The black cloaked visitor came to a large open space in the town, his flashing blade by his side. In the center was a large fountain, though it was not functioning. Large steepled buildings surrounded all four sides of the town square...
"My my, don't you ever give up?"
The visitor's eyes shifted back and forth.
"Show yourself!"
"Really, this is getting ridiculous. You of all people should be helping me..."
"Mavas! Show yourself!!"
"Ven, Ven, Ven, irksome and tiring this is... it's about time you gave in..."
A shadow engulfing a faint red point of light disappeared into an alley. Ven brought his silver blade forward and clasped the hilt with his second hand.
The next five seconds were nothing but intense silence...
Suddenly, a massive explosion tore apart the small tavern directly behind the dark cloaked man, sending him tumbling forward in a clumsy summersault. The next few seconds seemed to occur in slow motion for the experienced warrior. He spun around in mid tumble, facing the blast, regaining his balance in a crouching position as the flames skid past him. At that moment, some forty thin blades of steel began to rain down on him from the heavens, each blade piercing deeply into and crushing the fragile cobblestones of the street. Ven leapt backwards in evasion, narrowly escaping the assault, and brought his silver sword from his right side to his face in anticipation of the strike from the shadow rapidly descending from above...
Mavas' jagged sword met Ven's with such force that the two were knocked apart some twenty feet, the feet of each skidding on the ground as they regained their balance.
Ven stood upright without saying a word, grabbing the collar of his black cloak and throwing the cloth off, reavealing a billiant suit of silver armor. He held his blade with both hands low to the ground in anticipation...
