The Pillar of Enera

[Chapter 25] Light – Late Night Stalking

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Concealed on a rooftop, Light concentrated, and the city grew clearer. His eyes burned from the strain. It’d be dangerous to approach closer. He meticulously traced the far-off white structure. There. A dim outline flickered in and out of view. My target.

With their eventful day, everyone had forgotten the intel he’d gathered. It’s better this way. Light planned on locating their enemies’ base of operations. Even if he dealt with the assassin before him, there’d still be ten more. But if I tail him, we can take them all out at once. Kara had told him she’d been seeing them since last night. They were obviously maintaining a twenty-four hour vigil. At the next change of shift, I’ll follow this one back.

It was past midnight, and the others were asleep. Their matches had been in the morning. We won easily, but it was less one-sided. Their opponents had possessed basic martial arts this time, and there’d even been a half-decent caster. Unluckily for her, she’d faced Wise. If you aren’t aware of his foresight, he might be as tough as Dawn.

Light caught movement against the ivory background. There’s two now. One leapt towards the pillar, and Light dashed after. I must close the distance. This risked detection, but these assassins were too hard to track. The silhouette hopped across rooftops until it disappeared.

Damn! Racing forward, Light found a courtyard with an opening to the layer below in its center. An embellishment for tourists. He leapt without hesitation. I’ll gamble he’s heading down. The poorest regions near the Isle’s bottom were the likeliest destination. Less security, more vacant lots.

Landing on a building, he glanced around. The wall of lifts! While the shafts were sealed at ground level, he could jump right in from here. He did so immediately. This must be how they travel.

On a hunch, he descended at a breath-taking pace. If I’m right, it’s my only chance. An elevator sped upwards, and he manipulated the atmosphere to evade left. This isn’t stealthy. People nearby would feel a gust as he passed. I should learn to grab the bedrock instead. It’d work with his earth affinity. But now isn’t the time… Where is he?

Light caught a glimpse of his quarry plunging down a shaft to his east on level 1’s main floor. I was right! He flung himself in pursuit, but it took another ten layers to catch up. Found you.

The shadow was sprinting while effortlessly avoiding elevators. Witnessing this agility, the anger came gushing back. How dare they! Light’s face twisted in rage. How dare something as cool as assassins target Hope! He’d never forgive them. They’re awesome, practically ninjas. Yet they aimed to murder his sister. I’ll end this.

They passed level 2. It’s darker. These layers were less trafficked. Even against white walls, his prey’s figure grew harder to spot. Nearing the Pillar’s base, the assassin suddenly slowed. Damn! Light scrabbled sideways so his gale wouldn’t give him away. The blurred outline jumped into the city, traveling east. Then, as he gave chase, it was gone.

Light searched frantically. Nothing. His mark had melded into the dim surroundings. Did he lose me or is their hideout around here? Light considered carefully. If there were ten nearby, it’d be dangerous to continue. On the other hand, he was reluctant to return empty handed. It might not even——

Sensing death, he threw himself back. Three daggers shot through the air where he’d been standing. The assassin was on the ceiling above. So I was noticed… Light counterattacked with shurikens, which the assassin avoided by dropping down. He was clearly visible. Their stealth ends when they fight.

Without words, the two played a game of cat mouse across the rooftops, exchanging a flurry of blades. This is going nowhere. Light was experienced enough to recognize a stalemate. Should I withdraw or do I take risks?

As he debated, the assassin leapt over him. Spinning rapidly upside-down, he released a shower of knives which Light barely dodged. The man then landed gracefully on the opposite side. That was superb… He fumed at the admission. Retreating is uncool anyway.

Light performed hand signs, and they were engulfed in a vortex of sand. Let’s finish this. Unsheathing his short sword, he flew at his opponent.

Rattled by the change in tactics, the assassin skipped backwards throwing steel. Mid-air, Light endured being pierced and activated his substitution. Appearing behind his opponent, he reached out to the figure embedded with knives and pulled. The sandy mass hit his adversary, dragging him towards Light. Realizing collision was inevitable, the assassin drew a long curved blade. The two impaled each other as they slammed together. Light again employed his technique.

Emerging far above, he hardened the remains of his clones into a thick shell around his opponent, drawing in the sandstorm to reinforce the prison. Before being completely buried, the assassin threw his curved blade. Letting the weapon connect, Light completed a series of hand signals, “Sand Coffin.” The shell constricted and crushed its contents, growing red.

Light landed, breathing heavily. I just killed for real. A mixture of emotions filled him. Pride at having won. Horror at ending a life. He put these aside and pulled the sword from his side. I’ll need to wake Free. The hole would be lethal if he wasn’t holding it shut.

As he moved to leave, he staggered. What? Light was bewildered at his lethargy. Why am I exhausted? In dawning realization, he noticed his wound no longer hurt. He peered back at the curved blade in shock. It must’ve been coated with a potent painkiller and sleeping agent.

Of course an assassin would use poison! Light began to panic. If he lost consciousness now, he’d bleed to death. What could he do to keep himself awake? He was numb to pain!

I can’t even get down to the streets in this state. His increasingly groggy mind labored for a solution. He sensed his eyes shutting and willed them open. No, not like this! Anything but this! Death by sleep wasn’t acceptable. Not such a silly way!

He toppled over but felt nothing as his head hit the roof. He lay motionless, his last strength spent keeping himself alive. Someone, help…