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The Year Beyond
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
unknown_aestheteHey there! Thank you for reaching this far in this novel. This is the final chapter of the Catch-22: To Die is To Live Hard. Thank you for the support, everyone!
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Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Starting Point
THE WORLD seems to be a better place to live in, but who is she kidding anyway? The world was silly for her to be able to survive. Consequently, some people, preferred to be called Scientist, has their own explanation about this. Even those great philosophers whose minds are too confused and curious about this world. A suitable example was the late yet still famous Herbert Spencer who once concluded – Survival of the Fittest – whereas the world act as the game board and human are the players. The world is just a big mess, just like this place. The edifice was deserted over a hundred years yet it was highly constructed due to its price which is worth a billion dollars - it shows the literal connotation of the expression "old but gold". Many investors and business capitalists tend to bid over this establishment. People, nowadays, kept on purchasing possessions. But why? To prove to others that they wer
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Dirge
FUNNY how life plays with her as if it is having a satisfactory time giving her mischievous tricks. Just when she was about to start her life anew - just when she is about to start her life to settle, unanticipated and excruciating things will occur. Suffice to say, the world is full of wonder - the world is full of unexpected things. Full of bewilderment for she wasn’t able to find the explanation unless she’ll compromise and take time to scrutinize it. Too bad, people nowadays would rather spend their life doing foolish business; attending parties, and such rather than simply exploring the missing answers to those often called philosophical questions.Oftentimes, those philosophical questions remain unanswered as people remain unbothered by the truth. Blanche was riding her big bike all the way home while Aerith was driving her wheels. She was behind Blanche, following her path as s
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Stranger's Arrival
BLANCHE has always wondered why people are afraid to lose someone they love. Why losing someone brings people pain; heartache? On top of that, why people are afraid of letting go of someone they valued the most? Perhaps, it is because people are afraid to experience despair. It has been their routine; lose someone and in return, they’ll meet someone much better than the other one. But who knows? Blanche's life has always been a rollercoaster ride for her. She could not even think of any reason as to why she was being treated like this - had she been a sinful individual in her past life? That, she doesn't know. It was in the middle of December, the surrounding was covered with a pile of snow - migratory birds have left towards the south, tree branches are already blanketed with dense snow. People wear sweaters and gloves to evade the co
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Realm
THE PLACE that they visited was full of stuff. Guns, pistols, and rifles varied in their kind, magazine, and bullets. Target statues, swords, and the like. It was hell-ish. The sound of the metallic sharp objects echoed inside, and the yelp of those people can also be heard. It was a deadly challenge - at least for the recruit. Perhaps, it wouldn't be the military if their training would not involve any firing weapons. Training. It was two weeks since the recruit arrived and since that day, the General ordered them to conduct training, and when they say training, it is not about doing some exercise that will not make your body ache, it is the other way around. The training they undergo made those trainees yelp out loud - almost curse themselves as to why they are still living their lives like this. Punching hard things such as hollow blocks, carrying a sock full of sand, moving fast like a ninja, diving and staying for thirty minutes underwater, making traps and ammo, and
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Dumpsite
THE SKY was a mixture of black and orange, red-orange perhaps. The dawn just strike on land and early this time, Blanche and her battalion had just arrived at the said training ground, but for the latter, it was more likely a dumpsite. Blanche sees this place as a site of a human who was thrown to die. Blanche sighed as she tried to shrug off the thought of what she had seen earlier. She couldn't argue with herself as she was unsure if what she had seen was indeed accurate. Jeez, why am I being preoccupied with that silhouette of a being? I'm not even sure if that's her! She mumbles from inside. On the other hand, while the Captain is occupied with her previous memory of that someone, the recruits drop their bags on the snowy ground and look around, buzzing like bees can be heard. They can’t believe that they made it! Who wouldn’t be? After facing a snowstorm, staying in an igloo just to keep them warm and walking on a snowy path make them shiver to death. Most
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Recruit
THE SUN isn’t up yet, but Alexis already budged in inside the trainees’ room. “Wakey, wakey,” she said, hitting her stick on the metal bar of the bed. The trainees groan with astonishment. Who wouldn't be? Their commando bulged in in their room in the middle of their sleep! But they had no choice but to obey what the superior had commanded them. “Get ready for today’s training. Move faster, turtle buddies!” said Alexis as she leave the trainees’ room and budged in with the others, just like the others, they groan because of the surprise. But what do they even expect? Blanche leans on the porch, sipping on her cup as the steaming coffee touches her wounded lips. Aerith punch me real hard yesterday, she thought as she remember their sparring yesterday. It was their second sparring since they arrived here. She chuckles and shrugs as she reminisces what they've always done when they had enough time. “So the captain was up early,” Alexis tapped her sh
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Vengeance
FIRE. The whole cabin was on fire! How does it happen? Nobody knows. Even Blanche who was now showering with her own sweat doesn’t know a single thing. All she knew is that when she came back after doing their mission, the whole cabin was on fire. “Good thing all the trainees are outside,” Son Hyun Ah said, heaving a deep breath. Blanche look around, one, two, three, four, wait--- how many was the recruit anyway? All she knew was she had five of them. What was the name of those five? The captain's trying to recognize their names and faces. “Wait! Have you seen Aracelli?” she inquired to others, worried about the other recruit. She glanced at the spot where they were resting but there was no Aracelli. She return her glance to the burning fire, the front part of it was now fuming like hell. She looked at Aerith who was currently wearing a breathing apparatus. “Aerith, may I borrow that?” she drew her attention to Aerith and then back to the cabin. She thought t
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Unlooked-for
THE PAIN will make you yelp, whimper, and cry out loud. To torment, that was their work but it was like that the fate has reversed. The General didn’t see this coming, well at least he did not foresee this one to come this fast. A group of opponents entered their site without their knowledge. “How are you, General?” Agent Ghost inquired, walking towards the higher official. The fierce eyes of the girl meet the innocent yet bold look of the General. “I’m expecting you to be surprised,” she added while wearing a sweet smile. The agent is holding her M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle across her chest while looking intently at the General, alert that every moment, the General might fire at her. “You’re alive?” asked the General, a puzzled look can be traced on the officer's face. Perhaps the General could not believe his very eye. Here, standing in front of him, his previous officer. By the question asked by her former superior, the agent and her comrades could not he
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Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Year Beyond
A YEAR had passed for Blanche and her family, and during that time, she’d come to realize that building a family wasn’t as straightforward as the missions she had taken on in the past. Yet, despite the challenges, she saw it as a different kind of adventure—one she could cherish alongside the people she loved most. Shiobhan had just turned four last month and was now attending nursery school. Blanche and Venus shared the responsibility of caring for their daughter, and they were both incredibly hands-on. It didn’t have to be perfect, but they made sure to be present for every moment, big or small, ensuring that Shiobhan felt loved and supported every step of the way. More than anything, they had learned that it wasn’t about getting everything right all the time—it was about showing up, being there for each other, and navigating the highs and lows of family life together. They had their struggles, of course, but through it all, they held on to the love that had c
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Unwrapped Surprise
BLANCHE was lost in deep thought when she suddenly felt something warm and soft touch her hand. She flinched slightly and looked down, surprised to see a little girl standing in front of her, holding her hand. Confused, she glanced around the room, wondering if anyone had brought a child along. "A kid?" Yama noticed Blanche's bewildered expression as she stared at the little girl. Yama approached, but as soon as she got close, the child quickly hid behind Blanche's leg. Blanche chuckled. "She's scared of you—probably thinks you're a monster," she teased, then bent down, gently cupping the child's face with her hand. "Are you lost, sweetheart?" Blanche asked softly, offering a kind smile. The little girl giggled, cupping Blanche's face in return. "Hi," the little girl greeted with an adorable voice. Blanche's companions watched curiously. "Hello," Blanche replied in a gentle tone, making sure not to startle her. "Do you want m
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The New Dawn
THREE months had passed since the downfall of the Black Spectre, which had dominated headlines across Europe. The buzz around it had begun to fade, but for Blanche, life was taking a new direction. She had joined MI6 as a Chemical Pharmacist, now holding the rank of Chemical Weapons Specialist. Rather than participating in operations, she focused on the technical and analytical aspects of chemical substances, especially concerning explosives and drug formulations. "Aren't you going to take your leave?" a voice broke through her concentration. Blanche turned to see Chief Langley approaching and smiled. "Ah, Chief Langley," she said, removing her goggles and gloves. "How's your new position?" Natalia asked, her gaze assessing her daughter-in-law. "Good! I'm honestly enjoying it," Blanche replied, rubbing her nape. She still couldn't believe how she had completely forgotten her mother-in-law's face. What a crackhead she felt like! Natalia n
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Battle Scars
AS THE sun began to rise, the abandoned building came to life with the sound of authorities collecting guns and other illegal paraphernalia. Outside, Blanche and her team waited for the investigation to conclude, the weight of another all-nighter heavy on their shoulders. Blanche sighed, lifting her gaze to survey the chaos around her, where everyone was busy gathering evidence to use against General Grey. “Finally getting a breather, huh?” Venus’ voice broke through, pulling Blanche’s attention. She turned to see her wife approaching, a smile breaking across her face. “Right,” Blanche replied, though Venus arched an eyebrow, sensing there was more. “Remember the one thing you asked me? To know me more?” Blanche added, her tone shifting as Venus nodded, looking at her with an intensity that made Blanche’s heart flutter. “I guess it’s time for you to know,” she said, rubbing her nape shyly. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Venus; rather, the missions
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Gambit
CAUGHT OFF guard, the General’s team failed to anticipate the twist that had just unfolded. His face flushed with anger, veins throbbing at his temple. Slamming his palm on the table across from the cell where his enemies were held, he glared at them with unbridled fury, his chest heaving as rage overtook him. His eyes locked onto Astrid and her team, the realization that he had been outplayed dawning too late. The prisoners remained calm, their eyes meeting his with an eerie stillness. The power he once held over them was slipping, and he could feel it. "General, we have been compromised! Two snipers are in sight!" One of his men shouted urgently over the communication device, his voice trembling. "I repeat—" The transmission cut off abruptly, leaving the air thick with tension. "Nikolai! Assemble our men!" the General barked, his voice echoing with authority. Cessair couldn’t help but scoff, a smirk forming on her lips as she watched her father’s
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Silent Resurgence
THE THREE of them sat in stunned silence, barely able to process the truth that had just been revealed on the news. Their mother was alive. As if her legs had turned to jelly, Cessair sank to the floor, her hands bracing for support, while Blanche leaned heavily against the wall, rendered speechless. Vixx nearly spilled the water she was drinking in shock. “What the hell is happening?” Blanche gasped, blinking as she struggled to absorb the whirlwind of information. They had been focused on gathering intel about the situation outside the Emerson building, and now they were confronted with the astonishing reality of their mother’s existence. But that wasn’t all—she had also revealed their identities to the world. “I... she... she’s alive?” Cessair stammered, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. She clutched her neck, feeling a sudden tightness that made it hard to breathe. “My father…” She couldn’t finish the thought, her mind racing. All this time, s
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Surface Beneath
RECEIVING no updates on the whereabouts of Vixx, Blanche, and Cessair, the Director reached out to Yama, urging the search and rescue team in London to continue their efforts. There might still be an eyewitness who had seen the three of them. The situation was dire. The company's stock had plummeted, and the board of directors, driven by fear of financial loss, began to panic. It wasn’t surprising—many of them were more interested in their profits than the lives involved. With a sigh, the Director rubbed her temples, forcing herself to focus. This time, she needed a concrete plan. Lucien’s proposal had cast a glimmer of hope, guiding them toward a solution. Desmond had now joined Yama's team and was working closely with them to devise the strategy. Venus, still in shock from what she had witnessed, couldn't hide the disbelief in her expression. Astrid, noticing her state, scoffed slightly before addressing her. "You know, you can talk to your father
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Reckoning Blood
DETERMINED to save her sister, Blanche turned back toward the building, refusing to retreat with the team. She couldn’t leave without knowing for certain that her elder sister was safe. The thought of something happening to Cessair gnawed at her, and she knew she would never forgive herself if she didn’t try. Despite her injuries, Blanche managed to make her way down to the lower levels. But with no idea how much time remained before another bomb might detonate, doubt crept into her mind. Would she have enough time to reach her sister? "Cessair..." she whispered, her voice trembling with worry. Just as she took a deep breath and started down the corridor, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks. "Blanche!" She looked ahead, her eyes widening in shock. "Vixxen?" Confusion washed over her as her gaze shifted to the figure Vixx was supporting. "Cessair!" she exclaimed in relief. "We need to get out of here!" Vixx urged, tuggi
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Tides
UPON losing contact with the team, Astrid immediately commanded Desmond to proceed with Plan B. If anything went wrong, Desmond's priority was to rescue the team and ensure their safety. They needed to avoid any collateral damage at all costs, especially now, when everything was at stake. Alexis had left the apartment just before the opposition could storm the room. They were closing in, fully aware of their presence. It hadn’t been long since they’d arrived in London, using her late father's apartment as a temporary hideout. Their enemies had successfully infiltrated every branch of the Emerson family’s empire—from the pharmaceutical division to the main headquarters and even their mansion. All the intel was compromised. “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” Alexis muttered, her leg shaking in frustration. Right before her eyes, the Emerson headquarters had been obliterated in a massive explosion—and worst of all, Blanche was still inside. Aracelli clenched
