Through the tight and winding alleys, I walked along with the woman who called herself ‘Aki’. Occasionally I would step on a puddle, and try to guess what I felt when it happened, it grossed the underworld out of me, especially if you aren't wearing any shoes. The odd woman hummed to a tune as she guided me toward somewhere. However, there's a strange feeling I felt like someone was pulling me back, preventing from getting closer to something. Words started to appear on the wall, pipes, and floors.

'Turn back.' It said.

Yet, I don't want to, so I fought back those unwanted feelings and pushed further, but as I get deeper, the feeling becomes stronger, it felt like I'm trying to push a wall. I pushed and pushed then suddenly she came. Her scent as familiar as the warmth from the sun and my heart thumped quickly causing my thoughts to overwhelmed.

"Did you think following her going to make you forget?" Daisie taunted me as I try to push through that wall.

"I'm not trying to forget."

"Then what do you hope? A cure to your suffering? A pill for your pain? Don't be naive, you deserved the suffering you gained!"

"I don't want it anymore!"

"You don't want? Don't want?! Do you think I wanted you to die, do you think I wanted my father dead?!"

Tears dripped down my cheeks as I at the verge of another meltdown. "You're right." The moment I said those words, I felt the cloud of darkness closing in, bit by bit. It muted everything, every sense I had, I couldn't hear, I couldn't see, I couldn't feel. Out of nowhere, someone took hold of my hand and pulled me through that damn unmovable wall with ease.

It was the odd woman, her smile banished the darkness away while her warmth hand restored my cold heart. She pulled until we reached an opening, a bright warm light blinded me, but as I gained my sight, I finally saw what's before me.

A park in the middle of a station with lush green grass, a single tree, and well-maintained shrubbery. People smiling, children chasing one another, youngsters playing basketball together, the warmth, the fresh air it reminds me of earth, I felt light, I felt at home. I walked to the tree and pressed my hand against its rough body, feeling the prickly bark grazed my palm. Tears slide down my cheek, not because of pain, it's because I finally found a smidgen of peace even if it won't last.

"Better than a drink, right?"

"Yeah...better than anything."

"Take as much time as you need, I'll be back." She left me to my own thoughts.

I dropped to my both my knees and closed my eyes. The calmness, the serenity flowed throughout my body, my heart beats slowly as I inhaled the fresh air. Finally, the peace I wanted, as still as water, I let my mind slumber and floated on a puffy cloud.

…

Peace

…

..

.

Girl’s giggling snapped me out of my peaceful rest, I turned my head and two young girls were glancing at me. I raised my eyebrows at the young girls and caused both of them to approach me.

"We both saw you last night when you beat up those bad guys."

"Oh?"

"You were very scary."

"Super scary!" The other one spoke up.

I looked away while my lips parted, ashamed of myself for frightened these young girls. "I'm sorry you saw that art of me...if you feel uncomfortable around me, I can leave."

"No!" Both of them said loudly, and I was surprised by the suddenness.

"Hm?"

"We don't want you to leave!"

"True, true, you were super scary, yes, but you're also very Sugoi!"

"Sugoi?"

"Sugoi means amazing." Her friend explained while she nods furiously.

"Amazing, huh…"

"Super amazing, the way you fight and stuff. You're super strong, and almost like invincible." They looked at each other and back at me with bright smiles.

"Thank you, I think. It's been a while since someone praised me...It's a bit off-putting." I scratched the back of my head.

"Umm, can you grant us one request."

"Hmm...If it is reasonable, sure."

"We really want to do your hair."

"My hair?" I looked at them with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes! Your hair is so long and beautiful, and it kinda hurts us to see them so neglected."

"Sure, go ahead." I shrugged and both of them reached behind me then started to untangle the little knots in my hair.

They took out a brush, scissors and pins then started to stylize my hair into a single puff out braided hair. It felt quite nice having someone doing my hair, it's therapeutic and relaxing. They took out a small mirror and showed it to me. It certainly looks good, I glanced at the two young girls in the corner of the mirror, their anticipated smiles and sparkling eyes was precious.

"It looks...Sugoi."

They giggled loudly and I raised my eyebrow.

"It's pronounced, Sugoi."

"What did I say?"

"Sagui."

"Heads up!" I quickly raised my hand in front of me and caught the basketball before it hit us.

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I searched for the owner of this ball, and what a surprise when I realize it was Aki. She had a smirk on her face as she raised an eyebrow toward me. Sport readied with her tank top and loose tracksuit bottoms. What even more surprising was her hair had turned black, did she wore a wig the whole time. It’s the same style of hair, but only different in color. The girls backed away as I stood up with the ball still in my hand.

“Care to join?”

“If you don't mind.”

Aki backed away to the basketball court as I took off my jacket and tossed it to the side. She looked at me up and down then shook her head like I was no match for her prowess. I rolled my eyes and start dribbling the ball toward her and her team, while my team slowly gathered behind me.

“Nice hair,” Aki said.

“You too.”

Aki makes the first move and rushed toward me, in an attempt to steal the ball right under me. She managed to do it as I was not anticipated the speed that she demonstrated. She is quick to pass me and other members of my team. It was stunning how she moves and dunks the ball in the net. After she landed on her two feet, she turned and looked at me then extended her arms outward as a mean to show ‘bring it on’.

We went back to our position, this time the ball was in her hands, she bounced the ball against the court and feint left, but I was not quick to be trick. I stole the ball from her hands and make my way through the opponent, turning and twisting until I dunk the ball into the opponent's net. The other members looked at each other, confused whether this was supposed to be a team game or a one on one. I turned to face Aki and she let out an even bigger smile.

“There’s the smile I’ve been looking for, It suits you.”

I raised an eyebrow and pressed a finger against the corner of my lip. It was the first time in a long time that I ever smile, it begs the question, am I happy? Without me realizing, I was staring at the court for a straight minute. Aki looked at me, worried about my sudden frozen state.

“Are you okay?”

“I think… I am.”

“Well, do you want to continue?”

“Sure.” I tossed the ball back to her and accidentally glanced at my stumped.

With a quick glance, despair blanket over me, banishing away the hope I had in a single second. The black veins had reached my shoulder, I was going to be corrupted and there was no cure. I remember how Daisie became, and I looked around me. I don't want the same thing to happen to them. There’s only one answer, I raised my sight and what I find was Daisie, stood before me with a victorious laugh, and mocking gaze. I remained defeated against her.

I gritted my teeth and turned my heart into stone as I walked away from them. The moment she called out to me, I immediately took off into a run, leaving everything behind me.

I ran.

And ran.

Until I arrived at my own apartment, I rushed to my opened chest and stored everything back into it. I needed to leave, far away from here, far from people, far from everything. I stopped when I heard a knock, I straighten my back and turned my attention at the door.

"Andre… why did you run away?" Aki voices calmed me down, but my heart ached.

I looked at my black veins closing my neck, I have to do everything to distance herself from me, even if…I stood up and walked to the door. After turning the knob, I let the door opened and rushed forward. Aki dumbfounded by my action caused her to back away quickly until her back touched the wall, I pressed my hand against it, just a few inches to the left near her head. I felt her warm breath against my neck before she turned away with reddened cheeks.

“What’s gotten into you? You’re acting strange.”

“I’m just giving what you want…”

“What?”

“The cooking, the helping hand, trying to get closer to me. You’ve fallen in love with me, it’s all because of that night I saved you. I don't know why, maybe it’s the rush, maybe you saw how strong I am, but I don't care. However, I bet you leave me after you get some because afterward, you’re going to realize how terrible I am. Because you are just like any other sluts, and all they want is sex.” I stroked her cheek, even though she turned away, I saw the anger rising in her eyes.

“Now, be a. Good. Little. Whor-”

Smack!

The slap echoed across the hallway, she gritted her teeth and glared at me with intense anger, but I saw something else in there, pity, sadness, heartbroken. I fell into a deep silence as I took a step back. She kept both of her clenched hands beside her, a single tear dripped down her cheek.

“I don’t know why you’re doing this, but I do know you’re in pain. Maybe you wanted some time alone, maybe you don't want to hurt me anymore than you want to. But if you want me to go, you can say it nicely." Aki turned her body and walked away. I watched her leave the hallway, I wanted to apologize, but I couldn't. I glanced at the black veins on my body, it had reached the edge of my chest.

"How many people are you going to hurt before you stop?"

I turned quickly and couldn't believe who stood behind me. Blond, half-shaved head woman, she wore a silver 18th century light armor with white and pink combat dress. A claymore on her back, a longsword with a crossguard, simple in design but elegance.

"Why are you here? For revenge?"

"Revenge? No, don't compare me to you. My little sister is at peace, and that is enough for me."

"Then why are you here?"

"Hmm...I never properly introduce myself, my name is Kadence of Aphrodite."

"Enough chatter, tell me why are you here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I followed her stare and it was straight at my corrupted body.

"You're here to end me?" She didn't have to answer, I already knew what her reply is going to be.

"Come with me and don't make me this any harder than it has to be."

"What if I don't want to?"

"You don't have any choice."

Before I could reply, my vision turned black and I felt every cell in my entire body being pulled apart in a split second. When my vision returned, I could see the green earth and the orbital station encircled it. My body felt light, I looked around me, and nothing but craters and white dune. I had been forcefully transported to the moon, I looked down beneath my bare feet. It seems I have been standing on a white marble platform with greek etching around it.

It took me a second, but I realized that I could breathe in space.

"How is this even possible? Wait, I can speak in space?"

“Of course you can, we are not some mere mortal, but we’re also not gods. There are certain limits to what we are capable of.” Kadence took a long breath and unsheathe her sword, “Let’s make this quick, surrender yourself to my blade and I shall do it swiftly so you won't feel any pain.”

“I won't do it!” I gritted my teeth and clenched my hand.

“You won’t? Don’t you understand the consequences of your choice? Have you forgotten what happened to Daisie, do you want to become like her?”

“I won't be like her, and I understood fully what I’m doing, but I won't let you or any of those damn gods decide what happen to me!”

“You are delirious, I see that corruption had reached your mind. I must end this quickly.” with a single step she managed to cover so much distance between me and her.

She raised her sword, ready for a strike, she swung and missed as I backflipped away. My movement seems floaty too me and caused me to stumble before regained my footing, it’s hard to control under low gravity. She swung her blade and I dodged to the right, with no weapons on me, it's going to be harder to defend myself. I stepped into her strike and past it, to land a blow with my fist, but she quickly grabbed my forearm and tossed me across the crater.

I crashed into the ground, breaking it and leaving my own version of crater behind. Pain shot up my spine, and I could feel my skin grazed against those broken, sharp, and hard rocks. However, I stood up once more and clenched my fist. I heard another voice as I glared at Kadence, telling me to ‘Let Loose’, but I fought, I won't let it take over me. With my own strength, I launched my self toward Kadence, the moment I got close to her, I twirled my body and swung my leg.

She avoided my kick and used her sword pommel to ram it against my stomach. That single attacker shook the ground around us and caused me to dropped onto my knees then puked out the content of my stomach.

“Why do you have to make it so difficult?” Kadence said as she took hold of my hair, and lifted my head up so I met her gaze.

“I pity you.”

“That word again...I don't need your pity!” I grabbed her forearm then pulled her close and slammed my forehead against her face.

The first time stunned her, so I pulled her closer and slammed my forehead against her face, repeatedly, until she kicked me and caused me to be thrown again. My tumbled and rolled until it stopped, my forehead is smeared with blood, but it wasn't my blood, I glanced at Kadence, I had broken her nose.

Kadence took time to readjust her nose then glared at me, now she is serious. I stood up and positioned my whole body into a fighting stance, but without any weapon, I don't think I could win this fight, and yet, I won’t make it easy for her. She rushed toward me with the sword readied at her side.