Shade stared at Dang, and waved his mystic scimitar, Vargas. The black vein-like tendrils on the blade rippled and and pulsed as the vine fed on the evil emanating from the weapon. The yellow gems that lined the hilt glinted in the torchlight that dimly illuminated the room as Shade scowled at his opponent.

"Your name, constable?"

"I'm not a constable."

"Really? Then why are you tracking me?"

"Because you are a thief."

"I have my reasons for what I do."

"As do I."

"Your name, vigilante?"

"Dang...Dang Man-Ci."

"I see. Proud of yourself for helping this big lizard?"

"Let's just get down to business."

Dang spun his pike on his fingers like a baton, taking an odd stance that consisted of gripping both the pike and eastern sword. He lunged at Shade, who did an aerial somersault that surprised the man with blonde hair, because instead of landing on the ground, the thief had gripped the ceiling of the passage with one of the blades sticking out of his right wrist. In a split second, as Dang was expecting the somersault to end in front of him, so he could attack, Shade made his move, using his free hand to slash Dang's back with Vargas. Upon contact with the evil blade's tip, Dang felt pain pierce his very soul. The warrior was in excruciating pain, yet the wound was minor.

"Now...you understand. I am no common burglar, Dang."

Shade then snapped his fingers, and the torches went out, causing Shade to become close to totally invisible. Not even the glow was visible now, because Shade quickly ripped open a floorboard, and stashed the artifact underneath. When Dang had attacked earlier, Shade had placed the object behind a wooden support beam that stood out on the wall, allowing him to attack with more speed and without worry for the sphere's safety.

Now that Shade couldn't be seen and the others were distracted, he searched for another door. He found a lever on the wall that Shade was heading to earlier, and he gripped it, and pulled down. The effect was a trapdoor opening beneath him, and he fell through, soundlessly.

One of the three warriors saw the trapdoor open, and knew where the thief had gone. his movements were sure to cause the others to realize this, as well.

__________________
Some said I was wrong to dream that way,
and some made light of death and sorrow,
but death is glory...now.
[The Lineage][The Poetry][The Reminder][The Serenity]
True revolution is in mind; remember that, and all else shines...