The forest was less dark than Sahar might have expected. He dreaded the idea of going into the forest so late, but Nyara's presence at his side calmed him. He wasn't afraid of being attacked, but even though he knew nothing of this World, he feared that the wild animals might decide to be aggressive. Sahar didn't know if there were any, but it was more than likely. He could only trust the girl at his side. If she had suggested Sahar come here, it was because she knew there would be no worries. He looked at her and enjoyed the view. Her face was so soft and sweet... He loved her mint colored hair. Smooth, well-washed and well-groomed, it was the kind of hair that made Sahar want to touch and caress it. The boy looked ahead, blushing faintly. What was he saying?! Even if he wasn't wrong, how could he say such things?

- Blanra is as beautiful as ever…

Nyara hadn't looked away, her eyes fixed on the dark sky and reflecting a friendly moon. She was looking at the moon above them floating in that black sea... So like this, she was actually called "Blanra"... He was going to try not to forget her. Sahar answered nothing, still walking beside him. It was so quiet... No sound except the faint rustle of the wind blowing through the hair on the trees. Even their walk was silent. Nyara's clothes, and her mint hair, were swaying in the gentle breeze. She had a certain style that impressed the boy. Her hand rested on the scabbard of her katana, but she didn't seem to want to draw it. It was probably "just in case".

It was difficult to see well in the surrounding area, but the contours of the trees were easily visible. Although it was rather dark, it wasn't a total penumbra. Blanra, the moon shining above them, helped to brighten the landscape. Sahar didn't feel anxious and enjoyed the soft air that kissed his face. Even if there was nothing to visit, he was happy to be here. The atmosphere wasn't gloomy: on the contrary! Nyara smiled faintly.

- I love walking in the forest at night..." she said. It's so quiet, the wind is so gentle and the ambient sounds are so... melodious to my ears.

He understood her, even though he rarely went outside in the forest... and never at night. On Earth, when it was late, the boy was either in bed or on his computer. He had never really enjoyed parties or nightclubs. Even if he sometimes went to have fun at a friend's birthday party, it was rare. The boy glanced back at the girl. She seemed to be enjoying herself. Sahar found himself rather silent... He didn't know what to say and his shyness got the better of him in this kind of situation. He wondered what they would do next. After all, they'd only visited one part of the city. He wanted to see more, spend more time with her…

Nyara looked at Sahar with a smile.

- You're not too bored, I hope?" she asked. Sahar nodded.

- Absolutely not, in fact, I'm—

Sahar didn't have time to finish her sentence before her heart stopped. Behind Nyara…

Eyes filled with bloodlust stared at the minty-haired girl.

Behind Nyara…

... was a killer.

Sahar had no time to warn the girl. She had been too quick and the boy's throat had frozen with fear. Shivers ran down his spine, and his body went limp, immobilized by fear. The fact that they were being attacked here, in the dark and in this forest... If Nyara hadn't felt it coming, then whoever had appeared behind her must have been powerful. Strong. To be feared.

In the boy's twilight eyes was the silhouette of a short haired woman. Dagger in hand, her whole body aimed at the girl in front of her. Her eyes stared fiercely at her target's skull. She couldn't hide the envy coursing through her veins.

Seeing her, Sahar choked on his words. He was frightened. His senses were on alert even though he wasn't being attacked directly. He wanted to scream, but even if he could, he wouldn't have time to warn Nyara.

He was too slow.

He was too scared.

He was too weak.

The woman behind Nyara let out a small smile. The dagger in her left hand raced towards her prey's skull. She was trained enough to do as little damage as possible to the brain when she stuck her blade in. With such a pretty girl, she was sure to get a lot out of it!

- .

Nyara's right hand tightened. The trees around them stopped producing their beautiful melody. The wind stopped blowing. All these signs…

Half a second.

From the moment Sahar spotted the girl behind Nyara. Not even a second.

And the moment Nyara had turned to parry the killer's attack with her katana.

Only half a second had passed.

The short-haired woman was thrown backwards into the air and crouched, landing on the ground. Head bowed, the killer didn't move. Nyara stared at her, almost motionless.

Nyara managed to draw her katana, turn and parry the attack so violently that the woman flew backwards. Her weapon still in hand, she showed Sahar her back by raising her right arm. The silence had been interrupted by the metallic clash of two blades, and Sahar had no time to think.

The woman began to laugh.

Still with her head down, she only laughed. It was an incessant laugh that made Sahar uncomfortable. He looked at Nyara, a cold sweat visible on his body. He swallowed without taking his eyes off her. Even if he already knew she was strong, the fact that she could turn around like that and parry the attack... was more than impressive.

He had no words to describe the emotions he was currently feeling, except fear.

He trusted Nyara, but he didn't know her real fighting potential. What's more, the woman he'd just attacked might be stronger.

- No, I have to trust Nyara. I know she can protect us... no problem!!!

Sahar motivated herself while clenching her fists. Nyara, still with her back to Sahar, stared at the woman who hadn't stopped laughing since. Why...? What was so funny...? Was the situation really so amusing for her?

The boy couldn't think straight. His heart was pounding and his eyes were shaking in their sockets. Stress at its peak, he felt his life was in danger. Without a Power, he was the perfect target. He wasn't sure if the killer had one, but if Nyara only sensed her presence at the last moment and that the woman exuded such power… Sahar was more than certain that she had a Power.

- Attacking us on a walk in the forest after dark… Ahahah…

Sahar let out a small smile, awkwardly put on his guard. He left plenty of openings, and if someone came to attack him in hand-to-hand combat, someone with a modicum of experience could take him down in two, three moves.

The woman in front of Nyara finally stopped laughing, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had laughed so intensely she had cried... Nyara squinted, unsure of the woman's nature. Why attack them now? True, they were rather easy targets, in the dark forest, especially at this hour when no one could help them, but there was no reason to attack them. The woman had to be a killer or a madwoman. Nyara continued to stare at her without taking her eyes off the boy behind her. Nothing said this woman was alone... Sahar being a very easy target, if Nyara released her attention, she might let him die... She wouldn't accept it.

Her right hand still held the katana she'd had since childhood. It was with it that she had fought many people and creatures. Without it, she wouldn't be here; she'd probably be dead. Very probably dead. The woman who had stopped laughing looked at the girl in front of her with amusement and hatred.

- I guess I didn't fall on som’ soft flesh!” she shouted.

- Soft flesh... We've got ourselves a killer, it seems.

Nyara didn't appreciate this. ‘Killers’ often had only one aim: to kill for money. They sold bodies to illegal markets for reasonable sums and made a living from it. The most experienced killers were incalculably wealthy, but she couldn't have been of that caliber: if Nyara had been able to sense the woman's presence, even if only at the last moment, then she must not have been so strong.

- No, I'm underestimating her too much,” Nyara thought.

If the girl had only been able to sense her presence at the last moment, then the woman must have been strong. Nyara shook her head but remained on her guard. Underestimating an opponent was the best way to reduce her chances of winning by at least 50%. The woman cracked her neck without taking her eyes off her target.

- I tho’ght I'd stumb’ed on som’ small fries, but Imma not hap’y to hav’ troubl’ tho’ugh," she said.” Ta stronger ta pe’ple I kill, ta big’er my rewa’d! I hope ya'll giv’ me a lot of mon’y!

Money was all that mattered to her. Nyara noticed that the woman looked behind her.

- It true there's a lil’ one with ya, he looks weak to me, but a body is a body!

Nyara gripped the katana in her hand tighter. She had no choice but to fight... Sahar was sure to be the woman's target. Weak and powerless, it would be very easy for this woman to kill him.

But Nyara wouldn't let her.

Sahar, watching from behind, wasn't feeling well. This woman was planning to kill them. She wanted to slaughter them just for some gold...! The boy wanted to flee, to run for his life. However, his body refused to obey and he had no intention of leaving Nyara alone. He knew very well that he was nothing but a liability, but even if he tried to run away, he'd be an even easier target for the killer. He couldn't afford to be a thorn in Nyara's side... He was going to have to do his utmost not to get in the girl's way. Given her posture and the energy she exuded, Sahar was certain they were going to—

- I don't have any other choice, do I?

— fight.

Nyara was the first to attack. The killer's eyes widened as she watched her target charge towards her. Like a wolf lunging at its prey, Nyara showed her fangs without delay. She was faster than the woman would have thought. She parried the blow of her katana with her silver dagger, and the sound of the collision echoed through the forest. Smiling at her, the woman stared at her target with sparkling eyes, while Nyara showed no emotion except a faint anger. She didn't want to fight, but she had no other choice. This kind of person…

The woman increased the intensity of her smile and expressed her emotions with her cruel eyes. She didn't kill just because she needed the money: she loved the sensation of taking a life. To feel her victim leave this world, go off to the afterlife... For her, killing was a bit like doing death's work for her. Knowing she could do something like that…

IT MADE HER CRAZY WITH JOY!!!!!

Nyara felt the air around her change drastically. The atmosphere was no longer the same. The shiver she felt running down her back was a bad sign. Sahar, who had

stepped back a few paces, began to feel a sensation of disgust in his mouth. The air around him... It was unhealthy. What was that feeling...?

The woman's smile let the girl see her gold-yellow teeth. There was a sickening cruelty in her rictus, showing no sign of compassion or humanity in this person. Nyara was disgusted.

- Nya—!

Behind her shouted the boy who had accompanied her. She turned suddenly, moving away from the slayer. Sahar was he in danger?! Had she inadvertently let her guard down?!!!!

No.

Sahar had called her because of what was in front of the girl: a dozen daggers flying, blades aimed at her. Nyara hadn't felt the woman use her power. She was more experienced than she'd thought. The girl hadn't underestimated her opponent, but she wasn't paying enough attention. The dozen or so daggers charged at Nyara without giving her time to take a breath. She avoided them with agility and parried the woman's surprise attack. Her power allowed her to control daggers. It was a useful power which, used well, could be fatal. Nyara opened her eyes wide as her foot touched the ground. She ran with indescribable speed towards Sahar, who didn't even see her coming. The boy felt something crush his stomach and nearly vomited before rolling on the ground several times. His whole body screamed in pain and his arms spasmed. He tried to stand up, face down on the ground. He had no idea what had happened.

- W— What h— Wh—

His brain wasn't working properly: the blow he'd taken had half knocked him unconscious. Had the killer done this...? Sahar raised his head when he heard someone's voice.

- Sorry, I just can't seem to concentrate tonight.

Nyara's. Apologizing for a reason Sahar didn't understand, the girl took a step forward. The boy couldn't bear the pain tearing at his stomach, but screaming was out of the question. Nyara, katana still in hand, gritted her teeth as she looked ahead.

Her daggers flew around her, dancing to the rhythm of the fighters' hearts. Out of a need to pierce human flesh, the blades kept aiming at the girl in front of them. Controlled by the killer's murderous impulses, you'd have thought they had a conscience. The woman laughed, making no secret about her own madness.

- Ya felt it at ta last moment, again!!!” she laughed.” I think yar guy's got it bad!!! Ya tac’led him gwood!!!

Pointing at the suffering boy on the floor, the woman couldn't help but laugh even harder. Sahar looked at Nyara with difficulty. Was she the one who...?

- Blades behind you.

Nyara replied even though he hadn't said anything. She hadn't even looked at him, her gaze still fixed on the woman in front of her. Sahar needed no further explanation to understand what she meant: the woman had used her power and he had almost died. Nyara had saved him, at the cost of rendering him unable to move. If she hadn't run him over, he'd be dead now. Just the thought of almost dying made her nauseous again. Nyara took a step forward without taking her eyes off him. The woman hissed.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

- A look lik’ that, ya know how to scare, lass!!!!

The woman snapped her fingers with her right hand and a multitude of daggers charged at the girl. Nyara shifted into a more correct fighting stance. Sahar looked at her, breathing heavily. He wanted to get up, but he couldn't move a muscle. Only his head seemed to respond.

- .......

The daggers, as they all raced towards Nyara's skull, became excited in all directions. They flew in all directions, escaping into the darkness of the forest. Nyara remained totally concentrated, her gaze still on the woman who began to feel the pressure on her shoulders.

- This girl isn't weak.

It was well known to underestimate one's enemy: It was the best way to lose. Every killer, slayer knew it. If she wanted to beat this girl, she was going to have to use her head and be cunning. Sheer force wasn't going to work here. Was she lucky or unlucky to come across such a pearl?

Nyara hadn't moved a muscle. Her katana was ready to slice. If the woman advanced, she'd kill her in one blow. If the daggers came back, she'd cut them all up. The girl wouldn't let anyone spoil the evening.

- ... It's already spoiled.

Nyara squinted and let her emotions get the better of her. Rushing towards the woman, she paid no attention to what was going on around her.

She could have had a nice evening…

She could have had a quiet evening…

She could have spoken at length with the boy......

THEN WHY—

- Hey.

The woman increased the cruelty of her smile. The girl had reacted too hastily. Nyara's whole body could only think of one thing: beating this woman. Her eyes shining in the darkness of the forest, she was about to slice the slayer open.

But she wasn't that stupid.

The woman shielded herself with two daggers, but was surprised to see that the girl went back the way she came without trying to cut her. The woman sighed.

- Crap.

While Nyara had reacted without thinking, her senses had alerted her. She had turned 180 degrees and had rushed back to Sahar.

And in the air cut through all the daggers rushing at Sahar.

She rose from the ground with just one leg and, spinning around, managed to counter every dagger. She put her foot down again, close to Sahar's trembling body. The boy, sweating in pain, managed to move his legs. He smiled, although he was anything but amused.

- I thought I was going to die…” he said in a trembling voice.

Nyara looked at Sahar, who pursed his lips when he saw the girl's gaze.

No compassion. Only hatred reigned in those orbits. Nyara looked away and disappeared without a word. Sahar caught his breath and watched the fight begin again. Already half in a coma, the speed of the two fighters' attacks didn't help Sahar follow anything.

Nyara was looking for any openings. Her blade clashed with the daggers thrown by the killer with a cruel smile. Neither fighter showed any weakness. It was impossible for either to touch the other. The woman's daggers tried to reach their target, while the girl's blade parried them all, making it impossible for them to reach each other. The woman was also unable to send any attacks towards the almost unconscious boy, as she had to concentrate as much as possible on the fight ahead of her.

The fighters danced their weapons in the darkness of the night. Blanra did not deign to illuminate this fight to the death. Each clash of blades echoed through the forest, shattering the calm silence of the night. Sahar had to get up, but his legs were having trouble responding. He didn't seem to have broken anything, but the pain continued to pierce him everywhere. While Nyara fought to save him, he remained on the ground, like the weakling he was. When he turned his gaze back to the fight, all his senses began to alert him. The two fighters were like two wolves fighting for survival. No compassion. No humanity.

Only animal instinct.

Nyara was the first to hit her opponent. The woman had tried something risky and the consequences were felt directly. The girl' s blade sank into the killer's left leg, but she quickly escaped. She didn't mind the pain, but it could become annoying in the long run. The woman let out a giggle and took a step back. More daggers began to dance around her. Nyara advanced towards the woman, implacable. She had already faced so many people, each stronger than the last. She would have no problem beating this woman.

The killer sent a few daggers at her opponent. Each of her daggers was in harmony with the others. Like a school of fish, they swooped down on Nyara. Nyara prepared to parry them all again…

... as they took to the skies. Nyara watched them go and glared at her adversary. She laughed.

- Go see yar man!!! He'll die if ya stay her’!!!

Nyara turned on her heel. Once again, this woman intended to kill Sahar. By luring the girl to the boy, she would easily have time to prepare to kill her. It always worked with people like that. People who let their feelings do the talking in battle were always easy to manipulate.

- No.

The woman barely had time to open her eyes before she saw the girl right in front of her. Her eyes stared at the woman, showing no emotion, no pity, no humanity.

Nyara sliced up and down the woman's body. Again… with no compassion.

The killer fell to the ground, her soul flying off into the darkness. Nyara gazed at her victim with her flaming eyes and sheathed her katana. She hadn't gone to save Sahar for the simple reason that if she killed this woman, then the daggers would disappear. The fact that the woman had let her guard down to such an extent, believing she had her in her net, proved that Nyara was not up against someone formidable.

In a battle of almost equal strength, it was the most cunning who won.

Even so, Nyara had been the most powerful. She just wasn't willing to use it all.

If the woman hadn't made such a fatal mistake, then Nyara would have had to fight with more ferocity. Fortunately for them, the killer had been a fool. Nyara knew this more than well.

That in a fight, you had to put aside any feelings that might get in the way.

- ......

Nyara turned and looked into the boy's eyes. He had managed to get to his feet. Nevertheless, it was clear from his posture that he was finding it hard to stay like that. He stared at the slayer's corpse with wide-open eyes. Nyara's eyes regained their color and she opened her mouth to speak.

But nothing came of it.

Nyara stood motionless, staring at the boy with a lump in her throat. With all this, she'd almost forgotten that the boy had been watching the fight. She…

She hadn't even hidden her lack of humanity when she fought.

She had stared into his eyes without any compassion.

Nyara didn't know what to say. Her heart was beating so fast it could have burst. Nyara managed to take a step, but stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide open. Before her…

Sahar had taken a step backwards, his eyes riveted on Nyara. It had only been a reflex, but the mere fact that he had stepped back when she had taken a step forward stopped Nyara's heart. Her lips began to tremble. Sahar lowered her eyes and looked away. Nyara felt her own arms tremble.

- ...........

The sight of such an "inhuman" Nyara must have frightened the boy.

- Sahar…

— ... must be afraid of me now.

This simple thought made Nyara tremble from top to bottom. She had killed the woman without hesitation and had shown no humanity throughout the fight. She hadn't been herself. This Nyara, this part of her......

She hated it.

She'd like her to die.

Nyara hated... this Nyara.

Sahar still stared at her in fear. Her body still ached from Nyara's tackle. So violent…

Nyara had been so violent, just with her gestures… and her look.

The boy opened his mouth when he noticed that the girl was trembling and that there were tears near her eyes. She stared blankly at the boy, almost motionless. Sahar wanted to speak, but no sound came from her frozen throat.

- I'm... not afraid of you…

This was what he wanted to tell her. Just by looking into those eyes, Sahar could tell that Nyara was afraid he'd be scared of her.

This was not the case.

Certainly, deep inside him were feelings he couldn't hide, but Nyara didn't scare him. He couldn't find the right words to tell her, so he kept quiet, but he wanted to tell her. He wanted to…

Nyara turned on her heels, holding back tears and smiling as she closed her eyes.

- I'm so fragile, it's ridiculous.

What people think about Nyara — victims of hers or not — is often wrong. She managed to block out her emotions, but it hurt. Whether it was her body or her heart. That's why she hated fighting. She hated that part of her that had no emotion, that thought only of beating, only of killing her opponent and didn't show the slightest compassion or sign of humanity in her.

She would never have wanted to show this "Nyara" to Sahar. She'd wanted to become her friend, but she'd ruined everything in a single moment. Nyara squeezed and restrained herself from letting her emotions run down her face. If Creel had been there, he would have told her she was exaggerating too much. If Az had been there, he would have told her that crying was useless. They were probably right, why was she so fragile... If Sahar had to tell him something, what would he—

- W-Why are you leaving...?

Nyara stopped. She didn't turn around, not daring to meet Sahar's gaze. She didn't reply. She wasn't really leaving, she just wanted to... go home. This evening that had started so well—

- We… We have more to visit…!!

Nyara turned and looked at Sahar with sad eyes. The boy, who could barely stand, scratched his cheek.

- I still want to visit the Capital…

Sahar didn't really know what to say.

He was only expressing what his heart felt.

- .......

Nyara said nothing, which frightened Sahar. If this didn't work, what was he supposed to…

- ... Mpph…

Suddenly, Nyara's air took on a more... happy tone. Her eyes squeezed shut and the tears fell from her face.

Nyara began to laugh. Sahar didn't know why, but he began to imitate her, albeit more timidly. Unlike the other slayer, Nyara was laughing in a joyful way.

She was relieved.

- I'm so stupid...!!

She dried her eyes and looked up with a big smile to Sahar.

- How could I believe…

The boy smiled back at her and dropped to the ground, fed up. He was still aching all over, even if the pain was gradually disappearing. The girl ran to support him.

- ... that a friend would be afraid of me!

Naive or not, Nyara was sure they were already getting on very well, so how could she believe something so stupid?! Friend or not, what she thought at that moment wouldn’t change.

Blanra reappeared in the dark sky, illuminating Nyara and Sahar as they returned to the capital.