Sirius kept watch on the smoke that drifted aimlessly in the sky as they progressed through the alleyways. There was too much going on, all they could hope for was to finish this contract fast and get out of here. As much as Sirius wanted to help the civilians, it was too dangerous with both the soldiers and their target roaming about. Besides, by now the ones who didn’t get away were all killed. It was a grim thought, but it was the truth.

There were a few men running around the streets, but far less than before. Hopefully the attack was subsiding, but that was no reason for him to let down his guard. He kept his sword ready at all times, checking back on Lianne to see if she was alright. It seemed as if her arm was healed now; she was wielding both swords as her eyes quickly darted around. It was strange, the eye she had previously covered was a similar blue hue to the other, just a bit lighter with milky whites swimming within it.

Sirius frowned, what did she go through to have her eye get like that? There was a scar coming from the edge of it, in fact it was the only scar she had. It wasn’t a normal wound, the healed skin had a deep purple tinge to it. It looked like it was ether blight, but that couldn’t be it. Whatever the case, it didn’t seem to affect Lianne too much, at least from what Sirius could tell. She caught sight of him staring back at her.

“What is it?”

“Your eye, what’s with the scar?”

Lianne gently touched her hand to her face, turning away slightly.

“It’s… I don’t know.”

Sirius nodded and returned his gaze forwards. He shouldn’t push her for answers again, that had shown to be a touchy subject. Taking in a deep breath, he continued to walk forwards and exited the alleyway, moving into streets that were still in ruins, even here away from the main market. It seemed like the bandits were ordered to ravage the entire town, and they did so very thoroughly. The building in front of Sirius was reduced to blackened stone and charcoal, still smoking dark fumes. The only building still standing was one completely made of stone that stood slightly taller than the other ones.

Sirius looked at the scattered merchandise on the floor. Broken ceramic plates and bowls occupied one corner while singed and ripped apart cloths laid strewn along the broken wood. Shattered glass vials and dusts of spices sat among the destroyed stands and laid upon the corpses. Sirius looked down, regret slowly creeping up on him. He couldn’t do anything for these people, just like always. He looked away, listening to the distant crackling of the inferno. Shaking his head, he realized how futile searching the city would be. Lianne stepped up beside him, scanning the area.

“We shouldn’t be in the open.”

“Agreed, let’s get to shelter, form a plan.”

Sirius pointed his sword to the still intact building, scanning it’s soot covered stone. They really were aimless here; unless Lianne had an idea, they would be shooting into the dark. He moved through the doorway, realizing the door was broken off its hinges. The interior was dark, but it was light enough for Sirius to make out some details. It looked like this was meant to be a post office of some sort; papers littered the floor, some piles untouched by flames, and the carpet was dirtied from dust and mud, its red hue turned to a dull grey.

Sirius looked at the stairs at the end of the corridor, watching the candles flicker dimly. It seemed like the raiders didn’t take too long in here, everything was relatively intact. He took a look at the papers under his feet, making out faded writing on the pages; those ones were spilled from a bag which also lay on the floor, bloodied and ripped apart. There was a bloodtrail which led to a body which sat against the wall, a sword stuck in their chest. From the blood were multiple footprints that went out the door.

Moving past the corpses legs, Sirius entered a room, taking a deep breath. It was quiet, and it seemed like the bandits were done here. The room had multiple tables and chairs scattered throughout, most of them flipped over or broken. Maybe this was meant to be a break room, but he couldn’t really tell in the state that it was. Sirius took a seat on a still functional chair and let himself relax. His body was tired and his muscles ached. Being hit by a wall and then fighting off bandits wasn’t the easiest thing to shrug off.

Lianne hesitated for a second and then grabbed a seat as well. She sheathed her swords and stretched her arm, wincing as she did so. Sirius looked over at her as she folded her legs.

“Do you have any idea where he would’ve gone?”

She shook her head and fiddled with her hair clip.

“Not exactly, but he wouldn’t leave without the other target.”

“Can he teleport with them?”

“Short distances, they could get out of the city with enough time.”

Sirius sighed and rubbed his forehead, this was going to be complicated. He glanced at Lianne as she checked the blade of one of her swords.

“How’s your arm?”

“Better.”

She moved her hand over to where the wound was, lightly touching the skin.

“It’ll be fine.”

Sirius nodded and ran his fingers along the edge of his sword. Everything was still sharp, and most of the blood was cleaned off the blade. He looked up to see Lianne eying the weapon.

“It’s from the city if you were wondering.”

She nodded and looked away.

“What was it like?”

“Hm?”

“The city I mean.”

Sirius sat back in his chair, running through memories.

“Well, needless to say it’s different from anywhere around here.”

Lianne looked up, hiding her intrigue.

“How different?”

Sirius chuckled.

“First of all, the architecture isn’t the same, the bottom floors are similar to here, but the upper floors are a completely different story.”

“Upper floors?”

Sirius looked at Lianne, coming to the realization that she knew literally nothing about the city. Of course she wouldn’t know, nobody ever saw inside those walls.

“Yeah, the city has two different floors. The bottom layer is like a large town and also has the fields for farming. Above that’s the upper layer, where all the scholars, soldiers, and nobles live.”

Lianne leaned back, her hands on her knee.

“How big is it all?”

“In all honesty? I don’t know, I haven’t even seen half of it.”

Sirius rested his hand on his chest and smiled.

“The place has so many things to see, and everything just seems to work there.”

Lianne nodded and rested her elbow on her knee while she put her hand to her chin.

“It must be nice.”

Sirius glanced over at her and sat back up straight.

“Sorry, my apologies.”

Her eyes darted to him.

“Huh? For what?”

“I shouldn’t be here describing a place like that when we’re stuck here.”

“It doesn’t matter to me, say all you want.”

Sirius smirked.

“I can’t explain it properly, you’d have to see it for yourself.”

Lianne snorted and almost laughed.

“Yeah, sure.”

Sirius nodded and sat back in his seat. For a brief moment, there was a hint of a smile on her face. He got up from his chair and stretched out his legs.

“We should move now, let’s see if we can find anything.”

Lianne nodded and pushed herself up, resting her hand on her swords. Sirius exited the room, walking back into the main hallway. He was about to move when the sound of voices echoed from further down. He quickly checked back on Lianne, but she was already crouched down, scanning the area. Their eyes met and Sirius nodded as they quietly made their way towards the voices. They were coming from a room on the opposite end of the hallway, and the conversation became clearer as they approached.

“I’ve told you, we’re ending this as soon as possible.”

The voice was low and grating, slightly muffled as he spoke. Another voice responded, lighter but with a smooth ring to the words.

“Yes, of course, but only once we’ve gotten what we’ve came here for.”

Sirius’s eyes narrowed, that voice seemed familiar. The other voice continued.

“Bullshit, you’re trying for more than just that.”

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“Is that such a bad thing?”

The voice turned darker, into a growl.

“The longer this continues-”

“Haureulman, Hauruelman, I know. Relax, this has all been planned out.”

“Obviously there’s unknown variables.”

Lianne and Sirius neared the room which the voices were coming from as the conversation continued.

“What makes you say that?”

“The ones you hired didn’t do their job.”

Sirius peeked around the corner and spotted the two figures. One of them was the knight from before, Haureulman. The second was a man in long robes with a short beard. Sirius ducked back as he realized who it was.

“Well, I never expected Merrick to actually die to them, they serve other purposes.”

A smile was visible even from here. Alastor had set them up, and he was working with the knight. Haureulman paused and looked down at him.

“Who are they?”

“Does that matter?”

“One’s a soldier.”

“Not exactly.”

“Just tell me.”

Alastor walked past the knight and motioned with his hand.

“Ask them yourself, they’ve been here for a few minutes.”

Sirius cursed and looked to Lianne who was already drawing their blades. The knight growled in a low tone.

“Dammit Tylocke, if you keep doing this shit-”

“Deal with them now and I’ll tell you later.”

Haureulman faced the entrance and raised his voice, the low gravel in his tone echoing in Sirius’s ears.

“Come out and face me..”

Sirius pulled his sword up and turned to Lianne, speaking in a whisper.

“I’ll try to divert his blows from you, go for the spaces in the armour.”

He exited their cover and entered the room, facing the knight before them. Haureulman spun his poleaxe around, holding the shaft under his arm.

“You, who are you?”

Sirius balanced his feet and brought his sword into a defensive stance.

“I could ask you the same.”

Haureulman let out an exhale and grabbed onto his poleaxe with both hands.

“... I know that stance.”

Sirius shifted his feet, what did he mean by that? The armour resembled old city made full plate, but it was worn out and darkened enough for him to not know for sure. The poleaxe he wielded was equally as worn, but the blade was obviously sharp. The axe part was flat topped and curved downwards while the spike resembled the head of a spear and the hammer had three metal triangles along its edge. Sirius controlled his breathing and planned out his method of attack. The longer reach was a problem, and from what he saw before, Haureulman was fast, inhumanly fast for the armour he wore. He would have to count on Lianne to debilitate him.

Haureulman glanced over at Lianne, his armour clinking as he did so.

“You…”

He let out another growl and braced his polearm, ready for a stab. Without another word, he rushed forwards at Sirius, who barely got out of the way of the attack. Sirius ducked the follow up swing and moved in closer to him. The sword strike did nothing against the armour, as Haureulman swung the shaft of the poleaxe into Sirius’s shoulder. Sirius grunted as his pauldron took the blow. Lianne rushed forwards, slicing underneath Haureulman’s armpit. The cut was deflected by his chainmail, and he responded by slamming the end of his weapon into her. She let out a cry of pain as she fell to the floor.

Sirius cursed and grabbed onto his blade, half swording his weapon. He took the brunt of a shove from the poleaxe and sidestepped an overhead swing. He slammed the crossguard of his sword into Haureulman’s helmet, causing his head to flick sideways. Sirius was about to stab into him as Haureulman let out a low laugh and swung a punch. The blow landed and Sirius staggered backwards. Dazed, he dodged the successive blows that came after, using his sword to deflect them away. He blocked a thrust and placed the hand on the back of his blade as he was pushed backwards by the top of the axe.

Barely keeping his footing, Sirius pushed the poleaxe to the side. Haureulman reared back for another strike but roared in pain as Lianne stabbed into the back of his knee. She dodged the blind backswing and followed up by stabbing a sword through the slit in his visor. Haureulman staggered back for a moment as Lianne yanked her sword free. There was a brief pause before he charged at Lianne. Sirius tried to get near, but was stopped by the wide arcs of the poleaxe’s swings. Lianne jumped away from the blows and ducked underneath a quick swipe.

Sirius ran forwards, aiming a stab towards the neck. Haureulman leaned backwards, dodging the blow. Before Sirius could recover, the end of the poleaxe slammed into his leg. Burning hot pain burst outwards as he fell down with a cry of pain. Haureulman reared up for an overhead swing, but Lianne slammed her sword into his wrist. He growled and blocked her blows. She swung at him to no avail, and took a blow from the hammer to the stomach.

Sirius pulled himself upwards, staggering on his injured leg. He collapsed to his knees as Lianne coughed and stumbled to her feet. She swung her sword upwards at Haureulman, her blow glancing off his armour. Hauruelman returned his attention to Sirius and raised his poleaxe upwards. Before the swing came down, Lianne jumped at him again, her blades raised high over her head. Haureulman let out a frustrated roar, grabbing onto Lianne as she struck and throwing her down.

Lianne fell to her hands and knees in front of Sirius, groaning as she reached for her weapons. She leaned back, still on her knees, planting the tip of a sword into the ground as she tried to rise. A quick crack and squelch echoed through the room and Lianne’s hand trembled. She slowly looked downwards, her eyes catching sight of the blade protruding from her chest.

Sirius’s whole body froze as he watched the blood drip from the wound. Lianne let out a choked breath and slowly lifted her shaking hands to the blade. Her hands fell onto it as her breathing turned to laboured and pained gasps. She couldn’t grip on properly, the blood causing her hands to slip. Lianne let out an agonized whimper as the blade was yanked from her body. Sirius scrambled to her as she slowly swayed and fell sideways, her hands still near her chest.

“LIANNE!”

Sirius grabbed onto her body as she looked upwards, her eyes wide. Haureulman took a look at him, wiping the blood from the spear of his poleaxe. Alastor, or Tylocke’s, voice rang back out.

“That’s enough Haureulman, leave him alive.”

Sirius looked up at them, his hands on Lianne’s wound, attempting to apply pressure.

“Why, what’s the meaning of all of this?”

Tylocke chuckled and dismissively waved his hand.

“Oh Sirius, you’ve been caught up in something much bigger than yourself. I’m incredibly sorry you had to be a distraction like this, but it’s how it needed to be.”

Sirius looked down at Lianne, who grabbed onto his arm. Tylocke turned around, motioning for Haureulman to follow.

“Have fun with the soldiers.”

Sirius didn’t even bother to see them leave as Lianne’s breathing became increasingly shallower.

“No, no, no.”

Her ether was working, but a wound like this wasn’t something you could just heal from.

“Come on Lianne, stay with me.”

He cursed and picked her body up, feeling the limp weight rest heavily in his arms. Her hand shook as she rested her hand on top of Sirius’s. He went back into the halls, desperately trying to find some medical supplies.

“You can’t die here.”

She wouldn’t die here, she couldn’t. She healed from wounds that would have her lose a limb, she just needed a bit of help. His eyes darted around, seeing nothing but burnt wood and stone. The rooms were all ransacked and destroyed. Lianne’s blood dripped down his arm as he carried her. He shook his head, his voice getting quieter.

“Stay with me, please.”

He kept searching, finding nothing but ruin. Sirius clutched onto Lianne tighter, holding her now frail body in his arms.

“Please Lianne.”

She dimly looked up at him, her hand reaching upwards.

“... Sirius?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

Her voice was almost a whisper as her breath shook.

“What… happened?”

Sirius shook his head, trying to keep his breathing calm. There was nothing here, he had nothing to help her. He sank to his knees, holding onto her as he felt her breathing become slower. Sirius looked down, seeing Lianne’s glazed over eyes looking back up at him. She let out a weak and quiet whimper as her breaths slowly started to disappear. He clutched onto her, coming to the realization he couldn’t save her. All this time, and it was still the same. Everyone who followed him died.

Footsteps echoed through the halls as Sirius looked up with blurred vision. A figure approached him, a woman with long light hair. She had a sharp chin with soft features to her face with light and pale skin. Dark circles rimmed her light and faded eyes which shone in the dim light. She wore a dirty and ripped buttoned shirt along with dark black and equally as dirty pants. Everything about her was disheveled but somehow peaceful as well. Her lips opened, speaking in a quiet and urgent tone.

“Give her to me, I can help.”

She rushed over, holding her arms out as she knelt down. Sirius looked at her, holding Lianne close. She shook her head, extending her hands outwards.

“Please, she doesn’t have much more left.”

Sirius let her hold onto Lianne, feeling the weight of her body being taken out of his hands. The woman held onto Lianne gently, placing her hands over the wound. A bright blue light emitted from her hands, seeping into the laceration in Lianne’s chest. Sirius watched, slowly processing what was happening. The amount of ether coming from this woman was incredible. He had only seen something like this once before in the city.

The light slowly dissipated as the woman removed her hand, revealing a healed wound. Sirius almost let out a laugh, this was a miracle. He looked up at the woman, her long hair obscuring her face.

“I… thank you.”

“No, I should be thanking you.”

Sirius paused.

“What do you mean?”

“You were here for her, it’s more than I was able to do.”

Sirius took another look at the woman, trying to discern her relation to Lianne. The woman shook her head and gently placed Lianne on the ground as she touched her hand to her cheek. She slowly removed her hand and looked up at Sirius.

He stared her in the eyes, realizing they were glowing red. He almost jumped, his body reflexively preparing for a fight. She closed her eyes, lifting her chin upwards and exposing her neck. Sirius watched her for a moment, settling back down and returning to his knees. She slowly opened her eyes, looking at Sirius.

“You… aren’t going to kill me?”

Sirius stuttered, shaking his head.

“N-no, why would I?”

She stared at him and slowly nodded.

“What’s your name?”

“Sirius.”

She smiled warmly, a sad exhaustion present in her face.

“Thank you Sirius, for helping her.”

Sirius looked down at Lianne, watching her chest rise and fall evenly.

“How do you know her?”

The woman paused, placing her hand on Lianne’s.

“It’s a long story.”

Sirius nodded and let himself breathe. The woman looked back up at him.

“Sirius, I’m sorry, but may I ask you a favour?”

He nodded and put his hands on his knees.

“Yes.”

“Can you not tell her I was here?”

Sirius furrowed his eyebrow, pondering the request.

“I… I can. I’m guessing that’s part of the long story.”

She let out a sad quiet laugh and nodded.

“Yes, it is.”

Suddenly, the woman stood up, her still red glowing eyes wide.

“You need to leave, it’s not safe.”

Sirius picked up Lianne.

“What about you? It’s not safe for you either.”

“I’ll be fine, if you leave now you’ll be out of danger.”

She shook her head, taking another look at Sirius.

“I’m sorry, but can I ask another favour?”

“Anything.”

“Please, look after her, she has nowhere else to go.”

Sirius nodded.

“I will.”

“Thank you Sirius, I’m in your debt.”

Sirius paused for a moment as he picked up Lianne.

“Wait, what’s your name?”

She glanced back, standing up off her knees.

“Avaria. I’m sorry, but full introductions will have to wait.”

Sirius turned around with Lianne in his arms again, this time her breathing at a stable pace. He rushed back to the room, softly setting her down. He put both her swords in her sheaths and his own sword as well. The distant echo of metal clanking against wood hit Sirius’s ears as he left the building along with Lianne.