Across A Bottomless Abyss

Chapter 17

Weeks have passed but Xipher did not even tried to talk to me. He kept on avoiding my gaze whenever he's near. Since that night, he never talked to me.

He just left silently during that time without saying a single word. His cold treatment to me is back. He's not sweet anymore. He's not even asking if I'm doing fine.

"Lia, are you listening?" my Dad asked me.

We're currently in a meeting now, discussing the new mission. It's been weeks but we can't still find my mom. I awkwardly smiled when the whole members of the team looked at me.

"I was drowning with my thoughts. I'm sorry, can you repeat that again, General?" I asked in a formal tone.

My father sighed heavily, thinking that his only daughter was too lost with her thoughts. How I hope that he'll never think that I'm out of my mind.

"Again, the team will be divided into three groups. Hadley will lead the first one, going to the west sea. The other group will be handled by Alayah. This time, your route is the upper part of the southern land. The third one will be your responsibility, Captain," my father said, while looking intently at Xipher.

In just a snap, Xipher nodded and pulled the pen stuck on his pocket. I was patiently waiting for my mission when they suddenly looked at me.

"Don't tell me, Lieutenant Abrantes will be exempted for this mission, General," Alayah said, trying to plead so that she can have me in her group.

From my peripheral view, I saw how Xipher closed his fist and looked at me for a second. He's now fixing his things, getting ready to leave the meeting room.

"She will have a mission. However, this will be an individual journey," father said.

"Isn't it too dangerous, General?" Alayah confusedly asked.

"It is, but she can do this mission all by herself," my Dad said in a serious manner.

"I'll go ahead," Xipher said before leaving the office.

I looked at my watch and noticed that it's already 4 PM. So we'll start the mission tomorrow morning?

"Your mission is to find one of the scientists, Amalia and bring her back here," the General said, pertaining to me.

"Where is she, now?" I asked.

"Earth," he simply answered.

For an unfamiliar reason, I felt my heart start to beat faster. What's wrong with me? Am I nervous because of this mission? No, I have done numerous missions but I've never felt this way before.

"Yes, sir," I said.

We fixed our things and decided to go home early. The cold breeze of air welcomed us outside the building. There were still specs and evidence of commotion from the surroundings but the whole city was quiet.

"Did you two fight?" Alayah suddenly asked me.

We're on our way back to our unit and she's currently following me. The hems of my cloak moved languidly together with the swirling movement of air.

Things were just too complicated and hard to handle right now. Our lives are at stake. We can't even breathe for a moment. Chaotic events are way more clearer and the villains were brave enough to attack the main city.

"No. Maybe he's just busy," I answered,  trying to avoid her confusions.

"I really think there's something wrong. He's never been like this," Alayah said in a soft voice.

Maybe she's also confused why her brother is acting weird. I suddenly remembered the day when he told me that he likes me. Did he already fall out of love?

"Anyway, your new mission is dangerous, Lia. Aside from the fact that Earth is far from here, you're doing that mission alone. I mean, I know you're strong enough to handle yourself but we can't guarantee your safety," she worriedly said.

I smiled lightly and pinched her cheeks. She's too cute whenever she acts like this. I'm too lucky to have her.

"I'll be fine. Besides, I don't have to fight. I just need to find that scientist," I assured her.

She nodded and hugged me for a second. We're now already in front of my unit's building. She bid her goodbye and suddenly disappeared. How convenient it is to have teleportation as an ability.

When I reached the right floor of my unit, I fixed some of the things that I need to bring. I chose to prepare my combat boots which can handle various kinds of weapons. After a few minutes, I rested my head on the edge of my bed.

I closed my eyes because of the sudden exhaustion. I suddenly remembered my mom. As long as there's hope, I will continue to think that she's safe somewhere.

"I will find you, mom. I hope you're safe," I whispered.

I was comfortable with my current position and because I felt so tired, I didn't even realize that I fell asleep.

I woke up when my watch vibrated, giving a warning that we already needed to depart. Before I stood up, I realized that I'm already on my bed. As far as I can remember, I slept on the floor while resting half of my body to the edge of the bed. Did I climb up here on my own?

I just shrugged and hurriedly took a bath. I decided to wear my black, silky, tank top paired with my black, silky, jeans. I wore my cloak before I tied my hair into a ponytail. When everything's ready, I wore my combat boots and pulled my black, backpack before leaving my unit.

I was quiet inside the elevator and watched how the number on the monitor decreases as it goes downwards.

When the door of the elevator opened, a raging bullet came towards me. I knelt and created a small spear before throwing it towards the person who tried to shoot me.

"Woah, you're still fast, Lieutenant," a familiar voice said from afar.

When I realized that he's my cousin, I ran towards him excitedly. He's finally back! He's finally home!

"It's been awhile, princess," he softly said before hugging me.

"I miss you!" I said.

He chuckled and played with my hair for a second. It's been 2 long years since he left the city for his mission. I didn't even realize that he's been into a very crucial journey.

"You're finally home, Xenon," said my father who's now in front of us.

"Captain, Xenon Stronicus Abrantes of team Sierra is finally back and reporting to you with a successful mission," he said after giving my father a salute.

"Carry on," my father said.

"Congratulations on marking Mission #00032 a success. How about your team who accompanied you?" my father asked.

The lively face of my cousin turned serious. Just by looking at his face, I already knew that something bad happened.

"They all lost their lives, General. I'm glad to report that the mission is a success but my team sacrificed themselves," he said, with too much guilt in his voice.

"They will always be remembered," my father said.

I can still remember his teammates' faces before they left the city, 2 years ago. They were too happy and excited to bring success to their mission. I never imagined that skilled agents like them will lose their lives just by the thought of protecting the city. They were all loyal and reliable.

"Since you're here, accompany Amalia with her mission," my father said before leaving.

My cousin looked at me again and gave me his most brightest smile.

"Wait for me here. I'll be back after a few minutes," he said before disappearing.

I almost forgot that he has speed as his ability. Just like Xipher, he's also using a pistol. Unlike me, he's a water manipulator.

"Amalia! OMG, I'm so excited that I almost brought all of my shurikens," Alayah suddenly shouted when she reached the ground floor of our building.

She's wearing a black, fitted dress partnered with her combat boots. Her black belt with the city's logo is also encircled in her waist. I noticed that she's not wearing her cloak.

"Where's your cloak? You don't look like you're going on a mission," I teased her.

"This is the new trend, Lia. You're so old-fashioned," she said before rolling her eyes.

I was about to say something again when someone threw her cloak directly on her face.

"What the hell!" she hissed.

"Change now, Alayah. Wear a proper outfit. You looked like you're going into a bar," Xipher said behind her.

Alayah pouted. She's really stubborn, but still cute. She's too lucky to have her brother. Xipher accidentally met my eyes. Instead of looking at me longer, he looked away--trying to avoid my gaze.

"Don't let me repeat myself again, Al," he sternly added.

"Let her wear whatever she wants," my cousin suddenly appeared behind me.

I saw how Alayah shifted and blinked twice. Oh, I almost forgot that before my cousin left, they had an unexplainable thing.

"Long time no see, Al," my cousin added.

Alayah was still shocked and unable to say a thing. Did she miss him a lot? I chuckled because of my thoughts.

Alayah unconsciously wears her clock, --still confused by my cousin's presence in front of her. It's as if she saw a ghost.

"Hi, sorry I'm late!" Hadley said upon entering the hall.

Their team was already here. We're just now waiting for the General's command.

"Neptune time, 6:35 in the morning. Everyone, get ready to depart. All of the ships are now waiting for the first two teams. As for Captain Astronoum's team, a helicopter is waiting for you at the east side of the main city, 5 kilometers away. For Lieutenant Abrantes and Captain Abrantes, the portal is now ready for the both of you. Kindly proceed to your designated area. Mission 00185 will now begin!" we heard the stern voice of my father from the city's speaker.

Everyone bid their goodbyes and good luck before leaving. I was also about to go when I heard the soft voice of Xipher from behind.

"Take care," he said using a plain voice before disappearing.

My heart began to beat really fast. Did I just miss his voice? What the hell, Amalia. You're creepily in love with your Captain!

"It looks like my princess is in love," my cousin suddenly said with a teasing voice.

I rolled my eyes, still trying to deny that fact. This is not the right time to dwell with my own feelings. If only mom is here, she'll be happy to hear that I'm finally letting Xipher enter my life.

"I heard that your mother is missing. Don't worry Lia, she'll be fine. She has an amazing and brave daughter. I'm sure she's doing fine. Remember that your mom is a scientist, she's intelligent enough to fight those who abducted her," he said, trying to comfort me.

I nodded and smiled at him. At least he's now here. He will protect me, no matter what happens. He's the brother that I never had.

"Let's go," he said after a few minutes.

We're now on our way to the west part of the city. The portal is located inside one of the forbidden buildings of the whole city. Only higher officials are allowed to go inside including those who have missions to other planets.

When we reached the building, I suddenly felt strange. It's too quiet, to the point that the deafening silence feels so awkward.

"Isn't it unusual?" I whispered, pertaining to my cousin.

I was about to say something again but when I looked back, I saw my cousin kneeling in pain with a sword stuck in his chest.

I gasped and trembled with fear. No, this can't be happening. I ran towards him and that's the time when I felt my tears, slowly falling not because of the fear from the opponent but because of the fear that I might lose him.

"Lia….Go now, save yourself," he said, trying to fight the excruciating pain and asking me to go.

"No, please...Please don't leave me. Who did this?" I asked in between my tears.

His left hand is holding the blade of the sword stuck in his chest while his other hand is supporting him on the ground.

"Don't trust anyone, Lia," he said before closing his eyes.

I shouted when I realized that he'll be gone forever. He's kneeling on the cold surface of the floor, with his head looking downwards.

I tried to open my bag and hope that I have something that can save him. I was trembling the whole time while crying loudly.

I found a piece of button inside my bag. The thing is not familiar to me but there's a note behind it.

I cried for more after I read what's written on the note. If only I saw this one before anything happened, maybe my cousin will not be here, kneeling lifeless.

"Press the button if you're in danger. I'll be right there," I wearily read the letter.

My tears are still unstoppable. After a few more minutes, I heard too many steps owned by 3 people.

When I saw their faces, my world stopped spinning. How could they do this to us? I focused on the person in between them. How could she do this to me?

She smirked and pulled out her gun. I closed my eyes, ready to accept my fate. But then, before she pulled the trigger, I pressed the button of the thing that I'm holding.

And just before I lost my consciousness, I saw a raging fire coming towards the enemies.