“That blade is not yours,” the Unholy said. “It belongs to my lord.”
“Your lord should have facilitated its liberation, then.”
The Unholy stared at Velos for a few seconds with its dead eyes. A raspy breath escaped its lips as it shuffled closer and pointed to the scabbard.
“He did. This is why you hold it now, but it is not yours to wield. That blade belongs to Chimera. You dare disobey him?”
“I dare,” Velos said. “It is useful to me.”
“To defy Chimera is to beckon death.”
“I think I’ll hold on to it for a few moments longer,” Velos said looking at the scabbard. “It can provide me a certain…leverage.”
“You play a dangerous game, human.”
“What’s the sense in playing without risk?” Velos asked. “The higher the risk, the better the game.”
“In this game, you risk your life.”
“Which makes it all the more worthwhile,” Velos replied. “Tell him he will get his blade, once I have secured my vengeance.”
“He will not be pleased with your insolence,” the creature at Velos’ feet answered. “No one refuses our lord.”
For a brief moment Velos contemplated destroying the Unholy that groveled before him, but that wasn’t the message he wanted to send…not yet. The misshapen Unholy shambled back and forth in an aimless shuffle, all the while keeping its eyes on him.
It was unnerving.
“I’m not refusing him,” Velos said. “I’m merely postponing the inevitable. Tell him I’m honored to receive his invitation. I just have to cleanse the streets of some Hunter vermin first. This serves our mutual goals.”
“I shall inform him. He will not be pleased.”
“Perhaps, next time, he can come get it himself,” Velos replied, looking over the edge of the roof and into the night. “That is, if he can.”
“You tread upon dangerous ground,” the Unholy rasped as it cocked its head to one side. “Do not mistake his absence for weakness. The strongest of us will roam these streets soon. I will deliver your message.”
“See that you do,” Velos said with a short nod. “I look forward to meeting him.”
The Unholy bowed and shuffled to the edge of the roof, stepping off and disappearing. Velos pulled out his phone and dialed. After a few seconds, the call connected. Velos pressed the speakerphone function as he gazed over the edge of the roof where the Unholy disappeared. Night was approaching and he would soon be on the hunt again.
“Status,” a voice said over the speaker. “Do you have it?”
“I have it,” Velos said. “My team didn’t make it. They ran into a gunman named Cade. I underestimated him.”
“Cade is a formidable threat; I’d advise caution confronting him.”
“I’m going to kill him.”
“Stay on mission. Cade is not the mission. We need the Jade Demon dead.”
“I’m still going to kill him. Consider it a gift.”
“Maintain focus. Cade is a distraction at best.”
“He killed my team…my entire team.”
“Irrelevant. The Nameless is the priority. Stay on task.”
“Of course,” Velos said dryly. “I just received a visit from one of Chimera’s errand things.”
“What did it want?”
“What else? The Nameless.”
“Chimera must not obtain that blade. Under no circumstances are the Unholy to get the Nameless. Is that understood?”
“I imagined that would be your position.”
“Are you still in possession of the blade?”
“Yes, I am,” Velos said. “I’m not giving this sword to the Unholy. Not until I’ve had my vengeance.”
“Do not allow emotion to cloud your judgment. Cade can wait until after the Jade Demon is dealt with. After, not before. Is this understood?”
“Completely.”
“Good. Once the objective is achieved, you can eliminate whomever you want,” the voice said. “Don’t forget who extended the hand of vengeance to you. I gave you Retribution.”
“I haven’t forgotten. I won’t forget. Thank you.”
“Once this matter is settled and the Jade Demon is eliminated, Retribution is yours.”
“What if I want the Nameless?” Velos asked.
“That belongs to another. Someone you do not want to cross—trust me.”
“So, that would be a no.”
“You cannot bond with it and Retribution,” the masked voice said. “To do so would end you.”
“Can I unbind from Retribution?” Velos asked, holding the scabbard of the Nameless in front of him. “Then I can claim the Nameless.”
“Unbinding from a dark named blade will most likely kill you,” the voice said. “Go see the Smith. He is waiting for the delivery of the Nameless. Also, give him the named swords you have claimed.”
“What will he do with them?”
“That doesn’t concern you. How many have you claimed?”
“Two, so far,” Velos answered. “I will hunt tonight. One escaped me.”
“Delivery of the Nameless takes precedence. Then you can hunt.”
“Understood.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes, I need a new team,” Velos answered. “One that won’t get shredded by one old gunman.”
“That one old gunman was at one time one of the best Regional agents,” the voice answered after a pause. “Do not underestimate him again.”
“I see,” Velos said. “I will take the necessary precautions.”
“See that you do. The team will meet you at the Smith…tonight.”
“Good.”
“Again, maintain operational focus. Do not get distracted. The person waiting for the Nameless is not known for his patience.”
“Is that a threat?” Velos asked irritated. “Are you trying to scare me?”
“Have I ever resorted to threats in the past?”
“No, never.”
“And I refuse to do so now,” the voice said. “I am merely stating the facts. Deliver the Nameless tonight, if you wish to see the sun rise in the morning.”
The call ended.
Velos held up the scabbard holding the Nameless again. He didn’t feel fear. He rarely did these days. What he did feel was curiosity. Who could instill such respect in his contact? Enough to promise his death if he failed to deliver the sword?
He would need to uncover who the sword was for. His thoughts flashed back to the Unholy that had just vanished into the night. The last thing he would be
