Pax

Pax, Assassin of Vorylus

Pax is an orphan boy raised by an old man who was kind enough to take him in. A few years after being taken in, and his adoptive father brings home a bundle in his arms. Pax looks down at it, wondering why his father looked so delighted. There, wrapped in blankets, laid a baby. Pax sneered, the baby had raven black hair and small nubs growing out of his head, coming to realize they were horns. He gives his father a strange look. The man leans down, speaking softly, "He's your brother now. I need you to look after him, be someone good to him." Pax huffs, "Why? Why should I care?" His father gives him a scolding glance before continuing, "Because I won't always be here. Once I'm dead and gone it'll just be you and him, and you need to be there for each other. I know he's different, but he's not going to know much love in these parts. I want you to be able to give that to him." Pax looks down at the baby again, slowly coming around to the idea. Having a baby brother couldn't be so bad. Turns out, it had its perks. The baby grows into a young man, Sasha. He's an Ignisi, as their father had come to tell them. Sasha looked at it like a curse, but Pax saw it as a blessing in disguise. Pax and Sasha are inseparable. Once their father dies, they do what they need to to get by. Even if that includes becoming hired mercenaries. It was Pax's own idea. By himself, he was strong, but with Sasha they could become an unstoppable force. Sasha is less open to the idea, hating the thought of hurting people and proving everyone right about him. Pax thinks he's stupid, "If people already think you're dangerous then you might as well be. You won't change their minds." Sasha doesn't complain about it anymore after that. They are extremely good at their jobs, especially Pax. He takes a liking to killing far more than is healthy. When he's approached by a contractor, offering him a life of luxury if only he'd come be a hired assassin, he accepts. Pax sees it as easy money, it's pretty much the same thing as he already does, only now he has to be quieter and his targets are much higher in profile. When he tells Sasha the news, the other is furious. "What the hell is wrong with you? What we do is one thing, but what you've just signed up for is another thing entirely." Pax scoffs, "We kill people for a living, how is it any different?" Sasha shakes his head in disappointment, "I only did what you said was best for us. I never wanted to be a part of that, and now you want to go even deeper? I'm out." Pax shrugs, "That's fine. I don't need you." Sasha looks hurt, and Pax wants to take it back. It's like looking at his baby brother again, innocent curious eyes that would do anything Pax told him. He's too proud to apologize, and the silence gets uncomfortable. Sasha is the first to speak, "Okay. You do what you think is best for you." Pax doesn't like where this is going, not one bit. He glances away from his brother, "And what will you do?" Quiet. Sasha finally breaks the tension, "I don't know. I think I'm going to go stay with Dryx for awhile." Pax frowns, "Sash, this is still your home." The other looks away, "I know. I just need time to think." Pax watches as he packs a few things, giving his brother a hug before he's left. He watches Sasha leave, both unaware that this would be the last time they see each other for years.