The Guild Of Shadows

House Of Shadows

""What is it that my tea time couldn't wait for? This better be good, Mel!" 

In the meeting chambers of one of the four generals of Harijoh, General Mel had called upon the two other generals for a meeting. 

General Mel was a tall and boisterous woman known for her ruthlessness and savagery in the entire region. 

General Axel, the short, muscular man who complained earlier, had his feet placed on top of the meeting desk as he kept whining about being summoned to the meeting as he placed his two broad swords on the desk. 

"Now now, Axy. I'm sure Mely has a good reason for summoning us; let's hear her out."" 

The one who spoke this time was General Gantala, the youngest of all the four generals, famous for his cunning tactics in war and recon. 

"It's Axel! Pff whatever, carry on, Mel!" 

"Thank you for coming on such short notice; I will cut straight to the point."

She places a map on the desk and spreads it open as he continues.

"My spies have spotted the ark of our culprit around this area here." 

Axel interjected as he slammed his fists on the table. 

"Hah! Then what are we waiting for? Let's go full army on those bastards and make them pay for tarnishing the title of the four generals!" 

It's not like the four generals are all on good terms with one another. They actually can't stand to be in the same room together. 

But the few things they all have in common are their hate for artifacts and the loyalty they have towards the king; as such, they cannot just allow some random artifact user to get away with killing one of them. 

"Why don't you let Mely finish first, Axy?" 

Gantala nods to Mel to continue with her explanations. 

"Don't you think sending the nation's army to a small guild is overkill and dishonorable?" 

"People will start talking about how it takes an entire army to take out the perpetrator who murdered Ona!" 

"That's right, and that will only bring further shame to the nation." 

"Hmm, so what do you have in mind, Mel?" 

"We sent out Yuri Ona." 

The other two generals all had devious looks on their faces, as they seemed to understand what Mel was planning. 

"But do you think that a psychopath would be one to follow orders?" 

"Don't forget that Yusaku Ona was his brother, and I'm very sure he's out for blood; we're only going to help him out by giving him the coordinates to their locations." 

"Brr, I think it's even worse than sending an army." 

"Sending the nation's strongest mercenary, who's even stronger than the four generals, to take vengeance for his own brother's murder? I'd say that Shadows Guild is about to get what's coming to them."" 

Meanwhile... 

"Old man, thank you for your help and hospitality."

"Yeah, I would've been a goner if it wasn't for you."

"Hohoho, you young people are always welcomed here."

"Cawwwww!!!"

Krystal and co. were being escorted back to Dragonheart as they bid goodbyes to Shambala and Ada.

Meanwhile... 

Two figures were seen kneeling as they addressed their leader. 

"Father, my apologies for failing our mission." 

The ones that spoke were Reed, Krystal's, and Keth's elder brothers. 

He began explaining how they managed to trace Krystal and how he started a guild and even has an Ark. 

And then he continued to explain their experience in Shoot Village. 

"Hmm, so that old man's still alive?" 

Their father, Stark Shadows, had a sinister look on his face as he gazed down on his sons. 

The appearance was sharp enough to peel their skins off. 

"Y-yes father." 

Keith was shaking uncontrollably as he answered. 

"We will gladly take any punishment you deem worthy of our blunders, father." 

Reed added, making Keith quiver in fear even more as they both bowed their heads. 

"That will be all; you're dismissed." 

Both Reed and Keith widened their eyes at their father's comment as they both silently stood up and began to walk towards the exit of the room. 

It wasn't a lie that even Reed, who asked for punishment, was scared of their father. 

This man is the head of the House of Shadows. A group of masterful and elite assassins who, by their names, work excessively in the shadows. 

They reign over the Austa Region. It was located far on the eastern continent. 

A region made famous for its title, "The Land of Death,". 

"So, you're an assassin?" 

Krystal had just given his team the story of where he came from and who his family is. 

"Hahaha! I knew the captain was special from the very first time he kicked me in the face."" 

"I'm sorry for not telling you two all this while." 

Krystal had his head lowered and his fists clenched. 

"It was a part of my life that I wanted to abandon." 

He continued. 

"I grew up in a place where the only things we were taught were to obey orders and kill." 

The scene shows a young Krystal being beaten up by his father. 

"Other children grew up playing games with their friends or playing with colorful toys." 

The scene changes to Krystal standing on top of a pile of dead bodies, holding a knife made out of his shadow. 

"The only games we played were ones that wedged people's lives, and the only toys we had were the artifacts that were forcefully contracted to us to create the perfect killing machines." 

"I couldn't take it anymore—the look of despair on my victims' faces as they drew their last breath." 

The scene changes to Krystal staring down at the large mansion he used to call home while he was holding a bag. 

""I decided to run away and left for a distant region. Six months later, I met you, Grover."" 

Everyone was quiet as Krystal continued. 

"I'll also understand if either of you wants anything to do with me again; it'll be for the best too, because I am very sure Father will not stop until he gets what he wants." 

'Damn, to think my childhood was bad'. 

Grover smirked as he placed his arm around Krystal's neck. 

"So you're an assassin; well, I'm a thief; Vladmir is a big lump of mass; and Justin is a coward." 

"Hey!" 

"Hahaha, he's not wrong, you know." 

Grover continued. 

"I've never met my dad; the only thing I knew about him from my mother was that he left this hat for me before he died." 

"Krystal, we all have our pasts, but never think that we'll bail on you because of some sappy-dressing ninjas." 

Grover held his fist forward as Vladmir did the same. 

"Yeah, captain! We'll train harder and get even stronger; I will get that bastard of a guy to land a cheap one for me!" 

"Grover... Vo...." 

Krystal smiled at this development as he also followed suit. 

Justin, who was lying down, had nothing but respect for this trio. 

"Hey! What do you think you're doing, Justin!?" 

Grover called out to the archer as he got up. 

"You're part of the team now; we've already talked about this with everyone, so get your ass over here before we change our minds."

"Ahh, right!" 

He ran over to their side and also held his fist out like the rest. 

"I won't let any of you down."

Krystal thanked them; for the first time ever, he didn't plan on running away from his family's clutches. 

'Father, I refuse to let you keep dictating my life.'

He plans on fighting back this time.