Hero (english version)

Chapter 9

I'm short of breath. I've never run this fast. Never. Years of my life training daily to drown in a simple career. Although, it really isn't that simple... it's because of her.

I dodge every obstacle that cross my path. It's time to wake up and everyone is going to the bathroom, to say hello to their friends or directly to get their energetic breakfast bar. For that reason, the hallway is filled with more people than I'd like to see right now. I hear voices behind me as I leave familiar figures behind.

"Adora?"
"Adora, are you okay?"
"Is something wrong?"
"Adora!"
"Adora-"

I want to scream. I want to scream and to make everyone disappear. But I don't have time for it. The only image that haunts my mind right now is hers. I hold back tears, even though when I have a problem related to hers, it's almost impossible for me to avoid crying.

Once I reach the entrance of the dark garnet chamber, I discover it's closed tight. But that doesn't stop me. I don't even doubt it. I continue running, smashing my shoulder against the door in a vain attempt to open it wide. A muffled cry with her name bursts from my throat. The soldiers guarding the gate hold me by both arms, cutting me off. That's when I realize how much my shoulder hurts. I let out a groan slips away. However, I hardly hesitate. I cross my right leg with the soldier's one closest to me. He falls flat on his face, causing the only one still standing to rush to hold me even stronger. My free hand takes the helmet of my fallen opponent, and, after dedicating a firm kick to his head in order to knock him unconscious, I hit with all my strength the helmet that I hold against that of the soldier still standing. They both fall, defeated. They'll recover. The Horde has taught us well the difference between annulling and taking down the enemy.

My fist smashes into the door. How can I open it? I shout her name again, but by doing so far as to hit it once more, it just opens up. I know I should prepare myself, reflect for a moment on what I could find inside... but I don't. My head is not able to sort out my ideas, let alone draw up a plan. That's why I enter without hesitation, making my way with a broken heart and the logic totally nullified.

"Adora," a voice raises inside the room.

My gaze flies to sink into hers. Shadow Weaver contemplates me, upright and serene... Superior. Although those airs of superiority were always inherent in her.

"You have to learn to be less visceral," she continues, approaching me without any haste. "To be a good captain-"

"I don't want to be captain." I spit, as I appreciate her gaze turning to pure fire. "I was born to be a heroine," my tone of voice hardens when pronouncing these words.

Now, the one that presents herself strong, upright and confident, is me. For the first time in my life, I'm the superior. Gradually, a feeling of anger grows in her gaze. Despite being able to realize it, I remain in my position.

"And what does it matter?!" She roars, her words bursting in the environment like a bomb that is finally able to blows up. "It's too late, you hear me?!"

Something inside me falls, slowly collapsing. I'm in ruins. My eyes shine at the tears that threaten to peek out and rush down my cheeks. What does she mean? Why is it too late? Once again, my voice echoes in my head.

"See? Because of you, Adora. She would be better off without you."

I can't stand it. I can't bear this pain anymore. I can't bear how I, my own conscience, tears myself apart.

"What have you done?" I dare to ask.

I can't see her face, but I know very well that she's smiling. My mind designs an image of a macabre, chilling and definitely terrifying smile. A smile as triumphant as it is dark. A smile that accompanies those words that her gaze shouts for everyone to hear. "Oh, I'm enjoying this so much".

Enjoying my pain. An irremediable desire to rip off that mask and destroy all her power until she is left with absolutely nothing takes over me. But something is wrong... my strength fails. Despite this, when the following words leave her lips, I pounce on her, abandoning all understanding of my mind and being left alone with this agonizing pain that ends up dominating me.

"I've sent her to Beast Island."