C.o.s.s: Collections Of Short Stories (A.i.o)
Blue Mask: Vincent And Miranda
Deep in the forest, a young man was trying to start a fire to cook his meat. Just as he got the fire running, he felt someone sneaking behind him.
He quickly reaches for his weapon and aim it at the person behind him, who also had their weapon again his back.
Vincent
And what do you want?
Miranda
Bartha The Gluttonous Beast, I am here for your head.
Miranda
It's no use trying to bribe or pursued me.
He retrack his weapon and turns around.
Vincent
I'm not Bartha. My name is Vincent.
Miranda
Even if you changed your appearance, it's no use.
Vincent
Like I said, I'm not-
Before Vincent could finish his sentence, arrows came flying down on them.
Vincent ran to cover under a rock that was near him. He saw that she was just standing there, about to parry any arrow that would come flying towards her.
He grabs her by the wrist and pulls her in to take cover under the rock.
After the rain of arrow, a sudden laughter filled up the forest. An ugly fat old man slowly emerged out from the shadow of the forest as his men follow him from behind.
Bartha
I heard that you would be coming here, Bounty Hunter Miranda.
Bartha
If you want my head, you'll die trying!
Vincent turns and looks at Miranda who was looking at the wanted poster in her hand.
Vincent
Just how do I look like him?
Miranda
Bartha The Gluttonous Beast, I will take your head without fail.
Bartha raises his hand and signals his men at command.
More arrow came flying towards them.
They hid behind the rock from the waves of arrow.
Bartha
I guess even the bounty hunter Miranda is afraid of death!
Soon, the rain of arrows ended as the archers ran out of arrow.
In that instant, Vincent and Miranda rushes out from the rock like cheetahs.
Bartha's men were taken back by their speed, that they couldn't react fast enough to stop them.
In the next few second, they were slaughtered by Vincent and Miranda. Leaving only Bartha alone alive.
Bartha
Whaa.... Whaa... What in the world?!
Miranda points her blade at his throat. Bartha shrieks back in fear for his life.
Miranda
For the crime of murder, corruption, rape, and etc, I hereby sentence you to death.
Before Bartha could retort, Miranda cut his head off his body clean.
He had never seen anyone that could keep up with him.
Miranda takes Bartha's head, and turns towards Vincent.
Miranda
I apologize for mistaking you as him. Please forgive my rude behavior.
Vincent
Well, you got him in the end and that's what count.
Miranda didn't look satisfied with his answer.
Vincent
How about this, why don't you provide me your skills for a while.
Vincent
I'll be in your care.
Blue Mask: The Halcyon
Vincent and Miranda arrives at the next town.
Miranda went to confirm her bounty as Vincent waits for her at a pub.
Vincent ordered a few things to eat and drink.
When his food arrived, Miranda also came back. They were about to eat dinner, when suddenly, Vincent heard the gossip behind him.
Mob 1
The Halcyon massacred the Yuwei Family.
Mob 2
But they were one of the great four family?!
Mob 2
How could they get annihilated by that group?
Mob 1
Fool, the Halcyon are not to be mess with!
Mob 1
They are the leading assassination organizations of the underworld!
Mob 1
They have the top 9 assassins named after the colors, and each one of them are defined by their features!
Mob 1
Apparently, the Blue Mask was the one who massacred the Yuwei Family!
Mob 2
Isn't that the same person who destroyed the Stoneshell family nine years ago?!
Mob 1
Don't say that out loud.
As the people behind Vincent continues their gossiping, Vincent's face started to turn grim.
Miranda notice the chilling expression on him.
Miranda
The food is getting cold.
Vincent ate the food quietly as he continues to listen to the gossiping.
Mob 2
But it's strange, the Blue Mask had stayed quiet after that incident.
Mob 2
Why did they suddenly decided to appear again?
Mob 1
I don't know, but it's best to stay clear of the Halcyon.
A dangerous glow reflected in Vincent's eyes.
They finished their dinner and head towards an inn. Vincent was quiet the whole way there.
Miranda
...Are you alright?
Vincent
They said that the Blue Mask strikes again...
A memory of the past flashes into Vincent's mind.
Vincent tighten his fist as his face twisted in rage.
Miranda
If you tighten your fist like that, you will harm your hand.
Miranda takes his tighten fist into her hand and slow release it.
Miranda
I don't know what is making you so upset, but we have been walking the whole day.
Miranda
You will need much rest to do whatever it is that needs to be done tomorrow.
Miranda was talking about the delivery Vincent needed to make.
When they were walking through the woods, Vincent told Miranda that he was working as a mercenary who delivery things as a side job.
His job was to deliver an important item to a customer tomorrow.
They head into the inn to rest for the night. Just like Miranda said, he had a job that needed to be done. Now wasn't the time to dwell in his thoughts.
GreenBlade
FATHER, you called for me?
Halcyon
Green, I need you to keep an eye on Blue.
Halcyon
Blue may have restored their use to me, but I do not trust them.
GreenBlade
Because of what happened 9 years ago?
GreenBlade bows to him and leaves.
Halcyon
Will you disappoint me again, Blue?
Blue Mask: A Drunk Talk
Vincent
Here is the item, ma'am.
Mob 3
Thank you, young man.
Mob 3
Here is your reward.
The woman have Vincent a bag of gold. He takes the gold and gave her a bow before leaving.
Miranda was waiting for him at the gate.
He smiles at her as he wave the bag in front of her.
Vincent
Let get some expensive drinks for tonight, my treat.
It's been a few weeks since then. In order to erase the thought of Blue Mask, Vincent had been drowning himself in delivery request.
So far, he had finished 2 bodyguards request, and 3 item delivery request.
Miranda was with him throughout the whole process.
She was somewhat relief that he was finally taking a break.
They went to find some good expensive drink as well snacks to go along.
They returned to the inn, and started their early break when night came.
Vincent
How many rounds can you go?
Miranda
I'm not sure, it's my first time drinking this.
Vincent smirks at her and pours her a cup load.
Vincent
Let compete who'll last the longest.
Miranda
What does the winner get?
Vincent
Hmm... How about, the loser does whatever the winner wants for a whole entire day?
Miranda
Sounds interesting.
Vincent was very confident in this. He had never lost before, and doesn't plan no breaking that win.
However, after the 27th cup, he was knocked out cold with his head against the table, while Miranda was still going on strong. Although, her cheek was getting light pink.
Vincent
W-what are you made out of...?
Vincent
I have never lost before...
Miranda
I guess you found your match.
Vincent
You're not an ordinary person are you?
Miranda
I never met anyone who could match up with my speed before.
Vincent
That's my exact thought.
Vincent smiles at her like a child.
Vincent
I lost, what would you like me to do for you?
Miranda
That time when we were in the pub...
Miranda
What made you so upset?
Vincent
Do you know of The Halcyon and the Blue Mask?
Miranda
...From rumors and gossip.
Vincent
...Then do you know of the Stoneshell Family?
Miranda
...From rumors and gossip.
Vincent gave out a small sad smile.
Vincent
9 years ago, the head of the Stoneshell family caught an unwanted attention from a powerful warlord.
Vincent
He refused the Warlords request, sealing his fate.
Vincent
The Warlord called for the Halcyon to teach them a lesson.
Vincent
The Halcyon sent their youngest assassins at the time, Blue Mask.
As Vincent continues to talk, the cup in his hand started to suffer from his strong grip.
Vincent
Blue Mask annihilated the Stoneshell family, and the Warlords crime was overlooked.
Vincent
I was 10 at the time when Blue Mask killed my whole family.
Vincent drift into his sleep after he finished that sentence.
Miranda reaches out and touch his hand, her expression was unreadable.
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
