CHAPTER ONE
The faint rays of the sun that managed to get past the black sky landed softly on the windows of St. Albert orphanage home, or so it was called. The orphanage was a tall building covered in dark mist to conceal it from prying eyes. It was no ordinary building and the people inside were weirder. Ivy, a girl of about 14years of age was lying peacefully on her bed. Her eyes were wide open and her face had a blank expression on it. She tapped her fingers softly on her bed and muttered lowly how many minutes remained until the bell rang. Suddenly, a shrill sound of the bell was heard and Ivy stood up almost mechanically. She headed to the bathroom and washed her face and her mouth before showering. She picked up her clothes which were laying in a corner of the spacious room and wore it. It was a blue Chinese hanfu with white belt. After putting it on, she pulled a seat to the window and sat down, feeling the faint rays of the sun. Her face, an epitome of beauty was scrunched up in a frown when she heard footsteps heading her way. Just as she guessed, a knock was heard on her door and she sighed before replying. A pretty girl with olive eyes and silver hair walked in. She wore a black hanfu and sauntered into the room, a teasing smile on her face.
"Ivy! I thought I was going to catch you dressing in an improper way" the girl said as she pouted while sitting on the bed. Ivy glanced at her and replied emotionlessly.
"Lieutenant Jade, what do I owe this pleasure of your visit?" she asked, her eyebrow quirking up. St. Albert orphanage was no orphanage. It was a place to train children to become killing machines for the dark sorcerer. Any child who entered St. Albert got their memory wiped and brainwashed and ultimately a killing machine. In order for peace to reign, six lieutenants were chosen to keep an eye on the different batch of children and Ivy, surprisingly was one of the lieutenants and if there's one thing she learnt, it was not to trust any of the lieutenants despite their looks.
"So cold! come on, show me some love!" Jade replied as she smiled again. Ivy glared at her and turned away making Jade huff.
"Fine! I've got news though. Your wards has escaped" Jade said nonchalantly as if she was discussing the weather. Ivy was shocked but she didn't show it but nonetheless, Jade already had her full attention.
"Excuse me?" she asked to make sure she heard well.
"You heard me. Three of your wards has run away. I don't know how they managed to get past the mist but they can't have gotten far" Jade replied. Ivy stood up and picked her longsword preparing to move but she noticed Jade tagging along.
"I can do this myself" Ivy told her but Jade ignored her.
"Sorry love. I've got orders to follow" She chirped and went with Ivy to the huge gate leading to the woods. They had already assembled twenty soldiers who were in fact, children that had been brainwashed. Their eyes were lifeless and stared straight ahead. Ivy felt bad for them but there was nothing she could do. Once you entered St. Albert, you were as good as dead. The mist surrounding the building will mess with your mind and you will ultimately lose yourself.