Threads– people say threads of fate always pull you towards someone whom you are bound to meet. Set right from the heavens. Some say these threads are the 'reason' why some people are drawn to each other.
Though I would've believed it, if it wasn't for this situation.
[Chapter 5]
How did I end up like this?
"EENNNNNNOUGHHHHH"
throwing my hands out breaking the sharp threads around my body. Surprised, the black hair woman stopped a few metres away from me. It seemed she was cautious about my actions. Unavailable to move I just observed, reading her every single movement like a book.
Who is this woman?
"what? This one can talk?" she spoke in a very familiar voice I just can't recognise. She charged towards me with her strings. Her movements are fast like wind rushing towards its destination. She's avoiding a straight approach… Somehow her movements are just like my master...
She charged at me from the left, throwing her silk like threads around my limbs gripping tightly like a prey caught in a spider web as she dragged out her sword to leave a clear hit. Quickly reacting I generated my sword back to counter her attack.
Our swords were just mere centimetres away from our faces. Swords met at rapid speed, shattering my crystals as she dogged backwards for stability.
She feels professional.
"Wha- what kind of a monster are you?" her tone was exactly what I anticipated, she's losing her confidence. She's afraid that I might over power her. I might take over her little swordplay like this.
"STOP, you have mista-" before I could speak further, a tree root punched a hole straight through my chest as I was coughing out blood. Is she controlling them too? Gasping for air I figured there might be another one.
I gripped my sword hard. Before she could land her attack I snapped the root from behind using all my will and strength.
"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH"
I screamed at the peak of my voice while pulling the huge root leaving a big dent on my lower body.
She flinched at my reaction. Sending all my strength into my sword I shoved a heavy cut towards the roots, slicing myself to free. Crystals tapped on another of my wounds– quickly covering themselves.
Swords hitting each other again, crystals breaking and regeneration simultaneously. I can see her movement, I can read them. I can use that up my advantage.
What is this? She swung her sword to the left and blocked the right so I couldn't attack her weak spot followed by an uppercut. She's somehow using my fighting style… is there a possibility that she might be able to copy my attacks? But it's no use against me, if I am correct.
The more I fought the more I felt the spark. I'm having fun. Even in this wicked world where no one mattered to me nor I mattered to them somehow I am able to feel the joy of fighting spirit in her. This woman reminds me of someone I knew.
Roots are the pain in the ass they attack from behind. I launched upwards floating mid air– letting gravity do its work one strike towards the roots. I sliced them into chunks and pieces. Without wasting time I played my offence. She's struggling to keep up with my movement. Hit after hit I felt the cutting point as I grew confident.
"Who are you? What type of monster are you? How do you know this fighting style?" She's just as confused as I am.
"No point in asking you, you're just another mindless." she thinks I'm a Null
(Null – the 'monsters' who have lost their humanity from mentally to physically. For example the monster with big hands K'yan killed in chapter 3.)
She grabbed my arm with strings from her left hand while landing a clear hit on my head, shattering away my crystal helmet revealing my face. This is my chance, my last chance. I moved my sword quickly–
Exactly then.
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With my final strike. I broke her sword like glass shattering to a sharp touch. Pieces of her sword flung toward her leaving her at defeat. While I stood there, victorious.
I pointed my sword directly towards her as it shines under the lamp light, aimed at her with a cold precision.
"Give up if you don't desire to die"
My vision is blurry, my senses become dull, at this rate I'm breathing on my blood, a hollow... damaged body and an exposed face shining under the lamp light.
But then something more bizarre happened. Something that even as a character I wouldn't have expected. She screamed out a familiar name. The same name that I have heard thousands of times.
"K- K'YAN?"
"What the hell–" NO NO NO NO NO!!! NOT AT THIS MOMENT–
And before I could do anything. My body collapsed to the ground as I continued to bleed through the cracks of my armour, unconscious, lifeless. Does dying feel like this?
[You have died]
"What?"
Yes. I died. Looking at the blinking red message. What happens now? After a few seconds of blinking a new message popped up.
[Continue?] [Yes] or [No]
I was about to press 'Yes' but then–
"Greetings K'yan, long time no see" said the same dark figure that I had seen a few days ago. This time more friendly.
"You again. Look I have no idea what's going on, can you please clear my confusion" I'm not going through the same 'who are you ahh I'm so scared' bullshit. Maybe he's expecting me to panic or go crazy but I don't feel like it. Too much going on.
"Straight forward are we?" he sighed
"Yes, and I want you to tell me what in the fuck is going on."
"You don't fear me do you?" He said like it was a taunt
"Why should I? Worst case scenario I die again"
"Haha you're funny K'yan. I would have to agree on you though you can't die in this realm"
"Why do you mean 'this' realm?" Now this is something I would be curious about.
"You see K'yan. I'm no enemy to you. I'm simply here just because I had to be here. For you. For others."
"I don't understand all this shit. Tell me who you are or what you are." I don't like suspense. What is this guy on to?
"You're an interesting candidate K'yan. I'm eager to work with you" he spoke like it was a business meeting. What does he want?
After a brief pause he spoke again.
"[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []"
If that was possible. I already anticipated it connected the dots. He's no ordinary being, far more complex. Up until now I had assumed he's the virus that affected me who took some sort of a dark form. In reality it's... Far more interesting.
"I see. Thank you" I don't need to say anything further. Let's go.
[Continue?]
Yes.
Clock ticked once again. Tick tick tick...
[Progressing to the last checkpoint…]
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With a click sound :
[Success!]
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What a weird fate I am bound to. Few moments ago I died and now… I am falling once again. From the same state I was in, stronger this time.
Hands wide open looking up at the sky. The same wind flowing by my ears, waving of my hairs. The same feeling of the ground rushing towards me. But my mind this time wasn't as quiet as it was in my last run. The time around me felt slowed. But I can feel the rush.
The same look of the sky before my eyes in its darkest form. Colourless to me. Night sky without shining stars. I can no longer feel the adrenaline rush. My guts are no longer clenching nor do I need to feel desperate. I know I will survive. I did.
Why did he choose me to face this? I don't understand his goals.
At the same 400 feet height, terminal velocity approaching like before.
This time when the crystals formed around me, gathering– covering me… it was stronger than before. Ready for the impact once again.
It happened like a thunder clap as once again I hit the ground. Body sinking in, breaking the already broken pavement as before. (Déjà Vu)
I stood up again to find the mindless undead at a distance. I don't need to lose my composure, I know what I am.
Without wasting time I compressed my crystals to form a slimmer but sharper sword for more clean cuts.
Each step I took I was once more closer to this monster. This time I won't waste any more opportunities.
GAAAAHHHHHHHHH
Scream all you want, you can't scare me at least not this time. There he goes running towards me– to his death.
"OI. Just die already."
Before he could do any more damage, I charged forward.
My feet pounded the ground. Each step releasing raw strength. I drove my energy downward, shattering the cement beneath me as I launched into the air. Time slowed.
This was it. My moment.
I guided my sword over him, blade raised high, focus narrowed to a single point.
Then.
Impact.
I came down like a predictor who just finished his hunt. A clean cut has been put.
I landed beside him, breathing steadily.
Slowly, I turned my head. A smirk appeared on my lips.
"One, two, three... Checkmate."
Behind me, his body split in two– clean, symmetrical, like it had been waiting for the cue.
I sighed knowing this is not the end. More entertainment is on its way. I have time. I have enough energy to handle them
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(Few moments later)
They're here.
But I am not losing this time.
The cement beneath me split open as thick roots burst through. Captivating me in a place. Gathering my focus. I tore free like a slingshot unbound.
In a blink I was behind the black haired woman. It felt like teleportation, but it was all speed, precision and instincts.
I slowly removed my mask. And calmly said.
"I think you know me." she recoiled at my sudden approach.
"AHHHHHHHHH-" flinched, she took a step back raising her guards clutching onto her sword about to strike.
"I'm not here to fight you." standing before the lamp light I finally got a good glance at her face.
Pale white skin, smooth texture and a very familiar sharp pair of eyes. This can't be…
Even in this apocalyptic atmosphere she recognised my face (again).
"K'YAN?" she screamed with mixed emotions at our little reunion– once again the old friends met. The threads of fate do pull people towards people. Proven right in front of my very same eyes.
"Silvy… is that you? Y- you're back." couldn't help... my eyes were filled with tears– slowly flowing down my cheeks.
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[End of chapter]
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