Devils Own ( A Steam Punk and Mystic Tale ) 1.4B

“Come forth, Kassius of the Devil’s Own.” Senior Master Galeb voiced out while he stepped forth to receive the assassin. “This tasks should you accept it would be your ninth and if you are successful, you would be accorded the honor of being the next new Master.”

In the records of the Devil’s Own since its first task, there were once eleven Masters appointed but only seven survived that morning. The others were either dead or killed by other assassins. The Guild of the assassins hold an intense rivalry among themselves, and inter Guild fighting was common. Some of them held their assassins in high esteem for killing these masters. One such Guild was the Dark Princes.

“Know this, and be cautioned as many of your rank had been told before. The ninth task represented the most difficult one as it means fighting the ones that will rival your skills.” Senior Master Galeb spoke out. “The Dark Princes would also be sending one of theirs to match your skills in the task. They like young anointed to be masters.”

The Dark Princes was a rival Guild which also trained assassins for hire, but their methods are more driven by sorcery and trickery than real tactics and skills. They are governed by the seven Princes, which took their names from the Princes of Darkness. Lucifer their leader had vowed to challenge the Masters of the Devils’ Own in any task that would propel the assassin to the new level of being named a Master.

“Kassius, you were never a good disciple of the Masters. Your skills are not tuned to the highest level, yet you are ranked with them. It was once said that your inherent ability to excel was that of the belief of luck, but I think it was never the reason. You have an uncanny ability to make use of the things around you that made the different. Who would ever thought that the Masters would need to be more than adept in their skills of fighting, and learned more of the weapons of fighting. You had shown us that we cannot maintain the old methods, but to embrace the new inventions that you had revealed to us.”

Kassius smiled at the words from his mentor and personal guardian, since he was enrolled into the Guild as a child. He admitted that his martial skills were below the best in the ranks, but he does fight with unconventional weapons. He had a good friend who designed them for him, and also served as his personal valet in the comfort of the body.

“I do not know why Irene had to spend so much time to acquire such skills and above all, having to spend it all on you alone.” Master Galeb sighed. “My own daughter spared by the laws of this Guild from being a disciple. However she had excelled herself into the inventions and included you into her heart as her lover. I do not know how to prize that relationship but I am impressed in how it helped you so far.”

“Enough of the trivial matter. The assassin needed to be brief on the coming tasks.” Master Halen interjected. The younger master had envied the assassin for his ability to survive the tasks and taken the liberty of what was to be his.

“Our treasury had been filled with the payment and the task must be delivered.”

“So be it.” Master Galeb looked to the assassin. “Hear this, and be heard only once. The Devils’ Own had been paid to remove the one named Lord Micheal Tannen formerly of the Higher House. The assassin would be Kassius Maevick for his ninth task assignment.”

With that announcement, the clash of the cymbals resonated in the corridors to announce that assassin had been called on for the new task. Such was the tradition of the Guild for generations. The assassin took his leave of the Masters. Just as he was to exit the main doors, Master Galeb stopped him.

“Kassius, I need to speak to you alone.” The older Master approached him and then whispered to him. He then spoke out loud for all for all to hear.

“Heed my order, Kassius. When the time comes, do as I have mentioned.”

Kassius was to question but he knew his place and kept his words to himself.  He took leave of the Hall, while Master Halen approached the Senior Master.

“Master Galeb, you surprised me at times. Whispers and low tones are not your mode of communicating. Yet of late, you have been using it.” Master Halen spoke to the older man.

“One could not adapt when the situation ask for it.” Master Galeb replied. “Nothing remains constant, only change.”

“More riddles, Master Galeb.” Master Halen spoke up. “Do you know of something all of us ought to share?”

“None is there to share when it’s already known.” Master Galeb smiled and then excused himself.