While a certain group continued to move towards their destination, not far behind was a completely separate group investigating a strange occurrence. These people were professionals. The elite of the most elite. If you were to ask someone on who would be the best at getting any job done, many would likely answer with them. They did these things for free. There was no charge to their jobs nor did they require any to begin with. Everything they did was for their people. This is what made them so notorious. Their might, their fame, and most of all…

Their bravery.

???: [Wow! Look at the mess that was made here! There’s barely anything that isn’t destroyed or on fire! I’m not sure there’s much we can even do!]

???: [There is still much that can be done, Sol. That is the very reason we are here. Focus on the task at hand.]

Sol: [Yep, yep! I know what to do, Lady Devi! But honestly, I just felt like something this small would be left to the god trainee people! We don’t have to do it ourselves!]

Devi: [I’ve spoken many times about this. Nothing will come of the new student batch. We have not had a change since long before any of our times. Get Estrella to investigate the area to our right. You shall check the left. I plan on moving towards the burning building ahead.]

Sol: [Yep, yep! As you command, Lady Devi! Honestly, you don’t need to do such grand spectacles all by yourself!]

Within a town that had both been burnt and was still burning to the ground were a group of elite warriors. One of which had been the ruler of the world herself, a woman dressed in black and red clothing, Devi Bloodfire. Along with her were many of her captains, one of which being a beige woman with long pink hair named Sol. Her name was given to her by Devi who found her when she was only fifteen. She was adorned in silk orange and dark red clothing that did not cover very much on her body. Along her entire body were different sets of jewelry, constantly dangling and clattering around as she moved. No matter the scenario, she was very energetic and happy. Even if being scolded by Devi, she would likely acknowledge her shortcomings with a smile on her face. She was also Devi’s right hand woman, since in Devi’s own words when she first found and named Sol, a woman who burns as much as her would require the very sun itself. She also gained her position due to her strength, as Sol was incredibly strong both physically but also with her element of fire. What she lacked in matōki she only made up for with her other areas.

Devi continued to move forward towards a building that was still on fire. It had not spread far enough that the whole thing would come tumbling down, but in mere minutes it would likely reach that point. She pushed past some of the broken pieces of the building that laid in the way and looked at the area surrounding her. There was not much to even be seen in the building, but this was a woman who never gave up. She had the title of Braveheart after all. Would someone with such a title quit before even moving forward?

Devi: [The damages seem normal. If I had to guess, this was likely an arson related attack. To who may have done it, I am still unsure.]

She looked towards the ceiling and walls, noticing holes that were made from damages to the building.

Devi: [Hm. Perhaps they went even further. There is much more damage than just simple arson. It seems whoever was responsible planned on killing whoever resided here. The damages alongside the top, the walls, and even the fire lead to this being the case. There’s even damage…to the floor?]

Devi grew surprised at the sight of the very floor she had been standing on. Around her were holes that had also been made from below. The previous areas to which the building was damaged had made sense within her mind, but this was an oddity within her case.

Devi: [If they wanted to attack through the floor, that would require either an ability to attack from below or for the one responsible to move from within the ground and outward towards the building. With this many holes, the former is likely correct. However, why would someone attack from below?]

???: [That answer is simple. They didn’t come here to attack. At least not me.]

From within the halls of the building echoed a voice that Devi was not familiar with. This caused her to raise her attention towards it, however her position did not move. She did not grab the hilt of her blade nor did she shout at the person.

Devi: [May I ask who you are? If possible, could you kindly move out here as well?]

???: [Explaining who I am without you seeing me would be difficult. You might wanna move over here if you need to chat. As for the second, I’m not too sure I want to move right now. I think I’d rather let the fire take me instead.]

Devi: [Very well. I shall come to you so we may speak.]

???: [Oi, oi. Are you serious? I might be an enemy, you know?]

Devi: [That is certainly possible. Please direct me towards where you are.]

???: [You sure are a crazy woman. Alright, it’s a bit hard to tell you but I’m at the farthest back room. You can get here if you follow my voice in the strongest direction, if you’re good at that anyways. Otherwise, you might just wanna leave for your own safety.]

Devi: [To your voice, then? Understood. Let us speak as I make my way towards you. It would be best if I could learn about this building as well as the town here whilst I move.]

???: [Seriously, what a crazy woman…]

Devi began to move in different directions and hallways as she traversed in order to reach the voice on the opposite side. It was a large building with moss growing over it and dust that continued to pile on top of the surfaces. Despite its size, and how little oxygen was actually provided within, Devi continued to move without a problem.

Devi: [This building, when was the last time it was used?]

???: [Might be odd to say, but me. I was the last person who was used for this building’s purpose. Experiments were the primary facility here. Whether it was actually viewed as a good thing or not, that’s up to you. The people that were here are long gone by now though.]

Devi: [I see. And the town?]

???: [There were people who lived there. Yesterday was probably their last day here. I never paid attention to them, it’s not like I’ve even moved, but I had a friend visit. I guess he’s an old friend by now, so I’m not entirely sure if I can describe him in that way, but he visited. After that, I was the only one here.]

Devi: [I see. This friend, what was the purpose of his visit?]

???: [He just wanted to chat with me. He asked me some things, and I didn’t entirely agree with everything. He just wanted to speak before he went his own way. Not sure about anything else he did. I just know that he came to talk.]

Devi: [Could you describe this friend for me?]

???: [He’s like me. That’s all I can really say.]

Devi: [May I ask why?]

???: [You don’t seem bad. I have no reason to get you involved in something that will only harm you.]

Devi: [Rest assured, I am quite capable of handling myself.]

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

???: [That’s nice. My point still stands.]

Devi: [Hm.]

She continued to walk before entering a room with multiple monitors set on the wall. Below them was a desk with files listing off many details she was unsure about. She collected them in order to help with her investigation, but looked at the two pieces of paper that stood out to her. One of them had a large header that read CODE NAME: N1GHTM4R3. The other read CODE NAME: B34M. After moving the papers into a secured case, she continued to walk down the hallway that she was in. An open doorway was on the other side, and to her left were multiple large windows. Inside the room next to her was an operating table, along with tools and cabinets filling the room. Much like everything else, dust and mold filled the area. There was one more thing however that was within that room. A human. They were tall, incredibly tall. She only saw the person in a seated position, but they were likely above that of six feet. Along with this, they seemed well built. Their muscles had caused their clothing to bend in conjunction with them. Their clothing was simple, merely a black sweater and jeans, with black running shoes to finish their look. Just like her right hand woman, this man had pink hair. The right sided bangs of his hair were styled upward into the air, with the back end of his hair tied into a ponytail. They were seated, with an arm hanging over their leg and their head placed downwards. They were likely dead…or at first, they seemed that way. Their head rose as their eyes met with Devi’s and they spoke to her.

???: [I’ll be damned. You actually made it.]

The man gave a faint smile towards Devi as she moved towards the doorway. She stopped in front of it before speaking to the man once again.

Devi: [If I am to guess, you were one of the many files of experiments listed on the table?]

Nightmare: [That’s me. N1GHTM4R3. If you really feel like it, you can call me Nightmare. That’s what I heard going around anyways.]

Devi: [I see. So you aren’t the one with the name of B34M but instead, the first file.]

Devi looked back up from her papers to see the man with his eyes now casted downwards. The faint smile from before faded completely.

Devi: [Was B34M your friend perhaps?]

Nightmare: [Nope. Never met them. I’m just upset hearing that though.]

Devi: [Upset? Over a name?]

Nightmare: [...It means I wasn’t the only one…]

Nightmare gripped the tiles seated below him, crushing them under the force of his fingers. Though Devi focused on her investigation, she could plainly see the difference in his mood following her words.

Devi: [May I ask for you to stand? I would like to speak with you further, and preferably in a place that is not as dangerous as this.]

Nightmare: [You’re nice and all, Miss…]

Devi: [Devi. Devi Bloodfire.]

Nightmare: [Devi, you’re nice and all. But I got some sad news for you. I don’t plan on moving.]

Devi: [May I ask why?]

Nightmare: [From the very beginning, I’m not sure I had a purpose. I was given what they called a gift, but I’m not too sure it’s a gift. I haven’t done anything. I haven’t had a reason to do anything. They told me this was a great success, and a step in the right direction for the world, but what was the point in any of this? I’ve lived my life here for years and years. This same town, this same building, this same floor. Not once have I moved.]

Devi: [Surely you have moved in order to live.]

Nightmare: [Not one bit. The people who used to live in this town, I probably knew their ancestors or something like that.]

The words Nightmare spoke had slightly altered the focused Devi, causing her to question the very statement he spoke.

Devi: [Ancestors?! You mean to say that you’ve lived here for that long?! Without ever moving?!]

Nightmare: [Yep. Nothing has really changed for me. It’s always just been this place. I had some friends waiting for me, but they’re either long gone now, or they’re somewhere else entirely. We all told each other that we’d meet up again, but I got a little carried away and ended up here. Now…I’m this.]

Devi: [Have you never considered the idea of living for yourself? Not for any commands given, but just for the sake of living?]

Nightmare: [Why should I? There’s nothing really for me to do. If I’m gonna do anything, I’ll do it by following others. I won’t listen to anything but a command.]

Before she could speak up again, a plank of wood fell from the ceiling, interrupting their chat with its noise.

Nightmare: [You should probably leave, Miss Devi. This whole thing is reaching its climax. I’m gonna get some well deserved rest now.]

Devi: [I still have questions–]

Nightmare: [There’s no point in asking questions! We’ve hit the end of our conversation. Sorry to tell you, but just like I said, I’m not moving. I’ve never had a reason to live and I’m sticking to that. You enjoy yourself. There should be enough info in those files that can at least help you learn more about me if need be. Otherwise, well, you’re on your own.]

Devi: [Wait!]

Multiple planks then fell against the doorway, and Nightmare tilted his head downwards. Their conversation, much like he had said, had ended. For one final time, he let a smile grow on his face.

Nightmare: [Finally…I can get some sleep.]

He shut his eyes as the sound of fire grew louder. Along with the fire were the thuds of planks hitting the floor. The room was hot, but he did not mind. He continued to enjoy his peaceful moment.

The chipping of fire increased with the thuds of wood.

Louder.

Even louder.

It only grew.

Nightmare thought back to his past. Everything that he had done. Everything that had been done to him. The countless amount of days he waited here. He thought about everything.

Nightmare: [In the end, it really was that asshole who came and saved me…huh.]

He was unsure how to feel about the fire that surrounded him, and why it had been there, but he accepted it. It was finally his way out.

Louder.

And Louder.

No.

It did not increase in volume.

In fact, the fire became a tiny bit more distant.

The wood had only made loud thuds to his left and right, but not in front.

Why?

Why was that?

He moved his head upward in confusion as shock slowly started to form.

Nightmare: [You’re kidding…]

In front of him was a parted pathway of fire, and at the very end of it, was a woman holding a large mass of wood above her with one of her arms. Her other arm had been outstretched towards Nightmare.

Devi: [YOU SAID YOU HAD NO REASON FOR LIVING, CORRECT? I SHALL GIVE YOU YOUR REASON THEN! YOU SAID YOU WILL ONLY FOLLOW OTHERS, CORRECT? THEN I SHALL TELL YOU WHO YOU WILL FOLLOW! YOU SAID THAT YOU WILL ONLY LISTEN TO COMMANDS, CORRECT? THEN I SHALL NAME WHO SHALL COMMAND YOU!]

Her eyes, her hair, everything about her had seemed as though it was on fire. She was not truly encapsulated by the fire, but her body radiated an energy similar to it. This woman was the one known as Braveheart. This woman…was Devi Bloodfire.

Devi: [I AM DEVI BLOODFIRE! THE CURRENT RULER OF THE WORLD AND THE WOMAN WITH THE TITLE OF BRAVEHEART! FROM THIS POINT ONWARDS, YOU SHALL SERVE ME! NOW TAKE MY HAND!]

He had no reason to accept.

More than anything, he wanted to accept the fire around him.

This woman was crazy for trying to speak with him.

She was crazy for trying to take him along with her.

She was crazy for denying him what he wanted.

He did not believe this woman was sane in the slightest.

He had no reason to live.

No reason to move forwards.

No reason to truly think.

Despite this…he quickly outstretched his arm towards the woman.

Their hands met with a loud clap as she pulled him upwards.

From there, they escaped the collapsing building without a single scratch.

In Nightmare’s head remained a single thought.

What a crazy woman.

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After the building collapsed, Devi returned to her team. With her was someone entirely new that none of them had been familiar with. Despite him being new, he was welcomed with open arms by them.

Sol: [Ohoho! So we have a new member to our team?! Yahoo! This is very exciting to hear!]

Estrella: [I liked it a little better when we didn’t have too many people, but this guy seems nice. So I accept.]

A pale woman just a few inches smaller than Sol joined the conversation. She had short light blue hair divided into five large ends. She wore a cropped white jacket that had the shape of a star cut out of it from the back. Her shirt had been decorated with small stars, and her pants had chains hanging along the sides with a star design to them. Her shoes matched the same blue color as the rest of her outfit, and had incredibly small stars patterned across them. Forming what almost looked like glitter.

Devi: [From now on, I shall refer to you as Night. I will not rob you of your name, but for whatever purpose you were made, you were given the name that you once had. Therefore, I shall mold it into the name that will serve you from this day forward.]

Night: [Lady Devi…]

Devi: [You will serve as an elite in my force, alongside Sol and Estrella.]

Estrella: [How come he gets it that easily?]

Sol: [Yeah! I thought I was the right hand lady!]

Devi: [The troops in my force are all equal with one another. No one is greater than those among them nor worse. Even if you are my right hand, Sol, you are still of equal importance as the others. Besides, both of you obtained your roles as soon as you were chosen, were you not?]

At the sound of her response, the two women began to let their eyes drift off in embarrassment as they had realized how foolish the original question had been. Alongside their drifting gazes, Night, who stood in front of Devi kneeled down towards her with his fist planted into the ground.

Night: [Lady Devi, I thank you.]

Devi: [Stand, Night.]

Night: [It is because of you that I was able to overcome my past. I was able to overcome my own stubbornness. Even if it takes an eternity, I shall repay you with my service no matter the cost!]

Devi: [I will not repeat my order. There is no need to thank me. Much like my troops, my life is equal to that of your own. You have already repaid what you owe by serving.]

Night began to stand as he looked back to the woman he now served.

Night: [Regardless, I will do my very best to repay you. Even if I already have, I will do so a thousand times over.]

A smile rose on Devi’s face. It wasn’t odd to see emotion from her, but there were not many times where she truly expressed it.

Devi: [That is the energy that I enjoy seeing. Muy bien.]

Sol: [So what happens now?]

Devi: [There isn’t much to go off of. I believe for now we will conduct the report we have and head back to the castle. The selection is still underway, and that will take a much larger priority than this matter for the time being.]

As she gave her final words regarding her investigation, Devi and her team walked away from the destroyed town.

With them was a brand new member with mysterious origins.

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