Whispers of Stars beneath the Quantum Sea

Kidnapped.

March, 2012.

Bronya fell sick. Vivere and Seele took turns to take care of her. Seele was in charge of feeding Bronya, while Vivere entertained Bronya by reading her stories. When he was reading Bronya a book, Matushka went into their room, panting.

Cocolia: Seele... huff... huff... has been kidnapped!

Vivere & Bronya: What?

Cocolia: She went out to buy some groceries... huff... but got kidnapped.

Bronya was enraged, she tried to sit up, but Vivere stopped her and laid her down again. His eyes were cold. He was more infuriated than Bronya. She had never seen him like this before as Vivere was always a calm and lighthearted person.

Vivere: I'll do it.

Bronya: But you don't know anything about fighting!

Vivere: You've taught me enough. I'll be fine. Can I borrow your knife?

Bronya reluctantly agreed and pointed to her drawers. She didn't want him to go, but from his determined gaze, there was nothing she could do to stop him.

Vivere took the knife and left. He put on the camouflaging outfit gifted to him by Matushka on his 10th birthday. On his way to the orphanage's entrance, he saw a long piece of rope.

Vivere: This can come in handy.

He wrapped the rope tightly around the knife, making a rope dart. He didn't know why he chose it, it just felt natural. Before leaving, Matushka gave him a bag consisting of a map that led toward Seele, a first aid kit, a taser, and a water bottle.

Cocolia: Be safe. I await your return.

He made his way through the thick forest, toward the marked lair of the kidnappers. He was going to make them pay. How dare they kidnap a close friend of his? How dare they break apart his life again? Unacceptable. He wasn't going to let his loved ones' lives be taken away from him anymore.

Lurking in the bushes 10 meters away from the entrance, he watched as a guard strolled back and forth. After just a few seconds, he was able to predict the guard's movements and threw the rope dart at him. The blade pierced cleanly through his skull, killing him immediately.

He stripped the dead guard and wore his armor, pretending to be one, and infiltrated their base.

Vivere: Such imbeciles. They don't even confirm my identity. The guards from Bronya's story would have shot me dead already.

As he passed through the corridors, he killed every guard he walked by, killing them before they could even react.

He navigated his way to the place where Seele was and knocked on the door.

???: Who is it?

Vivere: The delivery is here, they said they have vodka.

???: Finally! I've been waiting for so long!

The door opened. Before time itself could react, he pierced the guard's throat, killing her immediately. He then saw Seele crying in the corner with a man looming over her. The man had a lustful and perverted smirk, his clothes were untidy, threatening to drop anytime. Vivere's eyes narrowed and he wrapped the rope around his throat before jolting him backward.

Vivere: Seele, close your eyes and plug your ears.

She did what was told.

Vivere pulled out a tazer from his bag and approached the man.