Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 19

Zai jumped back to create a distance and stared at the woman. Her brown wavy hair is reaching her back and despite her tight red dress, she was able to stop her sword from reaching Rocio's neck. Her complexion was close to light and by her mere presence she could already feel that this woman is an experienced fighter.

Two months ago, when they left Centrio, Zai could already feel a presence following them. It was faint and barely noticeable but she was able to sense it. That presence stayed 15 meters away from them constantly, the reason why she couldn't just hastily force it to show itself. So she just let it be, thinking that it'll show itself eventually but she didn't expect it to take two months long.

The woman standing in front of her is also familiar. Sinisigurado niyang nakita niya itong kasama ni Arnock noong dumalaw ito sa academy para panoorin ang last event ng kanilang school festival. Kabilang ito sa mga tauhan ni Arnock at hindi na siya nagtaka na pinasundan siya ng matanda.

"You should've just answered his questions, kid. This wouldn't happen if you did." sabi ng babae habang pinupunit nito ang tela na bumabalot sa kaniyang mga binti at hita.

"I'm not kind enough to answer questions without me benefitting from it."

The woman chuckled, "So you wanted a catch?"

Zai slightly tilted her head to the side, "Who wouldn't?"

"Asta. Stop with the sh*tty talk and just restrain her already. I want the bounty on her head." Rocio squinted his eyes at the woman, "I just hired you recently but I expect you to do what I ask."

The woman named Asta smirked, "Whatever. Just shut the f*ck up and get the hell outta here, sh*t head. Sagabal ka lang."

Rocio glared at her. He clicked his tongue and had no choice but to went out of the other door. Natira na lamang silang dalawa sa kwarto. Asta grabbed her hair and took it off. When the wig fell off, it revealed her very short black hair. Medyo semi kalbo ang gupit nito. She's wearing gold thin round earrings and also has a piercing on the side of her lower lip. Despite having a unique appearance for a woman, she looked dignified and elegant. Her natural sharp black eyes and nice shaped eyebrows are bringing out more of her intimidating atmosphere. Bumabagay ang gupit at itsura nito sa postura at tangkad ng kaniyang katawan.

She then smirked, "Let's start, shall we?"

Sa isang iglap ay nawala roon ang babae. Mabilis na ihinarang ni Zai ang kaniyang espada at doon tumama ang armas na hawak ni Asta. Zai was slightly pushed back because of the force and heaviness of Asta's strike but her expression didn't falter a single bit.

"I saw Shane downstairs. Where's the other two?" tanong ni Asta. She inserted more force into her push causing for Zai to slightly stumble on her feet. Asta turned her body and landed a kick on Zai's abdomen but instead of hitting her stomach, Zai blocked her kick with her sword. She was pushed back because of the force.

Zai took her stance and attacked Asta using her speed. "Doing things I asked them to."

Their swords clashed in an incredible speed. As they do, their conversation continues, "Zai, I want to ask you the reason why you are doing this. Do you plan to free Centrio from Shaera's grasp?"

But Zai just kept silent and continued slashing her sword at her. Asta continued, "You even formed an alliance with Westernia's king and obtained a powerful chess piece. You said you'll kill Shaera by yourself, is it on behalf of the kingdom? You kept your lips sealed when master tortured you for answers regarding the gods. Why are you protecting the gods' secrets?"

Asta's eyes widen when she felt that Zai's next swing was heavier than before. She swung her sword once more and Asta squinted her eyes when it was heavier than the one before. Her attacks are getting faster and heavier as the time goes by. She tried going on offensive but Zai is dominating the fight. All she could do was block her sword with hers. Asta's eyes widen when she felt her grip on the hilt weakened. Her hands are getting numb because of the impact that her sword is receiving. Her sword flew because of Zai's next attack. Zai turned her body and landed a kick on the corner of Asta's neck but Asta was able to block her foot with her numbing hand. But that didn't stop Zai. She twisted her body on air and used her other foot to kick her chest. Making Asta stumble on her feet and land on the floor.

She was about get up but Zai stepped on her shoulder and pointed her sword at Asta's neck, stopping her from making a move. Asta sighed in defeat and just decided to lie down on the floor. "Alright. You win, kid."

Asta stared at Zai's eyes and for some reason she could feel what the girl want to ask. She opened her mouth to spill it, her identity and purpose, "I'm one of Master Arnock's guards that he raised. I was a slave when I was a kid but master bought me and raised me as a skilled assassin along with the others. I owe him my life and I'll gladly devote it to him. So I followed his every order. Master ordered me to capture you and bring you back to him. Master is obsessed with the truth of everything and it seems that he sees you as a book that contains those truths."

"Why obey him at this point? You can't even contact him if the Centrio is in that kind of state."

Asta chuckled, "Who says I can't contact him? Master's obsession wouldn't stop even if a god intervenes. Don't underestimate him."

Zai stared at her face but eventually withdraw her sword and removed her foot from Asta's shoulder. "The reason why you didn't make a move these past months was because you're trying to fish informations regarding the truth that you're talking about from us."

"You really have a good intuition. " Asta smirked and sat up. "Did General Yan drilled that into you as well?" but she didn't receive any word from the girl.

She just watched Zai as she put her sword back in its sheath. Asta's expression turned serious, "Kill me now, kid." but Zai didn't pay attention on her, "It's a shame to lose to an opponent but still live the next day. I might even kill you next time if I had the chance."

Zai started to walk to the door where Rocio went through, "Do what you wish. Your decisions doesn't concern me nor interest me." Zai smirked, "You can't even bring yourself to kill a little girl."

Asta heard the door closed. She chuckled as she close her eyes and shake her head. "Girls these days are quite scary."

She glanced at the small cuts she received on her entire body. She couldn't feel them earlier while their weapons are clashing but now that the fight is over, the small cuts began bleeding. Even her hand that she used to block Zai's kick is fractured.

She winced, "Damn, it hurts."