Marionette

Chapter 11

I stood up quietly and looked around to see if anyone had noticed. A bright full moon above my head illuminated the area. 

Azra, Azi and three others were walking up and down the place. It was their turn to stand guard.

I had to sneak away unnoticed. My primary concern was Azra. Her eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and she was leagues above all the other archers in the Legion, so it would be hard to sneak past her.

Moreover, I had to climb down this massive cliff behind my back to go to the village.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp and persisting pain on my fingertips.

I looked down at them, only to see massive claws elongating from each one of them.

-Climb down, boy... Hehehe... I can't wait!

The Demon's Shield was eager to see a massacre.

-I swear, I'll kill you one day...

-Hehehe...

-Laugh all you want...

I strapped my round shield on my back and quickly checked my sword belt and scabbard to see if they were tight and secure. I did not want to lose my sword climbing down that cliff.

Everything was set.

I fell flat on my belly when I saw Azra's head turn towards me. Thankfully, she did not notice me.

I had to find a way to shake her off.

Momentarily, I questioned why I was even bothering to hide. I was Azra's Sergeant; it was not like she could stop me if I wanted to go down there solo.

No, that was stupid. For one thing, I would look like a total donkey if I started pulling rank on my own people. For another, she would probably wake Yui up, who would undoubtedly follow me down there.

I saw a small rock near my head as I lay on the moist grass.

Hopefully, this will do...

I grabbed the rock and tossed it in the opposite direction.

Bang!

Luckily, it hit the trunk of a tree by accident.

Azra, clenching her bow tightly, rushed to investigate the source of the noise.

Now was my chance!

I shot up and rushed to the cliff's edge as quietly as possible.

I plunged my claws on the edge, and my body dangled in the air.

A fall from this height would surely kill me...

-You think so? Hehehe, don't underestimate my power, boy... 

This thing could read my thoughts whether I wanted it to or not.

I ignored him and started my long climb down the sharp cliff.

About an hour later, my feet were touching the soft and rich ground of the silent valley.

I unsheathed my sword and gazed at my reflection on the blade.

My blue eyes were shining. Their colour was vivid and bright, yet they looked lifeless to me.

I lowered the blade and started walking towards the village.

Every step chopped a sizeable portion off of my soul.

Finally, I stood before the gates of the village. No one was guarding it.