I do not remember what transpired next. My mind and body were overwhelmed by the smoke fanning our way. I became lost in the darkness that was held in the corners of my mind, and there was no sound coming through to me. Even my fingers could no longer grasp the feeling of my sword's sheath. I have become devoid of my natural rationale and was inflicted with a scar too deep to heal.
'Find yourself, La-Lady- Run- Please..RU- '
My body moved on its own, and without hesitation, I ran. I fled from the sight. I fled from the darkness that threatened to swallow me whole. My heart raced against itself in a contest that would have no winner. Yet, I still tried nonetheless. Escape….I must escape and find my mother. I must see Sylvia.
'Ru-Run!'
Sylvia… I could hear her voice at this moment. It's telling me to escape once again, but no…I don't want to. I do not wish to leave her behind again. To abandon and fail her while she dies.
"Damn it- She's fast! I can't keep track of her!" shouted a voice.
"Split up! We'll try to cut her off!" another ordered.
They're closing in! Not just one, but there are more of them now! I can't allow them to catch up with me! Please, legs, carry me through. I must get back to Sylvia!
'The death of the Angea is here!'
No, I can't die just yet! I must get to Sylvia. I must get back to my mother! I must save them, but… I can't…can I? My legs took on a mind of their own with each step that I took. My body moved purely out of instinct, and it decided to put distance between me and the vile darkness. It inched closer and closer until it seized me. My limbs locked up, and my body gave out instantly. The ground greeted my knees, and my palms met its acquaintance.
'No-No-No…get up… you must get up and run. Am I not even strong enough to do that as well?'
The curse of lackluster strength is something that always reared its ugly head. My family is rooted in influential individuals. Power commands respect and admiration, but there's always a curse when it comes to it. Every once in a while, an individual is born to power who is somehow shaped by ineptitude and incompetence.
She is the plague of mediocrity on the back of excellence. Her cowardice would cost those whom she cares about their lives and their dreams. She would cost her family and her city the peace that they have endured. There will always be one person unfit to wear the mantle. In this case, that person just so happened to be me.
Within the overwhelming darkness that enveloped me, a sense of dread took root in my heart. There was a shiver that ran down my spine, one that jolted my body into sudden movement. My hand traveled to the sheath of my sword, but to my surprise, there was a vacancy there. My head snapped towards it, and sure enough, my sword was missing from that spot.
'My sword… where is it?'
My gaze shifted from my right to my left, but there wasn't a single sight of it. My breath picked up, and I quickly turned to exhale. The transition was instantaneous, and my heart found a new rival in terms of speed. I could hardly catch my breath as my thoughts raced, and that dread captured my heart.
'What… where did this come from?!'
My wrists appeared to have developed a type of restriction that prevented any rash moves I desired to perform. I attempted to struggle against them, but even these regular ropes had proven to be superior to me when it came down to strength. No matter how I struggled and protested, not even an inch had been given.
"There she is!"
'Who is this individual? Where did they come from? Why are they here?'
My questions managed to get their answers, but I soon came to disapprove of them. The unfamiliar man wrapped his hands around my right arm. Their grip was tight as they suddenly snatched me onto my feet. The dry palm of the individual dug into the fabric of my sleeves, but my body offered no resistance. With the assistance of these bindings, the individual began dragging me.
Klaboom!
There was a sudden sound akin to an explosion that shook the airwaves. The impact was enough to knock both of us off our feet. My body slammed against the ground, and my forearm caught the brunt of it. The individual was not that sturdy either, but they managed to catch themselves before my body did. This was a chance. Mustering every fiber of my minimum power, I slammed my shoulder into them.
"Tch- What the hell?!" the individual cried out.
Without delay, my body shifted into action. Despite the difficulties of starting on the ground, it began traveling towards the edge of the darkness. There was a familiarity to the sound. It was a sound that shook the grasp of the darkness off my body. I have no idea what lies at the end of this darkness, but I think that I can see a light.
'The death of the Angea is here!'
No- I can not die just yet. I cannot afford to fall short of the goal that I have now set for myself. The Angea can not end with me, and I can not allow those responsible for claiming Sylvia's life to get away with it. Strength is what I need. I need the power necessary to punish those who dared to end my bloodline. Those who dared to disrupt the peace that my mother fostered must see their plans come to fruition, and justice for Sylvia must be served.
'Ru-Run!'
I must do it! Run! I must escape this feeling! Mediocrity is something that everyone is bound to encounter throughout their lives. It is a prison that holds those with weak hearts bound. Yet, still I must run! I must still escape this prison, but first I must escape this darkness.