Amid his sorrow, Brain's tears fall into his trembling hands, the weight of losing Jax crashing down upon him. Jax had been more than a friend, he was his pillar of support, the brother figure that Brain had yearned for. The realisation of his helplessness and anger brewed within him like a storm.
Sitting face to face with the woman who claimed to be Ludachel's mother, a sudden clarity struck him. He replayed the events of the previous night in his mind, questioning his choices. He should have insisted that Rin take the truck and escape while he faced whatever danger lurked behind. The young man, who had valiantly protected them despite being mere acquaintances, he had deserved better than a cowardly choice made out of fear and selfishness.
Now, he found himself delicately suggesting the possibility of her son's demise, a weighty possibility hanging in the air between them.
"I'm so, so sorry." He shudders out.
Rin's gaze fell in shame as she watched her friend's deep sorrow, weighed down by the accusations he spat in her face last night, that had laid Jax's death at her feet.
The guilt and grief that had kept her awake all night pretending to be asleep in the truck, while Brain remained clear-headed at the loss of Jax, that now haunted them both in its inescapable sorrow.
With a resolve not to deepen her friend's pain and take this all on himself. Rin closed off her feelings, locking her pain and guilt away within herself. As her eyes shifted to Eve, noticing the intensifying green glow in her eyes and the hostility in her posture, Rin sensed the rising tension in the cluttered room.
Refusing to skirt around the unspoken truth any longer, Rin confronted the situation. Seeing Brain on the brink of emotional overload, she decided they couldn't afford to wait to uncover Eve's true intentions of bringing them here. Rising swiftly from her seat, Rin took hold of Brain's sleeve firmly, urging him to get ready to follow her out of the shop.
"We had no other choice," Rin spoke with a mix of sadness and determination. "Staying longer to save him would have been certain death for all of us. I'm not making excuses, but we were in a dire situation last night. We too suffered a loss, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing Brain as well because of a stranger we barely knew."
As they moved towards the front exit, Rin's voice grew stronger, expressing the turmoil within her. "If this whole thing wasn't just a horrible accident that led to a misunderstanding, then that means our city turned against us, our government betrayed us. Our friend was horrifically taken from us and I'll never recover. From where I'm standing, things had only spiralled out of control when Jax encountered Ludachel, I don't care if the decision to leave without your son was selfish."
Despite Brain's attempts to interject, Rin's voice carried on, filled with passion. "I won't even speculate on what you and your son truly are, so again, I'm sorry for your loss but it's time for us to take our leave from this madness." With a determined grip on Brain's sleeve, Rin led them to open the door, her confidence wavering but her resolve unshaken to face whatever lay beyond the threshold of Eve's shop.
"I'm afraid I can't let you leave."
Eve states as she feels her magic vibrate and thicken under her skin as ancient scriptures reveal themselves onto her body, emitting an otherworldly golden glow. The swift transition from the shop to the eerie corridor left Rin and Brain bewildered, their minds struggling to make sense of the sudden change.
Rin's outburst echoed through the dimly lit passage, her fear and frustration colouring her words. "What the hell did you do, you crazy freak?"
Brain, as well, found himself grappling with disbelief as he clung to Rin for reassurance. "This... this can't be real," he muttered, his gaze darting around the flickering lights in a panic.
Eve stood firm, her demeanour unwavering amidst her energy, As she revealed her celestial nature with the display of her magic, Rin couldn't help but voice the growing doubt in her mind. "Are you even human?" she questioned, one hand gesturing pointedly while the other clutched at her dress in a mixture of fear and doubt.
"I cast a spell and brought our souls to where Ludachel is, so lucky for you that means he is alive," Eve states as she observes their surroundings in confusion.
"Oh? Oh well, sure crazy lady let's just pretend this is normal, so if that's the case, where the fuck is he then?" Rin says expressively with her hands out.
"I don't know mortal!" Eve snaps.
Brain looks at Eve with a darkening expression, " You didn't answer her question. What are you and why did you bring us here?"
Eve walks down the corridor in search of Ludachel as she answers him, "I am what you would call an angel, an angel who welds the energies of life, which is a welded craft called mana, that I manipulate into what humans call magic, and you're here because I say-" Eve trails off as she finds a small window in a cement door that is heavily locked.
Eve rushed ahead to the window, urgency plain in her voice. "Come, I found him," she declared. Within moments, they were enveloped in a cold, confined space that reeked of stale air and sweat.
Ludachel sat huddled in a corner, trying to ward off the chill, not noticing their presence as he dosed in and out of consciousness.
"Stop doing that!" Rin growled.
"It's Ludachel," Brain stated softly as he cautiously approached him. Bending down, he attempted to shake Ludachel's shoulder to rouse him, only to watch his hand pass through Ludachel's form. Frightened, Brain recoiled. "What just happened?" he exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief.
Eve's explanation cut through the tension. "Our souls are the ones present in this cell; our physical bodies remain in my shop. He cannot feel or hear us."
In a surge of frustration, Eve hastily imparts a message before vanishing into thin air, leaving the two to grapple with the unsettling reality. "I will return, the truth behind this will be known to me," her words lingering in the air long after her departure.
Assuming an air of disbelief, Rin extends a hand to help Brain rise, their gazes flitting around the eerie confines of the cell. The dim light casting elongated shadows seemed to magnify the sense of foreboding that enveloped them.
"I want to wake up from this nightmare,"
Rin murmurs to herself, her voice quivering with uncertainty as Ludachel's trembling form serves as a chilling reminder of their surreal predicament.
Meanwhile, Eve started her exploration through the underground prison, that is holding her charge, in what she perceived to be beneath the City of Ebba, a grim place that seemed to house the worst of human nature - murderers, rapists, serial killers, and unexpectedly, large Deathtems resembling the one she had previously encountered when saving the youngsters.
Puzzled by the presence of these monstrous beings and questioning why they weren't put down and were captured instead, Eve pressed on, determined to uncover the truth behind this hidden underworld to which she realised she had no prior knowledge of the existence of this fortress-like prison beneath the city.
"How could such a massive facility have been built right under my nose?" Eve wondered, concerned with clouding her thoughts. The secrecy and scale of this hidden fortress raised numerous questions in her mind.
Suddenly, a middle-aged lady emerged from a keypad-locked room, carrying an advanced Pad that seemed out of place in this dark environment. Intrigued by this unexpected technology and the role this woman played in the grand scheme of things, Eve decided to follow her, noting the blatant respect from guards patrolling their sections as they nodded, promoting to the lady's air of mystery and authority she may hold here.
The lady, dressed in a pristine white lab coat and military badges led Eve to an elevator that descended further into the depths of the underground facility. As the doors opened with a chime it reveals a council room filled with individuals donning black robes.
"Hello, Security Council. I appreciate your presence here today, I know how full your schedules can be. Please, take your seats around the table," the lady spoke with authority as she made her way to the head of the table, manipulating holographic displays on her Pad.
The scene was set for a crucial discussion, and Eve realised that this council held the key to understanding the secrets buried deep within the prison's confines.
The council members all nodded in unison as they took their places at the long mahogany table, their expressions grave and serious. One of them spoke up, addressing the woman in the lab coat known as Alexis.
"Director Alexis, the government is raising questions about the events of last night and our apparent inaction. They want to know why they lost all functions of the city, and what happened with the mascara incident that no one stepped in to prevent, I hope you know what you are doing," he stated sternly.
Alexis, not affected, replied in a relaxed sweet voice, "I have not only an explanation but a fixed solution that I have already presented and moved forward with, hence the by-product of last night. The government, ladies and gentlemen have been struggling with overpopulation for years, and while simply eliminating criminals might seem like an easy fix to the solution, in reality, they stay stationed here in this facility that no one knows of, other than ourselves and the head station of the government, and besides I rather keep them for experiments, thus I insinuate it wouldn't address the root of the problem. So to keep Oder amongst the people of Edda, I proposed a more... efficient approach."
She leaned back in her chair, her blue crinkled eyes gleaming with conviction as she continued, "Picture this: luring all the miscreants, drunks, and undesirables outside the city walls with the promise of safety and fun outside their useless lives, only to have them face a planned 'accident.' A widespread power outage that conveniently locks the gates, leaving them vulnerable to an unforeseen threat they thought to be under control. My team took it upon ourselves to orchestrate it to seem like a tragic incident with no survivors, even our own soldiers sacrificing themselves heroically in the dark. It worked flawlessly. A small sacrifice to maintain order and spare the council from direct involvement. All they need to do is maintain the illusion."
As she finished speaking, the room fell into a heavy silence, each council member contemplating the implications of Alexis's words and the dark path they had seemingly chosen to follow by placing her in charge.
The tense silence in the security council chamber was shattered by the harsh sound of a chair scraping across the floor near the back of the room. A man's voice, full of anger and conviction, rang out, "This is madness! I refuse to be a part of this! You don't have the right to play god with our people's lives.
There are other ways to address this overpopulation issue. We could expand our city, create more space for our citizens. What you're proposing is nothing short of tyrannical, Director Alexis. You claim to be solving problems, but you're creating more harm than good. You are no better than criminals you entrap, dare I say worse."
Alexis, her smile unwavering, rose from her seat and walked deliberately towards the defiant man, Councilman Bendidick. Leaning in close, her voice low and dangerously calm, she whispered, "Bendidick, choose your battles wisely. You may be new to how things work in the federal law enforcement. but understand this - I hold this position for a reason. My decisions are made in the best interest of our city's survival. While your idealistic solution may have its merits, the harsh reality is that we are constrained by limited resources, manpower, and time."
She continued, her tone almost mocking, "Yes, we have plans for city expansion in the future, but we can't afford to wait while our population swells uncontrollably, imagine the chaos, the disorder! We have a duty to act swiftly and decisively, even if it means making tough choices. Remember, I was chosen for this role because of my ability to ensure the greater good. Your objections, while noble, may jeopardise the very foundation of our society. If you want to point blame, blame our ancestors who didn't bother to think of your solution sooner."
Benedict's hand clenched involuntarily, beads of sweat forming on his temple as the realisation of his precarious position fully dawned on him. Around the table, the expressions of his fellow council members ranged from pity to disapproval. It was clear now, whether out of fear or allegiance, none would openly challenge the Director. The oppressive silence was broken only by the tyrant, who, positioned herself ominously close to Benedict, gripped his shoulders with a force that contradicted her calm demeanour. Her voice, loud enough for all to hear, carried a thinly veiled threat. "Does anyone else have concerns they'd like to express, or may I proceed with the purpose of our gathering today?"
A voice, seasoned with years but sharp with conviction, cut through the looming tension, "Director Alexis, rather than an objection, I do have advice for you coming from an old man with experience. While I commend your decisiveness and intellect, your strategies reveal a significant failure – a lack of empathy. The recent events under your directive may seemingly unfold without hitch, yet, I fear you gravely underestimate the resilience of our citizens. They will not be easily duped, especially those mourning relatives lost in last night's debacle. Doubt and inquiry will rise among our city's people, casting long shadows over our council's intentions. It is crucial that we maintain a seamless narrative, not only within our ranks but also among those you answer to. Otherwise, you may find that the worries of overpopulation pales in comparison to the storm of discontent brewing on our doorstep."
This statement, resonating from the council's eldest member, left Benedict momentarily taken aback, eliciting murmurs of agreement and concern among the assembly.
Alexis released her grip on Benedict's shoulders, chuckling heartily in response to the elder council member's words. The sound is more threatening than cheerful. "Oh, Michael, you old wise soul. Your insights always cut through the fog of uncertainty, bringing a sense of grounding. You may doubt me in times of crisis, but I assure you, I am prepared for any challenges that may arise. There's no need for concern, my esteemed colleagues. Trust in my abilities and the art of persuasion. When faced with adversity, rest assured that I have plans in place."
She paused, a glint of confidence in her eyes as she continued, "As to those above me who question my methods, I would hope they understand - numbers hold power. While the higher-ups take, I give. I offer my intellect, my influence, opportunities, advancements, and most importantly, tangible results. I am the pillar they lean on when their resources falter. Empathy, well, that's a luxury I can afford to delegate to those who serve under me. From the esteemed individuals gathered around this table to the roots I've established across the government and into the very streets that whisper my name in fear, my network is vast and unwavering. Knowledge, my dear Michael, is the ultimate weapon in this intricate dance of power. Trust in my expertise and experience despite my younger age, for I am well-equipped to navigate the complexities of our city's challenges."
"Anything else?" Alexis inquired cheerfully, her voice cutting through the hushed atmosphere that had settled in the room, her implications weighing heavily on everyone seated around the table.
As silence greeted her question, she smoothly made her way back to her seat at the head of the table, a victorious smile on her lips. "Good," she declared simply, her tone carrying a sense of finality. "Then I can begin in earnest."
Unbeknownst to those in the room, a celestial angel seethed with righteous anger at the malevolent deeds she had come in witness to, her ethereal out-of-body presence a stark contrast to the darkness that shrouded the chamber.
Author here~~
(Ha, this was a hard one, I'm no good at politics so I hope this chapter wasn't lost in translation haha.
feedback is most welcome.
also, this is an action-packed fantasy that's very intricate, so in saying that, please be patient with the romance part of the story because I need to first build some bone structure in the plot to make this a worthwhile story.
I want you to follow along with character development and uncover the plots before I focus on Ludachel and Pain. Trust me in this, because I hope to make it worth the wait.)