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This is a story of freedom.
This is a story of love.
This is a story of heartbreak and betrayal.
A story that will change even the evilest of hearts and shape the very world.
This is Level 10.
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☠️Disclaimer☠️
→ You do not have permission to copy this story or its contents, including events, characters and places inside this story.
→ You do not have permission to translate this story or any of my other stories.
→ Level 10 is not based on any other movie or TV show, and everything that happens within this story is from my imagination and mine alone.
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Quote of the story
"Take some time to smell the roses. If you do, you'll be able to see things you couldn't see before, and you'll hear things you've never been able to hear. Life can be a lot of fun if you allow it to be." - Master Makarov, Fairy Tail.
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One spark can start a fire, one drop begins a flood. - Ashes Remain
They say before you start a war, you better know what you're fighting for. - The Cab.
Like a fire running wild, can't contain what's deep inside. - Fireflight
One brick at a time, we watched it fall. - Little Mix, Cheat Codes.
I'm not a quitter. I walk right through the fire. - Blush.
Time is the reason why we fight to stay alive. - Amaranthe.
This is who we are. I don't think we'll ever change. - Avril Lavigne.
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Long description
In the year 2145, a fearless crime lord known as JB rose up and began to use the earth as his warzone, killing anyone who dared oppose him. In response to JB's horrendous laws, a group of scientists created a super breed of humans called Kuri Knights. They have supernatural abilities, depending on their level, one being the weakest and ten being the strongest. Their mission was to serve and protect those who could not defend themselves from JB's reign.
They failed...
In the year 2150, JB took control of the Kuri Knights and organized a game called "The Tournament," which was funded by his right-hand man, Governor Smittz. In this game, teams consisting of four specially trained humans and a Kuri Knight engage in fierce competition against one another. The team that emerges triumphant will earn the esteemed title of Ultimate Champions. However, an organisation known as the Freedom Fights, filled with rogue Kuri Knights, opposes The Tournament and plans to bring JB to justice.
A level ten Kuri Knight working for Governor Smittz has to go undercover and enter The Tournament to find a Freedom Fighter spy within the crews.
All eyes will be on her.
All hearts will beat for her.
Men will fight over her, including the Crime Lord himself.
This is her story.
This is the story of Deedee, the first level ten Kuri Knight ever to enter The Tournament.
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Level 10
Chapter 01: Lies and Deception.
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Year: 2165
Location: Earth
Earths Population: 25.245 billion
City: Central City
City Population: 6.160 billion
Adrenaline courses through my veins like a disease, trying to infect everything in its path. I, however, have learnt to resist its effects and, instead, control it.
Ha, control my emotions? I'm so excited I could choke on air, but not literally, of course. How messed up would that be?
Shaking those thoughts away. I took a slow, deliberate breath, feeling the cool night air fill my lungs. I had to relax myself, or the future events would go horribly wrong.
Oh yes, we wouldn't want a repeat of the last time I lost control. I still feel guilty for destroying those two city blocks. In my defence, having a bucket of urine poured over your head would be enough to make anyone lose control.
Don't even ask how that happened; you wouldn't believe me.
Let's just say that it's a dark and messed up time.
Inhaling, I tightened my grip around the sturdy handle affixed to the helicopter's roof, the cold metal offering a stark contrast to the warmth of my skin. Admittedly, I've always been more inclined to keep my feet firmly planted on the earth, but in this line of work, I've learned to adapt to these high-flying situations.
Still, I would very much like to be grounded right about now.
Lights flash below, lighting up the night sky. They weren't city lights or fireworks. No, these are flashes from a battle raging on in the outer streets. But up here, you can't hear anything, and it seems peaceful.
Nothing is ever what it seems to be.
You're probably wondering who I am. I suppose I better be polite and tell you.
My name is Deedee, but most people know me by my code name, Agent Dee, or simply just D. I am a Kuri Knight, a human with supernatural abilities. I am a level ten Kuri Knight, perhaps the only level ten in the world. It is my dream to use my power to fight for those who can't fight for themselves.
I'm a secret agent working for Governor Smittz, who is the head of the Organisation. We fight against the Freedom Fighters and other Kuri Knights that only bring destruction and death. They are the reason why the outer regions of Central City are burning. They want to bring down the current World Government and replace it with one run by Kuri Knights. A world where normal humans submit to us. But I refuse to let that happen.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
However, I must focus; I can't let my thoughts get ahead of me. I have to stay focused on the mission, or it will fail.
The helicopter begins to hover above a tall building, roughly twenty stories high. Violence fills the streets below as our men try to stop the Freedom Fighters soldiers from advancing further into the city. These soldiers are normal humans, corrupted and influenced by their leaders.
Then again, in this world, the majority of the population is corrupted in one way or another.
It takes me only a short time to notice that organisation men are outnumbered and outpowered. I spot a Kuri Knight, a high-level one by the looks of it. They easily defeat ten of our men with only one punch to the ground. It sent a shockwave in a circular direction, knocking down anyone in its path.
Now you understand how I accidentally destroyed two city blocks. I think that I might've gone overboard, just a little bit.
Really, Deedee? Whatever made you think that?
Before I could scoff at myself, someone slapped my shoulder.
"D? You ready?" I glanced at Agent C, my friend and mentor, as he clipped a silver watch to my right wrist.
"Do I have to answer that?" Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I press the centre of the watch, and it responds with two beeps. Suddenly, a black material envelops me, wrapping around my body like a second skin. It covers every inch of me, including my face and fiery ginger hair, before tightening and solidifying into a sleek suit.
Agent C gives me a nod of his approval. "Alright, she's ready. Open the door!"
I grip the handle tightly as the side door slides open. The night air rushes in. It must be cold because each time I exhale, it creates a trail of steam; however, I cannot feel the temperature of the air because of the suit.
Here we go!
As I ready myself to jump, Agent C grabs my left shoulder. "Remember the mission: capture and secure any Kuri Knight that's down there. Governor Smittz wants them alive."
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
"Do you D? Because last time you were sent to capture one-"
I cut him. "I completed that mission, didn't I?"
Agent C releases my shoulder and crosses his arms. He draws out a long sigh. "You gave him to Governor Smittz-" He pauses. "-in a body bag. The mission was to capture! Not kill."
"Okay! I get it, and I'll do better this time. But just an FYI, it was not my fault! The man drowned!"
"In the drinking fountain?"
"He hit his head!" I defend. "Besides, what did they expect me to do while facing a level six? Let the Kuri Knight gain the upper hand? And get in my mind? I'm sure the Governor would want the Freedom Fighters to get the information in my head."
If the inside of the helicopter had some more light, I'm sure Agent C's olive-green eyes would have just rolled in their sockets.
"We will continue this conversation later. Right now, we need you down there," Agent C takes a step backwards. "On the count of three."
"Yes, Sir."
"One..."
Do you know what I did?
I leapt from the helicopter.
I suppose the right thing to do would have been to wait, but I can't say I'm an impatient person. So I let gravity force my body downwards, tearing through the air around me and towards the street where Organisation men are dropping like flies.
I tucked my arms next to my body and my legs straight. Like a pin dropping, I aim for the middle of the chaos below.
Personally, I enjoy a bit of chaos.
"I didn't say three." Agent C's voice comes through the tiny communication device in my ear.
I grin to myself. "Ops?"
"Why do I get the feeling you're enjoying this?"
"Because I am?" I told him the truth. "You know I'd rather be out here where the action is rather than sitting behind a desk."
"Mhm, now focus! Don't be—"
My feet hit the ground with a hard thud, and the impact caused an indentation beneath me. All Freedom Fighters stop in their tracks and stare at me with weapons in their hands. The majority of them seemed in a daze by my dramatic entrance.
You call that a dramatic entrance? You fell from the fucking sky!
"—seen." Agent C finishes his sentence.
"Um? A little late for that, Sir." I tell him before greeting my enemies with a smile on my lips. "Why, hello there! Don't mind me! I just dropped in to say hello!"
No, really, don't mind me. Come on, attack already! Don't tell me they're all scared. Sure, why wouldn't they be afraid? I'm just a level ten. Shh, don't tell them that; they can win easily against me.
Mhm, sure, Deedee. In their dreams, maybe! Oh, shut up, would you? Who asked for your opinion anyway?
"Agent Dee!" In the dim light, one of our men begins to make his way towards me from behind a fallen tree, but a Freedom Fighter spots him.
"Oh no, you don't!" With a swift kick from my right leg, I cause a shockwave that slices through the air towards the Freedom Fighter. "Enjoy the ride!" I shout as my attack comes into contact with the unexpecting man and knocks him meters into the air.
"Agent Dee! You're here! Thank you for coming!"
"Who are—Duck!" I push the poor man to the ground as a laser bullet zips towards me. Channelling my energy into the suit, I create a shield from my left arm, protecting me. It consumes the attack on impact.
I then grab the man by his armour and pull him up. "How many men do you have left?" Through the tinted goggles in his helmet and the light from flames flickering nearby, I see him frown. My lips part. "I see."
Silence speaks louder than words.
"I'm the only one left," He finally says, anger laced in his voice. "Because it took out five of our squadrons." With a shaky finger, he points to something behind me.
No, not something, someone.
Turning my head, I followed his finger to a female Kuri Knight standing on a balcony. She smiles at me and motions for me to follow her, and then she disappears inside the building.
Now, a normal person wouldn't even consider following some random Kuri Knight.
However, I'm not normal.
Mhm, I'm sure everyone has figured that part out.
"Governor Smittz requests an update. D, what's going on down there?" Agent C's voice comes through the communicator, cutting my thoughts off.
I ignore Agent C. He's gonna kill me later.
Instead, turn my attention to the man. "You need to get to a roof and signal for an extraction."
"What about the Kuri-"
"Leave her to me."
I didn't give him time to answer. With all my focus, I channelled my energy into my feet and propelled myself off the ground, soaring up to the balcony where the Kuri Knight had been standing just moments before.
"Agent D! What is going on-" I cut Agent C off by deactivating the communication device.
Yeah, he's totally going to kill me.
But still, I don't need any distractions. I have my orders. I must capture this Kuri Knight.
Alive, Deedee, remember? A.L.I.V.E.
Gah! Does my subconsciousness think I'm an idiot or something? Please don't answer that.
With a deep breath, I braced myself and forcefully swung open the heavy metal door. It crashed loudly against the inside of the building, shrouded in darkness, before coming to rest on the floor with a resounding clang.
Well, Piddlesticks! If she didn't know I was here, she certainly would know now.
As I entered the unknown, darkness surrounded me. However, as a Kuri Knight, I have a sixth sense of sense, which is to sense other Knights through their energy signature.
This Kuri Knight's signature is strong. She has to be a level six or possibly higher.
A challenge? I like it.
I originally came here to capture her; however, now I'm curious to know why she did not attack me on the street. Instead, she wanted me to come in here.
But why?
Hmm, I smell a trap.
No, wait, my bad, it's a dead rat.
Before I even took one more step, a ray of purple energy lit up the area and sliced through the air towards me. I threw myself out of the way. Unfortunately, the Kuri Knight may be smarter than I gave credit. She had used the first attack as a distraction.
A punch hit me in the stomach, sending me back and into a brick wall. The impact fazed me momentarily, but I quickly recovered.
Our power fuels our punches and kicks, and they hit harder than that of regular humans. Let's put it this way. If I were to punch you, I'd break your bones around the impact zone.
Damn, she hits hard — that hurt.
With a grunt, I pushed myself off the ground and held the wall for support.
"Considering you're the Organisation, you didn't even defend yourself; who are you?" With a clap of her hands, light engulfs the area.
I squint as my eyes adjust to the lights on the ceiling. "I am your worst nightmare," turning around to face the Kuri Knight, I realise we're in what seems to be an old hospital.
Old hospital beds and equipment cover the floor.
What is this place?
"It's one of few hospitals still standing from the old world," she answers my thoughts, or perhaps I had spoken out loud without realising. "Refugees used it as a safe house, that is, until the likes of you came here!"
I took in her appearance. She is clad in a fawn-coloured shirt with a brown leather sleeveless jacket draping her upper body, paired with ripped jeans, her exposed skin smeared with dirt. Her short black hair frames her face, and her piercing blue eyes capture the attention of anyone who looks her way.
"I don't know what you mean. This region was uninhabited."
That's what it said in the mission report.
The Kuri Knight bitterly laughs. "No, it wasn't! Your so-called government allowed them to stay here. The people who lived here were peaceful! They didn't deserve what you did."
"I'm certain-"
"They lied to you," she says. "Just like they lie to the world."
Does she think I'm an idiot?
This time, I laugh. "And what? I'm supposed to believe a Freedom Fighter?"
"We are nothing like your Crime Lord painted us to be. We're fighting for what is right, and we're trying to bring back freedom for everyone!"
I can't believe what I hear right now.
"By taking the lives of innocent people? And you're corrupting them!" I can't listen to her lies. "I know you're trying to manipulate me. It's not going to work!" My hands ball into fists at my side. "You have no idea who I am and what I'm capable of doing!"
"Oh, Deedee, I know who you are."
Well, I must admit that it took me by surprise.
How come she knows my name?
"I also know what you are."
Okay, this is a little bit freaky.
Freaky? Don't you mean weird? Extremely weird? It's unsettling and weird.
"You are a level te—" The wall cut her off.
By that, I mean it quite literally exploded, sending rubble towards us both. I used this to my advantage and launched myself at the unexpected Kuri Knight. The debris hit her from behind first, and then my fists slammed into her stomach.
"I don't care how you know my name or my level," I said, standing over her. The dust made the air thicken as the lights flickered above us. "You do not know me!"
I clenched my right hand into a fist and slammed it into her stomach, the impact so hard it generated a bone-shattering noise. Over and over, I punched her, each blow harder than the last. The lights in the ceiling seemed to flicker faster with each hit.
Damn her and her Organisation!
"Agent D! Enough!" A familiar voice boomed over the impact of my fists.
I felt a presence lingering behind me. The warmth of someone's breath brushed against the nape of my neck, and the rhythmic thudding of the heartbeat echoed in my ears.
Don't do it, Deedee! Don't you bloody dare!
My body ignored my brain's plea and swiftly turned around to meet the person behind me, ready to attack without a second thought. But before I could move any further, I felt a slight pinch in my neck—an object had pierced through the black material of my suit.
The last thing I saw before darkness took me was the face of our Crime Lord, Mr JB. Then I saw nothing, only black.
End Of Chapter One.