Chapter one: An arrow to the heart

Ariel glared at the duo standing before her in repulsion, she found it hard to believe she ever had anything to do with them. Blood trickled down from her eyebrows to her cheeks like raindrops. Her hands were fastened tightly with chains. Her ears stung at intervals, amidst their mocking laughter, all she could hear were the harsh waves of the water, rocking the ship gently.

There was no escape from this, they were thirsty for blood. She knew she was going to die. In her next life, she vowed she was going to be smart.

“I asked you to keep yourself hidden but you don't listen. That's why this is happening to you.” Bianca smirked in disdain, expecting a response from Ariel who could barely see. Her eyes were covered in blood. Her mouth had been inflicted with painful blisters. The thugs on black suits swung their batons on intervals, ready to take action if she dared to try anything out of the ordinary.

Ariel could feel tears forcing it's way out of her throat. Beatrice's betrayal cut too deep. Bianca was her best friend, and she was also "Red sun" the best opera singer in the country. At least that's what everyone thought. But that was not the case. Bianca— did not have a good voice. She and Ariel had met themselves back in highschool. Ariel was a naive orphan from a foster care home, and she could sing so well. But she was too shy to sing in front of crowds. Bianca on the other hand admired the glam, luxury and splendor that came with being popular, so she teamed up with Ariel. Ariel would sing behind the scene while she'd lip sync and get the credit. Bianca promised her royalties, but compared to the volume of fortune being the famous “Red sun” would bring, she only offered Ariel peanuts. Ariel was barred from singing in clubs, parties or any public gatherings. But she didn't mind, she was doing it for her best friend. Biancahad always been there for her since they were teenagers, and she'd do anything to make her happy .

But now things had gone South.

They were on the verge of getting caught. One of them had to sacrifice themselves to wiggle them out of a third wave scandal. But it definitely wasn't Bianca. She'd have to eliminate Ariel if she wished to save herself. She had gotten all she needed from her.

Damien stepped forward and snaked his right arm fondly around Bianca's waist, looking at the messy Ariel in disgust. Ariel was drained, her heart hurt like someone pierced a thousand knives through it. She thought he loved her, she had recorded a three hundred love songs for him in the last five years, including covers of songs by famous opera singers. Songs even Bianca was yet to set her eyes on. Damien gave them all to Bianca, Ariel was shattered to discover they were dating all along. They both used her. Bianca was masquerading as a star, and Damien got to keep thirty percent of her royalties for life — as a reward for helping Bianca steal her songs. While Ariel remained a measly delivery girl. “Ariel…Ariel…Ariel.” Damien exclaimed in fake empathy. He let out a heavy sigh. “Poor creature, you're so naive. It's a pity you have to go this way, you saw something you should never have seen.”

Ariel hung her head in helplessness, this was how she was going to die. In the hands of her best friend and her boyfriend. The two people she had loved the most, the only family she had. If only she didn't witness the murder, maybe she'd have lived. Her tears were mixed with blood, she could barely keep her eyes open or think straight for a straight minute.

“How could you do this to me? What did I ever do wrong?.” She cried. The pain she felt was indescribable, it felt like several hot knives were piercing her chest all at once. Her clothes were torn, her skin was covered in bruises, her hair was damp with blood. Her lips were filled with bruises and blisters.

Sitting on the peak of a skyscraper that overlooked the sea, Axel watched the scene playing out before him in amusement. It was entertaining, a kind of entertainment that excites him. Humans were very fickle creatures, the most shallow people he had ever come across. All they did was make foolish decisions, and kill each other over trifle material possessions. He had no regard or respect for them. Whenever a bad decision was made, all he did was obediently seal their fate with no questions or even a slightest attempt to change their minds. Hundred generations had already come and gone, yet nothing seemed to change among the human race.

Taking his mind off the thugs hitting a girl with a bat, he savoured the fresh air that smelt like warmth. The skies were crisp and clear, it's blue and white colors intertwining together. He sighed, at least the sky god wasn't slacking off.

“Throw her overboard.” Bianca commanded the men who acknowledged her command in obedience, and rushed towards Ariel to do her bidding. Hoisting her up, they threw her overboard, and threw the block right after.

Axel watched the man and woman hug themselves and share a passionate kiss. Soon, they were laughing and smiling in relief like they had gotten rid of their biggest threat. He watched the man place his hand on her bum as they laughed and rejoiced. They were all over each other like newly wed love birds. After a while, their boat was out of sight. Axel looked at the spot the girl had fallen, she was probably at the depth of the sea by now, or she had become shark food. It never crossed his mind to save her, she was fated to die, and her fate had been sealed. He held up a black journal that flipped open on it’s own. This peculiar journal had no pages. Whispering gold lights filtered out of the black book, as tiny threads intertwined themselves. He looked at the fate thread of the girl in the water, once it was tied she'd be gone. His job here would be done, he had another fate to seal. But just then, a bright burst of light erupted from the journal. He turned to look at the water in surprise.