"OMG, he's your knight in shining armor!"
Ruby exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with a blend of excitement and envy.
Her cheeks flushed, Ruby asked hesitantly, her sheltered upbringing reflected in her curious yet naive gaze.
"How did it...how did you two become... you know..."
Ruby was a princess in all but name, raised by a distinguished military family, her understanding of such matters limited to chaste fairy tales and whispers among her servants..
Crystal sighed, her eyes lost in the depths of the past.
"Do you remember when Aunt Clara arranged my engagement with that spoiled brat? They were desperate to pawn me off."
Ruby's fists clenched, a hard frown settling on her youthful face.
"Hmph! Ever since Mom and Dad... They've been doing everything to distance us from the family legacy. If it weren't for Grandpapa's intervention..."
Crystal interjected, understanding Ruby's frustration.
"Yes, it's been a struggle. At that time, I had only six months left on my deployment and was expected to marry as soon as I returned. And… Grandpapa was preoccupied with the war..."
Feeling restless, Crystal rose to her feet and walked towards the window.
"After Brandon saved me, I made a decision. If I were to give my first to someone, I'd rather it be the hero who saved my life, rather than that lecherous good-for-nothing."
Ruby's excitement peaked, and she exclaimed with her face buried in her hands,
"Ahhh~ So, you drugged him and had your way with him?!"
Crystal playfully pinched Ruby's cheek and chuckled.
"You've been watching too many soap operas, haven't you? No, it wasn't like that at all. I simply bought him a drink to express my gratitude for saving me, and one thing led to another..."
Ruby couldn't contain her curiosity and interrupted,
"And you had your way with him?!"
Crystal sighed once more, her gaze drifting up to the sky, lost in contemplation.
=============
<< Void Fortress - Throne Room >>
Brandon was lounged on his throne, tapping the arm rest casually.
*Ring…* *Ring…* *Ring…*
Brandon glanced at his satellite phone, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he answered the call.
"Speak," he said, his tone dripping with intrigue.
"It's President Reed. We're under attack by three waves of mutated monsters. We desperately need your help in protecting our people..." President Reed's voice pleaded.
His tone was nonchalant, dismissive.
"And this is my problem… How?"
"Thousands of people are dying…"
President Reed said, his voice laced with frustration.
" Our military may not be able to handle this onslaught. Do you not care that countrymen are being devoured by these monsters?"
"My countrymen are safe and sound within the confines of my Kingdom of Void." Brandon snarked.
On the other end, Sir Warren seized the phone from President Reed's grasp.
"Mr.Void, this is Warren, Head of Finance. What are your terms?" Sir Warren inquired.
"Hahaha, now we're speaking the same language. I have two conditions. I demand one Ethereal Pyramid core and the capture of the corrupt officials involved in the incident eleven years ago." Brandon responded.
"You are asking for a portion of what remains of our nation…" Sir Warren's frustration seeped through his words.
"And you're asking for my life and the lives of my men." Brandon interjected.
"Give us a moment to deliberate."
Sir Warren muted the call and put the phone in the center of the table.
President Reed slammed his hand on the table, seething with anger.
"The audacity! How dare he make such an outrageous demand!"
Sir Adam on the other hand was much more composed,
"I, for one, believe we can accept his terms. Until we can rebuild our military and consolidate our resources, it's unrealistic to protect all four Ethereal Pyramids."
Sir Warren pondered for a moment and nodded,
"Indeed, it's not an unreasonable exchange. Don't forget, President, we aren't the only survivors on Earth, if we can get Brandon and his forces on our side, even just as a deterrent against other nations, he's worth it."
Sir Adam agreed, nodding in affirmation.
"I concur. Most importantly, this is just the beginning. We don't know what kind of monsters we'd face in the future.Besides the land-dwelling animals, we mustn't forget about flying beasts and who knows what lurks in the depths of the new oceans."
President Reed gradually calmed down, carefully considering the suggestions. He realized that perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea after all…
As Brandon sat patiently, awaiting their response, his thoughts drifted back to a fateful day, eleven years ago...
He had been only ten, full of youthful innocence and excitement after surviving his first day at middle school.
In the plush backseat of a luxurious Rolls Royce, he was accompanied by his beloved nanny, Beatrice.
She had been more than a caretaker; she had been his rock, his guiding light in the world.
A constant presence in the earlier years of Brandon's life, she was the person who changed his diapers, the motherly figure who did all she could to raise him.
*SHREEEECHHH*
Suddenly, the tranquility of their ride was shattered by the ear-splitting screech of tires.
The car skidded to a sudden halt, causing Brandon's heart to leap into his throat. Through the tinted glass, he saw the unsettling sight of a police blockade, the desolate road devoid of any other soul.
He could feel a sense of foreboding creeping up his spine, his small hand instinctively finding Beatrice's.
"Don't worry, Young Master. I'll go and find out what's happening,"
She met his terrified gaze with a smile that had comforted him countless times, her voice soothing his escalating panic.
"But Beatrice, something feels off. Why would there be a police blockade at this time of day?"
Brandon's voice trembled, his young tone tinged with worry.
"They're just the police, my dear. They wouldn't harm us would they,"
Beatrice replied, her words filled with unwavering reassurance.
Gently releasing his hand, she lovingly patted his head before stepping out of the car to investigate the situation.
As the door closed behind Beatrice, an abrupt and chilling sound shattered the peace—a gunshot
*CRACKLEZZZZZ*
A bullet, aimed with deadly precision, punched a hole through Beatrice's chest, painting the window with a horrifying splash of crimson.
Brandon's heart felt as if it had stopped, the weight of the moment pressing down on his young shoulders, the sight before him too cruel and jarring for his young eyes.
Before he could comprehend the nightmare unfolding before him, another shot rang out, the driver's side window exploding into shards.
The driver slumped forward, a lifeless puppet created by the sniper's deadly aim.
Fear surged through Brandon's veins, adrenaline coursing through his young body. Without a moment's hesitation, he sprang into action.
With a mix of desperation and determination, he clambered over the driver's lifeless form, pushing the heavy weight of his corpse onto the acceleration pedal.
The car roared to life, tires screeching against the asphalt as Brandon struggled to reach the steering wheel.
Despite the tremors that ran through him, his fingers curled around the wheel with a determination he never knew he had.
Every turn and swerve, a battle between his will and the vehicle's momentum.
As the car veered away, Brandon fought to keep it on the road.
As salty tears blurred his vision, a backward glance revealed the cruel stillness of the two figures he'd left behind—Beatrice and the driver, their stillness a haunting contrast to the chaos around.