The End

“You should be warned that what you’ll face in roots is nothing compared to the child’s play in defense and protection.” Esmeralda said.

“I understand.”

“Good.”

“In that case, your first mission will be provided soon.” She continued. “In the meantime, make sure to get some good rest, you’re going to need it.”

“Right away.”

I decided not to waste any time and make my way home. Of course, I changed into some fresh clothes like usual in order to avoid any suspicions on the way.

I walked slowly on the sidewalk, already exhausted. My gas tanks were running on empty, so trying to hurry up was a terrible idea as I ran the risk of collapsing, so I simply went as slowly as I could.

Suddenly, without even realizing it, I bumped into someone and was pushed back due to how weak I was at the moment, falling to the ground.

“Sorry I’m so sorry!” A feminine voice above me said.

I could make out a hand reaching out to me, so I held it and struggled to stand up, but managed to do so after a while. I looked up and made eye contact with a young blonde girl with blue eyes which immediately widened in shock.

“Is something wrong?” I asked hesitantly, not knowing if I’d accidentally gave myself away.

“I-I know who you are!” She suddenly blurted out.

“Huh?”

“You have to come back….You can’t stay in a place like this!”

“What the hell are you waffling about?”

The girl hesitated, then muttered a quick “sorry” and immediately ran off. I looked on in confusion without having understood a single word she said. She said she knew who I was, but I’d never met her in my life! Did she perhaps have the wrong person, but then was too embarrassed after realizing it, so ran off? Also, what was that about not staying in a place like this?

I shrugged that odd encounter off and kept making my way home. When I got there, both my parents were sitting in the living room, but I didn’t bother greeting them and immediately headed up to my room to rest up from today’s mission. I still couldn’t believe that I was finally part of roots, now I could finally start doing some real good!

The next day, I hurried to the meeting place immediately after school let out. I ended up breaking into a run from excitement, and reached the alleyway completely out of breath. I waited for a few seconds out of nervousness, but then decided to just do it without having time to stop myself and immediately entered.

Descending the stairs, I saw Esmeralda waiting for me in the center of the room with a strange circle imbued into the floor, alongside two other members I hadn’t seen before with their hoods down.

“Good, we’re all here, we can begin.” Esmeralda said.

“Wait, roots is only the four of us?” I asked.

“Yes, roots is only comprised of the best, most well equipped and most fearless members of The Masked Order.” The woman to Esmeralda’s left answered, with the man on Esmeralda’s right nodding his head in approval.

“But, I’ve been here less than a year…”

“Exactly, that speaks volumes to the amount of talent you possess, as well as all of the hard work that you’ve put in these past few months.” Esmeralda explained. “I only recruit members I trust to roots, and you’re one of the few I trust.”

“What about John and Henry?” I asked.

“Too busy running the other two factions, they need a leader, and I have no one better than them. Anyway, let’s focus on today’s mission, alright?”

“What are we to do today, boss?” The man spoke up.

“Our mission today is quite a dangerous one: The plan is to infiltrate-”

A loud explosion suddenly sounded from outside the meeting place, interrupting her.

“What was that?”

Everyone’s attention suddenly turned to the stairway, as it became clear the door had been broken. Suddenly, hordes of masked men ran down the stairs and attacked the members who were there. Those who were too slow to react in shock were killed immediately, while others reacted quickly and leapt to defend themselves.

“Damn it!” Esmeralda shouted, and jumped back to hide behind a few of the members. “Hold them back, I’m going to contact the other members through telepathy and request backup!”

I naturally was one of the first to react, slinging a huge fireball towards the masked men, which as immediately deflected. I looked up to see one more person, on the stairway, but the figure was completely shrouded in darkness and I couldn’t tell what they looked liked at all.

The figure’s appearance distracted me as I was suddenly caught off guard by a lightning bolt from one of the masked men that struck me right in the chest, causing me to stagger backwards.

I then felt a hand on my shoulder and saw a look of fear on Esmeralda’s face.

“I-I can’t contact any of the others….I think they were all killed!”

“What are we gonna do?” I said, looking on as the masked men slaughtered the members.

“I’ll take care of them….”She said hesitantly. “…But, you’re going to have to carry on the mission.”

“What are you talking ab-” I suddenly couldn’t move a muscle, she had cast a very strong paralyzing spell on me.

I tried to squirm as she picked me up and took me to the room underground.

“Listen closely, there’s not much time left.” She said. “I don’t have time to explain everything, so just listen closely. That circle is the key to everything. You must find the ritual and cast it, it is the only hope to save this world, understand?”

I tried to struggle and rage but couldn’t do anything.

Please tell me you understand!

…I understand. I’ll do it.

Thank you.

I could do nothing but watch as she exited the room. I heard some large noises which quickly died out, then spent the next hour unable to move. As soon as the spell wore off, I rushed out as fast as I could and saw a slaughter, every single person that had been in the room was dead, both members or masked me.

Blood was everywhere, painting the room red. I turned to see a body on the stairs. I approached closely with a sudden urge to throw up. I already knew who that was but got closer anywhere.

At the bottom of the stairs, Esmeralda’s lifeless corpse laid.

She had entrusted me with the mission, unable to explain anything but a hint to the method, and then given her life to stop these intruders. I didn’t know who they were, but they had clearly found out about us, so Esmeralda’s sacrifice meant a lot.

Now, from the ashes of the masked order, a new one had to rise. And now, I knew what goal to strive for.

I struggled to wipe the tears away, but they kept flowing.

All I had left now was to cast the ritual she had told me. That was her dying wish, so I had to fulfill it.

I sobbed and fell to my knees, then violently threw up.

The circle is the key. That weird symbol, I didn’t know what the ritual was, but I had to find out, and finish this mission. For Esmeralda, and for everyone that died for the cause.