1 Marked For Death

"Tch. What the hell's up with this town?" An aggressive feminine voice spoke up.

Two dangerous looking women could be found standing over a pile of corpses. They both wore identical outfits - silver gleaming armor that reflected the sun. A white skin tight leotard covered anything the armor couldn't. The coming winds forced their white capes to flutter as they analyzed the situation.

What made the scene even more strange was the blood painting the nearby walls. It was purple, contrary to the normal color of human blood. Looking even more closely, the corpses at their feet weren't human.

"Well, I suppose one could call this a Yoma's nest." The other woman answered. Her voice was much gentler.

"A Yoma's Nest…"

"An ordinary town is attacked and devastated by Yoma. They then remain here, posing as humans and feeding on the people who come to the town, one after another. A bit unusual, but nothing we can't handle."

"So how many have you gotten so far, Sophia?" The aggressive woman asked with a grin.

Hearing the question, the tension in the air dispersed. A competitive vibe took its place. Sophia's eyes shined with mirth.

"Let's see…I suppose that makes seven, Miss Noel." She spoke elegantly. Noel grinned.

"What? Don't lie. There are thirteen bodies. You got six and I got seven."

Both women stared at each other, their silver eyes shining in the shaded area. With platinum blonde hair to top it off, both women gave off an incredibly scary aura. It didn't seem as if they were human at all.

"Oh? But that's a miscalculation on your part. I was keeping count properly, right from the start. It's your inability to do even simple math that is forever holding you back in the position of number 4, Miss Noel." Sophia retorted.

"Tch. I'll be damned if I let you get away with saying that. YOU'RE Number 4 and I'M Number 3!" Noel growled.

"GRRRRAAHHHHRRRR!!!!"

Before Sophia could argue back, a roar interrupted their banter. It was only now that they remembered what they were here for. Both silver eyed witches were surrounded by Yoma, man-eating monsters that could disguise themselves as the humans they ate. These wicked creatures had a bit of intelligence, and couldn't normally be defeated by humans.

Because of this tragic situation, a nameless organization was forced to intervene. They took the remains of any defeated Yoma and implanted their flesh into humans. This would allow humans to have strength beyond that of mortals, and sniff out any cretins that tried to hide away. As a result of these experiments, their eyes would become an eerie silver. Only when these fighters harnessed the Yoma energy inside, would their eyes turn golden with slit pupils.

It took decades of trials and tests to reach this point. Only women were able to harness this power without losing themselves to the Yoma instinct, and transforming into a fully fledged monster. Men could also harness the power, but the feeling it gave was one of sexual pleasure. Once they felt the energy, it was impossible to hold back, causing them to immediately reach their limit and awaken into Yoma. Due to this revelation, all male experiments were shut down.

Both Sophia and Noel turned to see a horde of Yoma on all sides. Their conversation would have to wait. Not wasting any more time, the previously roaring monster led the charge for his kin. Both women prepared for battle. Their large identical weapons gleamed, revealing an exquisite craftsmanship. It was a claymore.

"Damn claymores, hunting us all the time! You're the prey now! DIE!" The leading Yoma roared as it swung its elongating claws.

In an instant, both women vanished from their spots. One moment they were standing still and the next, they'd disappeared. Blood splattered across the area. The leading Yoma looked down to see his intestines spilling onto the ground. Before long, his body fell to the ground in two parts. He'd been cut in half.

SLASH

The sound of metal ripping through flesh resounded as both claymores moved through the horde like ghosts. Not a single drop of blood touched their clothes. With only a single hand carrying such a heavy weapon, they slaughtered the massive group of monsters like cattle.

After a few more seconds, the sounds stopped. Sophia turned her head to see Noel. The aggressive woman was also finished, grumbling to herself as usual. The elegant claymore waved her blade in a gentle motion at the structure behind her. A line appeared on the hefty building before crumbling into pieces. A dead Yoma could now be seen behind the structure while bisected at the waist.

This Yoma thought it could hide. What an incredibly stupid decision. Hiding from a silver eyed witch was a futile action.

"Well, well. Your brute force is as gorilla-like as ever." Noel commented.

"Oh, your little acrobatics are the same as ever too." Sophia responded. They would always go tit for tat. It had been like this since they met.

"Eh? You picking a fight, bitch?" The aggressive woman growled.

"But you were the one who provoked me first."

"That's perfect then. Wanna settle who's number 3, right here and now?!" Noel spoke while gripping her claymore a bit harder.

"That suits me just fine." Sophia answered while approaching.

"Give it a rest!" Another voice ordered from afar. Her tone was authoritative.

Both fighters turned to see another claymore approaching. She also had platinum blonde hair, but it was much longer than theirs. Her ears were a bit pointy. At this moment, two Yoma leapt into the air from behind the woman. It was a sneak attack.

"GRAHH-"

SLASH

Blood immediately spurt out of their bodies. It was unknown when the woman had attacked, since her claymore was still on her back. A rain of purple blood fell down, but not a single drop touched her clothes. It was as if it avoided her.

The newly arrived woman continued walking until she was close to Noel and Sophia. It was only then that the bodies of the Yoma hit the ground. Blood pooled onto the tiles.

"What point is there in fighting amongst ourselves? Our orders are to wipe out the Yoma in this town. Am I wrong?" She continued.

Her powerful gaze bored into Sophia and Noel. The pressure immediately forced them to shape up and calm down. They couldn't help but smile.

"It's been a long time, Miss Ilena." Sophia greeted politely. The woman only nodded. Noel crossed her arms.

"You aren't known as Quick Sword Ilena for nothing. I never even saw the bare blade." She exclaimed. Sophia closed her eyes in agreement.

"More than that, I find it frightening that there isn't a speck of blood on her, even at that close distance. I suppose her position as Number 2 is secure."

"So, they got Number 2 through Number 4 together. I doubt they only wanted us to wipe out the Yoma in this town." Noel pointed out.

"I agree. A town like this, any one of us would have been more than enough. Since all three of us were gathered here, something must be going on right?" Sophia asked.

Number 3 and 4 gazed at Ilena with questioning eyes. The woman had leaned against the wall with her eyes closed. The tension grew thick once more. As the silence stretched on, Number 2 finally spoke.

"We've been ordered to bring down Teresa, the Organization's Number 1." She revealed.

An expression of shock appeared on their faces. This was truly unexpected. Such a powerful person…No wonder all of them were brought here!

"You mean, Teresa of the Faint Smile?! THAT Teresa?!" Noel asked.

"Why of all things…" Sophia muttered.

"She killed some humans. She massacred an entire group of bandits. When she was to receive her punishment, she cut down our comrades and deserted from the Organization." Ilena explained.

"Is this for real? Holy shit! The most powerful of us deserting? That's not even funny. She should've just let them cut her down." Noel said. There was another moment of silence.

"...This is why Number 2 through Number 5 were summoned. Not only that, it seems like Teresa has received some help from Number 0." Ilena continued.

"No way…Number 0? It's said that her strength surpasses all 47 ranks put together! Nobody even knows her name or title." Noel complained.

"Yes, that's because anyone that sees Number 0 doesn't live to tell the tale. Nobody even knows her name…" Sophia commented.

"So, an all out war between Number 2 through 5 and Number 1 and 0? It's four versus two and I'm still a bit nervous. Wait a minute…who was number 5 again?" Noel said.

"You are so stupid. It's Elda, obviously." Sophia said.

"It's not Elda." Ilena cut in.

"What?!" They both frowned while looking at Ilena.

"The other member is actually Number 2. I recently became Number 3. That makes you two Numbers 4 and 5."

"Eh…" Both Sophia and Noel rubbed their temples. What the hell was going on?!

"Number 2 is a novice, who recently received her emblem. She shot straight to the top in these past couple months."

The emblem of a claymore could be found on their weapon. It was located at the start of the blade, right past the hilt. This was a callsign or dog tag that displayed one's identity in the nameless organization. The name 'Claymore' was actually made up by the human civilians. There wasn't a name to define them.

"A novice? Why does a girl like that suddenly get to become Number 2?! Don't make me laugh!" Noel growled.

"...If you're not satisfied, take the title from her by force. But let's just say I took one look at her and was satisfied." Ilena responded.

"Kyaah!" A voice cried out from behind them.

The claymores turned to see an innocent girl getting up from the ground. Innocent would be the perfect word if she wasn't wearing the armor of a claymore. It seemed like she'd tripped while coming out of the nearby alleyway.

"Who the hell is she? What a klutz." Noel commented.

"That's her. She's the new Number 2. Priscilla." Ilena revealed.

The newcomer had extremely short hair that almost seemed tomboyish. The frail expression on her face totally annihilated that though. This claymore didn't resemble a fighter whatsoever.

"You've GOT to be kidding. She's just a brat! Have you and the Organization both gone crazy?!" Noel questioned.

"I told you already. If you're not satisfied, test her yourself."

"That's just perfect. I'll take the Number 2 position by brute force!" Noel spoke while unsheathing her claymore.

Priscilla only watched the aggressive woman approach while sitting on her knees. A look of fear could be seen on her face. Pathetic for a claymore.

"Get up, bitch! I'll settle this right here, right now!"

"W-What?" Priscilla stuttered in a panic.

Her soft voice made her seem even more fragile. Once the realization set in, the newcomer's eyes watered. It seemed as if she'd cry at any second. She immediately prostrated herself before Noel.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me for being late to the rendezvous! I got delayed by the Yoma I had to slay, so I…Waaahhh!" She trailed off before sobbing loudly.

"What're you talking about? I'm telling you to fight! And getting delayed by a couple of Yoma is…" As the aggressive woman spoke, her eyes glanced into the alleyway.

An expression of shock instantly appeared on her face. In this narrow alley, an entire army of dead Yoma could be seen. Purple blood drenched the area, and intestines littered the ground.

"What in the hell…" Noel trailed off. Sophia approached before peeking into the alley.

"How could this be? She was fighting so close by, yet we never even felt her presence. I couldn't even hear the commotion!" She exclaimed. Ilena, who was still leaning against the wall, smirked.

"No matter how strong her opponents are or how many she's up against, she annihilates them without releasing any Yoma power. Truly, just as Teresa of the Faint Smile fights." Quick Sword Ilena explained.

".........."

".........." Sophia and Noel were silent while looking at the sobbing girl.

"Above all else, she despises Yoma more than anything. To be honest, no matter how many comrades I had by my side, I didn't want to fight Teresa of the Faint Smile. That changed when I saw her fighting Yoma. In time, she will surpass Teresa." Ilena finished.

"What about Number 0? Will she be enough? Will WE be enough?" Noel questioned.

"The possibility of encountering Number 0 is low. She isn't one to stay in a single place. Let's not worry about her."

After speaking, Ilena began walking away. Her movement led her on a straight path to the town's exit. Noel, Sophia, and the sniffling Priscilla, followed after her. It was time to find the Number 1 and kill her.