prologue

"Get back!"

Traxex narrowly dodged the gleaming, jagged edge that leapt towards her, attempting to swing her bow up to block the next blow. She did, but the force knocked her off balance, sending her hitting a nearby tree.

Frantically Jaden leapt from his vantage point in the forest trees into the fray, swinging his staff to block the swing that was meant for Traxex. Mortred, while surprised, adapted, barely pausing before swinging again.

As Traxex scrambled to her feet Jaden spun the staff, catching Mortred in her torso and knocking her back. Taking advantage of the stun, he leapt and dealt a heavy blow to her face, and swept her off her legs in the same movement. But the assassin had more tricks up her sleeve. She completely dodged the next blow Jaden threw at her and went on a counter-offensive; Jaden found himself being driven back, trying to block the ever-confusing swings of the Phantom Assassin.

Notching an arrow to her bow, Traxex enchanted it with frost, releasing the bowstring with a small twang. The first arrow embedded itself in Mortred's shoulder guard, releasing the frost effect; Mortred found her movement impaired slightly.

The second arrow missed. Curse her and her blur effect, Traxex thought, as she tried to fire another frost arrow at her. She never got to. Mortred knocked Jaden's staff back and drew a dagger, launching it at Traxex. She wasn't aiming for Traxex's vital body organs, but rather her weapon; the Ranger's bow was knocked out of her hands for a split second.

Jaden jabbed at the assassin, but missed; her evasion again. Quickly Mortred swung her blade, grazing Jaden's chest but not hitting entirely. Ignoring the pain, Jaden swung once more, this time connecting with the assassin's hands, disarming her. The twin-sided blade clattered to the rocky, well-worn path.

Jaden pointed the staff at Mortred.

"Okay, assassin. Why are you here?"

Mortred chuckled an evil laugh.

"I asked you a question."

Traxex picked up her bow, nursing a bruised hand from the dagger hilt that had made contact with her, and walked over to where Mortred was standing.

"It is of no matter to you," Mortred said. "The Veiled Sisters will it, and thus you will die."

"I don't think so, assassin." Jaden retorted.

No, wait. Something's not right. Traxex heart filled with dread for some reason. Mortred adapted just now; why not right now? She's playing for time. She's-

"Can you be very sure about that, my friend?"

Then Mortred sprung her trap.

Her hand flew to her belt, and drew her final, concealed dagger. And when she launched it, she let it fly straight into Jaden's chest, and ducked to the ground, rolling to pick up her blade, and blinked away.

She was gone.

The only thing left in front of Traxex was a stabbed Jaden, gasping for air, blood gushing out of the wound.

"NO!"

She caught his body mid-fall, and frantically tried to help him get up.

"Jaden!"

He clasped onto her hand, and tried to say something.

But then he let go.

His eyes rolled back and closed forever.

Traxex could only stare in shock and despair.

The first tears came five seconds later.