THE MYSTERY UNFOLDS. ----------- CHAPTER ONE| ----------- I twirled around as quick as lightening as I slashed at him right at his eyes. Panting softly as I looked at him with cold eyes. He fell to his knees, he's hand covering his bloody eyes. His blood streaming through the gaps between his fingers. The man wore brown clothes which was probably made from cow skin, now it wasn't brown but stained red. Red blood. He was crying in pain, begging in mercy as if I could do much worse. I was standing in front of him, just staring. A sly smile appeared on my shadowed face. It was night, the moon's light shone brightly on my face. My hand gripped the blade tightly; I could hear the drips of blood sliding off the tip of my blade as it hits the ground. Of course, I had to live with the guilt. Blinding men, maybe innocent but you should never leave a man who associates with rebels alive. I had to.. I had no choice. I walked away, in the distant, hearing the cries of pain from the man. He'll remember me. He may not see me. But he'll remember the deep scar I left. I turned a corner, my mind spinning in guilt. Yet, I've done such a nasty thing before; I'm definitely not used to have blood on my hands. My hand pushed open the door leading into the pub, the smell of cigarettes and alchohol filled the air. A cold rush ran down my spine as I walked past the drunk customers. I scanned the room for a man with a black patch over his eyes and a cloak. I had finally found him. More like he found me. In a blink of an eye, he stepped infront of me as if he'd known I been here the whole time. He shook my hand, without my approval; He walked away without saying anything. I stood there for a while. Piecing together what just happened. Finally, I made my way out into the fresh air; rid of the rotten and drunk smell. I turned a corner before realising the man had left a note in my hand. I opened up the note and read it. Be careful, meet her at the spring fountain. Find the key to the heart of the town. Then open up the doorway to heaven. A rush of confusion struck me. One half of the note was understandable. Yet, the other made my brain rot away. I approached the spring fountain. Assuming that's what they meant. Seeking for something unusual around the fountain I sat down on a wooden, painted green bench. But there was nothing different from normal. Kids running and tagging each-other. It was all normal. No one was there. Who was it? Who is she? Who was meant to send me this note? Is this a trap? Was it meant for me? Suddenly there was a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around and faced an old woman under a brown raggedy cloak. Her fingers were skinny and wrinkly. She spine as I struggled to hear. She leaned down into my ear. "Find the key to the Cemetery. Unlock the grave of D.Court," She leaned out. Her voice was hoarse and scratchy. A dirty look travelled across her face. I raised an eyebrow, I turned around and strutted away. I had many more questions to ask her. But my gut was telling me to steer clear of that woman in the future. I looked at myself, think intensely at her words. I was confused until finally, I said. 'D.Court.' outloud. "David Court!" I exclaimed. David was a famous and rich man. He had died in a tragic fire accident. But, strangely there wasn't a body found. Some say he faked his death for more fame. Others say he suffered from severe depression and set his house on fire. Lunatics say he was a demon who teleported to Hell. Strange stories float around this unbelievable society. I shook my thoughts away from my mind before sprinting towards the graveyard, losing sense of everything around me. I didn't understand, what had David Court have to do with any of this? Finally, I stopped dead in my tracks to face a tall arch gate that stood there in front of the graveyard. I peered in, my eye shot from one headstone to the other. I stood back, lifting my leg and charging towards the lock and chain that locked the gate. With one powerful kick, the chain snapped open, whilst the gate swung open, allowing mw entry. Pain rushed up my leg, I didn't care. I've been trained to deal with pain much more than this. I began walking, no, limping a little towards the graveyard. Quickly, a foul scent managed to slip into my nose. My head snapped away in disgust. Ugh. "What the...?" I began to question what the smell was. But, this is a graveyard, what do you freaking expect? Despite the smell that made the hair on my arms stand abruptly up. I continued walking around the headstones. I kept seeking for the name: David Court. Honestly, the mystery of David's disappearance that had mysteriously started, that was too much of a convenience to be one. I never believe in conveniences. My eyes fell on a headstone that seemed to stand out to me. Unlike all the others, this certain one was made out of marble. The marble had been engraved to the name: David William Court 3010 - 3045 Will always be loved, fortune and wealth will follow you to your grave. I scoffed loudly at this. No doubt, he probably paid in advance for someone to engrave that on his grave. Wealthy men these days. He died young though, I actually would've thought rich posh nobles would live a long life. Seeing as they're so rich they can afford to pay for things with good quality. Not a peaceful life I guess. Always paranoid that someone is out to get you. To steal your precious little treasure from under your posh shiny nose. Why do Nobles need so much money? I stared intensely at the headstone, strange thing was, there was not flowers laying infront of the headstone. I looked around, everywhere, every stone had a cluster of flower that lays modestly infront of them. Was David acknowledged? Who am I kidding? He was freaking famous. But, was he liked? He had a wife, no children, yet didn't the wife love him enough to bring him flowers? I heard she was a very thoughtful and beautiful lady. Not only were there no recent flowers. There were no old crumpled flowers either. Not one single trace... Strange... Not one person set flowers to his headstone? God, I'm not here to think about people's interest in him. I'm here to find the mystery of the clue given... Here to follow my orders of finding the truth. To gain trust from his highness, maybe even score a bag of gold. Maybe. "What are you doing here at this time of night?" Said a deep, rapsy and exhausted voice. I swayed my body to turn, staring at the tall, slim and mascular, not the buff and big muscular, but the fit, slim mascular. The male stared at me, I couldn't make out his facial features though. But I saw his eyes practically shoot daggers at me. The fierceness that his body was representing fazed me quite a bit. And I'm a well trained, cold-blooded assasin! My eyes flickered up and down at him, it was visble that he wore a slightly tight, black leather shirt and pants that defined his body. "I'm..." I trailed off, can I trust this guy? "Finding someone." I finally said. "A dead someone?" "Well, yes. And you? What are you doing here?" "Business." He raised his arm up, a gun gripped tightly in his hand. I couldn't spot what kind of gun it was, since guns are forbidden in the world. What the hell was he doing holding one? "Those are forbidden." I stated. Ever since 2831, the world realised that we were destroying the world by creating new technology. We banned all modern creations. All objects connected to technology too. We were the new medieval I guess. I'm sort of up to date with my history. The 21st century. The dawn of bright minds. The 28th century. The dusk of realisation. "You think I don't know?" He scoffed loudly. "Well, you're holding one." "And you're a genuis." He said sarcastically. He moved slowly to the right, steading himself. The moon light shone brightly on some sort of logo imprinted on his leather sleeves. Like a snake, wrapped around a symbol... A symbol I didn't recognize. But I know that logo. "You're part of the 'Broken'" I realised. He lowered his gun a bit. "How'd you know?" My finger pointed towards his sleeve. He looked at it. And then back at me. What the hell Nash? Why aren't you killing him already? His arm raised back to it's previous position. "Yeah, I am. The Broken is the only rebel society out there now. Since you, The Blood Roses cleared all the other Rebelled groups." I'm part of the Blood Roses. A society of top Assasins protecting and doing the Emperor's bidding. "Why thank you for acknowledging that I could kill you any minute now." I grinned sweetly. "But you haven't. Surprising actually. I'm concerned for you, Nash." He made a large emphasis on my name, Nash. How'd he know? "What business?" I rubbed off my curiosity and brought it to a different topic. "What?" He asked. "You said you're here for business. What business?" My eyes squinted at him. Fog had now intoxicated the air, making it hard for me to see him. "David Court. A certain dead someone, you conveniently are also looking for." "I don't believe in conveniences." I gritted my teeth, he was now irritating. For what reason? No idea. "Neither do I." I could feel him smirking right now. "You followed me." "Ah, what a genius." "I was sent to.... Work with you," he spoke clearly, but I couldn't help but ask him to say it again. "What?" "I was here to work with you. Even I'm disgusted." "By who?" I exclaimed. "I don't need a partner." I said distastefully through my gritted teeth. "Neither do I, but I'm getting a good ass promotion if I succeed to discover the secret of D.Courts Mystery," "But you're part of The Broken!" I threw my arms in the air in frustration. "And you're my archenemy. It makes a cute couple right?" Whether it too dark or not, undoubtfully he was winking. "Like I said. Not working with a filthy rebel like you," I pretended to vomit only by recieving a sigh. "Look, I don't want anything to do with the frontlines of The Blood Roses. But, look where I am now. Talking to one of the best members there." Wow. Was that a compliment? Nevertheless, my hand reached towards the blade tucked in securely in my leather belt. I began hearing a faint laugh. "I wouldn't do that if I was you. Im the one with the gun," "Fine, whatever. But you listen up, you do as I say." My lips pursed into a nasty sneer. His hands threw up in a pretence surrender. "Yeah yeah, whatever." ---------------------------------- That night, I didn't take a last glance at David's headstone and headed back to my own apartment. Yes, we are back in the Medieval times, but we do use 'Modern' terms. I sat down at my desk with only a small hint of light coming from the torch beside me. My legs were crossed as I sat on the wooden chair. I sighed heavily, rubbing my temples stressed. Why, seriously why do I have to work with that rebel of a creep?! My hand reached over to the piece of coal and book. I flipped the pages to the current blank one and began writing. Mum, I miss you dearly. You always wished for me to be out of the spotlight, but, here I am. Frontlines of the Blood Roses. I always thought I'd be spilling blood with you. Yes, I know. A gruesome sight, but that's what you used to do. And that's what I do now. I've recently discovered of a mystery involving the 'disappearance' of David Court. Funny, you always spoke of him. Telling me the wondrous stories of his cockiness but fanciful adventures. Usually Mum, I'd roll my eyes and wish for you to stop talking about him. But now, I regret not listening in on your stories--As they may be useful for my investigation. Strange thing is, Lord Vestor and First In Command of Broken had consulted and requested for both I, and Alec to work together on this mystery. Thinking the same thing mum? Yes, I smell a fish. No way in absolute hell would Lord Vestor negotiate with our enemy. Is he planning something I haven't been told about? Alec is a total--- The coal which had been full a minute ago was now a tiny little thumbnail. Sighing in defeat, I stood up to get some more chalk. -------- I had gotten to the shops to buy some extra coal, the trademaster there is such a pain in the ass. He asked for 3 Chickens for 2 inch piece of Coal! Nevertheless, my love of writing will not stop! I stalked back to my apartment, pushing the door open. And there he stood, looking enthusiastically into my journal... No. The window was open, wind blowing freely into my apartment, ruffling his hair quite a bit. Not going to lie, it wasn't a nasty sight. His figure was slouched against the desk, his legs crossed and his eyes flickering across the page. Abruptly I lunged for the book, only to land flat on my face. How? I mean, how?! As soon as I stood up he had already made himself home on my bed. Laughing hysterically like a small girl given candy. "You little bas--" His index finger stuck up, shaking left to right in disagreement. "Mind your language there young lady." He tutted. Shaking his head in a mocking pity. "Give it back." I stood up, straightening myself up and dusting off the dust caught on my dress. Yes, cold-blooded, heart of stone and skill-ful assasins wear dresses too. He lifted up my journal, raising his eyebrow giving me a look. 'You mean this?' I nodded hastfully. "Hm... Give me something for it." My lips parted in disgust, my face wrinkling up. "What?" I spat out. "I said give me something for this, valuable piece of your life." His words began to twist around my heart; Making my head shake with fear, how... What kind of jerk is he? This journal may be really important and valuable to me.... But I would never give up something so pure... Alec began laughing with amusement, his eyes twinkling while mischief lurks in its depths. "What kind of Blood Rose Assasin are you?" He asked, mocking me. "I didn't mean sexually." "Oh" Was all I said back to this disgusting and defintely inhuman creature. "I don't have a place to sleep. The Broken won't let me sleep in their headquarters while Im working with you," The way he said 'you' emphaisising it as if it was such a nasty word. "I could organise a place." I informed him. His eyes bored into mine for a while before he should his head reluctantly. "This place seems far more comfortable." "You can't --" He cut off my sentence with a simple wave on the air, still in his hands gripping my book. "Fine," I muttered. "What did you say?" Alec's lips began curling into a smirk. "I said fine," By the last word of that sentence, my teeth with gritted and my blood began to boil. "Hm, what was that again?" He asked once more. "Come on! You heard that!" With a step, the tip of my blade was now at his throat. "Careful there Nash, you might just me," his smirk was now a full evil grin. I threw the blade to the wall, it pinned loudly into the wall as my deathly glare travelled across his face. You'd think by now he would've gotten the memo and stopped being a jackass. "Now, I'm talking your bed." "What?" I croaked. "You can take the small guest room." "How do you know I have a guest room?" My curiosity began to invade my mind. "The Broken knows alot about your precious assasins." Alec started pointing to the door opposite of us. The guestroom, his long index finger was now exposed. I could easily break his petty finger. But I won't. Why not? I have no idea. My eyes travelled to a ring that was sitting comfortably on his middle finger. A silver ring; with a tiny black crystal smack bang in the middle. It was tiny, but visible. Wait, there are such things as 'Black Crystals'? "Well hurry up and sleep. You definitely need your beauty sleep." Without realising Alec had made himself at home, laying arrogantly in my bed. I was too tired to argue. Already, my eyes felt heavy. So like that, I slept in the Guest Room. ---------------