Chapter 2 Red Spider Lilly.

I was only 13 when I had to leave home for training. Ever since then, I have never returned back. As a professional Assassin trainee, one could only return back after a successful assassination. Duty and commitment runs in my veins. The blood, sweat and tears I had spent on this uphill training was finally coming to an end when someone recognized me. Yes, it was my first assassination contract.

As the sun was melting under the orange lake, I watched the last sunset on the brisk of the terrace. After today, I was only to witness darkness. To live in darkness did not bother me. Rather, I accepted it with all my heart. After all, this is what I have been training for the last 11 years. We have always been taught to cherish the darkness that we must live with.

I come from a family of Assassins. We go back since the mid 90s. For generations, we have been killing for money. Be it a government official or a celebrity, perhaps even a commoner, we never breach a contract once it is signed. For this, we are forbidden to keep personal attachments. If I were to sign a contract to kill my own family, I would do it with no hesitation. After all, I don't recall having a family. Familial love, mother's warmth and a father's protection are nonsense. Love can only become your greatest weakness.

"Shade," I heard someone from behind, "You're up here." I slightly turned my head and glanced from the corner of my eyes. He was about 5 feet 7 inches tall and had an almost lean physique. His shoulders were broad, due to which he had unbuttoned three of his first buttons. He wore a dirty white shirt with his sleeves folded up to his elbows. He was holding a navy blue cape that he had taken off during training. I looked at his boots and instantly got disgusted. They were soaked with mud and algae, some of which had already dried up.

He walked towards me and I turned my head towards the sun. "Why're you here?" I asked. Azael sat next to me, facing the same direction and replied, "I'm here to congratulate you, buddy." I smirked, "What for?"

"You're free now," he slightly blew a fist on my arm, "What's better than that?"

"Free?" I frowned, "Azael, we can never be free," I turned my head towards him. His light blue eyes were like crystals in the clear water of the ocean. The orange rays of the sun reflected on his brown hair which was now golden, his eyes perfectly glimmering with what I could assume was hope.

I continued, "After I'm out of here, I must kill. Someone is going to hire me. And after that's done? Someone is going to hire me again. I can't watch the sun like everyday. I have to stay on hide forever. It's only going to be harder to survive."

"It's not necessary for you to kill," he laughed, "You could get out and explain to your client. Help them understand that killing is not the only solution and that way you wouldn't have to sign the contract. You wouldn't have to kill then." He turned towards me and spoke brightly, "Think about it. You can live the way you want. Find a decent job, earn and settle down. You could fall in love with some hot chick and get kids. Your kids wouldn't have to follow on your footsteps. Why? Because you didn't assassinate anyone! You and your family will live normally. Isn't is amazing?"

Azael was spouting bullshit like he always did. These were things that lowly humans did. We are special. He wanted to end the coming generation of assassins. This meant that he is disregarding his ancestral sacrifices made for us. We must never forget where we came from, I heard the voice in my head, We must always honor our grandparents's sacrifices for us. I made a sour face and replied, "Get that horrible idea out of your tiny head. You wanna end our bloodline? You do realize we're just a handful left."

"Yeah, probably like 40," he laughed aloud, "That's not even 50."

"You still think it's a great idea to flush down our ancestors hard work down the drain?"

"History is only preserved, Shade," he explained, "You don't have to repeat it."

"I never understand you," I sighed, "I'm going to follow my footsteps, no matter what I must do, even if it is to assassinate, I will.

"That's on you, buddy," he smiled and warped his right arm around my shoulders, "For me, I have things I want to protect."

"Yeah, right," I rolled my eyes, "What do you wish to protect?"

He paused and stared at me for a few seconds. It was as though I had said something wrong. Azael then laughed aloud and pulled me closer to his shoulders, "You!" I immediately pushed him away, "Cut that, Azael." He continued to laugh.

"I know you have some sort of attachment with Zeena," I said, "There's still time. You better stay away. It's going to get you killed one day."

"Shade, my brother," he widened his arms into the air, "Once I'm out, I'm going to get Zeena out of here too. We'll start a family of our own. You're invited to the wedding."

"You're crazy," I shook my head, "Suicidal, if you ask me." Azael only smiled wide with his teeth.

As the sun finally set and darkness grew over the sky, we left the terrace and went back to our dorms.

The next day arrived and I stood at the gate of our campus, empty handed. All my brothers and sisters were behind me, wishing me luck. Some smiled and some didn't. However, there was nothing I when I realized I may never see them again, which I considered a good sign. Assassins must never feel affection, be it to your own assassin brother or sister.

Everyone had their hoods on, specially today. As I was leaving the gate, I wore my hood too and turned back one last time. The gate was closing and my eyes fell at two familiar faces into the crowd. Azael was waving at me with a wide smile on his face. Beside him stood Zeena, her hands folded. Her deep black hair was brushing against her sharp slanted eyes. I smiled slightly and mouthed the words, "Take care," then headed towards the forest.