"Another job done and we got well paid." Maru said. After the whole Changeling problem was fixed, everything was back to normal. They lot of them just got done with a job and just arrived back in town.
"It was nice of the client to offer us sweets as a bonus." Yukina said.
"Yes. Certainly a nice treat." Aster said.
"I'm just glad things went off without a hitch this time." Mary said.
"Hey, is it just me or are people staring?" Gin said. They all looked around and saw the townspeople were all looking at them.
"Are they in Phoenix Flame?"
"Doesn't look like they know."
"Oh man. I feel bad for them."
"I know Mary can be loud, but she hasn't done anything yet." Sandy said.
"What's that suppose to mean?!" Mary shouted.
"Did something happened?" Maru questioned. They didn't know what to expect until they heard Yukina gasp.
"The guildhall!" Yukina called. All of them looked and were shocked at what they saw. Their guildhall was wrecked with black paint smeared all over it. They couldn't believe what they saw. As soon as they saw that, they hurried right over to the guild. When they got there, other members were working on repairs with Master Velvet standing there with disapproval.
"Master!" Aster called and hurried over. "What happened here?!"
"Who did this to our guildhall?" Gin said.
"It happened in the middle of the night." Velvet said. "When I arrived this morning, it was already like this."
"But why? Why would someone do this?" Sandy said.
"I don't know their motive, but let's try to keep a cool head." Velvet said. "No one was hurt and everything that is damaged can be repaired or replaced. Let's try not to blow our tops and show that whoever did this won't scare us." He said as he took the high ground.
"How could he say that? We can't let whoever did this just have their way." Gin said.
"Unless this was the work of another guild. That could be a problem." Aster claimed. None of them liked this and wondered who could be responsible. However, Yukina had an idea. She looked up at the banner and saw an emblem painted over their own. It looked like a G designed like a monster's face with horns. Yukina new that emblem and was shocked that it was them.
...
Mary
"Wow. They all took the guildhall being trashed rather hard." Mary said. After cleaning up that mess all day, Mary was on her way home that night, thinking about how it all happened. "Some members are really upset about the whole thing, and don't agree with Master Velvet's choice." She didn't make a big deal about it herself, but she did think it over and did feel rather bad. "I guess I can understand. They see that guild like a home and no one likes having their home trashed. Oh well... I just wanna call it a day." She went to her apartment, but was in for a surprise.
"Hey, Mary/Hi/Nice place/Welcome home/ S'up." Maru and the others were all in her apartment.
"What the hell?!" Mary shouted. "What are all of you doing here?!"
"I told you we should have talked to her first." Maru said.
"Master Velvet is a little worried that whoever attacked our guild is still in town." Gin said. "He doesn't want anyone from the guild to be alone."
"That's why everyone is having sleepovers." Sandy claimed.
"And it didn't cross your minds to ask me before staying here?!" Mary argued. That aside, she made herself comfortable with the rest of them. "So, did anyone learn anything more about who attacked the guild?"
"I did." Aster said. "It's just as I thought. A fellow guild is responsible for attacking our guild. It wasn't just any guild. It was Fiendish Gargoyle, a dark guild."
"A dark guild? What's that?" Mary said.
"You remember the Magic Council, don't you?" Gin said. "In order for a guild to be a legal and authorized guild, they have to ally themselves with the Magic Council. Those that refuse to are labeled as a dark guild, and they usually engage in criminal activity."
"That's because dark guilds don't follow the rules the council set." Maru said. "Dark guilds aren't that much different from criminal organizations, and some believe all these restrictions devoid a guild's true potential."
"Fiendish Gargoyle was a small guild, but I've heard they've risen to power." Aster said. "I've also spoken to some witnesses. They identified the attacker to be Phantom Phatar."
"Phantom?" Mary questioned.
"Phatar Mencing, one of four of Fiend Gargoyle's best." Aster claimed. "His specialty is with darkness magic, and I heard he's their master's little protégé."
"Well, if these dark guilds are considered the same as criminal organizations, why won't the master let us fight back?" Mary questioned. "A lot of people back at the guild would love to get some payback at them."
"It be considered the same as taking justice into our own hands. The Magic Council wouldn't approve." Maru said. "Normally, guilds are prohibited from attacking each other. Fiendish Gargoyle might be a dark guild, but the council would prefer if they handle this because that's what they do. Although, they probably would authorize some sort of guild to do it."
"Besides, it's just like the master said." Aster said. "No one was hurt. Anything at the guild can just be repaired or replaced. We might be able to get them for property damage, but that's about it. Retaliating now would make it look like we are the aggressors. They're just being a bunch of bullies right now. We'll deal with them, but the best way to deal with a bully is to try and not let them bother you. Show you're the bigger man."
"Yeah, but getting payback would sure feel good." Gin said.
"Any idea as to why they attacked us in the first place?" Mary questioned.
"No. That's the part that's puzzling. I don't recall any bad blood between our guilds." Aster said. "I think maybe they're just looking for trouble. Let's not give them the satisfaction by picking a fight with them." Mary could understand that much, but she looked over to Yukina and could just tell something was bothering her.
"You okay there, Yukina? You're pretty quiet." Mary said.
"Huh? Yeah. I'm fine." Yukina said, but it didn't really sound that convincing.
"Wow! I was looking for some snacks, but I found something else!" Sandy said. "You've got one heck of a collection of underwear, Mary!" That got the guys a bit curious.
"Why the hell are you looking for snacks in my dresser?! Get out of there!" Mary shouted. What none of them knew was that someone was outside on a nearby building. He just sat there and was eyeing the apartment without being seen. He was dressed in all black with a buttoned jacket and wore a black fedora with him backing black hair that was long enough to frame his face.
"I'm getting a little itch to pummel these losers."
"Settle down, Phatar. You already caused a spectacle by trashing their guildhall."
"That you Tsubasa?" Phatar said. He looked behind him and was met with a cohort. He was dressed in a sky blue trench coat with silver boots and had red hair with him wielding a sword on his side. "Hey, I was looking for a little fun since we didn't get what we were looking for."
"Perhaps, but now our target is here. It's time to get serious." Tsubasa said.
"Fine with me. I think I might have found someone that can give me a good fight." Phatar said. "Of course, I won't know that until I actually take him on."
"Go on and have your fun, Phatar. You'll provide a nice distraction." Both of them notice a projection forming right behind them.
"Master Johnson." Tsubasa said.
"Don't worry. We'll get what we came for and have a little fun along the way." Phatar said as he was looking forward to causing some mischief.
...
The Next Day
"You really think that those guys could still be around?" Mary questioned as she, Maru, and Sandy walked through the streets.
"It's possible. Dark guilds love to go looking for trouble." Maru said. "As long as we don't let them get under our skin and act rationally, we'll be fine."
"That's right. We're mature." Sandy said.
"You? Please." Mary said. Unlike some guilds, Phoenix Flame is trying to take the high ground in this. However, this Fiendish Gargoyle might not let them do that. As they were walking through the streets, they were suddenly attacked. A blast of dark magic crashed in front of them and knocked them all back.
"Are you two okay?" Maru said.
"I think so." Sandy said.
"What was that?" Mary questioned.
"That was me." All of them looked up a building and spotted Phatar up on a building. "I thought it was time to give you weak little birdies a real wizard welcome."
"That's him! He's the one that attacked our guild!" Maru said.
"You mean that's Phantom Phatar?!" Mary said for this can't be good for them.
"What do you want?! What are you doing here?!" Maru said.
"I heard you're pretty good with light magic. That's interesting considering I use dark magic." Phatar taunted. "Since that's the case, we're probably bound to fight each other eventually. We might as well make it right now!" He gathered darkness right in his hands and skipped straight to the attack.
...
Yukina
As for Yukina, she was actually out on her in the streets. She knew she was told that it might not be safe, but she wasn't going to let Fiendish Gargoyle get to her. Something is bothering her, but she just felt like distancing herself from others. This whole thing seems to have her rattled.
"Fiendish Gargoyle... This can't because of..." Yukina wondered what this was about. There was only one thing she could think of, but she didn't like it at all.
"It is exactly what you're thinking." Yukina snapped out of her thoughts and saw Tsubasa right in front of her and getting closer.
"Excuse me?" Yukina questioned.
"Why we're here is exactly what you're thinking." Tsubasa said. Yukina recognized him as a member of Fiendish Gargoyle. When she did, she tried to run off, but Tsubasa caught her and knocked her right in the head. "I thought a Phoenix Flame wizard never runs." He claimed with Yukina dropping to the ground. "Although, I suppose it makes sense in this case. After all... You are our target, Yukina Winters."
...
Maru and Phatar
Phatar attacked Maru and didn't waste a beat. He kept his dark attacks coming at Maru, but Maru was avoiding each of his attacks. It was a real clash between light and darkness.
"What's the matter? You won't fight back? I think you're scare!" Phatar said. He tried another attack with darkness around his fist, but Maru was able to catch his attack.
"Think again!" Maru called and then smashed a fist of light against him and knocked Phatar back. Maru added to it as he jumped right at Phatar and attacked him again with him sent flying. Phatar slid against the ground, but he straightened himself out.
"Not bad. I guess you got some fight in you after all." Phatar said.
"Why are you here? Why are you attacking us?" Maru questioned.
"Maybe I just felt like it." Phatar said. "Dark Delete!" Phatar unleashed a series of dark purple energy attacks, but Maru was able to avoid each attack thrown at him. "You're not getting away!" Phatar kept the attacks going until he had Maru surrounded by the attacks and they completely enveloped him in an explosive attack.
"Maru!" Sandy called as he and Mary were worried he's hurt. Phatar thought he got him there, but Maru jumped right through the smoke and closed the distance between him and Phatar. When he did, he smashed his fist right into Phatar's gut and then fired a ray of light. It sent Phatar flying right into the rooftop of a building.
"Did that get him?" Mary questioned.
"No. Defeating him is going to take much more than that." Maru said. He was right. As they saw Phatar get back on his feet, he looked perfectly fine.
"Not bad. This is shaping to be much better than I thought." Phatar said.
"He took all of that and he doesn't appear to be hurt?" Mary said as she couldn't believe how strong he was.
"You've got skill, but there's no way a piece of light scum like you is going to..." Phatar stopped what he was saying for some reason. "What? You want me to come back now? I was just starting to have some fun. Can't you wait until I'm done?"
"Is he talking to himself?" Sandy questioned.
"No. Someone must be using telepathy to communicate with him." Maru said.
"Fine. I'm coming." Phatar said with him ending the talk. "We'll settle this another time. We already got what we came for." He said before he took off.
"Hey! Get back here!" Maru called. "What do you mean?! What did you come here for?!"
"That was weird. He just attacked us and then took off?" Mary questioned. They knew something was wrong, but they didn't know how bad it really was.
...
Master Velvet
Velvet was in his office at the guild and was working on getting the place straightened out. However, he could sense the clash of magic that was happening out. He knew something bad was going on.
"What is going on out there?" Velvet questioned.
"Phatar couldn't help himself. He couldn't come here without having a little fun with your Phoenix Flame wizards." Velvet saw a projection forming right in his own office. He was now faced with a man wearing a navy trench coat with a fury collar and black boots with grey gloves. He had short brown hair and had facial hair growing. "He took an interest in a young wizard that uses light magic and wanted to see what he could do against him. Something like how a snake couldn't help itself when it sees a mongoose."
"I know you! You're Johnson, the master of Fiendish Gargoyle!" Velvet said. "What is the meaning of this?!"
"I thought you wanted to know why we were here." Johnson said. "Although, you already know the answer to that."
"If you are trying to start a fight with us, it would be a mistake, but I will not take your bait just from attacking our guildhall." Velvet said. "That said, I don't know why you attacked us."
"Don't play dumb with me." Johnson said.
"I'm not. I really don't know what you are talking about." Velvet said.
"Well, it doesn't matter." Johnson said as another protection was forming at his feet. "We already got what we came for." The projection ended up forming Yukina with her unconscious and her hands bound.
"Yukina!" Velvet said as he couldn't believe it. "You were after her the whole time?! Why?! What do you want from her?!"
"Don't pretend you didn't know. You expect me to believe you had her all this time and didn't know?" Johnson said. "I'm just simply taking back what's mine. What father wouldn't want his daughter to come home?" When he said that, Velvet was astonished.
"Daughter?! She's your daughter?!" Velvet said. He really had no clue that Yukina's father was this man. Johnson looked at Velvet's face and could see the shock.
"Maybe you're really not playing dumb. Maybe you really didn't know. Either way, it doesn't matter." Johnson said. "I have what I came for. I just came by to let you know she won't be part of your guild anymore. I'm sure you would have come searching for her if she went missing. She's going to be part of my guild now just like she always should have been. Farewell." Johnson claimed before the projections vanished.
"Wait!" Velvet called, btu they were already gone. "Yukina..." This can't be real. Yukina's father is the master of a dark guild, the same dark guild that just attacked? Yukina never said anything, and she seemed so nice. With this truth now known, what is Phoenix Flame going to do? Are they really going to attempt to take a daughter away from her father?