Chapter 15: The Shadow Claw

Opening the back door of a small shop, outwards a young cat quickly and quietly made his way out with his latest score. Looking back inside for a brief moment, checking if anybody was made aware of his transpired plans, the teenage feline silently closed the door. Looking into his satchel, he gazed at the fruit that now watered his mouth with anticipation: Bright red apples and an assortment of blueberries, raspberries and grapes. After nearly two days of hunger finally his aching stomach would be given relief.

"Hey, why is the back door closed?" A voice muffed from inside the produce shop.

Realizing he didn't get away with his little heist just yet, the teenage mountain lion quickly closed his satchel and darted towards the wall. The area he found himself in was small, a private storage space surrounded by tall, concrete walls. Crates and boxes of various sizes littered the ground. Thinking quickly, the teen extended his claws and climbed up the stone wall before reaching the top and laying flat on his back up top, just seconds away from the back door below opening as a pig man came out to investigate. Keeping himself still and not making a sound, the owner of the produce store found nothing had changed outside and returned to his job indoors. After waiting a minute, the teen looked back, seeing that he very well got away with his thievery. Wasting no time, the young wild cat navigated across the rooftops until finding a suitable spot: a house's upper balcony with a cloth roof draped over it. The door leading into the building was locked, of course, but that little detail didn't matter one bit. It was private and provided shade, not to mention away from the eyes of city guards or fellow scoundrels. Climbing over the balcony's stone fence, the teenage cat laid on the ground, resting his back against the wall. Shade covered his tired body and a pleasant view of the big, bright blue sky was before him. Opening his satchel, he began to feast on the literal fruits of his labor. First was one of the apples, sweet and savory. Immediately he bit into it and continued eating until nothing remained but the core and its seeds. After a couple days of starvation, his need for nourishment knew only to be fulfilled, regardless of taste or texture food provided. Once the first apple was consumed, the teenage mountain lion took a moment to think, deciding to savor his fruit and enjoy its contents rather than wolf it down all at once. So one by one, he took his time and ate the berries and two remaining apples. Their sweet flavor and succulent juices felt like heaven on earth. Once his meal was finished, he decided to stay in his little balcony spot a little longer to rest, and in minutes he found himself falling into a much needed nap as the sun slowly moved across the blue sky.

The young mountain lion awoke from his slumber, brought back into reality by the noise of some commotion down on the street level. After getting back up on his feet and allowing his mind to come into full focus, he looked down from his high spot, looking at a gathered crown in the streets below. Climbing off of the balcony and running along the rooftops, he soon found a small caravan making its way through the city. At the front, large, burly oxen carried a man of (what he seemed to be) great and noble lineage. Sitting in a traveling throne shaded from the sun, he watched as the local pesants stayed their distance, but was at awe of the foreign noble. Surrounding him was a group of armored warriors, each equipped with long, curved swords and colorful armor.

"Huh, real big stuff." The teen detested.

Out of the corner of his eye, the young feline noticed something along the rooftops across the street, a figure clothed in all black and covering his head. Choosing it best to keep hidden, the teen dropped down and hid behind some vendor stands on ground level. He watched as two more cloaked men were visible on rooftops, the crowd oblivious to the potential danger before them. One of the men brought out a bow and arrow while the others readied themselves with strange pouches. In a single second an arrow was fired and struck the noble through the head, killing him in one quick blow. The shooter's allies threw their pouches to the same area. The people screamed and ran in fear as the armored warriors readied themselves to face their master's murderers. But mere seconds after the shot, large puffs of smoke burst out of the pouches. Visibility was eliminated from the swordsmen. Soon, sounds of death cries and the slicing of flesh could be heard. Fearing for his own life, the teenage boy climbed up the walls again to run along the rooftops. But as he ran along the building top, a sudden collision with another body was met before he fell on his stomach. Looking back up, he found one of the attacking men, lying with his sword through his chest and his body deathly motionless. With his mind racing, the teen saw a box that the assassin dropped, still intact and closed. A sense of dangerous opportunity possessed the young feline's mind as it tempted him to grab the box from the dead man and run as far as he could.

In a few hours the day had closed and the moon begun its journey across the dark ridden sky. Taking shelter in an old tower, the teenage mountain lion tried again and again to pick the lock on the decorated box he snagged from that deceased criminal. Digging his claw into the keyhole, the growing boy kept his ear close to the container to listen carefully at the ticking and clicking of the inner mechanism of the lock. For hours he repeatedly attempted to open his loot, desperate to find whatever riches awaited him inside: Jewels, gold, a great assortment of coins?

Finally the loud click was heard and the lid was loose. Not waiting a second longer, he opened the box with great anticipation to find his price… a folded paper.

"Are you serious?" He muttered in disappointment.

Taking the document from its carrying case, he rolled it open, revealing it to be only a mere map of the local area. He searched the box for a secret compartment or hidden pocket of any kind. But he soon realized that this map was the only item this box was truly meant to contain. Frustrated, he shoved the paper back into the container and laid his back against the wall.

"Well… I guess I could try to sell you… for not much though." He muttered disappointingly.

He closed his eyes, wanting to get some rest from his exhausting day. Until suddenly the sound of the door burst into his ears and upon opening his eyes again, a figure dressed in all black rushed at him with terrifying speed. The youth didn't even have time to scream as the masked man grabbed him, covered his mouth and pinned him against the wall. A group of fellow assassin's joined in the room, all of whom were covered head to toe with black clothing, though they were all clearly felines. Struggling to escape, the teen mumbled his mouth and moved as much as he could, but another assassin restrained him more. Then, a large feline walked through the doorway. He approached the box, and held the map in his paws, unrolling it and validating its contents. The large ninja gave a nod as he placed the map into his clothing for safety. One of his allies pulled out a dagger, and the teen struggled hard for fear of his mortal life. As he tried hopelessly to escape, the other ninja who held the boy adjusted his grip, but tore off a necklace the teen wore in the process. The jewelry fell to the floor and rolled towards the large feline's feet to where he looked down, noticing its design: a full blue moon.

"WAIT!" the lead assassin commanded.

His men ceased their actions, just as the dagger's tip was an inch away from the teen's chest. The large, cloaked feline held the necklace, taking a minute to examine its image. He then looked to the boy who had worn it, taking notice of his face. The large ninja approached the terrified teen with inquisitive eyes.

"If you scream or call for help, we'll kill you in a second, understand?" The leader instructed.

The boy nodded his head in acknowledgment before the man who covered his mouth released his paw. Their leader muttered his question. "Where did you get this?"

"W-what?" The boy replied confusingly.

"Answer me; where… did… you… get… this?" He asked again sternly.

With fear in his voice, the boy answered "M-my-my mother. It belonged to her… before she… before she was killed."

Taking a moment to think, the leader looked once again at the necklace of the moon and then back at the young thief before him. Once a minute of consideration passed, he ordered "We'll take him with us, we move out now!"

Before the teen could say anything more his mouth was covered again as it was covered by one paw, and his sight was greeted with another in the form of a fist colliding with him before he saw nothing but darkness.

((()-()))

Sitting on a log, the apprentice waited patiently as the simple sounds of the nearby river echoed into his eardrums. The necklace of the blue moon was held by its owner, as the apprentice reflected on the past few years of his life. So much as glancing at the piece of unique jewelry was enough to stir memories in the teenage mountain lion's mind. And in each of those moments, he couldn't resist considering how his life would have been, had he not been at the wrong place at the wrong time. That is, if he'd even have a life at all if such a choice was made. He accepted the unchangeable past, though not without remorse. The necklace was all he had left of his sweet mother. And though it may stir upsetting memories, it was the single remaining reminder of a life he once lived. So long as he withheld this trinket, his mother's memory would live on.

Sounds of footsteps were heard as his master approached from the riverside. "It's here, we're leaving now." He informed simply and sternly.

The apprentice gathered his bag and followed his master's lead to the large flowing body of water before them. Sitting right by the river edge was a ship, fairly large, with a lower deck and crew. Its sails and hull painted to resemble the surrounding woodland greens and browns. The sails were low, as to not stick out higher than nearby trees. An oxen lowered a boarding plank to allow the master and the apprentice onto the deck and once onboard, the plank was retrieved and the vessel resumed its slow course down the river. Looking out at the vessel, the two felines saw the crew was at work, fastening ropes, cleaning the deck or repairing broken equipment. The men consisted of common hired sailors, mostly oxen or crocodiles, many of whom dressed lightly to accommodate the warm weather. Not a second later, a feline, dressed in decorative, dark clothing with armored pieces, approached the two travelers. He held his head high, with his posture expressing vigilance.

"Ah master, I'm relieved that you've arrived at last." The feline general greeted.

"As am I" The master replied plainly.

"May I ask, what was the cause for our delayed rendezvous?" The general asked.

His master answered while setting his bags down on the wooden deck. "We were being followed by someone. Unsure if whether it was a single scout or a full company, but it was necessary to lose any pursuers."

"Very well" The general replied. "Before you settle in your quarters, I must inform you Sir, that Hang Wo demands confirmation of status with you."

"I'll write a report by the day's end."

Before the master could walk off to the sleeping quarters, his second-in-command interrupted him respectfully. "Sir… his representative is here, onboard."

"He's never sent someone to check in on us before?"

"Hang Wo's messenger addressed that; he told me that 'recent circumstances warranted such methods'." The general informed.

Taking a moment to think, the master sighed before giving his bag to his apprentice and turning back to his second-in-command. "If he demands an update on our operations, I'll have a word with his representative. In the meantime, show my apprentice to our quarters."

"At once sir" the general feline acknowledged.

The master made his way to the captain's cabin as the general escorted the teen to the rooms where they'll be temporarily staying. Walking along the ship's deck, the older, experienced warrior lead the teen, who stayed silent, not speaking unless spoken too. The young wild cat did his best not to stare or make eye contact at the sailors. Most of them were just thug muscled brutes that shot menacing glares at the teen as he walked passed them. After a few minutes the general showed his younger ally to his temporary quarters. Opening the door revealed a small room, barely of much space, consisting of a bed, a window and below it a desk and chair. The only free space was a small open square between the cot and wall.

"This is where you'll be resting for now." The general informed.

"Th-thank you" The teen replied with respect.

With his task complete, the second-in-command returned to his leader and walked off to the captain's quarters. Stepping into the tiny cabin, the feline apprentice closed the door behind him before setting his bag down on the wooden floor. Gazing longingly at the bed before him, he laid his back on the blanket and his head nestled on the soft pillow. He didn't care that it was creaky or of pour quality, it was a bed, a REAL bed. After weeks of living in the wild lands and countryside, camping in tents and laying on hard stone ground and muddy earth, the feeling of a wooden bed's frame supporting him seemed blissful. For now, he'd gain some true rest after weeks of trials and training.

The double doors of the captain's cabin opened, allowing a great amount of light from outside to pour in as the master entered. The personal cabin of the ship's overseer was of typical décor; a large table in the middle, a bed at the far end and dressers of varying sizes by the walls. Taking a few steps inside, the large mountain lion allowed the doors to close themselves as the sun rays peered away. Making his way to the table, the feline inspected what appeared to be documents of the most vile of customs. A revolting urge settled in his stomach as he sensed the presence of another person near him.

"You can stop hiding now." The feline greeted.

Slowly the captain walked out from the shadows, reveling himself to be a deer of male adulthood. Examination showed his clothing to be simple, though not decorated much for a man in his position. But the most captivating in his appearance was a brown patch over his left eye, along with what appeared to be the edge of a scar protruding out from under the leather covering.

"Has no one explained to you; that it is customary to welcome guests?" The feline asked suspiciously.

The deer replied in a cautious tone. "I simply wished to get a read on the man whom I'll be forced to… co-operate with."

"And here I thought your company was just begging for our… assistances."

"Believe me, neither of us wishes to be here. I'm fortunate to be alive and breathing after my failure a year ago." The deer protested as he sat in a wooden chair at the center table.

"You mean the failure that warranted my warriors breaking you out, only to face your boss… and yet, he gives you command of a ship?" The mountain lion piqued.

"Being here, if anything, is a punishment. I used to live in a luxury palace."

"As a spy" The feline interrupted.

"A spy operating in comfortable surroundings, and now I'm forced to work with base born oafs and womanizing idiots." The deer rebuked in disgust.

"Hmm… knowing Hang Wo, I'd have sworn he'd have you killed for your botched assassination?" the guest remembered, though curious as to the angle this failure turned captain was coming from.

"It pays to be well educated. Knowledge isn't power, its survival."

Creaking of the wooden ship subtly sounded as simple swaying was felt as the vessel moved along the water.

"So he keeps you here, at arms length." The feline pieced together.

"Only for when he has need of me" The deer replied. "So, what might your name be?"

The large feline paused a moment before replying in a simple tone. "Moushar, and yours is?"

"Liang" The deer answered while having his elbows on the table and his hooved hands supporting a rested chin.

"Well then, Liang, I would very much like to get this done with as soon as possible." Moushar proposed, sitting at the opposite end of the square table.

Liang stood up and open a closet to fetch a mug and bottle. Moushar examined the glass container, heavy drink, detestable in the feline's eyes. After clearing his throat and pouring himself a cup of alcohol, the deer began his explanations. "Hang Wo is becoming nervous."

"Nervous of what?" Moushar questioned.

"The occupation of spearheading a business such as ours can be very… risky. Hang Wo has clients who demand efficiency and perfect timing with the delivery of goods. Not to mention, the presence of royal investigation has been steadily increasing. He, along with his clients, begin to worry for the crackdown upon our operations."

"So capturing, selling and trading slaves is called a 'business' now?" Moushar questioned with a hint of revolt in his throat.

"I prefer to call it: managing labor resources." Liang replied before taking a gulp of drink.

Raising an eyebrow, Moushar asked "Why? To help you sleep at night?"

"Yes, actually" Liang replied before continuing. "What I need to know, is why has our latest shipment of resources been a couple of days behind schedule?"

Placing his paws with each other on the table, Moushar answered calmly, though treid his best not to show any hint of the disgust he felt with being associated with such scum. "Our current operation required a few objectives to achieve, which took some extra time to execute."

"Were they necessary? Because if your people have been taking unneeded-"

The large feline interrupted with "Rest assured; my followers are likely to be ready within the next day or two. I plan to rendezvous with them on our way to Fu Zha."

Taking a scan filled glare at his guest, Liang asked "If we've meeting up with the next shipment, it'll give me the opportunity to… evaluate your efficiency."

Moushar took a long pause, carefully deciding his choice of words before asking "You doubt our abilities?"

"I'm only acting according to Hang Wo's orders. To correct you; HE could be doubting your abilities." Liang answered with a smug expression.

"Very well" Moushar said before standing upwards. "I'll allow you to judge the worth of my clan's service yourself, when we meet with the rest of my men. Then you can report to your boss whatever you'd see fit."

Finishing his drink and slamming the metal mug on the wooden table, Liang became suspicious of the intention of those words. "You don't care for accolades?"

"I've only worked with you people for what your boss is offering me. Once OUR business has concluded, we'll resume to our agenda." Moushar clarified.

"Ah yes, you have your… cause." Liang said with bafflement before pouring a refill of wine.

Mourhar stayed silent, letting an awkward air build around them. Liang would have take a fresh gulp of his brew, had he not seen the menacing, orange eyes Moushar stared blankly with. As the seconds passed, more and more intimidation built up in Liang's throat, along with a portion of regret.

"Are we finished here?" Moushar asked.

"I suppose, but needless to say, Hang Wo will be expecting quality and excellent secretive performance from your people." Liang reminded.

"Of course" Moushar replied. He begun to walk towards the twin doors to exit before turning and asking a question that was scratching at the edge of his mind popped back up. "By the way, mind telling me what the cause of your patch is?"

Liang paused a moment. Then lifted his leather covering up to reveal a condition of gruesome inflict wounds that scared him not only physically but mentally as well.

"It is a constant reminder; to never underestimate a child." He answered bitterly.

Grinning, and containing a small chuckle, Moushar asked "A child did THAT to you?"

"He was older than you think, and a warrior in training. But nevertheless, that night, I learned that even at a young age, death could be inflicted by anyone." Liang answered with regret and loathing.

With his business concluded and his curiosity quenched, Moushar exited the captain's cabin, leaving Liang alone to himself as he drank yet another hour away.

((()-()))

Blurry, hazy blackness gave way to new light and vibrant greens. Eyes opened to find the night covered village of the Valley had now been replaced with wooden bars in front of thick woods. The middle aged goat tried his best to collect his mind together. Once his vision was restored from the dreary, sleep ridden sate he was in, Jimbo realized two things: First, he wasn't home anymore, and second, the world in front of him was… moving. Moving? He thought. Gaining his senses again, he looked all around, finding himself laid on his belly, on what appeared to be a wagon of some sort. His wrists were tied to wooden bars in front of him. In the moment, his brain could hardly comprehend current events. Looking to his left, he was shocked to find a pig in the same situation, unconscious and lying next to him. A closer look revealed him to be Hr. Ching from down the street. Quickly turning to his right he saw a familiar goose, Mr. Ping, tied and on his back. The moment was so sudden Jimbo would have screamed with panic, had he the energy. Though he was able to see with his eyes and think with his mind, he couldn't talk with his mouth. He attempted to make any sort of sound he could, a yell, a shout, but not even a mutter could be produced.

Taking a moment to remember the best he could, Jimbo's memory, within a few minutes of concentration, realized the events he became a part of. The horrible night where chaos filled the Valley of Peace before he was knocked on the head and all went dark.

Managing to scoot to his side, JImbo saw the whole caged wagon was filled with so many people from the village: Mr. & Mrs. Yung, the Ying brothers, Gerald and his wife Margret, Feng the village painter, and so many more. Looking over the knocked out crown jammed into the mobile prison, the goat father realized that only adults were present, no children young or older. Immediately his mind ran off into a panic of worry. Where are Kenny and James? Are they safe? Where are the Masters of the Jade Palace?

For nearly ten whole minutes Jimbo worried his brain in a frenzy of fear. After a little time passed he calmed himself by some miracle. The wagon he and everyone else was entrapped in rose and slightly bumped over obstacles, most likely rocks or small hills. Regardless he, and probably all the other prisoners with him, were uncomfortable laying on the solid wooden floor of the wagon.

He couldn't yell or scream, couldn't break free of the painfully tight ropes around his wrists and was virtually powerless to do anything but abide to their captors' will, whatever it was, though Jimbo shuttered to imagine what dark intention they planned. The goat looked out at the wilderness around him, around the prisoner wagon, and clung to what little hope there was for him and his neighbors as they were being hauled off to who knows where?

((()-()))

Knock, knock, knock, sounded on the door of the small quarters.

The apprentice was brought out of this sleep as the knocking continued on the other side of his door. Rubbing his head, the young mountain lion stood up and opened his temporary room's entrance. Standing in the hall outside was his master, tall and stern with his leather poncho always covering his shoulder. Stepping back to let his master in, Moushar closed the entrance behind him. His pupil remained silent, obedient and waited.

Noticing the fresh bandages around his apprentice's paw, he asked "How is it fairing?"

Taking a quick glance to his recovering wound, the young feline answered calmly. "It's… better than before, it should recover soon."

"Good, but that's my intention to be here." Moushar informed.

"What is master?" The apprentice asked with respect.

The sunbeams shot through the only round window as the master mountain lion explained his purpose at this very moment.

"Three weeks ago, we began you're tests, to determine whether the training I've given you has been of worth." He explained in a simple yet intimidating voice.

"Yes… master." His pupil replied.

"And now, three weeks later, we have almost concluded."

The older teen awaited in mental agony, nervous as to what his performance warranted him in the end.

"You've performed… quite well." The master determined.

The apprentice's ears and expression perked up as he replied "I… I have?"

(Fire Emblem Fates ost - "The Dim Abyss")

"Yes… you performed suitably. Now, all that's left is one final task." Moushar explained as he pulled something out of one of his poncho's leather pouches. A second later, in his paw was a dagger, sheaved in a dark purple casing. The protruding hilt was black as night. Holding it out, his pupil understood his silent instruction and took the blade into his paws.

"Do you remember what I told you, the night we found you?" Moushar asked sternly.

After reminiscing for a moment, his apprentice answered in a serious, yet at eased tone. "Yes, I do; you told me that you'll give me justice."

"And since that night, I've taught you skills, endowed you with knowledge, and built you into what you are now. No more are you weak or helpless. I've taught you how to survive, taught you how to fight, taught you of your greatest allies, the night and shadow, and taught you how to kill." Moushar lectured.

"I've never taken a life yet." His apprentice reminded.

"I know. But soon, you will, and then… you will truly become one of us: Those of nothingness who bring justice from the dark." The master replied. "Now, draw that dagger."

The young feline grabbed the hilt with his good paw and slowly pulled the blade out from its casing, savoring the slight sound of un-sheaving steel. The silver dagger showed its glory, with well forged edges that can slice through bone, and a tip that could piece flesh with the slightest of contact. The teen mountain lion examined the weapon, taking note of its grand quality.

"It is yours." The master stated.

"It… is?" The apprentice replied.

"Yes. With that blade, you will perform your first kill, and you will have your justice." Moushar informed.

"What do you mean, master?" The young feline asked as he sheaved the blade again for safety reasons.

Moushar paused a moment, taking in the weight of the current minutes. In his usual stern and focused tone, he answered "I've arranged for you to take your first life. In a day or two, you will finally have what you've desired for the last four years."

Looking at the blade, the apprentice replied "Thank you, master."

With his task and briefing concluded, Moushar opened the door and left his pupil to himself. As the entrance became closed yet again, the young wild feline turned towards his window, the light of the afternoon beaming warm beams through the glass portal. He drew his new weapon and glared at the dagger in all of its grace while in the light. Ironic, he thought, how a tool of justice for the dark showed such splendor in the light. Sitting on his bed, continuing to admire his weapon, he felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. At last, soon, he'd be able to take the rightful justice the universe owed him four years ago.

("The Dim Abyss" ends)