Mission 5
Garrett burst into Big Bertha's shop, allowing a few minutes to defrost his now orange fingers. "Mm, G, didn't expect to see you out in this kind of weather. What can I do for you?" with fingers tingling Garrett threw down several small bags on the counter "this is quite a haul, G..." would you quit calling me that... Garrett thought glaring at her, but she didn't seem to notice as she was sorting through the several items in the bags. Questions circled in Garrett's head as Bertha was figuring out how much she owed him. Until for the first time in months he ever bothered to say a single word to Bertha, Garrett asked "where would I find information on an assassin?"
"well, there's not much to say bout this 'shadow runner' is only he is independent... until he is interested in someone with a bounty or when he is out of money. Most his targets seem to be nobles, probably a personal vendetta he has ageist them. I'm not really complaining but that leaves him with quite a reputation," Rudyard said with deep interest in his voice "do you have any information in return?" Garrett crossed his arms and sighed not really what I was hoping for. "he seems to be a fan of jumping out of 3rd story windows" Garrett said bluntly, Rudyard only burst with laughter as if he was hearing the best joke in his life "so much for being promising, that taffer probably broke his legs, if not dead!" but Garrett only glared at the obnoxious man in front of him, Rudyard lips moved but his words fell on def ears as Garrett stood in deep thought I would of heard something... lest I don't have to worry about being killed anytime soon.As Garret left practically empty handed the familiar feeling returned with vengeance probably a damn Keeper again, why can't I be left alone... this time Garrett loomed where his bow is located, just in case it is someone else he wouldn't be happy to appear.
Each dreaded step Garrett made, the feeling grew worse, the night maybe masking his movement to the unaware citizens around him but it would also be masking his pursuer. He tried turning to winding streets, even chancing well guarded routes, but the feeling lingered. That's it... for what felt like hours and patients wearing thin Garrett took a rope arrow and climbed up to the roof tops, to keep out of sight of any prying eyes and drew a broad head arrow, aiming it to where his rope laid; waiting, for who ever is fallowing him. "he-" it came from behind, spinning around with bow still drawn Garrett aimed the arrow just above the strangers head interrupting what they where about to say, but Garrett was impressed all the same for he didn't hear him approach.
"who are you? And what do you want?" Garrett demanded in an angry tone, keeping his stance like a statue. "you know if we keep meeting like this, I'm going to start thinking I am in a story with poor grammar" chuckled a familiar ruff voice. The Shadow Runner, Garrett didn't flinch nor lowered his bow slightly "answer me!" Garrett's tone sounded as if he was going to kill him any second, what ever game he is playing, I am not going to be a piece of any kind. Akira hands were at head level, no weapons seemed to be on him at lest from what he could see. "Easy there lone wolf, I'm just here to relieve you of that sapphire" but Garrett didn't budge, suspicion still lingered in his eyes and mind "what's going to stop you from killing me?" he barked with distaste "if I wanted to kill you, it would of been at our first meeting and I would have weapons on my person if I had any intention of dirtying my hands, another reason being it is ageist my standards... and I am such a fan of your work" sighed the assassin, as if he was explaining this for the millionth time but excited sounding towards the end just what I need a fan boy... with talents..."what standards?" questioned Garrett, slightly retracting the bow since his arms are getting a little tired "I don't kill those who are trying to survive; thieves for an example" the runner answered with a certain seriousness, it was hard to tell if he was lying because of his hood. Masking his eyes in shadows.
Garrett reviewed past events from their two encounters, he wanted me to find this so he can take it from me later... i don't think so "I know you aren't going to kill me, after all you are a thief, and a legend at that" he complemented, lowering his hands to his side "please, the gem.." the runner asked. Reaching with an open lowered his bow to aim at the Runners legs but made it seem he was agreeing to give the sapphire, with this gesture, Akira lowered his arm and walked towards Garrett with a certain spring "thanks, you have no idea how dange-" with one fluid motion, Garrett fired the arrow in to the Shadows left thigh. Stopping him dead in his tracks, the impact made the Blur fall on to his stomach, clenching his teeth from the penetrating pain. Garrett however didn't hesitate and flew from roof top to roof top, until he was out of breath.
Taking a break on a rooftop somewhere in old quarter Garrett sighed I'm getting too old for this..flipping the jewel from his cloak in great desperation Garrett inspected it, expecting it to shatter in his hands. Looking at the shiny rock a rush of awareness came to his consciousness what the hell am I doing, its not going to break anytime soon, as he was going to put it back where it belongs in, his arm resisted to a halt on its own will what th- the gem began to glow, the characters highlighted in a golden shine, as if he was hypnotized he held up the sapphire to have a better look.
The silver scales began to move within his hand and a head began to emerge from it, taking a serpent shape, but had bat wing like ears made of a smooth blue metal. It's eyes where a deep blue and shined like crystal "hello, Ttttthiefffff" Garrett's eyes widened for the serpent spoked in his head like the Eye had, only this time it sounded more calm and comforting "I haveeee obsssserved your movementssss and thoughtsss, great massster of ssshhadowss. I know all of your desssiresss and goalsss, even thoughtsss of a lassting retirement. I can assssissst your dessire for a pricccce. sssmall but full filling to me"
Garrett wanted to smash the silver serpent for invading his head but at the same time he was enchanted by the beautiful creature in his hand. The idea of sitting in a comfy chair and a fluffy bed made of feathers instead of straw all while be left alone to enjoy the comforts of having a 3 course meal without having to risk his neck. Garrett daydreamed of his long over due retirement while the dazzling scales of the serpent began to slither up his left arm, shimmering as it moved in the moonlight, growing longer before his very eyes but with little reaction, until it was around his neck like a brand new scarf. It waited for the thief to answer.
"what is the price?" the master thief asked in a calm and relaxed voice, his life long goal was within his grasp that it left an eery peace within him, The ears of the serpent perked forward and fanned changing from silver, to a beautiful design of different gems and precious metals as it turned to face Garrett, moving its head side to side in a swaying motion, "your...EYE" the creature hissed in a voice that remarkably resembles to the Trickster's. The serpent bared its teeth that rowed on both roof and jaw of its mouth, only having a gap in the middle and where its fleshy tongue laid. Garrett attempted to get the cylinder creature away from him but was paralyzed, noooo... not again!
The serpent strikes at his left eye in one sudden movement, sharp teeth puncturing his eye with no resistance, vitreous fluid and blood splattered and oozed out of the eye socket causing Garrett to scream out of pure pain and terror as it began to eat away his eye, with trembling hands from shock, Garrett tried to pull the silver scaled parasite out, but each attempt made the pain spike, causing him to writhe and let go. The struggle continued, every attempt Garrett made only left him more weaker "your sacrifice is not yet complete! Mine lilacs and mine thistles must feeds..." the silver scaled serpent quoted in his head as it gnawed into what was left of his eye. His sight blurred as the creature feasted, so much for dying a natural death... clicks and rattles were heard from his right eye as it unfocussed and darkened. With shaking breathes he closed his eye.
"Garrett... come on man, get a hold of your self!" Akira shouted as he shook Garrett. slapping him right across the face. With a jolt Garrett regained consciousness and shoved Akria away from him, immediately went to touch to his left eye, but no pain or blood where present. Closing his right eye to see if his only human eye was still working. the results were satisfactory, was I hallucinating? "you're lucky you're mind is still intact, wish I could say the same" huffed the Shadow looking at his leg as he hobbled to sit down beside Garrett. The arrow shaft was broken and splintered, and with one abrupt push the arrow went through the rest of his leg, blood and puss dripped down on to the roof shingles from the tip of the arrow, no sound came from the kid this time.
As Akria patched up his leg, Garrett rubbed his left eye, making sure its not going to fall out anytime soon, thinking of how he had such an episode. Akira how ever took out a healing potion and went splash some on his wound but was interfered "what the hell are you doing?" Garrett asked in an intimidating tone wasting such an expens- "it's faster" the assassin replied with a harsh sigh, shaking the master thief's grip from him. Garrett stood with watchful eyes to see if this new face in the city was right, the potion splashed onto the wound. Instantly mending the muscle and skin together in a matter of seconds, leaving only a scar as if he had it for many years.
Lips stretched into a smile on the assassin's face as he turned his head to where Garrett stood but was looking unamused. It's not like I made a bet, Show off. "Right, you are probably looking for information. If you wish to listen I could tell" Akria mumbled, brushing himself off as he stood up. With a long silence Garrett nodded, The Runner replied to the gesture while looking over his shoulder "unfortunately, I cant speak here, they. Might be watching" with that he jumped off the roof, leaving Garrett to sigh this guy is defiantly a lunatic... and a fan-boy no less "you coming?! We need to make haste!" he shouted from the ally, no less for the wear, Garrett looked over the edge. The height was roughly 20 ft "come on, jump down!" now he's going to kill me, and make it look like suicide...the Fan-boy sensed his idols hesitation and asked "do you know how to break falls?!" how the hell does one "break a fall?" stop magically in mid air before impact?sounds like fun... Garrett rammed a rope arrow on to the roof as hard as he could, ignoring Akira's question and descended once confidant it wouldn't loosen from his weight.
The assassin had breath taking abilities, at each obstacle that was in the way of his direct route, he demonstrated different kinds of vaults with both speed and style, Garrett however only did a slow but safe approaches leaving the Runner to stop and wait for him (or disappearing) every now and then well, certainly lives up to his nickname... wouldn't mind learning a few of these skill myself if I was suicidal. "we are getting close" explained the runner over his shoulder when Garrett caught up to him "just need to get over that wall" he pointed the 15ft wall a few paces away, before Garrett could object, the maniac charged at the wall at a great speed. As if the earth rejected his every step he made it up the wall with ease. Leaving Garrett behind with a wall in front him, growling at himself for being left behind, yet again. Sighing Garrett made an 180 to take a different route "just take the next left a block away from here and I'll meet you there" instructed Akira perching on top of the wall, with a bit of disappointed in his ruff voice, so much for being an idol; wasn't my kind of thing to begin with anyway he thought while doing his walk of "shame".
Well chapter 5, had a good break but time to get down to business :P anyway I introduce to you- Garrett- the wonders of Parkour. I also tried to extend my chapters a bit so let me know if you prefer shorter ones or not. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter the next one will be up next Tuesday. Have a good day and a very happy new year :3