The Side Story : The Gray Shadow 4

A flash of light passed above Strider's head.

Sarah's sword 'Sylphid' cut through the dark shadow pouncing
on Strider.

"What the hell is that?"

Strider ducked down and screamed. Right next to him, an
assassin fell to the ground dead.

"The empire's assassins?!"

With his scream, hidden assassins threw their daggers at
them seeking to overwhelm them with their numbers.

"........!!"

Gray picked the body of the assassin killed by Sarah and
held it in front of them as the daggers impaled their impromptu meat shield.
After that, he threw the body at assassins, and he yelled out an order at his
comrades.

"Run!!!"

They all turned and dashed away as fast as they could.
Daggers thrown by assassins were flying every way all barely missing their
backs.

"Faster, faster!" Gray yelled,

A while later and a stroke of luck they managed to get away
from them. Even though the assassins were good at silent killings, they
were the best rangers and the best swordsman in the continent for nothing.
Finally, they could see the sunlight from the entrance of the cave.

'Now!'

Sarah suddenly had an idea and she gathered her power as
much as she had.

"Aero-Strike!!!!!!!!!" She declared as
she slashed her sword releasing many blades of wind from her
slashes. At the same time, they all managed to escape the cave while they could
hear the cave collapsing from Sarah's attack.

"Whoooa! I thought I would die!"

They all fell to the ground while looking at the cave its
entrance barricaded with stones and rocks.

"It is a really big deal!" Strider said once he
had finally calmed down,

"Was it Asura?",  Mozel asked Strider after reading his report.

Gray answered him, "I bet it was Asura. We found and
fought with the empire assassins. We have to figure out what the empire wants.
Also, we have to consider the possibility of the Senate going behind your back
and signing a secret treaty with the empire."

Mozel deep in thought said, "According to your report, what
is happening is indeed quite troublesome. I trust all of you, but I cannot
reveal any of my doubts with the Senate. How can we deal with this...?"

Strider took a step forward and spoke, "If you will
allow us, I wish to investigate it more."

"Strider, do you? It must be really dangerous, even you
could lose your life." Mozel said, the surprise showing on his face.

Strider looked confident, and said, "In the name of a
Bifrost ranger, I swear that I will disclose the dirty secret treaty between
the empire and the Senate."

"Alright, I trust that you can. Anyway, let's not
reveal this yet. I will wait for the results of your
investigation." Mozel said.

"Yes, your highness!"

On Jan 10, 1207, Esgel Calendar, Strider contacted the
person whom he was searching for.

"Gray!"

Gray welcomed his close friend with a smile,
"Strider?" He said.

"Haha, I knew you would be here. You really do love
books. I have seen you bring books everywhere with you." Strider said, while
slapping Gray’s shoulder as a sign of intimacy.

"When I read a book, I feel relaxed." Gray said,
holding up the book he was reading to Strider.

"By the way, the Earl has summoned you. It seems He has
something to ask of you." Strider said.

"Do you know what it is?"

"The paladins of Pandragon have come to the palace. They
were being hunted by the empire."

"Hmm... aren't they staying in Da'ghal?" Said
Gray, handed on his chin in deep thought.

"Huh? You already know?", said a shocked
Strider,

"I heard a lot about them especially the Princess
Eiolin who is also called Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance. For allies, she is
an angel, and for the enemy, she becomes a devil, right?" Gray said,

"Well, then, this should be very easy to explain…"

Gray stopped Strider saying, "Stop! Strider, don't tell
me you going to have me help them pass Mt. Gigantes?"

Strider laughed loud, "Haha you already know
everything! You are right! Nobody else can do that except you!"

Gray seemed embarrassed, "Strider, you are also able to
guide them."

Strider took a deep breath, and said, "Gray, you know,
I have something important to do. Please.... ?"

Gray rejected it strongly, "No way! I won't!"

"What's the matter, Gray?" Strider asked, Shocked
that his friend would act this way.

Gray looked away from Strider before saying, "As you
know, vengeance is just pride for self-justification. Those who are full of
pride are going to follow my order? Do you really think they will? I am telling
you again. I will not do that! Just tell them that it's better to pass the
borderline of the empire than to pass Mt. Gigantes."

"Gray, please. Think about the Earl Mozel as
well."

Gray could not keep insisting after hearing of Earl Mozel.

"Haaay.... then I will head out and see the Earl so I
can inform him of my decision."

Strider hit Gray's chest, and said, "Please! You
are really being stubborn!!! What should I do? What should I tell the Earl
about it?"

"Ok, I will decide after meeting them first.  After seeing face to face, I will
consider whether I will do it or not, alright?"

"Alright, alright!!! Do whatever you want!!!"

After yelling at him, Strider left.

"Strider...."

Gray smiled bitterly and followed him to see the Earl.

"It is just a mountain! "

Somebody said with an arrogant voice said.

'Hmm... he is looking down upon Mt. Gigantes..'

Gray hesitated for a bit whether to enter or to stay
standing in front of the door.

What he did not know is that behind the door, stood
a destiny waiting for him that would greatly change him.

Finally, he opened the door and took the first step to his
destiny.