The night air was still and the full moon iridescent. Only the peaceful lullaby of crickets resounded through the plains. It was a soothing environment for a certain man to carry out his orders. The darkly-clad figure soundlessly dashed though the luxurious garden to the largest complex of the palace. As a professional, it would of have been shameful to get caught by some second rate guards. The 24 years of experience had hardened him into a veteran of his field, allowing him to slip through the shadows and seemingly vanish like a ghost. From what he had heard from his client, this task was not to be taken lightly, for many others before him have failed. He shivered in excitement as he thought of the challenge, but quickly threw away distracting emotions, focusing solely on the task. It may be difficult, but this commission would reward him very handsomely. Also, he made sure that there was no chance of failure.

He stopped at the guarded double-doors of the great complex, ready to dispose of obstacles. It was a simple chore, but tonight, he was not alone. Sinister figures dropped down from the roof like cats, each eliminating their assigned guard effortlessly. The assailant motioned them to move in for the main job. His companions kicked open the doors and rushed in, swords at the ready. Self-assuredly, their leader strolled inside to see the bloodied carcass, except there was none. Shocked, his eyes darted across the room, attempting to discern where his target may have hidden. Before he could give the order to ransack the chamber, cold steel bore into his neck, causing thick, red liquid to erupt from his split jugular vein. In less than a second he was felled by the one who had dropped down from above. The ambusher lifted his head, revealing a mass of cerulean hair and cold, blue eyes. He was wearing a now-stained white robe and held a deadly, gleaming blade in his right hand. Shining like the pale moon, his sword was instantly dislodged from the corpse and cut another assassin's neck, splattering blood across the room. Although amazed by his breakneck speed, the remaining men composed themselves charged at him fiercely. Agilely weaving through and blocking the buffets, the lone fighter delivered a powerful kick to the man closest to the entrance, knocking the doors off their hinges as his victim went flying. Seeing his chance, the blue-haired man jumped out to the open, ready to deal with the assailants in open grounds. Knowing that they had an clear shot, they flung a flurry of throwing knives while four of the mercenaries moved in on both sides. Without error, their target knocked away the flying projectiles with great precision and even caught the last knife to throw it at an assassin on his right. With fierce battlecries, the black-clothed men methodically engaged him in a coordinated fashion, attempting to throw him off guard. Deftly, he mowed through the group as his blade shone with auras of different colors for each swing or jab. In the midst of the fray, he easily cleaved through flesh and bone, slicing, piercing, dismembering, decapitating, and bisecting.

Soon, the captain of the guards and his men arrived at the scene with weapons ready.

"Defend his majesty! Capture the assassins!"

"Yes sir!"

Seeing that they were outnumbered, the surviving intruders jumped onto the rooftops to make their escape.

"After them! Do not let them escape!" the captain roared. "The rest of you, see to his majesty's safety."

"I'm fine, old friend," the sovereign assured, patting the stiff man's shoulder.

"Just take out the trash," he motioned to the brutalized bodies and dying assailants. "There's one inside too."

"You heard his majesty! Remove the corpses and send for the servants to clean the blood! And send more guards to patrol the perimeter!"

"Yes sir!"

"Don't be so uptight," the king said without any particular emotion. "I can fend for myself."

"But your majesty, this is the sixth attack this month," the captain protested.

"Hmm," he answered, uninterested. "They are getting better, but they're still not much more than hunting game."

"You majesty! This isn't something to jest about!"

"Hmph. You're trying to preserve the life of an empty man, captain," he mused dryly, almost lazily. "If I kill them, great. If they kill me, so be it. As they say in another country 'c'est la vie.'"

"Your majesty, I beg you; do not say such things. You must live on for the sake of this kingdom and its people. Never forget that."

"I shan't, captain. It is the only reason left for me," the king answered, observing the moon with mild interest. "I have no interest in letting them win. It's just that these happening so frequently that it seems like a pastime for me now."

"I shall contact your allies from the faraway lands right away," the captain said decisively. "I shall request the best body guard they can grant."

The king waved his hand dismissively. "Superfluous. The guards are already fulfilling their duty perfectly as meatshields."

"And I shall fulfill my duty as the captain of the palace guards, which is doing everything I can to ensure your safety."

"*Sigh*Do as you please. It will make no difference to me," the king scoffed and walked back to his complex.

"I shall send for a new night robe, your majesty," the captain said with a bow.

The ruler swiveled around after a pause. "From now on, call me by my name; I feel as though I'm losing my identity. Am I clear?"

"As you wish, Emperor Marth."