Princesses, weaknesses and independence

I will always love you.

not edited

It had been centuries since the world has went to destruction, centuries since World War III broke out and nuclear weapons were put to the test. December 25, 2017 was when the first missile was launched from the well-known terrorist group named Gerbar-Gandi and with it's poor built; it shattered almost seconds from it's take-away with the acidic liquid burned the land like it was a disease ready to destroy it's prey. 

The substance was nothing like what anyone had seen before. It spread like wildfire, reaching all over the east continents and leaving the west to watch in horror as the sea was infected, slowly reaching towards the west and devouring anything it could find. Those who could find proper underground shelter survived the vicious attack but never dared to leave their safety in fear of putting their families at risk. 

The world worked 100 feet underground, like ants as the substance only seemed to caress the land and only plummet 65 feet down from the surface. That's how life was, digging around to find surviving families and building a community. Of course, until they sent up a small party of 30 young teenagers above ground. Their ages mainly ranging from 16 to 20 years old.

Within the group, was a girl by the name of Althea Grace, an orphan like the rest of her group. Her parents and young little brother had been murder at the count of a madman, who was always on the loose to the accord of the affair he had with a middle aged guard by the name of Natif Riksae. He was a nice fellow, always kind but his love for another caused the death of 30 set of families. 

Althea had long, curly brown hair that reached to the small of her back. She commonly had it in multiple braids and the top layer was tied back to keep it out of her eyes. She was feisty and small, a frown usually placed on her face and her attire often consisted of leather and black. 

She was with a close friend of hers when they were set to the top; clenching his hand and trying to keep the tears from slipping out of her eyes. When they arrived to the top, it seemed as if they were immune to the so-called toxic air; but within minutes of moving out of the rusty trapdoor that held the entry to their once home, their bodies were thrown around like rag dolls and tossed over muscular shoulders. 

These people spoke another language and they didn't seem friendly, as they had killed many of them off before caging those who survived. 14 were spared, not including Althea's childhood friend as he was murdered after trying to escape and free his comrades. During that night, her heart wrenching sobs filled the room full of small cages and the orphans felt for her, her body often being soothingly caressed by those who were trapped around her to tell her that they were there for her.

The group kept their promise and after a few months of being taken advantage of and beaten, she had set her friends free and the group ran off into the night; quickly loosing the scouts that was on watch. Though, a girl by the name of Rebecca lost her life while protecting her younger sister, Holly, the 16 year old alive today and often being watched over by most of the group.

Althea was quick to take one of four leading positions, her determination and leader-like attitude was taken note of. She was never rash though, always kind and letting her shoulder be an object to cry on when an orphan missed their family. Her touch was like magic, always finding a way to bring as much comfort to her comrades as possible. With the male population being dominant within their group and their ego still being over the top; she rarely got visits by them, but every other week she was met with a tear stained face and flushed cheeks. 

Althea was quick to realise that her group had been found by her enemy and a ruthless leader that she stood by took one prisoner, beating him until he couldn't walk. As she was the soft commander, she tended to his wounds and set him free when most of the group was either out hunting or sleeping. She couldn't bare to watch someone being whipped, someone being forced to bear the same lashes that was strung around her back and sides.

The underground forces came in a few weeks after that, finding their location and the 14 survivors were taken under their wing once more. As all the orphans had agreed to take life above ground, they were never angered for the situation they were placed in. Infact, they were just glad that their people could witness the surface. 

Dimitri was the man she let free, and the man she fell inlove with. She often times visited him and they would express their love for one another. A year would pass and they kept hidden, the rivalry between her once enemy and her people was passed and a truce was formed. Though rebellion was pressed on each sides; the fury firing once more and her one and only love being taken by her own people. She fought for him every second she breathed, almost risking her life before she was pulled away from the orphans she had lead all those months ago. 

She knew there would never be true peace between two groups, but she never expected to be forced to watch as her lover was being knelt to the ground with the gun of her president being pressed to his temple. 

Her tears fell and she watched as Dimitri's people watched from afar, ready to begin the war that would start if the president decided to go through with the execution. His people were ready to fight for the justice of their commander as he fought for them since the beginning of his reign.

A gun shot was fired through the air as silence was taken, the president shot the sky to gain the attention of his peers. "Dimitri, you have been sentenced for execution by the celion law." The handgun was taken from it's case, the safety flicked off as Althea screamed in agony, her face scrunched up and tears falling onto her shirt while she attempted to be set free from the handcuffs she was placed in. The orphans were held back as well as they watched in terror, their eyes rushing to their true leader, trying to comfort her like she had them years ago. 

The rain was heavy as it was, mud being thrown around from Althea's thrashing. A chain was tied around her feet and locked together, only a few feet letting her to crawl towards the scene. She felt like a dog as she tried to get closer to her love. "Any last words?" The president was heard saying, his cocky attitude and rolling of his eyes send Althea in a wreck. He was finding pleasure in killing Dimitri, and all she could do was whimper and cry out. 

Every stood there, waiting for his death. Dimitri would move his gaze to the woman who had caught his heart. His lips moving ever so slightly as words in his people's language spew from his tongue. "Keep fighting." His message was clear, it was a goodbye to her and her only as she studied him. It broke Dimitri's heart to watch as Althea was chained up and left defenseless, but he knew that if he wanted the best for her and his people, then his spirit must carry with the wind and await decades until he got to hold her again. 

For the second time, a gunshot was heard as it pierced into his brain; the life leaving his eyes and cries broke throughout the forest. The president was clueless to them hiding within the treeline and clueless to the importance of the man he just killed. The walls were torn down, death filling the air she was set free from her chains from an unknown ally. 

Althea put no importance to the war going on around her and only focused on the man that had stolen her heart. Her hands cupped his cold cheeks as she pressed her lips to his a final time, anger grew in her as she dashed for the man who stole her man from her. No words were spared as his heart was pierced by the dagger she wielded. 

He looked into her eyes as he gasped for breath, surprised by her action as she wasn't known for killing. His body fell to the ground as Althea followed, twisting the blade and causing more pain upon her foe. She wanted him to feel everything she felt and she didn't hold back for a second. 

Once he was dead, she was crawling back to Dimitri's corpse and sat there with his hand in hers, questioning why the world had been so cruel to her kind nature.

"I will always love you, my Dimitri."