Why must you be so weak? the venom in Strytha’s voice was unmistakable as Kadyrelite watched the receding form of her cousin. It was quite clear that the youma had wanted her to drain her cousin, possibly even take her starseed. It was also plain that the little monster was not at all happy. Which meant that depending on whether or not she could placate it, she’d be on the receiving end of one of those terrible bites.

Rather than answer right away, she crept from the concealing shadows and turned to head in the opposite direction from Melian. She didn’t need her cousin to see or hear her right now. Only when she was a comfortable distance away did she pause and send her own wave of silent anger slamming into the youma.

“Now listen, you rotten little ********,” she hissed softly. “I’ve done a lot to please you. I’ve been doing my best to improve and make you and the General proud. But I will not murder random family members just because you think it’ll help toughen me up! Got it? And before you go threatening me with your poison, you can just cool down and back the hell off.”

The utter shock following her outburst made her tense. Then, it was her turn for a shock as Strytha began to laugh and laugh. It wasn’t emitting pleasure at her stroke of rebellion, but it wasn’t radiating that cold rage either. Very confusing.

“And what’s so funny, you awful little beast?” she asked, her own anger deflating in the face of the youma’s rasping laughter.

Very well, child. Strytha was wrong to try and force you to harm one you call kin. You have spirit as well as resolve, little Kadyrelite. Strytha will let your insolence pass for now.

Say what? Her confusion must have been overwhelming whatever other emotions were stewing about inside because the youma laughed again and she could feel it relaxing out of the painfully tense knot it had been in.

Child, every good officer will question orders. The trick is to know how and when. It is good to see you are brave enough to stand up to Strytha. Perhaps you need less, ahh, toughening up that Strytha thought. At the same time, you must learn to do things you may find distasteful for the sake of the Dark Kingdom. Do you understand? Take the child senshi as an example. They are too young to bring into service under Metallia and it is hardly worthwhile to try to cultivate them when they are poisoned against us almost from the beginning. There may come a time when you must kill one. Could you?

Feeling her skin grow cold as the blood rushed away at the thought of killing a kid, Kadyrelite could only make a tiny moaning noise. She felt the emotional equivalent of a shrug from the youma and flinched slightly, expecting the worst.

Strytha thought so. So, you see you do need toughening up. But Strytha will ease you into this lesson, yes? Perhaps a long talk first before we try to rush you to action. Power down, child and go home. Strytha has much to discuss with you.

Mouth dry, Kadyrelite obeyed readily enough, powering down and turning in the direction of her apartment. Given the youma’s tone, she expected that this was going to be a long night. It might well behoove her to stop at the market on the way and stock up on food and stuff to drink.

Yes. Refreshment is always a good idea. But none of those terrible little burrito things. They make your stomach creak and rumble all night and it disturbs me.

“Yes, Strytha,” Alodie murmured softly as she quickened her steps. This was going to be a long night.