To think I’ll be treated like this.

After all I’ve done for them…

I’m done with this. I’m done with being treated as a pawn. Just you wait, I’ll kill every single one of you!

. . .

In the cold night of the dark and desolate streets of the outskirts of Amaria Empire, a lone figure walked unsteadily towards no particular direction at all.

Blood was flowing from his side which he desperately covered up with his palms. With both mind and body exhausted, Raven tried hard to escape his pursuers.

He walked slowly, going in and out of different alleys and streets in this labyrinth-like place. Because of his mind being disoriented, he failed to notice one glaring mistake.

His trail of blood.

When he realized, it was already too late. Four figures clad in black clothes jumped down from the roofs. They landed perfectly on their feet showing how nimble and fit their bodies are. Within just a few moments, they quickly positioned themselves all around him cutting off all hope for escape.

Raven clenched his fists and glared at these assassins. He does not even have to guess their identity. He knows them well, all too well. They were his students after all. They were the dogs he trained for the accursed empire he once served.

 “Codename Raven, surrender! You’ve been decommissioned already. Aren’t you supposed to serve the empire to the very end?”

“The very empire who ordered my death? Dream on! After all the things I’ve done for them and they repay me with death?”

“Raven, no, master. We all know too well, especially you, what kind of lives assassins live. You know too much so you must die”.

Clutching the daggers he hid in his leather jacket, he steeled himself for the unavoidable battle just up ahead. Despite his weakened body, he still was able to draw a bit of strength from his unwavering willpower.

He started with a slow walk then to a running start. He took out the daggers he hid and threateningly wielded them.

The four assassins also took out their weapons and rushed at him. They were much faster and they reached him before he even got halfway towards his target.

Clang!

Sparks flew as Raven blocked an attack from one of the assassins. He then leaped back to gain some distance. But another assassin was waiting on that very spot.

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He twisted his body and casted a detonation spell which he targeted at the waiting assassin.

“EXPLOSION!”

 The assassin was able to make his move to dodge but the shockwave of the blast took him out. He flew a few meters away and did not move again. To this, the other assassins made difficult expressions.

Raven wasn't spared from his own spell. But he took advantage of it and used the force of the explosion to propel himself out.

The assassins invoked body strengthening magic and pursued Raven once more.

‘If only I had healing magic, these apprentices of mine would’ve died already. What terrible luck’.

Raven casted another spell and it was of the wind attribute.

“Acceleration!”

His velocity increased and soon he was out of their encirclement. A few hundred meters later, the assassins still haven't caught up with him.

But, he was greeted by his best masterpiece waiting for him at the town's gates. Codename Shadow. The very best assassin the empire has produced.

“Greetings, master.”

“It’s you. Considering you’re here, those old foggies must really be serious in killing me”.

“It is as you said. The higher ups wants to silence you. You know far too much for your own good”.

This bastard. He’s really here to kill me, huh.

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll be treated the same as me?”

“I’m willing to serve the empire to my very last breath. Even if it means offering my head to them”.

“Is that so? And here I thought you were different from everyone else. You’re basically a puppet”.

Upon hearing this, Shadow’s left eye flinched and he got irritated. Being debased as a mere puppet irked him and without warning, he charged ahead.

“Here I come”.

Raven lurched sideways with great difficulty. His wounds hindering his every movement. After rolling successfully, he ran towards the forest.

Upon seeing this, Shadow changed directions and followed. He could’ve just used  long range spells to end it all here but that would be too boring for him. He wants to satiate himself of the feeling of hunting down his own master. Who has been his goal he wanted to surpass ever since he had become one with the shadows.

Licking his lips, Shadow ran in a very fast speed tailing Raven. A fierce gale was created after him. Despite his forceful and fast steps, they made no sound at all. 

. . .

Haaa. Haaa. Haaa.

Raven felt very tired. Having to move a lot with wounds all over, he was at the point of wanting to go down and sleep already. But he still held on with clear intentions of not giving up. Giving up now would mean death.

Raven moved past the large and green trees and the heavy foliage and found himself in front of a high cliff. Looking down, he could see countless rocks dotting the alluring blue ocean covering most of what is down there.

Moments later, the bushes shook  and Shadow revealed himself. He had an expression full of mocking as he looked upon him. With slow footsteps, he stopped just in front of him.

“Master. I guess this is goodbye. Do you want me to kill you or do you want to jump and kill yourself? I’ll gladly give you this much”.

“I wouldn’t want to dirty your hands so I’ll be ending it in my terms”.

After speaking

, Raven walked backwards and spread out his limbs outwards. His body formed into a cross as he plummeted downwards.

Just when Raven thought he was finally out of danger, a dagger embedded itself deeply in his back. He looked back at Shadow smiling hatefully. With a wave of his cloak, Shadow disappeared into the night.