A sack of gold and jewels, about ten pounds of meat, and non-food stuff mandatory for survival were crammed into a bag before a young jackal slung it over his shoulder and headed for the edge of camp. It was the dead of night but it glowed under the clouds which were lit by the full moon hiding behind them, giving just enough light to not trip over anything yet still remain mostly unseen.

Some guards patrolled the camp. Most kept to the edge but enough patrolled the center to keep the pup on edge, forcing him to duck behind something from time to time. It wasn’t long before he reached the borders of camp and smiled at the freedom which lay beyond the arid sands. Tail curled and trembling in resistance to wagging, the pup made a break for it but before he could get far, a clawed hand nearly crushed his arm. The next moment he was flung back into one of the many stolen military vehicles being used as a wall. The clang of metal was deafening in night’s serene silence and the pup withered under it. Above, a dark shadow blocked out the moonlight like a bad omen.

“Sirkus! Where do you think your going?” A gruff voice growled. “I-I...V-Valis I was just…” “Out with it!”

The pup swallowed audibly and slunk to the ground before the old jackal. Valis had led the Squad for years and held quite the reputation. Even in old age, the young and powerful feared and respected him. Legends abounded around this jackal and the scars he’d gained over time proved some of them were true. None in the Squad dared to challenge his authority and those who did oft regretted it.

“I’m...leaving, sir!” Sirkus whimpered, clenching his eyes shut while stretching his neck in an attempt to appear bold. He looked more like he was drowning in air instead.

“What?” Valis leaned in close, snouts nearly touching as he bared his teeth at the boy. Though the moon was at Valis’ back, his red eye glowed like a torch. “Don’t be stupid, kid. You reek of fear! You’ll be dead or some theory-chaser’s pet project before the next moon”

A single golden eye was opened, then the other at those words. Defiance filled them and the pup found strength in his legs once more, hefting the bag back over his shoulder as he met the old leader’s gaze. “Stupid is what we do! How many times have we had the military, heroes, or vigilantes at our backs!?” Sirkus barked. “Smart would be bowing before the laws you hate so much!” Valis pinned his ears and growled a threat as he stood tall, crossing his arms like he always did. Still, the pup stood strong and soon the lead jackal huffed with a smirk. “Well said pup but it doesn’t change what I told you. What idiotic dream is driving you out of the pack?” “Adventure”

“Our line of work not adventurous enough for you!?” Valis snarled.

Sirkus’ ears fell and touched his shoulders in a split second before springing back up. “No!” He snarled back. “Adventure is plenty here but I want to be more than a mercenary or whatever you want us call us! I want to be a hero! See what is life like on the other side of the law!”

“Idiot pup…” Malice dripped off the calm words and a sharp fang gleamed silver when the moon peeked out from behind the clouds. “Give me one reason I shouldn’t drag you back to your tent”

Ice flowed through Sirkus’ veins, sending a shiver through his body, and a noose closed around his neck but he kept his head high. “Opportunity. You always talk about how corrupt the system is. What if I can earn the Squad new jobs or hunt down the corrupt leaders? That’s what heroes do...right?”

The aged leader burst into laughter, drawing the attention of the other guards. He quit just as he clutched the pup’s jaw tight, lifting his gaze to stare into his eyes. A few uneasy moments passed before he released the boy. “You’re serious...Fine but there’s two things you need to keep in mind before leaving the family business. Now sit down!”

Sand puffed in a cloud for a brief moment when Sirkus plopped as if his legs were removed. An unseen snare held every word in his throat but his eyes revealed the question, ‘What do I need to know?’

“First” Varis said as he knelt down. “Beyond this camp, you’re truly alone. There will be no help, no companionship, nothing!”

“Why?” He rasped out. “What about you? Won’t you be there for me?”

“You have a reputation, idiot” A claw was jabbed into the pup’s chest. “And our blood. Don't mistake the jobs as acceptance. Most don’t see Mobians when they look at us. We’re demons! They desire our deaths or power only” Age seemed to sink in after, making him look as frail as most his age were. “Think boy. A hero? You’ll be coming for us next”

“...I’m a traitor then...punishable by death…” Sirkus sighed and slumped as if the reaper had stolen his soul. “But...I would never accept a mission to attack you...this is my family...would you still abandon me?”

Wind whirred across the dunes, scattering sand across the land and blowing Valis’ silvery hair in his face. He remained motionless and silent which cut like an icy blade into the youth’s chest. Horror and disbelief took hold yet when the wind calmed, he saw something similar mirrored back in the old jackal’s face. Regret? Pain? Had their Boss ever looked like before? Finally he, lowered his gaze with a nod. “Why then...why is our blood enough to be hated?”

Varis reached into a pouch at his side. “Second thing you must keep in mind” A small, black, leather bound book, radiating with a haunting aura, was removed and handed to the boy. On it’s cover a runic symbol resided. Sirkus stared at it, running his fingers over the cover as Varis pinched something on his own finger. “Naberius”

“Huh?” The pup glanced up with a dumb expression. “Naberius” The leader repeated, removing whatever was on his finger. “The only ally you’ll have out there” He took one of the pup’s hands, placed the object in his hand, and curled his fingers tight around it. “Take this. Use it and the proper rite in that book to invoke the name of Naberius. He should come and give you the answers you seek. NEVER let them out of your possession. Now get going”

With that, the old jackal stood up and strode past Sirkus who watched in silence and bewilderment. When he had vanished from view, he opened his hand to find a signet ring...or rune ring? Along the outer ring the name Naberius could be made out and it shimmered like blood as he shifted it. “A mythical being is why were hated?” He muttered and slipped the ring on. “Guess...there’s only one way to find out why”

A final time, the pup stood and slung his pack over his shoulder. He looked over the camp he had called home one last time. So many memories and now questions. The wind stirred once more, signalling Sirkus' it was time to leave. He turned and journeyed out into the endless sands.