"Many years ago, before technology arrived. There were wars that destroyed our world. An alliance was formed in order to protect the world from dangers. An order of good and evil. With the aim of remedying the destruction of a near and forgotten future. These forces fought exhaustively. Once and for all, bringing the planet great devastation. That's why Lethal Challenges were born. As a way of liberation from the terror that the planet has become. The objective was to train a new generation of humans with special abilities, capable of bringing hope to this reality. The girl is salvation, we depend on her success, or the extinction of what we know is inevitable."
"Train harder. said the woman in the lab coat. — We cannot admit faults.
With her eyes glazed over the floating monitors, the woman in the lab coat analyzed every step taken by the survivors.
The experiment would result in great accomplishments, it was essential that everyone pass the challenges. Otherwise the world would pay for its mistakes.
— Madam. said one of the men. — We have a problem.
The woman approached the table, spotting Natasha climbing the great wall.
"Don't let her get all the way up there.— ordered the woman
Natasha was confused and her face was downcast and bruised, she was no longer on the island, she had been kidnapped and now she was alone in another level of danger.
"Retrace the path. We can't let her get to the border. — said the woman
Turning the knob at her side, a young girl with brown hair, retraced all the steps taken by Natasha.
"Very well, we'll see what you do now, redhead.— snarled the woman with a malicious smile.
The wall became slippery, smooth as cooking oil, Natasha lost her balance, falling from above. Her body whirled in the air, hitting the asphalt, luckily the girl fell into a garbage barrel, surrounded by full bags. It broke his fall.
Sinking down onto the bags, Natasha remained motionless. With eyes closed. The girl's hearing was lost, until like a whisper she heard someone call her name delicately.
"Natasha... Natalie... wake up...
Rising from the ashes, Natasha rises to her feet, putting all her strength into it, throwing her body forward.
Wiping her hand across her mouth, a trace of blood. The young girl finds herself at a crossroads. He had returned to the city. But it wasn't Seattle anymore. Everything was different, the streets, avenues. All.
"Where am I?— — I think
The city in question was part of the experiment. A junction of three cities, Rio de Janeiro, Paris and London.
It was possible to see the monuments in the distance, so Natasha went up the stairs of a building to get a broader view.
The view was magnificent, I could see the Eiffel Tower, Christ the Redeemer, the Big Ben tower. When it comes to madness, the guys were geniuses.
"I don't believe in it. thought Natasha.
I let out a nervous smile, what would await me in this new city, I baptized the city of the Three Worlds.
— God help me. — I whispered
The wind in Natasha's shaggy orange hair symbolized a new era, a new trial, a new beginning.
Lost I was, almost without the strength to continue, but giving up was not something pleasant to think about at the time, there were people who depended on me. Consequently, I also depended on them. Survival has never been so necessary right now. However I couldn't lie to anyone I was vulnerable. My neck was exposed, trapped in a guillotine, with ropes wrapped around my body, one wrong step could cost everything. And the all was more than enough for me in a given matter. Life and death, like letters from a clatter of some cold, calculating psychopath.
I look at the blade of my axe, the brightness of the sun sparkled, a flash of light appeared that followed until the end of the city boundary, it would be a sign for me. In all cases I needed to know what was beyond the wall.
From that moment on, there was no longer any doubt that my life was at stake. Part of me was prepared for battle physically. Mentally I was destroyed. The way I acted, battled none of that mattered now. I couldn't control my mind, my thoughts, my fears somehow my neck and my skin was exposed, like blood is for a vampire. My defenses were almost gone. I was exhausted, I needed to rest without being haunted by nightmares and dreams in which I was dead every moment.
Perhaps, that world I knew no longer existed, that girl I left behind, really was never really me. Everything seemed to make no sense in that instant and brief moment, I felt that I was carrying the weight of the world, just as Atlas carried the weight of the planet on his shoulders as a punishment.
Tomorrow seemed as uncertain as the cold approaching night, I was no longer enough. The annihilation of my world was almost inevitable. Terrible consequences would ensue if I failed. And I prayed not to fail again.
Year 1463 AD
The Society of Sword and Cross
The twilight of that fateful night still haunts me, the day before King Samonth of Wales reigned ruthlessly ruled with iron hands and the blood of innocent people, the Society of the Sword and the Cross took to the hearts of those who believed that good always prevailed over darkness. The leader of our society, Patricio del Rey, communicated the good news to all those who sought shelter to face times of darkness.
— Welcome everyone, settle down, beloved listeners, for the sacred heart of Jesus has triumphed over evil. began Patrick.
With a blue flag with a gold cross embroidered on the fabric, a large wooden table occupied the great hall.
— We know that a wave of people, planned to attack our headquarters. We will have to fight and we will never stop resisting the oppression and evil forces that roam this world. The ax is our salvation and symbol of struggle.
As the leader spoke, one person stepped close to listen, her face covered by a dark green hood as thick as the night sat Natasha's ancestor, Meredith Morgan Warner, with an orange lock falling around her face, she listened to every word spoken. The light from one of the torches shone in his eyes. Meredith decided to ally and fight, something that was not well seen by her conservative family. A girl fighting for a technically forbidden cause, never. But for Meredith, the thirst for knowledge screamed louder. Every night, as she left, she asked for her parents' blessing and protection. Pretending she was going to sew clothes for the homeless with her grandmother Anastecy.
Venturing into the dimly lit streets, Meredith walked in a bit of a hurry. When suddenly he goes to meet a knight of the king. With his horse startled, he knocks Meredith to the ground.
"I'm sorry, miss, it wasn't my intention. Jonathan explained.
Do not worry, I'm fine. Meredith replied.
"I make a point of taking her home.— Jonathan offered.
No! I mean, I'm going alone. Meredith grumbled.
"Okay, at least tell me your name.— Jonathan insisted.
"My name is Edith. Meredith replied.
"Nice to meet you, Meredith. Jonathan said.
Meredith's eyes widened when the knight said her name. Even so, the girl picked up her fruit basket and lifted her hood and crossed the street.
Disappearing in the dark. The knight stared until he lost sight of her.
The image of Meredith was in Jonathan's head, that curly and disheveled red hair, totally rebellious awakened something deep in the knight's heart.
Arriving at the headquarters door, she knocked twice with the secret sound.
One of the men attending the events opened the door.
"What's the secret word?— — he asked
— The ax and the cross will be the salvation. Down with the tyrants of power! Meredith recited.
"Come in, welcome Mary."
— Thanks. Thanks to Meredith
Walking through the great hall, the young woman passed by a marble sculpture of Our Lady surrounded by angels. Meredith crossed herself and left to go upstairs to the speech room.
"We live in uncertain times, friends. With the tyranny of the crown, the people suffer the consequences. — began del Rey
Meredith lit a torch and walked forward, in those days few women dared to do what Meredith did.
"We must, dear brothers, fight fire with fire. So that in the future our descendants do not suffer from the consequences. We will rebel in search of peace, fight for our rights. Facing evil without fearing death! Meredith snapped.
Everyone was amazed by Meredith's confidence and bravery to have done that, where many wanted to say it, but for fear of reprisals they didn't.
"The ax and the cross are part of our history. We will walk without fear, fighting for the conquest of good. cried del Rey.
Tying her hair up in a tight bun, Meredith took some dye and dabbed it
across her face. Marking your cheeks. As a sign of war;
We put together a fight and flight plan if anything went wrong in our rebel movement. The objective was to overthrow the king and take his crown to destroy it. The months felt were sharp, but my family's fear of discovering that I had become one of the leaders of a Rebel Resistance Revolution, was fated not to have the recognition due to such a situation.
"My mother, I'm sorry.— But I'm not a girl born to be ruled by tyrants who get their hands dirty with innocent blood. thought Meredith.
A great battle would begin for the greater good, fighting to get out of the hands of severe kings who sucked the goodness out of their people. But later something very bad would happen, in response to that movement.
"Starting tonight, we will end an era. And we will start something much bigger. Del Rey suggested.
Atop a white horse, Meredith was dressed like a royal knight, but her armor was engraved with an ax and cross entwined with thorns.
"Onward, noble warriors. In order to get what we want. Meredith ordered
The forest path divided the castle from the village. In the streets the armor of society shone in the moonlight. People were amazed when they saw those horsemen rushing past.
Meredith's family, who were selling fruits and spices at a stall, were startled when they saw the white horses galloping at high speed past them.
"I hope it's not something serious.— — exclaimed Susan the mother of Meredith
"Where's Meredith?— asked Peter, Meredith's father.
"I don't know where she is, but she's missing a big thing. said Meredith's sister Morgan
"I hope she's safe and well.— asked Meredith's cousin Robert
Little did they know that Meredith was on one of the first horses that passed very close to the family, as soon as everyone passed the girl looked right into the face of her parents who stared at her from under the helmet. The look of disappointment was well seen on the pale faces of their relatives.
"I love you all. From all my heart. thought Meredith.
Wielding the Patrício del Rey sword, he followed in the first horses, putting impulse on the central reins, while the horse stayed with the shards up, standing and neighing loudly. Coming very close to the castle, some archers threw arrows at the guards who were standing by. Meredith, set fire to one of the arrows and shot into the roof of one of the castle towers, burning most of the castles.
"Good aim Mery. — praised Eloaih
"Thanks, let's go buddy.— Thanks Meredith
With a great turmoil inside the castle, King Samonth was asleep, in bed with his wife Antoinette, when one of his guards appeared desperately at his door.
"Sir, sir...
"What do you think you are doing, disturbing your king's rest? stammered Samonth
Before he could respond, an arrow pierced his chest, making him fall to the ground. Three knights of the society's guard appeared. With a perfect somersault, Meredith landed an arrow on Samonth's right shoulder who staggered closer to his bed. With the palm of the hand stained with living blood. He begged for his life.
"Why are you doing this? Samonth asked
"For your crimes and tyranny, we are removing you from power. snarled Meredith.
— The Society of the Sword and Cross, got tired of you and your ill— intentioned ways, against the people, with your taxes and lack of mercy with the poverty of your people. For all the hunger, thirst and wars you fought against other peoples for their thirst for profit. Del Rey explained.
"If we promise to step down, will you spare our lives?— — Asked Antoinette scared
"Perhaps, but what do you have to prove your word?— asked Del Rey.
"I ask my clerk to make a decree calling for us to step down from royalty. replied Antoinette
— What are you doing woman? — fought Samonth
"Saving our lives, quiet!— — shouted Antoinette
Del Rey approached Samonth and thrust the arrow hard into the king's shoulder, who cried out in pain.
"Do you think we're fools?— asked Del Rey.
"We're not lying, I swear on my life. — begged Antoinette "Your lives, what is your word worth?— asked Del Rey.
Meredith held onto del Rey's arm, looking deep into his eyes.
"We're not monsters, we don't want a massacre. We are here for good and not for death. Let's do what they want. explained Meredith.
Pulling the arrow out in one fell swoop, knocking the king to the ground, rocked by pain. His wife Antonieta went to help him.
"Mery, we can't let them get away. insisted Del Rey.
"We'll sign the treaty, period. We finished what we came here to do. As I said, no deaths. Meredith argued.
What Meredith didn't know was that in the future, that act of mercy would have great consequences for the world.