War Maids - Book One

Chapter Zero - The Prologue

"Are you sure you want to do this?" The man with the striking golden colored eyes asked me. I stared down at the ground. He seemed to notice, but didn't like it for a moment after he barked out "Head up!" In an instant, I quickly lifted my head up, but I still kept my eyes downcast as I was told to do so in my training. The man sighed heavily in annoyanc4

"I swear, trying to work with you maids is very exasperating work," he murmured in a whisper. I instantly felt the pang of remose as I realized I must have done something wrong and that I annoyed him.

"I'm sorry s-"

"Just please answer my question - are you sure want to do this? He said. I quickly nodded and then heard a small voice inside of my head. It told me to be cautious and don't jump right in. But I didn't listen. I never listened to that voice when she spoke. Well at least not anymore.

"I am sure! I need to do this!" I called out, determination lacing my voice as any fear melted away from me as I stood there. I knew this was a better choice for me. The man gave me a smile and then raised his knife. I saw that it was gleaming with magic as well as in the moonlight.

I outstretched my hand and held my wrist for him. The man then gripped my arm and held me still as he brought the blade down onto my wrist. I hissed in pain as the dagger cut through the skin, my crimson blood slowly trickling out of the cut. The dagger began to glow as it's blade still dug into my arm. The blood that came out next didn't trickle down ver far as the magic of the dagger transformed it into a dark red mark on my pale skin. It was shaped like a pentagram, but witha heart inside.

"It is done," the man told me as he pulled the weapon away. He placed it in a sheath on his belt before taking other my hand in his. He led me out of the courtyard and brought me through to a large bedroom.

"This room is all yours, miss Sayomi Madoka," he said. I was shocked as I had gotten used to staying with many other maids in one, cramped rooms.

"Oh thank you!" I cried out as I clasped my hands together in delight. I just couldn't believe it! This was like a dream come true for me. The man just smiled softly at me and then turned to leave. Iooked up at his fleeting form before saying.

"Thank you again, um," it was then that I realized that I didn't even know his name. He turned back around to face me, his eyes sparkling and his hair swaying as he moved.

"It's Kage, Miss Sayomi," and with that he left me all along in this lovely room. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was past midnight. So I turned to my wardrobe and sifted through it to find a nightgown to wear to bed. I finall fonmund a pale blue one with black lace. I then climbed under the covers and discovered that it was a waterbed. Snuggled up and tired, I turned onto my right side, flicjed off the bedside lamp, and then closed my eyes to wait for sleep to claim me. Before I fell asleep a single yet terrifying thought crossed my mind - what if I failed? What would happen to me then? Will I be cast out? Will I even be alive still? What was the penalty for failure anyways?

"I hope I won't mess up at my initiation tomorrow."
···
A few weeks after my first day as an official War Maid, I was hunting down an escaped Shadow Demon, when I saw another one - this was my first time seeing a fellow War Maid. She seemed to be having a hard time with cleansing a little group of human teenagers, so I decided to help her. Forgetting about ny own mission, I jumped down and slashed my scythe at it.

"Thanks for helping me," the girl breathed out as she stood thereb holding on to her left arm with her right hand. I offered her a small smile before I remembered my own mission.

"Crap!" I screamed out, causing the other girl to flinch. I then moved to jump away from her and go back on the trail I was following earlier. "I got to go! Bye!" I called back to her as I jumped from rooftop to rooftop. I then spotted my pray and so I pulled out my gun and killes it. I had successfully completed my mission - and also helped a fellow War Maid

"This job isn't so bad after all."