Tears of a Dove

X: The Living Weapon

"It has been confirmed that the South Division has become aware of our plans to join with Schomuhland," Raymond explained to his army. "We must use our time wisely to prepare. There will be a battle, and we will win. They may have more land, but we have the biggest and strongest army known to man! I will not let some overconfident General defeat us! We have come so far in this war over the years, and it is coming to an end. We cannot end this war without blood. In blood, we shall rise victoriously. Now, we have the rest of the week to prepare. Get working, now!"

Everyone dispersed except for Miku, who stood still in front of General Raymond. "What do I do with you?" he muttered. "Follow me. I'll show you how to use a rifle."

"That... won't be necessary, sir," Miku said.

"What? Come on!"

Miku opened her mouth to speak, but Raymond was already walking away. She followed.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but--"

"Rule number one," Raymond interrupted. "Do not speak to me unless I say so. Do you understand?"

Miku swallowed and nodded her head.

"Here," Raymond handed Miku a rifle. "See that target over there?" He pointed to a target out in the distance. "I want you to shoot it as accurately as you can. To use it, you first want to--"

Miku immediately aimed down the scope and fired a shot dead on. Raymond slightly jumped in surprise. "Good Lord, kid, are you trying to kill me?"

"You asked me to do something. I did it. You shouldn't make me do it again." Miku demanded.

"What--why you... do as I say! Fire another--"

With swift hands, Miku quickly loaded the gun and fired before Raymond could finish his sentence.

"Sir, there is no point in trying to make me use this." Miku threw the rifle down on the floor.

"You pick that up right now!" Raymond shouted.

"A trained soldier takes approximately 15 seconds to load a rifle and line up his shot. An inexperienced individual would take up to twenty-three seconds, even up to thirty. However, one trained in hand-to-hand combat takes approximately four seconds to strike down their enemy effortlessly."

"What the hell are you on about?" Raymond growled aggressively.

"I know for a fact that I can use that thing better than anybody here. And I know damn well that I can fight anybody on this field with my hands tied behind my back. Mark my words, General."

Raymond stared at Miku and remained silent for a decent period of time. "Very well then. Since I already want to get rid of you, I want you to prove it."

"What?"

"Colonel James!" Raymond shouted across the training field. The Colonel came running toward him.

"What is it, General?" Colonel James asked.

Raymond picked up some rope from the ground and tied Miku's hands behind her back. She remained silent and did not struggle. "I have a task for you, Colonel. When I say 'fire,' I want you to shoot her. Do not hesitate to shoot, even if it kills her. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," James said confidently as he picked up a rifle. Miku moved a great distance away from James as he waited for the command. She planted her feet in a running position and brought her head slightly forward. She did not blink, as she was ultimately focused on the gun in the Colonel's hand.

"Ready... Aim..." Raymond paused as James raised his gun. "Fire!"

A bullet was fired, but it didn't come close to striking Miku, as she had immediately ducked prior to the gunshot. She quickly bolted to the Colonel at the speed of wind on a dark, dreary, stormy day. Within seconds, Miku had knocked Colonel James to the ground and kicked the weapon away. She put her foot on him victoriously. Panting, she fumbled at the ropes that were bound at her wrists, untying them and throwing them on the floor.

"There," Miku said, still breathing heavily. "You got what you wanted. Now leave me to my own training."

Raymond did not stop her as she walked away. "There it is. She's what we need."

Colonel James stood up and grunted in pain. "What the hell was that? How is that possible?"

"She has great potential. I could tell she was different than everyone else from the start. Her attitude is fierce. You know me well enough, James." Raymond paused. "I like fierce."

"Who is she?" James asked.

Raymond shrugged. "Some kid named Miriam, I believe. The name doesn't ring a bell at all, she doesn't look or sound familiar whatsoever. I have the same question, Colonel."

Raymond and James watched Miku swing a stick ferociously at a tree, as well as kicking it and punching it as hard as she could. In all honesty, it looked like she was about to break the tree.

"You're right," James continued. "She's not normal."

"That's a good thing, Colonel. We can't lose her."

James nodded as he continued to watch the perfected combat patterns that Miku was displaying. Miku looked down at her hands, ignoring how much she had just injured her hand. Her rage had built up to the point of no return. Looking down at her bloodied hands again, she walked away from the tree in rage.

"That's it... we win," Raymond said slowly. "Nothing can stop us as long as she stays alive." He grinned triumphantly.