I run joylessly amidst a lonely full moon. Bereft of employees or friends, I have only two things in my head.
Get Natalia back.
Kill the Stranger.
Everything else is secondary right now. Or tertiary. Whatever you want to call it. I don’t care. Moving as if I have a purpose, but really just following the path Natalia cut across Merekeep’s skyline, I hunt my prey amidst the dark night. A single-minded focus overtakes my whole being but deep inside me, perhaps a teensy part of me regrets pushing Meera. Every time I think about it though, Kisa’s pale, motionless face interrupts and everything goes red. Shut up. Shut up!
I don’t want to think about it!
I don’t want to think!
Wait…there!
Though my focus is entirely too messed up to properly reach for the future, I still try to break through now and again to confirm when I’m close to the Stranger. After all, if everything shatters, he has to be nearby. In the end, I spot a group of his masked men outside a sewer entrance some ways from the palace. They’re congregating in a low depression below the dried up canal of the main street. Foul and odorous, this spot is just as nasty as the last, but now, I know why. Beneath this city, countless bodies lie, and this unholy scent is not mere rotting sewage but that of the Flesh Witch’s corruption.
Ironically, I care not what monsters lie below, or indeed whether the Witch Issel survived my Icebomb surprise. In truth, I care only for the monsters above…the girl who I fear I may have corrupted…and the man responsible for making her this way. Casting my gaze about, the scene becomes clear. Dozens of men, probably close to fifty, gather before the mouth of the sewer tunnel. One of them stands behind all the others, leading from the back, in safety and shadows.
Hello, Stranger.
Immediately, I know him for who he is. Before I greet his flock, I’m already casting. In the past, I have always held back. For sheer fear of blowing myself up, call it self preservation, call it prudence, I’ve rarely casted a true Icebomb with all of my mana. Subconsciously, I usually hold back. But in this moment…hehe…even I have no idea what I’m capable of. It feels like my limits have been lifted. Or perhaps my boundaries. The glowing ball swirling about in my hand…it could do anything…
[Muddy Stone of My Endurance, Move Forth-Meld]
[Frozen Water of My Soul, Come Forth-Chill]
“STRAAANGER!” I shouldn’t cry out. I know that. Careful planning. Scheming. That is who I am. I can see the bloody future…and yet, before this man, it feels like I see nothing except what he wants me to see. In my head, I had this thought. That I would wait in ambush, hold back my spells. Find an opportunity to strike. But to be honest, I knew it wouldn’t go that way. Without Meera…I know this man’s power. And I know I am not enough. Thus, I go with a plan that I would normally never entertain, not even in my deepest, darkest moments. But it’s the only way to get his attention. Perhaps I am not myself. “DON’T MOVE!”
He turns around as if expecting me. The Stranger’s eyes, just black holes in his smiling mask, greet me. His gaze narrows on the growing Icebomb in my hand. Even though he makes no noise, and that devilish white mask conceals all features, I can sense his hesitation. He and I…we’re getting to know each other too well, I think. It’s a shame, I missed the clues of his betrayal until now. Always, I assumed he might backstab me. But to use my little sister who I thought secure in the safest place, amongst my most staunch supporters…well, that was out of expectations.
“Myrr…it’s good to see you,” the Stranger greets me. As if we really are just old friends. The mockery in his voice is truly a masterpiece. “I see you’ve finally spoken to Echo. But yet…it seems your reunion wasn’t so sweet.”
“Don’t move!” I growl again. The Stranger holds up his hands, glancing warily down at the Icebomb in my left hand. He cocks his head and I shake mine in response. I hope I’m convincing when I say, “You test me…we all die.”
“You really think so?” The Stranger laughs. His mask, slightly tilted, gives off an air of nonchalance as he disregards my threat and takes a step forwards. “Myrr…Myrr…Myrr…I think there’s been a little misunderstanding-”
“Misunderstand this!” I let him know what I think of his plan-
*BOOM*
The ground shakes under us as a demonstration Icebomb, I planted earlier on the way here, detonates. It’s even stronger than the one I gave him to use on Issel. A huge dust plume rises from the buildings behind me.
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“One more step. And that…” Pointing over my shoulder with my thumb, I smile emptily as the wind billows through my hair, “Will happen here. Trust me, I don’t give a damn how strong you are. At this range, you’re not walking away.”
“Maybe…well then, my boy, you’ve been holding out on me…” the Stranger sounds a bit unnerved. He’s still wily though. His devilish words continue, though he dares not take another step closer. His followers eye me from behind him. But none make a move. The Stranger snaps his fingers and they part ways to make room for someone to make his way out. I recognize the henchman in the frowning mask, Blink. He has a curved scimitar to Natalia’s throat. She’s been gagged and her hands tied. Without her mask, I no longer see her as Echo. She is my sister again. Her flaming orange tail whips about angrily but Natalia can’t do anything with Blink dragging her along. Speaking slowly, the Stranger regains his confidence once his henchman moves a hostage closer to us, “It’s a nice move, Myrr. But you wouldn’t dare detonate that with your little friend here so close.”
“Wouldn’t I?”
“No…you wouldn’t. That much, I’m sure of,” the Stranger nods confidently and I can only sigh, holding the Icebomb steady. He’s right.
“Why don’t you come closer and find out?” I challenge. That unsteadies him a bit. However, his next reply shakes me to the bone.
“I could…though I’m not entirely confident. However, I must say, my boy…don’t you think that you place a little too much faith in your magical contraptions?” The Stranger enjoys my confusion for a moment. Savors it like a fine wine. He’s smiling under that mask. I’m sure of it.
“What do you mean?” I ask. The Stranger does not answer. Instead, it is Blink, his henchman who laughs.
“Boy, do you really think those Icebombs of yours are what’s been terrifying this city?” He tells me, “This is Merekeep, the City of Assassins! No matter how deadly your spells are, when you place them willy-nilly here and there, it’s just sheer luck whether or not they’re close enough to cause fatal damage most of the time.”
“Still, they fear me. Am I not the Black Assassin?” I say.
“Sure you are…NOT.” Blink chortles even harder. At this, the Stranger also chuckles. His henchman looks to him, “Shall I tell him, Boss?”
“Go ahead, Blink,” the Stranger answers.
“Tell me what?” I look between them warily. Suddenly, there’s a cold feeling behind my shoulder blades. Like icy water running down the back of my spine. Did I miss something else?
“Well, since you’re so eager to know the truth, boy.” Blink clears his throat. “Truth is, those Icebombs of yours are handy little toys. But after we tested them a few times…we found that their usefulness was lacking. There’s only so many places you can hide them without being seen, and to kill anyone with real skill in Qi control, well…you’d have to get the damn things too close for it to be practical. Truth be told, while I’m somewhat leery of that big spell in your hand, I’d give the Boss and I some chances of surviving it. Same can’t be said for yourself though. You’d be right next to it, not to mention poor Echo here. She was acting a bit out of sorts so we had to…discipline her. Fraid to say, she might be a bit frazzled. Her defenses aren’t quite at their best. Qi control takes a clear mind.”
At this, Natalia thrashes in his grip angrily. He slams his fist into the back of her head and she goes limp. The red in my gaze flashes bright scarlet. However, Blink’s scimitar to Natalia’s throat keeps me from making any rash moves. The Stranger nods approvingly as he sees me back off. I take a moment to collect myself. This is bad…without Meera…if they rush me…I’ll have no choice but to detonate and hope for the best. Still, they have no idea what this thing can do. If I can just get Natalia away from them, I might have a chance. But I don’t think they’re going to give it to me…have to keep them talking-
“But my Icebombs have been killing people. Consistently. You told me that people were afraid.” I try to counter and regain my leverage. Unfortunately, the truth is rather cruel. Blink practically giggles as he easily holds Natalia’s slumped form by the waist. I frown, “Did you lie to me?”
“No…no. People are afraid.” Blink glances over at the Stranger and they exchange a look. Mocking me with a shared secret. “Alright, I’ll tell you. Surprised you didn’t figure this out already. Your Icebombs aren’t enough to kill unless someone gets within range…but they are effective as a distraction from any distance. Once the explosion opened a hole in their defenses someone just needed to go in and finish the job…”
“Finish the job?” I whisper as the two of them watch me, waiting for me to understand. Blink shakes Natalia like a bag of bones and she groans. Horror clouds my thoughts as I realize the true scope of what they’ve done to her. “Then you’ve been…unless…no…you wouldn’t…she’s just a girl…”
“You’re the one who gave me the idea, my boy. Demi’s are real killers.” The Stranger sounds incredibly smug as he goes over and strokes the top of Natalia’s fuzzy ears. Take your hand off before I rip it off! “Isn’t it fitting that Merekeep’s rulers should be punished by those they’ve wronged? Look, I don’t see why you’re so mad, Myrr. You, yourself have made use of our furry cousins. And little Echo wanted so badly to help you. I simply gave her a chance to prove herself. And now look at her…when she came, Echo was just another Rainstopper. But now…she’s magnificent! I brought out the potential in her. She’s a stone cold killer now.”
“You’re…sick.”
…
…
Natalia…I’m so sorry…
I never should have left you alone.
This is my fault.
I’m getting you out of this!