Not again.

Not this stench.

Every time I breathe it in…

It feels as though my very lungs are rotting.

The stench of blood.

In an underground sewer system, a group of four thieves were currently being pursued.

"Hurry up, Thronè! They're coming!" a man with blonde hair said as he and a man with brown hair next to him continued running while a woman was currently helping her fellow thief who was badly injured.

"Dammit… The bleeding won't stop…" the injured man said.

"...Don't waste your breath. Keep running!" the woman said, she has neck length brown hair that covers her right eye along with dangling earrings as she also wore a full-length purple dress with long sleeves that were looser at the ends with ruffled cuffs. Her neckline dips most of the way down her chest and tucks into a brown leather bodice, her dress is also cut low on the back and is split up on the left side, revealing most of her leg. She also wore stockings with ruffled garters that were modified to hold one dagger, and tall, dark brown, heeled boots. Completing her look was a black choker with a dangling pendant in the front, this was Thronè.

The two thieves in front soon reached a door.

"We made it!" The brown haired male thief said as he approached it. "We should be able to get up top through here!" he said as Thronè and the injured man caught up as the brown haired male thief tried to open the door to no avail.

"What's the matter, Scaracci?" the blonde thief asked.

"It won't open… The damn thing won't open!" Scaracci said.

Throne turned behind her with a gasp as the sound of footsteps were heard.

"The rats finally caught up to us…" the blonde thief said.

"Damn it all!" Scaracci cursed.

"You catch your breath, Donnie." Thronè said as she set him down.

"Sorry, Thronè…" Donnie mumbled weakly as the quartet's pursuers cornered them.

"...Now then, it's time we welcomed our guests." Thronè said as she charged towards the pursuers alongside her fellow thieves. "These guys don't seem tough. Let's take them out quickly. Pirro, Scaracci. Let's make quick work of them." she said as she took out a knife and started slicing at one of her pursuers.

"Save some fun for me, Thronè." Pirro said as she went at the other pursuer with his own knife. Scarraci helped out by cleaving the pursuers with his axe. The three of them worked together and cut down their pursuers with no problem.

"...What a waste of time." Scaracci spat.

"I just don't get it… Why is this door locked…?" Pirro questioned.

"Get up, Donnie! It's time to work your magic on this lock!" Scaracci called to the man Thronè was carrying.

However, Donnie wasn't moving as his head was slumped down.

"Donnie…" Thronè said in lament. During the fight, Donnie had bled out. It was already too late for him.

"No, no, no…! Don't tell me he's dead!" Scaracci said.

"...This job is a nightmare." Pirro said as he smoked a cigarette.

"Dammit! What the hell is goin' on…!?" Scaracci asked.

"...Someone set us up." Thronè replied.

"Our plan was perfect. We slipped into the Diamante estate and got what we came for." Pirro said. "There was no way they could've known to have all those guards waiting outside….Unless someone squealed."

"And only a few of us knew the plan. Which means…there's likely a traitor among us." Thronè deduced.

"You can't be serious… Who'd sell us out like that!?" Scaracci asked.

"We can figure that out later." Thronè said.

"...She's right. We have to get out of here first." Pirro nodded. "C'mon. There are other ways out of this place."

"Let's go." Thronè acknowledged.

Thronè Anguis is the Thief of this story. She is a member of the Blacksnakes, the underground guild of thieves and assassins that lurks in the shadows of New Delsta's thriving community. Her job is to steal… and 'clean'. However, a chance encounter would change the course of her life when she would encounter some…rather bizarre individuals.


The following morning….

"Yes! We've finally made it!" Jessica said as Reformed Society stood in the bright and shiny lights of New Delsta in the Brightlands.

"Can't believe we get to start out in a town this fancy." Captain Cold said. "Don't RPGs usually have starting towns that are more, well… rural?"

"Every journey starts somewhere different, Cold." Valfor said.

"And besides, even the most prestigious cities have their own dark secrets." Jade C said.

"Y'got a good point there, Jade." Yangus said. "Dunno if anyone else thinks this, but this town might have a shady bunch lurkin' innit."

"And if experience has taught us anything, that may be where we find our Thief." Angelo said.

"Esmeralda, Glacius? You two okay? You two have been on edge ever since we got here." Kayra said.

"We're fine, Kayra… it's just that Yangus's proclamation is right." Glacius said. "We can tell there are people in the shadows of this town. It's making us a bit uneasy."

"It's no surprise, given you were assassins yourselves for quite some time." Cheetah said. "It must be hard taking that stench back in after swearing off that life."

"That's the thing, Cheetah. We never did swear off that life." Esmeralda said. "However, assassin organizations tend to have a very harsh policy against traitors. You turn your back on them, then you could be their next hit within weeks… Or months… However long it would take to send someone after us."

"But you don't have to worry about that now. You're free, and the last job you ever took was on Theodore's orders, and he's behind bars right now." Jessica said.

"And the thief we're looking for could probably use some of your spirit right about now." Cheetah said.

"We have to find her first. And we weren't given an apt description on who this Thronè woman is." Valfor said.

"Under assumption of how they operate, we should probably search for someone with a collar on their neck or something." Bassam said. "Those tend to be telltale signs."

"That seems way too vague to pinpoint anything." Kareem said.

"Hey…what's that up there?" Rosalie asked looking to the rooftops as Thronè was looking out.

"Yep. I think that's her." Bassam said. "Yeesh… I can even see a few whip marks on her. Seems like she's been treated pretty bad."

"Cheetah may be right before. Someone should probably talk to her." Esmeralda said.

"Indeed. Let us go talk to her." Angelo said. "I hate to see a young lady so despondent."

"All of us? Won't she be weirded out by some of us due to how strange we look?" Aoesia asked.

"I doubt we'd be the strangest things she'd come across, given her line of work." Cheetah said.

"Fair enough, let's go say hello." Valfor said.

With that, Reformed Society headed up to the rooftop where Thronè was, the thief noticing them almost instantly.

"You're not very subtle in approaching a complete stranger." Thronè said simply.

"Perhaps not. Though, you don't seem all the better for ware yourself." Koren said. "Is something on your mind?"

"I could tell you… if you don't mind me telling you all my whole story." Thronè said.

"We don't mind. Feel me to tell us all you can." Glacius said.

Thronè nodded, and began her story….


I've lived in New Destra since childhood. But it wasn't exactly the city life people would live for. I was unfortunate enough to be forcefully enlisted into this town's underground, The Blacksnakes. A band of ruffians with connections to the realm's richest circles. They control the town's wealth and power… and I amI one of their minions. My job is to steal… and clean.

The Blacksnakes are led by two figures. One is a man we call "Father". A first-class assassin who oversees all of our jobs…. He took me in as a child and taught me everything I know.

The other is a woman known by us as "Mother". She manages the guild's members… She values order and discipline above all…those who fail her are mercilessly punished….and disposed of.

Mother has whipped us since before I can remember. I spent my childhood beaten and bruised….I have long since forgotten what "pain" feels like.

I steal what our clients want… and eliminate those who stand in their way. That is how I've always lived….

It makes me wonder…is pain the only thing I've forgotten? Dark evenings… are followed by hollow mornings. The cycle repeats. Again, and again, and again…


"Good. Lord. That Mother sounds like a total monster." Rayleigh said.

"Yes, indeed. It is painfully clear that this kind of life is wearing you so." Angelo said.

"And what about you people? What brought you all here, to this town on this day?" Thronè asked.

"We came here by own choice. Sent here by no one." Cheetah said. "We determine where we go. It is the same for others we know."

"I envy all of you…living without collars, bound to no one." Thronè replied to that. "Freedom to roam wherever you please."

"I see you've made some interesting new friends." a voice said as Pirro came out of the shadows. "I brought you breakfast, Thronè. You haven't eaten yet, I assume."

"Thank you." Thronè replied.

Pirro lights a cigarette. "Want one? It's the least I can do for the best in the nest."

"No thanks. I don't smoke." Thronè replied again.

"Plus, those cigarettes are gonna get you killed one day." Valfor said.

"I'll count myself lucky if they do." Pirro replied. "People like me and Thronè need to take joy wherever we can find it."

"I want to live a long life." Thronè said.

Pirro couldn't help but laugh at the remark. "Then you're in the wrong line of work, Thronè. Life here is like a cigarette. Gone in a puff of smoke."

"You can say that again." Thronè chuckled.

"It's really that bad 'round 'ere?" Yangus asked.

"Yeah, you bet it is. We do what we can to survive in this dump. Living with a collar around our necks from our 'parents'." Pirro said, Thronè staying silent at that comment. "I want to rise in the ranks and get my hands on some real money…buy good liquor, good smokes, fall asleep in a big bed… I want to enjoy my life before I bite the dust."

"Sounds nice." Thronè replied.

"And what about you, Thronè? What is it that you want?" Esmeralda asked.

Throne petted a stray dog that ran by as she thought to herself, "What do I want?" she pondered.

Pirro finished his cigarette as he stamped it out.

"We gotta get going. Time for work." Pirro said.

"Understood. We won't bother you during your briefing." Nesma said.


Later that evening…

"Ah…city life…truly no other life." Jessica said as she and some of them enjoyed some shopping.

"Even after seeing all that. I never…" Glacius said as she spotted Throne in a carriage being driven through the city. "Is she…a brothel girl now?"

"No, I think it may be a sort of disguise. It looks like she has a job tonight." Esmeralda said.

"If she is dressed like that… Then she might be heading to the mansion on the other side of town." Cheetah said. "The lord of that mansion tends to be rather…playful. He invites women all over to his mansion. Though why would she go there?"

"This is just a thought, but…" Letfor said. "Remember what Esmerelda said before about what happens to assassins who turn traitor?"

"You think there might be a trap set up for her?" Rayleigh asked.

"You all know what the term Poison Jar comes from, correct?" Cheetah asked.

"Yeah…strongest bug in the jar is the victor…I see…so they're weeding out their weakest to get the strongest candidates." Glacius said.

"Yes. And it seems they intend on pitting Thronè and her accomplices against each other. Even Pirro." Cheetah said.

"We must go to Thronè's aid. I don't relish the thought of fighting her own comrades in the Blacksnakes… but having heard her story, she can't truly perish without knowing what it's like to want freedom." Nesma said.

"Indeed, your highness." Kareem said. "After all, we were subjected to slavery before Cheetah freed us."

"But how are we going to get in without the guards being all over us?" Belladonna asked.

"Some of you ladies are able to charm them, aren't you?" Jade C asked.

"Or, perhaps Rosalie could spin a web bridge for us to scale across right to the roof of the mansion." Jessica said.

"Ahem!" a voice called out as Yangus stood there with the unconscious guards. "Or we could go through the front."

"Nice work, Yangus. Now let's hurry before they wake up." Cheetah said.


On the rooftop of the Diamante mansion, it was raining as Thronè was checking out some bodies on the rooftops.

"Scarraci… he's dead…. But why?" Throne asked as he checked the other body. "And Diamante too…"

"Thronè!" Jessica said as Reformed Society came up. "Don't let your guard down, it's a trap-!"

Jessica was cut off when Thronè quickly got in front of her and deflected a thrown dagger meant for her. The thrower stepped out of the shadows, and was revealed to be none other than Pirro.

"You wield your dagger just like Father. I'd expect nothing less from the best in the nest." he said.

"Pirro… So it really was true." Luke said.

"Is this scene your doing?" Valfor asked.

"Oh, this? Thronè was taking too long, so I decided to clean up for her." Pirro said.

"Did Father ask you to do this too?" Thronè asked.

"Not quite, Thronè. You were given the information that there was a traitor in your ranks, correct?" Cheetah said. "That information was wrong. There was no traitor."

"What…?" the thief asked in shock.

"He told you that Scaracci was the traitor, didn't he? He said to come to the Diamante estate and kill them both, right? But you see…he told me you were the traitor and he told Scaracci that it was me." Pirro said.

"It was all a trick so the three of you could turn on each other. Why, you might ask?" Valfor asked. "Because they want the best of the best to survive, so that the one who remains becomes next in line to lead your underground guild."

"Pretty sharp for a wolf-man. I see no further need to explain." Pirro said.

"So in the end, you stand as Throne's enemy. We don't have to do this, Pirro. We don't want to fight you." Nesma said.

"Sorry… but that's not in the cards. The Blacksnakes must change." Pirro said. "When Mother and Fathers power wanes, people will jump at the chance to take them down. That's why they need to find a worthy successor, no matter what it takes. And that successor… will be me. Head of the Blacksnakes. I'll be the one controlling this town from the shadows. And I'll do whatever I must to get there."

"So it seems we have no choice. In that case, prepare yourself, Pirro." Glacius said.

"When you find yourself covered in scratches, splattered in your own blood, take note that Nesma gave you a chance to walk away." Cheetah said.

Brother Among Blacksnakes

Pirro

"Apologies, Pirro. But you have left us no choice. Fire Ball!" Nesma said as she shot the fire ball, only to not be as effective in the current environment. "It's this rain, fire attacks won't be as effective out here."

"Don't worry. I know what Pirro's weakest to." Thronè piped in.

"Understood. We'll follow your lead." Cheetah said.

Thronè nodded before drawing a sword concealed from sight, and attacking Pirro with it, the damage done revealing his weakness to sword attacks.

"If Fire doesn't work, then let's try Light." Nesma said as she fired a ball of light at Pirro. "Ah, it seems he is weak to both light and darkness. Kareem, Bassam, with me!"

"We are with you, your majesty!" Kareem said.

"Come, let us show him our might!" Bassam said as he fired a blast of darkness from his spear.

"Afraid of the dark?" Thronè asked as she casted dark magic herself, stunning Pirro for a bit.

"Forgive me, young man…." Kareem said before he slashed at Pirro himself with his spear, dealing him big damage.

"Stop this madness, Pirro. There's no reason for us to fight." Thronè said.

"Oh, but there is, Thronè. You are Father's favorite. I cannot be his successor as long as you live!" Pirro replied. "I have to… I must kill you… that's the only way I can be free of this godsforsaken place!" he declared, taking up a more resolute stance.

"I understand, Pirro… but I refuse to die here." Thronè said.

"Sorry about this. Crescent Strike!" Guy said as he slashed at Pirro twice, an afterimage of a moon in effect.

"I'm sorry about this, Pirro." Throne said as she went on the attack. The two blacksnake members duked it out in a fierce duel of daggers, neither side giving an inch.

"Pirro's attacks are fierce, but his stance leaves openings… we have to give one for Thronè." Letfor said.

"No…she has this." Cheetah said as Thronè seemed to vanish for a moment.

"What? Where….ah!" Pirro cried out as he was struck not once but twice as Thronè reappeared and he fell to the ground.

"How did…" Jessica said.

"It's amazing isn't it. For a brief moment…she erased her own existence to cut him down. Vanished without a trace." Esmeralda said.

However, Thronè didn't relish her victory, as she started off into space.

Not again… the stench of blood..

"Ngh… you got me good…I should've known…I was no match for the best in the nest." Pirro said. "It's up to you now, Thronè…. You have to be the successor."

"That's not what I want." Thronè replied

Every time I breathe it in… it feels as though my very lungs are rotting… I feel sick…

"What then? What do you want, Thronè?" Pirro asked.

"I'm tired, Pirro… I just want… to be free. To go wherever I want to go." Thronè said.

"'Free', huh? Sounds nice. But how can you be free with that collar on?" Pirro asked. "Our chains… can't be severed. Not ever."

"You're wrong. I'll sever them and claim freedom with my own two hands." Thronè replied.

Pirro chucked. "If anyone can do it, you can… Right… Thronè?" he uttered before finally collapsing on the ground, dead. Thronè could do nothing but grieve for her former friend.


The next morning….

"So…you're really going for it?" Captain Cold asked.

"Yes…I will take back my freedom. But first, I need 2 keys. Mother holds one and Father has the other." Thronè said.

"Why not just rip the sucker off your neck?" Yangus asked.

"Cause if I do, it releases a powerful poison that kills in seconds." Throne said.

"But you don't even know where these two are, right?" Angelo asked.

"Wrong. I know where one of them is. So…I'm going to Winterbloom and meeting with Father.' Throne said.

"Not without us. Nothing wrong with joining to take down a dark organizaiton." Leftor said.

"Very well…just remember…we will be killing them both. Understood?" Thronè asked.

"Is that all? Well…it's nothing new with us." Cheetah said.

"You know…for the first time ever…" Thronè said as they started to make their way out of the city. "I can't wait to see Mother and Father…" she said.