An Assassin's Anthem

Students flooded from the building on Friday, heading straight for the temple across from the academy. Riley yawned. I hate paperwork. She looked at the recent notifications from activity and some crystals.

[Your base level has advanced: 172 → 175!]

[Assassin has advanced: 116 → 120!]

[Bard has advanced: 116 → 120!]

[Ranger has advanced: 116 → 120!]

[Spell Thief has advanced: 116 → 120!]

[Noble has advanced: 160 → 162!]

[Maid has advanced: 1 → 16!]

Good enough. She cleared them away and turned.

The princess was glowering at her brother. Spotting Riley, the princess smiled and walked into the temple.

Riley followed the group inside, following the prince toward the front of the room. The other students filed off, sitting or standing near the benches that lined the place.

Lily strode up to the front, stopping in front of Magus Victoria. “I would like to request randomized or solo teams,” she stated.

“It’s too soon for that. Second term is when we do such things, Princess,” the magus replied.

Lily scowled. “But it isn’t fair. Some groups have an assassin.”

Riley rolled her eyes. Gods, that’s getting old. She stepped to the front.

Dwight chuckled. “She’s not an assassin.”

“Of course, you’d say that,” Olivia countered, scowling at him. “The princess is right. All assassins should be on their own.”

“Or in your group,” Dwight muttered back.

“Or rotated,” Olivia finished.

“Enough,” the magus stated firmly. “The king dictates the rules. If you don’t like them, speak with him.” She moved to the front of the church.

Riley followed her group to the front. Timothy grabbed her hand.

“See you soon, Riley!” the princess called out in a happy voice.

Wait. What? Text flashed into Riley’s vision.

[You have entered a place of power and are being transported. This place of power has been tethered. Damage and death will not persist. Experience and rewards reduced. Resources are temporarily recharged for your trial. May you find your path!]

Like looking at the sun, everything went white. The world shifted. Riley blinked repeatedly and looked at the snowy road in front of her. It led out of the trees and cut through snow-covered fields, leading to a bustling town.

A large house, church, and barracks loomed over the city. People walked through the streets, and smoke billowed into the air.

“Should we destroy it? We could probably burn it down,” Dwight said, looking at the town.

Riley shook her head. “Let’s not.”

“Let’s do it,” Timothy said instantly, grabbing her hand and pulling her further into the trees.

“What? Why?” Riley asked, spinning to look back at the town.

“They’re half-elfs,” Timothy said, continuing his walk away.

Horror filled Riley’s chest. A chill rippled down her spine. That’s all it takes? That’s it? She swallowed the growing emotion and shoved it aside. Don’t panic. Think! How can I help them? How can I get them to listen?

Dwight grinned. “Cool.”

“There are kids in there,” Riley protested. “You’d kill some innocent kids?”

“They aren’t real,” Timothy countered. “And we can use this for the soldier class. I need it.”

Riley felt her stomach churning. She grimaced. “Why?” The gods didn’t answer, and she looked at her supposed allies. They really hate us that much?

“Can you do it without me?” Riley asked softly. “I made vows.” She looked back at the village.

“I knew it,” Dwight said with a grin. “I knew that you made vows. It was the only thing that explained it.”

“What vows?” Timothy asked.

“Multiple. Death and Nature. I can’t kill that which they’d disapprove,” Riley stated firmly. “I can’t kill kids or innocents. And I can’t kill based on race alone,” she lied, giving herself an excuse.

Timothy frowned and walked up to the trees. “We can work around that. Now, how do we do this?”

“How do you siege a city and kill everyone in it?” Riley asked, gesturing to it. “That would break my oath,” she lied.

Timothy spun her towards him. “Riley, they aren’t real. The gods won’t demand that. We must do this, and this is an order. The order from the future king. Help us remove this enemy stronghold.” He grinned. “There, the restriction won’t apply.”

Riley let out a long breath and looked back at him. He stood there with a stern expression. “Please,” she whispered. “Don’t take this path.”

“No. They aren’t real. We kill them,” Timothy said firmly. “This is the last time I’ll ask.”

Riley looked up at his stern expression. The boys looked gleeful, and Riley felt like throwing up. She looked back at the city. Is this just a reminder? Gods, I didn’t need it. I get it. She looked back at the group and felt any loyalty burn away.

She slammed that mask into place, walling off her emotions. “Of course, my prince,” she replied with a look of icy fury. Her mind blazed. I need time to act, and I need to get some out.

Dwight shivered. “Riley? You okay?”

“If you wish for slaughter, you have to prepare to slaughter,” she said woodenly, and then she studied the city. “Now, we’ll want to burn it down, and we’ll want to build traps when the soldiers attack us.” She looked at them. “Can you manage a few traps? I’ll go prepare.”

“How?” Timothy asked.

“I’ll sabotage gates so they can’t get out. The goal is to trap them in when you start the inferno.” Riley stepped forward.

Timothy nodded. “Do it. We’ll get ready.”

Riley nodded and headed to the city, looking at the town that they’d burn down. The gods were silent, and Riley didn’t bother asking anything else. Instead, she walked up to the gate. “Half-elf version of me,” she prayed and triggered Assume Disguise.

A guard poked his head out of the gate. Riley smiled at him. “Hello, sir.”

He frowned. “Leave, we don’t allow humans—” He paused and looked at Riley, who had pushed back her hair.

“Come inside, little one. Welcome to our sanctuary from the madness.” The guard opened the gate.

“The madness?” Riley asked. “Sorry, I’ve been hunting.”

“The war,” the guard replied. “The two human nations are warring, and we’re all fair game. That’s why we gathered here.”

Smiling at him, Riley walked inside. So, defense quest. Two armies. Maybe we can align with one of them, and maybe I can get them out of here. She grinned and locked in her plan.

The guard shut the gate, and Riley jogged away, running through the muddy streets and ignoring the nearby cottages.

Vaulting a fence, she shot through a yard and dashed down an alley.

People milled here and there. She turned. “Excuse me, sir. Where’s the orphanage?”

The man looked at her and gestured to a rundown building.

Riley tore down the street, running up to the door and pounding on it furiously.

An orphan poked his little head out. “Miss?” he asked sadly, holding out his hands sadly.

Riley smiled at him.

“Have you ever heard the story of the dragons and the town?

The dragons came a flying. They landed on the ground.

The people were in panic, but some knew what to do.

Seeking shelter from it all, they hid right out of view.

The town was bathed in fire; many died in the attack.

But some had known the deeper truth. Only fools fight back.

For dragons aren’t like soldiers. There’s no winning on those nights.

Survivors come, survivors go, picking all their fights.”

The orphan dropped his hands and smiled at her. “How do you know that story?”

Riley bumped his arm three times. “The dragon’s flying overhead. You know just what to do.” She winked, turned, and walked away.

A dozen kids shot from the building and scurried through the town. Riley grinned. That’ll take care of the innocents. Now, to get some things done. She headed for the temple, whistling softly while she jogged.

A sense of urgency fell over the town. Families began calling out for kids, and she jogged to the church.

Waving to the guards, she strode inside. The blazing hearth was crackling at the back of the room. Well, that’s obvious. Riley walked up to it and pulled out the stolen crystals from Althea. She fed them into the dungeon while a priest nodded approvingly.

“May the gods bless you,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you,” Riley said. “I heard that the armies are nearby. You should consider leaving. I’d advise it.”

The priest nodded sadly. “We had hoped not to be noticed. That is my prayer.” He looked at the hearth and then walked up to a woman who whispered to him. Horror flashed across his face. “You should hurry, young miss. Their scouts were sighted.”

Riley turned. “They were?”

“Yes, someone passed on a message,” the woman said. “You should go.” She raced out the door.

Riley turned her focus back to the hearth, feeding it the final few crystals. She turned and hoped. No quest popped up. Shrugging, she headed to the door and stared at the chaos she’d created. The city was alive in the worst way. All of them were fleeing. Parents were grabbing their things and heading for the back gate.

Did I mess up our run? Riley paused a moment. No. There are other things to fight. And the gods won’t reward us for killing innocent kids. She jogged down the muddy streets, avoiding the groups heading toward the back gate.

Walking up to the front gate, she slowed and looked at the gathered group of guards.

A woman turned. “Head for the back, and stay safe. We’ll hold the line.” She pulled on her helmet.

Well, there we have it. That’s the first level. Wish they’d done this differently. Riley spun and walked off towards the mayor’s manor and barracks. Maybe there was something good to loot.

[There isn’t. ~Mischief]

Riley looked at the message in surprise. “Mischief?”

[You ruined my joke. So, I moved your stuff! ~Mischief]

Riley blinked. Joke? What’s he even talking about? She spun and saw the mayor’s family among the refugees. The joke became obvious. The family looked like half-elf versions of the royal family.

Riley chuckled. “Okay. I’ll admit that would have been hilarious.”

[And you ruined it! ~Mischief]

“I’ll make it up to you,” Riley prayed back with a chuckle.

[You’d better! ~Mischief]

Riley walked to the wall and jumped. Grabbing the top of the fence, she pulled herself up and over, dropping lightly on the other side.

Sneaking up the field, she entered the trees and overheard steel on steel. Metal smashed on metal. Riley dashed forward and saw chaos. A scouting party had found their group. A line of archers were firing while a group of melee was sparring. Timothy deflected an attack and shouted. An arrow sunk into Dwight’s shoulder, sending blood spraying.

Riley used Ambush and slammed a knife through the archer’s neck, sending a spray of blood out onto the snow. Ripping the blade free, she used Ambush and slit the next archer’s throat.

Like a blinking wraith, she vanished and appeared, sending a spray of blood with each one. The archers crumpled to the ground.

Turning, she rapidly took in the sight. Bodies were everywhere. Timothy and Dwight were bleeding profusely, their blood joining the mess in the snow. Dwight gritted his teeth and shoved a cloth against his shoulder.

Pulling out her book and flipping pages, Riley raced toward them. She fed mana into the runes and gestured toward Dwight. A burst of vibrant green and blue streamed into him. Feeding mana into the book again, she repeated it, sending a burst of healing into the prince.

Timothy looked up. “Oh, thank the gods.” He grimaced and lifted the bandage. His wounds closed.

“When did you learn to heal?” Kamal asked, wiping off the blood.

“I stayed up too late,” Riley muttered, looking at him. “Are you okay?”

Kamal nodded. He turned and looked at the others.

Timothy did the same. He turned back and groaned. The surrounding corpses streamed away, turning into gold ribbons.

Riley stepped forward. “What happened to you?” She watched the coalescing chest.

“Patrol found us. Then it quickly became a full squad,” Timothy said, shaking his head. He reached into the chest and pulled out perfect E-tier gems, handing one to each of them.

“Sorry you missed the early ones,” Dwight said sympathetically. “Manage any while in town?”

“Nope,” Riley replied, pocketing her gem. Disappointment filled her. I missed them. Maybe I should have just let them burn it all down. She slumped and kicked at the snow. Was it all a mistake? She frowned.

“It’ll be alright, Riley,” Timothy said, patting her shoulder. “We’ll get more in the town.”

“Nice healing,” Dwight said with a grin, stretching his arm.

Riley nodded and sighed. I’ll find another place to make it up. At least I know what comes next. The second level is behind the gate. The third will come after that… And I’m going to get some of it. She walked toward the entrance.

“Riley? The town?” Timothy asked.

“Making a hiding place. We’re going to need it. There is at least one army marching here.” The earth shifted, and Riley froze.

Walking forward, Kamal ripped a hole into the ground, forming a small cave under a tree. He grinned.

Riley smiled and walked to the nearby tree. Cutting down branches, she blocked it off and then nodded. “Fall back if needed. A force will attack when we light up the town.” She walked over to an old pine tree and pulled out arrows, covering them in sticky sap. Then she turned. “Am I the only archer?”

“We’re okay at it,” Kamal said. “But not good. We use our magic for ranged.”

“Do you have enough to take fifty? That’s ten each,” Riley said, looking at each.

Timothy nodded. “We were conservative. What about you?”

“I have enough, but we need to thin them before they get to us.” Riley returned to the trail, kneeled down, and started a small fire. Then she looked out to the town. “Are you ready?”

Timothy nodded. “Let’s do it.”

Spoiler