CHAPTER EIGHT: LUCIELA-RAFAELA OF THE SOUTH PART ONE

In the south, it was warm. The snow had not yet reached them, and the grass was still green. In the town of Rado, four warriors of the organization—known as Claymore, had gathered.

"Are they here about youmas?" One villager asked.

"We've never had any problems about youmas! So why are they here?"

Speculations were endless. But the warriors remained silent, standing in a circle in the town square.

A warrior with short, curly hair spoke first. "I trust we all know what this mission is about."

A warrior with short cropped hair replied, "We do."

"As you all know, this is a covert mission. So I would like to know your ranks—" A warrior with two plaits begun.

"Enough, Crystal. I am the leader here. While I appreciate your concern, I will decide on our next course of action, if you don't mind," the short, curly one said with authority. Crystal desires power… I shall have to watch my back. "First, rank, name and type. I am Ylene, and I am number 6 of the organization. I am an offensive type."

"My name is Crystal, as you all know," Crystal simpered and bowed, "and my humble self is ranked 10. I am a defensive type."

"My name is Alexandra. I am number 17, and a defensive warrior," the last person who had not yet spoken, with long silky hair, said.

"Deanna. Number 29. Offensive," the warrior with short cropped hair say shortly. She is a person of few words.

"We are supposed to investigate the status of the parasitic vegetation, Luciela-Rafaela, also know as Abyssal Ones of the South. They are continually emitting great amounts of youki, even at this distance. They also frequently fire projectiles, so take care. Every projectile is an awakened being, mere fragments of the destroyer. Once they have expended all of their energy fulfilling their destructive instincts, they will naturally cease to function. But if they use their projectiles to obtain a new energy—that is, attach to another living organism, then they can go on functioning indefinitely. They have no vital points. However, they also have no real consciousness, and no concept of regeneration. The best plan is probably to simply slice them up as much as possible. They possess neither desire for meat nor even attachment to life. No sense of self. It simply destroys all that lies around it… annihilating all that bears life… until it finally perishes itself. It is nothing more than a messenger of despair to this world. In terms of pure youki, it easily outranks Riful, as number 3 had told me. No longer Rafaela nor Luciela, it is a simple destroyer," Ylene explained.

"Well-analysed, as was expected by Image Tracker Ylene, the one who is said to fight even better than number 1 in a group," Crystal said slyly. Ylene could not figure out whether she was purposely flattering her or being sarcastic.

"I have a question." Deanna stood up. "You say this is a dangerous, abyssal hunt, but why did the organization send you, a number 6, and us, who are in the 10s and 20s? Shouldn't they send a few single digits instead? Are we being sent on a death trip?"

"This is technically not an abyssal hunt. It's more like a research on Luciela-Rafaela. Besides, I believe this kind of team is adequate for this mission. Our team strength is quite strong. Among us, the average number is 16. First, I want Alexandra to sense Luciela-Rafaela's movements, as she is a sensory youki type. Alexandra, you will inform us if Luciela-Rafaela is getting ready to fire any projectiles, then we can dodge and hide first. Later, when we get there, Alexandra will release her youki to act as bait for Luciela-Rafaela. When Luciela-Rafaela tries to fire projectiles at Alexandra, Crystal will come and carry her off as fast as possible. As we need to chop up Luciela-Rafaela as much as possible, Deanna and me will do the chopping as we are offensive types. Got it?" Ylene briefed.

"Yes." Deanna stood up. Muscular and tall at 1.85m, with her short cropped

hair, she really looks like a male. Crystal, on the other hand, with her plaits, medium height and alluring figure, looks like a typical female. Alexandra looked young and childlike, but Ylene could sense something was off about her.

The four of them silently trudged up the southern hills. Luciela-Rafaela was last reported to be seen at the top of the mountains. The last group that was sent to deal with them did not make it out alive, so Ylene was sent to personally deal with it.

"Hey, look!" Alexandra pointed to four claymore swords spread out randomly across the terrain. "These must be the swords that belonged to the last group."

"Whatever. Let's hurry," Deanna said shortly. "We're supposed to off Luciela-Rafaela, I don't care whose sword you've found."

Crystal ran across, examining the symbols. "Number 16—Adora. Number 21—Tiffany. Number 33—Cassandra. Number 42—Celeste. Adora??" The circumstances that led to her entry into the organization were similar to mine… Our whole family had been killed by youmas… We were always training together. It's all my fault, if I had continued being number 4, I would be able to be in the same team as Adora, and she would not have died!

"What's wrong?" Ylene turned around to find Crystal crying inconsolably over a sword.

"This is bad! Her youki is out of control! Crystal!" Deanna shouted.

Crystal howled as her eyes turned gold and her bodies contorted. Her youki level is rising rapidly, and she is about to awake.

"Oh no! Luciela-Rafaela had sensed us! And they are about to release their projectiles!" Alexandra shouted.

"Alexandra, synchronize your youki with Crystal's to try and bring her back! After that, get her away as soon as possible! Deanna, you and me will try to fight off as many projectiles as I can!" Ylene ordered.

"Alright!" Deanna and Alexandra shouted simultaneously. Alexandra closed her eyes and released her youki. Deanna leapt to Ylene's side, with her sword at the ready.

Luciela-Rafaela released their first batch of projectiles. "Dodge!" Ylene ordered. With her above average youki sensation for an offensive type, she was able to jump away. However, Deanna was not so lucky. She got hit by a projectile in her leg.

Bamn! Deanna spat out blood as she was thrown several feet away. A rod is firmly lodged in her stomach.

"Deanna!" Ylene yelled. From the rod, a little mouth is slowly forming. Deanna's face contorted and her eyes turned gold.

"Alexandra, are you done!" Ylene shouted. Crystal had turned back into normal and had fainted. "Get Deanna away from here, she's injured! Bring her to the forests east of here! Remove the rod as best as you can! I'll bring Crystal! Then lure Luciela-Rafaela away with your youki! I'll call for backup!"

Alexandra nodded and carried Deanna before speeding away. Ylene followed suit, carrying Crystal. They went to the nearby forest, where Alexandra ran to lure Luciela-Rafaela away.

"What's this monstrous youki? Oh, and I sense Ylene!" Pearlyn said. They were in the organization headquarters.

"Ylene must be in trouble! You've got to help her!" A warrior with short wavy hair panicked.

"But it is not our mission—" Serafiel begun.

"Please! Help me, Serafiel! I can't go because I'm number 1. It's a blessing AND a curse. I'm not supposed to do 'mundane stuff' like saving my friend," the short wavy haired warrior grumbled.

"Merissa, I know Ylene is your best friend. But Serafiel could get punished for this," Pearlyn consoled Merissa.

"What's going on?" Serafiel asked.

"Ylene has been sent on a mission to investigate the status of Luciela-Rafaela. However, during the mission, a warrior was injured. Another warrior is now trying to lure Luciela-Rafaela away, but they are getting too close to a town. Furthermore, the warrior's speed is dropping. Someone with great slash-and-dash prowess and little youki will be needed," Pearlyn explained.

"So then, I expect they need someone to help heal the injured ones. Number 5, me, and number 9 will come then," Serafiel offered.

"I'll come too." A warrior with a ponytail said. She had been standing in the corner and had not spoken before.

"Samantha? But why? This is a very dangerous mission, and it does not concern you…" Serafiel asked.

"Please, I have my own reasons! Trust me!" Samantha begged.

"We have no time to discuss," Pearlyn stated.

"Fine, we'll discuss this later." Serafiel gave Samantha a look.

"Thank you so much!" Merissa said thankfully.