https://youtu.be/vXST0bh0NOQ

With an alliance forged, Ashbel and Sly, after taking a brief detour to retrieve Ashbel's sword, decided to make up for lost time by rushing across the dead forest, hoping to find the shrine at the end. Sly was the faster runner of the two, but he slowed down so that his new, temporary companion could keep up. So now, they were side-by-side, running while talking amongst themselves.

"So, Sly, you wanted to become the Torchbearer?"

"Torchbearer? Can't say I'm too interested." Sly responded casually, shaking his head. "I'm not all about that responsibility - plus, it's not like the Torch would ever choose someone like me."

"Oh?" Ashbel raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm as selfish as they come. Why would the Torch want someone like that?" Sly pointed out. "I'm no theologian, but it stands to reason that it'd prefer someone more...heroic. Like you, I think."

"Bah, I'm not a hero." Ashbel chuckled. "I'd probably kill a kid for the right price."

"Really, now?"

"Maybe. I dunno." Ashbel shook his head, before focusing back on Sly. "If you don't want to bear the Torch, though, then why are you here?"

"I wanted to see it in person. Maybe rub it in that bastard Sully's face that I saw it and he didn't." Sly said simply. "Maybe I could even pawn it off to the highest bidder."

Ashbel let out a loud laugh at that, smiling joyously. "Man, I think Vi would be pissed if she found out that happened."

"And who's Vi?" Sly questioned curiously. "Your squeeze?"

Ashbel shook his head, retaining a good-humoured smile as he quickly dodged an incoming tree. "Nah, I'm not even sure if she likes me that much." he admitted. "She's my client. I'm her bodyguard. She's the one who wants to become the Torchbearer, not me - so I figured I'd keep it safe on her behalf."

"Oh, but where is she, then? Why isn't she with you?"

"She's sleeping, I think. She wanted to be in ship-shape for her eventual anointing." Ashbel explained. "She wanted me to sleep, too, but unfortunately for her, I don't sleep very well."

"Ah, I can relate. I'm kind of a night owl myself." Sly chuckled. "Well, then, you'd better not steal her destiny from her!"

"Hey, I'm not worried about that!" Ashbel said. "Besides, stealing stuff seems more like your kind of thing."

The two continued running, enjoying one another's company until they saw a rather bright orange glow up ahead. Figuring this could be what they were looking for, they made haste, satisfied to have beaten their enemies to their goal.

.........

https://youtu.be/3tfCfrsDlOE

Stopping once they reached the source of the light, the two men found themselves at the mouth of a cave. And I say that in the most literal sense, for the cavern that waited them bore resemblance to the maw of a giant beast. It was enormous, and dark brown in colour, with white stones circling its entrance at the top, like jaws. The cave was clearly very long, too, with burning torches hung across the walls and illuminating the insides with a distinct orange glow.

The two stopped in front of it, both taking time to admire their surroundings. While the rest of the forest seemed dead, surrounding this cave was a patch of lush green grass, with chrysanthemum flowers growing out of it, and being near this cave gave off an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. Both of them smiled as they observed this strange place - outwardly menacing, but soothing nonetheless.

"So, that's the shrine..." Ashbel murmured, staring into the depths of the cave. "Or, uh, I think."

"You think?"

"Hey, when I eavesdropped on the White Tigers, I didn't ask them what it looked like!" Ashbel protested, shaking his head and placing a hand on his hip before looking into the cave again. "But this aura...I have a feeling that what we're looking for lies in here."

"Only one way to be sure, huh?" Sly mused, and Ashbel nodded at that, taking a deep breath before the two of them walked in, immediately feeling an abating heat washing over them. This warmth was like sitting before a hearth in the midst of the winter, and it was simply divine - not too hot to induce sweat, but inducing feelings of kindness and familial love to begin with.

In response to this, Sly let out a nostalgic sigh, remembering the good old days before his life went in its current direction. Ashbel, however, looked confused as he felt strange noises in his mind, almost as if in that moment his brain was filled with nothing but static. He rubbed the side of his head, not sure what to make of this, but decided to press on, not letting this set him back.

"Pretty nice place, huh?" Sly commented, looking at all the torches lined up. "The guys in charge really know how to set an atmosphere."

"You think so?" Ashbel shrugged, keeping his eyes focused in front of him. "It's warm, at least."

"I know, right? You think they might be going a little overboard with the 'torch' thing?" Sly suggested. "One wonders how they maintain all this."

"A wizard did it." Ashbel remarked. "I'm no expert, but I reckon this whole thing is the Torch's doing."

"Pretty crazy, right? Makes you wonder - what is this Torch, this great artifact that can breathe life into a forest as dead as this, and fill a cold cave with heat?" Sly mused.

"Yep. Now I can see why you wanted to see it." Ashbel smiled. "Wonder what it'll look like..."

"Who knows? That's why I'm here." Sly shrugged. "I like to think there's always a light at the end of the tunnel."

Ashbel chuckled at that, looking ahead with his superior eyesight to see if he could make anything out, but what he saw at the very end wasn't exactly 'light', per se. It was shadowy and black, and even the eyes of a salamander couldn't penetrate it. At the end of the tunnel, all that laid ahead was darkness.

.........

But eventually, that darkness was reached. As Ashbel and Sly noticed the torch lights fading as they walked across, they saw something at the very end. In front of the back wall of the cave, a thin and crooked torch, longer than the rest, such that it could be held in two hands, crafted from what seemed to be white wood and burning with a black flame that seemed to give off darkness rather than light, floated before the two, who stopped to admire it.

"So, this is the Torch..." Sly murmured, the first one to speak. "It's a real beauty, isn't it?"

"Yeah..." Ashbel muttered, staring into the dark flame. "To think this is the relic that'll save the world...right before our eyes..."

The two of them gawked at the Torch for a while, feeling a gentle warmth coming from it. It clearly gave off darkness, but not the kind that would terrify a child or hide a boogeyman. Being here felt like being under the cover of the night sky - a strangely warm one. It seemed to nurture and protect one from the harshness of the dawn, and indeed, they couldn't help but want to be in its carapace. It was not an artefact of great power, like one would expect from one with a story like the Torch. It wasn't quite awe-inspiring. But just being nearby made them feel like things would be alright.

But then, the pleasant thoughts in Ashbel's mind were cut in twain as he heard an all-too-familiar marching of boots. They were here, after such a wait. The time was nearing for Ashbel to do what he came here to do.

"It shines so bright...brings boundless delight...oh, tenebrous torch light..."

https://youtu.be/Oa8JpqSEhgo

And hearing that deep reverb was enough to completely snap Ashbel out of his feelings of peace, with Sly seeming more confused than anything. As they turned around, they saw, marching through the light, a platoon of soldiers, dressed in their chainmail and boots, looking ready to start a crusade against the demon and his roguish companion. As the two turned around, they watched as the fleet ceased their march, standing in the light several feet ahead of them, and led by none other than the fully-armoured Rook, who seemed to look down on the two.

"I came here to claim my destiny as the hero, and what do I find standing in my way but a foolish samurai warrior wielding a magic sword?" the Rook continued, his metallic boots making a clanking noise against the stone floor as he took a few steps closer to them. "I see you are no longer alone, Ashbel Hagen."

"You've met this guy?" Sly questioned, frowning slightly and watching as Ashbel nodded affirmatively. "He seems pretty strong..."

"He is..." Ashbel confirmed. "That's one of their generals. I think he was called Rook."

"So you have remembered my appellation. That spares me from a reintroduction." the Rook said, his hand resting on the sheath of his nodachi. "Step aside, Ashbel Hagen and his new companion. That Torch does not belong to you."

"I know." Ashbel shook his head, smiling slightly. "I'm just keeping it safe for someone."

"And to that end, you would stand in the way of the White Tigers." the Rook continued, more affirming it than asking. "In our last encounter, I advised you to act wisely."

"Yeah, well, I'm not very good at that." Ashbel chuckled. "But I am good at declawing tigers, so I think I'll get started on that."

As the two spoke, Sly remained silent, observing the two swordsmen as they conversed. They had some kind of history, so he had no place to infringe on that, but he was curious as to how they met. Nevertheless, he decided to respect the whole 'nemesis' thing they seemed to have going on.

"Hah! Like a lowly little demon can beat all of us!"

"Who's he even here for? His little devil buddies?"

"Like a demon could even bear the Torch!"

Sadly, it seemed the pawns standing behind the Rook weren't quite so respectful, filling the ambience with their hateful chatter. It really irked Sly, but he didn't voice this until he heard one particular line;

"And to think he brainwashed that human to his side...despicable!"

"I'm here on my own accord, you know." Sly spoke up, a mildly unamused look on his face. "He's no hero, but he's a hell of a lot more respectable than you."

As the pawns fell into a stunned silence, the Rook slowly shook his head, taking another step forward. "Your persistence is admirable, but it is ultimately foolish." he said. "You remember our last clash, do you not? You know that you cannot best me."

"I know that I've gotta try." Ashbel countered, causing the Rook to hum in contemplation. "For my client, and for all the demons everywhere, I can't allow a White Tiger to bear the Torch!"

"The Torch seeks a hero, and we are the heroes!"

"I'd call you anti-heroes, but that'd imply there's some good in you." Sly quipped. "You're just assholes."

"Silence, you thrall!" one man lashed out, drawing his sword, only for the Rook to look back at him, shaking his head.

"It appears that your willpower is strong - too strong to coexist with mine." he said, stepping forth and looking at Ashbel, seeming to pierce through his soul despite the lack of visible eyes. "But this is fine."

"Fine, how?" Ashbel questioned.

"I was wondering how I may go about proving myself before the Torch." the Rook continued, gripping his hilt strongly. "And now it has dawned on me - a display of prowess with the Torch as my witness - that is how I shall prove my worth."

"Is that actually required?" Sly questioned, only for Ashbel to quickly draw his sword.

"He means he's gonna kill us, Sly."

"The salamander is correct." the Rook confirmed, drawing his own shining silver nodachi and holding it in front of him. "Men, stand behind me! As enemies of the White Tigers, and as obstacles in the way of myself and my destiny, I will see to it personally that you meet your ends today!"

https://youtu.be/sCgyRK63w3s

"Hear that? He's coming for both of us!" Ashbel exclaimed, and understanding what was at stake, Sly immediately prepared to enter an evasive stance, while Ashbel prepared to defend himself. The Rook posed like he was about to sprint at them with sword in hand, while the Tigers stepped back, trusting the Rook to deal with the filthy demon in front of them.

The Rook gazed at them like a predator to its prey, and despite being a fox among wolves, he was clearly the most intimidating figure in the room - one look at him told them that he was a seasoned warrior, one they couldn't just underestimate. Ashbel knew from experience that he was a strong one, too. At once, there was silence - even the pawns stopped talking, waiting patiently for someone to make a move.

"...I am a White Tiger, determined to polish the world of evil." The Rook broke the silence, his armour beginning to shine with a bright light while he maintained his stance. "The sword of justice, and the bane of all that is wicked. I...am the Rook!"

Once the word 'Rook' left his mouth, he charged forth, quick like the wind, and his sword met Ashbel's, having attempted to strike him with a quick slash only to be blocked by his katana. The armoured Rook took a deep breath, attempting to overpower Ashbel's defences, his strength struggling against the demon's.

"Your blade is a sturdy one. Any unenchanted sword would have shattered against that blow." the Rook mused, watching Ashbel disengage and attempt a more angular strike. "My compliments to your blacksmith."

The Rook then parried Ashbel's blow away, causing the ronin to repeat his attacks from different angles and speeds. But the Rook seemed to see right through his movements, parrying each attack harmlessly before pushing him away. "But it shall not be enough."

Sly, hiding within the Torch's darkness, watched the clash of blades, the persistent game of hapless attacks and stalwart defence, and paid very close attention to the Rook. Very close, trying to determine the weak points in his armour so that he could do a bit of damage. He figured that either way this could go, it would go in his favour, as he readied a set of throwing knives and tossed them all precisely in different places - having determined the chinks in his armour.

While the Rook fought Ashbel, he suddenly pushed him away and turned around, parrying each knife out of the air before turning back to face a staggered Ashbel. Both samurai and rogue were astonished at how fast he was for a grown man in plate armour, but had no time to gawk at this, as the Rook flashed forward to slash him. Ashbel hastily parried it, but the Rook remained on the attack, striking with a series of calculated slashes that the demon could only just about block. The difference in ability between them was evident; though Ashbel was clearly a skilled swordsman, the Rook was like a sword saint.

Sly figured right away that he ought to do something - anything - to increase Ashbel's odds. He took out his two main daggers, which became enveloped in an icy wind, and ran towards the Rook, who thought about this before deciding to cut his losses and continue attacking Ashbel.

The Rook's movements continued to be fast, but Sly kept watching him, waiting until he stepped forward before throwing his daggers at his foot. It worked, and as the blades connected, the Rook's foot became encased in an icy crystal stuck to the ground. He was taken aback at this and stopped moving long enough for Ashbel to regain his bearings. Igniting his blade, he unleashed a rapid flurry of slashes, gradually working his way up before he would aim for the mask.

By the time he was about to do that, however, the Rook let Ashbel know what he thought of that by punching him in the face with his armoured gauntlet before kicking him in the stomach with his free leg. This dazed him, and the Rook turned towards Sly, sword at the ready. The rogue, unfazed, smirked and prepared to unleash his ranged weaponry at him.

"What's the matter, Crook? Getting cold feet?"

"Doubtless, you are a true wordsmith." the Rook responded, his sword glowing in rainbow-coloured light as he sheathed it, while the ice around his foot began to slowly melt. He pulled it free before unsheathing his blade, performing a triad of iaido slashes in under a second. Surprisingly, Sly managed to dodge the first two by moving side-to-side, but the third struck him in the torso and he fell to the ground.

At once, the Rook didn't waste any time, and he sheathed his blade, preparing to lurch forth with the speed and strength of a thousand blades, but before he could perform his ultra-fast attack, he felt a rock hit him in the head. He turned around and saw Ashbel, whose hand was held out, smoke rising off his fingers as embers gathered around it.

"Hey, don't forget about me!" he exclaimed, forming a fireball in his hand and preparing to aim it at him. "I'm the Tigers' real enemy!"

The Rook looked back at a weakened Sly before turning his attention to Ashbel, his armour beginning to glow with that same fierce white light as before. "Much obliged." he said calmly, slowly stepping towards the demon, who raised his sword to defend himself. Suddenly, however, the Rook flashed forward, disarming Ashbel in a single swing as his sword fell clattering to the ground.

Without saying another word, the Rook raised his blade above his head, with Sly powerless to watch as he slowly tried to rise to his feet. Ashbel figured the best thing to do was try to dodge, but before he could react, the Rook brought his blade down on him, striking with the force of an angered god smiting an insolent mortal and causing Ashbel to fall to his knees. His sword glowed with a white light as he slowly turned it around, ready to perform the next part of his attack.

"Have you any regrets, Ashbel?" he asked coolly. "I offer you now the chance to turn back."

"...and just let you take the Torch?" Ashbel asked, slowly beginning to stand up and shaking his head in the process. "I can't do that to the world."

"Then I believe, as the saying goes - 'it is your funeral'."

Ashbel, refusing to back down, hurled a ball of fire at him, and he took the hit head-on, slightly shaken by it and buying enough time for Sly to throw a few knives at him. Though the knives actually struck this time, the Rook shrugged it off, continuing to focus on Ashbel, much to Sly's evident horror.

"Hey, Ashbel! You're gonna want to-"

Before Sly could finish, the Rook unleashed a second, identical cut in the opposite direction. This one, upon connection, assailed Ashbel with a harsh sphere of light, engulfing his body as he felt a searing sensation. Ashbel was frozen in place, allowing for the Rook to land a precise stab at his stomach. This caused the light sphere to burst, and with it, Ashbel fell to the ground.

The Rook stared at him for a few seconds, before confirming that he wasn't about to get up, and turned away emotionlessly to look at a wide-eyed Sly. "See what happens to those who stand against us?" he said calmly.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Sly protested, already preparing himself to dodge whatever was thrown at him. "He was trying to protect the Torch, and you killed him for that?"

"He was a demon! He would've abused the Torch!"

"Yeah! Good riddance, right?"

"And you call yourselves heroes?" Sly exclaimed, exasperated. The Rook observed Sly's state, noticing a few injuries here and there. He looked at the pawns, who watched in what seemed to be glee, and sighed, pointing his blade at Sly.

"Whether Ashbel lives or dies...is up to him." he said. "For now, I shall put down the vermin before me."

Sly glanced at Ashbel's body, mildly worried, before shaking his head and readying himself for combat. "I don't like the idea of letting him die in vain...so don't expect me to go quietly."

"So you will fight for his sake..." the Rook muttered. "Ashbel...you have picked a good companion."

Ashbel, naturally, did not move. Not physically, at least. To all onlookers, he was out cold. But in his perspective, that wasn't the case. After hitting the ground. he felt a protective warmth covering him, and he opened his eyes to see what was going on. There, he saw that he was no longer in the cave. He sat up and looked at his surroundings, finding that he was in a black limbo, even though he still felt like he was on solid ground. And floating in front of him was none other than that white Torch, burning with its black flames. As he looked around quickly, hitting himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming, he heard a warm, reassuring legion of voices echoing in his head;

"Be not afraid, Ashbel Hagen."

And at once, he realised what was going on. And he was not sure if he liked it.