Koda snapped his eyes open as he took in a long gasp of air. He was alive? Did he die just then? Koda tried to pull himself to his knees, but collapsed. He hacked and coughed, his body felt hot and heavy. Lifting a single finger felt impossible, never mind his entire body. Koda turned his head to find Elucard and Wildeye running to him.

"Koda, are you alright?" asked Wildeye. She laid Koda into her lap.

"W-What happened?" asked Koda, now panting. Although his body ached and his lungs burned, it was his ribs that hurt the most. Like a giant stepping on them.

"You..." Wildeye started. "You died. I really don't want to go into the details, it was far too gruesome to relive."

Elucard nodded. His ears twitched and spun his head as three assassins garbed in black and grey armor leaped from the shadows. They drew their curvy thyliths.

"Elucard!" Koda croaked with his fleeting energy.

"On it!" Elucard growled. The elf shot forward and took out his own blade. He channeled his vernal Magi into it and he ignited with green ebbing flames.

Two of the assassins loaded a handful of shurikens and threw them at Elucard. He smirked and deflected several, choosing to redirect the final star back into the first assassin’s throat. Elucard then twisted his body and flailed a kick into the chest of the second assassin. With one last motion he extended his sword forward and the blade whipped and bent as it turned into a thorny vine. However his opponent leaped and with a delicate action, flipped over the vine and sliced it with her thylith. She landed and made a beeline for Koda.

Koda trembled as the assassin's blade aimed for his neck.

A lightning bolt cracked through the sky and flashed past Koda.

"I have you!" cried Raine.

The assassin contorted his body and cried in agony as the lightning bolt came down on her. Her body singed and erupted with electricity before she collapsed into a smoldering heap.

Koda’s heart pounded before he realized he was safe.

Elucard lifted the remaining assassin and dragged him back to Koda and Wildeye. He tossed him to the ground and tugged on his arm.

Elucard closed his eyes and let out a long, drawn out sigh. Then, with one foot on the assassin’s back Elucard yanked the assassin’s arm out of its socket with a sickening pop.

"Arrrgh" the assassin snarled.

Elucard leaned over and sneered. He pushed the arm back in place with a crunch.

Koda squirmed in Wildeye's arms. He had never seen Elucard work before. It was unsettling.

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"I’d rather not, but I can do this all day. Or you can answer some questions," Elucard spat.

The assassin whimpered back. "I'll talk."

"They usually do," Elucard gave him a cold whisper. "We'll start simple. What is your name?"

"Sven!"

Elucard nodded. Good, good. What clan do you run with?”

“I am an independent contract—ARRGH!!!

Elucard popped his shoulder again. "No lies. I know when someone lies."

"I-I," the assassin stuttered.

Elucard frowned and shrugged. With another gruesome crunch, he pushed the arm back into its socket.

"I-I work for the Grey Ravens! Please! Please, no more," he whined.

"Who is paying for Koda's writ?"

Koda eyed Trent shuffling closer. Perhaps out of curiosity.

"Tell me!" Elucard shouted in a gruff voice.

"I-I don't kno--"

Elucard ripped at the arm, dislodging it again. “What did I say about lying?”

"ARRRGH, the Estinian Liberation League!"

Elucard carelessly dropped the limp arm like a piece of trash and stepped up to Koda. “Finished, my king.”

"I don't get it," said Koda. "The Estinians have nothing to fear from me. Why do they want me dead?"

"Are you really so idiotic?" Trent said in disgust. "You slayed our royal family. You are the reason vhy ve are enslaved by these ridiculous harekins. Our empire's downfall is all on your shoulders."

"The Estinians needed to pay for their actions," muttered Elucard.

"Vhat vas that!?" snapped Trent."

"Elucard!" hushed Wildeye.

"No, let him speak!" Koda said coolly.

"I have served in both wars against Estinia. I was in the trenches during the siege of the Splintered Skies and I was behind enemy lines to save my king in the Dawnedge War."

Trent's lip quivered.

"Trust me when I say this, Trent, it was the royal family's fault for what wrought them. They went to war with Cypress twice and they imprisoned my king while he was on a peace mission."

Trent seethed with anger. His face flushed red.

"You may be angry at Koda. You may be, but you would be wrong," Elucard continued. "For the only ones that deserve your ire are your worthless royal family."

"I think you made your point, Elucard," whispered Wildeye.

"No..." Trent lowered his head. "He is right. Ve must be better as a people if we vant our freedom. Better as a people if ve vant our honor back too."

The Grey Raven wriggled under Elucard's foot.

"Let him go," said Trent.

Elucard narrowed his eyes. "He is a criminal."

"I vill see that the mark is taken off Koda's head."

"You? You put it—" Koda began to ask.

"No, but I have the power to cease assassination attempts in the League. I have much svay over the people," explained Trent.

Koda struggled to his feet. He shook off the assistance from his familiar. "I am fine, my friend. I think I can walk."

"Koda," Raine called out to the elf king as he began to limp away.

"Hm?" Koda replied.

"Are you after all of your colors? Perhaps….” she hesitated for a moment, “May I join you?"

Koda smiled. "I wouldn't mind another friend. Especially another mage."

Koda turned back to Trent. "I will be back with more colors. I will have my experience—I will be stronger. I expect a rematch."

Trent chuckled. "Very vell, Dawnedge. We avait to see vhat you vill learn."