In the newly refurbished Ruens abbey, Elucard relaxed on the floor next to Avalon as they watched the new Silent Ones train under Vada’s watchful eye. Elucard stirred uncomfortably in his new finery. His waistcoat was tight around his ribs and his fluffy ascot made his throat itch. He was older now and wanted to focus his attention on a new life instead of bloodying his hands and hunting down those responsible for his hatred. He had finally found a world of peace and wished to hold on to it.

“Vada is falling in well as your First Blade once again,” Elucard said as he desperately scratched at the ascot.

“She returned from the Blade Range as an Iron Wing, rising through the ranks faster than I ever did. She requested to serve under me, which is good because I seem to be attached to her,” Avalon explained, fondly watching her Blade Sister move through a kata.

“What of Adema?” Elucard asked, remembering the fierceness of the mysterious woman.

“She was assigned to me only to aid in the war and establish this new temple. Although this was once an abbey for Ruens, it will now serve Jedeo well. I believe Adema is being assigned to the Holy Front. I wish her the best. It’s not a pleasant assignment.” Avalon took a sip of wine from the glass sitting next to her and brushed her hair away from her eye, “These new Silent Ones will be the first of many generations that will be taught to fight like Rabbits. We learned much from the war in Varis. To mix teachings will craft the perfect weapon for Jedeo.”

“A blade is only as sharp as the Rabbit wielding it,” Elucard mused.

“Speaking of which, it’s been almost a year since you and the rest of ARO put down Ryjin. How are things going?” Avalon asked.

“It has, hasn’t it? Despite our best efforts, Dallin has reported that new assassin clans are popping up in Varis. Black Rabbit copycats no doubt: the Ghost Fox clan and the Twisted Skies clan.”

“Looks like Varis will need to form an ARO unit,” Avalon said grinning.

“We’re already on top of that. Wiccer is being sent to Varis City to start the unit. I’ll be taking over command of ours.”

“Wiccer is off to Varis? Who will be your second in command? Lear? Blayvaar?”

“Legion, actually. He picked up the military life very well. Go figure. I’ll really need his help too because ARO has tripled in size! Several new faces came from the 12th Spearman Division alone.”

“Will Long Whisper need ARO to be so large?”

“The Rabbits are dead but not finished. No doubt someone will pick up the mantle of Silent Master once again,” Elucard said grimly.

“Any word from Inle? I heard rumors that you were responsible for his escape.”

Elucard balled his fist and grit his teeth. All the work put into gaining the trust of Long Whisper nearly decimated by the hidden stranger, “No one has seen or heard from Inle since that day. If it weren’t for Koda, Dallin would have arrested me for conspiracy to commit treason. Hopefully Wiccer will be able to smooth out our relationship with Varis.”

“Well it looks like we have our work cut out for us.”

Elucard stood up, quick to pat off the dust on his new clothes, “We’ll see.”

***

Elucard walked down the streets of Lost Dawns. Since his promotion to captain, he had a lot more trit to burn. He had loaded his wardrobe with the latest in Long Whisper fashion and found himself filling up a newly furnished book case. Things in his life he once shrugged off now seemed to be coming to the forefront. He was domesticated now.

The streets were becoming lively as the noon sun sat high in the sky. He stopped to look into the glass pane of a store front. Staring at his reflection, he adjusted his green and orange waistcoat that seemed to have slightly climbed his chest while he was at the Silent One abbey. He took a comb from his pocket and brushed his hair into a neater look. Before he had the chance to put it back into his pocket a small boy bowled him over.

“Sorry, mister!” the elven child said.

Elucard propped himself up and took a good look at the boy. He was around twelve. Dirt covered his fair skin and messed up his stark white hair. His eyes were a vibrant green. He wore a filthy tunic and patched up trousers. Elucard lifted himself up and patted the dirt off his pants, “Not a problem. I’ve had my shares of bumps in the past.”

The boy snickered, “I’m sure, mister,” he made an over the top face as he picked up a silver trit resting on the ground, “Mister, you dropped this!”

Elucard smiled, “Honesty should be rewarded. You keep it. Run along now.”

The boy flashed an over exaggerated smile and dashed off.

“Nice kid,” Elucard said to himself. He wondered exactly how many of his coins had dropped from his purse before realizing that his coin purse was missing. He frantically scanned the ground before it dawned on him that the boy had conned him. Elucard sneered as he looked at where the child had scampered off to and gave chase.

Elucard leaped onto the shoulders of several citizens before pulling himself onto the roof of a shop. He ran to the edge and looked down into an alley to see the boy counting the contents of Elucard’s purse.

“Hey! Hand over the money and I won’t hurt you!” Elucard shouted down at the street urchin.

The boy looked up in surprise. He tied the purse on his belt and hopped over the fence behind him. Elucard dropped down and flipped over the fence, chasing after the thief.

The boy fled, climbing a ladder to the nearest roof and leaping over wide alley gaps. He glanced behind him and found the strange “nobleman” keeping pace, not tiring from dodging strenuous obstacles. The boy spotted a gap ahead that this man would be mad to attempt to jump. Picking up his speed, the boy mustered all his dexterity and energy to leap across an incredibly wide berth between two buildings, but despite his best efforts he came up short. He fell inches from the target ledge and thrust out a hand in a desperate attempt to latch onto the building. There he dangled, certain death waiting for him below.

An older hand grabbed the boy by his tunic and lifted him onto the safety of the building. It was the nobleman.

Elucard kept his grip tight so the boy could not escape, all-the-while contemplating the insane lengths the boy took to get away from him, “You’ve got some talent, kid. That potential is going to waste out here in the Roots. How would you like to work for me?”

The boy squirmed himself free and pouted his face, “Doing what?” he asked in a nasty voice.

“Doing the world some good.”

The child sneered, “The world ain’t done nothin’ for me.”

Elucard smirked, “What’s your name kid?”

“Kyzo.”

Elucard dropped down to one knee so that he was eye level with the boy, “Kyzo, the world hasn’t seen what you can do yet. Come under my wing and I will give you that opportunity. Come under my wing and learn from me.”

Kyzo looked curiously, “What will I learn?”

“To hunt assassins.”