"Talk"

'Thought'

Marked For Death

"Oh no! I've overslept!" rings the cry trough the forest. Crystal searches the clearing thoroughly and after she does not find either Teresa or the girl she tries to locate Teresa's energy.

"They can't be too far away, so I should be able to sense them," she whispers as she searches for Teresa's power. After a few moments she finds it.

She takes off with inhuman speed towards Teresa's location. When she arrives however, a horrifying sight greets her. Blood covered Teresa sits in the middle of the street holding an equally blood drenched Clare in her lap. Her blood covered claymore is thrown to the ground beside her. Bandit corpses litter the place, and the brilliant red blood is flowing in small stream on the streets.

'I can't believe it. She broke the most important rule of the organization. She killed humans. She will soon be hunted down and be in grave danger. Damn, if I help her my cover will be blown. Mistress Inera, what would you do in this situation?' wonders Crystal as she sits down on the rooftop and looks at the bloodbath. She then remembers how noble the grand mistress is.

'You would not care too much about the consequences if you interfere. So much for my cover. I can't let her get killed like that, but I will only interfere if her life is in grave danger. There is no sense to jump in until it's necessary,' she thinks as she watches Teresa and Clare stand and slowly walk away.

Orsay stands on the top of a nearby cliff and looks at the bloodbath. "You finally did it. I knew this day would come. From the beginning you where not like other warriors. The rules can't be bent, no matter why you did it. It's regrettable."

A few days later

Teresa stands on a barren plateau surrounded by five claymores. Clare is held back by Orsay so she won't accidentally get killed.

'Yeah right. After I die you will put her through the same hell I went through,' Teresa thinks.

"This is regrettable Teresa," says Orsay.

"Oh? I suppose it is," she says as she closes her eyes like she's given up. "How could this happen to me? I never thought I'd lose my head like that. One second and it was all over. The organization's rules, I forgot them all at that moment. I only wanted to protect the girl. I want to know one more thing. What will happen to Clare?"

"She isn't your concern anymore."

"I see. I guess you are right." Clare tries to break Orsay's grip. The claymores draw their swords, but in the next moment all fall to the ground with serious injuries.

"Their wounds are not deep," says Teresa. "They will recover if they use their power and stay put. Forgive me but I don't feel like dying just yet." With a smile she looks at a shocked Orsay who lets Clare go.

"What's the meaning of this?" Orsay demands as Clare hugs Teresa.

"It's hardly profound. The reason is very simple. I found a reason to live for. I will live for the girl." With a smile then she begins to walk away with Clare.

"You will regret this," says Orsay as she passes by him.

"I won't. I have no reason to," she answers and walks away with Clare.

A few days later in a quiet town

Crystal lies back on the rooftop above Teresa's room. 'Ah this is a nice place. Teresa really found herself a nice inn. Nothing is better then a little relaxing time... sadly we don't have that luxury. The next execution squad arrived. One... two... three peo... wait there is a fourth. It's faint, but she is there. I see, a sneaky one. Let's see how Teresa handles this,' she thinks and sits up.

A few minutes later the three claymores arrive at the inn door, while the fourth hides behind the corner. The three enter and after a half minute the sound of sword fighting comes from Teresa's room. In the next moment Teresa jumps out of the closed window sending glass shards flying. She lands on the street and looks up at the two claymore who forced her out of the room.

Only then does she notice the fourth warrior standing a few meters behind her. 'There was another one? But I didn't sense her aura at all. What is she?' thinks Teresa.

"It's an honor to meet you. I am Priscilla. I just got certified. Forgive my rudeness, but I have come for your head," says the young warrior.

"The fool," says Noel as she looks down from the shattered window.

"Oh my. The plan was for her to sneak up from behind. But she isn't trying to hide. Is she up to fighting against Teresa of the Faint Smile? Does she think she can win by attacking head-on?" wonders Sophia as she opens the inn's entrance door to see what's going on in the street.

"Clare, step away," Teresa says.

"But..." Clare begins.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Believe me," says Teresa as she stands up. After a moment Clare runs to the edge of the street and watches the confrontation.

"Priscilla was it? You could have attacked when I landed. Why didn't you? You could have wounded me," says Teresa.

"But that would have been cowardly, don't you think? There is something I wanted to ask you too. Why didn't you surrender yourself before? You broke the organization's rules. Our job is to kill yoma, protect human life. We risk our lives fighting for humans. For us to kill one of them would be to destroy the very trust we have been trying so hard to create. Forgive me... but by the organization's rules I must take your head!" Priscilla takes a fighting stance preparing to withdraw her blade.

"You've done a fine job justifying their logic. It may make sense, but if you don't mind me saying... the real world doesn't work that way young lady," Teresa answers. In the next moment she is forced to block Priscilla's headlong attack. Teresa counter attacks but Priscilla flips over her and tries to attack Teresa from behind. She blocks the attack then turns around and stabs at Priscilla but the woman dodges and attacks again. She dodges several slashes from Priscilla then blocks her attack. Priscilla jumps back then jumps forward and slams her sword with all her might on Teresa. Teresa blocks the blade above her head with her own. The force of Priscilla's attack blows all the dust away from the two warriors.

'They are quite good,' thinks Crystal as she stands on the rooftop above Irene and Noel in position to save Teresa if necessary.

"Not bad. She is holding her own against Teresa," says Noel as she watches Teresa block several more strikes from Priscilla.

"Do you know why she is called Teresa of the Faint Smile?" ask Irene peeking Crystal's interest.

"Huh? Isn't she always smiling when she kills a yoma?" ask Noel.

"That's no different from you or Sophia, but only Teresa is called that," Irene says as she walks to the window and watches the fight.

"True. So why is that?" ask Noel.

"Unlike Sophia's strength, my speed, and your agility, Teresa's only asset is her smile."

"But she excels in all those things," argues Noel.

"That is not exactly true. Each of our talents is better then hers. What makes Teresa the best is her unparalleled ability to sense yoki aura."

"Her ability to sense yoki? Everyone who is certified can...," begins Noel but Irene interrupts her.

"Teresa can do more than sense a yoki's location. She can sense the strength and speed of the yoki flowing through the body. Those who fight using yoki power send it to the parts of their body they want to move. The person isn't aware of this. Do you realize what that means? Teresa can sense our actions before we move. The more we use our energy the greater the use of yoki. That's why Teresa of the Faint Smile will find it hardest to beat Priscilla, who fights with her yoma power fully suppressed."

'Even so, Teresa is not even trying so far,' thinks Crystal while she watches the fight in the light of the new knowledge.

Suddenly Teresa and Priscilla speed up to inhuman speed creating sonic booms with their swords shattering glass surfaces in the area.

"Damn. This is absurd," says Sophia as she puts her hands on her ears to make the sound bearable.

"Wow! Incredible. The sound of their swords shatters glass. The girl is pretty good. She is a worthy opponent," Noel says with excitement. "Huh? Hey..." says Noel as she notices that Priscilla is gradually being pushed back. Priscilla is barely able to dodge the thrust that almost takes her head off. Afterwards she can only block by sheer luck.

"It's time we helped Priscilla. The way things are going it will be her head that's going to fall," Irene says as she draws her sword.

"But you just said..."

"Right now the odds are in Teresa's favor. Priscilla is fighting blindly. Which means Teresa doesn't need her special ability to fight. Priscilla has been outmatched all along."

'What's going on? Why did I slow down? No she has speeded up. But how? Why can't I beat her?' Priscilla wonders bitterly.

'It's scary. Deep inside she harbors a monster. In time she will become incredibly strong. I may be able to beat her now, but next time who knows,' thinks Teresa as another of her attacks is blocked.

"Sorry but I can't die just yet," says Teresa as she dodges Priscilla's swing, then with a quick motion she is just about to cut of her head, but before she can behead Priscilla Irene blocks her sword.

Teresa jumps back as Irene tries to cut her in half, then she blocks Noel's attack from above and kicks her into the inn sending her through the wall. Dodging Sophia's attack with a jump, lands on the tip of Sophia's sword then with a flip, thrust her sword at Sofia's chest. Sophia is barely able to dodge the attack so it still cuts a shallow wound in her shoulder. Sophia jumps back a few meters and faces Teresa while holding her free hand above her wound.

"Hehehe... She got you," says Noel as she lands behind Teresa.

"So? It's better then being kicked away," answers Sophia.

"Please! Stop this! I don't care what rules she broke! Ganging up on her is..." says Priscilla but is interrupted by Irene.

"Don't be a fool. If we don't help, it's your head what will fall. You should know that by now. We did not come to test our limits. We came to punish a traitor. No matter what it takes to accomplish it. We will back you. So only think about the best way to defeat Teresa," says Irene then with the exception of Priscilla release their power.

'Oh? They're actually as powerful as an average century old seraph is,' thinks Crystal as she watches the display of power.

"I am sorry Teresa, I wanted to face you one-on-one, but this is your own fault," says Priscilla then she too releases her power. "lets do it," says Priscilla then attacks Teresa but is blocked. The others try to attack her from three different directions but Teresa jumps out of the middle and lands on the ground.

Noel appears behind her but Teresa blocks her attack, then ducks under Sophia's swing and swings her own sword at her. Sophia dodges the attack but before she can counter attack Teresa jumps over Noel's thrust and flips over her head. She lands on the ground and turns just in time to block Irene's attack. The ground caves in under them from the force of their clash. Teresa is just about to force Irene back when Priscilla attacks from behind. She vanishes then reappears a few meters away.

"Why that..." begins Priscilla when then Irene falls over spraying blood everywhere. "Irene! Irene say something," cries Priscilla as she kneels beside Irene.

"Don't worry about me. Go! Your job is to think up a way to beat Teresa."

"I will," Priscilla answers and jumps back into the fight.

'D... damn it. Who would have thought. I was so sure the four of us could take her. I misjudged her again,' Irene thinks as she watches Teresa wound the others. 'She still didn't release her yoki. Not even a little. How far ahead are you compared to us Teresa?'

"Clare go to the inn and pack our things," Teresa says. "We mustn't trouble this town any longer. We are leaving." She stands proudly above her beaten ex-comrades.

After Clare runs of Teresa turns back. "Well then...," says Teresa as she walks to Priscilla's side and raises her sword.

'Damn. Teresa sensed it. Priscilla may have lost this fight, but it's only a matter of time because she has the potential to surpass her. Teresa knows it, and she is going to nip it in the bud right here. I have to hand it to Teresa. She only wounded us because she knows we will never be match for her. Priscilla is the only one who can still move yet she is paralyzed by fear. It's the first time she faced someone much stronger then her.' Irene watches Priscilla waiting for the killing blow while Priscilla shakes uncontrollably.

'Does she really pose a threat? No, not really. I just have to train hard to stay before her. Besides, Clare would never forgive me if I slaughtered her in cold blood,' thinks Teresa as she sheathes her claymore. "Hmph! I must be getting soft. Why am I thinking about Clare at times like this?"

"Teresa! I got them. I got your waist armor too," says Clare as she gets back.

"You even brought that? Isn't it heavy?" ask Teresa with a smile like the scowl never graced her face.

"No. It's okay," says Clare.

"You can come after me as many times as you want," says Teresa to the four as she walks away. "It will end in your defeat every time, and maybe next time I won't be this nice and spare your lives."

"Sorry about the mess," she shouts back to the town leader as leaves with Clare.

'Well this was an interesting fight,' thinks Crystal then she follows Teresa. She just catches up when she senses Priscilla release a giant amount of power and take pursuit.

Priscilla lands before Teresa and Clare on the barren ground.

"Stop it. As things are now, however much we fight I will win," says Teresa as she hides Clare behind her back. Priscilla does not listen and only powers up more.

"You better stop there. You are new at this. If you release too much yoma power you won't be able to change back. When we release 10% our eyes change color. At 30% or face transforms, at 50 our bodies change, and if we go over 80% we can't change back. You are already over 70%," she says as she tries to calm Clare.

"You shut up!" Roars Priscilla and attacks Teresa.

Teresa blocks and looks at Priscilla. "We all learn the limits of our yoma power as we fight releasing it bit by bit. That's beyond a beginner like you."

"Shut up!" Priscilla and pushes Teresa back several meters. Teresa lands softly on her knees but in the next moment she barely dodges the attack from above. She dodges a thrust then the swing as Priscilla drags back her sword. Her arm then curled around her back and thrust at Teresa's head.

Teresa parries the attack away, but even so it makes a small wound on her forehead. The blood flows into her eyes turning her vision red. "You are losing you mind already. There is not much time left. I have to strike you down for good," she says as she feels Priscilla release more power.

At this time Irene, Noel and Sophia also arrive.

"Is that Priscilla?" ask Noel as she looks at the deformed warrior.

"Did she already go over her limit?" Sophia ask fearfully.

"No. Not yet. But even so no one can stop her any longer," says Irene as Teresa releases 10% of her power.

"What the hell? It's only 10% but it's still far above many awakened beings or 80% releases I ever experienced," says Sophia with awe as they watch Teresa destroy Priscilla's shoulder guards with two attacks. Then she vanishes and appears behind Priscilla. Priscilla turns and swings her sword with all her might, but Teresa blocks it with ease and sends Priscilla flying into a nearby boulder.

'That's Teresa true nature?' thinks Irene with shock. 'God what did we volunteer for?'

Meanwhile Teresa tries to convince Priscilla to turn back, but Priscilla tries to attack her again and goes over 80% and falls to her knees. She tries to suppress her power but it's futile.

"I... I can't go back... Please, help me. Please, I don't want to be a yoma," pleads Priscilla.

"I'm sorry. I can't help you," says Teresa. "All I can do is cut off your head before the change is complete."

Priscilla looks at Teresa then nods. "Please go on. Do it while I still have a shred of humanity." Silently she grabs her sword.

'Will she really let her cut her head off? I have bad feeling about this,' Crystal thinks then notices Priscilla is grabbing her sword and her muscles are getting tense like she is preparing to attack. 'I see...'

Teresa is just about to raise her sword to the strike when she hears a loud clang, she looks to the side with wide eyes as she sees Priscilla's sword stopped by some force before she could have gotten her hands cut off.

"Now, now, it's not nice to attack someone who wants to help you," says a female voice from everywhere.

"What the hell?" ask Noel in confusion.

Priscilla and the other claymores look about wildly but none can find the speaker. Teresa stands for a moment still with confusion then everything clicks into place. "If I may guess, you're the one who followed me around for the last month. I thought you'd never come out of hiding."

"Impressive. You can sense me? Teresa you are one surprise after another."

"No I can't sense you, but I had a feeling for the last month that someone was watching me. Now show yourself."

"As you wish." Suddenly a claymore appears beside Teresa, her sword still blocking Priscilla's.

"Did you see that? She appeared from thin air," says Noel with wide eyes.

"Hi, I'm Crystal, nice to finally meet you," says Crystal as she smiles at Teresa, but then she suddenly grabs Teresa and jumps back as Priscilla's transformation begins.

A purplish pillar of energy surrounds Priscilla for a few seconds tearing the barren ground. Then it disappears just as quickly as it came revealing Priscilla's new form.

Priscilla grew a foot higher and her body is covered by natural armor. She has two wings on her back and a big horn grows out the center of her forehead.

'Damn, I didn't think she'd become this powerful. There is no way I can settle this fight without transforming, besides, all of them would die if I fight her here,' Crystal thinks as she grabs Clare and teleports to the other three claymore.

"Oh? Where is the little claymore going? I still didn't taste you," says Priscilla as she walks towards the six people.

"If you want to live then grab on to me," Crystal orders.

The three claymores looks at her with confusion but then all three grab on to her. In the next moment Crystal teleports them away.

Priscilla looks around trying to find where they have gone, but after she can't find any of them she turns and flies off towards a nearby town to satisfy her hunger.

-to be continued

Author note: Before someone goes all crazy and tells me that rather stupid way to get away from her. I have to say sorry but I just couldn't imagine any other way how they could escape from a juggernaut like Priscilla.

Maybe i am a little wrong but it seems that after awakening Priscilla only cares about two thing food, and kill those who are in her way to get that food. So if you somehow succeed to get out of her way, she will probably ignore you.

Also it seems Priscilla only cares about killing Teresa if she feels her yoki or scent. Thats the other reason why i think they could have not gotten away any other way, then to disappear from her range of senses.

Don't worry guys Crystal wont be like a second Goku with hes instant transmission. Teleportation has serious limitations, what will be explained much more later in the story. :P