RISE OF THE SWARM

Liam's breath hitched in his throat; he knew this voice. The image of the woman dropped in silver filled his mind; he couldn't forget her.

"Watch out for that girl and mage, they are not what they appear to be."

The words echoed in his mind again, sending chills down his spine, and he looked around, half expecting to find the woman's silhouette hanging on some corner of the room, but there was no such thing. Ethan gulped, finding his hand its way to the small black rock he kept on a necklace. He began fidgeting with it, it brought a sense of calm to him as he could now begin to think straight

"What do you mean they can't be trusted?" He tried asking the voice.

But no reply came. A sigh escaped his This was frustrating, he thought; he had just been told not to trust his saviors by another untrustworthy being. He ran his hand through his hair, thinking of a solution.

He needed to think. Garrik had seemed friendly enough, but there was something about his smile and demeanor; he seemed carefree and cheerful for someone who had just pulled a stranger out from a massacre. Ell had made it clear that she was already suspicious of him; could she somehow know about what had occurred at the forest. Impossible Liam thought.

He ruffled his hair, he felt like he was trying to do a puzzle but he was missing key pieces, and no matter how he tries he can't find them.

Should I run away he thought to himself. He quickly abandoned that idea. He didn't know where he was and he didn't have any place to go, running away was just going to add to his growing list of problems he needed to fix.

He let out a sharp sigh, tearing a large chunk of bread, wolfing it down in no time flat.

Outside the city a group of 4 men could be seen hurdling together, discussing something. Each wore black robes covering every inch of their body. Black cloaks etched with runes covered their bodies as well.

"Is the target in the city." One of them asked, his voice coming out filtered making it unable to distinguish whether is was man or woman.

"Yes. More specifically they are in a certain backwater Inn where they seem to be taking care of a mortal." One replied, whisking his hand as a map appeared. He unfurled it laying it on the ground and pointing at a certain building.

"A civilian? What their relationship with our target." Another asked.

"I don't know, he seemed to have been brought by the two from a mission they had undertaken days prior." Another responded to the question.

"So what our next course of action?" One of them asked the group.

"We strike we eliminate the targets, this mission came from the higher ups and its payout is huge, we can't afford to miss this and for the boy...kill him." Another figure said leaning on the tree.

The group nodded. They each separated melding into the shadows, they would meet again under the cover of night where they would undergo their mission.

Liams paced around his room. His hand on his chin as he was deep in thought on how to exactly escape this mess he had put himself into. He had regained most of his energy thanks to his earlier meal.

Hours had passed and now night had descended, blanketing the city. Liam sat on his bed he had tried talking to that mysterious voice from earlier only yo be met with silence.

Suddenly a knock came from the door. Liam tensed up. He approached it with caution slowly opening it.

At the door Ell stood with her hood still covering her face.

"Come with me." She said turning around and began walking.

Liam stared at her, confused he didn't understand what was happening or whether he should've even followed her, but he eventually agreed.

They walked outside of the Inn into the street. Night had fully arrived so the amount of people on the street was heavily reduced. Only the guards matched along the streets, carrying with them spears and shield with the symbol of an eagle carved on its surface.

"So where are we going, Ms.Ell?" Liam asked.

No answer came as they continued walking. Liam's eyes narrowed, was this a trap he thought to himself. But this didn't make sense if they wanted to kill him they could've done it ages ago.

Suddenly his vision began turning hazy, his eyes began to twitch. He stopped for a second rubbing his eyes. His vision clearing. But when he looked up at Ell he eyes widened in shock.

The figure had shifted, it was no longer Ell, no it was tall mauling figure dropped in dark clothes, as well as dark robe. A glint fro. Within the man's robe attracted his attention, a dagger Liam thought.

An assassin? He questioned himself but why would an assassination be after him he thought. He stopped in his tracks. Immediately bolting towards the other direction, he needed to find the city guards.

But before he could make it far a kick from behind slammed into him sending h crashing into a nearby wall. Causing cracks to appear. He crawled back up heaving.

"How did you see through my disguise?" The assassination asked as he withdrew his dagger.

He pointed it at Liam

"Answer me boy" he said.

Liams stood up, clenching his fist if he was going down he was going to go down fighting.

Suddenly, 3 other assassins materialized each dropped in the same type of clothing the other assassin was wearing.

"It seems this one's different, no null body should have been able to see through you disguise." One assassin said.

"That might be why the Princess is with him." Another commented.

Princess? What princess Liam thought to himself. But he didn't have time to ponder as the first assassin lunged.