"speech"
"thought"
"Awakened Being"

The last seventy years had been rather boring for Anne. An invasion of awakened beings from the West about twenty years ago was most interesting thing to happen to her. Sighing even as she cut a Yoma in half she adroitly avoiding the blood gushing from the two halves she flicked her sword clean. Stepping back she admired her handy work. Huge chucks of purple flesh lay strewn about the clearing, mixed with the purple flesh and blood were splashes of red and tiny hunks of white. They were the remains of the group of Yoma's latest meal. Anne calmly walked through the puddles of gore hoping to find something valuable that the corpses might have had on them. Eying a thick gold ring on a severed finger she idly grabbed the finger and removed the ring. Giving it a once over she pocketed the ring before dropping the finger and continuing her search.

"I wish Yoma would collect treasure. Really killing monsters that don't drop treasure, almost a hundred years and I still get mad that RPG's lied to me. Oh well nothing for it."

A casual shrug and she left, leaving the grizzly scene behind her. Walking at a sedate pace Anne made her way through the green forests near her current assignment. Being the number one meant getting the toughest missions. The current one involved at least one male awakened being near Natros in Toulouse. Several warriors had been killed before they asked for her.

"I haven't been to Natros in thirty years. I wonder if anything has changed?"

Her first glimpse of the town was just as she crested a hill. Laying alongside a river like most town, Natros was a large walled group of houses and businesses. Or at least it was. Now smoke pored from several large fires and the sturdy wall was broken in several places. A quick smirk crossed her face.

"Well I suppose that is something. I hope whatever it is puts up a good fight."

The thought of fighting whatever had wrecked the town brought a real smile to her face. Continuing her unhurried walk she spent several minutes observing as she made her way to the ruined town. Spotting a fleeing villager she reached over and grabbed him. He started screaming thinking whatever was attacking had gotten him. Shaking him out of his panic she demanded information from him.

"Hey you idiot! What happened here? Aside from the obvious."

"W-w-we were attacked. Some strange man appeared talking about the Dragon kin and how they where all being used or something. Then he, he, he Changed!. Scales and teeth. Blood everywhere! The the screams oh the screams. I've got to get out of here let me go. Let me go!"

Jerking his sleeve from her grasp he stumbled, picked himself up and fled back the way she had came. The idea of a new kind of enemy was a incredible feeling for Anne.

"A new enemy maybe? Oh I can only hope. After all variety is the spice of life. And Yoma are really getting samey. I can hardly wait to find out what this thing knows."

Picking up her pace she broke into a brisk run as she passed the town's ruined wall. Passing it was like stepping into a different world. Outside the wall were green fields. Inside flames and smoke chocked the air. Waving her hand in front of her face she stretched out with her yoki. A powerful source was near the other side of town. The thought of combat quickened her step as she sought out her opponent. The smoke finally cleared enough for her to get a look. The thing stood almost fifteen feet tall a bit on the short side for an awakened being. The whole thing was covered in think scaled plates and resembled nothing so much as a bipedal wolf. Log arms ended in clawed human like hands. Between the plates on its skin thick sharp looking fur sprouted like deranged weeds. The face was long and canine with two long ears at the top of the head. It stood over the dead body of another Yoma. The wolf like stature sparked old memories for Anne.

"Oh, awesome! Look every one it's Lon Chaney Jr. Well, it is if you crossed him with a snake or lizard or something. Whatever, it's still the coolest looking Yoma yet."

Pumping her fist in excitement Anne charged. Using her incredible speed hundreds of blows were struck sending the Yoma to the ground. Hopping backwards she unsheathed her sword. Snarling as it whipped its head back and forth looking for its attacker. Spotting her it paused before it held up its hand in a gesture of peace As she prepared to finish it off the thing spoke. It's voice was an echoing growl.

"Wait Claymore, I bring news that you must hear. Please you must listen!"

Intrigued by the unusual offer of news of all things Anne stayed her blade.

"Out of curiosity I will listen, but if it's boring or you attack me I will kill you. Understand?"

Nodding in agreement with her offer. He spoke in short barks.

"The Organization is using us. They make Yoma. They made me. They are at war. Far to the West. I heard them talk. They thought I was asleep. They spoke of Dragons. They want weapons. They want us. Please help us. I want it to stop. Stop the fear. Stop the Hunger. Stop the Organization.

Waving a clawed hand at the dead Yoma it spoke again.

"I stopped him. He attacked people. He let the hunger control him. I don't. I will leave. Find me in the East. I will help. I must go now."

With those words he shrank and changed until he looked completely human. His new form was tall and heavily muscled with thick shaggy brown hair. He looked at her and spoke again before running off.

"My name is Rufus. Find me in the East. We must stop them."

Turning around he speed out of the ruined town leaving the shredded Yoma corpse behind. Watching him leave she began to pace around the corpse. Several stabs and cuts left wounds that would make others think she had killed it. Staggered by what the Yoma had said Anne thought it over.

"Of course I can't be sure that he wasn't lying, but can I take that chance? I can't ask anyone from the Organization, they would lie as a matter of course and probably have me killed for asking about it, especially if it was true. Also, a whole new land full of things to fight. Well that would catch my interest no matter what."

Pacing back and forth Anne finally decided. Smacking her fist into her palm she declared to the empty street.

"That's it I'll go, just to be sure of course. I just need to find Lucy and bring her along. No adventure is complete without a sidekick! Hahaha! This will be loads of fun."

Even as she finished laughing she sensed several other Yoma nearing from the south. "Obviously they were drawn by the carnage". After letting the other one go she didn't feel like showing any mercy to the rest, so she went to meet them sword in hand. The first had just made it into the town when her sword took its head in a spray of blood. Leaving the body to fall she continued to kill. Using the flat of her blade the second one exploded from the force of her swing. Seeing their companions slain the remaining three turned to retreat into the forest. Not in any mood to see them leave Anne quickly cut them down. Turning and heading back to Doyle she spent the rest of the day walking. That evening around a small fire she told Doyle her version of what happened.

"When I got there the town was already in ruins. Several fires had started and were spreading. I found the awakened one and killed it. Before I left a small pack of Yoma were trying to get in but I killed them. That's just about it."

Giving her a smile Doyle thanked her.

"Well now that that is done with you have a new assignment. A bit of a problem has cropped up near staff. As the warriors are out we only have the trainee's to defend the place. This is a bit beyond any of them. Orders are for you return and deal with the problem. If you run across another warrior bring them. No chances can be taken with this so hurry!"

With those words Doyle turned and disappeared into the bushes. Standing and dousing the fire she headed east. Looking forward to finding Lucy she set a quick pace. Several days passed before she spied her best friend on the road heading towards her. Speeding up to meet her Anne couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"Lucy! Hey!"

Finally noticing Anne Lucy gained a small smile before greeting her as well.

"Hello Anne. You are well I hope?"

"Of course I am. What about you? What before that I have some important stuff to talk about."

Turning and following Anne, Lucy walked beside her old friend.

"Doyle told me yesterday that something weird is going on back east. He said that I needed to take care of it as soon as possible and if I met any other warriors on the way to bring them. But even more importantly. My last mission I met an awakened being that killed the Yoma that was plaguing Natros. Or at least that is what it said. It told me that the Organization is what makes Yoma."

Lucy let nothing on her face betray her thoughts even as she spoke.

"The word of an awakened being is suspect. Why would you believe it?"

"That's just it. It killed a really tough Yoma and said something about how he had been made by the Organization, he overheard them talking about another land far to the east. He also said something about all of us. Warriors, Yoma and awakened ones were weapons to fight Dragons or something. Think about it. Yoma don't reproduce, hell they don't have the equipment for it. Oh the Abyssal Ones and many awakened beings can take human form and have sex. But regular Yoma only seem interested in killing and eating people even when they are in human form. So if that's the case where do they all come from. Between us warriors we kill a shitload of them every day. Way more than they could possible get from regular reproduction. The only thing that makes sense is they are being made. Think about it Lucy!"

Frowning thoughtfully Lucy responded.

"I do not know. While what you say does make a great deal of sense the whole point hinges on the truth of this things words. I am also loath to think that the Organization which I have devoted my life to thinks of me as nothing but a weapon, a tool to be used."

"Exactly, and right after I have this conversation with Rufus telling me about strange things happening in the east. My next assignment is a mysterious problem in the east. Pretty suspicious ain't it? Besides maybe we could hitch a rid see this mysterious mainland for ourselves. Come on you know you want too."

Anne batted her eyes at her shorter friend.

"Perhaps."

"All right! Let's go and solve this mystery gang. Then maybe we can take a vacation."

With a skip in her step Anne led the two of them back east towards Staff and further instructions. As they neared the east they found dozens of new graves for warriors. Examining the blank blades on the swords and then the dirt of the graves Lucy turned to Anne.

"I these swords, none of them have the symbol of a full warrior. It would appear many of the younger trainees have perished recently too according to how fresh the dirt is."

"Well looks like Rufus was on to something. The east is our stronghold. I don't think even Yoma would be stupid enough to come here, not this far east anyway. Somethings fishy that's for sure. Come on Lucy lets find out what's going on. But keep what I told you under your hat kay. The last thing we need is to be declared rogue or traitors."

Marching past the graves they headed into the rocky hills that marked the area near Staff. Coasting a rise they made out the familiar rocky buildings and the large hillside they were built into. As they got closer they could make out damaged areas and dried bloodstains. Unease crept into them as they got closer. Finally Lucy spoke.

"Who would be foolish enough to attack Staff? Not even Isley or one of the other Abyssal Ones would dare."

"Now that is the million dollar question, isn't it."

Making their way to the topmost building to receive their orders. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty stone halls as they moved forward. Anne turned as a shadow approached. A black hood did nothing to hide the half melted face of Dae who stepped towards them a hideous smile on his damaged face.

"Ah, Anne is it? I remember you. You were one of my first projects under Yarrik. You are supposed to be his greatest work. He ways always so proud to hear of your progress. I hope you realize how lucky you are. Using awakened flesh to make a warrior usually ends poorly. I still wonder how he did it. You don't seem to have suffered any ill effects, simply marvelous."

With those words he aimlessly wandered off into the darkness. Unnerved by the strange meeting Anne continued down the hall deep in thought. "What did he mean by that awaken flesh ends poorly. That can' possibly mean anything good. I should be careful around him." The two continued walking until they reached the large set of heavy doors. Lucy stood back as Anne continued on. Beyond was a poorly lit room. A man in black spoke.

"We have a situation in the east. A group strange creatures have attacked. As you could see on your way in Headquarters has been damaged and the majority of the trainees are dead. That is why we have called you hear Anne. You are our stronger warrior and we need to have this dealt with swiftly. If you travel east for several days you will catch up to the things that did this. Please dispose of them."

Nodding Anne left without looking back. Lucy fell into step behind her and they left the dark halls behind them. Stepping back into the sunlight they begin heading east. With a sweep of her hand a the stains and damaged buildings Anne spoke.

"We are supposed to go and kill whatever did all of this. Apparently a group of strange creatures attacked and killed the trainees before heading east. This stinks of a setup."

"I will admit that with what you spoke of earlier and this new information I can not help but be suspicious of their intentions. We should keep our guard up even around other warriors until this is finally resolved."

"Yes we should. Still what Dae said bothers me. I doubt he would tell me such things without a reason. But there really is nothing I can do now."

Heading east through the rocky hills they found several tracks, gouges in the rocks that assured them that they were on the right track. Picking up their pace they quickly sped across the landscape. As they topped a hill they caught a glimpse of the coast. A village clustered around the water a few boast floated farther in the distance, all in all it would have been very pretty except for the fire. The large blazing fire that could be easily seen even from there. Smoke hung over the village like a thick black raincloud. It pained a disturbing picture. If whatever they were chasing was confident enough to destroy the only village for miles with their backs to the sea then the must be pretty strong.

"Come on lets go"

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Author's notes: This chapter was a pain to write. Due to my lack of skill I am having trouble deciding where this story will go. Hopefully I can work something out.