Across A Bottomless Abyss

Chapter 5

I gasped for air and held my chest. My heart was beating too fast. I can't believe that I killed my own best friend and worst, his sister.

 I trembled with fear when I noticed his cold eyes.

A glint of memory appeared again. As I anticipate for air, my vision started to become blurry. I blinked twice just to prevent myself from passing out but then, the excruciating pain won't let me escape.

Before I finally loose my sanity, I felt his hands hugging my waist. As I close my eyes slowly, I managed to witness his cold eyes becoming warm with so much passion and care. His deep strange stare hold onto my eyes and then, everything went black.

(A year before the battle)

Neptuground, Neptune, 0400

[Where everything started]

"Amalia!"

I heard my bestfriend called my name. I languidly turned around and saw her happily jumping while coming to me.

"Hi, Alayah!" I greeted her.

When she's already in front of me, someone suddenly appeared beside her. I was flustered when I saw Xipher, her older brother.

"Why are you alone here?" Alayah pouted.

I pinched her cheeks and that made her squirmed. I laughed at him softly because he looked young. I lost my shock at the shocking presence of her older brother. They can do teleportation. Sometimes I envy their ability. Their skills when it comes to weapons were also extraordinary and exceptional.

"I'm just having my training. Why did you come here?" I asked her.

As I turned my gaze to my riffle, I muttered the words which can make it hide itself, until I call for it again. This is why I love my riffle. I don't need to bring it anywhere physically because I can call it any time. In just an instant, my rifle vanished.

"My older brother said you didn't have breakfast when you left earlier," she innocently said.

I blinked twice because of what I heard. I turned my gaze to Xipher who now couldn't meet my gaze. I did not know that he's concern. I raised an brow when he did not even flinched. He just looks away. How did he know?

"I'll be back too," I softly said.

"That's good," Xipher suddenly interrupted.

He finally turned his gaze to me. He stifle a smile and walked away. I heard Alayah's serene laugh when she saw her brother getting affected of our short conversation.

"Such a coward," Alayah whispered.

"Let's go," I said.

She cling her arms to mine and pulled me lightly. Xipher was ahead of us so he opened the underground entrance. It's just a matter of seconds when we reached the main land. The cold breeze of the city welcomed us. I felt the chill despite of my cloak.

The tiny specs of the the snow encircled my boots. I happily walked together with Alayah. This is the most exciting part of the season. Snow were scattered along the city. I can see a lot of teenagers enjoying the revenue of skating.

I saw one of our friends sitting under an oak tree. His face was wrinkled as he watched his brother enjoy playing.

"Hadley!" I called her.

Her grumpy face started to glow. She immediately stood up and took her way towards us. We all wore the same style of cloak. The only difference is the embroidered name and position.

On the contrary, those people who are qualified to be in the Class B are good with both weapons and elemental abilities. Hadley belongs to this Class. She's a vine controller and also good with shurikens.

The last one is considered to be the highest Class. Those who are qualified to be in the Class A are good with mixed weapons, elemental abilities and 6th senses. Xipher, Alayah and me are a member of this class. Xipher can manipulate fire together with his pistol and he can do teleportation.

Alayah's ability is much more exciting. She can control everything as long as it's on the ground. In short, she's a ground manipulator. In addition with that, she can use her pistol so well and teleport anytime.

I'm just a simple sniper. Oh well, I'm an ice manipulator too. That's why I really love winter. My powers were too strong in times like this. I can read and feel feelings, that's it. Nothing special and nothing to brag about.

"I'm so bored here," Hadley suddenly said.

Alayah and I chuckled. She had too many complaints. Her parents were busy with their jobs at the capital that's why she needs to stays with her little brother every time, to assure his security.

"Just bring your sister, Hadley. Let's hang out in Amalia's unit," Alayah giggled.

I almost curse when she mentioned my unit again. Every day, they seem to do that. My privacy has been compromised because they have used almost all of my household equipment. All of the hidden rooms were shown to them already.

"Again? I haven't cleaned my unit yet, Alayah," I muttered.

"That's fine! Let's fix it," Hadley commented and pulled his brother away from the scating area.

I sighed heavily when I realized that I can't do anything anymore. Once they decide on the plan, it will definitely not change. They hurriedly took their way to our building. It's a good thing that my Dad is a General and my Mom is a scientist. They both have a huge role in this city that's why as their only child, I'm enjoying a very good life.

When we reached my unit, I opened it through my hands. As soon as the door opened, Alayah was already inside. I tiredly removed the cloak I was wearing. Only my silky top, jeans and combat boots are left. I lazily sat down to my sofa and closed my eyes.

"Are you tired?" Alayah asked me with full of concern.

I nodded, with my closed eyes. I felt the movement of the three inside. Hadley's little brother is now running around my unit. Someone sat next to me and it was definitely Alayah.

"Hadley will cook. Why didn't you have breakfast earlier? You know you get tired quickly when you can't eat," Alayah added.

"I'm fine. Don't worry too much," I told her.

"Hardheaded," she ranted.

I smiled upon hearing her concerned voice. Alayah is a sweet girl. Our friendship is more than just being called 'acquainted'. Our family's connection is more than just a simple thing. She's a sister that I never had. I felt her stood up and and left me. She will definitely help Hadley in the kitchen.

Well, it's a good thing that they're here. I opened my eyes and scanned the unit. I saw Hadley's brother playing. Max is just 5 years old and he's the little brother of everyone.

"Hi Max!" I joyfully greeted him.

He stopped playing and looked at me. His brows were furrowed and that made me chuckled. He's too cute.

I was a little tired so I took off the boots I was wearing and see Hadley in the kitchen.

"Hey! I can smell what you're cooking," I said.

Hadley looked at me and rolled her eyes. I chuckled because of that. Alayah was sitting on the countertop. I glared at her. That's not a chair so why is she there? She was still holding an apple. I thought she was helping Hadley with this.

"Get down there," I scolded him.

"No, no," Alayah said.

She shook quickly and bit the apple he was holding. I glared at her for the last time and sat on the stool near her.

"Have you seen Matthew?" I suddenly asked them.

"Are you looking for your crush again?" Alayah asked teasingly.

"No. I'm just asking if you saw him. I want him to teach me a new shooting strategy," I defended myself.

"Shooting strategy? You don't need that anymore, Amalia," Alayah told me with her teasing voice.

"Of course it's different when her crush is with her no! Just support her," Hadley said and giggled.

"You can ask my brother for that, Amalia. Why are you really looking for Matthew?" Alayah laughed.

"Your brother is very cold, Al. I might turn into an ice," I hissed.

"No he's nice to you," she said and defended her brother.

"I'll just look for Matthew later. Don't be judgmental. He's good with strategies that's why I want to learn from him," I said again.

Alayah still hasn't stopped teasing me. I just let it go. Maybe itvwad wrong that I told that I have a crush on one of our strategists.

"I'll call my brother," Alayah said before she iggled.

"What? No!" I answer quickly.

Alayah laughed and hide her phone in his pocket. I sighed heavily, I don't want to see her older brother. Idon't like the relationship between us.

After a few more minutes, I heard the door bell rang. Reluctantly I stood up and opened the door.

My eyes grew bigger when I saw Xipher standing in front of my unit. His hands were inside his cloak's pockets. I can’t read how he feels. Among all the people here, he is the only one who is hard to read. It’s my 6th sense to feel and see others feelings but when it comes to him, I look stupid and powerless.

"What are you doing here?" I confusedly asked him.

He raised an brow and looked directly into my eyes. He doesn't usually come to my unit so I wonder. I was about to look away when he uttered some words that made my heart skipped a beat.

"Am I not allowed to visit my fiancée, Amalia?" he asked and entered my own unit without hesitations.