“Slowly and carefully, everyone! Your safety matters most!”

At the entrance of Holyland, I tried my best to remember what exactly Instructor Matthews told us about properly evacuating civilians and directed everyone towards the exit. Holyland has one exit—the entrance—and four emergency shelters spread throughout the amusement park. If I’m being honest, I never thought I’d have to put any of that into use. I always thought I would be at the forefront of any battle, but here we are. Speaking of that…

Please…I don’t want to lose you…

Those words that Ori said quickly resurfaced from the depths of my mind. I don’t know what she’s so worried about! My strength wasn’t the issue there! It was like I wanted to give my everything into the fight, but something was holding me back. What was that thing?

“This should be the last bit of the civilians that were gathered here,” A security guard approached me and said. “We just gotta hope as many people as possible get to those emergency shelters.”

“My friends are reliable people. You can count on them,” I said with a smile.

“I sure as hell hope so. Because if the body count piles up enough, I lose this job. It’s a pretty chill side gig so I’d hate for that to happen…” He massaged his neck and looked into the distance.

This guy seemed more concerned about his livelihood than anyone else’s…

“I’m gonna go scan the perimeter a bit. You wanna come with?”

I could keep helping out here, but I feel like if I don’t go past this ceiling that’s holding me back, I’ll regret it. I need to find the answer to my question. What exactly am I missing? Maybe if I fight that man, I’ll have my answer.

“You can go on ahead. I’m gonna go and fight those guys.”

“Oh…alright…”

As I began to turn and walk away towards the lake, the security guard called out to me.

“Hey, Haustorian!”

I briefly turned around to see him give an awkward thumbs up. “I don’t care what anyone says. If you can save people, you can have all the jobs you want!”

Hearing that made my eyes widen for a moment. Step by step, we’re getting there. We’re getting to the future that we wanted.

I gave two thumbs up right back with a big smile. After I did, I turned around and got ready for my assault. The plan is simple enough. I’ll gather information on Daniel and Enyeto’s motive and use it to help find that missing piece that’ll be the key to beating them!

“Blazing Soul!” I took off into the air, following the bridge that Daniel was making. There was this deep mist that was taking over the lake, so I couldn’t even see that far ahead of me. Once I followed the bridge far enough, I couldn’t see any buildings or land. I just had this structure of bones I was following to lead me to the mastermind and his assistant. I wonder how everyone’s doing. I hope they’re okay. All I can do is believe in them. I’m sure they’re doing the same for me.

It all happened in a near instant. I was going so fast that by the time I caught up to Danny and Enyeto, I was right behind them and was about to perform a takedown that would’ve knocked Danny out. But before I could, Enyeto turned around just as quickly and prepared to punch me in the stomach. Before he could though, I reacted quickly enough to activate the holes in the back of my legs and perform a front flip and slide right in front of them. As I slid, the suspension of this makeshift bridge became very apparent. The three of us started to bob up and down, as waves were made from not only Bodian and I’s class, but every major movement made.

I still can’t believe it. Aren’t these the skeletons of their ancestors and comrades? To use them like weapons and tools…even after their deaths…it’s just cruel. Speaking about their cruelty…

“I have to ask you guys a question.” I said as I completely recovered from my landing.

“We don’t have all night, Arno. Please make it quick.” Danny said.

“Why do you guys want to hurt everyone so badly?”

As soon as I asked that question, Danny narrowed his eyes. For some reason, It felt like his entire demeanor changed. It was as if he was holding back a wave of unbridled anger.

But just a second later, he relaxed his eyes and began to hold onto his sides laughing. He kept laughing until tears were streaming down his face. When he finally slowed down and wiped the tears from his face, he answered my question with a question of his own.

“Why exactly do you save people, Arno? I could understand if it was for a friend. I heard about the things you were doing in zone two, after all. But these people are complete strangers to you. Why?”

“Why? It’s because it’s my job. And seeing people get hurt for something out of their control doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Right…you’re just doing your job. I understand.” He then snapped “But it’s for that reason that you won’t beat us tonight.”

“Huh?”

“Such superficial reasoning couldn’t possibly match up to the suffering that the Rosarian people have dealt with. That’s right! How could I forget?! You’re only doing your job! Haustorian or not! And the job of the CT is to suppress those who have a hatred for this country strong enough to enact violence against it. So let’s see if you can suppress it, Arno. My hatred that spans generations!”

As soon as he said that, a large wave came from my right side. I was as if something massive was incoming. I was about to jump and fly out of the way, but I think I noticed it too late. It was a gigantic fist made out of nothing but bones coming directly at me. Once I took into the air, it was already following me. My first instinct was to just fly into the sky as far away from this thing as possible. But once I started getting further and further away, I noticed that the mass of bones was catching up.

“Just how many people died in this lake?!”

“Oh?! You didn’t know?!” Danny shouted at me “This lake was a burial ground for us Rosarians! Every single one of us that has died has been thrown into this lake! It was seen as a way to send us to the afterlife properly! In other words… I can do this all day! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

I weaved through the ever-encompassing mass of bones, punching and kicking anything that threatened to get close to me as I ascended. I kept fighting off the swarm of bones until I noticed that the mass was getting thinner and thinner. It’s the last stretch! I can do this!

I kept going and as I kept thinning out Danny’s attack, I noticed that it was small enough to the point that singular skeletons started using each other as stepping stools to get closer to me. When one finally started to latch onto my ankle, it brought me down a couple of feet, but I swiftly kicked it off. What I didn’t notice was that Danny was just getting me right where he wanted me.

“Boom!”

On his signal another massive hand came flying towards me. I had no time to move and my stemata was almost completely drained. I have no choice but to just take the brunt of the attack and hope for the best.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I braced myself, but there was no preparation I could do in that moment to help lessen the blow.

As it hit me, I could feel my entire body ring and everything around me became inaudible. I was sent flying to God knows where as I tried to control my breathing. My eyes felt heavy and my vision was going dark, but I knew more than anything that I couldn’t fall asleep here. If I do, I might just die.

As the dew of the lake lightly coated me as I went speeding away from the lake, I did everything in my power to stay awake.

Until it all went dark…

Ori

It didn’t take me long to come up with a plan to beat the enemy sniper. Now that I’m ready it’s time for my counter attack. First step is to gather as much information as possible. What type of person is my opponent? What weapon are they carrying? Is it a stemata? I’ll have to figure it all out here.

I began by darting from tree to tree as I did, exhausting myself until I couldn’t run anymore. As I began to run towards the next tree to take a quick breather…

Pwish

I jumped backwards and baited out the shot. I then retreated to a tree in the opposite direction. It’s just as I figured. My opponent isn’t some kind of amateur. They displayed a massive amount of patience as they waited for me to get tired. They paid attention to each movement no matter how minor to gauge when I would be the most vulnerable to an attack.

I looked over to the tree that got hit with the enemy’s bullet. It was another blotch of blood. Drying up and becoming more red as it was exposed to the oxygen in the air. This isn’t the first time. On our first exchange, This could be seen as I dodged their first bullet. At first I just thought they somehow hit me and the adrenaline made me ignore the pain, but now I know that isn’t true. This person…has a stemata. And it’s one that can manipulate blood. They’re using it to shoot bullets of his blood. It seems that they lose control of it as soon as it oxidizes though. I just need one final thing: location.

I peeked out of the corner and looked down my stemata’s scope to do a quick scan of the area. I tried to take in as much information as possible before I had to duck for cover again. I took in every possible detail. From the pathing of the walkway, to the trees, to every bit of flora in the area.

Just as I finished scanning the area, another blood shot came flying at me. I barely had enough time to dodge, so I moved my head out of the way just in time for the projectile to graze me just enough to break skin. Blood trickled down my cheek as I assessed the current situation. I looked down at my stemata and noticed that the scope was busted. The blood shot destroyed the lens completely, so it was useless to me. I took off the scope attachment and put it in my pocket. I can’t just toss it aside. In that case, my opponent will know for certain that I’m at a disadvantage. Part of this is a battle of information, after all. But back to what I risked that scope for: Discerning the enemy’s location.

I remember what Instructor Matthews told me once. He said that if I happened to go up against another sniper, it’s important to find whatever is out of the ordinary in any given area. That scan of the area I did showed me everything I needed to know. The pathway is as neat as it normally would be and the trees show no hint of the enemy. Everything seems to be in place. Almost everything. About 150 feet at 3:00, there’s a patch of green mold. It’s specifically Paricillum Solilundi. A type of mold that changes color based on the type of day. If sunlight hits it, it’ll turn green. If moonlight hits it, it’ll turn gray. Given that that patch is the wrong color, it’s safe to assume that the enemy is using a hide made out of the stuff. This person must not be as experienced as I thought they were if they’re making such a simple mistake.

Now it’s time for the second phase of the plan. I quickly peeked out and began firing pyro shots in a fan at the trees on the other side of the pathway. I kept firing until I got a single shot of return fire. As the blood shot flew right past me, I got behind cover. It was time for the waiting game. I know the type of sniper this person is and their location. Now it’s time for me to take control of the fight! I’ll use my wind shots to fan the flames and set their side of the forest on fire. At that point, they’ll have no choice but to change positions and come my way. When they do, I’ll deliver the winning shot. It’s a good thing that the BCT covers collateral damage. Otherwise I’d feel bad for any damages caused during this fight.

Sidbit

“Poor little girl. Doesn’t even realize that my hide is flame retardant.” I crouched and was as still as a rock.

Even as the flames rise. Even if this entire forest was leveled to nothing but ash, I’ll be completely fine. You on the other hand, miss Haustorian, will go gasping for air as you run for the exits. Something like that hasn’t even crossed your mind, has it? The possibility of you losing. But don’t worry. I, Sidbit Renphilia will be the one to humble you.

That’s the role that you’re supposed to play after all. The damsel in distress. I saw exactly how you were acting with that boyfriend of yours at the entrance. You talk a big game when the stakes are low and all you gotta do is win a couple carnival games, but in a battle against a real sniper, you don’t stand a chance.

After all, the idea that a woman can build anything without the help of a man is ridiculous…

===

When I was five years old, my mother and father left our house to go to the hospital. Not long after, my father returned alone holding a baby. That was my introduction to my little sister.

Growing up with her, one thing became glaringly apparent. My father shifted all of his attention to taking care of and raising my little sister. Even when the both of us reached adulthood, my father would praise every minor thing she did, but would act like the most difficult things I did were commonplace. It pissed me off. I spent the majority of my adolescence wondering…why?

I was there all along, excelling at everything that was thrown at me, so why did he pay attention to that dumb broad that got by doing the bare minimum?!

That’s when it all clicked for me. I began to understand exactly the difference between my sister and I…

===

It’s because…women are like children.

They need coddling and care like children. They are broken creatures and men are the only ones that can make them whole. It’s the same with you and your boyfriend. You’ve only gotten so far because of your man. Without him, you’re deadweight. So go ahead. Cry out for your man. It’s the only way you’re getting out of this.

But as I looked down my scope at the opposite side of the road, she did something that I would never expect of someone of her caliber. She gritted her teeth and jumped through the initial wall of flame. Once she landed, she began to dart back and forth between the trees. Damn it all! I need to get out of here. I broke her scope thinking she’ll get discouraged, but she’s making up for the disadvantage by closing the distance! What kind of madwoman runs through fire?!

I got up and began to run towards the road. I need to get out of here. She’s using the fire and smoke to hide her presence and close the distance! I underestimated her. At this rate, she’ll have me at gunpoint!

As the inferno rose and the smell of charcoal got stronger, I began to cough my lungs out. Once I make it out of here and make some distance, I’ll gain the upper hand! I can see it! The road! Now, it’s time to turn the tide—

Tchk

Before I could step onto the road, however. I was met by the barrel of the markswoman’s sniper. How the hell did she get here before me?! I thought she was closing in on my previous position!

“As soon as I ensured that you lost me. I ran back to the road. All I had to do was send the message that I was turning the tables by closing in on you. You’re a good marksman, so you of course would want to keep your advantage. That’s where you lost.”

Slight misdirection cost me everything. I can’t believe I was outsmarted by this wench. This Haustorian wench! Now that I think about it, that’s probably why.

“Man…you Haustorian women are uncomfortably masculine.” I raised my hands and dropped my sniper in surrender.

“Huh? The hell are you talking about? You think being smart is masculine? Following that logic, emotion is pretty feminine, right?”

Of course! A man holds a logical mind and is the only one that can make a woman whole. If she hasn’t figured out something so simple, then I won’t explain a damn thing to her.

“I’m gonna take that silence as a yes…” She went on once she realized she wasn’t getting an answer out of me. “Listen…if all of these attributes are distributed to different roles, then I’ll gladly teeter between those lines. Because at the end of the day, it was a man that gave me the ability to love, and a woman that gave me the potential to realize my intellect.”

…What?

“It was the strongest CT in the world—a man— who showed me how to make strawberry cake and a woman who taught me humility with the overwhelming strength of her stemata. Needless to say…”

No…there’s no way…

“Everyone makes me the person I am today.”

But…If that’s the truth…then what the hell have I been doing…that sister of mine…she died. I killed her for nothing…strangled her with these hands out of pure jealousy…

“It must’ve been that boyfriend of yours, right?”

“I’m…40 percent sure I got rejected.”

“It’s a shame. Because now that I think about it…You’re not that bad looking.”

“Weren’t you just saying how I was acting pretty masculine? You sure you’re not into men?”

“HA! Good one.”I said as I spread my arms out “Well? Now’s your chance—”

Before I could finish my sentence though, a bullet was sent through my chest. A perfect shot through my heart. Not bad.

I dropped onto the floor as my blood started to pool. As the warmth of life left my body, I saw the Haustorian girl run for Holia land. I sure as hell could try to close the wound, but I don’t deserve such a thing. I’ll die here along with the lie I told myself for so long. I was a hired gun that couldn’t even do my job correctly. You win, Ori Haustoria…

[The following is one of many excerpts from the incident report of the 20th first zone division vs. the terrorist organization known as “New Dawn”]

[Ori Haustoria Vs. Sidbit Renphilia: Ori Wins. Casualties: Slight burns across parts of the skin. Sidbit’s life.]