Chapter 12: Becoming a Warrior (2)
"Ready… GO!" Stephen yelled. And with his mark I started to retrace Howards steps.
My body moved smoothly from with the memory I had while watching Howards steps just a while ago. I felt adrenaline rush thru my body and I felt exhilarated. A smile crept on my face unknowingly while I was moving from point to point, changing fire arms along the way.
The next thing I knew I was at the finish line. I felt fulfillment after finishing the course. I was panting hard trying to catch my breath, but I felt good.
"Wow!" I can hear the awe of the crowd that was watching from behind.
The other warriors were applauding, something I did not expect.
"Claudia, you were great!" Sasha was pushing the crowd to get to me. She was accompanied by the towering Devon. "I didn't know you could use different kinds of firearms." She said in awe.
'Actually, I don't.' I thought to myself. 'But of course I will keep that to myself for a while.'
Whatever I am experiencing right now about these abilities, I will use them to my advantage. It may be frightening to know how I got such ability in the first place, but what matters now is how I can utilize it and get stronger to find my family outside.
"I knew you were a badass!" Devon had a wide grin and patted me in the back a little bit to hard, considering he has big hands over my average sized body.
"What's her time?" Howard asked with a curious look.
"Oh, yeah right." Stephen was looking at me in surprise that he forgot to see the timer. "7:41, she is just shy from your record of eleven seconds."
"That's amazing!" Max was in awe, looking at me with twinkling eyes. "Hey, Claudia right? Why don't you join us? We could need someone with your skills."
"Join you?" I asked in confusion and turned to Stephen for answers.
"Max and Howard here are marksmen, meaning they use long range special weapons. Max here is the leader of their group." Stephen replied.
"Really!" I was in awe and looked at Max. He really looked like someone capable of leasing a team.
"Hey, no snitching." Sasha retorted. "I was the one who asked first." She said with a raised eyebrow towards Max.
"I know but look at her potential." Max gestured his hand towards the targets I just shot in the last round.
I was only able to look at them now when Max placed our attention to be. Like what I did in the shooting range, all of my shots hit the bulls eye. I was surprised that I was able to do that the first time trying this course. This just further confirms that I might really have an ability that when I see some moves, my mind memorizes it and my body moves as what I have just memorized.
'Is this something like photographic memory?' I thought. But it maybe go beyond just photographic memory because my body can mimic the actions exactly.
"Let Claudia decide first where she wants to go." Stephen stepped in when he saw Sasha and Max having an argument about what group I should join.
"Um you don't need to fight." I said. "I mean, I haven't took the test yet."
I remember that I will take the test later with Sasha.
"That is Sasha's test." Howard said. "You just passed our test, and in flying colors!" I was surprised with Howards words.
"Does that mean… I am in?" I looked at Stephen with expectation.
"Well, technically yes." Stephen said while scratching his head. "But you can still take Sasha's test later, if you want."
"Yes Claudia. Please take it." Sasha pleaded. "After that then you can decide what group to join." She clasped my hand closely.
"O-Okay." I replied awkwardly.
"Alright, you can let her go now." Stephen stepped in and snatched my hands from Sasha's grip. "Let's go and eat breakfast first. I am sure you are all hungry after morning training." He said to the other warriors as well.
"Yeah!" The warriors replied and they dispersed after Stephen's words.
"Come Claudia, I will show you our mess hall." Stephen showed the way.
"That's great. We have a new addition to our small group." Devon hanged his arms on Stephen and my shoulder. "Let's go and eat. I am famished after all that moving."
"Our menu is not that great, but all that we cook and eat here are from the hard work of the people from the community." Sasha said while we were walking side by side. "We also have good cooks."
"Don't worry about me." I replied. "I am not a picky eater." I smiled.
While we were walking, Devon and Sasha went ahead of us while Stephen matched my pace.
"Is Sasha a leader of a group as well?" I asked out of curiosity. She really wants me to join her group, meaning she also leads one, I guess.
"Yep, that's right." Stephen replied. "She leads the group with short range special weapons."
"Short range?" I asked in surprise.
I never thought that there would be short range special weapons to be manufactured against the daemons. I means, who would want to fight face to face against such monsters.
"Yes. I know what you are thinking." Stephen replied looking at me. "It really takes courage to use short range weapons against daemons because you fight them face to face, but they are more effective compared to the long range ones. Some daemons are quite fast and can evade long range attacks, that is where short range weapons come in. Not only that but short range weapons has a more concentrated power output on their blades that makes it more easy to cut through armored bodies of daemons."
"But to be able to come face to face with a daemon…" I remembered the terror I felt when I came in front of one just a few days ago.
"That is why Sasha wants you in her team." Stephen replied. "You did not slow down in the face of fear and you thought the best way possible to get out of your situation. That is something a close combat that should have while fighting against a daemon. You will not only need strength and agility but also a fast wit and mental courage in the face of danger.
"I-I was also frightened that time, you know." I said truthfully.
"Who wouldn't in such a situation?" Stephen replied. "It is your courage and quick wit that we admire. And that is something that Sasha is looking for."
"How about you? You did not want me to join in the first place." I asked in curiosity.
"It is because I know the danger warrior's face every time we go out." Stephen said with a sad smile. "It is literally hell out there. And it breaks me when we return with a smaller number than before we head out." I can see how it pains him to lose men as a leader.
"I am sorry that I cannot listen to you on not joining." I apologize. "But I can promise you that I will do my best to get back safely every time." I smiled at him.
"Then I will hold on to that promise." Stephen replied with a sweet smile that made my heart skip a beat.
Edited by: nalyn