Sin: Path of Poison

Chapter 29 Part 1

I used light step to get out of the palace and made my way over the rooftops until I reached Official Chao's mansion. It was large, as was expected with all of the embezzled money. I landed in his court yard and waited as the guards of the house began their descent on me. They swirled and jumped, lunged forward, then feigned back while others attacked. We spun in a dance of death. Gaining two of their swords, I sliced easily at anything within my reach. Everybody within the mansion died by the two swords in my hand.

A moment of pity went through my mind as the woman and children fell to the ground. It couldn't be helped though, any one of them could grow up to retaliate. In one of the side rooms a Lady dressed like a high noble sat on a pillow with an intricate tea set in front of her. I walked into her room. She gracefully poured a cup for me then extended it outwards beautifully. If I were any normal man I'd find her intoxicating. Not only because of her poise and looks, but also because both her body and the tea were spiked with a flower that attracts lovers.

The thought of her trying to use this on me was ludicrous. This inconsequential trick only worked on common men in the brothels that didn't know any better. This was his great plan? It would be impossible for her to keep up this act all the time. The poison, while tempting, didn't render the person brain dead while influenced. None of the many people surrounding the Crown Prince would allow her to get close with these scents. I walked straight to her and unceremoniously slit her throat with one of the swords. This mansion was purged, I had four more to go. So the day went, light stepping to each residence until it became dark outside. The pleas and cries fell deftly on my ears.

It was a long time before I saw a signal go up in the air. A long time had passed since I left the palace. All this time they'd been waiting for my poison to wear off the officials, they must have taken their time to respond. I smiled, wondering if Blake had defended me. I wondered if he'd still defend me after seeing what I'd done. What about the Crown Prince? Lei?

My outfit was long ago saturated in blood, but I pressed on, making my way through the army training camps. The young soldiers, still in training robes, didn't even notice as my bloodied body stepped past them. I made my way towards the higher ups, the wealthier families sent their young heirs here however they received different training from the foot soldiers below.

I made a swift turn, through the well made barracks. These dwellings were not like the crude housing below. In the well lit hall the wealthy upcoming talents ate together while laughing at their bright futures. The person in charge of their education sat among them. With enough experience under his belt to know something was coming, he stood up the moment I entered the room.

It was too late though, I already located my target. Using a burst of energy, I pulled a gilded dagger from a youths belt and threw it straight into the chest of Officer Chao's eldest son. The last loose end I had to clean up. I only stood still long enough to confirm his death, blood dripped from my robes leaving behind the only thing I had to give. Blood and death. I turned and left before anyone had a chance to react, the drums of alarm didn't sound until I was back among the foot soldiers, and finally gone.

The sounds faded in the distance, how would General Bai feel about my reunion with his camp? At least I did him a favor, I killed the entire family first. Who would be left behind to accuse him of not protecting their dear heir?

My mind was full of conflicts, things I couldn't process. I didn't stop for the night, instead I traveled onward while my thoughts strayed. There was trust, but there was also betrayal. I couldn't fit into their world and never would. To be kept within the walls of a palace forever? Impossible. The memories of the Crown Prince and I lying in the garden and walking through the market haunted me. Was this a life Silver sought? I shut off my emotions and refocused on my journey forward.

Through the trees and hills, shadow stepping over small streams and jumping from cliffs; I was free out here in the wild. Free from anger, guilt, poisons, the faces of the dead that sometimes flashed through my head. I ran through the night and the following day, only taking a short break to lay against a tree and rest. The blood that covered my robes dried stiff, not to mention the blood that dried on my body and hair.

Unable to sleep, I continued forward before the sun rose and finally came near the bottom of Demon's Peak. The mountain loomed ahead. Our city started midway to the top with the masters residing above the city, which snaked two thirds of the way to the peak.

A loud horn blew, the familiar song rang through my head signifying one of the masters returned. My returns were typically one of the most watched. This group of killers and abandoned people lined the path upwards to get a glimpse of me. Scantily clad in expensive clothing, with the makeup of a demoness, eyes smokey and cat-like with bright red lips. My hair was always perfect, regardless of how I wore it, I'd surely have red stones and gold clasps throughout.

This time as I walked up the path my hair was down, stuck to my head with thick dried blood. My face and hands were stained in varying shades of dark red, bordering black on my hands and fingernails. The original color of my clothes were gone, saturated from the organs and arteries that burst out onto me. My robes no longer floated in the breeze, they were rigid and stiff like the bodies I left behind.

My hips swayed as I walked up the hill for all to see. My gaze was fixed straight ahead, I grinned slightly as if holding a secret. Pleased with myself. My contract was fulfilled, the pledge I made over a year ago was finally complete along with the contract to save the Empress. I would eventually return to claim the rewards owed to me. If he didn't fulfill the payment, well, he saw the houses I left behind.

Near the edge of town Angst and Silver waited for me. Angst laughed loudly and slapped his leg when his eyes drifted over my body. Silver looked disgusted. He was likely wondering why I hadn't thought to bathe and change clothes. In truth I had thought of doing these things, but I should be reminded of how I left the palace for a bit longer, of how those things were untouchable now. How could the Crown Prince, Lei, Blake, or Nomi want to see me again? Even as Ryn I had never been a part of their world, let alone the real me.

"What kind of contract did you take to end up like this!" Angst boomed, laughing. I could see Emerald to the side, her eyes were full of hatred as she looked at me. I ignored her.

Angst dressed in long black robes that had hints of dark blue hues in the sunlight. Dark fur draped over his right shoulder. His hair was held up by a black clasp that held his braids tightly. His smokey covered eyes peered down, he stood with the presence of a Demon King. Silver wore pure white robes covered in white embroidery. From the bottom right side an embroidered snake rose up around his neck and came down midway. The head was near his heart. Half his hair was elaborately held up above his head while the other half flowed down nearly as long as mine.

"I need to clean up, the contract is complete." I said.