Grenth's Blade

[zaren-alcarius]

It was just before sunset when the dying light attempted to break through the clouds overhead. Moss covered the forest ground, carpeting the alpine forest with green and small flecks of white flowers. A gentle snow dusted the forest, halting abruptly midway through a clearing, as though it had run into an invisible wall. The scent of pine trees and wet dirt was thick on the air, almost welcoming would-be hikers to take a moment to enjoy the area.

To most, the scene might have been considered beautiful. To Zaren, it looked like an obvious trap. The moss allowed for silent steps and the snow obscured vision and adversely effected the mask’s ability to reveal heat signatures. Strong ambient scents also prevented any ability to potentially smell anything out of the norm.

The Blade didn’t like this. At all.

While the forest behind him was clear, the snowy section before him was unexplored. He didn’t need to see them to know they were there. It was a sensation that was difficult to describe, but he could feel that he wasn’t alone.

Zaren paused at the edge of the break in the trees, quickly surveying the area. It was when the air suddenly became frigid that he knew he was being approached.

Sitting upon a felled tree was an average sized Ascalonian man dressed in dark leathers. He had geared himself similarly to Zaren - or at least what he presumed Zaren would have. The Ascalonian’s graying locks were pulled back to keep his vision from being obscured and to make it easier to hide beneath the shadows of his hood.

“Reaper,” the man said, bowing his head to give respect more to the title than Zaren himself. He did not wear the mask that was uniform for the Order, so his smooth, low voice could easily be heard.

“Master Laren,” Zaren replied in return with the bow of his own head. He did, however, wear the oni mask. The enchantment on the item warped and distorted his voice into something otherworldly - almost a low growl.

“I must say, I did expect something like this,” Zaren said, lifting a hand to gesture to the area. “It was more a question of who it was that would come.”

The Ascalonian smirked. “Councilman Raynard sends his regards.”

“I am certain he does,” Zaren replied. The magic on the mask kept his voice steady and even, obscuring any irritation he might have had with the situation. “And he relies upon you to end me?”

“Not quite.” With a laugh, Laren stood up from the felled tree. “The Councilman wants to ensure that you remain capable, despite your grave injuries.” The Ascalonian took a few measured steps closer, hands lifted, “You are of no use and no threat if you have not rehabilitated yourself.” Laren regarded the masked Luxon briefly before continuing, “So no, I do not plan to kill you. Not outright. Instead, I propose a duel.”

Zaren tilted his head slightly, the dark eyes of the oni mask resting on the Ascalonian. “Do you?”

“I do,” Laren replied calmly. “To the death?” Zaren clarified. Laren nodded once. “Very well,” the Reaper replied.

“I presume that your allies shall remain at ease?” Zaren inquired. 

“They shall,” Laren replied as he lifted his own mask to his face. As he spoke, his voice warped in much the same manner as Zaren’s. “This is between you and me.”

“Ominous,” Zaren said with a snort. Through the distortion of the mask, the sound came out as more of a low growl.  

Without further preamble, Laren drew his sword from his scabbard and approached. In turn, Zaren drew his own blade- distinctly Canthan in design with a jade inlaid hilt. The choice of adornment was the only potential hint that the man beneath that mask was of Luxon descent. 

The sound of metal colliding soon peppered the ever present howl of the wind against the treetops as the assassins engaged in their duel. Each attempted strike was met with a block here, a parry there. Both had dedicated their entire lives to pursuit of blood and steel and neither faltered despite the moss, rocks, and branches littering the area.

It wasn’t until Laren threw a knife with the flick of his left wrist that the flow of combat had been altered. Reflexively, Zaren yanked the sheath of his sword from his belt and spun to block the knife while counter attacking with his sword with a swift and sharp thrust. Laren leaned to the side to dodge it, but was not quick enough. The wickedly sharp edge of Zaren’s sword sliced through the Ascalonian’s armor and to the skin on his arm.

Laren stumbled back, expression beneath the mask twisting with irritation. The wound burned as the poison began to take its course. It wasn’t the standard hemotoxin of the Order - the one that those within had built an immunity to. This was something else, something that took hold almost immediately

“Unfortunate,” the Ascalonian observed as he swayed. Again, he moved to strike, though with far less grace. It was easily countered by Zaren, who stepped in closer to slam the hilt of his sword into Laren’s mask. Though it was technically armor, it was still a surface making hard contact against his face and it brought the man to his knees.

“Grenth be just,” Zaren murmured as his blade swiftly severed the other man’s head from his neck.

Victorious, the Reaper shook the blood from his sword in a sharp circular motion with a snap at the end. Zaren raised his voice to call to the forest where he knew the others were hiding, “Tell Councilman Raynard to ensure that my seat at the head of the council is prepared for my arrival.”

With that, Zaren knelt beside the beheaded body and retrieved the mask from the ground beside it. He then took time to give Laren a proper burial. They had been enemies, but the man died with honor. 

[zaren-alcarius]

Esteemed Reaper,

I am eager to hear your proposition. In the interest of discretion, I would prefer to meet on neutral grounds. I recommend the forest beyond the Sanctuary walls to the south. We shall convene in two day’s time as the sun sets.

Councilman Raynard

To say that Zaren didn’t trust the correspondence was an understatement. The likelihood of the meeting being a trap was astronomical and he was well aware. That the meeting was requested outside of the Sanctuary, however, was an indication that there were indeed still those loyal to him within the icy walls.

With that thought in mind, the Blade retreated to the shrine that was hidden away on his property. There, he acquired what that he would need - daggers, sword, poisons, armor. Each piece of gear was inspected closely, as always before use, to ensure integrity.

Once he was confident that his gear would not let him down, he retrieved the hard, metal mask from the foot of the shrine to Grenth. Staring back at the man was the twisted face of an oni, the mouth locked in a cruel grin. It had taken him years to be able to navigate with the enchantment that had been provided by the item. The environmental and target information that it provided would be invaluable for seeking out potential hiding enemies.

The Blade flipped the mask over to lift it to his face. Tendrils of shadow reached out from the metal to his face to caress his cool skin as though actively enticing him to put the mask on. The closer the dark metal became, the more intense the shadows grew until they made a perfect seal.

Grenth guide my hand and allow me to restore order once more in your name. 

[zaren-alcarius]

Councilman Raynard,

I am requesting a formal meeting in order to discuss the terms of the agreement that you proposed upon my awakening. I believe that I have come up with an arrangement that we will both find agreeable.

Zaren Alcarius

The Blade’s mismatched gaze swept over the words carefully written upon the parchment. This was not his typical way of problem solving. He’d learned that often times, cutting straight to the heart of a matter was the quickest, cleanest resolution.

This time was different. They had years to plan -years that they spread their roots through the Order. Being heavy handed was what put him into this position in the first place and he refused to make the same mistake twice.

So he would play their game, hear out what the council wanted of him. There was always Plan B if civility failed.

[zaren-alcarius]

[kingxfmischief]

Reblog this if your inbox is open 24/7 for plotting.

[raivaryn]

A L W A Y S

[zaren-alcarius]

The whispers continued, just audible beneath the keening wind. They spoke of sharp edges and flickering candles, of ancient altars and gaining power through the simplest of methods. {Zaren dealing with a persuasive yurei.}

“You will not sway me from my cause, spirit,” the Reaper replied, voice distorted through the mask’s enchantment. “Your power does not entice me.”

This was a fact.

Zaren was in the order for what one would consider ‘the right reasons’. It was his faith that drove him; faith and an unyielding desire to serve his god in the manner that he best knew how. He would see his mission through until the end no matter the cost.

[mypieceofculture]

Halloween Aesthetics // Grim Reaper Aesthetic

[te5seract]

Tributary Tango & Athabasca Serpent by Blake Randall

[zaren-alcarius]

Are there any others that you work with, or do you work alone?

“Involving others is inviting additional variables. You cannot predict what they will do, nor can you control them,” the Blade replied lowly. “It is safest to work alone so that the mission can be focused upon while minimizing potential interference.”

[zaren-alcarius]

[zaren-alcarius]

Have you ever been employed by someone, and then turn around and murdered them for someone else later?

“Indeed,” Zaren replied with a smirk. “I believe some would consider that karma.”

[alannasroleplaymemes-moved]

Go into my inbox and tell me a situation you’d love to see my Muse go through.

Curious how my muse would handle heartbreak? Want an open where my Muse is irrationally upset or in danger? Toss all the ideas at me! I might get inspired!

Anon is optional.

[zaren-alcarius]

Has there ever been a job that you agreed to do, but once you found more information, decided against it?

Zaren tilted his head slightly in consideration. After a moment, he gave a slow nod, “Indeed.”

It wasn’t something he’d generally admit, but he wanted to be honest with Yoi. There were times that a contract just wasn’t worth it and he didn’t want her to be afraid to be up front in those moments.

“Always be certain prior to accepting a job that you have all of the details.”

[araxus-seruviale-deactivated201]

They say only the most faithful thrive within the ice carved Sanctuary. Here, we are molded into the men and women we were meant to become. We live, learn, train, and devote ourselves to the Lord of Death. 

I will never forget my time here, brief as it may have been. It was here I learned the hard truth about the Elders.

You may be dead, but I will be sure your life’s work won’t go unfinished. Just as with the dragon corrupted, our Order will be cleansed.

[memeasaurus-promptus]

Muse Questions: Assassin Edition

Requested by Anonymous

Do you take any job or do you have requirements?

How many people have you killed so far? 

Is there any job that you regret? 

Has there ever been a job that you agreed to do, but once you found more information, decided against it? 

Have you ever turned down a job? 

Has any of your targets successfully convinced you not to kill them? 

Do you have any tools that you always bring with you?

What is your favorite tool of the trade?

Do you leave the body where it is, or do you hide it? 

Have you ever been caught?

Any stories of close calls? 

What is your favorite method, or do you change according to the job or keep from creating a M.O? 

Do you leave a calling card? What is it? 

Do people know of you, or have they yet to find out about your existence? 

Are there any others that you work with, or do you work alone? 

What do you think about poisons? 

What clothing do you prefer to wear when out on the job? 

Do you go undercover, or do you prefer to sneak in as an unwanted guest? 

Do you get paid for your jobs? How much on average? 

What was your most notorious successful job? 

What was your worst job? 

Do you have a network of individuals who give you information, or do you prefer to find it on your own?

Do you belong to an organization? What is it called? 

Do you have any other job outside of this one? 

Do you go under a different name when on the job? What is it? 

Have you ever been employed by someone, and then turn around and murdered them for someone else later? 

Do you have a specific workout you do to keep yourself in shape? 

Up close and personal jobs or far away sniping jobs? 

Do you ever wish that you didn’t live like this, or do you genuinely enjoy your job?

Ever killed another assassin? Why?

Free Question! Add your own question here.

[zaren-alcarius]

[zaren-alcarius]

"I don’t hate it, by the way."

“Do you not?” the Blade asked, head tilting just slightly. Beneath the shadowy hood, Zaren peered at the individual standing before him. His countenance was obscured by the cold, twisted grin carved into black metal that could easily give a child nightmares. The enchantment on the mask distorted his voice into unnatural obscurity, making it impossible to decipher the identity of the man behind it. “How interesting. Most fear the visage.”