It had been a few days since Cormac had left the base not much had been going on since he did, it felt as if we were stuck on replay, doing the same things over and over again. Walking the same halls. I had been thinking about how I needed to work on my tactics better along with combat skills. Lately Magnus had been on my mind, knowing he was trapped in some terrible place due to him helping me escape from their hands. I wanted to save him with the help of my new comrades I felt id be able to,
As I walked to the dining hall I was joined by Raylee. Her hair was up in a high ponytail and she kept her hands in her pockets while she began walking beside me. She looked to be lost in thought before she broke the silence.
"Hey, silv. Though you seem to have intelligence in at least some form, and the drive to achieve what you want, you lack in sheer strength and agility. I thought maybe I could show you a few pointers, prepare you for what's to come in your less than average life."
I looked at her trying to figure out if she was being nice or sarcastic. I scratch my head
"Uh thanks I guess? But yeah I will take up your offer I guess."
She eyed me for a moment then nodded her head.
"Good personally it wouldve been stupid for you to say no. lets go eat something then get you ready."
She says as she opens the door to the dining hall.
I sit with Ray and eat a quick breakfast before exiting and heading towards the basement. I hadn't been there much yet. Ray walked in front of me with such an effortless and light step as if she was walking on air. For being an average 5'8 for a female in present days. I was rather short compared to the statistics put in for people here.
Average females nowadays ranged from 5'7 to 6'2 while males average usually was 6'2 to almost 7 feet. We entered a doorway into a hall that was lit up along the sides. They were cement walls with piping worked through them, most likely where everything came together that was sent throughout the entire building." I was taking in the new surroundings while hearing Raylee's footsteps bounce off the walls. I fell behind her a bit as I wasn't paying attention before hearing her call out
"Hey slowpoke learn to keep up we can't have you falling behind in real missions." as she does I nod and catch up to her side.
"Sorry, I'm still getting used to this whole thing. Didn't have much freedom before now."
Ever since I had the surgery memories had been slowly coming back. From the quarters I was kept in, to what I wore everyday, to the testing they did on me, and all the people I had met and had lost. I guess some of those sayings were right, like how some people seem to be born with tragedy in their blood. It had followed me anywhere I went it seemed. From my home till even now in the present. My thoughts were cut off when I heard Raylee speak again.
"Yeah well you're going to get used to it pretty quickly the world is not all sunshine and rainbows. Out there nobody is safe. Espically you. It's time for you to face reality and take this seriously. People are risking their lives for our cause. We can't let that be in vain. Now it's time for you to get changed, you have five minutes. After you're ready, walk through this door I'll be on the other side waiting for you." before storming off. I watched her open the door leaving it to slam behind her.
I stand there for a moment. I knew there were dangers waiting for us. I knew it wouldn't be easy. I guess that's what you should expect though from someone who has seen and done as much as Raylee has. I turn and run into the change rooms. I threw on the high-waisted leggings and white sports bra that rested on the bench for me along with a pair of runners. Tugging my hair up into a ponytail as well before heading back out and into the sparring room.
As I walked in I stopped for a moment and gapped at the room in front of me. There was high ceilings and an arena-like setting to the room. Bright lights shined down from the rounded ceiling lighting it up rather well. Raylee stood near a few dummies leaning against one with her arms crossed before noticing me walk towards her. A smirk lines across her face.
"Alright silver eyes lets see what you can do against these dummies. They don't move so targeting should be easy. Now, with your little fit the other day that could've ended a lot worse then just the ripped movie screen. You seriously could have hurt any of us that were within that theatre room. You need to learn how to control your emotions and this ability you have."
I look at her for a moment then bring my arms up to my face. They looked normal, nothing like they had that day. When it happened the veins had all turned silver. My hands shake a bit before I close them into a fist.
"I honestly don't know how it happened or how to control it, the worst part is I dont think theres anyone else either that knows how to control it."
Raylee looks at me for a moment.
"It is a problem we will have to figure out sooner then later, but for now we need you to understand basic skills. Alright?"
Raylee goes over to a table and picks up a couple knives then walks over to me.
"Alright take these and slash at the dummy in the middle se how fluid, deep and quick you can slash through it."
I nod and walk over. I hold the blades in my hand and look over the dummy. I position myself then take a moment before attacking.
I slash my one hand down then the next after crossing it. They go in a decent depth causing beads to fall out of the sack. I step back and admire my work a bit before looking at Raylee. She had a look as if to say 'is that all you've got?' I frown a bit
"What" she rolls her eyes and walks over, motioning for the knives, I give them to her.
"That wasn't terrible silver but that left a wound that won't initially kill. Your intent is to kill if they are not someone needed for questioning. You need more force so you can cut through several layers of skin and potentially the organs like this."
Raylee turns and slashes the blade down quickly and deeply through the dummy's stomach causing a larger slash where half the beads fall out almost instantly.
I stare at her in shock.
"How the hell?"
Raylee spins the knife in her hand catching it with no problem.
"Easy using precision will be your best friend along with attacking quickly and going all the way through. It doesn't take much."
I listen to her and nod taking in this new information.
"Can I try again?"
Raylee nods, handing over the weapons again to me. I walk over to the last one and figure out a point of entry. As I do I bring the knife down on an angle entering the mesh and pushing down a bit more before ripping it down towards the hip. This caused a much larger wound and the beads fell out all across the floor.
With a smile I turned and looked at Ray who had a small smirk on her face and gave me a slight nod of approval.
"Alright let's push your limits then now a bit more silver."
She says walking past me.
She walks over to the array of knives and picks up two of her own.
"Now dummies are always good practice but there is nothing like the real deal."
She says spinning her knives in her hands.
"I will try and go easy on you but no promises"
As she said this I didn't expect it. I wouldn't let her push me around though I wouldn't let someone do that to me.
"Alright lets try it." a smirk spread across my face as I got into a stance. How I knew this I was not certain yet. Maybe I knew more than I Thought. Just haven't reached my full potential yet.
I watched her take her own stance but before we started I stopped and looked around. Like a tingle at the back of my neck, I couldn't shake off this feeling like someone was here with us, watching us. I turn and begin walking towards the walls looking around to see where anyone potentially could be.
Raylee had stopped and rested her hands on her hips watching me, I could feel her stare like daggers at the back of my neck. Tracing my hands along the walls checking each indentation along it. For some reason I found comfort in these banged up walls but still that feeling was uncomfortable. Suddenly Raylee's voice cut through the large room.
"What are you looking for silv? Come on you need to focus right now."
Telling by the tone of her voice she was growing impatient. I look at her.
"Sorry but is it just me or does it feel like there's someone with us, in here right now?" looking back around the room in wonder before she spoke up again.
"Why do you say that? There's nobody else here but us you're probably sensing the cameras placed around the room, there nothing to get worked up over. What's causing you though to suddenly notice that?"
Looking back at her I shrug my shoulders
"I don't know, ever since I began receiving my memories again I just, I feel things more. It's like my senses have been heightened and I have like a new energy coursing through me. Honestly it's rather weird to feel."
Raylee looks at me, her arms crossed.
"Hm well lets put these new skills then to the test perhaps they can help you in the field. Heightened senses can help you be a step ahead of your opponent, lets see if you can be a step ahead of me."
I felt a change in the air and could tell she had just lunged at me to attack from the right side. Without even thinking my body moved without my command. I stepped to the left and saw her stumble beside me. Her shoulders were in front of me and my hand came down pushing her rather roughly to the ground. She lands with a thud and a grumble beneath her breath She shoots a look at me.
With a simple jump she comes to her feet again. She runs at me and jumps trying to kick into my chest. My hands come up and grab her foot stopping her before impact causing her to fumble to the ground. Another angered groan comes out before she speaks
"All your doing is deflecting, come on fight me show me your not as weak as you come off to be."
A fist comes at my face as she tries to punch me from the right. Bringing my hands up I block it, the hit sends pins and needles through my arms. This was not her going easy. My eyes widened at her.
"Raylee calm down were not actually fighting."
The glare in her eyes told a different story.
"Show me you're not just another pretty face, prove to me you wont give up."
A kick comes up towards my temple. I deflect it with my forearm. The impact still sent pain throughout my entire arm. Another swift punch came and I crossed my arms to stop it. I get pushed back a bit as I hold her back.
"What is going on ray stop!"
She doesnt stop
"Hit me! Hit me! Hit me dammit!"
I deflect them all causing red marks to appear along my arms and legs. I notice tears welling up in her eyes before she spins to hit me. I was losing stamina when suddenly a black mass came from above me and down on Raylee's head causing her to stumble and fall to the ground in a panting frenzy.
The figure's hair flew in front of their face as they stared Raylee down before a girl's voice came through.
"That's enough Raylee what the hell is getting in to you today"
I stare as I begin bringing my fists to my sides. Heavy breathing came from my chest as beads of sweat dripped down my face.
I look at Raylee then the figure between us. She was a petite figure standing about the same height as I did. Though she looked young she seemed to have the wisdom of someone much older. As her hair rested, and the dust cloud dissipated I could see her face, she still had not moved her eyes from Ray who was still on the ground, now rubbing her head where she was hit moments before.
I moved beside the figure and looked at Raylee. She was shaking slightly as she looked between the two of us. I reached my hand out for her to take but she didn't accept it. Instead she pulls her legs into herself. I look at the girl beside me who now had their arms crossed in front of them.
"Should've known you'd be here Lil" Raylee says to the girl after the moment of silence that had been between the three of us. I look between the two of them.
"Wait, you guys know each other?"
The two look at me. The young one standing beside me smiled slightly.
"Yes for quite some time now actually. I should introduce myself, my names Lilith. In home assassin, and adopted daughter of Cormac as you may have learnt back when you researched him. Now though Raylee what just happened here?"
I stood there confused but decided not to ask Lilith much about her right now. I wanted to know what was going on with Raylee. I look over at Ray.
"What the hell was all that for Ray, why did you attack me so harshly?'' Is something wrong. Did I do something wrong?"
I ask her, she doesn't say anything for a moment, she looks away then back at me.
"Its not what you did, its what you didnt do."
Confused I kneel down and look at her in the eyes.
"Ray please were meant to be a team, you can tell me."
She pulls her legs closer to her, a slight tear in her eye. She began to speak.
"It all started 13 years ago. After the time you were taken."
She breathes for a moment then begins speaking again.
"When we were younger, you probably dont remember I mean why would you. But me, you and Cormac used to be close. Matter of fact some would say we were inseparable. How naive we were. Cormac always was the protector always helping and protecting us, yet he always seemed to favour you. I dont know why but he did. After you were taken, he, he changed. He got paranoid and never stopped looking for you.
I was always beside him through his antics and latest fazes, never moving from his side and he knew that. We became stronger together but he never could get you off his mind, no matter how much I tried, I was never seen the way he saw you. I envied you for it. His hunt never stopped. He wanted to track you down to save you.
Hell I even went into the guards training with him where we met someone else. We became the trio that all knew. Always the top of our class always the best. But still it was not enough. Lilith came into our lives around that time as well. But then things changed after that day. "
I look at her, seeing her trying to hold back the pain she felt.
"After we lost our comrade, it broke us. I couldnt stay in the guard watching him beat himself over the loss. It wasnt his fault, but Cormac blamed himself. Trust me I was hurt as well and I couldnt stay with the people who let it happen. So, I left. I walked out on Cor and Lil and turned to a different lifestyle, trying to fill whatever void there was within me. I used to wonder if Cor had even tried looking for me like he did you. Yet for 3 years I heard nothing until he just showed up one day right before I was going to do something stupid. Ha, he always had a way with timing.
I learnt though that he still looked for you, he still looked for our comrade, but me. I dont know. I hated the thought of you and him after that. But as it seems we happened to fall upon you. The silver eyed girl with memories long forgotten. You didnt even know the lengths he went for you. It sickened me. I wanted to see you fight so I can at least know you would pay the favour back to him for the years he wasted looking for you."
I listened as she spoke. She envied me for things I didn even know. I bow my head and look at my fists before releasing them and taking a breath.
"Ray, I cant change the past but I can tell you something for certain. Cormac he cares about you so much. He knew how strong you were he knew how well you could handle yourself, but he also knew that if you ever needed him he would be there. In the time you were gone, I promise you he never truly left you alone, he wouldnt do that to the people he cares about. Maybe he didnt know when to step in until he saw how bad everything had become. But he found you and he picked you up and protected you with his life, just like you would do for him.
Perhaps in your anger you didn realize the good he was trying to do."
At this point Lilith had kneeled down and chimed in.
"Raylee. He counted every day until he would see you again. You never left his mind and he never wanted to inflict harm upon you. And no matter what has happened his feelings never changed about you. You were like his family, his only family and he could never thank you enough for all that you did for him."
I could tell Raylee was shocked to hear all this.
He never forgot about me. He always wanted to just take me back with him. The bastard knows me to well I guess knowing I had to do my own thing until I became a threat to myself, only then he would step in."
Raylees fists shook but she began to rest them, bringing her hand up to wipe the tears from her eyes. I grabbed her hand gently then wiped the tears away myself before taking her hand. Lilith took her other before I spoke.
"Raylee, Lilith, today right here right now I want to make a promise to both of you that I will never abandon you guys again. I may not have a family but in what I lost, I have found with you guys, with everyone in the organization. We will become the family we have all lost."
A small smile spread across Raylee's face. I pulled the two girls into me, wrapping them in a hug. I could feel them tense up at first then relax slighty, wrapping there arms around one another.
I would say that day was a turning point for us all, through tragedy we found sanctuary and a place to call home. A home we would be fighting for in the coming weeks. We were broken individuals but together we were a strength unlike any other,a strength that could be bound by no chains. What we would face soon we did not know but we knew we would fight alongside one another. It all was just a matter of time.
"Always remember that I will be here for you."