A/N - And sure, have another chapter while I remember. Introducing the half-cat human hybrid Cliffdiver (Kae), and Dark the ex-assassin. To all you guys who have had your OCs mentioned now, I really hope I've done it right!
Anyway, as always read and review if you enjoy the story or have a suggestion!
- AxleMC131
Eight
Ash District, Ostamina City...
The two figures stared at each other down the length of the alleyway. Ostamina was the largest city within the SkyBorne Alliance, and there were many grimy backstreets where the war had not reached. Rather, they had their own wars. The area was known as the Ash District, a place of darkness and criminal activity. Prostitutes, drug dealers, black market salesmen, anything immoral, illicit or illegal could be found in this area. And frequently private bloody battles went on within the shadows, typically caused by gang rivalry or double dealing. So these two people were very out of place in the Ash District.
Dark was an ex-assassin, after his guild had been wiped out by an undercover Cloud Skimmer movement. He had been trying to survive by his own skills for the last month, but he had run into this... person. He wasn't even sure it was completely human, for it had pointed ears, whiskers, and seemed a little too furry. He frowned, holding his diamond knife in front of him defensively. His assailant was wielding two one-handed diamond swords, and he wasn't keen on tackling that kind of weaponry without surprise on his side.
Kae stared at the man, her ears twitching at the sound of his breathing. She had no idea who he was or what he wanted, but having crashed into him whilst running down the alley, she had drawn her weapons instinctively. The feline part of her watched the person's every movement intently, following him as his knife swayed from uncertainty. Kae couldn't blame him; for a person to suddenly run into a girl who was half-cat, thanks to some cruel military movement, she expected him to be surprised and unsure.
The sound of a yell from down the alley broke the silence. Dark looked at the figure, then opened his mouth. "Who are you?" he asked quietly. "And... What are you?"
Kae stiffened, settling for her cover name. "Name's Cliffdiver, and that's all you're getting to know buddy. Now what the hell do you want?"
The assassin's eyes widened. She was a female, but she seemed pretty tough. "Well, I can assure you I mean you no harm. My name is Dark." He bowed ever so slightly, keeping his brown eyes locked on the girl's bright yellow ones. "Are you from the Ash District? Because I don't think I've seen you around..."
Kae narrowed her eyes. After a long pause, she finally decided to tell a little of the truth. "No, I'm not from around here. I'm in hiding as of a few years back."
Dark cocked his head to one side. "From who?"
"Never you mind."
With a frown, Dark lowered his knife. Kae lowered her swords. "So, Cliffdiver..." he said. "Alliance?"
"None," she responded hotly. "You?"
Dark hesitated. "None."
Kae looked Dark up and down, taking in his completely black outfit; jeans, shirt, hoodie and gloves. "You're an assassin, aren't you?" Her brother had long ago told her about the dangers of the Ash District, before she was taken away and he ran for his life. But after she escaped, she had decided it was the last place her kidnappers would look for her.
"Yeah. I am. Or was rather." Dark felt like he could be slightly more open to this girl now. He spun suddenly as he heard the yell again, followed by the faint sound of a bow twanging. There was a second shout, this one closer and more audible.
"There bett'r not be any man down Bennie's Alley! Cos I can 'ear talking..."
Dark froze. "Shit! It's Bennie! He runs the dealer down this street, and he detests anyone walking down it without his permission."
Kae looked over Dark's shoulder. "Dealer, as in drug dealer?"
"Yeah. He runs a pretty big shop down here..." He stared at Kae, and whispered, "Cliffdiver, have you ever been in the Ash District before?"
"No... Not really..."
Dark cursed under his breath. "Then you'll have to follow me. We have to get out of here!"
Kae frowned and stepped back. "Why should I trust you? I can survive on my own fine thanks."
Dark grabbed her arm. This girl was a lunatic, coming into the Ash District with little prior knowledge of it, and her level of stubbornness? "I beg to differ," the assassin responded hastily, as they heard another yelp of pain from round the corner of the alley. "If Bennie or anyone else sees you around here, you'll be dead before you can blink."
Kae stared. This Bennie guy sounded bad... But surely she could stand up to him? Then again, Dark sounded pretty trustworthy for an assassin... She sighed and pulled her arm away from Dark. "Alright, I'll come with you. But no funny business!" She pointed at his head with the tip of one sword. "Now, which way do we run?"
