"I got lost, okay. Not my fault."

 By Yvonne Mnzno

Days have passed since the previous night shift guard left along with the other few. This was his 3rd night assigned as a gate guard. The digital clock beside his lampstand blinked nine thirty. He was inside the guard house, constantly checking dozens of surveillance monitors positioned at the wall while comfortably sitting on his swivel chair.

As a well-trained guard, he went through all his duties – securing HADES’ perimeter especially the front gate where he was assigned. Earlier he saw some new students getting lost, others chasing and running around in the school grounds but other than that, no apparent threat was seen within and outside the facility’s boundary.

The guard started to whistle unmindful of the tune as he was attending to monitor 011. He was about to take a look at another screen when his whistling died. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a still ghost-like figure outside his stationed gate that sent cold shivers down his spine. The guard was up in an instant that left his chair spinning wildly. He studied the gate’s two monitor and zoomed in the camera to focus the unknown form. What he saw made him radio two other guards who went with him towards the front gate, rifles swung and ready at their shoulders.

The guards flooded the human figure with LED gate lights who in turn squinted, overwhelmed by such luminance. The figure they met was that of a tall girl, Japanese they thought, probably 5’7, unusually pale and dressed in an unidentified black school uniform.

The girl, not used with too much light, lifted her left arm to shield her eyes. The guards were alerted by her movement and aimed their rifles at her, disturbed but awed by the imposing weapon she carried in her left hand.

“You there! Drop your sword to the ground. Now!” Yelled one cocky guard who was closest to the gate.

"Huh?..Oh! new guards. Great!" She thought with unbelief. In the outside world, instances like this always happen and damn, she hated it. It's always because of her Masume and somehow, her appearance too, she admitted. "Is this HADES or what?! Oh you just wait 'til you meet the others." How she wanted to scream this at their faces. She didn't take the time to encase Masume because of her confidence in the facility. Although irritated, she stayed calm and just stared at their Steyr rifles and said in a lilting Italian accent, “No, Signore. I won’t if you won’t lower your rifles first.” With this, she lowered her hand which was misunderstood as hostility by one guard and he fired headlong.

“Gudo! F*ck! Hold your fire!!” Yelled furiously by the gate guard. He was about to reprimand the fool when he saw it, dumbfounded. He finally turned towards the girl who, at their horror, remained unharmed. The sword’s scabbard where the bullets have landed was not even dented when she used it as a shield. The bullets lay scattered at her feet, useless. Next thing they knew, swishing sounds from blades flew past their ears. Their rifle’s muzzle was sliced off.

It wasn’t seconds later that Gudo began shouting cries of pain and clutching where his left ear had been. Blood was oozing from it and he was on the ground writhing and blinded by pain.

“Enough!”

Everyone, including the girl, faced towards the source of the voice. The authority and power was undeniable with that single word although spoken in a normal tone. It rang throughout the stillness of the night. A cold breeze passed and the leaves rustled. Then came out of the shadows a man the guards knew so well, toying in his right hand a silver blade he caught.

“Mm..Mr. Shade!” Exclaimed one shattered guard. The guards for once were grateful to see one faculty staff. “Tha..that girl, she’s crazy! She attacked us! She cut off Gudo’s ear!” He added, eyes wide with shock and shouting in frenzy. He was unable to put his thoughts together and all the while pointing at the girl who just appeared bland with a "Hell, i-didn't-do-it" look. Hearing this, the Instructor just eyed him with unexpected shame and distaste that any further protest was silenced.

“Buonasera, Signore.” Said the girl who bowed long and deep. The guards were confused by her sudden show of respect. “Mi dispiace. I lost my way and my gate pass. I am tired and I just wanted to pass through.” She continued, still bowed low.

“I know, Ami. I witnessed everything." Said the Instructor. The girl was glad and relieved at the mention of her name by the person who introduced HADES to her. "Hmm..it would be most delightful seeing these fools getting themselves killed but lets just stop the bloodlust, well at least for now.” Added the teacher and adjusted his glasses. He softened his gaze towards the young girl, somehow looking amused by the whole thing.

It was already late before the guards realized their mistake – the girl was a student, a junior. Again, the Instructor glared intently at the cretins who understood right away and nervously opened the gate, stumbling in the process. The girl, composed but exhausted, entered, not throwing a glance to the guards even to the dead still but alive Gudo.

“I’ll see to it that Headmaster Wood hears this incompetence right away. And you,” Shade continued, looking at the sensible gate guard, "You can resume to your post now while these two will be taken to the clinic. Im sure the Doctor would love to have them." The Instructor told them with absolute certainty and malice in his voice before leading the girl to the dormitory.  This and everthing that had happened shook the guards that they all fell to the ground in defeat.