CHAPTER FORTY SIX: DÉJÀ VU
For ten years, Samantha and Deanna had lived happily ever after with their sisters Janell and Jarell. Although they were retarded, they were cute and obedient, and the four of them could be together. Deanna works as a woodcutter and sells them, despite the fact that Pearlyn offered them a job as claymores.
"I don't want anything to do with Claymores," that's what she had said. But, life was not really hard because they don't really need to eat much, and mainly spend the day lounging about. However, after today there was not much lounging about to be done.
While eating breakfast, the door to their hut was shattered to pieces. Samantha looked up and stared into the impossibly cold grey eyes of a deadly beautiful and petite warrior who looked younger than 13. Behind her was a smirking handler—which Deanna recognized to be Rado—and three other claymores. One looked like a freaking psychopath, the other a scared crybaby, and the third looked gloatful.
"Well, well, playing happy families? Too bad those times don't last," he spoke first.
"Wh-what do you want, Rado?" Samantha could not hide the fear in her voice. Before she knew it, a lithe grey shadow had blurred in front of her and simply snatched away Janell and Jarell who were sitting beside her.
"Join us against the usurpers—at the East, or we kill your sisters."
It's Déjà vu all over again! "Why would you want us, Rado? We're simpy numbers 18 and 29—really nothing to boast about. Or are you short of warriors?" Deanna sneered.
The gloatful claymore made to smack her for talking back, but the grey tornado simply held out an arm and made her retreat, reddening. "Thank you, Azure. Like I was saying, we simply want someone who can infiltrate the insurgents. Since you all were friends, you were the best candidates for the jobs."
Miria sighed as she saw that once again there were no youmas left for her to kill. Galatea had since left to return to Rabona, leaving Gabriela in Lautrec, Serafiel in Alphonse and Pearlyn in Toulouse. Only Felicia accompanied Miria, and it oddly reminded her of the days she spent with Tabitha.
If we got ambushed, we won't stand a chance. I hadn't practiced in years—and Erica was weak to begin with. Furthermore, the other warriors were spread out so thinly they would never reach here in time, with the exception of Serafiel.
"Why look so glum, Miria?" a feminine voice sounded.
"You're up already, Felicia?" Miria sighed and got up from her desk. "No reports in 3 weeks."
"You should be glad that our work here is done," Felicia reminded her.
"It's just that I don't know what I would be doing after this. For so long I had been looking forward to destroying the organization, but now that it's done…"
"It's not over yet. Before she left, Galatea told me that if we think the organization would just slink back to the mainland, we're dead wrong. They would surely be back for us—with more claymores," Felicia warned.
Miria nodded. "She's very wise—that one."
As Samantha and Deanna grumbled and tugged on their claymore gear—which they had not worn in years, Rado smirked as he winked at Kylie. Laughing incoherently, she dragged Janell and Jarell off.
Serafiel looked at the Northen sky. It contained nothing but clouds and snow. For years she was on guard there, and nothing even remotely resembling a youma had clawed its way out of the fog. Maybe it's time for me to visit my old… acquaintances…
Once she made up her mind, she took off and reached Samantha and Deanna's secret hideaway in mere minutes. "Hello? Anyone here? Sam and Dean?" There was no response. Strange. Maybe they are out for the day? She nearly tripped over a pile of… something. Looking down, she realized it was two dismembered bodies. She realized she recognized it as those of Janell and Jarell. Anger boiling up in her heart, she took off at once to Sutafu. I must warn them… It's not over.
"Lalala!" Kylie was happily juggling two heads in her hands, singing. Rado shook his head and merely led the way, giving commentary.
I wish he would shut up. Yvette pouted.
"This was once OUR headquarters. Look at how our former glory was reduced to ruins—by those filthy traitors. Consider it an honour to be the ones killing them," Rado droned on.
"Yes sir! My honour, indeed," Kimberly simpered.
"Good. Inside would only contain former numbers 6 and 5. The rest include a number 3 in the north, number 3 in the west, number 3 and 47 in the central. I believe you can take them on with ease." Well, a little encouragement never kills anyone… I hope.
"We've got the element of surprise on our side, so we'll definitely win!" Kimberly cooed. "Make a move on, girls!" she snapped.
Azure was easily the fastest. She blasted open the door, but had to duck due to instincts when a claymore almost took off her head. Well, it managed to chop of Kimberly's arm, who was following behind. Kimberly swore and promptly fainted. Yvette fainted at the sight of blood too. Kylie just snarled happily and bounded in like a wolf on all fours.
"This is what you call claymores? I'm so disappointed," Serafiel stated simply. Her claymore riochetted off the walls and back into her hand. Ever since she knew something was up, she ran full throttle to warn Miria and Felicia, who decided to congregate at Toulouse with Galatea and Felicia, but before that they would inform Pearlyn on the way to meet them there, leaving Serafiel to inform Gabriela after she was done.
"There is me. You haven't seen nothing yet." This is the first time Azure had spoken.
"You're the new warriors—trained as powerful claymore killers and who doesn't use youki? What happened, tell me everything!"
Azure said nothing and merely proceeded to attack. She stabbed Serafiel, but was shocked to find that she was gone. What… someone who can match my speed?
I need to see how she fights… So, she's fast… But not strong! Serafiel, being a veteran fighter, can see that when Azure striked the floor instead of Serafiel, did not even crack the floor in the slightest. Meanwhile, Kylie laid on the ground, knocked out. She's only average, after all, and no match for Serafiel.
Serafiel feinted at Azure's head, who dodged easily, however not before Serafiel unleashed a strong blow aiming at her stomach. Azure backed away from the contact of the sword, but gasped as she felt her stomach being sliced open. Impossible… she can cut me without touching me? Her eyes widened and then closed as she writhed in pain. She could not heal herself. Actually, none of the trainees could. They had no idea if they were offensive or defensive.
I should kill them to avoid trouble in future. Serafiel and Azure were actually well-matched—in spite of Serafiel's strength, she had weak stamina, while Azure was a non-stop killing machine. That's why Serafiel had to end it early by going super aggressive. If not for her experience, Serafiel doubted that she would definitely win. She grabbed her claymore and proceeded to behead Kylie. However, before she could do so, Rado threw a smoke bomb. When the smoke cleared, everyone was gone. Shit. But nevermind, currently at their state they could not come after us so soon, and they are not that much of a threat anyway.
Damn it. They are all so weak. Even Azure—she was no match for Serafiel at all! Rado thought mistakenly. What have I done? Is awakening the only way?
