Third Person POV
The bitter and anguished cry of a man was heard from the very dark room, only a small gas lamp was there to give light.
His two hands are hanging upwards as if hanging. He had no top covering so the anguish that his body had suffered was obvious. He was full of so many bruises and wounds, from front to back. And still bleeding.
His face is bruised-closed. There was also thick blood dripping from his lips, his head was slightly bowed. The eyes can no longer open properly because of the wounds on it.
"Speak up!!"
One soldier whipped the long whip surrounded by small blade grains. Those sharp edges were fully coated with dark sticky blood.
"I don't know— AHH!"
He was again whipped five times.
"Say it!!"
The male soldier threw the whip he was holding. Hd took the lamp and placed it on the face of the bruised-closed man.
"Hunter… Don't let me kill you anymore."
Even though there's a lot sticky of blood leaking out from his face's deep wounds, still a tiny tear drop together with blood came out from his bloated eyes. In his face, any sign of furious emotion towards the man cannot be seen. Only a face of sadness and fear, despite of the his situation right now.
"C-Cap-tain…" his voice cracked.
"You can't save Roland, you understand, Hunter?!" he knelt hard on Hunter's stomach.
It causes vomiting a lot of blood.
~~~
Celine POV
With an opponent's kick Zillan flew away. It fell flat on large compartments of the concrete wall. My chest immediately ached.
"Did you capture… Hunter?!"
I tried to stand up, but my knees let me down.
"He wouldn't have lasted if he had said what was on the last page." He started walking towards me. "Listen, Celine. Maybe you're hesitant. Maybe you made the wrong decision then, didn't you?! Do you think you're going to win?! What do you think is happening now?! Aren't you all the same. You didn't see me in the first fight, war. You were so shocked "
He stopped in front of me, then squatted and stared at me.
"I know that the bitterness that everyone suffered because of your decision is still imprinted in your mind. Don't ignore that. How many died, huh? You don't want us to repeat that."
My forehead furrowed.
"I know… You know ..? Do you remember? I-I thought I was—"
"Pr-princess…" Zillan couldn't stand anymore. He was lying on his back and writhing in pain.
"Hunter gave me the book. But he didn't know the last part. Maybe you know…" he brushed my hair back, causing me to look up. "It's quite good you have short hair."
My jaw tightened. "You won't get anything out of me—"
"I won't force you, you know yourself. By the time the one sitting on the throne now judges, you will be thrilled. Remember your family in the palace."
My chest throbbed harder.
I don't have the strength to communicate with him anymore, because everything he says has a different meaning penetrates me. Here I am again on my own calvary, in my manner. I can't do anything, I don't want to repeat what happened in the first conquest. But I can’t quite imagine him being one of those traitors who wants to take the power of the crystal.
"What changes are on the last page of the sacred book?!!"
"I don't know! Nothing in my memory has changed, all I know is that I don't want what happened to the Guardians to happen again!!"
"Hunter…" I could see the changes in the color of his eyes. Sharp, scary. "He sacrificed the book so we could release the worthless Roland! It's just that the page is missing… so he can't leave yet! Speak up!! Who were your companions that day when they fought to Wisteria!!?"
I averted my eyes. "T-The G-guardians…" I lied.
"Impossible because all the guardians were dead then," I was suddenly stunned. "Because of you they all died. They trusted you but you just put them in danger. Now… Who is with you to guard Wisteria?! I read what is stated on the first page of the book, it states that the change in Wisteria— "
"I have no other guards and friends but the Guardians!--" he immediately scolded me. "Ahh!"
I fell to the ground while being humiliated. I could feel my chest tightening and I couldn’t breathe properly.
"Those are worthless!!"
"I-I don't aK-know what m-you are saying. I-I didn't go Wisteria." I couldn’t understand what he was saying, or whatever he was pointing at.
All I want now is to save the lives of the Guardians and my parents. But I don’t know what will happen. What if I just put more pressure on them? Is this what should be done, or what do I need to do? What is the next step? Do I still need to plan for the next ones? When they get it, will he keep what he promised me?
"Believe me. I-I just want to save the Guardians and my parents. I-I don't want what happened to them to happen again ..."
The tears flowed before I was holding back. He grinned. He turned slightly to Zillan.
"In that case, hurry up. We only need the power of the crystal, then I'll make sure no one dies."
My heartbeat quickened again.
He immediately stood up and approached Zillan. He even looked around, until he stopped sight of a piece of iron. Will?!
"Z-Zillan… What are you going to do with Zilla !!"
He took an iron and played with his hand. Twisted while smiling.
"Zillan!! Zillan, get out of there. Zillan!!"
I felt crazy because I knew Zillan didn't have the strength to run away. He protected me, but I was now helpless for him.
"C-Celine…" our eyes met. Zillan...
"Every hour matters, Celine." the protagonist said. In a flash the opponent struck the iron above Zillan's chest.
"AAAHHHHHH!"
"NO !!!!!!!!!"
~~~
Arlene POV
I opened my eyes and felt the heat of the sunshine. I roamed my eyes at my companions who were still asleep, except for June who was outside. I sat up from lying down and immediately shoved the gun into my pocket. I rested loosely because it was still here. I remember again what happened last night.
FLASHBACK |
"Do you have any other power!?" I promise.
"Why do you always come to my mind—" "
What are you talking about !? Are you upset alread !?“ Leo has also stood up
"It's begun when you arrived! There are images that suddenly come into my mind!"
"Arlene, calm down please…" Xiumin said.
"How can I calm down if you're with me in that image !? Ha ?! Why… Why do I feel like I know you and I remember those !!? Tell me because I'm going crazy, f*ck!!"
"Do you think you're the only one who can see?! Me, too! We, too! All of us!"
I was a little taken aback by what June said.
"It started when I saw you three. At first I just ignored it, but when I found out the same thing happened to the other guardians… That's when I was confused."
FLASHBACK ENDS |
"You're awake," said June. "Let's just wait for them to wake up before we leave." I just nodded in response.
He ignored me, then turned away. He was standing watching what was outside, so I also turned around, which I immediately withdrew. Too messy outside. Scattered, ruined. It was as if a war had taken place. Surprising because neither shadow even one person is absent.
I've been thinking about something else since last night. Now I am determined. Maybe I can do that. They are also leaving, maybe I can still benefit. I caught sight of Leo. He is the only one sitting asleep with us here. I can no longer deny how he looks. Larmine will definitely hang out if she can be with this one.
As soon as he woke up, we both immediately caught sight of him. I immediately turned away and happened to be embarrassed. I'm just swayed by my own actions.
What the hell? Act professional and cold. I shouldn’t be showing any emotion.
"Everyone's awake. We're going for a walk." June said, before turning to me. "If you have any questions, let's find out at once. Because I don't think it's a coincidence that we're here in your world. It looks like we're all…" He glanced at us one by one. "There are things we to know."