Nero took up the bag and placed it on his lap, opening it once again to review it's contents. The contents formerly found inside the bag were now a bit drenched giving to the rain that fell earlier.
Peering into the bag, Nero caught sight of wide tablet device. The screen had been damaged leaving spilled ink within the layers of the screen. There was no way to access any of the contents within.
Nero carefully placed it aside, reaching for other contents in the bag. He brought out several little devices, non of which he knew the workings and then a bunch of keys as well.
He kept all these aside before reaching into the bag one last time.
"Who could it be?
Who could want martha dead?" Thoughts race through Nero's head as he searched through the bag under duress, keen to find any relations to why she was killed.
Just then he felt the hard sheathing covers of a notebook.
The note seemed to still be intact and dry, being shielded away in a compartment that didn't allow any water in.
Taking out the book and bringing it into sight, he quickly noticed the wording on the front page labeled with a highlighted Greek alphabet 'Upsilon'.
Curious on what it meant, he opened the pages of the book. The first pages were filled with different complex chemical formulas and equations, highly unlikely of martha.
"She never told me she was into chemistry and science" Nero thought to himself as he wondered what could be going the reason behind all that.
Going further into the pages, Nero came across a section labeled; 'Journal'. The paragraphs on the first page read out;
"My name is Lina Van Collins, Alias-- Martha Wells, leading scientist at District Incorporation secondary facility at Skyland City...."
"Bam!" Nero's heart skipped a beat, pounding harder in his chest on the compensating pumps.
"Martha? Scientist?" Nero exclaimed. "This can't be right!" He added.
Reading on: "..... I was formerly assigned with leading the research on stage two anomalies. However I currently have been transferred into stage one anomalies-- 'Project Upsilon'.
Nero's hands trembled as he continued reading Martha's shocking revelation. His mind struggled to process the words on the pages, each sentence unraveling a truth that shattered his perception of the woman he held dearly.
"I had no choice but to cut all connections with District incorporations when I witnessed the horrors and sinister plots within the organization," the journal entry continued. "What was supposed to be a noble pursuit of scientific understanding turned into a nightmare. The experiments conducted on stage one anomalies were not driven by curiosity or the quest for knowledge but by a thirst for power and control."
Nero's mind raced, trying to reconcile the image of Martha he had known with the one described in the journal. The woman who had brought warmth and love into his life had once been a scientist entangled in a web of dark secrets.
Martha's words continued to grip Nero's soul. "I refused to be a part of their twisted agenda, their manipulation of innocent lives. I couldn't bear witnessing the suffering inflicted upon those with extraordinary abilities. So, I made the choice to flee, to leave behind everything I knew, and start a new life."
Tears welled up in Nero's eyes as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of Martha's sacrifice. She had not only changed her identity but also severed ties with everything she held dear in order to escape the clutches of the organization.
"I found solace in a new identity, living a quiet life hidden from those who would seek to silence me," the journal entry continued. "But I knew the danger would always be lurking, a constant threat to my existence. I lived in fear, always looking over my shoulder, waiting for the day when they would find me."
Nero's heart ached as he realized the weight of Martha's burden. The life they had built together had been forged in the shadow of her past, a past that she had kept hidden to protect him.
Tears streamed down Nero's face as he clutched the journal tightly, his emotions mingling with a sense of unease. He couldn't turn away, not after knowing the truth and understanding the sacrifices Martha had made.
****Nero had always lived a solitary life since the ethereal cataclysm, drifting through the shadows, carrying the weight of his immense powers. Leaving behind his terrible family, his existence was shrouded in mystery, a loner who seldom connected with others.
But all that changed when he crossed paths with Martha, a slightly aged woman whose radiance ignited a spark of hope within him.
It was a rainy night when Nero first laid eyes on Martha. Sighting that Nero sought refuge from the downpour, Martha, from a small café nestled in a quiet corner of the city, called out to him.
With her warm smile and compassionate eyes, she served as a beacon of light in his dark and lonely world, inviting him when others chased him away, and opening up the door without any hesitation. Her kindness was indeed extraordinary.
Over time, as Nero dropped by often and on, their conversations grew deep and meaningful. They spent countless hours together, sharing their dreams, fears, and vulnerabilities. Nero discovered a sense of belonging in Martha's presence, an unspoken understanding that surpassed their differences.
When he had decided to come clean on the fact that he was an anomaly, she shrugged off any concerns whatsoever, choosing to see beyond his powers, and embracing the fragile soul beneath the facade.
As the days turned into weeks, Nero and Martha's bond deepened, evolving into a profound love that bonded them like family. Together, they reveled in the simple joys of life, cherishing every stolen moment and heartfelt conversation.
Martha's compassionate nature inspired Nero to use his powers for good, to protect those in need and create a safer world. He believed that he could channel his abilities to make a difference and keep people like Martha safe from harm.
But fate had other plans.
On a fateful night, tragedy struck with merciless force. As Nero and Martha walked hand in hand through the dimly lit streets of the city, their laughter and conversation filled the air. The world seemed brighter in their presence.
But then, without warning, Martha froze in her steps, her eyes widening with fear. She clutched her chest, gasping for breath as if the air had suddenly turned thin. Nero's heart pounded in his chest as he watched helplessly, his mind clouded with confusion and dread.
With trembling hands, Nero reached out to support Martha, his voice filled with panic. "Martha, what's happening? What's wrong?" he pleaded, his voice laced with fear and desperation. Martha's eyes met his, a mixture of pain and sorrow reflecting in their depths.
Her body betrayed her, crumbling to the ground like a fragile porcelain doll. Panic surged through Nero's veins as he gathered Martha in his arms, his voice trembling with anguish. "Martha, Hold on! Hold on, Martha! I'll get help!" he cried, his words a desperate plea to the heavens.
He carried her limp body through the streets, the weight of fear pressing down on him. Time seemed to stretch infinitely as he raced towards the nearest hospital, his heart pounding in his ears. Each step felt like an eternity, a cruel reminder of the fragility of life.
As the doors of the hospital swung open, Nero's voice cracked with anguish as he pleaded for immediate medical attention.
"Doctor!! Nurse!! Anybody!!" He exclaimed barging in reception hall abruptly.
Doctors and nurses swarmed around him, their eyes filled with concern and urgency. They whisked Martha away, disappearing into a whirlwind of white coats and beeping machines.
Hours turned into agonizing minutes as Nero paced the sterile halls of the hospital, his heart aching with uncertainty. The walls seemed to close in on him, the antiseptic scent suffocating his senses. He prayed intently to God, bargaining for Martha's life.
Finally, the doctor emerged, his face etched with a sorrowful expression. Nero's legs gave way beneath him as he sank to the ground, his voice barely a whisper. "Please... tell me she's going to be alright," he implored, his voice trembling with a mix of hope and dread.
The doctor's words pierced through the silence, each syllable carving into Nero's soul. "I'm so sorry... Martha has been diagnosed with severe pancreatic cancer. It's already in its advanced stages. We will do everything we can, but the prognosis is grim," the doctor revealed, his voice filled with empathy.
Nero's world shattered into a million pieces. The words echoed in his mind, reverberating with a sense of despair.
"No! No! No! That can't be! Nero exclaimed in agony. He clung to a fragile thread of hope, refusing to accept the harsh reality that awaited him.
Days turned into a haze of hospital visits and endless nights filled with tearful prayers. Nero watched as Martha's strength waned, her once vibrant spirit dimming with each passing moment. He held her hand, tracing the outlines of her delicate fingers, a silent promise to never let go.
But fate can be cruel, and as the days bled into each other, Martha's light grew dimmer with each passing day. The hospital later recommended placing her in a retirement home where she could receive the specialized attention she required for the remnants of her days.
He knew it was the best choice for her well-being, but the pain of separation weighed heavily on his soul.
"Not on this, your death can't be in vain" Nero whispered into the silence, his voice filled with determination. "For justice, and for all those who have suffered in the hands of Julius Briskly, I will avenge you." He affirmed.