When The Last Moon Sets ch.6

When The Last Moon Sets ch.6

Chapter 6

An hour or so after Zetsumei had realized the ladies were no longer on the ship he left and went back to speak with his master. Ever since they started training together their home was an underground safe house, it was below a ruined temple much like the one Anlhwen had grown up in with his friends. There was a secret passage underneath the altar. It was a long wooden stairwell, dirt trickled lightly down from the low ceiling. Lanterns dangled by thin pieces of wire from the ceiling. As he descended down the stairs he blew out each lantern. He was still holding his right hand against his still damp clothes.

At the bottom of the stairs was a small room. Shinsui Kabane sat in the far left corner tending to an old-style stove. He cleaned out rocks and bits of dirt. There was an average wooden door on the back and on the right. On the left wall however was a large over bearing door, or so it seemed.

“You’re late, Zetsumei.” The busy man said, still working with the stove.

“I know master, I’m sorry. I found some--.”

“Save it kid, I already know. You found those three young women on the ship. I went there and picked them up. They’re staying here for tonight. And tomorrow we’re taking them to one of my safe houses above ground.” He stood up and turned around. “I was thinking of staying with them for a few days!” He said with a laugh as a big goofy grin found its way to his face.

Shinsui was wearing plain gray clothes with a hood down. The sleeves and pant legs were long. Around his neck he wore two necklaces: one with a black crescent moon the other with a gold full moon.

“Ugh, Master, pardon my saying, but: You’re a bit of a pervert… You know that?” Zetsumei said with an almost frustrated look on his face.

“Come now, I’m your master, don’t you dare disgrace me like that. After all, the only thing you’re doing is insulting yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Who’s the bigger idiot, the fool or the people that follow him?”

“I suppose you’ve got a point there.”

Suddenly serious Shinsui changed his tone: “Zetsumei...?”

“Yes?”

“About what Jebb said… Don’t pay any mind to talk of the tenth moon. That’s something from other places, other countries and other worlds. Speaking of the moons… Do you know which one is the only to affect this country where we live?”

“No, Master. I’m afraid I don’t know.”

“It’s the ninth one, the moon of death. The name for that god is Nyhleos.”

“Why are you telling me this, Master?”

“That moon is the only thing that brings light to the life of an assassin. All the others are lies to us.”

“Alright, Master, I think I understand…”

“Good, then go get some rest. Oh, one more thing, Kid.” Zetsumei stopped in his tracks. “Those were pretty powerful words coming from a child. Do you really think it’ll be that easy?”

There was a long moment of silence before Shinsui broke it: “There’s going to be war, Zetsumei. Jebb was the person that was supposed to send word the night of the invasion. With him gone we can expect armies from the other countries to be on our shores in a month’s time. That means we need to advance your training sooner than expected. Be ready for the hardest sessions of your life.”

“All right, Master. I won’t let you down.” He started walking for the overbearing door on the left wall.

“Zetsumei, you’ve already come farther than I ever would’ve expected. I’ve been giving you so much money from my jobs so you’d always have enough if you ever decided this life wasn’t for you. You’ve made me so proud in these few years but starting tomorrow I can’t go easy on you anymore.”

Trying to hide the sound of fear and sadness in his voice he said: “Alright, Master. Good night.” He opened the big wooden door and closed it behind him.

“Good night, Son…” Shinsui sighed.

Zetsumei walked into the training room, it was a large dome room that was brightly lit by a large lantern that hung from the ceiling by a pulley system by the door. All around the walls were shelves covered by all sorts of weapons, any kind of weapon hung from all the weapon racks circling the room.

As he started walking toward the middle of the room, it started spinning. His whole world flashed white then black then it returned to normal but the room was still spinning. He pulled his hand away from his still damp clothes. Most of the skin on his palm had fallen away. His clothes were stained with blood, as was his hand.

“Oh hell no… The fevers are starting… Has it really been that long? Was it even that big of a dose? I thought I would have until morning at least…” He mumbled to himself as he took long deep breaths

He started coughing. His breaths became short and fast. Cold sweat ran down his brow and along his face then crashed to the ground. His eyes were completely glazed over as he collapsed into the spinning world around him and fell unconscious. His heart was racing as he body shook uncontrollably on the ground. With the last bit of strength he could muster he put himself on his stomach with his face to the side. The whole world flashed white then was overcome with darkness.