"Unlike many, I believe that there is a God who rules over everything. I believe that the Maker of the Universe is still out there, and oh how I admire him. Yet you curse me by the name of him whom I look up to? Do you think I can do nothing to you? Do you think that the grating cry of death would save you from the consequences of your words?" Ray squatted beside the cursing man as he questioned him. The man being questioned looked at his adversary with mockery in his eyes and scorn widening his lips.
"I can already see the reaper standing before me. The gleam of his eyes. The curve of his scythe. Tell me, what can you do with the soul collector here?" The dying assassin looked at the hideously cloaked figure he couldn't see before. With his life force dwindling away, he could finally see the figure that went around the battlefield, collecting the souls of those that had passed away into his bag, as though they were precious pearls. It was finally his turn. What could his afflicter possibly do now?
Ray nodded his head in understanding and calmly said, "There is a little secret I like to keep to myself. Well, only my wife and my uncle know about it. You are the honoured third person I'd share it to." Ray held the assassin by the neck and lifted him up as though he weighed nothing but a few grams. The dying man struggled to breathe as he was hoisted up. Though it was difficult to tell whether his challenge came from the hand clutching his neck, or the sleeve that was missing an arm.
Ray brought the assassin close enough so he could whisper his secret into his ear. The assassin turned pale in a couple of seconds. He looked at his strangler in fear and disbelief. "How is that possible? How can someone possess…" he didn't finish his statement when the searing hot flames summoned by his captor engulfed him fully. His dying screams were horrendous, sending chills down the spine of those few surviving members. One of the less courageous ones even made a mad dash towards the main house. He knew he wouldn't be safe there, but he was desperate for some respite. For right now, even a few minutes of breathing space seemed like a dream come true.
He run towards the house with all the energy he could master, his limp left leg making it all the more difficult for him. He smiled in relief upon seeing that he was right at the entrance, yet his smile lasted for just that moment.
*BOOM*
A huge bolt of lightning came crashing down, taking one more life from the world of Zandor. "The one in the main house is mine. Do you think it is a coincidence that all his guards were killed yet he remains alive, his building intact?" Ray's cold voice intensified the despair the men felt.
"If you ever have the chance to live a second life, remember that there are some people you cannot touch. However, with the deeds you have done in this life, I doubt that you would get such a chance." He continued, finally walking towards the main house. The few survivors who lay on the ground were glad to see their tormentor leave. They finally felt that for the first time since this man had appeared, there was hope for survival. They were wrong, for that was the last emotion they ever felt before they left the world.
*BOOM*
Several bolts of lightning descended simultaneously, crashing the hopes of the killers that lay in their own pool of blood. Ray stepped into the main residence with a small smile on his face. "After attacking my boy they think I'd let them live? Such foolhardy is extraordinary", he stated to no one in particular. He was a father who was never around. He could argue that he had no choice but. However, he did not. He wasn't going to make excuses for himself. The least he could do was vent his frustration on the unfortunate group that chased after the wrong gold mine.
Ray's steps were calm, yet loud. The layout of these houses made it impossible for people to sneak in quietly. They were indeed worthy of their title as assassins. Of course, it was meant to work against those below the above-mortal realm. With Ray's strength, it was too easy to move around without making a sound, but he didn't. He wanted his prey to know that he was coming.
It took Ray about three minutes to walk the entirety of the lower floor. With his awareness at its peak, there was no way he would be uninformed as to the layout of the building. He was just having a stroll. He wanted his prey to be jittery. He wanted him to be unnerved. The only reason he was still so carefree was because he could feel that his prey was still calm. It was a calm that wasn't due to lack of the fear of death. The heartbeat of his opponent was too regular to attribute it to nonchalance towards death. It felt more like his opponent had a lifeline- a backup.
"Interesting", he mumbled.
He wasn't as bright as his wife. In fact, he was certain that there weren't more than five people in the entire universe who could match his wife's superior intellect. Actually in the eyes of others, the Brute King wasn't only tyrannical, but intelligent. Yet this intelligence remained unseen next to the woman known as the 'Absolute Queen'. In his vast experience, such serenity wasn't born from the fear of death. Even the bravest of warriors wouldn't be so calm under the threat of death. Only if they were Asgardians of course. Those belonging to that race were a crazy bunch. And he was certain they were the only race that were so crazy. He doubted that the universe would have the strength to hold two of such maniacal races.
"This is just a waste of time", he mumbled, finally deciding to take the stairs.
"You're finally here. Did you enjoy your sightseeing?" the master of the Assassin Organisation calmly asked. He didn't look like a man who was just about to lose everything, a detail that Ray picked up.
"You look so calm, very much unlike a man that is about to die. What grants you such confidence?" Ray questioned, genuinely curious about the state of his oppressed.
"Is there anything I can do? My men are dead, with those that remain nothing but leaves that have fallen off the main tree. Yet you ask why I remain unmoved. Does the absence of despair annoy you? Do you want to see me writhe in agony?" the master replied with slight fury lacing his tone.
"No, I do not. But I know your kind well enough. Those who take the lives of many, fear death much more. But that isn't where my true curiosity lies. Who gave you that contract? Who asked you to go after my son?" the Brute King asked.
"He didn't reveal himself. But I am certain he is like you" the master replied. "I see" Ray replied. He didn't bother to question him more. Even Fin didn't know who the contractor was. If Fin didn't know, no one did. It was a thought that seemed arrogant and downright prideful, but anyone who was aware of Fin's ability would know that this was confidence, not hubris.
"I should at least know the name of my murderer" the master requested. "I like your composure. I assure you that your end would be swift." Ray responded, not in a rush to grant the request of the master.
"My name has long been forgotten. At times, I am guilty of that myself. But those who know me do so by one name, one title. I am the Brute King, and I sentence you to death." Ray declared, the flaming sword he had just conjured successfully lopping of the head of the man who previously commanded a massive force on Zandor.
"Oops. I am late for dinner."