Chapter 15 Sin’s Hit Squad

Shadow one: "Targets are in my sights."

Shadow two: "Guards dealt with."

Two guards tumble to the ground, not a peep as they come crashing down. Two metal doors that were recently guarded opened slightly, just enough for two shadowy creatures to sneak in.

Shadow one reporting in: "Sir, the doors lead down to a dungeon."

A drippy voice calls from a message spell: "*Slurp*, investigate the dungeon, *slurp*, report any signs of cultist activity immediately, *slurp*. If you see any ritual spell in effect, I give you the order to kill."

Shadow one: "Got it, sir. Okay, J you take point, I will watch our backs."

J?: "Alright."

J feels up the twirling staircase wall as they slowly descend to what looks like a summoning circle that has newly used markings on the floor alongside it sat on the floor is four robes in a square. J nudges one robe, flipping the hoody of the robe over.

J?: "Ashes, it seems that what they were trying to summon backfired on them."

Shadow one holds its wrist out, and a ring forms around her wrist: "Sir a spell was used here but from what it looks like, the spell backfired."

Shadow one talks to her wrist all the while J examines the robes further, crouching down to get a better look. Her metal claw gauntlet gently picked up the robe of the cultist, a ring slides off the robe's sleeve clanking against the ground. The two fall silent the moment the ring hits the floor, scouring the room for traps or other cultists trying to get a jump on them. Silence breaks after a minute of nothing but standing and watching for changes in the room. Shadow one continues her report to head command leaving J to look around a little more. J picks the ring up wearily, holding it with her claws to avoid contact with the palm of her hand. A white light blinks from the gem on the ring, flashing a beacon light every five seconds.

Shadow one grips J pulling her out of the doorway: "ITS GONNA BLOW!"

J drops the ring as she is dragged to safety, hiding on the steps holding their heads to protect themselves from explosions. The small blinking light grows brighter from the door frame reflecting the light off the wall. Blinking faster every second until just a white light is left.

Shadow one's wrist spell activates: "Get out of there!"

Instead of sitting put waiting for the ring to go off, the two rush up the stairs racing to the exit as the holy light chases after them. Shouldering the door open and tumbling out of the ruins into vegetation for cover. Hiding behind the bushes as the light makes its way out the door evaporating the two guards' bodies. Inching back down to where it came, it seeps into its lair waiting for more victims to come across the trap.

J rolls to her back, covering her eyes from the sun beaming down on them, both share a small chuckle about making it out alive.

J breathing hard: "What was that!?"

Shadow one keeps her lizard eyes locked on the door: "We are here to find out."

J retorts: "No, we are here to take out cultists, not body-eating light."

Shadow one opens up the spell to give another report: "Sir, we made it out, but a ring sent out a body-eating light."

Slime commander: "So *slurp* that is what the spell detection picked up. Good job you two, *slurp* come back to base for now."

The spell ends breaking the ring around her wrist, feeling the relief wash over them, just thinking of going back into that dungeon sends shivers down their spines.

Shadow one tugs J's shoulder guard: "Alright let's go back while we still can."

#

Back at the base (in the mansion's underground level) Floor 100

The first to welcome them back is their commander, a green slime that doesn't hold a figure beside a blob. Its size is about a deer's height and width, two slime arms protrude from its body consuming them into a big slimy hug.

Slime boss: "Come here you two *Slurp*, I am so glad you made it out alive!"

Slime boss coats the two in green slime completely covering them in it, Shadow one appreciates the hug while J pulls away from it, trying to release herself from its slimy embrace. The Slime boss lets go of the two assassins letting the two breathe.

Shadow one: "I am glad too, I hope we didn't give you a scare."

J: "It was gnarly! I can't believe something like that exists, I wonder who created it."

Slime: "Well whatever it is, it is not made by mortals that is for sure."

Slime pats their backs: "You earned your day off *slurp* go and enjoy it."

Both: "Thank you, sir!"

The two go enter the portal elevator sending them to any floor they would like. Slime boss attends to the wall map, the map contains eight red marks in various places, some in cities others are marked at abandoned temples and ruins of small gods or titans. A round table took up most of the room, one giant chair on one side was meant for the person in charge of the operation to sit there. Slime smears off one mark off the map, giving a happy sigh followed behind it. The portal echos as it signals someone has come in.

Slime turns around: "Welcome, oh hello sir what brings you here."

Sin stands at the portal entrance looking toward the map: "Where did Jinn and Liz go on their last mission."

Slime answers a little sheepish: "Uh they traveled to the uh temple of fire."

Sin leaves without saying anything, prompting Slime to let a weak "sir" as he is eaten by the portal.

Slime: "Nice talk."

#

Hit Squad Number Two

Two demigods walk through a camp of soldiers.

Demigod one: "I wonder when the raid on the Thunderous kingdom will commence."

Demigod two tilts his head back to give a 'really' look: "You are excited about that aren't cha."

Demigod one moves his hands in excitement: "How are you not, The greatest demigod lives there, I can't wait to show him how strong I am. Also, give something extra to his wife if you know what I mean."

Demigod one playfully bumps him.

Demigod two walks ahead of him: "Your sick you know that."

Demigod one: "What!?"

The fort used wood logs with sharpened tips for its walls, two watchtowers stood at each entrance holding two guards in each of them. Nothing but dead earth covered the fort and its surroundings, for miles around the fort only dead cracked soils lay, tarnished by the war of man and God. An ugly cloud ate the sky, hiding the sun from this disgusting plague on the world. Three, that is the number of shadows walking towards the fort, lined up from shortest to tallest. The middle nods giving an order to attack the fort, the two on their sides split going on each side of the fort.

Upon reaching the big wooden door to one of the entrances, a guard stationed on the watchtower shouts to the main shadow.

Guard: "Halt! What is your business here!"

The main shadow covers their face with an overcoat that has a hoody covering most of its face.

Main Shadow voice out their business: "I come for the raid!"

A women's voice came from the shadow, her voice is the only way you could tell she was a woman considering the large cloak covering her head to toe. An elegance to her voice didn't help her lie.

Guard: "Walk away little princess, the people in there will eat you alive."

Woman in cloak: "Queen."

Guard visibly confused: "Excuse me?"

In a flash, the cloak emptied, slowly drifting to the floor, a black set of feathery wings pierced through the guard's neck completely decapitating the man. Landing on the roof of the watchtower blood dripped from her wings, talons gripped the edge of the roof holding her steady. Her hair consisted of feathers, black feathers, her arms are wings as she looks over the chaos that riddled the fort. All exists blocked off by fire leaving humans to be feasted upon.

Rez: "Ladies! Dinner is served!"

The two harpies swarm their prey, screams echo throughout the dead wastes, it tastes blood once more as the screams get snuffed out one by one. Rez wears a toothy grin while watching this delightful showcase of how easy human flesh can be torn from the bone.

Demigod one hysterical: "Please! Stay away! Get away from me!"

He sends a small ball of fire towards one of the harpies, it gets batted away like a fly. Terror fills his eyes, bringing him to tears, the harpies land in front of him. His back against the wall as the three stand over him, teeth sharpen to eat meat from the bone. Rez shoves his shoulder into the wall using her giant talons to hold him in place, squeezing with those sharp claws.

Rez questioned him: "Where are the other forts! Tell me now and this can all end!"

Demigod writhing in pain: "I don't know anything I swear!"

She grips harder, digging her talons into his shoulder: "That is what they always say, ladies, bring this one home, master will want to talk to this one."

Rez lets go walking away as one of the harpies kicks him in the head, knocking him out.

Rez scours the area, picking through the melted remains, coming upon what looks like the commander's tent. Still upright from the battle that took place, it was mostly intact, Rez swipes through the tent slicing it open.

Rez: "I guess someone survived."

The second demigod hid in the tent, his blade drawn ready for them to attack.

Demigod two: "Stay where you are!"

Rez sauntered her way around a war table that was in between them: "And why would I want to do that, it is not like I am going to bite."

Demigod swings his blade wildly trying to ward her off: "No but you sure as hell cut with those big talons!"

They go in a circle around the table, one trying to get close while the other trying to get as far away as they possibly can. Rez hops on the table, standing over him wearing a small black dress to cover up.

Rez: "Awe, are you scared of me."

The Demigod slowly backs out through the tent: "Stay away, *bump*, what the."

The two harpies stood behind him, their sharpened teeth open, salivating at the mouth. The man's eyes widen, realizing how screwed he is.

Demigod pleads for his life: "Wait, please PLEASE!"

A harpy slits his throat and then tosses him to the floor, bleeding out all over the floor.

Rez: "What a waste of life."

The three take off, carrying their prisoner of war as spoils for their leader. Cackling in the wind returning to their master, leaving chaos in their wake.

#

Nearing the mansion

Three harpies fly over the horizon, feeling the crisp wind through their feathers, bringing them pure bliss and thankfulness for just being able to take in this delightful sight. Rez twirls in the air, doing a backflip in the sky while the others hold the prisoner watching the queen have fun. An old mansion comes into sight on top of a circular mountain, waiting for them is a giant skeleton sitting on the porch of his mansion. He rocks back and forth on his chair, letting out a puff of smoke from his nonexistent lungs. Rez lands on the mountain, barely moving a blade of grass as she lands smoothly. The other two not so much, tossing the prisoner from a decent height, he plummets to the ground landing on his chest. The force of the crash woke up the man just to feel the pain of the blow. One harpy lands on his back, pinning him to the ground using her talons to dig into his back.

Sin sits up: "Glad to see you Rez, what have you brought me."

Rez points her wing to the demigod: "Oh only the spoils of war, and he has a lot of info about the raid. *Presses her foot on his head shoving his face into the ground*, don't you little man."

He grovels in the dirt, eating a mouth full of it, Sin, intrigued by the gift, waddles his way down the steps to them. Making a gesture the harpies let go of their vise grip on the man's back and head. Painfully slow the demigod lifts his head, taking a second to get in all the info his eyes were getting.

Demigod in disbelief: "A, elder lich? No, no, please! this can't be possible!"

Sin tilts down looking him dead in the eye: "And why is that?"

Demigod shaking: "Because you are dead, the gods have wiped you all out, your whole race!"

Sin grips his collar lifting him off his feet, his voice went as deep as possible: "Then you are gravely mistaken."

A whimper eeped out of the man: "I will tell you everything! I swear on my life!"

Sin tosses him to the ground: "I guess that is the only thing you have, fine, tell me now before I lose my temper."

Demigod spills his guts: "The raid starts in three days! One outpost sits in a forest of Epoch, near the Thunderous kingdom. *Sweat runs down his cheek*, that is all I know I swear!"

Sin narrows his bone brow: "I think you are not telling me everything."

Demigod: "I can't tell you anything else, they will kill me!"

Sin looks down upon him: "Who said you were going to make it out alive."

Demigod tried to run: "Oh god..."

Rez put her wing through his chest, she boots his soulless body off her wing.

Sin stares at the body: "I could forgive the attack if it was against me but if it brings any pain to my master then it is death."

Sin turns away, heading inside: "Rez, can you rally the assassins please, we have a few things to take care of."

Rez: "Right away sir."

Harpy one: "Well what do we do now."

Rez: "You two go scout out the forest while I get everyone ready, and return safely please."

Both Harpies: "Right away my lady."

They take flight, zooming through the sky towards their destination. Rez dusted herself off, making herself more presentable for the mansion and its residents. Thinking she is ready, with a shove of the doors, she releases chaos she hasn't felt in a long time. Two fireballs wizz past her, warming her body as they pass by hurling themselves out of the mansion into the world. The hall falls silent, everyone snaps to the now open door holding eyes full of surprise. Sun is the first to break the awkward silence, she drops Rex who was trying to chase Ven while she antagonized him for loving being scratched behind the ear.

Sun straightens her posture: "Long time no see Rez, how was your kingdom in the sky doing."

Rez stutters: "Uh r-right! It is doing well, it takes a lot of work to keep a kingdom together."

Moon seeps out of the way, disappearing from this mess, Ven acts, all the same, walking up to the feathery friend and patting her on the back.

Ven gives her a warm welcome: "Hey there royal hotshot, did you miss us, *Ven raises an eyebrow*, or are you too good for us now."

Rez: "Ha, like I can stay away from you fricken psycho, so how are you Ven, meet any strong warriors yet."

Ven walks with Rez: "No, only your typical knight thinking he can take on the gods, they probably couldn't even fight Hestia and leave a dent on her."

Their voice fades down the halls chatting about their travels, the others regain their voices.

The first is Rex: "Well that was interesting."

Sun swats him in the back of the head: "You shut it you mutt!"

Rex whimpers: "It's not my fault!"

Sun leaves the room: "Whatever you mongrel! Go choke on a bone!"

Rex yells: "What, I said I was sorry!"

#

Nightfall

Liz: "Sir, the harpies have reported a fort inside the forest, it is one of the biggest they have seen."

Sin: "Good, if we kill them all now then there won't even be a thought left about attacking the city, only the massacre thinking it."

Rez lands behind Sin: "Sin, there was an army spotted at the edge of the forest treeline, I don't think this is just bandits and criminals."

Sin: "Change of plans, spread the word for our army to protect the gate, I need to go to the city."

Both Liz and Rez: "Got it."

Sin: "Gate."

Entering the liquidy portal to a palace of beauty and elegance.

Sin observing the area: "The throne room, I could have sworn I opened the portal to the bed chambers."

Ash shouts from the halls: "What are you doing here Sin."

Sin strolled towards him: "There is an attack on the city about to commence, I have my army protecting the wall, I just need you to call off the guards."

Ash: "Understood, mind if I join the fray, I am bored."

Sin: "It will be my pleasure."

A portal opens behind Sin: "Sir the guards are not listening to us!"

Sin enters the portal along with Ash, coming through to a whole battalion surrounding Sin's assassins.

Ash orders: "Everyone stand down he is with me!"

The captain of the guard voices out: "Everyone fall back to the gate! My Lord, I am glad to see you. May I ask why this army stands guard."

Ash: "There is going to be an attack on the kingdom and my pupil here warned me of the incoming attack."

Ash stands at the wall directing the soldiers on the wall: "You ready the mages for magic walls, and send a message to the queen of the attack!"

Sin regroups with his army: "Is everyone ready."

Rez wears a worried look on her face: "Don't you think there is not enough of us, in total here, there are about a hundred of us."

Sin: "I got it covered, just keep a level head about it."

The army of the forest emerges, tens upon thousands of soldiers and criminals lined up, they rush like untrained buffoons.

Sin lazily: "Liz dear?"

Liz looks up: "Yes Sin?"

Sin points: "Can you hold your hands against the floor."

Liz does it in a flash: "Right away sir."

Sin: "Now! Bury my enemies, and bring forth my allies!"

The ground beneath the army grows hands of bone grabbing at the soldiers' feet and pulling them under, suffocating them. Once a soldier goes under, the skeleton pops up-armored to the teeth.

Rez: "No wonder why you told me not to worry about it."

Sin: "Most humans are stupid or just plain weak, but it doesn't mean they can't make good fodder."

The ground stops pulling soldiers under as it releases hordes of skeletons, fully assembled in a position to wall the army.

Sin: "My assassins! You may have fun."

Rushing the battlefield the assassins make quick work of the soldiers attacking the wall of skeletons.

Ash hops down the wall: "Some magic is just out of my reach, I guess being dead has its perks too."

Sin: "Yes it does, do you want to have fun."

Ash holds a smile: "Gladly."

Ash vanishes leaving an afterimage, Sin waddles to the battlefield. Climbing up the skeleton wall as they form steps with their bodies.

Sin chuckles out loud: "Haaahaa Haahaa, the good times!"

Sin sends balls of elements into the crowded area of enemy soldiers.

Ash warms up a summoning circle in his hand: "You have no idea who lives here do you."

(Art made by Ninestar619)

A whole blacker than a cave forms on the ground quickly expanding and eating anyone who falls in. A white paw comes out of the hole crushing three soldiers, pulling itself out, a lioness jumps out landing on soldiers squashing them flat.

Ash chats it up with his familiar while snapping the neck of a soldier: "Hey Vex, how was your nap!"

Vex hops around not noticing she is in a battle: "It was wonderful, I feel so much better! Oh, where are we."

Ash grabs the wrist of a soldier, using him as a meat shield as the soldier gets stabbed by his comrades: "We are fighting a battle, I just brought you out to see if you wanted to stretch your legs. *Screams of the soldier getting stabbed* you can go visit Sam and Sadie, don't forget to say hi to Astrid and tell her I will be home before dinner."

Vex: "Okay see you later!"

She rushes off Ash almost forgets: "Don't forget to shrink when you enter the city!"

The battle gets cleared up in a matter of minutes, Rez drops a soldier at Sin's and Ash's feet.

Rez: "This man was running away, his armor bears a mark that is unknown to me."

Ash helps him off his feet, cleaning him off: "Look at you, all dusty from hiding, it's okay I won't hurt you."

A whimper can be heard from under their helmet, Ash flicks the visor up revealing a woman in her early twenties.

Sin: "Ah a woman, what is a lady doing fighting a war, especially on a side of murders and criminals."

Her eyes can't focus on one face, looking at Sin gives her the shakes while staring at Ash calms her. The armor she wore was a basic knight but the color scheme is pure red with a black tint to the visor giving it a maroon look.

Ash asks her a question: "Would you rather die a soldier or live under a lord."

A whimper eeps out: "A L-Lord sir."

Ash: "Good, now I need info about your leader, or that can't happen."

She whispers: " Zero."

Sin steps back: "So he lives, I knew that rat would survive that fall."

Ash: "Friend of yours."

Sin: "Ha, calling us friends is like saying Zeus is the greatest husband there is."

Ash directs his attention back to the soldier: "You held up your side of the bargain now it's mine. Sin?"

Sin looks at Ash: "Yes?"

Ash grows a wicked smile: "Your next test for being my pupil is you will take this human under your wing and teach her the ways of living in peace."

Rez and Sin shout in disbelief: "WHAT!!?"

Sin pleads: "Sir you can't be serious, my servants will eat her alive, I can't do that."

Ash rests his arm on his shoulder: "So you want to fail your master Sin, you are going to break his heart."

He gives Sin puppy dog eyes, and Sin rolls his flames: "*Sigh* yes sir, right away sir."

Sin: "Gate."

The portal opened behind him, Sin talks to her as Ash leaves for the castle: "What is your name."

She gives a low-spoken answer: "It is Marilyn."

Marilyn trembles with every step, the assassins walk into the portal one by one, staring her down. The skeletons dig into the ground going back to sleep.

Sin holds a hand out: "Don't worry, you will be safe, just try to keep an open mind."

She gave a little nod, Sin walked her in slowly preparing her to enter, closing her eyes tightly as she pushes through.

Sin: "you can open your eyes now."

Marilyn opens one eye to a beautiful mansion, Sun and Moon stand with their hands folded in front of them.

Both: "Welcome back Sin."

Sun: "You brought a human."

Sin: "Don't treat her like that, her name is Marilyn, and will be working under me."

Sun: "Understood."

Sin: "Moon could you show her to her quarters."

Moon nods: "Yes sir."

Sin looks down at Marilyn: "Don't worry she is very shy too."

Marilyn: "Okay."

The two walk down the hall, Sun turns sharply: "Have you lost your mind!"

Sin: "*Sigh* It was not my idea, Ash told me to do it."

Sun: "So he is testing you."

Sin: "Yes he is."

Sun walks away: "Good luck with all the rest of your servants."

Sin stands there: "Shit."