Ultimate Assassin Saga: Woodlands

Reaching the bottom level of the village, Acheron walked slowly towards the palace. He had to stop and start again when a soldier would walk right in front of him as if they didn't notice him. He found that strange considering that he was a Demon and he was probably the biggest threat they had in the village. However, not one of the warriors looked at him or watched him as he approached the palace.

The Chaos Demon stopped twenty feet away from the door and took note of the two guards at the front doors. They were standing at attention, staring straight ahead, and holding their Pulse Rifles tightly as if ready for an attack at any moment. He found that odd considering that he could sense nothing in the area, but maybe they knew something that he didn't. He would just have to ask and find out.

The Guards looked at him sharply as he approached, but they showed no signs of drawing down on him. If they lifted those rifles even just a little bit, he would have to kill them and he really didn't want to. That was why he watched them so closely as he approached, and even when he closed his hand over the handle to one of the doors, he continued to watch the guards warily as he pulled open the doors. He quickly stepped inside and shut the door behind him, breathing out a breath to relax.

The Command Assassin closed his eyes tightly to calm himself and he realized that his heartbeat had sped up exponentially. His nerves were completely shot, and for some reason, he was nervous. He frowned at those emotions, knowing that they weren't natural, but unable to come up with any good reason why he would be feeling such intense feelings. He'd been fine when he'd left the Tundra, but he'd started feeling these extreme feelings ever since he'd passed over into the mirror dimension of the Whispering Jungle.

His eyes flew open at that realization. Was that it? Was it something to do with the Whispering Jungle? Or was it something to do with the mirror dimension? If it was, then why weren't the Star Elves affected by it? It was obvious to him that they weren't affected because they operated naturally and didn't seem to notice any sort of emotional changes in themselves.

Then again, he wasn't completely sure that they would realize it. After all, without someone to point out that their emotions weren't normal for them, would they even realize it? The only reason he'd realized there was something off with himself because his emotional compass had done a complete one eighty and that was too hard to miss.

He could've been just grasping at straws, but he didn't think so. There was something in this mirror dimension that was effecting his emotional stability and might even be effecting the Star Elves' emotions as well. That was the only thing that made sense, but what could it be that was doing such a thing? He could see no gain to upsetting someone's normal emotions and he didn't know of a single thing on the planet that could do that either.

The Chaos Demon opened his eyes and he sighed, deciding that it was time to get to get some answers. It was time to find out just what it was that was afflicting the Star Elves that he would have to handle. King Taro would tell him or he would find someone that would, possibly his daughter Leera.

The Command Assassin set off down the hallway of the palace, reaching out with his aura to search his surroundings. He could sense several Star Elves within the palace, but not one of them were who he was looking for. He had to find the King and he wouldn't stop until he found the man. This was of the utmost importance and he didn't care if he had to interrupt a meeting to get this across to the man. It was important and that was all that mattered. If they truly believed he was some kind of savior, they would have to listen and give him what he needed. If they were lying to him, then they would treat it with skepticism and probably not even listen to him at all.

Rounding a corner, he weaved his way through hallway after hallway. He walked past several guards who looked at him, but didn't raise their Pulse Rifles. For some reason, every time he stepped past one of the guards, he expected one to raise his rifle and shoot him in the back, but it never happened. He didn't know why he felt deception and betrayal was on the precipice, but he did and there was no way out of getting that out of his mind.

Finally, Acheron found the aura he was searching for. It was several floors up and off to the right. There was no one with King Taro, but that didn't mean that by the time he got there there wouldn't be people with him. He would just have to take that chance he supposed as he made his way towards one of the doors that would lead to a stairway.

Opening the door, he stepped into the stairwell and he looked up the stone steps, but there was no one on the stairs. The stairwell was completely deserted with no guards, no one going up and down the stairs or even just workers in the palace. He found that to be strange, but he didn't let his mind run away from him. He couldn't allow himself to grow too suspicious of the Star Elves. They'd done nothing to deserve his suspicion so he was going to treat them as they'd been treating him: as a friend.

Sighing, the Chaos Demon grabbed the railing and began to ascend the steps. His boot steps echoed off the walls with each step up the stairwell and he listened to them as he walked. He reached out with his aura, holding onto the aura of the Star Elf king to make sure that he didn't lose him or go past the floor he was on.

There was a landing at each new level of the palace with a door that would lead off into the hallway of the next floor. He continued to walk up the stairs until he finally reached the tenth floor of the palace. He walked over to the door and he frowned, feeling the Star Elf King on the other side of the door. This was it. It was time for him to get his answers and time for him to get them now.

The Command Assassin opened the wood and steel door, flinging it open as he stepped inside. He stopped and he frowned as he looked around the room, not immediately spotting the Elf King. This room was a vast and well stocked library, that much was obvious from the book shelf upon book shelf of rows that were stocked with books. There were couches in the middle of the room as well as tables with chairs pushed underneath them and books stacked atop the tables as if someone had been reading them.

What he couldn't figure out was why the Elf King would be in here. Why would he be in the library reading? Was he simply bored and felt like reading a good book? Or was there an express reason for his being in here? Was he searching for a book about something that he thought he knew? If so, what was it that he thought he knew and was it relevant to the power source that he'd felt in the Whispering Jungle yesterday?

Acheron noted that the room was well lit by globes of golden light embedded in the roof and globes in the middle of each table. The books were made of different bindings and were different colors, but there was one thing they all had in common: they were well preserved. This was one of the most extensive library's that he'd ever seen and he wondered what it was exactly that was within the library. However, he banished those thoughts because that wasn't what was pertinent at this time. What was, was finding the Elf King and finding out just what was going on in the Whispering Jungle beyond the village.

The Chaos Demon took a step forward, his boot steps echoing off of the wooden floors. These were the only floors in the whole palace that were wooden and he found himself wondering why. Why was the rest of the palace made of stone and this one wood? He snorted and shook his head. That simply wasn't relevant. Why the hell would he even think such a thing?

The Command Assassin walked down between the book shelves, his emerald green eyes running over the bound books in the shelves. He could see no one as of yet, but he could sense the Elf King. He knew that he was here somewhere and probably didn't even realize that he had company yet. Well, he would be sure to announce himself once he found the Elf King.

Finally, he reached the back of the library and he stared at the desk there. He furrowed his brow and frowned. Why would there be a desk in this library? Did they need some sort of paperwork done for all of these books? What kind of paperwork was there to do in a library exactly? He didn't know the answers to either of his questions, but he supposed that they didn't really matter.

What he did know was this: he could sense the Elf King behind the desk. Just as that thought crossed his mind, he heard a low grunting sound and he watched as the Elf King straightened out from behind the desk. In his arms, he held a large wooden square box about two inches tall and about a foot long. He frowned as he stared at the box and he wondered what was in it.

"Oh hey Acheron." Taro said in a kindly voice, obviously not surprised to see him there. Maybe he had known that he would be coming. Maybe Taro was able to sense things that his people couldn't and that was how he knew that he was coming to the library. He watched as Taro sat the box down on top of the desk and he slid the top of the box back, revealing the contents of what was inside.

The Chaos Demon noted that there were several different colored cards inside and there were different symbols on them as well. It looked to be some sort of index for something and he had a feeling that it was for the library. It was obvious from looking at the cards that he was searching for a book for some reason and was choosing to go through the easy way of doing that instead of having to search the entire library for one elusive book.

The Star Elf didn't seem to be paying him any mind as he began to look through the cards, his eyes focused on what he was doing. The Command Assassin frowned and wondered if he even realized fully that he was in fact there. Sure, he'd acknowledged his being there, but did he realize that he was still there?

If not, well, he would just have to announce his presence and make the Elf see him.

"I need to speak with you." Acheron said in a serious voice and he stared upon the other man, waiting for him to acknowledge what he'd just said. The Elf King continued to flip through the cards, his eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed with his work. It was like he wasn't even there in the room with him and was in fact a million miles away. He decided to speak again. "It's very important."

The Star Elf finally looked up, his silver eyes glowing. He seemed to have heard him and he now had his full attention. The Star Elf was yet to take his hands away from the cards of the library index yet though and he wondered if the man wanted to talk right there. Well, if he did, then that was fine with him, but they were both going to be very uncomfortable with the whole thing.

"Alright then." Taro finally answered with a heavy sigh. He pulled his hands away from the index and he slid the lid shut. Leaving the index on top of the desk, he walked around to the other side of the desk and he smiled at him. "Come, let us take a seat and we can discuss what it is that you are concerned over."

The Chaos Demon frowned at his words. Had he said that he was concerned over something or was that simply an inference the Elf was making? Either way, it didn't matter because it hit the nail right on the head. He was worried about this power within the Whispering Jungle and he knew that going after it had to be authorized by this man. He realized that this man was even minded and would most likely allow him to do what he wanted when it came to handling the affliction upon the Star Elves, but he had his doubts.

No one was that accepting, especially not of a prophecy made tens of thousands of years ago.

The Elf King walked right past him, his long legs eating up the ground as he made his way through the bookshelves, obviously knowing where he was going. Not wanting to offend the man, the Command Assassin followed after him just a step behind and with his eyes right on the back of the head of the other man. Stepping out near the door of the library to the stairwell, the Elf King walked right to one of the couches and he sat down, crossing his long legs.

It was obvious from the look on the Star Elf's eyes that he intended for him to sit with him and he didn't have a problem with that. Acheron's booted feet carried him across the space between them and he sat down on the couch across from the other man. He sat back against the couch and he stared at the man, his emerald green eyes blanked of all emotion as he waited for the beginning of their discussion.

Taro sat on the couch and stared at him, his silver eyes seemingly glowing with his interest. He could see the look on his face was one of curiosity and it was obvious that he wanted to know exactly what it was that he wanted. Then, he nodded his head once and he took that as a sort of permission for him to speak. Taking a deep breath, the Chaos Demon opened his mouth and began to speak.

"When I was with the Star Elves out in the Jungle, I sense something just before we were attacked." Acheron explained, his voice blanked of all emotion. He was being careful not to allow any emotion into his words, wanting to be as professional as he could be. He saw the Elf King shift in his seat and narrow his eyes, obviously paying attention. "It was a huge power that was of one singular spot. It was beyond what I've ever sensed before and I am of the belief that this power is what allows the Undead to walk."

The Star Elf's expression became one of confusion and worry. It was obvious that he was thinking about this and didn't like the thoughts that were coming to his mind. One single power that controlled the Undead couldn't be good for any of them. It meant that this was a concentrated effort to destroy the sentient creatures of the Whispering Jungle and not just random attacks.

If these weren't random attacks, then that meant that someone wanted the Star Elves dead. Who knew about the Star Elves, he didn't know, but he had a feeling that the Star Elves themselves would know if no one else. However, from the look on the Elf King's face, it was obvious that he had no clue who it was that would want them destroyed. It was a distressing thought and not one he wished to engage in for too long.

Suddenly, the Elf King's head came up and he stared at him. His silver eyes were steady and intense as if he'd reached a conclusion. However, when he opened his mouth and spoke, that wasn't what his words showed though his tone definitely did.

"What exactly do you want to do about this?" Taro asked, his confusion coming through despite his trying to hold it back. It was obviously a hard thing for him to do, keeping his emotion under control, but he was trying his hardest. Taro cleared his throat and shook his head, brushing a strand of his midnight black hair over one delicately pointed ear as he stared at the man across from him. "What exactly can be done about this? We hadn't even known about this before you came along and now here you are telling me that this might not be random attacks on my people, but a concentrated effort."

"You're right. That's exactly what I'm telling you." Acheron replied instantly, keeping his voice professional. He sat forward on the couch and leaned his forearms on his legs, staring at the other man across from him. "What we can do about this is simple. You can give me at least twenty to thirty men and I can take them into the Whispering Jungle to find this source of power. If we can destroy it, the Star Elf people will be free of the Undead and you can go about your lives unhindered."

With that said, the Chaos Demon sat back on the couch and layed an arm across the back of the couch. He crossed his ankle over his knee and regarded the other man. Would he go for his plan? He didn't know, but it was the best that they could really do at this point and they both should know that. Now, whether or not he saw it that way was another matter.

The Star Elf sat in his seat calmly, but he wasn't looking at the other man. He was staring at his boots as if he could find the answers there, but he knew better than that. He was thinking and thinking hard. He just hoped that the Star Elf would see it his way and give him the resources to do what he needed to do. If not, he would go out into the Jungle alone and handle it himself.

Either way, it was going to get done, with or without the Star Elves.

The Elf King suddenly raised his eyes to his and he could see the fiery determination in his eyes that he'd wanted to see. That had to be a positive thing for his plan, but he could only be completely sure about then when he actually said what was on his mind. The Elf King was yet to speak and he didn't look in any hurry to speak either. He simply continued to stare at him, his silver eyes glowing.

Then, the Star Elf blew out a breath and he uncrossed his legs. He rose to his feet and he ran both hands through his nape length midnight black hair. He cursed over and over again as he walked behind the couch he'd just been sitting on. He walked from one to the other of the couch and back again, pacing while he thought over what had just been proposed. It was obvious that he hadn't been ready for this sort of eventuality and certainly not this soon after the Command Assassin had come.

Finally, he stopped pacing and he leaned his hands on the couch, staring at him with stern silver eyes. It was obvious that he'd come to a decision and there was no going back, no matter what. The Chaos Demon sat there, unfazed by the time it had taken him to decide and he simply stared back, his emerald green eyes carefully devoid of all emotion as he waited for the man to speak.

"Alright." Taro finally said, his voice breaking the silence. The two men continued to stare at one another, seemingly having reached an understanding. The Chaos Demon felt a lot better than he did before hearing that one word, but before he could say anything, the man spoke again. "I will call a meeting with the Warrior Clan, I will inform them of what you told me and I will see if any of them want to assist you. If no one steps forward to help you, you will have to go without the support of the Star Elves. That's the only way that it can be, I'm sorry. I wish I could do more, but that's all I can really do."

The fact that he was apologizing told him something. It told him that he wasn't sure how his people were going to react to what he had to say. In not knowing, he didn't know if his people would believe him or not so he wasn't going to promise things that he couldn't promise. So, he'd simply compromised and had agreed to call it to a vote. That was all he could really hope for he supposed.

"Fair enough." Acheron replied in monotone and he rose to his feet. He inclined his head out of respect and stared at the other man. The two men stared into one another's eyes for a moment before the Star Elf turned away and went back towards the desk. With his doing this, it signaled that it was time for him to leave so he turned away from where the man had been and he walked towards the door.

Stopping at the door with his hand on the knob, the Chaos Demon looked over his shoulder and stared upon the books in wonder. One day he would have to go through these books and see just what exactly was in these books. It would take him a long time, but he believed that the time spent would be well worth it. Perhaps he would learn about something that he hadn't known about before. It could be something very interesting that he might like or it might not, either way he wanted to know about it. The books were a fountain of knowledge, and if there was one thing you could say about him, it was that he was very knowledgeable.