Chapter 3

The soldiers had been so vividly trained, beaten, bruised, and worn out. However, the harsh training that Marie, Emily, and Victoria had doled out had strengthened those that had survived their training.

"I'm impressed they've lasted so long," Emily said, she had currently been a part of witnessing an arm wrestle with one of the strongest men, and Marie. The man struggled as Marie stared at him blankly.

"He's gonna win, no doubt!!" one soldier cheered.

"No way! The Major is going to win she's stronger!" one retorted. The Major, one of the most popular names that Marie was given.

The other soldiers were divided amongst themselves, some for the man, others for Marie. The larger man began to form a sweat as Marie sat her face calm and blank.

"I think we should end this right?" She said calmly, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

She slammed the man's hand onto the metal table. The man sat there. His face was full of shock and awe. Marie stood, she extended her hand, the other contenders in this little contest had all been given the same regard. A handshake, but none were defeated after she spoke. If she spoke at all. Emily leaned against one of the walls, the large common area was filled with soldiers of various ranks, few officers had also decided to partake in this 'friendly' competition as some soldiers called it before they took on Marie or the man she had previously bested.

Emily had watched her sister after each match, she never boasted. Never spoke little of her competitor. She stood until she received her handshake. The man stood, a large bulky man he was twice Marie's height. She didn't fear him however but merely gave him a gentle remark,

"I had a good match, I hope you beat me next time" The man stiffened but he smirked, then laughed taking her hand,

"I look forward to it, Major," The man said. She nodded shaking hands the two shared a friendly drink. Richard hadn't seen the match but was given the details later that during the matches some wagers were place and quite a large amount was given to Marie. She hadn't betted yet was given the money out of sheer honor and respect.

"I hear you've gotten popular" Richard said one evening. She took dinner in her small tent. The cot in the corner and the neat pile of books she'd filled with notes on her troop's abilities and her extent on those she attempted to test.

"I just act as I do, if they like me it's their choice," Marie said. The two were in private and were by some merciful being were going to have a private conversation that would remain so.

"That being said, your popularity has begun to pick up a name or two. One being Violet, for your eyes, the other, calling you..." Richard stopped as if he'd was trying to remember the name.

"Wrath," Marie said. Her eyes downcast in the flickering candlelight.

"Yes, Wrath, the sin that cast so many humans into hell. What a treat indeed," Richard said, his eyes molten steel, Marie looked at him as she took a bite out of what she could assume of beef by the texture.

"I don't waste time on those nicknames. Rumors and names have come and gone, and so they will till I die" Marie said calmly taking a second bite at the beef. Richard shrugged eating his own beef dinner.

The two found solace in the other, Richard enjoyed her calm demeanor and Marie was entertained by his calm attitude about her power and interest in others.

Eating in silence for a while the two finally left the tent and noticed something, darkness had already come as the night was young but prominent in the fall months. A silhouette in the darkness, past the camp but moving closer.

Someone was coming to the encampment.