THE NIGHT IS STILL young, yet the distinct pulse and rhythm of the crickets are now synchronized with the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore that adds up a serene backdrop to the crickets' sound. As the bonfire crackles and dances in the centre of their formation, it casts and flickers an amber-hued light that illuminates the faces of those who gathered around. The faces of these people gathered around are bathed in a warm and golden glow. Their expressions display a mixture of joy, anticipation, and unity as the flames reflect in their eyes. Laughter bubbles up and a cheering sound erupts spontaneously. Aracelli glanced at the location of the mansion near the shore, "I wonder if Captain and Venus are now sleeping." She mumbles as she drinks the beer from the can. "Don't worry about them, those two have a low alcohol tolerance so they'd rather sleep than get uncontrollably drunk," Athena responded as she reached out a slice of grilled meat and slowly ate it. Alexis sof
THE OPEN ROAD ahead seems to represent her journey of independence in life as the coastal breeze swept off the Baltic Sea, carrying with it the tangy scent of salt and adventure. The sun hung low, casting a warm, golden hue on the road ahead. Straddled on her sleek, matte-black motorcycle on the service road along Helsinki's picturesque beach shore, the Captain couldn't help but to feel a rush of exhilaration. The moment of her solitude was suddenly interrupted by the distant growl of two approaching cars. Blanche glanced in her side mirror, she raised an eyebrow as the two viper-green coloured Audi A4 sedan, ominously tinted windows concealing their occupants, closed in on her tail. "What now?" Blanche chuckled as she throttled and changed gears to increase her speed. She softly laughed as her mind raced, the road had been her constant companion throughout the years, and she already memorized every corner of the road like the back of her hand - the twist
THE PAST UNFURLED like an ancient scroll. Memories that were long dormant in the recesses of her mind came to life with vivid clarity. A gentle breeze whispered through the night, and she felt the warmth of a loved one's presence behind her. The sensation of a loving embrace enveloped her as a whisper from her lover guided her vastness of mind into a labyrinth of memories. Standing on the grassy hill, under a star-studded sky, she stretches her arms up high as if trying to reach the heavens. "You're so adorable doing that," Jupiter whispers to Aerith's ear and gives a peck on her cheeks while still hugging her from behind. Aerith sighs as she removes Jupiter's hand and turns around to see her lover's face. Reaching for Jupiter's face, she caresses it and lightly pinches it. "It sucks to be with me, right, Jupiter?" Brows arched, Jupiter clicks her tongue and softly flicks Aerith's forehead. "You silly! If it is about your father, worry not, I won't force yo
AMIDST THIS DIMLY lit chamber, a once-vibrant soul now teetered on the precipice of madness. Eyes were once filled with life and hope and had turned into hollow windows of a fractured mind. Tattered remnants of sanity floated in the abyss of gaze, like fragile leaves caught in the relentless storm. The room itself contributes to her losing count of her surroundings, the stone cold walls bearing to witness unspeakable horrors that she had been through. The faint drip of water echoed like a maddening metronome; measuring out the agonizing passage of time that she spent inside this torture chamber. Just how long has it been since that incident had happened? The rusty chains that bound her had become an extension of her own torment, biting into her wrist and ankle, leaving infected wounds and bruises. Her hair, once a cascade of silk and sun-kissed beauty, now hung in tangled, matted strands around her face; gone was the lustrous sheen, replaced by a dull, gr
STARING AT the records spread before him, the General's laughter echoed in the dimly lit room, a bitter and angry sound. The glass in his hand felt like a fragile vessel for his frustration, its surface showing subtle signs of strain. His mission, born from the feigned ambush of the Emersons, had unfolded seamlessly. Hiding Lucien, a once-simple task, now revealed unforeseen complexities. When had the tide turned against him? When had each step led him astray? Eradicating his brother has been a straightforward task. The General knew he could triumph over the former General by employing some underhanded tactics. After all, his brother had married into a legacy—that he couldn't afford but to get envious. "Just pull the strings, play the cards in your favour," the General muttered to himself, the amber liquid flowing into his glass. Victory, he believed, was within reach—total and absolute! The General downed the liquor in one swift motion, emitting a low groa
BOTH HER HANDS are placed inside the pocket of her cargo pants, she sighs deeply as her back leans on the balcony's post. It's been years since she visited her country, growing up, she used to be a battered child but then again, luck's on her side. "Surviving isn't just about avoiding death; it's about earning the right to live." She murmurs to herself and laughs softly. Her phone vibrated inside her pocket, she calmly retrieved it and looked at the screen. She chuckles and glances back at her comrades' location. They're not that far but her location is safe not to have someone eavesdrop on the conversation between her caller. "Long time, no talk." She simply greeted her caller. "You've been enjoying your carefree life, didn't you?" The caller's tone carries a sharp edge of anger. She rubs her temple using the point finger of her free hand and clicks her tongue. "Carefree life?" She laughs bitterly. "I don't have time for that, you got me in this
STRETCHING her neck and exhaling a sigh of relief at her success, she scoffed and leaned back in the car seat. The mission she had been assigned was now completed, which meant that she would soon receive her payment. "Mission accomplished, General. Just as you requested, your daughter is dead," she said, glancing at the rearview mirror where the General sat, seemingly pleased. "As expected of you, my dear agent," the General smiled, looking as if he had just won the lottery. "Now, all that remains is to ensure that she is truly gone and that the media covers her 'accident'." He added, his tone calculating. As she started the car and drove away, thoughts swirled in her mind. Despite the General's satisfaction, a sense of unease crept over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mission than met the eye. Meanwhile, as Venus paced back and forth in the dimly lit living room where Alexis was, her anxiety grew with
AS THEY SPED down the dark, rain-slicked streets, Blanche's mind raced, planning how she would be able to prove her innocence when even the authorities were being paid a huge amount of money. Suddenly, flashing red and blue lights illuminated the interior of the car as Yama pulled over. Another police car had blocked their path, and a stern-faced officer approached Yama's window. "What is the meaning of this, Officer?" Yama rolled down her window and asked her fellow officer. The officer then glances at the backseat where Blanche is sitting. "Is she the main suspect in killing the officers of the Black Organization?" He asked, hesitant, Yama glanced at Blanche using the rearview mirror before nodding yes. "We've received intel that the suspect you're transporting is set to meet with a high-profile individual. We're taking over custody." Yama's jaw tightened as she exchanged a look with Blanche, who remained silent, her expression unr