We get up from the table and head to the training room. We both are seeming to be naturally curious by the idea of us being work partners. I may be only twenty one, but I can do this. It can't be much different from wrestling in school, right? I wonder.


"So, what weapons can you use?" She asks.


"I don't know." I admit.


"Any magic?"


"No idea."


"What's your frequency?"


"No idea." I reply.


"You really are new to this all around aren't you?" She asks.


"Yeah I am, actually." I admit.


We both turn the corner of the corridor as we continue venturing. I can't help but notice I am very uninformed for someone who's supposed to kill demons. She seems so well versed. I didn't grow up here. Why did she?


"So, when we get into the training room, I want you to treat our training like it is life or death. Got it?" Sylvie demands.


"No such thing as easing into it here huh?" I ask.


"Nope. Death needs us ready as soon as possible. We can't waste time." She says.


"Fine." I groan. She giggles.


"How old are you anyways?" Sylvie asks.


"Twenty One."


"Ah. Cool."


We come around the corner to a huge red colored wooden door. I feel the sweat begin to form beads on my forehead. I don't want to start head first. I don't know anything yet.


"You feeling okay?" Sylvie asks.


"Nervous." I admit.


"Me too."


"What? Why are you nervous?" I ask.


"If we are compatible, we work together in the live field. Our lives depend on one another." She explains. "Even if we dont, we both could die from even trying." She adds as the door swings open to see Death looming over us.


"We were just on our way in." I say.


"That we were." Sylvie turns to face Death.


"No games kids, we will see if you can have compatibility. If you do, I have a special program in mind for you two." Death hisses.


Death may sound scary, but I don't believe it's because they want to be heard that way. Perhaps it just comes with the title. I mean, one being called Death for eons? It seems a tad over done. Even if immortality is possible.


We look to one another. It feels like we are going to face our worst nightmares from here out anyways. I wonder for a moment what the test is.


"The compatability test will be you two facing an animagus. a human that had decided to be accepting of the ability to transform into an animal. Typically a large canine or large feline." Death explains.


"Alright. so we just have to fight against them? Until when?" Sylvie asks aloud.


"Until I see you sharing a wavelength." Death states. the tone to his voice is much heavier than normal.


"Right." Sylvie sighs. I nod.


Death goes towards a wall. when he moves across the wall a weapons rack appears. he means right now. I panic a little inside. I don't know anything about weapons!


"Pick your weapon." Death says flatly.


Sylvie waltzes up to the weapon rack and takes a short sword. I walk with hesitation filling my mind. I know I have to try. one mistake may kill me. I don't know if Death would stop us from dying. It is a job risk to begin with.


"What you thinking, Steve?" Sylvie asks as I approach.


"I don't know yet." I admit.


As I look over the options there are a lot of variable styles and sizes for me to pick from. It seems nothing from the last five or six centuries is on this rack. I feel like it's outdated. I sigh.


"Death, I must ask, What if a weapon doesn't speak to me?" I ask.


"Listen to your gut."


I stare are the collection. I see a silver toned longsword. there is a phoenix pattern that is cleverly etched upon its hilt. I sigh. I like the bird but it doesn't seem right to me. I see a couple of scythe like weapons. I shake my head. definitely not me. I see this set of throwing knives that has diamond edges and is made from a light metal. I grab ahold of the set smiling.


"So knives it is?" Death asks.


"Yeah." I hold one in each hand, the last I slip into its holster on the rack. I put the holster on my belt loop.


"Okay, that's a different way of handling throwing knives." Sylvie says.


"Alright then. I will let him introduce himself before I place the barrier up and you three can begin." Death explains.


As Death finishes explaining the situation a shadowy figure emerges from the shadow. I have a feeling this animagus is not just a human who can change into an animal. There has to be a catch somewhere. At least that's what I assume.


I see Sylvie approach the figure. A few moments slip as they shake hands and I can see a tan man who has a very full beard of sheer black. His head on top is bald. His eyes shine silver. I can't help but note he seems rather scrawny for a man his height. He is about five foot seven and seems to be maybe eighty pounds. Perhaps this is misleading, but I can't help but feel sorry for the man we must face against. I approach then and place my right hands knife into the holster for now. I offer my hand to him.


"I'm Steve. Best of luck." I say.


"Try not to die." The man speaks in a harsh and angry tone.


"No doubt." I say.


"I'm Adam, the witch hunter." He says.


"A witch hunter?" I ponder on the title.


"The Witch hunters are humans or beings that will do anything to kill another being with magic abilities." Sylvie explains.


"I see." I sigh.


I back up and so does Sylvie. We know our enemy has got to have some level of skills of some kind. I haven't any idea but I know one of us can use magic. it's probably our best cause for a distraction.


Death raises his hands and claps them together. As they spread the hands apart a dome begins to form around the three of us. I understand now. we only have so much space. I try to figure out the rough distance around the domes edge and find myself shaking my head. This is not going to be fun.


"What happens if we hit the dome?" I ask Sylvie.


"You will get shocked." She replies in an instant.


okay, so maybe there is more than one catch. I fight something more experienced. in a small area. no where to run. One other who can potentially keep me alive. Though I don't think I will be of any use.


"Let's get started." Adam says to us.


He follows his sentence with a sprint towards me. I draw the second knife into my right hand and line it with my arms. Adam doesn't seem to have any weapons at all. Sylvie slides infront of me and slashes towards Adam. He flings himself back and finds his balance more quick than Sylvie expected. I see Adam go for a tackle to Sylvie. I run towards her and slide onto my hip and trip her to dodge his attack.


THUD!


THUD!


I hear Sylvie fall along with a second impact. Suddenly a loud buzzing is heard. The smell of smoke hits the air within the dome. I look to where Adam had dove to. It seems he made contact with the barrier. He staggers as he finds his way to his feet. Sylvie stands beside me even if she is unhappy with how I handled the situation. She raises her blade to the level of her eyes as Adam sprints for us again. This time I go to slash with a knife. He suddenly shifts into the shape of a crow and goes beneath my blade.


Before I have time to react he changes back into his human form. I feel his foot hit my back. Sylvie tries to swing for him. He leaps up and laughs in the air as he lines his foot up to her body. She brings her blade sideways to just launch him away. He is agile, he doesn't seem shocked, he just flips as he goes back and lands onto his feet.


"How can we beat this guy?!" I ask.


"Well, we need to know which of us uses magic." Sylvie says.


"How do we figure that out?" I ask.


"Are you two done chatting?" Adam interrupts.


He doesn't want us talking. So maybe I need to buy us some time. How can we do that?Adam lunges for us and we jump to opposite sides of him.


"We each try something until one of us does it." She says.


What is that even supposed to mean? Try something? Maybe if she were clear as to what that something might be.