The Eminence in Shadow: The Dark Swordsman

Chapter 7: Whispers in the Shadows

Alpha, the elven girl with long golden hair and piercing blue eyes, sat in the serene ambience of the Shadow Garden's base. She gracefully turned the pages of her book, engrossed in the world of words, as dappled sunlight filtered through the surrounding trees, casting a mesmerizing dance of shadows on the pages.

Beta, the elven girl with shoulder-length silver hair, approached Alpha in the tranquil atmosphere of the Shadow Garden. She wore a serious expression and spoke in a hushed tone, "Alpha, the operations are going smoothly and as planned. We've got our girls appointed at different locations, and nothing can slip past them."

Alpha looked up from her book, her striking blue eyes meeting Beta's with a nod of approval. "Good job," she praised. Then, her expression turned pensive as she continued, "But what about him?"

Beta furrowed her brow, clearly puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

Alpha leaned in, her voice lowered to a whisper, "The guy Epsilon mentioned."

Beta's silver hair gleamed in the dappled sunlight as she took a moment to process Alpha's concern. After a thoughtful pause, she replied in a soft voice, "Alpha, we haven't heard anything about this mysterious person Epsilon mentioned. It seems like he's quite the enigmatic figure."

Alpha's expression remained serious as she leaned closer, her piercing blue eyes narrowing with resolve. "Well, Beta, as long as he's aware of the Cult's existence, we should be careful with him. He can either be our most useful ally or our greatest enemy. Keep an eye out, and make sure our girls are vigilant in case this person crosses our path."

Beta glanced at Alpha, her silver hair reflecting the dappled sunlight. She nodded, contemplating Alpha's words. "You know, Alpha, Lord Shadow seemed to have anticipated this guy's approach," Beta began, referring to the enigmatic figure. "He said that we should let things as they are as if he's confident this person poses no immediate threat."

(Note: Cid still thinks they are referring to one of his persona.)

Alpha's piercing blue eyes widened in surprise at Beta's revelation about Lord Shadow's stance. She leaned back slightly, her expression thoughtful, and then responded, "If Lord Shadow believes that, then we'll follow his orders. However, a bit of caution never hurt anyone."

With Kirito...
In a secluded training area, Kirito faced off against Yukime. They both carried their unique Slime-based weapons. Kirito wielded his Elucidator, while Yukime had crafted sharp war fans out of Slime, showcasing her proficiency with the mysterious substance.

The two of them circled each other, their movements fluid and precise. Kirito's dark eyes locked onto Yukime's, and they exchanged a brief nod of respect before the duel began. Kirito lunged forward, slashing with his blade, but Yukime swiftly blocked his strikes with her fans. The Slime weapons clashed, creating eerie, shimmering patterns.

Yukime demonstrated her agility, darting around Kirito with the grace of her fox-like nature. Her tails swayed in the air, adding to her elegance. She struck with precision, using her fans to deliver quick and calculated blows. Kirito, on the other hand, relied on his exceptional swordsmanship, parrying Yukime's attacks with his sword.

Kirito couldn't help but smirk as they briefly separated. He caught his breath and looked at Yukime with admiration. "You've improved a lot, Yukime," he remarked a glint of pride in his dark eyes. "You're becoming more powerful with each passing day."

Yukime chuckled, her white hair catching the light. "It's all thanks to your training and support," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude. She knew that Kirito had been an essential mentor and friend on her journey.