The First Day
Loc looked out of the window. Even though she still felt lost in this strange new world, she felt a lot less lost. Here she had a place. Here she had a purpose. She had people around her but part of her still wanted to go back to her home world regardless of what would happen to her once she returned. Also the people here were reminding her that she neither belonged to this world or was from it. No she was just in this world. She missed the people of her world and the places that she visited. Especially Underground Town. Yet there was another side to her that did not wish to go back but she knew that she had to. She had to stop her sisters, after all.
She looked up at the star and rose upon her forehead. This reminded her that she would have to stop Lamia too as well as Mortyanikira too. She felt the burning in the back of her throat as she remembered how the sun came out of her mouth. She even felt herself shiver as she remembered how Lamia cut her hair and how powerless she was to stop them.
These thoughts were interrupted by someone placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Loc, we have arrived."
"Right."
She heard her tell her her name but didn't catch the name of the one that said it though. No, she was getting out of her zoned out state of mind. She then focused her mind onto what was ahead.
I can focus upon that when I get home, but for now, I have to focus on my duty that To Break Son Of Peter gave me and take down the evil in this world.
She got up and walked to the rest of the group. She waited for the door to open. She was then given a black rucksack.
"This is yours." Light Bringer said.
"Thank you!"
"Now, come! All of you. When we arrive you will be given a brief tour of the new base that was acquired by Wolf Raven." He said to the whole group.
"Who's that?"
"My second in command."
They then left the ship and they were greeted by ten buses. They were all placed in a bus, Loc was placed on the second, and were driven to a small shed. They were led by the leader to it. Then he opened the door and held it open as everyone walked in. Group by group they all went in and Light Bringer called for the next group. He did this again and again until it came time for Loc's group to walk in after. They were soon led down a flight of stairs and then they came to a set of metal doors. Light Bringer walked down after them and they all parted for him to get to the front. He walked to the pad with buttons on and trapped a few of them. They opened to reveal another set of stairs. They walked down them and Loc soon noticed that they were all made of stone. Once they had walked down that set of stairs the door behind closed. Nothing but their eyes lit up the dark place. Then as they walked on the stairs they were divided into two. They moved right.
That must lead to a dead end.
Then she spotted that the stairs curved and there were several does that she quickly deduced that the majority were traps too. With only one being the true door that led on. She looked down at her hand and as she was growing board, she tried to summon her fire, however, she could not, yet she had the feeling that there was fire in her hand, just no flame or heat.
Must be because I'm in another world. Looks like I'm going to have to practise until I am able to summon it. Unless there's a specific trick to it. Then I will have to find out what trick that is.
They then came to another metal door. He opened that door and in front of them were neutral stairs. They soon walked down them.
How long are these stairs?
She soon came to the last door. In front of them was a real man. He was at least two heads taller than anyone she had seen in this world. He had jet black horns and scarlet red burning eyes with silver skin. He had a similar facial structure to Light Bringer. Yet there was a handsome look to his features giving him an alluring air about him. He wore a white and red suit with a purple tie.
He looked at Loc and smiled widely. His teeth were snow white. Loc looked at him, suddenly the world became cold and she felt a chill run down her spine. She also felt vulnerable as she looked up to him. Yet as his smile relaxed she felt her whole body become coated with warmth which helped her relax.
"So, I see what you said was true!" The man said with a surprised tone to his deep voice.
"Yes."
"Good. How's her fighting skills?"
"I don't know."
"Then I think that I should find out but not now. Now, all of you, I can tell you need a good sleep, so do you want me to show you to your rooms?" He asked.
"Yes. That would be best."
He then gestured to Loc to come to him. She walked up and she extended her hand.
"Care to tell me your name?"
"Lorra Cerberus, Loc for short." She said as she shook his hand.
"Wolf Raven."
He then pulled her in and he looked at her directly in her eyes. She felt herself freeze, yet she felt strangely cold and icy. She could feel like there was a needle in her mind. Then she felt relaxed and dropped. She panted as she looked up.
What was that all about?
"I can feel that you will be useful to our course. Now I think that you ought to see your room first. Maybe you could practise your pyrokinesis? After all, with that on our side we will become unstoppable." He said warmly as he smiled.
She smiled.
What does he mean by that?
"Glad to hear, sir."
He put his hands up and his shoulders forward.
"Please, don't be so formal. We're all equals here."
"Sorry…"
"Wolf Raven."
"'Wolf Raven'."
He chuckled.
"It's alright. Now let's show you to your room."
He walked her to a room. It had a silver floor and walls. The roof was pearl white with a black silk bed in the centre with a black blob in the corner near the door. She saw that there was a silvery grey wardrobe next to the bed.
She walked into it and put her bag on the bed and spotted that there was a mirror in front of the bed. She looked at herself. She noticed that she did look tired. She also had the chance to look at the white crop of the hair growing out well. This is what she was worried about the most. It seemed like she didn't need to.
She dropped into the bed and she opened her bag. There she saw a pair of purple cotton pyjamas. She quickly put them on and snuggled in.
The following day she got a shower and after drying herself and hair. She brushed her teeth. She put on a pair of black combat trousers and a long sleeved shirt. She then tried to summon her fire but she still could not.
I think that I need to keep at it. However-
Her stomach rumbled.
I'm hungry.
She left the room and saw a woman with blue glowing eyes and purple skin and green horns. They smiled at each other.
"Do you know where you go to eat?"
"Oh, down that hallway and turn right it's the third door on the left."
"Thank you."
She shook her hand and broke into a light jog and soon arrived in the café. She saw that there were many cubes of all different colours.
"Try the blue one and the gold one." Said Wolf Raven next to her that made her jump.
"A-alright. Thank you Wolf Raven." She said as she took one blue and one gold.
"Gold's savoury and the blue's a dessert."
She nodded.
"Thank you, sir."
"'Wolf Raven '."
"Sorry. Thank you, Wolf Raven."
He smiled.
"You're learning. Also, Light Bringer's the same as me."
She nodded as she sat down and as she felt her heart beat in her ears as she suddenly felt uncertain and almost alone. Then Wolf Raven sat opposite her. She smiled warmly at her.
"By the way. Urm…could you tell me more about this world and its history?"
"Alright." He said with a chuckle. "Well, when the world started, many people believed different things about how things were formed but most believed that there was one main deity. Who this was, none truly knows. There were rumours of books out there that recorded these and another from another world that had collected them all. Where they are or if this is even true, nobody knows."
She nodded.
"In my world, there are many gods and goddesses. All of which came in to six to seven ages."
His eyebrows raised.
"Well, when all the nations compared their religions, some of them had more than one god and goddess. None of which were important to history. They were at the heart of some of those wars that usually lasted a year or two. The longest of the gods wars only lasted for five years, until they all decided to discard all of their gods and goddesses in the name of world peace. This led to people tearing down all the old shrines and temples. They built new towels and cities and the technology rose up quickly. They soon collaborated into one government that answered to only one man."
She nodded.
"This man that I've heard about. It's he the evil guy that I've been hearing about?"
"The Evil Emperor. Yes. He not only took all the power and set it up so that none could take it away. He took out all that got in his way and destroyed all that he could of it related to him and taking away from his power."
"And how long ago was this?"
"About five hundred years ago give or take. Somehow he is able to live longer than normal people."
She felt a shock ripple throughout her body.
"Then how can we hope to defeat him?" She asked, trying to not sound as freaked out as she was.
He leaned back and sighed.
"Who knows? However there's no harm in trying is there? You never know, might just get lucky." He sang, raising his eyebrow.
"True."
He looked at her with a stern gaze.
"But there was one person who told me something that stuck. 'A woman that had a prophetic ability said that a person from another world would bring his exaction'."
She felt chills run down her back.
"And you think that I'm that person?"
"Yeah. I hope so. If you're not then we're all in trouble!" He laughed.
"Yeah…"
He then got to his feet.
"Anyway, I have to dash. These missions aren't going to plan themselves and I could talk to you all day!"
He then gave her a map.
"Here. You'll need it to find your way around here."
"Thank you. Tell me, Wolf Raven, honestly do you think we can beat him?"
He smiled.
"Who knows. But as I said, there's no harm in trying."
She smiled. Suddenly she felt like she was starting to settle down in this world. Maybe she could stay here after all. After all, there seemed to be no way back. Well as sat as she knew. So she finished her meal and got to her feet and handed the plates in. She looked at her map and soon found the library. So that was where she decided to go for the rest of the day.
There she read all that she could. She read more details about the gods wars such as there were several cults that abused the writings of the gods or goddesses that they served and this started to bring the way to an end. Yet it was not until one man convinced everyone to discard their gods and goddesses. She also read that he too was not from this world. Yet this was followed by another woman from another world that was the woman that spoke the prophecy.
If these people would do it then this must mean that I too will find a way too.
She then read on and she felt her hairs stand on and as she read the man that helped end a war one thousand years ago. Gajellidor Darcrogh.
Of all people why him? And how in the Demon Realm did he do it?
Loc, calm yourself. See this as hope. He was Grasharlo's biological father after all! So if he if all people could do it then went can't I?
This not only gave her hope but also a new purpose in this world. She would help the rebellion as much as she could. Then after all of this is over, she will find out how to go on.
She then took a break for lunch and was back until dinner. By which point she had read the entire history book. Now as she returned to her room she wondered what topic of this world she should study next. She looked at the black blob. She, seeing that there was a reason for it, sat on it. It moulded around her shape.
Fascinating.
She then raised her hand to her face. She looked at her palm. She tried to summon her fire, but still nothing happened. She could feel the heat but there was no fire. Giving up, she took a shower and put on her pyjamas and went to bed.
First Mission
Loc had been there for three days when she was called in for her first mission there. Knowing that she may not be able to get there without it, she took the map that led her to the debriefing room. It was a long time and after taking several wrong turns, she finally arrived. She then knocked on the black and red door.
"Come in!"
She opened the door and walked into the room. It was the size of a small classroom with a dark grey carpet and a black and white ceiling made up of tiles standard like a chessboard. With random tiles lighting up like a glowing crystal from her world. She, for a moment, could not take her eyes off it. She wondered what was behind it. There was a white board in front of her. To the left was a desk and in the centre of the room were several plastic tables and chairs.
"Are you alright?" Asked Wolf Raven.
"Yeah. It's just, how did they do that?" She asked, pointing to the ceiling.
He chuckled.
"Easy, you should find a book on architecture in the library."
"Right. I might just find that book."
"Any other questions?"
"Urm…there's a thing in my room. It's a black blob made of leather. What is it?"
"Oh, that's a bean bag."
"You mean it stores beans?" She asked, feeling confused.
He laughed.
"No, it has polystyrene balls. It is where you can sit."
"Oh."
Well that answers one question.
"Then why is it called a bean bag?"
"I don't know."
She smiled as she sat on a chair at the back. Then To Break, To Open, Life, and Silver Winter walked in. Then Wolf Raven and Light Bringer followed them. She looked at him as he pressed a few buttons and the white board turned blue with lines that Loc soon recognized as a map.
"Good morning everyone! The next mission is to blow up this factory. This is where the empire makes machines and moulds for their weapons." He said as he handed out a copy of each of them.
Loc looked at the file and read it, she looked at the maps and blueprints. She did this enough times to commit it all to memories. Yet she could not help but feel a sense of nostalgia as this reminded her of all those missions that Ringer sent her on. Yet she had to remind herself that she was in this world and for Light Bringer and not Ringer.
"Loc."
"Yes?"
"Here."
He then gave them all a bullet proof vest.
"What's this for?"
"Bullets."
Then Wolf Raven gave her a tube with red, purple and white buttons.
"Well, when you get there, press those buttons. Distant Battle will tell you how it truly works."
He pointed to a man with golden horns and bronze skin and twin blue eyes.
"Are you the one known as Loc?" He said with a robotic sound like metal.
"Yes. By the way, why is your voice strange?"
He let out a sigh that sounded like a cross between the purring of a cat and a metal drum.
"It was damaged by a scientist who replaced my voice box with this robotic substitute. It is a reminder of why I do what I do."
"Why were you there?"
"I voted for someone that Evil Emperor did not approve of."
"I'm sorry."
"It is alright. Silver Winter over there had it worse. She lost all her children and husband to his cruel experiments."
She nodded as she realised that she was not the one that had it worse here. She felt a strange sense of gratitude that she was able to get out when she did. After all, who knows what would have happened to her if she stayed where she was?
They soon came out of the 'shed' and on the bus. She looked up at the sky as she thought about all the things she had learnt about this world. Sure she had learnt all about the history of this world but she knew that was the tip of the iceberg of this world. She, however, was still yet to know completely what she was doing. Yet she knew that she was doing this to bring justice to this world. Also she knew that the Evil Emperor if this world wanted her dead or confined. She also wanted to be able to, if she was to remain in this world, live free and left alone. Then she would be able to grieve for her friends.
Then she knew that she would have to find a job. She would have to get a house and settle down and watch this world develop. She could tell that this world was far more developed then her world yet there were things that her world was more developed in. She wondered if they had star vessels. Maybe they could put her on one of those and explore the rest of this universe.
Yeah…sounds nice…. She thought as everything ran by and became nothing but a blur. She was so lost in her own thoughts that she did not notice the moment that they arrived. Distant Battle placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Ready?"
Suddenly her heart ached as she wished Lenumé had said that. It came as another reminder that she was dead.
"Should be." She lied.
"Look if you ever want a talk-"
"I'll talk to Wolf Raven?"
"If he's not busy. If he is, then I'll lend an ear."
She nodded.
"Sure."
He smiled.
"Right. Let's get this door on the road!"
I don't know if I'll ever be able to get used to his voice. She thought as they left the bus.
"Do you know how to use a gun?"
"Sure. You pull this back and then press this."
"You learn fast!"
"I read fast."
"Yeah, do you get out of those books?"
"I'm out of them now."
He bellowed as he slapped her back.
"We're going to get along really well!"
I don't think so. Thought he was the dark tortured type. Now he seems just annoying. Maybe he recovered or he's just putting on an act. Just like mum and dad.
She will never be able to visit their graves again. Not like she ever did see them. No, she went straight to the Forest Of Illusions. Just what kind of daughter would do that? What kind of daughter doesn't even visit the graves of their parents? Especially after they were brutally murdered like that? Why did she do that? Was it guilt? Was that the true reason why she was doing this? To pretend to be a good girl.
Come on, Loc. You need to focus. After all, you have a job to do. She thought as she pushed those thoughts aside. She had a job to do. She ran after them and stuck close to Distant Battle not wanting to lose him.
She raised her gun in preparation.
Just like firing a crossbow. She thought as she fired at a door.
She took this moment to try to summon her fire but still nothing happened. Then she sat a guard running to her and Life shot at him. They ran forward. She heard the loud noises and knew that they were safe. Then she was pulled back by Distant Battle.
"Loc, over there." He said pointing up.
She looked up and saw a box with an eye.
"Wait, you're afraid of something like that?" She scoffed.
"They're cameras."
She gave him a puzzled look.
"They record everything that we do and there'll be someone who will be able to see us and know that we're here."
She nodded as her eyes widened.
So I will have to look at all the technology here. After all, I can tell that screens don't run in magic. Also I do not want to slip up.
She then turned back to Distant Battle.
"Then how do we get in?"
He then pointed to a grid and turned back to her.
"Follow me." He said as they circled away.
They kept close to the walls and boxes and made sure they were always in the blind spots. They soon arrived at the grid.
"To Open, would you like to live up to your name?"
"Maybe!"
She smiled confidently as she immediately started on her work.
"I think we need to turn our backs to get and raise our guns, just in case." Loc said.
"Good thinking Loc." Said Silver Winter.
They did this. Then after a few minutes passed they heard a voice call.
They know we're here.
"Can you speed it up?" To Break snapped.
"It's alright. I'm almost there!" She said and I'm the next moment the grid dropped and she climbed in. Distant Battle gave her the bomb.
"I will go last."
"Why?"
"I'm immortal so I am a lot more disposable than you."
"But?"
"Go."
He nodded as he climbed in. She kept her eyes out for anyone and everyone as they climbed in one after the other. Then she saw it. A man had found them. She raised her gun and fired at his shoulder. He twisted and his head hit a pole and was knocked out. She then spotted the other men walk right up to the man that was knocked out. They raised their guns at him. She did not realise what they were about to do until they had fired.
She felt a ripple of shock run throughout her body as her eyes could not look away. All she could do was stare at the dead body with the eyes not nothing but a void.
They killed him! They actually killed him! They killed one of their own! Why? Why did they do that? What purpose did they have in doing that? Why did they do that? Is what I'm fighting really bad enough for that? Why is it that bad? What could possibly make it that bad?
She could not believe what she had just seen. Then she saw the guns pointing at her. She then felt the bullet before she heard the bang. She could not get past the pain. It felt like a tiny dagger coated in acid. She would have let out a cry out of pain if she was not in shock.
Then she felt herself being pulled back. She was soon in the square tunnel, where she followed them silently as they came to a corner. They turned to the left and she followed. She then heard a ting. She looked down to see the bullet run down as she crawled after them. She looked down to see that there was a little bit of blood on her clothes. Then she saw that they were going down. She followed them down. When they climbed to the bottom Distant Battle flung out his map and they all huddled around it.
"This is the place that we need to go." He said pointing to an average cupboard.
"Why there?"
"Because it's under the stage of a flammable power. If we are able to detonate the bin there, then it would reach that power and set the whole thing alight which would make an even bigger explosion."
She nodded.
"Then-"
Then she heard voices coming from where they had just done from. This told them what she was about to say. They raced ahead, all trying to me as silent as they could, knowing that even one sound would give them away. Then they saw that there was a grid coming up. She then saw a bright light coming from the front. She then heard the metallic ting as each bar dropped. Then they soon rushed out. Loc let out a sigh of relief as she felt her claustrophobia subside.
"Loc! Over here!"
She nodded as she rushed to him.
"Right you set it while I talk you through it."
She then moved the wardrobe.
"What are you doing?"
"I think we should set it under the wardrobe rather than in the back."
He looked up and his eyes widened, impressed.
"Good thinking!"
She smiled and they took the bomb out.
"Right, press the red and white button. Red activates the bomb, the white represents hours and the other represents minutes."
"Right."
She set the bomb for an hour and pushed the wardrobe back. They then climbed back inside the air vents. She went in first this time and looked back at Distant Battle.
"This way. To Open, fix those bars."
She nodded.
"You go on ahead. I'll stay until she's done."
She pointed a gun in the direction of the bars as she worked. Yet as she did she could not help but think about how they killed that guard. This meant that if she did not kill them then they would kill the one that was wounded by her. So now the question was would it be more honourable to be killed by an enemy or someone you thought to be a friend?
"Finished."
"Right."
They soon retraced their steps and soon To Open quickly went ahead of her. Then as she followed she heard the sounds of others in the air vents. She felt her body freeze up as she kept her ears open. She then heard them getting closer and closer and then she crawled on. Just to get away from where the sounds were coming from. She then turned a corner and her eye met the inside of a barrel of a gun. Then it fired. She flew back and hit the back of her head and was out like a light.
Then another looked down at her.
"Fire, you did hit her in the head?"
"Yeah you can see by the blood."
"Then why is she breathing?"
"What?"
She looked at her and he could see it. The stream on the metal and the bullet in front of her.
"What do you think she is?"
"One of Father Of Knowledge's freaks?"
"Maybe…"
The Prophecy
When Loc woke she was strapped to a chair. Her mind was foggy, her head was stiff and achy. She hurt all over and there was dried blood under her left eye and a crop of her hair. She tried to move but there were cuffs all over her, keeping her there, completely pinned to the chair. She could also feel the cuffs around her ankles were especially tight to a point that the fabric was digging into them. Making sure that she could not move an inch or centimetre.
She tried to pull them but suddenly she felt an electric shock run throughout her body! It felt like nails were digging into every point of the body and she felt them inside her too but it felt like the nails were pushing out. However she also felt like she was burning too. She had to let out a cry of pain as she pulled and pulled. This caused more and more electricity to run through her. Suddenly the cry turned into a scream like the screech of a bird. Then it stopped. Leaving her body twitching and smoke coming up as she felt itching throughout her body.
What was that? How did that happen!? She thought, panting.
She then looked around as she was trying to figure out where she was. She saw that the room was black and there was no window. She only saw a door in the room right in front of her. She looked up to see if there were any cameras in the room. After all, it was logical for them to be watching her. She soon found one. It was at a good angle which meant that they could see everything that she did. This meant that they knew that she was awake. She then looked at the door and waited for them to open.
She, in the meantime, tried to summon her fire. She could not see it but she could feel it. She closed her eyes and willed all the heat that she could into her hand. Then she opened her eyes and spotted that, again, even though she still could feel it, there was no flame. She suddenly wondered if she was doing something wrong.
Remember, different world, different rules. Right. Maybe willing the heat to a specific point isn't good enough. Maybe I need something to make the fire? Or the light of the fire? Like fuel or a spark? Maybe. Maybe I should try that?
She then willed the fire into her hand and willed it to be brighter and brighter. Yet the moment that she opened her eyes she saw nothing. She then let out a roar of frustration. Which earned her another wave of electricity.
Then, as she had her head bowed and panting, she heard the guy walk in.
"Wow! That did not take long." He commented.
She wanted to give him a witty response but, knowing better, kept her mouth shut as she looked at him. He had coal black skin with blood red horns and twin white eyes.
"Hello. I'm Ash Tree Grove. You're not from around here are you, you little freaky beauty?"
"Not a freak!"
"Oh? Well you look like one of Father Of Knowledge's freaks! Anyway, do you want me to tell you something?"
She looked aside as she knew better than to give him a reply. He let out a chuckle.
"Well, tell me, do you know who you work for?"
He pulled up a chair and sat on it backwards and rested his arms on the back. He let out a sigh.
"I mean in general. Like did you know that there have been over one hundred rebellions have risen up over that the Emperor has been in power. Yet here's the strange part, somehow, for some reason, the guy that led them all looks identical! Bar none!"
She looked at him shocked.
No, no I did not. She thought, although she knew than to speak it out loud.
"No. I guess not. It seems that you're useless to us. As I have given you some food for thought, I will wheel you to your room now."
She looked at him with a frown. He chuckled as he got up and then walked behind her. She felt a tremor as he kicked. She rocked back and she felt herself moving. He wheeled her forward. Suddenly her body rested back and she felt the electricity run throughout her body. Her mind was completely blinded by the pain as he quickly wheeled her down the corridor. She then wanted for the pain to end. Then finally her body fell forward. She panted as her body was coated with boiling sweat and twitched.
Then she felt the cuffs come off and she was thrown into the cell. She was far too sore and exhausted to get up. All she could do was lie there and breathe heavily and wait for the twitching and itching to stop. Her eyes closed although she was neither asleep or awake.
She, later that day, got up. She knew that she was nowhere near the factory as if she was then the whole building would have blown up by now. Yet then came the question, if she was not there then where was she? Would Light Bringer and the others be able to find it? When she thought about him she remembered what Ash Tree Grove said.
Was he really the one that led all those rebellions? Maybe he was part of a family of rebel leaders? Maybe…
Or maybe that guy was just trying to create a seed of doubt?
Why? What purpose would he have to lie like that?
To do those seeds of doubt so that I would cause a deviation of loyalty. So that the Evil Emperor would be able to turn their greatest hope into the one responsible for their greatest defeat.
Maybe I'll ask Wolf Raven about all of this once I have gotten out of here. Whatever here is.
She then felt the hunger sink in. She sat on the floor of the cell. As the hunger became painful she pulled her legs in. She realised that she was alone in this.
Why should I expect to be rescued? After all, would they really rescue me because of some prophecy? Or was it nothing but a pack of lies?
But what about To Break Son Of Peter? Would he have died over a pack of lies?
No, he wouldn't. He would only die over something that he believed in. Also what if Ash Tree Grove was the liar? After all, if they shoot their own men over getting injured, I don't think that it would be too far a stretch to think that they would lie just to sow a bit of doubt.
She then heard the door of the cell open. Ash Tree Grove came in. He gave a big to the other guards and nodded. They then left without question.
"Tell me, do you think that you are special?"
Not really. After all, how can the piece of the most evil witch be special? The only thing that does would only come from Rého Rosecastle and Rého Rosecastle alone.
She rolled her eyes as he closed the door behind him. He let out a sigh as he took out a box and a wooden plate. On it were several turquoise cubes.
"Alright, if you answer I'll give you a square! Now answer. Do you think that you are special?"
She remained firm and still.
I don't know.
"Alright, are you from another world?"
"Yes."
He smiled.
"Tell me, has your leader told you the prophecy about a person from another world?"
"Only the stereotypical stuff. That someone from another world will kill this Evil Emperor that has kept everyone oppressed." She said as she let out a sigh.
He picked up two cubes and he fed her the two squares. It tasted like chocolate and marzipan.
"Alright. Did he review the prophecy exactly?"
Just play along.
"No." She lied.
"Alright. I'll tell you!"
Why?
He cleared his throat.
"'One day completely like any other,
Comes over person from works another,
From her mouth something is restored,
Cuts with the evil and his dark cord,
She will summon her banner of fire,
Her smoke come and rose higher,
Hey flash will be the only thing
That will stay and remain,
Her legend will roar and sing,
She goes on and leaves again!"
He smirked as he saw the hunger in her eyes. Yet this had planted hope in her heart as she could tell that, by his tone, he was not lying.
So, I will find a way out of this world! Which means that I will end up in another world, maybe mine…
"Do you know why I told you that?"
Oh no.
He came close to her.
"Because that is what someone that comes to this world is always told. Every single one of them. Including that weirdo Rého Rosecastle who was far too wrapped up in his weird mission to kill a witch to care." He told her.
He pulled back as he smiled, knowing that he had done what he set out to.
"Enjoy your-"
That was when they heard a bang. This was followed by gunfire. He looked back and his eyes widened. He then ran out and had forgotten to close the door behind him. So she got up and walked out as sirens went off. She knew that they had come to rescue her. She then saw the other cells and the other guards running around the place. She needed to get them out of here and she needed a gun.
She ran at one of the guards and, before he could react, punched him in the face. She got his gun and kicked him in the stomach. She then raised his gun to him. She looked at his eyes, which had hardened eyes. She ran what she had seen at the factory in her mind and she closed her eyes and squeezed then another shot came. She looked at him as there were two shots in his head, one in the front and the other in the side.
She looked up to see a guard that had shot at him. She then felt anger rise within her and she raised the gun and fired at him. She then did not allow her time to process what she had just done. She then immediately went on to another and shot at him. She ran on as she could feel her hands shaking.
She, with shaky hands, took the keys and unlocked one cell after the other. She then gave them all a weapon. They soon went on to fire at each and every one of the guards. She felt her heart beat in her mind as it felt light in her chest.
She then looked up to see another guard coming at her. She fired at him and she ran on and forced herself onto firing at another guard and another and another. She forced herself not to focus upon the fact that she was taking lives. She forced herself to remind herself of what would happen if she was not the one to kill them.
She soon got to a door. She then looked at the bottom and turned to one of the guards. She knew that he was clearly an empty well. She then looked for one of the air vents. She then heard a loud bang and felt blood fall from her neck and she felt like she was choking on her own blood. She crouched down and looked at the guard. She soon saw that he had bitten down on something. In the next moment he then shook violently. Foam came out of his mouth and his eyes bulged.
Did he just take his own life? Why? Did he really think that we would hurt him? Did he really think that it was better to die than to live?
What would you expect?
She knew that she had to get out of her mind. She had to focus on getting her and the other prisoners out of here. She then looked at the door and raised her gun and it opened it.
"Loc!" Exclaimed Silver Winter.
"N-no t-time. W-we n-need to-to get th-them out of here."
She looked back at them and smiled.
"Good work. Come along!" She said and they soon ran after her out of the prison.
They were led to the buses. She was shaking as she clapped on the steps. Silver Winter grabbed her and pushed her on and then she too fell. She looked down at the front beside her. There was a bullet hole in her back. Her eyes were gone. She let out a scream as she knew that she was no longer alive. She rushed to her and could feel that the body was becoming colder and colder. She felt her tears fall and fall like rain.
No, no, no! No! No! No! Why?
Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see none other than Wolf Raven. He looked down at her with a warm smile. Suddenly she noticed that he was slightly handsome.
"What happened there?" He asked, his voice covered with concern.
She stuttered and wept as she told him. He crouched down and hugged her. He pulled her up and guided her to the back and put her seatbelt on. They were soon off and the prison exploded.
"So he told you the full prophecy, did he?" He asked, after Loc had calmed down.
"Yeah. Do you think there's any merit to that?" She asked, her voice hollow.
"I should think so. Loc, good work."
"Thank you."
The Team
She woke up early in the morning. She felt slightly hollow and pulled herself inwards as she thought about the events of the day before. She saw the guard being killed by his own work colleagues as clear as day. She felt the gun in her hands and felt herself shaking as she remembered her killing all those guards. She felt herself crying again and buried her head into the covers as she just had to take her time crying.
Got another person killed. Can't believe it! She thought over and over and over again as she cried and cried. Why do people in my life keep dying? Am I cursed or something?
She could not stop herself and could do nothing but cry and wipe away the tears and repeated this again and again and again. She tried to get hold of herself but the more she tried to control herself the less control she had. She forced herself to get control over her breathing but she became suffocated by the tears. She found herself forcing her breath in and out and this helped calm herself down. This started the end of her tears as she wiped the rest of her tears. She stayed there until she had become fully calm.
Once she was ready, she changed into a purple shirt and black combat trousers. She walked to the café and ate one of the cubes that tasted like a spicy cabbage. She thought about taking another, but decided against it. She then walked to the library. There she buried her head in a book to take her mind off the events of the day before. She soon finished that book. It gave her a small history of furniture. Which she found mildly interesting after all it was quite intriguing to read about how different the furniture developed in this world.
She turned around to see Wolf Raven and Light Bringer. They looked at her with unreadable expressions.
"Are you alright, Loc?" Asked Wolf Raven.
She nodded.
"Yeah, should be, sir!"
He cleared his throat.
"Sorry. Yes, I should be Wolf Raven."
He smirked.
"Anyway, enough of that. Come with us." Light Bringer said, taking her hand.
She was led to his desk. There she was greeted by To Break, To Open and Life.
"Are you alright?" To Break asked.
She nodded.
"Yeah you?"
"Well this past week has been busy. The ones that you helped save are getting the counselling that they need. So it's been the same as usual."
"I'm here!" Distant Battle said as he came in.
"Then we're all here!" Sang Light Bringer.
"Yes, now Loc. I believe you know who these people are?" Wolf Raven asked.
"Yes."
"Well Light Bringer and I have been talking and we thought that these would be the best team for you. Any objections?"
"None." She replied, slightly relieved.
He smiled.
"Good. Now I think the five of you ought to stay here for the next hour. After all, you need to get to know your team. See you all in an hour."
She nodded, leaving Loc feeling slightly lost and shy.
"So Loc, why do people of your world just people's names and not their meaning?" Distant Battle asked.
"I don't know. Why do you go by the meaning of the name instead of the name?"
"We believe that it's because when someone tells people their name or figures out their name that one gains power over the person. Although it's long since been debunked it still doesn't stop people from continuing the tradition."
Her eyes widened.
"Like name craft?"
"'Name craft'?"
"It's what we call magic involving names."
"Wait, magic exists in your world?"
"Yeah."
"I don't believe it!"
"It's true. But I guess things like that must work differently here."
"Maybe. I thought it was just superstition that we couldn't be bothered to get rid of."
She rolled her eyes.
"Well, you did not believe in powers and other worlds."
He opened his mouth and closed it again.
"So what's your favourite colour?"
"Amethyst people. Yours?"
"The colour of my eyes. In fact, I don't know if it's the same as in your world, but I'm this one, our eyes turn our favourite colour. Our skin becomes our least favourite colour. Then our horns become the colour that matches our personality." Distant Battle explained.
"And is there anything about your features that are inherited?"
"Our body and bone structure."
She nodded.
"What about you?"
"Everything, such as eye colour, skin, bones and hair colour. However certain events can have an effect on our features."
"So what's your story?"
She then opened her mouth and told them all about her life and world and all she did there. She told them about what she was, the story of her birth, her time in the Forest Of Illusions, her time in the academy, the Sunburners, how she got the Books of Grasharlo, including the finding of the silver and gold key rings and the revelation that it looked to and how she ended up in this world. It helped her sort through the whole thing. By the time she was done her head felt clearer than it had been in a long time. It was like her head was organising itself after years of confusion and suddenly realising just how much space there was in there.
"That explains a lot."
"Life, what about you?"
Life sat next to Distant Battle as To Break and To Open sat next to each other.
"Well it's nothing special. I was born in the favourable houses and all of my brothers went out to serve in the army. They were tasked to guard a powerstation that was soon bombed. Then my brothers were killed and we were told that they were fighting the rebels but I soon found out that wasn't the case. See, they were killed by their own squadron members. I was then kidnapped by one of the rebels and they exposed me to other atrocities that the empire had committed."
She took a glass of water and drank.
"Then I was committed to the task. I was sent on a few missions and I was able to recruit a fair few people from the favourable houses. That was when I was betrayed by one of my friends. Then I fell into the hands of Father Of Knowledge. Then he killed my whole family! And…well…you know the rest."
Loc them waited for everyone to process what had just been said. She turned to To Open.
"Will you go next?"
She nodded.
"Alright. I want to start by saying that my mother was taken as a virgin to one of the favourable houses. There she was forced to serve her evil master there. It didn't matter in what way out how, including with her body. She knew that it was her beauty they put her in the situation that she was in. She made sure that she served her role better than everybody. One slip up would have cost her her family. A family member every time she did not please him. It was during this time that she became pregnant with me. She told her master of this and he got her locked up." She explained as she took a sip and then downed the whole glass of water.
"When I was born he took me from my mother and made sure that I was his child. Once it was confirmed, he hid me away. I was closely watched to ensure that I never showed any resemblance to my father. While growing, I grew close to my mother. The moment that I showed a resemblance to my father she grew away from me. Then she instilled a hatred for both me and him. This caused me to hate him too, but I felt myself growing lonely as I knew that I was no longer loved by my mother. She had even strangled me several times. When the others noticed this they took me away and killed her." She spoke with a shaky voice.
To Break took her hand and stroked it. This calmed her down.
"Then when the rebels attacked shortly after, I joined it. It was my first taste of freedom. Yet because I needed education they gave it and once I had caught up and overtook my age. Then soon, I was on my first mission. I didn't do well but after a high risk mission I was soon captured and ended up being acquired by Father Of Knowledge who was a close friend of my father."
They took their time to process that.
"To Break?"
"Similar to To Open but I was able to escape and I spent my time in the streets and my mother rejected me from day one. So I spent my time scavenging. I was taken in when I was thirteen by a strange man, who turned me into his slave. During this time I stole from him and educated myself. I soon found out that my mother was dead. Then, when I got what I needed from him I ran away. Started a gang that mugged as many people as we could. Soon I rose to the top. Then all came to an end when I was found by my father and he killed my friends and captured me. Only for him to stop me to Father Of Knowledge and you know the rest."
They waited again. Then she turned to Distant Battle.
"I'm Distant Battle. When I was a boy my family was wiped out by Evil Emperor himself. Although he always wore a mask and had a voice filter that disguised his voice. Me and my brothers and sisters were the only survivors. Mainly because the favourable houses wanted to sell us all to Father Of Knowledge. After all, he needed guinea pigs and as children of traitors, we were with less than corpse worms. So he performed many, many experiments on us. One caused my sisters to die and it was soon when the others ended up dead too. One of which damaged my voice and he replaced it with this robotic one. Then the rebellion took hold of the lab I was in. See, they were after Father Of Knowledge and they had found out that he was located in the lab, they came. Yet he got away but I soon joined the rebellion."
They all soon fell silent. All had to take time to think about what had been said. For a while they thought about all that they had said and processed it.
"We all have had a great deal of strife in our lives and for you, the Evil Emperor is the common denominator."
"And now you know why he must fall." Wolf Raven spoke.
They looked back.
"I was listening the whole time, and I must admit I feel nothing but sorrow for you. Which is why I think that the name 'Team Sorrow' would be a fitting name for you."
"Yeah. I do, so to Team Sorrow!"
"'Team Sorrow'."
The Next Faze
They all followed the map to a great hall and they found their seats painted amethyst purple. Painted at the top was a tear on fire. She took her seat in the centre. The rest of her team sat next to her. She knew that they would be best friends from now on. Maybe she could consider them her family in time. Yet she knew that they would be a family that she would be forced to see grow old and turn to dust before her very eyes, as she was frozen in time.
This made her realise that she could not get too close to anyone or she would be too attached, knowing that every time she did, she would destroy herself every time they would die. She felt her heart ache at the prospect of having to spend forever alone and ageless in this strange world and its strange people. She also knew that she would have to translate this attitude to how she would conduct herself as a leader. Yet she could not quite tell if she was truly ready for the role. After all, she had barely been in this role long and she had only just come back from her first mission. A mission that she was captured after completing and almost escaping from.
She still felt unsettled, yet she no longer felt as lost as she was. In fact she felt like, with these people, she could be happy. Well as happy as she could given her circumstances. She felt like she had been found after being in a desert for years, by people that would help her axcel in what she needed to in order to thrive. She could not yet know what the future held but she knew that she would face it head on. If she did not find a way back to her world then this world would become her home now and she was determined to fight for it. She had to, even if it would cost her everything.
Light Bringer walked onto the stage with Wolf Raven beside him. They all stood and put their hands on their hearts. Loc read that this was a sign that they would put their hearts into the rebellion and their fight for their freedom. The reason for the singing was to boost morale.
"To fight,
This night,
And the dark,
Stop it and hark!
"We will be the light,
In this world not right,
As we sing,
We will bring,
Our freedom and good,
Under our secret hood!
"In the hearts soever crushed,
When days deaths were so rushed,
We embrace in honour and blood,
Lives lied down for the greater good!
"In their lost name,
We play the game,
Bringing the light,
It's why we fight!"
The words took on more meaning as Loc remembered To Break Son Of Peter, Silver Winter and that one guard that was killed by his work colleagues. She also remembered everything that she had been through in this world. Yes those words meant more to her now. This world was so dark, so they had to bring some light, any light to it. Even if a creature of darkness like herself would bring it she would. Maybe it would make up for a fraction of what she did in her past life as the evil Dark Lady Grasharlo. Maybe she could step into the light for good's own purpose.
She then caught a glimpse of the people who she recognized as prisoners that they had all helped free. She was glad that they had decided to come and join them. She felt rested and asked as she knew that they would all be grouped up with people that would both benefit them and their skills.
"Right! Now that we have all that over and done with, we all have to be proud of the amazing progress that we all have made! In fact all have done better than expected. We have destroyed the main weapons factory and we have taken the prison that was filled with people, who's only crime was that they wanted to be free! I can't tell you just how much of a monumental moment this is. We are coming to the final phases and soon all of us will know what it feels like not to have to hide or be oppressed!"
"Yeah!"
"Long live the life of freedom!"
"'Long live the life of freedom'!"
"Long live the life of freedom! Long live the life of freedom! Long live the life of freedom! Long live the life of freedom! Long live the life of freedom! Long live the life of freedom! Long live the life of freedom! Long live the life of freedom!" They changed as they all clapped and cheered.
"However, it will take a lot longer until we are free! We may have struck a major blow to the empire, but it will take a lot more to take the power of the white empire down. We may be in the final phases but still have a daunting task ahead of us but, I know, together we can do this!"
He took a moment to let everyone let that sink in.
"We have yet to discover the identity of the Evil Emperor himself, but rest assured we will and this fiend that has brought so much evil into our lives will be put to the sword!" Shouted Light Bringer.
"Yes we will and when he shows his cowardly face and nothing but hell will pay!"
"Yeah!"
"We will dedicate a team on finding the Old Library, where it is said his past is known. However before we do that, we need to obtain a great many things first. All will have a team dedicated to every single one of them! We will need to find other areas where weapons are made. Then make weapons for ourselves!"
"Yeah!"
"We will soon be finished with this island too. Once we have, we will leave behind a team to maintain this location. Once we do, we will soon be in the lion's den."
Are we really that far? Loc thought as she looked amazed.
"Remember, we have ended one phase, but as I said, we must stay vigilant. The future is always unpredictable! What may rise greatly one moment but fall greatly the next."
Makes sense. After all, if he has done this over a long time, he would know that.
Her eyes slid to Wolf Raven, yet she noticed that he was strangely attractive.
✴️
Later, Light Bringer met with Wolf Raven in his office. He tapped the sides of the pages on the table.
"That was an excellent speech!" He exclaimed as he put the pages in a file.
Light Bringer rubbed his throat as he smirked slightly shy.
"Thank you."
"Are you alright?" He cooed, concerned.
"Yeah, speeches always make my throat hurt." He confessed. "I can't wait until all of this is over."
He chuckled warmly as he poured a yellow liquid into a cup.
"Then take a good rest. Here, have this."
He drank the syrup.
"Thank you. That's better."
He smiled as he placed a hand on his head.
"So what do you think about our dear Loc? And, again, thank you for the drink."
"Just doing my duty. As for Loc, she seems... promising."
"Do you think that she can do it?"
His eyes narrowed slightly as he took a moment as he thought.
"No. Although, I think she will be the one that will go the furthest."
"How far do you think she'll get?"
Wolf Raven played around with his pendant. He smiled as he rubbed the piece with jagged edges. Then his eyes narrowed as if he was making equations in his head. He was quiet for a moment then broke out into a laugh.
"I think that she will get as far as the Evil Emperor himself!"
Light Bringer's eyes widened in shock.
"You think so?"
Wolf Raven smiled.
"Yes."
"You're not putting too much faith in her?"
"No. The others did not have the same conviction as the girl. Although the one that came before her…" He let out a sigh. "Well unless it had anything that could take down his witch then he had zero interest. He was very frustrating to me."
"Why do you think that she has more conviction?"
"The others were only doing this for the piece. She is here because of an accident and as she doesn't have a way back, she has nothing to lose."
He nodded.
"And will you tell her how to leave?"
He looked down at the piece.
"No. Not yet."
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