*I've been informed her name is traditionally spelled 'Odessa De Los Santos' so please ignore those mistakes until I go back and edit them :)

Updated Cover Credit — gihlbert

Warrior.

This was the inscription Odessa was entitled to indulge when the time was right. The destiny she was supposedly bound for, fated in near future. The apparent probability was something Odessa was frequently reminded of by Connoisseur Sifewood when he arranged their private meetings. Their confidential confrontations were becoming weekly; two times a week. Odessa personally dreaded their encounters. There was something unusual about Sifewood's behavior when communicating with herself and the other students. His sickeningly engaging tone as he complimented her accomplishments for whatever reasoning he mustered. Perhaps it was the eerie glimmer swirling in his iris' as he offered and poured scorching tea into her mug.

Odessa refused to attempt to understand those who worshiped Sifewood for his outrageous demands and promises he had yet to fulfill.So, she settled with her studies. She was continually ridiculed for her devotion for the emblems scattered amongst her golden skin. However, the disdaining mockery didn't affect Odessa, for she knew her name would be engraved in history for her importance. The derision was only a fraction of the contempt the other envious students held for her.

She was merely preferred more than others. The Connoisseurs favored her capabilities in the battlefield. Her strategic efficiency, potential in hand-to-hand combat along with weaponry, proficiency in deception and manipulation, and mastery in the complex arts of seduction. To simplify, Odessa was solely a committed soldier in the eyes of the Connoisseurs. However, the only thing the raven-haired woman was dedicated to was achieving a rank in the Elite.

So, perhaps, when the Organization of The Elite was invaded and bombarded with demons and imperceptible hellhounds, Odessa's accomplishments and prosperity demolished along with the walls of the Organization. She could recall the agonizing cries as if the invasion were yesterday, the smoke that resembled the shade of the cloudy skies, the blood spattering across the marble pavement as her mother's throat was slashed by the creature's broad claws. She could also remember the sense of a paralyzed sensation as she gazed at her father slashed into shreds with terror and wide eyes.

The warrior was unsure of what her future would have in store; revenge or forgiveness. Days after the multiple deaths and destruction, she was sure acrimony was all she was capable of expressing. She desperately desired to experience the sensation of when she would exorcise the pests back into hell. To hear their cries of agony when she doused them with holy water and salt.

Her grip on the leather steering wheel tightened as the dreadful memories began to resurface from the void she once created months back.

Odessa stood behind the Organization's ceremony room's door, veins pumping with crimson and adrenaline. She couldn't conceal the toothy grin forming on her wine-stained lips. She continued to fiddle with the white-gold snake bracelet, circling the metal endlessly around her wrist. A nervous habit, one she developed several years prior when she first received the trinket. It brought her reassurance when she desperately needed it.

The sound of heels clicking against the marble flooring brought Odessa out of her daydream and back into reality. She released her grasp on her bracelet and focused her attention to the woman who appeared to be an older version of Odessa. "Mother," She said, swiftly sauntering to the lady. "You actually came. Is father and Costello with you?" She questioned, freeing from her mother's firm embrace. She examined her mother's apparel, grinning in satisfaction with the color coordination. She wore a sky blue cocktail dress that fell just below her knees, black high heels that were much too small in Odessa's opinion, and her hair was styled in an updo as strands of her ebony hair fell from the braid on her hairline.

The corners of her mother's eyes formed crow's feet as she grinned brightly and nodded. Raising her hand and gently caressing Odessa's cheeks, her amber eyes flickered all throughout her facial features. Her mother sighed, "I am so proud of you," She said, tone soft as silk and quiet as their heartbeats. "My daughter having her own ceremony to join the Elite." Odessa's cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she peered down at her raven-shaded heels. This moment was truly a dream come true.

"Moira," An older man with a darker complexion yelled from across the hallway. "The ceremony is going to begin." Odessa's mother nodded, squeezing her daughter's hand in reassurance. The grin returned on her lips before dashing off to where she would be seated. Odessa returned her attention back to the mahogany, wooden doors. She could hear the muffles of the dozens of voices from the other room, though she couldn't decipher which voice was whose. She was far too distracted by the abnormally loud beatings of her heart.

As her name was announced, she could hear the booming of the multiple hands clashing against each other. The doors were pulled open by the guards and she grinned merrily as she was escorted to the platform where the Elders stood silently, grim expressions plastered on their wrinkled skin. The clapping came to an end as she took her first step on the marble step-stone, heels silenced by the carpet placed through the walkway. She bowed her head in respect and submission.

Much to Odessa's dismay, Elder Sifewood took hold of her right hand and gracefully revealed the blade that would soon slice into her palm. It was in the shade of onyx, darker than the night sky at midnight. It reflected the light placed around the room and it somewhat resembled a star. "Do you, Odessa De Los Santos, promise to fulfill each and every task assigned from the Elite and Connoisseurs?"

Nodding, she repeated his words, attempting to contain the squeals and enthusiasm from expressing in her tone. "I, Odessa De Los Santos, promise to fulfill each and every task assigned from the Elite and Connoisseurs."

He continued, "Do you promise to become a prime example to those who wish to follow you and your footsteps?" She repeated and he nodded in response, rising the blade high and slowly wedged the blade's edge between her skin. Odessa pursed her lips to silence her winces and allowed the blood to flow on her palm. "I then am proud to say, Odessa De Los Santos," He folded her fingers to rest on her wound, creating a fist, and guided her hand atop a bowl of flames. "You are-" Before Sifewood could finish his sentence, and before a droplet of the crimson liquid could fall in the flames, the wooden doors were violently pushed open.

Odessa flinched and retreated her hand to her side, immediately commanding her golden snake to slither into it's true form; a golden whip. There they stood with their invisible hellhounds, smug grins plastered on their vessel's faces. "Sorry to interrupt, but we've got orders," One spoke, dressed in all black, mirroring their eyes. "Sic them, boys." And it was then the growls and snarls filled their ears, along with the sound of her family's skin being torn to shreds.

Odessa was effortlessly tossed several feet back by one particular demon; a blonde woman with azure eyes. A gasp escaped Odessa's lips as her head came into contact with the glass panel, shards falling in every direction and piercing her skin, creating minuscule lacerations all throughout her arms and face. The woman ambled in the direction of the wounded Guardian, a sickeningly sly smirk erupting on her lips. She gripped Odessa's neck firmly, preventing any oxygen from filling her lungs. She grasped the woman's hand, attempting to push her hand away, but her efforts were to no avail. "Poor Odessa, always doing as she's told." As the woman spoke, Odessa's breathing hitched and she was beginning to whimper. This particular demon was unlike any other she's encountered. This demon was too strong and Odessa was weak from her landing.

"Always being reminded of your destiny," The demon taunted with an amused expression rising. "Always reminded you don't have control of your own future." Struggling to keep her eyes from shutting, Odessa reached for the blade that was deciding her future. Her fingers grazed the handle, teasing her fingertips. The demon tightened her hold on her throat and Odessa was certain if she didn't gather the energy to reach further, she was going to die. Her fingers brought the handle closer and Odessa hastily brought the blade upon the demon's cheek.

The demon screeched in pain as it clutched it seeping cheek, the wound sizzling as Odessa grasped her neck, gently massaging where the demon's hands once were. She coughed violently as she attempted to catch her breath. Ignoring the pounding in her temples and the ringing in her ears, she sprinted to the exit to gather weapons. Odessa was sure her death wouldn't happen because she was afraid of the outcome. She always knew she was going to go down fighting.

Reaching for displayed weapons the Elders once suggested to exhibit decades ago, she shook her head as her vision was transforming into an eternal darkness. Pivoting to face the surrounding demons, she spit the blood off to her right, chuckling humorlessly as a ghastly smile formed.

"That's all you got?"