《Soldiers of Light》


 Prologue – Beginning of the End

    Advancements in both technological and intellectual understanding are vital towards maintaining the consistent progression of humanity. The intellectual thinkers of society are those who force their way through seemingly unbreakable plateaus, surpassing the unthinkable and helping to bring forth the dawn of a new era. However, human greed remains a phenomenon never to be underestimated. In the distant past, co-operation was repeatedly cast aside for the betterment of a single country, a small group of people or even the nihilistic desires of a single entity. None more-so than the infamous God''s of war including: Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan the Mongolian butcher, Julius Caesar the Dictator of Life, Gilgamesh the all-conquering king of Uruk and many others.


    Regardless of the vastly differing underlying intentions between these mighty rulers, the final outcome remained unchanged. Constantly overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds in a bid to either expand the borders of their vast empires, or protect and maintain their land and leadership.


    In April 1955, Albert Einstein (arguably the greatest theoretical physicist to have ever existed), finally departed from our world. In June 1965 in New Jersey, USA: Deep within Einstein''s personal study, a curious memo was found carefully hidden inside a locked drawer. Hurriedly scribbled onto the memo were 3 cryptic words: What is Artemesia???


    Artemesia was depicted as a mythical beast within Egyptian Hieroglyphics, a glorious weapon of immeasurable power by the almighty Spartans, a biblical deity by the all-conquering Romans and even the gateway to immortality by the brutal and somewhat unhinged Mongolian butcher Genghis Khan. Every new discovery refuted previous well-held beliefs, inevitably causing a concurrent shift in perception of the mythical element. Frustratingly, historians constantly found themselves returning to Einstein''s original question.


    In 2040, hidden deep within the catacombs of modern-day Baghdad (Babylon), Artemesia was finally discovered. Similar to a meteorite in shape, the roughly 2-metre-wide crystalline sphere contained multiple jagged edges protruding outwards. Reflecting light to an absolute minimal, the glossy black surface was referenced as: "Frighteningly ominous; As if contained deep within the bowels of its belly lay an endless swirling void, unashamedly devouring light and matter as if for its own survival."Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    However, Artemesia''s highly anticipated reveal would remain temporarily on hold as the newest discovery was immediately confiscated for so-called, "research purposes" by the newly-formed WFA (World Freedom Alliance). A group containing representatives from every continent, tasked with the protection of Earth and upholding both justice and freedom of expression for all its inhabitants.


    Subsequently, Artemesia''s limitless power was eventually revealed: When placed in contact with a human host, Artemesia is able to exponentially boost abilities you inherently possess. These include any physical abilities as well as allowing you to tap into the aura of the surrounding area, utilising earth''s seven natural elements to invoke deadly magical skills.


    Fast-forward to the year 2045, whereupon the WFA''s research and development team created specialised necklaces containing fragments of Artemesia. Due to Artemesia''s ability to increase inherent abilities, a select few devastatingly talented young-adults were chosen to act as hosts; utilising their youthful exuberance, physical strength, fighting abilities and an unerring resonation towards the natural elements. Tasked with serving judgement upon those individuals deemed as having placed humanities sovereignty at risk, this elite squad of endlessly talented individuals became appropriately named: The Soldiers of Light.


    Present day: April 4th 2053


    Before arriving at your predetermined bias, begin by asking yourself this simple question: What is evil?? Rapists, serial killers, paedophiles and ruthless dictators would all fall under the umbrella of "evil". Yet one man''s dictator is another man''s exalted leader and likewise, one man''s suicide bomber is another man''s freedom fighter. Perception and points of view remain crucial; never allow yourself to be swayed into rash decisions or hurried judgments.


    The line separating good and evil remains as fragile as the humble spider''s web. Break the thread and within the blink of an eye, jovial friendship will suddenly revert into boundless and unquenchable hatred. Darkness births within the light; never allow the dazzling light to blind you from noticing the impending apocalypse. Balance will always exist and evil lies much closer than you think.

 Chapter 1 – A reunion between friends

    A jaded yawn escaped my parched lips as my eyelids drew to a close. Calling this piece-of-shit that''s slowly but surely destroying my beautiful posture "a bed," is a fucking insult to the infinite number of decent bedmakers this side of Tokyo. A deceivingly shit white "bed", white overalls, white walls, a white toilet and for good measure a see-through damn screen¡­ Mother fucking cheap-ass tasteless perverts. If they hadn''t stolen my necklace, I''d have torched this place to the ground, along with every other ignorant piece of shit currently inside.


    8 years... 8 Fucking years of my life spent slaving away and all for what??? Servitude towards humanity??? Protection of the innocent??? Carrying out my so-called God-given duty??? TO HELL WITH THAT!!!!!!! So I might have accidentally, on-purpose slaughtered a few random civilians¡­.. So¡­.. Fucking¡­. What?? Were any of those weak fucks placing their lives on the line on an almost daily basis??? Saving the lives of millions and in turn preventing imminent world destruction COUNTLESS TIMES!!! They should build a Fricking statue in my honour, instead I''m stuck in this God-damn box!!


    "Fliss.... It''s not true¡­ Is it?? Everything they''re saying about you??"


    That voice... I know that voice¡­.. Am I dreaming??


    Cautiously peering through the narrow slits of my eyes before allowing my eyelids to fully reopen. The familiar slender, (yet annoyingly busty) figure of my dearest friend Amelia Masters, dressed in a very stylish aqua blue skirt and tight dress-top ensemble suddenly popped in to view. Ami''s jittery movements instantly remind me of a scared schoolgirl ordered to the head-masters office as recompense for her naughty transgressions. Her fingers visually trembling as she cautiously rested her palms onto the WFA''s perverted exhibitionist screen. Moments like these don''t come around very often; comparative to being handed a royal flush on the draw, however composure remains absolutely imperative within this most delicate of situations.


    "Ami you of all people should know I''m innocent¡­. They''re going to execute me soon¡­. I''m begging you Ami, help me PLEASE!!!"


    Our high-school friendship sowed the seeds of doubt within Ami''s mind whilst my carefully chosen words enabled those seeds to flourish. Visible beads of sweat began trickling ominously down Ami''s forehead. Sheepishly turning her body in order to avoid my onlooking gaze, Ami wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand; a weary sigh escaping her lusciously glossed lips whilst her crestfallen gaze remained unwavering towards the floor.


    "Aren''t we... Aren''t we friends Ami???"


    The heavy silence within this cramped 12ft square prison momentarily allowed my words to linger within the air, forming a metaphorical echo within the far reaches of our minds. Ask yourself this question: Why had I chosen those particular words?? Friendship is oft viewed in philosophical terms as a duality structure, containing the two opposing aspects from the famous Chinese symbol of Yin and Yang. Yang (the positive aspect of this duality) highlights the importance of maintaining friendships for both your physical and mental wellbeing, (loneliness generally highlighted as the main causative factor to purchase one-way tickets to Aokigahara Forest aka Suicide Forest). Yin (the negative aspect) Is perfectly exemplified by the commonly spoken idiom: "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." Subsequently most people forget the importance of that all-important facet aptly named "intention". Regardless of a friendship passing the test of time, the tiniest shift in intention, (or even an initial misguided intention), allows the dial to slowly turn from white to black.


    Ami''s misinformed views of friendship, coupled with her instinctually positive "benefit of the doubt," mechanism of thought would inevitably leave her doubting the authenticity of my supposed actions. The damp, claustrophobic air within my prison, leaves a disgustingly warm feeling lingering upon my lips as I carelessly expire CO2 into my surrounding area. How I long to be reunited with the refreshing breeze of nature''s gift. Wrapping my arms tightly around my knees whilst I slowly curl myself into a ball, I can''t help feeling slightly taken aback by my ironically truthful display of emotion. However, my focus remains upon maintaining the persona most familiar to Ami as any minor uncharacteristic deviation could potentially unravel this entire fa?ade.  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    "We¡­.. We''ve all¡­.. We''ve always been friends Fliss!!! It''s just¡­.."


    "You don''t trust me anymore, do you Ami??? Perhaps after all these years our friendship never really meant anything to you after all."


    My words were purposely cold, one could even describe them as callous. A venomous dart aimed directly towards a righteous heart overflowing with innocent purity. Ami''s weakness stemmed from her willingness to trust; once upon a time during our youthful and carefree days spent partaking in mindless endeavours, I considered that to be amongst her greatest assets. Funny isn''t it?? How quickly times can change.


    Suddenly the moment I''d been waiting for arrived; a soft yet noticeable click, immediately followed by the welcome sound of glass sliding over cold, hard cement. What''s that infamously cheesy line in the timeless classic Braveheart??? Oh yeah¡­. FREEDOM!!!!


    Momentarily enjoying the feel of unblemished oxygenated air after what felt like a lifetime spent within that hell-hole; I subsequently failed to notice Ami''s lack of reactions. Neither unable to comprehend the reasoning behind her compulsive decision, nor unable to fathom the inevitable consequences. Ami''s delicate fingers remained mesmerically clasped around the switch whilst her gaze remained unwavering towards the floor.


    Gliding gracefully through the now fully open door of my prematurely named "inescapable prison," I silently manoeuvre myself behind Ami before tenderly wrapping my arms around her delicately toned waist. Seductively sliding a combination of my middle and index finger into Ami''s cotton thong beneath her skirt; Ami''s squeals of ecstasy instantly set ablaze every sensual nerve within my blood. Several weeks spent indulging in luscious sexual experimentation during our college days with the outlandishly beautiful specimen currently whimpering in delight; began flourishing joyously within my mind. Teasingly biting down on Ami''s exposed neck as my other hand gleefully fondles her now stiff, perky nipples; it isn''t long before the fluid of her ecstasy begins to flow freely across the palm of my hand.


    "Ami¡­.. I missed this¡­.. I missed us."


    "Me...¡­ Me too Fliss." Ami''s face burned a bright shade of crimson as she tensed the toned muscles within her body in a futile attempt to maintain a small measure of composure, however her guard had become sufficiently lowered.


    "That''s why... I hope one day you''ll find it in your heart to forgive me Ami."


    "Forgive you?? For¡­. Forgive you for what Fliss??"


    8 years serving as the WFA''s executioner, raining down justice onto those individuals deemed a threat to humanity, had justifiably earned me the nickname "The Reaper." A reputation built upon devastating efficiency and ironically, inhumane annihilation. However, there remained one weapon in my possession comprehensively separating me from the rest of those lackeys within the SoL: Being completely unfettered by hesitation.


    Within milliseconds of those final words having escaped Ami''s luscious lips; in a flowingly inexorable demonstration of ruthless proficiency, the hands which mere moments ago were pleasuring my once dearest friend, were now irremovably clasped around the smooth skin covering her mouth and neck.


    Truth be told the moment those inexplicable bastards within the WFA deemed their most powerful asset as mere collateral damage; I had beeen forced into this deeply unfortunate situation, (through no fault of my own). The fragile sound of bones shattering between the grooves of my fingers, or tendons and muscle obediently tearing between the palms of my hands, was nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, the disgusting streaks of blood currently convulsing from Ami''s rapidly darkening mouth onto my nice clean hands, was more of an annoyance than anything else.


    Laying Ami''s lifeless corpse upon the floor, a knowing grin purses across my lips as I gently remove the sparklingly beautiful necklace laying comfortably across her neck before placing it where it truly belongs. The phoenix will rise again, in a glistening fire of blaze and glory.


    The moment the necklace comes into contact with my exposed skin, the Artemesia begins to surge unabated throughout my arteries and veins. Subsequently, the almost limitless power within the necklace is unimaginably taxing upon the human body, the vicious infusion into my muscles forcing me to collapse to my knees in sudden anguish, my body trembling in shock as I empty the air from my lungs in desperation.


    Within 30 seconds the pain completely subsided, however even the most powerful soldier within the Milky-way requires a few moments to regain her composure. Resorting to a state of tidal breathing in order to normalise my rapidly beating heart. Habitually blinking whilst clenching and unclenching my fists as the Adrenaline eventually departs from my system, I gleefully raise to my feet having finally been reborn as the mythical "Reaper" once more.

 Chapter 2 – The Escape (part 1)

    A curious glance into the hallway wasn''t only completely unnecessary but also dangerously foolhardy; utilising stealth whilst maintaining the element of surprise was the key to my escape. Having traversed these hallways on countless occasions prior: The building layout, security guard''s names, faces and movement patterns had become burnt within the nether regions of my mind for whatever length of time I had remaining on this godforsaken earth. Furthermore, since nobody with half-a-brain was stupid enough to break into the WFA''s headquarters, CCTV remained arrogantly unmonitored, (I hope).


    "Veil of darkness."


    The three omnipotent words I''d repeated countless times over the past eight years. Though I lay no claim towards being an expert in the field of Artemesia, I''ll attempt a short summary with what little knowledge I possess. The precious stone held within this necklace is glamorously bestowed upon those deemed worthy enough by the WFA, (World Freedom Alliance) to join the SoL (Soldiers of Light). A group of highly trained warriors tasked with the upkeep of justice, maintaining order and every other clich¨¦ trope you''ve come across at some point during your undoubtedly worthless lives. In the words of the esteemed lab-coat dweebs within the WFA, "Artemesia removes the limitations of normal progression within humans, allowing an individual''s innate abilities to flourish towards incomprehensible levels."


    In simpler terms for the educationally-challenged peons out there attempting to decipher my previous words. Artemesia is akin to applying multiple super chargers to your automobile, exponentially improving abilities you inherently possess. In particular the following 2 aspects:


    1) Any physical capabilities


    2) The natural elements you resonate towards


    The key phrase is "exponentially improving abilities you inherently possess". Artemesia won''t suddenly turn a timid pussy-cat into the next Bruce Lee. However, a martial artist trained in both traditional and contemporary styles, proficient in firearms and swordsmanship and a previous stunt girl such as myself¡­.. Well you can imagine the results when Artemesia is thrown into the mix. Furthermore, Artemesia enables you to draw upon the aura of the surrounding area, utilising earth''s natural elements to perform devastating magical abilities. Whilst the specifics remain slightly mysterious; your character and actions mould your natural tendencies towards particular elements, which in turn determine the magical abilities your able to utilise.


    Earth''s seven natural elements include: Earth, Fire, Ice, Water, Wind, Light and Darkness.


    Given my current situation and circumstances, perhaps it''s fitting that the element I resonate towards happens to be darkness. "Veil of darkness," temporarily hides my presence from anyone within a certain distance, (roughly 15 meters during previous tests), more than enough to deal with a few measly guards. My other abilities include "Phantom Shroud," whereby both myself and any weapon currently within my grasp become coated in a layer of irrepressible dark aura; forging unstoppable instruments of death capable of tearing through anything (or anyone), brave enough to stand in my way. Finally, we have my supremely powerful ability I''ve ingeniously named "Eternal Rage." Though you''ll have to carry on reading to find out what it does¡­. After all every good soldier requires a few surprises up her sexy little sleeve.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Taking one final glance towards one of the ridiculously overpriced digital clocks situated roughly 2 feet above the door within every room, (clearly no expenses spared for anything beyond the walls of that sadist prison); I momentarily forced my eyelids to a close whilst exhaling a few short breaths, mentally picturing what lay beyond the door''s threshold whilst simultaneously visualising the precise movements and actions required in the inevitable approaching fight. Preparation is the cornerstone to perfection, burn those words into your memory and never forget.


    Now for the details: Two guards pace up and down the hallway in opposite directions, taking exactly 58 seconds to reach the adjacent side. A further 2 seconds is required for the guards to turn 180 degrees in order to return back toward their original position. Within the first of these 2 precious seconds, the guard''s view on the opposite side of the hallway becomes temporarily obstructed, creating a small window of opportunity to move into position. However, were the guards to become alerted of my presence at any time, (bearing in mind opening and closing doors completely unnoticed isn''t an issue with my rigorous training), they''ll hit the alarm button on their wristwatch and the facility will instantly go into lockdown¡­. "Game Over," as Jigsaw would so eloquently have retorted.


    Carefully slipping out into the dimly lit hallway, a gleeful smile immediately purses across my lips as I silently manoeuvre into position behind the guard called Tommy. (Part 1 complete!!) Maintaining a distance of exactly 2 steps at all times behind the guard; the impeccable timing and precision that rose my status to beyond legendary within the SoL, would very soon be under intense scrutiny. At exactly 29 seconds the two guards will pass shoulder-to-shoulder in the middle of the hallway, providing me with a split-second opportunity to act.


    27 seconds and counting, my hand was readied in position hovering mere centimetres above the handle of Tommy''s sword as my lips silently mouthed the words, "Phantom Shroud". Grabbing the sword a few microseconds before go-time, at 29 seconds the two guards were nothing more than a pair of lifeless corpses. The moment the guard''s bodies aligned, Tommy''s sword (imbued with my irrepressible dark aura) had sliced directly through the throats of both guards, a thick stream of blood immediately gushing in every direction as if it were some macabre sacrifice towards the demonic Baphomet. Call me twisted if you will, but the sight of two pairs of pupils slowly vanishing into the back of their owner''s heads whilst their bodies crumple into my arms in almost perfect unison, remains a moment of unquestionable beauty.


    One of the most important lessons learnt during those long and arduous days training to be a soldier, is learning how to properly regulate the release of Adrenaline. Maintaining a regular heartbeat is imperative, not only preventing over-exertion but more importantly preserving clarity of thought. Momentarily sitting cross-legged upon the floor, I allowed my eyelids to draw to a close before undertaking 3 minutes of silent meditation, inhaling and exhaling deep breaths in a highly controlled rhythmic fashion. The metaphorical clock, (conveniently situated towards the forefront of my mind), continuously ticked the seconds away as I opened my eyes and gradually rose to my feet. Reinvigorated within a wave of calming blue aura; a grin subsequently pursed joyfully across my lips as I pranced onwards, my vengeance drawing ever closer with each step I take.

 Chapter 3 – The Escape (part 2)

    The following room happened to be a SoL veteran''s favourite for having a little fun with the new recruits. A rectangular room containing 3 thermal-imaging cameras fixed to the ceiling in a straight line; slowly rotating on a 120-degree axis, taking exactly 5 seconds per rotation from right to left and vice versa. The first and third cameras are facing towards the entrance I was currently stood behind, whilst camera two was facing in the opposite direction, (towards the exit).


    Wrapping my fingers carefully around the handle of the door; I allowed my "Veil of Darkness" to inactivate, reason being it''s pointless attempting to conceal your presence from an infrared camera, (though a handful of inevitable failures generally overlook this vital piece of information). Furthermore utilising "Phantom Shroud," whilst inactivating "Veil of Darkness," should theoretically allow me some stamina retention, as utilising special magic abilities remains physically taxing upon the human body. Exhaling a few hundred millilitres of air whilst the seconds ticked down towards the nearest minute on my metaphysical mind-clock, (making up names clearly isn''t a strong point); I lowered my body slightly, shifting the centre of gravity to an optimum whilst readying myself for movement.


    There''s a tired old saying you''ve most likely happened upon at some point during your dreary day-to-day lives: Amongst the elite within a particular profession, time appears to slow or even come to a complete stop during their "performance piece." Subsequently when it comes to the Soldiers of Light, you should consider this saying in literal terms as opposed to being some obscure visual observation. My "Phantom Shroud," has a secondary effect which, (in similar fashion to other members of the SoL), drastically improves certain characteristics including: Strength, speed, movements and spatial awareness. Therefore, the exact moment my metaphysical mind-clock completed 60 seconds, (camera one having returned to its original starting position on the right hand side); I slid the door open and glided into the room, (closing the door behind me), shimmying to the left before immediately strafing to the centre of the room directly beneath camera number 2. Had a non-Artemesia user attempted to watch my coup-de-grace, their perception would have been my afterimage instantaneously shifting between positions; the lightning fast movements enabled by Artemesia far surpassing conceivable human visual recognition.


    A weary sigh escaped my lips as the first signs of mental fatigue inevitably began settling in. Once again shifting my centre of gravity to optimum prior to movement; my gaze shifted several times in calculated anticipation between a small area of the wall on the left-hand side and my final destination (the door towards the end of the room). Cameras 2 and 3 would simultaneously perform a half rotation at 2.5 seconds, creating 2 tiny blind-spots on both walls beside myself. A few milliseconds before the 2.5 seconds had elapsed, I hoisted my body to the left and drove my dark-aura imbued sword directly into the wall, allowing my feet to momentarily plant onto the wall before immediately kicking off, (making full use of momentum) in order to land safely underneath camera 3. My stunt-girl background allowing for a sophisticated landing befitting an elegant beauty such as myself.


    Inactivating my "Phantom Shroud" with a heavy exhale of breath; the glorious feeling of victory drawing ever nearer with each passing second. My plush lips upturned into a wide and knowing smirk as my hand began its ponderous descent towards the sparkling gold handle of the exit door.


    ===========================================================================================The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    What¡­ A¡­. Fucking¡­. Surprise. As if the entire universe has colluded to conspire against me, I''d somehow managed to get lost within the most secure research facility in the entire Eastern Asia¡­. On my very first day!!! Though even my God-tier levels of luck couldn''t possibly explain the eerily deserted halls I currently find myself meandering through. Rifling off a few random expletives in no particular direction, I decided to push ahead.


    A decision I wouldn''t have time to regret due to the sudden unexpected appearance of the infamously gorgeous traitor Felicity Henderson. This heavenly angel of death''s grace and beauty was undeniable, matched only by her murderous intent to slaughter. Stood deathly still towards the end of the hallway, clad in all white attire with streaks of fresh blood covering her clothes from head-to-toe in macabre fashion; the sheer overwhelming presence of this ethereal being immediately causing me to freeze mid-stride whilst my heartbeat skyrocketed towards dangerously untenable levels.


    Beads of sweat inevitably began to form in between my curly, thick black locks of hair and towards the back of my neck. Subsequently in a moment of unbridled cowardice, I pathetically attempted to hold my breath whilst preventing any sudden movements in some farfetched belief that Felicity had failed to notice my presence, a belief almost instantly shattered into nothingness. The mistress of my demise slowly and agonisingly craning her neck 90 degrees as the whites of our eyes finally crossed paths; instilling a feeling of unbridled terror unmatched within the 23 short years I''ve inhabited this gorgeous green earth, (reaching a ripe old age of 24 was beginning to feel increasingly unlikely). Any nerve impulses attempting to stimulate the muscles fibres within my legs remained eternally unheeded as I haplessly pushed my back against the smooth cement wall situated mere centimetres behind. In one flowingly swift motion, Felicity shifted her body towards me before taking a determined step forward in my direction:


    "STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!!!!!!" Hysterically screaming towards the oncoming blood-stained angel; I frantically threw my hands in a shield-type position guarding the front of my body whilst instinctively averting my gaze. The incessant thumping sound of my heart within my ears reaching a fever-pitch as I awaited my, (hopefully) swift demise¡­. However, the pain never arrived. The reasoning becoming clear as I hesitantly reverted my gaze towards the position where Felicity once stood, only to find myself ominously alone once more. A soft sigh escaped my lips as tears of relief welled beneath my eyes. Wearily slumping to the floor, I wrapped my hands around my knees as my head dropped upon my thighs, before the steaming kettle of emotions finally burst through.


    ================================================================================


    Over the next few days, (as is the compulsory protocol), I was forced to partake in various interviews involving superiors whose names I didn''t care about enough to learn, as well as those infamous keepers of records. A sudden spate of intentional absentmindedness had temporarily halted the news of my pitiful actions becoming altogether widespread. However, the angel of death continues to haunt my dreams, her twinkling eyes fixated in my direction as she raises her blood-dripping sword high above my head in preparation for one final merciless strike.


    Humans will always lie to one-another; however, they''ll never admit lying to themselves. The select few individual''s privy to my character will attest to my usual inclination towards self-belief and a general lack of cowardice.


    Which begs the question: How was I so easily reduced into a state beyond pitiful, curled up in a ball whilst wailing inconsolably on the floor?? Fear?? A hapless wish for survival?? Anger?? No¡­. Those answers are mere phantoms, delusional images conjured in order to prevent myself accepting the harsh yet undeniable truth. The reasoning is far simpler than I''d originally have led you to believe: A soul-crushing feeling of overwhelming guilt.

 Chapter 4 – The Aftermath

    Ask yourself the following question: How would you define evil?


    I imagine you''d cite a comprehensive list comprising: Merciless dictators, infamous serial killers or possibly even corrupt governments and organisations, however is anything, (or indeed anyone) inherently evil? Did those seemingly evil personalities begin their lives as soulless reincarnations of a Luciferian devil? Humans are born from light; whatever faith, spiritual or intellectual understanding you align yourself towards, "Light" remains an eternally existent entity, slowly diminishing within the venomous and unrelenting darkness. Darkness births within the light, however the light will never truly be extinguished, inevitably returning to maintain balance in this infinitely wondrous universe within which we reside.


    Perhaps this is why I remain ever hesitant, unable to castigate those abundantly dark individuals in spite of hasty outcries telling me otherwise. My beliefs never overstep the boundaries into altruism, however a belief in morality and the potential for good to overcome evil can''t be wrong. In similar fashion to Oskar Schindler''s noble quest, the dangers remain ever-present and yet for now my resolve remains unwavering. However, every human has a breaking point, as a great man once said:


    "Either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."


    Therefore, the question remains: How much more can I possibly endure before finally falling head-first over the edge??


    ===========================================================================================


    "Miss Marcien-san, your timing has been almost a tenth of a second slower than usual. I believe this session would prove more beneficial at a later date."


    Sienna Marcien''s pent up frustration was released with one final exasperated cry, her right ankle connecting firmly with the bottom of the large red boxing bag held by her trainer Komugi. Regardless of how much power or weight she threw behind her punches or kicks; the bag remained permanently immovable, as if being held steadfast by plates forged of reinforced diamond.


    "Komugi, I see you maintain your stubbornness in refusing to refer to me on a first name basis. Your uncompromising dedication towards your Japanese heritage remains truly remarkable¡­. Also please forgive my unusual lack of effort¡­. I''m still... Somewhat in disbelief."


    "Perfectly understandable Miss Marcien-san. The steam room has been prepared for your immediate use; I shall now humbly proceed to take my leave." Absolute efficiency, never wasting even a single Joule of energy for a menial day-to-day occurrence such as frivolous small talk. Komugi Itawabi was Japanese ex secret service, hired to personally hone the fighting abilities of the elite warriors within the SoL. Bowing his head in typically polite fashion, Komugi silently exited the 12 ft by 12 ft matted sparring-room, providing the Portuguese beauty some solitary privacy in order to recover.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Dressed in a pulsating skin-tight black vest and matching shorts; Sienna glanced down towards the 2 tiny puddles of sweat collecting in extremely unfeminine fashion directly below her tape-strapped hands. As is habit amongst soldiers requiring momentary thinking time; Sienna''s eyes glossed over whilst involuntarily clenching and unclenching her fist, before proceeding to rip the tape off her hands and wipe any remaining sweat onto the side of her vest.


    "Ami¡­.. If only¡­ I was there¡­ Maybe¡­ Things could have been different." Whispering under her breath; Sienna''s words lacked conviction, tainted by feelings of despondency and regret. Wishes to reverse the flow of time, stem from self-destructive feelings of helplessness, inevitably culminating in a never-ending cycle of negativity. However, being a veteran within the SoL meant acting as a role model for the new recruits. Having joined the SoL as an eager yet reckless youth at the sprightly age of 24; 6 years down the line and her refusal to publicly display emotion highlighted not only her resolute strength of character but furthermore, the astonishing rate of development in her maturity, fondly admired by both superiors and juniors alike.


    With a small reminiscent shake of her head and an extremely weary sigh; Sienna trundled into the women''s changing room, carefully stripping off her clothes and undergarments before scrutinising the bruising she''d come to expect from a typically intense Komugi training session. Content with the acceptable levels of damage, (whilst also stealing a few customary glances towards her famously pert behind), Sienna proceeded to wrap the cosy lavender-scented towel around her naturally tanned skin, paying careful attention to cover anything which could potentially have her labelled as an exhibitionist.


    The recently-built, state of the art WFA facility was situated deep within the heart of Tokyo, Japan; on account of being co-funded by numerous governments around the world, its resources were virtually limitless. Therefore, it''s only fitting that in-house facilities, (in particular for members of the cherished SoL) would be the utmost premium. The gym, sparring mats, swimming pool, tennis courts and boxing ring were available for either gender. However, each gender-specific changing room contained multiple showers, a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, whilst physiotherapists and massage therapists were available around the clock. Personal entertainment facilities were also readily available comprising: A cinema, bar, skating rink, arcade room and karaoke room. Finally, nutritional provisions were comparative to 5-star Michelin quality; world-renowned chefs working 24 hours a day to provide irresistible palates, with careful consideration towards dietary and nutrient requirements.


    Slight detour in narrative notwithstanding; Sienna wrapped her fingers firmly around the large brushed-metal handle of the steam-room door before proceeding to open the door, immediately finding herself enveloped in a thick plume of steam forcing a hasty aversion of her gaze.


    "You''re letting all the steam out, hurry inside and close the door."


    Being caught unaware twice in the space of roughly 30 seconds was generally unheard of for the fastidiously alert veteran; Komugi''s constant reminders towards maintaining a professional and emotional balance began feeling increasingly important. Subsequently the origin of the emotionless voice ordering Sienna to close the door was never in doubt. The harshness of tone, outright refusal to address Sienna by name and (most importantly), the overarching arrogance, could only be attributed to a single, (slightly intolerable) female. Her inherent talents and polished techniques were undeniable, her ruthless efficiency second only to the hardened warrior, Komugi Itawabi.


    Unquestionably the most powerful remaining member within the SoL, (after Felicity''s less than glamorous departure): The self-proclaimed Flame Princess, Rea Kazuki.

 Chapter 5 – The Flame Princess

    I''ve never classified myself as religious, continuing across preordained paths feels almost undermining towards my own innate abilities. However, the essence of spirituality, the divine construct within all things animate or inanimate remains unquestionable. The staunchest of atheists and agnostics abstain from comprehensively denying the absolute existence of divinity, (regardless of magnitude), within mother nature''s all-encompassing beauty.


    Thus, parts of Shintoism inevitably resonated within me; tugging towards my heart strings like the calming movements of waves nearing the shores, though with the aura of familiarity synonymous with meeting a beloved childhood friend. Years spent in silent meditation within Kyoto''s numerous temples would have me incorrectly labelled, "a devout worshipper," yet an underlying selfishness tainted my actions. Accepting divinity within my surroundings only served to heighten belief in my own boundless divinity, thereby fuelling my unquenchable thirst for power.


    I recall a particularly strange dream, occurring during a lengthy night indulging in nirvanic meditation. The lines separating reality and spiritual divination becoming infinitely blurred beyond recognition: Stood perfectly still, all alone on the soft soil beside an unknown temple, bathed in the familiar warming glow of candlelight; all of a sudden, the flames of the candles unattached from their wicks, moving carefully into position as if following in-line behind an invisible guide until the tiny torches fully encircled my body. Merely acting as a silent bystander whilst the previously tiny flames instantly roared into life, reaching unfathomable heights before enveloping me completely. However, fear and pain remained eternally absent, replaced by a tender warmth, reminiscent of a mother''s comforting embrace.


    Upon waking my heart-rate remained untarnished but most importantly, the delicate warmth remained. An immensely powerful force had awakened within me, a timeless bond far surpassing the simplistic ideologies of life and death. This was my calling, my birth-right and nothing less than I deserved. Beware world, the birth of the Flame Princess is nigh.


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    Sienna hastily trundled inside, sheepishly closing the door before taking a seat directly across myself onto one of the wooden planks situated within the small box steam-room. Recent events notwithstanding, I had been optimistically praying for a few moments alone following a no-holds barred sparring session with that muscle-freak Riley.


    As my eyes wearily draw to a close; the mental image of a nameless golden-haired bitch appears, typically spouting off about the necessity of both physical and mental recovery, inevitably inducing a small trickle of vomit down the back of my throat.


    "Sashiburi Rea¡­." (Long time no see).


    "I see those long hours spent indulging in trashy Japanese manga haven''t gone to waste after all Sienna. Anatawa nante yasashiino." (How kind of you).


    The thick steam encircling the room began to dissipate as the generator came towards the end of its 30-minute cycle; preventing Sienna''s exasperated actions involving crossing her legs and puffing her cherry-red cheeks, from remaining hidden. My intention hadn''t been to react in such sharp-tongued fashion towards my fellow SoL veteran, recently however, my temperament had become increasingly volatile.


    A heavy silence suddenly blanketed the room; two ignorant souls bound by fate''s twisted thread, purposely ignoring one another''s existence. It was as if within this cramped room quietly filling with steam, we resided in completely alternate dimensions. The three flashes of red light and simultaneous short bursts of sound signalling the end of the generators cycle, may or may not have occurred¡­. I remained inattentively oblivious. A heavy sigh escaping my moist lips as I raised purposefully to my feet, restarting the generator situated directly above my head, before taking a seat slightly closer to Sienna. The reduction in physical distance, a metaphorical olive branch outstretched towards my fellow SoL compatriot.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Sienna was well known for her jovial attitude and welcoming demeanour; the hint of a smile finally returning, as a single word quietly escaped from her plush lips:


    "Thanks."


    Silently nodding my head in appreciation, whilst smoothing my luscious long black hair behind my ears; I focused my gaze downwards, staring directly through my loosely wrapped towel whilst throwing a few sneaky comparative glances towards the Portuguese beauty sheepishly rubbing the back of her hands. Though unable to compare to my firm 32DD boobs and peachy rear-end, Sienna''s impressively slim physique, silky shoulder length brown hair and delicate features had been known to raise the Testosterone levels within the room on more than one occasion. Her fastidious training and intense workouts were a testament to her work-ethic, in similar fashion to my own.


    "Training with Komugi again were you??" The multiple visible bruises across Sienna''s exposed arms and legs were the quintessential signs of a training session with the Japanese master. My countryman remained the one physical specimen I held in the highest regard within the WFA. His unashamed discipline and daunting physical abilities stretched far beyond the scope of any normal human I had ever laid eyes upon. However, I remained unable to shake the feeling that Komugi''s outright refusal to utilise (or even trust) Artemesia, felt ominously reprehensible.


    "Well¡­. I have to keep pace with you guys somehow."


    The pangs of irritation began churning within the pit of my stomach; Sienna was anything but weak, her physical prowess, experience, cool-headed nature and an unerring resonation towards elemental water made her overwhelmingly formidable. Subsequently Sienna''s incessant need to downplay her own talents bordered on pathetic. There remained however more pressing matters to tend towards at this particular moment in time.


    "Sienna what do you know about the new recruit?"


    "You mean Shu? The guy Felicity decided to spare for some unknown reason?"


    "Yeah¡­. What does he look like?"


    "I''ve only seen him once: Average build, substantially tall, curly black hair, most likely East-Asian origin, piercing dark-brown eyes and he''s also quite handsome." As expected of the SoL veteran; once Sienna''s sparkling emerald green eyes cast their spotlight in your direction, your image was burned within her impressive memory for all eternity.


    "Damn-it Shu I told you not to come." Immediately admonishing myself internally as the words I held dear, involuntarily slipped out under my breath. Gulping as I gazed apprehensively in Sienna''s direction:


    "I didn''t catch that; did you say something Rea???"


    "Nandemonai. (Never mind) Thanks for the info Sienna¡­.. Remaining here any longer will definitely land me a one-way ticket to la-la land, I''ll see you around." Promptly raising to my feet once again; I respectfully bowed towards Sienna before turning to leave.


    "Maybe¡­ We can spar together soon Rea?" Sienna''s voice was a far cry from when she first entered into the steam-room, annoyance and irritability having been replaced with curiosity.


    "Sure¡­. But I hope you know¡­. I never take it easy regardless of who my opponent may be Sienna."


    "I wouldn''t have it any other way."


    The gleeful undertones in Sienna''s voice and playful twinkle within her glowing green eyes reaffirmed my initial observations, our relationship was on the road to recovery. Subsequently, considering the SoL''s stringent policies involving two member teams for missions, partners lacking synergy would inevitably culminate in a significantly shortened lifespan.


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    Closing the door carefully behind as I exited the room; my gaze fell towards my left hand, currently clenching and unclenching into a fist whilst visibly trembling. Doushite??? (Why??) Was it an overwhelming sense of responsibility? Anger? Sadness? Guilt? Betrayal? Perhaps deciding on one emotion was far too simplistic, after all humans are diversely emotional creatures, able to process multiple emotions almost simultaneously. The sudden burst of adrenaline currently surging unabated through my veins was initiated by a multitude of emotions threatening to boil over. I suppose everyone''s method of dealing with loss differs; mere days after lifting Ami''s mangled body off the floor and helping bury it 6 feet und...¡­


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    I''ve seen this image countless times. Luminescent streaks of fire flickering majestically off its ginormous supernatural body; oscillating up and down in masterful fashion, whilst emanating a frankly justifiable arrogance. Opening its mouth to its fullest extent, exposing its vice-like teeth whilst a tremendous heat begins rising from the depths of its throat. Unable to construct a worthy nickname for this God-like being, my feeble mind merely refers to this mentally-conjured beast in the simplest forms of perception: Ryu.

 Chapter 6 – A Fated Meeting

    "Riley¡­.. Riiiileyyyyyy¡­.. RILEYYYYY!!!!!!!!"


    "Superintendent Chalmers! Apologies¡­. I honestly hadn''t heard. Please excuse the intrusion ladies¡­. Duty calls."


    The chiselled physical specimen known as "Riley", flashed a well-rehearsed smile towards the two formally-dressed female delegates, (clearly overwhelmed by the sudden injection of Oestrogen through their veins), playfully winking before gliding confidently in our direction. Fully clad in military camo, sporting a worryingly-tight tank top and flight pants; the shortening distance between myself and Riley, only serving to heighten my awareness of his unequivocally imposing presence. A very similar height to myself (6 foot or thereabouts) and weighing around 200lbs, however with an unparalleled body-fat to muscle ratio; it wouldn''t come as a surprise to find out Riley had single-handedly obliterated every physical test conjured by man.


    Riley stood to attention saluting the general; his right hand proudly held beneath the fringe of his (typically short), military-style black spiky hairline, his other hand sternly clenched across his puffed out, over-inflated chest. The whites of his eyes clearly visible as he gazed up towards a spectacular glory, perceivable only to a chosen select few.


    *Clearing his throat* "Ahhhheeeeem..... Riley I''d like to introduce you to Shu Creed, he''s one of our newest SoL recruits. Riley Stevens happens to be one of our most experienced soldiers within the SoL, his military background allowed for instant acclimatisation within our humble organisation.


    I''m positive Riley has a few precious minutes to spare, before once again attempting to achieve his life-long goal of bedding every single female within the building...¡­. To perhaps do something useful. Such as¡­.. Oh I don''t know¡­. Maybe showing you around and helping with some of your basic training??? Of course, only if that''s fits in with Mr Stevens extensively busy schedule. Heaven forbid we might actually cause one of our highest paid employees some minor inconvenience!!"


    The superintendent (unwilling to wait for a reply), promptly turned on his heels mid-sentence, striding in the opposite direction from myself and Riley, (in extremely animated fashion mind you). Proceeding to frantically throw his hands high above his head, mumbling incoherently before disappearing completely from view down the preceding corridor.


    Sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, Riley exhaled a weary sigh before turning towards me. A wide grin plastered across his face as he stretched his hand out invitingly in my direction, (whilst performing a customary sarcastic eye roll). Hesitantly reciprocating Riley''s gesture, my fears were immediately confirmed as this monstrous man''s vice-like grip proved unspeakably painful.


    "I should apologise about the super-intendent¡­.. He means well¡­.. He''s just¡­..Slightly eccentric?? As you could probably tell by his little swan dance before fluttering off into the sunset."


    My cheeks puffed red as I let out a slightly embarrassing guffaw; the awkward tension originally surrounding us, completely dissipating as I began to understand the female fascination with Riley''s electric personality, (the chiselled physique and boyish good looks obviously not hurting matters either).


    "Shu Creed, Hajimemashite¡­. Ummm, I mean pleased to meet you."


    "Riley Stevens, Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!!" Riley''s perfect Japanese pronunciation caught me slightly off guard, causing me to tilt my head whilst narrowing my gaze in curiosity:


    "You¡­. Can speak Japanese??"


    "Hardly, everyone''s favourite Flame Princess also happens to be Japanese. The only rule you must always follow to survive within the SoL, is do whatever you can to stay on Rea Kazuki''s good side!" The muscles in my body immediately tightened at the mere mention of the familiar name. Maintaining secrecy however, remains the single highest priority and therefore regardless whether it''s feigning ignorance, playacting, or even outright lying¡­. I''ll do it¡­ I have to¡­. I have no other choice.


    "Is Rea another member??"


    "You''ve never heard of Rea?? I thought she''s quite the celebrity even outside the WFA''s humble 4 walls. It wouldn''t be too far-fetched to refer to the Flame Princess as a living legend; her ability to manipulate fire is undeniably spectacular."


    Regardless of its necessity and my willingness to carry through to the bitter end, the heart-wrenching pangs of guilt descended ever further. Lying had become almost second nature, a devilish black smog dulling my fragile conscience into submission before eventually encompassing my soul. How would she react?? What would she do?? The only absolute certainty remaining in an endless ocean of ambivalence, were the severe consequences I''d face as our paths finally crossed.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Momentarily engrossed within my own thoughts, Riley''s curious gaze caught me completely off guard. I had the sudden feeling that Riley had instantly demolished the seemingly impenetrable walls I meticulously erected and subsequently, he was shining a bright light upon the true self I could never afford to reveal.


    "Haha¡­ Sorry Shu I don''t swing that way believe me. You just seem¡­ Slightly lacking in the physical stature I''d expect of a soldier. Anyway, allow me to show you around, after all the combined powers of both myself and Komugi are enough to whip anyone into shape!!!!"


    Riley''s laugh was unquestionably normal, the typically self-confident giggle capable of coercing a young female into finally abandoning her modesty. Yet my unease remained. Were Riley''s actions mere suspicion, or something more sinister?? The heightened perception of the veteran SoL members was truly frightening beyond imagination.


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    The modern masterpiece that is the WFA''s complex, was simply breath-taking. Staying true to his word, Riley graciously toured me around the numerous buildings and facilities the WFA had to offer. Fondly reminiscing over the memorable times courting innumerable beautiful young females within the WFA''s entertainment buildings, (his go-to drink the infamous Spiryte (96% ethanol, seriously how the hell is this guy even alive??)


    Following our brief meeting with the supremely intense trainer known as Komugi, (very likely the least sociable character in existence), our tour inevitably concluded within the WFA''s phenomenally designed, (yet unnecessarily large), glass-domed cafeteria; Riley taking it on his own initiative to order enough meat to feed an entire village!! I never realised his "whip you into shape," comment earlier would become effective immediately.


    "Sienna¡­.. Rea¡­ Have you met our new recruit, Shu Creed??"


    Food became an instant afterthought at the mention of her name. Masaka!! (Roughly translates to "that''s unexpected!!" but more dramatic). Already?? Here?? Now?? Calm yourself Shu, you knew this moment would arrive.


    Pursing a friendly smile across my lips, I calmly swivelled my head in the direction of Riley''s gaze. Two unquestionably stunning females were patiently stood towards my left hand-side, their expressions however, seemingly worlds apart. The unrecognisable South-American beauty outstretched her right arm invitingly in my direction, her warm smile perfectly accentuating her delicate features. Slowly raising my right hand in response; I became momentarily captivated within her sparkling emerald-green eyes, though quickly shaking my head in apology as Riley''s cruel sniggers hastily returned me back to reality. My cheeks burning a dark shade of crimson as I sheepishly shook the beguiling girl''s hand, whilst simultaneously dropping my gaze embarrassingly towards the floor.


    "Well well, looks like our new recruit''s quite the shy one!! Pleasure to meet you Shu!! I''m Sienna and this gorgeous yet admittedly scary looking female stood silently beside myself, happens to be the infamous Flame Princess, Rea!"


    Cautiously peering upwards; avoiding the situation was no longer a viable option as the whites of my eyes finally met with those of the Flame Princess. No words or dramatic expressions were required, Rea''s unwavering gaze serving as the window towards her fury. The mixed kettle of emotions bubbling within Rea felt crystal clear within that one unforgettable moment. Betrayal, anger, hatred, disgust, all carefully embedded within a single, sharp glare.


    "Hajimemashite, I look forward to working along-side you Shu." Rea bowed respectfully towards me, before marching calmly away in the opposite direction. Unable to formulate a response, I simply chose the easier option given the situation; remain silent and cling to the lifeline provided by the seething mistress of fire.


    "WOW, Sienna did you see that?? Rea actually said more than two words to the new guy and she even bowed!! If only I was Japanese, her perception of me might improve¡­.."


    "Caught in dreamland again are you Riley??"


    "Damn, you really know how to hurt a guy Sienna."


    Attempting to focus on Sienna''s hilarious shot-downs from Riley''s flirtatious advances, was proving to be an impossible task. Having secretly kept one eye on the intimidating Flame Princess as she strode calmly from view; my thoughts drifted towards not only my future mannerisms, but also the inevitable consequences of my actions. Rea Kazuki doesn''t play around, her punishment would be swift and methodical. Hell, hath never witnessed fury like the irrepressible Flame Princess scorned.


    Two quick-fire vibrations within my trouser pocket signalled the awaited text message, however, it wasn''t until much later that same evening whereby I mustered enough courage to see what was written. Clairvoyance or forensic evidence won''t be necessary for you to guess either the sender''s origins, or indeed the contents of the message. The orders were clear, concise and unforgiving; the archetypal signature¡­. Of her.


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    Inexcusable¡­. Inexcusable¡­. Inexcusable¡­. FUCKING INEXCUSABLE!!!


    Why wasn''t she there?? The simplest damn task!! My timing was impeccable, my execution was immaculate and my fucking movements were masterful¡­.. And yet she wasn''t there. Why??? WHY DAMNIT. Those assholes screwed up and now, once again I''m left to pick up the GOD-DAMN PIECES!!


    I will not be making the same mistake again; you can be damn sure of that. My previous slaughter will look like a fucking day-time children''s television show compared to what I do next.


    Enjoy breathing while you can Flame Princess, because pretty soon it won''t be air seeping through those precious little lungs of yours.

 Chapter 7 – Look Closer

    Surveying my surroundings serves only to fuel my irritation; the narrative dictates I should provide you, (the readers) a detailed explanatory insight emphasising my rapidly rising anxiety levels, inevitably culminating in the despicable act of soiling myself.


    Hundreds, if not thousands of years ago; an abundance of Geraniums blossoming in striking shades of red, delicate shades of orange and eye-catching shades of purple, blanketed these once picturesque fields as far as the human eye could possibly reach. Today however, the remains of those once beautiful flowers lay scattered in tiny patches across the moist earth; soaked not from natures merciful tears, but rather a sea of fresh blood, flowing from thousands of indistinguishable humans, eternally awaiting their fruitless hopes for redemption as they lie upon its darkened plains.


    Truthfully, I care not for the self-righteous ideological principles or unrequited selfish ambitions driving these poor misguided individuals. However, carefully navigating a path between the shallow pools of blood and cacophony of dismembered body parts remains a cumbersome task and therefore I wish for not only their decomposing carcasses, but for their entire being to merely cease to exist.


    As if a masochistic omnipotent being joyfully accepted my humble request, the vast field of rotting humans instantly vanished. The previously blood-tinged sky instantaneously replaced by an astronomer''s wet dream: Suspended roughly 100 metres in the air on a tiny protruding cliff edge; the unforgiving jagged cliff towering endlessly behind my back, a bottomless whirlpool ominously inviting me towards eternal salvation directly beneath. The biting wind pierces my skin like a knife, forcing an immediate backstep towards the cliff. Raising my head towards the cloudless sky; as if in sudden response to my anxiety, the luminescent rays reflecting off the full moon shine directly upon me providing a small measure of calm, only to disappear shortly after.


    All of a sudden, an irregular sensation sliding silently over my ankle causes me to glance downwards; an all-black meter-long viper slithers quietly above my thigh before wrapping itself comfortably around my waist. Raising its head until the sparkling whites of its soulless eyes are perfectly level with my own, a devilish smirk purses giddily across its lips. The definitive word "blood" hisses vociferously within my ears repeatedly, yet the snake''s mouth remains firmly closed, as if I was suddenly thrust within a ventriloquist''s horrifying final coup de grace. Seemingly content at having fulfilled its unearthly duties, the viper proficiently unwinds itself from around my waist, gracefully dropping to the floor before slithering into a tiny hole within the cliff-edge. Exhaling a small tuft of air, I turn resolutely towards the cliff and begin searching for a solution to this unnatural dilemma I somehow find myself thrust into.


    Aimlessly sliding my hand across the rough face of the cliff inevitably proves fruitless. Dropped from hell into an even deeper hell, Hades must be rubbing his hands in contemplative glee... Though my suggestion would be for the God''s not to act with such pre-meditated haste, especially when an irrepressible monster is concerned.


    Temporarily retracting my hand; I glance up towards the sky until the shining light of the moon finally appears from behind an oversized cloud, instantly illuminating the wall in a shower of silvery luminescence. Subsequently, I become drawn to a few man-made indentations to the right-hand side of the wall, deftly highlighted within the moon''s all-encompassing rays.


    Deciphering the text would prove an impossible task, the illegible language appearing to be nothing more than an intoxicated man''s unfortunate mistake. However, I remain unable to shake the mythical snake''s constant hissing towards the nether regions of my mind, forcing me to grit my teeth in anticipation.


    Firmly placing the palm of my hand against a sharp protruding rock; my eyelids draw firmly to a close before I find myself intentionally sliding my hand across, immediately ripping through every layer of skin as the familiar feeling of warm blood flows unabated down my arm. Tightening my fist once more so as to momentarily halt the flow; I raise my hand directly above the area of the wall with the indentations. A soft sigh escaping my cool lips as my fist begins to loosen; the blood flowing directly over the indentations as they begin to shine with a soft red glow like a macabre otherworldly painting.


    A loud click from just behind the cliff-wall signalling the legitimacy of my actions. With an almighty rumble, a large section of the wall begins to raise from the floor, inducing a hurried step backwards in retreat. A darkened pathway eventually being revealed, endlessly stretching towards the unseen abyss, though miraculously lit by a handful of flaming torches embedded carefully into the walls. A soft chill reminding me of the precariousness of my current situation and the requirement for swift decision-making.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Bracing myself for any incoming surprises or traps, I take a step forwards into the unknown.


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    "Hey you wake up!!!! Shu??? That''s your name, right???? Come on I can''t sit here all day!!"


    "Sit??? What?? Wha¡­. What''s going on???"


    The very first thing I noticed was the sweet smell of Lavender, the unmistakable fragrance causing me to question my current location. Had I fallen asleep outside?? Had I been kidnapped and was currently being transported through a bed of flowers... Both highly unlikely situations if I''m honest. Wearily forcing my eyes to open, the scene presenting itself was possibly more incredulous then my initially contrived, highly-improbable scenarios.


    The delicate features of the beautiful young girl smiling back towards me with an indescribable radiance, caused my heart to catch in my throat. Noticing my stunned expression induced a stifled giggle from the girl, sitting straight up whilst gently brushing strands of her glossy brunette shoulder length hair from above her exposed sun-kissed shoulders. Dressed in a dangerously small aqua-blue cotton bra and matching thong, perfectly accentuated this angel''s fittingly small bust yet athletically toned body. Her lightly tanned silky-smooth skin sending tingles spiralling around my body as the unnamed girl carelessly shuffled dangerously close to my boxers, instantly inducing an affect she (thankfully), seemed as of yet, unaware.


    "Who¡­. Who¡­ Who are you????"


    In cute puppy-dog fashion, the girl tilted her head to one side whilst carefully resting her index finger against her temple. A giddy smile plastered across the girl''s face as she suddenly jumped forward a few centimetres, inevitably winding me in the process:


    "I''m your new partner Alice!! Nice to meet you!!! Riley let me in and told me that you love these kinds of surprises."


    "Ri¡­Riley???? Could¡­ Could you come down from me¡­ Please..."


    "Did I startle you?? Sorry!! I was just trying to be friendly¡­. I should probably go." Alice''s face instantly turned a bright shade of crimson as she dropped sheepishly to the floor, providing me a few precious moments to throw on some jogging trousers and a t-shirt. Perhaps it was due to a general self-conscious attitude around beautiful females, or possibly my lack of experience, (there''s no comparison between myself and the insanely experienced Riley). However, a fervent voice cried out within me not to waste this golden opportunity as Alice trundled abjectly towards the door. Mustering some courage, I instinctively reached out to grab her hand:


    "Matte!! Sorry I meant wait¡­.. I''m the one who should apologise, honestly you didn''t startle me and I didn''t mean to sound so rude. I''m just not used to being woken up by an unbelievably gorgeous girl¡­. Straddling me¡­."


    Alice covered her mouth whilst cracking a soft giggle. Why did I have the sudden urge to "protect her smile??" To coin a well-known phrase.


    "Thank-you for the compliment¡­ And it looks like I helped you forget that nightmare you were having!! Any-way I''m getting late for my induction, it was nice meeting you Shu¡­."


    "Creed, Shu Creed."


    "Alice Olsson!! I look forward to working with you!!"


    Nightmare? Alice was right; within all the commotion of being awoken, I had completely forgotten the strangely realistic dream ending only moments ago. Suddenly glancing towards Alice''s beautifully-shaped, toned behind as she reached towards the door handle, the curvature perfectly held within her cotton aqua-blue thong; a bout of realisation finally hitting me as I instinctively threw my weight against the door:


    "Hold it! Where are your clothes??"


    "Oh¡­. Riley said you''d be more surprised if I dropped the skirt and top. He said he''ll make sure to return them back to my room."


    "But¡­ You can''t go to induction dressed like that¡­" Glancing towards her skimpy attire, Alice''s face instantly bore an uncanny resemblance to a ripe tomato.


    With a slightly despondent shake of my head, I signalled for Alice to wait for a moment. Judging our height and builds to not be too dissimilar, I handed the seemingly absent-minded female a plain black t-shirt and some faded dark-blue jeans, (I guess Riley had a point about needing to bulk up).


    Clearly unfazed at having to change in my presence; gazing nervously around the room was all I could do to prevent myself gawking like a mesmerised pre-teen. However, curiosity can only be curtailed for so long; my gaze returning towards Alice as her delicate features appeared from the hoody like those of a blossoming flower. Tilting her head towards the ceiling before smoothing back her silky individual strands of hair with a tender delicacy, left me entirely captivated.


    Suddenly flashing me an appreciative smile, Alice proceeded to wrap her arms tightly around my waist. Momentarily drawing my eyelids to a close, the sweetest smell of Lavender coupled with Alice''s tenderly soft embrace, felt undeniably euphoric. Would you accuse me of selfishness, were I to attempt to encapsulate this single moment in time, eternally?? Negative emotions such as anxiety and sorrow are surely immaterial in comparison.


    "I''ll wash your clothes before returning them¡­ Later Shu!!"


    And just like that, Alice was gone. How long had I stood motionless after her departure, caught within the never-ending struggle between lust and incredulity?? Things had undoubtedly taken a turn for the better and yet a hesitance remained. Held deep within the fragmented plethora of emotions within the far reaches of my mind, remained a dark secret unknown even to myself.


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    Silently stood gazing towards my own reflection within the bathroom mirror; unable to hear the onrushing sound of water crashing continuously against the ceramic sink. My nervously trembling hand raises towards the faintly-noticeable bruise I deservedly received 8 hours earlier.