Not much excitement this time. More of a transition chapter.

"Come again?"

"I don't have a rank. I left."

"But, you can't!"

"Can't? I already did."

"A deserter?" Priscilla clenched her fist. "You know what the penalty is for such, don't you?"

"I've been in exile for over a century. If they cared about me, they'd have sent someone long ago."

"Over a century? What was your name and rank?"

"Name: Rafaela. Rank: 2."

"Rank 2? That's not easy to bring down. Did the organization force you out?"

"Not quite. I wanted to leave, and they encouraged it. They deemed me a failure."

"Indeed, if you're here!"

"Priscilla, be nice."

"No! This is treason! You must come back! It is necessary for harmony!"

The one-eyed woman snorted.

"We've never had harmony in that club, kid. Anyone who thinks otherwise-"

"It's not a club! And I'm not a kid! I'm ranked number 1!"

"Yes. I can believe that." Rafaela's eye stared her up and down warily. "Doesn't make you any more correct."

"What is correct is that you're coming back with me to the organization! It's the rule!"

The one-eyed claymore hesitated. She'd been number 2 and had served alongside the number 1 of her time. But this woman overshadowed them both. If she decided to fight her…

"Priscilla, with all due respect, we have more important priorities now. Maybe we can deal with her later, if we have to?"

Priscilla grumbled but nodded and turned back to the one-eyed exile.

"This isn't over. You will relearn discipline. Mark my words!"

Rafaela looked Samus' way who could only shake her shoulders sadly.

"She does that. Sorry."

….

"So whatcha doing mamma's girl? Is that a game of some kind? Move over! I wanna play!"

"This isn't a game! I'm looking through the records! Trying to figure out what's happening on this planet!"

"Heh. Brainy little girl, aren't you? Your mommy teach you all this? Bummer. Wish I had one to teach me that."

"What did your mother teach you?"

Ophelia laughed hollow.

"Self-Reliance. She left me and my brother alone. No fancy ships or armor."

"…Sorry."

"Ah, taking pity on me? Don't. I'd kick your ass anyday."

"Is that the only thing that matters to you? Blood?"

"Excuse me, blind girl? This is between me and momma's girl. What right do you have to barge in?"

"All the right, actually. We haven't established any rules over how to interact. Henceforth, I have every right to get involved."

"Galatea! How are your eyes?"

Both girls stared at the young woman until she realized her mistake.

"Sorry. I meant to say how… how is your sight? No. Not right. How is your… sense?"

Looking both ways and seeing no bad response she sighed in relief.

"My sight is doing quite well, thank you. Well, not all that well actually. This is all so new to me. So bizarre. I'm blind. But I've never been able to see so much. I can sense Clare's confusion and your annoyance."

"Well excuse me! I only wanted to have a little chat with momma's girl! Is that so wrong?"

"And why is that impossible with her here? Be nice Ophelia! She's a friend too!"

"Heh. Friend. Not a term I know all that well. But I'm pretty sure this isn't friendship. Friends I believe have to have things in common."

"What don't we have in common? I mean look at us."

"Look? Really blindie?"

"Now hold on. I saw what we look like before they took my sight, thank you very much! We all were turned against our will and we are all stuck on this planet against our will with an army of monsters pursuing us!"

"Yeah, but you don't want to do anything about it. You just want to hide and cower like good little kiddies!"

"As opposed to charging in blindly and trying to kill them with little fists? I do prefer our way thank you very much."

"I never said charging in blindly- "

"Really? Then what would you call what you did earlier today, hmm? Clare tried to stop you and then Priscilla had to save you both."

"I- Ok maybe that was a bad example. But at least I tried! You two would've just hid like cowards for the rest of time I bet. We'd probably still be in that cave, feeding on each other!"

"I don't think that last bit is likely. You won't see me eating meat! We could have been the meat they ate however if I hadn't come back to save you!"

"Oh sure. You saved us. No, all you did was find someone who herself saved us."

"Who wouldn't have been found without me. Might I ask what you offered oh mighty Ophelia?"

"Stop! Both of you! We can't live together if we keep arguing!"

Ophelia laughed. That made Clare concerned as she had noticed a bit of a pattern. Ophelia didn't usually laugh at things most found funny.

"We're not gonna live together. You two have made your goals clear. I know what I want."

"Now hold on a minute darling. Your goal is clear. You want to fight yoma. But we haven't said what our goals are. You've been much more vocal."

"You've made plenty clear. If you don't want to fight, you want to live. And how do you plan to do that?"

"I haven't given that much thought, truth be told." Galatea pursed her lips. "I've just been focused on surviving this before I think about the future."

"And some future that'll be huh? Imagine. Blind, and a claymore? You really think that's a winning combination? What kind of life are you going to live?"

Galatea didn't respond. It was clear she hadn't given that much thought. Nor did she want to.

"You could come with us. Both of you. I'm sure Samus would love- Well she'd take you on anyway. She'd feel responsible."

"Doesn't she fight yoma though? How is that different from what they do?"

"Yeah and she does it shitty I might add!"

"She's not a slave. And that's what matters."

Ophelia snorted. "Not a slave my ass. We're all slaves. One way or another."

Before Clare could comment on her cynicism, Rafaela called from the other room.

"Children? That feels weird to say. Come with me please."

"Thank you. We're coming." Clare felt great relief.

"We're not done with this momma's girl. You know I'm right deep down. You both do."

….

"Impressive. This is all quite orderly. Not the kind of thing you expect when dealing with yoma."

"Another sign of your inexperience. Yoma can be quite clever."

Samus looked at Priscilla somewhat annoyed by her remark. Rafaela smiled a little.

"That's true. I meant you don't see much tech skills. Nothing of this magnitude anyway."

"You speak true. And then there's the numbers. In all my years, both as a warrior and in exile, I've never seen yoma congregate in such a horde. They're usually such solitary monsters."

"You just admitted yourself you used to be a warrior. Since you're clearly not anymore, why should we listen to you?"

"Priscilla! Sorry. Indeed, that does not appear to meet their usual standards. Which raises the question of why and how? How did they organize all this and why?"

"I find it unlikely they could do that. Not without leadership. They did answer to the monster who tortured you. But the idea of an oaf like that leading them is laughable."

"He did mention… someone else. A master. Someone called Riful."

"Riful… Riful. I know that name. A creature of the Abyss. One of only three number ones to ever awaken."

"Abyssal one? You mean like Luciela?"

"Ah yes. Dear Luciela. I heard of your "epic" battle."

"So polite Priscilla."

"Wait. What was that about Luciela?"

"We have her. This dear hunter and a trio of the finest warriors besides me infiltrated her fortress on planet Zebes and found her on the edge of death. We still don't know what could have beaten her up like that, but she's still under our control."

Though Rafaela's face was impassive, Samus knew better. While in the Galactic federation (not a time she looked back upon fondly) she had gained some skills in reading people. Like most Claymores, Rafaela hid her emotions well. But her posture and the tone of her voice when she had spoken, Samus could sense anxiety. Even distress. She decided to save that info for later and keep to the matter at hand.

"So, a creature of the abyss is leading a big group of yoma and awakened beings. Just like Luciela before. That explains the organization. But not the why."

"We conducted an inquiry into Luciela's reasoning. Well, ok. It was before I joined. When Luciela did it, as far as I can tell it was because she had uncovered metroids and she believed that would give her and edge to retake the remaining sectors of the galaxy. But Riful already has metroids so she must be after something else."

"That bastard who tortured me said something. Dauf I think his name was. He said something about a monster in a mine somewhere."

"What mine? Where?"

"I… He didn't say. At least I don't think he did. I don't really want to think about that."

She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned confused to Priscilla who looked back for a bit until she realized what she was doing and took her hand off embarrassed and turned to the data.

"Is there any record of where this mine is?"

Samus combed through the data while Rafaela waited patiently, and Priscilla waited impatiently.

"I think… I've found a location where ships regularly go to and depart from. I can't say for certain, but I'd wager that's a good place to check out."

"Then that's what we'll do. Reckon you can pilot one of their ships?"

"Probably could. But we can't bring the kids. Not this time. It'll be too dangerous."

They both looked at each other. Rafaela eventually sighed and interjected.

"Maybe I can help there."

….

"Hey kids. How are you all doing?"

"Glad."

"Angry."

"Blind."

"Huh. Lots of emotions here. Well maybe this bit of news will change that for you three."

"News is going to help me see again?"

"Well, maybe not yours. Sorry Galatea."

"And I'm not going to be glad? Why would you tell us that like it's a good thing?"

"I don't mean that to be good Clare. I… Look I really meant maybe Ophelia-"

"Oh, so I'm the only one who has to change? Is any emotion I feel automatically less justified than these two wimps?"

"No. But anger is not a good emotion I find so I thought-"

"What? That you could just take it away? That you could work some magic? Did you ever consider my permission? Did you ever consider whether I wanted to lose my anger?"

"And what about my joy? You said that wasn't good, so why did you put it in the same context with Ophelia's anger. You should have said this bit of news might change that for you Ophelia. I don't want to not be glad!"

"Enough!" Samus rubbed her forehead.

"Kids." She muttered before getting back on track.

"We need to go somewhere else. Somewhere worse. The home base of the yoma on we think. Not totally sure. But it's our only lead."

"So, we're going to take the fight to them? I stand corrected. That does help my anger." Ophelia grinned.

"Then this will disappoint you. This is probably going to make everything up to now look like a cakewalk. We can't afford to bring children along. You're going to stay here with Rafaela."

"What!? You said you'd cure my anger! This does the opposite!"

"And it doesn't make me glad either! What if you die? How could you think that would make me glad!?"

"To be fair, it doesn't cure my blindness either, so I fail to see your promise as a success."

"You're missing the point! We're going to have our hands full and we can't keep track of monsters and little kids at the same time. It's a risk we can't take."

"Then how are we ever going to advance? To become stronger?"

"You can't be stronger if you're dead! Did you ever think about that? Maybe if you had, you wouldn't have run off alone and gotten their attention! No. Don't talk back to me. It's decided. You can't come and that's final."

"Samus, please." Clare wrapped her arms around her waist and buried her face into her chest. Samus felt her heart melt, but her duties always overtook everything.

"Enough. It's decided. I need to get moving. Rafaela will keep you safe. She used to be the second highest ranked warrior in the organization."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Samus didn't like Ophelia's change in demeanor. Or that disturbing smile. But she didn't have time to deal with it.

"Samus, please. You can't leave me alone. You promised you wouldn't. You promised!"

"I'm not leaving you forever. I never would. You know that Clare. You know it. But I can't bring you into further danger. It's better this way."

She looked ready to argue further, but she closed her mouth and nodded in agreement.

"You're tough kids. You'll all do fine. Of that I have no doubt."

Oh, what a lie. A lie out of love. But still a lie.

….

"I swear if I come back and find you've eaten them-"

"I am a former warrior of the organization. I would never ever- "

"Exactly. A former warrior. You've been out of practice for over a century. Who's to say you won't lose control and turn your cravings onto them?"

"Out of practice? Doesn't the fact that I haven't awakened in all that time say increase your trust in me?"

"I haven't any trust in you because you could have spent that century doing something useful. Like fighting yoma! But no! You abandoned your duties! How do I know you won't abandon them again?"

"Priscilla, go easy on her. She did help save our lives."

"About time she did something good I suppose. But I'm still hesitant about this."

"I suppose I could come with you and leave the children here by themselves. I could prove my sincerity and they could prove their independence."

"What? Hmm, well I suppose if you aren't alone with children-"

"Priscilla. No."

"Oh. OK. Fine then. But know this. If I come back and find your bellies filled with-"

"Number 1. I promise I will not eat any children." She then turned to Samus and said the Chozo word for trust.

"I trust you. It's time Priscilla."

Half an hour later after a tense breakfast, the hunter was readying one of the yoma ships with Priscilla in one of the seats.

"Wait, that's what you guys are flying," snickered Ophelia. "Looks like a giant mouse."

"Really? Oh, how I wish I had my eyes right now! Mice are so cute!"

"I think she means the type humans used to use for computers."

"That's exactly what I meant! Hey maybe you two can make that clicking sound and annoy them to death!"

"Thanks. We'll make that our plan B. Rafaela. Take care of them."

"Of course."

"Samus. Please come back."

"I will Clare. I always do."

With that, the ship's engines flared and just like that, they were gone. Flying towards what might be their tomb.

"So now that it's just us for the next… Who knows how long? I sure don't. But since we're alone for some time, I've gotta favor to ask you one eyes."

Rafaela looked down at Ophelia. She didn't want to ask what favor.

"Your sword. Can I hold it?"

….

"I don't know why she left her job. But if she weren't trustworthy, she wouldn't have risked her life to save us. She had no reason to."

"There may be some traces of her old self still in there. But she's had over a century to repent! If she hasn't realized her duty and returned by now, I honestly don't have much hope for her."

"Yes, I've been meaning to ask you about that. How could she still be alive after over a century? She doesn't look like she's aged a day!"

Priscilla looked at her stunned.

"How old are you?"

"22. Isn't this how old I should look?"

"Ah I see. Another thing the Chozo never taught you. We don't age. A side effect of the yoma blood. We look like this until we die or awaken."

Samus' eyes opened wide. Now that was something!

"You're serious? You mean… Immortality?"

"Not immortality. Agelessness. Death is still very much a likelihood for us. Especially for someone like you with your limited training."

"Oh, not this again. Please no."

"Yes. This again. That number 2 may be a cowardly traitor. But at least she learned enough to keep herself alive and fight. You however have somehow gone through life without even the entry training. That's really going to limit your effectiveness on this mission. In fact, come to think of it I wonder if it might not have been a better idea to leave you back with the children."

"Woah woah. Hold on. What?"

"Don't get me wrong. You have your uses. You proved that back there at the fortress. But I still am concerned about your ability to fight against the kind of monsters we're going to face."

"I agree. You'll probably have to do most of the fighting. But that doesn't mean I can't aid in other ways."

"I agree as well. But it would be much more fitting if on top of that, you also had the skills necessary for our kind."

"Again. I agree. But I'm not joining the organization to do that."

"And why not? The organization has kept peace for hundreds of years. They are a force for good! For balance! Their rules and discipline ensure our kind works well with humanity!"

"And a fine job they've done at that. I still have to wear shades to hide my eyes."

"Yes, there are difficulties and flaws. But you are either part of the solution or a hindrance to it. Those with the organization are part of the solution. Those who are not a danger to society!"

"Wow. You know I wish I saw life as all black or white. But I know better."

Priscilla took on her childish anger face. A reminder that for all her power she was a child at heart.

"You know I thought we were making progress with you. I suppose you're too far gone."

"No. The Chozo just raised me better."

Priscilla gave a harrumph.

"Fine. Just don't ask me to save you next time."

"Wow. How old are you? Wait. Don't tell me."

They flew on in silence for a time. Their chances not looking good. They were about to enter the most dangerous place either had visited up to this point and they couldn't function as a team which was their only chance for survival.

Samus hadn't been on a team for some time, but she remembered the basics. How did- God forbid. How did Anthony suggest it again? Break the tension with a question.

And so, against her better judgement telling her it was a bad question to ask Priscilla of all people but more importantly because it means taking advice from goddamn Anthony, she asked away.

"Priscilla, I've been wondering something for a while now. Ever since the ruins. What does the name Teresa mean to you?"

The number 1's eyes flashed yellow. Her aura took out the windows. The screens flashed emergency.

Seriously. Fuck you Anthony.

….

"Got you!"

"Damn it. Again? Who would've thought a blind girl could be so good at tag? That's it! I want to be it!"

"I would like to keep it this way actually. It's very useful to develop this ability. And since I can't see any objects this might make it near impossible to find you."

"All the more reason to do it then. Wouldn't you say?"

"Ophelia. Rafaela won't let you handle her sword I presume?"

"No. I don't get why. They make children use swords in the organization, don't they? Why not us?"

"Maybe because we're not in the organization, hmm?"

"Very clever mama's girl. Anyway, since I can't use a badass weapon, I might as well focus on some other techniques."

"So, you wish to turn our little game into a training exercise?"

"Sure. Let's do it."

"What's that? Little Clare wants to train with the big girls?"

"Why not? Might as well learn something useful. Might make us more useful to Samus."

"Oh of course. Always got to think about dear mommy. Don't you have an independent thought in your mind?"

"Here's one. I'm it. And I come and find you with my eyes closed."

"Ha! Now that's more like it! All right then! Let's see if you're up to it pipsqueak!"

"All right. I'll follow your lead. But I warn you. It's harder than I make it look."

"Yeah, I kind of figured that out Galatea. All right. Closing my eyes! Go hide!"

The world disappeared before her. She didn't like closing eyes. Didn't like seeing the black. It reminded her of the darkness of Rosemary's cavern. She'd often hide in a corner and shut her lids. Listening to the screams of the latest unfortunate she'd dragged to their doom.

She felt her breath quicken at the memory. It never went away. No matter how kind Samus was.

"Breath. Remember what she taught you."

Use the breath to clear the visions away. The Chozo way. Only peace.

Well not entirely peace. But she had put the memories aside for now. Now to focus on something else.

She reached out. She could sense… something. Someone. Their energy. She followed it.

Ow! Right into a wall!

"Ha! Ha!"

Clare's face lit up, but she managed to keep her eyes closed.

"Peace. That is the way of the Chozo. Peace. Remember. Remain calm."

….

Her mentor meanwhile was feeling anything but calm.

"What was that about lack of experience? Something about how I would gain those skills if I just joined the organization?"

"Samus, I- "

"Well, I might not be in the organization. But I did learn basic sense, and emotional control!"

"Please- "

"I simply ask that you practice what you preach. Perhaps set a good example for potential recruits?"

"It was not intentional- "

"And yet you still did it! You still lost your shit and grounded us! And you're the number 1 warrior! If this is your level of discipline, I can only dread what the lowest rank is like!"

She stopped and starred at the mighty warrior. Now a crying child burrowing her head into her knees.

Losing control of her emotions again, she no longer bothered to hide her aura and Samus was nearly overwhelmed by the output. It boggled the mind how such an insecure and unstable woman could hold such strength.

She sighed. How many times had Clare cried? How many times had she nearly given up on her? It wasn't easy to work through trauma. She knew that from personal experience. This was no different. More powerful and dangerous to be sure. But this creature needed help.

"Look, I'm sorry, ok? I didn't mean to cause you trauma or anything. I just thought that it might help to break this wall between us."

"W-Wall?" Priscilla looked up her eyes filled with tears and shame.

"Wall. It's a subjective trope. We can't function as a group if we're bickering like this."

"I- I know. I… I'm sorry. I just. Oh goddess, please help me."

Samus grabbed her by the shoulders and starred into her eyes.

"There's no goddess here. Only us. Now if you really are the number 1. Prove it. Lead."

It took another minute or so, but Priscilla wiped her eyes and nodded.

"All right. First, we need to look where we landed. Wait down here."

She made several jumps to the top of the nearby cliff. She looked about and stopped off in the horizon. Even from down here, Samus could hear her gasp and jumped up herself only to gasp herself.

They had landed in a rainy marshy area with beautiful swamp all around. But it was the object off in the distance that stood out. Both to the environment and to their sight.

"Is that… the frigate? The one where we first met?"

"Yes. It seems that way. So, this is where it landed."

Samus looked off into the horizon above it. The direction they had been flying before… Their predicament.

"That would be the direction of the mines we read about?"

"Yes. I think so."

"Did they teach you to swim in the organization? Is that a skill necessary for our kind?"

"Silence, please."

….

"Hee hee!"

"Quite! She'll hear us!"

"Come on Ophelia! You're taking this too seriously."

"And you're not? This is training for the future!"

"Of course, you'd say that! Everything is so serious for you!"

"And why shouldn't it be! I'm going to be a fighter! I need to have this down if I'm going to rise in the ranks and kill monsters!"

"Ahem. I'm no warrior myself but I think one useful skill to rise in the ranks is to work on the tone of your voice."

"Damn it, Clare! I told you to stay quiet!"

"Me? You were the one yelling!"

"Ah enough of this! I'm tired of hiding anyway! I want to hurt something! Come on!"

"Wait, Ophelia! Oh, this isn't going to be good. Come on Galatea! Let's stop her!"

"Coming! Let's- Ow!"

"Are you ok? Goddess. What were you thinking? Didn't you see that wall? Oh wait. Sorry."

Clare tried to not look at Galatea's annoyed face while they ran after their aggressive friend to what appeared to be planetarium with holograms of planets.

"This looks big enough. Whaddaya say girls? Ready to get a little up close and personal?"

"I truly don't know what you mean by that. Where are we by the way?"

"Oh, I don't mean you blind girl. Even I don't feel comfortable doing that. Nah I meant maybe I could make a woman out of mamma's girl."

"All right, fine. I can go a few rounds."

"What? For real?"

"Yes. For real. Already want to back out?"

"No, of course not. I just expected you to reject as you always do."

"And since that clearly doesn't work, perhaps a sock to the jaw will."

Ophelia grinned and without warning threw a punch at her opponent who ducked and grabbed her arm to toss her to the ground.

"I… What?"

"You know being a momma's girl has some perks. Especially if that momma knows hand-to-hand combat."

Ophelia merely grinned again and rushed her. But Clare managed to dodge the larger girl and kick her in the side.

"Damn!"

"Want me to hold back?"

"No! This is awesome! Just what I wanted!"

Ophelia kicked Clare off her feet and pinned her down. However, Clare punched her in the stomach and forced off while also getting another jab in.

"Not a great awakening eh Ophelia? Think you're going to take on the monsters of the world and then find you can't beat a momma's girl. Sucks to be you, huh?"

Big mistake. Ophelia's eyes flashed yellow. The air pulsed with energy.

"Die!"

….

"Caught us some beetles? Thanks. Wait. What happened to your face?"

"A plant exploded."

Samus stared for a minute before laughing her face off.

"Excuse me? A plant exploded in my face and you find an excuse to laugh!? Further evidence of your lack of training!"

"No. No. It's just… I did some reading on this planet's ecology before I arrived. I'm going to assume the plant in question had a large orange sac filled with sap?"

"Yes. You know this?"

"It's called the Sap Sac. A major part of the diet for many species here. It almost got eaten to the point of extinction, so it evolved a rather unique means of defense."

"Exploding in your face!?"

"Exactly! And it worked! Isn't that absolutely amazing!?"

Priscilla stared back at her passionless for a time. Eventually though, her face cracked a smile and she laughed. It was a nice change from her usual unstable demeanor. It also made her look more…. Human? Was that the word? Neither of them were fully human after all.

"I confess. That is… interesting. And what about that? What creature is that?"

Samus looked to a spiny creature climbing along the nearby rock wall.

"I believe that's a Geemer. Cute little thing ain't it?"

"Yes! Yes, it is!"

Her smile was intoxicating. Until she saw Samus smiling her way and quickly changed back to stoic.

"I mean, yes. Yes, that's all… Exciting. But we have other things to talk about. We can't go to the mines yet. I've sensed yoki aura within the downed vessel. It might be more yoma. But… well."

"It might be survivors. Is that what you're saying? You think someone might have survived that crash?"

"That frigate was quite fortified. If they got closer to the center, they might stand a chance of surviving the initial impact."

"A slim chance. But if it's even slim, you're right. We need to look."

"I can take out the armor and get us close. But we'd still need to deal with the water."

"Maybe we'll get lucky and find some kind of underwater equipment."

They managed the first bit quite easily. Priscilla was a beast with that sword and managed to cut her way through the outer hull like cheese. She was truly extraordinary. But then they reached the watery interior.

"Let's look around. There should be some equipment to-"

"No. Another plan. Wait here."

Her other plan turned out to be running about with her sword and cutting holes in the ship through which the water leaked. Meanwhile Samus could only stand and watch in awe. Her number 1 ranking was unquestionable to her at this point.

"There. Enough water should be removed to let us search. What's wrong? You look saddened."

"Without water, the aqua sacs will die…"

Priscilla followed her gaze to vines with a blue sac growing along the wall.

"You mean another plant that will blow up in my face? Forgive me if I don't mourn. Wait. Do you feel that? The presence is moving closer."

Both looked up at the vents from where the energy flowed. They readied themselves but were completely caught unaware when a young child leaped out at Samus and began gnawing at her.

"Get off!" Samus picked her up and held her in the air while the girl kept trying to bite her. Her disheveled hair, crazy eyes, and thin chest suggested extreme malnourishment.

"Woah. Hold on there kid. Settle down. What's your name?"

"Apples! Give me apples!"

The girl bit into Samus' arm.

….

Meanwhile, back at the fortress, Rafaela was having her own problem with children. One had gone close to her limit and seriously injured Samus' adoptee who Rafaela had mostly healed after restraining her attacker.

"You still wonder why I won't train you?"

"Um… Yes. Aren't setbacks like this common?"

"Setbacks, yes. Like this? No. Not in those who haven't even set foot on the battlefield. This only happens with… Well…"

"High rankers?"

"…Yes."

Ophelia grinned. That twinkle emerged in her eyes. Rafaela had seen a look like that before. The woman whose eyes she'd seen it in hadn't turned out well.

"You hold great power. Very great power. Tell me how you became a claymore."

Ophelia paused. Everyone stared with interest. Even Clare lifted her head up somewhat to get a look.

"Why is that important?"

"It's believed that a claymore's strength is linked at least partially to trauma. Trauma born from yoma. The greater their hatred for yoma, the greater their potential. From what I just witnessed; you possess immense potential. Therefore, I can only assume you come from a dark place."

"A… dark place?"

"Yes. I assume you've experienced great trauma. To have such power. I know I did. I was number two once."

"Why do you say that with such sadness?"

"Sadness?" Rafaela turned to Galatea confused.

"Your tone hides it well, but your aura seems… unstable. I've felt it like that when people are sad."

"You see much blind one. I'm sad because a high rank is a curse. That power comes with a heavy price. Your mind is forever tainted with that trauma. And if you lost control, the suffering you inflict on the world is all the greater. Look at that number 1, Priscilla. Her power is beyond any claymore I've ever met. Well, except one. Can you imagine the kind of trauma she must have experienced to gain that? Can you imagine the risk she poses to those around her every day?"

"But it's unlikely, right?" Clare sat partway up while entering the conversation. "Only three number 1's have ever awakened right? One is some guy…"

"Isley."

"Right. Isley. One is on this planet, and the other is Luciela the mother brain who Samus helped capture. They're the only three number 1's who have ever awakened. In all these centuries! Most number 1's have managed to keep their impulses in check."

"What's your point?"

"My point is that it seems higher rankers have greater ability to control themselves than most. I think it speaks more to the weakness of those three number 1's than anything else!"

The room went silent. Everyone's face had gone passive. Except for Rafaela who took on a scowl.

"Weakness? Luciela…. Weak?"

"Uh… Well…"

"Go to sleep child. You mouth madness."

"Wait… I don't…"

But a stare from the one-eyed warrior made her comply after one more worried look at Ophelia. The former number 2 picked her up and stared at Ophelia.

"You need better mental conditioning. Lest you end up another monster."

She carried the sleeping injured child away while the two children stared. Eventually the blind one turned to Ophelia.

"So, no more hide and seek?"

….

"Mm! This shit is good! Got more? I need more!"

"I'm not surprised." Samus handed her another Geemer carcass. "Considering how long you've been stranded in this ship; I'm shocked you didn't turn to eating each other."

"Me eat Deneve? Never! Now that bitch Ophelia yes! I'd rip her eyes out and have it with some fava beans and a nice chianti!"

"She is kind of a bitch, but I wouldn't advise trying that. She seems like a strong kid."

"What!? You know her personally? Don't tell me she survived!"

"She did. She and a blind girl called Galatea escaped with us."

"Don't know a blind one. But it's bullshit! She didn't deserve to escape! We did! I promised everyone apples when we escaped! And look at all the good it did me!"

Priscilla doing her best at connecting (something she wasn't great at you might have noticed) placed her hand on the girl's head and rubbed it. At least that's what it looked like. But honestly it was more like she was pulling her hair.

"Ow! Ow! What the hell?"

"Priscilla, maybe you should stop that."

"Oh. Ok. If you say so."

"Geez, maybe it's a good thing you didn't find us."

"Listen uh… Helen was it? How did Elda not find you? She found all the other children."

"Deneve got caught under rubble and couldn't move. And I couldn't just leave her so…"

They investigated the corner where the girl in question lay sitting upright against the wall. Food in her hand. She didn't meet their eyes and looked instead at the Aqua saps lining the wall which would soon dry up with the water out of the frigate.

"Ah she's just shy. She's perfectly fine with me doing the talking for her."

"I'd rather speak for myself actually."

"You doing ok? You were in pretty bad shape when we found you."

"I'm doing better now, thank you. You really are number 1 to have fixed those injuries so well. It's like they never existed."

Priscilla blushed red and rubbed the back of her head."

"Oh, it was nothing." Her aura betrayed her excitement, however. Praise worked well for her. A rarity for claymores.

"Hey! Who kept you alive all this time!? Don't I get any thanks?"

"I have given you thanks Helen. Every day."

"I know. I just like to hear it again."

Samus stared between the two. Based on first impressions alone, they couldn't be more different. Helen was all cheers and grins. Deneve, stoic and indifference.

"Well, this puts us in quite the pickle we can't exactly leave you here, can we? But then again, we can't take you to the mines either."

"The mines? Is that where all those monsters went? The place with the blue stuff?"

"Blue stuff?"

"Yeah. Wanted to go near it but well uh…"

"I advised against it. I saw all the bodies scattered around and presumed it was radioactive."

"Radioactive? Well that's bad timing. This would be the perfect time for my armor."

"Your armor? You claymores have armor? Does this armor come with apples?"

"Eh, no. It's just me. And no, it doesn't come with apples."

"What!? Then what's the point of it all?"

"To… Survive?"

"How can one survive without apples? You don't! It's that simple! You don't… You people are crazy! All of you! Gah! Just leave me be! I need some fresh air!"

The girl stomped off. Samus and Priscilla blinked to make sure that had just happened then turned to Deneve.

"Is she always like that?"

"She's been through a lot. Cut her some slack. But yes. She is."

"How do you not go insane?"

"Priscilla!"

"Who says I haven't? I mean, I'm still with her, aren't I?"

….

"Hey uh, Clare. You ok?"

"Ok? I don't know? Are you really Ophelia? And are you really asking about my well-being?"

"Hey, at least I'm trying! Give me some credit you little- I mean uh… Yeah look I don't want you to die! Who else would put up with my shit? Those other two? One's missing one eye and the other's missing both! That's no fun! Uh… I mean… Fuck this is hard."

"And would that one with no eyes be standing around the corner giving you directions?"

"What? No! Don't be ridiculous! This is my idea all the… Oh what the hell? Of course, she's making me do this! You think I'd ever apologize for kicking your ass fair and square?"

"No. I suppose humility is too much to ask for you. Maybe instead we should just focus on how you almost lost your sanity?"

"What, that? Relax. I've got that under control."

"No, Rafaela had that under control. Without her, you might have gone full yoma."

"I will never be a yoma! Or an awakened being! Never ever! I'll kill them! Kill them all!"

"So, you're determined to go through with joining the organization?"

"Yes. Yes, I am. And you will too."

"And why would I do that? To prove you're right?"

"No! Because… Because I want you to!"

Silence. Took a time for that to sink in.

"You want me to work with you? Is that the gist of it?"

"I… Yeah. I want you to work with me! Who else would I work with? Blindie here? She's no fun!"

"I beg your pardon? I'm plenty fun! Why in fact I-"

"See what I mean?"

"To be honest though, how many other potential warriors do you know? Maybe you'll get lucky and meet someone-"

"You mean those girls I met on the frigate? Please. The thought of working with any of them is just… Bleh. Especially that apple lover. What was her name? Ellen? No. It's got to be you."

Clare paused for a time to let that sink in. After a minute, she giggled to herself.

"Well how can you join up without fighting skills? Come on, help me up."

"Wait. Is that a good idea? Aren't you injured? Nonsense. She's tougher than that. Aren't you?"

"Well duh. Samus taught me."

"That's the spirit! Let's go find one-eyes and get her to teach!"

"This is not the best idea." Despite her doubt Galatea followed them outside where they found Rafaela staring off into the wild and muttering to herself. She was muttering to herself.

"Weakness. Was that it? Were you just weak? If so, what does that make me for letting you- "

"Rafaela?"

The one-eyed woman turned around. They saw fear in her eyes. Except Galatea who could only feel it.

"Girls I… What did you hear?"

She didn't get to hear what they had heard since a beam of light enveloped her and carried her into the sky and out of their sight.

The three stood there trying to process the situation.

"What the hell just happened!?"

….

"That must be the blue stuff."

Samus may not have had her suit to analyze the substance before her, but she had gained something of an intuition for things like this. Enough to realize the threat and potential radiation of this phenomena. AKA, it was big.

The substance appeared as a network of blue veins and sacs. No nectar in these, however. Scattered throughout its mass lay numerous corpses of yoma. What stood out about the corpses was they were not fully yoma. At least half of them resembled the substance. It was like the substance were absorbing them into more of itself.

"I've seen a lot of things in my time. But that? That's a first. I recommend we keep our distance."

"Agreed. Up there along the cliff face. Perhaps that will help us stay far away enough."

And so, they did just that: Hugging the side of the nearby cliff and trying not to stare down on the field of… whatever that shit was.

They jumped up to the top. Priscilla straightened herself up like it was nothing. Samus however needed a moment to catch her breath.

"What did I say about experience?"

"Oh please. We've been over this. Let it go."

Priscilla huffed but stared out over the field of blue. Littered with corpses.

"Are you sure it was wise to leave those children?"

"It's safer than where we're going. And we left them all our food. They should be able to hold out until we get back. If we get back."

"Please. With me, we'll be fine. Just follow my commands and we'll be… fine."

That suddenly got called into question when they turned away from the edge onto the wreckage of a familiar ship.

"Is that…" Samus' voice got caught in her throat.

"Ilena's ship."

They immediately dug through the remains but found nothing to indicate their current whereabouts. That left only one conclusion.

"They must have been captured. But it's been several months now. No way to know if…"

"They're alive. They're the finest warriors besides me. They must be alive. They must be."

Samus dared not challenge that. That belief was all that would keep them going.

They trudged along in silence. Looking down along the cliff, they found the blue substance continued to stretch on. As if it were following them. Eventually they found the source.

"Sweet lord."

A massive complex lay before them. The blue trail dipped down into its recesses. Even Samus untrained as she may have been could feel the massive amount of yoki.

"Goddess help us."