Chapter 6: (Sekara)

  Sekara was perched far above them on a mountaintop. The three humans didn’t notice her, but she'd been unable to hear them, only watch.

  "Right," she said to herself. "Shogai's been banished, and that girl is going with him. She's probably helping him find a new home. Lucky him, he won't have to worry about any of that. I'll track him for a couple of days, and then he'll hopefully be able to give me a thrilling fight. This is going to be so fun."

  She then remembered that she needed to ask permission first before going on a new quest, especially one that would take days. She sighed in exasperation and jumped off the mountain, digging blades into the mountain to slow her fall.

  At the base of the mountain was a cave. Humans would enter it occasionally, but never ventured where the sun couldn't reach them. After all, that's where Aberrants lived.

  Sekara entered the cave to see a couple of miners. They froze upon noticing her. A mix between bewilderment at her form and recognising her as a threat.

  "Poor things, never seen a Deviant before?"

  In a slash, they were dead. They didn't even have time to scream.

  Sekara grabbed one of their arms and bit down on it as she headed deeper into the cave. She was slightly self-conscious about eating humans. Aberrants did it all the time, but Deviants were meant to be above it. After all, they understood they didn't need to eat to survive. The energy of the island was plenty.

  But Sekara was born as a Deviant from Aberrant parents. Not unheard of, but certainly rare. A Deviant raised as an Aberrant. The other Primes definitely judged her for picking up Aberrant habits.

  After a few minutes of walking, Sekara made it to a big chamber. Like an underground world, it was filled with Aberrants. They simply wandered around aimlessly. The poor things - if only they had the brains to appreciate their world. Their dominance.

  Most of them ignored her. If they knew who she was, they'd never dare approach. But it was all alright in Sekara's eyes. It wasn't their fault.

  A couple of Aberrants vaguely looked in her direction, or at least registered her presence, but not much more. Sekara smiled at them and handed them the remainder of her meal.

  "Thanks for remembering me, mother and father. I wish we could speak."

  There was no sadness in Sekara's voice. This was just the way things were. She was just happy she could think.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Sekara headed to a large set of doors. They were far too heavy for any human to budge, but she pushed them open with ease. That was a Deviant's strength.

  Past the doors was a chamber. It was large and had nothing in it but an ominous rectangular stone table with nine seats - four on each longer side, and opposite the entrance was a throne. Each chair besides the throne was numbered 1 to 8, in order.

  Seats 2, 3, and 8 were occupied.

  Sekara took a seat at the chair labelled "7" and the other three Deviants watched her.

  The Deviant in seat 2 was a large figure, easily over eight feet tall, with black horns formed in the shape of a crown, and spikes protruding from his shoulders.

  The Deviant in seat 3 was smaller and female. She emitted pink energy, and her horns were lopsided. She had her feet up on the table.

  The Deviant in seat 8, however, was far less intimidating. He had a light brown aura and no shoulder spikes. His horns were small. Sekara wasn't afraid of any of them, but he was the only one who wasn't a threat to her.

  "Horoguramu," she began, addressing the Deviant in seat 2. "I'm requesting permission to take a few days for a personal hunt. It won't interfere with my duties."

  She stood, ready to leave quickly, but Horoguramu spoke up.

  "Wait."

  His voice was booming, and the chamber made it echo a dozen times. Sekara sighed and turned to him.

  "Yes, sir?"

  "Have you completed your last assignment? Have you wiped out that northern village?"

  Sekara hesitated. "Not yet, but-"

  "Then you will be granted no leisure time until that task is complete. You know how this works, Sekara. Do you want to keep ignoring orders? Do you want me to give your seat to Jinaida?"

  Jinaida - the Deviant in seat 8 shot his head up hopefully, but seat 3 laughed. It was pure, happy laughter, but there was a dangerous and sinister tone behind it.

  "Don't get excited, Jinaida. Unless you beat Sekara, she won't get demoted. You know this."

  Jinaida frowned in disappointment, and Horoguramu crossed his arms.

  "Yes, yes, thank you for that, Nika. Now then, Sekara. Complete your mission. Now."

  Sekara didn't move.

  "Actually, Horoguramu..."

  Horoguramu raised an eyebrow.

  "...the human I'm hunting is the only real threat in that village. By denying me permission to hunt him, you're the one jeopardising my mission."

  "Ooooooh, it's a 'he'?" Nika said enthusiastically, leaning forward. "Never expected you to be chasing after boys. What does he look like?"

  Horoguramu sighed. "Right, right, that's enough. Fine, Sekara. Just go."

  Nika winked at Sekara, who gave her a subtle thumbs-up. Sekara mockingly bowed and left.

  On her way out, she heard Jinaida talking down on her behind her back.

  "...hasn't even wiped the blood from her last kill. She's not a real Deviant. She's immature. She should just stick with her stupid Aberrant parents."

  Sekara didn't even glance back as she threw a sword at Jinaida. The squelch of blood confirmed she'd hit her mark. She smiled as she heard Jinaida sigh and begin healing his now-open torso.