Guard commander Roa asked Theo who his kids were.

He didn't know.

There were limits that even [Assimilation] had. Sure, if he had this form for days he might be able to intuit something like that. But right now, exactly who 'Zhaz' was as a person was foggy. The best he could do at the moment was mimic his mannerisms.

He did learn Violets' name through the [Assimilation] skill, but he had been talking to her.

Commander Roa looked at him expectantly, a hand partly conceal behind his back.

"M-my kids? I don't have any kids." Theo said finally. It was a guess, the answer just felt right.

He saw Violet tied up to the tree behind him. Her eyes were telling him; 'run!'.

Her hands were torn up and bleeding.

Roa shook his head.

"Wrong answer."

[Rapid Retreat]

"We don't have time for this! They need our help!" he shouted and ran back into the forest. Two guards in ghillie suits tried to grab him but he was just a bit faster than they were.

"After him!" Roa shouted.

'That's right. Chase me.'

Theo planned for either scenario. Believe him or not- he just needed to thin down their numbers. Rambo style.

His skill was making him run faster than he ever had before- these guys were quick! A bolt flew past him and thudded into a weeping willow tree. "Stop! Or the next one goes in ya!" one of his pursuers shouted.

"Like hell! They need our help you idiots!" he shouted back as he disappeared further into the dense thicket of the marsh. The soft soil squelched under his feet and it was difficult not to slide at points.

He ducked under a branch he had marked. 'Now.' he leapt over a divot in the ground obscured with a pile of leaves. A guards foot stepped into it and the wooden stakes impaled his ankle. "FUCK!" he shouted, screaming out in pain as the splinter-lined hole gripped his leg like a bear-trap.

"It's the other one! Bastards set traps- watch out!" another guard said as they past their wounded companion.

Another bolt narrowly missed him- flying just over his shoulder.

[Sticky Jump]

He flew up several feet into the air and splashed into the water. 'They should be waking up about now...' he thought.

The five or so guards stopped at the base of the waters edge. "Great- the dumbass is in the water!", another scoffed; "I'll go in. My tracking skill says he's not running- he's laying low. You two stay here- Kesley, Jayce and I-"

He wasn't allowed to finish his sentence.

Numerous spider legs had began descending from the trees- raking at them with their long curved claws. They shrieked in shrill high pitched noises. The guards slashed about- severing the occasional limb. But a flurry of limbs had erupted, it was like a forest of its' own. The bristled segmented arms were strong and fast. Drawing blood.

One guard has their throat slit- another grabbed them as they fell applying a healing potion. Meanwhile, Theo swam around the bank and climbed back up- he crept back towards the camp.

[Level Up!]

[Fooled Allies]x2

[Bait And Switch]x1

[Guerilla Warfare]x6

['They Live' 25% XP boost ended!]

[Doppleganger Level 6!]

[Saurian Agility] + 2 Agility

[Doppleganger Level 7!]

[Skill Sickle Arm Unlocked!]

'Wow!' that was quite a bit. But, the XP boost probably sent him over the edge to the next level there. He could still hear the guards fighting,

[Form Change]

He activated the skill and he felt the flesh slough off his real 'body' in an instant. Leaving a gelatenous mess on the forest floor. Turns out- you could wear a set of armor beneath the forms you take as a doppleganger.

He stood there in his saurian form with leather armors he got back at the guild.

'Damn, that's actually exhausting.' he began the next phase of the plan. [Form Change]

---

Rose was impressed. He was a fast little bugger- these guards weren't typical guards after all. They were the sort they sent after fugitives. They had skills to ride horses faster. To track people through the harshest elements.

They leveled like NPC's typically leveled- more slowly- but they were still fairly leveled. In their lower 20's- more or less around Violets' level.

But they didn't expect to be assailed by similarly leveled Basket Spiders. Theo innovated there- she had not suggested that. But it was clever. Using the paralysis affect of the dagger to gather the spiders. She'd only pointed out their den so he would avoid them. But he used them to his advantage instead.

He was a natural [Doppleganger]... Not everyone took to their classes so well.

She scoffed, grinning as she watched the guards hack and slash at the forest of hairy spider limbs.

When Rose had first dropped them off- they were practically helpless, but already they've both toughened up. Though, Violet hasn't had as much opportunity for growth here. Being tortured didn't level anyone up, unless you had some kind of 'Lying' skill.

Perhaps there was something Rose could do about that.

Their leader was a Guard Commander, and they're typically at least level 40. Yes, she would set this up so they both have an opportunity to earn some more levels, defeating high level opponents like these just might do it.

Sometimes it could take months or even years if a person just lazes about. But leveling up could be forced.

---

Violet groaned, her fingers ached. She tried not to move them. Two of them were broken- the others had the fingernails she so delicately manicured torn off.

Then she heard the screams. The guards called out; "Fucking Basket Spiders! Kill 'em!"

'What the hell Theo?'

Commander Roa looked up towards the forest at the haunting sounds.

He drew a rapier from his side, and begun to strap on a metal vambrace onto the arm that didn't handle the rapier.

"It seems we caught the wrong one." he said as he handled the straps.

The two remaining guards looked at each other uneasily, and held their swords at the ready- one faced the screams, the other faced the opposite direction. Gazing out into the mist of the marsh beyond the firelight.

Commander Roa didn't expect this- if this guild had so many resources than why would they bother sending such lightweights as these to infiltrate the Malton estates... They could've just raided the place and pilfered the treasury themselves.

He should've brought more veterans, or even a Royal Arbiter. Just to be sure. But calling for such resources would have taken away from the achievement of it. He'd planned to handle all this himself, the persuit, tracking, interrogation- demonstrate that he was far above the typical Guard Commander, and perhaps be recognized for his efforts.

Offered the training and equipment to level.

But at this rate- he didn't like how it was going. The bulk of his men were occupied fighting what seemed to be a dens worth of Basket Spiders in the marsh.

A man stumbled back into the camp- groaning in pain and limping; "Ugh.. Little help here?" he asked, dragging a mangled leg behind him. One of the remaining guards helped him to a log beside the fire.

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"Did you see the others?" Roa asked him. "No... I stepped in some trap. Legs full of splinters... The others a bit far out there- Basket Spiders- What do we do Sir? The monsters jump on us but don't seem so interested in him-"

Roa nodded, it's true. Monsters don't attack monsters as much. Neutrality often serves monsters to their mutual benefit. And this swamp was teeming with them. So unlike the forests in Soma, where routine hunting parties clear the more aggressive monsters.

"Get a healing potion on your leg. I need you battle ready, we'll hold until the others kill the spiders. Then we'll take this one back to Soma then come back with a real force to route out this bandit camp." Roa said quickly. The guards looked at each other and grinned.

It was a good plan. Not every plan went as expected- so one of their targets escaped. Oh well, they'd still be rewarded for doing so much. They have information, and even one of their quarries.

"You have to pull the splinters out first idiot!" The guard groaned as a bit of flesh healed up around the wood. "Oops! Sorry, wasn't looking.", "Gimme that!" The groaning guard snatched the healing potion.

Their captive looked at the red fluid enviously.

Roa grinned. "Don't worry, we'll heal you when we're on the road. After we get a bit more information out of you. What is your friends abilities? Is running the best he could do?" he scoffed.

To his surprise Violet returned his smile with one of her own. "I tried to warn you. You're out your depth- these people aren't like us."

His grin immediately faded to a stern expression; "Of course. It's a changeling. If your companions consort with the likes of monsters, I can hardly consider them to be anything like noble folk such as us. We abide by a code of honor, things [Thieves] like you would never understand. Taking what you want, when you want. From whoever you want. To hell with the consequences. What do you think happens when you steal the Maltons wealth? That they suffer alone?"

Violet ignored him, closing her eyes. "We're all alone in the end."

Then, he heard more rustling. More survivors? Though he still heard his men fighting in the distance. A woman stepped out into the firelight. She was quite fetching, for a beastkin that is...

Vibrant orange eyes and hair. She was more on the human side of things. With very little fur besides her cat ears and tail.

She also had their outfit on- the linen clothing with plant matter hanging from it.

A bandit- likely one of their leaders. Though not very high level. Perhaps 30? That didn't concern Roa. What did concern him was the black dagger in their hand. It didn't even glint in the firelight- it seemed to absorb any light around it.

The guards had their blades drawn already, and they faced her now.

"Just let us go. You have no idea what you're doing." is all she said, bitterly.

---

Theo stood there uncomfortably. He sighed. This was the most powerful form he had access to. Rose gave her consent to using it, and he needed every advantage he could get. Rose was strong. It was strange to Theo.

[Changeling]s could become more powerful by mimicking others. But it shows their bodies have the capacity for strength, but why is it only accessible during a [form change]?

He'd have to consider it later. Right now, he faced four armed men, trained to kill if needed. Each one of them were better than he was with a sword, but he was smarter than any of them. They were educated how 13th century peasants were. They probably couldn't even do algebra.

If Rose's form wasn't enough, he'd just run back into the marsh.

"What could we possibly not understand? You're criminals. Resisting arrest. What happens here is obvious. You'll drop that beautiful dagger of yours, and surrender yourself to us. We'll question you on our way to Soma."

Theo shook his head. Which felt heavier with all the hair. How did women deal with it? It's always in the way. A lot of things were in the way, actually. He reddened a bit and adjusted his collar a bit.

"I didn't kill Charles Malton. I was framed, so was Violet. If you want my honest opinion... I think the gods are responsible."

At that- Commander Roa tilted his head. Then looked back at Violet. And back at Theo again.

"What are the gods not responsible for? Enough of this, if you're innocent you have nothing to worry about." he flipped out his rapier and adopted a battle ready stance. Placing his gauntleted arm behind his back gracefully while outstretching his other, pointing the rapier at Theo.

The other guards followed his example and did the same, albeit with regular bastard swords.

Theo sighed.

[Assimilation]

Theo winced and clutched his head in pain- 'what was that?'

All of the sudden an intense feeling of sadness and furry overcame him, forcing him to clench his teeth. A wild look went into his eyes, which caused the guards to flinch.

Thoughts that weren't his flowed through him like a wave.

They said things like;

'It should've been me.',

'So many died.',

'Why am I like this?',

'I'll kill them. I'll kill them all.'

He felt no fear now, only a desire for vengeance. He looked towards Violet, the blood on her hands and smirked. It was so quiet, despite the guards battling spiders in the distance.

"Let's go then."

And he charged- a blur towards the guard nearest him.

---

Rose watched from behind the tree with Violet. Theo moved a bit like she did. But it seemed limited by his level in [Doppleganger]. It was still a power-up, but it was far from what she was capable of. He was likely about a lvl 30's fighting capacity, with Rose's dagger that is.

One guard was already motionless on the ground- helpless to the paralysis effect of the dagger.

Theo used shabby imitations of her abilities to deflect the guards strikes. And the commander was edging around, waiting for his moment to strike.

"Man, I look good... Even covered in plants." Violet flinched and looked up at her. "Rose!", Violet felt the ropes that held her fall to the ground. "Shh- nows your chance. Take this." she handed her two things.

A healing potion and a dagger. It had a spiraled hilt that seemed to be made of marble. With a red swirling color. It was lined with gold on the edges, and the blade was jagged and silver.

---

Theo raged. The guard attempted to block his strike so he feinted his attack and kicked him in the side of the leg instead. He hit him hard. The guards leg crumpled a bit, and Theo took the opportunity to nick him on the knuckle which held their blade. A bit of black steam emanated from the small cut, and they fell over.

Suddenly he felt a piercing pain in his thigh. "Augh- what the-?" he placed a hand over the blood spouting out rapidly. So much- how?

He looked up and saw commander Roa grinning.

"That's quite a nice dagger you have! Just the sort of thing a Guard Commander could use! Surrender now, and I'll stop the skill causing all that bleeding!"

Theo grimaced and charged at him but the remaining two guards blocked his path. He dove to the side and rolled alongside the fire-

He gripped a piece of burning charcoal and held it to his wound. The blood almost extinguished it- he bled out so fast he already felt lightheaded. The pain was almost a relief, as the blood slowly stopped leaking out.

The guards weren't letting up- they were on him the moment he dove and he had to keep moving even as he held the handful of coals to the wound. This body was fast though- with assimilation he felt he was far better than Charles Malton or even Elise Malton was at fighting.

But it still wasn't enough. These were trained guards and were good at taking advantage of any gaps in his defenses...

Still, he could win!

Then he saw Rose behind the tree with Violet- she was healing her hands!

---

Violet was impressed, even though it was mostly due to Roses form- Theo was holding his own against multiple guards! He danced about, Roses style was far more about brute force than Charles Maltons was. Where he was graceful and poised- she was just powerful. His reflexes and speed were just superior to theirs.

His dodges weren't impressive- they'd slash at him and he'd simply move away. But he was nearly blurring in the light of the fire.

Rose had disappeared as quickly as she had appeared...

Violet felt the weight of the dagger in her hands. She was no duelist- her style didn't rely on fighting people upfront. But she intended to change that. Someday. But not today.

[Quiet Step]

The dagger she held radiated a menacing energy- some powerful enchantment was on it. With weapons like these- the user had to be very careful not to touch the blade with a bare hand. That's what Colypheus taught her. He had also taught her that daggers are meant for backs. She grinned at the memory.

She approached slowly, and the ground despite crumpling under her step- it made no noise.

The guard commander had stabbed Theo in a artery, and he was rolling about trying to cauterize it while other guards chased him. They'd graze him- but only with superficial cuts. Roa was waiting for another opportunity to use that fancy stab trick he used before.

He wouldn't get that opportunity.

[Backstab]

---

Theo was breathing heavy, the guards were experienced fighters and once they saw the trick with the first guard were content with just tiring him out. Sweat dripped off his chin as he pranced about- staying out of reach of their swords.

They had the reach advantage- he had the enchantment advantage. Both created a type of temporary standstill. His exhaustion would change that. He had to hurry- but Violet was creeping behind them- he just had to keep their attention.

The guards flanked him on either side, and tried to edge around him. Seeing where this was going- he took a risk and dove in towards a guard. They slashed upwards at him and Theo deflected the blow sending sparks into the air and kicked him center chest.

The guard flew into the campfire- they screamed and rolled out patting themselves furiously. The other swooped the sword over his head and back down towards Theo- he dodged back. And tried to position himself so all of their backs remained towards Violet.

Violet had finally reached the commander, she held the blade in a reverse grip and plunged it down into the commanders side- whos' face blanched at looked over his shoulder at her- he dropped his rapier to the ground. Violet pulled the jagged blade from his side and quickly retreated back towards the tree. The guards heard his groans and glanced backward- this was Theos opportunity!

"Stop! Everyone stop!" the commander called out, clutching at his side. Blood was spilling over his fingers. "Gods that hurts..." he grit his teeth and produced a potion.

Theo was about to slice at the other guards but hesitated.

They all stood awkwardly, the two remaining guards, Roa, Violet and he. Exchanging quick looks between each other.

"So you surrender?" Theo asked uneasily.

"Yes! Gods, you're the most underhanded dishonorable wretches I've ever faced! Where did you find a blade like that? And what is this pain? The wound is healing but the pain remains..."

Violet shrugged. "I think it's some enchantment."

Rose appeared from the bushes. This Rose was dressed in furred shorts and top that revealed her mid-section.

"There's two of them..?" one of the guards said, raising his sword. Rose smiled at him as if she saw something adorable. "Please. You have no chance against me. But, now that this training excercise is coming to a close, I can't let it end like this."

They all exchanged looks once more.

"Training exercise?" A guard asked.

"What do you mean?" Theo asked.

Rose crossed her arms. "They came here looking for a fight. I say finish it. Now. I won't be satisfied unless all the guards here are either dead or unconscious."

"C-crazy bitch!" a guard called out at her. She only rolled her eyes in response. "We can't just let you go back to your little country and rally the troops, now can we? -Theo. Finish it."

Theo looked down at the dagger. 'He only had to knock them out-'

"I won't interfere. Please, do resist guards. It'll be a good learning experience for them."

Roa laughed hoarsely. "Of course, what should I have expected of a animal like you. Mercy or honor are concepts only a human could have." he staggered as he stood. He reached for the rapier on the ground-

[Displace]

It moved over a few feet. Roa dove after it-

Violet jumped into action slashing at the commander while Theo charged at the remaining guards.

Theos body felt heavy, but even the trained guards were starting to show signs of tiring. The commander didn't reach his rapier in time and had to dodge Violets somewhat graceful strikes.

He caught her arm beneath his armpit- clenching it tightly, he pulled her in close and head butted her viscously. She dropped the blade and caught it with her free hand and slashed- he leapt back freeing her. He picked his hat up from the ground and placed it delicately back on his head.

Then he kicked the fire sending a smoldering ash into the air- blinding her. A copy of himself ran forward- throwing a right hand punch. Another was like an after-image- but ducking and punching low instead, and the last image after that jumped to the side and went to tackle her.

Violet went to shield her eyes but as she did she threw the dagger into the ash cloud.

'BLECH!", the commander clutched his throat. He had been the center image which ducked and went low. The dagger had impaled him just above the clavicle. He clutched it as blood welled up around it and out of his mouth.

He smiled bitterly. "O-of course... [Thieves] fight like cornered rats..." he fell to his back. His eyes closed behind red glasses.

Theo watched from the three collapsed guards he had fought. Breathing hard.

Violet was white. Her expression- stunned. Was that the first time she had killed a person? Theo couldn't know, he's never killed anyone himself.

Rose sighed as she walked over and began tying the guards hands together.

"Maybe we can find a place in the gulag for them."

---

In the end, they returned to the guild. Rose captured the guards who had fought the Basket Spiders. Some of whom had actually died. Which, Theo felt partly responsible for. But they had chased him! It's true, they had somewhat of a valid reason to... But they didn't have the full story. It was all so fucked up to him.

Unfair is what it was.

No one here was guilty, and yet there was bloodshed.

The guards were led in a type of chain-gang back to their guild with them- they couldn't be allowed to broadcast their location after all.

Violet didn't say a word since killing commander Roa. And Theo tried to, a bit. To cheer her up.

"Hey.. Uhm... Goodjob? Shit- sorry that's probably not the thing to say... H-how are you doing?" he had asked.

And she ignored him.

They both had leveled up in the end, which was Roses goal. To power level them.

Theo was now a level 9 [Doppleganger] with two new skills and some bonus stats. He had shed Roses form and was now his typical saurian self.

---

Violet was now a level 37 [Thief] with [Thieves Gambit]. A skill that predicted a persons actions. People had a hard time evaluating her levels because that was one of a [Thief]s advantages. Like classes like it, it was difficult to ascertain battle strength. It wasn't a fighting class, not really. She had some dagger abilities, for throwing and stabbing. But mostly, her skills dealt with people.

In a much more outward way than Theos. He changed into them, while she manipulated them. All to make her job easier.

Perhaps she did have more in common with monsters than people. Her class wasn't designed to create, it was designed to take. And it saved her that day. Or did it? Rose acted as if she wouldn't of intervened, but if Theo and her both refused to fight- she would've had to just capture the commander and no one would have died.

His death was her fault. He had tortured her, but that's what guard commanders do. They chase criminals. She had no idea what to do. Who to be. Or what to feel. She just felt empty. She survived.

It was a bitter sweet thing- and they were stronger now... Their pursuers were dealt with.

Rose showed them where the new recruits slept before taking the guards to the 'gulag'. It was a barracks with many closet sized rooms.

Rose... It was safe to say- Violet didn't like Rose. Beneath her cheery attitude, there was a darkness. She saw it first in Theos eyes that night. And then again when she told them to continue fighting.

She slinked into the small room, running a wash cloth down her face numbly.

---

Theo didn't go to bed. He went and found his grandmother. She was sitting on the porch of the largest building. Smoking a pipe of some kind of tobacco... Probably.

She looked at him knowingly as he approached.

He plopped in a seat across from her, and wiped at his eyes.

She offered him the pipe, which he took and begrudgingly took a drag from. He coughed a bit, and handed it back.

There were few lights that functioned as street lights in the guilds 'village' of sorts. Fireflies flew around listlessly. Theo could hear the croaking of frogs and the occasional chirp of a cricket.

They sat there in silence. It wasn't an awkward silence or a content silence, it just was. And it wasn't the first time the two sat together like this. Without words. They needed none in moments like these.

Theo was just considering things. And her presence made it easier.