[https://i.imgur.com/zweWNHT.jpg]
Hood pulled a blue wire from his back. A man struggled, choking on Hood’s back. Silentium quiets his screams. The body went slack and gently, the corpse was laid to the ground.
Fucking hell… That was cold. Who is next?
Hood activated aura sense. Colour flows all around him. Ripples announced an enemy was approaching. Levitation was tuned and with feet silent with runes, Drac ran up the stone corridor wall. Ventus was tuned under his sole and fingertips. A vacuum was created, allowing him to stay on the ceiling. Two masked men walked under him as he crawled above.
Can they do that thingy with the aura?
No. I am a bit special in that regard.
Hood fell. Heilong was unleashed. Hood lands on the floor with his head rolling.
Kind of good, I can’t lie.
Hood walked further in, a flame on his finger to light the way.
It's dark as shit. Do you know your way around this rat maze?
A rat always remembers its way around his home.
The stone corridor ends in a cellar. Wine aged on the side. A wooden table was recently used with cutlery left on the table as a firepit blazed on the wall.
Counting the plates I say we have already killed three out of five of the targets.
Small group.
Has to be. A lot of secrets to be kept.
Glad we have an expert with us, hehehe.
Hood walked the stairs to the bottom of the cellar. He looked at the dirty plates. Nostalgia hit like a pile of stones to the face. Hood huffed and turned away. To the left, he noticed rolled pieces of paper.
Same M.O.
Mm?
Hood strode up to the desk, unrolling the parchment.
It's a message from the guardian to another guardian by a bird.
Birds? Can't she use a crystal?
Axton. You could never even conceptualise how expensive a crystal is. Even among nobles, it's handed down to heirs only.
Grandpa always used one…
Because we are worth more.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Hood started reading the messages.
It talks about the attacks.
Hood looked through more.
It talks about us.
Oh! What does it say!?
We are using the same eyes…
Fine, tell me later.
"Oh, dear, have you neglected your training?” Hood said.
Hood crouched to the ground and a dagger missed his head. The attacker flipped his dagger in his hand and stabbed down. Hood rolled out of the way and unsheathed Heilong. The enemy took Hood's favourite stance.
Oh! That's what it's for!
“Even with your mask, I can still see your freckles, Sam.”
“The dead need not speak; backstabber!” Full of rage, the assassin rushed in.
“A pity. You were kind of funny.” Hood weaved past the dagger. A quick poke through the throat and Sam fell, gurgling and choking in his blood.
“FOUR!”
Aura blew away the table with a gust of wind. White energy towered to the ceiling from a black-cloaked man. A grey-haired warrior stood by a door. Under grey facial hair, the old man's face contorts with grief and anguish.
“Hello, Roland, long time.”
Roland stayed silent as he pulled out his sword.
Axton. Want to swap now?
Mm?
This man is not an assassin. A truly inhuman man.
Like the guardian.
Close.
Hehehehe. Hurry, let's swap!
Not yet. Promise none of this reaches his ears.
Was never gonna tell, brother. This thing between you two is fun as hell!
Good.
Hood let go.
Axton hopped in.
“HAHAHAHA, FINALLY A BATTLE TO THE DEATH!”
The old man stood in a low stance with his Galdius’s point up. He vanished, leaving the stone floor broken into bits. He came close with his sword dragged on the floor, attacking Axton’s left. A pulse of aura bounced off the attack and Axton counter-attacked with a smile on his face. Roland leaned back avoiding a slashed neck. He regained his balance and stabbed Axton. One, two, and then a last stab hit Axton's blade. Roland stabbed lower at Axton’s right leg. The smiling man pivots his right to the back and slashed at the old man. Roland blocked the heavy strike with two hands. His feet created grooves as he was forced back.
“Oh, that face. When they lose hope. I love it.”
Roland was enraged. He exploded with a blinding aura. His soul burns with brilliance. Roland blitzed towards Axton, breaking the air. He slashed sideways from the left. Axton bent low and stepped in. Aura-coated sword sliced up. Soulflame aided his speed as the experienced fighter sidestepped. On Axton's right, the old warrior slashed with all his strength. The young boy turned and metal collided in a blast of aura, rattling the stone bricks in the cellar.
Swords grind with sparks, and Axton stands his ground. A pulse pushed Roland's blade and he made a decision. Soulflame sustained his aura, strengthening his old legs to run.
A pulse of aura came from the soles of his feet and Axton caught up.
“Thank you.”
A head span in the air before landing near Axton's feet.
How does it feel?
Like a goal was accomplished...
We are more alike than I thought. Brother.
Brenna entered her office before she left for her residence to rest. Just one hour, and she is done. Maybe.
She did have a whole town to help renovate. And train. She picked this town because nothing happened. A place to help, to improve—a place her brother wouldn't need to try. A place safe for him. She sighed, resigning whatever fate Gaia brought her.
“I give up. Things are as they will be.”
Before she goes to her desk drawer to find her wine, a paunchy envelope was found lying on the table. Brenna tentatively held it up by candlelight.
Send again. Information will flow as it should. - A friend of a fool.