Pink noticed an uncharacteristic seriousness etching Michael's face as he studied Gilrut's remains. Without a word, Michael activated the spyder attached to the skull medallion around his neck, recording the state of the body for further analysis.
Leaning in, he used his Eyes of Darkness to examine the skin around the cuts more closely. To the naked eye, the marks seemed random and chaotic, but through his enhanced vision, Michael discerned faint letters etched into the skin — details too subtle for others to see.
Barug, observing Michael's intense scrutiny, broke the silence. "Do you see something we missed?" he inquired, hope and unease mingling in his voice.
Michael straightened up, his expression unreadable. "This level of violence is troubling," he began, his tone measured. "There's a possibility the killer might strike again."
In his mind, Michael had a strong suspicion of who the killer was, but he chose not to disclose his thoughts to Barug. Instead, he offered a piece of advice. "Increase security around the Rune Masters' Guild and other important figures in the kingdom." said Michael.
In return for Michael's words, Barug could only let out a frustrated sigh. "It's easier said than done," he admitted. "King Grathok has ordered us not to alarm the citizens. Ramping up security will only raise questions among the nobles. They'll demand answers, and that will lead to more chaos than Gilrut's death has already caused."
Michael reassured Barug, "We'll look for some answers on our own and keep you updated."
Barug's frown deepened as he asked, "Are you planning to break the law?"
Michael's response was smooth, a perfect blend of sincerity and deception. "Of course not, Officer Barug," he assured him. "I just have some contacts who might pick up whispers in the underworld."
Relief washed over Barug's features. "That would be helpful," he admitted, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
Before leaving, Michael paused to look at Gilrut's covered body. In a soft, respectful tone, he said, "Rest in peace, my friend." It was a small gesture, but one filled with genuine sentiment.
Pink then approached Michael and whispered, "There's a hidden pathway in the dungeon that leads outside. I'll show you."
"Lead the way," Michael replied, following her as she moved towards a section of the dungeon wall.
Before stepping through the hidden door, Michael turned to Barug one last time. "Be careful, Officer," he said, a hint of concern in his voice.
"You too," Barug responded, watching as Michael and Pink disappeared through the doorway, leaving the somber confines of the dungeon behind.
*****************
Once they stepped onto the bustling streets of Durran, the murmur of the crowd filled their ears. People were muttering about the strange weather, the dark rain clouds overhead that refused to release a single drop of rain, despite the occasional rumble of thunder.
"Looks like the gods are teasing us with rain," one passerby said with a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Yeah, all thunder and no rain. What's going on?" another chimed in, their conversation a clear indication that the citizens were unaware of the assassination of Rainar, the God of Rain.
Michael and Pink, blending into the crowd, made their way to a quieter part of the street, finding solace under an apple tree, sitting on a bench. Around them, the street vendors continued their day, stalls bustling with activity and stores inviting customers in with their array of goods.
Under the tree's shade, Pink turned to Michael, her voice low. "What did you learn from Gilrut's body?"
Michael took a deep breath, his mind replaying the grim details he had observed. "The serrated marks on Gilrut's body... they match a dagger I've seen before," he began, his voice steady. "The precision, the brutality, and the apparent enjoyment of the killer... it all points to one suspect, Rin."
At the mention of Rin's name, Pink felt a chill run down her spine, her heart skipping a beat. The thought of Rin, known infamously as the Princess of Murder and the chosen one of the God of Murder, being behind such a heinous crime was almost too much to comprehend.
She looked at Michael, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Rin? The Princess of Murder?" she whispered, the words barely escaping her lips. The very idea seemed surreal, yet coming from Michael, it was hard to discount.
A shiver ran through her body, not just from fear, but from the realization of the gravity of the situation they were now embroiled in. If Rin was indeed the perpetrator, they were dealing with someone who was not only deadly but also favored by the God of Murder himself.
Michael's expression grew solemn as he considered Pink's words about Rin's unpredictability. "Rin's promise to torment everyone we know... it seems she's begun to make good on that threat," he said gravely.
"We need to ensure everyone's safety, especially Fayeth and Rurik. They're in immediate danger because of our connections." Pink said, anxiety etching her features.
Michael agreed as his thoughts turning to Seshat. "We should reach out to Seshat for help. Her protection might be our best bet."
"But that could put Seshat in a difficult position, especially now that we've assassinated Rainar," Pink pointed out. "The pantheon will be in an uproar, searching for the killer. Associating with us might draw unwanted attention to her."
As they discussed their options, Vedora emerged from Michael's pocket, adding another layer of concern to their conversation. "We also can't forget about Raphael," the hydra noted. "He's still out there, hunting us."
"Our first move should be to secure our new base of operations. Once we're settled, we can plan our next steps and reach out to Fayeth and Rurik."
Pink sighed, understanding the weight of their decisions. "Let's hope we can stay a step ahead of both the pantheon and Raphael."
With their course of action decided, Michael and Pink prepared to leave for their new base. The urgency of their situation was clear: they had to act swiftly and cautiously to protect those they cared about and navigate the dangerous aftermath of Rainar's assassination.
Finally, Michael looked at Pink, his voice steady. "We need a travel rune to Verdant Forest. That's our next step." said Michael.
"The Celestial Palace should have what we need. It's our best chance to find a travel rune." Pink said, nodding in agreement. With a plan in place, they made their way towards the Celestial Palace, navigating through the bustling streets of Durran. As they walked, a small figure collided gently with Michael.
"Oh, sorry," the little girl said timidly, looking up at him with innocent eyes.
Michael smiled kindly, ruffling her hair. "No harm done, kid," he assured her before continuing on his way. Suddenly, the girl's voice shifted, losing its childlike innocence. "Should I call you John, Ghost, or the God of Darkness?" she asked, her tone chillingly familiar.
Michael froze, slowly turning to face the girl. Her eyes had transformed, now a stark white, mirroring Rin's haunting gaze. The sudden change sent a shiver down his spine.
A sense of foreboding filled the air as he realized the extent of Rin's reach and influence. The Princess of Murder had her eyes and ears everywhere, even in the form of an innocent child.
As the child, now a vessel for Rin's menacing presence, advanced towards Michael, the bustling crowd around them remained oblivious. Michael quickly realized that Rin had cast a spell, rendering them invisible to the passersby.
Pink's grip tightened on Michael's hand, her fear palpable as she instinctively sought his protection. Ayag, perched on Michael's shoulder, bared her teeth in defiance. "We're not afraid of you," she snarled.
"I wouldn't expect the mighty Vedora to cower," she taunted through the child's voice. Rin's laughter echoed around them, a chilling sound that seemed to seep into the very air.
Leaning in, Rin's puppet asked with mock curiosity, "Did you enjoy the gift I left for you?" contemporary romance
Michael's gaze remained icy as he faced the possessed child. "Why did you kill Gilrut?" he asked coldly, his voice steady yet laced with underlying anger.
Rin's laughter, now more menacing than ever, reverberated through the air. "Oh, it was simply for fun," she replied with chilling nonchalance. "And consider it payback for the little game you played with the book of Seshat at the blacksmith guild."
Her words hung heavily in the air, a cruel reminder of her unpredictable and sadistic nature. Michael's expression hardened, realizing the depth of Rin's vengeance and the extent of her cruelty. Rin's voice, still emanating from the child, took on a darker, more ominous tone as she issued her foreboding threat. "You may have given me the book, but you disrupted my plans, and I detest such interference," she declared, her words dripping with malice. "Whether you're the God of Darkness or not, nobody crosses me without consequence."
Michael faced her with a composed yet icy demeanor, unfazed by her threats. "You might feel powerful now, but it's unwise to make an enemy of me," he warned, his voice calm but laced with a barely concealed threat.
Rin's response was a malevolent chuckle, filled with an unsettling glee. "Oh, I have grand plans for you and your little group in the mortal realm," she sneered, delighting in the unease her words caused.
At her revelation, a flicker of concern crossed Michael's face, though he quickly masked it. Rin's laughter grew louder, reveling in his apparent discomfort.
"I know all about your subordinates and those you care about in the mortal realm," she taunted, her tone sinister. The implication of her words hung heavily in the air, a clear indication of the danger she posed not only to Michael but to everyone connected to him.
Michael's expression darkened at the realization of the breadth of Rin's knowledge and the threat she posed.
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