Return of an Assassin [Relm/Open]

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This world was no different than the others. His appearance upon this world was nothing special and from the help of the loud mouthed swordsman he was able to find a new place for business. Whether it was his own land or that of a foreign one, his skills seemed to be of need no matter how clean of a place it may be. Conflict was a part of human nature and Shadow’s mere life revolved around that. It didn’t matter if it was against a human or beast, in the end Shadow would kill to collect his pay.

Through his journeys he noticed the need for his skills had grown no matter where he went. The awakening of blackened beasts had scared the people into rushing towards him for his service. He knew nothing of these beasts, but he didn’t need to know much about their origins to kill them with his blade. Through the pause of work, Shadow decided to rest in the one place he was usually see, the town’s pub. A pub always held those who had interest in his services. It attracted drunkards who would come to wallow in their sorrows. It was truly the place where the ill willed would usually gather.

Aside from the usual loudness that was usually found in a pub, for Shadow it only felt silent and lonely for him. For many years his companion Interceptor had always been by his side, but now there was nobody. He was not supposed to be among the living, he was supposed to return to meet Baram…and her. Death had always seemed to follow him, but in the end it would never take hold of him, leaving him to live on his empty life. If death was not his fate then what was there for him? In the eyes of his companions Shadow was dead, there was no other way he could have survived the tower’s collapse.

Just what was he to do? Live on his empty life until he died? Was it a mistake that he joined forces with the returners? His mind thought back to those times on the Falcon in which the group all laughed happily with smiles upon their face. He would always stand by and watch without a single word, but nonetheless he felt a sense of belonging, as if he truly was a part of this group that treated each other like a family. It had been a long time since he truly felt like that…he could still remember her beautiful face, the smile he fell in love with.

The glass he held shattered from the tightened grip as he held his temples with the other hand tightly. Those memories, they were locked away, they shouldn’t be returning, but just recalling the party only reminded him of her. What a twisted fate that he would meet that little girl that shared her smile once more. He placed the money upon the counter he had sat upon and quickly walked out. Taking the time to relax, Shadow closed his eyes and let out a sigh as his mind relaxed and returned to his stoic self. The streets were busy with people and though his attire was strange, he merely merged into the traffic of people and walked on.

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This town was a blast! It was nothing like her quite home in Thamasa... it was alive with people going everywhere, they were Intresting to her. The people of her home were capable of weilding magic of course, but aside from that they were actually pretty bland more than anyone.... gramps was... he was probaly furious with her by now, but... she hadn't mean't to be gone so long.... she only wanted to see where the thing led that was all, But gramps would be ok right? He had defeated Hidon after all right? But... he was getting old.... she probaly should at least find a way to go back and visit old mage.

It was then her travling partner, girls best friend began to bark, back to back until Relm looked down at her partner, briefly patting his fur.

"What is it Interceptor? something up buddy?"

Rather than respond Relm's partner took off in a sprint, to which the young girl followed curious, did he hear or see something? Intercepter stopped among a crowd, barking once more, again and again, when Relm caught up however all she could see was a figuire clad in black, wait... wasn't that how Interceptor's old partner dressed? then... could this really be...?

"S..Shadow is that.. you?"

He was the only one they coudn't account for when Kefka's tower collapsed, they had looked for quite awile among the wreckege but... in the end they could only belive the worst had happened there friend but now.... who else would Interceptor be so friendly to? He tendes to dislike strangers, in fact he really didn't even listen to gramps unless it involved the old man giving him his food so... how?

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With the loud barking from the big dog, people began to stare over at the beast, starting to grow fearful of it, but even so among the crowd there was only one man that did not feel fear at all. Shadow’s eyes widened, but he didn’t even look at the canine to know just who it was. Among the loud barking was that of a small girl’s voice, another voice that was all too familiar to him. Just what were the chances that he would encounter them once more? Just what were they doing in such a land in the first place?

In response to the girl’s words Shadow’s migraine return as he placed his hand on his temples once more. It was a conflicting feeling, one that he did not wish to deal with so soon. All those years of having abandoned his feelings, how could he of let them return now? Immediately Shadow moved forward and begun to weave through the crowd and rush away. Kicking off the ground he began to flee from both the girl and Interceptor.

Normally fleeing from a child would have been easy, but her companion was a different story. Through all his time as an assassin, Interceptor had never once slowed him down and always managed to keep up with his speed. Even know during a time of peace, Interceptor had never slowed down in the slightest. Through the streets of Traverse Town they ran, with Interceptor getting and closer. Was it that he was slipping? Running away was all he was ever good at and even now he failed at even that.

The chase was soon over the moment that Shadow entered a dead end. His footsteps coming to a halt, Shadow merely closed his eyes calmly, crossing his arms with his back turned towards the dog. “Stubborn dog…” Shadow said calmly.

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Shadow... ran... did he not want to see them? They did have the right guy didn't they? of course... of all people Interceptor would know Shadow's scent best. and so behind her partner Relm gave chase to Shadow however she lacked the speed the other to possed, only able to keep up by watching the ends of Interceptor's feet.

Through the crowds they ran, Relm knew they were gaining undue attention but she really didn't care, all that mattered was one of her friends were here... and Interceptor's partner to! He was always determined, of everyone Relm always thought Interceptor belived in his partner's demise the least, everyway he would look, everday Relm tried to help her friend but..... everday they returned in sadness but now.... this was different.

She watched as the two stopped, the large dog having cornered Shadow in a dead end, Relm giving a small chuckle at Shadow's comment.

"Stuborn and loyal! He... has been looking for you all this time after all

Relm's turned towards the ground, tears falling from her eyes as she thought about all the times Interceptor searched... and failed to find the man now standing before them.

"How could you abadon him like that? Interceptor is the best dog in the world and... you just left him... why?!"

Relm yelled in irritation, it bothered her to no end, NO one deserved to be thrown away like that!

"He looked... we looked... all the time you know"

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The footsteps of another had managed to grow closer and in the end it seemed the girl had finally reached where they were. One thing Shadow could say was that he was quite impressed with this girl and her speed, despite being so young. Perhaps this was an encounter that was destined to be. Shadow knew this encounter would occur at some point, but he could only of hoped for it to of been at a much later time.

The emotional voice of the girl was heard by the assassin, but the assassin did not move and turn to face her. Arms still crossed, Shadow calmly glanced over his shoulder and stared at the girl that was shedding tears. She was upset, infuriated, it was only reasonable. He had not told anybody about his decision, nor had he ever even said farewell.

They were his friends after all…his family…

“It was because of peace…” Shadow said averting his eyes from the girl as he stared forward, unable to stare at the tearful face anymore. He stared upward and closed his eyes before speaking once more. “In such a time of peace what place does an assassin have in the world? The life of a bloodied man such as myself was no longer needed…death is the only path for me and I intended to take this path. Interceptor knew this…I sent him off before I accepted my death.” Shadow said lowering his head “yet I still live…even though I have no place for my tainted self to truly belong to.” Shadow said.

“Interceptor…he followed me and my selfish desires for years, he deserves nothing but peace…” Shadow said. Interceptor being with the girl was all he desired, even before he had turned into the man named Shadow. Interceptor was his dear friend, but he was not his, Interceptor was her dog, not his. It was only fair that the daughter received the dog’s love. The girl behind him deserved nothing but peace, which was what Clyde Arrowney always desired.

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"Every life has a use... wasn't that the whole reason we all fought against Kefka.. for peace..?"
Relm muttered the words out between wiping her tears, Interceptor knew he was gone..? why didn't he tell her then? he still looked every day... but why? Did her little buddy care for Shadow enough to expect him to return from even death? but then again... it did seem to be one of the things Shadow was famous for... Relm gripped her hands at her sides as the assasian continued to talk, he had no home? That was a lie, his home was obvious wasn't? even if no one else wanted him... if everyone else hated him....

"The Falcon..."

The blond girl muttered, hoping he would get implication, From Edgar to Terra and even her grumpy grandpa.... they were all one big family...

Slowly she walked foward and held out a picture of there group before him, she painted it shortly after her return to Themasa with gramps and Interceptor, it showed all of them aboard the Falcon, even Shadow despite his absence at the time.

"Not just Interceptor... Everyone deserves peace..."

She closed her little book of pictures and looked back up at Shadow with a half smile, she should tell him, he deserved to know a small little fact, just like everyone else.

"Edgar... told me Kefka's back, I... don't understand how but... I just thought everyone should know... mad clowns do very bad things... right?"

She said with a light chuckle, her gaze looking up to him in earnest.

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Shadow did not know what to say or how to reply to the child. Her mere presence before him was difficult and the migraine that he held only made things worse for him. At moment all he truly desired was to leave and get some rest but that was impossible for him. No matter where he ran Interceptor would capture him and even so there was something that held him back, something that allowed him to be caught so easily by Interceptor.

His eyes opened and his head rose as he took in what the girl said. No matter what his life was worthless, a life filled with nothing but selfishness and cowardliness. Why did he fight against Kefka? Was it that he desired revenge for what the empire did to him? Did he merely fight the clown because fighting was all he could ever do? Could it actually of been that he held some actual care for the allies he had made?

He pondered this but his eyes widened upon the mere mention of the airship that they traveled upon. Upon hearing movement, Shadow’s eyes moved towards the girl and watched her present what seemed like it was a picture. All of them were there including him, all a part of the big family they all considered themselves to be. His eyes stared down at the picture, staring at how magnificently it was drawn.

He could still recall those times where the little girl would scribble forth picture for him…

Men and women who fought for noble causes, they all truly deserved a life of peace like the girl said, but for an assassin like him peace for all was nothing more but a distant dream. He had witnessed many who desired to follow their selfish desires and the work that Shadow preformed only helped fuel it.

Peace was something that was difficult to believe would come easy and with what the girl had said this thought was only strengthened. All their hard work and sacrifice to kill the mad clown, in the end it was all pointless as the clown had returned. Was killing the clown truly going to bring forth the peace they desired?

Shadow turned forward and stared down at the girl with his usual cold eyes before he took a step forward and walked past the girl. He continued to walk towards the exit and as he did so he heard the light footsteps of four feet. “Stay Interceptor…” Shadow said stopping before he made his way out. “Girl...Interceptor belongs to you now, if the mad clown is about then there will be no danger so long as you are by Interceptor’s side” Shadow said closing his eyes.

The burning in his mind would not stop. He had gone too far past; there was no redemption for his sin. He needed to toss it all away, toss away the unnecessary bonds. “Interceptor…in not my dog…he belonged to a cowardly man…a pitiful disgusting man I killed named Clyde Arrowney” Shadow said. For the first time, Shadow brought back that name in hopes that he would finally be able to rid himself of that man for good. There was nothing more that the assassin could say as the assassin walked off, leaving the girl once more. Rest was what he needed.

[End Thread]