On that moonlit night, apart from the moon itself there was another source - lightning up the surroundings, it may not be much but the bonfire was doing its job perfectly.
As cold as the night seemed to be, the situation August and Noir were in, was quite the skeptically hot one. Just one wrong move and the two boys would have been corpses, by any time.
Ignoring the final warning given by the assassin leader, after thinking about the situation thoroughly, August came to the only conclusion that if they wanted to live, they had to escape from here.
firstly, they were out numbered -- secondly the opponents were trained individuals and the ace up their sleeve was their Wyvern transformation.
There wasn't any chance in hell that August would have been able to defeat that many giant creatures possessing intellect at the same time.
With the gust of wind, the man headed straight towards August, with the inhumane speed of the man-- outclassed the young boy in skills alone.
August, as he barely managed to dodge the first strike from his dagger being pushed back tried to balance himself and prepare for a counterattack.
But the man keeping up with the footwork of his just turned slightly as though he wanted August to dodge that first attack so that he could deal a blow that counted.
Tilting his body to the left, he attacked the young dragon with all his might. He smiled as the dagger of his made its way towards the throat of the young boy.
The devious grin of his turned into an expression of surprise when Noir managed to grab his attacking hand, stopping it midway as himself got a cut on his mana imbued hand.
The assassin was surprised, but he became what he was now---wasn't someone who just got lucky. He knew from his experience and training that one attack was never enough, with that he swung his other dagger holding left hand as the counter measure.
" Now! " The boy in front of him shouted as August covering his leg into mana kicked the man's dominating foot. with one hand caught and second in motion, the assassin wasn't able to do anything when he was tossed on his back, by the human boy.
Dis balanced -- as he fell down, August made his fall more painful by aiding that with wind magic.
With the man, fallen on the ground, it was the perfect chance to get rid of him. August with the same intention made the mana around his hand more sharp and directed the blow toward his neck.
It was no surprise, the man blocked that as well but the fact August smiled immediately after that made the experienced assassin wonder if he'd done something wrong. As the young dragon was done preparing for the attack, he directed the concentrated beam of dragonfire towards the man purposefully avoiding to hit August.
The beam crossed straight through his chest causing his heart to explode and vaporize immediately leaving the trained professional assassin just as a lifeless corpse.
The commotion grew more from the ones surrounding them watching the veteran killed by two boys of this age. August stood closer to the dragon boy facing opposite from him -- prepared for any attack and the other side, Noir was also prepared as his eyes moving right and left searching for any movement.
The two boys were surprised when the continuous attacks from all sides which they were expecting, didn't come-- which was a more uneasy feeling.
" Impressive! " A smooth voice rang from behind as August immediately looked towards, the man covered from head to toe standing beside Noir, turning back it was the moment----August realised how much they were outclassed when he saw the right hand of that man resting on the young dragon's shoulder.
The scenario of Noir being petrified of that sudden appearance made August question himself whether he would be able to counter this situation or not?
' what? How did he? When did he? W - when did he get this close? ..... I can't sense him even when he's standing in front of me. With his faint presence many people would think that he's an ordinary person but I know he's dangerous. My instincts are telling me, this man's dangerous. '
' with that assassin's leader dead, i can still sense seven more around us, what does that mean, was he here from the start? '
" You knew that you couldn't defeat your opponent and acted in perfect coordination with each other, executed the plan to make him let his guard down and waited for a perfect time to strike," said the man as he appreciated the two boys.
Moving his dried lips, August asked the man, " are you with these men? "
He smiled, letting out a chuckle and said, " with them? Boy! You are too funny, you know! .... I am not with these people... "
The words provided some extent of relief to August as he sighed but stopped midway as the man continued,
".... They are with me "
Dumbfounded, August looked at the masked guy and said, " that's all the same shit you know? "
" No it's not, I am the leader, which means they go where I command them to.... " As his expressions turned serious judging from the frown he said, " and I will appreciate not to kill you that's only if you co-operate with us, so let's talk"
" Your man attacked us lethally and now you want to talk peacefully, how am I to believe you? " August asked aggressively.
" ( He's not my man sexually speaking ) He ran out of patience and acted on his temper, I can't control that.
I get that you don't believe me but believe me when I say that I don't want to kill you, because you look promising... I'd rather raise you, to make a fine assassin out of you.
And for the dragon boy I'll hand him over to our king, it's not like we're ordered to kill him. " The man said with a rather casual tone.
" What now? You want to recruit me?
....You make it rather sound too simple, what happens if I were to refuse " August asked the man arrogantly.
Squeezing the young boy's shoulder a little harder, Noir started trembling not even able to look the man in the eye as he made his presence, seen. The pressure that August felt was enough to overwhelm his senses as he was no longer able to sense any one nearby, besides that man.
With the fierce look in his eyes gazing towards the human boy, the man said turning his casual light tone to a heavy intimidating one,
" I think you are misunderstanding something here boy! You don't have any choice.... "
Realised as he watched the human boy trying his best to resist the intimidating pressure, he withdrew it immediately coming back at the casual tone,
" Ah... Sorry little one I just got carried away. I didn't mean it like that. You know, i just want to do my best not to harm you. I've taken a quiet liking to you. "
Taking a step forward, placing his hand gently on August's head he said smiling politely,
" rest assured your life would not be in danger, my guarantee. "
" If you just said, is true? Then, what about Noir? What will happen to him? " Asked August not looking at the man.
Thinking after sometime the man replied,
" Uh... I can't say for sure, it's up to the Wyvern king to decide. I will escort him safely to the king though. But hey! Why bother about anyone else huh? When you could save your skin what does it matter anyway what happens to this boy. You should be proud you would be training under a master like me. I bet your skills would shine under a proper guidance, I haven't seen everything you've got though. It's okay we will work together and make you stronger. What do you say boy? "
August remained silent for some time, his eyes closed as he threw the man's arm away with his left hand saying, " No thanks! I'm good. I don't plan to learn under an incapable master. "
" Incapable You say!? " The man snapped. Calming his tone once again he said, " Ah... I see, so you don't want it to end peacefully? I warned you though don't blame me "
As soon he was done speaking held out his dagger holding left hand towards Noir when August immediately pushed the boy, right side —away from the attack. The young dragon grew more afraid when he felt hot blood dripping from the corner of his ear that got caught up in that attack. Needless to say, if human boy didn't have made him move in time--- he would've lost his life today.
Laughed, being impressed the man said, " see? That's why I want to hoan your skills boy. Why don't you take my offer? Your reflexes are way too fast for a child of your age, human on top of that. I've never been more impressed in my life. I'll ask you again, think carefully"
" You don't understand, do you—— " the words barely escaped August's mouth when he found himself blown some distance away, lying on the ground -- still feeling the pain and impact of the high speed punch of the man that August couldn't even see.
Forcing himself to stand up his breathing became fast as he choked and coughed out blood.
" No! " The young dragon shouted running towards August. Helping him stand up, Noir looked at the -- himself, tensed elder brother of his and said,
" Darious! You want me, then take me. I am ready but leave him alone."
Darious, as he looked at the masked assassin leader who was removing the speck of dust off his black outfit --- said, " sir! He's right. This boy has nothing to do with Noir. He's ready so we can just leave without the human boy--- "
" Don't forget your place dragon! " Said the man with a loud intimidating tone directed towards Darious.
" I will teach that human brat a lesson first and make him my student or slave if I have to. You got a problem? " --- terrified, Darious shook his head and turned his gaze away.
Watching the traitor himself afraid of that man, Noir realised that there was no other choice, he had to take a stand for his saviour as he stood in front of him guarding the human boy.
August, his eyes closed threw his hands to stop the young dragon as he said, " don't! Noir, you don't stand a chance against him. "
Letting out a mocking smirk the man said,
" isn't that amusing? An insect helping another one "
As he closed the distance without even being noticed by the young dragon, the dagger aimed directly towards August. The man was more than surprised when he was stopped midway as the young dragon managed to block him.
Taking a few steps back the man immediately dodged a lethal attack of concentrated beam of dragonfire from Noir as he said, " Color me impressed boy! You really live up to your dragon lineage.. i would love to teach you too but you know I can't go up against the king. "
With the blink of an eye he punched the dragon just below his chest and the boy got blown a few feet away by the sheer impact unable to stand for some time.
Grabbing him by his hair the man said to nearly unconscious August,
" hey! Why are you refusing huh? Isn't this a good enough offer in exchange for your life ? "
The man burned in anger when the boy smiled at his words as he punched August one more time. Again blown off to some distance the boy was drenched in blood lying on the ground.
As the man approached him again looking at the pitiful human boy trying to stand up after receiving this heavy of a blow.
" So you are able to stand huh? " The man lashed in anger " so what is your reason to keep refusing a master like me? " He said followed by a mana infused punch directed towards the face of the human boy.
" You are nothing..... In front of my teachers...." August said blocking the incoming blow with his two joined hands.
" W- who are they? Master mages perhaps or are you being taught by the divine mage himself? " The man lashed out.
Opening his eyes after all that the boy said looking straight into the man's eyes, " my parents! ..... My mother and father taught me. "
" Huh? " Withdrawing his attack the man rubbed his forehead, followed by a long mocking laughter.
" Your parents? Ah .. don't f**k with me boy..." Drawing the daggers out he charged forward to the defenceless human boy as he attacked him continuously.
August managed to dodge most, but he couldn't keep up with the inhumane speed of his enraged opponent. Getting cuts and bruises all across his body and severe injuries somewhere too, the boy got nearly knocked down by the force.
Continuing with the lethal blows, the man said as he kicked the boy to the ground again, " how could your parents compare to me huh? You think my skills are lower than some nobodies? Let me kill you today as proof of your father's incapability and your bitch mother's as well. " Initiating the full force attack as both of his daggers started to glow by the infusion of mana as he stepped forward with the burst of energy.
While the human boy, listening to a lowly assassin humiliate his parents couldn't help but feel enraged-- lying down in that crater.
As the unimaginable amount of anger coarsed through his brain, in the moment of pure rage the whirld around him got quieter as he could hear his heart beating.
[ THE PULSE OF AGONY ]
While the familiar but painful surges ran through his body, the boy was forced to regain consciousness. The strange feeling of warmth originated from his heart making its way to every part of his body.
Shocked to see the human boy standing faster than he could reach him the attacker hesitated a bit then continued.
August, as he blocked the incoming attack with his one hand stabbed by the dagger, the boy withdrew his hand faster than a drop of blood could have fallen.
It wasn't when the blood dripping hand of the human boy folded as his fist got surrounded by red- Orange flames ---- but the assassin felt afraid only when those flames started turning dark as his wound got healed by regenerating the stabbed part of his hand.
With the last drop of blood dripping down from his bangs, the boy looked up at the attacker. The assassin on the other hand felt something which he hasn't in his lifetime looking at the blood red eyes of the human boy.
The boy stood up as the flames around his hands grew larger and larger. Wiping off the rest of the blood from his mother by his left arm the boy said as he gritted his teeth with the anger,
" Y—You shouldn't have said that "
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