She slouched deeper into the warm waters, making certain that her wings submerged beneath the gentle surface. As much as she hated having her feathers soaked she did not mind the sting of the medicated waters Mist Daughter had prepared by Lespin’s orders. The woman was so mysterious that even her name was a secret, or better yet she told everyone that her actual name was simply Mist Daughter, stating that her family was not capable of living up to the normality of the world as everyone else had come to know. All Gabi knew was that she was well organized and rarely spoke to anyone other than herself and Lespin.


The stinging which accompanied the soak was more than pleasurable, her cheeks lighting up a stark red with each reminder of the fight she had just had. For a moment she would smile, squirming about as her wings ruffled beneath the water, but that moment of peace would not last for long. A sniff from her nose held just above the water’s surface and her smile would grow ever so slightly. Her senses had always been sharp and only grew sharper with time. That was how it had managed to become so easy to discover when she had company. Even if they tried to mask their scent or the sound of their approach.


“I was not expecting any company today. To what do I owe this special visit?”


“I heard you got yourself into a bit of a fight today.”


“Oh? I would not have expected my new friends to go about telling everyone about our arrangement.”


“No one let any words slip, it would have been far too dangerous to allow something like that. Just know that nothing is ever kept from the shadows. Yami ni wa mimi ga ari, ōkami no koinu.”
(The darkness has ears, wolf pup.)


“As expected of you. Always first to discover what I’ve been up to. It was so… delectable. That girl, her malice is to die for. Ah! How I want it for myself! Perhaps it would have been best to make her one of my servants, but this has turned out to be even better than I had hoped.”


The visitor approached, resting their weapons against the side of the bathtub before sitting on the edge of the ceramic. Upon doing so she removed the bamboo hat from her head to reveal a head of strait black hair pulled into a ponytail, bangs nearly covering her eyes which shared the exact same blue Gabi’s had. She looked to the girl with a gaze that looked to demand something and the blonde rose from the bathwaters ever so slightly that the woman might plant a kiss on her forehead.


“You're as greedy as ever. While I would like for my only granddaughter to be more careful, I am more than aware that you wouldn’t listen. You worry me far too much.”


“I am sorry, grandmother.”


“Gomen'nasai to iu koto wa hitotsu no kotodesuga, moshi anata ga hontōni sore o imi surunara, anata wa kōdō de shazai surudeshou. I am happy that you won your bout, but try to avoid any harm in the future. I trained you the way I did so you might avoid damage like this.”
(Saying you're sorry is one thing, but if you really mean it then you will apologize with action.)


“I know, but I just can’t help myself.”


The woman sighed as she brushed her fingers against the surface of the water as if testing the quality of its contents. After doing so she reached into her coat and pulled out what seemed to be a small leather pouch, dumping a portion of its contents into the water and swirling it about with her fingertips.


“You’re very much like how your father used to be with his first. He was so pure, so innocent, knew very little outside of the ways of combat and in that sense I loved him more than anything else. Then he began to change more and more with his growing number of lives. You must promise me that you will be careful Gahbriogyva. I wish to keep the you that you are now alive.”


The girl seemed hesitant at first, slinking back into the waters with a frustrated look on her face but nodding nonetheless in agreeance. She hated how her grandmother was so keen to speak the way she did. She could refuse her request even less than she could refuse her mother’s.


“I will be more cautious in the future... I promise.”


“Good. Now hurry up and get dressed. We have work to do. You were specifically requested this time around.”


“I would love to, but as you can see my body is not in the best conditi—”


Upon looking down at her once damaged form she came to discover her wounds had been completely healed. She sprung up from the water and looked about herself. Not a scratch in sight. Upon looking to her grandmother for an explanation she would only be met with a casual smile as the woman placed her weapons on her side and waved for her to follow.


“How did you do that?”


“I have my secrets, as well as my suppliers. Now come. We must get going quickly. I’ll be waiting in your room.”


With that the woman left the room and Gabi stepped from out of the bath, her wings dripping with water onto the marble floor as she approached a small console on the wall with a button and a microphone.


“Lars, come to the bath immediately”, she spoke to which the male servant would show up mere moments later. Upon seeing the nude woman the human male’s face was as red as a tomato. Something which confused the darkness claimant before she had managed to realize her mistake. “I do often call upon Emmy for this. No matter, I need you to dry off my wings dear.”


This did not keep him from turning away and facing the opposite direction.


“Yes ma’am!”


“There is no need to yell sweetheart. I am right here.”


“Yes ma’am! However this is my first time seeing you like this… or touching your wings for that matter... I’ve been ordered to never do it, so I…”


This entire situation was a beautiful reminder as to why she had chosen to hire both Emmy and Lars together. The initial plan was to hire a single human to aid with the duties of the others, but when she had spotted Lars he was just so cute she couldn’t help herself. She spent nearly the entire time teasing him during his interview and upon realizing he was a fan of her works it only made her desire to tease the boy grow. They were nearly the same age, although he was younger, but he was so easily embarrassed there was rarely a need to ever contain herself around him.


“My love, there is no need to be so tense.” The pattering of her footsteps growing closer only made his already tense stance tense up even more. He only managed to find himself in a state of panic when the black feathers encircled him and the feeling of her body pressing against his back caused a sense of hysteria. “You see? It is not so bad. Lespin can be very strict, but I will not punish you for following an order. Are they not soft? Do they not relax you?”


It was far too enjoyable to watch him squirm. How someone could grow to be so timid and frightful of these situations was wonderful in her mind, yet he certainly did not feel the same way. It might have gone on forever if someone else hadn’t entered the room seconds later.


“Lady Schreiber, I have come to… what are you doing?”


“Oh! Damien! Is he not just adorable when he is embarrassed?”


“Lady Schreiber, I must ask that you do not make his duties any more difficult. You know how he gets and he already looks to be out of commission this time around.”


The woman looked down at the boy who, by every sense of the word, was nearly on the verge of passing out. She patted his head to garner his attention and once he looked her in the face she smiled and released him from her grasp. Damien motioned for the boy to leave and as soon as he did he put his focus entirely on Gabi who had already stretched her wings out as far as she possibly could. With the door closed and no sign of interruptions a strong gust of wind would blow through her feathers, making certain to leave them as dry as possible.


“Thank you Damien. Although you do not need to be so strict or abandon your post.”


“I know that, but if he has time to be embarrassed then he has time to do his job. I still believe it was a mistake hiring him. Also I noticed your grandmother stalking the halls and assumed you would be in a hurry.”


“If you would believe that a choice I made for my own pleasure is a mistake then that would cause an entirely different problem. You may take your leave now. You are correct however, I have arrangements that I must attend to tonight. I will have mist give everyone their orders later.”


With a few strong flaps of her wings the remaining water was removed from her person and she wasted no time folding them behind her back and exiting the washroom. Her steps were casual and calm as she mad her way down the halls, stopping only when reaching her bedroom and opening the door to find her grandmother sitting on the bed with Lespin speaking to her in a less than pleased tone. This was expected, but today it seemed as if the woman was quickly losing her patience.


“She should not be leaving the home in her condition. The girl requires rest and you know this.”


“My granddaughter will be completely fine, I saw to that myself. If you were all more capable of doing your jobs correctly then I would not have to. However I cannot say I expected any better.”


“We do all that we can here for her as that is our duty. Our duty! Perhaps you should stick to doing your own.”


“Should I? Well as a mother and a grandmother my duty is to make certain that my family remains at peace and safe, but most importantly it includes erasing all things that would prove to be inefficient at keeping my family safe! You are one of the few people who knows Gahbriogyva’s background and as such I expect far better from you all, and yet you keep managing to waste those expectations! So keep in mind, when you tell me to stick to doing my job that will include none of you waking up to see the next day. Kodomodachi. All of you. Don’t make me snuff you out.”


“Hopefully there will be no need for that. I rather enjoy the company of my employees.”


Upon hearing her granddaughter’s voice the woman turned to see her already fully dressed and prepared for work. She wore things along the lines of what she could always expect, something that fit her aesthetic all too well. A white, off shoulder, low hem lace dress with a black faux fur coat. On her feet were a pair of black fuzzy bowknot platform high heels and over her eyes would be found a pair of dark shaded glasses. With a quick glare in Lespin’s direction he exited the room before Mist Daughter soon came into the room.


“Do you need me ma’am?”


“Yes Mist. Would you please fix my hair as normal? We will be going out for now so I will expect you to make certain that everything is kept in order around here until I return, as always. I leave everything in your hands.”


“Of course. I see you will be out on business. Hello madam Kikana.”


“Hello dear. I see you are doing well as always. How has your family been?”


“Still in the arctic living as our ancestors did. I would prefer they come and live in the cities, but my father insists on keeping the traditions of our people. You know how he can be. Now if you would excuse me.”


As the water claimant moved to begin toiling over the head of short blonde hair Gabi looked to be rather lost in thought. Kikana had summed it up to being bored of all this. The girl herself was more so attempting to guess what they might be doing. Of course her grandmother wouldn’t tell her anything until they were certain no one could hear them. Then again it wouldn’t take them too long as Mist had finished her hair quickly and made certain it was just as she always desired to have it.


“Thank you. Now then grandmother, let us be on our way.”


They both stepped out of the car casually, the wolf pup waving a farewell to Lizbett who quickly pulled off with the car. Gabi looked as if she were going to an extravagant dinner while Kikana looked almost as if she had stepped through some rift in time. She was dressed closer to that of some wandering samurai and yet her clothes were kept in rather perfect condition. She didn’t expect her to dress for the occasion, but at least she did choose to leave her weapons in the car. Then again Gabi kept her personal firearm tucked under her coat and beneath her wings. Upon entering the restaurant it was almost guaranteed that they would draw the attention of every single person inside. The first person they would come to see was her grandmother who only managed to have them think some random foreigner had roamed into the shop.


“Excuse me miss, but a reservation is required before entering this establishment. I’m afraid I am going to have to ask you to leave. Besides, there is a strict dress code required for entering this restaurant.”


“We do have a reservation, and I was told that I could wear whatever I desired upon arrival.”


“I apologize miss, but that is not how our establishment works. However I am willing to see if there is in fact a reservation for you. However you will have to return with a more... formal set of clothing. Please state your name.”


“I am Kikana and this is my granddaughter Gab—”


“Gabi Leigh Schreiber! Und I am more than livid hearing that you are not willing to allow my grandmother entry into this subpar excuse for a restaurant!”


Her voice was more than enough to carry over everything around her. All attention that had been on her grandmother was now directly on the celebrity towering over the woman. Clearly she had grown tired of standing by and watching this clear display of disrespect towards her family and more specifically someone as important as her teacher and mentor. That was more than apparent when she stepped forward and her hand slammed down on the desk in between herself and the male who was once speaking so poorly to Kikana.


“I… I apologize miss Schreiber! If I had known she were here along with you then we would have—”


“You would have what? Given her the proper respect she deserves from trash like yourself? Or better yet does this imply that my not being here would have meant you would have continued with your clear display and lack of self respect? I have the eyes of every single person in this establishment locked onto me because you could not accomplish the simple task of taking me and my grandmother to our reserved section und I will not spend another moment standing here talking about it! Do I make myself clear?”


“Y-yes ma’am.”


“Good… the reservation number is 13-26-75-82-49, names Kikana and Gabi. Get it done und do not come back until things are prepared for us.”


The man quickly shuffled off into the back rooms of the building, leaving the two woman standing at the front desk. The blonde had managed to get so flustered she hadn’t even managed to realize her own hand causing the wood to crack, splinter and break beneath the pressure of her own hand. She removed her hand and stepped back, foot tapping quickly on the floor as multiple people pulled out their phones to take photos and videos of her. Kikana on the other hand smiled nervously as she shifted over to her side.


“You didn’t have to go so far wolf pup. You know it was an honest mistake, and you could have handled it in a calmer manner. You’ve been seeming more stressed as time goes on. Perhaps you should drain your system of the madness you’ve built up and take some time to relax your nerves.”


“It is fine. I am fine. He should have been able to do his damned job correctly instead of making lofty assumptions. I will not allow anyone to insult you in such a manner. The nerve.”


“I understand how you feel, but you must practice self control. You know this to be true.”


“I know. That was just such a nuisance—”


“Excuse me?”


The voice had caused both of the woman to turn and find a rather small child standing to their side. She was well dressed, dolled up like a collectors item and yet she looked quite familiar. Of course she would. The girl had blue eyes and blonde hair just like she did. She must have been no more than ten years old and yet she seemed rather nervous just being around them. Her mere presence caused Gabi to raise an eyebrow, but Kikana fell down on one of her knees and gave the child a pleasant smile.


“Yes dear? What is it that you need?”


“Uhm, I was just wondering if I could get a picture with miss Gabi? This is the first time I’ve ever seen her in person! So I was just… wondering if it would be alright.”


Kikana looked to her granddaughter who let a sigh escape her lips. She reached out a hand to the child, a sight which made the assassin feel a sense of DeJa’Vu. It looked so much like the way Harvel would reach out to their children when they were all young, the way Gahbreal would reach out to anyone he meant to help. It was almost like a thing that had managed to be passed down without their realizing it. No matter how upset you were, no matter how much things didn’t go your way, it should never be capable of stopping you from reaching out a hand to the people you care for. What surprised her most was that she would offer such a thing to some human child.


“Come. I will not bite.”


The girl reached her hand forward and upon placing her hand in Gabi’s larger palm felt the strong pull which followed. The ease at which she found herself lifted up from the ground was surprising to say the very least. She hadn’t expected her to be so strong! Then again she wouldn’t complain, finding herself being held up like a much smaller child in this woman’s arm. When she requested her phone she could only hand it over willingly and watch as she snapped a picture of the two of them together before handing it back. Then watching with a large smile as she reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out her won phone, taking another picture before placing her down onto the ground again.


“There. One for you und one for me. That one you keep for yourself. This one will be for the world to see.”


“Thank you! I will, I promise!”


Gabi smiled as she watched the girl rush back over to her parents who gave a silent thank you from across the room. She offered them a simple wave before she tapped her phone screen a few times and placed the phone into her pocket, listening as a flurry of notifications went off in the building. Social media was such an interesting concept and yet all she knew was that posting anything herself in a crowded place would always result in a flood of notifications from the surrounding devices. It was a cute concept, but not as cute as the fans who found it upon themselves to get the same hairstyle as her. In her eyes it would only mean more people looked like little versions of her mother.


“You’re surprisingly nice when it comes to children. I would have thought you’d want nothing to do with them, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you smile in such a sweet manner.”


“I suppose I had to inherit something from my father besides his physical might und senses. Do not think about it too much. I just find it admirable, the lives of humans. They are so fragile und yet they strive to be so many things. Even if those things are completely out of their reach they continue to unknowingly grasp at something beyond their own world. Then again, anything is possible.”


“Miss Schreiber?”


The man’s voice caused her to turn on a dime, eyes more calm and softened compared to their first encounter. He seemed on edge and yet with a clear visual of her it looked as if he were put at slight ease.


“Your reservation has been confirmed. You will be visiting one of the backrooms. Your company is waiting there for you as we speak.”


“It is about time. Let us go, grandmother.”

"Follow me please."


They made their way down the halls and through a few doors before finding themselves being led through a large wooden door covered with ornate engraving. Upon being led inside they came to see a male sitting at a single table with a suitcase at his side. He wore a black tailored suit with a while shirt, a tie of green and orange designs. Tacky. Gabi almost burst into laughter just seeing it, but chose to contain herself. As soon as the door was closed behind them the male stood to his feet and offered the two a bow.


“There’s no need for that. We have been working with the program for quite some time now so the formalities can be tossed aside.”


“She is correct. Although you are a new face there is no need to be so formal. Just tell us what you need to tell us.”


He raised his head and motioned for the two of them to sit before pulling a phone from his pocket and placing it on the table. Someone had already been called and was on speaker. No name. No number. Typical. This person was just a means to allow this conversation to take place. The person behind the voice always out of reach. Whether it was a means to show that they could never truly know who it was or just a flex of standing a capability, it only proved to be annoying to the wolf pup. If they couldn’t be bothered to show their face then they should have never called them to begin with.


“Hello Kikana, Gabi. I thank you both for meeting with us on such short notice. Now then, let’s begin this discussion.”

-A Mother's Recollection-

“Are you going to at least let me hold her for a little bit?” The male questioned the woman as she shifted the child away from him to show her disapproval. “You should be relaxing, shadow lily. You just went through labor not long ago.”


“I am not so frail. It has been days since she was born. Besides, this one is clearly more accustomed to the dark. Can you not see it in her eyes?”


The woman turned to the small child, a head of curly black hair which she pressed her nose into. The male couldn’t help himself and soon found himself smiling at how much his wife changed from the person she had once been. Her identity was power and skill, her occupation murder and secrecy. That same woman watching over their child as if nothing else currently mattered in the world. Then again nothing did matter in the world. A daughter with affinity for the dark was exactly what she had desired.


“I know you’re not frail, dear. I just don’t want you to overexert yourself. This is a new experience for you and while you’re clearly capable it won’t stop me from worrying.”


“You cannot treat me like a someone who isn’t capable of caring for themself, Harvel. What will she think when she grows older? Our children will be born and raised into power, and it is that power we must have them learn to control and put into proper use. We cannot hold their hands forever and that is why I will do so now. When they grow older they will surely be put to use, and we must ensure that they can serve their ancients with expertise.”


“I understand, but that does not mean you can’t relax. Look at her.”


Kikana turned her attention to the child, eyes closed with a relaxed expression. Her breathing was as soft as ever and her demeanor spelled calm and serenity. How she was capable of sleeping so casually while they held a conversation right there was impressive. But she chalked it up to her understanding that the two people present were going to protect her to their last. The only person more quiet than her would be the infant’s own mother who didn’t even make a sound whilst taking breaths.


“She’s relying on your relaxation and calm to keep her in the same position. If you will watch over her then at least allow me to watch over the both of you. I’m not going anywhere, so relax. Sleep. Rest with her. When you are back to full strength then do as you please, but for now you both must rest. You care for her and I will focus on your protection. Alright?”


She looked at the male, still finding it odd to see him in such casual wear. He wore a simple set of linen, tunic and breeches, along with hard leather boots. He looked as if he were any average peasant and yet she was not one to talk. She had abandoned her own clothing during the birthing process and once it had been complete he almost had to force her to put something on, her complaining that it all felt too constricting and wouldn’t settle until he gave her one of his own pieces of clothing. A rather large cotton tunic she had always been fond of.


“Alright. I get it. I will calm down for you, my sunshine. For my little shadow.”


“Good… have you thought up a name for the little one yet?”


“I’ve never been good with these types of things. What would you name her?”


“Me? Well… what about Mary? I’d like to name her something that starts with a ‘g’ like Gabriela, but she looks more like a Mary to me.”


“That’s too generic dear. I wouldn’t like my child to share a name with anyone else. However you are correct, she does look like a Mary… or maybe. May... Mayray. Mayray Dimea.”


He placed one of his hands on her head of long black hair and the other over his daughter’s head. She gave him a look which suggested he not say anything unsavory about her choice, and yet he was more than pleased. He pressed his lips onto the woman’s forehead before placing his own forehead against her own.


“Perfect. She will surely grow to be strong and just as beautiful as her mother.”


“I don’t need your flattery, Harvel. Although it is quite welcome.”


“Hopefully she doesn’t grow to be as difficult as you with these things or we’ll never have any grandchildren.”


“Says the man who had the child with me… do you believe she will grow to hate us?”


They both went silent. For a moment the question had left them both speechless. It had popped into her head so suddenly that Kikana spoke it into existence without really thinking about it, but Harvel was rather caught off guard. It was something he had thought of quite often and yet he knew it wasn’t the type of thing his lover would dwell on as he did. They had planned to raise their children to be nothing more than above others. To survive indefinitely they would need to be claimants who could utilize their everything in order to stand above the rest, even themselves. They both also knew that in order to accomplish that task they would need to push their children further than anyone else would ever be capable of doing.


They would have to teach them, raise them to be strong from the start. Their lives starting from the moment they can lift a sword would be tailor made for combat, strategy, capability, all of the things they would need to survive. It would be a grueling task, a terrible task, but something that only they could do for them. She looked down at their daughter and for a moment faltered in her decision to raise her the way she had planned. Her lip quivering slightly as she pressed her hand against the top of Harvel’s hand which was still resting atop her head. For the male this was odd, seeing her so flustered with a choice she had personally made herself. Then again he had seen the look before. On the same day they had gotten married, and he did the exact same thing then which he did now.


“Even if she grows to hate us both, that won’t be what matters. What matters most is that, even if she does grow to resent us, she is capable of caring for herself. The world we live in is not a safe one and danger lurks around every corner. There is always a chance of war and those wars will make safety impossible for these children. We just have to make certain that they will be capable of being safe.”


“But what if it isn’t enough? What if they still aren’t prepared? What if we go through with this and they still cannot be counted amongst the strongest?”


“Then we watch over them just like we’re doing now.”


“And if they reject us?”


“Then we continue to watch over them anyway. You as the one who watches from the shadows and I in the light of day. There will never be a scenario in which their safety cannot be assured.”


“How can you be so sure of that? What makes you certain?”


“Well that’s simple. Because I would sooner die myself before I allow harm to fall upon my children. Of course we won’t be capable of being there at all times, but we just have to be there when it counts. Look at your daughter and believe in her strength. We will be the ones to nurture her and raise her inn the proper way to prepare her for the road ahead. No matter how treacherous that road may be.”


She took another moment to gaze upon their child. For the slightest moment she could see her eyes open, the hazel that looked back for a brief moment enough to stir her heart. At no moment before then had she felt a stronger desire to keep her safe. Even so she felt a deep betrayal within her heart. She remembered how she was once raised and how it shaped her and molded her into the warrior she was now. Everyone grew differently and everyone had to face their own trials in order to unlock their true capabilities. Physical strength was one thing, but their children would need power, and every ounce of power they could receive. That was what she desired for them after all.


“Okay. I trust your words Harvel, my love. However… if the life of this child or the next or even after that are to come to an end I will never forgive you.”


“I would not expect any less. I would not be capable of forgiving myself after all. All you have to do is watch, your hands are not permitted for anything outside of the ancients orders. I will be the one to intervein if the time comes.”




Her eyes bolted open, the sound of a car door rousing her from the slumber she had found herself in. Had she always been this careless? Or perhaps she wasn’t feeling well? What kind of excuse was that? As a claimant there was no merit to a thought like that. She was simply tired. Sometimes she wanted to question how things had managed to turn out this way, and yet the answers were things she knew all too well. She held too tightly onto them.


Kikana had expected that by now she would be spending her days visiting her children, seeing them progress and raise families together. Fighting alongside them and watching as they perfected their techniques… she had never seen the future as something like this. Her eldest, the daughter she loved more than life itself, hating her more than she could have possibly imagined. So much so that she refused to even see her or speak with her. Her second born son not even the person she once remembered, having died and come back so many times he wasn’t even the same person she remembered holding in her arms. The third so damaged and tortured that he was more interested in murder and satisfying his own pleasures, no matter what those may be, more than anything else.


“Perhaps I made the wrong choice.”


“What?”


The male called out as he turned to see the assassin standing right behind him. He reached for his weapon and yet could not feel it, could not feel his entire arm in fact. Looking down he would find the limb lying on the ground at his feet and yet before he could scream his head was sent flying off its shoulders. It was always so easy to kill humans compared to claimants… who was she kidding? It was all the same to her. Everyone died once their heads were severed from their shoulders. Life and death were always so vaguely close in her eyes and yet the rest of existence would treat them as complete opposites.


She would continue her way forward through the area, severing the head of every person she came across. As time had continued to move forward it seemed no one cared to pay attention to the work of assassins. The layouts of buildings had only proven to make her work easier, corridors and rooms so separate and easy to access. This mansion she had found herself within was no different. Xainayne had told her to kill and that was all she needed. No reasoning, no need to question who had requested it be done. Not a single person would be left alive. That was why, when she entered the last room in which the owner of the estate sat calmly, did she sheath her sword. The sound had caught the male’s attention to which he turned and looked at her with a smile. Was he not frightened?


“Ah. I can see by your confused look that you’re holding onto a question. Go ahead. I’ll gladly answer it.”


“Do you not fear death?”


“Of course I fear it, that is how we humans function although you may not understand. I’ve just grown far too old to act as if I’ll live forever and I’ve done far to much to expect myself to be safe forever.”


“You know I am not human?”


“Of course I do. When you live long enough you start to understand that there is more to this life than just yourself, and you seem far more capable than any normal human could ever be.”


“I see. Then in honor of your courage and capability to stare death in the face I will offer you a painless passing to the void. As the mind slips from reality it always first goes to what it finds peace in.”


“I appreciate that.”


As the words slipped from his lips he was met with red eyes and a torrent of shadows. Then, darkness. From that darkness came a light and from that light the man would find himself standing in a field of flowers. The wind blew with a subtle scent carried on its current, the smell causing him to turn and look over his shoulder. The slight he caught himself standing before more than enough to cause a bright smile to spread across his face as he spoke his final words.


“Thank you, very much.”


She placed the man’s head down onto the floor with his body, wiping her weapon of the blood before taking her leave. With this job finished she was more than ready to leave and go home, but something in the back of her mind was keeping her from doing so. Seeing that human’s face, he smiled as if he were pleased with the outcome he had been made to face and yet his eyes held nothing but regret. She thought about how she had gone about things, desired to change it. Was she in the same scenario? Regretting her choices and pretending to be fine? Perhaps she would do best to attempt mending all of this. She had to do something.


She raised her hand, yet paused. Her fingers stopping just short of the door. How often had she hesitated like this? Her eyes focused on her fingers which shook slightly as if afraid to make take the next action. What was wrong with her? She lowered he hand and walked away, footsteps as silent as ever. There was a large tree positioned outside of the home and with a quiet leap she landed amongst the branches where she would sit and look at the building. This felt utterly horrible. Why was she so afraid to take this single step? Her life had once felt so occupied with differing things and yet now it was only work and this same scenario. On days when she found herself without work she would even just sleep all day as if wanting to avoid the sunlight, not wanting to be seen by anyone.


“Are you okay? You seem to be rather sad.”


“They have a story, these humans, about a creature called vampires… I’m not a vampire, but I certainly feel like one. The people I love I can only look at from the shadows. My family has separated itself from me, and there’s no one I can blame but myself. My darling Mayray, my strong Gahbreal, my sweet little Jerimyha. All of them hate me.”


“Is that why you are here? Are you feeling sad?”


“I suppose you’re correct. I feel as if I’m going insane, all the way to the depths of my bones. When did I become so cold? My own family, I managed to push them all away and for what? My heart is with those three and yet they are all so far away. I keep finding myself here as if I have no self control, but if my hope is where my heart is then I’ve lost all hope just as I’ve lost all my family.”


“It will all be okay.” The words caught Kikana off guard. They were so simple and yet she did not expect to hear them. In fact, she hadn’t even realized she was speaking with someone the entire time. “My dad says that hope is like a sharpened blade. It can cut through anything that gets in its way, but you must swing it to make it work and have the power to use it effectively. You smell just like him and you know his name. If you want, we can be friends! I like talking to you, and you seem really strong! Although, dad has me staying home for the time being. He says I need to practice controlling the ‘growing madness’, but I do not know what he means by that.”


Kikana almost couldn’t bring herself to do it. To turn and see who she spoke with. It was odd to find herself so oblivious to her surroundings and yet there wasn’t anything she could do about it now. By the sound of their voice this was surely a child, and by the way she spoke and the words she used there was only one person this could be. The location itself was enough to give it all away.


She turned to be met with the bright blue eyes of a little girl. They flickered so timidly between a glowing red and familiar blue that went well with her head of long blonde hair. She was barefoot, wearing nothing but a pair of pajamas that were clearly tailormade for her as the back contained sections where a pair of small black wings could fit through and fold themselves on her back. She seemed rather small for the way she spoke, and yet that only gave meaning to whatever form of education she was being put through. She was childish yet learned enough to do as she desired and say as she desired. Most importantly those eyes, those familiar eyes along with that familiar face. Eyes which her own husband and sons had, a face with features from Gahbreal’s wife, but even more like her very own.


The woman couldn’t bother being reserved or holding back. She reached out and wrapped her arms around the child’s body, giving her a tight hug which she hesitated before reciprocating. The girl seemed nervous. Almost as if she did not know how to feel about the situation. Yet as Kikana held onto her she could feel her tenseness slowly dissolve as her small hands gripped onto her cloths. Instinct perhaps? She could not see it as anything other than that.


“Who might you be, wolf pup?”


“My name is Gahbriogyva, but everyone calls me Gabi. Does this mean we are friends?”


The woman chuckled playfully at her words. She would have to explain in more detail later, but for now she would make it simple. It was more than clear now by her name.


“Of course we’re friends, little one... You’ll have to keep it a secret from your parents, but my name is Kikana. I am your grandmother.”

She awoke not in a panic, but rather with drowsy eyes and a head of messy hair. Her husband still lay next to her snoring as he always did yet that was not what roused her from her slumber. She rose from their bed and took the time to care for herself and deal with daily hygiene; all to the sound of the continuing drum of wood and metal beating and echoing through the air. She could hear the familiar pattern of which she had heard multiple times in the past and also hear the differences from what her children had done with their time at the small home. With her hair straightened and tied up in a simple bun she threw on a set of training garb, a basic Tai Chi uniform of pure black and made her way outside.


The source of the echoing was quickly discovered, although she had known what it was from the start, her granddaughter striking against the Mù Rén Zhuāng with incredible force. It looked dangerous to even approach her at times when she was completely focused, and she was certainly focused. She wore loose black shorts along with a black sports bra, complete with sections sewed open for her wings to fit through. The beads of sweat covering her body a means to display just how long she had been hard at work, how tirelessly she had been focusing on her training. With each strike she could almost see it, the image of her son moving in tandem with his child. They were so similar in so many different ways, but that was the son from a long time past.


The snap of one of the arms drew her attention fully back to reality however, the sound of the wood clacking upon the ground followed only by the sound of her granddaughter’s voice as she leaned over taking deep breaths.


“Damnit.”


“It seems you have begun to grow more accustomed to Wing Chun. Although, it would please me if you were capable of holding back just a tad bit more.”


“I am sorry grandmother. These things are just so fragile, I must use all of my strength if I am ever to grow any stronger.”


“You have plenty of physical might, wolf pup. However that does not equate to power. As strong as you become it will not equate to having true power. You must temper yourself before you can claim true power.”


“I understand that, but it will mean nothing if I am incapable of producing the raw strength to move mountains. What will all of this be for if I still am incapable of holding my own with pure strength when that time comes? I must be able to overpower as well as excel in skill. If I cannot do these things then it will all be for nothing.”


Kikana stood silently for a moment. What could this girl be thinking? Gahbriogyva had only grown to the age of sixteen and yet she was more than strong enough to match almost anyone in feats of raw strength. In fact, the assassin would almost say the only things that would really put her at a disadvantage would be a persons abilities by their house. In fact, she would almost say she was too powerful.


She had happened upon the child when she was seven years old, but she spoke as if she held onto some deep ambition that no one could really understand. They spoke often as she grew and eventually she requested that the woman train her personally. Although Kikana had been hesitant to accept her request, she eventually took the opportunity to grow closer to the only family that accepted her even after what she and Harvel had done to the rest of their children, and Gahbriogyva was naturally gifted. She caught on quickly, learned quickly, adapted quickly, in almost all aspects she was capable of pushing herself to her limits in record time. If anything she only lacked patience and the ability to control her temper. However she never really spoke of her reasoning for such a quick need for growth.


“Gabi?”


“Yes grandmother?”


“Tell me, child. Why do you desire to be so powerful? How much power do you want for yourself?”


The girl had already managed to catch her breath, wings flapping slightly to create a slight breeze around herself. As they calmed along with the wind she looked to her grandmother with a smile. That was never really a good sign. She only smiled like that when she had an agenda that met her desires. The problem was that her desires were almost always in opposition with everyone else.


“This is odd. You almost never ask me things like this. What has brought this on?”


“No beating around the question, Gahbriogyva. Tell me. What has made you desire after so much power? Your father is powerful enough to get you the things you desire, your ancient more than willing to help you if you’d just ask. Why do you want to be as strong as you hope to become? As powerful as you’ve set out to grow?”


“Because they can’t get me what I want.”


This was a first. When she had first met the child she was struggling with control over the amount of madness she managed to produce and because of that her eyes would consistently flicker between blue and red. Since then she had resolved that occurrence she also had never once needed to worry about it. Almost like it would never happen again. Yet now, right before her, this child’s eyes were as red as blood. They were beautiful. A pure madness, something their family had come to understand the impact of and fight to keep at bay, now before her in a way she had never expected to see before.


“And what is it that you want, wolf pup?”


“… I will take my father’s position. It will be mine. Then, when everyone knows that I outrank him I’ll outrank any and everyone around me. I will have every claimant know that I am the one who stands above the rest. Aikekunai, Champions, they will pale in comparison.”


“A valiant goal indeed—”


No. There was more. The woman’s eyes widened as another smile stretched across the girl’s face. A smile filled with malice, with a sense of dread and disaster. It was a smile that could topple empires all of its own accord. One that could not be replicated, one that no one could hope to really understand unless she allowed them.


“I’ll outrank them all, every last one.  Then, when they think I’ve reached my peak, I will push even further than that! I will trample over the rank of treasure as well! Crush them beneath the soles of my feet and use them as stepping stones to rise above the limits these lesser claimants have grown content with! Then! When everyone has their eyes on me and me alone! When everyone can see that I am the most powerful! Only then will I claim the title of ancient for myself! A new ancient! One of violence and destruction! One who can bring apocalypse to all things if I so will it! I will ascend above all things and become neither king nor queen, not claimant nor treasure, nor will I be an ancient any longer… I will become the one true god of all things.”


Madness. This could only be described as absolute madness. She didn’t even seem to understand what she was really saying yet she said it with so much confidence! Declaring herself the enemy of every single person right there in front of her! Not just the enemy of humanity, but of all the realms. She sought no balance, no peace, only a thirst for power that moved with the means to transcend all things. Kikana found herself shaking at the very thought of it. On one hand he grand daughter would become someone capable of living with the ability to forever be safe from others, just as she had hoped for her own children. On the other hand there was the possibility that one day she as well as everyone else would have to fight her. Gahbriogyva. This monster standing before her, foaming at the mouth with the thought of absolute power.


That’s her goal… absolute power.


“You do understand that what you’re saying is, by the views of many, heretical. Correct? If anyone found out about this then you might be put to death, or most likely locked away in order to keep Gahbreal from rampaging at the very least?”


“I understand completely. That is why I only chose to tell you, and grandfather of course.”


The woman spun around quickly, turning to see that her husband had positioned himself directly behind her. She had been so distracted with what she had been hearing, she hadn’t even noticed him approaching her from behind. He seemed rather unphased by the words, but then again he had yet to really train with her. He did not understand the gravity of this situation. It was a mistake to allow him to speak.


“You’re foolish if you think something like that will work out in your favor.” The speed at which her smile faded away was astonishingly terrifying. “What makes you think that anyone will allow you to do something like that? As many claimants are standing by to die for their ancients, yet you believe you can just—”


“Kill every last one of them? If I have to, yes. What is power without risk? Then again you seem like the type of person who would cower away at the sight of real power. It’s no wonder you’ve remained so weak after all this time you’ve lived.”


“Oh? You’ve gotten rather cocky. Cockier than Jerimyha even! Then why not show me what you mean?”


“Harvel, that is enough. There is no reason to fight like this. Besides—”


“It will be fine. Just a short match.”


“Oh, it will certainly be short.”


How quickly things had managed to go south. This child was more beautiful than she had ever imagined, outshining all of her own children in terms of ambition and desire. It was terrifying, yet so beautiful. She would have no choice but to help her grow. Harvel did not understand. The situation, that is. He was preparing to face someone who wouldn’t hold back, wouldn’t give a second thought to tearing him apart like a wild animal. Her father is called the wolf, yet she was more like the creature than he himself. The woman could only sigh, glad that he at least put on his armor. No doubt he was preparing to leave for the forge, but now he would certainly need to change plans.


“Try not to go too far. Please.”


“Of course. As if I’d pummel my own granddaughter.”


“I wasn’t talking to you, sunshine. Don’t leave him too damaged. If you can muster it.”


“Of course grandmother. He’s no Aikekunai, but I’m sure he’ll at least be able to walk after this.”


She could tell her husband was not left happy with their exchange of words. He readied himself, as if prepared to not hold back, and yet Gabi would not be pleased with anything less than that. She shifted her feet, taking on a stance which suggested no mercy. It was apparent that the girl had managed to be more pissed than she let off by his words. Then again, this was her first time wording her desires, her dreams, and he mocked it so carelessly. Of course she wouldn’t let him get away with a few scrapes.


He took the first step, charging forward with his normal style of fighting. He relied heavily on his defense and his body was well cared for so that he might rely on it when his armor failed him. The only time he had really managed to be damaged past the armor was when fighting Oda seriously for the first time, but that was Oda and he had put forth quite the amount of energy. As she watched him grow closer to the child she could only whisper the words in her mind. Words that her father had taught her and she held close to her heart.


Claimants are claimants. Power is power. Title only means as much as a person wants it to mean, but power does not follow the same rule. The weakest title, the most feeble blade, those who have been granted the rank of dirt by society… what does all of that matter when they belong to the most powerful?


The moment he came within her reach the male couldn’t even throw a punch before her entire fist tore straight through his armor, the impact of her blow on his abdomen rattling his body to the core. He recoiled back, catching himself as to keep from falling over. His eyes locked onto the girl who was content with continuing her assault. That was the last he could remember before everything went black.


He awoke quickly, lifting himself from the ground before grasping at his body in pain. Everything hurt all over and upon examining his person he took notice of his armor having been removed and his body now wrapped in bandages. Or at least he would have liked to say his armor had been removed, but examining the area and spotting pieces of the metal scattered about the ground it was easy to tell what had happened. Kikana knelt by his side with a look that practically spelled ‘I told you so’ in her eyes. Gabi on the other hand stood by her side with a look of disappointment, or rather agitation and anger.


“I’m sure you have something to say. Don’t you Harvel?”


“Fucking hell. I knew you were strong, but that’s something entirely different. It still feels like I’m being hit.”


“Well, you deserve it.”


“I know… I’m sorry little one. I wanted to see if you had the power to back up your words, but I suppose I was in over my head.”


“Of course you were. I told you to spend a day off with us so you could observe her training because of this. The girl has limited access to other claimants and as such can only really get in basic training. She surpassed us in strength a long time ago and I’ve only been capable of helping her learn to temper and control it. However she is running out of things to use in order to grow. She breaks all of her equipment, we can’t be useful, I can barely hold my own against her with skill alone. Blocking and deflecting her strikes has begun to deal far too much damage to me.”


“Yeah, I can see why. I didn’t think she’d go right through my armor like that. I wasn’t prepared at all.”


“We need to find a means to have her fight others and grow without revealing her identity. If she does then she will certainly be watched over far more closely. Gahbreal cannot be trusted to let her grow. He will want her strong, but if she becomes too strong he will worry for her. If she continues at this rate I’m sure a year will be enough for her to surpass him and once he realizes that he will only become more cautious of her growth. Luckily her body doesn’t change much in terms of muscle definition so he can’t tell at a glance.”


“It will be fine. I can figure out all of that. Besides, I have a plan in mind to solve the problem of my freedom. All I need you to both do for me is help me grow. I do not want to grow to be weak like my father intends. He does not want me to grow strong like him, just strong enough to be capable beneath him. I desire for more than that. I will handle the secondary things. I must ask of you both that you aid me with the rest. Please.”


They both did not know what to think. This was what they had wanted from all of their children and yet it was so jarring to hear. Gahbreal was the closest to becoming this person they see here, Mayray being too calm as a child and Jerimyha being too peaceful when he was younger. But Gahbriogyva? This child desired after the power they desired for their children to have. In fact they could say she desired after it more than they did. Her goals went beyond what the average claimant could claim to have. Her dedication leagues ahead of anyone else they had come to know. She had spent the majority of her childhood doing all she could to grow stronger and smarter, more skilled and knowledgeable of combat. Up until that point her entire life seemed to revolve around nothing more than growth. Nothing more than power.


I found this girl by chance… but she was already looking for me from the start.


“Of course, wolf pup. I promise you that I will do every single thing in my power to help you reach your goals. I promise you.”


I may have failed to be the mother my children wanted me to be, but I will not fail this girl. Even if I must die in the process. I will be everything she desires of me. I’m certain Harvel feels the same.




-A Return To The Present-


Kikana’s eyes refused to leave the sight of her granddaughter. She had managed to grow so much over the past years and yet here, in the back of her personal transportation, she was the same child as always. Her hand combed through the woman’s blonde hair as she slept peacefully. Gabi’s head resting on her lap, soft breaths as a means to show she hadn’t slacked on her training at all. Then again she was the one who had requested Kikana teach her things about assassination, and controlled breathing in order to remain concealed was one of the first lessons. She looked far too innocent yet acted in a completely opposite way for anyone who could take notice of the signs. However her words couldn’t be taken with very much weight… she would always believe her granddaughter was innocent even if she slayed the ancients one by one.


“Lizbett, dear.”


“Yes madam Kikana?”


“Take your time, if you would. I would like for her to rest a little longer.”


“Of course madam. It would be my pleasure.”


The driver spoke as their speed was reduced gradually. The window which stood between them closed slowly until the two of them were given their privacy and for a moment she had found herself melting away in the moment. It wouldn’t last for long, but even a single second would be enough. This time with her family.


She never understood how the girl could be driven around in a vehicle like this. It was your average limo except slightly smaller, only allowing for possibly three to fit in the back while the front held the regular two seats. The back held no special commodities other than the seats and a laptop, but everything was made from either black furs or crimson leather. Crimson was her favorite color as far as she knew and she enjoyed all things soft and fluffy regardless of how much she seemed to display the opposite, but there was nothing that pleased her more than using her wings. Sure she was always trying to conceal her identity yet she could do that as well as float about. What was keeping her from doing so? Possibly  a greater sense of caution?


Kikana looked down to the frame of her back, Gabi’s wings lazily draped over her body down to the floor of the vehicle. She placed a hand against the feathers and watched as she shifted slightly. Clearly she was annoyed, even in her sleep, but it was swept away by a calm not soon after. As her fingers sifted through the thick feathers she could feel her muscles relax, the tenseness of her body draining away. She had heard from her workers that she disliked having her wings touched and in the past she had chosen to go against doing so. The curiosity of feeling them more than enough to force it, but the desire to not upset her with the action being more than enough to keep her away. Looking at her now however it seemed she enjoyed it more than anyone had given her credit. The moment did not last long however. As soon as her home came into view did Kikana’s eyes sharpened and focus on the building with caution. As the vehicle pulled into the driveway the woman nearly bolted out of the vehicle before a hand placed itself on her hand and calmed her.


“Do not worry, I know. I smelled it the moment we came into range. If someone wants to intrude on my home then I suppose it would be my duty to kick them out.”


“Are you certain that’s wise? We don’t know who this is.”


“It will be fine. It would be more disastrous if this person realized the connection between the two of us. This person has intruded on my home. Besides, I think I deserve to deal with this on my own. I am rather pissed you see, that someone would think I am such a pushover. You head home. I will deal with this.”


“Okay dear. I will leave this to you. Be safe,  and don’t go too far. I love you as akways.”


With those words the woman faded into the shadows of the seat. Disappearing in form before disappearing entirely. She would certainly have to have her grandmother teach her that trick at some point, but for now there was something more important for her to deal with. She sat up and placed her coat back over her shoulders, concealing her wings before stretching her arms out with a yawn. Only as Lizbett opened the door for her and looked to see that their guest was gone did she finally step out of the vehicle and speak in a hushed voice.


“Do not be alarmed, my dear Lizbett. Do not respond, do not seem concerned. Just close the door, get back into the car, and drive away as normally as you always have. Have a good night my dear and tell the others that they can take tomorrow off. I will be fine on my own.”


The woman was concerned, but feared allowing it to show in the slightest after being given the orders from her master. Technically she was just her boss, but at some point it seemed odd to refer to her as anything less than a master. She lowered her head in a polite manner before giving Gabi a wave and closing the door behind her. She watched as the woman made her way to the building before getting in the car and driving off in a calm manner. She could worry if she so desired, but it would be simpler to just focus on her day off and leave things to her master.


Gabi listened as the sound of the vehicle faded into the distance. A sigh escaped her lips knowing that there would be very little to worry about as she pulled the key from the pocket of her coat and opened the main entrance. She sniffed the air casually, stepping inside and slipping off her heels so she could feel the hard wood floors beneath her feet. It was cool, comforting, something she enjoyed and yet she could not enjoy it for long. Something more enjoyable was awaiting her wonderful attention after all.


“So then. Do you plan on coming out and greeting me? Or will I have to come to you myself?”


Bluffing. She had to be bluffing. She hadn’t done a single thing to reveal herself and not a single thing was left out of place. Sure claimants all had their own distinct scents, but she had masked her scent well and was continuing to do so. From what she knew about this woman she was certainly stronger than she made herself out to be. But even with all that strength there was little to be known of her. A single fight was all she had experienced from this enigma of a claimant, yet that was more than enough to know she wasn’t to be played around with.


“Oh? I will assume that your silence means you want to play hide and seek. I do love a good game, although I am afraid you will not make for good entertainment. I can smell the weakness on you. You are no Aikekunai and you are no champion. You have a potential for power, but not nearly enough to please me. For that, I will give you at least five seconds to run. After that… we will see just what you are doing in my home. Surely your master did not send you here, so I presume she will not care when I snuff you out.”


What was that suppose to mean? Did she already identify me?


“Five…”


No. She couldn’t have! Her senses are clearly well trained, but no one could be capable of differentiating the difference between two darkness claimants even if they could smell it.


“Four…”


Then again she called out my status. She knew I wasn’t of higher title amongst the claimants without even seeing me. It could have been a simple guess, and yet—


“Three…”


What am I panicking for? This isn’t any different from the normal situations I have gotten into in the past. This has to be some sort of bluff.


“Two…”


I came here for a purpose. Some aimless threats won’t run me off so easily and I will not be intimidated by all of this. For my master’s sake.


“One…”


My master… she did not call out an ancient, rather my master? She knew of them? Even knew they are a woman? Don’t tell me, she didn’t identify me by house. She identified me by my personal scent?


“You’re not going to last very long if you plan on standing around like this, dear friend. Eva would be ashamed.”


Mayray jumped out of the way quickly, moving to the side in order to avoid the hand which was quickly honing in on her person. It wasn’t a strike, rather it was an attempt to grab her and hold her in place. This girl was certainly a monster, but she did not expect it to be this bad. She could sense her approach, hear her wings moving upon her approach and yet her time to react was still almost too slow! She drew her weapon from it’s scabbard, holding it at the ready. Her body was covered in a full veil of shadows excluding her eyes which remained locked onto Gabi who looked at her hand with a wild smile.


“I assume you thought it would be easy to just catch me like that, but I’m not at easy to deal with as anyone else you’ve faced.”


“I knew it.”


Gabi’s eyes turned to face the woman before her entire head followed suit. The glow of her eyes grew brighter before a blink followed by a red flash coated the entire hallway they had found themselves in. As quickly as the flash came so to did the shadows covering Mayray’s slip away and fade into the floor. She did not seem confused, rather she knew about this ability and knew that stopping it would not be possible in this situation. She had wanted to personally feel it for herself, see what it felt like to have your abilities stripped away and it turned out to be worse than she had initially expected. Not like her abilities were entirely stripped away. More like some thick, black cloud was washing over her, hiding her from Xainayne entirely. As if her connection to the ancients had be clouded by darkness and madness.


“Well this feels disgusting.”


“Ah! You are an interesting one, love. I almost want to take you in and devour you whole, but I’m sure my lovely Eva would not be pleased with that.”


“Don’t talk about the princess as if she belongs to you.”


“Oh my, but don’t you know? Everything belongs to someone like me. Now are we going to fight or did you come here to talk and have tea?”


“I certainly came here to fight. So then, there’s no need to hold back like you did with my charge. I’m no where near as merciful and if you do you will surely die.”


A comment capable of causing the woman’s smile to go out of control, her cheeks lighting up a bright red as the desire in her eyes blossomed into a burning crimson. Her wings shivered ever so slightly as she took her stance and steadied her feet. Prepared to do just as she suggested… fight to the death.


“I could see it in your eyes, so very close to mine. I knew you wouldn’t let me down. Now let’s dance until we shower these halls in blood! Let me see just how beautiful you can become.”

She could hear it so clearly, the sound of the symphony playing out in her ears with every swing of her opponent’s sword, every step they took as they danced the ballet of death, every breath they allowed to escape their lips as they traced the thin lines that stood between themselves and death. She loved it, craved it, lusted over it and yet… it was all hollow. All a lie.


How she despised this feeling, this lack of excitement and her need to fake it. She was not strong, no where near where she desired and yet her sources of growth were so few and far between. She could tear apart the very earth with her bare hands, carve holes into the sides of mountains if she pushed herself to the very limits of her strength and yet what did it all mean when her power was too great for those who would be called her equals? She needed more. More! MORE! More violence! More people who were willing to grow! More who would challenge her strength if she were ever going to gain more power!


She could feel herself growing too eager and pulled her punches ever so slightly. This person, this assassin who worked under Eva was certainly strong, stronger than Eva herself in fact, although the girl was far more suited to strategy and most likely someone who would accel with her abilities in play. This person was physically more suited to combat and yet she was lacking in her abilities as well. The way she fought showed just how each attack was aimed for her life, but none of them would reach. The more she noticed it the more it seemed she was holding back as well. Dancing in step with her, as if mocking her choice to take in easy on the woman. The nerve.


They did not chare words, did not speak their minds, rather they let their fists do all the talking. There were very few people capable of standing up to those expectations, her grandmother being one of them. This woman however was clearly not her and certainly fighting with instinct alone. Perhaps it was time to put her to a proper test.


Gahbriogyva stepped back, creating space between the two of them before taking a strong and balanced stance. Her fists tightened, legs tensing as she stepped forward with heightened momentum. Her fists let loose heavy strikes, faster and carrying more power than before. What she had not expected however was the woman to respond in kind. This had been meant to teach her a lesson in toying with someone like her and yet it proved to reveal her thoughts to be true. She was holding back as well! Did she aim to test her? Discover something from her by fighting her? Either way it didn’t make much difference and the smile which grew on her face gave away that much.


If that’s how this is going to be then I suppose I can have a bit of fun. Let’s see just how far she can go.


She began to increase her pace slowly, steps revving up as her fists flew with more force and accuracy. Mayray attempted to keep up the pace, quickening her counters and utilizing all of the openings she could find until it eventually became too much. In a matter of minutes what was once an even fight had become marginally one sided and the gap was only continuing to increase. What were once counters became blocks, what were once blocks became deflects, what were once deflects became dodges and from their she was simply escaping death by a hair.


The pressure she applied was something out of legend, as if fighting against a wild animal in the skin of a claimant. How someone could go so far without being an Aikekunai or Champion was beyond her, but the girl was still pushing further! The fight had already gone way past going too far. Her strikes were like forces of nature, the pressure of the wind around her fists and feet alone causing reverberations to move through the building and stir the halls. At some point getting hit began to feel less like a threat and more like instant death, as if her survival was based solely on pure instinct and nothing else! A single slip up being capable of costing her everything and yet this woman didn’t seem like she was finished yet. Pushing herself further and further as if wanting to reach her very limits.


The monster.


In that moment, as the thought slipped her mind, a fist came forward with such speed and precision that she chose to instead raise her sword and block it with the flat. O how she could feel it. The shock shooting through her arms, through her entire body as her feet left the ground and the world moved around her. It was hard to even register what had happened until her back collided with the window at the end of the hall and the sound of shattering glass accompanied by the feeling of the cool night air heightened her senses.


How long had they been fighting? No matter, she reached out instinctively, shadows forming over her hand like a glove and from it shooting off a tether of darkness which impaled the side of the building. At least she could use the darkness to her advantage again, but how long would that last? She pulled herself upward and launched her body up through the air, landing softly on the roof before allowing the shadows to spread over her body. With it she formed a second blade from pitch black much like her personal weapon before standing at the ready, preparing for the sure to come attack from her opponent who certainly would not be through with her. This had managed to be more troublesome than she had anticipated.


When she had asked Eva what fighting her was like she had described it quite clearly. She could not manage to get the words out of her head. "It was as if I were fighting an uphill battle right from the start against someone more skilled, stronger and faster than I am. An opponent who seemed infinitely more powerful than I am and yet the longer the battle went on the more it became clear there was no chance of victory. It really put into perspective how weak I really am compared to what I should be, and I refuse to lose again." They were words that made the woman desire to see for herself, experience it for herself. This however was merciless. If Eva had to fight against something like this without a proper weapon the woman felt she might not have been capable of surviving the experience. Eva is certainly a strong girl, but against something like this? It would be far too much.


'Come on, where is she coming from?'


Her eyes shifted back and forth, scanning the area with strict intent. She couldn’t allow a single action to escape her gaze. If she approached at a speed that was too great from an angle that was too obscure then there would be too little time to counter. She had to fight back. There had to be a chance at defeating her. There had to be some way to fight her properly. The first thing she had to do was discover the secret behind her strength.


A slight rumble. A shift in the building. Mayray had almost missed it and yet she stepped to the side just in time to avoid the woman who tore through the roof of the building beneath her. It was a well timed dodge, but not fast enough to keep her ankle from being snagged by Gabi’s hand. She attempted to use her free leg to kick her in the head, possibly cause her to loosen her grip in the slightest, but of course she moved out of the way. Mere seconds after she found herself being spun by her leg, the woman twirling about at a crazed rate before being released. She could feel the wind rushing past her as she struggled to open her eyes.


For a moment, as her eyes slowly opened, she found herself at a loss for words. Her body desiring to struggle for survival while her mind only managed to focus on the word ‘impossible’. She steadied herself and looked down, the ground so far beneath that it made her question what exactly she had managed to get herself into yet again. This was going far past what she had anticipated. This person, this claimant, this monster amongst monsters, her strength was on a completely different scale. It wasn’t like fighting anyone she had ever faced before. She had mentioned her status being below Aikekunai and Champion at the start of this encounter, but did that mean she was accustomed to fighting on their level of power? It couldn’t be. Imagining someone being more powerful than her brother wasn’t an easy task. Explaining to herself that someone other than an Aikekunai carried more physical strength than the others had displayed was impossible! Then again, it wasn’t just strength. It was speed, skill, experience, senses, perception, power in general. She was simply more powerful than her.


She readied her weapons. The fall would not mean much to her so that did not matter, her focus now was actually making it to the ground alive. She could see it clearly approaching, the woman on black wings approaching at great speeds with the same malicious look in her eyes. So long as she was not prepared to stop then this fight would surely never cease. Conflict until one of them was incapable of fighting any longer, possibly until either of them was no longer alive.


Gabi hastily closed the gap between the two of them, her foot arcing outward for a wide kick only to find the woman had twisted her body around so she might use the girl’s leg as a platform to place her feet. She swung her sword quickly as she used her leg to spring away, the attack nearly finding its mark which only caused the wolf pup to grow even more excited. How long had it been since she found someone capable of fighting her at this level of strength? Her father was always so strict and even when she forced him to fight her she could feel him holding back, but this woman? This fight to the death? This was what she desired!


Her eyes watched the woman as she created space between them and in that moment she could feel her body twitch and stir. Her breaths grew heavier as her cheeks began to burn a blazing pink in contrast to her normally fair skin. In that moment her eyes did not glow, they did not shutter, rather they rested themselves on a beautiful crimson that took the place of her normal blue. It was as if blood had been poured into her irises and yet it looked even more normal than the blue she was born with. Her bosom heaved as the pleasure from combat rose within her soul and soon she found herself engulfed in the clutches of madness once again. In that solemn moment, she felt like a child again, the feeling of her power truly growing through experience. So she chose to declare it to the world.


'Ah! Beautiful! Absolutely and utterly beautiful! Even as you fall through the sky with no hope of winning you’d choose to grow in power rather than be felled and not fight back? You’re exactly like me. O how deliciously seductive you are, like a ripened fruit ready to be plucked from the vine. In honor of your ruthless intent to grow and ongoing will to live, I will fight you with everything I have.'


Mayray could not understand what it was this girl spoke of, she was simply trying to survive. But it became ever clear what the meaning behind her words was meant to be as she approached so quickly there was hardly time to react. She raised her sword to swing it, but by the time it was lifted to strike it had already been clutched in the woman’s hand. She was no longer falling, simply holding onto her weapon which was being held by her opponent. She refused to look away from her eyes as the assassin’s foot swung upward, an attempt to strike her in her chin yet she moved her head back just in time. A desperate attempt in Gabi’s eyes and yet it was not until a blade of pure black protruded itself from Mayray’s foot did she release her weapon in order to move off to the side.


As the woman continued to fall did it only make itself more obvious that she deserved to lose against everything she had. Watching as daggers and knives carved from the shadows came flying in her direction, Gabi maneuvered herself out of the way as she reached her right had out to the side. As her weapon of choice formed itself around her arm did her free hand grab the now tattered dress, which was still on her person, and rip it clean from her body. Underneath was nothing more than a tight fitting sports bra and shorts of the same skin tight cloth material. As her wings opened up and her decent slowly began did Mayray see what was happening. This was serious. More serious than it had been before. Her eyes were filled with something completely different from before.


Complete satisfaction.


With a single wingbeat her approach was beyond stoppable, the woman choosing to raise the flat of her sword up to her face in order to defend and yet the feeling of the weapon as well as the gauntlet slamming against the bridge of her nose was almost enough to knock her unconscious on the spot. She could feel herself being weighed down on and the sound of rushing wind all around them gave way to her intentions. They were plummeting to the ground at speeds so quick that looking up all she could see was Gabi’s blurred image as the moon grew further and further away.


Fighting this girl was a mistake. She’s not someone you can just approach and do what you desire with. I don’t know what she’s been doing this entire time, but it isn’t something anyone else has be known to do. She's no ancient or treasure, but she's simply too much! I’m going to die here. I can see it in her eyes.


As the walls of the building came back into view, the hole Gabi had previously emerged from through the roof growing more distant, did the sound of a single strong wingbeat cause her body to tremble. She could hear the sound of the building shake around them as she was placed softly upon the ground. At first she was confused and yet as the woman’s gauntlet released her face did she realize the situation was different from what she had predicted. She had been allowed to live.


'Why?'


'What do you mean, "why"?'


'Why did you let me live? It was clear there was no possible way I could have beaten you. You even let me use my abilities again and I was still no match. So why?'


'Isn’t that obvious? It’s because you fight in a way that most claimants have abandoned. You fight as if you can never be allowed to die, as if your death carries more weight than the entire world itself. You fight with purpose outside of the ancients, and that is clear as the dark itself. Also Eva certainly would not be pleased with me if I killed you.'


'You’re a very odd person… who exactly are you? I originally came her to learn exactly that, but there was nothing. No records, no information, nothing outside of your work.'


'Eva and the other one didn’t tell you? Well I suppose someone like her doesn’t have to tell you anything. I am Gahbriogyva Leigh Dimea, the daughter and only real child of Cyva and Gahbreal, although the latter would love to claim more.'


Mayray was left without proper words as the girl blinked and the red had simply vanished from her eyes. How had she not seen it sooner? Rather, how had she not discovered this sooner? Looking at her more closely she was the spitting image of not him or Cyva, rather every feature the girl had gave off the similarities of a taller version of her mother! She had been so busy and Gahbreal had grown so much that she hadn’t checked up on his in decades, but she had not expected him to have a child of his own in that time. She lifted herself from the ground, the pain quickly setting in from the pressure of all the attacks she had attempted to guard against or gotten struck by.


'You… that doesn’t make any sense', she winced as stood to her feet and looked her directly in the face, 'Xainayne must know you exist.'


'Of course. Why does that matter?'


'Why would he hide this information from me?!'


The woman’s sudden outburst caused Gabi to raise an eyebrow. Why did this matter so much to her? Before meeting Evagelyne she didn’t even know this woman existed, and yet she found meaning in being upset that Xainayne didn’t reveal her existence to her? Of course he wouldn’t! Her life was a secret amongst secrets! If that ancient had gone about flapping his gums to every one of his claimants that came around then it wouldn’t be much of a secret. Someone who fancied themself to be an assassin as this woman no doubt was would be capable of knowing that at least. Unless there was something else she had yet to understand at play.


'It is only natural that he would not tell you. It is a well kept secret after all. Only the ancients and a handful of people even know I am a claimant so it is natural that you would not be told.'


'I see. And what of Hellfire? Does he know of your existence?'


'Hellfire? Unfortunately. In order for me to live on my own it was made a rule that I must manage my anger. As such Evyette often checks up on me and takes me to his bar for drinks and meals. He figured out who I was on his own, since we have the same natural eye color and I look almost exactly like my grandmother. In his words "if you were a brunette then I might have thought you were my younger sister". I suppose I cannot blame him. Apparently he hates my father, but for some reason that does not extend to me.'


'Well that would be because he was put into a position he’d never know about. It was foolish of our parents to set Gahbreal up like that, but then again they’ve never been known to be the best people. So hungry for power they’d have their own children be at odds with one another if only to give them reason to grow more powerful. Even if that reason is only to kill one another.'


What was she talking about? Had she heard her correctly? The way she spoke it almost seemed as if she were related, but neither her father nor Hellfire had ever chosen to speak of her. Did she do something to separate herself from the rest of them? Of course she was strong, but she lacked the brute force of her father or uncle. Her skills on the other hand were much sharper and if pushed to her limits she would certainly put the other two into dire straights. Then again that could not be. Her grandfather had never spoke of her and her grandmother also never mentioned anything about—


"The people I love I can only look at from the shadows. My family has separated itself from me, and there’s no one I can blame but myself. My darling Mayray, my strong Gahbreal, my sweet little Jerimyha. All of them hate me."


How had she managed to forget that? That was one of the first things she and her grandmother had ever spoken about? She felt disgusted with herself to have forgotten something so important. Her grandmother had poured her heart out to her and she had managed to let the memory fall to the wayside. Her eyes faltered, flickered between red and blue and for the first time since she was s a child did she wonder if she was looking at things correctly. Power was certainly important, more important than anything. Everything even. But was it more important than her family? Had she allowed it to grow more important than the people she loved?


'How foolish of me. To question myself', she spoke as her eyes settled on the vibrant blue, 'I suppose I am partially to blame for this failure in realization. I even knew your name and yet I wasn’t even paying proper attention. To think I could memorize your scent but not remember that you have my own aunt’s name. To think that a new friend of mine calls you ‘Aunt May’ and I did not even realize the connection until now.'


They both stood awkwardly face to face, neither of them knowing the proper action to take next. Mayray sighed and fell back onto the ground, the numbness starting to finally set in on her legs as the shadows which were tracing along her body slipped away. Her clothes were more than torn apart. One of the legs of her pants had been torn off when she was thrown into the air, her jacket was in tatters from when she was propelled through the window, how she had managed to get out of the situation with only a few small cuts and scrapes was a miracle of its own.


'How my brother’s kid managed to grow into such a wild child, I’ll never understand. You don’t hold back any of your punches.'


'I was holding back… at the start at least.'


'If you call that holding back then you not trying at all must kill people who take your words seriously.'


'Well that would be their own fault. If they were so weak to die at the start of a fight then they should not have ever challenged me to begin with.'


'You speak as if from experience.'


'Maybe it is experience, maybe it is not.' The two of them stood quietly for a moment before their chuckles echoed through the halls. It made sense now, why this woman was so skilled for her level of power. It would only make sense that someone she was related to could hold their own better than the average fodder. Her father refused to fight her seriously, yet she could tell by the way he maneuvered around her attacks that he was powerful in his own right. The only person she had yet to challenge in their family now would be Hellfire but even Evyette had warned against getting on his bad side. Apparently he was not the type to be toyed with and yet that made her desire after it even more. Gabi only really got along with people who held onto a proper hunger for power. Mayray had certainly proven to be one of those people. Then again she needed to learn more, see more, experience more of the claimant world. The only reliable gauge of power she had was her own family and it was because of that it had managed to be so unreliable. Sure her father was strong and his parents had raised him to be that way before Xainayne put him through the motions, but this fight was more than enough to remind her that some power could be hidden from her sight.

She needed to find more people to temper her edge. Hopefully this new she had made with her grandmother's employers would give her that experience she desired.


'This is odd. I would have never expected to be weaker than my own niece. Perhaps I’ve been slacking for too long... then again I’ve had more important things to tend to for quite some time now.'


'It is only natural. My life revolves around power after all. So how about we get cleaned up and talk more over dinner? I planned on eating on my own tonight, but I suppose I could use some company. That is, if you are willing to spend the time with me?'

Kikana walked side by side with her granddaughter, the night air brushing against her skin and sending the slightest shiver across her body. It had been three years since the girl had began to work alongside her and although it was kept secret she was more than effective at accomplishing her duties. Gabi had come to her about a means to gain strength and requested she tell her all the avenues that would lead her to direct combat with others. Of course Kikana would not hold any information back from the girl, and as such she told her of her job as an assassin although she knew that would not please the woman. Instead she chose to later reveal to her the group she worked with behind the scenes, the one that would no doubt catch her attention albeit at the cost of utmost secrecy. Then again, Gabi was well accustomed to keeping her secrets.


‘How have you been enjoying your work so far? It has been a few years now and you've been doing well to keep yourself separate from all avenues. Has this been pleasing you?’


‘Indeed, it has. I have to thank you again. Although I do not get work as quickly as my father does this is more than enough. The Program has proven to provide me with just the right amount of bodies to keep pushing myself further.’


‘Are you certain that these people are capable of even giving you the challenge you need, dear?’


‘Of course! A person fighting for their life will always fight harder than ever before, after all.’


She had agreed to introduce her to the Program under three conditions. The first and most important being she never allow Stasia or Verin to touch her. While Verin was not nearly as much of a problem as the former, neither of them could be too certain. If they ever got a hold of her whereabouts then disaster would surely strike in the form of a fight to the death, although it might be more dangerous for Either of the two to touch her in general. Secondly she had to make sure her schedule was always free. She needed to be capable of working at all times without drawing suspicion and that was the easiest part for her. She owned her place of business and her coworkers all believed she worked too hard. As such they were pleased to find her taking more time for herself. The third… to change an important feature. She needed to look different from the way she once had and while she was against it at first, Gabi had chosen quite quickly what she would change. It did however worsen her mood for the following months.


Kikana’s eyes observed the woman’s equipment, as light as ever. She wore a pair of black leggings which looked to be made from some form of custom Kevlar as well as a small pouch strapped to her upper thigh. Her upper body covered by a long sleeved turtleneck made form the same material with openings in the back where her wings could easily fit through. Her right hand was covered with her gauntlet while her left was left uncovered, her feet the same. How she walked around barefoot everywhere she went was still confusing to the assassin and yet it had been the same when she was younger. If it didn’t have to do with work or public appearance then it did not require her shoes. Her eyes were the same beautiful blue they had always been and yet her hair was much longer than before. Where it was once a tangle of blonde strands tickling her shoulders it was now pulled back into a deep black pony tail that waved back and forth between her folded wings. AS it turned out, changing the color of her hair was easier than anything else, although she’ll never forget what the girl had told her afterward.


“My mother would not stop crying for days. I would have liked to avoid making her sad.”


Perhaps she did have a heart, albeit only for those she held close. Or maybe it was only for her mother. No one really knew, but there was little time to sit and rest on the past. She looked to her granddaughter who’s eyes turned to her before giving her a nod.


‘Looks like we’ve been found out.’


‘It was to be expected. They have been hiding out here for a long time. They seem cautious however, as if they were expecting my father. I am sure they do not know what to think of this.’


‘It doesn’t matter what they think. We do this as we always have. Tāgetto o kyapucha shimasu. Nani mo iki nokosanaide kudasai.’
(Capture the target. Leave none alive.)


‘You don’t have to tell me twice’, Gahbriogyva spoke as her eyes turned from blue to crimson, ‘I’ll leave the target to you. You leave the cleanup to me. I can smell them all so none of them will be able to run away.’


‘Bakkin. Sassoku ima.’
(Fine. Quickly now.)


As quickly as she spoke the words Kikana had disappeared into the shadows, leaving Gahbriogyva to her own devices with the others. She caught their scent lingering on the air. Eight, nine, a few attempting to hide, twelve. No mercy for those either. She stepped forward as confidently as ever and when a bullet came flying from the trees and collided with her shoulder she could only smile.


‘What was that supposed to be? If you’re going to shoot someone you should do it with gusto, as if wanting to erase their very essence. Observe.’


She reached her left hand behind her back, reaching beneath one of her wings and retrieving her custom shotgun. This one was different from the one she kept at her family home which was covered in stickers and tags. This one was adorned with bones which looked to be forcibly lodged into its overall design. She raised it quickly in the direction from which the bullet had come from and pulled the trigger without hesitation, the sound of the gunshot alone howling through the night and disorienting everyone in the surrounding area. The shock was so strong that some of them had fallen from their positions to the ground, however upon looking to check up on their friend they would find nothing more than a mangled form dangling from the top of the large spruce.


‘He couldn’t survive a single shot? Or well, technically I fired all three at once. You should all invest in better guns if you plan to use them.’


Her taunts were working just as she had hoped they would, although they did not know how she planned to toy with them. A blink and a flash, the area was dyed in red for a brief moment and with it came her lack of care for which house they claimed to be a part of. Their panicked screams and attempts to regroup meant nothing. It was time for the hunt.


She moved forward quickly, getting into the fray with those who looked to be the weakest first so she might save the best for last. Her fists were like flashes in the darkness. They were all skilled in their own right, but it meant nothing. Their teamwork was commendable and it was clear that they had been working together for years, and yet as she broke through their lines and culled them one by one things had begun to look more dire for the group.


‘One… two… three…’ she spoke as her fists and her feet struck down her opponents with force beyond force. It was always easy to tell who was the weakest, seeing their head from its shoulders with a single kick or their body give way and her hand finding itself lodge within their chest form a single punch. ‘Four… five… six…’ the group had begun to panic and yet it was this panic she had been hoping for. What as they now began to fight for their lives. Procedures be damned, what truly mattered was the desire for survival, the need for power, the lust for their own lives which would spell the lust after her own death. It was in these moments that she found the claimants to be in their most baser forms, fighting like animals backed into a corner. ‘Seven… eight… nine…’


She paused for a moment, stopping dead in her tracks as her eyes surveyed the area. One of the defenders struggling to his feet and staring her down intently. He looked angry and yet his body gave off a different feeling entirely.


‘You. I won’t let you get away with this.’


‘You can’t be serious…’


‘What?’


He looked on as she spoke to… no one? Herself? She seemed more frustrated than anything, but for some reason she wasn’t even paying any attention to him although he was till alive. Was she making a mockery if him? He gritted his teeth as the thought crossed his mind and stood at the ready. Looking on as this woman, this fallen angel, this devil stood before him.


‘What a shame. I got so absorbed in the fight I didn’t allow them the chance to grow. What a waste. I suppose I’ll just have to see if the last three are worth anything.’


The male’s eyes grew wide, hearing the words she spoke causing a sense of rage and anger as he raised his weapon and rushed forward. In his mind he wanted to cry out, declare that she go no further, cut her down on the spot and yet… all he could do was watch as his weapon came to an instant halt. She wasn’t making a mockery of him at all and it was clear to see as she chose to stop his weapon with her bare hand, her fingers in fact, choosing to use her left uncovered one rather than the gauntlet. She wasn’t edging him on or insulting him, she just knew the difference in power and now he knew it as well. As her eyes turned in his direction and his gaze would meet hers did she sigh, and with a twist of her fingers the weapon pulled itself from his hands and landed on the ground a few feet away.


‘Did you think you could fight me and be victorious like that? You managed to survive a single strike from me, although I was holding back quite a bit, so don’t you think you should have a little less fear on your face? Go pick up that sword and try again. This will be your last chance. Make the most of it.’


He looked over to see his sword lying on the ground, her words stinging at his mind and chest. He clenched his fists and once again his teeth grinded together. What was he doing? Was he going to just sit here and let this woman insult him? He looked back in her direction and once again she wasn’t even paying any attention to him! The audacity! After killing so many people she would still find it within herself to treat him like nothing? If she would treat him like this then did she view the others as less than nothing? These proud claimants who would stake their lives on the line for what they believed in? Their ancients? Their dreams? That was absolutely unforgivable for the male who raised his fist and stepped forward, an action which caused Gabi to turn her attention back in his direction yet only find herself to be met with a fist to the face.


‘I won’t be looked down on so easily! I don’t care who you are or how strong you are, I will not allow you to look down on all of us!’


‘Ah! Yes… What a magnificent display’, the male looked on in disgust as the woman turned her face against his fist until they were once again face to face. ‘Don’t you have any more? I want to have that same desire, that same aggression, I want to be pelted with it, showered by it until I’m completely drowning in the stuff! You’re right! Why use weapons? We should use what we were given from birth, the tools of our bodies to fight! Now then, give it to me. Give it all to me!’


As he looked at the woman, cheeks burning red with an unidentified lust, he found himself realizing just how crazy his opponent was. She looked almost as if she were prepared to take him to bed and yet the madness and bloodlust in the air was intoxicating. He could feel the warmth of her breath, see the condensation as she pressured him, pushing closer and closer until their bodies were pressed together. Why could he not push her back? It barely felt like she was doing anything and yet he couldn’t even properly struggle against her! What could he have possibly awakened? This couldn’t possibly be just any claimant, or was it even a claimant at all?


I have to move away, I have to break away from her, make distance! If I don’t it feels like she’ll draw me in and absorb me whole!


‘Hey’, her words caused him to snap back to the situation at hand. He stepped back slowly, normally, only a single step as he watched this girl who carried a gentle smile and a face filled with infatuation, ‘won’t you live through this attack for me? It would make me happy if you would.’


She lifted her hand straight up into the air, the speed of her breathing increasing in pace as the time of her attack grew closer and closer. The male seeing just how dire the situation had become and standing at the ready, raising his arms to defend. There was panic, but also the desire to live above all else. For Gahbriogyva however, there was nothing more than lust and desire. She could feel herself growing stronger just from the few extra attacks it would take to finish him off.


The door creaked open and as it did a male rushed her with a small blade in hand. She stepped to the side just as he was going to strike, her foot colliding with his stomach and sending him flying up into the roof of the small shack. Multiple items fell to the ground from the shelves that lines the walls and as he came falling back down did she swing her hand quickly through air, the claws piercing through his flesh and ripping out whatever it would take to end him there. Of course he would struggle to cling to life, but it meant nothing as she left him on the ground to savor his last breaths. Her attention was instead on the woman and child who cowered in the corner. It disgusted her that they would hide themselves away and allow their friends to perish as they did so, but that was just how the weak survived. At least until she decided they no longer deserved to live.


‘Sorry about this. No hard feelings, but you’re going to have to all die for me. Don’t try to struggle, it wont do you any… good…’


Gabi watched as the child stood up, innocence incarnate as they all were and put himself between herself and the woman. It only proved to ring true that her beliefs were the real deal. Children always had the heart to do what most adults could not. Whether it be their incapability to understand the gravity of their situations or the simple desire to protect or fight. It was no doubt beautiful. But most importantly it was sad.


She reached behind her back once again and retrieved her fire arm. The woman and child watched as she cracked the weapon open and the three empty shells fell to the ground in a pile of dust before she reached into the pouch on her side and retrieved three more shells. She took her time placing each one into the proper barrels before the crack could be heard again and she raised the weapon up directly to the child. The woman raised her hand, a look in her eyes which spelled an attempt at resistance, but Gahbriogyva was not prepared to allow her to intervein in this child’s display of courage. It was easily squashed with a flash of red and silence, until she spoke again.


‘What’s your name?’


No response…


‘I see… then tell me child. Are you afraid?’


No response… although he nodded ever so slightly. She smiled. Without shedding a single tear he was prepared to throw himself directly in the way of the things he feared. She did not want to put him to waste.


‘Then tell me this. Would you be willing to become mine? You’ll survive this situation if you do so. What’s your answer?’


Again, no response. Although the look in his eyes gave away his answer. She smiled, although she did not want to. Her blue eyes focused on the woman behind him for a brief moment before going back to the boy. She repositioned her finger on the trigger of her weapon and gave him a look of care and respect.


‘You are a brave child. You remind me of my mother, although she surely would have cried in this situation… Erishian e no anzen'na ryokō.’


Kikana turned her attention from the corpse that lay upon the ground, head split open down to the middle of their chest, to see her granddaughter descending from the sky. Her clothes and hands covered in blood as to be expected. What was unexpected however was the look on her face, filled with a solemn sorrow, as well as the item in her hand which the claws of her gauntlet scraped and carved at. As she stepped forward it became clear that her new trophy was a skull which she had meticulously been scrapping away all the clinging pieces of flesh from its shape. It was almost completely cleaned by now, aside from the blood, it seemed she was getting even better at cleaning these trophies than she had been in the past.


‘Are you prepared to go wolf pup?’


‘Where is the target? Were they already retrieved?’


‘Yes. As you know, this one was going to be picked up by someone else so we can leave this place. Someone else will come by for cleanup.’


‘I see. This is good. Let us return home. I have a special place for this brave little one.’


She paused, reaching into the pouch on her side and pulling out her phone. A quick glance followed by a sigh and it was a clear to her grandmother what was happening. She reached her hand forward to which the woman seemed to be reluctant, but quickly handed her the skull before taking a few steps back and spreading her wings.


‘Please see that this goes to my study. In the same place as normal. I have business to handle so I will contact you later tonight. Xainayne preserve you.’


With those words the woman ascended into the air with a few flaps of her wings. Leaving her new precious item in the care of Kikana. It seemed she would be rather busy tonight.


-Later That Night-


She shook her wings, watching as the water trickled from the feathers onto the grass. It would have been in poor taste to show up covered in blood, although it wouldn’t have been anything out of the ordinary. She looked at the message once again as the water dripped from her body ,“we need to talk. Come to my place and I will meet you there”. Why Eva needed to talk wasn’t what worried her. There were multiple reasons that could be taking place, but none that would really call for her particular attention. As time had gone on her friend had grown rather close to her, but that was mainly due to how close she was to her mother. At times it felt more like they were sisters and yet what stood out more was her growth.


Eva had not been idle in the slightest. One of the first things she had gone about revealing to her was that she was not, in fact, an Aikekunai. Explaining that rather her being the person she thought she was it was truly her brother who carried the title behind the scenes. It made her even more curious when she had been told of his capabilities, much more exceptional than what Jayhe was made to believe Eva’s own was. The same concept, although far more effective. She explained that her mother was the queen of all claimants, a title that Gabi had not known really existed but was soon told that it was a title that went unacknowledged by the ancients. Her multitude of followers had simply come to call her that and she herself took up the mantle to lead them as such. She also explained that her mother was locked away in the Prism as well as her own identity being kept secret.


‘Yvaxiphoria, daughter of Audomattadjia Vall… Yva… Eva… I always thought that “e” was pronounced as an “a” but I can see why she would have everyone pronounce it this way… then again I suppose that is one way to have people use your real name without knowing it.’


With a flap of her wings she took off into the air, gliding gracefully through the sky. As she took the short flight to her destination she took not of how the woman had improved. She had certainly grown more powerful, although she did not choose to fight her again. She assumed it was because she simply did not enjoy the combat itself, but Koven had told her it was because “she would not grant you the luxury of holding back”. Was that not a good thing?


Her decent was quick and upon reaching the ground she would approach her front door, reaching into a small compartment near the entrance where a black coat could be found. She folded her wings behind her back and threw the coat over her shoulders before ringing the doorbell, the sound of soft footsteps approaching before the lock was released and she was met with none other than Koven’s face. She almost gave her normal greeting, but was taken aback when she spotted who was waiting inside of the home. Not only was Eva waiting inside, but her aunt May as well as… someone she knew nothing about? She stepped into the building, clearly intrigued by this new face. He did not look like much with a rather frail looking composition. His weight was average and his muscle mass looked to be at the same, but his posture and composure cried out with power.


‘So. What is it that you have called me for? And who might this be?’


‘Welcome Gabi, this is an old friend of my mother’s who has come to speak with me due to rather… sudden events.’


‘Hello child… you may call me Inma. Audomattadjia and my mother once shared a battlefield on multiple occasions… I chose to search her out when none of the ancients would answer my questions involving her fate, but at the end of that road I crossed paths with Mayray. She told me of Audomattadjia’s fate and as she was a close friend of my mother… learning that her mother had named her daughter with the same name as my mother, Eva, I decided that the least I could do was help her achieve her goal.’


‘Well I suppose the pleasure is mine.’


‘Inma this is Gabi, she will be working alongside us in this endeavor. She is a close friend of mine so I would prefer you treat her with respect.’


‘Of course little one. That will be fine… she looks to be someone who is rather respectable, indeed.’


‘So then. What is it that you have called me for, dear?’


She pointed to the television off to the side to which Gabi looked with a shocked expression which quickly turned to pleasure. This was good, this was magnificent! This would no doubt cause a stir between ancients, treasures and claimants alike! This couldn’t get any better! Echowix had made an appearance. She did not even need to know why. Seeing that she had made a move was more than enough.


‘Gabi, this is important. I called you here because the time has come for use to act. My plans have been all building up to this one point. You might not be capable of living in comfort anymore, no doubt you may be put to work by Xainayne. But regardless of what happens we will get what we want. The moment things go my way there will no doubt be conflict. I expected something to happen eventually of this caliber, but this was earlier than I had expected so we move now.’


‘Then what is your plan? If now is the time to put your plan into action then I suppose it is time you reveal it to me.’


‘That’s exactly why you are here. There will no doubt be chaos surrounding this ordeal. Sweet and beautiful chaos circulating through every orifice of this world. What we will do is make the preparations for her return.’


‘Her return… you mean your mother?’


‘That’s exactly who she’s speaking of.’


Koven spoke as he walked over to his sister’s side and leaned against the seat she occupied. It wasn’t until now that he noticed just how serious the two of them were. This was a first time seeing Koven so marred with distaste, breaking his normal composure. Koven was technically adopted by Audomattadjia, making him one of the Vall children as well and the prince of the claimants much like his sister was the princess. She on the other hand was a completely different beast. Yvaxiphoria was far better than her brother at hiding her true feelings and it wasn’t very often she broke her character. Seeing her face twisted with need for her mother.. it only served to deepen Gabi’s craving for the girl’s progress.


‘Our mother is beyond these lowly creatures, yet she finds it within herself to be amongst them. A queen who cares more for her subjects than her own wellbeing, and it was due to this that she found herself in this current situation. Lied to, tricked, manipulated by these rulers who use their titles as a means to do as they please. I heard my mother was a kind soul who would never hurt a fly unless she had no other choice, yet I also heard that in her final moments she fought with everything she had just to exist as she pleased. In peace. How callous.’


Her brother placed his hand on her shoulder, attempting to calm her as her nails dug into the palms of her hands. From beneath the fabric of her skin poured an array of colors which stained the floor between her feet.


‘Calm yourself sister. I will explain the rest.’


‘There is no need. She knows what I called her here for already, I’m sure. I just have to explain the premise of it all… there will come a time when we must fight and I would like to have your support. There will be chaos, whether the ancients want it or not, and we will leap on even the slightest opening to break the barriers that hold her in captivity. I don’t care for what gets caught in the crossfire, nothing will stand in my way. Me and my brother will handle the gathering of information. Mayray will deal with the stealing of secrets and lives that will serve to be a problem. She is meant to be prohibited from leaving her homeland, but now she will be doing as I order. Inma will be gathering his forces and preparing to step in when and if needed.’


‘And what of me? I assume you have something for me to do while all of this is going on?’


‘I need you to take a step forward’, it was confusing to say the least, but then the woman stood from her seat and walked towards her. ‘For you, Gahbriogyva, I need for you to go and put yourself into the fray. I would rather you goo to Xainayne and request he send you to investigate this situation with Echowix, but we both know that Gahbreal will most likely be against that. If that is the case it would do me well to have you simply cause a commotion. Destroy lives, bring ruin to the claimants overall to draw the attention of the ancients. Anything to keep them unfocused from what is really happening behind the scenes.’


Gabi smiled, her eyes resting on a deep crimson as she leaned forward over Yva. The long black strands of hair fall over the sides of the shorter female’s face as she looked up to the woman who was now completely absorbed in her desires. This was exactly what she had hoped to garner from this partnership. She could feel it, see it coming in the future. Yva, ever since she had first laid eyes on her, gave off the feeling of someone who had a grudge and a desire for something more. She wasn’t so strong that it stood out, but she was certainly skilled by the way she moved. All she had to do was stick by her side and she knew that eventually things would go her way. Now the fruits of her labors had come to this. She inched closer and closer until her lips nearly brushed against Yva’s own and as their eyes remained locked without a chance of straying away…


‘You speak as if our deal has already ended. Did I not make myself clear when our partnership was struck?’ She shifted her head to the side slightly, her eyes remaining on the woman’s as her lips brushed against the edge of Yva’s ear. ‘I told you. I do not belong to you, but I will gladly do as you ask for now and that has not changed. So please, give me an order. Do not ask me, order me, make me do it.’


‘I see you’re still a lustful whore for power and won't budge without me giving you an order, but that’s exactly why we get along so well after all. We know what it means to have strong desires and what it takes to achieve them… Gahbriogyva. From this point forward you will be working directly under my rule. Go, and make certain that my desires are met. Your princess has spoken.’


The woman backed away as her eyes faded from crimson to blue. Her enjoyment melting behind a more reserved and normal look. With her fingers she moved her hair back over her shoulder and licked her lips with satisfaction. It seemed that things would be going in the direction she desired more quickly than she had anticipated. She had been preparing for this moment for years, even joining her grandmother with helping the program was all a part of it. Taking the time to practice hiding her accent and doing what she could to make her origins and identity even more obscure. The fruits of this tree of bones were finally starting to ripen.


‘Of course. If that is what my close friend desires then it is only natural that I do what I can to support her. I will do what I must und I will contact you with the details. Don’t die on me now. This will all go to waste if you fall to something simple, my dear.’


‘I wouldn’t dream of disappointing you Gabi. Now then, be swift. Strike your enemies down and show no mercy. I plan to bring about a new age and you will be there to experience it.’


With that last exchange of words and their own personal farewell Gabi exited the building. Koven looked as if he wanted to stop her and explain more, but Yvaxiphoria chose to stop him. It was unnecessary. Everything the two of them had done leading up to this point was for this very moment and very few words really needed to be passed between the two. Gabi the vanguard on the frontlines, Yva the puppet master in the shadows manipulating her followers around her. Things would be normal, seem normal, until the very last moment.


As Gahbriogyva stepped out onto the sidewalk she turned her head to the sky, shrouded in darkness and moonlight and madness alike. As much as she wanted to keep her composure the smile which spread across her face held something that went beyond the normal madness. Her fingers pressed against her neck and the bottom of her chin as her smile grew and her face seemed almost like that of something else. Inhuman, almost like something you’d see on a demon. She locked her red eyes onto the moon as if wishing to challenge Lunia herself, but now was not the time for something like that. She needed to contain herself, at least until she was truly ready to become what she desired to become. Until she was truly ready to take up the mantle of god. Until then she would leave them all with a solemn vow:


‘You can all run if you want to, you can all hide if you need, but I’m going to cut you down. Prayers be damned, I will make a realm from your blood to rule over. You can run. You can hide. You can pray. But I’m going to cut you down.’