Alo and Iris stood at the edge of the grasslands, their target's vacation home glowing in the distance on the tranquil shores of Bœr Lake. The air was thick with tension, each breath carrying the weight of their mission. Iris, with her keen elven senses, scans the surroundings, while Alo sends forth a small yellow bird to scout the fortress of a home.
"We must tread carefully," Alo muttered, his voice barely audible over the wind. As the bird returns and lands on his hand his tattoos begin glowing, " There’s at least 20 guards and we must assume they are vigilant, the tall grasses should offer us the cover we need to get in."
Iris nodded, making sure to keep her mind sharp as they began their approach. Her wooden leg now truly a part of her moves with ease, giving no hint of its artificial nature. Together, they moved with the grace of predators, closing the distance between them and their target's stronghold.
As they drew nearer, the scent of wildflowers mixed with the scent of the mud from the lakeshore. The vacation home loomed before them, a true eyesore against the backdrop of the serene grasslands. Guarded by men with nothing to lose who are willing to kill and die for coin .
Alo's gaze filled with uncertainty as he glanced at Iris, knowing the truth he withheld from her. He couldn't bear to reveal the real reason behind their mission, not out of guilt or concern, but simply because he enjoyed the power it gave him over her. The knowledge of his deception fueled a dark satisfaction within him, a strange pleasure gained from manipulating those around him.
Iris, sensing Alo's hesitation, offered him a reassuring smile, her determination unwavering. "We'll get through this, Alo. Together." Alo returned her smile with a cold smirk, his mind already calculating his next move. "Of course, my dear. Together."
With a new determination, they slipped through the tall grasses, their movements swift and silent. The guards patrolled the perimeter, but Alo and Iris were undeterred. They are a team forged from adversity, their bond one that remains unbroken.
As they climbed the outer walls surrounding the fortress of a home, the tension in the air thickened, almost like a force that seemed to press down upon them. Alo's heart raced in his chest, not out of fear or concern, but with the anticipation of the chaos to come.
With a silent nod, they sprang into action, their weapons flashing in the moonlight as they engaged their foes. Arrows fly from Iris’s bow with unparalleled accuracy, Alo lunges forth with his hunting knife always finding its perfect mark, the air is truly alive with the chaos of battle. Despite the odds stacked against them, Alo and Iris find themselves beginning to come out on top.
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The clash lasted for what only seemed like moments, the echoes of combat seeming to reverberate across the grasslands longer than the battle itself lasted. The last guard falls defeated and broken, just skull crushed under the weight of Alo’s heavy foot, leaving the path to their target's stronghold clear.
As they approached the imposing doors of the home, Alo's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Are you ready for what lies beyond?" Iris met his gaze with resolve, unaware of the darkness that he now hid within. "Always."
As Alo and Iris stepped into the illustrious interior of their enemy's sanctuary, they were met with an unparalleled display of wealth. Nude marble statues scattered the foyer, and a black fountain stands tall in the center of the room.
Iris wrinkles her nose at the overwhelming scent of rosemint that permeated the air, a bitter reminder of the tainted product their target peddled. "This place reeks," she muttered under her breath, her voice filled with disgust.
Alo's lips curled as he surveyed their surroundings, his hatred of this place evident in his gaze. "Indeed it does my dear. But we shall soon be leaving once the job is done."
With silent determination, they began their search, moving stealthily through the maze of halls of the home. Each room holds secrets, each corridor seems to become darker and darker the further they go, almost as if their target is trying to hide himself in the darkness. But Alo and Iris were undeterred, their resolve unshaken by the blackness that surrounded them. Alo grabs a lantern from a small table lighting it with a match knowing they might need it.
Finally, they reached a room that no light could penetrate, Alo slowly enters the room, the dim light barely revealing their target hiding in a far corner. His features twisted with fear as he saw their faces.
Iris's jaw clenched with anger at the sight of him, her grip tightening on her bow. "This is the man responsible for the tainted rosemint," she spat, her voice laced with venom. Alo's eyes shone with a cold intensity as he stepped forward, his voice dripping. "He is."
The man's eyes widened as he realized the true gravity of his situation, but before he could utter a word, Iris let loose an arrow, her aim true as it found its mark. The man fell, his life extinguished in an instant.
As the echoes of their victory echoed through the halls, Alo and Iris shared a silent nod of satisfaction. Their mission was complete but as they made their way back through the fortress-like home, Iris couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within her. The tainted rosemint weighed heavily on her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder if there were others out there suffering because of it.
As they stepped back out into the cool night air, Alo turned to Iris, his expression unreadable. "We've done what we came here to do, my dear. Let us leave this place behind us and move forward."
Iris nodded, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "Yes, let us leave.” Together, they disappear into the night, their footsteps echoing in the silence as they leave behind the fortress and all its secrets. And though their path ahead was uncertain, one thing remained clear after this night, they can face whatever challenges come their way.