Only the Worthy are Taken.

Five down!

The sixth shook violently. He screamed, "Please! I can do it again! I can—"

"You had your chance."

The disciple raised his foot and crushed the assassin's skull beneath his boot with no hesitation.

Sixth down!

The Shadow Disciple walked through the blood-stained chamber, the echo of his steps, the only sound that remained.

Six had fallen.

Only one remained.

He came to a halt before the last assassin—a trembling boy who looked no older than twenty. His face was pale, eyes were wide with terror, as if the walls themselves were closing in on him. 

His hands were still bound, and he backed up until he hit the cold stone behind him.

"I… I didn't even kill anyone," the boy blurted, voice cracking. 

"I swear! I was just following orders. I only watched the others… I didn't touch a soul."

The Shadow Disciple said nothing at first. His gaze was calm and unreadable.

Then he spoke.