12 Chapter Twelve: Mercy

"You know as well as I where my loyalty stands, Princess; put down the knife, or I will take action." The man's words cut through the air like frigid steel. The kind, soft words of the doctor seemed like a distant memory as his overwhelming power emanated throughout the room. Magic swirled like wind, and the smell of earth ticked Akatsuki's nose. He felt the tingle of mage power run across his skin as the fury of the doctor released on a single point, the boy straddling him.

"I could have you killed." The imposter spat, but the healer turned battle mage didn't even blink. Hesitation played its way across Katarina's face, his eyes flicking upward towards the doctor. Akatsuki took this moment to make his move. He lurched, sending the prince recoiling in surprise. Akatsuki twisted with all his strength snatching the knife and reversing the situation instantly. The would-be princess was strong, but in the end, Akatsuki was better trained. He now sat knife against the prince's neck. Fear and awe played their way across his face, but unannounced to Akatsuki, it was not due to the maneuver, nor was it the knife.

No Katarina's eyes were past Akatsuki looking at the dozen or so frozen jewels hovering in the air like daggers. Wings pointed towards Katarina forged in chilling ice. Akatsuki summoned magic for the first time without even realizing it. Adrenaline had soaked up the mana cycling through the air as a sponge dropped in water, and Akatsuki's singular focus on his attack had forged the mana into glimmering daggers. Akatsuki broke Katarina's awe-inspired focus as he leaned in, whispering in a tone that almost physically dripped with bloodlust.

"I may be an assassin, a thief, hell I might even be a god who really knows? It doesn't matter. All you need to know is that I spared your life today. Not many men who've drawn a blade on me have been shown this mercy." Akatsuki emphasized the word "men" before getting up and sheathing the knife in the makeshift leg strap he had fashioned. He made his way out of the room, and as if he was playing a scene in a play, the wings of jagged ice disintegrated back into the air as he left not only the prince but also the doctor in shock without even realizing what he had done.

It wasn't long into his walk to clear his head when he was assaulted by this mother. However, this time the attack was much more sinister than a knife to the throat and far more deadly.

"Your coming of age ceremony is coming up soon. We must find you something to wear." Shivers ran up Akatsuki's back as his mother spoke. He had fought in wars, spilled the blood of innocent and warrior alike, he had spied, lied, and even assassinated, and yet those words filled him with more dread, more apprehension, than a live bomb. He turned, holding up his hands in a pleading gesture. The twinkle in her eye only made Akatsuki sweat more. Despite her cold and stern nature when it came to "her little girl," there was no expense that mattered, no penny-pinched. He gulped. It was an event he had avoided like the plague ever since she brought it up. At one point, Akatsuki had suggested an outfit with pants, and he thought she would draw her blade.

"Uhhh, I have to go on a run and train, I hate to repeat it, but I don't have time for festivities. After all, I am recovering." He gave the first excuse that came to his mind. He could tell by her expression that it wasn't going to cut it even before he started to scamper away.

"We can't have you getting all sweaty before trying on dresses, and besides, half the guard can't even keep up with your training. You're more than recovered. I won't send the merchants off again. If you don't pick one, I will." The woman was persistent, and Akatsuki knew that if he didn't pick out the dress this time, he'd end up wearing something with too many frills and far too much pink. In his past life, he might have run, hell, if it had irritated him enough, he might even have her killed; however, now he sighed in resignation before speaking in a defeated tone.

"Have mercy."