I slowly opened my eyes, groggily aware of a warm weight on my shoulder.
I didn't even realize when I had drifted off to sleep.
Turning my head, I gazed at Mariam's peaceful face, her head resting gently on my shoulder, her full lashes fluttering softly with each breath, making me feel a pang of endearing jealousy.
My gaze then drifted to Noona, Olivia, and Cathy, scattered around us like petals on the floor, oblivious to the world in their deep slumber.
A small, contented smile tugged at my lips as I whispered to myself, "Finally."
But our serene moment was short-lived, as the ship suddenly jolted, hitting something with a loud rumble that shook the entire deck.
The impact jolted everyone awake, and a voice shouted, "We've arrived!"
Mariam's head lifted off my shoulder, and I felt relieved, as if a heavy rock had been removed.
She began to stir, murmuring "Huh?" as she gazed around with squinted eyes.
My smile grew wider, and I playfully nudged her head, urging her to wake up.
"Hey!" she exclaimed softly, rubbing her eyes with her fists.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" I exclaimed, holding my lantern steady as I stood up.
I playfully kicked Noona on the butt, and she began to murmur some sleepy complaints, which I ignored as I went ahead to wake the others, who were still stubbornly clinging to their slumber.
As I shook Olivia and Cathy awake, they groggily opened their eyes, blinking away the sleep.
"What's going on?" Olivia mumbled, her voice husky with sleep.
"We've arrived," I announced.
"We're here!" Mariam exclaimed, now fully awake and standing up with a bounce in her step.
I chuckled and echoed her enthusiasm, "Yeah!"
As the others gradually came to, they murmured to themselves, still trying to shake off the slumber.
Eventually, they stood up, rubbing their eyes and stretching their limbs, their faces slowly transforming from sleepy to alert.
We gathered our weapons, grasping them tightly as we stumbled out into the darkness.
The night air enveloped us, and the only sounds were the creaking of our gear and the soft crunch of our footsteps.
The darkness was suffocating, a heavy blanket that wrapped around us, threatening to crush the air from our lungs.
But with our lamps held high, casting flickering shadows on the ground, we ventured into the village, our senses on high alert.
As we walked, memories from 10 years ago began flooding my mind, the bitterness of that long-ago incident still lingering in my heart like an open wound.
My dad had died here, 10 years ago, his body lost to us, denied a proper burial.
The pain still felt like a fresh wound, and I could feel the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.
But I knew I had to push them back; now wasn't the time.
As we ventured deeper, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.
The surroundings felt unfamiliar, even in the darkness.
The sandy, spacious ground beneath our feet seemed different, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
My friends and I exchanged cautious glances as we stepped further.
Suddenly, a voice echoed out, breaking the silence.
"Over here, there's a building we could spend the night in!" it called, drawing our attention to a small structure in the distance.
We hastened towards the building and entered the room, it became clear that it was far too small to accommodate all of us.
The rest had to go somewhere else to sleep for the night, but I was lucky Mariam was by my side the whole time.
Mariam and I found a secluded spot in the corner of the room.
We huddled close, the soft glow of our lamps casting a warm light over our faces.
And so, we settled in, the flickering light casting dancing shadows on the walls as we drifted off to sleep.
...
I slowly emerged from slumber, stretching my limbs and yawning away the remnants of sleep.
As I rubbed the grogginess from my eyes, I noticed that a few of our group were already awake, while the others still slumbered.
"Come on, everyone, rise and shine!" I called out.
A chorus of mumbled protests and groans greeted me, but one by one, they began to stir and get up, Mariam among them.
"Let's get moving!" someone exclaimed, already heading towards the door.
I nodded in agreement, falling into step beside them as we exited the building.
However, to my utter surprise, the world outside looked vastly different from how I remembered it.
We stood on an expansive cream-colored sandy ground, stretching out before us like an endless canvas.
In the distance, a massive wall loomed, its purpose and destination unknown.
I frowned, confused. What had really happened here?
But I quickly shook my head, dispelling the doubts.
The drastic changes in the environment wouldn't deter us from our mission.
With my weapon at the ready, I led my companions towards the wall, each step bringing us closer to our destination.
The rest of our group had already joined us, their expressions mirroring our own determination.
We walked in unison, a united front, ready to fulfill our mission.
As we approached the entrance, we were met with a gate blocking our path, guarded by uniformed personnel who eyed us warily.
Our eyes widened in unison as we took in the sight of the uniformed personnel.
Without hesitation, Mariam gave a swift hand signal, and we drew our guns in tandem, taking down the guards before a single word could be exchanged.
"The time has come!" a voice shouted from within our ranks, and some of our group surged forward to break open the gates.
We poured in, our footsteps echoing off the towering buildings that seemed to stretch on forever.
The village was unrecognizable, transformed into a sprawling complex with roads that veered off in unfamiliar directions.
We moved with precision, planting bombs at strategic points throughout the area.
Yet, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings.
They had taken our land, forced us out, and transformed it into something unrecognizable.
The injustice burned within me, fueling my determination.
We fanned out across the area, our weapons blazing as we targeted different parts of the complex.
The air was filled with the sounds of screams, gunfire, and explosions.
The people around us were dressed in attire unlike anything I had ever seen, their strange clothing only adding to my anger and sense of displacement.
I pressed forward, fighting alongside Mariam, my arrows flying and my sword clashing with anyone who dared stand in our way.
The memories of what had happened 10 years ago flooded my mind, driving me forward in my quest for retribution.
My dad, innocent and beloved, was taken from me 10 years ago.
Our people were slaughtered, and now, I'm driven to avenge their deaths.
We're fighting to reach the mastermind behind the atrocities, and when we do, their fate will be sealed.
We'll bring back their head as a trophy, a symbol of our victory.
I vow to not rest until justice is served.
History may repeat itself, but this time, we'll be the ones to right the wrongs of the past.
We continued our relentless assault, firing arrows and guns at the people around us, executing our plan with precision and killing more individuals as we advanced.
Finally, we reached a destination and gazed out upon the desolate, eerie silence that had fallen over the place.
I smiled, gratified by our accomplishments.
"We did it!" someone exclaimed, and the group erupted into jubilant chanting.
But our triumphant cries were short-lived, as anguished screams of pain began to pierce the air, shattering our celebratory mood.
My eyes widened in terror as I watched in horror, my friends convulsing in agony, their bodies bleeding profusely.
"What's happening?!" someone yelled.
I gazed around, my heart racing, and saw that some had already collapsed to the ground, their lifeless bodies crumpling like puppets.
"They're dead!" someone shrieked, sending the rest of us into a state of pandemonium.
I frowned, my mind consumed by fury and confusion - what was happening? Who was behind this senseless slaughter?
I promised that I would not rest until I found the person responsible and made them suffer for their heinous crimes.
"Who the hell are you?" I thundered, as I couldn't bear the sight of my friends falling dead around me.
"Come out now!" I demanded, my voice slicing through the sudden, oppressive silence.
The wind whispered menacing secrets around me, and I felt the weight of every gaze upon me.
"You heard me, come out now!" I bellowed.
My gaze scoured the surroundings, searching for any sign of movement, as I continued to taunt the hidden figure.
"Show yourself, you coward!" I spat.
"Don't hide behind your powers like a spineless villain!"
"Are you afraid we'll expose you for the monster you are? Is that why you're cowering in the shadows?"
I laughed, a cold, mirthless sound.
Just then, Jackson's voice cut through.
"Layla! Layla!" he called.
"Calm down, Layla," he urged, and I noticed Mariam nodding in agreement, her eyes wide with worry.
But I was beyond reason. "Come out, you fool!" I shouted, ignoring their pleas for restraint.
"Let me end you, you bloody demon!" I spat.
"Come out NOW!"
Suddenly, my eyes widened in terror as a strange, icy aura enveloped me, seeping into my bones like a winter's chill.
I felt an overwhelming urge to flee, to hide, or to grasp someone's hand for protection.
I frantically scanned the surroundings, and my heart raced as I saw the faces of my friends contorted in fear, their eyes wide with dread.
Then, a voice boomed from nowhere, its tone a blend of playfulness and gothic menace.
"You dare to trespass on my domain, spill the blood of my kin, and insult me? How... utterly amusing."
Summoning what little courage I had left, I stood tall and dared to demand, "Show yourself, demon! Face me like a true adversary!" My voice trembled slightly, but I refused to back down.
"Show yourself!" I demanded.
And then, I felt it - the unmistakable presence of someone behind me.
The atmosphere grew even colder, the chill seeping into my bones like a dark whisper.
I hesitated, my heart pounding heavily, fearing what I might see if I turned around.
But Jackson's hand grasped mine, his grip warm and reassuring.
Together, we turned to face the unknown, our eyes locking onto the figure that stood behind me.
Oh, mercies! My mind reeled in shock.
It can't be... He can't really be the one I've been sworn to kill all my life, the one who had haunted my dreams and fueled my rage.
Yet, there he stood, the mysterious man, his piercing gaze locked onto mine.
Behind him, a phalanx of men in black suits stood at attention, their imposing figures exuding an aura of intimidation.
Yet, despite their formidable appearance, they paled in comparison to the man who stood at the forefront.
He looked harmless, but had a hint of danger in his eyes, like an angel with a dark side.
And then, he had the audacity to wave at me, smiling?
"Hello!" he exclaimed.
Was he mocking us?
I straightened my grip on the gun, my finger tightening around the trigger.
I wasn't alone. Others around me had also readied their weapons, aiming them at the mysterious figure.
I gripped my gun tightly, my anger fueling my focus, but fear still lurked within.
I had no idea who this man was or how he'd caught me off guard, but one thing was clear - he was my target, the one I'd sworn to take down.
"I'll kill you if you even think about acting smart," I snapped.
But the man's smile didn't waver; he gazed at me intensely, his eyes seeming to bore into my soul.
"Do you think you can?" he replied, his voice soft and silky, like a whispered threat.
My finger twitched on the trigger, my heart racing slightly.
This man was unlike anything I had ever encountered before - his movements, his gaze, his very presence seemed to defy explanation.
But he had this captivating yet unsettling side.
Before I could even process what was happening, he vanished and reappeared in the blink of an eye, the muzzle of my gun now pressed against his chest.
I gasped in jolt of shock and fear as his grey eyes locked onto mine.
"Let's see," he murmured.
Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger, the sound of the gunshot echoing through the air.
But to my utter shock, the man remained unharmed, his expression serene and unchanging.
I fired shot after shot, my hands trembling with disbelief and growing desperation.
I switched to a knife, slashing and stabbing with all my might, but each wound healed before my eyes, the skin closing up as if by magic.
"Who the hell are you?" I spat.
But instead of answering, he reached out and wrapped his hand around mine, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me like a shockwave.
I felt a shiver race down my spine as his grip tightened.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm.
I jerked my hand away, my mind seething with anger and hatred. Who is this man, and why won't he die?! I thought, my frustration boiling over.
He turned his back on me and began walking away, his long white hair cascading down his neck and sweeping across his back like a river of moonlight.
"Haaa..." he sighed.
"Too bad they were all just clones."
My eyes flew wide in utter disbelief. "What do you mean they weren't real people?"
The man turned to me with a sly, knowing smile, his piercing gaze locking onto mine.
In a lightning-fast move, he disappeared and reappeared in the blink of an eye, materializing right in front of me.
I gasped, my heart racing like a jackrabbit, as he grasped my chin, his touch sending shivers cascading down my spine like a icy waterfall.
"Hey!" Jackson yelled, but the man didn't even bother breaking his gaze, his eyes burning into mine.
"I asked you a question," I pressed.
"What do you mean by 'they're not real people'?"
But he seemed utterly unfazed by my questions, his smile only widening.
"Say something!" I yelled.
"Ah, my dear, why such a fierce reaction from a delicate flower like you?" He asked.
I shoved his hand away from my face, my skin recoiling at his touch.
"I won't hold back if you don't surrender," I warned.
But instead of complying, he let out a low, mirthless chuckle that made my chest constrict with unease.
Slowly, he turned around, seeming to relish my anger and fear like a predator savoring its prey.
He strolled over to his men, his movements eerily calm, and turned around to face me once more.
"You know what to do," he said to them.
They hummed in unison. Then, in a blink, they vanished and reappeared in a flash, surrounding my companions and me.
I bit back a groan as they wrenched my arms brutally behind my back, the searing pain threatening to overwhelm me.
Noona screamed, struggling against her captors, while I snarled at the man, my eyes blazing with fury.
"Let us go!" I growled, but he just kept smiling, his gaze locked intensely on mine.
"Don't even think of touching us, or I'll make sure you pay with your life," I warned, but he just chuckled, his men holding us in a tight grip.
"You think this is a joke to you?" I spat.
"Do it," the man ordered, his voice glacial.
The men holding us hummed in unison once more, their eerie harmony giving me goose bumps.
Then, a blood-curdling scream tore through the air - "ARGHHH!!!" - and I felt a jolt of terror as one of my companions crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud.
I watched in horror as they lay there, motionless, their eyes frozen in a permanent stare.
"What do you think you're doing? STOP IT!" I demanded.
But the man just laughed, his amusement gone in an instant.
He materialized in front of me, his grip on my cheek tightening relentlessly, his fingers digging into my skin with an unforgiving grasp.
His smile vanished, replaced by an icy cold gaze that made my blood run cold.
I felt a chill run down my spine as he leaned in, our faces inches apart.
Those grey eyes seemed to bore into my very soul, and I knew I was in grave danger.
"You don't just barge into my territory and expect me to know nothing about it," he growled, his breath hot on my face.
"I'd kill you before you even blink, so keep your silly threats to yourself," he sneered, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
He released me abruptly, turning away with a dismissive flick of his wrist, and began walking away, leaving me shaken and wondering what I had just stumbled into.
But then, he paused, and his gaze swung back to me, a disarming smile spreading across his face.
"I think you're cute, and I like you already," he said.
I frowned, my confusion knitting my brow, and uttered a brief, perplexed reply: "Huh?"
He turned to face me fully, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinized me, and then took a slow, deliberate step closer.
Then, he smiled with an air of quiet satisfaction, as if he'd uncovered a hidden truth.
But his contented expression only served to deepen my frown. What's wrong with him?
"I'll see you around, dear," he said, as he began to wave goodbye.
"Byeee," he taunted, blowing a kiss as he vanished into thin air.
My jaw clenched in rage, my mind fixed on one goal: I won't stop until I kill this man. He's infuriating!
"Arghh!" I groaned in pain, my arms still held in a tight grip from behind.
The discomfort had been masked by my anger, but now it flared up, a sharp reminder of my vulnerability.
I struggled against the restraints, but they only dug deeper into my skin, a cruel mockery of my helpless state.
"You should willingly come with us if you really want to be spared by the queen," the man holding me whispered in my ear.
I struggled fiercely to break free, my instincts screaming at me to escape.
"Let go of me!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the air as I tried to shake off his grasp.
But his hold only tightened, his fingers digging deeper into my skin like claws.