The Purge
Chapter 17: Conleth

“Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway.”

The One; Kiera Cass

Usually, it takes a knife to split a heart into half. But at some point, mine self-destructed itself.

I laid my head in the pillow and I closed my eyes. My mind was wide awake. I opened my eyes and I found myself looking up at Bri. You’re just a dream. Her smile widened. You’ll always be just a dream. She disappeared and I was looking up at the dull white ceiling of the infirmary.

I can’t go back to my comrades looking like this. Wrecked. I’ve survived the scourge but I didn’t think I’d be able to survive this.

A Sentinel Pilot. Of course she’d choose him. What am I compared to a pilot? I’m just an ordinary soldier under her command. I covered my eyes with my arm. I wanted to sleep through all these pain. It made me feel numb to the point it wouldn’t make me sleep. The feeling won’t even let me rest. Every time I close my eyes I’d only see her and I’d remember that I couldn’t have her.

“Conleth,” she grabbed my wrist and I forced myself to turn and face her.

“What do you want?” I retorted.

“What’s going on?” she threw a question right back at me.

A sour, mocking laugh escaped my lips. “What’s going on? I think you know exactly what’s going on.”

Her jaw tightened as her eyes tried to avoid my face. “I don’t have time to deal with your feelings right now, soldier.”

I scoffed at her. “And since when did you care? You never did.”

“Con,”

“What do you know about love anyway? You know nothing.”

“I think I know enough.” She met my eyes with a heavy wall of steel. “Love has killed every single emotion that was left of me. Now, I am nothing but a chess piece waiting to be moved again. Love’s made to destroy not to pro-create life.” She shook her head as she regarded me with disdain. “Look at what it’s making of you. It’s making you weak. You’d be an easy target. I didn’t train you for this.”

“I love you.” I said through gritted teeth. “Don’t you understand? I love you.” I inched myself near her but she took a step back away from me. I felt my heart die little by little. “Can’t you see it’s too late to stop myself now? I can’t save myself from the ruin.” I felt the flames struggling to break free from my clenched fist.

“Bri,” I reached out to her but she was already miles away from me.

“You should not feel that way towards me. They’ll use me against you.”

“I don’t care.” I retorted.

She shook her head. “Con, stop this. It’s crazy! Please use your head not your heart. It will be the end of you—”

Before I could stop myself, I pinned her on the wall. Her jaw tensed as her eyes met mine. I was inches away from kissing her. Beneath my hold, she was shaking. I leaned in to kiss her but her hand pressed hard on my chest, ready to push me away if I’d take the attempt.

She gritted her teeth and said, “Remember your place, soldier.”

An invisible barrier had forced me to let go of her. I raised both of my hands in the air in surrender as I took a step back away from her. I wanted to walk away from all of this. I looked back at her and I wished I had never loved her at all.

“If that’s what you want, chief.” I said. “I guess we should retain our soldier-commander relationship.”

She gave me a weak nod. “It’s what’s best for us.”

I smiled out of pity with myself. “It’s what’s best for you.”

And with that, I started to walk away. But sheer damn bad luck, my display started to flare in orange.

In life, I’ve been taught of one simple rule to follow: SURVIVE.

It was a relief not to see an angry Code Red on my display. But then, I must admit, for the first time, I was hopeful. I wanted to be suicidal. Maybe then, Bri would care. Code Orange was a near death wish. Armies started to file out of their headquarters and into the Dome where the assembly will be held and the Inception Trials will be televised.

If this was the 21st century then popcorns and 3D glasses would have been fun. But then, this is the 24th century. Wars had to be fought. Battles had to be won. Alliances had to be formed. Heroes had to be made.

Right now, I just want to drown myself into action and forget all the hurt in one piece.

My periphery vision told me I was being watched. She was as pale as the skies in a gloomy day. Her dark hair reminded me of the feathers of an extinct bird called Raven. The ends of it were dipped in deep blue. She leered at me the moment she caught me looking at her. She pushed herself off the wall and she made her way towards me like a prowling tiger. I felt my blood run cold.

IMOGEN MORGENSTERN

ADDONEXUS 1

REPUBLIC OF ARGOS- SECTOR 1

LEVEL 38

TOTAL SCORE: 22,506

GARUDA ARMY- COMMANDING OFFICER

The smirk she wore made me thought of it as permanent mask on her face. She seemed to find something interesting about me on her display and I just thought, it’s pretty creepy having someone look at your profile and have her look at you like you’re a really good piece of meat.

“Will it be weird if I say you’re the most good -looking guy I’ve ever seen in this facility?” she winked at me.

I wanted to snort but I knew better. Good-looking guys don’t act like an asshole towards good-looking girls. And if I might have been the “most good-looking guy in this facility” then Bri might have been mine. Turns out that looks don’t matter here at all. It’s all about the “status”.

So I just shrugged. Not a gentleman’s move either. “Maybe you’re just looking at the wrong direction.”

Imogen let out a flirty laugh. Her eyes told me she knew me already before she even looked up at my profile on her display.

“I’m in great need of a FireWielder.” She took a step closer and I felt the change of temperature. My blood felt like running in cold water. She’s a Maelstrom. “I need someone to warm me out of the cold.” She whispered in my ear.

“I prefer you use a blanket.”

Imogen smiled upon hearing the voice. Even without looking, my heart knew who it belonged to.

“Get back to your station, soldier. The Trials are about to begin.” Bri turned her fury at me the moment I caught her eye.

Imogen laughed as she moved a few inches away from me. “Hi, Bri.”

Bri nodded to acknowledge her. “Imogen,”

“I thought you forgot your manners.”

Bri sneered at her. “I’ve grown tired of pleasantries, Imogen. So if you excuse me, I’d like to take my soldier back to our station.”

I started to turn but Imogen’s words held me back. “Tell me if you’re interested.”

“Oh he won’t be.” Bri snapped as she narrowed her eyes at her. Imogen widened her eyes at Bri in amusement. I opened my mouth to defend myself but Bri shut me with a glare. Imogen giggled, fascinated with the scene she’d made.

“You two are so cute.” Imogen crooned. “Jealous aren’t you, Bri?”

Bri maintained her calm demeanor but something flickered in her eyes. “My soldiers belong to me.”

“Aww, Bri. I understand that.” Imogen pouted as her eyes flickered to me. “But your soldier looked so sad. I just thought I could offer him some charitable service.”

“That wouldn’t be necessary.” Bri tilted her chin. She met my eyes and she motioned for me to follow her and leave. I moved pass Imogen and she reached out and brushed her finger from my shoulder to my wrist. Bri pulled me away from her. Her eyes bore like knives at Imogen’s face.

“Find your own FireWielder, Imogen.” Bri spat at her as we both turned and walked away.

We headed to our barrack where I should have reported earlier before the “distraction”. I don’t know why I got lost in the crowd. I don’t know why despite my anger, Bri’s touch still manage to comfort me and love her more.

But then I woke up from the dream.

She turned to me the moment I dodged her hand off of me. She looked hurt but… I know I shouldn’t…

“Con, this is not the right time to argue.”

I started walking ahead. “I can walk by myself. You didn’t have to pull me away with you.”

She caught up with me. “You do realize she was seducing you.”

I scoffed like she just made a joke. “Why does it matter?”

“It was her strategy! I knew Imogen more than you do!” she prompted.

“Yeah, got your point and I don’t. Are we done now?”

She stood in front of me. “No. You will stay until I dismiss you. That’s an order.”

I flouted. “Sure, chief. You’re the boss.”

The hurt went back in her eyes and I felt myself sliding off my armor of contempt.

“She was distracting you.” She said. “How can you be so blind?”

“It’s called flirting, for your information, chief.” I taunted. “And it’s part of puberty.”

Her shoulders sagged. “I’m serious, Conleth. That bitch was distracting you.”

I met her eyes and she flinched. “Why don’t you just walk away?”

Her eyebrows met. “I’m still your commander. Whether you like it or not, you will obey me.”

I looked away this time. “You’re a distraction to me.”

I headed towards my comrades without waiting for her response.

“Con!” Halley rushed towards me. But when she saw Bri behind me, she stopped on her tracks.

“Does Bri have to pick you up every time you get lost?” Athren scowled at me.

I ignored him and I sat at the corner where I know no one would bother me. But I felt a weight being pulled down the cushion beside me.

“I thought you ran off again.” Halley said. I snickered. “Where have you been?”

“Imogen Morgenstern held him off.” Bri said. Contempt filled her words.

“Will you ever let me answer the questions for me?” I glared at her.

Bri waved her hand lazily in front of me. “Say what you have to say, soldier.”

“What does the commanding officer of Garuda Army have to do with you?” I turned to a frowning Athren. I smirked back at him.

“She finds me attractive.”

He snorted. “Oh. Please.”

Bri rolled her eyes skyward. “Well, I hope being attractive would keep you alive.”

I raised an eyebrow at her direction. “So you think I’m attractive?”

She raised an eyebrow back at me. “You are free to assume, soldier.”

I scoffed at her. “Whatever you say, chief.”

“You know, you two can mess up with your lives and pretend that you don’t like each other but please, guys, will you give us a break? We are sandwiched here with you two denying your feelings towards each other! It’s just pure dramatic bullshit!” Athren threw his hands up in the air. Sigourney started to clap but then she stopped when Bri looked back at her. I thought it was another glare.

“I am just being honest.” I said as I looked at Bri.

“I don’t like you.” She told me.

I flinched. “Wow. Ouch. But thank you for your honesty.”

Athren groaned. “I just said denial.”

“Well, I’m not denying anything.” Bri told him.

Athren frowned at her. “I didn’t say that you were in denial. Jeez. You need to stop being so defensive. You’re getting too obvious.”

Bri scowled at him. “Shut up.”

Athren chuckled. “That’s an order?”

“It is an order.” Bri retorted.

“If it isn’t the famous Wyvern Army.” Chivas Cantemir applauded at the entrance to our barrack.

I moved protectively beside Bri. If he does anything to harm her, I will no doubt kill him. I squeezed my mind shut. My heart’s not helping me at all. I should be mad at her. I was mad at her. Mad at her. And yet I’m still madly in love with her.

“What do you want, Cantemir?” Bri asked.

Chivas shrugged with his old smug attitude. It made me want to fry his balls so he would no longer stand.

“Just wanted to wish you luck.” He smirked at her as he made his way in while his army lingered behind him.

“How thoughtful of you, Chivas.” Bri sneered at him.

“Of course. A lot of Addonexus die in the Inception Trials. I think it’s just best to wish you luck and early condolences. We both know that it’s definitely a waste of time to lose one soldier and train a new one before the Dark Hour.” His eyes caught Halley’s. “A weak link is a burden to an army.”

“Sometimes, smaller is smarter you know. Have you ever heard of that phrase?” Bri said as she took a step towards him.

He snorted. “Rodents.”

“Thanks for your deep concern. But my army is my responsibility. And my army can withstand anything.”

He rolled his shoulders and scoffed. “How touching. Anyways, we’ll be watching your army burn to the ground.” His soldiers laughed in the background.

“Maybe your soldiers could watch while I burn you to the ground.” I found myself saying.

“Your boyfriend’s off the leash, Tyranica.” Chivas nodded at me as he taunted Bri.

I took a step forward to fry him but Bri held me back.

“Back to your post, soldier. You’ve done enough.” She said. Reluctantly, I stepped back but I kept my eyes straight at Chivas’ who was smirking at me.

“Good boy.” He whistled as he started to turn his back and walk away with his army. “Losers!” he started to say and his army chanted along with him.

“I think you’ve forgotten who I am, commander.” Bri called out to him. Chivas stopped in his tracks and he looked back at her.

“I am Commander Bri Tyranica.” She said fiercely to him. I felt the hairs on my neck stand in attention. “I never lose.”

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