The New Mission

Seven years ago...

"They said you wanted me, Chief?" Luchist knocked on his boss' door. The past few days had been exhausting for him as he was asked to file a report about what had happened during Queen Yuki's Day. A third party investigation had been ordered by the Duke of Morphia to pinpoint loopholes in prison security and in the standard operating procedures done during the hostage taking crisis.

"Ahh yes, if you don't mind, please close the door behind you." The chief of the Royal Police put aside the report that Luchist had submitted earlier.

"Must be something important," the police officer remarked. Closed door meetings like this were highly discouraged by the Duke of Morphia who controls the Royal Police.

"Luchist, it's hard for me to break this to you. We all know that you are one fine officer, in fact, the best one in this field. You were actually who I was rooting for to be the next chief of the Royal Police after I retire. But the recent incident is just unfortunate, very unfortunate. Mr. Kurobe is a widely influential person and he is vigorously seeking justice for what had happened to his only child."

"I did what I could Chief but there was this young reckless royal blood who made a rushed careless decision on his own. I cannot control how onlookers would react to the hostage taking nor could I foretell that Kurobe's kid would take the bullet for him."

"I know, I know Luchist but my boss, Duke Liam is also not too happy about how the police force performed tonight. The escape of a death row convict and the death of a highly-regarded dam builder's daughter, they were just too overwhelming. The civilians are putting the blame on the Royal Police's incompetence."

"So I'm going to be sacked and lose my job? Is this what this useless talk is all about?"

"Someone has to pay for what happened Luchist."

"And it had to be me? That escapee was NOT even in my charge, Chief. If I'm not mistaken death row inmates are directly under your supervision!"

"Look, I'm about to retire and I don't want my name, my legacy of peace, and reputation for excellent service tarnished before I go. I'm going to give you a fair share of my retirement fund if you take the bullet for me. I could even give you a recommendation for your new job. How about that?"

"I'm sorry, Chief," he loaded his pistol and pointed at his superior. "I'll be the giver and not the receiver of your bullet."

Present time...

That incident had started it all. It was strange that Luchist began remembering it all now.

He passed through the dark alley noiselessly like a ghost. If not for his distinct goatee, he would have looked like the grim reaper with his long black cloak and piercing eyes. He was tall and lean yet he made light footsteps for he didn't want to leave any marks that would trace back to him. He met a client that night and a new job was in order. How ironic that his former work was to save lives but due to a sudden twist of fate, he's now being paid to take them.

He opened the door to an abandoned wine warehouse that served as his refuge ever since society had rejected him.

"Was it an old client?" his childlike partner greeted him with enthusiasm.

"Yes," he grunted. He grew quite hungry from the long walk.

Hearing his grumbling stomach, the little guy threw him a piece of bread which he easily caught with one hand. "What did he ask for? I missed burning houses." It was his partner's specialty.

You're brother also had a thing for starting fires.

Luchist recalled the events of that fateful day. After he had fired at the escaped convict, he approached him to see if he was still breathing.

"Please take care of my brother, Opacho..."

When he went rogue, the first thing he did was to find the dead convict's little brother and now, he was stuck with this kid who had a penchant for committing crimes more sinister than those of his older brother.

"Well, maybe another client would call for arson but not this one." He grabbed a rickety chair and sat. "Our client ordered for murder."

"Oh goodie! Who are we going to kill this time?"

"Another royal blood. I'm ecstatic."

"You really hate royal bloods don't you?" his partner smirked.

"This is just my job. Nothing personal. Though a prince did ruin my life before."

"If you say so. By the way, I think we need new masks. Our old ones had blood spatters all over them from our recent kill."

"Ah, how timely. You can buy them tomorrow. Be sure to choose fancier ones."

"Why?"

"Because we're going to attend a masquerade ball."