"This is my selfish wish, and all of this is for my family"
AEITH'S / MYRIANA QUEVAS' POV
"Ah, dang it!" I tripped. My partner is Thirtwen. He almost laughed at me, but I glared at him.
"Hey, where are we?" he asked as I sat on the ground and touched the wound on my knee. He just stood there compassionately examining his pistol.
"In war," I philosophically answer.
I'm really irritated. Aside from the fact that I fell, my partner is crazy. There are times that we can't sync. I don't know why Thirtwen has changed a lot, maybe because of his memories. He was a normal guy before but during our virtual game stuff, he's a bit zestful. Well, I guess he's matching my energy. My only weapon is a grenade while Thirtwen has a f*ckin' gun with him! What am I even gonna do with this grenade?! Tch.
"That's mine" I seized the pistol he was examining. He irritates me for being unfair that he got a pistol that's why I did it.
"What are you, a thief?" I got unlucky. He snatched it from me.
Hmp, thief? Yes, I have experienced the life of a thief.
"Sis, we don't have any more food. Pop hasn't come back yet. Mom hasn't come home to Aunt Edna yet," my third younger sister told me.
"Here, share it with them," I handed her a plastic bag containing five loaves. It came from the kind heart that provided food as I wandered down the street. I just drank a lot of water to relieve my empty stomach.
"Myriana! Martin has left again!" news from my fourth younger brother, Mark. Martin was second.
"What? Did he go billiard again?" Mark nodded in response.
How many times do I have to tell Martin that there are many dangerous people out there?
I was about to go out the door to look for my rebellious second brother when I heard our youngest, the sixth, crying.
"No more milk for baby," cry of my fifth younger brother.
I went back and approached our youngest sister who's still a baby and lifted her up. I did everything I could to make her stop crying. She doesn't want me to leave.
"Watch her first, I'll buy milk," I put her back to the crib.
I reached into my bag pocket, looking to see if I had any money leftover from my meager pocket money. What? Just this? Yesterday I still had enough money to buy more milk and food. I'm sure I didn't spend that!
"Hey, will you all be honest with me? Did someone steal from my wallet again?"
They were quiet but the one I saw the most lying was Mark. It's not new, he's always the one who steals from my stuff.
"You're a dead child." I approached him and slapped him in the ass. "You, how many times do I have to say that stealing is forbidden? It doesn't make a difference just because I'm your sister, understand?"
"Whaaa! That's enough!" he cried and begged to let him go.
I was about to strike a few more times when someone grabbed my right hand, it was Martin.
"Another one. Where did you go?!" I asked Martin while frowning. Mark hid behind Martin.
"Hey, I'm not done with you yet," I called Mark, but he ran. I would have chased him, but Martin stopped me.
"Enough of it," Tch, the nerve of this guy.
"Why? Are you the eldest? If you don't want me to beat them, teach and discipline them too! It doesn't have to be me all the time. Do your part as the second eldest!" I scolded him.
"Why are you acting like this? You weren't like this before."
"What am I?" I pointed to myself. "I've changed? You're all naughty. We don't have parents so who else can be expected, none other than but the eldest! It has been always me."
"You can just scold us. And don't ever excuse that we can follow you just because you're the eldest."
"F*ck my life! Now you're saying this to me?" I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Where were you, huh?"
"B-Billiards"
"Oh, you see? You're the oldest brother here yet you're playing around neglecting your siblings while I'm working?"
"We wouldn't be like this if you weren't like that!" He went out the door and ran away from the house.
I rubbed my forehead, and the pestilent water was about to drip into my eyes.
"M-Myriana, the baby is still crying," the third said hesitantly. I might have scared them off.
My little siblings are scared when I'm angry with Martin. He's already fourteen, he must be mature so he's already raising an argument with me.
I was blown away by the wind because of my problems accompanied by the crying of our youngest sister. F*ck. What kind of life is this? A thief. Daughter of a notorious city snatcher. Mom's a mistress. Poor—poorer than a rat. Almost all the bad images our neighbors call us have been branded in our family. I am the eldest of six. My good-for-nothing father is a thief and a drug addict who left us because our mother was a cheater. My mother visited our treacherous relatives to ask for and borrow money so that mother can go abroad, but our own relatives betrayed us. Mother was told that she is dirty and sinful. The way they judged her made them feel like saints. Without mom, I am the mother of my five siblings. At the age of 17, I had already experienced extreme hardship that a minor should not experience.
I robbed several people. I learned to curse just as a form of expression. I am always starving and struggling. Always hot-tempered with reproving brothers. I instantly became a second mother. I lost my interest in studying and wanted to work. I nearly got addicted to smoking and almost tried doing illegal drugs. I dropped out of my former school. Despite these, I'm still thankful and I didn't get addicted nor bear a child. I also tried killing myself. It didn't go well because I can't stop thinking about my little siblings.
Many of my classmates say that I have a knack for academics. Because of that, I decided to study again in a public school and became a scholar. I corrected myself differently from my parents because I have no intention to follow their steps. I poured out all my emotions by working, studying, and taking care of my siblings. I love them... I love my family. I'll finish this no matter what—even if it means trampling upon others I just met here. This is my selfish wish, and all of this is for my family.
"A lifetime of memories that I'll cherish till I die and meet you all again"
THIRTWEN'S / KARSON LU'S POV
She has really done it, huh? That Aeith or shall I call her Myriana? Haha! I'm not very used to calling her by her name. She is always frustrated when I'm with her. It all started in virtual games. During that one, our personalities have altered a bit brought by our memories. Despite of pair quarrels, we managed to win the last game. We only had minor squabble, but we ended up supporting each other. Well, we both have no choice because we're partners.
"Myriana, I saw Aeizen there," then I pointed there to the left. I forgot Aiezen's name, hehe.
"Don't call me by my name. You call me Aeith," What's with her nasty attitude? I just didn't argue with her anything about it.
"Get your pistol ready. We're going to attack Aeizen." How bossy, eh. She could've asked about my plan before commencing hers.
Aeizen is with Fifth. But they are roaming around separately quite far from each other. And Aeizen is the closest to us right now.
I am holding a small pistol. I would have liked the one that is worn on the back and used with both hands then, bang! bang! boom! As Master Aeith said, I had already prepared myself for the attack. Lucky to know what our nth sense is. Aeith is hearing and I am smelling. I can smell when someone is approaching us or we are close to the target and that's what I smell now.
We haven't found the others yet, so we have no choice but to attack Aeizen first.
"Focus properly, don't fall asleep," I blinked so as not to fall asleep and get bored because this is taking long. "Okay... go!"
I pulled the trigger and waited to see if I could bullseye Aeizen. Man, she ran away rapidly! It looks like she knew where I was and what was I'm going to do. She didn't just move by accident. Fifth got alerted when he felt something. They looked around then they ran away. I saw Aeizen's weapon is a katana and Fifth has a bow and arrow. What a good combination of weapons! Author plays favoritism, huh.
"Shit, they're gone. Why are you so stupid, huh?" Okay, she's scolding me.
"Why are you bullying me?" I confronted her.
"Bully? 'Cuz you deserve it! You're too slow," And she left me to where I was standing. There we have it, another pair quarrel from us. She could've been nicer to me but I'm getting to her nerves whenever she plays seriously.
I pondered for a moment and let her leave me. I'm used to it. Accustomed to being left behind. My dramatic self is on. Once upon a time, there was a calm, cool—okay stop there. I will tell you who I am. The name's Karson Lu, as young as 16. Good-looking, tall, happy-go-lucky, and talk of the town. Kidding aside, I am an only child living alone because my parents are out of the country for work. I've been accustomed to being alone most of the time but as someone who's longing more for familial love, I found it through my childhood friend. I have known her since we were kids because we are neighbors making our families close to each other. We had some laughs and shared our bad moments. My world became bigger because of her. We even planned to go to the same university soon despite taking different courses. Years have passed and she became sick, seriously ill. It agonizes me seeing her in that state—no longer a merry person that I knew. She still has a lot of goals to achieve with her young age. She is capable of everything, but I can see in her eyes that she's starting to lose hope. She has been always cheering me on and now I need to cheer her. A plea that not even money can buy so, I decided to do something for her. I can't lose those enthusiastic laughs after all. The death of my close friends on nth planet has brought me severe sadness. Witnessing their deaths has provoked me to do anything for my childhood friend as the main reason why I am here. To Eleventh, Thirteenth, and my schoolmate, Fortwen—you guys are awesome and will never be forgotten. It might be a short time of bonding and plays that we all had, but it felt like a lifetime—a lifetime of memories that I'll cherish till I die and meet you all again.
"Impossible is made possible through the mindset of people and how they pursue it"
SECOND'S / HEAVIEN'S POV
First and I are still here in the forest, watching the surroundings. The sun was a bit focused on our area, so I was sweating. We are looking for targets, but everyone seems to be cautious that not even a shadow has been seen. We sat on the ground for a moment and rested. As we sat, I look back at the novel I had written. I try to remember what the outcome of this stage will be. Who will be hurt this time? Who will win? Will I die or live?
"You good?" First asked and I can see in my peripheral vision that he's looking away.
I nodded, saying yes. "You?"
"There's nothing I could fear about when I'm with you."
I just smiled at what he said. "Why are you just calm?" Of all First's qualities, that's the one I envy the most. By being fearful, I become doubtful. By being doubtful, I lack confidence. By lacking confidence, I become weak.
"If you think negatively, you'll lose your consciousness on how you'll find a way to solve the conflict because you've planted in your brain that you can't. Impossible is made possible through the mindset of people and how they pursue it. "
That hit me. He said those seriously while looking at me. He is right. If I plant in my mind that we can do it, we can really handle it. First and I continued talking. He told me about his student life but only until then. He did not tell his family more information about who he was. I didn't even ask too many questions because I might be too rushing into his personal space.
"That was insane, haha!" he is laughing so hard.
"Hahaha!" We just had fun as if we didn't think of a problem.
"Okay, stop for a moment. I think I'm going to puke." It's fun to talk to him. A serious vibe can be turned into amusement while still in the middle of the game. I don't know if this is legal, but this doesn't feel right. We went silent for a moment as we looked at the trees until he spoke again.
"You're curious, right?"
I was distracted by what he said. "Hm?"
"C'mon, there's nothing to be shy about. You're curious about me, right?"
I paised. He really knew what I was thinking. I could see his sweat dripping down his forehead.
"Well, anyone would be," I answered indirectly.
"Really?-"
"But you don't have to tell me. Your life is personal, so I have no right to interfere." I averted my eyes from him.
"You're not anybody, you're somebody."
He really speaks from his heart, it's deep. I didn't speak at first and just looked at him.
"Then I'll tell you..." I didn't say no either, after all, he volunteered himself. And at least, I didn't force him.
"I'm l-look out!"
I was shocked at the noise I heard and at him hugging me.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes, what was that?" I turned to the right, and something exploded. "First, you have a wound," I touched his bleeding right arm.
"S-Sorry," he stammered and looked embarrassed. He released me from hugging.
I first shook the dirt from my clothes after standing up. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Thank you for saving me." If he hadn't protected me earlier, I might have been wounded too.
"Let's go!" He grabbed my right hand, and we hid in a large tree.
"Who's that?" I asked while panting.
"I saw them. It was Sectwen and Ninezen. If my eyes serve right, Sectwen has the grenade while Ninezen has a sword." So, it was Nadine and Trake.
So First and Trake were armed with the same weapon which is a sword. I discovered something from what First said earlier.
"Isn't sight your nth sense?" I asked.
"How?" he wondered.
"How did you see that Nadine had a grenade when they are far away from us?"
"Didn't you see them?"
"No"
"Maybe you're right. I'll have myself tested about my nth sense and don't forget yours so that we can put them to good use."
I nodded in agreement. We need to know our nth sense and when we can use it in battle.
"I think they're following us," First said scrutinizing the surroundings.
I also checked around, but I didn't see anyone except the two of us.
"Why don't you shoot your arrow?" he suggested to me.
"Huh?"
"I think you're right about my nth sense. I'll direct you their position, then you'll shot."
"Huh?!"
"C'mon, we can do this. Remember what I told you, right?"
"Why don't you do it?" I handed him my bow and arrow. If he'll shoot the arrow with his enhanced sense of sight, the chances of it being a successful shot is high.
"Okay," he replied.
When he touched my bow, he suddenly let go of it and pulled his hand away.
"Why?" I wonder.
"I was electrocuted"
"What?" He was electrified?
He touched my bow for a second and his left palm slightly reddened already. "I don't know how or why but glad I'm still alive."
I thought of a reason why that happened. I suddenly grabbed his sword and I also released it and fell to the ground.
"Ouch! I'm electrified too." I touched my right hand to lessen the pain it has caused me.
He blew on my electrified hand. "Why did you do that?"
"It only means one thing. It is forbidden for another person to hold or use one's own weapon."
We had no choice.
"Move it to the southeast, angle 220 degrees..." First is telling the direction in that I should point my bow and arrow.
I was nervous while holding this weapon. What made it even more difficult was why there was no hole in the middle of the bow. I used my finger to straighten it. I didn't really see anyone, just trees, rocks, bushes, and leaves so I don't know if we would hit the target.
"Steady and... shoot!"
I let go of the arrow and closed my eyes.
"Nice shot!"
I looked up and asked First. "What happened?" I can't see anything in particular from that distance.
"You hit Sectwen's shoulder"
Huh? Will I be happy or sad? There is something that stings my heart. I hurt Sectwen.
"The others are already there. We got to go and attack them." First was about to hold out his hand to me when he noticed that I was stunned.
"What's the matter?"
"T-This is wrong. This is not the right thing to do," I'm getting teary-eyed.
He brought his face close to mine and stared at me deeply. "Look at me... Just, look at me. Think about surviving, winning. If we don't fight, we won't reach our goals. I know we can do this."
I took a deep breath. I am touched by what he said. He has a point. We will only suffer if we do not want to fight for life.
"But does it really have to be like this?" I questioned him.
"How about… we will go fully on defending ourselves and let them attack first?"
His suggestion makes it less death-dealing. I agreed because I have no better idea. We ran as he held my trembling hand. I stopped crying because I must be strong like him.
"Someone's following us," I got worried about what she said. "We can't just run. We need to face them."
We stopped running and waited for whoever he said was following us. Not long after, it was Karson and Myriana.
"Myriana!" I called her and waved. They are just 10 meters away from us. I am happy to see that they are safe.
"Heavien," she stuttered looking surprised.
"Yo, guys! We've been following noises and t'was you." They are following us?
"What're you doing here?" serious question by First.
"Because my partner heard fast crackling sound probably running. I smelled a scent of a girl, lol. It just smelled like Heavien," he winked at me. "Then we followed you. I wasn't sure if it was Heavien's scent but it's really you." Karson is talking about scents. His nth sense must be a sense of smell.
"If you can smell Second, doesn't it mean that you already know that I am with her?"
"I didn't tell Aeith that I could smell her, so she insisted we chase you to confirm from whom footsteps she heard." And Myriana's must be a sense of hearing.
I looked at Myriana, she was just silent.
"Why don't you say... you want to attack us?" First's mischievous question. I stopped him but he just gave me a look saying, 'Don't worry, I got this'.
"Ah, hehe. You're very straightforward, man. Well, you can call it that. We don't have a choice because you're who's closest to us right now."
Karson pulled out his pistol. Just one click of the trigger and we can die!
Myriana looked at me. "Forgive me, Heavien. I have to do this." She slowly took the g-grenades out of her suit pocket!
What are we going to do? First also presented his sword to the two of them and then told me, "Ready your weapon."
After he said that, against my will, I aimed my bow and arrow at them. I am trembling.
"Haha! Sword and archery? Traditional yet classy. But ours is more powerful" Karson boasted. Thirtwen from whom I met was kind and a gentleman. Now, he has become an overconfident opponent.
"More useless information," First replied.
I crouched down and closed my eyes as Karson fired his pistol. I opened my eyes and saw that First was still standing.
"Did you just avoid the bullet with your sword?" Karson asked incredulously.
Wait, avoided? Can First's sword evade the bullet of a pistol? And with the size of the bullet and not that big of a sword, he was able to aim the sword at the bullet?! How unbelievable but it just happened. First ran closer to the two.
"Aeith, the grenade!" Karson commands Myriana.
Because of what Karson said I can't release the arrow. I ran because they were planning to have it explode. Myriana threw it at us but the sound of the explosion was not too loud.
Where's First? I hadn't gone far yet so I inhaled smoke and gunpowder. It feels unpleasant that the chemical is sickening me. I licked my dry lips when I taste bitterness in the air. Why did I taste something bitter?
Wait, I have to look for First. I coughed.
"First! Where are you?" Several calls and I heard someone coughed also. I approached where I heard that coughing and saw First lying on the ground. "First!" I approached him and helped him sit up properly.
"That explosion was enormous," I rubbed his back as he continued to cough.
When he was okay, I talked to him. "What happened to them?" I can't see them because of the thick smoke from the grenade.
"I killed Thirtwen"
"H-Huh?"
"I'm sorry. That was the only way. I made the sword invisible and managed to get Thirtwen's guard down after the grenade exploded. I wasted no time. It was instant death for him. He actually planned to attack us first after the explosion, but I went to him faster."
I searched around and saw Myriana running away. Karson, on the other hand, has no life lying on the ground. I approached his bleeding corpse and it deeply saddened me. First just killed someone with his own hands. I don't know what to feel and react.
When I regained my emotions, I adjusted myself. I helped First stand up and held out my hand.
"It was all sudden," He is limping because of his injured left leg. "I hope I didn't scare you."
I remained silent. I'm out of words. I made him put his arms on my shoulders. I have no right to judge him because he killed someone. He wanted to protect himself and me from the danger that's why he did it.
We continued walking to find a safer place to rest his injury. "Be strong. Be alert to your surroundings. Ensnare your senses."
When he said that I gulped first and turned a blind eye. I already know what my nth sense is.