The familiar clang of metal against metal rung across the room, Kaelia's mouth filling with the metallic taste of blood. Her long platinum hair whipped around her, accentuating her sharp movements.
"Hit me faster! Your reflexes are too slow!" growled Ayberos. "You can do better than this. I know you can!"
Kaelia clenched her teeth, her eyes set in determination, not daring to utter a single word for fear that she would lose her focus.
"Any street scum could beat you if you fight like this," he hissed.
He lunged to the Kaelia's left as she hastened to guard it. Ayberos feinted and swiftly kicked her feet out from under her, making her fall on the floor with a loud thud.
"The day you can beat me is the day I will give you what your mother and father left you. Seeing as you’re nowhere near that day, you’ll continue to do my bidding."
Kaelia spat a mouthful of blood on the floor distastefully, taking Ayberos' outstretched hand as she hauled herself to her feet.
Grinning toothily, her lips shining with sweat and blood, she said, "Maybe I'll beat you before I pay back my debt to you."
"And maybe I'll wake up tomorrow with my eye back." Ayberos chuckled, his vicious words long forgotten.
Kaelia shrugged mockingly. "I mean, it's not impossible." Ayberos smiled, before a grim look appeared. His handsome but weary face bunched together, showing worry and distress. She didn’t know if it was genuine or not.
"Kaelia..." he started cautiously, "I need you to do something for me."
Kaelia didn't need to think about it. No matter how cruel he was to her sometimes, she was still very grateful for Ayberos' kindness. After the incident 11 years ago, Ayberos, a mere teenager at the time, had found her 6 year old self unconscious and half dead in the middle of the forest. He had raised her and taught her everything she knew to this day. Now, because of his spontaneous act of goodwill, Kaelia was still alive. Sure, half the time she was killing people the other half thinking about killing people, but at least she was alive.
"Anything."
Ayberos sighed, a strand of his dirty blond hair falling into his face. “I didn't want to give you this assignment, but you’re the only one in the Guild capable enough."
Kaelia nodded eagerly, a shiver of excitement racing down her spine. She craved the feeling of adrenaline that coursed through her veins during missions. "Of course."
"It'll also be one of the most dangerous."
"Danger comes with the job." Kaelia answered. Ayberos held her gaze for a long moment, judging her sincerity. Apparently, he thought she had enough of it.
"I need you... to assassinate Ronin Aoren.”
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