The Corrupted Syndicate

His long, navy-blue duster coat, streaked with dust and worn by travel, flared with each step, concealing a leather holster strapped at his waist, always within reach.

Beneath the coat, a light blue shirt—simple yet durable—was tucked into worn black pants, gun belts crisscrossing his hips, brimming with ammunition. Cobalt blue fingerless gloves tightly gripped his twin revolvers, their metal gleaming under the cave's light.

Sturdy brown boots, built for long journeys, finished the ensemble, painting a picture of quiet menace.

The gunslinger merely shook his head as he sighed while looking at the place where Arakaali once stood.

"She was one of the most difficult ones to cultivate and yet she had nothing to show for it. I should scold Kris for-"

The unknown person covered his mouth in shock when he finally laid eyes on Mavislin, before bursting into a sickeningly sweet smile. 

"Well... Please accept my sincerest apologies, I was merely too upset at how the wretched spider had been so hard to summon and all for nothing that I failed to see the beauty that slaughtered her," explained the gunslinger, licking his lips as he approached her.

The Viceroy felt a surge of unfamiliar emotion as he observed the intruder's intense gaze fixed upon his prize. A primal instinct flared within him, compelling him to protect what was his.

In an instant, he stepped forward, positioning himself resolutely in front of Mavislin, his presence a formidable barrier against any threat. The air thickened with tension, a silent promise of confrontation hanging between them.

Zenos's determination burned brightly in his chest, igniting a fierce protectiveness that overshadowed all else.

"It's my pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Shadow of the Syndicate," announced the gunslinger, side-stepping to properly face the dragoness.

"Oh, but where are my manners? My name is Minwoo R Dalles, the Intelligence Taskforce commander of the Legion."

"The White Rat of the Legion finally reveals himself, having unleashed his insipid pests upon my domain. What is it you seek?" thundered Zenos as he tilted his head to the side.

"Hm? Oh... The Viceroy! Pardon me, I was too transfixed at the dragoness to notice you... Anyways, I am merely passing through, I was not seeking anything. As for the 'pests' that I've unleashed in Valokia, I was only following orders from my superiors..."

"I meant no offense..." explained Minwoo, with another smirk.

"Don't make us out like fools! The Legion does not operate under totalitarian rule so the commanders of each sector are free to do whatever they want and do not have to listen to the Main Council. In other words, I'm calling out your bluff of 'following orders'."

"Because you are the top of your league," protested the dragoness, shooting a glare at the enemy.

The White Rat appeared momentarily shocked, his expression shifting as he relaxed into a predatory grin aimed at the young girl. Yet, there was something dangerous lurking behind that smile, a glint in his eyes that hinted at malice and cunning intent.

"My... Goodness! Matt warned me about you, but I must say, you've far exceeded my expectations! I had never expected you to call out my bluff so soon... After all, you are my counterpart. I should expect you to be as knowledgeable as me..."

"Drop the act, Minwoo. We do not have time for you or your antics," announced the Viceroy.

"Neither do I. Like I said, I just dropped in for fun. Carry on with whatever you need to do. Besides, I would be far more interested in speaking with Lady Shadow in a better area. Perhaps at a bar," answered the White Rat as he dropped to a lower tone out of boredom.

"I have no intention to speak with a deranged person such as yourself at anywhere but a battlefield setting. You should be well aware that I hate the Legion's members enough to stain the town red with their innards. And last I checked, it includes you too."

"You've always been a thorn at my side whenever I needed to gather intelligence, with your pests standing in my younglings' way," spat Mavislin, annoyed.

"Your words have hurt me! My darling, how could you, when you've teamed up with the Prince of Darkness himself?"

"Because he is better than the scum you lot are."

Without another word, Minwoo snapped his fingers, and a cloud of gray smoke enveloped him, causing him to vanish. Before Mavislin could utter a question or Zenos could respond, the ground trembled, and their exit door burst open with a violent force.

"Why is Matt under attack?! There shouldn't be any..." 

The dragoness halted just as they rushed past the exit, her instincts sharp. They found themselves in yet another arena, one that seemed tailored for a monstrous confrontation once again.