Noir suddenly awoke from a long nightmare. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a shelf full of empty bottles right above him, and it was not the only one. The place was full of shelves with the same number of bottles, all without a drop of what they once contained. He could barely move from the bed he was in due to all the power he had used during the mission, so he just waited and watched the dim lights that illuminated the small but cosy room.

After a few minutes, someone entered. Wolf brought several things with him, as well as a bulky bag of coins. He set everything down on a nightstand, except for Noir's new attire. "Well, it seems you have finally awakened from your nap. Welcome back to the world of the living, dear friend! I have some things for you."

"Ah, I see..." Noir bent down to take what Wolf had brought him, but his breathing failed and the cold sweats returned. "Sorry, I'm not feeling very well... I don't remember anything before the nightmare I had. Did we manage to finish off that nobleman?"

"Yes, we did it. In fact, you did it! You pulled out that power of yours and chased that poor bastard down like a tiger hunting an antelope! We had some trouble with the guards, but we were able to handle it. And the memory thing... Sorry about that, Cerberus had to put you out of action. There was no choice." Wolf unsheathed Noir's swords, which now had much sharper silver blades. "Ah, your clothes were completely stained with blood, so Cerberus went to buy you a new attire. Also, since you didn't use your swords, I took the time to sharpen them a bit. Did you really think you could kill someone with those buttering knives?"

Noir tried to smile at Wolf's joke. "Thanks, Wolf. It means a lot that you did all this for me. I'll try to get dressed, but I don't know if my body will let me..." Noir glanced down at his new clothes. "Fingerless gloves, long trench coat, leather boots, military trousers, plain scarf... Everything is black except for the scarf. Electric blue? Wasn't there a better colour to contrast so much black?"

Wolf smiled and bowed wryly. "I'm sorry to disgrace your name, Noir. There were no black ones left. Seriously, who wears scarves that colour?" Wolf remembered the bag of coins and went for it. "Well, that was just a gesture of good faith. Here's your real reward. A handful of gold coins for you to enjoy the weekend with some naughty girl from the red light district."

"Very funny." Noir picked up the payment and held it in his hands for a while. "I'm going to buy Evie something nice with this money. Maybe a necklace from the northern district, or a new rebec. Who's going to have one of those?"

Wolf watched the boy with a joyful expression. "Well, I'll let you get dressed. If you want anything I'm in the next room. Don't worry, you're in my house. There's no one here but you and me."

"Thanks."

As Wolf closed the door, Noir thought about the few memories that came back to his mind. He remembered fragments of Regin's last words, in particular one name that seemed to be of vital importance. He searched through drawers and cupboards for some paper to write down what he could remember.

"There's barely a lump of charcoal? I suppose it will do." The boy began to write:

This is the first entry I write after losing my previous notebook. The curse reappeared after two months, but I can't remember why. Wolf had an idea to make it appear, but I don't know what he did. The point is that he managed to awaken that side of me that I hate so much, and I ended up killing Regin Sighur. None of this is really important, but what Regin said before he died is. What were his exact words? He mentioned individuals, claiming that there shouldn't be any of them left... with that power? I don't remember well, but that must be it.

Regin was frightened until he remembered something. The name of a person. Then he stood up and looked me in the eye. He accepted his fate... Why? Why would he do such a thing just by remembering a person? He also thought I was related to that individual. The mind of a murderer is an incomprehensible thing. I should ask Wolf about that.

I don't remember anything at all after his last words. I don't know how I killed that man, I only know that I did. Wolf mentioned it was necessary to knock me unconscious. Did I lose control like in other occasions? Well, I don't think it's anything to worry about. Wolf seemed quite happy with the results of the mission. Ah... I've missed writing. It's one of the few moments of peace I have in my life.

After writing and regaining some of his strength, Noir dressed and prepared to leave the place. He took his wet clothes and money with him, and found Wolf having a few glasses of whisky in the lounge. "Do your breakfasts always consist of that? I don't think it's very nutritious."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Don't worry, I usually add some cheese and a good cigar. Nothing to worry about." Wolf put down his glass for a moment and took a deep breath of air. "Noir... There is something I must tell you before you leave. The mission went very well, the contractor paid us fair and everyone is happy. Our anonymity is not in danger, but we should still stop the assassination missions for a while. The Holy Trinity could come after us if we overdo it. Do you understand what that implies?"

Noir had never heard that name before, but he still nodded as if he understood what Wolf wanted to say. "I understand. I wouldn't want to attract their attention either. Better to be patient." Just as he stepped out of the place, the mercenary remembered the last image of Regin looking him straight in the eye. "Wolf, I have a question... Before he died, Regin asked me if I was coming on behalf of a person, I don't remember who exactly. Do you have any idea who that person might be? I'm sure he was related to the demons and the holy war."

Wolf turned and raised an eyebrow. "I have no idea who it could be, and I don't think you should worry too much about it. People often get delirious before they die. Regin wouldn't be thinking clearly."

Noir frowned, something did not sit right, but he chose not to question his leader's answer. "Mmm... You might be right. Anyway, I have to go now. I'll see you around."

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The same day, a few hours later.

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The curtains escaped from the room through the window, blown by a soft, soothing wind. The candle flames burned brightly, but not as brightly as the passion of the lovers in the room. Petals were scattered around the double bed, and two glasses of wine rested on a nearby table to spice up the evening.

"No more hardship, Evie. I'm a free man. All I want now is to share that happiness with you..." Evie put both hands on his face. Noir grabbed one of her hands firmly and kissed her.

After parting their lips, Evie gave him a big smile. "I am happy just by knowing that you are. A great future awaits us, my love..." The girl wrapped her arms around his neck, but the young man preferred to be more direct and dragged a hand under Evie's nightdress. "So fast? Let's play some more..."

"Relax... I know you love foreplay. I'm just adding some more fun to the game." A brief chuckle escaped Evie's lips. The two hugged and twirled a few times as Noir lightly tickled his girlfriend. The petals fell off the bed, and Evie got on top of Noir to continue the game. "You have a really lazy laugh. That always works."

"Well, I'll return the favour. Close your eyes." Evie slowly unhooked her nightdress and let it fall down to her waist. The girl covered her breasts with one arm and crawled over to the boy to lie on his chest. "I know you love this... How does it feel?"

Noir couldn't resist and opened his eyes to appreciate his girlfriend's body. "If you could see yourself with my eyes you would realise that you are the most perfect woman in the world. That's how I feel right now."

She genuinely blushed and hid her face in Noir's chest. "What you just said was really nice. You've really changed, darling..." Evie stood up again and bit her lip as she breathed heavily. "Enough talking... Make love to me, Noir..."

They both hid under the covers and moved to the next level. All that could be heard were the moans of both of them intermingling and the headboard of the bed banging against the wall. It was the first of many unforgettable nights.

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Three weeks later.

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Cerberus, Wolf and Noir were in the guild lair, waiting for Jane's return. Cerberus played darts while Wolf spun his glass of whisky and Noir lounged in his armchair.

"How things have changed... Two years ago I would never have imagined I'd be killing five criminals a week. What happened with the Holy Trinity thing? You haven't mentioned it since the first time." The boy asked.

"We won't hear from them until we go after a bigger target. Since Regin Sighur, all the victims have been thieves, murderers and swindlers. Small-time people. When there is a big target with a large sum of money on it, there will also be a bigger risk. Remember that." Jane finally returned with three papers in her hands. "Finally! Let's see what we have."

Jane descended the stairs yawning. "I have something interesting with me today... Heather did some more digging through the assignments and found some old but still valid ones. The targets are big, so you know what to do..." The woman left the assignments on the round table and fell asleep.

Noir looked at her dumbfounded. "Is she okay?"

"More or less. She's been getting too excited lately and has been celebrating our victories with alcohol. I guess she's been drinking everything she couldn't drink during her years of poverty. At least she's saving up, so I can't reproach her too much." Wolf opened the first assignment, and a red envelope fell from it. "A letter... I think this mission will be more interesting than the others."

"No, this one is interesting. What the hell is this?" Cerberus briefly showed him the contract for the second assignment. "The contractor is a suburban farmer. His cattle have been disappearing for the past few months, and he thinks a beast is behind it all. Why has Jane chosen a mission like this one? We've never killed anything that wasn't human."

"That's right. It's not worth any more attention. Destroy that mission." Before Cerberus could tear the contract to shreds, Noir snatched it from his hands. "Noir? What are you doing?"

"This could be interesting. The target may not be human, but we could benefit from learning how to fight a different kind of enemy. What if in the future we encounter... undead soldiers? Or Albna-Korians? Or... demons?" Wolf raised his chin in displeasure with Noir's insubordination. Still, he was adamant with his decision.

"There aren't even any members from the Albna-Kori clan alive... and most of the demons are secluded in Gelesar's kingdom." The leader sighed. "All right, let's give it a try. But just this once. Cerberus, wake that lazy woman up and take this mission to Heather. Tell her to warn the contractor about our arrival so he can have the money ready. Noir, you get the weapons and supplies prepared. And don't you ever..." Noir and Cerberus looked at him closely. Wolf sighed again. "It's nothing. I'll be waiting for you."

"This is going to be great, Wolf. Trust me." Noir left along with Cerberus and Jane. "Cerberus, I heard Wolf mention a woman earlier. Who is Heather?"

"Oh, Heather is our contact within Trinity's official adventurer's guild. She serves as an intermediary between us and the contractors, so that there is no direct relationship between the two parties. Many contracts come into the guild every day, but the ones that involve killing humans are always destroyed. Heather prevents that, and gives us those assignments in exchange for a small percentage. If you ever need her help, you'll find her working nights. She is a blonde, blue-eyed woman, not very tall and with a distinctive outfit. She's the boss, after all."

"Wow... We even have contacts. That sounds pretty good!"

After the others finally left, Wolf stared at the red letter from the distance for a long time. Somehow, it reminded him of something he had heard a long time ago. Years to be precise. A rumour that came true for some, and that everyone feared.

"It's impossible. Not so soon."