《Empress》 1 The End is the Beginning "Mom...It''s dark...I''m scared..." I couldn''t see anything. The darkness pressed against me, swallowing me whole. I couldn''t move, and breathing was hard¡ªtoo hard. What was happening to me? "Why the fuck did you grab the kid too? We were just supposed to take all the valuable shit they had!" "I don¡¯t know, man. I panicked. The little bugger came out of nowhere. I ain¡¯t the type of person to shoot a kid, man." A deeper voice responded. Their voices echoed from another room. My heart pounded against my ribs. Who were these people? Where were Mom and Dad? What did I do wrong? I¡¯d been good. I ate my vegetables. I finished my homework. I never said bad words. Had I done something bad? "Please, help me. I swear I''ll be good again." A door creaked open, and my body jerked. A fresh wave of terror filled my chest as I scrambled backward, only for the wall behind me to stop me cold. Footsteps drew closer. I squeezed my eyes shut. "Please don¡¯t hurt me. Please don¡¯t hurt Mari. I¡¯ll be good now, I promise. Just let me see my mommy!" They didn¡¯t answer. Their heavy footsteps stopped in front of me, their breathing deep and uneven. "Here. Deal with your mistake." "I can''t do it, man. She''s just a brat. The guilt is gonna kill¡ª" "DO YOU THINK I GIVE A SHIT? WE¡¯LL BOTH BE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU." Deal with your mistake? Did that mean¡­ they were letting me go? Hope flickered inside me like the dying embers of a candle. "My daddy is rich! I can ask him for money if you help me! I promis¡ª" A deafening bang. Everything stopped. The fear. The shivering. The panic. My body gave out, collapsing to the ground. Had I¡­ fallen asleep? A deep voice sobbed somewhere in the distance. "Fuck, man. I can''t believe I did that. Fuck." Then, nothing. No more voices. No more fear. Just darkness. "Mari..." Who''s there? I tried to speak, but my voice wouldn''t leave my mouth. "Mari... Wake up..." My eyes fluttered open. Something was bumping against me¡ªsmall, light, with frantic wings. A flying animal? Where am I? What is this thing? What happened to me? "Mari! I''m glad you''re finally awake. I was worried for a second there! Anyways, hurry up! We''re late to the hunter orientation!" Hunter orientation? My head throbbed. The words made no sense. What¡¯s going on? Who is this? Wait¡ªhow is it talking? "Who... are... you?" The words scraped my throat like broken glass. Pain shot through me, deep and raw, as if my body had forgotten how to speak. I wanted to cry. "Oh yeah, I totally forgot to introduce myself. My name is Desire. I will be your Hunter''s personal assistant. I am here to offer you support during the Hunter jobs that will be assigned to you. I am basically your friend!" A friend. The word lingered in my mind, unfamiliar and warm. I had a friend now? A small smile crept onto my face. "Okay... Desire... friend." "Your throat still seems to be bothering you. I mean, it¡¯s pretty obvious since there¡¯s, like, a massive hole in it. BAHAHAHAHA!" Desire burst into laughter, wings flapping wildly. A hole? In my throat? My fingers trembled as they reached up, brushing against my skin. Cold. Wet. Hollow. My stomach twisted. My breath hitched. There was a gaping hole in the side of my neck. No. No, no, no, no. Panic crashed over me like a tidal wave. My body locked up. My chest burned. I tried to scream, but nothing came out. Nothing. Tears streamed down my face. My legs gave out. I collapsed, the world spinning, tilting, shattering around me. What... what happened to me? Why is there a hole in my throat? "Hey now! Don¡¯t start the waterworks, you big baby. You¡¯re fine! You just had... a little accident! It¡¯ll get better, don¡¯t worry. The nice ladies at hunter orientation will fix you right up!" Desire¡¯s voice was light, almost cheerful, like this wasn¡¯t completely insane. Like this was normal. I wanted to believe him. But my hands were still shaking. And my throat¡ªmy throat was still missing a piece of me. I nodded as I pushed myself up. My legs wobbled beneath me, and the tears still ran down my face, but I tried to stop them. It¡¯s okay. Desire said they would fix this. It will be okay. Desire is my friend. Friends don¡¯t lie to each other. He floated ahead toward a massive, triangular building, his small form bobbing through the stale air. I wiped my face and followed. I don¡¯t like this place. The stench of rot and sewage clung to everything, thick and suffocating. My stomach churned. I wanted to go home. Home with Mom and Dad. But will I ever go back? The people here looked like they hadn¡¯t eaten in months¡ªthin, hollowed-out, barely alive. Will I become like them? The thought made my body shudder. And some of them¡­ some of them weren¡¯t even people. Machines. Their glowing eyes flickered beneath rusted metal faces. Limbs creaked with mechanical whirs. They moved like people but weren¡¯t. Their bodies were wrong. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. What is this place? A towering structure loomed ahead, swallowing up my thoughts. "Here we are! Welcome to the Pyramid!" The Pyramid? It didn¡¯t look like anything from Earth. More like something straight out of the evening cartoons I used to watch with Daddy¡ªblinding neon lights, flashing spotlights, metal veins running up its sides like circuitry. A wailing siren blared from somewhere to the right. "Hurry, Mari! That¡¯s the last bell for the hunter¡¯s orientation!" Desire darted toward the alarms. I forced my legs to move. They felt weak. Unsteady. But the idea of being left alone again was worse. I pushed forward. A crowd swarmed the entrance. I shrank back, overwhelmed. Towering machines stood at both ends of the massive doorway, their bulky metal frames rigid, unmoving. They held the gates open with effortless strength. "LAST CALL FOR HUNTER''S ORIENTATION. FAILURE TO ATTEND IS PUNISHABLE BY TERMINATION." The sirens screamed. Panic erupted through the crowd. Bodies pushed forward, desperate, frantic. I was too small. The wave of people swallowed me whole. I struggled to keep up. My breaths came short and sharp. My vision blurred. Desire¡ªwhere is he? I couldn¡¯t see him anymore. The world darkened. My body faltered. I was drowning. Then¡ªhands. Strong. Unyielding. Lifting me up. "Oh shit! Careful now, little girl. This is a dangerous place for a kid like you. Wait¡ªwhat the fuck? Why do you have that? This messed-up system is starting to recruit children? That¡¯s sickening." My vision was still blurry. A large figure held me up by my arm like I weighed nothing. "Crap, the doors are closing. Aghhhhhhh, fuck it. Kid, hold on to me tight if you want to live." I didn¡¯t have time to think. I grabbed onto the stranger¡¯s jacket with everything I had. Then¡ªfire. Flames crawled up her legs, burning bright, hot. Her limbs whirred, then¡ªBOOM. She launched us forward. Wait. WAIT. HOW IS SHE FLYING?! We shot through the air, barely squeezing past the closing doors. My breath caught in my throat. My soul left my body. My arms locked around her like a vice as we landed with a thud. I was shaking. "WOOOOO! Yeah! That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about! That rush never gets old. How was it, kid? Pretty fun, huh? Am I the coolest person you know, or what?" She turned her head, grinning¡ªthen froze. I was paralyzed. Barely clinging to her leather jacket. "OH MY GOD! KID, YOU OKAY?! WHAT HAPPENED??" She shook me, desperate, like I was some broken toy. Big mistake. The moment my senses returned, the nausea hit. Hard. I couldn¡¯t stop it. My body lurched forward. Everything I had eaten that day¡ªgone. Right onto her jacket. A deep, horrified silence. "Are you SERIOUS right now?! I just bought this jacket, man! I mean, yeah, I guess it¡¯s kinda my fault, BUT STILL!" She groaned, holding out her arms like she could somehow escape the mess. "At least WARN me before you do that, bro! I could¡¯ve gotten you a bag or something!" "I''m... so... sorry... Not... mean... to..." I tried to apologize, but the words choked in my throat. Right. The hole. I needed to get this fixed. Desire. Where are you? "Mari! Are you here? Did you get in?" A familiar voice echoed through the lobby. Desire! I tried to call out, but my voice wouldn¡¯t reach him. The stranger looked at me, then in the direction of the voice. "Mari? That you? I¡¯m guessing you know the one yelling your name?" I nodded. "Got it." She turned toward the voice and yelled at full volume. "HEY! MARI¡¯S HERE! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE NOW!" Her voice boomed across the lobby. A second later, a familiar blur shot toward us. Desire. He found me. "Thank god you got in, Mari. I would''ve lost my job if you became a failure on your first day¡ªBAHAHAHA!" Bright lights flickered from Desire¡¯s eyes, scanning me from head to toe. A strange sensation crawled over my skin, like invisible fingers tracing my body. "Scan complete. No problems here¡ªwell, aside from the gaping hole in your neck. BAHAHAHA!" His laughter sent a chill down my spine. Was my injury really that funny? But... he¡¯s my friend. Friends don¡¯t lie to each other. I can trust him. The woman whistled, arms crossed. Her gaze flicked between Desire and me, sharp with curiosity. "Woah. Is that the new Desimaro people are going crazy about? How did a brat like you score a high-end PA like that? Your parents rich or something? Contractors, maybe? Damn, I might¡¯ve hit the gold mine saving you." Her eyes practically sparkled with greed. "No. Unfortunately, my Hunter does not have a family. I was merely assigned to Mari in order to fulfill my true purpose." True purpose? What does he mean by that? Was he made to protect me? A soft warmth filled my chest, pushing away the fear. Desire was mine. He was my friend. He even said so himself. He would never do anything to hurt me. The woman clicked her tongue in disappointment. "Damn it. Thought I was about to score my express ticket out of this dump." Her eyes drifted back to Desire, admiration creeping into her tone. "You¡¯re one lucky brat, though. Having a Desimaro is basically cheating. These things are loaded with the latest battle and support tech. With him around, you¡¯re already set to start hunting." Hunting? Battle tech? Support tech? What exactly is Desire? What exactly is going on? A voice suddenly rang through the room. The once lively chatter vanished. Silence. "ATTENTION, HUNTERS." "EXPERIENCED HUNTERS, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE RIGHT SECTOR. NEW RECRUITS, REPORT TO THE LEFT SECTOR. FAILURES WILL NOW BE TERMINATED." The voice paused. Then¡ªmetal groaned. A deep, mechanical whir rumbled from behind the massive doors. Something was moving. Something big. Then came the screams. Raw. Desperate. Terrified. The people left outside begged. Pounding fists against steel. Crying. Pleading. BANG. A single, deafening shot. For a second, nothing. Then¡ªchaos. BRRRRRT¡ª A relentless hail of bullets ripped through the air. Metal shrieked. Flesh tore. The screams pitched higher¡ªhorrific, inhuman¡ªthen cut off. Bodies thudded against the floor. Spent shells clinked as they scattered across the ground. The gunfire stopped. Silence. "THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. PLEASE HEAD TO YOUR DESIGNATED SECTOR. THE PYRAMID WISHES YOU ALL THE BEST. PROVE THAT YOU ARE USEFUL. NECA NE NECERIS." My hands clenched into fists. I didn¡¯t know what it meant. But I knew it was a warning. 2 The Hunt Unveiled As the robotic voice hushed, a heavy stillness choked the air. No one spoke. No one dared to move. But we all heard it. The sounds behind the metal door still echoed in our minds¡ªgunfire, flesh tearing, bodies collapsing. The so-called ¡°failures¡± lay scattered across the ground, drowning in a sea of lead and blood. Someone finally broke the silence. "Recruits, left sector. Veterans, right sector. Right?" That was all it took. As if snapping out of a trance, the crowd moved¡ªslow, hesitant, afraid. No one wanted to be a "failure." No one wanted to be next. The mass split apart, each person driven by survival, not choice. "Hey, kid! First day, right?" I turned. A woman stood before me, grinning like none of this was terrifying. Her wild, flame-like hair flickered in the artificial light. Her cybernetic limbs gleamed beneath battle-worn leather and metal plating. I nodded. "Alrighty then, get your whiny ass to the left sector. I¡¯ll meet you outside." She took a step forward, then suddenly stopped. "Oh, shit! Almost forgot." Spinning back around, she extended a hand, her freckled face buzzing with energy. "Name¡¯s Zara. Zara the Arsonist. Nice to meet ya, kid!" I hesitated before taking her hand. Her grip was strong, calloused¡ªdangerous. Zara gave me a wink before striding toward the right sector, boots clanking against the steel floor. Desire hovered beside me, silent, watching. I wiped my face and followed the crowd to the left. The moment we stepped inside, the air changed. The silence outside had been thick with fear. Here, it was restless. A strange mix of curiosity and dread rippled through the recruits. Some clung to desperation, while others had that hungry look¡ªthe kind that belonged to people with nothing left to lose. At the front, instructors stood like statues. Some were human. Some were not. All were armed. "QUIET." A voice snapped through the room like a gunshot. The recruits froze. Even Desire, floating beside me, remained unnervingly still. The murmurs died instantly, smothered beneath an invisible pressure that weighed on our chests. "If you¡¯re standing here right now, congratulations. You won our internal hunter lottery. From this moment on, you are a hunter." His voice was cold, detached, like he had given this speech a thousand times before. "As a hunter, you will complete jobs. Completion of these jobs will be rewarded." He spoke like he was reading off a list. "Cash, food, housing, upgrades, slaves, sex, drugs, weapons¡ªyou name it. The higher the risk, the higher the reward. Simple, right?" A few recruits shifted. Some leaned forward, eager. Others stiffened, horrified. Excitement flickered in some of their eyes. The instructor¡¯s gaze snapped up. "YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK." The chatter vanished. "There is only one type of job for all hunters. It¡¯s easy. Simple. You must hunt your prey." His voice remained steady, emotionless. "Each hunter will be assigned a target. Your job is to terminate them." The weight of the words settled over the room. "You must be involved in their death to receive your reward." Something cold curled in my stomach. "If your prey dies from something not caused by you, the job is terminated. No reward. No second chances." The air felt thicker. I swallowed hard. Desire hovered beside me, his many eyes flickering with unreadable intent. The instructor¡¯s hollow gaze swept across the recruits. "What?... I have to kill people to get food?" No. No, no, no. I can¡¯t do that. I won¡¯t do that. The very thought of ending another person¡¯s life just to survive sent a chilling shiver down my spine. My stomach twisted in revulsion. Tears welled up, hot and stinging, blurring my vision. How is this real? The weight of it pressed down on my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs. Hunt or starve. That was the choice. Kill or be nothing. A sharp, suffocating hopelessness swallowed me whole. Desire¡¯s glowing eyes locked onto mine. "Don¡¯t worry, Mari. You won¡¯t be doing that. You¡¯re special. You can still get rewards without hurting people!" His words unraveled the tight knot of panic in my chest. I won¡¯t have to kill. Relief washed over me, but confusion followed close behind. Special? I didn¡¯t understand. Before I could ask, the instructor¡¯s voice cut through the heavy silence. "Don¡¯t get your hopes up yet. Even though the prey is meant to be hunted, the hunter can also be hunted." A slow dread seeped into my bones. "Assigned prey are allowed to protect themselves. If they manage to terminate their hunter, the title will be passed down, and the prey will be rewarded." The air shifted. Excitement drained from the room, leaving behind a suffocating weight. I could be killed too. My breath hitched. I don¡¯t want to die. I don¡¯t want to do this. I blinked back tears, my vision swimming. Even the recruits who had looked eager before were now pale, their faces twisted with fear. Nothing about this made sense. Nothing about this was fair. "As a hunter, you must be ready to kill. You must hunt¡ªor be hunted." "DISMISSED." The heavy metal doors swung open with a groaning hiss, shattering the silence. No one moved. Not at first. Then, like prisoners being led to their fate, we stepped forward¡ªDesire floating beside me as we followed the flood of recruits toward the exit. A thick, rancid stench slithered into the air, curling in my nose. Rot. Sewage. Death. The outside world was waiting for us. And it smelled like a graveyard. "Hey kid! I¡¯m right here! Hey!" Zara¡¯s voice cut through the suffocating weight in my chest, pulling me back to reality. She had kept her promise. She was waiting for us outside. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. But I barely registered her. The instructor¡¯s words still echoed in my head, wrapping around my thoughts like chains. Hunt or be hunted. Zara¡¯s energy was a stark contrast to the heavy silence that had settled over me. She grinned. "Haha! Nice recruit face you¡¯ve got there, kid. Now, snap out of it. We need to get you to a MedTech and get that hole of yours fixed." Without waiting for a response, she grabbed my arm and pulled me forward, her grip firm, urgent. The corridor was packed. Humans. Machines. A mass of recruits, all moving in the same direction. Some looked dazed, like me. Others had already accepted their fate. Towering robotic figures stood like sentries along the walls, weapons idle but ready. Their presence was a warning. The further we moved, the heavier my chest felt. What are we lining up for? My feet dragged. Zara barely noticed¡ªshe just kept moving, cutting through the crowd with practiced ease. The end of the line loomed closer. My anxiety spiked. Then¡ªit was my turn. "NAME AND HUNTER STATUS, PLEASE." The robotic voice was emotionless. Uncaring. I opened my mouth¡ªnothing came out. Desire answered for me. "Marilyn Ridgewood, new recruit." "MARILYN RIDGEWOOD, NEW RECRUIT, THROAT BULLET WOUND. PLEASE WAIT FOR MEDTECH TO ATTEND TO YOU." A woman in a nurse¡¯s uniform stepped forward. In her hands, she carried a tray. A scalpel. A gun. The chair behind her moved on its own, tailing her like a loyal pet. My stomach dropped. No. I didn¡¯t want to be touched. I didn¡¯t want them cutting into me. I had already lost so much¡ªmy home, my family, my voice. Now they wanted to carve me open like I was just another broken machine. The second I tried to run, metal arms lashed out, locking around my limbs and shoving me down into the chair. I couldn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t breathe. The nurse loomed over me, scalpel gleaming under the harsh lights. This wasn¡¯t medicine. This wasn¡¯t healing. This was surgery. And I wasn¡¯t sure I would survive it. "Mari, relax; you¡¯re going to be fine." Zara¡¯s voice cut through the panic clawing at my throat, but it barely reached me. "This lady is one of the MedTechs I was talking about. She¡¯s gonna fix your wound and get you all chipped up." Her attempt at reassurance did nothing to dull the terror thrumming through my veins. I kept struggling. The robotic arms tightened. The more I fought, the stronger their grip became¡ªunyielding, mechanical, unfeeling. The nurse picked up the gun. The cold barrel pressed against the side of my head. I braced for the shot. For the pain. For the end. Click. No bang. No impact. Just cold, spreading numbness. I gasped, but my body no longer obeyed me. My limbs went slack. My fingers twitched, then stopped moving entirely. What had she done to me? Why couldn¡¯t I move? "Anesthesia administered. Proceeding with the operation." Her voice was calm. Too calm. I was still awake. Still aware. But I couldn¡¯t feel anything. I couldn¡¯t stop her. I watched¡ªhorrified, detached¡ªas she worked on my wound. She moved with clinical precision, stitching, sealing, repairing. I felt nothing. Like I wasn¡¯t even there. Like I was just an object being fixed. "Operation complete. Implanting chip." The nurse picked up a scalpel. I could only watch as she sliced open my wrist. My own blood. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run, to fight, to do something. But my body was no longer mine. I could do nothing as she slipped the chip into my open flesh, sealing it with a metal bracelet. A small screen flickered to life on my wrist. "Chip implantation successful. Terminating anesthesia from the patient¡¯s system. Releasing restraints." The nurse¡¯s voice was flat, emotionless¡ªjust another task completed. A dull tingling spread through my limbs as control over my body slowly returned. My fingers twitched first, then my arms, my legs. The moment I could move again, the restraints snapped open, releasing me like I was nothing more than an object that had finished processing. The nurse didn¡¯t linger. She packed up her tools with practiced efficiency, then turned and walked away¡ªno acknowledgment, no parting words. It was as if I was never there. The chair, having fulfilled its purpose, followed her like a well-trained pet, wheeling itself down the corridor. Zara helped me up. Her grip was steady. Warm. Alive. I reached for my neck, fingers brushing against the fresh bandages. The wound was gone¡ªsealed up, erased like it never happened. But something was different. Something had changed. A cold weight settled around my wrist. The chip. I turned my hand over, staring at the metal bracelet now clasped to my skin. The anesthesia haze was fading, but in its place came a flood of questions. "What... What did they do to me?" My voice came out small. Unsteady. Desire hovered closer, his mechanical eyes flickering with unreadable light. "That was a chip! It¡¯s like a tracker and ID combined. It¡¯s how they monitor us, assign us tasks, and keep track of our hunter status. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll get used to it." Get used to it? How was I supposed to get used to this? Zara clapped me on the back, grinning like this was just another normal day. "Yeah, and it¡¯s not just for surveillance. The chip has all your records, rewards, jobs¡ªeverything. It¡¯s your lifeline in this messed-up world." Her words sank in slowly. This wasn¡¯t just some ID tag. It was a leash. A constant reminder that I belonged to this place now. That there was no escape. I touched the metal bracelet, my fingers tracing its smooth surface. It was cold. Unmoving. Permanent. The weight of my newfound identity pressed hard against my chest. I was a hunter now. Whether I wanted to be or not. "Come on, kid, let¡¯s get you settled in." Zara¡¯s voice was lighter, like she was trying to pull me away from my thoughts. "I¡¯ll show you the ropes, make sure you don¡¯t end up like those ¡®failures¡¯ outside." The word sent a shudder through me. Failures. I didn¡¯t need a reminder of what happened to them. The gunfire was still fresh in my ears. Desire and I followed Zara through the corridors. The deeper we went, the heavier everything felt. The air was thick with dampness and rot. The flickering lights overhead barely cut through the dimness, casting eerie shadows against the walls. I glanced at the other recruits. Their faces were a mix of emotions¡ªfear, determination, resignation. Some walked with confidence, like they had already accepted this world. Others looked hollow, lost. None of us belonged here. Yet, here we were. Zara talked as we walked, explaining the rules, the jobs, the tricks to staying alive. She made it sound simple. Like a game. But I knew better. A game meant there were winners. And there were losers. The hallways stretched on forever, the maze of corridors leading to a darkened row of metal doors. Zara finally stopped and gestured toward one. "This is you, kid. Welcome home." The door slid open with a metallic hiss. Inside was a box. No¡ªa room. Barely big enough to be called one. A bed. A metal table. A flickering light overhead. That was it. This was my space now. A cold sense of finality settled over me as I stepped inside. Zara leaned against the doorway. "Make it your own. You¡¯ll be spending a lot of time here when you¡¯re not out working." Working. That word felt wrong. Zara flashed me a grin. "Don¡¯t let it get to you too much, kid. Surviving¡¯s all that matters." I wasn¡¯t sure what to say. Desire hovered into the room, scanning the space with an unsettling calm. The door clanged shut behind us, sealing us in. I sat on the edge of the bed. The mattress was stiff, barely better than the floor. I exhaled slowly, staring at the flickering light overhead. The noises of the city bled through the walls¡ªdistant, but never far enough. This was real. I was really here. I lay back, staring at the ceiling. Then, my bracelet lit up. NEW JOB ASSIGNMENT HUNT MARCUS FARHIDE DURATION:15 DAYS REWARD:MRE (6 BAGS) NECA NE NECERIS 3 Thou Shalt Eat "Don¡¯t kill me... I don¡¯t wanna die... Please let me live..." My eyes shot open. The dim, flickering light above barely cut through the darkness. Cold sweat clung to my skin. My breath came in short, ragged gasps. A dream. No¡ªa nightmare. The screams still rang in my ears, raw and desperate, echoing like ghosts in the back of my mind. The weight of choices. The moral dilemma. The hunt for Marcus Farhide. Who is he? Why do I have to kill him? Will I even be able to do it? My fingers curled into the thin sheets. There had to be a way out of this. Maybe Desire was right. Maybe I really was special. Maybe I wouldn¡¯t have to hurt anyone. A sudden bang on the metal door jolted me upright. "Hey, Mari! You awake?" Zara¡¯s voice cut through the haze, full of her usual reckless energy. The room felt smaller, the shadows clinging to the corners, reluctant to let go of the nightmare. I swallowed hard and forced myself to move. My legs felt stiff as I shuffled toward the door, pressing my palm against the cold surface before finally opening it. Zara¡¯s grin faded the second she saw me. "Shit, kid. You¡¯re pale as a motherfucker. Had a nightmare?" My bracelet caught her eye. Her expression shifted¡ªunderstanding, maybe even sympathy. "Oh... First job." She nodded like she knew exactly what I was feeling. Like she had stood in this same spot, just as afraid. "I get it, kid. Had the exact same face during my first time." She didn¡¯t give me a chance to respond before clapping her hands together. "Alright. No time to mope around. We got a job to complete!" Zara sprang to her feet, extending a hand toward me. I hesitated, then reached for it. Her grip was strong, steady¡ªlike she was trying to pass me some of her energy. "But first!" She grinned, eyeing me from head to toe. "We need to go shopping." I blinked. "Shopping?" "Hell yeah. Your outfit might be cute, but it¡¯s all messy and bloody. That ain¡¯t gonna protect you from anything." I glanced down at myself¡ªstained fabric, torn edges, dried blood. Embarrassment crept up my neck. I looked back at Zara. She was already marching forward, grinning. I followed. For the first time since waking up, I smiled. The air changed the moment we stepped outside. The dim, lifeless corridors gave way to something else. Vibrant neon lights. The hum of machinery. The restless murmur of the city. People moved with purpose¡ªsome fast, others slow, some with weapons strapped to their backs, others in tattered clothing, scanning the streets like prey waiting to be picked off. The nightmare still clung to the edges of my mind, but with every step, it faded just a little more. A fresh start. Zara led the way, her energy undeterred by the world¡¯s cruelty. I envied that about her. This wasn¡¯t just about getting new clothes. It was about reshaping myself. A small act of rebellion against the system forcing me into something I didn¡¯t want to be. The first store loomed ahead, its bright LED sign flickering in and out. Zara pushed the door open with zero hesitation. She barely made it five steps inside before grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward the racks. "Here, Mari! Look! They¡¯re pretty cute, right?" I glanced over. Combat gear. Full armor. Reinforced plating. Tactical vests lined with ammo slots. My fingers twitched. The nightmare wasn¡¯t gone. It was just waiting for me to wake up again. "Don¡¯t worry about the price! The cool big sister Zara''s got you!" She bolted toward the counter, waving a piece of gear like a kid on a shopping spree. "Cashier boy! I want this!" Despite her weird interests, I couldn¡¯t help but smile. Spending time with her like this made me forget. Even if it was just for a second. The initial embarrassment faded. Instead, there was¡­ something else. Camaraderie. A sense of shared purpose. We moved from store to store, the city¡¯s pulse wrapping around us. The vibrant lights. The hum of voices. The endless racks of clothing, armor, and weapons. For a fleeting moment, it felt familiar. I missed this. I missed going to the mall with Mom and Dad. The fitting rooms, the quiet excitement of picking out new clothes, the simple joy of trying something new. But this wasn¡¯t the same. Each piece of clothing I tried on was a decision. A step toward something I didn¡¯t want to be. Yet, somehow, it felt like a small rebellion. Like I was claiming something for myself in a world that wanted to take everything away. "Alright, kid. We got the new clothes, full set of light armor. All we need now is a knife or something to complete the look." Zara¡¯s voice yanked me back to reality. Reality. The jobs. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Marcus Farhide. His name crashed back into my thoughts like a stone sinking into dark water. And with it came the screams. The knife was placed in my hands. Small. Light. The blade glinted under the artificial store lights. It barely weighed anything, but it felt heavy. This might be the weapon I wield to ¡°hunt¡± Marcus Farhide. The word sat like acid on my tongue. Then¡ªmy bracelet flickered to life. The screen pulsed with cold, glowing text.
TARGET: MARCUS FARHIDE WITHIN 5 MILES BOTH LOCATIONS WILL BE REVEALED IN 10 SECONDS HUNT HIM DOWN
The words burned into my vision. Five miles. He was close. My breath hitched. My pulse pounded. Was he moving? Did he know? Was he hunting me too? The timer ticked down. I wanted to scream. My fingers tightened around the knife. The cold metal pressed against my skin¡ªa bitter reminder. Of what I was about to become. Of the fine line between predator and prey. And how, in the end¡ª I might not have a choice. Navigating the bustling streets, every passerby became a potential threat. Every alley¡ªa potential ambush. Anxiety gripped my chest like a vice. The knife in my hands felt heavier with every step, a constant, inescapable reminder of the job I was forced to complete. I shouldn¡¯t be doing this. I don¡¯t want to do this. Zara walked beside me, her usual grin replaced by something quieter. Sympathy. "It¡¯ll be okay," she whispered. We both knew that was a lie. There was no turning back. I watched in silence as the clock on my bracelet counted down. 3¡­ 2¡­ 1¡­
LOCATION REVEALED. MAY THE HUNT BEGIN.
The words etched themselves into my vision, burning behind my eyes. A map flickered to life on my bracelet¡ªtwo points. One was me. The other¡­ Him. The distant hum of the city seemed to separate itself into pieces¡ªcars, voices, footsteps. But one sound stood out. Engines. The steady, rhythmic roar of an approaching convoy. Zara and I ducked into the shadows, watching as a line of patrol cars followed a sleek, black limousine. A high-profile target. The limo glided to a stop. My pulse pounded in my ears. The door opened. A man stepped out. Expensive suit. Bright jewelry. Confidence in every movement. I pointed my bracelet at him.
TARGET CONFIRMED. MARCUS FARHIDE.
A shiver crawled down my spine. This was it. The man I was assigned to kill. He didn¡¯t look scared. Did he even know he was being hunted? The world around me felt narrow, suffocating. The buildings, the neon lights, the distant chatter¡ªit all faded into static. Marcus Farhide strode toward a towering building, the shadows swallowing him as he reached the entrance. The dreams. The screams. The nightmare. All of it led to this moment. Then¡ªhe stopped. His gaze snapped to mine. A smirk. His eyes gleamed with amusement. Then, he laughed. "Is this the hunter they sent me?" His voice dripped with mockery. "Pffff HAHAHAHA! It¡¯s just a brat." The laughter ripped through me, sharp and taunting. Like this was all just a joke. Like I wasn¡¯t even worth fearing. My fingers tightened around the knife. My pulse thundered. The weight of the task pressed down on me. This was no longer a distant nightmare. This was real. I was here. And so was he. Zara, ever the steady presence, leaned in and whispered, "Remember, Mari, he''s just a target. Focus on the job. Just remember your training." I didn¡¯t have any training. Marcus Farhide moved. Fast. His hand shot toward his pocket. Instinct took over. I stepped forward, knife trembling in my grip¡ªfear and determination clashing in my veins. The air thickened. Doors slammed open. Muscular men and machines spilled from the patrol cars, weapons drawn, ready. Marcus pulled something from his pocket. A pill. He popped it into his mouth. Then¡ªhe collapsed. Shaking. His body twitched, convulsed. His veins bulged beneath his skin, spreading like cracks in glass. His breath came out in ragged gasps. His eyes snapped open¡ªbloodshot, glowing, unnatural.
NEW RISK LEVEL DETECTED. REWARD UPDATED. MRE (6 BAGS) VISTA HOTEL (2 NIGHTS) MAY LUCK BE ON YOUR SIDE.
I flicked a glance at Zara. She flicked one back. No words. Just understanding. This had just gone from bad to worse. Marcus writhed on the ground, his smirk never fading. "You think this is the end, little hunter?" His voice was different. Rougher. Sharper. "This is just the beginning." The air crackled. Then¡ªan explosion of force. Marcus unleashed a shockwave, sending enforcers flying like ragdolls. The world tilted. People screamed. Metal groaned under the pressure. I should have moved. Should have fought. But fear took control. I ran. "HEY, KID! WHERE YOU GOING?!" Zara¡¯s voice chased after me. I couldn¡¯t stop. Didn¡¯t want to. Then¡ªDesire moved. A metallic blur. "Oh no, that won¡¯t do. Desertion is not good, Mari! SYSTEM OVERRIDE INITIATED." Something latched onto my neck. Tight. Unforgiving. A collar. "BATTLE HELMET. TRAUMA PROTOCOL ACTIVATED." My vision warped. Desire shifted, his form folding, twisting, changing¡ªa machine in constant motion. Then¡ªdarkness. A screen flashed across my eyes. RED. "SUGAR LAND PRESET." The world shifted. Bright colors. Candy-striped roads. Cotton candy clouds. The twisted alleyways melted away, replaced by a landscape of pastel pinks and swirling blues. The looming threat of Marcus Farhide was gone. All that remained was a giant donut. Whimsical candy creatures pranced around it, their laughter light and musical. The sweets charged toward me, their tiny, colorful bodies bouncing with excitement. A desire¡ªdeep, irresistible¡ªtook hold of me. I wanted to play. I needed to play. The despair, the fear, the weight of everything¡ªit all faded. With pure joy, I sprinted toward one of the sweets, arms outstretched, eager for an embrace. The moment I touched it, its body crumbled into tiny pieces. Laughter filled the air. Not cruel. Not mocking. Just cheerful. Happy. Encouraging. The other sweets followed suit, breaking apart with every touch, their voices singing in harmony. Joy. I had never felt happier. "Come and eat me! Play with me!" The giant donut bounded toward me, giggling with delight. It smelled so sweet. So warm. My mouth watered. I dashed forward, reaching for it, desperate for a taste. I opened my mouth¡ªtook a bite. But it was¡­ chewy. Resistant. "JAW DEPLOYED." Desire¡¯s voice echoed in my mind. A mechanical click. Then¡ªpower. My jaw locked. Tightened. Activated. Biting into the donut became effortless. A rush of strawberry filling flooded my mouth. Sweet. Warm. Crunchy. I chewed. It was perfect. It was delicious. And I wanted more. 4 Idolistic Arsonist As I devoured the giant donut, the euphoria consumed me. Every bite was pure bliss. More. I needed more. The warm rush of sweetness flooded my senses, drowning out the weight of everything else. The fear. The mission. The blood. None of it mattered here. Not in Sugar Land. Then¡ªit was gone. The colors faded. The candy crumbled into nothing. And I was ripped back into reality. The red returned first. Then¡ªthe heat. The smell of burning flesh. The taste of iron on my tongue. I blinked. The whimsical world of Sugar Land was gone. And in its place¡ª Hell. Blood. Fire. Carnage. The alley was an inferno, smoke curling into the air like tendrils from something alive. Marcus Farhide and his men lay scattered across the ground. Mutilated. Twisted. Unrecognizable. Some were missing limbs. Others had been ripped apart entirely. My stomach lurched. What¡­ happened?
HUNT COMPLETE. JOB STATUS: COMPLETED. REWARDS WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP AT THE PYRAMID.
Desire unlatched from my neck, releasing his hold on me. The bracelet on my wrist flickered to life. It was done. I hunted Marcus Farhide. But how? When? I don¡¯t remember. My thoughts spiraled, crashing into one another. I barely had time to process before¡ª THWACK. A hard slap on my back. "GOOD SHIT, KID!" Zara¡¯s voice rang out, loud, excited, impressed. "You were a beast out there! Are you sure you¡¯re not a veteran? ¡®Cause, goddamn, you were merciless. Ripping through them with that big smile on your face? Gave me chills." My breath hitched. Smiling? No. That wasn¡¯t possible. I wouldn¡¯t¡­ I couldn¡¯t. I don¡¯t even remember doing this. I don¡¯t remember anything. Something cold spread through my chest. "Ms. Zara, may I speak with you privately, please?" Desire¡¯s voice was calm. Controlled. Too calm. He floated toward a shadowed corner. Zara hesitated before following, throwing me a glance¡ªconfusion flickering in her eyes. They whispered. Low. Careful. Private. Zara¡¯s eyes flicked back to me, concern creeping into her face. Then she nodded. Whatever they talked about¡ªshe agreed. I took a step forward. "What were you guys talking about?" The words came out shaky. Zara turned to face me. She hesitated. "It¡¯s¡­ uhm¡­ nothing! Zara waved a hand dismissively, her usual confidence faltering for just a second. "It¡¯s okay, kid. Sometimes it¡¯s best not to know. Trust me on this one." She was lying. Or maybe she was telling the truth¡ªbut only the part she wanted me to hear. I opened my mouth, ready to press further, but¡ª "Never mind that!" Her voice picked up, shaking off whatever hesitation had slipped through. "Let¡¯s go collect this reward of yours! I¡¯m dying to see that hotel room we¡¯re supposedly getting. I hope it has a hot tub or something. I could use a good soak, and maybe we can order some room service. What do you say?" I blinked. We? I never invited her to stay with me. I shot her a look of disbelief. Zara grinned. I rolled my eyes. There was no stopping her nonsense. We wove through the maze-like streets, neon signs flickering and casting distorted reflections against the wet pavement. The Pyramid loomed ahead, towering above the city like an unshakable monolith. Its jagged silhouette cut through the skyline, a beacon of power and control. Zara moved with effortless swagger, her boots clicking lightly against the pavement as if she owned the ground beneath her. The neon lights danced across her cybernetic limbs, highlighting the fire in her step. She whistled a tune, carefree, letting it echo through the alley walls. I walked differently. Every step was measured. Cautious. Calculated. Every shifting shadow felt like a potential ambush. The city was a puzzle. And I didn¡¯t like the feeling of being a piece on someone else¡¯s board. As we neared the Pyramid, the air grew heavier. Anticipation buzzed beneath the city¡¯s restless hum. The guards at the entrance stood rigid, their metallic eyes scanning every approach. The floor was stained. Dark red. Old blood. A silent reminder of the ¡°failures¡± who never made it past these doors. Zara, unfazed, strolled past the guards like she belonged there. Like she knew every hidden thread woven into the city¡¯s design. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. I hesitated for only a second before following. Inside, the grand lobby pulsed with energy. The crimson light bathed everything in an eerie glow, stretching shadows in unnatural ways. Hunters crowded around holographic terminals, their faces etched with determination, exhaustion¡­ and something else. Desperation. Some were hardened by battle, scarred and weary. Others¡ªnew recruits like me¡ªstood rigid, trying to mask their unease. Above them, watching, waiting¡ª the guards. Some were human. Most were not. All were armed to the teeth. The air crackled with tension. The promise of reward. The inevitability of death. It was all the same in this place. And now, I was a part of it. "Zara, wait!" I struggled to keep up, weaving through the frantic sea of bodies. The lobby buzzed with a chaotic rhythm¡ªfaces blurred past, voices rising and falling, footsteps clattering against the polished floor. Zara¡¯s hand found mine, firm, steady. "C¡¯mon, kid!" She pulled me through the throng with ease, her grip reassuring, confident. We stopped at the same terminal where I had first received my chip¡ªthe moment my life had changed forever. The weight of d¨¦j¨¤ vu settled over me. "NAME AND HUNTER STATUS, PLEASE." The robotic voice was cold, sterile. I hesitated. Then, swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced the words out. "Marilyn Ridgewood and, uh¡­ Hunter." A mechanical whir filled the air. "MARILYN RIDGEWOOD, HUNTER." "JOB STATUS: COMPLETED." "REWARDS: MRE (6 BAGS) AND VISTA HOTEL (2 NIGHTS)." The bracelet on my wrist flickered to life, pulsing with confirmation. Then, the terminal robot¡¯s eyes glowed. A whining sound filled the space, growing louder¡ªsomething was moving. From the shadows, a sleek drone emerged, descending gracefully before us. With a soft thud, it placed a black box at our feet. Zara bent down and flipped the lid open. Inside, neatly packed MREs sat beside a keycard. The card¡¯s surface gleamed, embossed with a golden palm tree and the words "Vista Hotel" in bold lettering. Before I could react, Desire hovered closer. With a flicker of movement, the box disappeared into digital storage. "Nice! Forgot these things have built-in storage." Zara stretched, her excitement buzzing in the air. "Alright, let¡¯s go! A luxury bathtub is calling for my ass!" She grabbed my arm before I could protest. Desire latched onto my neck¡ªa familiar weight. A flicker of fire ignited at Zara¡¯s feet. Her legs whirred to life, mechanical joints heating up. The glow from her hair intensified, forming a halo of flame above her head. I knew where this was going. Then¡ªBLAST. Fire roared beneath us, propelling us straight into the air. The world spun as we soared through the night, neon lights and cityscapes blurring into streaks of color. "WE¡¯RE FLYING?! AGAIN?!" The wind rushed past my face, my stomach lurching as my grip tightened. And yet¡­ A thrill coursed through me. Despite the panic, the vertigo, the absolute terror¡ª A part of me loved this. "WOOOO! HAHAHAHA!" Zara¡¯s laughter crackled like wildfire, her sheer energy pushing us faster, higher. Through the darkness, the Vista Hotel emerged¡ªa golden skyscraper, sleek and towering, its reflective surface piercing the night like a beacon. She angled us downward, guiding our descent. A final burst of heat, a controlled fall¡ª We landed. Wind whipped around us. Zara released her hold, straightening up, shaking out her hair. She dusted off invisible specks of dirt, grinning. "Flawless landing, right? Told you I¡¯m the best." Her laughter filled the night. And for the first time in what felt like forever¡ª I almost laughed with her. ""HAHAHA, that never gets old!" Zara¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Kid!" She shot me a mischievous grin. "Ready to soak up some luxury?" I nodded, swallowing hard, trying to ignore the urge to puke. The moment we stepped inside, the world changed. The filthy, neon-lit streets outside vanished behind us, replaced by polished marble floors, shimmering chandeliers, and pristine gold accents. Luxury. Perfection. It felt like stepping into a different dimension. Zara¡¯s jaw nearly hit the floor. Her wide-eyed excitement was almost contagious¡ªbut something about this place felt wrong. Too clean. Too perfect. Like it was trying to hide something. "Zara," I hesitated. "Do you ever feel like... you¡¯ve done something, but you can¡¯t remember?" Her expression shifted, just slightly. Then¡ªa laugh. "Oh? Get that all the time, kid." She tapped the side of her head. "My noggin¡¯s seen so much fucked-up shit that, to stay stable, I gotta remove some of those memories. You know what I mean?" I didn¡¯t. But before I could press further¡ª "Anyways! Moving on. Look at this beauty! Vista Hotel! Always wanted to stay here. Thanks to you, kid, that wish came true." I should¡¯ve felt relieved. I didn¡¯t. Still, her last words sparked something warm in my chest. At least I¡¯d made her happy. The moment shattered. Someone slammed into Zara¡¯s shoulder. "HEY! WATCH IT, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" Zara snapped around. The man stopped mid-step. Slowly, he turned. Dark eyes. Open black suit revealing tattooed skin. A pistol holstered at his side. His lip curled. "What the fuck did you just call me, whore?" Zara scoffed. "Not only are you dumb as fuck, you¡¯re deaf too? Hmmf." The man''s jaw tightened. "I fucking dare you. Say that shit again." Zara took a slow step forward. Her grin widened. "I said¡ªdeaf. Piece. Of. Shit." The air shifted. Tension crackled between them like a live wire. His hand darted for his gun. Too slow. BOOM. Fire exploded from Zara¡¯s palm as she lunged forward. Before his fingers even brushed the grip¡ªshe had the weapon. A roaring inferno swallowed the pistol whole, reducing it to molten scraps in her grasp. The man staggered back, cursing. But then¡ªhe laughed. "Look at you. Tryna be like the Arsonist, huh? HAHAHA. Fucking fan girl. Even bought the Arsonist build. Oh my god. The Pyroteknic too?? HAHAHA. That¡¯s actually hilarious." Zara¡¯s smirk vanished. A dangerous glow flickered in her eyes. "Fan girl, huh?" Her body tensed. Flames flickered to life. "Bitch. I AM the Arsonist." Her voice dropped. "ZARA THE MOTHERFUCKING ARSONIST. INCENDIUM AD SOL." WHOOSH. Fire erupted. A pillar of flame engulfed her, spiraling upward like a living inferno. She moved. Fast. Too fast. The man had no time to react before Zara slammed him into the floor. Her flaming grip crushed his collarbone, pinning him down beneath searing heat. "Any last words?" He grinned through the pain. Then¡ªspat in her face. "Yeah. Fuck you." Zara hauled him up by his face. Her flames roared to life. The man screamed. A symphony of agony. Burning flesh. The scent of scorched skin. Zara¡¯s voice, low, almost mocking¡ª "I fucking dare you. Say that shit again." 5 Family Like No Other The room pulsed with heat. Zara stood over the charred, writhing figure, her eyes burning with rage. The scent of scorched flesh hung in the air, mingling with the man¡¯s ragged, agonized screams. Then¡ªshe let go. His limp body hit the floor with a sickening thud. The flames around her arms flickered, then faded. Slowly, she stepped back, exhaling through her nose like she was trying to calm herself down. Then¡ªher gaze caught something. A tattoo. Wrapped around his neck like a living thing, the black ink slithered down to his chest¡ªa serpent. Zara¡¯s eyes darkened. Then, she chuckled. Not loud. Just a small, amused breath. "Oh, fuck. He''s part of the Qi Family." She turned toward me, catching my confused stare. A slow, twisted smirk stretched across her face. "Them Qi¡¯s? They¡¯re one of the most dangerous families around here. No one would even dare mess with a Qi." The words felt heavy. I glanced at the man¡¯s charred body. He wasn¡¯t moving. I swallowed. "Uhm¡­ How dangerous are we talking?" Zara tilted her head, counting on her fingers. "Oh, you know. They do abductions, drug trafficking, human trafficking, assassinations¡ª" She snapped her fingers. "Oh! And horrid, brutal acts of torture." My stomach dropped. The air felt colder despite the lingering heat. "So¡­ this man¡­ is a Qi?" "Yup." I blinked. "We¡¯re not safe, are we?" Zara grinned. "Nope. Definitely not." CRASH. The door slammed open. A patrol of MedTechs stormed in, their movements quick and clinical. They moved like machines, their focus locked on damage control. Zara barely reacted. The MedTechs swept through the room, stepping over blood and ashes like it was just another day. They didn¡¯t ask questions. No sympathy. No hesitation. Just work. They stripped the Qi¡¯s belongings from his body, tossing them into a pile. A compact pistol. A wallet. A strange bracelet. A small serpentine insignia. They never once looked at his face. Then¡ª "Ms. Zara, as a contracto¡ª" "HEY!" Zara cut him off. Her grin sharpened. "Let¡¯s¡­ uhm¡­ go talk over there, shall we?" She grabbed him by the shoulder, steering him toward the far side of the room. The MedTech hesitated. Then, one glance at her face, and he didn¡¯t argue. In the shadows of the corner, Zara spoke in low, clipped whispers. The MedTech listened, stiff, nodding occasionally. Then¡ªher hand shot out. She grabbed him by his shirt, pulling him just close enough to make a point. The man didn¡¯t flinch. Didn¡¯t resist. But he understood. With a tight nod, the conversation was over. The pile of belongings sat there¡ªuntouched. I edged closer. No one was looking. Zara was distracted. The MedTechs were too busy cleaning up. Slowly¡ªI reached out. My fingers curled around the pistol. Then¡ªthe bracelet. I pocketed them both. "Alright, kid! Let¡¯s go! There¡¯s a luxury bathtub with my name on it! HAHAHA!" Zara¡¯s energy was relentless, her grin wide as ever as she marched toward the front desk. I followed, less enthusiastic, more cautious. The receptionist stiffened the moment we approached. Eyes flicking between Zara and the MedTechs still clearing the wreckage behind us. "Hey, man, we got a room here. How ''bout finding that for us, will ya?" Zara leaned onto the counter, her usual mix of swagger and intimidation practically oozing off her. The receptionist¡¯s hands trembled as they hesitated over the terminal. "Y-Yes, Ma¡¯am. Do you have a keycard that was given to you? If not, you can always boo¡ª" "OH YEAH!" Zara cut him off, snapping her fingers. "Desire-boy, show this nice lady the keycard we got." Desire materialized from thin air, his mechanical wings fluttering as he produced the keycard with a dramatic flourish. "Here you go! The very key that will unlock our path to unparalleled luxury!" His voice dripped with theatrical flair, his eyes glowing as if he lived for moments like this. Zara chuckled. "Damn, you¡¯re dramatic. I like it." The receptionist, visibly relieved at the shift in tone, quickly scanned the card. Their fingers still shook, but they forced a polite smile. "S-Suite 237, right this way. Enjoy your stay." They gestured toward the corridor, eager to have us gone. The moment Room 237¡¯s door swung open, a soft golden glow bathed us in its light. The subtle scent of lavender drifted through the air, rich and calming. Everything¡ªthe plush furnishings, the crystal chandelier, the pristine white sheets¡ªfelt so far removed from the filth of the city. From the gunfire, the blood, the screams. Zara didn¡¯t care. She barreled in like she owned the place. Desire and I entered more cautiously, the weight of recent events still pressing against us. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The world outside hadn¡¯t changed. But inside this room, it almost felt like it had. "Oh hell yeah!" Zara flung herself onto the king-sized bed, limbs sprawled out like she belonged there. "I claim this as my throne!" She stretched, exhaling deeply, then let out a satisfied laugh¡ªsomewhere between relief and defiance. "Ahhh, this is the life! Luxury fits me well, huh?" Her eyes gleamed with exhaustion, but also mischief. Desire hovered above her, giving a theatrical bow. "Indeed! A well-deserved respite from the chaos of the outside world." I forced a nervous chuckle, shifting uneasily. The Qi Family. The man Zara had burned alive. None of this felt real. The luxury was just a mask, covering something rotting beneath. I exhaled, forcing myself to push the thought down. "So, what¡¯s going to happen next?" My voice was quieter than I intended. Zara propped herself up on her elbows, waving a hand. "Oh relax, kid. We¡¯ve earned this rest." Then, she paused. Her grin didn¡¯t fade, but it shifted¡ªjust slightly. "But you¡¯re right. We can¡¯t stay here forever." Her fingers drummed lazily against the bed. "The Qi Family definitely won¡¯t take my little attack lightly." I stared. Little attack? She incinerated a man¡¯s face. I couldn¡¯t shake the unease that clung to the air like a shadow refusing to fade. "What about the guy you just¡­ dealt with?" The words felt heavy as they left my mouth. "Won¡¯t the Qi Family come looking for him?" Zara grinned, completely unfazed. "Oh, totally! Those motherfuckers put trackers on all their goons. They could be on their way here right now. You never know." Her words sent a shiver down my spine. They¡¯re coming. There might be another fight. Another Marcus Farhide. "It¡¯s okay, Mari!" Desire¡¯s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "I can always help you during your fights! Like how I helped you with Farhide." His words should have been comforting. But instead¡ª A cold emptiness settled in my stomach. I still didn¡¯t remember. Not the fight. Not how I survived. Not how I hunted Marcus Farhide. The only thing I remembered was the Sugar Land preset. And after that¡ªnothing. I forced myself to smile. "Thanks, Desire. I¡­ uhm, appreciate it." The words came out hollow. But he¡¯s my friend. I can still trust him. Right? "Okay! No more of that worry talk. Bathtub awaits!" Zara sprang to her feet, grabbing my arm. Her grin was infectious, her energy relentless. "C¡¯mon, Mari! Our throne is waiting for our asses! Oh, and Desire¡ªstay out here. No men allowed." Desire scoffed. "I¡¯m not a¡ª" SLAM. Zara shut the door in his face. The luxury of the suite bled into the bathroom, wrapping around us in pure opulence. A massive tub¡ªalmost too big for just the two of us¡ªsat at the center, surrounded by flickering candles and rose petals. Steam curled in the air, carrying the scent of lavender. The warmth, the glow¡ªit was intoxicating. For a moment, it felt like the rest of the world didn¡¯t exist. No blood. No fights. No Qi Family. Just this. Zara stretched, rolling her shoulders as she stepped into the water. Her eyes fluttered shut. "Ahhhh, finally. I¡¯ve always wanted to try this. My body is fucking melting." She sighed, sinking deeper into the bath, pure bliss painted on her face. Then, she cracked an eye open. "C¡¯mon, kiddo. What you doing standing there for? You ain¡¯t my servant. Get in here! Water¡¯s hella nice." I hesitated. Then¡ªstepped forward. The moment I sank into the warm water, my body melted. The tension unraveled. The fear, the worry, the weight of everything¡ªit slipped away. The water was a cocoon of warmth, wrapping around me, pulling me under its spell. The lavender-scented steam curled around my skin, the candlelight casting soft, flickering patterns across the surface. For the first time since stepping into this world¡ª I felt safe. Even if that safety was an illusion. Even if the danger still lurked outside this door. For now¡ª I let myself believe in the illusion. Zara leaned back, arms stretched along the rim of the tub, her eyes half-lidded with satisfaction. Her voice was lazy, relaxed, almost dreamy. "You see, Mari? This is what life should be. We gotta be indulging in the finer things more. Treat ourselves like we¡¯re royalty, you know what I mean?" She sighed, sinking deeper into the water, completely at peace. "Mhm¡­" I let out a soft giggle, my body sinking into the warmth. "I¡¯m so tired of having to worry about things so much. Hehe¡­" The water lapped against my skin, the lavender-scented air pulling me further into the moment. Then¡ª "This reminds me of that time when Mommy gave me a bath back at home." A pause. A tightening in my chest. "Home¡­ I want¡­ I want to go back home¡­" The realization hit me like a truck. I don¡¯t know if I have a way back home. The thought crashed over me, dragging me under like a rip current. My throat tightened. Tears welled in my eyes. I miss my mom. I miss my dad. I don¡¯t want to be here. I don¡¯t want to do this anymore. Zara opened one eye, her expression softening. For a second¡ªjust a second¡ªher tough exterior cracked. "Hey, hey, hey now. Stop the waterworks, Mari." Her voice was gentler than before. "I get it. We all yearn for a place that feels safe. A home where we can let our guard down. But sometimes? Life takes us on unexpected journeys. And we end up in places we never imagined." She flashed a lopsided grin, shaking off the heavy mood. "Plus, you get to experience luxurious and fancy shit like this, man. Let¡¯s just chill. Let¡¯s not let the water get warm on us now." I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. Zara grinned wider. "And bro, seriously! Look at this place! Legit has a bathtub fit for a king¡ªor, you know, a badass bitch like me." She gestured grandly at the massive tub. "We can¡¯t be getting all sentimental and drowning in emotions. Not when there¡¯s so much more exciting shit waiting for us out there!" Then¡ª A loud voice echoed through the door. "Zara¡¯s right, Mari!" I nearly jumped. Zara snorted. "Desire, the hell you doing? You eavesdropping?" "No, I¡¯m merely standing guard." A dramatic pause. "But also, I can¡¯t help but overhear everything. Thin doors." I couldn¡¯t help it¡ªI laughed. Desire continued. "The world outside might be a mess, but you''ve got each other! That¡¯s gotta count for something! Just face whatever comes next with your heads held high. You¡¯re a team, a family. And families¡­ well, they find their way, no matter how rough the road is." Zara rolled her eyes. "Bro, we¡¯re naked in here. Go do robot things." "I have no need for modesty protocols. Besides, I am technically outside¡ª" "DESIRE." A loud sigh from outside. "Fine. Enjoy your primitive soaking ritual." I let out a slow breath. Despite everything¡ªdespite the blood, the uncertainty, the fear¡ª I wasn¡¯t alone. Zara and Desire weren¡¯t just allies. They were¡­ something more. A small smile found its way to my lips. Then¡ª SPLASH. Zara smacked the water, drenching me in retaliation. "There we go! That¡¯s the spirit!" I laughed, shaking the water from my face. For a moment, just a small moment, everything felt lighter. Then¡ª My bracelet flickered to life. A glowing text scrolled across the screen, its bright, cold letters slicing through the warmth like a blade.
NEW JOB ASSIGNMENT HUNT: QI ANRAN DURATION: 15 DAYS REWARD: BIONIC EYE NECA NE NECERIS.
6 Run and Hide, If You Can Sleep dragged me down like a riptide, deep and suffocating. The warmth of the suite faded, replaced by a world that felt familiar but wrong. A place of bright colors and laughter. A place I had been before. Sugar Land. I was surrounded by sweets. Cotton candy clouds floated lazily above me. Gumdrop hills stretched across the horizon. The air smelled like caramel and vanilla, warm and inviting. The candy creatures danced around me, laughing. ¡°Play with us, Mari!¡± One, a giant donut with a happy grin, wobbled toward me. ¡°Eat me!¡± it giggled, throwing itself into my arms. I laughed, biting into its fluffy, strawberry-filled center. So warm. So sweet. So perfect. Then¡ªa glitch. A sharp jolt in the world, like a skipping record. The donut in my hands twitched violently. Its soft, doughy texture turned to muscle and sinew. Strawberry filling? No¡ªblood. A heartbeat pulsed under my fingers. I blinked¡ª The world ripped apart. The pastel colors bled away, melting into something dark and wet and wrong. The laughter twisted into screams. And suddenly¡ªit wasn¡¯t Sugar Land anymore. Blood. Guts. Flames. I was standing in a battlefield of torn flesh and broken bodies. The candy creatures were gone. Or maybe¡ª They were never there to begin with. The ¡°donut¡± in my arms? No longer smiling. No longer a donut. A man. Eyes wide, mouth gaping in horror. His throat half-ripped out, his blood dripping down my hands, hot and thick. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a wet gurgle. I dropped him. Staggered back. What¡­what is this? A scream. "Please! Fuck, kid! What the fuck are you?! You¡­ monster!" Marcus Farhide¡¯s voice. Desperate. Terrified. I turned¡ªthe world jittered again. For a split second, I was back in Sugar Land. The chocolate river bubbled happily. The candy creatures clapped their hands. ¡°Good job, Mari! You¡¯re doing amazing!¡± My hands, still stained red, clapped along with them. Glitch. Static. Warped colors. The world split apart again. And suddenly, I wasn¡¯t clapping. I was ripping. Hands buried in flesh. Bodies collapsing around me. The enforcers screamed as they tried to fight back. But I was too fast. Too strong. Too hungry. I moved like a ghost through them, like I was watching through someone else¡¯s eyes. No¡ªnot someone else¡¯s. Mine. But I don¡¯t remember this. I don¡¯t remember any of this. Yet¡ªI felt it. The heat of the blood. The rush of the hunt. The pure, animalistic euphoria. No. No, this isn¡¯t real. This isn¡¯t real. Glitch. Snap. Reality breaks. The candy creatures were watching. Smiling. Staring. "More, Mari! Play with us more!" The candy melted into flesh, their grins stretching too wide, teeth too sharp. Their eyes¡ªnot eyes. Holes. Empty. Bottomless. I wanted to scream. But then¡ª Another cut. Another skip. Marcus Farhide was on the ground. Torn apart. Mangled beyond recognition. I stepped toward him. No¡ªI didn¡¯t do any of this. But It felt real¡ªtoo real. I saw myself towering over him. Saw the blood pooling at my feet. Saw his hand twitching, barely alive. And then¡ª Blackness. I jolted awake. A gasp ripped from my throat. Cold sweat clung to my skin, my heartbeat a frantic drum inside my chest. The nightmare¡¯s grip was still on me. The screams, the blood, the feeling of flesh between my fingers. Was that¡­ a dream? Or a memory? I don¡¯t remember. I don¡¯t remember any of it. But it felt so real. So real that my stomach twisted. I stared at my hands. Clean. Normal. Not covered in blood. But for a moment¡ªjust a moment¡ªI swore I still felt it. Then¡ªhands on me. Shaking me. "Kid. Kid! Wake up!" Zara¡¯s voice was low, urgent. I blinked, still trapped in the fog of the nightmare. She was right in front of me, her expression tight. Her usual carefree grin? Gone. Then, she whispered two words that yanked me back into reality. "They''re here." My stomach plummeted. The Qi Family. They had found us. A cold shiver ran through me as the sense of impending doom coiled around my ribs like a vice. "What do we do now?" My voice cracked, trembling, my breath coming too fast. Zara was already moving, assessing, planning, reacting. No hesitation. No wasted movement. She didn''t panic. She was calm and collected. "We gotta go. Like, now." Her tone was urgent but steady, the voice of someone who had been here before. Someone who knew exactly how bad this could get. I didn¡¯t need to be told twice. I nodded, swallowed my fear, and got up. Zara grabbed my wrist. And then¡ªwe ran. Adrenaline pounded through my veins as I scrambled to grab my belongings, my hands shaking despite my best efforts. The nightmare¡¯s grip hadn¡¯t fully faded¡ªFarhide¡¯s screams still echoed in my skull. I could still hear the way his voice broke, the raw, terrified way he called me a monster. Then¡ªgunfire. Sharp, rapid bursts rang out from downstairs, followed by screams. The sound ripped me from my daze. "Alright, hold on to me. We blasting out of here." Zara¡¯s voice was urgent, steady, no hesitation. I barely had time to react before I grabbed onto her, my fingers digging into her jacket. Desire latched onto my neck, his metallic frame locking into place like a collar. Zara¡¯s hair ignited instantly, a fiery halo forming above her head. Flames crawled up her arms, flickering like they were alive. Then, with a hiss of steam and a mechanical whir, the sides of her legs split open, exposing searing-hot vents. The floor beneath us cracked from the heat. Then¡ªshe launched. We blasted through the window, shards of glass shattering in all directions as we were thrown into the night sky. A rush of cold air smacked against my face, stealing my breath as the chaos of the city streets blurred beneath us. My heart slammed against my ribs. I wasn¡¯t ready for this. I¡¯d never be ready for this. "Where are we going?!" I gasped, the words barely escaping through the wind and panic constricting my chest. Zara¡¯s grip was firm, her focus locked ahead. "No idea. Anywhere works. We lay low for a ''lil, then we discuss our next move." The neon-lit skyline stretched out before us, a glowing maze of glass and steel. Below, sirens screamed through the streets, flashing lights racing toward the Vista Hotel. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. And somewhere in that building¡ªpeople were dying because of us. I clenched my teeth, guilt coiling in my gut like a sickness. They were looking for us. They weren¡¯t stopping for anyone else. Zara¡¯s flames flickered as she began to slow, her body tensing mid-air as she searched for a safe landing. "Okay, here should be good," she whispered. The fire along her arms and legs died out, the heat fading as she descended into a dark alleyway. We landed without a sound. Zara¡¯s boots barely scraped against the pavement before she pulled me into the shadows, her eyes sharp, scanning. She was already thinking ahead. Planning the next step. But the question came before the plan. "How the fuck did they find us so quick?" She frowned, wiping sweat from her brow, her chest rising and falling from the exertion. "MedTech took his body. All his shit. There shouldn¡¯t be anything connecting us to his death." My breath hitched. Oh no. The pistol. The bracelet. I still had them. Before I could say anything¡ªa car pulled up at the alley¡¯s entrance. The tires screeched as it came to a stop. Doors slammed. Footsteps. Fast. Headed right for us. I could barely think before Zara¡¯s grip tightened on my wrist. And just like that¡ªwe were running again. "FUCK! Are they psychics or something?!" Zara snarled, grabbing me before I could react. With a burst of fire, her body ignited, heat radiating from her limbs as we blasted into the night. The alley blurred beneath us, the neon-lit city stretching out in streaks of color as she propelled us forward. But no matter how far we went¡ªthey kept coming. The Qi¡¯s weren¡¯t just chasing. They were tracking. "ARGH! WHAT¡¯S UP WITH THESE GUYS?!" Zara¡¯s frustration boiled over as she dodged another volley of gunfire from the streets below. "KID! I swear to god¡ªdid you take something from the dude I burnt last night?!" Panic shot through me like ice. "Uhm¡­no¡­" I could barely get the word out before her hand was on my jaw, yanking my face toward hers. "Don¡¯t go lying now." Her eyes burned, not with flames, but with pure fury. "We will FUCKING DIE because of you. So lemme ask again¡ªdid you or did you not take something from that bastard?" Her grip tightened. A shiver crawled up my spine. She wasn¡¯t joking. "Okay! Okay! I¡¯m sorry! Here!" I fumbled, pulling the compact pistol and the bracelet from my pocket and shoving them toward her. Zara¡¯s face twisted in rage. "REALLY, KID? Out of literally anything you could take, you chose the TRACKING BRACELET?!" Her voice echoed through the wind, raw with disbelief. Guilt twisted like a knife in my chest. I felt so stupid. "I¡¯m sorry¡­I really didn¡¯t know¡­I didn¡¯t mean to¡­" My throat tightened. I bit my lip, trying not to let the tears fall. "I just wanted to have something I could use to be more useful¡­" The moment the words left my mouth, my chest clenched. I sounded so pathetic. Zara let out a long, exasperated sigh. For a second, I thought she¡¯d yell again. Instead¡ªshe let go of my jaw and ruffled my hair. "It¡¯s fine, kid. You didn¡¯t know. Shouldn¡¯t be attacking you like that." Her voice softened, but her exhaustion weighed every word. Then¡ªher focus sharpened again. "Desire. I know you got some fancy-ass tech in there. Can you do something? Maybe fuck up the tracker or something?" "Absolutely!" Desire chirped, his voice disturbingly cheerful given the situation. "The Desimaro v2 Model: Desire includes several features, including device alterations! Please hand me the bracelet so I can analyze its structure." Zara thrust it at him. Desire¡¯s metallic fingers worked fast, clicking and twisting the bracelet as he scanned it. Meanwhile, Zara¡¯s eyes stayed locked on our surroundings, her fiery glow completely extinguished to avoid drawing attention. The alley was eerily silent¡ªexcept for the distant hum of engines and rushed footsteps. They were still searching. They just hadn¡¯t found us yet. After a few agonizing seconds, Desire¡¯s eyes flashed. "I¡¯ve successfully redirected the signal. The Qi¡¯s should now believe we¡¯re heading back to the hotel." Zara let out a relieved laugh. "Good shit, Desire-boy! Knew we could count on ya!" She grabbed him in a hug, but he slipped out effortlessly, avoiding her grip. "Mari," Desire said, ignoring Zara¡¯s antics. "I''ve discovered that this bracelet is compatible with my upgrade system. Would you like me to absorb it to unlock GAUNTLET?" "If it will help us, then yes. Please do." Desire¡¯s eyes flashed. "CONFIRMATION RECEIVED. COMMENCING ABSORPTION." His mouth widened unnaturally, splitting open as the bracelet disappeared inside. A bright pulse of energy radiated from his metallic frame, his body momentarily glowing with an almost ethereal light. Then, in a blur of motion, he sprang toward me. His mechanical limbs latched onto my arms, my wrists, my hands. "COLLECTING DATA. REQUIREMENT: NOT FOUND. UNLOCKING GAUNTLET." A jolt ran through my body as the glow around him shifted, pulsing from my arms before flickering away. "GAUNTLET: UNLOCKED. UNABLE TO USE. PROCEDURE NOT COMPLETE." Desire released me, his metallic voice carrying its usual detached efficiency. "I would assume you wouldn¡¯t want to perform the procedure just yet, so I will hold that off for now. However, Gauntlet is now available." I flexed my fingers, trying to feel for something different. Nothing. I looked at Desire. "Uhm¡­ thanks? What¡¯s the procedure, though?" Desire tilted his head slightly. "My deepest apologies, but the procedure is classified. Only employees and contractors are allowed to know what the procedure entails." A chill ran down my spine. Classified? Why did that sound like a red flag? I wanted to push further, but before I could, Zara clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Anyways! Kid, we gotta get geared up. We can¡¯t keep hiding forever. Think the Qi¡¯s are finally off our ass¡ªfor now. But no idea how long that¡¯s gonna last. Let¡¯s head back to the Pyramid." She cracked her neck, stretching her arms before glancing over at me with a smirk. "Hold on tight. We¡¯re going lightspeed for this one." I barely had time to process before she grabbed me. I tightened my grip around her, my stomach already twisting in anticipation. Lightspeed. That sounded like way too much speed for my body to handle. I braced myself. Desire latched onto my neck once again. But this time, something new happened. A screen folded down over my face, covering my vision. "BATTLE HELMET. SEE-THROUGH MIRROR PRESET." The world didn¡¯t black out like before. Instead, I could see through the screen. A thin transparent interface hovered over my vision, filtering the environment without obstructing it. Was this¡­ to protect my eyes? I exhaled, my heartbeat still pounding from everything that just happened. Despite the chaos, despite the constant danger, something about Desire¡¯s strange attention to detail made me feel¡­ a little safer. Even just for a second. "Alright, brace yourself now. We ''bout to go hella fast." Zara¡¯s grin was sharp, but there was something different this time. Her fiery halo ignited, but instead of its usual bright orange glow, it burned dark blue. The air thickened with heat, the surrounding space warmer than before¡ªnot scorching, just heavy, like standing too close to something powerful. Her legs whirred loudly, the sound vibrating through my body. The engines hummed, growing in intensity, building to something unstoppable. Then¡ªBOOM. We launched. The force ripped the breath from my lungs. Faster than before. Faster than I thought was possible. The sheer speed battered against me, my grip slipping, the wind slamming into my body like a wall. I couldn¡¯t hold on. My fingers slid off Zara¡¯s jacket. I was falling¡ª Until her arm shot out, catching me. "KID! Ah, shit! That was close, man." Zara¡¯s voice was tight, a mix of relief and alarm. She hauled me up with ease, bringing me close, securing me against her chest. Her arms locked around me, holding me steady as we hurtled through the sky at blinding speed. The velocity still pulled at me, but Zara¡¯s grip was unshakable. For the first time, amid the chaos, I felt¡­ safe. The Pyramid loomed in the distance, growing larger with every passing second. Its towering monolithic form cast an eerie shadow, swallowing the skyline beneath it. Zara¡¯s descent was expert, controlled, the dark blue flames still dancing along her legs as we touched down at the entrance. "Damn this fire, man. I hate these." Zara muttered, shaking out her legs. The flames flickered stubbornly, refusing to go out. "They¡¯re strong as hell but a pain in the ass to extinguish." She rolled her shoulders, irritation melting into focus. "Alright, we¡¯ll deal with that later. First, we need to stock up. Gotta get some bullets for the gun you stole and some gasoline for my gear. That launch ate through my last reserves." I swallowed, guilt still gnawing at my stomach. I hadn¡¯t meant to cause this much trouble. But I didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it¡ªZara was already moving. The inside of the Pyramid was as chaotic as ever. A sprawling mess of merchants, mechanics, and mercenaries lined the interior streets, shouting deals over the roar of machinery. We weaved through the crowd, heading for a weapons shop crammed with racks of guns, explosives, and ammunition. The air was thick with the metallic scent of oil and gunpowder. Behind the counter sat a rough-looking man, his arms covered in faded tattoos, a half-smoked cigar perched between his lips. Zara leaned against the counter, smirking. "Hey, Droge. Got a Lumina-IX Compact on us right now. You got any 9mm Photon rounds? Gotta stock up for a job, you know how it is." Droge¡¯s eyes flicked up lazily¡ªuntil they landed on the gun. His brow arched. "You¡¯re in luck. Just snatched some up before the Qis could hoard them. But hold up¡ªhow the fuck did you get a Lumina Compact?" He scoffed, leaning back. "Gal like you could never dream of having enough cash for iron like that." Zara¡¯s smirk widened. "Funny story, actually. Crisped a Qi back at the golden hotel. This little runt stole his pistol from the MedTechs." She clapped a hand on my back, and I froze. Droge¡¯s eyes snapped to me, widening slightly. A low whistle slipped through his teeth. "This kid? Huh. Not bad, runt. MedTechs are tough about keeping looters from jacking corpses¡ª" He suddenly stopped. His expression shifted¡ªsharp, alert. Then, his jaw dropped. "WAIT. NAH, NAH, NAH. ZARA!" He lurched forward, eyes wild. "YOU¡ªYOU CRISPED A FUCKING QI?!" Zara just grinned. "Damn right." "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DAMN MIND?! ARE YOU THE ONE THEY¡¯RE LOOKING FOR?!" The energy in the shop shifted. People overheard. Zara¡¯s laughter erupted through the shop, loud and shameless. "HAHAHA! Yes! Grabbed that bitch by the face and crisped him!" She threw a few mock punches into the air, reenacting the moment like it was just another wild night out. Droge¡¯s expression shifted¡ªhalf-impressed, half-horrified. The tension in the air thickened, the weight of what she had done settling over the shop like a storm cloud. Zara didn¡¯t care. Her confidence remained unshaken. People in the shop had started stealing glances. Some were whispering. Others just stared, eyes wide, processing what they had just overheard. Zara caught their looks immediately. She turned, her gaze sharp as a blade, her grin still painted across her face. "The fuck you looking at?" Silence. No one answered. Heads turned away fast. A few people hurried out of the shop, pretending they hadn¡¯t just witnessed someone proudly admitting to torching a Qi. Zara scoffed. "That¡¯s what I thought." She turned back to Droge, completely unfazed. "You reckless bitch," Droge muttered, rubbing his temples. "I knew you had some screws loose, but this? This is next level." With a grunt, he grabbed a few boxes of ammo and two large cans of gasoline, shoving them toward Zara. "Here. It¡¯s on the house. You¡¯re gonna need it." Zara flashed him a cheeky grin. "This is why I fucking love ya, Droge. Ima make it up to you, I swear." She slung the supplies over her shoulder with ease. "We¡¯re gonna hunt that Anran bitch. See ya later!" We were already halfway to the door when¡ª "Alright, Zara. Just be careful now¡ª" Then, Droge froze. His face drained of color. "WAIT. ANRAN?! LIKE¡ªTHE QI ANRAN?!" His voice cracked with disbelief. Zara kept walking. "YOU RECKLESS SON OF A BITCH! THE HEAD OF THE QI FAMILY?!" Zara just snickered to herself, unbothered. "Hehe, I love that guy. Been supporting me since I was a little gal." The warmth in her tone was almost laughable considering she had just announced she was going after one of the most powerful people in the city. The contrast was jarring. Almost unnerving. As we stepped back into the city streets, Zara rolled her shoulders, her flames flickering at her fingertips. "Alright! Got all the stuff we need. Let¡¯s gear up." She clenched her fist, igniting a burst of heat and sparks. With a smirk, she struck her open palm, sending out a controlled explosion of fire. "We got a bullet with Qi Anran¡¯s name on it. I¡¯m excited to barbecue some big fish." 7 Is There Any Other Choice? Zara¡¯s determination sent a shiver down my spine. Excitement and nervous anticipation tangled inside me as we settled into a secluded corner of the Pyramid. She laid out the supplies we had just obtained, her movements swift and practiced. The Lumina-IX Compact sat atop a crate, its sleek metallic surface gleaming under the dim lighting. Its frame reflected the flickering fire still dancing along Zara¡¯s legs. It felt like an omen. "Alright, kid. Lemme teach you how to handle this beauty." Zara¡¯s grin was sharp, the usual mischief in her eyes replaced by something heavier. She lifted the pistol, turning it over in her hands before pressing it into my palm. The cold metal sent a shiver through my fingers. I swallowed hard. It was heavier than I expected. "First rule of handling a Lumina:" Zara¡¯s voice took on a serious edge, her usual carefree tone gone. "Respect the damn thing. Treat it like your fucking life depends on it¡ª''cause you never know. It just might." Her gaze locked onto mine. I nodded. I wouldn¡¯t forget that. She ran me through the basics¡ªchecking the chamber, flicking the safety, reloading. Every movement was precise, practiced. A dance of familiarity between her and the weapon. Her fingers moved without hesitation. Like she had done this a thousand times before. Then, she handed me a box of 9mm Photon rounds. "Think you¡¯re ready? Load it up, kid. Don¡¯t be an idiot with it." She smirked, tilting her head. "Don¡¯t want to blow your ass off. Trust me¡ªit¡¯s NOT a pretty sight." I fumbled with the rounds, trying to remember the steps. My hands were shaking. "May I provide some assistance, Mari?" Desire¡¯s voice cut through my focus, smooth and metallic. "Loading a firearm can be a delicate procedure." I exhaled. Grateful. Silently, I handed him the pistol. His metallic fingers moved with surgical precision, clicking the rounds into the magazine with practiced ease. I blinked. That was¡­ fast. Zara let out a low whistle. "As expected¡ªDesimaro¡¯s are hella useful. Didn¡¯t even know they were good with guns." With the Lumina-IX Compact now loaded and ready, Zara slung a gasoline canister over her shoulder. "Alright. Let¡¯s move." The Pyramid¡¯s corridors were dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the flickering neon signs and the eerie glow from Zara¡¯s still-burning legs. Shadows stretched long across the walls, twisting unnaturally as we passed. We made our way toward a secluded alley near the golden hotel, our steps careful, deliberate. The city felt¡­ off. The usual hum of nightlife was subdued, replaced with low murmurs and movement in the distance. Footsteps. Hushed voices. Qi enforcers. They were still out there. They were still looking. The tension thickened with each step forward. My fingers tightened around the pistol. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was for reassurance or because I knew¡ª We were walking straight into the fire. "Kid, give me the compact real quick. Might come in useful." A lone Qi goon stumbled into the alley, unaware of our presence. Zara''s fiery aura dimmed further, her body tensing as she gestured for us to stay concealed. The goon, dressed in a dark suit, had strayed too far from his group. That was a mistake. With silent precision, Zara moved. In one fluid motion, she was behind him, her fiery hand clamping over his mouth, muffling his startled gasp. The cold muzzle of the Lumina-IX Compact pressed against his skull. His body stiffened instantly, breath coming in short, panicked bursts. "Hey, hey, hey, man. Shush now." Zara¡¯s voice was low, smooth¡ªalmost playful. But the way she pressed the gun harder against his temple? That wasn¡¯t playful at all. "No sudden movements. Unless you want your brains decorating the wall." The Qi¡¯s breath hitched. His wide, terrified eyes darted around, but there was no escape. He nodded frantically. Zara loosened her grip just enough for him to speak. "Now, what¡¯s a Qi doing around here?" Her voice was a blade of sound, sharp and quiet. The goon stammered immediately. "I-I was just... just taking a break, ya know? Got nothin¡¯ to do with you guys. Don¡¯t even know who y¡¯all are¡ªwait a minute." A flash of recognition. His breath stuttered. His eyes went wide. "Aren¡¯t you the ones who killed a Qi in the golden hotel?" Zara¡¯s fiery grip tightened. The heat pulsed against his skin. She grinned¡ªa slow, knowing smirk. "I would watch my next words if I were you." Flames flickered along her knuckles. "Now tell me¡ªhideout, plans, activities, anything you got about the Qi. Spill it." Desire¡¯s metallic voice hummed softly behind me. "Shall I assist in extracting information, Ms. Zara?" Zara didn¡¯t even glance away from the shaking man in her grip. "No need, Desire-boy. I got this." She pulled him closer, her grip unrelenting. "Alright, better talk fast, and maybe, just maybe, you¡¯ll live to see another break." The panic shattered his restraint. The words poured out. He spilled everything¡ªa Qi hideout nearby, their operations, enforcers still searching the streets. Zara soaked in the information, then, finally, she shoved him back. He stumbled, panting, nodding rapidly. "Get the fuck out of here." Her voice was casual, but the weight in it was final. "If I ever catch you snooping around again, this bullet¡¯s gonna be kissing your lil¡¯ noggin." The goon whimpered and turned to run. He had no idea. He was already dead. As the goon turned to flee, Zara¡¯s fingers brushed against the back of his neck, as if adjusting his shirt. In reality, she had just streaked a near-invisible layer of white phosphorus gel across his skin. It wasn¡¯t burning yet. Not until Zara decided it was time. He ran. Five steps. Zara sighed. Then, with a lazy flick of her finger, she sent a tiny ember through the air. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. It drifted weightlessly, catching the faint breeze of his movement¡ª Until it landed. FWUMP. The phosphorus ignited instantly. No explosion. No roar. Just pure, searing heat. The fire didn¡¯t spread. It sank into him. A quiet, instant burn. His legs buckled. His body spasmed violently. His neck and upper spine collapsed inward, his nerves shutting down before he even had time to scream. By the time his body hit the ground, his throat was already nothing but a blackened scorch mark. No struggle. No sound. Just a dead man who never realized he had been killed. Zara threw her hands up, grinning like she just won a bet. ¡°HA! Told ya, kid. Works like a fucking charm!¡± She turned to me, eyes practically glowing with excitement, like she was showing off a neat party trick. ¡°Did you see that, Mari? Clean as hell. No mess, no screams¡ªjust sizzle, and poof! Like he never even existed. Man, I love this job.¡± She stepped over the smoldering corpse without a second glance, humming like she was in the best mood ever. Like she had just burned a piece of trash, not a person. I felt sick. A cold, creeping nausea coiled in my stomach. The way she said it. The way she laughed about it. Like it was fun. Like he was just a toy she had burned up for the hell of it. I didn¡¯t even know who that man was. But Zara didn¡¯t care. She didn¡¯t care at all. With the Lumina-IX Compact in hand, Zara led the way through the winding alleys, avoiding the main streets to evade any Qi patrols. The glow from her still-fiery legs cast flickering shadows on the walls, creating an ominous atmosphere as we approached the Qi hideout. She¡¯s not wrong. Those fires are stubborn. How long does it even take to go out? My thoughts were interrupted by my bracelet coming to life.
TARGET: QI ANRAN WITHIN 5 MILES BOTH LOCATIONS WILL BE REVEALED IN 10 SECONDS HUNT HER DOWN
As we neared the location disclosed by the goon, the sounds of hushed conversations and occasional footsteps grew louder. The counter on my bracelet reached 0. LOCATION REVEALED MAY THE HUNT BEGIN A map popped up on my bracelet. Zara signaled for us to stay close as we reached the entrance of a narrow alley leading to the hideout. She peered around the corner, assessing the situation. "Alright, kid, stay sharp. Anran¡¯s right in there. We got no idea how many we''re dealing with," Zara whispered, her voice edged with caution. "Desire, keep an eye on our backs." Zara led the way into the seemingly abandoned warehouse, its dimly lit interior casting long shadows over the scattered Qi goons standing armed and ready. The tension in the air thickened with each step forward. Then¡ªa bright spotlight snapped on, blinding us. A woman stepped into view, her gray suit crisp, her presence commanding. Her smirk dripped with amusement. "Well, well, well. Who do we have here?" She took slow, deliberate steps toward us, her polished shoes clicking against the concrete. "My little hunter... and the arsonist." Her head tilted, mock appreciation in her tone. "Gotta say, I appreciate the way you treated my cute little subordinate back at the Golden Hotel." Zara snorted. "Cute? Bitch, I turned his face into charcoal." The woman¡¯s grin widened. "Exactly. Which is why I brought friends." Qi goons surged forward, forming a tight circle around us. Two massive machines stomped closer, towering over Zara like mechanical beasts. Their crimson eyes flickered, scanning her before their arms extended with precision. Zara didn¡¯t hesitate. Her flames shifted, dark blue fire ripping up her legs. She launched herself forward, slamming a punch into one of the machines, the blast ripping through the air like a bomb. Smoke filled the room. For a second, I thought she had destroyed it. Then¡ªthe machines walked right through it, completely unscathed. Their arms snapped forward, faster than I could register. Zara barely had time to react before they slammed her into the ground, pinning both arms. "Little guy gets one too." Before I could even move, the woman flicked her wrist. A metallic net shot through the air, wrapping around Desire mid-flight. His body twitched violently, glitching under the disruptive energy as he collapsed to the ground, motionless. The woman strolled forward, towering over us. "You thought you could just waltz into my territory and cause chaos?" She kneeled beside Zara, tilting her head. "Think again, little troublemakers." Zara thrashed against the machine¡¯s grip, flames sputtering out as the robots tightened their hold. The Qi goons closed in. The warehouse felt smaller. Like the walls were closing in on us. "Now... what should we do with you?" The woman reached for something. A saw. Its blades gleamed under the spotlight. She ran a hand along it, like she was greeting an old friend. "Perhaps a little taste of our hospitality?"
TARGET CONFIRMED QI ANRAN
My heart stopped. Her. The woman standing over us. She wasn¡¯t just some random Qi enforcer. She was my target. Before I could process it, a heavy metal hand wrapped around my throat. The machine lifted me off the ground like I weighed nothing, then slammed me back down. Pain exploded through my body. Anran laughed. "Guess someone was a little hasty. But hey, works for me. I do love a good project." She crouched beside me, the saw whirring to life. "Let''s do some body modifications, shall we?" Pain ripped through my body as I crashed against the floor, metal fingers digging into my shoulder, pinning me down. Anran laughed. "Guess someone was a little hasty. But hey, works for me. I do love a good project." She crouched beside me, gripping my chin. Her nails dug into my skin. "Let¡¯s make you prettier, shall we?" She raised the saw, its blades whirring. I thrashed, my breath coming in sharp, panicked gasps. She was going to cut into me. Zara managed to free an arm, her fingers curling into a fist. "Hang on, kid! I got this!" She hurled a fireball, aiming straight for the machine pinning me down. The blast slammed into it, sending shockwaves through the warehouse. It staggered, its systems glitching for a moment. A moment was all I needed. Anran¡¯s smile vanished. She turned back to Zara, her grip on the saw tightening. "You little bitch. Okay then, you¡¯re first." She stood, flipping the saw in her hand. "Sorry, little hunter. Our playdate will have to wait." Her eyes gleamed. "Seems like your arsonist friend wants to go first." Zara gritted her teeth. "Kid! Untie Desire-boy! He¡¯s our only way out of this! MOVE!" I scrambled to my feet, sprinting towards Desire. I grabbed the net¡ª AGH! A sudden jolt of electricity ripped through my body. Burning. Tearing. Every nerve ignited, the pain unlike anything I had ever felt. My hands convulsed, my skin sizzling. A metallic stink filled my nose. I tried to let go¡ª but my body wouldn¡¯t listen. The shock held me in place, frying me from the inside out. I¡¯m going to die. No. I clenched my jaw, teeth grinding against the pain. Come on. With one last desperate pull¡ª The net ripped free. Desire jerked, his eyes flaring back to life. "Thank you, Mari! You saved me!" His voice was still glitching, but functional. He scanned my burnt, trembling hands. "I see that your hands are very damaged. Would you like to proceed with the GAUNTLET PROCEDURE?" I looked down. My skin was blackened, split open, trembling. They hurt. They hurt so bad. Anran stood over Zara, saw raised. Zara thrashed. "FUCKING DO SOMETHING, KID!" Desire¡¯s voice was calm, urgent. "Well, Mari? The GAUNTLET might prove to be useful right now." I couldn¡¯t think. The pain. The saw. Zara. She was going to die. I clenched my jaw. I didn¡¯t have a choice. "...Okay... I will... Please do the procedure." "CONFIRMATION RECEIVED. PROCEEDING WITH THE OPERATION." Desire floated toward a Qi goon, his tail extending into a razor-sharp blade. With one swift motion, he snatched a bracelet from the goon''s wrist. The blade shifted, gleaming under the warehouse lights. And then¡ª It came down. I looked down. And my hands were gone. Panic. Despair. Agony. Blood. "Why..." 8 Of Metal and Flesh "Why..." Why did he do this to me? A gut-wrenching cry tore from my throat, raw and broken. My body trembled, my vision blurred with shock and agony. Blood poured from the open ends of my wrists, pooling at my feet. Anran turned, saw in hand, and laughed. "Your little robot did the job for me! That¡¯s hilarious!" Her voice was mocking, amused, like this was all some sick joke. She looked at Zara, who was still pinned down, her teeth bared in rage. "Awww. Are you jealous of your little friend?" She dragged the whirring saw along her own wrist, just enough to make the blades scream. "How about we fix that, huh?" Desire latched onto my wrists. "GAUNTLET INITIALIZATION. BEGINNING SYNCHRONIZATION." The world blurred. My arms jerked forward as metal clamped around my ruined wrists. The stolen bracelets locked into place. Then¡ª A shockwave. Metal burst from the bracelets, molding into the shape of hands. The plating shifted and clicked, the cold steel fusing itself to my nerves. Pain. A flash of white-hot static burned through my body. Then¡ª I could feel them. The weight of my new hands. The hum of energy pulsing through them. Blood crept from the crevices of the mechanical joints. My body didn¡¯t know whether to reject or accept them. Anran revved the saw. Zara snarled, thrashing, but the machines held her down. The saw hovered over her wrist. No. Before I could think, before I could process anything¡ª I lunged. My fist slammed into Anran¡¯s ribs with an earth-shaking force. Her body crashed into the far wall, metal groaning under the impact. Silence. I looked down at my hands, chest rising and falling with heavy, ragged breaths. They were glowing. Not just the metal. Something deeper. Something inside them. Inside me. I clenched my fists. The strength was intoxicating. I barely noticed myself moving until I was already charging her again. Anran barely dodged, but not fast enough. A thin line of blood ran down her cheek where my punch had grazed her. Her expression shifted¡ªthe amusement was gone. The room stood still. Even the Qi goons hesitated, watching their boss¡ªtheir untouchable leader¡ªbleed. Anran slowly lifted a hand to her cheek. She pulled it away, examining the blood on her fingertips. Then¡ªshe snapped. "How dare you, you¡­ you¡­ BITCH!" She lunged. I raised my arms instinctively. Her punch landed¡ªbut I didn¡¯t feel a thing. The impact absorbed into my arms, my body barely moving from the force. Anran¡¯s eyes widened. I grabbed her wrist and wrenched it backward. CRACK. She screamed. And I liked it. I squeezed tighter, watching her writhe in pain. A deep, sick satisfaction twisted in my chest. I wanted her to suffer. I wanted her to feel helpless. Just like I had. A blur of movement. I barely reacted in time. A colossal metal fist came crashing down toward me. I dodged, releasing Anran. The force of the blow shattered the concrete where I had stood. I snapped my gaze up. A towering machine loomed over me, its massive frame blocking out the dim warehouse lights. Anran clutched her half-broken wrist, panting. She looked at the machine, then at me. Then¡ªshe grinned. "Fuck¡­ little brat almost broke my wrist." She flexed her fingers, shaking out the pain. Then she glanced toward the machine. "Marshall, override activation." The robot''s eyes turned red. A hatch opened in its back. Anran climbed inside. Her voice crackled through the intercom, mocking. "You really treated me well there, kid. Alright, time to return the favor." The machine took a step forward, the warehouse trembling beneath its weight. I flexed my new fingers, the glow pulsing brighter. This fight wasn¡¯t over. The colossal machine whirred to life, gears grinding as Anran took full control from within. The floor shuddered beneath its weight, the air vibrating with raw power. Its cold, red eyes locked onto me, scanning, calculating. "Are you having fun, darling?" Anran''s voice crackled through the intercom, laced with amusement. "Let¡¯s see how long you last against this beauty." With unnatural speed, the machine lunged. A fist the size of my torso came crashing down. I barely dodged, rolling just in time to avoid being crushed. My heart hammered. This thing wasn¡¯t just strong¡ªit was fast. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. I clenched my fists, bracing for the next attack. My new hands¡­ they were the only thing keeping me alive right now. Then¡ª A whirring sound. My right palm split open. A blade shot out. It hummed, pulsing with heat. The metal burned a molten red, a weapon forged for destruction. "Desire! Uhm... help. Something''s happening to my hand!" I stammered, barely keeping up with what was happening to my own body. Desire latched onto my neck, his voice even, reassuring. "You''re okay, Mari. That¡¯s a heat blade. Incredibly sharp, and with a heating option for extra damage." I exhaled. No time to think. No time to panic. The machine lunged again. I surged forward. Faster than before. My blade cut through the air, slashing and stabbing in a frenzied blur. Each strike carried a mix of rage and desperation, but the machine barely flinched. Every hit¡ªmetal on metal. Sparks flew. The clangs echoed. But nothing. It wasn¡¯t working. Frustration boiled in my chest. I shifted my stance, aiming for the joints. The blade burned hotter, sharper, but the machine adapted, its movements shifting, more precise. Then¡ª A burning wave of energy flew past me, barely missing my face. I stumbled, feeling the heat lick at my hair. Zara. She stood atop the machine, flames dancing off her body. The robots that had pinned her down were now nothing more than smoldering scrap. She met my eyes, her grin wild, victorious. "Finally got rid of those fuckers. Got your back, kid." She raised her fist. "ARDERE PRO SOL!" A blast of fire erupted around her, swallowing her whole. The warehouse flashed blue. When the smoke cleared¡ª Her flames had changed. The vivid orange was gone, replaced by a deep, mesmerizing blue. Her entire body radiated raw heat, her presence electrifying. She smirked. "Let¡¯s burn this place down. Lemme show you why they call me the Arsonist, kid." For the first time¡ªthe machine hesitated. The glow of her flames reflected in its red eyes. Then, the moment shattered. A chorus of metallic clicks. Guns. We turned¡ªQi goons. Dozens. They moved in from every corner, their weapons locked on us. Rocket launchers. Rifles. Heavy artillery. A set-up. Anran¡¯s laughter filled the air. "Thanks for giving my men time to gear up!" she taunted. "You¡¯re not just fighting me, little brat." The massive machine lifted its arms. The goons tightened their formation. "You¡¯re fighting me and the entire central division of the Qi Family!" Zara didn¡¯t react. Didn¡¯t flinch. Then¡ª She moved. Leapt. Vanished into the shadows. Gone. Anran snorted. "HAHAHA! The Arsonist is running away!" She mocked me, her voice dripping with amusement. "I almost feel bad for you, kid. Guess she didn¡¯t want to die with you after all." Her smile widened. "Not that it matters. You still die in the end." Panic clawed up my throat. Zara¡ªwhere did you go? Why did you leave me? I don¡¯t want to be alone. Not again. Not again. Desire¡¯s voice broke through my spiraling panic, steady and calm. "Don¡¯t worry, Mari. Zara will handle this." He detached from my neck, shifting into a shield that locked into place in front of me. Anran cocked her head, unimpressed. "That¡¯s your plan? A puny little shield? Well then, let¡¯s not waste any more time, shall we?" The Qi goons raised their weapons. I braced for impact. Then¡ª A blazing figure crashed through the warehouse ceiling. BOOM. The explosion ripped through the room. The shockwave sent Anran and her men flying, metal screeching as debris scattered in every direction. Smoke and fire curled in the air. And in the center of the destruction¡ª Zara. She straightened, flames licking at her skin, deep blue embers pulsing around her. "You thought I would run away?" She scoffed, rolling her shoulders. "Over my dead body." Anran groaned, struggling to get the machine beneath her to stand. The Qi goons scrambled back into formation. "You¡¯re persistent, I¡¯ll give you that," she sneered. "But this changes nothing. We still have the upper ground here." Zara smirked. "Oh yeah? How ¡®bout we do something to prove that, huh?" The air snapped tight with tension. The goons flanked us, some brandishing swords, others aiming launchers and rifles. Then¡ª A rocket fired. Zara moved in a blur, leaping toward it midair. Fire swallowed the missile whole before it could even explode. She landed smoothly, flames spiraling from her fingertips. More bullets. More rockets. Desire¡¯s shield braced in front of me, absorbing the blasts. I barely had time to process before¡ª A Qi goon was on me. A sting. A sudden jolt of energy ripping through my veins. The burn of something sharp, something deep inside my neck. My muscles locked. My vision sharpened. Power surged through me. The goon swung his sword¡ªI barely dodged. My fist moved on its own, slamming into his gut. He crumpled. My blade ignited. I slashed. One by one, they fell. My body moved faster than my mind. Precise. Brutal. Unrelenting. Each strike tore through them like paper. The rush was intoxicating. I could get used to this. A colossal shadow loomed over me. The machine. Zara darted past, flames trailing in her wake. She lunged at its legs, gripping the metal, blue fire bursting at the seams. The steel groaned, melting under the heat. It was working. The machine staggered, then¡ª Its leg gave out. CRASH. The warehouse shook as the massive body collapsed. Anran''s voice shrieked through the intercom. "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! YOU BRATS! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME? HUMILIATE ME? THE GREAT QI ANRAN?" The downed machine hissed, steam pouring from its shattered limb. Then¡ª A blinding green light pulsed from its core. Qi goons froze. Some immediately turned and ran. Anran''s laughter crackled through the speakers. "HAHAHAHA! I¡¯M THE ONE WHO WINS HERE! I¡¯M TAKING BOTH OF YOU TO HELL WITH ME!" Desire¡¯s voice came next¡ªurgent. "MARI! ZARA! RUN! SELF-DESTRUCTION DETECTED!" My stomach dropped. Zara grabbed my arm. "MOVE!" We sprinted. Too late. The explosion swallowed us whole. BOOOOM. The blast sent us flying, heat and pressure crushing down on my chest. My ears rang. A high-pitched whine drowned everything else. I slammed into debris, pain ripping through me. My vision blurred. The chaos, the fire, the carnage¡ª All of it faded into static. Zara lay in front of me. Smoke curled from her body, her face twisted in pain. I reached for her¡ª But then, through the haze¡ª A figure. A silhouette in the light. Warmth radiated from it. Something familiar. Something safe. A voice. "You won¡¯t die today." I knew that voice. "Not today, my sweet angel." A gentle touch on my forehead. The world slowed. "Live. For one day, I shall show you the truth." My vision darkened. The last thing I saw was that figure, standing over me. A shadow of something long lost. Something that felt like¡ª Daddy. 9 To See Anew
HUNT COMPLETE JOB STATUS: COMPLETED REWARDS WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP AT THE PYRAMID
The blinding light faded, and the figure was gone. Vanished. Nothing left but a trail of glitching particles, flickering like static in the air. I tried to focus, to make sense of what I had just seen. His voice¡ª It felt familiar. I searched my memories, clawing through the haze for an answer¡ª But there was nothing. Just emptiness. A weak, ragged voice pulled me back. "Fuck... Kid... You¡¯re... all right... Thank god..." Then¡ªa body collapsed against mine. "Zara?!" Her weight dragged me down, her breathing shallow against my chest. "ZARA! WAKE UP! PLEASE! Zara, no... no, no, no, no..."** My hands shook as I gripped her shoulders. Her back¡ªcharred black. Skin peeled away, revealing raw flesh, deep gashes carved down to the bone. Too much. It was too much. I can¡¯t lose anyone else. Not again. This is my fault. Zara died because of me. A sob ripped from my throat. My vision blurred. Everything inside me caved in. Then¡ª A snore. My breath hitched. She fucking snored. I dropped her back onto the ground. Hard. "AH! FUCK, KID!" Zara jerked awake, cursing as she smacked the ground. She blinked, groggy, rubbing at her face like she had just woken up from a damn nap. "I¡¯M INJURED HERE. BE A LIL¡¯ MORE GENTLE, WILL YA?" My head snapped forward. "YOU WERE ASLEEP?!" Zara groaned, rolling onto her back, fire bursting to life around her in small flickers as she stretched. "You know, kid, you really gotta learn how to let a girl catch some Zs," she grumbled, rubbing her eyes. "Like, damn. Give a badass a break." A laugh¡ªshaky, broken, full of relief¡ªspilled from my lips. "Sorry..." My voice wavered, breath catching in my throat. "I thought..." The words wouldn¡¯t come out. I tried to hold it in, but the moment she patted my head, soft and reassuring¡ª The dam broke. Tears streamed down my face. Unstoppable. My body shook, my breath hitching as the weight of everything crashed down all at once. "I¡¯m... so... sorry..." My voice cracked. "I really thought... that... that you died be... because... of... me..." Zara stilled for a second. Then¡ªarms wrapped around me. Strong. Warm. She pulled me into her chest, holding me close. "Shh... It''s okay, kid. Stop the waterworks now." Her voice, rough and exhausted, softened in a way I hadn¡¯t heard before. "It ain¡¯t your fault." I clung to her. Her words settled over me like fire in the cold. "You''re just a kid. And you really shouldn¡¯t be goin¡¯ through somethin¡¯ like this." Her grip tightened for a second before she leaned back, swiping the back of her hand across my tear-streaked face. She grinned. "Now how ¡®bout we go get you that reward of yours? Job¡¯s complete, kid!" I sniffed, wiping my face. "Okay. I would... like that. Thank you... for protecting me." My voice still shook. Zara rolled her eyes, scoffing. "Don¡¯t even mention it. But¡ªfuck, man, this burn actually hurts like a motherfucker right now. Check it out, kid." She turned around. My stomach churned. Her back¡ª Charred. Blackened. Torn apart. Her once smooth, tan skin had become a grotesque canvas of scorched red and black, patches of burned flesh peeling away, exposing the bone beneath. A wave of nausea rolled through me. "Zara..." I swallowed. "This is¡ªit''s bad. Are you sure you¡¯re okay? We should¡ªwe should get MedTech¡ª" Zara waved a lazy hand. "Kid, I''ve had worse. Ima bounce back. We got more important things to worry about. Them Qis might still be around." Then¡ª FWOOOSH. Her entire back burst into flames. I stumbled backward, eyes widening in horror. "WHAT THE HELL?!" Zara grit her teeth, biting back a scream as the deep blue fire consumed her wounds. "FUCKING HELL! This will never get easier¡ªFUCK¡ª" she growled through gritted teeth, body trembling from the sheer pain. I watched, helpless, as the flames seared into her wounds, cauterizing, healing¡ª But at what cost? The smell of burnt flesh filled the air. Smoke curled around her, wrapping her in an eerie, hellish glow. She gasped¡ªthe flames finally died down. Her back was no longer bleeding. But the wounds remained. Burnt, raw, grotesque. She let out a shaky breath. "Okay. That should help." Then¡ªshe smirked. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. "Let¡¯s get moving to the Pyramid." She stretched, rolling her shoulders like she hadn¡¯t just set herself on fucking fire. "Your girl needs to be fixed up." Bright, orange flames erupted from her legs, her fiery halo flickering back to life. Then¡ªBOOM. She launched into the sky. I stood there for a second. Shaken. Heart pounding. She almost died. I almost lost her. I clenched my fists. My new hands. No more running. No more hesitation. I took a breath. I jumped as high as I can go. Then¡ª Zara caught me. Her arms wrapped around me, firm and unshakable, pulling me into her chest. The warmth of her flames licked at my skin, but they didn¡¯t burn. Her grip was strong, protective. "Atta girl," she murmured, her voice carrying a smirk. Flames erupted from her legs, launching us both into the night sky. The cityscape stretched out below, a pulsing mass of neon lights and restless movement. From up here, the streets looked peaceful, glowing in a hypnotic rhythm, nothing like the warzone we had just crawled out of. But peace was a lie. Zara¡¯s grip on me was ironclad, her fiery aura flickering as we cut through the sky. The wind roared past my ears, drowning out the distant hum of the city. My body ached, my lungs burned, but for the first time in what felt like forever¡ªI was weightless. For a second, I let my head rest against her shoulder. The Pyramid loomed ahead, its monolithic structure piercing the skyline like a jagged tooth. The massive, faceless sentinels guarding the entrance didn¡¯t flinch as we touched down, their glowing red visors scanning us. Zara¡¯s flames sputtered out as she landed, her grip on me tightening for a fraction of a second before she let go. The weight of the world returned. We stepped inside, the cold, sterile air of the Pyramid swallowing us whole. The holographic terminal flickered to life, its artificial voice ringing through the space. "NAME AND HUNTER STATUS, PLEASE." I swallowed, stepping forward. "Marilyn Ridgewood. Hunter." A pause. Then¡ª "MARILYN RIDGEWOOD, HUNTER. JOB STATUS: COMPLETED. REWARDS: BIONIC EYE. PREPARE FOR OPERATION." My stomach dropped. Operation. No. The last ¡°operation¡± left me without hands. Now, my eye? Two MedTechs approached, dressed in pristine white, pushing cold metal chairs. My pulse spiked. Before I could react, the chairs'' mechanical arms clamped around us, locking us in place. A tray was wheeled in¡ªscalpels, clamps, tongs, anesthetic injectors. The sight made my skin crawl. The injectors pressed against our necks. A sharp sting. Then¡ªnumbness. Zara grunted as the MedTechs started working on her back, her muffled curses mixing with the low hum of machinery. My own MedTech turned to me. I tried to move. Tried to scream. I couldn¡¯t. The scalpel sliced into the skin around my eye. I felt nothing. But I heard it¡ªthe slick, wet sound of metal against flesh. The MedTech¡¯s hands moved with surgical precision, cutting, separating. Then¡ª The pressure in my skull vanished. Darkness swallowed half my world. A metallic clang echoed in the room. My eye. It was on the tray. A part of me, ripped away. The MedTech didn¡¯t hesitate. They lifted a jar, revealing a cold, mechanical replacement¡ªthe bionic eye. Tubes, wires, and a metal stem where veins should have been. I wanted to scream. They brought it close, a wire slithering from the eye to the severed end of my optic nerve. Click. Pain. No¡ªnot pain. Electricity. My body arched, my head snapping back. A million volts of raw data poured into my brain, rewriting everything I understood about vision. Then¡ª I saw. Not just the room. Everything. Numbers. Heat signatures. Lines of code flashing in my vision. The world was no longer just the world¡ªit was a system, a machine, a puzzle laid bare before me. The MedTech stepped back, staring at the monitor. Their fingers danced over the controls. "Calibration complete. Finalizing operation." A final jolt. A final rush of data. The chair released me. I slumped forward, gasping. My new eye whirred, adjusting. My breath hitched as my reflection flickered across a metallic surface¡ª My right eye glowed. Not human. Not anymore. Zara groaned beside me, stretching as she was released from her chair. ¡°Well, that sucked ass.¡± I was still reeling. Still adjusting to the unreal sharpness of my vision. But I nodded. We made our way to the holographic terminal. "PROCEDURE COMPLETE. RETURN TO YOUR DUTIES. A NEW JOB WILL BE ASSIGNED SOON." The words lingered. New job. Another hunt. Another fight. Zara¡¯s arm slung around my shoulder, her smirk as cocky as ever. ¡°C¡¯mon, kid. Let¡¯s get you some bullets for that gun you stole.¡± We headed toward the ammunition shop. The moment we stepped in, Droge¡¯s laughter greeted us. "Well, well. Look who it is. The two reckless sons of a bitch who actually hunted down THE Qi Anran." Zara leaned against the counter, grinning. "Told ya we would, Droge. If we hadn''t, you''d be scraping us off the pavement with a spatula." Droge let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You two are something else. Damn near insane. What do you need?" Zara tossed a finger toward her legs. "Gas for these beauties. Got any back there? Might grab a weapon for the kid too." Droge jerked his thumb toward the back. "Plenty. And don¡¯t worry about the price. Special discount for my favorite psychopaths." A grin pulled at Zara¡¯s lips as she strode toward the shelves stacked with canisters of gasoline. "Damn, Droge. You sure know how to treat a lady. Maybe I¡¯ll buy you a drink later." Droge snorted, already scanning the weapons rack. "I¡¯ll hold you to that. Hey kid¡ªpick something that won¡¯t get you killed." I stepped forward, my fingers trailing over cold metal. Pistols, shotguns, modified automatics. Too bulky. Too loud. Then¡ªa dagger. Simple. Worn. A strip of cloth wrapped around its hilt like a forgotten promise. I reached for it. Droge grabbed it first. He turned it over in his hands, eyes narrowing. "Good choice. This one¡¯s got history." "Whose?" He grinned. "Not yours. But if you live long enough, maybe it will be." He handed it to me. Cool metal. Well-balanced. Deadly. I nodded. "Thanks." "Just don¡¯t die." Zara sauntered back, arms stacked with fuel. "Ain¡¯t that the plan?" As we stepped outside, the city swallowed us again¡ªneon and shadows, movement and silence. The world didn¡¯t stop, didn¡¯t care, didn¡¯t notice the bodies we¡¯d left behind. Then¡ª Screech. A car tore through the street. Black. Windows tinted. Engine growling. The doors slammed open. Barrels flashed. Gunfire erupted. Zara grabbed me. Heat. Motion. My back slammed into the pavement as we hit cover behind a crumbling wall. A sharp, searing burn. I looked down. Blood. My arm. I¡¯ve been shot. 10 Is It Okay to Live? I¡¯ve been shot. A sharp, searing pain tore through my arm. My body jolted, instinct kicking in¡ªI clamped a hand over the wound. Warm. Sticky. Too much. My breath hitched, chest tightening. The world blurred. A sharp ringing drowned out everything else. My ears buzzed. Gunfire crackled in the distance¡ªmuffled, distant, like I was sinking underwater. Focus. Stay awake. Zara crouched beside me, yanking a strip of fabric from her shirt. ¡°Bite.¡± I did. Desire moved fast. His fingers split apart, shifting into something sharp. Tongs. ¡°This will hurt.¡± No time to breathe. No time to brace. White-hot agony. I clenched my teeth around the fabric, a muffled scream dying in my throat. My body seized, every muscle locking as the tongs dug into my arm, metal scraping against bone. My vision pulsed, red-hot. The bullet¡ªsmall, sleek¡ªclinked onto the pavement. I barely heard it over the pounding in my skull. Desire¡¯s arm shifted. A MedTech gun. A hiss. A sting. Numbness spread through my arm, dulling the pain but leaving behind a deep, electric ache. I gasped for air through clenched teeth. My fingers trembled. Blood. My blood. It coated my hand, thick and dark. It should¡¯ve felt wrong. But all I felt was cold. The ringing in my ears faded¡ªreplaced by something worse. Gunfire. Louder. Closer. Metal shrieked. Sparks spat across the ground. Zara¡¯s flames roared to life, swallowing bullets before they could touch us. A living shield. Heat pressed against my skin, searing, suffocating. ¡°Kid, stay down!¡± I barely registered her voice. My vision swam. My mind screamed at me to move, but my limbs felt like lead. A car screeched to a halt. Black. Tinted windows. Shadows shifting inside. They weren¡¯t done. They were hunting us. The doors flung open. Figures spilled out¡ªshadows moving fast, weapons already raised. No hesitation. No pause. Relentless. Precise. I gritted my teeth, voice straining over the gunfire. ¡°Who the hell are they?! Are they Qi?¡± Zara¡¯s eyes locked onto them, scanning their movements. Grit. Fire. Battle-ready. "Doubt it." Another barrage of bullets. Too close. Too many. "We need cover!" Zara yanked me down an alley, nearly dragging me off my feet. Footsteps pounded after us. Then¡ª gunfire. Not theirs. Behind them. One of them jerked forward, blood misting the air. Another collapsed. The gunfire didn¡¯t stop. Controlled. Precise. Ruthless. The store. Droge. His rifle peeked out from the reinforced shop window, muzzle flashing. A steady rhythm¡ªthree shots, pause, three shots, pause. The attackers spun, caught off guard. "FUCKIN¡¯ MOVE, YOU IDIOTS!" one of them barked¡ª BANG. His skull snapped back, blood spraying across the pavement. Zara lunged. Flames burst from her hands. They engulfed two men instantly. Screams ripped through the air. Their bodies collapsed in smoldering heaps. A third aimed¡ª BANG. His body jerked back as another precise shot from Droge ripped through his chest. "YOU OWE ME FOR THIS SHIT, ZARA!" Droge¡¯s voice rang out over the chaos, his rifle unloading another burst. Zara laughed, wild and reckless. "PUT IT ON MY FUCKIN¡¯ TAB!" Then¡ªshe leapt. Into the sky. Vanished into the neon glow of the city. I turned, breath ragged. Footsteps. Closing in. I clenched my fists. A hum. A flicker of heat. My right hand split open. A blade shot out. Glowing. Burning. However, my focus shattered as a window abruptly flickered into my vision. My body jolted. ¡°Mari! Mari! Hey, it¡¯s okay!¡± Desire¡¯s voice cut through my panic. ¡°That¡¯s just your eye¡ªlooks like my system¡¯s compatible with it.¡± A window flickered into view. Stats. Temperature. Form. I locked onto Form. Three options. Non-Lethal. Lethal. Erase. I hesitated. My finger twitched. I selected Erase. With a low, resonant hum, the blade came to life. Metal shifted¡ªclicking, twisting, reshaping. The heated edge stretched, curving into something far more sinister. A scythe. Sleek. Razor-sharp. A weapon made for something far beyond cutting. The air around it shuddered. Warped. Like reality itself was rejecting it. The edges of the blade blurred, twisting the space around it, an unnatural ripple spreading outward¡ªerasing, distorting, unmaking. It wasn¡¯t just a weapon. It was a wound in existence itself. ¡°Uhm¡­ Desire¡­ is this safe?¡± I asked, watching the air ripple around the scythe like reality itself was second-guessing its existence. ¡°Mari. It¡¯s a blade. It cuts. It¡¯s dangerous if you use it wrong.¡± ¡°No, no, I mean this. The little thing it¡¯s doing around it.¡± I gestured vaguely at the way space seemed to shiver around the blade. ¡°Oh! Well then, it is! As long as you don¡¯t touch it directly." Desire¡¯s voice buzzed with excitement. "This blade is a marvel of nanotechnology! A true masterpiece of science! Its structure is composed of carbon nanotubes and graphene-based frameworks, allowing it to sever molecular bonds at an unparalleled precision! And the nanomachines¡ªoh, the nanomachines!¡ªthey manipulate quantum states, momentarily altering matter at a fundamental level, inducing a quasi-undefined sta¡ª¡± ¡°Desire! Nano-what?! Can you say that in English?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± He paused. ¡°Perhaps my auto-translation program is malfunctioning. This blade is made out of very advanced nan¡ª¡± ¡°NO! I mean explain it in a way that doesn¡¯t make my brain melt!¡± A beat of silence. Then, with the confidence of a scientist dumbing down quantum physics for a toddler, Desire cheerfully said: ¡°Blade. Swing. Cut. Poof. Erase.¡± I blinked. ¡°...Sure. I guess.¡± There was definitely some offense hidden in my tone. Suddenly, amidst the barrage of windows in my vision, I noticed something¡ª we were surrounded. Figures in gas masks. Rifles trained on us. Shadows closing in. ¡°You really think we¡¯d wait for you to finish your little science lesson before surrounding you?¡± one of them barked. ¡°Put the weapon away if you want to live.¡± My jaw clenched. The air around my right arm flickered. My fingers twitched, the internal servos whirring, ready. I could feel it¡ªa low hum vibrating in my bones. But there were too many of them. Too many guns. Zara could probably take them¡ªbut could I? Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. I raised my hands, forcing my blade to retract back into my arm. The distorted air around it vanished in an instant, like it had never existed. My captors wasted no time. ¡°Cuff the kid.¡± Metal clamped around my wrists with a sharp click. Too tight. No escape. A hand grabbed my shoulder, shoving me forward. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Why? Why are you doing this? I didn¡¯t do anything wrong!¡± The words spilled out, desperate. The man in charge turned slightly, voice disturbingly calm. ¡°No. But you will.¡± The blood in my veins ran cold. ¡°Sorry, kid.¡± His grip tightened. ¡°But it¡¯s something we just can¡¯t let happen.¡± And then¡ª A streak of light. A man screamed. His body was yanked into the air, hoisted like a ragdoll¡ª Then slammed. Bones crunched. Another man was crushed beneath the weight. Zara. Hovering above us, flames licking at her hands. ¡°Oh, sorry. Were you guys in the middle of something?¡± The cuffs around my wrists melted, pooling onto the pavement like wax. Freedom. The soldiers aimed their guns. They fired. Zara didn¡¯t even flinch. Bullets melted before they could touch us, swallowed by her flames. ¡°You guys are adorable.¡± Her smirk was wild, manic. ¡°Trying so hard.¡± I raised my arm, the raw power thrumming beneath the surface. Time to end this. The gunfire stopped. Desire latched onto my neck. A window flickered into my vision. INJECTING SERUM. A sharp pinch¡ªthen a rush. A flood of heat. A sensation of invincibility. I lunged. The man who ordered them to cuff me¡ªhe was mine. My arm snapped forward. My scythe, once dormant, came alive, unfolding from my wrist like a predator unsheathing its claws. I swung. He dodged. The blade hissed through empty space, but¡ª Behind him¡ª A thin hole. Not a wound. Not a break. Just¡­ gone. The wall stood untouched, yet a perfect gap had been carved into reality itself. The man stumbled back. Realization dawning in his eyes. I moved. Instinct fueled me. No thought. No hesitation. Just the hunt. My scythe arced again. Faster. Sharper. He barely dodged. Again. Again. I grinned, baring my teeth. This was fun. A feral rush surged through me. Every dodge. Every desperate movement. He knew he was prey. And I was the hunter. I swung¡ª PAIN. A white-hot sting burned through my arm. The world lurched. I staggered, blinking through the haze. Desire¡¯s voice crackled in my head. ¡°Mari! It seems my anesthetic wore off! Would you like another dose?¡± My breathing was ragged. My pulse wild. But my grin never faded. I exhaled sharply. ¡°You even have to ask?¡± Desire¡¯s fingers shifted, morphing into the MedTech gun. A hiss. A pinch. Another flood of energy. The pain vanished. The hunt resumed. The man regrouped with the others, guns raised. A synchronized wall of firepower. They pulled the triggers. I reacted. My vision snapped to the Size option. Scythe Width: Expand. A flick of thought¡ªand my weapon obeyed. The blade widened, stretching into a shield, its warped edges swallowing the air around it. Bullets vanished on contact. No sparks. No ricochets. Just gone. The gunfire slowed. Click. Click. Reloading. Now. I charged. In a single motion, I reset the width, extended the length. My weapon shifted, adapting to the kill. A leap¡ªhigh, fast, merciless. My arm snapped down. A perfect angle. A perfect cut. The first man didn¡¯t even scream. The scythe sliced clean through him, parting flesh like it was never there. Next. I locked onto another. He barely turned before I was on him. I swung¡ªstraight down. The blade pierced his skull, cutting through like paper. No resistance. Momentum carried me forward. One after another. Until¡ª One left. He stood frozen. Cowering. Trembling. I raised my arm. No hesitation. One more. One more and it would be over. Then¡ª ¡°That¡¯s enough, kid.¡± Zara¡¯s voice cut through the frenzy. Sharp. Commanding. I froze. The scythe hovered inches from his throat. What¡­ had I just done? I looked down. Blood. My clothes. My hands. My face. Soaked. My breathing turned ragged, chest heaving as the realization crashed down. Zara stepped forward, her fiery aura dimming. ¡°We need this guy, or we won¡¯t know squat.¡± My grip loosened. My weapon retracted. The man collapsed onto his knees, gasping for air. The alley was silent. Except for the pounding of my heart. From inside the store, Droge let out a whoop. ¡°WOOOO! Haven¡¯t had this much action since I retired!¡± The shop door swung open. Droge strolled out, rifle still slung over his shoulder, a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. "Pew! Pew! Pow!" He posed, pointing his rifle in the air like some washed-up action hero, throwing in exaggerated gun noises as he strutted over. Zara groaned. ¡°Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake.¡± Droge ignored her, spinning an invisible revolver on his finger before blowing at the tip. ¡°Well, well, well,¡± he drawled, stopping beside me with a cocky smirk. ¡°Not bad, huh, kid? What do ya think? Should little old me get back into the hunting scene?¡± Zara scoffed. ¡°Oh yeah? How about instead of eye-fucking your guns all day, you go get some ACTUAL action for once, damned virgin.¡± She punched him in the stomach. Not hard. Just enough to shatter his ego. His smirk instantly dropped. His whole soul left his body. ¡°...Damn,¡± he muttered, staring off like he was contemplating every life choice that led him here. Zara snickered. ¡°But nah, for real¡ªthanks again, old man.¡± She grinned, throwing an arm around his shoulders. ¡°Saved our asses there.¡± Droge perked back up instantly. ¡°Damn right I did.¡± Then, muttering under his breath¡ª ¡°Should¡¯ve let y¡¯all handle it your damn selves.¡± ¡°But hey, kid¡ªkeep that up, and I swear, I''ll be your biggest fan.¡± Zara grinned, but there was something else behind it. Something sharp. Something watching me. I stepped back, breath unsteady, my hands still stained red. The scythe retracted, reshaping into my arm, but I could still feel it. The weight of it. The way it had felt right. The last man trembled on his knees, eyes darting between us, like a cornered animal. Zara cracked her neck. ¡°Alright, speak up. Who sent you? Why the hell are you after us?¡± Silence. The man swallowed, his hands twitching at his sides like he was debating his odds. Zara didn¡¯t wait. She grabbed him by the throat, flames licking at her fingers, the heat making his mask sizzle. ¡°Listen, man¡ªwe can do this the easy way or the crispy way. Your choice.¡± His hands clawed at her wrist, his voice a choked gasp. ¡°Okay! Okay! Fuck! I¡¯ll talk!¡± His words tumbled out in a panic, Zara¡¯s fire getting way too close for comfort. She dropped him. He hit the pavement hard, gasping, scrambling backward. His wide eyes flicked to me. Then¡ªsomething shifted. Not just fear. Recognition. His breath shuddered. ¡°You don¡¯t get it.¡± His voice was different now. Not just fear¡ªconviction. ¡°We¡¯re the Resistance. We came for the kid.¡± His eyes locked onto mine. ¡°For Aclima.¡± The world tilted. ¡°The bearer of Enoch.¡± He exhaled, like saying the words made it real. ¡°The daughter of Adam and Eve.¡± 11 Dance With Gravity Despite the tension in the air, Zara and I exchanged wary glances. The man on the ground coughed, struggling for breath, but his words stuck to me like a splinter beneath my skin. Adam. Eve. Aclima. Enoch. I¡¯ve never heard those names before. Yet¡­ they felt so damn familiar. Zara crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. ¡°Resistance, huh? What the hell y¡¯all want with Mari? And all this ¡®child¡¯ and ¡®bearer¡¯ talk¡ªwhat¡¯s that about?¡± Behind us, Droge let out a low whistle. ¡°Ooooh. The Resistance.¡± He dragged a hand down his face, already turning away. ¡°Yeah, that sounds like something I¡¯m not supposed to hear. Sooo, I was never here.¡± He shot me finger guns and disappeared into his shop. Zara rolled her eyes. ¡°Coward.¡± The man took a deep breath, like he was finally resigned to his fate. Alright, look¡ªwe ain¡¯t the bad guys here. We¡¯re fighting against the Provenance. The ones controlling everything from the shadows. The father¡ªAdam. The mother¡ªEve. And Aclima¡­¡± He looked at me. ¡°¡­that¡¯s you, kid.¡± My stomach knotted. ¡°What does that even mean?¡± I said quickly, the words escaping before I could stop them. The man kept going. ¡°You¡¯ve got a destiny. Something prophesied by the Elders. You¡¯re the bearer of a bloodline that foretells the rise of a dictator. A leader who¡¯ll reshape the world according to their vision. The one who will control everything." "Control¡ª?¡± My breath hitched. "No. That¡¯s¡ªThat¡¯s stupid. I¡¯m just a regular kid! And who the hell are Adam and Eve supposed to be? My parents are my only parents! And they¡¯re not¡­¡± A lump formed in my throat. ¡°They¡¯re not here.¡± A tear ran down my cheek. WHACK. I yelped as Zara punched my arm. Not hard¡ªbut just enough. ¡°Hey, kid. Don¡¯t show weakness to your enemy.¡± She smirked, nudging me with her elbow. ¡°Especially your hostage.¡± The man¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°H-Hostage?!¡± Before he could move, Zara grabbed his hands, tied them together, and threw him over her shoulder like a damn duffel bag. ¡°Yup,¡± she said cheerfully. ¡°You¡¯re leading us to your hideout or whatever. Guide us right, and maybe I¡¯ll let you walk there. Guide us wrong?¡± She grinned, leaning in close. ¡°You¡¯re about to have a face-to-face appointment with the pavement.¡± The man paled further. Zara turned to me, dusting off her hands. ¡°Hehe. Get it? Face to face?¡± I barely heard her. My hands shook. My mind raced. Adam. Eve. Aclima. Me. Zara extended her hand toward me. I hesitated for a moment, glancing at the hostage slung over her shoulder. Then, I took a deep breath and placed my hand in hers. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Zara.¡± I tightened my grip. ¡°I want to try something.¡± I opened the Form menu, the same three options flashing before me. This time, my focus locked onto Non-Lethal Mode. A notification flickered in my vision. "Gravitational Stabilizer Active." A faint purple glow pulsed from my hand. Strange. Different. It didn¡¯t burn or hum like before¡ªthis felt... weightless. "Hey, Desire?" I murmured, flexing my fingers. "Does ¡®Gravitational Stabilizer¡¯ mean I can manipulate gravity?" Desire floated over and perched on top of my head like some smug little bird. "In a sense!" His tail swished, his voice brimming with excitement. "The Gravitational Stabilizer creates a controlled distortion in gravity. You can use it to disorient targets, throwing them off balance. Additionally, that same gravitational distortion can be harnessed to repel objects. A force field per se." I studied my hand, fascinated. "A force field..." An idea struck me. I turned toward Zara, lifting my hand. "Can I test this on you, Zara? It says Non-Lethal, so it might not be that dangerous." Zara¡¯s entire face dropped into a deadpan glare. "You want me to be your test subject, you little brat?" My stomach flipped. I instantly retracted my hand, panic creeping into my voice. "I-I¡¯m so sorry! I really didn¡¯t think you would mind. I won¡¯t do it! I¡¯m sorry!" Silence. Then¡ªshe burst out laughing. "Look at your face! That¡¯s fucking priceless!" She wiped a tear, still wheezing. "You actually thought I was mad? Oh, kid, I should mess with you more often." She dropped the tied-up man with a thud and stretched, rolling her shoulders. "Nah, go for it. You see these puppies?" She flexed her arms, grinning. "I can handle anything. Give it your best shot, kiddo." Still hesitant, I slowly extended my hand, expecting something... extraordinary. Nothing happened. I frowned. "Uhm¡­ Desire? Is it broken? Or am I doing it wrong?" A sudden tap on my head. Then¡ªa window popped into my vision. "Welcome to Desire¡¯s Lab of Possibilities! Today, I will be showing you how to use your Electro-Magnetic Gravitational Stabilizer!" A jingle played. The words sparkled obnoxiously. "Desire¡¯s Lab of Possibilities is not responsible for any side effects or accidents that may occur when using the Electro-Magnetic Gravitational Stabilizer. Side effects may include: Alright! Now onto the lesson!" I froze. What. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Did it just say ¡®Death¡¯ and ¡®Radiation Poisoning¡¯?! I slowly turned my head toward Desire. He just winked. "So, here''s Rule #1 for wielding the Non-Lethal option with your Gravity Augmented Utility and NanoTech Laser Edged Tool, or as we call it¡ªG.A.U.N.T.L.E.T." The Desire in the video grinned, spinning a miniature version of himself on one finger like a showman. "Never point it at yourself unless you¡¯re aiming for a spontaneous hand-body separation. And I doubt you are." A quick edit cut to him holding up two fingers. "Rule #2, keep the disorientation feature at a safe distance. That means at least two meters away from your target. Any closer, and well¡­ let¡¯s just say ¡®incapacitated¡¯ might not be the right word anymore." The Desire in the video gave a playful wink. "Now, to activate the disorientation feature, channel your inner cowboy, make a finger gun, and give it a good ¡®Bang!¡¯ Go ahead, give it a shot!" I squinted at the screen. Seriously? I hovered my focus over the pause button and froze the video. A long, heavy sigh left my lips. "...Alright." Hesitantly, I raised my hand, forming a mock gun shape, and pointed it toward Zara. "...Bang." Zara cocked an eyebrow. "Well, kiddo? Did it work? Anything feel different?" I shrugged. "I¡­ I dunno. Do you feel disoriented?" Zara spun in place a few times like an idiot before stopping with a dramatic wobble. "Nope. I''m good. But your cowboy skills need some work, partner." She tipped an imaginary hat. I let out a breath, about to lower my hand¡ª Then the glow intensified. A sudden jolt shot through my arm, my fingers spasming uncontrollably. My pulse hammered. My whole body locked up as a deep purple light swirled violently around my palm. Oh. Shit. A deafening BANG tore through the air as an invisible force slammed into Zara. "AH FUCK! KID! MAKE IT STOP! FUCK¡ª!" Panic exploded in my chest. Zara¡¯s body jerked backward as if gravity itself had turned against her. Her eyes rolled back. Blood trickled from her nose, her ears¡ª Then she collapsed. I choked. My body moved before my mind could catch up, stumbling toward her. "Zara! I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª What happened?! Are you okay?!" She wasn¡¯t responding. Guilt wrapped itself around my throat, strangling me. "Desire! What the hell was that?! I thought it was Non-Lethal!" Desire hopped off my head, completely unbothered. "It is Non-Lethal." He twirled his tail. "But that doesn¡¯t mean it can¡¯t be dangerous. Used wrong, it can lead to some pretty dire consequences." My heart slammed against my ribs. "You didn¡¯t say anything about this!" Desire hummed, tilting his head. "Actually, I did. In the tutorial. You know, the one you paused?" I blinked. "I¡ª what?" "Didn¡¯t I say not to use it on someone less than two meters away?" My breath hitched. "I was more than two meters! I think¡ª" "You were." His glowing eyes flickered, scanning me. "But your hand wasn¡¯t." Oh. I looked at my arm. The one I¡¯d stretched out when I fired. Oh, shit. A weak groan from the ground snapped me back. Zara. I dropped to my knees. "Zara, I¡¯m so sorry," I stammered, voice trembling. "I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you¡ª I should¡¯ve been more careful¡ª" She winced but managed a weak, lopsided grin. "Kid, it¡¯s alright. Just a little too much excitement, that¡¯s all. I¡¯ll survive a cowboy¡¯s misfire." I swallowed, still shaken. "Are¡­ are you sure you¡¯re okay?" Zara groaned, forcing herself up. She wobbled, nearly falling over, before shaking her head like a wet dog. "Goddamn, that messed my head up. It felt like I had a really bad concussion, man." Then she smirked. "But I¡¯m good now. Alright, kid, what else you got?" I just stared. What. She almost fucking died, and she wants to go again? I exhaled slowly, rubbing my temples. This woman was insane. I unpaused the video. "Amazing work there, cowboy! Now, let¡¯s move on to the next trick in your gravity-slinging arsenal." Desire¡¯s little holographic self spun dramatically in the tutorial window, throwing an exaggerated high five toward the screen. "To activate the repulsive force field, extend your hand toward the target, just like you¡¯re about to give ¡®em a good ol¡¯ high five. When you¡¯re ready, clench your hand into a fist and¡ªbam¡ªgive ¡®em a fistful of gravity!" He waggled his nonexistent eyebrows. "Now, you give it a shot!" I hesitated. Then, glancing around, I locked onto a nearby trash can. This time, not Zara. Slowly, I lifted my hand, fingers splayed wide. Nothing happened at first. Then¡ªa deep vibration rippled through my arm. I clenched my fist. BOOM. A shockwave detonated from my palm, launching the trash can like it had been hit by a freight train. It crashed into the wall behind it with a metallic shriek, denting on impact. I took a step forward. The trash can shuddered¡ªstuck¡ªpinned to the wall by an invisible force. Another step. It crunched, warping further, compacting in on itself like an invisible hand was squeezing the life out of it. I opened my hand. The force released. The crumpled mess of metal dropped onto the pavement with a dull thud. I stared at my hands. My breath was uneven. The rush in my veins thrummed. This¡­ this was incredible. A thought struck me. I turned my palm toward the ground. Slowly, I spread my fingers, then clenched them. The world lurched. My feet left the pavement. I gasped. A rush of wind tore past me as my body lifted into the air. I was flying. I twisted my hand slightly¡ªmy entire body shifted midair. Holy shit. I could control it. Experimenting further, I adjusted my fingers, testing how much control I had over my movement. First, a slow, steady drift. Then¡ªI tried a sharp turn. Bad idea. I overcorrected. Too much force. The sudden shift sent me spinning sideways, completely out of control. The world blurred¡ªwall incoming. SHIT¡ª Instinct kicked in. I threw my hands open¡ªthe field released. My body dropped like a rock, and I landed with a not-so-graceful thud onto the pavement. A beat of silence. Then¡ªlaughter. "WOAH, KID! THAT¡¯S ACTUALLY SICK!" Zara whistled, crossing her arms with an impressed grin. "Does that mean I don¡¯t have to carry you like a goddamn sack of luggage anymore?" I shot her a glare but grinned. Let¡¯s try that again. I pressed both hands to the ground and clenched them. BOOM. I launched into the sky. Higher. Faster. Stronger. The wind roared past me as I adjusted my hand positioning, experimenting with quick maneuvers. This time, I was in control. I cut through the air, shifting directions with ease. Zara burst into flames, hoisting the tied-up man over her shoulder. With a fiery explosion, she shot into the air beside me. She smirked. "Alright, kid. Let''s get moving. This idiot''s leading the way." She turned her burning gaze toward the man. "You¡¯re taking us to your people, right?" Her flames flared. "Y-Yes! Yes! Damn! You two are some impatient motherfuckers!" he stammered. Zara paused. Her flames burned hotter. "What was that?" He paled. "No-Nothing! Just¡ªjust head towards the Pyramid! I''ll show you the way!" Zara grinned. "That¡¯s what I thought." And with that, we took off into the night. 12 The Weight of a Life The city stretched beneath us, a neon-lit sprawl of life and movement, but as we soared beyond its limits, the world shifted. The glow of civilization faded, swallowed by dense forests and towering mountains. Roads thinned into dirt trails, winding like veins through the wild. "Down there. At the foot of that mountain," the man instructed. Zara and I exchanged glances but complied, descending toward the clearing he pointed to. As our feet hit the ground, a chill settled in the air. The scent of damp earth and pine filled my lungs. The usual hum of the city was gone¡ªreplaced by silence. Too quiet. Too still. Zara rolled her shoulders, fire flickering at her fingertips. "Alright. We''re here. Why?" Her eyes scanned the trees, body tense. The man smirked, lifting his bound hands. ¡°First off, how about you let me go? Kinda hard to open the entrance when I¡¯m all tied up. Plus¡­¡± He tilted his head. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t my comrades be a bit more welcoming if I wasn¡¯t looking like a damn hostage?¡± I felt Zara¡¯s glare without even looking. "You do anything stupid, and you¡¯re ash." She didn¡¯t wait for a response. With a flick of my knife, she cut the bindings loose. The man stretched dramatically, rubbing his wrists like he¡¯d been held captive for years instead of, what, an hour? Then, with a lazy stride, he approached a massive boulder nestled between the roots of an ancient tree. Zara crossed her arms. ¡°So? You bringing us here to admire rocks, or¡ª¡± ¡°Just watch.¡± He pressed his hand flat against the stone and muttered something¡ªtoo soft for me to hear. And then¡ª The ground moved. A deep, guttural vibration, like the mountain itself was breathing. The boulder groaned, stone scraping against stone. Dust scattered as the rock shifted, revealing a dark, descending passage carved into the earth. A gust of stale air rushed out. I swallowed hard. Oh. This wasn¡¯t just some hideout. The mountain split open. A deep, resonating groan of shifting stone rumbled beneath my feet as the earth peeled apart, revealing something that shouldn¡¯t exist. A city. Nestled inside the mountain¡¯s hollowed core, a thriving metropolis sprawled before me. Towering buildings loomed like silent guardians, their surfaces adorned with glowing symbols. The streets pulsed with life¡ªpeople moving, talking, living¡ªas if they had never known the world beyond these hidden walls. It was alive. It was real. A secret stronghold hidden from the outside world. But then¡ªI looked up. There should have been a ceiling. We were underground. The weight of the mountain should have pressed down from above. But it wasn¡¯t there. My breath hitched. Holy shit. The sky was still there. Clouds drifted lazily overhead, painted silver by the piercing glow of the moon. Stars twinkled in the distance, undisturbed, as if nothing had changed. Shadows stretched across the bustling streets, shifting and breathing as if this was just any other open-air city. But how? I swallowed hard, my mind scrambling for an explanation. We¡¯re inside a mountain. The top should be rock, dirt, something solid. Not this. Was the mountain¡¯s peak an illusion? A fabricated sky to fool those inside? Or was the outside world seeing something entirely different? My head spun, a pit forming in my stomach. I don¡¯t get it. What the hell was this place? The man smirked. ¡°Welcome to Haven¡¯s Reach. The main base of the Resistance.¡± Zara let out a low whistle, taking in the sight before her. ¡°Haven¡¯s Reach, huh? Heard that name before. Never thought it was real.¡± Then, her grin sharpened. ¡°You know¡­¡± she mused, turning her gaze toward the man. ¡°There¡¯s a 10-million bounty for finding this place and capturing its citizens.¡± She stretched her arms over her head, flashing a devilish grin. ¡°I could be filthy rich.¡± The air changed. The moment the words left her mouth, the crowd froze. Eyes locked onto her. Hands moved instinctively. Rifles were shouldered. Pistols drawn. A wave of tension crackled through the hidden city like wildfire. The man at Zara¡¯s side let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Then I suppose we¡¯ll have to make sure you don¡¯t leave with that in mind.¡± The threat was lighthearted¡ªbarely. Zara raised her hands in mock surrender, smirk still in place. ¡°Damn, y¡¯all really don¡¯t know how to take a joke, huh? Chill. I ain¡¯t reporting nothing.¡± No one laughed. The crowd didn¡¯t move. Their weapons stayed locked on her. A voice cut through the silence. ¡°How do we know that? Your face ain¡¯t familiar around here.¡± More whispers. Hushed suspicions slithered through the air like an unseen force. The weight of mistrust pressed against us. Then¡ª ¡°Drop your weapons, my people. They are our guests.¡± The voice was smooth. Commanding. A man stepped forward from the crowd, draped in extravagant robes, his presence radiating authority. The others hesitated¡ªthen obeyed. The weapons lowered. The tension eased. His grin was welcoming, but his eyes were sharp. Assessing. Calculating. ¡°Welcome! Welcome!¡± he beamed, his voice echoing through the cavernous expanse. ¡°City folk never visit our humble sanctuary. Perhaps that is why my people were cautious.¡± He gestured grandly. ¡°But you are guests! And as fate would have it¡ªtonight, we celebrate! Join us! Eat, drink, and let Haven¡¯s Reach show you its finest hospitality!¡± The mood shifted. Cheers erupted, voices lifting in jubilation. The city roared to life, the people embracing the celebration with fervor. The tension, once suffocating, melted into an air of excitement. We were still strangers. But for now, we were invited into the heart of Haven¡¯s Reach. Led by the man, we ventured deeper into the heart of Haven¡¯s Reach. Music and laughter spilled from open doorways, voices intermingling in a lively hum. The streets were lined with sturdy stone houses, their rough, weathered walls a stark contrast to the sleek, polished metal of the city we had left behind. Everything here felt old, solid¡ªlike it had stood the test of time. And yet¡ª Something nagged at me. As I walked, I tried to compare this place to the city we had escaped from. But the more I thought about it, the more a strange, unsettling realization began to settle in my chest¡ª I didn¡¯t know its name. The city, its towering skyscrapers, its neon-lit streets, the pulse of electricity in the air¡ªI could picture it so vividly. I had lived there, worked there, survived there. But the name? Gone. I slowed my pace, my mind racing, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªthat would fill in the gap. But no matter how hard I tried, it was just¡­missing. I swallowed hard, a creeping unease slithering up my spine. I tugged at Zara¡¯s jacket. ¡°Uhm¡­ Zara¡­ What was the city we came from called again?¡± She stopped in her tracks. Turned to me with a furrowed brow. ¡°What?¡± I hesitated, suddenly feeling stupid. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. I never really thought about it before.¡± Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Zara¡¯s expression twisted into something half-amused, half-baffled. ¡°Are you serious? You worked there. Twice. How do you not know what it¡¯s called?¡± My stomach twisted. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just¡­ don¡¯t.¡± Zara exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of her neck before locking eyes with me. ¡°Ventura.¡± The moment she said it, my chest tightened. Ventura. I let the name sink in, rolling it over in my mind. It felt foreign. Like something I had never heard before. But that didn¡¯t make sense. Why did it feel like I was hearing it for the first time? Zara shot me a look. ¡°Remember that.¡± I nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah, okay.¡± I turned my gaze back to the path ahead, my thoughts still spiraling when¡ª I saw it. A severed finger. Nestled among the grass. Bloodless. Pale. Discarded. I froze. A chill crawled down my spine, my heart hammering against my ribs. My breath hitched, a cold, suffocating weight settling in my chest. How long had it been there? How had I not noticed it before? The voices, the laughter, the music¡ªit all faded. I couldn¡¯t move. The air, once warm with celebration, felt cold. A grotesque anomaly in this peaceful city, a whisper of something hidden beneath the surface. I swallowed hard. Haven¡¯s Reach had felt safe. But now, staring down at something that shouldn¡¯t be here¡ª It felt like a trap. "Psst... kid..." Zara¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, but it cut through the noise like a blade. I turned to her. She didn''t need to say more¡ªher eyes held a warning. "Shhhh..." She pressed a finger to her lips. A silent command. Stay quiet. I nodded. My stomach churned, a hundred unspoken questions piling up in my throat. "Please, take a seat here." The man¡¯s tone was warm, too warm. He stepped aside, bowing slightly, revealing two massive golden thrones positioned before an enormous statue. My breath caught. The figure towered over us, wings spread wide, an ethereal presence carved into stone. A woman. A saint. An angel. But something was wrong. Blood. Crimson streaks dripped from her eyes, dark stains running down her cheeks¡ªlike she had been weeping for centuries. In her right hand, a sword, raised high, gleaming despite its stone form. But in her left¡ªhidden behind her back¡ªwas a noose. Zara, unfazed, strode forward and flopped into one of the thrones, stretching her legs like she owned the place. "Damn, this is comfy," she mused. I hesitated. Something felt wrong. The air was too thick. The silence too expectant. But with everyone watching, I swallowed hard and sat beside her. The crowd erupted into cheers. Loud. Enthusiastic. Wrong. The man¡ªAngelus Horshire III, as he introduced himself¡ªrose to his feet, lifting a golden goblet. ¡°I, Angelus Horshire III, welcome you, visitors, to Haven¡¯s Reach. May you find solace in the mercy of Angelus!¡± "SANGUINE LAVARI!" The crowd echoed his cry, voices booming in unison. And then¡ª The axes came down. Zara shoved me. Hard. The blade missed my head by inches. "Huh." Zara dusted herself off, unfazed. "So that''s why no one ever finds this place." Silence. The joyous crowd froze. Their celebration twisted into a mix of shock and disbelief. Angelus¡¯s smile faltered. "How did you know?" Zara shrugged. "Just a hunch." Before anyone could react, she lunged. Gun against his forehead. The crowd snapped. Rifles and pistols drawn in an instant. All aimed at Zara. The air shifted. A second ago, they had been ready to celebrate. Now¡ªthey were ready to kill. But Zara? She was grinning. Angelus, despite the barrel pressed against his skull, remained eerily calm. "What do you hope to gain from this?" Zara twirled a bullet between her fingers. ¡°Answers.¡± "Ain¡¯t leaving here until you tell me about the prophecy. And don¡¯t play dumb. I know about your little Elders. And Aclima." Angelus studied her, then chuckled. The chuckle turned into a laugh. A full-bodied, genuine laugh. The kind of laugh that made my stomach sink. "I admire your spirit," he finally said, straightening. "Perhaps our collaboration will prove beneficial." He lifted a hand. "Lower your weapons, my people. Let us welcome our guests properly." The crowd hesitated¡ªthen obeyed. Zara gave him a mocking smile as she lowered her pistol. "Smart choice." Angelus turned, raising his goblet once more. "Let the celebration continue!" And just like that, the music resumed. Laughter. Cheers. Like nothing had happened. Like they hadn''t just tried to kill us. Angelus gestured for us to follow, leading us into an extravagant tent. Inside, a group of Elders sat in a circle, the flickering candlelight casting shadows over their aged, unreadable faces. A single empty seat waited for Angelus. One of the Elders, his voice smooth but heavy with years of wisdom, turned his gaze to us. ¡°My liege, why have you brought outsiders here? Has the sacrifice to Angelus not already been made?¡± Angelus settled into his seat. ¡°Indeed, that is correct.¡± His eyes flickered toward Zara. "But this woman saw through our plans. I believe she may be able to change the prophecy." The Elders murmured, their whispers thick with skepticism. Finally, one spoke. "Can an outsider truly defy the fate that has been ordained for centuries?" Zara let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. ¡°You bunch of dramatic old shits, huh? Always talking in riddles like you¡¯re in some prophecy-obsessed cult.¡± She tilted her head, eyes dark with irritation. ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass about fate. I just need you to tell me exactly what this prophecy says so I know what kinda bullshit I¡¯m up against. Because I swear to every god you people believe in¡ªno one is touching this kid.¡± Silence. The tension in the room thickened, pressing against my skin like a vice. The Elders stiffened at Zara¡¯s words, their murmurs turning into hushed gasps. ¡°That¡¯s Aclima!¡± One of them hissed, clutching the pendant hanging from his neck like it would protect him. ¡°We must eliminate her immediately.¡± ¡°Her demise will serve the greater good.¡± ¡°We cannot let her live!¡± I flinched. The words cut deep, sharper than any blade. Zara didn¡¯t flinch. Angelus raised a hand. ¡°Enough.¡± His voice boomed through the tent, silencing the rising storm of fear. The Elders froze, their wrinkled faces creased with both rage and uncertainty. Angelus sighed, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied me¡ªnot with fear, not with hatred, but something else. Acceptance? Resignation? ¡°Yes. This is Aclima.¡± The Elders tensed. Angelus continued, his voice even. ¡°And our attempts to end this child¡¯s life have proven¡­futile.¡± His words chilled me. Attempts? More than one? I swallowed hard. How many times have they tried? How many times have I almost died¡ªwithout even knowing? Angelus straightened, eyes sweeping over the Elders with a calm, yet unyielding authority. ¡°Perhaps there¡¯s another way.¡± One of the Elders¡ªan older man with sunken eyes and a face lined with time¡ªslammed his fist against the armrest of his chair. ¡°There is no other way! She is the harbinger of destruction! The prophecy¡ª¡± ¡°The prophecy says what we interpret it to say.¡± Angelus¡¯s words cut through the air, slicing through the Elder¡¯s protest like a blade. ¡°And I refuse to stain our people¡¯s hands with the blood of a child.¡± The Elders exchanged uneasy glances. Some seemed to consider his words, others looked ready to argue until their last breath. Finally, one of them¡ªan Elder with silver hair braided tightly over his shoulder¡ªspoke. ¡°But she is the harbinger. The one who will bring forth the Tyrant.¡± Angelus met his gaze, unwavering. ¡°Then let us change the course of that prophecy.¡± The tent fell into a deep, contemplative silence. I sat frozen in my chair, my mind whirling. Harbinger? Leader? They talked about me like I was some walking omen of disaster. Angelus leaned forward, a glimmer of something in his eyes¡ªhope? Desperation? Determination? ¡°We must unite our knowledge and strengths to forge a different path.¡± He clasped his hands together. ¡°Let us work together to defy destiny.¡± 13 Must I Need Guidance? "Forgive my insolence, my liege. However, these people are outsiders¡ªforeign to our blood, deemed untrustworthy. They are filth! Scum!" one of the Elders spat, his voice dripping with disgust. "Indeed! Please reconsider, O holy one!" Another chimed in, his wrinkled hands clutching the armrests of his chair as if gripping onto his convictions for dear life. Angelus furrowed his brow, torn between duty and reason. His fingers curled into a fist on his throne, a storm of indecision flickering behind his eyes. Then¡ªfire erupted. Zara stood ablaze, her fiery aura flaring like a vengeful sun, drawing every gaze in the chamber. The golden glow of her flames reflected in the horrified eyes of the Elders, illuminating their wrinkled faces with a flickering light. "Outsiders, this. Outsiders, that." Zara rolled her neck, a sneer curling her lips. "All we want is more info about this stupid prophecy of yours." "There is no need!" "There is only one way!" "Death to Aclima!" "Execute the harbinger!" The Elders'' voices rose in unison, their chants turning into a violent crescendo. Zara¡¯s flames flared hotter, wilder. "You little¡ª" Her fist clenched, embers licking at her knuckles as she lunged toward one of the Elders. "ENOUGH!" Angelus¡¯s voice boomed through the chamber, stopping Zara¡¯s fist mere inches from its target. The Elder flinched, falling backward, caught just in time by his peers. His cheek bore the faintest burn, his singed hair filling the air with the acrid scent of scorched flesh. Zara scoffed. "Tch. Coward." Angelus rose from his throne, his presence commanding. His piercing gaze locked onto mine. "Zara. Mari. You shall be recruited into the Resistance." The room fell silent. The Elders gasped, their whispers slithering through the air like a swarm of restless serpents. Zara''s flames flickered, an unspoken storm brewing within her. My own heart pounded, an unfamiliar weight settling in my chest. Angelus''s voice cut through the murmurs like a knife. "Mari, your fate is intertwined with Aclima¡ªwhether by chance or design. Join the Resistance, and help shape the fate that awaits us all." The elders exchanged uncertain glances, caught between the weight of tradition and the urgency of change. Their silence was thick, stretching between them like an invisible wall of hesitation. Then, a seasoned voice broke through the unease. "The harbinger joining the Resistance? This is unprecedented." A ripple of discontent spread across the tent, the murmurs swelling like a rising tide. Angelus raised a hand. The chamber stilled. "Trust that this decision is not made lightly." His voice held an unwavering resolve. "The threads of destiny are fraying. If we do not adapt, Enoch will be born, and the world will drown in the aftermath." A long pause. The whispers shifted, turning into reluctant nods. Their acceptance was begrudging, hesitant¡ªbut it was there. They knew they had no better option. Angelus exhaled, shifting his gaze to Zara. "I shall now grant you what you desire¡ªinformation about our prophecy." Zara leaned back, arms crossed, her flames dimming to embers. "Finally." "Adam, the Father, and Eve, the Mother, gifted these lands with technology, birthing the city of opportunities¡ªVentura." Angelus¡¯s voice was steady, measured. "To govern it, they established two ruling bodies: Provenance, the unseen hand in the shadows, and Union, the na?ve puppet masquerading as authority." He clasped his hands together. "While Union preaches justice and peace, Provenance manipulates from the darkness, employing ruthless methods to maintain control over its people." A weight settled on my chest. I felt the unspoken warning laced in his words. Zara leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. ¡°And the prophecy? That¡¯s got to do with Mari, doesn¡¯t it?¡± "No," Angelus corrected. "She is merely the catalyst." A sharp chill raced down my spine. "Once Provenance seizes control of Mari, they will ensure she fulfills her role as Aclima by any means necessary. Through her union with Adam, she will give birth to a leader¡ªa dictator¡ªdestined to take over Ventura. And once Ventura falls, the rest of the world will follow." Zara¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°That sounds¡­ messed up as fuck.¡± She lowered her gaze, her lips parting just slightly as if she was about to say something¡ªbut her voice came out too quiet, like a whisper lost in the wind. ¡°H.r o.. Fa¡­r.¡± I barely caught it. "What was that, Zara?" Angelus asked. Zara snapped up, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Please¡­ continue.¡± Her voice wavered. Something was wrong. Angelus hesitated for a beat before pressing on. ¡°Our elders foresaw this since the birth of our village. To prevent it, we created the Resistance, hunting Aclima before Provenance could find her. The surest way to prevent the prophecy¡­ was to execute her ourselves.¡± The words hung in the air, heavy, suffocating. Zara¡¯s eyes widened¡ªthen narrowed into something unreadable. "Execution, huh?" Her lips curled into something between amusement and disgust. ¡°You village people are shadier than I thought. And that¡¯s me speaking from experience. If I wasn¡¯t so cautious toward y¡¯all, both of our heads would¡¯ve been rolling on the ground by now.¡± Angelus exhaled sharply. His features, once regal and composed, creased with something deeper¡ªregret. Shame. "We had no choice." His voice was softer now, like a confession. "We started as idealists¡ªhonest, true. We believed we were heroes. That we would save our people." A shadow passed over his face. "We vowed never to take a life unless absolutely necessary. But one by one, we lost our comrades. We learned the truth¡ªheroic thinking leads to an early grave." His gaze lifted, dark and solemn. "The only way to survive in this world... is through darker methods." "Pfft¡ª" Zara snorted¡ªthen let out a full, unabashed laugh. "YOU¡¯RE SCUM LIKE US!" Angelus flinched. "All that talk about trust, about outsiders¡ªbullshit!" Zara wiped a tear from her eye, still laughing in disbelief. "You people are just as twisted as the ones you call monsters." The elders shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between Angelus and Zara, their rigid certainty cracking. Angelus didn¡¯t deny it. He just lowered his head, the weight of it all settling into his shoulders. The room crackled with silence, Zara¡¯s grin lingering even as the flames around her dimmed. Angelus'' words hung in the air, heavy, undeniable. "We are scum," he admitted, voice calm yet resolute. "But we did it for our people. That is what separates us from the city folk, who kill for nothing but power and money." A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The weight of it settled on Zara¡¯s shoulders, her amusement flickering out like a dying ember. For once, she didn¡¯t have a quick retort. Angelus sighed, straightening. "But I digress. We must focus on what truly matters¡ªfinding a way to stop this prophecy without the sacrifice of an innocent child." A heavy silence swept through the room. Zara and the elders exchanged brief nods, a rare, unspoken agreement. Then, Angelus turned to me. "Mari," his gaze sharpened. "I want you to join the Resistance and aid us in dismantling Provenance. Together, we will overthrow Adam and Eve. We will forge a better city for all¡ªno more hunters, no more prey. No more senseless killing." The weight of his words pressed down on me. This wasn¡¯t just an offer anymore. It was a call. A demand. A choice that could change everything. The elders¡¯ stares bore into me. Where there had once been distrust, now there was expectation. Hope. I swallowed hard, my fingers twitching at my sides. Zara locked eyes with me. For the first time since we arrived, her cocky smirk was gone. In its place¡ªa silent understanding. A warning. I looked back at Angelus, the fire in my chest burning brighter. "Okay¡­" My voice was steady. "I accept. I''ll join you." A moment of stillness. Then, Angelus nodded. The tension in the air loosened, the elders murmuring amongst themselves. Their skepticism had not disappeared, but it had softened. "That is good to hear." Angelus'' expression darkened. "But before you can fight alongside us, you must prove yourself. Tonight, you will join our warriors in a raid on the Golden Motel." Zara perked up, intrigued. "Raid, huh? I like the sound of that." "One of Provenance¡¯s officials is staying there," Angelus continued. "Your mission is to capture and interrogate him. We need to know how much they have uncovered about Aclima¡¯s true identity. We need to know¡­ if they already know about you." A chill ran down my spine. Zara clapped my shoulder, grinning. "Welcome to the fun part, kid."
Nightfall. The Golden Motel loomed ahead, washed in the dim glow of neon streetlights. Our group of warriors moved like shadows, slipping through the labyrinthine streets, steps light and measured. The night was thick with tension. At a whispered command, the warriors dispersed, taking position. Zara and I stayed toward the back, watching. Waiting. A small group of warriors produced strange speaker-like devices, pressing them against one of the suite¡¯s windows. With a faint vibrational hum, the glass shattered¡ªsilently. No alarms. No noise. Only the faint crunch of glass beneath boots. The warriors moved forward, slinking through the darkened halls. Weapons drawn. Breaths held. Then¡ª The door swung open. Inside, they were waiting. Men in black suits and sunglasses, rifles raised. No hesitation. Gunfire erupted. The frontline of warriors dropped instantly, collapsing before they could react. The hallway lit up with bursts of muzzle flash, the scent of gunpowder thick in the air. "AMBUSH!" someone roared. The surviving warriors scrambled for cover, retaliating with gunfire of their own. The narrow corridor became a warzone. Flashes of light, the metallic sting of bullets ricocheting, shouts and screams tearing through the air. Zara exhaled sharply. Then¡ªshe grinned. "This is getting fun!" Her body ignited, flames roaring to life around her. With a single burst, she lunged forward, her fist surging with fire. The hallway exploded in light. The man in black barely had time to react before Zara¡¯s fiery punch connected with his gut, sending him crashing into the wall. Another raised his rifle¡ªtoo slow. Zara was already moving. A **flash of fire¡ª**then his body collapsed, charred beyond recognition. Panic clutched my throat. The world was spinning, shifting. My breathing hitched, too fast, too shallow. My hands shook. Desire latched onto my neck. A sharp pinch. Then¡ª The fear disappeared. A rush of fire in my veins. Strength. Clarity. Hunger. I grinned. My right hand split apart. The cold metal of my cybernetic implant shifted, morphed¡ª A scythe. The moment it clicked into place, I moved. I lunged. A man in black turned his gun toward me¡ª Too slow. The scythe cut through the air¡ª Through him. No blood. No body. Just empty space where he had been. His rifle clattered to the floor. I barely registered it. Another enemy. Move. Strike. The world blurred, my body moving too fast, too light, too powerful. Zara¡¯s laughter rang out beside me, wild and reckless. The night had only just begun. The scythe arced through the air, its edge gleaming hungrily under the dim light. A sharp breath. A moment of weightlessness. Then¡ªimpact. The blade met flesh with ruthless precision, parting skin and bone like silk. A sharp, wet schlk echoed as the first assailant crumpled beneath me. Blood sprayed, painting the floor in grotesque arcs. For a second¡ªjust a fleeting second¡ªeverything paused. The men in black froze, stunned, their rifles trained on me, caught off guard by the sheer violence of the kill. Then¡ªthey fired. Instinct took over. I twisted, body flowing through the gunfire like water. A step. A pivot. A blur. Another target. I lunged. The scythe sank into his chest, embedding deep, hitting something solid¡ªbone. The man choked, his breath gurgling. Not enough. With a feral snarl, my free hand gripped his ribs¡ªand tore him apart. The wrenching rip of flesh and sinew filled the air. His agonized screams¡ªbrief, raw¡ªcut off into silence. Something twisted inside me. The scythe was an extension of my body, cutting through them, through the world itself, erasing everything in my path. Their bullets meant nothing. Their weapons, their tactics¡ªnothing. I was faster. Stronger. Hungrier. A manic grin stretched across my face. For the first time in my life, I felt alive. And then¡ªsilence. The last body fell, a lifeless husk crumbling to the floor. I stood there, breathing hard, blood dripping from my scythe¡ªfrom me. The warriors had stopped fighting. They stood in stunned silence, their weapons lowered. And their eyes¡ªthey weren¡¯t looking at the dead. They were looking at me. A mixture of fear. Disgust. Horror. My heart lurched. I followed their gazes. Looked around. Mutilated bodies. Torn limbs. Blood pooling at my feet. A slaughter. I did this. My hands shook. My breath caught. What¡­ have I done? What¡­ have I become? 14 Masked ¡°What¡­ have I become?¡± The acrid scent of gunpowder and blood clung to the air, thick and suffocating. My breaths came ragged, shallow, every inhale tainted with something sickly¡ªguilt, pride, both? Crimson stained my hands, my clothes, my very being. I stood in the center of carnage, surrounded by the consequences of my own brutality. The warriors stared. Their gazes were heavy, piercing. Some filled with disgust, some with unease, most with fear. I could feel their judgment press against my skin, an invisible weight suffocating me. Zara, still wrapped in the lingering embers of her flames, only snorted. "Geez, Mari! You could''ve left me some to scorch! Really didn¡¯t have to rip through ¡®em like that, but hey, I¡¯m a fan!" She flashed me her usual manic grin, but something flickered behind her eyes¡ªsomething unreadable. One of the warriors stepped forward, his expression tight. "Outsider," he said carefully, "even considering the ambush¡­ was it truly necessary to shed¡­ so much blood?" Zara¡¯s grin snapped towards him. "Hey, we saved your asses. If it weren¡¯t for us, y¡¯all would be the ones on the floor instead of them." The warrior faltered, his face torn between gratitude and revulsion. "True," he admitted. "But this¡­ this was excessive. The Resistance committed to sacrificing only what¡¯s necessary. We¡¯ve strayed from that path.¡± Zara¡¯s grin vanished. Her flames flared, casting flickering shadows across the room. ¡°Say that again.¡± The warrior stiffened, his muscles locking in place. "I¡ª¡± Her fist lit up. ¡°Tell us what to do again, I swear to god¡ªyour head will be rolling.¡± A tense pause. Then¡ªher expression shifted back to that same reckless, devil-may-care grin. "Got it?" The warrior said nothing. Zara clapped him on the back, laughing. "Anyway, don¡¯t be so tense now. Mission complete!¡± But the laughter did nothing to shake off the nausea curling in my stomach. I stared down at my hands. Blood-stained. Still trembling. What have I done? A sick smile tugged at the corners of my lips as tears pricked my eyes. What the hell was I even saying? The answer was so obvious. I was a murderer. And worse¡ª I enjoyed it. The darkness in me, once a whisper, now screamed. A voice broke through the silence. ¡°Warriors, gather. We must resume our mission. The official should be in the next room.¡± The others moved, silent, efficient, unshaken. As if what had just happened was nothing. As if I hadn¡¯t just butchered a room full of people in front of them. A small, round disk was placed against the suite door. A click. A pulse. A muffled explosion. The warriors moved in. The suite was lavish. A grand, circular table overflowed with golden goblets, exotic fruit, and half-finished plates of indulgence. The air was thick with liquor and laughter. Men in expensive suits lounged around, deep in revelry. Unaware. Unbothered. Then¡ª ¡°NOBODY MOVE!¡± The warriors flooded the room, weapons raised. Glasses shattered, chairs scraped against the floor as the men jolted in shock. One of them, a wiry man with greased-back hair, lurched forward. "What¡ªWhat are you doing here?! What happened to the Qi?! They should¡¯ve **killed you dogs by now!¡± A blur of movement¡ª One of them reached for a weapon. Rope-like restraints flew through the air, snapping around the men like steel serpents. "HOW. DARE. YOU. I¡ªI¡ªI WILL FUCKING KILL YOU ALL!¡± The official screamed before his body sagged, unconscious. The warriors swiftly secured their captives, dragging them toward the waiting aircraft outside. The moment we stepped onto the vessel, the engines roared to life, propelling us into the night.
Haven¡¯s Reach welcomed us with open arms. The second we landed, cheers erupted. Warriors raised their weapons in triumph, the people gathered to celebrate. Victory. Angelus stood at the heart of it all, arms spread wide. ¡°Welcome back, my warriors! I see the mission was a success!¡± The warriors knelt before their leader. "Yes, my liege. Though¡­ there is something I must discuss with you." One of them stepped forward, voice low. The triumph in Angelus¡¯s face flickered. A shadow of something colder¡ªsharper. "Come," he commanded. Without hesitation, we followed him into one of the warehouses, leaving the sound of celebration behind us. And stepping straight into something far darker. "There is something you must see, my liege," the warrior said, stepping forward, presenting Angelus with a tablet. A tap of the screen. Screams filled the air. Not just the dying wails of the men I had torn apart¡ªbut my own laughter. The sound was unnerving. Almost¡­ inhuman. Angelus''s expression remained stoic. His fingers hovered over the tablet as he listened, his face betraying nothing. Then¡ª"I see." He set the tablet aside, clasping his hands behind his back. "It appears you''ve saved my men. I thank you for that. We welcome you both to the Resistance." If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The warriors didn¡¯t cheer. They didn¡¯t even acknowledge the words. The silence that followed was thick, oppressive. Still¡ªZara just grinned. Angelus cleared his throat. ¡°As warriors, you will be provided with your basic necessities. Marcus, show our new recruits to their chambers.¡± A warrior nodded. "Yes, sire. Right this way." He led us through the village, past buildings made of stone and metal, the hum of activity filling the streets. The structure he stopped in front of was small, square, and painfully simple. "This will be your lodging," Marcus said, his tone flat, efficient. ¡°The warehouse you saw earlier stores our supplies. The larger building beside it is the dining hall. Meals are served at 6 and 12. Do not be late.¡± Without another word, he turned and left. Zara took one look at the barebones interior¡ªtwo beds, one small table in the middle¡ªand groaned. ¡°What the hell? This is all we get? The fuck? Hey Mari, wanna go back to the Golden Motel?¡± I let out a weak grin. ¡°Man, if only we had more money. Maybe we''d get another job that¡¯d pay for it.¡± She flopped onto one of the beds with an exaggerated sigh. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Who knows? Maybe a bounty will drop on some idiot and we¡¯ll get lucky.¡± I chuckled softly but found my thoughts drifting. Jobs. It had been a while since I¡¯d gotten one. Why? As I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, guilt twisted in my gut. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling¡ªsomething was off. "Hey, Zara?" I muttered. "Mind if I go for a walk?" She waved a lazy hand. "Do whatever, kid." The night air was cool, damp. Rain threatened to spill from the sky at any moment. The streets were quieter now, fewer people, fewer distractions. As I wandered, lost in thought, I caught sight of a figure slumped in the alleyway. A man. Thin, frail. His breathing was slow, uneven. I hesitated before approaching. "Young gal. Got any change?" His voice was rough, hoarse from dehydration. Mom''s voice rang in my head. Never give money to the homeless. Instead, I pulled out an MRE from a previous job, along with a bottle of water, and handed it to him. The old man''s eyes lit up. His fingers trembled as he accepted it. "Bless you, child. Bless you." I nodded, sitting down beside him as he ate in silence. Then, his gaze lifted, a spark of something deep in his weary eyes. "As thanks, let me tell you a story." "A long time ago, a man stood beside Angelus." His voice was low, measured. Each word carried the weight of years. "He was strong. Wise. A beacon of hope¡ªjust as Angelus was, leading us through the darkest of times. But when the Resistance began to embrace darker methods, our hope became¡­ corrupted." I listened, unmoving. "This man, he sought control. Power. He challenged our king, calling him unworthy of Angelus''s name¡ªunworthy of the throne." His fingers tightened around the water bottle. "He lost." "And was banished to the dungeons." I swallowed, my throat dry. "The dungeons," the old man repeated, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Where he met the Whisper." Something cold slithered down my spine. "The Whisper?" "The darkness that took root in him," he continued. "It spoke to him, offering power in the form of a mask." I stiffened. "And with that mask¡­ he returned." The old man exhaled shakily. "He was different. Stronger. More monstrous. He wreaked havoc on our village. Then, he disappeared." A long pause stretched between us. "That¡¯s all I remember," he finally said, finishing his meal. He gave me a weary smile. "May you bathe in Angelus''s grace, child." I nodded and rose, continuing my walk, but his words clung to me. The rain finally fell. Cold droplets slid down my skin, soaking through my clothes. But I didn¡¯t move. The story. The mask. Something about it gnawed at me, creeping into the edges of my thoughts. Then¡ª A hand grabbed my ankle. My breath hitched. Something yanked me down. Darkness swallowed me whole. When my vision returned¡ª I was somewhere else. And I was not alone. A man stood before me. Or¡ªsomething that looked like a man. He was tall, draped in white. A featureless mask concealed his face¡ªno eyes, no mouth, no expression. His robe billowed, but his limbs¡ª His limbs were wrong. Deep blackness wrapped around his arms like living shadows, twisting and warping, swallowing the very light around them. One elongated, stretching forward like a tentacle. I took a step back. The mask tilted. "Host. Found. Invade. Invade. INVAAADE." The voice¡ªwhispering at first¡ª Then screaming. I barely had time to react before he lunged. The illusion of humanity peeled away. Beneath the mask¡ªa metallic body. A machine. A nightmare. His arms snapped forward, tendrils of blackness lashing out, wrapping around my limbs. Pinning me to the ground. I thrashed¡ªno use. The shadows coiled tighter. Colder. Heavier. I gasped for breath. And then¡ª The mask moved. The blank, emotionless surface shifted, split open¡ª Revealing nothing but endless, screaming void. Trapped beneath its relentless grip, I gasped for breath, panic tightening its vice around my chest. My limbs trembled, my body refusing to respond. Move. Move. MOVE. But I couldn¡¯t. I tried to call out. "Desire¡­ Zara¡­" Nothing came. My throat clenched shut, the words trapped, strangled. I was alone. "Host. Captured. Invasion. Start." Then¡ªpain. A white-hot agony seared through my back, ripping a scream from my lips. Something slithered, writhing, its touch cold and foreign, burrowing into my spine. I couldn''t see it. But I felt it. Clawing. Crawling. Fusing. My breath hitched. The grip on me vanished. The metallic man¡ªlifeless, motionless. And yet, I wasn¡¯t free. Something else had taken hold. A mask. It appeared out of nowhere. Floating. Watching. My cybernetic eye locked onto it. My vision glitched, flickered. Then¡ª A grotesque tearing sound. Metallic appendages erupted from my back. Long. Sinuous. They twisted through the air like living things. I couldn¡¯t move. No¡ªI was moving. The tendrils lifted me up, dangling me in the air. A voice slithered into my mind. Soft. Reverent. Inescapable. "My host¡­ I¡¯ve found you¡­" "My queen¡­" "Aclima." 15 The First Sin: The Fall I barely had time to breathe before the pain consumed me. The tendrils burst from my back. Something ripped free from inside me¡ªtearing, clawing, breaking. My bones stretched, my ribs cracked apart like splintering wood. Flesh split. There was no stopping it. I tried to scream. Nothing came out. My body wasn¡¯t mine anymore. The tendrils curled around me, sleek metallic limbs wrapping tight, lifting me into the air. My arms dangled uselessly. My legs kicked, trying to find the ground. But there was no ground anymore. Something new was taking shape. Something that wasn¡¯t me. Then came the pulling. Not just in my body. In my mind. It clawed through my skull, through my thoughts, my memories, dragging them into the dark. Stretching. Warping. Twisting. My ribs felt like they were splitting apart, my spine twisting into something not human anymore. I felt my cybernetic arms disconnect. They didn¡¯t fall¡ªthey hovered in place, dismantling into pieces, held up by thin black rods that vibrated with an unfamiliar hum. I was disassembling. No. No, no, no. And then¡ª The whispers came. Soft at first. Sweet. Like a lullaby meant to put me to sleep. Then louder. Stronger. Hungrier. ¡°Our Host¡­¡± The mask hovered before me. Waiting. Watching. Wanting. The voices slithered through my mind, wrapping around my thoughts, whispering in a voice that felt too close to my own. ¡°One with the Host.¡± ¡°Rejoice.¡± I was sinking. No¡ªdrowning. I could feel myself slipping, breaking, becoming. The mask was waiting for me to accept it. I felt my fingers move on their own. Reaching. Trembling. The whisper sighed in delight. They weren¡¯t just speaking to me. They were speaking through me. Their words burrowed into my brain, rewriting something fundamental. This is what you are. This is what you¡¯ve always been. No. That¡¯s a lie. I tried to resist. I knew this wasn¡¯t me. But my body didn¡¯t. The tendrils from my back twisted, pulling me taut, testing their control. My skin split apart and fused back together in ways that weren¡¯t natural. My limbs felt too long. Too fluid. Too wrong. I reached for the mask, hands shaking. It was real¡ªtoo real. Smooth white porcelain, cold against my fingertips. I turned it over, expecting emptiness. Instead¡ª I saw it. The glow. It was breathing. It was alive. The world shattered. The streets. The rain. The pain in my body. Gone. I was somewhere else. Somewhere vast. Somewhere endless. ¡°Our host.¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The words were inside me now, vibrating against my bones. I wasn¡¯t standing anymore¡ªI was floating. Suspended in a weightless void, my body an echo of itself, stretching and dissolving, like I was being copied and erased at the same time. The tendrils sprouting from my back extended endlessly into the dark, vanishing into something I couldn¡¯t see. A presence coiled around me. Close. Too close. It knew me. It had always known me.
¡°You resist. You fight. You struggle.¡± The voice purred, dripping with something sickly sweet. ¡°But we know you, Mari. We know your heart.¡± The mask pressed against my face. A touch that was almost loving. ¡°You think you are afraid of losing yourself.¡± The mask melted into me. Pain. Detonating through my skull. My spine arched, body convulsing as every nerve burned white-hot. I gasped. I saw myself. My reflection¡ªif it could even be called that. Eight limbs. Sleek. Segmented. Like the legs of some impossible creature. My arms, once human, were now jagged, reshaped, mechanical yet alive. My eyes¡ªno, the mask¡¯s eyes¡ªglowed an unnatural blue, burning through the dark. The Whisper laughed. ¡°You were never meant to be small. You were never meant to be weak.¡± I wasn¡¯t. I was meant to be something else. ¡°No¡ª¡± I gasped, clawing at the mask. My new limbs fought against me, trying to keep it on. Trying to seal it into my very being. ¡°Let us in, my queen. Let us breathe in you.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± I ripped at it. My fingers slipped against the sleek, unyielding surface. The Whisper laughed. I could feel them inside my mind, curling against the edges of my sanity. They weren¡¯t attacking. They weren¡¯t forcing. They were seducing. ¡°You are tired of running, aren¡¯t you? Tired of being a weapon for other people. No one controls you here. Not Zara. Not the Resistance. Not even yourself.¡± The voice slithered through my thoughts, honeyed and low. ¡°You are tired of being prey.¡± ¡°We can make you strong.¡± ¡°We can make you untouchable.¡± ¡°Shut. Up.¡± ¡°We can make sure no one ever hurts you again.¡± The mask tightened. Claw-like appendages dug into my face. Don¡¯t listen. Don¡¯t listen. My vision swam. The city, the Resistance, Zara¡ªthey all felt so far away. ¡°Just say yes.¡± NO. I screamed. Forced the tendrils to obey me. They trembled, resisting, but this body was mine. I wasn¡¯t going to let them steal it. Not now. Not ever. With one final wrench, the mask tore free. The voices howled.
The world snapped back into place. The rain. The streets. The weight of my own breath. I stood there, gasping, the mask dangling from my trembling fingers. The cold pressed against me, seeping into my skin. The pavement was slick beneath my feet, the scent of rain and blood thick in the air. Everything was too sharp. Too loud. Too real. The Whisper was silent. But I wasn¡¯t free. I felt them. Inside me. Not resisting. Not whispering. Waiting. I turned. Walked back to camp.
The warriors were staring. Frozen. Stiff with fear. One of them¡ªone of the brave ones¡ªhis hand jerked toward his holster. Not to fire. Not yet. But to be ready. I didn¡¯t move. I didn¡¯t need to. He knew, and I knew. He wouldn¡¯t make it. The warriors, the ones who barked orders, carried weapons, fought without hesitation¡ª They looked like children before a nightmare. A man near the front¡ªone of the Resistance leaders¡ªtook a step forward. His voice shook. ¡°What¡­ are you?¡± Before I could answer¡ª Desire floated toward me. His usual, playful energy was gone. His gaze locked onto the mask. Unblinking. ¡°The Whisper,¡± he murmured. His voice was different. Low. Cold. The entity inside me stirred. ¡°Lustreth.¡± Desire flinched. A reaction. So slight. But I noticed. My breath caught. ¡°¡­Desire?¡± My voice was hoarse. ¡°What does that mean?¡± He didn¡¯t answer immediately. Then, softly, he whispered¡ª ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have let it inhibit you.¡± A siren wailed in the distance. I felt it before I saw it. Beyond the sirens. Beyond the rain. A figure. Draped in white. Unmoving. Watching. Not the mask. Me. The Whisper stirred. ¡°You think this is over?¡± The Whisper purred, its voice shifting, curling around my thoughts like silk. ¡°You are ours. You always were.¡± ¡°You cannot run from what you already are.¡± ¡°You cannot run from us, my queen.¡± And for the first time¡­ I wasn¡¯t sure if I wanted to. 16 The Terror in White The siren wailed. Sharp. Unrelenting. It should have felt distant. Background noise. Just another sound in the storm. But it wasn¡¯t. It was inside me. The Whisper shivered in delight. And then I saw him. The Man In White. Not standing beyond the rain¡ªwithin it. The downpour slid off him unnaturally, as if the rain itself refused to touch him. His robes, impossibly white, billowed without wind. Unmoving. Watching. Not the mask. Me. I tried to swallow, but my throat was dry. He stepped forward. I didn¡¯t hear his footsteps. But I felt them. A shift in the world around me. The air warped. My bones ached. The Whisper recoiled. For the first time, it felt¡­ small. His voice, when he spoke, was soft. Deafening. ¡°I will not be avoided again.¡± My breath caught. He was closer. I didn¡¯t see him move. I didn¡¯t blink. A whisper curled against my ear¡ªnot in my mind. In the rain. ¡°You cannot run from what you already are.¡± The pressure around me cracked. Something unseen wrapped around my throat. Tight. Not choking¡ªjust holding. My scream built in my throat¡ª A sharp slap cracked through the air. My vision snapped sideways. The pressure vanished. I staggered, gasping. The weight in my lungs gone. The man was gone. Only the rain remained. Zara stood in front of me, her hand still raised, her face pale. Her voice, usually sharp with humor, was flat. Serious. ¡°What the fuck was that, Mari?¡± I blinked, swallowing back the nausea curling in my stomach. He had been right there. Hadn¡¯t he? I turned back to where he stood, my pulse hammering. Nothing. No footprints. No sign of anyone at all. The sirens still blared. The warriors were still watching. No one else had seen him. No one else had heard. Zara¡¯s fingers dug into my shoulder. Hard. ¡°Mari, you¡¯re scaring the shit out of me.¡± I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. She didn¡¯t let go. ¡°Mari,¡± she said again. But this time, her voice was smaller. I looked at her. Her usual sharp confidence was gone. Her eyes flicked past me¡ªto where he had been. She hadn¡¯t seen him. But she had felt him. Her fingers dug in harder, like she was grounding herself as much as me. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Her voice was quieter now. Strained. She didn¡¯t look back. Neither did I. I blinked hard, forcing my breathing to slow. The weight in my chest didn¡¯t leave. But I moved. We turned. And there he was.
Angelus approached. No hesitation. No words. His eyes drifted downward¡ªto the mask still clutched in my hands. A flicker of something in his face. Not fear. Not concern. Calculation. For a second, I thought he might say something. He didn¡¯t. His gaze lifted, meeting mine. Unshaken. Unreadable. ¡°You¡¯re late.¡± That was it. Then he walked past me. The warriors were already in formation. Zara and I stepped into line. Desire hovered at my side, silent. Angelus stood before us. A shadow against the firelight. His voice was steady. Unshaken. Unyielding. ¡°Tonight, we strike back.¡± No flourish. No ceremony. Just fact. A decree, not an invitation. ¡°Provenance wanted to send a message.¡± He let the words settle, their weight pressing into our bones. Then¡ªthe truth. ¡°They found our 18th Stealth Warrior Squadron in the forest district.¡± A pause. A beat of silence that felt too loud. ¡°Their heads were impaled on wooden stakes.¡± The air stilled. A ripple of unease moved through the warriors, stiffening spines, tightening jaws. Angelus did not let it fester. ¡°Provenance believes this will make us hesitate.¡± His eyes swept over us¡ªcalculating, cold as a blade pressed to the throat. ¡°They are mistaken.¡± ¡°We strike the Roaring Dragon.¡± A Provenance-owned casino. A financial artery that pumps life into their war machine. ¡°We will sever it. We will burn it. We will turn their wealth into their grave.¡± His voice did not rise. It did not need to. ¡°By nightfall, we strike.¡± The warriors saluted, voices rising in perfect unison. ¡°Yes, sire! May the blood of Angelus guide us!¡± The words echoed through the cold air like a prayer, like a curse. A final ritual before war. Angelus gave a single nod, then turned away. A designated warrior stepped forward, his voice sharp, precise. ¡°Gather here by nightfall. Arm yourselves for a prolonged battle. We infiltrate through the shadows. We annihilate the casino and seize their funds. No survivors.¡± No hesitation. ¡°Warriors, dismissed.¡± The formation dissolved. Soldiers faded back into the barracks, movements swift, purposeful. But as I walked, I could still feel it. The weight of their stares on my back. They weren¡¯t just looking. They were watching. Waiting. I forced my steps forward. One foot in front of the other. Zara walked beside me, humming under her breath, but the sound was different now. Lighter. Forced. Desire settled on my head, his small weight grounding me more than I cared to admit. I barely heard Zara¡¯s voice when she sighed. ¡°Arghhh! I really don¡¯t wanna do this shit. I just got to lie down, too.¡± She flopped onto her bed, groaning, the tension in the air cracking for a brief second. I didn¡¯t respond. I should have laughed. I should have said something. But all I could hear was the Whisper. The weight of the mask in my hands. The knowledge that it was still inside me. Waiting. I exhaled sharply. Focus. Keep moving. Keep pretending.
The barracks buzzed with tension. Weapons clicked into place. Boots stomped across the floor. The weight of the mission pressed against the air, thick and suffocating. Desire hummed softly atop my head, the sound too neutral. Too¡­studied. Then¡ªthree sharp knocks. I opened the door. A woman stood before me, a tightly wound coil of discipline and purpose. Her face was unreadable, but her eyes flickered over me once¡ªtoo long. She was wary. She knew. ¡°Warrior,¡± she greeted, crisp and direct. ¡°Angelus ordered me to deliver these to you.¡± She thrust a box forward. I took it without a word, my arms straining at the unexpected weight. ¡°Stealth Corporal Jia Korna. Call me Korna. You¡¯re with my squad now. Meet at the 8th barrack when you¡¯re ready.¡± Her gaze lingered. I felt the pause before she spoke again. ¡°That is all. May the blood of Angelus guide you.¡± She turned on her heel and was gone. I stared at the box. Zara whistled low. ¡°Damn. She¡¯s got a stick up her ass, huh?¡± I didn¡¯t respond. My fingers curled against the rough material of the box. Too heavy. Too real. Inside, the gear was sleek¡ªdark fabric laced with something metallic, something that shifted against the light. It felt like liquid steel against my skin. Beneath the armor, two pistols gleamed. Zara grinned, tossing one in the air before catching it with ease. ¡°I¡¯ll stick with my compact. You take these, kid. Or, actually¡­¡± She flicked her gaze to Desire. ¡°Think you can do something with ¡®em?¡± Desire floated down, inspecting the pistols. For a moment, he was silent. Then, softly: ¡°These are Roa Tech models. Photon Rounds. Interesting.¡± His voice was different. Calculating. Almost¡­pleased. A strange glow pulsed through him, and then¡ª A sharp hum. Something shifted inside me. My cybernetic arms shuddered, twisting, reshaping¡ª No. Not just reshaping. Becoming. The pistols vanished. The scythes unfolded from my hands, but this time¡ªthis time they hummed. A purple glow pulsed along the edges. And at the top¡ª A hole. Small. Circular. A barrel. I stared. Desire¡¯s voice was quiet. ¡°Think of them as an extension of yourself, Mari.¡± A flicker of instinct¡ªnot my own. I barely thought¡ª The shot fired. A blast of energy shot past my face, slicing through the ceiling like paper. Zara jerked upright. ¡°WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!¡± I blinked. My breathing was too fast. My pulse pounded against my ribs. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t know that would happen.¡± Zara exhaled, rubbing her temple. ¡°Goddamn, kid. First the blades, then the gravity thing, then the tentacles, now this? You¡¯re a walking fucking arsenal.¡± I swallowed. The scythes pulsed, humming softly. Not a weapon. Becoming one. Zara rolled her shoulders, glancing back at the box. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what else Angelus stuffed in here. Might as well know what we¡¯re working with.¡± She picked up the chestplate, whistling low. ¡°Oh damn. Light as hell. Feels solid, though¡ªwhat do you think, kid?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. She stripped off her clothes without hesitation. I turned away so fast my neck almost snapped. Silence. I stole a glance. Zara was built like she was carved from war itself. Strength coiled beneath her skin, lean muscle honed by battle and brutality. Scars marred her body, pale streaks against tanned flesh, each one a silent record of pain endured and overcome. One in particular stretched jagged across her back. A wound that should¡¯ve ended her. Because of me. I swallowed hard. I¡¯m glad it didn¡¯t. Then there were the mechanical limbs. A second skeleton of metal and tubing, woven seamlessly into her body where flesh had failed her. The joints flexed with an eerie precision, neither entirely human nor machine, something in between. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. My gaze trailed up¡ª And locked with hers. Zara smirked, tilting her head. ¡°Kid¡¯s got wandering eyes.¡± Heat crawled up my neck. I spun away. ¡°N-no! I wasn¡¯t¡ª I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡± She let out a sharp laugh, stretching her arms over her head like she had all the time in the world. ¡°Damn, Mari, you that into scars? Or is it the muscle? You got a type?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not¡ª!¡± My voice cracked. ¡°I wasn¡¯t looking like that!¡± ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Zara took a step closer, voice dipping into something playful. ¡°No shame in it, kid. If you¡¯ve got a thing for rugged warriors, just say so.¡± I groaned, face burning. ¡°You¡¯re insufferable.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re hilarious.¡± She patted my shoulder, still chuckling. ¡°Alright, your turn. Let¡¯s see if that armor actually fits you or if I have to watch you drown in it.¡± Still muttering under my breath, I grabbed the armor from the box. The moment I slipped it on, the material adjusted¡ªshrinking, shifting, molding itself to me like a second skin. Lightweight. Flexible. Strong. I flexed my fingers. The fabric moved with me. ¡°Fits like a damn dream,¡± Zara said, nodding approvingly. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go meet that Korna chick before she comes kicking down the door.¡± We stepped outside. The air was sharp, cold biting through the night. The camp pulsed with movement¡ªwarriors checking weapons, tightening armor, murmuring quiet strategies. Tension hummed in the air. We made our way to the 8th Barrack, the steel door marked with a faded number 8. Inside, soldiers moved with the efficiency of people who had done this too many times before. Checking gear. Sharpening blades. Loading magazines. No wasted movements. At the front of the room, Corporal Jia Korna stood, her sharp gaze cutting through the dim light. The second we stepped in, her eyes landed on us. ¡°Mari. Zara. Desire. With me.¡± Her tone left no room for argument. We followed her through the barracks. The air was thick with the scent of oil, metal, and gunpowder. The armory was darker, lit by a few flickering bulbs casting long shadows over racks of weapons. Korna turned, pressing something into our hands¡ªsmall, dark red crystals, pulsing faintly with a low, steady glow. ¡°Communication crystals,¡± she said. ¡°Syncs to your brainwaves. Think a message, and it transmits. Silent. Secure. Crucial for this mission.¡± Her gaze flicked to me. Too long. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about you.¡± I tightened my grip on the crystal. ¡°We¡¯re counting on you.¡±
The night was thick with anticipation. The cold air bit at my skin, the weight of what we were about to do settling deep in my bones. Angelus stood before the assembled warriors, his figure rigid and unmoving. The firelight flickered against his face, casting shadows that made his expression unreadable. ¡°This mission is absolute.¡± His voice cut through the cold. ¡°No hesitation. No mercy.¡± The warriors saluted, fists over their chests. A silent promise. Then, without another word, they vanished into the dark. The Infiltration The forest blurred past us. Shadows raced beside me¡ªwarriors moving with impossible speed, darting from branch to branch, barely making a sound. Zara and I didn¡¯t run. We flew. The wind howled past my ears as I soared above the treetops, keeping pace with the others. The city loomed ahead, its neon skyline breaking through the darkness like an open wound. We descended, rooftops crunching under our weight as we landed. Below, the Roaring Dragon pulsed with golden lights, its red neon dragon curling around the entrance like a serpent guarding its lair. Korna raised her palm. Stop. We crouched low, hidden in the rooftop¡¯s shadows. ¡°That¡¯s our target,¡± she murmured. ¡°The restaurant is a front. The real operation is underground.¡± Her eyes flickered toward the back entrance. A single door. Two guards posted outside. I exhaled. Too easy. She gave the signal. Move. We slipped through the shadows, the warriors moving ahead with near-invisible precision. Korna took point. The guards didn¡¯t even see it coming. Two blades. Two bodies. No sound. I started to follow when¡ª ¡°Hey¡ªwho¡¯s there?¡± I froze. A drunk patron stumbled into the alley, his glass half-full, eyes glassy. Too close. He squinted into the dark. My heartbeat hammered in my ears. Please just turn around. For a second, it seemed like he would. Then¡ª Zara grinned. Loudly. ¡°Damn, I could go for a drink.¡± I whipped my head toward her. You idiot¡ª The drunk man blinked. Stared at her. Then at me. I saw the exact moment he realized. Fuck. Korna moved first. A blur of motion. A blade to the throat. The man barely had time to gasp before he crumpled. I inhaled sharply. No time to dwell. Keep moving.
The underground smelled of money and sweat. Cigars and desperation. The doors opened, and the Roaring Dragon Casino came alive¡ªgolden chandeliers, roulette wheels spinning, laughter and shouts of men throwing their wealth into the abyss. A bartender polished glasses, eyes dull. Dealers shuffled cards with well-practiced movements. Women in shimmering dresses curled around high-rollers, whispering sweet nothings meant to bleed them dry. None of them knew what was coming. Then¡ª A guard turned. Eyes locking onto us. He reached for his gun. BANG. Korna¡¯s bullet found his skull before he could scream. The moment his body hit the floor¡ª Hell broke loose. Gunfire erupted. The music was drowned by screams. Patrons scrambled for the exits, bodies slamming into each other in blind panic. Guards flooded the room, weapons drawn. Zara grinned, flames igniting along her arms. ¡°NOW we¡¯re talking.¡± She lunged, fire exploding from her fingertips. I followed. Steel met flesh. The casino became a battleground. I moved through the chaos, my scythes tearing through enemies like whispers through the dark. My heart pounded, my movements a blur¡ªstrike, dodge, strike again. Desire hovered beside me, his voice calm amidst the carnage. ¡°Mari. Keep moving. We need to push forward.¡± I nodded. Focus. Then¡ª A deafening crash. The floor shook as something enormous stepped into the room. A machine. Shaped like a man. Built from iron and death. A Provenance war mech, its red eyes locked onto me, a predator analyzing its prey. I didn¡¯t wait. BOOM. I thrust my palm forward, activating the repulsive force field. A shockwave detonated between us, raw gravitational energy slamming into its chest. The ground cracked under the pressure. It staggered. But only for a second. Then it came again. The axe cleaved through the air. I shot straight up, a gravitational pulse sending me skyward. Wind ripped past me. I had the high ground. I flipped my scythes into gun mode and fired. Photon rounds streaked toward it. The bullets hit dead center. They did nothing. The kinetic barrier flared, absorbing the shots like a sponge. My stomach dropped. It was completely immune to projectiles. It was tracking me. The shoulder cannon whined to life. Oh, shit. I twisted my hand toward the ground. The world lurched. I shot sideways, the energy blast barely missing. Another shot. I pushed my hand out¡ª A force field flickered to life¡ª It didn¡¯t hold. The blast shattered it instantly, sending me spinning out of control. Too fast. Too strong. Too precise. I crashed onto a wall. The mech landed in front of me. Axe raised. I threw everything I had at it. Nothing. It adapted. It was learning. It wasn¡¯t just a machine. It was a hunter. Breaking. Bleeding. Dying. The axe came down. I ducked. Dodged. Spun. Too slow. It caught my arm. A searing explosion of pain tore through me. Metal met flesh. Blood splattered across the wall. It didn¡¯t cut through. My vision blurred. I barely had time to register it before a metallic fist slammed into my gut. I flew back, crashing into a roulette table. Ribs cracked. I choked. More blood. I forced myself to my feet. My legs shook. The mech advanced. Gravity stabilizer¡ªfailing. Force field¡ªshattered. Gunfire¡ªuseless. I gritted my teeth, forcing my body to move. Pain screamed through my ribs, but I ignored it. I wasn¡¯t finished. I reverted my weapons, the scythes folding back into my cybernetic arms. And I charged. Fists clenched. The mech¡¯s sensors flickered¡ªadjusting, recalculating. But I was already moving. I swung. My knuckles slammed into steel. A hollow clang. Nothing. It was like punching a goddamn mountain. The mech didn¡¯t even flinch. Instead¡ª It punched back. A metallic fist collided with my jaw. White-hot pain detonated through my skull. My vision snapped sideways. Everything spun. I barely registered hitting the ground before the second strike came. I threw up my arms¡ª Too slow. A steel boot crashed against my ribs. CRACK. I skidded across the pavement, choking on blood. Vision shaking. Limbs numb. The mech loomed over me. I tried to push up. My limbs wouldn¡¯t obey. System error.
The Whisper stirred, but even it felt¡­ distant. I begged for my scythes. Nothing. A flicker of command¡ªan instinct, a desperate plea for my body to shift¡ª Denied. My fingers twitched, metal joints stiff, unresponsive. My arms locked in place. Not gone. Not failing. Something was stopping them. The mech stepped forward, its metal frame casting a monolithic shadow over me. It wasn¡¯t rushing anymore. It knew I was defenseless. The axe raised, glinting under the flickering casino lights. I gasped, tried to roll away¡ª A steel boot crashed down on my leg. Snap. Pain. Blinding. Distant. Like it was happening to someone else. I barely even screamed. The mech pressed down. System override detected. A hunter finishing its kill. This time, I wouldn¡¯t be getting back up.
¡°LET US IN.¡± No. ¡°YOU ARE GOING TO DIE.¡± I clawed at the pavement, fingers trembling. ¡°YOU CANNOT WIN.¡± I coughed. Blood stained my lips. I had nothing left. The mask hovered before me. Waiting. Watching. Wanting. The axe came down. In slow motion¡ª The Man in White stood behind the mech. He wasn¡¯t supposed to be here. But he was. He raised his hands, both index fingers tracing a grin on his mask. A silent mockery. A cruel reminder. ¡°You could never avoid us.¡± The mask on his face twisted, shifting into something inhuman. A grin. Wide. Hollow. Endless. The whisper swelled inside me. Not urging. Not pushing. Just waiting. It didn¡¯t beg. It didn¡¯t force. It already knew. The Man in White tilted his head, a slow, deliberate movement. He did not command me. He only watched. The mech¡¯s axe whined through the air. A heartbeat. A single moment of hesitation. Then, softly¡ª ¡°Welcome home.¡± I put it on. Tendrils erupted from my back. The axe stopped inches from my head. I caught it. Then¡ª I crushed it. The metal groaned, warping under my grip. The mech hesitated. I didn¡¯t. I moved. It never stood a chance. The mech stumbled back. Not attacking. Not moving. Because now? It was afraid. Good. The Provenance members watched in horror. I tilted my head, exhaling softly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Silence. I moved. Too fast. Too inhuman. The mech swung its fist¡ª I caught it with my bare hands. Then I tore it in half. The screams around me became something else. Not battle cries. Not orders. Fear. The guards didn¡¯t move at first. They just stared. One of them opened his mouth¡ªthen closed it. He dropped his weapon. Not in surrender. In acceptance. I tilted my head, watching them. One. Two. Three. Then I smiled. ¡°Run.¡± They broke. Scrambling. Tripping. Shoving past each other. I let them go. Let them feel like they had a chance. Then I moved.
¡°Mari! That¡¯s enough!¡± A hand grabbed my arm. I turned. Zara¡¯s face was pale. Her eyes¡ªwide. Terrified. She wasn¡¯t afraid of the mission. She was afraid of me. I felt my scythe twitch. For a second¡ªjust a second¡ª I thought about cutting her down. The Whisper laughed. ¡°You never needed a mask. You have always been ours.¡± I hesitated. Then¡ª I let go. The battle was over. The war wasn¡¯t.
The casino stood in ruins. Smoke curled from the wreckage. Bodies¡ªscattered. The scent of blood and burning metal filled the air. The screams had stopped. But the silence was worse. Then¡ªfootsteps. Slow. Measured. Unhurried. The air changed. A pressure¡ªthick, crushing, suffocating. From the second floor, a man and a woman emerged. Unscathed. Untouched. Their clothes¡ªpristine. The moment they appeared, the world held its breath. Zara stiffened. Not in fear. In reverence. Korna¡¯s breath hitched. She didn¡¯t speak. Didn¡¯t blink. Didn¡¯t breathe. Then, softly¡ª ¡°It¡¯s them¡­¡± The man stopped at the railing, tilting his head. Studying me. A sigh¡ªlong, slow. Disappointed. As if I were a broken creation. ¡°Hmm. Curious.¡± His voice wasn¡¯t cold. It didn¡¯t need to be. It was final. Absolute. A statement, not a question. ¡°I disabled you.¡± A pause. His gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Stripped you of your weapons. Overrode your system. Reduced you to nothing.¡± Another pause. Longer this time. He leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing. ¡°And yet¡­¡± His fingers curled against the railing. ¡°Why do you still stand?¡± His head tilted. ¡°You were designed to obey.¡± His voice lowered, soft as a whisper. ¡°Who permitted you to resist?¡± The Whisper coiled. Something inside me clenched. The woman beside him smiled. Not with her lips. With her eyes. Korna¡¯s voice barely rose above a whisper. ¡°The body and voice of God.¡± The woman stepped forward, her movements slow, deliberate. She didn¡¯t need to rush. There was no need. Korna swallowed hard. ¡°Adam and Eve.¡± And for the first time since the mask touched my skin¡ª The Whisper didn¡¯t speak. 17 The Golden Eyes of God Smoke coiled and slithered through the wreckage of the Roaring Dragon Casino, thick as oil, clinging to the bodies like it didn¡¯t want to let go. The air reeked¡ªburning flesh, molten metal, the bitter sting of gunpowder. The bodies lay in smoldering heaps. Some still twitched. Dying slow. I stood in the center of it all. Panting. Trembling. Zara¡¯s flames guttered, choking out against the wind. The Resistance warriors stood paralyzed¡ª Not by battle. Not by fear. By them. Adam and Eve. They loomed above us from the second-floor balcony, untouched. Untouched by the chaos. Untouched by the blood. Eve leaned lazily against the railing, fingers ghosting over Adam¡¯s chest, her smirk indulgent. ¡°She¡¯s lasted longer than the others.¡± A lazy chuckle. ¡°How much longer do you think she''ll fight?¡± Adam¡¯s gaze never left me. Unblinking. Measuring. A craftsman searching for the flaw in his creation. Then¡ªhe exhaled. Low. Slow. Unbothered. Like he¡¯d just come to a decision. "Long enough." Adam¡¯s hand lifted. Fingers flexed¡ªdeliberate. Controlled. The air caved in. A force crashed into me¡ªsudden, absolute. Invisible hands clamped around my ribs, my arms, my legs. Lifting. Crushing. Commanding. I fought to move. Nothing. I fought to breathe. Nothing. Zara¡¯s voice split the air. Sharp. Panicked. ¡°Mari¡ª!¡± She never got to finish. The moment she moved¡ªthe unseen force grabbed her. Ripped her away. She shot backward, flung like a broken doll. CRACK. Concrete buckled under her body. The Resistance reacted. Weapons snapped upward¡ªbarrels locking onto Adam. Korna¡¯s voice sliced through the air, raw and urgent. ¡°STOP HIM! STOP HIM!¡± A tremor in her voice. A crack in her composure. "IF HE TAKES HER, THE PROPHECY IS FULFILLED!" "SHE CANNOT FALL INTO THEIR HANDS!" The warriors didn¡¯t hesitate. Fingers on triggers. Weapons aimed. Death coming for him. Click. The barrels turned. Not sideways. Not downward. Upward. Too smooth. Too fast. Too perfect. Korna¡¯s breath hitched. A fraction of a second. A brief, impossible moment. Then¡ªThe gunfire erupted. CRACK. BANG. Bullets tore through their skulls. Some gasped as the shots ripped their throats open¡ªbodies twitching, fingers still clutching their weapons. Others didn¡¯t even get the chance to scream. Their own hands had done it too fast. Too precise. Bodies collapsed in unison. Like marionettes with their strings cut. Korna staggered. Blood sprayed across her face. Her breath shuddered, her throat clenching like she wanted to scream¡ªbut couldn¡¯t. Eve giggled. A delighted, breathless sound. Her fingers trailed over the blindfold covering her golden eyes. "How noisy." Her voice didn¡¯t cut through the air. It rewrote it. The battlefield obeyed. Silence fell. The dying warriors locked mid-collapse, their final moments frozen in place. The ones still standing¡ªtrapped in their own bodies. Their hands still gripping their weapons. Their mouths still parted, trying to scream. But no sound came. No movement. Just silence. Adam sighed. Indifferent. Detached. ¡°They¡¯re like ants, Eve.¡± His golden eyes flicked over the battlefield. ¡°They never know when to stop scurrying.¡± Eve sighed, stepping closer to the balcony¡¯s edge, her golden hair gleaming beneath the firelight. ¡°It¡¯s adorable, in a way.¡± She leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm, admiring the carnage below. ¡°How they struggle. How they break. And yet¡ªstill they try.¡± Adam barely acknowledged her. He exhaled, quiet, measured. ¡°Fascinating, but pointless.¡± Then¡ª A crack split through my skull. Not a sound. A sensation. Like invisible fingers slipping into my ribs¡ªprying them apart, curling around something deeper. Something inside me. A wretched, twisting pull¡ªcold hands sliding beneath my skin, searching, sifting, taking. I gasped. Nothing came. My body convulsed, a helpless tremor running through my muscles. I couldn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t breathe. The Whisper shrieked. At first, it was only in my head. A noise meant only for me. Then¡ªit leaked into the air. A horrible, layered wail. Guttural. Wet. It didn¡¯t sound like a voice. It sounded like a hundred mouths screaming at once. Adam showed no reaction. His golden eyes gleamed, his fingers flexing as if tightening his grip around something that wasn¡¯t there. Something inside me. ¡°Curious.¡± His voice was soft. Unbothered. "This filth should have been eradicated. You weren¡¯t supposed to have this.¡± Another pull. Harder. The Whisper convulsed, twisted, spasmed inside me. ¡°Host¡ª Queen¡ª D?O?N?''?T? ?L?E?T? ?H?I?M? ?T?A?K?E? ?U?S?¡ª?¡± A sharp, wet tear cracked through my skull. My body arched, limbs jerking violently. My bones¡ªfelt hollow. Like they weren¡¯t mine anymore. Like something was about to be peeled away. Eve shivered. She leaned into Adam¡¯s shoulder, pressing her body against his, fingers dragging across his collar. Excited. ¡°Oh, my love¡­¡± Her breath was light, reverent. ¡°Look at her.¡± She ran her tongue over her lips, eyes hooded beneath her blindfold. ¡°She¡¯s unraveling so beautifully.¡± Her voice was light. Gentle. Like a mother watching her child slip beneath the waves. Adam didn¡¯t acknowledge her. ¡°This will be corrected.¡± His fingers clenched into a fist. The Hands of God tightened. The force snapped around me¡ªunbreakable, inescapable. A cage made of divinity. The Whisper screamed. Not in rage. In terror. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. It thrashed, desperate, a parasite being torn from its host. My vision blurred. I felt myself¡ªsplitting. I wasn¡¯t whole anymore. I felt myself unraveling¡ªthe parasite and I, two things tearing apart, neither willing to let go. The Whisper howled inside me, clawing at my ribs, thrashing like a caged animal, desperate, starving, dying. And then¡ª Eve let out a soft, breathy laugh. "How fascinating¡­" She stretched like a cat, arms draping around Adam¡¯s shoulders, pressing against him with a lazy, indulgent hum. "The parasite fears you, Adam." Adam lowered his hand. I dropped. HARD. Pain detonated through me. My knees hit shattered stone, the impact rattling through my bones, a sharp crack snapping up my spine. I gasped. The air tasted like dust. Like blood. I pressed my trembling hands into the rubble, fingers clawing for something solid. Something real. The Whisper was still inside me. I had held on. I had not let him take it. Adam watched. Unshaken. Unbothered. Unmoved. Eve sighed, rolling her eyes. "How boring." She tilted her head, dragging her fingers across Adam¡¯s collar, tracing slow, idle patterns. "You should¡¯ve just ripped it out. Why do you insist on playing with these little insects?" Adam ignored her. His golden gaze bore into me¡ªcold, indifferent. A thing beyond humanity looking at something lesser. ¡°I see now.¡± His voice was calm. Almost pleased. "That wretched thing inside you¡ªit clings like a parasite. A pathetic, desperate creature." A pause. A long, measured silence. "How amusing." He exhaled, almost disappointed. "It knows what I am." A flick of his fingers. A twitch. A subtle command. The Hands of God took me again. I gasped, my body snatched from the rubble, weightless, suspended. And then¡ªI felt it. Heat. Zara. A breath. A movement. A rising inferno. She never stopped. Flames erupted around her, blue fire igniting like a dying star¡¯s final breath. She lunged. Straight for Adam. But she never reached him. Her body froze. Mid-air. Arms outstretched. Fire still burning. And then¡ªsnuffed out. The Hands of God had her now. Adam barely acknowledged her. Didn¡¯t even glance at her. His voice¡ªlow, absolute, carved into the bones of the world. "Ungrateful little wretch." A chill sank into my spine. Something about the way he said it¡ªthe weight in his voice, the certainty¡ªit dug into me, curling into something cold and dangerous. Zara flinched. Zara. Flinched. I had never seen that before. Not once. Adam exhaled, slow, deliberate. Like this wasn¡¯t even worth his breath. Like speaking to her was beneath him. ¡°Did you forget what you are?¡± Zara¡¯s entire body locked up. Adam tilted his head¡ªhis golden gaze dragging over her like she was something beneath him. Something small. Something insignificant. "You were never meant to stand beside her. You were never meant to stand at all." The words slammed into me harder than the Hands of God. What? Zara clenched her jaw. Didn¡¯t speak. But her hands trembled. Her breath came in short, uneven bursts. She was afraid. Adam sighed. Almost bored. ¡°And yet, you burn for her.¡± Zara lurched forward, choking on nothing. A sharp, gasping breath¡ªcut short. Her limbs spasmed. Convulsed. She clawed at her throat. But there was nothing there. Nothing but his will. "STOP¡ª!" My scream ripped out of me, raw, broken. I thrashed. Useless. Helpless. Nothing. Zara¡¯s fingers twitched. Her nails dug into her own skin, scratching, tearing¡ªtrying to rip something away that wasn¡¯t there. Adam didn¡¯t blink. Didn¡¯t care. "How foolish." His fingers curled. Zara¡¯s body arched¡ªlifted into the air like a puppet on tangled strings. Her flames flickered. Then¡ªsnuffed out. A sharp inhale from me. No, no, no¡ª The air around us shook. Adam exhaled. Like he was correcting a misbehaving dog. "How disappointing." A flick of his wrist. CRACK. Zara¡¯s body slammed into the ground. Too hard. Too much. The stone beneath her caved inward, fracturing on impact. A strangled sound broke from my throat. "ZARA¡ª!" She didn¡¯t move. I tried to lunge forward¡ªtried to, tried to, tried to¡ª The Hands of God kept me locked in place. Adam barely acknowledged her anymore. Like she no longer existed. Like she had never mattered. He sighed. A regretful, distant exhale. "Remember your place." His golden eyes flicked toward me. I swallowed, chest rising and falling too fast, too shallow. Something felt wrong. Something felt very, very wrong. Zara wasn¡¯t moving. Adam¡¯s words twisted inside my skull. Digging deep. Planting doubt where there shouldn¡¯t be any. What did he mean? What was she hiding? I felt something in my own chest snap. Like I¡¯d been the one thrown. Like I¡¯d been the one crushed. The air was too thin. My vision blurred. My body strained against an invisible force that refused to let me go. I couldn¡¯t breathe. I couldn¡¯t move. But I could scream. And I did. I screamed until my throat burned, until my voice cracked, until the only thing left was raw, broken sound¡ªsomething shredded and animalistic, something barely human. A breathy moan slipped from Eve¡¯s lips. "Yes... yes... oh, Mari, scream for me again.¡± I gasped, twisting against the invisible force that held me, every nerve thrumming with agony. It wasn¡¯t just the pain¡ªit was the helplessness, the complete and utter loss of control. Her fingers trailed over her own collarbone, slow, reverent. She shuddered, her golden hair cascading down her back as she arched against Adam¡¯s chest, tracing lazy, indulgent circles along his ribs. She exhaled, a slow, trembling sigh. "Such a divine voice," she purred, her hands drifting lower. "Sing for me, my sweet. Let me hear your suffering." I thrashed. Something inside me buckled. Cracked. Frayed apart. Eve giggled. A delighted, breathless sound. "Look at her." She sighed, running her fingers through her hair, tilting her head as if admiring a work of art. "Helpless. Lost. Desperate." She inhaled sharply, dragging the sensation through her lungs like she could breathe in my suffering. "Oh, Mari¡­" Her voice trembled with pleasure. "Such beautiful sounds." She cupped her own face, nails digging into her cheeks, eyes fluttering beneath the blindfold. "Mari, my precious little girl, you make the most beautiful sounds." I convulsed. Tried to break free. Tried to shut her out. But I couldn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t stop it. I screamed again¡ªhoarse, raw, stripped of anything human. Eve shivered. "Mmm¡­ yes. Again, again¡ª" Adam sighed. Disappointed. Like I was taking too long to break. "We should take her now." Eve¡¯s nails raked down Adam¡¯s chest, dragging slow, red lines against his pristine skin. Her body shook, her lips parting with a need deeper than hunger. "No, no¡ªnot yet. Let her cry a little longer," she whispered, almost breathless. "I want to feel it. I want to drink it in." Adam ignored her. His fingers curled. And I was taken. The force collapsed around me. Folding. Crushing. Ripping. My limbs snapped inward, my body twisting violently like a puppet wrenched by its strings. My vision fractured, black spots devouring the edges of my sight. My own body wasn¡¯t mine anymore. I saw her. Zara. Broken in the rubble. Korna. Suspended in place, her body locked in a twisted moment of defiance. The Resistance¡ªunable to stop it. No one could stop it. Eve whimpered. She rocked against Adam, her breath ragged, a blissful smile curling her lips. "Oh, my love, this is what we were meant for. Look at her." Adam¡¯s golden eyes gleamed. "You will serve a purpose far greater than you know." I could barely see through the haze swallowing me whole. But then¡ªZara¡¯s fingers twitched. A weak, barely-there motion. My heart lurched. But before I could reach for her¡ª Before I could even hope¡ª Nothing. Darkness swallowed me whole.
I jerked awake. Cold steel bit into my wrists. I was strapped down. Arms. Legs. Neck. Caged. The air was thick with sterility. That sharp, artificial sting of chemicals and bleach clung to my skin. The hum of machines pulsed in the silence¡ªprecise. Steady. Like a heartbeat that wasn¡¯t mine. Not the casino. Not anywhere familiar. I tried to move. Nothing. The restraints held. Too tight. Too perfect. Too absolute. The Whisper stirred. Weak. Faint. Strangled. Something was smothering it. Something was smothering me. And then¡ªA voice. Silky. Sweet. A sound that slithered beneath my skin, threading through my bones like warm breath against an open wound. "Now, my dear¡­" Footsteps. Soft. Purposeful. Unrushed. I saw her reflection first. Eve. Golden-haired. Barefoot. Blindfolded. Pristine. She didn¡¯t need to see me. She already knew. Her lips curled into a smile. Slow. Unhurried. Measured. Like a predator admiring a struggling animal before the final bite. Her nails tapped against the tray beside me. Click. Click. Click. The sound burrowed under my skin. "I¡¯ve been looking forward to this." She reached for a scalpel. Turned it. Admired it. The blade caught the light¡ªthin, delicate. Precise. Her other hand drifted over the tray, fingertips gliding across the gleaming metal instruments laid out before her. Rows of them. Too many. Too sharp. Too clean. She didn¡¯t rush. She took her time. Selecting. Rejecting. Savoring. Like a woman choosing the perfect wine for the perfect meal. Her meal. Me. I stiffened. She noticed. Her fingers ghosted down my arm, featherlight. She sighed, pleased. "Do you know what I love, Mari?" She leaned in. Close. Her breath was warm against my cheek. The scalpel danced down my spine. Barely a touch. I shuddered. Eve shivered. "Pain speaks," she whispered. She pressed the scalpel down. I gasped. She inhaled. Slow. Deliberate. "A sharp inhale at first." The blade sank in. A thin line of fire bloomed across my skin. I gritted my teeth. Eve hummed, thoughtful. "Then a stuttered breath¡ªcaught between restraint and surrender." Her fingers tangled in my hair, twisting gently. Not yanking. Just reminding me how helpless I was. "You wouldn¡¯t want to ruin this moment, would you?" I met her gaze in the mirror. Or rather, the blindfold that hid her golden eyes. She smiled. Then¡ªShe cut deeper. Pain exploded through me. My body convulsed. I bit down a scream. Eve inhaled, slow, deliberate. "There it is." She dragged the scalpel lower. Slow. Loving. Precise. She wasn¡¯t rushing. She was savoring. Me. Every twitch. Every tremble. I gasped, struggling against the restraints. Flesh split. Warmth dripped down my back. Eve sighed. She stepped back, tilting her head, as if appraising a painting. "Let¡¯s open you up, shall we?" She reached for the clamps. Cold steel met torn flesh. The first crank. A wet, unnatural pull. My skin peeled apart. I screamed. Eve shuddered. She turned the crank again. Wider. "More." My spine ached. My nerves blazed. The pain burned through me, raw and unbearable. She let out a breath. Quiet. Pleased. Her fingers traced my exposed flesh, pressing into the torn muscle. "Curious." Her voice remained level. Clinical. "The way the body resists. The way it fights." I couldn¡¯t breathe. She dragged her fingers down my spine. "I wonder what sound you¡¯ll make when I touch here¡ª" Her fingers wrapped around something. Something inside me. The Whisper howled. Eve paused. Then¡ªShe laughed. Low. Breathless. Almost euphoric. "Ah¡­ so this is what he wanted." 18 Seed of Godhood The scalpel traced over my skin. Again. And again. And again. Each cut precise. Measured. Like she was carving something important. Something sacred. I had stopped screaming two days ago. My throat was too raw. My voice had died before the rest of me could. I wasn¡¯t even sure how long I had been here. I woke up strapped to the cold table. The metal cuffs had worn deep into my wrists and ankles, cutting past skin, sinking into flesh. Every time I moved¡ªjust a twitch¡ªfresh blood welled up. The first day, I had struggled. The second, I had begged. Now? Now I just waited. Waited for Eve to cut. Waited for her to finish me. But she never did. She took her time. And she never finished. Her fingers ghosted over my exposed ribs, nails tapping lightly against bone. She hummed, a soft, satisfied noise. ¡°My, my,¡± she sighed, dragging her blade up my abdomen. "You''re holding up much better than the last subjects." Subjects. I didn¡¯t ask. I didn¡¯t want to know. My head lolled to the side, my body weak, too exhausted to react. Eve pouted. "Come now, sweet thing." Her fingers wrapped around my chin, tilting my face up. ¡°No screaming today?¡± I tried to speak. Nothing came out. She smiled. ¡°Oh, Mari¡­ don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re giving up already.¡± I wanted to tell her I had given up a long time ago. But I couldn¡¯t even open my mouth. Her eyes¡ªgold and gleaming beneath her blindfold¡ªglowed with something amused, something entertained. She was enjoying this. She always did. Her hand trailed down to my chest, fingers pressing against the spot where my heart should be. "Hmm." She cocked her head. "Something is different today." I barely heard her. Pain blurred the edges of my mind, drowning me in a thick, suffocating haze. The Whisper had gone quiet. It had been growing weaker with me, its voice fading, flickering like a dying candle. It had tried to resist in the first few days¡ªhad tried to fight against the restraints, against the constant agony. But pain like this had no end. Not until I ended. And Eve wouldn¡¯t let that happen. Not yet. Her scalpel pressed against my skin again. I twitched. A quiet giggle slipped from her lips. She leaned in, breath warm against my ear. ¡°I found something inside you, sweet girl.¡± My breath hitched. Eve¡¯s fingers slid lower, past my ribs, resting over something deep. Something that shouldn¡¯t have been there. It pulsed beneath her hand. She shuddered. ¡°This¡­ is new.¡± Her nails dug into my flesh, pressing deeper, feeling it. Not an organ. Not a parasite. Something else. Something older. Something unnatural. Her breath hitched in delight. ¡°Oh, my love,¡± she whispered, lifting her head toward the ceiling. ¡°Do you feel that?¡± A pause. Then¡ªAdam¡¯s voice. Soft. Distant. ¡°Extract it.¡± Eve moaned. Her fingers wrapped around a fresh scalpel. "Yes, yes, yes, yes¡ª" The blade sank into my chest. Pain. Raw. Electric. A scream ripped from my throat. Eve gasped in pleasure. "Yes, sweet thing. Sing for me." I convulsed as the scalpel carved deeper, tearing past skin, past muscle, reaching something deeper. Something that was never meant to be touched. Eve¡¯s breath shuddered. Her voice trembled with euphoria. ¡°There it is.¡± Her hand reached inside. I screamed. Not a normal scream. A sound that tore through reality itself. The Whisper shrieked inside me, its voice piercing. It wasn¡¯t just pain. It was loss. The scalpel grazed something black. Not flesh. Not bone. Something else. Something that did not belong in this world. Eve inhaled, her body shivering. ¡°Oh, Mari¡­¡± She licked her lips, shuddering against my body. "Look at you." She tilted her head, golden eyes blazing. ¡°You have a seed.¡± I gasped. I could feel it now. A foreign, twisting weight inside my chest, pulsing with something dark. Something different. Something that didn¡¯t belong to me. Eve sighed, fingers pressing against it. She was touching it. Feeling it. Worshipping it. Her voice was breathless, reverent. "This, my dear, is godhood." A pause. Then¡ª Her lips curled into a delighted, trembling smile. "But it¡¯s not like ours, my love." She giggled, twisting her scalpel, watching my body convulse beneath her. "Ours is golden, pure, divine." Her nails scraped against it. "But yours?" She pressed down. My veins burned. Darkness ripped through my body. Something inside me snapped. Eve shuddered. "Yours is corrupted." My vision fractured. A cold, slithering hiss echoed through my skull. And then¡ª The Whisper moved. It unlatched from my spine. Not weakened. Not dying. Watching. And then¡ª It tapped into the seed. A shudder ran through me. Eve¡¯s breath caught. She felt it. Her fingers twitched. Then¡ª I stopped breathing. Something inside me moved. Something not human. Something that had been waiting. The restraints shattered. Eve¡¯s smile froze. I rose. The pain faded. I couldn¡¯t feel my body anymore. Because it wasn¡¯t my body. Not anymore. I hovered, my limbs stretching unnaturally, twisting, reshaping. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. White. Everything was white. My skin peeled away like broken porcelain, revealing something else. A mask formed over my face¡ªsmooth, empty, hollow. Eight black limbs burst from my back, curling like blades, stretching unnaturally. Horns twisted from my skull, jagged, monstrous. Eve stared. Then¡ª She laughed. A breathless, shuddering laugh that spilled from her lips like silk unraveling, trembling with something between awe and delirium. ¡°Oh, Mari¡­¡± Her voice quivered, reverent. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful.¡± Her golden eyes smoldered beneath the blindfold, burning through the darkness. ¡°My perfect monster.¡± Panic surged in my throat¡ªwrong, wrong, wrong. I looked down. Not hands. Claws. Not mine. Not anymore. A scream ripped from me¡ªexcept it wasn¡¯t a scream. It was a sound that shouldn¡¯t exist, a warping, bone-deep screech that made the air vibrate and the enforcers recoil in horror. The limbs lashed out, slamming against the floor with a sickening crack. The walls trembled. The ground split. Metal shrieked as something deep inside the facility buckled. Then¡ªsnap. A fracture split across my face. The mask¡ªmy mask¡ªfractured, the crack curving upward into something terrible. Something unnatural. A grin. A grin carved into porcelain. Eve gasped softly. Then she smiled. "Yes. Yes, yes, yes¡ª that¡¯s it.¡± The world blurred at the edges. Pain bled into something distant, something unreal. I was watching. Not moving. Not breathing. Just watching. My limbs weren¡¯t my own. My thoughts weren¡¯t my own. The Whisper had taken control. "It''s you." The words slipped out, slow, uncertain. Then¡ªhe laughed. A low, crackling sound that slithered through the speakers, deliberate and knowing. "No... not quite." A pause. "It looks like you. Same, but¡­ different. Twisted." His amusement deepened, laced with something else¡ªcuriosity? Recognition? "What are you?" Eve¡¯s nails tapped against the steel table, tracing idle patterns in my blood. "Shall I keep going?" Her voice was almost bored. Adam hummed. "No. Not now." She exhaled, disappointed. "Then?" "Call the enforcers. Let them see what she¡¯s become." Eve clicked her tongue but didn¡¯t argue. With a wave of her hand, the doors hissed open. Boots thundered inside. Black armor. Visors glowing. Rifles raised. Provenance enforcers. Elite. Precise. Trained to kill. They looked at me, then at each other. Some hesitation. They had been ordered to put down a girl. This? This was something else. "Fire," Eve sighed.
The Whisper moved. Not me¡ªit. Faster than thought. I felt the lunge, the stretch of limbs that weren¡¯t mine, the wet tear of flesh splitting apart. The first enforcer never had the chance to scream. A black limb pierced through his ribs, twisting as his body convulsed. Blood sprayed against the steel walls. It wasn¡¯t my hands. But it felt like they were. I wanted to stop. I couldn¡¯t. The Whisper kept going. A second enforcer raised his gun¡ªtoo slow. Something wrapped around his throat, yanked. His body spasmed once before he crumpled. Blood pooled beneath him. The remaining enforcers hesitated. They had come for a failed experiment. A prisoner. A human. They weren¡¯t ready for this. The Whisper laughed. A soldier tried to run. The Whisper didn¡¯t let him. A limb lashed out. Caught him mid-step. He screamed. I felt my jaw twist into a grin. No¡ªnot mine. I tried to move, to force control back¡ªnothing. The Whisper wasn¡¯t letting go. It was reveling in this. Then¡ª Eve exhaled, almost lazily. "Stop." I froze. Every limb. Every muscle. Every nerve. The Whisper thrashed¡ªbut it couldn¡¯t move. I felt it panic. It didn¡¯t understand. Eve tilted her head, a slow smile stretching across her lips. "Wild little thing," she murmured. Her voice wrapped around me like silk and steel. She flicked her fingers. "Go away." Agony. Something hit me. Hard. The world snapped. Walls shattered. Steel buckled. I was sent hurtling backward, through concrete, metal, the very foundation of this place. And then¡ªI hit the ground. Distant alarms howled in the distance. My limbs twitched. The Whisper staggered. Something was wrong. It was afraid. Then¡ª The exit. It was right there. It surged forward, dragging my body with it. A desperate, mindless drive. So close. So close¡ª Then¡ª Crack. An invisible force slammed me to the ground. I gasped¡ªno, the Whisper gasped. Adam¡¯s voice curled through the air. "You bond so deeply with it." I twitched. His golden eyes gleamed from the balcony above, studying me with something between amusement and curiosity. "It clings to you like a parasite¡ªfestering, starving. Pathetic." The Whisper shuddered. I felt it thrash. Struggling. Desperate. Trying to fight. Trying to flee. A scoff. "When did it become so weak?" Adam lifted a hand. I lifted from the floor. Limbs twitching. Spasming. Nothing but a toy in his grasp. His golden eyes searched my face. Then¡ªhis expression shifted. He tilted his head. His voice dipped, softer. "You¡¯re not her." The Hands of God tightened. I felt the Whisper¡¯s body snap. It gasped. Adam sighed. "Someday," he murmured. "When she completes you¡­ I will take you for myself." His fingers twitched. The Whisper collapsed. Limbs twisted. Blood pooled. Adam turned away, his golden gaze already losing interest. "You are incomplete." A flick of his wrist. "You are not worthy of my attention." The Hands of God released me. I crashed to the ground. I couldn¡¯t move. The Whisper couldn¡¯t move. It didn¡¯t speak. Didn¡¯t mock. Didn¡¯t whisper in the back of my mind. It just breathed. Terrified. I felt it quiver around me, a cage of sinew and shadow, gripping tight. Too tight. I pushed forward. Fought. Clawed. My fingers tore into flesh¡ªnot mine, not mine, not mine. I ripped through muscle, through the thing that had swallowed me whole. The Whisper screamed. A wet, sickening sound as I pulled myself free. I collapsed onto the pavement, gasping. Shaking. Blood clung to my skin, some of it mine, most of it¡­ not. I stood. Wobbled. And then¡ªI walked. The door groaned as it swung open, metal grinding against metal. Cold air rushed over me, sharp and sterile. Not fresh. Not free. Familiar. I had felt this before. Smelled this before. The heavy scent of metal and antiseptic. The artificial chill biting into my skin, sharp enough to keep the air clean but not alive. The walls stretched endlessly ahead, steel and concrete swallowing everything, identical no matter which way I turned. My breath caught in my throat. This place¡ªI knew it. Slow, unsteady steps carried me forward, each one dragging, like my limbs were weighed down by stone. And then, I saw them. The hunters. They stood in clusters, their sharp eyes flicking toward me as I passed, whispers rising like static through the tense air. "Who is that?" "Where did she come from?" "Is that... blood?" A murmur rippled through the crowd. More eyes turned my way. Hunters didn¡¯t come out of the Provenance Hall. Not like this. I kept moving. I had to. Boots stomped against the floor¡ªguards. I heard them before I saw them, their heavy steps closing in, a presence I had long since learned to recognize. Then¡ªstatic crackled. Their walkies flared to life. A voice. His voice. "Leave her." Adam. The guards hesitated. I could feel their eyes on me, expectant, waiting for something¡ªan order. A reason. But none came. Then, slowly, they stepped back. They obeyed. I didn¡¯t. I walked. The air was colder near the exit. Ahead, the massive gates loomed, the last barrier between here and out there. And they were open. Held wide by the massive, mechanical hands of the sentinels standing guard outside¡ªhulking machines of steel and circuitry, their glowing eyes scanning the space before them, uncaring. I stepped through. Not stopping. Not looking back. The city hummed around me, indifferent. I kept moving. Neon signs flickered overhead, their glow casting sharp colors across the wet pavement. The streets pulsed with movement¡ªpeople walking, talking, lost in their own worlds. Vendors called out from stalls, selling food that smelled too rich, too warm. Somewhere, music blared, distant and hollow. I moved through it like a ghost. People passed. Glanced. Their eyes flickered over me, pausing for a fraction of a second before sliding away. Like I wasn¡¯t there. Like I was just another shadow in the neon haze. No one stopped. No one stared. I left bloody footprints behind me, stark against the concrete. A trail, leading from wherever I had come from to wherever I was going. A woman brushed past, muttering into a communicator. A group of teenagers laughed, their voices rising, carefree and oblivious. I wanted to stop someone. To grab them, shake them¡ªdon¡¯t you see me? But I didn¡¯t. A man in a crisp jacket barely avoided bumping into me, his scowl deepening as he adjusted his cufflinks. His nose wrinkled, eyes flicking over the blood smeared across my skin, the tattered remnants of my clothes. "Watch where you''re going, filthy street rat." He brushed off his sleeve, like my very presence had soiled him. "Damned Hunters. Waste of space." He clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he stepped around me, already forgetting I existed. I kept walking. A streetlight buzzed overhead, its bulb flickering, on the verge of burning out. The weight of exhaustion pulled at me, heavier than anything I had ever carried. My limbs trembled, my vision blurred at the edges. The pain was distant now, dulled by something deeper¡ªsomething emptier. Droge¡¯s store. Just a little further. The ground tilted beneath me. The noise of the city warped, stretching and fading. I tried to take another step. Then¡ª Darkness. I fell. The bell above the door chimed¡ªfar away, muffled. A voice cut through the haze, sharp with panic. "Shit¡ªMari?" Strong arms caught me. Warm hands. Steady. I was lifted, carried inside. The world faded as the door clicked shut.