/Merin
I have the persistence of a very jealous wife, who tries to accomplish what I began. I want to see what my eyes want to see, my heart shut its door to it permanently.
I am used to accomplishing all I set out for. Adrian was of no mistake one of those goals. Though with years that goddamn son of a bitch showed his true colours of emotionless, cold-brick bastard.
Sure, he can be the multi-billionaire Adrian, the fucking holder of sixty percent of shares to AIO, the good looking man of science and progress that allows the new generations to blossom. But guess what?
This bitch is using me as a great asset, due to me being the daughter of the founder of a medical company that made billions due to greatest inventions. I am the one that helps him when dealing with board of directors, those old fucking bastards that cling to damn heavens of medical advancement to keep them going. Like, even viagra is not the answer when it's all old and unable to work. Just leave it the fuck alone, but no. Not them bloody lot.
So I am the one that deals with those old farts on my dear husband's behalf, making it all nice and peachy.
Officially - Adrian is the head, practically - he dumped the company on me and is absolutely obsessed with the "Echo" project, leaving me to deal with all the rest.
And of course I am the one that's labelled 'bad wife', the 'cheater', the 'player', all because I unwind by messing around in bed with some hot hunks, that give me pleasure. But that is what I enjoy. And the amount of other drama that I'm pulled in due to my interests or tastes… These fucks have no life, do they?
Then again, this fucking "Echo"... Why is he so hell bent on this shit? I know that what he's more obsessed with is that bitch by the name Niko. A fucking trouble maker. That bitch is all around him, like, what is he on about? She's not interested in him, but he's all like 'where's she?' or 'i'll find her', like… My dear hubby, you lost your fucking mind and I've no clue which bitch fucked it out of you sensless, but it's not her for sure.
Then one time he claims that he needs to find real her, then other time that they can communicate at a distance. Like, telepathy and all… I knew he's growing more and more crazy by day, but this shit was too much at some point. And yet he won't give the fuck up, the chase for something unreal, for some crazy ass bitch that has no interest in him. But her just being - is annoying the hell out of me.
For my betterment - I'd rather her die in a ditch. But then again, even as I tried sending some thugs her way - they couldn't find where she lives. Like a fucking ghost. I was shocked. I personally researched and yes, she's a ghost that has no trace nowhere. Even that lit a fire up my cooch, so that I'm now also in need to find her, but to only kill her myself, so that this fuckery would end for good.
Even looking through the experiments - that's where something is, although her files are classified to be accessed only by Adrian, I managed to take a peek - some odd ass universe somewhere with her being like an overpowered character, another place where the main power she wields is the people skills and creativity, like, this is what the whole fuss is about? Like, even this 'Erick' or 'Elyon' that's a lab rat test subject, is way more interesting than that bitch. This husband of mine surely has his priorities wrong.
Oh god this work is killing me! Kriss had not been doing anything good lately also - just no reports from that rascal. And then the directors meeting is close by. This work is just argh!
I picked the phone and messaged the service I use to get hot men. One delivery straight to my office. I need to unwind.
The damn work with papers is already having my head spin in circles. The new developments are not even much to be shared with the board and the board wants to know what Adrian is doing there. Much fucking fun.
Ahh.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." - I call out, as I'm at my work table, on my comfy office chair.
A fine piece of man walks in.
"As requested." - He said.
"Come over here." - I gesture for him to come closer. He does as told.
"Get under the table." - I let out. He does as told.
I take off my knickers, spreading legs apart.
"Now eat this up like your life depends on it." - I told him. And he does as he's told.
/Adrian
Ah, so calm and peaceful. I rubbed my eyes, as I woke up. Feeling like the weight of the world fell off my shoulders after this rest. Faint sound of "Bach Cello Suite No.1" was audible.
I looked around and as usual I saw Madeleine at her desk - replying to emails, managing paperwork. Quite a business lady she is. I sat up. She noticed me being awake.
"Good evening. Tea? Coffee?" - Madeline said to me, as she was about to get up, but I gestured to her to stay seated. I got up and walked up to the kitchen corner by myself, putting the kettle on.
"Are you alright with coffee?" - I asked.
"If you're the one serving it - then I'll be happy with whatever you decide to make." - Madeline looked at her phone as it rang. She took the call about the query of lingerie, noting down order information.
Call did not take too long, yet it was enough time for me to prepare coffee and place a cup on her table.
I leaned on her table, right next to working Madeline.
"Never thought that I'd stumble across you in that cafe." - I smiled.
"Honey, you were lucky I had my coffee with a client there. Had I not noticed you - you'd be the sad stooge in the corner." - She remarked with the classy sass she has.
I smiled at the familiar tone and way she spoke to me. It was not always like that, but at some point it just became a familiar thing for me.
"So, business is going well?" - I asked.
Madeline picked her coffee.
"Actually, very good. The new lingerie collection is out in two weeks. We've opened a new shop with boys. So even my sexy industry is thriving." - She took a sip.
"New shop?" - I raised my brow.
"Yeah. You know about my shop where you can book girls for pleasure and sex. You booked girls through me. So, now we opened a shop with boys. And it's good. I treat everyone well, they are all protected and looked after. Also - the adult video brand is boasting sales. Guess the "sexy" is back in the game." - Madeline turned to look in my eyes. - "Not your average ex-porn star, huh?" - She smiled.
"Maddy, you are brilliant. Admirable and brilliant." - I smiled, as I cheered with my cup.
"Have you forgotten how to relax, whilst sending Merin out to fish for some dick?" - Maddy grinned.
I stopped midway drinking my coffee. I was about to spit it out, but got hold of self and gulped it down.
"Guess I've been too preoccupied with research to even have any strength left to battle Merin." - I looked into my cup. - "Maddy, I forgot how at ease I can be. And you keep reminding me of it."
"Because you're a forever busy man, Adrian. You're just you." - Maddy shrugged. - "Have you had any sex in past few months? Or have you not even had time to wank off?"
She was asking me in a matter-of-fact calm manner, just like a person would ask about weather. She was indeed the lady to say and ask the most embarrassing things with a straight face. I laughed, as I face-palmed myself.
"No Maddy, I've been working the whole time. So neither of that."
"Well, that explains it." - Maddy waves her hand. - "Just get laid, you old fart. Or have you waited for me to sort it out?"
We both laughed.
"Guess the need for your services shall be requested. Or so it might be." - I let out.
"Don't worry sweetie, I've got just the right selection of beauties for you." - Maddy laughed.
We spent time talking about nothing in particular and everything there is.
"Maddy, I'll call you." - I said, as I was getting into my taxi.
"Honey, you just make sure to appreciate the girl I will send you. So that you'd remember how to commence the deed." - She waved her hand, as I drove off.
/Kriss
The programs are running on stacked monitors, the stats for all the progressions, changes, and vital escalations that occur to the bodies of "Echo" subjects, for this is the "key", as far as I believe in it.
I was noting down the subjectified observations in regards to transgressions on office system software, developed especially for his project.
I got up to walk to the other workstation.
Mulling over the last data from subject foreseeing scan. Looking at uneven projectiles was getting me nervous.
This is not making it easier. This stress is too much lately. Ok, ok, what was it? Yes, breathing. I'm breathing in, then out, trying to straighten my wrecked anxious thought process, then looking at the charts again.
One of the subjects is overly stressed; his brain wave flow was rippling others. Such an occurrence was unexpected to appear so much in such little time. Though due to what I knew, I got the gist of who broke the bonds to release the stress pent-up inside everyone, and it's slowly raising havoc.
I know that it's the basic bond trio, but this is a bit too much for me at this moment. And having Adrian on my case, to report all the progress, all the news - oh how I'm under the pressure of making it work, as they all inside that hell pit are figuring their shit out. Hope David is all out and tackling it from his side.
Knowing how Adrian will lash out once he gets the data… The least I can do is try to minimise damage, which he'll eventually conduct on all subjects under the "Echo".
Oh, all my nerve cells that'll die this week. Hope I don't become one of the test subjects, if Adrian goes into a frenzy.
I let out a sign, calmed down to get my calm voice back and pressed record: "Body vitals are stable, fine intake of chemicals, brain work is advancing as predicted by the programme. Activity sparked a few times, but that seems to be the small glitch. Vitals are all green."
Sent.
Hope Adrian will give them a bit more time. As well as a bit more time for me to get ready.
/David
I woke up in the garden - roses blooming all around. The walls surrounding the garden remind me of castle walls. The inner castle garden. The pitch darkness, moon barely shining over this ashen land. Guess that's it.
Let's hope I find you fast enough, before the connection breaks.
I stand up, look around. By the feel of it - the person she should be near. I looks towards the single entry to this garden, as I manage to see with this pale light.
Pacing though the arched gates comes a person. Dark hair with shimmering red gave her away.
"I felt you were coming." – Niko spoke as she came closer to me.
"There are complications. They took Elyon and she is here. Most likely supported by Goddess by now. As far as I've got to her, through Orin. Well, I've got Orin at home." – I said without any introductions, going straight to the point.
Niko came closer to me, then gave me a hug. A rare occurrence. She felt somehow small and fragile for a moment. Like she crumbled to bits and needs protection herself.
"Erick got his memories back about time here. I'm the evil witch again." - She spoke, sounding tired.
I hugged Niko back, gently kissing her forehead. When this happens - she always gets devastated, then clings to me for support, which I always give.
"Oh dear. But I'll be here for you." - I replied.
"That won't happen. Can I kill you?" - Niko said in a certain tone, yet it sounded lonely.
"That's a harsh way to joke." – I smirked.
"Tell me that you love me. Even just as a lie." – She looked into my eyes. I smiled. If that's to make you feel less of that pain, sure.
"I love you." – I purred the words for her.
"Me too. I'm sorry." - Her eyes glistened gold for a moment.
Sharp pain struck my head; I fell down, as Niko was backing away. The ground was cold, as if sucking me in. I kept looking at her, this pain paralysing my body. The whole ordeal was too sudden.
"Thank you for saying it. For you to move on - you must have your memories back. I'm sorry." - She sounded broken to bits. But why would she?
I listened to her voice as I was drifting into the abyss of dreams. The pain of thousand needles sticking through each nerve - that's what it was, once the memories flooded back. The times in Labyrinth, the other lives, the whole of the war, the pain, the sorrow…
My eyes closed, with the last thing I'd see – a saddened look on her face.
Waking up was a tough part. Surprisingly the body was not feeling cold, yet the head felt stuffed with wet cotton, tremendously heavy. I felt that I was being transported, as my hair rustled in the wind. Eyes were hard to open, as the light felt too bright. It's like the worst ever hangover one can attain. I squinted his eyes as they teared up.
I heard dragons grunt, and that is one thing I would recognise anywhere.
A dragon… How did I get on it?
"Ah, you're awake. The Witch got us to send you to Goddess. We're almost there." – Voice of an elvish man was soothing. I used to live with them, so hearing something familiar is indeed soothing.
I sat up, looking at my chauffeur-companion. Typical elvish man under command of Goddess of Rivers, handsome, tall and capable of riding dragons. This elf had armour - meaning that he worked as a guard. The long silver-green hair and pointy ears, beautiful posture and manners do their trick of making you feel calm even in the heaviest of storms. They just have that magical feel about them.
"These women are up to no good again." – Flashed through my mind.
The endless lands of forests stretched to all sides. A great perk when riding a dragon - you get your dragon eye view of the area. Ah, the stunning beauty of land was greatly nostalgic to me. The vision soon was drawn to the mountain on the horizon. Flying closer to it I remembered the place. The mountain I climbed all over… The flying sky Labyrinth beyond that mountain and the nesting area of dragons further ahead.
I saw Mountain Sekka - the home place of the Goddess of Rivers.
We flew over it from the north-west to south-east side. The view soon stretched to see the floating islands. The picturesque sky waterfalls. I felt too familiar with the beauty of the beastly nature that roamed these lands.
I saw the perking castle on one of the flying islands – "Labyrinth of the Sky Castle Krator"...
It was the torture chamber, which I survived and got out of.
In that Labyrinth dying was not a way to make it all end. Suicide was not sufficient to escape. No matter how many times you died - you were brought back to life. Until one day I had received help from the Witch, just because I reminded her of her "King". That was how Niko and I met. Yet the rest of the events blew somewhere absolutely else. Making me doubt her and what I thought of her.
We landed inside a forest on the mountain side. As the dragon sat down, folding his wings, grunting, the elf patted him and gave the fire berry. Finally we got off this beastly taxi ride.
Me and an Elvish soldier walked to the cave, which in itself was a hidden oasis in the forest. It has its own land and ecosystem inside, along with the main reason they're there - the house where the Goddess of Rivers lives.
Oasis was stunning in beauty and size. With its own river, forest, changing of fog and clouds, sunlight and warmth. In the midst of it all was the Goddesses home. Her house is a few floors tall, with a balcony on each floor, embroidered drapes hanging. On top of them - charms and trinkets.
Soldier accompanied me to the gates that lead to the house. At the gates he bowed, turned around and walked back. Not a word was dropped by this elvish man since the ride was done.
On the other hand, I knew where I was going, so a guide would not be that necessary.
Wide room. Drapes with sequins hanging down, acting as a wall. Two ladies sit inside this spacious room. Wearing long priestess gowns, belts tied around the waist embroidered with texts in ancient goddess language.
One of them stood out - wearing layered silk dresses under the layered priestess gown, shoulders bared, her chest peaking out. Youthful body accompanied by long black hair, smooth skin and sweet smile - such would charm anyone. Making whomever - fall into a well prepared trap. So anyone, no matter the resistance or cause, would cooperate.
She was the Goddess of Rivers.
"Long time no see, you old hag." – I spat out, as I saw her.
Goddess laughed in return.
"I see you don't change, little one." – She gestured for me to sit on the cushions nearby them. Just as I did, a man appeared, bringing me a cup of tea, putting the cup on a wooden saucer next to me.
"Thank you, Naire." – I said, then looked at the Goddess. – "So what now?" – I asked as I took a tea cup and breathed in the sweet and fresh-leaf aroma.
Goddess pointed out to one of the girls.
"She was found in the forest. One of yours?"
I took a better look at the girl. Although I saw her only via CCTV or the system navigation, I was indeed sure – it was Elyon.
"Yes. Thank you for taking great care of her." – I downed my cup of tea. – "Any good plans or measures?"
Goddess stood up, crossed hands in front of her, pushing her breasts even closer, and began pacing around the room, having her gowns flow behind her, like a peacock's tail.
"To great misfortune I cannot leave this place, although all this mess would be minimised if I could. I can't really send my creatures to negotiate or even share the news, as silly people in Kingdoms and Empires long ago forgot who is the owner of lands here. Can't blame idiots for being idiots. They don't learn. The Witch will take care of the demon and his herd. They'll go for the weapon. It has to be taken away to a safe place. Warriors are already piling up next to the borders of Three Saint Sages Mountains." - Goddess shrugged, then shook her head and continued.
"As if taking over lands has ever solved a thing. King still fears creatures of old, but has no idea if they are still alive; Emperor is a blind jerk, having no real sight of any situations, his predecessors were way wiser. Greedy man. One greedy man is singing sweet nectar songs in their ears, to get a hold of knowledge and weapons. The biggest sin of greed is pushing this fool. He really doesn't know what kind of mistake he is making. But blasphemy seems his thing here." – Goddess stops near me. – "I assume they took her in," - she looked at Elyon, - "so, do I keep her here under protection, or do you have means to get her out of Their claws?"
This woman was always aware of all that was brewing in the lands. Having eyes and ears everywhere. She despised any high rules, she also disliked any new religious movements. She had her own domain and she ruled it well.
Although that might be funny - but I always found it absolutely fascinating that this old hag kept contact with the Witch. Even kept helping her, at times.
Seems like this time is no exception, with how I was picked and delivered here. They do things in their own ways. And then just keep each other posted about events.
I felt that things are changing fast. With Adrian going his foul ways in his reality and dragging Elyon into it, alongside Erick. What was his plan?
Even Kriss in the lab had no specific clue. He just mentioned that Adrian himself went into the system a few times. The rest is plain mystery. Even when Adrian gave specification orders to drugged Erick and Elyon - there was nobody else present in the room. So even the main research directing official knew nothing.
That was annoying to me - the lack of information on events.
But I was sure I could rescue both Erick and Elyon, if all was "perfect". The main issue there is the time it takes them to recover and act upon the cue in the lab. So they can escape.
Dragging them out whilst they are in the system is impossible. They are connected straight to computers. So they both have to be in their senses to leave. Which is really hard.
I took a look at Elyon. From all I heard, she should have been more chatty and engaged in conversation.
Then my eyes glanced at the Goddess of Rivers.
"Guess old hag did her training of discipline on this girl. That's most likely the case." - I murmured under my breath.
Goddess keeps her eyes on me. Waiting for a reply. She knows full well that I'm good at coming up with ideas and exits when cornered or presented with a tough situation. This would be no exception. But the whole lot is a bit hm…
I finally turned to face Elyon.
"Elyon, I will be contacting you through Orin. Our dear Goddess must have trained you to perceive and contact. Right now your body, just like Ericks, is at the AIO Lab facilities, in the closed section of the project "Echo" department. I've got Orin with me. I'll keep her safe."
I got up and walked to the drapes at the entrance, then turned around to face the ladies.
My body began fading, becoming ghost-type see through. I looked Elyon in the eyes.
"No matter what you do, don't trust Niko. It always ends with despair."
I vanished in thin air. Leaving an empty tea cup behind.
"I already know that she is to be feared." – Elyon replied to the traces of the feeling that were left behind from me.
Goddess shook her head, turned around and walked over to her seating spot. She wiped her face with her hand, as she thought to herself: "Little one, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from her."
"So then... Until he's back in contact, we must be ready. You'll have work to accomplish." - Goddess took a deep breath.