storytellersilvic

    It was late in the morning. Spectre passed out on the couch in their messy apartment. The TV was running the news, talking about the latest hero’s passing. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and it slightly woke them up but they went back to sleep. A few more knocks at the door but they were still asleep. Until three loud knocks finally woke them up and made them fall off the couch.

    “It’s too early in the morning for this.” - Spectre got up from the floor and walked to the door. When she opened the door they saw their boss, Roark. “Hey boss.”

    “Morning Spectre. Mind if I can enter?” - Roark said.

    “Sure come inside.” Roark comes inside and sits at the table. He puts down a briefcase and opens it, pulling out three files.

    “Got some important things to tell you. But I feel like you’ll only like one of them.” - Roark said.

    “I’ve dealt with worse.” Spectre sat down with a cup of coffee in their hands and looked over the files. “So are these my targets?”

    “Yes and no. Two of them are villains, readying for a big turf war soon. Eli, leader of the fire bandits against Rosalia, queen of the Riot Berserkers.”

    “Wouldn’t they kill each other in the turf war?” - Spectre questioned.

    “I asked him the same question. However he had a different proposition. If both leaders are dead then either two things will happen. It will be a bloodfest and another leader will rise to the occasion and win. Meaning that their bounty will be higher than the leaders we killed. The other is that they don’t fight, thus ending both of the factions.” - Roark explained.

    “That’s why we’re being underpaid?  $20k isn’t bad but I have done less for more. But if this stupid gamble will work then i’m in on it. But what about the third file?” - Spectre said.

    “That’s the second thing I wanted to talk about. You’ll be having a new partner.” When he said that, Spectre looked at him in disbelief.

    “What?”

    “As much as I don’t want to. I have to. And you know why.”

    “I can and will do this solo. I don’t need some pathetic bodyguard.” - Spectre said.

    “You’re a good marksman. You can probably take down 30 men with just your sniper and pistol. But this is serious. More hunters are being killed by our own men. Information being sold to heroes for immunity.” - Roark said. Spectre tried to say something but couldn’t think of anything for a rebuttal. They took a sip of their coffee and looked in anguish. They then took a deep breath and exhaled.

    “I don’t know if I am ready for another partner. How do I know I can trust him?” - Spectre asked.

    “I’ve taken him on a few expeditions with me. He seems all right. One thing he mostly talks about is protecting a special someone. It doesn’t even look like he does it for the money either.” - Roark said.

    “Then for what?” 

    “Who knows. Not even I can barely read the man.”

Spectre thought to themselves for a moment and was thinking of other possibilities but it felt like they didn’t have an option.

    “Fine, I'll accept the terms. But I will say this. If he even thinks about stepping out of line with me. I will kill him on the spot.” - Spectre said. Roark seemed a bit surprised and laughed.