Everyone has their inner demons.
Monsters that reside in the back of our mind - Consistently condemning, taunting and haunting us on a regular basis.
They can never be shaken off, they can never be drowned. They are part of us and that is a fact.
Fortunately, as much as they can be persistent, their voice is usually faint. So, many of us could just ignore it and go about our day.
However, everyone also has a trigger - A catalyst that would wake that little demon and drive it wild. That voice that used to be so faint, doesn't seem as faint anymore.
This trigger is usually set off by an event, a situation or a trauma. The death of a loved one, a bad break-up, domestic abuse, bullying and even the smallest things like failing an exam, could set off this trigger.
Once this demon is awake, it has the ability to take control of the individual, tainting his or her soul with hatred. Eventually, they will turn into bloodthirsting monsters known as "corrupts".
"Corrupts" are categorised in many different tiers. Some are stronger than others, and some are weaker. However, a common trait among all of them is their desire to destroy everything and everyone in their way. Each "corrupt" possessed an ability that is unique to them, ranging from enhanced strength and speed to invisibility and mind control.
Although "corrupts" are brutal beings, not all hope is lost.
"Elites" are individuals that are born with the ability to cleanse these monsters, freeing victims from the control of their inner demons. They all possess a weapon that they used to cleanse the "corrupts". These are known as their "Core Weapons". From bows and guns to swords and daggers. Unfortunately, just like how "corrupts" are categorised, "elites" have their own hierarchy.
Those who possess stronger cleansing abilities are the ones to lead, while those with weaker abilities are left to follow.
Many "elites" hated the hierarchy because the concept of "strength" can be measured in many forms. But, at the end of the day, nothing will change. In this unfair world that we live in, the strong will continue to stay afloat, while the weak are left to sink.
That is just how it is and that will forever be the case.
———
[A random back alley of District Six - Friday, 4:39 pm]
With one of her feet on the corrupt's torso, Sage pushed a little and, managed to pull out both her daggers from its chest. Black blood spurted out of the monster as she backed off a little to avoid getting herself dirty. She stared down at her daggers and sighed at how filthy they were. With a dagger in each hand, she swung both of them in a downward motion to get rid of the blood.
"Hmm. This should do it for now." She mumbled under her breath as dismissed her weapon. She looked over to the, now cleansed, corrupt and noticed that its grey skin was beginning to crack and disappear into thin air.
She waited for a few seconds more until the appearance of the corrupt fully dissipated.
It was revealed to be a young boy. Probably around eight years old, if Sage were to guess.
She approached the unconscious boy, kneeled down next to him to check for any wounds.
Luckily, there was none and he was still breathing. So, she concluded that he just passed out of exhaustion. She carried him in her arms and gently placed him against a nearby wall. She patted his head and let out a sad smile, "...I don't know what happened, but don't give up, okay?"
Sage always hated to see kids turning into corrupts. Her mind just went wild thinking about what sort of situation that boy was in, that was so traumatic that could set off his trigger.
She shook her thoughts away and rose to her feet with a sigh. She went to the back of the alley and to grab her messenger bag before-
"Wow! You still haven't lost your touch."
That voice. It was familiar.
"Long time no see, Sage."
Stephan.
She turned her head around and there he was.
"You know, for the longest time, I was wondering why would some of the corrupts appear under our radar but disappear immediately in the next few minutes before I could deploy anyone. I thought that there was an error in our system, but I should have known sooner that you were the one cleansing all of them at the blindspots of the district."
Stephan is one of the stronger elites out there. At the young age of seventeen, he was already appointed as a squad captain and without a doubt, he was a rising star. He is insanely smart and that drove his excellent strategical skills. If he was not blessed enough already, his combat skills should not be underestimated. Sage was pretty close with Stephan, but now she felt a little awkward seeing him again.
Stephan walked closer to her but stopped when they were at a comfortable distance.
Sage observed him momentarily and realised that he appeared to be skinner. She did not know if it was because they had not met for a long time or he did, in fact, got skinner. His glasses did not change since the last time she saw him - Typical round and big frames. As for his apparel, he was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, which seemed a little too big on him with one side slightly sliding off his shoulder, and grey sweatpants.
"Are you done staring?" Stephan teased with a smirk, "Are you seriously going to just leave me hanging?"
Sage looked back up to meet his gaze. She crossed her arms across her chest and greeted, "Hey."
He shook his head disappointingly, "You're not happy to see me, huh."
"What? No way." She replied sarcastically.
Stephan sighed and pushed up his glasses, "Well, I'll make this quick. Basically, I want you to come back."
"Yeah." Sage dropped her arms to her sides and was prepared to leave, "Not a chance ."
However, Stephan put out a hand to stop her.
She took a quick glance at his palm and back to his face. She raised one of her eyebrows, prompting Stephan to explain himself for stopping her.
"Look, you left for four years now and during these four years, a lot has happened." Stephan spoke in a more serious tone, "Many elites were killed. Currently, only 30% of our manpower remains, while 70% of them are dead, Sage."
Sage felt her heart sank to the pit of her stomach, but it did not show on her face.
Seeing how she did not budge, Stephan continued, "Right now, we really need you back. We need your strength."
Sage swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
All she wanted was freedom and these four years gave her that. Returning back just meant that she will get that stripped away from her. And, She did not want that.
"I..." Sage sighed as she felt her cool facade cracking, "I can't. I'm sorry."
She then grabbed the strap of her messager bag tighter and walked away. However, just as she brushed past Stephan, he got a hold of her wrist, "Listen, your father disappeared six months ago during an attack. There were no traces of him being alive but no traces of him being dead. We don't know where he went and the elites are in a mess."
Stephan then let go of her wrist, "Look, I know you hate the idea of coming back, but give it some consideration. Please."
Sage took a shaky breath and let the news sank in for a few seconds.
Once she felt that she was ready to answer, she nodded, "...I'll think about it."
Hurriedly, she walked away with her hand on the strap of her bag.
"Thanks," Stephan muttered softly, but it was definitely loud enough for Sage to hear.