Dark Past (2)

Viktor stepped out of the building before his weary gaze fell upon the sight of a woman.

A woman outside of the fence stole his breath away.

Beyond the robust fence, amidst the chaos and turmoil as Section D was under attack—the woman of ethereal beauty stood. Her presence caught Viktor's focus and her presence was akin to a soft glow, the light of an angel in the midst of darkness.

She moved with grace, her movements as delicate as a flower dancing in the breeze.

Oblivious to the violence that raged mere meters away—she and her companions selflessly distributed food to the desperate refugees. Viktor didn't realize it, but he was already stood by the fence, captivated by her radiant aura.

Despite the entire section was already on the brink of collapse, she consoled the others.

From her racing heart, Viktor knew that she was afraid—but kept it to herself.

Curious, he leaped over the fence and landed outside.

Before going out, Viktor didn't forget to put on his cap and also his high-tech face mask.

Upon landing gracefully, the woman, Aurora, turned around to look at him.

She was surprised at the sight of Viktor appearing suddenly.

Naturally, knowing that Section D was about to fall, she expected usurpers to flood to them.

Because of the vicious battle, that raged at the border—the Luminary Orb above, that helped people tell the time malfunctioned. It made the entire section dark, and it was hard for Aurora to see Viktor's appearance.

Just then, another loud explosion resounded, and this one broke the water pipe above.

It causes water to pour down on them like rain.

Aurora returned her gaze back to Viktor, and she noticed something was off about him.

Unlike the clear color that the water should have, the water that drizzled down Viktor's form was dyed with the thick color of red. Now, at the sight of this—Aurora was sure that he was one of the usurpers.

Stepping forward, she shields the refugees on her back.

A brave move that signifies her willingness to protect the refugee with her own life.

Viktor was further impressed, but then, he noticed his comrades arrived.

Piercing through the last defense line, they rushed towards the secondary governor's office.

But seeing the refugee, they stopped and charged at them, showing no mercy.

Seeing hundreds of Sorcerers and Metahumans, cracking the ground with each step heading towards them, Aurora sweated as it seems death had come to pick them up. But it was when she closed her eyes the sound of people roaring in charge disappeared.

Opening her eyes slowly, she gasped at the sight of claws made of shadows.

It barricaded them from the charging army of usurpers.

Averting her gaze back to where Viktor stood, Aurora found that he was already gone.

However, she knew that this must be his doing.

Viktor told the resistance army to spare Aurora and the refugees out of his admiration.

A couple of months passed.

Now, Section D was under new management, under the Criminal Path of Lunacy.

Just like before—Viktor gained a task to eradicate the rats that were still inside Section D.

After killing his target, he came out of an alley, wiping his hands from blood.

Expecting nothing, Viktor decided to go report his completed task—but he came to a stop at the familiar sight of a woman. Aurora, it was the second time he saw her, and she seemed to be holding a fundraiser near a youth center.

But as she did that, a group of people harassed her, trying to take the raised money.

Of course, she and the other teachers fought back.

Even then, it was clear as day that they wouldn't be able to protect their money.

Viktor sighed and shook his head, "It's not my problem..."

Deciding that it was not his problem, he walked the other way, ignoring the atrocities.

"Please! These credits are for the orphans that needed support!"

"Fuck the orphans, I don't care. All of them could die and that wouldn't do anything to me!"

Slap!

"Akkhhk~!"

Upon hearing the resounding slap, followed by a high-pitched yelp, Viktor halted his steps.

Against his own character, he turned around and went over to them.

Just before one of the men was able to hit Aurora for the second time—Viktor arrived to the fray and looked at the man coldly. Realizing who it was, the group felt their entire being was shaking as they backed away in fear.

Nobody from the resistance army under the Criminal Path of Lunacy didn't know who it was.

Viktor was a legend, and also the right-hand man of the boss himself.

Seeing his cold expression alone made them pee their pants and flee away.

Other teachers who saw the group shuddered at the sight of Viktor frowned in confusion, no one amongst them was from the resistance army—and they didn't know who Viktor was. But seeing the group's evident fear of him hinted at his significance.

Looking down at Aurora, Viktor asked, "Are you okay...?"

Raising her gaze, she realized that the group was nowhere to be seen, only Viktor was there.

Naturally, she assumed that Viktor had warded them off.

Almost in an instant, Aurora stood up and hugged him, crying profusely at his shoulder.

"Thank you! If you haven't come then I don't know how else to help the kids..." She sobbed.

Upon hearing this, Viktor was stunned as he was not expecting this great of a reaction, but it was also then that he caught sight of his own bloodied hands. Realizing that he was not one, who deserved such gratitude, he pushed Aurora away.

"Don't thank me, I don't deserve any gratitude," Viktor said, shaking his head.

After saying that, he turned, intending to leave.

Staying here more would only make him taint the innocent angel, and he didn't want that.

"That's not true..." Aurora interjected suddenly—causing Viktor to glance over his shoulder. "I may not know who you are, but I can feel that you are a good person, inside. And even if I am wrong, it's an even bigger deal because you fought against your darker impulses and won by helping us today. For that, I'm truly grateful, Sir"

It was only after that ordeal that Viktor couldn't get rid of Aurora from his mind.

Her positivity won him over, and he wanted to be with her.

Ever since that day, he decided to approach her, helping her in whatever she wanted to do.

Not long after that, he proposed and married Aurora.

Naturally, Viktor was expecting to spend the rest of his life with Aurora, growing old together, and raising their children in peace. But a little bit over two years after that, a sickness that no doctors could treat struck her.

Something that none of the two could see coming.

Throughout their marriage, Aurora never knew who Viktor was truly.

He tried telling her, but she refused to know, saying that it's best to put his past to rest.

Obviously, she knew that he was not a good person in the past, but she still accepted him.

For her, what matters is who he is right now.

On the deathbed, moments away from dying, Viktor and Aurora hold hands tightly.

Observing the profound sorrow in Viktor's gaze, as he beheld her in such a state—Aurora put on a warm smile—and grasped his hands firmly, "Remember, dear," she began softly. "You've come so far. Don't let my death be an excuse to backtrack. Promise me... Promise me that no matter what, you will continue doing good,"

Viktor never thought he had the capability to cry, but at this moment, a tear came down.

"You have my promise..." He replied whisperingly.

Upon hearing this, Aurora's smile broadened, "I love you,"

Just as those words left her lips, the pulsating waves of life on the monitor turned straight.

A deafening silence followed it as the steady rhythm ceased.

...

Reminiscing those moments was the only thing Viktor could do right now.

He was inside the local pub, drop-dead drunk—lying his heavy head on the bar.

In his new vessel, Viktor's mind remained tethered to the past— and he couldn't function due to the fact that his death, came one day after his wife was buried. He didn't have the chance, to mourn properly before his peace was disturbed.

Now that he has 5,000 credits in his pocket, he decides to drown himself in drinks.

Beside him was Namira, who seemed to be in a bad mood.

Just as Viktor drank his third bottle to the absolute bottom, a white mechanical sphere came from the side, observing his drunken face, [Is this what mortals called sorrow? Can you have a go at explaining how it feels?]

"How it feels? My chest felt like it was being pressed by an elephant," Viktor replied.

Upon hearing this, the sphere's eye flashed, [Fascinating...]

Earlier, this sphere appeared, and it was Machinaeus when she felt like appearing.

Viktor thought that it was the System at first, but it was not.

Paranoid of the surroundings with people laughing and bantering loudly—Namira looked over at Viktor and leaned close to his ear—"Are you seriously trying to get drunk?!" She whispered in an angry tone. "Did you forget that you killed six people, from the Blackout Gang?! It would not take long for them to find out, you know!"

"Not to mention, this pub is extremely close to their main turf!" She added.

Upon hearing this, Viktor rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Well, if you whisper that loudly, why don't you just advertise that I killed them" He replied.

Namira gritted her teeth, she was stressing out but Viktor didn't.

And somehow, it irked her even more.

Seeing this, Machinaeus couldn't help but say, [What are you in sorrow for?]

[If you complete the task I gave you by following the System's lead, your wife will be revived]

"Eugh... Shut up already, I'll do it tomorrow" Viktor replied, burying his face on the bar table.

But then, Namira nudged him a couple of times aggressively.

"What is it, Namira?! Can't you please let the man have a drink in peace?!" He barked.

Ignoring his tantrum, Namira pointed at the other corner of the pub with her chin, "It's Hanna, she's here! I know that she likes to sneak out and go about on her own, but I don't expect her to be here in this pub!"

Viktor looked at the corner Namira pointed at and saw a red hair, beautiful woman.

It was Hanna, the sister of the Blackout Gang's leader.

Upon seeing her, Viktor straightned his back before a devilish smile crossed his face.

"I want to lay low for today. But if an opportunity arose, then I won't let it pass..."

Taking a shot—he wiped his mouth before heading to Hanna with a mysterious intention.