Kazemaru and Karla had been engaged in their battle with Terry, the second-year student they were meant to fight. Terry Hacksou, known for his exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills, had been a force to be reckoned with. Unlike the other second-years who wielded various techniques, Terry didn't have a technique.
Instead, he had honed his physical combat abilities to perfection. Within his class, he was undefeated, a fact that made him a nightmare for Kazemaru and Karla.
Terry: (smirking) Come on, you guys. You've got to do better than that if you want to pass this exam.
Kazemaru: OH COME ON, MAN! WE'RE LITERALLY DOING OUR BEST HERE!!
Karla: (to herself) He's so loud.
Terry scoffed.
Terry: If that's your best, I can assure you, you're not going to pass this exam.
Kazemaru: (wide-eyed) HUH????!!!!
Terry rushed toward them again, his fists flying. He was too fast and too strong for the two of them. Every punch and kick seemed to leave Kazemaru and Karla defenseless. The pair attempted to counter, but Terry simply dodged and outclassed them at every turn.
Kazemaru and Karla were forced to retreat and regroup, trying to form a strategy to overcome Terry's relentless assault.
Kazemaru: Damn it! How are we gonna beat him?
Karla: We can't. Based on what I heard, he's the best in hand-to-hand combat among the second-years.
Kazemaru: Then why the hell are we fighting someone like that???
Karla shrugged.
Kazemaru: (sighing) At this rate, we're going to fail.
Karla: We don't necessarily have to beat him. We just have to show we're adaptable and improving.
Kazemaru: UGH!!!! I CAN'T fail here!
Karla: And you won't, because even though it looks bad, my technique can still help us.
Kazemaru: Huh??? It can?
Karla: Yes. Just follow my lead…
After a brief moment, Kazemaru stepped forward to engage Terry alone. Karla was nowhere to be seen.
Terry: (to himself) By himself? Brave move.
Kazemaru carried a face then looked like he had resigned to his fate.
Kazemaru: Believe me, I don't want to do this either.
Kazemaru threw himself into the fight, even though it was painfully clear he was outmatched. Terry's attacks came fast and brutal, each strike heavier than the last. Kazemaru struggled just to stay on his feet, his body screaming for him to stop.
He was close to giving up but then his mother's and little brother's faces flashed through his mind.
He couldn't let them down.
With a shout, Kazemaru forced himself upright. The two of them locked arms, muscles straining as they pushed against each other in a raw test of strength. Terry tried to overpower him, but Kazemaru dug in his heels, refusing to move.
He had to buy Karla time, no matter what.
But then…
Without warning, a sword tore through Terry's chest. Blood burst from his mouth as his eyes went wide in shock. His body jerked once before he crumpled forward, collapsing to the ground.
Kazemaru had been standing too close. The blade didn't stop with Terry, it continued through, ripping into Kazemaru's left shoulder. The impact sent a wave of pain through him as he staggered back and fell on his ass, stunned by what had just happened.
Kazemaru: (holding his shoulder) SHIT!! What the hell just happe—
He looked up in confusion, his breath catching in his throat as Karla appeared from nowhere.
Her expression was utterly devoid of the warmth Kazemaru had come to know. It was as if the person standing before him was a stranger.
Suddenly, another sword appeared in Karla's hand. Without hesitation, she raised it, intent on finishing what she had started and when she spoke, her voice was different and carried a chilling, emotionless tone
Karla: Oh... I missed his heart. Maybe I'm losing my touch since I haven't held a sword in so long. But I won't make that mistake with you.
Kazemaru was puzzled.
Kazemaru: What are you talking about?! Why did you do this?!
Karla's face twisted with indifference as she slowly lowered her sword. Her voice dropped to a cold, detached whisper.
Karla: Karla?? Oh that's right. She never told any of you. (clears her throat) I'm not Karla. She's gone to sleep so I'm the one taking the wheel now. I'm her big sister....ANNIE.
Kazemaru blinked.
Kazemaru: Annie?! What... What are you talking about?!
Annie began to grow impatient.
Annie: We're two souls in one body. Karla's been lying to you all. She didn't join the HFA to fight shadows. She came here as a spy. WE'RE BOTH MEMBERS OF THE KAIMI DAJA.
At that moment, Kazemaru's mind raced as all the memories the first years had made in the last two months flashed in his mind
Kazemaru: There's no way that's true.
Annie: Well, there's no way I'm gonna explain it to you anyways. You're about to die.
A memory of his mother and little brother in Kazemaru's mind once he saw Annie raise her sword once again.
Kazemaru: No… I can't die here. I CAN'T!
In a desperate instant, Kazemaru unleashed his ability, conjuring a shimmering glass barrier that blocked the sword just in time. Without missing a beat, he scooped Terry's bloodied body into his arms and summoned another barrier; a perfect glass sphere enveloping them both.
The sphere shuddered, then surged forward, rolling across the battlefield with blinding speed, carrying them away from the carnage behind.
Annie: (sighing) He got away.
She smiled wickedly, looking up into the sky as a massive shadow monster with wings swooped down, landing behind Annie. From its back, Veto and Giles jumped down from the creatures back.
Giles: (grinning) Excellent work, kid. Too bad they got away before you could finish them off.
Annie: (annoyed) I'm not a kid!! I'm 27!!!
Giles: Oh, seems you've switched again, huh? Don't worry, I'll take care of them. We'll proceed with the plan as usual.
Annie: Yeah, sure.
Giles: Let's start the chaos, shall we?
Veto smiled with a crazy and dangerous look in his eyes.
Veto: ALRIGHT!!
Giles pulled out a small book from his jacket and as the pen touched the page, Shadow monsters emerged from the book, swarming into the battle zone. The members of the Kaimi Daja looked at each other, nodded their heads and split up into different directions.
*******
Meanwhile…
In the depths of Karla's consciousness, she screamed out, furious with what Annie had just done.
Karla: (frantic) You promised me! You promised you wouldn't hurt anyone!
Annie: Promises can be broken, Karla. Did you really think you could make friends after all that's happened? I've told you before, you only have one friend, and it's me.
Karla: But…
Annie: But nothing!! If you keep trying to make friends, I'll keep killing them. Got it?
Karla remained silent, and Annie smiled wickedly.
Annie: That's better.