X-X-X-X
Chapter 1
X-X-X-X
How...How did this happen? What...why am I here? I...I was afraid. Really afraid. I was traveling, looking for the way home. I was surrounded, I'm afraid. I'm afraid. I'm going to die, they're going to kill me...! N-No, I don't want to! I want to die! I want to live!
"Hmph! For a brat, you got potential."
No...No...I was...This isn't where I belong, this isn't where I'm supposed to be. W-Why won't my hands stop shaking? I-I can't do this. I can't live like this! I didn't want to die...! Y-Yet...I didn't want to kill either! I stared at the elderly man who only has one eye. He has many scars on his face, but he looks strong. His hair is completely grey and he stares at me with an eye so dark that it shows no emotion. I'm afraid...w-who the hell is this man?
"Come." The old man adjusted his scarf, turning away. "We have to go."
"I...What...?"
"What is it?"
"I don't..."
"Kid, you got nowhere to call home, right?" I hesitantly nodded my head. "Then come on. I'll take you in."
"...Why..."
"Huh?"
"...No. I'll come along then..."
"Why are you crying?"
"...Hic...!"
"...Kid, it was between you and them. They were bandits. If you didn't kill them, think about how many people you saved?"
"B-But...!"
"What's your name?"
"Ssniffs..." I rubbed at my bright green eyes. "Morgiana..."
"Morgiana, a strong name."
"What about you, mister?"
"Heh, don't go about calling me mister. It's Claude."
"..." I released a small groan, slowly opening my eyes. That dream...the events of four years ago, when I was merely 15. I sat up, using the palm of my hand to rub at my eyes. "Ugh...sunrise already...?"
"Morgiana! Get up already!"
"I'm up! I'm up! Dear Naga, so fucking annoying."
I slipped out of bed, quickly getting ready for the day. I brushed out my long strands, braiding a section above my left ear before tying the rest of my hair into a ponytail at the base of the braid, the tip of the ponytail reaching my elbow. I then proceeded to loop the braid around the base of the ponytail, tucking it in place using a comb like accessory. I brushed my bangs off to the side before grabbing my usual outfit. It has a few layers, but it's worth the effort...because they hide all my weapons and kept me well protected.
"Okay, let's see now...Where's my shirt...?"
I tugged on a white turtleneck shirt that had no sleeves and is form fitting. Next came my black shorts kept up by a leather belt, pouches on the side to hold supplies I might need while the large one the back acts as a backpack for my larger items. I pulled on my armor next. It resembles an underbust vest corset going to my waist, but the layer between leather is chainmail, meant to protect my body. The sides of the corset have hoisters for my weapon of choice, a pair of swords called tanto. I grabbed my fingerless black cloth gloves, tugging them up to my forearms before tying on the arm guards that protect the back of my hand to my elbows. I grabbed the green cloak hanging by the door. It only has a hood and reached my waist so it doesn't hinder my movements. I pulled on my socks and boots next, the boots reaching up to my knees, several knives hidden inside.
"Master, what's today's lesson?" I asked exiting my room.
"Finally, get your ass in gear." Claude threw an apple my way. Where the heck did he get this?! We're in Ferox! It's almost always winter in this damned place! "Eat that then make preparations." Claude said giving me a deep frown.
"Master?" I questioned staring at him.
"They're almost here. This is going to be my last stand, Morgiana." Claude said readying his sword.
I felt like I just stopped breathing. Claude...Claude trained me for the last four years. We never stayed in one place for too long because he is a wanted man. Wanted by his own clan for betraying them...not killing his target...his wife. It was like a cheesy romance novel, but the two...they came to love one another while he was undercover. He ran away with her, the two eventually having a child...but...they found him, killed his wife and child. He wanted revenge. That's why he was alive. He will not die until he succeeds. I still remember the many times he had protected me for being too soft...for not killing his kin.
"..." I tightened my grip on the apple before nodding my head. "How long do we have, master?" I questioned biting into the apple.
"Half a day at most."
"I got it! I'll get ready then!"
"No."
"Master...?"
"This is going to be my last stand, Morgiana." I paused, realizing the implication of his words. He said my not...our...it can't be. "You're going to run as far away as possible. While they know of you, they do not know of your looks or name. You can live a normal life if you wanted."
"M-Master, I can't just leave you!"
"This is an order, Morgiana."
"B-But...!"
"Morgiana!"
"...I..." Tears began to drip down my cheeks. Everything was fine yesterday...why didn't he tell me that they would be coming?! "I can't...Master, I won't leave you!"
"Can you kill?" I lowered my head, the answer was clear to both of us. I can't stay here if I don't have the heart to end a life. "Morgiana, go."
"Master..."
"Go, you stupid girl." Master placed a gloved hand on my head and I quickly grabbed ahold of him, my hands gripping at his cloak. "You damn crybaby. Didn't I beat that out of you three years ago?"
"H-Hic...! B-But...!"
"Take what you need then go. I can't afford to wait for a brat that can't steel her own heart."
Claude pulled away and I rubbed at my eyes with the palms of my hands. I can't...I can't just leave him! In the four years we've been together, he treated me like his own daughter. Sure the training was hard, but he was doing it for my sake! I can't survive if I'm not strong, I...I don't want him to die! I stared at the open door, the cold winter air coming into the house we were staying in. I gritted my teeth before running out, following behind my master.
"I told you to go, didn't I?!" Claude shouted at me.
"And I say no!" I reached up, tugging my hood over my head in one swift movement. "I will not let you die a death alone, master!" I shouted at him.
"Stubborn little...! Fine! Just don't die, Morgiana!" He threw something at me, a mask? "Wear that! I won't let your identity be known to them!"
"Yes, master." I pulled the white mask on, it's shape similar to a skull with bright red marks on it. It fitted on my face almost perfectly. "Don't die either...master..."
X-X-X-X
It was chaos...total chaos. Claude and I had been forced to fight back to back due to the sheer number of Assassins that came for his head. The only reason we were fighting like this is that I am too weak. These guys are much stronger than I am. I can't keep up with the sheer number or their strength! My four years of training...can't possibly compare to these men or women! I'm covered in injuries, my clothing torn, and my hair falling messily around me with a few strands missing here and there.
"Master, what do we do...?" I questioned holding my tanto in a reverse grip.
"Stick close to me, they're stop at nothing to kill us." I nodded my head pressing my back tighter against his. "The one who ordered this attack is my brother...They'll stop...if we kill him." Claude said readying his sword.
"Why?"
"There's no point in fighting if the person who gave the order is dead. Even if we killed a sheer number of them, they won't care. The weak die, the strong live, that's how it is."
"...Master..."
"No."
"...You know I'm too stubborn for my own good."
"Tsk." Claude stilled, seeing something I couldn't. I turned my head slightly to see where he is looking. The group is parting…a lone man walking in this direction? "It's been a while, little brother."
"Far too long." This man...looks nothing like my master. He's too skinny and weak, how is he related to my strong and rough master? The only thing that is similar is their age! "So..." I adjusted my grip, glaring from beneath my mask when he stared at me. "Who is this little mouse? Not your daughter I assume."
"You know what happened to my daughter."
"Yes, your failure to kill your mark was a mistake on my part. You were always too soft on women with sickly bodies. I should have done it myself or sent another Assassin. You were busy, taking in a child to act as your shield so you can accomplish this day. Without her around, you wouldn't have nearly lasted as long."
"She is not a tool."
"Not a tool? How foolish. Fine, let me prove it. Target the girl at once." The bloodlust...all of it is directed at me now. My hands shook slightly, I'm afraid, I'm...going to die...! "Without her, you can freely target me so do it! Just like what you did to our elder brother, Claude!"
"Get ready."
"Yes, master."
"Kill when I say so." All the Assassins jumped at us at once, their intent me, not Claude. I raised my blades, gritting my teeth. I was about to swing when a large hand grabbed my cloak. I was swung around then thrown...at the man who calls himself master's brother. Both the man's eyes and mine widened, not expecting this. "Kill him!"
"...YES! Master!" I swung my body around in mid-air. The old man was too slow, my tanto were already piercing through his chest. "It's the end...! It's our win!"
"G-Guk! H-How...?!" The man stared down at me as I twisted the blade to cause maximum damage. "I couldn't..."
"It's your loss, Kast." I turned to look at master...but...no...! He took on the attack, he had no time to dodge or block...all those weapons...piercing him, he's on the brink of death. "That kid...isn't my tool...she's my daughter...my prized pupil."
"I...los...t...!"
The man's body began to fall back and swiped at the air, ridding myself of the blood on my blades. I sheathed my blades, walking back to my master's side. The Assassins pulled away, one by one. Some of them had injured their own allies in that attack. They moved out of my way, as I got closer to Claude. That stupid old man...gave me a grin before he collapsed in my arms, almost sending me to the ground if I didn't adjust my stance. The Assassins stared at me, unsure of what to do.
"Let us-"
"No." The one that was brave enough to try to approach backed off when I stared at him with cold eyes from beneath my mask. "This is my duty. You no longer have business with me, then leave...and don't ever show your faces to me again. If you do..." I released a murderous intent, my hate, my anger, my desire to kill them mixing together to form the blackened aura that surrounds my very being. "I'll kill you...!"
This was enough to send them packing. I adjusted my grip on Claude, one of his arms around my shoulder before I began half carrying and half dragging him away. I had to get him away from here then...Then treat his wounds. I have to find help. I wasn't sure how long I was walking, but I kept telling Claude that he'll be okay...that I'll make sure he'll live!
"...Snow...?" I looked up, it's snowing...damn, it's just going to get harder at this point. "Come on, master. I can't keep this up...Give me a hand and move a bit too." No answer. Tears began to form. "Come on...I bet there's a village up ahead...come on, just a bit further...please..." I whispered my vision blurring.
No answer, there won't be one...there will never be an answer. I knew from the moment he grinned and collapsed...that he had died, but I couldn't accept it! I won't let him die in the same place as that man! My breathing began to become uneven and I fell over, my body unable to take the strain any longer. My mask fell off, landing in the snow beside me. I pushed myself way past my limits...but I don't care...I don't care...! I won't let him be buried beside the one who caused him such pain...! Never!
"...ou...rig...t?!"
"W...ho...?" Someone is talking to me? Who is it? I could feel someone pulling me out from underneath Claude's body, but my grip won't loosen from his scarf. I won't leave him, I won't...! "Master...I can't...not without him...please..."
I kept begging in a small pathetic voice, even when I couldn't see anything anymore, not even when I no longer had any strength left in my hands...I couldn't...I will never leave him...because he's family...!
X-X-X-X
Chapter 1 Ends
This one is going to be in the world of Awakening~! Morgiana is given her name because one, I love the Mor from Magi and the second reason will show up much later in the future~! Morgiana is somewhat of a weirdo Assassin. She won't kill for pay nor will she kill if she has a choice. Some morals she won't cross, but at the same time there is such a thing as an exception especially during desperate times. This will loosely follow the plot of Awakening along with a few added scenes. Welp! That's it for now so until next time! Bye-bye~!