Someone Else in this World of Mine - Chapter 4

The Hero and his lover are sitting on a bench in a park eating ice cream, enjoying the day together. Suddenly it cuts to a dark alley in this fantasy town, a character in dark clothing with black daggers embedded in the back of a man. The man falls foreword, dead, soundlessly. The dark man pulls his daggers out and steps away into the shadows. "Time to get to the guild, gatta turn in that contract." He thinks aloud. A faint scream is heard, feminine and in distress. He reels, stops himself and keeps walking. He doesnt need another distraction, needs to just get back. Another scream, a cry for help and another. He curses himself for being so soft as he melds into the shadows and disappears. The shadows receded to unveil a big man holding a blonde woman, beaten and cut, in a sort of choke hold maneuver. The Assassin cursed, the man was bigger than himself and he didnt like getting into fights he couldnt win. The man was mumbling something to her but he could only make out a few words through the noise of the main street which was alarmingly close for him. "Owe us.....money...kill you..." How very cliché thought the Assassin, a gripe over money. He silently morphed from the walls shadow to the man's. Suddenly the big man crumpled, his neck cut from ear to ear in an almost sinister grin. The woman fell to the ground, coughing to regain her breath. The Assassin looked down at her, 'Shed be rather pretty if she got cleaned up and wasnt beat so badly.' The Assassin thought to himself. She looked up at the dark clad man that now had specks of crimson dotting his mask and hood with fear in her eyes. "Now you're saved." He retorted to her, "Get out of here." He turned and started walking soundlessly away from her, down the alley, he was late to meet his contract. He felt a tug at his cloak and he turned his head slightly, she had grabbed the edge and was staring up at him, now, along with fear, wonderment and hope were in her eyes. "Please, i need help, you're strong, you can help." She was pitiful, his face showed what he thought about her but she didnt flinch. He shook her off but made sure not to hurt her. "Go talk to the guards if you need help, i have places to be, you've made me late already." She flailed and tried to grab him again, lunging with what strength she had, missing but getting him to turn back to her again. "I cant go to them, they wont help, they dont believe me, please help me." He stood for a moment, then crouched down to meet her gaze. "Why should I, what will i get out of it?" She panicked for a moment, thinking, praying she could think of something he would want. "Me, you can have me." She half begged half pleaded with him. He stood, thought a moment. He sighed, long and deep. "That contract wasnt worth much anyway i guess. What happened." He gave in as he crouched back down, this time picking her up in his arms. They walked through the alleyways, avoiding main roads while she described what had happened to her. She had been a noble in another nation, it had fallen to internal strife and other nations attacking. She had been sold into slavery but escaped shortly after, with no way of making money or food she had to resort to stealing. Unfortunately she had stolen from someone that was very well connected and ever since that day they had been chasing her, demanding she repay them, any way they felt she deserved, whether that be money or otherwise. The Assassin fumed at the thought of this man planting traps like that for people trying to get by with no money, he said nothing though, carrying her on his back now (like a piggyback). Finally they made it to The Assassins home, a nice enough looking place, rather normal house for a fantasy town to have, away from other people though. He helped her inside and into his bed, he then went to his kitchen and started to cook up some soup while he laid his cloak, mask and hood on the table next to him, revealing his scarred face. One long across his nose, one over his eye, a few along his neck. This is not to say he wasnt still handsome. Messy black hair that was pointing foreword and upward, brown eyes and a chiseled jawline, no stubble or beard to be seen. The Thief's (the woman) last thoughts before she drifted into a sleep filled with turmoil were those of curiosity as to why The Assassin always hid his face if he was so attractive. The Assassin sat at the table, looking into his bedroom at the woman laying on his bed. He cursed himself for betraying his instincts to leave her and mind his own business. Now he had a burden he had no time or money to worry about. He sat back and sipped his coffee, sighing heavily as he pondered thoughts that hadnt been in his head in some time. He banished them quickly, hes got a job, the only thing that matters is the job. He stood and went to bandage and treat her wounds. Time passed, day became night, she was still sleeping in his bed and he had fallen asleep at the table, his head lolling back against the char. She awoke with a start and he jumped to his feet, dagger in hand, only then realizing that it was just her. He put the dagger on the table and walked over to her. She looked up at him and smiled. He recoiled a little but stayed. "Thank you for helping me." She told him with a smile that lit up the dark room. "You're a really nice person..." and with that she fell back into her lucid sleep. He looked grimly down at her, "No, im not." He said quietly as he went to prepare his things. Dawn broke soon after, he was dressed in his gear, a menacing feeling around him. The Thief awoke slowly, after all, it was her first time in a melinniea that she had slept on an actual bed. "Lets go, get up." Pushed The Assassin. "We need to get moving if we're ganna stop this guy." He roused her and hurried her out the door, making sure not to push too hard due to her wounds. They set out, towards the next town, the place she had first met the merchant that had trapped her. They traveled for 3 or 4 days, through forests, over rivers, past other towns, stopping only for sleep and food, talking rarely. Then she spoke up, "Hey." She asked," Why did you decide to save me?" The Assassin made no move to answer. She stared at him and asked again, "What made you decide to sa..." she was cut short by The Assassin throwing his arm out to stop her. He gazed out into the trees, her wondering what exactly he had heard or seen. He looked her in her green eyes, "Stay." The word came with a firm command but not one out of obligation but of actual caring feelings. The Assassin slipped off into the trees silently, cursing himself again for letting himself get caught up in such a situation where his feelings would betray himself. He instantly turned his attention to the four enemies ahead of him, lying in wait. He was upon them before they even realized he was there, all of them dead within moments, torn by the vicious wielding of his daggers. He stood over his victims mangled bodies and an evil grin spread over his normally docile face under his hood. This is what he needed, what he was. He was an Assassin, he murdered and enjoyed the feeling of plunging his blade into people. Those fake feelings he has when hes around her cant compare to this, this was living. His smile faded to a look of almost sadness. Those fake feelings...when his chest gets warmer and a little tight when she gets close to him. Those fake feelings of staring into her beautiful green eyes. He shook his head, what was he thinking. He needed to get back to her, they have to keep moving. He dove back between the trees and shrubs to where he had left her. He broke out of the underbrush to see her sitting on a stump nearby, to his relief, then he realized he felt that and killed the thought. "Ive dealt with them." He told her, "Lets get moving again." He noticed her pouting slightly so he stopped and looked at her questioningly. "I was hoping to bathe in the stream nearby, its clean and we've been walking for days." He sighed reluctantly and sat down to set up camp as she ran off towards the stream. He sat for what felt like hours but must've been about 20 minutes or so. 'How long can one bathe for?' He thought to himself. Then, a cry split the silent forest and he was into the trees in and instant. He came out onto the stream and saw her in the water, holding her breasts in her arms and water up to her hips, pointing at something running on the other bank. He only had a moment to act as he threw one of his knives with such pinpoint accuracy that it hit the unknown entity in the back of the knee. He bounded across the stream, barely touching the water and was on the entity within only a moment, his dagger at its throat. It was a rogue sent from the city they were heading to, unfortunately, thats all he said before The Assassin gutted him. She walked up beside him, water dripping off of her body. The Assassin stood and turned to tell her what he had heard but recoiled at her naked body. She was fit, thin around the waist but still was well endowed. She looked at him, "Whats the matter, you were going to see it eventually anyways, i did promise to give myself to you as payment." The Assassin turned away and managed to relay the info to her before asking her to please go put something on. Luckily for him he still had his mask on so she couldnt see him turning red. He eventually wandered back to camp, she was sitting on her stump again waiting for him to return. She stood when she saw him approaching and they embarked on the rest of their journey to the city, talking more now about interests, pasts, things of that nature. They arrived at the city 5 days after leaving The Assassin's house, both had gotten to know each other more and more each day that passed. So much so that The Assassin wasnt worried if border patrol asked who they were. He knew both of them would be able to act like whatever they felt like being. They were never stopped but the knowledge they could play it off reassured The Assassin. They walked into town unhindered by any guards or anyone that might have known them. She led him to an inn she knew about and he rented a room for 2 nights. They walked up the creaky old stairs and opened the room to find there was only one bed, one table and one bath behind a curtain. The Assassin looked around the room and grumbled a complaint about cheap hotels and the innkeepers mother. "Im really sorry." The Thief said, "Ive never been in this inn before but i had hoped it was a good one." The Assassin turned to look at her and put his hand on her head. "Its alright, ill sleep on the floor." He started to put his gear down but she grabbed the edge of his cloak. He turned to look at her as she turned bright red. "Its...its ok with me, you can sleep on the bed too. I dont mind." He looked at her for a moment and then put his hand on her heard again. "Ok then, ill take you up on that offer." The night was fast approaching and they planned to launch their attack in the morning so they got ready for bed and crawled under the sheets. They put their backs to each other and tried to get some sleep. Both were nervous, they could feel each other's hearts beating quickly. Eventually they were both able to drift off to a deep but troubled sleep. The Assassin awoke with a start to find that what had woken him up was The Thief crying in her sleep, one of her dreams haunting her. The Assassin, not knowing full well what to do, laid back down but this time facing her back, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She immediately stopped trembling and her tears ran dry. They both slept soundly for the rest of the night until finally dawn approached. The Assassin woke up first, realized he was all but snuggling with her and leapt off of her and onto the floor. That being so loud woke up The Thief as well. She looked around at first startled by the noise until she located him on the ground rolling about. "Fell off the bed?" She asked with a bit of humor flaring in her voice and her eyes. The Assassin looked up at her with a small smile, "Yeah, something like that." He jested. "Well i slept better than i have in years, it was wonderful." The Assassin turned slightly red and shambled off to get ready, "Well thats great, im glad." After that they got ready in silence, the cheery morning feeling was soon swept away by a depressing weight put on them by the feat they were about to attempt. The Assassin stopped getting ready for a moment and turned to look at the woman he had met only 6 or 7 days ago but now was one of the only people who knew so much about him. He wondered what wouldve happened if he wasnt who he was and he had met her. He swept that silly thought under the rug and continued getting ready. By sunup they were ready and outside the inn. It didnt take long to find the merchant's building. It was a large marble building that was adorned with gold trimmings, it almost looked like a national bank. They tried the door and it gave, they slowly crept inside. All the lights were off so The Assassin had to guide The Thief by grabbing her wrist and pulling her along beside him. After a little while of walking, they came to a large door, adorned with gems and gold so much so that it still shined in the darkness. They pushed open the door and walked into a large open room with columns on both sides and a large throne like structure in the middle. The lamps flared to life, lighting one at a time until the throne was fully lit. An older man sat upon it, maybe 50s or 60s. He was covered in gold jewelry and flashy rings but he wore sturdy plate mail, expensive and rigid. He laughed menacingly as the two approached the foot of the chair. "So." He started, "Have you come to take me up on my little...offer for your freedom?" He laughed wickedly, a hissing wheezing laugh that would make any normal person shudder. The Thief stepped forward, "No, unfortunately for you ive come to kill you." The Merchant laughed louder, a raucous laugh that seemed to shake the building. "You?" He laughed, "You've never killed before in your life, you couldnt if you wanted to." The Thief flinched slightly but The Assassin stepped foreword and unsheathed his dagger as he put his hand on hers. "Oh this is good, this is grand." The Merchant jabbed, "An assassin protecting his little thief!" The Merchant shuddered with his hissing laughter as The Assassin felt his heart fall into his stomach. He turned to look at her but she hadnt faltered, she looked at him with those gorgeous green eyes and said, "I had kind of figured you did something like that, after all, you're really good at killing and you're so quiet about it." The Assassin shuddered with emotion momentarily but then regained his composure and turned back to the Merchant, this time with resolved vigor. The Merchant sneered at them. He stood and took something out of his armor. It was a small vial with dark liquid in it. The Merchant grinned evilly, "You know what this is, dont you little assassin." He did, it was a special toxin created by his syndicate for torture, it brought out true natures of people and drove them wild. The Assassin flinched momentarily but then lunged at The Merchant. "Whoops." The Merchant said sarcastically as he tossed the vial at The Thief. The Assassin, without missing a beat slashed with his dagger, cutting The Merchant, while also leaping to stop the vial. It hit him and splashed onto the floor. The Assassin dropped to one knee and The Thief went to run to him. He shot his hand out and yelled for her to stay back. His eyes were bloodshot and his teeth were forced together as he fought to stay in control. The Merchant roared with laughter, "Look here little Thief, your assassin is going to become what he truly is, a cold blooded murderer only in it for the money, and as you die im going to make you watch as i split his cowardly skull!" The Thief ran to him and threw her arms over him, "I wont let you, hes not who you think he is, he has feelings, he loves, he wants things, he wants me." The Assassin, now lost in darkness, shot up and she fell to the ground. He stood over her and kneeled down, preparing to plunge his dagger into her heart. She smiled up at him, "If this will sate your bloodlust and free you from it, then kill me. If somehow life becomes your foe, and you're once again immersed in the dark, know that ill always be in your heart." Then she reached up with her hands, took his face between them, and kissed him, deep and long, a passionate, love kiss. When she pulled back, he had dropped the dagger and was staring at her, wide eyed, shocked. She smiled up at him, "Go get him." The Assassin grabbed hold of her and stood up with her, then he was gone, a shadow, he laid her off to the side, safely, and then walked back into the main room. The Merchant, now seething with anger drew a sword. "How did you get out of that, love isnt that powerful, you arent some god!" The Merchant lunged from the throne down at The Assassin. The Assassin casually parried the blade and sunk his dagger deep into the chest of The Merchant. He staggered backward, "No, this cant be, im the most...powerful man...in this city...I cant lose to the likes of you. You are nothing, you never will be something. Die you disgusting vermin." With one last effort The merchant lunged again, this time, The Assassin dodged the blade and sliced upward with his dagger. The thump of the Merchant's body could be heard echoing throughout the room and then the thud of his head hitting the ground a moment later. The Thief ran to The Assassin and embraced him, kissing him again. "You did it, you killed him, im so happy, you freed me, i love you." The Assassin just hugged her, tightly, not letting go. Suddenly thundering footsteps could be heard down the hallway, The Assassin grabbed The Thief around her waist and shadowed out of the room and down the many halls to the main door. They stormed out of the building and down the street, out to the gate. Both sprinting headlong out of the city and down the road. 7 days later, the syndicate received a letter of termination, The Assassin was no longer alive, The Merchant and Assassin had killed each other in a fierce battle. Not long after, The Assassin's house was sold but the money was stolen by a rather beautiful woman with blonde hair and green eyes. At the gate to the original town, a dark cloaked man met the girl, they embraced and then started walking down the road. "So." She said, "Where to now." He pondered a moment, "Good question, oh, but before that, we should tell each other our names at least." She agreed. "We'll say them together. 1...2...3.....Some say they still see The Assassin walking about but others refute that, if he was, there would be mass killings, not so many thefts, because after all, he was just an assassin.