Prologue

Note: I’m not really into prologue, so I’m not sure if you can consider this one, but this did happen right before the timeline of the main story, so you can skip this one. You’ll miss nothing, swear. This is just so you’ll know Blame’s point of view.

***

I’d never thought I’d live to see death unfold right before my eyes.

I was young. I didn’t expect to look the reaper in the eyes yet. I was sure I’d live to see myself morphed into a legend I wished to become, sure that I’d be passing my greatness to my future seeds, to the next generation that would further my goals.

But that’s not how life worked. It shattered my dreams and made me realize that everything I’m fighting for was pointless because I was meant to die.

I was blind to never see it coming.

“The Masakonians are on the move once again, Blame. If you are ready, I wish to have you round them up.”

I should have listened to death’s orchestra playing perfectly into the rhythm of the headmaster’s voice. He was the messenger, the candle with the flame attracting me to its light. I was the moth, the foolish creature who flew toward it knowing our contact would lead to my demise.

But if I thought, if I’d only used my head, I’d still never see death running toward me. I was so sure of my skill and proud that the headmaster has given me his confidence by assigning me this solo mission.

I could never have been more wrong.

Brimming with foolish thoughts, I went to Zorphe where the Masakonians were last sighted. I’d always believed that amongst Pasithea’s four Empires, Zorphe was most shady and protected. I was right. The moment I stepped into their boundaries, five protectors pointed their spears at me.

“Guests are not allowed at this time of day.”

That was the first time I’d been held back. If I only heed their words, I shouldn’t have met my end. I was given countless signs to never take the mission, but I was drunk with my abilities.

I was sure this was nothing.

“I am here with the headmaster’s request.”

My heart was beating hard then. Maybe it was aware, aware that it would stop beating soon. Still, I was deaf. I neglected the sense of death closing in.

“The headmaster has been forewarned not to interfere. His claims are baseless and this territory is under the might of the Council. We cannot let you in!”

Twice. Twice they’ve held me back, and I didn’t wait for the third time. I was impatient for death—probably. I summoned my shadow and it took me nothing but a pirouette to escape the spears dancing toward me. One blink, two blinks, and my prey found themselves on their knees, screaming as their body gave birth to wounds, their eyes looking blank with the memories they wanted to forget.

I grabbed the one nearest me by the neck. “What do you know about Masakonians?”

His eyes still blank, he spluttered, “Escape—the Council wants quiet—they’re getting powerful—”

I snorted, throwing him back to my feet, where he belonged. He was a coward just like the Council, and I was not, for I fooled myself that I’m strong enough.

The Masakonians were the legends of the past. They had nearly overthrown the Council and were on the verge of power when they just seemed to… well, disappear. Not a sign of them had been seen. It was as though they ceased to exist. Some remained, of course, but those were the ones that didn’t participate in the riot or were never seen on it. They were confined on their Empire, monitored.

Of course, the Council would silence any news about them. Once the common folk got a whiff that they’re on a rampage once again, the peace would destabilize and their clutch to their throne would shake for another round.

Just like what the headmaster told me, the Masakonians were camping on the hill overlooking the empire of Zorphe. It looked more like a plate with a variety of foods in it from where I stood. Ant-like people were walking out of sight, the busy day’s works crashing in on them without the simplest of hint that Masakonians dwelled before them.

“Move and your dead!”

I froze on the spot when the cold tip of a dagger touched my neck. I was sure I hid my presence, but they still managed to sense me out. Raising both my arm in the air, I looked left and right. There was nothing but trees and a bunk of stones in there.

“Move forward! Don’t even think of escaping!”

I chanced a sideways glance. He was just as tall as I was, his face showing no signs of emotion, but there was this aura about him that told me he’s not where he’s supposed to be. I cleared my throat as I allowed him to steer me toward their camp, thinking this would be easier. I could exterminate them there and threw them back where their worth lies: in the trash.

What greeted me in the middle of the forest was a clearing where a fire was crackling on the stacks of wood, three hooded people sitting around it, talking jubilantly. They stopped when the man behind me cleared his throat.

“We have a guest.”

The three laughed, sizing me up, licking their lips. I rolled my eyes as I forced myself not to attack them at once. Without moving my head, I looked around. The trees were thick in here, so much so that sunlight couldn’t penetrate the area. Had they not lit a bonfire, there would be nothing to see but impenetrable darkness.

“What’ll we do with her, boss?” muttered the one closest to me, still eyeing me as though I’m some kind of food he longed to taste.

“Your call.” He then pushed me toward him, and I had to exercise a lot of self-control to keep my hands on my back as he caressed my shoulders, seating me on his lap.

I looked down when he poked my breast. “Don’t touch me,” I said as calmly as I could but his ringing laughter made everything unclear.

Before I knew it, I was on my feet, kicking every part of him I could reach, his blood splattering as he tried to defend himself with his bare hands. The other two scowled at me, but their boss’s hands were in the air, signaling them back, watching his comrade’s helplessness.

Catching my breath, I backed away from them, staring at the man I beat. His face and whole body were covered with blood, his cloak ripped from all over the place. Despite the pitiful way he looked, I found that I did not regret beating him.

He deserved it.

My heart was still pounding as I glared at them, the other two raising their fists but the boss still looking as though he had everything under control.

“I’ve been meaning to do that to him. You have my gratitude, Miss.”

My eyes widened. “Seriously!”

He merely pursed his lips and bowed slightly. The others complained, telling him he’d gone mad, but they stopped once he narrowed his eyes at them.

I knew then that the man before me was nothing like anyone I’d encountered. He didn’t feel anything. He’s a monster.

“The Phantom doesn’t indulge the weak. I have no need of weaklings. Now,” he rounded me, “what is it that you come here for, brave one.” He stopped just in front of me, raised my chin with his cold, slender finger, his minted breath dancing on my face. “I love the look in your eyes.”

It was only at that moment that I realized I was not meant to be there to fight but to die. The shadow cradling the man’s eyes was enough to tell me that. And it was only at that second that I felt my tongue glued at its roof and shivers running down my spine that my instinct told me I needed to run. I didn’t want to keep looking at his death stare. I wanted to put as much distance from him and myself.

I took the chance when he opened his mouth again. I aimed a kick by his shin and ran for it. I didn’t dare look back, didn’t dare find out the damage I caused—if ever I did. For the first time, I was running away, my whole body shaking, and my heart drumming so loudly it’s the only thing I could hear.

The other two were on my tail in no time, but the boss was nowhere near. I was sure for a millisecond that I was safe… until he appeared before me, still looking calm, leaning on a tree with his hands folded across his chest.

“You disappoint me.”

Swallowing hard, I looked back and found the two men closing in on us. There was only a steep slope on the right and the rows of trees on the left, the boss in front, and the other two at the back. I was trapped. I never even get to think about my actions, for the boss was in control of everything the moment he caught me, and I was dumb to realize it only now.

I breathed heavily before summoning my shadow. The boss looked at it, a playful smirk now drawing his lips. “Don’t even think about it! You’re no match to me.”

As the other two drew nearer, my shadow turned into a board, leaning toward me, motionless. Without thinking, I clenched my fist on the edges and slid down the slope. I looked over my shoulder. They were all staring down at me, fury apparent in their eyes. I raised my middle finger at them and spat, laughing at my narrow escape.

But an unsettling stone caught the board’s momentum. I was thrown away from my shadow as I rolled down, screaming. The deep-blue horizon looked down at me as I greeted death, waiting patiently until the last of my breath. Yet, right before I hit the ground, everything stopped. The wind was no longer howling, the clouds stopped drifting. I swallowed as I shook my head. My shadow was floating just in front of me, my body was curled and my head was facing the ground. I looked up and saw the rough ground where I should have fallen. My heart sank.

“What’s happening?”

As though answering my question, a woman appeared in front of me. She was nothing but a wasp of smoke, and I blinked several times, sure my eyes were playing tricks on me, but she never disappeared. She imitated my position, drifting gracefully until her face was already leveled with mine. I shuddered when she caressed my cheeks. It was so cold as though the wind was the one holding me.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Her hollowed pea-green eyes were sunken, deep, as though it had faced death countless of times, and I cursed myself for being a coward, for trying to outsmart death, but now that she’s in front of me, I didn’t think I’d have the energy to fight her off.

I closed my eyes and spread my arms, ready to greet death, which I should have done a little earlier, for it was what’s destined to happen.

“Just make it quick.”

She said sorry once again before I felt something crash on my chest.

And I drifted into nothingness, lifeless.