Chapter 1 "I could get into serious trouble if I get caught," he said to himself as he sloly crept into the king's chamber. The full moon cast enough light into the King's chamber as to make it seem as day to the young man. A mirror was on the wall directly across from the kind was made of pure silver. In it, he could see is entire body. He had a look about him that was popular among the women. He had a slightly chiseled face, his brown eyes have an almond tinge and his black hair was kept short to show off his looks. His only physical flaw was a scar that ran from the middle of just above his left eyebrow to an inch below his eye. His build was like that of an athelete, letting him move faster and stealthier than most men. On his hip was the sword, Alchaizer. Though short, he was glad for it, because it helped him hide. He was wearing a simple black tunic and pants, which helped him well in his profession. The floor tiles were perfectly square, made to look like ice. "Hell," he thought, "maybe it is ice; it's damned well cold enough." "I cannot possibly get caught, for I am Shadow, master assassin," he says arrogantly, but quietly, to himself. Shadow creeps slowly toward the bed. "Aaaahhh!" The King awakens with a shout, a cold sweat covering his old frame. "Shit," Shadow thought, "what a time for the king to have a nightmare!" Quickly, Shadow reached into his belt, grabbed a knife, and threw it straight at the king. The knife flew straight and true, as if it couldn't wait to taste the warm blood of royalty. It cut right into the king's throat, the force of the impact sending the king backward into the back board of his bed, where the knife imbedded itself with a loud cracking sound as the wood was violently shoved apart. Blood began to flow quickly down the king's front. The king was dead before he even knew he was awake. Shadow quickly retrieved his knife and cleaned it on the sheets. Blood began to arc out of the king's neck as it realised that it was no longer alive. Just as he was leaving the bed, two guards in chainmail armor forced their way into the room, the door disentengrated into so much scrap as they broke it down. Submitted by Reka, a great writer from on campus: The guards spotted Shadow only a split second before they saw the lifeless body of the king. "Get that man," one of them shouted, his cry brought more guards running. Shadow ran toward a curtain, thinking a window lay behind it. He was wrong, and this mistake could cost him his life. He pulled his sword and prepared to try and fight his way out of the nightmare in which he suddenly found himself. Shadow didn't know it, but a second figure dressed in black was watching from a corner concealed in darkness. The figure shook its head and the long graceful arms crossed over its chest. The dark knowing green eyes took in the situation that had formed before them. Five guards had joined the original two. The young assassin was up against seven trained guards and none of his training had prepared him for that. He was an assassin, trained to be invisible, trained to silently kill his victim...one unaware, defenseless victim. The invisible figure pulled a small crossbow and aimed it at one of the guards. The small arrow flew straight and true. The guards were not wearing helmets and it had cost this guard his life. The second guard fell just after he saw his comrade go down. "That's two," the figure pulled its sword and stepped out of the dark into the moon light. The figure was still invisible; the only indication of its position was the piercing green eyes from behind a black mask. Three guards fell on this new threat, one of them went down immediately. Shadow caught a glimpse of the figure. He quickly turned so they were now back to back rather than facing each other. "Four left friend," he said. The new comer shot him a glare. The guards advanced on the pair. Within five minutes the remaining four guards lay on the floor, dead. "You're bleeding," Shadow said to the newcomer. "You don't look so hot yourself," was the reply. The figure began to move silently and quickly toward the only window which lay on the opposite end of the room. Shadow stood frozen to the floor. The figure turned to look at him. "You had better follow me, the changing of the guard is in ten minutes, or do you actually want to get caught tonight?" "You're a girl," Shadow said in shock. "Yes I am, and apparently I am a better assassin than you." Suddenly, they heard footsteps in the hall and then a shout too muffled to make out. Without further communication the two made their way out the window and down to the ground. "There are horses waiting for us," the woman whispered. They quickly made their way to the waiting stallions, mounted, and rode off into the woods. They had ridden hard for about and hour and a half before they stopped. She dismounted next to a small stream and gently guided her horse across. Once on the other side she knelt down and began to cleanse the wounds on her arm and the three inch cut on her face. Shadow knelt next to her and began to cleanse his wounds as well. "I was lucky you were there tonight," Shadow began, "Thank-you, I owe you my life." She shook her head, "You're right, you do owe me your life. I don't know how you botched this as badly as you did. I was able to finish the queen and the rest of the royal family AND get into the king's chambers before you even entered the room. They weren't supposed to be found until tomorrow." "The entire royal family was assassinated," Shadow was shocked. "Why would he send a woman to kill the rest of the royal family? I thought only the king was to be killed." "You don't really think you are the only assassin that he has do you? And besides, why do you assume he tells you everything he has in mind?" Shadow remained silent. "Besides that," she continued, "apparently I am the better assassin, even if I am a woman." "If the king hadn't woken up there wouldn't have been a problem." "Shadow, your timing was horrible, of course, so is the timing of the rest of the male species." She rose from the side of the stream and looked toward the horizon. She moved quietly and strongly toward her horse. Shadow stood riveted to the ground. She moves so gracefully, he thought. She quickly mounted her horse. "Get to your rendezvous point Shadow, you have three hours." "How do you know that," he asked. "I know more than you think," she replied. She turned the head of her horse and began to ride away. "Wait," he called. "What is it Shadow?" "I would really like to know the name of the woman to whom I owe my life." "Jael." With that, she vanished into the darkness, leaving Shadow by the stream wondering when, if ever, he would encounter this mysterious heroine again. Next little bit: Unknown to either Assassin, two of the guards were still very much alive. They both stood up cautiously, somewhat unsteady after being knocked out. The larger of the two goes and checks the other guards for signs of life, while the other locates the tracks that the assassins left. He found them, at the base of the wall of the castle right outside the window to the king's room. Both of them headed south. "Tiny, get over here fast!" he yelled to his partner. "The tracks are still fresh enough that neither has much of a lead on us." "Sure thing Leo," Tiny called back, as he leapt out the window, falling thirty five feet, and landing lightly, a foot away from the smaller guard. At eight feet, he was the tallest guard in the king's service, and quickly gained respect from the other guards. His short hair had the effect of making his head seem on fire, and it didn't help that it was yellowish orange, and for some strange reason, was near blue at the base of the hair. He had light green eyes that glowed with an inner flame. He had a dark allover tan, even though his armor covered most all his body. He had a handsome face, but was extremely modest and unsure around women. A former mercenary, he was quite skilled with every blade known at that time, but favored a large two handed cleaver, made with him in mind, the blade was six feet long, and a foot wide along its length, a single sided blade that ended in a point. He had ended his mercenary career for a steady paying position. There was not much need for a mercenary in these times of peace. "Tiny, you really need to stop doing that," Leo scolded him, though his slight smile gave him away. Being seven feet tall, Leo was the only guard able to give Tiny a good match, the others being to short to be much of a challenge, because even though tall and strong, Tiny was also extremely fast. Leo was the only guard that was faster than Tiny and that only by a small degree. The two had become like brothers over the years they worked together. He had long, icy blue hair down to his middle back. His eyes were like that of gold spun with silver, and they showed wisdom beyond they're years. Unlike his human friend, his pupils were like those of a cat's. His ears were pointed as an elf's, but were slightly longer. Of his ancestry, he knew that he was half-elf, and part human, but he didn't know how much was human, nor what the rest of his heritage was. Leo's sword was a hand and a half bastard sword, its blade was made of titanium, a very rare metal in his day, lined with diamond along the blade edges it was quite sharp. Engraved upon the blade was an emblem of a raven holding a rose. Personally charged by Astea, goddess of wisdom and goodness, in a dream sent to him at a young age, he became a paladin to the last king of Crecinia, the nation they were now in, and served faithfully at the king's side to his death. Both Tiny and Leo were known for their honor and their chivalry. A guard rushed up to Leo. "Sir, it has been reported that the entire royal family was slain," the young man said. "Not entirely. The prince has been away studying afar for the past few months. His double was the one slain," Leo reported. "Send a messenger and five score of guards to Panax. He shall have to return and take the thrown." The Guard rushed of to do as he was told. "Leo, why is it everyone else died except for we two?" Tiny asked him. "By all rights, we should be dead." "Tiny, that is a question that we may never know the answer to," Leo replied. "It may have been that Astea interceded at our deaths and healed us. This would mean that we have some destiny yet to fulfill." "Astea is mighty indeed then, to be able to reverse death," Tiny observed. Leo nodded in agreement, then put two fingers to his mouth and whistled long and hard. When his whistle died down, the galloping of horse could be heard not far off. "Come, we must follow quickly, before the trail gets too cold to follow," Leo told him. Two horses arrived, somehow already knowing that there would be excitement tonight, and both were eager for it as they pranced up to the two soldiers. Without another word, they both mounted, and were off with a flash. They would catch up to the two assassins within the hour. Chapter 2 Shadow arrived at his destination quickly, but was surprised to see that the female was already there. "Thanotoas will be here within the hour," she told him. "Mind you, be respectful to your employer." "Of course m'lady, I always show respect to those who pay me," Shadow replied. Unknown to either of them, the two guards had caught up to them, and were now on foot approaching silently. Jael looked up suddenly and saw Leo. "You're supposed to be dead," she told him. "I'll fix that now." "I was dead, but within minutes, Astea brought myself and Tiny back to life," Leo replied evenly. "I do not think I shall let you win again, last time you had surprise on your side. This time you do not. I urge you both to surrender." "I will never surrender to a stupid male," she spat, and lunged foreword with her sword. Leo parried the thrust easily with his bastard sword. The two continued to exchange thrusts and parries, while Tiny and Shadow watched the hypnotic dance of death. Leo was obviously the soupier swordsman, when suddenly there was a bright flash, and Thanotoas appeared in the midst of it. Both stopped fighting to look at the newcomer. Easily towering over Tiny by around four feet, Thanotoas was intimidating to say the least. His greenish black hair fell to his shoulders. His eyes were crimson, and in them, darkness so deep that to stare into them caused regular men to go insane. He grinned wickedly as he looked upon the four. His helmet covered most of his face, making it hard to see anything else, and over that he had a cloak, masking most of his body as well. He turned his gaze upon Jael. "I told thee to eliminate all of the royal family," Thanotoas scolded her. "Thou shalt pay a large price for failing in thy duty." "My lord, there is not a member of the royal family left alive," Jael told him. "I killed each one myself except for the king, and saw him die at the young assassin's hands." "The young prince was away, thou merely killed the prince's double," Thanotoas said evenly. "Thou should have made sure it was the prince by the birth mark on his left arm. But thou were sloppy, and for that you shall be punished severely." "No my lord Thanotoas," Jael pleaded. "Please, don't!" Thanotoas muttered a few inaudible words, and flames sprang up and consumed Jael. She screamed in pain as they licked at her flesh. Shadow watched in shock as the woman who saved his life was reduced to ashes. The smell of burnt meat filled the air. "I don't care if she killed the queen . . ." Tiny began evenly. "YOU NEVER, HURT A WOMAN!" Tiny rushed at Thanotoas, drawing his sword and hacking at Thanotoas with amazing speed, like none he had ever shown before. Fire surrounded Tiny's body as his rage increased, giving him power like none he'd ever experienced. His blade became white hot, but did not melt in the heat. Thanotoas, amazed at such a change, lost his left arm before he began to dodge the wild thrusts. He drew his sword with his other arm, and with one fast swipe, disarmed Tiny completely. He then swung with all his might at Tiny's skull, using the flat side of the blade. Tiny flew backwards a hundred feet, crashed into a tree, his body wrapped completely around it on impact, and the fell to the ground. He lay there in a crumpled heap, unconscious and dying. Thanotoas reached down and picked up his arm. He then promptly re-attached it. His arm healed as if it had never been removed in the first place. He then gestured with his left arm newly re-attached, and Jael's body was completely restored, with the exception of one new addition, a black outline of an eye was now visible on her forehead. Seeing Tiny thrown back, Shadow came out of his shock enough to move. Without a word, he drew Alchaizer, and threw it straight at Thanotoas' heart. Thanotoas caught the blade and threw it back, the blade cut threw Shadows chest, stopping only because the hilt prevented it from going farther. The force caused shadow to fly backwards, impaling him against a tree. With the last of his strength, Shadow removed the blade, it had pierced a lung, and he was slowly suffocating. "Dost thou also wish to go against me?" Thanotoas said, looking at Leo. "Dost wish to join thy friends?" "As much as I would like to," Leo states, feeling no fear. "I will not throw my life away in vain after getting it back so soon. I have a feeling we shall meet again, and then I shall be strong enough to completely destroy you." "I am gladdened to see that there are still wise people left. As far as the girl is concerned, she is still alive. She belongs to me now," Thanotoas said, and with that, he and Jael vanished without a trace. Leo rushed over to Tiny, to see if how he was. "Leo . . . my . . . brother," Tiny started. "Do . . . you . . . think that . . . Astea will restore . . . me . . . again?" Tiny lost consciousness before he could reply. Anger and grief welled up inside of Leo. It grew to where he could hold it in no more. It filled his being. Leo looked up into the sky and yelled. As he did so, energy was released his body, and entered both Tiny and Shadow. All three fell into a deep sleep as the healing process takes place, Leo was completely unaware of the power he just unleashed from his body. Chapter 3 Leo woke with a pounding headache. When he opened his eyes, what he saw surprised him. "Kit!" Leo smiled at the site of his love. "What are you doing here?" "Leo, I sensed that you were in trouble, and knew that I had to come to your side," Kit explained. "Remember, we promised that we would be there for each other if the other had need, so I came." Friends since childhood, it was only natural for the two to fall in love. They had gone everywhere together, and had even trained together. Kit was the only one who could match Leo in speed, and Leo always said that she was much faster, but held back to give him a chance. Kit always denied that she held any thing back in their training together. A very athletic body type, Kit favored light chain mail to the plate mail that Leo wore. She stood only a foot shorter than Leo, very tall for a woman. Strapped to her back she had a four foot single handed sword with a silver hilt, engraved upon it was the same image as on Leo's blade. The blade itself was made of the titanium as well, and it was said that Astea had Flint, god of the forge, make these two weapons from the same block of titanium, which was why they could sense when the other had need them. A raven flew from the branch of a tree nearby and landed on Leo. "Tika, I'm glad to see you are well," Leo said to her. "Have you been watching over Kitiara for me?" Tika cawed in affirmation. "Thank you; you are a great friend to me." Tika gave Leo an affectionate peck with her beak "It's great to see you again my love," Leo smiled softly. "But Tiny . . ." "Is doing just fine," Tiny called over to him. You've been asleep for the last five hours." "And the assassin?" Leo asked. "What about him?" "He disappeared before I could gather the wits to stop him," Tiny looked down at his feet, embarrassed. "Don't worry my friend, though it seems Astea has a plan for him as well, if he is alive and well, after so grievous a wound as the one dealt him by Thanotoas. We shall go back to the castle, and prepare for a way to destroy this new evil." "Sounds like an adventure, I think I'll be coming with you Leo," Kit told him. "Kit. . . I don't know, this guy is pretty dangerous and . . . ," Leo started. "You know full well that I'm as fast as you are, and that I would be a great asset to your team. I'm going and that's final!" Kit said crossly, but with a faint twinkle in her eye. "Kit you never let me finish," Leo said hastily. "I was going to say it's dangerous, and so I was going to suggest that we needed as much help as we can get." Tiny laughed at the way Kit had manipulated Leo. Leo stood, and Tika took a perch on his left shoulder. The three mounted their horses, and headed back to the castle, not knowing that Shadow was following them from behind, on his own horse. He didn't forget that he owed Jael his life, and he meant to pay her back for that kindness, knowing somehow, that she was still alive.
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