Marconni stormed through the streets, his face twisted in anger.
"That cunning bastard, Kojo!" he spat, profanity lacing his words.
"Just you wait, I'll get you. You think you can trick me and get away with it?"
His guards, exchanged uneasy glances. Marconni was prone to throw tantrums when furious it was only a matter of time before he began throwing stuff.
As they turned a corner, the Silver Palace came into view. Marconni's gaze landed on Felix who was locking up the shop.
"What does that fool think he's doing at a time like this. I gave him a mission and here he is." Marconni sneered. " Hey you go teach him a lesson."
The guard to his left nodded and approached Felix, pinning him to the wall.It was so sudden that he couldn't react.A key and a bag of money clattered to the ground.
Marconni walked up to him and picked them up, his smile cold. "Felix, Felix, have you forgotten about your sisters so soon? Wow, you beastmen are really something, abandoning them just like that."
Felix trembled, his eyes wide with fear.
" N-no no it's not like that at all. I-I can explain-" Felix began,his voice shaky.
Marconni snapped his fingers, and the guard who stood to his right stepped up and punched Felix in the stomach. He doubled over, gasping.
"At least I got some money out of this," Marconni said, examining the key and bag. "And it'll be fun to wring the owner of this shop out of their rights to the property. I hope you're happy with yourself. Because if you,another person is going to lose all they have. Isn't that wonderful"
Felix grabbed his foot.
"Please." He begged but Marconni just kicked his hands away and the guard on the left raised him up while his partner landed another blow to his gut.
"What's going on here?"a female voice asked.
Marconni turned to see Koniko.
" Miss Koniko" was all Felix could say in an inaudible voice.
"Mind your own business, woman,"Marconni growled. "This doesn't concern you."
One guard stepped forward attempting to lead her away, but Koniko sent him flying with an uppercut.
The other one drew his sword, but was encased in ice halfway through his stride, his blade hovering mid-air.
Marconni's hand instinctively went to his knife, but he paused, suddenly recognizing Koniko.
"Ah, one of Kojo's people," he thought, sizing her up. A lewd expression flashed on his face as he looked at her shapely figure as well as her cleavage.
"Where does he find these beauties? That Boy, always surrounded by stunning women.. This one is a Silver Fox. To the best of my knowledge they are Granoan royalty." He thought to himself.
" If that's the case then what is she doing in this kingdom. How I'd love to get my hands on her and get more information-"
His thoughts were interrupted by Koniko's killing intent,the aura was almost palpable as she as she approached him. Marconni cursed himself for allowing his thoughts to show on his face.
Marconni stammered, "It's not what it looks like! The boy was about to be robbed, and we came to help!"
Koniko's claws extended from her right hand, her eyes narrowing.
Felix stepped forward, arms outstretched. "It's true. Marconni's telling the truth. I was about to be robbed when he came to my rescue. He was just checking up on me"
Koniko's gaze flicked to Felix, then back to Marconni.
"Did they threaten you?" She asked still facing Marconni.
Felix shook his head. "No, I'm Marconni's ward. He wouldn't threaten me. Besides if he was an evil person he would have done me in a long time ago"
Marconni's eye twitched.
This didn't go unnoticed.Koniko's doubts still lingered, but she retracted her claws. Marconni let out a sigh of relief.
"Very well. Be more careful." She said.
"Here."Marconni said handing the key and money to Felix, his smile forced.
" What were you doing here at this hour?" Felix asked.
" Well I came to get by now fixed and decided to pass here for a quick bite if you were still open."Koniko replied.
" Oh,ok" Felix said.
"Let's go home, boy. We're done here." Marconni said leading the way.
" Your better come in early tomorrow. Lateness will not be tolerated" Koniko told Felix. He smiled weakly.
" Yes ma'am." He responded.
The guard who had been knocked out woke up and and the one that Koniko had encased in ice was freed. They still appeared pale from the force of Koniko's attacks. They accompanied Marconni and Felix, their faces pale.
As they walked, Koniko noticed Felix flinching when Marconni put a hand on his shoulder. She said nothing, turning to head home.
Koniko's thoughts were a jumble of concern and suspicion. She knew Marconni's reputation, and Felix's fear had been palpable.
The three moons had risen high in the night sky but it's brilliance was obstructed by clouds that covered them casting a dark shadow over Marconni's estate. The sound of a whip hitting bare skin echoed through the corridors as he hung suspended, his hands impaled by a rusty spiked chain, blood dripping from the wounds.
Marconni's face twisted in rage, his whip cracking against Felix's naked body.
"You lowlife, traitor!" he spat. "I should never have let you go. I should have sold you like the worthless scum you are!"
Felix's body jerked with each lash, but he didn't make a sound. This further enraged Marconni and his insults cut deeper than the whip.
"You're a failure, Felix. Your ability to conceal your arcana made you the perfect tool. The assassin to be used against my enemy, but you botched it. You're useless!"
Marconni's rage consumed him, his words devolving into incoherent gibberish. "Fool...stupid...should have...ahh!" As all that could be heard as he struck Felix's body indiscriminately.
A guard grasped Marconni's arm, halting a lash to Felix's head.
Marconni spun, eyes blazing. "Who dares interrupt me?"
" My apologies. Sir you have a visitor." The guard said.
" If it's anyome who wants to perform a transaction,tell them to fuck off and come back tomorrow morning." Marconni said, adjusting his robe. The guard drew closer and whispered in his ear.
"A messenger from Decorum, sir."
Marconni muttered profanity under his breath before storming off.
Felix hung limp, blood dripping from his wounds. Fiona, his sister, clung to the bars of her cell, tears streaming down her face. "Felix...brother..."
Felix raised his head, a faint smile on his lips. "It's nothing, Fiona. I'll be fine."
The doors burst open suddenly and Marconni strode in, his face twisted in malice. "You're scum, Felix." He motioned to a guard who moved past him toward Felix ,his sword raised.
Fiona screamed, covering her mouth and turned away, unable to beat the sight.
Marconni's eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure. "No, not yet. I still have one more task for you."
The guard swung his sword, and the chain holding Felix snapped. Felix crumpled to the floor, his impaled hands twisted at an unnatural angle.
Marconni grasped the hook, pulling Felix up to face him.
"You'll do one more job for me. Succeed, and I'll release you and your precious sisters."
Marconni's grip tightened on the hook which dug deeper into his skin. "Fail, and you'll suffer a fate worse than death. Your sisters will join in your agony."
Felix's eyes blurred with pain, but a spark of determination flickered within.
" What do you want done?" he asked in a weak voice.
Marconni smiled.
" Good boy."