Broad-Spectrum Assassin

Memory 23: Our New Battlefield

We found ourselves shivering the moment we arrived. BunBun steps up to us only to lose her footing and falls flat on her face.

StarBorne helps her to her feet, looks at me, and smiles. "We're all together."

WarWolf hugs me from behind. "Five of us can pass. If we all cooperate, we can all ascend." She then nibbles my ear and whispers "I asked Guru what the plan was. He only asked that we stall and keep as many students alive as we can."

StarBorne looks at her. "There's no need to whisper."

WarWolf lets go of me and addresses the Assailants. "I suggest we try to keep as many students alive as we can. The more allies we have, the longer we'll last."

She's being careful not to mention Guru or the Red Guild. She's as clever as she is beautiful.

Goopy rolls his head back and groans. "You want us to run into danger? The best plan is to hide until barely anyone is left."

BunBun raises her hand. "We should go to the peak. That way nobody can ambush us."

StarBorne turns his attention to the group. "BunBun is right. The peak is our destination."

"Looks like the students won't be our only problem." WarWolf points at a protruding rock ahead of us.

There's a bird with silver feathers as sharp as a blade. The bird squawks at WarWolf before flying toward her.

She slams her palm into the bird, getting her hand sliced in the process.

The bird crawls along the ground, winded from the attack.

Goopy steps up to the bird. "Don't attack her. We're supposed to make allies, right?" He takes out some bread and offers it to the bird.

The bird cautiously eats the bread.

StarBorne pulls Goopy out of the way of a wooden arrow. She scans the tall white trees. "We've already been spotted. I'll distract them. Keep moving." She swerves to dodge another arrow.

I run as fast as I can to the tree, redirecting all fire on me.

No way am I losing anyone else.

An arrow hits my shoulder but my Black Seed eats my pain.

Do you see where the enemy is?

Too high up. Must improvise.

My mind is suddenly flooded with the death cries of those I slaughtered. I clench my head. My shadow expands and slices around me in a frenzy.

The tree collapses, taking the target down with it.

I see him limp away from me.

I exhale sharply and bring my mind back into focus.

"I won't die like all the others!" He pulls out his knife.

I try to focus on his face but its so hazy. "I'm not going to kill you."

"Lies!" He rushes at me and I swipe his feet. My attacker falls face first into the snow. "I'm just the distraction. Your team is surrounded."

I look ahead, squinting through the snowy winds to see my allies engaged in combat with at least eight other students.

I smash his wooden bow to pieces and then rush after them.

When I arrive, the attackers flee.

WarWolf coughs up blood. "Shit. I think I opened up the wound."