CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: QUALIFIED TO FIGHT

"You sense her yet?" Serafiel asked. They had been walking for ten minutes.

Erica tried not to let her anxiety show. What if I failed? I wonder how they're doing.

"Don't worry, with so many single digits around, even with Nancy they won't stand a chance," Serafiel said quietly. She knows what it's like to doubt yourself all the time. After all, she had been number 45.

"There!" Erica pointed. Amy was standing perfectly still, her braids flying in the air, her eyes closed as she strained to maintain a soul link. She opened her eyes as she saw them approaching.

Serafiel charged at Amy. Amy reclosed her eyes and evaded her attacks. "Chi, she could evade me with eyes closed." Real speed or is she just able to predict my paths by sensing the air around us?

Meanwhile, Nancy's speed began to drop. "Um, how long have they been activated, Crystal?" Carine asked.

"Just a week before. Don't worry, the movements will weaken for only a moment," Crystal comforted Carine. They continued fighting with Joanne and Ylene. Although they were only numbers 10 and 13, they had been single digits once. And although Ylene and Joanne were stronger at using special attacks, they were on the same level regarding speed and basic strength. Pearlyn and Merissa's attention were all drawn to Nancy.

Nancy's awakened form is a huge spider-like monster with deadly sharp needles on its legs and back. She discharges them periodically, and can also use them as blades.

Serafiel knew she need to think of another method. Amy was not necessarily faster than Serafiel, but she could sense Serafiel's every move. That's when she got an idea. "Look, Erica, we'll run at her at the same time. That way she can't predict both of us. With my strength, even if my sword don't hit her, the momentum will."

"What? Me? That's like…courting death!" Erica said.

"Look, if you can kill her, that would mean you have what it takes to even fight Mikaela," Serafiel said firmly. "Just trust me, alright?"

Erica nodded, and the two of them ran at the same time. Confused, Amy tried to dodge, but she was caught between them. Snarling, she decided to draw her sword and targeted the weaker of the two—Erica. Erica gasped as Amy wanted to chop off her head.

Shit! I forgot that even though they're special weapons, Amy and Nancy were still above average fighters, to Erica! Serafiel could only watch as Amy's blade moved nearer to Erica. Damn. Even with my speed, I'm not sure I could save her. Why? Why is my body so slow all of a sudden? The fight just now with Amy must have gotten me tired. If I was only faster… Serafiel managed to breakthrough her inertia and dragged Erica back, not a split second too soon. Erica gasped as she felt her arm being chopped off.

Amy just tried again, this time aiming for Erica. Seeing her injured, she had forgotten about Serafiel. Just as Erica cringed and closed her eyes, Amy gasped. A trickle of blood dripped to the floor. Erica looked up and saw Amy impaled on Serafiel's sword. Amy gasped in pain as she slowly collapsed to the floor.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Serafiel shook the blood off from her sword and sheathed it. "And I'm sorry you got injured, but luckily you're a defensive type, you can regenerate right? And you did great, kiddo."

Erica managed to give a tiny nod before fainting.

Out again, huh? Serafiel thought, amused as she carried Erica back.

Meanwhile, Nancy roared as she suddenly lost control. She took a menacing step towards Carine and Crystal.

"Um, you're not supposed to turn on us, attack them!" Carine said hurriedly.

Nancy ignored them as she continued to crawl towards Carine and Crystal. Merissa sighed, gathered her youki, and disintegrated Nancy in an instant.

"Uh oh, we're screwed," Crystal breathed. She knew that if she went back and told the organization she let Nancy awaken, she would be punished.

"What do you want? Kill us then," Carine said sullenly. Why didn't they kill us off too?

"We're not gonna kill you," Felicia said. "We're offering you a chance to join us. If you go back to the organization and you failed, you're gonna die. Especially when you tell them how you got Amy and Nancy lost. If you tell them you can't find us, they won't believe you."

"Like hell I will join you! I intend to take your head and deliver it to the organization, to redeem myself!" Carine snarled.

"I'll join you." Crystal had a brainwave. I could be a spy! Join them and then pass on messages to the organization!

"What? Then I'll kill you first!" Enraged and jealous, Carine stabbed Crystal in the back when she is not looking.

"Urk!" Crystal gurgled blood as she fell down. "Why… I'm just… lying…"

"Who's next?" Carine asked.

"She's gone mad," Pearlyn said. Sighing, she drew her blade and split Carine into two vertical halves.

Just then, Serafiel was back. "Uh, Felicia, a little help here with a missing arm."

Felicia sighed. "Alright."

Serafiel seemed unperturbed at the bloodshed. "Bath time, anyone?"

Miria and Galatea scanned the ground sadly. "I thought we could gain more allies, at least," Miria said.

"Always the optimistic one, Miria. Two were morons, one was a traitor and the other was mad. Not good enough," Galatea said.

"Where are we going?" Lenore asked. She was in charge of looking after Erica.

"To our mountainous refuge. But seriously, we switch mountains every couple of months. You never know!" Miria said.

"What are we gonna do, then?" Erica asked.

"Train. Like mad," Pearlyn said.

Meanwhile, in the organization headquarters… "No reply from the execution team, Rimuto," a man in black said to a man on the throne.

"And do you think they managed to kill any rebel, Rado?"

"None, I fear. All that's left is their corpse. But, we're missing that of Nancy."

"I think she might be disintegrated," Rimuto said dryly.

"I want to go, Rimuto," a short haired warrior said imperiously. "I'm Priscilla's descendent! I deserve to do something! I'm sick of waiting around here spying! I deserve a mission that fits my rank and heritage! Is this the reason why you made me?"

"Mikaela! If you can't keep your mouth shut I won't bring you to the meetings!" another man sighed. She's always so fiery. "I'm terribly sorry for her outburst, Rimuto."

Rimuto waved a hand. "It's alright, Ermita. I have a job for her anyway. For

her and number 3, Gabriela."

Out on the mountains, Galatea sensed a shift in the youki concentrations. Impossible… How can Mikaela's youki increase to twice her original size yesterday? Unless… no, no, they cannot do it! They cannot make two Priscillas!