Now the Puppeteer is down Mir stopped moving. It looks like without vocal commands the curse is useless. WOW, John’s timing was magnificent; all that’s left is to finish the job. I really want to see what trick will get him out of this mess.

“I think it’s over.”

“No it’s not. He is still breathing, a mistake I will fix in a second.”

“Leave him; blood loss will kill him anyway.”

“I still want to make sure that he dies. Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”

John wanted me to stop; maybe he doesn’t want to see a kid killing another human being.

I just realized something, my powers are coming back. My eyes are able to identify the Puppeteer’s threat level which means that my internal injuries are healed. I just want to check it: Threat Level 3. The idiot just had to go easy on me. Well, it looks like I escaped instant death. Then again the difference between levels is big; Mir was a Threat Level 3 since I’ve known her and her level didn’t go down.

“You…*cough* *cough*…are going down. Kill…him.”

That bitch still has enough energy to talk? With that hole in his chest it’s actually amazing that he can still speak; what’s not amazing is that now I’m going to fight with Mir again.

Okay, let’s do it…or not? I was getting ready, prepared to get stabbed and cut again but she’s not moving or she can’t move. While I was thinking about possible scenarios to explain Mir’s behaviour I saw her falling down. The Puppeteer’s curse must have taken control of her body. There was something coming from her head, it looked like blood; if I’m right Mir fought me while being unconscious, it would explain why she was so weak.

“That’s…not…possible.”

HOO; look who’s scared. Nice tone you have there, now that you don’t have any puppets left it looks like you learnt how it feels to be afraid.

“You better pray to God and ask him to come and help and maybe you may get away.”

The dagger was going towards his head. I was planning to stab him in the head to make sure there will be no way for him to live.

“I wouldn’t consider myself God but I can definitely help this man.”

A man wearing the same clothes as the Puppeteer was standing in front of the gate. He was definitely a man but I couldn’t see his face because of the mask he was wearing. I don’t know if I could call it a mask, there was something covering his face but there were no eye, mouth or nose sockets, just something that he wore on his face. He was big and muscular. Let’s see what I can find about him. Hmm…Daniel, no last name; Threat Level 10; Race: Human; Master Assassin; Light and Dark magic user. Shit! Please don’t! I’m not even going to try angering him; I will just hope that he is here to kill the Puppeteer.

“Are you here to kill us?”

“Unfortunately I came here to take that man away. The power over that woman is something he wasn’t supposed to take from us so I will punish my subordinate as any leader would do.”

In an instant the Puppeteer got swallowed by the darkness and appeared in Daniel’s arms. He put the body over his shoulder.

“If you want to kill him, can’t you at least do it here?”

I wasn’t going to let him escape. If I can delay him enough I may be able to use Black Blood for a second and throw the two shivs I have stored in the Null.

“It is not going to be that pleasant. A swift death is something this man deserves. I will take what’s mine and then I will punish him.”

“How did he get control over Mir’s curse in the first place?”

“I gave this man a mission and he requested help from somebody who is not, let’s say, very fond of me. I disposed of that man; it was a pity, good members are hard to find.”

“If you ask me that guy wasn’t very good.”

“The curse requires a certain psychological training to fully control; he went here unprepared, that’s entirely his fault.”

 “You sure are telling me lots of interesting things; do you think it’s wise?”

“If I were to tell you that our hideout is a spacious place would you be able to identify the right one.”

“If I live long enough. I understand what you want to say but I still want that guy dead.”

It’ time to try. I took out the shivs from the Null, activated Black Blood and prepared to throw them at the Puppeteer’s head.

“Do you think you are faster than me?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, DANIEL?”

“What did you say?”

The tone in his voice changed. In the split second I had I threw the shivs at the body. He is going to jump if he wants to avoid them.

Contrary to my expectations he didn’t jump, instead he took a dagger and blocked the shivs sending them in the mansion’s wall but I didn’t stand and watch either. I still had a dagger in my hand. When I saw him holding the dagger I threw mine at the body. He wasn’t able to stop the dagger in time. The dagger hit the Puppeteer’s head, burying itself in there.

This is such a pleasant sensation I’m feeling. I can feel both happiness and relief at the same time, so much happiness that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!”

“I see, I thought that you just got lucky but I guess I was wrong. You did well indeed.”

“Thanks…”

All my strength was gone and I was unable to stand. I guess this is the end of this fight. Without any strength left I fell on the ground and blacked out.

“There is nothing I can do anymore.”

“Are you going to kill my family now?”

“No, that’s not why I came here and even that doesn’t matter anymore. I will leave you alone.”

“Why? Isn’t there a price on our heads?”

“I’ve seen many people in my life and it’s rare for me to be surprised like this. I fear that if I kill you this boy will undoubtedly find and take revenge.”

“Are you that afraid of him?”

“Your maid was one splendid assassin and the man that boy just killed was a talented man. After seeing that fight and seeing how he found out my name I’m inclined to say that I don’t want to see his full power.”

“What power are you talking about?”

“His wounds are starting to heal, and he avoided death a few times during this battle and most important of all, he mastered the lethal assassination art: Hay’tok. I hope that he will get better soon. Now you will have to excuse me but I will have to take my leave.”

The last thing I remember was passing out and now I woke up in the guest room with my upper body covered in bandages. I was wearing blue pajamas, pretty low quality too. It looks like it’s evening; what day is it anyway? Judging by the date in the watch I’d say that I slept for almost two days, basically it is Wednesday evening. Let’s see if there’s somebody in this house.

Still in my pajamas I got up and went to the ground floor. There were voices coming from there, it looks like John’s talking to somebody.

“If Alexander weren’t with us we would have been dead. If it wasn’t for Jaden you would have been fired; He believes the story but I don’t know what to say.”

Ah, I believe it’s time for me to appear and save the day. If I were Jaden I would be pretty fucked up right now; if Mir were to leave Jaden would most likely go insane.

When I entered the room I saw everybody there maybe expect Jaden. The maids and butlers seem to be all right, that good.

“Jaden, I told you to…Oh, it’s you. You shouldn’t be up right now.”

John thought that I was Jaden. Is this a conversation Jaden isn’t supposed to hear? It does concern him but whatever.

“Alexander, you were severely wounded; you should stay in bed until you are better.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Amelia tried to persuade me to go back but there is no need for me to go.

“I am fine. These two days were enough for me to heal.”

“There is no need to rush, stay in bed until you get better.”

“Alex, can I ask you something?”

Surprisingly enough Mir actually talked. It’s really interesting how everybody in the room looked at her like she just told a Christian that God doesn’t exist. I on the other hand was calm, I don’t really resent her and she is my precious friend.

“Sure, ask away.”

“I tried to kill you and yet you saved me, why?”

“To be honest your attack just slowed me down but it was not nearly enough to kill me. I know that you had no choice.”

“But I still attacked you. To atone for that I ask you to end my life.”

Mir took out a dagger and presented it to me. Yo Yo Yo Yo, talk about radical decisions. Why does she think that I would accept killing her after rescuing her.

“Are you retarded?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you so surprised? What gave you the stupid idea that I would even think about killing you after rescuing you? Whether it’s a tradition or personal guilt it’s not my problem, but don’t try those things with me. After all the times we talked I really thought that you understood at least that.”

And now they are giving me the same look. Sure, look at me like I’m a hypocrite, I don’t care. At least Mir looked relieved, that’s good.

“I see. Then is there a way to earn your trust?”

“No, there isn’t.”

“I guess that’s to be expected.”

“I think you misunderstood something. It’s not because of what you did; it’s just my usual paranoia. If you are sorry then give me your hand.”

“Fine, but why?”

“So I can use my powers on you.”

Mir extended her right arm. I took her hand and tried to scan her again. There was indeed something like a curse on her but it’s gone now. If we don’t count the head injury then she is perfectly fine, now she won’t be able to use being controlled as an excuse anymore. What I don’t understand is why her Threat Level increased to 4. Oh well, for now I’m glad that nothing happened to her and there are no side-effects from the curse.

“Well, you are fine. Just don’t forget that you aren’t forgiven yet.”

“I know; I don’t expect it to be easy.”

“Ahem. We still have to discuss the other matter, whether we still keep you here or not.”

John really is furious. Then again she did participate in the attack. I have to convince him to give Mir another chance.

“I don’t think firing Mir is a good idea. If Jaden wakes up tomorrow and he doesn’t find her here I’m sure that he will go crazy.”

“I have to ask you to stay out of this; this doesn’t concern you Alexander.”

“YO, I think I just heard something unpleasant. When I was fighting the Puppeteer you just stood there. I saved your lives so I think that I can.”

“You are not wrong…One last chance, for our son.”

“Thank you very much.”

“See, it wasn’t that hard.”

That was easy. I think I’ve done my good deed of the day. I turned around and prepared to leave the room when I remembered that I didn’t get to ask how we got rid of Daniel.

“What happened to Daniel?”

“Somehow you were the reason he left; he said that he didn’t want to kill any of us.”

Mir answered my question…Wasn’t she supposed to be unconscious or something?

“Weren’t you supposed to be unconscious?”

“I woke up shortly after the Master came but I was too afraid to get up.”

“You should be. That guy was too strong to beat.”

“Alexander, if you are done I suggest that you rest for a while.”

“You want me out of here, I get it. I’m leaving now.”

Well; my job here is done. I might as well get some sleep, my magic isn’t fully charged and there’s nothing else to do here.

I said that I would go to sleep but for some reason I can’t. I was just lying in bed with my eyes closed. I think I took a nap but that’s about it. I guess I will take a walk.

When I opened my eyes I saw Mir sitting on the bed. He was staring at me for no reason. I guess I just found out why I couldn’t sleep.

“Why are you here in the middle of the night?”

“I still had some questions.”

“This was one of the rare occasions that I really wanted to sleep. Oh well, ask away.”

“You called the Master [Daniel]; is that his real name?”

“You didn’t see his reaction; I thought you were watching.”

“I did not have the courage to move a muscle.”

“Yeah, that’s his true name. Since your information gathering skill didn’t help you I will tell you; magic allows me to see the name, race, magic elements and threat level of an enemy. Threat Level is usually a number varying from 1 to 10. It compares my target’s power to mine and tells me the difference. It also work for other things but I’m not about to tell you that.”

“If what you said is true then you also used magic on me when you asked me for my hand.”

“Yup. See it’s not that hard.”

“I will take my leave now.”

“Yeah, yeah, please do. We have been through enough his for now.”

I gave up on sleeping normally and just meditated the night away. This body is fine after four hours of sleep. Well, I guess I’m banned from dreamland.

The next morning I changed in my uniform, the only cool clothes I had left. Let’s see if John kept his promise or not.

Well it looks like everybody is here for breakfast. Despite what happened he really didn’t fire Mir, Nice.

“Ah, you finally woke up Alex. I know this not the time to ask but why are you wearing the uniform?”

WOW. That’s the treatment I get after saving you. Well technically the Master spared their lives but whatever.

“Since my previous clothes were horribly cut I had no other choice. That and I kind of got used to wearing the uniform.”

“One last thing: Thank you!”

Ha ha. He is making such a face; I get that he is thankful but he is looking at me like I’m some god. He is the type of person that is happy with the ending and I’m the type of person that thinks of what could have happened if the Master killed them.

“You better be thankful. That aside, let’s eat breakfast; the week is not over.”