Duty

(Current time outside cage: 3:09am)

With Elise still in deep slumber, her dream continues.

As Elise's fingers grasped the pale hand, a chill ran down her spine, a sensation she couldn't shake off. With a tightening grip, she felt herself being pulled into the abyss of the mirror, its dark depths swallowing everything in its wake.

The transition was disorienting. The surroundings dissolved into a void, devoid of light and sound.

The darkness was claustrophobic, with Elise only being able to slightly move around as she tried to free herself from it.

As she struggled for her freedom, her flesh tore from her body with her form undergoing a bizarre transformation, no longer flesh and blood but a spectral white mass, vaguely human in shape. 

Muted by the void of her missing mouth, her shrieks of terror remained unheard, condemning her to endure silent agony in the abyss of her own suffering, where no soul could bear witness to her torment.

Desperately clawing her way out of the suffocating darkness, Elise's hand finally found a frigid surface, its surface was as cold as cement.

 Instinctively, she pounded against it with all her might, each blow sending slivers of light piercing through the cracks she forged. Numb to the pain, she relentlessly battered the surface, determined to break free from the oppressive grip of the shadows that held her captive.

Putting all her strength into her punches, she managed to burst from within the darkness, Raising her gaze from the ground, Elise's eyes widened at the bizarre sight before her. 

She was on the moon.

Its gray surface stretched out into the horizon, with strange ruins with indecipherable ancient writing in the distance. 

Beside her were an unsettling arrangement of dark metal coffins, four had already been opened with the rest sealed shut, with the exception of one completely destroyed coffin. 

 Underneath each coffin was a pool of blood, bleeding towards a dark crater.

Intrigued yet cautious, Elise approached the crater's edge, her attention drawn to a strange sight at its center – a majestic golden tree overshadowing a shining golden casket. 

With each step towards the tree, she felt an inexplicable pull, as if destiny itself called her forward, as she approached the tree. She noticed the casket had golden serpent patterns on its shell, it was also half opened. 

As Elise tried to peer inside the coffin a voice from behind stopped her.

"Don't wake her up from her slumber" The gender of the voice was unrecognizable.

Elise turned around to see a humanoid white mass similar to her. 

"The Archons will do that" Elise felt the figure's gaze towards her and they locked towards each other. 

"Oh, I forgot you cannot speak yet." The figure said with bitter disappointment, strangely enough, each of the words the figure spoke felt like they were thoughts inside Elise's head.

Elise shrugs 

In an instant, Elise's senses sharpened as a haunting scream from above startled her . Instinctively, she tilted her head upward, with the voids of her eyes widening in horror at the sight that unfolded before her.

Hovering above them, ethereal figures of anguish condemned to crimson crosses, their forms twisted and contorted in a grotesque display of suffering. Each ashen body bore the weight of indescribable torment, their emaciated frames etched with scars that spoke of agonizing trials endured.

From the gaping wound in their stomachs, a waterfall of blood flowed, tracing a crimson path down towards the somber coffins below.

From what Elise could count there were nineteen of them, being the same number of the coffins. However, one in particular stood out as it was crucified upside down.

"I also don't quite understand what they are either," The figure says with a hint of curiosity.

"But if you're here that means you've been chosen, like me" The figure and Elise stared at each other, in silence for a moment before it proceeded to speak again. 

"You'll eventually get what I'm saying don't worry but for now-"

From the vacuum of space, a giant black eye opened, staring at Elise.

"I'll have to send you back out, for your safety" 

As the eye stared at Elise's white mass it started to crumble to dust, with her body already half gone she met gazes with the strange figure for the last time.

"May we meet again, in the waking world" 

Elise felt as if an unknown pressure was crushing her chest, she was pale beyond comparison and her lungs felt as if they failed to function. Gasping for breath, Elise screamed in fear as she jolted from her slumber, her heart still racing.

The bright morning sun blinded her hazy bedridden vision, her tense posture soon relaxed moments later as she twirled around in her bed in annoyance due to the blaring alarm, with last night's dream already slipping from her mind.

The loose folds of her clothing draped effortlessly around her slim form, as she reluctantly sat up and turned off her alarm clock. 

<7:19 am>

Elise sluggishly wandered through her apartment dragging her feet across the floor, she embarked upon her familiar morning routine. 

Her apartment bore a minimalist aesthetic, devoid of any decorative furniture with only essentials that provided functionality being present, this was further complimented by the pristine white walls of her apartment that gave off an air of sterile tranquility.

Amidst this simplicity, only a few items drew the eye: 

faded photographs resting atop her bedside table, gently illuminated by the morning light filtering through the window, and a delicate emerald necklace placed beside them.

Pausing momentarily in her preparations for the day ahead, Elise's gaze lingered upon the necklace. With a fleeting touch, she traced the contours of the pendant.

Elise's mind wandered through the corridors of a memory, a vivid recollection emerged as she caressed the necklace. 

She found herself transported back in time, enveloped in the serene beauty of a grand garden. 

She was cloaked in the elegance of a black maid's attire, the fabric flowing around her like a river of midnight silk.

She could still recall every grand pathway of the garden, all paved with polished stone, winding through expanses of well-kept lawns of grass and pruned hedges.

Beyond, these were clusters of vibrant flowers that nod gracefully in the breeze, their petals painted in rainbow hues so vivid they seemed to defy reality.

Among them, a woman sat on a marble bench, wearing an elegant blue gown that seemed to mirror the depths of her own somber gaze.

 Her black hair cascaded in waves reminiscent of Elise's own, framing a face marked by a solemn yet regal bearing, her eyes a mesmerizing shade of deep blue.

As Elise stood amidst a garden of delicate blooms, the woman's presence enveloped her, offering solace amidst the chaos of her recollections. 

With a serene smile, the woman extended her hand, presenting Elise with a gleaming green amulet, a token of some unspoken significance.

"Before I go" the woman's voice echoed softly, carrying a weight of both urgency and sorrow, 

"I must entrust you with one final duty."

The command hung in the air, mingling with the fragrance of the flowers and the whispers of distant memories. 

Flashes of a crimson flag aflame against a backdrop of destruction flooded Elise's mind, accompanied by the haunting echo of screams and the lingering scent of tragedy.

Among the fragments, one demand resonated with clarity, anchoring Elise's attention amidst all her other thoughts.

"Take care of Minerva for me"

 The woman's words echoed

Reluctantly, Elise tore herself away from the haunting visions, her senses drawn back to the tangible world by the familiar embrace of her brown leather jacket.

As she traversed the bustling streets of the city, her gaze remained downward, unnoticed by most passersby who seemed eager to avoid her. 

The air crackled with tension, fueled by the whispers and sidelong glances directed her way. In the shadows of Black Water's notoriety, rumors swirled like smoke, casting a dark cloud over those associated with the company.

 They were viewed through a lens of suspicion and disdain, painted as mercenaries willing to barter their humanity for meager scraps of credit.

This damning perception stemmed largely from the infamous reputation of one of Black Water's former employees, Kirke.

His name echoed through the city like a curse, a grim reminder of the depths to which one could sink.

Deliberately killing more than 70 people during missions for their insurance money and dismissing them as mere "collateral damage".

A clear disregard for human life, branded him not just a killer, but a psychopath—a hasty generalization that tainted all who bore any connection to the company. 

Due to these rumors, Elise found herself living a life of solitude, finding within its confines a sanctuary from the complexities of human connection.

Despite its occasional challenges, she deemed it more convenient, a shield against burdening others with the weight of her own troubles.

While Elise remained impervious to the passing glances of judgment, her thoughts wandered through the labyrinthine alleys and decrepit streets, haunted by the persistent memory of the emerald necklace.

 Its weight pressed heavily upon her conscience, a silent reminder of her perceived worthlessness and the burden of unfulfilled obligations. With each step, she retraced towards the lobby of Black Water, her workplace.

With the weight of her responsibilities seemingly growing heavier.

The lobby greeted her like a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the outside world, its ambiance reminiscent of a luxurious hotel.

Bathed in the soft glow of a dim chandelier, its marble tiles and expansive glass panels exuded an unexpected tranquility, offering a fleeting respite from the grim reality beyond its walls.

"You're quite early today, Good morning Elise," a familiar voice emanated from within a lamp.

"Morning, Charon. Where's Holtow? I haven't seen him," Elise inquired, her voice laced with curiosity.

The small flame within Charon's lamp flickered as if he were pondering. "Hmm, I don't think I've seen him yet today. Maybe he's still inside the cage? I'm pretty sure a minute in a cage is equivalent to an hour in our time."

"So he's been in there for 18 minutes, huh? That must be weird... coming in one day, coming out the next."

Charon nodded in agreement and promptly replied, "Well, since your team leader is not present yet, would you like to fill in for his role temporarily? There are two available missions right now."

Charon disappeared below his desk and returned with two yellow folders. "Here you go."

Placing the two folders on his desk, Charon opened them both. "The first contract is from an anonymous source within the Magus Division, the usual entity extermination. The second one is from Eojin Industries; it's about testing a new experimental assault rifle."

"Another experimental weapon from Eojin Industries? Last time someone did that, their arms were blown off," Elise remarked, her tone tinged with skepticism.

Charon chuckled awkwardly. "Well… uh… that happens sometimes, I guess. Well, moving on to the extermination request then."

"Where's it located?" Elise inquired.

"Ward 15."

"The forgotten ward?"

"The entity is Echidna ranked, well… E-rank for short. I doubt it would be a problem for you."

"An entity is still an entity. You of all people should know not to underestimate those things," Elise cautioned.

The flame within Charon dimmed. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Well for now I think I'll be waiting Holtow, I'll see you tomorrow," Elise said, ready to decline the offer.

"Alright," Charon agreed, reaching out his hand for the folder. However, as Elise handed it over, a small red piece of paper fell to the floor.

She crouched down to retrieve it and her eyes widened in shock and fear as she read what was written on the small note.

"Elise? What's wrong?" Charon's concern was evident in his voice.

Elise's breath quivered as she showed the note to Charon. "Did you know this was in here?"

Charon tilted his head in confusion. "Know what was in there?"

"This note," Elise urgently replied.

"Elise… What note?"

"This one! The red one!" Elise waved her hand with nothing in it, her panic growing.

"Uh… no?" Charon replied, confusion evident on his face.

Elise stood frozen, realizing that Charon couldn't see what she was seeing.

"Elise… I think you might just be a little tired. Did you sleep properly last night?" Charon questioned gently, concern etched in his voice.

Elise's heart raced as she double-took at the crumpled piece of paper, hoping against hope that it was just a trick of her exhausted mind. Yet, the message remained, stark and undeniable. With trembling hands, she released her grasp on the paper, half-expecting it to vanish into thin air. But it persisted, a silent testament to its reality.

"It's real," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the busy lobby.

Charon watched her with growing concern, his earlier confusion giving way to genuine worry as he observed her reaction.

Elise hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with a myriad of thoughts and emotions. Then, steeling herself, she unfolded the crumpled paper and once again read the message on her mind.

"If you want to find Minerva, complete the mission."