The Biggest Joke

I guess that little bit of creative inspiration had finally hit home. So, here's a story for all to read, critique, comment, praise It's the first story I ever attempted to write - all other times having fell flat on its' faces, or just went totally off the plot. :\

The Biggest Joke

Chapter 1: When Life Gives You Lemons...

What a dreadful world this is, isn't it?

Trapped in a city of crime and eternal darkness, who can really say life is great? Truly, I wouldn't think so - nor would anyone, in my opinion. Everyday, it's either screams, or if I'm luckier, groans of death. Why is this city like this?

But oh well, this is Trivai.

Most probably a play on the word 'trivial'.

No... That must have been the truth. The government have given up on us. The crime rates are the best proof of that. The eternal night that reigns here is yet another proof. We're cursed, yet they do nothing?

With bated breaths, I crept silently into the shadows. Today, my target was some aristocrat that had brazenly chose to pass through this city.

Trivai stood in the middle of a trade route - ironically. However, perhaps because of this strategic location, people from all walks of life come to this place... And one fine day, this accursed Demon Lord had to stop by, call in the eternal night, and bring with him all sorts of criminals to commit all sort of atrocities.

And well, there doesn't seem to be any end to that. The city's inhabitants suffers, and while the government had once attempted to at least put up some kind of resistance, from what I heard, they failed miserably. Since then, they gave up.

Life took a nosedive. More so for kids like myself. I don't know who my parents were. I raised myself - more or less, with the exception of the times when I was still a baby, so helpless, so... Useless.

But now, things are different. I've grown up. My dagger is my best friend, and blood is my lover. I seek money, but will never attain wealth.

Who's to blame?

Treading silently, I peered down the dark alley. Seeing the dark outline of a mysterious silhouette quickly identified for me my target, and I slowed down to a barely audible strafe. Probably sensing some presence, the person turned, only to see no one. I was hiding behind some crates, thankfully.

He quickly turned, and continued down. I could hear his pace quicken, and that was my signal. He was afraid, and that, at least, told me I wouldn't face a really serious resistance.

I tossed aside the idea of stealth, and sprinted forward. My steps echoed down the alley, prompting my target into a rather desperate looking run - whimpering as he did. Though, with my rather lean figure, and years of having done this very same thing, it didn't take me long to reach him.

When I caught him, he screamed, rather eerily too. But it was too bad, really. One quick stab and his screams became gurgles as he struggled to let his voice out from his mouth, and not blood. I kicked him back down on the dirty floor, sitting on his chest as I plunged the dagger into his throat again, severing his neck.

It was then I went on to search through his body, finally acquiring the spoils of the day.

I grinned, and quickly jogged away, leaving the corpse behind as I went back out on the main streets.

This man had really carried quite a huge sum of money. Enough for a week at least, and maybe some accessories for myself.

I am a girl after all. Surely some accessories wouldn't hurt, will it? But I sighed, walking pass the accessory shop. I needed to save the money to escape Trivai. As much as my want seems overpowering, I found myself suppressing it, leashing it as I tore my gaze away from the shop and back onto the main streets.

This is my life. What a joke it's been, isn't it?

A girl who doesn't live like one. A city of crimes, of eternal nights.

What can be better than this?

 

Chapter 2: The Girl of Trivai

As it stands, 4 days has passed since I murdered that supposed 'aristocrat'. Indeed, too, I quickly realize that he was more than just an 'aristocrat'. He was an 'important aristocrat'. Which only leads me to wonder why exactly would he be here in this place, even if it's a wonderful trade center - being in the middle of a trade route and all.

The only reason that I can imagine is the 'Black Market'.

But nevertheless, there were now some people asking around for sightings of that very same man. And the funnier thing is: they asked me too. Of course I denied it, shrugged it off. This is me. If I had to feel guilt for every single person I've killed, I'll be dead by now.

Trivai allows for no sense of compassion. There is no empathy, no love. The Seven Deadly Sins find a really comfortable abode in this place. Vice rules the place.

And caught in the middle of all these, is it even possible for me to stick out like a sore thumb? Sorry, but it's just too dangerous for myself.

"Hey, you really haven't seen Lord Aswane?"

I shrugged, looking back at the man.

"Damned mute, if only we had someone better to ask."

I glared at the man briefly as he turned to join his other colleagues. There hadn't been anything else that really angered me like this too - people calling me a mute like it's a bad thing. Not that it's a good thing, but to hear it come from a person's lips. It simply infuriates me.

As much as I would seek revenge for that little encounter, I pushed the thought away, realizing that I'm far too outnumbered.

Now at this juncture, I've amassed quite a sum of money. It has been about 12 years since I broke off from my 'foster-parents' - so called because they, at least, were the ones who raised me up - and it was only after numerous cases where I got cheated that I made it to today.

If I'm not wrong, I'm about 17 now... Surely I would be wiser?

Actually, I seem to think so, as I packed my stuff. There's really not much to pack when one's living in some dilapidated house. Most of the useful items had been taken away, leaving only the useless, or those that are well hidden, like my money.

I produced the sack of cash, and quickly stuffed it into my bag. It was then, I took out my favorite necklace - the first accessory I've ever bought. I couldn't resist buying it then, it was literally screaming for attention. It held a small piece of crystal that was as cyan as what the sky would probably seem on a bright day.

Sparkling under the shop lights, I felt joy overcome my heart. I had no idea why, but that was exactly what happened.

I laughed softly to myself, shaking myself back into reality. I was still in Trivai. I need to get out soon.

Silently, I walked out of my house, and broke into a sprint. There was no place safe in Trivai - who knew who might have been watching me? I took no risk, sprinting at my top speed till I reached some place close to the walls of Trivai.

It was then, I met with an ambush. I just knew it. Someone must have saw the money I took out and then spread the news about.

"Ah, so, what's in that bag?"

I shook my head, hoping it would have deterred them, but that probably made it more obvious. There were about 5 of them, and they surrounded me rather tightly, leaving me no chance of escape.

"You know, you better hand it over."

I drew my dagger from it's sheath, only to have it knocked away the moment I had it in my hands. Exasperated, I picked up a random piece of wood - that appeared to be the leg of some rather worn-out chair. This was a piece of wood that appeared rather rotten, and there were even a few termites crawling about, but I gripped on tightly nevertheless.

It was money or life... Actually both.

"Oh... You're going to fight? That's so cute."

One of the man stepped forward, drawing his short sword in that same motion. He attempted to stab me with it, but I sidestepped and knocked his blade away, following up the motion with an arc to his face. The impact smashed the wood into smithereens, leaving me unarmed once again.

"Heh heh, you're dead now."

The other four charged forward just as that one man I knocked out fell. I turned, and realized the hopelessness of my situation. They were much too fast. I stood no chance. 4 short swords would soon be drinking my blood, and perhaps, I'll just be another corpse in the alley.

I felt very cold. I had never felt this much fear, seeing corpses, and here, I am close to becoming one, and I'm fearful? I would have scoffed at this, but the situation disallowed it. I am going to die soon.

In fear, I brought my arms to cover my eyes.

"What the!"

And suddenly, the shrill sound of metal clashing against metal followed. There were more clashes, and then the sound of groans.

I quickly put my arms aside, and watched in horror. It was a dark figure, and hooded too. He wielded a long sword, and was extremely proficient with it. The assailants were trying their best to synchronize their attacks, but this figure was amazingly swift. Horrendously swift.

The men were starting to whimper as they fought, each of them bearing some sort of injury. One to the arm, two to their legs, and one on his face. There were more injuries inflicted on them later, until they were all on the ground, bleeding from numerous wounds.

I took one big gulp, hoping this guy would not come for me next. Sliding against the wall, I tried to make it for the main street when the unknown figure took two strides, and stopped me by placing his blade at my throat.

"The money."

I groaned internally. It almost seems everyone wanted my money so much.

I reached for the bag of money hanging at my waist, watching as his head tilted towards the direction of my hands. Then I pushed him back, running over to the bodies to pick up two of the short swords and assuming a defensive stance.

He didn't speak as he ran forward, attempting to decapitate me with one single slash. I blocked that slash with my right sword, then spun about to slash back at him with my left. Indeed, he was fast, taking a step back to block my attempt. Without pausing, he pushed me back and took an attempt at driving the blade into my belly.

This one was a close one, unexpected too. I had to use both my blades to knock it off. But he took this chance to slash diagonally. This man was just too fast!

However, I still managed to bring both swords up to hold against his attacks, though the force brought me to my knees.

He then slid the blade down to the hilt, before pulling the blade off as if he were sharpening his blade. Again, he tried to stab me, but I quickly laid prone on the ground, effective avoiding the blow. I quickly cross my blades, hoping to slice off his feet.

I should have remembered how fast he was. All he did was simply hopped, and the next thing I knew was pain.

"Grah!"

A sharp pain resonated at my waist, and just then, I lost grip on my left sword. The figure walked over behind me, and I could feel him cutting off my money bag from my waist.

No! He can't do that... Money that I've amassed for over 12 years!

He then started towards the main street, but I picked myself up, ignoring the pain as I tried to slash at him.

True to his abilities thus far, he turned to block my slash.

"I don't kill women, so scram."

I ignored that, mimicking his movements earlier, bringing my blade to his hilt, then withdrawing it to stab at him. He chuckled at this, parrying my attack with a hit to the side, knocking my blade off it's intended path.

Then, he punched at my belly with his other hand.

I staggered, falling to my knees. That punch only made the bleeding from my waist wound worse. The pain was excruciating, but I knew if I had lost all my money again, it'll be even more excruciating, and with that, I stood up again.

The man kicked me, and I found myself mid air again before I crashed onto the ground.

He then took a step forward and stomped on my right hand.

"There, that should teach you. Don't follow me."

As if I would. I grabbed at his leg with my left hand. I quickly realized what a bad move that was. He shifted his entire body weight on the leg on my right hand, and used his other leg to kick my hand off. I groaned in pain, but still gripped his leg nevertheless.

He only repeated this until he gave up and kicked me in the face.

I was dead beat by this time... And probably literally - beaten to death. He then took a step back, probably observing me.

I began clawing my way to him, with only my left hand. My right hand was virtually useless now, glancing at it, I could see the bones had probably been shattered. Quite a disgusting sight, seeing my hand so soft, like rubber.

The man didn't seem to be moving, watching me as I came. Perhaps he was going to plunge his sword into me for the final kill?

I could feel the effects of my blood loss just then. The place was suddenly extremely cold, and I could feel my vision blur.

"G-g-ee... b-b-ber.... M-m-meny"

That was the closest I could come to 'Give back money'. For a mute like myself, I guess that was amazing enough... But what good would it do?

I knew my time was coming. Death would soon wake me up and take me wherever he wishes. Perhaps for me, it'll be hell. Would Hell be at least a better place than Trivai? I dreaded the knowledge nevertheless.

I was now at the leg, and I gripped his leg again. But as soon as I did, I lost consciousness.