2nd Assassin Trials (CLOSED)

Hello!

Welcome to the Assassins Tryout!  I highly suggest you read up on the assassins and their page before applying, as this is a very tough position to get.  Where is the assassins page?  Well, if I linked it, what good would that do for assassin wannabes? So come down if you dare, and do know, you may not make it.  Those that join late shall have just 'participated' till deadline.

Oculus sat around in a circular cemented area, waiting for the hopefuls to once again come forth.  He did hope there would be more competent drakes who would want to prove their worth.  Sitting and observing, he would wait for those that wanted to prove their skill, expecting the trainees who passed the previous attempts at becoming an assassin to show up as well.  He had several plans plotted out to test them, but this would be no easy task for them.  It would test their character and fitness to join the order.

Coming up from behind Oculus, Ferrum was one of the first to enter the ring.  He kept an eye out for any traps that may pose a problem for him, but none seemed to be present.  The young drake was only a Siege Specialist, but he felt that he had what it would take to become an assassin.  He had been training since he was young to prove his worth to his leader, but the opportunity had never presented itself, until then, that is.  He had only heard about the assassin's code, but from what he could recall, they were ruthless, and were never afraid to take out anyone that posed a threat to their leader.  All he could remember of the code at the moment was "Vicious and unseen".  He had the unseen part down, but Ferrum wasn't quite so sure about vicious.  He didn't want to attack his leader, but that's probably what Oculus was expecting.  Coming up quietly behind Oculus, he sat down on his haunches and waited for another opponent to enter the arena.

It shouldn't have surprised Oculus that Mythryl would turn up to this event.

She pressed forward up the stairs to the chosen grounds, her face a mask, hiding her emotions deep within her to hide her potential nerves. Mythryl didn't know many other dragons aside from the leader, Sly and a handful of others. Glancing down, she knew that only a few would recognise her, enough to count on her paw... But she knew almost every other around her. Originally, she was going to pass the offer out due to their first meeting. It had felt almost off for her to join as she had almost jeopardised a meeting between the NightWings and the FireWings. However, she knew that it had been somewhat sorted, so her mind was made up. Myth had decided to come. It was the least she could do to prove herself to the Emperor.

Mythryl hadn't seen anyone ahead of her or heading in the same direction as she was. She knew where she had to meet the Emperor and any other dragons game enough to attempt this trial and thus, she ascended the concrete stairs. Around the cemented grounds and along the sides of the stairway, trees towered above them. She paused for a moment, pushing down the nerves which she felt. Mythryl may have originally been on the offpaw with Oculus, but it had been sorted and thus she tried to take comfort in that. Slowly relaxing her stiff form, she ascended the final few feet before Oculus would be able to see her. She didn't want to seem as a threat, and thus, didn't try to hide her form. It wasn't the time nor the place, and the daylight would make it incredibly hard for them to hide without being seen as the trees were scarce and provided little cover.

Mythryl's black and crimson form slowly appeared on the far side of the cemented grounds from Oculus, shadows dancing across her hide. She took note of how she was the first to arrive. To her, it was something which she would do, try and be early to events to witness the arrival of dragons. The only one which she missed once in the forests was the appearance of Sly, who was now training to be an assassin...

Getting her thoughts away from that train of thought, Mythryl approached Oculus, before bowing to him in respect. "Emporer Oculus... I am sure you know why I am here. I'd like to participate in your trials." Mythryl said, before she would stand back up. After being acknowledged, she would nod to the leader and take a stand several feet away from Oculus and to his right, which would allow for others to approach and greet him. While she waited, Mythryl would take notes of what the others looked like and when they approached. She took note of the dragon standing behind him and gave him a small nod of a head in respect. If he were to try even look as if he was going to try anything against Oculus, she would attack in a split second.

Well well well it seems the time has come at last.The trails had opened up once more shade missing the last one knew that without a dought this was what he came here for.Many and i meant many would think he was weak some puny tracker trying to become the best of the best most would say that this was just absurd,yet here he was about to enter the ring before the emporer himself.

His usual shy stature instantly vanished as he approched him ''Emporer Oculus sir reporting for assassins trails sir,'' he said in a voice fit for a soldier of the nightwing empire.He then gazed out at the competition what seemed to be not much at this time.Only one female slim and rather agile built she could be a challange and a rather bulkyish looking male.''Careful shade this looks rough i know you got what it takes to fight but this honestly looks like its out of your league,''demon thought to me.''No im not turning back im tired of being the tracker left in the back row that nobody cares about im not some kid anymore i have without a dought trained all my life for this and nobody and i mean nobody is taking this away from me believe it,'' he thought back in a stern  voice.''Very well swift and deadly knock em dead kid,'' he thought back to him.I inwardly nodded to him as gazed around me once more he was right this did look like it was alot to handle but he would be darned if it let him faze him afterall he was going for the hardest position ever it was meant to be like this but nothing was going to stop him he was gonna beat this trails and prove he had what it takes to be the best of the best.

Never had he thought he had to step into the same arena that saw him become the assassin in training. Or so he thought. It was out of the blue that he eventually received a letter denouncing him from the position by Oculus. The reason for such was not pleasing for him, but he was requested to come into the cemented area to put his worthiness of an assassin to the test. He gritted his fangs at this. Either he was testing himself again, or he was putting himself in the middle of the light for all the Empire to see as an embarrassing case of a dragon who thought he became even a trainee. To present himself into the arena again was perhaps putting himself in the eyes of all the assassins to stare and laugh at.

None of this was really his fault. If he had to be honest, the first assassin trial was a complete mess that either did not appeal to Oculus' example of an assassin or did not come here with a heart full of determination to become an assassin. It was no surprise that Sly would be the one to literally 'snowball' his way through the litter of misfits to become the one on top. He shined above the rest, but he himself did not shine. It was no way to put his actual skills to the test, and perhaps he was coming to accept why this was necessary.

Either way, coming back here was like a hatchling having to repeat a semester for failing a performance reviewing examination. If Sly had failed the first trial and came back, it would have felt different. Instead, he would probably be more determined to get himself a placement. But since he did got in, but was booted back out again, he did not see this as any different to student having to 'repeat'. Nonetheless, he took his time to settle his mounting anger with a walk around the quiet gardens and fiddling with his potions before presenting himself before the Emperor once more.

He paid careful attention as he walked his way to the area. Who knows if this was going to be another test? One advantage Sly had over the fresh competition was he endured what Oculus would throw. And he made sure not to make a careless mistake like that again. Before he ascended the stairs to where the Emperor awaits, he scanned his surroundings. There were quite a number of guards this time, and Sly wondered if Oculus had somewhat of a special test awaiting them. It was becoming second nature for him to note where the guards were standing, what they were doing or if they seemed to have left any blindspots.

Sly imagined that there would be more assassins observing the tryouts, but it would overwhelm him a bit if he had to deduce where they would all be hiding. As he climbed the steps, he kept his senses open. He passed by every dragon he saw without even a glimpse, but kept a mental note on how many Oculus had moving around to prepare for such an event. Sly got through the first tryout. How hard could this be? Just a theory.

As he thought, he was presented with quite a few new faces. One of them stood out the most for him and he recognised the dragon by the red rings on its body.

Mythryl.

Sly stiffened a little, his heart flaring and soaring to his throat. Of course, if he were to think of ways to make this any more embarrassing for him, he could suddenly trip and fall for no reason or expect another hatchling to fall on his head. Sly had told Mythryl that he became an assassin in training. What would she think of him if she were to see him back here trying out for the assassins despite having accomplished that already? Or what would the other fresh meat think of him if word got out that Sly was the first trainee to successfully completed a tryout to become an assassin, only to come back here again no better than they are? Whatever Oculus had in plan for Sly, the adverse effects of taking his title would be more hurtful than what he probably would imagine.

It was too late for him to turn around and hide it seemed. Sly just raised an eyeridge, a strange mix of smug and neutrally calm, before quietly taking his position, preferably in the shadows. Whether it was his assassins instinct kicking in or did not want to be seen in the clear daylight, he would not know. At least the shadow was still his friend since the day they were introduced back at the first tryouts. Sly huffed a sigh, standing with a proud chest as he waited for more to arrive, if there were any. At this point, he was expecting questioning gazes, gossips between onlookers or some competitors, and maybe snickers from the shadows above. He did not pass anymore than a mere glimpse at the rest of the competition that arrived early, and offered Mythryl a somewhat defeated smirk, which was nothing more than pulling back a corner of his maw.

Whatever happens now, Sly had something to prove. And he sure as hell vowed to win it. Officially.

Assassin trials. While they certainly drew attention, the number of Nightwings game enough to try and actually join The Order of the Assassin was incredibly small, more than likely due to the harsh physical and mental conditioning that was required. Rihzome let a rare smile grace his maw as he made his way towards the large cemented area which was the venue for the second set of trials, the purpose in his step making it almost impossible to mistake where he was headed. Examining the few civilians that had gathered together to discuss these set of trials out of the corner of one eye, he noted their furtive glances towards him hushed voices. He wasn’t well known by any means, his preference for his own company and his long stints in rouge territory making sure of that, but most knew of his position as a scholar. Huffing in disgust he cast his eyes back towards his destination, he caught something on the edge of his telepathy, a single word. Insane. Snickering, he turned back towards them, a grin on his face, as he spoke a quick and curt, “Quite.” Casting them from his mind, he turned back fully to the current situation.

Climbing the steps slowly, he relaxed. Being submissive would signify weakness, and trying to hold himself proudly could easily be taken as a sign that he thought himself an equal of Oculus. Instead, he opted for the middle ground, and his forte. Cold indifference for his opponents, and due respect for Oculus. The others in these trials could think what they wished about him, underestimate or overestimate him to their wishes, it mattered not. Climbing the final step, he took care not to directly look at the four others already there, three of their minds as easy to see as a Nightwing flying in the middle of the day, and the last… blurred. Still identifiable if he looked hard enough, but definitely not a simple mind, a cause for concern. Interestingly enough, those four minds were the only ones Rihzome could ‘see’, Oculus himself and anyone else in the general area completely hidden to him. Frowning for a split second, he mentally wiped his face, changing his expression to that of complete disinterest.

Walking quickly to close the gap between himself and Oculus to 40 or so feet, Rihzome inclined his head as he neared him. “Emperor Oculus, Sir. I trust you know why I am here,” he stated simply, a strong feeling that anything else he had to say was meaningless. Keeping that position until he was acknowledged, Rihzome would than raise his head and nod, before skirting around Oculus to take up a position slightly behind and to his left, almost mirroring the position Mythryl had taken up on his right flank. Letting his gaze roam, he felt a small smile pull at his features. Rather than cover it, he let it stay. Let them wonder what makes me tick…

Waiting for the tryouts to show was a...boring process.  Oculus was just glad that they had come quickly, on time and rather back to back.  He would get to get a prejudgment look at them by how they entered it seemed at least.  One of them seemed to think that by attempting to sneak up on him, he would get some sort of praise.  Laughable, really.  This wasn't a game, if he wanted a game, he could go become a hatchling baby sitter.  Next one to arrive,  or come without trying to be sneaky, seemed to be the female, Mythryl, who had the mishap of following sLy during the FireWing Queen's visit.  She seemed to have sobered up and was respectful.  Promising.  Another one arrived, who seemed to be playing soldier.  Almost like he had just graduated from being a trainee to what was most likely a tracker.  He also seemed half focused.  That dragon would require a lot of effort to train unless they proved wrong in the tests.  Then there was sLy, who obviously seemed to be very annoyed at the fact that he was here in the trials.  If he felt like he was high and mighty after having completed only one trial, he would have a rude awakening.  He will have to remember to beat that trait out of the medic before allowing him to advance any further in rankings.  Last to come was a dragon who seemed to show indifference to everyone here.  An interesting thing.  There was good discipline too, nothing over the top and with confidence.  It would be interesting to see if this confident air kept when poked and prodded.  "Now then, if that is your best attempt at sneaking, you might as well leave now and think of a career change.  So go leave, or sit by the rest," Oculus spoke coldy, not even bothering to turn and face the 'sneaky' dragon.  There would be little coddling here.  "Now, please line up, tallest to shortest, ladies first if same height."  Oculus would wait maybe 20 seconds for this to happen, and if they did not get this right...he would throw a fit.  Once they got aligned, he sighed, almost as if this were boring.  "Starting from shortest to tallest, give name, what you think it means to be an assassin, and why you should be one." A simple question, one loaded with possibilities.

Shortly after she had joined, another NightWing shortly arrived, almost speaking as if he were a guardsman out on patrol as he reported himself to Oculus. Mythryl, straight away, considered that he might be a little too loud with his sudden declarations. An assassin would need to be quiet and strike when they needed to and only take the blood of the necessary. But alas, true orders were to come from the Emperor, and the Emperor only. She took into consideration his slim form, however, he seemed to be distant, thinking to himself and standing in front of the Emperor with no inclination to move. One thing that puzzled her was that he, even after several moments, didn’t move from standing in front of the Emperor, the mysterious NightWings bold chest standing proudly in front of him. Mythryl would clear her throat to try and get him to move, but she feared that it landed on deaf ears.

However, Mythryl felt her blood freeze in her veins as she hear the familiar click of the claws against the ring of cement. She made sure not to show her surprise on her face, keeping herself in an attentive stance, ready to obey every order given to her. But, inwardly, Mythryl wondered what he was doing at the ring, thinking that he was already an official trainee. However, Mythryl quickly realized that he might still be here due to their little hiccup at the FireWing Queens visit, and she felt her mouth go dry. Was it her fault that he was still here? Mythryl turned her head to look at him, tilting her head in puzzlement which was virtually unnoticeable. She managed to see his mouth shift slightly.

He seemed... odd, she had never seen him so proud before, a fire seemingly flickering in his eyes as he was incredibly determined. So this is the real Sly... She thought to herself, saving the information away for later. Mythryl would ensure that questions would be asked later however, she set her thoughts aside and turned her attention back to Oculus.

Only to have a fourth dragon aside from herself come across for the trials.

She kept her thoughts plain, dedicated to taking in any sorts of information which she could muster and find. However, what she saw was another potential assassin, approving of how he had left to mirror Mythryl. Upon hearing their voices and, judging by the one behind Oculus, Mythryl would painfully notice that the other four potential trainees were male. However, just because they were males didn’t mean she wouldn’t give her all with this. She was determined not to have herself cast away like her parents had done, trying to earn a place in the area which she would be able to serve best.

This wasn’t the time for those thoughts, and she rid herself of them. They were gone, so why dwell on them anymore? Mythryl knew that she had promising potential, just getting them to be shown would be an incredible issue. She would wait, calming herself. This wasn’t the time to panic. It was a trial, to see who was most worthy of serving their king and being part of his order. They were to be quick, striking when it was the perfect time to, and ensuring that no one else would see what they were doing. They had to remain inconspicuous, not raise too many questions.

As soon as Oculus had opened his maw, Mythryl’s attention snapped back to him in a heartbeat. There was no way she wouldn’t give her all in this. The very first thing he did was snap at the one who tried to sneak up behind him, and Mythryl couldn’t help but feel slightly intimidated by his commanding tone. The black and white ‘get in front of me or leave’ statement. But that didn’t sway her. Mythryl was here to do her best and prove that she could be something which he could rely upon.

She waited for his order, before inclining her head to him. There was no need for her maw to open and speak words of acknowledgement. Time was of the essence and she wouldn’t falter. Quickly, she judged the others and knew where she needed to stand. Only one dragon was taller than her, so she would stand next to the only dragon who was taller than her-and only by a small amount too. Mythryl refrained from speaking to him, but she couldn’t help but feel reassured that he was with her, she just hoped that he had felt the same way with her being around. Mythryl would then wait for the other dragons to line up, knowing exactly who was meant to go where. Mythryl would then wait silently, listening and documenting what each dragon answered with.

When it came to be her turn, the other three speaking before her, Mythryl would step forward to give Oculus a second polite bow.  “Emperor Oculus, my name is Mythryl.” She would begin, before raising from her bow. She didn’t take a proud and puffed chest stance like the other males had, instead,  she took a slightly more relaxed stance, trying not to seem like she would be putting herself above the Emperor or others. This was a trial, to even see if they were to become trainees.

“The duty of an assassin is not only to work as swift striking individuals, but work in cohesive and consecutive blows as a group. As a team, or individually, we always need to work for the good of your exact commands. If we are to work as singular individuals in a small group, or if we work in a larger group together, we should always be working together to achieve the goals which you have set before us.

These goals which we should never question as they have came from out Emperor. What use is an assassin if all they do is betray the one which they have been trained to protect? If we were to only work as individuals and never to a collective goal which you have decided for us, then our efforts would be in vain. We are to strike exactly what you command and assume roles which you need us to.  

My reason for joining the assassins might be a little simpler than what you would like to hear. However, that being said, I have skills which are unique and would allow me to pass most, if not all, dragons by unnoticed. I wish to be able to serve our Emperor, ensure his commands and requests are done without questions. Withour hesitations. Your assassins are to be like extensions of your arms, working swiftly and quickly to ensure that your work and requests are done. And are done without failure.

My skills I have would allow me to move silently, swiftly like the shadow of a bird and unseen. My red markings may somewhat be seen as a disadvantage, but I beg to differ. Red is a very dark colour, and if it’s hidden correctly, then nothing would be able to see it. It's also the colour which can attract dragons and allow me to do my work. I can extract information from others with relative ease, but my methods for doing so are quite... unusual and would have others questioning me. But their uniqueness is what makes me a decent choice. It would be the last thing which they expect, for me to be an assassin.

Just like the cover of darkness of which it is perfect that we operate under.” She said, before she would take a step back into the line, her heart beating heavily in her chest as she kept her fears at bay. Sly was there, and she took a slight comfort in the fact that he wouldn’t judge her. However, he wasn’t the one who she was there for today. Mythryl had a fire of determination in her heart, and she wouldn’t let anyone stand in her way while she tried to achieve her goals.

Ferrum, slightly discouraged by his Emporer's comment about him being "sneaky", went to line up.  He was the first one to announce who he was, seeing as he was the smallest.  Stepping forward from the right of his Emperor's vision, he began to speak, "I am Ferrum, my Emperor."  Glancing at the other dragons, he felt small and insignificant.  He already had a feeling that he wasn't going to make the trials, but he had to keep trying.

"Assassins should be silent and unseen.  They are to follow your orders to the point and are to never back down in a fight unless told to do so, only by you of course.  They are to be stealthy and are to protect you at all costs, even if it means losing their life.

My coloration would be best suited for an assassin since I blend in well under a cover of darkness.  If interrogated by enemies, I can remain silent for as long as need be.  I don't feel the need to talk much."

Ferrum already felt as though he has said too much and felt his chances of becoming an assassin lowering as he spoke.  He had a very slim chance of becoming an assassin to begin with, but now, he was sure that there was virtually no chance at all because of his one fatal mistake at the beginning.

I look up at the emperor thinking to myself ''really ugh great talking something i hate darn shade just dragon up and do the task,'' i thought to myself.In all honestly that little thought of doubt came into my mind,'' what if i wasn't good enough what if i cant pass what if he just thinks im some weak kid who doesnt know how to operate as an assassin,''.''Stow your mind child your applying to be an assassin simply they are the blades of the shadows and killers of the night simple put they are the unseen fighters of the emperor nothing much else,look shade you need to overcome your fear of failing this if we are to go anywhere in this trails do you want to fail do you want everyone to think your just some loser someone who can be placed in the back row sure youve messed up before and these dragons heck all of them are more qualified in terms of power strength speed agility cunningness and special powers,but they lack what you have and you know what that is child sheer willpower nothing more than sheer willpower,'' he thought to me

He was right they may best me on every field plain and any form of anything but they dont have the drive that i do.Looking up at the emperor i speak in a confident voice for once in my life.''Sir my name is Shade,'' i replied. ''For your question you ask why we wish to be an assassin or what we think being one means,simply sir it is this the assassins are the most elite of the elite they are the masters of stealth and the blade of the emperor the ones who never back down from a mission as failure is not in there vocabulary,to be an assassin simply means to follow the orders of the mission and get it done no ifs or buts about it,to not get caught by the enemy as the assassins are well renound for their art of hiding in the shadows and to simply never give up.I replied.''You ask why i wish to join this prestigious unit simply put i believe i have what it takes to become one of the assassins,you sir may underestimate me think im flawed or some tracker who cant even conceal himself,but im not just some tracker my stealth is a great deal and my methods are swift and deadly nobody would know what hit them before they even got a glimpse of me,'' i replied stepping back into line awating what was next.Nobody was going to take this away from me is was gonna become an assassin and then finally nobody will think im some weak tracker anymore believe it world believe it.

Rihzome had heard tales of the assassin trials, and their brutality, but the fact that he was one of only five to arrive was almost unfathomable to him. Why would one pass up an opportunity like this…? He mentally muttered to himself, saddened, not by his opponents, but by the general constitution of the Nightwing empire. Snapping out of his musings as Oculus opened his maw, Rihzome gave him complete attention, albeit without any real indication of his, his eyes set directly forwards. At the blatant mockery of the skills of the dragon ‘hiding’ behind Oculus, he couldn’t help but let the small smile that graced his features grow just a tiny amount. What a fool…

Listing to the orders that followed the insult, Rihzome allowed himself just a small amount of surprise. Lining up and answering questions. It seemed too simple, even with the loaded questions. Casting doubt out of his mind, he quickly examined the other dragons arrayed around the circular pit, looking at them directly for the first time. First to catch his eye was a guard who seemed to think his previous training meant something, and several feet smaller than him. Turing his head slightly, the first dragon his gaze met was a large black and red female, much larger than himself, and almost as tall as Oculus. As his head continued to turn, he spied the small dragon that had attempted to use stealth. A slim and fragile looking thing, he looked about as strong as his chances to succeed in the trials. Snapping his head back forwards, he almost glared at the shadows that hid the final dragon. The small features were obscured, but he saw enough to guess the height, near the size of the black and red female.

With the other trainee’s heights mentally noted, a process that took a mere few seconds, he walked forward and took his place, the large female to one side and the overly pompous guard to the other. As the first two rattled off their response to the afore-asked questions, Rihzome listened intently, the mask of detachment and distance that covered his face holding firm. Interesting answers… As the guard to his side finished his answer, he waited a handful of seconds before stepping forward. As he did so, he inclined his head to Oculus before speaking. “My name is Rihzome, my liege.” Unbending his head, he glanced upwards and made eye contact with Oculus for several long seconds, before dropping his gaze.

“To be an assassin is to have unfailing loyalty and devotion to the Emperor, and any orders given by him. In accordance with this, they should hold their superior’s life above their own, willing and only happy enough to die if it means ensuring the survival of their commanders. They should also, while not completely emotionless, be able to ignore or otherwise deal with the pain and suffering they will unavoidably inflict, be it on unknown factions, acquaintances, or kin.

As for why I should be an assassin… I’ll put it simply. I put as much value in the lives of my own kind as I do in the humans I have hunted for sport.  I have no qualms about putting an end to a life if you will it, or subjecting another to torture. I have done such things before, and would happily do so again, under your orders.” Rihzome finished, the final sentence accompanied by a small smile that seemed to hide some mental instability, some darker aspect. Stepping quickly backwards, he waited silently as the other two trainees finished said their pieces, the smile vanishing as he did so.

After him came another dragon willing to take upon the cloak of assassins, but by this point he had very little interest in making any further comments in his mind aside from the outstanding features. After sitting in darkness to cool off, he was beginning to feel more relaxed. He heard no cackle or even a giggle from the more sinister shadows elsewhere around the arena the moment he walked in. For such a ritual, it was expected that the queen of the shadows, Delillah, to show herself. Especiallu now that her former pupil was placed upon the trials once again.

Sly did not pay much attention to the scolding Oculus gave. He was too familiar with it in the previous trials that saw Loque walking away unimpressed. He looked around the area once more. Delillah did turn up much later, and perhaps this would be no different.

Finally, Oculus gave the order that signalled the end of entry of hopefuls. So there were five. The emperor ordered them to arrange themselves in order by height. Sly was the tallest among the bunch, and he found himself standing at the end with Mythryl. He cast a quick glance to her. Those eyes. She was definitely determined as much as he was, and even if the two were well acquainted, she expressed not a flinch of hesitation. As if she never knew him before. Sly huffed a small sigh, smiling a bit as he faced forward to Oculus. For now, they were rivals.

The emperor gave them a pair of questions like they were in some interview. Classic. Unfortunate for Sly, Oculus decided to start with the shortest, meaning Sly would go last. He quickly lost interest when the first few gave their responses. Some of them already had so much doubt in them that it was showing in their expressions. Oculus' scolding was only part of the trial. If they let that deter them, they would never see themselves train before the shadow queen.

What it means to be an assassin? All Sly heard from most of these competitors was the same thing over and over again. Utter loyalty to the emperor and kill with no option of abandoning. Although others did spark a bit of interest in him and he wondered if Oculus would also notice something amusing. Mythryl's response was among the two that stood out for him, taking a focus in collaboration. But what was Oculus looking for, he wondered.

When it was Sly's turn, he stepped forward just as Mythryl stepped back. His heart pound heavily against his chest as a thousand eyes stung him along his back, and the world seemed to have become a lot more quieter. Still he gave a calm stare back at Oculus.

I bear no name, but took upon the alias Sly, as was given to me, he said. As to what I think it means to become an assassin, is to become nothing more than the dagger by your side, sharp and poised to strike under your command. To know no honour, no pity and no doubt upon the task or who your target is. For your target may be a loved one, or may be leagues stronger, faster and smarter than yourself. To kill the latter, honour and respect are only obstacles, and wit your only friend, as our task is to purely kill the target. Poison your claws. Poison their drink. Poison their trust. To become an assassin, is to carry out your duty. No matter the cost or how questionable the method.

Sly cast a sideward glance at the other competitors, taking a bit of a breather. I do not bare the abilities like some of us that makes me akin to the assassins, but I believe I have other traits worthy of one. I can stand here and tell you what they are, or I can show it in the next few trials and you can bare witness it yourself. But I do not rely on power to get by anything, when all I need is wit, sense and intuition.

And as you are aware, my emperor, I survived the first tryouts. I have learned as much as I could training under the shadow queen, the ways of the assassins and the mental strains they possess. And to be direct, I am still willing to know more. You can say I am inspired after being among the few who was exposed to more than one assassin and live, and my passion still burns. And it is because of such passion that I... Sly faltered a bit, his eyes looking to the corner as he thought of Mythryl. He would make that event known as subtle as possible. ...that I saved a comrade's life. I may be a medic, but if being an assassin could potentially save another life, it is an opportunity that I will take.

Sly bowed to Oculus before stepping back in line. He swallowed his dry throat, trying to hydrate his mouth lnce more as he waited for the emperor to comment on any of their responses. It could be another one of those tests, Sly thought as he focused on Oculus' next few words if any.

Prim shaded Rhiz Myth Sly

Oculus was not sitting fully up, his neck more arched in a 'U' shape as he watched them all, seeing how they lined up and how they would respond.  He would not only listen, but observe their body language and word choice.  They each had interesting words, and some of them were definitely corny.  They all, however, did have a common theme that he would address.  No word would be spoken from his maw as they all spoke.  After sLy finished speaking, he raised his head, eyes half squinted as his gaze passed over each of them.  Standing, he walked over to Ferrum, looking at the smaller drake, anylazing him, before moving onward and slowly walking down the line of them to sLy, before turning back and walking down to Ferrum.  On his next turn about, he just looked forward, not at Ferrum.  You speak a few words of a code, yet do not speak all of them.  Incompleteness is useless here.  Silence is easily broken, and color of scale is an advantage, but if only relied on, a flaw.  He had more to say, but that would wait, as his slow pace had already brought him to Shaded. (plz put your thoughts in italics and spoken words in color)  At Shaded, he stopped, and glared at him.  "What?  You think you are something special?  You sit there with doubt written all over your body, and have no confidence.  Your fancy words mean nothing with no discipline.  GET IN BLOODY LINE LIKE I ORDERED YOU TO OR GET OUT OF MY TRYOUTS!" Without watching to see what the tracker would do, he continued moving forward to Rihzome. Oculus tilted his to and fro, forming his words for Rihzome. "You speak...well, yet if you hold no value over life of dragons, what seperates you from the filthy bipedals?  Mull that over a bit."  Moving on to the taller side of the hopefuls, he walked by Mythryl, the one who learned how harsh an assassin can be the hard way.  His face held a little smirk, however, as she was innocent of the intrusion, but interesting to see she came forth.  "It is interesting to see you here.  You speak of joining with skills suitable of an assassin, yet an assassin is not their tool.  Also, what good is someone who cannot act on their own when on a mission, and must rely solely on a single order?"  Without bothering to respond further, he finished at the end of the line and stopped by sLy.  He expected a better worded answer than that.  "One who has no respect or honour has no business being an assassin, as they are just a crook and scum.  Do not doubt, we do dangerous and dirty business, but we do it honourably.  He who has no honour is nothing more but dirt beneath our talons.  Finishing the little self analysis of their responses, he turned, went back to his area he was before.  Watching them all, he waited to let the silence sink in unless someone dared challenge his responses.  After waiting several seconds, he spoke and addressed them all on common issues.  "Now then, let us clear this misconception many of you have.  Assassins are not mindless obedient dogs, they are the most discipline and effective fighting unit there is.  Another common thing I heard is you die for me.  That is nice...and I guess an unwritten 'code' of sorts.  But no, I do not expect you to die for me, I expect you to make the one trying to attack me die for whatever they believe in or serve.  And finally, you all think an assassin is solely a weapon.  That is not true.  There are many jobs from guarding, retrieving, spying, and yes, killing.  But it is not only a kill job.  Now all of you go to the palace and return with a red band only as fast as you can."  There would be boxes of bands at the palace steps, of green, blue and red.  Oculus purposefully gave the next task in such a random and unpreparing manner to catch who was wallowing in self misery over his words, those that tuned his words out and weren't paying attention, and those that were ready and prepared.  Oculus would just sit and watch the spectacle before him.

Edit: Palace is roughly 2 miles from current location, and please give time of completion as this is a timed event. Danka

As soon as he heard the words "as fast as you can" Ferrum whipped around and began to run towards the palace, repeating in his mind, Red band.  Red band.  Red band.  He had heard that from the previous trials, the Emperor would have them do all sorts of tasks like this to prove their worth.  They would challenge the mind and the body, pushing both to their limits.  Darting between trees, he went astray from the main path to the palace, as he knew of a few shortcuts that might help him stay hidden as well as be quick.  Almost running into a tree, he kept breathing and smiled, glad that he had narrowly missed it.  He could faintly see the palace in the distance and began to run a little faster.  Even though he hated pushing himself, he had to keep going and not give up.  It was one of his dreams to become an assassin, and he wouldn't let a little discouragement get in the way.

As he reached the palace, he quickly ran up the steps and looked for the boxes.  There they were, right on the steps where his Emperor said that they would be.  Ferrum quickly grabbed one of the red bands and slipped it on his wrist so he wouldn't loose it.  Trying to remember what Oculus had asked the others to do in the last trials, he looked at the guards on the front steps and tried to remember what they looked like.  He doubted that his Emperor would be so forgetful to ask them to do the same thing twice, but he couldn't let this surprise him if the question was asked.  The guards were around 70 feet tall and had black armor on.  Thinking for a second, be began to look over the rest of the palace details.  There was a gold trim around the quartz pillars that rose up to the dark stone ceiling.  The doors to the palace seemed to be made of the same wood found in the Corrupted Forest.  Thinking that he had caught enough details, Ferrum turned around and ran down the steps into the forest, back to where his emperor was.

As saw the circle with his Emperor in the middle of it, he looked down at the red band on his wrist and sighed.  He hoped that he had done okay.  He stepped out of the woods and took the band off of his wrist, holding it with his tail.  He had reached the stadium in around four and a half minutes.  He stepped into the ring and held up the band to show Oculus that he had gotten the correct color.  He placed it in front of him without a word and stepped back, waiting for the others to arrive.

Stepping back slowly into the line i gazed up at the emperor.''Why is it always me that gets yelled at i try to do one thing right and they yell at me man my chances seem to be dimming already great just what i bloody need talk about a let down,'' i thought.''Shade he has a point what is an assassin without dicipline their code is of utmost importance but the code stends from it to be an effective assassin you must know when to operate on your on turf and when to follow the rules remember nothing is against the rules unless purely stated anything can be done,assassins adapt to any situation given you can run hide do anything really buck up kid this is just the start,'' demon thought to me.

Once again the wise being was right we were assassins we needed to learn to adapt to the mission at task speaking of missions of tasks he heard him say to bring back a red band.''A red band really this seems to be to simple their must be something else it must be a trap of some sorts or maybe im overthinking it,'' he thought.Never the less he shook it off.Now inspired in some sorts by his own demons words and given some form of enlightenment by the emperors words, he dashed off  to get his task done a simple red band nothing major right yeah sureee.He jumped into the tree line and started  jumping through them skillfully leaping from tree to tree till he reached the palace steps.Low and behold it was right there in plain view three boxes just as he had said silently jumping down and attaching one of the red bands to his wrist he scanned the area observing quite frankly everything from the shape size and colour of the palace noting its large size and dark color to the guards who stood noting their own size and stature being very bulky and strong looking as well as being between 65-70 feet,the armor they wore looked menacing pitch black which matched their own scales perfectly. To every possible route in and out surveying possible outcomes and entry points.He quickly jumped back into the tree line just as he did and dashed off back to the stadium where his emperor awaited.Reaching in at about 4.5 minutes,he noted that there was already one nightwing there well second place wasnt that bad.He then dropped back into the stadium showing the emperor his band it being red as requested placing it before him, then silently going back into line waiting for whatever else was next.

Rihzome stood, contemplating what Oculus had said to him. It wasn’t… worry, exactly, but had given him something to think over. An interesting view on the subject at hand… then again, I could just have easily been banished or executed what I just revealed. Snuffing out the train of thought as he heard Oculus address them all, he listened intently. Not to die for the emperor? Well. That’s an interesting little titbit. Although, I wonder how long one would last after letting their emperor die… Keeping his attention focused, he let a single eye-ridge rise in surprise. A red band? Just a red band? And no mention of having to keep to the ground. How interesting. Turning to leave, he noted with a small amount of mirth that the smallest trainee, one named Ferrum, had immediately ran towards the palace.
'
Shrugging, none of his concern, he unfurled his wings and leapt into the air, using the upper boughs of a tree to catapult himself forwards, towards the palace, skimming almost stupidly close to the tops of buildings. Of course, there had been no mention of flight being legal as such, but at the same time it wasn’t stipulated that they had to remain on the ground. Taking just over a minute, Rihzome spied three small boxes sitting on the palace steps. Landing softly, skidding only slightly on the hard surface, he examined them. One box of red bands, another of green and another of blue. Picking up one of the red bands, and fitting it over his paw, a twinge of doubt run through his mind. A red band… Yes. But is it the ‘right’ red band? It seemed to easy. Get to the palace steps, retrieve a conveniently placed red band from a box filled with them. If not for the emphasis on speed, he would have spent a few minutes examining the area for something hidden. As it was, he simply took the band he had taken and pushed off into the air again, using the corner of a building as another point to propel himself forwards.

Even as he flew, it chewed at his mind and confidence. It was too easy. Too… simple. And the point of the other boxes of bands? To confuse those who hadn’t been paying attention? Or something else? Growling softly to himself, he folded his wings and dived towards the ground, flaring them at the last second to land softly on the top tier of the steps to the arena he had begun from, entering the arena itself after 4 minutes 48 seconds. Quickly closing the distance between himself and Oculus, his mind too preoccupied to bother with where he had arrived compared to the others, he wrenched the band off his wrist and placed it in front of Oculus, his mind occupied by examining the task he had just undertaken. Retreating slowly away from Oculus, he took a stand in a very similar position to where he had begun, keeping an ear out for any further commands.

A silent and unnoticeable creature sat along the other assassins concealed from not only their eyesight but from others too that were to enter the area. Covered in a cloak Delillah sat above her king, simply invisible to others an ability perfected throughout numerous years of practise. There was no wind nor any sound exception being the assassins gossip and queries about the drakes who's desire was to become one of them, a lethal individual, feared by many, witnessed by less and known by none. A joyful life for those who felt no care for emotions nor mercy. Delillah herself had been 'working' mere hours before she arrived here to judge the wannabe's, if she were a hatchling then perhaps a feeling of excitement would have overcome her to watch fools play for a role they did not deserve, not yet that is, however now she felt rather bored.

The childish arrival of a drake, whom she heard several seconds before he had actual entered the area, did not aid to cheer her up. There was hesitation in his movements as if unsure of something, perhaps the trials it was what plagued his mind. If that was so then he was of no interest. The next drake that entered made her raise her head mere millimetres. A familiar face. And one she had not expected if she were to speak the truth, and that made her curious. She would save judgment for her until a later time, despite that her body language revealed that she was wary of the other drake.

The following drake was shorter, and extremely facile to study. There were several unwelcome emotions painted on his visage, hesitation, fear, confusion. Was this drake still debating whether to join the trials? He was strolling towards the king like a hatchling, unsure of himself or where to place his uncontrolled frame. Perhaps this drake required to see just how serious and lethal this trial was. Fortunate for her she knew just how fun Oculus's trials could be.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the following drake, a sleek smile spread across her maw in delight. Her favourite pupil was again to be included in the trial, per contra to her Slycotic wore an expression of annoyance upon his visage, poor thing once again forced to repeat the trials. She chuckled internally, it was part of his training and she would suggest for, his sake, that the result would present him as the preferred participant. Nonetheless, she felt no worry in this particular topic for he was after all her student and she already recognised improvement in the observant and cautious way he entered the area.

For the next drake that arrived she welcomed curiosity into her mind for he was different to the others. He was naturally observant and wore composed confidence. But even then she identified his flaws with ease, however, easily adaptable and therefore a worthy challenge and motivation for her latest pupil. They all spoke their answers and she judged  them all. The speeches held the same context yet they all strayed away from the true meaning. A meaning they have all yet to discover.

The majority of answers bored her, only one made her laugh inaudible for other ears. Slycotic's little dragoness was extremely confident with her answer, Delillah was excited to see if she would stay true to her answer throughout the trial, if she was indeed so special and unique as she believed she was or if she was as useless as the rest of them.

The 'shadow queen' remained within the darkness throughout oculus's speech. Oh she felt so much joy when her king spoke, his words so intimidating and calculated. Several times she chuckled internally while watching the pack of oblivious worms. Only when the wannabes left for the mission and three had returned would she reveal her presence. Dropping her cloak she would swiftly rise into the air and while in the air her scales would initiate to shift backwards and twist revealing her polished and glistening black scales. She would land soundlessly next to her king followed by a chuckle escaping her maw " Well well if it isn't the fresh meat." She would say while her bleached and pressuring gaze wandered over the three halting on the drake that displayed at least some slight sign of intelligence, the drake being Rhizome. "They own less promising qualities than the last bunch" She'd say her gaze moving to Oculus "Nonetheless, i do quite enjoy my new tag as Shadow Queen. Has a wonderful after taste i must say. Don't you agree Oculus?" She'd chuckled while a rather lethal and cunning smirk appeared upon her unemotional blank canvas of a face as she lowered her frame into a laying position, her paws crossing before her.

After listening to the others, Mythryl was impressed. However, they all seemed to have a stereotypical view on assassins. But when she finished her speech, she looked to who was next. Sly. Mythryl couldn’t help but look at him occasionally when he prepared spoke. He seemed so proud, so sure of himself as if he knew exactly what he needed to say. Before he was to speak, Mythryl noticed that Shaded still hadn’t move in line... She almost felt sorry for him.

To know no honour, no pity and no doubt upon the task or who your target is. For your target may be a loved one, or may be leagues stronger, faster and smarter than yourself. To kill the latter, honour and respect are only obstacles, and wit your only friend, as our task is to purely kill the target.

Mythryl felt the blood run cold in her veins, her heart pounding. She struggled to keep an expression of hurt and shock off from her face and she averted her eye to Oculus. How could he say something like that? That’s not the Sly I knew... He... Mythryl mentally would shake herself to clear her thoughts. She didn’t need to remember what he did. Nor be reminded of the incident. But fate seemed to be against her as Sly directly mentioned it. Saving a comrades life. Mythryl. Her parents. If she wasn’t in the presence of others, Mythryl would have turned around and slapped that stupid mask off his face and demand why he dared to say that. How he could say such things about someone so freely, and killing a mate is NEVER something which should even be considered!

Mythryl was torn, but the leader spoke up once more. He was brutal to the applicants, something which Mythryl was almost afraid of. She had to internally laugh when that duel eye coloured NightWing was heavily scolded, Shaded if she recalled correctly. Although, she didn’t feel any emotion towards it, he somewhat deserved the punishment. He was told to do something, and he didn’t do it. He directly disobeyed the exact Emperor which they were meant to listen and obey, follow his words like they were law. She felt her heart hammer in her chest when he had walked up to her. Mythryl’s scolding wasn’t as harsh as some of the others, however it would give her something to consider and think about. What Oculus said was true, sometimes they would need to act out with spontaneous things, especially if they were caught in a bad situation. Sometimes they would need to act out without orders to be able to fulfil what Oculus would need them to do.

Her mulling would cease there, realizing that Sly had gotten scolded. She felt a bitter contempt at Oculus’s words as she would have had his head on a plate for the direct insults which Sly had seemingly handed out. She may be over exaggerating things, however, Mythryl was furious.  As well as deeply hurt.

When he spoke, Mythryl would lower her head to acknowledge what Emperor Oculus had told them. So their next trial was to go somewhere as quickly as they could... Mythryl knew she was instantly at a disadvantage. Her leg still wasn’t up to running, still healing from the incident at the palace. To her, it seemed as if her past mistake was really wanting to trip her over. But she pushed it away. Mythryl wasn’t going to allow an injury to stop her. At his instruction, Mythryl would turn towards the path and sprint down it. The palace was exactly two miles away from the circle which they had stood in. She knew that she could run comfortably at a constant speed of 67mph, if she could get out of the small city around her. It would take her at least ten seconds to be clear of the surrounding buildings. From there, it would take her another almost two minutes at the very least to get to the palace, including a few times where she would slow herself down to a steady jog instead of sprinting to save her strength. There was no point in burning out so early in the trials, but Mythryl was confident.

Mythryl was built for the run, built for sprinting over the pesky flying. Her paws landed surely on the ground, every step propelling her through the streets. Suddenly, she would turn sharply, scrambling slightly as she almost fell before continuing down a side street. A few more turns later, Mythryl would break out into the open plains. With a smirk, she would call upon her darkness.

If it’s speed he wants, it is speed which he will get. Mythryl thought, a smirk coming across her muzzle as she plunged herself into an inky darkness around her. Her stride became empowered, throwing her across the ground much faster than what her previous state ever could. She felt her legs move faster, to speeds which she didn’t think she could grasp.  Her anger towards Sly and motivation to claim the honour of being an assassin driving her forward as she forced herself to speeds which she knew she had to make.

PAIN.

Mythryl slowed her pace slightly, half stopping the sprint in an awkward jump-hop as her leg flared in pain, a snarl tearing from her muzzle. NO! Not now! She thought in fury, almost stumbling over herself and throwing herself into the ground. She threw open her wings to slow herself, the darkness fading in an instant as she hobbled the remaining few steps to the tall and proud palace walls. The two Imperial guards in their customary purple marked armour would give her an inquisitive look from the gates at her appearance, didn’t really do too much. Mythryl would then approach the stairs, the grand doors to the palace laid closed. Another pair of guards stood by either side of the door, and another was talking to a distressed citizen who was quite short compared to the bulky 60-80 feet tall Imperial guards.

Her eyes searched the inside of the walls, scanning quickly for some sort of sign that there were bands present.

With a small snarl, Mythryl would approach a cart which was somewhat carelessly toppled to a side. Quickly, she searched it for a sign of a band. There was none. A small sigh came from her, before looking over at the palace, wondering if they could be in there. However, a small few boxes caught her attention. She would walk over to the closest one which was laid on the very edge of the first step, her injured arm flicking open the lid curiously. Green bands. Her heart leapt in her chest and she looked up a few more steps, looking to another box. She flicked it open, showing blue bands. Closing it again, she approached a third box. Green bands with a few blue bands. A fourth was opened, and Mythryl felt herself smirk. Red.

Carefully, she would pick one up, tying it across her arm, to which she hissed in pain. The very contact of her arm would cause it to flare. For a few moments, Mythryl would be puzzled as to how she would be able to get back to the grounds. Her wings were long unused, stiff and sore as she used them only to really slow herself down from her running. Mythryl’s flight skills were sadly lacking and she sighed to herself. Preparing herself for the worse of pains, she started to make her way back, ignoring the other NightWing who was there, not sure if they were trying to speak to her. She wasn’t interested in talking to him if he was. She didn’t want to even acknowledge his existence.

Her arm had other ideas as it flared again as she took a step, causing her to hiss in pain. Dammit... Mythryl growled. Maybe she shouldn’t have run so fast... She only managed to gain more time in the end than she lost at the start. The boxes were so blatantly obvious that they were hidden and Mythryl didn’t need to add this to the time! Her thoughts went back to the boxes for a few moments... They hadn’t seemed to even be opened when she came across them...

Shaking her head, the hopeful tracker wouldn’t let this hold her back. Mythryl placed her paw back on the ground to defy pain, limping heavily, Mythryl began to make her way back to the meeting grounds – only to be restrained by a paw which prevented her from moving. She slowly sighed, looking to them with an icy gaze. ”What is it Sly?” Mythryl demanded, well aware of the time ticking by.

"Mythryl, I wanted to apologise for before. I am sorry. I did not really mean what I said about the assassins. I was just trying to appeal to Oculus' vision of them. But seeing that it is not that case, I am relieved, but in the same time, regretted what I said. I would never..." His voice trailed off, and Mythryl’s cross eyes would almost stare into his soul, as if searching for a reason to forgive him or give the answer which he sought.

“You wouldn’t want to kill me? Well, Sly, you fooled me.” Mythryl would state, before raising a paw to brush him away-and almost fall as she put the weight onto her bad leg. She stubbornly growled when the paw reappeared, pressing against her chest along with his tail to keep her balanced.

"Mythryl! Your leg.." Sly had said, faltering for a few moments. Mythryl would resist a growl, looking at him in annoyance. Why did he even care – why would he be helping someone who was pitted against him? She sighed quietly, her anger almost flaring out of control.

“My leg is fine!” She lied out of anger, using her tail to force him away. However, her stubbornness was met with its equal as Sly’s face took to being expressionless. I’m right. He shouldn’t care for a dragon who he’s not even mates with. She thought bitterly, before Sly would begin to speak again.

"Let me carry you back. It is the least I can do." He requested calmly in a low and serious tone. Mythryl would shake her head but, before she was able to even say anything, he was speaking again. "Or... let me walk with you in case anything happens."

“We aren’t even mates, why do you even care so much about this?” Mythryl asked, partially half heartedly as she felt her anger slightly fade. To that, Sly gave a smirk. “But we are partners. Did you not say we should collaborate and work as a team? No one gets left behind.”

To that, Mythryl felt herself give in. She looked up to Sly, as if trying to search for a reason to let him help. She seemed to find it when she inclined her head slightly to acknowledge him, before turning to run. However, Sly’s paw would stop her. “Hold on. You cannot run with that leg. Let us walk our way back”

Mythryl frowned, “But Sly... This whole thing is timed. We can’t delay just because I need to walk.” Sly had a partially agitated look on his muzzle simply stating for her to; “Just trust me on this.”

Cautiously, Mythryl nodded, deciding the end the conversation there as she would at least maintain a limping jog to try and keep their time at a minimum. Eventually, she would settle for a speed slightly lower than that as she would also lean against Sly’s shoulder as they jogged due to the increased pain of using it. Sly was willing enough to allow her to do something like that.

They passed a boulder surrounded by small red flowers, marking the halfway point. Mythryl gave a small sigh.  “Thanks for not leaving me alone back there.” She would mumble quietly, only loud enough so that he would be able to hear. “And thank you for apologising, I just... was rather shocked to hear that you would do something so remorseless...” Mythryl would continue, her voice low to represent how she had felt. If she were able to, or it wouldn’t be frowned upon during the trials to become a trainee, she would have nuzzled him to show that she appreciated what he had done for her.

But, sadly, there was a time and a place for everything, and now wasn’t the time to display affection.

The two arrived, equally last as Sly helped her up the last of the steps. Internally, Mythryl groaned as she knew how long it had taken them to get back. Still though, even with the attention to detail which Mythryl had paid attention to, it was quite impressive. She would bend her neck around to tug free the band which was tied over her arm to show Oculus that she had done as he requested. She assumed that Sly would do something similar, and she went back to her spot in the line, awaiting the harsh scolding which she most likely would receive.

9 minutes and 28 seconds had passed before Sly and Mythryl had arrived...

(( OOC - Please note that I do have permission from the admin Sly to be able to control his character for this part of this post. He still will do his own post. ))

With the first task of the trial out of the way, he hoped the rest would not have something as cheesy as another set of questioning. After hearing the last response, the emperor paced in front of them like what some human soldiers would usually do. Probably a universal habit among leaders, but with every passing second of silence emitting from his maw, the more sinister the atmosphere was becoming. Eventually he stopped before Ferrum, without an eye to him as he rebutted his response.

Sly did not pay careful attention to what Oculus was saying, as whatever he had to critique was not Sly's business. But he knew that the emperor would eventually walk back down the line and do the same thing for each every one of them. It was not until Oculus raised his voice at the next freshling that Sly snapped his attention back to the emperor. Towards the one who was known as Shade. Was he still standing in front of them? It did not matter. A thunderous bellow from Oculus was rare even to Sly, who was known to have probably cause the most mischief for the emperor. In fact, today was the first he witnessed this yelling. Contrary to the first impression he had with Shade, Rihzome was perhaps the one who came closest to appealing towards Oculus' vision of assassins.

Then it came to Mythryl. At this point, Sly would listen carefully, as what Oculus would say then would indicate what he believed to be what it means to be an assassin. Contrary to the popular belief of assassins, Oculus' vision was that of assassins being almost just the same as any other dragon. They do not rely solely on one order and must act independently when needed, and they do harbour honour. Perhaps it was a bad choice of words, but Sly meant that assassins know no chivalry or even fairness. There would be targets where, if the assassin got into an even one against one battle, the assassin would lose. So how would they win? Do not play by the rules. It relieved him that Oculus then said assassins were not as mindless as how Sly guessed they were. But in the same time, a sense of regret grasped at his heart as he knew the cold words of his response had entered Mythryl's ears. Sly was silent for much of Oculus' lecturing, but he paid attention to them. What made him more alert was the serious need to apologise to Mythryl at some point during the trial.

And what better timing. Oculus immediately gave the next task that involved them leaving the area for a bit. A red band in a box at the steps of the palace? Seemed easy enough. If Sly had not been in the very first trial at all and knew the sort of questions Oculus would expect the candidates to know. Just as Sly turned, every single one of the other candidates sprinted like their lives depended on it, and they all reached the exit before he could even turn himself fully to it. He was caught with his maw open as he was hoping to speak with Mythryl, only to know that the tip of her tail had disappeared down the steps.

He huffed a sigh and went after her, preserving his energy as he did nothing more than light jogs or power walks. Because of his street smarts, he knew all the pathways, secret and all, at the back of his head. He even showed that during the first trial. What would make this one any more different? Knowing how quickly it took him in the first run to get back, he figured he had a lot of time to catch up to Mythryl and settle things with her.

If only he knew where she went.

Once they got to the busy crowd, he lost sight of her. The other competitors were blatantly obvious because of their obsession with tree hopping, but like Sly, it seemed Mythryl opted with going on foot. Everyone went their separate directions, and Sly could not see anyone else anymore. Nonetheless, Sly made sure to pay careful attention of his surroundings, looking for anyone trying to trail him without his notice. He had trained under Delillah, if only a short while, and knew where to look and the favourite checkpoints assassins usually take. Sly was only looking for the other candidates, not any potential assassins spying on his performance. He then quickly slithered into hidden alleyways, shouldered open broken doors and crawled through abandoned tunnels and sewers. While he did all this, he thought about what to say to Mythryl. The tunnels were a huge labyrinth, and anyone not prepared and studied the entire underground would find themselves lost and had to resurface to another area of the Empire. Sly did not see anything out of the ordinary in these tunnels, as expected with how little it was used.

He eventually climbed up the set of stairs, pushed open a door and was in another abandoned alleyway. This time, he was only two blocks away from the palace. Before coming out of the shadows, he studied the palace. Two guards in black armour marked with purple stood at the entrance of the wall that bordered the grand grey building. Imperial guards. Sly searched for anymore guards, or at least anything worthy to take note of. He had trailed an assassin before ever since he was a trainee and tried to copy what information they look for. But it was difficult when he knew not to approach them if they are working. Nonetheless, he scanned the area, paying attention to anything that may be worth taking note of, before sticking close to the shadows and make his way to the palace.

Because he was no longer a trainee, Sly presumed he lost access to the routes the assassins would take. This would have been no problem, but now that he was used to that route, it made him a little uneasy that he had to opt with a route where he could be seen. It was no surprise when one of the Imperial guards turned to the shade on the wall and see a medic trying to sneak up on them. They gave a head shake before turning back to their position.

Sly just frowned a them a little and casually walked his way along the walls and went through the entrance. He took note of the number of guards and their height. Sly highly doubted Oculus would ask the same question as the last trial as it would have been a 'free pass' for Sly. Even so, it could not hurt putting this at the back of his mind, and who knows if Oculus was feeling generous for Sly today or not. He also noted any outstanding figures or any landmarks or statues in the area, or at least anything that had changed about the palace compared to what he saw everyday.

One of them being three opened boxes sitting on the steps before the palace. Mythryl was standing before them, and she dressed the red band rather painfully over her arm. The other boxes held green and blue bands, none of which Oculus wanted him to bring back. This was strange. Sly expected that the other three would be here at roughly the same time as well, considering how fast they ran just to get to this spot. His heart raced, but he knew he had to speak with her at some point. As Mythryl slowly turned to leave, Sly quickly grabbed the red band from its box and wore it over his arm.

His apology and explanation came as a whisper as Sly leaned to her ears, looking around to make sure none were in voice length to hear what he had to say. They were coldly accepted, but then Sly quickly turned his attention to her leg. She did not accept her help, and he quickly offered to at least walk beside her back to the arena. Heavy emphasis on walk, as he had to stop her from making another run for it. Sly considered examining her leg now, but it would waste too much time and Oculus would perhaps move on to the next task thinking Sly and Mythryl had walked out. He had to hope for a break at some point, or at least finish a task quickly enough to help her.

While they made their way make, Mythryl expressed her gratitude for helping her. It was a lot warmer than before, and Sly felt more relaxed. He continued to provide a shoulder for her to lean on as he used his shortcuts to go back to the arena, hoping to get there much more quicker. It was a bit of an unfortunate circumstance that made the two come back to the arena equally at last place and by a huge amount compared to the one who came third. But at least things seemed to have settled for both Sly and Mythryl as they awaited their next task.

Awaiting them in the arena was Oculus and Delillah. Sly gave a small bow to his former teacher, a small smirk on his snout as he hoped to earn his place as her pupil once more.