Chapter 115: Training
Kestrel led Ren to her place. "I need to tell you something," she said as they entered, looking at Kaworu. "The Queen gave him a new status. What was it... Exclusive alpha? Yeah, that’s the term. So now, Ren is my exclusive alpha."
She added, thinking Kaworu might not get it, "That means the next time I go to the Polluted Zone, Ren will be with me."
Kaworu was busy planting moonflowers, his hands covered in gloves. But he paused, lifting his shiny mask. "Exclusive alpha? Wow, it’s been ages since I heard that. I thought no one used that term anymore." Once he was done with the flower, he stood, brushing off his hands. "So, with your exclusive alpha now, want to try a two-on-two fight?"
Kestrel was confused. "Two-on-two? But you’re by yourself?" She pointed at herself and Ren for emphasis.
Kaworu waved Locky over.
He removed his gloves, revealing fingers that glinted gold in the sunlight. Turning to Locky, he asked, "You up for this?"
Locky seemed unsure, nervously biting on a handkerchief. After a pause, she whispered, "Okay, I’ll try."
She was scared, but Kaworu had told her this was for Kestrel’s good – to make her better, safer when she went out. And Locky would do anything for Kestrel.
When Kaworu’s golden fingers gently touched Locky’s forehead, a transformation began. At first, she seemed dazed, but then her eyes glinted gold, and suddenly, from beneath her skirt, eight spiky feet stretched out. They expanded, turning into giant, icy blades that touched the ground, turning her into a towering creature.
The top half of her still looked like a young girl in a maid dress. But the bottom? A swirling mass of blades. And then, with her eyes cold and fierce, she launched herself at Kestrel and Ren.
Thanks to his alpha training, Ren was quick on his feet.
He took out his sword, positioning himself in front of Kestrel, ready to face the enormous "crab" creature.
But in an instant, everything changed. The courtyard, the house, the humongous crab, and Kestrel – all disappeared. Only a man with a golden mask stood far away, watching him.
Everything around Ren swirled, and suddenly he was in a different room, filled with a flowing green liquid. It looked like the ocean, with something coming up from the depths towards him.
Caught off guard, Ren was frozen in shock. He rarely got caught unprepared like this. But before he could react, the "giant crab" soared, leaping over him.
And then, in a flash, the colossal crab pinned Kestrel to the ground.
The sharp blades held Kestrel tight, one pointing dangerously close to her eye.
Kestrel’s quick reflexes countered Kaworu’s unexpected move. She was well-acquainted with Kaworu’s psychic battles, but she had to admit her weakness against alphas like Locky: massive, fast, and excelling in close combat.
As she lay pinned by Locky, Kestrel glimpsed the cold golden hue in the young girl’s eyes and accepted defeat.
Locky’s aggressive power waned. Her golden eyes dimmed, replaced by surprise. She swiftly pulled back her sharp blade and helped Kestrel up, checking her for any harm.
Kaworu observed and remarked, "You’re clearly stronger than me," pointing between Kestrel and himself, then towards Ren, "and he’s a better match for Locky. But combined, you two can’t beat us."
Kestrel, now hand-in-hand with a shaken Locky, inquired, "Why’s that?"
Kaworu asked back, "Have you figured it out?"
Kestrel was uncertain. While she and Ren might lack coordination, it was also the first time Locky and Kaworu had teamed up.
But Kestrel’s greater fear wasn’t losing to them, her friends; it was being defeated by mutants.
Feeling the coldness in Locky’s hands, probably from anxiety, Kestrel tried comforting her.
Kaworu explained, "You’re too hesitant in offense. You couldn’t bring yourself to harm Locky, nor would you with me. On a battlefield, facing a beta and alpha team, the initial target is always the beta. Without aggressive actions or failing to protect the beta, the team falls."
Knowing Kestrel, Kaworu recognized her softer side beneath the tough exterior. He knew she’d hesitate when facing Locky.
While Kestrel could exploit Kaworu’s weaknesses, she refrained. She never used memories of his past, like Vanessa or the haunting Rosarium. She held back even when at a disadvantage.
The atmosphere was tense when Kaworu’s voice broke the silence. "Let’s go again."
He retreated with Locky, advising Ren, "Protect your beta."
As Locky’s eyes sparkled gold and her eight limbs propelled her forward, Kestrel and Ren shared a brief look.
Kestrel turned to retreat, but Ren didn’t protect her as Kaworu had anticipated. Instead, he powered forward, rushing towards the incoming Locky. With a strong step on one of Locky’s tough legs, he vaulted over her massive body. Landing, he found the ground transformed into a seemingly bottomless abyss. But he had anticipated this.
Ren took a deep breath, shutting his eyes momentarily. But within his mind, he unlocked another vision — he saw through Kestrel’s sight. Their unique bond allowed them to share what they saw.
As he peered through Kestrel’s viewpoint, Ren observed his own agile form soaring over the gigantic crab and confidently landing on the other side.
Most would be dizzy from swapping sights so quickly, but for Ren, it felt like just another day.
Immediately after landing, Ren sprinted with a burst of energy. In one fluid motion, he swung his leg, causing Kaworu to topple over. The moonlight caught the sharp edge of Ren’s blade, casting a silver gleam as it was held just an inch from Kaworu’s metallic mask.
All this occurred in mere moments, with Locky barely reaching Kestrel’s position.
There, Kaworu lay, his eyes unwavering, locked onto Ren who had him at blade-point. The intensity in Ren’s eyes was palpable.
Though Kaworu had offered many insights, Ren chose to follow just one - to target the enemy’s beta first. Ren was much like Kestrel, unpredictable and always playing by his own rules.
It dawned on Kaworu that, while Ren and Kestrel might still be feeling out their partnership, their unwavering trust in each other was profound. Such mutual faith was a rarity, even among duos who had decades of teamwork under their belts, even back in the days four centuries prior.
With the skirmish settled, Kestrel reached out, gently patting the enormous crab leg in her vicinity. When magnified, Locky’s half-leg towered over Kestrel. Eight impressive limbs, coated in a soft fur that became pronounced at this size, giving them a distinct touch.
Kestrel held back from assaulting Locky’s psychic realm, finding the enlarged girl too endearing to harm. Plus, she believed she could emerge victorious without causing Locky pain.
Ren truly was an exceptional partner. They understood each other’s strategies even without words.
Recovering from her battle mode, Locky bashfully hid her long furry limbs beneath her dress. She then joined hands with Kestrel, both girls sharing a playful pinch.
Kestrel’s lack of judgment brought immense joy to Locky.
With the scene calm, Ren slid his blade back into its sheath and offered a hand to the still-grounded Kaworu. In his alpha attire and with the moon as his backdrop, he awaited Kaworu’s grasp.
Kaworu was hit by a wave of nostalgia. Memories flooded in, of times when friends would lend him a hand during his human days as a beta. But all that shifted when he got a suppressor, being treated as nothing more than a tool. Those once-friendly hands turned scornful, imposing the harshest treatments on him.
Caught up in this melancholy, he finally took Ren’s outstretched hand. Their palms met - one warm flesh and the other, cold gold.
Ren’s grip was reassuring, contrasting the chilly touch of Kaworu’s hand. With a gentle pull, Ren assisted Kaworu to stand once more.
"Thank you, Kaworu," Ren expressed with gratitude. "I hope we can talk and learn from each other more in the upcoming days."
Flashes of their first meeting in the Polluted Zone crossed Kaworu’s mind. He had been struck by Ren’s intense combat style — a mix of sheer force and strategic wit.
Ren had once even burnt the psychic incarnation Kaworu had manifested. He had stealthily made his way into their base to caution Kestrel about Kaworu and Vanessa. But crucially, Ren never took that final step to end Kaworu’s life.
Kaworu was acutely aware of his value. Numerous alphas in the Polluted Zone had whispered an astonishingly high bounty for him, a price that, in these times, could tempt many to the brink of madness.
He looked down, noticing their hands joined.
As Ren’s hand gripped Kaworu’s, emotions surged into Kaworu. They were raw, honest feelings that mirrored Ren’s consistent respect towards him.
To Kaworu, Ren was a paradox — a ferocious warrior with a core of warmth and compassion. He had seen Ren as someone who’d hold a mutant’s hand, show kindness to the condemned from the Rosarium, and extend courtesy universally.
"He truly is an exceptional alpha," Kaworu mused. "So similar to Miss Kestrel."
...
"I should get going," Ren remarked to Kestrel, indicating his departure. "It’s getting late. I’ll see you soon."
Around Kestrel, he always maintained a composed demeanor, displaying utmost courtesy.
Kestrel simply nodded, taking note of the moon’s ascent. The day’s events had kindled her appetite.
She walked Ren to the main entrance.
Locky nervously nibbled on her handkerchief, her gaze flitting to Kaworu. He just exhaled deeply.
The dynamics had evolved. Historically, alphas would strut around betas, eager to showcase themselves. Yet, this pair was unique. One held back excessively, while the other seemed almost disinterested. It was somewhat comical.
In the distance, Kaworu overheard Ren and Kestrel’s exchange by the gate. Their dialogue was akin to a formal business discussion. Ren said, "Earlier, when you inquired, I remembered the Eyehole. I’ve been collecting details. I’ll sort and forward them to your opticomputer once I’m back."
Kestrel simply offered a noncommittal, "Oh."
"I’m leaving now. You should get some sleep."
"Mhm. Will do." She had expanded from a word to a few.
Kaworu gestured for Locky to head inside.
Nearby, a petite Erdtree had taken root in the yard. Its luminous leaves sparkled under the moon. When the nocturnal breeze rustled through, the delicate metallic foliage created a melodic tune — Vanessa’s song. Kaworu would listen endlessly, and each rendition thawed his frozen heart. Bathed in the moon’s tender glow, the melody reached out, touching the souls of those who heard it.
Outside the yard’s boundary, as Ren bid farewell to Kestrel, the haunting tune reached his ears.
