It all started with the dream. One that Sam had before, he was at the mansion walking the grounds with his dog and playing catch waiting for the phone from a girl. Not just any girl Tiffany Diamond whom he had saved before. He’d end up flirting with her over the phone then they’d meet up for a drink or dinner which would in turn lead up to him walking up for some stupid reason. However this wasn’t like the typical dream as Sam threw the ball for Bruno he had the feeling that someone was watching him. He couldn’t place who was watching him or from where but he felt uneasy.

Slate had given him a little training after he was brainwashed and used to kidnap and hurt some of the people from the mansion. Something he was still upset about for obvious reasons. The scene changed from the mansion grounds to the artic circle where he went to train after the whole incident. Slate had told him go to a place he had felt strongest and more secure. Bruno soon faded and Sam looked around once all the distractions were gone. It was one of those dreams now where you could control what was going on before waking up. ”Where are you?” Sam yelled as he looked around the frozen wasteland. ”I can feel you!” he couldn’t do much about it though until he found from where the feeling was coming from.

A voice off in the distance echoed as a small man materialized a few feet away from him. “You have been found Sam Johnson. We’re coming for you.” The man shaggy brown hair and a crazed look in his eyes. He was a hunter and the tattoo of the crescent moon over his right eye tipped Sam off to who he was.

Sam sat upright and made the call as he packed a backpack. ”I need my shadow!”

Within five minutes he was down in the X-Jet already starting up the machine punching in the coordinates making sure the jet knew where to go. If there was going to be trouble coming on this scale Sam didn’t want anyone in the mansion being involved.

The world was shrouded in darkness. The fading lights of the evening sun had vanished hours ago, but to Shade, the world had come alive. His shadow sense awoke every night, revealing every secret that took place in the dark. The night was Shade's playground and his sanctuary. The shadow assassin was only beginning when his new "friend" called him for his help. There was no small talk; (Hey Shade, how are you? Would you meet up with me kindly?) it was straight to business. Shade only had time to jump back to his room. He knew that any word from Cold Steel would mean they were going to be getting in trouble. Shade slipped into his overcoat before 'porting across town (with a few stops in between). Cold Steel let him know to meet him in the hangar. With Cold Steel's help, they had mapped a route for Shade to take to avoid any young Mansonites. The X-Jet was only beginning to warm up when he stepped out of a shadow in the cockpit.

"You rang?" Shade said in an annoyed tone. He hated being at Cold Steel's beck and call.

Shade felt like the Genie from Aladdin. Poof! What do you want? Poof! What do you want? Poof! What do you want? He was a murderous assassin, not some lowly butler. Shade hung back from the ice mutant. Although they had been on a few missions before this, he still had a hard time not wanting to slip a knife in his back, to help alleviate Cold Steel's back pain, of course. Shade quickly told his conscience as it drove a hot blade through his heart. The pain reminded him of his other marching orders.

"And Syn has returned to the Sanctuary, if you haven't heard yet. Not much happening besides that."

>>>"You rang?"

Sam ignored him for a few minutes as he thought on his dream. He recognized the tattoo and knew what was coming. Trouble of the likes he hadn’t seen in some time. More dangerous, than walking down a New York city alleyway with a hit man who was picked specifically for you. No these were at least three in number and they all had a file on him at this point. One that would be somewhat up to date. They only let Sam know they were coming to make him panic. Sam didn’t panic easily. Not anymore.

”I’ll pretend she is an issue when I have some more time to worry about her.” Sam said not seeing any immediate danger of Syn back in the order. Most of the work she did was more directed to chaos and with no other agenda than mutant superiority. She herself wasn’t dangerous just everyone surrounding her. Either way Sam was too preoccupied to think about her. No matter how attractive she was.

Sam didn’t say anything else till they were airborne and heading north. Far north. ”There are some jackets in the back.” Sam said simply, thermals and a tent and some supplies to be exact. They’d only need a thermal for shade and the supplies. Everything else they’d need was hidden where they were going.

”How familiar are you with my abilities?” Sam asked Shade hoping he had a basic answer. One that would in turn notify Shade as to where they were going and why, the coordinates read on the GPS one that if Shade was looking could see. Middle of nowhere far from civilization the perfect place for something seriously dangerous to go down.

”And mercenaries. Are you familiar with any group in particular?” if Shade did know of any Sam knew of it would have surprised the ice mancer. They were from two very different worlds. Sam was brought up in espionage and secrecy Shade; Sam guessed more mindless killing and petty crimes. ”They’re bad enough for me to need a shadow and no one else.” Sam said simply as he pushed the throttle forward. Time was of the essence and the sooner they arrived the sooner they could get ready.

Silence. Okay, Shade could live with that. He was surprised that Cold Steel was not giving him some of his usual annoying banter, but Shade could deal with silence. He leaned back into a chair behind the pilot seats as the plane began to ascend, better to keep this eyes on Cold Steel. He removed his usual hood for the long journey, revealing his pale complexion and white washed hair. It was not longer the wispy mess when the shadow had been trapped in his box of light. It had regrown stronger, but the white remained. In addition, his cheeks still retrained their sunken appearance, although he had regain most of the weight he had lost.

Shade watched the GPS as they continued north. They were going to Canada? However, the shadow did not say anything as they flew, but he wondered what the hell could be out here. Cold Steel seemed more tense than their usual missions. Why was he acting so different? Was he frightened of something, or someone? Maybe, this is an actual threat. Shade thought.

- ”There are some jackets in the back.”

Great. That meant they were going somewhere cold. Shade hated the cold. Of course, Cold Steel wouldn't be bothered by this freezing weather. Shade sighed as he ducked into the back to grab the supplies. He returned with bags before sliding the thermals on. Luckily, his overcoat was baggy so it easily fit over the extra layers.

- ”How familiar are you with my abilities?”

"You make stuff cold. What is there to be familiar with?" Shade snapped. The lack of information and anticipation of freezing to death was making the shadow irritated. He shrugged at the mercenary question. He was familiar with the ones that paid the most. What the hell did mercenaries that to do with this?

- "They’re bad enough for me to need a shadow and no one else.”

"So does that mean I get to kill them?" Shade asked, a smirk forming on his face. It had been ages since he had last gotten to kill someone.

Leave it to Shade to make complicated things simple with a few words. Sam started to laugh slightly, ”Yes, I make things cold just like you fall into shadows.” he was slightly relieved that Shade didn’t know too much about his mutation meaning if he somehow figured out a way to slip through his collar he wouldn’t be able to say much about Sam or his mutation. However by the end of this that would change drastically. They were going somewhere where Sam only had to think and he could create or destroy.

”Yeah, this is the few times I’m giving you permission to kill, because if you don’t kill them, I’m dead and if you aren’t careful your dead. Then I don’t have a use for you. So I’d like it if we were both still living after this. Also where we are going is a secret only three other people know what I was doing up here a few months back and I’d like to keep it that way. Not that anyone can really find it unless they had my skill set or knew exactly where it was.” Sam left it at that and folded his arms thinking for a few minutes.

”There should be five total. All mutants. They’re like some of your order flunkies only better. More efficient in what they do. They act as a team years of practice. Which is why we are going to where we are headed. I need complete control of the surroundings otherwise we might not make it out. And I say we because you’re tethered to me now.” he took a breath and opened his eye to the GPS ”and with you as my shadow I have a bigger advantage then I would without you. For these people I need the advantage however small.”

Shade was glad that Cold Steel liked his little joke. Although he did not know the exact capabilities of the ice mutants abilities, the shadow walker knew more than he was letting on. It was easier to keep everyone in the dark that way. Shade had seen his file in the mansion during one of his trips inside. However, he doubted that information would be much help know. It was extremely dated intel at best. Also, Cold Steel appeared a lot different than the scared teenager that Shade had run into in the alley.

The order to kill was a nice surprise. Shade cracked a smile at the thought. He longed for blood to run through his hands again even if it was not Cold Steel's. As Cold Steel explained the mission, Shade could not help but notice his snide little comments that the ice manipulator kept throwing his way. However, Shade was getting used to them. He could only assume that this was what servants felt like everyday. So, Shade tolerated them, for now.

"Doesn't sound like too much of a problem. They don't know that I'm with you. right? So you get to be the bait, and I get to slit their throats?" Shade said, half sarcastically. He removed his combat knife from the sheath on his back. He fiddled with the blade, ensuring it was still razor sharp.

"Is there any other objective, or are we just killing everyone?" He finished, offhandedly.

His shadow couldn’t be happier at the thought of killing again. It was sad that Shade only found happiness in killing. He had so much potential, Sam was just glad at this point he had the tattoos engrained on Shade. Without them Shade would still have been rotting in the cells or Sam would have killed him. At this moment now however Sam was glad he was there. He needed the killer instinct on this one. It was why no one else was involved. Sure Gawain and Eve would no doubt be upset with him leaving but he Sam put the school in enough danger over the past year and he was tired of getting his friends involved.

At the moment Shade wasn’t a friend. ”Easier said than done.” Sam said as they were getting closer to the ‘safe house’. ”You aren’t any good to me dead and you underestimate them you will be. Contact killers like I said enough to get me to worry.” Sam said slowly letting off on the throttle.

”I want one alive for questioning. We take out the teleporter first. He is the biggest issue.” Sam said as he lowered the jet and opened the landing gear. They were in the middle of nowhere. In front of them there was nothing but snow falling and an expanse of white while behind them there was a sea of trees. ”He opens of gateways walks threw them. He can create multiple portals at once meaning we will constantly have to watch our back.” Sam said as he landed the jet. The air around them got colder as Sam kicked on his sixth sense more making sure no one would get the drop on them.

”Now we wait for them to come to us.” Sam said simply enough unbuckling himself from the piolit chair and grabbing his pack as he exited the jet. ”Stay close. It’s easy to get lost here.” Sam said giving him the final warning.

They had a teleporter? That was a surprise to Shade. His cocky grin turned into a scowl. Cold Steel's concern leaked down to the shadow mutant. He had never fought against another jumper. His abilities had always gave them the edge over his opponents, because he never had to watch his back. Shade could get out of any situation. But if their enemies had a teleporter too...a shiver ran down the shadow's back. He was beginning to not like this mission already.

Their surroundings became visible through the windows as Cold Steel landed the jet. His disgruntled mood turned even more sour. They were literally in the middle of nowhere. Snow covered everything. Shade hated the snow. It was incredibly hard to fight in, and it turned his camouflage against him. Shade only hoped it gave Cold Steel enough of an edge to compensate for Shade's problems in it.

Following Cold Steel's lead, Shade unbuckled himself and grabbed the survival gear from the back. Cold Steel had been smart enough to grab a white jacket for him. It would help him blend into the snow. Shade placed it on before throwing his dark overcoat on. If the fight should take place after sunrise, Shade would at least have some camouflage. Carrying their pack of supplies, the shadow returned to the front of the aircraft to follow Cold Steel to their hideout.

"Lead the way, ol' fearless leader." Shade joked, adjusting the pack slightly.

Once they exited the jet Sam turned and raised his hand towards the jet willing some snow to rise from the ground and coat the top of the jet for a little camouflage. Tree cover could only do so much and while he wasn’t worried about the mercenaries finding it he was pretty sure anyone else with an eye in the sky would frown upon it. These mercenaries had no need for the jet unless they wanted some petty cash. With the numbers they get paid they could easily buy a jet or two but then there would be a need for an airport meaning it would be easier for them to be discovered and more people they need to buy, or kill.

Walking to the frozen wasteland there was nothing before them but snow and the occasional shrub that refused to die under the harsh conditions. Sam’s foot hit some snow and everything around him started to move. Shapes around them started to form. At first they were small, a few bumps in the ground then they started to grow in size until there was a pathway in front of them. On both sides of the pathway figures of snow and ice took shape into golems twice Sam’s size and a few smaller. All of them had a weapon crafted of dense ice that smoked as they passed. Mist started to form around them as well. Sam felt the strain when he opened his sixth sense further as the mist spread out behind the golems. More weapons of ice rose from the ground. Swords, spears and various other pointy weapons Sam happened to be skilled in using. He was making a battlefield.

The further they walked the more complex the things of ice started to become. All he had to do was shape the existing snow which wasn’t to difficult, it would return to normal snow and ice but still maintain it’s shape the further he got meaning all he had to do would be near it to make it a force of nature to be reckoned with. A few pillars of ice rose from the ground once the golems stopped forming. Sharp and jagged like a like a tree causing shadows to form under them This of course was for shade. Sam had every intention to use his ability to the fullest.

Another few steps on the pathway and Sam started to walk down as the ground of ice and snow opened up for him. This was his secret base in a world that he controlled. ”Welcome.” Sam said as he continued to walk down the stairs into the darkness. Once the stairs stopped and leveled out Sam took a flashlight from his pocket and turned it out revealing a dark hallway. ”There isn’t any wind and the walls are insulated with thicker ice meaning you won’t die from exposure… Just hypothermia and frost bite if you aren’t careful. So keep your clothes dry wear extra layers. There are also some supplies down here.” Sam said as he walked down the hallway turning at the first fork in the road.

(OOC: Wow! Sorry, I kinda completely forgot about MRO for a few months.)

After Cold Steel camouflaged the X-jet, he led Shade through the snowy wasteland. Cold Steel had not been lying about being easy to get lost. To Shade, their surroundings looked incredibly barren. If it was a team versus Cold Steel and him, they could easily take them with their numbers. However, Shade watched as the landscape changed before his eyes. Snow hardened into ice which formed into dangerous weapons and massive figurines. Towering pillars formed, throwing shadows across the early morning sunlight. Shade's own sixth sense picked up the added darkness. They continued along the path until Cold Steel opened a path before them.

Cold Steel's fortress turned out to be a base made from solid ice. Of course, Shade should not have been surprised. Instead, he would just be cold. Shade sighed at the thought of staying in something made from ice. His breath fogged in front of him, adding insult to injury. Luckily, there were no artificial lights down here so Shade could feel his way through the darkness easily. If someone wanted to fight them here, the shadow mutant almost felt sorry for them. They would have a very tough time fighting Cold Steel and himself in their respected environments.

"Too bad we can't start a fire." Shade said with a smirk. He hoped Cold Steel's enemies were fast approaching. Shade was starting to feel anxious. Following Cold Steel down the frozen hallway, Shade added the backpack that he had brought to the pile of supplies already present.

"So what would make someone want to kill you?"

The fork turned into a left then a right then another fork it was literally a maze if you weren’t sure which way you went. Some hallways led to some drops and others just led into dead ends. Sam was sure Shade wouldn’t be foolish enough to wander around on his own. Sam was confident Shade was at least that smart. ”Who said you can’t?" Sam asked as they turned into a wall that melted into the surrounding walls. Sam walked into the opening and pointed to a corner. It was dark in the room but a little sunlight still made it’s way through the thick ice. A large pile of wood and an axe stood up against the a corner of the room while a pit with darkened soot sat in the middle. ”The roof has enough spots for the smoke to escape just don’t make a huge fire.” Sam said looking around for any changes.

No one should know where this place was other than Shade and possibly Mirror he couldn’t remember if he/she knew or not. It was hard to remember some times. ”Before I was in the X-Men I was in a group of… well mercenaries they specialize in kidnapping young mutants and turning them into weapons. I was one of the weapons.” Sam said explaining as he grabbed some fire wood and started to make a tee-pee before he pulled some steel wool and a battery from near the pile. The fire lit as Sam continued to explain confident it would only be for Shade’s ears.

”A little more than a decade I did a lot of work and before I escaped I thought I did enough damage to the group to make sure they couldn’t do anything like they did with me ever again. I was wrong, and they outsourced a hit on me.” Sam said as he stared into the fire still feeling for anything other than the heat from the pair of them and the fire. Still nothing.

”I want them to find me. Which was why I rolled out the welcoming mat.” Sam said gesturing to the surface. ”I’ll know when they get here. So like I was saying one teleporter for sure and one dream walker. The dream walker can pinpoint a targets location in their sleep. He also lets them know they are coming he specializes in long-range weapons. Mostly rifles. He would be the ideal second target. The other three vary, last I heard they had someone who could form firearms from his hands and someone with super strength. Like I said, last I heard.” Sam said.

”The first thing we do when they arrive is I’ll go to meet them. I’ll try to convince them to call it off while you try and lock onto the other teleporter. Once he is gone we can focus on the others. I’ll try to keep the other occupied till then. Got it?” Sam said as he leaned over and pulled a fifth of whiskey from the wall closest him right where he left it. Taking a swig from he offered it to Shade. ”You end up dying is there anyone you want me to say anything to?” Sam asked still staring into the fire.

Obviously Cold Steel had thought of everything when he had formed this little hide-away from solid ice. Although there was no wind, the air surrounding them was extremely frigid, not that Cold Steel seemed to notice. However, to Shade, every breath seemed to chill him to the bone. The ice mutant led the way as they traveled through a several of twists and turns. Even Shade, with his second sense, was finding himself lost in the maze. He was glad he had a guide. He was also glad when Cold Steel lit the small fire. The warmth was a welcome relief from their frozen surrounding. Shade extended his hands, allowing the warmth to spread through his finger tips. He wanted full control of his extremities when the party started.

Shade was a rather surprised to discover the details of Cold Steel's past. Although, it did explain why Cold Steel was such a good fighter. Shade could almost feel sorry for the ice mutant, if he did not have a past just as bad. It was weird discovering secrets about someone who had been his enemy for so long. As Cold Steel went over the battle plan again, he revealed to Shade some of the potential mutants that they might be facing off against. Shade wished it was darker. He would have a much better time fighting in the black of night. Hopefully, he could bait them into the dark tunnels, but if the hit squad were professionals (as Cold Steel implied), Shade doubted they would do something as stupid as that.

The teleporter was obviously the most pressing threat. Shade had little experience fighting other jumpers, but it sounded like the shadow mutant had a faster means of travel, if slightly more limited. Shade hoped he could find the rift walker while Cold Steel was trying to stall them. Shade would need a shadow to pinpoint his location.

"Yeah, I got the jumper. Just watch your back until I can find him." Shade said. He took the extended whiskey and swallowed a shot before landing it back. The liquor burned his insides, but it warmed him too. He was surprised by Cold Steel's offer, even a little taken aback, although Shade had no plans of dying here.

"Just drop my cloak at the Sanctuary. I think they will figure out the rest from there." Shade replied, taking another swig before hanging the bottle back to Cold Steel. He only hoped the the dream walker hurried up, finding their location. The cold was already dulling Shade's senses.

Sam nodded his head. He knew Shade didn’t have any other choice than to watch his back meaning he knew the Shadow would keep his word. Sam had one last thing to worry about during this encounter. ”Promise.” Sam said pointing to his own tattoo band after the promise he made to Shade to help keep safe. It wasn’t a contract binding promise, but he pointed to it hoping Shade would understand the symbolism. Sam didn’t say anything about bringing anything or telling anything to anyone in the mansion. He knew it would upset a lot of people but his dog and his cat would be taken car of and he already had a will set up incase of him not returning after a time. It would be better that way anyways, if he died. Sam doubted he’d die not from the likes of them.

Sam didn’t say anything after that, he leaned up on the back of the wall made of ice and he went into a state similar to sleep. Slate taught him how. He let his mind wander and images of things that should be forgotten came flooding back. That was when he felt it again. Sam opened his eye quickly and stood up. Cracking his neck then stretching his right arm he cleared his throat. ”They’re here.”

Sam walked toward the hallway and the exit then looked to Shade, ”Stay close to start. I don’t know what they are going to attack with. Teleport behind or above me, my guess. Just remain hidden till we are sure we know what we are dealing with.” the air around him became frigid as he exited his tunnels and his keep of snow and ice.

The sun was still out but further along the sky now, which meant shadows among the pillars and walls of ice he constructed when he and Shade arrived. Meaning Shade had as much power as Sam, well maybe not as much but all the shadows in the area he had access to.

Sam used the cold weather that was already present then he dropped the temperature another twenty degrees. His powers reached further due to the setting. Sam still felt nothing. They were there he could feel that he was being watched but there was nothing that he could see or feel. Years of incidents had taught him when he should go for cover. Sam ducked and dodged bringing a small wall of ice around him as a small explosion of snow erupted where his feet once were. “Not many people can dodge my shots.” A voice yelled in the air it sounded like it was all around but he knew it was coming from behind.

There was nothing then a loud ‘boom’ the air rippled on one side of the wall and a portal appeared with four people. Their faces and bodies were obscured due to the light coming from the portal. Sam could feel them now. All of them registered warmer than most humans or mutants. ”You must be four of the executioners.” Sam said hoping he could talk long enough to distract them so Shade could see who was who.

The air spoke again, “He is trying to distract us.” ”Duh.” Sam muttered to himself. ”Duh!” Sam yelled to everyone. ”I just want to know the names of who I about to kill!” Sam said as a chunk of ice over his head erupted upwards like it was a hit by some kind of ballistic. ”You were right! He does talk too much.” said the voice of a woman. Sam hoped she was hot, there always hot when they are trying to kill you. Sam popped his head up as the wall of ice melted and shifted to Sam. He was covered in full body armor of ice as he raised an eye brow. ”So, we gonna do names or…” the woman’s voice shot back with another explosion of snow near him. ”I’m Ballista.” Sam didn’t move, he nodded his head slightly though. She was hot. She had brown hair from what he could tell once the light faded from the portal. She also had a very fit body. She was the type of girl he’d by a drink for at the bar. An expensive drink.

Sam then looked to the others. One was large. Very large. Like he was a sumo wrestler that had his own weight division with no one else, okay well maybe an elephant or a hippo. ”Big-Mac” Sam asked sarcastically. The big guy just smiled showing missing teeth. Sam nodded, ”Hippo.” Sam said deciding his name for him.

The ground shook slightly under his feet when the big guy responded with a step forward. ”Gunda!” Sam then looked to the other two. Before the ground shook again. The big guy started walking towards Sam and then knocked over a few of his ice statues he was going to use for a Golem. The statues shattered as his massive arms ran through them. Gunda moved slow but was seemed strong. Gunda picked up a large piece of ice then through it at Sam while Sam was hoping Shade could figure out which one the teleporter was.

Cold Steel's tattoo was a sweet touch...if Shade was his betrothed. However, the shadow mutant was his slave. The symbol of slavery only formed heated words for the ice mutant in Shade's head. It was for the better. The fresh wave of hatred warmed Shade's body, sharpening his mind to his future task. He fingered the tactical knife, strapped to his side. Catching a 'porter in an unknown terrain was going to be difficult. Shade hoped he did not possess a sixth sense, like himself. Most jumpers needed to see or know their target. Shade only needed to know that it was covered in darkness.

Cold Steel seemed to be steeling his mind as well. The ice mutant had quieted, and Shade almost thought he was asleep. The shadow mutant had just unstrapped his blade to carve his name into the ice wall when Cold Steel announced the presence of their attackers. Shade followed Cold Steel as both their senses began to search for their targets. He felt the temperature shift colder as the X-man revved his abilities.

The cold numbed Shade's fingers and mind. He shifted away from Cold Steel, taking cover in a shadow. It was better for their attackers to believe that Cold Steel was alone, even if Shade was technically using Cold Steel as bait. The shadow mutant knew the X-man could hold his own. Shade's mind shifted to searching for the 'porter. Luckily, Shade had moved away from Cold Steel, because the snow exploded near him. At first, the shadow mutant thought he had been hit, but he could see the wall of ice. It had to be Cold Steel's creation.

There was four mutants. They appeared before Cold Steel, completely focused on him.

"Good. They don't know that I'm here. Shade thought. Two mutant revealed themselves to not be his target. He had two options left.

The battle was beginning as the two more combat oriented mutants began to assault Cold Steel. Shade remained unmoved. His conscience tugged a heart string, reminding him of his oath of protection. He quieted it by reminding himself that it was best to strike at the most opportune time. If he revealed himself too early, his attack would be wasted. He needed to find the 'porter. If he could cut off their mobility, Shade was certain that they could finish the other three off by themselves.

Plus, when else was Shade going to get to watch Cold Steel get his butt kicked for a few minutes? Shade allowed himself a small grin at the thought.

The ice shattered before Sam could cause it to break apart. He knew instantly when it was going to blow up due to one of Ballista’s projectiles. Ice and snow went everywhere covering him for a moment. He took this time to sink beneath the snow and ice and replace his body with a look a like made of solid ice. It moved and covered its face just like Sam would but then it ducked as Gunda ran threw the wall of ice Sam was in a few seconds ago. ”Gunda the strongest there is!” the large man said flexing his arms in the direction of the others. Sam smirked. Gunda was strong but he would have been better as the strong silent types.

The shifted again opening up a hole for Sam and he jumped out of it and brought a kick to Gunda’s face. Normally he wouldn’t ever to try to kick someone bigger than him. For starters it is just a bad idea, no good targets can be reached with good power and then his feet were off the ground. Meaning if Gunda was faster than he seemed Sam would be a goner. Luckily for Sam this wasn’t the case though and as his ice covered leg caught Gunda in the face he just stood there with a stupid smile on his face. ”Gunda strong!” Sam agreed as he felt another body heat signature rapidly approach.

Ice quickly intercepted two long metallic blades. The metal cut through them but it was enough time for Sam to land and will some thicker armor of ice on. A second later he had to duck as another projectile from Ballista missed Sam’s face. The projectile hit Gunda and he stumbled backwards and yelled.

Turning his body he faced the shorter Asian man with the bowler hat and formed a blade of his own to counter the other two. It was a short sword but Saw as still trying to figure out who everyone was. There were three attacking him and one standing there next to Ballista meaning he must be the porter. The sharpshooter would still be in the distance. Five total. There were five. Four here and one somewhere watching.

Easily blocking the slashes of the blades Sam realized that the man who was attacking him didn’t have hands rather the blades were his hands. Sam shifted his sword to block each one and then spun when he felt either Gunda or a projectile come for him. Sam smirked, ”I see you all are shorter from talent than I heard!” The air responded, “He is trying to anger you don’t fall for it!” ”Duh again!” Sam responded kicking some snow in the blade hands face before the ice-mancer got tackled by Gunda into a wall of ice. A tackle he saw coming but let it connect. His ice around him and the wall he fell into protected him. But they didn’t need to know that.