Fantasy Chronicles of Cre' Est

[GojiBean]

Linde couldn't help but pick up on the sadness in his voice. If it were possible to help more she would have. However her experience with these matters was limited compared to the physical aspects. And it allowed for little more than a vague understanding of what Maretu was going through. No matter how much advice she wanted to or tried to give, it may never be enough.

In the end, she settled on simply smiling.

"Yes, she was. She retired a few years ago and now spends her days living at home with my younger siblings." She chuckled. "My younger brother has come of age, and mom is a little reluctant to see him go. But like it or not, it's coming in a few weeks. So that should be exciting."

She turned her head to look at him.

"You mentioned someone named Tsubaar. Is he your friend?"

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

"Sounds like my folks. I come from a pretty big family, and my parents are getting up in their years. They run a grocer back home, but, well, they're too old to be out and about that often. It's in the capable hands of my brother, though, now. He's a smooth talker, winning smile, handsome and charming... He couldn't be more perfect there." It had been quite some time since he had visited home, but he was near certain that his brother was still doing just fine, same with his parents. If something were to happen, his brother would likely have run around the whole continent searching him out. A visit home was long overdue, though...

"Oh, Tsubaar, yeah. He grew up in the same town as me, we've been friends since we were kids. He's a bartender, and ever so kind enough to let me sleep at his place when I'm here in Valkyom. Let's me bounce research ideas off of him too, though... I'm surprised he isn't tired of it yet. He doesn't know the first thing about anything but drinks." A small exhale escaped him, his breath slightly visible in front of him thanks to the cool night air. "Sorry for making you walk so far. We're almost there, promise."

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Linde laughed heartily as Maretu described his brother.

"Smooth talker,winning smile, handsome and charming, huh? Sounds like my kind of man." She teased with another laugh.

"Sounds like Tsubaar is a true friend. It's hard to find people who will try to help even if they're not familiar with the subject matter. Most tend to pass it off or change the subject. At least in my experience."

She looked back at the moon, and then scanned the rooftops. It was something of a habit from years past. But one which had served her well. But this time, she scanned not just to scan. She was looking for something. And for the briefest instant, she saw it. A shadowy flicker in the roofline of moving cloth. Signs that someone was following via rooftops and keeping mostly out of sight.

She smiled, and loomed ahead once more.

"I don't mind the time or distance. I enjoy being on my feet." She said happily.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“Oh, come now, Doctor Almna. If he heard you say something like that about him, his ego would go up higher than the world could handle.” A small, honest snicker followed his words. “I wonder if he’s finally gotten a girl back home... He’s always talked about wanting a family.” It was a sentiment he wasn’t sure he could agree with. As nice as a family sounded, he worried he wouldn’t be able to be a proper father in that kind of situation.

“I’m glad. I’d much more prefer for us to go on a walk like this in the daylight... But I suppose the quiet of night is nice. I really think that...”

“Maretu!” From behind the two, Tsubaar barreled out of the door to his house, hastily throwing a coat on over his casual clothes he wore around the house. Seeing his friend, he quickly stomped over with a scowl on his face. “Where’ve you been? You said you were going on a ‘quick errand’!” Shaking his head, he crossed his arms and stared at the man, who quickly was taken off guard.

“Oh, jeez, Tsubaar, I’m sorry... I walked right past the house... Doctor Almna, I’m sorry about that. Thanks for walking me this far, be careful on your way home... Should we wait for your escort you mentioned?” He raised an eyebrow to the woman, unsure of who exactly would be walking her home.

“Don’t change the topic, Maretu. You’ve got a lot of explaining...” Tsubaar was about to pick up their argument from where they left off before, but Maretu took a few steps closer to the man and lowered his voice.

“Can’t it wait, Tsubaar...!? Doctor Almna doesn’t need to know about it. You know I don’t like talking about her, anyways, yet you’ve done nothing but bring her up today! Who’s side are you on!?” His voice was clearly pissed off in tone, but he tried to keep his words quiet.

GojiBean
​

 

[GojiBean]

When Tsubaar burst out of the house shouting at Maretu, Linde momentarily slid her feet apart, bent her knees, and shot her head in the direction the shout had come from. Instinctively, she had reached for her right hip, but when her hand didn't find what used to sit there, she cleared her throat and stood up straight with a slight flush in her cheeks. Watching what unfolded afterwards, she couldn't help but feel a familiarity in the way they spoke to each other. Even down to the way they whispered in close proximity about something she couldn't hear.

Seeing it, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"So this is Tsubaar?" She whispered.

Linde's eyes closed about halfway, and a playful smile sat on her lips as she approached the pair.

"Tsubaar?" She said in a slightly lower, more sultry voice as she leaned in over Maretu's shoulder, giving Tsubaar a wink. "I offer you my sincerest apologies. I kept Maretu longer than intended, talking about research and sharing stories." She cooed, stepping around Maretu and running a finger against Tsubaar's stomach, up to his chest, and gently along the underside of his throat and to his chin where it came to rest. "If you require some sort of compensation for my delaying his return, I'll be happy to provide for you." She whispered, tilting her head so the candle light from the home shone in her eyes as she gave him another, slower wink.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“Yeah...” Maretu scratched at his neck with narrow eyes. Did Tsubaar really need to be doing this right now, in front of a stranger? Though, knowing his hot-headed friend, getting him to shut up would be nigh impossible for him alone.

“W-Woah, Doctor Almna, hey...” Maretu was a bit surprised to have Linde leaning over his shoulder, and even more surprised to see her walking over to Tsubaar and placing a finger on his chest. His mouth went slightly agape watching, matching the bewildered look on Tsubaar’s face perfectly.

“S-Sharing stories, yeah, yeah... Maretu ain’t got any stories worth sharing, anyways. Yeesh...” Tsubaar took a defensive step backwards, eyes drifting downwards for a moment, back up to Linde’s eyes, before his gaze farted off to the right. “Maretu, just come on... Hurry up or I’m gonna lock you out.” Rubbing a hand from his forehead down to his chin, Tsubaar turned and retreated back into his house, with a red blush on his cheeks.

Once he was gone, Maretu’s hands went into his pocket and he seemed to space out a bit. “Huh... Thanks, Doctor Almna... Maybe I’ll at least be spared from finishing our argument until tomorrow...”​

 

[GojiBean]

Linde looked to Maretu with a laugh.

"Not a problem, Maretu. I've encountered enough men like him to know how to diffuse such situations."

She then gave him a light bow.

"Good night, Maretu. And consider a good night's sleep to be the doctor's orders." She said with a wink.

With that, Linde walked off in the direction of her home. And once Maretu and the house he was in were both out of sight, she turned a corner and let off two soft and high pitched whistles. A moment later, a shadow fell behind her from the rooftops. And as she turned, she saw his glowing red eyes looking down at her.

"I'm kind of surprised you remembered."

"I never forget signals."

She chuckled.

"I guess not... A simple double-tap on your chest means come see me later." She repeated, seeming to remember the day they came up with it as she tapped his chest again. "Such a simple thing." She whispered.

"Anyway, walk me home?" She asked, a slight pleading glint in her eye.

He nodded, and ascended back to the rooftops to follow her and ensure her safety as she made her way back. And once Linde was home and safe, Shadow turned his gaze South towards the edge of the city.

"Ernest Selev." He growled.

His eyes flashed brightly, and he darted into the darkness of the alleyways and disappeared.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

"Ernest, is this really the right idea...?" Leo, the man who had given Whimsey the job she was working on, spoke. It was only just recently he had been roped into helping the man out with various hits around the continent. No rhyme, no reason, and seemingly at random. He was grateful that he wasn't the one having to get his hands dirty, but even so, him and Ernest were just as fault. "I mean, can we seriously d-"

"Leo!" Ernest, counting a stack of coins at a table, was quick to turn over to Leo, who was at the other side of the table, and send him a nasty glare. "You agreed to this! You got on board because of all the dough we'd be making!" Standing up, the man pounded the table out of anger. "So shut your trap! Quit questioning it! We can't afford to wimp out with it!" Shaking his head, he threw his hands up in the air out of frustration.

"I'm going home. You clean up here, and we just have to sit tight until I hear about our next target. Got it?" Making eye contact with Leo for a moment, he waited for the boy to simply nod his head yes. With that response finished, he turned and walked out of the side room they were conversing him, heading onto the street to make his way home. It was near sunset, and he was more than ready to simply get home and rest for the night. He was a wealthy man, and with the ability to get others to do all the dirty work expected of him, it felt like easy street.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Dashing over the rooftops, he appeared little more than a mass of dark shadows with his jacket flapping behind him and his all-black ensemble disbursing his silhouette in the fading light against the ever darkening backdrop of the skies above. The name burned in his mind like a mouse on a wheel. Over and over and over again. Ernest Selev. Ernest Selev. Ernest Selev.

He was only vaguely familiar with the name having heard it once or twice in passing. But the familiarity of it rung out in his head like an angry beehive. If this Ernest Selev had any connection to what was happening with Geilam and his connection to Te'i Sai, Shadow would find out.

As he continued on towards the edge of town where he first remembered hearing of Selev's name, he slowed his pace and quieted his steps. Each leap across a rooftop was carefully calculated, and his landing softened by the padding in the souls of his boots. Slowly, he crept up on the main street and hunkered down to avoid his silhouette casting a shadow into the street as he observed carefully the goings on below.

A few average citizens moving about. None could be Selev. Not with his connections if his work with Geilam was the truth. He would be a wealthier man.

... A minute later, and a noble walked down the street. However, this noble was female, and ornately dressed. Selev was male. Shadow had confirmed that much from his memories of hearing about the man in conversation while he was on missions in years past. So once again, he was forced to wait and hope that Selev would be on the move here tonight.

Names being dropped in certain locations usually held some sort of proximity effect. The closer to the places the name frequented, the more often the name was spoken... Usually.

Time ticked on, and his hopes began to wane. A frustrated hand curled into a fist causing the leather in his black finger-less gloves to groan under the pressure. But finally, a breakthrough. Another noble appeared from just up the road. He looked the part. And if his mumblings were any indication then he also sounded the part. Shadow had little to go off of save the name, so following this noble would be the best course of action. Even if it wasn't Selev, he could get information out of this one given how nobility often flew in tight social circles.

Carefully, Shadow followed the man to a corner and descended quietly from the rooftops using windowsills and balconies to slow his descent. Touching down, he waited patiently before grabbing the man and pulling him into the alley, covering his mouth to stifle his screams until they were safely into the back streets. Pinning him against the wall, he glared the man down which caused him to freeze in fear. Removing his hand, Shadow leaned in close.

"Ernest Selev." He growled.

The man stuttered incoherently, resulting in Shadow's expression darkening and his brow furrowing. A light punch struck the man's stomach, causing him to gag and cough while Shadow hoisted him upright and pinned him to the wall once more.

"I won't ask twice." He snarled, lifting the man off the ground several inches.

"H-h-h-he-... He has a home n-n-n-not far from he-he-here! K-keeps it l-l-low key in design! It looks l-l-like a commoner dwell-ll-lling!"

He was hoisted slightly higher.

"It has a sign above the door!" The man squeaked. "It says Selev on it!"

He was dropped to the ground, and by the time he caught his breath he was all alone in a dark alley.

Already back on the rooftops, Shadow sprinted across each gap of buildings and streets, stopping only to scan left to right and read any and all signs available for the name "Selev." Street after street, he failed to find what he was looking for. The sun descended, and night embraced the land in silence. Shadow's search grew more frustrated as he checked the final street within a ten block radius of where he found that noble... No chance he'd still be in that alleyway, though. Shadow's fists tightened and he let out a growl through clenched teeth.

"Where are you?!" He whispered angrily.

His fists relaxed, and he took in a deep breath as Linde's voice echoed in his mind.

You always get mad about everything when it doesn't work out for you! How about you try calming down every now and then and THINK things through?!

Shadow closed his eyes and took another deep breath, relaxing his shoulders as he sat down on the rooftop. If he was missing something, it must have been subtle.

He only had a cursory grasp on how to read the modern language. Growing up in Te'i Sai, he only knew how to read the ancient language Te'i Sai had developed for itself after its founding. Linde taught him something of the modern language's written form and structure. But still... Maybe he misread something? He knew he was spelling "Selev" correctly in his head. But then maybe...

His eyes snapped open.

"It looks l-l-like a commoner dwell-ll-lling!"

Shadow had all but forgotten that during his search. His anger must have gotten to him more than he'd thought for him to miss this detail. He'd been looking for an obvious noble dwelling, three or more stories high or at least ornately designed and structured. He growled in frustration at himself for letting this detail slip through his fingers and waste so much time.

Standing up quickly, he returned and re-scanned every door more thoroughly. And at last, he found what he was looking for. A quiet, modest abode intermixed among the rest of the commonwealth. Very cleverly disguised so as not to leave any lasting impression. Unpainted exterior. Flat wood boards and simple boxed windows. A door with a simple iron knob. Nothing about it said "nobility" or "wealthy." But there, above the door, the name "Selev" sat proudly on a piece of fine maple. The only part of the dwelling that spoke to any affluence since maple wasn't sold to commoners... Yet another detail he'd let slip because of his anger.

With his target in sight, Shadow's eyes flashed before he ducked into he darkness of the alleys below and began his search for the best entry point.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

Ernest was a man with plenty of wealth, and a large estate in a different city. However, when it came to taking care of targets and communicating with Te'i Sai, he couldn't do those things from the comfort of his estate. It was a dirty business he was involved in, and staining his noble name with blood simply wouldn't do. So, he had purchased a smaller home out in a small village to keep himself in, and one for his various contractors, like Whimsey, to find him in. He disliked staying in it for long periods of time, but it was for the job.

Tonight was no different, and he expected he would be stuck in this small little home until Whimsey got back from the next target. Then, so long as Te'i Sai gave him at least a bit of time until the next target, he could get back in the comfort of his home. For now, though, food was on his mind, and while the kitchen in the house was small and simple, it was enough to get at least a decent dinner going. Normally, he would leave the matter of cooking to his attendants, but he didn't want to bring a potentially untrustworthy attendant with him for such matters. So, the matters fell to him, at least for a short while.

With his meal eventually finished, he took it out to the quaint, simple dining room of the house, finding one of the books he had brought with from his estate to read and pass the time. Waiting around for others to take care of his target's was awfully boring, and left him with very little to do. He would often go and gamble in nearby taverns, as it was practically the only thing he had to do in this godforsaken town.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Though being truly soundless was impossible, the next best thing was to cover one's own sound by hiding behind that of another. Shadow waited patiently outside the window to the kitchen as he observed a single female servant, disguised as a common housewife, washing dishes. With her using water and scrubbing away, the faint click of the window's lock being lifted to the side via a small, thin piece of metal went completely unnoticed. Shadow opened the window, slipped inside as quietly as he could, and left the window open as a distraction while he slipped by when she happened to look in the opposite direction.

Now in the hallway, he had to move fast. This was a completely open area with no cover whatsoever. So he made for the stairs and calmly waited beneath them for any sounds indicative of someone else in the house. But he heard nothing. So, it was time to take a little risk. He made his way upstairs and found himself at the end of another hallway. And at the end was a door that was left open just so. Upon coming up to view inside, he saw his target engrossed in a book.

Could he have made it any easier?

Shadow slowly pushed the door open, minding any potential squeaks or groans of metal or wood, and closed it behind himself by cautiously turning the knob and letting it fit in to place without it making a click. With the door shut and the two of them in private, even if only temporarily, he walked up behind Ernest and waited patiently for him to turn around.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“Mmm, wonderful...” Setting the fork in his hand down, he shut the book in his hand and left it on the table. His maid could clean up later, or worst case scenario, he himself could take care of it tomorrow.

Stifling a short yawn, he stood up and stretched his arms above his head, ready to go and turn in for the day. Considering her normal pace, he still had at least a day or two to wait on Whimsey, so he supposed he would take it easy and turn in early.

Though, as he shoved the chair back under the table lazily and turned, he was met face to face with a man he didn’t recognize. “W-Who the hell!?” Practically leaping into the air, his hand moved to the table and grabbed at the first metal he could find, his fingers curling around the fork he had just had, before he swung it at the figure’s cheeks with a short shout.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Shadow's lips curled into a smirk as he caught Ernest's wrist.

You make it far too easy. He thought.

Shadow then yanked him in close and kneed Ernest in the stomach, knocking the wind from his lungs. He then lifted Ernest's arm up into the air to force him to stand up straight so their eyes could meet.

"Utoros Geilam... What do you know?" Shadow growled.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“U-Utoros...!?” Ernest’s eyes went wide as Shadow made his demand. Who was this man, and why was he breaking in to demand that sort of into? He gasped for air for a moment, shaking his head and trying for a short moment to wrestle himself free. When he was pulled to make eye contact with his attackers, a small gasp escaped him and his eyes widened. He was a pretty easy man to break, and quickly let out a short shout. “Y-You...!” His breath started to quicken, and the fear for his life started to set in. He, like many others, had heard terrible tales about the Red-Eyed Demon, and knew that practically nobody had ever been in a situation like this and survived.

“V-V-Very little! Practically nothing! I contracted an assassin to kill him at someone else’s request! She took care of the kill!” Ernest let out a shaky yell, before shaking his head out of worry. “What’s it matter to you!?” He spat, hoping you convince the killer in front of him that Utoros wasn’t his problem.

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Shadow's brows furrowed and his nose scrunched.

"You don't ask questions." He snarled.

Letting go of Ernest's arm, he drew a dagger and slashed Ernest across the chest. The blow would only break skin and cause discomfort, but it was enough.

"You just answer mine." He growled.

He took a step forward and placed the tip of the blade against Ernest's stomach just below the center of his rib cage.

"Who hired you to target Geilam?"

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“Gah!” A shout of pain mixed with shock escaped Ernest when Shadow slashed his chest. He already knew he was a dead man, and had assumed he had this coming eventually. He had thought that would have been far, far further down the line, though...

“Gimme...” A shaky breath escaped him as he tried to keep himself conscious. “...One reason I should tell you. You’re gonna k-kill me anyways, aren’t you? You damned psychopath...” The defiant tone in his voice faded and changed into hopelessness, and his eyes trailed down to the knife in Shadow’s hand. “High and mighty bastard...”

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Shadow's lips curled back, revealing his teeth as a growl gurgled in his throat. He backed Ernest into a wall, allowing the tip of his dagger to slowly begin piercing his flesh drawing a small amount of blood under its tip.

"Pain of death may as well be the kiss of relief from the Gods compared to what I can and will do to you if you refuse to answer me."

Shadow's voice suddenly took on a strange new tone. It was almost as if a second voice spoke in unison with him. But the second voice was lower. Deeper. More primal.

The dagger was thrust deeper, stopping just short of his heart, and held firmly in place.

"If you wish to see tomorrow, you will answer my question... Who hired you to go after Geilam?" He demanded.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“G-Gods...!” Ernest’s whole body tensed and spasmed for a short moment in response to the dagger being stabbed inside of him. He was a man far removed from combat and bloodshed, even if he was involved with it. Never once had he felt a pain this fierce in his life.

“I don’t know! Some man, in a hood...! Never gave me a name! Whenever they request anything from me, they send someone else, but I don’t know anything about who they are! I kill who they want, and I get paid! I’ve never questioned it!” Ernest was starting to be truthful with Shadow, though his words were more pleading in tone than serious, as if begging the man to take the blade out of his chest. “I’ve only got a few people I send out to do the killings for me! I’m no assassin...!”

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

"Hmph."

Shadow removed the blade, slowly. And as it came free, he flicked it upwards so Ernest's blood splattered across the man's face.

"It's amazing cowards like you make it so far in life." Shadow growled.

The blade, dripping with blood, was held up in front of Ernest's face.

"Who did you assign to kill Geilam?"

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“A girl, I don’t know her exact age, but she’s probably around t-twenty... Been killing all her life. If you’ve ever heard of the serial killer from Cabaten down south, that’s her... She’s the one who took out Utoros...” A few pained coughs escaped him as he spat a bit of his own blood from his mouth.

“She’s in Valkyom as we speak... After a woman named Faliea Lunan... Got no clue who she is, or why they want her dead... That’s all, I swear...”

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Without so much as a twitch, Shadow slowly lowered the dagger and placed the tip against Ernest's groin.

"Name." He demanded.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

“W-Whimsey! Whimsey Mausinia! Again, she’d be in Valkyom right now!” Ernest took a sharp inhale as Shadow’s knife moved lower, praying the killer wouldn’t go as far as doing that.

“If your quarrel is with her, kill her! I don’t care! She’s easily replaceable! Hell, I’ll help you, if you want! Just please, don’t give me the same fate!”

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

Shadow's eyes narrowed.

"There are few things I hate more in this world..." He growled quietly.

The blade moved up slowly, gently caressing his body until it rose to the same spot it had when he pushed it into his chest earlier.

"... Than someone who would treat the lives of others like disposable commodities."

In an instant, the blade went through Ernest's chest entirely, the tip sticking into the wall behind him. And with a mighty downward thrust, Ernest's body below the ribcage was split in two. Massive pools of blood, along with the majority of his internal organs, spilled onto the floor.

... But he was still alive.

Something Shadow reveled in was the fact that the brain could live without the heart and other organs for a small amount of time. And right now, Ernest's brain was just beginning to comprehend the pain he was in as Shadow sheathed his dagger and turned to leave the room.

By the time he reached the rooftops, Ernest would have died from shock and blood loss. Meanwhile, Shadow had a new name to track down.

"Whimsey Mausinia... The serial killer from Cabaten." He muttered.

He hadn't heard of such a serial killer. But the name "Whimsey" seemed oddly familiar to him.

"Whimsey." He repeated silently to himself.

Then, it hit him... The girl.

The one who had come to see Linde not but a few days ago. He'd seen Linde talking to her, but was too far away to hear the conversation. But he could read lips. And Linde had mouthed the name "Whimsey" at least twice while facing the window. He remembered the girl's face, and her attire. If she was anything like him, she'd keep a steady and consistent ensemble of clothing from job to job whenever it was time to track down her prey.

Shadow's eyes flashed more brightly, and he disappeared into the night.

Mothman

 

[Mothman]

While she had doubted the effects of the medicine, Whimsey was surprised at just how quickly the tonic that Linde had given her knocked her out. Even with such a small dose with a spoonful of it, she was out like a light in minutes. When morning came and she woke up, sprawled out on her bed without even having bothered to remove her knives and boots, she was surprised to feel legitimately rested. Her body wanted her to let sleep take her once again, even as she sat up and let out a yawn, but there were things that needed doing. All the sleep she had lost over the past days would have to get caught up on later.

The 'Lucas Killkreg' that Linde had recommended she seek out was a tricky one to find, and an even trickier one to negotiate with. It took a lot of back and forth, as well as a bit of coin, but she eventually manage to wrestle some info out of him about Faliea. There were rumors that she had some shady connections and did was involved in some under the table business, but Whimsey was far from interested in that. When she got it narrowed down to a neighborhood she lived in, that was enough for her. Not only that, but Lucas had been kind enough as to enlighten her with a rundown of the woman's appearance. Tall, with a slim, elegant figure that belonged on a dancer. Long, blonde hair that she kept flowing free, that reached her hips, and a pair of stunning green eyes.

That was more than enough information to get her scouting for the woman. And, surely enough, his information seemed on the money. She took a day to simply observe the woman, as she normally would, but had to cut it short after being overtaken with another series of hallucinations and fear the the Red-Eyed Demon was after her. Once again, she slept soundly that night, at a different Inn closer to Faliea's home than the night before, thanks to Linde's medication. Though, hanging around in Valkyom still had her on edge, and she just wanted to get this over with ASAP. That morning and afternoon went to tracking down Faliea and following her around for the day again. The woman seemed to be a man-killer, having spent time at a variety of hotspots and restaurants with a number of different men. When night came around, she followed the woman home as well, being far more hasty than she normally would be and immediately scouting out a back or side door. The last thing she wanted was to stay outdoors this late at night. It made her feel extremely vulnerable.

Thankfully, it didn't take her long to pick the lock on Faliea's back door, and she was in quickly enough. The fireplace was still lit, but the torches around the house all seemed to be already snuffed out. That at first made her assume the woman had turned in for the night, and she should seize her chance while it was available. Though, as she made for the stairs of the home, a high pitched screeching sound broke her ears and made her stop in her tracks, groaning in pain and bringing her hands to her ears. From beneath her, a shadowy mist began to swirl around her, bubbling and pulsating around her feet like it was alive. It worked onto her feet, before moving up her body slowly, before a scream of fear escaped the woman as the mist began to shine dozens of bright red lights in her direction. Stumbling back, she caught herself on the wall, smashing her head against a painting on the wall, before it crashed to the ground behind her. Footsteps upstairs immediately snapped her out of her hallucination, and she immediately knew that she would have company downstairs quickly enough. "Dammit..." She muttered to herself while still fighting with the pain in her head, before turning and sprinting back out the way she came, not even bothering to slam the door shut behind her.

Once back on the street, she ducked into the first alleyway she could, cutting to a different street and simply trying to distance herself from Faliea's home as much as she could. Her eyes darted around, trying to remember where in the hell the nearest Inn was, so she could buckle down in a room and try again tomorrow...

GojiBean​

 

[GojiBean]

If words alone could kill, the most dangerous word an Assassin could ever dare to face was the word: Noise.

And this night, noise indeed was the deathbringer. Noise from within a home. Noise from the entryway. Noise in the alley nearby. Whimsey's deep, sharp breaths. All of it worked against her. And whether or not Whimsey herself was even aware of the noise she was making seemed up for debate as she stumbled and darted away as fast as she could.

But it was no use.

Before Whimsey could gain more than a few yards from where she'd stopped to hide from Faliea, Shadow descended from the rooftops and landed in front of her with a loud THUD. A small cloud of dust erupted from beneath his feet, and through the light haze his glowing red eyes pierced the night like two ruby-red beacons.

He said nothing, but his eyes glared a hole straight through her forehead between her eyes... As if waiting for something.

Mothman