Chapter 15: Her Daggers
"That little girl was dead and in her place stood a cold-blooded killer."
- Reyna Pryde, "Unique: A New Breed"
-Faction 3: Mel's Goods-
A weird silence filled the room as Joe, Kari, and Tai made their way into Mel's store. "Look like you guys saw a ghost…" He raised an eyebrow as Mimi followed Tai into the store. "And a new friend?" Mel grabbed her a towel, noticing the splattered black on her neck and arm from the Darklings. "You have something," he motioned to her body. "Thanks…" She mumbled, grabbing the towel as she tried her best to wipe off the mess.
The group silently made their way to the back, Kari excusing herself to go change out of the purple gown she had worn to the ball. Tai shrugged off his jacket, throwing it next to the coat rack. "Hey. The rack is their for a reason, pretty boy." Mel grunted, picking Tai's coat up and placing it on one of the hooks.
Joe slowly sat, clearing his mind. Mimi folded the towel, thanking Mel for his efforts as the sticky, black blood clung to her. "I probably just need a shower…" Mimi said, trying to lighten the mood with a giggle. Mel smiled, pointing her in the direction of Kari's small room.
Running his fingers through his hair, Tai sighed loudly. "… What just happened?" Joe raised an eyebrow, leaning his chin on his palm at the table. "You tell me, you were there too." The three men sat in silence as Tai and Joe both played the events back in their minds. Sora remembers me? Remembers us? I thought she was going to kill me… Will she? Tai was lost in his thoughts.
Kari returned to the room, a dark grey dress hanging off her shoulders and clinging to her small frame. "You guys look… Lost?" She looked around the room, Mel shrugging when her gaze landed on him. "It's just Sora guys! She's not the threat we thought she was!"
Joe nodded slowly, "Yes… But she… Did you see how she tore through the Darklings? I don't think one even came close to landing a blow on her…" Joe was scared. Sora was a weapon finely crafted to strike every blow perfectly. "She almost killed me on the balcony again, mind you." Tai said, slumping down into a brown chair. Kari rolled her eyes, smirking. "I think we all know Sora would never be able to kill you." Tai looked away from Kari's gaze, blushing slightly. Joe chuckled. "Oh boy. Let's hope not. By the looks of it, we'd all lose if she took a swing at us."
Mel cleared his throat, "May I ask to be filled in? What happened at the ball that has you guys all shaken up like this?" Tai rolled his shoulders, stretching, "Well, all was going well. Then Sora, who I am sure will be here soon, dragged Joe out onto the balcony somehow," Joe tried to interrupt, being hushed by Kari, "So naturally, I followed because I recognized the woman as the one who tried to knife me down. Once we were out on the balcony, we had issues. Her friend stopped her from stabbing me and ending it there blah blah blah Mimi was hostage blaaaah Myotismon demanded Sora kill Mimi, Sora killed Lanus instead along with at least fifty-two darklings, and now we are here."
Mel blinked, "And people ask why I don't mingle with the nobles," he chuckled. "Lanus? The assassin captain is dead?" He nodded approvingly, "I like her already." Mimi hurried down the steps, drying her hair. "Like who? I'm Mimi." She smiled at Mel, "Sora. She seems deadly. I like a woman who can slice a man's neck when he's least expecting it."
Mimi giggled, "Yeah… It was… A sight?" She had always pictured Sora to be gentle and caring, not the toned killing machine at the ball. "I'm not sure what this means for the rebellion against the factions," Joe said from his chair, wanting to change the topic back to what was truly important.
Kari nodded, "I think there will definitely be changes. Hopefully we can get more information from our new additions."
-Faction 3: The Keep-
Sam and Sora made their way to the Keep, making sure to slink through the shadows casted by the full moon and the buildings. "Should we use the front door, or…" Sora shook her head at Sam, pulling herself through the open window on the side. "I… I don't think any of the guest at the ball truly know who we are, so they can't arrest us…" Sora said quietly, slipping through the halls to check for any form of life.
"Hurry and grab what you need." She said to Sam as she climbed the stairs to her room, unzipping her dress with each step. Sam nodded, turning to head towards his room to change and grab his dark pants, shirt, and cloak.
She opened the door quietly to her room, her sleek dress slipping to the floor and puddling at her feet. I've missed you… She smirked, grabbing her dark suit as she slipped into it, the fit tight and familiar. She checked the hidden compartments, the daggers were still in place. Good… I left the others at the ball. Grabbing her dark blue cloak and tying it around her shoulders, Sora turned to meet Sam back downstairs.
"Oh thank god," Sam said dramatically, "I missed seeing you in anything but a dress." She chuckled, shaking her head as she helped him quickly slip his cloak over his face. "Come on, I bet they're waiting for us." The two assassins slipped out of the window, climbing to the top of the roofs, their true homes.
-Faction 3: Mel's Goods-
"And Mimi won again…" Joe sighed as he crossed through the circles drawn on the chalkboard. Smiling, Mimi clapped to herself. "I've always been the best at tic tac toe." Joe rolled his eyes, erasing the x's and o's. "Yeah yeah yeah… Any more challengers?"
"What're you guys doing?" Marla asked as she emerged from the storefront, her eyes scanned Mimi quickly before turning back to the group. "Doesn't look like planning…" Tai rolled his eyes, "Marla, we're waiting for others. This is Mimi." Mimi smiled, sinking back when Marla didn't return her friendly gesture. "Others… You mean you invited the assassins here." She crossed her arms, obviously displeased.
"Ah calm down. They won't hurt us," Tai waved off her concern. Marla shook her head, "I just don't think we should trus-" the group let out surprised gasps and yelps as two hooded figures fell through the skylight onto the table in the center of the room. "Trust who?" Replied the figure in the dark blue coat. She pulled back her hood, revealing her red hair.
Marla let out an annoyed growl, "You two, that's who. And why didn't you just use the front doors like everyone else?" Sam blinked at her, "Doors… Doors… I don't believe… Sora, do you know what a 'front door' is?" Sora shook her head, playing around. "Never heard of them… Sorry, but we only use windows and trap doors, maybe that's the word you were looking for." Marla grabbed her coat, turning to leave, "Don't make me regret this," she said as she stormed out the front door.
"She seems like she'd be fun at parties," Sam said as he jumped off of the table, landing softly on the ground. "Don't mind Marla, she means well," Kari said, smiling at the two new additions to the small group. Sora smiled back, hanging her cloak on the rack by the other coats. "Ah! Someone who knows to use the hooks. Refreshing!" Mel said, patting her on the shoulder.
Sora smiled, turning as her eyes met Mimi's. "I am so sorry," the words came out of both of their mouths quickly, Sora closing the gap between them to hug her. "Mimi I would never, you know that." Mimi nodded, her hands slipping on the fabric of Sora's suit. "I know, Sora… But where did you get this suit and does it come in pink?" Sora blinked, laughing at Mimi. "Mimi, I sadly do not know the answer to that. But it's fun… Watch," Sora flicked her wrist, a dagger appearing in her palm. "Holy shit. Deadly. I like it." Mimi nodded in approval.
Sora tucked her dagger back, moving to stand next to Sam. "Have you guys met Samuel?" Joe and Tai both nodded, "He saved us from you," Tai said. Sora nervously chuckled, "I was never going to kill you guys. Again, I'm sorry." Tai shrugged then went back to leaning casually in his chair.
Joe stood quickly, "I'm just going to ask what everyone else is wondering. Sora, what happened to you? How did you get… So good at killing?" Sora sighed, not expecting the question. She cleared her throat, making her way to sit in the chair next to Tai's. "How much time do you guys have to listen?" Her words were quiet, her gaze on the floor.
Sam sat next to Joe, biting his nails. She never really told me all of it… He thought to himself. The group looked at each other, nodding. "Well… Okay.." Sora sighed.
-Faction 3-
She awoke suddenly, her breath quick an anxious. Where is everybody… She frantically thought, looking around. Sora was in a dark alley, blood dripping from her forehead. Pushing to her feet, a burning sensation shot up her arm and curved around her back. "Ouch… Why…" She looked at her arm, the swirls a black color. "Ah! There you are," a man's voice was yelling for her at the end of the alley.
Sora slowly turned, the look of confusion on her face. "Who are you?" The man grabbed her arm, pulling her roughly down the street. "H-Hey!" "No time to talk. You've wasted enough of it." He pulled her into a tall building, throwing her to the ground. A boy with dark red hair looked up at her from a chair, but quickly averted his gaze back to a book. She pushed up from the floor, turning to look at him, "I don't know what you're talking about…"
The man shook his head, kneeling down to grab her face, "Lanus. I am Lanus. Your captain…" He pushed her face to the side, letting go as he stood back up. "Your training starts at dawn. You should wear the suit." Sora slowly stood as she watched the man leave, rubbing her cheeks where his hands just were.
"You're in the assassins Keep," the boy at the table said to her, closing his book as he straightened. "That was Lanus. Do as he says and you won't die." Sora nodded slowly, "I'm Samuel, but you can call me Sam." He smiled at her, Sora smiled nervously back, "Sora… Nice to meet you."
"Come on, I'll show you around." Sam showed Sora the kitchen and introduced her to the other assassins. "They usually come and go. You'll probably be a live in like me." She nodded, pretending she knew what he meant. "And this is your room." Sora slipped into the small space, wishing it was warmer. "And that's the death suit he wants you in." Sora raised an eyebrow, eyeing the suit. "Death suit?" She questioned, "I can't wear this… It's way too tight."
Sam chuckled, "Well, better get used to it. I'm guessing you're his next big star. I hope blood doesn't scare you…" Sam left her room, waving on his way out.
Sora let out a shaky breath, sinking down onto the hard bed. Where is everyone… I hope they're safe, she worried about her friends. Curling into herself, Sora closed her eyes.
A year had passed since Lanus had found Sora in the alley. He smiled darkly, watching as his prodigy sliced through the targets, throwing daggers when needed, never missing. She had learned the grace, though that took the most training. Flipping through the air, Sora silently landed, her dagger slicing across the throat of the dummy. Through her year of being in the Keep, Sora had learned that she had an ability that enhanced her senses and strength, making jumping and flipping easier for her.
Sora stood up, sheathing her daggers back into her suit. She smiled victoriously, A new record, "You could be faster." She heard Lanus say from behind her, "Alway such a disappointment. I saved you in that alley…" He raised his hand, the back of it connecting with her chin. She held back her scream of pain, letting him think it had no effect. She was used to this, the pain and abuse. It's how Lanus showed dominance. "Yes… I could be faster. Forgive me captain." She bowed her head.
Lanus snickers, running his finger slowly down her cheek. "Oh it's alright. Maybe you could apologize in other ways…" His words snaked into her mind, an uncomfortable feeling pressed down on her shoulders. She looked away, shivering as his fingers left her skin. "Again. Faster this time." Sora nodded, not hesitating as she went through the course, faster and stealthier.
Three years… It had been three years since she was found. Sora slowly sat up in bed, groaning at the pain in her back. He had beat her for missing a single step. Just one step. She slowly walked to the bathroom, lifting her shirt to examine the dark purple and red bruises that decorated her skin. She hissed as she pushed gently, testing the pain. Damnit… These ones are sensitive.
Pulling her shirt over her head, Sora slipped into her suit, ready for whatever Lanus had planned today. "Morning, Sora." The brunette girl that had been bunking with her, Kay, smiled at her. "Hey Kay. Sleep well?" Kay shrugged, slipping a dagger into the holster on her thigh. "Oh you know, one more job and I'm out of here."
The girl had become one of Sora's close friends, though she wasn't a live in. Kay was a bit younger than Sora, but had been working longer than her. Lanus had yet to give Sora any jobs, saying she needed to learn one final tactic. "Kay. Sora." The voice belonged to Lanus. "You two will train together today."
Confused, Kay questioned him, "What? But Captain, you assigned me a job." Lanus shook his head, "Ah. Forget it. We can get him later. Basement." The girl's exchanged looks, but headed down the stairs to the musty basement.
The air was stale and old. Sora crunched her face, "Lanus, can I ask you why we're in the basement?" Lanus smiled, a dark gesture. Sora suddenly wished she didn't ask. Gripping Kay's wrist, Lanus chained the small brunette to the wall.
"Wh-What are you doing?" Kay asked nervously. "Sora has one more tactic to learn…" Lanus grabbed a dagger, facing Sora. "My dear, Sora. What did I tell you about making friends?" Sora slowly shook her head, swallowing. "T-To not make them… They only drag you down."
"Precisely…" Lanus smiled, running the dagger down Kay's forearm and drawing blood. "Friends… Love… In a world of death, all will hold you back." Kay's breathing quickened, "And today… I'll teach you interrogation tactics." Sora tried to remain calm. Torture. He wants me to learn a lesson. Not to make friends. She nodded, Kay began to cry.
Lanus turned back to Kay, his dagger against her cheek. "Now, love. Tell us why you suddenly showed up to our Keep?" Kay shook her head, her words shaky, "I-I don't… I was looking for work is all.." Lanus raised an eyebrow, slowly running his dagger across her soft skin. The red blush coated his blade, stinging her pale face. "Nuh uh uh… We don't like liars, right Sora?"
Sora's crimson eyes met Kay's pleading green ones. I have to survive. No friends. Sora shook her head, pulling a dagger out. "Yes captain. We don't like liars." Kay sobbed, "Now Kay, what can you tell us?" Lanus now position his dagger against her other cheek, "Tyler Roul! Roul publishing… Please…" She pleaded. Lanus liked what he heard, but still drug his dagger against her skin, the blood pouring faster.
"And Roul? What about him? He seems like a quiet fellow…" His dagger was now at her throat. "Rebellion! Against Lord Myotismon. I… I was sent here to study your tactics and targets." Lanus pulled his dagger back, hearing what he wanted. "Ah! Perfect. See? That wasn't too bad…" Kay laughed nervously, "Sora? Finish her. No traitors can live."
Sora's eyes widened and Kay went back to sobbing, harder this time. "Sora? We don't have all day." Sora had never killed anyone before, let alone someone she had grown to like. Raising her dagger, Sora looked to Lanus, her nodded. No friends. She raised it to the side, Kay's gaze pleading. Don't trust anyone. In one quick swipe, blood gushed from Kay's throat, spilling at Sora's feet.
Four years since she had been forced to join the keep. It was night, the air cool. She was on a rooftop with Sam her partner, scoping out Roul as they finished a job. A store merchant had been threatening Lanus for money, so naturally the two had to end him.
Roul stepped out of Mel's Goods, a location Sam and Sora never shared with Lanus. "He can't know… Those are my friends." Sora always told Sam. The pair watched him, Sora's chest ached as she fought the urge to run and hug him. Taichi. Her best friend before the Reckoning.
"Well boss… We finished the job… Race you back home?" Sam said. Home. She would never refer to the keep as home, but Sora stood, winking as she swiftly jumped to the next top.
In four years Sora had the blood of 312 men on her hands, and 215 groups of guards, all in one year of actually being allowed to accept jobs. Her and Sam were the only assassins allowed to reside in the Keep, no one else could be trusted. For the past years, Lanus had beat the hope and life out of Sora, leaving nothing but a woman who only knew killing.
Killing was the only activity that gave Sora a rush, but she felt herself growing numb to it. This scared her. Sam and her had been planning to join a rebellion, both hating Lanus equally and more everyday. The physical and emotional scars Lanus had given Sora could never be erased.
-End of Flashback-
-Faction 3: Mel's Goods-
"And the rest is just repetitive… We were never going to kill you guys…" The room was silent, all eyes on Sora and Sam. Tai placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry you had to…" He didn't have the words. Sora shook her head, standing. "It's okay. I've had time to… I don't know. What's next. Rebellion?"
*Author's Note
Hello readers! I hope this chapter wasn't too long, but I couldn't help myself! I wanted to show a bit of darkness, maybe more will be revealed later on. Thank you for reading once again :)