"150 Cs, no more." The tall grimy man before me said.
"Sir, that's 5 Menacers wrangled and fished by yours truly. It's worth at least 200Cs."
This man before me, a slimy merchant who delights in the suffering of common folks like me. Last I checked, Menacers were worth at least 60Cs a piece, how could anyone even think to lie about things like this?
"Listen, the Ministry of Dawn reduced their purchases recently. I can't be paying so much, much less than these subpar quality catches." the disgusting merchant crossed his arms in a bargain.
There is no purpose in arguing with the likes of him, their hubris will be their downfall eventually. Reluctantly, I handed my precious and hard earned catches to the avaricious merchant. Walking away in shame, I felt the unfairness and anger of a thousand dead Opiumans, I raised my head and looked into the sky.
"I can't believe this! This was an attack on the very foundation of trust humans build upon each other," I vented my anger into the great blue and beautiful sky. "What use is civilization if we can't even be honest and true to each other?"
Yes! The grand and open sky. It puts me to ponder really, the vast openness and opportunities it stands for. It's fascinating! The people around me all seemed slightly concerned at my sudden outburst. It is a bit impolite of me to be so boisterous at this time, to which I regret. Putting my attention back to my blood and gut stained clothes, I felt a deep sensation of pity and shame. Those horrible creatures! This clothing cost me quite a fortune to obtain, the means through which I shall not elaborate. Well, after an arduous day of work, it is time for this humble servant to head back to his belonging; my friends and companions await for me after all. I must hastily make my way to the stations, where I may further collect the joys of life.
"Spare a few dollars…"
A sickly voice reached out as an old, decrepit Halva grabbed my foot, is this the prelude to an act of violence against me? His eyes filled with greed and intentions to rob me of my hard earned wealth. If it wasn't for the slothfulness of his being, he wouldn't even be in this situation to begin with.
"Halva, lay your hand off of me at once! These clothes are not one to be touched by the likes of you!"
I proclaimed triumphantly and swung my fist right into the old creature's skull. His blueish flesh and skin stuck to my hands as if an ugly patch of dirt. It displeases me that I must be the one to educate this Halva.
"Hahhh…. Hahhh…"
The creature before me simply ventilated heavily in pain. Disguising itself to garner sympathy from other kind, merciful souls. It seems to not have learnt the etiquette it so desperately needed. I unsheathed my blade and sank it deeply into the Halva's hands. The disgusting blue tendrils tried to mend Halva's wounds but it failed in its endeavor thanks to my intervention.
"This should remind you to stop laying your filthy hands upon other gentlemen and ladies."
No matter, I have no more time to waste on this miserable being, and I must be on my way lest I miss the transit. Wiping the bluish blood off of the rags of the Halva, I neatly tucked my lance back into its sheath and went on my way.
With my tachy speed I promptly arrived at the stations just in time, before the great machine took its body to the other districts. The Trevi! A great invention of combined human efforts! It brings a tear to my eyes every time I think of the grandeur and scale that we as humans must come together to make such a miracle happen. As I sat down, I began scanning my surroundings for any surprises. And surprises there are! I happened to spot a former colleague of mine, Meili, just 20 meters away from me, what a delight! I quickly walked up to her pushing some obstacles aside if I must in hopes of conversing and rejuvenating with her.
"Meili! My dear! I haven't seen you in so long! "
I said as I enthusiastically opened my arms to greet her. She seemed to notice me, a look of shock and disdain appeared on her face, which I assumed was because of the state of the clothing I was wearing.
"James–"
"How have you been?" I eagerly asked her.
"Did the association finally send you to kill me?" Meili turned her body towards me, her hands shifting to her hilt.
Her tone was too serious and cold for a young lady like her.
"No, no, no, this has nothing to do with the association, I just thought I'll want to catch up to a former colleague and ask how they're doing!" I waved my hand in denial of intending such a cruel methodology.
Hearing my words, she shook her head and relaxed a bit before saying,
"You sick fuck… just as I've thought I could move on. YOU. You continue to haunt my nightmares."
She chuckled bitterly, her expression soon changed to one that showed a clear disgust and anger towards my existence. She raised her head back up, her eyes staring straight into mine.
"You're lucky that we are on the Trevi right now, who knew the Bureau of Internal Affairs would actually help you one day."
Her threatening words deeply disturbed me. I felt, angered even. But, as the bigger person in this situation, I must try to resolve this without the use of force and violence. Hmm, I wonder what would Lord Friend do in this circumstance?
"Dear, may we perhaps just sit down? And talk out the differences between us, I'm sure we'll both find great benefits in words rather than steel."
I extended an invitation to Meili, hoping it might smooth the tense situation between us. Her demeanor only got more frustrated and bitter.
"You think I'll want to talk with you!? A shark from the Virgo Association? Heh, I don't even know what to say to you."
Upon hearing what she said, the other passengers who overheard the conversation began looking at me, some with fear, some with disdain, some with disgust, but most of all, wrath. I was flabbergasted by her outright mentions of my position within my family! How could she? She should know more than anyone else that mentioning that phrase arouses the most annoying and nuisance of attention upon oneself.
"You fucking bastard!"
An anonymous voice shouted from within the crowd. Exactly the kind of farce I don't want to deal with right now.
"Look, I don't find it too comfortable to be in this situation for too long, so I'll be heading off now. I'll see you some other time."
I whispered to Meili, hoping she would understand my abrupt exit. I don't do this often, but I find some benefits in leaving this circumstance early.
"I really wished I'd never see you again."
She grabbed my collar as she said this, how terribly rude of her. Straightening my collar, I made my way off the Trevi. I noticed a couple of folks from the Trevi seems to be following me, but no worries, making my way through this obscure exit and rerouting my path to go through Gate 9 first is sure to ditch those nuisances. How short-sighted of them.
Having boarded off early, I needed to walk quite a bit before I finally reached my destination, The Hub within Žádnýznam, vast squares filled with wonderful vendors and shops that welcomed me with their presence! The mere existence of so many hard working people brings a smile to my face. I felt awfully pleasant in being able to explore the different shops that I might indulge myself with. But I shan't waste any further, I must prepare for what's to come, for a man without preparations is a man with a foot in the grave. Making my way to the usual shop, I see my old acquaintance and business partner, Cesly.
"Greetings! It's me, James!" I tipped my non-existent hat.
"Heh, it's you sonova bitch. You know, that head of yours has gotten yourself into a lot of trouble." Cesly remarked as she leaned back slightly towards my approach. "God help you."
Though that was a bit crude of her, but in the name of the good wills she was willing to extend to me in the past, I'll let that slide.
"Cesly, the usual things, with a few extra bottles of Ocean's Marrows, please."
The shopkeeper wasted no time and went in the back to grab the supplies. She came back with a small package and placed it onto the counter. Her expression was a bit mischievous, who knows what she is plotting?
"'Friend', developed a new brand of Ocean's Marrows, I happen to have early access, you want some of that instead of your usual?"
Cesly suddenly mentioned without any prompting, how does she know!? Upon hearing the mere mentionings of the title of 'Friend', my chest tightened, and my heart skipped a beat as a dazzling virgin in love.
"Lord Friend developed it?!"
My hands trembled in excitement, Lord Friend! The greatest figure and the most elegant one of the almighty Seraphim division! His charisma and charm is like no other within this decrepit city filled with desperate and malignant people. I must purchase this product and experience its blessings for myself, yes, I shall do so!
"Please, Cesly, provide me a few bottles of Lord Friend's Marrows along with syringes."
Cesly flashed a brief smirk and took a couple of the small cube-shaped glass bottles from underneath the counter. I examined the bottle and saw that the gradient of the colors and density of the Marrow were slightly different than usual, a masterstroke by Lord Friend to differentiate his products from the dull clones out on the usual market!
"That would be 200Cs total."
Upon hearing the price, a feeling of lethargy swooped over my body and soul.
"Cesly… That is an awful lot of money you are requiring of me. Is it not in the nature of a man to admire a piece of art and is it not damning for another to obstruct it from happening?"
"Cut the cheese talk, you want it or not." Cesly snapped with a look of disinterest.
She grabbed the bottles and began sliding them back into the counter, I reached out with my hand hastily and stopped her from doing so.
"...Bag it up for me, please."
With that indignant smirk on her face, she proceeded to hand me my supplies. I wasted no time in moving along as any more in her presence would probably result in me losing ownership of my soul. But it matterth not! I would soon see my friends and companions, they should surely calm and comfort this suffering soul.
The path to home is a bit tricky, having to venture deep within the Vintik, a place for lowly scums that attracts not only the shadiest of humans, but also that appalling cult that defies all that is divine. Squeezing through and ignoring many of the abhorrent Halvas that gather themselves here. The aged buildings and crummy spaces really tell of the laziness and horrid attitude of these bottom dwellers. The smell of moisture and the subtle droplets of water fills the area with a dread that I simply cannot stand for too long.
Arriving at my destination, a small wooden door stood before me. It belonged to a supposed pawn shop. A front to hide from those annoying authorities, quite genius if I do say so myself. Perhaps when I open this door, I would be welcomed and surrounded my my lovely family. The possibility excites me!
"Ring!~" I pushed the door open.
"James, the boss wants to see you." A figure before the glass counters spoke.
The boss? Perhaps it's another job from him. I was feeling a bit exhausted from all the mishaps that have happened to me, but they are my family and friends after all. Anything goes for the family.
"Thank you Farlan, I'll go meet him."
"Don't make the man wait, ya know what he expects."
With that I opened the hidden door to the basement, slowly stepping down into the dark structure, its size deceptively large compared to the top level. Rooms filled with friends occupied the sides and crammies of space underneath. Rooms for entertainment, leisure, and recovery. A couple of my friends stood around the corridor.
"Greetings–"
"Oi James. You're back."
An old time acquaintance of mine, Yol.
"Ahh, it's so good to see you, Yol! You have no idea what I've gone through today."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever that mind of yours conjures up." He rubs his forehead slightly.
His words of reassurance fills me with comfort. Truly, nothing is better than the warmth of companionship and family. If there is, it must be worship and divinity.
"James, yer found a way back, huh, just heard ya got into some trouble."
That voice came from Stan, another good friend of mine. My friends are what motivates me to be as good and righteous of a man I am. I can't bear to let them down!
"Yes, Stan, horrible, horrible things happened to me!"
"I'm sure it was, but uh, boss is looking to meet you. Ya better go."
His words reminded me of my mission.
"Yes! I must be on my way! I can't fail those who depend on me!"
I quickly went off to the boss's room in passion unlike any I've had before. My friends boosted my spirits and relieved any and all sensations of tiredness I've had. This is truly what life is for, serving those you love, receiving admiration in return, a perfect unity of human affluences. Making my way through the corridors, greeting those I meet, feeling the gratification for my actions, the ground itself seems to feel smoother and cleaner as I waltzed to Mr. Yohan.
I eventually reached the boss's door, knocking on it. I heard a steady and cold voice return from the other side.
"Come in, James."
Abiding by his words, I entered the boss's cabin. There he was, Yohan San Veda, the head of this beautiful family we have built, standing before his table in a stern and powerful stance, his face covered with the glory of Opiuma. The room was decorated with the various medals of honor and pictures of the great city of Opiuma. A time I wish I could be back to, a golden age for mankind.
"James, I have a mission for you, one that can only be achieved by a valiant knight such as yourself." Yohan stepped closer to me.
My attention was immediately focused on Yohan's words, yes, a knight like me, only an honorable man like me can do what no other can!
"Just as you've done before, I need you to negotiate with another one of our clients, who failed to deliver payment to us in time. Meili, as you recall, one of our former associates, has taken the stance to protect this client of ours due to personal reasons, but she won't be there tonight." Yohan said as he rested one his hand on my shoulder. His firm and heavy grip filled me with reassurance.
"James, you are the light that guides lost souls back onto the path, go, proclaim to them the wrongs of their ways, and allow them to sin no more." His words echoed with confidence and surety.
Meili, she has betrayed what the Virgo Association stands for. How evil, how short-sighted, how unprofessional. Her naivety in part is the reason why humanity has fallen to such a degree of sloth and greed!
"Leave it to me Yohan, you will not be disappointed!"
"Indeed, James, Indeed you won't."
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"NO, NO, NO, PLEASE!!!"
A young woman laid on a flat metal block acting as a table, her body bound to it, yet her desire for freedom echoed through the darkly lit room. The room was revolting, filled with the stench of dead bodies and the wild spectrum of fluids from humans to Neolives. Standing beside her was a man who smiled at the display before him. A smile that unsettled the women even more than the uncomfortable position she was in.
"Please… I swear I'll pay the association by Tuesday! Please, I need to be there for my father! He won't be able to live without me! ", the girl begged.
"Dear, I believe you. I really do."
The man in front of the girl said with enthusiasm. His expression, light and easy-going compared to the environment the girl was in.
"But, the Virgo Association does not permit delinquency among its members. And I certainly am not going to join myself with those. ", the man circled around the girl mumbling the most insane and unhinged acts of justification the girl has ever heard of. After a while, the man seems to have reached a conclusion.
"Yes, YES! That I shall do for you!"
The man's face lit up and he bent in closer to talk to the girl.
"Seeing that you yourself is such a fascinating and complex human, I shall fulfill for you a common desire; to meet the end that all humans desire, to die as a human! Not as a revolting Halva or Neolife!"
The girl struggled and tugged to remove herself of her constraints, but nothing worked. As the giant slab of stone above her was elevated to an adequate amount of height. The man walked over to the lever, turning his body away from the potential sight.
"Ms. Belle Clark, I wish you safe passage to whatever gods you have chosen to belong!"
Just as the man was about to pull the lever, another figure bursted into the room, breaking the door itself from its frame. This seemed to startle the man into holding off the execution.
"JAMES!!! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!?"
The women who broke in shouted in anger at the executioner. A streak of hope showed on the girl who was tied onto the table.
"Meili!– "
Her voice choked on the tears she had, but her joy was nonetheless protruding from that voice. Meili, who heard the voice of hope only got more, if words can describe, pissed.
"WHAT IS THIS AND WHY HAVEN'T I HEARD ABOUT THIS? "
Meili continued to shout at James who looked at her with an expression that seemed undecipherable. Whether or not he truly comprehended her words remains a mystery.
"Meili! So good for you to join me! Are you here to bid farewell to Ms. Belle here? I know you two are quite the lovebirds!" James gestured towards the bound girl on the table.
The man apparently ignored her questions and so inquired. Instead of responding to James, Meili simply ran up to him, and elbowed him in the chest. James, who was caught off guard at the attack, took the hit and fell onto the floor in pain. His hands holding his chest, rubbing them in pain.
"Mei- Meili? Wh- why would you do this?"
Ignoring James in turn, Meili kicked the man on the floor across the room. James, seemingly knocked unconscious from the pain, had stopped moving. Seeing that James was out of order, Meili unclenched her fist and slowly calmed down. She turned towards her lover and started unbuckling the various constraints on her body.
"Let's get out of here. Let's leave this fucking place! ", Meili shouted in regret of not doing so earlier.
"Meili, thank you…"
Tears of joy rolled down off of Belle's face. However, through her blurry sights, the figure who was previously unconscious began to move, his flesh shimmered a hint of cyan, throbbed with those iconic blue tendrils beneath his skin. Standing up, the man's eyes twitched erratically, he drew his lance and began charging towards Meili in a speed unperceivable by normal human reactions.
Without any time to warn Meili, Belle pushed her aside and tried to block the hit from Jame's lance. With a silent parting of flesh, the lance impaled Belle's heart, and struck Meili on the side of her waist.
"Fortuna Eruditis Favet."
James said with an expressionless face. A small square bottle with remnants of a blueish soapy liquid dropped onto the ground from one of his hands.
"Ghk… hahh…"
Only small mumbles of noise managed to escape Belle's dying shell. Meili, ignoring the wounds on her body, held Belle's body in anguish and sorrow.
"NONONONONONONO!!!"
But no response came back, besides from the abnormally high energized speech of James. One he seemingly switched to on a whim.
"Just as I have promised, a death as a human, and your lover is even here to send you off! Now! Can't have those gentlemen and ladies from the Bureau find this intact, can we?"
With that, James grabbed the sobbing Meili and threw her across the room, her consciousness barely holding on.
"No!- NO!!!– DON'T DO THIS TO HER!!!"
Ignoring Meili's shouts, and fixing Belle's body back onto the table, he moved towards the lever, behind the protective glass shield. Turning his back on Belle's body, James released the lever once more. The giant slab of stone, helpless against the pull of gravity, clamped down onto the table in a loud splatter of flesh and blood.
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"Ding! Deng!"
The sound of the door of the Trevi brought me back to my senses. The long ride gave me plenty of time to remember of an event as to why Meili is what she is. But I suppose that Meili would harbor so much hate towards me for such a miniscule reason. How frustratingly selfish and self-centered of her! After all that the association has done her, after every bit of mercy that I personally extended towards her for allowing her to watch her lover's death, for not breaking every singular bone in her body and turning her into a fucking retard, THIS? THIS IS HOW SHE REPAYS US!?
As I followed the path to find the unfortunate client who had chosen to collude with that woman, my mind only felt more irritated and wrathful at that insolent fool. I managed to find the address of the client, Elleb Karlc, a shop owner who we graciously lended money to. There she is, sleeping on a mattress. There are many ways I can end her life right now, but I need Meili to understand the price of going against the Virgo Association. I will make this as slow, and torturous as possible, I'll wait for that bitch to come back and do it in front of her, I'll make her watch as I drown her in a bucket of Lawn, turning her into a fucking Assimilated and force the bitch to fight it for her life.
Pulling my lance out of my hilt, I checked my jacket pocket for Lord Friend's Marrow. Holding it out in front of me, I brought it close to my lips as I kissed it, may Lord Friend bless me in my crusade of justice.
I hung off the roof and slid the window open patiently, hoping it wouldn't wake the girl up. Holding the bottom frame of the window, I threw myself through the window into the darkly lit room, softening my landing by rolling across the floor. Standing up with my lance in my mouth, I approached the sleeping girl, and prepared to strangle her further unconscious.
I approached the bed until I was close to being beside it, I got a clearer and clearer view of the girl under the blanket on the bed, her head obstructed by the piece of cloth. But, something about it felt familiar. Its posture, its smell, its breathing. Wait!–
"Shk–"
A blade from underneath the sheet sprung out and impaled me in the chest. I instinctively jumped out of the way, my hands reaching for the Ocean's Marrow in my pocket. But the moment I injected that sacred fluid into my body, I froze, a feeling of weakness and paralysis arose within me.
"HAHAHAHAH!!!"
A loud obnoxious laughter came from the one who stabbed me. She slowly took the blanket off and revealed her face.
"MEILI!–" I yelled in frustration.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!? I AM GOING TO FUCKIN G KILL YOU!" My helpless body ignored my commands.
"Fortuna Eruditis Favet. Diluted Maimer venom, capable of shutting down all your bodily responses for hours", She responded coldly.
"I followed you back from the Trevi, James. I convinced Cesly to spike your precious Marrow. How gullible of you, that little tag of 'Friend' was all it took to convince you, huh?"
"YOU! STABBING SOMEONE FROM THE BACK!? HAVE YOU NO HONOR!?"
Meili said nothing in return. Is she at a loss for words, her shallow resolve sickens me. She carried my paralyzed body on her back and slammed me on top of a table in the room.
"I have been dreaming about nothing but this, I have killed you over and over again in every single way I can think of," Meili bended down, her expression calm and cold. "But how can I make this the worst possible death for you?"
"You won't dare to kill me! My family will avenge me if you do!" I smiled at her naivety.
Meili leaned closer into my face, her mouth beside my face.
"Yohan himself told me you were coming."
The impossible combinations of words crawled its way into my ears.
"NO! NO! NO! YOU'RE LYING!!! YOU FUCKING BITCH!!! THERE'S NO WAY MY FAMILY WOULD BETRAY ME!!!"
I tried to move my hand to grab and rip every piece of flesh off her cadaver, but nothing responded to my will. Meili laughed maniacally at the sight, her hands held her stomach at how hard she was laughing and how much she was enjoying my pain. After thoroughly enjoying herself, she stopped and walked over to the door.
"I have invited someone you might be familiar with. I had to do a lot of things for this to happen. ", her jaw and her eyes twitched, but it soon returned to her original expression.
The door swung open, Meili walked over to the door and waited for whoever it was.
"..."
but no one came through. Only a voice.
"Hiiii~"
A figure wearing a long jacket slowly, step by step, entered the dark room.
"Hahaha, what a sight! ", the bright looking man said.
My face froze with a mixture of elation and joy.
"Wha– what– LORD– LORD FRIEND!?"
Despite my circumstances, I simply could not contain my excitement. As Lord Friend walked into the room, he turned to face Meili, seemingly ignoring my sound of excitement and joy.
"Meili," Lord Friend said as he extended a hand towards me. "Is this the man you so desperately want to send into the depths of despair? So much so you are willing to sell your soul for it?"
"Yes, Mr. Friend." Meili faced him with a firm conviction.
Lord Friend leaned his face closer to Meili, his hands reaching to hold her face in place, lifting her up a bit. His face stopped a mere inch away from that bitch's.
"Good. I look forward to your work."
Meili nodded slightly as Lord Friend let go of her face and she stumbled onto the floor. Lord Friend began taking his slow steps towards me, as he put on his gloves.
"Lord Friend! Please release this humble servant, I will kill that woman for whatever hideous deals she has tricked you into signing!"
"Be quiet. ", 'Friend' said as his face changed into an expression of coldness and apathy.
Why? Why would Lord Friend say that? I, I am his most loyal and capable servant. Why is Lord Friend choosing her over me!? No! No! No! How is this possible!?
"Lord–"
Lord Friend reached his hands down and clamped my mouth together, my jaw cracked and my tongue severed from the impact of the force. Great pain flushed my system as my own blood began surging out of the wound into my throat.
"I do not know you. You do not know me. And I have no desire to know you. ", Lord Friend said as he pushed me harder onto the table.
WHAT? WHY? WHY? NO! I LOVE YOU! I DESIRE YOU! I NEED YOU! I AM YOURS! I AM YOURS! I AM YOURS! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY?
Only the sound of gurgling blood and air came out of my body. I felt his foot stomped onto my chest, shattering my ribs and puncturing my lungs, every breath felt torturous to go through. He reached his other gloved hand to the top of my head and held onto it firmly.
"You. Repel me."
Friend's veins began to riot with cyan, his flesh crawls a bit. A profound silence began to wash its way through my brain, every sound, every vibration, and every frequency of a voice dissipated within my brain into nothingness. My own choking, the sound of my skull cracking, the sound of that woman's laughter as she looked at me.
I can feel my neck disconnecting itself, I can feel my cracked skull piercing itself into my brain, I can feel muscles ripping and tearing, I can feel my punctured lungs grasping for air, I can feel my consciousness fading…
No, why is she laughing? Why is she so happy? Is it that funny? I am better than her! I am stronger! I am smarter! Why is it her over me!? Why is it funny!? Seeing a righteous man slowly dying in front of you!? The sight of a knight hopeless and dying by the hands of his lord? What cruelty!? How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruel How cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruelHow cruel..............................…..
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The sun began to rise as the clean-up crew walked into the room to remove James' decapitated body. Meili simply sat beside the table, many streaks of tears fell down her cheeks, her eyes were swollen with red. She sat on the ground, her hands fondling the vial of suppressants within her hands all night.
"Belle… Belle. Belle!" Meili wailed.
The sunlight felt cold to the waling woman, its rays pierced through the window and crept towards her. The vial sparkled under the first ray of sunlight in a new day of Forceouna.