Disclaimer: I do not own the knights or anything that has to do with King Arthur. Though I wouldn't mind having a few in my possession...if only...hehe...
Chapter 1: The Mission
She knew that this whole situation was now far from her control. Things had finally reached their boiling point, all coming to a head at this awkward and unruly moment. No matter, little twist like this made things all the more interesting.
She honestly did love when things became interesting. This, awkward as it were, seemed to be no exception to the rules. She had a fifty percent chance of having the advantage to be able to handle things.
These situations seemed to always give her that happy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Well, at least until things turned against her favor. Then that feeling turned into nothing more than nausea.
Now, you probably want to know what this interesting thing might be. Well, you'll be told everything. Once, it has been explained of how things had led to this in the first place.
Well, don't get upset...you have to know the beginning before we can discuss her current predicament. Now calm down and listen.
Are we ready? Well, let's begin...shall we?
It had been another droning day at the office, even though your everyday person would say otherwise. No, to most her job was far from ordinary or boring, for that matter. The job of an elite assassin was far from it, but for someone who had been recruited into such a life since the age of fourteen, it was just that...ordinary.
By all means, she had plenty of assignments, possibly more assignments than half of the agents that she worked around. It was something she was bothered with for being the best and youngest, but she was also a little cocky; she had finished all of her contracts for the week in less than four days, three days earlier than her deadline. Oh yes, even in this business you had deadlines. This was the reason for her recent boredom.
You see, our main character had spent nine years since her allowed access into this secret underworld training in everything from jujitsu to kick boxing. She learned to swiftly take care of a hit with nothing more than everyday appliances to the most high-tech and secretive of gadgets. She even learned ballet and gymnastics to horseback riding, but that was all for her own amusement.
Our young heroin or villain, if you like, went by the name Kalysta. Was it her real name? No, but no one knew her real name or anything about her life before joining the underworld, save one. Even how she came to be an elite assassin was a complete mystery; it was as if she appeared overnight. It seemed her title of being the second top assassin came over night as well. Who's the first if not her, you ask?
Well, the first top assassin went by the name Malania; she seemed to be a mystery to the whole corporation. No one knew how she looked or when she came and went. The only person that ever saw her face was Ariel; he was also the only one that even knew of her origins. It was his job to know the origins and background on all of his recruits. Yet, the others knew nothing of the woman...not even her eye color or height, but they all knew her work; clean, quiet and artful.
What's so important about Malania and Ariel, what roles do they play in this tale? Well, all will be told as the story evolves. For now, let's return to the character at hand.
Kalstya sat with her legs extended over each other on top of the glass desk in front of her, head propped back and eyes closed. She had given up making herself useful with the Mac in front of her. After scanning their system's database a hundred times to familiarize herself with information on possibly her next "client" she found herself to be useless at the moment.
What was a girl to do? Slowly she lowered her legs, coming into a sitting position before rising. She made her way down the long hall, not bothering to waste time greeting anyone she passed; she was never one to bother with formalities unless having to, even then it was a rare thing.
Her fingers gracefully brushed over the engravings that adorned the two oak wood doors before her. She thought the ancient engravings were beautiful, the language of old was skillfully craved into the fine wood, each skillful letter staring her in the face and begging to be admired. Her fingers traced over one of the simple golden door knob before turning it to enter.
She sighed among finding the room to be empty. 'He must be in a meeting.' she thought, taking her time to study her surroundings. The warmth and comfort feeling of the room gave her an unwanted nostalgic yearning for a past that was far too distant and painful for her to want to give into remembering. She shook away the feeling, her eyes scanning over the ancient weapons that decorated the walls. Her fingers traced over an oriental sword, a cocky smile pulled at her corners, taking the weapon from its resting place.
"My...aren't you a beauty..." Slowly she twirled the weapon around in her hand before smoothly slicing the air. Her smile seemed to widen as she moved around the room, slicing and twirling the instrument with every step, transfixed in some unknown dance.
She turned on her heels bringing the sword down in a side ways slice, the sound of steel hitting steel began ringing through her ears. Her eyes trailed up the opposing blade, finally locking with the pair of coffee brown eyes that stared back at her. A devious grin formed on the owner of those eyes as his sword was removed from hers, slowly positioning him self into a defensive stance.
"How is it, that of all the people in the world, you seem to be one of two that always gets passed me undetected?" The girl lunged at the man only to have him skillfully block without even blinking.
"Really?" He gracefully side stepped her second attack.
"Yes...you are..." She gasped for air, moving quickly to her left, coming close to receiving injury from his attack upon her. Unfortunately her sleeve didn't fair so well.
"Honestly...it's quite unnerving..." She tried to catch her breathe only to have to dodge another attack.
"And the second?" He took a step backwards, his body relaxing before resting his sword upon his shoulder.
Kalysta stayed in her defensive stance. "What?" She stared at the man in a bit of confusion.
"You said I was one of two...who's the other?" He raised an eyebrow, staring at the girl curiously.
"Oh..." Kalysta relaxed, finally taking that much needed breathe. "...that...the others Malania..."
"Hmm..." Without another word he placed both weapons back in their rightful locations among the wall before nestling into the comfy black leather chair behind his desk. His eyes locked onto the girl, motioning for her to take the seat across from him. "Well, I am older and more experienced."
"Experienced...yes...but I don't believe your being eight years older than I really makes a difference."
"Really, why is this?"
"Ariel really...I'm younger than many of your recruits...and yet I out rank them."
"You have a point."
"Then there's you..."
"What about me?"
"Your abilities surpasses us all, even the abilities of those that have been here since your father managed this corporation."
"I believe you underestimate-"
"Underestimate my ass...you are better than us all and you know it." Kalstya folded her arms across her chest, sighing deeply. "There is only one that might be matched in your skills."
"Of course...you..."
"Me? No...Malania...she is far more satisfied with the task of killing than I am. She kills out of satisfaction; I kill because it is my job."
"You kill for revenge." Kalysta jaws tightened at his blunt use of words. Ariel moved around the desk, leaning his statuesque frame on the edge. His eyes gazed firmly down at the girl, folding his arms before letting out a sigh, pushing back his dark wavy mane. "Kalysta you seek vengeance against those that have wronged you and everyone else. Sadly, you are an assassin with a heart...but...that doesn't change the fact that you are more skilled than Malania could ever be."
"Vengeance is not what I seek...and an assassin with a heart, I am not. Whatever little heart I had...died…along with them that night." She stared up into his eyes; the coldness that appeared in her brown orbs seemed to have vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "But honestly Ariel...you do not need to appease my ego, even if your compliment was momentary."
"No...I'm sure you appease it enough yourself..." His eyes scanned over the girl, a flirtatious grin forming on his face. "Besides, I'd rather enjoy appeasing other things."
"Ariel...please..."
"Yes...yes...always business with you...never time for play. I assume you've done the background check I've asked of you?"
"Yes...more times than I can count. You do know how to keep a girl waiting. Other girls would have given up on waiting on you to receive them."
"Well, it's a good thing you aren't like other girls, isn't it?" He gave her a sly grin.
"Yes it is. Now, what is it about this scientist, Dr. Talbot, that makes him such a threat to us all that I must-"
"I'm beginning to think that you didn't do a very good job in your research."
"On the contrary, I researched as much as I could find. I even know the last time he took a shit, but nothing that explains why he seems to be a threat. Just unfounded information about him possibly building something."
"Yes...and this something is the reason for his needed termination, at least partly." Taking along sigh, he continued with his explaining. "You have heard the rumors of a possible rogue agent, have you not?"
"Yes...but-"
"Well, they are true. There is someone within the underground that's killing off the people in charge of every underground corporation. Who ever this is...is killing for power, it seems." Kalysta tried to digest this new found information completely. Finally she locked eyes with him, opening her mouth to speak.
"What role does this scientist play in this matter?"
"We have reason to believe that he has aligned himself with this agent. If he has and he finishes building that weapon, we will have no chance in stopping them."
"You want me to dispose of him and destroy this...thing, is that it?" He nodded in agreement.
"All the necessities have been dealt with. I don't want you dealing with his little invention, bring it here and my team will take care of it. Understood?" He handed her a file containing any other information on the man that she might need.
"Yes." She rose from her chair, tucking the file under her arm. She took two steps towards the door before turning around to find him standing behind her. "Was there anything else?"
"Yes..." His fingertips brushed her soft skin before they fiddled with the ruined sleeve of her shirt. "You could allow me the pleasure of you...your company...for lunch."
The girl smiled coyly, grabbing his hand to remove them from her. Turning, she made for the door, opening it before looking back at Ariel once more. "I have work to do...you understand." She closed the door behind her, leaving Ariel grinning at the door.
"So, she's better than me is she?" Ariel turned towards the figure that now occupied his chair.
"Malania...I was wondering when you would come out of your little hiding space." He walked over to his desk, the smile still evident. "But, I must say, it's very rude to listen in on others conversations."
"When my name is presented I like knowing the reason for it."
"Hmm...So I see you have been making yourself known to our young agent." Malania rose for the chair, making her way over to the man. Her fingers caressed his crimson tie before gliding over his black button up.
"Not really...but even the shadow gets curious sometimes." Her crystal grey eyes stared into his, a sensuous grin played at her lips as she began to fiddle with his shirt buttons. "Besides, she's not that young...I only have her beat by two years."
Ariel smiled down at the girl, intrigued by her small sign of jealousy. He let his fingers comb threw her jet black hair, leaving it to caress her skin before cupping her cheek. "My dear...beautiful Malania...what in the world am I going to due with you?" He brushed her lips with his before finally deepening the kiss.