Chapter 6: Caden

　　Caden thought he might be going crazed. Perhaps Vance was right about interacting with the vagrants because now he was seeing things. A weird shadow in the palace. . . what could that have been? He`d already returned from the escort he was assigned to and was now waddling behind Twill`s squad in the middle of the night, scanning buildings and turning his Defiant Flame on and off. They traveled down the main path between quadrants three and four toward the southern gate.

　　It was nice to see Elena again, he thought. She was gorgeous and was always so kind to him. Although he hadn`t seen her since childhood, perhaps he shouldn`t be so formal anymore. On top of that, she mentioned. . . treason? If that was some kind of joke, it wasn`t funny. Although, he couldn`t turn her in. . . not if she was also investigating Isabel`s murder.

　　"Squire! Keep up!"

　　Caden was thrust back into reality by Twill`s shouts. He picked up the pace. At first, he had been excited to join the squad for a night, but after learning the lot of them were idiots, he regretted ever feeling that way. Four knights were in the squad with him, yet he didn`t bother to learn their names. A second squire tailed next to him, but that boy was silent,

　　offering no words to anyone. Back at the barracks, the knights had pouted like children that Caden would be joining them.

　　"But we want the pretty squire girl!" one of them had hollered in protest.

　　Mia had de-escalated the situation; she could get away with disrespecting her squad because they would coo at her like a child or a puppy. However, Caden had interacted with Mia before at the academy. She was talented and clever; he had no idea how she put up with these idiots.

　　Would she act just like them upon being promoted? He sighed, realizing the cycle wouldn`t be broken even if he was promoted. The Order would always have this strict code to follow. It was very poorly put together.

　　He kept watch even now, pulling his Defiant Flame and being able to see everything clearly. He glanced up, and a shadow jumped from one rooftop to another.

　　Is that. . . the same shadow? Caden nearly stopped walking. It leaped again, and he got a clear view. It landed on a rooftop next to him, and suddenly, he couldn`t turn off his ability to see in the dark. That was the same shadow.

　　This time, he could see what it was: a person, possibly a girl, although her face was covered, and he couldn`t see her hair. She wore leather armor - just like he did - and a navy blue cloak wrapped around her shoulders and pulled up into a hood. A white skull mask covered her face, but he could still see her chin and mouth.

　　She stared right at him. He couldn`t see her eyes, but her gaze was paralyzing. The girl waved and jumped away. Was that the Lady of the Stars? He`s heard the stories. It must be, right? She`s out here, right when he needed her to be. Did she plan to attack? She had the aura of a predator.

　　"Permission to speak, Elite Twill!" Caden asked, raising his voice.

　　"Denied."

　　"But -"

　　"Denied!" Twill spun around, stopping the party, and approached him. "You listen when given orders, or I`ll kill you." He pointed an angry finger in his face. "Understood?"

　　"Yes, sir," Caden managed.

　　The shadow jumped again, landing directly in front of the squad. The knights turned their backs to her, and Twill still towered over Caden.

　　He clenched his jaw, biting back fear. He didn`t want this squad to die, and even though it would be dangerous, he needed to say something to warn them.

　　"I think that there`s -"

　　Twill responded by attacking. Why? Because he`s ruthless. He unleashed his mace from his belt and swiped it toward Caden. The boy didn`t have a chance to dodge and instead leaned away, letting the mace hit him in the stomach and send him toppling to the ground.

　　Rage poured through him, but he wouldn`t dare attack a member of his Order.

　　The shadow girl made a mad dash straight toward Twill.

　　"Learn to keep your mouth shut, boy!" Twill snapped, "Now form up! We keep marching. And keep your eyes peeled for -"

　　"Look out!"

　　It was too late for Twill. The shadow girl had reached his back and stabbed him directly in the neck, above the shoulder blade. It was a precise strike, a practiced one. "I`m so sorry. . ." her voice was squeaky and high pitched.

　　Twill`s body crumbled. Caden immediately jumped away, drawing his sword and focusing on the girl. The rest of the squad shouted Lady of the Stars` and scrambled into action. She held two black daggers, gave Caden a brief smile, and leaped into battle.

　　"Only five," she muttered. She landed by two knights; they swung at her, and she ducked low, causing both attackers to strike themselves. She leaped into the air and struck from above. She sliced both knights in the same area where she stabbed Twill. A single cut, right above the shoulder blades, severing the spine. Why? "Please, forgive me," she said.

　　Nobody else had the chance to move. The girl was too fast, and the heavy armor of the knights slowed them down. She pushed herself away with some invisible force, and white and blue sparks radiated out from her.

　　"Easy, you`ll be okay." She pulled the knife from one of them, and he fell into a blissful sleep. Nobody screamed. They just died. The only person who managed to get away was the other squire; he ran before anybody could tell him not to.

　　She stole their lives in a moment. She was the hunter, the predator, evil incarnate.

　　Caden moved. He rushed her just as she struck down the last knight. If he could get a single hit in, it would be over. He dashed forward, unleashing his sword in a flurry of thrusting attacks. She dodged them all perfectly. He could defeat her if he caught her off guard.

　　She grabbed his wrist, "Please, wait, let`s not fight."

　　Not fight? Was she insane?

　　"I need you to come with me," she said.

　　He swung again; she was blown out of the way by an invisible gust of wind.

　　"You`re the shadow from the palace! You were real! You were watching me? Why? What do you want?"

　　"Please," she said, suddenly far away, "right this way, I can answer your questions on the way there."

　　She now had this calm and somber voice, very different from her squeaky and almost expressive apologies.

　　He charged her again, swinging and missing.

　　"Why must you keep fighting?"

　　"You killed a group of knights!"

　　"A necessary sacrifice. . ." she paused, then smiled, "You`re Caden Arkell, right?" Her voice was squeaky again, and she mispronounced his last name horribly.

　　I`ll have to distract her somehow, maybe buy some time? She seems to want to talk. . . I`ll see what she wants, and as soon as she turns her back. . . I`ll end her.

　　"Yeah, I am, so?"

　　"Listen," she snapped, suddenly angry. "I have a job here. I`m losing my patience. You want to fight? I can fight. But I have orders, and I need to bring you in. So, follow me, or try to fight me and lose."

　　"So, you`re not here to kill me?"

　　"No. I`m not even allowed to kill you."

　　Caden ran. He heard her sigh from behind him, but he kept running. If he could return to the barracks, he could find Elite and get help. Perhaps escape was the best option. He caught a glance of the girl still behind him, then turned around and ran straight into something. He fell to the stone pavement and, upon looking up, realized the girl was right in front of him. How fast was she?

　　"You can`t run from me."Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

　　Caden jumped up, leaping backward to provide distance. She held daggers, so she could only kill if she got in close. He held his sword at a downward angle away from his body to strike with greater force.

　　I could stall for time. The other squire had vanished. He`ll get help. But if she wants to talk. . . I need answers.

　　"You want to talk?" Caden asked.

　　She shook her head, "I want you to listen."

　　"I don`t listen to little girls."

　　She clenched her fists.

　　Seriously? She got mad at a silly insult.

　　"Tell me about the vagrant militia," Caden snapped.

　　"What would I know about that?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

　　The two began to circle each other. She held her daggers in a stance he`d never seen before, definitely not one taught at the academy.

　　"Tell me about all the Pyromancers who align themselves with you."

　　"What the hell are you on about?"

　　"Tell me about Isabel," he snapped.

　　She stopped in place. "She was your sister."

　　He scowled at her.

　　"She was my predecessor. I have her magic now."

　　He stopped, too, then clenched his jaw and charged.

　　I have her magic now.

　　She killed her; she had to have killed her.

　　Caden charged, leaping directly at her with a calculated strike. The sound of metal clanging against metal filled the cold air.

　　"So, you really do want to fight?" she asked. "Very well, I guess she did say you had to be as strong as me."

　　Caden felt that familiar rage once more. It pulsed through his muscles and fueled every strike. He was on the offensive, keeping her a safe distance away from him. The length of his blade allowed him to take the initiative.

　　She parried every attack perfectly. Every single strike he made, her dagger was there to deflect it. He needed a strategy, something to throw her out of her game.

　　"That all you got?" he smirked, "Do you even know how to fight?"

　　Her lip curled just a little bit, and his sword slid against her dagger, causing sparks to scatter. He took a step back.

　　"Just," she grunted, "either be quiet and fight or come with me. Don`t waste more of my time."

　　That worked. I`ll do it again.

　　"Shut up, you psycho!" He stepped forward, using his whole body to swing from his waist in an upward arc. She twirled out of the way.

　　"I am not a psycho," she snapped.

　　"You just killed a group of knights!"

　　She stomped her foot on the pavement, "Yes, but . . . well, I saved you! Obviously!"

　　This girl really is crazy. Caden thought. He laughed a little bit, then continued to push, anything to get her to falter.

　　"Oh yes, trying to make yourself out as the hero. Is that not a trait of psychopaths?"

　　"Flame you!" she shouted, then she charged. Perfect.

　　Caden ducked, dropped his sword, and then went to punch her. She reacted instantly and jumped back.

　　"Last I checked," she snarled, "I did save you. Twill had thrashed you with his hammer! He might have killed you." She was shouting and pointing at him. Why was it so easy to piss her off?

　　"That was nothing. Just discipline! Sorry if that`s a new concept to you, slag!" Caden shouted.

　　The girl bared her teeth at the insult. Caden almost laughed. She was strong, but he could make her stumble with simple academy insults? How old was she?

　　"Aw, did that upset you? I`m so sorry. Maybe I wouldn`t use that word if you didn`t look like such a slag." He did laugh this time, loud and conceited.

　　"Shut your mouth!" she screamed, stomped, and waved her arms around. "Don`t talk about the way I look! You can`t even see me!"

　　"That costume sure as hell doesn`t look endearing."

　　"I made this!"

　　"Well, it makes you look like a slag!"

　　"Do you talk to your mother with that mouth of yours? Someone should teach you some manners! Hey!" She pointed at him. "Don`t make that face at me!"

　　Caden stuck his tongue out. Seeing this girl pissed off beyond belief was hilarious. His Defiant Flame roared underneath his skin, filling his mind. Her presence definitely made him feel more powerful. She affected him. . . somehow.

　　She charged at him, perfect.

　　The problem was that she moved with the force of the winds; it was not natural. He dodged to the side and barely held up his weapon in time to parry a strike. He noted she aimed at his shoulder, not his heart. His arms burned, and he slid back on his feet as their weapons collided and shivered against his throat.

　　"I don`t know what you call discipline, but you have no idea what pain is," the girl said.

　　"Well, what can I say? I`m a trooper."

　　"You sound like an idiot. A stupid boy, that`s what you are."

　　He scowled.

　　"You think I`m the bad guy, but you`re on the wrong side, Arkell," she snapped and mispronounced his last name wrong again.

　　They traded attacks for a moment, sending echoes of vibrant anger rippling through the air. Eventually, he dashed out of the way of a counter.

　　"I`m the bad guy? You killed a squad of knights! How does that make me evil?" Caden shouted as she gained distance.

　　"The knights pillage the vagrants all the time. You should know this. I bet you love torturing those people, don`t you? Are you one of those knights who parade at the sanctuary?"

　　She`s playing me at my own game.

　　"The knights protect vagrants! Even though they are all half-crazed like you are! I`m not evil! I`d never. . ."

　　"Isabel would say so too," she sighed, twirling her dagger, "After all, I am her successor. She named me as the one to carry out her work after her death. To think, she picked me, someone you don`t even know, over her own brother. She must have never loved you. Look at all the people you`ve hurt. Your people. You`re just an evil knight, and she knew that."

　　Caden was thrust back into his last argument with his sister, and shame crawled up and into his heart.

　　"Shut up already!" He charged, leaping from the ground with immense force. His sword came up in a furious arc. She twirled out of the way like a dancer and landed a punch on his side. It was full of such power that it sent a shockwave of pain through his entire body. She then grabbed his wrist and twisted it. His sword fell to the floor. She kicked him in the stomach and sent him hurtling backward. He turned, lying on his back on the snowy pavement as a shadow loomed over him.

　　She was twirling her dagger in her hand, "See? You`re just a stupid boy causing chaos while I`m bringing justice. I caught onto the game you were playing and hit you back twice as much. The difference is you got lucky. You happened to stumble across an insult I detest. But me? I knew about you before I even engaged in combat. Know your enemy and all, right? Did you learn anything at that academy?"

　　He tried to get up, but she straddled him and slammed him back onto the floor. Her dagger grazed his neck as she glared down at him.

　　"What would you know about justice? You`re the Lady of the Stars!"

　　"God, I wish that I wasn`t, but sadly, yes, that is me," she scoffed. Then she got very close to his face, "Hi, Arkell boy," she spoke in an odd and flirtatious way, "Will you listen to me now?"

　　He blushed and looked away, "No."

　　"A pity, Renna said that works on stupid boys," she sighed.

　　"Yeah, it might if you didn`t just kill their squad moments ago," Caden sneered.

　　She groaned, "No, I think it`s just that my beauty is too much for you."

　　Caden laughed.

　　"What`s funny?"

　　"You`re wearing a mask!"

　　"So? Don`t boys go crazy over masquerade balls?"

　　He laughed harder, "You`ve never talked to a boy before, have you?"

　　She punched him in the face. "Of course, I have. They`re all stupid like you."

　　"First of all," he said, licking his teeth, "Ow. Second, I meant trying to flirt with someone to get them to do what you say. First tip here, princess, don`t flirt with a boy after you kill his friends."

　　"But Renna said -"

　　"Renna is stupid."

　　She raised her fist to punch him again but decided not to.

　　"Now, what do you want with me?" Caden said.

　　"Oh, so now you`re willing to listen?"

　　Caden stared at her flatly, "You have a knife to my throat. Do you expect me to fight back?"

　　"You just called Renna stupid!"

　　"I was just giving you advice."

　　"Why would you do that?"

　　That question struck him as odd. "I. . . was kidding."

　　"Oh. . ." she paused for a long time. It was like her brain had shut down and was trying to restart.

　　"Why were you looking for me? If you claim to be Isabel`s successor, why wait all this time before contacting me? Shouldn`t you also be trying to find her killer? Why would Isabel give her power to a filthy vagrant?"

　　"First, I`m not filth," she said, fire in her eyes, "And second, you ask so many questions despite having a knife to your throat," she said, "But I was looking for you because I was told to. Now, will you come along, or do I have to cut you a little bit?" She smiled a wicked grin from ear to ear.

　　"What does your boss want with me?"

　　"Boss?" She threw her head back and laughed. "Good one. Funny. She wants to offer you a job."

　　"Which. . . is?"

　　"You have to meet her first, then I`ll tell you."

　　"That sounds like a trap."

　　"No, no, we`re having a tea party and wearing princess dresses; it`s obviously not a trap."

　　Caden groaned.

　　"If I wanted you dead," she said, "I`d cut your throat."

　　"Then why don`t you?"

　　"Are you listening to me? Wait, do you want to die?"

　　"Well, if it`s between talking to you and dying. . ."

　　"Oh, shut up!"

　　They were silent for a moment, and the Lady of the Stars looked like she was trying to figure out how to continue with this. . . interrogation?

　　"What do you get out of this then?" Caden asked.

　　"I`m not telling you that."

　　"Do you get to, like, not be a slag anymore after this or something?"

　　"Call me that again," she said, "And I`ll knock you out." The knife grazed his neck with a flicker of pressure.

　　Caden thought about it momentarily, but this girl had him pinned, so antagonizing her was unwise.

　　"God, I hate you!" she said, "You`re not only unbelievably dimwitted, but you also say things that specifically piss me the hell off!" She also put her other dagger to his throat, having them cross. She got right in his face, "Let me make this clear," she spoke softly, "You`re going to come with me. We will set you up with a proposition you can`t refuse. I`m going to try my best not to beat you to a bloody pulp, and we will finish this stupid job. After that, I`ll leave this city, and you won`t ever have to call me Lady of the Stars again. Got it?"

　　For the first time, Caden was truly frightened. He had thought throughout this battle that he had the advantage, that he could piss her off and throw her off balance, and that she wouldn`t kill him because of her orders. Yet, despite this fear crawling through him, for some ungodly reason not even he understood, he decided to say something absurd:

　　"So, can I still call you slag then?" he asked politely.

　　She punched him so hard that his vision turned white. It was like Twill had just thrashed him with his hammer a hundred times over. That single wrathful blow most likely obliterated his entire eye and cheek.

　　And she didn`t just hit him once. She punched him multiple times, all while screaming: "Shut. . . your. . . flaming. . . mouth. . . you. . . jerk!"

　　Perhaps he took it a little too far, and the girl finally broke. He was bloody battered by the time she had stopped. His vision blurred in and out, and he felt like he was half asleep. The pain was odd as well, coming in waves. At first, he was fine, but his entire face burned a moment later.

　　Am I going to die? He thought. The Lady of the Stars had said she didn`t want to kill him, although he had pushed her too far.

　　"Now heal up, you stupid boy," she said, "you`re lucky you have Pyromancy. Otherwise, that might have killed you." She paused, then muttered to herself: "I channeled her a little too much there, but still. . . serves him right for calling me that."

　　Pyromancy? What is she talking about? He thought it made a little sense but was too disoriented to use logic.

　　"Hey, you alive?" she asked.

　　He coughed up blood in reply.

　　"Good. Now come on . . ." She started to drag his body through the city like a ragdoll.

　　The girl kept talking to him as his consciousness faded in and out.

　　"You`ll be fine."

　　"I wish I didn`t have to kill them, but it had to be done. . ."

　　"Renna is not stupid."

　　Does this girl ever shut up? Then, as if luck was on his side, he lost consciousness. Everything went black as the world faded away.