Another Life

"Are you sure that culprit is in here?" the dwarf growled.

"Yes, boss. From what I knew, a hooded figure seemed to lead a group of young fellas into this very one building, and I believe that his height was the same as our products. He probably shares the same age with them as well."

"A kid leading this "heroic" operation? You gotta be kidding me. If it's only a child, I don't think there's a convincible excuse we should be afraid of!" the dwarf ranted.

"..." the entire group of henchmen stiffly gazed at the dwarf without a word leaked.

"What're you guys staring at? BARGE IN NOW!"

The battered old door was shattered after a boot from a henchman. Then the rest charged into this abandoned building, causing a stir all over the place, hunting for the culprit like a bunch of starving hyenas.

"Seize the products and also the one who freed them. I want to have a word with this "vigilante"!"

After an hour of strip-searching, the outcome of the rummage was relatively disappointing. A mad dwarf was only what to be seen.

"You said they were here! But they don't seem to be found anywhere!" the dwarf infuriated,

"I'm pretty sure I saw them go in here, boss!"

"Then where the goddamn are they?!"

"I swear... they were her..."

"Stop with another lengthy-as* explanation. That nasty tone of yours is killing me." the dwarf interrupted,

"Your prolonged explanation will not help you in any way but prove yourself to be more foolish, pathetic, and useless!"

"Not only is your motherf**king misleading garbage jeopardizing us by guiding the entire group into one of this ominous-a*s town, the place that was once said to be the nest for those unholy creatures. Besides, you are also wasting my precious, irreplaceable time letting the children escape! Look at us like a bunch of fools! Exhausting our energy and time on this filthy and wobbly building on nothing!"

During the relentless grumbling from the dwarf, Jamal dipped his left foot into an unidentified liquid puddle by a fluke. Because of the unlit vicinity, it blinded every perceivable corner and unapparent object, depicting what seemed colorless and dark, including the liquid. To ensure what was dipped, Jamal kneeled and submerged his pinky, then gave a subtle sniff, only to find out...

"GUYS! EVACUATE NOW! WE FELL RIGHT INTO A TRAP!" after a thunderous warning at his crew and boss, Jamal scrambled like a bat out of hell.

Soon as he bolted, a glance of swift heat struck him. He turned to his rear. A blazing building was the only thing in the picture. He was right on a dime before the worse probable fate descended. But...

Jamal locked his gaze on the building and witnessed one of the most obnoxious scenes he had ever seen. The direct exposure of his crew and boss danced in the embracement of ferocious and hungry flame while singing in an ear-piercing agony tone while slowly consumed by it. Jamal's eyes were wide open, absorbing every little detail of his crew reducing into ashes as the walls and roof collapsed singly. Then he saw him, the person behind the massacre, stationing right before the fiery gateway. Child-like body frame, a burning torch in his right grasp, a mask on his face with a hood to hide the rest, perfect concealment within one's identity.

"WHO ARE YOU!" a loud shout from Jamal. Despair, wrath, and dread were the only ones left of him. Fear had glued him to the very one spot, driving his saneness to go astray, forcing him to waste the chance of capturing the culprit.

But after being abstracted, Jamal snapped back to his senses. But it was too little too late. The figure already joined with the wind, leaving no traces of his presence, footprints, bits, nothing.

Only a smothered torch and the residue of his destruction remained. In the meantime, the scorching flame swirled higher and danced daintier than ever as Jamal rested on the soil covered in the mud of utter defeat, watching the fire engulfing every speck of the building's remnants, reducing everything into nothing but ashes.

***

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***

Soon as the slavers were eradicated, the masked figure reappeared in this sleazy town, blending in with the locals.

"The children were safely secured, master. They are currently transporting to Latonia." a soft, calm, and angelic feminine voice emitted from the masked figure. It was not a "he" but a "she." And it derived that she was communicating with her "Master" without using devices. Probably the art of communication spell. That allows them to establish a link between their neural system, transmitting the voices to thoughts of others despite a far-reaching distance.

"What about the "one" we spoke about? Did she receive any crippling harm?" the "Master," asked,

"A few scratches and bruises, that's it. Nothing lethals..."

"And I'm delighted to hear that..." the "Master" was relieved,

"What about that person you mentioned? The one who attempted to rescue the targets." the "Master" continued,

"He seemed nowhere to be sighted, probably rotting in one of these alleys."

"Can you do me a favor? Find him. I would like to have a word with him. But... if worst to come, please retrieve his body."

"Apologies for my insolent request, but on what grounds, master? You wanted to interact with this miserable air-wasting low-end lifeform that brings no benefits to our operation?"

"Let's just say my senses foretold, signifying something enigmatic about him..."

"Apologies, master, but that sound absurd. I sensed nothing special about him, nothing capable of qualifying him as meritable but extravagant. And as a reminder, master, he nearly destroyed our perfectly orchestrated plan, which proved his retrieval is a bootless errand."

Death might render me in dejection, but these harsh words derived from such a petite mouth. It came in like a boulder, crushing my self-esteem like butter. That reminded me of how much of a pathetic fool I am or 'was' as my current state is.

"I'm sorry to hear that, but it was never a request but an order. I might admire your obstinate to certain judgment. But I hope, in this case, you won't let your personal consensus defy the order I bequeathed upon you." the "master" stated,

"No master, as your devoted vassal, the man or his body shall be delivered before your presence under no circumstances." She devotedly replied, then embarked to locate my presence.

The search only lasted a few minutes, and my rotting body was discovered in one of the dim alleys. Specifically, the one filled with rodents, where my flesh became a feast for them. Such an obscure display, yet she approached in an undistraught manner. Soon the steps ceased, she firmly reported.

"I found him cold..." she then glanced once more for a more apparent measure,

"Should be dead for a while now," she added.

"It is heartbreaking to know that, but still... retrieve his body."

"Yes, master..." she responded, but right before her palm placed before my decaying flesh, she persistently added,

"Apologies, master... May I intrude for the regards of the priority set on this insignificant figure that had to expand my presence?"

"I'm sorry, Elena. The information is confidential or, precisely, it is personal. Please retrieve the body before the worms do."

So, the masked female figure was named Elena, as mentioned by her master...

Well... it had nothing to do with me. Let's proceed.

Despite the order driven, a moment of hesitation was yet composed by Elena, who thereafter replied,

"Yes, master."

A sharp glance and a deep sigh followed. She bent her knees gently while disgustedly planting her hands on my corpse and chanted in a whispering tone. Casting a mystical circle beneath my lifeless body. Once the mystical circle illuminated, the birds darted out from the area, and a flashing bright light dispersed, blinding each corner of the alley and fading at the next second. So were the both of us...

***

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***

The present day was not different from any other day. As leaves parted their farewell from the branches, birds practiced their favorite song in their routine practices, and sunlight functioned as they supposed, bathing my skin like the warm caress it is. Such a comforting sensation. How delightful...

...

...

...wait a minute...

Wasn't that I was supposed to be dead? How can it be possible that I can come in touch with these sensations? After these puzzling doubts, my eyelids rose like greased lightning, as an unfamiliar blurry ceiling was what I could only reach, and it slowly got clearer when my eyesight was faintly restored.

"Did I seem to be regained my consciousness? And what about this fluffy feeling? Am I on something?" I questioned my surrounding.

At once, at the moment of realization, I realized I was resting on a comfy, sumptuous bed centered between some lavishly decorated walls. Ornamented chandeliers dangled above the ceiling, pleasing and seductive fragrance overflowed, and rays of sunlight breached through these exquisitely carved windows, illuminating the dim corners of the room.

"I never thought this cozy sensation would ever be rendered in my lifespan." I smiled and flopped back on this succubus-like bed, slowly submerging myself into the sea of pleasure. Then a sharp assertion flashed before my bewitched thoughts.

"Wait, a second... What about this chain of lavish feelings? Ain't no way I had the wealth to support this succulent paradise. Unless... could it be...?"

"THE REALM OF THE AFTERLIFE?! I mean, I am pretty sure I was dead moments ago!"

"Well... I guess it wasn't half-bad after all. I meant to look at this place. A cozy velvet-like bed, a splendidly designed bedroom, and a dazzling chandelier on the ceiling."

"Hmm... A group of beautiful servants would be the icing on top." I degenerately smiled while fantasizing through these indecent thoughts.

A wave of footsteps pierced through my ears. It was out of this room, it seemed. But halted right when it reached a louder degree.

*door creaked*

The door that linked to the room I rested upon was opened without notice. I glanced at the door swiftly and realized two well-uniformed maids, and a butler had entered my room. I was speechless and fueled with bliss since it fulfilled what I wished. During this solemn circumstance, my face was determined to depict a smirk as my response,

"Master Dalton, it seems you have woken from your slumber." the butler delighted,

"Yeah, I guess?" I quickly re-collected myself and responded in a dubious tone,

"I'm happy to hear that. And please, Master Dalton, would you mind getting changed as Master Dwight wants to have a word with you?" the butler bowed and politely requested,

"Master Dwight, who is that?" I raised my eyebrow as more questions filled this empty shell.

"Master Dwight is the righteous owner of this very one mansion. He is the eldest descendant of Emperor Radcliff himself. He holds the highest authority in three kingdoms: the Kingdom of Icetorn, Qutorfal, and At'ena. Besides, Master Dwight also scored the highest in his academy during his youth, attaining ten victories on a streak in the Worldwide Combatant Tournament; he also received the title of the master of the mystical arts at the age of 12, became the master swordsman during the age of 14, received the title of the champion of Enddorm at the age of..."

"Stop! I think I'm already well informed about your master..." I depressively giggled as it reflected how much of a deadbeat I am,

"Then shall we, Master Dalton?" the butler composedly extended his right arm and invited,

"Yeah..."

I rose from the bed and casually followed him.

"In here, Master Dalton," he laid his hand on an oak-framed door before me,

"Your attires are readied within. Please enter and change according to the prepared clothes, and I'll be waiting for your return before the doorway."

"Al...right?" I had yet discombobulated,

The changing room was massive, despite not being as massive as the one I once dwelled in. But without further prolonging by scouting out this place, I reached for the attire that tidily hung in the obvious spot that clearly depicted the sign of wanting me to wear it.

After a few minutes, I exited the changing room under an overall makeover. The butler and the maids had seemed unfazed and stationed since I entered the changing room. I guess it was the so-called professional.

"You seem delightful, Master Dalton. Shall we proceed?"

"Yes..." I responded,

"Right this way, Master Dalton. Remember to hasten your paces and keep up with us so you might restrain yourself from getting lost."

"Well... The way you put it, it sounds both terrifying and intriguing at the same time. Make me low-key kinda want to get lost."

This place was colossal, the design in each corridor was superb, and I could barely advert my eyesight from those breathtaking sculptures and trinkets across the hallways.

"Please restrain yourself from touching, Master Dalton."

"Oh... don't worry, I will not and probably never land my finger even the tip upon any of these luxurious pieces of stuff... Since I probably couldn't even afford any of these items nor recompense, despite working my entire body to the bone." I nervously replied.

"That noble affirmation of yours highly gratifies me," he responded as the advance ceased before an imposing doorway guarded by two frightening, overly armored guards who could properly kill anyone with a glance.

"We've arrived, Master Dalton. Please bear with me for a moment by staying here, Master Dalton. It is essential for me to inform Master Dwight regarding your arrival. So, please pardon me for a few minutes." the butler politely bowed as he temporarily departed, walked past those terrifying guards, and entered the room guarded behind those monumental doors.

Despite not committing any ridicule action, I felt guilty for just standing in front of those two well-armed guards.

Aside from the guards, the other two maids silently posted at my back also skyrocketed my anxiety to the roof. Sensing that I might get obliterated if I moved a single muscle. The more I prolonged, the more dread was instilled in me.

"Come on, butler! How much longer should I be waiting here? I'm slowly losing my guts here!" I agonizingly contemplated.

The gates steadily opened, and the butler had finally returned. The moment I saw him, I was so thrilled that I nearly cried.

"Please, enter, Master Dalton. Master Dwight is expecting you." the butler stepped to the side and bowed.

"Yeah... Sure?" I tentatively answered and advanced to those enormous gate frames,

Before the entry, I took an overly extended deep breath to calm that inner demon as I peered at the room nestled in front of my vision. Once this unnecessary preparation was finished, I finally proceeded into this suspenseful room where the mysteries within awaited me.