Countess Uma from the House of Clay

One-shot Story 1

(Special Note: The idea is still the same as that of my original fanfic which is basically what would have been the story like had they made it to the mainland. Though, not the same universe as there will be multiple difference, it will share some of the ideas from there. Any case, here goes. )

Location: Assembly hall

How long has it been? Uma wondered as she looks at the Horizon. It was 7 years in the north. Then a long battle with the organization and that incredibly powerful one horned awakened being that Clair hated. Some years of peace… And then they came…. And force the people of Pieta and the last remnant of the hybrid warriors to go into to mainland… and then… the old man and …father.

Uma know from the bottom of her heart that her loyalties will always be on her sisters, on the 7 ghosts, on Miria. On remaining as a human and dying as one. Yet, Uma knows that things are no longer as simple.

"Lady Uma! We need your decision! This is foolishness." Counsellor Gale screamed at her and landing his fists on the table. His words brought Uma back to her present. Today, she is no longer that soldier who desperately just wants to live. Well, part of her is still there. Yet, another part of her no longer fears certain things. There was a time that she would have agreed with Counsellor Gale. He is right of course. There is no way around it. After all, what can mere humans who does not even have a proper army do against a dragon kin house? And yet, why does she not feel it? The natural fear of being weak…

Right now, Uma and several people are in a solemn room discussing about what to do next. Basically, they are the people in charge of managing several towns and cities that are found at the outskirt of the mainland yet very close to the cursed desert. The people living here are desolate as there are not much resource and yet find safety here as most dragon kin households decide to stay away from the cursed desert almost as if something is stopping them from coming closer. Besides that, dragon kins generally have very large appetite which these lands could not satisfy.

As for this assembly, Uma basically know each man by name, their interest, strengths and weaknesses. Yes, she knows it all. After all, as Rubel has once said, information is very important in winning wars whether in the battlefield or politics. And nowadays she is a politician. She was never a strong warrior compared to her peers but as a countess and the one with greatest influence in this dreary land, well she can be difficult. This is why Counsellor Gale hated her. Her capability to make social projects a reality and finesse in commerce plus the fact that she shows no fear has cause several nobles to become her enemy.

Now how did Uma come to this position?

Well, that is another story in another fanfiction if the author that be decides that it is worth writing…. But in a nutshell, she gains it all through the "Old man" and yes there is another being – the one they now call Father. These "beings" were the ones who save the claymores when they were cast into the desert. They gave them immense wealth, knowledge and more importantly the ability to accept the dragon inside of them. Has Uma awakened? Yes and no.

Her soul is very much human which is exactly why she desired the best for these nameless outcast towns. When she saw this place and the wretched residents, her heart exploded, and she just saw a vision of these areas to become massive cities and areas of great importance. She saw people thriving in it. Yet her body could not even be considered a claymore anymore. Not even a hybrid but something more.

But for today and at least to the assembly, she appears as a weak human with great aspiration. At least that is what they originally thought of this girl when she first appeared 2 years ago.

Uma could sense the tension in the room as she looks around of the agitated men and frightened woman. All of them demanding that she humble herself to the demands of the dragonkin house that has come to take over her leadership. Uma simply took a sip of her wine, put it down and look directly at her father-in-law Count Arnolds and her husband Riddik.

Do you remember what our agreement was 2 years ago? Uma started. My family, the house of clay, will provide you with 50K gold bars annually to help you deal with the impossibles taxes. Apart from that, we also sponsored several community projects to elevate the residents like orphanages and hospitals. I also started a business that put our beloved town into the map making us equal to other nobles who cling to small dragonkin households. My family and I did it for you as part of the marriage agreement. Now you want me to do this despicable thing or just give up my position. Uma tilt her head with a bit of annoyance.

She was rarely like this and she never cared about Riddik's faithfulness. He has always been a cheater and will always be which is why she did not share bed with him. They are husband and wife in name only so that she can enter their political and he can use her wealth. But in truth, Riddik (and everyone else in the assembly) will get rid of her when he has no more use of her. Unfortunately for him, he has no idea the kind of power his wife wields which is why they are now all panicking not only because they lose much influence on Uma but she basically has no interest to submit herself to the dragon kin house,

Arnolds look at her with a grim expression. "I do not deny that you have been a great blessing to all of us. But refusing to let the dragonkin knights have their usual fun, just to save some few girls of insignificant value, will create problems. Do you think you can stand against them?

"Its not a few. They are asking us for 100 women to be use a play toy by savage men."

"YOU ARE NOTHING! YOU CAN'T SAVE THEM! IF YOU FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. THEN STEP DOWN. LET SOMEONE ELSE DO THE DIRTY JOB FOR YOU!"

Uma bend her head. She knows he is speaking the truth. He may be a corrupt politician, but he is speaking the truth. The dragon kin house that is coming may be weak and insignificant compared to the awakened beings she had encountered in the past, but the main issue is the power that stands behind them. The elders and the major houses. They are the ones that are truly to be feared. And yet, "I cannot feel it". Uma wondered for a moment and then she faces him.

"Tell the messenger, I accept his challenge."

And with that, Uma left the assembly. Some were aghast but her decision and other were happy as they thought what a convenient way to kill her.

Location: Tabitha's Garden

It was a beautiful garden covered with white lilies that glow at night and surrounded by trees and ancient pillars. Miria decided to name that place as Tabitha's Garden in Honor of Tabitha, a warrior who fell against priscilla several years ago. This place has always been desolated and perhaps it will always be but life comes to this place thanks to the several claymores who are now gathered here.

Today, Uma kneel before Miria with a solemn look on her face while Miria was sitting on her usual place while other surround them.

"It seems that our partnership with Count Arnolds has come to an end." Miria sighed as she looks at the flowers before her.

"Yes and no."

"What do you mean?"

"Miria, I… I want to take over. I will fight"

"Why? What do you plan to get from this?

"….."

"Well, Uma give me a proper response"

Uma silently pondered to herself. She knows that what she is going to say may cause Miria and the rest to draw their swords to her. But she has to say it.

"Ever since, the old man and father, we stop feeling afraid… haven't we?"

Her words cause a stir in the wind, the kind that knows there is no going back.

"This land… I want it. I work hard for it, for its people. And I cannot… I cannot just give it up. I will… I will fight for it." Uma's words were resolute. "But for me to defeat a dragonkin, I must become a –-". Uma could not finish the words but her eyes and the energy coming out of her body made it clear. Her mind has been made up.

Miria looks at her with intense scrutiny. The other ghost as well as Galatea and Miata watch the intense exchange. Finally, Miria stood up and took her sword. "Uma! Pick up your sword!"

Location: Fields

It has been 2 weeks since the assembly and 10 days since Miria beat up Uma to a pulp. Difficult as the trials were, Uma endured it and keep standing up. Even Clare, who has always just viewed Uma as a child, gain new respect for her. The rest know that it is what it is and Uma will have to fight for what she wants to attain.

And so, they are now in the open fields. With an army of 50 dragon kin warriors in human forms and a 1000 human soldiers. The politicians and the common folks has all come to see the spectacle. Of course, no one expect Uma to live. Many warriors has come to respect her decision when she accepted the Dragonkin's one-on-one challenge of a duel. But in their minds, they feel that this is nothing more but making a bold statement.

General Nakias was there hidden among the soldiers. He is there simply to observe and report back to the elders. And so it happened.

The Dragonkin captain land a heavy blow right on Uma and this nameless captain did not bother to hold back, Thus, there was a huge cloud that came out and then when the dust settled, people can see Uma's lifeless body maimed and thrown several meters away. The captain just walks away, and some of the people begin to weep. General Nakias just smirk and was also going to walk away when he felt it.

Everyone felt it. A sudden surge of something… and they feared it. The nameless captain looks back and saw Uma stand up again her smash up body basically forming again in front of him. And her eyes, glowing. The nameless captain tried to swing again but the next thing he knew he saw the sky and his body falling to its knees. Then he began to fade away. General Nakias could not believe what he is seeing, and everyone could not believe what just happened.

From a distance, Uma's family was watching, Miria can only sigh at the relief knowing that Uma was able to successfully accomplish it. Nevertheless, she has to be sure, so she turned to Galatea. Galatea took some time to respond as she feels the yoki energy flowing out of Uma. After a while she nodded an assurance to Miria. "Don't worry. Uma's human soul is intact."

Location: Manor located in the middle of the Cursed Desert

The old man pleasantly drank the tea that Ilena prepared for him. He suddenly felt a sudden shift of the air surrounding him. Ilena quietly observed him and noted that he seems happy about something. The old man looks back at Ilena and smiled a sinister sweet smile. "My dear it seems that one of your sisters has finally embrace her true self".

Location: Tabitha's Garden

Uma quietly observe the white lilies as it blooms at night. She feels calm and her hands no longer shake like it use to. Her senses seem more heightened as she can feel the world has change. She feels happy that she still seems to be afraid of her family. At least that tells her that a part of her remains human. Galatea herself assured her of this.

"So, what now?" Uma spoke out her first words. Not so much as a question to others but to herself.

"Live, Uma. I want you to live." Miria responded in kind as they both look at the white lilies around them. The rest did not say much but Uma can tell from the energy coming from their bodies and of their smell that they all agree, and that they are still family.

Location: a different assembly Hall

"HOW DID THIS HAPPENED!?"

That is the general feel in the assembly hall. Everyone is now worried on the consequences of the death of the dragon kin captain not to mention that they failed to remove Lady Uma from her position. Riddik could of course file for divorce but then the pre-nup agreement would have cost them wealth they could not loose. Count Arnolds himself curse himself for allowing Uma into his family.

Suddenly, a tall man with draconic scales came barging into the hall. It was no other than General Nakias.

"I too would like to know what happened." His eyes glowed at them with menacing energy. He has no grudge against them but since that duel was protected and acknowledge by the ancient laws he could not go after Uma and her family. For now, he will have to settle with this corrupt excuse of a human politicians to answer him. I look forward to meeting you, Lady Uma. General Nakias thought to himself.

-The End-

Again, this is a one-shot fanfiction. Considering my life nowadays, I cannot even dream of making multiple chapter fanfiction. This will have to be it for now. Any case, I hope all of you enjoy it as much as I love typing it.