Ad Astra Per Aspera

Chapter 9

Death is nothing, but to live without victory or glory is to die every day.

Astralea's POV

"So what was this, some kind of a test to see what level I am?"

"You are top level." Dameon responds.

"Top level?"

"Yeah, three, two or one. To be honest we don't care here that much unless we go on a mission because that's where ranks are enforced, but here, all that matters is you are a pro." He says.

"Please, you just don't want to admit that she might be one." Nuri said smiling and she might be right, Dameon does look slightly pissed and... annoyed?

"She isn't at any level yet." Blaze said. "Physically, skill wise, you are one, not mentally though, but no offense, we can't trust you enough to put you on the team."

I would have taken offense, but he isn't wrong. I still want to kill them. And I definitely wouldn't trust myself either.

However I do not appreciate his comment about my mental state. I mean, I know I got issues. ADHD, anxiety, depression, anger issues, desire to kill a lot of people. But that doesn't give him a right to point it out.

"You will be training with them though, can't let you go soft Princess." Arcane said and I do want to punch him. "We have things to do, Nuri, show her around and pair with her. Princess, please don't try to kill her, she makes the best coffee."

"Coffee? Really Arcane? Thats all I'm worth to you, fucking coffee?"

"Not just any coffee, the best coffee. Oh, and I like Princess more than new girl. I think I might just call you that."

Before I managed to open my mouth and respond, Blaze spoke, "Call her Princess and I will break every single bone in your body."

Holy Shit.

Talking about anger issues and possessiveness.

Does he like me or something, because this isn't exactly normal. But like, he hasn't shown me any actual affection, quite the opposite. So there is something else behind it, and I wonder what it is.

Unless it's one of those cases of 'I bully her because I love her'.

If that's the case, no thank you. I don't like that petty High School shit. Own up to your feeling. And take an L because despise the fact that I hate Enzo right now, he is still the only man I want to sleep with.

Great, I am loyal to that fucker for some unknown reason.

Daemon had a surprise look on his face, but he immediately dropped it and said 'got it boss'.

And I'm going to drop it too because the last thing I need right now is another possessive dick in my life.

.......

Nuri did end up showing me around. Well, as much as they could trust me I guess. And she did end up training with me.

She is good. Very good.

I enjoyed training with her because I didn't have to hold back, I could go all in and she would too. A few times she knocked me down too. That felt good.

Even though I am here against my will, I am slightly enjoying this. It's nice not to feel out of place or pretend to be someone else.

She knows exactly who I am, because she can relate. I don't need to pretend to be a good mafia daughter, or an emotionless assassin. I feel like right now, I am me.

I end up having lunch with all of them as well, and their story, well, it's quite sad.

Nuri is an orphan. Parents died in a house fire when she was 7 and she has been in foster care since. When she was 12 she found her own way of making money and living. At one point she got arrested and Vipers bailed her out. Apparently she stole Blaze's watch and he was very impressed by that.

Daemon was a street fighter and he was good at it, he was only 16 but lied about his age to everyone of course. Unlike others he didn't want to sell his fights which almost got him killed. Vipers got to him too.

Raiden, another guy on a top level was an assassin, like me. Apparently he used to work for my father. Needless to say that got very awkward for me, luckily he didn't recognize me as Astralea so it was awkward only for me.

Caden is a.... character. I guess in a way you can call him a Robin Hood, or a serial killer. He didn't tell me much including his body count or motives, but I don't think I want to know anyways. All I know is that getting him mad doesn't end well for people.

Four others didn't talk much. Not at all to be more specific. Not sure if they are just loners or if they dont like me. I'm fine with either or though.

I tried exploring the island, but the looks I got from employees or guards or whatever they are told me that I probably shouldn't. They might still be mad about my previous escape and a few people that are dead because of me, but we aren't going to talk about that.

Technically it's Arcane's and Blaze's fault.

If they didn't lock me up, this wouldn't have happened.

I did my research though. Found a possible way of escaping if necessary. If I run from the house I should be able to get to the more secluded beach within about 10 minutes. Found where their boats are at, obviously under lock but it's not impossible.

Plus there are a few in the water so I can take those.

Swimming isn't an option however. It's cold. Not cold enough for it to snow, but cold enough to figure that we are somewhere North, possibly close to Alaska.

Going to Alaska won't do me any good though, a lot of wilderness, harder to get to the main US, too many variables. Best call would be heading South East.

But if I stay out here any longer, these dumb security guards are actually going to think that something is up.

So I ended up going back to the room where there was a laptop and a few files that weren't there this morning. Not just any files.

Nex.

Multiple files on him. His pictures, skills, everything.

"We were considering getting him." Blaze said from behind me.

"He would rather die than leave us."

"No, he would rather die than leave you. For what it's worth I'm truly sorry about his death. I know how much he meant to you, and I know how much you loved him. I won't say I know how you feel because I don't. But I can give you one thing that might make you feel better, I can help you find the person responsible. I promise you that."

And he left the room on that, and I couldn't be happier because tears started falling down, tears that I don't want him to see.

Because no matter how strong I appear, how tough, I am broken on the inside.

And I am barely holding it right now.

His death broke me into a million pieces. My father's betrayal. And Enzo's betrayal.

A person who made me feel alive when I wanted to die brought me pain.

How am I supposed to forgive him? How am I supposed to let it all go?

So instead I get behind the desk and start looking. Looking into all of the files, searching everything, because that's better than just laying down contemplating my life choices.

But one thing I'm getting from all of these files is that Nex wasn't telling me everything, because who is Eliana?