"This bitch!" One of the parliament's members swung his hand at Ash, of which she replied with a straight punch to the face. The man falls down to his knees with lips split, and blood splutters across the shiny marble. Ash stared at her bloody fist, grimacing. "Andor!" the others came to his aid. Ash remained standing there, menacingly staring at them with her cold, azure eyes. The room's temperature dropped in a second, including their hearts. All of a sudden, there was this dread they couldn't explain. "Why does everyone want the Queen dead?" Ash asked them one by one. The parliament's members fell to their knees and scampered away from the woman. "You want Kravska to start a war?" The parliament looked at one another. The Silver-Devil stepped closer, and every time she did, they could feel their breath slowly leaving their bodies. "Say something." "Anastaschya, what are you doing?" The Czar pulled his sister back and sighed. Ash was dragged along, like a doll. The parlia
DAY OF THE PEACE TALKSThe Kravskan news outlets were all covering the peace talks with Dorwaille. The Queen is set to wave in the parade in merely two minutes. Damien and the Vigilantes, fused with Dorwaille’s own agents have already set up the routes the Queen must go. Damien particularly is in the Queen’s carriage, along with Prince Sherlock and his cousin, Princess Avelaide to accompany the Queen in safety. Damien spanned his eyes around the lively streets of the capitol, Petersburg. The sidewalks were filled with banners, flowers, and smiling citizens— as well as suspicious-looking individuals with wolf and demon tattoos. Damien was acquainted with Petersburg as his father has sent him here for training and studying other mafias. He knew exactly where the critical and hidden points of the Queen’s routes were and where to look. Damien reached out for the binoculars sitting beside him and then peered through the device. “There are two snipers in the building.” He said. “Is that
"Captain... please stop.""Just go away, please." Ash begged them. "Act dead or whatever. Just don't open your mouths, or they'll know."Out of three-hundred Vigilantes, nine only remained standing. All others were either dead or injured. Several men from the Parliament's side who pretended to be Sumerkis joined the line— and with their collaboration, they were able to wipe out the Vigilantes with their manpower.However, the results of the battle were still impressive, considering that the enemy's numbers were thrice the number of theirs— the Vigilantes were able to lessen their numbers by thirty.Despite Ash— a Sumerki, reigned the battlefield, she still felt defeated somehow. She didn't expect that even with their great numbers, not even one-fourth of them remained. She thought that the Vigilantes' performance would deplete as she was no longer there.She had underestimated them too much.She wasn't satisfied with the Sumerkis' performance at all, and it embarrassed her.Ash focuse
PEACE TALKS - KRAVSKAN PARLIAMENT PALACEThe Queen sipped her tea like it was just another casual morning for her. Accompanied by her two grandchildren, they smiled gracefully at the twelve Parliament members that rule the desolated nation. The Parliament members were beyond disturbed that the Queen had arrived safely at the Palace. They did not expect her to return in one piece at all. The Queen noticed their ghastly silence and proceeded to break the ice. “I see that the Twelve Parliaments are complete already. Is there someone we’re waiting at least?”“None.” They said. “Then why aren’t we starting? Are all of you not feeling well? You all look sickly and pale; it’s like you’ve seen a ghost. Have you seen a ghost?”The Parliament members looked at one another and shook their heads. “N-No. It’s nice to see you visit Kravska again, Queen of Dorwaille. How long has it been?”“Many, many years ago.” The Queen replied. “The last time I visited, I didn’t have children yet, and now, I
Damien pushed Ash who was stuck in a wheelchair. She was strapped into the seat with layers of belt because the woman wanted to escape each time. Damien had to go harsh on her because if he let her go towards Yuri he knew that she would only regret her decisions more."I told you I cannot leave without my brother. Damien!""Then tell me which hospital he's at and I will fetch him for you.""He's not in any orphanage or hospital. He's with Yuri. They're living in the same house.""And how does Yuri treat him?"Ash lowered her head. "Like a true sibling, I suppose.""Then what makes you feel like you're any different?""I don't feel indifferent at all.""Lies. I can see it in your eyes. You've always been very expressive with it. Your brother was so proud of having you in his side but I can tell your relationship with him simply doesn't incur in that."Ash remained silent."You know I'll keep pestering you about it, hm?" Damien glanced at her. "What did you feel like when you served unde
Aleksei arrived at the airport with wary eyes. There, Ash has been waiting for him in a wheelchair. When Aleksei saw his sister, he immediately dropped all of his bags to go to her.“Sestra!” he rushed towards her with tears streaming from his eyes. He gave his sister a huge hug and pulled away. “What has become of you?!”“It’s no big deal, Aleksei.” Ash smiled at him. “I’m sorry you had to see like this. I never intended to. But right now, we absolutely have no choice but to leave.”“What about brother?! Do we just leave him here?” Aleksei then looked at the men in black surrounding them suspiciously. “T-These people… they’re the ones that killed Mama and Papa, right?”Ash frowned and nodded. “Yes. They were.”“Then why are you with them?” “Because… because our father is not a good man, Aleksei.” She cupped his cheek. “They raised me and funded your medication while our own brother— flesh and blood, Yuri, turned a blind eye to us because he wanted to be safe. He was afraid that if he
“Master, someone has come to visit you.” Damien rubbed his exhausted eyes and tidied himself as his attention was called. When the male looked over to the seats, he saw Aleksei walking towards him with a nervous look in his face. Damien, being the first time to meet Ash’s family member in proper terms (without the killing) also felt somewhat nervous to speak with him. After all, he still couldn’t let go of the fact that his family was one of the reasons why their family died too. The young boy looked a lot like Ash—at least, his eyes looked a lot like hers. Ash had mentioned to Damien that Aleksei resembled a lot like his late mother, which Damien of course, doesn’t dare deny. “Hello.” Damien greeted the boy first before inviting him to sit with him. They were still on the helicopter.“Hey.” The boy greeted awkwardly and sat with him. “My sister passed out. She was shot?”“She was.”“By whom?” “By me.” Damien intertwines his fingers together and looked at him with a frown, clearly
Meanwhile, Princess Avelaide was sitting beside Ash’s unconscious body. She was minding her own business, appreciating the view when Ash suddenly comes back to life and spooked the Princess. “Oh my God!” Avelaide yelped, her hands on her chest. “Is it your hobby to scare people?!” “Argh, fuck.” Ash rubbed her eyes and also the spot where she was shot. “Where are we?” “We’re on a helicopter.” Avelaide told her. “Damien and the others are in the front. Do you want me to tell them you're awake?” “What… helicopter..? To where?” “Back to the airport so you could go to your own private jets. It’s much safer to fly on air than on land where the Sumerkis could get back to her.” Suddenly panic sinks in Ash’s eyes. “W-Wait, where’s Aleksei?” “Calm down.” Avelaide squeezed her hands. “Your brother is here. Didn’t you forget that you were the one who fetched him when he arrived?” “I did?” Ash was confused. The woman had just went through a terrible nightmare where she left Aleksei behind.