Of Deals and Undoings

  Prologue

Kiria sat eagerly listing to the storyteller and assassin. They called him 'The Ripper', and nobody knew his real name.

“Twenty years ago, three years before you were born, Kiria, someone else was created. Radiation bursts kill most people, but not all. Some subjects were able to survive intense doses of radiation, which caused them lots of physical pain and suffering, but they were able to survive. It was the tests of one special one, however, that made her crazy.”

The days are counted as they go by. Six months to the day. Kiria had no choice but to leave her brother behind. Some called her a coward, but she knew the truth. She wanted revenge. The corrupted soldiers forced civilians into fight on the front lines. They knew. They knew that they were doomed from the minute the camp was set up. She, and her brother, were bait. The MRG (Militia Round-Up Group) were now her target.

“The city of Kabal was a city of science. It was compiled of a giant laboratory that descended below the ground, and many outlying suburbs on the surface. It was the one experiment trying to recreate solar flares that caused issues in the town. Conspirators claimed it was a test, and the unwilling subjects of the suburbs were victims.”

Kiria followed a goal in life. Revenge. She was patient. She trained. Less hell-bent than heaven-sent – in her eyes; following a strict 'do-good' attitude. She didn't realise how short her life would be. She had black curls down to her shoulders and blue eyes that could shine without light. The respect she mustered by lesser ones, such as orphans or church-goers, made it hard for her to ask for help.

“After the radiation from the false solar flares had wiped out the majority of the population, the scientists came round to find any survivors. One survivor was very special indeed. She was codenamed P176K, though most people know her now as 'Peeks' – all she knows is suffering and pain.”

Over ambition and solitude are not a good mix. Kiria was on the run. Considered a deserter. It wasn't long before she was forgotten about – yet now, most of her links were only with the underground professions.

“She is a mystery to all, not one person alive would be able to figure her out. Yet, one of the most amazing creatures you'll ever meet. The tests they performed on her over the next eight years tortured her mind. She was only a little girl, but scientists are ruthless. Her mind was twisted as every day went by. She is not someone, that the likes of you should get involved with. If you had the option.”

The Ripper. A dangerous man, one of the most experienced assassin's of the times, and yet a very loyal and just man. Very few jobs were too difficult, and only ones with good enough reason would be carried out. Though his limits could be pushed. He often hunted down notorious criminals and was therefore in good stead as his fame swept the land. Very few knew him personally, but the ones who did were lucky to have such a friend.

“She was a tiny girl, still is. Looks as innocent as anything, most scientists would give up their life's work just to study her. I've had to protect her many times, though she wouldn't ask for the help herself. She has... special abilities. She can become invisible at will and can stare into your soul, while she cannot read minds, it feels like she can stare into your inner most being.”

Kiria and The Ripper had met, not long after her fleeing. She was seeking the skills of the back streets for the entire month she was hunted for cowardice. The Ripper had found her, and let her stay in his house for three nights. Though he was rarely there, he still kept an eye on her. She returned to him to hear his wisdom and tales whenever he was able to be found.

“...Peeks is a wonder. She never talks of what they did to her in the laboratories, but I'm sure nobody really wants to know. There's only one person I know who really knows the ins and outs of the scientist's world, and he is as corrupt as the rest.”

Chapter 1

The Ripper usually clothed himself in dusty black and had an array of weapons in his house which few knew the location of. His face rarely gave away his feelings except to give emotion to the stories he told. Most tavern dwellers knew him as the storyteller. He wore a wide brimmed, purple hat out in public – this was his guise to those who knew him only as a storyteller, and the give away to his friends who know who he really was.

He was known for his sharp wit, agility and ability to come and go without notice.

The room was filled with the light of seven flickering candles. The light wind made the blinds tap the edge of the window and was the one of two things that broke the silence. The other was the sound of the graphite stick, scribbling and ticking over a stack of paper. Walls of uncovered wood, splinters and candlestick holders tipped off the unmatching furniture. Floral armchairs seated slightly towards the bronze coloured iron fireplace. A white tiger-skin rug stretched three quarters of the floor, ending at the painted green stairs. The ripper, half glowing like an outsider's view of the moon, loomed over his paperwork.

Ripper's breath almost froze in the cold air. A faded shouting from a tavern round the corner stung the silence. His desk was right up in the furthest corner, making it quite impressive that he had heard the lightest tapping at his door.

He swept all the paper to one side in a tidy mess and grabbed the tallest candle. He sat in the chair with the highest back and slightly raised his voice: “Come in, come in!”. The door remained stubbornly closed. Knowing someone was there, he crossed the room and pried the door open with a creak. The dark distance outside was empty.
“The mouse never sees the cat” came a small voice directly behind him. Ripper recognised the voice immediately and returned back to his chair. He peered deeply at the chair opposite.

“Okay, Peeks, stop playing silly buggers and give me some bloody respect in my own home.” Ripper always admired Peeks' ability to turn almost completely invisible at will, and was the only person who didn't find her disturbing. She slowly faded into view, sat backwards, directly inside Ripper's stare. She was small. She had a pure face that would be considered cute, until she spoke. Her delusioned sapphire eyes radiated in the gloom with one pupil larger than the other. She was staring directly back at Ripper.

“Alright, Peeks? Hmm, last time I saw you...” He trailed off. It probably wasn't good to dwell on such things with her. She wasn't very great at light conversation. “Ehh, it was a while ago, anyway. To do with 'The Council' I believe. Haven't been to them for a while – probably for the best. Anyway, how can I help you?” He relaxed back in his chair.

“We seek the bladed one, for...” She looked unsteady, Ripper knew there wasn't something quite right with her, then again, it was hard to tell that was right with her. “Talent for darkening runs in your veins and is needed to desecrate the life of another.”

“Yeah, I can do that, but I will need more information, of course.” Ripper spoke confidently. Shooting a glance at the window, he got up to make sure it was firmly shut. You could never be too careful.

“We grind the organ and expect monkey to perform.” Peeks stated in a cold tone.

Ripper didn't like the way she put it, he was no monkey. When Peeks wanted someone dead, it wasn't unlike her to do it herself in a heartbeat. She would merely disappear directly after, and could never be found. If she didn't like someone, they were often advised to write a will. Now, however, she wanted Ripper's assistance, and yet she was a friend, so all he could do was comply. She continued.
“The Puppet-Master pulls our strings and yet we rarely see you question him.” Peeks spoke in the softest mono-tone, and Ripper couldn't help but wonder what this was about. The puppet-master was her name for Tezz Reinard. Reinard was a scientist who often dabbled with life it's self for his rather dark work. He, also, had no issues with solving his own problems, or confronting Ripper for anything.

Peeks was an impossible enigma.

Chapter 2

Kiria's plated armour stopped gleaming when the night's darkness deepened. On her way to her favourite place to train, in quiet. The outskirts of Regan held a tower of untold knowledge, which Kiria had to pass. Owned by one of the most powerful figures known to modern science: Professor Tezz Rienard. One of the few people in the world to have access to electricity – a position held by only the most influential and knowledgeable powers.

The air grew uneasy. Around the tower always gave a looming feeling of being watched. She had heard many stories of Reinard and his influence over others. She stopped in the darkness and stared up at the vast height of the tower which, in the darkness, gave a purple glow.

A bolt of lightning hit a tree nearby that made her jump. She hurried on past, to her destination. She didn't want to anger the area any more.

* * *

“So, what's Tezz got to do with this?” Ripper quizzed. He needed the information, which was turning into a struggle with Peeks.

“Puppet Master commands, and the puppets move. This is so?” Peeks looked slightly unsteady, Ripper could tell she was hiding something important.

“Alright Peeks, so Tezz wants me to do a job for him, and he sent you. This is all looking quite strange. What do I get out of this?” Ripper spoke sternly, trying to figure out what might be so important. Peeks remained silent. Ripper changed the question. “I'm not going to like this, am I?”

“We know you are a friend of the light fairy. But her light needs to be extinguished.” Peeks' voice carried the same emotionless ring. Ripper was taken aback.

“Kiria? Assassinate? No chance! I'm not gonna kill a friend for someone else.” Ripper was shocked, even angry. He had never killed a friend before. Was it Reinard's idea of making the death even worse?

“Puppet Master grinds the organ. He expects monkeys to perform.”

“I'm not a monkey, Peeks! Explain yourself. She can't have done anything wrong!”

“The fairy flew on her wings and stole something precious from Puppet-Master, and now her death has been ordered by him. We have been tasked with the fine detail.” Peeks gave a disturbing non-smile as if she had given an adequate explanation of the events.

Ripper could not believe that Kiria would have done such a thing. Especially risking her life with Tezz Reinard. It was odd that Reinard didn't kill her the moment she went near his stuff, if she did do such a thing. That way, he had a new body to use in his work, for free. It made less sense the more Ripper thought about it.

“Important item. Puppet-Master now fears for his life and is hiding in his tower. Has requested this dark deed immediately.” Peeks stared directly into the centre of Ripper and could feel his doubt. Kiria was a friend, but only for a short period of time. It was his duty to carry out these jobs if asked by another friend; if there is reason for it. It was hard to believe Reinard would ever fear for his life, but Ripper wasn't to know what objects of power he could have up there worth stealing. Ripper stared into the icy fireplace.

“I'll need time to think.” Ripper said, turning to the other chair, then realising that peeks had already left. The door was swinging wide open. Ripper sighed.

* * *

Ripper hadn't had much sleep before he left, in search of Kiria. Unsuccessfully. Wearing his wide-brim, he searched, asking for sight of her in the taverns and libraries of Regan. But nobody had seen her. He had ignored requests for stories, and even a new job offer, he had more important things to focus on.

Ripper decided to branch out to the church. Where he was refused entrance by a very thin and tall man.

“Sorry, laddy. Ye cannie be in here.” Noeyn stuck his hand out. He had long hair round the back of his head, but was completely bald on top. He wore long robes and was obviously a man of high faith. He held his hand up at Ripper.

“Ohh, and why not?” Ripper said, staring the man down. Ripper recognised him as someone he had done a job for before.

“Cause I know who ye is. I know what ye do! We cannie have yer hands dripping wi' blood in 'ere”

“Ahh! Fair enough, but keep your voice down wont you. I did do a job for you, remember? You're as responsible as I am for that one.”

“True that, laddy, I suppose. But see, ye ain't commin' in.”

“Fine, but can you tell me where Kiria went? Was she here?” Ripper didn't want to argue, but could see over the man's shoulder that there was only a handful of guests inside.

“Nope. Not seen 'er in days, laddy.” Noeyn smiled.

“Alright, alright, I'm leaving.”

Realising he wouldn't be able to track her down very quickly, Ripper had only one other option. Professor Tezz Reinard.

Chapter 3

The light grew dim. All noise became muffled and heavy as Ripper approached Reinard's tower. All the grass within one hundred yards of the surrounding wall was browned and wilted. The air was thicker, but strangely scentless. It was a ten minute walk from Regan, but could be seen for miles. The only windows in the tower were at the hexagonal top, where the electricity rods branched. A large flock of birds circled above the tower; occasionally a few were struck by a bolt of lightening from one of the rods.

As Ripper continued, he could see that on the gate was a note with no signature. Ripper pressed the button that buzzed, though he usually knew who was there before it was pressed. However, nothing happened. No voice. Nothing. Ripper read the note.

'Do it.

There is a huge reward waiting.'

Ripper didn't think much after this. He had killed for less. He instantly remembered his past and the bad he had done before. Kiria was nobody special, and her goal was too ambitious. Maybe her being put out of her misery was best. He would need to detach himself.

He knew of a place where she would have to pass by on her way back to town. Ripper waited.

* * *

Ripper decided to ask the orphanage for any sign of Kiria within town to make sure she was still away. There were around twenty orphans; all energetic. Ripper noticed one small girl with black curls, resembling Kiria's and knew she would be the one to ask.

“She left. Outside of the big wall.” The girl pointed towards the woods. “Tell us when she's back, wont you? We miss her!”

Ripper didn't reply, he turned, and headed towards her training grounds.

* * *

Kiria was at the edge of her comfort zone when she had reached the Lassok Desert. She was already on her way back, close enough, now, to the entrance of the forest's pathway. She felt as if she was being watched.

She had heard a growling and fluidly span on her heel to find a young lone wolf glaring at her. The wolf looked as if it had an injured leg, which must have meant it was abandoned by the pack. Knowing it was not likely to attack her, she still gripped her sword carefully.

Both Kiria and the wolf edged themselves backwards. Kiria wondered whether it might be better if she stop it's suffering, but she didn't want to risk being bitten. When the wolf was far enough, it turned and limped off as quick as it could. Kiria relaxed and released her weapon.

It was Ripper's slight hesitation that meant Kiria was able to turn round enough for his spiked mace to not be placed as well as intended. He had been within arms length half a second too long, and as a result, Kiria staggered and kept spinning. She fell to her knees. Coughing blood onto Ripper's shoes, his looming figure was the last think she knew.

As blood pooled out around him, he stepped back to avoid it. She had known The Ripper was her undoing. He put away his weapon and took hers; latching it to his belt. He turned his back on Kiria's corpse and went to collect his reward.

Ripper paused when he noticed a long silky hair on his arm. He sighed, and brushed it away.

Chapter 4

Ripper tried the button at the tower, but there was still no answer. This time, though there was no sign of either a note or a reward. Ripper waited at the gate for five minutes before a bolt of lightning struck beside him. He jumped to the side, but refused to leave. His job was complete.

A large black bird dropped suddenly out of the sky to the other side of Ripper. He looked at it's dark skin, even after the feathers were struck off and knew he would get nothing out of standing there.

“Reinard, I will come back. Have my reward ready, next time.” Ripper felt slightly odd talking to a building, but somehow, it had worked before.

* * *

Ripper managed to sleep surprisingly easy, but not well. He woke a few times in the night. As cold as he tried to be, he knew Kiria's expression would be etched into the back of his mind for a little while, and he hated it. As he turned around in his bed, he realised he was laying next to a perfectly folded piece of paper.

He grabbed it and read the message.

'Peeks has your reward. Find.'

Rolling back over. He dropped the note, went home, and slept the rest of the night through.

Chapter 5

Ripper used the back entrance to the derelict tavern. The span held only one room at the front of house, half of the tables were underneath the balcony. The rustic lower section was much dirtier with sawdust spread across the floor and a spit trough round the bar. The upper balcony had many seated tables with candles and dining cloths. There were four fat and rugged men in the entire pub, all at the lower part; the upper was dead.

Climbing the rotting stairs towards the balcony. Ripper was looking at the one table with candles lit. He sat on the nearest chair and looked directly ahead into the vacant space before him. He rested his arm on the barrier separating the fall to the lower section and used his most sarcastic tone. “Go on then. Enlighten me.”

“We told you. The light fairy was a thief and a wicked traitor.” The sound seemed to appear out of nowhere.

“Peeks, I taught her a lot of what she knows. She's not a thief, I've been a thief, I know them.” Ripper remained staring into where Peeks eyes would be. She faded into view, slightly closer than expected. Her larger pupil slightly shrank as the smaller one embraced a sun. She showed no signs of engaging. Staring into and past Ripper.

“Peeks, you'd better tell me what's going on. I can tell you know something.” Ripper lied.

“She was a traitor.” Peeks said, almost inaudibly. Ripper lunged over the table and grabbed Peeks by the scruff of her neck and lifted her up with only one hand. She was unbelievably light. She shot her gaze at Ripper's knife.

“Do you understand nothing, Peeks? Are you that far detached?!” Ripper didn't know any more. She showed such signs of intelligence, when it suited her.

“Kill us too, would you?” She cocked her head. “Doesn't it get easy... after the first time?” She smiled at his hands as his grasp weakened and she floated back into her chair. He sighed.

“Peeks. I'm sorry about that. But, could you just give me the truth, please. I just need to hear you tell me everything you know.”

“We haven't lied. She was a traitor. She left us. She did.” Peeks shrunk inside herself, looking down at the floor and speaking as soft as a single breath. “It was him that never helped us.”

“Him? Who are you talking about now?” Ripper couldn't really figure out if this was a confession or an excuse.

“He made her. They killed us, and never stopped. Bladed one, it hurts. It hurts. She was a traitor.” Confession.

“Are you talking about Kiria's father? You knew him? Bloody hell, Peeks, she didn't even know her father.”

“He was busy. We scar inside.” Peeks, spoke demandingly, as if she made absolute sense. As if Ripper was supposed to let her off. He understood, but he would not let her go lightly.

“So you made me kill Kiria for personal gain? You made me kill Kiria to make it more painful? You stupid bitch! You used my own terms to make me kill someone, because their dad was a scientist in your lab at Kabal?” Ripper raised his voice louder and louder before stopping himself. Her silence was a confirmation. “Tezz will hear that you used him. And to avoid him, you'd best be really, really good at hiding.”

As Ripper got up, she began to fade out of view. He walked over to where her chair was, facing straight ahead, and not at her.

“Ohh, and Peeks.”

“Yes?” She said in the lightest whisper. Ripper darted out an arm, punching Peeks in the stomach, half making her reappear. He just needed to release a bit of anger, he had no intention of a fight. She was flung backwards over the barrier to the lower floor. Ripper waited for the crash. When it didn't come, he looked over the side, seeing nothing but a trail of miniature footprints in the sawdust.

“Pff. 'Til next time, Peeks.” When Ripper left, nobody noticed him.

* * *

As Ripper got within twenty yards of Reinard's tower, a massive muscular man stepped forward. Six stomaches in place of his abs and arms that could crush a gorilla.

“Reinard doesn't want to see you.” The brute said ignorantly.

“Hmm, can I just leave a message, then?” Ripper seemed a little bit confused.

“He already knows. Now leave.”

Ripper felt annoyed. It was hard enough to figure out Peeks, without Tezz being involved. Ripper sighed and returned home, he had paper-work to do.