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Last of the Shadow Foxes: 5 Revelation

The sauna was relaxing. The hot water soothing Emerson’s tired muscles. He sighed as the steam filled the air and bubbles popped gently on the water. The assassin was glad that a hot water vein ran through Subway Station 303. Geothermal heated water straight from Perion. Emerson dipped his head into the pleasant water. As he resurfaced, he felt someone else get into the pool. Wiping his eyes he saw Ophelia on the other side of the sauna.

Ophelia smiled at him.
“So you’re Emerson.” She started, sliding deeper into the water.
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you, your guild more specifically. I’m sorry to hear of your loss.”
Emerson tilted his head forward and stared at his reflection.
“I’ve heard a lot about you too Ophelia, you and your guild’s triumphs during the East Henesys’ Liberation.” He told the guild leader, still looking at the water. The water rippled as Ophelia swam over to Emerson. She took his hand and held it up to her neck.
“Emerson, you see this scar there?” Tracing the scar with Emerson’s fingers. “When I was young, I went exploring in Ludibrium and ran into a Death Teddy. I escaped but I vowed never to fight again.”
Emerson’s head lifted as Ophelia continued.
“Then a few weeks later I heard that a guild had taken over the territory I lived in, Ginatsu. Do you which guild that was?”
“No.”
“The Dark Apostles. My four brothers went off to fight for freedom while I stubbornly stayed behind. We won, so I broke that foolish vow. Just because now I’m a guild leader doesn’t mean I’m perfect, we’re human, and we all have flaws.”
“What happened to your brothers?”
“They died.”
“Which ones?”
“All of them.”

The study was illuminated and a chair was waiting for him. Emerson entered the room and sat down.
“Gavrilla?”
The hermit looked up from her desk.
“Take a look at the scroll Fortune and Zeliq brought back.” She told him, handing over a scroll. The assassin glanced up.
“Don’t worry, it’s good news.” The hermit assured him.
“How are they by the way?” Emerson asked, unfurling the scroll.
“They’ll both live.” Gavrilla replied. Emerson mood changed instantly as he read the contents of the scroll.
“She’s alive…” He whispered incredulously, eyes wide. Gavrilla grinned and ruffled Emerson’s hair. Emerson smiled and rolled up the scroll.
“I have to ask, why are you helping me this much? I know you’ve got a kind and helpful demeanour but I was just wondering if this is anything more…personal?” Emerson ventured, handing the scroll back. Gavrilla looked at him for a moment and pulled out a bottle of cider.
“Well, I was going to tell you some time, might as well be now.” She started, pouring a measure of the pale liquid into two glasses.
“Back in the days when I was an assassin, I was travelling the Premium Road in Victoria and was ambushed by White Fangs on the Chilly Hill. I was cornered and certainly doomed, for I was already weak, if not for Amadeus.” Gavrilla took a sip of cider before continuing.
“Amadeus, do you know him? No? Well, he was from your guild, the Shadow Foxes. He rescued me there and I felt that I was in debt to him. Well, months past and coincidently, back on Chilly Hill, I saw Amadeus. He got himself involved with a snow golem who decided to bring his friends along. I-I just stood there and watched…that bandit fighting for his life…I j-just stood there and watched him die…” Gavrilla turned away from Emerson and wiped her eyes. Emerson finished his drink and stood up.
“I see, well, thank you for sharing that with me.” He murmured and left.

Emerson returned to his room and lay down on the bed. His sister was alive. He still could not comprehend the wonderful news. Sapphira was alive. All those years thinking she was dead, frozen somewhere in El Nath. Another Shadow Fox was alive. Mali knocked on the door and Emerson sat up. Her aristocratic features went well with her Dark Varuna.
“Tomorrow we’re leaving for El Nath.”

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Last of the Shadow Foxes: 7 Jeopardy