“AAAAARGHH!” Quimora's world shattered into a thousand shards of agony. A guttural squeal ripped from her stomach. Her knees buckled beneath her, and she crumpled onto the cold, unforgiving ground.
“We meet again, Stoopy,” an ethereal voice resonated, reverberating with an uncanny similarity to a specter of the past she had long believed banished to oblivion. It was a haunting echo, stirring forgotten fragments of melodies that had once danced upon the airwaves of her life. “I thought you didn’t want to see me again?”
As the blade retracted from Quimora’s back, a figure draped in an enigmatic cloak emerged from the rear, its presence casting an aura of intrigue. With deliberate steps and long-weaved crimson hair, the figure removed her masquerade, a captivating dance of mystique unveiling before her eyes. As the stranger reached her, a swift motion removed the masquerade mask that concealed her true identity… my identity.
Quimora’s heart pounded in her chest as her eyes met her reflection in the mirror held by the mysterious figure. A mix of emotions swirled within her, and she gritted her teeth, a silent scream trapped behind her lips. “Y… You! How dare you!”
I said with a menacing smile, “Oh, don’t be angry, cinnamon roll! That ain’t so cute and in character.”
“First… my family… Why are you destroying my life again!?”
“Again?” I asked and answered while taking the amethyst from her hand. “You’re the one who did things unnecessarily. My patty-filled advice was completely crushed by the buns of that brother-in-law. The more you hate, the more you become, like those greedy pigs whose only job is to blame others.”
Quimora's jaw clenched an unwavering refusal to confront the truth. Yet, beneath the surface, a slow realization dawned upon her. Each misstep, each choice, and every consequence bore her mark.
“Did you hit the mark?” I asked. “Finality may have made you make the decision, but beyond Entropy’s comprehension, you have choices you’ve neglected. And for what cause? Look at your reflection now. Father would’ve left the place, and the family would’ve survived simple living if you didn’t do your shit.
“You’re far too late to change reality. Once time has plotted your fate, that so-called destiny of yours will be anally retentive. And this is what happens when you self-proclaim your ugly casanova. Don’t forget that even Jimi Hendrix used drugs to reach enlightenment. I suppose, in this case, you’re the dove around a thousand crows. However, in this place called sky, where peace envelopes and war hides, I suppose you can call me the devil queen of the never-ending beyond. Now it makes you wonder why I don’t make sense? Everything I did was.”
“I’m sorry,” Quimora cried with a weakening voice from the stab in her stomach. “I’ve always dreamed of peace… a longing where everyone was… living with a smile…
With gentle fingertips, I caressed her forehead, a soothing gesture meant to quell the storm brewing within. As our eyes met, she saw a flicker of recognition, a brief glimpse of a memory long buried. It was as if the touch of my hand had unlocked a forgotten chamber in her mind, revealing a tapestry of moments spent in the warm embrace of our mother.
“We’re still family, Quimora. I humbly apologize that I need to do this to you. For you to attain that peace, I need to follow the best decision in this script. I will end this never-ending warfare so you can attain your boring life. For now, you need to rest,” I muttered and stabbed her through her chest. With blood spitting out of her mouth, the pupils in her eyes vanished. When she lost consciousness, she lay down on the ground.
As I rose to my full height, a wave of pity washed over me as I gazed upon the imposing prison. My heart unburdened by any objective save for the retrieval of the coveted stones, I steeled myself for the arduous task ahead. With each step I took towards the towering walls, a sense of purpose filled my veins, propelling me forward.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
I faced Guinelle and asked, “Luna, how much longer?”
“Ten more seconds, Nebula-sama.”
“If there’s no other hindrance, we should all be clear–”
In that heart-stopping instant, Hera emerged from the bottom, a blade glinting ominously in her grip. Time seemed to slow as she scaled the wall with supernatural agility, her feet barely touching the surface. My senses heightened, and my body tensed, anticipating the impending danger.
As she reached my level, a fire erupted from her hand, casting an eerie glow on her face. She reflexively threw the blade with anger in the trajectory of my neck. Her eyes, initially filled with rage, softened in bewilderment as recognition flickered across her features. The blade left her grasp, clanging against the floor as her expression transformed from anger to shock. It was a moment suspended in time, an encounter that would forever be etched in her memory.
Before she fell, the blade already decapitated me. As my head rolled down the ground, Guinelle squealed, “KYAAAAAAA! SHE DIED AGAIN!”
“Shut up, Wicked Luna! I only told you to speak up when the barrier is ready!” Virtual Pigeon shouted via the transmitter in Guinelle’s ear.
A thick barrier of light erupted from the ground, encasing the colossal prison in an ethereal cocoon. This awe-inspiring feat required an immense reservoir of magical energy and unwavering control. As the barrier solidified, Phantom, the enigmatic assassin, seized the opportunity to escape alongside Silence, his faithful companion.
With a swift motion, they activated their shared teleport ability, vanishing into thin air and leaving their captors bewildered and empty-handed. The barrier pulsed with an otherworldly glow, a testament to Phantom's extraordinary power and the audacity of their daring escape.
Guinelle opened her arms and muttered, “Oh, valiant soul, your sacrifice we hold, a testament of courage, brave and bold. Your legacy shall shine brighter than the stars, guiding us through life's darkest hours. We honor your spirit, soaring high above, a beacon of courage, selflessness, and love. May your soul find peace among the land of paradise, remembered forever as a gift that never ends.”
A light and fire-engulfed dome emerged, marking the destruction of the heavily guarded prison. Prisoners and structures alike disappeared in an instant, leaving behind a gaping crater. The ocean, drawn like a magnet, filled the void, engulfing the remnants of the once forbidding prison.
After the disaster, the power core in Silence’s hand glowed to its brightest and vanished. Phantom retrieved the amethyst from my hand and muttered. “Those sins, would they be forgiven?”
“You’re in no position to talk about that, clown face,” I replied.
Virtual Pigeon said via Phantom’s necklace, “Now that the power core is fully charged, and we already achieved what we came here for, we need to analyze the clues for the other stones’ locations. I detected that the backup guards were coming with a hundred warships. We need to leave as soon as possible.”
“Hey, Rox, why don’t you chill first and mesmerize the cunning view of Nebula’s plans?” Phantom argued. “This will be another core memory of our success as the Veiled Paradox. Why don’t you take an image?”
“I’m already satisfied the moment I saw your polka-dotted face,” Rox replied with an insulting tone.
“Hey, Virtual Pigeon! Don’t forget our promise! The image…” Guinelle suggested.
“Don’t forget that you nearly doomed our plan, Wicked Luna!” Rox shouted. “I hope you make sure that you entirely wiped every person’s memory to dust. Your whole identity is our bet. If that leaked across the globe, you won’t get another chance to celebrate a B-day for your life.”
“I–I know that! I have my principles. By the way, I can’t look at Nebula-sama further. When are we leaving?”
“Go first,” I replied. “I’m soon meeting a decade-long acquaintance, a real bastard. I don’t want you to do what Kayne West did to Taylor Swift’s speech in 2009. And how dare someone play video games while I’m here!?”
“I–I’m not playing! We’re going now, Nebula-sama.”
From the crumbling barricade of history, the intrepid syndicate descended, their footsteps echoing softly upon the ancient cobblestones. Below the towering ramparts, a sleek vessel awaited. With a sense of anticipation, they boarded the cruise, their hearts filled with a blend of accomplishment and mystery.
As soon as I heard the motor noise vanishing from the distance, I sighed and muttered, “The tale of this prison disaster is like soap in advertisements. For every 99% of germs that are cleaned, the remaining 1% will grow and spread out.”
I, the silent observer, solely perceived the subtle action of Guinelle. Upon the intact island, the precipice of freedom, and stillness reigned supreme. Hera and Macy, ensnared in unconsciousness, were oblivious to the unfolding terror.
I continued muttering, “However, one can’t cook an omelet without breaking eggs.”