The cold wind blew in the mountain under the dark starless sky as the tree leaves swayed. Within the mountain, nightcrawlers lay awake waiting for their prey, vicious wolves howled upon the moon, and wide-eyed owls turned their heads to the source of sound.
Amidst the towering woods, a dark figure flashes in and out of sight. Passing through various rocks and bushes, avoiding perilous traps that would make even the best adventurers out there flabbergasted along the way in this seemingly untouched mountain. The closest human civilization thousands of miles away.
With every step, the grass swayed in the wind, a soft 'hushh' murmuring in their wake.
Abruptly, they stopped and tilted their hooded head up towards a dead end. A pause that lasted only for a mere seconds.
Then....
"Hushh! Shusshh! Shooosh!" The wind howled with the force of her every step.
Up, higher, higher and higher! The figure easily moves upwards the giant cliff!
And with a giant leap, their cloak spread like an open wing!
The soft fabric flapping with her every move as they 'fly' from stone to stone. Like invisible stairs appearing upon their steps, giving the illusion that they were walking on thin air.
Easily passing through the steep rock walls.
With one final jump, the figure leaps high up, her silhouette being outlined by the moon. Like a gorgeous yet poisonous butterfly breaking through their cocoon.
Time seemed to have stopped for a moment as a gust of wind finally knocked off the mysterious figure's hood. Revealing long dark silken hair dancing with the wind. Cold dark eyes, as sharp as the sharpest blade glinting with danger and frozen hell.
Hidden within the hood were skin fair and white as the snow, as if glowing with the radiant of the moon. Perfectly arched brows, cute, pointed nose, rosy cheeks, and tempting red lips arched into a faint smile. Yet, what truly stood out amongst those features that build up the figure's beauty, were mesmerizing dark gems for eyes, seemingly to contain within a vast abyss full of secrets. Eyes that could penetrate through yet still, so calm like nothing could ever cause a rift.
This woman was none other than the nightmare of countless humans, "The Goddess of Hell" her enemies deemed. Feng Jiao Xue. No one has ever managed to escape the thorny blades of the Black Rose, an unmatched beauty riddled with thorns.
With an unyielding phoenix blade on the right and a fearsome thorned whip with her signature black diamond rose on the handle curled up on her left waist, she had brought endless fear and death in her wake.
Gracefully, her feet landed on the ground, not a dust disturbed upon her descent.
Feng Jiao Xue sped up the mountain until a grand villa came into view. Hidden behind giant walls of trees and vines.
As the grand building was reflected in her eyes, it was like summer had finally arrived and the frost within them melting away to give room for warmth and life.
Her whole being changing, laying down her impenetrable wall, softening ever so slightly. Eyes curling up and lips parting for a soft and gentle sigh. A sight only those few closest to her have ever had the honor to witness.
She walked leisurely inside the villa and navigated the familiar halls full of twists and turns.
Place upon the hall were priceless paintings, vases, and other trinkets, objects that had been 'collected' by her during some of her missions. Just some things that had caught her eyes in this expanse of walls that had been slowly built up to form their home.
She walked in the halls, not a sound to her steps until she reached a wooden door. Giant, magnificent and emitting a soft homely scent of aged wood.
Feng Jiao Xue gently pushed them open to reveal a lounge. A charming man sitting lazily on the couch. Leaning on one of the armchairs . Long and lean legs stretched on the couch, yet despite the posture, giving the impression of a big cat laying down under the sun. Relaxed yet majestic and dangerous.
The lounge was softly lit, golden hues of light brightening up the room while the woods gave it a humble feel.
The newcomer was absorbed in his book. His tousled hair, a deep chestnut brown, perfectly shimmered with the light from the blazing fire, adding to his boyish charm. On his nose perched golden framed glasses, slightly tilted on his nose.
Dressed comfortably casual. An unbuttoned navy cardigan layered over a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal thin yet firm forearms. A pair of dark jeans completes his look, giving him a cassual look yet the way he carries himself says otherwise.
Around him, the lounge was full of an inviting warm light. Plush sofas are arranged neatly, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingers in the air from the constant presence of the beverage in this room, mingling with the faint aroma of leather from the armchairs. Bookshelves lining the walls, each shelf filled to the brim with countless books.
A large window frames a view of a garden and the forest outside. Soft moonlight slipping through the leaves of a nearby oak tree, casting shadows on the floor, seemingly dancing with every movements of the branches and leaves.
As the man reads, a small smile plays on his lips, a hint of laughter coming off him, making one curious just what is written on those pages.
"Ehem!" The refined face immediately broke into a bright smile when Feng Jiao Xue gave a soft cough to announce her presence. A smile as bright as the summer sun and as refreshing as spring with the pureness of winter.
"Xiao Xue!" He calls out pleasantly surprised with a voice that matches his entire demeanor. Deep but smooth, like a warm chocolate drink amidst a freezing blizzard.
Swiftly, the man stood up with excitement and joy radiating from his movements, immediately engulfing her in a warm welcoming hug.
His refreshing minty scent filling Feng Jiao Xue's nose and she could not help but lean on him more and take in more of that familiar smell.
"Welcome back, you're home later than expected" The man commented with a playful pousets he set her down without letting go fully.
Feng Jiao Xue gave out a low huff as she relaxed in the man's hold before letting out another soft sigh of content, sagging into his arms farther.
She embraced the feeling of security that this man had always been able to give her.
It was like nothing in the world could harm her and she indulged in the feeling of peace and happiness, emotions that her occupation had deprived her, and.... emotions that only this man could provide her.
'Home.' She smiled to herself. 'Finally, she was home'
After a brief moment, she gazed up and a melodious voice with a hint of annoyance came out of Feng Jiao Xue's lips.
"Those annoying old men tried to play some tricks." She informs the other while rolling eyes.
'As if anything they do could change their mind. Honestly, did they think that they would have their loyalty after how they had obtained her and her friend?'
The man looked at her helplessly before ruffling her hair as if consoling a child. "It must have been hard on you again. 'Sigh' let's not talk about the elders, princess. I know how it always ruins your mood. You must be tired, I made lots of snacks for you that I know you would love" The man said with a coaxing voice making her annoyance fade.
At that, the man smiled with his eyes closed and lips forming a cat-like grin. Feng Jiao Xue returned his smile with a softer smile, shoulders slacking down as she began to relax.
Childishly, she held her hand out wanting to be carried.
The man pressed a soft kiss on her temple before covering her in a warm blanket before picking her up like how one would carry a child, eyes full of warmth and dotting contrary to his icy countenance in front of others.
This is how they are inside their small sanctuary from the darkness and endless bloodshed.
Like how people have different personas during work or in public while showing their truest self once they are home.
Instead of sitting down, the man also carefully arranged the snacks again before sitting beside her.
"Aah~" the man coaxed gently, making her roll her eyes again but still opened her mouth to be fed with the sweet treat.
Her eyes gleams when the soft, strawberry cake melted in her mouth feeling her mouth with a sweet taste.
Playfully, she snapped her teeth as he fed her as if attempting to bite his fingers. The man reflexively pulled his hand back as soft, gentle and melodious laughter rang in the room.
She smiled with content and snuggled deeper into the couch with a cozy feeling. No one would have thought that this man who was tenderly taking care of her was the same cold-blooded doctor who could make others wish for death with a single scalpel.
But those are the identities forced upon them by the organization. Identities thrust into them by the cruelty of reality.
In here, in this space they call their own, is their sweet solace from the dark world they grew up in.
"So, how was the mission?" The man asked calmly though his gaze shifted slightly in various directions, the hand that was holding a piece of jelly shaking ever so slightly before it stiffened, as if every muscle was forced to still as he fed her sweet desserts.
Feng Jiao Xue grinned at him softly. "Was there any doubt, Lou Xi? The mission was a success! We're free!" She answered with a happy smile. Her smile was small, soft. But every part of her radiates happiness as stars silently shine in the sky.
The man froze for a moment before laughing and twirling her in happiness, food crushing into the ground.
"We did it? We're free! The organization can't force us to do anything anymore! Hahaha, Xiao Xue, we're free! We're free!"
The man, Lou Xi excitedly exclaimed in pure happiness. Tears of joy and relief could not help but down his eyes. From one to two... they rolled down until he couldn't control them anymore. Like a build up dam cracking and breaking from just a simple word, 'FREE'.
She bit her lips to stop her foolish smile and for the first time, she also allowed tears to fall from her eyes. Then she nodded as she was span around like a rag doll carefully held by him, as to affirm what she just said, they are out of the organization's clutches.
In response, the man engulfed her in a big bear hug while chanting 'we're free', 'we're free', 'we're free'. Choked, nassaly, and yet each chime echoing in disbelief from the bottom of his heart.
She would normally limit such contact but this time, she let him be. After all, they have been working all their lives for this moment, for this dream. She reciprocated the hug, holding him in a tight embrace. "We're free" she whispered to him though it sounded more like an affirmation for both of them as her eyes also misted as their eyes met, looking at each other through the haze of tears.
Feeling like she had just woken up from a terrifying nightmare that she was trapped in for a long long time. Only...
'It wasn't a nightmare, it was life and that in itself made it just made it even crueler.' She smiled bitterly, hiding her face in the crook of Lou Xi's neck yet her body did not hide the expression she was trying to cover. Her entire being trembling like a newborn fawn.
Lou Xi and her have been together since they were young. The two have met each other when they were little. They were both orphans that the organization took.
'Orphans?' She sneered at her thoughts. That is what everyone knows and that is what she prefers to believe.
She had always considered herself an orphan after what THEY did to her.
Feng Jiao Xue with a soft breath, she shook her head to take off those painful thoughts. Today was for celebration after all.
As if sensing something, Lou Xi hugged her firmly before asking "Are you okay princess?" as he released her, hands on her shoulder, their weight keeping her comfortably grounded.
"I'm fine, just remembering how we ended up in the organization and met each other" She answered grimly, making the other mirror her expression before pulling her back into a hug.
"It's okay it's all in the past now, we can bury it all behind us" He comforted hugging her tighter because sometimes... actions convey more than words ever could, silently telling her, 'It's fine now, I'm here, we're here'
She could still remember the day they first met.
She was just seven when she arrived at the gloomy training ground, with red eyes and a face full of tears.
She was scared and uncertain as to what those burly men wanted to do to her.
She had looked around in fear looking for a way to escape; however, the area was surrounded by thick giant walls and men armed with guns patrolling the grounds.
"Move runt!" One of the men yelled while shoving her to the rest of the group.
She whimpered but still scurried towards the rest of the wailing children. However, she refused to shed a single tear. The whole group was led to an underground laboratory full of people in white lab coats and people either chained or strapped into something.
She flinched a little from the gruesome scene of people being experimented, dissected, or tortured by what she thinks are poisons inside the rooms separated by glass walls. It was as if to those here they were not human but mere specimens.
This made the other even more scared and cry harder.
"Mommy!!!! Whaaaa!"
"Dad!!!"
"I wanna go home!!!"
"Helppp!"
"Mama! Papa! I wanna go home!!!"
"Whaaa!!!! Help! Help! It hurts! Whaaa!"
"Monsters!!!Whaaa!!!"
Feng Jiao Xue frowned slightly at the sharp noises, something she really hate.
"Shut up if you know what's good for you!" A man, burly and in the same inconspicuous black clothing as the others here yelled as it seems she wasn't the only one bothered by the noise, though she doubts they have the same exact reason for the annoyance.
The warning was met with even more cries resulting in one of the men to give a warning shot.
One man near her noticed that she was barely reacting to anything like the others making him raise his brow at her in curiosity. "Aren't ya scared squirt?"
"Scared" She replied, her calm voice contradicting her reply in contrast to the turbulent emotion inside her. Her stomach churning as she gulped feeling like there's something stuck in her throat.
"Then aren't ya gonna cry like a wee baby?" The man sneered before casting her observing look from head to toe.
"Crying won't solve anything" She replied, something THEY have taught her.
While other children are met with comfort and embrace. To her, crying would just be followed with more pain, never the warmth she once so desperately craved.
Her eyes hardened for a minute after saying that. It was just for a mere second, but it did not go unnoticed by the man.
"You're one strange kid but who knows, you might just survive. Good luck kiddo, you're going to need it" The man advised before turning back to watching the others.
She saw a man waiting for them. Contrary to the filthy sorrounding, the man looked fresh and clean in a spotless white coat.
"Doctor Zu the new batch have arrived as scheduled" The leader, she assumed as the leader of the men since he had always been the one at the forefront, reported to the awaiting man reading a few documents.
The man, Doctor Zu looked up then turned his head to the crying children before nodding. "Good, you know where to put them."
The leader nodded before looking back at his men and tilt his head to the right.
Feng Jiao Xue clenched her tiny fists and followed silently while observing her surroundings, waiting, and looking for an opportunity to escape.
Unfortunately, the situation looked grim. She may be a child but even she understands that if she wants to survive, she needs to avoid trouble and work through the circumstances.
The surroundings slowly changed from the room full of endless screams of agony into a hall of cells with young people in ragged and bloody clothes with flesh full of scars.
At this sight, Feng Jiao Xue froze.
It was not the gruesome torture that scared her. It was not the sound of terror, filled screams, the heart-wrenching shrieks of pain, nor the loud sounds of things hitting flesh.
No, blankly, she stared at one of the prisons.
A woman sat motionless in one of the cells, what she supposes were once beautiful blond locks now frizzily defying gravity. Her limbs like that of twigs as if they held no flesh, merely bones underneath those white dress tainted with grime and her eyes....
Feng Jiao Xue felt a chill down her spine, goosebumps appearing on her arms as she felt as if her heart was clenched tightly in a grip while her whole body doused in ice.
There was nothing natural in those eyes. Blankly staring at the wall, slumped as if no strength was left in her.
'She's alive.' Feng Jiao Xue knows that the woman was alive and yet her eyes... 'her eyes mirror that of the dead' and for the first time, she felt scared, really scared.
All of them are clearly malnourished and abused. Some are crying and begging for mercy while others have either gone insane laughing, rocking, mumbling nonsense or unresponsive, like broken dolls. Their eyes were either full of despair, hopelessness, empty or numb.
Before she could further observe, they were all put into tiny cells and in that cell, she met him, Lou Xi. The number of boys and girls where odd so they were put together.
Feng Jiao Xue entered calmly, or as calm as she could be, hand shakily holding onto her clothes, while Lou Xi was thrashing around, struggling hard trying to get out of the guards' grip. He was scrawny, shirts and pants tattered and caked in mud and dirt. Soft hair tussled in an unkept manner and lips dry as cracked and yet eyes as fierce as that of a cornered beast. In the end, he was thrown harshly onto the ground.
"You all better be good if you don't want to be punished" The guard scoffed at his own warning before leaving.
She watched as the men went out of the thick metal doors before looking at the other cells.
After observing fruitlessly for a bit, she looked at Lou Xi who had already tired himself out and was curled up in the blanket while leaning on the wall. There was literally nothing else in the cell aside from the two thin blankets.
'Should they be thankful?' She had sarcastically thought.
Seemingly feeling her stare, the boy looked up at her curiously with a tilted head. Her lips twitched at how this boy reminded her of the wild rabbit she used to play with before THEY killed him with rocks. Red tears filled his eyes and look at her in apprehension, fear, and sorrow. Lou Xi looked away embarrassed as he hastily wiping his eyes along with his snots in his sleeve. This time making her winced before looking away in disgust.
"What are you looking at?!" He asked defensively, trying to appear stronger, keyword appear, he just reminded her of those snotty brats.
Feng Jiao Xue however, simply frowned before going to the other blanket. Silently ignoring her 'roommate'. What she needs right now is a calm mind and a lot of reserved energy. Unfortunately, the other kid had another idea in mind.
"What's your name? Mine is Lou Xi." Lou Xi as he went beside her, apparently finding enough courage to have a proper conversation with her now.
"How did you end up here? My father died and in order to repay his debt they took me."
"They are so bad. They already took all of our remaining property."
"Can you talk?"
She frowned deeper at the noisy boy and tried hard to ignore him.
As she kept pretending that the other kid was invisible, the sound of a stomach rumbled beside her. Feng Jiao Xue looked to her side and Lou Xi blushed in embarrassment.
"Sorry, I haven't eaten since yesterday. I'm so hungryyy!" The boy whined, slumping farther on the cold hard floor.
Calculating the time, it should already be dusk by now.
Silently, she took a small chocolate bar from the pocket of her jacket and handed it to him without looking back.
"Huh?" He glanced up and saw the chocolate bar. "Oh, you can keep it for yourself. Who knows when they would let us eat. I'm not that hungry" Lou Xi immediately declined. However, his stomach rumbled even louder, making his face take on the shade of a tomato.
With a frown, she ignored his refusal and stuffed the chocolate bar in his hand. Lou Xi tried to give it back, but she stubbornly denied taking it. In the end, Lou Xi could only helplessly take the chocolate.
He split it into two and handed Feng Jiao Xue the other half. "Here, let's just split it."
She did not refuse this time as who knows when and if their captors have enough heart to actually feed them something edible. As they ate such a small treat as if it's the most precious meal they have, she did not notice the boy beside him silently wiping his tears with a smile on his face.
The two silently ate as they sat side by side. Cries of anguish and pain along with the occasional crazy cackles echoing and reverberating around them.
"Feng Jiao Xue" she uttered suddenly after a moment of silence.
Lou Xi turned his head to her. "Huh? Did you just say something?"
She folded her knees to her chest and laid her head on her folded hands above her knees "My name is Feng Jiao Xue. You can just call me... Xue" She elaborated.
"So, you can talk! Nice to meet you then Xue-Chan" The boy grinned before flinching as a sharp shriek of pain reverberated in the hall pouring cold fear to his momentary excitement. He, however, still tried to hide his fear that was evident in his eyes.
Feng Jiao Xue tilted her face towards him for a while before nodding and giving him a sweet smile. "Nice to meet you too... Xi-Kun"
They didn't know that that moment in time was the beginning of a revolutionary friendship between them.
After a few days in the cells, they have only been given some 'food' if you can even call it that and bathroom time once a day. Everyday new children are put in while those who lost their mind or what they deemed useless are 'eliminated' in order to save more space.
From observing how more people are led below, Feng Jiao Xue concluded that there are more people captives in other places other than here. How they managed to get this many people without the government noticing is beyond her but if she thinks farther, she could vaguely guess.
Lou Xi and her spent most of their time cuddled with each other for warmth, the initial awkwardness was replaced by familiarity and comfort.
Then one day the guards came and escorted all the female children out.
"Xue-Chan!" Lou Xi called out as he tried to pull her away, clinging towards her, hoping to keep his companion safe.
"You d*mn brat" The guard cursed as he kicked Lou Xi, but he just refused to let go.
Feng Jiao Xue smiled reassuringly for Lou Xi before prying his hand off of her wrist. She knew that no matter what Lou Xi did, it would all be futile and would only end up hurting him. Since they only had each other for company, the two of them have developed a friendship.
"Xi-Kun I'll be alright" Not wanting the guard to hurt him even farther, Feng Jiao Xue stepped back on her own.
Lou Xi could only helplessly watch as Feng Jiao Xue left with the other girls. However not long after the boys were also dragged out.
Feng Jiao Xue's small, thin form was roughly thrown back to their "room".
As the door closed, Lou Xi ran to her, engulfing her in a warm, and yet awkward hug.
They got back drained and full body aching, she was embraced by Lou Xi, crying, and apologizing for being useless this morning, his head buried in her hair.
Tiredly, they drag their small bodies in the corner. Like two small, wounded and weary animals.
In the echoes of screams of pain and terror, they sat like that for what felt like hours, seeking comfort in each other's arms as silent tears streamed down Feng Jiao Xue's face while Lou Xi cried loudly on behalf of his friend's pain. Wishing, hoping, that the other's pain become theirs to bare alone.
For the 6th month they were always dragged to a different area where they had to exercise and train under the scorching sun and if they failed, they would be harshly punished.
Codependence. In a place where they are unfamiliar with anyone, that is what they developed. They sought solace and stability... of comfort and security, to the one they can hold onto. to anyone they can hold on to. Those that lived envied the dead while those that died... wished they could have 'lived'.
Lou Xi engulfed Feng Jiao Xue's smaller form.
Although Feng Jiao Xue already had a certain maturity despite her age, her strength is still no different than the rest of the young girls since she had never practiced or exercised as rigorously as this.
Even the most mature of children, in the end, are still just that, children.
So, for her to end up battered and bruised badly by the end of the day was a common occurrence, and slowly, it took a chipped on her tender soul.
Lou Xi on the other hand, fared worse than her since his physical strength was pretty much as low as it can get. Fortunately, he gained the attention of the higher ups with his retention of information and intelligence.
Thus, he was seen with great potential since his father was actually a mad scientist and had already started training him earlier on before he was shot down that is.
Things like this were, on some level, already 'normal' for him.
In this month, the once big group gradually lessened and by the end of the 6th month the once 317 females only 29 remained while the boys had 137 from the original 373.
Afterwards the two-group merged, and their training became harder. Lou Xi who became the number 1 protégé had always looked after Feng Jiao Xue and whoever bullied her had to go through him.
In this hellish environment, he stood firm and steadfast, albeit scared, he unwaveringly protected her. No matter how many hits he recieves, how many times he was dosed in water, both freezing cold or burning hot, he stood infront of her with no hesitation or regret. And by the end of the day, he will smile at her cheerfully to hide his pain.
And Feng Jiao Xue, she could only hope this 'fool' would stop bothering with her and stop being hurt for her yet a selfish and greedy side of her, the one that had always called out for THEM... selfishly felt happy to have someone like him. She hates that side of her.
The rest knew that he had gained the attention of their capturer, so they dared not go against him at some point.
Feng Jiao Xue can feel the glares of jealousy, the hatred born out of indignance, and the harsh whispers whenever they are gathered.
However, since the two groups merged their training became harder and harder and Lou Xi couldn't save Feng Jiao Xue from being punished for every shortcoming.
All he can do is to be there to comfort her and train alongside her in their cell whenever she wants to. He promised to himself to be with her, to stick by her side no matter what happens because in this darkness they found each other.
They only have each other.
Hand and hand, huddled together in their 'room' they secretely swore in their hearts... one day, one day they will take the other out. To leave this wretched place and live a happier life.
They were not aware of the strings attached to their limbs, craftily manipulating everything in the shadows to cultivate pairs of weapons. A blade and a hilt. One to cut and another to ensure prolonged utility.
The sun rises and falls outside the always dimmed place.
As time passed, she slowly managed to catch up to Lou Xi in terms of importance. He was valued for his intelligence while she was praised for her fighting talent. They trained for 5 years, and the ending of the training did not mean that the nightmare was over.
The image cracks and shatters and she is back, safe in their home, their safe haven