(The Night Before.)

  “I beg your pardon?” Yin spoke as he was sitting on a chair in this small bedroom Skylar was lying on the bed with a smirk, “You intend to train up a small contingent to battle against a threat like that? Are you a fool?”

  “People have been asking me that question a lot as of late you know…” Skylar muttered sitting up, “But ultimately this is the only way I see this working out. If they can’t beat me, they’ve got no chance of surviving. So I’ll bench em, but if they can land even one good blow then they have a shot. At least until I can get to them.”

  “...Well Valery… You seem pretty confident in yourself.” Yin muttered.

  “Oh, you don’t have to call me that, I’m going to make it known tomorrow anyway. So you can just call me Skylar.” Skylar declared getting up from the bed and cracking her neck as she looked at her hair through a nearby mirror running her hand through it, a magical glow overtook her hand.

  And Skylar’s hair returned to its shade of white, “Hm, that easy huh? The one using the dye just has to ‘order’ it to come out… fancy trick.” Skylar then blinked, noticing Yin’s shocked expression in the mirror, “What?” She turned around with a smirk sticking her tongue out, “Surprised?”

  “Your… an enemy of Lust… and a large one at that! If she finds out you're here, our whole village will be!” Yin grits his teeth and quickly reaches for his spear.

  “Destroyed?” Skylar spoke, turning to him with a smirk, “I doubt that, I’ve been to the far side of the island. If Lust wanted your village destroyed she would have done it already. So that begs the question… why hasn’t she?”

  Yin paused at Skylar’s question, “...I dunno maybe because she’s a psychotic woman?”

  Skylar chuckled at that, “Nah, she’s not that far gone. Nobody that far gone could ever lead people this far into a war.” Skylar then walked over to the nearby window and pushed it open, “That said… there seems to be a whole lack of soldiers across this island. She just launched one attack and pulled them all back into the castle…” Skylar muttered her ideas with a frown.

  She then closed her eyes, “She’s terrifying. I haven’t met her face to face and I’m already scared…”

  Yin kept his gaze on Skylar unsure of what to do, he then spoke up in a shaky breath, “What is it you need me to do…?”

  Skylar kept her gaze on the city for only a moment before spinning around to lock her eyes with Yin, “Leave the gate to me tomorrow. You can take a day off.”

  In response to that Yin frowned, “...You want me to leave the gate unguarded?”

  “I want you to leave it to me. And while you're at it, go ahead and tell whoever’s in charge at that church that Skylar Shadewalker has made herself known at the gate.” Skylar chuckled as she leaned on the window seal, “My declaration at the gate wasn’t just for show you know? Lust is a God, and I’m here to Execute her, but I need to find Striga and ensure she’s safe first.”

  Yin glanced to the side as a thought entered his head, he opened his mouth to speak pausing for a second before asking, “And if she’s not safe?”

  Skylar remained silent at that question before pushing away from the window and walking over to her bed, “Then I’ll bring that whole castle down in a sea of blood.”

  ***

  Skylar let out a hum as she walked onto the fields outside the gate, “Let’s see here…” She lifted her right hand, her eyes shining azure as a shard of ice shot up into the air, “Huh, that’s pretty malleable… how high can I make it go?” she questioned as she threw her hand to the right, sending another spire up higher and higher, “...Okay that’s enough.” She stopped looking up at the spire of ice that was now standing tall about… 12 meters just one meter shorter than the wall itself. “...Hm, I might have given myself away with that one… At least to Yang.”

  She then paused with a smirk on her face, “Then again… This could make for an intimidating entrance.”

  She moved forward and slammed her boot onto the ground creating a spire below her to lift her higher, “Oh yeah. This is way too good of an idea to pass up on~”

  She got into a pose, swapped to her crimson eyes, and watched as the gates open she let out a yawn and smirked as she looked down, “Oh I’m going to torment all of these fuckers.” she spoke with a devilish glint in her eyes.

  Chapter 14: Fields Ignored.

  The walls had raised and Yang stared forward locking his eyes upon Skylar, “So then. What’s your game?”

  “I already told you, Imma train you all up to be able to fight Gods.” Skylar said as she unsheathed her greatsword, it was the Dark Knight’s blade, “Of course, I’m also doing this for another reason… but we’ll get to that later.”

  Yang slowly reached for his spear.

  And Skylar spared him a glance, “Less you're concerned about me killing you. Don’t be. That’s not my goal. . . That’s why you're here Yang.”

  Yang blinked at that arching a confused brow, “I beg your pardon?”

  “I tend to lose track of things when I get into fights.” Skylar explains, “Long fights are where it’s at its worst… so if I end up going too far, then I’ll need you to let me know.”

  Skylar then lowered her sword, locking eyes with each one of her contestants, “So then let’s start simple with all of you dumbasses who want to be heroes, go ahead and come at me. Treat me like I’m the big bad gods you're all trying to fight against~”

  Milo grits his teeth and holds his pitchfork tight within his hands, he then lets out a roar charging forward.

  Yang didn’t stop the boy, he simply watched.

  The other two boys stared in fear but hoped that their ally would finish the job of course.

  Milo cried as he thrust forward with his weapon of choice, with wild abandon.

  Skylar watched the sight reaching up with her right hand and grabbing the middle prong of the pitchfork before it could make contact with her body, “. . . Let me correct a misunderstanding you seem to have.” Skylar spoke at last her voice cutting through the air, as she slashed down onto the wood of the pitchfork, cutting it in half, “The gods aren’t nice. They aren’t on your level. And they certainly won’t care about you… So why did you try that?”

  Milo paused at the question taking a step backward, before gritting his teeth and swinging what remained of his pitchfork at Skylar, only for her eyes to change into a crimson hue as she lifted her hand setting the wood ablaze without so much as a word, causing Milo to yelp and drop the worthless stick onto the ground.

  He then stared forward at Skylar, a mixture of shock and fear on his expression, Skylar lowered her free hand with a frown holding her greatsword in her right hand, “...Done yet?”

  Yang however remained rooted to the spot, looking over his shoulder, “You two. What are your names?” he questioned the duo behind him.

  The first one to speak up was a young boy around Milo’s age, he had hazel eyes and was holding a sickle. “P-Phin is my name sir…” he seemed timid but his eyes were careful looking at every move that Skylar made with precision.

  The second boy then let out a yawn looking towards the fight ongoing, “Hm? Oh Lock is mine… This is starting to seem like a lost cause huh…” he stated not seeming all into this exercise. Holding his sickle as well.

  Yang nodded slowly looking over to Skylar, “Hm. . . If that were the case why are we here?” He questioned pulling out his spear, and Lock tilted his head in confusion.

  Yang kept his gaze on Skylar, she turned to meet his gaze flashing him a taunting smile.

  In response to that smile, Yang sighed, gripping his spear, stepping forward, “I’ve only known her a short while… but something tells me we don’t have the full picture of her plan.”

  Lock tilted his head at that but shrugged, moving forward behind Yang.

  “See that?” Skylar stepped forward slapping Milo’s head with her free hand, “If you're ever gonna try and take on an opponent out of your depth. Then always do it with allies at your side.”

  Milo looked over his shoulder with a scowl on his face, watching as Skylar moved towards the approaching trio.

  Yang gripped his spear tightly, and spoke up, “Lock, Phin. I shall take her head on, whenever you see your openings. Move in and strike.” anger shined in his gaze as he moved

  Phin flinched at the idea, “E-Eh!? But if we mess up then.”

  “She’ll knock us into the dirt.” Lock finished keeping his lazy gaze on Skylar.

  Skylar stood there with Milo on the ground right behind her with a smile on her face, “Well then? If you're all done chatting it up, come at me.”

  Yang took in a breath and slowly started to approach, gripping his spear tightly.

  In a swift movement, he thrust forward, aiming for Skylar’s chest, only for her to dodge to the side, of course, it didn’t end there.

  Yang pulled back his spear as Skylar moved forward her eyes glowing azure as she slashed through the air, they met clashing in the center of this ice dome, it was in this clash that Yang spoke up, “What’s your game here?! Is this whole thing a spectacle to you!? If you don’t bring down these walls then…”

  “Eyes up here Yang.” Skylar spoke with a smirk, “All eyes should be on me right about now.” her eyes shined with confidence and Yang’s own eyes widened in surprise.

  Catching on at last to what Skylar was thinking, “You don’t mean…”

  Suzaku watched from atop the walls until a new sound came to her ears, she blinked and turned around looking back into the walls of the city with a small smirk upon her face, “Ah… of course, when the rebels find themselves in one spot you would never be able to resist. Would you?”

  Suzaku then frowned, cupping her chin, “But who in the world tipped you off…”

  Meanwhile, back within the arena of ice, Lock and Phin suddenly appeared at Skylar’s side slashing forward with their sickles Skylar smirked letting go of her blade and slamming her palms down onto the ground, sending two large ice spikes upwards, the sickles made contact with the ice but couldn’t cut through, Lock blinked at the sight, “Oh shi-”

  Before he could move away Skylar launched up slamming her fist into his chin and sending him onto the ground, wrapping her hand around the handle of that sickle and with one swift movement of her wrist compelled the ice to vanish just in time for her to slash down at Yang’s spear.

  The force of her blow was enough to send the tip of Yang’s weapon into the dirt, “I’m more than confident in my ability to take them out.”

  Yang stared forward, not bothering to remove his spear, “Then why do you even bother with us?”

  “What are you all gonna do when I’m gone?” Skylar retorted easily with a small smile.

  Before Yang had the chance to respond fully, the gates started to open and Skylar kneeled forward grabbing her blade from the ground walked forward twirling that blade expertly, “Hm, you're a new face.” She commented at the man who walked through the gate in question.

  There Qin stood a frown upon his gaze as he locked eyes with Skylar, “And you must be the Shadewalker, I heard the news of your arrival… And yet here I see you’ve already subdued most of the rebels that run amok in my city…” he stared right at Yang for a moment before turning his gaze back to Skylar, “It would seem you're more law-abiding then I first thought. The tip afforded to me from that other city guard seems to have been good as well.”

  “...” Skylar narrowed her gaze and pointed her sword forward, “Striga. You have her don’t you?”

  Qin said nothing at first before reaching into his robes and walking forward, “That girl was meddling in the affairs of God, as such she has been taken into my custody.”

  Skylar paused slowly, lowering her blade and a smile appeared upon her face, “Is that right? Well, I would very much like to see her.”

  Qin smirked, “Certainly, a trade for the rebels you’ve subdued. Seems fair enough don’t you think?”

  Skylar smiled, sheathing her blade, “Indeed it does.”

  Yang stared up in surprise, and Skylar said nothing to him, not even sparing a glance.

  Milo growled from his place on the dirt, “You… you're betraying us…?”

  “I never pledged my loyalty to you or anyone.” Skylar responded instantly, turning her gaze to Milo, “But for what it’s worth… I am sorry.”

  As she uttered those words, a total of ten soldiers moved forward.

  All carrying chains to restrain the prisoners, Qin stared forward at Skylar, “If I may… you are aware that I simply can’t allow you to proceed past this city.”

  “I don’t intend to, I just came here to retrieve my friend and leave.” Skylar responded flatly, “I’m sure even you would agree that is the best course here?”

  Qin paused at that and nodded slowly, “I see, then the trade can proceed unabated so long as you are fine with being accompanied by one of my finest.”

  “Seems fine to me,” Skylar responded with a shrug walking forward.

  The guards had finished restraining the rest and started to move into the city, Suzaku kept her watch from the top of the wall.

  A small smile on her face, “...My oh my… She’s certainly something. I’m starting to see why Lust was so excited to meet this Skylar Shadewalker…” Suzaku then sighed disappointment clear within her gaze as she leaned forward on the edge of the wall, “I wish I could see the rest of what she had planned, but it wouldn’t do to give myself away just yet… and so I pass the baton onto you Seriyu.”

  ***

  Seriyu stood within the large church staring up at the cross with a frown clear on his face, “Skylar will not fall like Striga, luring her into a deep sleep won’t be an option… as such if I want her gone, I will have to kill her.” he muttered to himself with a sigh, “An easier task when I have such leverage at my disposal.”

  He then turned his gaze to the doors ahead, and soon they opened Skylar walked in, with Qin just ahead of her.

  Alongside them were the prisoners in question.

  “...What is the meaning of this Qin?” Seriyu spoke, staring at the sight with a narrowed gaze.

  “The meaning is simple, we have struck a deal with Skylar. We return Striga to her, and she leaves our islands untouched.” Qin explained simply he then gestured to the prisoners, “She even gave us a gesture of her good faith to those rebels that have been mucking about as of late…”

  Seriyu paused at that staring down at Skylar, “Is that right.” He then took a step forward, “Take the prisoners to their chambers, I will speak with the Shadewalker alone.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Qin tilted his head to the side, arching a curious brow upwards before shrugging, “If you insist.” he then moved towards the side.

  The soldiers dragged the prisoners along, and Milo scowled looking towards Skylar, “I can’t believe that people called you a ‘hero’, your scum no better than the rest of the gods.”

  And with that, he was dragged away.

  Skylar offered a smile to the boy as he vanished through the corridors.

  She then turned her gaze towards Seriyu, “So then. What did you want to talk about?”

  “...This farce of yours is most entertaining.” Seriyu spoke at last, taking a few steps down the stairs and now standing on the same level as Skylar, “But you will not fool me, I’m more than aware of what you came here for, after all. It was you who slew Genbu was it not?”

  Skylar paused at that, dropping her smile and then putting on a grin, “Whoa, word around here travels fast doesn't it?”

  “Hardly.” Seriyu shrugged, “He is but one part of Lust’s soul, as am I when one of us parishes the rest of us can feel it.” he explained this information to Skylar with a glare.

  “Is that so… and why tell me this?” Skylar questioned reaching up to her sword, “It can’t be to your benefit.”

  “Why indeed…” Seriyu closed her eyes and tilted his head upwards, “Lust sees something in you, though I cannot see what it is. I find myself wondering.” he reached up and a shadow slithered around his arm forming into a sword, “What worth you hold in this world.”

  Skylar frowned at that question and spun around suddenly, when she did so she removed her blade from that hilt and slashed forward, clashing with Seriyu who had just appeared from Skylar’s shadow, and at this moment sparks flew, “Who gives a damn about my worth. I’m here to put an end to a monster and to save a friend.”

  “And yet you’d condemn others to suffer for this goal, does that not make you a monster in return?” Seriyu questioned with a wicked grin.

  Skylar responded with her wide smile, “That old trick worked pretty well on Qin, I do hope he’s at least decent enough to put up a good fight… otherwise he’s not ready for who’s waiting for him.”

  ***

  Down in the catacombs, Qin led the group of soldiers forward, that was… until something caught his attention.

  An unwelcome guest, standing at the far edge of this place.

  He then turned to look over his shoulder, once Qin did he saw all his soldiers dead on the ground.

  Qin then spoke, “I was under the impression that your kind was done and dusted with, and yet the sight before me proves otherwise. Dark Knight.”

  Vita took a step forward, “For a man of the cloth you seem content allying yourself with monsters… why is that?”

  Qin put his hands into his robes, stepping forward, “Do not think you have the right to judge me, you are a user of black magic. A sinner through and through.”

  “And what of it?” Vita questioned with an arched brow, “What matters isn’t the origin of our strength, it’s how we use it. And I use mine to strike down worthless whoresons like yourself.” Vita proclaimed drawing his blade, the hallway was long enough for him to swing it, if only barely.

  Qin then removed his hands from his cloak, showing that he held not one, but two long swords they were thin almost like knives, “...You cannot even see that you have been poisoned by the devil and his lies… poor deluded child allow me to free you from your suffering.”

  In response to this Vita stepped forward, and Qin did the same before they knew it they were both sprinting at one another with their blades drawn.

  Meeting in the center of this place as the prisoners watched their clash.

  ***

  (The Night Before)

  Skylar let out a slightly annoyed sigh as she bit on the edge of a pencil as she examined a map on the dinner table, “What the hell is this shit? Multi-layered bullshit is what it is.”

  She grumbled looking at the map in question, it showed many lines and buildings and the worst part was… apparently the city has an underground.

  That is also shown on the maps.

  On a separate map? No that’d be too easy and convenient, both the underground and the city itself are overlaid on top of each other.

  “WHO MAKES A MAP LIKE THIS?!?” Skylar shouted, slamming her pencil onto the table.

  Yin walked into the room then with an arched brow, he had two cups in his hands, both holding a drink of hot chocolate. “Do maps not look like this where you're from?”

  “NO!” Skylar shouted with anger in her gaze, “Where I’m from, maps have a whole legacy, a nice set of markings and clearly defined lines to show where the fuck I am! Not this whole thing of bullshit!” she then sighed leaning forward and flopping her head onto the table, “...So there’s an underground then?”

  Yin blinked at the question before nodding and walking over, setting one of the cups down beside Skylar, “There is, it was built in older times but the tunnels are well maintained even to this day, they run not just through the city but across the whole island.”

  Skylar paused at that lifting her head, “Is that right? …Must be the tunnels Striga tried to send her forces through, entering the castle that way is a no-go… otherwise Lust wouldn’t even be an issue by now.”

  Yingthen frowned, “Sorry but I’m still a little unclear on the plan here, you wanted me to tell Qin about your arrival at the gate tomorrow I got that much, but why?”

  Skylar looked up from the map and smirked, “Training up those rebels is a fine plan and all, but there’s a problem with it. Time. I simply don’t have the time, I mean come on 24 hours is hardly enough time to teach a brat like me to swing a sword. Not to mention, I’m hardly a good teacher as is.” Skylar then grabbed the pencil and started to draw along the map, “So instead, I’ll be using them to get on… Qin was it?” Skylar looked up from the map for a moment, locking her gaze on Yin, “Meh whatever, I’ll be getting on his good side to get the information I need. After that, I’ll try and meet up with Seriyu. And take him down.”

  Yin narrowed his gaze, “You're going to sacrifice my brother and his allies for this? Why would I agree to such a plan?” he questioned with a scowl and Skylar finished drawing upon the map.

  “I’m not sacrificing anyone, that’s not how I roll.” She responded plainly, gesturing for Yang to come over.

  He kept his scowl but walked over when he did, his eyes widened, “This is…”

  “Your underground catacombs have a lot of paths, twists and turns, and exits… one of those exits seems to be in the church itself.” Skylar pointed to the path she traced out, “So while I’m up on the top fighting Seriyu, I’ll have someone on the bottom fighting the guards. Someone they can’t afford to ignore.”

  Yin paused at that, looking down to Skylar, and took a sip out of his drink uttering the words, “I can hardly think of any such person.”

  Skylar reached out and grabbed her cup of coco bringing it to her lips and stopping short, “A Dark Knight would do the trick wouldn’t you think?”

  Yin nearly choked on his drink as Skylar uttered those words, to even think of using a Dark Knight as a tool for a plan was insane in his eyes.

  Skylar looked up from her cup with a smirk setting it down, “Surprised?”

  “...I’d say so, yeah,” Yin spoke with a slight growl that only prompted a light laugh from Skylar, she looked down at her drink.

  “Good, that’s the response I’m hoping for from the enemy.” She then leaned forward and started to roll up the map, “Keep the door unlocked will you, I’ll be a moment.”

  With those words, Skylar stood up and walked over to the door.

  “H-Hey wait a second!” Yin cried out, but Skylar had already gone out the door and into the city.

  Slowly she walked forward, into the alleyways, and further onwards.

  Soon enough she came across the well where she had been attacked.

  “...Huh, I thought you’d be further in the city.” Skylar muttered.

  And there Vita was, crouched down and examining a spot of blood that had long since dried, he looked up seeing Skylar, “Figured I’d check what all the commotion was earlier today.”

  “Well look no further, yours truly got into a bit of a scuffle, but I came out mostly fine.” Skylar declared with a spin as she walked up to Vita.

  Vita however took note of Skylar’s eye, “That says otherwise.” he points out.

  “Oh this?” she points to her wounded eye, “It’s not a big deal, it should heal up overnight supposedly.”

  “Not a big deal? Without that eye, you're opening yourself up to more attacks.” Vita pointed out with a growl.

  Skylar paused at that, lowering her arms and sighing, “I’m fine. Really.” she then handed the map over to Vita, “Regardless take a look at this.”

  Vita frowned beneath his helmet, clearly not convinced but took the map regardless and listened as Skylar relayed the plan she had come up with to him.

  Vita unfurled the map, “Solid plan, a battle on two fronts and since I have the shadows on my side, I can secure the prisoners before they are put into any danger. I have to commend you for that Skylar, it’s certainly a better plan than most of yours. There’s one problem with it though.”

  Skylar folded her arms at that, “Oh? And what’s that?”

  Vita then held out the map, “I have no idea how to read this multilayered bullshit.”

  Skylar blinked at that before a smile spread across her face and she started to laugh, “Oh my god, I knew I couldn’t be the only one… all right come here I’ll help you out.” with that she walked forward and started to show Vita the ways the map worked.

  ***

  Skylar leaped back as Seriyu pushed through the air, “You think your tough shit brat! I’ll break you like a twig!” he shouted as he slinked into his shadow

  Skylar’s eyes shined emerald as she landed, her hair stood on the back of her neck and she stabbed her blade into the ground grabbing one of the many wooden benches and swinging it through the air, hitting Seriyu who was just appearing from the shadow on the wall behind Skylar.

  The bench broke on him, and Skylar dropped the remains, grabbing her sword and slashing forward.

  Only for Seriyu to growl and slink back into the shadows causing Skylar to stab the wall instead of anything important.

  “Son of a-” Skylar was cut off by Seriyu coming out to the left and slamming his fist into Skylar’s gut. Making her stumble backward, and dislodge her blade from the wall.

  He then grabbed her by the shirt and threw her backward into a set of wooden benches causing them to crumble into several pieces.

  Skylar groaned slowly standing up, she looked forward and saw no sign of Seriyu.

  She heard his voice echoing throughout the chamber, however, “You cannot hope to best me Shadewalker. The shadows themselves are my ally, so long as they heed my command. You cannot harm me. They shield me, protect me. And hide me from your blows.”

  Skylar looked around the room frantically, “The Shadows don’t have allies. They are a tool, just like a sword.” Skylar responded flatly with a glare.

  And Seriyu responded, “And you would know all about tools wouldn’t you? Using those people like you did.”

  Skylar glanced to the side at that, “That’s different.” she replied before she was met with a boot planted firmly on her back causing her to tumble to the ground, her eyes widened as a sword pressed to her neck and she could hear Seriyu’s voice from above.

  “Is it now? Why’s that? Because you fight for justice? Because you're the ‘hero’ of this story?” Seriyu questioned the girl below him with a scowl, “You're just a child playing pretend.”

  Skylar grits her teeth and her eyes flashed azure before she slams her palms onto the ground sending spikes of ice upwards beside her palms trying to impale Seriyu right then and there.

  Only for Seriyu to leap backward, slinking into the shadows once more, his voice still echoing with a laugh as Skylar grabbed her blade slowly standing at those spikes of ice melted around her.

  -He won’t let me get away again.

  Skylar gripped her blade tight trying to think of a plan.

  “Foolish, innocent child… Why even wield your blade? It cannot face the darkness, heroes never could.” Seriyu proclaimed all but confidence in his victory.

  Skylar took in a breath and slowly reached out with her right hand running it along her blade, “I’m not the best at this yet… but I can say this with confidence. It’s the duty of a Dark Knight to strike you down.” Skylar proclaimed as shadows now coated her blade.

  Seriyu went silent for a moment before reappearing behind Skylar with a scowl, disdain clear on his face as he swung his blade down.

  Only for Skylar to spin around and slam her sword against Seriyu’s in this moment where sparks flew and the two warriors stared at each other Seriyu spoke, “Where did you gain that power? I was certain it had been wiped out… Lust herself saw to that.”

  Skylar responded with a cocky smile, “Seems she missed a spot.” she taunted as she slammed her boot onto the ground sending a chill across the ground as Seriyu started to lose his footing.

  He stumbled backward as he fell, he looked up realizing that Skylar had frozen the ground beneath him.

  He growled, falling into his own shadow and Skylar stabbed down, piercing the shadow in question in the arm, Seriyu screamed instantly leaping up from the shadow blood dripping from his arm.

  When he looked down he saw Skylar bent down low, her eyes shining a bright crimson, “The shadows you lurk in can’t hide you.” Seriyu tried to stumble backward once more, retreating into his shadow.

  But Skylar was faster, she slashed forward with her blade cutting into Seriyu’s stomach and cutting him clear in two.

  As she did so, black wisps of energy flew into the air and into Skylar herself.

  ***

  Fire was the first sight she was greeted to, fire and blood upon her cheek.

  She stared forward at the flames reaching a hand only to flinch as it singed her flesh.

  A hand reached forward grabbing hold of her arm and pulling her back, Eros stared forward at the sight of her home.

  Her home was set ablaze in the night, a voice spoke out telling her that it would be okay.

  Telling her not to worry.

  She remembered nothing about the exact words.

  Only that they were spoken with hollow intent.

  The only sound fresh upon her ears were the sounds of screams.

  Of people being burned alive as she alone made it to safety.

  She alone was the survivor of the tragedy that overtook her house. The villagers looked at her with pity and offered kind words and empty promises.

  But she needed none of them, so when the next set of words came she interrupted them. Speaking on her own, “Will your words bring my family back?” she spoke those words with little emotion, simply wanting the voices that spoke to her to cease.

  And cease they did, quicker than most.

  The hands that held her loosened and she shirked them away.

  Moving away from the crowd and walking to the forest, she didn’t care for them.

  Once she was surrounded by trees and brush, and the subtle blow of wind.

  It was then that she let her emotions sign through, a sign of her feelings upon her face.

  A small smile.

  Followed by a chuckle, slowly she came upon a large white tree and turned around resting her back upon it.

  She began to slide down, until her bottom met the dirt and she looked to her trembling hands, her eyes wide with glee.

  At this moment she was more alive than she had ever been in her whole life, and as the reflection of blood and fire shined in her gaze she spoke her next words with a crackle in her voice, her words were only the truth, the cold cruel truth of the world that she so hated, “I killed them.” Slowly she tore her eyes from her hands and looked upwards into the faint lights poking out from the leaves above, “Family… what good is a family who would hear my dreams and call me insane… what good are people when all they think of is themselves. I don’t need it. I don’t need any of these sheep and cattle.”

  Slowly she lifted her shaking hands and grabbed the sides of her head.

  That was until new footsteps made themselves known to her, “Spoken like someone wise beyond their years.”

  Eros’s eyes widened and she looked up slowly.

  There a man in a white cloak stood, there were markings upon that cloak.

  Snakes that traveled down the sleeves, snakes of red with their maws open.

  The man wore a mask and he walked forward towards Eros with unflinching eyes.

  He then knelt and stared right at this girl, “...Your name girl what is it?”

  Eros stared at the man and shuffled to the side, “Why should I tell you anything?” She spoke with caution and the man only smiled beneath his mask. At that holding out his left hand and opening his palm, a dark ball of energy appeared within it, “Because I can grant you power. The power you seek to lay claim to these lands as though they were your own.”

  The girl stared at the ball of darkness, confused by its presence and soon enough she looked to the man once more, “What about you? Who… are you?”

  The man closed his palm and the darkness dissipated leaving behind only faint traces, and the man stood up once more, “A traveler, building a grand organization to save this lowly realm.” He then put a hand over his heart smiling softly. “You may call me Origin.”

  ***

  Skylar blinked as she was standing in a growing pool of blood and she looked around the church once more.

  Confusion riddled upon her face, “Eros…” Skylar sighed, sheathing her blade and folding her arms.

  “And Origin… What was he doing there? What even was that? A memory?” she then furrowed her brow some more, “It wasn’t mine though. I’m sure of that much.”

  Skylar then looked down at Seiryu’s corpse remembering his words.

  -“He is but one part of Lust’s soul, as am I, when one of us parishes the rest of us can feel it.”

  She frowned at the corpse, “Could these be… Lust’s memories?” Skylar asked her question knowing that nobody was around to answer them anymore and she sighed, shaking her head, “Whatever, I should go and check on Vita. He should be done by now.” She then turned from the corpse and started to walk forward to the corridor she saw the prisoners taken to.

  But before she did, she felt a presence behind her.

  She turned around and once more she felt an agony like before as her head throbbed she reached up grabbed her forehead and strumbled backward.

  “Fool. Who are you? No one. Nothing.”

  When she looked forward Skylar swore she could see the sight of someone… Someone with short hair and a longsword.

  But when Skylar blinked, the person shrouded in shadows… was gone.

  As was the pain.

  She stared forward at the spot where she saw that person and she felt something tingling in the back of her mind, a name surfacing in her mind, before fading from memory.

  One more Skylar shook her head and started to walk forward into the dungeons, “Later.” she hissed anger in her gaze, “I’ve got more important matters to deal with right now.” With those words, she descended downwards.

  Yet as she did so, the door to the church opened once more and a man walked into the building staring towards the entryway to the dungeons, “...so this was your grand plan, Shadewalker? Not much of one in the long run…” Wrath spoke, folding his arms.

  His eyes narrowed in thought, “It would be best to follow her down there and subdue her now… However.” He looked over to the field of battle and a smirk appeared on his face, “I will certainly enjoy her face when she is so close to victory… only to have it snatched away at the last instant.”