"Get out of here, street rat! Go sift through the garbage elsewhere!"
The girl scurried back into the shadows of alleyway. Her begging and holding a sign proved fruitless again. After centuries of societal and technological development, humanity still treated the homeless like dirt.
"Yes, that's right! Run! Back into the dark where you belong! You were born a sewer rat! You will die a sewer rat!"
It was times like this that Clarice wished she had more of a backbone. Enough to swat one of these arrogant elitist fools. But that would spell trouble for her she could not afford. She could lose everything.
Crawling back into her hideaway beneath the streets however, she had to ask: What did she have to lose? She had nothing to her name. No Home. No money. Just a sack of near rotten vegetables.
That man was right. She would die like this. A street rat. With no money or legacy. Just her name.
Clarice.
….
"That's it girl! Work those hips! Give it your all!"
She did indeed work her hips. Gave it her all. As they commanded. It was her duty. Nothing more. To please and entertain these horny vermin. It was her or the children.
A few tips came her way. As did a few empty bottles. She rubbed her cheek where on had left an impact as she walked backstage.
All in all, another day. Another dollar. Sometimes she wondered why she went on living at all when there was only the grind to return to.
When she went backstage, she remembered.
"Annie," one girl called out running up to her. "You're hurt!"
Anastasia smiled grimly.
"It's nothing major. Just part of the job."
"But you're so pretty! It's not right for such a pretty face to have such a blemish!"
The curly-haired woman smiled and hugged the girl in close to her.
"You're so strong. I wanna be just like you."
"I'm just a dancer, kid. You should want to be like anyone but me."
"No! I do want to be like you! You take it all with great stride and grace!"
"Anastasia!"
She whirled around and stood tall before her boss. A strong intimidating man. He looked down at her angrily.
"Seems some of our customers were less than pleased with your performance it seems."
"I'm sorry sir I- "
A slap across her cheek silenced her.
"You are paid to move. Not to think. Or speak. You've been slacking off recently it seems. More disgruntled customers. Some say you look distant. You losing your touch?"
"No sir. I- "
"I don't care what it is. Get your shit together. This place promises the best. So, act the best."
He looked over the children who seemed torn between shrinking in terror and running to defend their beloved "Older sister."
"I will sir. I live to serve."
The boss nodded, looking pleased. After his departure, the girls crowded around her and hugged her.
"You're so strong. I wanna be just like you someday."
"You're a warrior."
Anastasia laughed.
"Please. I'm not that good…"
….
"Stand tall. Don't slouch. Don't give me that look."
She did as commanded. As she always had.
"It's 10:01. You're already a minute late for daily exercises. You know what that means. No lunch for you."
Dietrich struggled to maintain a neutral face. Her mother would be looking for any sign of weakness.
"Now, down to the arena. This will be good practice on an empty stomach. You may not always have access to food as a claymore."
She struggled even harder now to maintain a neutral face.
And she kept that face as she marched onto the mat with sword in hand.
"Bow."
"Oh, she doesn't have to. She- "
"Bow."
Dietrich did as her father commanded. The warrior on the other end seemed uncomfortable with such an action. Like she didn't deserve it. She didn't strike the young Dietrich as a warrior at all.
"Right. So, anyway Dietrich. My name is Yuma. I'm here to see what you've learned from your loving parents."
Dietrich stared hard at her. Was she joking?
She drew out a sword. The sword. The one that had taken root into the minds of every Federation resident over the last year. Once a sign of fear, now one of envy. The sword her parents hoped for her to wield soon enough.
At the moment, she only held a regular one from the past.
"So, do you need a moment to- "
"Fight," Her father interrupted.
"I- What?"
"Fight."
Dietrich ran at Yuma who took a moment to compose herself but raised her sword and met her opponent's in the air.
"Hmm. Quick. Let's see if you- "
Dietrich elbowed her in the guts. Yuma instinctively grabbed her midriff only to suddenly find herself face-to-face with the end of her opponent's blade.
"I- What?"
"Disappointing Yuma. And you call yourself number 40." The man in black shook his head as Dietrich's father approached quickly to his side.
"You, see? Is that not the mark of a warrior? Is that not the kind of woman you want in our ranks?"
The man in black rubbed his chin and looked her over.
"She certainly has the strength. Although…." He thought it over.
"What? Is she not strong enough?"
"Oh, strength isn't the issue. Far from it. In fact, you could say that's the problem."
Her father raised his eyebrows.
"Allow me to elaborate. Based on past practices, some of our best warriors have had no strength when they first became warriors. Most were regular girls with no experience whatsoever in battle. Quite to the contrary. When we found them, they were broken. Disoriented. Afraid. Purposeless."
"I don't understand. Are you saying my daughter is too strong?"
The man in black smiled creepily, sending shivers down Dietrich's spine.
"Perhaps. That's not quite the word I'm looking for..." He trailed off as he observed her father's wild expression.
"But don't let that discourage you! She certainly has potential. I just need to run her by our superiors. There are many families seeking a place for their children in our ranks. But you've certainly piqued our interest with this one. I'm sure I can move her up the list. Well, if that's all, I'll be off."
"Dietrich," her father commanded. "Bow."
Dietrich did as told. The man smiled.
"Very good. Disciplined. I'll keep an eye on you. Until then."
The man in black left. The warrior, Yuma, looked at her again and opened her mouth.
" Let's go Yuma. After that pitiful display, I expect double your usual performance."
The woman quickly stood to attention and hurried after. Dietrich's eyes followed her out.
"Don't think you're done with training," her father warned.
….
"Come on! Wear a tie! It's what boys do right?"
Rachel sighed.
"I'm not a boy. I'm- "
"Come on! Don't be shy! Let's help you open up!"
"I'm not a boy! So please just- "
The freaks weren't listening. They kept pulling and tugging her into the alleyway.
Her eyes widened. This was the fear of everyone in this shithole. To be dragged into the darkness between buildings. Never to come back out.
"I told you! I'm not a boy!"
"Well, we'll make you feel like one soon enough!"
They bound her hands and feet and threw her against a wall. Panicking she looked either direction for some chance to escape and found only more people tied up in rope.
"All right then," One untied man said pridefully as he clapped his hands together and rubbed them in anticipation. "We've got an impressive lineup, here. I would say this boy calling himself a girl is an exception to that rule, but… Well, some folks have that kind of kink, you know?"
"I'll relieve another kink," a short-haired girl in ropes said. "Untie me and I'll bust your balls!"
"Hmm," the man tapped his chin in contemplation. "Tempting, but no. I'd prove too much for you my dear. We want you to save your energy for our customers!"
"Please sir," a dark-skinned woman with dreadlocks spoke up. "Surely I can offer some- "
"You have nothing to offer lady. Nothing save your body."
"Please! There must- "
"Save it. I get it kid. It's unfair. But you know what? Life's unfair. You had one moment of bad luck and it cost you. That's life. Not all are destined for greatness."
He turned his back and walked off, ignoring the victim's cries.
"Raftela? Be a dear and get these lovely presents ready for the auction."
A girl with long hair and pale skin bowed and stepped in front of the captives. Her eyes seemed unable to look at their own.
"What," the short-haired girl spat. "Too ashamed to stare your victims in the face?"
The girl looked like she wanted to respond, but her tongue caught in her throat. She shook her head and placed her hands on Rachel's shoulders, slowly lifting her to her feet.
Never one to take it lightly, Rachel bit the girl's cheeks, causing her to yell in pain and fall to the ground.
She immediately ran for the exit back to the main street, only to get hit from behind.
"There's always a runner," a woman sighed. "That's good news for us. They pay more for fighters."
The woman fell upon completion of her sentence. Blood poured out from her mouth. The other criminals stared in shock.
"Who- "
More bullets hit other criminals. Their leader ducked behind trash cans looking all ways in search of trouble.
"Seriously? How is this happening? I always get the shaft!"
"Life's unfair, huh," Rachel smirked.
The man glared at her.
"Listen here you ugly bastard. If you want to- "
"I'm a girl! If you're going to insult me at least do it properly, would you?"
Before the git could offer another insult, a bullet ricocheted off the wall behind the captives and into his throat.
Before he could or anyone else could comprehend the impossibility that had just transpired, he'd breathed his last.
The women against the wall huddled together in shock and terror as the wielder of their "salvation" walked down the alleyway with a rapid-fire rifle in hand.
"Is everyone all right? Did they hurt you?"
The woman had long hair. A friendly smile. She was beautiful.
Rachel's heart beat fast.
Suddenly she wished she really were a boy
….
"Eyes ahead, Dietrich. Give them no thought."
The girl struggled with few orders anymore. This was an exception. There was so much life. So much to see. People running to and fro about their daily lives.
What really caught her attention was the suffering though. She'd seen it before of course. But it still boggled her mind how anyone could let this happen.
"Why do you keep looking all around? What's going through your mind?"
"Nothing. Just- "
"Nothing," her father asked. "So, you're an empty vessel? Devoid of thought?"
"I- No. I- "
"Wrong answer. You do not think. You obey."
Dietrich gulped. She swore, her parents changed the answers to these questions every time she was asked.
"Will that truly be useful to the organization? Does an effective warrior not have a mind of her own?"
Her father sighed. She stood stock still, knowing that could only spell disaster for her.
"They want a weapon. Someone who will do as they command without hesitation. That is how you survive. That is how you carry our legacy into the future."
She didn't respond. Merely kept her same stoic expression. This still didn't seem to please him.
"Look around you, my daughter. Look at this cesspit. This is the fate of the unworthy. Those unable to make something of themselves. I recognize some of these faces. Some of these were once well-off individuals. But they took that contentment for granted."
Many of the "unworthy" threw nasty looks their way. Was her father really saying this here?
And look how they turned out! This is what happens to those who cannot make something of themselves. This is what happens to you if you cannot make something of yourself. You must have purpose. You must- "
"Excuse me. What was that you said about us being unworthy?"
Her father looked down at the man who'd approached him.
"I simply state the truth. What so many of you are unwilling to- "
The man socked him in the face and pushed him to the ground. Others appeared motivated by this and moved to get involved.
"Fucking upper-class twit. Looking down on us. Leaving us in the trash. See how you like it!"
"Dietrich…. Get them off!"
She hesitated. Just a minute. In contemplation. Of a life without her father. OF a life where she just let them….
"Dietrich!"
She snapped out of it. She rushed forward and pulled people off her father. Or at least tried to. She was a young girl of 8. And even with intense training, she struggled to do anything.
Looking about for a means to get the mob off, she decided to climb up some nearby barrels. Standing atop them, she looked down upon the crowd. She crunched her knees and leaped forward.
She landed on several men, knocking them down and creating a path out of the circle of teeming bodies. She grabbed her father and pulled him up and out. No easy task with people biting and hitting her.
She pulled her father down an alleyway. Part of her training had prepared her for such an event. She had been taught to familiarize herself with certain hideaways scattered throughout the city. Places she could go if danger found them outside the comforts of home.
Ducking into the darkness, she found the door. However, her mind drew a blank when she saw the number pad.
"Idiot girl," her father hissed. "Let me enter it."
He quickly tapped the buttons on the keypad and the door opened. They both hurried inside and shut the door behind.
They pressed their ears against the door and listened for the approaching footsteps of the mob. They ran by the door concealed in the dark and the shaking of the multitudes of determined angry feet grew distant.
"They're gone. Are you all right, father? You seem- "
He interrupted her with a slap on the cheek. His gaze was filled with fire and rage.
"You hesitated."
"What? No! I saved you!"
"After you paused a moment. You were contemplating leaving me, weren't you? Considering a life without me. Without the wielder."
Dietrich wanted to respond, but feared her answer would make things worse.
"Such behavior will not be tolerated in the organization. You must do what they tell you and when."
Before he could continue, they heard movement in the back of the room. His eyes flicked in their direction before turning back to her. He didn't even need to speak an order.
She slowly walked over towards the source of the movement. She stopped just before the boxes from which they'd emanated. She took a deep breath and ripped off the cover.
The long-haired girl inside shrieked and tried to pull away, but Dietrich was faster. She pulled her out and onto the ground.
"Huh," her father said as he walked over. "You actually succeeded for once today."
Dietrich kept her face blank as he kicked the girl on the ground.
"Who are you and what are you doing here," he growled.
"Clarice! My name is Clarice! I'm so sorry! I was just…."
He grabbed her hair and yanked her up to his eye level.
"You were just what!? Making one of my store rooms your own personal hideaway?"
The girl looked Dietrich's way pleadingly. What she expected, Dietrich couldn't say. Did she think she would risk her father's wrath for someone she'd never met?
"How did you get in," her father hissed. "Did someone give you the code? DID THEY?"
Apparently realizing Dietrich wasn't going to be much help, the girl turned back to the angry man. Tears began to manifest in her eyes.
"I… Just… figured the code. Guessed it…"
"You guessed? YOU GUESSED THE CODE? NO ONE GUESSES THAT! WHO TOLD YOU, YOU LITTLE FILTH?"
The girl looked Dietrich's way again. Her father noticed and beckoned her over.
"This is what I mean, daughter. No purpose. No future. This is what you could become."
She looked the poor girl over.
"This is the future for you if you fail. Our family does not have what it takes to last much longer. Not here in this city of empty souls. Your mother can bear no more children."
He gripped her chin hard.
"Do you understand? If, you are not chosen, our family has no future. And you will only be chosen if you can obey."
Dietrich didn't respond.
"Do. You. Understand?"
"Is it an order that I respond?"
"Yes!"
"Then yes. I understand."
"Prove it."
He gripped Clarice's shoulder and threw her at her daughter's feet.
"Punish her. Remind her why you don't break into someone else's property."
Dietrich looked at the girl.
"Are you listening? I said punish her!"
"For the crime of hunger?"
Her father's eyes hardened.
"Did you not listen to anything I just said? I told you to- "
Clarice didn't wait and rushed to the door. Quickly putting in the code, she ran out through the door.
"Get back here, you- "
"Hey! It's that asshole who called us unworthy!"
"Waste him!"
Her father cursed and ran back inside, shutting the door tightly just as the mob reached it. He growled and pulled his phone up to his ear.
"We need assistance. We're trapped by degenerates in Bunker number 3. Why? IT DOESN'T MATTER WHY? GET US OUT!"
He huffed and turned to his daughter.
"That is what happens when you do not obey. There is a weapon and a wielder. When the weapon does not obey the will of the wielder."
"Father, forgive- "
He slapped her, knocking her to the ground.
"You will be forgiven when you become a warrior of the organization. Until then you will learn to obey. Learn to keep your mouth shut unless told to." His eyes widened and he grabbed her by the neck and forced her to her feet.
"I WILL MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND MY DAUGHTER. IF I HAVE TO POUND THAT LESSON INTO YOUR SKULL, I WILL MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND!"
….
"Well, hello there beautiful. You look down. Would you like a little fun?"
The long-haired woman nearly leaped out of her seat and whirled about. Her companion sitting across from her watched her reaction with amusement.
"Come now. I do all kinds here. Even- "
Anastasia's eyes widened. That eye color….
"I… Oh. You're- "
"See," the long-haired woman gestured to her friend. "I told you this was a bad idea! Even now, they think of us as freaks!"
Her companion kept smiling.
"Well, that's not going to change without exposure, is it?" She turned to Anastasia.
"Nice to meet you girlie. I'm Cynthia and this is Yuma. What's yours and how old are you?"
"I… I'm Anastasia… Maam. I'm uh… About 8."
"And you're offering fun at such an age?"
"It's uh…. It's what we do maam."
Cynthia frowned.
"I see. So, it's that kind of establishment. Tell me young lady, would you like a better life?"
"No! Please don't make me a- "
"Oh, I don't mean like that! No, my dear, I don't think you'd fit in such a life. But surely, we can find you something better than this shithole."
Yuma's eyes widened.
"I don't think I've ever heard you swear."
"We all have our limits. And it's unforgivable that children live like this."
"Don't you?"
Anastasia regretted her words as they watched puzzlingly. Cynthia's continued smile however made her feel slightly more at ease. Just a little.
"I suppose you have a point. We have been raised in barbaric conditions and forced to do things no child should. That doesn't mean you should have to. Not with those beautiful little curls!"
Anastasia blushed.
"Well, I didn't have much choice either. But now that I'm here, I can't exactly go, can I? Where would I go? Who would accept me? I could never leave without my sisters here. They're the only ones who- "
She stopped.
"I'm sorry. I don't… I don't know what came over me."
"Not at all," Cynthia assured her. "Not at all!"
"What's the deal here," Anastasia's boss asked while walking over. "Is she not living up to your standards?"
"Not at all," Cynthia said. "We're perfectly content with her. She's a lovely young woman."
The man blinked while staring at the warriors.
"You know, you seem pretty young. Are you sure you're old enough to- "?
Cynthia's eyes flashed yellow.
"Is she old enough to be working as a sex worker?"
The man yelped and ran out through the nearby emergency door.
Anastasia watched in awe as the eyes flashed back silver.
"Sorry about that. Sometimes even I can't resist a little good scare for those who deserve it."
"That… Are you ok? I can leave?"
"No, please! I assure you we're no threat to you. Talking is our idea of fun."
Her instincts told her to run like her boss. But she had a job to do, so….
She sat down at the empty chair.
"So, what are… claymores doing on the colony of K-12? Wait. Are there yoma here?"
"No, no. I'm just… here for my friend Yuma."
Yuma looked away embarrassed. She clearly didn't want to discuss it, but Cynthia's stare compelled her.
"I had a meeting with some rich snobs. They wanted to see if their daughter was warrior material." She sighed.
"She kicked my ass in like 30 seconds. My handler was furious. He called me a disgrace. They're going to demote me! Before I know it, I'm dead!"
Cynthia reached her hand out and placed it atop her friend's.
"Relax Yuma. They don't do that anymore. It was part of the agreement with the federation."
"Dead," Anastasia asked. "They kill you if you fail?"
"Not by their own hands," Yuma whimpered. "They'll probably send me on a mission they know I can't complete. A suicide mission- "
"Yuma," Cynthia assured her. "I told you. They can't do that."
"Because the federation told them to behave? You really think they care about rules and ethics? I'm telling you! I'm dead!"
Cynthia looked like she wanted to continue talking, but decided against it and silently kept patting her friend's hand.
Anastasia suddenly questioned her role here. What was she supposed to do? Comfort this anguished young woman?
"So, you fought someone to see if they could be a warrior?"
Yuma sighed.
"Yes. Since… Aether, our public image gas gone up substantially. Probably why we were allowed in this bar."
Cynthia smiled solemnly.
"Suddenly, we're seen as more than monsters. We're seen as an opportunity for power and prestige. Now every family with significant clout wants their girls to join. They see it as a means of upholding their legacy. The ultimate honor."
Anastasia raised an eyebrow.
"So, it's true? Only girls can join?"
"Yes," Cynthia confirmed. "There's the danger of overextending our powers and… well that would be bad. Men can't really control it so only us girls get to join the club."
Only girls. No men.
Anastasia's eyes flickered to the door where her boss had just run out. She looked around the room. Observed all the disgusting men leering over the underage girls. Her girls.
"What would it take for a girl to join?"
"No."
Anastasia leaped forward and grabbed Cynthia's hand.
"Please. I must get out of here. Me and the other girls. We'll do anything. I beg you."
"You can have my post," Yuma scoffed as she downed booze.
"Yuma," Cynthia chided her. "I hope you're not letting too much alcohol into your system."
"Please."
Cynthia gripped Anastasia's hand.
"Darling, it takes more than a simple procedure to become a monster hunter. It takes loss."
"Loss? I've lost things!"
"No. Not like that. You must undergo ultimate loss. Not just of those you love. But of yourself. Your sense of identity. Of purpose and belief."
"Lost mine just now," Yuma piped up as she drank more. Her look suggested she was not all there.
"You must be broken down to nothing," Cynthia continued. "You must be broken down so they may build you up again. You have fire. You have life inside you. Even if I recommended it, they would not choose you."
Anastasia stared hard at the woman's serious face. She shivered from her words.
"Your life is terrible," she finally uttered.
"Yes," Cynthia responded. "Yes, it is. I would not wish it upon anyone."
…
"You… You were incredible," Rachel said in between gasps from the running. "Thank you. You're my hero!"
The woman who saved them looked at her blankly.
"I'll say," the short-haired girl said. "The way you bounced that bullet off the wall? Holy shit! That was hot! Can you teach me how to do that?"
"Can I just go," the dark-skinned girl asked as she ran her hair through her dreads. "My momma's gonna kill me."
"As will many others in this city it seems," their savior said. "I heard it was ugly, but to see it…" She gripped her head and rubbed the sides.
"Whaddaya mean," the short-haired girl asked. "You new here? I'd recommend that you move again, but now I can't imagine a life without you!"
"Yes," their savior responded. "I heard horrors about human society. The disharmony. The cruelty. I had to see it myself."
Rachel tilted her head in confusion.
"Yes, well. Welcome to Colony K-12. A dumpster for people who have nowhere else to go. My parents got caught in the trap and now we can't get out."
"Yep. That's all of us," the short-haired girl added. "Guess the federation is too busy imploding on itself to lend much hand to us here. Too many poor saps lumped together. Not enough to go around. Bunch of suckers that society forgot."
"But…. How," their savior persisted. "How can they leave their brothers to suffer like this? No harmony. No beauty. It's unthinkable!"
The others looked at her perplexingly.
"Wow," the short-haired girl finally said. "You must have been living outside of the galaxy or something."
"What's uh," Rachel stopped for a minute. "What's your name?"
Their savior pondered a minute. Almost as if she should deny an answer.
"Audrey. The name my human parents gave me."
"Human parents?"
The girl blinked several times.
"Regular parents."
"Sheesh," the short-haired girl said. "You really lack style. Someone like you could use a proper teacher. You know what I'm saying?"
"…No."
"Hmm. Sounds like you need an introduction."
The girl put her arm around Audrey and pulled her close with a cheeky grin.
"Name's Nike. Why don't I show you my place?"
"Excuse me," Rachel interfered. "Why your house? Why not mine! I mean sure my parents are- Actually, that would suck."
"Right," Nike spoke up grinning. "That's why you're coming to my- Wait, my house sucks too."
The dark-skinned woman sighed and moved in between Nike and broke them up.
"Please. She saved our life. Why don't we let her do as she pleases?"
Audrey didn't seem to have a clear answer to that.
"Actually, maybe that's what I need to see. Your homes. The despair. The hopelessness. I need to see it to understand. To remember why this galaxy needs us."
The girls stared at her.
"Right," Nike finally said. "Why don't we help you understand then? Come on! Let's show her this shithole!"
"You're free to go," the dark-skinned girl said. "I need to get home though. Thank you again Miss Audrey. I. Renee, owe you my life. Let me know if I can ever repay it."
"Yeah sure," Nike shrugged her off. "What about you guy? You'd better be running home too, huh?"
"I'm a girl!"
Audrey observed their disharmony. Their bickering. That combined with the injustice she'd saved them from proved one thing.
Her father was right. Humans were incapable of self-governance.
…
"Such a disappointing city," the man in black groaned as he held his nose. "Such a horrid stench. And the people. Bleh! So, entitled! Like it's our fault their lives are a shithole!"
"And yet, they remain fighters, don't they?"
It was hard to grasp lead scientist Dae's intent with those words. He always bore that smug contentment. The scar covering one whole side of his face didn't help with reading his intent.
"Yes. I suppose they must be to survive such conditions. And that one girl… Dietrich, was it? Can't recall her name, but she was good. Took down Yuma in under a minute!"
"Who?"
Right. Forgot. The old man only cared about single digits.
"Point is, yes. There are many lost children in this city. Enough to swell our numbers. And since we don't have to limit our numbers to 47 anymore, we can recruit every kid in this whole hellhole!"
Dae turned his way. For once, he thought he could understand the mad scientist's expression. Annoyance.
"Have you forgotten why we only had 47 to begin with? Only that amount survived the trials. Only the strong. But now the oh-so-merciful federation wants everyone to have a trophy. Everyone to survive. So now I have to divide my attention amongst all these weaklings!"
"I don't know," the man persisted. Perhaps foolishly. "We still have some strong members. Priscilla?"
Dae scoffed.
"Priscilla has been performing at less than satisfactory ever since Aether. No one has been able to keep her calm and focused. It's amazing she hasn't awakened yet. She may have outlived her usefulness."
"Then our only option is to find a replacement."
"Yes. I suppose so."
The man stared at him unblinking.
"So does that mean- "
"Yes. Yes. Give the order. Purge this city and separate the chaff from the wheat."
…
"You live here," Audrey asked aghast. "But… There's no windows! There's mold on the walls! And the heat… I…"
Rachel shrugged.
"It is what it is. With the kind of advances humans have had, we've had more and more babies. But the galaxy's too big. Not enough to go around."
Audrey clenched her fists.
"So, they leave the rest to starve and suffer? This isn't the right way. Not at all!"
Nike stood in the doorway entrance and tilted her head.
"Yet, it sucks. But why are you acting surprised? Don't you know all this already?"
"No! I'd heard only rumors! When we suffer, it's for a purpose! There's no purpose to this! No reason! No greater good!"
Rachel and Nike stared confused.
"Audrey," Rachel asked hesitatingly. "What are you talking about? Who's we? Your people?"
Audrey froze. She seemed guilty.
"Yes," she said after a moment of silence. "We live more in harmony. We live as warriors. We live for each other. For the greater good. As one people."
"Huh," Nike said. "Sounds pretty good. Maybe you should have stayed there. Sounds better than this shithole."
Audrey took a deep breath.
"No. I'm glad I came. I see now the necessity of action. Of power."
"Uh… Come again? You ok, girl?"
"Perfect. Never better. Rachel. Nike. Thank you. You've opened my eyes."
"Right…" Nike took a step back. "I think you've had maybe a bit of culture shock or something. You wanna sit down? Take a breather?"
"I uh… Maybe…. No. Not now. Can't you feel that? That dread?"
Nike took another step back.
"Right… Well, I appreciate you saving our bacon back there girlie. But I'm gonna head back to my place and- "
Audrey grabbed her before she could leave.
"No. Don't go outside. It's dangerous."
"What are you talking about? Let me go!"
"Quiet," Audrey commanded. "Listen."
"Do as she says," Rachel said.
Nike looked her way.
"Why are you agreeing with this nut. You letting your dick speak for you?"
Rachel's face turned red.
"I AM NOT A BOY!"
"QUIET!"
Audrey held up a hand.
"I saved your lives. Does that not earn me some benefit of the doubt?"
"I..." Nike stopped mid-sentence. "Yeah, fine. So, what's the problem?"
Someone screamed from outside.
"Another life lost," Nike sighed. "Bad as life here can be, at least it isn't too long for most."
"It won't be long for everyone," Audrey said concerned.
Nike rolled her eyes.
"Look. This place is a dump. People die all the time. It's not unique to- "
Screams downstairs shut her up. Movement. Running.
"I…"
"Out the window."
"What are you- "
"Out the window. Now!"
Something hit the door. Something big.
Everyone froze. Audrey reached down to her hip and pulled out her assault weapon.
"Go for the window. I'll try to slow it down.
"Audrey- "
"Now!"
The door burst open
…
Clarice lay down against the wall. She had to suppress the grin on her face. Contentment like that drew the attention of the desperate.
But this was a rather good day overall. She got enough food to last several weeks and had been spared the wrath of a powerful man.
For the moment at least. He seemed like the kind to send hitmen after her. She'd have to keep it on the down low.
But that girl. His daughter? She stood up for her. No one had ever done that. Not since her parents…
No don't think about that. She just had a string of good luck. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Nearby screaming told her that moment was over.
She peered out from behind the wall she'd leaned up against. Had that old bastard already sent assassins after her?
The upper half of a woman came flying out of the nearby alleyway.
She squealed and retreated back into the shadows.
Her heart beat rapidly. Was this it? Was this how she died? As a street rat?
No. She'd lasted this long. She'd survived worse. Surely, she could-
That hope died when she saw it.
It looked like a man. A big, bald, purple muscular man. With teeth. And claws.
Come to think of it, it didn't look much like a man at all. More like-
It turned her way. Mouth red. Grinning.
Time to run.
It watched her take off into the darkness for a few seconds before giving chase. Like a cat, it preferred to play with its food.
However, as a street rat, she had an advantage. She knew those streets. Hiding places.
So, she led it down an escape route she knew by heart. A narrow passage few were thin enough to navigate.
She ran down the passage, squeezing through as fast as she could.
Her eyes widened as the creature began pushing through while actually moving the walls apart with its vast strength.
She screamed and ran down another alleyway.
It wouldn't be enough. The sound of rocks flying apart and hitting the pavement told her the bastard was on her tail.
"Hey! What's with the get up? You're a grown man! Act like it!"
She didn't turn around to watch the man's panic as he realized his mistake.
She kept running for a time until she couldn't smell the creature's foul breath.
She panted and leaned up against the wall, trying to figure if she'd lost her mind.
"Calm down Clarice. Calm down. Probably just…. Did I eat something? Am I hallucinating? Maybe those rich folk's storage had some kind of drugs in the- "
She was interrupted by more screams. Roars.
She figured she should stay here. Hide it out. She'd been doing this for years. No reason not to-
She smelled smoke. Turning around to find its source, she gasped as the house she'd leaned against was now wreathed in flames.
She ran away and stared up at the house in shock. This place had stood for years. To see it now like this…
Smoke rose up elsewhere in the city. Many places. An alarm rang out.
And like that, her world and life as she knew it ended. Forever.
…
"What are we going to do? She will not listen," Dietrich's father bemoaned from the other side of the wall.
"She's a good fighter," her mother insisted. "You saw how easily she took down that grunt."
She heard her father scoff.
"She caught her off guard. And if that girl they sent could be beaten that easily, I assume she's lying in a street gutter somewhere."
"You think they'd kill someone just because- "
"You've heard the rumors about this organization. It's a huge risk. But also, an opportunity for anyone strong enough to survive. And to listen."
"She listens most of the time."
"Most isn't good enough! She let that street rat escape! If she hasn't the stomach to spill blood, what chance has she as part of a military unit?"
Her mother didn't respond.
"This is the future we've prepared her for. The future of any young woman hoping to make it ahead. If she cannot perform, she has no life. And neither do we."
Dietrich pulled away from the wall. She'd heard enough. Enough to know she'd failed.
But that was her life as a whole really. Always reaching but never grasping her goal.
At least according to her parents.
Had she killed that girl, would her father really think any differently of her? Or would such debasement of her soul truly make her worthy in his eyes?
Maybe if she performed some other tasks, she could prove her utility. Unless he got mad for her acting without his command.
She never knew with him.
Almost immediately, she saw something she could deal with.
"Where are the servants," she asked aloud.
Servants were told not to give her any delicacies unless allowed by her parents. But while they might have kept her at arm's length, they still wandered about I large numbers tending to the manor's many duties. Not at the moment however.
She immediately entered her suspicion mode and slowly creeped through the bowels of her home.
Their absence did not alleviate her concerns. Where to go? Where to seek?
She suddenly froze. She sniffed the air. She'd been trained to use her senses more than most people. No long amounts of staring at screens and dulling her eyesight. No relying on dogs to hunt. And her acute nose was picking up the smell of…
She must be wrong. It defied logic. No one would dare spill blood while everyone was wide awake. Would they?
She followed the smell. It led to the kitchens.
She froze.
It was filled with bodies. To be expected. It was a kitchen after all.
Those bodies just tended to be alive and walking around performing their duties.
Not lying on the ground. Bleeding.
Her youthful mind ran wild. She couldn't fathom the horrors before her. How was she meant to comprehend this?
She heard movement in the back. Meat being torn limb from limb.
She strained her ears to listen. The voices she heard were demonic. Cocky.
"I tried… Tried to resist…"
"Me too. Played the role of maid as long as I could. But I feel it in the air."
"The hunger… The rage…. In the air…."
"Yep. Our brothers are massing. And just in time too! I don't think I could have gone another day acting around these elitist twats!"
"So juicy…. So delicious…"
"Yep. Especially the old man. Always going on about strength and legacy. He's got a feisty tongue. Bet it tastes delicious."
Dietrich had heard enough. She slowly snuck back out of the kitchen.
"Dietrich! What are you doing?"
She froze and looked up into her father's annoyed face.
"Monsters. In the kitchen. We have to run. Leave."
Her father raised an eyebrow.
"What madness has gripped you? Go get some rest."
She gripped his shoulders.
"This is not madness. This is real! We must hurry!"
Her father sighed and moved towards the kitchen door.
"What are you doing?"
"Confirming your story. If there is truth to it, you will play the role of weapon again. And this time you will listen!"
"Father, please. Be reasonable!"
Something crashed in the kitchen. A plate or some other kind of glass. She heard the demonic voices again.
"Guess the ruse is up…. Shall we go greet this weapon? The all-powerful 8-year-old?"
"Yes… Let us…"
"Father. We need to go now."
The door opened. Things she could only have imagined in her darkest nightmares strode out.
"So master," one licked its lips. "I'd like to offer my resignation. You cool with that?"
Her father took a step back. His gaze now matched her fear and awe at the towering humanoids.
"Yoma…" he uttered meekly. His eyes flicked back and forth between the beasts and his daughter.
"Darling? What's going- Ahhhh!"
"Hey my lady," the yoma grinned and waved mockingly at Dietrich's mother looking around the corner. "Nice to properly meet you without the mask! Let's hang out after I'm done with your hubby here! Love to have you for dinner!"
Dietrich's mother ran off from the laughing yoma while screaming for help.
"More will come…. More to fight… More to eat…"
"Unless the girl here plays the role of weapon. Whaddaya say kiddo? Wanna take a swing at us?"
"Yes," her father interjected. "Attack, Dietrich! Prove yourself worthy to wield a claymore!"
She stared up at the gleeful monstrous faces. Things she'd prepared most of her life to battle. She observed their muscles. Their claws.
She was meant to fight these things? Her? An 8-year-old?
She quickly came to an obvious conclusion.
No way.
"Father. Run."
"I said- "
"No. Run!"
"Sir! Get out of the way!"
The monsters grinned at the fresh meat. Their claws elongated.
"Move father! Now!"
"Do not ignore my command! Fight!"
While the monsters rushed the more capable humans for the thrill of battle, she dragged her father away with the help of a guard.
"Dietrich," he continued to rant and rave. "Get back there and fight! Prove your worth! IT is your destiny!"
She and the guard merely looked at each other. Neither able to believe the old man's loss of reality.
"Go," the soldier commanded after a few minutes of dragging the old man up the stairs. "Go for the emergency exit! Hurry!"
"Dear," her mother shouted as she showed up seemingly out of nowhere. "Please! Let's get out of here!"
He kept shouting some idiotic mumbo jumbo as she turned back to the guard.
"Come with us. You can't fight those things alone!"
"I must buy you time. It is my duty. My orders."
"But- "
"I knew the risk when I took this job. It is my job to obey the will of this family. You are the wielder. And I am but the weapon."
She stared.
"And while it may not be your command at this moment to stay and defend you with my life, it was the command of your family to always put this family's safety first."
Roars rose up form below. Howls of triumph.
"We haven't much time. I'm going to activate the security system for the upper floor. It probably won't stall them for long, so you need to make haste.
She stared, thinking up another way to talk him out of this suicidal pact.
"Go," he insisted, shoving her up the stairs and running back down.
Dietrich panted as she reluctantly ran from the monsters forcing their way up. Even the best security in the city couldn't keep them out forever.
This was beyond what she had been trained for. This is what the organization dedicated itself to fighting? This is what her parents had raised to her to battle?
She ran to the room containing one of the many secret exits for such a scenario.
"What are you doing here?"
"Following protocol father. You know? For evacuation?"
"Evacuation? You? You're a warrior? You're supposed to cover while we evacuate! Get out there and slow them down!"
"I have. I used various methods to- "
"You still argue? How many times have I told you? You are a weapon! You do not argue! You obey!"
Dietrich opened her mouth but her father shut it again.
"No! Hold them off! That is your order!"
"I- I can't. They're too strong."
Her father grabbed her shoulders and began shaking. Mania coated his face. Her mother
This is it! A test! Your moment to shine! The gods themselves are watching to determine your worthiness! You must not let them down!"
"Father, please! You're not making sense!"
"This is how empires are born, Dietrich! How legacies are made! You must seize the moment! The opportunity to let your inner strength shine!"
"Dear, enough!"
Her mother grabbed her father's arm and tried to pull him off their child.
"Do not touch me," her father screamed. "This is how destiny begins!"
"Please! We'll die if we stay here!"
"We're not staying here! Dietrich is staying here! And she will- "
Noises from downstairs interrupted. The sounds of furniture being torn apart. Doors being knocked off their hinges. Howls for blood.
"Do you hear that daughter," her father asked. "This is your moment. Do not disappoint!"
Her eyes darted to the exit. It was so close. If she could just….
The roars grew closer.
"ARE YOU LISTENING!? ARE YOU GOING TO OBEY!?"
She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes.
"No."
She kneed him in the groin and ran past him.
"Dietrich," her mother yelled.
She ignored her and ran through the secret exit. Without stopping, she pulled it closed. Just in time to escape the beasts bursting through the wall.
But not to escape the sight of them goring her parents.
She froze in the exit doorway. The door a half meter from closing. But she couldn't close it fully. Couldn't turn away from his dismemberment. Nor her mother's scream. Nor her final order.
"Run!"
She obeyed. Shutting the door on their screams and her childhood.
…
"Everyone, this way! Come on! Quickly and quietly!"
Anastasia herded the girls together out of the lobby where hordes of monsters had seemingly appeared from nowhere and were now feeding on the clientele.
Anastasia could do naught but pull the screaming girls into the back room.
She was too late for some of them. Two children she'd grown fond of lay on the floor. Their dead eyes stared at the ceiling while beasts from her nightmares gnawed at their stomachs.
She hurried them into the back and kept running. No time to stop. Must move quickly.
"Out the back! Out the back!"
"We have to go back for them," one girl pleaded with tears in her eyes.
"We can't. they're already dead."
"Ani, please!"
"No! We can't help them! We have to go!"
She ignored the girl's pleas and pulled her along behind her.
"Where did they come from," another girl asked through tears. "People just burst apart, and there they were! It's like they were hiding in their skin!"
They all looked to Anastasia for answers. The girl who'd consoled them through all tragedies had no answers to the many unasked questions floating about in their heads.
Where's the boss, she wondered. Did he already leave us to save his own skin?
No. He lay in a pool of his own blood. Being gorged on by girls she'd defended and danced with. Their eyes bore yellow slanted pupils now.
"Come try a piece, Miss Anastasia! It's awesome!"
"Seriously! Ever wanted to take out a bite out of these arrogant prats? You won't regret it!"
"Run! Everyone out!"
While most of the girls complied, one tried to reach out to the monster she'd thought had been her friend.
"Cecilia! Come on! Snap out of it!"
"Victoria, get back," Anastasia pleaded. "They're not your friends!"
Victoria did not listen and kept pleading for reason from the monster wearing her friend's skin. Even as that friend's grin turned more demonic.
"Victoria, enough!"
Anastasia grabbed the girl and tried to pull her away. But the monsters were too quick and pulled on her as well.
Her eyes widened and she gave one last pleading look to Anastasia before she was pulled apart.
Both Anastasia and the creatures shaped like girls stared at the girl. Reduced to blood smears across their faces.
"Well, she didn't put up much of a struggle. That's no fun. You think maybe you'll do better?"
"Victoria!"
"You'll pay for that, bastards!"
"No! Stop!"
Some of the girls ignored Anastasia and ran at the monsters blinded by revenge for their dead friend. The monsters simply grinned as they piled on them, hoping to overwhelm them with numbers.
"Girls! Get off, please! We have to go!"
"We've got them Anastasia! Help us pin them down!"
The monsters broke the illusion and rose to their feet easily. As if they weren't buried under a dozen children.
"Dumb kids. We're doing you a favor. You'd suck as adults."
The girls looked at Anastasia, silently pleading.
Her heart wanted to reach out and protect them.
Her brain could see reality.
She turned and ran for the exit before she could see them torn apart.
"Come on girls," she ordered the survivors. "Let's get moving."
"What about the others? We have to help them!"
"We can't. Just go."
"An- "
"Go now!"
She ushered the children out onto the streets and closed the door on the screams and her life as she knew it.
…
"Fucking shit," Nike said. "And I thought this city sucked before."
Rachel didn't comment. She couldn't with the sensory overload.
Buildings on fire. People jumping out of windows. Bodies being gnawed on. The streets running red with blood.
It was all too much to wrap her head around.
Audrey seemed much calmer. If somewhat perturbed.
"Given the speed with which this attack begun, it seems likely the yoma were here all along. Disguised as regular people."
"They've been here the whole time," asked Nike. "And I thought they were vile enough already!"
"What do we do," Rachel asked in a panic. "WHAT DO WE DO?"
"We find a place to hide," Audrey responded. "Somewhere hard for them to break in. Wait for them to fill up and get tired."
"Fill up," Rachel asked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean once they've eaten their fill."
Rachel froze.
"You mean when they eat enough people? We can't allow that! We can't!"
"Well, what are we going to do otherwise," Audrey asked politely. "Do you intend to fight them all?"
"With you, we could!"
Audrey stopped and looked her way sadly.
"We cannot fight them all. It is not possible."
"No! We can do it! We can't abandon them! We can't run!"
"Very well. I wish you good fortune then, sister. Godspeed."
"Wait, what? You can't leave me! Hey, wait!"
Nike looked between Audrey and Rachel. Then she looked to the surrounding chaos.
"Sorry, pal. I wanna live. Nice knowing you."
"Hey, come on! We can't- We can't abandon them! We can't…"
But as she looked around and witnessed the failed struggle of her fellow citizens to resist with all their might, she realized she had to.
"I- I'm sorry. I can't. I don't want to die."
She ran like a coward. Tears in her eyes from her own uselessness.
Audrey didn't seem surprised at all to see her.
"I'm sorry. It hurts to let the innocent suffer. It's unnatural. Even when it's necessary."
"Just… Go."
Audrey nodded and led them down a back alley away from the chaos on the streets.
"From what I understand, some of the rich have safe rooms scattered throughout the city in case of emergencies while away from the safety of their palaces. With luck, we can find such a place."
"I know a place!"
"Gah!"
Nike threw a punch at the cowering girl out of instinct, knocking her to the ground.
"Woah! Easy," Rachel implored while grabbing Nike to hold her back. "That's not a monster!"
"Could've fooled me! What the hell was she doing hiding down there?"
"I was…. Well hiding?"
"Hiding and doing what? Waiting to feast on us?"
"No! Hiding from the monsters!"
"She's fine," Audrey insisted while lending a hand for the girl to pull herself up. "She's a young girl still fresh. She'll make a fine candidate."
"What the fuck, are you talking about," Nike asked.
"Nothing important. Now uh…. Young lady. Please escort us to this safe place, would you kindly?"
"Clarice."
"What?"
"I mean yeah. Sure. I'll take you. This way…"
Rachel felt her heart break a little. This kid looked like she'd spent her whole life getting shat on. She might have thrown an arm around the poor thing if things weren't so hectic.
They followed her through the back alley until they reached a street. Audrey poked her head out and looked both ways.
"Seems good. Go now!"
"Wait for us! Please!"
A girl with long curls ran their way. Her face was covered with blood.
"Help me! Please help me!"
"This way," Nike whispered. "And keep it down!"
"Please," the girl said. "They killed them all… All the girls…"
"Shh," Nike whispered with uncharacteristic kindness. "Easy there."
Rachel raised her eyes. She hadn't known Nike long, but she didn't strike her as the type to show much compassion.
"It's over that way through a few more blocks," Clarice pointed. "I got in there once before. I should be able to open the door again."
"Should? Not my favorite word," Nike said.
"Let's see. Let's see. Where is it. Where is- Right here! Right here!"
Clarice ran up to the door and poked around at the console.
"I don't understand. This worked last time! Just a few hours ago even!"
"Well, clearly someone changed the password while you were gone," Nike said. "Duh!"
"Help! Please help!"
They recognized Renee with panic in her eyes.
"They're coming! Please tell me you have somewhere to hide!"
"We thought we did," Nike said. "But no! Street rat here led us to our deaths!"
"I swear I did it," Clarice stammered out. "I swear…."
Monster howls rang out nearby.
Rachel looked at the children fighting and panicking. She looked at Audrey remaining calm amidst all the chaos.
She's so… Cool, she thought. Able to keep it together while everything goes to shit. I should act like that.
The howls echoed out again. Closer this time.
"I'm gonna lead them away!"
Everyone looked at her.
"Try to get that door open! I'll give them something else to chase!"
"Are you serious," Nike asked with a deadpan expression. "Do you have a death wish or something?"
"Don't worry about me!"
"I'm not worried about you," Nike responded. "I just wonder if you've got a working brain or not."
"Gotta go! Keep it down! Please protect them, Audrey."
The girls watched with wide eyes as she ran off down another alleyway, making noise to draw the monsters away.
"Do you think he'll be ok," Clarice asked.
"Not a chance," Nike answered. "That girl is dead as door nails."
"She?"
"Well, we're screwed either way," Nike continued. "Unless we can open this door and get off the streets- "
"I can open it."
Everyone jumped in the air save Audrey. A girl with ponytails had somehow appeared. Clarice's face lit up with recognition. The girl didn't look her way. She seemed ashamed.
"Who are you," Nike asked.
"Dietrich. And this is my bunker."
…
Dietrich had taken shelter in this prison before. Even before the day she'd encountered the street rat huddled next to her in the dark. She'd on occasion had to hide from desperate pursuers.
But this was something different. She now huddled in with numerous other girls in the dark. The power having gone out about half an hour ago. Or so she thought. Time seemed to blend together in such harsh times.
The girls struggled to hold in their tears as screams and roars battered their shelter from all sides. The increasing lapse in intensity and volume did not make them feel any more at ease. It could only mean the beasts outside had eaten their fill in the surrounding area and were moving off to find fresh prey elsewhere.
"How much longer," The girl Nike muttered.
Dietrich didn't respond. She didn't know what to say. Her training hadn't included soothing.
"It may yet be some time."
That answer came from the girl named Audrey. The only one who seemed to be taking this marginally well. Though her rapid and erratic breathing revealed her inner fear.
"But," the girl Anastasia began the formation of a thought but interrupted.
"Speak your mind," Audrey insisted politely.
"It's just… Won't they send claymores to help? I saw two at work. Don't they respond to moments like this?"
The girls all looked at Audrey expectantly.
"They do," she finally answered. "But their response time is poor. I don't know how long we could be here."
The girls all looked at each other.
"Do you…" Nike paused to contemplate her words. "Do you think anyone will be left by then?
"You mean the citizens? Well, there is a significant number of them, so it's unlikely this will lead to a total extermination."
They all cringed at the word extermination. It sounded so… impersonal.
"What about Rachel," Nike asked. "Do you think she has any chance?"
Audrey didn't respond. Merely gave Nike an apologetic look.
No words were needed.
And so, they sat in silence and darkness for several hours. No one took advantage of the massive food stores. They had lost all appetite. All feeling. All sense of self.
For a few hours at least.
"I can't do it," Nike suddenly said. "I can't stay here. I have to get out. I have to leave!"
"Stop," Anastasia commanded with a hand around Nike's shoulder. "Stay. It's too dangerous."
"I can't stay! My folks are out there! Sure, they're pieces of shit! But without them, I've got nothing! "
"You've got us."
Nike stared at Anastasia strangely. The latter blushed at her surprisingly intimate choice of words.
"I have to go! I can't stay! I'm going to suffocate! Please! I don't want to die! Let me out!"
Anastasia closed her eyes as she held the sobbing girl close and muttered soft words to her as she once did with the girls in the bar. Her eyes teared up.
Seemingly a few more hours passed before the whispers started.
"Why didn't you obey?"
Dietrich whipped her head to the wall. Clarice, who had not left her side since entering looked at her concerned.
"What's wrong? What do you see?"
"I told you to fight. I raised you to fight. And what happened when the time came to prove your worth?"
"Father…"
"You ran. Ran like a coward. Like a street wretch. You left me to die. Your own blood."
"Hey," Clarice said again worriedly. "Are you all right?"
"I'd be alive if not for you! Still breathing!"
"Hey," Clarice said as she shook Dietrich's shoulders. "Are you ok? Stay with me!"
Audrey stared sadly at the despairing children. But this sight further steeled her heart and confirmed the righteousness of her mission.
Father, you were right. These are pitiful creatures. They must be saved. They must be led into the light.
…
It felt like days later when the door opened and sweet sunlight poured in. Two female warriors peered into the darkness and gasped at the sight of the malnourished children.
"Holy shit," the long-haired one said. "Survivors!"
"I'm not surprised," her compatriot added. "This door is well hidden. You'd have to look very hard to find it. And ravaging yoma aren't the most observant."
The long-haired one kneeled down next to one and held her hand over her mouth.
"I recognize this one Cynthia! From the bar!"
Cynthia looked down and placed her hand on the girl's neck, checking for a pulse and sighing in relief when she found it working. The girl however seemed
"Poor thing. We told her this life wasn't for her and she wanted it anyway. I guess she'll get it now."
"Are the monsters gone?"
Over in the corner sat two mostly lucid girls. One with long blonde hair and the other with dark hair.
"Yes. They're gone. The city's been purged. At the very least, they've been driven into the shadows. It should be safe to come out."
The girl nodded, sad but not totally out of it as the others were. The dark-haired girl helped her friend with pigtails to her feet.
"You seem, surprisingly calm about all this," Cynthia observed.
"They all treated me like garbage. Everyone in this city. Everyone except her," she nodded to her compatriot. "Wherever she goes, I want to go too,"
"I see. You realize she'll probably be inducted into the claymore special armed forces, correct? Miss uh…"
The girl pursed her lips a moment.
"Clarice. It doesn't matter. I'd like to stay with her. I have nowhere else to go."
Cynthia didn't tell her how much she might regret that decision and simply helped her escort the girls out into the sunlight.
Had they the clarity of mind to observe their surroundings, they would have gaped at the destruction of all they once knew. In their current state however, they were too focused on the destruction of their own selves to look outward.
"How did this happen," Yuma pondered.
"I know," Cynthia murmured sympathetically. "No matter how many times I see it happen, it still seems unbelievable."
"No, really. How could this happen? How could we let this happen? Why did we not get the order to mobilize until this most of the town was already rubble?"
"You heard the higher ups. They didn't have enough on site and- "
"So, fucking what?"
"Yuma!"
"No, seriously! They could have at least had us run interference. Had us save what few lives we could?"
"It could have put us at risk. Without significant backup, we might have died. "
"When has that ever stopped us? We're fighters! Giving our lives for others is the greatest honor someone like us can hope for."
"We saved this lot."
"How many more could we have saved if they let us fight immediately? Goddess. Do they want to save lives or not?"
"They do. I'm sure. But our own safety comes first."
"Tell, that to Samus. Or Ilena/Irene. Or-"
"Yuma!"
"What? If any of us deserved to hang back from danger and live it was them. I mean what great loss would my death be? I couldn't even take this kid here," she nodded towards Dietrich.
"She beat you," Clarice asked while staring at her friend with even more awe.
"Yep. Her parents wanted to see if she was claymore material. She's either great or I suck and should be put down."
"Yuma," Cynthia admonished. "We've been down this line of thought before. It does you no good to think that way. You did the best you could. You didn't kill Samus or any of them."
Yuma's face took an abrupt turn in emotional expression in that moment.
"No. You're right. The organization did. With their cannon."
"The federation shot that laser."
"You don't really believe that, do you?"
Yuma's tone had turned slightly hostile in the blink of an eye. The girls tensed up from the sudden change in atmosphere. Cynthia didn't respond though. She knew Yuma's heart was in the right place.
In truth she shared those many doubts.
They helped the children to the medical bay that had been set up for survivors. Children and adults both huddled together. Friends and family however did not cry out for each other and rush to hug and console. They were too lost in their own minds. Too damaged by the horrors to their fragile human minds.
"Well, there is a large number of survivors for a yoma-hit town," Cynthia said in the hopes of alleviating some tension.
"Only because this city was so big, that they got full before they could kill everyone."
"That cynical tone sounds so out of place on you Yuma. Though it does have some merit."
"Galatea."
The tall blind woman composed herself quite well for someone with no working eyes. Even in the midst of death and despair. She did her best to present a strong figure for her sisters.
"This is a massacre bad even by the standards we're used to. So many yoma hiding amongst the masses. Then they all decided to run wild at the same time. It seems so…. I've never heard of anything like it. What caused them all to awake? So strange."
"That's one way to put it," Yuma sighed. "You know, some of these girls were looking to become like us. I guess they got their wish."
Cynthia didn't speak as she found her attention focused on the blonde-haired girl from the bunker walking about. Apart from some worry etched on her face, she seemed mostly fine in contrast to her fellow victims.
Said girl, Audrey, was indeed worried. She shouldn't have been. Her training had raised her not to feel fear. Not to worry about the lives of her fellow soldiers. Or at least she thought it had.
That she found herself even slightly curious over the fate of the girl Rachel would have been troubling news to her father.
For several minutes, she still hadn't found her. She had found one of the people who'd kidnapped her in the alley. Raftela, if her memory served her correctly.
Despite her inner logic, she pitied her. She had lost everything by her own hand and the yoma's. Now she would be sent to fight alongside those who despised her. On the basis of first impression alone, she did not expect her to last long.
Shortly after that, she did find Rachel. Huddled in the corner. Blood all over her body. She kneeled down next to her.
"Rachel? Are you all right? How did you survive?"
The girl didn't respond. Like the others, she was too far gone.
Audrey observed her hair. Guts and pieces of flesh lay strewn through it. Her eyes widened when she saw her hand and what it was clutching.
It was a heart. A massive heart larger than a human one for sure. Larger than a fist. A yoma heart.
"Rachel. Did you kill a yoma?"
The girl didn't respond.
Audrey found herself liking this strange human. She knew the danger in that. Knew she wasn't meant to get to close to someone who might die the next day.
Maybe she could break that rule for just one.