It was midnight at the Border Pavilion. These were the peak hours of business for this bizarre tavern. The music was energetic and of ancient Indian decent. Wine was being consumed like water. The visitors were drunk and loud. Gambling, drinking, music, dancing. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. All but one man... Crimson.
He sat at the center table, directly in front of Azura's stage. She danced in the center of a group of dancers. The group of dancers included Willow and the other two assassins. But who would know?
Azura wore light blue. The outfit was tight and revealed her abdomen. Women wanted to have her perfectly proportioned body and men wanted to be one against her perfectly smooth skin. She stretched out a long strip of light blue silk behind her back, from hand to hand. She waved the silk gracefully through the air. With every wave of of her hand, she took the breath away from everyone in the room. Her beauty was truly enchanting.
Crimson sat motionlessly, staring up at her. His face showed no signs of admiration. It appeared bored and expressionless. He suddenly stood up and walked away.
Azura glared at him, as he vanished into one of the dark hallways along the main hall of the pavilion. But she continued to dance.
About an hour later, she was done performing. Her and Willow walked quickly through the hallway of the pavilion. Although Azura was calm, Willow's face appeared frantic. The proprietor sat outside of Crimson's room.
"Azura... Crimson asks you to join him in his room", he spoke gently.
She said nothing. But she slowly entered the room.
Willow was worried. "What do we do? What if he figured out who she is?", she asked the proprietor.
"Lets leave. We should trust this in her hands", he replied.
Azura closed the door behind her and turned to see Crimson. He sat silently, staring into the table. The only light in the room was a candle, glowing brightly on the table.
Neither of them said anything. She walked over and stood across the table from where he sat. Although the candle was small, it's fluttering flame appeared to be the only life to exist in the room.
After minutes of silence, Crimson said, "...Dance".
She did not say anything... She took a bow and began to dance.
Her movements were very slow and excruciatingly seductive.
There was no music to accompany her dance. Only the sounds of silence.
Crimson did not lift his gaze to watch. His eyes never left the table. Even so, she continued to dance. The warm yellow glow of the flame illuminated her perfect, pale skin. She lifted the silk in her hands and began to spin in circles. She appeared as an angel dancing under the moonlight.
The tension in the room grew with every passing moment.
She slowly made her way to Crimson's side of the table. She stood behind him, placing her hand on his arm. Slowly, she traced a line from his arm, across his shoulder, to his other arm, leaving a strip of light blue silk draped across his shoulders.
He suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her onto the bench, beside him. Although they shared a bench, they sat facing opposite directions. Their faces were cold and lacked any form of expression.
"...If I die... will you grieve?", he asked her.
For a moment, it was silent. She did not turn her head, but his eyes moved toward his direction. "If I die one day... Will you grieve?", she asked.
He did not turn his head, but pointed his gaze at her. He stated, "...In order to learn the truth about a person... Do not listen to what she says... Instead... Look into her eyes."
They both turned their heads and looked into each other's eyes. "Tell me... What do you see?", she asked.
He stared deeper into her eyes and answered, "Pain".
She does not react.
"You do not belong here... You are unhappy with the things you do and you hate yourself for it?", he continued.
Her eyes slightly widened, "Hate... Myself?.."
"You've done terrible things, but will never admit to yourself that those things are true..", he said.
She turned away, pointing her cold stare ahead. "There is no such person in the world... Knowing what's wrong... But still doing it..", she responded.
He added, "Because it is wrong... It is especially hard to resist".
She stood up and still faced the same direction, opposite of him. "Crimson... Do you have to find Bronze Greyfell?", she asked, sincerely.
"Yes. It is the task I was born into this world to do... It is my destiny", he responded firmly.
She didn't respond.
"I enjoyed the dance. You can leave now", he finished, returning his stare to the table.
She walked slowly toward the door. But he grabbed her hand and placed a small pouch in it.
She held the bag in her hand, she knew immediately what it was, "Where did you get so much money?"
"After I leave, take that money and leave this place", he told her.
She held the pouch, "Are you purchasing my freedom?"
"Yes."
"...Then take me with you", she demanded, calmly.
"I will not take you with me", he answered.
She turned to look at him, "Then where would I go?"
He said nothing. He only stared into the table.
She turned away and walked to the door. Her hand reached to slide the door open. But before she did, "I am used to the desert, I am used to drinking the wine here, and I am used to the people...I will not leave."
"You are better than me. Atleast you have a choice... No matter what you do or what you say... You do not belong here", he said.
"Get some sleep", she said, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
Immediately as she left the room, someone grabbed her hand and lead her down the hall. It was Willow. They entered Azura's bedroom and Willow silently closed the door after checking the surroundings.
"Azura. What happened in there?! What did he say?!", Willow asked.
"Nothing. Don't worry", Azura said, having a seat at the table.
"Why didn't you kill him?"
Azura lowered her gaze, "I didn't have the chance."
"No chance? Azura, I know how you operate. You could've blindsided him with a projectile or drug him. You've always had the ability to kill him. Why didn't you?!", said Willow.
Azura placed the small pouch on the table and slid it to Willow, who now took a seat. Willow opened the bag, she did not suspect so many gold pieces in such a small pouch.
"Where did all this money come from", Willow asked.
"Crimson... he wants me to leave and start a new life, using this money", Azura replied.
Willow slammed the pouch onto the table, "It's that you couldn't find the chance to kill him... you weren't willing to!"
Azura stared emotionless ahead but did not reply.
"I should've guessed. The reason that man is still alive is because you didn't want to kill him. You've fallen in love with that man!", Willow continued.
Azura's hands trembled at the thought of it, but her eyes remained cold and free of expression. "Impossible... It is impossible for someone like me to fall in love!", Azura responded, after a moment's hesitation.
Willow turned to her, curious to what she has to say.
Azura continued, "The reason I didn't kill him... is because I realized there is something that he has, but shouldn't."
Willow was very confused, "What?"
"Money", Azura replied.
She continued, "When he first arrived at the Border Pavilion, he barely had a penny... So where did he get all this money from? He is not the type of person who knows how to make money"
"This means he is not working alone. Someone is feeding him money-", she finished.
"Enough, Azura! There you go making up excuses again!", Willow interrupted her.
"We have followed Crimson for days. He has no accomplices! Time and time again, you come up with excuses for that man. What about your fallen sisters?! Have you thought about your remaining sisters? They've followed you loyally for so long. How is this fair to them?!", Willow vented her feelings.
"Most of our sisters have fallen. Each one of their memories cuts deep into my heart", Azura responded.
"Then you must fulfill your promise. Show him the wrath of the Azura I once knew. Kill that man, when the sun rises.", Willow finished.
"I will", Azura's voice trembled.
It was now morning and the sun is rising over the horizon, casting a yellow sea of light over the desert hills.
Azura sat in her room. She didn't get much sleep. In her hand, she held a brand new brown sabre. "This should do", she said to herself.
A waiter bursted through her doors, "Miss Azura! A guest is requesting your presence in the main hall!".
She was still observing the brown sabre, "Tell them they can come back later, this evening".
"This can't wait! The proprietor, he-... Just see for yourself!", he said, running out of breath.
She stood up and sprinted past him, out of the door and through the hall. When she reached the main hall, the proprietor was at his domino table as usual, but against his neck was a blade. A Temple of Heroes guard stood beside him, holding that very blade.
A figure emerged from behind the proprietor. The figure wore clothes of a reddish orange color. "...Scarlett...", Azura didn't know what else to say in the presence of her old friend.
Scarlett was slightly disgusted, "The Border Pavilion... I've never been to such a place".
"You ask for a dancer and you shall receive", Scarlett continued.
Azura did not react, "Have have requested me?"
Scarlett smiled, "Oh... I have no interest in you. They will be your guests today".
Ten guards moved into the main hall and surrounded Azura.
"Your loyalty is great and your contribution to the temple shall not go unrewarded. Today, all of you may have her", Scarlett commanded.
"Dancers of the order Pavilion only sell their talent, not their bodies, please forgive us Miss Greyfell", the proprietor spoke out.
Scarlett waved her hand. A guard carrying a large chest approached the proprietor's table and opened it, revealing a box full of gold.
Scarlett turned to the proprietor, "Is this not a business you're running, old man? I've just purchased this one dancer... and this money is enough to build three Border Pavilions".
The guard holding the blade to the proprietor's neck tightened his grip, "Without permission from the Temple of Heroes, don't think you can run a business in this town. Take this offer or we'll turn this place into a pile of sand".
"Shhhh... Don't spoil the surprise", Scarlett smiled.
She turned back to Azura, "Men. Have fun".
Azura raised the brown sabre and prepare herself for a battle, as the men closed in on her. They laugh softly and their smiles disgusting and full of lust.
"Stop", a voice spoke out.
Crimson entered the room.
"There he is. Arrest him!", Scarlett commanded.
The guards all turned their attention towards Crimson and charged with their drawn weapons.
Scarlett's eyes widened. Within thirty seconds all of her men laid on the ground squirming in pain.
Scarlett unsheathed her sword and charged at Crimson. She moved quite fast and gracefully. It was as if she were gliding across the floor.
Azura stepped in the way and tossed something at the ground.
Woosh! The room filled smoke, stopping Scarlett in her tracks.
Scarlett coughed and covered her face as the smoke cleared. The guards have all gotten to their feet and they too were coughing.
There was no sign of Azura or Crimson anywhere.
The proprietor smiled.
Scarlett's face grew red with anger. She closed her eyes and screamed at the top of her lungs.
Kyanos was resting by the main gate of the Temple of Heroes. He smiled and peacefully sipped his tea, until something caught his eye. A group of injured guards walked through the gate.
Kyanos hopped to his feet and ran over to investigate. "What happened to you? Did I miss the big carriage accident", he smiled.
"It was that escaped slave", one of the guards groaned.
"Crimson?... Where is he?", Kyanos asked.
"Azura, from the Border Pavilion seduced him and took him away in front of the mistress", another guard replied.
Kyanos' expression changed, "Azura?... Not good. Something is about to happen".
"Mistress went after them by herself. We lost her, so we came for back up", another guard groaned.
At the news Kyanos ran out of the main gate. Immediately he was stopped by what seemed like an old tradesman. The old man was riding a camel and seemed to have traveled a decent way. "Greetings. I am a shop owner from a nearby town. I have been paid to bring you a message."
Kyanos, suspicious, "From who?"
"A pretty young lady. She went by the name of... Blaine... I believe. She said it was an urgent message and requested I deliver it to you immediately", the man replied.
"Thank you", Kyanos said, accepting the written message.
When he unfolded the paper, it read: "The Amethsyt jewel rises from the ground and will arrive at the Temple of Heroes soon".
Kyanos let out a long sigh, "How far is your shop?"
"About a day's hike", the man replied.
Kyanos handed the man a small piece of silver, "Thank you".
The man and his camel disappeared into the desert horizon.
Kyanos let out another sigh. "Azura is going to kill Crimson and Brutus Amethyst is going to kill me... Question is... do I rescue Crimson or myself first?", he asked himself.
After a brief moment of thinking, he turned around toward the gate and yelled, "Does anyone have a horse I can borrow?!"
It had been an hour since Crimson and Azura escaped from the clutches of Scarlett and her guards. They had been traveling north ever since. They approached a cliff, between a large gap in the ground. The gap was about ten meters wide and stretched as far as the eye can see.
"We're here", Azura said.
"Is Bronze Greyfell here?", Crimson asked.
"Yes... He had a heated battle about a month ago and has been hiding in this valley to to recover his injury", she replied.
She turned to him and handed him the brown sabre,"Down there, he has thirty-six warriors of extraordinary skill protecting him... Many have come to this hiding place, seeking to kill Bronze Greyfell. None survived long enough to see his face".
"Thank you, Miss Azura", he said, walking to the edge of the cliff. He stared down into the deep valley. Although the sun was high in the sky, even its light was not enough to shine into the abyss. Nothing but blackness radiated from below.
"Sir Crimson", he heard her speak, gently.
Before he could turn around, her arms wrapped around him, from behind. She embraced him and held him tightly. The only sound that could be heard was the wind, howling through the canyons. At that moment, Crimson was at peace. In all of his twenty years, he had never felt such warmth. "Please... don't go", she softly spoke.
"Why?", he asked.
"Is there no force in the world that can stop you?", she asked, still holding him tightly.
"Follow my instructions from last night. Go to a place where no one knows you... and live the life you want", he told her.
From the corner of her eye, Azura sees Willow and the other two assassins. Her sisters. They hid behind sand hill, waiting for her to make her move. They had gotten here early, as this was the location Azura promised to meet them in.
She lightly bit her lip, "You really are heartless".
"Sorry... I don't deserve love", he replied.
"Fine... if you want to leave so badly... I have a gift for you", she said.
She released her embrace and he turns around to face her. He looked deep into her eyes, "I have a gift for you too".
He reached into his person and slowly pulled out what appeared to be a small wooden stick. But once in the ligjt, she knew exactly what it was. It was a hairpin. At the dull tip of the hairpin was the shape of a seashell. It was hand carved to perfection, evening capturing every crack along the pin. When she caught a glimpse of it, her eyes froze still and her lips began to tremble. "I made it... It is not as good as the one your mother left to you... but here... take it", he said.
She said nothing. She just stared deep into his eyes. Her heart had not felt a feeling this strong in years. Her heart ached and her limbs felt weak. Her body wouldn't even move on its own. Suddenly, his hand reached up and he slowly pinned it into her hair, the way it was before she lost it in the storm.
"What is your gift for me?", he asked.
She smiled, but her voice trembled, "Close your eyes".
He did not hesitate, closing his eyes immediately. He waited patiently for her gift.
She took a look at his face. She had never seen him so at peace. But the look on her face suddenly grew cold and she plunged a knife into his chest.
He opened his eyes and looked down at the knife, her hand still grasped onto its handle. A stream of blood slowly dripped from his mouth. The brown sabre that was in his hand dropped to the ground.
He looked up to her, his eyes were as wide as they could ever be.
For a moment, it was if time had froze. Nothing could be heard but the wind howling through the valley.
Her eyes were as cold as ice.
His eyes were boiled with pain. He thought he had experienced the worst kinds of pain in life, but none could compare to the pain he felt at that moment. "Why?...", he stared into her expressionless face.
"Sorry. I am a secret agent of the Temple of Heroes", her voice trembled.
Tears began to well up in Crimson's eyes.
She released her grip of the knife and gently shoved him over the edge of the cliff.
In his eyes, everything happened so slowly. The light of the sky grew smaller as he descended and the darkness surrounded him. Before long, he had disappeared into the blackness of the abyss.
She stood at the edge motionlessly.
"You are better than me. Atleast you have a choice... No matter what you do or what you say... You do not belong here", his voice echoed in her head.
Her hand shook uncontrollably as she slowly removed the hairpin from her head. She held it out in front of her as her lips began to quiver. It truly was just like the one her mother left her.
Her eyes suddenly became wide as she placed her hand against her cheek. For the first time in five years a tear had fallen from Azura's eyes.