Evelyn grasped her head. Shocking physical pain assaulted her entire body. She felt on the verge of passing out, but something kept her conscious. All she could do was scream in pain. Her vocal chords tore as tears and mucus continuously produced. Her body spasmed uncontrollably.
An eternity passed before she could finally feel the pain subdue. However, it was far from over. Suddenly, she saw images flashing in her mind. Dozens of people surrounded her chanting, gunshots rang out, beastly screams roared, everything. Her memories rushed back in with no order, forcing her to piece them together. She relived her trauma in full speed. Her mind began to snap from the pressure.
Just at her breaking point, it all stopped. Evelyn felt her body and mind freeze. There was no pain, relief, or emotions. Suddenly a wave of fatigue forced her to sleep.
***
Evelyn woke up to the smell of a sweet aroma. She lazily glanced around her surroundings. Her eyes were dull and lifeless. The door opened, but she didn't bother to glance. Light footsteps approached her bed.
"Feeling better?" Edward appeared in her line of sight. His face was still as pale as ever, but his eyes were less cold.
Evelyn did not respond. She stared into his eyes. Unbothered, Edward continued.
"Your much better. You feel more like a hero now." Edward's words were short and vague, but Evelyn did not respond. He titled his head and leaned in to observe Evelyn. They locked eyes for a long time despite the unhealthily short distance, but neither seemed to feel awkward about it. Edward shook his head and frowned. He lifted Evelyn's lifeless body and dragged her outside.
They were in another mansion much more luxurious than Harold's. However, unlike Harold's, it was completely empty of decorations. Evelyn shut her eyes and let Edward guide her into the massive back yard.
Edward also brought two regular wooden swords. He placed one in Evelyn's hand.
"Fighting will help wake you up," he shrugged his shoulders. He raised his sword and mercilessly slashed at Evelyn.
BOOM
The blades of grass quivered from the sharp wind. Evelyn's body slammed into the trees behind her. The trunk threatened to crack under the force.
Evelyn's body spasmed from the pain. Finally, her lifeless black eyes gained a slight color. She disappeared from her spot and appeared in front of Edward immediately. She leaned in and whispered, "kill me."
Edward raised his arms reflexively. His eyebrows furrowed in surprise.
"I can't kill the hero"
He kicked Evelyn far from him. Her body slid on the ground.
"You must save the Federation"
Evelyn's eyes darted to Edward. Her eyes quivered in fear and shortly anger. She gripped her sword.
"Federation?" She repeated the word over and over again. Wind kicked up ferociously and gathered around her. The sky darken quickly as dark and heavy clouds covered the Sun.
Evelyn lifted herself off the ground. Her head lowered.
BOOM
"Your with the Federation?" Her head tilted. Evelyn spoke normally, but her voice echoed and boomed through the yard. She gazed into Edward's soul.
Amazingly, Edward stood motionless. His clothes fluttered violently with the wind, but he did not mind.
"Did you not know?" He began to grin, "we are in the heart of the capital." Thunder bellowed angrily and cracks of lighting hit the ground around Evelyn. Massive drops of rain began to fall down.
Evelyn finally pieced together her memories.
The beautiful walls and scenery she saw earlier all belonged to the Federation.
Where were the Traut slums? Or the child beggars on the side of the street? Or the broken ruble from collapsed houses?
'They erased them'
The voice of the solider resonated in her head as she hear their execution order.
'They are all dead'
A dark fog slipped out of the black necklace gifted to her by the late couple. The smoke crawled over the entire area and coated Evelyn.
"Die"
A black mass zipped through the field and appeared in front of Edward. The wooden sword carried Evelyn's rage filled with judgement. Shocked, Edward narrowly dodged, but Evelyn immediately followed up with another attack. Edward's face darkened.
Centimeters away from his body, everything stopped. The black fog retreated into the necklace, and the storm dissipated. Edward watched in horror as Evelyn's body fell to the floor. He only heard her snoring in the silence.
***
Evelyn woke up again in the same room as before. Edward stood over her slicing fruits.
"I hope you got everything out," he immediately began. Evelyn tried to lunge at him, but her body gave out.
"I guess not," he stared at her angry eyes.