CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN: TRUCE
Ciara knew that she couldn't stand back and allow her friends to be cut down by fellow warriors. She decided to drive fear into her comrades' minds. "Hey guys, stop! And think for a moment. They're single digits. Number 1! We're in the tens at best! Some of us are weak! We're just canon fodder! We don't have to fight!"
"I'm joining her," a short long haired warrior said.
"And who the heck are you?" some people shouted.
"Alexandra, number 17."
This drew murmurs from the crowd. "She's quite powerful…"
"Even the higher numbers wanted out…"
"Well I'm not. I want to kill them and gain glory!" A warrior with hair in two ponytails shouted. "I'm Zoelyn, number 26, and that's not too low either!" And I want to carve Felicia's face in.
"Are you fighting with the rebels?" Ciara asked Alexandra.
"Me? I'm gonna sit this one up. No matter who wins, it's none of my business. Sit back and watch, that's my motto. Then maybe I'll move up the ranks after all." Alexandra held up her hands as Ciara stared at her incredulously. "I'm neutral."
Ciara shook his head in disbelief. Then she ran to join her friends.
"Is that the Ultimate Weapon?" Ciara asked, staring up at Cecil and Cilia's huge body. "Holy crap." She turned to Erica. "Dangerous things you're doing these days. What've you been up to without your down-to-earth partner?"
"Quit fooling around, you people. This is serious. We're gonna need all strength to even stand a chance," Miria said. "Galatea, Pearlyn, Ylene, Joanne, Felicia, deal with the current warriors. Serafiel, Merissa, fight with me."
"Right." Galatea, Pearlyn, Ylene and Felicia went, but Joanne suddenly broke ranks.
"I don't believe they're that powerful… I'll give them a try." Joanne leapt up. "Here comes my rotator sword!"
"No, don't! You'll just get cut down!" Pearlyn shouted urgently.
It's too late. Joanne didn't even stand a chance. She was cut down before she even reached them.
"That would teach them how impossible it is to fight against us and win," Rimuto sneered. "Warriors, you see, with our Ultimate Weapon, we're sure to win. They don't stand a chance."
"Yeah, but you're all just canon fodder. C'mon, those poor twins don't even have their own identity! They're just trained to kill! Don't you feel sorry for them? For yourself?" Ciara tried to rally. "Did any of you volunteer to become a claymore?"
"Well, it's better than rotting in an orphanage," Zoelyn snarled. The other warriors nodded and followed Zoelyn, running towards the rebels.
"Guess we've got no choice. Comrades, attack!" Ylene shouted. The real offensive forces are Felicia, Ylene, Lenore, Erica and Ciara. However, with the exception of Erica, her friends are still weak number 40s. No matter how many people Ylene, Felicia and Erica killed, her friends were still in danger. Even without youki and controlled, some of the stronger willed warriors still fought on.
Nonetheless, they managed to kill all of the warriors without sustaining any fatal injuries, because Felicia and Ylene protected Ciara and Lenore. Their victory seemed inevitable. "Let's help Merissa, Serafiel and Miria!" Erica shouted to Galatea. Galatea nodded.
However, the three of them were losing when fighting Cecil and Cilia. Miria and Serafiel's speed could match Cecil and Cilia's, but any damage they caused got healed instantly. They also have to constantly protect Merissa. "Not yet, Merissa?" Miria shouted.
Serafiel shook her head. "Don't distract her, she needs to concentrate."
Meanwhile, Rimuto seemed to realize what they were doing. If Merissa unleashed her "disintegration" technique it would be bad for both of us… Finally we were able to create Cecil and Cilia… If they duke it out, it would be a lose-lose situation.
"Halt!" He commanded. Cecil and Cilia went still. "I'm offering you a chance, rebels." He waved at the rebels.
"Hah! What's there to consider?" Miria asked. "With them stopped, I could kill them now."
"You of all of them should have witnessed the destructive capabilities of Cecil and Cilia, Phantom Miria. Yet you do not hesitate in your quest for vengeance," Rimuto said slyly.
Miria averted her eyes. "I thought there was no hope ever since I saw them at work fifteen years ago. However, with Merissa's berserk power not seen since the likes of Teresa and Priscilla, I am confident we have a chance of winning. At the very least, it'll deal a great blow to your operations."
"I understand your pain. You think we've betrayed you, used you as experiments. However, understand that we already got what we wanted with Cecil and Cilia and there's no more need for experiments. We just make claymores now to deal with existing youma and awakened beings."
"What do you want, Rimuto?" Galatea asked.
"Truce. I'll let the ten of you go for free, and not send people after you. However, you are not to interfere in our conduct. If anyone wants to join you, we will hunt them down. Also, if you appear again we won't hesitate to kill you again."
"I'm not gonna live like a fugitive! I'm going to settle this once and for all! We won't want this short end of the stick!" Erica said hotly.
"Well too bad, number 47. Right now you won't be able to get at Gabriela and Mikaela. Although I'm impressed you sensed them right away, Galatea. Looks like you're still a rather useful individual…" Rimuto tipped his hat at Galatea. Galatea snorted and turned away in contempt.
"Jya, at any rate, I'll give you ten minutes to discuss."
"What should we do, Miria nee san?" Lenore asked respectfully.
"We should take advantage of their weakness and attack them immediately!" Erica shouted.
"Even if Merissa managed to disintegrate them it would harm 40% of this land! There's got to be a better way of killing them… I'm thinking experiments. Plus, they are offering us an alternative. However unappealing it seems, it gives us a chance to recruit new members. Come on, consider it, please. At least until Erica grows stronger," Miria said.
"Fine." Miria turned back to face Rimuto. "Consider it done."
"Oh, and remember the young boy you brought with you, Serafiel? I'll gladly return him to you. He does not seem like a potential claymore." Rimuto gestured and Gabriela brought out a struggling boy. He looked up and saw Serafiel.
"Sera! I'm glad you're back!"
"Don't misunderstand… I didn't come back for you. I probably wouldn't have intervened even if they killed you. My goal is for this rebellion," Serafiel said coldly. "Right now, I'll just bring you to a village and deposit you there."
Thus, the ten of them made their way into reclusion. True to their words, Rimuto let them go in peace. Cecil and Cilia were deactivated and hidden again. Is this the end for the rebellion?
"In the name of my predecessor Teresa of the Faint Smile… I vow to kill Priscilla's offspring!" Erica shouted.
"Sera, please don't abandon me!" Alvin cried.
Serafiel felt a twinge of irritation. Can't he see I'm doing this for his own good? "It's better that way, Alvin. It's dangerous with us. Live as a human among humans."
"No! I don't believe that after all these days, you have no feelings for me! I saw the way you look at me. Please let me stay, I won't be a burden! I'll learn how to fight! I'll do anything for you! What's the big deal about humans? I didn't experience compassion from any of them!" Alvin cried, hugging Serafiel.
Serafiel resisted the urge to push him away. She gently took his hands off. "Don't misunderstand, Alvin. I'm not 'compassionate' or 'gentle'. I'm a monster who exists to kill our monsters. Don't expect sympathy from me. You have no idea how lucky you are to be human. Is this what your mother would have wanted, you following some monsters? I helped you because you're not a bad human, and that's all. With you the way you are, you're not much help. When you grow up you'll see. Get married, have children, and then die as a human. That would be what I wanted my brother to end up like. Yes, you remind me of my brother, Albert. But for us… we're immortal monsters. Not good company." She gently patted him on the head. "Farewell, Alvin. Let's go!" She barked at her comrades.
Gaping and shrugging, they nodded apologetically at Alvin as he tried to chase after them. However, it was impossible with their inhuman speed.
Alvin struggled not to cry. One day I'll grow up and help you. I want to help you like how you helped me.
