Not a Dreamer, Just a Nightmare (Henry)

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Naked

That's how he felt, naked and alone on the winding slums of Camelot. Of course, he wasn't actually naked. He wore worn and stained trousers and a simple shirt, loose clothing that he had thrown on in his haste to leave. He had woken again, alone, in a cold sweat. The nightmares were growing horrible, and yet frustrating.Despite how effected he felt, Scared, he could never remember specific details of these nightmares, just simple flashes.

It was Horrifically terrifying

That's why Dreamer had left the comfortable safety of his one room home at the Inn, to wander the streets alone at night. It was dark, with the moon tucked away safely behind the clouds, tonight would not be a night that the moon would show its face to Camelot. Dreamer felt a cold draft against his skin, pushing his shirt against himself, and he wrapped his arms in a self-embrace. Hurrying, he made his way to a lantern that hung off a building, happy for the momentary satisfaction.

Then it happened.

[Henry Renold]

Henry had been sitting on the roof of one of the hovels in Camelot's slums for several hours and his bones were beginning to ache. He still didn't flinch though. A good assassin never flinched, and that's what Henry was beginning to think of himself as.

An assassin.

The word sounded bitter in the Low's head, almost like bile in the back of his throat. "Assassin" had connotations that this Henry Renold didn't think about, didn't know. This boy was different, he was alone, he was safe.
Safe from the hurt that friends caused, safe from the danger that they brought with them.
But oh so alone.

He was dressed once again in his greys, skin tight clothing that blended with the shadows. He hadn't needed to be so careful tonight though, for despite the warm weather that had enveloped Camelot recently, the night was dense with cloud and the moon had made little if any appearance.
He finally saw what he had been waiting for though and he half crawled half slithered to the corner of the building to double check that this was him.

Jasen Masters

Some boy had posted a job in The Black Bear weeks ago, before Henry had changed his apprenticeship to assassin. Many had thought that no one would take up the offer, after all it was madness to chase after a magician wasn't it? Henry had thought so, until now.

He waited silently, the only noise his very shallow breathing, which had taken months to perfect. He was born and raised in the slums and his chest was always riddled with infection which meant quiet breathing was difficult- sometimes impossible- but recently a brotherhood member had shown him a new form of meditation and so far it seemed to work.

Finally the white-blonde head of his new target reached the lantern above which Henry was sitting. Without a second thought, the assassin dropped down silently and landed in a crouched position directly in from of Dreamer, knives unsheathed and ready to attack.

"Good evening." He purred.

This was going to be too easy

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

It was so sudden, Dreamer hadn't been paying attention, so when the lone figure of a man dressed in Grey jumped into his vision, it spooked him. What made it worse, after a moments inspection, wasn't the creepy voice of "Good evening" from the man, it was the blades he was holding in each hand.Dreamer jumped back, away from the warmth of the lantern, and reached for a dagger where his belt should have been. It was an instant reaction, but a useless one, he had not brought any weapons along.

He was naked and alone

Dreamer didn't have anytime to make another action or even reply, this man wasn't stupid, he was there to do a job and not have a pleasant conversation.

[Henry Renold]

Henry smiled as the boy fumbled to find a weapon. It was an eerie and empty smile that looked almost as creepy as the blades he held. He was a changed person, and he ached to draw the blood of this magician.

He was torn though.

Part of him wanted to leap onto the young man and cut his throat right there and then, but he also wanted to toy with him first, trick him and scare him and maybe even chase him for a bit before finally making the kill. He was a monster who was so broken from grief, he couldn't even see it.

Eventually, his more eager side won and with a snarl he leapt at his target blades held above him, desperate to find flesh. He could kill this boy right now and be done with it in minutes if all went to plan.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

The boy waited, and Dreamer kept stepping back out of fear. He looked left, he looked right, no one in sight. It figured, when someone was needed, no one was there. Dreamer gave a scared chuckle at his humor. He found no safety before the assassin jumped at him. Literally jumped at him with both of his blades pointed at him.

Dreamer didn't know what he do, so he decided to try and keep the boy away from him. Dropping on his back, hitting the ground, Dreamer raised his legs and pushed up. If he would strike the assassin flying at him, he would knock him the opposite way. If not, well then he just put himself in a even more defenseless position.

[Henry Renold]

Henry wasn't expecting the assassin to even attempt to fight back, and his sudden drop to the floor shocked him rather. Unfortuantely for Dreamer, it didnt shock him enough to falter in his attack.

He was knocked back by the sudden push from the magicians feet, but managed to land cat-like, a few steps back, a slightly impressed look upon his face.
"So, you want to fight?" He said, a hint of humour showing in his voice. It seemed the boy had made his earlier decision for him, and now they would play.

Clicking his hidden blades back into his sleeves, Henry pulled out a pair of glass daggers, more ornamental than anything, but also exceptionally sharp. He wasn't sure why he had chosen them from the Brotherhood weaponstore, probably just to look more imposing in his fight. After all, he had thought it would be a quick death and as yet he hadn't seen anything that might prove him wrong.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

So, you want to fight?

The man's voice sounded familiar to Dreamer, he couldn't place it, but he had defiantly heard it before. Which was odd, he had only known one assassin as far as he knew, and he was dead. With the thought of Dante, Dreamer's face hardened. Dante wouldn't back down or cower, he wouldn't let another take his life, not without a fight.

The boy drew out two dagger's that shown, menacing looking things, although he didn't know how reliant they would be. They didn't look as durable as his other blades, although they did look scarier. Dreamer smiled, "Oh did you pick the wrong person today my friend". Dreamer breathed in and drew in a breath as he readied himself to fight the man, his fist's rose as he sang.

"Come and play, Come and play..."

[Henry Renold]

Henry was pleased by his mark's sudden change of attitude.
So he was game for a fight. Excellent.
A small smile crept onto his lips as he murmered a laugh of dark humour, but it was soon wiped clear as the boy began to sing. Where had he heard it before?

The Vault

Henry and Dante had broken into the magicians guild months ago and had almost been caught by a pair of mages there. A long battle had ensued but they had eventually managed to escape with a strange orb which Evie had ended up losing somewhere. She had been so worried about telling him how...

The sudden memories of good times with his friends made him falter, almost pulling back the old Henry and he left himself wide open to the first attack from the mage. He shook his head, trying to forget the good times. Having friends only made you vulnerable. Weak.

They would only die.

He snarled at Dreamer, hurling a glass dagger directly at his face. Henry was fuelled by his grief and he wanted to kill him quickly, instead of playing with him like he had wanted to earlier. The dagger smashed against the wall behind his target and Henry's eye darkened.

"You will die!" He screamed, throwing the other of the pair at Dreamer too.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

There it was, Dreamer saw it clear as day, a straight opening to his opponent. The man was lost in his own thoughts, seeming to have forgotten that he had just instigated a battle between a mage. Dreamer would have taken the opening, had he not seen the man's face. The man was torn in what looked like grief. Dreamer's own memories kicked in at that moment, his own grief he felt after Dante's death. He had been so lost then, triggering his inner demon and awakening his talent towards Dark Magic. Honestly, Dreamer still had yet to rid himself of the nightmares.

Dreamer was ready to give it up, turn around and leave the man to his own thoughts. Unfortunately, the assassin had other plans in store for him. Dreamer felt the blade pass over his shoulder and heard it smash into the wall behind him.

You will die!

Dreamer saw the transformation, from playful to bloodthirsty, the assassin was out for the quick kill now. The other dagger left his hand and began to sail towards Dreamer. Rather than dodge it, Dreamer let his magic take part in the battle. After all, he was a Mage.

"Dagger of glass
Light shielding its mass"

The shield sprang up for an instant, long enough to shield Dreamer from the impact of the dagger. The blade broke into tiny pieces, scattering around the cold stone beneath them. Dreamer watched the assassin again, not sure of what to make of the situation, but ready to match force with force.

[Henry Renold]

Henry hated when his attacks were foiled, and it did nothing but spur him on. With both of his blades now lying in tiny shards all over the street, he was rather glad he had thought to bring a sword with him, even if he could barely use it.
"Do you ever shut up?" Henry snarled, clicking his hidden blades free once again and quick stepping to the side. If he could avoid using the double edged side-sword, he would.He took a few running steps, before bringing his leg up and performing a snap kick to Dreamers left side.

His face was set in a permanent grimace, he was determined and bloodthirsty, not a good combination for the poor magician. Although he seemed to have more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

Henry readied himself for the next assault. He needed to find a way in, possibly surprise him somehow. He span to the right, ducking low and waiting for Dreamer to make an offensive move. He wondered if he could walk away, pretend that he was done with this ridiculous battle and then catch him while he slept later on.
It would be a damn sight easier, but where was the fun in that?!

Besides, Henry Renold was an assassin now.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer brought his arms up as the man attempted to kick him, blocking the blow with his forearms. The man made a move to the right, and Dreamer turned and jumped back. Dreamer noticed the man holding another weapon, which was just perfect. "Kind of sucks to be on the opposite end of this situation for once" He thought, acknowledging the fact that he himself always carried several weapons when necessary.

Ok, almost always when necessary

He also acknowledged the fact that it put him at a close combat disadvantage, so long as Dreamer played fair. Dreamer smiled as he began to sing another spell, one he didn't know would be all to familiar to the assassin.

"Bring light
Shine bright"

A quick flash of light would blind the assassin as Dreamer charged his way forward. Using his momentum, Dreamer wanted to hit the assassin hard and fast. Dreamer charged at full speed and jumped to plant both feet into the assassins chest. There isn't much to Dreamer, but even his mass coupled with velocity and surprise, would be enough to send the assassin flying backwards, hopefully into a wall.

Dreamer on the other hand, hit the stone floor with his back as he went down. It hurt, alot, but he was able to begin picking himself back up.

[Henry Renold]

Henry yelled out as the light blinded him, just as it had done back in the vault all that time ago. He and Dante had laughed about it afterwards, "How could we have been such fools?" They had asked themselves, and yet here Henry was, falling for it all over again.
Under different circumstances, he might have laughed. Instead he used all of his willpower to stumble to the wall that he knew was somewhere behind him.

And that was when Dreamer hit him in the chest.

Unfortunately for the assassin, Dreamer's plan worked. It knocked him off balance, and already struggling to find his way around, Henry went down like a ton of bricks. Cracking his skull on the cobbled street. If his vision hadn't already been black, it would have been now- but after a minute or two it slowly began to clear, like the feeling one gets when he stands up too fast.

Sitting up and looking around for the mage, Henry felt the back of his head. His fingers found wet hair- he was bleeding. Dreamer was picking himself off the ground too, although Henry had completely missed how he had gotten there.

But there was no time to worry about that now. Henry had to find some way of stopping Dreamer from speaking. It was the boys only weapon in this fight and if Henry could silence him- well it would be over much faster.

But being down here on the ground had given Henry an idea, and he slowly reached his hands out across the cobbles, collecting the shards of glass that were left from when his daggers had shattered. It hurt to sandwich the glass between his palms and the street, but if this worked it would be worth it. Once he had two full handfuls, and confident that Dreamer hadn't noticed he began to put the plan into action.

"I think.."He began, trying to get up off the ground and falling back down, "That you are too strong for me to fight. I should just let you kill me..."

He hoped that Dreamer was not a heartless criminal, he certainly didnt act or look like one, and that he would take pity on henry and either leave, or help him up. Of course, he might not...

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer watched as the boy attempted to get up, but faltered and fell again. "I think..That you are too strong for me to fight. I should just let you kill me..." The boy said. Dreamer's face hardened for a moment, before softening as he watched the boy give up. Unarmed and injured, the boy would simply not be able to fight anymore.

Unless....

Dreamer wasn't idiot, this boy was an assassin sent to kill him, probably by any means necessary. Dreamer didn't know what kind of tricks were up his sleeve, but he still couldn't simply leave him to die or get picked off by any wondering fool. So, He moved slowly forward, cautious, until he was close enough to reach his hand out in an attempt to heal the boy.

[Henry Renold]

Yes Henry thought pleased, he was going to fall right into the trap.
He wasn't as foolhardy as Henry had hoped, but he was foolish enough to come closer to a trained assassin who had had been sent to kill him.

Dreamer raised his hand, and at first Henry thought he was going to help him up. But his hand was poised differently and Henry realised that he was about to perform some type of spell. It was going to be too late to stop him, so Henry waited listening to the words that he sang this time.
A strange sensation came over his body then, like he was being plunged into cold water. It was not wet but it was numbing, and for a few moments he felt like he was unable to breathe. But as quickly as it had come, the feeling passed and Henry knew that something had changed. The pain in his head was gone, and he stared open mouthed at his target as he realised that for some reason- he had been healed.

Idiot. Henry smirked inwardly. What sort of person heals an assassin?! But he was not one to complain, and putting on a smile as if to thank the mage he proceeded to get up.

Now he was crouching, making as if to stand completely and without warning he threw both handfuls of glass into the magicians face- his hands miraculously cut free thanks to Dreamers spell.

This really had worked out for the best but he still needed time, even if this only stunned Dreamer for a second it would be enough. He ripped a length of cloth from the bottom of his shirt and darted behind Dreamer, aiming to gag him.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

"AHHHHHHHHHHH"

Dreamer screamed as glass scratched at his face, and he felt a piece slice his left eye. He screamed as he fell, the horrible pain consuming him as his back hit against the cobble stone. As he did, the pain ignited a new hatred in him, and as he glared up at Henry as he moved like lightning to gag him.

Dreamer lost it

Blood running down his face like furious tears, Dreamer barred his teeth as he glared at his enemy. That was what Henry was now, an enemy, enemies don't live long against a pissed off mage. Dreamer lifted his foot as the boy dived for him, and hit him square in the junk. The effect was apparent, Dreamer then locked his legs on the boy's right leg and tripped him so he fell over. Moving himself on top of Henry, Dreamer was giving him no time as he barred his fists and began punching Henry repeatedly in the face.

An eye for an eye, Dreamer was taking that expression a little too literally.