As Selena left the Hunter's Headquarters, she made her way to the village of Nefaria, a place ravaged by poverty and despair. Once a thriving village renowned for its mining heritage, Nefaria had been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self. The town, which had once prospered under the kind-hearted Emperor, was now a mere puppet of Josh's tyranny.
Josh's sudden and mysterious acquisition of power had led to a brutal coup, overthrowing the Emperor and condemning the people of Nefaria to a life of endless toil. The village's male children were forcibly taken from their families, doomed to spend the rest of their lives mining in the depths of the earth. The female children, on the other hand, were subjected to a fate worse than death – they were turned into slaves and sex dolls, forced to endure the cruel whims of the Emperor and his advisers.
As Selena walked into the village, she was met with a scene of utter devastation. Homes lay in ruins, some without roofs, while soldiers stormed through the streets, brutalizing the residents and looting their meager possessions. Emaciated children roamed the streets, their eyes sunken and their skin sallow, like the very life had been drained from them.
The only business that seemed to be thriving was the Emperor's emporium, a gaudy monstrosity that stood as a stark reminder of Josh's stranglehold on the village. The prices were exorbitant, a deliberate ploy to strip the villagers of their last remaining resources.
As Selena navigated the desolate streets, she caught glimpses of the villagers' desperate lives. A young girl, no more than ten years old, cowered in an alleyway, her eyes wide with fear. An old man, his back bent with age, rummaged through a trash heap, searching for scraps to eat.
Selena's gaze lingered on the old man, and for a moment, she felt a pang of doubt. Was she truly doing the right thing by taking on this mission? Would eliminating Josh really bring peace to Nefaria, or would it simply create a power vacuum that would allow another tyrant to rise?
She pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. She had a job to do, and she would see it through to the end. But the doubts lingered, simmering just below the surface of her consciousness.
As she entered the village, the pungent smell of smoke and sweat hit her like a slap in the face. Eyes glared at her, their gazes a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. But as they took in her well-dressed appearance, their demeanor changed. They bowed, their heads dipping in respect, and parted to make way for her. The sound of shuffling feet and murmured whispers filled the air, a stark contrast to the silence that had greeted her at first.
It was clear that the villagers didn't often see outsiders, especially not ones who looked like they had come from the palace. Selena, however, was baffled by their reaction. She had grown accustomed to blending into the shadows, not being treated like royalty.
As she walked through the village, the sound of clanging pots and pans echoed through the air, mingling with the smell of cooking meat. Selena's stomach growled in response, reminding her that she hadn't eaten in hours. She couldn't help but wonder what was behind the villagers' sudden show of respect. Was it just her clothes, or was there something more to it?
As she pondered this, her eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of what was going on, a hand reached out and tugged on her coat. Selena spun around, her heart skipping a beat as she tried to see who had grabbed her.
Selena's voice was soft and gentle as she asked, "What's your name, kiddo?"
"My name is Samuel," he replied, his eyes looking up at her with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
Selena smiled warmly. "Hi Samuel, I'm Rose." She paused, studying the boy's gaunt face. "Where are your parents?"
Samuel's expression faltered, and he stared down at his hands. "I don't know."
Selena's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What do you mean you don't know?" She chuckled softly, trying to put the boy at ease.
Samuel's voice was barely above a whisper. "I never met them."
Selena's heart went out to the boy. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, Samuel."
Samuel shrugged, his eyes welling up with tears. "It's fine. I have a big brother though. His name is Kevin, and he's the best big brother ever. He takes good care of me, even though we don't have much."
Selena's eyes lit up with interest. "That's great that you have a big brother looking out for you. What's Kevin like?"
Samuel's face scrunched up in a pout. "He's a meanie at times. Always hitting me for no reason."
Selena chuckled softly. "I'm sure your brother loves you and is only looking out for you."
"Samuel!" someone yelled, and the boy quickly shoved the rest of the candy into his mouth and wiped his lips clean with the back of his hand.
"I have been looking for you all over the village," his brother said, snatching him away. "What did I tell you about taking things from strangers?"
"But big brother, she is not a stranger. Her name is Rose," Samuel protested.
Kevin looked at Selena from head to toe, then bowed at her. "I apologize for any trouble my brother must have caused you."
"I didn't do anything—" Samuel tried to defend himself, but Kevin cut him off.
"Shut up," Kevin said.
Selena's voice was calm but firm. "Don't shout at him. He did nothing wrong."
Kevin's expression softened slightly, and he took a deep breath before turning back to Selena. "I apologize for my behavior. It's just…times are tough here, and we have to be careful." He looked around her, seemingly searching for something. "Is something wrong?"
"Where are your guards?" Kevin asked, his eyes narrowing.
Selena's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "My guards? What for?"
Kevin's expression turned serious. "Walking around here without protection is dangerous. You must be new here."
Selena chuckled. "Oh, you think I'm one of His guests?"
Kevin's eyes glinted with curiosity. "Well, ain't you?"
Selena shook her head. "No, I'm not. Now I get why they were all glaring at me."
Kevin stared her down once more. "May I know your name, then?"
Selena smiled. "My name is Rose. I'm a scholar."
Kevin's expression turned thoughtful. "I'm Kevin. You came to write about the downfall of Nefaria?"
Selena nodded. "Yes. Mind telling me what happened?"
Kevin's eyes darted around the surrounding area before responding. "Sure, but not here. The walls have ears."
As they walked home, Kevin gave Samuel a piggyback ride, the boy's sleepy head bobbing against his brother's back. They stopped in front of a dilapidated building made of sandstone, its walls cracked and windows broken. The roof was covered in a patchy layer of leaves, a poor attempt to protect the inhabitants from the elements.
Inside, the house was just as worn down. An old family portrait hung loosely on the wall, a reminder of better times. The center of the house was now a makeshift pond, filled with water from last night's rain. The brothers had made a poor attempt to divert the water, but it was clear they were struggling.
At the far end of the building, a wide, flat rock provided a dry spot for the brothers to sleep. A layer of grass had been spread on top of the rock, a meager attempt to make it more comfortable and warm. Kevin gently dropped Samuel onto the grassy bed, the boy already fast asleep.
"You two live here?" she asked, her eyes scanning the humble abode.
Kevin nodded, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "It's not the best house, I know, but what makes a house home are the people in it."
She smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at Samuel. "I guess. You really love him, don't you?"
Kevin's expression turned fierce. "He's all I've got. I love him more than you can imagine. Do you have a family?"
She hesitated, her eyes clouding over. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I do, but my relationship with my family is complicated."
Kevin's eyes narrowed. "But you still love them?"
She shook her head, a single tear rolling down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away, her eyes flashing with a mix of sadness and anger. "I don't know. I haven't actually given it a thought since I left them. All I have now are mixed feelings."
Kevin's expression turned thoughtful. "Whatever must have caused the fight between you and your family isn't worth it."
She looked at him, her eyes searching. "Why did you say so?"
Kevin's voice was filled with conviction. "The world is a cruel place, and everyone is going to forsake you at some point, but family will always be there for you. No matter the situation."
She smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "My dad would always say that."
Kevin smiled back at her. "He's a smart man."
She nodded, her smile faltering. Her eyes dropped, and she took a deep breath before speaking. "Was. He's dead."
Kevin's expression turned somber. "Oh. My condolences."
She cleared her throat, her voice a little rough. "Yea… It's been hard, but I'm managing."
Kevin nodded sympathetically. As they stood there in silence, the tension between them began to dissipate. Kevin's expression turned curious, and he asked, "So, how long do you plan to stay?"
"As long as it will take me to finish my business here," she replied, her eyes clouding over with a mix of sadness and determination. "What really happened here?"
Kevin's expression turned grim, his eyes dropping to the ground as if the weight of his memories was too much to bear. He took a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "Joshua…he ruined this village. Destroyed the beautiful city our Emperor fought hard to build." Kevin's voice cracked with emotion as he continued, "He killed the Emperor and the resistance…forced the people to throw horse shit on the Emperor and the resistance before killing them."
As Kevin spoke, Rose's eyes widened in horror, her face pale in the fading light. She looked like she had been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. She took a step back, her eyes never leaving Kevin's face. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I had no idea."
Kevin's eyes flashed with anger, but it was quickly replaced by a deep sadness. He nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's been hard. But we're surviving."
"Why did they agree to do it since Emperor Henry was good to them?" Rose asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Kevin's expression turned somber. "It's not like they had other options. The few who refused were executed alongside the Emperor. They did what they did in fear of their lives, so you can't really blame them." He sighed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his memories.
Rose nodded thoughtfully, her eyes locked on Kevin's face. She pretended to jot down some notes, her hand moving swiftly across the page. "I see," she murmured.
Kevin's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he suspected she wasn't really taking notes. But he said nothing, simply watching her with a curious expression.
After a moment, he looks at her and says "You won't learn anything by staying in this wretched house. Do you want to follow me to work? I can tell you more stories, and you could see the palace."
Rose's face lit up with interest. "That sounds like a plan."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the full moon ascended, casting an eerie glow over Nefaria. The village, once thriving, now lay in ruins, its beauty ravaged by darkness and despair. The moon's bright light mercilessly exposed the devastation, illuminating shattered homes and deserted streets.
"Let me prepare a place for you," Kevin offered, his voice laced with concern.
Rose shook her head, her smile faint. "Don't worry. I'll stay outside."
Kevin's brow furrowed. "You're sure? Looks like it will rain tonight."
Rose's eyes sparkled with determination. "I'll be fine. Thanks." She paused, her gaze meeting Kevin's. "You've already done so much for me."
Kevin's expression softened. "Goodnight," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the distant rumble of thunder.
Rose nodded, her smile lingering. "Goodnight, Kevin." As he disappeared into the shadows, she wrapped her cloak tighter, steeling herself for the long, stormy night ahead.
..... ✍️
Sage Henri strolled out of Sophia's elegant residence, taking in the breathtaking surroundings. The finely crafted limestone exterior was adorned with intricate white pine woodwork, while small, rounded windows added a touch of whimsy. The pyramid-shaped roof, covered in sleek black tiles, soared above, complemented by a sturdy chimney. Large windows on the upper floor allowed just the right amount of light to filter in.
The meticulously manicured garden was a testament to Sophia's refined taste. Velvety grass, vibrant flower patches, and strategically placed trees created a harmonious balance. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, perfectly complementing the house's warm red hue. A delicate white rose, Sophia's favorite, sat perched on a windowsill, a poignant touch.
"Thank you for taking care of me," I said, my cheeks flushing.
Sophia smiled warmly. "No problem. Come back later for a final check-up, and I'll remove the bandages."
I dressed quickly. "Okay"
"Sage Henri mentioned you know where he stays."
My expression turned icy. "I do, and my lips are sealed. No one touches Steve."
She arrowed her eyes. "Why this vendetta? Seth died in peace."
My gaze hardened, my voice dripping with venom. "You wouldn't understand. Steve's debt will be paid in blood."
"Why do you want to avenge Seth so bad? He died a happy man"
My voice cracked with anguish. "This isn't about avenging Seth. It's about making Steve pay for destroying my childhood, for hurting Mom. He deprived me of her, of a happy life." My eyes blazed with fury. "Seth had a chance to stop Steve years ago, but he chose friendship over justice. There's no redeeming Steve."
Sophia's face twisted in disgust. "You're wrong. Seth loved everyone equally. He sacrificed himself for us. Why can't you see? He died a hero."
My voice dripped with venom. "A worthless hero. His sacrifice changed nothing."
Sophia's eyes welled up with tears. "In time, you'll understand that true love means sacrificing everything to protect those who matter."
My voice was laced with bitterness. "Love is a lie, a chain that binds and suffocates. It brings only pain, and in the end, everyone leaves or dies." My voice cracked. "What's the point of loving someone who's not there to receive it? Is it still love when one person suffers and the other is happy? Love is a cruel illusion."
Sophia's expression softened, concern etched on her face. "What happened to you, Liam?" she asked gently.
My gaze dropped, my voice barely above a whisper. "Everything." I turned and walked away, leaving Sophia staring at my retreating back.
.... ✍️
Ken slipped into Shane's chambers, his eyes scanning the room with a mix of desperation and urgency. He rummaged through files and wardrobes, his movements growing more frantic. The sound of splintering wood echoed as he broke the lock on Shane's drawer.
Shane's voice cut through the silence, his tone icy. "What are you doing, Ken?"
Ken's hands froze, files scattered around him. He turned, his eyes locked on Shane's, standing tall by the door. "I… uh… just looking for something."
Shane's gaze narrowed. "What could you possibly be looking for in my chambers?"
Ken's jaw clenched, his voice laced with defiance. "Nothing." He brushed past Shane, their shoulders colliding in a tense, deliberate gesture.
******