The Assassin's Apprentice

Chapter 1

"Young one come forth."

My master says in a stern voice. I walk to him quickly with my head held high as I pass by my peers. "Come with me. There's someone you need to meet." He says and turns around abruptly. I follow closely behind to be sure I don't get lost along the way.

We stop in front of two large golden doors with green jewels embedded around intricate silver swirled designs. A golden Oni head with black obsidian chunks embedded in the eye sockets rests on the front of the door with a keyhole inside the mouth.

My master pulls out a golden key from his black robe and hands it over to me. I look up at him unable to see his facial expression due to his red devil mask covering his face. He nods slightly to tell me to go ahead. I slide the key into the mouth and into the keyhole and twist.

The sound of the door unlocking resonates throughout the courtyard as the door slides open slowly. Master Wan walks through the doors and I begin my journey in behind him. "Once you get to the green door put this on." He says handing me a black Oni mask with gold trim around the horns, teeth, and brows.

I grab the mask and the sheer weight from it feels as though it would break a tooth from someone's mouth if they were hit with it. He nods at me telling me to put the mask on. Once the mask is on my face he leads me inside the room with the green door.

"Is this the young one we spoke of before?" The man with the white mask says with his elbow resting on his throne while his chin rests on his palm. "Yes, milord. This is Reigha. She is our youngest and the most talented of my students." Master Wan says bowing down on one knee with his arm resting on the other and his head on top of it.

I place my fist into the bottom of my palm and bow politely to the man. "Come here little one." The man's voice booms throughout the room startling me a bit. I walk to him with my head held high. "Sit." He says waving his hand to the chair beside him. I raise a brow and thank God that I have a mask on so he couldn't see the angered expression on my face. I walk to the chair and sit upon it.

"Alexander, do you know why she sits in this chair and you do not?" The man asks coldly. I, myself, do not know the reasoning behind it. "No, milord." Master Wan says with his voice wavering slightly. "She shows honor, dignity, and most importantly she's smart about choosing her words and actions. You, Alexander, do not posses such skill." The man says standing from his throne, and when I say he's a big man I mean he's a big man.

Master Wan shakes and refuses to raise his head from his forearm. "Look at me when I speak to you Alexander!" The man's voice booms again striking fear into the hearts of whomever heard it. Master Wan raises his head quickly and makes eye contact with the white masked man. "Better. Alexander, I did not raise you to be the assassin you are for you to show such cowardly mannerisms. Your apprentice shows no fear despite the fact that she's scared out of her mind right now. Fix it." The man says with his hand on his sword.

Master Wan begins to steady his breathing and his hands stop shaking. "The little one has been chosen by the elders so she must stay with me for extra training. That is all. You may leave." The man says and my eyes widen. Master Wan is hesitant but nods his head and leaves with a bow. "Now little one,

your real training can begin"

And with that he takes me through a series of tunnels that lead to an underground forest surprisingly full of light. "Now,come at me with all you've got." He says and I charge in with no hesitation.