Project
-XENONIA SILVERSWIFT-
CHAPTER - 01: "The Anti-Hero Pt. 1"
~PROLOGUE~
I never thought my simple boring life of being an average adult, would change forever...
The moment I saw her purely gray hair flutter from the wind in the sky and those intensely green eyes.. I knew.. I knew that this woman, was one of a kind..
She hopped from that intense height of a building above my office and shot an item against the wall to fixate her balance before those fine legs held against the brick wall. It was then that she gave me a smile. That smile.. although sweet, was not good. It was a sinister one. One that had evil intentions.
Lowering her body by using the interesting grappling gadget she pulled out of her utility belt, she gazed into my eyes for a mere moment before responding.
"Ah. What pretty eyes you have.. for a guy."
Flipping her body right-side up, she continued to stare into my existence. Why was she staring into me with such great interest? The malice in her eyes was frightful but for some reason, it didn't faze me. Not like it did him.
"This is the part where you run away, since, you know.. I'm a baaad girl."
Yes.
This was true.
This woman just killed a man right in front of me. Mercilessly might I add. I was simply walking by this fine night, until I witnessed such a gruesome act behind an alley by my workplace. That's when I found it in myself that I should chase her down. The inner hero in me sprung my body forward to pursue the enemy and avenge the now dead, man. ..For some reason, I felt the need to care. To care that an innocent man was killed by a woman who gave him no mercy. That seemed to boil my blood with such intensity. I couldn't let it go. I just couldn't..
"You're brave. To be still standing there like that in front of me after what I did to that weakling. ..So you're not afraid?"
The woman giggled softly, flicking what seemed like an X-shaped dagger with her index finger as if it was a fidget spinner. She clearly had murderous intent with that thing towards me. Then again, that's the same weapon she used to kill that man. The obvious fresh blood dripping from it was proof of that.
I..
I didn't know what to say. What could I say..?
I was still perplexed by this whole thing. Why it happened and why a woman would do this? I'm not a misogynist, but I thought that even a woman, could be considerate to an innocent's life. This wasn't the case here.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
"What's your name.. if you don't mind me asking?"
What- Why would I say that? I don't know. I guess it could be a mixture of my life is on the line right now and curiosity as to who this killer in front of me, was named. Something tells me that this won't be the last time I see her. Might as well get formalities out of the way before I end up dying not knowing who my killer's name was.
Yes.
That's why I asked for her name... right?
Regardless, the woman seemed pleased, stopping her dagger from spinning before turning her attention to me. She was surprised by my response, but it didn't upset her. Good.
"Xenonia Silverswift. But you can call me Xenon. Just you, though. I grant you permission to. Only because you asked me nicely~"
...
Xenonia Silverswift..
Who are you?
Why did you kill that man?
...
. . .
The Anti-Hero PART 1
...
7:30 A.M.
The alarm clock started to ring. I woke up from my slumber to reach my arm from out my bed in which I was consumed by my comfortable sheets, to turn it off. That's when I decided to finally open my eyes to observe my surroundings.
Morning.. The sun is shining.
It then occurred to me. I'm late for work...!
After shooting up the instant of my realization, I quickly bounced out of bed and started getting it together. Doing my usual morning exercises to keep me awake and energized, I sprinted out of my bedroom and went straight to the bathroom to fix myself up.
Brush your teeth... wash your face.. fix your hair at least.. and for god's sake.. DON'T forget to put on deodorant this time!
I fix myself up just in enough time left to prepare some breakfast for me and mother. I had to make something simple, though. There simply just wasn't enough time to make an elaborate breakfast this morning.
..Because I'm late for work!
Some eggs with sausage and buttered toast with coffee should be fine, I thought. Easy to make and mother doesn't hate sausages. Good.
That looks tasty. ...Hopefully mother's well enough to eat today.
I prepare the breakfast in a tray and also fix up some coffee, making my way up to mother's bedroom. After a polite knock, I enter my way in, setting the tray beside her bed.
She's awake.
"Good morning, mother."
As the usual routine, I check up on her, making sure she took her medicine and also checked her blood pressure as well as her body temperature.
Everything checks out fine. Perfect.
Just knowing everything seemed to be going in good order despite my tardiness, I couldn't help but catch a glimpse of happiness for a brief moment. Relief, mostly.
My mother somehow caught up on this. Her elderly expression faced mine, quite curious as to why I'm smiling like that. She felt my smile through her fingertips, so it was easier to tell how I was feeling.
"Oh my.. I haven't seen such a beaming smile from you in ages, Blight.. My son.. It's so refreshing to see.."
...
Well it's true. I was happy... or at least, it felt good to know that mother was feeling well today. What son wouldn't be happy to know that their ill mother was feeling better from her long-term illness?
This world has been unfair to her, taking away her ability to see and causing her frail body to become more vulnerable to fevers. For as long as I can remember.. I've been taking good care of her. Even after father left us when I turned 8 and never came back.
"I'm just glad to see you getting better. You've been feeling pretty bad the last couple of weeks, so seeing that you're recovering from that nasty fever, I'm... grateful."
Yes.
I'm grateful.
Very grateful.
I can rest at ease knowing she's going to be okay. She's.. the only family I have left. Of course I'm grateful...
After assisting mother with her breakfast and cleaning things up around here, I figured it was fine to leave her care to the neighbor while I head over to work. She's an old friend of hers. Although younger, the two have known each other for many years. Probably before I was even born, too. Marie's her name.
"I'm going to head over to work now. If you need to rest.. please, do so. I already called Marie to come by, so she'll be here in a few minutes. ...I love you."
After providing my dearest sickly mom with a kiss on the forehead, I made haste, preparing my belongings for work.
First off, I need to change into my suit before anything... It's indecent to walk around the public in just your underwear..
Once that's all done, I snagged my briefcase as well as keys, then raced out the house and to the train station.
Yes.
There's a truck parked beside my house... but..
It's not mine. It's his.
I refuse to touch whatever is his.
It didn't matter anyway. That old thing was probably worn down within the years. Besides.. I prefer to walk anyway.
Walking is good for the body.
Walking is good for your legs.
That's right.
That's why I don't have a car.
...
Honestly... I can't afford a car right now.
Then again, I live in the country side, so taking the train and bus to work wasn't that bad. I had plenty of time to freely walk around town if I came to work earlier. I really enjoy walking and getting some fresh air. Being cooped up in an office for several hours, does that to a person.
Well.
It's my job. I have to deal with it.. right?
I check the time on my wristwatch, just to see how much time I had accumulated from doing my daily morning tasks.
8:55 A.M.
Phew. Not too bad.
Just in time!
I step into the train station, lucky enough to have made it before the train I needed to take had left. I was on time. Maybe my legs really are as useful as they look. No, no.. I really am just that lucky. Today is just putting pity on me for waking up so late and irresponsibly.
Because of that, I had to punish myself by stepping up my running speed.
I didn't take track team seriously during high school for nothing.
...
Actually, I lied.
I just am one fast runner. Had nothing to do with talent.
I step into the train and take my seat, my gaze facing the window. There weren't many people who came into the station this early. That's understandable, since I live in farm land. The majority of people here are farmers. There's no reason to take the train to the city when you work out here. Unless you have business selling produce there, that is.
As for me.. I do own a farm here with my mother. It's nothing too fancy.
Just some crops like turnips, beets, carrots, and cabbages. I do the majority of the physical labor whenever I'm free from my secondary job as a typical cubicle worker at an office in the city. Going back and forth's a hassle but I've grown used to it. Besides, Marie helps out sometimes since we do share the farm space together, so it's not so bad.
I also can't afford to quit any of my jobs, since I need the extra income to pay for mother's medication. It's not cheap after all.
So this.. I'm fine with this.
Hm. Not too many farmers in the train today.
Can't blame them. It's a Saturday. No one wants to work on a Saturday. Yet here I am...
Once the train had landed on my destination, I step out and take a view at the city.
Breathtaking..
10:15 A.M.
I managed to find my way to the bus stop that takes me directly to my office building. Upon waiting at the stop, I notice there was a distraught woman holding a baby in her arm, pacing back and forth.
She looked worried. Almost at the verge of exploding in tears.
I can feel her anxiety seeping deep into my body. I had to help. I don't care what the situation is.. It's my duty, to help those in distress.
I approach the woman in open, friendly arms, to hopefully understand why she's feeling this way.
"Excuse me, ma'am... Are you alright?"
The woman didn't seem to respond. She looked at me as if she couldn't understand a thing I just said. I observe her more carefully, to notice any abnormalities.
She's a foreigner.
Well. She whispered some foreign words under her breath while pacing back and forth.. I should have known better.
Get it together, Blight...
Shaking my head, I snap back to the situation in front of me.
"Ah. You don't speak English, do you? Uhm.."
I tried to explain to her how I could help in the best way possible, by performing some kind of signals through gesturing.
Although my method of gaining her understanding was primitive, she did finally understand what I was trying to say. Nodding eagerly, she tried to speak English to the best of her ability.
"Ah.. el cartera rojo.. A red bag, yes? Yo tenía dinero en ese catera... pero.."
Well.. It wasn't full on English, but I did understand some words.
"..Someone stole your purse? Do you remember which direction they went when they ran off?"
Of course, as I said this, I made sure to explain through gesturing as well.
...
I see.
Now that I knew their location, I can attempt to find the purse for the woman. I made haste, crossing the street and reaching the intersection by the supermarket nearby. She mentioned that it wasn't too long since her purse was stolen, so the man can still be nearby.
Let's overview..
She explained he was dark-skinned. Wore mostly dark colors. ...Was tall and thick.
...
These clues were pretty vague. That could fit into anyone!
But..
Her purse! He should still have her purse in his hands, right? At least she explained how her purse looked.
Alright!
I think I can do this with what little details I obtained.
I decided to observe the market. The woman explained that she had just left the market when he snuck past her and snagged her bag.
Honestly, what scumbag would do that to a defenseless woman?!
-Oh.
As I complain in my thoughts, I noticed something.
Loose change and a red purse strap.
Those items were scattered in a dark section of the supermarket.
The strap matches one of the clues the woman gave me!
Great. Now I can see there was a narrow path between two big markets leading north, where any thug could run into with ease after snatching an item from a vulnerable person while they weren't looking clearly. The loose change, was most likely the change the woman took out, to make sure she had enough money to take the bus. I assume she had forgotten and left it there before making her way to the stop to hopefully ask for help from someone, that she hadn't noticed.
Yes. This makes more sense to me.
The strap on her purse is missing. Most likely the thug fought with her to take the purse and dart off that path ahead.
Okay.
I think I've thought enough. It's time to take action now!
After retrieving the items on the floor and putting them away, I make a quick run through that narrow path, my mind set and focused on any dark figures nearby. Maybe the man was still around there, to possibly steal something else!
The thought upset me. No other innocent victim should have to deal with that! I wasn't going to let this man go, no matter what.
But at the same time.. I have to keep a cool head. It's unhealthy to get this overly upset over someone else's problem and at the same time, I needed to keep focus of the purse thief, too!
As I proceeded forward...
...
Footsteps.
They're not far away, either. Rather, they seem to be heading MY direction!
I immediately start sprinting forward, almost recklessly.
A figure!
...!
CLAAAANG-!
Without thinking, I immediately swing my hard briefcase forward, smacking away the item that went my direction!
It was a combat knife. I was lucky enough to have blocked the thief from striking at me and knocking the item off of him.
Or I should be lucky that my briefcase is pretty damn durable to do such an action? Regardless, I'll take it!
Taking in a deep breath before facing forward, I see a dark, tall thick person in front of me. Was this the purse thief?
Well... There's the obvious fact that he's holding the red purse in his hand!
Dammit, get it together Blight..!
Yes..
I should really listen to myself more.
Eh.
That didn't matter now...
The thief decided to interrupt myself for me by speaking in a harsh tone with the knife back in his hand. I should've attacked him while he was unarmed so he wouldn't.. do that.
"..! What the f###!?"
I arch a brow, keeping my hands up but also keeping an alert expression. In case the man tried to strike me with that knife again, I'd be ready to retaliate in time.
"You have something that's not yours. I've come here to retrieve it and hand it to the rightful owner-"
"-SHUT THE F### UP!"
Whoa.
This guy is overly hostile... over a purse.
"Just kindly hand me the purse, sir. That doesn't belong to you and you know that."
I don't know why I'm not afraid. This man tried to attack me with a knife earlier. It could have killed me. He also doesn't look very cooperative right now.
...
I should be afraid.
..Right?
Why aren't I?
"I don't think you know what the f### position you in, boy. I'm not playing no motherf###ing games right now! I ain't giving you s###!"
Well.
It looks like I must fight!
Before the man decided to use his weapon, I immediately charge forward, using my strength to knock him down as I crossed my arms over my body like some kind of shield to block any attacks to anything vital.
There was resistance.
My shoulder touched the blade of the knife, the sharp knife slicing my skin through my suit.
I bled, but it wasn't fatal.
Knocking him down, I firmly grip the wrist that had the knife tight enough for him to finally let go and release the blade, pinning that arm down.
"I'm giving you one last warning. Please resist and hand me the purse. I wish no harm on you. Just hand yourself over and no one gets hurt."
...!
No use.
The thief managed to break an arm free as he attempted to swing at me immediately after and succeeded in doing so.
The strike was firm enough to knock me back, causing my back to hit the wall. This is a narrow alley after all. This wasn't your typical alley way. The two buildings that created this narrow path, made it simply not wide enough for a full on brawl.
My jaw was aching, too, but I wasn't going to give up now.
I had to settle this score once and for all!
Any more stalling will cause this man to have the urge to murder me once again. I needed a quick distraction...
Once I recovered and quickly stood up, I can hear the heavy footsteps once more as well as an upset cry of anger mixed with rage, as the thief tried to strike me with his fist once again.
No.
Not this time!
I immediately grab the fist and force it back, struggling to battle his strength with my own. It was definitely a fight to the strength now!
However.. the more I struggled, the more rage I felt deep inside me.
Why someone would work this hard over a stupid purse is beyond me! Just stop!
The rage continued to slowly build up inside me until I couldn't take it anymore.
"ENOUGH!"
I didn't know what I was thinking...
Suddenly, I-
-HEADBUTTED-
-the thief..
As hard as I can.
-and WOW did that hurt!
"I told you to cooperate.. you didn't listen. Well. Look at you now.. Idiot."
I don't know why I got so upset for. ...I should really apologize for calling the now unconscious man in front of me, an idiot.
But honestly.. I don't give a damn. He pissed me off.
...
I hate people like him who don't listen.
Like dad.