Private Tales The Perks of being a Nymph

[Fèlen]

Basilisks and crypts. Guards and haunted forests. When Fèlen had first arrived to this new land, she had been ready and eager to explore all it had to offer, delving into adventure after adventure, making new allies. And new enemies.


After the forays she had entered, she was ready for a moment of leisure, having been lucrative enough to afford lodging in Elbion. Trade cities were among her favorite, finding herself ordering a room close to the square so she was not far from the hustle and bustle of busy streets, the constant life that ran through the areas where merchants set up their trade.


The night life was best, those who still lingered after dark looking for entertainment and social meetings. She was among such dealings, cobbled roads lit by the many lamps that fought the shadows. Several musicians had brought their instruments, playing together a merry tune with a high tempo in hopes of earning pay.


Her bare feet danced amongst the flames. Her lithe form left little to the imagination, slim abdomen bare whilst the majority of her flowing attire allowed her tempting flesh to be viewed beneath the lavender hues. Her chest bore a black bandeau, saving her chastity as silver tresses flowed around her form with each twist and twirl. Her motions were swayed to flaunt the swell of her hips, drawing eager attention from the crowds.

Khai

 

[Khai]

The trade city of Elbion, a charming home to extravagant festivals, lavishing parties and to some of the world's mightiest magical inovations and knowledge. And also, the center stage of a powerful and corrupted network at play, their devilish fingers clawing away at the good people and their hard earned work, their ploys funding various noblemen and common mercenaries alike, ranging from places like Alliria to Vel Anir, their dirty webs of henious crimes knowing no bounds.

But they had been marked. The Balance had to be kept, and their blood would provide it so.

Night had fallen over the city, the workers collecting their wares and closing their stalls only to join another batch of festivities that started early that evening, lights bearing an almost endless range of colors, fireworks reaching for the skies, grabbing the attention of the kids that were passing by.

But below that noisy display lay a shadow on the rooftops, his eyes trained on the streets in a cold gaze. Khai had been sent as the sole assassin to take on this cell of private warlords and racketeers who had been tied with multiple crimes all over the lands, with a recent disturbance happening in Vel Anir.

Two other shadows approached him, revealing themselves to the moonlight. "That's her?", asked a feminine voice as the trio watched below, between the crowds that gathered to awe in the graceful and attractive dance of a woman, her sweet features eclipsing everything with ease.

"The woman linked to that mess in Vel Anir, yes", answered Khai in his usual rushed tone, already fearing the playful remarks of his partner. The woman beside him laughed a bit, muffed by her hand covering her mouth.

"So pretty!", she sparked, playful. Khai growled, frustrated after realizing her intentions but already used to her witty remarks. His other partner put a hand on his shoulder, cutting through the tension.

"Don't mind Lyanna, Khai. Focus on the task, you're all alone on this one. The Rift is almost closing, we have to go", the man said before he and the woman vanished almost out of thin air, returning to the shadows. Khai then turned to watch the streets again.

He would wait for the perfect opportunity to strike. They were already on that woman's trail, it wouldn't be too long now...

 

[Fèlen]

With each swell of music her knees kicked up, soon becoming a game between her and the musicians. Mirth frothed from her lips as her head tilted back in jubilance, arms resting over her crest to show off her expertise foot work.


Each sudden change of direction caused the weightless material that engulfed her to flourish, edges releasing a myriad of colorful petals that picked up with wind and floated towards the crowds. They carried with them a sweet scent, encouraging more and more to gather around and watch or clap along. Her joy spread amongst the crowd as the song drew closer to its climax and she spun, thin skirts picking up more and more petals to tornado around her until finally the music ended and they appropriately burst amidst the transfixed onlookers.


They applauded and cheered, several coming forward to offer coin in appreciation whilst the boldest men approached Fèlen, suggesting her bed need not be lonely. Her only response was a sweet smile and a caress of a cheek, leaving them swooning before she made way to quench her thirst at a nearby watering hole, unaware of those who spied her from the shadows.


She swept in with a friendly smile towards the tender, settling herself onto a stool and ordering a beverage. No sooner did she grasp the drink handed to her than it was slapped out of her hand, the glass shattering as it crashed to the floor along with the liquid it held.


She blinked incredulously, her eyes lifting to the fuming perpetrator.


"You witch! How dare you seduce my husband??"

 

[Khai]

To not be swayed by her graceful moves and the roars of the ever growing crowd proved to be a harder task than Khai had antecipated, as he kept vigilant watch over the square from the rooftops, jumping from building to building with great ease, so he could adjust his views. His long and dark scarf danced to the wind as he moved, accompanying the scented petals that started flowing about as the music finally drew to conclusion.

The applauds and screams savoring the spectacle echoed through the alleyways, the shadows bearing witness to such inspiring display of talent and joy, everyone from kids to men reveling at the mixture of good music and cheerful dancing, mainly led by the brightful woman, who put the minstrels and the other dancers to her own tune. A true artist, if Khai had ever seen one.

Truthfully, the Shadowrealm was not without its own share of arts, ranging from all kinds, but it lacked the grace of the earthly plane and its diversity, so plural in so many things. Back home, everything was shrouded in shadows. But those shadows gave life to people like Khai, and so he did as commanded by them.

And from the shadows seemed to surface the prey, as Khai lost sight of the woman for only a slight moment when she went to grab water after her clearly tiring performance. After traversing through the rooftops, blinking through the moonlit shadows, Khai reached another vantage point, sighing in relief to see that the person confronting the woman was someone's poor wife, no doubt troubled by her enticing dancing who seemed to drive nearly every man nearby crazy, igniting their lustful passions.

And to no fault as well, for the woman was most certainly a pleasant sight to behold.

But they had made their move... Khai felt it, through the shadows. His dearest friend, and most trusted messenger. It whispered to him of steps moving with purpose, on their way to meet the artist woman, coming from many alleyways and in good numbers.

His blue eyes tightened. It was almost time to strike.

 

[Fèlen]

She was an absolute brute of a woman, broad shouldered with a thick neck. Her attire hung around without any curve to indicate her femininity, her face round and scarlet with rage. Eyes that were somewhat too small for her bulbous face glared at the half-nymph with jealousy, looking over the sensuous figure that she could never possess. Her anger became even more palpable at the sight and understanding of why her husband might have strayed, fists clenching tightly at either side.


The abundant allure that Fèlen possessed was rooted deeply in her Nymph heritage, mingling with her elven father. It was something she'd had to learn to embrace and used to her advantage on many occasions, usually most successful on those of weak will. For those of stronger ethics she resorted to magic, the combination of the two proving incredibly effective.


She winced faintly as the woman prodded her shoulder harshly with an accusing finger. Enough to bruise.

"I sent him with enough coin to get our produce for a week and what does he come back with? A stupid grin and perfect memory of you." Her words were spiteful, growling and mean, intent on placing blame and causing guilt.


Such intimidation did not work on the halfling, as this was not the first time she had been accused of 'stealing' an unfaithful man. Her touch was ginger as her hand encompassed the accusers own, her features softening with sympathy.


"A beautiful woman such as yourself should not waste her energy on such a selfish man, would you not agree?" Her wiles were not merely effective on the opposite sex, the perfume that wafted from her as she closed their proximity meant only for the angry wife.


Confusion overcame fury as Fèlen's reaction was entirely unexpected, the woman fumbling with her words as the mysticism clouded her mind. She slowly nodded, the red that fished her face no longer wrought from anger.

"Y-yes that's.. that's right." A sigh passed her lips as she lost herself in Fèlen's mercuric gaze, a shy smile touching her lips.


A moment later and the scorned wife was walking away just as the many men who had approached the half-nymph, both hands hiding blushing cheeks, as flustered as a young maiden freshly in love.

 

[Khai]

Khai leaned forward, slowly getting to his knees as he placed his hand on the worn tiles of that building, his gaze falling upon the commotion below. The dancing woman from before was being confronted by another, the poor wife to a stupid man that spent away his few precious coin for a moment of distraction and happiness. Not the brightest of ideas, but not one filled with ill intentions. The Balance required no such justice to be upheld, its bloodthirst favoring those more prominent to causing deeds that go beyond hurting one person.

Still, it was a funny sight. Khai opened a short smile underneath the dark mask that covered the lower end of his face, concealing his identity from the world, for it was not yet prepared to see the true ways of the Universe. But the Order would begin the hard task of shaping it, starting with evildoers like the scoundrels whose steps were ever near.

Khai worried that the angry wife, now being consoled by the dancing woman, would be caught in the crossfires of the imminent fight. His head turned towards their loud steps, feeling that they reached the nearest alleyway leading to the square. It was time.

The now calm wife, after a few appealing words, eventually left with a bunch of other men who were yet caught and mesmerized by the dancing woman, but the men that were after her had no such weaknesses to trivialities like that. At least ten men, armed from bows to swords, their aim set upon the dancing woman at the water hole. By their movements, they meant to shoot first and ask questions later, but that was already Khai's MO.

He jumped, his lithe form vanishing through the shadows as he traversed the darkness, sharp blades being thrown against the two archers who were inches away from loosening their arrows upon the woman, their necks pierced as they fell down, choking on their own blood.

Khai appeared next to another thug, taking advantage of his surprise to reap the life from that man with a few clean and quick cuts of his dagger to his back.

The fighting broke loose as Khai gripped the handle of his katana, the remaining mercenaries setting their sights upon him, preparing to charge. Cassaegrin would have its share of blood that night.

 

[Fèlen]

The woman was sent on her way to return to her husband, either to leave him or forgive him, Fèlen didn't care which, as long as she was no longer bothered with the scorn. She offered an apologetic smile to the tender who had already moved around the bar and was collecting the shattered the glass, somewhat wary of the half-elf even as she crouched to help him.

She had only just begun to collect the large pieces when screams filled the air. Her sins against others had followed her, crimes of another city unforgiven with a harsh vendetta haunting her. Almost a dozen men had been sent after just her, the massacre of soldiers in Vel Anir taken seriously, catching her without the allies she had fought with. The interruption of the assassin kept her naive to their true objective, the halfling pushing through the sea of fleeing citizens to witness only that they were targeting him and not her.

There was nothing more for her to glean from the situation, having already learned the lesson of involving herself in others' battles in Vel Anir. Instead, she took to assuring that those trying to flee were able to do so, helping those who had fallen, clearing debris, anything that would ensure the safety of the innocent.

 

[Khai]

He hated being in such predicaments. Khai was an assassin, a very good one at that, and like every assassin, he liked to strike people dead before they could even realize they were passing from this life to the next. Brawls were not really his forté, and he was about to be dragged into one. He had hoped to intercept a lone killer sent to assassinate the woman from Vel Anir, extract some information before killing him and just carry on from there, hopefully with the ring leaders' whereabouts, but they came in full force. By what the Masters said, this was supposed to be a rather easy job, with a window for a few complications. That window was busted open now.

Khai drew his katana from the scabbard on his back only slightly, letting the moonlight gleam over it as the mercenaries stared him down. He made a hand sign, two fingers up in front of his face as the winds blew and the first scoundrel managed to grow balls enough to finally attack. Khai wasn't a warrior, but he was a damn good fighter nonetheless, a fact those murderers would soon come to know.

Between slashes and screams, the alleyway was taken over by the bloodbath and carnage provided by its sole artist. The spectacle was far different from the one at the square just moments earlier, and the people there danced to a different tune. Khai's tune, as he soared from enemy to enemy, blade in hand, cutting them down with ease, given they were common mercenaries whose only purpose was coin. His training as a Shadow Assassin was gruesome and heartless but it bore fruit.

Khai slowly walked over to the sole survivor of the carnage, sheathing back his Cassaegrin, now truly satisfied by the blood it tasted. The mercenary gasped, trying to avoid choking on his blood as his leg and belly were cut wide open. The only thing he now saw was Khai's approaching figure, a true demon in the darkness, his blue eyes contrasting to the shadows.

"Your life is forfeit to the Shadows now. But before you go, tell me where are your leaders", Khai asked, his voice cold and unemotional. The man started crying, blabbering about not knowing anything, but Khai could sense his fears. It shrouded his knowledge, but Khai would have it even if he had to rip that man open to get it.

"Tell... me."

Eventually, the man broke, and with it flew forth the information Khai required, but not the one he was hoping to get. The dying man said the leaders were expecting a meeting to be held in Elbion, to start getting rid of the loose ends from Vel Anir and gather funds from their contacts all over the kingdoms. Alliria, Elbion, Vel Anir, Edenham... They were all deep in corruption. Disgustingly so.

But the Shadows would enlighten them.

Khai reappered on the rooftops, having vanished from sight amid the confusion caused by the people trying to flee from the fight in the alleys. From above, his serious gaze fell upon the dancing woman again, guiding all those people to safety.

She was still in danger. And the leaders still plotted and drew breath. His job was only beginning.

 

[Fèlen]

Even with the odds in their favor, the seven mercenaries had no chance. Their training had been nowhere near as extensive as training had been for the assassin.
Her steps followed the rush of the crowds without reason to look back. Her night of festivities and celebration ruined by the gruesome of violence. She returned to her lodging at the nearby inn, taking shelter within the sturdy wooden walls. She was not the only one, the civilians that were caught off guard dashing into enclosed buildings to cower within the safety they provided.
"I heard screaming, Miss Fèlen, is everything alright?" The woman who owned the voice of concern rushed towards the halfling, easily charmed by the wandering girl even without the use of her specific magics. She was the daughter of the elderly owner, a mother of two sons who were already old enough to move out and work for themselves, though her motherly instincts remained and focused on those who stayed at the inn
"Stay inside Mabel, there's some... fight going on out there." Fèlen informed, unable to give more information as she did not have it.
"I am going to retire to my room for now, please, stay inside." She expressed her intent with a hand on the woman's shoulder, squeezing it faintly before she moved down the hallway to her room.

A hand swept through the tresses of silver, a motion of stress and fatigue. She inserted her small key into the familiar door, pressing a hand against the wood to open it. As soon as she took several steps in she felt a gruff hand wrap around her mouth, muffling her shriek whilst its partner grappled her into a bulky form, towering heavily over her and easily overpowering her.

"They thought they had strength in numbers. Idiots." The voice was high pitched and faintly nasaled, condescending and prideful. The form that came out from the shadows of the corner was obviously female, dressed in a dark fabric that hid her figure in the darkness.
"Guess we'll be splitting the reward in two rather than twelve." A dagger flipped through the air, catching the hints of firelight that came from the lanterns on the street, flickering through a singular window.

Booted steps crossed the room, the sharps edge of the blade tracing along the high bone of Fèlen's cheek, pinpointing on a singular point and drawing blood.
"Just because we have to kill you doesn't mean we can't have some fun first, right?" A psychotic evil traced within the tones of her voice. Her disturbed mind eager with the possibilities of carving Fèlen's perfect flesh.

Fèlen felt the arm wrapped around her tighten, causing her to struggle with breath as a husky chuckle sounded by her ear, hot breath heavy on her neck. She was alone, in her own room, without companion or friend near. There was little option for her, anxiety and fear rising within her gut, forcing her heartbeat to drum faster within her chest. Her options were limited, the hand on her mouth forcing her stifled silence.

"Question is," The female mercenary turned, playing the space in the room as her bloodied blade came to her lips. "Do I let Kal have his way with you before, or after, I kill you." A disgusted shiver passed down the captured half-elf's spine at the twisted words, leaving her few options.

Those dark lips parted, turning back towards Fèlen to discuss more of her own devious options, but she stopped short. The wooden flooring had stretched, reaching up to envelope both of her feet. Riddled with confusion, she looked down, grunting as she struggled against the restraints. As her angry gaze rose to meet the nymphling with accusation, she was met with horror. Blood pooled at Fèlen's feet, hot and plenty, staining the wood. Hardened spikes jutted from Kal, who slumped lifelessly back into the door, held up by the constructs that spelled his death.

Every fiber that weaved from Fèlen's attire was composed entirely of growth she had founded, completely under her own control. She had made them harden and grow sharp, reaching with enough force to pierce the giant who restricted her until they jutted into the wall behind. This included one that drove directly through his mouth, explaining the silence of his demise. She had stepped forth, uncaring for the blood that stained her, dripping down her shoulders to track her traverse to the woman who intended to bring her own death.

The wood continued to travel upward, hard and suffocating as it gripped at the woman's hips, her body contorting violently in her attempt to escape, her dagger now stabbing at the wood in a sorry act to free herself. Steel eyes watched without remorse as the wood encased her entire figure, convulsing and pressing downward, unable to contain the blood and fleshy mush that used to be the mercenary's body as it returned to the flooring.

 

[Khai]

Khai watched on as the hordes of people who only moments ago were all dancing, blissful and without care for the problems of the world, now ran to their houses or nearby shelters, anything to block them off vision for the bloody spectacle that took hold on the nearby alleys. By the time most of them were already holed inside the inn, Khai had already finished his painting of blood and bones, more tributes for the Shadow God who watched from the darkness. Cassaegrin was well satisfied as well, as he felt its whispers roam through the shadows until it eventually reached his ears.

But now something else troubled his mind. The last words of the dying man on the alley, the truthful pledge between his last breath that Khai still had much to do to stop that circle of butchery and corruption that was sure to spread throughout the kingdom, and that the woman from Vel Anir, the one that linked everything together, was still in danger.

His gaze fell upon the tavern nearby, watching through the windows how everyone had rushed inside and now waited, desperate, for any news to come from the streets. The City Guard would surely arrive in a few moments, but they would find the crime already solved, the criminals void of life as punishment, carried by the assassin on the rooftops. They wouldn't bother him, so long as he kept to the shadows and avoided further troubles in the city.

The outburst would surely become a nuisance once the city enters a state of high alert, but maybe that would provide an opportunity to smoke out the mobsters that were hiding amongst the people, plotting away with others' blood and coin. In the end, Khai figured it would be best to track down the dancing woman, maybe she could be the one to point him in the right direction. If the assassins that were still after her hadn't reached her before him.

He sensed a evil presence through the shadows, dangerous figures roaming ever closer, nearby her location. Maybe she thought herself to be safe in the warm walls of the cozy inn, but such places are merely variables for people like Khai, and for the ones that now hunted her. They had her scent, and it wouldn't be an easy task to get rid anytime soon. Khai rushed, moving effortless through the rooftops until he jumped from the building across the inn, his body rolling through the air like a sweet breeze until it vanished in the dark, going up in dark smoke.

When Khai appeared in her room all of sudden, his eyes fell upon the woman's handiwork, her own picture of blood and entrails as wood and plants sprung from the ground, devouring one assassin and impaling the other. He couldn't help but open a short smile after the initial shock, getting himself to a relaxed stance as he looked upon the bloodied and light figure across the room, her eyes still filled with a mixture of fear and anger after the event.

"Taunting before a kill? Amateurs...", the man sounded, his voice sharp and young, carrying a tone of mockery as his masked face looked at the dead assassins a last time before rising to meet her gaze.

"Don't worry, lady. I'm not here to kill you."

 

[Fèlen]

Exhaustion brought her slumping form to fall to her bed, a sigh passing her lips as her hands caught her falling head. The smell of gore filled the small room as Kal's blood continued to drip to the ground, indistinguishable against the sound of those still fretting outside. She winced faintly at her touch, feeling the wet of her own blood against her fingers from the cut left by the crushed woman whose body now sludged through the wood flooring.

Realization that the attack on the square had been meant for her weighed on her mind, still unsure as to the reason why. She hadn't been in town for very long and already she had slighted someone enough for them to send a small battalion of mercenaries after her. Someone powerful and ruthless.

The hair on the back of her neck prickled as Khai appeared in her peripheral vision, her form immediately responding as she swiftly stood. expecting another fight. His words, mocking the mush on the floor for her sadistic words, unaware to the irony that he was repeating her own mistake. The wood on the walls behind them almost spelled his death, mimicking the spikes that had been formed from her attire. They stopped a breath from his body, recognition of him fighting those who sought her in the square the reason for their pause rather than his assuring words.

"Why are you here, then?" She asked defensively, eyes sharp as they trained on him, her wooden spirals not yet retracting, still skeptical of his intrusion.

 

[Khai]

Khai stood still, almost unimpressed, as the sharp, wooden spikes closed in, stopping only inches from him. He looked at them for a moment, his eyes puzzled as he sensed the energy coming from them. A little touch on the tip, enough to draw a bit of blood from his finger before he took a step forward, his body being brutally impaled by them.

A ruse that he always enjoyed to pull, as the pierced and bloodied figure in front of the woman seemed to turn into a figure of pure shadows, a mere clone of Khai's visage, before it dissipated to the winds like smoke, with the assassin appearing a few inches next to her, his composed yet warm breath reaching for her neck before he let out a small, creepy laugh.

Khai took his distance, pacing about as he examined the room, searching for any traps set by the assassins. If the ring leaders wanted that woman so bad, they couldn't be as stupid to send two very idiotic murderers with no real plan other than capture and kill her, not after the mess on the alley. Without witnesses to have really seen him other than the dancing woman, the villains would've been left in the dark as to the assassin who dispatched their lackeys to the afterlife, and that gave him an edge to act upon the knowledge he had already acquired, and to further his own investigation.

The young assassin stopped for a moment, his back turned to the woman as he closed his eyes, resorting to the shadows to search the surroundings, small bits of dark smoke circling his body before they burst to the air and Khai opened his eyes, having learned that the assassins were indeed even worse than he thought, as he sensed no traps or surprises waiting for them nearby. They were all alone, thanks to that woman's skill in dealing with her would be killers.

It was a good thing that woman seemed capable enough to defend herself, or her capture and death would've helped the mobsters' agendas greatly, speeding their plans to the point Khai would have no other choice but to reveal himself and go straight to their bite. A choice of great danger.

Khai turned around, the hood and mask that shrouded his face now disappearing like the same smoke from earlier, slowly revealing his young and pale face. He rarely unveiled his identity like that, but he could sense that woman's concerns after the attempt made on her, and Khai thought it would be best to smooth things over before continuing his investigation.

"My name's Khai, and i'm an assassin sent by the Order of Shadows with a question", he said in a much friendlier but still serious tone as the young man took a few steps closer to her.

"What happened in Vel Anir?"

 

[Fèlen]

Her eyes grew wide as his body stepped into the spikes willingly, though without death or pain. A trick of the eye, succeeding in distracting her enough for him to appear again next to her, mocking her with a laugh. He was too close for her comfort, her own steps taken away and thoughtfully closer to the exit to allow her distance once more as the wooden constructs returned to the wall.

He did nothing to garner her favor, the revelation of his features giving her no comfort, nor his name or title. He gave her no information that she would have found useful, instead, moving on to his own agenda. Each step he took closer to her resulted in hers stepping back, distrust and caution evident within her steel depths.

"Vel Anir?" Her pale brows furrowed as some indication of why she was being hunted down finally began to emerge, her expression lightening as the shrouds lifted from her mind before growing stony again. She stood silent for several moments, unsure of his motivations or intentions.

Despite the circumstances in which she had met the small group, she considered several of them her companions and had developed friendships with them. Adventuring and fighting alongside them. She would not betray any of them, though in this case she truly had no information to give.

"All that I am aware of is that the guard was after some people that I met coincidentally, then I was swept up in their hunt and defended them and myself. That is all I know."

 

[Khai]

The tension hanging in the air got quite awkward as time went by, the woman still visibly fearful of Khai with each step he took, which he found odd, since he had thought that revealing himself as a friend would ease her into giving out the information he needed, but it seems the events of the day weigh a heavy toll on her, finishing with the attempt made on her life. Not only that, but by the look in her eyes, Khai could see that she wasn't lying as she spun the tale about what was done in Vel Anir.

He was much in the dark as he was before, and the clock was still ticking. Khai's gaze fell downwards, disappointed as she finished talking, the distance between them even greater than before. Turning his head to look towards the nearby window, the assassin noticed that rain started pouring, water cleaning away the stains from the streets and the remaining people on the squares running to find shelter, be it in their homes or in nearby establishments.

His visage was melancholic, almost thoughtful, as he got caught watching the drops fall from the sky and hit the floor, his mind still processing what he was supposed to do, now that one of his major clues almost seemed like a dead end. But then... Water, cleaning away the blood on the streets... The streets of Vel Anir ran with blood before, not only of ruffians and adventurers, but evil blood.

Khai opened a slight smile as he grew proud of his quick thinking, turning back to face the woman while taking a few steps forward, his sharp voice sounding off again.

"What started that mess in Vel Anir? Did you and your companions ever found out why that small army was sent after you?"

 

[Fèlen]

There had been nothing done aside from assuring her that he was not there to kill her and tell her his name to display himself as friendly in her eyes.

His silence permeated through the air, broken only by the soft patter of the rain that fell from the sky, swiftly enveloping the city in moisture to bring a damp smell to the air. She watched him closely, unsure of his intention and her safety, especially after a small arsenal had been sent after her.

A revelation seemed to dawn on him, focus returning to his gaze as he turned back to her. His steps forward were matched by her steps back until she felt the sturdy of the walls that made up the room against her back. Pale brows furrowed at his question, her gaze flickering away for a moment with puzzlement.

"...I just told you. I was swept up in the guard's hunt and defended myself. That's all I know." She repeated.

 

[Khai]

Khai's stare towards the woman was firm for a moment, before it fell to the ground as his disappointment once again surfaced, hands clenching as frustration kicked in. Back at the crossroads of ignorance, he felt himself void of a clear purpose on the mission. Surely the Masters had more than a few spare clues, or they could've at least sent someone along with him. But why...? Why chase specters of something that happened months ago? How could they expect him to carry on with the assassination of these dangerous mobsters without knowing anything?

Surely the answers wouldn't just conjure up themselves and knock on the door.

But as fate would have its share of laughter first, the sound of beating wood came loud just next to them, the knocks exacerbated and rushed, as if someone was desperately trying to reach out inside. Before the woman could answer it, the door was opened with haste as a young woman stepped through, panting and sweating. No doubt taking care of all those frightened people was no easy task.

Before no one was the wiser, Khai was already long gone from sight, the room silent and empty of his presence, but not without its share of horrors, as testified by the woman's screams after seeing the carnage left by the dancing lady. Back on the rooftop, Khai decided to stick around and listen to their words, hoping they were words of enlightenment for his problems.

"Miss Fèlen, there's a man here to see you! He said it was urgent, said you were in danger and all kinds of crazy things!"

Khai smiled, fate was finally looking at him with good fortune. And not only that, but he now had another name to add to his knowledge. Fèlen... A strange word, but fitting of its owner. The mysterious dancing lady who, unbeknownst to her, held the clues to solve the puzzle.

Down the stairs and in the middle of all those people, a man of dubious intent waited for his prey. Cloaked in smiles and almost genuine worry, he sat with other friendly customers, sipping a tasty drink, his cards yet to be laid on the table as he hoped the dancing woman would take the bait.

Above, the young assassin watched eagerly. Crouching over the edge of the roof, his fingers slowly ran through the rough and worn surface, his blue eyes now taken with bits of dark and purple shades as his will traveled through the shadows to peak inside the inn.

 

[Fèlen]

It was already time for her to leave Elbion. She had been looking forward to taking her time, enjoying her nights, making new acquaintances. Instead of delight, she was full of anxiety. The gnaw of it caused her to easily spook as a loud rapping sounded at the door just next to her. The knob turned, a foot catching at the wood as it pushed open without permission.

The opening Fèlen allowed wasn't enough to allow the woman view of the carnage that had befallen the private quarters.
"Thank you. I will be right down." Her words were curt and hard, encouraging the girl to leave with as she pushed the door closed without further speech.

The shadow assassin had fled, leaving her alone once more with the bloodstains. She looked at the gore with her bottom lip caught between her teeth, reaching for her pouch. Sterling strands submitted to the cold of sharp steel, the small release of hair catching the glimmer of the mellow candlelight as they fell to the pooling crimson on the floor. It mingled in contrast with hopes that one would mistake the blood for her own and assume she was dead. She was wary of another situation like Vel Anir, caught in the wrong place under the wrong circumstances and labeled a criminal.

The creaking floor beneath her opened up, her lithe form falling stealthily into the new opening and closing without any hint that it had moved, allowing her into the cellar. There was no care for the man waiting for her, be it a questioning guard or another who sought her life as payment for a grudge. She once more welcomed the cooled touch of the night air, creeping out the back to head down the alley.

It was time for her to leave Elbion.

 

[Khai]

Khai kept vigil above the building, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike. And as time went by, he eventually realized that he, and the man inside, were played for fools. It seemed the woman had a few tricks up her sleeve aside from some powerful and strange magic to defend herself. Fearing that his only clue had vanished, Khai started scouring the near vicinity with his eyes, anxiety kicking in as the thoughts of failure slowly settled in. He hated failure, especially when he was the one to drop the ball.

The Masters were very strict in their willness to successfuly conclude their contracts. A failed contract meant certain dishonor for the Shadow Assassins, the culprit's powers slowly diminishing and shame driving him away from their ranks. Through hard training and his own natural skills, Khai had been able to fulfill all his past missions with no fuss. But now he was facing an obscure threat, hiding amongst the very shadows he called home, their plots both cunning and depraved. The faces of the enemies were unknown, and the only person capable of illuminating them was short of knowledge much like him.

But through the darkness harbored in the alleyways nearby, Khai sensed a pacy movement. Someone trying to escape, anxious to leave behind the heavy weights of the past. The young assassin turned and quickly set about to follow the woman as she trekked through the alleyways, wary and in fear of the past that came back to bite at her. Khai watched over as he traversed the rooftops.

Yet, as they escaped some things, others seemed to catch up. Back at the tavern, the place was a sight for blood and utter carnage, bodies cut and mauled all over, the girl from earlier stretched dead on the counter, broken glass at her feet. At the center of the mess stood the suspicious man that Khai longed to meet, slowly cleaning the blood from his swords, while bathed in red himself.

Another man entered the inn, a cheeky smile on his face while he evaded the bodies and made his way towards the butcher. "She didn't take the bait?", the unknown man who just arrived asked as he looked over his colleague's handiwork.

"You expected her to take, after what those two idiots did?", his rough voice seemed to carry a ever growing anger, even though he tried to keep it in check.

"She won't go too far. The plan's already in motion..."

And he was right. Elbion's City Guard were already at work, closing the gates and alerting the still partying citizens that a killer was on the loose. The posters on the walls painting the picture of a light haired woman of unique and graceful features, one who the people could never have imagined could bring down such cruelty.

The festivities were called off, and only the chase remained now.