* Echos – Saints *

***

“Initializing code red. Activating title skill: Lord Machina Ex Daemon mode.

“Stage one. Start-” At that, a dark purple mist engulfed the whole area.

The monster’s instincts urged it to run as far as possible, yet its pride was strong.

It jumped backwards a couple of meters only.

But that didn’t prevent the chilly killing intent from reaching its core.

The little girl’s familiar figure appeared as the mist dissipated. The only different thing about her was the presence of a hair decorative piece that was now hanging from the right side of her head.

It looked like a bright purple small gemstone connected to a small blade of a kunai knife.

Camilla had to confess that if one would disregard the blood and scratches all over her face, she’d be quite tempting to pinch. ‘Heck, I’d eat her whole and still ask for more,’ she thought.

Opening the palm of her hand, a small black and silver kunai was formed instantly.

The monster took guard.

But the attack didn’t come.

“Eigh!!” Camilla was startled by the kunai that she was struck by.

The kunai didn’t hurt, nor it cut her, it just disappeared inside her forehead, where it had been thrown at.

Not a second after, her eyes lit with a purple circuit glow.

Blinking twice, her face assumed a dangerous expression before she started mumbling some arcane words.

The surprise on the monster’s face didn’t last long as the little girl had appeared in front of its face, even though it could still see her old self still standing near the bloody tree bark.

Even though the monster was fast to evade the back of her glowing handgun, the girl was faster to land a second punch, that sent it flying a few meters backwards, breaking its jaw in the process.

No a split second after, the handgun had fired at its eye on point blank range.

Deep blue blood sprayed everywhere, for a short period before the cursed mystic glow returned.

Retreating had proved hard for the monster as the continuous lightning fast attacks kept coming.

What made it worse is that the pattern was always different, making it hard to predict.

As the attack continued for a while, some monsters seemed afraid and ran away. Others were cheering for their king with their strange cries. A third part of them was making sounds as their whole body shook, almost as if laughing, making fun of their king.

During that time, Camilla had been chanting nonstop, with power sparkling around her hands.

PUUUCKKK!!

Three punches out of four landed at the same time, cracking its skull and forcing it to pick up flight in order to avoid more.

When the last attack was done by TWO girls, and even though it had evaded one, THREE STILL HIT! It only made it more confused as it meant that both were real.

Flash! BOOOMMMM!!!

The moment the monster was far enough from the girls, a huge black orb hit him from above.

“SCORE!” Camilla posed and shouted as her smile had already filled her face.

————–

When the kunai had hit her, her mind was filled with a strange feeling, and then all of a sudden she could hear the girl’s monotonic voice in her head:

“Lord Machina Ex Daemon is reaching critical energy levels.

“Possible ally is not to engage target directly as help can’t be provided.

“Possible ally is required to prepare a strong attack.

“Monster target estimated rank: A

“Monster target will present itself for a clear shot in 5 minutes time.”

‘Finally!’ Camilla had thought, ‘It’s my time to shine!’

——————–

Seeing the magnitude of the explosion, the monsters ran for their life.

Except these that were loyal, they went to check up on their king.

“Hah! Take that you f*cking p*ssy!” Camilla was still in her victory pose when the little girl appeared next to her, with her glowing bright purple hairpin-like thing.

She didn’t mutter a single word which made Camilla worry something bad might’ve happened. ‘Well, duh! Her bleeding hasn’t even stopped yet!’ She thought as she bit her lower lip in concern.

The girl only put the gun at Camilla’s feet before approaching the unconscious girls.

Without much of a reaction, she held each in one bloody hand. Turning her gaze towards Camilla that was holding the gun now, she nodded as she started walking.

Following tightly, Camilla felt the heavy tension and kept silent.

After a while of walking, they reached what looked like a hybrid between a hole in the ground and a cave.

As they entered, Camilla summoned her orbs to light the place.

After what seemed like a minute or two, the reassuring voice if the little girl could be heard again, “Possible ally promoted to ally.

“Ally is to watch over friendly targets.” She said after gently lowering the girls to the cold floor.

“Uhm” nodded Camilla, happy, warm, and reassured with what the girl had just said, and the fact that she’s said anything at all.

The little girl extended her open palms forward as her eyes and hairpin lit up with bright purple hue.

Surging forward from her palms, was the same black and silver goo she’s so familiar with.

Camilla didn’t even seem surprised this time, even when she saw the the gooey substance reshape itself forming a new identical little girl.

The new girl rushed forward as her figure blurred, disappearing into the deep darkness of the cave.

Creeeeeeckk!!

CRAAAAWWWWWKK!!

Not too long after, an unnatural cry of pain could be heard. Momentarily after, about four other cries could be heard.

“Was there something inside?” Camilla asked with a gulp as she imagined whatever horrors were inside to give them a visit when they’re asleep.

After about a minute or two of screams, the cave was deadly silent.

As the purple glow disappeared from the girl, she nodded.

Camilla understanding that the danger had passed, or rather, was taken care of, hugged the girls bloody body.

“Now please tell me! How can I help you? Are you alright?” she asked, unintentionally shaking the girls small frame.

“Negative.

“Ally is to refrain from violent actions as it may result in-”

“Oh sorry sorry! Hands for myself! I deeply apologize, I didn’t mean to shake you like that” Camilla cut her off as she hugged herself to emphasize her point.

At that, the little girl ignored her and approached the unconscious girls.

Sitting besides them, she looked at her shaking hands, as if afraid they might run away. Yet her gaze remained cold.

Moving her hands in a spiral motion, the familiar substance came rushing.

After some hand movements and hushed muttering sounds here and there that Camilla couldn’t hear, two small robotic orbs were created.

“Alg06 of the Guardian Drone series. Als04 of the Scout Drone series. completed.”

At that, the two orbs released two sets of insect like wings. One of them, namely Als04 left the group and went exploring. While, Alg06 started rotating around the group.

*Sigh*

Only after waiting for a few quiet minutes, has the little girl sighed tiredly.

A gesture that made Camilla’s jaw almost hit the ground, as it was the first human thing the girl has done.

She could see her body shaking, but she’s never expected her to actually sigh, or even feel tired for that matter.

“Current external situation: clear.

“Current internal situation: Critical.

“Friendly targets’ status: Healthy.

“Energy reserves: 0.3%

“Setting automated reset in 30 seconds. Start.”

After that she looked at Camilla, and her slack jaw.

“Unit Kayla is to shut down soon.

“Auto healing is in order.

“Ally is to take care of friendly targets.

“Spacial transfer not ready at the moment.

“Consult Als04 drone as-” Before she could even finish her sentence, her eyes glitched before assuming a bright golden hue. Her sclera went back to white before she close her eyes completely.

“She’s knocked out cold.” muttered Camilla after catching her midair, preventing her body from hitting the floor.

“She looks… peaceful…” She added before resting her cold body on the matching floor.

Applying some first aid to her wounded body, she couldn’t help but tear up a little. “Eh? A tear??” She was surprised she’s had any tears left. After all, she’d thought she’s emptied her reserves in that fateful day…

After doing some maintenance, like covering Maria’s bare chest with her own jacket, she layed down on the floor of the foreign cave, and closed her eyes.