Maria, god of misfortune by Leandra A. (little bear else holmelund minarik txt) 📕

the Hellas forest. He wears a black cloak covering his body and has his long red hair tied up all the way to his back, however the general noticed that he was carrying a sword behind and even though he is smiling, his eyes reflects a killing intent.

 

" It's dangerous for children to stay in this area but I guess such worries were no longer necessary for a skilled assassin like you... Maria"

 

The young man step down from the window and stand in front of him. " So what would a known general like you wants to personally go his way just to see a poor mercenary like me... Great General Shin?"

 

The Hero and Assassin

In the middle of the day the sky suddenly grew dark and rain drops started to fall. The two of us without the care of getting wet by the rain just stood still and it was if, for me the rain drops seems to move in slow motion as I stared at this man who just came out of nowhere.

 

"I was expecting to see a maiden to take out for the night but who would have thought that it's a young man I'll see, such disappointment." This man suddenly spoke up, breaking the long silence and move closer to me. " But I guess with a face like yours, You'll do for tonight." He told me with that grin on his face.

 

"Let's cut the chase off...are you here to arrest me?!" His words irks me and I don't plan on playing word games with him. " I am sorry but I am not planning to surrender quietly". I pulled the sword that I was hiding behind and unsheat it in front of him.

 

"Then I'll be straightforward to you, I want you to kill the biggest enemy threatening our country right now." He looks straight into my eyes with those unwavering eyes of his and I felt the shiver crawls in my body. I don't think it was because I'm cold from getting wet because of this rain.

 

A man whose form reflects someone with full of confidence appeared right in front of me. There is no one in this city who doesn't know this man name General Shin, who was said as the strongest general on this era of warring states. And for him to see me personally I understand the importance of the job he wants me to do.

 

I lowered my sword and then return it from its shaft, "I am a poor mercenary so I can do any job as long as the pay is good, but why me? You are skilled so why not kill him yourself?" I asked him.

 

I've heard that he refuses to lead Hella's army who was about to face death in the upcoming battle between Arias and Hellas, the country where I originally came from. But it's unthinkable for someone like him, will just sit around and watch his men dies. However to take a risk and leave such important job to a mercenary like me, I really don't understand this man actions.

 

"I need someone who is fast and strong enough to kill a general hidden inside an army camp of 40,000 men."  Is what he said to me, who can't still understand why he needs someone to do that for him.

 

At this point the rain stops and the dark sky slowly cleared up, the sun light also start to slip in the clouds. This made me able to see more clearly the face of this man. His looks was different from what I imagined from the stories about him. I was surprise to see that his red brown eyes were actually like a dead fish eyes, It was blank and unwavering. He has a natural perm hair that is dyed in silver white and was in messy state. And to be honest he has an air of laziness. 

 

" Is this really the man they called the strongest of all generals?"  I muttered.

" Did you say something?"

"No...Nothing" I shook my head.

 

 He place his hand behind his head then ruffles his hair and let out a sigh "Actually right now, I am under a condition that can't move at ease and if my involvement was known this can worsen the situation so I need somebody to do this. " He then put his hand inside his pocket and showed me a gold coin.

 

"I've heard about you and the reputable works done by an assassin who goes under the name "Maria",  I trust that you can do the job effortless. I am willing to pay whatever amount you want so long as you can do the job for me." He smirked -- then threw the gold coin at me for me to catch.

 

"I am also a straightforward man; Five hundred gold coins will do for these simple task and risking my life." Is what I said to him, as I flip into the air the coin he threw to me.

 

A stunned look on his face then follows, "Are you sure it's just that much? you are about to enter an enemy's den with 40,000 men and might have to kill more than one person and risk your life." He asked me. It must be that he is under the impression that I'll ask for at least five thousand gold coins as the first payment.

 

"Don't worry about it I will consider our meeting as a good investment and I also have work ethics so for now, these much will do." I smiled at him and unable to hide the excitement that I'm feeling right now.

 

It is said that man's life has only one path and that is death. Now it's a man's job to choose how he live until his death. Every man wish to choose and live on the right path but in my case for as long I remember I've been living in this path of no return.

 

It was because of this era where nobody cares even if a dead body was found along the street, has taken away my option of choosing how will I leave my life. What do they mean by right path? Is there even a clear definition of what right path is?

 

Regardless of my ramblings about life I still choose to live, thanks for my mother who on her last remaining strength told me to live on in order for me to be able to see someday a reason that will make me fight and die for, just like what she has found.

 

I can still vividly remember the scene of my mother dying in my arms, the people and the town I was born, engulf with fire. The scream and cries of the people I know, I can still hear it. And worst the smell of the blood won't seem to go away. I was only nine years old at that time and almost fifteen years has passed but it leave a deep scar that can never be remove and the memories are still fresh for me.

 

 "Urg...Mother this was all my fault, If I just listen to you and run away this will not happen!" My sobbing can be heard all over the place as I held thight my dying mother's hand.

 

In a small weak voice, my mother  opened her mouth and tell me her last will, "My son please forgive me, regrettably but I have to leave you all alone in this world, I know this is selfish of me to ask but please carry on and continue to live today in order for you to see the goodness in being born to this world which is just temporarily shrouded in darkness..."

 

" No!...please don't die... you are the only one left to love me" I cried and scream but my mother won't move and open her eyes for me. 

 

We were poor and my father died after going into a war, even before I was born. My mother works hard for both of us and were fine living like this. She would always say that she hope to see me grow up someday and never take the same road that she had. My mother in order for us to survive prostitutes herself -- at that time even as a child I help her by finding her a customer.

 

It might seem for others that my mother was unclean, but never did once I thought of that. Who are they to say what is right and what is wrong? At these kind of life we have I still felt happy by just seeing her try her best to smile in front of everyone , in front of me. She never did once complaint that she was tired in front of me.

 

My mother was killed by a soldier from Hellas when she tried to protect me. Out of nowhere they just killed everyone in our village and announced that it was done by an enemy country. I was one of the few survivors of that massacre and vowed to seek revenge to those who caused death to my only left family, my kind mother.

 

While fleeing the city a dying woman hand over a child and ask me to take care it. She insist that I protect the child with all of my life and at her last breath she whisper an important secret that I should never tell a soul.

 

I found myself in a middle of nowhere who cannot even think of a way to survive the day and live from now on, until I met a man who take us with him. My life after that was what you can say literally living in a place much worst than hell. 

 

At an early age of seven I was able to experience the harshness of this era which even made me into someone with a kind of thinking that the only way for me to survive was through killing.

 

"Are you sure in taking this job?"  I felt something cold that suddenly grab my hand, breaking from my thoughts. It was Elle, the baby that was left for me to take care.

 

"Elle I have to take this opportunity in order to be close to the general and I might be able to find clues and information regarding the massacre 15 years ago." I told her, but her face still show a warry look.

 

"I understand that but the job this time is very risky I..."

 

"Alright  hand me now the costumes and makeup we have a job to do and you yourself said that we haven't made good money for a while so what are you waiting for? Let's go! " I cut her off from saying more and then pick -up my swords." Call the others now, we still have a party we need to attend".