Climbing down from a distance, Ariana crossed her arms and put up her guard. "So, you've known from the start that I was here."
"Hah, did you guys take me as a blind man? Just because that guy came out with Alexander, it doesn't mean I believed your tricks. You and Qian Ling came out of the lab shortly after we had left as a group. My guard reported everything back to me." Shi Kow Wan petted his tamed snake as he saw Ariana as a threat.
"Lowlife. If you are a man, then leave the snake aside. Challenge me one on one." Ariana cursed as she recognized the venomous snake in his cage. If she gets bitten by it, then she would become a burden and easy hostage. Not only that, she and her child's life will be at risk if she doesn't receive an antidote for the venom. Knowing Alexander and Chen Nan's personality, they would definitely obey this old man's words.
"Your words aren't convincing at all. Since it's like this, I might as well give you a quick one." Lifting the cover to the cage, the snake hissed in alert as it moved in a wavy motion out of its cage. Trained to be a weapon, the snake listened to its owner and approached the intruder in front.
Slowly backing away from the snake, Ariana was trying to figure out a method to stay unharmed. The snake's pace is faster than hers, so running away is not the best solution. If she lured the snake downstairs, the guards could catch her and nobody would be able to escape.
Every time the snake stretches in battle mode, she would quickly avoid it. While she faced danger, the trio were still in the same cell together.
After his wounds were bandaged, Chen Nan noticed Alexander's complexion looking significantly better than before. Relieved, he carefully leaned Alexander's body against his own to let him rest for the time being. While the guards were having their meal, Chen Nan whispered, "Where's Ariana?"
"She's waiting for my signal to go on with my plan. If everything goes within our plans..."
"Ahhh!!!" Ariana's sharp scream alarmed the three in the cell. Their heads shifted towards the direction of the staircase.
"Oh no, she might have encountered trouble. I'll go to her now. You two can't get out of here yet." Qian Ling ran towards the stairs. Watching her figure step up a step, Chen Nan and Alexander caught something out of order. They saw her retract the original step and slowly backed up as if someone was blocking her path.
Two guards strode down the steps while carrying Ariana between them. Shi Kow Wan followed from behind as he held his snake and its cage.
"Ariana!" Chen Nan shouted as he supported Alexander up. Seeing the snake in Shi Kow Wan's cage and Ariana's pained expression, they were certain she had been bitten. Shi Kow Wan relaxingly took a seat and crossed his legs.
"It's been a while since we've had a party. What do you guys think of this gift I brought over?" He shot a glance at them. Qian Ling's sight laid on the rebellious, hissing snake in the cage as she recognized the species.
Qian Ling had long determined to protect Ariana at all costs. Therefore, they only needed to focus on saving Ariana and escaping right now.
"What do you want from us?" Qian Ling opened her mouth as she hated being threatened.
"Easy. Complete the project, and I'll consider letting you all go. If not, my snake will get a new chew toy after she dies. Probably two more after she turns to bones."
"Don't mind me! Leave on your own. Don't let this bastard get his way." Ariana panted as her body started feeling the venom effects.
"Let's see if you want to reconsider your decisions." Taking out her phone, Qian Ling played a video in front of him. In the video, it showed the boney old man tied up in a dark place that didn't look like any rooms in the underground tunnel.
"You! You dare threaten me?" Shi Kow Wan smashed his fists to the table, causing cups to scatter against the ground.
"I'm only giving you a taste of your own medicine. Release Ariana and I'll let the boney man go. If not, then he will meet hell sooner than he would expect. All I need to do is click a button." Qian Ling glared as she shoved the screen to his face.
"Did you think you guys would be able to get out of here unhurt after this?"
"And did you think you could stop us from leaving?" Qian Ling emitted a fearless aura as her eyes revealed her confidence in making him surrender to the threat.
After minutes of hesitation, Shi Kow Wan resentfully released Ariana. Catching Ariana in her arms, Qian Ling laid her down in the cell while Chen Nan and Alexander guarded the entrance. Taking out her medical kit, she took bandages, alcohol and needles for show. As her back faced Shi Kow Wan and his guards' direction, Qian Ling used her healing abilities to suck out the venom from her.
Reversing the flow of the venom in Ariana's body into the needle, Qian Ling pushed her limits to the max. Even though she could heal people, it would exert her body and drain away her energy. Since her energy had reached its limit, she made a risky move and transferred the small amount of venom left in Ariana's body to her own.
The amount of energy she has was sufficient enough to get rid of the venom, but not transfer it to the needle. If any bits of venom remain in Ariana's body, it may harm the child's life. With her current healing ability, she can't use the needle transfer method anymore. If she did, then there's a chance the venom would flow through Ariana's bloodstream faster. Therefore, she decided to use her own body as she could slowly heal herself.
"She should be fine now." Qian Ling wrapped Ariana's leg and wiped off the layer of sweat on her forehead. Securing the needle in the hidden pocket of her sleeves, she massaged the acupuncture point for consciousness on Ariana's body.
Narrowing his eyes, Shi Kow Wan saw Ariana's complexion getting better each minute that passes. "When are you going to release him?"
Qian Ling supported Ariana's body and gestured Chen Nan to bring Alexander up first. Since she knew how disgusting Shi Kow Wan is when it comes to playing tricks, she cannot risk anyone else getting harmed.
"I'll let him go once we reach safety. If you play any games, then forget wanting to see him alive." Since Ariana had gained consciousness, it was easier to help her up the stairs. Slowly they made their way down the hallways with Shi Kow Wan and his guards following from behind.
CHAPTER ENDS HERE! AFTER THIS ARE TWO SYNOPSES (Let me know in the comments whether you would be interested in the following.)
1. I like your smile, but love it when it's for me (Might change to a diff title since it's kind of long. Would the title: Timeless Love, be better than the long one? )
A promised eternity and meaningful vows linked Eros, the Greek god of love and Psyche, a mortal to lifetimes of relationships. Two drips of blood stained one rock as the proof of their devotion for each other. Before Eros could kiss his bride, she collapsed to deep slumber in his arms. The first and last kiss he ever laid on her forehead was a heart wrenching one that moved clouds to tears, stopped birds from singing and darkened the sky.
At the peak of his heart ache, he glared at his mother, Aphrodite, resentfully for her lies, schemes and jealousy.
"The moment you decided to hurt Psyche, you should have expected losing me as your son." Eros eyes laid on his wife whose body withered to ashes and flowed to the underworld.
"Let her live, and I'll be her replacement." Once again, he watched her soul reach safety to the Oracle's hands.
Aphrodite stripped away his power and threw him to the dungeon of suffering and torment, expecting him to give up his stubbornness after a few days. His love for her only deepened, and the desire for power heightened. Eventually, he became the Devil.
Oracle: "Her soul has been sent to the reincarnation portal, but I can't say when it would be her turn."
"I'll wait for that day to come." Eros sipped his wine in his chamber as he stayed away from heavens.
Thousands of years later.....
"Master! Master! The human world is very exciting! There are books about Master's love story there too! I wonder how humans learn about these stories." The teenage crow demon, Sean, flapped his wings excitedly as he chanted about his findings.
"Oh? Then bring me that book as souvenir next time." Eros chuckled at his underling.
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Sean disguised himself as a teenager and wandered around in a bookstore.
"Tsss.. paper cut!" The girl with thick makeup accidentally cuts her finger when she flipped to the last page of the Greek mythology tales' book at the counter.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, but the book..."
"It's fine. I'll still take it." Sean said as he didn't mind the drip of blood that stained the words, happy ending, on the last page of the book.
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The book burned to flames and was tossed to the floor for demons to make a bonfire. "Ridiculous! Happy ending? Don't let me see that ever again!" Eros' rare anger filled voice echoed piercingly in other demon's ears.
Sean: "Master! Look!"
Eros' attention landed on the pile of ashes on the floor. With widened eyes, he approached the pile of ashes and picked up the unburned piece. "Happy ending.."
Oracle: "Eros, she's back."
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- A certain high school -
"Ugly trash! Leave!" Classmate voices echoed in the girl's ear. She found her gymnastic sneakers filled with pin tacks, gym uniform soaked in pungent scented liquid and scribbled curses all over her desk.
Facing the insults five days a week, she had gotten used to it. Still, it hurt to see people judging by her appearance. As tears clouded over her face, the mixture of cosmetics melted.
"Here, wipe your tears. Don't let their words get to you." The popular classmate smiled and handed her a pack of tissues, instantly winning her heart as nobody had shown her an inch of respect in school.
Rinsing her cosmetic filled face at home, the water dyed grey along with other muddy colors. "I found you, my prince."
Too bad, the prince was just a jerk who wanted to gain popularity. Luckily, she realized it early.
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One night, she saved a kitten from getting run over by a car. The driver stepped out and asked if she was alright. Seeing how the man was wrapped up from head to toe, she handed the kitten to him. "I'm fine. Here, take the kitten to the hospital."
"Miss, I think you need the hospital more than the kitten." His voice sounded magnetic to her ears.
"I'm really fine. Bye." Her gorgeous smile greeted the man warmly.
"Interesting. She didn't scam me." Eros stared at the direction where she had run away.
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SECOND SYNOPSIS
2. Just to Meet You
"If you don't believe me, then follow the family rules." Her eyes closed as she faced her fiancé's accusations and distrust. She inwardly convinced herself. 'This is the last time I'm giving my heart to you, Peter. If you choose her, then we are over.'
With a blade in his hand, he charged forward. He watched as the sharp tip of the weapon meets her soft, porcelain chest. Shocked by her unmoving body, he pulled the blade away from the broken skin. Her white top was dyed scarlet while the blade had already dropped to the floor, making a "clang" sound.
"Why didn't you dodge?!" Peter Sin attempted few steps forward to apply pressure on her wound. It hurt, but she held in her cries. Blood squirted to his sleeve and shirt when he forced the blade out of her wound. Holding the bloody mess near her heart, a broken smile cracked on her face as she retreated away from the man in front of her.
"At the end, you still chose her words over mine. You've never believed in me, but it doesn't matter anymore. Let's break up. Even if we pass by each other in the future, we'll be nothing but strangers."
He tried approaching her again, but failed as she strode backwards in larger steps than before. "Mister Sin, goodbye."
"Selina!" He screamed, but held back from chasing after her lonesome figure. His heart was a mess as he fell onto the ground and stared at the blood stain on his clothes.
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Selina Gu drove straight home where she had prepared herself to announce her failed engagement to her mother, Katrina Gu. Pressing her wound, she slowly leaned against the wall to bring herself to the living room where her mom's voice echoed loudly.
Selina: "So, all my life..I've been nothing but a chess piece. Are you done with your game?"
Katrina: "...Daughter."
Selina: "Daughter? Do you know how many years and efforts I've wanted to hear you call me daughter? But all this is fake. Just an act. I've always convinced myself I'm the one who could do better because I wanted to hear a compliment from you. But you? You've forced me to the edge and suffocated me!"
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Katrina: "It's mother's fault! Don't jump. I'm begging you!"
Bryan (Selina's brother): "Did you get bullied? Brother will protect you. Please, come back down! It's dangerous to stand at the edge! You don't know how to swim!"
"I don't want to play this game anymore. I'm tired of my life. Didn't you want revenge? I'll complete it for you. Sorry, brother." Selina fell forward with her eyes closed. She didn't struggle as she desired to forget everything.
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Assistant: "Mister Hui, after multiple investigations, we have confirmed that the girl you have been searching for is Selina Gu."
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Awakening from her coma after a few months later, Selina woke up hearing a familiar voice by her side. Although she couldn't recognize him, her instincts told her he wasn't going to harm her.
"Selina! You're awake!" Jason Hui tossed his laptop to the table, ditching the video meeting he was in and hugged her.
"Does it hurt anywhere? Are you thirsty? Hungry? I'll go get a doctor!" He spat out countless questions, confusing her greatly.
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Jason held her hands, "It's okay if you don't remember me. As long as I remember our promise, that's all it matters. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore."
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"Jason Hui!"
"Wife, if you're not happy about something you just have to say it. No need to shout. You'll get a sore throat."
Selina pointed to the rubber band on the counter, "I forgot to tie my hair, but my hands are dirty from marinating meat. Do you know how to tie girl's hair?"
A minute later, a messy ponytail was created and Selina looked at him with a speechless expression. Noting to himself on his calendar, he typed, "Learn how to do wife's hair."