Plates were set, cooked steak along with wine were served, candles flickering on the table. Two people sitting on each end, a man and lady. Mr Warner gently slicing a slice of steak. As he takes a sip of his wine.. On the other end Anastasia, calm and comfortable, mirrored him, subconsciously.. Two maids were standing on other end..
As some maids entered the room and place some chicken roll along with dessert.. Seeing this, Anastasia got a little surprised, startled.
"Ah. Mr Warner, everything is amazing. But I have to take a raincheck for few seconds."
She spoke politely, giggling as she scrubs some tissue on her lips.. Warner chuckled pleasantly.
"It is my honor to take care of my guest.. Doesn't matter who am I.."
His lips curved to a warm smile, exaggerated smile..
"Anyways what about the contract meeting with the ECO?.. Did they proceed?."
He asked her, expression gentle with curiosity filled over his eyes. She pondered for few seconds, before answering..
"Yep. Contract of the Patch for Escrole and Riven family have been sent, if this contract is executed.. Peace will last for 100 years.. Who knows?. Maybe more.."
She slightly leaned to the chair, the room was quite chummy between them.. Warner sighs, before asking again..
"Then.. Your Order must have bring the gates contract with you. Am I thinking right?."
Warner said politely, his expression warm and gentle with a smirked lingering over his cheeks.
"Of course!."
She extended her arm to air as a paper appeared, insignia of the Weamer Order within the contract, it flowed in air, floating around and around until it reach Warner to other end.. He takes a intense glare on it, expression undreadable, mused in his thoughts.. Anastasia slightly titled her head to aside, curious..
"Well.."
He mumbled, putting the contract aside him.
"I will look forward to it.."
He declared with a warm smile, exaggerated smile. Anastasia chuckle, getting up to her knees.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr Warner.."
She said with a warm smile, her clutch in her hand.. She was just about to leave, suddenly.. The maids in the room choked so hard, grasping for air as many slashes spread over their body, everywhere..
"Aghhh!."
They screamed in pain, before getting cutt to pieces.. Anastasia froze, her eyes widen. Some blood spread over her dress, her cheek. Warner was shocked, lowering his gaze..
"No.. Not now.."
He muttered. His fingers trembling, it was as if an invisible force had entered the room..
"Mr Warner, this sensation.. What is this power?."
A handful of golden, dazzling strings appeared in her hands. Her expression serious. She looked at Warner who had unreadable expression.. Lips quivered. He said something, something that made her surprised.
"Run.. Get out from here."
"Huh?."
She said with confusion, puzzled.
"Get.. Out."
His tone way serious, as wind burst around him, plates clattering, falling down. Glass bursting, He sighs, Anastasia takes some steps back, getting out from the room.
Her expression frightened, scared her eyes shed a tear subconsciously. She takes downstairs way faster than anyone, so close to reach the door, the exit, but suddenly a sound echoed everywhere..
WHOOSH!
Standing just before the main door, Warner glaze down, not looking at her. She mumbled.
"W– Why?."
Warner lips twitches, frowned expression.
"I– I can't control, this is beyond my control. Sorry.."
He lifted his head towards her, glaring at her, she could only see gleaming violet eyes staring at her, as she felt dizziness, so much that she can't control herself, pass out and falling to the floor..
Moments later..
Anastasia felt her eyes, she tries to open them, as she opened them, her expression frozed.
Infront of her were many people, wearing clothes of surgical room. Many instruments, everything, many items.. There weren't surgical tools, instead torture devices..
"Aghhh!."
She let a big scream as they were many chunks, bits of her body, chopped off, she was wearing a patient dress now.. Blood was visible everywhere on each of their gloves.
"Why!?."
She shed out tears, crying, everyone was quite as one of them strucked a nail on her eye, blasting it..
"Arugh!."
She screamed, blood sprayed over her face.. As one of them takes an axe, aiming towards her, she nods to do it.. As he strucked, her screen became black..
One again, she wakes up, again to the same situation, they tortured her, again and again.. She screamed in pain, swearing..
"F*cking go to hell!."
As they end her again..
Then again..
Then again..
Trying various methods to made her feel pain, more than ever, her body regenerate again and again.. But her soul, her mind on take on it..
As pain began to become useless on her, she had died more than 1000 times, each death horrible and worse then before.. Can't used her spiritually nor dimensionality because of special seals..
She opened her eyes, this time it was different.. Her hands tied, ropes around her, her body was looking good this time.. Yet she had an undreadable expression pasted over her face, glaring at Warner who was infront of her, standing still..
"I– I don't want to do it.. To you.. You're innocent.. I'm sorry.."
His words doesn't shifted her expression, not even a inch.. He continues without a pause.
"But it had to be done.. For greater good.."
Infront of her was a big lab, aside were lifeless people, Marums floating in green jelly like big tubes, some bodies slashed, cut off, some had only organs lingering.. On other side were scientist, surgeons torturing Marums, their screams echoing everywhere.. In the lab..
"Aghhh!."
Her glaze widened, startled..
"Y– You did it?."
He nodded..
"How cruel.. Don't you pity when killing those innocent people?.. You have a family.. Or it's just a lie.."
"Hmm. I do.. But it's way complex than you think.."
A chair appeared infront of him, he sat delightly.. Sighing, taking some deep breaths..
"You see, I'm trying to change this world.."
He mumbled, only these words came out of his mouth..
'i don't want to torture, not even hurt a single soul.. But.. To fight against the system, not just the order.. I need to take control.. Over everything.. Over myself.. Control is important.. I don't have any bad intentions."
He continues with a pause.. Anastasia was surprised, she didn't expected this..
"I want to change the system, it's not possible for me to do it myself.. This system.. These all organisations, are simultaneously making conflicts with each other.. In the end, it doesn't affect them, it affect us.. It effect us, we're the victims.."
He sighs, his expression frowned.
"That's why I want to change.. I know many will try to kill me, my own people.. Try to harm my family.. That's why I want to control.. Everything.. Nor let be controlled.. By system.. By our fate.."
Warner titled his head towards her, Anastasia whose expression was clearly shocked.. He meant Shon here in reference of our fate..
"Then why?.. Why killed me?.. More than 1000 times, making me feel pain more than ever.. Why?.. You're such a cruel person.. The most cruelest person in the world.. Even the system and our fate.. A monster.."
"That's right.. I knew, choosing this path will make me a monster, destroyed everything within me until there's void. Yet I still choose.. So that everyone.. Everyone can live happily, breath air of free will.."
Tears shred from his eyes.. In this moment, her tied hands freed.. He wiped the tears off..
"I– I'm sorry.. I'm self aware of my sins.. Indeed I'll have to pay for this.. So I'll give you a choice, go away from here since it only has been a day.. Expose me or do whatever you want.. I'll died without any regrets because I tried my best to achieve my goal.. It'll be okay.."
He titled his head upwards, a faint smile appeared on his cheek..
"But.. Many people are there who are using this same strategy as me.. Killing innocent for their own reasons.. My goal isn't wrong. Is it?. Even if I died, the number of sinners will be the same.. So I want.."
He lowered his head down, covered his face by his hands..
"I want you to sacrifice yourself. Your soul isn't average compare to other Marums as you're awaken Astran.. If you'll died.. You'll save many lives.. Thousands.. And my sins will stop.. Won't they?."
He looked towards her with a warm smile.. Anastasia skin turned pale..
~ Death.. If I died this time it'll be my end.. Right?.. No pain anymore.. Right..
The imagery of her dying many times made her vomit..
~ But what about my siblings.. I– I always wanted only.. Joy in my life.. Happiness.. Was this too much to ask?..
– No.. Everyone experience happiness right?. We experience it many times.. In our life... It's okay.. Do it..
Her inner voice words made her unable to think, she started sweating in cold sweat.. Her whole body shaking..
"I– I'll do it.."
She said, countless tears streaming from her eyes.. She started crying.. Warner stayed silent.. Unreadable expression..
Moments later..
It was a dark mysterious room, candles lighten everywhere.. No one was present.. Except..
Anastasia wearing her red yukata kneel down to her knees, her hands freed, around the circle. Warner was behind her with a golden radiating knife.. Infront of them was a crown. The Bloody Crest.. The circle was connected with the crown by lines..
Warner stepped forward, closer to her, step by step.. She stayed silent, calm, as he was only a inch behind her.. He slowly extended his knife towards her neck.. She muttered for the last time..
"Will this hurt?.."
"No.. It's your choice, it won't hurt.."
She sighs and made a final smile.. An exaggerated smile.. Remembering the precious moments of her life..
~ I had a great time.. With everyone.. My siblings.. My teammates.. Captain.. Thank you.. Thank you for everything..
She remembers moments she had spent time bantering with others, her siblings, her crew mates, Ethan.. Everyone..
~ Sadly. I can't express my emotions for you.. But in another life if I get a chance.. I will.. It's a promise..
Tears shred from her eyes as she smile.. Like a fool.. As Warner chanted, his eyes filled with tears..
"Oh the Crest.. Witness this beauty.. This is what you want.. Accept it.. Give me what I want... Give me control.."
He slaughtered her neck, blood sprayed everywhere.. She fell down.. This time she doesn't felt pain, she felt relief.. As she closed her tearful eyes..
Warner fell down to his knees.. The circle around them started emitting red light.. Aura.. As the jewels, the whole crown began to shine, scintillating golden light..
Warner punches on the ground..
BAM!
BAM!
So much it cause holes.. By now she had passed out.. Her soul had now fused with the crown.. This was the beautiful story of Anastasia.. Anastasia Camille..
[ Present scene ]
The soul eyes turned normal as she fell on the ground, shivering with fear and looking around her surroundings.. Everyone, leaning towards the wall or door was surprised that she had now come back..
"Anastasia!."
Ender exclaimed as he went towards her. Her lips quivered, many thoughts flowed in her mind..
~ Was.. That my.. Past..
She titled her lowered glaze towards Ender then towards everyone, one by one.. Then finally to the crown.. The bloody Crest..