Author's Note: Goddammit! Why doesn't this fandom have legions of followers?! I mean, it really needs to and I'm gonna show it some love. I have an idea and I'm just gonna roll with it, so read if you want to!

MoonDust

By: Mad Betrayal

Chapter 1 ~ Fight and Flight

The harsh clang of steel upon steel pierced the night air as two warriors cloaked in shadow danced a terrifying tango. Moonlight caught the lengths of their blades, creating stark white flashes. Dust and leaves whirred around their feet as each warrior sought to outmaneuver the other.

The battle went unimpeded and was entering its second hour.

One warrior leapt high into the air, his black cape billowing out behind him as he came down hard and fast with his blade, looking to cleave his opponent's body in two, but only succeeding in severing a limb from a tree as the other spun gracefully out of harm's way.

In retaliation, a silver kunai careened from the retreating warrior's hand, but the projectile was easily deflected by the other with nary a glance in their direction. Identity obscured by the black satgat atop his head, the swordsman stayed in his crouched position and swiveled one of his charcoal gray ears in his opponent's direction.

"You're nimble. I'll give you that, Abomination." The Royal Assassin rose slowly to his feet, seemingly without a care. "But I can tell you're tiring. You will not be able to match me blade for blade much longer."

Cassius lifted his sword, the deadly length gleaming silver, and pointed it at his cloaked adversary. "I will cut you down."

In the neighboring darkness, another blade shone in the dark, but it did not direct its tip at the Royal Assassin in challenge. Instead, it was poised at an angle as its wielder shifted positions. It was poised to defend.

Crimson eyes narrowed from beneath the wide brim, observing the other warrior's posture. Cassius could hear his opponent's haggard breathes no matter how well they were trying to hide them. He could sense their weakness. "Hmph."

Gripping the hilt of his sword with both hands, he settled into his own stance, ready to end the fight. Ready to bring the Abomination's head and present it to his lord and friend, General Gaius.

The Abomination…

Despite the night and the black cloak they wore, Cassius could smell the twisted lineage from which it was conceived from. Yes, the cursed union between Warmblood and Moonblood had produced this…thing in front of him. And he would see it dead at his feet. Slain by his hand.

His cruel blood thrummed at the prospect!

One stroke. He would cut through his enemy's defense and end it. The two warriors stood facing each other, motionless and quiet. A wailing gale rustled the leaves in the trees and caressed the blades of grass. From on high, one of the leaves separated from their brethren and fluttered down between the pair in a gentle swaying dance.

Cassius leapt forward.

And the other warrior reacted, sending three spinning shurikens towards their assailant's face. Cassius gritted his teeth as his sword flashed forward to deflect the throwing stars. It was a long and powerful stroke, enough so to defend and attack simultaneously, since the other was well within striking distance.

His sword connected with the projectiles and sent them ricocheting harmlessly into the dark. He grinned a fanged smirk in triumph as he watched his blade slice a silver arc towards his opponent's neck. Yes! Your head will be mine, Abomination!

Or so he thought…

Blade met cloak as the other was already leaping back to dodge. Crimson eyes widened incredulously. Impossible! How could he have miscalculated the distance?! The shurikens! Had the other's timed counter cause him to swing too early?!

Or maybe not…

Cassius' ears caught the sharp hiss of pain as the tip of his blade found flesh and sliced through. But it was a hollow victory as the other's arm was immediately extended out, their own sword flashing. It was an amateur maneuver, Cassius thought. A last ditch effort.

But from his position after the killing stroke, all he could hope to do was parry. But to his surprise again, his adversary's blade wasn't being swung but thrown at him, at which he was able to deflect and impede from stabbing into his neck.

Height of foolishness! To discard your primary weap—"AHHH!"

Cassius' sharp yell pierced the air as pain ripped through his right wrist, causing him to instinctively drop his sword. He stared down at his hand in shock. Dark crimson blood pooled and veined around the sharp triangular tip of the kunai embedded brutally in his wrist. Tendons severed, he could barely get his hand to twitch, let alone take up his sword again.

Growling menacingly, pride wounded, he snatched up the hilt of his blade with his left hand and rose quickly to his feet. From under the black signat, crimson eyes were alight with rage as they searched the darkness for their opponent…

And found nothing.

That damnable Abomination had fled.

Author's Note: The lore for this game isn't very deep, so I'll be adding my own spin on things and doing some worldbuilding and all that jazz. I don't fully agree with Cassius' WIKI page about him having "high morals" and shit. Cuz, I sure as hell didn't get that from the game and what little exposition we received about him. I DID get that he was a powerful swordsman with maybe a little bit of honor, with the whole little speech during his and Jin's face-off about him not taking any pleasure from killing children and such. But the point is, if he in fact had "high morals" he would be more conflicted with his purpose in Gauis' army. But he's not. So I'm gonna write Cassius how I see him. If you want to call it a headcanon then be my guest.