3:49 pm. Two kids venture on a mountain peak. A park is located at the peak, it is already old, forgotten, and abandoned by the locals. Though, it still retains the beauty of the view and the simplistic design of the place. The edges of the park are surrounded by worn-out wooden fences that match the wooden design of the cement benches that are everywhere.
In one of the benches, a black-haired girl and a crimson-haired boy are sitting and conversing with each other.
“... And then, George recreated a stupid monkey dance in class while standing on the teacher’s desk. Teacher Margarette got so angry and punished him by squatting for a minute and giving him five assignments to pass tomorrow!" Atlas explained, laughing while doing weird hand gestures.
Mei smiled, curious. “Was it the monkey dance that Sir Brad showed us?”
“Yep!” Atlas smiled widely.
“That’s so stupid!” Mei laughed as hard as Atlas.
“Ah! I remembered something!” She said, “You made a good speech that shocked even the high school teachers!” Her eyes sparkled.
“That? I just made it an hour before the presentation. Everyone made a big fuss about it and I was shocked! I am amazing, right?!” Atlas puffed his chest.
The black-haired girl got annoyed and pushes the proud boy.
“Ouch! What did you do that for?!” the crimson-haired boy shouted and frowned as he stares at Mei.
She stands up from the bench and walks to the fence while flailing her arms.
“You are so proud …" She said as she holds the fence “You are too lazy to do anything, yet still manages to do the best projects in our school! It is irritating and annoying! Bleeh!” she sticks out her tongue.
“Wha? Then do better, you gorilla!” he pointed towards her, irritated.
Mei, ignoring his remarks, asked, “I wonder if the fence is still sturdy enough?” She starts shaking the fence.
“Are you ignoring me?! And stop shaking the fence or it will break!”
“Hmph! I don’t care if it breaks. I am brave” Mei said, continuing to shake the fence.
“What kind of logic is that?”
Mei continues to shake the fence as hard as she can while Atlas walks toward her.
*Snap*
The fence snapped and Mei’s body slanted. She is falling.
“Mei!” the crimson-haired boy ran towards her as fast as he could.
*grab*
The boy grabbed and pulls Mei before she completely falls into the cliff.
*thud*
Atlas fell on his back and Mei fell with him but is on top of the boy.
“Mei are you--” Atlas stopped midway. He realized that Mei’s head is resting on his chest while they are lying on the floor. He felt drops of liquid on his chest and hears sobbing.
The girl is crying and frightened. He felt that his chest part is soaked.
“Stop crying. I thought you said that you’re brave?”
“Jerk, everybody is going to be scared if they experienced that,” she whispered.
She is right, anybody would be scared. Atlas feels bad for saying such an insensitive remark and hugs the girl on top of him.
“I’m … sorry. I was insensitive …"
“Mm…” She agreed, sobbing.
“So, it’s okay now. I will protect you and stay with you. It hurts to see you cry … Please, don’t be sad now.” Atlas blushed as he spoke.
“Really?” the girl asked.
“Really …" he said.
The two kids stand up and Mei wipes her tears.
“Huh?!” the crimson-haired man noticed the sky.
The blue sky and the orange light blended as the sun goes down in between two mountains.
“Look!” Atlas shouted, pointing at the sky.
Mei looks and her eyes reflected the beautiful scenery. “It’s pretty” she admired as she rests her arm across her chest.
The sight comforted the two and their hearts felt warm as they stare at the irresistible view.
“Al?”
“Yes?”
Mei moved, her body facing the man wearing a red scarf, “Thank you for being so sweet!” The beautiful view complemented the sweet smile of the pretty black-haired girl.
*Ba bump* his heart skipped. His face became beet red. “Shu … shut up! No matter what you say, you are still a gorilla!” Atlas moved his head, avoiding Mei’s stare, who giggled as she covered her mouth.
----------------------------------------
A dark, cloudy, and snowy day. The crimson-haired man woke up emotionless, tired, and lazy. His eyes are red from crying. He touched one of his eyes. “Ouch!” he shouted.
The man stands up from his bed to take a bath. Minutes later, he finished his shower, feeling very cold due to the broken heater.
*Ring* *Ring* *Click*
His phone rang. He answered and said “Hello?”
“Al …" It was Nick’s voice.
“Oh, it’s you,” Atlas said, emotionlessly.
“No matter what you say. You have to visit today because tomorrow is Mei’s fune-”
“I know …" Atlas interrupted, frowning.
Nick sighed. “Let’s meet later.” *Click*
The call ended, leaving them exhausted and empty Atlas behind in silence.
After the incident, the police questioned him even though he was in the hospital for therapy. Atlas answered them honestly, being very cooperative to the point where he gave his phone to them for two days. Despite his efforts to help the authorities, Mei’s killer is still on the run, a big mystery lurking in the dark. He did not leave his room for days due to his sadness and disappointment.
“What is the point of their new technology if they can’t keep the citizens safe …" he muttered to himself.
The traumatized Atlas wore his funeral suit and made his way to the front door, reluctantly holding the knob. ‘Do I need to go out?’ he thought. He shakes his head, opens the door, and steps outside after days of seclusion.
----------------------------------------
In Bunny Foods, a waiter named Claire is entertaining a customer.
“What are your orders sir?” she asked.
The man proceeds to order, and Claire enters it in the registers.
“This is your serving number, have a great bunny day!” She said and the man walks away.
“Claire!” the manager called.
“What is it, Ma’am?”
“Help us here in the kitchen. We need more staff inside!”
“Coming,” she replied, rushing inside the kitchen.
Hours later, she finished her shift, decides to go home, and changed into casual clothes that fit her.
“I wonder if I get my pay tomorrow?” she asked herself. “Whatever! I am tired today so I should get my rest!” she stretches while walking. She couldn’t help but notice all the men stopping to stare at her due to her good figure. “There are those glimpses again … When will they approach? it’s annoying!” she said, loudly.
Some of the men who heard her had doubled their walking speed to avoid
her, while others who were just standing, looked away.
“They did it again! Unbelievable! Why isn’t anyone approaching me?!”
Frustrated, she threw her bag in front of her. The people around her got scared and avoided her as much as they can. Claire, of course, noticed.
“What the hell?!” she picked up her bag. “I don’t care anymore!” she exclaimed, walking away.
----------------------------------------
“The sun isn’t shining brightly today … This is too moody for my taste.” the man said, bored. He sat on one of the wooden benches in the park, staring at the sky as he took out an e-cigarette and decided to smoke.
*Clomp* *Clomp*
The man heard footsteps from the right and found a woman walking.
“Claire!”
The woman notices and shouted with a big smile. “Oh! Edward!” She ran towards him and her face distorted.
*Grip*
Ed gripped her face when she got very near and stood up.
“Do not rush to hug me with those lusty and creepy face desperate freak …" he said seriously.
“O … Okef (Okay)”
He lets go and Claire touched her face with relief.
“Eddy … why are you here? I thought you were busy masturbating in the office while looking at the pictures of dead bodies from your weird case files. Are you sick of it now?” Claire teased.
The honey-haired man head chopped on Claire. “Stop asking useless stuff and start thinking decently instead of using “masturbating” like a stupid joke.”
“You’re too serious …" She whispered to herself.
“Anyways, I have something to show you. That carefree mood of yours will disappear when I shove this to your face …" Edward remarked.
“Try me bitch!” Claire shouted, smirking.
“Take this seriously, this case involves a freak like you!” He scowls, searching for the photo. When he found it, he shoves it at Claire’s face.
“What’s the big dea-” she stopped when she saw what was on it, eyes widening as her smile fell.
Inside the photo, was a girl nailed on the floor with a pentagram around her.
“Who is she?” Claire asked, still examining the photo.
Edward answered in a cold voice. “Mei Watanabe”
“Watanabe?! When did this happen? Why isn’t there any news about this?!”
“The parliament wants to keep this incident a secret. The public would panic if they knew that another Watanabe is murdered.”
“What?!”
“This isn’t a normal incident. At the start of the incident 2021, there weren’t any witnesses. No one heard the girl cry for help. There also aren’t any records of emergency calls from the Emergency Department. Her friends and relatives did not receive any texts or calls either.”
“Then, how did they find the body?”
“A boy named Atlas Forteza found the body. He cooperated in the investigation and told the police that he received voice messages from Watanabe. He showed us his phone records and it turns out that it was true.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Then, is there any evidence that Forteza is innocent?”
“The authorities located the victim’s smartphone and the results were shocking. It turns out that she contacted different kinds of emergency hotlines, friends, and family.”
“Then, that includes the voice messages to Atlas,” Claire said.
“Yes,” Edward confirmed.
Claire gives the photo back. “Shit … It is like ‘that’ incident. We have to avoid it at all costs!”
“Then gather everyone that was involved in the incident 2021. Especially, the descendant of that vigilante.” He walks away.
“What?!” Claire shouted and the man disappears in a blink.
“Understood …" she sighed.
----------------------------------------
Atlas arrived at the funeral home and proceeds to walk inside, finding people all dressed in black.
“Teachers are here. Some students and neighbors too …" He muttered.
“That’s not all …" A voice said behind him. “Relatives and friends from overseas also came.”
The crimson-haired man turns around. “Oh … Hey …" It is his best friend, Nick.
“Go now …" Nick said, emotionless.
The nervous Atlas enters the room, gulps, and slowly walks towards the coffin. The room is silent.
Every step he takes reminds him of the terrifying scene he saw. But it also reminds him of the time they spent together. He clenches his fist.
*clomp* *clomp*
His complexion is pale, and his eyes start to tear up. One step, even just one step, reminds him of her sweet smile, smell, and her warmth.
“Al” Atlas remembers her voice like yesterday.
He continues to walk and is now in front of the coffin. He looks at it and then.
“Mei …" Atlas whispered.
The girl with a sweet smile that blends at the beautiful view of the sunset. Is now in the coffin, sleeping beautifully. Her face was restored by the technology of the country.
‘You are still pretty’ He thought. He accidentally muttered the rest “Even in death … You are still … Shinning”
The pain that lingers inside of his heart flows with Atlas’s tears. The regret and guilt he felt, shows in his expression and his eyes, resided …
“Oh!” Atlas noticed the tears on her coffin. He took a clean handkerchief, wiping it, and takes out a silver bracelet with an engraving on it that says, “Silver promise.” He places it above the coffin and said: “This … is my final farewell.”
He left the room, immediately walking out of the building. Outside, the devastated man notices Nick and Trisha standing, approaching them. The cold creeping under their skin despite them wearing a jacket.
“Dude. I am-”
“No, don’t apologize. You are right.”
“But …” Nick looked down, frowning. Atlas couldn’t keep a straight face, the tears flowing again.
“Al, I … I do not know what to say.” Nick taps his best friend’s shoulder. “Because what you went through, is something I can’t empathize with.”
Trisha, who was just listening and crying, approaches the two, her eyes red. Both boys look at her.
“I’m sorry,” Atlas said. “I failed to fulfill my promise to her.”
“No, it’s not your fault,” Trish replied.
The crimson-haired man couldn’t say anything. He knows that Trisha loved Mei, she was her best friend. A friend who she trusted during her hardships. They were sisters who supported and shared their burdens.
She lost all of it. All that remained were only those found in her heart. Feelings and memories.
Atlas can’t accept it. “No! It is my fault! If only … If only I didn’t turn my phone off! If only I notice her messages, I would’ve…”
“She is right, it’s not your fault. It is nobody’s fault.” a woman said, interrupting him. Her footsteps getting louder and louder as she gets closer. “Please Al … Do not be guilty. We, the Watanabe’s, are thankful.”
“Aunt Naili?” His eyes widened.
Here was Naili Watanabe, Mei’s mom, wearing a plain black dress.
“What do you mean thankful?” He asked.
“For being with her and protecting her throughout her life. We are also glad that you rushed and found the body. We would have not known if not for you …”
“But!”
Naili walks towards Atlas and holds his hand, her warmth reminding him of his mother.
“Be brave for Mei’s sake … You were an important man in her life. I ask you, live for her sake.”
He couldn’t say anything, so he nodded. Naili smiles, letting go of his hand.
‘Glad? Thankful?! Don’t screw with me!’ he thought, but deep inside, he felt a little hopeful.
Naili walks toward Trisha, patting her head. “Trisha, Mei always told me about how she was always positive because of you.”
“She also told me stories of all the fun things you did, and it makes me laugh on how often she exaggerated it,” she chuckled. “My daughter always told me how precious you were to her and how she’d rather get hurt for you. To make my daughter enjoy her youth, thank you.”
The shocked woman couldn’t speak a word. She is in pain and confused. Despite that, she smiles. What Naili said gave her hope.
Naili approaches the last person in the group, Nick.
“Nick … Despite the disputes of the family Watanabe and Azami. You remained a sweet friend. She told me how patient you were when she tried to confront you because of your surname.” Naili smiles.
----------------------------------------
The first time Mei and Nick met; it was at Quantum International University.
“Al, who is he?” asked the black-haired girl.
“He’s Nick. I met him at the cafeteria a week ago! He is a good and amazing guy …" He said.
“You sound like you’re bragging …"
“Nice to meet you, my name is Nick Azami!” The man smiled widely.
“Nice to meet- Wait … Azami? The Azami of the parliament?!” Mei asks.
“Uhh … Yes?” Nick said, confused.
“Al, I refuse to be friends with him!” she points at Nick, pouting.
“Wait … Don’t be like that … Not all Azami are very bad people!” Atlas defends Nick, waving his arms.
“No! Mom said that they are treacherous people who do everything for power, fame, and wealth … “
“Umm …" Nick smiles awkwardly, rubbing his chin with his index finger.
“And they also kill people who try to stop them!”
“Al? Mei?” Nick said while still smiling awkwardly
“And they!”
“Hello?” Nick said
“What?!” Mei said, looking at the man, annoyed
“Are you perhaps, the artist?” Nick asks curiously
“What do you mean?” Mei starts to sweat
“Is your pen name, Rei the Unicorn?”
Atlas is shocked.
“How?!” the flustered Mei asks.
“Hahahaha, so it is you?”
“I am surprised that you know Nick! How though?” Atlas asked as he playfully punches Nick.
“Well, her voice from her interviews! It is recognizable!” Nick smiled widely.
“Wha?! Tch … I knew it, I should’ve canceled them” She muttered.
“Do you recognize me though? Well, I shouldn’t ask because you two probably won’t. So, I am going to tell you”
Mei and Atlas anticipate Nick’s next words.
“I am Nicolas. The number 1 sponsor of Rei the Unicorn!”
“Wait! Really?!” Atlas exclaimed.
“No way! I won’t believe you …" Mei crossed her arms.
Nick shows his account through his phone and confirmed it by logging in.
“Ah! So, it is you!” Atlas said.
“Noo!” Mei can’t believe it.
“So, we already know each other through chats. Nice to meet you again, Mei or Rei!”
Mei is silent and she feels guilty. The black-haired girl can’t believe that the number one sponsor and the person she chats with online is Nick.
*pit-a-pat* *pit-a-pat*
Trisha is approaching the three people and asked: “Mei, Al, what is up here?”
Nick notices the girl who entered the conversation.
“Hmph? Aren’t you the athlete everyone was talking about in class? Good timing, I just bought some snacks, why don’t we all eat on the rooftop” Trisha showed the snacks and stares at Nick.
Nick paused for a bit. “If it’s okay for Artist here,” Nick said, and everyone’s gaze fixed at Mei.
“It … is fine I guess …"
----------------------------------------
“She also told me that she became embarrassed because of that. Even though she insulted you and your family at first, you are still friendly and continued to support her work. Thank you …"
Mei’s mom moves away from Nick and stands in front of them “Everyone. I am thankful … Very thankful that Mei has wonderful friends” She bows to the group of equally surprised friends.
Trisha is paralyzed and her mouth opened. She closed her mouth and eyes.
Nick clenched his fists while looking at Naili.
Atlas took 2 steps forward and reaches out his hand in attempting to touch the shoulders of the woman.
*Drip* *Drip*
He notices the teardrops in the ground. He retreats his hand. “Aunt Naili …" He said.
The bowing mom raised herself and replied “I’m fine” with a bitter smile. Mei’s mom quickly turns around and rushes to the building.
The friends are alone. They were just there, standing. All of them felt empty.
Trisha notices the mood; she hesitates at first but found the determination to ask.
“Do you guys want to hang out for a while?”
Atlas and Nick show hesitation to agree. Atlas gritted his teeth but then …
‘Breathe in and out. Calm down …" he thought and follows his thoughts.
“Sure, but may I choose where to go?”
Nick approaches his best friend and asks, “Where?”
----------------------------------------
It is around 4:00 pm when they left the funeral home. Atlas, Trisha, and Nick visit the park located at the mountain peak.
“This place is?” Trisha said as she looks around. A strong wind blew, and she felt very cold. The woman starts to rub her shoulders to be warm.
“I did not know that a place like this exists here,” Nick said as he looks at his surroundings.
“This is the place where Mei and I escaped when she was almost kidnapped. The Crimson man said.
“Oh …" Nick reacted.
“Mei told me in detail,” Trisha said.
Atlas nods and approaches one of the fences. He sits down and said “We hid and rested her. We ended up talking about fun things like what happened at school and such …" The crimson man looked at the cloudy sky with a distant face. “This is the place where I first created the first promise in my life.”
“I see...” Nick replied. He now understood why Atlas brought them here. As for Trisha, she already knew.
Suddenly, a light shine. It was warm and they felt something absent in their lives for a week. It is comfort.
The woman who was walking around, halts. Her pupils dilate when the sun going down.
“Wow!” she said.
Atlas, who was sitting on the bench suddenly stands up and slowly walks until he reaches the fence while looking up.
Nick also stood up from sitting and inhales deeply as he stares at the beautiful sight.
Atlas remembers how pretty it was. The same beauty is in front of him.
“The coincidence of the sun,” Nick describes.
It is truly a sight to behold, clouds parted only for the sun to shine its breathtaking view.
Atlas grabs the fence as he reminisces.
*Grips*
“Aaaaagh!” he shouted as he looks up at the sky. The pain inside his chest follows the waves of echo from his shout.
Atlas gave his all. He stopped and realizes that is not enough.
‘it … still hurts” he thought as his head drops.
*drip* *drip*
Tears are on the floor. Nick and Trisha, hear the man, sobbing.
Nick closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
Trisha felt the emotion of Atlas’s shout and cried out loud.
Nick notices and approaches her. He hugs her immediately and kisses her forehead.
They mourned. The life of Mei is beautiful; however, it’s fleeting as the beautiful sunset on the horizon.
----------------------------------------
In the dark living room of a very huge old mansion. A woman is running away.
*Bang*
A bullet pierces through her right arm.
“Ouch!” She shouted.
Blood starts to come out and the wound swelled.
*Thump*
The impact of the bullet made her fall.
“Damn!” she said, sweating. She touched her wound and felt a sting.
A man who looks like at the age of 40 is approaching the stumbled woman while holding a knife.
“You can’t run away from me weakling. After using a spell that killed everyone in the room, I know that your body is not as strong as before.”
“You piece of shit … How did you know?”
“Trade secret my dear …"
The man kicks the woman’s stomach. The feeling of air going out of her body and her eyesight becomes blurry, not only that, but her stomach also feels a sharp pain.
“You are going to kill me anyway, so why don’t you tell me?”
The man kneels and raises his knife.
“I’ll tell you … In hell!”
*Bam* *pit-a-pat* *Pit-a-pat* *Pit-a-pat*
A group of armed men destroyed the huge door and entered the mansion.
“Do not move! This is the Island’s special force!”
The force wearing an improved combat suit points their guns
“Wha?! … You bitch!”
*Stab*
“Guack!”
The man stabbed the knife into the woman’s forehead. The woman experiences a pain that can’t be expressed by words.
“Hahahaha! Idiots! The woman is now dead, and you should’ve acted quickl-”
*Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*
The noise of the rapid-fire rang throughout the huge mansion and the sounds of bullet shells falling down the tiled floor can be heard as well.
“Stop!” a man commanded.
Blood gushes everywhere, the man felt air entering the holes in his body, the excruciating pain is too much that his brain stops functioning
*Thump*
His body dropped and a pool of blood is made. He is dead.
“Search the area!” The vice commander of the special force ordered.
The forces acted without saying a word. They checked every room, every cabinet, and every hidden corner.
“12 dead suspects, spotted!” The soldier yells at his latest combat smartwatch that serves as a communicating device.
The bodies died in a very peculiar way. Their skin is pale blue, their eyes are pure white with red veins bulging, their mouth opened wide, their teeth are crooked and black.
The forces retrieve all the body except the man who was shot and the woman that was stabbed in the forehead.
An hour later, they show the gathered documents, killing tools, demonic books. They also took photographs of different pentagrams.
The man who ordered the special force checks the evidence and enters the mansion. The black trench coat that is overlapping all-black suit flaps as he enters through the huge door. The black gloves and black combat shoes complement his overall appearance. His fierce eyes and dark hair release an aura of superiority and grimness.
“Did you find it?” the man in all black asked.
“No … we can’t find it” replies the vice commander.
“Tsk … How annoying …" he said as he covers his temple.
He approaches the dead body of the man and kicks his head hard. The newbie soldiers opened their mouths due to the shocking scene, but the old ones reacted like it was nothing.
*Ptui*
He spits on the body. The man approaches the woman that got stabbed in the forehead and said.
“Wake up! Or I will kick your head like the other one over there, I still have questions you need to answer … or do you prefer to be shot in the head?”
He pulls out his colt and points it.
“Stop threatening people or karma will bite you back!” she laughed
The woman on the floor suddenly spoke. She opened her eyes, smiles twistedly, and stood up without any support other than her feet. Her hands reach the knife in her forehead and pull it, blood gushed but it stops immediately since the wound regenerated.
The forces are not surprised.
“Detective Valiant of the Special Force Department …" She smiles. “What are your questions? Oh! Are you asking me to go out with you? I would gladly accept it. You are handsome and your body is well built …” She said.
The woman touched Valiant’s shoulders seductively and her hands slowly moved down in his body.
*Grab* *Grip*
“Claire the Assassin. Do not touch me, and I will appreciate it if you answer my questions. If not …"
*Click*
“This colt will kill you even if your regeneration abilities are supreme.”
“Tsk … Okay,” she rolled her eyes.
Valiant relinquishes her hand.
“Where is the Shadow’s Grimoire?” He asks while pointing the colt in her head.
“Dunno … I don’t want to even answer,” Claire said in a grim tone, staring at his eyes.
“oh ... Why?”
“The colt is at my head.”
Valiant sighs and keeps the colt in his coat.
“Where is it? Edward said that it would be here.”
“Because it was originally here …"
“Then where do you think the grimoire is now?”
“Ask the sorrows.”
Valiant’s eyes widened with rage, he clenches his fist, and a dark aura is released. The angry man punches.
*slap*
‘I hit her’ He thought.
“Hehehe … You lost your patience Detective!” Claire said.
She blocked the punch by using her palm and grips Valiant’s fist. He prepares to counter with his other fist, but Claire has fast reflexes.
*Swoosh*
Claire pushes his chest with her palm and Valiant fails to counter. The detective staggers but he manages to retain his stance.
Due to the detective’s sturdy body and the dark aura that he manipulated; he can’t receive scratches. But he received a strong blow that he can’t defend, it made his chest vibrate and a burning sensation lingers.
“I am surprised that you know how to counter an aura shield.”
“It hurts though … My palm suffered a terrible bruise due to your sturdiness” Claire replied, her face shows pain while gripping her wrist.
The palm hurts as she tries to move it. The break of blood flow hurts, and the pain is similar to a hand that is hammered.
Valiant releases a heavy amount of aura, the thickness spreads so much that people near it can collapse.
The scared officers can’t hide the fear in their eyes. So, the vice commander shouted “Detective, control your rage! The forces are about to faint!”
Valiant heard the shout and thought ‘What am I thinking?’
He suppresses the aura, closed his eyes, and breathes deeply. He slowly opens his eyes and fixes his coat.
“Thanks to my subordinates, I managed to control my anger … Why is it that you refuse to answer?”
“It’s not that I refuse, I was just telling the truth!”
The wounded Claire moves her palm and flinches in pain, but it healed immediately.
“I am about to lose my mana because of this …" she said, her face shows disappointment.
“Then, I should ask the sorrows? Those pesky ghosts will just lie …”
“No, that is Edward’s job. He already asked them the location of Shadow’s Grimoire.”
“Stop going in circles and tell me where the hell is the Grimoire?!”
“Tsk … impatient bastard,” she mutters. “Do you know about the latest homicide that happened recently?”
Valiant thought for a while, rubbing his chin in the process
“The last homicide happened last year! Stop searching for re-”
“They purposely hid it from the public and the parliament does not also want your department to know.”
Valiant looks around. The confused forces are murmuring and asking each other what the two are talking about.
“Get out and take the bodies with you!” Valiant said in a commanding voice.
The forces listened. They took the bodies away and left them alone.
“So, where are we?” Valiant asked.
Claire searches her pocket and found a photo. She walks going to Valiant and shows it to him.
“Who was she?”
“Her name was Mei Watanabe.”
Valiant observes the photo and notices a pentagram around the nailed body. His eyes widen and he starts to panic.
“This! This is the Skull Pentagram!” he said “Wait! The skull pentagram … The Shadow’s Grimoire … And the family Watanabe … Don’t tell me!”
“Yes, ‘that’ incident might happen again.”
“So, your plan is?”
“To lure you out here, Detective.”
“That bastard …”
Valiant calms himself.
‘He got me. Sending false information to lure me out just like that. His judgment is right though, going to the department and telling me this information is very risky since spy cameras and hidden voice recorders are inside my office for safety. Though, why did she kill those people recklessly?’
“Why did you kill those people?”
“I was gathering information, but I got careless. Out of habit, I used a spell to kill everyone in the room, and that guy, the one who stabbed my throat, is their leader”
“I see …" Valiant understood what Claire meant.
‘There is only one spell that can kill everyone inside a room, and it explains why she was defeated by a weakling despite her skills’
“Did you gather anything useful?”
“Yes. They said that the lord of the Skulls returned to life”
“Hm?!” the man reacted and formed a shocked face. “There is no way?!”
“Yes, there is …"
Valiant is speechless.
“We need your assistance, Detective Valiant. You are the one who solved ‘that’ incident.” Claire said seriously.
The detective thought about it deeply, he crosses his arms. “Why do I need to help you? You are good at finding useful information, I’ll give you that. But what else can you do?”
Claire flinches and Valiant continues. “I can solve it on my own. Get lost!”
“Are you this cold?!” Claire asks as she clenches her fist.
Valiant stayed quiet, he turns around and is about to leave.
‘You ungrateful bastard! After all the information I gave, you dare act like that?!’ Claire thought.
“Valiant Vega! I wouldn’t walk out if I were you!”
Valiant’s expression darkens, his eyes blazing in anger. The man quickly turns around to face Claire.
“Where did you learn my surname … ANSWER ME!”
“What? You thought Edward wouldn’t know? He is the best information broker in the Quantum Islands,” Claire smirked.
“ENOUGH! Now I have to …"
He pulls his colt, and points at Claire “... Eliminate the people who knows”
*Bang*
He pulled the trigger. “Huh?!”
The woman dodged the bullet by leaping high enough to reach the ceiling. She is light and nimble enough to do so.
“You piece of shit!” Valiant shouted.
Claire who is still in the air controls her body midair and launches herself in Valiant’s direction.
“Take this!”
The woman formed a kicking posture airborne.
*Bam* A loud noise echoes as the kick hits the block of Valiant.
The 2 arms forming a block, separated. The man can’t keep his block from the impact, and he is pushed back. The frustrated man uses his foot as a break and regains his balance. He concentrated his aura into his foot and uses it as a force to push him.
*Swoosh*
He flew into Claire’s direction instantly and pulls out his knife.
*slash*
Claire notices the knife nearing her face and leaps backward instantly but Valiant's colt points at the airborne Claire.
*Bang*
He fires it and Claire’s head got hit. A clean headshot. Her body fell.
*Thump*
Valiant waited, but 20 minutes later. She is still not moving.
“She is dead huh?” Valiant is relieved.
“Ouch!” He shouted. He notices the bruises on his arms. “Heh … It’s been quite a long time since I have one” He can’t move his arm properly due to the pain. He kneels and drops his weapon. He is sweating and pain is visible on his face. Then, he chanted these words “SANA ME SODES”.
Dark energy wraps his arms, he felt warm and comfortable until the pair is gone. He moves his arms and it feels light.
“Good …" He said.
He grabs his weapons and turns around to leave.
“Where are you going, shitty detective?” the voice is eerie.
Valiant’s eyes widen. After a long time, he felt something that he thought was lost within him. It is …
FEAR
“Was that Latin? Amazing! Where did you learn that fucktard?”
Valiant turns around and stares at her.
‘An immortal?! Then she is…!’
Claire flinches, the bullet that is said to kill any supernatural is still inside her forehead. Blood is dripping and the pain can kill a normal person. “AAAGH!” She shouted, mumbling incoherent words. “tatajadad”
Warm light surrounds her forehead, and the blood became hot inside. The hot blood pushes out the bullet.
*Cling*
The bullet fell. “AAAGH!” Claire feels like passing out due to the burning sensation she feels in her head. The hole in her forehead is closing. “GRR! Almost there!”
10 seconds later, the wound in her forehead healed but smokes are going out of her head. The pain is gone.
“I hate it when I have to go through that!”
“So, it is you … Leontine Grogrande. And here I thought that you are fiction.” Valiant said, smirking nervously.
“Don’t be rude. Your ancestor Diego is also known as a story …"
“I wonder where Edward found you?”
“Who knows?”
“Hehehe … interesting. Looks like you proved yourself to be useful.”
“Jerk! You just thought that the process of me reviving from anti-supernatural bullets are fascinating …"
“I will work with you guys. Tell him to contact me later.” the man in black smirks.
He leaves the mansion and now, Claire is alone.
“That man is full of shit! Edward, this better be worth it” Claire said.
----------------------------------------
It’s dark. Infinite darkness is around Atlas.
‘where am I?’ He thought.
“Why does it feel like I’m falling?” he asked himself, emotionlessly.
As he falls through the infinite darkness, a huge dark red eye appeared in front of him. A red aura flows out from the eye, the only thing glowing in the darkness.
“What … is that?”
He stares at it, then …
*Thump* *Thump*
His heart beats at an abnormal rate.
‘Am I scared?’ he thought.
The eye spoke, the voice echoed in the infinite vacuum of darkness.
“Substantiality is a fable. Fable is substantial. Two separate worlds become interconnected.”
‘What?’ the man thought.
“Human … Every day, the world of substance shifts in a minuscule manner. Is it the same world after a week? And if the world decides to disfigure the intrinsic development and chooses to transmogrify by combining two realities… is it different from the minuscule changes of the past?”
“I” He ponders for a moment before continuing.
‘The world changes, so is it the same world after a week? Then one day, the world decides to change abnormally, is it different from the little changes? Wait, is it even abnormal if the world’s change is nothing new?’
He can’t think of any answer.
“I do not know …"
His body is still falling, but he gets no closer to the eyes.
“HUMAN!” the anomalous being shouts. “Behold what is around you. Discover the Unknown. The obscure is dark, but even the stars shine the most in the darkest place.”
*Slice*
His torso has been sliced by an unknown force.
“AAAGH!” He shouted.
Atlas felt so much pain, to the point that it slowly takes away his consciousness.
As his vision started to blur, he hears the final words of the Unknown
“I have credence that you will perform your task! The anomaly of the Heavens, Father Ti …"
----------------------------------------
Atlas woke up, sweating. His bed is soaked as he touches it and checks his torso. He felt relief because it was there.
“Time … to make breakfast,” He said.
The crimson-haired man remembered the dream. But he can’t remember what the creature said. It felt real.
‘I wish … that the pain killed me …’ he thought.
It is December 24, 2032. 6:07 AM. It is the day of Mei’s burial. The time they need to meet is around 8:00 AM. He woke up early.
‘Cup ramen and coffee is enough for now’ he thought.
He eats, slurps, and drinks. He finishes his food and cleans up the dirty things. He decides to seat on the floor.
‘My phone,’ he thought as he took it.
*Tap* *Tap*
Minutes later, he got bored. He does not know what to do anymore. His dreams are crushed, he lacks motivation and he feels empty.
“Haahh … What am I going to do?” Atlas muttered and raises his head, looking up the ceiling. After a while, he got tired and looks at his desk.
There, he saw the picture inside a frame. Atlas stares at it.
Atlas, Trisha, Mei, and Nick, smiling together.
“hahaha, Al is too weak to catch the ball!”
“Shut up! I exercise you know!”
“Hey, Meeeeiiii! Fix my hair!”
“Trish, I already taught you!”
Memories, that is all that remains …
Atlas stared at it with his dead eyes. He gritted his teeth and cradled his face.
*sobs*
He cried.
“Why?” “Why?” “WHY?” “WHY?” “WHY? “WHY?!” Atlas shouted and threw his phone at the picture frame. The frame fell and it shatters. He stood up.
*Smash*
He punches a mirror nearby. He felt the sharp pain in his fist, and it starts to bleed a lot. The man proceeded to punch the wall.
*Bam*
“Why?!”
*Bam*
“Why does she have to die?!”
*Bam*
“I don’t understand!”
“Al?” “Stingy!” “Hey, grump …" “You are sweet!”
As he punches the wall, memories keep playing.
*Bam* *Bam* *Bam* *Bam*
…. …. …. …. There is silence.
Atlas stopped. His fist is bloody and heavily bruised.
“THAT SHITTY KILLER! I will … I will crush your damn face! I will crush each one of your bones! After that, I will spit on your fucking corpse and burry you into the depths of hell!”
The pain that lingers inside of his heart flows with Atlas’s tears. The regret and guilt he felt, shows in his expression and his eyes resided ...
[https://i.imgur.com/lXvfRqt.jpg]
Rage and Hate
Chapter 2 End