[h2][color=ed1c24]Maddox[/color][/h2]

The red-haired mage was about to teleport himself and Trinity to the outside when they heard a dog barking. [color=ed1c24][I]What the...[/I][/color] Maddox thought to himself. Trinity decided to go find the dog, running ahead. With a sigh, Maddox jogged after her. [color=ed1c24][I]I am out of shape. Seriously, I shouldn't be this exhausted.[/I][/color] The two made their way upstairs. Maddox stopped and stared when he finally saw Nori.

[color=ed1c24]"Is... is it a dog or is it a spider?"[/color] he asked, somewhat jokingly. But he was genuinely confused. This was a creature he had never seen before. The spider-dog-thing appeared to be circling around a lit cigarette on the ground. Maddox thought for a second before turning to Trinity. [color=ed1c24]"I think its owner got caught in the Anima. Look at that cigarette and where it is."[/color] He pointed toward it as proof. [color=ed1c24]"We should get this thing out of here too..."[/color]

[h2][color=red]Edo-Maddox[/color][/h2]

[color=aba000]"I think we should just let the slaves do all the work, Maddox,"[/color] Ursus suggested. There was a look of anger on his face and he appeared dirty as if he had been working in an unclean factory. [color=red]"I didn't ask what you thought for a reason, Ursus,"[/color] Edo-Maddox responded, looking the bigger man directly in his eyes. [color=red]"I want them built as fast as possible. It isn't like the men were doing anything better."[/color]

Ursus seemed to grow even angrier. [color=aba000]"You succeeded me as the master of White Hydra but that doesn't mean my opinion is worthless. [I]I[/I] say we let the slaves do all the work so our men don't get tired out in case of a fight."[/color] The expression on Edo-Maddox's face didn't change. [color=red]"You don't understand how there will be no fight. Utter annihilation awaits the kingdom. These men are strong, they can work and fight later. If they are so weak as to be unable to follow my simple commands then they deserve to die."[/color] Edo-Maddox turned away from Ursus and walked out of the guild hall, stopping a few meters away from the door and taking a deep breath.

The big man followed him outside. [color=aba000]"You're foolish, Maddox. I'm beginning to regret handing you the reigns. We have the opportunity of a lifetime and you're going to blow it. Your behavior is erratic, too. Power is important but you have to show some respect to the guild. These men bust their asses for you and all you do is force them to work more. You may be powerful but you're too crazy to be in charge of White Hydra."[/color] Edo-Maddox didn't say a word for a moment.

He slowly turned to face Ursus after taking another deep breath. [color=red]"Are you taking control of White Hydra, Ursus?"[/color] The big man scowled. [color=aba000]"I'm seriously contemplating a mutiny, Maddox."[/color] Their gazes were locked. Ursus rushed forward, slamming his gigantic fist towards Edo-Maddox's face. Despite Ursus appearing to be stronger, given he was bulging with muscles, Edo-Maddox lifted his left hand and blocked the punch without budging.

Ursus began to grunt in effort as he tried to overpower Edo-Maddox. [color=red]"You've made a grave mistake, Ursus,"[/color] Edo-Maddox informed him. [color=red]"Power is everything. You are restrained by your sense of companionship with the other assassins. If a trained killer has any compassion, no matter how small, they have an exploitable weakness and a fundamental failure that will hold them back."[/color] His fist shot forward, punching entirely through Ursus's chest. Blood dripped down to the ground as the big man began fighting for air.

[color=red]"I do not care that you were the former master. You are weak. The weak always fall before me."[/color] Edo-Maddox withdrew his arm, now covered in blood. Ursus remained standing for a moment but slowly began to lose his balance. Once he finally collapsed onto his back, Edo-Maddox relaxed out of his combat stance. [color=red]"I was born for greatness. All of Edolas will be mine. Spend your dying moments remembering the power you just tried to defy. Your last breath will be painful and you will die regretting your decision to go against me."[/color] Ursus tried to say something but it was too quiet to hear.

Edo-Maddox began walking back to the guild hall, inspecting his bloody arm and paying no notice to the dying man he left behind.