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POV = Point of View – Told in 3rd person
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Chapter13: Hidden Monster
Sophia POV
Sophia stood against a tree surveying the warriors and trainees before her. Most of the warriors were uninjured with the exception of one warrior whose right arm had been severed. Thankfully she was able to regenerate it. The trainees were unsettled and nervous. They huddled together in small groups and their eyes darted around as if expecting danger.
Yuma and Clarice were able to reassure them somewhat so they weren't as paranoid and worried. Some of the warriors looked angry, others worried. The warrior Nike which Sophia had pinned down was wary of her and tried to avoid eye contact. Sophia had begun to talk with Number Nine Nina when there was an explosion of Yoki. Every single person froze wide eyed.
The Yoki was almost as large as an Abyssal One and it was filled with such hatred, power, anger and malice that many warriors collapsed on their knees. After the brief explosion the power of the Yoki went down somewhat. It was large enough that they could still sense it in the distance but not feel its magnitude. Almost all the warriors were shaken up and Sophia and Nina darted about calming them down.
The whole time, Sophia thought of where the Yoki had come from. It had been where the outer buildings lie. Where her team was. After not too long Renee and Anastasia showed up also quite shaken, but they were able to help Nina and Yuma with calming down the warriors and trainees.
After seeing Renee and Anastasia help out Sophia told them she needed to return to her group. Despite the protests, Sophia still ran off. She knew the others wouldn't follow because the lower warriors and trainees still needed assistance. As she headed toward the outer buildings and the malicious Yoki she could only think 'Please be okay everyone'
Irene POV
Tabitha suddenly whirled around and let out a gasp. Irene also turned to see Helen standing in front of the room that Tabitha had sensed something in.
With all her might Tabitha screamed "NO! STOP HELEN!"
But it was too late. Helen had already set her arm into motion. It was visible Helen was trying to pull back but her momentum kept her going. As her Claymore drilled into the door she created a large whole. The four warriors were stiff with worry and fear. Veronica and Dietrich were watching Helen with furrowed eyebrows. They must have heard Tabitha's warning but didn't understand why she had called out.
When the dust settled Helen had an expression of something that could come across as confused and worried. Before anyone could do anything, a large black tendril hit Helen so hard she flew back making a whistling sound in the air. Her body hit one of the remaining buildings near Irene's group but it didn't stop there. Helen crashed right into the building and out the other side and into yet another building! The first room she crashed into caved in on itself, while Helen had not broken through the second room there was a large crater where she had hit the wall.
"HELEN!" Veronica shrieked as her comrade fell to the ground, limp.
No one could make a move as a roar pierced the air so loud Irene's ears hurt. Next came the shock wave of Yoki. Irene was frozen as the Yoki which rivalled maybe even an Abyssal One was unleashed. It was filled with so much hatred, malice and anger that Tabitha simply dropped to her knees. Irene's own knees were threatening to give out. Veronica was shaking in fear and Dietrich was frozen. Flora was staring wide-eyed her hands shaking so much she lost grip of her Claymore. Clare trembled and drew her Claymore gripping it tightly.
The room exploded open throwing debris and rock around. Veronica and Dietrich barely had time to dodge the projectiles. They ran over to Irene's group just as a figure emerged from the dust. Its head was shaped similarly to a Yoma's except the two horns which grew from both sides of its head pointing upwards. Its eyes were glowing gold and it had two small holes for a nose. Its mouth had razor sharp teeth and its teeth position could be compared to a great white sharks. It the body was also similar to that of a Yoma's but growing from its back were four wings with similar to a bat's but the veins inside could be seen pulsing.
Its torso had hair covering it and on its stomach was a mouth of considerable size with teeth of Yoma. Its arms were long and had not one but two joints. One joint were the middle of its forearm would be if it had a single joint and one between its shoulder and elbow if it had a single joint. Protruding from these joints were small blades the length of ten centimetres (almost four inches). Its hands had razor sharp claws and its legs were large and muscular with no special trait. Its feet however had four toes in from with sharp claws and a claw protruding from the back of its foot. Though it wasn't very tall about 274 cm (9 feet). It was deadly enough.
"W-wh-what i-is that?" Veronica stumbled backwards landing on her behind.
The monster turned its eyes on them. Irene's leader skills kicked into gear.
"RUN!" She yelled. Just as the command escaped her lips the monster charged at them.
The six warriors scattered in different directions. Irene swiftly jumped back toward Helen's limp body and picked her up swinging her over her shoulder.
The beast's four wings extended from its back and shot out in different directions. They all managed to dodge and Irene ran over to Veronica
"Get out of here!" She shouted as she passed Helen's limp form over.
Veronica nodded "Be careful" were her parting words
Irene drew her sword turning to face the beast. The other four warriors were darting about dodging it and trying to find an opening. Tabitha was the farthest, supposedly trying to find a weak point in the beast. Looking at the monstrosity in front of her somewhere in her mind she knew that they wouldn't be able to defeat the monster with the people they had now. Her instincts automatically kicked in and she rushed over to Tabitha.
"Go get Alicia and Beth!" She told the younger warriors swiftly
She nodded in understanding and sped off. Hearing a roar Irene saw the monster trying to get to Tabitha. Irene moved as fast as she could trying to intercept the beast but the distance between her and it only grew while the distance grew smaller between Tabitha and the beast.
She shouted a warning hoping somehow the warrior would be able to save herself. "TABITHA! WATCH OUT!"
Kuroui POV
She panted, regaining her breath standing a distance in front of Hysteria. Both former Number Ones had several injuries upon themselves.
Hysteria had a large gash across her left forearm and a minor cut on her right side. The deepest wound was in her right thigh. Her uniform once brand new was now tattered and covered in dirt.
Kuroui's black uniform was in a similar condition. She had a small cut on her left cheek and a shallow wound across her abdomen. She also had a deep wound in her right shoulder.
"Your technique really has gotten better since I last saw you" Kuroui commented
"Hmp, I died four years after you 'died'" Hysteria huffed "There's no way I wouldn't have improved"
"I suppose I should have anticipated that" Kuroui let a smile come on her face. "But I guess I got used to holding your hand and leading you so much I wasn't sure you could manage on your own"
Hysteria narrowed her eyes and growled "Well then you've underestimated me"
The smile remained on Kuroui's face "Then you don't deny I had to hold your hand and lead you?"
The revived Number One blinked twice before the faintest blush appeared on her cheeks. "I was inexperienced and young" she mumbled
Kuroui allowed her smile to widen ever so slightly
"Number Twenty" Kuroui turned around hearing her Number. She had just finished a mass Yoma Hunt with Rina, Shina and Kayla who were Numbers Twenty-two, Twenty-three and Twenty- seven in that order. The town had become a Yoma nest and the four of them known for their cooperation were chosen to work together.
"Yes?" Kuroui asked
"You've been given a new assignment and are to return to Staff." The handler informed
"Huh? Staff? Why don't you just tell her here?" Rina asked swinging an arm over her twin, Shina's shoulders.
"That is none of your concern" the handler simply replied
"But-" she began only to be cut off by Shina
"Hmm a mission inside Staff? How rare and interesting"
"Can't you tell us what she's ganna do?" Rina asked
"No and you three all have missions as well"
"But-" Rina was cut of once again but this time by Kayla.
"Rina enough" she sighed
"You're interested too though aren't you" Shina asked
"Yea, come on" Rina whined
"I don't want to hear anymore out of you two. Got it?"
The twins sighed in defeat. Kayla was lower ranking than them and technically couldn't order them around but being their elder sister they listened to her. It was ironic really.
Kuroui let a small chuckle out and Rina immediately turned on her.
"Ah! She laughed the world's going to end!" Rina said dramatically.
Kuroui swiped out her leg catching the back of Rina's leg causing her to fall back and land flat on her back.
"Ouch" she groaned
Shina and Kayla laughed and a smile appeared on Kuroui's face.
"Well I'm heading off" Kuroui said with a wave.
"Aw come on. So soon?" Rina whined sitting up
"It's best if she goes as soon as possible" in all the fun, they had forgotten the handler.
"I understand" Kuroui said
"Awww" Rina whined. She jumped to her feet and almost tackled Kuroui into a hug. "Ganna miss ya"
"I know" Kuroui sighed "Now get off"
Rina pouted and stuck a tongue out as she released Kuroui.
"Actually" the handler spoke up "Number Twenty-seven is going with you"
This got Rina and Shina to shout "What?"
"Get moving" was all the handler said
After a hand shake with Shina and the twins fretting about Kayla who assured them they would see each other soon, they left.
Several days later when they arrived in Staff they found out that they were to take an apprentice for three months and train her. Also they were not the only ones but there were three others as well.
"I don't see the point in this" one of the warriors sighed
"Think of it as a qualification for a Single Digit" one handler responded.
This got Kuroui's eyebrows to rise, though she really did not care for ranks. The five warriors were led to the training room where many trainees were sparring.
"Chose one carefully. I'll be back in ten minutes" with that their escort left.
"I really don't wanna do this" Kayla sighed
"You aren't the only one" one of the others mumbled.
Kuroui paid no attention as the warriors began a conversation. Her eyes scanned the large room carefully examining each trainee. She planned to pick the one that looked like she could handle hard training. That thought however, came to a halt when she saw a familiar face she had seen for the first time five months ago. She smirked slightly but it was gone as soon as it came. She walked over to the trainee who was still engrossed in her training and did not notice Kuroui. Walking behind her, Kuroui observed as she attempted a downward slash.
The trainee's slash was in accurate and armature. Her blade wobbled as she sliced through the air because her grip wasn't well and her slash was not done in a fluid motion. Silently as the trainee prepared to slash again, Kuroui walked right up to her and put her own hands over the trainee's. The girl whipped her head to the side and her eyes widened seeing Kuroui.
"Hey there, Hysteria" she said softly
"Kuroui-san!" The girl smiled
"Your hands aren't positioned right" Kuroui said moving her hands so Hysteria was holding the sword steadily. "Don't hesitate when you swing" she stepped back.
Hysteria raised her blade and brought it down in a swift motion. It clanged into the floor but it was still better than before.
"Your stance needs a bit of a tune up too" Kuroui said thoughtfully
"Ne, what are you doing here?" Hysteria asked
"I'm going to make you my apprentice"
"W-what?" Hysteria's eyes bulged
"Maybe I should go through some test to see her level" Kuroui muttered absently
"Really?"
Kuroui looked at Hysteria raising and eyebrow. "Really what?"
"I-I can be your apprentice?"
Kuroui nodded. "Come with me" she jerked her head motioning for Hysteria to follow
They walked to the entrance where two of the other warriors stood with their apprentices. Several minutes later the handler came back.
"Now that you have chosen your apprentices I shall explain what will happen." He began "For three months you are to train your apprentice in any way possible. Sometimes we will assign you missions where you must bring your apprentice along. At the end of the three months your apprentices will face each other in combat and we will so who is the strongest. Each team has already been assigned a room amongst the outer buildings; your symbols will be on the doors."
"Will we still be assigned regular missions?" Kuroui asked
"Yes but few. Any more questions?" No one spoke "Then let the training commence"
"Three months" Kuroui sighed
"Yes and in that time I thought we created a bond" Hysteria glared "But I guess I was wrong" she whispered
"Hysteria, listen to me please"
"No! I will not be influenced by your lies!" The warrior shook her head
"Listen to my explanation!"
Hysteria shook her head again. "You abandoned me and betrayed Staff, that's all there is to it" she said in a now toneless voice
"Hysteria, I didn't abandon you! Yes I was going against Staff but-"
"No! Shut up I don't want to hear your lies!"
"Hysteria..." A pained expression appeared on Kuroui's usual expressionless visage. It lasted for a few seconds before she closed her eyes - or eye - "I guess I'll have to force you to listen" she sighed quietly. She opened her eye and swung her sword in an upward arc. Her Claymore crashed against Hysteria's who had resumed her attack.
They both faltered though as the explosion of Yoki interrupted them. All the warriors froze and turned their heads in the direction which the Yoki had come from. However, Miata being who she was had not stopped at the explosion of Yoki. Unfazed and seeing a chance she was able to come up behind Roxanne and stab through her back. Surprise flashed across her face and Kayla's team seeing the chance jumped at her. In a matter of seconds Roxanne was dead. Hysteria and Cassandra aware of what happened got into battle position once more.
"Kayla! Go to Irene!" Kuroui managed to shout just as Hysteria began to attack again. She saw Kayla and her team speed off towards the outer buildings.
Irene POV
Tabitha looked over her shoulder and her eyes widened seeing the beast. With a roar the beast lunged. Everything turned into slow motion.
Tabitha's fearful gaze.
The beast mouth open in a roar. Its arm stretched out aiming for Tabitha.
The distant yell of Dietrich and her own voice.
Irene taking a slow leap forward.
The beast's arm nearing.
Irene yelled with all her might, hoping...
hoping for a miracle.
As crimson blood was shed. It splattered everywhere
The ground
The broken remains of buildings
The beast
Tabitha
Small drops landed on Irene's face.
But Irene could only watch helplessly and with despair as she watched her friend fall to the ground.
As her friend fell wounded and drenched in her own blood with a gaping wound in her chest.
Irene could only scream...
As Clare fell.
Chapter 13!
Ohhh totally suspense filled cliff-hanger!
I love leaving you guys going "WTF! How can you stop there?"
So Roxanne is dead and if I didn't mention before I'll say it now. I do NOT like Roxanne at all. She seems... What's the word...? EVIL
So anyway I got this chapter done early but...
I'm going to be busy this week so I'm not sure if I'll be able to update in a week.
Or two *wink wink*
Review Please!