Chapter 327: “Let’s play, shall we?”

"You three! Step out for inspection!" 

The group of guards that just a moment ago was harassing a merchant with the very same lie, was now pointing at the trio of cloaked figures standing by and minding their business. 

From the three, only the middle one turned to look at them, reacting to the captain's yelling. He wore a slick black mask over her face, with only her bright golden eyes were shining through the shadows of his hood. He didn't speak but simply waved dismissively at them before turning back to the line. 

His actions weren't haughty, or arrogant, although it might have come like that to some. He didn't snort, nor did he show any emotion whatsoever. 

Still, this blatant show of disrespect immediately irked the captain. He was used to being bossy, this place, the western gate was HIS playground. He was the law and order in here, nobody could question his decisions.

"You! Didn't you hear me?! STEP OUT OF THE LINE!" He yelled again, with a bit more power behind his voice. His saliva sprayed in the air splashing like a blast of a shotgun as he exclaimed angrily.

Seeing as there was still no visible reaction from the trio, his face turned one shade darker as rage started to overwhelm his senses. He pushed the two nearest guards in his group forward and pointed at the trio with a raging, maddened borderline crazed expression.

"YOU TWO! GO AND GRAB THOSE THREE! THEY ARE ENEMIES OF THE CITY, CLEARLY HERE TO HARM THE INNOCENT CIVILIANS!" He yelled like a madman.

The two soldiers didn't really need any pushing, as just like their leader, they were also angered about the fact that their rule was being questioned by a bunch of nobodies. They unsheathed their sword and hurriedly walked towards the trio. When they got into melee distance, they pointed their blades towards the trio and with a disdainful tone they snorted, commanding the trio of cloaked strangers.

"You three, step out now or be cut down!" 

Hearing their tone, and being threatened with a weapon, the nearest to them, was about to reach for his side, but before he could do so, the masked figure at the center, gently raised his hand, motioning for him to stop. At the same time, he did the same to the slightly leaner figure at the other side, and he himself turned towards the armed guards and stepped out of the line facing them.

He stood before them, still calm, collected, and clearly not bothered by the fact that his very life was threatened.

The two guards sneered with disdain, thinking that their words finally got through to these bastards, and whilst keeping their blades aimed at the figure's mask, they called for their captain.

"Captain, what are your orders? We got the perpetrator of the commotion here!"

Just like his subordinates, the captain, annoyed and still mad about the fact that his previous good time was ruined by this bastard who then even went as far as to question and, what was the worst of all of his crimes, dared to ignore his command, sneered and walked in between his men.

"So, you think you can ignore the words of a guard captain, and try to sneak into the city? What are you? A spy?! We have a very special welcome to your kind here, don't worry!" He roared, pointing at the mask as he continued. "Take off your mask and show us your face!"

As he looked at the smaller, cloaked figure in front of him, he was already smirking inwardly, thinking that this time, his words have scared this pathetic weakling. Hmpf! How dares he come here and sew discord? Why does he have to bother with his great time?! He can only thank his stupidity for the problem he and his friends had got themselves into.

However, his ridiculing thoughts were soon shattered into small fragments, figments of his overactive imagination as the masked figure simply, curtly answered with a nonchalant tone of voice.

"No."

With that, the figure was about to turn around and walk back to his friends, when the captain's blade suddenly found its way in front of him, blocking the path.

A sigh escaped from under the figure's mask, conveying an annoying emotion. His golden pair of eyes turned their attention back to the slightly overweight, rugged, unshaven captain and asked.

"What is it?"

"You!" The captain roared with rage once again, he reaffirmed his grip on his sword, swaying it wildly in front of the masked figure. Still, despite his obvious threats, the figure remained calm and visibly uncaring about the situation.

"I give you one last chance, bastard! Take off your mask and show us your face! Don't try anything stupid, or we will cut you down here in cold blood."

He continued spewing his threats, whilst the rest of the 6 guards along with the 2 from before slowly circled around the single threat, seemingly ignoring the other two friends that stayed in line. They either forgot about them or just didn't consider them a threat at all to turn their backs on them so clearly.

"Pull that hood back now!" 

"Don't try anything funny!"

"You are dead, kid!"

Various threats and curses were thrown in the air, as the issue rapidly continued to escalate seemingly for no reason.

Aiden, the masked figure at the center of it all, actually was quite shocked to be suddenly picked upon by this group of corrupt guards. What did they do? They just entered the line, and stood silently, waiting for their turn to get into the city.

Why were they picked upon then? This just wasn't right.

Even though he regained his previously blocked memories, Aiden still had the same disdain towards humanity as before. Even if he was once one of them, or at least he was fairly certain he lived a short life in that other, 'modern' world, he now began to accept the words of his supposed father. 

He wanted to believe that his roots didn't come from this, clearly faulty, easily corruptible race. There had to be more, it couldn't be like this.

"How dare you, imbeciles act like this?! Have you no shame?" The previously ignored cloaked figure, who already had an itchy finger from before yelled out, stepping out of the line along with the silent third figure and walked next to Aiden.

The third figure never uttered a word, and simply stood at Aiden's right.

"Drake… Don't… There is no need for that. They are just ants, gathering around honey, that's all." Aiden spoke calmly, trying to calm this hotheaded friend of his.

"No, Aiden… This is unacceptable. That fat pig did nothing but drink that merchant's wine and steal his wares. He is nothing but a disgusting, corrupt-"

Before he could finish, Aiden silenced him by interjecting.

"I know. He will die soon, don't worry."

Meanwhile, the subject of their discussion was almost going crazy listening to the duo's talk. He was never ignored and shamed like this! He was a respected individual, a captain of the city guards, the assigned leader to the Western Gate! 

How do these two, no, three wandering rats question his authority, and tarnish his reputation?!

Unable to contain himself any longer, he swung his blade at the masked men whilst spewing his words to attack.

"KILL THESE THREE! KILL THEM ALL!"

Most of the guards were already itching for the fight to get started, they didn't need any urging. When the captain charged forward, they also began their attacks, without being ordered to.

Only one person, one figure questioned his superior's order. He remained behind, not sure of what to do, instead asked, voicing his concern.

"B-but captain… Is this right? They haven't done anything wro-" 

"SILENCE! I GAVE YOU A COMMAND! YOU EITHER FOLLOW IT OR YOU WILL BE CUT DOWN FOR INSUBORDINATION!" Before the young guard could finish, the captain yelled back as his attack was whistling through the air.

He aimed at the masked figure's face, hoping to slice that annoying black, faceless mask in two and hopefully giving a deep cut to this bastard at the same time.

At the same time, Drake instantly unsheathed his adorned, majestic magical blade, Mort, and swung it above his head in a wide arc, parrying several incoming attacks at the same time. 

Galina, the silent third member of their small group, revealed her pike and just like Drake swung in above her head, blocking the attacks that were aimed at her.

Aiden, however, still remained calm, not really bothered by the swiftly approaching, deadly, sharp blade. 

Before the captain could fantasize about misconceptions like he was stunned from the sight of his might and such, he was almost shocked silly, when suddenly, just before his blade would have connected, the figure's glove-covered right hand appeared before his face and grabbed the weapon with ease.

The golden dots behind the hood's cover suddenly lit up, and a much lower-tone grumbling voice came from under it.

"Let's play now, shall we?"