Free Apotheosis of the Immortal by Joshua A. Chaudry Page A

curse you at night. I am not a good man, but I am obviously more blessed than you are when it comes to imagination, because I can think of many things worth far more than dying for a selfish god.” Elijah quietly pulled the dagger from his belt and disappeared into the darkness.
    He raced towards the wall and scaled it effortlessly. He approached the first sentry with blinding speed and accidentally sliced off the man’s head. Luckily, he caught it just before it fell into the city. He was more careful as he sliced the throats of his next two victims, dropped them off the far side of the wall, and then jumped back down.
    Scanning the scene, he saw Hassan had already taken care of all but one lookout. Excitement burst into his chest. Every life he took was a poor substitute for the lives he wanted to take; still, it helped to relieve some of his frustration.
    Elijah looked at the dagger in his hand for a moment before sliding it into his belt. Rushing forward, he wrapped his arms around the last lookout’s chest and pulled his chin backwards until his head was separated from his body. Tension and frustration once again escaped Elijah’s body. His burning passion dulled as a slight calm flowed over him. He needed this.
    Elijah saw shock and disdain on Hassan’s face as he approached.
    “What now?” Elijah rolled his head back to further relieve the tension already building again in his shoulders.
    “There, in that tower.” Hassan pointed to the only tower in the city. “Alfonzo is there, and we are charged with delivering a message to him.”
    Elijah watched Hassan climb the city wall; he did it with ease, obviously agile and strong. Elijah took off after him and then waited for him at the top. Elijah offered a hand to Hassan as he neared the top, but the proud Assassin swatted it away.
    “Stay here; this part only needs one man.” Hassan climbed to his feet and looked towards the tower. It stood more than six feet from the wall. He took a running start and leapt across the gap.
    Elijah watched. He was stunned to see the Assassin stick to the tower wall like a lizard and begin climbing towards the window near the top. Ignoring Hassan’s instructions, Elijah followed, and the pair slowly made their way up. Hassan quickly pulled himself through the window and, after looking around, shrugged and motioned for Elijah to follow.
    Elijah’s heart was racing. He was eager to kill again as he jumped through the window and saw a lone figure lying in a large bed. Hassan unfolded a letter and laid it on the ground next to the bed. He pulled his dagger and flung it down; the blade tore through the paper and stuck into the wooden floorboard.
    “Let’s go.” Hassan pointed to the window.
    “What? We’re not going to kill him?” Elijah was disappointed; tension knotted his body. His jaw clenched and he began to grind his teeth, making the muscles in his face tight and rigid.
    “No! I told you, we came here to send a message. Now, let’s go.” Hassan spoke sternly. Elijah’s frustration continued to grow until he reached down and grabbed the dagger and the note. The note instructed Alfonzo to stop his campaign or he would be killed. Elijah held the dagger over Alfonzo’s chest for a moment and looked back at Hassan.
    “No.” Hassan mouthed, shaking his head as he motioned for Elijah to follow him out. Swinging the dagger with his right hand, Elijah slapped the note against the bed’s headboard and jammed the knife through to hold it in place. Alfonzo snapped up in his bed, startled.
    “Who’s there?” he shouted before calling for his guards.
    Elijah rushed towards the window. He grabbed Hassan and leapt to the wall, glancing once over his shoulder before he fell from the wall and hit the ground running. They were out of sight in no time and Elijah stopped.
    Hassan was shaken up and angry. “What was that about? I told you to stay on the wall. You nearly sabotaged my mission with your lust for bloodshed,” he