Us Against The World - Ch (1/1)

He ran as fast as the wind, stopping for nothing in his way.  He prayed that he was not too late but his prayers fell on stony ground when he arrived at the scene.

There, lying face down on the ground, in a pool of blood was the only person he ever cared about.  A masked man cladded in black stood beside her lifeless body."Why?" he asked, eyes glaring at the man.  "She has nothing to do with this.  Why did you kill her?""This is a warning for you," replied the man.  "No one leaves the clan.""I'm the one you want.  Why kill her?" he asked angrily."You don't fear death," replied the man.  "I need to set an example for others who are foolish enough to try and leave.  She's your only family, right?"The fire burned in his eyes as he drew out the white blade in his hand.  "I will kill you.""Turn against me and you will be branded a traitor," warned the man.

He paid no heed the man's threatening words as he charged at him.  His rage was beyond control as he struck at the man with every move intended to kill him.  He gripped his sword tight as he struck down with a much greater force, knocking the man's sword out of his hand.  The man watched as it landed several feet away.  As he rushed over to grab it, he saw a flash of white before he felt the agonising pain of cold steel slashing across his eyes.  He screamed as he clutched at his bleeding eyes.

Without a thought for the screaming man, he plunged the blade into his lower back.  The man felt his feet give way as he collapsed to the ground, unable to move or see his opponent.  He could only hear footsteps as it approached him.  He knew his opponent was there about to finish him off."Die!" he said as he plunged his white blade down, only to stop when he heard a muffled cry of a baby.The man laughed.  "So that's what she was protecting."

He ran over to where the crying sound was coming from.  He knelt down beside her bloodied body and gently turned her over to reveal a bundle in her arms.  He picked up the bundle and unwrapped the blanket.  Immediately, the baby stopped crying and stared back at him."Please don't worry," he said to her.  "I will protect him with my life."

A group of masked men arrived at the scene and saw the bleeding man on the ground."Dongwoo," one man cried out as he ran beside the bleeding man."Hoya," said the man on the ground.  "I can't see you anymore.""Requiem!  You traitor!" shouted Hoya as he glared death daggers at him.  "Kill him!"

At his orders, the group of men charged at Requiem, who held the baby in one arm and his sword in the other.  He was ready to risk his life for revenge but after seeing the small child in his arms, he knew he couldn't die.  He had promised her he would raise the child and he would see to it.

Requiem fought his way through the group of men as they pursued him into the night.  He slashed at his enemies as their blood splattered on him.  Though he was exhausted, he did not allow himself to be careless.  One by one, he struck them all down.

He felt the first drops of rain as the last man fell.  He stood, breathing heavily as the rain poured down.  He looked at the child in his arm, before dropping to his knees.  He struggled to remain conscious, but soon collapsed to the ground.

Shortly after, more of the men arrived, led by Hoya who was burning with rage.  He saw the unconscious Requiem on the ground.  He struck his sword to finish Requiem off, but two figures appeared and interrupted him.  The taller man fought against the group as the younger one picked up the baby and helped Requiem up."Who are you?" Hoya asked the two intruders."Freelancers," replied the tall man, before leaving the scene with his young follower."I'll find you!  I'll kill you all!" shouted Hoya.

The tall man entered the room where Requiem lay unconscious.  "The assassin Requiem.  He's pretty impressive, is he not?" spoke the tall man as he checked up on Requiem."He fought protecting this baby.  He doesn't seem like a bad person," said the younger one, holding the baby in his arms.  "Why is there a bounty on his head?""You forget, kid, he's an assassin.  He's killed countless people.  It's only normal that his enemies want him dead and are willing to pay for it," explained the tall man."What are we going to do now?" asked the younger one.  "We're not in need of money so can we keep him?"

They waited for days before Requiem woke up.  As he sat up, he found a baby lying asleep next to him.  He stared at the baby until a youth entered the room, surprised to see him awake."I'm so glad you're awake!" exclaimed the youth.  "How are you feeling?""Who are you?" he asked the youth, before glancing back at the baby.  "Who is this baby?"The youth stared at him in surprise.  "Don't you remember?"