In the dead of night, where the rays of the sun had no reach, a figure walked across the expanse of the sandy soil towards a large incomplete building, guarded by light. His figure was covered in a dull cloak, and beside him were two others in the same cloak.
They had just approached a building that stood out from the rest, as it was guarded by men in armour. There were magical lamps placed around the building to spark life into the area while men in armour walked around to guard it.
In front of the door leading to the building were two men, whose gazes were fixed on the approaching figures.
They glanced at each other and gave way, opening the giant doors at the same time. The three figures didn't hesitate and walked in, their footsteps echoing in the quiet air as they did so.
Two other guards appeared in front of the trio and led them forward, towards a known location.
They were now walking through a large corridor, where statues in knight armour stood across the landscape and magical lamps fluttered at the side of the ceilings.
The extravagant nature of the floor and ceiling, which were both ceramic, was a contrast to the exterior of the building, which seemed like it was about to collapse.
As the five figures walked with vigour, they approached a stairway where the two guards stopped and two others continued.
The trio did nothing but oblige and follow. Now, the two new guards led them up the stairs while they remained in silence. The only occasional noise was the sound of their footsteps.
They continued this until they got to the fifth floor, where a single guard stood watch with pristine white armour.
The two guards stopped in their tracks while the trio continued forward until they stopped in front of the guard.
A tense silence ensued until the guard gave the trio a curt nod, before taking a step to his side and gesturing for them to go in.
The man in the middle scoffed and walked towards the door, violently pushing it open as he did so, while his two partners followed quietly.
As the door closed, the man in pristine armour glanced at the other guards for a moment before shaking his head and sighing.
"You shouldn't come to me when you're upset".
A masculine voice pierced through the air as the three figures pulled down their cloak in the room. The well-lit room was actually a study, with books kept haphazardly at the corners of it and a table and chair placed at the centre end of it.
There a man with grey hair sat, his right hand fiddling with a dagger while his left held a jug. Next to the jug was a glass of red wine.
"Timon, we need to do something". The familiar voice pierced the silence as he took a seat in front of the desk while his two subordinates stood by his sides.
The man, Timon, had been glancing at a paper file for a while before he finally looked up at the people gathered. He adjusted himself in his chair before sighing out loud.
"I heard of someone being called the Blind Swordsman?" He asked with a distasteful tone in his voice.
The man bit down on his lip as a scowl creased his brows. "Yes…" he muttered with repressed anger. "We made a mistake. Sending three teams of my best squad wasn't enough to take him down". He said with a defeated tone in his voice.
Timon scoffed. "The numbered?" He asked as he glanced at the two ladies standing by his side. "You honestly thought women were good fighters?"
Neuj clicked his tongue and slammed his fist on the table. "We don't have time for this, Timon. This boy is working with Ziza, and you know what that means.." He said, attempting to change the conversation.
Timon's gaze flickered between the two ladies, who kept a perfectly still expression even after his provocation. He chuckled lightly and shifted his gaze away from them. "Ziza is a woman too. There is nothing she can do to harm our positions".
Neuj raised a brow in confusion. "Have you forgotten she's also a level 100?" He asked.
"So are you….but you hide it, knowing that you're no match for any true level 100. Reaching the level cap doesn't make you strong, it only brings room for being weak". Timon replied as he glanced at his dagger. "Do I still need to teach you proper knowledge, Neuj?" his tone had gotten dark as he glanced at the man with his dagger pointed at him.
"So what if he works with Ziza? She doesn't have the guts to achieve what she wants".
"What do you mean? Of course, she does. She's been holding back for years, and bearing with our antics. You think she'll let that go?"
Timon grunted in annoyance. "You seriously think one measly kid can turn the tide of power? Something that has been running for more than ten years?"
Neuj's gaze flickered as he stared into Timon, a frown forming on his face. "maybe not him, but the people can".
"The people?!". Timon scoffed before laughing out loud. "What do you mean people? They haven't fought back in ages, what's going to happen with just one of them acting up?"
"That's the thing. The one acting up is strong, as strong as us, if not stronger, if I must say. Taking down three squads of my named group isn't something even you can pull off".
"That's because you already practised against my fighting style. He was fresh….there's no telling what could have happened if we had practised more".
A sudden silence ensued in the air as the two men glared at each other.
"If the people take this 'Blind Swordsman' to heart, then we will be in a lot of trouble".
"The legend of the cat knight was ages ago. Do you think this is going to be the same?" Timon asked with a raised brow.
Neuj nodded in response. "Exactly the same. The people wanted a hero, and they've found one. We need to put an end to it before it grows aflame".
Timon remained silent for a moment, but suddenly adjusted himself on his seat. "Tell me. Do you perhaps have a plan?" He asked.
Neuj shook his head in dejection as he sighed. "Not a bit, and that is why I have come to you. Let us rally the others and fight against Ziza at the upcoming meeting. Killing a threat is better than fanning the flames to reap the benefits".
Timon chuckled lightly. "You know me well, but that will be difficult for me….Neuj. If this kid is as dangerous as you make him seem, then I will act but defeating fifteen of your girls does not make him look strong". He turned away from their gazes. "in fact, it makes him look weak".
Neuj bit down hard on his lip in anger as he curled his fists into a tight ball. "This isn't right, Timon. We need to work together".
"Gather the others then. You came to me because I'm more rational than those two, right? Get them to act with you, and I will join".
Another sudden silence ensued, leaving the people gathered to their thoughts.
Neuj had come here knowing fully well that his former mentor would have put down his offer, but he still did it anyway because of the disparity of the situation. Raph had proven too inconsistent to them, not only in action but in abilities. 'is identity. I will figure it out even if it is the last thing I do'. He thought. He sighed as he prepared to stand when a knock on the door pierced through the silence.
Timon's gaze flickered as his gaze went to the door. It slowly opened, revealing Yael with a nervous expression.
"What do you want, Yael?" Timon asked with an annoyed tone. "haven't I ordered you to stay at your post?"
"No–No My Lord. We have a bit of a situation," he replied with an awkward chuckle as he closed the door behind him. "Y–You know I would never disobey my Lord!" he yelled out loud as he turned towards the four people gathered and bowed.
Silence followed but it was broken by Timon's question.
"What is it?" He asked. "and be quick with it".
"My–My Lord. Remember the werewolf girl I told you about?" He asked.
At that moment, Neuj's gaze flickered as he glanced at Timon.
"..What about it?" Timon asked with a sigh.
"It turns out….She's actually with the Blind Swordsman and some bounty hunters are here for her".
Timon's gaze flickered for a moment as he sunk back in his thoughts. 'Did he just say bounty hunters?' He wondered.
"Did you say bounty hunters?" Neuj asked in curiosity while the two girls by his side glanced at the man as well. It seemed the whole room had picked interest in his last statement.