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Last of the Shadow Foxes: 1 Depravation

Emerson heard voices. Faint, like a long distance away.
“Gavrilla, come quick, this sin is close to death.”
“That’s a lot of blood Mali.”
“Don’t just stand there, help me carry him.”

Then back to darkness. Memories of his guild, the Shadow Foxes, revolved in his mind.
His induction into the guild, after thirty days of rigorous training. The friendly smiles of the guild members, as Remus presented him with his first set of Kumbis. Throwing practice in the underground training room. The incredible throw of his Kumbi splitting Aloysius’s Mokbi in half. The throwing competitions, himself coming third behind Remus and Fantine.
The guild wars, with the Dark Apostles and Rangers of Avelon. How Javier saved his life by blocking the arrows with his Tobis. How they crippled the Dark Apostles and banished them from Construction Site 2A.
Remus, guild leader and mentor. Fantine, second in command and sharpshooter. Adonis, cheerful and joking. Javier, stoic and calm, Aloysius, hot tempered and sly. Shiv, poet and tactician.
All friends.
All dead.

Emerson’s eyes flickered open. The light of a candle played across the room. He was in a bed and he was alone. Wait! Someone was sitting in a chair in the corner. Emerson craned his neck to see clearly.
“Oh, you’re awake.” The figure exclaimed and pulled her chair closer to the bed. Emerson saw that she was dressed in hermit gear with a tattoo of a maple leaf over her left eye.
“I wasn’t sure you would survive, those torso wounds were deep.” She continued, pulling a drawer open. Emerson just blinked, his body too tired to move. The woman produced an orange potion and spoon-fed it into Emerson’s mouth. Soon Emerson felt the life and warmth return to him.
“Who…are…you?” He managed. The woman smiled.
“I’m Gavrilla, guild leader of the Maplejutsu. You?”
“Emerson…member-last member of the Shadow Foxes.”
Gavrilla’s smile faded.
“I’m sorry…my condolences, we recovered six of them.”
Emerson managed a brief nod.
“That’s all of them…bury them well.” Emerson winced as he finished the sentence. Gavrilla’s brow creased.
“I’ll get Mali, she’s a priest.”
A moment later, Mali entered, dressed in pearl white robes. She also had a maple leaf imprint over her left eye. She looked regal in Emerson’s eyes, superior, god-like. With an aristocratic wave of her hands, blue rays snaked from her hands and converged onto Emerson’s bandaged torso. Emerson felt the pain receding and he nodded his gratitude. Mali bowed and turned to Gavrilla.
“If you need me, I will be in the study.”
“Many thanks Mali, your work is superb, as always.”
Mali then took one last look at Emerson and left the room.

Emerson sat up and tested his hands and feet. Gavrilla stashed the potion back into the draw and helped Emerson out of the bed.
“Your belongings are on the shelf.” She told him, pointing to the shelf near the door. Emerson fetched his Kumbis and his Adamantium Avarice before turning back to Gavrilla.
“Where am I?”
“Just outside Kerning City.”
“A bit more precise please?”
The hermit stiffened. She raised her Maple Kandayo and motioned for Emerson to do the same.
“Do you swear, by the Dark Lord, that you will never tell another living soul about the location of this place under the pain of death?”
“I swear.”
Gavrilla eyed Emerson carefully and then nodded.
“You are in Subway Station 303, a derelict station situated north of Kerning City.”
Emerson absorbed the information and headed out the door.
“Hey, where are you going?” The hermit barked.
“Hunting.” The assassin replied
“Thought so.” Gavrilla muttered, grabbed her Maple stars and followed him out.

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Last of the Shadow Foxes: 3 Reminiscent