1. Elysium | ✓

| unexplainable ache

VI ‖ unexplainable ache

How many times would someone let others trample on their delicate trust before they finally learn how to built guards that are high enough to protect themselves from the cruelty of the world? At some point, did anyone also noticed that those with cold hearts and empty souls the ones that were once the most compassionate and loving?

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SHANGHAI
December 
Location: Elysium, Styx

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"You're kidding, right?" I laughed dryly as my eyes landed on Jax, who stood at the door.

"Iva."

The moment my name escaped those lips, I could feel the anger intensified within me. I bent down and reached for the dagger that was strapped around my ankle. Focusing on the strength of my legs, I powered a sprint towards him as I swung my hand across my shoulder, holding my weapon close to me. When I thought I was fast, he was even faster. 

He anticipated my move and shifted slightly to avoid. Then, he caught my wrist and dragged me by the arm before pushing me towards the glass surface of the door. One of his hand held onto the back of my neck firmly, keeping me in place while the other twisted my wrist slightly to force my grip out of the dagger. I struggled violently against his hold, but he pinned me down and whispered softly from behind, "Let's not do this, sweetness."

Vivienne was about to launch at him but Harod cut in just in time to stop her. "Stop it," he hissed, slamming his hand on his desk before continuing, "More than anyone else, Iva, you should know better not to break the rules."

I ceased struggling immediately and replied in a piercing cold tone, "Of course."

Harod exhaled a sigh then mentioned, "Jaxen, you too. Let go of her."

Then, I felt all the grip on me being released slowly as he carefully allowed me to gain balance on the ground once again. At the amount of gentleness he handled me, the ache in my chest swelled exponentially. Infuriated, I swung his arms off me forcefully and walked towards Vivienne without bothering to look at him even once. Keeping my head low, I pressed my lips down into a hard line and my hands closed into fists. My body trembled as I tried to suppress the sudden turbulence of emotions that had morphed into a raging tempest within me. 

"As per what I said previously, this is the Elite that Lethe had sent over," Harod repeated for us and turned around to face Jax. "Jaxen, please acquaint yourself to Iva Laurent and Vivienne Yuan."

"Call me Jax will do," Jax spoke in a tone that was smooth but foreign to my ears. He held his hand out towards Vivienne, attempting to make conversant with her through a handshake. But without a care, Vivienne slapped his hand away and held out an arm towards me to secure me towards her. Surprised, I turned slightly to look at Vivienne. One side of her lips tipped up into a knowing smirk while throwing a playful wink at me. If anything, her gestures had definitely brought some comfort to me.