An Assassin's Anthem

Riley peered out into the forest. Snow blanketed the ground, and the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears.

“Level two?” Lily asked.

Riley nodded. “Yes. They probably have a cabin somewhere. But how much mana do you have?” she asked, turning to the group. “And how long do we get?”

“Twenty-four hours,” Lily said. “But I’m low.”

“Me too,” Olivia added.

Riley sighed. “Let’s find their cabin. Maybe we can hole up there and get some mana back.” She turned and looked at the tracks in the snow. Following them, she journeyed through the trees while the group followed.

Walking over a hill, she looked out at a valley. A small cabin sat in the middle of a clearing. Barren trees littered the area, and a murder of crows flew off, cawing loudly.

Well, this place seems ominous. I hate it. Searching for any other tracks, she paused and saw a group of massive wolves prowling around the cabin. Turning, she gestured to the group. “Stop! Dire wolves.” Pulling down her bow, she nocked an arrow, exhaled, and aimed for the shaggy, massive wolf.

Sniffing the air, the wolf turned and looked at her. Riley felt a presence in her mind.

“Food?” the wolf thought at her.

A fire bolt shot through the air, and the wolves turned and ran, racing off into the trees.

“Condemnation,” Olivia hissed.

Lily huffed. “Why didn’t you shoot?”

Riley frowned back. “It wasn’t hostile.” Sighing, she walked down the soft slope and studied the cabin.

“We could have gotten a crystal,” Lily said. “From now on, shoot it if it moves. That’s an order.”

Riley ignored her and walked across the meadow. Looking at the cottage, she studied it for any signs of traps and then opened the door. It swung open and revealed a two-room cottage. Riley looked at the hearth and looked around the rooms. Various ingredients lined the shelves. Two books were sitting on a table, and Lily poked her head in.

“Ew,” Lily said, looking at the bottles on the shelves.

Riley nodded and walked inside. She looked at the random bottles and the books. Plague magic and blood magic. She frowned at both and handed them to the gesturing princess.

Looking through the room, she walked through it and found a small chest. Reaching down, she picked it up and set it on the table.

Lily sighed. “These books are illegal. Do we even bring them out?”

Riley shrugged. “You know best. We can just burn them.” She gestured to the fire.

Lily tossed both in the fire and turned back to the chest. “Can you open it?”

Riley frowned. They’re going to figure it out. She looked at the four. “Remember that seeker skills are confidential.” Then she pulled out her lock picks.

“Is that where you learned void magic?” Olivia asked.

Riley nodded. “I got a book from them. We need it at the front.” She gently pushed down the pins and popped open the chest, revealing an empty box.

Lily groaned. “Seriously?”

“I think they were doing something to the village,” Riley replied, shrugging and looking at the group. “We can hole up here and try to get enough sleep to get mana back, or we can go try to scout the village’s remains. Though that’s risky since you don’t have mana.” She reached into the chest and felt for hidden panels, finding nothing.

Lily turned. “What would you do? What’s the best way to be safe but push forward?”

Riley frowned. “We’re on level three, which is risky. Camping next to the portal is safest but less comfortable.”

“What if we camp in the city?” Olivia asked.

Riley laughed. “That’s on fire.” She shook her head. “I’ll consider searching it when the fire is out.”

Lily sighed. “Only level two?” she huffed.

“We can wait by the portal or risk it here,” Riley said, walking over to the door and poking her head out. She searched for any sign of the wolves or anything else.

“I vote portal,” Olivia said, looking out the window. “This is too far if we run into problems. Riley can scout, and we can take the crystals.”

Riley nodded. “That’s probably the safest. We can build a little fire over there, and I’ll scout the town.” She walked out of the cottage and headed back toward the entrance. Maybe I can find those wolves. They might be able to show me to level three.

Walking over the hill, she looked at the smoldering remains of the city. Gods, what a mess. We could have helped them and gone from there even if this way probably gives more crystals. She walked the group back toward the exit, grabbing a few fallen branches on her way.

Walking back up to the portal, she made a fire pit and placed the branches in it. They’ll be able to light it. She turned and looked at the four others.

Lily looked at the pit and cast a small bolt of fire. It landed and set the log ablaze. “You’ll scout?”

“I’ll check the village for anything. Then I’ll return, and we can decide.” Riley looked at the four. “Be on high alert. We don’t know what’s next.” She pulled her bag off her arm and left it there.

Olivia grabbed the bag. “Is it the wolves?”

“I don’t think so. I think level one was the wolves and hags. The second was probably to help the village recover.”

They shrugged, and Riley turned, heading back down the road to the smoldering village. What would come with hags? She frowned and failed to think of an answer.

Walking past the smoldering picket, Riley stepped into the ruins, and sorrow wafted through her. Should I be upset? It isn’t real.

Walking down the cobblestone street, she forced the thoughts aside and searched for anyone or anything. The smoldering wreckage was suspiciously empty of anything.

Walking around the temple’s remains, she looked over at the glowing hearth. And there it is, the heart of this place. And we burned the temple down. Walking over to the hearth, she touched it and let it hum harmoniously before turning and heading to the remnant of the mayor’s home.

The structure still stood, even while it smoldered. Reaching down, Riley picked up a stone and threw it against the door. The rock bounced off, clattering onto the stone walk.

Walking forward, Riley reached out and grabbed the warm handle. It rattled and clunked against a bar inside. Locked. Pulling out a knife, she wedged it through the crack and pushed the bar up, letting it clatter to the ground.

The door swung open, and she looked inside the smoky building. Poking her head inside, she saw an empty hallway. Nothing? Not even a clue? Carefully testing the floor, she jumped backward, rolling away.

The building came crashing down, thundering down in a burst of dust and ash. Riley held her breath and pulled her cape over her mouth while peering into the gloom.

The dust and smoke slowly settled, and Riley saw a mess. Boards were slowly burning. Forget it. Turning away, she walked down the streets and headed for the gate. There’s nothing here.

Locking on that thought, she picked up her pace and jogged out of the village. Do I go back to them? Or should I scout? She turned and looked out at the forest.

Jogging forward, she ran through the snow, looping around the village and pausing when she found tracks. Turning, she followed the tracks that led into the forest.

Jogging through the barren trees, she encountered a grove of pine trees and the horrible smell of blood and decay. Her nose wrinkled.

[You don’t want to see this. ~Beauty]

Riley grimaced at the text. “These were the people who fled, weren’t they? They’re dead?”

[Yes. ~Beauty]

Riley turned and walked away. They are dead… Just like the hags wanted. A ripple of horror flooded down her spine. Gods, did we finish whatever they started?

Racing through the trees, Riley burst into the clearing and felt a burst of cold next to her. Diving to the side, she triggered Spirit Blades and threw. The blades sliced through the wraith, sending streams of black and red smoke into the sky.

The wraith howled, and Riley volleyed the next set, slamming them through it. The wraith crumpled, and a black and red crystal formed.

[Perfect Corrupted Fallen Crystal (D). Do not consume. You may take this to the heart of the place of power for purification.]

Scooping it up, Riley raced into the town, her breath billowing as the temperatures plummeted. Condemnation.

The burning buildings snuffed out, and Riley flipped her spell book open, sending a burst of crackling void magic blasting through the air.

The cloud of purple passed through everything, causing wraiths to flicker into view. They howled, the horrific sound pummeling against her.

Riley flung blades, sending the invisible weapons ripping through the closest.

It exploded, sending out streams of shimmering energy. Spinning, Riley flooded her spell book and sent out another blast of void energy. The purple magic flashed around her, ripping wraiths back into a corporeal form.

Horror grabbed Riley’s throat. She stared at the massive group of wraiths that were all around her. I’m going to die. Stashing her book and pulling on her magic, she pictured three runes in her mind and conjured up every bit of psychic and void energy she could muster.

Purple and blue light crackled like lightning around her. Wraiths howled, and Riley summoned her knives.

Like a leaf on the wind, Riley danced in the magical storm, her form flickering as she jumped from shadow to shadow. Her blades flashed. Ribbons of smoke whirled around her. Purple and blue lightning crackled. Wraiths wailed, and Riley screamed, pain ripping through her arms and chest.

As suddenly as it started, the storm ended. Riley’s mana ran out, leaving a hollow emptiness inside. She teleported, chaining herself from shadow to shadow like the wraiths that followed her.

Emerging near a tree, she pushed on her skill. Claws ripped through her armor and flesh, sending blood splashing onto the ground.

Pain lanced through her. The skill triggered, and everything froze. Looking up, she saw the dungeon melting away. I shouldn’t have tried for it.

Beauty reached down and gently pulled her up. “Hello again, Riley.”

Riley looked at the goddess. “Hello, Beauty.” She reached up and pulled up her cowl.

“I can bring it back, but you’ll need a good lie.”

“Can I say the dungeon did it?” Riley asked.

“No one will believe that.” Beauty kissed her forehead. “Sorry. Think of one and let me know.”

“Thanks.” Riley let out a long breath and shook her head. “Wraiths? Why wraiths? You can’t outrun them, and they’re so hard to kill.”

Death appeared and walked forward. “Perhaps it is a lesson. Perhaps it’s not for you. Or perhaps it is a warning when choices enter view.” He chuckled. “Music gave me that one.”

Riley looked over at him. “Is it a lesson for the war?”

“I think you know that every one of these is a chance to learn and grow. They are all lessons and opportunities.” Death walked up and then stopped. “Balance,” he said and manifested a knife. He balanced it on his finger.

“Was this one in collapse?” Riley asked.

Death shook his head. “No. It’s simply a lesson.”

“Did they make it out?” Riley asked.

“Two did,” Beauty replied.

I hate wraiths. Riley sighed and looked at the two. “Thank you for the lesson.” Then she looked at the floor. Always run from wraiths. That’s the less—

Beauty pulled Riley’s chin up. “No, you are learning the wrong lesson.” She shook her head. “That’s why we’re having a chat.”

Riley looked at her in confusion. “Then what’s the lesson? If I ever face more than a few wraiths, I will die. That’s obvious now.” She turned as a note rang through the room.

Music smiled and walked forward. “Lessons are like raindrops. So many of them fall. Chances and your choices. What consequences fall? The answer’s not so simple. Maybe it’s to run. Or perhaps it is a brighter day when the rain is done.” She stepped forward and played her lute, winking at Riley. “Dungeons are like music. Sound will ever flow. Do you shackle down yourself? Seeking only what you know? Or do you push on forward? Pursuing something new. Perhaps that was your lesson. A song that grows in you.” She patted Riley’s back with a growing smile.

Riley smiled and chuckled. “Answered with a million more questions.”

“As all good poems and songs do,” Music said happily.

Riley smiled at her. “I’ve missed you.”

Music chuckled softly. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered and vanished.

Riley turned toward Beauty. “What? And why didn’t she stay?”

“Because she likely felt bad,” Beauty replied. “But that conversation can wait.”

Riley looked at Beauty in confusion.

“Back to the original concern. The lesson. In this case: consequence,” Beauty said firmly. “Such a slaughter can easily allow someone to create something truly dark.”

“That’s the lesson?” Riley asked, looking over at her.

“Yes. Even for you. Do not accidentally feed some ritual.”

“How do you know?”

Death smiled. “There will be signs. The sickness here was the most obvious.” He walked over and took a seat. “Too many walked in and destroyed the village without a thought. This was not the first time for several. So we taught them a lesson.”

“I should have left as soon as I saw the hags then,” Riley said, shaking her head. “Did they make a blood field?”

“Yes.” Beauty nodded. “You were going to try to help any possible survivors. I didn’t want you to see what happened to them. It was not pleasant.”

Riley looked at the two gods. “Are you talking with the other students?”

“Some, yes,” Death said with a nod. “And I’ll admit that you suffered the price of others’ actions. There is a lesson in that, too.”

Yes, at some point, I may have to just say no. Riley nodded. “I know,” she whispered.

“Good.” Death reached over. His eyes blazed a dark blue. “All those who make vows to me should know that lesson.” He smiled. “Still. It was an impressive showing. You killed a number of wraiths before you fell.”

“Could we have won that?” Riley asked, looking over at him.

Death shook his head. “After they burned down the village? No. There was no beating the third level with your current skills. You are right to be cautious of wraiths. That lesson does have value.”

Riley nodded and looked at the ground. A whole run wasted.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” Beauty patted her arm. “Do you know the rules for such runs?”

Riley looked up at her and shook her head.

“We give you quests instead.” Beauty smiled. “And we may revoke the death penalty as we wish.”

Death nodded. He gestured, and forty-three black and red crystals floated into the air.

Surprise shot through Riley. Did I manage that many?

“I didn’t expect you to manage that spell without any help,” Death said with a chuckle.

What was that spell? Riley paused and remembered the runes. Storm runes mixed with void and psychic? She nodded, and text appeared.

[Quest: Master your created spell.]

[Reward: Unknown.]

[Duration: 1 week.]

[Quest: Kill any wraiths you encounter. Progress: 43.]

[Reward: Unknown.]

[Duration: 1 week.]

[Quest: Aid the sick or wounded. Progress: 0]

[Reward: Unknown.]

[Duration: 1 week.]

Riley looked at the gods. “Thank you.”

Beauty pulled her into a hug. “You’re welcome. Sadly, the crystals can’t come with you, which means this will hurt.”

Riley gasped as power rippled through her like a tidal wave.