The night air was unpleasantly warm and sticky. The mid-summer's heat lay over the city like a wet blanket. Azura longed to be back home to play… err, train in the river by Azure's Rest. That would come later. After this, she must wash the elf's filth off herself. But it wasn't her time yet. She turned toward Hamal and nodded. She was the hammer. Now, it was time for the knife. Hamal returned the nod as he and half a dozen rat-kin silently made their way to the manse. Azura waited as the night deepened for dark deeds to be done.

***

Hamal dashed from shadow to shadow, careful not to be seen. One of kin's biggest fears was that the mages would discover that Azura wasn't alone. Their constantly growing number of cultivators was their most significant advantage. So, he and his brethren had to be unseen as they removed the guards. That could all be blamed on Azura later if necessary.

After several dashes and dodging around some lazy patrols, they were just outside the manse. The property was worthy of the elf's status in the city. The three-floor structure was elegant, with an expansive garden fitting for one of the tree fuckers. Hamal crouched low, nearly crawling on the ground as he drew ever closer to the building's exterior. He froze as more of the side was revealed. A single guard stood lounging in a chair on the patio. A glance at the shadows showed his fellow rat-kin encircling Hamal's location. He drew a steadying breath. This was the moment.

He moved. His mana-infused body made the motion faster than he had ever dreamed was possible. Within three heartbeats, he was behind the elf, his dagger buried in the elf's throat, his free hand covering the elf's mouth. A violent tug, and the head neatly fell from the startled elf's neck. Blood fountained briefly as the body collapsed. Without time to use their magic, it was too easy. Hamal wondered if he could take an elf in a straight-up fight. Probably not. Their magic was too advanced. He would need to be a liquid cultivator for that to change. For now, he had his skills painfully developed over long years, and most notably, his mana. It changed everything. He grinned as he entered the foyer.

The manse was bathed in shadows, as expected, considering the time. Comforting for his family's profession. Behind him, two other rat-kin snuck around, taking left and right passages as they came up. None of them made a sound, except perhaps for the slight scraping of the body outside, being hidden. They were professionals. The blood would be wiped clean in case a random patrol came by. Hamal's job was the blade. The others were supporting him. They would get the kin out, leaving the way clear for Azura.

Another elf slowly walked the halls, yawning loudly. Hamal shook his head sadly. Such poor security. It wasn't unexpected. They were in their enemy's stronghold. He doubted this would remain true after tonight. As the elf neared his hiding place, Hamal readied himself. He tensed with each steady step. The guard just passed him when he sprang at him. A snake would have been jealous of the speed and accuracy of his strike. His knife buried itself deep into the elf's throat. Crimson arced in a delicate pattern, decorating the walls. The elf thrashed, which was as effective as a toddler wrestling a boar. Hamal's mana-infused body quickly overpowered the elf, even as he muffled the elf's garbled cry. Not that much sound escaped, considering the slash to his throat. Still, he was a professional. Leave nothing to chance. The elf went limp after a final struggle. Hamal quickly dragged the corpse back to his family for cleanup. As a rat-kin took the body to stack with the others, more rat-kin rushed forward. They gave him aggrieved looks as they wiped the blood from the walls. Whoops. He should have cut on a downward angle to make cleaning it easier.

A survey of the first floor showed it was clear. Hamal sent one of his brothers to fetch Azura while he began on the second floor. He doubted there would be much resistance left. Only sleeping bodies to silence. The first died with a knife thrust through the eye and a hand covering his mouth. The body was then covered and left where it lay on the bed. Two more were executed effortlessly. Everything went fine until the last door.

It started like the others. Hamal silently opened the door before stalking in. However, it was the tiger-kin that changed everything. She lay draped over an elf, blocking easy access for a strike. He pondered what to do when her eyes opened. They stared at each other for a long moment. Hamal cursed his luck and put a finger to his lips. Her eyes went wide as she noticed the blade. She frantically shook her head. Incredulously, she threw herself protectively over the elf. The elf muttered in his sleep but didn't wake. They continued to look at each other for a long moment, her silent plea weighing between them. Slowly, he backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Fuck! Hamal swore at himself. Why did he do that? He should have knocked her out and taken the kill. Now, there was an elf who could be trouble later. Azura could surely handle an extra elf, but it was a risk they didn't need. But as much as the situation warranted the kill, he couldn't. The look in the tiger-kin's eyes wasn't that for a master but a lover.

Damn it!

He'd better let Azura know when she started. He would handle the elf if he caused trouble. Hamal made his way back down. The way was clear except for the target, which they confirmed was alone.

For the next ten minutes, the kin slaves were quietly evacuated. At least those that were mostly whole were. The others… Hamal wasn't sure what to do with them. They needed healing before they could be moved far. He had his family escort them to the staging area for now.

"Nice place," Azura said as she stood in the foyer. Her lack of stealth made Hamal want to facepalm.

"Can you at least try to be quiet?" Hamal whispered.

"I guess," Azura whispered back. "But didn't you take care of all the others? Besides, when I'm done, any stealth will be ruined."

"True, but it's the principle," Hamal argued quietly.

"Okay. Okay," Azura whispered, rolling her eyes. "Did all the kin get out? Not sure how much noise I'll make."

"We secured all but one… Some of them were bad. Not as bad as the three you healed, but still pretty bad," Hamal said. Azura's face darkened. He was glad it wasn't directed at him.

"What about the one you didn't get out? Are they in her room?" Azura asked.

"No. It was a tiger-kin sleeping with an elf. She… protected him. I don't think it will be an issue. I'll keep watch while you take care of things."

Azura looked at him. "Be careful. I don't want to lose a friend tonight. Yell if you need me."

"I will," Hamal said as they both went upstairs.

***

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Ulvandia woke as a sudden weight sat on her bed. Had one of her servants sent a plaything for her enjoyment when she woke? How thoughtful. She turned toward the unknown figure with a wide smirk, which froze as she gazed at the paw on her bed. The paw led to a leg covered in blue fur that ended at the knee. Pale skin took over at the thigh, mostly hidden under a pair of half trousers. The figure leaned toward Ulvandia, fury on her face. The blue fur… it could only be…

Ulvandia shrieked. "DEATHBOLT!" The Azure Magebane slapped it away. The foul energy splashed against the wall, where it began to decay.

"Guards!" Ulvandia screamed, followed by several more casting of deathbolt as she rolled out of bed. Each was slapped away as the Azure Magebane slowly walked toward her.

"DEATHB…" Ulvandia began again. She stopped at the slap. Her world spun as she did likewise. Several teeth clattered to the floor as she dropped on her ass. Dazed, she could do nothing as the Azure Magebane shoved her down. A hand that made mithril seem like warm butter gripped her throat and squeezed. Her air was gone, and Ulvandia felt her face go hot while the rest of her was cold. She feebly struggled in the Magebane's grip. Was this it? Was this how she died?

Apparently not, as the kin did something strange. The Magebane's grip loosened just enough for Ulvandia to breathe raggedly. But that wasn't what she was focusing on. Instead, it was on a brilliant crimson light on the Magebane's fingertip.

"I know this will be your first time. I won't be gentle," the kin said as she plunged her finger into Ulvandia's cheek. As if the appendage were made of steel, it didn't bend or flex as it parted Ulvandia's flesh. However, the pain became meaningless as she marveled at the spectacular particle that entered her. For a moment, she beheld something beyond anything she had ever known… then she began to scream. Her mana! The speck ripped apart her mana channels as it went toward her mana pool. She called out to her mana to stop the intruder. It was like a bird trying to push back a hurricane. The force that entered her was far greater, with more control than she could conceive. Fearful Ulvandia looked at the kin. Her fear morphed into overwhelming, mind-numbing despair. As the speck entered her, it sharpened her elven sight on what had been invisible before. Power. Unbelievable, overwhelming power. Enough power to topple mountains contained within a single individual. How!? How couldn't she see such raw force before!? The kin was a force of nature, utterly unstoppable. The Magebane ate mana like bread crumbs, unable to satisfy that hungering expanse. The swirl of energy in her was so great that it seared her eyes to look upon it. Yet she couldn't look away, like a moth to flame, burning as she neared. Then, the speck reached her pool.

Agony. Utter agony tore through Ulvandia as her mana pool was ravaged. Her magnificent pool sprang leak after leak as the speck tore it asunder. That should be impossible! That was when her fading senses caught sight of it. Her blood, infused with her own mana, was ripping her precious mana pool apart. The Magebane somehow had seized control of her very blood. Ulvandia couldn't resist as her pool shrank with every ripped piece from it. Then, her magic sight faded altogether. Ulvandia reached back inside to continue the fight, yet she felt nothing. Empty. She was empty. A howl escaped her lips as tears sprang to her eyes. She didn't even notice the finger withdrawing with the hateful speck attached.

"Noooo…" Ulvandia moaned as the figure stood up.

"I hope it was as good for you as it was for me," The terror of mages said as she walked away.

"GIVE IT BACK!" Ulvandia screamed.

"GIVE IT BACK!"

"GIVE IT BACK!"

Each cry became louder and more frantic than the last, foam forming at her lips.

"GIVE IT BACK!"

"GIVE IT BACK!"

"GIVE IT BACK!"

"GIVE IT BACK!"

"GIVE IT BACK!"

"GIVE IT BACK!"

"GIVE IT BACK!"

She tried to stand, but a pain in her foot made that impossible. She looked at the offending body part to see that it was twisted, clearly broken. When did that happen? She tried crawling after the Azure Magebane only to collapse. Her wrist had been broken too…

"GIVE IT BACK!!!!" She shrieked one last time before curling up in a ball. She rocked back and forth.

"Give it back," she cried in a whisper. Her eyes glazed over as she rocked herself, muttering, 'give it back.' She kept muttering, oblivious to everything around her as events unfolded.

***

Trenton stood at the doorway, looking at the broken Ulvandia. She had seemed so mighty once. So, commanding. Now… it was just pathetic. He would have loved nothing more than to stomp her head in. But that wasn't important. What was important was the Azure Magebane as she stalked toward him. Asami shielded him with her body as the blue hair cat-kin approached. Hamal stood off to the side, watching. Trenton swallowed as the kin approached. Her eyes… they held barely contained anger.

"Please!" Asami said. "Trenton didn't do anything wrong! He…" Asami suddenly went silent. Alarmed, Trenton tried to move but found his entire body immobile. It was like water had frozen all around him, trapping him.

"I'm going to ask you a single question," the Magebane said, looking into his eyes. "I remember you. Did you help in any way to kill a half rabbit-kin when they were taken as slaves?"

Trenton saw the rat-kin stiffen, and a knife suddenly came into his hands. The Azure Magebane's eyes were death. If he answered positively, he had no doubt the kin would tear him in half. Suddenly, the pressure holding them was released. He stumbled, catching Asami as she began to tremble.

"No," Trenton whispered. He recalled the body now. How they had found her… holding a dead kin.

"I didn't kill any kin," Trenton said. Hamal and the Azure Magebane seemed to relax at that.

"Good," the Magebane said.

"You have the kin safe?" The Magebane said, turning to the rat-kin. He sheathed his blades, scratching his head.

"Mostly. Many are too badly hurt to travel fast."

"Shit," the Magebane said.

"I can help," Trenton said. They both turned to him in surprise.

"How?" Hamal said.

"The sadistic bitch," Trenton said, gesturing toward Ulvandia's room. "Often had me sell her slaves. I could take them on a cart and just ride out of town. No one would question me."

"That could work," Hamal said, rubbing his chin.

"He can do it!" Asami said.

"Fine, but I want some assurance," the Magebane said, looking at Asami. "You'll come with me. We will meet outside town by the edge of the mana forest where the road circles around."

"No! That won't…" Trenton began.

"I'll do it!" Asami said quickly.

"Asami…" Trenton said, his eyes pained.

"It's okay, my love. I'll see you soon."

"She won't be harmed," the Magebane promised.

"I'm sure the Azure Magebane will protect me," Asami said confidently. "She protects all kin."

"Just call me Azura. I'll make sure nothing happens to her."

Trenton gave a reluctant nod as he kissed Asami. He left with Hamal to gather the wounded kin, looking back briefly. He hoped he wasn't making a mistake.

***

Azura frowned at the elf as he left. He seemed to genuinely care about the tiger-kin. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. She left it alone. There was plenty of time to worry about that later. She turned to see Asami looking at the muttering Ulvandia.

"What did you do to her?"

"I crippled her mana pool. She's no more magical than a rock."

Asami gasped. "You can do that?"

Azura shrugged. The answer was obvious.

"What are you going to do with me? With the kin?"

"The kin can come with me if they want. I have a safe place. A place where they can live and become strong," Azura said, then looked directly into Asami's eyes. "You're more difficult. You plan on staying with the elf?"

"His name is Trenton. Yes, I'm staying with him. I love him."

"I was afraid as much. I want to offer you a place, but I'm unsure about the elf, err, Trenton. If he were trustworthy, then I'd be okay with it. It could have some benefits. But how do I know I can trust him?" Azura tapped her chin. "I suppose I could make him do a mana oath…"

"He also just abandoned her," Asami pointed to the elf curled into a ball. "He's also helping kin escape."

"That's true…" Azura said as she walked down into the foyer. All but two of the rat-kin had left to help gather the last of the kin. Azura stopped by the pile of dead elves. With a pull, she siphoned the remaining blood essence from the elves, leaving them shriveled husks. It had quickly become apparent over the last few months that blood was the fastest way to make progress in her cultivation.

"What did you do?" Asami said, backing away a step.

"I can draw power from blood," Azura said simply, no reason to confuse the girl.

"Oh…" Asami said.

"Tell me about Trenton," Azura said. "Tell me why I should trust him. Perhaps I'll have a spot for both of you." The more she thought about it, the more she liked it. Having an elf on their side could be helpful.

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