Meanwhile in Ul'dah...
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Silence.
Marcus treaded cautiously as he surveyed the rooftops above Ul'dah's Pearl Lane. Everything was clear and quiet… which was unusual. The alleyways were usually littered with beggars and the homeless but tonight, there wasn’t a single person in sight…
… and that’s when he spotted it. A few yards ahead on the right corner of the alleyway was a pool of blood. Drawing his sword, Marcus ran to the scene with haste and the unpleasant sight sent cold sweat trickling down his forehead. A small Lalafell laid drenched in his own crimson and his corpse was beginning to reek. The blood splattered on the wall surrounding the body suggested the soldier was cornered into his demise.
What a mess.
Marcus narrowed his eyes as a shadow descended from the roof above. The landing was silent and the figure slowly arose in his grace.
"I was expecting someone else entirely but I must say that I am not surprised to see "The Unceasing" in my presence. I knew your brother was a filthy rat of a traitor from the beginning."
"Kalgeant, I figured this was your work. Alarvaux must be losing his nerve."
"Still your tongue, knight! Speak ill of the lord again and I shall make your death agonizing and slow."
"Is that a threat?"
"That is a promise to you as I HACK YOU INTO PIECES!"
Kalgeant charged and Marcus turned, both knight and assassin locking sword on sword. Marcus swung his sword downwards, sparks beginning to fly into the air as Kalgeant held his ground. With a loud grunt, “The Unceasing†shifted his weight forward and sent the Elezen sliding a few yards back.
Kalgeant readied both his swords and charged again. Blows became parried and the assassin’s attempt to break the Hyur’s defense was failing. Seeing the opportunity, Marcus swung at his enemy’s head only to have him dodge it.
Perfect.
All Kalgeant saw was a plated knee to his face and he was forced onto his back with the taste of his own blood fresh in his mouth. Holding his sword forward and walking slowly towards the assassin, Marcus stared in disgust.
"Pathetic. You can only kill me if you catch me off guard but a one on one fight will only prove futile."
Wiping his the blood from his mouth and rising, Kalgeant smirked in amusement.
"Such tough words for a puppet who serves for a dog!"
Reaching under his belt, Kalgeant drew forth throwing knives and hurls them. Marcus’s agility may have saved him from being pierced by the knives but it was not enough to avoid the coming slash that carved deep into his left shoulder. Grunting in pain, Marcus takes a head butt to the face as well as another slash across the chest. His armor was barely holding against the attacks and Marcus returned to countering. Kalgeant dodged, trying to stab the knight with his left sword but only to have the killing blow fail. In retaliation against the attack, Marcus struck him with the hilt of his sword and punched him square in the face.
Both combatants now stood ten yards away as they stared eye to eye, catching their breath. In the distance, shouting signified the approach of armed guards and time was running to an end. Kalgeant irritatedly snarled before cupping a hand over his right ear. The assassin furrowed his brow and gave another, more aggravated snarl while he listened to his pearl.
"The dog is in La Noscea?!"
Kalgeant spat, reaching underneath his belt and pulling out an atheryte shard. As he used the shard's power, the Elezen shot the knight a last look that spilled hate. Realizing the situation, Marcus advanced and only swung his sword at thin air as the assassin disappeared.
Damn it.
"Xydane?! Sigmund?! He's heading your way!"