The Assassin's Avian Tale

Chapter 1

Luna had been reclining on a beachside hammock, the gentle sway accompanied by the soothing melody of ocean waves. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a kaleidoscope of warm hues across the sky of Bora Bora. Sipping from a glass of rare wine, she felt the tension of her previous missions dissipate, replaced by the serenity of her tropical retreat.

"Ahh, it feels like ages since I've been able to unwind like this," Luna sighed with contentment, taking a leisurely sip from her glass of wine.

As she savored the moment, Luna found herself drifting into memories of her journey, reflecting on the twists and turns that had brought her to where she stood today.

Luna became an orphan at the tender age of 8 when her parents tragically lost their lives in a car crash while returning from a vacation. Remarkably, Luna survived the devastating impact, shielded by her parents' embrace just before slipping into unconsciousness.

However, those details were etched in Luna's memory as vague fragments, a haze of recollections that eluded clear definition.

Hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the accident, Luna's physical wounds, fortunately, were not severe-limited only to a scattering of bruises and a concussion. After a brief two-day stay, she was discharged from the hospital.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Luna grappled with devastation, mourning her parents' loss as she attended their funeral. Tears flowed freely, a poignant expression of her grief.

The funeral drew a somber crowd, a mix of her parents' colleagues, neighbors, and family friends. Amidst the sea of sympathetic faces, Luna stood before her parents' final resting place, tears streaming down her face. Attempts at consolation from onlookers faltered as Luna's inconsolable grief continued to unfold. The weight of sorrow hung heavy, and Luna, enveloped in her sorrow, became a solitary figure amidst the collective mourning.

Abruptly, rain began to fall, a gentle yet persistent shower that served as a melancholic punctuation to the somber occasion. As droplets cascaded from the heavens, those in attendance started to disperse one by one, seeking shelter from the unforeseen downpour. Luna, though her tears had ceased, stood motionless before her parents' grave, a silent witness to the world's fleeting sympathy.

As the rain ceased its melancholy descent, Luna's gaze lifted in confusion towards the sudden cessation of the storm. There, standing beside her, was her parents' trusted companion-an individual Luna had encountered occasionally during childhood. The man, whom she'd seen visiting their home for business discussions with her parents in the study room while she played with the maids outside, now held an umbrella, offering a protective shield against the retreating raindrops.

Silently, he stood by Luna's side, a stalwart presence amidst the fading echoes of sorrow. The unspoken understanding between them resonated in the quietude, and Luna, though still immersed in the aftermath of loss, found solace in the unexpected companionship that weathered the storm both within and around her.

"You should be strong," he said solemnly, his voice cutting through the lingering echoes of grief. "Life must go on, Luna. Continue moving forward and fight for what you deserve. Find your purpose."

With those words, he handed Luna the umbrella, a symbolic gesture of protection and guidance, before silently retreating into the fading mist of the cemetery. Left standing amidst the tranquil solitude, Luna felt a surge of conflicting emotions-confusion mingled with newfound resolve.

Alone yet empowered, Luna clutched the umbrella tightly, its sheltering canopy a tangible reminder of the strength she carried within. As she watched the man's retreating figure, a flicker of determination ignited within her soul, illuminating the path forward through the darkness.