The hooves of the pure black stallion thundered on the grassland terrain, trees and grass zooming past like a blur. The horse changed course slightly so it was now heading due North-East, towards the towering Jungle trees. Cross held onto the reins tight as the horse ran. His long blonde hair blew in the wind and he held a neutral expression on his face. He thought of how quickly and easliy he had left the saftey of the mountain village and the Emerald palace. He had kept to the shadows, slipping through the mountain gates and out into the expanse of the grassland, where his horse awaited. The black stallion slowed as the first of the Jungle trees and plants went past them. Cross lead the horse to a halt as they came to a dead end of leaves, wood, grass and ferns. He dismounted and placed a fence post, to which he tied the horse to with a lead, and walked towards the blockage. He found what he was looking for, a vine that lead up and over the blockage. He climbed, jumped and landed with a thud into the unusual jungle clearing on the other side. He walked a couple of paces, looking around the clearing, but could not find anything. Cross stopped, smirked and turned around. Behind him, leaning against a Jungle wood tree, was a hooded figure waiting for him.
"Cross, finally we hear from you." The hooded figure began, standing straight and walking over to Cross.
"Ah, Saber, I'd say 'I missed you' but I wouldn't mean it." Cross replied cheekily.
Saber walked into view, removing his hoodie hood from his head. He had slick Black hair and calm, placid blue eyes. He wore a dark grey hoodie with pockets and short sleeves, showing his arms which like Cross's, had deep black markings all the way around. His dark jeans carried light chains where the pockets were.
Saber chuckled and started circling Cross, as if they were in one of the familliar sword combat training Cross was familiar with. "So how is the village of Emeraldia going? Doing your job right Cross?" As Saber turned around him, Cross saw that he had two swords, crossing over each other on the back of his hoodie.
"Surely there is no need to interegate him just yet Saber" A voice came from above.
Looking up, Cross could see another human, brandishing a shiny sword up in a tree. The figure jumped down into the clearing from the tree, a normal fall like that would have lost a human alot of health, but with the help of this human's Feather Falling enchanted boots, he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
"It's nice to see you again Katon." Cross admitted to his friend.
Katon smiled. He had a long dark dark grey jacket with a hood and a light grey mask which covered half his face like a ninja. Not enough though as you could see his dark blue eye and checkered brown hair, which covered the other eye. Like Saber, he also had two swords on his back, one now since he was still brandishing one in his hand.
"The killings are becoming more recent, like we predicted. They kill and leave without a trace the Emerald Palace is becoming cautious around the villagers but-"
"Well who is going to stop the killers? Them or us?" a new voice interupted.
"The Shadow Force will only step in if this matter gets any worse, Dragon." Saber objected to the voice.
Sitting on a peice of Jungle wood, sat the lady called Dragon. She was dressed in short black and grey shirt and black jeans. On her bare arms were the same black markings. She had long dark and light brown hair and stunning green eyes. She had a sword on her back.
"That's what is happening Saber, we are running out of time for this !" Dragon argued
"I agree with Dragon" Katon said while smiling cheekily to himself.
Dragon spun to face him and kicked the air, sending a dagger out of her boots and landing inches away from Katons head against the tree. Cross and Saber exchanged looks and both took a step back.
"Geez woman! Your deadly! I like that." Katon replied calmly smirking. He stood and walked to the center of the clearing to face Dragon.
"Oh you do do you? Well then what about this!" Dragon shouted, producing the sword from her back and bringing it down on Katon. Fortunately for him, Katon whipped out his sword in time sending it clashing against Dragon's. The sound of colliding iron echoed around the clearing.
"Enough both of you!" Saber said firmly.
Dragon and Katon put their swords away and stood still.
"It's almost sunrise Cross, get back to the village and keep a close eye on the Emeraldians"
"Aye Sir." Cross said, turning and jumping back over the barrier to his horse. He rode out of the Jungle out into the vast grassland and towards the mountains as the sunlight peaked over the hills.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Khet's Pov
What the Nether?
Khet thought as he walked around the village. It was deserted, almost no one around outside. The odd person or two would be running from house to house or collecting food in a rush but other than that there was no one. On top of it all was the eerie silence of the village.
"Boo!"
"AHH!"
Khet jumped and spun around to see Tiger doubled over laughing.
"You got scared!"
"I wasn't scared I was just surprised!"
