As she laid helplessly on her deathbed, Kalliste heard the howls of her two beloved pets from outside her door. Their cries created a musical sound in her ears, at the same time, it also blew a hole in her heart with a freezing altitude. It seemed that they felt their master’s life fading away.

Kalliste sighed gently.

She knew that this would be where they parted ways. Thinking back, it had been exactly a year when she was diagnosed with ‘Phthisis Cutis.’ An incurable, and disgusting skin disease that slowly ate her body away. Not even the bones were spared by this terrible illness.

The doctors said that she was cursed, but the faith healer theorised that she was now reaping the terrible karma for all her unpardonable sins. Kalliste believed the latter’s words. If this was her destiny, so be it. She was already exhausted, and wanted nothing more than to leave this shell of a body.

With all the strength that she had left, Kalliste slowly scanned her surroundings.

The dim lights in her almost empty room gave her eyes a comfortable feeling.

“Would I finally die this time around?”

A bittersweet smile etched on her face. She could not even lift her hands, let alone, a finger. She could only move her head from side to side, though slowly.

As the cold breeze entered her room from the open windows, the sweet scent of lillies and roses bombarded her nose. From where she laid, Kalliste watched how the magnificent rays of the sun slowly hid behind the darkness of the night. The scintillating moon now hung over the horizon, making the emerald forest seemed like a gateway towards a fantastical world.

“Had I chosen another path, would I have been happy?” Kalliste’s long lashes flattered as she slowly closed her eyes. Her mind wondered towards a distant past.

Kalliste was an orphan, however, she was not sad about it. She had a lot of brothers and sisters in the orphanage. Their mother figure was a kind, and gentle woman who loved them all dearly. Whenever she asked about her parents, the woman would only answer with the same sentence.

“I am sorry, dear. We have no idea. I found you beneath an old tree with nothing, but a thick book. Not even a letter was left behind.”

After that, Kalliste stopped asking, and focused on her life. Growing up, she was like a moon surrounded by billions of stars. Like a supreme goddess lost in the mortal realm. No matter how beautiful the other girls might be, they always seemed to be missing something in comparison. If the other girls were beautiful fairies, then Kalliste would be a goddess basking in the moonlight. She was even called the pinnacle of existence. Gifted to all kinds of arts, to the point that it was terrifying. She hated attention, though, and would rather lock herself up in her room. Growing up, she only had one wish. A normal life, away from the prying eyes of the people. Find a good man, have a family of her own, growing old with her loved ones, and finally dying with a contented smile on her face. But those were just an impossible dream. As soon as she turned fifteen, powerful cyborg machines invaded Earth. That was how the first war broke out.

Her world was turned upside down from that moment on. The sudden Invasion costed the lives of almost four billion people. The remaining humans had no choice, but to fight. She was one of those survivors. The massive trauma and her strong will to live caused something inside of her to awoken the dormant powers that she unknowingly possessed.

As she walked the path of a legend, she became the last hope, and light of humanity. However, no one knew the unbearable sorrow and grief that she bore.

Being a warrior robbed her of everything that she truly wanted. She did not even have time to shed tears for her fallen comrades as she was always on the battlefield.

When she got rid of the Cyborg King, Kalliste thought that the world would finally have some peace.

However, as soon as she got back, she was immediately deemed a terrifying monster to be kept alive. After everything that she did for them, everyone turned their back on her. The shock that she had that day was so great that she almost went crazy.

When she got to her senses, Kalliste realised that she had to survive. Thus, after completely destroying the organisation, she fled for her freedom. Soon enough, she was hunted down in the form of the highest treason.

After over a century of constant war, Kalliste finally learned valuable lessons. A true warrior learned to live with a pain and guilt that never healed. Accept hatred and anger like sweet honey, and embraced anguish as a part of her life.

For a war veteran like her, fighting endless wars, and killing billions like insects. It became an everyday occurrence for her. Yet she still struggled for her goals. To see another sunrise, to fight another day. For over over a century, she strived for dominance, for knowledge, and supremacy. Kalliste knew that her fate was sealed, but definitely, not her dreams.

Her thirst for a peaceful life that she would never achieve as long as she walked the path of the Legendary Kortik. A monstrous, and bloodthirsty beast of the battlefield.

Beauty, prestige, honor, skills, intelligence and power, in the end, nothing really mattered when one was already on the brink of death.

The loud sounds of lightning and thunder brought Kalliste back to reality. However, she was too tired to keep her eyes open. As her vision slowly faded to nothingness, the last thing she saw was the dusty book that was sitting on her table. Her only source of joy on this tiresome life.

She smiled as she tried to reach for it. However, her eyes slowly closed as her breath became heavy.

For the last time, Kalliste drew a long, and deep breath as she finally entered her eternal slumber with a smile on her face.

...----------------...

Kalliste did not know how long she was asleep, but she regained her consciousness because of the muffled voices around her. Slowly opening her eyes, she was met with a blur vision. Everything was dark, and the loud sounds immediately assaulted her ears. She cringed. She wanted to say something, but her throat was parched. Not even saliva could pass through as it was painful with every swallow. Her body was stiff. It felt like all muscles decided to rebel against her will.

‘Water.’

Minutes passed by, the voices became clearer now. She could also define some objects as well as the colors of her surroundings.

Though her memory was still vague and clouded, one thing was for sure. She died.

‘Am I already in hell? I guess I am. Not only my whole body, but even my soul, was tainted with so much blood. For over a century, I could not even imagine the number of people that I killed with my own hands. A terrible sin that I could never repay even with my death.’

Kalliste sighed.

‘If this was indeed hell, then I would welcome any harsh punishments that they would bestow upon me. Maybe then would my guilt be subsided for all those innocent souls.’

She waited for a while, but was jolted in surprise when her body was suddenly submerged in water. Of course she struggled. Who wouldn’t. But then again, maybe her punishment already began? She could barely see anything in the dark, but who cared? However, something was wrong. As she sank to the bottom, it got harder and harder to breathe.

‘Was this normal? I was already dead, so I should not feel this way? Or was I?’

Kalliste tried to get back to the surface, but her foot got stuck with something thick and slimy.

‘Algae! Why now?’

As she struggled, the cold water slowly found its way in her mouth. She lost control. With that split second, her lungs and stomach was already overwhelmed with so much liquid. It was now hard to breath. Not to mention the strong currents that slammed on her body with mighty forces. Due to severe fatigue, her consciousness slowly faded to nothingness for the second time around.

...----------------...

Kalliste woke up with a loud, and long inhale. Her heart thumped like mad as she crazily gasped for some air. Though her throat was dry and hurt like a bitch with every breath, she managed to calm herself down. The first thing she saw was the luminous moon that illuminated the clear, blue water with a pearly glow.

“What in the world! Why am I in a cave?” Kalliste quickly scanned her surrounding. The ground was full of dead twigs, carcasses of animals, and insects that crawled everywhere. The ceiling was also full of stalagmites and stalactites that looked like giant bones and fangs which made the place creepier. It was infested with huge bats. They slept within their folded, velvety black wings. She narrowed her eyes. It was her first time seeing a chiropteran the size of an adult’s’ arm.

When a strong, and cold breeze suddenly shrieked through the large mouth of the cave, Kalliste immediately covered her mouth and nose. The smell of decay and animal feces almost turned her stomach upside down. It made her nauseous. She also saw how the bats wings slightly fluttered, as though they were awoken by the wind.

“Shoot! I have to get out of here before I became their snack.”

With that in mind, Kalliste tried to stand, only to fall on her knees. That was when she finally noticed a change on her body.

“Why are my hands this small?”

Kalliste immediately inspect her whole body. It took her a while to realise something.

“No way! It can’t be!”

Ignoring her faltering legs, she quickly looked down on the water. What she saw almost knocked her unconscious. Instead of an old woman with white hair, wrinkled skin, and exposed bones, she saw a child with an alluring charm, even beyond words instead. With a long, silky golden hair that glimmered by the moon’s radiance. It played gently with the wind as though it had its own sentience.

“Who was this child? Am I hallucinating now?” Kalliste frowned and immediately reached the water to dispel it, but the child in the water only mimicked her.

“Hey! Stop copying me!”

Her shout echoed within the cave. For the next few minutes, she was like a madman as she tried everything to dispel the trick.

“I give up. I can’t do this anymore!”

Kalliste stared at the reflection. Even though it was only a child, all would be gobsmocked with lustful, and flaring eyes with only one glance. Even the word “supreme beauty” was not enough to describe her. The child possessed an exquisitely peerless beauty that reached far beyond an unbelievable level. An impeccable masterpiece under the heavens. Long, velvety black lashes that fluttered like butterfly wings with every move. Lips that would shame the color of blood, and a flawless complexion that looked even more divine under the glimmer of the moon. A well-proportioned eyes that complimented her heart-shaped face. A countenance that would surely be coveted by all, even by the Celestials.

Somehow, the child looked familiar. It reminded Kalliste of herself when she was only a child. However, over a hundred years had passed since she last saw her appearance. As soon as the war broke out, she had no time to look at the mirror.

After a careful observation, reality hit her like a ton of bricks.

“What the hell? How was something like this possible!”

She was looking at her own reflection when she was just a child!

Kalliste was left speechless as she stared at her own reflection.

“How was this even possible? I should be dead?” She immediately pinched her face, but the pain guaranteed this was indeed reality.

She tried to wrack her brain for an answer, however, nothing worked. All she got was a splitting headache.

In the end, Kalliste decided to just go with the flow of things. If all of this was another form of her damnation, then she would have to deal with it. She sighed deeply.

“I have to get out of here first.” A few meters away from her, she saw a small entrance, enough for her pass through.

...----------------...

It took an hour before Kalliste finally managed to find her way out. She arrived at a small glade, surrounded by countless trees that stood proudly, barely revealing the dark firmament above. Each of them were almost several houses tall, and clothed in verdant hues of nature. The ground was also woven with the titans whose roots hugged the earth.

“Damn! I looked like an ant in front of giants.”

Kalliste scanned her surroundings. It reeked of ancient souls that stretched in every living things. The foliages would dance to an unheard beat, and whispered their songs to the gentle wind.

Through the help of the moon that hung quietly in the distance, Kalliste decided to venture the dark forest. With every steps, she heard the snapping of small branches, and dried leaves that were crushed under her foot. Every tree she passed were like watchful guardians. The quiet sentinels from Mother Nature. As she went deeper into the tangled core of this ancient place, she could not help, but be amazed. How could she resist such a lush jungle? The deep, haunting melody was like an elixir to her soul. Its enchanting symphony called out to her.

“Where in the world am I?” Kalliste wrapped her arms around herself as she continued to observe the area.

The huge roots were twisted. They looked like mazes that spread all over the ground. The foliage were also thicker and verdant, forming an arch of magical-emerald above her head. The exquisiteness of the sun’s rays had not yet peeked on the horizon. Because of this, coils of vaporous mist caressed the barks while the hoods of black shadows wrapped the treetops. They writhed around them like phantasmal gasses that added to the forest’s deadly intent.

“Where was this place?” With everything that she had seen, and experienced, only one thing was for sure. Somehow, she had not yet kicked the bucket. The problem was, her current location.

Her thoughts was interrupted when a cold breeze suddenly slammed against her. Her small body trembled. Though she was mentally very old, she had regressed in her child form. Her young body could not handle the extreme temperatures. Not to mention that her clothes was not yet dried from being submerged in the water.

“Flap.”

‘What was that?’

Kalliste’s head instantly snapped up to the sky, and scanned the horizon with sharp eyes. Her stance ready for combat.

“Flap.”

‘Again!’

She slowly backed away towards a huge trunk, with eyes narrowed in every corner of the dark sky. The place seemed to have been frozen in time. A sepulchral silence overhung the hallowed ground where even wild grasses dared not grow. Nothing stirred, nothing moved. A hollow echoing, like the hushed tones of a closed tunnel, entombed the woods.

She no longer heard the little furry legs of wild animals moving around. They were completely gone. Even the cold wind that had been ravaging just a moment ago with extraordinary velocity had disappeared. The mist became denser, too. From where she stood, she saw the formation of thin, silvery layers that looked like curtains over the leaves. Kalliste felt a chill that ran down her spine just by looking at the eerie scene. It was as though the forest itself was frightened with something, and did not dared to even exhale or whisper.

“I had a bad feeling about this.” Something definitely was amiss.

Years of experience, Kalliste knew that the most dangerous places were always quiet and still. Her instincts told her so, and she trusted her guts. One of the main reason why she always survived bloody carnage was because of it.

“Flap.”

She truggled to hid her presence. The sound was now even closer than before. She could only ask herself.

‘Was it an eagle? An owl? However, it sounded far too big. Every flap of its wings sounded much like thunder. A lot of air must have been propelled downwards in order to keep whatever was up there.’

It took awhile before the thing that haunted the horizon finally disappeared. She sighed a breath of relief. Hiding was not in her vocabulary at all, however, she was only a child at the moment. Her small body would not be able to handle the consequences of this caliber. As such, she stayed hidden and waited for the right time to go out.

As she sat on the cold ground, thoughts about this second life crossed her mind. Though she was a savage beast on her past life, the fact that she was given new beginning made her chest pounding heavily in her ribcage. Her fingertips were tingling, and her breath was faster than before.

“Punishment or not, I would not let this second chance go to waste. I would live my life the way I wanted.”

Thinking about all the possibilities and opportunities, Kalliste smiled exuberantly. It was even more charming than blooming flowers, putting them all to shame.

With a newfound light and goals, she walked forward without looking back. Towards a new page of her story.

...----------------...

“Why?” Kalliste frowned. Her simple gesture was enchanting and would surely cause a lot of souls to sway.

“Why am back in the cave?” She facepalmed. Due to her excitement, she forgot an important detail.

Ever since she know it, Kalliste was directionally challenged. It was one of the flows that she sometimes hated about herself. The reason why few of her subordinates died when they were ambushed was because she got lost on the road. It was already too late when she arrived at the scene.

As soon as she saw the familiar cave, her shoulders slumped. She had no strength left to even stand. It seemed that her young body could not handle the fatigue and excessive movements.

“I’m so tired.” Left with no choice, Kalliste went back inside the cave for shelter. The dawn was still a few hours away, and she needed to rest.

She was about to lie down when heavy footsteps suddenly echoed in the cave. With a speed invisible to the ***** eyes, she hid herself in the dark, and waited.

Soon enough, Kalliste saw a silhouette coming closer. She readied herself. A child she may be, her experience and skills remained the same, enough to protect herself of any danger.

She narrowed her eyes, but was quickly taken aback when a young boy who was barely nine years old entered.

“What was a child doing here?” She surveyed the area. This might be a scheme of someone. Adults may be waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

For a few minutes, Kalliste continued to observe him from the dark. The child had a fair complexion. The clothes he had reminded her of what the nobilities wore during the medieval era. The boy might be a child of a wealthy family. Black hair covered his face as he held his head low. His shoulders trembled slightly.

It took a while before Kalliste realised that he was crying. There was already a small pool of tears from where he stood. Kalliste bit her lower lip. She felt an invisible force gripped her heart tightly, making it hard to breathe. A tear flow down her face, followed by another, until a steady stream of salty water rushed down her face. She did not know who he was, but she definitely saw the sadness, anger, and confusion that he tried to conceal. As she stared at him, she was reminded of herself when she was also a child. The helplessness that she felt when she saw how the Cyborgs brutally killed her siblings in the orphanage. How her mother figure sacrificed her own life to buy her time for escape.

Kalliste did not know what happened, but she suddenly found herself hugging the boy tightly.

“Just let everything out, darling. Everything’s going to be alright.”

Kalliste patted his back and whispered soothing words as a mother would to her child. At that moment, she forgot that she was also one herself. The boy was clearly startled by the sudden action, but in the end, he lets out a loud cry as he gripped her clothes tightly.

That night, Kalliste lulled the child to sleep.

...----------------...

The next morning, Rowan was awoken by the aroma of a roasted meat. His stomach immediately growled, and almost drooled at the sight. He had not eaten anything since yesterday. He was about to grab the food when the sweetest, and most intoxicating voice suddenly rang in his ears. His body was instantly nailed to the spot. It felt like it was melting. Even a cold glacier or a heart of steel would surely soften.

“Good morning, darling. Are you feeling better now?”

He was still frozen from where he stood. Memories of last night rushed in his mind like a tsunami. His face turned hot when he remembered how he cried his eyes out in the embrace of a stranger, much less, a girl.

“Hey, are you alright?”

“My name is not…”

He did not get to finish his sentence when he came face to face with a pair of bewitching, crimson eyes. It felt like every part of his body went on a pause while his thoughts slowly caught up. He felt his face became even hotter.

‘Stunningly gorgeous!’

He found himself staring at the girl in front of him. She wore a simple, and cheap looking white dress that was already smeared with some dirt. However, it did not diminished her charisma and absolute divine beauty. She looked as if she had just gotten out of a painting, with untouched flaws like an immortal goddess. Each of her gestures was enchanting and stirring, certainly not from this world.

“Here, darling. You’re hungry, right?”

Though she looked younger than him, she spoke in a manner like his mother would. He quickly gathered his thoughts and wanted to reprimand the child for the blatant endearment, however, his stomach growled like there was no tomorrow.

In the end, Rowan reluctantly took the meat, and sat on a corner.

“The name’s Kalliste, by the way, but you could call me Kally. What’s yours?”

Rowan glanced at her. He was not used with the way that she spoke. ‘Was she a commoner?’ he thought. It was not important, though. He slowly chewed the meat. It was his first time tasting meat that was tender and soft. At the same time, tasty.

“Rowan.”

“Rowan?”

Kally held her chin, as though she was in deep thoughts.

“If I am not mistaken, then your name meant King or Emperor? So cool!”

Rowan was startled. His brain stuttered for a moment, and his eyes took in more light than he expected. He stopped eating and looked at Kally with mixed emotions.

She was the first person to compliment his name. Others said that it was girly. A small smile etched on his face. It was not so bad.

“You’re very handsome when you smile. You should smile more!”

As his mind processed her words, he felt as though all of his blood went up on his face. In the past, anyone who spoke with no manners in front of him would be killed instantly, however, for some reason, he could not bring himself to hurt even a tiny hair of this small girl. Though this was their first meeting, Rowan felt that he had known her for a long time.

“You also looked divine,” he whispered. Being careful enough to not let the words be heard.

“By the way, what are you doing here? Are you lost?”

Rowan remained silent. This place was his secret hideout. Whenever he felt sad, stressed or angry, he would always come to this cave, but yesterday was different. He ran here to save his life. The events from earlier suddenly replayed in his mind. It all began when Imperial Knights suddenly took his mother away. He had no idea that it would be the last time that he would see her.

Later that night, he found himself on a horse with his nanny who cried her eyes out as she sacrificed her life in order for him to escape.

“Please, you must stay alive, Your Highness!”

Her words rang in his mind for the next couple of hours as he journeyed through the dark forest with a blank face. He did not know whether to cry or laugh at his situation. He had no idea what was going on.

He was smart boy, though. At that point, he already knew that something bad happened to his mother. If not, then she was already dead. However, a part of him held on to the slight belief that his mother was still alive. That she could only be imprisoned somewhere.

“Rowan? Hush now, darling. Don’t cry. You’re safe now.”

He was brought back to reality when he felt the warmth of Kally. He did not even realized that tears flew down his face. He looked down and saw the small girl who barely reached his shoulders struggling to hug him tightly.

Kalliste stared at him, and their eyes met for the second time.

Rowan gulped as soon as he saw the exposed bare neck that was accentuated with her long, golden hair that fluttered in the cold breeze. His nose was instantly bombarded with an elegant and sweet fragrance that made his heart beat faster.

“Uhm…” Before the intoxicating scent got the better of him, he slightly pushed Kally to the side, and reminded himself that she was only trying to calm him down.

A forced smile etched on his face. Even if he cried an ocean of tears, it would not solve his current situation.

“I’m okay n…”

He did not finished his sentence when he felt the little hands that suddenly caressed his face. They were silky smooth, devoid of any unpleasant hardships.

“What are you doing?” He slightly averted his head to the side. The sudden action was new to him. Even his mother had never done something like this before.

“Making sure that you don’t have a fever? Your face was like a ripe apple.” As soon as the words escaped her lips, Kalliste quickly turned around.

“If you’re finished, then we should get moving.”

Rowan’s brows twiched in annoyance. He was clearly discontented. He actually enjoyed such bold actions.

“To where?

“Well, darling. Do you plan on staying here for the rest of your life?”

“Lady Kally, did you really know where we are going?” Rowan could not help, but ask. A few hours passed by, but they were still in the woods.

“Of course, darling. It was.. Uhm, this way?” Kalliste pointed randomly on the right. “Just trust in big sister, okay?” Though she had a dazzling smile on her face, she was comically crying inside. Her out of tune voice almost sold her out.

‘What the hell have I gotten myself into?’

She quickly turned around to hide the droplets of sweat that started flowing down her face. She felt as if there were butterflies in her stomach. They gave the feeling of uneasiness.

Meanwhile, a mischievous smirk was plastered on Rowan’s face. The tiny star that rose in the corner of his mouth brought out a sense of playfulnesses, however, he was indifferent and combined it with the cool detachment on his eyes.

‘Big sister, huh?’ He was savoring this moment. It was refreshing to talk with someone who was not afraid of him. The first time that he felt like an ordinary boy.

He looked at the way she pointed.

'But that way was a...' He held his thoughts to himself. He knew this part of the forest like the back of his palm, however, he stayed silent. She was obviously lost, and he wanted to see how the girl would handle the situation that she created.

‘Interesting,’ he thought as he watched her disappeared in a distance.

...----------------...

A few minutes passed when they finally came to a dead end. They were now standing over the edge of a steep cliff which served as the frontier of the ocean and land. The height overlooked an enormous sea of wonder. The water was exceptionally azure under the bright rays of the sun. The surface looked as though it was covered with billions of sparking gems that was being swept away by the huge waves as they crushed on the seasoned rocks with mighty forces. All while kissing the shore of white sand with gentleness.

Though the view was breathtaking, Kalliste could not truly appreciate its beauty. Her knees suddenly gave in, and she slumped to the ground. As a seasoned veteran, she was someone who never wanted others to know her weakness or fears, for it was a huge disadvantage on the battlefield. However, on that moment of truth, the mask that she had for over a century, finally crumbled.

Perhaps because she was now a child that it became hard to suppress her emotions? She had no idea.

“Lady! Are you alright?” Rowan’s heart almost skipped a beat when she suddenly fell. His hands twitched for a moment.

With a blink of an eye, he was already by her side. He immediately noticed how her small body trembled uncontrollably. With eyes wide open and rugged breath. Her vision was fixated on the ocean.

“Are you…” Rowan stopped talking midway. Seeing the terrified expression of the girl, he immediately understood how she felt. However, he had no idea on how to lighten up the mood.

Rowan sighed, and without any second thoughts, he gently grabbed her and brought her on his embrace.

Though he offered no words of comfort, his actions was enough to calm Kalliste down.

He was also confused himself. He had never done something like this his entire life, so why would he show concern over a stranger?

‘It seemed that I needed to gain better outlook on life in order to see wider versions of things.’

“Thank you, darling. I am better now.” Kalliste said softly.

The latter was frozen when he heard her angelic voice. It was alluring and tantalising to the ears. As wistful as the wind, and light like a water spray. Rowan glanced at the girl. She now had a faint smile on her face.

He found himself glued on the spot as his emotionless face blossomed with crimson fire.

She rewarded him with an exquisitely stunning smile that stole the light from all the immortals and celestials in the nine heavens, causing them to be too ashamed to show themselves. Rowan instantly diverted his eyes. For some reason, he could not reciprocate her gaze.

“Come, I would show you the way out.” Rowan diverted his thoughts as he helped her up.

“Let’s go?” As soon as he held her hands, he felt an electric wave that entered through the tips of his fingernails, and spread throughout his body. He did not mind it though, and tightly gripped her slender, silky hands. As though he was afraid to lose her one way or another.

...----------------...

Meanwhile, on the other side, The Order of Serpents, an infamous group of mercenaries gathered. They were lazily basking upon the glory of the forest as they waited for their leader. The area was packed with taupe brown, archaic trees. The gentle giants stood serenely, not minding the presence of the mysterious group.

Up above the tall branch, Porteur Aim was laying down as he gazed down on his colleagues. Unlike him who liked to nap, the others seemed to have their own world. His eyes, the shade of acorns, stopped when he saw Aloisia. He felt his blood rushed up to his face when he saw her. Though she had a lose, black clothing, it did not hide her burnished complexion, her nice, sculpted body got his attention even more. Long legs that accentuated her thin, tapered waist.

Porteur stared at her with dreamy eyes. She was the content of his dreams almost every night. How could he forget the first time they met. Her long, shadowy, black hair was like a silky thread as it danced with the wind. Plump lips like strawberries, and eyes like the deepest shade of the night. Though she was not talkative, Koa, her twin brother, covered up for her. They may share the same face, but their personalities were different.

Goosebumps suddenly electrified his whole body when Aloisia looked at him. Porteur froze like an idiot.

He immediately diverted his eyes away from the twins. His vision landed on the grassy side of the clearing. There, he saw Terrence Ciaom. Another member of the group. The man was busy practicing his sword skills. With every step, dry leaves and small twigs crackled beneath his feet.

“Does he ever get tired?” Porteur asked himself. For three years since their group was created, the only times he saw the man relaxed was when they were eating or sleeping. He was already used to the sight, however, he could not help, but admit that Terrence was the most hard working amongst them. He used to be pale and skinny, but years of hard work showed a huge difference from the Terrence of the past then at the present. His fit clothing hugged his mascular body nicely. With broad shoulders that spoke of strength and a slightly crooked nose that he probably got from years of fighting. He also used to be slightly taller than him, but now, Terrence was already a head taller than him. The most attractive part of him would probably be his eyes. They were a perfect combination of the spring sky, at the same time, the emerald giants. Even a man would be attracted to him. They held a mysterious charm that could attract anyone. Certainly a dream man for every woman.

Porteur yawned when he was hit by the gentle wind. It was followed by the orchestra of birdsongs that made him drowsy. he straightened up, ready to welcome the dreamland, with Aloisa in it.

However, it was shattered when he heard the high pitched voice of Scipione Rolid. Even if he did not saw who shouted, he was sure that it was Scipione. The loudest and craziest of their group.

“That scumbag! Of all times, he just had to scream when I almost in paradise.” His face wrinkled. He had already mastered the arts of not giving a shit towards the others, especially someone like Scipione. However, the bastard seemed to know how to get under his skin. He once again peered down and gave Scipione an uninterested look.

Scipione stood in the middle and seemed to be talking about something, but Porteur did not care. In his eyes, the man was like a **********. For any amount of money, he would gladly open his legs and welcomed anything as long as he was paid. He somehow understood his actions, though. Unlike them, the man used to be a beggar when he was a child. However, the day he worshiped money and material things was the day he left his humanity for good.

Porteur rolled his eyes as he wondered how Scipione was able to glide with an athletic grace even with his Samson physique. His angular cheekbones was sculpted into shape by a talented craftsman. With sharp contour that almost looked perfect. Perhaps he could have been handsome, if not for his shoulder length cinnabar hair that was greasy and braided like a thick rope. His eyes reminded Porteur of the dark, buttered chocolate that only nobilities could afford. However, his supercilious personality made him the ugliest person that he had ever seen. All that arrogance with no grace, utterly toxic.

Porteur spat on the ground. He could never get along with someone like that.

“Sir Aim, sir Grakobuldo would be here at any moment. Why don’t you get down here and join us?”

Porteur’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard a gentle voice. He narrowed his eyes on the last member of the group. Lucas Palihor smiled innocently while looking at him. Those who did not know him would think that Lucas was the sheep surrounded by wolves, however, it was not the case at all. The man specialised on deception. He hid his true nature with his kind smile and gentle voice.

His most noticeable features would be his bright, chocolatey, latte brown eyes that gave away the gentleness of his features. One look and it could soothe anyone. A skill that hid his brutal nature. With a mohican cut and scythe-shaped eyebrows. An aquiline nose and high cheekbones sat above an oaken jaw. His packed shoulders and sturdy physique could not be hidden with his black and white, sleeveless tunic that reached his mid thigh.

Porteur ignored the man and scanned the small glade instead. It looked like a frozen frame that was perfecty enhanced by the rays of the sun. Suddenly, a pair of jays that screeched up high in the canopy of the tree got his attention. He quietly observed the birds. They drifted across him in a flash of white and red, as though trying to size them up. A smirk etched on his face upon seeing the furtive bird, full of suspicion.

He knew who it belonged to, however, he stayed silent. His thoughts was interrupted again when the heavy footsteps from nearby brought him out of his trance. Soon enough, Rique Grakobuldo, the mysterious leader of the group entered the scene. He had a serious look on his face as he eyed them one by one. The black tunic that was hidden underneath his old, brown cape covered his bulky physique. Another thing was the double scar on his right face. It looked like a small valley that was ripped into his flesh. A flaw in his visage that would remain there forever. A cold reminder of what he had experienced. A symbol of everything that he had lost and sacrificed in the past.

Meanwhile, Rique ran his hands through his oily hair and it stuck in clumps. The paths of his fingers had visible, snowy flakes that could be seen right down to the scalp. Perhaps it was time for a wash. After all, the cologne could not mask the stench. He was also the tallest of the group, and possessed a particular charm that made his members felt safe, enough to follow him around. Like a natural born leader.

“Listen up. Today, we go for a hunt. They wanted the target back, alive. A handsome reward would be waiting for us if we completed this mission so you lots better not get any mistakes.” His voice was deep, enough to install fear of normal people. He eyed his subordinates one by one.

“How boring. And here I thought that we were being dispatched on another country. Or better yet, hunt a wyvern on the sea, or play with a gargoyle. Anything, but that.” Porteur once again yawned as he said these words. Though the reward was tempting, he would rather spend his days sleeping than to find someone.

“Porteur was right, boss. I would rather train than to find some missing person.” Even Terrence Ciaom, who stopped his practice argued. As someone who dreamt of joining the Imperial Knights, he would rather spend his time training in the way of the sword.

“Say, boss. How much was the reward again?” Scipione Rolid, grinned madly. He was like a maniac as he licked the sword on his hands. Just thinking about the handsome reward made him drooled in excitement.

“Could I take his limbs, or his arms as a reward if we found him instead of money? My collections were quite old and I required something new for my research.” Lucas Palihor said with a gentle voice. However, the murderous glint in his eyes, as well as the wicked smile on his face brought out his true feelings. At that moment, he was like a predator, ready to devour anyone who fall for his kind smile and gentle words.

Meanwhile, the twins stayed silent. They already had a hunch about their target, however, they shut their mouth closed.

Seeing their hesitation, Rique brought out a black envelope and distributed it among the others.

“This was a highly classified information so make sure that you destroy the evidence after you read it.”

“But, boss. Could we at least know the name of the target?” Scipione asked. He had no intention of reading it, but the word classified information got his attention. It must be a high ranking noble, or an aristocrat.

“The third prince of this Empire, Prince Rowan Lacarus Clevario.“

This turn of events came as a huge shock to the group. Even Porteur, who was still on the tree almost lost his balance. The twins sighed. They already knew that this day would come. Terrence only blinked twice before regaining his previous pose. Though Lucas smiled, he was already having an advanced plans on how to preserve such a precious body. His hands twitched uncontrollably with excitement as his heart pounded heavily in his chest.

It was not everyday that they got a mission to hunt a prince. Another thing, the reward was exorbitant that they could probably live for few years in luxury.

“If you all got my point, then move your assess already! We would have to separate in order to find him quicker. Let us meet when the rooster sang upon the lemon, and the sun gave in to the darkness of the moon.”

As soon as the words escaped his lips, all of them suddenly vanished in thin air. All with a serious look on their faces. How could they resist the special code that was made for A-rank and S-rank Mercenaries?