《The Song of Sorrow (Finished)》


 Chapter 1: The Assassins Regret.

    With a silent landing she appeared from the vents inside the spacious bureau. Her eyes scanned through the round room, a big window front, looking down on the illuminated town from the hundredth floor. An alluring sight indeed but her eyes were drawn to the desk with the big chair in the middle of the room, they were also the only furnishings there. Slowly, she rose up and with hushed steps moved closer to the chairs back facing her.


    Her hand reached gently for the handle of the sword on her waist. With an casual motion she began to draw it just as a voice rang out from behind the chair, ¡®¡¯So you have finally come.¡¯¡¯


    Her motion instantly hastened and the elegant sword was drawn from its scabbard soundless, ready to strike. But the kind voice rang out again, ¡®¡¯No need to be hasty, I won¡¯t run or call for help. Afterall I knew you were coming, hear this old man out before you kill him please.¡¯¡¯


    Her motion stopped, the blade just an handwidth from the chair¡¯s back, her body ready to strike in an instant. ¡®¡¯Speak.¡¯¡¯ Her voice rang out.


    Very slow the chair turned around, the old man with grey hair looking at her, her target. A strange feeling befell her as the assassin looked into his eyes, they seemed so ancient, so full of kindness. The edge of her blade moved, coming to rest on his throat within a blink. She nodded after letting her eyes scan him for any threat.


    ¡®¡¯Once.. A long time ago I was similar to you my child. I followed the path of human slaughter, countless lives fell under my hand, a wretched existence I was at that time. But that lies a long time behind now.¡¯¡¯ For a moment his eyes became distant, then they focused again and he continued his words.


    ¡®¡¯Child, you are bound by shackles of your own creation. Freedom was yours all along, you were just blind to it as nobody ever showed you. So let this old one become the key to open those chains for you.¡¯¡¯ His kind smile never vanished from his lips as he spoke.


    There never was a change of expression on her face either, as he nodded and closed his eyes her sword moved and struck forward. Piercing his heart in a clean motion. No sound was heard as he opened his eyes again. For a moment they just looked at each other, the target and the assassin.


    His breathing became shallow and his eyes started to grow dim, only then with another soundless motion she withdrew her sword from his chest. ¡®¡¯I forgive you child.¡¯¡¯ Were his last words before he closed his eyes again, for the last time in his life. A strange feeling, one unknown to her arose within her.


    And for the very first time in her life she cried. Her green eyes filled with tears, dripping to the floor and running down her face. It was at that moment she understood, she was free.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Several hours later.


    In a dim and sparse room she sat, her eyes red from crying. Her short hair disheveled and her clothes still stained with the blood of the old man. She had enough, ¡®¡¯No more...¡¯¡¯ She weakly whispered to nobody in particular as she grabbed her cellphone. She opened the contact list and sent a mass mail to all contacts.


    # no more #


    After sending this message she dialed another number and held the phone to her ear. A voice picked up on the other side, ¡®¡¯Emergency hotline, what is your emergency?¡¯¡¯ For a moment a shiver ran through her and a nausea arose within her before she spoke. ¡®¡¯I.. Please send the police, I want to hand myself in.¡¯¡¯ A ragged breath escaped her lips as she awaited the answer.


    ¡®¡¯What do you mean ma¡¯am?¡¯¡¯ Her expression hardened and she nearly began to gag as her unsteady voice spoke again. ¡®¡¯I have committed murder, my last victim is the old guy at the bureau at the business district, struck down with a sword. You can find me at this location.¡¯¡¯ After giving her location she ended the call and waited. She kneeled down on the floor, laying this abominable sword on her lap and waited in silent darkness. It only took a few minutes till sirens were drawing closer from the distance.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Several days later within an Interrogation room.


    ¡®¡¯You know that you nearly got shot because you didn¡¯t let go of your sword? It was a real hassle to find a way to seal it up on the spot.¡¯¡¯ The officer massaged his temples as he said that. He seemed rather exhausted after listening the last few days to her story. ¡®¡¯So, explain why do you have no problem with handing yourself in? With telling your story and give a full testimony, but not let go of your sword?¡¯¡¯ A big sigh escaped him as he leaned back against his chair.


    The assassin looked at the reflection of herself in the double sided mirror. Her green eyes looked absent now instead of fierce, her features were sharp and hard as always but the sharpness which she would usually carry was now completely gone. Only her short silver hair had remained the same.


    After keeping her silence for a bit she spoke in a soft voice, ¡®¡¯To protect you. It is my curse to carry it, nobody else should touch it.¡¯¡¯ Her expression remained unchanged, maybe something had broken. Or maybe there was never anything within her that could create expressions.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Five days later.


    Once more she sat in the interrogation room. Awaiting the same officer who had talked to her all those days before. But when the door opened someone else stepped in. It was a man wearing a black suit with stern expression. Her eyes scanned over him, at his wrist a durable watch used by soldiers, his hands rough. Methodical movements, and from the way he moved he had seen his fair share of combat.


    ¡®¡¯Who sent you?¡¯¡¯ she asked with her soft voice, now again looking into the mirror. ¡®¡¯So you noticed, as one would expect from one such as you.¡¯¡¯ He answered her without a change in his expression. Not from one of the main agencies she thought. But still remained ultimately uncaring. ¡®¡¯I was sent by someone to give you an offer, as it is now you will be put to death. But I can give you an alternative.¡¯¡¯


    Only now did she look at him again, her eyes turned fierce for a moment before returning to their listless state again. ¡®¡¯Death sounds good¡­ I won¡¯t need to kill again. It is justified.¡¯¡¯ She spoke this words still unmoved. What she feared was to be forced to kill again, to be shackled again by those chains which had bound her all her life. Death seemed to be such a sweet offer in relation to the other choice.


    Both looked at each other now, if an outsider had walked in it would have been a strange scene. Both people in the room looking at each other without the slightest expression on their faces. Only after a good while did the Agent speak again. ¡®¡¯I think you are misunderstanding, I was not sent to hire you to kill humans, it is the opposite. We want to offer you the choice to live to atone for your deeds, your job would be to protect this time.¡¯¡¯ Her thin brows furrowed, making something close to an expression appear the first time in all those days on her face.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡®¡¯To protect means that I have to kill what tries to destroy what I protect, which means I would still need to kill. I decline.¡¯¡¯ With those words said her face turned solemn again. Once more quietness was spreading in the room. The suit wearing agent seemed to contemplate for a moment before speaking again.


    ¡®¡¯If you accept our offer you will live, I can not promise that you don¡¯t need to kill humans, but if that is the case then something has majorly gone wrong. If nothing goes wrong really badly you will never need to kill humans again.¡¯¡¯ It was a strange scene, how those two could talk like that without showing any emotion at all.


    ¡®¡¯As long as there is a chance that I have to take another life I will not comply. I will choose death.¡¯¡¯ A big sigh escaped the agent, this was the first time that he showed something similar to an reaction to her words. Then he stood up and left without another word.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Another five days later.


    The last five days she had sat silently in her cell, contemplating what she had done all her life. Regret upon her inability to understand her freedom earlier kept pouring stronger and stronger into her mind. Making her feel sick and weak. On the fifth day she was brought to the interrogation room again, still carrying her now sealed sword.


    Once more she was cuffed to the table and awaited whatever visitor would appear before her. Again it was the suit clad agent which entered instead of the officer. The game of silence began again between them. It lasted for ten minutes or so till he spoke. ¡®¡¯I spoke with my superiors, the offer is now as follows; You are granted amnesty should you decide to work for us, the work which you would partake in is highly dangerous and chances are you will lose your life along the way. Upon accepting this offer you will be taken to another place and receive certain training before participating in missions. You will be paid for each mission you finish, should you be unable to finish a mission you will receive only a quarter of the payment. Also, we promise you will not have to kill any humans in any mission.¡¯¡¯ With that said he leaned back against his chair awaiting her answer.


    Her eyes now firmly focused on his, ¡®¡¯Tell me more.¡¯¡¯ That was her only response. No change in voice took place but now she gave him real attention. ¡®¡¯Even if we grant you amnesty we can¡¯t let you walk around freely. So you will be confined to the ¡®¡¯base¡¯¡¯ if not on missions, but there you will have the freedom to move as you want. We can promise you full personal freedom there. If you need anything you can make a request and we will organise it to be brought to you, as the work you will do is rather special of nature we will also grant another request as long as it is not something outrageous. The only thing you need to do is listen to the orders of your superior and fulfill your missions to the best of your ability.¡¯¡¯


    After hearing his offer she stayed quiet for a long time, contemplating what she wanted to do. ¡®¡¯I accept under the terms that I never need to kill, I accept under the terms that I can move freely and do not need to do anything shady. I accept under the condition that I get brought the things I require or want. As for my request. My sister.. she knows nothing of all that.. she.. I didn¡¯t see or speak to her since I was a child...¡¯¡¯ This time her voice actually changed, something close to sadness or regret appeared for a moment in her eyes before she fell silent and returned to her usual behaviour.


    The agent looked her deep in the eyes, then he nodded and went to the door. ¡®¡¯I will see to your request before we do anything further.¡¯¡¯ Then the door closed as he left. What remained behind was the assassin awaiting what would come.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Ten days later.


    The same boring room, the same scratched table, the same dim light. The assassin and the agent once more sat in front of each other, but this time the silence lasted much longer before words were spoken. A long and if one would interpret wildly sad sigh was given by the agent before he began to speak.


    ¡®¡¯I am sorry¡­¡¯¡¯ He did not look the young Assassin into the eyes which made hers turn sharp for once. ¡®¡¯What happened?¡¯¡¯ She demanded, with her voice returning back to what it once was, cold, fierce and severing. Her whole expression was that of the predator she was just weeks ago again.


    She could see that her gaze made him shift around in his chair, so she waited. It took a while before he began to continue his words.


    His voice was stern and clear as the following words left his lips. ¡®¡¯Two years ago your sister died in a robbery.¡¯¡¯ As she heard the words he had spoken her mind snapped, she could feel her pupils constricting and her muscles growing taunt. Her expression returned to the one she always had worn on the hunt. She scanned the room, she cuffs holding her, the distance to her sword and the agent. She calculated how fast she could get out of these cuffs grab the sword and kill him with the scabbard. She saw him moving moving his hand to a hidden gun on him, she also noticed the perspiration on his forehead. For a moment more she was contemplating. Then she took a deep breath, while breathing out her expression returned back to the listless one from before. Her muscles relaxing as she sunk back into the chair.


    After a while he took his hand from the gun under the table, something she had long since noticed. Then she spoke in her usual soft and serene tone of voice. ¡®¡¯Sorry.. I nearly broke my vow..¡¯¡¯ Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, he seemed to have understood what she meant. Her words indicated that she was still in cuffs and bound because she allowed it to be so. That she could have broken free and probably killed him anytime she wanted.


    ¡®¡¯Sorry..¡¯¡¯ she said again, and she meant it. He had done nothing wrong, and that she knew. But she still had nearly gone and broken the vow she herself laid upon herself. Normally she would never make such a mistake. It was just a proof of how much she had changed in the last weeks. ¡®¡¯Please.. Tell me what happened.¡¯¡¯


    It took a long time till it seemed that the agent had calmed down. Then he began to tell her the whole story, how her sister had lived, that she had a husband till he died, and that she had a daughter. It was there that the assassin stopped the agent. ¡®¡¯I have a niece?¡¯¡¯ For a brief moment her eyes grew kind, but only for a moment. ¡®¡¯Yes, right now she lives in an orphanage quite close to the location you would go to after accepting the job. And before you ask, she is well. The death of her mother hit her hard but she is on a good way as far as we can tell.¡¯¡¯ His face actually lost the hardness it had before and his eyes looked a bit kind now.


    ¡®¡¯I want to meet her.. wait.. I want to change my wish.. please make it so that she is safe.. I have many enemies.. please protect her, as long as you do that I will work for you.. also let me see her just once.. from a distance.. I can¡¯t meet her as tainted in blood as I am...¡¯¡¯ Her eyes were bright for a bit till they returned back to their listless appearance.


    Then the agent nodded to her and said, ¡®¡¯I accept those conditions including those from before, also if it interest you the one who killed your sister. He sits in prison right now for a life long sentence. But.. As a one time offer we can let you decide what happens with him.¡¯¡¯


    The sharpness nearly returned to her eyes but then it vanished as fast as it had started to appear. ¡®¡¯Make sure he does not die, make sure he stays in the darkest place you can find and then lose the key, he has to live till he dies of old age.¡¯¡¯ A moment of silent returned before the agent nodded. Then as if momentarily distracted he murmured ¡®¡¯Darkest place... Just like us.¡¯¡¯ Those words went not unnoticed by her, but she decided to not say anything.


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Chapter 2: Journey.

    A week had passed since the agent and the assassin came to an agreement. A few hours ago he came back to take her. Now they were sitting in a black highly armored and massive Knight XV*. It came as a surprise when she had seen the massive car upon leaving the prison. Those were rare, and she had only seen them once or twice even in her line of work. She also knew of their price and their luxury, thus she was disappointed when the two entered in the passenger cabin. Two seats facing to the front, and two seats facing to the back. separating passenger and driver cabin. Otherwise there was only a metal floor with some strange depressions and a lot of places on the walls to hold weapons and ammo. The racks for weaponry were currently empty and the only ¡®decoration¡¯ was an intercom with a loud speaker function.


    When he had released her he had brought her a change of clothes. A pair of combat boots, black army pants and a black tank top made up her new ensemble. With the clothes also came a temporary contract. Valid till signing the real one upon arrival. Only including transportation and secrecy obligations. The rest would be included on the full contract.


    The autobahn* endlessly stretched in front of them as they kept driving on and on. ¡®¡¯I never heard your name.¡¯¡¯ The assassin said as she kept looking out of the window. The agent nearly jumped from the sudden interruption of the hours long silence. ¡®¡¯Judge... Just call me Judge.¡¯¡¯ He said softly.


    What a fitting name that was. ¡®¡¯Codename I guess?¡¯¡¯ She was already used to hearing those, in her line of work there was never a lack of people keeping secrets. ¡®¡¯Yes, you yourself are lacking one. You never told us yours, and even in all the documents we have on you. All mentions go by Assassin.¡¯¡¯


    A small smirk appeared on her face, but it was not one of amusement. ¡®¡¯I have no name, I am Assassin. A tool, that is what my parents made me, that is what the world used me as. Nothing more, nothing less. Tools need no name.¡¯¡¯ Her voice for once was drenched in contempt.


    Judge kept his silence as he seemed troubled with finding out how to answer. So the silence spread again, the driver was not helping to break it either as he was contained within the front cabin. Through the small window in the wall between the cabins she could see the front, but nothing of interest was happening there either.


    ¡®¡¯What work will I do?¡¯¡¯ Once again she broke the silence. This time his response came swift, ¡®¡¯I can¡¯t tell you here. Once we arrive at the base you will be told everything you need to know. We can also take a small detour to the orphanage if you want.¡¯¡¯ He looked at her but she didn¡¯t move her eyes from the window, her head still resting on her hand. A slight nod was her answer.


    Since their last talk another hour had slowly passed by, a small movement to her right made her snap out of her staring outside. ¡®¡¯Thirsty?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by Judge as a bottle of water was held in front of her. She observed his expression, and the bottle for a while before slowly taking it.


    She unscrewed it slowly and smelled it, before taking a tiny sip. ¡®¡¯I won¡¯t poison you.¡¯¡¯ The agent said, ¡®¡¯Suspicion has kept me alive this long, not trust.¡¯¡¯ Was her answer before she took another small sip.


    The water bottle was already near empty, and her gaze had focused back on the road again. As her eyes had begun to follow the white road markings her mind slowly started to drift off into a gentle daze. White, grey, white, grey, white, grey. Endlessly they repeated helping her mind to drift further and further.


    It returned back to the scene in the highrise bureau, once more she stood before the old man. Once more they spoke, her blade killed him again. Her memory began to loop, faster and faster the scene repeated in her mind. It all came crashing down at once, all the regret, all the pain. The realization that all she had done was useless, was done by her without realizing she had another choice. All those lives, they all flashed by her, those countless scenes in her memory. Screams, curses, blood, sobbing, pleading.


    She snapped out of it only when a hand grabbed her shoulder, it was Judge. ¡®¡¯What happened? Are you ok?¡¯¡¯ He asked, his voice carrying the sound of worry. But an answer was not given. Cold sweat was dripping down her forehead, she was dizzy and her breath was shallow and fast.


    With a swift motion she had to press her hand on her mouth to keep herself from throwing up right there. Those scenes kept running wild in her mind, even though her mind was focused again it did not stop. Tears were making their way to her eyes. ¡®¡¯Pull over something''s wrong!¡¯¡¯ Judge told the driver via the intercom.


    Time became relative for her as the heart within her chest raced, tears now mixed with her sweat. Continuously they dropped to the floor. She was barely able to keep down what was inside her stomach as the car finally stopped at an empty rest stop hidden behind some bushes. Protected from the view of the passing by cars.


    ¡®¡¯I can¡¯t let you leave the vehicle, but you can sit at the door if you want some fresh air.¡¯¡¯ Judge said as he opened the door and stepped out, positioning himself in a way to block the view to the door from anything coming from behind. Her body was shaking like a leaf in the wind, and the feeling in her limbs was tingling and weak from the lack of oxygen due to hyperventilating.


    She barely managed to reach the door before she lost control over her stomach, painfully bringing up what was inside her. Only after a few minutes did her stomach stop contracting and calmed down. She sat back up next to the door then, wiped off the tears and sweat with her arm and then leaned her head back against the doorframe. She pulled one knee to her chest, the other stretched out in the car.


    Her eyes closed, her breathing slowly started to stabilise as the fresh wind brought a nice and cool feeling. She breathed in deep and slow, exhaled just the same way for a while before her eyes opened again. Her gaze was neither dull nor fierce, maybe pained is the word one would use to describe it.


    ¡®¡¯What happened?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by Judge who was still standing there. He had not moved, nor said a word all this time, just silently looked over her. It took her awhile before she found an answer to his question.


    ¡®¡¯Did you kill someone before?¡¯¡¯ She asked. A tiny change appeared for a moment on the agent¡¯s face before he answered her. ¡®¡¯A few...¡¯¡¯ These two words were all she got from him.


    ¡®¡¯Does it keep you awake sometimes? Do you remember those moments? Can you smell the blood? Hear their screams? Their begging? Their curses as they die by your hand?¡¯¡¯ Judge drew in a long breath before he gave his answer. ¡®¡¯Sometimes¡­¡¯¡¯


    Her head turned and she looked him in the eyes now, then she began to speak. ¡®¡¯Before now, I never dreamed about them, I never cared or felt regret. It was normal. But now¡­ It became different, I can hear them all the time now. Everytime I close my eyes I see their red flowers bloom, I can listen to their curses, to their screams their pain and pleading. I feel regret, there was always a choice for me. But I was blind to it and kept following this path of slaughter. Now I can hear them, I can hear them all, all three hundred and fifty three of them.¡¯¡¯ As her words slowly drifted away with the wind she and Judge looked silently at each other, no one spoke another word.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    They simply sat and stood there like that for a while, each following their own thoughts. There was no need for anyone to say anything either, she knew that Judge had already read her testimony. So it should not have been a surprise to hear these words. But it was still only the second time she had spoken about it.


    Then the ex-assassin grabbed the bottle from her seat and took a sip of water, she moved it around in her mouth for a while before swallowing and closed the bottle again with a sigh. ¡®¡¯You feeling better? If so we will soon continue on, take your seat.¡¯¡¯ The moment she was moving from the door it was closed and Judge walked towards the front of the Vehicle.


    She observed him from the corner of her eyes, doing what he did and awaited his return. The moment he came back and opened the door to enter the armored car she grew unusually angry. ¡®¡¯You are a really sadistic bastard, gets you going to make a girl hold it for six hours while you enjoy your freedom of movement doesn¡¯t it?¡¯¡¯ She spat her angry words at him.


    She herself was surprised by her sudden temper, there was no need to mention Judge¡¯s expression. She just stared at him as he stood there unmoving, seemingly contemplating his next words very careful.


    ¡®¡¯Apologies, I really did not think about it. That was my mistake, please wait a moment.¡¯¡¯ Again she looked at him through the toned windows as he went to the front and grabbed something from the driver cabin. After a moment he came back, he opened the door and said ¡®¡¯Catch.¡¯¡¯ as he threw something over. Without even really looking at it she caught it, only inspecting it now. ¡®¡¯This should help, I will wait outside.¡¯¡¯ She heard him say as he closed the door again and turned his back to the window.


    She raised her eyebrow for a moment before tearing apart the shrink wrap from the funneled bottle. The first moment she wanted to throw it across the interior, but the painful feeling in her lower body made her sigh angrily before pulling down her pants. Her furious thoughts slowly calmed down as the bottle began to fill up, she realised that she was not really angry at Judge. She was not angry at anyone at all, the whole situation was just to sudden, too much for her to handle.


    Everything she knew, everything she was. Every feeling she ever had and every action she ever did. All of that was wrong, all of these things were gone. She always had heard the screams, the voices and the curses. But she easily ignored them, they were not able to inflict pain to her before. But her heart no longer was a still pond. Now it was a raging sea, furious and wild and full of emotions she never felt before.


    She quickly finished up and sealed the bottle. When she knocked on the door Judge opened it and held out his hand. ¡®¡¯Gimme the bottle, I will empty it out so you can use it later again.¡¯¡¯ Another sigh escaped her, what had become of her. But she still let him do as he wanted. When he returned he gave it back and sat down. Only moments later they restarted their travel.


    It took a while before the silver haired woman spoke again. ¡®¡¯Sorry.. I did not mean what I said earlier¡­¡¯¡¯ Her voice sounded sincere as she spoke, after saying what she had to say her head came to rest on her hand again, staring out of the window.


    ¡®¡¯I can¡¯t understand your feelings or your situation completely, but I know that it must be hard. I have seen your report, and roughly got an idea about your life. So it is ok, no harm was done.¡¯¡¯ After he gave her an answer the silence returned.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Four hours later.


    The six ton vehicle came to a stop on the other side of a big gothic style building. It looked old but well maintained, it was surrounded by garden and an iron fence. Even its location was nice at the outskirts of a small town in a mountainous region of central europe.


    The nameless assassin¡¯s gaze was focused on the old building, her eyes darting around and scanning the place. ¡®¡¯Will I be able to see her?¡¯¡¯ She asked with a very quiet voice. It was hard to bring out a loud sound right now, her body was tense and her fingers were drumming on her leg.


    ¡®¡¯We made it in time, this orphanage has a schedule. And according to that the children will get to play outside in a few minutes.¡¯¡¯ Judge answered her question. ¡®¡¯Also if you are interested I was able to find a few more details.¡¯¡¯ She nodded.


    ¡®¡¯Emy Brightheart, nine years of age, brown hair, brown eyes. She has already been here for two years. Our reports indicate that she had closed herself off, which is not surprising after first losing her father in an accident and then witnessing the murder of her mother. As such it seems she has denied every couple who tried to adopt her, she was and still is in psychological treatment.¡¯¡¯ She had listened to his words in silence up to this point.


    ¡®¡¯Has the protection detail begun yet?¡¯¡¯ She asked while actually turning her head, looking straight into Judge¡¯s eyes. ¡®¡¯Yes, since today we have started to take steps. Tomorrow a bodyguard will be sent over, that bodyguard will work in cover as caretaker and will not leave Emy alone for a moment. We will also see to it that if she shall be adopted the guarding will continue from the shadows.¡¯¡¯ She slowly nodded as his voice faded into silence.


    A small movement drew her eyes to that spot. The door of the big building opened and many children basically poured out, followed by a few middle aged women. ¡®¡¯The one to the far left, in the red shirt and jeans.¡¯¡¯ Judge pointed out for her.


    Her gaze quickly flew over the crowd and near instantly found her. The moment her eyes


    came to rest on the little girl, her heart was shaken. She looked nearly identical to how her sister had looked when she had seen her the last time. So many years back, now the assassin once more was seeing this appearance.


    Tears were rising once again, her memories returned to her childhood. To the day her sister was forced to leave by her parents. Next her mind returned to the day her parents died, the day she decided to keep being an assassin. Only now in hindsight did she understand that she could always have searched for her sister instead. Only now that it was too late did she understand all those things.


    ¡®¡¯One day¡­ One day when I made up for all my sins, I swear to come for you Emy¡­¡¯¡¯ She bitterly vowed. The second vow she had made to herself in her life, never to kill a human again being the first. She stared a moment longer at Emy before wiping her tears. ¡®¡¯Thank you¡­¡¯¡¯ She silently said.


    With that Judge gave the driver the command to continue their journey again. The armored vehicles powerful V8 turbo engine roared to life and continued its journey to the mysterious base once more. The green eyed woman once more let her gaze return to the small girl before she turned to look at the front, awaiting what was to come.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    1. Conquest Knight VX. A super armored civil vehicle. google it, cause its a beast.


    2. German superhighway.

 Chapter 3: Bird of Song

    The soft humming of the engine, and gently shaking vehicle made the young woman feel like she was within a cradle. It was a peaceful scenery outside the window. A lone winding road, up and down some small hills within a green lush forest. The sunlight was gently falling through her window, feeling warm on her face. A fox was standing at the roadside, watching as the vehicle passed by. A small smile crept onto her lips, it was so strange. The world felt so peaceful, so comfortable. But her mind was in chaos.


    Like that they drove along the road, up and down the hills, deeper into the forest. Soon they passed by signs warning of military restricted area. Chain linked fences topped with barbed wire appeared and a checkpoint soon after. A single soldier stood guard there, opening it as soon as they came into sight.


    After a few more minutes of driving they began ascending a winding serpentine like road. Cliffs were all around, the road seemingly the only way up the hill. It may as well have been a mountain depending on one''s definition. After a short while of endless curves they ascended the plateau.


    After following the road further into the forest atop the elevation a clearing suddenly appeared. The road forked into two and before her eyes an old fortress* appeared. ¡®¡¯Welcome to Fort Avalon.¡¯¡¯ She heard him say. She kept her eyes scanning around as they closed in on the gate. Soldiers in uniform and battlegear were patrolling on the walls, armed with a variety of assault rifles.


    She raised her eyebrows at that. The soldiers here were not idly guarding the fort as she had seen in so many similar installations. They were patrolling with rotations in a way that prevented blind spots, she could also make out snipers on top of the watchtowers scanning the zone. While observing them she understood that those men and women were behaving like those she had seen in war zones. Always on guard and ready for combat.


    While she was still inspecting her surroundings, the car was let into the gate after the driver had spoken for a while with one of the six guards. There was even an MG encampment next to the gate, keeping the road under observation. ¡®¡¯This base is newly established, we are still lacking personnel so we are under high alert till we finish setting everything up.¡¯¡¯ She heard him say as they drove into the big yard.


    To their right there was an open hangar, people were working on two osprey aircrafts. Quite the rare airplane in Europe as far as she knew. As they drove over the big asphalted yard, they also came across a mech bay where mechanics were working on more of the conquest knights, also some of the rare marauders were there.


    The next big hall they passed seemed to be the carpool, as some more marauders and conquest knights were parked there. Also a few motorbikes which she noticed. ¡®¡¯How are you feeling?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by Judge as he prepared to get out. ¡®¡¯Tired¡­¡¯¡¯ She answered honestly. The assassin took her sword from one of the weapon holders and followed Judge. Stepping outside for the first time in many hours.


    Her eyes wandered around as she stretched, quite a few soldiers were walking around. Some were practicing at the shooting range a bit away to her right. Familiar sounds of many different weapons rose to her ears, m16, g36, glock, 1911, spas 12. She was wondering why a military unit used so many different weapons, but her exhaustion was greater then her curiosity at that moment.


    Wordless, Judge began to walk towards a small passage seemingly leading to another courtyard. Carrying her sword, she silently followed, noticing that everybody walking around carried at least one weapon.


    They quickly passed through the small path between a wall and the gatehouse, behind lay an even bigger courtyard than the one they just left. A big hexagon like tower was the first thing she noticed. But there were also many other buildings around, protected by the five meter tall castle walls.


    ¡®¡¯I will show you around your lodging first, so you can get some rest.¡¯¡¯ Judge told her before he turned to the left, directly after the passage. After a bit of walking they approached a small one floor bungalow. Four windows on the front, making it look like a normal small bungalow. Judge opened the door and led her inside. As she stepped in she looked around. It was a simple room. To her right in a niche was a round table and five chairs, as well as two brown fluffy looking couches, a window on the right wall gently illuminated the table.


    To her left were five lockers and three windows. Aside from that five beds with a chest in front of each were lined up at the wall in the back. Two doors were leading to somewhere on the right. ¡®¡¯Pick whatever bed you want, the bedsheets and so on are in the chests in front of them. The second door to the right leads to the bathroom, the other one that to a changing room, behind that are the showers.¡¯¡¯ She got the explanation from Judge.


    ¡®¡¯Other people?¡¯¡¯ She asked him while looking at the beds. ¡®¡¯Not yet, much like you they still have to be recruited, but yes. In the end you will work in a team of three to five people. For now you have the room for yourself though. Go ahead and rest, if you want a shower go ahead and pick a locker, in there are necessities like toothbrush, comb, towels and so on. Grab some rest, tomorrow we will sign the contract and you will get all the explanations you''re allowed. Please don¡¯t wander around till then.¡¯¡¯ After listening to his words she nodded and picked the first locker.


    Inside were, as Judge has said, many necessities including a pen to write her name on the locker. For a while she thought on what to do before she decided, she took the marker and wrote * me * on it. ¡®¡¯Well then, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, we will also decide on a name for you then.¡¯¡¯ Judge said, the door fell into her lock with a dull thud as he left.


    As she was feeling dirty from the sweat on her skin she took a towel, and some shower gel before heading to the changing room. As she opened the door she entered a small room. A few washing machines and dryers were on one side, some baskets for clothes and laundry on the other.


    She got rid of her clothes and folded them neatly in the basket, she really would have liked a new set, one which was not drenched with sweat. But there probably was nothing she could do about it for now. So she just went ahead and opened the door to the shower room, carrying only the towel, shower gel and her sword.


    As she entered the shower room it was just a single room full of tiles, the lights went on automatically as she entered. It was a room bare of anything except five showerheads, a handle below each and a towel holder. She strolled towards the one directly in front of her, putting down the shower gel and hanging the towel on the holder together with her sword. Then she put the shower on hot.


    She just stood there, feeling the hot water flow over her, eyes closed. Her hand rose to her chest, tracing the countless scars on her body, slowly her hand moved from her chest to her stomach, just to find more and more of those many different lines. Each of those lines, those scars represented a fight, or the harsh training she had went through as child.


    Scenes kept coming and going to her mind, remembering each moment she received one of those scars. They were like memories carved into her body, her hand moved further and only stopped again at her lower body. There she very slowly traced a special scar, moving from left to right across her whole body. ¡®¡¯Never to have a family¡­¡¯¡¯ She whispered to herself.


    After thinking about her past she began to wash herself, stopping for a moment as she reached her thighs. Another thing which brought forth memories, the big tattoo ending there. Two big owl wings, beginning on her shoulder blades. Running down over her back and wrapping around her stomach, ending only on her thighs. Encompassing her in those silent wings. The owl, a silent predator in the darkness. As to symbolise that her life was one of silence and darkness, never meant to walk in the light.


    That tattoo was beautiful once, but now countless scars criss crossed all over it. Often had she looked at it in a mirror, but nowadays it seemed as just another reminder of what she was till just recently. Another reminder of her sins.


    After finishing and drying her hair and body, she exited the shower and looked at her clothes. It felt wrong to put on the same dirty clothes, she planned to sleep anyway. So she did not bother with it and just put on her underwear before she took her pants, boots and shirt and left the room. After she exited the shower she noticed a small tinfoil wrapped box and a bottle of water on one of the beds.


    When she got closer she found a small note on top of it. After putting down her clothes next to the bed she read the note. * You can¡¯t leave, so I went ahead and brought you dinner. * It read, it was signed by Judge. She long since was used to eating only occasional, but that did not mean she would not eat when someone brought her something.


    When she opened the box there where ham and cheese sandwiches inside. With the box and water in her hands she walked over to the table. Placing down the food and water she sat down onto the last chair being warmed by the slowly setting sun. She quietly ate, not being bothered by the silence at all. It was something else she was used to since long ago. Good food always tasted great, with or without company.


    After finishing her meal she threw the garbage into the trashcan next to the table and took a sip of water, slowly moving towards the beds as she drank. After screwing the cap back on she then opened the chest in front of the bed, the one next to the window. She took out the bed sheets and everything else she needed and prepared the bed.


    It took only a minute for her to finish up before she laid down onto the bed. But even long after the gentle sunlight had changed places with the pale moonlight she could not find sleep. She simply laid in the bed, her arm covering her eyes, thinking.


    Her routine had changed recently, maybe that was what kept her from sleeping nowadays. The whispers in her mind, the curses they softly spoke and their promises of vengeance. Maybe she thought, maybe if she kept her old routine the whispers would quiet down. Enough to make it possible for her to find some respite.


    Her arm moved and her eyes fell on the sword leaning against her bed, for a moment she simply lay there in tranquil silence. Then she freed herself from the blanket wrapping around her body, standing up again. She slipped into the wide army pants and then with quiet tapping sounds walked to the door.


    Long since had she noticed the guard in front of her door, the shadow had fallen into the window when the moon had risen. From the shadow¡¯s build her guess was that the guard was a slender woman. So when she opened the door in complete silence it was no surprise to find a young woman with her back turned to the door keeping watch over her.


    The assassin¡¯s hands began to move forward on instinct, managing to stop her action before the guard noticed anything. She felt like crying in that moment, even if her mind did not want to kill anymore, her body still did. As to not provoke a violent reaction or a scream upon surprise the young assassin took a silent step back and closed the door again without a sound.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The nameless one instead decided to walk over to one of the windows and opened it. Her guard still did not move, not even noticing it. To that the woman could only shake her head, she could already have killed that guard countless times. Then from the shadows she quietly spoke, ¡®¡¯Is it not inconvenient to guard on the outside?.¡¯¡¯


    The soldier gave a tiny yelp as she jumped a bit. Again she could only shake her head, had they given her a newcomer as guard?. ¡®¡¯Who is there?!¡¯¡¯ She half asked half screamed, ¡®¡¯Well, as you stand guard here I guess I am the prisoner?¡¯¡¯ Was her emotionless response. ¡®¡¯Anyway,¡¯¡¯ The assassin continued. ¡®¡¯I have a request, can you help me with that?¡¯¡¯ It looked like her guard was still fighting her surprise as it took a moment before she answered. ¡®¡¯What kind of request?¡¯¡¯ The guard countered the assassin¡¯s question with one of her own.


    The silver haired women gave a small sigh before answering, ¡®¡¯It is a bit bothersome to talk like that. You can come inside and we can talk if you don¡¯t mind, it should also make your shift more comfortable and easy right?¡¯¡¯ After saying this she closed the window again, moved back to her bed, and sat down awaiting her guard.


    Slowly the door opened as the guard hesitantly stepped inside, ¡®¡¯Over here.¡¯¡¯ Her soft voice rang out. The red haired guard stepped into the room and began to search for the light switch, ¡®¡¯please don¡¯t put on the light.¡¯¡¯ She spoke again, her life was shrouded in darkness. Most of her activities were carried out within the pale moonlight, so for a long long time now she was used to it.


    The red haired soldier just stood there, her back to the wall and the door open wide enough for her to leave at any time. The young soldier feared the assassin, and they both knew it. With her body bathed in moonlight falling from the window she silently sat on her bed, letting her guard calm down. Showing that she was no threat. Then she spoke again, ¡®¡¯I want to request some pre-moistened wipes with alcohol solution, two pieces of soft cloth and oil usable on swords. If that is not available weapon oil is fine too.¡¯¡¯ Her voice rang out and faded into the darkness.


    It was quiet for a moment before her guard spoke again, ¡®¡¯How do you plan to clean a sealed sword?¡¯¡¯ The girl asked the assassin. Her eyebrow rose, she was surprised to find someone who was familiar with swords in the military. ¡®¡¯How about you let that be my problem? Judge promised me to give me whatever I needed, were those empty words?¡¯¡¯ She asked.


    ¡®¡¯No¡­ Give me a moment.¡¯¡¯ The guard said and began to report to someone via her earpiece. She spoke for one or two minutes, explaining the situation and request before she came closer to the assassin. ¡®¡¯Someone will bring the things over in a bit, I also got permission to stay here.¡¯¡¯ The soldier said. Now that she also had stepped into the moonlight her blue eyes were recognizable, they were pretty.


    ¡®¡¯So? What do I call my guard?¡¯¡¯ The assassin asked. After a moment she got the answer, ¡®¡¯Lucy¡­ Also I am not a guard, otherwise I would wear a weapon.¡¯¡¯ The nameless woman had to acknowledge that fact, Lucy did indeed not carry a weapon. ¡®¡¯You win, I guess you were briefed on my¡­ Credentials?¡¯¡¯ She asked, and the answer she got was a single nod.


    Silence returned and neither of the two moved. The assassin sitting on her bed, the soldier standing in front of it. She sighed and spoke again, ¡®¡¯Just sit down somewhere Lucy¡­¡¯¡¯ Lucy hesitated, unsure on what to do before she moved and sat down on the bed next to the nameless one.


    Once more the two found nothing to say, so they just quietly sat there till a knock broke the silence. Lucy went to the door and received the order, she quickly took the things and brought them over, laying them orderly on the assassin¡¯s bed. Ballistol*, two soft pieces of cloth, and a few alcohol solution wipes. ¡®¡¯So? What now?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by Lucy.


    Her answer was wordless, she reached out and grabbed her sword. With it in hand she rose and walked around the bed, standing now directly in front of the window. ¡®¡¯Watch,¡¯¡¯ she said with her quiet voice. Her grip on the handle changed as she spun the sword around once till the tip of the scabbard pointed to the floor. Then with a swift motion she stabbed the floor. The moment scabbard and floor met a loud and very beautiful humming noise rang out from the sword.


    For a few seconds the sword emitted its humming before it died down. With the humming dying down the welded metal between handle and scabbard began to crack and fall to the ground. When the silence returned she raised the sword up again, she grabbed scabbard and handle with one hand each and began to draw.


    The voices within her mind began to scream and curse. Louder with every centimeter more drawn of the beautiful natural patterned blade. ¡®¡¯Why¡­¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯Don¡¯t kill me!¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯Help¡­¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯I beg you.. don¡¯t!¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯It hurts¡­ It hurts¡­¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯I didn¡¯t deserve this¡­¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯Nooo¡­¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯Please¡­ mercy¡­¡¯¡¯


    It was painful, it hurt. But this was her fate, her curse to wield this blade filled with sin. To listen to all those souls her weapon had devoured, all those lives she had taken. ¡®¡¯What the fuck just happened? I was told the sword was welded shut.¡¯¡¯ Lucy nearly screamed at the assassin.


    ¡®¡¯It is old¡­ So very, very old.¡¯¡¯ Was the only answer she gave to lucy. Gently she laid down the scabbard on her bed before opening the window. ¡®¡¯I need to concentrate for a bit, so just sit down and watch,¡¯¡¯ She said softly. Next she placed the moist wipes, cloth pieces and oil on the radiator below the window. After everything was sorted she sat down on the windowsill. One leg dangling outside, with the other her knee drawn to her chest.


    With the soft moonlight as only illumination she grabbed one of the wipes and began to slowly and careful clean the blade. As her hand slid lightly over the beautiful metal she began to quietly hum a lament. Lucy watched but kept her silence, so the assassin said nothing either and just kept working.


    After thoroughly cleaning her Jian* sword she took one of the pieces of cloth, once more tenderly wiping the sword. Never stopping the melody she put some oil on the other piece of cloth and began wiping the oil slowly on the metal. When the wind picked up a bit and her hair danced she began to quietly sing, a song for those many voices to calm down¡­


    Tite bhfad, agus chaill do chos¨¢in.


    Aimsigh do bhealach, agus ¨¦ a lean¨²int.


    N¨¢ d¨®chas chailleadh, mar t¨¢ m¨¦ anseo.


    I gc¨¢s nach bhfuil t¨² i d''aonar, t¨¢ muid le ch¨¦ile.


    As she ended her song and began humming again she noticed Lucy dozing of from the corner of her eyes. ¡®¡¯And the Nightingale sings her sorrowful lament¡­¡¯¡¯ mumbled Lucy quietly as she fell completely asleep, sinking slowly onto the bed. For a moment the assassin''s song stopped, staring at the young soldier. Then she shook her head, continuing her work. ¡®¡¯Nightingale¡­¡¯¡¯ She whispered to herself as she finished.


    She sheathed her sword and then put the materials quietly into the chest in front of her bed. After that she closed the window soundlessly and leaned the old sword to her bed. For a moment she stood there, and looked over to Lucy. Then she shook her head and walked over. Her hand stretched out to wake her up, but then she stopped. She contemplated a bit before she kneeled down and undid the young girl¡¯s boots.


    The assassin then carefully placed Lucy in the middle of the bed and put the unlined blanket over her. Then she began turning around but hesitated again. Once more she turned around to Lucy, silently staring at her for a while. Then her soft voice rang out, very very quietly. ¡®¡¯Nightingale¡­ Yes, I was a bird caged for its ability¡­ And still I sing my lament¡­ I am Nightingale.¡¯¡¯ As her words vanished into silence she leaned forward, very softly kissing Lucy¡¯s hair. ¡®¡¯May your dreams never be haunted by screams young soldier¡­¡¯¡¯ Nightingale whispered softly before turning around to go to sleep.


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    1. Ballistol is gun oil? in a spray can. It''s good for swords, not softening the wood (google says that)


    2. Jian swords are old chinese swords, they are 2500 years old or so.


    2.5 Also she always carries her sword around, either in hand or on her back or somewhere on her body. If she''s not moving around it is within reach or very close by. So I won''t mention her carrying her sword around all the time cause its a pain in the ass. If not specified otherwise assume she has it with her or close by.


    3. The fortress is of my own creation obviously if you want map then tell me and I can link a picture.

 Chapter 4: Contract.

    Nightingale awoke in silence. Without even opening her stinging eyes she raised her arm and covered her eyes, hiding the tears flowing from them. Her lips formed a bitter smile. ¡®¡¯Even my dreams are haunted¡­¡¯¡¯ She bitterly whispered. After she had stayed still for a while longer to shake off the last remnants of her nightmares, she quietly sat up. The only sound within the room now was the soft snoring of Lucy, still sound asleep in the bed next to hers.


    Softly her feet tapped on the ground as she walked over to her locker, gently she opened it and grabbed a fresh towel and went towards the changing room. Her body cold and clammy from her nightmares she decided to take another shower.


    Her underwear was quickly thrown into the basket again before she stepped into the shower room, flickering then steadying itself the light came to life on its own. Washing away the sweat and coldness with the hot water helped Nightingale to shake off the last bits of her disturbing dreams.


    She finished quickly, after drying herself and putting on her underwear again she moved over to her bed and got dressed fully in her military outfit. Then she sat down on her bed and waited for someone to come and get her. Or just something else to need her attention; she quietly watched Lucy.


    A bit of envy stung her heart, how she wished to have such a peaceful sleep. But Nightingale also knew that those dreams were the result of her own actions. So the envy within her died out just as fast as it had come alive. Nothing more than a passing flicker of emotions.


    The sun had begun to rise just minutes ago, when she could see Judge walk towards her room through one of the windows. Softly she stepped onto the floor and began moving towards the door, quietly she opened it as to not disturb her guard and slipped out without making a sound, gently closing the door behind her back.


    Judge was just about to reach the door when she had slipped out, he looked around with a questioning gaze. ¡®¡¯She is inside.¡¯¡¯ Nightingale told him quietly as she opened the door a bit. Just enough for Judge to see that his sent guard was alright. ¡®¡¯You gonna punish her?¡¯¡¯ she asked as she closed the door again.


    ¡®¡¯If I say yes then I guess you will argue against that?¡¯¡¯ Judge gave his answer. Nightingale looked at him for a while before murmuring ¡®¡¯How smart¡­¡¯¡¯ The a hint of a smile on her lips. ¡®¡¯Are you usually this meddlesome?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by a sighing Judge. ¡®¡¯No¡­ But I always pay back debts.¡¯¡¯ The smile on her lips actually grew a bit, remembering the soft words which gave her a name.


    ¡®¡¯Debt? What debt? Actually¡­ As long as it does not include anything illegal I don¡¯t even care. Anyway, I am here to bring you to the Colonel. It is time to sign your contract and for you to be told everything you need to know.¡¯¡¯ She was told matter of factly.


    Nightingale simply nodded and started to follow Judge. It was still very early, but on top of the walls and towers the soldiers still did their duty flawlessly. Nobody seemed to relax or let their guards down in the slightest, carefully scanning their surroundings. At least that is how it looked from the courtyard.


    They walked only for a short while before they stood in front of the tall hexagon shaped tower. Judge opened the heavy door for her, and they stepped in. The inside was quite a surprise. It was a big and empty room. The inside walls did seem like they had been heavily fortified, just like the floor she tapped with her foot. At the back of the high room were two sets of stairs, one leading up and one down, in between the two sets four heavily armed soldiers were standing guard. In their mid an unmanned minigun.


    Upon seeing this Nightingales eyebrow rose up, shooting a questioning gaze towards Judge. ¡®¡¯That... Is overkill is it not?¡¯¡¯ She asked him while again looking at the gun which was able to shoot six thousand rounds of doom per minute. Her answer was a hushed laugh. ¡®¡¯Just in case¡­¡¯¡¯ The slightest frown appeared on her face for not even half a second before she slowly nodded.


    A bad feeling began rising up within her. Seeing all the weapons, guards and the heavy fortifications all around gave her an idea as to what the identity of her new employer was. And she did not like it one bit. If her inkling was right, this was not a better choice than a death warrant depending on the circumstances.


    The soldiers gave Judge a silent nod as he passed through with Nightingale, but with each step they ascended the stairs her grasp on the blade became a bit stronger. They just kept climbing, the first floor with a big door was ignored. So was the second, third and fourth. Only at the fifth did they enter. There was a small corridor behind the door. Two doors were each at the left side and right as well as one heavy wooden door at the end of the room.


    Her grip once more strengthened as they arrived at the door, Judge knocked and entered, giving her a sign to wait. Her mind raced and the suspicion she had grew stronger. After a few minutes of thinking the door opened again and Judge called her to enter. It was a small triangular room. Two windows at the walls, a few cabinets and a couple potted plants. Besides that there was a carpet laid out on which stood a massive secretary, in front two chairs and behind a leather chair on which sat a grey haired man. He was sturdy built and had sharp eyes the color of steel, but the beard he wore made his gaze lose some of its sharpness.


    ¡®¡¯Welcome, I am Colonel Bann Wulfram. And I will be your boss, a pleasure to meet you.¡¯¡¯ The Colonel said. His face an unreadable mask as his eyes tried to read her. But Nightingale did not return the smile, instead she slowly drew her sword as she spoke. ¡®¡¯Did you bring me here to fight against ¡®them¡¯?¡¯¡¯ She asked while pointing her sword towards Bann who was sitting just an arm''s length from her swords tip.


    ¡®¡¯I advise you to speak the truth...¡¯¡¯ The young woman added with an icy glint in her eyes. Silence, utter and complete silence fell upon the room. The Colonel didn¡¯t move in the slightest and instead stared unwavering into her eyes. In that moment Judge reached extremely fast for his gun, but within a blink Nightingales sword had moved through the air. With a soft humming sound it came to rest on his throat.


    ¡®¡¯I vowed to never kill another human, but if you reach for it again your head will fall.¡¯¡¯ Her voice was cold as ice and her whole demeanor was that of a predator now. A nostalgic feeling ran through her, yes, this was who she truly was. A predator, that is what she was and always would be deep down. No matter how soft she may become, no matter how her sins haunted her. In the end, deep within, her soul was that of a hunter. Something which could never be lost or forgotten, just suppressed.


    Like that nobody moved for a while. Nightingale and Colonel Bann just looking at each other motionless, not saying a single word. From the corner of her eyes she could see Judge dripping with sweat, staring at the Colonel, awaiting his decision before he dared to move. Then suddenly the deafening silence was broken by bright laughter.


    The moment he started laughing Nightingale had a smug smirk on her face, with an elegant motion her sword spun away from Judge and was sheathed in a beautiful flowing movement. The Colonel only stopped laughing after he was completely out of breath and tears were flowing. ¡®¡¯Damn¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­ Expect that¡­¡¯¡¯ He huffed, fighting hard to regain his composure.


    ¡®¡¯And here I was worrying about how to get you to cooperate. How to find out if you are just playing out a character. I was even prepared to put you under a long time supervision till I could be sure you are trustworthy. But then you walk in here and demand the truth, not worrying about putting up any act.¡¯¡¯ He spoke while suppressing his laughter with great difficulty as it seemed.


    ¡®¡¯Fine, you win. That makes this much easier actually. The answer to your question, it is yes. We are fighting them.¡¯¡¯ The last sentence he spoke carried a very serious tone all of a sudden. To that Nightingale simply nodded as she began to contemplate the choices she could make.


    It was then that Judge spoke. ¡®¡¯Sir, are you just going to let that pass? Yes I may have spoken of her as very reasonable and the probability of her being an asset is great. But she just threatened you and then me! I take back all I said before, she is a danger and should be disposed of! I made a mistake this time.¡¯¡¯ His voice carrying a cold tone which Nightingale had not heard from him before. But that was nothing she was surprised about, he was an agent. So she had already calculated the possibility of him changing sides anytime.


    ¡®¡¯No, it is quite alright. I would not want to become a chess piece in a game I don¡¯t understand either. All she wanted is honesty, so as long as I do just that. Being honest, we won''t have any trouble with her, right?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by him. Her response was a single silent nod. ¡®¡¯But sir! you can¡¯t!¡¯¡¯ Judge interceded.


    ¡®¡¯I can¡¯t? You, a field agent gives orders to me, a Colonel and base commander?¡¯¡¯ Bann asked with a tone commanding respect. Nightingale silently watched as Judge began to sweat profusely again, ¡®¡¯No sir... I would not¡­¡¯¡¯ She could hear him stutter. ¡®¡¯It is quite alright, you are not needed anymore. You can take your leave, on the double!¡¯¡¯ The Colonel shouted at the agent.


    A quick salute, then Judge was gone from the room. ¡®¡¯Well, how about you take a seat?¡¯¡¯ Nightingale was asked by Colonel Bann in a much more dignified voice. Without hesitation she sat down on one of the chairs in front of the old man''s desk and placed the sword on her lap. ¡®¡¯Well then, as you already know about them, any questions?¡¯¡¯ She was asked straightforward. ¡®¡¯I have seen them appear once, from one of those glowing¡­ things. What are they?¡¯¡¯ This was a question she had wanted answers to for a long time now.


    ¡®¡¯As to ¡®where¡¯ they come from is unknown. The most viable theory nowadays is parallel worlds where beings such as them can exist. A place with so called magic, a place where lore, mythology and stories are real. As to how they come here, we don¡¯t know. We call them anomalies, there are six different types known to us. Each varying in behaviour and size, also varying in what they bring us.¡¯¡¯ Bann said, he took a moment before adding. ¡®¡¯Now it is your turn to answer a question of mine. What is your name? I did hear about your answer to that from Judge. But I don¡¯t think that is true, so what should I call you?¡¯¡¯ She was asked.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    For a moment she remained quiet before softly answering, ¡®¡¯Nightingale¡­ I¡­ I like Nightingale.¡¯¡¯ She said, it was the name she chose to accept as her own. ¡®¡¯I chose to take that name after I heard a certain sentence last night¡­¡¯¡¯ she added quietly. ¡®¡¯And the Nightingale sings her sorrowful lament¡­¡¯¡¯ Bann said in a somber voice. ¡®¡¯What a dark story to derive your name from¡­¡¯¡¯ He slowly added. Her eyebrow rose as she looked at him. ¡®¡¯You¡¯ve heard of it before?¡¯¡¯ To her question the Colonel nodded. ¡®¡¯It was Lucy who recited it wasn¡¯t it? How could I not know it, the book she has it from comes from my private collection.¡¯¡¯ Now Nightingale looked with a curious expression at the greyed man before her. ¡®¡¯Related?¡¯¡¯ She asked him, to which he shook his head.


    ¡®¡¯She trained under me, she¡¯s a bright young woman. She made her way here as the youngest person ever, she scored near perfectly at training. But I don¡¯t think she is suitable for actual combat, her strength lies elsewhere but she refused to listen¡­ Anyway, that''s besides the point. Got any other questions?¡¯¡¯ She was brought back on track by him.


    ¡®¡¯My mission will be to fight them right? With a team?¡¯¡¯ Her face was expressionless again as she asked this. ¡®¡¯Yes, you will go to fight them in as much secret as the situation allows. As you should be aware of their existence is nothing more than myth and some rumors. And people up high want to keep it that way. Thus we can¡¯t waltz in with tanks and a whole company. That¡¯s why we form small elite teams as fast response to their threat. As to your team¡­ We have still not found anyone besides you at this point. But chances are you will lead it if nobody more suitable appears from within the candidates.¡¯¡¯ She was explained by Bann.


    Then he added, ¡®¡¯For now you will go through training. Today you will have to demonstrate your combat skills in sparring matches and on the shooting range, we will also test your overall fitness to know your strengths and weaknesses. After that we will teach you how the army leads teams, what tactics we use, what weapons we use for which type of enemy and general knowledge about our enemy. If that is acceptable and you have no further questions we can start talking about your contract.¡¯¡¯ With that the long explanation ended.


    Nightingale was not surprised about most of the things, at most a bit of her curiosity was satisfied. And a few more questions had appeared in her mind. But that was something she could take her time to learn about later. For now the contract was more interesting, as she wanted to add some more points to it.


    Thus when she was handed the contract she quickly read through it. It basically stated;


    To obey the orders of your superiors, fight the creatures, while under changing circumstances the order to fight may change to capture or protect. Besides that there were the things she had talked about with Judge written down. Her training, the secrecy of her work and identity. Her not being able to leave except for missions and special granted requests of leave. Also the protection detail of her niece and all those things.


    After she had read through it she lifted her eyes and looked at the Colonel. ¡®¡¯I want to add a few things, depending on what will be granted I will offer something in return.¡¯¡¯ Nightingale gave her demand while hinting at her offer. ¡®¡¯Hoh¡­ And what may you want?¡¯¡¯ She was asked with a curious voice. Obviously she knew that Bann would be interested in her offer more than in her demand.


    ¡®¡¯I am a lone fighter. I never fought in a team, neither was I ever in the military. I also lack vast amounts of knowledge and equipment for the job I am supposed to undertake. I will probably have a lot of questions which won¡¯t be able to be answered during my training, due to that I request that Lucy moves in to my bungalow. She can help me with answering my questions, she also can help me get more familiar with my new environment and with the idea of working in a team. Also you mentioned she is a good soldier but not suited for combat, I may have a job for her in my team which might fit her quite well. Also I need someone to manage my requests. I also want the right to visit my niece, I do not want to meet her just yet. And when I go to meet her I will probably want to do so in secret. Can you accept these demands?¡¯¡¯ Nightingale finished her long monologue.


    For a long time Bann Wulfram silently looked at her before he began to ask some more questions about her demands. ¡®¡¯ The right to visit¡­ I think I can accept that if we can manage to have you see her without her knowing that it is you. As for Lucy¡­ That also can be granted, she is under my command so it is within my power to accept that. But I am curious about the job you mentioned for her in your team. I also am quite curious what you mean with equipment, I think we have everything you could need here.¡¯¡¯


    After listening to his words quietly a soft smile was on her lips as she began to explain. ¡®¡¯For the equipment, those are things an assassin uses. There is quiet a variety of items I would like to have. Among them are; scentless shampoo and shower gel, also the same for deodorant, washing pulver and so on. The same goes for clothes with the addition that they also need to be silent, they can¡¯t rustle when I move in them. And it would be good if they don''t leak body heat, so they are more unlikely to be found by heat seeking cameras or in our case creatures. I also need special boots and all such things. There is really a wide variety of things I need just clothes and daily necessities wise. If we were beginning to speak of tools the list would just grow much longer.¡¯¡¯ For a moment she let her voice fade as to let the Colonel have a moment of time to understand what she said. Then she continued.


    ¡®¡¯As for the job I have for Lucy, I dislike going blind into jobs. I would normally spend weeks stalking my target, I would learn its routine and position. I would get any tiny information I could get and work a plan out on that. But I do understand that such luxuries are not available in the kind of work I will do in the future. So I would like to place her in the rear and let her gather real time intel of the surrounding area, our movements, the enemy movements as well as to find us any small advantage possible. She could use small drones, rc cars with cameras, satellites. I don¡¯t really care how as long as she can work it out. That should make the jobs a bit less dangerous and a lot more efficient.¡¯¡¯ She finally finished her long explanation.


    Again there was a while of quietness in the room before the conversation moved along. ¡®¡¯Well¡­ I can see your point in your request for special supplies. It is my job to give you the best equipment so you can fight to the best of your abilities, I have an idea as to how to solve a majority of your requests. The daily necessities are absolutely not a problem, just have Lucy order them. Also I think I will be able to supply you with your request after your training.¡¯¡¯ The Colonel quietly accepted her first demand.


    ¡®¡¯As for the job¡­ Normally Intelligence would work on that. But I can also see your point in real time intel on location, we can treat it as a field test for better threat management methods. Also you are right, this may truly suit her. I accept, if your offer is good that is.¡¯¡¯ There was what Nightingale had waited for. He would accept all her demands if her offer was good enough, but would it? she didn¡¯t know. But it was worth a shot, if she judged the Colonel right he would like her offer quite a bit.


    ¡®¡¯I am offering information, It must be hard finding people such as me. That is why I shall give you two hints in exchange. Do you accept?¡¯¡¯ She asked the Colonel, not fully revealing her cards yet to gauge his reaction. ¡®¡¯I am listening...¡¯¡¯ The bait had been taken. With that she sorted the informations she had within her mind and then began to tell the Colonel.


    ¡®¡¯The first is the undying emperor. Deep within the underworld lies a certain colosseum, people are made to fight battles of life and death there while rich people bet on it. But the emperor is undefeated, I have no information where he came from but he is sure to have been taken against his will. Still he never lost a fight, he became so good that people sometimes even though very rarely brought in strange beasts from mythology to fight him. It was one such fight I have witnessed during a negotiation for a job. He fought a beast which I can only describe as the guardian of hell, Cerberus. He won.¡¯¡¯ After that she gave Bann the location of the colosseum and also explained how to get an invitation it.


    ¡®¡¯Interesting, that man really does sound like someone we want to have. Even more so as he has experience in fighting them, and he also is fighting against his will... That really is a good piece of intel, so I guess the next one is just as good?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by the Colonel who carried a small smile on his lips.


    ¡®¡¯Yes, the second is just as special. She is an underground surgeon, the Reaper¡¯s right hand. Her skill as surgeon is probably world class, she also has done countless successful operations nobody else wanted to do. Besides that she even operated on me a few times, sometimes even against my will¡­ Thus I tried to kill her quite a few times when I was younger. She is still alive, that alone should be proof of how tough she is to take down.¡¯¡¯ It was there that the she was interrupted.


    ¡®¡¯You wanted to kill her? Won¡¯t it be a problem then if we bring her here?¡¯¡¯ Nightingale was asked. But she only shook her head before speaking. ¡®¡¯It will be no problem, she operated on me to the demand of my parents. In the end she just did a job, not unlike I did. So who am I to be her judge? Also it should interest you that she is at least as good with a rifle as any of your soldiers. And she also has researched the biology of those creatures. She loves research, when humans became too boring for her she seems to have learned about those creatures and made a deal with the colosseum to acquire slain creatures to dissect them. To hire her should also be quite easy, just tell her you got research material in exchange for her service. Ask a bit around and you should be able to find her quite easily.¡¯¡¯ Nightingale finished her explanation.


    She now could observe a thoughtful expression on Bann¡¯s face, it lasted for quite a while before he gave an answer. ¡®¡¯I will change the contract, all your demands will be accepted. Just give me a moment I will call someone to set up a new one.¡¯¡¯ A small smile was on her lips as she slowly leaned back against the chair and waited.

 Chapter 5: Evaluation.

    Nightingale and the Colonel had talked for quite a lot longer after their negotiation, as such it was already past nine when she exited the office. In her hand she had a copy of her contract and also a letter. With those two things she made her way along the corridor, down the stairs and out of the tower.


    Her steps were light and soft; no hurry was to be found in them. Like that, Nightingale made her way over to the bungalow, fully expecting Lucy to still be there. She opened the door, slipping in silently. Old habits were hard to kill after all. Unexpectedly Lucy was still there, but also had yet to wake up.


    That was something the young woman had not expected. She had thought of Lucy as a good soldier. The colonel had even said she had gone from normal military to the special forces and finally come to Avalon base as the youngest one. From those facts Nightingale really did not think she would find Lucy still sleeping.


    Hesitantly she stood there, closing the door behind her but not moving. A few thoughts raced through her mind before she walked over to the locker. It was opened quietly and the conract deposited inside. Like that she at least had not to worry about losing it. After she had locked the contract within she walked over to the bed the young red haired woman was softly snoring in.


    The letter she had still in her hand was silently placed next to the pillow before Nightingale turned around to her own bed. She had nothing to do, she did not feel like training where others could observe her and also she did not know her way around. She could have woken Lucy, with that all her problems would be solved.


    Yet somehow she felt it was wrong to wake the girl who was sleeping so peacefully. To find such serene respite was something Nightingale was wishing for. Alas, it was impossible for her, and that she knew. Without an idea how to spend the time waiting, or how long it would take for Lucy to awaken she got rid of her boots and sat down on her own bed.


    For a few minutes she sat there in silence, again simply watching the woman in the next bed. Then she let herself fall backwards into the sheets, staring soundlessly at the ceiling. She thought about the talk she had with the colonel, about her contract and the lift she would lead in the future.


    ¡®¡¯A team¡­¡¯¡¯ she mumbled to herself. Never had she worked in one before, even less so tried to protect someone or something. All she ever had done was take away, kill, hunt and destroy. ¡®¡¯Maybe¡­¡¯¡¯ another whisper left her lips as a single thought began to form within her mind. A thought, a wish so strong that it blurred out even the most painful memories within her. It was like a gentle light within the darkness which was her mind. ¡®¡¯Redemption¡­¡¯¡¯ She whispered this word as if it was worth the world. The concept was so fragile and unreachable; but for Nightingale it was the single light within the night, her only wish, and also her hope.


    Like that she just kept her silence, her gaze wandering over everything and nothing at the same time. Her eyes were unfocused as her thoughts were spinning around this one word, again and again. She did not even notice when Lucy got up, neither did she notice when she put on her boots.


    This fact remained elusive to her till she was softly kicked against her shin. Only then did Nightingale snap out of her reverie to realise the red haired one was standing in front of her bed. ¡®¡¯Morning¡¯¡¯ the green eyed ex assassin greeted indifferently. ¡®¡¯Morning? Its already past eleven! Why didn¡¯t you wake me? No.. that is not even the problem. That is alone my fault, I was not supposed to fall asleep. Also how did this letter get here?¡¯¡¯ The ex assassin was questioned by the soldier.


    Nightingale kept her words to herself for a while longer before she had chosen how to formulate her words. ¡®¡¯ I couldn¡¯t bear to end your cute snoring, as for the letter¡­ Judge came by shortly after sunrise and brought me to the colonel. I had a nice long discussion with him and the letter is something I brought back with me to give to you. You should open it and read it carefully.¡¯¡¯ she said. Half of it was a lie to dodge the question. But the second remained truthful.


    A hint of red appeared on the young soldiers face ¡®¡¯I don¡¯t snore¡¯¡¯ Lucy mumbled before she opened the letter very carefully. The near unnoticeable blush disappeared as fast as it had come when Lucy started to read the letter. Her slightly embarrassed face turned to a professional mask as her eyes kept moving from sentence to sentence.


    That was what Nightingale had expected from her, a proffesional who can switch gears in a moments notice. She hardly expected someone who was sleeping half the day when they did not get woken up. It seemed to her as if the young soldier read the letter twice just to be sure before she folded it while sighing.


    ''''Well... I should introduce myself fully then I guess. It seems we are going to be together for quite a while from now on, but you already knew that, didn''t you?'''' Nightingale was asked. It was a simple question, so a nod was all the answer she gave back to it. Another long sigh escaped the soldiers lips before she started to speak again.


    ''''I don''t know why I was chosen to be your... well... Whatever it is I am during your training. Anyway, my name is Lucy Strella and if it interests you I am twenty-two. If you want to know something else ask away. It would be nice to learn a bit more about you... Well... Aside from the... murder thing and so on...'''' Lucy began to mumble on, seemingly unsure about how to talk to Nightingale.


    ''''What exactly does the letter say? Tell me that first.'''' Nightingale queried. She was aware about Lucy''s future, but she did not know how far her orders reached within the letter. So as to not reveal what should not be spoken of yet, she wanted to know. ''''It says I am to move into this room, assist you in your training, as well as to answer all questions you are permitted to know the answer for. That is what it says in a nutshell, leaving out all of the military terms.'''' She was told by Lucy.


    Again Nightingale nodded before she spoke, ¡®¡¯Fine then, I will allow you three questions. I won¡¯t answer those which I don¡¯t want to answer.¡¯¡¯ She said, letting Lucy know that she could ask whatever she wanted.


    Like this quietness befell the room. The young woman in front of Nightingale furrowed her brows for a while before she looked up. Folding the letter she asked the first question. ''''It is inconvenient to not know how to call you, so I want to ask your name.''''


    ''''My name... you can call me Nightingale,'''' she said in a very gentle tone, even a very small smile was to be seen for a moment. Lucy seemed surprised at that answer. She even stopped the motion of putting the letter back into the envelope. For but a second, a smirk danced over Nightingale''s lips as she saw the surprise her answer had given to Lucy.


    ''''But... I thought you didn''t have... Wait... Did you hear what I said last night?'''' Lucy called out with shock. ''''Yes, I did hear it indeed, quite clearly so. Just because I was doing something else does not mean I won''t notice what happens in my surroundings. It is a handy skill to have,'''' she answered the shocked Lucy, getting a small blush as reaction.


    ¡®¡¯But! That was just something stupid I mumbled half asleep. Do you even know where this quote came from? That is no quote you should derive your name from. Please reconsider this.¡¯¡¯ In silence Nightingale listened to Lucy¡¯s near frantic words. She could not understand this reaction at all. And she also knew the tale it stemmed from. That was one of the reasons she found it to be so fitting.


    As such she spoke.


    ¡®¡¯My self, abandon''d, and devoid of shame,


    Thro'' the wide world your actions will proclaim;


    Or tho'' I''m prison''d in this lonely den,


    Obscur''d, and bury''d from the sight of men.¡¯¡¯*


    Slowly her words faded and the silence returned. Nightingale¡¯s gaze shifted to Lucy, curious about her reaction. But she did not expect the one she got. For Lucy ended what Nightingale had begun.


    ¡®¡¯My mournful voice the pitying rocks shall move,


    And my complainings echo thro'' the grove.¡¯¡¯


    ¡¯Hear me, o Heav''n! and, if a God be there,


    Let him regard me, and accept my pray''r.¡¯¡¯*


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Nightingale had listened to the gentle voice as Lucy spoke those words. These words were old, a gruesome and forlorn tale. How fitting they were, how matching they felt for the ex assassin. After the soft murmurs of these ancient words faded to silence again no other sound arose. The two women just looked at each other, Nightingale sitting on her bed while Lucy stood in front of her.


    The atmosphere was cold, those dark psalms still looming within their minds. Then a sudden grumbling sound arose and brought with it a bright laughter. It was Nightingale¡¯s stomach which has growled. But it was Lucy who laughed, revealing a beautiful and innocent smile. ¡®¡¯Come, I¡¯ll show you where the mess is.¡¯¡¯ Lucy said.


    Nightingale looked at her curiously for a moment before she nodded and rose from her bed. ¡®¡¯You have bed hair¡­ Sit down for a moment¡­¡¯¡¯ Nightingale slowly said to Lucy and began walking to her locker. After she had opened it she grabbed the wooden brush from it and closed the door again before walking back to her bed.


    There she sat down again, ¡®¡¯sit¡¯¡¯ she said gently and patted her bed next to where she sat. She was stared at for a bit by Lucy before she also sat down where Nightingale had pointed. Then, bathed into the soft sunlight falling from the window. Nightingale began to silently brush Lucy¡¯s red hair.


    With gentle and slow motions she let the brush do its work, getting rid of all the standing and spiky strands and hairs. This was actually the first time the young woman had brushed someone else''s hair. It was something new to her, but it felt nice to for once doing something gentle to someone.


    ¡®¡¯I am done¡¯¡¯ Nightingale said after a few minutes, letting the brush sink to her side as she gazed at Lucy. Her mind began drifting for a bit, as such she did not notice that she was still staring at the young woman next to her.


    ¡®¡¯Want to¡­ eat?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by Lucy, finally snapping out of her small daze. It seemed as if Lucy had become uncomfortable from Nightingale¡¯s staring. A wry smile rose to her lips as she shook her head, thinking to recent events. Lately she really was lacking in many aspects. ¡®¡¯Yes, let¡¯s eat.¡¯¡¯ She said and stood up again. While moving towards the door she also went to her locker, putting back her brush again.


    ¡®¡¯Got everything?¡¯¡¯ She asked Lucy who had already opened the door. ¡®¡¯Yes¡¯¡¯ was the answer she got. As such they, now silent, left the bungalow. After pulling shut the door behind her Nightingale began walking next to Lucy. Neither of the two spoke as they walked over the courtyard.


    ¡®¡¯That is the gym,¡¯¡¯ Lucy pointed out for her. ¡®¡¯And that there are the barracks, and behind that the armory. The tower you already know I guess, thought it actually has many underground layers as far as I know¡­¡¯¡¯ Nightingale listened silently on as Lucy¡¯s voice trailed off as if in thought.


    Like that they passed the tower and were able to see three more buildings. ¡®¡¯That is the clinic, that over there the mess and the building next to it are the recreational facilities.¡¯¡¯ She was told again by Lucy. It was easy enough to remember those few things so Nightingale said nothing in response and just nodded.


    After just a bit more walking the two reached the mess. It was a simple one floor building with a heavy double door and many windows. Lucy entered, and Nightingale followed behind. The inside was nothing but a spacious room with many tables and chairs. A few niches with smaller tables were also there. Otherwise there was just a long counter with a kitchen behind it.


    It was quite empty and silent in the mess. Aside from Nightingale and Lucy there were just the people working behind the counter and a handful of other people. Together they walked to the counter, each took a tray and walked along the long glass vitrine. Nightingale got some sandwiches and an apple. Lucy seemed to think a while before she took the same. At the end of the vitrine both took a cup of coffee and some napkins before walking to one of the small niches.


    They quietly set down their tray¡¯s on the round table and sat down. The coffee in their cups was steaming and a nice fragrance filled the air. Nightingale took her first sandwich and took a small bite out of it. To her delight it was very tasty, so she kept eating with a small smile. Before it was rare for her to eat, even rarer to eat something tasty.


    So it was quite a happy thing for her to be able to eat something nice when she was hungry. ¡®¡¯When does your training start?¡¯¡¯ The question Lucy asked her let her calm down from her delight. As such she slowly kept chewing and answered only after she had swallowed the tasty delight. ¡®¡¯In half an hour, I am supposed to be evaluated in a sparring match, gun usage, knowledge and a talk with a psychologist. I will also have to do a fitness test it seems. And after that, depending on the evaluation I get, the training will be chosen to fit my criteria.¡¯¡¯ She explained to Lucy before taking another bite followed by a sip of coffee.


    After that no more questions were asked by Lucy. As such Nightingale thoroughly enjoyed her meal, savouring each bite the same as the first. She only stopped after having devoured all four of her sandwiches, she then took the last sip of her coffee and leaned back in satisfaction. ¡®¡¯Are you sure you should eat that much before a sparring match and fitness test? Won¡¯t you get sick?¡¯¡¯She was asked by Lucy.


    A smug smile rose to her lips, ¡®¡¯I won¡¯t fight long enough to feel sick, also you seem to speak of experience?¡¯¡¯ Nightingale teasingly questioned back. She honestly did not like that Lucy asked her so many questions. She was not used to talking that much aside from negotiations, due to that Nightingale was acting a bit mean.


    ¡®¡¯Fine! I was just trying to be nice to you.¡¯¡¯ She was half shouted at by Lucy. Then her new partner rose from her seat and took her tray away. With a sigh Nightingale also rose, following behind with her own tray. She walked again to the long counter and placed her tray into a tray holder for the used ones. She then turned around and looked at Lucy, ¡®¡¯sorry. I am not used to talking with others, even less other people talking to me except when they want something.¡¯¡¯ She said those words as apology, something she also had rarely needed to do before.


    But Nightingale knew that she was in the wrong this time too. And it was not in her nature to not do something which should be done. As such she had apologized near immediately after seeing her own wrongdoing. She sighed again before she turned and began walking across the room towards the exit. She did not need to hear Lucy¡¯s answer, her apology was already given.


    Like that she pushed open the big doors and walked out into the courtyard again. Thanks to Lucy pointing out the buildings earlier Nightingale knew where the gym was. It was actually the building closest to her bungalow, aside from the second bungalow which was still without inhabitants. As she made her way across the base her eyes moved left and right, once again inspecting all those people walking around. Soldiers were patrolling on the walls as before, snipers were scanning the territory from their towers. And also a lot of people with many different uniforms and clothings were walking around. The only thing they all shared in common was that they all carried at least one weapon with them.


    Like that her steps had carried her across the open place and brought her before the gym door. It was just a normal metal door in front of an two stories high building. Many big windows were just below the roof. From that Nightingale understood that the building was probably just one big vast room instead of multi floors.


    So when she pushed open the door she was not surprised. It really was just one really big room. At the right wall were many fitness machines and other things. In the middle of the room were ropes hanging from the ceiling and other such things. While on the left side there was a big space with matted floor.


    Some people were in each zone of the building, some lifting big weights, others running on treadmills. In the middle two people did pull ups on some iron bars, while on the left a few people were sparring. Nightingale quietly stood at the entrance and watched those who were fighting. One was using boxing techniques while the other seemed to be some sort of grappler.


    It was just a short match which the grappler lost fast, he had tried to rush in low to reach for the boxer¡¯s legs. But he received a punch to the temple and went down in one blow. It was quite anti climatic and also a bad matchup. After nobody else seemed to fight and the soldiers there began to talk instead of spar she decided to walk over. Afterall she herself had to spar with them as part of her evaluation next.


    The five soldiers who were talking looked at her now that she moved closer. Their eyes wandering up and down her body. She knew well those gazes, animalistic desires without respect. Only one of them a broad shouldered tall guy looked at her differently. His eyes were looking at her with a calculating gaze. She completely ignored the other four and directly went to the tall one.


    ¡®¡¯I guess you are the one who will evaluate me.¡¯¡¯ Nightingale said as she got close enough to them. He nodded to her statement, ¡®¡¯Yes I am the one who will decide if you pass or not. But how did you know?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by him. Her eyes wandered over the other four before she spoke. ¡®¡¯Because you were the only one who tried to size me up to figure out how good of a fighter I am.¡¯¡¯ She said in a very dry tone. Due to her words two from the others looked away while two others seemed as they felt wronged.


    The broad shouldered guy laughed to her words. ¡®¡¯Forget about that, those guys may be idiots. But they are fine soldiers when it counts. Anyway you can call me Tom, as for my rank¡­ That does not matter to you. You don¡¯t fall under the normal chain of command anyway so Tom is fine.¡¯¡¯ She was told by Tom.


    And his words were true. She had learned about this from the colonel. She did not fall under the normal chain of command, only the colonel and his two aides could give her orders. And anyone above those three obviously, but that would only happen in large scale operations and the like as she had heard.


    ¡®¡¯Anyway you should get ready, you will have to fight those four in turn for my evaluation. The rules are simple. Do not use lethal moves, do not cause permanent or long term injuries.¡¯¡¯ Then she noticed that Tom had stopped while looking at her, he then added. ¡®¡¯Also I won¡¯t allow any of you guys to try something funny¡­¡¯¡¯ he said while looking at the four other guys.


    This was honestly a weird feeling for Nightingale, someone who looked out for her. That was a new sort of feeling, it was strange. But it also felt nice. Her mood brightened a bit so she kneeled down and got out of her boots. After she got rid of her boots and socks she walked to the center of the matted zone.


    She then nodded to Tom, ¡®¡¯Ready¡­ Also¡­ I will hold back¡­¡¯¡¯ She said softly with her usual uncaring tone. The two soldiers who had looked wronged frowned upon hearing this. One of them was the boxer who stepped forward to be her first opponent. ¡®¡¯You better not hold back girl, or I may end up hurting you.¡¯¡¯ She was sneered at by him. Her reaction seemed to confuse him, for a bright smile appeared on her face.


    With this big smile she began walking forward, without urgency. Just taking slow step after slow step. He looked down on her lithe small body and this would be his undoing. So when she came into range he was still just looking at her with no defense whatsoever. Thus the moment she stepped into range her smile turned ferocious. Nightingale then sprung back performing an elegant backward handspring, while performing her move her left foot crashed below the chin of the soldier before she landed softly on her feet again.


    She then simply turned and walked back to the center, nobody said a word and silence arose. But it only lasted for a moment before it was broken by a heavy thud as the big soldier crashed into the mats; knocked out.


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


    1. Philomela, princess of Athen. An ancient tale from the old days. It is a dark and gruesome one.

 Chapter 6: Moonlight.

    The next three fights ended just as the one before. Quick and decisive, nobody even managed to touch her at all. The grappler had eaten her knee as he charged in, another one had ended with her fist to his chest. The last guy went down from a strike to the throat. Like this her fights were short and did not even take five minutes to finish up. Due to her efficiency with taking down her sparring partners there was little to evaluate on. Everyone had been downed by a single strike of hers. Yet what was done was done.


    Followed by the sparring match Nightingale proceeded from place to place. Going through the testings for gun usage, fitness, psychological condition and general knowledge.


    After having written an general knowledge test and having finished a long talk with a psychologist to evaluate her condition even Nightingale felt tired. No, not tired in the physical sense, but mentally. Drained from the effort to pick the right wordings for the talk which had lasted for nearly three hours.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Four hours later. 19:30


    Now after finishing her last evaluation she was standing in front of the central tower together with Lucy. ¡®¡¯What next?¡¯¡¯ the redhead asked her.


    ¡®¡¯Food¡­¡¯¡¯ was all the tired woman mumbled as answer. Without saying another word she started to walk towards the mess. Her body craving something sweet to alleviate the tiredness of her mind.


    After a short walk the two entered the mess, this time it was filled with a lot more people. Many gave her stares as the new person in the base would always draw attention. Yet nobody came close to her, maybe the sword at her side gave her this freedom of movement.


    But yet again, everyone else was also armed with at least a sidearm. So maybe it was just courtesy or so. In reality though Nightingale did not care for the thoughts of others. As such she simply went towards the counter and choose her food. Filling her tablet with a pudding, a sweet tea, waffles and pancakes with syrup.


    Normally she disliked sweets, yet on that day she felt like having it all. Even Lucy who was picking things next to her was silently raising a eyebrow without saying a word. ¡®¡¯What?¡¯¡¯ Nightingale asked her.


    ¡®¡¯Nothing¡­¡¯¡¯ was the answer Lucy gave her.


    After having picked their dishes the two were lucky enough to find the same niche they had used before unoccupied. So once more they sat down there, eating in silence. Nightingale was enjoying the warm sweetness spreading on her tongue, filling her exhausted mind with fresh energy. Then she took a sip of the still steaming sweet tea, it was a invigorating feeling as the warmth flowed down her throat and spread in her tummy.


    When she finished all the food she leaned back contentedly, actually feeling a little bit sick from all the sweet things she was not used to. But yet again it was delicious, so it was a worthwhile price to pay. It also helped her replenish her stamina. Making it a double win in her book.


    Lucy offered then to bring back the tablets which Nightingale accepted thankfully, not quite feeling like moving right then. Only when Lucy came back did she stand up and left the mess together with her.


    After having left the Mess and walked across the courtyard, Nightingale¡¯s slow steps came to a stop. She then turned her head and looked deeply at Lucy for a moment. Only when the redhead began to look quite unsure about what was going on did the ex assassin speak. ¡®¡¯Lucy¡­ you will go to fight on the frontlines right?¡¯¡¯ was the question she asked.


    ¡®¡¯That is what I am here for, the reason why I joined their ranks.¡¯¡¯ She answered with a slightly prideful tone of voice. After hearing this answer Nightingale kept her silence, continuing to look at Lucy. Seemingly lost in thought.


    ¡®¡¯I guess¡­ Soldiers like you¡­ Are hunting right now? So you will have a first mission too, thrown into combat¡­ Right?¡¯¡¯ That was the question which needed an answer from the young woman.


    ¡®¡¯I will.¡¯¡¯ Was her firm answer to this question. Steady, strong and lacking of any fear in her voice. Not even a hint of nervosity upon that future was heard in her voice by Nightingale. Something which made her frown, her eyes flashing with a cold glint for but a second.


    ¡®¡¯Have you ever fought for real? Ever killed someone?¡¯¡¯ Nightingale spoke the last three words in a very icy voice a harsh tone. This was something important, something she had to know for the future. She needed Lucy to be ready to be part of her team, yet someone inexperienced would be dangerous. Not only for herself, but also for the future team.


    ¡®¡¯I have never had to fight someone in a battle of life and death, I only practiced on the shooting range and in sparring matches. Is that important?¡¯¡¯ Her voice slightly hesitant yet also curious.


    ¡®¡¯It is. Outside of the base¡­ on this plateau, how much is it guarded?¡¯¡¯ Nightingale wanted to know, her mind was going through many possibilities at this moment. Trying to figure out what to do, forming a plan. Ideas came and went, till only one single one remained. Something which needed to be done.


    ¡®¡¯The perimeter around the base is observed, the rest of the plateau¡­ is not. Only some odd patrols sweep it every now and then. Below is another perimeter as you should have noticed before, which is also heavily guarded in secrecy. So there is no need to observe the whole plateau and spread out the manpower of our base.¡¯¡¯ Was the long answer Nightingale got from Lucy.


    ¡®¡¯In that case¡­ can you go and get a combat knife? I need to show you something. After that¡­ meet me in thirty minutes at the gate.¡¯¡¯ Having said that she turned around and began walking towards the central tower. Leaving behind a hesitant and very confused Lucy.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    19:45


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡®¡¯I cannot allow that.¡¯¡¯ Colonel Bann said. ¡®¡¯Also why would you make such a request?¡¯¡¯ He asked with stern voice. He demanded an answer of her, and he wanted a good one. As such Nightingale thought a bit before answering. ¡®¡¯It has to be done. As explained, the risk will become lower, efficiency of named factors will rise. At least that is what I think will happen if she is strong enough. I would appreciate if we could treat it as a test run. I admit my ways may be dangerous, strange and maybe even foolish. Yet that is all I know.¡¯¡¯ Her last words were spoken in a much more somber tone than those before.


    After that silence fell upon the room like a thick blanket. It kept wrapping the two people into its tight embrace for a long time. Only when the Colonel spoke again was the silence banished. ¡®¡¯Fine, a test. Do not overdo it! Nothing severe! nothing lasting. Under these conditions I shall accept and prepare what needs to be done. How long will you take?¡¯¡¯


    ¡®¡¯Twenty minutes.¡¯¡¯ was the answer she gave him to which the Colonel slowly nodded.


    ¡®¡¯Fine, but only this once. And only because I trust in your precision. But even if it works out like you think it will. In the future we will adapt another method. Are we clear?¡¯¡¯ To his demand Nightingale nodded.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20:00~


    Shortly after her talk with Colonel Bann, Nightingale walked across the base. Her mind was once more in deep thoughts, still going through many scenarios and ideas. As such she took much longer then needed to reach the gate.


    When the young woman finally arrived Lucy was already standing there, leaning against the wall next to the gate. A single knife held in her hand, which her gaze seemed to be focused on.


    ¡®¡¯Ready?¡¯¡¯ Nightingale asked her as she drew close enough. Her somber voice seemingly dragging Lucy out of her thoughts. ¡®¡¯I am.¡¯¡¯ She answered with a firm nod.


    Then without another word the two left through two small side gates next to the big vehicle gates. The guards gave Lucy a nod, but remained silent otherwise. Then the pair of women started to follow the road, at least for a while.


    At the T junction the two stopped. Nightingale thought for a bit about the map she had been shown upon request by Bann. Then she nodded and changed direction slightly. ¡®¡¯Come¡­¡¯¡¯ she said quietly and began to walk across the short strip of grass.


    ¡®¡¯You know where you want to go? How?¡¯¡¯ She was asked by Lucy as the two entered the forest, which encompassed this whole plateau except the fortress and its surroundings.


    While carefully stepping over a few branches, avoiding patches of moss and loose rocks Nightingale answered her. ¡®¡¯I do, just follow.¡¯¡¯ Was her answer, her eyes never leaving the ground. She still was avoiding leaving any traces as much as possible when moving in such terrain. One more of her countless habits which had before ensured her safety, raising the odds of her survival on a mission.


    For at least ten minutes the two walked through the forest of leaf and needle trees. With the now fading sun darkness quickly descended within the shade of the forests roof. Yet Nightingale¡¯s steps never slowed for even a moment. Continuing to find their way just as confidently as they had when it was still bright.


    Finally arriving at the place Nightingale had made out to be her destination. Which was a very small clearing. Maybe twenty by twenty meters. At its center stood a single willow, it''s roots fed by the waters of a small spring as its waters gurgled and flowed in a small stream. Soft noises rang out from the water that ascended to the surface there. Slowly flowing towards the other end of the clearing. Vanishing in a line of trees behind which one could sometimes see the lights of a far away city. When the wind moved the bushes and branches blocking the view. This clearing was near the edge of the plateau, only twenty more meters from the clearing to the edge.


    Yet besides the sound of flowing water and the sound of the wind gently playing with the grass and trees there was no sound to be heard. The first stars appearing high above her while the moon rose slowly from its slumber.


    When Lucy finally stumbled into the clearing Nightingale had an irritable expression, the ex-assassin had clearly heard the girl''s tactless movements and harsh breathing as she fought through the thicket. Because of this she had trouble keeping the disbelief out of her voice when she spoke ¡®¡¯You have trouble with just this?¡¯¡¯


    ¡®¡¯Who would not? It is only getting darker and there is even less light below the trees, also there are no paths to follow. I honestly don¡¯t know how you can move so fast in these conditions.¡¯¡¯ Lucy answered her between hastened breaths.


    ¡®¡¯Nothing but excuses. You just do not understand¡­¡¯¡¯ Her voice monotonously and trailing of at the end, as if remembering long gone by things.


    ¡®¡¯Understand what?¡¯¡¯ She was asked then by Lucy who had her hands rest on her knees, bend over, catching her breath.


    To the question she was asked Nightingale slowly turned her head, staring directly into the eyes of Lucy who had risen up again. Then with a firm, but very quiet voice she whispered into the encroaching darkness, ¡®¡¯the dead¡­ Need not¡­ Ask questions...¡¯¡¯ Her voice sounding absent minded.


    For a moment only the sound of water and wind rang out around the clearing. Then the shaking voice of Lucy broke it, adding another sound. ¡®¡¯What¡­ do you mean?¡¯¡¯ she asked, taking a step back.


    Nightingale did not answer, she just slowly turned towards Lucy, the pale moonlight reflecting in her eyes. Her face becoming a icy mask she took a step towards the backing of Lucy. Her right hand coming to rest on the sword¡¯s scabbard hanging at her waist, her left hand slowly moving towards the handle.


    ¡®¡¯St..stop, what are you doing?!¡¯¡¯ Lucy half shouted while backing of, her eyes glued to the ex assassins hands.


    Yet the only reaction coming from Nightingale was the quiet metallic hissing as she slowly pulled out the sword from its sheath. Silently taking step after step towards the ever backing of Lucy.


    As she was only a handful of steps away from Lucy she jumped forward, fluid and swift was her motion as the sword ascended and stabbed forward. A small scream rang out into the night as the cold metal left a shallow red line on the young soldier¡¯s cheek.


    The red haired women sprang back, with a look of disbelief touching her cheek. Then she moved her hand, looking at her now red painted fingers, only then did her fearful gaze come to meet Nightingale¡¯s eyes.


    ¡®¡¯Why are you doing this?¡¯¡¯


    Then to the soldier''s question, Nightingale heartlessly repeated her earlier answer.


    "The dead... Need not... Ask questions". Like this Nightingale took another step forward, stabbing out again. This time even faster, closer.


    Another shriek echoing out as her blade left a small gash at the soldier''s arm, this time not just a shallow scratch.


    Then her blade sank, its tip pointing toward the ground. Her eyes wandering all over Lucy, yet after a moment she frowned.


    Like that ignoring all words Lucy brought forth she took another step forward, then another. Now being only an arm¡¯s reach away from Lucy she came to a stop.


    The eyes of the two women met for a brief moment, only then did the red haired women pull the knife at her side, pointing it toward the ex assassin.


    She took another step forward, keeping both the knife and the women in her eyes. Yet the frown on her lips deepened as she finally spoke.


    ¡®¡¯Why¡­ did you not kill me¡­¡¯¡¯ with those words spoken she twisted her blade upwards and stabbed it into Lucy¡¯s chest.


    A scream arose from Lucy as the sword buried itself into her. Then with a look of utter disbeliefe and pain she stared directly into Nightingales emotionless eyes. ¡®¡¯Why?...¡¯¡¯ was all her fading voice could bring forth. Then her eyes closed and her body began to fall forward.


    The moment Lucy began to fall Nightingale pulled the sword back. Ignoring the nasty wet suction sound it made she stepped to the left, bringing her sword out of the way as she caught Lucy with her right.


    As she held the women with her right she stabbed the sword into the ground, only then did she move closer and grabbed Lucy with both hands. Laying her down slow and carefully.


    Only now did Nightingale speak again, her coldness gone as she gently stroked the young women¡¯s red hair. ¡®¡¯You didn¡¯t understand¡­¡¯¡¯ she whispered quietly into the darkness. Nobody there to listen to her words, nobody but Lucy.


    For roughly ten minutes she sat there like that, saying nothing anymore. Just gently stroking the red hair. Only then did slight rustling arise in the distance, slowly getting closer. It took another four minutes till the first few flashes from flashlights began to illuminate the clearing.


    ¡®¡¯Colonel¡­¡¯¡¯ she said neither loud nor quiet. Drawing attention to herself and the body in front of her. Suddenly a handful of lights began to focus on her, bringing painful brightness to her surroundings.


    ___________________________________________________________________________


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">A pistol used by special forces it says. My land has super strict weapon laws so I don¡¯t really know anything about them *shrugs* but this one seemed reasonable. So don¡¯t ask me for details and take my apologies if I mess something up.</li>


    </ol>

 Chapter 7: Changing

    Two weeks had passed since Nightingale had cut down Lucy.


    She still thought about her actions, unknowing if she had done the right or wrong thing. Yet she could not decide on her own, only time would be able to tell her if she had done good or not.


    After the Colonel had entered the clearing with a team of medics she was asked about Lucy¡¯s status. Quickly had she given a full report before the red haired soldier was carried away on a stretcher.


    Afterwards she had walked back to base together with Bann, talking a bit with him. Telling him her thoughts on the matter and her predictions for the future. Since then Lucy had been at the medical ward while Nightingale slowly had gotten more used to her new life at the base.


    She slowly had started to develop a sort of routine. Personal training in the morning, the sort of training she had done nearly all her life. Then she would eat and then go to the archive where she was getting taught about all sorts of things she needed to know.


    Many things she learned were rather hard to grasp, but she managed to understand them after thinking a bit more about them. Due to this she made good progress, most of her training would be on theoretical teaching anyway. For the physical aspects she was more then qualified in most of them already.


    In those two weeks of Lucy¡¯s absence she had only struggled with very few things, one of them being the requests for all the things she needed. It took her quite a while to find the right person to hand her requests to. But after that was out of the way each day there came a few more pieces of the things she had ordered.


    Also she finally managed to acquire a few more sets of clothing, this time including a jacket and sweatshirt. There had also been a dire need for more underwear, it just didn¡¯t feel good to walk around without any below her clothes while the few pieces of garment she possessed at that time where in the washing machine.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Then after these two weeks was the day Lucy was getting released from the medical ward, Nightingale had not visited her once for she was sure that her presence would not have been appreciated at all.


    A small forlorn smile lay on her lips as the young ex assassin sat on her bed, she was well aware of the fact that even if Lucy returned the distance between them had only grown further and colder.


    But that was natural, everyone would fear and be wary of someone who had stabbed them down just like that. No matter what reason there was for that action, but it was okay for Nightingale. She had just done what she had to do, her reason even if only she alone understood it was what made it bearable for her.


    It still was a strange feeling in her chest, she had not killed. Yet it did feel bad, it felt somehow sad. She could simply not understand why her heart felt like it did. She had taken no life just done something which had to be done to ensure survival not only for Lucy but also for herself in the future.


    All she had done was preparing, opening the eyes of someone blinded by the peacefulness of society. ¡®¡¯Why does it hurt¡­¡¯¡¯ she whispered into the silence of the empty room. But the answer would not come to her. She could simply not understand it, as such a sigh escaped her lips before she stood up from her bed.


    It was still early morning, the sun had just risen behind the horizon. Pushing away the lurking shadows creeping around within the last vestiges of the night. With slow steps she moved across the room, opening her locker and took out a new set of clothes.


    Black sweat pants, black tank top, ankle high socks and a thin jacket. Quickly she put on the clothes before slipping into her running shoes. After tying them up she closed the spint and grabbed her sword with the right hand. Slowly moving towards the door of the bungalow.


    As the young women stepped into the courtyard she stretched and took a deep breath of the cool and fresh morning air. Then she started to run, running as if to escape those feelings of hers, evading the thoughts which pained her.


    For a long time she ran along the walls, her fast steps being one of the few sounds echoing quietly across the courtyard. Mixing into the sounds of soldiers patrolling the walls, engines humming and people training on the shooting range. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    An hour, two then three passed like that. She could run for however long she wanted, yet she came to a stop and sighed again. Even if she could outrun many people, her feelings and thoughts were impossible to run away from.


    ¡®¡¯I can¡¯t run¡­¡¯¡¯ she whispered siletnly, as if to reassure herself of what she had to do. This was the first time that Nightingale felt like this. Not wanting to take responsibility for what she had done. Not facing a person she had harmed, something had changed. Deep within her a small seed had grown, maybe¡­ Maybe it was what others called humanity.


    Again she sank deep into thought and began to return to her bungalow with slow steps, taking a while to actually return. Quietly she opened the door and stepped into the silent room. She got out of her shoes, put them next to the door and then walked towards the shower room.


    In the dressing room she got rid of all her clothes and just as she was about to enter she shower she stopped. ¡®¡¯Why¡­ is this weighing so heavy¡­¡¯¡¯ she mumbled into the silence, then turned around and stepped into the main room once again.


    Her mind was truly muddled, so much she even had forgotten towel, new clothes and the other shower necessities. So she once more went to her locker, opened it and grabbed new clothes and underwear, comb, towel, shampoo and shower gel.


    With a metallic thud she closed it once more and went over to the shower. Dropping her clothes careless in the dressing room she entered the warm shower room, not even bothering to close the door behind her.


    Maybe it was not that she was not bothering, but more not thinking about it. ¡®¡¯Why¡­ I don¡¯t understand it¡¯¡¯ she spoke again to herself. This feeling was truly eating at her, this new emotion which had arisen so suddenly. So truly mysterious for her.


    Nightingale simply dropped she shower utensils on the ground beneath her and threw the towel into the corner of the room. Only to slowly put her head against the wall. ¡®¡¯Why¡­ Why¡­ Why!¡¯¡¯ her last word she screamed out, reverberating in the room.


    Small tears began to drop from her eyes as she switched on the hot water, hiding those small drops of water she produced in the falling rain from above.


    Time began to tick away like this, twenty minutes, half an hour, a hour, two. Only after a very long time did she switch of the water. Her tears of confusion and anxiety had dried quite a while ago. Yet her mind did never quiet down, only raging more and more. Seething waves of strange emotions tormenting her, overshadowing even the usual whispers and voices prevalent in her mind.


    She took her time drying her hair and body, as well as putting on new clothes. Then Nightingale just walked to her bed and sat down, slowly she drew her sword from its scabbard. A small sigh escaping her lips, none of pain anymore. ¡®¡¯At least¡­ this remains familiar¡­¡¯¡¯ she whispered as her finger tenderly ran across the blade.


    She once more was able to hear the whispers and screams loud and clear, cursing her, begging and pleading. At least these voices would not change, her sin and burden staying the same no matter what was going to happen. So she closed her eyes, sword resting on her lap. A hand on the heft another on the body of her sword.


    Finally while all she did was listen to the endless curses her mind began to calm down, focusing all her senses on the inside. Sinking deeper and deeper into her mediation, till all which remained was darkness. Yet where for everyone this darkness was endless and empty, for Nightingale it was filled with colors and screams.


    Red was the most prevalent color, blood was painting her inner world, her thoughts, her mind. Whatever this place was she reached within her meditation. Yet the crimson color was not the only thing there was. Countless shades also where there, each the fuzzy shape of a human. Swirling around her, being close yet never touching her.


    Each wielding the face of someone who¡¯s life she had taken before. ¡®¡¯I hope you die!¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯Why did you kill me?¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯I was innocent¡­¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯I don¡¯t understand¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯Spare me¡¯¡¯ ¡®¡¯Why¡­¡¯¡¯ Each Shade having a voice of his own. They all spoke, called out to her. A symphony of pain, hatred and grief forever resounding in her mind.


    Once she was afraid, once she could barely keep her sanity through all these curses. Yet today these curses were what gave her strength, following her path forward. Showing her that this part of her, this past was unchangeable.


    It allowed her to see that the future was going to be different, that she had to walk a different path. Straying from the path she had walked all her life even if it became painful or scary, confusing or awkward. It was the choice she had made and this path she would walk.


    With her resolution strengthened once again she silently and slowly began to open her eyes, ascending from her dreamlike state back to the reality once again. Then with a quick motion her hand rose and the blade turned, with her other hand raising the scabbard. A swift movement and the blade was sheathed once again.


    Then calmer then before Nightingale began to wait, waiting for Lucy to return. She still dreaded it for unknown reasons, but she wanted to face this moment now. Get it over with and maybe even figure out what it was that was gnawing at her this much.


    An hour went by like this, then two, then three. Many hours of this day had already been wasted with nonsensical actions, so very untypical of her usual behaviour. Yet she had chosen to wait for however long it took.


    Then finally in the evening the door of her bungalow opened, the red headed women stepping in. Her eyes scanned the room and came to rest on Nightingale. The movements of the young soldier stopped as she simply stared at the ex assassin.


    It was then that Nightingale decided to walk forward, like this she stood up from the bed and went ahead, slowly getting closer to Lucy wordlessly. Yet it was just like it had been the last time, with a single small difference. Lucy took a step back each time Nightingale took a step forward.


    Yet at the same time when Nightingale got within roughly three meters of Lucy the hand of the red head went to her hip, undoing the hold on her holster and drew her gun. It was a quick and fluid motion with which the gun was pointed at Nightingale.


    She looked at Lucy¡¯s eyes and she could see two things, determination¡­ and fear. A small smile rose to Nightingales lips, yet a uncertain sadness also rose within her heart again. It was a painful feeling yet she kept her smile as she spoke. ¡®¡¯You did well¡­¡¯¡¯


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Like this two years of training passed by¡­


    Her team grew as her mental state slowly changed¡­ becoming a bit more human each day...


    The end~