Chapter 13: I Don’t Want to Die

Tsui had attempted to communicate with the individuals who entered to clean up the aftermath of each torture session. Yet, her pleas fell on deaf ears as they disregarded her entirely. With each passing session, Tsui's hope of escaping dwindled, and her once strong will to survive began to fracture.

“There is no one to save me…”

Amid the desolation, hopelessness wrapped around Tsui like a suffocating shroud. Her pleas for rescue were met with silence. In the cold, oppressive chamber, she awaited her impending demise – a death that seemed inevitable, preceded by excruciating torment. With resignation in her heart, she closed her eyes since it was no difference from what she saw in the room.

The creak of the metal door pierced the heavy silence once more. Familiar with the sound, Tsui braced herself for the onslaught of agony that typically followed. "Do your worst," she whispered silently to herself.

"Are you alright?" A gentle, concerned voice, unmistakably that of a girl, reached Tsui's ears, carrying with it a sense of warmth and genuine worry. It was a sensation Tsui hadn't experienced during her entire time in captivity.

"Emma?" Tsui's weary mind whispered in recognition as she slowly, reluctantly, opened her tired eyes.

Tsui almost started to cry as her eyes fluttered open, the voice she heard was a semblance of comfort in this sea of despair. The sound was a lifeline, and in her desperate state, she clung to even the tiniest glimmer of hope. The thought that her roommate could appear in such an unlikely place was a small thread of solace in the midst of her agony.

Tsui found herself face to face with a cloaked and hooded figure. With a careful touch, the figure gently removed the tape from Tsui's mouth, ensuring not to cause her any further discomfort.

“Who…are you?”

“I’m one of the cleaners. From time to time, I am tasked to clean up the mess inside this room after the Grandmaster left.”

“What are you going to do to me?” With fear in her voice, Tsui cautiously asked about the figure's intentions.

“I’m getting you out of here.”

The hooded girl extended a bottle of water towards Tsui, a straw positioned near her lips. "Here, take a sip of water," she offered kindly.

Tsui hesitated to drink from the straw, her mistrust of those wearing the ominous cloaks ran deep. They symbolized her torment and fear, causing her to tightly seal her lips shut.

“You have to drink, you are severely dehydrated.” The girl assured her. “Please trust me, I’m here to get you out!”

In an effort to earn Tsui's trust and distinguish herself from the others, the girl removed her hood and mask. Revealing a face framed by a cascade of chestnut hair, her eyes carried warmth and sincerity, a stark contrast to the ominous figures they had encountered. This marked the second human countenance Tsui had glimpsed within these walls, apart from the Grandmaster's.

"Please, take a sip. I fear the others may come back shortly," the girl implored, her eyes expressing genuine concern.

Overwhelmed by the dryness in her throat, Tsui relented, hesitantly sipping from the straw. A soothing sensation of relief coursed through her parched throat. Meanwhile, the girl's hand rustled through her pockets, multitasking with the water bottle in her other hand.

"What has the Grandmaster been doing to you?" The girl's voice was laced with concern. "Whenever I enter this room after he leaves, it's always stained with blood."

Her nimble fingers worked swiftly, unlocking the restraints that held Tsui captive. First, the cuffs on her hands were released, allowing Tsui to grasp the water bottle herself. As Tsui sipped, the hooded girl proceeded to free her legs and then her neck from their binding restraints.

A glimmer of hope finally illuminated Tsui's despairing world as her restraints were undone.

"Can you stand?" the hooded girl asked. Tsui made an effort, rising from her seat, but her legs proved weakened, due to the physical and psychological torment she had endured. The trauma had taken a toll on her motor functions, reducing her to trembling instability.

Observing Tsui's struggle, the girl gently placed Tsui's arm around her shoulder, lending her sturdy support. With the girl's assistance, Tsui managed to move forward, though her steps were marked by a noticeable limp.

As they moved forward, Tsui noticed upon several motionless cloaked figures lying across the floor. Her weariness made her voice faint as she asked, "What happened to them?"

“I drugged them. They are still alive, but they will stay that way for a few more hours.”

“Oh…”

“If you don’t mind, can you tell me what exactly did the Grandmaster do to you? It was always only him and the ‘sacrifice’ inside, but we never really know what he does inside the room.”

The girl's question stirred a painful memory within Tsui. Waves of agony from past torments surged through her, as if reliving each moment of suffering. Despite the distress, she gathered her resolve and mustered the courage to answer.

“He would torture me…with the tools he had in the room.”

"Torture?! But I never saw any wounds on you," the girl exclaimed, clearly taken aback by Tsui's response.

Tsui's voice trembled as she began to share, her words accompanied by sobs, “He used needles, pliers, and knives... Inflict pain…on me, over and over. But then, he'd use some kind of spell to heal me, just to start it all over again.”

Hearing Tsui's response, the girl was at a loss for words. She simply helped Tsui walk in silence, offering her support without needing to say anything.

Remembering what the Grandmaster told her before, Tsui asked the girl. “The man mentioned something about a ceremony, what is that about?”

“It’s a sacrifice. I have never participated in one before, but supposedly, if an otherworldly creature is captured, they would be killed there when most members have gathered there.”

“Then why wasn’t I there…it has been so long…”

“It’s actually a few more hours left until the ceremony. Most members had already gathered there, only some of us are left here to guard you. The reason it took so long was because the Grandmaster wanted to make sure every member participated in the upcoming ceremony.”

They reached a staircase, and the girl assisted Tsui carefully, ensuring she had the support she needed. Tsui held onto the railing for extra stability.

“The plan was to escort you out from here once everyone are there…”

“…but you broke me out.”

“Ye- yes…”

The girl proceeded to explain her reasons for choosing to rescue Tsui and apologized. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry that I did not save you earlier. And you had to endure the pain all these times.”

Tsui couldn’t care less about what the girl had been saying, all she saw was that this was her opportunity to escape this living hell.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, the girl swung open a door, and they were bathed in the radiant light from outside. Stepping through, Tsui could finally feel the warmth of the sun on her skin, a stark contrast to the cold chamber they had left behind.

“I’m free…I’m outside…” As Tsui thought, a sense of relief gradually lifted the heaviness from her heart. With each passing moment, she sensed herself drawing farther away from the chilling confines of the chamber.

Tsui had spent countless moments trapped in an isolated underground basement, far removed from the urban landscape. Just beyond the entrance of the basement, an array of parked cars awaited. The girl hurriedly guided Tsui over to one of the cars. “There, that’s my car over there. Let’s go!”

Unlocking the car, the girl helped Tsui into the passenger seat with care. Ensuring her safety with a seatbelt, the girl settled into the driver's seat, readying herself to start the engine. They drove away from the scene.

The path they traveled was rough and unpaved, a makeshift track just wide enough for cars to navigate. As the girl drove, her voice carried a comforting reassurance to Tsui. “I’ll drop you off at the nearest police station, you’ll be safe there.”

“Thank you…”

“Tsui, that’s your name, right?” The girl's voice held a hint of uncertainty. “I hope you can forgive me, for not rescuing you earlier.” The girl's heart was heavy with guilt, unprepared for the suffering she had brought on to Tsui, in the pursuit for power.

Though grateful for the girl's intervention, Tsui couldn't help but harbor a lingering resentment towards both the organization and the girl herself. She was furious at the girl for not saving her earlier, and her anger burned even more for the organization and the sadistic grandmaster who enjoyed her pain. She hated them deeply, and if she could, she would make the grandmaster feel her suffering. However, she chose to keep her feelings silent for the time being.

“I promise that I will expose them to the authorities. I’ll make sure that this won’t happen again to anyone.” The girl's voice trembled slightly.

Tsui kept her eyes on the road ahead, her heart aching to be back in the familiar embrace of home. She yearned for her roommate, Emma, and the comforting haven they shared. All she desired was to return, to find peace once again.

It was then, the girl beside her let out a gasp, prompting Tsui to turn her head in concern.

The girl's widened eyes reflected shock and disbelief. Following her gaze downward, Tsui and the girl both noticed the spreading crimson stain on the girl's stomach.

As the bloodstain grew, an eerie sight unfolded before them – a blade materialized amidst the spreading blood. Tsui's alarmed eyes caught sight of another figure seated behind the girl, becoming apparent.

Hindered by her stomach wound, the girl's control over the car faltered, causing it to swerve uncontrollably. In a jarring collision, the car abruptly crashed into a tree, coming to a sudden, jolting halt.

With her car door opened, the girl tumbled onto the ground, her hands pressed desperately against her stomach in a futile attempt to stem the flow of blood. Meanwhile, the figure stepped out of the vehicle, advancing steadily toward the wounded girl he had just stabbed.

“Traitor and a coward. Did you think we wouldn’t know?” The man said to the girl, as he looked down at her.

Shortly thereafter, a convoy of cars converged upon the crash site. Several people emerged from the vehicles, among whom a familiar figure stood out prominently – the Grandmaster himself. He walked to the wounded girl and talked to her in a condescending tone.

"I must admit, Charlotte, your performance has left me rather disappointed. All this relentless pursuit of the target, was it merely to savor its power all for yourself?"

In a retort, Charlotte's voice trembled with a mixture of defiance and desperation, “No! I was trying to save her away from you maniacs! You have no idea what you’re doing! The so-called ‘sacrifice’ is just another human being, she is just a girl!”

"Have our teachings not instilled within you the gravity of our mission? The mantle of safeguarding humanity rests upon our shoulders for the inevitable day when these entities breach our world. Our readiness is paramount."

“I don’t know whatever gimmicks you guys did to achieve this power! But killing innocent people, is not the way to achieve them!”

A weary exhalation emanated from the Grandmaster, his expression heavy with finality, "Your inability to comprehend and embrace the gifts we offer is evident. You are no longer worthy of the enlightenment that would elevate us above our current state."

“You guys are fucked in the mind if you thin-”

The sharp report of a gunshot pierced the air, its echo reverberating through the surroundings.

A distinct figure swiftly drew a handgun and, with ruthless precision, ended Charlotte's life in an instant, the fatal shot piercing her head. The figure's voice followed, tinged with a chilling detachment, “Grandmaster, I believe it is a waste of time to converse with those that are undeserving.”

Tsui bore witness to the entire scene, her eyes wide with shock. Fumbling with the car door on her side, she managed to crawl out of her seat. Despite her weakened state, her legs had regained some strength, allowing her to move faster than before, though her gait was still marked by a noticeable limp.

Determined not to be caught again, Tsui's thoughts raced as she fled the crash site. "I can't go back, I won't go back!" she fervently repeated in her mind. With each step, her hope waned, and the familiar sensation of dread began to tighten its grip on her. She dared not glance back, fearing what she might see if she did.

Tsui was suddenly propelled forward as a force shoved at her back, sending her stumbling. Before she could regain her balance, strong hands seized her arms, forcefully pinning them behind her back. Simultaneously, pressure was applied to her head, preventing her from turning or looking up.

The familiar sensation of restraints gripped her once more. Despite the gravity of the situation, Tsui couldn't help but let out a bitter chuckle, “Is this some kind of twisted joke?”

The hope that had blossomed before was now crushed, replaced by an overwhelming sense of dread. Frustration welled up within Tsui, finding release in her anguished screams – a maelstrom of frustration, fear, and anger.

Amid the chaos, a haunting question echoed in her mind: “What did…I do…to deserve this?”

A needle pierced Tsui's skin, and a creeping numbness began to engulf her consciousness. Lifted and transported with an unsettling ease, Tsui found herself placed in their vehicle.

As she settled into the passenger seat, the Grandmaster's presence loomed, his voice a sinister murmur brushing against her ear. "It's a pity the ceremony arrived ahead of schedule. I had hoped for more time to savor our interactions.”

…

Tsui's eyes snapped open, a surge of horror flooding through her as the harsh reality confronted her. It wasn't a dream. Her hands remained tightly bound behind her back, unyielding chains encircling her wrists and legs.

She found herself in a spacious hall that resembled a church, with rows of people seated before her. And there she sat at the forefront of it all, on the altar.

“Through your unwavering contributions and trust, this momentous day has come to fruition. Before you all sits the entity we have held captive in our facility.” proclaimed the Grandmaster, his voice resounding through the assembled crowd.

Seeing the amount of people presented here, Tsui scrambled from the top of her mind to use anything she could think of to convince them that she was just a regular human, not some being from another world. She listed her homes, her schools, her jobs – anything that could show she was an ordinary person.

“I’m not what you said I am! I am a human!!!”

Tsui could see none of the individuals present seemed inclined to accept her words. It was as though they had been brainwashed into a different belief, convinced that she hailed from a realm beyond their own.

“I am born and raised here! I have a family living in Japan! I’m not…”

Tsui's voice reverberated through the air, her desperate cries echoing in a last-ditch attempt to penetrate the convictions of those gathered. Yet, deep down, she recognized the futility of her efforts – these individuals remained resolute in their unwavering beliefs.

"Silence, you wretched creature!" The Grandmaster's hand lashed out, delivering a harsh slap across Tsui's face. "Seal her mouth! We must guard against her mind-controlling words!" he commanded his cohorts.

Recovering from the forceful blow, Tsui managed to utter, "You're... all crazy." Her voice trembled, the impact of the slap still resonating. Swiftly, the people proceeded to tape her mouth shut, stopping her ability to speak further.

The Grandmaster seized Tsui's face, a beeping device held menacingly before her eyes.

“See this! The highest frequency ever recorded by this device. No previous being has ever reached this level. You're an extraordinary anomaly, even among the most exceptional! We've assembled all our members today, all for the incredible potential you possess, the gifts you'll bestow upon us!” The grandmaster's voice reverberated through the hall.

A figure approached the grandmaster, leaning into whisper something in his ear. After their conversation, the figure came down from the altar and took a seat on an empty chair.

Turning toward the mass, the grandmaster lifted his arms, his voice booming with passionate declaration. The crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers and joined in powerful chants, filling the hall with their fervour.

"Today, my fellow brethren, we stand on the threshold of destiny! The culmination of our patient vigil is at hand. Behold, the moment when our yearning for power is granted. The entity we hold captive is not just rare, but legendary, and its essence shall reshape us all. Let the grand ascension ceremony begin!"

The large door into the hall opened, another cloaked figure entered into the hall. Concealed by the hood, his features remained hidden from others. Gripping a massive double-headed axe, he advanced deliberately toward the altar.

“No – No, they can’t do this!!”

In a state of panic, Tsui frantically struggled against the chains binding her wrists, but their weight proved too much, refusing to budge. “I have to get out of here!”

The man wielding the axe had closed the distance, his weapon held high above him with both hands, poised to bring it down and end her life with a single strike.

“I can’t die here! I can’t die!”

Tsui's heart pounded, her fear mirroring the sensations she had experienced in her dreams. Just as the man in her dreams had raised his katana high, about to end her life, she wondered if those dreams were foretelling her future – her life's imminent conclusion.

As the moments of impending death surrounded her, Tsui's mind began to wander through her past. Memories from her childhood, her parents, her school, her job—all these fragments of her life flashed before her eyes. Yet, even in this critical moment, the details were still missing.

“I won’t die! I won’t die!” Tsui repeatedly told herself.

Tsui tightly shut her eyes and bit her lip. She never wanted any of this. She was forced into this situation, not by choice. If only she had the power to resist the people in front of her and run away. But she wasn't strong enough. So, there was only one outcome left – her death, right here.

“I…don’t want to die”, Tsui whispered, and a single tear escaped, dripping down from her face.

The bell in the hall rang loudly, and the man strike down the axe with his full might.