Here's the third chapter and the first meeting between the snipers. Enjoy!
Beros took a deep breath. She pulled back her bow and took aim. She loosed at the practice target, then swung around and shot several more. Some returned fire with small projectiles hard enough to bruise, or even take an eye out. Beros avoided them with ease, moving with complete efficiency. No flourishes beyond what were useful, no pride, no bluster. Just doing the job, both for humanity and to see her mother.
Beros remembered her mother's embrace. It was so long ago, when she was only four, but she still remembered. The warmth in mother's arms as she hugged Beros, a warmth Beros had been without since they'd been separated.
But, such a separation was necessary. Beros was diseased with her power, and one with such a disease could not be raised by a pure Chosen One. Beros knew her mother missed her too, she said as much in her letters. Beros felt guilty for having a vile sickness and depriving her mother of the daughter she'd so badly wanted and deserved. It was a testament to her mother's kindness that she did not hold it against her.
Beros wished there was a way to purge herself of this vile curse, to make herself pure. Then, she'd undergo whatever purification rituals were necessary, before hurrying to her mother and finally feeling her warmth again.
Until then, Beros trained her curse to its maximum potential. Her curse was vile, but under Humarise's watchful eye, she would use it for the salvation of humanity. She'd rather ignore it altogether, but the leaders said hers was valuable. As valuable as a wretched curse could be. She'd use it to save the species from wretches like her, like a virus devouring its own.
That was why she mastered it. Using her bow, Beros performed impossible shots, precision strikes, and long distance bullseyes, even splitting her own arrow several times. A few times she almost felt a sinful pleasure in her skills, but she quashed it. This was a curse being used against itself, not a good.
It was at times like this she missed Othello. Othello had been her mentor, her teacher. Brilliant and devoted, he taught her everything about Humarise's teachings, about the truth of the Quirk Doomsday Theory and her duty to help avert it.
Even after he was removed from teaching the children, Beros sought him out to speak with. He'd later been instrumental in helping her master her curse. Sadly, he was long dead and there was no one left she enjoyed talking to.
"Beros."
Beros turned around. A female Humarise member in red robes stood behind her. Her eyes fell on Beros' curse. Her lips curled in disgust at the sight, causing Beros to quickly deactivate it. "You are wanted in half an hour by the Superior," she said.
She turned and left. Beros retrieved her arrows and went to her meeting.
"Welcome Beros."
Beros bowed, putting her hand over her heart. "Thank you for seeing me, sir."
The red robed individual placed his own hand over his chest in the Humarise salute. "Yes, it is a rare privilege for one such as yourself to be summoned to us," he said in a stoic tone. "You did well for bringing in the Chosen One. Our tests indicate he is purer than any quirkless child in a century. We believe he is the chosen Messiah."
Beros' heart swelled. "Thank you sir! I am pleased to have served the cause!"
His brow twitched with irritation. "I was not finished. Do not interrupt."
"My apologies," Beros said, her joy vanishing.
"As I was saying, you have done well for bringing us the Messiah. It is wonderful to have one such as himself among us. Such action merits a reward. Tell us what you wish, and we will see if we can give it to you."
Beros gaped. Anything? All she had to do was ask? The question was so laughably easy, they almost needn't have bothered. There was only one thing she truly wanted. "Please, may I see my mother?"
The red robed man frowned. For a moment, Beros feared he'd say no. Then he said, "We will see. But it won't be a long visit, and you will not be able to touch her. We cannot let someone with your curse touch a Chosen One."
Beros nodded. "I…understand." As much as she wanted to embrace her mother, she knew that was impossible. Maybe if there was a way to cleanse her…but such things were the stuff of fantasy. Still, to actually see her after so many years…that would be enough.
Botan was brought into a blank room. There were no tanks around, which was odd. Izuku had tried to break out using some kind of hidden quirk that broke his arm, and the wall in front of it. but Botan took the blame, claiming she'd planted a bomb. It was the only way to save his life.
For doing that, she expected to be put in the Room of Enlightenment. She wondered what-
"Mom?"
Botan stiffened. Slowly, she turned. "Beros…"
Her daughter was there, dressed in the assassin costume Humarise gave their operatives. The mouthpiece was lowered, letting Botan see Beros smile. She was a ruthless assassin. She was a committed cultist. She was Botan's baby.
"Beros!" Botan approached, but Beros backed away.
"You can't touch me! I'm diseased!"
Botan stopped, face falling. "Oh. I'm sorry Beros. I forgot." She gave her daughter a sad smile. "It's good to see you again."
"I-I know. I missed you," Beros said. Her daughter was no longer a little girl. Now she was a grown woman. She'd become so beautiful. If only Botan had protected her.
Botan said, "I missed you too."
"Did you receive my postcard? You never responded. I was worried…"
"I'm sorry. I never received it," said Botan.
"You didn't?!" Beros looked quite upset. "I picked it out just for you."
"I'm sure I would have loved it," said Botan.
Beros' lips quirked upward. "Thank you."
They talked for ten minutes. It felt like an eternity in the moment, then like barely anything at all when it ended. Two Humarise members in robes came and escorted Beros out. Botan needed to be purified they said, and it couldn't wait any longer.
"I love you Mom. I hope to speak with you again," Beros said.
"I hope that too Beros," Botan said. "I'll always love you."
Beros beamed at that, however the smile fell as she left.
Botan was left alone with the cultists. "Come Botan, we must take you to the Room of Enlightenment. We hope today has given you much to consider."
In other words, obey and we might let you speak with your daughter again. Botan hid her scowl behind a neutral stare. "Of course. We should go."
They led her to the room with the dunk tanks, bound her, then fastened the mouthpiece to her face so she'd be able to breathe. They then submerged her and closed the tank, leaving her in darkness.
At first it felt soothing. It always did. It was a nice getaway from the stresses and hurts of the rest of the world. At least until it went too long, and the deprivation began to drive you mad, making you lose all sense of yourself.
However, for now, Botan let herself drift in the water's soothing embrace. She imagined Beros and the time she'd raised her. She imagined the sun she'd once taken for granted. She imagined those few months when her children enjoyed each other's company. Finally, she imagined her daughter all grown up, living a safe and peaceful, far away from the bloodshed and manipulation that had engulfed Beros…
Kaina, former Pro Hero and assassin for the HPSC, sneezed as she rode her new motorcycle that All for One's checkbook had graciously paid for. She'd forgotten how thick the forest air could test. It was almost giving her allergies. Still, it was nice to feel the open air felt rushing past her again. It tasted sweeter than candy after her time in Tartarus.
Thanks to that coward, she had a possible location for the Humarise compound likely holding All for One's kid.
Alright, time to rescue that kid.
Beros walked out of her room to meet Sidero for their patrol. Tomorrow, she'd escort the Messiah to the main compound in Europe. It hurt to leave her mother, but she knew it was necessary. For the salvation of humanity.
Along the way, Beros heard voices. She saw two brothers in red robes yelling at one who had his entire face covered.
"We don't have to hear that from some scum like you!" said one.
"Yeah," said the other. "You and your filthy heteromor-"
"Brothers!" Beros said.
They all looked to her.
"Do not be cruel," Beros said. "He cannot help his curse afflicting his face. You should treat him with kindness for being less fortunate than you. He has joined our cause and seeks to atone for his curse just as we wish to atone for ours."
The two who'd been yelling at him looked amongst each other, then said, "Yeah whatever." They then marched away.
"Thank you, Sister," said the one with the mask.
Beros put her hand to her heart in the Humarise salute. "It was my duty." She walked away, only to find herself facing one of her superiors.
"Sir. How may I be of service?"
"You shouldn't make trouble for one like that Beros."
Beros cocked her head. "Trouble? I was only reminding our brothers of Humarise's teachings? Isn't that what we are meant to be doing?"
"You were interfering with something that was neither your business nor a problem at all."
Beros was confused. "They were tormenting a brother in Humarise while he clearly wanted to get away. I don't understand-"
"You don't need to understand. Simply obey."
Beros bowed. "Yes sir."
She walked away feeling more muddled than before. She did her best to understand Humarise's teachings so she could always put them into practice in her daily life. Yet she often got scolded for it, and they wouldn't even explain what she did wrong. Was it because she was too polluted to understand, so there was no point in bothering?
Yes, that must be it. She wasn't capable of knowing what they truly meant and trying to explain would confuse her. Still, it hurt that they didn't even appreciate her trying…
Lady Nagant crept through the woods, using the treetops to avoid the usual surveillance equipment on the ground. She had to give it to the old potato, Air Walk made infiltration a lot easier.
Through the trees, Nagant saw movement. One of the perks of her body being a living sniper rifle, she had excellent vision. Based on the way the person was walking, he or she was obviously on patrol.
The individual had a green hoodie-no a green cloak with a hood on top. Tight gray pants (a bodysuit?) and a quiver on her back. Archery quirk then.
The cloaked individual's gaze swept out toward Nagant's hiding spot. Lady Nagant crouched down. The subject was definitely a woman. Nagant could see green hair under the hood. This fit the description All for One gave her. Beros. Recommended shoot on sight. The woman had another agent with her, but he moved clumsily, lacking Beros' natural grace. Likely to be child's play after killing her.
The woman's eyes passed Nagant's spot, but given the distance-
Wait.
Beros had stopped, her gaze fixed on Nagant.
Right. Archer quirk, similar to Nagant's. Shit.
Beros' hand formed a bow while the other reached back to grab an arrow. Nagant gripped her hair and twirled, forming a bullet. Beros knocked her bow. Nagant pulled back her elbow and unfurled her gun. Beros drew. Nagant loaded.
They aimed.
Bam!
Both simultaneously fired their shots and ducked. Nagant felt a gust of air pass her as a green contour narrowly missed her head. She saw Beros ducking down, her hood having been blown off her head from the air. She looked up at Nagant, clearly enraged.
Lady Nagant smirked.
She loaded her gun. Alright Robin Hood, give it your best shot.
It turned out, her best shot was pretty good. Nagant dodged the next two arrows, leaping from tree to tree, while firing two shots of her own. Beros dodged both, ducking in the instant Nagant fired. She then loaded several arrows and fired them at once.
Nagant's eyes widened as the arrows came at her from several directions. She ducked and rolled, doing everything she could to avoid them. She fired a few shots at Beros, but they weren't her best. However, they did force Beros to take cover.
Nagant loaded and fired several armor piercing shots, perforating the undergrowth Beros was in. A glowing arrow shot out of said undergrowth. Lady Nagant effortlessly leaned to the side as it went to her right.
Oh, you'll have to do much better than-
Then Nagant heard a whistling sound to her left. She ducked just as an arrow whizzed over her head.
She stole Nagant's move! Nagant ducked out of the way just in time for another arrow to hit the spot she'd just been. Nagant fired three shots. One nearly hit Beros, the other nearly took off her partner's arm, and the third missed by a mile.
Beros stared for a moment, then dove just before a curving bullet went through her. (Was it unnecessary, yes. Was it fun to surprise them? Hell yes. Besides, shock and awe are valid moves, right?)
Beros ducked behind a tree near Sidero. He was perfectly happy to sit here and do nothing, but Beros, pushy bitch that she was, spoke. "Sidero, use your curse to throw several iron balls as a distraction! I'll use it to-"
"No way! You get your limbs or head blown off, I like mine where it is!"
"No harm will come to you if you just-"
"Get yourself killed, I'm staying here!"
Beros growled. "Coward." She fired a shot from one side of the tree, then somersaulted from the other. Sideros almost felt guilty for possibly letting her die, but better her than him! Shots landed around her, but she managed to avoid getting hit. At one point, she was forced to spin behind a tree, then fired two shots from her bow backwards simultaneously.
If he didn't know any better, Sidero would almost think Beros was showing off…
Swelling her gun to its maximum size, Nagant fired a massive shot at Beros. Dust was kicked up from the force of it. The sort of shot that made it almost look like she'd lost her temper.
As the dust cleared, Beros knocked her bow. Too bad Nagant had already-
Beros ducked, just in time for Kaina's curving bullet to go right over her.
Alright, not bad. Nagant let herself fall, then fired several shots upside down. Beros avoided them, spinning around on the last one and firing her bow backwards. Nagant narrowly avoided the shots then landed on the ground.
As she landed, Nagant noticed more Humarise soldiers coming in the distance. Reinforcements.
Nagant turned around and made a break for it, firing several shots into the undergrowth to cover her retreat. She ran until she reached a cliff. Then, Nagant jumped off.
Nagant used Air Walk to stop falling, then fired a shot to propel herself intto the trees. Nagant ducked behind some brush as the Humarise goons reached the edge and looked down. They all looked at the edge of the water, frantically looking for Nagant. Beros alone looked to the trees.
Nagant ducked down before Beros' gaze could reach her.
Nagant slowly peeked back out in time to see the other Humarise grunts walking away. Beros lingered at the edge for one last sweep before walking away.
Sneaking in would be too dangerous. She'd have to wait another day. Shit!
She hated that pompous archer…
She hated that insufferable sniper!
Beros hurried back to the compound, fuming the whole way. That insufferable impure cow! Tainting their grounds! Also her sniping was so annoying! Especially her need to show off! Beros was just glad she'd demonstrated a few skills of her own, using her superior skills with a bow to prove Humarise was superior.
Still, something about that sniper almost defeating her, pulling trick shots that challenged even Beros' skills annoyed her on a primal level.
Once the party returned, Beros went straight to her superior to report what happened.
"A Hero?" he said.
Beros shook her head. "No, she acted more like an assassin. Shooting to dismember or kill."
He nodded.
"Also she was very good. I was lucky my enhanced eyesight let me to spot her early. She won't make that mistake again."
"The others report she was killed."
"I don't believe it. She seemed to be able to float, like an anti-gravity curse. I don't know how that's possible but-"
"Did you say a second quirk?"
"Yes sir, I don't understand how but-"
"You are wrong. Such a thing is impossible. She died over that waterfall."
"But sir, if she didn't, the Chosen Ones will-"
"Enough. That is for us to consider. You obey orders, oh cursed assassin."
Beros looked down, feeling chastised for forgetting her place. She was backtalking a superior, one of their wiser leaders who rose above their disease! Far wiser than a cursed disappointment like her. "I apologize for my insubordination sir."
"Make sure it does not happen again."
"May I add another thing sir?"
"What?"
"Sidero. I proposed he use his curse as a distraction, but he refused and cowered. It forced me to fight alone and nearly die in the process. I recognize my life is worthless, but such cowardice could put an important mission at risk."
"Then manage him better. You're in charge when you two are together. You best learn how to make him obey. We are too busy to deal with your problems."
Beros felt anger briefly well, but she quelled the wicked thought. How dare she feel upset at her superiors? One does not gain such a position without strong character and devotion to Humarise's values. They were her betters, standing above her petty struggles.
Beros put her hand over her heart. "Thank you, sir. For the salvation of humanity."
"Sir, there's a problem."
"What is it?"
"Two of our assassins encountered an intruder on patrol. The intruder was a female, who behaved like an assassin. She had a gun quirk…and a floating quirk."
"Two quirks?"
"That is what our assassin said. I made sure she believes she was mistaken. The intruder went over a waterfall but no body was found."
"I see. Move the Messiah out of the compound. Prepare to move the rest the next day. It seems All for One has found your compound. If the assassin comes...kill her."
"Yes sir."
Beros guided the Messiah onto the helicopter. Despite her proximity to him, Beros readied her curse. Better he be unclean than harmed. She swept her gaze over the trees, but nothing came. Soon they were in the air and leaving the compound.
She deactivated her curse. Safe.
The copter hit a bit of turbulence, jostling the Messiah. Beros cried out and leaped forward to keep his fragile form unharmed.
The forest was completely silent. Normal for an area like this, but Lady Nagant couldn't help but be reminded of stories where forests went silent when they expected death.
Nagant positioned herself near the entrance. She considered gunning down the guards then and there, but no. She was too far from the entrance. Instead she'd lower herself to the ground, then shoot them when she could bolt for the door. She checked the grenades on her belt. Still good.
Nagant touched down behind a tree. She looked at the two guards, eyes narrowing. These two wouldn't be too hard. That door might be. It was best to avoid making too much noise, so she couldn't just blast it down. There were other ways to open it after all.
As for what to do with the people inside…Nagant preferred not to kill people anymore, but in this situation, it seemed inevitable. She could afford to leave enemies alive when she had backup, but right now she was alone. At least this time it would be for a decent cause, saving an innocent kid. Perhaps she could-
A twig snapped. Nagant whirled around, quirk out. Oh.
It was a dog. A stray based on its filthy fur. The dog panted happily. So cute! It trotted toward Kaina, a dopy smile on its face.
Kaina smiled. She reached out to pet it-
-only for a shot from one of the guards' lightning quirk to go right through the dog, killing it instantly.
"Ha! Finally got that mutt! Does that mean I win?"
"Yeah! You win extra points! The others will be so jealous. Did any of the guards not join this game?"
"Not the big shot assassins. You know how they can be. Especially the minty one."
"Yeah, but everyone else does!"
Kaina looked at the dog, then peered from her cover at the guards, the smile still frozen on her face.
That's it. All enemies die.
And there's the fight! Those two really under each other's skin.
Kaina is about to win the Baba Yaga award for responding to animal cruelty.
Hope you enjoyed! Comments and kudos make me smile!