Jacob's POV
"Though you are hidden behind a mask, what I speak is nothing short of the truth." I said as I begin to walk closer, closing the distance between us with each step I take. I looked to see if she was going to stop me, only to see that she has remained still. "Perhaps you will allow me to see what lies beyond the mask?" I slowly lifted my hands to her face, gently caressing it before moving my fingers to the back of her head to untie the mask. I slightly held my breath as we looked into each other's eyes and I go to untie the mask, however, she gives me a sorrowful look before she placed her hand on mine, stopping me from removing the mask.
"I apologise Mr. Frye, but I should be heading back now. I'm sure Mr. Roth would worry if I do not return." Before I could say anything else, she walked away, leaving me there to think over just why I couldn't unmask her and see who she is. Not knowing is driving me insane, especially when I feel as if I need to know who she is. It doesn't help when (Name) is still missing and we have heard no word from her ever since she disappeared. 'This is bloody ridiculous' I thought as I walked off.
Mini time skip
The night begins, and so to does the final act. I sit atop a building and observe the Alhambra, not knowing how the night will go, nor the way it will end, except for my blade meeting Roth. With that goal, I look around and see what I can do to get into the theatre.
"Masks, over here!" I heard a vendor call out to all who passes by.
"This way to the Alhambra!" An employee said. I looked over and saw Roth speaking to the employee, before putting on his mask and entering the theatre.
"Roth..." I muttered out.
"Masked guests this way." I looked over and saw an usher call out. "Masks only. I repeat, ladies and gentleman, this entrance is masks only." 'Looks like I have a way in. Now, all I need is a mask.' I looked around and saw one of Roth's guard wearing a mask. I quietly walked up behind him, killed him with my hidden blade and then put the mask on. I then joined the other special guests and followed them inside. "Let us enter the theatre for tonight's performance. Everyone ready? Then let's proceed!" The usher said.
"Mesdames et Messieurs, ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Alhambra Music Hall!" I hear Roth begin to say as I entered the theatre. "Tonight, we have, for one night only, a very special performance of Corvus the Trickster. While some of the effects may be visceral and highly disturbing, do not be alarmed, my good people. Fear not! This is the purest form of entertainment! Tonight's performance immortalizes and is for the benefit of a young fellow near and dear to my heart. Any concern or complaints may be addressed to him, ha ha ha! Jacob, dear boy, tonight is for you." I looked around the theatre from the viewing gallery, determining my next course of action.
"I'll be serving you this evening, gentleman." I heard a familiar voice speak. I looked over and saw the woman who's name still eludes me.
"You still here, love? Last time, I swear, you nearly poisoned us!" A Blighter said. I then looked over towards the stage and saw Roth walking behind it.
"Scene two, stand by!" Another Blighter said.
"We have a volunteer! A big round of applause for this brave, brave man!" Roth said as someone from the audience walked up to the stage. "Our volunteer is about to die for you, Jacob." I could hear the threat in his voice and knew I had to do something, and fast or else people will die.
"Damn you, Roth." I whispered out as I kept an eye on the stage.
"You lucky people are about to witness this gentleman being fired upon at point-blank range. Our performer will hit several targets placed around his head. Exciting, is it not?" I clenched my teeth and knew I had to work quick. "Oh ho ho! Will our honoured guest go unharmed? We British are a hardy bunch. Let's put that hardiness to the test!" The performance begins to heat up, I can see people sitting on the edge of their seats. "What a thrill! Do not fret, my friends, it's all part of the show! Please stay with us as we prepare for the next turn!" Thankfully, the performance ends with no deaths. As I was listening in to everything around me, I heard a man call out from behind the stage.
"Let me out! I need to lower the grid for the show!" Without wasting anymore time, I made my way to where the voice came from. "Help! Help me! They've locked me in here!" I knocked down the door and freed the man, who looked to be the machinist. "That's a daisy. Ta muchly." The machinist went off and lowered the rafter above the stage. With that out of the way, I noticed the same waitress from before brought a drink to someone who looked like Roth.
"Your drink, sir." She said.
"My dear, you're a sweet, sweet girl."
"Happens to be me job, sir."
"Thank you kindly." I walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder, making sure to not draw a lot of attention to myself. I had to be discreet to poison her pitcher.
"Excuse me, love." I said.
"Jacob? What on Earth are you doing here?" She said with a look of shock on her voice.
"To see a performance of course. Roth did invite me personally after all." I couldn't tell her the real reason why I was here, she already knows I am an assassin after all. How she knows, I wouldn't have a bloody clue.
"Jacob, Mr. Roth was angry when he came back yesterday. I tried to talk to him, but he was unapproachable. He ever snapped the neck of his poor bird."
"He didn't hurt you, did he?" I couldn't help but worry about her.
"I'm alright, but I must be getting back to work."
"I just so happen to be looking for the lavatory. Think you can point me in the right direction?"
"It's over there."
"Thanks. Be careful, ok? Something tells me this night is far from over."
"You worry too much about little old me, Mr. Frye. I'll be alright." Nothing more was said as she walked away to continue her job while I made my way to the lavatory and poisoned the pitcher. It wasn't long before several people who looked like Roth, as well as a few Blighters, was served poisoned drinks and died shortly after. I then went to work on killing those who looked like Roth, hoping to find the real one.
"Where is he?" I said after killing one.
"Oh my! Are your principles drifting, dear?"
"If he's not Roth..." Another dead, and still not the real one.
"The flavour intensifies the second time, the hunt now a search for want rather than need. The search consumes you, creed forgotten, prey visualised, mouth-watering."
"Roth! Show yourself!" Another dead and still no sign of him.
"Leaves a strange taste in your mouth, doesn't it? Like eating pork when expecting venison. Are you trying to repent, my dear? It is not too late to join me in the grand finale!" Roth appeared on stage and took off his mask.
"Roth..." I was ready for the night to end, for all this to end tonight.
"Ha ha ha! I hope you have enjoyed your evening so far, ladies and gentlemen. I know I have. Now, before our final act, I would like to toast all of you brave people who joined us tonight to celebrate life...and death. Go on, toast them!" His Blighter's drank flammable liquid and breathed fire onto the stage, setting the theatre alight.
"Not good."
"Ha ha ha! Your move, Jacob, my dear! Burn! Burn! BURN!" I made my way away from the stage, trying to get to higher ground. "Over here, Jacob! "Don't hide from me, darling!" His voice was taunting, but I knew I couldn't just rush into this, that would be what he wants. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" He was close, but I made sure to stay out of sight. "Join me for the finale!" I made my way to the rafter that was above the stage. "Jacob, my dear! Where aaaare yooouuu!"
"It ends now." I cut the rope holding a counterweight, entangling Roth in one end of the rope and dragging him up near the rafter. I then pulled him onto the rafter and plunged my hidden blade into his neck.
"Darling, what a night! The stuff of legends!"
"Why did you do it? All of it?"
"What! Snap a baby crow's neck between my thumb and forefinger? Slice to bits the ones you deem innocent? Keep the world in its divine manic state? For the same reason I do anything!" Roth then grabbed my face and kissed me, shock and disgust was all I was feeling when that happened. "Why not?" He had the audacity to laugh before passing away, after which I smeared his handkerchief with his blood. With that out of the way, I begin to escape the Alhambra.
"I'll never make it out alive." I said as everything around me was burning. "What a nightmare!" I leapt over burning building parts, trying to find a way out. "Damn this place from Hell to Hackney!" I looked all around me, trying to find the quickest way out before the building collapses.
"J-Jacob!" I heard a familiar voice call out and saw the woman I've been wanting to know stuck under a pillar. Without hesitation, I ran over to her and helped her out.
"Don't worry, I'll get you out of here." Nothing more was said as I did all I could to free her. It wasn't long before she was free.
"T-Thank you." She said just before collapsing to the ground. I picked her up bridal style and ran out of the building. Thankfully, we made it out just before the building collapsed.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes, thank you." She begins coughing and I couldn't help but worry for her. While still holding her, I dropped down to my knees and placed her in my lap, simply holding her. She seemed to not mind as she didn't push me away. I couldn't help but place my hand under her chin, having her look at me. It was then I noticed some of the mask was missing, and a familiar face was staring right back at me. But I had to know for sure. I placed my hand on the other side of the mask and took it off, only to gasp in shock at who was hidden underneath all along.
"(N-Name)?!"