Miraclebound | Miraculous Guardians Book 2

Prologue: Toyko Rift

Tokyo was a fascinating city to visit.

There were so many things to be seen in the tech city of the world. From highly advanced cars to skyscrapers twice the size of the Eiffel, there was no shortage of what mankind had accomplished in the past decade. It was almost overwhelming.

A dark figure passed through an alley, a hood pulled low over his eyes and a long cloak billowing out behind. Something small, barely larger than a trinket, glistened in the moonlight, reflected by the thick droplets of rain cascading down upon the city.

Something small and incredibly powerful.

Something many bad people would do anything to get their hands on.

Footsteps trailed the man as he melted once more into the crowd, head low, face hidden from onlookers. Something wriggled in his pocket and he subtly drew a hand over it tenderly. "Wait," he whispered. "Not yet."

The struggling calmed immediately and the male inhaled sharply, hurrying along amid the bustle, bundling his cloak close, pretending not to notice the faint shadows running across the rooftops above him.

The footsteps drew nearer, sending shoots of fear edging through the man's body. No, they couldn't catch him. Not yet. Not now, and certainly not like this. His mission was not yet complete. It was too soon.

He could hear the approaching shoes, gaining traction against the slick pavement even as he slipped and slid in his haste to get away. He didn't have much time left, and the letter in his pocket needed to be delivered. If he was captured following that, then so be it, at least it would be safe. But not before. Not after everything he'd worked for to get this far.

He rounded another corner, sure now that he was being tailed as the footsteps hurried to catch up. He glanced skywards, seeing a familiar glint against the darkness. And in the distance, his destination rose above the lull of the city and all its inhabitants. 

Suddenly, the footsteps stopped and he did as well, feeling the shadows stretch across the cobblestone around him. Instinctively, his hand went to his pockets. The swish of a blade being forcibly unlatched stopped this motion, however, and a cold voice spoke from directly behind him.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, boy. I think you've done just about enough damage for one day, Monsieur Griffon, so why don't you come with us quietly now?"

The creature in his pocket twitched again, brushing up against his hand lovingly and the man curled his hands into fists, closing his eyes, listening as his failure to respond caused the thugs to take a step toward the duo threateningly.

"I wouldn't come any closer, sir," the figure spoke, his tone low and threatening, as he continued to hide his face, giving in to the fear tactic. It seemed to work too, as multiple goons looked toward their boss uncertainly. "It would not be wise for you or your boys. And I'm sure the police have better things to do than deal with people like you tonight."

The laugh that followed was nearly inhuman, somewhere between a bark and a growl. The man allowed the smallest of grins to brush his lips as he felt the creature begin to scurry up his arm. The thugs clearly had no intention of leaving, so he was going to have to make them.

"What are you going to do, kid?" one jeered. "There's five of us and only one of you!"

The man laughed now. "Actually, I'm glad you asked." The creature had reached his shoulder now and it blinked bright hazel eyes at the man as he drew a chained pendant from underneath his shirt. "Lorr, WINGS UNFURL!" The animal gurgled happily as it disappeared into a blur of yellow light and spiraled into the base of the pendant. Immediately, the man's body began to glow as the transformation washed over him. His cloak turned golden and feathers sprouted from the ends, his tennis shoes replaced with boots and taloned gloves forming over his bare hands. A golden mask appeared in front of his eyes, illuminating his cocky smile.