Bab 1: Shadows of the Past, Whisper of the Future
The city streets were awash with rain, the scent of wet asphalt strong in the air. From a distant bar, a jazz tune set the mood, the melancholic notes mingling with the patter of droplets. Vael stood under a flickering streetlight, his black attire soaked and sticking to his body. Despite the rain's distraction, his piercing blue eyes remained sharply focused, reflecting battles of yesteryears and the heartache of lost love.
A breeze rustled his hair, momentarily drawing his attention. But Vael's gaze quickly fixed on a guard ahead, leisurely smoking. As the man enjoyed his cigarette, likely lost in thoughts of home and warmth, his fate was sealed. In a swift, practiced move, Vael's blade found its mark, ending another chapter in the city's endless tales.
Cleansing the blade, Vael's reflection intertwined with memories. The deep red on the metal stirred visions of a mother he never knew, her laughter just an echo in his mind. She had been lost to him at birth, and her absence cast a shadow on his relationship with his grieving father, whose words often stung: "You took her from me."
After his father's passing, Vael became one with the city. Its towering buildings and winding streets witnessed his struggles and triumphs. Here, amidst countless strangers, he felt most alone. Shadows became his allies, and he learned to trust sparingly, always vigilant in this sprawling urban jungle.
The rain-soaked streets seemed to stretch endlessly before Vael, the weight of loneliness pressing down on him. Out of the hushed darkness, a voice sliced through his thoughts, "There's a spark in you, boy, powerful and unique." Emerging from the gloom, an old man, with a face weathered by time and conflict, came into view. Yet it was his vivid green eyes that captivated Vael. They seemed to see everything — the pain, the strength, the potential. In them.
Feeling a blend of wariness and hope, Vael met the old man's gaze, seeking any hint of deceit. But all he found was a promise of transformation and a brighter future. With a quiet nod, a pact was made, silently sealed under the moon's gentle glow.
Under The Mentor's guidance, Vael began to see the city in a new light. Every whisper in the wind, every fleeting shadow, was a lesson in disguise, tactics, and strategy. The days blurred into nights as Vael underwent rigorous training, gradually honing his abilities. From a lone wanderer, he evolved into an assassin par excellence, his haunting past now a dim memory, replaced by dedication to his new purpose.
Vael shook his head, as though to scatter the distracting memories. Focus was vital now. Extracting a slim tablet, he pulled up an image: a young girl with an innocent face, brimming with youthful dreams. She was no older than he was at seventeen.
The divide between them was profound. Luna, radiant with youthful privilege, lived a life gilded with luxury. Vael, on the other hand, was carved from the harsh realities of the shadows, a formidable force borne of adversity. They should never have intersected, yet fate seemed to disagree.
His mission was clear-cut: eliminate Luna without any witnesses. Failure wasn't an option, especially given the lucrative reward at stake. Yet, as he pondered the details, doubt gnawed at him. He had eliminated many targets before: greedy magnates, foes in the shadows, those stained by malevolence. Luna, however, was different — a young soul, untouched by his world's malevolence. This blurred the lines of morality for Vael. Could he truly end the life of someone so innocent?
He mentally steeled himself. "No turning back," he murmured, reminded of his path by the fallen guard nearby. Searching the guard, he found a key card, presumably for the mansion's secured areas.
The guards' uniformity was a boon. Quickly, Vael donned the guard's attire. The chilly night had guards wearing ski masks, a fortuitous circumstance. His identity now concealed, he was just another guard patrolling the mansion.
Silently, he approached the mansion's rear. A dimly lit card reader awaited. Swiftly, he used the key card. A muted click, and he was in, the cold forgotten. Inside, the mansion's splendor sprawled out. But Vael's mission kept him undistracted.
He had committed the mansion's blueprint to memory, especially the route to Luna's quarters. Stealth was crucial, with minimal guard encounters. Arriving at Luna's door, he knocked softly. A gentle voice beckoned him in.
He entered, posing as a guard. "Ma'am, there's been a breach. We need to relocate you for safety," he stated, striving for calm authority. However, his resolve wavered as he truly saw Luna. Her beauty was arresting, and it momentarily stirred his conscience. Luna, disoriented from sleep, responded with a blend of confusion and trepidation. "Is this true?"
"We need to move quickly," Vael insisted, his tone urgent. His initial plan was simple: abduct Luna, complete his mission, and leave no trace. But a fleeting connection jolted him. Overwhelmed by an onslaught of vivid, seemingly shared memories with Luna, he fought for equilibrium. Luna, observing his sudden distress, expressed her concern. "Are you okay?" she inquired, genuinely alarmed.
"I'm okay," Vael responded tersely, guiding Luna through the mansion's dim passages. Her voice quivered, "Is my father safe?" Vael remained silent. At the exit, he quickly deployed a toxin-laced cloth, pressing it to Luna's face.
Her resistance was brief, her expression one of shock and betrayal, before the toxin took effect. Lifting her unconscious form, Vael disappeared into the night's embrace, leaving a mansion of mysteries in his wake.
Hadiah
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