"Blah" – Talking "Blah" – Thinking "Blah" – Spell

~I do not own Guild Wars or Guild Wars 2, both are the property of NCsoft and Arenanet~

Chapter 2: Shadows of the Past

Jai stood in front of the dull and slightly cracked mirror she had scavenged off the streets of the nobles quarters, its damaged state making it unworthy of residing in their opulent homes but still functional enough for her. Once more finger combing her short black hair; the bangs nearly covering one eye but the back ending just below the base of her head, Jai let out a sigh as she once again studied herself. Her leather rouge coat, gloves, undershirt, pants and boots did well enough to cover her from the neck down and her blindfold would cover her eyes well enough to avoid most undue attention. Giving her cream colored shirt another downwards tug in a vain attempt to smooth out any wrinkles the assassin gave up her appearance for the lost cause it was and left her small single room dwelling in the Seraph barracks.

It had been three days since the incident with Commander Serentine, and three days since Jai had moved into the Seraph barracks. She was now granted a meager pay; roughly three quarters of the usual Seraph's salary, but since she only needed to support herself and technically didn't need to eat the funding was enough for her to make due. It also helped that she scavenged all of her furniture from what the nobility threw away, her habit of exploring the city at night often resulting in her running into servants tasked with the removal and all too happy to hand over the items for a few copper coins they put into their own pockets.

Even with her new employment under Captain Thackeray the assassin made sure to keep up with trying to learn as much as she could about what history she had missed. Jai had even managed to hit the jackpot when it came to information when she went exploring under the Kormir Highroad, having stumbled upon a recruitment center and pseudo embassy to the Durmand Priory. Most of the tomes and books were basic primers and manuals for what was common knowledge but those were exactly what Jai needed though her repeated visits had drawn the attention of the recruiter.

A tanned and mohawked woman dressed in leather armor of striped soft blues and greys set down a stack of books with a heavy thump next to Jai, making her jump at the sudden noise. "Welcome to Durmand Hall, the base of operations for the Durmand Priory in Divinity's Reach. Anything I can do for you?" the woman asked, leaning casually on the stack of books as she cocked her head up on her hand.

Jai blinked blankly at the woman, having not expected her to actually try and talk to her. Her staring must have answered something though as the other woman got off the books and started placing them back onto the shelves, "You know, we in the Priory are dedicated to preserving, sharing and utilizing knowledge. I will gladly share what I know with you, it's kinda what I'm being paid for. And since I've seen you around yesterday and today you're obviously trying to figure something out."

"What is the priory? A library?" Jai asked, "If it is then it wouldn't do me much good since I'm still learning how to read New Krytan."

The other woman gave her a speculative glance "Well; long before Orr rose, the scholar Durmand set out to compile a true history of Tyria. He build a monastery high above Lion's Arch to house his findings. When the floods came to Orr, much was destroyed, but Durmand's monastery survived. Seeing the wisdom of his plan, many more joined him, and the Priory blossomed into the diverse group that is active today." She sucked on her cheek, "As for the reading problem I can offer lessons. You don't have to join the Priory- everyone should be able to read- and I'd be glad to help."

Jai raised a brow speculatively, "No contract, debt or payment?"

The Priory scholar scoffed, "Nah, you'd be helping with the boredom actually. I've lost track of how many times I've fallen asleep waiting for people to come in."

"…Then I'll take you up on that offer, though I will be paying you." She responded. "No, no need-"

Cutting her off Jai added, "I insist, throw in some history lessons if it makes you feel better."

The other woman held out a hand, "Alright, stubborn bugger aren't you? The name's Levanche. I can help you with the reading but Wellx knows history better than I do. She's more scholar whereas I'm more… archeologist."

At that moment a diminutive figure waddled into sight from behind a few bookcases, the large stack of books in his; or her, arms obscuring anything above three toed feet and four fingered clawed hands. "More like tomb-raider and treasure hunter if you ask me Lev." A feminine squeaky voice taunted from behind the mountain of books and scrolls. The figure; who Jai assumed was Wellx, had to stand on the tip of her front facing toe and the upper half of her foot to reach high enough to place her precarious load on a nearby table only for a few scrolls to become dislodged and begin rolling down onto her helmeted head. Each collision producing a dull gong and also causing the large floppy ears protruding from either side to stiffen and rise up a notch. "By the Alchemy! Not again! I swear, you bookah's make everything too big!"

Chuckling, Levanche shot back, "Hardly, you asura are just too small. What are you Wellx? A meter?"

Jai had taken the opportunity to help the –asura was it?- with the scrolls, kneeling down to gently pick them up before handing them over and getting a brief thanks before, "I am one and sixty-seven thousandths meters tall thank you." Prompting the assassin to hide a grin, Wellx's partner on the other hand had no reservations as she snorted out a laugh.

Rolling her large green eyes the asura gave her a critical look-over. "Well, you're quite the anomaly. Strange epidermal pigmenting, and your eyes lack a pupil along with irregular coloring yet your sight doesn't seem to be obstructed." Wellx quickly advanced on the internally panicking assassin and began pinching her cheek, "Hmm, how strange."

"Wellx! No studying the visitors."

Pouting, the asura jumped off Jai's lap. "This library is available to the public. All books are free to access as long as they don't leave the premises." She recited, sounding much rehearsed.

Levanche groaned, "Asura, I swear to Balthazar- weren't you listening?"

"Hardly. I was engrossed in this new released study from Rata-Sum by Professor Gor, turns out it is confirmed fact that the Dragons eat magic! I knew that theory was on to something. Take that you short-eared explosion-addled Councilors!" By the end of her mini-rant Wellx was waving a fist victoriously.

Grinning at the asura's obvious good mood Jai waited a bit before she asked a question, "What 'Dragons'?"

Both Priory members stared at her as though she'd grown an extra head, "What Dragons? Were on Tyria have you been the last two centuries?"

"Suffering in Torment." Jai thought before she half-seriously replied, "Locked in a cave. To be honest I've never even met an; asura was it? Before either."

Wellx promptly grabbed a chair before bodily pushing it into Jai's back, forcing her to sit on it while the asura hopped up onto a table and sat down at Jai's eye level, glaring at her with fiery purpose. "This is why so many humans are bookahs –large, loud, bellowing, and dumb imaginary creature that we use to frighten progeny- education is very important!" She huffed, "Alright, listen up good Bookah, I'm only going to say this once."

Taking a deep breath she started "The Elder Dragons are ancient, powerful beings of unknown origins. They keep the magic balanced by consuming it and drawing it into themselves; though indications show that this isn't their goal or intention, but rather a side-effect of how they function. Every several thousand years; roughly ten-thousand years according to Priory records, the dragons wake and consume everything in the world, thereby reducing the world to a low level of magic, before going back to sleep. Then the magic they have consumed bleeds out into the world, harmless unlike when they're awake, only for the dragons to eventually awaken once more and the cycle to begin again."

It was the beginning of a very strange, very one-sided acquaintanceship. But Jai was very grateful for the information and lessons given without questions being asked. And neither Priory member said anything when they began noticing small gifts of food appearing with their names written in shaky New Krytan.

A month later Jai walked into the Seraph Headquarters with an apple in hand, she didn't need food but the demon in disguise noticed a slight increase in her mana levels after eating something. It wasn't enough of a boost to really make much of an impact in a fight but it did give her a slight boost in energy.

"You're just in time. Minister Caudecus was just telling me that a child has gone missing."

Jai blinked behind her blindfold, the sudden inclusion in conversation as she entered the Seraph Headquarters catching her by surprise. Quickly composing herself the assassin assessed the visitor; he was a startlingly pale man with a white-yellow goatee protruding from his chin. The man's bald head reflected the lights and with his well-maintained coat and cravat seemed to suit the confident and arrogant expression he wore. "Another damn self-serving snake."

Sweeping into a low bow Jai gracefully straightened up before standing at attention, "Reporting for assignment Captain." She kept her tone polite, but made sure to make her deference to Thackeray known.

Caudecus stepped forward, his voice high pitched and slightly nasal, "As part of my community outreach program, Ministry officials treated a group of orphans to a day at the carnival. One of the boys wandered off, and now we can't find him. Poor little guy." He paused, "It is paramount that we find this young boy swiftly. These children have already known such pain, given the loss of their home at the orphanage… tragic."

Jai's eyes narrowed behind her blindfold, "I shall assist in the search, Minister."

The pale man clapped his hands together, "Good. I leave this in your hands then. Since Captain Thackeray has such faith in you, so do I." And with that he walked out, polished boots clacking hollowly on the floor before the door slammed shut behind him. It was only when the man was gone that Jai allowed a sneer to twist her face.

Thackeray went straight to business, "The boy's name is Garand. He's ten years old and wearing a red shirt. I've got Seraph out searching too. I've never seen Caudecus so worried—must be concern for his political career."

"That man doesn't give a kappa's ass about the kid. I've met his kind before." Jai had to suppress a growl, remembering Minister Reiko of the Ministry of Purity.

Beside her Jai's companion pleaded with her younger brother, "That's why I know this has to end. The change begins here, and now. Ashu! Reiko has used you! She turned you into a symbol, in order to give herself power, to push her own agenda. I remember the days of our youth together. I remember your smile." Miku paused, "So tell me. If this is the life you've chosen...then where is your smile now?"

The white garbed aristocratic woman beside the boy scoffed, "I think you've said quite enough. So what if he has furthered my ambition? The people need hope. They need a symbol to rally to. I gave them hope, and I gave them the will to fight. What have you offered them? You are just outsiders, meddling in the affairs of Cantha. You're just another problem for the Ministry of Purity to solve."

Thackeray looked at her curiously, "I'd ask who you're talking about but I'm pretty sure you won't answer." Jai's eyes flashed dangerously, "No I won't." Exhaling the assassin forced the memories from her mind, the woman was ashes in the wind, "I'll scan the carnival, children like parties right? He probably hadn't wandered far."

The Captain nodded, "The circus has a performance every afternoon. If you head down there and talk to the entertainers, you might find someone who can tell us more. And it's as good a bet as any at this rate since it's also where the kid was last seen. But Jai?" she tilted her head, "No killing Caudecus…yet."

"I won't kill him." Jai responded, "But maybe main, or seriously injure. If he pushes me."

The assassin had a small smirk as she saw Thackeray roll his eyes before she left.

Arriving at the carnival Jai stood at the edge of the crowd, watching as a fiery mohawked woman shouted about conspiracies while the tavern keeper's daughter she had rescued from the bandits fretted over her father's health only to be waved off with a laugh. Crossing her arms as insecurity welled up inside her Jai lurked in the shadows of a nearby tent; her eyes scanning the crowd for a small black haired boy in a red shirt as described to her by a Seraph, but making sure she stayed apart from the eager festival goers.

A waft of ozone and the clap of thunder drew the assassin's eyes towards the stage as a man dressed in a formal black suit appeared in a flash of magic with a sweeping bow as he placed his glossy black top hat atop his head with a flourish, "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Carnivale Gambade!"

The ringmaster's smooth voice made the hair's on the back of Jai's neck stand on end.

"I'm afraid our clown couldn't make it—he was feeling kind of funny." He chuckled, "Instead, I have hand-selected three of our most impressive performers to entertain you!"

As the man gestured grandiosely once more Jai glared at him from her hiding spot, "Call me paranoid and superficial, but something's suspicious about that man." The ringmaster didn't seem to notice her though, "Stand back, and prepare to be amazed!"

Jai lost interest as a muscle bound strong man came up and boasted of his strength, calling on a volunteer and breaking a boulder of "Deldrimor Quarry Stone" which the assassin doubted the authenticity of, having met a few dwarves on the trading docks of Kaineng in her past. However it wasn't her business what showmen did and went back to her search for the boy.

Ignoring the fortune teller the assassin began walking around the crowd, trying to see if she could spot the boy from a different angle. It was only when the onlookers started to shift backwards that she glanced back at the stage to see a thin man struggling to hold on to a wriggling snake. "Keep your distance, please! The Pernicious Viper is one of the deadliest species in Tyria! It's ten times more venomous than a cave spider! Twenty times more aggressive than… hey, Wriggly! Get back here!"

The bright green snake had succeeded in escaping its handler's grasp, "Hey, that's not supposed to happen. Oh no, Wriggly's gone rogue! Help! Someone, help! He'll kill us all!" As the viper turned on its panicking former handler, mouth open wide and hissing Jai palmed a throwing dagger with a flick of the wrist threw it at the pest.

The handler blinked in surprise to see the dagger impaled through the snake's head, pinning it to the wooden wall behind him. "Thank you, thank you! I mean, uh…all part of the act, folks!" He laughed nervously, "Just one of Madam Gilda's illusions! Yes, just an… illusion. Whew." Jai rolled her eyes, but had to hold back a chuckle as she heard the man mutter, "Poor Wriggly."

With that the show came to a close, the crowd disbursing and the performers to their individual stands. Deciding to be more active in her search Jai made her way over to the nearest carnival worker, who to her distaste happened to be the fortune teller. "Have you seen a black haired boy in a red shirt? Should be about eight to ten years old?"

The middle-aged woman dressed in vibrant velvets and feathers blinked at her in surprise, "So sorry, I had not seen you there." She narrowed her eyes, "Your aura, it's…unnerving. So much darkness and suffering, yet it is not evil." Shaking her head the woman's eyes refocused on the now on-edge assassin. "Yes, the boy. I have not. But boys love snakes and snails and scaly drake tails. I'd talk to the snake charmer if I were you."

"Thank, you" Jai said slowly before she walked away only for the fortune teller to call after her, "I see it. I see that you WILL find the child. You will, however, also uncover startling secrets. Beware the grizwhirl."

Shuddering inwardly Jai moved away from the tent as quickly as she could, "Damn creepy fortune tellers, I should just avoid every single one of them." Upon approaching the snake charmer's stand she had a hand shoved in her face, "Does this look infected to you?" The snake charmer then seemed to notice her blindfold, "Oh, um…"

Deadpanning Jai responded bluntly, "Yes, it does. Have you seen a black haired boy in a red shirt? Should be about ten years old?"

"Yea actually, brat called me a weirdo and went to gawk at Boris." And with that she was directed to the strong man.

"Hey, skinny! Come, test your strength against Boris. Boris is daring you!" Sighing Jai shook her head, "No, Have you seen a black haired boy in a red shirt? Should be ten years old?"

The bulky man's eyes lit up with his grin, "Yes! Boris HAS seen boy. He asked how to build bigger muscles. Boris told him he must work hard. He said he'd rather have a grizwhirl and went to the stables."

Jai frowned, "Grizwhirl?" "By the Black Beast, damn that fortune teller. If it's something she warned about I don't want to be within three meters of the thing."

At this point the strongman hesitated, "Boris does not know. Boris suspects, but Boris does not speak until he is certain. Go to the stables. You will see for yourself."

"That's not suspicious at all." Jai thought as she made her way to the stables.

Once inside Jai was ambushed by a trio of spiders the size of large dogs. Quickly dispatching them with her blades the assassin wiped the spider guts off her blade on a nearby clown costume. "I really hope they weren't here when the boy came in." Luckily there were no cocooned corpses but when the brunette cracked open a crate and found strange swirly devices she lost the chance to give them a closer inspection as a group of carnies dressed in bright orange burst into the stables.

"Grizwhirl… grizwhirl… grizwhirl…"

Slowly standing up Jai eyed the newcomers suspiciously; something really wasn't right as all her honed instincts were screaming in alarm. Placing her hands onto the hilts of her blades the assassin stood motionless, waiting for a reaction.

"No entry… employees only… unauthorized access… kill the intruder…" Her eyes hardening Jai drew her blades from their sheaths, the steely rasp catching the carnies' attention, "Kill the intruder! Hey, rube! Hey, rube!"

With that the carnies' lurched towards her, their arms flapping limply and their head's bobbing. Easily dodging out of one carnie's sloppy lunge Jai was about to bury her blade in his back when she caught herself, freezing with the tip of her blade a mere hair's breadth from entering flesh as it tore through the gaudy outfit. The pause was all another carnie had needed to grab a nearby shield and bash her head with it, causing stars to blink in and out of the assassin's vision as she retreated slightly. "I can't kill them." She thought, looking at their glazed over eyes and the drool escaping their mouths. "I wasn't given authorization, and they should have some information." And with that Jai sheathed her blades, grabbing hold of a nearby mop; "This'll have to do," and then proceeding to beat the attacking carnies to unconsciousness.

After reporting the carnies to a nearby Seraph Jai had returned to Thackeray's office, "Something's wrong with that circus. And those carnies."

The Seraph captain sighed from behind his desk, "I've got people interrogating them but nothing's making sense." The man rubbed his forehead, "Carnies don't trust outsiders. Maybe you should go undercover. There's a carnival training camp near Beetletun. If you can get hired, they'll be more likely to talk freely to you."

Jai stopped pacing, "Undercover? Again?"

Thackeray shrugged, "I'll be just outside the carny camp with a squad of Seraph. Signal when you learn something—or if you need help."

"No," She shook her head, "It'll be easier if I just listen in on them. I'm better at spying anyway; I'll just listen in, sneak in to any top secret meetings and avoid doing any idiotic mime-battle again."

"That… actually sounds like a better idea." Thackeray mused, before he got a wide grin, "What did you mean by 'again'?"

"Shit," freezing up Jai stared at the man like a deer in torchlight, "Damn you Lumo the Mime! Damn you, you silent clown." She mentally moaned before growling out, "Not. A. Word."

Of course, the Seraph captain didn't cower in fear of her anger. He instead burst out laughing.

It didn't take much to sneak into the carnival section of the town of Beetletun. Thackeray and his Seraph decided to wait outside the town gates, just out of sight of any lookouts as Jai slipped in invisibly after she once again cast shadow form upon herself. Every now and then the assassin would have to hide under some bushes or in a tree when her enchantment wore off or to just stake out a position to eavesdrop on a conversation without straining herself.

"There's no play like word play; ouch. Wooden delivery, weak set-up, terrible punch line. No, that's so bad, it's good. I'm laughing at its sheer awfulness, but I am laughing. Sounds like a keeper."

"What have we here? Ladies and gentlemen, it's audition time! Winners get applause. Losers get rotten fruit!"

"Oi! Rookie! Get away from my animals!"

"Wait…the mime talks?" "Of course. He's a mime, not a mute."

"Just stay out of the warehouse-"

That caught her attention, "The warehouse hmm? Let's have a look-see."

Making sure her form was obscured by her enchantment and ignoring the aches and drain on her mana reserves the prolonged use was bringing the assassin crept up to the warehouse. The windows and doors were boarded up but Jai managed to pick the lock on the door, glad that she had practiced on the door to her own dorm in the Seraph barracks until she could manage the newer lock mechanisms of this time. Stealthily slipping inside Jai quickly hid in the shadows and ducked behind a couple crates as she scanned the room, spotting the boy she had been tasked with looking for along with several other children, all of whom were staring at something just out of her view with glazed eyes and drool dribbling down their mouths. "Thackeray's not gonna like this."

Sneaking back out Jai made her way back to her commanding officer, letting her spell wear off so that she materialized before him in a salute. "Captain Thackeray."

"GAH!"

Several Seraph chuckled as their captain jumped nearly a foot in the air upon Jai's arrival only to quickly shut up when he glared at them. "Report."

Nodding her head Jai told him of the children in the warehouse, "The warehouse is full of children showing similar symptoms to those carnies I fought back in Divinity's Reach. It seems the carnival workers are in on the scheme as I heard them telling their new members not to go into the building."

Thackeray's mouth set into a hard line, "Let's go soldiers. Let's tell those clowns that their act's been canceled."

Unlocking her legs from her stiff posture Jai wavered slightly as she was hit with a fresh wave of pain induced vertigo. "Whoa," Thackeray reached out to steady her, "You alright?"

Waving him off Jai shook her head, "I'm fine, just mana backlash." She told him absently, "Jai, what do you mean by mana?"

"What?!" the assassin looked at him in shock, "What do- never mind. We don't have time for that."

Still appearing uncertain the captain nodded, "You're right, let's go."

With a squad of Seraph and the captain of the Seraph himself it didn't take long before Jai and Thackeray were at the warehouse. As they opened the door a few more carnies came down from the upper level and attacked them, all the while repeating the word "Grizwhirl" in a flat monotone but the sloppy attackers were easily held off. Jai stood back and watched as the others did the work, not wanting to interfere with the teamwork the Seraph had going on the assassin instead went over to the children. Kneeling down in front of the boy she had been searching for the brunette pushed her blindfold down to get a better look at him as the gloom in the house wouldn't be enough to blind her.

The boy's eyes were slack, and a thick trail of drool came out of the left side of his mouth. "What was his name again? Oh fuck it." Trying to get his attention Jai gently grabbed his shoulders, "Hey kid, wake up." Giving him a few gentle shakes the assassin frowned when the boy remained unresponsive, "Kid," She tried again, even snapping her fingers in front of his face to no avail. "What is he even looking at?"

Turning around Jai saw a strange device behind her, purple and pink it was a strange swirling wand or scepter if she had to guess. Just giving it even a glance and she felt drawn to it, to continue staring, to watch as it went round and round, whirling around, spinning round and round. A sudden loud slam as a carnie tripped over something jolted Jai out of her trance. "What the everlasting Torment was that?!" whatever it was she didn't like it. Unsheathing a blade and being careful not to look at the device again Jai swung down, cleaving it in half before whacking it again just for safe measure. Risking a peak Jai was relieved to see the purple-pink swirls gone and only sparking metal remained, but the relief didn't last long as she felt two small arms wrap around her middle squeezing hard. The assassin only barely restrained herself from lashing out with the blade still in her hand but she did still twitch violently as she looked down to see the very kid she had tried to wake up with his face buried in her side. "Uh, kid?"

All she heard was the kid sniffling; she started to panic when she felt her shirt start to get wet. "Hey, don't cry, don't cry. Please don't cry." She begged, awkwardly patting the boy's head with her free hand, "There, there?"

The boy only started crying harder.

Jai began looking around frantically, but all the Seraph were busy tying up the carnies and Thackeray was interrogating a clown. "It's okay kid, you're safe now." She tried again, still patting the kid's head till she heard a muffled, "I wanna go home.", "Oh thank Kormir he's talking!"

Feeling the kid's death grip on her loosening Jai leaned down to his level, she remembered Meloni once telling her that kids would be less scared if one wasn't towering over them and the assassin was praying that her old friend was right. "That's what we're here for." She said, trying to sound chirpy but probably failing miserably.

"My head hurts, I wanna go home!" And now the kid was crying again. "Having trouble?"

Hearing Thackeray's question Jai's head whipped over to look at him, the man grinning like a loon as he and a few other Seraph were laughing at her plight, "Stop laughing and get the Tor- tomato over here and help me!"

The kid however looked over to who Jai was talking to and his eyes widened to saucers upon seeing Thackeray and his tears seemed to magically dry up. "You're Logan Thackeray from Destiny's Edge!" he said awestruck.

Letting go of Jai to her utter relief the kid bounded over to the Seraph captain, practically vibrating with excitement. "Wow! I was rescued by a real hero! I can't wait to tell everyone back at the orphanage!"

Thackeray chuckled as he leaned down to ruffle the boy's hair, "Well, I'm glad to see you're safe Garand." Jai quietly sheathed her sword, glad that the kid's attention wasn't on her. She didn't mind being ignored, she was used to it and it was for the best anyway. Yet as Thackeray sent her a look over the kid's head as he let out a wowed "You know my name!" the man spoke up again, "You know, it was actually my friend Jai over here who found you."

Eyes wide open Jai began frantically gesturing every form of "NO" she could think of only to have to stop when the kid turned around. "Really?!"

"Yup," Thackeray egged him on to Jai's horror, "If it wasn't for her my soldiers and I wouldn't know where you and your friends were, and she was the one who broke the grizwhirl that hypnotized you."

"So cool!"

Jai glared death, torment and agony at Thackeray while he and the other Seraph began snickering. "Er- yea."

"So you're a hero too?" At that question Jai felt herself grow heavy. "No kid, I'm no hero."

The kid's face scrunched up in confusion, it'd be cute if he didn't still have some snot under his nose. "But, you saved me. And you're Mister Thackeray's friend."

Thackeray joined in, "And she's the Hero of Shaemoor, and the same woman who saved the orphanage from the arsonists."

She was going to kill the man after this. "Look," She said, kneeling down again, "I didn't do those things to be a 'hero', and I'm not some shining knight in gleaming golden armor who shows up and saves the day. I make mistakes, I get beat up, I fail- I've failed a lot in my life." She shrugged, "You don't have to be a hero to do the right thing; and most of the time, all you need to do is do what is right and never give up." Jai let out a small lopsided grin, not even noticing when the others stopped snickering, "All that matters is protecting what you care for and doing what you can to help others, even if nobody helps you back."

Garand frowned, "But isn't that what a hero is?"

Jai gave the kid another pat on the head, "You'll figure it out when you're older."

With that the kid was escorted out. "Should I feel insulted?" Blinking multiple times in confusion Jai looked over to Thackeray, "That 'shining knight in gleaming golden armor' wasn't a jibe at me was it?"

"Oh," Jai shook her head, "No, I was just looking for the most cliché story-book description I could come up with." She paused, "But I do need to kill you for throwing me to the rabid minions like you did." Whirling on him Jai ground out, "Why the everlasting Torment do you keep singing praises about me? The priestess and the kid, both times I could have gotten away!"

Snorting in amusement the man rolled his eyes, "I'm just giving credit where it's due."

An eye twitched violently, "You better start watching your food for poison." She joked, or not. Her flat tone made it hard for Thackeray to tell.

"Anyway," The man said as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Do you want to go to Uzolan's workshop, or do you want to infiltrate the ringmaster's meeting? We don't have time to do both."

Letting her glare drop Jai shot him a quizzical look, "Uzolan?"

Thackeray shrugged, "Uzolan's a famous inventor. He made the one-man-band back in Divinity's Reach. It's considered a mechanical marvel. We'll likely find some very odd things in his shop."

Grimacing, Jai prompted, "And the meeting?"

Regarding this option Thackeray looked a bit more pensive, "It's the more dangerous option, true, but also more likely to get us real information on his plan since it'd come right from the source."

"The Ringmaster it is then." Jai confirmed, "Something seemed off with him before, and I can always hide in a tree." She assured the Captain.

"If you're sure, I'll be nearby with some men in case anything goes wrong."

Jai really didn't think anything would go wrong, she had no intention of being seen or interacting with the Ringmaster. "It should be just reconnaissance," and she even opened her mouth to say so when Thackeray cut her off. "I just want to make sure, the precaution can't hurt."

Not seeing any fault in his reasoning Jai simply shrugged. He was the one in command after all, it wasn't like her opinion mattered.

The swamp was humid; up in a tree Jai observed the gathered civilians below as they gossiped and mingled below, not the least bit suspicious about being asked to meet a circus ringleader in a swamp of all things. "Idiots." With a crackle of ether and a swirling of insubstantial butterflies the Ringmaster himself materialized before the crowd with a haughty bow. Straightening and placing his top hat back atop his head in a flourish before the man gestured grandly, "Your attention, please! Welcome, my dear little clowns and fools, to the dress rehearsal for the big show in Divinity's Reach! We're going to bring the house down! Today, we're testing the circus's greatest attraction to date! Behold!" He whipped out a device from his sleeve, the differing proportions making it likely he had a rune of holding on his wrist. "Uzolan's Floating Grizwhirl! Gaze upon the grizwhirl. Clear your minds completely."

Alarm bells rang loud in Jai's mind but it was too late, the moment her eyes just barely glanced over the hypnotic scepter they were locked onto it. The edges of her vision going a mesmeric hue of purple-pink.

The Ringmaster's voice seemed to echo, "Look around, ninny-bells. Where are your friends? Whatever will you do? For the survivors, it'll be a night to remember! And now, it's time for me to bow out." As he concluded Jai's vision flared bright, forcing her to close her eyes as they burned.

When she opened them though, she felt her breath catch in her throat. The swampy forest was gone, all around her were obsidian walls, the stone blacker than the abyss and between the pillars she could see a harsh vibrant purple light and in her ears she could hear indiscernible wails. She knew where she was, the Battlements of Bec'qessor, bastion to the River of Souls.

She was back in the Realm.

Backing up until she felt her feet lose all contact with the ground as she tumbled down, the hard rocky soil digging into and scraping her leather coat as she tumbled to a halt before she finally backed into something solid. Jai felt her breathing come in gasping heaves but she didn't feel like she was taking in air. Dimly she knew she was hyperventilating, but the thought barely registered to the panicked whirl her mind had become. "I can't be back. The Seer said- I can't be back, I can't I can't I can't!" she crumpled to the floor, sliding against the stone wall that felt rougher than it looked. Jai curled into a ball; eyes squeezed shut, her breaths now making sharp wheezes that shook her whole body as tears streamed across her face. "I don't want to be here, I was free, the Seer lied! Truth lied! Lied lied LIED! I don't want to fight demons any more, no more dying, no more pointless fighting, no more, no more NO MORE!"

As she lay curled on the floor other screams pierced her ears, "You won't get me! I'll kill you! I'll kill you all!"

"I don't want to die! Please, somebody save me!

"Oh, gods, what's happening! Stay away from me, you beasts!"

"The Ringmaster's right! We have to fight back! Kill them all!"

With a whimper Jai tightened her grip on her head, trying not to hear the madden souls' shouts.

"The Hero of Shaemoor has lost it! I need help over here!"

Claws clamped down on her shoulder, forcing Jai to freeze. She didn't breath, she didn't move, she just waited, waited for it to happen, for the demon to rip her apart.

"She's not responding Captain, something's gone really wrong!" The claw let go.

Jai still didn't move, still didn't breath, "Why did it let go? It should rip apart, rip-tear-shred-burn-pain-blood-" she was being moved now, forced out of her fetal position and now face to face with her tormentor.

The bronzed six-eyed mask of a margonite leered down at her, purple soulfire burning hatefully in each eye. The bare almost human torso of branded flesh woven over black metal dwarfed her frame as torment-energy arms of pulsating purple griped her shoulders. The demon shook her again when she didn't respond, causing her even more confusion. Why hadn't it killed her yet?

"You need to snap out of it!" The demon shouted, its voice oddly human. Jai just shook her head, denying that any of this is happening, "J-just le-eve me alone. I was free, I was f-free." She stuttered, still shaking her head.

"You aren't where you think you are." The margonite insisted, "It's me! Logan! Logan Thackeray! You're in a swamp!"

That got her angry. Eyes snapping to the demon in a furious glare she hissed, "Do you seriously think that lie would work! When I can see Bec'qessor" She spat at the demon, struggling against its hold managing to get a kick in and baring her teeth with feral satisfaction as she felt the air rush out of its lungs, "You damned LIAR! Just kill me and be done with it or I'll rip out your eyes bastard!"

It was just as she was struggling to her feet, hands going towards her daggers that a blue wave of something blasted out of the margonite, throwing her back against the wall as her head met it with a crack. As she crumpled down again and stars swam over her vision the demon called out, "Stop! It's me. It's Logan. Get a hold of yourself! The Ringmaster has affected your mind!"

And the Realm bleed away.

Black turned to brown, purple to green, the wails quieted to crickets and birds. Slowly propping herself up Jai looked around eyes wide, "What? Tha- Logan? Who-? But-"

Logan Thackeray stood where the margonite once was, a hand to his chest, "Blessed Lyssa, I thought I was gonna have to knock you out." He wheezed, "I thought you were injured when you were found balled up like that, but damn you got me good." Finally breathing normally again the man knelt down by her, placing a hand on her shoulder in a reassuring manner.

But Jai flinched away from it, shrinking back as instead she hugged herself, head resting on her knees as she tried and failed to keep herself from crying. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, sorry sorry sorry." She blubbered. "I could have killed him, I would have killed him and anyone else I saw as a margonite had he not snapped me out of it." Jai felt as though someone had grabbed her heart and tried to pull it into the earth below her. "Am I that weak? That easy to break? I- I thought the Seer of Truth had lied, I am a fool, a damned pathetic fool, a weak idiot who fell for a simple damn illusion. I'm nothing, a useless, pathetic, worthless, idiotic, gullible-"

"Jai, look at me." Her thoughts came to a screeching halt as Thackeray braced both hands on her shoulders. She kept her head down.

They must have gathered an audience as the Captain started shouting, "Get those civilians back home, I can handle this." There was a pause, then a few mutters and grumbles along with the sloshing of people moving through the swamp, the sounds slowly becoming more distant till they faded entirely. "Jai."

It was just her name, but she could hear so much more in it. Finally looking up she was surprised to see him looking so concerned, "Are you alright?"

"I- I don't know. But that's not important, Is everyone else-?" she was cut off.

"Are you alright." Thackeray pressed, "From what I've heard whatever the Ringmaster did made everyone see something that would make the victims… distressed."

Jai started laughing, a hysterical edge tinting the sound, "Distressed? Distressed?! That bastard sent me back, he made me go back." Her laughter slowly trailed off, "I don't want to go back, but I should have known, I should have known."

"It's not your fault." "But-" "Listen to me," Thackeray ordered, "We underestimated him, and unfortunately you were the one to pay for that mistake. I'm almost glad you had that panic attack; if I had sent anyone else they probably would have started attacking the civilians under that illusion. Things could have gone much worse." The man sighed, releasing her shoulders as he sat back down on the dirt next to her, "But like you told me after the Orphanage, what's done is done. Now I just want to make sure my friend is okay; I mean, you did have a panic attack."

"I'm fine." "Bull," A small chuckle escaped her, "No really, I'm fine Thackeray. I just, was really not prepared to see…that."

Thackeray just stared at her with a bemused expression, "You know, you can call me Logan. Even if you won't admit it I consider you a friend Jai." He held out a hand.

Eyes flying wide with shock Jai stared at the man next to her, "You- what- friend?"

Looking directly into the man's coppery eyes Jai tried to search for any deceit, any falsehood but she had never been able to ferret out emotions through others eyes. She had read countless books and heard countless expressions referencing to seeing one's intent in their eyes, that the eyes were 'the windows to the soul' but she had never seen any of that and had fallen to reading body language instead. But despite the lack of ever reading anything in them she always looked to the eyes first. Seeing Thackeray- Logan's unwavering earnest expression Jai pushed her blindfold down, the streaming sunlight sending slight stabbing pains into her eyes but she wanted to do this properly. Her own suspiciously shiny eyes met Logan's, "I am not a good friend." She warned, "I plan on never telling you or anyone all of my past, too often I've been… cast aside because of it before. I'm broken, I've got nothing left to give that hasn't already been given and I've been…used for so long I- I don't even feel human anymore." She whispered. "I'm not human anymore."

Taking a deep breath she reached out and grabbed Logan's hand and gave it a small squeeze. "But I think, I think I'll take this risk." She choked out, her throat clenching shut as she held back tears, "I'd like to try…being your friend, Logan."

Thack- Logan grinned, "You won't regret it, I swear. Now, you mind telling me what the Torment you saw that made you freak out so badly?"

The irony was too much, she knew her laughing was getting an odd look from her new –friend- but Jai didn't care. Logan's mutter of "Oh great, I'm friends with a madwoman." Only made her laugh harder. The warped hilarity of the moment, paired with the sheer relief lifting her shoulders at the thought of no longer being entirely alone, that someone tried and wanted to be with her for more than just her blades resulted in Jai laughing for a good few minutes without pause. And if her laughter sounded a tad hysterical, then Logan said not a word. Finally trailing into silence Jai remembered why she even went through this in the first place. "Logan, he was going to use the Floating Grizwhirl in Divinity's Reach."

The Seraph Captain stiffened, "If the Ringmaster creates this kind of hysteria in the city, many will die. We have to shut down the carnival."

Shaking her head Jai reasoned, "No, if you do that, he'll just hide until we're least expecting him. It would be better to catch him in the act." She looked down at her hands, wringing the fingers together, "Also, since I heard that the carnival is sponsored by a Minister shutting it down would seem more like a political move."

Logan groaned, "You're right. It's risky, but I agree. He doesn't know you've seen this meeting. You can keep an eye on him, and we'll strike when he makes his move. Are you alright with that?"

It was Jai's turn to groan, dropping her head to her hands, "I'll keep an eye on him, but if he says 'Grizwhirl' even once I'm going to curl up in a corner and wait for things to just go away." She let out a muffled whine as she rubbed her fingers against her temples, "I fucking hate mesmers."

Chuckling Logan pushed her lightly, "C'mon, I'll even let you get first dibs on the Ringmaster."

Jai felt a rush of vindictive anticipation, a feral grin already tugging at her lips and plans bubbling in her mind before she remembered, "Not in the Realm," deflating with a sigh she stated, "Probably better that I don't. As much as I'd enjoy ripping him limb by limb with my bare hands you want to bring the Ringmaster in for questioning right?"

The man next to her grimaced, "Yea, no ripping out eyes in public. Why was that your first threat anyway?"

"Damnit!" Jai hesitated, "I'd probably threaten something else if they'd stop shouting 'I'll feast on your eyes' at me all the time." Thackeray stared at her, looking a little queasy, "They did! Bastards even ripped the eyes of a friend of mine with their claws, though I still think teeth were involved too." She defended, referring to Kormir when she was still human. Jai kept the 'they' ambiguous, hoping that the whole eyeball thing would distract Logan.

Logan swore, "Merciful Dwayna! Is she-" "Dead. Died helping me kill their leader." Letting out another sigh Jai mused, "I've been fighting those monsters for so long; it'd really be for the best if I just went and fought those dragon minions I've been hearing about. I'm broken, not exactly suited for pleasant or normal society. At least doing that I'd be able to do some good still."

The man pinched the bridge of his nose, "Jai, I've fought those minions before. You can't just charge out and fight them. And don't be so hard on yourself."

"No," The assassin agreed, "But I'm too used to fighting to kill, I know it, and you know it. We got lucky today, what if I'd attacked instead of panicked? All those civilians would have been dead, and probably a few of your Seraph because I wouldn't be holding back." Looking over to her new friend Jai was the one to put her hand on his shoulder, the hard metal not distracting from what the gesture meant. "I'll always be…grateful, for what you've done for me. More than you'd ever know but I can't stay."

Logan was silent, thinking over what she said –or at least she hoped he was- "You're right. I'll see what I can do, maybe even recommend you to an Order. You'd do great in the Vigil, good tactics and you fight like a demon."

"Just an expression, just an expression. He doesn't know, he doesn't know." "Logan-" She started to reprimand, but he just waved her off. Getting to his feet and offering her a hand to help her up. "I want to."

Houses flashed by as sparkling multi-colored confetti twirled as it's gentle fall to the ground was disturbed by a flitting shadow. Slightly ahead of Logan and his platoon of Seraph Jai ran towards the central square, after they had received word of the Ringmaster and his performers being sighted at Uzolon's musical machine they had rushed to the scene. Rounding the last corner Jai skidded to a halt as the Ringmaster revealed a grizwhirl with a flourish, "Are you ready to be amazed, astounded, and enthralled? Truly, this will be a virtuoso masterpiece!"

Having averted her eyes as soon as she saw the theatrical gesture the assassin could hear Logan shouting behind her, "Seraph, secure the big top. Don't look at his device!"

The Ringmaster just chuckled sinisterly, "Watch carefully, ladies and gentlemen. You won't want to miss this! Behold!... the Floating Grizwhirl at center stage! Watch it go round and round. That which goes up must eventually go down. Queen Jennah's Kryta has had it all. Now it—and she—must tumble and fall!"

All around, from every alleyway entrance hunched over and orange clad carnies began creeping onto the scene. Logan however didn't seem to notice them, "Ringmaster!" The Seraph Captain shouted, pointing an accusatory finger "By my authority, I order you to desist! You're under arrest for treason! How dare you threaten the queen!"

The Ringmaster barely even gave the other man a sidelong glance "Oh look, it's Captain Thackeray." He commented in an idle tone, "Don't you like my fascinating grizwhirl. Take a closer look."

One of Logan's Seraph tried to alert the crowd to what was going on, "Everyone! Avert your eyes! He's trying to hypnotize you!" But from the sudden stillness of the audience Jai was sure they were already a lost cause.

"Spoilsports." Called the Ringmaster from the stage, "I'd have to let you choke the life out of Queen Jennah, Logan, just like she's suffocating Kryta. Think of it, Captain: your hands, crushing her throat." The man held up a tightened fist for emphasis.

Jai could hear see a muscle twitching in Logan's jaw, "Focus Logan." She admonished, getting a nod in return.

"Rise up, my puppets! Before we can cleanse the city of its monstrous queen, we must first crush the monsters in our midst. Get them!"

And with those words chaos erupted.

Gazing about hesitantly Jai mentally repeated, "Don't kill, don't kill, don't kill.", as a young kind no older than ten leapt at her, face slack as he tried to wrap his arms around her neck. Dancing away Jai nimbly redirected the boy's path and sent him towards a Seraph, letting the man know before she refocused on another opponent. Even when focusing on holding back the assassin didn't dare to knock the child; fragile as they were, unconscious in fear of accidentally doing serious damage. Spotting a carnie swinging wildly at another Seraph who was ducked behind his shield Jai quickly shadowstepped to the two before striking out with a fist, dazing the clown before she followed it up with a hit to the head with enough enhanced strength to knock her foe unconscious.

After knocking out another carnie Jai felt a stab of pain in her lower leg, inhaling sharply she looked down to see a dark green snake as thick as her arm with its fangs embedded in her flesh. Gritting her teeth as the snake began to chew on her she unsheathed a single blade. The cold steel flashing in the sunlight as she quickly cut off the animal's head before she reached down with her free hand and ripped out the head. It came loose with a gush of her viscous black blood before a hissing sound from behind her made Jai turn around to see the snake handler with advancing towards her with more snakes writhing in his hands. Ignoring the hot pain now coursing through her leg as the venom began travelling her bloodstream Jai withdrew her second blade and entered a ready stance knowing that the venom wouldn't kill her. The handler reared back, one hand-full of snakes hissing and biting onto his thick protective leather gloves in anger before being thrown towards her. The throw was weak, and with the wriggling of the reptiles only one even made it near her as Jai almost casually bisected it. But as the other snakes hit the ground spitting in fury they began advancing on whoever was closest to them. Grimacing at the way the fight had turned Jai started killing the snakes off, alternating between reaching down and slashing at them and throwing her blades just before a bystander; carnie, civilian or Seraph, got bitten only to call them back and repeat the process. Sometime during her hunt the snake handler had chucked his other hand full of venomous pests at her only for the snakes to eventually meet the same fate of their fellows. Quickly shadowstepping behind the man once all his pets had been dealt with Jai knocked him out with a hit to the back of his head using the flat of her blade.

Hearing a crackle of electricity caused Jai to jerk her head up towards the stage. Her eyes widened behind her blindfold when she saw the Ringmaster standing half hidden in the piping of the music machine, his hands sparking with massive amounts of electricity even as one still clutched the grizwhirl. Following what the Ringmaster was glaring at the assassin saw Logan fending off the strongman. Understanding what the Ringmaster had planned Jai quickly shouted out a warning, "LOGAN!"

But she was too late.

With a triumphant laugh a massive discharge of electricity arced from the Ringmaster's hands to Logan, forcing the man to yell out in pain as the voltage surged through him, his metal armor offering no protection. Without even thinking Jai reacted as soon as the electricity connected. In one heartbeat a blade soared through the air as Jai vanished into smoke the instant it left her fingers before it buried itself at an angle into the Ringmaster's gut, his showman finery offering no protection and forcing him to cease his electrical onslaught. In the next heartbeat Jai re-materialized, one hand wrapped around the hilt of her blade while the other swung out before her in a wide deadly arc.

The Ringmaster's body fell to the stage with a dull thud, followed by his head as it half-rolled before coming to a stop.

Hearing the grizwhirl clatter to the ground Jai brought her booted foot down upon it, crushing it to pieces as she used every ounce of force she could muster in a single stomp. The shattering of the device brought the last of the hypnotized people back to their senses. Nearly simultaneously everyone who had been under the grizwhirl's effects brought their hands to their heads as they gazed about in confusion. It didn't take long before someone noticed the body.

A shrill scream pierced the relative quiet; the pig-tailed bar maid Jai had rescued from the bandit cavern stared at her in abject horror, a shaky finger pointed in the assassin's direction as she stood in her blood splattered armor. Next came the mothers, gasping in horror and hastily covering their children's eyes while a well-dressed noble man with short brown hair began retching. It didn't take long before the crowd as a whole began to back away from her and the cooling body at her feet. Casting her eyes to the ground Jai sheathed her blades and started walking down to Logan, all around her the crowd parted and whispered.

"Is that…that's the Hero of Shaemoor!"

"What?" "No way,"

"That could have been us!"

"What if we were attacked like that when we were hypnotized?"

"What's going on Mom?" "-Don't look Len,"

Upon reaching the Seraph Captain she held out a hand to help him back to his feet which he eagerly accepted. "Alright, nothing to see here." He called out, "The Seraph has the situation under control."

Gradually, the crowd was disbursed but Jai stayed beside Logan. Not moving, and not showing any reaction to the whispers.

Once the town square was emptied except for the Seraph Logan let out a sigh, "The Ringmaster nearly succeeded in spreading chaos throughout the city. Despicable traitor. To be honest I'm glad he's dead."

Jai kept staring at her feet, not saying a word.

"Hey," Logan said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder only to retract it after she flinched away, "Thanks for dealing with the Ringmaster-"

"You wanted him brought in alive." The assassin interjected, "And I killed him, not that I regret it." She amended, "But it was just a reaction, he attacked you and I reacted."

"And I'm glad you did otherwise I'd be extra crispy." The man joked.

Jai kept quiet, she didn't want to talk about it. "Just like back in Cantha, as soon as people see the ugly side, they'll want nothing to do with you." Instead she just muttered, "At least it's over now, even though we lost our answers." Musing on the late Ringmaster's obvious vendetta against the Queen she asked, "Who's next in line for the throne?"

Logan seemed to think on her question, "Queen Jennah has no heirs. If the Ringmaster's mob had killed her, the Ministry would have taken rulership of Kryta. With all we've seen lately, I'm convinced that it's a member of the ministry."

An ugly grimace twisted her face, "Of course it's the damn ministry."

Logan let out a humorless laugh, "This is going to have to be a low-key and long-term investigation. If I see anything suspicious, I'll let you know, we work pretty well together don't you think? Until then, take a break, Dwayna knows you've earned it."

Sep 11, 2015
Words: 9,734
Pages: 20

Glossary:
Dwayna – Human Goddess of life and air, along with being usually seen as the leader of the human pantheon.
The Eternal Alchemy - the ideology of the asura. It is the teaching that that all things, regardless of how small and insignificant or grand and important, are part of some great cosmic mechanism. It encompasses not just the materiality of what exists, but also the significance of the interconnections between things, their ultimate fates, and as such, the "meaning" of the lives of all people as well as the life of each person.

Notes:
-
This trend of always fighting first is something I noticed in game. Fighting/killing seems to be the go-to method of dealing with criminals. I understand it in a game perspective but since I'm trying to novelize it's a bit of a 'no-no'. Jai however is way too accustomed to killing as a first resort due to the Realm of Torment, and she's realizing that she's the weird one now and knows that she should try to avoid situations that would result in her being the one to deal with fighting only to incapacitate.

- I noticed that roughly 90% of this story's visitors are from countries that use the metric system. As such I'll be writing this story with a handy-dandy Standard to Metric converter via google. If I miss one then I apologize.

- Finally, on Magic I plan on explaining the GW1 Mana-Bar to the GW2 no-mana-bar by having GW2 characters manipulate the magic around them since it will have hit a density that lets them use what's around them to charge spells or augment their physical abilities. GW2 characters will have their own internal mana pool but will use it as a last resort and will typically have a lower regeneration and amount of mana as a consequence. So in layman's terms Jai's GW1 internal mana bar becomes her initiative mechanics wise.

- P.S. Please please please at least one person leave one review, just one teeny-tiny review? Please? Even if it's not in English I'll throw it into google translate or something but please? Something? Anything? Tell me your predictions? What you don't/do like? Where I messed up? Anything?

- P.S.S. Why did FF. net take away my page-breaks? I had to go back through manually and put in all my "***"s D: