growling. Her hackles raised and she bared her teeth at the air. Ivan looked at her in surprised confusion.

"Penny? What's wrong?" He asked worriedly as he ran a hand through the Alaskan Husky's fur to try and calm her down.

"IVAN!" Violet shouted and the two spun around to see her hurrying towards them, looking panicked. Her eyes narrowed at Lucas. "You get away from him!"

Before Ivan could speak, there was a burst of fire that hit a nearby stall. Lucas widened his eyes and he quickly shielded himself, Ivan and Penny from the blast with a shielding spell. Violet widened her eyes in horror. "No...," she whispered.

"IT'S THE SILENCERS!" Someone yelled.

"RUN!"

People screamed and quickly started running as a group of masked men walked through the market. The men were wearing black cloaks that had suns and moons on the back. They were wearing golden masks that were shaped like foxes. Ivan widened his eyes. Penny barked and growled.

Vioelt ran to them and her hands started glowing brightly. Golden flames flew up with a loud fwoosh and the masked men staggered back, seemingly startled.

Ivan widened his eyes and he yelped when Violet grabbed his arm and the two started running. Penny ran after them.

"W-wait!" Ivan yelped. He looked around for Lucas but the other boy was nowhere to be seen. It was like he had disappeared out of thin air when the attack began.

Ivan looked at Violet, "Vi, what's going on?! Who are they?"

"They're Arcane Silencers! Hunters of the Dark Lord!" Violet panted, beads of sweat running down her brow. Her grip tightened around Ivan's hand and the boy held back a flinch.

"B-but why are they attacking the market?!" He whimpered. Violet didn't answer as she stared straight ahead. She was determined to get Ivan to safety or into hiding.

'I can't let them take him,' she silently told herself, 'I won't!'

The three ran into an alleyway and Violet breathed heavily before she looked at Ivan. She placed her hands on his shoulders, "Ivan, listen to me. I need you to stay here, stay quiet and whatever you hear, don't scream."

"V-Violet...," Ivan whimpered, shaking slightly. He gripped her shirt with a shaking hand. He didn't know what was happening or why, but it terrified him more than anything.

Violet smiled softly, sadly and she kissed his forehead. "I am so happy to have cared for you," she whispered, "even when your mother couldn't."

"Wh-what...?" Ivan looked up at her, his eyes wide. Violet waved her hand and a clear blue bubble surrounded him and Penny.

"Wh- Vi!" Ivan yelled, slamming his fists on the bubble. Violet smiled sadly before she ran out of the alleyway.

She whipped around and whistled sharply. "HEY!" She yelled. Two Silencers whirled around. Some of the other Silencers had been ensnaring a few people in glowing nets and chains.

"Don't let her get away!" The lead Silencer snapped and the other two Silencers ran after Violet. With as much strength as she could muster, she pushed over a beam, turned and started running.

The two Silencers ran after her.

Ivan slammed his fists on the bubble, tears streaming down his face. "Violet! VI!" He shouted, his voice breaking.

Penny whined softly, her ears flattening. Ivan sobbed hard and he buried his face into his dog's shoulder, wrapping his arms around her neck.

She licked his face, whining softly. Ivan whimpered and curled into his companion, trembling. Everything was too much. He closed his eyes tightly, feeling sick and emotionally and physically exhausted.

He didn't want to fall unconscious. "V-Vi...," he murmured, "M-Mom...," his eyes fluttered closed and he slumped against Penny.