Unknown Assailant: "Hyah! "
There is a flurry of leaves as a woman suddenly bursts out of the bushes nearby.
Confusion soon turns to terror the instant I glimpse the blade grapsed into her hand.
I manage to recoil just enough to feel it cut the air where I had only been just standing.
'What the hell is going on?! '
'She isn't messing around?! '
My mind races as I scramble to keep the distance between us.
'What should I do?! '
Looking past the deadly blade, I try to get a clear look at its wielder.
She is young and seems to be wearing some kind of uniform. It's vaguely familiar but doesn't belong to your average law enforcement officer.
'Not that the police are in the habit of cutting down random citizens'
'Whoever and what ever she is, asking questions seems to be a low priority. Let's hope it's a simple case of mistaken identity or else I'm dead! '
When she slowly shifts her stance, I realize she is preparing to strike again.
Before I can react, she closes the distance between us in the blink of an eye. All I can do is freeze on the spot at the sight of her sword against my throat.
"G-Ggh"
Unknown Assailant: "Don't move a single muscle"
I nod hurriedly.
"Thanks for assuming that I have anything to speak of! "
The Unknown woman flashes a grin before reassuring her stern demeanor.
"You have been identified as a person of interest and are hereby subject to quarantine protocol, pending a full investigation. "
Xion: "Person of interest? Investigation? There must be some kind of mistake! "
When she shakes her head gravely, I glance around.
"Well then? "
Unknown woman: "Well what? "
"Shouldn't there be a hazmat squad or something? "
When she frowns in confusion I go on.
"You said something about being put into quarantine"
She slowly reaches into her pocket and pulls out what looks like an earbud case. When she flips it open and holds it out, I can see a small stone tablet covered in ruins.
"Standard Perception Distortion seal. Makes us imperceptible to any casual observer. "
"You mean... It's one of those magic Artifacts from the Demon realm. I thought they didn't share those with any humans. "
"What makes you to think I am a human like you? "
"Well yours ears are normal. "
When she frowns, I stepped back.
"No I meant, you know, they aren't pointed! "
She gives me a blank look.
"Another simple illusion"
Xion: "I thought demons weren't able to summon their powers after settling down here on earth. "
"Most of the ones I have met can barely light a candle with the abilities they have left. "
Unknown woman: "Most of the demons haven't undergone the rigorous training I had."
"What kind of training? "
"That is classified. "
She presses the blade a little closer to my throat.
"Ok, I get it. "
"Won't you at least tell me your name?
"Call me crazy but I would prefer to know exactly who is going to cut me down. "
Her lips curl ever so slightly.
Unknown woman: "Most people would not be making wisecracks at a time like this? You wouldn't be trying to stall me, would you? "
"N-No, of course I wouldn't"
Xion: "I guess this is just how I deal with stressful situations, kinda like that sigil of yours. "
She regards me skeptically.
"It's Lilin"
"That's your name? "
She nods slowly.
(End of this chapter)