A/N: Longest chapter yet! I'm sorry this took so long to get out. I'm trying to get faster. I really am! :P
The feline smiled as he faded into the dark. The shot was good. The purple dragon was dead. In a weeks time he'd have his money and be on an airship to Chora, safe from Warfang's authorities.
As he slunk away from the crime scene he imagined what he'd do with the money. Perhaps he could buy a house, a small cozy one like that which he lived in as a kitten. Like the one he lived in before the depression. Before his mother abandoned him. He shook his head to clear the thought. I've gotten over that. He told himself.
He forced his train of thought back to the future. Perhaps he could go to school. Do something productive with his life. Something more than killing. Maybe he'd even meet a nice girl. They could settle down. Have a family.
Suddenly a roar echoed through the valley. The dragons had discovered what had happened and would surely be after him in a moment. He allowed the wishful fantasies to fade into the back of his mind and ran with all his strength.
An hour passed and Plomistis was forced to slow to a trot. His breath came in short rasping gasps. But he dare not stop. The Guardians would doubtless be searching relentlessly for him. And so, with pain he took the next step. And the next. And the next.
The minutes blurred into each other. He tried to take his mind off the pain in his sides by imagining what his new life would be like. Despite this he couldn't stop thinking about what would happen if the Guardians were to catch him. On multiple occasions he believed he heard the sound of wings behind him, but when he turned there was nothing.
After a time the landscape started to change. Tall evergreen trees sprouted up around the lonely assassin. The mucky ground became firmer. No longer did fog cloud Plomistis' vision. He finally allowed himself to slow and catch his breath.
It took Plomistis a moment to assess his location. He eventually decided he was about 30 miles south of the Dragon Temple. If that were the case the nearest airport would be about a day's hike to the east. Once there he'd take the first ship back to Volans and get his money.
Almost twenty four hours had passed by the time Plomistis arrived on the doorstep of his employer's home; a large three story mansion. The assassin knocked, wondering how a non dragon could afford a house like this, especially in those days. Those thoughts were pushed aside as a tall panda butler answered the the door, "Do you have business with the master?"
"Indeed. I am Plomistis, I am here for my payment."
"Come in then." The panda stood aside as Plomistis strode into the building.
The air was warm, a stark contrast from the numb chill outside. Several electric lights illuminated the entryway; a long narrow room connecting to a larger living area. On the wall to Plomistis' left hung an expensive looking portrait of his employer.
"Before you see the master," The panda said closing the door, "I will need you to hand over your weapons."
"Of course." Plomistis replied, slipping the rifle from his back and tossing it to the panda.
"And your sidearm."
The panther grumbled something as he pushed his cloak aside, revealing a pistol on his hip. He pulled it from it's holster and handed it to the butler.
"Thank you. Follow me" The panda turned and started down the hall.
Plomistis followed the panda though the living room, up a spiral staircase and down a hallway. The butler knocked on the single door at the end of the hallway, "Master. He's here.."
"Let him in."
The panda ushered Plomistis through the entryway, closing the door behind him. Unlike the rest of the house, the room was dark. The only light came a large window in which streamed the dim, yet warm glow of the stars. A canine sat below, observing the endless void of space through a telescope. Beside him a duo of tall unmoving, cloaked figures stood. They stood so still that Plomistis almost mistook them for statues.
"Take a seat, Plomistis." The dog said, not bothering to look to whom he spoke. One of the figures took a step to the side, revealing a luxurious cushioned chair.
"I'll stand, thank you." Plomistis replied, not wanting to get any where near the strange cloaked figures.
"Oh, but I insist." Before the dog even finished talking the two figures bolted towards Plomistis, moving with speed rivaling that of a cheetah. They grabbed his wrists and forced him into the chair. The panther struggled for a moment, but quickly realised it was a fruitless effort.
"I simply want my pay, nothing more."
The dog laughed, turning from his stargazing, "Oh, my dear, boy. Did you truly think I'd pay you for such a foolish endeavor? You'd be caught! And when you were, you'd have been asked who hired you. And we can't have that, now can we?" The canine stood, pulling a pistol from his shirt as he did so.
"Of course we can't. That's why I won't be caught." Plomistis said, "Now put the gun away, before you hurt someone."
"You'll have to try harder than that." The dog pulled the hammer back on the weapon.
"You're funeral." Plomistis struck out and bit one of his captors' arms. The cloaked figure yelped and released him. A gunshot rang out, but the assassin had seen this coming. Moving in the blink of an eye Plomistis threw all his weight against the second figure, knocking him over and flipping the cair. The bullet flew harmlessly into the wall behind them.
Plomistis leaped to his feet, extending his claws as he did so. The first figure had recovered from the shock of being bitten and was in the process of drawing a pistol. The assassin leaped, tearing into his opponent. Blood spattered onto his paws and his enemy fell.
Plomistis grabbed his fallen opponent's weapon and twirled to face the second figure. The pistol kicked in the assassin's paw and a second body dropped to the floor.
Dropping the pistol Plomistis turned slowly to the canine, who was scrambling in an attempt to reload his weapon. The assassin took a step forward and the dog turned and ran towards the door. He didn't even make it half the rooms length before Plomistis was atop him.
"Please! No! I'm sorry! I'll do anything!"
Plomistis raised his arm to take one last swipe, when suddenly the door exploded and the butler burst into the room lugging with him a massive six-barreled weapon. The dog took Plomistis' momentary distraction to kick him in the gut and dive out of the panda's line of fire.
Once his master was out of the way, the butler turned a crank on the large weapon, firing a volley of bullets at Plomistis. The assassin leaped to the side and rushed towards the window, just barely avoiding being torn to shreds by the automatic weapon. The panther searched the room frantically for an exit. It only took him a moment to see he was trapped. Then the panther had an insane idea.
Sprinting to the edge of the room Plomistis kicked the now abandoned telescope into the glass. A 'crack' reached the panther's ears, but the window stayed intact. In a last desperate effort, he flung himself against the glass.
Crash!
Plomistis felt himself falling through the cold night air. A moment later the wind was exiled violently from his lungs as he unceremoniously face planted on the cobblestone streets. So much for always landing on his feet.
Despite the pain Plomistis quickly leapt to his feet and tore off into the night. He was cut and bruised, but alive.
The moon was nearing its peak in the night sky, and yet, Suishou was not asleep. So many things were on her mind. Just that afternoon a letter from her father had arrived. The only letter from her father that she had received in all her years attending the Temple academy. It only contained one sentence, "See me next time you're in town."
After all that time, why did her father want to see her again? Why now? She had simply wanted to forget him, but it seems the universe wouldn't allow that.
On a near by desk a single candle glowed, spilling it's dancing light across the small room. Aside from the desk the only eye catching features were a cot, and a well worn bookshelf overflowing with fantasy novels.
Back on the desk a slip of parchment sat next to the candle, a half formed reply was scribbled sloppily across the top. Suishou had long since given up on formulating a response. Her mind was far too full to write. And so, she found herself pacing back and forth across the tiny room. She swore quietly to herself. Why was this getting to her so?
She knew not how long passed, but it was well after midnight a loud 'bang' tore through the silence. Seconds later she saw something- or someone- dart past her window, as if it were pursued by the spirit Malefor himself. Outside her door, Suishou heard other students leaving their rooms to investigate the nose. In a moment she had joined them.
Dragons of all ages and races milled about the hallway. Asking around, Suishou discovered no one knew yet what had caused the noise, but they all seemed to agree on one thing. It sounded like a gunshot. Her heart started to beat faster in her chest, she hoped they were wrong.
After a moment she bumped into Atash, "Thank the gods you're okay." He said, then paused, "You seen Lila?"
"I was hoping you knew where she is." The ice dragoness started to panic. It didn't seem too far fetched that someone would attempt to kill the purple dragon.
Without another word the two dragons rushed towards Lila's room. It took far longer than it should have, as they had to push through the now crowded hallways. But after a few minutes they found themselves outside the purple dragons room.
As she pushed the door open Suishou told herself that it would be fine. Lila would be just fine and she was worrying for nothing, but alas, life was never that easy. Laying on her bed before them was the bloody, lifeless body of their friend, the purple dragon.
"Oh, gods no."