lightning strikes | könig [ON HOLD]

- Prologue -

Senna almost died too many times.

Once, when she was ten years old. One of her cousins threw a rock at her head. She had to get numerous stitches and part of her hair was shaved. She didn't remember much of it but she remembered how panicked her mother was. Her mother never let her and that one cousin alone ever again.

When she was fifteen, she witnessed a robbery and was threatened. She was held at gunpoint and was traumatized for years after that. Her father was always protective of her, but after that, he never let her leave the house alone. Her brother taught her how to defend herself if somehow she would find herself in similar situation ever again.

Then, she met a man who almost killed her in the most ruthless way. But she was strong enough to take matters into her own hands. She wasn't going to let another person control her life. Never again.

That's how she almost lost her life during a storm. It was the worst storm in a decade, and she just happened to be on the run. She would've died on that hill in the desert if it wasn't for the only person who would never give up on her.

And seeing that one person so distressed, so helpless killed her. It was so painful, she felt her heart sank.

"'Akhbirini madha 'afeal ya Farah, " Tell me what to do, Farah. Senna pleaded with her, leaning her hands on the table between them.

But Farah kept her eyes on the huge map in front of her, parts of it covered by numerous papers and reports. The dim lights inside the office cast a shadow on her face, only half of it lit up. But even that half looked so miserable. Senna barely recognized her friend anymore.

"Daeni 'usaeid," Let me help. Senna reached a hand over the table, catching Farah's attention. "Hunak alkathir yahduth bialfiela. Asmahuu li 'an 'uzil baed althiqal ean katifika." There's so much going on already. Let me take some of the weight off your shoulders.

Senna was there with her through everything: from Hadir's – Farah's brother – betrayal through heartbreak and war, they were by each other's side. Senna was one of Farah's most important people, the one to be in charge when she wasn't near. But the two women saw each other like sisters, and throughout the years since Sena joined ULF - Urzikstan Liberation Force -, it was hard to see how much Farah had taken upon herself.

"Ealayk 'an takun huna," You need to be here. Senna's soft voice spoke again. "Sadiquk yahtajik huna. yumkinuni qiadat almajmueat wasa'aeud qabl 'an tulahizuu rahili" Your friend needs you here. I can lead the group and I'll be back before you notice I'm gone.

Farah's lips curved into a small smile as she shook her head, Senna's own smile bringing light to the room. It was clear that Farah wanted to be everywhere, taking charge and saving as many people as she could, but she was only one woman. She liked to think she was a one-man army, but Senna was there to remind her every time that she didn't have to fight alone.

"'Ana la 'uhibu hadha," I don't like this. Farah sighed, letting her fears show. "'Iidha hadath khata ma, falan 'atamakan min 'iirsal 'ayi shakhs khalfak lieidat 'ayaam." If something goes wrong, I won't be able to send anyone after you for days.

"Sa'akun bikhayrin. satakun sharikat Shadow Company wa KorTac mawjudatan lidiemi." I'll be fine. Shadow Company and KorTac will be there to support me.

Senna hasn't really heard about them much; didn't even know they existed up until a few days ago. But Commander Philip Graves, who was in charge of Shadow Company reached out to Farah a week ago to ask for help with their mission. It involved rouge missiles, terrorists, and too big of a threat to ignore. He thinks that one of the local crime lords – someone whom Farah tried to take off the map for a long time – was involved with this, so they asked for the help of ULF.

KorTac got involved since the same crime lord, named Bilal Nasir had been on their watchlist for a while now, so the three groups agreed to help each other out. It was supposed to be Farah who would go with the group and lead them through the desert and dangerous villages, but one of her old friends, John Price reached out and said one of their mutual friends was in trouble and needed her help.

"Bikhayr," Fine. Farah finally agreed with a single nod, a broad smile appearing on Senna's face. "Lakinani sa'ursil Jerico maeak." But I'm sending Jerico with you.

Jerico was a good soldier, he had been part of the ULF for years. Senna liked him and got along well together, so she didn't mind the company. At least she'll have someone to talk to.

"'Iidha kanat hadhih hi altariqat alati satanam biha bishakl 'afdala, fala bas," If that's how you'll sleep better, fine. Senna rose from her seat and straightened her spine, towering over Farah's small frame. The woman only responded with an eye roll, which caused Senna to chuckle slightly as she walked around the table.

"'Ant taelam jydan 'anani lan 'anam hataa taeuda." You know damn well I won't sleep until you return.

"'Ana 'aerifu." I know.

The women took a moment to just look at each other, the weight of the world pressing down on Farah's shoulders while Senna smiled even Death in the face. The contrast between them was the thing that tied them together so strongly, the perfect balance settling between them. Senna liked to believe in soulmates and fate, and she was pretty sure that they were sisters in a previous life. Platonic soulmates, if you will.

And there was nothing she wouldn't do for her sister.

"Yadhhab," Go. Farah nodded once again, her voice tired and quiet. "Wanaeud qiteatan wahidatan. 'uw- " And come back in one piece. Or-

"Sawf raklat muakharati. 'ana 'aerifu," You'll kick my ass. I know. Senna rolled her eyes playfully, but she didn't miss the real concern in the other woman's eyes. "Sa'akun ealaa mayram. 'aeudka. wahawil 'alaa tufajir alqaeidat 'athna' rahili." I'll be alright. I promise. And try not to blow up the base while I'm gone.

Farah's mouth fell agape in shock, Senna's figure already retreating to the door as her words chased after the tall woman.

"Laqad kan dhalik limarat wahidatin, fi sabil Allahi!" That was a one-time thing, for God's sake!

Senna's laugh was the only reply to her, Farah's eyes following her figure until she got enveloped in darkness completely and disappeared at the far corner. And even though Senna was so carefree and eager to throw herself into situations, Farah had a bad feeling about this; she could feel it in her gut.

But there was no real evidence, no real threat as of right now. And all Farah could do was bury that gut feeling away and concentrate on the problems that bled into their lives like toxins and pray that her sister would return without harm.

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a little inroduction to our mc, senna! you didn't really get to know her just now, but i hope you'll like her just as much as i do in the future!