The alleyway buzzed with tension as noon approached, the faint hum of activity from the bustling Sector III streets muffled by the surrounding walls. Anya leaned casually against the graffiti-covered brick, her crimson eyes scanning the shadows.
Her patience was rewarded when a smooth, mocking voice slid out from the dim corner of the alley.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected a Guild Master to set up a meeting in a place like this,” the voice teased. “One might think you were dabbling in illegal business.” From the edge of the shadows, Spade stepped forward, his trademark black spade mask on his face, a dark coat billowing slightly as he moved. Beside him stood a masked woman, her crimson eyes gleaming through the sleek, black mask that concealed most of her face.
Anya’s grin sharpened as she pushed off the wall, her hands resting on her hips.
“Look who’s gotten all cocky,” she said. “Is it because I know your dirty little secret? Or is it because you’re not smart enough to know not to make an enemy out of me?”
Her gaze moved to the masked woman. “And you brought your little dragon bodyguard along. Don’t tell me you’re that scared I’ll beat the living crap out of you?”
Spade chuckled softly, his sharp eyes narrowing. “Hardly,” he replied, his voice taking on a more dangerous edge.
“But let me ask you something… where exactly do you plan to have this little spar of ours?” Anya’s grin widened. “What’s the matter, Alister? Never heard of public training grounds? There’s one just a couple of streets over. Perfect place for me to mop the floor with you.” She said mischievously as she started to turn away, already envisioning their rematch.
“Better hurry up; I’m dying for round two.”
“Wait.” Spade called out with a touch of intensity that made her pause.
His gaze locked on hers, sharp as a dagger. “Don’t be so hasty. A place like that won’t control the scope of what we’re capable of. If we go all out… won’t others be caught in the crossfire? Or do you plan to foot the bill for when the arena gets reduced to rubble?”
Anya stopped in her tracks, the teasing glint in her eyes replaced suddenly turning colder, sharper. She turned back to him, tilting her head slightly as her voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone.
“So what are you suggesting?” Her gaze intensified with faint bloodlust, the grin turning more sinister.
“You don’t plan to call off our spar because of that, do you?”
Spade narrowed his golden eyes as well, his body emitting a faint golden aura.
The Cinder who stood beside him shifted slightly, her presence as silent as death.
“Not calling it off,” Spade said, with a slightly dangerous tone.
“Just thinking… if you want to fight me at full strength, it shouldn’t be somewhere public. Or are you afraid you’ll lose without an audience?”
Anya laughed darkly. “Oh how cute. But fine, I’ll bite. Got a place in mind, or do I have to pick that too?”
Spade suddenly smirked beneath his mask, he then suggested. “What about the Wastelands?” Anya blinked, the words sinking in like a sharp blade. Her playful demeanor cracked for a moment, she looked genuinely surprised. “The Wastelands?” she repeated.
“Do you even realize what you’re saying? How exactly do you plan to get us out there? That’s
Before she could finish her sentence, Spade called out to the system in his thoughts. ‘System, open the gate.’
Beside him, the air shimmered and tore apart with a low hum, revealing a swirling rift of energy. Golden yellow tendrils spiraled within the portal, with a powerful presence that made the very atmosphere feel heavy.
Anya tensed immediately, her instincts screaming danger. Her hand reflexively balled into fists as she muttered.
“Is that a.. dungeon?” she asked, clearly confused, there were not in a mana zone, so how did a dungeon form in the middle of the city.
Spade waved a dismissive hand at her reaction, stepping closer to the portal.
“Relax,” he said over his shoulder.
“This isn’t a dungeon. It’s a shortcut. Now, are you coming, or would you rather keep gawking?”
He stepped through the rift without another word, his body disappearing into the swirling energy Cinder followed behind him.
Anya stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Her gaze flicked between the portal and where Spade had been standing seconds ago.
She walked up to it, standing for a moment to gaze at it.
“Alister… You continue to amaze me…”
she murmured, the shock in her voice giving way to something closer to a touch of admiration. Her lips curled into a small grin as she muttered to herself.
“Just how many secrets are you hiding?” She let out a small laugh, the sound low and almost
giddy.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, her hand brushing against the edge of the portal. The energy crackled softly under her fingertips, sending a faint shiver down her spine. With one last glance behind her, she grinned wide.
“Alright, Alister. Let’s see what you’ve got up your sleeve this time.”
And with that, Anya strode through the rift, disappearing into its swirling depths.
Anya emerged from the swirling rift, her boots crunching softly against cracked stone as the portal closed behind her.
She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the stark sight before her. She stood in the midst of a ruined city, the rubble remains of buildings casting jagged shadows across the desolate streets.
Broken windows and crumbling walls could be seen all around them.
Her gaze drifted ahead, catching sight of Spade. He stood a few steps away, his figure illuminated by the dying glow of the evening sun. The light painted his black outfit in shades of deep orange, his sharp silhouette looking almost otherworldly against the ruins.
“So,” Anya started, stepping closer, her voice filled with curiosity.
“…how did you pull that one off?”
Spade’s golden eyes narrowed slightly as he responded.
“Dragon magic.”
Anya’s lips twitched into an amused smile as she tilted her head.
“Dragon magic, huh? Can’t say I’ve ever heard about that before.”
She cracked her knuckles, the sound echoing faintly in the empty city. “As much as I’d love to pick your brain about how that works, I’m more interested in seeing you admit defeat after I
beat you.
Spade raised an eyebrow behind his mask but said nothing, watching as her confidence surged
with every word.
“Speaking of seeing you…” Anya added with a sly grin, pointing at him.
“Lose the mask. It’s only the three of us here, right? No need to play pretend anymore.
Besides,” she said, her grin widening, “I want to see the expression on your face when I
finally win.”
Spade gazed at her for a long moment, his posture relaxed but his gaze intense. Finally, he sighed, raising his right hand to his face.
“I guess you’ve got a point,” he said nonchalantly.
With slowness, he removed the black mask, revealing his striking face beneath.
His sharp jawline gave him a regal, almost intimidating aura around him, while his piercing
golden eyes shimmered faintly in the fading sunlight.
His tousled black hair rustled slightly in the breeze, framing his face.
Anya blinked, her grin fading for half a second as she took in his appearance, acting almost as
though this was the first time she had seen him.
Then her confidence returned in full force, and she let out a low whistle.
“Not bad,” she teased. “Though I’d say it’s a shame you hide that face behind a mask. But
don’t think that’ll save you once we start.”
Spade… NoNow Alister, sirked faintly, his golden eyes locking onto hers.
“We’ll see who walks away with the victory this time… Oh mighty guildmaster.”
Anya’s grin sharpened, her fists clenching as she prepared herself. “Oh, you better believe it’s
going to be me.”
Anya narrowed her eyes at Cinder, her gaze sharp as steel. “Why don’t you tell your little princess over there to give us some space?”
Cinder, standing calmly at Alister’s side, reached up and removed her mask to reveal her face.
She then responded with an icy tone, gazing at anya with a touch of disdain, “You should mind your tongue, human. If my lord so wished it, I could reduce you to ash where you stand, and no one would ever know we were responsible.”
The disdain in her gaze intensified, “In fact, no one would even think to guess we were the ones responsible. The only reason you’re still breathing is because my lord has decided to humor your little request. Do not mistake his grace for permission to act out of line. If you
dare to-”
“Enough,” Alister interrupted sharply, his gaze snapping to Cinder.
“Step aside. Do not interfere in this battle.”
Cinder’s fiery eyes flickered for a moment, but she bowed her head obediently, taking a step
back. “Understood, my lord,” she said.
Anya watched her retreat with a vein visibly throbbing at her forehead.
“Your summon has quite the mouth on her,” she said through gritted teeth, cracking her
knuckles. “I was almost overwhelmed with the urge to rip it off.”
“Enough of that,” Alister said firmly, stepping forward to refocus her attention. His
expression was calm but intense.
“Let’s concentrate on what we came here for… our spar.”
“About time,” Anya shot back, popping her neck and rolling her shoulders as she prepared.
“Not just yet,” Alister said, a faint smirk curling his lips. “How about we make this more
interesting?”