Target Aquired (Currently Editing)

Chapter 2-A New Target

Second draft.

The rune described is at the side-enjoy.

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When I arrive, back at the Facility, I am immediately sent to Commander Four. His massive claws click on the tiled floor of the Meeting Room as he moves his huge, bearlike bulk across the room, pacing restlessly.

"I know you just came back, but we have another assignment for you-actually, scratch that-it's a favour, Venom" he growls all of a sudden, raising his lizard-like head to look at me. As always, I know that favours are not what they sound like-I am expected to accept them just like any other assignment, only I supposed to execute them with even more caution and urgency than normal. Inclining my head slightly to acknowledge his command, I wait for further information.

"Anyway, her name is Lyria. Twelve years, long dark hair, violet eyes, lithe and flexible, and a real feisty fighter too. Try to find out any more information as you go. Also, if you can, find out what bloodline she belongs to. Now, I expect you to have left in ten minutes." With that order given, he turns and bounds through the enormous, elegantly carved, and entirely useless doorway of the Meeting Room, not sparing me a second glance. Used to the bluntness of Commander Four, I quietly slip out and along the blindingly bright hallways of the Facility until I reach the only accessible entrance to the Leaping Ledge. As soon as the striped raptor-like guards notice my prescence, they simply nod and let me thorugh without any questions. A natural obsidian structure, the Leaping Ledge curves into the air, giving the impression of leaping, hence it's name. Its appearance is not the only thing relative to its name. The Leaping Ledge is frequently used for Flyers, winged Messengers or even Assassins as a quick way into the Realm from inside the Facility. I test the wind, slowly unfurling my wings. A slight headwind. Perfect. Well aware of the watching eyes from inside the facility, I do not wait any longer. I smoothly leap off the ledge, spread my wings, and leave. May the tracking begin.

Straight away, I know that this Target is...different. She knows she is Targeted. Her tracks are well disguised, and she frequently doubles back on her tracks. As I reach a arid plain of boulders and rocks, I don't even need to use my Heat-sighting to tell that she is not in the hollow of stone which shows some sign of previous occupation. Probably a place used for a nights rest. Nonetheless, I inspect the hollow anyway. It is not unusual for me to be given Targets without any justification, but as I catch the faintest hint of something magical, I begin to wonder-for the first time-why I had been assigned this target. Normally, Targets were middle-aged, adult humans or other similar creatures. To be assigned a 12 year old girl, even for me, was highly unheard of-rare, even. Swirling the thoughts into the back of my mind, I pause to identify the magic that wafts through the air. Song magic. Interesting. What would she be carrying that would give off song magic? ThisTarget gets more intruiging the more I find out about her. As I ghost out of the cave that she previously occupied, a strange feeling overcomes me. As her scent hits me, something, some tiny part of it, alerts me. I am about to inhale deeply, but decide that her scent is not that important towards my task. However, a glimmer of curiosity-a rare emotion-flickers within me as I head out of the hollow, unfurling my wings once again. As I leap, flapping my wings, I sense something strange. A sudden wrenching, snapping sensation overwhelms me, causing me to drop back down and stumble forward. Lifting my head, I realize what had just happened-the commanders had snapped our Link. It was the equivalent of being abandoned, an action only used when an assassin was captured by the enemy.  The problem was, I am not captured by the enemy-I am far from it. I am the one capturing the enemy. So for what reason would the commanders need to snap our Link? Realising that I am starting to question every single detail,  I shake the now building questions out of my mind and try to focus. I now have no ties to them, and can do as I wished-which, coincidentally, was to find out more about the girl. Unnacustommed to the new feeling of doing what I wish to do, I decide to survey my surroundings and take to the air, where the danger was lessened.

Target Locked.

                    -                                                      -                                                               -

A glowing rune hovered in the air-two golden lines with hooks on their ends cut through with a vibrant red slash. "It is done." The voice rang through the silence of the massive chamber. Standing next to a glowing orb, a figure leaned forward, ripping through the rune with a clawed hand. Dissolving into countless fragments, the rune then dissapeared, leaving the figure gazing silently at the glowing orb that brightened the dark chamber.

"This is a risk." A second figure stood, eyes glowing toxic green. It strode purposefully towards the figure in front of the orb, who acted as if it had not heard anything. As the second figure got closer, the orb seemed to thrum and glow with a higher intensity. "Get away from that blasted object-It'll kill you someday" The dry, hissing voice seemed to carry a hint of pain this time.

Shaking it's head, the first figure stepped away from the orb, turning to face the second figure-who now stood doubled over, incoherent hissing sounds coming from it. 

"Let's go. We have done enough, and It won't do good to let the Commanders suspect anything has happened."

                      -                                                      -                                                               -

Lyra, still recovering from the affects of her shock, could only stare as her brother rolled over in pain, clutching at his stomach and groaning loudly. 

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Dedication to an amazing writer! Check out her amazing books-especially Manipulate and Captivate!!!!

What are your thoughts on the commanders?

Dragons!!!

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