Love Thy Assassin (AMBW)

Much has changed since the third World War in 2020. Yet it was the same kind of war as any other. People fought, died, defended a cause they deemed worthy of the deaths of thousands. Of course, one country had to start it all by wanting to be the number one world power or doing something overly heinous for the eyes of the public to bear witness to. The war lasted for years, every human being was affected by it, and finally the vortex of death, hate, and despair ended in 2030.  The side of justice had won once again. Still, not all was well. During a vicious battle for the capital of Northern Ireland in 2025, the Irish countryside was ravaged and its beauty destroyed by the tanks, foot soldiers, and land mines. As the battle began to wind down a soldier made a last-ditch attempt to finish off the last of the other side. He had a bomb strapped to his back he ran towards the defending side but tripped and fell down a ravine. He met his timely demise but the explosion blasted open a cave at the bottom of this ravine. While loading up the dead bodies for a haunting count to send in, a rebel soldier, Rodolfo Posi noticed his fallen comrades charred body at the base of the ravine.  He refused to leave him behind.  Upon arrival at his friend's death site, he discovers the cave, and what he found inside would change history forever. What had lied hidden deep inside was a diamond, unlike all others. It's dark red shine and the black hue that swirled beneath in the middle of each one. It was more precious than a diamond and more valuable than any gem found on earth. Posi dubbed it the Blood Diamond. Its beauty was tantalizing and lured men and women alike to empty their pockets for just a look. Children would go unfed due to the parents spending their money on a fraction of the Blood Diamond. The black market even tried to duplicate the beauty of the diamond but it was near impossible. Friendships were broken and families divided.  The populous believed this Diamond was worth enough to lay claim to riches and live in high society and others believed it was worth nothing but a hunk of rock. Even if one was lucky enough to obtain one there was little chance they would sell it and make the fortune they so desired. Unfortunately, people were blind to reality. The demand for it was through the roof. In order for Rodolfo to keep his success to himself, the location of the cave was never disclosed to the public nor friends or family. Due to Posi’s greed, he mined the diamond himself and he faced an end similar to that of his comrade who helped him discover his riches. After Posi’s death, the diamond and its secrets were hidden forever from the world. When he had died the demand for Blood had not died with him instead it got greater than ever before.  Years passed and by 2050 no one had seen a new Blood Diamond on the market so the world had given up on its dream for the high life. And those that had been able to purchase one decided to keep them as family heirlooms. So many thought the world was finally well. Finally the destroyed countries were picking up the pieces and moving on with life from the war and mysterious gem. In 2080 an old man by the name of Neko Dire was roaming the outskirts of Northern Ireland, it was simply something he wanted to do on his bucket list. He fell down the same ravine Posi’s comrade had done so long ago. He re-discovered the cave hidden from the world. Neko reopened the secret mining of Blood and shelled it out to the world, for all who had money to enjoy. The DireRose Company had lowered the price of the gem so the world wouldn’t be in such despair but that helped little to ease the economic pain. The limited supply brought back the terrible crimes and happening from the first time the mine was discovered. The business of Blood went back to booming and everyone wanted a piece of it, but it was strictly a family business.  He wasn’t greedy like Posi was but he kept the location of the gem to his family and the few trusted miners. On his death bed Neko told his son Will, that he and his wife would inherit his jewelry business and he told him of the horrors he would soon face. He told of the constant attempted attacks on his life and his family.  Neko told his son to be careful of the people who were out to get his fortune and steal the gem for themselves. But before drawing his last breath Neko told his son to even watch out for those who he loved and trusted most. One stone called the Blood Diamond has changed the economy and has probably killed more innocent people than WW3 did. But unfortunately, its path of destruction has yet to come to an end, for the world and the Dire family.