"What to you mean?" Cliffdon as he trys to adjust himself on the old leather seat.
Reinhead sitting with a relax posture, his legs crossed together, and his hands touching at the seat.
"You should now be aware of it, as you are now a part of us." Reinhead as he blows another smoke.
"I can't understand a thing. First you people dragged into this mess of yours, and now you want my help."
"Relax, Mr. Williams. Allow me to explain."
"There is a guild operation going on in the malware streets. We have been keeping an eye on them for several weeks now. According to our agents, they might meet up near the old church tonight."
"So... Why am I here?" The words crawled out, fragile and uncertain.
"Your power is very needed for this mission. It's a power that no one has ever had."
Cliffdons fingers are tightened on the seat. He has no idea about what is going on right now. "How should I help you." Cliffdon asks,
"Don't worry we will tell you." Cliffdon is shocked to hear it, "..we?"
Soft wind is blowing outside, no sign of living creatures and riding carts. The horse clopping in the quiet night. Gas lamps glowed faintly through the patches of fog, casting long shadows at the tall. Silent houses everywhere, and empty streets.
After some minutes they reach the place.
The church stood dark, with no lights. The grass grown tall and the walls weathered by years of rain and wind. The windows shattered and the poles rusted on the earth.
"Is this the place?" Cliffdon shivering. His voice low.
"Yes it is." Reinhead as he puts on his black gloves. "Come on let's get moving." He leads the way. Both of them are standing near the old rusted door of the church.
Cliffdons heart racing, and his hands shivering.
The night air was cold, with a hint of rain. Moonlight shone on the wet cobblestones and the big wooden doors of the old church. Cliffdon stood next to Reinhead, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling in his chest.
The heavy door creaked open slowly, showing the dark inside. A few torches burned far away, making tall, shaky shadows on the stone walls.
"Guess we're expected," Reinhead said in a relaxed tone. He raised his hand, and with a soft purple glow, a long sword appeared. Strange symbols shone faintly on the blade. "Stay close, Mr. Williams. No one's gonna write a ballad if you die in the first round."
From inside, figures stepped into view. They wore long black capes that brushed the ground, hoods pulled low so only their eyes could be seen. They moved slowly, but something about them made Cliffdon's skin crawl — like they had been standing there for hours, waiting.
One walked forward, cape shifting enough to show the curved sword at his side. He tilted his head, studying them.
Reinhead gave a small grin. "Alright, church boys… let's pray."
Then he walked forward, calm and steady. A caped man rushed at him, but with one smooth move, Reinhead blocked the strike and spun the man's weapon aside. A small burst of fire ran down his blade, lighting up the dark before cutting across the man's cape.
The rest charged in, their capes flying like black wings.
Cliffdon stepped into the church as Reinhead's flames flared behind him, filling the shadows with orange and purple light. The heat pushed away the cold.
Two of the men ran toward Cliffdon. He backed up until he hit a stone pillar. One swung for his head, but Cliffdon ducked and shoved a broken church bench into the man's legs, knocking him over. The second man came closer, his sword catching the torchlight — but a flash of fire from the side hit his weapon and sent it flying.
Reinhead walked in with his sword resting on his shoulder, smiling slightly. "Thought I told you to stick close."
"Was trying," Cliffdon said, out of breath.
"Trying's for rookies," Reinhead replied, stepping ahead as more guild members gathered near the altar. "Let's finish this before the sermon starts."
The two moved deeper into the church, their steps echoing under the high stone ceiling.
They moved deeper into the church. The air was cold and smelled like old candles. Moonlight came through the broken stained-glass windows, making soft colors on the floor.
More men in black capes were waiting between the rows of pews. One gave a sharp whistle, and they spread out to block the way.
Reinhead stopped and looked around, calm as ever. "Mr. Williams," he said, "please stay behind me. I will make a path."
Before Cliffdon could reply, one man rushed forward with his sword. Reinhead stepped aside and swung his purple blade. The man's cape caught fire, and he stumbled back shouting.
Two more jumped over a pew from the side. Reinhead turned slowly, blocked the first strike, and cut low at the man's legs. His sword left a small trail of fire that spread onto the wooden bench. The other man backed away, smoke curling around him.
"Watch your step, Mr. Williams," Reinhead said without looking back.
Cliffdon heard a rattling sound above. He looked up and saw a man dropping down from a balcony, holding a sword. The man grabbed the chain of the old chandelier as he fell.
"Reinhead!" Cliffdon shouted.
Reinhead turned and swung his sword once. The chain snapped, and the heavy chandelier crashed to the floor, trapping the man under it. Sparks jumped in the dark.
"Well handled," Reinhead said, as if nothing strange had happened.
Near the altar, three more men stood ready. One had a long spear. The other two carried short swords that shone in the torchlight.
"They look a little more skilled," Reinhead said quietly. He glanced at Cliffdon. "Mr. Williams, if you wish to be helpful, now is the time."
Cliffdon took a breath, stepped forward, and nodded. "Alright."
"Good," Reinhead said with a faint smile. "Let us proceed."
Side by side, they walked toward the altar. The glow from Reinhead's sword mixed with the light of the torches, shining on the cold stone floor.
The three men waited near the altar. The one with the spear stood in the middle, the two with short swords stood on each side.
Reinhead stopped a few steps away. "Mr. Williams," he said, "I will handle the man with the spear. The other two are yours."
Cliffdon felt his stomach twist. "Both of them?"
"Yes," Reinhead said calmly. "Do not worry. I will step in if needed."
The man with the spear attacked first. Reinhead moved aside with ease, his purple sword clashing against the spear's shaft. Sparks flew, and a burst of fire lit the front of the church.
The other two men rushed at Cliffdon. He ducked as the first swung at his head. He grabbed the edge of a pew and shoved it forward. The wooden bench slammed into the man's legs, making him fall.
The second man came fast. Cliffdon stepped back, but his heel hit a broken stone. He almost tripped. The man raised his sword — but before he could strike, Cliffdon swung a loose piece of wood from the floor and hit him in the side. The man staggered, giving Cliffdon time to push him into a pillar.
Across the room, Reinhead had already taken the spear away from his opponent. With one clean strike, he sent the man to the ground.
He looked over at Cliffdon. "Well done, Mr. Williams. Quick thinking."
Cliffdon was breathing hard. "I… didn't really know what I was doing."
"That," Reinhead said, walking toward him, "is how most victories begin."
The church was quiet again, except for the sound of fire slowly burning out on the broken pews.