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“Velvet! Kill the little bitch!” The monster let out a roar of anger and charged me. I lept out of it’s way and rolled, grabbing for my bow in the same instant. I pulled back an arrow, aiming for the monster’s throat. With a musical twang, the arrow flew from its string and struck through the fur. It bellowed in pain, but the familiar, Velvet, continued coming after me. I fired another arrow, and met with the same result!
“Stubborn animal, aren’t ya?” I snarled. The witch only watched from a distance as I played this lethal game of cat and mouse. I shot another arrow and this one lodged in the animals front arm. “What the hell ARE you?!”
“It’s my familiar; a forest fiend. I contracted it to my services years ago. Velvet is a rather faithful beast, you see.” The witch laughed. “Show her your power, dearie.” Velvet responded to this by suddenly leaping into the air, screaming an unearthly roar as it raised its massive claw to strike me down. I dove out of the way and tried to regain my composure. The beast landed and then rebounded after me. I wasn’t getting anywhere…my arrows weren’t doing the trick at all!
“Damn this thing…you’re really pissing me off.” I sneered. I didn’t have a choice as I pulled my sword out and readied myself for the attack. Seeing the blade in my hand, the beast seemed to sense the danger behind it and slowed down, merely pacing around me, searching for my openings. I left none open…and as I stood there, I basked in the light of a full moon as ancient feelings seemed to well up in me like an overflowing torrent. Seizing me in primal understanding and instinct…I inhaled and exhaled slowly, surely, tasting the evenings gifts. It was like before when I was in the cornfield with Joshua….it was the power of the night….the strength of my blood. My eyes turned upon the beast and our gazes were locked. It saw my eyes…and an understanding was met. It took a few steps back, growling and spitting angrily…but not daring to approach. My eyes were not human. They were wolf.

“What’re you waiting for Velvet!?” The witch shouted. “KILL HER!”
“It’s animal instinct…it knows better than to attack a predator recklessly.” I replied. Velvet bared its fangs and shook its head in a threatening manner. I wasn’t afraid. I was the apex predator. I simply glared at it, daring it to attack as I raised my blade. At last it lunged and I moved. I side stepped its wild strike and brough my sword down on its claw. With the sound of a shriek like nails on chalkboards, the monster screeched and retreated back, it’s claw now on the ground and a stump where it had once been. I snarled and pressed the attack. My speed was 4 times what it had been, moving so blindingly fast that in only a few steps I was already upon the monster. I plunged my blade deep into its stomach and watched as blood poured out of it. Velvet screamed and swiped at me. I removed my sword and turned using my forearm to block the blow. I grunted in pain as the weight of its claw hit my arm and I felt my arm straining to withstand the hit…but withstand I did. I took my sword and drove it upwards so it plunged deep into the throat of the fiend. The scream it gave was little more than a gurgling cry of defeat as it slumped forward. I jumped away and held my sword at the ready, the bloody blade glinting in the light of the moon. The fiend hit the ground, a lump of meat and blood.
“V-Velvet!?” The witch cried. My feral eyes fell upon the witch now and I cleaned my sword as I approached her. She composed herself and grabbed a stick from her side table. A magic wand of some kind? “STAY BACK, MONSTER!”
“….I’M a monster?” I asked. “Was that supposed to be a joke?”
“You’re an abomination. Not human and not beast! You’re just a lost dog with no place you belong!” From the tip of her wand a burst of fire shot and I dove out of the way, sprinting at her, snarling in anger. I let my arms pull back, ready to cleave her in two. Just as I reached her, she waved the wand again and a series of vines burst from the earth to grab at my limbs. I felt the restraint and I cried out in surprise. Feeling she’d tied me down, the witch lowered her wand and smiled. “Guess you bit off a bit more than you could chew, night angel.”
“….” I didn’t respond. I just glared at her, my eyes boring into hers. Clearly I was making her uncomfortable as she began to step away from me. I simply stood still, letting her back up. It was fine…I’d get her. I already knew how. Every move she made only fueled by fire.
“What are you even doing here?” The witch asked. “Do you think yourself noble? That you’re righting wrongs or serving justice? WHOSE justice? My kind have no less right to live than humans, or would you take your own life as well? If the world is only for humanity, then prove it by shoving that blade into your own belly!”
“It’s not about who has the right to live and who doesn’t.” I corrected her. “It’s about the fact that you hold the lives of innocents as hostage…and that you’re a corrupt and evil bitch.”
“That’s pretty empty coming from a murderer for hire!” The witch howled. “Even if I am as you say, you’re no better! There’s two monsters here tonight, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Hardly…” I replied. I roared and pulled, snapping the vines restraining me like twigs. I launched myself at her and drew my sword in a slashing motion. The slash cut through flesh and bone as her wand arm fell from her body and she screamed in horror. “…because in a moment…there will be only one left.”

I ran my blade through her chest as I had with her familiar and watched the life drain from her eyes. As I pulled out the sword I watched her slump to the ground as I cleaned the sword on my coat. I took a moment to appreciate the weight of this moment. I’d killed a witch…a monster.
“So why do I feel so strange?” I asked.
As I questioned this, the world began to distort and blur, like a painting splashed with water, the colors smeared and began to retake shape and texture until I was once again standing in that ancient field of fallen warriors. The Germanic forests and evening sky were replaced with a beautiful sunset against the cherry blossoms, waving their fronds and throwing pink showers of petals around the world. My eyes were met by the glowing radiancy of a picturesque Japanese landscape. The spears and swords littering the ground were like decorations…and for some reason I felt so at peace…the questions and feelings that had come with killing the witch seemed to melt away.
“Well done, Rebecca.” I turned around to see Hachiman walking towards me, a smile upon his face. “At last you’ve felt what it is to be a Night Angel…you’ve seen what it was to be one and what kind of power that name carries to humanity and to monsters alike.”
“Yeah but…something the witch said bothered me.” I admitted. “She said that we night angels were murderers for hire…that we’d kill monsters for no other reason than they weren’t human….is that true?”
“….She was not incorrect, but it is not the whole truth of the matter.” Hachiman explained. “Some night angels did demand payment for their services, as it was the only way they knew to make a living. Money corrupts the senses and the minds better judgement. Soon, to many, killing monsters became an occupation and they failed to distinguish that which was innocent and that which was evil. This was not the original intent of every night angel, and certainly not yours, I expect.”
“Of course not!”
“No being is perfect, Rebecca. Even the most virtuous can lose sight of integrity and righteousness.” Hachiman sighed. “And you? You did not do what the villagers asked you two for reward…but for the right reasons. For righteous cause.”
“Is it ever righteous to kill?” I asked, concerned. The way I’d felt when I slay her…it felt so satisfying. Was I a murderer like she said?
“The belief that killing is always wrong and that justice can never be delivered through death is ludicrous.” Hachiman replied harshly. “Death is a part of life. To kill for the good of others…for the sake of peace and right…there is no evil in this.” I nodded though I did not respond. I was still conflicted. When I was under the full moon I’d felt…so alive…so powerful…so savage. How could I keep my sanity in the face of that kind of power?
“Are you alright?” Hachiman asked.
“I do want to learn to be a night angel…but how do I keep from losing who I am? When I was fighting in that form…when the full moon shone down on me, I felt that feral side of me come out. Joshua says it’s my werewolf blood…and I don’t know how to deal with that power.”
“That side of you that comes out under the light of the moon is still a part of who you are.” Joshua stated firmly. “You should not be ashamed of who you are. Knowing when and how to use that wolf is what will define you as a warrior.” Hachiman drew his own sword and held it out in a battle stance. “Now that you have seen and discovered the purpose and meaning behind what you are, let’s see how much further we can take you in your training. Draw your sword.” I obeyed and drew the blade out, ready to fight.

“Rebecca Anderson, tell me what you are!”
“I am…a night angel!”
“Tell me what your purpose is!”
“I protect the innocent from that which is evil.”
“Tell me the truth, Rebecca….are you convicted in your charge? Are you prepared to wield your blade against the monsters of the night…and are you prepared to embrace your blood and your heritage?” I paused a moment at this question. Could I do it? I thought long and hard about what I’d learned over the course of this ordeal. I’d seen Set and the kind of monster he was…I watched my father flee from our home to seek help for me. My mother, who I’d barely known, I learned was a werewolf…and that I was an ancient hybrid called a night angel. And now…now I was to take these truths and these discoveries and wear them as my armor as I rush into battle. Was this really what I wanted? As these thoughts ran through my mind, I thought back to the look on dad’s face…the way Joshua spoke to me…the evil dog like laugh of Set as a house burned to the ground…and soon it was no longer a house I saw burning…but the world, as Set swallowed it in his chaotic laugh.
“…Yes!” I barked. “I am a night angel, and I am a warrior! I’m ready to fight!” Hachiman smiled at my response and he raised his sword into the air. I took a defensive posture.
“Then, Night Angel, Rebecca Anderson…it’s time I showed you the truth strength of the sword. Your REAL training begins now!”

Description
“Velvet! Kill the little bitch!” The monster let out a roar of anger and charged me. I lept out of it’s way and rolled, grabbing for my bow in the same instant. I pulled back an arrow, aiming for the monster’s throat. With a musical twang, the arrow flew from its string and struck through the fur. It bellowed in pain, but the familiar, Velvet, continued coming after me. I fired another arrow, and met with the same result!
“Stubborn animal, aren’t ya?” I snarled. The witch only watched from a distance as I played this lethal game of cat and mouse. I shot another arrow and this one lodged in the animals front arm. “What the hell ARE you?!”
“It’s my familiar; a forest fiend. I contracted it to my services years ago. Velvet is a rather faithful beast, you see.” The witch laughed. “Show her your power, dearie.” Velvet responded to this by suddenly leaping into the air, screaming an unearthly roar as it raised its massive claw to strike me down. I dove out of the way and tried to regain my composure. The beast landed and then rebounded after me. I wasn’t getting anywhere…my arrows weren’t doing the trick at all!
“Damn this thing…you’re really pissing me off.” I sneered. I didn’t have a choice as I pulled my sword out and readied myself for the attack. Seeing the blade in my hand, the beast seemed to sense the danger behind it and slowed down, merely pacing around me, searching for my openings. I left none open…and as I stood there, I basked in the light of a full moon as ancient feelings seemed to well up in me like an overflowing torrent. Seizing me in primal understanding and instinct…I inhaled and exhaled slowly, surely, tasting the evenings gifts. It was like before when I was in the cornfield with Joshua….it was the power of the night….the strength of my blood. My eyes turned upon the beast and our gazes were locked. It saw my eyes…and an understanding was met. It took a few steps back, growling and spitting angrily…but not daring to approach. My eyes were not human. They were wolf.

“What’re you waiting for Velvet!?” The witch shouted. “KILL HER!”
“It’s animal instinct…it knows better than to attack a predator recklessly.” I replied. Velvet bared its fangs and shook its head in a threatening manner. I wasn’t afraid. I was the apex predator. I simply glared at it, daring it to attack as I raised my blade. At last it lunged and I moved. I side stepped its wild strike and brough my sword down on its claw. With the sound of a shriek like nails on chalkboards, the monster screeched and retreated back, it’s claw now on the ground and a stump where it had once been. I snarled and pressed the attack. My speed was 4 times what it had been, moving so blindingly fast that in only a few steps I was already upon the monster. I plunged my blade deep into its stomach and watched as blood poured out of it. Velvet screamed and swiped at me. I removed my sword and turned using my forearm to block the blow. I grunted in pain as the weight of its claw hit my arm and I felt my arm straining to withstand the hit…but withstand I did. I took my sword and drove it upwards so it plunged deep into the throat of the fiend. The scream it gave was little more than a gurgling cry of defeat as it slumped forward. I jumped away and held my sword at the ready, the bloody blade glinting in the light of the moon. The fiend hit the ground, a lump of meat and blood.
“V-Velvet!?” The witch cried. My feral eyes fell upon the witch now and I cleaned my sword as I approached her. She composed herself and grabbed a stick from her side table. A magic wand of some kind? “STAY BACK, MONSTER!”
“….I’M a monster?” I asked. “Was that supposed to be a joke?”
“You’re an abomination. Not human and not beast! You’re just a lost dog with no place you belong!” From the tip of her wand a burst of fire shot and I dove out of the way, sprinting at her, snarling in anger. I let my arms pull back, ready to cleave her in two. Just as I reached her, she waved the wand again and a series of vines burst from the earth to grab at my limbs. I felt the restraint and I cried out in surprise. Feeling she’d tied me down, the witch lowered her wand and smiled. “Guess you bit off a bit more than you could chew, night angel.”
“….” I didn’t respond. I just glared at her, my eyes boring into hers. Clearly I was making her uncomfortable as she began to step away from me. I simply stood still, letting her back up. It was fine…I’d get her. I already knew how. Every move she made only fueled by fire.
“What are you even doing here?” The witch asked. “Do you think yourself noble? That you’re righting wrongs or serving justice? WHOSE justice? My kind have no less right to live than humans, or would you take your own life as well? If the world is only for humanity, then prove it by shoving that blade into your own belly!”
“It’s not about who has the right to live and who doesn’t.” I corrected her. “It’s about the fact that you hold the lives of innocents as hostage…and that you’re a corrupt and evil bitch.”
“That’s pretty empty coming from a murderer for hire!” The witch howled. “Even if I am as you say, you’re no better! There’s two monsters here tonight, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Hardly…” I replied. I roared and pulled, snapping the vines restraining me like twigs. I launched myself at her and drew my sword in a slashing motion. The slash cut through flesh and bone as her wand arm fell from her body and she screamed in horror. “…because in a moment…there will be only one left.”

I ran my blade through her chest as I had with her familiar and watched the life drain from her eyes. As I pulled out the sword I watched her slump to the ground as I cleaned the sword on my coat. I took a moment to appreciate the weight of this moment. I’d killed a witch…a monster.
“So why do I feel so strange?” I asked.
As I questioned this, the world began to distort and blur, like a painting splashed with water, the colors smeared and began to retake shape and texture until I was once again standing in that ancient field of fallen warriors. The Germanic forests and evening sky were replaced with a beautiful sunset against the cherry blossoms, waving their fronds and throwing pink showers of petals around the world. My eyes were met by the glowing radiancy of a picturesque Japanese landscape. The spears and swords littering the ground were like decorations…and for some reason I felt so at peace…the questions and feelings that had come with killing the witch seemed to melt away.
“Well done, Rebecca.” I turned around to see Hachiman walking towards me, a smile upon his face. “At last you’ve felt what it is to be a Night Angel…you’ve seen what it was to be one and what kind of power that name carries to humanity and to monsters alike.”
“Yeah but…something the witch said bothered me.” I admitted. “She said that we night angels were murderers for hire…that we’d kill monsters for no other reason than they weren’t human….is that true?”
“….She was not incorrect, but it is not the whole truth of the matter.” Hachiman explained. “Some night angels did demand payment for their services, as it was the only way they knew to make a living. Money corrupts the senses and the minds better judgement. Soon, to many, killing monsters became an occupation and they failed to distinguish that which was innocent and that which was evil. This was not the original intent of every night angel, and certainly not yours, I expect.”
“Of course not!”
“No being is perfect, Rebecca. Even the most virtuous can lose sight of integrity and righteousness.” Hachiman sighed. “And you? You did not do what the villagers asked you two for reward…but for the right reasons. For righteous cause.”
“Is it ever righteous to kill?” I asked, concerned. The way I’d felt when I slay her…it felt so satisfying. Was I a murderer like she said?
“The belief that killing is always wrong and that justice can never be delivered through death is ludicrous.” Hachiman replied harshly. “Death is a part of life. To kill for the good of others…for the sake of peace and right…there is no evil in this.” I nodded though I did not respond. I was still conflicted. When I was under the full moon I’d felt…so alive…so powerful…so savage. How could I keep my sanity in the face of that kind of power?
“Are you alright?” Hachiman asked.
“I do want to learn to be a night angel…but how do I keep from losing who I am? When I was fighting in that form…when the full moon shone down on me, I felt that feral side of me come out. Joshua says it’s my werewolf blood…and I don’t know how to deal with that power.”
“That side of you that comes out under the light of the moon is still a part of who you are.” Joshua stated firmly. “You should not be ashamed of who you are. Knowing when and how to use that wolf is what will define you as a warrior.” Hachiman drew his own sword and held it out in a battle stance. “Now that you have seen and discovered the purpose and meaning behind what you are, let’s see how much further we can take you in your training. Draw your sword.” I obeyed and drew the blade out, ready to fight.

“Rebecca Anderson, tell me what you are!”
“I am…a night angel!”
“Tell me what your purpose is!”
“I protect the innocent from that which is evil.”
“Tell me the truth, Rebecca….are you convicted in your charge? Are you prepared to wield your blade against the monsters of the night…and are you prepared to embrace your blood and your heritage?” I paused a moment at this question. Could I do it? I thought long and hard about what I’d learned over the course of this ordeal. I’d seen Set and the kind of monster he was…I watched my father flee from our home to seek help for me. My mother, who I’d barely known, I learned was a werewolf…and that I was an ancient hybrid called a night angel. And now…now I was to take these truths and these discoveries and wear them as my armor as I rush into battle. Was this really what I wanted? As these thoughts ran through my mind, I thought back to the look on dad’s face…the way Joshua spoke to me…the evil dog like laugh of Set as a house burned to the ground…and soon it was no longer a house I saw burning…but the world, as Set swallowed it in his chaotic laugh.
“…Yes!” I barked. “I am a night angel, and I am a warrior! I’m ready to fight!” Hachiman smiled at my response and he raised his sword into the air. I took a defensive posture.
“Then, Night Angel, Rebecca Anderson…it’s time I showed you the truth strength of the sword. Your REAL training begins now!”