"What's going on?" she asked feeling a bit confused.

"I went to check on you, but you weren't there. I looked in each building and still saw no sign of you."

She could sense his restlessness, she didn't know what to do.

 Then she remembered how everyone embraced her when she first arrived.

She hugged him back, "It ok Keir. I'm here now, I'm ok."

She spotted Lucien standing at the top of the stairs, his eyes filled with suspicion.

"Neri, why were you outside?" asked Keir as he released her he took her hands in his.

"I couldn't sleep so I went on a walk," she replied. 

Keir sighed, "I was distraught. Next time, please tell me if you're going outside. I will accompany you."

"Or you can tell me," Alen added as he walked in. "Me too!" Nathan chimed in. 

Keir sent a glare at them, "I offered first." 

 "How about we all go together next time," Lucien spoke as he descended the stairs.

 She giggled, "Ok, ok. I'll surely invite you all next time."

Lucien had woken up to see that Kian was no longer sitting on the window silk.

The guy was talented. Lucien hadn't even sensed when he left.

He walked out of his room and heard several voices, it seemed they were looking for Neri.

He couldn't help but wonder if she and Kian snuck out to meet each other.

He heard Nathan yell at Neri's arrival, 

he approached the railing and watched as Keir came running and hugged Neri. 

Neri hugged him back, she looked in his direction, and their eyes connected. 

He was surprised when she looked away as if she hadn't seen him. 

 "How about we all go together next time," He joins their conversation as he descends the stairs.

Neri laughs and agrees "Ok, ok. I'll surely invite you all next time." 

After a few minutes of talking everyone says their goodnight and head to their rooms.

As he enters he spots Kian sitting on the windowsill staring at the moon.

"Where were you?" Lucien asks as he enters the room. 

"Protecting you," Kian responded without looking.

"Oh? How so?" He asked.

"Don't worry about it. Go back to sleep." Kian answered as he continued to stare outside.

Lucien clenched his fist, "Did you go out to meet Neri?"

"No," he replied curtly as he continued to gaze outside.

 "Tell me the truth. Neri happened to be outside and you weren't here either. What a coincidence,"

Lucien said sarcastically. "Right?" Kian replied casually.

 Lucien's patience was running out. Kian didn't seem much older than him yet he acted so aloof and never took him seriously. "Listen, I'm fed up with the way you're treating me. Would you stop ignoring me? 

After all, we're paying for your services, so it's only fair that you're more responsive. 

Otherwise, we might need to start considering other options." 

Kian laughed and stood up. He turned to him and slowly began to approach him, 

"There is only one person I take orders from: my teacher. 

My orders were to keep you safe, nothing more." his voice was void of emotion.

 "Well, maybe your 'teacher' should have done a better job at educating you." Lucien retorted.

Before Lucien could react, Kian was in front of him and grabbed his throat. 

He lifted him in the air, "No one, and I mean no one is allowed to speak ill of my Master. 

Do you know who you've offended?" He said as he slightly tightened his grip.

Lucien choked as he troubled to speak. Would this guy dare to kill him?

Lucien grabbed the arm that choked him "Put me down." he choked.  

Kian dropped him and Lucien kneeled as he coughed. 

He looked up at Kian, he could see his red eyes glaring at him. 

"You really think you're all that, huh? 

Just because you're from the Shadows guild." He spoke as he stood up.

He approached Kian until they were inches apart,

 "You are underestimating me," he smirked.

Kian snickered, "Sure, that's why you needed a Nanny to guard you 24/7."

Lucien lifted his chin, "I request a duel,"

Kian's red eyes filled with amusement, "I accept...How about now?"

"You want to duel now?" he asked, a bit surprised.

Kian nodded, "Why not? I saw an Arena off in the distance."

"You don't have a horse, it'll take a while to get there by foot," Lucien replied.

"I'll just use Nys- Rissa's horse," Kian replied as he opened the window and stepped out.

"Nyx doesn't let anyone other than Neri ride him..." 

Lucien knew his words had gone unheard as Kian slid down the roof.

Kian slid down the roof ahead of Lucien. He breathed a sigh of relief, 

realizing he had nearly said the name of the guild leader instead of Rissa. 

Fortunately, Lucien didn't appear to notice anything amiss.

He clicked and Ryu appeared and settled on his shoulder.

"Get Nyx" He commanded the little dragon. Ryu quickly ran off to find Nyx.

Moments later,

Kian spotted Nyx running towards him.

 Ryu ran alongside him, he had become a black horse, with red eyes.

 "Hm, similar enough," he muttered

He mounted Ryu as they ran past him, Kian chuckled, "Just like the old times." 

He heard another horse behind him, he turned to see Lucien approaching him.

"Who's horse is that?" Lucien asked as he approached him. 

"This is Nyx's brother, Ryu. He's my horse." He replied.

"You didn't say you brought a horse."

"You didn't ask, you just assumed. Besides how else would I have arrived?"

 "Forget it, let's get going."

Kian smirked from under his mask knowing Lucien was very annoyed with him.

They arrived at the arena, dismounted their horses, and entered the fighting grounds.

"So what are the rules Lord Ikar?" 

Lucien withdrew his sword, "How about close combat?"

Kian raised an eyebrow, "Any limits on abilities?"

"Why? You forgot your sword?" Lucien snickered

Kian chuckled, "No, I never carry one."  

Lucien's expression turned to one of confusion, "You don't know swordsmanship?"

"I do," he replied curtly

"Then why don't you carry a sword?" 

Kian raised his hand and lifted the metal from the ground, shaping it into a sword.

"Does this answer your question?" 

Lucien looked at the newly made sword, "Metal manipulation." He muttered.

Kian removed his hood, "Shall we commence, Lord Ikar?"

Lucien took a step back, "You... you're the Silver dragon of the shadows."

"So you do know my name,

that must mean you know my reputation as well," Kian replied, hiding the smirk under his mask.