"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message]
Date: March 1076
Location: Bounty hunters and mercenary HQ, Northern Kazimierz
POV: Narrator
A tavern has been turned into temporary HQ for K.G.C.C contractors. This place is quite spacious and located as close as possible to be reached from all over the country easily.
They didn't open temporary HQ in mobile city due to security reason and the fact that countryside are in desperate need of capital investment, something K.G.C.C can't possibly pass up.
Mercenaries come from all over the place around Terra, but Sarkaz mercenary are the most common. They're a people who excelled in warfare, something that has been cultivated, courtesy of their oppression for millenniums. These Sarkaz are a belligerent sort of bunch, but they get jobs assigned to them done with highest chance of success... until she joined the hunt.
A single lighter shade of grey bike had arrived and parked itself in front of the building. The mercenaries and bounty hunters that has been crowding the entrance made way for a certain Pythian lady.
Her notoriety and certain moniker were enough to warrant that much, else you would need a painful remainder. The last incident was still a crystal clear event living rent-free inside their head.
"Here, payment as usual." Nyx said curtly while handing my subjugation proof, need to maintain her mask after all. Mercenaries are a bunch that let their abilities do the talking. Problems were solved through fist exchange and some broken bones... and death...
And she is proficient at causing extreme amount of pain with utmost haste. She is both respected and feared after turning several bounty hunters who tried to nab her head for a hefty bounty into minced meat while looking bored and uncaring all the same.
"Understood, is there anything else you would need?" The receptionist nerves are being strained, she was just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill, kuranta corporate lady who got the misfortune of being reassigned here. Added to the fact of who she is talking to at the moment...
"Hmm... I don't know..." Nyx leaned in closer, even with her blank face, made the receptionist subtly blush.
"Do you have red contracts worth my time?"
"I... Yes! There are available contracts that might be worth your time." She was about to get charmed... but managed to snap herself out with professionalism alone. Truly a prowess of well experienced wage slave.
"Then what might those be?"
"A group of outlaw has been spotted not far from Grunwelt, while there are reports pertaining problems about the increasing infestation of dire tuskbeasts near Strelz-Holt. They had been categorized as red but... with your reputation in mind, it might be no different for barely being yellow, Lady Nyx."
"Hmm... process it for me, I'll head to the bar for now." She just left the receptionist, much to her relief due to her almost collapsing preference and the fact of how dangerous this particular mercenary is.
Nyx now headed to the bar, other mercenaries are also present but there is tacit understanding not to bother each other unless necessary, something that Nyx is grateful for.
The place only get rowdy by evening, usually that is. The patrons are first and foremost fellow mercenaries, then there are some eccentric client who mingle with mercenary, next would be the information broker, and lastly the local civilian (locals or otherwise) who come every now and then.
She doesn't know how that piece of info would be kept hidden however... Ursus army will surely reported it to several high ranking people. Thus it was quite odd why they haven't tried to spread it to potentially caused a political scandal for the Adeptus.
'Ironically, now I'm wishing for a political shitstorm to delay or even buried the truth from reaching their leaders... but what's done is done. I gained ties and more enemies... classic duo...'
Nyx just approached the bartender who immediately paid his utmost attention, her reputation had made her quite a subject of interest.
"Bartender, the usual."
"On it, Lady Grey Serpent."
She scoffed when someone called her that, her mercenary, or guerrilla warfare really, reputation was harder to control compared to her one-time saving of knights. She transferred the necessary payment, take her order, and left towards the partitioned saloon section upstairs.
Once inside, she starts scanning for a certain person, then she found him. She finally take a seat near him. The bar is quite lively, but she can sense that several mercenaries are paying her the utmost attention subtly the moment she headed upstairs.
Now she is just relaxing on her seat while waiting opposite of the Kuranta man. He smiled amicably and initiated the conversation between them.
"How is business?"
"Raining, flooding, the usual patterns."
"Your work ethics is cut above the rest I had met so far, I would not even doubt you of forming a PMC group."
"I despise paperwork, I can command but I'll always prefer to be a grunt."
"It is usually the other way around."
"Well, I'm hardly usual."
The man then scan his surrounding without making it too obvious. He start messaging Nyx through his personal terminal, he continued his idle talks with her.
"It would be better to be a PMC then."
[Are you still considering our proposition?'] his message was read by NYX, she played along.
"The PMC huh... why should I?"
[I'm, but there was that certain clause in there, care to elaborate?] Nyx replied through text
"Being part of PMC usually covered anything you need while having more opportunity towards potentially high-profile client. Legitimate contractor of a PMC will also reduce amount of negativity compared to being a mercenary..."
[Sure, you're technically a free contractor but will be receiving aids from us on par with official operative. Also some monetary benefits and access to several stashes of inventory.]
"Fun, you're skirting around the negatives..."
[And that imply I would be without backing on the surface, effectively throwing me away when things gone awry. I don't see why I would want that.]
"Heh, how careful of you. They're just infe-"
[Perhaps you can work officially?]
"Infected or not doesn't really matter, we'll all die in the end."
[Then, I have no interest of becoming someone else personal janitor for now.]
"Indeed, we can all die..."
[Very well then, the last thing we need is you turning hostile to us. A master in Guerrila Warfare would be an annoying foe to fight.]
The man just smile amicably and left his seat after paying his tabs. Nyx stays where she is to just cool-off for a while. Joining a PMC does have merits but she is reluctant at the moment. Then regarding that man...
"..."
Nyx was not at all surprised that several groups had been coming to recruit her. She doesn't know what kind of group however for this one exactly, just that a man called Zeny, a pseudonym or codename most likely, had contacted her after a masterful display of outlaws massacre at Westerplatz.
Kiril had cautioned her about a certain group but she has no proof that man was a part of it.
One thing is certain, she is being viewed as a potential pawn, useful tool, or most likely, a threat. It might be best to leave Kazimierz soon, she would miss Nelka but she had planned so with her safety, and by extension the village safety, in mind.
Seeing that she more or less done cooling-off, she starts heading downstairs back to the public section of the bar. Once again, eyes are being subtly kept at her.
Seeing a stool vacant near the wall, she take a sit their while leaning against the wall.
Nyx took a sip while listening upon several hushed conversations and gossips. She can listen and eavesdrop when she put her utmost attention to it.
"Londinium is a mess, there is power vacuum in there. Duke on Duke duking it out on the street..."
"Lungmen? Yeah, I know Lungmen. The place was allegedly a paradise of inclusivity, but I say that's hogwash."
"Did you know that rebellions are springing up in Ursus? We could make some quick buck there."
"Oh that? I heard the old emperor kicked the bucket. The new moderate emperor had rallied several armies to oppose the warhawks, mainly the sixth armies... or so the rumors crow on."
"I also heard that Ursus put down an infected uprising, good riddance I say."
"Shh, don't say that out loud. There are infected mercs here too."
"Will you bet again on the next Kazimierz Major?"
"Yeah, it is quite predictable nowadays. I can net 80 thousands Heller if I bet correctly."
"LMD worth keeps multiplying, Lungmen is becoming a financial powerhouse."
"That's her right? She is gorgeous... you think I have a chance?"
"Sure, if you wanna lose your little Jimmy then go ahead."
"Fucking Sanktas... their guns are hella expensive, even a box of their ammo would cost me an arm and a leg."
"Speaking about Sankta, Sarkaz have hate boner on them. Which is why when either met, blood will flow 9/10 times."
Just the usual drabble and ramblings, but she did noted an interesting conversation...
"What about the gig in Sargon? The Padishah agree with our proposed payment?"
"Yeah, he promised us the gold bars."
"Sweet, to think that just sitting around making a parameter could net us gold bars."
"I know right?"
Sargon is it? The things Nyx know about that region is that it works akin to Bedouin tribes in the desert and Aztecs or Mayans for their jungles...
'It might be a good idea to pay my alleged homeland a visit somewhere in the future... why am I heading straight towards problematic region is something I can never understand...'
'I must come clean with Nelka... even if it would made her hate me.' Nyx has been denying her violent peculiarity after the song she sung before for years. She can still feel that a good chunk of herself are still left trapped between the maze of her own mind...
While also recalling the very mess she caused years ago beneath the earth. It would be prudent to accept it else she slip towards the path of no return...
"Welp, back to work." She downed the rest of her drink, it was not alcoholic actually. Only an idiot would drank liquid courage or stupidity in the middle of work, Nyx value her work ethics the most.
Definitely not because of her being a lightweight nope, not at all, definitely not her reasoning.
Thus the Pythian lady is back on her janitorial shift of mowing grass gigs...
Location: Wladirosa, Northern Kazimierz.
POV: Nelka Ramona.
"... You're leaving?" I can feel my heart breaking apart. I thought that she would never leave now, she had been accepted here. She is one of us.
"Sorry, it has been long overdue. I was never meant to be here for long..."
"..."
"I... hope nothing is wrong with that... right?" Her face is blank but I can see her anxiety brewing within her gaze.
"Well... can we just talk... truthfully... without anything in between. Just for the two of us?"
Nyx inhaled sharply then nodded while answering in a quieter volume of voice, totally unlike her usual voice devoid of fluctuation.
"... Very well..."
We then walk in silence towards my house. Father had recovered for the most part, but he is now crippled due to his left foot that must be amputated due to gangrene. Jan had taken up the mantle of chief for Wladirosa.
The village has become quite famous due to our action of repelling Ursus army contingents on our own. That is quite an important piece of information, especially when a lot of villages were left devastated by Ursus scorched earth policy.
On one hand, the nobles are paying more attention to us while giving some much needed help with noticeable priority level. On the other, we are under scrutiny and being propped up for public news and what entailed with fame.
We lost people years ago thus making us in a pinch, but the Knights had been helping with our village recovery, some of our militia was even offered a place as squires.
Mr. Tymoteusz had been inducted into a Knight Order and is now undergoing training. The campaign knights had corrected me that Knight Order is a step above Knight Club.
The difference is that Knight Order can act as army while club can't. Also that Knight Order need a Primus in charge, else they would be demoted back to Knight Club.
Our fields which were devastated had been recovering. Some soils are still dangerous to traverse, courtesy of mines being planted when Ursus retreated for good. It is still quite hard to spot every single one, just yesterday we found some which thankfully didn't explode.
My musing had been cut off when we finally reach my home. I open the door and look inside, no one is here. Father must be doing some paperwork in city hall, he reasoned that he can still work just fine, honestly that father of mine is too stubborn...
"Sit." I told her, unconsciously raising my voice a bit. I'm still holding on to hope...
She did what was told, now I'm sitting right across the table of her seating. We just sit there in awkward silence. I then sigh to break the ice.
"Hah... what made you leave?"
"I... my presence will harm this vil-"
"I LOVE YOU! AND I DON'T GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT THIS SO CALLED HARM!" I shouted, tears are now falling freely to cascade down my cheeks.
Nyx said nothing, she closed her mouth while I keep lambasting her with my grievances.
"WITHOUT YOU I WOULD HAVE DIED BACK THEN! WITHOUT YOU THIS VILLAGE WOULD BE DESTROYED BY THOSE DAMN URSUS SOLDIERS!" Calming down a bit, then I continue.
"What about Lina? She will be hurt more than I do along with other children, you're their surrogate mother or real aunt at this point. What about Jan? He looks up to you, he was getting better at leading thanks to your advice. Then what do you think Immanuel would feel? He look at you like his own child... a child he never have... AND YOU ARE THROWING THOSE AWAY DUE TO SOME EXTERNAL HA-"
"It is not them! I'M the harm!" Nyx shouted, this is the first time she ever shouted. Taking me out of my own rage...
She then pin me down, toppling me off the chair, the motion was rough but I can subtly sense that she ensured I wasn't hurt. Before long, I can feel her dagger pressed on my neck, her expression turned belligerent with a mocking sneer.... Yet I can feel that she is doing her best not to cry.
"This is the REAL me Nelka! I'm fooling all of you with my mask! I'm just a selfish, cowardly, bitch who took advantage with hiding my true nature, my utterly sadistic self!"
Now I noticed a peculiarity... her eyes glowed amber yet dimmed soon enough. She then retracted her dagger and sheathing it back with a trembling grip.
"I... I... noticed my own peculiarity too... I revel in inflicting pain and suffering... ever since I sang... it had gotten worse..."
She let go of me before slumping back, sitting powerlessly on the floor. I sat back up and see a sight I never thought possible... she is crying...
"I tried my best to convince myself otherwise... that I'm a civilized person... a sane, and in full-control, person... but each time I deny it, I grew to hate how I'm fooling you all with my kind image..."
"So, please... forget about me... a volatile person like me could only bring harm to all of you..."
She stood up ready to leave, but I gripped her hand tightly then stand up too... causing her turn her face back at me... then I slapped her with everything I have... She smiled sadly, but I can see the relief settling inside her... heh... she must be thinking that I hated her, just how wrong can this idiot woman gets really?...
"I deserved th- !?" I hugged her tightly, not letting go. She tried to struggle free but her resistance waned as time pass... I then let go of her... her face is all red now hehehe... Hah... this woman is actually quite fragile, makes me wonder how she even maintain a mask if this is all it took to shatter it.
"So what if you're a sadist? You're still the kind Nyx I always know right?
She is silent.
"So what if you like making people in pain? It is not like you're doing it indiscriminately to every person you meet just for the sake of inflicting pain, am I correct?"
She nod timidly... look at her getting all shy now...
"You're implying that your peculiarity is uncontrollable, then why did you take care of the children with utmost attention and care, shouldn't an uncontrollable person cause problem soon enough? Sounds like your peculiarity being uncontrollable is bogus to me."
I lead her towards a place where we can sit, we are now sitting on the sofa next to each other. I let her head rest on me chest. Lovingly embracing her... heh, look at this girl acting all needy now...
"You're not uncontrollable. You're confused, dear."
"Confused?"
"Yes, if by going on a journey would help you find yourself then make peace with your peculiarity... then go ahead... just know that... even If my love goes unanswered... you're still someone dear to me."
"...."
"Then the stuff about the masks? Well I don't care, the fact that you're being fully honest just made me feel special!" I beamed at her... she laugh while crying... I also laugh... this lady is quite expressive when her masks are off.
"Haha... hah... people usually get mad when being fooled you know?"
"Well, I'm indeed mad. But you're our Nyx, so I'll you off the hook if you're the one cooking dinner this time around."
"Sure... you're now... yes... my best friend..." ugh! I take some damage... is this the famous friendzone people keep saying about?
"Urkh... guess I failed huh?"
"That you did, my dear best friend..." this woman... heh
Then we just laugh pleasantly... getting rejected feels... weird? Bad? I don't know, or I'm just in the coping phase. Well, I did get my answer. It hurts yes but she should consider me someone special, hopefully.
That night when father and Jan return home, they can notice a fluffy atmosphere. When inquired what happened I just plainly stated that Nyx will leave the village. Father and Jan were not surprised, they are still quite sad however.
Nyx had also meet her father figure. After coming clean with him too, she shyly called Immanuel "dad", the latter couldn't hold his joy and start hugging her tightly Nyx also has the most peaceful expression ever, her face truly show how badly she needed parental figure.
Then Immanuel starts lecturing Nyx for a whole day about what not to do in mobile city, what she can and can't do regarding her arts solo training, and all sort of stuffs. She listened attentively, not caring about me spectating the whole thing.
I just grinned on the sideline at her expense. It's quite surreal seeing her usual aloof and indifferent expression (mask) being so meek openly. Need to get used to it, I guess...
The next day she said her farewells and predictably her departure was delayed for a whole another week since the children pleaded and wailed for her to stay.
I let the kids have their fill of their Aunty Grey. She also promised that she will send letter every now and then. She then reassured us that she will be back somewhere in the future...
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author Note:
Hello this is me, myself, and I, the author who suck at writing drama.
Also the fact that this chapter should have been released yesterday instead... sorry about that.
Then again I must brought things to canon timeline with speed. Thus forgive me for the utterly lacking romance esque drama.
Now, Nyx will continue her journey, will she meet Nelka again and perhaps giving me a chance to flesh out their relationship? Maybe.
The mercenary contracts will be marked with colors.
Blue: Minimal risk, usually menial task such as patrolling village.
Yellow: Minor risk, usually survey and limited combat.
Orange: Average risk, combat oriented and re-subjugation plus expedition.
Red: High risk, combat oriented, charting unknown region, or guarding vital position.
Black: Fatal risk. reserved only to eliminate a highly dangerous target.
Grey: Risk level vary, Specific commission without mercenary HQ mediation.
Update as usual i.e when I remembered.
Also, FUN FACT! Immanuel is younger than Nyx real age.
How old is Nyx? Well.... Only counting how many years since she woke up, she is 7, more or less. :D
Ciao.
(P.S: A certain faction had prepared the necessary documentation on Nyx in case she gone apeshit.)
"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message]
Date: March 1076
Location: Bounty hunters and mercenary HQ, Northern Kazimierz
POV: Narrator
A tavern has been turned into temporary HQ for K.G.C.C contractors. This place is quite spacious and located as close as possible to be reached from all over the country easily.
They didn't open temporary HQ in mobile city due to security reason and the fact that countryside are in desperate need of capital investment, something K.G.C.C can't possibly pass up.
Mercenaries come from all over the place around Terra, but Sarkaz mercenary are the most common. They're a people who excelled in warfare, something that has been cultivated, courtesy of their oppression for millenniums. These Sarkaz are a belligerent sort of bunch, but they get jobs assigned to them done with highest chance of success... until she joined the hunt.
A single lighter shade of grey bike had arrived and parked itself in front of the building. The mercenaries and bounty hunters that has been crowding the entrance made way for a certain Pythian lady.
Her notoriety and certain moniker were enough to warrant that much, else you would need a painful remainder. The last incident was still a crystal clear event living rent-free inside their head.
"Here, payment as usual." Nyx said curtly while handing my subjugation proof, need to maintain her mask after all. Mercenaries are a bunch that let their abilities do the talking. Problems were solved through fist exchange and some broken bones... and death...
And she is proficient at causing extreme amount of pain with utmost haste. She is both respected and feared after turning several bounty hunters who tried to nab her head for a hefty bounty into minced meat while looking bored and uncaring all the same.
"Understood, is there anything else you would need?" The receptionist nerves are being strained, she was just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill, kuranta corporate lady who got the misfortune of being reassigned here. Added to the fact of who she is talking to at the moment...
"Hmm... I don't know..." Nyx leaned in closer, even with her blank face, made the receptionist subtly blush.
"Do you have red contracts worth my time?"
"I... Yes! There are available contracts that might be worth your time." She was about to get charmed... but managed to snap herself out with professionalism alone. Truly a prowess of well experienced wage slave.
"Then what might those be?"
"A group of outlaw has been spotted not far from Grunwelt, while there are reports pertaining problems about the increasing infestation of dire tuskbeasts near Strelz-Holt. They had been categorized as red but... with your reputation in mind, it might be no different for barely being yellow, Lady Nyx."
"Hmm... process it for me, I'll head to the bar for now." She just left the receptionist, much to her relief due to her almost collapsing preference and the fact of how dangerous this particular mercenary is.
Nyx now headed to the bar, other mercenaries are also present but there is tacit understanding not to bother each other unless necessary, something that Nyx is grateful for.
The place only get rowdy by evening, usually that is. The patrons are first and foremost fellow mercenaries, then there are some eccentric client who mingle with mercenary, next would be the information broker, and lastly the local civilian (locals or otherwise) who come every now and then.
She doesn't know how that piece of info would be kept hidden however... Ursus army will surely reported it to several high ranking people. Thus it was quite odd why they haven't tried to spread it to potentially caused a political scandal for the Adeptus.
'Ironically, now I'm wishing for a political shitstorm to delay or even buried the truth from reaching their leaders... but what's done is done. I gained ties and more enemies... classic duo...'
Nyx just approached the bartender who immediately paid his utmost attention, her reputation had made her quite a subject of interest.
"Bartender, the usual."
"On it, Lady Grey Serpent."
She scoffed when someone called her that, her mercenary, or guerrilla warfare really, reputation was harder to control compared to her one-time saving of knights. She transferred the necessary payment, take her order, and left towards the partitioned saloon section upstairs.
Once inside, she starts scanning for a certain person, then she found him. She finally take a seat near him. The bar is quite lively, but she can sense that several mercenaries are paying her the utmost attention subtly the moment she headed upstairs.
Now she is just relaxing on her seat while waiting opposite of the Kuranta man. He smiled amicably and initiated the conversation between them.
"How is business?"
"Raining, flooding, the usual patterns."
"Your work ethics is cut above the rest I had met so far, I would not even doubt you of forming a PMC group."
"I despise paperwork, I can command but I'll always prefer to be a grunt."
"It is usually the other way around."
"Well, I'm hardly usual."
The man then scan his surrounding without making it too obvious. He start messaging Nyx through his personal terminal, he continued his idle talks with her.
"It would be better to be a PMC then."
[Are you still considering our proposition?'] his message was read by NYX, she played along.
"The PMC huh... why should I?"
[I'm, but there was that certain clause in there, care to elaborate?] Nyx replied through text
"Being part of PMC usually covered anything you need while having more opportunity towards potentially high-profile client. Legitimate contractor of a PMC will also reduce amount of negativity compared to being a mercenary..."
[Sure, you're technically a free contractor but will be receiving aids from us on par with official operative. Also some monetary benefits and access to several stashes of inventory.]
"Fun, you're skirting around the negatives..."
[And that imply I would be without backing on the surface, effectively throwing me away when things gone awry. I don't see why I would want that.]
"Heh, how careful of you. They're just infe-"
[Perhaps you can work officially?]
"Infected or not doesn't really matter, we'll all die in the end."
[Then, I have no interest of becoming someone else personal janitor for now.]
"Indeed, we can all die..."
[Very well then, the last thing we need is you turning hostile to us. A master in Guerrila Warfare would be an annoying foe to fight.]
The man just smile amicably and left his seat after paying his tabs. Nyx stays where she is to just cool-off for a while. Joining a PMC does have merits but she is reluctant at the moment. Then regarding that man...
"..."
Nyx was not at all surprised that several groups had been coming to recruit her. She doesn't know what kind of group however for this one exactly, just that a man called Zeny, a pseudonym or codename most likely, had contacted her after a masterful display of outlaws massacre at Westerplatz.
Kiril had cautioned her about a certain group but she has no proof that man was a part of it.
One thing is certain, she is being viewed as a potential pawn, useful tool, or most likely, a threat. It might be best to leave Kazimierz soon, she would miss Nelka but she had planned so with her safety, and by extension the village safety, in mind.
Seeing that she more or less done cooling-off, she starts heading downstairs back to the public section of the bar. Once again, eyes are being subtly kept at her.
Seeing a stool vacant near the wall, she take a sit their while leaning against the wall.
Nyx took a sip while listening upon several hushed conversations and gossips. She can listen and eavesdrop when she put her utmost attention to it.
"Londinium is a mess, there is power vacuum in there. Duke on Duke duking it out on the street..."
"Lungmen? Yeah, I know Lungmen. The place was allegedly a paradise of inclusivity, but I say that's hogwash."
"Did you know that rebellions are springing up in Ursus? We could make some quick buck there."
"Oh that? I heard the old emperor kicked the bucket. The new moderate emperor had rallied several armies to oppose the warhawks, mainly the sixth armies... or so the rumors crow on."
"I also heard that Ursus put down an infected uprising, good riddance I say."
"Shh, don't say that out loud. There are infected mercs here too."
"Will you bet again on the next Kazimierz Major?"
"Yeah, it is quite predictable nowadays. I can net 80 thousands Heller if I bet correctly."
"LMD worth keeps multiplying, Lungmen is becoming a financial powerhouse."
"That's her right? She is gorgeous... you think I have a chance?"
"Sure, if you wanna lose your little Jimmy then go ahead."
"Fucking Sanktas... their guns are hella expensive, even a box of their ammo would cost me an arm and a leg."
"Speaking about Sankta, Sarkaz have hate boner on them. Which is why when either met, blood will flow 9/10 times."
Just the usual drabble and ramblings, but she did noted an interesting conversation...
"What about the gig in Sargon? The Padishah agree with our proposed payment?"
"Yeah, he promised us the gold bars."
"Sweet, to think that just sitting around making a parameter could net us gold bars."
"I know right?"
Sargon is it? The things Nyx know about that region is that it works akin to Bedouin tribes in the desert and Aztecs or Mayans for their jungles...
'It might be a good idea to pay my alleged homeland a visit somewhere in the future... why am I heading straight towards problematic region is something I can never understand...'
'I must come clean with Nelka... even if it would made her hate me.' Nyx has been denying her violent peculiarity after the song she sung before for years. She can still feel that a good chunk of herself are still left trapped between the maze of her own mind...
While also recalling the very mess she caused years ago beneath the earth. It would be prudent to accept it else she slip towards the path of no return...
"Welp, back to work." She downed the rest of her drink, it was not alcoholic actually. Only an idiot would drank liquid courage or stupidity in the middle of work, Nyx value her work ethics the most.
Definitely not because of her being a lightweight nope, not at all, definitely not her reasoning.
Thus the Pythian lady is back on her janitorial shift of mowing grass gigs...
Location: Wladirosa, Northern Kazimierz.
POV: Nelka Ramona.
"... You're leaving?" I can feel my heart breaking apart. I thought that she would never leave now, she had been accepted here. She is one of us.
"Sorry, it has been long overdue. I was never meant to be here for long..."
"..."
"I... hope nothing is wrong with that... right?" Her face is blank but I can see her anxiety brewing within her gaze.
"Well... can we just talk... truthfully... without anything in between. Just for the two of us?"
Nyx inhaled sharply then nodded while answering in a quieter volume of voice, totally unlike her usual voice devoid of fluctuation.
"... Very well..."
We then walk in silence towards my house. Father had recovered for the most part, but he is now crippled due to his left foot that must be amputated due to gangrene. Jan had taken up the mantle of chief for Wladirosa.
The village has become quite famous due to our action of repelling Ursus army contingents on our own. That is quite an important piece of information, especially when a lot of villages were left devastated by Ursus scorched earth policy.
On one hand, the nobles are paying more attention to us while giving some much needed help with noticeable priority level. On the other, we are under scrutiny and being propped up for public news and what entailed with fame.
We lost people years ago thus making us in a pinch, but the Knights had been helping with our village recovery, some of our militia was even offered a place as squires.
Mr. Tymoteusz had been inducted into a Knight Order and is now undergoing training. The campaign knights had corrected me that Knight Order is a step above Knight Club.
The difference is that Knight Order can act as army while club can't. Also that Knight Order need a Primus in charge, else they would be demoted back to Knight Club.
Our fields which were devastated had been recovering. Some soils are still dangerous to traverse, courtesy of mines being planted when Ursus retreated for good. It is still quite hard to spot every single one, just yesterday we found some which thankfully didn't explode.
My musing had been cut off when we finally reach my home. I open the door and look inside, no one is here. Father must be doing some paperwork in city hall, he reasoned that he can still work just fine, honestly that father of mine is too stubborn...
"Sit." I told her, unconsciously raising my voice a bit. I'm still holding on to hope...
She did what was told, now I'm sitting right across the table of her seating. We just sit there in awkward silence. I then sigh to break the ice.
"Hah... what made you leave?"
"I... my presence will harm this vil-"
"I LOVE YOU! AND I DON'T GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT THIS SO CALLED HARM!" I shouted, tears are now falling freely to cascade down my cheeks.
Nyx said nothing, she closed her mouth while I keep lambasting her with my grievances.
"WITHOUT YOU I WOULD HAVE DIED BACK THEN! WITHOUT YOU THIS VILLAGE WOULD BE DESTROYED BY THOSE DAMN URSUS SOLDIERS!" Calming down a bit, then I continue.
"What about Lina? She will be hurt more than I do along with other children, you're their surrogate mother or real aunt at this point. What about Jan? He looks up to you, he was getting better at leading thanks to your advice. Then what do you think Immanuel would feel? He look at you like his own child... a child he never have... AND YOU ARE THROWING THOSE AWAY DUE TO SOME EXTERNAL HA-"
"It is not them! I'M the harm!" Nyx shouted, this is the first time she ever shouted. Taking me out of my own rage...
She then pin me down, toppling me off the chair, the motion was rough but I can subtly sense that she ensured I wasn't hurt. Before long, I can feel her dagger pressed on my neck, her expression turned belligerent with a mocking sneer.... Yet I can feel that she is doing her best not to cry.
"This is the REAL me Nelka! I'm fooling all of you with my mask! I'm just a selfish, cowardly, bitch who took advantage with hiding my true nature, my utterly sadistic self!"
Now I noticed a peculiarity... her eyes glowed amber yet dimmed soon enough. She then retracted her dagger and sheathing it back with a trembling grip.
"I... I... noticed my own peculiarity too... I revel in inflicting pain and suffering... ever since I sang... it had gotten worse..."
She let go of me before slumping back, sitting powerlessly on the floor. I sat back up and see a sight I never thought possible... she is crying...
"I tried my best to convince myself otherwise... that I'm a civilized person... a sane, and in full-control, person... but each time I deny it, I grew to hate how I'm fooling you all with my kind image..."
"So, please... forget about me... a volatile person like me could only bring harm to all of you..."
She stood up ready to leave, but I gripped her hand tightly then stand up too... causing her turn her face back at me... then I slapped her with everything I have... She smiled sadly, but I can see the relief settling inside her... heh... she must be thinking that I hated her, just how wrong can this idiot woman gets really?...
"I deserved th- !?" I hugged her tightly, not letting go. She tried to struggle free but her resistance waned as time pass... I then let go of her... her face is all red now hehehe... Hah... this woman is actually quite fragile, makes me wonder how she even maintain a mask if this is all it took to shatter it.
"So what if you're a sadist? You're still the kind Nyx I always know right?
She is silent.
"So what if you like making people in pain? It is not like you're doing it indiscriminately to every person you meet just for the sake of inflicting pain, am I correct?"
She nod timidly... look at her getting all shy now...
"You're implying that your peculiarity is uncontrollable, then why did you take care of the children with utmost attention and care, shouldn't an uncontrollable person cause problem soon enough? Sounds like your peculiarity being uncontrollable is bogus to me."
I lead her towards a place where we can sit, we are now sitting on the sofa next to each other. I let her head rest on me chest. Lovingly embracing her... heh, look at this girl acting all needy now...
"You're not uncontrollable. You're confused, dear."
"Confused?"
"Yes, if by going on a journey would help you find yourself then make peace with your peculiarity... then go ahead... just know that... even If my love goes unanswered... you're still someone dear to me."
"...."
"Then the stuff about the masks? Well I don't care, the fact that you're being fully honest just made me feel special!" I beamed at her... she laugh while crying... I also laugh... this lady is quite expressive when her masks are off.
"Haha... hah... people usually get mad when being fooled you know?"
"Well, I'm indeed mad. But you're our Nyx, so I'll you off the hook if you're the one cooking dinner this time around."
"Sure... you're now... yes... my best friend..." ugh! I take some damage... is this the famous friendzone people keep saying about?
"Urkh... guess I failed huh?"
"That you did, my dear best friend..." this woman... heh
Then we just laugh pleasantly... getting rejected feels... weird? Bad? I don't know, or I'm just in the coping phase. Well, I did get my answer. It hurts yes but she should consider me someone special, hopefully.
That night when father and Jan return home, they can notice a fluffy atmosphere. When inquired what happened I just plainly stated that Nyx will leave the village. Father and Jan were not surprised, they are still quite sad however.
Nyx had also meet her father figure. After coming clean with him too, she shyly called Immanuel "dad", the latter couldn't hold his joy and start hugging her tightly Nyx also has the most peaceful expression ever, her face truly show how badly she needed parental figure.
Then Immanuel starts lecturing Nyx for a whole day about what not to do in mobile city, what she can and can't do regarding her arts solo training, and all sort of stuffs. She listened attentively, not caring about me spectating the whole thing.
I just grinned on the sideline at her expense. It's quite surreal seeing her usual aloof and indifferent expression (mask) being so meek openly. Need to get used to it, I guess...
The next day she said her farewells and predictably her departure was delayed for a whole another week since the children pleaded and wailed for her to stay.
I let the kids have their fill of their Aunty Grey. She also promised that she will send letter every now and then. She then reassured us that she will be back somewhere in the future...
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author Note:
Hello this is me, myself, and I, the author who suck at writing drama.
Also the fact that this chapter should have been released yesterday instead... sorry about that.
Then again I must brought things to canon timeline with speed. Thus forgive me for the utterly lacking romance esque drama.
Now, Nyx will continue her journey, will she meet Nelka again and perhaps giving me a chance to flesh out their relationship? Maybe.
The mercenary contracts will be marked with colors.
Blue: Minimal risk, usually menial task such as patrolling village.
Yellow: Minor risk, usually survey and limited combat.
Orange: Average risk, combat oriented and re-subjugation plus expedition.
Red: High risk, combat oriented, charting unknown region, or guarding vital position.
Black: Fatal risk. reserved only to eliminate a highly dangerous target.
Grey: Risk level vary, Specific commission without mercenary HQ mediation.
Update as usual i.e when I remembered.
Also, FUN FACT! Immanuel is younger than Nyx real age.
How old is Nyx? Well.... Only counting how many years since she woke up, she is 7, more or less. :D
Ciao.
(P.S: A certain faction had prepared the necessary documentation on Nyx in case she gone apeshit.)
