Corvo and the Shadow of Dunwall

My heart sank as I heard the news that Corvo, the Lord Protecter had been arrested on the charge of murdering the Empress. I, of course, did not believe that story one bit. From what I knew about him, he would never do anything to harm the Empress or Lady Emily. Though he would be joining us soon.

I worked alongside Admiral Havelock and Lord Pendleton. And we were working on a plan to break Corvo out of Coldridge Prison. And then he and I would be sent out to purge the city of the Lord Regent, the High Overseer, and the rest of the Overseer's. They were ruining the city and everyone in it, though Corvo and I would be the two to bring the city back to its peaceful state.

Over the next six months, I worked with Admiral Havelock closely to train myself for the upcoming months. Corvo was much more skilled then I was, so I had to be able to join him on a similar level.

On the morning that Corvo arrived, I grew excited. When Samuel pulled up in the boat, I ran down towards it, wanting to see the Lord Protecter again.

"Good to see you again, Aarin," Samuel greeted me, stepping out of the boat and hugging me.

"You too, Samuel," I replied.

After we broke away, he said, "Aarin, I'd like you to meet Corvo Attano. Admiral Havelock told you that he would be helping us. Could you take him around the Hound Pits and get him used to the surroundings before he heads off to see the Admiral?"

I nodded. "Of course! Just follow me, Corvo."

Corvo followed closely behind me as I led him towards Piero's lab. He greeted us warmly before shoeing us away since he was very busy. Giggling lightly, I led him inside the pub and up the stairway.

"And this is where the servant's quarters are, and the Admirals and Pendleton's rooms are located," I explained, pointing out each door. Corvo nodded.

"And your room is all the way on the top floor. It's right next to mine. The Admiral wanted us close together since we will be working closely together over the next couple of months."

Corvo turned to look at me, shocked. "Working closely together?"

I frowned. "They never told you? I am an assassin. A good one at that. And they have instructed me to assist you. I have powers granted to me by the Outsider. His mark is on my hand, and I have powers that could greatly help you." And I held up my left hand, showing him the mark inscribed on the skin. "Anyway, Lord Pendleton and the Admiral are expecting you. Let's not keep them waiting."

Corvo and I arrived and the Admiral immediately started talking. "Ah, the man of the hour is here! Welcome, Corvo. I am Admiral Havelock, and I lead the group of Loyalists that is trying to bring down the Lord Regent."

"And I am Lord Trevor Pendleton. I represent the nobility in our little group, though we all act as equals here at the Hound Pits."

I stifled a giggle. Admiral Havelock was clearly the leader and was above all the servants. Being equals was not a word in the Admiral's vocabulary.

"But we have more important matters to discuss once you've rested Corvo," Havelock spoke again. "Aarin will show you to your room, and then we can talk in the morning."

Hugging Havelock and Pendleton goodnight, I led Corvo upstairs and to his room.

"My room is right here. Get me if you need anything. See you in the morning." And I blinked down the stairs.

I met with Pendleton and Havelock again. "Thanks, Aarin. Could you scout in the district again. I heard gunshots close by last night."

I nodded. "Of course."

20 minutes later, I found myself in the middle of a deserted street. Clenching my left hand briefly, my pupils shrank and a small voice in my head whispered, "It hides, it dies!" The only yellow figure that appeared was a weeper a couple blocks down. Blinking behind them, I stabbed my sword into their neck. They died instantly and I surveyed the ruins again. There were no yellow figures and no Overseer traps. This part of the city was still secure.

My pupils shrank back to normal, and I blinked back closer to the pub. I strolled back in the front door and saluted the two men before heading up to my room. Though there was someone already using my bed.

A run sat on my bed, and when I picked it up, I was drawn into the Void. The Outsider was standing next to me and I could see Corvo in the distance, trying to master Blink.

I looked up at the Outsider questioningly. "Why have you drawn Corvo into the Void?"

"Because I have seen the future. And he will prove to be most interesting, though he can accomplish nothing without me and my powers." He glanced down at me. "Are you jealous that my attention will now be split between the two of you?" he joked, smirking down at me.

"No," I grumbled, not meeting his gaze. Though, in truth, I was slightly jealous. That would mean that I would be seeing The Outsider less, and have to compete with Corvo for runes that we might find. "But what happens when we find a rune and both of us want to take it? I would like to talk to you, but he might take it first."

"Then I will make sure that there are two runes there, or I'll appear before both of you, regardless of who picked the rune up. I already thought about these things, Aarin. I can see the future remember?" He laughed and directed my attention at Corvo once more. "He seems to be doing well. But once he gets here, I think it will help him to see you and not just me, who he doesn't know, and doesn't trust."

A few minutes later, Corvo blinked to our position. "Aarin," he said, shocked. "Why are you here?"

I laughed. "I showed you the mark on the back of my hand. And now you have the same one. We both work under The Outsider."

Corvo looked between us for a few moments before keeping his attention on the deity.

"To help you find my runes that are scattered throughout the city, I give you this; the heart of a living thing. It will serve you well. Do not lose it." And he disappeared.

"Listen to the heart, Corvo. It will guide you. I have a power that let's me find them without the heart, so this is for when I'm not with you. Now, let's practice your blinking skills. Follow me," and I blinked off onto the next platform.

Sitting, and waiting for my mana to recharge, I watched Corvo's symbol glow and he appeared next to me. "Good job. Now try to keep up." And I blinked rapidly from platform to platform, out of his sight in a matter of seconds.

As I stopped at the final platform, The Outsider was waiting for me. "Well done, Aarin. Though you could have waited for him along the way," he chuckled. I pouted and crossed my arms, using my dark vision to try and see where he was located at.

My pupils shrank as he appeared next to me. "Why are your pupils so small?" he asked, flexing his hand.

I blinked and my vision returned to normal. "It's called Dark Vision, though what I have is specifically called Void Gaze. It allows me to see through walls to be able to place people, objects, and anything else that might harm me. Though I usually use it while I wear my mask so people don't get freaked out," I explained, the mark on my hand starting to burn from my large usage of mana.

"Send him back to the real world," I told the Outsider, moving my eyes to rest on him. "He needs his rest for what lies ahead of him. I'll head back in a moment."

With a sweep of his hand, Corvo was placed back in his own world, while I stood facing him still.

"Tell me," I began in a whisper. "Do you see me surviving for much longer?"

The Outsider sighed. "I have seen your future, and though it is grim, you live and find happiness. But I cannot tell you what to do, nor who you find peace with. But now you must go. Corvo is trying to wake you."