Cole was standing outside looking at the home where he spent the last ten years of his life. It was nothing special like the grand mansions he once lived in the Empire. Sadly he would never be able to return here after today.

Cole turned around and smiled. The dogs of the Empire finally decided to show themselves.

The leader of the group laughed. So you knew we were coming and decided to fight instead of running. You must think too highly of yourself. We outnumber you 50 to 1, and where is the bitch wife of yours?

The emperor was not happy she got away. He plans to make you watch while he has his way with her. That sadly means we have to bring you both back alive.

Cole chuckled. I know it has been ten years since I was last on the world stage but has the Empire forgotten what it means to be a Shadow from the Shadow Sect?

A couple of the people took a half step backward after hearing who they were facing.

So the Emperor did not tell you who I was, which makes sense. If he did, there would be few who would be willing to go after Rose and me. Cole drew a sword that he never showed any of his children; hopefully, they would never need to see it in use. If someone just took a quick glance they would just think it is an ordinary sword. You would need to hold the blade up close to see that the edges of the sword blade are not metal but crystal. Cole’s crystal affinity lets him make the sword extremely sharp. Once Cole enhanced the crystal he vanished.

He took out the leader first with a quick swipe which took his head from his body. He proceeded to decapitate 9 others before they reacted and raised their guards. The next 10 put up more of a fight but it did not matter much, limbs and gore still flung through the air as Cole cut them down. It only took another hour to end 30 more lives.

Breathing hard Cole took out a rag and started cleaning his blade. Once the blade was clean he put it back into his storage ring.

You are going to need a bath before we leave and did you really have to decapitate them all? It would have been a lot cleaner if you didn’t. Rose muttered as she looked over the bloody scene before her.

It is a message to the people who think they can hunt us.

So did they have anyone outside the city? Cole asked while turning to head inside to bathe.

Yes, they had another 20 men spread out around the edge of town. I dealt with them but I did it in a less messy way. Rose replied as she started making tea for them.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Cole sat down at the table after his bath and took the cup rose offered him. So we can not come back here for a while. It is sad the kids won’t have a home to come home to after all of this is over. Rose frowned as she set her cup down her babies had now lost the only place they truly called home.

Do you feel bad about never telling them who we really are?

Cole sipped his tea and smiled. I might have left a letter in Klaus’s storage ring that will explain a few things to them. They themselves know we are not simply retired adventures. They each have their own theories on who we really are.

Rose laughed she remembered listening in on that conversation. They thought we were asleep and could not hear them.

So what does the letter tell them?

Oh, it just tells them who we truly are and why we can not be with them for the foreseeable future. I hope we raised them well enough so they do not try to come after us and end up dead. They should be smarter than that.

They both sat in silence for a while before Cole broke out with laughter.

What is so funny? Rose asked as she refilled her cup.

We never had the “talk” with them about what it truly means to get a rare class as their first. How long do you think it will take before they find out how unfair of an advantage they will have for the rest of their lives?

Rose chuckled, I think it might be after they break the beginner barrier or when they fight someone in their tier.

Cole had to agree. I already feel bad for the people who fight them. They will not know what they are in for.

Rose got up and stretched. I think it is about time we leave. I will get all of the girl's stuff and you get the boy’s things.

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It was on the second day of the trip when Klaus found the letter in his storage ring, he was just checking how much money Cole gave each of them. He opened it and started to read.

  I hope you are finding this after you have arrived safely in Yelas. I lied to you four, the test was just my way to get you out of the town and far away enough before the Empire’s men arrived. Rose and I will be fine. Please do not come back even if we somehow die or get captured there is nothing you four can do. Once you are stronger then we can talk about it, but Rose and I never wanted to drag you four into our problems. We know you do not believe we are retired adventurers. Rose and I are from the Shadow Sect. We both hold the Title of Shadow which is feared by everyone who knows what it means to hold it. Fifteen years ago Rose and I were doing some work for the Empire and Rose caught the eye of the Emperor he wanted her to become one of his concubines. She refused him, so he sent people after her to capture her and force her to become his. Things happened and we had to leave the Empire. We decided to lay low for a while and start a family so we adopted you all. We will not be able to be in contact for the foreseeable future. We never got the time to tell you the family name it is Rispa, I hope you all use it and find pride in being our children even though we are not blood. Keep practicing the sword it will always keep you safe. Burn this letter after everyone has read it.

   ~You loving Father

Klaus handed the letter to the others so they could read it.

After everyone read it Danny lit it on fire with a spark of lighting. He watched it slowly turn to ash. So I guess we finally know who they are now…

Klaus broke the silence, We only have one day left before we reach Yales. We can talk more about it after we arrive and find a place to stay.