“Huh?”

  Skylar blinked as she locked her eyes on the castle ahead.

  She had found a nice hill, well. As nice as it could be considering the burning village behind her, it was still a nice hill!

  …As for what made her utter the word.

  The castle’s barrier had a crack.

  A single crack.

  A large one running straight up the middle of it, Skylar furrowed her brow.

  “...Did I do that?” She mused aloud, it wasn’t a totally unreasonable conclusion, but she also didn’t have a lot to go off, she had only just now noticed the crack after all.

  And the castle was still far off in the distance.

  Couple that with the fact that Skylar herself wasn’t sure when the crack appeared and she couldn’t draw any conclusion.

  So instead she sighed looking to her right, there was a large tree there she looked to it as she set her hands on her side frowning, “Logic dictates that I should head back and meet up with Striga as soon as I can but…” that crack.

  It was a problem.

  She furrowed her brow as she racked her brain for solutions.

  As she did, she heard a voice from behind her, “What’s on your mind?” it was Vita, Skylar looked over her shoulder keeping her frown as she tore her gaze away to look back at the castle.

  “There’s one more village further ahead isn’t there? I’m worried that if we try to reconvene with Striga that village might be attacked…” Skylar explained, “It’s a slim chance, but I don’t even know what caused that large crack, and if it was me. And if Lust is aware of that information… Then it’s likely that she’ll just try to send a large force after me.”

  Vita let out a hum at that, “And you're worried that if we backtrack now… then the force in question will just move onto the next village is that right?”

  Skylar nodded slowly, “Yeah.”

  “...But we also have that kid to look after.” Vita pointed out with a frown.

  Skylar frowned, her gaze narrowing, “If it’s just me she won’t go alone, but she’ll move with you…”

  Vita paused at that, “So you want me to take her there then?”

  “No.” Skylar instantly shot the idea down, “Splitting up at this point would only make things worse… But we are also on a tough time limit… as such.” Skylar folded his arms looking over to Vita, “That shadow clone thing? Can you make another?”

  In response to that question, Vita shook his head, “Only one can be active at any time, and that other one has yet to even reach its destination. If nothing else I can see what it sees. And relay orders from any place in the world.” as Vita explained this Skylar folded her arms looking back down to the small village.

  Skylar then closed her eyes, “I’m not able to make one myself yet… Or at least I’ve tried already… no go.”

  “No surprise there. It’s something that most Dark Knights take years to master, and the same could be said for most of our skills… you’re growing at an unnatural rate to be frank.” Vita stated folding his arms.

  Skylar chuckled a little at that, “I’ll take that to mean it’s a good thing?” she asked, looking over to him.

  Vita unfolded his arms turning away, “Whatever you choose to do you should make the choice soon… The longer we stay idle the worse things can become.”

  Skylar frowned as Vita started to walk away, she wanted to check on the final area along her path, she really did, but she couldn’t bring Shiva there in good faith that she’d be safe.

  So at last Skylar closed her eyes and swallowed her pride, turning around she began to walk towards the duo.

  Ready to head tword’s Striga’s destination.

  She held up her hand near her face, first a gust of wind, then a fireball appeared, a small shard of ice, no lighting…

  “...So that’s how it works then.” She muttered, narrowing her eyes, she wasn’t positive but those Phoenix tails of her’s seemed to be at least some sort of evolved version of her Overdrive ability. Nice and all, but it still required her to burn through a magic element.

  What a pain.

  Chapter 12: Sinless Souls

  “GAH!” A man shouted as he was hoisted up to the stone ceiling above via a set of chains, “B-Bastard! You won’t get away with this!” The man declared as he went higher and higher.

  Draco looked up to the man letting out a hum as he turned around and walked back into the tent behind him, “They’re quite resilient and feisty besides, if nothing else you’ve culminated a force that deeply cares for you. You should be proud.”

  On the ground Shina grits her teeth, her body is wrapped in chains, and she has already tried to break them.

  But they were simply too strong for her, Draco’s earth magic was on a completely different level, despite this fact however she glared up at him, “Fuck you.” she hissed out the words trying her best to maintain even a semblance of control over the situation before her.

  Draco made no mention of this simply walking behind the counter he started to brew himself another cup of coffee, “Hm, their blood is on your hands either way. You simply need to relinquish control of this place back to me, and all of this… unpleasantness will be over.”

  His eyes were empty as he said this, he felt nothing about this whole situation unfolding around him.

  Shina grits her teeth glaring toward Draco, “Drop dead. I’m not giving this place back to you.”

  “But you will.” Draco countered looking over his shoulder, “If it’s now it’s easier for everyone, but I can certainly wait till you pass out.”

  That was the problem with Earth magic.

  Once someone has laid claim to the land with their magic, the only way to obtain that land back is if the current owner consents.

  Or if the flow of mana ceased.

  So here Draco was biding his time, waiting to obtain control of his land once more.

  His cup of coffee finished brewing and he grabbed it with a smirk on his face as he moved to a nearby table, “The value of your lives is nothing in comparison to what I’ve got planned.” he said with a smirk slamming his boots up on the table as he made himself comfortable, Shina kept her glare, “Your plans are irrelevant, given time Skylar will be back here soon. And when she returns she’ll defeat you. I bet you don’t even know what she’s doing do you?”

  “Of course, I know what she’s doing, she’s my creation after all… I watch Shadewalker closely every second.” Draco said effortlessly, putting his cup up to his mouth and he took a sip of that bitter liquid.

  Shina blink at that, “What…?”

  Draco set his cup down, turning to look over his shoulder, “Hm? What, you don’t really think I’d let her go like that if I didn’t have some personal interest do you?” he chuckled spinning in his chair leaning forward towards the chained up Shina, “This is a wonderful game, the cast before us… the broken girl, the shattered girl, and the villain all stands… A perfect stage for the largest tragedy this world has ever seen…”

  Shina growled, “What… What are you planning?! I thought you were a good man! It was you wasn’t it, you were the one who tried to save others from The King!” She had heard this information from Julieta herself and now she used it to confront Draco.

  Draco paused his eyes shining with no remorse more so seeming annoyed that Shina would even try to refute him, “Ah that…” he smirked standing up and walking forward with a certain swagger with his step came, “I moved against his majesty because he saw life as nothing but a useless speck. But the fire that burns within life itself, the flame of a soul… has so many more uses than he yet understands.”

  It was then that a horrific realization dawned upon Shina’s face, Draco… She knew nothing about the man before her, her eyes trembling and concern etched upon her brow. She opened her mouth and asked her last question, “What… are you planning?”

  Draco kneeled forward locking eyes with Shina for a moment, before a wicked smile began to form on his face, he spoke his plans with no hesitation nothing but pure malice in his tone, “A Revolution.”

  ***

  Julieta let out a hum as she downed her cup of coffee, “It’s been about… 3 days now hasn’t it?” She let out a hum setting her cup down.

  She reached out to a set of papers on her desk looking them over, she then let out a low sigh, “We’ll have to start rationing supplies soon… I’ve been spoiling them a bit too much.” She frowned at those papers. It held a total number of supplies, food, water, and other amenities all listed upon it.. Old numbers were crossed out and replaced with new ones, the biggest concern was… “Water.” Julieta groaned, putting a hand to her head, “How did this even happen?”

  She stood from her chair setting the paper down.

  Somebody made a miscalculation about how much water they even had, and because of that they were running dangerously low.

  If it was just food this would be a whole different matter, but water? They wouldn’t last long without it.

  …

  They might have to go inland, but what if Skylar or Striga arrived at that time?

  What a mess.

  She walked up to her wardrobe slipping out of her nightgown, and into a more casual outfit.

  “...Tetra, what would you do?” Julieta wondered aloud looking at her desk, “He’d have this all figured out by now I’m sure of it…” She then blinked, shaking herself out of those thoughts.

  It wouldn’t do to think like that now, she had a problem and she had to resolve it.

  Just as she had started to think, however, a knock came at her door, causing her to flinch, though when she realized what that sound was she sighed and replied, “Who is it?”

  A male’s voice called out, “Um, Miss Julieta, mistress Skylar has returned and she wishes to speak with you outside.”

  Julieta blinked at that, “...Shit.” she muttered realizing what Skylar’s return entails. She then let out a sigh and walked to the door, this wasn’t going to be a fun conversation.

  Meanwhile…

  Skylar walked up to the front of the airship with a yawn stretching as she did so, she looked over her shoulder to Vita, “You two start to go ahead without me, I’ve got to make a quick stop here to check in with my crew.” She declared with a smirk lowering her arms.

  Vita asked her, “Are you certain you don’t wish for us to come with you?”

  Skylar instantly waved them off, “Heh, no. I’d rather not explain why I have both a Dark Knight and a child following me.”

  Shiva’s brow furrowed and she hissed, “I’m almost 14!”

  Skylar blinked at that look looking over her shoulder, “...How many months till you turn 14?”

  “Two!” Shiva instantly responded.

  To this Skylar’s eyes nearly bulged out of her skull as she turned back to the airship, a bead of sweat on the side of her face, “Holy shit she’s older than me.” Somehow this revelation was one of the most devastating things Skylar had heard.

  “Right well… Whatever! Point is, you both stay here for the moment and I’ll head up there!” She declared, without waiting for a response, she leaped up using her wind magic to land on the bow of the airship.

  Julieta was already walking out of the cabins with a frown on her face, “Back so soon?” Julieta questioned.

  Skylar pointed an accusatory finger forward, “You tried to get rid of me.”

  Julieta glanced at the people working on the ship and started to walk toward Skylar as she motioned for them to leave.

  “It was Striga’s plan, not mine.” Julieta instantly retorted.

  “But you didn’t interject, you were fine leaving me elsewhere in this place.” Skylar retorted with a scowl.

  “It was to protect yo-”

  “A lot of good that did! I died out there!” Skylar shouted, slamming her boot onto the wood.

  “You what…?” Julieta blinked trying to process Skylar’s words, it was an absurd statement, but it was enough to catch Juleita off guard.

  Skylar then sighed, running a hand through her hair, “Yeah… I’m fine, Overdrive has its perks…” Skylar stated as she glanced to the side, “Well as fine as I can be anyways…” She then looked ahead locking eyes with Julieta, “...Look the situation here is a lot worse than we thought. It’s not a war. It’s a fucking slaughter, the first village I came across was already destroyed, The Dark Knight’s Village is done for as well, each one of them was hanged…” Skylar explained, “What’s more there are some tough bastards in Lust’s army. I was barely even a match for one of them… granted that was mostly due to me being caught off guard but the point still stands.” She then took a deep breath.

  Julieta folded her arms, “...So then, why is it you’re here? Instead of making a rush for Striga’s location.”

  Skylar glanced to the side before speaking up once more, “I want you to take everyone here and leave, on top of everything I’ve seen I’m worried about what will happen if you all stay here too long.”

  “That’s not happening.” Julieta shot the idea down, “We’re your evac, without us, you're not leaving this place and I won’t leave you all for dead.” She growled.

  In response to this Skylar frowned, “And I’m asking you to leave anyways, this shit has gone so far south we may as well already be sinking.” Skylar retorted, “To be blunt, I’m not expecting to come back alive after this… Once I find Striga, I’m going to storm Lust’s castle.”

  Julieta paused at that her frown deepened, “Are you stupid?! A plan like that can only go wrong, it’s reckless! No even beyond reckless, so far beyond that your stupidity fails to even fall into words!” she shouts, throwing a hand to the side.

  Skylar smiled softly glancing to the side, “Maybe so. But the truth of the matter is I don’t have any better plans, I can’t just ask people to help me because of Lust’s powers… I may very well end up having to fight them. And I don’t want that.” She then locked eyes with Skylar, “But if you do want to try and stop me. I’m willing to prove I can do this.”

  Skylar made this declaration with a spark in her gaze, the fire that was born within her eyes when she fought Genbu was still alight and ready to burn brighter still.

  Julieta then frowned, “Are you certain you wish to do this? The path ahead will not be an easy one, and you’d be throwing away any chance of a childhood you may have had.” Julieta explained.

  Skylar nodded, “I’m sure.” her hands clenched into fists.

  The wind blew for a moment and Julieta let out a sigh, reaching up to her blade Skylar did the same, “If I knock you down, I win. If you get your blade to my neck then victory is yours.” Julieta explained her eyes narrowing.

  She wasn’t quite sure what possessed her to offer such a challenge, pride. Negligence? Maybe fear… whatever the case it was too late to back down now.

  Skylar unsheathed her segmented blade taking in a breath, “Fine by me.” she declared with a smirk.

  With that, the duo blasted forward towards each other ready to clash.

  They drew their blades at the same instant, Julieta was the first to slash forward only for Skylar to leap over Julieta, her eyes shining emerald as she did so.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Julieta took note of this, twisting her body around and throwing her left hand forward, sending a ball of fire toward Skylar’s now exposed back.

  Skylar however gripped her blade with both hands and with a gust of wind from her feet, curled into a ball spinning through the air cutting through the ball of flame.

  She landed on the ground and slashed at Julieta aiming for her neck.

  Julieta twisted her neck letting the sword that Skylar held fly over her head she then raised her leg slamming her boot into Skylar’s gut with enough force to send her flying backward toward the cabin door.

  Skylar winced as she flew through the air, she spun using the wind to her advantage, her boots slammed into the door and she took in a breath.

  “I… I…” She had heard it once before, a name that a soldier referred to her as, she wasn’t sure when it had become her nickname…

  But it was her’s regardless, the one that warriors knew her as.

  The Fairy Of Blood.

  Julieta blinked watching as the wind began to blow harder, “...This is… Tier 6?” she muttered entering a defensive stance.

  She knew this trick well, it was one that Tetra had long since mastered… So why was Skylar using it?

  Did she think that would be enough to win?

  “I’ll carry on his legacy.” Skylar spat before blasting forward her segmented blade shattering.

  She then reached up with her left hand gripping the Dark Knight’s greatsword as she flew forward.

  In an instant a tornado surrounded Julieta, and she stared forward at it.

  Holding her blade with her right hand, she ran her left hand across it covering that blade with flames, the first shard shot out from the left, and Julieta swung her blade knocking the shard to the ground.

  Two more from behind.

  And Julieta responded by slashing them the same way.

  The next came from above and Julieta responded by sidestepping it

  She knew where the last one would come from so she reached out to her left and snatched the shard from the air, throwing it to the ground.

  It was all going as she knew it would. The flames dissipated from her blade and she turned around, slashing fully horizontally, only for her eyes to narrow as nothing was behind her.

  “What…?” her eyes widened as she felt an extra weight on her blade, and there was something else, pressed up to her neck.

  “Got you,” Skylar said confidently as she knelt down, her boot on Julieta’s blade and a smirk on her face as the tornado vanished.

  Julieta blinked at that as Skylar lowered her blade sheathing it before leaping off of Julieta’s blade.

  She then slashed upward with the hilt of her segmented blade calling the shards back to her with a single gust sheathing that sword as well.

  Julieta however just remained there for a moment, her blade still outstretched, “Where did you learn that one?” she asked suddenly.

  Causing Skylar to blink and turn around, “Hm?” She arched her brow quizzically, before smiling sheepishly, “Er, I kinda just made it up as I went along…” she confessed this as her cheeks flushed pink.

  Julieta could only stare forward dumbfounded, “A Tier Six spell… and you just came up with it, on the fly? Almost mirroring Tetra’s movements bit for bit…” She muttered to herself lowering her blade with a huff, “I give up, I suppose there is nothing I can do to stop you from proceeding.”

  Skylar paused looking over to Julieta, “I’ll be careful.” She said this attempting to comfort Julieta, “It’s not just my life on the line here after all.” Skylar declared as she walked up to Julieta.

  Julieta hummed at that, “I have a request however.”

  Skylar blinked at that, putting a hand on her hip, “If it’s for me to stay in the cabins the answer is no.”

  Julieta shook her head, “No of course not… Our water supply is running low, all I need from you is to go out and search for a set of fresh water for us to use.”

  Skylar blinked at that, before letting out a hum, “You still got the empty barrels?”

  Julieta turned toward the cabin, “Oi! If you're done staring then get those empty barrel’s up here.”

  Sure enough, the staff were bunched up by the cabin door, they had all been spectating the brawl, half of them panicked and scrambled downstairs while the rest of them ran off to their posts. Three of them brought the barrels up, three barrels in total.

  Skylar looked at them and closed her eyes, when she reopened her eyes they were azure, she held out her hands and summoned a torrent of ice to fill up those barrels, “Alright that’s step one… Now then Julieta if you wouldn’t mind melting the ice?”

  Julieta blinked at that, “New trick eh? Why don’t you melt it.”

  “Are you kidding me? Swapping magic already puts enough of a strain on me as is… If I swap to another element after already doing a swap… I get a really bad headache.” Skylar explained as she winced just imagining the pain.

  Julieta then sighed walking up to the ice and started to melt it with her flames, “Skylar. There’s one other thing you should know.”

  Skylar had already turned around at this point but she stopped to look over her shoulder, “And that is?”

  “Lust. Her magic is already obscenely powerful, but it bears a resemblance to the type of magic used on The Kingdom that day.” Julieta explained, “Do not let your guard down, no matter how many elements you have. You need to be smart.”

  Skylar paused at that taking those words into account before turning away and walking off, “I’ll keep your advice in mind.”

  With that Skylar leaped off the airship landing back on the island, she thrust her hands into the pockets of her jacket and started to walk toward her next destination.

  ***

  Seiryu sat upon the altar of the church looking up to the cross that sat upon the back window, “...It’s fascinating is it not?” he asked suddenly, “You humans are so fascinated with the past, it exists like shackles reaching out to wrap around you and choke the life from your souls…” He spoke with a small smirk, “It’s the largest reason why you people will never be able to defeat the Gods. You're so stuck in your own heads that you can’t even fathom the world around you.”

  Yang stood there in the middle of the hall with dead eyes and a frown, Suzaku sat in one of the many seemingly disinterested in the words that Seiryu spoke, instead, she looked to the large column chairs, “They hell do they even call these things? They seem too large to simply be called ‘chairs’ There has got to be another name for them right?”

  Seriyu paused, turning his gaze back to Suzuku before smirking a little, he envied her carefree nature.

  But for the moment it was a hindrance, “...Don’t you have something else you should be focusing on?” he asked this question with a glare.

  Suzaku turned her gaze back to Seriyu, “If you're referring to The Shadewalker, don’t worry. I’ll make my move when the time is right, you should make yours first though.” she declared this without hesitation leaning back on one of those chairs in question, “You and the others thrive on big moments, I thrive in the background worming my way into others lives. It worked on that sack of flesh over there.” She extended her thumb and lazily pointed to Yang, “I mean come on, one present, a kiss on the lips and he was wrapped around my finger… I dunno if he expected we’d end up fucking or something but he’s a lonely piece of shit.”

  Seriyu sighed walking down the steps of the chapel, “Regardless we both have preparations to be made, for when the Shadewalker arrives she will not be leaving this city alive.”

  Suzaku said nothing to that watching as Seriyu walked off into a nearby door she knew where that door went, down into the basement of this place.

  She turned her gaze to Yang and arched her brow, “...Hm, shame it turned out this way, you didn’t seem like too bad of a guy.” she then leaped up from her chair walking up to him with long exaggerated steps, and her hands behind her back, “Not a half bad kisser either…”

  She then reached up and brushed a lock of hair from Yang’s face, “But there’s the problem, you're obedient but almost too obedient…” her eyes narrowed a frown plastered on her face, “It’s kinda creepy.”

  She then smiled walking past him toward the exit, “Oh well, I’m gonna find some other men to bed for the night, you just proceed through your normal routine Mr. Good kisser.” Suzaku chirped without missing a beat and she left Yang alone.

  He stood there motionless for a second or two before his hand twitched almost curling up into a fist.

  ***

  Skylar let out a yawn as she continued her walk, she paused as she saw the walls of the city in the distance, “...That’s the place?” she folded her arms and reached into her pocket pulling out her fake ID.

  It still had a picture of her with silver hair, “...That won’t do.” she muttered to herself narrowing her gaze, “My best bet would be to sneak into the place.” she concluded as she stared forward, “Problem is how do I go about that?”

  She was sure that Vita and Shiva had no issue getting in already.

  “You’re late.” A voice called out causing Skylar to turn her gaze toward it arching a brow, “Vita? I thought you would have been inside by now.”

  He let out a hum, “Don’t have an ID, I sent the girl in already but we’re going to have to be more creative. Do you have any ideas?”

  Skylar blinked, turning her gaze to the walls, “I did until you came to me… I was going to fly over the walls with wind magic, but now I’ve got to account for you as well… This could be a problem.”

  Vita blinked at that, “And we’d need something silent to help us with sneaking through huh…” They stood there for a moment.

  “Ah to hell with this.” Skylar started to walk forward, “We’re trying the front gate worst comes to worst I’ll figure something out.”

  Vita blinked, surprised by Skylar’s sudden movement, “Didn’t I just tell you to think things through more?!” he shouted as Skylar looked over her shoulder with a wink.

  “You did and I’ve elected to ignore that advice in this instance.” she declared turning back around and walking forward with a chuckle.

  In response to this Vita grit his teeth beneath his helmet, clenching his hands into fists.

  Before walking forward wordlessly, not uttering another word to Skylar for the moment.

  Yin stood at the gate with a frown on his face looking at the gate in question, “Where is he…?” he muttered to himself, after all his brother was missing, he had been since the day before.

  Before his ear twitched he heard the sound of Skylar approaching and turned his gaze toward her, “Hello there traveler, so what brings you here? …I don’t often see people around here, even less around these times.” Yin said with a small smirk.

  Skylar tilted her head to the side as she looked to Yin, “I’m here to learn about the island of Babylon and its people at least to the best of my abilities.” Skylar lied looking at the walls. “I’ve already explored a good portion of the other side of this island and it was there that I encountered this man, my bodyguard.”

  Skylar pointed over her shoulder as Vita approached, Yin blinked at that, “A Dark Knight? …Don’t see many of those anymore.”

  “You can thank Lust for that one, she tore the majority of our order apart.” Vita explained, “It’s for that reason that I’m accompanying this girl, to both obtain revenge for my kinsmen and to bring more members into our order.” so he said, folding his arms.

  Yin then let out a hum, “So you say, but we’ve had some unfortunate incidents, and for entry into our city you’ll need an ID.”

  Skylar then reached into her pocket, of course of course, “Ah… it would seem I’ve left my ID elsewhere…” Skylar said, putting on a sheepish smile as she pulled her hand out of her pocket.

  Yin kept his hand on his spear, “Then I’ll have to ask you to leave, no ID no entry. No exceptions.”

  Skylar let out a false sigh, “Are you certain there is no other way for me to enter? I’d hate to leave this business unfinished.” she explained.

  Yin arched a brow at that, “Your what… 12? 13? Young… too young, even when accompanied by a Dark Knight.”

  Skylar paused looking at Yin, “If you must know I’m 13. But I’m then capable on my own.” she declared, folding her arms, “Any job that an adult can do, I can do it myself.”

  Yin paused at those words, taking a moment to look Skylar up and down trying to decide on what to do.

  But before he could open his mouth to speak, a voice spoke up from behind, “What seems to be the matter brother?” Yang questioned opening up the gate and walking through it.

  Yin blinked, turning to his brother, “Where have you been-” he paused upon seeing Yang’s new spear Yin arched a brow, “On second thought, where the hell did you get that?”

  “That’s of little importance.” Yang responded simply before looking at Skylar, “So what do we have here?”

  Yin tilted his head slightly before looking back to Skylar himself, “Some brat trying to obtain entry into the city has no ID though.”

  Yang turned his gaze to Vita, “That man… he’s a Dark Knight isn’t he?” he asked the question with a furrowed brow.

  In response to this Vita looked over to Yang, “I am. However, if you're asking for an ID. I’m afraid I don’t have one to give to you.”

  There was silence for a moment, Skylar looked over to Yang furrowing her brow as she examined him.

  There was something… wrong about him.

  She couldn’t put her finger on what it was, however…

  “An ID shouldn’t be necessary in your case, simply demonstrate your abilities and we shall allow you entry…” Yang declared.

  Yin blinked, sighing at that, “He also has an ‘ok’ from a girl earlier Shiva was her name, I had a townsfolk escort her to the infirmary to see if they would have any luck finding her mother.”

  Vita reached up unsheathing his blade and putting it on the ground the shadows bubbled and lifted a bit before connecting to his blade, “Is this good enough for you?”

  Yin paused at that looking over to Yang before sighing, “Yes, I suppose that’s good enough at the very least do try not to cause any problems.”

  Skylar smiled at that, “Look at that your authority alone got us entry.”

  “Make no mistake, the Dark Knight is allowed entry, not you girl,” Yin stated with a glare.

  Skylar blinked at that staring forward surprised, “Wha- but I’m his apprentice surely that must count for something!”

  Vita sheathed his blade letting the shadows drop back to the ground, “Aye that she is, Valery is one of my best up-and-coming apprentices.”

  Skylar blinked at that, “Valery?” She wasn’t confused by the name, it was her go-to fake name at this point… but how did Vita know that? She never once uttered that name to him…

  Yang locked his gaze on Skylar frowning for a moment, “...She looks rather weak to be your apprentice.” he said with an arched brow.

  Vita responded to this by looking right at Yang, “Her stature is unimpressive yes. But in combat, she’d gut and flay you like a fish with no issue.”

  “Unimpressive?!” Skylar pouts glaring up at Vita.

  Yang let out a hum at that stepping forward, “Then I suppose you wouldn’t be opposed to a duel girl?”

  Skylar blinked at that, turning his gaze to Yang, “Eh? A duel? …you sure about that?”

  “H-Hey now Yang, wait just a second.” Yin held out his arm trying to stop his brother.

  “What’s the problem Yin? This should be more than suitable to see if her claims match up… A single strike, you can block it however you wish. If you can take it without being knocked flat on your ass then we’ll take your statement to be true.” Yang declared, gripping his spear tightly as he pointed it forward.

  Skylar stared forward at the sight before her, she then reached up, grabbed the Greatsword gifted to her, unsheathed the blade slowly, and ran her hand along it coating it in shadows, “So just one blow? I can do that.” Skylar declared with a wry smirk.

  Yang smirked a little at that, “Confident are we girl?” He asked as he bent his knees getting into a stance, “I wonder how quickly that confidence will shatter.”

  Skylar smiled at that, stepping forward, “Your move then.”

  She declared this, holding her blade out to the side of her, Yang blinked at this arching a brow after all Skylar did not take up any sword of defensive stance.

  But he cared little; he gripped his spear tightly as Vita stepped away from Skylar, Yin watched with a mote of concern on his face.

  And then, Yang shot forward, thrusting his spear toward Skylar without remorse.

  At the last possible moment, Skylar slashed up with her blade with enough force to knock the spear out of Yang’s hand and send a shockwave spiraling out from their clash across the entire city.

  This caused Yin’s eyes to widen in surprise as his brother’s spear was sent flying into the air.

  ***

  Suzaku smiled as another guest left her establishment, as soon as the door closed however that smile dropped into a low frown, “This whole game is starting to become rather dull…” she muttered to herself, “I mean come on, I have this whole set up and our opponent is still taking forever!”

  She groaned, walking up to the counter and running her hand along it, “What must I do to expedite the process… Hmm, perhaps I could take one of the locals and bring an end to a few lives. That seems like the thing a hero would rush to solv-”

  She was cut off by a feeling of raw power rushing over her, not her own.

  No.

  The power of a warrior clashing with another.

  Suzaku stood there for a moment, her mouth agape and her eyes wide, before her shock turned into a wide smile and a wicked grin, “Hey now are you for real…?” she chuckled despite her trembling form, “I knew we were dealing with someone strong, but that strong? That’s absurd, no. Not absurd, it's impossible. What the hell even is the Shadewalker…?”

  ***

  Walking through the streets was Wrath, his gaze fixed on the architecture of the church before him, “Such an elegant design for a place so full of sin.” He declared as he straightened out his outfit.

  “Wrath!” A voice called out from behind causing him to stop, he looked over his shoulder and there Pride was, her breathing was ragged and she was currently leaning over her knees as though she had sprinted here.

  “What are you doing here, Pride?” Wrath spoke the question as shadows covered his eyes.

  “What… Am I doing…?” She took in a breath and stood up locking eyes with Wrath, “What the hell are YOU doing!? Have you lost your mind?!” she shouted throwing a hand forward, “Going against what Origin wants is suicide! T-This is insanity!”

  Wrath kept his gaze on Pride for a moment before closing his eyes, and turning away “Origin has lost his mind, he is no leader of mine.” he declared simply.

  “Just listen to me! If you kill her then… Wrath… you’ll.”

  “Die.” Wrath finished the sentence with a smirk, “I’m more than aware of what would occur in that outcome… but I’m more than willing to pay that price if it is for my family.”

  Pride grit her teeth clenching her right hand into a fist, “If… If you try to go through with this plan, then… Then I will stop you!” Pride shouted, stepping forward.

  Wrath said nothing to this, simply turning around as the shockwave of Skylar and Yang’s clash washed over him.

  “Then come dear sister… let us see what you have to offer.” Wrath held out his right hand and summoned forth a blade.

  Pride grit her teeth summoning her own sword letting out a cry as she charges forward.

  Determined to set Wrath back on the path of life.

  ***

  A spear stabbed into the dirt behind Skylar and she took in a breath standing up tall sheathing her blade, her eyes shining crimson, “I’ll only say this once.” She declared, taking a step forward.

  “I’m here for a friend. That is the truth of the matter if I find her. I shall be off without another word.” She glared at Yang, “But if you stand in my way. If you could have helped me find her, and didn’t there are no walls. No person. And no god alive that will keep you all safe from me.”

  Yang stared forward at Skylar and opened his mouth, speaking at last, “Who are you?”

  Skylar looked to the dirt for a moment before walking past him, “An Executioner.” She spoke the title she had discarded, claiming it as her’s once more.

  Yin kept his gaze on his brother watching as Yang went to reclaim his weapon before speaking up to Skylar.

  “...Then we shall allow you entry into the city as promised, under the condition that you surrender your weapons. We’ve already allowed one of the previous travelers in with her weapon and there is great unease within our walls right now.” Yin explained.

  Skylar paused when looking at Yin, she wasn’t fond of the idea of separating with her blades, but she sighed removing her weapons and setting both blades along the wall, “I trust they’ll be kept safe?” she asked this with a glare.

  Yin nodded, “Of course, if nothing else we’re good at keeping things safe.” Yin declared with a smile.

  Skylar let out a hum at that, “I sure hope so.”

  With that she turned and walked up to the gate, staring up at it before taking in a breath and pushing it open.

  Vita unfolded his arms looking at Yang with narrowed eyes, “...Chains don’t carry you higher, they only serve to ensure you remain tethered to the spot.” With those words, he walked past Yang.

  Offering no other words to him, instead walking through the gate behind Skylar.

  Yang remained in his place, mouth slightly agape as he tried to process the events that had just occurred around him.

  He then looked at the spear stabbed into the ground ahead of him and growled, walking forward and wrapping his hand around it.

  Taking hold of his chains once more.