Work Text:
“INTRUDERS! INTRUDERS!”
Far-off cries were heard. Cannonballs landed on the ground with a heavy thud, sending ceramic debris everywhere. Civilians ran. Guards fought back. But it was of no use. The white men were too strong. The white men had gizmos that the Atlanteans have never seen before. The gizmos were loud, angry and guaranteed a one-way ticket to the afterlife.
Two warriors, both brave of heart, stood on top of the watchtowers, looking down at the destruction that has besieged the land. Anastasia reached out and grabbed his hand, for comfort or reassurance she didn’t know. Erasmus looked down at their joined hands, then up to her. “This war may soon drive us apart but just know that I will forever be with you, in this life and next,” he said with a fire in his heart. Anastasia simply cradled his face and whispered “I know,” smiling.
The two warriors both fought valiantly. But alas, they were still no match for the big gizmos.
In the midst of the broken ceramic tiles now lay a rose, once vibrant but now wilting.
“I’m sorry. I swore to protect you from harm’s way and yet…” Erasmus wept.
“Don’t be, my love. Nothing lasts forever. Promise me we will be together again, during better times. Please promise me that…” Anastasia murmured with a slow exhale, her hand slowly rising to feel his beating heart.
My heart only beats for you.
Clutching her hand, Erasmus spoke tenderly “I promise my darling, I promise”
Even as his lover’s hand went limp, Erasmus still continued clutching. He brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently. “For you, αγαπη.” Only she could make a mighty warrior gone soft.
The final petal fell with all of its remaining grace.
~
In modern times rose a city like no other, Nethora. The natural brilliance of the sun allows colourful flowers to beautify the city, giving it the same charms as a cosy village. The night told another tale, where the city truly comes alive, with vibrant neon lights illuminating the city skyline. Despite the hustling and bustling of the city, crime rates were surprisingly low. And this was because the city was also protected by two rival vigilantes. Yup, rivals.
The Scholar and the Oracle.
Despite having the same goals, they could not be more different.
The Scholar, true name Aidyn, believes that a guilty man, no matter how evil, has a chance of repentance. He was also very efficient. He would bring the culprit into the station and present the officers with bountiful evidence. His meticulous and diligent nature, coupled with his passionate research and the fact he always masks his face with a traditional East Asian veil hat, was what earned him the nickname, Scholar.
The Oracle, on the other hand, was ruthless. Real name Rosetta, she observes her targets (culprits of course) and finds photo evidence, or any media evidence, of their crime. She will then hunt them down and determine whether they are worthy of mercy by doing palm reading. Those who were destined to be killed were swiftly impaled by her noteworthy blade, the Obsidian. Killed or left alive, either way, she would always leave a tarot card attached to the evidence near the culprit for the police officers to find. No one has ever seen how she looked like, even the culprits that were left alive as she wore a cloak and a kitsune mask.
Very different people indeed…
~
“Fancy seeing you up here, Oracle,” the Scholar said, as he stepped closer to her.
The Oracle was sitting over the ledge of a rooftop, her cloak disrobed and tossed beside her. The Obsidian still hung on her back. She turned around and smirked at the sight. The Scholar had removed his hat and bowed at her.
“Oh? I didn’t know we were so close already, and to think we were rivals. I guess it’s only fair if I remove my mask too, to return the pleasantries.”
The Scholar stared at the Oracle, waiting for her to do as such.
“Dude, I’m not just going to remove my mask unless you tell me why you are up here. Either you happened to be up on the same roof as me to enjoy the view or you want something from me. So spill it,” the Oracle said as she stood up and walked over to him, smiling coyly, ”pretty boy.”
That caught the Scholar off-guard. “I-uh needed your expertise for…” he spluttered.
The Oracle’s eyes widened as her brows raised. “You want me to kill someone?”, she asked in disbelief. The Scholar? Of all people?
The Scholar took a deep breath and confidently confirmed, “ yes, please. This man, I feel, no I know, he is truly evil, not an ounce of remorse and his actions were unrelenting.”
The Oracle could not believe it, but if the Scholar, the guy who believes that everyone has a chance of atoning their sins, says that someone is beyond mercy.
Well, fucking shit then. This guy must be a real asshole.
“Ok then, let’s work together, but only for this case.” The Oracle extended her hand.
“Without a doubt.” The Scholar took her hand and shook it.
“Aren’t you going to remove your mask?”
“Not now, maybe another time,” the Oracle said as she put on her cloak. She turned around, gave the Scholar a final wave and smirked as she jumped off the roof. The Scholar, shocked, quickly ran to the ledge to catch her, but she disappeared without a trace.
What a lady, he thought.
~
Red and blue light flashed across the crime scene, sirens blaring in the air. Two figures sat on the rooftop while they watched the news from a smartphone.
“Police found paedophile and serial rapist, John Doe, hanging from a streetlight, dead and had his C&B mutilated. Townsfolk believe that it was yet another act of poetic justice by the Oracle, as the incision seemed rather similar to the ones made by her trusty sword, the Obsidian. However, the police believe otherwise as there were no tarot cards left on the scene. More-”
“You know,” the Scholar spoke, as he ran a hand through his hair ”we make a pretty good team.”
The Oracle removed her mask and smiled, "I couldn't agree more.”
“And please, call me Rosetta.”
He brought her hand up and kissed it gently, “well then Rosetta, call me Aidyn.”
~
“Follow me!” Aidyn exclaimed as he grabbed Rosetta’s hand.
“Where are we going?” She asked as she ran along.
Aidyn did not answer. He just simply led her along a cobblestone path, which changed into a heart shaped stone path. As they followed down the path further, more flowers had bloomed. Their scent wafted through the air, creating a lovely scent that was just of pure bliss.
They have finally reached the end of the path, where a rather ruined cottage lie. Somehow, the view of the overgrown garden and cottage seemed to paint a picturesque scene, like something out of Studio Ghibli film.
“It’s quite the beaut, isn't it?” Aidyn asked, glancing over at Rosetta.
Rosetta nodded slowly, the stars in her eyes seemed to shine even brighter.
Aidyn thought she really fits in here quite nicely.
“What is this place?” She asked, awestruck.
“My escape from reality. Come on in, dear.”
~
“Wait. That’s… us?” Rosetta was confused. Why was there a painting of the two of them in Atlantean robes hung in the living room?
“Erasmus and Anastasia. The best warriors in Atlantis. They perished during the invasion.”
“They look like us though”
“That’s because we are them, technically. Do you see the engravings at the bottom of the frame?”
Rosetta walked closer to the painting and squinted. “I will forever be with you, in this life and next.”
Rosetta turned around, and was met with a warm body in an embrace.
“Those words were their promise for each other.”
Rosetta’s breath hitched. That means they were…
“Isn't it wonderful how soulmates are always destined to be together,” Aidyn spoke gently.
Rosetta hugged Aidyn tighter. Her eyes welled up with tears, overwhelmed with emotions.
“Let me show you how much I mean it” Aidyn asked as he wiped away her tears.
Rosetta did not reply to him. She cradled his face as she leaned closer to him, pressing her lips against his.
The kiss seemed to be worth the lifetime of waiting and promises.