HEROES BEHIND SHADOWS©Grimoirelle™ 2017-∞

Sometimes.. villains are actually heroes behind shadows.
Sometimes, they are angels in disguise.

You know the feeling of watching a movie even though you know how it's going to end?

-
Hi, my name is Tantra. I'm an assassin. I live in a world where humans are suddenly given the key to obtain various powers. War was eminent. Countries are always waging wars upon one another.

There are five countries at the top of the "food chain" right now. Two of them are our neighboring countries. The first one is "Aryhmes" (read as Ah-rai-him) who is currently at war with the other neighbor country, the second one which is "Etiva" (read as Eh-tai-vah). So in other words, my country is in between the two "military powerhouse" countries.

End of Tantra's point of view

I. Marshall B. Bullet & Tantra: Young and Menace

A normal day in the nameless country in between Aryhmes and Etiva, young Tantra is once again struggling in her daily life and doing her best to survive.

"A beast-like creature broke in and stole all of my bread!" A baker in town was complaining about Tantra who was seen in her shape-shifted form when she broke in.

"How is that possible..? Our town is quite civilized and far from the woods. Any wild animal shouldn't be able to make it here" The police man said with an uncertain look on his face.

"It might be one of those gifted children." An old lady spoke, she was about the same height as a young child.

"G..Gifted..? In our town..? There's no one. We had every child checked" The policeman replied, denying the old lady's assumption.

While this is all going on, Tantra, in her human form, is hiding at a corner while silently munching on the bread that she stole. Secretly, she is listening to the conversation of the adults.

"Possibly someone not from this town or even, not from this country." The old lady said, sounding calm and flat. "Ever since the make-believe nature god came here, all sorts of power began blooming in different places. Other tribes believe it is a mysterious, unknown being that they call "Vendetta" who is responsible for the gifted children. Another story is that a meteor came crashing down, an unknown being was inside of it. When she came, powers started manifesting on children of that time. Nevertheless, the existence of those powers is a proof that a god might really exist." After saying those words, the old lady turned to the baker. "Be careful. Gifted ones can be cursed ones."Warning him, the old lady walked away slowly.

The policeman and the baker didn't know how to react to the words of the old lady, but Tantra, who was 6 at this time, ended up thinking about it.

"Who gave us those powers.. gift.. curse..?" Being young, Tantra couldn't really understand what the old lady meant.

Tantra's hair is straight and colored dark purple that it almost seems like it was black. She is believed to be "gifted" with the power to shape shift into a tiger.

The next following days only shows how much of a menace a young tiger without a parent could be. She is "abandoned" and the only thing she knows about herself is her own name. As usual, she causes a ruckus in town. Despite showing an aggressive nature, she is actually just scared of settling down in the woods.

However... the horrific day came when the enemy countries decided to make Tantra's hometown a battlefield. Other than that, countries like Etiva are seeking to expand their territory. Now... Tantra's home has become totally invaded by outsiders.

In no time, the whole town was ravaged by soldiers. It was a merciless slaughter. Though Tantra is a menace, she has never really killed a human being. Witnessing it with her own eyes, she felt fear creep into her bones. She tries her best to hide herself while the country of Etiva is out seeking children to take and be forced into the military.

"Kid, stay behind here and don't let them find you. You got that?!" The baker tells Tantra who sought refuge in the baker's shop.

"I'm-" Not knowing what kindness really is, Tantra didn't say anything back. She knows that the town folks are already aware of her identity.

The door was busted down and the soldiers of Etiva came in and killed the shop owner without a second thought. They stole his goods and broke his belongings. Tantra covers her mouth, trying so hard not to scream.

Tantra's point of view

While I hail from a very poor country, I really don't know who I really am, or how I got in here. One thing is for sure, I am not from this world... just like someone.

At a young age, I did all that it takes to survive. I learned to use my power correctly. I can shape shift into a tiger. I stole, assaulted and did many bad things just for my own sake. I lived that way because I have no one. No family. No friends.

I thought my days would remain blissful and normal, until our small and poor country became a target for another country's "property" expansion. It was the time of when countries are seeking territories to be "strong" and "intimidating".

I won't deny it. I couldn't do anything. I was in the middle of hiding while they bombed the town endlessly. Bullets raining down from the sky. The whole place was drenched in blood. The smell makes me sick; I wanted to throw up at the gruesome sight of countless dead people before me.

Fire spread out in no time... I had to make my escape. I was protected by someone... so if I make any mistake, his sacrifice would be in vain. Having decided, I take on my tiger form and make the run for it.

"A cursed child..!!" 
"Hurry, capture her!"
"Shoot it!!!"

I knew that they could easily shoot me down... it hurts, I groan as I felt the unbearable burning pain. My body wants to drop dead, but it was my will that kept me running. Leaving behind a track of blood behind, I hoped that I would get to a safe place.

Little did I know, someone from the Aryhmes had the power to track down someone. She was young, like me. In the woods, I hid. Back to my human form, holding back my breath because I fear that I might get discovered.

She was alone... but she seemed like an aristocrat. I stole glances at her, but it feels like she knows where I am. For some reason, her presence was both terrifying and calming.

However, the instant I took my eyes off of her, a man who seems to be in his 20's was already right in front of me, looking at me with a sinister smile. I couldn't scream... and just like that, I was taken away.

Years later

I'm already 14 years old. Ever since I was captured by the Etivians, I was trained to become a ruthless assassin. They made me bond with other "cursed" children whom I learned to trust. Aside from them, I had no feelings for the rest of the world. We were a squad of assassins... and they were like family to me. I was being like the eldest sister.

I have sinned. I have killed. Nothing mattered to me anymore... until the Aryhmenians launched an attack on to its enemy country, the Etiva. All troops were deployed, apparently, the Aryhmenians sent their promising soldier: Marshall B. Bullet.

"Tantra. You must stop the enemy forces. You are one of our most promising warriors too."Uruhagen, the man who captured me, ordered me in a cold tone of voice. He was actually the strongest soldier of Etiva, but he needs to take a break after being beaten by someone unknown.

"Uruhagen. Why don't you stop them yourself?"Despite him being my 'master' who trained me all these years and kept me in check to make sure I wouldn't escape, I act very casual around him. He looks like a strong, matured man with short white hair and a buffed body.

"Stupid. Just get outta here" Uruhagen says as he pushes me from behind. I'm used to him treating me roughly... and a part of me cannot deny that I've learned to love Uruhagen.

I do not know if it's romantic. I am only 14. Maybe this is just adoration? Nevertheless, I am somewhat, grateful that he didn't kill me... he just killed my compassion for the world and turned me into a monster.

Having no choice but to obey him, I go out and see that the town is in chaos. From a far, I could hear the sound of guns being fired and followed by horrendous screams.

"Tantra, the enemy leader is at the plaza... she's wiping out the defenses!" Heidi, my fellow assassin, younger than me, called out and informed me. She was injured and yet she's still rushing to the battlefield.

Without having to say anything, I headed for the plaza to put an end to the attack. I have my hood and mask on, so my identity is concealed. Only my fellow assassins would know me.
My tiger form becomes notoriously known across different countries. For the last thing they see before they die, is me in my tiger form. I couldn't silence everyone who witnessed my killings, so word came out and spread like wildfire.

But it did not matter as long as they don't know my human face. It doesn't matter... as long as I kill them. Dead men tell no tales.

So I marched straight to where the enemy was attacking from. In the center, a lot of civilians were running around screaming in panic, their faces painted by terrorization. Aryhmenians are nothing but terrorists in my eyes, an enemy that I must annihilate. I spotted my fellow assassins, some gifted, some not... fighting against a woman whose hair is blazing red, and she was literally on fire.

"Tigersin!" They called out to me. They don't really know my real name, as I don't know their real name too. Only I and Heidi know about each other. They are the only ones I hold feelings of importance for. Quickly, I transformed into my tiger form and rushed to their side.

...However, I was a second too late; I wasn't fast enough to sneak up on that red headed devil before our eyes. She pulled out two pistols that changed to the color of red as if it was heating up or loading its bullet that was about to fire; In the blink of an eye, it fired so fast, but instead of bullets, a ray of red light came out of it, like a laser. So easily, it blasted off my friends who were next to each other, blowing them all away and giving them severe injuries.

"You bitch!" I gnarled angrily as I attempt to strike the red headed devil. She was wearing a military uniform meant for males. The woman seems to be enjoying her time, killing off everyone.

"Hahahahaha!" Evilly, the red headed woman laughed. I just thought she was corrupted by the madness brought by all the killing she did.

I had no time to worry about my friends, but it got worse when their bodies were suddenly set on fire the instant the red headed devil smiled. She is, apparently, one of the believed "gifted" children. But to me, her gift was a curse. It was a nightmare.

As I charged towards her in my tiger form, she simply stepped aside, dodging my attack. Admittedly, I wasn't fast as I normally was due to my divided attention for the enemy and for my comrades.

"My... aren't you a ravishing tiger... sensei would love to see you" The red headed devil smirked and then suddenly pointed one of her pistols to me with madness in her eyes. "But... -- Sensei taught me to be kind... but never show mercy to the enemy"with her pupils somewhat dilated, she fired that monstrous ray of fire again.

It was faster than me... I couldn't dodge. It hit me right on my back. All I could do was grunt because of the pain... and after a few second, my back ignited with flames. It was a hellish moment; the fire was unbelievably strong as if it was slowly eating away my flesh. My tiger form doesn't allow me to talk, so I could only scream on the inside... about how much it hurts.

"Tigersin!!!!!" 
"No... Tigersin is—"

I realized in that moment how I looked so pathetic. In their eyes, I was their strongest comrade and one they relied on. I came here hoping to rescue them, but in the end, I'm the one being beaten up. I couldn't move from the ground where I am suffering from the burning sensation. The red headed devil is slowly making her way to me, still wearing that psychotic smile on her face. I could feel so much hatred towards her.

"Hey... where is your boss? Uru... Uruhagen wasn't it?" The red headed devil asked as she pointed her pistol to my face. "Come on, I know you can talk, shape shifter" She said in a sweet tone of voice, but that sweetness didn't really get to me. In my eyes, she's a devil I must eradicate, but couldn't.

I could only glare at her through my tiger form. I decided to try to bite her off but my sloppy movements couldn't even reach her. She's only smiling while looking down on me. I feel very humiliated. Next, I tried to use my remaining strength by swinging my arm at her, attempting to tear her skin open with my tiger claws.

"So violent" The red headed devil commented as I managed to rip off the lower part of her pants, but I couldn't even scratch her skin. I felt hopeless."Then I'll put you out of your misery, I'm kind enough not to let you suffer any longer. Because you're a tiger that my sensei would've loved and tried to save" I could see her hand about to pull the trigger and her pistol slowly changing color, it was heating up. "Goodbye"

I closed my eyes as she pulled the trigger... but I didn't feel any pain when I heard it fire. So I opened my eyes again out of confusion... and what I saw devastated me. Heidi was shot right in the head; she stood in front of me, to protect me.

"Heidi...!"

All I could do was scream her name inside my head. She fell down, lifeless. I cried, which I normally shouldn't do. This is the first time I've cried again, after so many years. The red headed devil seems to be still smiling, then she glanced at me, she saw me in my tiger form, shedding tears. Her smile disappeared, or perhaps, it was only my imagination.

"Marshal, we need you in the capital. Allied forces of Etiva are coming" A soldier wearing an Aryhme uniform came and informed the red headed devil in front of me.

"I see. Well then I'm off. Come with me." The red headed devil was apparently a marshal. Her blazing red hair changed color to what seemed like a dark orange color almost seeming like it was color brown. Just like that, after killing everyone, she left without finishing me off.

I thought that was cruel. Why didn't she just kill me off? Along with my friends?

II. Fate

The war outbreak came to an end when Aryhmes retreated when an allied nation sent their forces to assist us. Apparently, Arhymes is the only country left refusing to be owned by Etiva. On that dreadful day where I lost the only people who makes me feel "human", I lost all of my emotions. I wanted to die... but Uruhagen encouraged me to become stronger. So I... I trained even more, even harder. I set my eyes to kill the red headed devil.

Until the day I've longed to come finally came.

6 years has passed and I am now finally 20. I was given the assignment to invade Aryhmes and to kill their strongest source of power.

"The day you've always waited for has finally come, Tantra." Uruhagen was sitting on his office chair while facing the window. He said those words with a calm tone of voice.

I took a deep breath and swallow the reality that my biggest challenge will now begin. Uruhagen faced me by spinning his chair around. He put down a pile of paper and a photograph of my worst nightmare. I picked it up and burned the image of her face inside my mind.

"Her name is Marshall B. Bullet. Funny, how she's a Marshal and named as Marshall."Uruhagen chuckled as he looked at me while I stare at the red devil.

"You don't have to worry. Ever since that day, I will never forget the face of this devil." I said as I looked into Uruhagen's eyes. He smiled, I think he's confident that I will be able to do the job.

"Your main priority is blending in with them. If you have the chance to take her head, do it. However, one mistake will mean your death. So if you doubt that you can take her down, wait for the right opportunity. The longer you get information from them, the easier it will be for us to invade and finally take down their country." Uruhagen said, I nodded in agreement to his words. "Avenge your sister-like friend, Heidi."

Apparently, despite being the only country not agreeing to be invaded by Etiva, Aryhmes has had a solid force of protection that's been keeping out invaders for years. They easily sniff out assassins and spies that it's very hard to get information from them. All of this is happening because they believe; the devil named Marshall B. Bullet is making this happen. Her insane power is what makes it possible for Arhymes to remain a powerful citadel.

"I will not fail this time." I bowed my head in respect to Uruhagen, my master. After that, I turned around and left. I must prepare right away and do this immediately.

If I say I'm not nervous, I must be lying. I know in my soul that I'm ready, but I'm still nervous. Invading a tight-security country with powerful monster like humans is nerve wracking, but someone has to do it. Someone has to put an end to the reign of the Aryhmenians, the only ones left causing war in the world. Etiva's goal is to unite all the countries so we can all come to an agreement, but Aryhmes refuse to surrender.

A few days after Tantra's departure

I left Luemig Nas immediately and traveled. I didn't really bring anything but a bunch of clothing. I wanted to bring some forged information to prove my fake identity as a citizen from a neutral country but already under Etiva's control, but I thought they might find out in no time. I only wore plain looking clothes as to not draw much attention. During my travel, near the Etiva territory, I encountered a lot of bandits and many criminals. I eliminated them without a problem. Good enough, when I got further, the bandits stopped appearing.

As I walk alongside the trees on a bright sunny day, I suddenly heard the sound of a bunch of people approaching my way. It almost sounds like they are marching. I was cautious, so I quickly hid behind the bushes. I was already near Aryhme territory.

"You're not running enough" 
"Shut up... I run every day"
"I follow the marshal's training instructions you know"
"What? I do the same!"
"Now now... stop fighting, you're both weak. That's it."

I could hear their conversation and loud voices from where I was hiding and finally, a group of people wearing the Aryhme military uniform was walking down the same path I was taking. Behind the countless men were one woman... and I immediately felt the bloodlust crawl into my mind. My pupils dilated, I knew I was enraged. I would never forget that face, the face of the devil I loathe so much. What a coincidence, I already have my target right in front of my eyes. But am I really lucky... or unlucky? I try so hard to conceal my presence. In our country, I am the most skilled assassin and only general Uruhagen can sense my stealth. But this time... it's not the case.

"Hmm" Bullet stopped walking but she was still smiling. She was wearing a plain white tank top paired with military pants with the typical style for camouflaging, her dark blue coat was tied around her waist and she wore a pair of dark brown boots. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun.

My heart beat began to rush; I'm starting to feel the intense pressure. Even from where I was hiding, I could feel her terrifying strength, as if she was carrying a bright red aura that can scare off anyone who is very weak willed. However, I will not be easily defeated.

"Is something wrong, marshal?"
"Yes, please tell us if you need something!"
"We'll get it right away!"
"Yup!!!"

Her men seem to be very close to her to speak in a friendly manner like that. I continued to observe in silence what would happen next.

"Nothing~" Bullet gave them a reassuring smile and so her men continued to walk on while she is still behind them. She follows them slowly... and I noticed a butterfly gently land on the devil's shoulder.

I was thinking why would such a gentle creature approach someone like her when she's obviously emitting a dangerous aura that people can nearly see?

I'm not ready to announce my appearance yet, so I decided to remain quiet. I felt relieved when the devil started walking away. I sighed and closed my eyes for a second. I was thankful that I wasn't found.

"Found you" Suddenly, I heard Bullet's voice; it was so near that I opened my eyes immediately.

She was already right in front of me with the same psychotic smile that she showed me in the past. My eyes widened in total shock, my heart nearly stopped beating. Her face was so close to mine and I couldn't even feel her approaching me.

"I-" Being the undercover assassin I am, I must act like I am innocent.

"What's wrong, marshal?!" 
"What's going on there?"
"Is that a girl??"

Her men took notice of what was going on and quickly turned back to be next to her marshal. I froze and didn't know what to do. I was confident that I wouldn't be spotted because I worked so hard to learn concealing my presence.

"Hey... who are you?" Bullet sounds excited to find out whether I was an enemy or not, she seems eager to hear my answer, as if she was prepared to give me the hit or miss moment.

"My name—is Tantra. I'm just traveling... I'm sorry for hiding; I was only scared of the army..." I kept my eyes looking at her yellow eyes; it was a beautiful color like gold. I tried to sound normal as possible.

"You...! You don't seem like you're from here!!!"
"It could be a spy!"
"Capture her!"

I showed a terrified facial expression. If I don't show any fear, the more they will become suspicious. "Please don't..!!" I throw my hands above my head to shield myself. I have nothing, no weapon, nothing to defend myself with.

"Wait" Bullet raised her hand in a gesture to halt the movement of her men. She wasn't taking her eyes off of me. "She could be a lost, gifted child"Bullet said as she put her hand down.

"Gifted...? Well..."
"It's possible but..."
"It's risky isn't it?"

At this moment, my mouth falls slightly open. This marshal is very odd. The words of her men are just them showing common sense. As a country being preyed on, they should be very cautious of suspicious people. But this marshal, this devil, she doesn't seem to think of me as any form of threat. Is it because she's confident? Or because her way of thinking is just twisted?

"Um..." If I remain silent, I'd appear more suspicious.

"Come, the Aryhme army will not harm you"Bullet smiled, her psychotic smile was different from this one: A gentle smile. She offered her hand to me, who was sitting on the ground.

My heart skipped a beat. I'm not sure if it did that because I was happy, or if I was nervous. This devil gives me feelings I cannot understand.

"T-Thank you..." Hesitatingly, I took her hand and she helped me stand. I could see the worried and concerned look in her men's eyes. I wouldn't blame them, if I was in their shoes, I would be nervous too, knowing that many countries are after us.

"Tantra, was it? My name is Bullet." As I stood face to face with Bullet, she calmly introduced herself. I could only listen to what she has to say next. "You said you're a traveler, right? It's dangerous around this area. Come with me."Bullet said as she turned around and walked away after she put on her coat around her shoulder, but not actually wearing them.

"H-Huh..!?" I don't understand, but she seems to be ordering me to follow her. I had no choice but to follow, otherwise, I might get killed right off the bat.

Earlier, she was the last person behind her group, now she's the one leading the march. I am the last person following her and her men are giving me judging glares. They are a mixed group of old and young males.

My brows furrow closer to each other as I avoid their questioning looks. I pouted as I feel uncomfortable. What bothers me right now is how did that monster find out where I was hiding in just the blink of an eye? Her skills... or possibly, her power is truly terrifying.

"Hey kiddo, don't be scared of the Aryhmenians, what you must fear is the Etivians." One of the old looking soldiers said with a bright smile. I wasn't sure if he was attempting to see what my reaction would be or if he was merely doing some small talk.

"You're lucky that the marshal found you"Another guy followed up.

"Yeah, our marshal is very kind, but be careful not to anger the lion, so it won't bite"

Kind...? Yeah right. This must be what you call "blind devotion" or admiration towards someone they look up to. I look at them as I simply listen to their words for me.

"I don't know 'bout you guys but the marshal is REALLY scary sooo" A young looking guy said with a frantic smile.

"Yeah? But this isn't the first time she's taking back a stranger. Although the first ones were really spies. They were tortured to death because they refused to sell out information about their country. Talk about crazy"

I felt like they are intentionally letting me hear those words. But I do not sweat; sweating is a sign of nervousness. I only continue to act clueless of everything. However, it's surprising that such a monstrous being likes to take strangers back with her.

"Um... what are you going to do to me...?" I tried to ask without sounding suspicious. I put up a "frightened girl" act.

"You're joining her army from now on!" One soldier smiled brightly while giving me a thumb up gesture.

"Huh?!?" The army?! I was honestly shocked. Is this what she normally does to strangers that she finds? This is insane. But, I might be lucky. Now it's easier to get into their base if I was actually part of the military.

The boys laughed at my shocked face as if they were so used to this sight. I turn my eyes to the marshal, watching her back walk forward, there was quite a small distance between her and the men up front. It seemed like she was leading a pack.

Arriving the base

It seems that their base is located outside of the city. Their base is located next to a forest, but right from here, I could see the beautiful image of the city. I would have expected it to look like a city with dull colors because it would be surrounded by battle talks, men in military and the likes of it. It was completely different from what I expected: It looked like a lively place.

"Continue your training; I'll be in my office for a second." Bullet said as she faced her men. Undeniably, her domineering aura seemed like a charm to her soldiers.

"Yes ma'am!" Energetically, the soldiers saluted and walked off to do their own training.

I looked around and saw more soldiers, even women. I wanted to observe the outside of their base much longer, but I was suddenly called over by the devil woman.

"You, Tantra. Come with me." As she called my name, I looked at her and she was signaling me with her hand to come. I hate that she's ordering me around, but maybe this will help me get closer to her.

"Y-Yes!" Keeping up my act, I followed her.

The hallway inside the building was decorated beautifully and seemed to be cleaned often. It made me feel uneasy to be alone with my target... but I have to keep going forward. Bullet entered a room that was apparently her office room.

For a military base, the whole place was actually very spacious and not so suffocating unlike normal bases that I've seen from Etiva. Her office seemed elegant too and there was a chess board on her table.

I wondered what Bullet was going to do with me, but she only sat on the table and pointed me to sit at the sofa near her table. I obediently followed her command.

"So Tantra, are you gifted with these supernatural powers?" Bullet didn't sound like she was trying to interrogate me, she sounded like she was asking a normal question.

"I'm not gifted..." I made myself look sad and looked down on the floor, I am conscious that she's not taking her eyes off of me.

"Is that so? Well then, you can be part of my army." Bullet said as she rested her chin on her palm. She was smiling gently.

"But I'm not strong... and I value my life!" I acted like I'm against it first.

"Hahaha. Of course, I am going to make you strong. There is no one that is weak in my army. Everyone here is strong and whether you value your life or not, I need more people in my army. You are not in the position to say "No" to me. I could have judged you as an enemy, but I chose to keep you alive, to become my ally." Bullet said, her smile never leaving her face. I must admit that she looks too beautiful to become a monster and a part of the army.

"Can I please think about it...? I know I'm only a traveler... but I'd rather spend my time trying to find a home than spending my time in the military!" I said as I look into her eyes.

"You've reached your goal. You have found "home". This base will be your home from now on." Bullet said as she let out a wider smile. I wasn't sure if she meant to deliver those words to put my mind at ease, or if she was making fun of me. Either way, I decided to give in.

"I don't think so. But if you're not letting me go... then I guess I have no choice, huh." Pretending as if I'm greatly offended, I responded to her words.

"Now that you understand..." Bullet removes her hair tie and lets her hair fall down her back. "You may wait for further instructions outside." She told me as she stood up from the table.

[A/N: The art above is Bullet. I drew it so please do not copy it!]

Without saying anything, I only stood up and I was about to open the door when someone from outside opened it.

"Oh-" I took a step back.

"Bala..! – Oh, a new face?" A good-looking man who seems to be near my age walked in with an excited face, but it changed to a curious one when he laid his crimson colored eyes on me. His hair was pitch black and a little long; he was also wearing the military uniform of Aryhmes.

"I've told you not to call me by that name when we're here." Bullet crossed her arms as she looked at the man. "That girl is Tantra. I found her when I was leading my men during their jogging."Bullet said as she looked at me.

"Uhm h-hello" Pretending as a meek girl, I greeted while continuing to avert my eyes.

"Ah, I see and oh, sorry 'bout that, ahem, marshal." The man said while looking at Bullet, then, he looked at me and smiled brightly. "Hello! I'm Azusa, the marshal's right hand man" He introduced himself cheerfully.

"N-nice to meet you sir..." I nodded as a gesture. I'm surprised that he is the right-hand man, he honestly looks weaker than the other guys inside the base.

"Azusa, I'll put you in charge of assigning her sleeping quarter and I need you to provide a uniform for her too." Bullet said as she sat on the chair behind her table.

"Alright. Tantra, you can wait outside while we decide what to do" Azusa said with a smile.

I nod in agreement. It seems to me that he must have come directly to the marshal's office to discuss something important. I left and waited outside. I got impatient and decided to go outside the building and look at the soldiers.

"Oi, newbie. You shouldn't stand around, help out with the training!" The guy from earlier called out to me. They seem to be very talkative.

"I-uhm" I want to avoid them.

"Stupid, Leon. Can't you see THAT is a girl? Even if she'll be with the army from now on you shouldn't be so rough" Another guy interrupted him. I only stood from a far distance as I watch and listen to their conversation.

"Huh? Gender doesn't matter in this base. Everyone shares equal jobs" A girl who was lifting some cargos said with an annoyed face.

I honestly agree... everyone should be treated fairly in the army. No exceptions. You signed up for this, you do what everyone does.

As I stayed longer outside, they told me that I shouldn't feel scared because the marshal probably took me in because she was considering my safety. I doubt it. She herself said that she needed more people. She did not just pick a stranger from the streets to help the stranger, but to train it to become one of her chess pieces.

I got to know the ones who spoke to me. The boy's names were Leon, Izumi and Shunko. The girl from earlier was named Ivy. I was later called back by the guy named Azusa. He spoke to me outside but away from the other soldiers.

"Here, it's instructions on how to live around these barracks" Azusa said as he handed over a pile of papers to me, I accepted without a second thought. "You do know how to read right?" He asked me without any intent to offend me. He seemed to be a genuine caring person.

"Of course I do" I know I dressed up intentionally to look like a poor beggar or a wandering traveler with nothing on her. I guess it's working well that the right hand man is questioning my educational capability.

"Good! The marshal once took in a guy who couldn't read. It was a lot of work, but we managed to teach him later on! Now he's also part of our elite group when he was one of the weakest before!" Azusa brought up a random story that I don't really need to hear. Is everyone in this base very talkative? I'm not used to the formality. "Oh! Sorry. I just remembered it. You probably don't really need to know about it"Azusa laughed apologetically. I guess he realized his own foolishness.

"Thank you, I'll read this now." I said and politely bowed my head before walking away.

I tried to find a place to be alone and I found it near the trees. I sat on a huge rock as I read what the papers said. It tells me about my sleeping quarter, my daily routine, my responsibilities and the rules in the barracks. It's a handful, but I must say I have to follow them strictly in order not to arouse any suspicions.

III. Wolves

The next day

"Wake up!" The girl named Ivy was yelling at everyone. I was unlucky to have her as my roommate. I awoke to the sound of her loud voice so early in the morning.

We are supposed to wake up at 3 am, earlier than the boys because we're the ones in charge of cooking today. So we all went to the showering area all together and I must say most of these girls are really acting feminine and there are only a few who acts rough like a guy. I must disregard my shyness and embarrassment to blend in well, but I'll make sure they won't see what I'm hiding on my back.

Later on, after preparing the food, we cleaned the hallways and every corner that must be kept clean. By 6 am, we will start jogging. Normally we should jog before we take baths but since we're in charge of cooking today, the schedule was different. When we're about to start jogging, I saw the marshal coming back.

"Marshal! Are you done with your jogging?" One of the girls asked.

I thought the marshal was just letting everyone do everything for her. Apparently she was out jogging too. She was sweating all over.

"No. I'm running 2 more sets." Bullet answered the girl's question. She then took notice of me and stood in front of me.

"Uh" I was trying to escape, but I was surrounded by the other girls.

"So you all have met the newbie. Train her to be a strong soldier and treat each other like sisters." Bullet said as she looked at everyone with a smile.

In response, the girls cheerfully nodded and said "Yes, marshal" in unison. After that, Bullet went off for another run.

"...S-She's not joining us?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Even if she did we won't be able to keep up with her. She'd let herself get left behind if that happened. She wants us ahead of her always" Ivy answered my question.

During the training sessions, I acted weak and as if I couldn't take any of this. This went on for days. I kept following my schedule and did all the chores and stuff that they asked us to do. There were days when the marshal accompanies us in our trainings but most of the time when we're jogging, she's always the last person in the line, just like what I saw when I first encountered them.

"Why is the marshal always behind us?" Irritated of her actions that I do not understand, I ask the guys in front of me.

"Oi, somebody tell the newbie!"

"You know how the pack of wolves works? The last wolf is the leader who ensures that everyone ahead of her is safe. That's why she's always alone at the back, to watch over us"Azusa, the one leading up front, heard the question I asked and stopped to explain it to me.

"Oh... I see..." I look away from Azusa who looked excited to tell me all this about Bullet's odd behavior. I see him as a fan boy of the marshal."Then you and the marshal are the alpha wolves huh...?" I asked in a lazy voice. Other reason why I looked away is because this claim is false... wolves do not function that way. The one up front is always the alpha. But he used a good reference to somewhat justify Bullet's weird actions.

"H-Huh...?!" Azusa blushed. He obviously blushed. I knew it. He's a fan boy. "N-No way... b-but do you know that alpha wolves are studied and believed to be loyal to their partner...? I find that really awesome" I could hear Azusa's random stories again but I wasn't really paying attention because...

I looked behind and saw Bullet just calmly walking behind us. In that moment, after hearing what Azusa said, I thought she was kind of... cool.

IV. Checkmate

Time passes...

The more I spend time in the Aryhmes army, the more I find them unconventional. They act like a family, looking out for each other. Their leader shares a strong connection with them, which is not normal because all the leaders I've met are selfish, self-centered narcissists. I tried to convince myself that perhaps, it was only her way to manipulate her people.

I have a trained hawk that will be my way of communicating with Etiva. I had to let them know sooner or later, that I have reached my destination. I have always managed to secretly deliver my messages through my hawk. Even though I do not get any response, I am certain that they received my messages and know that I am doing well in my mission.

I decided to remain undercover for a longer time... to earn everyone's trust... and find a way to lead them all to their own death. After all, I believe, all of this is false act of camaraderie.

I've gotten used to everything in the camp and I'm blending so easily. All of a sudden, I was called over to the marshal's office. I had no idea why because this is the first time I was summoned to her office after 9 months. If she needed something, she asks me directly or through telling someone.

As I got to her office, the marshal was sitting with her legs crossed while playing chess with Azusa. At first, I saw their relationship as something one sided but recently, I've started to see more about the marshal's personality, she seems to be secretly dating Azusa. I raised my brow at them when they both ignored me when I'm already inside the room."Excuse me?"

"Silence, Tantra. Can't you see we're having a match?" Bullet said without even looking at me.

That annoyed me so I pouted as a sign of annoyance. I must admit that I've learned to "freely" express my fake character in this camp because everyone seems to be honest with their feelings.

"Sorry to call you so suddenly, Tantra" Azusa said with an apologetic smile as he moves one of his chess pieces forward.

"N-Not at all sir... uhm, so it wasn't the marshal's orders?" I wondered.

"Yeah, I'm the one who wanted to call you over."Azusa answered my question while keeping his eyes on the chess board.

"Check mate." Bullet said as she advanced her queen and put Azusa on check.

"Argh!! Not again! Why do you always win...? My ancestors were really good at chess but why am I not?!" Azusa started whining when he couldn't think of a way out.

As I got curious of the situation, I glanced at the chess pieces and found a way to get him out of check and put Bullet in check instead. I walked over to them and moved Azusa's piece on my own without asking permission.

"Hey wait—" Azusa wanted to stop me from interfering but Bullet didn't seem to care and only moved her queen away to a safe spot.

In turn, I moved the bishop and put Bullet's king on check. "Check mate" I said as I returned her own words to her.

"Ehh?!" Azusa seemed to be impressed, but that's not what I was aiming for. I wanted to show off Bullet that's she's not that good. Even after spending time with her, I still hate her for what she did to Heidi.

The serious Bullet smirked, I thought she was doing that because she admits her defeat... but Azusa suddenly started laughing after Bullet saved her king by covering it up with her own bishop.

A streak of cold sweat falls from my forehead, I must admit that battling her even in this is still intense. I stopped and started thinking for a while but Azusa became impatient and moved his own piece by himself.

He continued the game with Bullet as if Bullet was playing against the two of us. In the end, he won against Bullet on his own.

"Yesss! I won!" Azusa cheered.

Bullet sighs and smiles at the sight of the overjoyed Azusa. I watch her face silently and wondering if she intentionally let herself lose. I would never know but I do not want to ask either.

"Oh, that's right. Sorry to keep you waiting, Tantra" Azusa suddenly looked at me. Finally, the original purpose of my coming here is brought up."Ever since you came here, I've been doing a lot of researching about you. I couldn't find any information about you, so the marshal has something to say about this" Azusa suddenly seemed matured at that moment. Well, he really looks like a smart guy if it wasn't for his goofy fan boy acts. I turn my eyes on Bullet.

"You must be like me. Someone... not from this world too" Bullet said with her arms crossed.

"Huh?" I titled my head in confusion. I also didn't think that Azusa would be the one investigating my identity.

"Azusa is the best in gathering intel... so when he can't find anything, it's impossible for us to find something on our own." Bullet sounded serious at this moment.

The reason why they can't find anything is because there really isn't anything. The only thing I know about myself is my own name... but what did she mean when she said "not from this world" too?

"I don't understand what you mean... you're not from this world?" I asked with a frown.

"Kind of." Bullet let out a small smile.

"Well that only means you're not really an enemy. If you were, I would've found out by now." Azusa said with a bright smile. "So you're dismissed now, you can go back outside"

With that said, I left the marshal's office in order to avoid any further questions. All this time I had thought they remained quiet and ignorant of my existence; I never noticed that Azusa might be the one investigating me.

Five months later

I've been here for a year and 3 months and they no probably no longer suspect my identity after that discussion with Azusa and Bullet 5 months ago. I have memorized the marshal's daily routines, her habits, her behaviors, even her activities late at night that I've been secretly observing. It was difficult to sneak out from the sleeping quarters because at night, there is still security around the place, soldiers roaming the buildings and outside the barracks. Even so, I managed to do it. I was caught once or twice, but I successfully made up an excuse to cover it.

"Guuuuuys... the marshal's at it again" Izumi said with a crying face.

"At what?" Leon asked and I looked at Izumi.

"Just look!" Izumi pointed at the marshal.

She was carrying a barbell that weights so heavy, only a few people in the camp could actually lift them. She was wearing a tank top that was cropped up, revealing her stomach. She was sweating so badly while she tries to lift the heavy thing up, but she successfully lifts it up anyway.

"Her six packs are beautiful" Shunko said.

"Shut up, hentai! (pervert!)" Ivy hit him on his head.

I must say that, despite looking very muscular, she seems like your average sized girl with beautiful curves. I also learned that the marshal is older than me but I'm almost as tall as she is. I believe she is around 179 centimeters while I am 174 centimeters. We also went to the beach once and we had this conversation.

"Tantra, why aren't you wearing swim wear? We must enjoy ourselves once in a while. We're always fighting off enemies" Ivy asked me.

"I um..." I actually don't want them to see the burn on my back. The burn that Marshall B. Bullet gave me when I was in my tiger form.

"Is there something you're afraid to show?" Bullet took notice of us and asked while she is wearing a two-piece swimsuit like all the other girls.

"T-There isn't..!" In a sense, she's right and that made me feel embarrassed, I unconsciously yelled at her with a flustered face.

"Didn't mean to embarrass you~ but look at me. I have scars around my body bought by harsh trainings and battle wounds. I am proud of my scars because they are what makes me, me." Marshal Bullet was smiling as she opened her arms, showing the scars on her shoulder. "Though, I'm covering them with tattoos someday" She giggled as if she was joking.

I raised a brow at her words, why would you proud of those horrific scars that would remind you of the pain? But as I inspect her body, I noticed that around her legs, she had stretch marks too. Like a real woman... because many women nowadays seem flawless and perfect... but even her, who seemed like a perfect goddess in the eyes of her followers, have little things that make her... human.

"What tattoo would you get?" I asked her out of curiosity.

"Hmm... an animal's face" Her quick answer made me think it was not really so-well thought so I decided to ignore her after this.

Going back to the present situation, everyone is apparently admiring the marshal who's working her body to sweats again.

A few days later

Ivy and I were asked by Azusa to accompany Bullet to the city. Honestly, I was thrilled to go because it would be my first time to go to the city. However, we were going to attend a party and I didn't really like it, still, I had no choice but to go since I already agreed.

In the party, we dressed up as normal girls... long gowns and beautiful makeup with stylish hair. Bullet lent us that stuff because she owns them. I didn't expect her to have a "girly" side since she's been manlier than any man I've met so far.

"Oh marshal Bullet, how is it going with the military trainees?" A man seeming like an aristocrat asked her while holding a glass of wine in hand.

"We're all good. My soldiers are very strong."Bullet responded with a calm smile. She was wearing a long red gown with a slit design, revealing skin from her leg.

We were surrounded by various people associating with each other, but Ivy and I really didn't know what to do so we remained quiet at our own table, just silently judging everyone.

"Hey why did you join the army?" I asked Ivy out of boredom.

"My brother was in the army" Ivy answered without thinking twice.

"Oh..." I didn't want to ask any further cause it seems that something terrible had happened to her brother.

"He's married now, so I'll continue his fight for him" Ivy smiled, she seemed proud of what she is doing.

"I-I see." I guess I was wrong.

"What do you think of our marshal?" Ivy asked me in return.

"H-Huh...?" I really don't want to answer that question. "Well... I think she's an unusual leader." I said while looking at Bullet who was conversing with a few aristocrats and laughing with them.

"Really? I think she's awesome. Rumors say that she was trained by a very powerful man but no one knows who her master is. There was nothing to prove her existence... she only had one thing with her, it was her name." Ivy said while looking at Bullet with a warm smile.

After what Ivy said, I remembered what Bullet said about being "not from this world". It had me thinking throughout the whole party.

Later on, as we go back to the base together...

"Bullet-sama! You must be tired from all those aristocrats" Ivy said as she stood next to Bullet.

Bullet sighed but she smiled at Ivy. "Yes. They're expressing their gratitude to the army for our continuous protection."

I was only staring in silence... I'm really starting to grow more curious of who Marshall B. Bullet truly is. She rarely talks about herself and often mentions "my sensei (teacher)" whenever she talks, but never really says anything about herself... which is frustrating. How am I supposed to know her biggest weakness? Is it Azusa? Everyone knows in the camp that they're both in love with each other, but doesn't confess to everyone about their relationship.

It's hard to believe that a devil like her can love.

My deep thinking was interrupted when Bullet suddenly put her arms around me and Ivy.

"Eh?!" I exclaimed, the marshal has never really done any close interactions with me ever since I came here.

"Get ready for battle, girls. Dasmalla is apparently preparing to launch an attack on us. Our army will meet them halfway so as to not make the city the battlefield" Bullet suddenly said with a serious looking smile. I was surprised to hear the news.

So the party was really to inform the army of the enemy movements although I really shouldn't call it "enemy" because Dasmalla is allied with Etivan.

"Finally..." Ivy whispered under her breath.

I realized that they're not just fooling around. They're really working hard to prepare themselves for war and it's finally coming to them.

"Tantra... you were so weak like a baby when I first found you. Now you're strong. Even if you're not from Aryhmes, your life, your heart will be offered to Aryhmes. Your valued life will be sacrificed for the country... are you ready?"Bullet sounded a little bit drunk, well, she smelled like liquor. Her face was so close to mine as she asked, so I looked away to hide my embarrassed face.

I hate it that she's touching me, I hate that she's so close to me, that made me decide... I should kill her before the war to guarantee Dasmalla's victory. Without the strongest leader, Dasmalla is sure to win.

"Y-You're too close and you smell like alcohol!!!"I yelled at her but she doesn't seem to mind. Ivy laughs at us. I didn't answer her question, all because I really don't plan to offer my life to my enemy.

The next morning

The news was announced right in the morning and everyone seemed to be serious and focused about this. After experiencing their training first-hand, I must say that it's true... everyone in this camp is strong. No one is weak. The marshal is the only one in the whole Aryhmes who has special powers; I find it amazing how she can fend off her cornered country. I hate that I'm amazed by the enemy.

"Just wait... Heidi..." I clutched my chest as I look up to the sky. Heidi was my precious friend and I want to avenge her.

One night later...

Tonight is the night. I sneak out from my quarters and successfully walk past through the guards without being seen. My stealth training was all for this day... the day that I kill Marshall B. Bullet. Slowly and softly, I approach the marshal's office. After my time here, I've learned that she remains in her office even during the late hours. I also managed to forge a duplicate key to her door and stole some information that I sent to Etiva right away. Sneakily, I make my way to her office... opening the door without a sound. I made it so that the door doesn't make any creaking sound when you open them. All those cleaning and maintenance around the base paid off.

There, I see the marshal looking out the window. The lights inside her office at this hour are turned off, so normally, no one would think someone was inside. But she was inside.

Concealing my presence, almost seeming like I'm no longer breathing, I slowly pull out the gun that I stole from the armory. With a silencer, it's enough to lessen the sound, but it does not take away all form of sound. So once I kill her with this, I already prepared an escape route. I will be locking the door and use the window as my escape. Back in Etiva, we already had the technology to examine fingerprints so I'm cautious enough not to leave any, even if I don't know whether they can check that or not. I'm being careful of Azusa, who proved that he can find out anything if he looks into it.

I was about to stand and ready to point the gun to the back of her head, but then...

"I know you're there." Bullet suddenly spoke.

I froze right where I was. Once again, she sensed my presence. My concealed presence that no one else could sense... this is how I confirmed that Bullet has the power to track down someone and sense hidden presences. She truly is... a monster.

Bullet picks up her glass that was filled of liquor and drinks it. After that, she speaks again. "You can't even sneak up on me. How do you expect to kill me?" Bullet said. I couldn't see her face... but my face shows how nervous I was at that time.

Does she know it's me? I wondered. The thought of her knowing that I was the traitor somehow terrified me.

"I have a mission to complete. Come back once I'm done with my cause. If you pull out that gun, I'll kill you first. Do you understand?" Bullet's blazing red aura became visible in my eyes. It wasn't because the room was dark and a bright color could be easily seen... but because her emotions were that powerful that her aura became powerful too.

I don't know how or if she knows it's me, but it means that I can make my escape. Quickly, I escaped through the door and quickly went back to my sleeping quarters. I felt like I was being haunted by a terrifying monster... when it was me who came as a monster, to kill another monster.

I failed that night. I was the one who was trapped. To me, it was check mate.

V. Breakdown

The day when we'll march out to meet Dasmallans halfway and surprise them has come. Little did the Aryhmenians know that, my message to the Etivians reached them in time and gave them enough time to prepare and help out the Dasmallans. Ever since I failed that night, I felt afraid to approach the marshal herself, however, she didn't seem to change the way she treats me... could it be because she doesn't know it's me?

Nevertheless, I shouldn't be worried what she thinks of me. I should only think ahead of what to do... once it's time to escape. I'll lead her to her own death if I can't kill her myself. Her madness needs to be put to an end.

"No one is allowed to die." Azusa said as he faced everyone.

"That's impossible, Azusa-san!!!" Leon protested.

"I will protect my family with my life, so stay behind me and don't die on me." Bullet said as she stood in front of everyone. Her short sentence somehow sounded like magical words that put everyone's hearts at ease... except mine.

The day of the war

"Bala...! Bad news!" Azusa came rushing in while I was standing near the marshal.

"Azusa, do not call me that here, how many times have I told you?" Bullet glared at him.

"I'm sorry..." Azusa looked away, feeling apologetic.

We're camped near the area believed to be the place where the enemy will pass through. We will ambush them here. This place is vast and covered in sand, the desert area of the Aryhmes country.

"What bad news?" Bullet asked.

"Etivians spotted approaching from the west!!! They're closing in on us while the Dasmallans are near as well!" Azusa said in a loud voice.

I hid my triumphant smile. My plan was a success, to corner the Aryhmenian army with the two enemy countries of Etiva and Dasmallan. Bullet stood up from her seat and seemed angry.

"Someone told them our position" Bullet muttered, only me, who was near her, could hear it."Azusa, stay here. I will face the Etiva on my own. I'm the only one who can" Bullet said and began walking towards the horses.

In this era... horses are used for traveling faster than just walking. The other soldiers become alerted of the tensed situation between Azusa and Bullet. Azusa follows Bullet around, while I do the same. We were all following them to see what's going to happen.

"Azusa, go call for reinforcements while I handle the Etiva. I can hold them back" Bullet said as she got on her horse. She seems ready to go.

"No." Azusa sounded serious.

"W-What's going to happen now...?" Ivy asked Shunko.

"This is bad..." Shunko whispered to Ivy.

I suddenly feel the weight or burden that they're all carrying right now; I could see it in their faces. But why don't I feel satisfied... now that I am going to get revenge on the country who killed my friends and mercilessly killed our people?

"Azusa! Get out of my way!!!" Bullet yelled at Azusa angrily, which normally doesn't happen.

"I will go. You know what I am capable of, Bala."Azusa seems to have a habit of calling Bullet as "Bala". No one knows why but we all believed it was a form of "endearment" between him and the marshal.

"I told you not to-" Bullet seems to resist him.

"I will go. They need you here the most." Azusa said while looking at Bullet with a serious face.

Bullet was silenced for a second... to see how much resolve Azusa has in his eyes. She ended up sighing and gets off her horse. Azusa hugs her all of a sudden and everyone was touched by his show of affection... but I wasn't. I was... a little jealous inside.

Why do they love her? She's a monster.

But why do I...

"Azusa... once I wipe out the Dasmallan, I will come to you as fast as I can. Do you understand?" Bullet said while gently touching Azusa's face with her hands.

The hands that murdered my friends.

Azusa nodded and smiled. "I'm off."

He said as he rode his horse and headed to find the Etiva forces. While everyone else was saluting him for being a brave hero, I thought he was being idiotic. Why sacrifice yourself when you know doing so won't even change anything...?

I smiled in secrecy, thinking that Azusa's departure can be used to kill the marshal easier.

I intended to use the battle as a time to escape after all, the Dasmallan wouldn't be able to detect my presence or capture me if I run in my tiger form. I haven't shown my tiger form to anyone in this country.

Soon, war finally broke out between the Dasmallans who arrived first before the Etivians did. It's unusual for them to be late... but I really don't think Azusa is capable of holding them back for a while. What could have happened?

I want to see Uruhagen. I want to tell him that I did my job well. I want to tell him that I lead Marshall B. Bullet to her own death.

...I was surprised by how the marshal easily wiped out the first wave of Dasmallan's forces. She cut her arms open and her blood began to flow and drip on the ground. This is my first time to see her do this, but I was speechless, I couldn't continue making my escape.

"W-What-" I wanted to ask what the hell she was doing... but my question didn't need any answer when she explained it through actions.

Her wound began closing quickly as if she was a monster with inhuman regeneration ability. Her blood on the floor started floating upwards as if gravity was nullified. All of a sudden, her blood ignited flames and started raining down on the Dasmallan soldiers.

"Now, come! I'll burn you all!" With the same psychotic smile she had before, Bullet opened her arms to "welcome" the enemies.

"Marshal!! Don't use too much of your own blood!"
"Please don't push yourself too much Bullet-sama!!!"
"We will fight to death even if we have to, just don't do this!"

I could hear the cries of her men... also the women. I looked around and how much chaos was happening around. There were dead bodies all around... and it brought me back to my childhood traumatic memory... when the enemies invaded my poor country...

It's the same as that day...

...who is really the enemy?

I've been asking this myself, but I'm avoiding the answer so much, because I don't want to betray the person who I love, the person whose affection I want to earn. I want Uruhagen to be proud of my accomplishments.

An eye for an eye. If the cycle of revenge continues, then it will only never end. Each side will continue seeking to avenge themselves. It's a dark... endless cycle.

"Heidi... what do I do?"

The marshal's body became engulfed with flames that acted as a shield, protecting her from the bullets and arrows coming from the enemies. She fires her own bullets using her two pistols and taking down enemies one after another.

While I saw Ivy reloading her gun, an enemy was closing in on her and I jumped in to save her. I don't know why I did that... but Ivy thanked me for helping her. When I wanted to so badly escape to reunite with the Etivians, I am stuck here helping them when I have the perfect chance to leave.

After the battle

Bullet's army lost a few men... but the astounding result is that she truly did wipe off the entire forces of Damallans. How is she so strong...? Just as I thought, she is a monster. It was my first time to actually see her use her own blood to fire at the enemy. She also uses her own blood to turn it into bullets, that's why she didn't need to reload and that's why her gun turns into the color of red when it seems to "load". This lets me know that her powers not only carry put her at risk, but also weakens her a few hours after too much usage. What amazes the researchers in Aryhmes is how Bullet is still alive after using so much blood... it is unexplainable how her wounds heal faster too and how her heart can produce enough blood to keep her alive.

"Marshal, you must rest first" Izumi said when he saw Bullet getting on a horse.

"I'm sorry everyone... but I have to help Azusa."Bullet said as she looks to the direction where Azusa went.

Once again... like before, a butterfly, similar to the one I saw when Bullet found me... landed on her shoulder.

"Azusa's...?" Ivy seemed to react to the butterfly, so I took a close look at it.

"This butterfly was born from Azusa's garden"Bullet said as she raised her hand and it landed on the tip of her forefinger. "She tells me what nature sees, just like my sensei, but I'm not as close as he is to nature" Bullet explained.

But how is that possible? A butterfly's lifespan is short. It shouldn't be the same butterfly, it's been a year. They die so easily like fragile human beings.

"Azusa needs me." Bullet said for the last time and got the horse running, without waiting for her men's response.

Everyone seems to be holding back their tears... they won the battle with the Dasmallans, but they're most likely sending off another batch of soldiers soon, they won't let this end so easily. With Bullet gone from their side, they feel nervous.

"I'll go after her" I don't know why... but all of a sudden, I broke the unbearable silence with my sudden declaration. The moment Azusa left, we called for reinforcements but they're not coming yet. Everyone had their eyes on me.

"Tantra...? You?" Izumi seemed like he couldn't believe it.

I was the one who seemed to be the least caring soldier also because I was the last one to join their army.

"No... that's suicide!!! We've already lost enough people!" Leon yelled at me.

"I... I can't stay here. I'm sorry." With that said I made up my mind to chase after the marshal and revealed everyone my tiger form, surprising everyone else.

"T-Tantra...?! Y...You're gifted?!" Ivy seemed devastated.

"No way... why does it look like the notorious tigersin?!" Shunko exclaimed.

Giving them one last look, I took the run for it. Ivy who seemed to be angry at me for keeping a secret, ran and picked up her gun, aiming it at me.

"Ivy" All I could do was whisper her name. I can't blame her. They must think I really am the traitor now.

"Ivy what are you going to do?!?" Izumi stopped her but Ivy was struggling to aim it at me.

End of Tantra's point of view

"She's the one... who alerted the Etivians about our location... and the reason why Azusa-san had to go on his own... and the reason why Bullet-sama has to follow him by herself...--"Having this horrifying realization, Ivy's tears were flowing down her face while she is desperately trying to break free from Izumi's grasp.

Without a doubt, they all have grown attached to the newbie, Tantra especially Izumi who always looked out for Tantra during her trainings and exercises.

"Let me go!! We need to capture the traitor!!"Ivy shouted.

The other soldiers who can still move got on their horses and begun chasing after Tantra who was running in her tiger form. Knowing this, Tantra moved even faster to make sure they don't capture her. In her heart, Tantra doesn't know what she is doing.

"This sucks...." Leon wipes off his tears and got on one of the horses with Shunko to chase Tantra as well.

Now, only a few were left to look after the injured and the bodies of the fallen. Izumi and Ivy are left behind since he's trying his hardest to calm her down.

"Izumi!!! She's the reason... the reason why the enemies managed to kill some of our family...! If Azusa-san didn't have to go, we could've... easily..." Ivy kept screaming at Izumi who was silently holding her back.

"I got it... Ivy... I'll kill the traitor myself. No need to stain your hands... no need to kill the person you treated your friend" Izumi said as he hugged Ivy with a painful look on his face.

Tantra's point of view

I have made it this far. I can't see the "enemies" chasing after me anymore. I can't keep up my tiger form for a long time, so I reverted back. I'm out of the desert and reached the forest, where I caught a little bit of the marshal's scent. I am certain that she went this way.

Honestly... I don't know what I'm doing. I should just go and meet up with the Etivians, but I myself do not know where they are right now and why they haven't arrived at the battlefield yet. I decided to stop by the river to drink... and suddenly, I hear footsteps approaching.

"Tantra" A familiar voice called out to me and I quickly looked back.

"Uruhagen?!" Surprised, Uruhagen was actually really, right in front of me. He is wearing his battle suit... does this mean he is fighting again? I stood up and walked up to him quickly.

I wanted to express to him my relief and show how happy I am to reunite with him... but Uruhagen seems angry for some reason.

"The killing machine... Azusa wiped out the first three forces by himself. He is a man gifted with superhuman strength. Did you intentionally send our men to meet him along the way?"Uruhagen was glaring at me and questioning me.

I didn't know this. Azusa... the killing machine? I didn't know any of that. In fact, the whole camp treats Azusa as the baby of the family. How could he be... someone so strong? Is that why he is actually Bullet's right hand man, not only because he gets information so easily? I never would have thought... that Azusa was gifted.

"I didn't mean it... I didn't even know Azusa was gifted! No one knows this!" I defended myself, explaining to Uruhagen.

"Then you didn't do your job right. You should've used all the time you spent there to learn everything about the enemy!!!" Uruhagen yelled at me.

I was honestly so hurt to be judged by him that I didn't know how to respond.

"My men are outside this forest. I sensed your presence so I came to ask you. You're coming with me, as a bait to lure the boss Marshall B. Bullet. Based on your letters, you said you've grown close enough to earn her trust. You did not break that trust, did you?" Uruhagen grabbed me by my arm and began dragging me away forcefully.

I couldn't feel anything... I couldn't say anything.

In the end, I was with the Etiva again. In our own camp, I sat and waited for orders while they search for Bullet as soon as they learned she was headed this way too. However... the search ended when the target itself came knocking on our door.

"Bullet..?" I muttered her name.

Marshall B. Bullet was standing outside our tent and everyone pointed their guns at her, she was completely surrounded. She seemed to be badly weakened that she couldn't even walk properly. I stood there, devastated. Eye to eye, I looked at Bullet and she looked back into me.

"I knew all along it's you, tigersin." Bullet suddenly spoke and called me by my codename as an assassin.

I couldn't say anything back, but my eyes were widened.

"Don't move!" One of the soldiers warned.

All of a sudden, I was pushed aside by Uruhagen who had just come out of the tent. He was wearing a delighted face...

"Uruhagen..." Bullet glared at him.

I want to yell at the marshal for waltzing right into the enemy territory. After what she had taught us during training: "Never charge at the enemy by yourself. Always remember, I got your back."
It's unbelievable... how love can drive a person... mad.

"My, Marshall B. Bullet. My beautiful girl. I want to breed you and pass on your power to my children" Uruhagen said with a maddened smile. I couldn't believe Uruhagen's words that I could only close my eyes.

"Where is Azusa?! Give him back to me!" Bullet shouted, demanding the return of her beloved.

When she was about to raise her hand that was holding her pistol, she was suddenly shot on the side by one of the soldiers, she ended up falling on her knees and dropping her pistols to the ground.

"Bullet!" I wanted to scream her name that way. I couldn't... I couldn't stand it. But I couldn't do anything either. I don't know... if I hate her... or not.

"Give... Azusa... back..." Despite being shot and bleeding, Bullet still keeps up a tough front act.

Uruhagen snaps his finger and signaled one of his men to bring over the hostage. Uruhagen walks up to Bullet and pulls her up by her hair. I bite my lower lip because I can't stand feeling sorry for her. What's wrong? Isn't she the one who killed Heidi and everyone?

"I'll give him back... but... dead." Uruhagen said with his face so close to Bullet's.

Bullet spits on his face without holding back, with this, Uruhagen let go of her hair, dropping her to the ground so suddenly.

"You little bitch" Uruhagen angrily called her out and then wiped off the spit on his face. The soldiers were about to shoot Bullet again, but Uruhagen signaled them not to. "Don't. I have better plans for this monster" he said. Uruhagen kicked her on her stomach while she was down. "I'll take you back to the city and publicly execute you... but first, I'll let all of my men to have a taste of you before we kill you. Remember this, Bullet. A woman can never be stronger than a man."Uruhagen started laughing maniacally. Bullet began bleeding down her private part and felt an immense pain in her stomach.

I don't know... this side of Uruhagen.

Suddenly, two soldiers walked in, carrying Azusa who seemed to be badly beaten up and have fresh wounds all over his body.

"Azu..sa..." Bullet barely has any strength left to speak.

"Bala..!?" Azusa seemed extremely worried of her, so much that he didn't even care about his own wounds that probably hurt. He was also so focused on her, that he didn't notice me, the traitor. I'm glad that he didn't... because that will only add up to his pain, wouldn't it?

One of the soldiers hit Azusa on the face. All because Azusa is tied up and cannot fight against them or fend for himself. While I... I just stand back and do nothing.

"Victory is finally in our hands. Let's return to our hometown and show them the heads of our greatest enemies. Marshall B. Bullet and Azusa the killing machine." Uruhagen laughed triumphantly. He was about to kick Bullet once again... but I...

Suddenly ran towards her and stopped Uruhagen, blocking him with my own body. I ended up being the one who got kicked.

"You..." I saw the way Bullet glanced at me; she seemed to be questioning me.

"Tantra. You're really a traitor. First you betray these people, now you betray us. Shame on you."Uruhagen said angrily as he glared at me.

"Enough..." I muttered.

"Capture the tigersin" Uruhagen commanded his men.

Without wasting a second, they picked me up and tied my hands and legs immediately.

"Tantra..." Azusa muttered my name.

A few days later...

Kept inside separate cages as if we were animals being illegally transported, the Etivians are taking us back to the capital city. Apparently... the reason why she began bleeding in her private part... is because she was actually pregnant. The army's doctor found out that she was supposedly having twins and was 2 months pregnant. Bullet said she wasn't aware of this... because she normally has irregular menstruation. Azusa doesn't know of this... but Bullet told the doctor that Azusa would be sad to know they lost their babies. During those days, the marshal hadn't said anything to me... only until now...

Bullet took a long, deep sigh. "I want to be reborn as a guy in my next life... maybe it's too much to ask... but maybe I'll be stronger." She suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. I looked at her the instant she did. "Azusa knew you were the tigersin." Bullet followed up.

"How...?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Azusa is very smart. He has his own ways. He probably... saw the burn I left on your back."Bullet explained.

"...Then why did you...??" I glare on the floor, questioning why she hasn't done anything to eliminate me, her enemy.

"Azusa knew you were sending messages to the Etivians through a hawk. I can easily tame animals if I wanted to... so I searched for your hawk. I changed the letters you sent them."Bullet smirked.

I was the one being played all along.

"I wonder why... I couldn't kill you. Maybe because you are a tiger, it reminds me of my beloved master." Bullet was unusually talking about herself this time, that I was became drawn into her.

"That's just foolish. You changed the letters and yet they still found out...? I'm not going to believe you" I said as I questioned her again.

"I made them believe that you got us in check."Bullet said.

"This isn't chess. Are you serious?" I asked her again.

"Las Losinas... is a country that I have finally formed alliances with. In that party... I formed the alliance. Their representative was there. They're headed for the Etiva now, while the main forces are out." Bullet revealed.

"You..?! You intentionally lured out the Etivians main forces so Las Losinas can strike freely?!" I couldn't believe it. She was not only strong, but she managed to do that despite being in a pinch.

Inside the carriage, they couldn't hear our controversial conversation. Azusa was in a different carriage... separating him from Bullet.

"Las Losinas is allied with 3 other countries. Together, they can easily take down Etiva" Bullet smirked, showing her faith on her allies. However, she probably did not expect the Etivians to close in so quick that Azusa had to go out of his way. It was a miscalculation.

VI. Bala

Later on

We finally arrived at the capital and they threw us down directly to the dungeons, keeping us locked. I was locked inside the same cell as Bullet while Azusa is again, separated from us.

"I want to see Azusa" Bullet whispered under her breath.

"You love him." I said without thinking straight.

"I do." Bullet smiled.

My eyes widened due to the surprise that she answered that so casually. A monster... loves someone?

"Why does he call you "Bala"...?" Out of curiosity again, I asked, even though I know in my heart that I probably don't even have the right to ask.

"It's my real name. Bala means "Bullet"." Bullet is unexpectedly answering all of my questions... and I find that unbelievable.

"Bala...?" I repeated the name that turns out to be her real name.

"My master gave that name to me. He said the name perfectly defines my power." Bullet closed her eyes as she leaned against the wall. She looked so badly beaten up.

End of Tantra's point of view

a flashback inside Bullet's mind

"Sensei!" A young Bullet with short hair called out to her "master" or her "teacher".

"Hmm?" Her teacher, who was a man with brown hair and golden colored eyes, looked down on her with a gentle smile. He had a handsome face and wore traditional red clothes similar to a prince's clothes.

"Why don't I have a name...? Why do other kids have names?" Young Bullet seemed discouraged.

Her teacher knelt down and faced her after holding both her hands. "Then, how about I give you one?" He asked in a sweet tone of voice.

"Really..?! Then, I want a name that defines my power!" The discouraged look on her face went away so quickly. Young Bullet smiled brightly.

"Hmm..." Her teacher stood up then closed his eyes with his arms crossed as he started thinking of a name for a while. "Then, how about "Bala"?" Her teacher asked as he looked at her in the eyes with the same gentle smile.

""Bala"?" Young Bullet raised a brow as she pouted and tilted her head out of confusion.

""Bala" means "Bullet". Your power, your flames, they fire like bullets." Her teacher raised his hand made into a fist but with his index finger up. He explained the meaning of the name to the young girl who burns with passion.

"Wow...!! Cool! Yes, I would like that name!"Young Bullet's eyes seemed to sparkle with admiration. A name that defines her power and a name that sounds cool. Other than that, she thought her master was really cool, too.

"Then, from now on... you are Bala." With a gentle smile, her teacher pats her head with his hand.

The scene in Bullet's flashback changes into a different one... but she is still with her teacher at this time.

"Sensei... why are you my "sensei" but not my "dad"?" Curiosity strikes again, Young Bullet asked her teacher.

Her teacher seemed like he was unsure of how to answer her question. "Uhh... well, I created you with my own powers, so I'm your master, your creator... but I'm not your father." Her teacher said while looking away from her.

"Then if you're not my father, who's my father...?" Young Bullet continues to ask questions that her teacher found hard to answer.

"Uh... you don't have a father. Just a creator."Her teacher tried to answer her question.

"Then if you're not my father, does that mean I can marry you?!" With a bright, innocent smile, Young Bullet, who admired her teacher so bad, asked with enthusiasm.

"B-Bala... I'm way older than you. Also, you have to know that I am madly in love with someone. I am engaged to her so she is going to be... my bride." Her teacher reasoned out, turning down his pupil's "proposal".

"Ehh... that sucks. But I want to meet your bride!" Young Bullet cheerfully said.

"Sure... one day, I'll let you meet her." Her teacher laughed softly.

"Then you two can adopt me as your baby!"Young Bullet laughed with her teacher.

The scene changes to a different one again... the last moments when her master was still here in this world.

"(Father will surely rage once he finds out that I created life. This ability... is similar to mother's.)" Her teacher seems to be in a deep thought while Young Bullet is playing around. 
"(Nevertheless... I cannot leave Bala in this world. I will be responsible of her life, for I created it.)" Her teacher's thoughts as he glances at the Young Bullet.

He stood up and walked up to her who suddenly stopped playing and looked at him.

"Sensei...?" Young Bullet looked up to him, confused.

Her teacher knelt down and held her shoulders while looking into her eyes. "Bala... I must leave this world soon. Unusual things started happening ever since I came here, too. So Bala, I'm taking you back to my own world." He said with a serious look on his face.

"It's okay, sensei! I can stay here. I have a responsibility to do... to protect the nature that you love so much... and to save the forsaken ones like you do" Young Bullet reasoned out to her teacher with a confident smile, surprising him with her answer.

"But Bala, you are too young to be left alone. I cannot leave you here by yourself." Her teacher seemed genuinely concern of Young Bullet.

Young Bullet shakes her head slowly. "You came to this world with a mission... and brought me to life. I will be the one to carry out your mission, sensei! So you can back to your world at ease."She smiled.

"Bala..." Her teacher seemed to be thinking twice about this. "Are you really sure?" Despite being young, Bullet was greatly influenced by his teachings and way of thinking. She is matured to make her own decision, so he asked her one last time.

"Yes." Young Bullet nodded without hesitating.

Surprised by her verdict, his mouth fell open a little bit. He then smiles at her again for the last time. "I promise I will return on the day that you need me most, Bala."

Flashback ends

Tantra's point of view

VII. Saints and Sinners

We could hear the guards talk about the chaos happening above the city. Apparently, they are under attack by a fraction of the Las Losinas army. They are closing in on the capital city... and the army is doing their best to keep them out of the capital otherwise it will be all over.

"They really did it..." I muttered as I overheard the panicking guards.

But then, Uruhagen came down to the dungeon and violently dragged Bullet outside. After throwing her out, Uruhagen freed me from my chains, but kept my hands bound.

"What are you going to do?" I asked him with a serious face.

"Watch." Uruhagen smiled dangerously.

We were both taken to the central plaza... and it brings back a lot of memories. However, I had no time to reminiscence about the past... when something dreadful right before us is happening.

"AZUSA!!!" Bullet cried out to her lover as they had him crucified and displayed to everyone else in town.

Whispers and gossips go around and some are even throwing garbage at Azusa, who was announced to be the city's number one enemy next to Bullet.

"Die you fiend!" "You deserve that!" "Hang him!!!"

"Bala..." Azusa doesn't have any strength left, but he still managed to glance at the direction where Bullet's voice where coming from.

Bullet attempts to run over to his side, but is stopped by Uruhagen.

"Nope... you're staying here, BALA." Uruhagen says and mockingly calls her by her real name.

"You bastard" I could feel Bullet's rage with the way her voice sounded... with how sad and angry her eyes seemed. Despite looking so desperate, why doesn't this monster cry? If you're so emotionally fucked up right now, why don't you let it out by crying your heart out?

"Uruhagen... stop this!!!" I faced Uruhagen and asked him to stop.

"Shut up. You're just a tool who turned out to be failure. How come you didn't know of Aryhmes and Las Losinas alliance being formed?! What kind of assassin you are?!" Uruhagen pushed me down as he yelled at my face while we're behind the whole crowd.

"I..." I must say... I forgot who I was during my time in the army... I forgot my assassin self, because, admittedly... I was having fun. So much that I really couldn't focus on the other important details.

While distracted, Bullet forced herself to get away from Uruhagen. She managed to get away and get closer to the stage where Azusa was.

"Stop her! She's bound and weakened. We drugged her to keep her docile, so you can stop that woman!!!" Uruhagen commanded his soldiers who immediately obeyed.

Today is Azusa's public execution.

For the "crime" of killing Uruhagen's armed men. As Bullet got closer while they prepare the rope where they will hang Azusa... Azusa looked at her with his loving smile as usual.

"Bala..." He said in a weak tone of voice.

"Azusa... Azusa...!" Bullet seemed like she was on the verge of tears, she was breaking down yet she still haven't shed a single tear.

"I love you, Bala" Azusa told her his feelings for the last time.

"Hey pull that woman away from the criminal!" "Yeah! He's not allowed to smile!!!" "You killed my son!!"

Ignoring the angry protest of the civilians, Bullet forcibly broke free from her chains and reaches her hand out to Azusa... but she couldn't reach him on time, he was pulled back by a soldier and removed her from being crucified.

"Azusa...!" Bullet cried for his name.

Despite his final moments... Azusa was still showing his smile to Bullet.

"Watch closely... how he ends up as a miserable dead man... because that's how you will end up next!" Uruhagen said to my face, but I really don't care about him right now.

I could feel the pain in Bullet's screams. How helpless she feels at this moment. I could feel it... but why did I only feel it NOW? Why am I so weak...?

"Let's meet again, Bala. My love." Azusa seems to be bidding goodbye to Bullet... and he the rope was placed around his neck this time.

"AZUSA!!!!" Weakened, powerless... Bullet could only scream his name. "I love you too, Azusa!!!"Bullet screams her lungs out... expressing her feelings.

In that moment... it's like every memory I had with Azusa replayed inside my head. I thought it was goofy... how much of a fan boy he is for Bullet. Now, I think it's so bittersweet. His love for her ends this way and I feel like blaming myself... this is my fault.

...

....

.....

....

Azusa died on that day. He was hanged but till the very end, he was smiling, his smile was meant for Bullet alone. I feel nothing... isn't this more than just revenge now? It rained later on, Bullet never cried... but it was as if the sky expressed the tears she couldn't allow to fall.

Somehow, Uruhagen's army managed to make Las Losinas to retreat because they threatened them with Bullet's own death. Las Losinas, considering making negotiations with Etiva to get Bullet back, had no choice but to fall back.

"Those fools... should just disregard me" Bullet whispered under her breath.

"Bala—" Since she told me her real name, I unconsciously called her by her real name.

"Don't call me by that name... everyone who calls me Bala... disappears from this world."Bullet said without looking at me. I guess... she means that Azusa and her teacher both calls her Bala... but now they're both gone in her life...

I also heard somewhere that... she wanted people to call her "Bullet" because "Bala" sounds somewhat feminine and she says that it doesn't suit her anymore and the only ones allowed to call her that and treat her like a princess is her master.

However, today is the day they're going to execute Bullet in public. Meaning, Etiva only bluffed about possibly letting her go. I couldn't say anything to Bullet at all... I wanted to cry, but who am I to cry when she herself hasn't shed a single tear?

Once again, we were taken above to the central plaza and once again, people are booing on her and throwing random objects at her including rocks. Uruhagen was standing next to her and personally beating her up.

"Yeah Uruha-sama!! Kill that monster!" "She killed the elite group in the past!" "She slaughtered many of our people!!!" "We will never forget the face of a criminal!" "Finally, today justice is served for my fallen son..."

I could hear the voices of all the people. I was standing at the back, watching her get beaten by Uruhagen. However, she does not show any sign of despair, but only fierceness. That made me think... she was really weird and eccentric. A normal being... cannot stay that strong.

"Still keeping up that proud and arrogant face?"Uruhagen said with a mocking smile. "You lost your boyfriend... you lost your twins... now you'll lose your life next" Uruhagen laughed hysterically.

Bullet no longer says anything... as if she was too broken to speak. Her blood being spilled on the ground floats and ignites into flames... but she was drugged that she cannot properly control her power.

"Hahahahaha!!! What a shame! If you had just surrendered to Etiva long ago, this wouldn't have had to happen to you. You and your worthless pride!" Uruhagen continues to mock her when she began stripping her off.

"Uruhagen!!!" I glared and yelled from the back, but the crowd was too noisy for Uruhagen to even care or notice.

Bullet resists and ends up getting her clothes torn by Uruhagen's beastly strength. As she resisted, he punched her by the face and she coughed out some blood that quickly ignited into flames as well. Her regenerating abilities seemed to have stopped working.

"Heh... it's true that your body can't keep up with too much wounds, it can only regenerate at least four parts of your body... but if your whole body is beaten up, you cannot heal yourself easily. Also, the drug we gave you also suppresses a human's "gift" as much as possible. So your powers are invalid to me right now, Bullet." Uruhagen pulls her up by grabbing her hair again. About to punch her in the face one more time...

...but then...

What seemed like a star came crashing down into the city... and the earth began to tremble along with the force of the explosion. Within the blink of an eye... a man with brown hair and golden eyes appeared in front of all of us, he was wearing red princely clothes and he apparently, punched general Uruhagen with so much force that he went flying across the plaza.

"Who...?" My eyes widened... as if something bright appeared in front of me.

While everyone else panicked, my eyes were glued to the mysterious person in front of me. In his arms, he held Bullet who was looking at him with widened eyes.

"I'm here now, Bala. Have no fear, the reaper is on your side." The mysterious man said. He calls her "Bala". In that moment, I realized... that man was her teacher.

"Sensei..." Bullet finally cried... the tears she's been suppressing for so long finally rained down.

For some reason, the man was walking towards my direction and I looked around me, to find no one around.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Bala." The man said as he put her down in front of me and patted her head.

"Sensei..." Bullet... seemed so broken now that I've seen her cry.

"I leave Bala in your hands for now." The man said as he looked at me. I was surprised that he chose to entrust her to me... does he know who I am? He turned around and we were both watching his back walk away from us. "I have a certain bastard to kill" he said as he began walking towards where Uruhagen crashed.

"You...!! It's you!! You're back! The death haze!!! Finally... finally!!! I CAN FINALLY KILL YOU WITH MY OWN HANDS!!!" Uruhagen said while he is on the ground, looking mad, his smile was very psychotic.

"You hurt my precious Bala... you took the life of her children... you are going to go straight to hell after this." The man emitted a blazing deadly aura almost similar to Bullet's. He seems to be greatly enraged... that the wind blew strong and the sky darkened as if a fierce storm is about to come.

"The son of nature... dies in my hands! HAHAHA!!!" Uruhagen shouted. The tremors stopped but it seems that it's still going on inside his brain... he has gone mad. Apparently, the man he referred to as "the death haze" is the man who nearly killed Uruhagen in the past and the reason why he couldn't fight for a long time. The man was protecting the "gifted" children from being captured by Uruhagen.

"You don't mess with nature's force" The man said after Uruhagen's crazy laughter.

...

....

.....

Hours later

The man once again, nearly killed Uruhagen but left him alive after he said, "I'm leaving the killing to my precious Bala. Be careful not to die, she's the only one meant to take your life." And now he's carrying Bullet in his arms while I walk behind the two of them. We are headed back to Bullet's camp, where her people are probably staying at. Suddenly, I stopped walking and the man did the same. He has great senses to know I stopped without even seeing me.

"You are Bala's friend, are you not? What's the matter?" The man asked as he looked at me. Bullet asks him to put her down and he gently does.

"Tantra." Bullet called my name.

"I can't go back with you. Please kill me right now." I told her while looking directly into her eyes.

Bullet and her teacher fell silent. Looking at them together, they look like father and daughter. However, since he doesn't seem to age... they merely look like siblings now.

"You were only used, weren't you? Manipulated... because they know you are gifted." Bullet suddenly broke the silence. Her teacher only silently listening.

"But I lied to you! I betrayed you! I tried to kill you! I am the reason why Azusa-san was captured and killed! I couldn't do anything when you were getting beaten up and you lost your babies! I... I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AT ALL!"I finally let out my emotions, all my frustrations and screamed as loud as I can.

"Hate me... for I am the person who killed your family." Bullet suddenly hugged me.

"Huh...?" I didn't understand what she meant. I couldn't understand at all.

"I am not a saint... I am a sinner. I am not a hero, but I am not exactly a villain. I am human and I am fighting for my family. Etiva has been seeking gifted children and kidnapped them. In the end, those children only died. Etiva wants to invade countries for the reason of finding gifted children to add up to their power... so they can control the world for their own greed. I realized this at a young age... it was originally my master's cause. I am only continuing his work. I have killed; I have murdered people who were my enemies. The only normal... humanly response... is to hate me. Tantra, I knew the moment I laid my eyes on you... you are gifted and I must protect you whether you are my enemy or not. My master here, taught me to be kind... but never show mercy to the enemy. When I was younger, I was truly cruel... but as I met Azusa, I changed. That is why I was able to take you in. You understand, Tantra?" Bullet left me no room for further arguments.

met Azusa, I changed. That is why I was able to take you in. You understand, Tantra?" Bullet left me no room for further arguments.

VIII. Again

Before we've reached the camp, her master faced her and hugged her.

"Bala, I'm sorry. I have to leave again... however, this time, I'll bring you with me-" He seemed to genuinely care for her but then Bullet cut him off.

"Sensei. I'm fine here. Didn't you keep Uruhagen alive so I can get my revenge? He tried to take me too when I was a kid... that's why you nearly killed him." Bullet shook her head with a smile. She seemed matured... and strong... despite breaking down earlier.

"...You have grown strong, Bala. I am proud of you." Her master smiled and patted her head."Next time... I won't be late, Bala..."

His image slowly disperses into nothing and his final words whispered in the wind... it was an unbelievable sight... truly; he was a person not from this world.

"You don't have to save me again... sensei. Please let death take me if it comes for me."Bullet whispered as if she knows her message will reach him... I still couldn't say anything after what had happened.

Later on

So then... we returned to the camp where apparently, everyone else was waiting. They knew of Azusa's death as it was written on the list of the "publicly executed criminals" in the Etivan newspaper. It listed Ouma Azusa's name and Bullet's name as well. Thinking that they had lost her, they lost hope... but immediately they lighted up when they saw their beloved marshal.

"No way..." 
"Is that...?"
"Bullet-sama?!"

Realizing it was her, they all came running to her with crying faces. They hugged her and expressed their relief. Bullet called out to me and told everyone not to blame me because it was not my fault. I still think she's wrong... I still blame myself... I still think it's my fault. I regret everything... but I also can't stop thinking of Heidi. It's really a complicated situation and it's hard to understand which side you want to take. Your guilt or your vengeance? It doesn't seem like the Aryhmes army is ready to welcome me back, I don't blame them. They haven't spoken to me ever since I returned. In fact, I won't be surprised if one of them tried to kill me all of a sudden.

They gave the marshal some time to rest and apparently, all the war came to an end when the explosion happened back in Etiva, it was apparently a meteor that crashed. Unusually, it did not cost any more destructive forces when it was expected to do that.

Some days later...

"M-Marshal?!"

Everyone was surprised.

The marshal's brownish hair was dyed into blond and her long hair was cut short with an undercut. She had piercings on her ears and had a tattoo on her shoulder where her scars are. She had a tattoo of Azusa's name.

"B-Bullet..." I couldn't believe my eyes. Did everything that happened make her lose her mind?

Or rather, did she COMPLETELY lose her mind? I always believed she was somewhat crazy, but this is extreme. Everyone looked at her with shocked faces.

"I'll be meeting with the Las Losinas army leader today. They finally received word that I am alive and safe. Tantra, come with me." Bullet, who looks completely different now, said and turned around without even waiting for my response.

She always says "come with me" without even waiting for a response. Ivy gives me a nasty look, but I decided not to pay attention to any of their hate right now. I understand why they hate me. So I followed the marshal to the city.

"The marshal is here, Charles-sama" A servant in the building informed the man inside an open room.

"Okay. Come in" We heard his voice and so we stepped in.

While the man named Charles was sipping his coffee... he suddenly spitted it out on the side after seeing Bullet.

"I thought you said that marshal Bullet is here, so who's this lesbian-looking blondie?!" Charles exclaimed, sounding really frustrated.

"How rude, Charles. It's me" Bullet raised a brow at him and spoke up.

"Oh my god. DID THE ETIVIANS DO THIS TO YOU, BULLET?!" his voice grew louder as he heard Bullet's voice, confirming that it is actually her.

I somewhat expected this to happen. Her sudden change in appearance would really make you have... a lot of questions.

"Hahaha, oh no. But I'll do something worse to them." Bullet laughed as she sat in front of Las Losinos's general, Charles.

Later on

They come to an agreement after conducting a certain plan. Apparently, the project to finally put an end to Etiva will be executed immediately, while it is in chaos because of the meteor crash. Charles referred to it as "Etiva's Karma".

Sometime later...

We went to a hot spring together with everyone to relax our bodies since we never had the luxury to do so after the clash with Dasmallans. Even so, I don't think I deserve such luxury but I am forced by Bullet to join.

Soaking my body in the hot spring, Bullet suddenly swam her way to me.

"Tantra~ I burned your back." Bullet said as she patted my back.

"What do you mean Bullet-sama?!" Ivy overheard Bullet.

As she got closer, she smelled like liquor. She's the only one drinking liquor while being drenched here in the springs. I guess she's not sober right now.

"I was the one who killed Tantra's friends" Bullet revealed the truth to Ivy who only looked at me with a questioning glare. Seems like she doesn't buy it until... "Tantra has the right to hate me. You are not human if you don't hate someone."Bullet hugged me from behind. I could feel her huge chest pressed against my back that it made me feel embarrassed.

"Bullet-sama..." Ivy seems to start believing Bullet's words and looked away.

"Y-You're being too touchy...!!" I screamed as I blushed while Bullet only laughs.

"Hey. I'm still older than you, so don't shout at me." Bullet said.

And soon... the day to take over Etiva finally came.

"This will be the final battle. Let's put an end to this bloody madness" Bullet said as she stood in front of everyone.

Now, I feel like I'm under suspecting eyes, as if I was under observation. However, it's fine. This time, I won't do anything. My eyes are open... from Uruhagen's blinding.

End of Tantra's point of view

Aryhmes together with Las Losinos and its allied forces gathered together and brought down Etiva and its main forces as well. Marshall B. Bullet faces against General Uruhagen for the last time. He seems to have lost his mind as well... but he sets his eyes on killing her. Now that she's fully recovered and strong enough, she prepares herself to battle against Uruhagen... but she's using too much of her blood that it will weaken her soon once again.

While Tantra and everyone else watches her fight as she requested everyone not to interfere... Tantra felt the presence of Bullet's master behind all of them. As if a light walked by right in front of her eyes... so she followed it.

"You are Bullet's master" Tantra said as she spoke to the "light" that took form of Bullet's master.

"You see me, Tantra. This only means you are like Bala." The man suddenly said.

"Huh...?" Tantra doesn't understand what the man meant.

"A diablo." The man revealed. "Bala is my creation... you are someone's creation. You are from my world, the world of diablos." The man explained the truth to Tantra, the answer to her existence, why she has no parents or nothing to prove her existence in this world.

"N-Never mind that...!! Please don't let her die! Uruhagen's strong, he can still beat her..." Tantra reasoned out to the man who was listening to her words calmly.

"Have faith in Bala. She is stronger than anyone else in this world. Death is her wish, so I will not interfere with my creation's decision." The man said with a straight face. He seems to mean those words.

Tantra looks back to where Bullet is... Uruhagen is the only one capable of drawing 200% of Bullet's strength. Normally, during battle, she only uses 100% of her strength that's why she doesn't get weak so easily... but Uruhagen pushes her to her limits. When Tantra looked back to the man, he was already gone so she goes back to the place where Bullet was.

An hour later

Bullet managed to kill Uruhagen and she was still strong. She raised her arms up with her hand formed into a fist. Silence remained for a few seconds... until everyone cheered loudly for her victory.

"Azusa... I finally..."

She was not everyone's "kind of hero" as she was not a perfect hero. 
She was someone who saved others in the shadows.
Beneath her "psychotic Bullet" exterior is a soft and loving woman named "Bala".

"-avenged everyone... especially you and our children." Bullet whispered as she fell down.

"Bullet!" Tantra shouted and ran towards Bullet first out of concern.

"Bullet-sama!!" "No!!!"

It was as if everything turned into slow motion... when Tantra ran towards Bullet. Despite hating her at first, Bullet learned throughout the way... that Bullet is not someone who kills for nothing. She was merely destroying her enemies. Although, killing is not really justifiable, she was someone's hero in someone's book.

"Let's meet again, Azusa." With a smile on her face, Bullet closed her eyes as she fell down.

She could have won the battle with Uruhagen without overusing her power... but she did this intentionally... to be able to "meet" Azusa again. Her heart was no longer beating when Tantra reached her.

"BULLET!!!!!!!!!" Tantra screamed and screamed, but the marshal will no longer answer them.

In the end, she brought victory to her country, Aryhmes and stopped Etiva's goal to control the world. Etiva covered up their dark goal as a "project to unite the nations". It was a big lie that many other countries fell for... but now, Las Losinos, a country with a true sense of justice will be the one in charge to unite the nations under peaceful circumstances.

IX. An ending is a new beginning

It's been a few years since then.

Tantra separated from the army since they were no longer needed for wars anyway. They were only there to ensure the safety of the citizens. She traveled... and apparently, she stopped aging too. Remembering the words of Bullet's master, she is a "diablo", someone not from this world.

During her travels... she ends up in a nameless town similar to the one she had when she was young. When she went to buy bread at a bakery, a kid ran into her.

"Sorry ma'am!" A young boy with long black hair and crimson colored eyes apologized and then kept running.

"(Azusa...?)" Tantra's eyes went wide after seeing the boy's face that greatly resembled Azusa's.

"Hey wait!" Another boy who had hair red hair and gold eyes was chasing after the boy who looked like Azusa.

"Wait for me, Bullet!!!" Behind the red haired boy was a girl with red hair and gold eyes... they looked like twins.

"(Bullet...? Twins...?)" Tantra was distracted and ignored the shopkeeper who was calling out to her attention.

"You're so slow Bala, we won't keep up with Azusa like this!" The boy called Bullet said with an annoyed face, complaining to the girl named Bala.

"Hey your bread" The lady in the bakery was calling out to her attention but Tantra followed the kids unconsciously.

"I'm sorry I have to go" Tantra said as she walked after the kids.

In her mind, she was thinking about what Bullet said before.

"I want to be reborn as a guy in my next life... maybe it's too much to ask... but maybe I'll be stronger." Bullet's words in the past.

Tantra sees the kids playing... and started smiling when she realized that Bullet's unborn twins weren't ready to come to this cruel world yet... and gave their bodies to Bullet so she can be reborn as a guy as she wished. The girl named Bala is probably a sister meant for Bullet alone... and Azusa did meet Bala again. It gave a warm feeling to Tantra's heart...

"Bala is happy now" Tantra suddenly heard the voice of Bullet's teacher behind her, as she looked, he was really there, smiling warmly at the sight of the happy kids.

"Yeah... she is." Tantra nodded in agreement and looked back to the kids who were walking away.

Without saying anything in response, the man turned around to leave... but Tantra called out to him all of a sudden.

"Wait, please!" Tantra pleaded and the man stopped to look back at her.

"What?" He asked.

"Please make me your disciple. It's the least I can do for Bullet" Tantra got on her knees and bowed her head, acknowledging that Bullet's master is actually a prince in his own world. She wishes deep in her heart to repent for what she has done, she regrets her decisions in the past... and would like to serve the master of the woman she looked up to... who was Marshall B. Bullet.

Because she had nothing to prove her identity, she created her own named. "Marshall B.(ala) Bullet.

She was not everyone's kind of hero. She was not perfect... she was in fact, madness itself. Born from the hands of the death haze's power, a powerful being came to life. She was fire. She was her own kind of hero. She was the champion... of the people who don't believe in champions.

Marshall B. Bullet, another hero behind shadows.

You know the feeling of watching a movie even though you know how it's going to end?
You would still watch it anyways.

Look forward for more Heroes Behind Shadows.

The end

©HBS brought to you by Grimoirelle (previously known as SheIsAHellishAngel)
------------------
I might be making corrections as you read, I'll remove this note once I'm done correcting everything. Thank you if you read it until the end, not everyone appreciates stories like this.

Fun Facts 
* Etiva is derived from "Cavite" a city in my country.
* "Bala" is the Filipino word for "Bullet" 
* Las Losinas is derived from "Las Pinas" a city in my country.
* Aryhmes is derived from "Maryhomes" the subdivision I first lived in.
* Dasmallan is derived from "Dasma" a city in my country.
* Luemig Nas is derived from "San Miguel" the name of the subdivision I stay at.
* This is not only Bullet's story, but also Tantra's backstory, who became an active character in my original, "Falling In Love With A God" who continued on as the servant of the man who was Bullet's teacher.
* Bullet will be featured too in a different but similar story.
* For clarifications, Bullet was reincarnated as a guy. 
* It still means that Azusa gets to meet "Bala" again but only as a different person.
* This is somewhat Yuri-ish (Yuri means GirlxGirl romance)

Follow my facebook page! Under the name of Grimoirelle †
Add my facebook account! facebook.com/godoftragedy
Twitter accounts (@ godoftragedy and @ grimoirelle )
Follow my instagram: (@ grimoirelle)
PLEASE SUPPORT ME! I would greatly appreciate it!!!
THANK YOU!!! <3