Bloodlust - The Continuation, And the likely conclusion as well!!! Options

[The Metal Mallet]

Well, here's the link to the previous thread: Bloodlust - The Beginning

You can continue your praisings of my written words here. Expect an update next Saturday. I don't expect I'll get one out sooner. School starts again

[The Metal Mallet]

Woo! With restored internet connection comes a new update! This one kinda ends abruptly, but I ran out of time for me to work on it right now and I didn't feel like making you guys wait any longer for an update. I think I'm going to make a deadline for myself and wrap this story up before September starts. I want to do that because in September I'm moving to my student housing for college and I'm not quite sure when I'll have my internet up there. I still need to get a laptop which I will be using to surf the internet because I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to take the computer we have at home, even though I use it about 95% of the time. Ohwell, that's the breaks. Enjoy the update all the same.



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The streets were still deathly silent at this time of the morning. Only the soft pattering of many pair of feet reached Savlian’s ears. He silently hoped that their noise wouldn’t alert Simion. Savlian couldn’t afford to let Simion escape once again. It could possibly mean resorting to team up with Sethyas and the Morag Tong once more and Savlian simply couldn’t take their constant prattling about the “magical way” to defeat Simion.

Savlian ran his a hand through his hair, a worn expression on his face. He needed to ignore these distractions. The situation at hand demanded full attention. Don’t worry about the chance of Simion escaping unless it happens. Surely with this many men in a narrow alleyway would be able to apprehend a fleeing criminal. Everything would be taken care of shortly. Just try to stay as silent as possible and give yourself enough time to take advantage of the situation. Done right, and no one is going to die today.

Even though Savlian attempted to ignore outside thoughts and uncertainties, Ormellius’ words still managed to drive to the forefront of Savlian’s mind. It grew to the point that it began to annoy him that there might be some doubt in this situation. Just because some assassin believes that Simion was possessed and under its control didn’t mean he should believe it. What he was truly dealing with here was a schizophrenic who just so happens to have an extremely violent and deadly efficient personality capable of feats that Simion’s “normal” personality couldn’t perform. To Savlian, that made much more sense.

But then why did he have this doubt and uncertainty? Even though he had more than convinced himself on Simion’s condition, why did this nagging feel continued to scratch at the back of his skull? Was there the possible chance that he actually believed Sethyas and the others, at least at a subconscious level? Savlian didn’t want to believe so, but that could explain it.

Savlian groaned softly as his mind battled with itself. This was not the time to be doing this! He had a killer to apprehend! He was so close to putting an end to this. To finally wake up from the constant nightmare of waking up knowing that Simion was planning to end his life.

“Sir, are you all right?” a soldier at Savlian’s side asked, his expression concerned, “You look like you’re going to be sick.”

Savlian smiled a smile that did not reach his eyes. “I’m fine. I just had a late night,” he replied. He nodded to an alley. “This way.”

As Savlian and his company progressed through the alleyways, a knot began to grow in Savlian’s stomach. A chaotic mix of anticipation and dread flooded his thoughts, causing discomfort. Yet Savlian pressed on, eager to end this conflict.

It wasn’t long until they reached the spot where Savlian watched Sethyas climb up the ladder only hours before. Savlian halted his group and told them through hand signals that utmost silence from now on was needed and that Simion was up the ladder. Savlian decided that he would be the first to go up, so without any further delay he approached the ladder.

Savlian kept his eyes fixated on the spot where the ladder just appeared to randomly end, knowing that once he was up there, he would find the entrance to Simion’s hiding spot. Before climbing up, he made sure that his broadsword was firmly strapped so that is wouldn’t rattle. He also withdrew his dagger and placed it between his teeth. He felt some sense of security knowing that he had a weapon close at hand while he traveled up. For all he knew, Simion could be waiting right by the entrance waiting for a head to pop up so he could decapitate it. Savlian couldn’t help but think that having a knife is his mouth wouldn’t stop that, but it was the assurance the weapon provided that counted.

Savlian began to slowly make his way up the ladder, keeping his eyes and ears pried for any sudden movements or noises. He swallowed back a lump in his throat midway through his trip. He also noticed that his teeth were clamped to the knife is his mouth so tightly that his jaw was beginning to ache. Holding onto the ladder with one hand, he removed the dagger and took a moment to compose himself. Once he felt that he was ready again, Savlian continued on.

As he got closer to the top, he could finally see the entrance to the hideout. Sethyas was right, from ground level the entrance looked like a shadow from an adjacent building. Now Savlian could plainly see that there was a gap between where the ladder ended and the roof of the building. Just two more rungs and he would find himself in the lair of the enemy.

Savlian climbed the final two rungs and peered into the maw of the hideout. The place itself was only one room, and it was still bathed in the morning darkness. Savlian thought he was the outline of a body against the far wall of the room but at this distance it just looked like a large lump. Savlian freed the knife from his mouth and pulled himself fully into the room. His eyes scanned the entirety of the room and he noticed that the lump was the only thing resembling a person at the moment. There also appeared to be a cabinet beside the lump. Vials and bottles littered the floor surrounding the lump. The coppery stench of rotting blood was rank in the air. Without looking back, Savlian stuck a hand back outside and waved his men inside.

The entire time Savlian’s men pulled themselves into the building, Savlian kept his eyes fixed to the lump on the ground. He didn’t want to move yet in fear that blocking the light that was entering the building would alert the prone figure in the back of the room. Once a comfortable amount of men had made their way inside, Savlian nodded and his men began to inch their way forward.

The knife handle felt greasy in Savlian’s palm as the anticipation of this moment had started to make him sweat. His eyes were livid with triumph. There was no way Simion could escape from this many men alive. If he made a break for it, his men would cut him down before he got halfway to the exit. Simion was finally cornered!

An errant foot caused a floorboard to creak and instantly the lump bolted to its feet and a dagger flashed from the folds of dark clothing. Simion’s pale, haggard face was finally visible. His eyes were ablaze with shock and confusion. Savlian exchanged his knife for his broadsword. Many of his men had weapons drawn.

“Drop the dagger, Simion. There’s no way for you to escape so just give up and don’t give us a hard time,” Savlian said forcefully.

The confusion in Simion’s eyes faded quickly. “Ahh, Captain! Welcome to my new abode! It’s not so nice as my last one, but it does have…” he paused to look around, his hands making an all encompassing gesture, “character,” he finished with a crooked smile.

“Enough talk! Drop your weapon!” Savlian urged.

Simion raised his hands in an unthreatening manner, his knife held limply in his hand. “Ok, ok! I’ll release my weapon. Do you honestly think I would not comply with the law?” he said, his face mocking hurt. He slowly bent down to set down his dagger. Once he got to his knees he looked up to Savlian.

“You shouldn’t lie to me, Captain,” Simion said quietly, his crooked smirk returning.

“What are you talking about?”

“You said, there’s no way for me to escape, but there is,” Simion replied, his voice taking on a gleeful tone, “I just have to kill all of you and then waltz out of here!”

Alarm shot through Savlian’s system but before he could do or say anything, Simion struck. From his prone position on his knees, Simion hurled the dagger he had at the nearest guard. The force of impact from the throw knocked the guard from his feet. He could only stare at the dagger hilt jutting from his chest before his eyes rolled up to the back of his head.
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The fight continues soon! Stay tuned!