“That skull which mask in the darkness, those eyes which pierces the soul” The Slave Trader retorted.


    Like the feather of a phoenix—burning, reborn, undying!


    “No!...it can be”


    The Slave Traders voice  quivered in fear, his face twisting into a grotesque mask of terror. His black eyes darted between me and the bandits.


    “It was rumors surely?!” He whimpered.


    He quickly stumbled back losing his footing, pointing his trembling plump finger at me.


    “K-KILL IT!”


    His shriek echoed through the den, slicing through it. The moment he yelped his order he scurried behind the cart like a rat being hunted.


    “I-it’s only a man”, the bandit leader yelled out, stepping forward. His long black hair swayed as he unsheathed his black sword, confidence glittered in his eyes.


    No!


    No! No!


    “It the Reaper!”


    The words came from the men their breaths mixed with fear.


    “T-the what?” The Bandit Leader asked.


    I didn’t give them time to process it. I was upon them.


    Like a phantom, my red eyes swayed in the dark as I manifested my sword. The first bandits neck split open before his lips could utter a scream. His body fell with a dull thud.


    The others reacted, too slow. One after another they fell.


    Their blades cross mine. I parried, dodged, killed.


    A pathetic attempt of a dagger went for my back I swiftly appeared behind him impaling my blade through his ribs.


    Magic suddenly crackled through the air.


    A caster his staff raised high, his trembling voice whispering an incantation.


    “INFERNO OVOID!” He yelled.


    A fire ball raced toward me.


    I grinned, tightening my grip. The flames curled between my fingers, their power in my control.


    I believe this is yours?


    I threw it back but this time it was bigger. The mage and the bandits were ignited into charred flesh.


    Silence all of you.


    I stepped over the charred remains locking eyes with the bandit leader. However, he was different than any ordinary bandit. His magical aura, and weapon stance of choice all seemed familiar.


    Then, slowly, he sighed.


    He exhaled, his composure returning. Shadows begin shift from out of him his aura was black as obsidian.


    “The name is Marcus” he pauses “Marcus. Redwood”


    "Where have I heard that name before?" I asked myself.


    Before I could think further the air rippled around him. The torches on the walls flickered—then went out entirely.


    Nothing but darkness.


    Suffocating blackness oozed from his body like smoke. The air grew unsteady with an unnatural presence.


    Shadows which silhouettes mocked their master were formed ten of them in an instant emerged.


    “May you be filled with the nocturne of night” Marcus let out as he blended with his shadow clones.


    They lunged.


    I moved.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    My blade flashed through one.


    Another swing—two gone.


    A dodge, a sideway slash—gone.


    The moment my mana sword went through them, their bodies crumbled into nothing but empty mana.


    Then—CLANG!


    Our blades clashed, sparks flying in the darkness.


    “Not terrible,” I muttered, deflecting the blade aimed at my neck.


    Marcus scowled. “Who are you truly?”


    His attacks then became relentless, but mine were precise.


    The way he used his magic and sword was a lot like Professor Red-


    In a moment the air clashed of mana and metal. His blade became darkened as his sword was enveloped by shadows. He concentrated all his aura with one final strike.


    “You need to die here” he sneered as he gritted his teeth.


    He failed to realize. This is exactly what I want from him.


    “So utterly predictable,” I muttered as my mana blade sliced through his sword and aura. The next thing he saw was my blade flashing at his chest, piercing his lungs.


    As he collapsed on the floor, I found my mask falling off my face. A clean cut through the middle.


    He managed to hit me? I muttered trying to play ignorance. Before turning toward, the cart.


    Suddenly, I felt a faint tug on my cloak—


    Marcus


    His bloodied hands gripped my cloak, weakly pulling me toward him.


    “Y-your so young… h-how did I lose” he gasped, his throat filling with blood. “You…you attend the academy don’t you boy?”


    "I didn’t take you as a fan of mine." I replied with amusement. But he failed to hear me.


    “With magic like yours I could have made him proud… When my father finds out he’ll ki-"


    Before he could finish his sentence, I felt his grip untighten from my cloak, his body embracing death.


    What a pity. I walked over his dead body, not bothering to glance back. There was no need. His opinions and voice will be an echo.


    As I walked toward the cart, the slave trader sat behind it trembling like a rodent caught in a trap. His voice shook as he pleaded, a pitiful excuse for someone like him.


    “Please! Don’t kill me. I’ll give you anything—Men? Women? Fame?” His words went on seeking desperation. Then, a glint of misunderstanding flickered in his eyes, “Oh! Oh, you must be into little girls, huh?” His breath caught in his throat as if he solved the question.


    “How repulsive,” I muttered. I could feel the revulsion from deep inside my gut, but there was no mercy for men like him. He was a pig, unworthy of the same mud he bathed in.


    With a flick of my wrist, I unmanifested my blade. My hand founds its way to his throat, like a snake constricting it''s prey. “Men like you are merely pawns to the oligarchy we live in. We may claim this is a established monarchy, but everyone—even royalty—has a price.”


    His eyes bulged, realizing his situation. “You are no use to me,” I whispered coldly, as my grip tightened. “I’ll take your life''s work and make it my own”


    In a swift motion, I snapped his neck. His body became lifeless like a doll that was discarded after its strings being cut. “I’ll be taking these rings with me they may sell for a high price” I said to myself.


    Now time for the true harvest.


    As I approached the cart, I slowly wrapped my hands around the tarp pulling it back. Revealing a green orb. Inside it a girl, no older than myself, lay unconscious. Her elven features were delicate her skin seemed as smoothed as porcelain. Her breath seemed shallowed as if she was slipping in and out of consciousness as if she was in a comatose state.


    I broke the lock of the cart with ease. A simple flick of my fingers and the cart that confined her was open.


    As I approached the orb a name was faintly written on the side. Elnora. I whispered it to myself as I reached out my hand over the ancient text. As soon as the words left my lips, the name seemed to glow.


    The orb pulsed with magical energy, and door to it opened. The elven girl began to stir, her eyes opening.


    “W-where am I” Her voice was soft, her words slurred, as she tried to rise. Though her legs failed her she stumbled forward, but I was already there, catching her in my arms.


    “Careful” I said holding her steady. She looked up at me, her pure wide, confused eyes meeting mine.


    Her blush was quick, but she tried to stand again, this time with more strength. As I helped her stand up, I realized she was without clothes. A sense of awkwardness filled the air. Without a word, I used the magicules, and weaved her a set of clothing. A white, green, and gold spring dress formed her petite body with delicate floral patterns.


    “Y-your control of magic I-it’s beautiful” she whispered, a sense of awe filled her voice.


    Here you go I said looking away from her current appearance.


    Her eyes darted to her bare form for a moment. “C-could you look away for a moment please?”


    I didn’t even blink. Things like this don’t bother me really with a subtle turn of my head I faced the darkness. When she spoke again her voice seemed to have a touch of confidence and warmth.


    “You can turn my way now”


    I turned facing her, and in that moment, she gave a playful but elegant bow, her movement fluid and light.


    “I am Elnora. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”


    I stood their completely puzzled. For the first time in my life, words failed me. Never before had I been moved by a woman—not in my past life nor in this one. In that moment time itself seemed to slow down. I could hear my heart beat a fraction quicker than normal.


    What is this meaningless feeling? Ugh… It’s foul.


    I shook my head, pushing my emotions to the side.


    “Why were you in that orb?” I asked cutting to the point.


    She titled her head slightly “I-I don’t know” her smile soft but sincere.


    “Oh… great! You don’t remember a thing, do you?” I asked sighing.


    “No but I do know this…” her eyes twinkled “Whoever lets me out of my slumber will be given my companionship. So therefore, that will be you, Ryn!”


    I froze “I never told you, my name.”


    “I know.” She giggled lightly, as if amused. “But since you opened the orb, a permeant pact was formed between us.”


    I blinked, considering the implications of her words. Bringing her to the academy as my assistant and enrolling her as a student could yield me many benefits. “Will you serve any command I give you?”


    “Yes!” Her voice rang with sincerity behind it. I could see it in her eyes she has already placed trust with me.


    “Before I chose you in the orb, I determined that you are worthy of my grace.” She said smiling.


    Just as I was about to speak again, she collapsed.


    Like an instinct I caught her with my arms, as she laid in my embrace.


    “I guess we’ll get you home” I muttered as I carried her back to my dormitory.