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Scene From Amita

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Walking through the dusk in the red mist, the young woman peacefully asleep on my back. My mind on the past, thinking on an encounter constantly weighing on my heart.

Deimos taking me in, giving me a home at the shrine, introducing me to Asha and Lumen. An unreasonably cruel god on top of the mountain, his words still stabbing through me to the current day.

“Asha, Lumen. I wonder how you two are doing these days. Hopefully better off than I am...” My grim vision to my side.

My life in the shadows, scraping by with the ants. Two still to my mind, Asha’s warmth and Lumen’s light personality. The last two hope in my existence going away, sending me to the pits with my dying fire.

I shortly turn down an alley, carrying the unconscious person in the deepening mist. Some movements from afar, eyes setting on me. My cards expanding around me, shielding me from their ravenous presence.

“I knew my time with you both was limited. After all, I do not have any sort of abilities, yet I tried. I tried as hard as I could. I will always be grateful to you two, for showing me at least a bit of hope in those times...” My eyes to the sky.

I soon stop, facing a door to my side, shortly unlocking it. I step through the entrance, ensuring to close and lock the path on my way in. I make my way down the dark direction, descending lower into the depths.

“I always hated Deimos, but more for how he would pressure Asha to make unrealistic progress. Lumen always made it clear to me, that he’ll try to go at a pace I can handle. Though, Deimos once again demanded faster results.”

My mind constantly drifting back to those days, my wish to forget them, to sink into the abyss and finally burn out. No matter how hard I try, I am unable to do so.

A strange young woman coming into my life, grasping my flame in her hands, keeping it alive from the Overlord’s wrath.

“Just what is the point? Why do I keep going? Deimos’ punishment makes it that I always have to operate in the shadows, this torture will never end...” My grim vision.

A never ending torment, constantly living each and everyday of my life under the radar, surviving on the kindness from those willing to go against Deimos.

I make my way into my underground bunker, soon setting the young woman down on the bed, covering her with the blanket. I shortly sit on an old chair by the table, resting my wrist on it.

“If those people are caught helping me, I am not sure what I would do...” My left hand covers my face in agony.

The never ending nightmares, continuously thinking about the chance for Deimos to discover my underground network. A sigh soon leaving me, my eyes shifting to my side.

“Hrrnnn...” A sound coming from the bed.

I look in the direction, witnessing the young woman sit up, seeing her hold the side of her head. The person looking over to me with her pure eyes of the sun, soon resting her hand on her chest.

“Where am I...?” her uncertainty on her surroundings.

“In my underground bunker, had to fight an Overlord to get you here.” A sigh leaves me.

“Wait...you saved me...?” her surprise at me.

“Yeah, but I was paid to do so.” I show the envelope of money to her.

“Oh...well...thank you. Who hired you to do so?” the young woman’s vision below.

“Your sibling did.” I toss the letter to her.

I stand from the chair, heading towards the back. My mind on the circumstance, taking on another within the terrifying red mist. I soon return to the person with a bottle of water, shortly handing it to her.

“Thank you. I am Elena, you?” the person opens the bottle, soon drinking some of it.

“Amita, a hand for hire, just don’t go shouting it into the open.” I sit down in the old chair.

“That’s sort of weird, don’t you want others to know about your business?” the young woman tilts her head at me.

“When you’re abandoned by a god, you have to stay outside of their eyes to survive. Anyway, what is this whole deal with the Scarlet Dusk? The most I can gather is that Arch needed your life to maximize his power?” my hand to my chin.

“Yes, while the night is eternal until his defeat. He needs my life in order to truly make it a complete living hell. To bathe the world in blood.” The person grimly looks down.

A great being descending in the night, expanding his power to drown the world in blood. A living hell on everyone, yet it is not much different from my own torture.

“Amita, can I ask you a favor?” the young woman bites her lower lip as she looks in my direction.

“You want me to stop it, but I can’t. The moment I do that, is the moment Deimos locks onto me. I cannot work these sort of cases, or anything as a matter of fact.” I gesture my hand to her.

“Then who is going to stop this? The gods will not do anything.” Elena sadly grabs her wrist with her vision to her side.

“Good question, I guess we just sit back and enjoy the end of the world.” I rest my weight against the table.

The ticking time to our ruin, the red mist growing thicker with the passing hours. My eyes to Elena, seeing her put her hand to her chin. The person stepping out of bed, quickly walking up to me, holding my hands in her own.

“Maybe you can hide your identity? We can take care to dispose of the evidence, so please!” she begs.

“You just do not quit, do you? Look, just a single slip-up, and I’ll have more than just a criminal record by Deimos’ standard. And even then, why not find someone else?” my dismay at her.

A strange light shining in the dusk, shielding me with her warm hands. My uncertainty at her, wondering on her persistence on the matter.

I am not strong, I barely even made it out of the first encounter with Arch, yet the person’s beaming hope piercing into me.

“I do not think anyone will take this up, plus no doubt my time is limited.” Elena steps back as she grimly grabs her arms.

“Maybe your family can work something out? I mean your sibling did have enough knowledge to find me and make a request, even though she did not turn up in person.” My hand to my chin.

“All I have is my sister, and I do not want to involve her anymore in this. I want to protect her...” The young woman slightly looks away.

One alone in the raging tides, protecting a single person in her life. My eyes on Elena, remembering her pure light. An individual saving my dying fire, her gentle heart wishing to defend her sister.

“Okay, fine...but I am so gonna regret this.” A sigh leaves me.

“Really?!” Elena brightly holds my hands in her own.

“Yeah-yeah. We rest up a bit, then we’ll head out.” My eyes a bit away.

“Thank you!” the person happily holds her hands to her chest.

I look at her, seeing her shining personality in the dreadful night. It is strange, to feel her pull. No doubt my decision will attract Deimos’ attention, but maybe I am just at my end, or maybe something is burning within me again.

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Amita: Will my fire die out, or will I burn even hotter than before? I suppose I will find my answer in the Scarlet Dusk.

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Chapter 1: Fateful Night(Conclusion)

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A soul sparking for a moment in the hands of a young woman, her flames surging in the endless night, remembering her beginning.

One long ago underneath the cold night from the mountain. A young girl in rags shakily making her way through the gate, soon collapsing on the ground.

A pure gold force manifesting in the air, shortly revealing Deimos before the girl, the deity in a grey robe and long blue pants. His eyes on the small girl, taking interest in her tenacity.

“Why is it that you do not die when the world says you should? Now you have my interest. Will you be of worth, or another failure?” the god kneels to her.

A little one making her way far, refusing to fall to the whims of a world yearning to snuff out her life. Some time going by, the girl awakening on a bed in the shrine.

Her attention around her, seeing the fine decors on the wall, and the ancient designs detailing throughout the room.

The shortly opening door, Deimos entering into the area. The intimidating deity walking up to her, his hands inside the sleeves of his robe.

“You collapsed outside my shrine, might I ask your name?” his calm voice to her.

“Amita, who are you?” the girl’s finger to her chin.

“Deimos, the god of this shrine. Given from your clothes, you must be a peasant, maybe worse off. What happened to your family?” his hand to his chin.

“They died in a fire saving me...maybe a month ago?” her sad eyes below.

Fire raging in the depths, consuming everything in its waves. Her mother’s voice ringing through her, urging her away from the quickly spreading flames.

Tears welling up inside the girl, the small one crying, tightly holding her hands to her chest. The god’s hand behind his head, soon letting out a sigh.

“I cannot do anything about that, but you can stay here so long as you train to become a shrine maiden, and serve under me.” The deity puts a hand on her head.

“Give the girl a break you know.” A woman walks in.

The person’s long blonde hair and eyes of the earth, her white armor reflecting her devotion to the deity. The little one’s vision to the individual, seeing their warm smile on her.

“There-there. I am Asha, you’ll be fine here.” The woman sits down at the side of the bed as she holds the girl in her arms.

“I am merely laying the groundwork. You will be tasked with caring for the girl, and her training will typically be done by Lumen and I.” The god faces her.

“Aah!” a man with ashen hair falling through the door.

Everyone looking to him, seeing the person in red armor. The individual looking back, setting his brown eyes on the feet of the god.

“Hear my name, and the devil appears...” A sigh leaves him.

“Lumen, your work ethics concern me. That aside, we will usually be taking over the girl’s training. I presume you have no issues with that?” the god shakes his head in disbelief.

“Tons of problems actually, but I cannot deny your order.” Lumen sits up, soon facing the entity.

Three strange people coming into Amita’s life, her uncertainty at them. The small girl leaving the shadows, holding onto Asha’s hand.

The woman’s warm smile to her, leading the direction forward to her new life. A few days going by, Asha sitting next to the small one at a table, many books on shelves throughout the room.

“You picked up fast on this stuff Amita, I’m glad.” The woman’s joyful voice.

“I still don’t understand much of this, the words confuse me...” Her uncertainty on the material.

“Don’t worry, in time you will get it. For now, at least knowing the words, and some of their meaning will help you out.” Asha’s bright smile at her.

The girl dusting off her brown dress, soon putting a finger to her chin. Two close hearts to one another, their little progress forward together. The door to the room shortly opening, Lumen entering into the place.

“I’m pretty sure Deimos said not to get attached to the girl.” A sigh leaving him.

“Oh hush! How can I not? She’s absolutely precious!” the woman pouts, firmly holding down her hands.

“I get it, but you know how he is. If anything though, I am concerned about the girl being here.” Lumen’s hand behind his head.

“Same here, but I’ll do what I can to protect her from him.” Asha grimly grabs her arms.

Two serving underneath a god, committing to their duties over the years. A small one entering in, bringing more into their small world.

“Is Deimos...bad?” the girl’s worry to the woman.

“No! Not at all, don’t worry about it. Say Amita, how about we go and get some sweets later?” Asha holds the small one in her arms as she brightly smiles at them.

“Really?! Yay!” the little one hugs her.

“I guess there is no getting around you treating her like your daughter.” Lumen sighs with his hand behind his head.

A few hours going by, Amita and Asha walking on a red carpet in the hallway, the small one indulging herself in various sweets with a bright smile.

“Slow down, they won’t go anywhere.” Asha laughs a bit.

A tiny bit of light descending on a harsh night, filling Asha’s world with meaning. From across the room, Deimos walking in, soon stopping before the two.

“How is progress going?” his eyes down on the girl.

“She is making fast pace, maybe a few months before she can start understanding scrolls?” Asha’s finger to her chin.

“That is too long, find a way to speed up the process.” Deimos’ hands behind his back.

“Aren’t you being too harsh? She’s just a child.” The woman’s grim expression.

“Everything I do is for our benefit. The less time wasted, the more progress made. Anyway, please continue your work.” The god walks past them.

The little one facing his direction, feeling the man towering far over her. An individual expecting results, pressuring those below him to hasten the process.

“Did I...do something wrong...?” Amita sorrowfully looks down.

“No, of course not. Lord Deimos just wants to see you succeed.” Asha sadly holds the girl to her.

In that cruel world, all I really had was Asha and Lumen. Deimos was an intimidating god, who expected unreasonable progress. But at least with them, I felt somewhat safe…

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Chapter 1: Fateful Night(Part 1)

Chapter 1.5: The Moon's Light

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The warm sun shining below, hitting the red mist flowing through the land. Animals scratching at it, others fleeing from its terror.

On top of a mountain standing proud, through the many trees and the waterfall. At the peak, a shrine at its center. Its enormous size spanning the place, details from the old ancient days inscribing throughout.

From the gate, a young woman with long violet hair and eyes of the sea coming in. Her white shirt and long red skirt, the person’s sleeves revealing her arms.

“No doubt something will go down tonight, I should inform Lord Deimos.” Her serious eyes to the sky.

A shrine maiden serving underneath a powerful being, performing her duties to his specifications.

The person shortly entering into the building, making her way along the fine decors from the old times, soon finding her lord in a room by a table to the floor. The entity in a red shirt with long sleeves, his pants stretching to his feet.

“I take it you are here to make a report, Lunara.” Deimos lifts the cup with his right hand.

“Yes, but before that. I would like to bring to your attention, that a red mist has begun flowing through the land. At the current pace, the world will be shrouded in an eternal night once the sun sets.” Lunara’s hand to her chin.

“In that case, please investigate it. Now what about for your report?” the deity sets the cup down on the table.

“Nothing much to report, the target was eliminated, but I did notice something. There appears to be some work around the area that made it easier for me to subdue the threat.” The young woman’s uncertainty.

One venturing below to the humans, tackling their troubles. The shrine maiden’s attention on some patterns, some pieces secluding in the shadows.

“Then think, any clues on who may have been interfering with your work?” his serious eyes on her.

“The only thing I can think of, is that the people appear to avoid talking about it. I would have pressed the matter more, but the mist took my priority.” Biting her lower lip.

“Your job is to handle all tasks, I expect to get clearer answers next time.” The god’s slight anger.

“You are right, I will do better next time.” Lunara’s unrest with her hand to her chest.

Two standing on the same land, yet their worlds far apart from one another. A shrine maiden doing her job, performing to the best of her capabilities.

At the time, in a town miles away. A person in shrine clothes walking through the red mist, her black and white patterns on her shirt with her arms showing, her long black skirt below.

“Where is that client...?” the young woman enters into an alley.

One secluding herself in the shadows, working from underneath the nose of another. Her long auburn hair flowing in the breeze, the person’s red eyes brilliantly shining.

The maiden shortly standing still, a message catching her attention. The young woman kneeling to it, picking it up, soon taking out the message from inside.

“Sorry for not showing myself, Amita. It is just that I’d worry the person I want you to save. I heard you do all sorts of weird under the ground stuff, so can you head to the abandoned Rose Garden tonight? My sister will not appear until then, if you don’t save her in time, she’ll become a sacrifice for the Overlord. The one who will shroud the world in the Scarlet Dusk the coming night. If you’re worried about the money, I already placed it in your underground bunker.”

“What a weird client, but so long as I was paid, then whatever. Still, the Scarlet Dusk. I guess I can just save her without bringing Deimos’ attention to me. When she is safe, I can just disappear again.” Amita’s hand to her chin in some uncertainty.

The thickening red mist around the maiden, her vision on her surroundings, soon rising to her feet.

An individual heading down the shadows of her path, slipping behind the gaze from many. The young woman making her way onward, eventually arriving at a shop in the town.

“Thank you for your help, but I should warn you. Word has it, that a shrine maiden is looking for you.” An old woman behind the shop putting her hand to her chin.

“A shrine maiden? Was I too reckless?” Amita folds her arms as she uneasily looks below.

“Maybe a tad bit, but not to worry. No one will tell. To be honest, you helping us out has been a huge help. Though, with this red mist coming in, I doubt you can get involved without attracting Deimos’ attention.” The person sighs.

“Yeah, that would certainly put a target on me. On the other hand, I doubt I can handle it. I am not strong, you know.” The young woman’s hand behind her head.

“Maybe not, but you got a good head on your shoulders. I’m sure you could figure something out.” The elderly individual’s hands behind her back.

One hiding in the darkness, evading the watchful eye of a god. The maiden’s unrest at drawing his attention, carefully proceeding down her route. Some passing time, Amita arriving at the Rose Garden at night.

The flower bushes spanning a wide maze, the harsh crimson mist pulsing in the area. Echoing sounds in the place, scraping noise not far from her.

“Over there.” Amita launches a card with a red pentagram on it to her right.

The card flying down the path, colliding into a dark gremlin. Fire surrounding the foe, shooting its flames far into the sky. Its screams sounding in the dusk, a black essence flowing high.

“That person better be somewhere nearby, this is outside of what I can handle normally. If what that old woman said was true, I really do not have time to mess around here.” The maiden frowns a bit.

A dying flame feverishly resisting the cold depths, refusing to fade away into the reaches of time. One watching underneath the red dusk, their vision on the maiden making her way forward.

“A heart scorned by a god, yet still persisting to stay above the ants. What will your journey bring, Amita? How will your cruel fate go? Will you fall into the abyss, or soar beyond the heavens?”

The woman’s soft voice in the night, one bearing witness to the maiden’s direction, seeing its many uncertainties. Amita rushing through the maze, leaping around the field. Terrifying black waves speeding past her, blasting the bushes around her.

The scattering fragments and debris, a few cards in her hand. The maiden leaping high into the air, throwing down her cards at them.

A gigantic circle surrounding the enemies, soon harshly unleashing electrical waves in each direction. The waves splashing far, frying the foes within the red mist. Amita shortly landing below, her attention to a path with several flower gates.

“Wait...is that her...?” Amita closely looks ahead.

A person floating on an altar in a brown top, her black dress wrapping below her waist. Malice harshly surrounding her, releasing a red energy into the air.

“Dammit...I gotta hurry...” The maiden rushes onward.

A ritual draining the life from its victim, flooding the sky in a crimson force. The young woman racing up the stairs, locking onto the person, seeing their long shining silver hair. The maiden leaping above, reaching forward her hand.

A massive black wave rapidly bursting out, blasting her back, slamming her into the earth. Amita enduring the pain, soon rising to her knee.

Her vision on a man standing at the front of the altar, his crimson hair and blood red eyes. The being wearing black tyrant’s armor, his arm burning in a great fire.

“I cannot exactly allow you to interrupt the process. To maximize my power, and make this truly a thrilling night. All of this woman’s life must be offered up to the Scarlet Dusk.” His slight smile.

“You must be the Overlord, huh.” Amita rises to her feet.

“That is right. I am Arch, the one who will usher in a blissful era of the night.” The being bows to her.

“I just cannot catch a break. Sorry, but that person is coming with me.” Amita steps forward as she swings out her hand.

“And what makes you think you can defeat me? Though, I suppose I can amuse you for a bit.” The Overlord chuckles.

Two within the red mist, their crossing paths with one another. The maiden rushing forward, revealing two cards in her hand.

The young woman slipping behind him, launching her assault at him. Flames bursting against his back, spreading the smoke far.

The Overlord emerging out of it, instantly towering over her. His fiery fist coming down at her, slamming into her. Amita flying across the field, crashing into a pillar. The large pieces falling to the earth, piling around her.

“Enchanted cards are not a substitute for real power, be grateful that I held back.” Arch folds his arms.

“He is right, all this can manage is small stuff. Though, if I stop here...” Amita painfully rises to her knee.

“Are you still resisting me? Why are you so concerned with this woman anyway?” a sigh leaves him.

“A client, nothing more. A certain person would be crying if I failed now.” The maiden rises to her feet.

“And is that worth your life?” his hand behind his neck.

“Maybe not, if I had a life to begin with.” The maiden stands on her side as she takes out another card.

“Oh? Now you have me interested. Someone who doesn’t hold any value in her life, but still goes out of her way to live.” Arch steps forward a bit.

A lost soul standing in the deepest shadows, feeling the cold trying to snuff out her dying fire. An individual proceeding forward, holding onto the slimmest warmth.

The maiden bursting onward, her enemy coming at her. The Overlord slamming his fist against her card, an explosion ripping through, sending Amita back on her feet. The young woman scowling above, seeing him descend on her.

The Overlord piercing down, his fist crushing the earth, narrowly missing her. Rubble flying far, some cutting the maiden’s cheek. Arch’s immense flames spreading wide, trapping them in a fire arena.

“A divine field...” Amita steps back as she looks around her.

“I see you are aware of this. While I was having fun, I should really wrap this up, no hard feelings.” The Overlord’s smile to her.

The intensifying flames, the barrier drawing it in, increasing the pressure on Amita. The young woman watching the Overlord’s body harshly ignite fire, shortly seeing him release it.

The maiden quickly casting her cards around her, enduring the immense power. Fire crashing into her, incinerating the area, spreading its inferno to the sky. The soon clearing force, Amita on her knee, her hand on top of it.

“I should have known...” The maiden heavily breathes, her great injuries.

“I am impressed that you endured that, but you have entertained me long enough.” Arch bows to her.

A great being depleting her cards, leaving her on the brink of falling. The Overlord raising his hands, gathering the fire in the garden, rushing it above to an ancient tablet in the sky.

“Am I seriously going to die here...? Hah...I suppose I lived long enough...” Amita’s shaking body.

A soul’s quickly fading fire, falling deeper into the shadows. One at the depths floating above an alter, her slowly opening eyes, catching the dying flame in her hands.

The person expanding her light, spreading it far. A pure energy releasing from the young woman at the altar, catching the Overlord’s attention.

“What in the world...?” Arch’s surprise at them.

“Ugh...now is my chance...!” Amita stands up, immediately charging at the Overlord.

The maiden attaching her last card to her fist, letting out her dying soul in the crimson dusk. Arch facing her, feeling her fist collide into his face. The harshly exploding force, blasting him back on his feet, blood spreading in the place.

The Overlord’s attention quickly to the altar, seeing Amita lift the person in her arms. Their eyes meeting with one another’s own, the maiden soon leaping far away, fleeing into the night.

“Hah...well done. I guess I will have to wait for you to come to me with that woman, until next time, strange shrine maiden.” Arch’s hands behind his back.

The being’s regenerating wound, soon erasing his injury. From outside the garden, Amita standing by the entrance, looking down at the young woman asleep in her arms.

I am not sure what you did there, but you saved my life. As for this mist though, it does not concern me. I have done my job...

Beyond Boundaries - Navigation Section

Beyond Boundaries

Chapter 1: Fateful Night(Conclusion)

Edge Valmond’s Patreon

Witness Amita’s tale, a cast-out steadily awakening, breaking through the many boundaries before her.

“I was once alone, then you came into my life, filling my world with light...”

Beyond Boundaries - Navigation Section

Chapter 1: Fateful Night(Part 1)

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Beyond Boundaries

Chapter 1: Fateful Night(Part 1)

Chapter 1: Fateful Night(Conclusion)

Chapter 1.5: The Moon’s Light

Edge Valmond’s Patreon