The Wielder of Death Magic

“Hey, is it true?” spoke whispers.

“True what?”

“You killed Haru and her brat?”

“Yeah, the fool gulped my offering without question. I dare say, he was a wimp. The supposed man who fought at the Azure wall, don’t make me laugh.”

“Mistress, the boy is tied to nobility. This is bound to cause trouble.”

“Shut it,” the whisper sliced to a stop. Figures entered through the blurred doorway; the heavy curtain parted after much effort. One feminine and the other manly, they approached. “Look at them,” said she stopped at Haru’s head, “-fatigued and sleeping. The drug sure works wonders. Now, tie the noose.”

.....

“Yet again,” cried the man, “-I have to clean up. Disposing them over the cliff would have been easier.”

“No, not now,” voiced she, “-there’s too much at risk.”

‘Two figures, one killed and one hides. Good thing I injected the antidote, lady Haru should wake at any moment. It’s true, they’re the ones,’ extremities of the fingers were numb, a throbbing headache pulsed.

Mild hums fell from the man’s demeanor. The noose tied around an extension seamlessly. He did so in much innocence and joyfulness. The other silhouette moved to lean on an opposing counter. A flask of purplish liquid moved about her fingers.

“Can I have some help here,” asked he, “-the lady is heavier than she seems.”

“Worthless.”

They hoisted the body, a few seconds later; between the pants, her feet hovered. ‘-Alright then,’ a slice of the thumb, *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* two flashes followed into a loud crash.

“Did the noose break?” she faced away.

“I don’t know,” voiced he repeating her actions. Instinct crept from within, “-what’s this?” a tight piece of rugged cloth slowly pulled, breathing became hard.

“How very quaint,” in a blink, an unseen force knocked them to their knees as did the rope warping about their necks.

“What’s happening?” exclaimed the girl, “-Donav, do something you worthless piece of sh-.”

“Shut it,” the light toggled, “-I’ve caught prey,” said a menacing visage inch from their faces, “-how does it feel?” the flask swung in a pendulumlike manner, “-to be at the receiving end.”

“Who are you?” she lunged.

“Slow down there,” a pull tightened the grip, “-dogs should be obedient. Look at your friend,” *smack,* a kick broke tooth and splattered blood, “-what happens when the cleaner needs to be cleaned?” *Cough,* whimpers and guttural screams all but stopped before the lips, the kick dislocated his jaw. He stayed there with head to the floor, crying in agony or cursing fate, none knew. Her expression sank, “-D-Donav... a-are y-you?”

“Hey,” clasping her chin, “-look here,” he pulled without tact. The sharpened nails dug to pull blood, “-let’s make a deal. Give me information and I’ll be sure to heal your friend and let you escape.”

Faced by karma, her mind thought of two things, survival and survival. ‘-why did my first job have to end like this. I was supposed to become rich and move away from this damned land. I want to return home... s-somebody h-help.’

“Igna,” said éclair, “-I’ve dug into their backgrounds. The girl’s named Carly Hena. She moved here from Iqeavea a decade ago. Her father’s a military officer. I’ve searched to no avail, by the expression, the kick sure made her into an angel. The boy is another story, he’s trained to be a royal guard and sent to further increase knowledge about the world of monsters, a fellow countryman.”

“Carly,” easing the grip, “-care to answer a few questions?”

“N-no,” her eyes shut, “-I c-can’t. M-my mouth is t-tied.”

“And so is your neck,” he tugged, the body pulled to crash against one of the cooking stations, “-don’t forget, I’m the one who has the reins.” One of the edges chipped her head. *Cough, cough,* “-I w-won’t s-speak, kill me I d-don’t care,” the noose tightened to a strangle.

“Oh,” paused to stare, “-being hung momentarily doesn’t scare you. What is it, adrenaline, a sense of duty?” the tension eased, “-no matter,” she stood on her feet, “-it’s not like I need your information anyway. Tis been a long time since I’ve played with humans,” another pull had the boy standing at her side. The disfigured visage watched restlessly; strength dwindled.

*Mana Control: Healing Element Variant: Restoration.* “-There,” said he, “-how does it feel to have a mouth again?” multiple tools laid in order, a knife, fork, and even a spoon.

“HOW DARE YOU!” cried he, “-you fuck-”

“Don’t talk too much,” a simple stroke of the index had the lips tied, “-I’ve decided. I don’t care about the information; I want to see you suffer,” tool in hand, “-let’s start with the lady.” Earlier, a spell was cast to nullify the need for restraints. The more one resists, the more the strength is taken away. To escape, one must bear the hatred and pain, even so, when fully activated, the victim usually falls into a comatose state.

He struggled, tried to fight for freedom, the closer Igna got, the harder he moved, shouting, screaming into closed lips. “I see,” stared he nonchalantly,”-you have a thing for her, don’t you?” she watched with a petrified expression, “-Carly, don’t worry. I won’t do anything ungentlemanly. After all, I have standards of which you’ve failed horrendously. Now then, one who takes a life must also be readied to die. Isn’t that a saying in Iqeavea?” fork in hand, “-let’s start with your hand,” her body loosened to the floor. “-Look up,” said he, “-the ceiling is very reflective?” The dulled edges slowly pushed against her palm, she trembled. The boy kept on fighting, the slightest sign of pain had him burn in vengeance.

“Why...” mumbled she, “-why a-are you doing this?”

“My mentor was killed without achieving his dream. It’s for vengeance, the world best be burnt in rage.” *crack,*

“AHHH,” guttural screams shook the core of the room, “-IT HURTS,” tears flowed, her pants soiled, “-MY HANDS!”

“Come on,” said he, “-I’ve only done one nail. There’s much more to come.” Nauseating cracks and screams echoed, her cries all but increased. From hand he moved to her mouth, pulling out teeth, piercing the jaw, burning her feet, the absurdities continued incessantly until finally, the boy’s stamina drained.

“Stop,” he thought, “-I’m done, I’ll say anything.”

“Good,” the lips untied, “-willing to talk now?”

“Yes.”

With the magical barrier, the torture and questioning went on for 2 hours. A loved one in pain was worst than being hurt. The hopelessness and sheer trauma. Carly was but a means to an end, the target had been Donav from the start. In summary, “-I was employed by Chef Leko’s wife to help cover her body. Carly’s got nothing to do with his murder. From what I know, she was employed after by another party to assassinate Lady Haru.”

Helicopters hovered to land on the gymnasium. Many were confused as to why. Thus, the duo was taken to Rotherham. A report of the information headed to Elvira.

At around 13:00, inside the nurse’s office, lady Haru’s sleep broke. “Welcome back,” voiced he coldly.

“Welcome back?” she sat, “-what happened?”

“We were poisoned,” said he, “-by Carly. Someone wants to have you killed. The motive is unknown, one mystery gets solved and another is born. Lady Haru, things aren’t the same as they were. You best leave for Arda as soon as possible.”

“What mystery got solved?”

“Leko’s death. I know the culprit.”

“What then?” asked she, “-are you going to take revenge?”

“No,” the head shook, “-I’ve asked lady mother, and she said to leave it be for now. Try as I might, brute force isn’t always the answer. Therefore, I’m going to leave the justice to Lady Elvira.”

“Will you be ok?” asked she in good faith.

“Don’t worry,” said he, the eyes burnt in red, “-I don’t feel much nowadays.”

“I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused,” her head lowered.

“Lady Haru, I’m grateful for the help. There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m finally freed from the adventuring academy. Supposed I ought to get going. Let’s have dinner sometimes.”

On a trip to the office, the advisor grudgingly granted the graduation badge. No ceremony, nor satisfaction, the haunted building presided heavily. ‘I wonder what Gayae is doing,’ a trip to the workshop displayed an even dirtier scene. He and his partner ran about the oily yard.

“Igna,” skid to a stop, “-save me,” the imposing body cowered.

“Huh?” a wrench beelined for their heads, “-holy,” he caught the projectile, “-careful.” Just then, a group of first years passed by.

“Come on!” cried Gayae, “-stop throwing stuff around, it’s dangerous.”

“No fuck you!” exclaimed she bolting inside.

“You sure get along,” commented Igna.

“Stop it,” he sighed, “-what’s up.”

“Came by to say farewell. I graduated earlier.”

“Graduated?” he frowned.

“Yeah, I’m part of the trader’s guild. A culmination of events led to this situation; my teachers headed to Arda. A tier-3 silver ranked oversaw the exams,” he pulled out a tag, “-see, I was promoted to Tier-6 Emerald.”

“Wow, tier-6. I’m only tier-8, you must be strong.”

“Not really. Here, let’s exchange contact information. Who knows, I might need a talented mechanic one of these days.”

“I’ll be happy to help,” they hugged and parted ways. Noise and chaos permeated through the academy grounds. Part of it was the charm of preparation before a festival. Practice, hanging out with friends, working together, and the opportunity to show their talents to potential buyers. ‘I wonder what old man Kord’s doing.’

Across the forest path and into the shopping street, the noise grew fuller and present. ‘-Ok...’ flyers were all over the shops, preparations here were also in full tilt. Brazen students climbed buildings to tie decorations. Kord’s shop stayed more or less the same, customers sure weren’t lacking.

“Ling, isn’t that?”

“What is it, Goldie?”

“Look,” she pointed, “-that’s him!”

“Kein, catch him.”

The apartment brought more than a few memories. The closed opposite shop gave amble cover from the mild showers. A refreshing change from the earlier heat. ‘-I wonder if they’re fine.’ Bags were used as shelter from the rain. The deliciousness of the food didn’t discourage, rather, the intensity augmented.

“I got you,” mumbled a short black outline.

“Who are you?”

“Calm down,” said a familiar voice, “-no need to pull out a gun.”

“Sorry,” said she, “-I had to pull up my hoodie,” and so, the outline turned to be Kein.

“Lingling, Kein, and Goldie, what a coincidence.”

“You don’t seem happy,” argued Goldie.

“Should I be?” he ungripped Tharis.

“Cold,” cried Ling, “-stop trying to be so off-putting.”

.....

“What happened to Lucia?” the reunion fell in woe, the lowered gaze spoke volume ‘-bad question.’

“...”

“Don’t worry,” said he, “-don’t speak if you don’t want to.”

“No, no, it’s fine.”

“The face could say otherwise,” he remarked.

“It’s fine,” refuted Ling, “-Lucia left the academy. The experience was too much to handle.”

“I-I see.”

“Forget that,” said Goldie, “-come, let’s go eat.” They made for Kord’s eatery.

“Mister, it’s me, Lingling,” an energetic gesture invited sneers from the buyers.

‘What is she thinking, cutting line is the worse offense...’

“Ling, use the backdoor, girl,” refuted the old man. Up and around, “-so, what brings you this afternoon,” the fish were readied effortlessly.

“We brought someone special,” winked Kein and Goldie, “-ta-dah.”

“Embarrassing,” he whispered, “-hello, old man Kord, long time no see.”

“I’ll be damned,” he laughed, “-good to see you alive and well. Go on upstairs, the lass has been more on edge lately.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, go on,” he smiled, “-girls, get ready, we have a lot of customers today.”

“Yes boss!” they saluted.

‘Working-part time. Who would have thought.’ Up the fire escape, *knock, knock,* laughter dulled into babbling, “-coming,” said one through it all. *click,* “-hey, how can I help,” the face froze, “-I-I-IGNA?”