I spent the night thinking of how tomorrow would go. The night air was fresh and cool. As I stared at the silvery moon, I was actually calmer than usual. Even since arriving to the Aniesian Continent, how many times have I encountered the brim of death? But somehow I was able to pull it through each time. Was it plain luck, or if something unknown was hidden behind and pushed me toward the destined fate?
Even if I did end my life now, maybe I would go back to my human world?
That wasn’t too bad either.
Still, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Rene behind.
No doubt, I spent a sleepless night. In the morning, we were all rolled into different bases. I didn’t know which base I was in. There were no familiar faces.
Where was Rene?
Hopefully he wouldn’t cry too long afterwards. Being disabled, who would take care of him from now on? The slaves started to gather around and stared at me with those expressionless eyes. Some of them probably have already seen this before, nothing new.
After staring at the crowd for a while, there was no sight of Rene.
I wanted to see him for the last time, but at the same time, it was actually better if he was not here. That way he didn’t have to deal with the nightmare of seeing me going through this shit. Imagining seeing someone you cared about being tortured like this, it would be horrifying.
There was murmuring among the crowd.
They were probably wondering what the chicken nugget was this young girl doing on the cross? She didn’t look like she was strong enough to lead a riot. She might not be strong enough, but surely dumb enough.
Never in my life have I attracted so many people’s attention.
In a BAD way though.
What a way to end everything, at least it was sunny today, otherwise it would be even more depressing. As I was counting the seconds and waiting for the “ceremony” to happen. A young boy’s arrogant voice rang right next to me.
“All right, quiet down!”
Leo and his bros shoved the others to enter the scene, full of swagger. Some of them were holding sharp knives. The thought of those knives going into my skin still gave me quivers.
Leo walked to the center of attention.
“Listen, everyone!”
He acted like a real boss of the Underground.
“Headman Daoba had left for a better place to serve his highness. We now have a new headman, which is Dax! You all know who Dax is. He will serve the new position to your interest, negotiating more rights from General K for everyone, but he is indeed disappointed, very disappointed! That you folks had paid his trust with such betrayal - a grand riot. No one in the Central Base deserved this kind of betrayal because we all work for your own good. Today, we will show you what those revolters deserve!”
Oh, listening to this kind of bullshit really hurt my soul.
These words could really make someone who had a miserable life fall for it, but soon they would still find out how cruel and strict the gang really was. It was nothing but slapping your face real hard and gave you a piece of candy afterwards.
“Folks, Headman Dax is benevolent. He said to give you all one last chance to show your loyalty to the gang. So long as you pay the daily fee, there would be no more trouble for you. If anyone dares to challenge our authority, then he would die like the revolters today!”
Stolen novel; please report.
The crowd was quiet.
Leo played with a knife in his hand, and leered at me coldly.
“Where would you like to start first?” He sneered.
The knife literally glided through the corner of my eyes, and down to my neck. It was so close to cutting through my skin.
“Bastard.” I said emotionlessly.
Leo’s eyebrow raised a bit, didn’t expect such a reaction from me. Based on what he thought, this girl should be crying her tears out and begging to live another day.
I didn’t even want to beg this brat, or anyone in the gang, for that wouldn’t change my fate anyways, but only losing the last bit of dignity. These demons were the real scums, not the ones without wings, but the ones without any justice in heart.
“Come beg me, and I will let you die quicker, without too much suffering.” He jeered.
Right, as if I really believed any of his words.
“Why should I beg a scum like you? You guys have nothing in your mouth but lies, and all you are doing is to utilize the weak for your own benefits. You represent nothing for us, and you will never fight for the rights we deserve. No matter how well you guys live by taking advantage of others, you are in the end the same like the rest of us, just someone with a slave mark forever! You think you are superior, but you are still part of the slavery system. No one can escape from it easily, therefore cut out all this crap!”
The crowd started to murmur again, and Leo shouted to quiet down everyone.
“Looks like you really don’t want to live anymore. Since you have so much rubbish in your mouth, then we will start here!”
The knife reflected a sharp flash against my eyes. I could feel the coldness of metal against my mouth.
Right at that moment, a blue whirling current hit the knife off Leo’s hand!
“Ahh---------!”
Leo held his steamy hand in pain, and the rest of the gang tensed up and surrounded him against the intruder.
My heart pounded, because I knew who that was.
The gang searched the crowd with their eyes. “Who is it! Hurry and come out!”
There was a wave of commotion among the crowd, until a small figure hopped slowly to the front.
It was Rene.
His left fist was filled with a snake-like blue current, zipping and sparking in the air, even his silvery hair started to glow in a faint blue. The crowd retrieved quickly, leaving a big circle of space around him.
“Element of thunder!” There were whispers.
From the demons’ expressions, it was obvious that this was indeed a rare element. Most of them were farmers possessing the element of earth, and it might be a little daunting to witness something rare.
“RENE!?” Leo was grinding his teeth, “If you are so stubborn to go against the gang, then don’t blame me for having no mercy at all!”
“When did you have mercy at all! Ever since the mine collapsed, you guys never came for me. I totally didn’t expect you to search for me either, but at least you can’t hurt my family!”
Leo was stunned a bit, but broke into a loud laugh.
“That is the funniest joke I have ever heard of!” Leo grinded his teeth, “Don’t act so innocent. You lied about being an earth element like the rest of us all along. Now you are showing your true self, but it’s too late. What can you do with that little blue light of yours? You do think you are special enough to go against all of us?”
My heart was pounding against my throat. I didn’t want Rene to risk his life for me. I have already lost Grandpa Jin and Grandma Sha, I couldn’t afford to lose another person.
“Rene, go away! Please, I beg you to leave! Please!”
Rene was looking toward my direction, but he was determined.
“Nana sis, I have never known what it’s like to be part of a family, because no one cares, nor do I care about others much. But now it’s all different, I learn it from you. Nothing will change my decision today, let me stand the ground here with you. Whether we make it out alive or not, we will go through this together!”
Leo sneered, “Making it out alive? What a daydream!”
He used his hand to signal the gang to catch the young boy. Soon the men surrounded Rene in no time and started to attack him. Rene’s brown eyes widened and focused to a point, then quickly moved his arm in a circular motion.
All of a sudden, blue rays expelled from his left hand and zipped through the men like a blue python, and knocked some of them off to the ground. They were stunned, but soon got up and headed toward Rene again.
Leo urged more gang members to join in.
SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!