Chapter 11: The knight in armor
In the blink of an eye, Sane lunged, his sword slicing through the air toward my throat with lethal intent. I tensed, muscles coiling to dodge, but before I could move, Yukio—whose bunk flanked mine—leaped up, his own blade flashing out to meet Sane’s in a resounding clash. What unfolded was a storm of steel, a lightning-fast exchange of swordplay that shattered the stillness of the barracks.
Their movements were a blur, too swift for human eyes, each strike a whisper of death. The darkness of the room seemed to throb with their fury, the only illumination the fleeting glints of their swords—like bolts of lightning splitting a midnight sky. I tracked their movements, fast though slow to my enhanced senses, but a chill crept up my spine. Their inhuman speed and precision were terrifying. What kind of power would the serum unleash in them? The question hung in my mind, heavy and cold.
The clamor of metal roused the squadron. They all stumbled from their bunks, some rubbing sleep from their eyes, others frozen in awe or dread. Captain Agatha burst from her private quarters, still in her loose sleeping clothes—a rare glimpse of the beauty—her bare feet slapping against the cold floor as she flicked on the lights. The harsh fluorescence flooded the room, casting stark shadows and revealing Yukio and Sane locked in mortal combat, their faces etched with focus and rage.
With a voice like tempered steel, she barked a command that cut through the chaos. The two of them froze, swords hovering inches from each other’s throats, their breaths ragged in the sudden silence. It was crazy! I was confused, wondering why Sane wanted to kill me.
The captain ordered us outside, her expression a mask as she retreated to don her uniform and report the incident to the General.
Attacking a comrade with intent to kill was a clear violation, grounds for expulsion. Yet, to our collective shock, the General instructed her to overlook Sane’s actions during training. The absurdity of it struck like a blow. Who was Sane, really? His enigma deepened, fueling my curiosity—and a growing wariness.
Captain Agatha, however, refused to let disorder fester. She gathered us in the dim predawn light, her voice firm. “Despite what the General says Know this; In this squadron, we protect each other. If I catch anyone fighting outside training, I’ll wield every shred of my authority to ensure you regret it.”
Her words were a shield, but the tension lingered, thick as the morning mist. With that, the day began. And then,
The next night, Sane struck again, his blade seeking me in the dark night. Once more, Yukio intercepted, their swords clashing in a now-familiar dance of survival. Night after night, the barracks became a battleground. We slept with one eye open, the air heavy with unease. Sane’s fixation on me was relentless, his attacks unpredictable bursts in the dark. Yukio’s defense was steadfast, but I knew my own speed could end it—if only I chose to fight. Yet i didn't have a choice but to conceal my power from the group as the captain instructed.