The forest was eerily quiet as Unit 1 run away at the back of the mansion towards the woods, surprisingly no one stopped their leaving that fuel their tension as their breaths coming fast and shallow. The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting long shadows across the ground. Claren immediately put Raja against a tree, the moon make his battered body crystal clear, while the rest of the team caught their breath, weapons still in hand. Tales crouched nearby, knife glinting in his hand, as he tried to caught his breath.They now only have 10 members left from the unfortunate event. Raoul who has now finally caught his breath, managed to speak. "We can't let our guard down. We should run again before they can catch up.""They will not." Raja intervened even though he's so weak right now.Tales raised his eyebrows. He almost died back there. He'll not do it again. He'd rather wait for an announcement that Raja was dead before moving. He just risked his life for nothing. "Wha
The infirmary was covered in silence, save for the steady beeping of the heart monitor and the faint hum of the IV pump. Tales sat drooped in his chair, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on Raja’s still form. The moonlight filtered through the small window, casting pale shadows across the room.'His face is pale...'Raja hadn’t open his eyes since they’d brought him in. His face was ashen, his breathing shallow, the rise and fall of his chest barely noticeable. One could mistaken him for being dead if they didn't see the apparatuses.Tales leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he studied the man. “You’re a tough bastard, aren’t you?” he muttered, his voice low. “But even you can’t take this much.”He ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The stillness was unnerving, the lack of response gnawing at him.“Hey,” Tales said, louder this time, as if sheer force could will Raja to wake. “You gonna make us carry your dead weight forever, or what?”No
'The first time I saw him, I thought he was invincible.'Raja stood among the other children in that cold, dimly lit training room. His small fists were clenched at his sides, shaking with fear and exhaustion. The trainer’s voice barked commands, and the crack of a whip punctuated every failure. Raja had already been struck once that day, the pain still radiating across his back.He wanted to give up.But then he saw him—Tales, standing tall and defiant in the line of children. There was something different about him. While the others avoided the trainer’s gaze, shrinking under his scrutiny, Tales stared back with fire in his eyes.'He didn’t just survive; he fought. He was everything I wasn’t—strong, fearless, unbreakable. I wanted to be like him. And I was even more mesmerized how well he takes care of me. I'm not his brother by blood but upon consuming the poison, he was there to help me when I woke up. He was attentive to me and treated me like a family.'The memory blurred, shift
Students can be seen in the classroom 3-A minding their own business. Some are doing their make up, while some boys are singing and playing guitar, some were sleeping and some have nothing to do but to pick a fight with the grade conscious students or the nerds.On the farthest part of the classroom, at the back, beside the window, sitting a student who just observed what his classmates are doing. He don't have any fun to do but observing the chaotic classroom he's in. There are some who notice him but didn't bother to interact and some are really clueless of his existence. For some who notice his presence, they would often freak out due to his clothing styles and attitude. He's always wearing a turtle neck even during summers and a black gloves. He also wear his spectacles. He had a somewhat different eyes from the rest. A yellow pupil and a green iris. Some classmates would try to give a smile but will immediately take it back upon being glared at with his piercing eyes.Since then
Cold. The first sensation that Tales felt as he regained consciousness. He opened his eyes, greeted by the lights on the ceiling. There are people chattering but he can't understand any of it. He tried to stand up but he can't. His body doesn't have any strength and on top of that, his hands were handcuffed. His eyebrows met in confusion and blink his eyes multiple to times to clear his vision and roam his eyes. The place looks like a basement. There are at least 15 men wearing black suits, some are standing while some are sitting on the gasoline barrel. He tried to observe everyone to gather information and to stall time until he will regain his strength. "Mmph." And unfortunately, his mouth is also covered. He gritted his teeth. He don't see any reason why would he be abducted! Well, if it's the debt of his mother, there's no way that they'll abduct him. It's not like his mother owe a very large amount of money. His mind stop thinking when he realize sometimes. His eyes look fr
"Want to be my bodyguard and escort?" A replay of what the man said echoed in Tales head. "You're nuts." He said as he tried to break free from his grasps. But the former didn't even loosen his grip and just smirk. "Choose." He said. "Be my bodyguard and my escort or be a prostitute in my club." The struggle intensified as Tales, despite his efforts, found himself unable to break free from the man's formidable hold, escalating the tension in the bizarre encounter. He then remembered he have a metal tube on his hand, Tales tried hitting the man with the metal tube, but the man, despite his injured hand, caught it. "You never learned." He stated and signal his men by nodding. "Hold him, restrain him." Restraining the person and bringing him to the ground. And in a blink of an eye being overpowered and outnumbered, Tales succumbed to the combined efforts of the man and his accomplices. He found himself restrained and forced to the ground, trapped in a dire situation with uncertain
Tales face remained stoic as he's sitting beside Raja who is so carefree in sitting. The blood that splattered on his face and shirt are already gone since he change clothes and clean his face. They were currently sitting on the passenger seat and he don't even know where will this man take him. He glance at the man only to met his eyes. He immediately look forward. "If you're bothered by the man I kill. He deserves it since he's a traitor." after a moment of silence, Raja spoke. Tales keep his mouth shut. He don't want to know and it's not like knowing it would change the fact that he killed it with enjoyment on his face. After a moment, they arrive in a familiar place. Tales immediately look at Raja with a lot of questions plaster on his face. It's his apartment. "Oh?" Raja spoke. "Now that you're one of us, you shouldn't live in this garbage place. How can I let my favorite toy live in this cramped apartment, right? " he stated with such innocent tone that if anyone hears woul
They arrive in a glamorous mansion of the psychopath. It was grand and impressive blending itself to the other luxury buildings to avoid suspicion. Tales, move his gaze to different directions scanning the house. The house itself is big enough to host thousands of people. Despite the luxurious appearance it has a discreet and tight security, from the security cameras placed inside and outside the building to the armed securities dressed civilian to mix with commoners. They went inside and he was in awe at how extravagant it is. Though, his expression remains the same. Plain. Emotionless. He can't help but be amazed of the house. Big walls painted gray, with no frames or any designs, sunken seating in the middle of the room, two sleek armchairs and a modern coffee table featuring wooden and marble elements is sitting in front of the seat. The light colored marble floor and the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling designed in a multi circular gold-rimmed fixtures. There is an open
'The first time I saw him, I thought he was invincible.'Raja stood among the other children in that cold, dimly lit training room. His small fists were clenched at his sides, shaking with fear and exhaustion. The trainer’s voice barked commands, and the crack of a whip punctuated every failure. Raja had already been struck once that day, the pain still radiating across his back.He wanted to give up.But then he saw him—Tales, standing tall and defiant in the line of children. There was something different about him. While the others avoided the trainer’s gaze, shrinking under his scrutiny, Tales stared back with fire in his eyes.'He didn’t just survive; he fought. He was everything I wasn’t—strong, fearless, unbreakable. I wanted to be like him. And I was even more mesmerized how well he takes care of me. I'm not his brother by blood but upon consuming the poison, he was there to help me when I woke up. He was attentive to me and treated me like a family.'The memory blurred, shift
The infirmary was covered in silence, save for the steady beeping of the heart monitor and the faint hum of the IV pump. Tales sat drooped in his chair, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on Raja’s still form. The moonlight filtered through the small window, casting pale shadows across the room.'His face is pale...'Raja hadn’t open his eyes since they’d brought him in. His face was ashen, his breathing shallow, the rise and fall of his chest barely noticeable. One could mistaken him for being dead if they didn't see the apparatuses.Tales leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he studied the man. “You’re a tough bastard, aren’t you?” he muttered, his voice low. “But even you can’t take this much.”He ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The stillness was unnerving, the lack of response gnawing at him.“Hey,” Tales said, louder this time, as if sheer force could will Raja to wake. “You gonna make us carry your dead weight forever, or what?”No
The forest was eerily quiet as Unit 1 run away at the back of the mansion towards the woods, surprisingly no one stopped their leaving that fuel their tension as their breaths coming fast and shallow. The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting long shadows across the ground. Claren immediately put Raja against a tree, the moon make his battered body crystal clear, while the rest of the team caught their breath, weapons still in hand. Tales crouched nearby, knife glinting in his hand, as he tried to caught his breath.They now only have 10 members left from the unfortunate event. Raoul who has now finally caught his breath, managed to speak. "We can't let our guard down. We should run again before they can catch up.""They will not." Raja intervened even though he's so weak right now.Tales raised his eyebrows. He almost died back there. He'll not do it again. He'd rather wait for an announcement that Raja was dead before moving. He just risked his life for nothing. "Wha
Raja’s words hung in the air, their bitter tone left tension through the room’s silence. Tales took another hesitant step forward, his gaze locked on the bruised and bloodied figure before him."Raja's here, 2nd floor." Raoul informed others through the ear piece.While Tales wince because of emotion he felt. He thought he would be disappointed if he'll find Raja alive but instead, relief wash over him. “Of course, we came,” Tales said, his voice unsteady. He cannot control the emotions that is swirling inside him. “We’re here to get you out.”Raja chuckled weakly, the sound more like a cough. “Out?” he repeated, his words has no hope at all, like he had no hope with his teammates capabilities to get him out of the hellhole, shaking his head. “You’re not getting anyone out of here. Least of all me. You should just wait in the headquarters. You've ruined everything!" He hissed although that's barely a whisper.Raoul narrowed his eyes, his gun still raised. “What the hell are you talki
The white mansion is just ahead, its tall windows glowing with the lights inside and can be seen in the area where the Unit 1 and Tales was hiding. They're hiding behind the tall and big trees. Some were on the bushes. There were no guards. The place was took quite as if inviting them to get inside. But they couldn't care less. "So what is the plan?" Tales asked. Claren could either divide them by group in order to search for Raja faster but Tales' jaw almost dropped when he heard Claren's words."No plan.""W-what?" He asked unbelievably. "How about the lay out of this mansion? You have that at least, right?"Claren looked at him for a long time before shaking his head. "Got none. The plan is to save Raja. Nothing else."Tales was speechless. So it's really a suicide huh? How can they be so brainless? Well, he's no better but he don't want to die. Nevermind... He'll just run if things got really messy."Let's get moving."Tales followed close behind Claren and Raoul, his knife and g
The silence in the living room was deafening, broken only by the faint tik-tak of Tales' feet. It was already a week since Raja's disappearance. Claren and half of the crew already recovered. Though their eyes screams icy stares towards him. He was walking towards the kitchen to eat. Claren who's really quiet, has his earlier anger controlled but simmering just beneath the surface. Michael was also glaring at him like there's no tomorrow. Tales poured himself a water. His mind raced, trying to redirect his thoughts but every thought looped back to Raja.The image of him being dragged away wouldn’t leave.And also the crew seems so busy cleaning with their guns, knives and weapons. Tales even furrowed his eyebrows in curiosity. What are they even doing or planning?Michael who's also eyeing him, finally broke the silence, his voice low and rough. “You are really collected huh? When it's your fault that Raja is like this. But what can I expect ? Even if you'll use your pea brain, your
The morning light filtered through the curtains, weak and gray. Tales hadn’t moved from the floor at all, his body stiff and his mind clouded. The events of the night felt like a blur, but the image of Raja being dragged away remained sharp and vivid.Don't get him wrong. He stayed with Claren and others all because he wanted to acquire some information. He needs to know if Raja will be back alive or in a form of corpse. A loud groan startled Tales and immediately look at Claren who was struggling to sit on the bed. Claren's expression was guarded, but his sharp eyes scanned Tales carefully.Tales sat stiffly on the floor, his fingers twitching against his knees. The morning light streaming through the window did nothing to ease the tension in the air. His mind raced with questions, but no one had come to explain anything. He had to ask.But before he could even speak, Claren opened his mouth to ask, his eyes narrowing at him and his gaze is cold and unwelcoming.“Tales,” Claren ca
"Get changed."The cold walls of Raja’s headquarters made the room feel lifeless. Brightlight chandelier flickered above, casting shadows on the floor. Tales sat on a couch, his body slumped forward, the weight of the past days are too much to bear. He was wrapped in Raja’s large coat, his own clothes gone—torn and useless. The coat was warm but heavy, a reminder of everything that had happened.His body ached with every breath. Cuts and bruises covered him, and the marks from the whip still burned. But all of this seems to be buried with the suffocating silence and tension in the room. Raja was walking away from the living room now carrying a silence. He walked towards the staircase in order to went to his study, his hands gripping the railings tightly. His white shirt was stained with blood—Dimitri’s blood. The katana he’d used to cut down Dimitri’s men lay was on his hand beside him, still dirty with the fight.The silence between them stretched. Tales couldn’t take it anymore.He
It was such a hurdle for Tales. Tales didn’t know what to feel upon seeing that Raja didn’t do anything when Dimitri took him. He just stood there, staring blankly at him.And Tales of course didn't expect Raja to save him although his body trembled unbeknownst to him. They exited the party and went to where Dimitri's vehicle are."Let go of me." He hissed as he bumped his head to the head of one of Dimitri's men named Roose and even flap his legs, kicking the people that surrounded him.Tales eyebrows twitch in fear when Roose narrowed his mind while looking at him. He looks deadly dangerous. Yet Tales frown when the man snickered. "You're feisty. I like that." He raised his hand and attempted to touch Tales but Dmitri immediately slap his hand away. "You dare?""Boss—""Me first." Dmitri stated with emphasis with slightly widening of eyes to say that he should not touch his possession.He was dragged against his will and no matter how much he struggled, it was all in vain. When t