1 Chapter 1

Viktor Ancelin awoke to the tip of a silver sword hanging between his eyes, hovering above the tip of his nose bridge. The midnight sky dimmed his bedroom, but he could make out the dark shadow of a person crouched above him. They were perched on his bed's thick wooden headboard, holding the handle of a long silver sword between their hands.

"Who's there?" He stammered. "How did you get inside?"

Viktor's mansion was located in the high mountains, miles away from the nearest town, and its exact location within the forest-covered landscape was secret from the public. Even if someone managed to discover it, the dozens of guards surrounding the mansion would have alerted him of an intruder. The shadow ignored his question. Instead, a low and smooth voice stated, "In two days, you will be invaded by hundreds of soldiers. Call forth your best men."

Invaded? By whom? The King of Thieves had many enemies, mainly rivaling bands of thieves, but he had never encountered an assassin. Who dared to send one for him? He pondered the question for a moment, but the assassin's sword lowered ever so slightly, scraping the skin on his nose bridge. Viktor clenched his jaw, reeling his head back into his pillow. Regardless of whoever sent this assassin, with his sanctuary exposed, other thieves would learn of his hideout and he could be raided and wiped completely off the map. There was the possibility of fleeing to another hideout, but his mansion would be at risk. Not only that, but if he fled, his title would be ripped away and replaced with coward or weakling. Viktor's forehead drenched at the thought. Beads of sweat slid down his temples, pooling at his neck, but he did not dare to wipe them.

Viktor asked slowly, "Who are you?"

He was unable to hide the fear in his voice and gulped as the shadowed figure lifted their sword. They moved so slowly as if taunting his unsettled nerves but eventually, they slid the silver blade smoothly into the holster at their belt. The velvet voice replied with, "Rest well," before vanishing into the air like a ghost.

♣

Viktor received no ounce of sleep after his surprise visit by the mysterious midnight assassin. His most loyal guards reported how they never saw or even sensed the intruder at all. It was strange. The assassin seemingly appeared and disappeared as simply an illusion, but what was even odder was the assassin's message. Was it a warning or a threat? And if his enemies had an assassin on their side, then why didn't they just have the assassin kill him on the spot? Viktor didn't know, and he didn't care. If the assassin's message was true, Viktor would be prepared. He followed their instructions, assembling all of his trusted men as quickly as he could.

From miles away, hundreds of them traveled up the mountains and trekked through the dense forests to protect his sanctuary. He watched from above in the safety of his balcony as the army sharpened their swords, arrows, and spears. For the next two days, he would stay in his room. It was the highest place within his mansion; the safest place.

"Sir, I've just received the status of our army." His right-hand man, Klein, reported.

"Make it quick."

Klein cleared his throat. "Over a thousand men have assembled. Most of them will guard the base of the mountain while the rest will protect the mansion," The stout man chuckled. "But I doubt the enemies will ever get far enough to ever reach us."

Viktor nodded. His nerves rested for the first time since morning. He stepped inside and paced around his bedroom, scratching the hairs on his chin. Klein followed him and crossed his arms. "Sir, who do you think would be foolish enough to send an assassin after us?"

Victor didn't answer. Frankly, he didn't know. Instead, he moved across his room to where a large stone fireplace sat. Displayed on the mantle was a sword, his most recent treasure. It was long and slender, but the blade was slightly curved at the end. He ran his finger down the intricately engraved patterns which swirled, resembling thick waves curling across on the blade.

Viktor had been trying to find a suitable holster for the sword ever since he swiped it from another band of thieves. It had been missing a holster when he stole it, but the odd curve at the end restricted every new holster he offered. Whoever would be attacking him most likely wanted this, but the thieves that he stole the sword from were beyond weak. They practically gave up the weapon to him, so would they be the ones to attack Viktor? Would they go through all this trouble just to seek revenge? He wasn't sure.

♣

Two days later, Viktor sat alone in his bedroom. The nights before consisted of little sleep as he awaited the attack, but when the sun peeked over the horizon and morning finally arrived, the attack did not come. The knock at his door came as a surprise, and Viktor's hand flew to the sword at his side. He looked at his shaking hands on the sword handle and sighed, clearing his throat. "Come in."

Klein pushed open the door with a tray of tea and toasted bread in his hands. He strolled over to Viktor's bedside and set the tray on the bed in front of him. "The guards reported no signs of soldiers or attackers yet."

"When will they come, if not now?"

"I will let you know once I receive further information." Klein promptly left the room, leaving Viktor alone once again. His thoughts infiltrated his mind, but they only served as a nuisance, pestering him about the possibilities that would come after the attack. He could survive and retain his title, or he could lose everything. Viktor clenched his jaw and before smacking the tray off of his bed. He had no appetite. How could he eat with Death rapping at his door?

Viktor slid off of his bed and strolled to the balcony. Herds of guards stood by the enormous gate which led to his mansion. Every guard was armed and straight-backed. Viktor smiled at the sight. They would protect him. He was the King of Thieves. Whoever came did not stand a chance.

There was a feverish knock at his door, and Klein did not wait before bursting inside. "Sir, they're here."

Viktor quickly crossed the room and grabbed the sword on his bed. How did they escape the guards at the bottom of the mountain? How did they make it this far? Dozens of questions infiltrated his head, but Viktor settled on one. "Where are they now?" He shouted.

"The men at the bottom of the mountain," Klein gulped. "have been wiped out like flies. They should be arriving right now!"

Victor's skin began to feel tight and his heartbeat pounded in his eardrums.

"Fire!" Voices from outside shouted. Klein grabbed Viktor's wrist and dragged him to the balcony. From above, Viktor could see the masses of his men falling down consecutively like dominoes. A singular shadowed figure floated through the army, the men around them fell, parting as they made their way towards the mansion. Viktor squinted. There was no army at all. It was only the shadowed figure, who continued to engage, running towards the mansion and sliding through his army like a knife through water. How was this possible? Viktor felt his legs begin to tremble and he grabbed the collar of Klein's shirt, shaking the man. "Do something!" He screamed. His voice was a high-pitched shriek that he did not recognize as his own. Klein's eyes swelled with tears, and he shook his head vigorously. "I-I can't!" He cried. Viktor's throat dried as he saw his army collapse out of the corner of his eye and he finally let go of Klein, who sunk to his knees.

"I can't die today. I will not!"

Klein did not respond. His eyes looked empty as they cast down at the floor. Viktor looked down to the sword in his hands and clenched the handle in his fist. His quickened heartbeat pulsed in his ears. Suddenly, the door to his bedroom burst open. Viktor hastily climbed onto the railing of his balcony. The wind nudged his back as he stood on top of it. Viktor glanced behind him. The shadowed figure walked slowly towards him. Viktor's eyes widened at the sword at their belt. No- it was an empty sword holster. Viktor looked down at the sword in his hand and threw it at the person. It slid to their feet and he cried, "Take the sword. Take everything, just please spare me!"

The figure reached down for the sword. They lifted the blade and slid it into the holster with a smooth snap. They took another step towards Viktor, but before they could take another, Viktor had already leaped.