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Taffy left Master's office area and started to walk around the compound some more. She didn't really have a good idea what was going on, or for that matter, what was expected of her. Her blood (or real family) has made their mark everywhere, from high quality clothing to high quality metal workings. However, the kindness of the people , the beautiful buildings, expertly made crafts, and the fact that everyone loved their jobs seemed to make everything better. For a little while. The warmth of the sun mixed with the cooler air felt wonderful, and the gentle breeze was enough to push the air through her fur. It was bliss, until her stomach had an opinion on all of this.

"Ugh... I guess I did eat too fast again. Ugh... I need to lie down or something." She gripped her stomach and made her way back to her house. Luckily, she was close by. Taffy ran inside and sat on the bed as her stomach tried to yell at her. The rumbling was so loud that Taffy was afraid it could be heard outside, "Tasty food should not come in large quantities." She didn't need to go on a diet, but she was making a deal with herself to never eat again.

After about an hour, her stomach settled and she decided to read up on her mother's diary. For the most part, it was the same as she read yesterday, but new information was popping out. Instead of just a lack of fear, there was also a more psychological side to the Lilith. Your mind had to be trained, to abandon all doubts and confusion. Accept the inevitable and let Fate dictate your life. Taffy had difficulty understanding these messages, as everyone in this compound, hooded or not, was carefree and had almost nothing in common with each other. Taffy set the diary on the bed and leaned against a wall. To her surprise, it appeared that a page was coming loose from the back of the diary. She leaned over and removed the page, which was a different color and a different material.

As Taffy read, she noticed the tan parchment was very old, and the words were like those in her great grandmothers' box. It said more about the Lilith, before the church and when there was only one group. It had explained how the teachings were not about order, nor were they about chaos. They were simply to help the individual understand life, and their place in it. Death was just another part of life, and those who want to truly live must experience it. How fear is nothing more than doubt in oneself, and only be overcoming that can one truly become whole. While it is a natural emotion, it must be harnessed. The rest of the page was very poorly written and nigh impossible to read. However, at the end was a clear message, written slowly and carefully: "When it is your time to die, you will. Never before, and never after."

Taffy was more confused by the dark message, but there wasn't anything she could do about it now, "Why does everything have to be like a riddle? Guess it doesn't matter. Wait! I can ask Master about it tomorrow!" She put her hands close to her face and tried to conceal her joy, but only succeeded in making a high-pitched squeal and shaking violently. Taffy went over to her bag, which was still mostly unpacked, and pulled out the old clothing. She was going to wear this tomorrow, so she decided to get used to it.

Taffy changed into the tan and brown outfit, and found that even though it was very tight, it gave her perfect freedom to move around. There were two breast pockets on the shirt, but no pockets on the pants, which was odd, "Hm... where do they carry things?" She then picked up the gun belt and it fit firmly across her waistline, "Okay, this isn't quite as hard as I imagined it would be. There are... these four big holes... oh, I put the revolvy-thingys in here. So, the gun comes apart?" Taffy had never handled any firearms before, so she had no idea what they could do besides shooting. Taffy took the two revolvers off of the stand and put them in their proper positions. She then removed one and started to examine it closely in an attempt to see how they could be reloaded. She looked and looked, but couldn't even find anything that didn't look solid. Suddenly, in front of the ammo, there was a small button that blended into the design. She pushed it, and suddenly the "revolvy-thingy" fell out to the side, held in by a narrow pin. From this, the gun could easily be reloaded. Taffy snapped in back in place, then put the revolver back in the holster.

The winchester was easy, as it had a strap that allowed Taffy to sling it over her shoulder. After she put that on, she felt oddly complete. The hood was going to stay where it was so no one would get angry at her, then she did some simple stretching to get used to the feel. After a while, she put on her normal clothing and could here some strange music in the distance. It had a folk sound to it, with a sound like a bag pipe, a guitar, a bass, piano, drums, violin, and some other classical instruments. Luckily, Taffy could pick out an instrument from a mile away.

She opened her door and looked out. In the distance, there was a glow visible even against the fading sun. Taffy needed to know what it was, her feline curiosity picking up again. She walked quickly, even jogging at some points to get to the shopping center where she first entered the compound. There was a band made up of the residents, and almost everyone was in attendance. It was crowded, but people still found room to dance. Young and old, hooded and non-hooded, everyone was dancing with everyone. It was upbeat, and everyone was smiling. Taffy saw something that she didn't ever expect to see in the center of the crowd.

Master, in his black garb, was dancing around, smiling. He was dancing with a young child at first, and he ended that by spinning her gently. An elderly woman then took her place, and he danced slower, but still smiled. Taffy worked her way through the crowd to get to the people who were just enjoying the music, and an overwhelming sense of joy washed over her. Taffy slowed her walk, and felt light-headed. The music just reached out and grabbed her, and any plans she had for the night were no longer valid. Her body was flowing with the music, and suddenly a hand grabbed hers.

Master began to dance with her, and he couldn't be more pleasant. For some reason, there was a young girl on his shoulders just enjoying life. It was a fast slow dance, which normally wouldn't make sense to Taffy but in this state of mind she could be convinced that she was a rock. Master was so happy, and in a brief moment of clarity, Taffy asked, "Why is everybody dancing?"

He laughed (which was odd) and simply said, "It's harvest time!" He kept dancing with Taffy, but after a while, everything went blank.

She woke up in her bed, her body screaming at her brain for waking her up. It wasn't that she was sore, but she did realize what had happened to her last night. Everything that had happened in that one day was incredibly stressful, and it caught up with her without any warning. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Taffy rolled out of bed, hit the floor with a loud thump, then had to crawl over to the door. She opened it, and a hooded man stood there, "Master wishes that you meet him. I am to escort you. Please prepare in a timely manner." The man left, and Taffy forced herself to her feet.

"Ugh..." Like the night before, she put on her gear and stumbled out of her house. The man walked quickly, which made Taffy feel worse as she had to keep up. Eventually, the man signaled for her to continue on without him and he left. Taffy kept walking and eventually reached to border wall. Master was leaning against it, "I'm not going to have to climb this, am I?"

"Not today," he was back to his usual cold self, "today we begin with basic training, which will continue until I deem you ready to move on. Understand? Good, now before we begin, you must sacrifice yourself to me. During training, you have no identity. You will follow my every word without question. If I say climb, you climb. If I say run, you run. Basic training consists of a lap around Home, then you will climb a building that I choose. Begin." He started running, as did Taffy. They ran side by side at a reasonable pace, as Home (Master's name for the compound) was incredibly large. As they ran, Master looked as though he had something on his mind.

"Master, what's the matter?" asked Taffy, adjusting the winchester on her back.

"Nothing. Now I will try to explain some things to you as we train, so pay attention. You will live by the teachings of the Lilith, not by the church. The teachings are for the individual, to help understand life. The main one is that... well... I think you already read this. You will die when it is your time. Our people are just like any other, some farm, some sell, some teach, and all choose to live. We have been called murderers by the outside, but we are not such."

"But, if the Lilith kill someone, aren't they messing with their time to die?" It was a reasonable question.

Master shook his head, "No, not at all. If we are sent to end a life, then it is their time. Never before, never after. Now, to accept the teachings, you must learn to simultaneously abandon and harness your fear. Fear is the cause of doubts, and while you doubt you can never truly unleash your true potential. This is how we climb skyscrapers and jump impossible distances. There is never a doubt in our mind, we will succeed. And if we are to fall and die, then it was our time. There is never any fear in our lives. We only feel fear when our allies are threatened, but unfortunately not me."

Taffy was starting to have trouble breathing, but was still able to ask, "Why is that? I've heard rumors, but why really?"

Master kept an expressionless face, "Do you know what it's like, to never have the ability to fear? To see others around you tremble in the face of violence and the threat of their loved ones dying? To see the fear on the face of a man I am to kill, yet not understand? It is very painful, but it has made me the best warrior the Lilith has ever seen. A child climbing towers, killing as though it was nothing. I've never had a nightmare, nor have I ever been able to be punished by threats. I was neaten with a whip many times, yet since there was no fear, there was also little pain. Yes, too much fear will only add to pain, you would do well to remember that. When I saw her torn away from me... I lost it. I was only six, but because of my unrestricted rage, I was shot six times before I was subdued. I earned my hood before the church was built, but since they are part of the family, I cannot act against them." He seemed really depressed about the entire situation, so Taffy didn't try to press the issue.

Not so much that she didn't try, it was that she couldn't, they were almost at the point they started at, which was a relief for Taffy. Once again, she lost track of time and didn't realize how long they ran. When they got back to the starting point, Master pointed at a two story building. Taffy was exhausted, and wasn't sure if he said anything, but the gesture was clearly understood. Taffy lazily walked up to the pain building and looked for a way up. The walls looked steep, with nothing to grab on to except a few window indentations. Taffy squinted and focused, and for a second, thought she saw a pattern in the design. She reached a hand up, and sure enough, the ornate-designed trim wasn't just for show. It was made specifically to be hidden from sight, much like the button on her revolvers. Taffy climbed, using the designs like a ladder, until, "Um, Master? How do I go higher?" She didn't want to look down, and the only other thing she could grab was out of reach.

"Jump. Don't be afraid, just act." Taffy took a few deep breaths, then realized that she had no choice. Her fingers were slipping. She looked up, bent her knees, then with all of her strength, she jumped straight up. She made the jump, and to her surprise, a few extra feet, allowing her to grab on to the rooftop and rest her feet on the design. Without too much more effort, she pulled herself fully on to the rooftop in a less than elegant fashion, "Good, now jump down."

Taffy now understood that he was completely insane, "What?! Are you kidding me?! How the hell am I supposed to do that?!" She looked around, but couldn't see anything. She had to slowly climb down. As she looked to where Master was standing, he was gone.

"Boo." Taffy screamed a little, "Calm down. All I said was to jump, and to not question me. But what could I expect from an outsider like you. I should have just left you to the Tanek, but noooo. You're one of the sacred, and I can't let the balance be upset." He was talking very sarcastically. Then, he put a hand on her shoulder, "Tell you what, catch me, and I'll tell you about the sacred." He then took off, and began jumping from rooftop to rooftop, just like Taffy's great grandmother in her dream. Taffy had to follow, because for one reason or another, she was a very important part of the Lilith. She was still too tired to think, and simply began jumping after Master.

The buildings were perfectly made for this, as each one Master jumped to was slightly lower than the preceding one. It was as Taffy jumped mindlessly from rooftop to rooftop that she realized something important about the compound. The entire place was a training area. The ornate designs on the plain buildings, the height of every building, and the various open areas spread out. Before Taffy got too lost in thought, she focused on Master again, but he was gone from view. She stopped and looked around before she heard a shout, "You lose. Now get down." He was behind Taffy.

She quickly spun around to try and grab him, but he contorted his body so she would miss, then hopped over her head and off the side of a building. Taffy watched as he landed with a roll then casually stood up, gesturing for her to come and get him. She took a few steps back, then lept off of the building. At first, it felt good. But unfortunately for Taffy, this lasted for a fraction of a second. The realization that she was ten feet in the air without any acrobatic skills crushed her heart, but her instincts were still solid. She let them take over, and as she landed, she rolled and stood up right in Master's face, her hand grabbing him for support. The adrenaline rush was amazing, and Taffy couldn't help but smile. Then, she noticed that she was grabbing his crotch, "Sorry!"

"Hm? Oh right, I completely forgot about that. Oh, and I won't tell you about the sacred. However, for you to not freak out later on, relationships... we need to have a talk. In normal everyday life, physical contact between two people, of any species or gender, is fine. Normal, in fact. However, when one is truly in love, this becomes illegal, so to speak. If you don't have someone, feel free to have fun."

Taffy was curious, "Do you have someone?"

Master simply laughed, "Yeah, explains my virginity, right?" Taffy was shocked, "Oh keep your panties on. This isn't like your world, being a virgin is a respected thing here. No one discriminates against any who have had sex, but... it's complicated. Look, lesson's over. Go back to your house, walk around, relax. At this rate, you'll be ready in a week. Hmm... actually... the best way to learn is to do right? In two days, you are coming on a mission with me. Train however you see fit, ask others to help. When the moon is full and high in the sky, I will come for you. Be ready." Master walked away.

"Two days?! I can barely run the full... wait a second. I was out of breath a minute ago, what happened?"

"As expected of a sacred." Artemis came around a corner, "Impressive, most can't even keep up with him. But I suppose it's in your blood. A sacred isn't anything special, really, but they seem to be able to adapt to training unusually fast. Walk with me, I'll explain some things to you."

Taffy wasn't the least bit tired, or hungry for that matter, so she went with him, "So, why is everyone calling me a sacred?"

"Hm... the sacred ten. Where do I begin? Well, they refer to the ten who started the Lilith. There's a childhood song that mothers sing to their newborn children. It comforts them, and says some important things as well. We must always protect the sacred ten, for they hold the most power in the Lilith. From what I remember, Susuka's father was a sacred until something happened to him. Something he deserved. Also, a lion named Darryl who was chosen by Susuka's father at birth to protect her is a sacred, yet only a select few know it."

"How do you know this?"

Artemis gave a hearty chuckle, "I know the right people, and Sere- I mean, Master told me a lot. He trusts me with many things, and I have no intention of betraying that trust. Come over here, I think I need to teach you how to shoot."

They ended up at a makeshift shooting range, and Artemis pulled out a small snub nose pistol. He aimed at a small target about 100 yards away with one hand, "You can't hit that! The gun is too small."

"Watch. When you aim, the gun must become part of your body. You need to feel your energy flowing through it. Meld your body with the steel, and remember that you are the one hitting the target, not the gun." He fired, and some dust flew off the target. Taffy stared in disbelief, "Take out your rifle first. Taffy did so, the she followed his instructions on how to reload, aim, and calculate things like wind. The gun was awkward in his hands, as it was made for Taffy, so she had to make her own adjustments. Oddly enough, the sight lined up perfectly with her field of vision, but this was made for feline use so Taffy didn't bring it up.

Her fingers tingled, blood rushed to her head, and all distractions faded from her senses. The target looked small, but also like it was right in front of her gun. She pulled on the heavy trigger as a bullet flew out and hit the target dead center. There was no kickback, which surprised Artemis, "I did it! It was so easy, it was like the gun pulled the target in closer..."

"Take out your revolvers, both of them." Artemis was serious, wondering something which he didn't disclose to Taffy. She did and pulled back on both of the hammers. Unlike before, when she had to struggle, they easily clicked in place. When Taffy told Artemis, he seemed a little unnerved. She took aim at two different targets, then fired, hitting both. She then tried rapid fire, switching targets between each shot. She didn't miss a single target, "How did you... impossible... is this the true potential of a sacred?"

Taffy was scared by his new behavior, but her shook his head and told her that he really didn't believe that the sacred were that special, "But I've never fired a gun before. How did I do this?"

"Child, it's in your blood. A rare gift that you should embrace. I can't teach you anything clearly, but maybe you should go buy some bullets for your weapons and learn how to clean them. You are really something to behold, kid."He left Taffy, mumbling something inaudible. She decided to take his advice and went over to John the blacksmith. Of course, she didn't really know where she was, since Artemis had drawn her full attention the entire time, not to mention the adrenaline rush that shut down part of her mind.

So, Taffy was left with no choice but to wander aimlessly through the compound. While she walked, she came across something that could be conceived as either good or bad depending on who she told. Two hooded figures, one from Master's office and another she didn't recognize. They were talking quietly, out of the range of anyone, "But we must act quickly. If we hesitate any longer, they may not let us survive the slaughter."

"Yes, but the Master has trust issues, he barely can stand to be around me and talk about things that the public knows. If I start doing something outside of my daily routine, he would catch on. Can't you just tell them to strike? Listen, I heard that he may be going on a mission in two days, it would be the perfect opportunity. I must leave you now, " the woman bowed, "for our future."

"For our future." Then they parted ways. Taffy forgot about learning about weapons, she needed to tell Master. Of course, she needed to find something she recognized first. Taffy continued to move around before she entered an abandoned residential district, the former home of the Tanek.

"Alright, if I remember, Master should be... In that direction. Man, I can't see anything. I need to get higher. Maybe..." Taffy jumped onto a building and saw a familiar pattern, "yes! Now I have to hurry." Taffy used all of her strength to reach the top of the four story building and was easily able to get her bearings. The fortress was just off in the distance. However, a shadow appeared in the corner of her eye.

As Taffy spun around, the shadow spoke, "What are you doing here little kitty? Shouldn't you go home and rest?" The man was dressed unlike anything she had seen before, but the uniform had a military-like motif, "Let me rephrase, go home if you wish to live." He pulled out a gun as Taffy pulled out her revolvers, "Feisty, I like it. A shame such beauty has to go to waste."

"Kiss my ass." The man fired and Taffy rolled to the right. He fired again, but Taffy was able to twist just enough to evade the bullet, which was insanely accurate. She felt the heat of the bullet as it flew by. Taffy returned fire, but the man was too fast and casually dodged the shots. He just stood in place, lowered his gun, and laughed, "What?! Why are you laughing?!"

"Well, I was told that the Lilith were trained killers. I'm fighting a child here. I'm sorry, that's not fair. A child would have been more accurate. You remind me more of a... rock. Your movements are slow, your actions predictable. I shall end your torment, and give you the key to the true god of this world. Farewell." Taffy froze in place as the man raised his gun again. He was too good, and he was right, Taffy was an amateur. But it couldn't end like this. And someone was there to make sue of that.

A tall human in black garb came from nowhere, pulled out two curved knives, and began to assault the military man. Master was unbelievably fast, the the man from the military quickly learned that he was no match. He turned and jumped off of the building. A suicide attempt, but death was preferable to being captured. Master didn't wait and jumped after him. Taffy ran to the edge of the rooftop and saw Master grab the man and cling on to a ledge of an adjacent building just in time. He grunted, which was understandable considering he did fall about thirty feet. Taffy used his lesson from earlier and slowly made her way down to the ground, where master held the now unconscious man. He had a large red mark on his head, which meant that he probably slammed into the side of the building. Master rotated his shoulder, then looked up, "You okay?"

"Yes, who is he? No, that's not important. Um... is your birthday coming up?" Taffy thought that it might have been a surprise party at first, but Master said no, and she knew what she had heard, "I saw those robed people talking. One was from your office and... I think they are trying to hurt you. They mentioned "them," which might be the Tanek, and how when you go away on a mission with me in two days they may attack. I... I needed to tell you."

Master sighed, slightly battered from the fall, then put his hand on her shoulder, "Let's go back to your place. I think it's time. But first, let's put our new friend here into a... prison." By prison, he meant deep hole in the ground with smooth walls and a heavy stone lid. Think completely cemented well without water. Master took Taffy back to her house, then dug around and pulled out Chelsea's hood. They then took a trip to the area where the large band was playing and he sent some of the Lilith (hooded) out to gather the people. Within a few minutes, most of the compound was gathered, "Now, Taffy, you have met some of our family and have become close to them. Please, call them up for your ritual." The robed people stood in the back of the stage without a word.

"Uh, I guess Erika, Artemis, and John are the people I know best." Master called them up onto the stage, and they all were proud of being up on the stage, "I have call this ritual on short notice, for this girl who has been here for a short time, to fulled endow her with the rights and privileges of the teachings of the Lilith. She may still be learning our ways, but she has brought something to my attention. Now," He walked over to the robed people and asked Taffy, "Who are the ones conspiring against our people?" Taffy calmly pointed out two of the robed.

Obviously, they raised their voices, "Lies! This is outrageous, family, you know that our brother has never loved our faith, for we have shunned those who were against us! He is a lover of the Tanek, and should have been exiled like them, we should have the power, as we are the only ones who truly understand the Lilith!" Master slapped him so hard that the audience fell silent.

Then, he gestured to his trusted men in the distance to bring the prisoner, "You have no right to speak against us. You know nothing of the true faith, only what you have forced yourself to believe. I would trust this sacred if she said a unicorn had flew into our home and crapped atomic bombs. This military assassin was sent by you to silence Taffy, you have violated one of our tenants, and for that, I have the power to execute you on the spot."

The prisoner woke up, then said, "I have failed. I am sorry... they... ambushed me."

"No!" The robed woman from Master's office screamed out as the audience called for their death and for the church to be dismantled.

Master handed Taffy the hood, and showed her how to put it on. She had to take off her shirt, but she knew that the body was not a thing to be embarrassed about. The base of the hood covered her shoulders, and for now she left the hood off. After putting on her shirt, she touched the soft fabric. She would not be allowed to remove it, except for in complete privacy and only in the presence of the one she loves, or is loving, as the case may be. Taffy slowly pulled the hood over her head, and truly became one of the Lilith, "For your test, as you have proved that you don't need one, you must kill those who would betray us." Taffy mindlessly pulled out her revolvers, readied the hammers, and aimed at the two. They begged her, offered her power beyond her wildest dreams, but she wasn't having any of it.

"I would probably not want to do this, but you were the ones who sent a killer after me. Good bye." She fired, and they were dead. Then, a wave of guilt washed over her entire body, consuming her to her very core. She was a murderer against defenseless people, "What have I done?" She said quietly, as to not dampen the crowds spirits.

Erika, being Taffy's best friend at this point in time, thought fast. She grabbed Taffy, hugged her and jumped up and down. She then whispered, "Don't worry. I promise, you just need to see it from our side. They would have killed everyone here."

"The death of one will save the lives of many. Is that really how it works?"

Erika continued her celebration, "You don't understand. You let them live a full life. They were born, they grew up, then they died, a full cycle. You freed them from temptation and torment. A part of them wanted to die, but the promise of riches and power was too much. Now be happy, your like me now!"

Taffy did try her best to celebrate, and the more she thought about it, the more she came to terms with it. They would have done much worse, and they actually tried. This was a merciful death, and they hired someone to kill Taffy in the most brutal manner he could think of. And since they lived a full life, it was a good thing that they died. Taffy didn't have to be afraid any more.

For the next two days, she learned more about the Lilith and close range combat from Erika, weapon care from John, and history from Artemis. Everything seemed to be intertwined, from combat to faith. The unique abilities were all based on a lack of fear, and therefore nothing to hold the person back. Taffy learned that sometimes it is best to leap without looking, especially in tense situations, and questions only raise doubts. She also learned to accept death in all it's forms. And when it is her time, she will gladly go. Others were impressed by her quick adaptation, giving credit to her being a sacred. However, in Taffy's eyes, it all naturally made sense, and being a sacred had nothing to do with it.

The time had come, to go on a mission with Master. She was unsure where, but it was not for her to ask. She had trusted Master completely, and he would never push someone into situations that were inescapable. However, he was concerned about leaving Home to fend for itself, especially with the threat of an attack on the horizon. He trusted his best men to step up watch duty, "Master, I promise we will protect our home. Do not worry, for even if you were here, there isn't much you can do. Besides, we aren't pushovers ourselves. If they threaten our home, we will show them no mercy."

"Good. Then we're off."