1 Chapter 1: Mission

"Sir, the enemy forces have retreated."

"Huh, I knew those weaklings would not last long." An obesely overweight man was overflowing from his barely visible chair inside a tent. "A battle that only lasts half a day is barely worth fighting, they could've provided at least a little more entertainment for us. If they keep fighting like this, the war will be over in a matter of months."

The full moon glistened over the camp of the army. They were recovering from their most recent battle along the cliffside. The camp only lit by torches around it and in the centre. But meanwhile, in the shadows hid a slim, hooded figure crouching behind one of the tents. This figure emerged out of the shadows undetected with manoeuvrability as fast as lightning and quickly killing one of the soldiers in the camp without making the slightest of noise. However, the body fell to the ground making a noise. Another soldier heard this thud and came to inspect the whereabouts of the noise but was slain by the hooded figure.

The figure continued to sneak around the camp killing more by the minute without making a noise.

"Arinjit, you end here and now," said the hooded figure. The fat man jumped a few inches out of his chair and tried to spin around but got stuck and lost breath halfway. He was still eating a full leg of ham with little chunks of it tangled in his beard.

"What… the fuck!?" screamed Arinjit as he spat ham at the intruder as he was still trying to regain his breath. "I thought you… had all retreated."

"Why should I follow them when I know I can kill you here and now."

Two more of the soldiers rushed into the tent, the hooded figure jumped in the air and sliced their throats in one swing with his sword and landed perfectly on his feet again.

"What are you? A monster!?" asked Arinjit as visible beads of sweat rushed madly down his huge pink pig-like forehead. The hooded figure lifted his hood revealing his face. He was a young man around twenty years old with black hair slightly swept to one side.

"I'm a normal human, you sir, are the true monster here," said the boy. He then rushed towards Arinjit with blazing speed and killed him in one swoop.

"No one will lose their family to you again."

The boy put his hood back on, grabbed a bag and cut Arinjit's head from his body the stuffed it inside the bag. He left the body in the tent only to be greeted by seven more soldiers. The figure ran and slid on the ground kicking one of the soldiers so he collapsed, he then unsheathed his sword and stabbed that same soldier. Another soldier approached from behind, but the figure tapped the handle of his sword which caused the blade to fly out to the other side of the sword. He then stabbed the soldier behind him. The figure then tugged the sword from the soldier's body and spun it in his hand to return it to the normal positioning. Another soldier ran towards him, the figure swung the sword down causing its sharp, jagged edges to wedge into the soldier's shoulder. The figure kicked the soldier off the sword then swung around with the it, slices another two soldiers in half as reinforcements came. The soldiers were as numerable as every grain of sand in a desert.

"Sorry guys, I don't have time for all of you, I need to go back and have dinner," said the figure. He backflipped on top of the tent behind him, quickly running to the cliff on the west side, scaled the cliffside to the top, jumps onto a horse and rides into the night.

The morning sun rose, the figure was still riding the horse until he arrived at another large campsite. Tents were scattered for the next one hundred and fifty metres, some bigger than the others. Different tents for different jobs, some for food, weapons and sleeping. The figure stepped off from his horse and tied it to a nearby pole.

"KURONO!"

The hooded figure looked behind him to see a fist rushing towards him, hitting him in the face and knocking him to the ground.

"Why didn't you retreat with us yesterday Kurono?" Said the man who hit the figure.

"I'm sorry commander Ocran," said the figure as he threw a bag towards the man. "But with all due respect sir, I think we retreated too early." The commander opened the bag revealing Arinjit's head.

"How?" questioned Ocran with a surprised look on his face.

"Surprise attack," replied Kurono as he rose from the ground. "When you guys retreated, they let their guard down allowing me to kill their commander. Along with other soldiers among their ranks." Ocran locked his eyes on Kurono.

"You are a very skilled fighter, but that arrogance of yours will get you killed on the battlefield one day," said Ocran.

"KURONO!" Shouted a voice. A skinny girl stomped towards Kurono with her hands on her swollen looking hips and long, white hair swaying from side to side behind her in a ponytail. When she got to Kurono, she pointed her finger so close to his faced she almost poked his eye.

"You were supposed to retreat with us! You could have died!" shouted the girl.

"I'm sorry Nozomi, but I saw an opportunity and I took it," replied Kurono.

"She is right though, you should've come back with us," said a tall blonde man.

"Ahh, Takoda," Kurono said as he stretched out his arms for a hug, Takoda and Kurono gave each other a manly pat on the back. When they let go of each other, Kurono turned around to see Nozomi still pouting.

"I'm sorry, did you want one too?" asked Kurono with his arms stretched out for a hug. Nozomi batted his hands away so Kurono backed away, but Nozomi ran in and hugged him anyway.

"Don't ever do that again, okay?" said Nozomi.

"I might not," replied Kurono.

When Nozomi let go, Ocran told Kurono, Nozomi and Takoda to meet in the main tent.

The main tent was as big as a regular house, it had an area for storing weapons, food storage and cooking. The main area was for planning missions and battle strategies. The table used to plan these strategies was exceptionally large, there was a map of the country, letters from other units, and other piles of paper which cluttered the table.

"Good, Kadri, you're here," said Ocran. "But where's Valle?"

"In her tent as usual, I tried to get her out, but you know how scary she can be," replied a young boy with a bow on his back with long brown hair that covered his eyes.

"Of course," answered Ocran. "Kurono, you go get her."

"Yes sir."

Kurono approached a lone tent on the outskirts of the camp. The inside of it was small with one double sized bed, of which, found in an old village still in good condition, a small table and a line with clothes laid on it.

"Knock, knock," said Kurono.

"Whoever it is go away or I will burn you alive," said a long black-haired woman wearing a black shrine maiden dress revealing her long legs. Kurono entered the tent not worrying about what the woman just said. As Kurono entered the room the woman jumped up and ran over to him and hugged him viscously. She squeezed him so hard he could barely breathe, he looked down to see her large chest, with rather a lot of cleavage showing, squishing against his body then looked hastily away before Valle noticed and said something about it.

"Kuree! You're okay, I was so worried about you," said Valle.

"I told you to stop calling me that Valle," replied Kurono.

Valle let go of Kurono in slight disappointment.

"You know, I still think it's unfair you get a bigger bed than the rest of us," said Kurono.

"Well, I found it, so I keep it," replied Valle. "But if you want, I'm always happy to share it with you."

"I'm sorry but I have to pass for the time being."

"What a shame."

"Anyway, there's an important meeting that we need to attend to, so let's go."

"I was told about it, but I was so worried about you I didn't want to go."

"But I'm here now so it's okay."

"But I still don't want to go."

"Why not?"

"It'll just be another battle strategy."

"Yeah, we need to know what to do in the next battle."

"You just go and tell me the details afterwards."

"But why spend our time together talking about boring stuff like that when we could be talking about more interesting things."

"Or doing more interesting things," hinted Valle.

"You're pushing your luck Valle."

"Aww, why not, just this once."

"Listen, Valle, this is not what I came here about."

"Well, I'll only come if I get something out of it."

"You will."

"What?"

"Knowledge of what to do in the next mission."

"I don't want that."

"What do you want?"

"Surely you've figured that out by now," Valle said while looking angrily at Kurono.

"NO!"

"Ugh."

"Why can't you do it with someone else?" asked Kurono.

"Because I don't want to," replied Valle.

"Come on, we have to go."

"No."

"Stop arguing."

"But I will do fine without knowing who or what we're fighting or the plan for that matter, I'll just burn whoever gets in my way," Valle said as she lit a small fire in her hand.

"We're going."

"No."

"Don't make me drag you there."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Oh good, you got her to come," announced Ocran as Kurono was dragging Valle into the tent.

"Well, it nearly didn't happen," replied Kurono.

"Anyway," Ocran leaned on the table in the middle of the room which had a map of the entire country of Cheusta. "Our next target is Satsujin, leader of the assassin faction in the northern army. The temple he is in will be heavily guarded so sending all our forces immediately after our last battle would be suicide, especially with how many men we lost. So, I am sending you guys in to take him out quickly and quietly. Nozomi and Valle, you two will attack from behind, Kurono and Takoda, you two will attack the castle from the front and Kadri, you keep your distance and shoot down anyone who poses a threat to these four. Understood?"

"Understood," replied the group in unison.

"Good, now use the next couple of days to get some rest, then will set out and attack."

The group of soldiers left the tent together. Kurono and Takoda made their way over to the training grounds on the north side of the camp and began sparring with each other. The training grounds were made up of a couple of areas surrounded by a wooden fence in a large circle. There were stands holding wooden swords, bows, axes and lances.

"I bet I'll be able to kill more soldiers than you in the upcoming mission," claimed Takoda.

"How much are you willing to bet?" asked Kurono.

"How about the loser has to buy the winner as much food as the winner wants next time we go into town," replied Takoda as he swung the wooden training sword downwards towards Kurono. Kurono raised his training sword blocking the attack whilst pushing Takoda's sword back.

"That's a childish bet you know." commented Kurono.

"Oh well, can't make it too serious, we gotta have fun from time to time, wouldn't you agree?"

"Guess you have a point there."

Takoda swung his sword forcing Kurono to block it, as they held their swords in that position for a moment Takoda mentioned:

"You ought to train your left hand, it's considerably weaker than your right and could lead to plenty of openings for an enemy."

"I'll win anyway," Kurono replied.

"Whatever."

They continued to duel together until sunset. The two comrades then walked together to the main tent to eat.

"Hey, Kurono," said Nozomi as she got served her meal.

"Yeah," replied Kurono.

"After dinner, do you mind meeting me up on the cliff above the camp?" asked Nozomi.

"I can, but what for?"

"I just want to talk."

"Why not talk now?"

"Because I want to do it in private."

"A confession of your love?"

"That's never going to happen."

"Then why privately?"

"Because it's embarrassing."

"So, it is a confession."

"Stop dreaming."

"But it is such a pleasant dream," Kurono said jokingly.

"Just meet me after dinner," replied Nozomi.

"Fine."

Dinner went the same as every night, everyone gathered around large tables throughout the camp, talking, eating and drinking. Kadri walked over to the table that contained Kurono, Takoda and Nozomi. He sat his small figure in the spare seat next to Kurono.

"I just want to say sir, it's an honour to be working with you on the next mission, I've heard so many incredible stories about you!" Kadri praised taking a priced seat next to Kurono.

"Wow. Never thought I would be called sir," admitted Kurono. "You're Kadri right?"

"Yes sir!"

"You don't have to call me sir, Kurono is just fine."

"Oh, okay."

"You're a little younger than the rest of us, aren't you?"

"Yes, I'm fifteen years old."

"Quite an achievement to be in the army that young, pretty skilled with a bow?"

"I think I am."

"I guess we'll see in the next mission huh?"

"Yes sir."

"I said you don't have to call me sir."

"Oh, sorry." Kadri was embarrassed.

"Hah," Kurono laughed. "It's okay."

Kurono walked through the dry bush up the slope of the tall hill, it was not a long hike, but a steep one, nonetheless. When he reached the top, he was greeted with the warm presence of Nozomi.

"What did you force me out here to talk about?" asked Kurono.

Nozomi turned around quickly allowing her long white hair to flow in the wind. She smiled when she saw Kurono.

"I did not force you to come up here," replied Nozomi.

"Well, what did you want to talk about?" queried Kurono.

"I've just been worried," said Nozomi.

"About what?"

You… You keep on going out there alone putting yourself in dangerous situations with a high likelihood that you'll die, you need to know your limits."

"I do know my limits, and I haven't hit them yet, these battles so far are nothing, I'm still waiting for an actual challenging mission at to arise at some point."

"Well, you should at least allow us to assist you, I don't want you to get hurt or anything."

"There are other people you should be worried about."

"I know we should be worried about other people, like those we are trying to prote-"

"That's not who I'm talking about," said Kurono. Nozomi was confused. "I was talking about your parents, have they even seen you since-"

"Please don't speak of it," commanded Nozomi, tears began slowly rolling down her face.

"It's a great view, isn't it?" said Kurono, quickly changing the subject. Kurono sat on the edge of the cliff, looking over the camp. If he looked far enough, he could see the village, and even further, the castle of Cheusta.

"Yeah," replied Nozomi. "Really reminds you of what we're fighting for doesn't it?" Nozomi sat down next to Kurono.

"To have equality throughout the land," said Kurono.

"To keep the happiness of those less fortunate," replied Nozomi. "I really hope we can succeed."

"We will, I'm confident that we will."

"We just need to be prepared for anything."

"I am," said Kurono proudly.

"I don't know if you are, you never know what could happen."

"You're such a downer."

"But it's true, we could be in the safest place in this land and something unexpected could happen."

"I feel like you're going a bit off subject here," commented Kurono. "But I guess you're right, we never truly know what could happen."

"That's why we have to be careful," said Nozomi.

"I'll be fine as long as I have Mazqatal on my side," Kurono gestured to the sheathed sword on his hip. He used this sword in every mission, it was a light but strong sword with a katana like design. The sharp side of the sword was lined with jagged edges. On the handle there was button on both sides. If Kurono held one of these buttons, the blade of the sword would switch from one side of the sword to the other. These buttons forced Kurono to adjust his grip on the sword which caused many problems to begin with, but he had gotten used to it by now, allowing him to be a very skilled swordsman.

"It is a very good sword," commented Nozomi.

"It's, very difficult to use," noted Kurono.

"Well, you're skilled enough to use it, which doesn't surprise me," said Nozomi. Kurono leaned over to look Nozomi in the eye.

"Is this your way of flirting?" asked Kurono. Nozomi was shocked at Kurono's question.

"NO!" Nozomi said angrily. She then looked away embarrassed.

"Well, it was cute," said Kurono. "Though, you're always cute, especially when your embarrassed like right now."

"STOP IT!" Nozomi punched Kurono's arm.

"Ow, be careful, hit me too hard I might fall down the cliff."

"You'll be fine, you won't fall down the cliff."

"There you go flirting again, your way of doing it is so unique."

"THAT WAS NOT FLIRTING!"

The two sat there for a little longer, talking and appreciating the view, their friendship was strong. Both cared for each other and did not want to see the other get hurt.

"We've been up here for a while, we should go get some rest," said Nozomi.

"Yeah, we should," said Kurono while doing a fake yawn. "A shame though, the conversation was just getting interesting."

"We'll just have to pick up where we left off another time."

"Four!" screamed Takoda as he leaped in the air slicing bodies with his sword.

"Poor effort, I'm already on seven and we haven't even made it to the front gates yet," replied Kurono.

"We're gonna run out of enemies before we finish this mission, aren't we?" asked Takoda.

"Most Likely."

The two soldiers made their way towards the stone temple. The temple was very well hidden within the cliff face. Secret tunnels were scattered throughout the temple allowing for the inhabitants to make a quick escape if needed. There were two main entrances to the temple: one to the south, at the base of the cliff and another to the north, at the top of the cliff. It was an ancient temple with markings on the walls all throughout. There was a throne room in the middle where the leader of the assassin faction, Satsujin, sat. Kurono and the others goal: assassinate Satsujin.

There were two guards waiting for Takoda and Kurono at the front gates.

"I'll take the one on the left, you take the one on the right," said Takoda.

"No plan needed," replied Kurono as he unsheathed his sword allowing the full moons light to reflect off the blade. With one swing of his sword, Kurono sliced through both guards. "Nine," Kurono said as he sheathed his sword.

"That's not fair," said Takoda.

"We never settled on any real rules we just said whoever kills the most wins," replied Kurono.

"Smartass," commented Takoda.

"It's part of my charm."

Takoda and Kurono entered the dimly lit temple. Torches were lined along a tedious and narrow hallway.

"There aren't as many enemies as I thought there would be," mentioned Takoda.

"This has turned out to be a really simple mission hasn't it?" asked Kurono. "Barely posing any challenge."

A strike of lightning struck down from above, killing two guards at the north gates of the temple, Valle landed on the ground as the bodies fell. Nozomi rushed into the temple.

"Ugh, stop running," Valle grunted.

"But I want to get this mission done as soon as possible," Nozomi replied.

"Well, I couldn't care less how long it takes, I'm having fun killing these people," Valle commented as she and Nozomi stealthily moved through the halls of the temple.

"You shouldn't be having fun killing people," Nozomi replied.

"Why not? They're the enemy."

"But still human, they have families, taking their life shouldn't be a pleasure."

"Then why are you a soldier?"

"To protect my beloved Cheusta."

"Such a corny reply."

"I want to protect those I love."

"Again, really corny."

"Don't you have someone that you're fighting for?"

"No."

"But you seem to be close to Kurono, aren't you protecting him?"

"I don't actually like him in anyway except physically. He is simply tool to fulfill my womanly desires," Valle explained.

"Why would you do that to him?"

"Because he looked like he had the most 'potential.'"

"That's horrible."

"You're the one who's horrible, I hate you Nozomi, I hate you the most out of everyone in the army."

Nozomi was hurt by this comment, she always tried to be liked by everyone in the army. She would help everyone wherever she could, but if someone stepped out of line, she would let them know.

"Why do you fight then, you don't have a family to protect?" Nozomi asked.

"No," Valle replied. "I have a family, but I hate them. So nice to everyone, it was intolerable. I fight for money, whoever offers me the most money I join."

"You really are horrible."

Kurono and Takoda barged through large double doors that lead to the throne room of the temple. The throne room was extremely large with a stone throne in the middle. Seated on the throne was a small, skinny man in a hood, the leader of the assassin faction Satsujin. Satsujin had many guards around him. When Satsujin saw Kurono and Takoda he immediately stood up and ran for a secret tunnel towards the back of the throne room.

"Kurono rushed towards Satsujin but was stopped by two of his guards. Kurono attacked one while Takoda attacked the other. Kurono quickly spun around and jammed Mazqatal in the soldier's meaty shoulder but the sword got stuck there. A third soldier attacked Kurono while he was unable to move the blade, but Kurono quickly turned around and kicked the approaching guard knocking the breath out of the soldier. He then turned back to the guard with the sword in his chest and began to saw the guard in half diagonally, in order to get the sword out. Once Kurono had done this his quickly turned around and stabbed the guard he had kicked.

Takoda headbutted his opponent, knocking him backwards. Takoda then proceeded to slice his enemies throat killing them.

"Eleven," Kurono said as he rushed to the tunnel Satsujin had entered. Takoda followed.

The two southern soldiers pursued the enemy through the small narrow tunnels, then the tunnels ended and led into a deep forest. When Kurono and Takoda ran out of the tunnels they were greeted by two more guards, Takoda reacted quickly and shot a bolt of lightning from his hand killing one guard. He killed the other with his sword.

"Eight," Takoda announced.

Kurono continued chasing the fleeing target into the forest. Satsujin was far ahead though and Kurono could not see him anymore.

Satsujin reached a small opening in the forest, he looked around when suddenly an arrow was shot directly at his head. Satsujin dodged the arrow but another was shot so quickly after that he could not evade it, it shot him straight in the temple killing him. Kadri then jumped down from the branch of the tree he was in as Kurono and Takoda had reached him.

"Good job kid!" Takoda exclaimed.

"Yeah, you stole my kill," Kurono said jokingly. But seriously I would have had him Kurono thought.

"Now we just gotta wait for the girls," said Takoda.

"I guess the guys got here first," said Nozomi.

"No point in us being here then. I knew this mission was a waste of time, let's head back to the rendezvous point," Valle replied.

Then a large man in heavy armour appeared wielding a ball and chain.

"Of course," Valle said.

The man threw the ball ferociously at Valle, Nozomi quickly jumped in the way and blocked it with her axe.

"Valle! Run!" Nozomi screamed. "We can't beat him!" Valle reluctantly followed Nozomi's orders and ran, Nozomi followed.

When the girls had reached the doors of the temple they looked back and were surprised to find that the heavily armoured man was not following them. They then made their way to meet up with the other soldiers to finish the mission.

"Are you purposely buying extra food?" Takoda asked.

"Of course I am, do you really think I'm going to eat all of this?" Kurono replied as he held the large paper bag of food in his hand. "I've got to rub in my victory."

"Ugh, whatever," Takoda said. "I'm just mad we have to get supplies in this weather." Takoda looked up to the sky as rain poured onto the streets of the Cheustian capital, Pilbate.

"Well, at least we don't have to get much," Kurono mentioned.

"We are getting a lot with what you're buying," said Takoda.

"You're right there."

Takoda and Kurono made their way over to the local bakery and stood under the shelter while they chose the food to purchase.

"I want all of your apple pies," Kurono announced as he pointed to the twelve apple pies the bakery had in stock.

"You don't need all of them," Takoda replied.

"Yes, I do."

"Why?"

"Because I do."

As Takoda and Kurono argued they heard a loud bang from within the bakery.

"Get out of here you filthy rat!" screamed one of the bakers from within the bakery.

Kurono looked at the back door of the bakery and saw a long, light blue flowing behind a young girl as she ran out the door. Kurono dropped his bag of food and chased the girl.

"KURONO!" Takoda yelled as Kurono chased the girl.

Kurono continued chasing the girl through multiple alleyways and through backstreets in the pouring rain until eventually the girl stopped. She sat down against a wall, knees to her face closing herself off. Kurono stopped and stood there, looking at the girl.

"Why did you chase me?" the girl asked.