~Noir~
After the confrontation with the king I had noticed that I was still too weak. The pressure that the Knights alone released showed that the power they held was immeasurable compared to the current me. The best way for me to gain more strength was to be in life and death combat where i felt at home. I obviously couldn't do that inside the city so i would need to leave and find a mark or some bandits to fight. I could find a dungeon but they would take time to clear and i have the academy to attend so that I can gain the knowledge I need. My thoughts had been spiraling more and i could feel my emotions dulling recently. I needed an adrenaline rush. To feel my life in my own hands, the thrill.
Throughout my journey of 'reincarnation' i had been killed multiple times in different ways and killed others in grueling and gruesome ways had affected my mental state and thought processes. Mishia had crammed so much knowledge into me all while we endlessly killed each othe had irriversably changed me. I've become colder and more bloodthirsty as I became more calculating and each death and the loss of her has made me unstable to say the least.
When I was on the run from nobles I managed to satisfy my need for battle but being put into what was essentially a cage where my actions were limited and every move I took was being watched was killing me. I needed that release of dopamine that came with the thrill of battle and murder. To be able to release my killing intent without any issues or vindication! It would be dark in a few hours and after the households in the city would sleep, ill sneak out and go on a small spree in the forests.
Covered in a dark robe and with a mask made of Thorium i leapt up to the roof of my house before dashing between houses as silently as i possibly could. Sometimes there were gaps that were too big so i had to jump from signs and use all objects that were available to me to parkour until i finally reached the wall. There was no way to get over or under the wall without being detected and/or killed because of a barrier that covered the entire city originating from these walls. But there was one weakness I had noticed as I entered the city for the first time.
The gates!
The gates didn't have a barrier and the only protection was guards that switch patrols each hour on the hour. This made my job easier as i knew the exact time i needed to slip through and how long i would have before i was spotted.
Melding with the shadows made things easier as my presence and footsteps couldn't be detected but it would only take a second for the guards to see me and my plans would crumble. Slipping through would be a cinch! As i slipped through i felt my body pass through the confines and into the open space. I was free! There were a multitude of paths that i could take but the only one i knew was the one i took to get here. I had to put my hopes on bandits setting up on that road, i didn't want to take an unknown path where i might get lost.
Taking the path i followed the trees and a rough stone path beneath me. Each step created echoes as stones came loose. I decided to use my mana sonar and before i knew it i stumbled upon multiple mana signatures clustered behind a few trees and bushes. Walking closer i was met with what seemed to be a band of...mercenaries? Bandits? I wasn't sure as they had good gear but they were holding someone hostage. I decided to get closer and listen in.
"Hey Leader? Why did we take on this job? Isn't this like... highly illegal?"
"That it is johnny but it's also highly profitable, more profitable than every job we have done since we started.
It doesn't matter as we made no mistakes and we weren't caught so it's basically free money now. "
"Still who was stupid enough to order the kidnapping of the elf princess?"
"Are you serious!? You should be more worried about us, the kidnappers not whoever ordered us! If we get caught by the elven royalty they are going to do something to us that is far worse than death."
"Then why did we take the job!?"
"It's simple... Monetary gain. Bandits are outlaws they wouldn't be able to get into the city however respectable adventurers can move freely. It was easy to get her anyways almost too easy so that should show that whoever this was they have high connections and a lotta wealth."
"Wealth that will be shared with us! hahaha"
"Indeed! Hahahaha"
~
Oh so they are technically bandits.Giving my best Aussie accent I silently declared:
Stabbin time.
Walking behind one I effortlessly glided a aura-enhanced kitchen knife across his throat. The next one couldn't react as I threw the knife into his skull.
The others finally seemed to catch on as they armed up and got into a formation. These guys were above average in terms of combat stratergt that was for sure but only slightly. If I had to guess, they were low rank adventurers with stats similar to the geniuses in the first year.
Pulling out my dearest scythe I gave it a twirl, it vibrated in dissatisfaction at its prolonged storage.
"I'm sorry I couldn't bring you out in the city or I would be done for! To make it up to you, you can dine on the sweet blood of these adventurers what do you say?"
It shivered in delight at offer!
"Perfect let's get to it then."
Shaken out of their confusion at the man talking to his weapon the first one charged at me with a wide and heavy swing.
"Too predictable."
With a simple slash I cut him in half his blood being sucked into the blade. Whoa! I wouldn't have been able to do that before my dungeon escapades and increase in rank. My strength finally felt justified.
In my disillusioned reverie I didn't notice a blade piercing my stomach before it was ripped to the side tearing flesh from its confines of my body structure. Blood spilled out of my body as I dropped to the floor temporarily stunned by their actions.
I had been overconfident thinking that I was still in that realm with limitless power.
~Kiera Whyte~
I had been sleeping when I heard my door opening. Knowing that I told my servants not to disturb me unless absolutely urgent I was on high alert. Rolling out of my bed I grabbed my sword before turning on the lights.
I was met by faces partially covered in a dark cloth. I screamed for my guards but nothing happened.
"There are no guards to come to your aid girl."
A deep sneer was visible by the way his eyes creased in enjoyment. No one was coming to help me. I knew I couldn't take them on directly, I needed to escape. Turning to the window I was met by another person on the balcony.
"Tut tut tut. Think you could run away? Were not that sloppy."
I had no choice but to fight with my all! Coating my short sword in wind magic I slashed at one of the assailants. But he naturally parried the blade. I kept trying to employ more and more mana with each swing hoping to overwhelm him but it was of no use.
"That's some good magic but you are too weak to use a sword with it."
Complying with his words I coated the sword with wind once again but threw it at them.
"That's Better!"
Using magic we clashed but since I used most of my mana on the sword eventually tired me out and I was suffering from mana exhaustion.
I felt a strong impact on my stomach and the air in my lungs left me. I couldn't breathe! The rough pain of my throat not being able to inhale air was disastrous. My lungs burnt with each passing second screaming for air. I choked and spluttered but my vision darkened before I could fully regain my breath and I passed out.
~
Waking up I was in the middle of nowhere surrounded by these people, they took their face covers off and I could easily identify them as humans. They were talking about something.
"Wealth that will be shared with us! hahaha"
"Indeed! Hahahaha"
Suddenly one of their throats was slit and another was stabbed in the head with... A kitchen knife?
A person with a black mask dressed in a black cloak appeared out of nowhere and the kidnappers started to fight them. They pulled out a beautiful scythe made of red crystal with black metal before they started... Talking to it?
They instantly sliced a person in half something that I bet even the kidnappers would struggle to do. Mana enhanced bone was extremely strong so to be able to cut through it that blade must be extremely strong and valuable. However my hope and fascination died down as the mysterious figure was stabbed and the kidnapper ripped the blade out of their body. They instantly fell to the floor.
"Who the fuck were they!?"
Crouching down and ripping off the mask I could hear small gasps of shock.
"A Woman!?"
Looking at their face they were unnaturally beautiful with a perfect proportional face however blood was leaking out of their mouth.
"Hey boss look at this scythe it must be a legendary artifact."
"Give it here."
"Hehehe look at this boys! It looks like we doubled our riches now, drinks are on me."
"Yeeah"x5
As they turned around I noticed something, The body's eyes opened and they stood up their wounds closing at a visible rate that definitely wasn't normal.
Walking up to the guy with the scythe I felt something unnerving. A colossal amalgamation of shadows formed in the girl's hand before it turned pointed, It instantly pierced into the guy's back and his body sank into the shadows beneath him.
The scythe hovered in mid air before it slowly recalled to its master before it too was leaking shadowy mist. They looked like the definition of the reaper as their glowing purple eyes emitted the same mist as they looked over everything. It felt omnipotent and overbearing.
Instantly the heads of a few of the kidnappers fell to the ground before the blood was absorbed into the scythe. Then the eyes. Those eyes looked into my soul.
"SHIT!!"
I was confused.
"Fuck why is she here!? She is meant to be at the academy."
Then it clicked. I knew this face. The face that I hadn't seen since the fight between them and the teacher. My shock blocked my memory.
"You! what are you doing here!" I instantly stiffened as I talked before i could think. But I didn't get scolded as another blade pierced him in the back. He must have been killed by that. No one can survive like that even with great regenerative properties. But he just stood there before turning around the blade cutting through the cartilage of his body .
"You didn't learn from the last time it happened."
A monstrous wave of killing intent burst forth from him freezing me and the kidnapper in place.
Instantly the blade that had pierced him was shattered by his hand before he took the hidden assassin into the woods where I heard screams of pain and anguish. He came back covered in blood and I almost heaved at the smell.
"Fuck! What am I meant to do with you. I can't kill you but I can't just let you go. (Mumbled)"
"Please Untie me I just want to go home."
"Jeez what are you a child. Oh I guess you are. Calm down I'll release you just let me get this blood off."
Taking out the kitchen knife from the body he used it to cut my binds.
"Thank you I was so scared that I was going to be killed thank you"
"Calm down. Breathe. There, there I'm sure it was scary."
I couldn't control myself anymore I had been abducted by a bunch of men I feared for all I had and what would become of me.
"Don't worry I have a duty to get you home.(not that I really want to but if I leave you here I'll be executed by the elven royal family)"
"Can you stop crying now?"
"S-sorry." Slapping my cheeks I steeled myself as he walked into the darkness.
"Um I can't see."
"Oh yeah you don't have night vision here take this torch."
It didn't take long for us to reach the gate, when the guards saw me they rushed to me and secured me when I turned around he was gone.
When I reached my mansion security was tripled and I entered an office on the second floor, my grandfather had heard the news and made his way to the mansion we owned in the academy. Sitting In front of me was Trynowin Whyte my grandfather and former king of the elves until my father took over for him.
Seeing me walk through the door he instantly disappeared from his seat before hugging me and lifting me into the air and spinning me around.
"Kiera I was so worried about you! I searched everywhere for you but I couldn't find you and all your personal guards were dead! I was worried that the worst had happened! How did you get back!?"
"About that grandfather one of my classmates Noir found me and saved me from some mercenaries-"
"Did you say Noir!?"
"Yes grandfather do you know him?"
"I do indeed child, when I was in the guild overseeing a project on behest of your father he asked for information and I took him to the academic city on my way back to the forest in hope of creating good connections with the young man. As you know my eyes never lie and that person is as mysterious as they come."
Clasping my hands in his he looked at me with a somewhat stern expression.
"Kiera you can choose wether to involve yourself with him or avoid him altogether but please tread carefully as I believe he is hiding something monstrous from world. The strength he already wields for his age is astonishing let alone whatever secret he is holding onto. Promise me that you will not delve into matters concerning him for it may be problematic."
"I Promise as princess of the elves to place caution on my interactions with Noir."
Giving a stern nod and a loving smile he continued.
"Good child, I will be staying in the mansion for the month to protect you so please be at ease my child. Try to rest for you have the academy in the morning."
Expressing my thanks I walked towards my room exhaustion overwhelming me, However as I was about to sit down on my bed I heard a tapping at my window. Opening the door 'he' appeared donned in more casual clothes.
"Hello princess. We need to talk about today."
"I promise to not reveal your strength and magic to anybody."
"Not.Good.Enough
From now on, you will follow me on the nights while I fight bandits so I can keep an eye on you until I come up with a plan to stop you telling anyone. The days don't matter since you will be in the academy. I bid you a good evening princess."
"Wait- I told my grandfather that you rescued me but nothing more. I hope that my transparency-"
The air became chilling as he turned to look at me. The long locks of grey hair covered most of his face but his eyes were visible, a cold gleam was present as his pupils shrunk, A murderous intent filled the room.
This is what I was afraid of.
Instantly my door came off its hinges and Noir was flung into a wall a spike deeply planted into his chest securing him to the wall.
Walking through the door my grandfather surveyed the area before locking his eyes on me.
I felt a tremendous 'intent' coming from your room I'm happy I made it in tome. Who has dared enter the room of the princess of the elven kingdom and my granddaughter when I am present!
A thick bloodlust filled the room coming from my grandfather but he shielded me from its effects. Looking at through the hole the body impaled onto the wall moved and slid off the spike. Standing up it walked into the light of my room. There he was with a hole in the stomach however unlike before it wasn't healing, Blood continued to drip from the hole but it never dried instead it just stained the floors and his ruined clothes.
Almost mechanically he kept walking closer and closer. A deep bloodlust that almost rivaled my grandfather's filled the room fighting against his, What has been been through to have bloodlust that rivals my grandfather's?
My grandfather's face was filled with shock at the resistance the perpetrator was putting up against him until he say Noir's face.
"N-noir what are you doing in my granddaughter's bedroom. Were you the cause of that immense intent?"
Almost robotically he responded-
"Oh it's you. How are you doing Trynowin or should I say Lord Whyte now?"
Turning to me he had a puzzled look however his eyes were still lifeless.
"So he's your granfather? I thought I felt something similar in your auras but I thought it was an elf thing. Still I guess that means that I don't owe him any favours since I saved you."
Walking to the balcony he turned his head to look at us.
"I'll be back for a chat after the academy tomorrow."
He didn't wait for his response as he dived off the balcony.
As he jumped onto the guard rail I saw the moon through the hole in his stomach and I could swear it was dyed With the souls of the mercanaries.
~Noir~
Falling towards the pavement I let myself hit the ground causing a small crater. Since I covered myself in aura and mana my bones were fine and I came off with a few minor scratches to my skin. Since I had taken fatal wounds earlier my regeneration was painstakingly slow. I wasn't sure when it would finally heal but I hoped that it would be soon.
A wide smile filled my face thinking of how weak I was compared to Trynowin in that battle if you can even call it that. It reminded me of my time with her all the more however a hint of longing and sorrow could be felt at my core. How I missed her.
Pushing away those memories I let out a loud laugh. What fun! It's been so long since I felt like I might truly die. I couldn't control my instincts and madness anymore as I hopped from house to house toward the nearest gate. I needed a satisfying battle to reign in my desire for blood and I knew just the place outside of the walls.