I was getting sick of Zleigh already. Normally we could operate in the dark, but we were on a tight schedule so I couldn't take such liberties. I followed Ray around as he silently slipped behind the house where our target lived, the dark oak fence didn't make a single sound as he swiftly vaulted over its wooden frame. I quickly followed suit, I must admit it did feel good to finally be working at Ray's side once again. All of the business with Greyson had us tied up beforehand.
"Corra, see that window?" Ray pointed from the bushes, keeping his voice at a low whisper, "That's where we enter."
"Right, but how do we-"
As I spoke, the creaking of a door opening caught my attention, both Ray and I immediately hit the dirt, our eyes still locked. It appeared our target, Rufus Cross, had exited into the backyard, a small child following behind him that had her blonde hair braided into two pigtails that reached the shoulders of her cherry red blouse.
"Change of plans,"I spoke so quietly I could barely hear even myself, "Looks like we're going to have to steal the identification pass."
"Your reason?"
I glanced back to the little girl holding Rufus' hand, "That's why. We only prey on the rich and corrupt, remember?"
"So just because Rufus is a father that makes him not corruptible?"
"Not necessarily, but just look at them!" I pointed to Rufus who was tossing the girl up and down in the air playfully, there was a big grin on both of their faces. "I'm thinking more about what will happen to the girl."
"Simple, take her out as well."
"You're joking right?"
Ray gave me a blank stare.
I facepalmed then reapplied myself, pointing back up to the window that laid just above the door to the backyard, "Look, let's at least try to search the house before taking any… drastic measures. Think you can make that climb?"
"Claws, remember?" Ray took off one of his leather gloves and flexed the tendons in his pale, human-like hand, revealing large claws that shot from the tips of his fingers underneath the nails that curled and came to a point.
"My mistake, it slipped my mind. I just find it odd you can still access your claws even when transformed into a human."
"Indeed, oddly enough no matter how hard I try I simply can't bring out my tail."
"Anyhow," I continued, "once Rufus and the girl have vacated the premises, we scale the wall up to that window there. You still got your lockpicks on you?"
Ray reached into his coat, his hand leaving the large pockets of his trench coat holding a silver strip of thin metal that came to a slant at the end, "Is that even a question? I thought you knew me more than anyone Corra." he remarked sarcastically.
There was a moment of awkward silence as we sat in the bushes to wait for Rufus to take his leave. After a couple more minutes, Ray spoke again, this time there was a more serious tone then usual to his raspy voice, "Do you... miss him Corra?" His eyes cut through mine with such sincerity that it was almost impossible to not look away with embarrassment.
I tried to speak as normal, but my voice only croaked like a frog, "Y-Yes. A great deal."
I could still remember his dying breath, his soft blonde hair, and the words that escaped cracked lips as the light that once filled my soul with joy left his electric blue eyes. It wasn't that long ago, but yet it felt like a distant memory. His death was the reason I left, the reason I was with Ray, and the reason I didn't face death in Zleigh. If it weren't for his final words of warning, I wouldn't be where I was, and for that I am truly grateful for his sacrifice.
"I apologize if you don't want to speak of the matter at this moment, it's just been in my mind since our chat."
"No no, it's alright. It's just hard to not think about it. Being here in Zleigh is very hard for me if you couldn't tell."
"I understand, hopefully we can pull this job off so we can get the hell out of here." He glanced up at the sun which was on it's way down over the horizon, "Speaking of getting the hell out of here, our time is running out fast. Alice didn't pinpoint the exact time that her spell wears off, so we need to act fast."
"I agree," I watched as Rufus and the girl both walked back inside as the door shut close with a click, "Shall we?"
Ray nodded and I rolled out of the bush, my boots pushing against the ground as I bounded against the wall in one fell swoop. It felt good to finally be doing missions again, no matter how dangerous or absurd. No matter what came my way, I could always look forward to hearing the soft crunch of grass beneath my boots and the jingle of my ivory handled knives against my sides. In an instant I had left the ground, putting a spin on my foot as I flipped from the wall to the small balcony that gave the doorway below some much needed shade from the Zleigh sun.
Ray followed behind me, it felt weird to watch him take off his gloves and scale the wall swiftly and silently. He never went on stealth missions like this, so I found watching him hoist himself onto the balcony beside me a bit strange.
Ray placed his gloves back over his pale hands and brushed some specks of dirt off of his crimson scarf, "Shall we?"
I only blinked, but in an instant the window swung open, Ray brandishing one of his silver lockpicks before sliding it into his pocket again. The room was small, bookshelves lined its white walls and a small mahogany desk was piled with folders and papers that sat next to a quaint door with a dark wood handle.
Ray immediately vaulted inside, swiftly locking the door before making a sound, "Well then, this was your idea. What now?" He ran his fingers through the mess of dark hair that came across his crimson red eyes.
"We search the room."
"And... if we don't find it?"
"We search the next."
Ray sighed, "I'm not particularly fond of this plan."
I playfully bopped him on the shoulder and walked over to the wooden desk, "Maybe you should have thought about that before climbing after me."
He promptly proceeded to ignore me, and sift through the books and papers that lay nestled in the bookshelves as I opened up the folders on the desk, "Do you even know what this thing looks like?" Ray asked.
I immediately froze. How could I have been so foolish? We were on a wild goose chase, I didn't even know what I was looking for. "I suppose not, but I'm sure I'll know it when I see it."
"I still like my plan better." Ray mumbled.
We continued our search for the elusive guest pass, eventually Ray had gotten frustrated and started to throw the dusty yellow paged books from the shelf onto the floor as he searched.
"Dammit, nothing here." Ray sighed, tossing the last tomb onto the ground, as it's cover hit the carpet a chilling whisper echoed around us like a haunting choir, "What was that?"
I knelt to look at the text Ray had just thrown, it's purple cover was inscribed with ruins that I couldn't understand, "I'm not sure."
Ray knelt as well, his eyes locked onto the book, "Akitus."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Akitus, that's what these ruins says on it's cover. It means prophecy."
I was stunned, he had read the strange markings with such ease. As a Dawn Syndicate member I had once been informed on many languages, but none were like this. Strange spiraling glyphs mixed with jagged lines as I stared into the blue markings, it was almost as if they were whispering for me to come closer to find some sort of unknown truth.
"Don't come any closer." Ray gingerly picked up the book again, flipping the cover open with a soft thump. "Allow me, I'm a little more informed on the subject then you in this area."
As his hand brushed across the cover and flipped it open, the pages glowed a faded orange before turning back to normal. Written on the musty parchment were more ruins and strange hieroglyphics representing two figures, one black as night and one white as snow.
Ray was frozen, his eyes locked on the strange pictures, "It can't be."
"What? What is it?"
I heard a loud thump as Ray slammed the book closed and tossed it on the ground, "Nothing worth mentioning."
I had never seen Ray like this before, he was now leaning against the empty bookshelf, twiddling his thumbs anxiously as he glanced back at the strange tomb.
I knelt next to the book, hovering my hand over it's cover. As soon as I did so Ray's eyes widened, "Tell me what this thing is." I threatened, my hand growing closer to the book's cover.
"Corra," Ray's low raspy voice was giving off a hint of desperation, "You don't want to know."
"I don't care, now tell me what it means." My hand was getting closer now, I could feel a slight vibration running through my palm as it got not far from the purple cover.
"I-I," his head hung low, "I can't. I swore I wouldn't."
"Fine then, I guess I'll find out myself."
I placed my hand on the book and sunk into darkness as Ray's yell slowly faded into nothingness.
What is it that you seek here? Do you require answers?
My eyes fluttered open as I found myself surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife. I was in front of a small pond and surrounded by a thick bright green forest, a large waterfall cascading from a small cliffside into the water at my feet creating a rushing lion-like roar.
"Who are you? Where am I?" I reached for my knives at my side, but only brushed the side of my jeans. Most of my outerwear had been stripped, leaving only a white tank top and dark pants.
"I am the one who you have sought out." The booming voice slowly turned strangely femenine and soft as they continued.
"I-I don't understand."
"You touched the ancient texts didn't you?"
"I-I." In an instant the memories flooded back, "yes, I remember."
"Good, then I suppose you require answers."
"Ray, he told me that I didn't want any part of this. Is that true?"
"Ray? You speak of Ray Mejia? The harboured boy who destroyed countless cities and murdered as if it was the norm? Is this the man you speak of?"
"Y-Yes. I suppose so."
"Let the words I just spoke sink in, then perhaps you can make the judgement yourself."
"Very well." I replied, "I want to know everything."
The sky flashed a scorching white before turning back to a pastel blue. I whirled to see a figure behind me, dressed in a long royal dress that dragged on the damp morning's grass. Even though it lay on the dirt, not a single speck dirtied it's fabric. The figure's blue glowing bright hair came to her waist and bright blue eyes almost seemed to glow in the sun like wisps of fire.
"I hope this is presentable enough. I don't get out much." Her voice echoed with such regality and poise that even the singing birds stopped to listen.
"Who are you?" I replied.
"I can be whoever you want me to be." She snapped her fingers, a bright light covering her delicate frame before dissipating and revealing a more proper Ray Mejia in her place, "Does this suffice?" Even though it was Ray who was speaking, the strange figure's delicate voice still came through their mouth.
"N-No, that's quite all right. I don't need a familiar face to comfort me."
"Very well then," in an instant she had reverted back to her previous look, "Now, what is the answer that you seek?"
"The book, the strange writing, the pictures. What do they mean?"
"Ah, you wish to know about that. I'm not sure how much I can tell about the strange texts, but what I can do is show you."
"All I ask of is answers."
"Answers you will get, allow me to show you."
I felt her delicate finger tap my forehead, and a soothing warmth filled my body. When my eyes opened again the heat stayed, but this time it wasn't comforting, it was a burning sweltering hotness that not even those who resided in the greatest depths of hell couldn't stand. In the distance I could see a raging beast made of pure darkness and shadows, it's bulky frame towering over the mountains as it ripped through rocky landmasses and small villages. Each time the monster destroyed something, it grew larger, the flaming heat intensifying as well.
Two beings. One full of malice and vengeance, and one of pure good and etherealism. These two coexist, one destroys, and one creates. The balance and harmony that these two creatures are what holds the very fabric of reality together. The merging of the two is the great key for most humans, some's sole purpose is to seek out these creatures and obtain the prize they so desperately desire. I am entrusting you with this information, Corra Okinji. Now you must swear to me that you will keep it secure.
"Very well," I replied, looking at the blood curdling crimson sky, "I will swear to this oath. But, what would happen if I decided to break it?"
"If you decide to go against the creed, then I will have no choice then to come for you. The oath is punishable by death."
"And why do I have to keep this oath a secret if there are already so many humans that are aware of it?"
"Because the few humans that already know are too greedy to tell others. They want the prize for themselves."
I sighed, "So, I've agreed to this so called oath, what now?"
"I suppose I could send you back to Aclium, to Zleigh. Is that what you desire?"
"Y-Yes, I want to go back." I replied, the heat was getting unbearable now.
"Is that what you really want?" The shallow voice clung to the hot air like bugs to a spider's web. "Perhaps you should rethink that decision Corra Okinji."
My bare fist was quivering now as I clenched it harshly, "Stop calling me by that name. I will never be like Greyson."
"Oh? You do not want to be like your father. Why?" The voice was not sympathetic at all, it had an almost vengeful crow to it.
"Because," I replied, "He's a liar, a murderer, a conman. Shall I continue to name more?"
A burst of light flashed in front of me and the woman appeared from before, her eyes were narrowed and a twisted smile sat on her delicate face, "And… you think you are not any different. I know of the unspeakable things you've done. Perhaps I should tell your friend, Julian, about these acts?"
My heart sank, I tried to reply, but nothing escaped my lips. I try to blame the heat on what was taking my breath away, but I knew deep down that those words held more power than any sentence I had ever heard.
"That's right, I know. I'll say it again Corra Okinji, do you wish to go back to Zleigh? I'm sure with both Julian and the Dawn Syndicate residing there, it will be the perfect place for him to find out about just what you did."
"W-Who are you?" I stuttered.
The figure walked over, her finger brushing across my cheek playfully, they were ice cold. "Someone who knows about the unspeakable things you have done. Or, I suppose the unspeakable things you will have to do."
"I-I don't understand, you…"
She held up her hand, "Stop. I have heard enough of your pointless bantering. I offered you a chance to get away from your past but you refused, so now you leave me with no other choice."
"Wait! I don't…"
"Goodbye child, I hope he learns of the pain you brought to him." Those words stung as a bright light enveloped me and the heat dissipated.