The first night in Chikara brought a blend of excitement and trepidation for Achelous. The city was a labyrinth of light and shadow, teeming with life and energy that pulsed through its streets like a living entity. After securing a modest room in a quiet inn near the city's edge, Achelous took to the streets to familiarize himself with the city's nocturnal face.
As he walked, the Vanta Executioner, now disguised as a simple dagger sheathed at his side, seemed to hum with a silent energy, almost in sync with the rhythm of the city. Achelous's senses, heightened by his soul shard power, cut through the night, picking up hushed conversations, the soft tread of footsteps in alleyways, and the distant sounds of the city's nightlife.
While exploring a dimly lit tavern, a place that seemed to attract a more discreet clientele, Achelous overheard snippets of conversations about the city's power dynamics, the struggles of its underbelly, and the often-misunderstood role of assassins like himself. He remained a silent observer, absorbing every word, every nuance.
It was here that a grizzled old man, his eyes carrying the weight of years and secrets, approached Achelous. "You're new here, aren't you? An outsider, and if my eyes don't deceive me, an assassin by trade," the man said, his voice a raspy whisper.
Achelous regarded the man cautiously. "That's a bold assumption to make about a stranger."
The old man chuckled, a dry, rasping sound. "In Chikara, one learns to read the signs. You carry yourself like a man who knows death. But be warned, young assassin, this city is a double-edged sword. It offers much, but it can turn on you in a heartbeat. Assassins, while necessary, are often misunderstood and scorned. Do not overstay your welcome."
Achelous pondered the man's words. "I appreciate the warning. I don't intend to linger longer than necessary."
"Good," the old man nodded, his eyes flickering with a hint of something unreadable. "Chikara respects strength but never loyalty. Watch your back."
With that cryptic advice, the man melted away into the shadows of the tavern, leaving Achelous to his thoughts. The encounter left him contemplative, a reminder that his path was fraught with more than just physical dangers.
Returning to the inn, Achelous spent a restless night, his mind replaying the day's events and the old man's warning. He rose at dawn, determined to carry out his mission swiftly. After a quick breakfast, he packed his belongings and prepared to leave the inn.
Before departing, he shared a quiet moment with Terran. "This city is a web of intrigue and hidden daggers, Terran. We need to be careful, move swiftly, and then disappear. Today, I complete my assignment and then we leave Chikara."
Terran, his form flickering in the early light, nodded. "I understand, big brother. Let's do what we came here to do and move on. Our journey is far from over."
Achelous set out as the city awoke, the streets slowly filling with the hustle of daily life. His target lay on the outskirts of Chikara, and with each step, he felt the Vanta Executioner's presence, a constant ally in the world of shadows he was about to navigate.
As Achelous left the city's boundary, the sun climbing higher in the sky, he felt a sense of urgency. Chikara had been an experience, a step in his journey, but it was time to focus on the task at hand. The clan leader's fate awaited, and with it, a new chapter in Achelous's story. The city, with all its intrigue and danger, faded into the background as he ventured into the unknown, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
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The new day was here. Stormy weather had sheltered Chikara on a regular basis and today was no exception. Achelous wondered the streets towards the gate he first entered. A strange green glow reflected in the stone gate. He hadn't noticed it before. "Terran was that glow there before?"
Little Terro casted a side glance at the gate and didn't notice any tinge of color.
"Big bro are you okay? there isn't anything there?"
Achelous decided to shrug it off and ask questions later, there was a mission to complete and he didn't want to waste time. The day was perfect, darker than usual and heavy rain to cover him and his mission. The brothers walked a few miles into what slowly became denser wilderness around them. Plenty of vegetation and trees. But no mountains or hills to put the village in site. They continued forward knowing the village leader would be just a few hours away.
A small village lay before them, Achelous found a nearby try to survey the land. It was a simple village, more of a homestead. One large farm surrounded by 6 houses. a few cattle and several plots of tilled soil to plant.
"It looks like they are stocking up for winter. Their harvest looks freshly collected. lets rest for the rest of the day and wait for night fall. I want to observe this village and make sure they can survive without their leader." Achelous resolve was clear, the mission was to kill the leader, not destroy the village.
"Good Idea big bro, what do you think Chikara has planned for this village after we finish the task?"
"It's none of my business. Lets assume they want to lay claim to the village and expand, what are we to do? Take on the entire legion of power cells?"
His big brothers words puzzled him, he didn't expect him to be so cold hearted. But He couldn't argue with his words either.
"Don't trouble yourself with the morality little Terro, I am not the type of person to aimlessly kill people. In this case, there is a big fish trying to eat a smaller fish, and were the knights that will make that happen. Someone put a hit on him, which means one of two things, he is either involved with the wrong people, making him guilty by association, or Chikara wants the land and he is too proud to move. This is the cycle of power and life. now lets set up a small camp a mile out, we will camp out for the day and come back."
****
Later that evening, a small group of 3 surrounding a large fire in the middle. "Hey chief, when is our next shipment coming in for the crops? I'm not trying to repeat last winter.." The chief, a tall man covered in fur pelt and the most well fed of them all had let out a deep sigh.
"The next shipment wont be coming in. The city has cut us off until we agree to give up our land. this might be the end of us." or me at least. The small tribe had started and would end small it seemed, the two next to him felt this in their heart. but they also realized their leader was not fit and had grown resentful towards him since they were loyal to him the day he saved them from an ambush, but he had failed to provide.
The chief stood up towering over the already large fire, "I am sorry to the both of you and your families. The last few years have not been easy, and I hope you can find it in yo-" a deep gash in his neck suddenly opened up, he fell to his knees as the blood raced out. No trace of a weapon was used, no sound.
Fifty meters away, atop a tree, Achelous had found a branch to line up his shot with the Vanta executioner. Once his released the arrow, he paused to make sure it hit and that the Chief would not turn into anything. "It seems the chief had no regrets.", He looked upon the villagers since there was no hurry, They were struck with confusion, resentment, gratitude, and sorrow all at once. One of them burst into tears, and the other joyfully consoled them, telling them they can go start fresh once more.
Achelous looked into the distance seeing this, feeling a bit of confusion in his heart. Killing before was always a means for survival, this was his first time killing for money. He recuperated quickly after remembering what he told his younger brother. "Its my journey to make, and I have no choice to back out now."
Achelous and little Terro ventured back to Chikara the next morning. Inspecting the gate, the green layer was gone, leaving Achelous to feel uneasy. He had keen eyes he trusted and would need to revisit this later, but it was time to turn in his card for a job complete.