"A certain magi to be specific."
'I know where this is going...'
"But that's for later... The festival starts in one month and you need to be prepped for what is planned." Ja'far instructed while crossing his arms.
"Go on..." You nodded reassuringly.
"A group built from raiders and mercenaries called Sub Zero, is trying to smuggle stolen weapons and supplies in and out of this country- Long story short, they are planning to setup a way-station here." He then stated while looking at you intently.
'Sub Zero?! I used to run with them a few years back.'
"So what is this? A sweep and retrieve?" You cocked an eyebrow at him. "Not necessarily a challenge."
"Hold your horses. If you're not careful, you could end up having a funeral with a closed casket..." The male replied.
"I'll be fine, I'm not weak." You responded with a determined look.
"I can believe that... So familiarize the city by yourself, if you're spotted with me by them it may raise suspicion." Ja'far advised while standing from the table. "I'll be monitoring from a distance of course."
'Stalking but whatever.'
"I'll head out now, it's late so not that many people should be out to get in my way." You then stood up and walked over to the kitchen exit. 'The red light district is where they might be staying.'
"See you on the other side." He said while smiling.
'If he wasn't tied to his King... We actually might make a decent team- With him being an X-Assassin and all.'
"Y-Yeah... Thanks again for the 'proper' meal." You waved to him as you stepped outside into the hall. 'Eventually I'll have to kill him...'
You suddenly grew anxious as the corridor looked longer than it was supposed to be. Your steps slowed to a stop while the hall seemed to be fading to black. Faint whispers filled your ears as that same ominous feeling from earlier set the mood.
"Oi (Y/N)?" You snapped out of your trance to see Alibaba trying to get your attention. "I wanna talk to you about something."
"Uh look kid, I'm a little busy at the moment." You replied impatiently. "And what are you doing so up late anyway? Go back to bed."
"I couldn't sleep..." He said quietly while tilting his head down. 'Oh, uh...'
"What's the matter?" You responded suddenly sounding sympathetic.
"(Y/N)... About the person that will arrive here soon." The blonde's eyes darkened as you leaned against the wall. "I want you to kill him for me."
"Well I-"
"I'm well aware you want money... I'll give a portion of it right now and the rest when it's done."
"As much as I like your offer... I'm currently employed to another party so you're out of luck." You shrugged.
"Just cover it up from Sinbad..." Alibaba added in a hushed tone.
'Right... I work for that old man.'
"I get your motive... The Kou empire is responsible for Balbadd's downfall." You paused to glance around. "But you see, this conversation isn't exactly private..."
"Oh that's right... I forgot about your babysitter-"
"Chaperone." Ja'far stated as he stepped into to view. "And Alibaba, Hakuryuu is here to learn."
"Well anyway, sorry bud." You gave Alibaba a small pat on the back before continuing down the hall. 'Poor kid wants the fulfillment of revenge.'
Once outside the palace you made your way down to the main city and started mapping out the place. Ja'far said that everything might look different with festival decorations out, so you made sure to make it mentally as detailed as possible.
But almost instantly after turning a corner your heart started beating faster and that same blood lust feeling crept up your spine. 'Someone besides Ja'far is following me.' You quickly paused to look around but there was no one. 'I know they're there though.'
You came to a stop in a near by alley and stood there for a few moments. 'They should come out...'
The shadow slowly grew on the wall in front of you.
"I knew it." You turned to face a hooded figure. "What do you want?"
"You've gained a number of enemies (Y/N)." A deep voice stated.
'Someone hired him to kill me?'
"I have no enemies because they're all dead... Just like you'll be if you don't leave." You drew your sword from its sheath and readied yourself.
"You keep laughing at death..." He paused to take a step closer. "Someday death's gonna laugh back..."
'Ja'far wont come out unless he see's something he doesn't like.' You slowly moved one foot back across the stone floor.
"Why have you been following me?"
"Oh? So you've noticed..." He retorted mockingly.
You narrowed your eyes and held your ground in response.
"Let's just say I represent a mutual acquaintance... The name Kartos ring any bells?" The male asked as he took another step forward.
"No..."
'Yes.'
"Well he remembers you very well... He's looking for you and I-"
'If he finds him, I'll be in deep shit.'
"Well you wont be there to tell him i'm here!" You ran towards the male and slammed him against the wall, blade against his neck.
"Tell me (Y/N), do you still care about your reputation? Is that why you want me dead?" He taunted making your blood boil.
"You have no right to be telling me about that." You pressed the blade against his neck harder as he chuckled underneath it.
"I can see why he likes you so much..."He cracked a small smile. "You and your precious reputation."
"You're gonna tell me what Sub Zero is really doing in Sindria." You ordered sternly as you pulled another knife that was hidden on you and held it at his side. "The more you talk the less it will hurt."
"Oh don't lie to me (Y/N)... You're gonna end up killing me after you get what you want to make sure I don't run off and tell boss... Unless you've gone soft?" His hood slid down revealing him to be the man you chatted with just an hour ago at the bar. 'He's already told Kartos that i'm here.'
"(Y/N)!!!" You turned your head to see Alibaba run around the corner. 'What the?!'
"Were you following me too?!" You questioned the blonde while making sure to keep a firm grip on the male in front of you.
"What are you doing?!" Alibaba ignored your question and ran up to you in a distressed manner.
"Don't come any closer or this man gets it." You let your long blade slice part of his neck to put more emphasis in your statement. "Walk away and pretend you didn't see anything."
"Wait! He was in the Fog troupe!" Alibaba pleaded while reaching out. "He was my comrade to once, if you let him go he might be able to be one again."
'You've got to be kidding me! This guy?!'
"So what are you gonna do (Y/N)?" The man before you whispered. "Let me live and tarnish your rep, or show that kid the monster you really are... You've killed a bunch of Fog troupe members before, this should be no different."
You gritted your teeth while glancing at the blonde who was a few feet back.
"(Y/N) don't!"
You the looked back at the male hesitantly who was waiting eagerly with a psychotic grin.
"Do it then, kill me."
"You asked for it." Time seemed to slow as you swiftly sliced his neck open, blood splattering on your face.
"Nooooooooo!"
"Heh...You see..." He chuckled weakly as the blood drained from his neck."I'm not... A-Alone." The last word he said was gurgled in blood.
"I was wrong about you..." Alibaba looked at you in disbelief as his voice cracked. "You don't even care do you? You really are just some cold-blooded killer!"
You clicked your tongue in annoyance before turning your head sharply.
"What were you expecting?!" You yelled in return while releasing the man. "We have bigger things to worry about!-"
"LIKE WHAT?! The Fog troupe is all I have left of Kassim... And you've gone and destroyed part of it again!" Alibaba drew his dagger and immediately used the power of his djinn to change his small blade into a large black sword. He then started running in your direction.
"Blondie need to get out of here! More Zero members will be here any second!" You raised your sword activating the black glow around it and prepared for the impact. 'Ja'far where are you?!'
"Let them come." The blonde stated darkly as he swung his blade sloppily.
"I don't want to hurt you." You parried and ducked out of the way. 'That sword is too big for him.'
"You've proved otherwise." He then swung his blade defiantly throw the air and ran towards you again.
"If that's how you want it..."