Elucard leaned against the cool stone wall, hidden deep within the shadows of Koda’s guest chamber. The young king slept snuggly underneath his heavy wool blankets. Now that Wildeye had the form of a person, she slept in her own room. Elucard selected himself to guard Koda early in his ARO career and Wildeye would always sleep at the foot of his bed. Now Koda’s room seemed a bit colder without the large wolf.

Elucard inspected his new garb that Megan gave him. A traditional elemental shroud attire. A mixture of black assassin armor and mage robes, but also complete with a green hooded cloak, and sash. His golden leg guards and sandals were a bit more difficult to get acclimated to. He missed his assassin tabis that he spent years training and working in. The sandals left his feet exposed to the weather, so in cooler climates he would need to resort to his Wilderness Survival training that was ingrained in him at a young age as a Black Rabbit.

He used the same training methods to teach his Anti-Rogue Ops soldiers as well as traded different tactics and information with the Range Patrol units of Lost Dawns.

HIROAD:

Keep Hidden

Use your Intelligence

Return to your master

Accomplish your Objective

Stay Alive

Do not Dishonor the Clan

Elucard smirked. He enjoyed Wilderness Survival training. When he and Jetta were younger—before becoming Black Rabbits— they would pretend to be woodsmen in the boarding forest of Ravenshore. They ate berries they found from bushes and licked the sweet sap from birch trees. They would make shelters from sticks and branches and fail miserably at igniting a campfire by rubbing two sticks together.

Life was so much simpler back then. All I needed to worry about was getting back home on time, finishing my homework, and helping Pa with the daily catch. Now…now I have a king to protect and a country not to fail. Dodge a blade, and kill a man or two. Yes life was simpler back then…but I suppose it was duller too.

Elucard rolled up his left sleeve and peered into the glass flesh to watch the swirls of green magic luminate his muscles. His new arm was, yet, another thing he would have a hard time getting used to. It was almost alien to him. Even living in a world of magic and dragons, seeing this arm would always be unreal to him. Like an impossible legend of gods and heroes. A time where unfathomable magic may or may not have existed.

The glint of steel reflecting off the moonlight caught Elucard’s eye. The elf pulled down his sleeve and crouched in the shadows as he spotted a grappling hook cling onto the balcony. Elucard watched carefully as a black and grey armored assassin climbed over the banister and moved into Koda’s room.

What Elucard could gather from the assassin’s appearance was that he was human or elven in nature, he had an athletic build, and most likely male. The assailant drew a sai in his left hand and a short, wavy sword in his other hand. Elucard eyed the strange sword. Normally an assassin clan may train with a favored weapon, in Elucard’s case it was the ninjato, with this clan it seemed to be the thylith. This particular blade’s origin came exclusively from southern Cypress, so he was either Estinian or Southtail trained.

The assassin slunk closer to the unsuspecting Koda and raised his sword. However he did not see the seething other assassin in the room. Elucard lept into action as the thylith drove down to Koda’s helpless body. With a clang of steel, Elucard’s blade deflected the thylith away.

Elucard spun forward and delivered a swift roundhouse kick into the assassin's chest, crashing him into a dress mirror. Elucard noted the enclosed space for a fight. He sheathed his sword and drew a dagger in reverse grip. He kept his arms tucked and his stance sideways, knees bent and arms tucked in. The Rabbit-Do style, perfect for close quarter combat.

The would-be murderer brushed away glass shards before standing up. He growled and slid two stiletto daggers into his hands. Favoring them instead of his former weapons

Together the fighters inched closer to each other. The assassin raised his forearm and motioned for Elucard to do the same. Elucard recognized this as an old sparring custom. He pressed his forearm against his opponent’s.

A silent breeze wisped through the room. The pause in time sent shivers down both combatants' spines. A moment between death.

Elucard narrowed his eyes, watching for any fear, any courage, for any bloodthirst in his enemy’s eyes, but they were a black as the shadows that the assassin was born in. Just like Elucard’s.

Sixty seconds passed. Stillness wafted between the two.

Elucard felt the contact from his forearm give away. He watched as the assassin’s arm pushed forward and he felt a hot pain slice his cheek. Elucard sneered and shot forward his fist but it was blocked.

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The assassin loosened his grip on his dagger and swung for Elucard’s neck. With Elucard’s Rabbit-Do experience by his side, he fainted to the side and sunk his dagger into the assailant’s shoulder.

He followed suit, popping up his palm underneath the assassin’s chin. Elucard heard a crunch as his opponent’s teeth snapped together. He took advantage of the moment and threw a front kick. His enemy flew backwards and collided with the banister outside. Elucard’s enemy teetered on the edge but caught himself at the last second.

Elucard gave him no reprieve and with a series of hand motions, slung several shuriken-like leaves. Each found their mark sinking deep into the assassin’s leather armor.

“What!? Leaves? How!?” hissed the assassin. He tried to dislodge one, but gave up shortly after.

He was tired, and Elucard could see that. His opponent lurched over and, panting. His mask soaked of sweat, but he slid another blade from a sheath on his leg, ready for another round.

Elucard, likewise, drew his ninjato. He forged green magic to weave thorns around his blade. However a douse a familiar cold sensation pulsed into his arm. The pain shot down his fingers, forcing his sword loose.

“Who is that?! What is going on?!” came a loud voice from behind Elucard. Koda had awoken and his eyes burned with Magi.

Elucard fell to his knees and gripped his wrist as it trembled, the pain flared more intense than before. Elucard growled in agony. It was as if his arm was about to explode.

“Another time, friend!” The assassin sang as he leaped backwards off the balcony into the night.

“Elucard!” Koda slipped off his bed and ran to his guardian. His eyes flushed back to normal.

“My—arm. I can’t control—” Elucard struggle just to breathe at this point.

“Concentrate. You can. You can control it!”

Elucard sucked in his chest, taking a deep breath and mustered all his focus to hold back the energy coursing through his arm.

Pain Defiance training, Elucard. He told himself. Remember what Ridge and Baines taught you. Pain is weakness leaving the body. It is only a distraction— ignore it. Concentrate on the task at hand. Take control of your weakness and strive forward!

“Good. Keep it up, Eluc…” Koda’s voice melted into the background as Elucard droned all sounds around him until he was once again surrounded by the silence of the night.

I feel nothing. I feel nothing. I feel…

Nothing.

Elucard opened his eyes, the pain was gone.

“Are you…?” a concerned Koda asked.

“I’m fine, Koda.” Elucard looked at the destroyed mirror and felt the mark on his cheek. You were attacked tonight. An assassin—he was skilled.”

Koda’s eyes widened with fear.

“I chased him off but there may be others. I want you to spend the rest of the night with Wildeye.” Elucard assisted Koda to his feet. “Come. No harm will come to you. I promise.”

***

“Can you pass the honey, Wildeye?” asked Koda as he yawned through his words. Last night was rough. The wolf kicking him off the mattress didn’t help in the least bit. However, he welcomed the company of his familiar over the company of a would-be assassin.

“I must confess that I am at a loss for words that someone could sneak into my palace to end your life, dear Koda.” Greyblade muttered in shame. “My home should be the most secure place to stay in all of the kingdom! It is outrageous to think some fiend would waltz through a window and take a life!”

“Who do you think sent him?” asked Elucard as he dropped from the rafters onto the dining table.

“I say! Can you not?” huffed Greyblade.

Elucard ignored the comment. He took a seat next to Wildeye and grabbed a plump sausage. “I have a theory of my own.”

Koda scratched his head. “There are more than enough political enemies that could want me dead,” he said. “Does the Anti-Rogue Ops have any information on any new assassin clans that I should be informed about?”

Elucard pulled down his mask and stuffed the morsel in his mouth. He swallowed fast when he caught both Greyblade and Koda glaring at him for an answer.

“There is a new terrorist cell that ARO has been keeping tabs on for the last six months,” said Elucard.

“And why have I not been informed of this group until now?”

Elucard wiped off the grease from his mouth with a napkin before answering. “There are a lot of monsters underneath your bed that I don’t think you need to hear about to have a goodnight’s sleep. Trust me, It is better to be kept in the dark.”

Koda tightened his fist in anger. He ground his teeth as he spit out his next words. “Do not keep me in the dark for anything. Ever again.”

Elucard narrowed his eyes. “As you say, my king.”

“Now, you will tell me all you know of this terrorist group that apparently has a writ for my death.”

Elucard curled his lip, but continued with his explanation all the same. “They are called the Spellbreakers. We know little of their organization other than that they are large, worldwide, and want to bring down the mages.”

“Who leads them, lad?” asked Greyblade.

Elucard shook his head. “We don’t know.”

“So these Spellbreakers sent this assassin?” questioned Koda. “If they think they can deter me from becoming a Master Mage or keep me from fulfilling my duties as a king, then they have another thing coming!”

“That’s the spirit, lad!” cheered Greyblade.

“As threatening as they seem, I am confident in my abilities to keep you safe,” said Elucard.

“Yes, I am convinced that with you as my elemental shroud and the Long Whisper escort, I am far from any true danger,” Koda said.

“And last night was not something you would call any sort of danger?” asked Wildeye.

“I had that situation under control,” answered Elucard with a hint of annoyance hidden in his voice.

“I can’t say I am entirely convinced, Koda,” Wildeye scoffed.

“Elucard has saved my life too many times to count, girl. Yours too,” said Koda.

“And I will continue to.” Elucard nodded.

“Hm,” mumbled Wildeye. She slouched in her chair and folded her arms.

Elucard eyed another sausage.

“Well, then.” Aemor gestured to Elucard. “Eat up laddies, you set off for the Grassy Sea later this morning. It will be quite the windy ride,” said the harekin.

Elucard snatched a helping of eggs, sausages, and a glass of plum juice. “Don’t mind if I do,” he chuckled.