For Honor [Job, Private]

Markus looked up, the sky was getting darker as the sun waned in the distant horizon. He heard the sound of whistles, trains to be exact. He was walking out of the station, his gate slow and measured. Markus had arrived just moments ago, and was hoping to get this over with. He only had a couple hours until the train left.

The city wasn’t large, but it was well built. Oshibana was built around the central station Markus was walking from. The buildings, streets, and rails extended outwards from the station. Oshibana was on the way to Magnolia, and he had almost passed on the job. After all, he had a meeting with a guild wizard in a few days, and it would look bad to be late.

Markus was still unsure if he was making the right decision. A large part of him wanted to walk away, ignore Avan, and his offer. Though, a larger part of him wanted to see what he could gain. The power joining a guild would give him.

Markus stopped thinking about it, and thought once more about the job.

This job was quite a bit different then any he had done before… kinda. He had killed, and faught. He had taken out hits, and it never bothered him. Each and every one of those jobs, not that there had been many, had been for a reason. In Markus’s mind each kill served a purpose. This time was different, in many ways.

For the first time, the target was prepared for the hit.

For the first time, the one who requested the hit, was the target.

For the first time, Markus was killing legally.

For some reason the man, Ior Valiir, wanted to die, he wanted his live to be taken, in battle. Something about going to Valhalla and not hel. Markus grinned looking at his shadow, it was kinda ironic. He did not really care much about killing the man, death had never been an issue for him. He was just uncertain as to why, and if the death had any true purpose.

In the end, he decided it was not his decision to make. Like usual Markus adopted his calculated and cool demeanor. As if he hadn’t a care in the world, as if the job meant nothing to him. Which, was partially true. Markus did not stop as he went, not for any of the shops, not for food. He was here on business and that was all.

Markus pulled up his hood as he entered the park. Unlike normally he did not activate the shrouds ability, though that didn’t mean he wanted everyone to see his face. Luckily even without magic the cowl was deep enough to keep him hidden from most.

The park was crowded, he assumed more so than usual. Everyone was standing around a central area, what looked like an event, or game of some sorts. Markus sighed. He did not know there would be an audience, and he didn’t like it.


In fact he hated the idea. It was a job, and on top of that it was not sport, but death. Markus sighed, wishing only to end this as soon as possible.

After a few minutes, a couple of introductions, and very few words on Markus’s part he was now standing in the center of the ring. Dousens of citizens were standing around the area, and in the center about 5 meters away stood Ior himself.

The man looked every bit the warrior he was said to be, though age has taken its toll on his features the man was a rock. With thick biceps and tree like legs he stood resolute, determined to see this to the end. The man looked at Markus with blue eyes, they held a wisdom known only to 80 years of life in service to battle. His grim smile has hidden behind a heavy white beart. His hair was a light grey, and had braids and beats in various locations. In his right hand was a double-edged longsword, in his left a shield. He held them both lightly, at the ready, and at his side. His muscles were tense, his body ready for the coming battle.

Taking a deep break Markus nodded, the slightest of movement, almost impossible to see. The warrior however got the meaning and assaulted with a heavy cry. He was fast, faster then Markus had expected, and as such he was barely able to dodge the first strike in time, and was too slow to dodge the man's shield which smashed into Markus’s torso, knocking him back a couple feet.

The crowd went wild. Markus felt his cheeks flush, his breath was short. He was definitely not used to this, and was completely certain that he would never accept a mission like this again. Markus decided, since the man knew he was hiring a wizard, and had cleaned it with the council that Magic was legal within this dual.

The fight was difficult, he found himself narrowly avoiding the warriors sword. However, sometimes he failed. Markus felt the sting of the warriors sword, it felt a lot like a knife, and Matkus hated the feeling just as much. He could feel his left sleeve getting wet.

As for Markus, he got very few hits in, all unarmed, and he didn’t have the time to cast any of his magic.. Not unless he wanted to reveal hela, or use magic which would link to his… other jobs.

Finally, he found his opening, as the man charged forward, Markus ducked under the man's shield. As his sword swung through the air Markus rapped his fist on the other man's arm, managing to knock the man’s sword into the dirt, giving him the spit second he needed.

Jumping backwards to narrowly avoid an attack from the man’s shield he escape he started to collect his magic into his hands. The darkness he controlled was released, forming, wrapping, it started to resemble vines, black and lightless, made up of pure darkness. They vines draped from his right arm, cutting into his flesh ready for him to use they lay on the ground, sprawling behind him.

The warrior smiled, grinning as if accepting death like an old friend. As he ran forward Markus whipped the vines forward, willing them with his mind. His magic thrived with creativity, imagination, and total focus.

Markus cleared his mind as the whip wrapped itself around the warriors through, blood started to trickle from where the thorns pierced his skin. The crowd took a collective gasp...

Some minutes later with the deed done, Markus walked away, his face deep in his cowl. This was the first time he had fled a scene with those looking for him wishing only to congratulate him. Before he died the Warrior had informed him of how to collect his payment. Markus, during the battle, learned a lot about dealing, and fighting warriors. He was certain that it would help him later down the line.