The SDC, Shadow Dagger Company, founded and led by Elysia Nyx, was formed in order to be of service to the king, Cassiel Aeternus, as his protectors hidden in the shadows.
Over the last year, Elysia had spent countless tired nights molding a selected twenty individuals to transform into cold blooded assassins that were ready to put their lives on the line at any given moment.
Now, after over a year in the making, Cassiel would finally take notice and see how much Elysia had accomplished.
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.....
Arriving just outside of the SDC building, the two guards stationed in front fumble to let Cassiel and Kislev inside, never expecting Cassiel to arrive out of nowhere.
Walking inside, Cassiel takes in the immediate surroundings in a bit of awe.
The interior was completely black, yet it was still bright enough inside to see every detail and crevice of the entrance room.
Standing behind a counter, a member welcomes the two in, immediately running off to find Elysia after asking them to take a seat.
.....
"Elysia seems to have put some thought into this place." Cassiel says, still looking around.
"It took her half a year to get this all set up." Kislev states proudly.
"She's done a lot for Rampiel after you left for training, Cassiel." He'd continue, smiling brightly.
Silent, Cassiel takes the information in as he stops looking around.
"Has... everything been well?" Cassiel asks, curious.
Reading Cassiel's tone, Kislev realizes Daein mustn't have said much.
"Ahem... after your disappearance, it took a while for Kotor, no, all of Rampiel, to adjust. It wasn't easy at first, but it's helped us learn a lot." Kislev responds, giving Cassiel's shoulder a small pat.
Glancing over, Cassiel stares at Kislev for a moment.
"What of Ophelia?" Cassiel questions, his voice solemn this time.
"Well-"
"Cassiel?" A female's voice rings out down the hallway, cutting Kislev off.
Immediately, both Cassiel and Kislev stand up.
"What are you doing here? We just saw each other yesterday, hadn't we?" Elysia questions, confused.
"That was only for a couple of minutes. I was hoping the three of us could, I suppose, have a walk in the past." Cassiel states, a grim smile spreading across his face, sending shivers down Elysia and Kislev's spines.
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.....
Walking down the hallway, the three enter a huge room tucked away near the back of the building.
"Just so you're aware, this sparring room has durability rivaling your castle's sparring room, so feel free to go all out." Elysia says, smiling.
The "walk in the past" Cassiel had been referring to prior, was to have a duel, him versus both Kislev and Elysia, so that he could test his new power.
"Do you two need to warm up?" Cassiel questions.
Both of them shake their heads.
"I had just finished sparring with Mihr as you got there, Cassiel." Kislev laughs out.
"I was training two members just a couple moments ago, so I'm already stretched and prepared." Elysia chimes in.
"Perfect, then get in your positions, I've been meaning to find out how far along you two have come since the human invasion."
.....
The atmosphere was heavy, despite the light mood.
Despite it being a friendly spar, neither side had any thought of losing.
With their red eyes glistening under the dimmed lights, the engagement would begin with Elysia darting forward.
Immediately taking a defensive stance, Cassiel uses a reverse grip, preparing himself for a close distance fight as both Kislev and Elysia wouldn't have much reach either.
Although Cassiel had been watching Elysia closely, she disappeared suddenly like a shadow in the midst of night.
It was only then when Kislev would charge forward, appearing in front of Cassiel within a fraction of a second, despite the fact he was over thirty feet away a moment before.
Coming up with a right handed uppercut, Cassiel quickly positions the tip of his blade at Kislev's fist, stopping him from committing with the attack, only to then swap it with a heavy left hook.
Slipping just past Kislev's fist, Cassiel forms another gladius in his left hand, swiping it towards Kislev's neck, only for it to shatter as three thick, sharp needles fly through the blade.
"To hit such a precise shot from so far away, you two really have grown!" Cassiel praises, grinning ear to ear as he blocks Kislev's straight punch.
Sliding three feet from Kislev's punch, Cassiel's eyes narrow.
Taking a step forward, he takes up a different stance, one of a more feral nature.
With his sword disappearing, Cassiel's nails shoot out like daggers, growing an extra couple of sharp inches.
Tilting his body forward, his stance shifts from defensive, to offensive, as he is now ready to pounce forward at a moment's notice.
Caught off guard, Kislev attempts to figure out Cassiel's next move, before instantly dashing backwards out of instinct, as Cassiel lunges forward like a leopard.
Swiping his claws, Cassiel grazes Kislev, leaving three small cuts on his lower chest.
Appearing out of nowhere, Elysia slides in, aiming to sweep Cassiel's leg, only to be forced to wrap around his legs, as Cassiel wouldn't budge.
Wrapping around Cassiel's legs like a serpent, Elysia stretches her body out to act as shackles, giving Kislev the perfect chance to throw a straight punch, hitting Cassiel in the sternum as he's distracted, causing him to topple over.
Quickly pushing off Cassiel, Elysia stands back up, before flipping over him to wrap her legs around Cassiel's neck, tightening her thighs and calves to restrict blood flow.
Kislev takes the chance to throw a multitude of punches at Cassiel's stomach, hammering away at him as if he was working in construction.
A couple seconds of this goes by, before Cassiel breaks through by kicking Kislev back, launching him into the roof.
Although surprised by his strength, Elysia's grip on Cassiel's neck doesn't loosen, giving him only one option.
As if doing a simple workout, Cassiel slowly gets up on his feet with Elysia still around his neck, before slamming back down, causing Elysia to let go as the wind is knocked out of her.
Turning around, Cassiel grabs her by the ankle, before tossing her towards Kislev, who was back on his feet by now.
"Shall we stop here? I believe using magic would ruin your building." Cassiel questions, sneering with victory.
Scoffing, Kislev helps Elysia back onto her feet, before brushing himself off.
"Fine, fine, but this doesn't count as a victory if we're not going all out, alright?" Elysia states, rolling her eyes.
.....
After wiping the scuffs off themselves, the three leave the sparring room, leaving only a couple of minor cracks in the floor.
Ready to leave the building, the three get close to the exit, before Elysia stops them.
"Cassiel." Elysia suddenly stops, grabbing Cassiel's shoulder.
"I'd like it if you would come again in about a week and meet the members of the SDC." She offers, smiling.
Thinking for a moment, Cassiel laughs.
"Of course, Elysia. I take it you're staying here then?" Cassiel questions in response.
"Yeah, I have a bit more work to do. Take care, both of you." Elysia finishes, before turning to walk into a different room.
.....
Leaving the building, the two walk for a bit down the main road, watching as the people of Kotor live freely.
"Kislev." Cassiel speaks out suddenly.
"I'm going to see Ophelia later, can you tell me how she's been now?" Cassiel continues, a struggling look fills his eyes.
Responding with the same look, Kislev fails to meet Cassiel's gaze as he stares at the ground.
"It'd be best if you went to see yourself... none of us have been able to speak to her in quite some time, Cassiel." Kislev mumbles, regret filling his throat as his posture hardens.
Hesitating for a moment, Cassiel sighs in a sad frustration.
"Be ready in a month. I'll be forming a new council... so prepare to travel across the sea." Cassiel states, before disappearing in a blink of an eye.
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.....
The sun slowly sets to a dim evening as Cassiel is seen traveling the road towards Altanisar.
Shadows of passing trees slowly escape the road as a full moon peeks over the horizon.
Cassiel's mind grows heavy as he struggles to figure out what to say to Ophelia, afraid of what she might say to him, as he still finds little reason to not blame himself for Albus' death.
"In another life, Albus, I promise I'll give my being for yours..."