The nation of Revirah was a land shrouded in mystery and darkness.
The main base of the House of Shadows, a vast and imposing mansion, loomed over the city like a silent sentinel. Assassins, dressed in black and armed with deadly weapons, stood at every corner, their eyes scanning the streets for any potential threats.
As Keith, the lone survivor of the failed mission to capture Konami, approached the mansion, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him.
He knew that his failure would not be taken lightly by the Lord of Shadows, Kazuto Kodo, the grandfather of Konami and the leader of the House of Shadows.
Keith was led into a vast and dark room, where a throne stood at the far end. In the shadows, a silhouette of a man could be seen. Keith bowed and fell to his knees, "Hail, the Lord of Shadows." The man's voice was cold yet calm as he spoke. "Report..."
Keith trembled as the man descended the throne and strode towards him. Kazuto was a towering and intimidating man, who looked nothing like his age.
His eyes were sharp and piercing, and his presence alone was enough to send shivers down Keith's spine.
"Forgive me for being incompetent, my Lord," Keith trembled, unable to even lift his head. He knew just what it meant to fail a mission. "Konami bested us, he has escaped to the neighboring nation."
Kazuto stroked his beard, a chaotic aura flaring around him. The intensity of this aura was so powerful that Keith was blown by the sheer force of it all the way to the other side of the room.
"Insolent child, just like your father," Kazuto's voice boomed, each word felt like an explosion. "You dare run away from your birthright!" Kazuto's eyes were filled with rage as he yelled, "Where have I gone wrong, raising these traitors?"
Kazuto walked up to Keith, who was plastered against the wall. "Get me the twins," Kazuto commanded, his voice cold and menacing.
Keith knew that Kazuto was referring to the twins, Shiro and Kuro, two of the most skilled assassins of the House of Shadows. He knew that he had to act fast or else he would be the next one to fall victim to Kazuto's wrath.
The location switches to the entrance of the guild hall, with both Konami and Vladimir standing at opposite ends, ready for battle.
The sun was shining high in the sky, casting a bright light on the two fighters as they stood facing each other, ready to engage in combat.
Konami takes the first move, manifesting his shadow anima into two deadly daggers. "Here I come big guy" he declares, his voice filled with determination and excitement as he lunges towards Vladimir.
Vladimir, wielding his massive red great sword with a black skull attached to the heel, blocks Konami's initial flurry of attacks with ease.
The sound of metal clashing against metal filled the air as the two fighters engaged in a fierce exchange of blows.
Konami, using his agility and quickness to his advantage, dodges and strikes with precision, leaving Vladimir struggling to keep up.
Vladimir, impressed by Konami's skill, taunts, "You're not bad kid, but you're not good enough."
With a smirk, Konami reveals another ability he possessed.
"Shadow step!" he shouted as he disappeared into his shadows and reappeared behind Vladimir, catching him off guard and dealing a heavy blow.
Konami repeated the same strategy, gaining the upper hand on the bulky man.
But Vladimir was not one to be underestimated, he too had a trick up his sleeve. "My fabled sword, Durendal, can cut through anything, even your shadows!" he declares, imbuing his sword with his anima and sending powerful slashes towards Konami's shadows.
Konami cries out in pain as he emerges with a cut wound on his arm. He quickly realizes the power of Vladimir's relic and adapts his fighting style, no longer relying solely on his shadows.
The battle becomes intense as both fighters begin to show signs of wear and tear, with cuts and bruises appearing on their bodies. But despite the pain, both fighters express how much they are enjoying the thrill of the battle and push themselves harder.
"This is the most fun I've had since coming here!" Konami exclaims, his voice filled with excitement.
Vladimir, with a wild grin on his face, taunts Konami. "Don't tell me you're getting tired already?" But Konami, determined to come out on top, smirks and replies, "I'm just getting started."
As the fight reaches its climax, both fighters release a pulsing burst of aura, the energy swirling around them so intensely that the surrounding buildings begin to crack.
The people gathered, including Xander, watch in awe as the two fighters unleash their finishing moves.
"Shadow Arts: Kill Switch!" Konami shouts, imbuing his daggers with a massive amount of anima and sending a powerful slash wave towards Vladimir.
Vladimir, in turn, cries out "Red Reckoning!" as he sends his own slash wave towards Konami.
The purple and red attacks collide, resulting in a massive explosion that sends tremors throughout the entire city.
As the dust settles, the two fighters are seen lying on the crater their attacks created, unable to move but with grins on their faces.
The result of the fight was a draw, and the people gathered cheered for both fighters.
Xander, still in shock, murmurs, "Incredible. Who would have thought I would encounter two monsters in two days?"
After the intense battle, the two fighters sat at the bar in the guild hall, nursing their wounds and downing glasses of ale. The excitement and adrenaline from the fight still coursing through their veins.
"You are one hell of a fighter, Konami," Vladimir said, clapping Konami on the back. "I haven't had a battle that satisfying in a long time. You may not have won the battle, but you have gotten yourself a new ally, I will be honored to be a part of your guild."
Konami grinned, his eyes alight with the thrill of the battle and the excitement of having found an ally.
"Same to you, Vlad. You're one tough opponent. Thanks for the good fight."
Konami was feeling pleased, this was the first time he had fought someone not as an assassin who will use any cheap trick possible to win, but as a warrior.
Xander, who had been watching the battle from the sidelines, rolled his eyes as the two men continued to praise each other. "You two are like kids in a candy store," he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Vladimir turned to Xander, a look of confusion on his face. "And who might you be, stick man?"
Xander's expression turned to one of annoyance. "I'm Xander, and you better watch it, you big chunk of mass!" he retorted, crossing his arms over his chest.
Vladimir laughed, a deep, booming sound that filled the guild hall. "Relax. I'm just messing with you." He turned to Konami "what's his problem anyway?"
"Oh, that's just Xander," Konami said, shrugging. "He's not much of a fighter, but he's a damn good thief."
"Hey!" Xander protested, "I might not be as strong as you two, but I've got my own talents." Vladimir just laughed.
"Well, that's cool, I guess. A guild needs all types," Vladimir said, taking another swig of his ale.
Konami frowned, "Oh, Xander won't be joining the guild, he came here under an arrangement we had."
"About that, I've texted Ara and Kai that I won't be back for a while."
Konami's face lightened. "Does that mean…"
Xander smirked as he nods his head. "Seeing you two fight made me realize how weak I am. Even a thief like me has things he wants to protect. I'll join your little guild as long as you help me awaken my relic and teach me how to use my anima correctly."
Vladimir raised his glass in a toast. "Well then, to new allies and exciting battles to come," he said, taking a drink.
"That said," Xander rubbed his chin. "What do we call our guild?"
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After hours of shuffling through names, an idea for the perfect name struct Konami like lightning. "Nightshade." They pondered on the name silently for a while before expressing their liking to it.
"Not bad." Xander smirked.
Vladimir bursts to a laugh. "A dreadful name indeed, it will strike fear into our enemies' hearts!"
Konami stands on the table, raising his cup to the sky. "Today marks the birth of the Nightshade guild."
Xander and Vladimir followed suit, raising their cups as well. "Cheers!"