《The perfect Society》 Prologue "The World expects us to be strong enough to make it great et victorious. But men demand that we obey and close our eyes enough to make it sink. Choosing to sacrifice oneself or to protect oneself is the hardest dilemma Humanity will always face" The Triad, year 2185, end of the world When everything you have ever known collapses overnight, you can only watch your past, your present, and your future burn - helplsess, incapable. No matter how much you wonder how everything could have crumbled so quickly, it is already the end. The end of everything. All those things you once held so dear - your home, your family, your job, or your friends - become futile and useless. The only thing on your mind at that moment will be your own reality. And yet, there is no escape. Like all the others, you will perish, swallowed by the world that has turned against you. The last thing you will hear will be screams. The last things you will see will be faces twisted and deformed by their own demons. The end is inevitable. In front of me, chaos, screams, blood, the destruction of a world barely built. The smell of burning flesh seard my nostrils so much that i had to shield them with the torn sleeve of my uniform. I was barely standing - my wounds were taking too long to heal, and i could feel my strenght leaving me. Buildings were collapsing one by one, vehicles exploding mid-race. All the inhabitants of teh Triad were desperatly trying to flee the darkness our battls had unleashed. I weaved through the monstrous crowd that shoved me in all directions. I had to reach the tallest building still standing, trampling each other to escape. Fleeing and fleeing again. Children cried for help, but no one. Their parents must have have already been dead. My chest tighten as they were carried away by the frantic movements of the crowd. On the other side, an old man fell to the ground, and his bones shattered under the heavy, panicked footseps. A wave of disgust chruned my stomach. Tears weeled up on my soot-covered cheeks. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. How had it come to this ?That question wouldn''t leave me. Seeing the world in such a state filled me with rage - i couldn''t see how we could make it out alive. This was truly the end. Everytone was trying to escape - but to where ? We were trapped under a dome beyond which there was nothing. Humanity was doomed to disappear for good this time. The heat intesified as i approached my goal. Journalists, perched in a corner, filmed the quagmire we were in. As if that would change anything. Away from the crowd, i could finally breathe. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and continued my way with more caution. The ground was covered in the dead or those barely clinging to life. A woman, trapped under the rubble of a building, beeged for help. I lifted the slab crushing her legs with ease. She thanked me through tears, pleading for me to save her. However, her lower limbs were severed. She wouldn''t survive long. With a heavy heart, i left here there, even as her screams ordered me not to abandon her. Once inside, smoke engulfed me. I inhaled the flames, letting them course through my body, restoring my breath. I felt better, and my wounds began to cure. I climbed the nearly ruined structure and reached the highest peak. There, i screamed with all my might : ¡ª ADRYAN ! JOHN ! Hearing no response, i called again and again, refusing to stop. They have to be alive, there''s no ther way !My curly braid came undone and caught fire, just like my aura. After more than an hour, i collapsed onton my knees. Teras splattered onton the ground and i stifled sobs. I couldn''t sense their aura either. There were only two possible explanations : they were too far away, or... I shook my head and clenched my hands into fists. That''s impossible...they muste be somewhere ! I justhaven''t searched enough.As i tried to muster my courage, footseps approached behind me, making no effort to conceal his presence. The man removed his mask, which smiled despite the catastrophic stituation. My eyes widened. ¡ª You...? Chapter one Rose Monarchy of Thilias, Dunkle Manor, year 2180, 5 years before the end of the World The heavy metal door, about three meters high, opened with an old creak, revealing a gloomy alley. A violent gust of wind struck me with a deafening roar, and my arms immediately crossed over my face to protect it. I was left breathless. The wind died down, and I cautiously leaned toward the dark corridor that sent shivers down my spine. So this is where I had to go? I swallowed hard at the thought of disappearing into that place. But I had no choice. At the end of this tunnel lay my ticket to freedom. A life without the chains that kept me trapped in this cursed manor. ¡ª You¡¯re hesitating? my brother asked. ¡ª No. Felix scrutinized the mixed expressions on my face with that malice that characterized him. Straddling an old wooden chair, he observed me without saying a word. As for me, I preferred not to look at what was behind him. Chains embedded in the walls, scratch marks on the floor, accompanied by bloodstains. My fist clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my flesh. That¡¯s when my brother¡¯s slender fingers gently traced my cheek. ¡ª Come now¡­ all of that is behind you, isn¡¯t it? If this scene had taken place several years ago, I might have believed in his mask of a loving and protective big brother. But the truth was subtly etched in the cracks of his facade. A look that savored the fear coursing through me. His impeccable smiles and manners, which adorned his so-calm demeanor, had deceived many. But not me, not anymore. I pushed his hand away. He seemed briefly surprised, then resumed his usual expression. ¡ª Once you reach the end of the tunnel, you¡¯ll have to use the compass to guide you to the ferryman. I clutched the precious object tightly in my fingers and stored it in my backpack, which I quickly closed. If I lost this tool, escaping would be impossible, and I would be condemned to this prison until death came for me. Felix never stopped staring at me with that look I had never been able to decipher. Tonight, I had to trust him to escape. Two voices battled inside me. One screamed not to trust him, and the other told me to accept his help, no matter the cost¡ªfreedom had a price I had to be ready to pay. The young man rummaged in the pocket of his black velvet pants and carefully pulled out an ornate box engraved with a red rose. ¡ª What is that? I asked warily. He tilted his head to the side, as if amused by my suspicion. ¡ª I thought a parting gift to wish my little sister good luck might please her. See it as a farewell present, in case we never see each other again. I have no intention of ever seeing you again. Neither you nor the others. He extended the hand holding the wooden box. ¡ª Come on, take it, I insist. A bit hesitant, I seized the box with a slow, controlled gesture, never taking my eyes off him. I had learned, from the moment I arrived in this place, that devious tricks were common currency. Hurting each other voluntarily was almost a form of love here. And despite him being the one who had shown me the most respect, Felix was no exception to this rule. After all, he remained one of the heirs of the monsters who had birthed him, and his angelic smile would fool me no longer. He watched my reaction, but I didn¡¯t know how to react. The finely engraved rose on the box called to the pads of my fingers, which traced its shape. The intention behind this flower stole a bittersweet smile from me. ¡ª So you remember¡­ My brother suddenly moved so close that I could see the beauty mark on his lower lip. ¡ª How could I forget my dear little sister¡¯s favorite flower? The person I cherish most in this manor¡­ His voice slipped into my ear like a whisper carrying a bitter sweetness, sending a shiver through me that I couldn¡¯t control. His eyes narrowed at the sight of my reaction, and he twirled a lock of my auburn curls around his finger. The cold breath of his empty words was enough to paralyze me. And his lips were now pressed against my left ear, which rang with silent cries for help. ¡ª It¡¯s certain that I will miss you terribly. You have been such a source of entertainment. I¡¯ve never had so much fun with anyone before. Then he slowly pulled away, making sure to observe my gaze, filled with frustration, as he distanced himself. Looking almost ridiculous, Felix was satisfied with the hold he still had over me. A puppet dancing, manipulated by his vile words. That¡¯s all I had ever been in his eyes. ¡ª None of you will miss me, I replied, staring straight into his eyes. You¡¯ll have to find yourself another toy. It¡¯s over, I¡¯m cutting the strings. For a fraction of a second, the mask slipped, and Felix¡¯s expression became blank, devoid of all emotion. His eyes hollowed like deep chasms one never escaped from. Two black holes staring at me. Instinctively, I placed one foot back. This family of monsters had stolen more than five years of my life. Today, I had the chance to escape them, yet I still didn¡¯t know if I would ever truly be free from their macabre grip. The young man¡¯s facial features resumed their usual facade. Moments when the mask faded were rare. He quickly focused on what I was holding in my hands. ¡ª Aren¡¯t you going to open the box? he inquired, more impatient than I was. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. I wondered what he could have put inside to be so attentive to my reactions. None of this boded well¡ªI had a strong intuition. You better not have pulled a twisted trick on me, because this time, I won¡¯t stand idly by. Inhale. Exhale. I took a deep breath and unhooked the small metallic latch. My hand stopped once again. My brother placed his white palm over my dark hand, with his usual false delicacy, and invited me to lift the lid. The contents made my stomach turn, my pupils flared with yellow embers, and my body ignited at the sight of the vials. A row of small bottles filled with a thick red liquid danced before my greedy eyes. It¡¯s impossible. This can¡¯t be what I think it is? My lips tightened, my gaze sharpened, and I immediately looked up at the one who had just given me this poisoned gift. Anger flushed my cheeks. ¡ª How did you get this? My hands gripped the box so tightly that it cracked. ¡ª Easy, dear, you might break the vials. It would be a shame if you couldn¡¯t enjoy them¡­ "Enjoy"? Was that what it meant to him? As if what I did pleased me. As if I had a choice to go without. His detached tone fueled my frustration. I had to control myself, once again, as always. Inhale, exhale. My breathing grew heavy. ¡ª Just answer my question, Felix. Where did you get all this blood? Who did you steal it from? Even though I was eager for his answer, I feared it would only deepen my resentment. I still had that feeling of being a feeble rabbit before a wolf disguised as a lamb. The latter enjoyed making me wait longer than necessary just to admire the madness creeping over me. With his polished posture, he sighed briefly. ¡ª And what if I assured you, dear little sister, that this blood is my own, and that I stole it from no one? A tremor ran through my body. Was he¡­ telling the truth? I struggled to believe it. Was it possible? No, it had to be another trick. Another manipulation. But what for? What would he gain by giving me his own blood? My heart pounded violently in my chest. I clenched my teeth so hard that my jaw tensed. ¡ª You¡¯re lying. My voice was cold, my glare unwavering. Felix let out a small sigh, as if I were exhausting him, then sat back down on his chair with exaggerated elegance. His long legs crossed, and he leaned his elbow on the armrest, resting his cheek against his palm. ¡ª You wound me, dear sister. After all these years, you still don¡¯t trust me? I had never trusted him. And I wasn¡¯t about to start now. My mind raced. If he wasn¡¯t lying, then¡­ why? Why would he do this? Why would he offer me something that, by its mere presence, made my throat tighten and my stomach churn with both repulsion and desire? I forced myself to breathe steadily. I had to remain composed, no matter what he had planned. ¡ª What¡¯s your goal, Felix? He smiled. That damned, infuriating smile. ¡ª My goal? I¡¯m just a brother looking after his dear little sister. I want to make sure you won¡¯t collapse on the way. After all, the world outside isn¡¯t as kind as our little home here. My nails dug into my palms. ¡ª "Kind"? My tone dripped with venom. ¡ª Oh, don¡¯t give me that look. You and I both know you¡¯ll need it, whether you like it or not. I¡¯m simply giving you a head start. A small favor, if you will. His words were like chains wrapping around my throat, constricting, suffocating. I hated him. I hated how easily he played with me, how effortlessly he reminded me of what I was. Of what they had made me become. Felix stood up, brushing nonexistent dust off his coat. ¡ª You should go. Time is slipping away. His voice was calm, almost gentle. I swallowed back my emotions and slammed the lid shut, shoving the box into my backpack. Without another glance at him, I turned toward the dark tunnel. ¡ª Rose. I stopped. I didn¡¯t want to. I wanted to walk away without acknowledging him, without hearing whatever twisted thing he had left to say. But I stopped anyway. ¡ª One last thing, dear sister. He was closer now. I felt his presence just behind me, the warmth of his breath ghosting against the back of my neck. ¡ª Don¡¯t die too quickly. A shiver ran down my spine. I clenched my fists, forcing my legs to move, and stepped into the darkness without another word. The cold swallowed me whole Chapter two My eyebrows twitched at his hypocrisy. Clumsiness? CLUMSINESS? He¡¯s royally mocking me. I don¡¯t want your apologies. There¡¯s no sincerity in them, no genuine empathy, just words strung together to form a perfectly calculated sentence. I no longer wanted to fight him; I had to save my strength. Even though my urges were pushing me to tear his throat out. So, I put the wooden case containing the vials back into my bag and adjusted it on my shoulder, determined to leave this place. ¡ª It¡¯s nothing, I pretended coldly. There, beyond this wide-open door, the dark abyss was waiting to seize and swallow me. I bit my lower lip. It¡¯s too late to turn back. Run or die. ¡ª Won¡¯t you get into trouble for helping me escape? After all, he had prepared a meticulous plan, providing me with tools and instructions that would be invaluable. Even now, I questioned his intentions. He had nothing to gain from getting me out of here, unbeknownst to the matriarch and patriarch. I wanted to convince myself that what mattered most was that he was helping me and that I would never have to see him again, but one phrase kept running through my mind. Felix never did anything unless it benefited him first. ¡ª For someone who distrusts her brother, you seem quite concerned. Unless your fear is actually about my intentions? I flinched. He knew. Of course, he knew. ¡ª I¡¯d rather make sure you won¡¯t betray me at the first opportunity. ¡ª Rest assured, that¡¯s not in my plans. It¡¯s more advantageous for me, as well as for you, that you escape. With a wave of his hand, my adoptive brother invited me to plunge into this dark tunnel. I lingered for a moment, staring at his face. Maybe, deep down, I wanted to engrave it in my memory before definitively closing the chapter on him and the others. I didn¡¯t always understand the conflicting feelings I had when he was around. A mix of animosity and brotherly love that I wished would disappear. I grabbed his cold hand, which he offered me gracefully, to step over the tunnel entrance. His skin warmed at my touch. Somewhat nostalgic, he murmured near my ear: ¡ª I¡¯m going to miss this intoxicating warmth¡­ but¡­ have a safe journey. He paused briefly before continuing: ¡ª Don¡¯t get lost along the way; the world outside may be far more terrifying than this manor. The outside world. A universe I had never known since the moment of my birth. All the knowledge I had came from the books I had read. ¡ª A new identity, for a new life, my dear Rose. ¡°Rose.¡± This new name marked the beginning of an adventure beyond this prison. Felix disappeared behind the massive door, and its slam made me jump. Now, I am alone. I had already been walking for a good ten minutes through this tunnel, which resembled a sewer. At least, it smelled like one. The deeper I went, the more the light bulbs flickered, until they eventually lost their glow. The corridor was getting darker and darker. I didn¡¯t really know where it led, and part of me kept in mind the possible betrayal of Felix. I wonder how long this passage has existed. They haven¡¯t manufactured light bulbs in a long time. The tunnel was divided into three distinct sections. The right bank, where I was, the left one, and a blackish stream emanating a terrible stench. I made sure to stay close to the wall to avoid falling in. The defective pipes above my head were supported by stone arches. The dim lighting cast brown and orange hues on this squalid corridor, which seemed endless. Only the dripping water from the arches and my boots¡¯ steps echoed. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. I kept thinking about Felix, whom I had left at the manor. I clenched my fists, encased in black fabric gloves. Maybe he won¡¯t say anything, but this family has spies everywhere, and the estate is monitored. It¡¯s only a matter of time before they realize I¡¯m gone. All of this adds extra stress. I¡¯m venturing into completely unknown territory; it¡¯s been years since I spoke to anyone outside the manor. I was scared. Afraid of not being able to anticipate what would happen once I got outside. Afraid of facing a world more horrible than anything I had known so far. Could the outside truly be as terrible as my brother claimed? The zipper of my canvas bag slid open. I retrieved the compass. It was far from modern technology, but at least it had no tracker. Opening the lid, a holographic map of the city I was in, Achnologia, projected before me. A blinking red dot marked my position; and if I slid my finger a little further, I could reach that other green dot indicating the smuggler¡¯s location. The tunnel I was in was represented by a thick line. The exit was only a few meters away¡ªthis was no time to relax. I snapped the lid of the precious object shut and buried it back in my bag. That¡¯s when a gust of wind from the depths shattered all the bulbs. ¡ª And there it is, now I¡¯m in the dark¡­ I had no other light source, so I decided to use one of my abilities. My eyes closed for a moment until I felt an energy similar to tempered vapor surround me. I opened them, glowing like amber crystals meant to see in the dark. A scruffy, shaggy rat brushed against my leg to join a cluster in a corner. There, a putrid stench assaulted my sensitive nostrils, which I quickly covered with my arm. Eyes shining, I approached the gathering of rodents, which scattered at the sight of the light. What they had been hiding immediately came into view, and chills ran down my spine. My body began to sweat, my heart pounded against my ribcage at the sight of the decaying corpse before me. As I tried to step back, my foot slipped, dragging me into a puddle of water. I couldn¡¯t look away from those rotting scraps of flesh clinging desperately to the bones. One of the rats discreetly snatched an eye and scurried away with its prize. My muscles heated up, making my sweating worse. I was hungry. I was ready to pounce on that disgusting flesh and devour it. Saliva soaked the sleeve of my sweater. Just thinking about it disgusted me. But this diet I had imposed on myself was starting to take its toll. My urges were resurfacing. Unable to bear it any longer, I grabbed my bag, opened the secret pocket, seized the box with the engraved rose, and poured an entire vial down my throat. The blood trickled down my tanned neck as my senses gradually calmed, my thirst quenched. On the ground, I stared at the emptied vial. In the open case, there were still nineteen left. I had to last until my next stop, where I could finally breathe. Summoning a shred of courage, I resumed my journey through this stinking hole, careful not to step on bones by accident. The more I thought about that corpse, the more I wondered if it was yet another victim murdered by the matriarch or the patriarch. The wind was growing stronger. I was nearing the exit. Filled with hope, I sprinted toward what I thought was the outside light and slammed into a door that felt incredibly heavy. On tiptoe, I could glimpse snippets of the outside world through a small barred window. My excitement surged. Finally, I¡¯m almost there! With both hands pressed against the iron wall, feet firmly planted, I pushed the massive door, which slowly slid open and gave way. Before me, a city of light and music. A wave of happiness washed over me, my eyes squinted with joy, holding back tears, and I couldn¡¯t suppress the smile that had vanished for so many years. ¡ª So, this is freedom? I whispered. END OF CHAPTER 2 Chapter three Rose Monarchy of Thilias, Achnologia, capital, year 2180, 5 years before the end of the World The luminescent yellow of my eyes faded, and they regained their initial hazel color. I was immediately struck by the blue and purple-toned lighting of the city. Every building, all pressed against each other, had animated advertising panels, and neon bars decorated them. Keeping my hood in place to blend into the crowd, I ventured into the wide streets of the capital. Above my head, roads where cars sped by, leaving luminous trails behind them and making their engines roar. Hundreds of stores with massive signs stacked together, where their holographic advertisements competed for space, inhabitants dressed in dynamic and original clothing talking and laughing loudly, the music animating the grand avenue¡ªall of it gave me a massive headache. I wasn¡¯t used to so much stimulation at once. Then, a motorcycle with glowing wheels grazed past me, and I barely had time to step aside. I was so absorbed by everything the city was offering my senses that I had lowered my guard. ¡ª Hey! Watch it, kid! The road doesn¡¯t belong to you! He was the one who almost ran me over, and I¡¯m the one who has to apologize? I sighed, a little bewildered. This time, I made sure not to stay too close to the road and reached the corner of the main street, in front of the gigantic sign of an Asian restaurant, the ¡°Akai Hy¨­shiki.¡± Since this was the main alley, it was very crowded, and nightlife seemed to be very important to the inhabitants. At least, it would be easier to blend in. Holding my compass, I discreetly glanced at the streets I had to take. My landmark was the massive building housing a shopping center, brighter than the others. Its facade displayed a giant advertisement animating a woman twirling in the middle of the galaxy, a jar of cream in her hands. Above her, the tagline read: ¡°Be brilliant.¡± Suddenly, my ears started ringing, signaling an imminent danger. A few kilometers away, I could hear rapid and determined footsteps and words that pushed me to flee. ¡°The deserter is around here! The tracker indicates she¡¯s on the main avenue.¡± My heart skipped a beat, and my gaze darted to my shoulder blade. How could I have forgotten about that chip embedded in my body? I needed to find a way to remove it.
The rain pounded down on me as my quick footsteps splashed through the puddles. I dashed as fast as I could, weaving between pedestrians who only stepped aside at the last minute. My cape lifted when I leaped several meters to reach a sign attached to a building on my left. I swung, vaulted to the roof, and landed on my hands. Without wasting time, I continued my run, the map imprinted in my memory. From up here, I could see black two-wheeled vehicles with bright red streaks, clearly visible from afar. Their riders numbered five. I clicked my tongue. They didn¡¯t take long to notice my disappearance and send in the cavalry. I just hope Felix didn¡¯t open his mouth. Whatever, no time to think about that¡ªI had to get as far away as possible and find a place to remove the tracker. Two beams of light suddenly appeared behind me just as I jumped to reach the next rooftop. They hit a vehicle, which exploded before my astonished eyes. So, they¡¯re willing to hurt people just to get me back? Tch¡­ I need to get away from the crowded streets. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. According to the city map I still had in mind, there was an abandoned factory not far from here. It was perfect. Given how fast I had run, I should have a good lead on them. The place was very dark due to the night and the lack of lighting. The windows were shattered, the machines out of order. It had an additional floor, and graffiti enhanced its rundown appearance. The concrete slabs on the ground were coming loose. They must not have been maintained for quite some time. I finally leaned against a pillar, my clothes soaked by the rain still pounding against the broken windowpanes. My chest rose and fell with my rapid breathing. I was still wondering how I was going to remove that chip. It was almost out of reach, fixed under my skin, near my shoulder blade. As I pondered over what to do, screams echoed through the factory, and I saw a teenage boy, about the same age as me, dashing like a rabbit. Our eyes and auras crossed for a brief instant in an explosion of colors. My heart leaped out of my chest and knocked the air from my lungs. My eyes began to shimmer, and I was seized with tremors. My canines extended, and I instinctively covered my mouth. What¡¯s happening to me? I tried to calm myself by counting to ten multiple times, fixing an invisible point on the ground. ¡ª It¡¯s no use running, idiot! As soon as we catch you, we¡¯ll beat the crap out of you! Three other boys, slightly older this time, were chasing him from the upper floor, hurling insults. They ran down after him. I wonder what he did to end up in this situation. I didn¡¯t want any trouble, so I lowered my head and pressed closer against the pillar, my hood completely hiding my head. My senses had only just settled down. The warmth and the simultaneously sweet and sour taste of his aura had awakened my hunger. It was like a fruit candy. I ran my gloved fingers over my lips. What am I doing? Hopefully, they won¡¯t come back this way. I had spoken too soon. My eyebrows furrowed, disappointed to see that the boy from earlier had doubled back. Had he managed to shake them off? I went completely still, blending into the darkness. I silently prayed he wouldn¡¯t notice me. Go away¡­ ¡ª What are you doing here, sitting all alone? I played dead. With a bit of luck, he¡¯d mistake me for a homeless person and leave me alone? I wasn¡¯t entirely sure this would work, but I remained silent. ¡ª What, cat got your tongue? he said with a slightly mocking tone. ¡ª No. I replied sharply despite myself. I didn¡¯t mean to sound so unpleasant, but what was I supposed to say? ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Rose, I¡¯m on the run. My adoptive family is chasing me to throw me back in prison, will you help me?¡± I wasn¡¯t that desperate¡­ The bag he was clutching tightly against him began to glow. A red light emanated from it. When he noticed my insistent gaze, he stepped back and pointed a finger at me. ¡ª Ha! I see what you¡¯re thinking! But what you see here is my hard-earned loot. Does he take me for an idiot? ¡ª You mean stolen, I scoffed. His left eyebrow arched, and, trying to hide the fact that he had just been found out, he retorted: ¡ª Y-you shouldn¡¯t accuse people without proof! I couldn¡¯t help but smile. He was a terrible liar¡ªit was obvious. I stood up, bag in hand. ¡ª And you should learn to lie properly if you want to get by. ¡ª I¡¯m not lying! ¡ª You want proof? Earlier, you were running from three men, clutching a bag with a mysterious content, and they seemed particularly pissed at you. And when I suggested you had stolen something, you started trembling and sweating. So, I was right, wasn¡¯t I? To my surprise, the dark-haired boy burst into laughter. Wide-eyed, I wondered what had amused him so much. ¡ª What¡¯s so funny? He wiped away a small tear at the corner of his almond-shaped eyes and crouched down. ¡ª Do you always talk like an encyclopedia when meeting someone for the first time? Embarrassed, I pulled my hood further over my face. It was certainly proving useful. ¡ª I¡­ I had never interacted with an outsider before, let alone someone like this. It was very unsettling for me. How was I supposed to act or speak? As if that wasn¡¯t enough, he leaned closer, grinning widely. ¡ª You¡¯re really cute when you hide like that. My first reflex was to chop the top of his head with the edge of my hand. ¡ª C-cute?! You really think you can charm me with those clich¨¦ lines? He let out a small cry of pain and rubbed his sore head. ¡ª Seriously, that hurts! You have a weird way of accepting compliments. At that moment, the group of boys returned, and the stranger¡¯s face fell. He suddenly grabbed my hands, making them tense. ¡ª You have to help me! Chapter four He seemed completely panicked. I pulled my hands away. ¡ª Why should I help you? If you¡¯re not a thief, you have nothing to fear, right? ¡ª Alright, alright! I did steal something from them! But I needed it¡­ I promise that afterward, I¡¯ll do whatever you ask me to! Desperate, I could see he was sincere. If he promises to do what I ask later, he could be useful. However, I don¡¯t know him, and I¡¯ve learned to be wary of empty promises. At worst, I¡¯ll make sure he honors his word. The three men, each holding an iron bar, were now staring at the boy behind me. ¡ª There¡¯s no point in hiding! Give us back what you stole, and we¡¯ll only break your bones. The boss will take care of you afterward. ¡ª Yeah, right! You really think I¡¯m going to buy that? the teenager shouted. ¡ª Well, you¡¯re right. We admit it, we¡¯re here to beat you up. So stop hiding behind your chick and step up if you¡¯re a man. I really wonder what I¡¯ve gotten myself into. Judging by their similar tattoos and way of speaking, I¡¯d say they belong to a gang. Which one? No idea. Better to settle this amicably¡ªI have no desire to fight, and I need to leave as soon as possible. When the one who seemed to be their leader pointed at him, his face filled with hate, and threatened him with death, the teenager backed up a little more. I stepped forward to handle this peacefully. ¡ª Is fighting really necessary? We can settle this amicably. ¡ª Amicably? Ha! What do you think? This guy stole something from us. We don¡¯t give a damn about settling this peacefully. He has to pay for his screw-ups. His two lackeys, as stupid as him, showed their approval. I sighed. If there was one thing I had learned from "living" at the manor, it was that there was something that could resolve any conflict. I searched my bag and opened a small sewn pocket, pulling out a gold coin that I tossed to the group. Their leader, noticing something shiny in the air, lunged to catch it. He bit into the coin and gasped in amazement: ¡ª This¡­ This is gold?! ¡ª Of course. ¡ª How is that possible? ¡ª Someone gave it to me. Since the destruction of the Old World, many metals and resources no longer existed, and gold was one of them. In reality, what they held in their hands wasn¡¯t real gold¡ªjust a perfect imitation. They looked so gullible and greedy that they wouldn¡¯t notice the difference. I hoped it would be enough for them to leave us alone. ¡ª Wait! If someone gave it to you, that means you can get more, right? Give us two more! One for each of my buddies. Without protest, I tossed the coins to the ground, and they scrambled to pick them up. ¡ª Is this enough to settle his debt? I asked them casually. The leader called his lackeys, and they whispered among themselves. I sensed a shift in their aura. Something bad was forming on their faces. And I was right. All three lunged at me, arms outstretched, trying to grab my bag, convinced it was full of gold coins. I did a backflip, landing in a slide with one hand on the ground. That was it¡ªmy patience had run out. My sharp, glowing gaze looked down on them. Gripping their metal bars tightly, they prepared to attack us. Tilting my head back, I addressed the kid still lingering behind: ¡ª Maybe it¡¯d be best if you didn¡¯t watch? Oh, and don¡¯t try to run away¡ªyou owe me. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The teenager let out a nervous laugh and abandoned his escape plan. I allowed myself a faint smile. Honestly, no one here was reliable¡­ I barely had time to think before the men, who couldn¡¯t have been more than twenty years old, charged at me, fully intent on breaking my bones. I dodged each of their attacks and swiftly maneuvered between them, snatching their weapons in the process. They were shocked to see their bars disappear from their hands, only to watch them bend effortlessly in mine. I hurled them so far that we didn¡¯t even hear them land. They then pulled out knives. The edge of my hand struck the first one''s neck. The second took a spinning kick to the ribs and was sent flying against a wall. As for the leader, I took particular pleasure in striking between his legs, and he collapsed, hands clutching his crotch. I prevented them from crawling toward their knives by crushing their legs as they gasped for air. I dusted off my cape and black cargo pants. I wasn¡¯t particularly proud of what I had just done, but they were getting too aggressive. The thief I had just saved stared at me, eyes wide with awe. ¡ª Wow! That was amazing! The boy mimicked the fight with unsettling enthusiasm. ¡ª Bam! Pow! You moved so fast they didn¡¯t see it coming! By the way, are you on drugs or something? He crossed his arms behind his head. ¡ª I mean, your eyes were so bright they looked like yellow neon lights. He was starting to ask too many questions I couldn¡¯t answer. I changed the subject: ¡ª Alright, you owe me now. He nodded. ¡ª Of course! I may be a thief, but I always keep my promises. ¡ª I¡¯ll believe you only if you prove it to me. ¡ª Cool! That means we¡¯ll be traveling together, and you can teach me your techniques! ¡ª You talk a lot, I sighed, a slight smile on my lips. The boy stood in front of me, beaming, hands behind his back. ¡ª Oh? But you smiled! And here I thought you were just a robot. I lightly struck the top of his head with the edge of my hand. He immediately crouched down, whining in pain. ¡ª Hey! That really hurt! Do you have steel hands or what? And why do you hit me every time I say something nice about you? I continued walking, ignoring his complaints, and he ran to keep up with me. He wasn¡¯t very tall¡ªmaybe 1.75 meters at most¡ªslender, with dark brown hair, dimples when he smiled, and slightly slanted, mischievous eyes. ¡ª By the way, what¡¯s your name? he suddenly asked. With all the commotion, I hadn¡¯t told him. ¡ª My name is Rose Warren. His face lit up with naive enthusiasm. "Rose" was supposed to be my new identity, even if it was a complete fabrication. ¡ª Oh, cool name! Then, he held out his hand, waiting for me to shake it. ¡ª I¡¯m Rohwan. Rohwan Soichi. Nice to meet you, Rose. Seeing my hesitation, he took the initiative and shook my hand. My heart skipped a beat. A sort of halo of light surrounded Rohwan. I could perceive faint, innocent sparkles all around him. I was mesmerized, unable to shake off this strange sensation. I felt like I was floating. ¡ª Wow, your hand is super warm! he exclaimed. ¡ª Huh? Oh, sorry! I quickly withdrew my hand. Does it hurt? Rohwan scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. ¡ª Nah, don¡¯t worry about it! Just as we were starting to get to know each other, my hearing picked up suspicious noises. My pupils contracted, and my muscles tensed. They were coming. I grabbed my new travel companion¡¯s hand firmly and asked: ¡ª Can you run fast? Surprised, he furrowed his brows for a moment before relaxing. ¡ª Run fast? I spend my time running from criminals, so I¡¯d say I have the skills! Why? ¡ª Because I¡¯m being chased too. So you better put those skills to good use, I warned him, slightly uneasy. From here, I could hear the roar of engines and their harsh voices. The motorcycles of my pursuers were closing in dangerously. And we both took off running. END OF CHAPTER 4 Chapter five Voici la traduction fid¨¨le du texte :
Adryan Republic of Asfalte, Ceremony Hall of the Government Organization of the Territory, District No. 7, Year 2182, 3 years before the End of the World Amid the applause of the government agents, the new officer received his insignia with respect and humility. Today was the graduation ceremony after a perilous mission that lasted nearly a year. It had been carried out by the agents of Sector 2, responsible for dismantling rebel plots aimed at destroying the republic. This was Mission R3-0, during which some had lost their lives. The new officer proudly returned to his place among the others, in a royal blue uniform with silver borders, the colors of the republic. Our superiors were watching us, analyzing our behaviors from the seats opposite, near the platform where the master of ceremonies was delivering his speeches. Among them, I noticed a man who vaguely reminded me of someone¡ª a smooth, shiny skull, a perfectly groomed graying beard, and eyes that could pierce any wall, no matter how solid. "We now call Agent No. 2802-R, Adryan DeGarde, from Team No. 7." With my posture straight, I stepped out of my row to approach the platform, beneath which stood the statue of a phoenix carved from ivory. On each side, the flag of the Republic, a dark blue, illuminated by the grandeur of the phoenix spreading its wings. The master of ceremonies moved forward, and I bowed to receive my honor medal and insignia. My Identity Pass, the virtual identity card for all citizens, was projected in the middle of the hall, as it had been for the previous agents. Status: Official agent of the O.G.T. in service of the Republic of Asfalte Matricule: Citizen No. 2802-R Name: DEGARDE First Name: Adryan Date of Birth: 01/12/2161 Place of Birth: Kingdom of Thilias Address: Residence Azur - District No. 32 Implantation Date: 25/04/2174 Identity Photo Biometric Characteristics (access information) Medical Information (access) Location Information (access) Communication (access) Emotional Gauge (access) To my right, Chancellor Jian Xhang and his closest advisers were attending the ceremony. When my gaze met his, he developed a faint smile of courtesy, which I returned with a nod. The master of ceremonies exclaimed through the floating drone-microphone. "As with every agent who has fought in the name of the Republic, it is on behalf of the government that we thank you. You are now Sergeant DeGarde." A hand on my shoulder, he turned to face the assembly. "All the teams present today have provided immense service to the nation, in this mission against the renegades!" His brown face hardened when he mentioned the so-called renegades, and he took the opportunity to deliver the famous government speech. I stood to his left, straight, my blue eyes scanning the room. Everyone seemed absorbed in the passionate speech of the man holding me by the shoulder. His imposing hand was bothering me. I disliked anyone encroaching on my personal space. Normally, I would have quickly detached myself, but my duty forced me to remain composed. "... It is thanks to men like the sergeant, barely 21 years old, who show courage and loyalty, that our country continues to rise again!" Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. I felt uncomfortable, the center of attention. I had always preferred to stay in the shadows and act in discretion. This time, all eyes were on us. It was quite rare to send agents under the age of twenty-five on such missions, but my superiors had insisted. "Should we not eradicate once and for all the vermin that breeds in our streets, corrupts our citizens, and conspires against the system? It will take time, but we will succeed!" "Yes!" the assembly members all cried in unison, right hand on their hearts and left fist in the air. "Should we not see the Republic triumph over its enemies?" he added. "Yes!" As he recited his speech, his hand still gripped my epaulet, which irritated me. But I had to endure until the end. "Finally, after five long minutes, he released me, still proud of my achievements, amid applause." Finally, I sighed. I then returned to the seat assigned to me, at the end of the line. The agent to my right, a man in his thirties with his hair slicked back with too much gel, whispered: "By the way, congratulations on your rank. At twenty-one, it¡¯s almost crazy, we can hardly believe it." By "we can hardly believe it," he meant, "I would have liked to be in your place, I''m sure you don''t deserve it." His sarcastic tone and hypocritical smile conveyed this. I ignored his whispers, pretending not to hear. He didn''t deserve a response. The agent, who had not been promoted, continued, now leaning closer. "Honestly, my comrades and I admire you." This use of "you" and his insistence were starting to annoy me. "You were in Team 7, under Major Hoang, right?" My eardrum sent a sharp signal when his name was mentioned. Astria Hoang. "That''s correct," I replied coldly. My gaze was still fixed on the agents coming up to the platform, applauding when necessary. But my attention was focused on what my seat neighbor was about to say. "By the way, with the members of Team 8, we''re really curious to know what happened during the raid in District 49. You know, the one where the major died." My jaw clenched when I realized where he was going with this. That raid hadn''t been planned, and the major had lost her life without me being able to do anything. Thinking back on it made me want to destroy the one I was sure was responsible for this crime. He then got up, joined by the chancellor himself and the prime minister. His square stature, his arrogant and pompous demeanor strutted as though he had saved the nation. That was the official version, at least. He was the one who had pulled us out of the trap we had fallen into and killed the traitors. "We end the ceremony with the man of the moment, the agent who was able to foil the treacherous plans of the rebellion. I introduce, General Marcs Cardogan," announced Chancellor Xhang boldly. A torrent of applause poured down, and I was the only one who kept my hands on my ceremonial pants. The agent who had been questioning me all this time nudged me, and I would have gladly returned it. "You''re not clapping? After all, it''s thanks to him that we all made it out alive! Oh really, I''ve decided, I want to be like him." His eyes filled with admiration for this impostor. Just feeling his breath on me was giving me a headache. How could someone lie so openly and get away with it under applause? It was time for me to bring him down from his pedestal. This resolve brought a brief smile to my face, and I met Cardogan¡¯s gaze, clapping louder. His lower lip twitched in disdain, and his eyes pierced me. I held his gaze. I know everything, and I won''t let go. The ceremony finally over, I got up to leave for a moment. The atmosphere in this room was suffocating me. In front of the doors of the vast amphitheater, I loosened the collar of my uniform, and a rough voice stopped me. I had already heard it. The high-ranking officer stopped near me as the others headed for their respective buildings. This ceremony didn''t exclude the work awaiting us. He placed his right palm on his chest: "Glory to the Nation," he greeted me. "Glory to the Nation," I replied with respect. The solemn expression he had held until then faded. He straightened up: "Do you remember me?" An imposing stature, an aura that inspires trust and respect, a clean and smooth skull, penetrating gray eyes, and a perfectly groomed beard. "You are Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander MacDouglas," I admitted without hesitation. I wondered what he wanted from me. Especially since he had attended the ceremony even though he wasn''t part of Sector 2 agents, but rather from Sector 3. His face lit up proudly : "That''s right. We met at Astria¡¯s funeral a week ago." I narrowed my eyes for a moment and resumed my placid expression. It had been a very dark day.