The coward actually dared to strike a blow during my naptime. For this reason alone, she was to be given the death penalty.

I would have to apologize to Johnson later. Or maybe he might thank me?

Even more audacious was her continued assault upon me. Streaks of light flashing near my constantly swerving and dodging form. I analyzed the situation at computational speeds.

First, she was fast as all hell, counterattacks and sneak blows would be the way to handle her.

Second, my blade technique Isn’t comparable to hers at the moment.

Third, she had the ability to kill me in around 3 strong strikes. Furthermore, these strikes could all easily be landed in less than a second.

Analyzing the situation, there was only one logical choice.

Run.

If I couldn't dominate a fight, or gain anything from it. Why would I engage in it?

I took to the skies in flight, 4 wings beating in unison behind me. I was about to smile smugly, when it was to my great dismay that she also took to the skies, little beams of light forming under her legs upon each step. Her metal augmentations were clearly made to wield the power of light, her legs and sword arm glowing with light.

She was quickly upon me, light-coated blade swinging upwards.

My third eye was a surprising move, and I was able to send her to the ground, landing a surprise strike. She got up, nearly undamaged. That would not work again. She once more took hyper-speed steps in the air, right towards me.

Okay, time for plan B.

“Hold thy blade. I am part of th-” She ignored me entirely, and I only barely dodged a slash, and was subsequently sent into the lake by a spinning overhead roundhouse to the top of my skull.

Plan B has failed.

“This is the problem with women,” complained the Lord of stars out of nowhere. “They never listen.”

What was he talking about?

“Try to reveal your genitalia, it may surprise her enough to allow you to escape,” Au-ha gave a completely ridiculous plan. It also made a lot of sense.

What to do, what to do. She greatly outclassed me in speed. Her damage was slightly beneath mine, and her defense was far weaker. It seemed that I should hold a slight advantage, right?

Wrong.

It was like this I learned the value of speed. If she was too fast to hit, what was the point of my strength? If she could strike 5 blows in the time I could strike one, wasn't she just stronger? If I could not touch her, what was the point of her needing defense? I imagine she may not have received a single serious attack in her life.

So, plan C it would have to be. I remembered my battle with the gunslinger, and my battle with the Raven.

I entered turtle mode. Large wings covering me, a tail swaying to the side. My body hunched down in my usual Martial stance. To win this fight, I would need to strike one nearly fatal blow in a powerful counterattack.

This woman, though, did not attack when I entered this position. She had the battle instincts of a warlord. She just stood there, across from me.

“You must be the leader of this horde.” Her voice was as expected, gentle, yet equally intimidating.

There was a gross misunderstanding here.

She swung her sword from a distance, beams of light swaying toward me. I coated myself fully in lightning, and used my lightning sword fingers, and electric covered tail to smash through the arcs of light.

She sent more, but I was able to defend. That was my current specialty, after all. In this stalemate, we both sat still for over a minute. The initial wound on my chest now fully closed. I broke the silence.

“Why do you not approach, Light Blade?” Is it possible you are afraid?”

“Aren't you afraid? You look like a pathetic turtle right now.” she shot back.

Plan D, psychological warfare. So far, this plan was failing miserably, but the hearts of humans weren't so hard to read.

“I met your brother a while ago. We have become good friends in the past couple years.” I hit the only personal nerve I could think of. “He didn't seem to be fond of you.”

Her eyes flashed with anger and confusion. Why would a beast speak of her brother? How would a beast just born know of her brother?

“My man Johnson got married a few months ago, He’s now a Rank A mercenary, a very capable swordsman.”

The grip on her blade loosened lightly, the corner of her eyes turning downward ever slightly.

A swordsman, huh.

When they were kids, he trained in axes, spears, ranged weaponry and more, all in vain attempts to establish an identity for himself. She would see his struggles, and try to help him. The boy could never keep up. He wanted to reach her level, to stand by her side as her brother. To be considered an equal.

It was not to be.

She tried to teach him, but It was unfortunate she was not a great teacher, and Johnson was easily frustrated, and was brought to tears constantly. She would look at him and see that all of his pain was a result of her.

A lack of parental love. A lack of his own identity. A constant comparison to a being he could never come close too. She wanted to fix this in whatever way she could.

So she called him pathetic, a weakling, and that he should give up his dream of being a Warrior. She would never speak to him again after that. Even on his birthdays, she would not appear. Even when calling, he would get sent to voicemail.

In order to let him grow into his own man, she had completely separated herself from him.

It had been nearly a decade since they last spoke. Yet even now, he chased after her image.

She snapped out of it her remembrance. It was not the time to ponder of the past.

I continued speaking, “I'm sure he would like to see you again. He is a different man now, and is very content with the life he made.”

In my memory, I saw her lips curve upwards ever so slightly. It must’ve been an illusion, though, as her eyes remained Ice-cold, devoid of all emotion.

“Explain to me everything, or I will not hesitate to end you.” She pointed her blade at me.

Ugh, psycho woman. “At least tell me your name.” I asked, currently still crouched down in a defensive stance. I had never once asked Johnson, as she was a sensitive subject for him.

“You are not Worthy.” she said coldly.

One day, I will stab this woman.