e all supposed to be on watch and we
e being watched already.
” stated Truman. Feeling her cover was blown, Princess Zhen crawled quickly away, back to the camp before they could even find her.
The next day, the three boys and Xing were together, telling stories of their adventures so far. They were laughing, joking, and talking just loud enough that everyone else couldn hear as they rode their horses ahead. ”Looks like they weren joking that hes real. ” said one of the Assassin Twins, as they watch the group talk.
”But is he as good as they say? ” asked Hangman, who still doubted the mysterious persons ability.
”Who knows, I was surprised he woke me up for my shift last night. I didn hear him approach. ” claimed Owl.
”Whats his real name? ” whispered Princess Zhen to Lord Tyron.
”If I tell you, your majesty, youll regret it. For his name is forbidden to say both in the shadows and the light. ” replied Lord Tyron.
”Lord Tyron, I suggest we take a break. Its a good time to show Shadow what she has learned and help critique her. ” shouted Truman, he pointed over a spot where a tree grew in the valley. It was a big tree providing lots of shade for them as it was the only one for a few more miles.
”Good thinking, ” agreed Lord Tyron after he scan around for an obvious threat.
”We could keep going, theres a town not far from here Im sure. ” advised Captain Howin.
”That town is where I want to rest for the night, also this break is more for your horses to catch their breath. ” reasoned Lord Tyron.
After settling down, Owl and Hangman took watch first while the rest watched Xing battle with Truman. He called out different strikes but when he called the same number but a different strike, Xing blocked it as she was on alert.
”You
e not going to get me with the same stunt twice.
” stated Xing while their swords locked.
”Well, its a pity youve lost. ” claimed Truman. He kicked at her feet, causing her to collapse to the ground. As she tried to get up, she felt the cold metal tip of the blade touching her chin.
”Always be on your guard, especially ones you know well. ” advised Shadow, he was still wearing his cloak over and around him. The only thing anyone could see was a necklace barely peeking out and a black handle of his sword.
”I did, ” defended Xing.
”You went on autopilot, focus on when and where my different attack would come. Once it did, you felt victorious only to be swept off your feet. ” explained Truman, helping her up.
”Never believe that you out-think your opponent, if they
e smart, theyll find a way to win.
” said Shadow.
”Sounds like you had that happen to you. ” called out Lord Zào.
”Too many times, my lord. ” sneered Shadow, as his voided face turn to look at him. ”So many times that I lost count of opponents who thought they knew me. ”
”Then how come we never heard you if you fought against many? ” asked Lord Zào.
”Because those who fought me were never seen alive again, I like to keep a low profile. ” replied Shadow.
”Only me and Tony have seen him fight, my lord. Hes not someone to challenge against. ” warned Truman.
”I would like to see if thats true, Shadow, I challenge you to a dual. ” challenged Lord Zào, staring at the shadows covering the Shadows face.
Shadow said nothing, he only looked at him giving no expression or hint at what he was thinking. ”The breeze must have picked up, cause I thought I heard it challenge me. ” he declared, ignoring Lord Zào.
”Must be your imagination, ” stated Tony, playing along.
Lord Zàos mouth dropped for the respect given to him. ”Excuse me, Im talking to you. ” he said.
”There it is again, ” stated Shadow.
”I wonder if the wind counts as the royal family. ” pondered Truman aloud.
”You know its me, Dual Bladed Ninja. I challenge Shadow to a dual, he can ignore my request since Ill be emperor. ” snapped Lord Zào.
”Wrong, ” stated Shadow, finally acknowledging the lord. ”I can refuse a challenge for royalty, but aren yet. Planned marriage doesn count either, therefore I can give you the disrespect you perhaps deserve till you are emperor. ” stated Shadow as more of his face hid under the cowl creating a blackhole. ”But if I did accept, you won win, you won even get a strike. Ill move so fast that your blade will be gone from your hands before a second has passed. ” he threatened.
”Then accept mine, ” declared Princess Zhen, she wanted to face him for being rude to her party even though it was true.
”Ill warn you, you won win. ” warned Shadow.
”Ive trained with Truman, the instructor at the academy, and Captain Howin taught me a thing or two. I won go down easy and if I win, you tell me whats your real name. ” stated Princess Zhen, her eyes began to dance like fire as she was determined to fight him.
”Very well, if I win or you win, I will tell the rest of you my real name. But if I win, no one will tell anyone about it. ” stated Shadow, as he turned looking at the members of the black market, the lord, the captain, and the princess.
”I accept those terms, ” agreed Princess Zhen.
The two found a clear patch in the field and prepared for battle. Truman approached Shadow and offered him his black Valtryek. ”No need, we won battle with mechs. ” refused Shadow before turning to face his opponent.
Princess Zhen felt a pinch of jealousy that Truman was close to Shadow that he even offered his sword. ”Is the reason being youll lose if we did? ” she mocked.
”It will be unfair for you, not that it is anyway. ” declared Shadow. They glare at each other as the tension rise, creating chills for some of the others as the rest felt the heat.
”Princess Zhen has challenged Shadow for a sword battle only. The rules are theyll be using real blades. They are not allowed to do harm to each other while they fight. The winner will be decided if the loser has its sword knocked out of its hands or the blade is out of position and the victor has his pointing for the final blow. In a black market dual, you may use anything to get an advantage as long the other has the opportunity as well. Do both of you agree? ” said stated Truman, who was going to be the referee of the dual.
”Agree, ” stated Shadow, pulling his cloak back to grab and revealed his black sword.
”Lets do this, ” agreed Princess Zhen grabbing her sword.
”Both have understood the rules of the dual. Lord Tyron, will you be the second witness to this fight? ” asked Truman.
”I will and Ill make sure the terms will be upheld. ” said Lord Tyron.
”Then begin! ” announced Truman, leaping back as the two charged at each other.
Princess Zhens and Shadows blades clashed, locking for a breath moment before they separated and Shadow begins his attacks. They were quick and strong but Princess Zhen was able to block and push them away almost like a spear. She then went on the offensive, forcing Shadow to stop his next swing to block the oncoming assault.
”I don remember teaching her that, ” commented Truman as he watch how Princess Zhen moves her sword.
”It still should be familiar to you, ” said Captain Howin as he watched with Truman the dual.
”Its similar to your technic but you use a spear mostly and not the sword. ” said Truman.
”Well, there are times when Im forced to use my blade. I watched her waiting under a tree a while back, sometimes an apple or two will fall and shell cut it down before it hits the ground. She grew impatient knowing your technic involves a quick change in direction. So I decided to teach her how to fight using my spear technic with a sword. I was surprised she caught on quickly. ” explained Captain Howin.
”Im not, my technic, while its main focus is to change how the blade flies quickly, it also opens up to using other technics. From the more peaceful and graceful ones to the more fearful and destructive ones. ” stated Truman. They continued to watch the fight as the momentum of attacks shifted between the two.
Shadow lunged back away from Princess Zhen as she was catching her breath. ”Had enough? ” taunt Shadow.
”Not even close, ” stated Princess Zhen before she charged at him. She swung her sideways, hoping to lock blades with him. However, Shadow somersaulted over her, when she turned around, he was nowhere to be seen.
”Hes hiding in the bushes. ” declared Lord Zào. A few moments later, something black pounced out from the bushes. It caught her off guard as she barely was able to block it while the blur continued back into the bushes. ”He can do that, thats cheating. ” accused Lord Zào.
”May I ask how my lord? ” questioned Tony, watching the fight nearby.
”Hes hiding in the field for an advantage. ” complained Lord Zào.
”Can her majesty do the same thing? ” asked Tony.
”If hes cheating, she shouldn , instead she should call him out to end this fight. ” stated Lord Zào.
”If didn hear me from the first time, ” began Truman who heard Lord Zàos complaining. ”I said, hey may use anything to get an advantage as long the other has the opportunity as well. The princess can use the bushes as well if she wants to. ”
”But I thought the border of the arena is that patched. ” argued Lord Zào.
”The empires borders could be the border for this fight if they want. I never said where the out of bounds was, nor did I put up a wall shield to protect us and them. ” said Truman.
”If you
e going to complain more, my lord, I would suggest you do it after we part ways or else.
” threatened Shadow, coming from the bushes in front of Lord Zào like a ghost. It scared the lord and before he could even flinch, Shadow charged at Princess Zhen again. After he passed her, she chased after him in the fields swiping the grass he just barely disappeared in. As the grass flew from the cut, she discovered he wasn there.
”Well, that was close,
” declared Shadow, hiding on the other side of the patch.
”Impress yet? ” questioned Princess Zhen as she drew near to the center of the clearing.
”Of what? Your skills or I playing with you all this time? ” mocked Shadow before he pounced and hide in the bushes again. ”Your skills could be deadly if you keep practicing and your instincts could be fine even more than what they are now. Thats all you have and nothing else, but I have something else. ” he continued to explain before doing the same thing again. ”And its working. ”
Princess Zhen turned her left to right violently, looking for where hell pounce as he continued using his strategy. ”You know hes serious when he uses the advantage against you. ” commented Tony as they watch Princess Zhen struggling to keep up.
”What is he talking about? Whats his secret weapon? ” asked Lord Zào as he realized the fight was almost over.
”Fear, ” stated Tony.
Suddenly, Shadow pounced for the final time as he sent strikes upon the princess. She was caught off guard as the blades clashed again and again while the sound coming from them continued long and sharp. ”One! Two! Four! Six! Five! One! ” shouted out Shadow. However, his last one was different from the first as he twirled while his cloak hid him and his blade. Seeing the opportunity, Princess Zhen went for one final move to win. Her blade came down, crashing on the cloak though it continued down with no resistance. And hand grabbed the handle of her sword and a black blade slithered in front of her face. When she turned to see her opponent, her eyes went wide and her skin went pale.
The opponent who she fought was wearing black pants and boots, they look worn but in great condition to last even longer. Around his hip was his sheathe for his sword and a tucked black robe. There was a white shirt underneath the robe as a necklace swayed back and forth before stopping. Near his sword hand, there was a tan where a watch used to be but now it was gone. Not only was the princess surprised but also Lord Zào, Captain Howin, and the six other members of the black market.
”Your majesty, my lord, captain, and members of the black market, ” began Truman, ”Allow me to reintroduce to you Former Prince Zhōng, son of Emperor Huo and the Shadow in the black market. Our tenth and final member for us in the games. ”
Everyones faces went even paler as the dark blue eyes never broke eye contact with the princess. ”Its good to see you again, your majesty. ” said Zhōng as smiled with victory.