Do It Again

Everyday felt the same because it practically was.

Go to The Kingdom, tolerate Charlotte’s nonsense, negotiate a deal with Cassiel, leave. The sights of passing faces and buildings would change, but the start and end of each day was nearly identical.

Wake.

Deliver a head.

Collect a head.

Sleep.

Repeat.

Over and over.

Again and again.

However, there were times where Ren would request a mission that would end up lasting a couple of days. What an absolute treat that was; when the man was forced to take the time to contemplate the Rogue One’s past and current movements, what options they had, which ones they would choose, and where those would lead them. Where the sun would set and rise, his hands empty of a prize until the next day. But those quests were so very few and far between, and today was not going to be in his favor in procuring something a little more interesting.

There really wasn’t much variation to the ways that Rogue Ones thought. The ones who kept to the heavens were all so accustomed to being indulged and coddled by all the luxuries that The Kingdom had to offer, that when they went on the run they tended to end up in places that could at least provide some of those comforts. That meant Wei Wen or Golden City, and most would steer clear of Golden City for obvious reasons. Sometimes, they went elsewhere but best to check the obvious first. Once it was determined what vice they had— gambling, drink, violence, pleasure— then it could be narrowed down from there. They always stuck out like sore thumbs. Despite having enough sense to conceal their wings, they refused to cut their hair, as if it really was something special.

But if they were willing to sacrifice their lives for it, then who was Ren to judge?

We all make sacrifices.

Some are just more pointless than others.

Charlotte had said that the Rogue One had run from The Kingdom quite some time ago, liked women, and described his looks: high cheek bones, straight brows, narrow nose, lighter hair and eyes. It was all Ren needed to know as he meandered into the streets of the red-light district in Wei Wen, led by the colorful floating lanterns lining the streets and establishments. He felt especially light that night without his baldric and sword on his back, listening and observing each woman who leaned from a glowing balcony or window or stood in front of their house of business and called out to the men who walked by.

The angel spotted a woman who was doing the same as him: her long, silver, snake tail coiled under her human-like torso that only bore a barely there strap of fabric around her ample breasts, slit pupils regarding each and every being that passed. Ren made his way to her, brightening his smile and eyes as she glanced his way. Her lips curved up as a forked tongue darted in and out past them.

“What can I do for you, sweetie?” the snake demon asked, drawling her ‘s’, while she straightened herself to the angel’s lofty height to meet his gaze.

His grin became a bit more genuine, appreciating the modest act of courtesy— something often hard to come by in a city so large. “I’m looking for someone and was hoping that you could help. It won’t take long, and I’ll make it well worth your time.”

She thought on it for a moment as she tucked her chin length, silver hair behind her ear. “Alright, who are you looking for?”

“He’s tall, long blonde hair, pretty boy, possibly wearing some type of jewelry: an earring or necklace or ring with a white stone. He’s probably looking for a cheaper establishment. Have you seen anyone like that tonight?”

A sharp, hooked fang nibbled at her lip. “Is he as tall and pretty as you?”

“Doubtful.”

“Why are you looking for him?”

Ren dug into his pocket and pulled out four gold coins between his middle and index fingers and presented them to the demon. “Lover’s quarrel.”

“Oh!” Her hand struck out and snatched the coins. “Well, lucky for you I have.” She tilted her head, indicating a house across the street. “He went in there not too long ago. I’m not sure if it’s who you want, but he was very handsome. Cheekbones that you could cut glass with. Like an angel, but he didn’t have wings. He did have an earring though. Just one. A pearl.”

That was the one.

“I appreciate your assistance.” Ren reached into his pants pocket once more and handed the woman two more gold coins that she took while trying to conceal her astonishment. “Also, have you ever seen or heard about a fox girl around here, not in the den? A young woman, very pretty with long, dark red hair. Like a cherry. She’s probably causing trouble. Even just a rumor or a quick snippet that you’ve heard in passing would be helpful.”

“I haven’t.” The demon slithered up to the angel, pressing her more human form against his. “But why would you want a dull, fox woman when I can keep you company tonight instead? Only two more gold.”

“I didn’t realize the snake could be the charmer.” He bobbed his head in consideration. “That really is a good deal for a lovely woman such as yourself. A nice, round, even number. My price is thirty gold, five silver, seven bronze. So, if we subtract your price from mine…” His tongue clicked as he calculated. “You’ll owe me twenty-eight gold, five silver, and seven bronze.”

“I’ll owe you?!” She reared back away from him in a huff. “Really?”

Ren huffed back at the woman in offense. “Yes, really! It’s what I’m worth.”

“Is that right?” She returned to her previous coiled state with an air of disgust. “And how’s that working out for you?”

“About as well as you’d expect.” The man turned with a chuckle and made his way to the house indicated with a small wave in farewell. “You have a good night, Miss. Come find me if you change your mind.”

Ren entered the building and with a little charm and a bit more gold was able to convince one of the women to point him in the right direction. This was the worst part of the job, when he had to open the door to the surprise inside. He never knew what he was going to find. No idea how far along in the act they were or what act they were even up to. He certainly preferred chasing down Rogue Ones in other areas— the gambling halls or pubs or back alleys— but the ones in the district were always the easiest to capture, being preoccupied with more important things.

The first time he found himself in the district was when he was still only a doe-eyed sixteen-year-old boy, and he had nearly tucked tail and ran the moment he stepped over that invisible line into another world unlike any he had ever known.

Back in the village, he had spoken fluidly with the girls, cunningly smiled along with their rosy cheeks and fluttering eyelashes. They were easy to captivate with a few polite words, enough to be friendly but not intentionally leading. Had he wanted to, it would have taken very little effort to string them along with his every whim. Take from them whatever he pleased.

But these weren’t naive girls from a small village, quick to fluster by an attractive face. They were mostly scantily clad women who had firsthand experiences in matters that Ren had only heard vague whispers about from lips just as innocent as his own.

It had felt like every woman there had specifically spotted the young angel in the crowd, blush radiating, his embarrassment seething from every pore as each one vied for his attention and coin. It had taken him far too long to finally talk to one of the women, and he stumbled over his words the entire time, barely able to look at her. She had been kind enough to take pity on the boy and direct him to another woman who was able to direct him to another who had spotted the Rogue One going into an establishment close by. Ren had stood outside the room that the Rogue One was supposedly in, waiting until nearly dawn before he emerged and the boy knocked him out, throwing the man over his shoulder and rushing out of the district and the city into the forest where he had finished the job.

But Ren was no longer that timid, inexperienced boy. He had learned quickly what type of women would be most beneficial to the hunt, and how to speak to them confidently no matter what state of dress they were in. After three years, it no longer phased him the way it once had.

And although he’d prefer not to, he had no problem in kicking in the locked door before him and stalking into the room quickly to put the Rogue One in a headlock as his naked back was still turned, having no time to react as he hovered over the woman below him. The woman with petal pink hair screamed and scrambled backwards on the bed, snatching at the thin sheets to hastily cover herself.

“Sorry about this,” Ren apologized as he looked away. She may have been a prostitute, but she hadn’t invited him to look, and he certainly wasn’t going to pay for the privilege. “Where is it?” he asked the man who was in no position to answer as he looked the Rogue One over, finding the earring with a white stone in one ear.

That was as much proof as he needed. An angel who didn’t have anything to hide would never conceal their wings. It was their pride, their proof that they were most loved by Him. Angels wanted everyone to admire them, as if they really were something special.

He looked back at the woman huddled in fear as far from him as she could manage, too scared to even scream as she watched the life drain from the blonde man’s eyes, his struggling going limp. Ren was grateful for it. Sometimes they never stopped with their ear-splitting shrieks, others ran, and some even attacked him, and he had to just take their hits as they came. “Has he paid you yet?”

She managed to shake her head, her breathing rapid.

“How much do you charge?”

The woman’s eyes widened even more as she began to shake. “Fif… fifteen silver.”

Ren pressed his lips together as his head bobbed and he grunted, “Huh. That’s pretty cheap. Much too low. You should consider charging more. Get your coin’s worth for all you do. You deserve it.” He glanced around and nodded towards the floor. “His pants are over there. Might as well take it all, he won’t be needing it. And as a token of my appreciation for your help.” Ren reached into his pocket and gently set the short stack of gold coins at the end of the bed before thinking it over and separating one from the others. “This one will be for the door, so please give it to your Madame,” he informed the woman who had bigger problems than a busted door at the moment. “But the rest is yours. I’m also curious if you’ve seen a fox girl? She has really long, dark, red hair. Green eyes.”

She shook her head quickly.

“You sure? Could have been at any point in the last two years. Even just a rumor.”

Her nod just as fast.

“Okay then. Have a good night.” He hurled the body over his shoulder and made his way out into the streets and out of the city.

Ren knew it would be easier to behead the Rogue Ones where he found them, and no one could or would do anything about it. No one would want to risk angering the heavens by interfering in business that didn’t pertain to them. The few other Head Hunters did just that, leaving the bodies on the ground without a second thought as to how they’d be disposed of. But he never felt comfortable about leaving a mess for others to clean, so he took them far into the forest where their remains wouldn’t be found and whatever was hungry could pick at them in the mean time.

They might as well be useful for something.

He made quick work of separating the head from body and brought it along with him as he returned to the camp he had set up during the day. Ren added wood to the hot coals to bring the fire back to life and sat down against the trunk of a tree next to where his sword was propped. He made the head a cozy spot close by and grabbed the stumpy branch he’d found earlier and set aside for just this moment. He pulled his hunting knife and began to carve, peering at what was left of the Rogue One. “I’m taking requests. What would you like for me to carve for you?”

No response.

Of course.

They never wanted to talk.

Ren chewed his tongue and groaned in concentration. “You look like a man who appreciates a raccoon. I’ll make you one of those.” He worked in silence until the piece began taking form. “I forgot to ask you if you’ve seen a fox girl lately.” He momentarily glanced up at his guest. “Too late for that now, though. Probably doesn’t matter. I doubt she’s been in Wei Wen anyways. A fox outside the den is pretty easy to spot, there’s no mistaking her.

“You really missed out. She’s beautiful, the most stunning woman you’ve ever seen. She wasn’t always like that though. Don’t get me wrong, she was always pretty, but she used to be nothing more than skinned elbows and knobby knees. But now...” The boy breathed in deeply, pushing the air out through his closed lips, making them vibrate. “I bet she’s even more beautiful now than when I last saw her. If there’s such a thing as perfection in this world, she’s it. I miss her. A lot. You know, it’s true what they say. You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. But I suppose that’s my problem, not yours. Looks like you have bigger issues than I do.” Sheathing the knife, he twisted the finished critter around, checking for any blunders in the wood, before placing it in front of the head with it’s lifeless eyes looking down on the gift. “I’ll take you home in the morning, so you won’t be able to bring your friend with you, but he can keep you company tonight.”

Ren situated himself to laying on the ground, staring up through the trees at the stars that peeked past the leaves.

Another day gone.

Another day wasted.

He would go to sleep.

Alone.

And then do it all over again.