IV.

Act 1, Scene 4

"Love is blind, and lovers cannot see. The pretty follies that themselves commit" - Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice)

SASUKE

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

The sounds of fellow troops marching in unison ring throughout my ear canals as the ghastly dusk moon illuminates our path. Weapons remain drawn and blazing for the entire public to bask in, ensuring protection and resilience for what's to come.

Much like the soldiers' stomps, my heart matches their rhythm. Thump-thump...thump-thump...thump-thump...I fear my pesky, unhinged heart is so loud that the others can hear, especially seeing as though I can perceive it crystal clear. And yet, the farther we walk on uncharted territory, the more I realize that perhaps this nagging heart of mine is telling me something - almost like it's foreshadowing some sort of event. As I ponder on this daunting thought, it truly doesn't seem too ridiculous anymore.

However, it is much too late to worry about such trivial subjects; we are a mere half-mile away from our desired destination. Every doubt racing through my mind, every insecurity - it must be completely erased before we start this mission. There is no room for error, especially after my own failed mission. My teammates would be furious, Boss would be resentful, I would be more than disappointed. I can't let that happen.

Suddenly, without any sort of warning, reminiscents of the princess we're after flash in my head. Simply, the mere sight of her innocent and frail visual made me stop in my step, absolutely compromising the mission from the start. If it wasn't for that foolish mistake, none of us would be here.

I don't feel guilty often, but it's something that eats me up from the inside out when I do. I could barely face my comrades, let alone Boss. To know how much they trusted me to succeed and how hard I let them down makes me all the more determined to redeem myself. Yet, the current mission at hand holds many risks and faults, and we all have to be on our toes at all times - we cannot let our guard down for even a second. Once we invade the palace, there is no turning back - just like the Royal War.

That fateful day...when the entire nation was against each other...where all sides of the world held no mercy...where all of my comrades fell like flies.

That fateful day, I was just a mere child, huddled in a corner away from the violence, muffled sobbing as I watched those around me die. No matter how much I tried to stand up on my own feet and avenge the ones I cared about, I remained stuck with tense muscles and a heavy heart. My body wouldn't allow me to move even the slightest inch to defend or attack.

Troops from the Hyuuga clan struck my own with ease, allowing absolutely no room for loss. The sounds of swords being drawn and missiles being launched from the compound were the only company I had at that moment while I remained as the frightened little boy I was. That night, I truly did believe I would never wake up to see the sun again.

However, just when I thought the end was near for me, just when I thought time ran out, a ray of hope flashed before me, which revealed a sut-covered hand and an arm filled with gashes as blood poured. Yet, I still took that hand without a care, no questions asked. For some odd reason, there was a voice inside me telling me to trust whoever offered their hand - to grasp it and never look back at my past life. The voice told me to trust that hand with all of my might, no matter what happened.

With a firm grasp of the hand, it lifted me over its shoulder before dashing into a dark alley, saving me from the chaos. When I realized it was too late to go back on my decision, the hand introduced himself as Boss who said he would save me at whatever costs - just as long as I can trust him with my whole heart. From that point onward, I soon concluded that the only person I can ever trust in this world is Boss.

"Holt!"

A deafening shout is heard amongst the pool of soldiers, completely snatching me away from my thoughts, and immediately stopping everyone in their tracks. Every comrade surrounding me holds their position - back straights, shoulders pushed back, head held high. Meanwhile, hands were accompanied with a haunting visual of lethal weapons as their bodies were shielded with the finest cloths of armor from head to toe. It took me a moment to realize that I'm not just a mere onlooker from the distance - I look just like them. My heart dropped into my stomach at the thought.

One of the soldiers in the front, our leader and commander in chief, Boss, turns, facing all of his minions. At that same moment, a fellow soldier next to me begins to whisper so lowly I could hardly catch it. "This is it, huh...?"

I notice that voice from anywhere - Hozuki, 2034. The 'royal slave' to Boss, also known as his loyal assistant. Embarrassingly enough for him, everyone refers to him as the former - only in secret, though. If it were up to me, I wouldn't give a shit. Sadly, however, we must treat everyone here with respect, even the ones we dislike.

"We really can't fail this...," he continues, unwarrantedly. "Not again."

I didn't respond; one, I didn't know how to, two, I didn't want to. I can only focus on what's at stake.

"We trust you, Uchiha," however, Hozuki's voice broke me out of my consciousness, interrupting all sense of concentration. Glancing over at him with a confused and slightly frustrated side-eye, I watch as his expression quickly changes from strong and determined to frightened in a single second. "A lot of people here depend on you..." He slowly looks up and we connect eyes. After a slight analysis of his expression, I knew he was genuine. "You can't let us down."

Furrowing my brow from the abruptness of it all, I direct my attention back to Boss. However, my mind can't help itself from its pressuring thoughts. Knowing that the other soldiers rely on me is certainly an ego booster but also overwhelming. How could I live up to such expectations? There's no way...

"We aren't much farther from the royal palace now," Boss announces, his booming voice echoing throughout the grassland. I quickly note that he is correct; I can already spot the high towers protected by metal gates and countless troops on stand-by, waiting. "Black Knights...you have trained long and hard for a day like this. Don't forget the ones we've lost and sacrificed in combat to get to this very point. Use those memories for strength and motivation whenever you feel doubtful of yourself. Unfortunately, there is only one of me so I won't be around all of you at any given point. This is the time to prove yourself not only to your fellow comrades but also to me. Don't let your past friends' memories go in vain..."

Unconsciously, my hand grips at the sword I held upon reminiscing on past friendships that no longer exist anymore. Yet, with every life lost, my heart grows stronger, nearly bulletproof. I won't let them go in vain...

"Uchiha, 1001," Boss startles me with a call of my name. Immediately, I focus all of my attention back on him, albeit with a rapid heart. "You will be our trump card with this mission since you have already stepped foot on their territory; you have the needed knowledge in order to infiltrate this palace."

Without realizing it, I gulped.

"If you have any doubts about anything, find Uchiha promptly. He will put us at an even greater advantage."

At first, Boss' words felt like flaming hot needles stabbing into my chest. But, as I began to remember the ones I let down from my first mission, I knew I couldn't have any sort of insecurities. My comrades need me. Boss needs me. I can't fail them again.

Boss' speech continues on as he talks more about the plan of action and what to do when times get dire. After a while of explaining as well as congratulating, we were finally ready to execute our mission.

We firmly get into our positions with a final battle cry that we always do before a tough mission.

Our defense team scurries off first, backs hunched with knees low as they rushed around the sides of the palace in order to get better intel on where each guard could potentially be. Meanwhile, the offense team, which includes Boss and me, head straight for the entrance, stealthily and without any sort of trace.

We near the walls of the palace and a comrade beside me, Jugo, 1588, mutters out, "These walls look way too steep for the hooks...What are we gonna do?"

"What else?" I ask condescendingly as I reach for the grappling hook that's strapped onto my utility belt. Boss follows my lead, and so does the rest of the offense team.

We all begin to unlock our grappling hooks hastily, making sure to waste as minimal time as possible. The adrenaline in my veins only rushed faster, nearly making me choke on my own breath. But, I have to ignore the overwhelming feeling.

Just like before, I swing the hook in one motion, directing launching at the window sill. Without losing any more time, I begin my swift incline. Not even a few moments later does Boss and Jugo, along with the rest of the offense team, follow me. The higher I get, the better of an angle I'm able to see as I can spot the defense team several meters below. They have already begun to do their side of the mission: diverging and eliminating any distractions or dangers.

"The defense team is off to an amazing start," Boss grunts out next to me. I notice that he has quickly caught up to me, even slightly passing me to an extent.

I couldn't help the smirk that formed upon my face. "Even though they seem to be doing well, we still need to keep an eye on them."

At the same time as my statement, I felt my blood run hot in my veins with a slight pound of my head. Suddenly, my vision became much clearer and in greater detail than ever before. I could see for miles, up until the very last fragment. The ant in the distance, the vague bird howling from the field - I could hear and see it all.

Boss noticed my change in demeanor and furrowed his brow. "Your Sharingan has activated...We need to take advantage of that quickly."

Like a drop of a thumbtack, my instincts told me that someone - or rather - something big was coming, of which I could not possibly prepare for. Without any further thoughts, my head turned towards the rest of my comrade. With my orbs wide as saucers and sharper than a knife, the red tint reflecting from the dusky moon, my mouth opens agape, ready to alert everyone I knew - to get the hell out of here.

"We need to retreat. Now!" I scream as loud as my lungs could bear. Boss looks at me, absolutely astonished, yet he knows deep down, I would not lie or joke around about a matter such as this.

As if on cue, he waves a familiar signal, alerting all knights around us. Obediently with a dash of haste, we start our brisk travel down the walls with the hook, sliding down like a zip line. We reach ground level but I quickly remember that the defense team has not been made aware of the new changes.

I turn around to face Boss who is busy unhooking himself from the line. Eyes wide like saucers, I exclaim, "Boss, we need to get the others!"

Before he even had a breath to reply, sirens bombarding our team blared, echoing throughout the barren forest. Sirens that I'm anything but a stranger to. Sirens so loud that could haunt someone's nightmares and leave a monotonous ring so painstakingly prevalent, it could drive anyone mad. If we don't hurry and flee before it's too late...we may never see the next day.

And yet, even through the infinite horrors of those frightening alarms, my body told me to not stop - I must keep pushing. It was an instinctive motive like I was afraid of the repercussions, even after this damned mission. I can't fail, not now, not ever.

But, even with such a motivating sense of drive coursing through my hot blood, the darkness that enveloped me only increased as shadows from the unknown formed, chasing my fellow comrades like prey. Even though I told myself not to stop, I do the exact opposite as I truly couldn't look away from the sight.

The defense team, who was several yards ahead of us, were no longer there. Instead, shielded figures equipped with lethal weapons stand in their place, whom of which were unfamiliar to my own eyes. I'm astonished at first as I think maybe they had made their escape before we did. However, that thought is merely like a cloud in the sky once I notice our defense team, unconscious, laying like flies at the figures' feet.

I shocked myself at my still ligaments, but my eyes continued to deceive me. I wanted to think this was all some sick nightmare - that if I pinch myself right now, I would be awoken from the terror. But, as I hear Boss shouting obscenities into the midnight blue sky, I knew I couldn't avoid such a feat any longer.

The defense team...is dead.

"Uchiha! What are you doing just standing there?! Go, now!"

I do as I'm told with great reluctance as guilt flushed over me like a waterfall. I couldn't save them...I couldn't... I repeat that daunting mantra in my head over a million times as I quickly gather all of my gear. Looking over, I notice Boss who held an expression I've never seen before, thus I couldn't explain it. But from what I could gather...he looked scared shitless.

I wanted to somehow coax him despite such an unexpected circumstance, but my body tensed immediately as I can feel a sense of those shadows coming closer - ever closer...so close that they were behind me.

Swiftly, I swung my arm back in an attempt to defend myself. However, the shadow gripped my wrist, stopping me in my movements before lifting me right off the ground and back into it, my face now completely covered in rocks and gravel. I grunt in pain as I feel myself getting restrained. My mind racks with millions of ways to get out of this shadow's grasp, but they are much stronger than I am, so strong that I couldn't move a single muscle. Perhaps it was due to the shock of what I witnessed just a moment ago or perhaps it truly is because I'm weak. Despite all of that, I remind myself that I'm still not the person that I want to be, even after all of these years of countless training.

"L-let me go...Let me go!" I shout against the ground to unopened ears. I hear no response back, and the more I try to wiggle out of their grasp, the tighter the restraints become.

In the corner of my eye, however, hope glistens before me, like the rainbow on the horizon after a rainy day or the smell of the flowers blooming in early Spring. A heavy thud sound was heard behind me, and suddenly, I was free.

Looking over at the culprit who has released me revealed to be Boss who remained on top of the skilled knight, his hands circled around the unknown perpetrator's neck. Appalled, I'm stuck in my track, unable to move a single muscle. However, once his eyes snap over to mine, I knew there was no time for child's play.

"Save yourself, Uchiha. Go back to the compound and let the others know. Now!"

I couldn't just leave. I couldn't. Not after witnessing the amount of bloodshed that has scattered and painted the ground crimson, not after noticing how hard the others are fighting, not after having Boss save me...

Fighting back the heat that my eyes are about to deceive me with, I shake my head at Boss, calling out, "I-I can't...I can't - "

"Sasuke...!"

I gasp, my eyes widening a fraction. There's no denying that Boss is the one who called me by my name and it shocks me down to my core.

"Who are you following orders from, huh?!" he shouts as he grows visibly tired the more he chokes the soldier underneath him. My heart pounds - so loud I could hear it amongst the cries of horror. This isn't real...It can't be... "If you don't leave at this instant...this will be you," he warns.

Choking back the tears threatening to fall, I reluctantly stand from my spot. No matter how much I don't want to leave my fellow comrades, no matter how much I want to fight back against the clan I despise so much...I know I must continue to follow orders and make Boss proud all the while.

Thus, without looking back, I turn and run - as fast as I possibly can. I try my best to not look at any more of my teammates fall at the enemies' feet, even though I can hear their screams crystal clear. I just run and run and keep running.

Until...all I can see was darkness.

a/n: thank you for reading this chapter! this chapter means the end of act 1, and we can FINALLY get to act 2. i would say this story has about 5~6 acts. very slow burn but a dramatic and thrilling story that's ahead of you. please leave support and I'll be back very soon! 3