Betrayal

Thoughts raced through Remy's mind as he ran for his life. What was the deal with those vampires back there? How did they find me or was I just some random target with a death sentence? And where is the Future Knights Guild? The location charged through his mind and he ran towards the bullet-sub. Without a single ticket or warning, he leapt onto the already-moving train. The guards, after noticing his attire, decided not to ask any questions or attract his attention. He sat serenely in his own seat staring out the window.

"It's just my first day," said Remy quietly to himself, "and I've already run into bloodthirsty undead guild members. Sheesh. What a life!"

As the train neared the urban town of Retaj, Remy silently left his seat and moved himself onto the roof of the train. Once the train arrived at the location he wanted to stop at, he jumped off and walked into the town that would decide his future. Preferring rooftops over streets, Remy chose to travel by leaping from building to building. He had just been accepted into the Bounty Hunters Guild and he possessed the skill of an average intermediate bounty hunter. One quick warning flashed through his mind, almost stopping him from completing his mission. He pushed away the thought and allowed himself to be driven by duty.

In a darker, underground portion of Retaj, he was forced to resort to travel requiring more usage of his feet. His shining black hair matted to his forehead, sticking loosely As he stealthily trudged onward, thoughts raced through his mind about what he had become by joining the Bounty Hunter Guild.

The Guild was comprised of hardened, soulless warriors and mercenaries giving their services to the highest bidder. They were never taken by grief when told to complete a mission. They were the men and women that shot first and asked questions later. With hearts of stone, they are simply a byproduct of the terror and chaos of this post-apocalyptic world. But Remy had done what he had done. There was no taking it back now. He had to do what was required of him. That was to kill. That would be his purpose: to kill.

A giant explosion disturbed his thoughts, and Remy jumped through the closest passage to see that the building to his far left had now become a large pile of ashes and rubble. Suddenly, Remy had found his target. Running out of the building, Ketsura Nagiyami, a member of the Future Knight Guild, held his broadsword high over his head. The Future Knights, unlike the knights of medieval times, had no code of chivalry. Their only code of honor was that wish or desire to fairly duel. Why his childhood buddy, Ketsura, had become a member of that guild was a mystery to Remy. He approached Ketsura and called to him. Ketsura looked and was almost too overcome with surprise to respond. But he noticed Remy's attire, and his happiness turned to bitterness and grief.

"Yes, bounty hunter?" responded Ketsura.

"I challenge you to a duel, future knight," challenged Remy.

"I accept." Remy tossed a long sword in Ketsura's direction. A large crowd of onlookers soon gathered around the two, who were to begin dueling. Arrayed in full future knight attire, Ketsura launched the first attack. Their battle shook the ground itself. Remy dodged the attack and blocked it with his own sword. They both flipped their swords upward and backed away. This time, Remy attacked with an upward slice. Ketsura thrust the hilt of his sword into Remy's stomach causing his opponent to gasp for air. The back of Ketsura's hand met painfully with Remy's temple. Remy quickly recovered and charged again. Just before he reached Ketsura, he jumped towards his opponent and delivered a downward horizontal slash. A crescent line of blood dripped to the floor. Ketsura staggered back and braced himself.