Skarlet frowned, it soon got quiet, too quiet. Skarlet looked around, she got to her feet and looked out the window. She saw a man walking down main street, he was talking to a girl hanging off his arm, but Skarlet couldn't hear him. Even though she should have been able too, suddenly, a heavy weight smashed against her neck. Skarlet gasped, reacting quickly. She spun as she drew her knife, she blocked a second slice.

The attacker, mouthed a cuss word as she leaped back, she looked excited. Her Orange and white fox tail lashed about as she readied herself. Skarlet put her hand against her neck, her collar was barely hanging on her neck, That dwarf just saved my life. She pulled her sword out and sheathed the knife, she stepped forward, bringing her sword down. The assassin deflected her sword, sliding in close, Skarlet winced as the blade slashed open her side. The fight was completely silent, there was some sort of magic barrier making it silent.

Skarlet slid back and thrust her sword forward, the assassin slid out of the way, leaping at Maria. Skarlet leaped forward, holding her sword out in front of Maria, she barely blocked the attack.

Skarlet thrust her elbow back, smashing it into the assassin's abdomen, the shadowy figure stumbled backwards. Skarlet brought her sword around, aiming for the assassin, planning to end it quickly.

Seemingly out of nowhere, with almost absurd agility and balance, the assassin twisted around the sword and stabbed Skarlet in the gut. She gasped, but brought the sword back, surprising the assassin. At this point Skarlet was a bit used to attacking while ignoring an attack or serious injury.

The assassin tried to avoid it, but was unable to, they had their wrist and upper thigh. Sliced up, the shadowy figure limped away, taking distance. Showing their skill in the fact that both limbs were still attached.

Skarlet didn't pause or hesitate, she leaped forward and drove her blade towards the assassin's heart.

During the fight they had circled around each other and the assassin was now backed against the window. She parried Starlet's strike and slashed a gash down her arm. Skarlet winced and suddenly a kick smashed into her face, Skarlet was thrown back against the door with a loud thud. As she scrambled to her feet the assassin was gone.

"Damn, that hurts." She grumbled, her sword clattered to the ground and noise came from behind her.

"Skarlet. Skarlet!" Maria's voice came, footsteps pitter pattered on the floor as she rushed over. "You're bleeding!"

"Shit, yeah, I got a hole in my chest," Skarlet got to her feet, with Maria helping her as she made her way to the desk. "That surprised the hell out of me." She exclaimed, raising her hand against the wound in her chest. "Spirits of life, heal this wound, healing touch." Skarlet hissed in pain as the wound closed, she also healed the other small scratches and once again put her hand to her neck.

"You're necklace is broke." Maria noted.

"Damn, I almost died without even seeing my enemy." Skarlet sighed, Clara was sitting up, rubbing her eyes.

"Did something happen?" Clara asked, Maria nodded.

"Are you ok!?" Clara exclaimed, leaping to her feet. Maria nodded, gesturing to her body. "Good, I'm glad."

Skarlet, felt herself fading, she was feeling light headed. She reached towards her sword which lay on the ground. Maria lifted it from the ground and handed it to Skarlet. Almost as soon as she felt the hilt in her hand, she gripped it tightly and slipped away.

~

Cody pushed open the Inn door, inside he was greeted by an unconscious Skarlet gripping her blood-stained sword, Maria was tending to Skarlet, she looked worried, Cody stepped over.

"What happened."

"No idea, I woke up and it was already over. She was over there sitting on the ground. I woke to the sound of her dropping her sword, she was wounded pretty bad. She used healing magic on herself and passed out." Maria explained in a hurried voice.

"She's probably just exhausted from blood loss, help me move her to the bed for now, and we'll go down and get breakfast." Cody lifted her by the shoulders and Maria grabbed her feet. She was lighter than expected. They laid her down on the bed, Cody unbuckled her belt and moved her two sheaths to the bedside. He then pulled the blanket up around her, Maria still looked worried but he pushed her and Clara from the room.

"Standing around here isn't gonna make her feel any better." Cody urged them, he took one last glance into the room, and his eyes stopped on her sword. It was clean and shiny, with no blood on it's surface. I didn't imagine blood on that sword did I? He shook his head before stepping out into the hall and closing the door behind him.

Skarlet rose to the surface of the crushing darkness, she broke open her eyes and sat up with a jolt. Maria and Clara were gone, and someone had moved her to the bed.

Skarlet swung her legs around, contacting them with the wood floor, she winced. Her boots were sitting beside the bed alongside her sheaths and weapons, the hardwood floor was a little cold. She slipped her feet into her boots and threw the sheath over her shoulder, she buckled it and hurried out into the hall. She slowed as she heard Cody's voice. It was coupled with Maria and Clara, she approached the table where they sat.

"Skarlet!" Maria got up and rushed over to her, "Are you ok?" Andy was also sitting at the table with them.

"What happened last night, Skarlet." Andy asked, he waited as Skarlet sat down.

"I was keeping watch when I suddenly noticed it was too quiet so I got up to look outside and realized that in a certain area around me there was no sound. It was about that time that a knife was struck full force across the back of my neck." Skarlet frowned, as she spoke, "The only reason I didn't die was because of the adamantite collar Yofen made for me. It saved my life, but she was extremely skilled, and wielding a sword against her was a bad move. Though due to her skill, I couldn't draw my knife even if I'd wanted to. She basically beat me to a pulp then left."

Andy nodded, "From the sound of it, she used Silencing magic, it's time magic and extremely rare. There's only one known assassin that uses it, most refer to him as the silent death, a B rank assassin." Andy thought for a moment. "It sounds like it's a different assassin."

"Well, I don't know her rank, but she was most definitely a difficult opponent." Skarlet began to eat, Maria had gotten her a plate. "Thank you Maria."

"You're being pretty open and social today." Maria said suddenly, Skarlet paused.

"I-I was surprised, running on adrenaline, I woke and you were gone." Skarlet replied, her eyes wandered.

"Your mind clears in combat and tense situations, you're not worried about anything but surviving or defeating your opponent, so all those self-deprecating thoughts that cause you to be so aggressive and antisocial aren't there." Cody spoke matter of factly, "It acts like a situational confidence boost."

"Huh, that makes sense, I think he figured you out Skarlet." Andy said with a Chuckle. Skarlet simply frowned as she struggled to keep the blush down.

"It's not too difficult to understand, just basic psychology." Cody replied, a smirk on his face.

"Sigh-colgy?" Andy asked, his gaze peered at Cody, "Is this one of those Hero ideologies?"

"Uhm, oh I guess, it's pronounced sigh-call-o-gee. It's the study of the mind and the reasons for people's actions and reactions. Thought processes and stuff." Cody explained, "It's not magic, it's statistics so it can be wrong."

"Interesting." Andy replied, a thoughtful look on his face. "You heroes always bring things with you."

"Yeah." He coughed switching the conversation. "Isn't there a reason you brought Skarlet, Maria, and me here?"

"Oh, yes, true." Andy switched as well, his face got more serious. "Cody and I confronted your father Maria, though he cared very little. Believing that he could still come out on top, though he has suggested that he may reconsider if you come see him yourself. So what will you do?"

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"I guess it's time for me to confront my father." Maria decided as she finished her food. She got up with a determined face before turning to Skarlet. "Would you accompany me a bit longer. I believe Cody and Andy still have some work to do." Skarlet sighed and got up to follow her.

Maria headed for her manor with Skarlet in tow, while Cody and Andy went to the guild to collect the evidence and paperwork they had against Seraph. If he wouldn't step down they'd rile up the citizens and force him down.

Maria pushed open the doors to her father's study, he was sitting at his desk with his arms crossed like he was expecting her. An empty cup of tea sat on his desk and Illia was standing to the side, as Maria entered she left the room.

"Father! It's time for you to step down." Maria announced, as she stepped into his office "You can't fight the whole city when I bring your crimes to light you'll be forced to step down."

"You would tarnish our family name, this is why you're not fit to lead." Seraph spoke with confidence as he stood up, giving her a condescending look before turning towards the window behind him. He gazed out into the rain. "Maria, you've made yourself an obstacle to my goals, you shouldn't have ever gone against me. I'll fight this whole town if I have to."

"Daddy please." There was desperation in her voice, as her tone shifted. "Don't do this." She approached him, he had his back turned to her. Suddenly he spun around and she realized she'd made a mistake.

"Maria, I'm sorry." He spoke with no emotion as he swung the sword down onto her. Suddenly Maria saw Skarlet dash past her, Skarlet slid into her knees and caught the blade with both hands, blood drizzled down her arms. Her hands weren't enough, the blade kept going and cut into her shoulder. She hissed in pain and her ears pressed against her head but she clamped her hands down on the sword holding it in place.

The blade was dug deep into her shoulder, Skarlet winced. The blade dug into the skin on her palms and blood dripped down her arms. Her shoulder burned like acid was poured on it. Her tail lashed back and forth in alarm and fear.

She couldn't really do anything else at this point, she could sense it though, death waiting hungrily. I can't draw any of my weapons and I can't let go of this sword. It's check.

Suddenly Skarlet felt a hand on her shoulder, she loosened her grip and was pulled back, the sword slipped through her hands. Seraph struck the ground while Skarlet fell onto one knee, gasping. "Damn, go, get out of here girl." Skarlet ushered Maria to leave but she didn't, she stepped past Skarlet. Skarlet paused for a moment, watching as the young fourteen-year-old girl, brandished a sword far too big for her.

Skarlet glanced over at the wall, the shield above the fireplace was missing two swords.

"Maria, you've never had sword training." Seraph warned, taking a stance. Skarlet noticed that it was a sloppy stance, Maria mimicked her father's stance.

"Yeah and you're old, I think I'll be fine dad." Maria's voice trembled but she stepped forward anyway, she held the sword in a defensive position. I'm not ready for this, She thought, but raised her sword regardless. She felt her heart beating faster than normal, and the cold look in her father's eyes didn't help.

"Fine." He stepped forward and swung downward. Maria struggled to Avoid the swing, barely deflecting it with a weak swing of her own. I'm not strong enough to wield this sword, but he's not much better. Maria could see the sweat collecting on her father's face and his swings were only a little faster than her own.

Maria brought her sword around as her father struggled to lift his own. She barely missed as he side-stepped her, he was faster, bringing his sword around he dragged a cut through her arm. it burned, like ice-cold water.

"Ah!" Maria exclaimed stumbling, she pulled back, he smashed the sword down where she'd been moments before. The fire roared, painting their shadowy figures against the bookshelves in their slow deadly dance.

Maria circled her father, able to move her feet better than him, but her sword was slower. Surprisingly they balanced out, her father winced as she finally landed a hit, glancing off his lower arm.

She brought the sword back around to hit him in the leg when seemingly out of nowhere he kicked out and slammed his heel into her ankle, Maria stumbled and fell backward. Seraph's sword wasn't that far behind as it stabbed into the ground between her feet. She'd spread her legs and pulled herself back at the last moment to avoid it.

She scrambled backward, to her back was her father's desk. He approached quickly and swung a hard arcing strike from above. Maria avoided, rolling backward over the desk. He sliced open her thigh, and she hit the ground with a thud. Her chest hurt as the breath was knocked from her lungs.

Crash

The desk was split in half, and her father kicked aside the two halfs. She gasped, pulling herself up, realizing they weren't as evenly matched as she originally thought.

Another burning cut sliced into her side, she stumbled back. Not used to the pain, he swung again forcing her to duck, she brought her own sword forward and sliced at his legs. He kicked outward, smashing his foot into her face. She tumbled backward smashing into the wall-length window, it cracked behind her. She suddenly felt very unsafe, her eyes strayed to the two story drop behind her.

"Maria! Hold on." Skarlet called, she'd tended to her wounds already and was trying to get up.

"No, I got this!" Maria exclaimed, standing up shakily. She held her sword once more, her confidence shaky, her sense of danger was screaming at her.

"I'm sorry Maria." Her father sounded at least a little sincere this time as he lifted his Sword overhead before swinging downward. Though his movements showed, and a look of confusion and even pain surfaced in his eyes.

Maria stepped forward, her father's eyes widened, watching her sword slide against his. She slipped past him and his momentum brought him to the window. He should have been able to stop that momentum, but something was wrong.

Maria slammed her sword through his back and through the window. She skidded her feet on the ground and tried to pull the sword out, she felt herself yanked forward.

"Damnit!"

The momentum is too much, I'm going with him. She slipped over the edge, she twisted mid-air trying to find something to grab when relief swamped her. A hand grabbed her own and her descent stopped, she looked up to see Skarlet hanging from the window, her hand gripped Maria's. her ears twitched in what was either annoyance or relief, possibly both.

"That was stupid and reckless, and. . . Amazing." Skarlet sighed as she hoisted her up into the window. Skarlet's eyes gazed past her, a hardness entered those eyes. Then she looked away and pulled Maria into the room.

Maria was in a lot of pain, "I-I've never been cut before." Maria gasped, wincing in pain. "I can't imagine getting stabbed, you deal with this every day?" She was panting, the adrenaline had probably worn off.

"I'm an adventurer, I get hurt often, it's guaranteed that I'd build up a pain tolerance." She sighed as she set Maria down before placing her hands over the girl's wounds. Skarlet chanted a healing spell. Maria sighed with relief as the pain subsided and the wounds closed.

"Hahahaha-haha-ha." Maria laughed, a pained laugh. Her adrenaline had fully worn off and she was starting to think about what this meant.

"What?" Skarlet asked as she sat down beside the girl, she gazed at her with a bit of worry. Skarlet frowned as she pushed down the self-deprecating thoughts that rose to the surface.

"I'm the head now, I have full control over the Macuroll family and I won it in a sword duel." Maria exclaimed with relief, pain, sadness, and triumph swirling behind her green eyes. the emotions clashing violently, causing her eyes to appear far older than her looks let on if only for a moment.

"Hell of a way to take control, glad you won." Skarlet muttered, she fell back and laid on the floor gazing up at the ceiling. I need to be stronger, it's not enough. Why is it never enough, I can't be close to you if I can't protect you.

Lightning struck, lighting up the morning air as the rain droned on. Quiet footsteps headed towards the manor. A broken window and the howling wind, a man lay broken and bleeding with a sword in his back.

"Illia, help me Illia. I order you as your master, Heal me!" He coughed out as blood seeped from his lips.

A girl approached him, she pulled back her hood revealing fox ears atop her reddish-Orange head and a tail swaying behind her. She crouched down to look at the broken man.

"You're a failure. You only had one task, stop Maria from becoming the head. Even just killing her would do. But you couldn't even accomplish that." She smiled as she spoke to him, that smile made him shiver.

"You, I sent you to kill her what happened?" He asked anger tainting his raspy voice.

"I ran into Skarlet, that girl has been getting better, she's much stronger now. You've lost on that front too. Seems you failed on every task. And even died to a child wielding a sword for the first time." She hissed, "Though, I guess I could have tried a bit harder. But you took so long to ask for my help that. . . I didn't feel too motivated anymore. Besides with you gone I'm sure Maxwell will call me back. I'm looking forward to seeing my true master again."

"You bitch! My tea, you poisoned my tea! I would have won that fight." He pleaded as he sensed something was wrong.

"Maybe, but it's too late now." She wistled softly before glancing up towards the window. Golden eyes locked with red, then they looked away.

"These hands you use to touch and caress the naked bodies of my kind." She spoke softly as she traced the blade of a knife down his palm. Seraph shivered and tried to move his hand, she didn't let him however and stabbed it through his palm. "How sad that you'll never be able to satisfy those desires again." She whispered in his ear as his teeth grinded, he glared at her and she smirked in response.

"Seraph you thought you were important cause Maxwell came personally. You're a fool, Maxwell visits all his pawns, especially the expendable ones. Cause it makes them feel like they mean more than they do. And like little sheep they walk to the slaughter. Seraph died from the fall. He broke his neck quite the sad way to go." Illia jeered before grabbing him by the head and shoulder. He struggled in vain as his mind alerted him of his impending death. He clawed at her arms, but she was strong. Blood and skin collected under his fingernails as he desperately ripped at her arms, but she didn't even flinch before snapping his neck.

"What a pitiful man." She said before standing up, she looked back at the window.

"Next time cat, I'm sure we'll play for a more extended time." Illia breathed the words into the night air however as Skarlet had disappeared past the shattered panes of glass, nobody heard the declaration of an assassin. She quietly retrieved her knife.

Illia frowned as she glanced at her wounds, damn what an animal, coulda died more gracefully. She pulled a potion that glowed a slight greenish color from a bag at her waist. She then downed the contents before placing the empty bottle back in her bag. The rain seemed to get harder as the clouds covered the moon. The girl disappeared into the darkness, a few moments passed and lighting struck cutting through the darkness and revealing that only the body of a despicable man remained. His killer vanished like smoke in the night.