My mother once told me that the thing she loved most about my dad was his eyes. They had a childlike glow to them. I remember I use to get so frustrated when I saw that gleam in his eyes, it was like he could see things I couldn’t see. Whenever I ask him what he was looking at, he would smile and say that one day you’ll see. To this day, I never did find out what he saw.

Chapter 12

Moonlight Drifters (part 1)

I wonder, when did I stop gazing at the sky? I’m sure it was around the time I learn of my father’s death. Usually, in stories, it rains when a person dies as if the world was also grieving that person dies. But on the day of my father’s passing, I remember vividly how blue the sky was. It was like the world was mocking me, telling me how insignificant I am. Even now, it still feels like it’s taunting me. The sky was free of clouds allowing the sun to blast its full light into my eyes. I moved my hand to cover my eyes but stop when I realize my arm was wrapped in bandages.

“Where am I?” I strained my head and looked around, hoping to find out how I got here. I seem to be in the center of some arena. Buildings surrounded the vast area from all sides, separating it from the outside world. In the distance, I could see something approaching me.

“Hey-“The moment I spoke, the figure vanishes. My instinct shouted at me, telling me to run. I immediately rolled as far away from where I saw the figure. A split second later, the figure slams into the spot I was at a moment ago. Creating a small dust cloud, the figure lunge out of the dust and charge straight at me.

“C’mon, get up!” My body screamed in pain as I force myself to my feet, then cross my arms to block my assailant's incoming attack. Anticipating this, my attacker pushed my arms to the side and threw a punch aim directly at my face. I jumped backward, barely avoiding their fist. Naturally, they follow me after missing their attack. I guess it won’t be that easy to escape.

“Fine, if you want me so badly, then here I come!” The moment my feet touch the ground, I charge straight at my attacker. Abruptly switching from retreating to offense froze my attacker in place. I threw a punch aim directly at their stomach.

My attacker easily blocked my attack. They tightly squeeze my hand, making sure I couldn’t escape from them. “Let go!” I shouted as I swung my free arm at them, which they caught. I could feel a smile spreading on my face as I watch them tighten their grip on my arms. Why would I be smiling at the fact I got caught? Quite simple. Unlike my attacker, I got an extra appendage to spare.

I dragged my tail across the ground and swung it at my assailant. The dirt I picked up from the ground flew into their eyes. The attacker pushes me away and desperately tries to rub the dust out of their eyes.

Now that’s they’re blinded, now it’s my chance to escape.

“Running away again, Catherine?” A familiar voice called out to me. I look back at my assailant. My vision finally begins to clear. Standing in front of me was an elderly man dress in a white uniform. “Eh, Dant-“Before I could say his name Dante flick my forehead hard enough to send me flying. Once again, I found myself on the ground, looking up at the sky myself looking up at the sky.

Well, I guess that explains how I ended in this situation. The fog that clouded my memories begins to dissipate when Dante struck my head.

One month has passed since I begin my training with Dante. Well, I don’t know if getting beat up and continuously thrown around counts as training.

“You improve quite a lot this past month. But it seems you haven’t got rid of that bad habit of yours. You know you’re not going to get far in the tournament if you prioritize escape over fighting.”

“I know.” I try to stand back up, but it seems I was completely out of strength, as I just fell back on my butt. I let out an exhausted sigh and looked up at Dante, who was offering me his hand. He easily lifted me off the ground and placed me on my feet as if I weigh nothing. Seeing that he could cut down buildings with ease, I guess I don’t weigh much to him.

“Sorry, I’ve been trained to run away whenever there’s trouble. I don’t think I can ever follow the warrior code.

“Ah, yes, the warrior code.” Dante chuckles while rubbing his white beard. “Never show your back to the enemy, never surrender and die honorably. Such a foolish code.”

“Huh? You don’t believe in the code?”

“You look surprised.”

“Of course I am,” You would think the person who holds the title of “Hero” would believe in honor more than anyone else.

“Well, I wouldn’t have lived that long if all I believe in was dying an honorable death. A warrior, no, a soldier should know when to stand their ground and when to swallow their pride and run. You excel at the latter.”

“Is that compliment?”

“It is. Unfortunately, retreating isn’t an option in this tournament. If you turn your back to your opponent…” Dante narrowed his eyes at me. A familiar cold sensation traveled up my spine. My instinct was once again screaming at me, telling me to move, but before I had the chance to react to their warning, I felt something impale me.

“…You might die.” Dante whispered. I slowly look down to see his sword sinking deeper into my stomach.

“Why?” Was the only word I could say. I grabbed his sword and used the remaining of my strength to stop his blade from going deeper.

“You already know why.” He said coldly before yanking his sword out. I stumble backward while holding my stomach. There wasn’t a drop of my blood on his sword, nor was I bleeding. I remove my hands from my stomach, expecting to see a wound, yet there wasn’t a scratch on me. And if that wasn’t confusing enough, the cuts and bruises I got from my spars were starting to fade away, even the fatigue that was weighing me down dissipated.

“Are you done with the theatrics?” Dante said as he calmly places his sword back in his sheath.

That’s right. As strange as it might sound, Dante’s sword is incapable of directly harming anyone. Instead, it judges the souls of the people who were cut by it. If a person deemed a sinner, they would be inflicted an injury equivalent to how grave their sin was. On the other hand, if they considered innocent, their body will be healed.

“You could’ve warned me!” My cheeks became flush from embarrassment, and my blood was boiling with anger

“If I did, you would’ve tried to dodge.”

“Of course, I’m going try dodge! I doubt anyone can stay still if they see someone swinging a sword at them! Can’t you just let my body heal the normal way?” I’m fully aware of Dante’s ability, and I know that sword won’t hurt me, but that doesn’t stop my mind from panicking when he stabs me.

“Normally, I would, but we don’t have time to sit and wait for you to recover after every spar.

“The tournament will be beginning soon, right?”

I started my training about a month ago. Which means I only have a month left to prepare for the tournament. I found myself growing nervous the more I thought how near tournament was, I looked Dante hoping he had something encouraging to say, but he was silently staring up at the sky. He had a distance, yet content look in his eyes, the same look my father had. I follow his gaze, hoping to see what he saw, but all I could see was the same blue sky.

What is it that they’re looking at?

“Hello, anyone there?”

Suddenly there was a hand in front of me blocking my vision. Startled, I jump back. In front of me was a young woman with a silver cross dangling from her left ear. Her brunette hair was tied into a single braid that draped over her right shoulder. She wore the same white uniform as Dante, albeit a bit more loosely, her jacket slid down to her arms, revealing her white shoulders. While her outfit may not convince people of her rank, the red dog tag dangling from her neck would convince anyone that not only was she a royal guard, but Dante's equal.

“Ah, Bella.”

“Good, you’re still here. I was starting to worry the old man might’ve hit you on the head too hard.”

“You do seem a bit distracted today. Perhaps we should call it a day.”

“No, I’m fine. Besides, you said it yourself. We don’t have time to waste.”

I must look terrible as Dante suspiciously raise an eyebrow at me. Thankfully he didn’t pry. “Fine.” He said as he took a fighting stance. “Let’s go another round.” Dante closes his eyes and lowers his body, placing all his body weight and strength in his legs.

“That technique again, huh?” I raise my left arm in front of me. No point in trying to run away, his next attack is one hundred percent guarantee to hit me.

The name of the technique is “Blink.” At least that’s what I call it. For a brief moment, Dante increases his already insane speed to the point he blinks from existence. You would think he save such an absurdly powerful technique for the Demon King or some other world-ending threat. But he continuously abuses me with it every time he gets annoyed at me when I run away. But its thanks to the abuse I was able to create a plan to deal with that speed.

He moves faster than my eyes can see, but that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of keeping track of him. I just need to focus.

I stare intensely at Dante, making sure not even to miss a single breath he took. But despite my vigilance, I lost sight of him. It was like he vanishes into thin air. Before I had a chance to process his disappearance, I felt something brush past my extended arm. I instinctively tried to punch whatever was approaching me, only to hit nothing but air.

I jumped backward and threw more dirt in the air with my tail. Almost immediately, something burst through the dirt cloud I created. Again, I tried to land a blow on him.

“Damnit.” I silently curse as my fist hit only air again.

Just like I thought even if I can keep track of him, I’m too slow to react in time. I guess I have no choice but to go with plan B.

I lower my arms to the side, leaving myself open for an attack. The moment I dropped my guard, I found myself submerged in a deep and tense silence. It felt like the world itself was watching me with bated breath, waiting to see what happens next.

My ears constantly twitch, desperately looking for a sign of Dante, but it was like he vanishes from the world.

“Ahem.” Bella, who was silently watching the fight, suddenly cough, breaking my concentration. Without uttering a word, she turns her head as if she was trying to look behind her. In the instance, I realize what she was trying to tell me. I felt a presence behind me.

I quickly spun around and kicked him. He easily grabbed my leg and yanked me off the ground. I threw the dirt I manage to grab as I was lifted into the air at his face. But he seemed to have predicted it as he quickly covers his face.

“You employ interesting tactics, but they’re starting to get stale.”

“Then I guess I should spice things up.” While dangling upside down, I aim my fist at Dante’s stomach.

The last thing I wanted to do was use this experiential technique, but there’s no way cheap tricks could take down a man that was hail a hero.

“In front of you isn’t my hand, it’s a cannon with enough gunpowder to blast a hole through a fortress.” Dante’s eyes widen as a bright white energy enveloped my right hand. I wrap my other leg and tail around his arm to prevent from tossing me away. “First round, Fire!” I shouted at the top of my lungs and threw a punch that had my very spirit behind it. Just as my fist was about to connect, the energy I gathered around my arm vanishes. My fist weakly taps his stomach.

“D-Damnit.” Exhausted, I dangle helplessly in Dante’s grasp.

“Interesting.” Dante gently places me on the ground, and grabbed my right arm, I wince in pain as he tries to peel my bandage off my arm, but the dried blood kept it glued to my skin. “You’ve been training on your own, haven’t you?”

“Of course. You said it yourself. There isn’t time to waste.”

“I’m starting to see why you took an interest in her old man.” Bella knelt next to me an examine my arm. “I’m pretty sure we told you how dangerous it is to practice aura without supervision.

“I know, but-”

“No, buts.” Bella squeezes my arm, shutting me up.

“You’re lucky you didn’t fall into a coma from using that much energy.” Bella dropped my arm and stood back up. “Honestly,” she said with a sigh. “You two are just a ticking time bomb waiting to self-destruct.”

“I guess it’s a good thing that we have a weapon expert like you watching after us.”

“Hmph, I didn’t know my job was to babysit.” Bella looked away from Dante, who was giving her a bright smile. “Anyway, I’m wrapping up today’s training section.”

“What? But I can keep going!” I try to stand up, but my body didn’t budge. It felt like a piece of my soul was suck out of me.

“Looks like you can barely move, and even if you could, the old man isn’t in much shape to keep going.”

Dante places a hand on his side. It was the exact area where I stabbed him when I thought he was trying to kill me.

“Can’t you use your sword to heal your injury?”

Dante’s eyes widen, and his face became pale. At the same time, Bella shot me a piercing glare “I-I can’t use my ability on myself.” He stammers.

It looks like I touch a sore subject. Bella did say a person's ability reflects their nature. Best keep my mouth shut and not pry any further.

“Do you need help getting home?”

“Thanks, but I can still walk.” After a bit of effort, I manage to get back on my feet.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine?” Bella asked again. I was a bit surprised I always thought she didn’t like me since she a hunter and I’m part beast.

“My home isn’t that far away, plus the walk will clear my head.”

“Catherine.” just as I was about to leave, Dante stopped me in my track. “I don’t need to remind you that you’re not permitted to practice by yourself, right?”

“Of course not! Besides, I’m not in any condition to use aura.” I force a smile on my face as I back away. “Anyway, you should get some rest so we can train again tomorrow.”

I head towards one of the buildings that surrounded the training ground before they said anything else to me. In my haste to escape, I accidentally knock down whoever was behind the door I open.

“Oh, sorry about that!”

On the ground was a young boy that was around 14 or 16 years old. He wore a dark blue uniform that was seen on every town's guard.

“Oh, Theo.”

“I wasn’t looking!” Theo shouted when I called his name. I tilted my head confuse as to why he was acting like I caught him stealing.

“Oh.” I immediately receive my answer when I look behind me. A window stretched across the long hallway, allowing anyone passing by to observe the training ground.

“I don’t mind you were watching, anyway are you okay?”

“Yea,” Theo said softly as he stares intensely at my hand, I offer to help him up. I look down and realize I stuck out my right hand, which was wrapped in bandages.

“Sorry about that.” I quickly hid my hand behind my back and offered him the other.

“It’s fine.” Theo ignores my hand and stood up on his own. “It must be tough being train by a hero.”

“Yea.” I look down at my right arm. Underneath the bandage wasn’t just a wound, I receive from my reckless training, but also my failure to live up to Dante’s expectation. “I still have no idea why he chose to train a weakling like me.

“You’re not weak!”

I flinch slightly, surprised by Theo’s outburst. Wide-eyed, Theo took a step away from me and covered his mouth as if his voice scared him.

“Sorry about that, but I’ve been watching you, and I doubt I could do half the things you’ve done.”

“I think you’re overestimating me.”

“I think you’re underestimating yourself. Your sparring matches against Dante is always incredible to watch.”

“Um, thank you,” I mumble as I awkwardly scratch my head. I’m not sure what he found incredible about me getting pummel constantly.

“Hey, who gave you permission to laze around newbie?!” A soldier stomped his way down the hall. Going by the medals on his uniform, he must be a high-ranking officer.

“I’m sorry, sir, I was- ah, wait!” Before Theo could finish speaking, the soldier grabbed his arm and dragged him down the hall.

“Since you have time to flirt. I’m sure you don’t mind spending time with me.”

“I’m sorry, Theo.” Feeling somewhat responsible for getting him in trouble, I clasp my hands together and prayed his punishment isn’t too harsh.

“Catherine!” Just as I was about to leave, Theo shouted my name. He smiles brightly at me as he was being dragged away. “I really think you can win the tournament!”

I froze, unsure of what to say. All I could do was watch as Theo and soldier turn a corner.

Could it be I’ve been too hard on myself? No, I think I have a realistic view of my abilities, and right now, I just can’t imagine myself winning a single fight in my current condition, which is why I must master this technique.

I look down at my hand then out the window. Dante and Bella were nowhere to be seen. “Sorry,” I whispered underneath my breath. I felt bad for lying to Dante. I know he’s just concern about me, but I’m not going to make any progress if I don’t take a risk.

I took one last look at the window before leaving. Being a former thief, I still felt a bit nervous around soldiers. Thankfully, they didn’t pay much attention to me.

The sun was the first to greet me when I left the soldier center. I quickly shielded my eyes and made a way through the street. As expected of the market, it was quite busy and noisy. Merchants shouted at the top their lungs to get potential customers, kids laugh and giggle as they ran around.

Even though I came to this part of the town many times before, I could never get used to the atmosphere. It was a far cry from the slums, where the sick and weak lay on the street begging for food and money. Great, my thoughts are going to a dark area again, that’s becoming a bad habit of mine.

I shake my head to clear the black clouds away and continue to push my way through the crowd until I found a deserted area. The boarded-up buildings were a sign that I was near the slums. I looked around making sure the area was clear before slipping into the alley

“I guess this will do.” I lightly tap the building, checking its toughness.

Yup, no way I’m destroying this with my bare hand, I’ll need something like a cannon to break this wall. Luckily for me, I happen to have that in the palm of my hand. I took a deep breath and balled my bandaged hand into a fist.

Aura, to put it in Dante’s word, is the manifestation of one’s will. To put it in a simpler term, if you believe in yourself, you’ll be able to do things that would typically be impossible — for example, punching a hole through a stone wall.

“I can do this.” I took a deep and close my eyes. “My arm is a weapon strong enough to destroy any obstacle in my path, like a cannon.” I could feel power gathering around my hand as I continue to mumble to myself.

“Second Round!” Like a match, my words ignited the energy surrounding my hand. Like a wildfire, the energy quickly spread to my arm as if it was trying to consume me. It took all my concentration to keep the power I gathered from dissipating.

“Fire!” I shouted at the top of my lungs as I swung my fist at the wall. Just like last time, my aura vanishes the moment my hand smashes into the wall.

“Damnit.” I slump down to the ground, exhausted. The bandage wrapped my hand turned red as my blood seeps through it. At least it doesn’t hurt, but not being able to feel anything probably isn’t good either.

What am I doing wrong? I’m trying my hardest to believe in myself, but it isn’t working. What am I missing? “Why can’t I see what you see?”

“What’s the matter, kiddo? Something bothering you?” A voice snapped me out of my thought.

“No, not at all, I’m just-“ I stopped and slowly turn towards the figure. There’s only one person I know that called me by that. “Crook?”

“Ah, so you remember. I was starting to think you forgot about me.” The Crooked Man looks down at me with a wide, crooked grin. “It’s been awhile, kiddo.”