Chapter 99: What a Waste, part 2

“B-b-b-but I killed you both!” Hissed Jasper. Despite his shock he still managed to get into a defensive position, drawing both blades and increasing the distance between himself and the sneering Old Guard.

Suddenly he felt a burning in his right hand.

“Ah!” His hand jerked and he dropped the blade into the sand. He wanted to examine what was wrong but was too scared to take his eyes off Samantha Blood and The Dredman.

“Feeling some pain?” Said The Dredman, his smile curling into a pleased expression. His grey eyes wrinkled at the corners. “That would be the result of my blood. Get any on you and the poison will burn like coals.”

“Your blood is poisoned?” Said Jasper incredulously. His hand now felt as though it was hovering above an open flame. He did everything in his training to throw the pain from his mind.

“That’s not all he poisons,” said Samantha Blood dryly. “Pleasant days and good conversations are his most frequent victims.”

The Dredman cast her a withering glance.

“Silence, Sam. You,” said Dredman, pointing at Jasper. “I can easily cure that burning sensation for you. Why don’t you just put down the knife and let’s talk?”

My guild will be here soon, thought Jasper. He knew that all he had to do was keep them talking. He had failed to kill them, but how?

“Why aren’t you dead?” Said Jasper suddenly. “I stabbed you both in the heads.”

“We’re the Old Guard,” said Samantha Blood in a sing song manner. She laughed and her blonde hair was ruffled by a passing breeze. “It will take more than your little knife to kill one of us.”

“No,” said Jasper, shaking his head. “No one—ah!-no one can survive that blow. I’m an Assassin. My Silent Death ability is the reason the Assassin class is so feared. There should be nothing in Esem that can stop it.”

“The pain is getting worse,” said the Dredman with a chuckle. “You are quite strong to not be writhing on the ground in agony. But you’re quite right: nothing in Esem can stop that ability. You really tore up our faces—.”

“Yeah!” Said Samantha Blood, interrupting her companion. “My beautiful face!”

“Then how?” Said Jasper. He wanted to collapse. His hand was now so hot he felt as though it were in boiling water. “How are you two alive?”

“Dredman,” said Samantha Blood. She bent over and pluck a small piece of paper from the ground. “Looks like our little Assassin used a Guild Page.”

“Interesting,” said Dredman, examining the torn piece of paper in her fingers. “Suddenly I have a good idea of what is happening. The assassin was sent to infiltrate the Followers, and then called upon his guild once Lady Xemnara got here. I don’t suppose he counted on us being around.”

“I reckon he did not,” said Samantha Blood. She dropped the paper and then turned around to scan the gully. “Hope they are coming soon. I want to see this brawl.”

He deduced it so quickly, thought Jasper.

“Look,” said Jasper, trying once more. “Neither of you are Followers, correct? Why not just allow my guild to do its job. Help us, even. The Antagonista is bad news for everyone. Just like the Dark Lord who you defeated.”

Just as The Dredman was opening his mouth a great shout sounded through the gully.

“ASTATIL!”

Five darkly clothed figures were running down the gully entrance, where Jasper had walked with the Followers to get to the cave. It was his guild, and already Jasper felt the tents of the Followers were setting off imaginary alarms. He could hear the startled cries and the scrapping of metal on metal as they rushed to discover what new threat could be bearing down upon them.

“I’ve heard of them,” said the Dredman, shading his eyes and squinting at the Assassins of Astatil. “Quite the feared guild.”

Samantha Blood snorted.

“Wasn’t it Solomon who said that any guild who makes their war cry their own name is more ridiculous than a goblin in a tiara?”

“True,” said Dredman, “but their record speaks for it self.”

Jasper’s face was now half in the sand. All he could do was watch his guild and try to push the torment out of his mind. The Followers had now made it out of their tent. If they were shocked to find the Assassins of Astatil then they showed no indication. The Followers drew their blades, but not before a couple had fired off blasts from their lasers. Despite the pain, Jasper could almost imagine the face of his leader laughing aloud.

“Not bad,” muttered Samantha blood, as the Assassins dodged the lasers. “It seems that even great power is overcome by great skill.”

“What are you?” Said Dredman, waving his hand for silence. “A philosopher? Quiet. I want to see who wins.”

“No one is stopping you,” muttered Samantha Blood, sounding like a young girl who was pouting, yet Jasper had the mental image of a small girl holding a bloody knife behind her back.

The Followers were going down. Their lasers had failed to kill a single assassin and now their dead fell about their feet. Jasper counted at least three Followers were dead, but could still make out Carlton’s light brown hair and his face as he shouted desperate orders at the survivors. Carlton lifted his hand to fire yet another laser, sword in his other hand. A spark of light appeared at the tip of his finger, but then he roared in pain.

“Oh my,” said the Dredman. “That was quite the throw. I always forget how sharp those shurikens are.”

Carlton’s hand had fallen to the ground, the laser never being fired.

“Spade loved those energy shurikens,” said Samantha Blood. “Always made it very hard to spar with him.”

“I never bothered,” said the Dredman.

Despite the loss of his hand Jasper could see Carlton continue to fight. The poor man swung his sword at the Assassin’s but Jasper’s leader simply kicked him in the side. Carlton fell to the ground, his remaining hand trying to point at his soon to be slayer’s chest.

“Expertly done,” said Samantha Blood as Jasper’s leader plunged a knife into Carlton’s neck. Blood spurted from the wound and the Follower slumped over, his body twitching and blood pooling around his head and wrist.

“And there goes the rest,” said the Dredman as the final Followers fell to the Assassin’s of Astatil. “Perhaps we should make ourselves known, now.”

“How should we go about this?” Said Samantha Blood, eying the five Assassins. Jasper could make out his guild pointing at the Old Guard, likely they had not even recognized them yet.

“Do it the traditional way,” said the Dredman. “Do you want a potion of Unending Eyesight?”

Samantha Blood h’mmed and then suddenly a bow appeared in her hands, arrow knocked. Jasper’s eyes widened, and even in his pain he recognized the bow as one which Spade the Thief had won in a famous tournament, the Blasted Bow.

“Here they come,” said the Dredman. “Hurry up.”

“Don’t rush me, old man,” hissed Samantha Blood. She sighted down the arrow, one eye closed.

Jasper turned his head to see his guild. Out of the five of them only two were running over, likely believing the Old Guard to be just another two Followers. Jasper wanted to scream.

No, you fools!, he thought to himself. They needed to flee!

“Piercing Arrow!” Shouted Samantha Blood. The arrow left her bow with a twang and Jasper watched in horror as it flew faster than the eye could see. Even with his enhanced Assassin’s eyesight, the arrow moved so fast that it’s target did not even notice they had been struck until they collapsed after a dozen more steps.

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“What the—,” said the other Assassin, just then noticing that his companion had fallen. Jasper recognized it as Murph, a long time friend and his brother Assassin. The arrow had been shot so powerfully with Samantha Blood’s ability that it had traveled through it’s victims body and had lodged itself into the sand.

“Next,” said the Dredman.

Before Murph could even raise his hand an arrow burrowed itself into his forehead, his eyes wide in surprise.

“And now here comes the others,” said Samantha Blood, lowering her bow. “Shall I give them a volley? Or were you planning on actually helping?”

“I didn’t bring any Potion Monsters,” said the Dredman.

“What? Christie didn’t give you any?”

“I am not in the habit of asking her help,” said The Dredman, acidly. “I have a couple potion bombs but they will level the entire area.”

“You are useless, Dred,” said Samantha Blood, shaking her head. “How about something for me? I don’t feel like straining myself against these three.”

“Fine, take this.”

Jasper heard a bottle exchange hands, then then the sound of Samantha Blood drinking something.

“Tastes disgusting. What was it?”

“A potion of Encroaching Speed. Inaccurate name, but should give you a leg up. Maybe keep one of them alive, okay? Lady Xemnara will likely want to question them.”

This isn’t good, thought Jasper. His thoughts were now a jumbled mess, and he was struggling to remember his training in regards to pain management. He saw the bodies of his two guild mates before him, and saw that the final three had taken notice. Instead of rushing the Old Guard, it seemed that his leader had given an order. His guild leader was slowly approaching the Old Guard and Jasper, walking with only one other.

“Seems they want to chat,” said Samantha Blood. “I could kill these two and then capture the one behind. I think it is a woman.”

“Let’s hear them out,” said the Dredman. “Anyway, the leader of the Assassin’s of Astatil is supposed to be an interesting player. I’ve heard his name quite a bit over the years.”

“Whatever,” sighed Samantha Blood. “Have it your way.”

Jasper watched as his leader and the other made their way over. They first stopped at the bodies of their fallen companions. Jasper saw his leader bend down and check both their pulses before continuing their walk. In their guild little was given to the thoughts of the fallen, and in the wake of a death of one of their members traditionally nothing was said. Despite this, Jasper could make out his leader’s face turn hard at the sight of his dead fellows.

“That’s close enough,” said Samantha Blood. Jasper heard her draw back her bow.

Telgador, the leader of the Assassin’s of Astatil, politely raised his hands.

“You can say that again, Miss Blood.”

“Miss Blood?” Snorted Samantha Blood. “I actually like that.”

“Keep it together, Sam,” muttered the Dredman. He raised his voice. “You clearly now recognize us. Didn’t expect to see us here, eh?”

“That we did not,” said Telgador, shaking his head. “Jasper wasn’t able to inform us, it seems.”

“He tried his best, if that makes you feel any better,” said the Dredman. “He isn’t dead, if you were wondering. He just got caught up in a little potion of mine.”

Jasper saw Telgador briefly glance at him. He shrugged.

“He knew the risks. How about we talk about this little situation we have found ourselves in?”

“What about it?” Said The Dredman. “We can kill you without a second thought.”

“But why? I didn’t think the Old Guard would want such a powerful foe walking freely in Esem. Why have you aligned yourself with such a menace?”

“We haven’t aligned ourselves with anyone,” said The Dredman. “We are merely exploring our options.”

“I see, and why not exploring the option of aiding us? My people attacked you, so I understand you defending yourselves. I can look past that. Surely the fame of killing both the Dark Lord and the Antagonista is worth more than allying yourself to her.”

“You think we would need you to defeat her?” Said Samantha Blood.

“Of course not,” said Telgador. He glanced at his companion. Jasper’s vision was fading, but he recognized Kuro. Kuro’s nickname was “the silent assassin,” as he never talked. Kuro merely stared dead eyed at the Old Guard as he listened to them talk.

“The truth is,” said The Dredman. “The Antagonista will be coming out of that cave at any moment. She will be bringing with her some friends she claims are powerful enough to defeat even Solomon. I am afraid that you failed the moment you thought you could take her down.”

“I see,” said Telgador, stroking his chin. “So, the Old Guard is just giving up?”

“We don’t represent them, only ourselves.”

“Interesting.”

“Maybe,” said The Dredman. “Look, I’ve heard about you and your guild. You have done some impressive things over the years. Though I am curious to see what the Assassin’s could do to her, I am more inclined to present your heads to her.”

“That is unfortunate,” said Telgador. “But you have one thing wrong.”

The Dredman said nothing, and then sighed.

“And that is? I’ve heard so many of these statements from players in my time. What surprise do you have hiding up your sleeve?”

Telgador seemed taken aback, but only momentarily. He spat on the ground.

“I’m the only Assassin before you, besides Jasper, you killed the other two.”

“Great,” said The Dredman sarcastically. “I am shaking in my slippers. And what are the Classes of your members? ’Jack’ and ’Ass’?”

“Not quite,” said Telgador, smiling. “I won’t tell you the Class of the girl I left behind, but Kuro here, he is a Ninja.”

Kuro suddenly seemed to vibrate, his face still staring ahead. It was as though the sunlight was passing through his skin and clothes and making him see through.

“Oh damn,” said Samantha Blood. “Should have seen that one coming, Dred.”

“Kuro! Do it now!” Shouted Telgador.

Suddenly Kuro’s doppelgänger vanished soundlessly, and Jasper heard the fall of a pair of daggers thud into the back’s of The Dredman and Samantha Blood. He wanted to turn his head and watched but he was struggling just to keep conscious. He wanted to scream, to call out to his leader, but it was as though his mouth was filled with sand.

“And that does it,” said Telgador, sounding happy. “Well done, Kuro. Seems even the Old Guard can’t see though the illusions of a Ninja.”

It won’t work, thought Jasper. Through a supreme force of effort he managed to turn his head. Though bleary eyed, he did so, and saw the fallen bodies of the Old Guard. Kuro was wiping off his knife blades, his expression totally neutral.

“How about we see to Jasper, then,” said Telgador. “Amy might have some potions for him. I’ll call her over.”

“Nnnnnnnn,” said Jasper.

“Say what? You aren’t making any sense.” Telgador was now standing over him. Kuro had walked over too, leaving the bodies of the Old Guard behind him.

“Nnnnnnn,” said Jasper again. He wanted to point at The Dredman and Samantha Blood. Their blood which Kuro had spilled on the sand was retreating back into their wounds. He could see the skin knitting itself back together.

“Alright, I’ll call Amy, old friend. Just try to relax. Maybe she has a—!”

And arrow appeared in his eye. Before Kuro could turn around The Dredman had tossed a potion before the Ninja. It burst upon the sand and consumed The Silent Assassin in a mist. Kuro screamed, suddenly lost in the fumes. Jasper saw his body twist and writhe before the smoke finally cleared, leaving only a skeleton which tumbled to the ground and joined Telgador before Jasper.

“Two times in one day?” Said Samantha Blood incredulously. Wiping the sand off her red leather clothes. “Are we getting old?”

The Dredman chuckled dryly to himself.

“Glad none of the others saw that.”

“We still got one more,” said Samantha Blood. She pointed with her bow at Amy. Jasper could not turn his head again to see her reaction. Last he saw she had been waiting at the bodies of the Followers.

“Can you hit her?”

“Maybe,” said Samantha Blood hesitantly. “But that guy said she isn’t an Assassin. Another Ninja, maybe?”

“Who cares? Use that ability of yours. Pin her to the ground. Take out her legs or something. We will give her to Lady Xemnara.”

“Fine,” said Samantha Blood. She drew back an arrow.

You’re both goners now, thought Jasper. Despite his pain a small smile came over his face. Amy had always been the guilds secret, their little trump card just in case a situation like this arose. He only wished that he had been able to inform Telgador sooner and they he had not held her in reserve.

“Nnnnnnn,” mumbled Jasper.

“What?” Said Samantha Blood, suddenly looking at him. “You’re still here? Pass out or die already.”

“We will deal with him later,” said The Dredman. “Hurry up and hit that woman. Maybe we can give Lady Xemnara two hostages instead of…oh my.”

“RARAAAAAAAAAGH!”

Suddenly the sound of a giant monster sounded about the quarry, its screams echoing off the mountain sides.

“Amazing!” Said Samantha. She did not sound scared in the least, but instead in awe. “She’s a full Monster Hunter! Did you see her transform?”

“I guess Sand Beasts do exist,” muttered The Dredman. “This could be a problem, Samantha.”

“I realize that. How about we use this guy?”

“Who? Oh.”

Jasper felt more than saw the eyes of the Old Guard slide over to him. The pain was now ebbing and flowing over him in waves. Had he the ability to cut his own hand off he thought the pain might actually be less. Why wasn’t one of the Assassin’s abilities to block out pain? Suddenly that made a lot of sense to him and he cursed AION for not including it.

“Alright, bud,” said Samantha Blood. She bent over and and placed her hands under him. Despite his weight she had very little difficultly hoisting him up. Suddenly he was nearly standing, his feet dangling upon the ground. He realized somewhere in the back of his head that she was actually holding him with a single hand, her enhanced body giving her the strength for such a feat.

Amy had definitely transformed into her Sand Beast form. She was nearly fifty feet tall now, and resembled a giant centipede with mandibles the length of spears and several sets of glowing eyes upon her bug like face. Despite the pain he wanted to shiver. He had never actually seen her transform before. She began to charge, her many legs clicking and clacking across the gully ground, her mandibles wide.

“WE GOT YOUR FRIEND!” Shouted Samantha Blood at Amy. “LOOK! HE’S STILL ALIVE!”

The giant sand beast stopped, its many legs coming to a stop. It clacked it’s mandibles twice, and it’s eyes appeared to lock onto Jasper.

“THAT’S RIGHT,” shouted Samantha Blood.”ONE MORE STEP AND THE LAST OF YOUR GUILD IS DEAD.”

Amy the sand beast began to rise, her front legs coming off the ground as the back ones supported her mighty head and body into the air. She peered down on them and clicked her mandibles together once more.

“Sam,” said the Dredman. “I don’t think it’s working. The Assassin’s value completing the mission above everything. I don’t think our hostage will have the intended effect.”

“You tell me this now?”

“Relax,” said the Dredman, sounding casual. “I think the, ahem, calvary has arrived.”

“Huh?”

Jasper knew what he was talking about. Behind Amy, and the carnage which his guild had left behind, at the mouth of the cave where the Antagonista and her Followers had disappeared into, now stood a gathering of dark figures. One of the figures stood out more than the others.

“What is that thing?” Said Samantha, momentarily forgetting about Amy. Even Amy had turned her giant head to peer with her glowing eyes at the new arrivals. “It must be eight feet tall.

Jasper, pain and all, could not stop the dread he felt at that figure. It was tall and it’s face was hooded, and out of his hood there protruded a pair of tusks like a boar might have.

Amy roared, and charged the cave, turning her hundreds of legs to bear down upon the hooded figure.