Half Complete

Battle

    Ciel stiffened ."What do you want? Is it to tell more secrets?"

Steffan's face was devoid of any emotion .The shape of his face did resemble Ciel's and their hair was almost the same shade although Steffan's was short. He looked every part the solemn impeccable king. But there was no doubt that he shared blood with Ciel. "There's going to be a ball in two weeks to celebrate my engagement to Katherine"

"So what? We'll find our own places to hide. You don't need to tell us that." My sister's face looked troubled. "You don't need to hide. You both will have to attend it. You shall be taken to the royal tailor to get clothes ready for you in time for the event. And even if Ciaran has recruited you, both of you will live in the palace .And you will be having etiquette and ballroom dancing lessons. It's not a request, It's the king's order. If you disobey there shall be dire consequences. Now," he gave a stiff bow ,"I'll be taking my leave." He abruptly turned and went out as silently as he came.

"What is his problem? He really is an arrogant person." Ciel murmured through gritted teeth.

"But sister? Does that mean we don't have to hide in front of the royals?" I whispered, the nobles would definetly make a fuss if we were to defile the occasion with our so called impure presence.

"No Clarie, You don't need to hide yourself. Steffan made it punishable to accuse a half complete person without reason .And more than half of the black hoods are like us .We are the main guards in any royal function. So people are used to seeing us. And the most you'll get are some hateful stares from those stuck up nobles and whispers behind your back." Will spoke up, leaning against the wall. He was fiddling with the sword attached to his belt.

"Well then, looks like we'll have to go, Ciel. It's my sister's engagement, I have to be there, right?" Katherine pulled me into her arms and hugged me. "Thank you Clarie" ,she whispered. "I worry about you, you had to go through so much.. Fate's too cruel, You have had to suffer so much, please forgive me".

"It will be fine sister. I can handle it. Besides I have ciel with me", I said trying to maintain a cheerful face. Truly I was really scared about the future. But I had to keep up the facade for the sake of my sister.

Suddenly a cough interrupted the conversation "So I will take you both to our haunt tomorrow. Be ready." Will bowed to my sister, He looked uncomfortable , "I'll be taking your leave lady Katherine." He made a speedy exit.

"I'm so sorry Ciel. Steffan's just confused, he didn't know about you . He was shocked when he saw you at the tournament. He had wanted to talk to you.. but too much happened." She clasped his hands with hers'.

"You don't have to apologise, my lady. The king knows to do what's right. And while he has indeed crushed my trust in him, I am truly grateful for giving us the chance to fight. " He slowly removed his hands and gave a feeble smile.

Ciaran stood before us, covered entirely by his garish robe. The metal gauntlets and his blank mask glinted in the muted light of the chamber. We were in the old parts of the palace. It was a dilapidated building where a queen of the old had killed herself because of her husband's infidelity. It was an imposing building with brick walls and a lone tower that stood tall against the sky. We were led to a room by the dark haired woman and she left quietly, leaving us alone with Ciaran.

His voice sounded hollow through the mask but the tone was arrogant but powerful as though he was a man used to having his wishes obeyed. I shivered. "so have you two been sufficiently coddled? It's high time you get really initiated into the black hoods, right? Last time your test was an unknown fight, with no advantage and preparation. This time "

"I beg your pardon sir, but last time I had an advantage. Fighting in the dark is no different to me from fighting normally,"Ciel said his voice calm but unwavering.

Ciaran was quiet for a second. So he was human after all. "Yes, I had forgotten that you couldn't see. We have two types of members..in the inner circles and the outer. Usually normal soldiers form the outer circle. The inner circle consists of the trained assassins. We have to assess your skills to determine where you stand. Now get ready as you shall have to show me your skills."

We were taken to an old ballroom, faded tapestries still on the walls and pillars with their paint flaking off. Will stepped forward, "Do you have your weapons or?" he looked as nervous as I felt. I took a deep breath, I couldn't show weakness here. "We will use our own" I said and pulled the sword out of it's sheath. Ciel slipped the daggers into his palms.

"We have an audience", he murmured. I looked around, in the shadows of the pillars and tapestries I could make out vague shapes. "There's no need to hide like cowards, if you want to watch our fight then show your faces like true soldiers.I called out loudly, although my stomach was filled with butterflies.

"Well the kid has some confidence, I'll give you that. But the question is will it be enough to survive against the boss", the woman Alice stepped out. And more people moved away from the shadows. The man who was built like a brick was also there and several of the king's soldiers. To my surprise, the king's minister Marcus Felsdman stood there too. "What..what are you doing here?" I stuttered..

"The king had to have at least one of his representatives here, shouldn't he? I'm the king's liaison with the black hoods." He sniffed disdainfully. I could tell he was disgusted with the surroundings and the people around him.

"Alice, you shall spar with the girl and the boy shall fight with me", Ciaran went to the table and picked up a claymore and inspected it's broad blade.

"Hey princess, it's time I take revenge for killing my pet. Get ready to go crying to your sister" Alice said and pulled out a broadsword and gripped it tightly with both hands.

I was reminded of that horrid dark tunnel and the slimy snakes. She was the poison lady. She pulled her long hair out of her face, displaying a patch of angry red skin.

"Let's start" I said and charged. I was still a little tired from the ordeal earlier and was rusty from not practicing as much as I used to. But I felt the rush of excitement pass through my body as she smoothly evaded and parried every strike. She was quick and lethal. I hissed as the sword grazed my arm. She was aiming for my weak spot. Her teeth were bared in a fierce grin. I stepped back and adjusted my stance. Then I ducked and swung at her legs, she sidestepped and swung at my unprotected left side. I swung my body round and met her strike. She was consistently aiming at my left side. I was breathing heavily, this was tiring. I had to get this over with soon. She went for the left when I ducked and tackled her, my sword clattering on the ground. She was surprised and lost her footing, tumbling back. I swiftly brought my leg up and kicked her solar plexus. She gasped but swung the hilt of her sword at me. I dodged but failed to see the blow to my head. I scrambled back and shakily got to my feet.

"Concede princess?" She asked, spitting a blood stained blob. I felt my ears ringing. "Not even in your dreams", I said, bending down to pick up the sword I had dropped.

"Enough of playing with the girl, Alice. Show her where she stands", the harsh voice pierced through the silence. "Now come with me boy, we shall see if you will fare better than your companion." He stood up and sauntered off. Ciel scrambled up and ran after him, rushing to keep up with his fast steps.

"Well looks like the chief has spoken, get ready princess." I shivered as I saw the sinister glint in her eyes. What hell had we fallen into. "Pray that your boy will have his arms and legs intact when the chief is done with him. Oh! Who'll pray for you I wonder." she scorned. "Now the real battle shall begin".

 Hello! Crazyrak here. So another chapter..hope you liked it. Please vote and comment. I'd love to know what you think of my weird story.So this ch is dedicated to my darling little sis aroselily108 my twinny InfinityToReality and my friend estel StellaAndrew .