“The world is so noisy…”

This was the sole thought of the girl as she stared out the empty window eyeing the snowfall. Cars and trucks, motorbikes and pedestrians all crowded alongside each other as the evening rush hour took over the city. In the distance she could see the skyline dotted with trams moving their cargo of people or goods across the city at lightning pace.

The girl raised her hand up to her head and ran her fingers through her long white hair that was blemished with small streaks of black. In the window’s glass she saw the reflection of her mask-covered face and the amethyst orbs that peered out of it.

She didn’t know why she hadn’t taken the mask off yet. There was no reason why she couldn’t. No orders, no directives in her mind, no one forcing her to keep it on.

“Maybe I’m just afraid?” the girl said in a monotone voice aloud at the thought. She honestly couldn't even remember her own face even if she tried. For so long she had only seen that porcelain-like mask and those purple eyes as her face.

A weapon didn’t need a face after all.

A weapon didn’t need to think about those useless ideas of how it looked.

A weapon’s only role was to kill, and anything outside of that was useless.

So maybe she was afraid to see whatever monster lurked under that mask. To see that grotesque thing that truly was herself hiding behind that facade.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The girl known as Double-Zero sighed again and stood up from the window. More useless thoughts, she noted.

She was the only one in the desolate apartment room. Most of the few pieces of furniture were broken and covered in dust. It was dark, and getting darker as the sun slowly disappeared and night began to take hold.

She had to get going. Night was the only time where she could freely move about without being easily spotted by her pursuers.

Double-Zero reached down and took the sword and its scabbard that was laid next to the window. She pulled out the blade and inspected its lifeless edge. Out of all her years, this sword was the only thing that had stayed with her. It was the only thing that could keep her safe from her enemies.

And soon those soldiers will come to take her back to that place.

She didn’t even know why she escaped in the first place. Nor did she know how the mental barriers that normally forced her to follow orders didn’t take effect either. In all honesty the whole incident was a blur, as she forgot most of what happened due to running on the pure adrenaline in the rush of the moment. She only remembered the voice in her head and a blackened face while she lied on the operating table:

“.... leave this place, my dear. One day, you will hear from me again. But for now, go, and find your freedom…”

She felt there was more to it, but every time she thought of the face or voice it gave her a head splitting pain that was worse than any wound she had ever received. Any plans of figuring that out would, however, have to wait as there were more pressing issues at hand.

She sheathed the sword and attached it to her back while also checking her other gear for any imperfections. Even though she didn’t know how this chance event happened or why it happened to her, she didn’t want to waste it. As she left the room, she whispered one thing to herself.

“This chance for freedom… I will not give it up. I... I want to find this meaning for myself.”