Ethan hid behind a large boulder in the cave, ocassionally peeking out, his ears twitching slightly listening for sounds.
After a few minutes he raised his hands as if looking at a watch. 'Where are they, let me get this over with. I need my beautiful sleep.'
[Calm down tiger, they'd be here any moment now.]
Minutes later, Ethan heard a heart pumping beat. "Uhm do you hear that?"
[Yeah. Don't mind me, just setting the mood.]
The leaves rustled lightly peeking out again, Ethan saw the Nyx brothers step into view, their black trench coats swaying with each silent step.
One of them adjusted his glove, revealing a silver crescent etched into the leather.
"That is so cool. I'm definitely looting them when this is over."
The tallest raised his hands, glancing around cautiously. "Something doesn't feel right."
The other two continued walking, one of them scoffing. "You're too paranoid Salem, we're only hunting some plant lady."
"If it wasn't for Kael almost being royalty I would've killed him for the insult of sending us after a fucking plant."
The other chuckled, "And have their whole kingdom at our throat Jorah?"
Jorah responded, "Sounds like a thrill."
Salem didn't look convinced. His gloved fingers twitched near his belt. "I still think something's wrong here."
The third assassin scoffed. "It's a plant Salem. And besides from the dossier the Prince gave us, his sister was pregnant when she fled. And if those plants are anything like he told us then she should be in her recovery state. And one look around us confirms that."
Jorah cut in, "Valen's right Salem, relax."
'Prince Kael? So this isn't just an assassination—it's political.'
Ethan's grip tightened on The Twins. 'Great. Now I have royal assassins hunting a mystery cocoon. And I'm stuck in the middle of it. Just my luck.'
Salem grunted, still unconvinced but followed his brothers. "That's a peak Mana novice plant Princess we're talking about."
Valen chuckled. "And there are three of us."
The moment they reached the cave entrance, the earth covering the trap caved in beneath their feet.
Salem noticing something amiss, stepped back instantly, scanning the surrounding warily.
Jorah and the third brother stumbled inside the pit, the spikes impaling their legs. A low guttural growl escaped their throats.
"See I told you something felt—" Before Salem could complete his sentence The Twins cut through the air.
Jorah let out a strangled gasp, eyes wide in shock as cold steel buried deep into his throat. His fingers twitched, clawing at his side—reaching for a weapon he'd never swing again.
Valen let out a raw, choked scream, trying to pull the blade from his heart. But his grip weakened. His body slumped, falling limp.
"Jorah! Valen! Show yourself you coward!"
Stretching his hands, the blades dislodged flying back into his arms. Ethan stepped out of the shadows, smirking at Salem. "Double kill."
[Enemy Identified: Salem Nyx]
[Rank: Mana Novice (Peak)]
Salem watched Jorah convulse before slumping to the ground. His body shaking from rage, he gazed up from their corpse staring at Ethan.
"I will tear your flesh of your bones and feed it to you."
Ethan smirked, twirling The Twins between his fingers.
"Let me guess," he said, tilting his head. "You're the smart brother?"
Salem snarled, mana flaring. "I will make you beg for death."
Ethan grinned. "Oh good. I was worried this fight would be boring."
Salem's figure flashed appearing in front of Ethan, fist hammering into his gut, sending him tumbling into the cave.
Ethan groaned pushing himself up. On one knee, his legs shaking. His eyes flashing around. 'Okay he's fast.'
He threw one of his blades at Salem the moment he stepped into the cave
Salem side stepped, easily dodging the blade, his figure looming large. "You will beg me for the sweet release of death."
Salem flicked his wrist—twin daggers slid from his sleeves.
He sneered, "You think you're fast? I've killed people faster than you can blink."
He vanished in a blur. The next thing Ethan felt was cold steel plunging into his ribs.
Ethan knelt down, blood trickling down his lips, Salem grabbed him by the collar, lifting him like a ragdoll. Then spat. "Pathetic, I will take my time breaking you."
Ethan in turn groaned, "Ugh, what is it with villains and monologuing."
Confusion flashed in Salem's eyes. "What?"
Ethan smirked, "Check."
Stretching his hands out the blade on the caves entrance flew back, catching it he sliced it on Salem's wrist. Blood spilled out, dying his black coat crimson.
Salem's hand snapped back, freeing Ethan.
Landing on the ground he looked up at Salem, the shadows beneath him enveloping him.
Salem gasped, "Shadow step." His legs sliding across his own shadow. Just as Ethan reappeared beside him, the blade creating a gash at the side of his coat, a crimson bloom staining it.
Staggering backwards, Salem muttered disbelief in his eyes.
"It can't be! That's an Adept rank skill."
Catching his disbelief Ethan clenched the blade tightly, punching him with the hilt. "Good, this evens the playing field."
Salem caught his fist, smacking Ethan on his face, sending him tumbling like tumble weed. He took a step forward, growling. "Not quite."
Standing back up, Ethan wiped the blood off his mouth. Taking a fighting stance. "I can do this all day."
Salem took a step forward. "You won't get all day."
"That remains to be seen."
Dropping the words, Ethan kicked off dust as he dashed forward aiming at Salem's ribs.
Salem sneered. "Predictable."
Shifting his body to the side, aiming a punch at Ethan's jaw his hands swept through the air. A look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Surprise."
Turning to the voice. Ethan's blade grazed his left eye. Blood poured down Salem's face.
Growling with a sharp, animalistic gasp, gis gloved hand shot up. Running across his ruined eye.
He staggered back, knees nearly buckling. The blood running down coupled with his ragged breathing, made him look like a demon crawling out of hell.
Salem growled filled the air. A twisted, feral smile stretched across his face. "Good! This will be the last thing you do before you die."
Ethan stepped backwards, his face pale from using shadow step twice in a battle.
Closing in on Ethan, Salem began pummeling him, a fist to his jaw another to his ribs. Ethan crossed his arms over his face in defence.
His body taking the rest like a dam getting rammed by waves, staggering backwards with each blow.
Salem growled increasing his speed, his fist coated by a shadowy veil. "Where's your shadow step now!" Before kicking him out of the cave.
Ethan's back grazed the ground as he came to a halt his now dull eyes staring at the moon. Waves of pain cascading through his body, his breathing coming in short gasps.
Salem walked closer, his shadow fluctuating with his emotions, raising his dagger "Any last words? Before I send you to hell."
Ethan gazed at the caves entrance then forced a grin through bloody teeth. "Yeah… you should've—gone, for the head."
"Still so cocky even when you're—"
Salem's eyes dilated mid sentence. His hands trembling as it dabbed his lips, before pulling it back staring at the blood stain, surprise flashed in his eyes.
Looking down he saw a pointed vine, poking out his body it's tip died bright red. His legs gave way, slumping on the ground. As his eyes dulled, he muttered, "H..o..w."
Ethan stared at the vague outline of Mervyn standing at the edge of the cave, gripping the walls for balance. The triplets running out followed by the Cyph twins.
The girl ran towards Ethan tears streaming down her eyes. "Un.. cle."
Ethan sighed in relief laying back down. Before his eyes closed, he muttered, "Anna..."
Then he felt a tiny weight on his body before the world went dark.