CERES

The cold winter that covered the vast forestry of pines and cones could not diminish the fire that was burning deep inside Xhylan's heart. "Do you know what's the consequence for leaving the organization? You'll be killed! For goodness's sake! Ceres you have to think about this. What about those people you have been protecting all this time?" Xhylan shouted angrily at his best friend. He just learned from her that she wanted to quit from being an assassin even though she knew what would happen to her.

"I will think of a way for them to spare my life since - "

"Wow! Just wow! Did you really think they would give you one hell of a chance if you go and beg them on your knees?! You are dreaming!"

"But Xhy."

"I couldn't change your mind either, could I?" Xhylan muttered dejectedly. They have been together through thick and thin and he aways adored her. She wasn't the flawlessly beautiful type of woman but the scarred type of beauty. Her scars were proof of the missions she completed and they were her pride. She was rough with edges of strong emotions. At the same time, deep inside this rough stone, as long as you get to know her and get the chance to take a peek of what was inside her, you could see the beauty of her heart.

"If they ever allowed me to leave, would you still befriend me?"

"I will always be your ally. I will be your sword and shield."

"Hey! I don't need that type of friend. You don't have to protect me. At the end of the day, am I not sitting at the top of our rank list for the best assassins?"

"Tsk! So boastful!"

Ceres planned to leave from Raptors a long time ago. She has detailed steps of what she should do to accomplish it without getting killed. She needs to play her cards well in order to win this game.

The cold wind blew her face and she shivered. Christmas was just around the corner and yet, she was going to face death and try her best to avoid it. As far as she knew, no one was able to leave the organization alive and she wanted to be the first to do it. She has to. She needs to. It was the only way for her to be with the man she loves.

Later that night, Ceres arrived at their HQ in Carmen City. It was also known as the City of Gold because of the massive gold mining in this place. The mayor of this city as well as the mining developer, was also the head of Raptors. He hid the organization so well that no one suspected them to be in this city.

Since this city was so rich, it was also home to many casinos, clubs and resorts. One of these resorts was the best cover for their HQ – Ocean Magic. Since it was a resort, many people would think that everyone who came into this place was just a tourist or a guest.

Ceres walked inside with her suitcase and talked to the receptionist. They conversed for more than a minute and she handed her VIP card. In normal people's eyes, this card was the same as those cards that VIP guest receives. Only those trained receptionists knew what was the difference of the card that Ceres handed.

"Good to go?"

"Yes, ma'am. Please come this way." The receptionist led her to the west wing of the resort and pressed the button of the elevator for the VIP guests. All VIP guests could use this lift, but those who were part of Raptors will mostly depart once they reached the 7th floor. The 6th floor was exclusive for the mayor and the 8th floor was a playroom for the guests. The 7th floor was fully-booked all throughout the year and no one questioned it.

Ceres pulled her suitcase and walked silently like a cat taking a stroll in her master's lawn. The security guards bowed their heads a little when they saw her. Reaching the end of the hallway, she turned left and took the stairs which would lead her to a secret room on the 6th floor.

She finally arrived at the door with engraved owl and eagle which looked really out of place for the Ocean Magic resort. She tapped her card on the scanner and the locked clicked softly which was barely audible even in the deafening silence of the room.

She pushed the door open and saw two bouncers waiting for her. She was told to strip which no longer bothered her and she waited for them to check her clothes for weapons.

"Clear." one of the bouncers mumbled and returned her clothes to her.

Ceres dressed up like it was nothing and as soon as she finished, the metal door in front of her slowly slides to the side and the blasting noise from the people behind this door almost startled her.

"Ceres is here!"

"Ceres is back!"

"I wonder how many points she got this time."

"I heard she was told to assassinate one of the candidates for presidency in Country M."

"I joined the org because of her and I have been here for a year. This is the first time I have seen her in person."

"My Queen!"

Xhylan watched the clamor that his best friend caused and just took a sip of his wine. He already did what he could to prevent her death. He could only hope that she would do the end of her bargain to keep her life.

"Ceres. My adored queen. How have you been?" The third of the ranking list, Marcus, who expressed his love and adoration for 10 years now, was excitedly walking towards Ceres who only ignored him. "Snobbish as always." He said and grinned. "That's what I love about you."

"Shut up. I'm not in the mood."

Xhylan watched her best friend walked to the podium where a thick curtain was separating them from the middle-aged man behind it. He was one of the top 10 assassins that got the privilege to meet the man in person so other than the 10 people as well as the trusted staff, everyone else didn't know who the man was.

"Good evening, sir." Ceres greeted as she put down her luggage. "I have reported the completion of my mission already."

The man spoke which could only be heard by Ceres standing in front of him with the curtain between them. "I heard about it and I thought you wouldn't be coming back for another 2 years."

"I have a change of plans."

"And that is?"

"I'm quitting."