The ones I once regarded as friends.

In the pitch-black room, corpses lay scattered, silent witnesses to the gruesome act that had unfolded moments ago, the scent of blood still heavy in the air. However, besides the smell, everything was quiet and peaceful - with only nature that could be heard. The once vibrant household was now devoid of life, echoed with the absence of laughter, music, and conversations. The three masked men just finished killing all their targets - heads of the rich Yatell family, their successors and their servants. A figure wearing a dark robe emerged from the shadows, the dim light revealing a face with a huge scar going from chin to left eye.

"John Yatell, the closest successor to the Yatell family is confirmed to be dead." The man that just appeared said with a cold voice.

"Hey Kayn, look at this!" Another man wearing black shouted, whose hair was bloody red.

"Loyd, I told you to not call me by my name during the mis..." The man called "Kayn" turned towards him and was replying to him, while he felt that something has stabbed him into his back. What he saw were two swords, that belonged to the rest of his comrades.

"Kayn... Were your senses always this dull? I thought we would fight some more, but I guess it's been long since you were the strongest of the "Shadows." Loyd said and then he started drawing his own sword.

"...so the organisation has finally decided to kill me? I knew this moment would come, but I never thought it would be you, my childhood friends, who would betray me..." Kayn asked, his voice was filled not with anger, but a deep sorrow, disappointment and sadness.

"Sorry, orders are orders. We in fact were friends, but you always were the better one. Being given the most resources, praised by everyone, taking all credit. It was all four of us who have completed the missions, not JUST you. When organisation decided to get rid of you we were the first ones to sign up for this task." Said one of them, his hair was gray and eyes as blue as is the cloudless sky.

"Well, you know everything now, and it seems like you don't have much time left, seeing that you are bleeding so much... Any last words?" Loyd asked Kayn as he looked at him and pointed his sword his heart.

"Loyd, Jake, Aryt and also my name which is Kayn... Those are the names that organisation has given us. Have you never wondered what are our real identities? Why are we forced to obey every order, because if we don't our body is going through extreme pain? I was close to freeing us, to just abandoning this all... And that's why now I am being killed. I'm, no, we are just a cannon fodder, dispensable things that can be used. Just a tool for completing missions. We completed them together, but I was doing my part quickly and efficiently. They always observe, analyse our every move and you know what? They fear us, they fear that we get out of their control and turn on them. You never had a thought of betraying them, because its impossible for you. They removed our humanity and turned us into killing machines. I never failed even one mission. Even with me being so useful to them I'm still being thrown away at first doubt they had about me. No, they didnt discover my plans - they went with their gut feeling and thats it. You killing me doesnt mean that you will now be "the best". I'm gaining freedom with death and you, who only think about benefits, jealous of others will never become as strong as me. You will just be used and nothing more than that. Live the rest of your lifes as a mere slaves." Kayn finished his long speech and then spat on the floor.

The rest of them were listening to him and with every word he said they were more and more furious. Killing intent oozing from them, they finally decided to end the misery of the man they once regarded as their friend. Loyd looked at Kayn coldly and pierced his heart.

Kayn smiled, his face became pale as he slowly released his last breath. His grin as he was releasing his last surprised three of them due to how calmly he accepted his death.