Chapter 2: The task I was entrusted to! Assassin Sky
The scorching sun beat down harshly on the vast deserts of Morroc, driving the temperature up to unbearably high degrees. Across the desert, pickies hopped, scorpions scuttled, and wolves ravaged. There was not a single human soul in sight, for not many would bear to put themselves in such torture just for the sake of petty experience. Treasure hunters avoided the deserts too, for there wasn't much to gain here, save an occasional mink coat from the desert wolves.
However, the heat wasn't the only reason many travelers steered clear of the Sograt Deserts. There were rumours of strange creatures appearing every now and then. Huge parties supposedly vanished in the desert. Various assassins and rouges of their respective guilds were reported missing. Even the normally gentle sand had turned hostile. Great sandstorms whipped across the earth, covering everything within it with a coat of sand. Huge pillars of sand would mysteriously rise up from the ground, and crumble within a few days, usually upon the head of an unsuspecting novice. The sudden hostility of the sands had led many to believe that supernatural forces were at work, and promptly avoid the deserts at all cost.
Today, however, a valiant young warrior, bearing upon his chest the emblem of the Prontera Chivalry, marched grandly towards the desert. Slung upon his shoulders was a large, two handed blade, a slayer to be exact. Grinning ear to ear, he left the Golden Gates of Prontera and continued on his way towards the Sograt Desert, towards the hidden assassin guild. The location of the guild was a well-kept secret, and only those of supreme authority, like the King of Prontera knew. Those who wished to become an assassin had to pass a test carried out within the walls of the pyramid. Only then were they given the true location of the guild, and even then they had to swear an oath of secrecy to forever protect the whereabouts of their guild.
This young swordsman was overjoyed. To think that the Lord Knight of Prontera, Sir Malcolm Shark, had sent him on this dangerous mission! He was to search for the assassin guild, hidden deep in the desert, and report to him where the guild truly stood. Only then would he be officially knighted as a royal knight of Prontera. This was a mission even high ranked veteran knights did not dare to accept. To think that he, Lee Shen Hwa, was given such a chance! He was overjoyed!
Little did he know that, what the Lord Knight meant by saying "Go look for the assassin guild", a widely used metaphor, was telling to give up. To search for the assassin guild without directions was as impossible as fishing for a needle in the sea – to be knighted as a knight at such a low level was just as impossible. Shen Hwa however, had taken his words too deeply, and much too literally.
As he began his search for the hidden guild, Shen Hwa whipped out his Slayer and began slashing at various creatures standing in his path. Wolves, Scorpions, Drops, Pickies, nothing could stop him! He was, after all, the one given such a great responsibility! How could these small critters stop him?
Laughing all the way, he sliced down monster after monster, and continued his search for the legendary assassin guild.
Miles away, another person was swiftly making his way through the desert. albeit a much deeper, much more dangerous part of the desert. Here, the sand had not only turned hostile, it had also turned aggressive. Giant sandstorms constantly blew across the land, covering the desert like a huge veil. Quick sands covered almost every square inch of the area, opening up to swallow anyone who dared to enter its territory. Mirages haunted the area, often leaving a person wandering in circles for days, before finally dying of exhaustion. Huge abomination roamed the area, stone statues given life through some maleficent force. This stretch of the desert was so intimidating, no one usually dared to enter it.
Yet, unbeknownst to many, this dangerous place actually housed a giant secret. Within the great sand veil, the countless sandpits and the endless mirages was the legendary assassin guild, home of the assassins. The stone golems were actually puppets, controlled via magic by the mysterious guild master, as were the various traps he conjured. The guild master was an extremely skilled assassin, both in skill and intellect. No one dared to oppose him; no one could.
As the figure dashed through the sand, the sandstorm opened a way for him to pass. The quagmires sealed themselves up, and the golems bowed curtly to him before making way. Mirages vanished before his eyes, as he left the assassin guild, headed towards his next destination – the Golden Gates of Prontera. As he ran, he recalled the briefing his guild master had given him on his mission.
"As you know, Sky, the world is changing, for the worse. Disasters are befalling Rune Midgard, and the end of the world is fast approaching."
"Sky, Ragnarok is here."
The assassin sky stood before his guild master, too shocked for words. Sensing his disbelief, his guild master continued. "You may think that the legend of Ragnarok is merely a myth. That those tales told long ago are merely fables and stories. However, this is not true, I assure you."
Sky opened his mouth to protest, only to find that no sound would escape his throat. His guild master went on. "You ask for proof? I'm sorry Sky, but that I cannot give you." Reaching into his robes, he extracted a thick envelope, and handed it to Sky. "I would have loved to share this with you, but alas, this is strictly confidential, strictly between me and King Tristram III only. I need you to deliver it to him personally. I trust you can do this, no?"
Finally regaining his ability to speak, Sky bowed before his guild master and said, "Do not worry, Guild Master…. I will deliver this even if it costs me my life."
Satisfied, Sky's guild master said, "Very well Sky. I shall open the passage out of the guild, and into the wilderness. May you have a swift and easy mission, Sky, and may the gods smile upon you."
Bowing once again, Sky turned to take leave, and proceeded to make his way to Prontera. After he was out of earshot, the Guild Master then said to himself, "I'm really sorry Sky, but this is the only way…."
"If the prophecy comes true, we will undoubtedly perish. However, I hope to at least save one member from this disastrous fate…."
"Go, Sky, far away from this accursed valley, and may you survive this deadly fate set upon us all."
END OF CHAPTER TWO
For those who gave reviews for my first chapter, I sincerely thank you. All your comments have helped me better my story. Hoped you enjoyed this chapter too.
