"Momma! Momma, where going?" a stumbling toddler exclaimed.

  Turning, Sirena kneeled to hold Kou's shoulders. "Momma's gotta work, honey."

  "Why does you gotta work every... every day? You said we could... could..."

  "Could?" she chuckled.

  "... could play!" Kou said, briefly throwing his hands up.

  She sighed. "I know, I know... but work is important, ho―"

  "More 'tant than me?"

  "Heavens, no!" Sirena said, standing up to lift the boy. "You are my everything! Don't you ever forget it, little man!"

  Kou hugged her, resting his head on her shoulder. "I wuv you, momma."

  "I... I love you too, honey," she whispered, gently planting a kiss on his neck while caressing his hair. "Always."

  Pulling back, an excited smile painted the toddler's face. "Momma?"

  "Yes, dear?"

  "Magic twick 'fore you go?"

  She laughed, setting him down. "You love those, dontcha?"

  Nodding, he pointed at their closet door. "Twick!"

  "Alriiight... but real quick!" Opening it, Sirena looked back at him. Bouncing her eyebrows once and entering, she left the door cracked.

  Kou stumbled toward the closet in excitement. Swinging it open, she was nowhere in sight. His eyes narrowed. "M-Momma? Momma, whe―"

  "Look behind you!"

  Turning, there Sirena was, kneeling with her arms open. Running to her, mother and son embraced. "How does... does you do it?!"

  Laughing, she stood up, lifting him. "Us mommas have our ways."

  "More twicks when home?"

  "You betcha." Kissing his forehead, she set him down.

  A knight emerged from the hallway. Stopping behind Kou, they lifted him in their arms. "You had best be on your way, Lady Sirena."

  "Right." She grabbed a naginata on the wall. "Keep my little one safe."

  "You needn't ask. You always have my word," the knight responded while a giggling Kou prodded his helmet.

  She blew a kiss at Kou. "Love you, honey! Momma will be back soon!"

  "Bye, L-Lay... Lady Sir... Sirena! Wuv you!"

  "O-Oh my goodness. I apologize, m'lady," the knight stammered.

  Sirena laughed, smiling. "That's quite alright. It's a good way to start the day." Saluting the knight, she headed out.

. . .

  A shaky, distressed breath parted Saeko's lips. Staring at her mirror, her reflection and highly decorated bedroom stared back. Wearing a light pink bouffant dress and white boots, she sought assurance that today was going to go smooth, so she imagined it going well. It was a way that maybe, just maybe, she'd hold up in another reality if she failed here.

  "My queen, the colosseum is prepared. The citizens await your address."

  Turning, a light-skinned man in a black suit and boots stood before her. His short, light grey hair beautifully contrasted his dark brown eyes that seemingly always contained joy. A smile covered his face.

  Despite his presence, Saeko still felt butterflies fluttering about in her stomach. "What if it doesn't go well, Makoto? These people... they look up to me as their leader. Their expectations of me are astronomical."

  He shook his head. "Young'uns like yourself love to worry when there ain't nothin' to fret over. Let us elders handle that," he said, examining her outfit for discrepancies. "If the last two speeches went well, then this one surely will as well. You got the charisma, that's for sure!"

  After his approval, Saeko put her crown on. "But this speech only occurs once every year. People change. My carefully prepared speeches aren't guaranteed fluidity or standing ovations."

  Sauntering to the door, Makoto held it open. "That doesn't matter. Charisma does the elaborating that you forget. You could be the worst speaker and still succeed!" He slightly bowed. "Take it from me, m'lady."

  Chuckling, she walked through the door and down a set of stairs. "Maybe so... wait, are you implying I'm a bad speaker, Makoto? At least sugarcoat it for me! What if my father heard that?"

  He laughed, following after he closed the door. "Of course not! I wouldn't hear the end of it... not that I'd mind! Knowing him, he'd take the liberty to lecture me about how you're one of the best out there."

  "Heh... yup. That's my father for you." She grasped the diamond pendant at the end of her necklace. "Always caring and prideful until the end."

  Heavily armored knights lining the first-floor walls patiently awaited the duo's arrival. They instantly kneeled when Saeko came into view, but she quickly gestured them to be at ease. Standing straight, they supplied their undivided attention, hands resting on their sword hilts.

  Stopping in front of two grand doors, Saeko faced the knights.

  "You know how I feel when mighty individuals like yourselves bow before me, but that's what you've sworn to do. You've also been around me long enough to know I'm mediocre at giving speeches on the spot... but this isn't about me. I wanted to personally tell you I appreciate your services to the highest degree. Today's speech should better summarize how I feel, though, so let's be on our way. Our beds await our return!"

  "Yes, Queen Saeko!" they enthusiastically returned. Stomping once in place, they turned to face the grand doors.

  Saeko stepped aside as a group of guards hastily pulled the doors open. The knights, marching out of the palace and filing onto the streets, established a defensive perimeter around a decorated carriage.

  "They're too much sometimes... and I mean that in a good way!" Saeko said, walking down the steps with Makoto.

  Makoto glanced at the formation, approvingly nodding. "The greatest thing a knight can give within his bounds of mortality is his life. While they may be too much to you, they view themselves as far too little for the great deeds you have done, and will do, for Sunguhai. It's the least they could do in their eyes."

  "My respect for those men will always be immense... I can only pray that I live up to everyone's expectations. My father set the bar high, but it's my duty as the heir to rise above it."

  Wishing to leave it at that, Makoto rushed ahead to open the carriage door. Saeko boarded, though not after experiencing difficulty because of her dress.

  Entering and shutting the door, he sat across from her. "Your majesty, I must admit that I'm amazed you even managed to fit in the carriage!"

  "Well, I never!" Saeko exclaimed, moving a hand over her heart. "I'll have you know that I am NOT fat, thank you very much!"

  "What do y— wait, no no no! I did NOT mean th—"

  The queen erupted in laughter. "I-I know! I'm j-just pullin' your leg!"

  Makoto sighed and playfully rolled his eyes, rubbing his forehead like he had been sweating.

  Eventually calming down, Saeko gestured to their seats. "I'm not surprised, though. We took this carriage the last two times, remember?"

  He scratched his head in confusion. "Really? I s'pose my memory must've stuck with the other carriages. Makes me wonder if your last two speeches were as good as I thought they were..."

  "H-Hey!"

  "Gotcha!" Makoto wheezed, unable to stifle his laughter — Saeko couldn't resist laughing with him. Although, he abruptly stopped a few moments later. "I... I ain't joking 'bout the carriage part, though..."

  Muffled inquiries and commanding shouts traveled around the carriage before it went quiet. Moments later, an authoritative voice made a statement regarding protection and confidence.

  "Yessir!" the surrounding band of knights responded.

  With a crack of the driving reins, the carriage jerked to life. Its horses began pulling at a fixed, leisurely pace. Meanwhile, the knights marched alongside it, walking in near-perfect coordination. A few runners took the lead, clearing the path of any civilians or objects.

  Following a few seconds of trotting, the sound of cheering gradually grew in volume. Sounding like a chant, it wasn't very understandable due to the carriage muffling them.

  "If my intuition is correct," Makoto began, "I believe they're chanting your name out of excitement."

  She grinned. "And what kind of leader would I be if I were to ignore my people?"

  "That's the spirit!"

  Saeko pushed open a hatch on the carriage roof, rendering the noise understandable. The crowd was indeed chanting her name in a song-like rhythm. Putting her crown on Makoto's head, she quickly poked her upper body out. Meanwhile, he took out a booklet on paintings, reading while internally laughing from her childlike behavior.

  The breeze caressed her face as her auburn hair danced wildly with the wind. Gazing around, people crowded the sidewalks like there was no tomorrow. Elders clapped, adults shouted, and children jumped in place with their crudely designed, though clearly well-cared-for signs.

  Such a display of patriotism filled Saeko's heart with invigoration and confidence. She felt just like the enthusiastic crowd below, returning their waves and cheers. "Greetings, my citizens! Hello! Hello to all! Salutations! Greetings, my subjects! Thank you so much for your affection! Words are ineffective in expressing my true gratitude!"

  For the few minutes they traveled down the street, Saeko exchanged compliments with as many people as she could like it was her job. When the carriage came to a halt in front of a grand water fountain, though, it was time to get back to business. As an aged colosseum stared back at her, Saeko waved one last time before vanishing back into the carriage, closing the hatch.

  Makoto, pocketing his booklet, returned the crown to her. "The Path of Ancestry lies ahead, your majesty. Are you ready?"

  She smirked, straightening her half-back-length hair. "Need you ask, Makoto? A Hinode never keeps their subjects waiting! Out of all people, you should know that!"

  "I actually DID remember that, but I think I had to ask regardless. You and that hair of yours would be here for hours if I hadn't been so generous," Makoto chuckled. Stepping out, he held the door.

  She raised a finger to protest the claim, but the protest never came. Hesitantly accepting defeat with disappointment, she exited. Two knights in white armor holding large shields stood on either side of her.

  "It is an honor to walk alongside you once more, Queen Saeko," both whispered.

  "The feeling is mutual, Haru and Fuyu."

  Citizens still lined either side of the now quiet street, but knights now stood in front of them to ensure no interference. An ancient grand fountain marked the kingdom's center, and atop it was a shield, colors tarnished with time. The equipment adorned a faded dove illustration, though only some scratches to mark the engraving of the lining remained.

  Further down the road, four knights pushing something on wheels in the distance slowly neared. As they rounded the fountain, an evidently archaic construct became visible. It was a large wooden horn whose base had been cemented in a stone slab.

  Stopping in front of the fountain, the knights quickly joined the line of others alongside the road. With that, the quartet proceeded down the road, hundreds of eyes watching. Haru, Makoto, and Fuyu were at ease, but Saeko felt otherwise. She knew everyone's eyes would be fond of her.

  After all, she was the one that had to blow the fabled Horn of Ascension.

  While the trio stopped a few feet before the horn, Saeko continued before stopping directly in front of it. When her boots came to a stop, there was nothing but silence — even the somewhat distant colosseum was silent. Everyone was waiting.

  At that moment, Saeko could only hear her heartbeat. Looking back at the trio, they each nodded with an encouraging smile. Focusing on the horn again, she inhaled deeply. She had done this two times already, and she was going to do it again.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Grasping the horn, she blew life into it. What followed was the powerful echoing of inspiration — Ascension — traveling throughout Sunguhai like Phantom Riders. As it did, everyone but Saeko put their left hand over their hearts, listening contently.

  Stepping back, Saeko looked around. To see the kingdom's citizens — to see her citizens — unify under tradition was blindingly beautiful. Prideful, she placed her right hand over her heart.

  A hot air balloon ascended from the colosseum as the echo gradually faded. Citizens everywhere exploded in cheer, shouting "Ascension!" Runners started traversing the streets with baskets as well, handing out flowers.

  "That's one of the best ones yet, your majesty!" Haru said in a half-shout as he, Makoto, and Fuyu joined Saeko's side once more.

  "No kidding!" Fuyu joined in. "I sometimes wonder if that reaches the mountains!"

  "It better after how abused my lungs feel! I think this is the loudest cheer yet!" Saeko laughed. "As much as I'd love to brag about how great that was, though, we really should be getting to the colosseum!"

  Fuyu and Haru nodded, saluting. "Understood, your majesty!" they said in unison, hurrying off to command their legions.

  Smiling at their energy, Saeko reboarded the carriage with Makoto, who had taken the liberty to collect a flower from one of the runners. It wasn't long before it jerked back to life to begin its journey.

  "That went better than I expected, I must admit."

  "I knew you'd be able to do it," Makoto said with a reassuring smile. "I never doubted you for one second."

  Saeko's only response was her smirking for a moment.

  Other than occasional road bumps and muffled cheering, the ride was uncharacteristically quiet. Saeko was slouched, staring out of the window next to her. While she was deep in thought, Makoto observed in silent concern.

  Their carriage went through a small tunnel, the cheering completely dissipating until returning in greater magnitude moments later. The crowd somehow roared louder than before, chanting 'Saeko.' They had arrived in the colosseum.

  "We've arrived, your majesty," Makoto said as their carriage came to a halt. About to exit, he paused. The woman across from him was trembling, breathing heavier than usual. "Saeko? What's wrong?"

  She looked up, clasping her hands. "I-I'm nervous," she muttered, looking out the window at the crowd. "I d-don't know if I c-can do this."

  "Nonsense!" Kneeling, he held both of her hands. "Of course you can! Why can't you?"

  "I-I... I don't have my notes! I f-forgot them! What if I... what if I-I forget what I'm going to say?"

  "Do you remember what I told you before your very first speech?"

  Her eyes studied his face, but she shook her head.

  "The best speeches come from what your heart instinctually tells you, not parchment." Releasing Saeko's hands, he put the flower he had collected in her hair. It was a rose. "Reading makes you get caught on your words, but listening and relaying what you want doesn't. Know why?"

  Caressing the rose for comfort, she shook her head again.

  "Because you have the freedom to choose your words, and with that freedom comes what you like to call fluidity."

  Sitting up, she placed her left hand over her heart. "I just... I don't want to mess up. My father... he trusted the family's kingdom with me... he trusted our people with me."

  Makoto placed his right hand over his heart this time. "And might I ask why you're the queen?"

  "I... I don't know."

  "That's not true. You just told me why." He pointed to her heart with his other hand. "He trusts you. Why do you think you're the one to blow the Horn of Ascension?"

  Saeko's posture grew a bit straighter. "Because... because as queen, it is my job to inspire those around me. To lead my people."

  "And what's your name?"

  She stood up, her trembling voice now absent. "I am Saeko Hinode, daughter of Amato Masuda and Ren Hinode, and Queen of Sunguhai!"

  "... and remind me again what a Hinode never does?"

  "K-KEEP THEIR SUBJECTS WAITING! How long has it been?!" Making sure her crown was on, Saeko immediately let herself out. All Makoto could do was chuckle.

  The moment she stepped out, the audience erupted in an enthusiastic ovation. Around one hundred knights already stood at attention, enclosing her in a large circle. Ahead was a small platform directly in the center with a small podium resting on it. Makoto, closing the carriage door, leaned against it.

  She began her long walk of pride to the platform. Haru and Fuyu stood on both sides of the stairs that led up to it like statues. As she passed them, all they did was offer a subtle nod.

  Now on the platform, Saeko's heart started sprinting up a hill of anxiety, but she made it walk. Gulping, she raised her hands. The crowd's volume mirrored her gradual lowering of them until it was silent.

  Grasping the podium, she looked around. Every spectator looked like an ant to her, but they felt like a towering giant in judgment. Taking a deep breath and remembering what Makoto told her, her heart took the wheel, guiding her mouth and words.

  "T-Today... t-today, we stand w-where o-our ancestors once stood hundreds of years ago! Today, we stand where we do with a sense of unification! However, know that it IS NOT provided by my anniversary as queen! Rather, know it is because we share excitement for knowing WE are why Sunguhai has endured the enemy that reigns over every other perceptible threat: time!"

  "Time is an intimidating foe, but this kingdom — our kingdom — stands as a testament against the preconceived notion that everything deteriorates as time progresses! For nearly four hundred years, we have stood the trials of time!" Releasing the podium, she circled the platform. "Allow me to utter some words that may be frowned upon due to the somewhat bleak reality your overly imaginative minds may picture."

  She quickly turned, holding up a finger. "But before I do, it is IMPERATIVE for you to recognize that an overly imaginative mind is not a curse, even when fear is the main result!" Her extended hand clenched into a fist. "Fear and imagination are what feed the appetite for innovation, and the need for innovation is the trigger for this cycle to repeat!"

  Holding both her hands behind her back, Saeko continued to circle the platform. "Following my ascension to queen, it felt like a mountain was placed on my shoulders. Responsibility had never felt greater than during the moment I felt the crown of my ancestors placed on my head. I knew I had to — needed to — find a way to triumph, but it is impossible to climb that which is balancing on you..."

  Some of the audience began murmuring before sinking back into silence.

  "... or at least it is without means other than yourself. When I say that, though, I am not implying the help of a pulley system or others. I mean by my body, and ONLY my body. Nothing else could aid me in my endeavor, but why, you ask?" She momentarily placed her left hand over her heart. "Because this challenge wasn't physical. It was mental. Only the efforts of my mind could prove of help to me... but that's not to say others didn't help me."

  Saeko paused, pointing at every section of the audience before directing it to the defenders surrounding her... before it stopped in an unoccupied space. Squinting to make sure she saw right, she slowly lowered her hand, shaking her head. He wasn't here.

  "Everyone here has bolstered my mentality, giving me the confidence I had so desperately needed. From that formed a counterweight, and that counterweight was enlightenment... motivation! That mountain? That obstacle that seemed impossible to overcome? Motivation lifted it — you lifted it. When it was off my shoulders, I climbed it with ease..."

  "... but my climb, even if I conquered my mountain, will NEVER conclude." Walking back to the podium, she pounded her fist on it. "You heard me! It will NEVER conclude, not until the last person devoted to this kingdom passes on!" She held her hands up like a preacher.

  "Our economy, security, culture, religion... all of those things, plus more... they're all influenced by our past, present, and future propositions and actions. Identity, and everything it encompasses, is an idea. Our ideas preserve us in time — time is not an enemy to us; it is an ally — and they carry influence! Until the concept of an idea vanishes, we will live on, every one of us! In one way or another, our views are linked in an intricate web of ideologies! Never has only one sole person ever contributed to a society alone. We ALL work together!"

  Lowering her hands, Saeko took a deep breath to regain composure. She could feel the adrenaline of success coursing through her, her hands shaking, and her heart beating like drums at a festival. It was a high she knew she could get accustomed to, though. Plotting her next move was difficult when her mind felt like a highway of possible points, but she chose.

  "This brings me to my next topic: opposition."

The knights below tightened formation. No longer was there space to squeeze between them, and no longer was there minuscule blind spots.

  "Not all of us work together, though. As you may or may not already know, threats from a clan of some sort outside Sunguhai have surfaced... but rest assured, these have not been ignored — they never will." Saeko extended a hand, slowly turning in a circle. "No matter how large this kingdom may be, the smallest of threats will be treated as a declaration of full-on war, even if the proposer is as small as a house! Some may think that's dramatic, but I certainly don't. We boast no mercy for those who threaten our kingdom or its inhabitants.

  "On a high note, our interpreters have closely studied said threats. Their wording implies the usage of highly advanced weaponry that we call Lunarythe." She held up a finger again. "But remember what I said about fear? It drives innovation, and innovation we have achieved! Our scientists knew these weapons would endanger us, but when was unknown. It's evident that said day is upon us, so countermeasures will be integrated immediately… while you may wonder what they are, I'd rather not disclose such information."

  "But that brings me to my final topic. It's information I've disclosed once, but I feel I must do it again. The clan I mentioned isn't the only thing endangering our kingdom. Something else is out there, but we do not yet know its origin. While I can't bring much to the table, what I can tell you is that we are trying to gather any information we can."

  The audience seemed visibly unsettled, murmuring amongst themselves. An aura of uneasiness and tension had filled the atmosphere. Silence felt like it had been further silenced.

  While Saeko's voice was authoritative throughout the speech, it shifted. Now akin to sounding like a mother was explaining something to their terrified and conflicted child, the murmurs stopped.

  "I don't tell you the things I do to scare you. I tell you because you're entitled to know what threatens you. I'm not going to lie to you to supply a false sense of security. I tell you the truth so that you may know what you're defending yourself from... so you may be an innovator of your own."

  "But rest assured. Until I say otherwise, you are safe in these walls, and I will ensure it remains that way. I vowed, and still vow, to follow in the steps of my parents and ancestors to progress our kingdom toward prosperity and safety. As the Queen of Sunguhai, you have my word and service. Thank you."

  Placing her crown on the podium, she bowed before the crowd. Everyone exploded in cheering that silenced the few murmurs. Excitement coursed through Saeko as she looked at Makoto, Haru, Fuyu, and the surrounding knights. They were all facing her, clapping.

  Putting her crown back on and trying to remain professional, she descended the platform. Wishing to keep her promise, Saeko shook every knight's hand, personally thanking them for their service. After doing so, and after waving one last time, she entered the carriage with Makoto.

  "You remind me of your father," the elder said, his face pensive. "He would've been so proud of you, Saeko."

  Her adrenaline and pride, running free a few minutes ago, slowed down to a walk. Resting her chin on her hand, she gazed out the window as the carriage began moving. "Do you think he would be as well?"

  "I cannot speak for his feelings. That is for you to discover."

  "You're comfortable enough to speak for my father. Why are you so hesitant to speak for my brother?"

  "Because your brother finds pleasure in isolating himself from the royal family. He makes no effort to attend any events unless directly consulted. I cannot and will not speak for a man whose presence feels like nothing more than the average citizen when there are thousands."

  Saeko looked at Makoto, appearing upset. "Y-You don't know that! If he's an a-average citizen, he was in that crowd!"

  Makoto remained calm. "I know that because he isn't your average citizen. That 'citizen' has royal blood coursing through his veins. Citizens show support through attending events, while blood royals obviously do much more than that. Yet, he acts like it's a burden and sin to the point that it looks like he believes he'd be exiled if he even dared to show any remote intentions of doing so."

  She had no words to retaliate with, seeming to shrink in pride. Deep down, she knew Makoto was right. "You're right. I just... I l-like to imagine that he does care s-sometimes... I like to i-imagine the Horn of Ascension has finally touched his heart," she said, pressing a hand to the window.

  "I'm sorry for being so blunt, but that's just the way he is." He stood, moving to sit next to her. "You can't bring yourself down just because you aren't able to change one person, Saeko. He will always be in your family, even if it feels like he isn't there. At least confide in the fact that you have touched the hearts and changed the lives of thousands."

  Her eyes lit up a bit, a small smile claiming her lips. "Thank you, Makoto... your inspiration, encouragement, and wisdom give me closure."

  "The pleasure is mine. While we’re on the subject, remember that you have a meeting today."

  Saeko nodded. "Of course. I just hope Sirena doesn't mind an extra guest."

. . .

  As Saeko and Makoto left the colosseum, everyone gradually funneled out as well. Among the last to leave was a man who took to the shadows. He cut through mazes of alleyways, eyes of the poverty-stricken sticking to him like magnets as he breathed heavily.

  Breathlessly re-emerging minutes later in front of a newspaper building, he opened the door. Standing in the doorway, he inhaled the lingering smell of ink and success in the air. Relaxing his muscles while catching his breath, a shove interrupted him.

  Hitting the ground, he rolled over to see who shoved him. The instant he did, he rapidly retreated to the back wall. Occupying his doorway was a shadowed figure, the sun outlining its silhouette like a heavenly scene. The only distinguishable feature was its long hair.

  "I'll never understand why people don't leave when the crowd does." Closing the door, the figure grabbed a four-foot bo from their back. "It only makes you more conspicuous."

  "W-What do you w-want?! I didn't d-do anything, I-I swear!" the terrified man said, getting up to lean against the wall.

  "I don't let what I assume about a man dictate my actions..."

  The frightened man seemed confused, but he grew concerned as the shrouded individual shoved a hand into their trench coat. Withdrawing a flat object, they flung it across the floor with two fingers like a frisbee. Picking it up after it came to a stop, his eyes widened.

  "... I let his actions assume mine."

  It was a newspaper. The front page headlined in big, bold letters: "Queen Saeko Makes Racist Statement Toward Local Tribe!"

  The journalist's eyes narrowed. Crumpling the newspaper into a ball, he squeezed it before dropping it, his veins popping. "W-What is this? Are you trying to frame me for the defamation of her majesty?!"

  "Do you know where your papers go every week?"

  "DO YOU HEAR ME?!"

  "They feed a literal fire, not a political one like you were hoping."

  "ANSWER ME!"

  "I know the pen isn't the only weapon you have here. The jig is up."

  Enraged, the accused reached under the table beside him. Pulling out a sword held up by straps, he charged, swinging with nothing but brute force. It contacted his opposer's bo, not even denting it.

  "I prefer a fair fight," the mysterious man said. His bo began to morph, extending onto the sword's steel. Even as the journalist tried to pull away before it began, his sword was stuck, and within a few seconds, the wood had encapsulated the blade. Yanking, he ripped the sword from the journalist. Setting the conjoined weapons on a table, he waited for his opponent to retaliate.

  Breathing heavily, the sweating journalist swung, but he had his hand caught mid-swing. About to retaliate with the other, he was shoved away with force, hitting the wall. Grunting in aggravation, he charged forward, performing a front kick.

  The assassin, having backed up to the table behind him, breathed evenly. Reaching back, he grabbed his bo with one hand, which freed the sword, while catching his kick with the other. Clicking his tongue twice, his bo shrunk to a foot before he brought it down upon the man’s kneecap, shattering it.

  Crying out, the journalist had his foot released. Hopping a few times on his good leg before falling, he clutched his kneecap, baring his teeth. "Y-You bastard!"

  Wordlessly, the assassin put his bo back on the table. Grabbing a chunk of the man's hair, he pulled him to his feet. The journalist elbowed backward in retaliation at his chest, but he kept hitting plating.

  They stood in front of a table with a printing press. The man, whose elbow bruised from how wildly he hit the plating, stopped. Tears streamed down his cheeks. "P-Please don't d-do this!"

  He began having his head pulled back.

  "I'll do a-anything! ANYTHING!"

  Back, back, back.

  "I... I w-was forced i-into doing this! P-PLEASE BELIEVE ME!"

  When his head was fully back, the assassin got a better grip.

  "O-Okay, okay! I-I'll tell y-you w-where our safehouse i-is!"

  The grip loosened, though not by much.

  "Y-Yeah, t-that's it. I h-have s-something you want."

  The assassin kicked the back of his shattered kneecap. "Your cockiness is something I don't want, though. Get rid of it."

  "O-Okay, okay, I'm s-sorry!" he cried in agony. "Take it easy!"

  "What of the safehouse?"

  "The r-red t-tent in the Botrophe district! There's a s-sewer grate that'll take you r-right to it! T-That's all I know, I s-swear!"

  He narrowed his eyes, retightening his grip. "I've come to discover that many only speak the truth when they believe it's in their power to make the possibility of their death a lie."

  "W-What do— w-wait, n—"

  He had his head bashed into the printing press multiple times, blood splattering as the sound of his nose breaking rang out. After his inevitable demise, he was released, falling back into a puddle of blood.

  Pocketing his bo, the assassin looked down at the journalist. Retrieving the crumpled newspaper on the floor, he scanned for something else. Grabbing a quill, he dipped the tip into the bloody puddle.

  Opening the door, a large, chatty group of beggars surrounded the storefront, crowding it like excited children staring at the new famous toy display. Pinning the crumpled paper on the door, they dispersed back into the alleys like nothing ever happened in the first place.

  Penned over the headline in runny blood was, "No More Lies."