Alive

Ch. 16 Honor

Considering there is only one more assassin, I shouldn't be worried, but I am absolutely worried. Something about this last assassin, known as Hanzo, worries me the most. When we were halfway through the Great Board, I spoke to Ralsei "Do you think you could heal Judy one more time? At least enough to get her to walk." Ralsei nodded and said "Of course, Brian." Ralsei approached me and healed my sister, he said "Are you feeling ok, Brian? One who is about to lose they care about or already have lost tend to be... quite depressed." I was silent for a moment, but then I replied "I'll be somewhat fine. Although my parents are dead, I'll still have you guys." Ralsei had a small smile appear on his face and said "It's good to think that, Brian. We'll always be here for your support." I smiled at Ralsei's comment and I felt a little less worried. Judy opened her eyes and she said "Woah, how'd I get here?" I chuckled as I said "I brought you here, Judy. We're going to get you cured." Judy smiled and she said "Thanks, Brian. I forgot what I'm sick of, but I know you'll make it better." I began noticing my surroundings, not one darkener or guard was around or near the Card Castle entrance. I was in the front of the group, surprisingly, Judy was walking beside me and we walked through the gate. Suddenly, the gate slammed shut behind me and Judy, closing out Kris, Susie, Ralsei, and Noelle! Susie shook the gate and exclaimed "Hey! What the hell?! Lancer, this isn't funny!" I assumed Susie thought Lancer was joking, but then I said "Susie! I don't think Lancer has anything to do with this." Susie looked confused at my statement, but Noelle knew what I meant and said "Do you think this has something to do with the assassin?" I looked at my sister, she wasn't paying attention to what I was saying and I replied "Probably. It would make sense as to why there's not anyone around, but there is a lack of blood." Kris spoke next and said "Maybe he didn't kill them. Why would an assassin kill someone else other than his targets?" I thought for a moment, Kris made a good point and I replied "That makes sense. We'll have to find everyone after I cure Judy. I would like to bring you guys with me, but it looks like there's no lever on this side to lift the gate." Susie outreached her hand through the gate for me to hold. I held her hand on comfort and Susie said "Promise me you'll be ok." I used my other hand to hold Susie's hand more firmly and I said "I promise. I still have two chances." I let go of Susie's hand and I said "I have to go now. Judy doesn't have that much time." I spun around, I held Judy's hand, and I began to walk with her on the way to the archives. Ralsei cheered "We're rooting for you!" Then Noelle "Good luck, Brian." I couldn't fail, not at this point, I've come too far to quit.

As Judy and I went deeper into the castle, I noticed that there was still no dead bodies or signs of struggle. Nothing seemed to help me believe that someone died. I noticed a closet door was making a sound of someone or something trying to leave, but the door was locked. I unlocked the closet and who other than Lancer pops out. He exclaimed "B-Man! You came to rescue me! I am very, as my Lesser dad would say, humbled." I tussled Lancer's hair and I said "You're welcome, Lancer, but I didn't come her to find out you were locked in a closet. I came here to find the archives so that my sister can be cured." Lancer looked over at Judy and immediately went Gaga for her, he said "Well, hello there, beautiful~. What's your name~?" Judy looked up and thought for a moment and said "I... forgot." Lancer leaned on a wall and said "How 'bout I call you 'Babe'? Is that ok~?" Judy giggled and although I didn't like Lancer flirting with my sister, I pushed my thoughts aside and I said "Lancer. Snap out of it. Where's the archives?" Lancer turned his attention back to me and said "Huh? Oh. Down the hall, take a left, go up the stairs, and it's the second door on the right. My lesser dad had me recognize the whole layout of the castle one night, it was pretty boring. Anyway, will you need help?" I shook my head and picked up Judy, I said "No, I'm good. You can just find your people." Lancer saluted and said "Aye aye, Captain!" Lancer and I went our separate ways and I noticed Judy was looking worse again, I said "Don't worry, Judy. We're almost there!" Judy coughed as she passed out, I ran faster in response to her action. I went into the Card Castle Archives and saw that it was a large, round shaped room with one table in the middle. I set Judy on the table and I began searching for the book I needed. After a few minutes, I found the book and the recipe I need for a potion to cure any disease. I needed badger hide, hawk feathers, crab shell, and vampire dust. I was surprised at vampire dust, but I bucked up and went out of my way to search for the ingredients. After eight minutes, I found what I needed in the kitchen of the castle and I brought it back to the archives. I began mixing the ingredients as instructed by the book, but then I felt something sharp touch my back, I assumed it was Hanzo and he said "Turn around... slowly." I did as Hanzo said and I got a good look at his weapon and armor. He wore yellow samurai armor with red rope to hold the armor together, a black, one-piece undergarment under the armor, a mask that looked like what the Japanese call an "Oni", and had a Katana for a weapon. Hanzo said "You've killed all three of my team, that's... impressive. You striked without giving them a chance to prepare for a proper battle. Don't expect that from me." Hanzo dashes backward and got into a battle stance, he said "Draw out your sword, only one, and give me the proper battle you couldn't give to my colleagues." I summoned one sword and released the chain. I noticed that I could extend the one sword and make it a longer, two handed sword. I got into a proper battle stance and waited for Hanzo to make the first move. One minute passed, I felt impatient, no one has done anything and time was being wasted. I went in for an overhead strike, but that's what Hanzo was waiting for. In one well placed slash, Hanzo cut and opened a giant wound on the side of my stomach. I coughed blood and some even came out of my nose. As I fell to my knees, Hanzo sheathed his Katana and said "Pituful. I expected better from you." I fell on my side and held my sword in my hand as I died, I was losing hope.