𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧

15 - false hope

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"Why do the goody-two-shoes in the tales always say that killing people is a no-no?"

"Because, kiddo, life is this amazing thing, like a double-stuffed pizza or an unlimited data plan."

"But Daaaad! I caught you in the act - you, the people-unstuffer!"

"When did your eyeballs become FBI agents?"

"Last week, when Xen and I turned into secret ninjas, trailing your every move!"

"Oh... I see... Well, let me just jumble up my words and try again. Life, like I said, is precious - think cute puppy videos. But then there are folks out there who mess up so bad they're like a virus on your brand new gaming console. That's where... er... 'debugging' comes into play. It's not exactly legal though, so always remember, kiddo - if you accidentally delete someone's existence, you gotta be ready to face the blue screen of doom."

"I'm more confused than a chameleon in a bag of skittles..."

"One day, Y/n, one day. Just don't play shadow when I'm doing my oh-so-secret grown-up stuff, alright? It's like trying to pet a wild cobra."

"Okay, Dad..."

***********

Y/n was, as usual, doing commissions outside the Guili Assembly. She was walking in the wilderness with her hoodie and noise canceling headphones, jamming out her favorite music with hands inside her pockets. The sun was setting, painting the sky in a beautiful array of purples, pinks and oranges, and the air was cool and pleasant, the perfect atmosphere to lull her into a sense of security-

Until time suddenly seemed to slow down.

Y/n took off her headphones, as she stopped in her tracks, confused and disoriented.

Everything around her became eerily quiet.

She saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Until, she turned around.

Y/n felt a chill down her spine, as she saw a figure standing right behind her, holding a knife.

Immediately, Y/n jumped to the side as the attack narrowly missed her.

The attacker was taken aback, and in that moment, Y/n seized her chance. She sprung forward, propelling herself through the air and grabbing the attacker's arm, twisting it with such force that the knife flew from their grip. Y/n then used their momentum to her advantage, elbowing the attacker in the face with a powerful force that sent them flying back.

Y/n felt no guilt as she readied the knife in her hands, infused it with anemo and hurled it, aiming for the attacker's chest with precision, watching as the light left their eyes.

Time returned to normal as the attacker gasped for their last breath, the sun slowly set in the horizon.

As the body slumped to the ground, a piece of paper fell from their grip. Y/n reached down and carefully retrieved the letter, examining it with curiosity.

Her eyes widened.

**********

My faithful servant,

I write this letter with a mission of utmost importance: the infiltration and destruction of the Guili Assembly while Morax and most of the Adepti are away. The Assembly is the most defenseless at this time, and we must make the most of our opportunity.