190 Factions Within Legion POV (1/2)

It is relaxing, submerging myself in the warm water and feeling all of my troubles simply melting away, even if it is just for a moment.

I could really close my eyes and dream of a much happier time and place, but I would not be allowed to, not here in this place, wherever this place is.

There is not a single window in sight, connecting to the outside world, making me feel isolated as well as disconnected. Perhaps that is the point, for I could die here all alone like I have always feared that I would, and no one would ever know.

Maybe I am already publicly dead to the world and everyone, as the airplane I was on was shot down by missiles that flies faster than the eyes could see.

There was no warning whatsoever other than the explosions rocking the aircraft and the flames filling the cabin.

I remember it all well.

The burning sensation wrapping around my body as the inferno enveloped me, but once more, death didn't take me.

It doesn't want me.

Just like when my mind was being overwhelmed by all the excruciating pains of my skin being peeled slowly away from my body under the dark sky and rather ironically calming sea. I couldn't do anything then, including begging for it to stop due to the blade embedded through my throat.

Despite my anguished wailing, death still didn't take me.

As much as I am afraid and terrified of death, I desperately wish that death would stop toying with me and free me from this suffering.

While I wish nothing more than enacting what I have always dreamed of on Xi Shi, I want to finally be reunited with my family. My real family with people who actually cared and loved me as a person, not just some object or prize to be had.

They are all waiting for me.

But I fear that I will not be able to even if after I die.

My hands are stained with blood. Blood from the countless people that I had killed and continued to kill just so I could live. Enough blood to drown me in the depth of hell, far away from those that I wish to be with in heaven above.

Water streams down my arm as I reach towards the ceiling. Towards that blinding light above.

The ceiling itself is illuminating, as bright as daylight, warming the unsubmerged part of my nakedness.

All the lightnings in this room as well in the hallways are artificial. They are not coming from any sort of lightbulbs I have ever seen. How strange and bizarre, telling me how much more advance that these people are in comparison to the Party.

It also tells me that there is no escape. I have no choice but to serve, just so I could live despite wanting so much to die. I hate my life but fear the process of dying so much that I am unable to kill myself, not having the same courage when I was much younger.

I know it is a contradiction, but that is how I truly feel.

The turmoil of being alive.

Even though Lu Bu knows exactly what is going through my mind, he continues to watch me from the bench, not always paying attention. His pupils dilate every now and then as if his mind is elsewhere or preoccupied with something else.

I wonder what, but will he answer me when I ask?

”Depends on whether you have the right to know or not, Miss Xi Shi. If you wish to die, I can end it for you, but do you truly wish to die when the person that takes away your family continues to live?”

Lu Bu speaks up, confirming that he does have some sort of telepathy.

He can read my mind as freely as he chooses. I want to know what he is thinking as well. Will that be possible one day?

And he is right. Despite how much I want, I am not satisfied with just dying alone while others continue to live without retribution for what they have done. For the suffering that they had caused me.

It also includes that Shinobi for skinning me alive.

But sadly, I am too weak to do anything.

Lu Bu chuckles and takes in a deep breath.

”Yes, you are, Miss Xi Shi. Very weak. And you will always be weak when comparing to Kakashi, so for you to kill him is a bit beyond the realm of possibilities. By the way, that is his name, but I suppose he must have forgotten to tell you it. He probably didn't think much of you.”

Lu Bu confirms what I have always known. I am weak, and I will always be weak, no matter what. I will not be able to kill her and honor all the sisters that have died under her hands. My sisters.

”But it is not entirely impossible, Miss Xi Shi. I always believe that if there is a will, there will definitely be a way. You just have to think harder. Become smarter. You just to know what your enemies want, and you will know how to kill them…”

Lu Bu pauses for a moment before smiling. His shoulders rise so ever slightly as if he is debating within himself about the things that he is telling me.

”I shouldn't teach you how to kill other members of Legion. That is the name of our organization, so I suggest you remember it well. But I can teach you how to kill anyone else, including those that you're fearing so much.”

Lu Bu continues. Confidences in his words and expressions, and even though I have seen how fast he is, still pales compare to her, I believe him.

I believe that even though Lu Bu isn't as strong as her, he will still able to help me kill her.

And with that belief, I approach the edge of the pool and look up at him.

”Please teach me, senior brother. I will do anything to be able to kill her.”

I speak up and blink when he frowns a little.

His eyes become deadly serious, as if I had said something wrong.

”You really think I would lose to someone like her, Miss Xi Shi?”

Lu Bu questions as the air in the room becomes suffocating. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't really breathe at all. He could choke me to death with his killing intent alone!?

”No… I'm… sorry… senior… brother…”

I gasp the words, realizing what a terrible mistake I just did. This killing intent surpasses than of Xi Shi, so much so that I lost control of my body.

The killing intent vanishes as my vision begins to wane.

My consciousness is slipping.

And luckily, I manage to stay conscious and then pull myself back from the brink.

”I shouldn't get upset since you didn't say it out loud. If I start killing everyone who thinks bad of me, half the world would probably be dead. Probably more than half, and those that are left alive probably never heard of me to think bad about me.”

Lu Bu returns to his usual cheerful self, finding some kind of amusement in his words.

His eyes retain their seriousness, however. He is still displeased at me.

And I lower my head apologetically.

Even though Lu Bu had stated that our rank within this organization is the same, the difference in our powers and abilities is heaven and earth.

How can someone be so strong!?

Strong enough to kill someone like me with just a look alone. I am much stronger than normal people because I am a Chimera, but in his presence, I am nothing more than an ant.

”More like a speck of dust, Miss Xi Shi.”

Lu Bu corrects me. He is in my mind, knowing everything about me. I cannot hide anything from him.

I cannot hide anything from anyone here, and that terrifies me.

”But you shouldn't be depressed about that, Miss Xi Shi. I am also a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things despite the power that I wield. Ah. I mean to say that even as powerful as I am compared to you, I am exceedingly weak compare to Master. He can kill you before you even realize you are dead, as if he can stop time itself.”

My body tenses up. My mind fills with questions.

Just how powerful is the Master exactly? I feel like I was being flayed alive in front of him, even though he is watching me through a camera.

It is just not possible to exert killing intent on another person without being there in person. Not only the Master isn't there in person, but his killing intent can physically harm a person.

He isn't a Chimera. He is something else entirely!