To the west, a temple once belonging to the people of Dara was now a place to purchase and defile slaves; the area around it had been purposely turned to slums by the occupying people of Pembroke.

  The sanctuary was a haven for those with dark intent and malevolent hearts. Kisou had rented a room there for himself and his band of merry assassins, who were reveling in the success of their latest mission – the assassination of the King of Pembroke. A faint glow from luminescent fungi dimly illuminated the vast chamber while the assassins, excluding Kisou, drank fervently.

  Gumi and Nevin were playfully acting out a familiar routine reminiscent of an old married couple.

  "This liquor hits the spot. Hard to believe Artio ditched us to try out this brothel's women. I hope his dick falls off," Nevin shook with laughter.

  "This place reeks like piss. I guess that's what turned him on," Gumi commented, her cheeks flushed from alcohol.

  Pali, a short man with a sly glint in his eyes, stood clad in a coat that spoke of a grandeur long past. Once, it must have been the centerpiece of an exquisite suit, boasting vibrant colors and meticulous embroidery. Now, it was a shadow of its former self, its color bleached by the sun and its ornate embroidery frayed and unevenly cut away. The coat, with its tattered elegance, hung on his frame, symbolizing a pretense of nobility long eroded by time. He took a casual sip from his drink, his demeanor exuding an air of confidence. "I was ready to comfort big Artio about how they turned his people's sacred ground into a whore house, but it seems he's unfazed," Pali remarked.

  Suddenly, the grand door was thrown open, revealing a naked giant. Gumi smirked mischievously, her gaze fixed on the unexpected elephant in the room.

  "Those bitchs stole my clothes! Pali, help me find them!" Artio implored.

  Pali nonchalantly took another sip, "Consider them gone along with anything in them. Just as we have our work, so do the women here this is what they do. Come in, and cover yourself up, before Gumi's drool covers the table."

  Gumi hastily wiped her mouth, stammering, "I wasn't... uh..." She turned to Nevin, seeking an escape. She often relied on him, aware of his unspoken affection, using him as a shield.

  Nevin, often dominated by his temper, saw an opportunity for a retort. "You were gawking at him, weren't you?" he spat out, jealousy evident.

  Gumi shot him a sharp glance but eventually admitted, "If the sun sets before you, isn't it only natural to admire it?" She huffed, crossing her arms and legs defensively.

  Kisou picked up on her phrase. "From the sunset comes darkness. It's time," he murmured, his voice eerily otherworldly. The chilling words hung heavy in the air.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Artio, hastily trying to fashion makeshift clothing, suddenly froze. His face became as pale as a shut-ins as he stared at the door. Bloody symbols insidiously clawed themselves into the surface as if tearing through skin. The room's attention shifted to the ominous sight. A palpable malevolence had entered, and Kisou's fox-like grin betrayed his anticipation – the sinister ritual he had been waiting for was beginning.

  Chapter Four: Yearning’s Prayer

  ***

  "Samiel, I welcome you. As per your will, we've slain the king. Let your name rise on high as you take the throne. I offer you my service. Let my hands be your hands, and my feet be yours. Command me, for you are my god," Kisou intoned.

  From the disturbing symbol, blood bubbled forth. It glistened as it dripped onto the wooden floor, foming and creating a sizable pool.

  Supernaturally, the blood surged upwards, taking on the form of a rose before morphing into a vivid red dress that adorned a young woman. Her face, awash with pale powder, her bright bloodied lips and peach covered cheeks accented that chalk.

  "Good evening, I am Mary Rose, the demon of yearning. How delightful to converse with my contractor's playthings," she said, giggling ominously.

  Kisou offered a respectful bow. "So you're among the demons Samiel summoned? It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."

  Mary Rose cackled."A human that speaks to me without a quivering voice, wonderful, how wonderful and Intriguing. Despite my inherent fearsome aura, you stand firm. Pray tell, who are you worm?"

  She licked her cherry-colored lips.

  "I am Kisou Azle, leader of the assassins amorog," replied Kisou.

  The beautiful monster let out an amused chortle. "Ah, the one Samiel spoke of. It seems we both find him... captivating."

  Her gaze shifted to the rest of the room. She took in the fearful postures and sweat-beaded faces of Kisou's team. This made her lips pull toward her ears. However, she covered her mouth so as not to show her sadistic smile.

  "And these oozing delicious fearful spirits are your allies?" she inquired.

  "Yes, they are my trusted men. They'd follow me into the depths of hell if asked," affirmed Kisou.

  Mary Rose giggled once more. "In due time, I will grant that very wish. Pleasantries aside, allow me to instruct you on what you must do next. Succeed in your next task, and Mammon will reward you with riches beyond measure. And you, Kisou, will find your curse lifted."

  Mary Rose whispered in a demonic tongue and the very room responded. The air grew hot and vibrated with a piercing hum. From the shadows, a black smoke, thick and alive with malice, rolled forth, enveloping everything it touched. As the sinister haze touched Kisou's team, a palpable dread settled, so intense that Gumi, feeling its full force, curled into a corner, sobbing uncontrollably, her body wracked with tremors.

  In a commanding gesture, Mary Rose raised her hand. A whirlwind sprang to life, swirling violently, chasing and gathering the oppressive black smoke. The vortex centered above her open palm, and there, the smoke condensed, compacting into a dark, polished obsidian sphere. She pulled her hand back, yet the sphere remained, suspended in the air, held aloft by an unseen, malevolent force.

  Kisou, this isn't a mere trivial demonic manifestation; it's 'Yearning's Prayer,' my gift to you from Samiel. Peer into this abyssal expanse, and it will show the steps required to meet your desire," Rose intoned, her eyes transfixed on the ebon sphere, which seemed to pulsate with an energy beyond comprehension.

  Drawn almost involuntarily, Kisou approached and, hesitating only for a brief moment, looked deeply into the shimmering black surface. It wasn’t just darkness he was seeing; it felt as though he was falling into an endless void. "What is this sensation?" His voice was a whisper, barely audible.

  Words, disjointed and flashing erratically, began infiltrating his thoughts, forcing themselves into his consciousness. Each word pulsated like a heartbeat, echoing loudly in his mind.

  "Do you perceive them?" Rose's voice sliced through the cacophony, sharp and clear.

  Gulping, Kisou responded, "Yes, they're there... but it's the demon script. I've studied many scripts, but this... this remains undecipherable to me."

  With a smirk, Mary Rose replied, "Of course, you can't read it, because as a human, you're worthless, pa-the-tic, so since you can't, I shall interpret. "Born of Lazarus, to Eden she shall journey, in the shadow of a king and conquer. Upon hallowed grounds, her defiance shall rise, as foreseen in the whispers that dance between worlds. And lo, with her stand, shall the reign of Samiel waver, as foundations unseen begin to quiver."

  Puffing out her chest in pride, she locked eyes with Kisou. "Your mission is to eliminate this threat. The possessed will meet with and assist you."

  Kisou dropped to one knee, his eyes burning with fierce determination. "In a mere ten months, the one skulking in Eden's shadows will be nothing but ashes. Let Samiel hear my unyielding vow."

  She tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Consider it whispered into the very shadows he commands." And in a swirl of darkness, she was gone.