A man stood atop a hill overlooking Oak Town. He wore a tan, tattered hood and cloak. Pulling back the hood revealed kind green eyes and shone brightly in the sunlight and spiky black hair that waved in the small winds of midday. Dropping his bag he pulled out a few pieces of paper. One was a map to confirm that he was indeed at Oak Town. The other was the job description that he had been given by a “mutual friend” of his at a tavern. Getting jobs was hard for Akire due to not finding a suitable guild to have a constant influx of jobs and taking all the other types of jobs that he could get his hands on were dark guild assassination jobs. He was hopping to leave the murdering behind if he could help it. But with recent sparring matches not going his way he wasn’t too sure that it goes his way. Returning the papers to his backpack Akire walked down the path and into town. He’d never been to the town so he spent a good long while getting lost and trying to find his way around. He wasn’t much of a city person. Just then a little shimmer of light caught his eye and he glanced toward the sky, floating down was a cute little dragon baby. Once it got closer one would notice that it’s entire body was a translucent blue and moved like flowing water as it landed on Akire’s shoulder happily. He scratched under its chin and it purred almost like a cat. “Did ya find anything boy? The place that we’re supposed to meet the client?” he asked talking to the dragon as he walked around. The dragon cued and responded in a childish voice “Course I did big brother.” He pointed down the street “Turn left here, take the right after next and keep going. The place is on the left. Can’t miss it.” Wiz said grinning at Akire petted his head. He took the directions and sat down at one of the outdoor tables at the café.
The man walked up to the café and saw a man who looked like a mage with his feet propped up on another chair with a strange little pet resting upon his shoulder. The man took a minute to make sure that his clothes were right in a window. His goatee was groomed, his moderate length brown hair was slicked back and his suit was nice, he flared the collar a little to make it look a little less formal. Taking a deep breath he said to himself “Alright Church you got this. You got this.” He said trying to boost his confidence. Pulling out the seat he sat down next to mage dressed in a T-shirt and cargo pants. “Are you the mage the accepted my request?” he asked a bit nervously
Akire had nonchalantly watched the man approach and sit down. When questioned about the job he was offered he nodded “Yeah. That’s me, Akire. This here is my partner Wiz.” He said introducing himself and stroking the dragon. “Hiya! Nice to meet you Mister!” Wiz said happily waving a claw in the air like a little kid. Akire giggled a little before turning to the client. “Lets get down to business shall we?” he asked taking on a much more serious tone and face than previously. “Tell us bout this man whose been taking your hard earned cash.” He told the man.
Church was taken back a bit by the mages kindness; his friends had always talked about how mages were evil and brought only pain and destruction wherever they go. He was also startled when the little dragon thing talked to him, it almost sounded like his little girl. “S-sorry. I’m Churchill. Churchill Maxamillion. I’m a little taken aback by your pet there.” He said motioning to the liquid dragon. Upon the request for more information Church nodded. “Yes lets. So, from what I have gathered someone has been suspicious has been pinching my money when I go into town. I’ve had the local police force try to look into it but to no avail. Thus I out a job up for in hopes a mage such as yourself would come along and help me with my plait.” He said fidgeting a little. “He wears black and hangs around in the town square after noon. If it’s not too much trouble I’d like you to confront him.” He added.
Akire listened to the man’s request. It was pretty much a reiteration of the job poster. He nodded as he listened to Church, when he mentioned confronting the crafty pickpocket he leaned back in his chair and thought it over. ‘On the one hand, it could be a tough fight and people might be injured. On the other hand, if I successfully pull it off I might get a few extra jewels out of it.’ He thought as he moved both hands up and down as if imitating a scale. He put his hands down on the table. “I’ll do it, but I’d rather not confront him in an all out street brawl. My magic isn’t something I use all willy nilly.” Akire said to Church.
Church listened to Akire as he told him he’d rather not fight the man whose been stealing his money. He sighed and thought about it for a moment, “Alright alright. I can see that you’re a persistent man in this matter. Do as you will, just deal with him please. I’d like to be able to buy my wife something nice and not come home close to penniless.” He said clearly just wanting to put this fiasco behind him and move on. He called one of the waitresses over and asked for two menus. “Let us eat and conclude our business.” He said as he opened up and looked at the menu. The café had the usual drinks and little lunch specials.
Akire agreed and picked up the menu that was placed in front of him. There was a fair bit to choose from for a small town café. He had decided on a coffee and a sandwich for himself and a glass of chocolate milk and some macaroni for Wiz. He handed the menus back to the waitress she took their orders. Turning back to Church he asked “Now that we have some time to kill, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” he offered.
Church handed his menu back to the waitress and decided to humble the mage. “Well I grew up here in Oak Town myself. Ran off to try following my dreams of becoming some big shot of a get rich quick scheme I came up with. That didn’t succeed as well as I had hoped. I wondered around for a few years, almost died a few times but as luck would have it I didn’t as you can clearly see.” He said chuckling before continuing, “I met my wife Bridgette on the road and we got married on the country side. We moved back here and bought ourselves a nice little house. After a few years I worked my up through a corporation and now have a stable job with a large enough income to support my little girl and the other one we have on the way.”
It was then that their food arrived and Akire went to wash up. Upon returning he sat down and started eating. He, Church and Wiz ate in silence for a few minutes before he set his fork down “I think I’ll retire for the night I’m feeling a little…” his voice trailed off as his vision blurred and got darker “What’s…” was all he could say before falling face down on the table. Wiz was already out cold.
Church grinned as the mage fell for a simple trap. This was going better than expected. Who would think that he’d be able to capture a mage for such a stupid job? He couldn’t help but laugh. He could do so many things with a mage, sell him off to a slave, and hold him for ransom from his guild or even the magic council. He waved to the waitress who had served them and they both picked up the mage, the pet and the mages belongings. Carrying him toward their hide out they laughed about how much money they were going to get for a mage.
A few hours later Akire woke, he was tied to a chair in a dark room. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust but they did none the less and he looked around. It was empty except for a door. He tried to move the chair but it was bolted to the ground. So he took this time to study his situation, the first thing he noticed was he couldn’t feel his magic, which was a bit of a problem. He tried to contact Wiz, looks like he was in the same position. The metal door opened and Church walked in. Akire’s face lit up “Church! Hey, get me outta here. This place is-“ He was cut short when a foot was plated in his face. Knocking his neck back and causing him to cough up blood.
Church glared at him “Stupid fucking mage. You think you rule the world just because you can use magic. How about some real magic!” He says producing a pistol from behind him and placing it against Akire’s temple. He leaned in close “If you’re ass wasn’t worth so much I’d fucking blow your brains out now.” He said before punching Akire again.
It was at this point that Akire started laughing. “ME? WORTH SO MUCH!? WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM? SOME HIGH RANKING MAGE? HELL NO! I’M A MONSTER WHO CAN’T BE TAMED BY NO ONE! NOT BY THE COUNCIL, NOT BY ME, AND CERTIENLY NOT BY YOU!” He screamed at the top of his lungs. It was this realization that awoke his primal urge. Gone was the kind hearted man that Church laughed and talked with. Now it was something else. The magical chains that held Akire exploded. Church backed up fast, clearly startled at the sudden outburst blood burst from all over his body, hovering in the air before floating back to him and covering his body. It took only a few moments but when it was finished what stood before church and his men was a crimson demon. Complete with horns, tail, sharp teeth and claws. Many of the men ran away screaming in terror as Akire went to work tearing and ripping. Guns didn’t have any effect and just bounced off his crimson hide. He slammed his hand into the ground, sending jet red spikes through many of the members leaving organs impaled on many of them. It looked like something out of a horror movie; a demon tearing and slaughtering the men who he had worked so hard to find and obtain. Church cowered in a corner, head covered as the screams of his men waged around him. Sounds of tearing flesh and snapping bones echoed around the compound. It was then that the demon, having killed most of then men in the room moved toward the cowering man. He screamed and begged for his life “Please spare me! I won’t do it again! I promise! Please I don’t want to die! Please have mercy!” he cried and cried. It was then that the demon reared back. Church thought he was going to leave but he was wrong. The crimson monstrosity had just reeled back for the final strike, and just as his claws were about to reach him Church thought and regretted almost everything that had led up to this point. He closed his eyes and waited but nothing came. No pain, so searing flame, nothing, just a voice, the voice of the mage; Akire.
“Time’s up. How’d you enjoy your 3 minutes in hell?” he asked the man on the ground. Church looked up as saw Akire standing there, with Wiz on his shoulder giggling like a schoolgirl. Church was still in shock and could only mutter as Akire looted everyone and went on his merry way, leaving a little statue of a horned demon right beside the defeated man. He smiled as he exited the compound, the sounds of terrified ramblings echoing behind him.
The man walked up to the café and saw a man who looked like a mage with his feet propped up on another chair with a strange little pet resting upon his shoulder. The man took a minute to make sure that his clothes were right in a window. His goatee was groomed, his moderate length brown hair was slicked back and his suit was nice, he flared the collar a little to make it look a little less formal. Taking a deep breath he said to himself “Alright Church you got this. You got this.” He said trying to boost his confidence. Pulling out the seat he sat down next to mage dressed in a T-shirt and cargo pants. “Are you the mage the accepted my request?” he asked a bit nervously
Akire had nonchalantly watched the man approach and sit down. When questioned about the job he was offered he nodded “Yeah. That’s me, Akire. This here is my partner Wiz.” He said introducing himself and stroking the dragon. “Hiya! Nice to meet you Mister!” Wiz said happily waving a claw in the air like a little kid. Akire giggled a little before turning to the client. “Lets get down to business shall we?” he asked taking on a much more serious tone and face than previously. “Tell us bout this man whose been taking your hard earned cash.” He told the man.
Church was taken back a bit by the mages kindness; his friends had always talked about how mages were evil and brought only pain and destruction wherever they go. He was also startled when the little dragon thing talked to him, it almost sounded like his little girl. “S-sorry. I’m Churchill. Churchill Maxamillion. I’m a little taken aback by your pet there.” He said motioning to the liquid dragon. Upon the request for more information Church nodded. “Yes lets. So, from what I have gathered someone has been suspicious has been pinching my money when I go into town. I’ve had the local police force try to look into it but to no avail. Thus I out a job up for in hopes a mage such as yourself would come along and help me with my plait.” He said fidgeting a little. “He wears black and hangs around in the town square after noon. If it’s not too much trouble I’d like you to confront him.” He added.
Akire listened to the man’s request. It was pretty much a reiteration of the job poster. He nodded as he listened to Church, when he mentioned confronting the crafty pickpocket he leaned back in his chair and thought it over. ‘On the one hand, it could be a tough fight and people might be injured. On the other hand, if I successfully pull it off I might get a few extra jewels out of it.’ He thought as he moved both hands up and down as if imitating a scale. He put his hands down on the table. “I’ll do it, but I’d rather not confront him in an all out street brawl. My magic isn’t something I use all willy nilly.” Akire said to Church.
Church listened to Akire as he told him he’d rather not fight the man whose been stealing his money. He sighed and thought about it for a moment, “Alright alright. I can see that you’re a persistent man in this matter. Do as you will, just deal with him please. I’d like to be able to buy my wife something nice and not come home close to penniless.” He said clearly just wanting to put this fiasco behind him and move on. He called one of the waitresses over and asked for two menus. “Let us eat and conclude our business.” He said as he opened up and looked at the menu. The café had the usual drinks and little lunch specials.
Akire agreed and picked up the menu that was placed in front of him. There was a fair bit to choose from for a small town café. He had decided on a coffee and a sandwich for himself and a glass of chocolate milk and some macaroni for Wiz. He handed the menus back to the waitress she took their orders. Turning back to Church he asked “Now that we have some time to kill, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” he offered.
Church handed his menu back to the waitress and decided to humble the mage. “Well I grew up here in Oak Town myself. Ran off to try following my dreams of becoming some big shot of a get rich quick scheme I came up with. That didn’t succeed as well as I had hoped. I wondered around for a few years, almost died a few times but as luck would have it I didn’t as you can clearly see.” He said chuckling before continuing, “I met my wife Bridgette on the road and we got married on the country side. We moved back here and bought ourselves a nice little house. After a few years I worked my up through a corporation and now have a stable job with a large enough income to support my little girl and the other one we have on the way.”
It was then that their food arrived and Akire went to wash up. Upon returning he sat down and started eating. He, Church and Wiz ate in silence for a few minutes before he set his fork down “I think I’ll retire for the night I’m feeling a little…” his voice trailed off as his vision blurred and got darker “What’s…” was all he could say before falling face down on the table. Wiz was already out cold.
Church grinned as the mage fell for a simple trap. This was going better than expected. Who would think that he’d be able to capture a mage for such a stupid job? He couldn’t help but laugh. He could do so many things with a mage, sell him off to a slave, and hold him for ransom from his guild or even the magic council. He waved to the waitress who had served them and they both picked up the mage, the pet and the mages belongings. Carrying him toward their hide out they laughed about how much money they were going to get for a mage.
A few hours later Akire woke, he was tied to a chair in a dark room. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust but they did none the less and he looked around. It was empty except for a door. He tried to move the chair but it was bolted to the ground. So he took this time to study his situation, the first thing he noticed was he couldn’t feel his magic, which was a bit of a problem. He tried to contact Wiz, looks like he was in the same position. The metal door opened and Church walked in. Akire’s face lit up “Church! Hey, get me outta here. This place is-“ He was cut short when a foot was plated in his face. Knocking his neck back and causing him to cough up blood.
Church glared at him “Stupid fucking mage. You think you rule the world just because you can use magic. How about some real magic!” He says producing a pistol from behind him and placing it against Akire’s temple. He leaned in close “If you’re ass wasn’t worth so much I’d fucking blow your brains out now.” He said before punching Akire again.
It was at this point that Akire started laughing. “ME? WORTH SO MUCH!? WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM? SOME HIGH RANKING MAGE? HELL NO! I’M A MONSTER WHO CAN’T BE TAMED BY NO ONE! NOT BY THE COUNCIL, NOT BY ME, AND CERTIENLY NOT BY YOU!” He screamed at the top of his lungs. It was this realization that awoke his primal urge. Gone was the kind hearted man that Church laughed and talked with. Now it was something else. The magical chains that held Akire exploded. Church backed up fast, clearly startled at the sudden outburst blood burst from all over his body, hovering in the air before floating back to him and covering his body. It took only a few moments but when it was finished what stood before church and his men was a crimson demon. Complete with horns, tail, sharp teeth and claws. Many of the men ran away screaming in terror as Akire went to work tearing and ripping. Guns didn’t have any effect and just bounced off his crimson hide. He slammed his hand into the ground, sending jet red spikes through many of the members leaving organs impaled on many of them. It looked like something out of a horror movie; a demon tearing and slaughtering the men who he had worked so hard to find and obtain. Church cowered in a corner, head covered as the screams of his men waged around him. Sounds of tearing flesh and snapping bones echoed around the compound. It was then that the demon, having killed most of then men in the room moved toward the cowering man. He screamed and begged for his life “Please spare me! I won’t do it again! I promise! Please I don’t want to die! Please have mercy!” he cried and cried. It was then that the demon reared back. Church thought he was going to leave but he was wrong. The crimson monstrosity had just reeled back for the final strike, and just as his claws were about to reach him Church thought and regretted almost everything that had led up to this point. He closed his eyes and waited but nothing came. No pain, so searing flame, nothing, just a voice, the voice of the mage; Akire.
“Time’s up. How’d you enjoy your 3 minutes in hell?” he asked the man on the ground. Church looked up as saw Akire standing there, with Wiz on his shoulder giggling like a schoolgirl. Church was still in shock and could only mutter as Akire looted everyone and went on his merry way, leaving a little statue of a horned demon right beside the defeated man. He smiled as he exited the compound, the sounds of terrified ramblings echoing behind him.
