The city of Viseria... A grand city on the western shores. To the north, a vast mountain range... To the west are several small islands... From the east, a river flows into through the city and out into the ocean. Just before the river enters the ocean, there is a large island and on that island sits a castle palace. It is from here where the city is ruled. Surrounding the city is a massive wall, and four main gates in each direction. The main entrances to the city are the eastern gate and the southen gate, the northern gate leads into the mountains, and the western gate leads into the city's port. Around the city, there are also various smaller communties, most of which are specialized in a trade. There are mining communities in the mountains, fishing communities on the islands to the west, and farming communities to the south and east.
Near the north-west corner of Viseria, there is a shabby looking neighborhood. In this neighborhood, there is a diner... In the diner, Shade and Kari are finishing up a meal.
Shade: That was great!
Woman Standing Behind Counter: I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Kari: Thank you Ne-chan!
Ne-chan: No, thank you for being such frequent customers.
-= Ne-chan =-
Your friendly neighborhood food preparing person thingy... Is that really her real name? Or is it just what people call her? Who knows!
Shade: Well, we wouldn't be here so much if she would just stay home.
Kari: Why don't you stay home!? I can do the jobs fine all by myself!
Ne-chan: What a lively pair!
Shade: Hmph! Well, let's get going...
Kari: Here you go Ne-chan. (hands over some gold coins)
Ne-chan: Thank you! See you tomorrow!
Shade & Kari: Bye!
They leave, and start walking through a decrepit neighborhood...
Shade: This place has sure gone to hell...
Kari: It's all that bastard Decon's fault! Ever since he took over, these people have suffered!
Shade: Shhh! Not too loud! They might hear you.
Kari: Let them! I'll kick their asses if they try anything!
Shade shakes his head with eyes closed as they continue to walk... At a corner, they see a homeless man sitting there. He's has a full beard and messy hair. He wears tattered rags, holds a stick, and has a cup with a few coins in it in front of him...
Shade: There's more and more of them everyday...
Kari: (to the man) Here you go... (puts a few coins in his cup)
Man: (without looking up) Thank you...
Shade: What are you doing!? Don't give him our money!
Suddenly, a shadow zipa across the rooftops. A serious look appear on both Shade and Kari's faces.
Shade: (to Kari in a low voice) Did you notice?
Kari: (to Shade in a low voice) Of course. So what should we do now?
Shade: Let's leave quickly.
The pair dash down the streets...
Man: (looks at the direction they went) Thank you young ones...
With a few jumps, they make it onto rooftops and head towards the north wall...
Shade: Excellent! No guards patrolling...
They jump onto the wall, run to the other side, and leap into some trees, then drop down below.
Kari: There! That oughta do it!
Shade: Damn...
Kari: What?
Two men emerge from the woods... One wears armor, and his helmet completely covers his face, and has 2 katanas strapped to his left side, while the other wears a metal face mask that only covers his mouth, nose and chin.
Face Mask Guy: We've been expecting you...
Shade: Who the hell are you guys?
Face Mask Guy: Allow me to introduce myself... My name is Saedo. I am second in command of the Nameless Squad.
-= Saedo =-
Spikey hair, wears a metal face mask to cover his mouth, and tight pants to show rippling muscles. His weapons are on his arms... They are like big thick metal rectangular shell that attach to his arms. They extend a bit past the elbows and are strapped to his arm just under the elbow. On the other end, big thick metal claws stick out... His hand hold onto little bars to use the weapon... I think I'll just call it a Gauntlet from now on.
Kari: Nameless?
Saedo: Well, we're a newly formed bunch... Mainly because he won't work with anyone. (points to the other guy, who's only been staring at Shade all this time)
Shade: So who is this guy...
Saedo: His introduction will come later... Suffice it to say, he is my master and the commander of this little unit.
Shade: So he's the leader and you're the second. Wait a minute, are there only two of you?
Saedo: We do not operate as a pack... There's two of you and two of us...
Kari: There's only really two of you right?
Saedo: Well, like I said, we are a newly formed team...
The leader draws out one of his katanas...
Saedo: Uh-oh... Looks like the time for talk is over... Why don't you guys settle things, while I keep the pretty lady company...
Shade unsheathes Infinity and points it at Saedo... He stares at him for a second, then turns his attention towards the leader.
Shade: So I guess this whole thing was just to fight me... All right, I'll bite. You better not regret this.
Shade rushes in to attack, and both swords strike each other with great force.
Saedo: Master... Well now, how bout we
Saedo turns around and finds the blade of Jegen at his throat...
Kari: You said you'll keep me entertained right?
Saedo: Well, I don't think I said that exactly...
Kari: Too bad!
Kari starts thrusting Jegen at Saedo, but he dodges them all. Kari then does some wide swings, but they are dodged more easily.
Kari: Hey, you're pretty good...
Saedo: You're not so bad yourself...
Kari swipes at him with Jegen, but he blocks it using both Gaunlets. Saedo pushes back a little, which throws Kari a few steps back...
Kari: (to herself) That thing he wears really has some mass... And yet his arms can still move with great speed... This won't be easy...
Back with Shade, swords crossed scene...
Shade: Pretty strong... Who are you?
They push their blades into each other then jump back... They stare at each other, while slowly circling each other. Shade jumps in and attacks head on slicing downwards, but he blocks with his katana. He reflects Infinity up and swipes at Shade's torso, but Shade manages to jump back to dodge. The mystery man runs at Shade and attacks with the katana. Shade parries each attack with Infinity...
Shade: That style... Who are you!?
Man: Heh...
Stepping back, he then pulls out his second katana... He twirls them in his hands a few times, then takes a stance holding one in front, and the other above his head...
Shade: Are you
The guy jumps in and starts attacking with both katanas... Shade again parries each attack with Infinity... The pace quickens, the blades clash with great force... Shade then strikes downward at him, but he blocks by crossing both his katanas... Shade pushes down hard, but the swords do not budge. Then the mystery man pushes Infinity back, and uses Shade to spring himself back a little... He stabs one katana into the ground... He holds one arm straight out, open palm, and points it at Shade...
Shade: What are you up to...
A gentle wind blows from behind the man towards Shade... Suddenly an invisible force strikes Shade throwing him back. Shade blocks by crossing his arms in front of him, but is still pushed back.
Shade: What the hell was that?
The man picks up the other katana again. Then, one of his katanas start to glow and emit a small aura... He stabs it slightly into the ground, then swings it upwards in Shade's direction... An green arc of energy is formed from ground to blade tip, and it flies towards Shade ripping the ground along the path...
Shade: I knew it! I know it's you!
Shade holds Infinity horizontally in front of himself, with his other hand over the tip of the blade end... The sword glows with an aura... Just as the energy arc is about to hit, Shade swings his sword out creating an energy arc of his own...
Shade: Gust!!!
The two arcs hit each other releasing a blinding light, and cancelling each other out. Kari and Saedo turn to watch, while the blade of Jegen was caught inbetween the Gauntlets.
Man: Guess you finally figured it out...
The guy takes off his helmet and throws it aside.
Gust: It's been a while Shade...
-= Gust =-
Short haired, armor-clad, and carries two katanas. Can't think of anything else to say...
Shade: (with a smirk) Bastard... So you're still alive... Picked up a few new skill, and now a dog of Decon...
Gust: I'm no one's dog! This is merely the means to an end...
Shade: And what end is that?
Gust: Now, now... There's really no need for you to know. Unless... How about you work under me... We could use some one of your skills.
Shade: Work for you? Sorry, but I don't share your taste for bosses!
Gust: Too bad... Plan B then! (a very serious look appears on face) Hand over Infinity!
Shade: (points the blade of Infinity at Gust) I don't think so.
Gust: Plan C then.
Gust goes into an attack stance while holding a katana in each hand... Shade also goes into his attack stance holding Infinity with both his hands... All three swords glow with a small aura... The katanas glow a slight green... Infinity glows a slight orange... They rush at each other clashing their blades together... The blade of Infinity goes right through both katanas shattering the blades.
Gust: Damn... (throws the swords away) Looks like you win this round. Saedo! Let's go!
Saedo is currently, barely, keeping the pointy end of Jegen from his face by holding it with the claws of his Gaunlet.
Saedo: Yes master!
Saedo jumps backwards, and goes behind Gust.
Gust: I'll let you hold on to Infinity for a while longer...
Gust and Saedo leave. Shade sheathes Infinity.
Shade: Bastard... Are we destined to always fight each other...
Kari: You should be happy that he's alive...
Shade: I guess you're right... (looking uncertain)
Kari: You should also be pissed that he's joined up with the bad guys.
Shade: You're right! (looking cheered up)
Kari: Let's go home...
Shade: Let's go!
The pair head deeper into the forest...
End "Confrontation"