In It For The Kill

In It For The Kill

 

Just before evening set in, Malikah had made it to Sindria's harbour with one assistant in tow that was carrying two items of the her luggage. Now somewhat recovered, the young woman had picked up her vice as she waited for permission to board the ship heading to her destination. Puffing on the pipe, Malikah sat crossed legged on one of the crates stacked by the pier.

 

The last bit of the days sun scorched down on a quieter part of the city. Backing her opposition into a metaphorical corner, a statuesque beauty growled. “I already told you I don't do that kind of work! You're completely fuckin' useless.”

Fretting, a pair of men patted the air in an attempt to sooth the girl's nerves, but then went about arguing with her. “You can't just quit. You've been paid for the week.”

“You know what?” In a rage, the young woman gripped her annoyance by the jaw and slammed his head into the stone wall that had been some feet behind them before she exerted a fraction of her strength.

With a crunch, the man's head crumbled inwards and around her hand under brute force as sanguine erupted like it had been a water balloon. Releasing her grip, the tall girl let the lifeless body drop to the floor by her feet. Glowering to the other man present, she snatched the pouch from her side with her clean hand in order to not get any more stains on her clothes and then threw it at his chest. The sheer impact of the coins hitting him at such a speed instantly broke a rib or two and sent him to his knees.

“I don't need money from cowards.” She spat as she stomped away from the scene.

 

An entire day had been spent on travelling to the notorious empire. Hopping off the transport with unstable legs that longed for dry land, Malikah glanced around for any kind of cab. Waving her free hand, the woman pulled over a dainty horse drawn cart and after some bartering, she had bought herself a ride to where she wanted to go.

Unlike with the trip via ship, the amount of time it took to travel through bustling streets filled with vendors and merchants galore was minimal. Scents of herbs and spices indigenous to this region filled the evening air along with the constant banter of business being done.

It had been around three months since she had last visited this country and nothing seemed to have changed as far as she could see. Even the trodden road that led just out of sight from the main street was just as suspicious as it was the last time she was here. Gesturing for the driver to stop, she jumped off her seat and down onto the floor.

“Thanks for the ride, Mister.” Handing over a few more coins than she had promised, the woman lugged the pair of chests off the back and waved him away from the dangerous area.

Once the old man was out of view, the foreigner set off towards the huge tent hidden amongst the forgotten maze of buildings. Without a care in the world, Malikah pulled back the curtain entrance and strode in with confidence. As soon as she did, smoke hindered her view. It wasn't too much of a problem though, as she was always surrounded with a shroud of her own smoke. Soon enough, her vision cleared to reveal the interior of the establishment.

The inside cloth was a brilliant white while contrasting royal purple and glistening gold silks and laces formed drapes and the cushions laying around. No matter where she put her eyes, Malikah could see shirtless men holding chalices – sometimes one in each hand -  and laughing heartily.

“Welcome to The Reim Empire.”

Letting her eyes sliver across the room at a purposely slow pace, the guest soon found the speaker.

Sitting back on a finely carved bench all to herself with a drink in one hand and a leg of ham in the other whilst being surround by three men, the other female seemed right at home with what she was doing. Powder pink masses of hair were casually braided, had been swept up into a high ponytail and locked into place with a gold band donning a vibrant emerald. Placing down the food and drink she had been holding and then wiping her hands to not get wine and grease all over the crisp white toga barely covering what it should, the tall girl stood up to face the newcomer.

Dropping the luggage out of the way, Malikah raised a hand to say hello. “Long time no see.”

“You're late.” The other girl pouted with fake seriousness.

One of the men dared to interrupt the meeting. “Who's that, Enigma?”

Making grandiose gestures with her hands, the younger girl stated the tale with zeal. “A friend of mine. She's going to make me famous.”

The men accompanying the Amazonian girl looked between the pair and then laughed. Funnily enough, both females laughed along too.

“Come.” The younger of the pair scooped her hand at Malikah, gesturing for her to join in on the festivities. “You know...” In the instant the older female had sat down, the girl that had been called Enigma rested one hand on the wooden bench between the ashen woman's legs while the other arm rested on top of her shoulder. Putting her face unbelievably close to her company's, the younger of the pair bared her teeth in a grin. “...you owe me for being late.” Her eyes narrowed as her index finger roughly flicked from underneath Malikah's chin.

Unfazed by the close contact, serpentine irises remained locked on amber ones as the older woman brought her pipe up to her lips and took a drag. “I accept that.” She unintentionally shrugged her friend off as she picked up a drink from the table in front of them.

The men in the company of the two ambiguous women leaned forward in their seats with open mouths unknowingly as they watched the enticing scene intently. All was going well in terms of getting a free show until the flap of the curtained entrance caused a jeer in the atmosphere.

Peeping over out of curiosity, Malikah saw seven or so men enter the space. Her friend must have noticed too, as she had raised her right hand and was waving quite excitedly at the group.

A look of glad surprise washed over the face of the person at the front. A well build man a few inches over six foot with fiery carmine hair reaching the back of his calves beamed at the female as he waved back.

“Mu~”

Malikah felt her friend tense at the act, but decided to go on as if ignorant to the fact. Instead, the older girl poured herself another drink without so much as even asking for permission until something appeared in the corner of her sight. Down on the girls left hip, a faded red spray that appeared to have been scrubbed at left evidence she's been up to no good again.

Another man which had come in with the group towered over the table. Even larger than soldier her friend was blatantly besotted with, this guy stood a little less than a head taller and a muscled arm broader on either side. More than his gigantic stature, the unmistakable Fanalis genes or the intimidating stare, the thing that caught Malikah's eye was the prominent Glasgow smile on his left cheek. But, uninterested in socialising with a person who looked like he'd pick a fight over nothing, the tattooed woman went about keeping her line of sign on her booze.

“Malikah...” Enigma discreetly nudged the drunkard when she saw the strange interaction between the pair.

“What?” The older girl hummed into her drink.

A shadow now loomed over the pair, causing them both to look up. It was indeed the tallest Fanalis leering.

Unable to hold back, Malikah coughed. “What's your problem?”

“O-oi...” Taking a grip on her guests wrist, the younger girl tried to stop her friend from riling the man she already knew to have a short fuse.

“I asked who you was and you didn't answer.”

“I didn't hear you.” She matter if facted and went about reaching for a refill.

Slamming a hand over the alcohol the girl was aiming for, the gruff man continued to stare. “That's because you were purposely ignoring me.”

Forcedly pulling the jug from under the shovel of a hand, the porcelain woman's eyes shot to the Fanalis. “My name's Malikah, and I am God.”

The room went deadly quiet at the flat tone. Even Enigma's mouth hung ajar. To say such a thing in a country as religious as this was plain suicide.

Or so she thought.

Laughter erupted once again and the drinkers went back to their merrymaking, leaving the higher ups of the Fanalis Corps to take their seats at the female's table.

Massaging her temples with closed eyes, Enigma whined. “You're actually crazy, aren't you?”

Rubbing the back of her neck and then the side of her face out of irritation, Malikah cleared her throat as if she was going to speak, but then didn't say anything.

“Are you here on business, Malikah?” The more cheerful of the bunch stopped in order to correct himself. “Ah, sorry. I'm Mu Alexius, the Captain of the Fanalis Corps.” He held his hand out as a greeting and surprisingly, the woman accepted. “This is my sister, Muron and my friend, Rohroh.” He pointed to a stoic woman off to the side and then the beast that had irked her.

Nodding, the female that had been addressed straightened up. “It's good to see that one of you have manners, at least.”

Enigma shielded her eyes with her hand as she inhaled deeply. She couldn't believe how her friend was speaking to the most powerful group to walk Reim. On second thoughts, she could believe it. She remembered the first time they had met, and that was enough to make anyone think there was nothing the obscure woman wouldn't do.
 

Updated: 10th Feb 2013 - 21:43