⌏▫☆ Hwang EunHa◆▫. ¸

⁛ Origin Year 138, 14th of Hana. 8.22 am.

The combination of steel concrete and glass created one of humanity’s most renowned strongholds. Military airships small and large gathered around the wharves. Porters and ship crew busily ran around the expansive platforms.

As the ship decelerated, I felt the wind hammer against my body. I tugged on my cloak, pulling it tighter over myself.

“Ms. Hwang, we’ve arrived.”

As I looked at the chains that loosely bound my hands and feet, a sense of dread filled my chest.

These emotions should just die.

We disembarked the airship, I lifted my gaze.

As if to boast its regal presence in this expanse of sky, the highest point of the stronghold towered above even the clouds. At once I fell in awe of the scale of this colossal fortress.

Humanity’s last bastion.

Fortress 13.

Such was the name given to this magnificent weapon.

My last stop.

I lowered my gaze and followed the officer.

‘Who’s that?’

‘The prisoner…’

‘So that’s the girl that killed half the army?’

‘I heard she ruined her wedding.’

‘She looks so young though.’

‘No way we’re going to die because of her right?’

I hated it.

The stares, these voices.

Passing the grand entrance, we took the stairs to our right. Pacing down the hall, I looked in the direction of the passing windows.

The sky was beautiful today.

The chains that bound me jingled. Staff Sergeant Chu stopped.

“We’re here.”

“Here? What is this?”

“To decide your executioner.”

I can decide my executioner?

She knocked on the door. I heard a voice, permission was granted and we entered.

There were five people seated around the table.

I knew one of them, the one XiaoLe suggested would best serve as my executioner.

First Sergeant Hai Aki.

He sat at the furthest seat from the entrance where I stood. With his fingers interlaced, he stared at me with his steely eyes.

“Sergeant Hwang EunHa, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s an honour likewise, First Sergeant Hai.”

It was a brief greeting. Staff Sergeant Chu ushered me to take a seat.

“I have been notified of the order. But I can’t help but be curious about your decision.”

“It should’ve been summarised sufficiently inside the reports.”

My lifelong dream and ambition. Everything I suffered up till this point led to this.

My execution.

How ironic.

It wasn’t more of my blood, sweat and tears. It wasn’t even becoming the commander and leading the army with all I had.

It was my death.

If I die, the world would become a brighter place.

I was the cause of the war and plight of humanity.

“The report alone didn’t mention anything about why this is a good decision.”

XiaoLe must have put in a word. That’s why they were so lenient. I can’t help but find it a tad annoying.

“Care to explain yourself?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

Just as there were people who were born with the destiny of heroism, there were those who were born with a destiny of destruction.

“If I don’t die within this one week. You must kill me.”

I had already resolved myself for this.

If it would make the world a better place, I was prepared to die for it. Otherwise, there was no purpose to my existence.

“Can I become her executioner instead of First Sergeant?”

A bonny voice chided with a raised hand.

I hadn’t noticed this earlier but why was there a kid in this room? She looks so young, who the hell?

“It’s up to her to decide.”

First Sergeant Hai shook his head.

“Really? Then EunHa, can I be your executioner?”

The child looked right at me and asked.

What the hell? The kid wants to be my executioner?

“Please, please! I’ll make sure you have a painless death… or maybe a painful death, if that’s what you want. I’m a pro at this, trust me, I have a lot of experience in torturing—geh.”

“Don’t be insensitive.”

Staff Sergeant Chu slammed her head with a book. I was dumbfounded.

“I’m not being insensitive! I’m serious!”

Serious? If you’re serious then what’s up with your goofy attitude?

“Ahem. Let me try this again. Ms. EunHa, I, Rize Tatsuki wish to become your executioner. You have no right to choose whoever else to become your executioner because if you do, I’ll kill you first.”

Rize Tatsuki? I’ve never heard of her.

She had straight black hair that curled at the fringes and ethereal eyes that naturally drew one’s interest. But… something about her just felt off.

“PFft.”

Someone in the room cracked a laugh.

“Mr. Chen.”

“Ah, sorry. Don’t mind me… I was just…”

“Boo—”

“Rize-chan, shut up, you talk too much.”

“There’s nothing wrong with talking too much! It’s too stiff here. I’m just trying to lighten up the mood!”

First Sergeant Hai’s raid squad was known as the greatest contributor to Operation Sink. So for a young girl to be among them was ridiculous. Who even is this Rize Tatsuki? First Sergeant Hai’s daughter? Some kind of mascot?

“I don’t know if you would be able to kill me when it counts…”

I expressed my doubts.

A kid like her couldn’t possibly withstand the psychological trauma of personally ending one’s life, right?

“To be honest, I think she’s your best option for a happy death. A late induction, I’m Shun Kato, a Gunnery Sergeant.”

“Happy death…?”

You can’t be serious.

“I will have to agree with him on that.”

“Rize-chan may look like this, but she’s easily the scariest person in the room.”

Both Staff Sergeant Chu and Vice Admiral Chen raised their agreements.

“Me? Scary? No way. Why would I be scary?”

“Don’t trust the shit she says.”

“W-What?! How dare you all!”

Everyone in the room shared the same opinion.

This girl? Scary? Perfect fit as my executioner? Happy death?

“See, everyone agrees. So pick me already!”

“Rize-chan, enough.”

“Shut up papa. I’m trying to market myself to this woman here.”

“The fuck did you call me?”

“Ah! Ms. Lili, papa is at it again! He cursed me! He cursed me!”

“You damn prick. You’ll be hearing from me tonight!”

“Ahhh!! Save me!”

The room erupted in chaos, laughter and screams spread everywhere. I felt like the only one who didn’t understand what was going on.

I was told a lot of consideration had been given before assigning this specific squad to me.

But… why did it feel like they overlooked something major? Did they not audit things properly? Am I crazy, or were they crazy?

Papa? So the child is the First Sergeant’s daughter? They don’t resemble each other though? Maybe she took after her mother?

“I’ll make sure to take care of everything for you, so pick me as your executioner okay? You’ll regret it very very much if you don’t. I’m not joking.”

In a daze, I turned towards her, who held my hand in hers.

Her eyes were…

Sparkling.

…What is this?

…Scary.

-☆▫.-▫.｡.:* ▫⌎.☆\*: .｡ ▫.-

Coincidence or otherwise, Ms. Tatsuki was chosen as my lead executioner. Of course, it wasn’t to say the others couldn’t end my life. Simply, they just need someone who would take charge.

The fact that a whole squad of elites was put in charge of ending a single person’s life spoke of how critical the issue was.

“Call me Rize-chan. I’m your junior.”

My junior…?

She was about one head shorter than I was, yet had a backbone that seemed stronger than my own.

I looked at her stiffly.

“How old are you?”

“Twelve. And you?”

Twelve… fifteen was the age when military cadets enrol in training. Sixteen is when they graduate and officially begin service in the military.

To become a full-fledged private, they need to complete this strict one-year practicum before they can officially join the ranks. This girl… wasn’t even at an age eligible for recruitment.

Is she really twelve? She must be lying.

“How old are you?”

In my silence, she repeated my question back to me.

“…Eighteen”

“What?! So young?”

Young?! You should look at yourself in the mirror!

No, no, no. This is crazy.

I’m not supposed to be thinking like this when I’m going to die.

“Call me Rize-chan.”

I ignored her and forced myself to walk ahead.

“Hey! Walk slower!”

She’s the most qualified for the job? Really? This brat?

The soldiers on guard lowered their heads at my presence. Showing such respect when they talked behind my back, what a disgusting way to be treated.

But I deserved it. Who else otherwise?

“Your room is not there! It’s up here!”

She pointed towards the stairs 20 paces behind me.

Damn it.

She.

She’s going to be the end of me.

¸☆▫.-⌎.- ▫☆\*: .｡ _ ▫.｡.:*

“Call me Rize-chan.”

“You are aware that… you shouldn’t try to get too close to a prisoner on death row, right?”

“Then EunHa, why were you sent for execution?”

She just skipped the honorifics, did she now?

“There’s no need for you to know. Just… leave me alone can you?”

She had already done her part to lead me to my room. Any more would be excessive.

“Okay. But you better tell me why you’re going to be executed. I’ll wake you up for breakfast sharp 6am, don’t you wake up late. As for dinner, I’ll bring it over to you later at 6pm, so keep an eye out for that. If you need anything, you can press the bell here…”

At her lengthy dizzy explanation of do’s and don’ts, I scrutinised the room.

It looked similar to any luxury guest room built for visiting dignitaries. Not something normal soldiers could enjoy.

It had everything from a bed to a grand view of the skies outside. Of course, the windows and doors have been modified to prevent my escape. It was out of the question to think about leaving now.

Even if I did have a change of heart, I was stuck on this fortress floating in the middle of nowhere. So there’s no way to return to the city.

“Got that?”

“Y-Yes…”

“Good. There are things I need to do, so be a good girl and stay put.”

“…Okay.”

She’s crazy.

“There.”

“What…”

Out of nowhere, she decided to unlock the cuffs that bound my wrist.

“It’s uncomfortable to wear those for so long. And since you can’t escape anyways, it would be better to enjoy what little you have left.”

Ms. Tatsuki then left, locking the door from the outside to ensure my confinement.

I remained seated on the ground dumbstruck. It wasn’t for a while when I regained myself that I realised the heavy reality of my situation.

I should’ve stuck with First Sergeant Hai. Not her.

I made a big mistake.

A happy death? No. She was planning to make me regret every last shred of my life.

Inject me with joy, and reverse my determination. Then, have me beg for mercy before finally killing me off.

She said it herself. She was good with torture.

The others also agreed that she was the most insidious.

Ms. Tatsuki-chan may not be who she appears to be. She can act kind on the outside but her true identity is still unknown.

I shuddered at the thought of her blood-stained smile.

Shit.

Before she toys with me, I had to act first.

I searched the room for something I could use to kill myself. In the end, the only sharp object I could find was that single glass cup.

I had to first shatter it into shards before it could become useful.

So I threw it.

And realised that it was made from reinforced glass.

It didn’t break.

What the hell was this situation?

.- ▫☆\*: .｡ _ ▫.｡.:*☆▫.-⌎

Staring and watching as the afternoon sky settled into the evening hue.

“Here’s your dinner.”

Unabashed, my crazy executioner entered without knocking on the door.

As promised, she brought me my food. Did she have to come with a cart though?

She pulled up the metal cover and revealed the grilled salmon. However, I found myself drawn instead to the sharp knife that sat beside the spoon.

“I can’t believe they even hired a chef to cook for you. Crazy. Who are you exactly?”

“…Someone who deserves to die.”

I muttered an answer to her sickening question.

No. Hold on.

Was she playing me for a fool?

Where did she get this food from? There’s no way they arranged a chef to cook something for me unless…

I met her slow, concerned gaze. I was taken aback.

“Do you want me to accompany you?”

She asked.

“No. I can eat it myself.”

…That expression.

“Be careful alright. I couldn’t find a butter knife in the kitchen so I can only give you this one.”

She could’ve just not brought the knife and left me the spoon. Why the hell did she have to make something painfully wrong so obvious?

I feel like I’m going to get another PTSD attack before I die.

I want to change executioners.

Really, someone please save me from this girl.

Such was my prayer before my meal.

And when I opened my eyes, she was gone.

What? She actually left already?

Feeling suspicious, I tested the doorknob to find that it was locked.

She had actually left.

Left me with a knife.

Was she testing me?

Did she put me in a dilemma on purpose?

Is this how a pro does her work?

I grabbed the plate and spoon, turning away from the two sharp objects as soon as I did.

In small bites, I brought the salmon pieces to my mouth.

Delicious.

Damn it.

Why…

I don’t want to die…

-☆▫.-▫.｡.:* ▫⌎.☆\*: .｡ ▫.-

Do you know of anyone who achieved everything easily? Someone who only needed to wish, and it would by some miracle present themselves before them?

Do you know of anyone who, just being by their side, could make you feel their warm presence as soothing as the sun?

Do you know of anyone who was carefree as the wind, someone who moved with the flow of life, a person who wasn’t bound by the rules of this world?

I didn’t realise it in the beginning when I met her.

But blinded by my obsession, my fears, it was only much later that I learnt the very person who I met was…

◜\⌝▫◆▫.

Many people have died because of me. Many more families were harmed even though I did everything I could to prevent their deaths.

Harbouring the will of fate, any mission I touch falls into ruins, and any efforts to help someone only leads to more resentment.

When everything looks like it’s going well, some unexplainable force would tilt the fate of favour and kill everyone.

I could choose to continue to rise in fame and rank, but what was the purpose of reaching it if the outcome only led to more bloodshed?

Blessed was the ignorant person born who didn’t have to overthink their life. Cursed was the person who knew of the misfortune that came by simply existing.

Effort and grit distinguish failure from success. But it did not distinguish between a negative or positive outcome.

I was such a person. Someone who, no matter how hard I tried, would only create more problems for the people around me.

Ah, someone, please…

I can’t stop thinking.

Stop thinking…

Stop…

“What do you think you’re doing?”

It was midnight. The room was dark.

My hand which held a knife was restrained.

On the knife was my blood.

“How long have you been doing this?”

I have been doing this for as long as I can remember. During nights when I couldn’t sleep, and quiet afternoons when I was locked inside my room.

There were many self-inflicted scars on my arms and legs, the many times I couldn’t help but indulge in its pain.

“Do you have no dignity? Where is your self-love?”

Self love, dignity?

I was destined to die, why did it matter anymore?

She stole the knife from my hand, the blade glimmered in the moonlight.

I squinted.

Expecting my life to end there.

But instead.

She had used that knife to cut her own wrist.

“I’ll cut myself wherever you cut yourself. Think through it wisely the next time you try to perform self-harm.”

The wound she inflicted on herself was deeper than my own.

What is wrong with her? She was my executioner, so why would she take this bullshit so far?

She left the knife in my room on purpose, why was she blaming me for my self-harm tendencies now?

From the cut on her wrist and my own, blood pooled onto the bed sheets.

The scent of it made me dizzy.

“EunHa, be a good girl and just enjoy the last few days of your life okay?”

She knew I would stop hurting myself if it hurt another person in the process.

She understood me, I couldn’t understand her.

I only had one week left, why couldn’t she just leave me alone?

“Why…”

When my thoughts become too intrusive, self-harm was a good way to get me out of my head.

The pain felt good. It brought me solace from the darkness within my own mind.

The pain was also good for my guilt. All the bad things I’ve done, it was my own way of punishing myself.

I didn’t know when she prepared a first aid kit. She began fixing up my wound before her own.

I stared at the joint which she bandaged.

“…When can I die?”

I croaked.

“On your last day.”

I could’ve opted for an earlier death. Much earlier.

But.

I came to the fortress in the first place because I wanted to witness the Last Bastion of humanity with my very two eyes before I left for the afterlife.

And.

I wanted to die somewhere far away from him.

I didn’t want him to see my body.

I didn’t want him to mourn.

I didn’t want him to blame himself.

Now my executioner wouldn’t even let me die of my own volition.

Maybe I should’ve just jumped off the ship. It was a mistake to come here.

Either that or, fate wanted to make me suffer again.

Just as it always does.

Kill me quickly.

Please, kill me before I change my mind.

¸☆▫.-⌎.- ▫☆\*: .｡ _ ▫.｡.:*

⁛ Origin Year 138, 1st of Hana.

There was a person who gave me everything.

But all I could do was throw it away.

For my existence itself was a sin, and my fate was to die.

I decided that this would be the best for us.

For humanity.

For him.

Instead of a world where his life ended at my hands, I’d much prefer a world where he lived happily in my absence.

I wanted him to survive just a little longer if possible.

My shoulders were exposed, the sexy curves of my clavicle directed one’s eyes towards my cleavage.

The wedding dress sparkled with detailed patterns that adorned the translucent surface. Various clear jewels added to the complexity of the simple design while the gentle train flowing from the lance to the ground made my already beautiful appearance all the more ethereal.

Pearl blonde hair glimmered, braided in a wreath of white lilies. My glossy pink lips didn’t match my teal-blue eyes which reflected dread and anxiety.

The pretty girl standing before the full-sized mirror was me.

A bride-to-be.

My personal aide Ju MinGyeo, who wore a bridesmaid dress adjusted the train of my gown. She raised her head to look at me in the mirror.

“EunHa-nim, do you not wish for this?”

She asked.

Do I wish for this?

A wedding signifies a new beginning, a vow of love, the mark of a new journey in one’s life. It’s supposed to be a day that brings boundless joy and passion, one of the merriest moments a couple could ever experience.

“Should I call it off?”

She asked again.

She knew I couldn’t possibly run from this.

Yet deep down she wished for my true happiness.

I observed the dull gleam in my eyes.

The resolve I’ve mustered for today, that decision will change the fate of the world forever.

I can’t falter.

I must do it.

“Ju MinGyeo-ssi.”

Her hands stopped.

“Please give me some space alone.”

“…Understood.”

Having watched over me from childhood to adulthood, she had been by my side ever since I remembered.

My tendencies, my fears, my feelings, my desires, my dreams—she knew everything about me. There was no need for me to explain why I told her to leave.

She was already aware of my unstable state.

She knew the wedding wasn’t the problem, it was simply the timing and intent behind the whole circumstance.

“And…”

I spoke, she held the door and paused for me to complete my sentence.

“…Thank you for everything.”

I had to say it.

Because this would be the last time I get the chance to do so.

MinGyeo-unnie.

The elder sister I never had.

I love you.

She turned around and wrapped her arm tight around me.

“EunHa. I wish you utmost happiness, sincerely.”

◜\⌝▫◆▫.

“The bride enters!”

The double door swings open.

A white veil concealed my face, a bouquet of white lilies held between my hands.

My wedding was held at the sacred chapel. The morning light poured in from high windows, drawing patterns on the ground. The red carpet led me towards the altar where my beloved stood.

MinGyeo-unnie followed behind me, making sure my dress didn’t get stuck on anything.

Slightly.

Slightly I lifted my head to meet his hazel coloured eyes.

Together we’ve shared many moments of pain and joy.

When I needed him the most, he was there.

When I cried, he was there to console me.

When it was cold, he was there to embrace me.

When it hurt, he was there to take the pain away.

He was my saviour and guardian.

Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to lay his life down for me.

Tying the knot and becoming one with him was one of my greatest wishes.

I didn’t fall in love with him for no reason.

But doing so meant something else.

It hurt me as much as it did him. I caught a glimpse of his sad smile.

He knew I was suffering.

My father and my brother could be seen in the audience.

Faces of friends and comrades.

Sergeants and commanders.

Lastly, the mastermind of today’s ceremony.

My closest friend, comrade, and rival.

The one who would prevent the world’s greatest disaster.

The hero who would save all of humanity.

And… the one who shared the same love as I did.

The War Saint, Wu XiaoLe.

She applauded with the rest of the crowd.

All of them have gathered here today on this auspicious day.

My heart ached.

All the troubles I’ve brought upon her, yet never once she had she blamed me. She did what she believed to be right. Bearing the weight of the world, as the only one who had the power to change the fate of an uncertain future.

For everything she had done, the sacrifices she had made—undeniably, she was the one more deserving of his love.

To prevent humanity’s downfall.

Today’s wedding marked a pivotal turning point.

For the sake of a better future, she sealed her feelings for him.

So that I could be happy.

So that we could be happy.

…It was an insult to all her efforts.

Because I wasn’t happy.

Church bells rang, and the vibrations reverberated through my body.

I finally reached the altar where he and the priest stood.

I turned to face him.

He parted the veil that covered my face.

Agony ripped through my chest.

I held back the urge to cry.

I was going to do something horrible.

“You’re beautiful, EunHa.”

I’m sorry.

I’m really sorry for hurting you.

Again and again. I’ve been nothing but a thorn in your side.

Humanity’s disaster.

It was time to let go.

“On this sacred day, we are gathered here today in the sight of God. Together in witness to join together, the groom, Matsushita Kenji and bride, Hwang EunHa, in holy matrimony.”

The priest spoke solemnly.

“In God’s presence, proclaim. To the groom, do you, Matsushita Kenji, profess from this day onward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish Hwang EunHa, until death do you part?”

“I do.”

I love you Kenji.

“To the bride, do you, Hwang EunHa, profess from this day onward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish Matsushite Kenji, until death do you part.”

“I…”

I really, really do.

“In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss!”

Hundreds of times we’ve performed this action. Now as natural as breathing, his lips met mine.

I love you Kenji.

But…

So please forget me.

Forget me Kenji.

I dropped the flower in my hands.

Revealing the knife underneath, I impaled his stomach with the hidden blade.

His body stiffened, he quickly grabbed my wrist.

I didn’t know what kind of expression I was making.

“EunHa why…”

I pulled out the knife.

“Ugh…”

He winced.

Even though I had aimed for his non-vital points, the blade had been coated with poison.

So.

He collapsed to the ground, blood soaking through his suit.

I turned to the shocked audience.

“Someone save him.”

God.

Save him.

Blood dripped from my trembling hands.

-☆▫.-▫.｡.:* ▫⌎.☆\*: .｡ ▫.-

He opened his eyes.

The air that passed through his lungs was cold, his body felt heavy.

As his vision regained its former clarity, he looked around.

A white room with white machines and monitors.

“Mn? He’s awake?”

“He’s awake? Sir, how are you…”

He heard voices, but couldn’t quite discern the source.

He closed his eyes and tried to recall.

The cathedral.

Family.

Her white dress, his matching tuxedo.

Their wedding.

EunHa.

…!

◜\⌝▫◆▫.

A day after he woke up, he was transferred to a private ward.

Sitting on the hospital bed, he gazed out towards the cerulean skies.

Over the past hour, many of his friends had come and gone to pay him a visit. Gifts and souvenirs that wished for his recovery hoarded the desk.

Bitterly, he couldn’t help but think that these gifts implied something else.

He heard the sound of the door slide open. He turned to the door.

Her crimson-pink hair tied into a side ponytail, a plain collared dress…

“Kenji, I’m glad you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

She placed the basket of fruits on the chair, seeing as the table was already full.

She sat on a chair facing the bed. He sat facing the wall. Their gazes didn’t meet.

“Where’s EunHa?”

“…”

“What are you guys hiding from me?”

He asked. She clenched the hem of her clothes.

“Why did she stab me? What happened to the wedding?”

He wanted to know.

She shook her head.

“She’s dead.”

“…Don’t lie.”

“…I’m not…”

EunHa may be alive at the Fortress now. But in a week’s time, she’d probably be dead.

Or maybe she was already dead.

“I didn’t want this to happen either.”

Tears condensed in her eyes.

“She refused to listen to me.”

EunHa was stubborn.

“She refused to listen to everyone.”

Too stubborn.

The very person they swore to protect… yet her fate turned out like this.

“She’s still here.”

He said, refusing to accept. She trembled.

The vivid memory of the knife entering his stomach was still fresh in his mind.

He had been in a coma for almost a week thanks to that.

The wedding had been annulled, EunHa was sent for execution.

Was it right to save EunHa who… had made it clear that she didn’t want him to interfere?

He had no idea where she was, nor her current situation. Was it alright to try and rescue EunHa by this point?

This wasn’t the first time she refused his help. But would this be the first time he agreed to her irony?

“Kenji, she did this for us.”

She lightly touched his hand over the blanket.

“She wants us to let her go.”

Was he fed up with EunHa’s whiny attitude?

Yes.

Angry that she was in a constant state of unease; that somehow no matter what he did, she would fall into a spiral of self-loathing?

Yes.

Frustrated that no matter what he did, he couldn’t find a solution to her curse?

“I promised her.”

He recalled the expression she made when the knife entered.

Guilt? Remorse? Pain?

No.

It was regret.

She regretted having met him.

“…That I would save her no matter what.”

She chose the world over him.

But he chose her over the world.

“XiaoLe.”

He looked at the War Saint with a faint smile.

“It’s not too late to save her, right?”

A tear slipped from her eyes.

“Yes.”

-☆▫.-▫.｡.:* ▫⌎.☆\*: .｡ ▫.-

⁛ Origin Year 138, 15th of Hana.

Morning the next day.

I woke up with my hands chained and my shoulders sore.

The pain from the cut had mostly disappeared, but a lingering sensation remained.

I sat silently on the bed.

I don’t want to die.

Such a thought crossed my mind.

Please don’t die.

His plea repeated in my mind. Not once, but many times.

He’ll forget me soon enough. Stop thinking about it.

“Morning EunHa.”

“…”

The light in the room was haphazardly turned on. I raised my head to meet her gaze.

“You have pretty bad bed hair.”

I’m seeing things right?

That small sleeping bag on the floor? She slept in my room?

I’m going crazy. Was she going to do this every day from now on?

I must be going crazy.

“Are you alright?”

She approached me.

I retreated a few inches.

Her hands pressed against the bed duvet as she began to crawl towards me.

The bandage wrapped around her hand, and the red blood stains on the sheets remained from yesterday night.

Why, why, why…

Why are you doing this? What did I do to deserve this kind of treatment?

I’m scared.

Someone.

Someone save me.

Kill me.

Before this monster makes me regret it all—

God.

It’s enough to bestow me such a miserable fate.

So please.

At least give me a peaceful death.

I beg you—

Her small hand glided across my head and found themselves settled with a few light pats.

“Did you have a good sleep?”

What kind of expression was she making? I didn’t dare to raise my head.

How insane was this child… to be able to treat me in this manner without feeling an ounce of sympathy?

She’s a psychopath, a complete psychopath.

My breathing hastened, and I felt my chest tighten.

No. Not now, please. Enough of this.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m here.”

I’m here.

My body shivered.

I didn’t know if the tears that I felt were because of fear or remorse.

It was nauseating.

“Look at me.”

She forced herself into my view.

Strangle me.

Her golden irises glowed distinctively. All things ceased to matter, the vertigo I felt disappeared, and my body stopped shaking.

Something, just something about her eyes…

It held me.

Just like when I look into Kenji’s eyes, I couldn’t tear away when I stared into her’s either.

However, different from his which created a tingly discomfort in my chest.

I felt a sense of calm.

“Everything is going to be alright.”

She said.

Certainly.

Everything is going to be alright.

¸☆▫.-⌎.- ▫☆\*: .｡ _ ▫.｡.:*

After taking a long bath. I wore a white dress and returned to the main room. The smell of blood had been eliminated, replaced by the fresh scent of flowers. And, my executioner was already seated with breakfast prepared, waiting.

“Breakfast is ready.”

She said with a smile.

For whatever reason, the corners of my lips rose slightly.

I raised the metal lid and found some bread, chowder and a side of grilled unagi.

I saw her tear open a paper bag and take out a piece of preserved nutrient bar.

“You’re going to eat here…?”

The fact that I asked surprised even me.

“Yup.”

She was eating military rations while I ate this? Is she doing this so I would feel guilty about eating in front of her?

“I found out that some brands of this are really tasty. Do you want to have a try?”

“No thank you…”

I took my seat, broke the bread into pieces and soaked it inside the chowder.

I didn’t like chowder.

But somehow, this one tasted especially good.

“I heard from papa yesterday that you wanted to see how things run around here.”

“…That’s part of the reason why I chose this place to die.”

“That’s great! Then let me be your tour guide! It would be a waste if you spent all the time inside this room.”

“…”

“But under one condition.”

I never said anything.

“Call me Rize-chan.”

“…”

I was beginning to sympathize with First Sergeant Hai’s struggle.

Calling her a ‘motherfucker’ after experiencing her attitude first hand was quite reasonable.

“Rize-chan.”

“Kyaa! Good girl!”

How exactly did he teach his daughter? She’s not sane.

I held back the urge to punch her.

¸☆▫.-⌎.- ▫☆\*: .｡ _ ▫.｡.:*

The history of war waged between humans and demonica began a long time ago.

Humans easily prevailed in the beginning few raids. Their small threat served as a sort of glue that united humanity during those turbulent times of reconstitution.

However, as time progressed, the scale and frequency of these attacks increased.

And that led to the first tipping point.

About half a century ago, we lost the Zeroth Stratum to the demons. Much of Earth’s technology remained in that stratum. So having lost control over that entire region was a great loss.

Fortress 13.

It was a giant pseudo-castle structure built for the sake of engaging Cloud Hives that come from the Zeroth Stratum.

They were built learning from historical mistakes.

In an effort to fight against the ever intensifying demonica forces, the First Stratum had become a war zone. The assembly of these giant structures were collectively known as humanity’s Last Bastion.

More than ten of these giant strongholds roamed the skies in the First Stratum. Not to mention the many reinforced sky islands fortified to strike down any demonica that breached into this layer.

While these colossal strongholds do exist in few numbers within the Second Stratum, most of them operated within the airspace of the First Stratum.

The world we live in today was unlike ancient Earth. There was no real land, only floating islands that seemed to defy old-world physics.

Rize-chan held my chains as we made our way down the stairs.

I had gotten used to being the world’s enemy, so the stares of those that saw us didn’t bother me.

“Ah, Rize-chan, good morning.”

“Good morning sir!”

“Morning.”

“Sup.”

But I wasn’t used to how friendly they were to Rize-chan. Those that greeted her greeted me likewise. I could only give an awkward response.

“This is the parade ground, I think you’ve seen it already.”

“…”

“During special occasions, we’d hold marching events or large parties here. There was also this one time when we had a weird wedding festival for soldiers that couldn’t find a partner. But with the frequency of the attacks lately, it’s rare to see this place being used.”

A somnolent hall held up by giant pillars and overhanging arches. Rize-chan also explained that besides a place for gathering, it was sometimes used as an intermediate site for large material storage before moving it to the main warehouse.

After a lengthy explanation of other trivial information, Rize-chan brought me to the underground dome.

It was the centrepiece of the fortress, a hollowed-out cavern which housed the heart—a meteorite-sized prana core which could be seen encased within military glass. Engineers were busily working to reinforce the broken frames.

“This is the busiest place by far. The demon swarm comes in doves, attracted to this thing.”

Many openings on the underside of the fortress were created to lure the demonica into this room.

Even now, when there wasn’t an engagement with a Cloud Hive, stray demonica could be seen trying to approach the crystal.

Gunfire resounded. Their lives ended at the confrontation of skilled soldiers. Collectors then picked up the corpses to be recycled into materials for battle.

It was a self-sustaining system for a battle of attrition.

“Ms. Lili! Morning!”

“Morning Rize-chan. And a good morning to you too, Ms. Hwang.”

Her smile was dazzling. Awfully so.

“Morning.”

I said.

“Did you sleep well yesterday? I hope Rize-chan didn’t do anything extreme.”

“I didn’t do anything extreme. Right, EunHa?”

Staff Sergeant Chu was sceptical.

Meanwhile, Rize-chan was coercing me to agree with her with an innocent gaze.

I decided not to say anything.

“Hm? What happened to you?”

“Eh?!”

Staff Sergeant Chu suddenly grabbed Rize-chan’s wrist. She examined the bandage on her hand.

I had already taken off mine because the wound had closed. It was also hidden under the coat I wore over my dress.

“Was there an attack last night?”

“Oh no, no. There was nothing of that sort. I just scratched myself, that’s all.”

“Is the wound deep?”

“It’s pretty light on the surface.”

“Then why didn’t you just heal yourself?”

Heal yourself?

“Because it’s a small cut.”

“Don’t you normally heal small cuts?”

What did she mean by that?

“Come on Ms. Lili. It’s not a big deal. Besides, don’t we have an important guest here? Let’s just end it at that, please?”

“You better go to the infirmary if the wound doesn’t heal properly.”

“I got it—”

“Sorry. This girl sometimes does things unnecessarily. I hope she hasn’t caused you any trouble…”

“Can I…”

“Hm?”

“Can I change to someone else?”

“What?”

Swap Rize-chan for someone else, please…

.- ▫☆\*: .｡ _ ▫.｡.:*☆▫.-⌎

My mother died when I was born, so I don’t know what it’s like having a mother.

But even without a maternal figure in my past, I couldn’t help thinking that Staff Sergeant Chu had the air of such a noble figure. Watching her nag Rize-chan who kept trying to talk her way out of her mischief resembled that of a bickering mother and daughter.

Is this what it’s like to have a mother?

It was completely different from the figure of a father.

I sometimes wish I had a mother. Maybe then I wouldn’t have turned out this way.

“I’m truly sorry for everything. If you wish, I will take her place on her behalf.”

“NOOOOO!!! EunHa! Say no!”

“Rize-chan, behave yourself.”

Anyone else would be better than being with Rize-chan.

But was it really alright?

Staff Sergeant Chu and Rize-chan were fundamentally different.

One was kind and caring, the other was teetering on the edge of bludgeoned insanity.

If I took on Staff Sergeant Chu’s suggestion and got too close to that warmth, what should I do?

If I had such a concern, wouldn’t it be better to stick with Rize-chan instead? Being by her side, at least I’d want to die quicker.

“You can’t kill her, so you’re not fit for the job.”

Rize-chan pouted.

“I didn’t say I would be the one to kill her. I’ll only take her into custody for a short while.”

“No, no, no! EunHa is mine!”

“Rize-chan, she’s not your pet…”

I’m sure they didn’t just call me a pet, yeah… I didn’t hear anything.

“It’s your decision Ms. Hwang. Do you want me to take care of you in her stead?”

I lowered my head.

“Yes, please.”

“UWaaaaa!! You’re so unfair!! Unfair!! I’ll make sure you regret it!!”

Rize-chan cried and ran away.

You’d think that she’d be more mature because she talks like an adult. Well…the next thing you know it, she’s throwing a tantrum like a spoiled kid.

Seriously.

Staff Sergeant Chu shook her head.

“She’s like that, don’t mind her. I’ll make sure she doesn’t try to bother you again tonight.”

Saying so, she unlocked the cuffs that bound my wrist.

“It’s quite scary for those that don’t know her, so I can understand your sentiments.”

“She said that she’s… twelve. Isn’t she underaged? How did she become a member of the squad? Or is she just a mascot?”

“That… It’s a complicated story. Yes, she’s underage. It isn’t wrong to say that she shouldn’t even be here, to begin with.”

“Then…? Just because she’s First Sergeant’s daughter?”

“First Sergeant’s daughter…?”

Staff Sergeant Chu looked at me with a shocked expression.

“You’re mistaken. Actually, Rize-chan isn’t anyone’s daughter. We only treat her like that because she’s an orphan, you know?”

Orphan? So she’s not First Sergeant Hai’s daughter?

Wait. Tatsuki Rize—Hai Aki, their last names were different. I should’ve noticed that.

“She called him papa… adoption then?”

“First Sergeant Hai did consider sending in an official letter for that, but things went awry mid-way and… let’s just say it didn’t work out. However, even without a legal consent of adoption, she’s been clinging to him ever since the day they met.”

She said, holding her head as if she were having a headache.

I can’t understand a thing.

If it’s not preferential treatment then you’re saying that…

“The only reason why she holds such a high position in our company is because she’s simply indispensable.”

Indispensable…

Someone like her, indispensable?

No way.

“Otherwise, she can’t even be called a cadet. She has no official rank.”

A soldier enlisted as First Sergeant Hai’s right hand without any rank.

“Have you heard about the Black Siren?”

“I think I’ve heard of it…”

The story of the Black Siren was more of a rumour than a myth.

Sirens are a sentient-class demonica. They are found rarely in the First Stratum, but if you encounter one, earplugs are a must. Their serenade can send their entranced victims to their deaths.

The story goes that there exists a demonica disguised as a female soldier. She, the Black Siren once enamoured a soldier, brought him before her presence, and relished in the sight of him tearing himself apart.

It was quite extreme. Normally, sirens can only put their prey into a trance, not issue commands.

That’s why the Black Siren is referred to as ‘Black’.

The whole concept of the story was ridiculous, so I simply took it as some horror tale told by soldiers when they were bored.

Though it seemed…

“She’s that Black Siren.”

My mark was off.

Way, way off.

-☆▫.-▫.｡.:* ▫⌎.☆\*: .｡ ▫.-

Ms. Chu cleared her work schedule for my sake. I heard that the only reason their squad had been posted to Fortress 13 was for the sake of ensuring my death.

“So, what do you want to do with the remainder of your time?”

She asked.

Was there anything I should be looking forward to?

My death obviously, but that aside, did I want to do anything before the end of my life?

Honestly, I think it’s enough that I got to see the Fortress.

“Is there anything I should do?”

I asked back.

She showed a troubled smile.

“I’m sorry I’m not as assertive as Rize-chan.”

“No. There’s no need to be sorry. I think I prefer it this way, she’s too noisy.”

I followed Ms. Chu aimlessly. Wandering the hall one moment, taking a stroll on the open platform the next.

We admired the airships in the sky, and the giant blue whales that seemed to drift with the breeze of the wind.

The both of us came to a coral garden. Tall lush seaweed and kelp towering over the short vibrant corals. A walkway cut through the centre.

“Why do they have something like this here? Won’t it be a place for demonica to hide?”

“You find this in every Fortress, nature is a good place to heal. Too much concrete can be bad for one’s health.”

Although not as direct as Rize-chan, I felt an unwanted hopefulness from her words.

“Want to take a walk?”

“Alright.”

Whatever it was, since I was going to die, I might as well spend my time to the fullest.

We step foot into the garden.

I observed the swaying leaves of kelp, bubbles that form on the Staghorn Coral, anemones that small clown fishes called home, and the krill that hid between the spaces of Montipora Coral.

It seemed that we weren’t the only ones here as we bumped into many other soldiers who, like ourselves, were taking a stroll to relax their minds.

There was an arbour in the centre of the garden. A small squad could be seen diligently discussing something.

When they saw Ms. Chu, they waved and greeted with warm smiles.

I simply lowered my head and passed.

To think that people could still smile on the battlefield like this…

“If possible, I’d like if you could reconsider your decision.”

Ms. Chu suddenly said.

“I don’t know what you were thinking when you made this decision. I think it’s truly foolish to end your life like this.”

Ah?

Really now…

Reconsider?

Now of all times?

I’ve already parted with everything important to me, there was nothing to reconsider.

“It’s too late. I’ve already resolved to die for the world.”

“It’s a vain death.”

“You don’t know anything.”

She doesn’t understand a thing, so it would make sense why she’d call it a pointless death.

Claiming an opinion without knowing the truth behind it. It’s quite laughable.

I wouldn’t have made this choice to begin with if my death actually meant nothing.

If it were as simple as self-deprecation and depression, heck, that would be easy to fix.

Does she know how many people would die because of me? The kind of ruin the world awaits in the future if I continue to live?

The things I had to leave behind, the sacrifices I had to make, and the bitterness I had to endure to come to this decision?

She knew nothing of it.

Nothing.

She can advise me all she wants.

Because in the end, if not by her hands, I will surely die by my own.

“You’re the one who… "

“All units prepare for battle. Category 2 Hive, bearing 293 degrees from the bow, engagement in 30 minutes. General composition: lesser demonica and Colossal-class demonica of Short Whales and Bloodfin Orcas. No sentient-class, the possibility of swarm-class demonica is unconfirmed. I repeat. All units prepare for battle. Category 2 Hive bearing 293 degrees…”

The speakers boomed. A loud siren alarm pierced the atmosphere.

Troops rushed from the Castle entrances, gun stands, barrels and ballistae were quickly raised along the platforms.

“I’ll bring you back to your room.”

For various reasons, adrenaline pumped through my veins, blood rushed to my head.

“It’s dangerous out here.”

Dangerous?

Ms. Chu, I don’t know if you’re stupid or inhumane. Don’t you know what you came here for?

To retreat from battle on the excuse that it was dangerous? I’ve sloughed through so many near-death experiences, do you think I would be swayed by those weak words?

Are you seriously no different from Rize-chan?

“Staff Sergeant Chu.”

Something snapped inside me. I stared at her.

“Don’t forget your main objective.”

I get the freedom to decide how I want to die.

“You have no reason to stop me.”

Either I die from a bullet to the head, or in battle.

“So stop bullshiting me with your sympathy.”

Let me end my life in peace.

-☆▫.-▫.｡.:* ▫⌎.☆\*: .｡ ▫.-

The Cloud Hive drew close.

I left Ms. Chu and borrowed a gun from the weapon repository with the permission of the staff in charge.

I was only allowed a basic AP-rifle thanks to my ‘inmate status’.

Whatever. An AP-rifle was good enough. With a red dot sight and multiple magazines, I should be able to take a few hundred of them down with me.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but stay safe out there.”

The weapons sergeant said.

“Thank you.”

Thank you for saying something so thoughtless.

◜\⌝▫◆▫.

Monsters, demons, sea daemon, demonica—

There were many names to call them.

Before humanity was thrown into this fragmented world, marine life didn’t exist as creatures of the sky. They existed in a place known as the ocean. The ocean is a vast pool of salt water that covered almost 70 percent of a planet known as Earth.

Marine life had special organs that allowed them to thrive in these large salty pools of liquid. They utilised the principle of buoyancy and had floaters within their bodies to navigate the watery world.

Science couldn’t explain the resulting causality that altered the biology of these ‘sea creatures’. Modified lung gills replaced filament gills. Floaters were in fact reservoir stores of prana.

The same went for sea plants like coral and seaweed. It was said that living on land should’ve been impossible for them.

While I may not know how different current marine life was from those in ancient Earth, it didn’t change the fact that killing marine life was essential to human survival.

Hell.

The origin of all sea demons. An unexplored region further below the Zeroth Stratum.

No one knew exactly how they came into existence.

However, demonica can be summed up as marine life turned into zombies. The causality had nothing to do with pathogens. When researchers compared non-demon variants to the original demonica, the key difference found was the change in cells. Like cancer.

Across the same species, cells mutate in the same way. These mutated cells spread, first causing internal changes, before manifesting as external changes in appearance.

It’s from this chain reaction of ‘infection’ that demonica are born in mass.

Humans were resistant to these cell changes. So coming into contact with these demon cells posed no threat.

But that didn’t mean we were safe from them.

“AAHHHHHHH!!!!”

A Short Whale slammed on deck.

The sounds of bones cracking.

Their robust bodies and rock-hard skin made them perfect front-line tanks. Soldiers that moved away too late were crushed underneath.

Weak bullets couldn’t penetrate the skin. And electric batons only bent at the force.

Multiple harpoons were fired from the ballistae, stabbing deep into the whale. Mechanical gears spun to drag it in, and high electrical current fried their prana organs. The colossal-class demonica thrashed around.

Another ballista fired, this time, stabbing through its eyes and entering its brain.

Without giving it a second glance, I finished reloading my AP-rifle and shifted focus.

A ghastly swarm of Jawfish made their appearance to my left.

I quickly switched focus and rained hell on the charging horde.

21 kills, 19 bullets.

Efficiency matters when magazines can only hold limited rounds.

My hand reached into the pocket.

I clicked my tongue.

I was on my last.

And the Cloud Hive was still coming strong.

This was my first experience of holding fort in a Fortress. So I had no idea a mere Category 2 Hive was this big.

I had chewed through at least 30 extended magazines of 100 rounds, borrowing from ammunition boxes I found along the way. The battle had gone on for almost thirty minutes, and it showed no signs of ending.

From the ground to the air. Demonica covered my view like rainfall.

A shadow appeared over my head.

I quickly rolled away.

A Bloodfin Orca which had been killed a hundred metres up dropped dead, splattering its guts all over.

Airships in the distance continued firing guns, working in a coordinated fashion to bait and break the Cloud Hive up into smaller pieces.

Every hive has a queen. This one particularly refused to show itself.

The demonica were being weathered down bit by bit.

“Help! HELLP!!! AHH!!”

I pulled the trigger and ended the lives of Beak Octopuses that tried to impale a fallen soldier.

I grabbed his underarm and pulled his arm over my shoulder. Supporting him by the shoulders, we limped towards safety.

Another Short Whale rushed towards the deck.

The impact shook the ground.

“Damn it—”

The horde of Jawfish which had arrived untethered themselves from the Short Whale and swarmed the nearby soldiers.

“Sorry—”

I stole his bayonet and pushed him away.

“I’ll hold them. Save yourself.”

My skin began to glow and tingle. My veins visibly shone, a pair of blue halo wing-like projections appeared behind me.

Normally I don’t do this because it’s dangerous.

But well, I planned to die here anyway so it doesn’t matter.

My feet lifted off the ground.

I was flying.

Flying just like these monsters.

I held the bayonet as if it were a sword.

The blade of the gun tore through flesh.

Escaping the jaws of a Short Whale.

Pulling the trigger to expel the brain contents of a Bloodfin Orca.

Jawfish snuck up from behind and bit my uniform.

A Beak Octopus clung onto my shoulder, it stabbed its beak deep into my muscles.

I slammed the head of the octopus with the stock of the bayonet.

The wet sensation of blood glided across my skin. The pain continued to spread.

But I hadn’t a moment to spare.

The shadow of death loomed over me.

I dropped my altitude and evaded.

When I was a child, I thought being able to fly made me a hero. I was, after all, the first recorded instance of organic flight in humans.

A Short Whale snapped its jaws where I was last in position. Continuing down, it slammed onto the ground.

Without a second moment, it kicked off and charged at me once more.

I aimed at its eyes. Pulling the trigger repeatedly, until an empty clicking sound resounded.

A swarm of Jawfish made their way into my sphere.

The bayonet now empty, I resorted to the blade. I cut down two, the other five successfully grab hold of parts of my clothes and hair, refusing to let go.

Their combined strength thrashed me around in the sky.

The Short Whale closed the distance and opened its jaw.

I forcefully erupt the prana in my body.

A tingling cold sensation spread through my chest as I overpowered the Jawfish’s crucifixion with that split burst of acceleration.

As a warm-blooded mammal possessing an organ suited for cold-blooded animals. Naturally, my body was weak to the cold.

Flying came with a cost. The more I use it, the colder my body becomes.

I dodged the Short Whale.

The Jawfish which clung to my hair pulled, forcing my head to the back.

I lost control of my flight and plunged to the ground.

The impact knocked the wind out of my lungs. Pain spread through my shoulder and neck where I braced the impact.

And from the peripheral of my vision, I saw a bloodied Bloodfin Orca.

It came with its jaws wide open.

Unlike other humans, I had a reservoir organ, the same ones that marine life used to fly. The concentration of prana within my bloodstream also exceeded normal values by an extreme degree. It was at a level that would otherwise be poison to a normal person.

My biology had some resemblance to that of marine life. So as long as my body maintained a consistent emission of prana, I would be seen as a creature they had to infect.

This made me much more attractive than normal humans.

It also made me a giant magnet for these creatures.

A lingering emptiness where my now-gone engagement ring was.

It was a matching ring he made especially so that I could fly without worry. It had the effect of absorbing prana emissions, thus masking my ‘scent’ from these monsters.

I returned it to XiaoLe before I came here.

So.

I watched my life flash by.

I don’t regret anything.

Sorry Kenji.

◜\⌝▫◆▫.

This was atonement.

I fully expect my death.

It didn’t matter how I died.

As long as I did.

Before he wakes up in the hospital.

Before he tries to save me.

The Bloodfin Orca’s wide jaw covered my view.

I resigned to fate.

If this was my end, then I shall accept it with grace.

“EEUUNHHAAAA!!!!”

A cute yell.

Her fist smashed into the side of the demonica.

A comical sight where the whole body of the giant caved in from the single attack of a soldier ten times smaller than itself.

And then it flew far into the distance.

“Are you alright?!”

Black blood and white steam oozed from her hand and shoulder.

My body trembled.

It trembled greatly.

I should be dead.

I should be dead.

Dead.

Dead.

I came here for this reason.

TO DIE.

I didn’t decide to end my life half-assed.

It was a decision I fully understood the consequences of.

I’ve prepared myself mentally and physically for this.

All the things I left behind.

For this perfect opportunity.

The fulfilment of my life’s mission.

To protect everyone from this curse I am.

Fate—did it no longer want me to die?

God, why are you so cruel to me?

If I’m such a sinner, why don’t you let me just die?

And grant me judgement in hell?

Why…

“EunHa! Stop staring in a daze and get your feet moving!!!”

“…No, you why, I…”

“It’s not the right time! Ugh?!”

The sword in her hands flashed with a unique swordplay that I can only call beautiful.

Burdened by the ongoing battle, she had no choice but to fend off the coming swarm that circled around us.

Almost a hundred Beak Octopuses and Jawfish met their ends by her hand.

And more was still to come.

With her attention elsewhere.

I took my chance.

I grabbed the bayonet.

But arms went limp, and fingers slipped.

I tried again.

Holding the gun in reverse, wanting to point the blade point towards myself.

But again, it ran from my hands.

Please.

Quickly.

Before I change my mind.

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

Stab me.

Kill me.

If the world won’t end me.

I will.

I’ll do it.

I’ll do it myself.

SO WHY CAN’T YOU JUST PICK UP THE FUCKING GUN EUNHA?!

PICK IT UP!

PICK IT UPPP!!!

The gun flew far, far away.

She kicked it.

Ah—

“Listen here you.”

She grabbed my collar and propped me up to meet her eyes.

Her small stature belied the might contained within her fists.

Her entire body drenched in black blood, the pungent stench stung my nose.

And her riveting eyes I couldn’t look away from.

“The only person allowed to kill you is me! Understand?!”

I knew instinctively then that,

Again.

Yet again.

Things have gone wrong.

Things have gone very wrong because of me.

¸☆▫.-⌎.- ▫☆\*: .｡ _ ▫.｡.:*

“What do the casualty reports say?”

The main squad members in charge of EunHa’s execution were gathered around a table.

First Sergeant Hai took the lead with the question, Ms. Chu who had collected the data reported the results.

“No. There has been no particular difference in casualty rate and injury rates in comparison to the average of past records.”

Of the five thousand operation crew and soldiers manning Fortress 13, there were 3 deaths and 50 injured from that single engagement. The deceased will be sent to the onboard mortuary to be processed before receiving proper burial mainland.

Those injured are being treated in the infirmary. And depending on the degree of their injuries, they may no longer be able to serve in the front lines.

“So it’s all a lie after all?”

Vice Admiral, Mr. Chen QiangWei posed the question.

“It may have been a political scheme.”

Gunnery Sergeant, Shun Kato shook his head.

A girl who had a significant background in the army—Hwang EunHa. She was the only daughter of Lieutenant Commander Hwang JaeHyun. Her brother holds the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer.

She also possesses direct connections to other influential people like War Saint Wu XiaoLe and Commander Lan Haru.

“Here are the incident reports of her past battles, and the disasters entailed.”

Ms. Chu Lili continued.

Among the many issues that have been tagged to her name, the two most notable ones were: The Battle of Horyuji and Jeonju’s Annihilation.

In the Battle of Horyuji, she joined a scout team to assess the size of a Cloud Hive as a preliminary step. The scout team all died except EunHa. The Cloud Hive was able to split and escape before complete annihilation. The remnant effects of stray demonica that continue to infect other creatures can still be felt today.

Second was the Battle of JeonJu. She was among the only two survivors among a crew of a thousand as part of the fleet which directly served to bait the Cloud Hives into position for concentrated assault. In the end, the City of JeonJu was led to ruin despite the army’s efforts. Fortunately, they were able to evacuate most people before annihilation.

At a quick glance, EunHa had been directly involved in many missions that could’ve greatly changed humanity’s fate. While the losses were great, the ultimate outcome of it had been beneficial.

Politics or otherwise, the psychological burden placed on a soldier like EunHa explained a lot about her negative outlook on life.

But, wasn’t it simply too pitiful that the army had been blind to her contributions all along?

“Personally I think it’s ridiculous that they label her as a bad omen. Just because she was the only survivor in most missions, did they have to come to such a conclusion?”

She was believed to cause disaster wherever she went. Such superstition was so strong that Fortress 13 had been requested to be reinforced with their troops for the duration she would be staying.

The results were clear after experiencing their first battle on Fortress 13. She did not create any unusual outcomes in the flow of battle, unlike what the letter had described of her.

“Ridiculous.”

The conclusion they came to was that she served as a political, or religious scapegoat to satisfy those that were unhappy about her.

“How did we end up being pushed with such a mission anyways?”

“Ask Rize-chan. She’s the one that always puts us in weird situations.”

“Talk about it.”

Truly. If anyone wished for a person whose presence created trouble, Tatsuki Rize was the person to look for.

“It’s totally unfair to kill her in this situation right?”

“But those are the orders given. We can’t not just kill her. Worse, it’s an order directly from Commander Lan himself.”

“Rize-chan may perhaps hold a clue.”

“Do you really think she’s going to kill that girl?”

“Enough. So where is that girl?”

First Sergeant Hai held back the urge to massage his head and asked the truly important question.

“I think she’s tending to the victim right now.”

-☆▫.-▫.｡.:* ▫⌎.☆\*: .｡ ▫.-

The Black Siren.

Rize-chan.

Some parts of the legend were true, others were not.

As explained by Ms. Chu, Rize-chan was completely human. She knew how to sing, but it was rubbish.

The story about watching someone rip themselves apart was actually referring to her ability to elicit sentient-class demonica to commit suicide. She hadn’t actually killed a soldier with her abilities.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself back in my room. The evening lights poured in through the bars of the window, and naturally, I had to squint my eyes.

“I don’t know if it’s true but, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that she could possibly do the same to a human too.”

I recalled Ms. Chu’s words.

I tried to move, but found that my limbs had been bound to the four corners of the bed with silk cloth.

“You’re finally awake.”

My body trembled at the voice that echoed.

Carefully, I turned my head to her.

She climbed onto the bed and looked at me from on top.

“How do you feel?”

The Black Siren asked.

Words failed to describe the sensation I felt.

I couldn’t speak.

I didn’t know how to.

“Hm, maybe you’re still sleepy.”

She reached for my shoulder and gently touched it.

“The wound was quite deep. Try not to move your shoulders too much.”

I can’t move it even if I wanted to.

“Don’t worry about the toxins. I’ve given you an antibiotic shot to prevent anything bad from happening to your body.”

Her hands went from my shoulder to my face. She parted the hair that covered one side of my eye.

“Well, it’s about dinner time, do you think you can eat?”

Her golden eyes dazzled eerily.

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

My executioner.

The Black Siren.

I had realised that fate wished for me to suffer even till my last breath.

It must be fun for her, watching me wither away like this. Tending to me lovingly, fattening me up with sweet words and deceits before finally slaughtering me.

It must be such joy.

How wonderful—

If this was what I needed to put up with to reach my story’s end, I would endure.

I will endure.

For a better world.

“…Okay.”

I said weakly with a nod.

“I’ll quickly go get it for you.”

A smile blossomed on her face.

.- ▫☆\*: .｡ _ ▫.｡.:*☆▫.-⌎

Rize carefully shut the door behind her.

Staff Sergeant Chu Lili who had been waiting outside, greeted Rize.

“How is she?”

“She’s awake. She said she wants to eat something so maybe I’ll try to make some porridge for her.”

“To think you’d go so far for her…”

Chu Lili tousled Rize’s hair.

“Thanks!”

She grinned.

Rize noticed a shadow to her smile.

“Is there anything bothering you Ms. Lili?”

“Oh, um. Nothing.”

Rize narrowed her eyes. Chu Lili sighed, knowing it was pointless to hide anything from her once she noticed.

“She’s quite pitiful, isn’t she?”

She said, looking at the door.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“Because I’m here, her life wouldn’t be so pitiful anymore.”

Rize’s confident words struck a curious thought in Ms. Chu.

Perhaps.

Perhaps if it was Rize-chan… maybe.

Just maybe, EunHa’s life could be—

“Rize-chan.”

“Yes?”

“Do you… really wish to kill her?”

Chu Lili looked at Rize’s arm.

Outwardly, there seemed to be nothing wrong. But, underneath the sleeve was a splint supporting her fractured bone.

If Rize had any intentions to kill EunHa, she wouldn’t have broken her arms for her.

From the day Rize met EunHa, none of her actions reflected that of a person whose desire was to kill.

A smile danced on Rize’s lips.

“Don’t tell papa, or anyone else about it yet, okay?”

Chu Lili wanted to say that they already knew, but she decided to keep it a secret for now.

With a smile and nod, she felt the heavy emotions in her heart lighten.