[~ For best reading experience, please use your headphones to LISTEN to the music recommended to this chapter called "Music to Become a Villain - Heart of Darkness" from YouTube and put it on REPLAY in the background until you finished the first half of this chapter. Then play the music recommended to the other half of this chapter called "Winter's Song (feat. Fleurie) // Produced by Tommee Profitt" on YouTube and PLEASE set this specific music in the playback speed of 0.75x for a complete music effect. NOTE that this song will be used for a lullaby that will be sung in this chapter. ~]
<< See foot notes/glossary chapter at the end of every 10 chapters. If you seen this symbol (**) at the end of every word, it means it will further explain the meaning of the word. As more chapters are completed and the story advanced, the more information will be added.>>
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Rev•er•ence | \ ˈrev-rən(t)s , ˈre-və-; ˈre-vərn(t)s \ [noun]
Definition of reverence —
1: honor or respect felt or shown : DEFERENCE
especially : profound adoring awed respect
2: a gesture of respect (such as a bow)
3: the state of being revered
"Woman must not accept; she must challenge. She must not be awed by that which has been built up around her; she must reverence that woman in her which struggles for expression."
— Margaret Sanger
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[~•SACRIFICE: MEMOIRS OF A MARTY•~]
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They met long, long ago.
Way before The Great Purge.
She was picking flowers one day in a meadow.
And he, without knowing, fell in love...
.
.
.
Just like the story of Hades and Persephone.
.
.
.
You see, he was hiding, hunting.
Behind the dark scary, scary forest.
And she, without a care in the world, don't know.
Little children aren't suppose to be alone, right?
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.
Kaleidoscope jeweled neon green eyes, shimmered in the shadows.
Golden pupils contracting as the sunlight hits.
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.
'Hello..?'
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'She blinded me...'
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.
Bright. She was shining. There's something about her that draws her in. He couldn't put it together.
Not many people can draw his attention. Specially not like this. It was, after all, something he considered a waste of time. Only, a fool's errand.
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'What's your name?'
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He looked up to her. Birds, rabbits, squirrels and all small animals was surrounding her lean frame.
Silence.
And then, 'You're annoying.'
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.
She look frail.
Her features soft.
Like a doll.
Easy to break.
Easy to defile.
Back then— 'I could have killed her.'
But... he didn't.
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.
why?
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.
'I don't know'
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'What did you say?'
'I said, You're annoying.'
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She was loud.
And too lively.
Too much happiness radiated from her.
Too many smiles. Laughter. Emotions—
Something he lacked.
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.
'Awww! You're so mean!'
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Something… he was deprived of.
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'Come see me again, won't you?'
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.
Too many smiles. Laughter. Emotions—
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'Hm, my dearest friend?'
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.
But he was glad.
•~•~•~•
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Chapter THREE:
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BROKEN PROMISE
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They stumbled into an open grassland, far from the people's probing eyes. Both kissing frantically. With her thin dress on, he fucked her against the grass. Her screams and ragged panting echoed, coupled with loud thumping of bodies smacking the ground. Her cries fueled his aching need.
"Alexandria…" he growled, going deeper. Their clothes were damp and were rumpled. Fluids streaked down to her inner thighs. The wet silky ridges of her core made the fuck fiercer. Wilder. With one hand, he groped one ample butt cheek. Her legs were hooked around his hips.
Alexandria desperately grasped his shoulders, panting heavily. His stamina was amazing. Minutes ago, they were just in his carriage, having raw sex and now… Fuck. They were both insatiable animals. Insatiable disgusting fucking animals. Were they really this addicted?
She doesn't know that this tainted part of herself existed.
Is it because of him?
How many times…do we have to do this?
How many times…? Were the previous encounters they had be enough for them to walk away from each other?
They seen each other, so many times. Both of them should have been tired of one another.
Sick of each other. But—
She whimpered and kissed him on the mouth, fingers tangled in his damp hair. Roughly, he broke the kiss and nibbled his way to her neck. Feeding to her sadistic side, she bit him back, sucking with teeth and tongue.
—He still sees her. Comes to her.
Like a moth to a flame.
"…Sa...mael—"
She moaned against his earlobe which she enjoyed chewing. Samael grabbed her ass and lifted her up. With unsteady steps, he approached a huge tree trunk and deposited her there.
The tainted lady was panting softly, her smoldering eyes watched him undress. Samael managed to slip off his pants, kneeled between her sweaty legs. Roughly grabbing her rear, he pulled her hips and set her atop his thighs.
"Ah! Samael—"he pushed her dress higher and unceremoniously entered her slick heat again.
"Ahhh! Samael! Samael!"
The dark-haired sinful man growled menacingly and fucked her deeper, making her writhe in desperate pleasure.
"Har…der… ah— deeper!" she demanded, her fingers clutching the dirt at her sides. Samael grinned cruelly. Clutching her knees, he lifted her legs over his shoulders and loomed over her.
"Ah… Sa..mael fuck… me!"
Samael smirked. He loved it when she demanded absolute raw sex from him.
"Hn."
He grunted and biting his lip, he fucked her with more passion and vigor. She was screaming louder now but Samael didn't mind. He will make her scream more to let all of the people know that she was his.
Her muscles tightened around him, squeezing him hard that he groaned out aloud and rammed more forcefully into her.
"Ah! Oh god! Oh GOD! Sa… Sa… Samael!"
"You want more?" he hissed aggressively.
"Please…" He was so uncouth that she was both in ecstasy and in pain.
"I will not stop." He hissed.
"Never."
"…ahhh—"
He drove deeper.
"If you want me to stop this—"
He plunged in, filling her up, forcing his whole member inside her.
"—you have to beg."
Alexandria smiled between panting. Even though what they're doing is so filthy, she is still smiling so innocently.
She drove him mad.
"I… won't beg for you to stop, Samael…"
Pleased, Samael nodded.
"Good."
He started another rhythm, making Alexandria moaned dirty words.
"Samael… Don't…leave me."
"…"
"Love me."
Samael caressed her long hair gently. Her ever changing, fairy-tale jeweled green eyes looked directly to his savage bloody deep red eyes.
"Please, love me." she implored.
As a reply, he shoved deeper and she came violently, screaming his name. The tree trunk creaked with the force; the ground, dirty with their combined cum. Samael ferociously slammed her again to the tree trunk. Alexandria felt more liquid flooding out of her, wetting her thighs and immersing the ground more. Her neck bent painfully, back arching as Samael's length forced deeper into her, breaking into her vagina.
"A…lexan..dria!"
He growled, gripped her hair and another shattering orgasm hit his spine, making his eyes roll and his mouth to groan and pant like a depraved dog.
He was about to fall on top of her but he restrained to do so. She was sore all over the body, tired and bruised in some parts with cuts on her back from the tree trunk. Even so, he brought his one hand and touched her cheek, his thumb sweeping across her cheekbone. She met his droopy but intense gaze and mirrored the gesture.
"I love you…" she whispered sweetly, softly with her fingertips on his lips.
With the other hand, he gripped the hand and kissed the tips. His mouth kissed the palm and wrist, his eyes locked with hers.
"I know."
Beautiful smile grace her stunning face.
And he loved her too... Right?
And she knew it. Even though it's not now, but soon. She will wait.
She smiled yet again but this time mischievously.
Suddenly, she switched their positions. He narrowed his eyes and about to reprimand her but she giggle and leaned forward. Her exotic, ombre white-silver like, platinum blonde, pastel pink hair falling around their faces like pink waterfall. Glistening.
"Let me." She whispered, eyes glowing greener, brighter and more intense. Golden pupils dilating.
A sweet, maple honey, french vanilla scent overcame his senses.
Addicted, Samael smirked and gripped her hips, guiding her movements as she rode him, fucking him. His wet cock slid up and down inside and out of her sore vagina.
"Love me." She repeated, like a broken music box.
Her voice was so lyrical..so melodic..so—
EXPRESSIVE.
A siren call.
A healing elixir to his tortured soul.
And he knew he would. Because as many times as he told himself that he will walk away, that this would be the last time…that this was enough… he knew he could not walk away.
He could not stop.
After all, this woman, the woman he loved too much, fucked too much, cared for too much—
He cupped her face and thrust upwards.
—was a HERON LAGUZ.
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[~•SACRIFICE: MEMOIRS OF A MARTY•~]
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sob.
sob.
crying.
Screams tore in the air, blood spluttered and soon, people became corpses. They came in large platoons. Ugly and armed. They were caught off guard. Her home wasn't prepared for war.
"...And in the end, it's you...Why did you do this to me?"
Her chest has a gaping hole.
Where's her heart?
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
As she follows the trail of her gold colored-blood, there, on his right hand, was her precious heart.
The source of life.
B-dump, B-dump, B-dump, B-dump, B-dump—
Alexandria rasped,
"Why..?"
"..."
He finally moved his lips and out came the words that Alexandria, throughout her whole life, what she always eagerly waited for.
What she always wanted to hear.
The answer to her question.
"Because I love you."
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(Present)
Inside the Ruby Palace
The Grand Banquet
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The people are shocked to find that the Emperor is touching the Heron, even though she's like a goddess, she is still a Laguz. This action is very un-like him. One of his characteristic is a deep resentment against a Laguz. Specially to those laguz with feathered wings, the bird tribe laguz.
"..."
Samael narrowed his eyes when Alexandria didn't respond.
"Speak."
Smoldering golden green eyes clashed with red. There's underlining hatred deep within.
"..."
"I said, speak!" he hissed.
He didn't like the way she look at it him. Somewhere deep inside him, something is responding. It made him uncomfortable.
He need to get rid of that blasted expression off her face.
Still, she didn't utter a word. So, in retaliation, Samael removed his finger from her cheek and slap her, backhanded, with great force.
Alexandria, skidded a few feet to the side, her wings stopping for momentum and then falling in her knees. Like a domino effect, all of the laguz within the vicinity, responded.
The dragon who's name is Rajaion, the one behind the throne, immediately flew across the banquet, roaring, sharp claws already in front to injure Samael. At the same time, Almedha and Kurthnaga, jumped in front of the two dazed Princes and charge directly to the emperor. They're hands turning to claws and black dragon like wings sprouting on their backs, ripping the clothes.
Both of them in the middle of transforming to black dragons.
The other laguz'es are on the same circumstances. All of the them jumping in front of their master, charging, in middle transformation.
Some nobles can only stand by, flabbergasted. Others, yelling "No" or trying to pull back their Laguz but to no avail.
Anastacius and Athan yelled,
"Uncle!"
King Orochi crouch and brace himself, while the four king on each sides of the emperor from the table quickly stood up. Each of them putting one arm up and out of their palms are different colored transmutation circle alchemy symbols, representing their main elements. All of them preparing to fire at will.
It was pandemonium.
However, just like how it was fast, it was also quickly over. Instantly, before they can reach the Emperor. The collar on their neck released a flashing ball of electricity, creating shock waves through out their body.
"Ahhh!"
"Nghhh!"
"Argh!"
Like flies, they fell on the ground, writhing in pain.
BBZZTT!!
They're flesh is being burnt alive.
Visual vapor can be seen and pungent burn odor can be smell during the shock wave.
King Nereus of the Anapos kingdom watch in horror.
"What in the name of Goddess Nox is this!?"
The rest of the three kings watched with grim expression.
Samael look down at Alexandria who's sprawled on the floor with her wings downcast. He frigidly answered.
"It's a slave collar**."
Alexandria shivered while cupping her cheek that's been hit.
Orochi stood up from his crouch position, and since he's beside Alexandria, he quickly grabbed the silver chains that was attached to her hands and feet and pulled. Yanking her up violently to make her stand straight.
"The use of slave collar with full submission spell and a death curse is recently been approved by the Great Elders of the Church and The Grand Council of the Asterian Empire. It's being implemented across the country...I'm surprised you haven't heard of it?" King Orochi further continued.
King Nereus moved his eyes to Rajaion, who almost made it across. He's howling in pain, few feet away from the Emperor. And instead of darken skin from the typical burns, angry bloody red flesh can be seen. The skin is almost liquefied.
"...I've heard of it...but not this."
"Is it too much for you to handle now?" King Vayu joked.
"This is not something to joke around!" King Nereus exclaimed.
King Vulcan rolled his eye,
"Oh c'mon now, you seen stuff worse than this!"
King Sarrama, sympathizing with King Nereus, agreed.
"...It is indeed..Too cruel."
King Nereus still staring mournfully, dropped a mine bomb that wasn't suppose to be said.
A forbidden proclamation.
"...Aren't they the same as us?"
Samael, who heard Nereus, thundered.
"..The SAME as US!?"
Samael, with heavy footsteps, walk over to Almedha who's laying on the floor, squirming in excruciating pain. He grabbed her by hair and dragged her across the room in the middle of the banquet leaving blood trails.
He step on her back and pulled her hair, revealing her face. With the other hand, he unsheathed his small sword that's attached to his hip and brought it on the side of her face, near her left pointed ear. The edges of the sword drawing blood.
"Look at this Nereus. Her ears... is she a beorc?"
Almedha trembled in fright.
"Y-your highness!"
Anastacius seeing his laguz in dire need; promptly stood up from his chair and jump where his uncle is. Enraged, he said.
"Are you insane?! Release my slave."
Athan, joined him, crouching beside Kurthnaga who's clawing the collar desperately trying to get out. He assessed his body damage and then turn to his Uncle.
"That's Kurthnaga's and Rajaion's mother, if you didn't know. So let of her go. Unless, you want your black dragon to go beserk."
Samael lazily drawled,
"Do you think I care?"
He pressed the sword harder, more blood gushes out.
"Answer me, Nereus. And answer it wisely. Her life depends on you..."
"S-she's—"
"AHHHH!"
With no warning, Almedha's left ear was cut off. Blood splattered across her face.
"NO!" Anastacius yelled.
"Oops! My hand slipped."
The three kings can't do nothing but look on unwavering. They don't want to experience first hand the wrath of the emperor. They know Samael is a very cruel man. Insane. A tyrant king who kills anything, or anyone. Be it man, woman, child, or the elderly. A man with no remorse to the Laguz.
A grim reaper.
A monster.
A demon.
Satan personified.
Samael dragged the sword upwards towards where Almedha's small horns are. The sharp sword creating a slash from the left ear to the right horn.
"P-p-please.."
He then looked back at Alexanderia. Terrified, she try to avoid his gaze.
"Now, since I have your undivided attention. Nereus won't be answering me."
He locked eyes with her.
"You are."
Samael pressed Almedha's back harder with his foot, you can hear the cracking of the spine, all the while pulling her hair more fiercely.
"For the third time..."
Alexandria gritted her teeth,
"...Speak."
"..."
She was about to open her mouth but—
SLASH!
Almedha screamed.
"AAHHHHHH!"
Both of Almedha's horns are ripped from her head. Her face is now completely drenched with blood. You can't see her facial features anymore because of the amount of blood bleeding profusely from her detached horns.
"M-my horns!" she wailed. Her body contorting and spazzing out in agony.
The Laguz's horns or any of the main attributes of what makes a Laguz, be it ears, tails, or wings, are very sensitive to the slightest of touch. It's even considered a special and intimate gesture between lovers or family members of their kind. Violently touching it can result in cerebral epilepsy, motor impairment, disability, or even death.
It's only a matter of time before Almedha reaches her end.
Kurthnaga, on the floor, witnessing the abominable exploitation of the emperor to his mother; began to thrash. Sparks of electricity from the collar gathered around him. With difficulty, he manage to be on his knees, sitting upright. Tears streaming down, he cried out in a loud voice,
"MOTHER!!"
Rajaion on a distance, roaring wildly, clawing in vain. The chains connected to the wall of the throne pulling him back and the collar zapping out electricity to subdue the giant. Amidst to the black dragon's lashing out; if you look closely, in the corner of the dragon's eye, tears can be seen.
All of the Laguz in the palace, cowered in trepidation.
THUNK!
Samael carelessly tossed the bloodied horns to the floor, in front of King Orochi.
"I believe this can be sold in a few gold coins."
Shamelessly, Orochi scampered to retrieve it.
Samael, with a bloody appeareance, went back to Almedha. His sword now placed on her neck.
"Quickly now, little heron... Speak."
At last, Alexandria surrendered. Her saccharine, melodious voice echoed in the room.
"Release her... Samael."
Everyone gasped, their eyes widening.
'She knew the emperor!?' They all thought.
"There you go... That's not hard, isnt it?" Samael drop Almedha on the floor. He then continued, a disappointing look crossed his handsome face.
"The banquet is ruined.... Must you resist?"
"I'm not obligated to answer to you. Emperor." Alexandria said flatly.
He smirked, amused.
"But you're a slave..."
"A slave has free will."
Samael laugh.
Once he laughed, immediately, the four kings exchange glances. Disturbed.
'This is not good..' Anastacius said in his mind. He turned to his brother Athan to see if he's faring well, but he noticed him crouching in one knee besides Kurthnaga, his left hand opened with a blue electric orb. Small transmutation alchemy symbols started to appear. His eyes focused on the emperor. Sweat trickling down the side of his temple.
As if he's waiting for a killing spree to happen.
'That heron is gonna get us all killed.'
Impressed, Samael runs a bloodied hand through his bangs.
"...Hahaha! You're speaking to an Emperor, little heron. Naive thoughts just like yours is nothing but a child's dream. This hellish world will not accept that."
"A drop of small pebble on a still lake can make ripples." Alexandria responded.
Samael gripped his sword tighter.
"I suppose your right. Let's put that to the test—"
His eyes gleam with dark intention.
"—Entertain me... And I will spare the whore's life."
An unbearable quietness entered the intense atmosphere.
Jeweled chameleon green eyes stand off against scarlet crimson.
".... As you wish."
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A/N: [[ From this point forward, PLEASE play the music soundtrack "Winter's Song (feat. Fleurie) // Produced by Tommee Profitt" on YouTube and PLEASE set this specific music in the playback speed of 0.75x for a complete music effect. This will be the lullaby Alexandria will sing so PLEASE LISTEN for best reading experience. Play it twice. It won't let you down. ]]
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Alexandria hovered back to the middle of the room, her beautiful wings flapping, shimmering dust envelope her.
'What is she doing?' they thought.
Alexandria closed her eyes and claps her hands together to her chest as if praying, she then started to slowly hum a lullaby. On a ground, a white gold, ancient symbols began appearing, the ray of sunlight coming from each windows within the room shine brighter. Glittering sparkles materializing the entire room. Once the white gold ancient symbols finish appearing, it glowed splendidly with multi colors then music emerge.
Alexandria open her plump cherry lips, and with a passionate melodic honeyed voice, she slowly sang.
"Be thou my vision...
Keeper of thy word...
To trust in thy mercy,
Is to bend with thy sword."
She then open her eyes, locking the eyes of the emperor to her. The emperor became like a mouse trapped in the eyes of the snake. Enchanted.
"Be my true fortress...
Shield from my foe...
Keep me in reverence...
...And rest thy head low..."
Not breaking eye contact, she moved her arms, the drapery around it flutter gracefully. Then, she went back to humming, and began to dance alluringly.
She put her arms and throw her head back, her stunning long hair flipping like a halo, revealing porcelain smooth neck and an ample chest cleavage. Her wings beating rhythmically to each dance move. She continued to sang,
"..I searched the world to find you..."
She slowly made herself closer to the emperor. Dancing beautifully.
"I searched the world to find you..." The siren echoed.
Once she's in front of the emperor, eye level. She enunciated the same sentence with more expression.
"... I searched the world to find you!"
Still locking the Emperor's gaze, Alexanderia eyes blazed like liquid jewel gold emerald. Those eyes bore down on him. As if telling him all the wicked deeds he done.
"..Keeper of thy word.."
The many promises he suppose to keep—
"Keeper of thy word!"
—broken.
Alexandria finally let go of his gaze, and slowly drop down towards Almedha. Still humming, she cupped her face, and with her right hand she clean her and kissed her forehead. The music then fades at the same time with the white gold, ancient symbols on the ground.
Suddenly as it fade, all of the people in the room has a flash of white gold light engulf their entire body in a second and disappear.
The tension within the room dropped significantly. All of them became calm.
There was comfortable stillness and a warm pleasant atmosphere filled the room after Alexandria's performance.
Lucian Alaunus, The Pope, who's hiding throughout the whole confrontation was the one that break the silence, in awe he said,
"The Galdr of Serenity**."
The room then burst again in hushed excitement.
"It's really a heron!"
"Unbelievable!"
"So beautiful!"
"Who's going to have her?!"
Samael looking down at Alexandria who's beside Almedha cradling her, said in a quiet voice.
"You did good at entertaining me..."
He pointed the sword underneath Alexandria's chin.
"But—"
SHHHHING!
Small pieces of Alexandria's exotic strand of hair, fell to the floor and Almedha's head was chopped off.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Kurthnaga screamed.
Hands shaking, eyes really wide, tears burst into Alexandria's eyes.
Plink!
Pink!
Droplets of tears turned into diamonds.
"—You don't need her..."
Almedha's head rolled to the floor, stopping just at the right moment when it touch her feet. Alexandria can see the horrified expression still displayed on Almedha's face.
"Uncle! why did you kill her!" Anastacius adamantly questioned.
"You don't need her." Samael repeated.
Sob.
Sob.
Sob.
Alexandria still frozen on the ground, continued to cry. Her clothes darkening with blood as she held Almedha's body tightly closer to her.
Samael turn around, cleaning his sword with a white handkerchief. After that, he stared at the Pope and ordered,
"Lucian, take this heron away."
"At once! Your Majesty!"
Samael then looked at his two nephews. He can see Athan looking at him with unadulterated hatred. while Anastacius with a cold stony face. He eyed Anastacius mockingly,
"Don't be upset my dear nephew... She's just a slave—"
He then started walking out, towards the exit of the Ruby palace. On the way, the announcer met his field of vision and immediately, the announcer yelled out.
"The Grand Banquet is adjourned. The Emperor will now return to his quarters!"
Samael brushed against Anastacius.
"—And slaves can be replaced."
As Samael exited the banquet, he whispered saying to no one but himself,
"Welcome back, my love..."
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Footsteps echoed the Palace hallway as he slowly disappeared in the shadows and a cruel smile graced his striking face.
In the background, a mournful bellowing of the black dragon can be heard.
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"You see, it's the slow knife, the knife that takes it's time, the knife that waits years without forgetting, then slips quietly between the bones, that's the knife, that cuts deepest."
—Talia Al Ghul (The Dark Knight Rises)
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[~•SACRIFICE: MEMOIRS OF A MARTY•~]
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Fin.