AN: This isn't really a chapter, just some stuff I wrote as it came to mind. Hopefully it gives you a better idea of Lileas' personality.

Like all my other series, these notes now have no meaning...

But that won't stop me from making them!

As good ol' Albert once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing while expecting different results." or something. It's probably someone else who said that, and I'm totally wrong...

But hey, what else am I doing, besides writing the same story of a demented person who suffered trauma, loses a part of themself, and then takes it out on the world?

What have I been writing, except for the same story, seven times? The names may change,  and the situation, the piece that breaks off, but...

Everything I've written on royal road has been the same story, with different names.

But then, if that's the case...

...why am I still trying to tell it, if it's already been told?

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-The Emperors' Laboratory-

As we walked down the wood-paneled hallway, I made sure that the shadow was quiet and not up to something. The ghoul, meanwhile, was sort of half-hobbling and half-hopping, like he was trying to run a three-legged race with a single leg. I should probably stop using similes...

We came to a nondescript door, with vertical slanting boards and no blemishes on the polish. The ghoul opened it and waved us through like a gentleman, and I stepped through, took one look at the roof, the walls, the floor, the waist-high table in the middle, then turned around, pulled my scarf down as fast as I could, and threw up all over the shadow.

He dodged (unfortunately) by leaping backward. Subsequently, I was refused the satisfaction of making the shadow uncomfortable, and left to get on my hands and knees and puke. I waited until it stopped, looked over my shoulder, then went right back to throwing up.

The shadow stepped past me and stood next to the ghoul while looking at...that. Just the thought evoked yet another round of my new favorite thing, ejecting my organs through my throat. Between hurls, I could make out a short conversation.

The shadow started, "In the name of all that is unholy, this is quite a mess. I don't know if I could make a mess like this even if I tried..."

The ghoul hacked out, "Hehehe, you praise me too much. This was just an experiment to see how much force the fluids in a body can exert. The results were very...encouraging. As you can see."

The shadow snorted. "You can give me tips later, for now we should get the mouse accustomed to her living quarters.  Once she's done over there, of course..."

The ghoul made a shocked sound. "You mean he's a she? With that grip? That also means that you were helpless before a woman..."

The shadow practically growled, "She's fifteen."

The ghoul took a second, then burst out into laughter, a sort of wheezing cough. "Really? With that height? For the great Jax to be held against his will by a girl half his age...people will start to think you're into some weird stuff, if this gets around."

I stand up and wipe off what bile I can, then turn left until I'm facing the wall opposite from...that, and sidle up to the shadow. He still seems out of sorts. "Wha- what are you saying! It was obvious that I couldn't do anything!"

"That doesn't make it sound any better..."

I tap the shadow on the shoulder, then point towards the door opposite of the one we entered. He seems amused by my reaction to...that...and leads me through the door into another hallway. It's spacious, and there are six doors on each side. He points toward the sixth door on the right, and says, "That's where you'll be sleeping for the next...oh, five years, or so? it might take less or more time, depending on how well you learn and adjust to what you'll be dealing with. Looks like we'll have to start from scratch..."

He starts to walk away, but I grab his sleeve as he turns. "You still haven't told me what you did to me on the stairs."

I can't see his expression under his hat, but I get the feeling he's smirking. "Just a little experiment. You are actually quite impressive..."

Lilea is doubtful. "Oh really? How?"

He shakes my hand free, then walks away and throws over his shoulder, "I've never seen someone lose it so fast, or so easily, before. To be honest, it should have taken another five minutes, and you shouldn't have gotten half as crazy. I think you're just weak-willed. We'll see if your ability is up to snuff tomorrow, and maybe you'll somehow get out of here eventually."

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I can get out of this hell-hole? Really?"

He opens the door sixth to the left while saying, "Yep. After two years, I figure you'll snap for good, and we'll have to put you down. Many a novice with twice the will and preparation has come down here, only to turn into a raving lunatic after a week down here. Welcome to the side of the empire no one sees."

The door closes, and I wait a second before going to my room and opening the door. It swings on well-oiled hinges, and inside is a comfortable room. A cot, a dresser, a desk, and a chest, with a clothes hanger by the door. I sigh and put away my clothing, then sit on the bed and realize just how exhausted I am.

It's been...I don't know how long. I don't know when I'll get out. But if I don't do what they say...

My Uncle gave me everything. After seeing what they can do, I no longer have doubts about the shadows' original claim.

If they wanted to kill my uncle, they could do so without any trouble. I hold his life in my hands.

Maybe that's why they haven't stopped twitching.

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-Jaxs' Room-

The moment the door is closed, my legs collapse and I hold my throat while breathing deeply.

This isn't like me. I've always been clear-minded, and barely anything fazes me anymore. I've looked a thousand dying men in the eye, but not once have I looked into my killers' eyes...

Until today.

As I was being held against the wall, I kicked my feet ineffectually and tried to break something. When that didn't work, I tried to break her grab, but she kneed me in the groin. While I was helpless with pain, she crushed my throat and tore the air from my lungs. When the pain tears cleared, I could feel my vision darkening and I saw, in my mind, my last moment.

One, glaring green eye. That's all that was visible. I've seen so many eyes I've learned to read them.

Hate, fear, anger, joy, sorrow, confusion, deception. The green eye, however...looked yearning.

No anger. No hate. Just a want, a lust, a need, to kill me.

I can repress memories...hell, I'd have gone insane if I couldn't, but...

I get the feeling I'll see that green eye when I go to sleep tonight. And the night after. And every night then on.

I'm glad she didn't snap. If she did...I wouldn't have stopped her. I need to be prepared.

I walked over to the desk, then placed my observations of the experiment of the new drug, LSC13, on it before pulling out two of the daggers I had stashed there. I then reached into the handle of one of them, made certain the poison was there, and hid them in my clothes.

If she snaps again, I have to kill her. If I hesitate...

Well, I'm going to be putting weapons in her hands. Let's just hope she either snaps before she surpasses me, or dies before then.

I then went to my bed and put my head to rest. It had been a long day, and tomorrow...

Well, I wouldn't say she would snap for sure...

But, from what I've seen so far, what I show her tomorrow will break her into teeny, tiny, pieces. Then I'll have to kill her. Goodnight, me. Sleep tight.

Don't let the green eye kill you.

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AN:Yeah...this isn't what I started writing. Welp, I hope all of my hyping of the next chapter doesn't go to waste...

...

...

Hah! Sarcasm. Not much action, I didn't even describe the scene on the operating table...but it's late, and I think I'd get a little too into it...

I should stop now, before I do anything crazy. Tomorrow, I think, will be interesting. I'll have to think about it, a lot.

Well, all of the methods have already been thought up, now I just need to dredge them up.

Time to earn my warning level. If I can psyche myself up enough to put what's in my mind into words.

Oh right! I promised j0nn0 some music! Here, another gem.

I wonder if I'm just afraid to write what goes on in my head? Or maybe I'm afraid that other people will read it?