Eternal Night receded like a lie, returning to Alex’s shadow, revealing those who were in it to the outside world.
Alex stood upright with his hands in his pockets while Humphrey stood to his right and Charlotte, to his right.
Azazel knelt before the trio, his head bowed and his thoughts unknown.
"You have two options." Alex began, breaking the silence. "You can choose to remain dead and I will not hesitate to send you on your way to the Afterlife."
"Or you can choose to become my Knight, a Forever Knight. You will do my bidding and I will ensure you never have to go against your morals... if you have any."
I wish to bring back my Patron. Can you help me do that?
Alex shook his head. "I can’t. I’m sorry."
Silence followed until Azazel spoke up, his tone reminiscent.
I can still remember when I was chosen to join the Guild. I was just a rat, a boy abandoned by his home and left to scavenge all by himself.
Alex said nothing, instead paying heed to Azazel’s recollection of his past.
To survive, I became a thief, swiftly becoming a part of the Thieves Guild. It was then he approached me.
The previous man who held the title Azazel.
As curiosity got the better of him, Alex inquired. "Azazel is not your real name?"
Azazel shook his head.
My true name was permanently concealed the moment I took on the title, Azazel. Same as my brothers. Even I cannot remember what I was once called.
Alex pursed his lips as a certain idea came to mind but considering everything Azazel had said, he thought it unlikely.
Not privy to Alex’s thoughts, Azazel continued.
He gave me purpose, my Patron. He made me see that I could be more, that I could do more.
Humphrey spoke up from the side.
You regret you cannot do the same for him. You cannot help him as he helped you.
If only there was a way... but you are right.
Azazel remarked as he stared at his palms.
He would not approve of being revived in such a manner. I nearly sullied his legacy.
It’s understandable. Though poorly placed, it doesn’t change the fact that your heart was in the right place.
Alex could tell she saw him as a kindred spirit, both being individuals who had died while trying to do what they thought was right in a bid to fulfill a goal.
I accept to be your Knight but on one condition.
I will not hand over the artifact my Patron left after his death.
Also, you have to allow me to return the artifact to my brothers. It is no longer mine to keep.
Alex couldn’t help but furrow his brows. "Is that necessary?"
In truth, the reason he had brought Azazel back was because of his capability to perfectly conceal himself.
With such an ability gone, Alex couldn’t quite figure out what else the assassin would be good for.
It is. The Assassins Guild was built around my Patron, so even if he is dead, his artifact must remain in the hands of the Guild. However, do not fret, as an Apostle, I would still be able to make use of the artifact whenever I please.
"I... see," Alex muttered, still skeptical. "In that case, I guess I can allow it."
Then I look forward to our time together... what may I call you?
"Orion," Alex remarked after some thought. "Orion is okay."
Anything but Dark Lord.
He hadn’t forgotten about a certain Divine Wheel Mystic that was prophesied to kill the Dark Lord.
With that resolved, he addressed Azazel. "Go ahead and do what you need to do."
"However, before you go, any idea of where Thera could be right now?... Did you guys have a secret meeting place?"
The manor was set aside for the Bookkeeper in the upper districts. There and her manor.
Just as Alex was about to say something, he paused as Arwen’s voice echoed in his head, courtesy of Mindscape which had established a mental connection between them.
"Alex, I need help. I’m underground, and the area above is swarming with task force officers who are sure to discover this underground area soon. You said we can’t engage directly to avoid a full-blown battle, so please come quickly and get us out of here."
"On my way," Alex said, before asking. "Did you find them?"
"Melita and Theoren, yes." Arwen replied. "Leokhares, no."
"I see. That’s fine. I’ll be with you shortly."
With that, the telepathic communication ended, and Alex snapped, causing his figure to duplicate into two identical fellows.
Azazel was stunned at the sight.
In the world of the supernatural, it was rather difficult to create a perfect clone and very few had managed to crack the code.
Now he understood why he had lost.
Even if Charlotte hadn’t pushed him to his defeat, there was hardly a chance of him winning against Alex.
Unfortunate but acceptable.
"Go," Alex said to Azazel with the assassin nodding before taking his leave.
"Go after him. Ensure everything goes smoothly." Alex said, cutting Charlotte off as he was privy to her concerns.
With that, she made an exit while Humphrey returned to Alex’s shadow.
Then, both Alex’s snapped and were engulfed by black and white light a moment later.
One traveled over to the underground space beneath the collapsed manor in the upper districts while the other made his way to the home of Councilwoman Thera.
"John!" Arwen breathed a sigh of relief as Alex appeared within the underground space, with Melita and Theoren displaying similar sentiments.
"The assassins?" Alex asked as he approached the trio.
"Gone," Arwen replied. "They fled once they realized they couldn’t beat me."
"Oh wow, I had no idea you had gotten so formidable." Alex praised with Arwen grinning sheepishly.
"Sir Smith." Theoren greeted with Alex addressing him.
"I had warned you to be careful."
"Unfortunately, these old bones don’t listen."
"Let’s leave for now," Alex said. "Is anyone hurt?"
After confirming that no one needed care, Alex snapped and a moment later, they were all gone.