Before them stands the door to Darius' apartment. Aron and Katarina had walked up the stairs and was standing in front of a metal door.
Katarina glanced at Aron who still wore his masquerade mask. It had a red base colour and black outlines.
"Aron, let me do the talking."
After waiting a couple seconds, she added.
"And do not attack him no matter what."
She gave him a stern look, which Aron found amusing, though not portraying it.
He nodded at her in confirmation, and she turned towards the door again.
Katarina slowly moved her hand close to the cold metal door handle. But before she could touch it the door flew open. A woman as tall as Aron and in an outfit of dark reds and greens was standing before them. She had long wavy red hair and had a bitter expression. A black scarf was hung around her neck.
"The Conqueror of Men"
The woman said in a mocking voice with a small grin on her lips.
Katarina and Aron had been shocked for a couple of second since the door had suddenly opened.
Katarina clears her throat and response in a friendly manner with a kind smile.
"You know I don't like that name."
"Whaaat? Really?!"
She chuckled lightly.
"How have you been, Elisabeth?"
'Elisabeth?' Aron wondered.
Katarina was now fully smiling and answered in a chipper voice.
"I am very well. Thank you for asking. How about you?"
"Oh you know…"
Their conversation continued for a bit.
While they were talking Aron got quite bored.
'Women', Aron thought.
So, instead of waiting doing nothing he decided to use his sight.
Everything turned to refined shadow. Sometimes his shadow sight was more convenient than his original. What he could see now, was that the woman before him had an orange magic core. Aron couldn't help but feel, that it was a little familiar. '
Noticing Aron staring, the woman turns to him and asks.
"Who is this pervert?"
Katarina looks at Aron who is rudely staring.
"Excuse him."
She said smiling.
"Aron!?"
She whispered.
He looked up at his wife and changed his sight back to normal.
He then tilted his head slightly, in confusion.
Not bothering with whatever Aron was doing she cut to the chase.
"We need to see Darius, Es. Is he here?"
Point with her thumb behind her back she replied.
"He is right in there."
"Are you finally gonna join us?"
Es said with a mischievous grin.
Katarina responded with an affirmative grunt.
Es gasped in delight and surprisingly hugged Katarina. Even Katarina herself did not expect it, but she returned it just as passionately as she had received it.
"Sorry to interrupt" Aron began.
"But should we not go inside instead of standing by the door?"
Es moved away and gave Katarina a warm look.
Without a word the two of them walked inside. Beyond the door was a small entryway where some jackets were hanging on small hooks imbedded in the wall. When they walked out of the entryway, they encountered the living room. It was big and spacious. On their left was a massive glass window that gave a view of the entire underground town.
On the left there were two steps leading to higher ground where there was also a red leather couch, and the entire floor was matted with crimson red mats. Behind the massive glass window there was a man standing.
He was looking out on the small houses and shops beneath him. When he heard footsteps, he turned around with a bored expression, but when he saw Katarina that boredom turned to excitement.
"Elisabeth!"
He opened his arms in a welcoming gesture.
"How have you been? What brings you here today?"
All three of them walked closer to him.
"I am well, Darius. I have come here to accept your offer."
"That is wonderful news, Elisabeth. We will of course accept you."
The smile he had now suddenly faltered.
He looked at Aron and spoke.
"Who is he?"
Being tired of Katarina speaking for him, Aron responded.
"My name is Aron."
Katarina quickly intercepted.
"Yes, this is Aron. I was hoping that he could join as well."
Darius looked Aron over, analysing what he could.
"For you Elisabeth…" Darius began.
"I will give him a trial mission."
Katarina looked slightly disappointed but quickly accepted it.
"Why don't you and I go talk in private?"
Darius was asking to Aron.
Without waiting for a response, Darius walked towards a door on the far opposite side of the glass window.
Aron followed immediately.
"So, Elisabeth." Es and Katarina started talking again but Aron was now too far to make out what they were saying. He followed behind Darius into what seemed like an office. It had a desk with many papers scattered about. The wooden desk was accompanied by a brown leather chair.
Darius sat down and signalled for Aron to do the same. Infront of the desk there was a wooden chair.
Aron sat down and looked at Darius. Darius was a tall man standing a head taller than Aron. He had short stylish black hair. He wore an expensive looking suit with a colour pallet consisting of purple, black and gold. He had brown eyes and a slightly crooked nose. He was all in all a handsome man. ¨
"So, you want to join the Black Lotus." He stated as a fact.
"Why?" Darius was resting his chin on his two hands intertwined with each other. He gave of a cold and calculative look. Even when he seemed to not be paying attention he certainly was.
Aron responded calmly.
"I am in need of coin."
"So, wealth is your motive. "
"Listen here Aron. Your motives don't matter to me along as they don't put the Black Lotus in danger. I will need you to complete a mission for me."
Aron listened attentively, not speaking when he wasn't asked. I was almost like he was back being a soldier. Darius oozed out an aura of authority.
"How well are you with a blade?"
"I am quite proficient in swordsmanship, sir."
Darius smiled and looked on Aron with glee in his eyes.
"There is this man. This man, has not paid me what I was owed and when I tried to claim what was mine by right, he hired a bunch of bodyguards."
Aron nodded noting down the information. He could not help but feel a tingling sensation in his gut. It was like he was back in his regiment, talking to his commanding officer.
"I need you to go to his mansion…"
Darius looked around the room and then it seemed like he had come to some conclusion.
"… and kill everyone there. The guards included."
Darius looked Aron straight in the eyes looking for something.
Aron replied with his voice cracking slightly.
"Alright."
Darius raised an eyebrow. Aron seemed nervous but he was not. He was excited.
'Am I killing again?'
Aron could barely contain his excitement. He was visibly shaking.
"Are you alright Aron?"
Darius asked coldly.
"If it is too much for you, then the Black Lotus is not something for you."
"I am fine, sir." Aron had controlled his emotions, so that he could hold a normal conversation.
Darius seemed somewhat impressed by what he thought was determination.
"You will go tomorrow, and we will supply you with all you need."
"Aron if you fail, there will be no one coming to save you."
*sigh*
Darius sighed.
"I hope you come back."
"For Elisabeth". He clarified.
…
"You can go now."
Aron rose from the chair and the walked out into the living room. Besides Es there were no one. She was sitting on the red leather couch and drinking from a goblet. Aron walked over to her and asked where Katarina had gone. Es explained that Katarina had gone to talk with some other members.
Aron sat besides her and asked.
"How come you know Ka- I mean Elisabeth." She didn't seem to notice the stuttering.
"She has saved my ass more times than I can count. She had worked with us from time to time, so we grew closer with each other."
Es took a sip of her drink and then stared out on the town.
"She is really powerful."
After some time in silence, she asks.
"How come you know Elisabeth?"
'How should I answer that? I cannot tell her, that we are married.'
"She saved me too", Aron tried to make up something believable.
"Yeah, she does that."
She didn't question it at all.
After some more time had passed in silence Aron decided to stand up.
"Who do I have to go to find weapons and such?"
"Speak to Daron. He has all you need for your mission."
"Whatever that might be."
"By the way", Es began.
"Great work with the guards outside."
Aron flinched a little. He had forgotten all about them.
"If you hadn't taken care of them, I would have."
"Honestly, who hires these imbeciles." She says exasperated.
After some time, Es showed Aron where he would be staying. It was a little shabby, but nothing unbearable. Aron had spent the night in Henrici and the next morning he found Daron.
Daron gave him all the necessary equipment. Aron got a dagger, sword, rope, and other essentials. With this he went on his way to Krakenberg; a town where the baron Alexander Mitrovic resided snugly in his mansion. With a horse it was a day's time from the capital. When Aron had reached Krakenberg he stayed in the inn closest to the mansion.
Aron had just left the inn and was heading to his target. Outside the sky was filled with glistening stars. Aron could feel the weight of his hidden dagger and the sword hanging on his waist. He is dressed in an inconspicuous cloak. He is definitely looking the part of the assassin. Now he just had to act the part as well.