Sin: Path of Poison

Chapter 19 Part 2

"Who dares!" The Empress called. Her four guards by the door rushed forward to fight the intruders off, but they quickly died in vain. Spectre took up the rear of the group that pressed forward towards the Empress. His laughter carried through the room as he poked and prodded at the newly dead toys. Standing slightly above their dead bodies he carefully pried open their mouths one by one and ate the strange smoky color that rose up into the air. His energy grew slightly and he laughed, reminding me of Angst. Drunk on the fear of those around him, he continued forward.

The elderly Midwife's guard came forward. She quickly swung a whip chain around her, cutting several of the fake soldiers across the face. Blood dripped down as she continued to keep them at bay. Down below, Spectre closed the front door. He turned quickly and shoved a guard's sword through the handles, preventing the doors from easily opening from the outside.

"Leave first." The elderly Midwife's guard called, speaking to both the Empress and the Midwife. I remained hidden, protecting Ryce's unconscious body but pretending to be scared. The whip chain flailed several times, looping with great accuracy before flying out for a direct hit to the temple. The Midwife's guard effectively killed one of the impostor soldiers. Pulling the chain back and looping it around her arm, she spun in a circle and threw it out again. Only two assassins down and ten to go as well as the fourth ranking elite in our city. Goodbye thorn in my side.

I peeked around the corner as several of the killers rushed her. As they overwhelmed her defenses she looked around with widened eyes. She couldn't fall back lest she put the Empress and Midwife in danger. Despite her best efforts, Spectre used ghost image and made his way to the Elderly Midwife's side. The guard tried to leap between the dagger that was rushing to the Midwife's torso, but she was doomed to fail from the very beginning. The elderly Midwife dropped to the ground. Spectre dropped ghost image and spread the Midwife's mouth open before her body fully recognized it was dying. He sucked on the air above her as she watched in horror while her soul came out to be swallowed whole by him.

The guard screamed out loud in anger. No longer defending herself, she took several deep gashes to her body as she attacked haphazardly. She fell to the ground and crawled towards the elderly Midwife, only stopping when she held the Midwife's limp hand in her own. The body was already cold, the soul had been snuffed out and eaten.

The men continued forward, Spectre followed behind. The Empress didn't move, she simply sat in her chair looking dignified and royal. Impressive really, it was a shame she'd die soon. A small group of soldiers came out from the rear. Momentarily surprised, they caught the killers off guard and managed to kill three more before they themselves began to fall. From the front door came a loud ram that reverberated through the room, the door cracked from the strength. Whomever was trying to get in knew what it took to open the door. The door broke just enough to leave a small gap, I could hear General Bai's voice.

"I know you're in there! I will double the contract we have if you save the Empress!" He yelled. Hmm.. well, that complicates things. How much of an impact would it put on our rankings if I killed Spectre? As I pondered over the small list of pros and cons it occurred to me that I may be better off without him. Spectre supports Angst, the person I currently do not wish to marry.

"What contract with you?" Spectre laughed, thinking the old man was crazy.

"I know you're listening!" General Bai yelled again.

"I don't change sides! You can't buy out the contract, crazy old man!" Spectre laughed. Well, it was nice to know he was still following our principals. Oddly enough our heartless group of assassins did have a few. If we allowed everyone a chance to buy out the contract, we'd never receive any notoriety for completing our jobs. It wasn't opposing my contract to protect the Crown Prince to assist, but still I hesitated.

"I'll add in a bonus later, just tell me what you want!" The General sounded desperate while the Empress remained in her seat. Oh? I suppose in some ways she had impressed me. There was also the debt I was owed from the elderly Midwife's guard, who I let embarrass me. She was nearly dead and I wanted the rights to her last breath.

"Accepted." I answered General Bai using tender whisper so only he could hear. I stepped out from behind the screen, with the contract accepted, my demeanor changed. I still wore the same maid outfit, but I was no longer a demure maid. My body swayed as I walked in front of the Empress and faced my prey. For the first time the Empress's face showed a hint of fear. Stretching an arm to the side, I turned my neck in a circle and loosened my body.

The killers closest to me attacked in unison. I gathered my energy and channeled it, feeling exhilarated to vent some anger. I easily blocked their attacks, breaking whatever limb happened to be closest to me in between motions. Dropping to the ground one by one, I kicked their heads hard. Blood poured out of their mouths.

Bending down near the Midwife's guard, I grabbed her face and twisted it until it looked up at me. Her eyes widened in fear. She was no longer able to fight, I felt a tinge of irritation.

"Useless." I said. I tossed her body away from the elderly Midwife, it landed like a rag doll. The last remaining breath left her. I picked up the chain whip that lay on the ground. The remaining killers, unsure of how to approach, lingered near Spectre who had yet to see me.

I twirled in a circle, the whip chain followed me in a tight loop then opened up as I came around. My arm extended out as the sharp tip of the chain cleanly cut across the throats of the remaining killers. General Bai's guards broke the front door, it opened enough to allow for a single body to squeeze through. General Bai pushed his way through the opening and stood in the entrance of the room far from us.

"If you want your guards to live, you may want to keep them outside." I used tender whisper again on General Bai. He immediately turned to bark orders through the door.

I tossed the chain whip aside, near the dead body of its owner. For the first time Spectre came face to face with his new threat. My eyes locked on him, I walked forward slowly. My body swayed as I stepped into one of the many puddles of blood that had accumulated on the ground from the dead killers. My footsteps made an eerie dripping sound with each step.

"Sin.. I didn't know you were here. I accepted the contract without knowing.." Spectre trailed off while moving backwards away from me.

"Oh?" I questioned.

"I didn't... I didn't plan it through right. Sin? Can we just let it go this once?" He pleaded.

"You attacked the Crown Prince last night, under whose orders?" I asked, pausing my steps.

"The contract is with Official Chao.. he wants him dead, but it wasn't the main goal." Spectre rambled.

"Tell me then, what's the main goal?" I took another step forward.

"They wanted her dead, so she couldn't verify the females anymore." He pointed to the elderly Midwife that lay dead on the ground.

"Mm? Do they plan on appointing someone to take care of the Crown Prince?" I asked.

"Yes, but I don't know who. Please, just... just let me leave! Sin?" He begged more.