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“Kaden, don’t push me too far. Malich would make a fine Assassin too.”
Malich would make a fine Assassin too.
He would, wouldn’t he? Malich was a merciless man. He never wanted anything more than power and glory for himself. The thoughts and feelings of others never stopped him from completing a mission, whether it was one assigned by the Komizar or simply by his own wishes. It was an admirable trait for sure and one that Kaden envied immensely in this moment.
He wished it didn’t strike through his heart like a dull blade every time the words rang through his ears.
Malich would make a fine Assassin too.
He wished it didn’t pain him to remember the blank slate of an expression Komizar had maintained as the words spluttered out.
And before that… Good lord, before that was an absolute mess. Skin was cut. Blood was shed. And glass that should’ve been given more attention was shattered with hardly even a notice. Kaden now wished desperately that the floor beneath him would have transformed into a pillow and caught the glass fixtures before their fates had been sealed. But more than that, he wished desperately that he could have stopped the encounter with the Komizar altogether.
Because now he was vulnerable. His position as Assassin was at stake, meaning his life too was at risk. And the worst part: if his death were to occur, it’d likely be ordered by his once dearest companion, the Komizar.
As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t blame this on Malich and his obedience. This new feud between him and his friend was entirely his own fault. Entirely because of him and his stupid desire for Lia.
God dammit, Lia.
It was at times like this that Kaden wished he had killed Lia when he had the chance. Slit her throat and headed home where he was admired by the people of Venda and loved by his best friend. Sure, they had their arguments from time to time, but this was different. Threatening death wasn’t what best friends did, as far as Kaden was concerned, at least. Though to be fair, it wasn’t like he had much experience in the department. Aside from the Komizar, the only other “friend” he had ever had was Rafe who now hated him more than anyone on the planet.
Deciding his thoughts were too much to deal with, Kaden got up from the dreary corner he’d planted himself in and headed towards a peaceful path outside of the city. It was one he used to often travel with the Komizar when they were young boys. When their jobs got too stressful or lives in general, they’d take a walk along the path--perhaps with a warm cup of thannis tea--and chat like ordinary citizens.
Times like those were nice. Instead of receiving praise or nervous looks, Komizar would treat him like a human—not a killer—and Kaden would grant him the same humanity in return. But as they grew older, it seemed power became more of interest to Komizar. The title “Assassin” became simply a title and not the name assigned to his best friend.
Kaden laughed under his breath.
Why was he surprised? He had been worthless as a child and he was worthless now. The woman that he loved and his dearest friend were both willingly leaving him behind. Why did it surprise him? He was good for nothing but destruction. Why else had he been given such a ruthless duty?
Again, Kaden let a laugh escape at his foolishness.
How could he have been so blind? So hopeful? Why would anyone ever desire him enough to take him in and care for him? He was worth nothing more than a nickel, he was seeing that now.
He laughed uncontrollably to the point where he could no longer walk down the path he once cherished. But this path was just a lie, much like the person who’d first led him to it. There was no value to a cheap dirt road. There was no value to a cheap, forced friendship.
Kaden could feel himself falling as the sturdy walls he’d put his trust in began to crumble. He could see the stones crackle beside him and the floor breaking through, but his laughter overtook any sounds of warning. Not that he cared. He made no effort to run as the floor finally snapped and he began to fall into the deep darkness and—
“Kaden?”
Soft as a mother’s touch, the comforting voice snapped him back to reality and cut off his laughter.
“Komizar?” he whispered. The man before him looked just like the Komizar, but come on, what were the chances that they were both walking on the same countryside path?
“Something…amusing that you’d like to share?” he asked, an eyebrow arched high and with a mischievous glint.
It was almost unsettling how normal Komizar was acting. It was as if they’d simply been taking an evening stroll together rather than playing back an attempted murder. Kaden instantly felt himself warming at the thought, as if he had just sipped from a mug of fresh thannis tea.
“Uh, no, nothing much. I was just…thinking,” he decided on.
Komizar hummed his acknowledgement as his eyes scanned Kaden, searching for something he wasn’t sure he’d ever get the answer to. Once his eyes drifted back up to Kaden’s, there was a touch of despair in them. A longing, even.
“Well then, if it’s nothing, I shall continue on,” he announced.
Which meant he was leaving.
“Ah, yes, well...enjoy your walk.”
“You too, Assassin.”
With hardly a hint of hesitation, the Komizar continued, walking past Kaden down the path. Clearly, their relationship was delicate and fragile, but thankfully not shattered. In fact, it was in a far better condition than Kaden had imagined—by a long shot.
Still, it was hard to watch Komizar stroll through Venda without being by his side. It was hard to think about the tight rope he’d recklessly shoved himself on after getting frustrated with Lia’s engagement. But steadily, Kaden calmed his breathing and took a step forward down the path.