AN* I do not own Claymore, yadda yadda yadda, you all know the drill, R&R.
Information
It took several days before they finally arrived in the green lands that they all had grown up in. Christopher was on edge, feeling for any threat even though Tabatha said that she sensed nothing near them. By their fourth day of travelling they stopped on a cliff while Tabatha sensed any yoma energy around them, reporting that she sensed 12 claymores, at least two of them being single digits, but no awakened beings or abyssal ones were in her senses.
"I see… So the organization hasn't changed much." Miria noted.
"What happened to those awakened beings seven years ago anyway? They should have been too much for the organization to handle…"Helen asked giving them all something to worry about.
"WAIT!!" Tabatha exclaimed "Just now, a huge yoma aura has suddenly…" Soon they all felt the power and Christopher tensed.
"Th…This is…" Clare stammered.
"A big source of yoma energy is closing in on the hunting team…it's fast…and simply enormous!" Tabatha reported.
"No kidding! What is that?! It's impossibly huge!" Helen exclaimed.
"Riful." Christopher and Clare said together.
"Riful of the west?! One of the three big ones?! This isn't funny! We just escaped the north and now we run into someone like this?! Helen cried out.
"This is… an abyssal one?" Miria asked looking at Christopher.
"Not even close. Riful is just toying with them." He grunted.
"One of the single digits has drawn their sword and assumed a stance. She intends to fight." Tabatha reported.
"Idiot. She doesn't stand a chance." Christopher growled. They waited a few moments as Tabatha reported that they had managed to wound her.
"Wow. Those two are more than a match for an abyssal one." Yuma whispered.
"Helen! Deneve! Clare! Christopher!" Miria said as she threw a suppressant pill to each of the ladies "We are going to save them!" With that the five of them leapt from the cliff and made their way towards the battle.
"You ladies rescue the Claymores, Once Riful gets mad I'll entertain her." Christopher said as they approached. They arrived to see that the two single digits had been defeated and one was being tortured.
"Not good. Clare, Deneve, take the low rankers. Helen and I will rescue those two." Miria ordered as Christopher moved behind Riful, taking out one of his throwing knives. Once Miria and Helen had grabbed the single digits and stopped for a brief moment Miria gave the order for them to retreat, but Clare stayed.
"There is something I want to ask you. Riful of the west." Clare said staring down the towering abyssal one.
"Ah! Oh that's right, now I remember. You fought Duph seven years ago…you're one of the three from that time. That sure takes me back… I'm glad to see you are alive. How are the other two and Christopher? I'm especially interested in the one with the long hair."
"There is no need to answer that."
"Gosh, that's quite the greeting. I wonder if that is the attitude of someone who is asking a favor."
"… One died, the one with long hair I haven't seen, and I don't know about Christopher."
'Thank you for staying quiet.' Christopher thought as he watched.
"Oh, how regrettable. She was such a good girl. So what did you want to ask me?"
"Seven years ago, a large number of awakened beings should have come to these lands from the north. I want to know the status quo, of those who must have had to fight these awakened beings, namely you abyssal ones, and the organization."
"Ahahahah. So that's what this is about. You hid yourself for those seven years, cut off from all contact with the rest of the world. That you could erase your auras is also the result of time. And judging from your way of speaking, the place you hid was the northern lands, where seven years ago you clashed with the awakened beings of the north, and by some means produced a staged annihilation, thus feigning death, is that it?" After a brief pause Riful continued "Well I won't ask any questions, this is all in the distant past anyway. I can tell you all about the situation, but there is one condition."
"A condition?"
"You become my ally. I would have preferred that girl with long hair from that time, but if I remember correctly reading yoma energy was your forte too. I really want a girl who excels at reading yoma energy, and if you join me I will spare those two claymores from before and your comrades. And I already told you, the quickest way to revenge is to become my ally. These really aren't bad conditions."
"Alright, I'll consider it." This gave Christopher a moment to grin, already knowing what Clare would do.
"The smart choice. Alright, then I will tell you. There were 23 of Isley's subordinates who advanced seven years ago. Out of them 11 went east, and 12 went west… Isley himself headed straight south to fight over those lands with the abyssal one on of the south. Isley was victorious and claimed the south. Incidentally the awakened beings that he sent east and west were mere cannon fodder. They were obliterated in both directions without a single one remaining."
"What?! Impossible! I understand about the west but how did the organization…" Clare exclaimed.
"Oh? You didn't know? The organization has no over sights. Unnoticed by us they have created a Claymore strong enough to oppose the abyssal ones. In a way you could call it a new abyssal one. So even if Luciela did die, there really are still three of us."
"The battle between Isley and the abyssal one of the south. Didn't you think of taking that opportunity of taking Isley's head?"
"Pretty sharp. Of course I went there, a battle between abyssal ones… indeed even the victor Isley was close to death. It's not like I had any particular grudge against the man… but it was a once in a lifetime chance. Especially because he had been acting rather capricious towards us, it would have its merits. No matter how many small fry awakened beings he sent, it turned out the same, so Luciela and I both underestimated him. Because the battle with Luciela had dragged on longer than expected, I was able to stand before Isley in its immediate aftermath. And then I met that 'thing'" Riful said. She then told her about meeting Priscilla and how much stronger she was then any of the abyssal ones.
"That Isley utterly defeated that woman was a lie after all. Understanding that he couldn't win this fight he submitted to her as a general. That's how it happened. But that version was covered up. If there was even a chance to defeat that woman, it would have been a power that surpasses those called abyssal ones. In other words: there was no way but for me and Luciela to team up and defeat her. Anticipating this, Isley made the first move. And before we knew that woman's true power, he crushed that little chance. And as expected I can't join hands with the organization either. It really looks like that man has completely fallen for her at this point. For now the two have kept quiet in the south but they have the power to seize control over all of the lands whenever they feel like it. And right now we have no way to prevent it. That's why I am currently working hard to scout for talents that might be even a little capable. So? Do you understand?"
"I don't." Clare said bluntly, hoping to get some more information from her "From yours or theirs perspective, my powers must be completely insignificant. Why do you want me?"
This got a grin out of Riful, enough of one that it made Christopher shiver "I told you: What I want is someone that excels at reading yoma energy. It's not like I'm telling you to fight here… I have found something interesting. If all goes well, with it I could overcome this disadvantage…and even if I can't gain the upper hand at least even out the balance of powers. But as things are I can't put it to good use. That's where you come in. A claymore that excels at reading yoma energy, in other words a warrior that can manipulate yoma energy, even a little. That's why I would be happy if you became my ally. Let's do our best together from now on."
"Don't misunderstand. I told you I would consider it, I never said I would definitely become your ally."
"Oh I see. Well then make your decision then. Your answer should already be decided though."
"I've been thinking about this the whole time now and I guess it won't be possible. Give it up." Clare replied.
"That's what I thought you would say. Your personality has taken a turn for the worse in the time we haven't met. Or maybe it was like this all along."
"Probably all along. I appreciate the information though."
"I can just cut off your arms and legs, and just keep the parts I need, you know."
"That won't be possible either. I've grown stronger than you think in these last seven years."
"Oh? In those seven years, strong enough to defeat me?"
Taking that as his cue he hurled the knife with all of his enhanced strength and watched as it shot through Riful's neck.
"No but I can." Christopher remarked as he tapped the back of her head with his blade. Not missing a beat Clare made a break for it while Christopher played with Riful.
"Christopher? Is that you?" she asked as he dodged her attacks once he had leapt off of her.
"The one and only." He smiled as he moved to the edge of the clearing.
"So you have come to be my ally at last?"
"Sorry Riful but no. I'm just here to make sure that those four escaped. Now that they have I'll be leaving as well." Christopher smiled as he took a back stance and prepared to use the Crimson Slash. Waiting for her to prepare to launch her next attack he moved aside the slit in his gauntlet and struck, the red extension launching out across her eyes, blinding her for a brief moment while he made his escape listening to her destroy the forest trying to stop him.
He reached the cliff he saw Miria motioning for them to leave. Joining in with them they continued to head south with all of the ladies lost in their own thoughts.