Second Life's Revenge

"Laura! Over here!"

Laura looked around carefully, looking for the source of the voice, and there, she saw Zeke on the ground. She ran towards him, and her hands trembled to see the state he was in. Not only that. Buried around his arms was J, who looked extremely pale and did not look like he was breathing.

Is he dead?

Zeke didn't look well. In fact, his old wounds opened, and new ones were made. His breathing was unstable, and he didn't look like to have the energy for words to come out of his mouth.

To see them both dying, Laura didn't know what to do. Why isn't her mana working? She could save two people's lives tonight, and yet she couldn't do anything.

It was frustrating.

"I-is J, alright?" Laura's voice trembled.

"Miss Laura, do you think I'll die here?" Zeke asked, dodging the question. "It's pathetic. Why am I dying here?"

"You're not going to die," Laura assured, panicking as she tried finding a way to help them.

"It's alright. I am dying anyway," Zeke chuckled and hissed after. He looked at J, whose face was pale and not breathing. "If I don't make it alive tonight. Can you bring me out of this place?"

Laura shook her head, wiping her tears that slid on her cheeks. There must be a way, there must be a way to save them. She didn't give up, remembering her promise with Zeke. There is no way she will allow Zeke to die.

"You're going out alive. You and J will. That's why don't give up," Laura cried.

"Miss…please set me free from this pain. Though I won't be able to fulfill my dream I am happy to be reunited with my brother."

Laura bit her lip, and finally, she settled down. She couldn't say anything. Her legs felt weak, and if she called for Erwin, he might be dead by then. 

Zeke couldn't clearly see as his vision was getting smaller by the minute. But he knew that Laura was in great pain, but he didn't want to die without anyone being by his side.

J left earlier, and now it was his turn. How can these two brothers be so foolish to die when they still have a dream to fulfill? But he did not regret it at all. Zeke wanted to rest, be free from his curse, and explore the world with J.

It was a wonderful dream.

"Do you want me to tell you a secret?" Zeke asked, and Laura nodded her head, trying to put a smile on. "J is my brother, we're twins. We don't look alike, though."

It pained her so much she didn't care how her face looked like. Why did he hide this? Brothers born at the same time, the same mother, and yet none of them will survive. Laura covered her mouth, holding her voice in.

"Are you there?" Zeke asked.

"I am."

"We entered the organization around the same time, but because J wasn't good with combat, he became an informant, while I became an assassin. To think that we'll die at the same time, isn't that a coincidence?" Zeke sharply exhaled.

The pain was no longer bearable, but Zeke wanted to tell Laura more about them. He was happy to have someone by side to hear his story. It's not every day to witness someone's death and wishes.

"I have a favor," Zeke said.

"What is it?" Laura asked while sniffing.

"Once I stop breathing, burry me and my brother in a greenfield. Where we can see the sun switching with the moon. Where the skies would turn bright to dark. A quiet place where no conflict can be heard. A place where my brother and I can breathe."

"I'm sorry," Laura apologizes. "I can't save you. I promised to bring you out. I did. I promised you, but I couldn't. Why isn't my mana working?"

Frustrating as it is, Laura, clenched onto her cloak with her head down. The tears were still pouring out of her eyes as she felt useless, unable to do anything.

"It's alright. Honestly, when you told me that you'll bring me out, I was contented. I never thought I'd hear those words from some random person," Zeke said, but his voice grew softer. It was about time for him to go, but then he continued. "Miss, if you have someone you love, please don't hesitate to go to them because you will never know when you'll die."

"I won't," Laura whimpered.

"I can't see anymore, but I want to be sent off with a smile," Zeke requested, and finally, his last breath, he said, "Laura, thank you for helping me."

Just like that, Zeke was gone, and finally, Laura could cry out loud. Her voice echoed in the cave, reaching Erwin's ears, who was talking to Angelo. Hearing the cry of Laura, he rushed into the cave and found Laura clenching onto Zeke's top.

His eyes moved onto Zeke and J, which he assumed were gone, gone to a better place. It was a shame, Erwin considered taking them as his personal guards, but it seems like it could no longer happen.

He kneeled onto the ground and removed Laura's grip off Zeke's shirt. Erwin closed Zeke's eyes and offered silence for the brothers. 

"Let's go, Laura," Erwin whispered.

"Erwin…I have a favor to ask you," Laura sniffled and wiped her tears.

"What is it?"

Two days passed since the twin brother's death. Laura and Erwin were able to get back home safely. There was one thing Laura forgot to do, and it was to find more stuff about Count Harrison's carriage.

When Count Harrison was there to greet Laura, she didn't look to have energy and thought something traumatized her. He regretted allowing her to go, but because Laura wouldn't back down, he ended up letting her go.

It was a huge mistake.

The skies were dark despite it being in the morning, and slowly, droplets of water fell from the clouds. Being dazed, Laura looked outside the window, not hearing what Viscountess Andrea was saying.

The image of seeing Zeke and J dead on the ground couldn't be erased from her head. It kept appearing as if it was taunting her. Not only that, but she also didn't look well as she hasn't been getting sleep.

The reason why the enemy wasn't able to find them was because of J. Angelo didn't know how they weren't being tracked. And not only that, the information was also safe with them. To see that it is a piece of valuable information to them. Erwin held onto the envelope because he figured that he would need it more than she did. 

But at least one enemy is down, and she is left with Tine again. However, she still couldn't do anything about Tine. It was frustrating. 

Erwin wrote a letter to Laura and saying that Zeke and J were buried just the way she wished. Laura was saddened at the fact that she couldn't be there to pay her respects. But knowing that the brothers were free, she was relieved.

Soon the news about Marquess Rogen will explode into town, and she couldn't wait to take her revenge against him. It's was his fault that they died, and also his fault on why she couldn't fulfill her promise to Zeke. For now, all she could do is to trust Erwin.

It must be nice to get your revenge.

"Laura Alvarado!" Viscountess Andrea called, tapping her fan on the table.

Laura flinched, hearing Viscountess Andrea's call. She looked at her and gave a smile. What did she miss? 

"Yes?" Laura asked.

"My words are just going in and out of your ear. Are you alright, my dear?" Viscountess Andrea worriedly asked and sat beside her.

"I'm sorry. There are just so many things in my head right now," Laura sighed out loud.

"You must be tired, go get some rest," Viscountess Andrea ordered and stood up after. "Even if it's hard to tell me you're going to tell me someday. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Miss Andrea," Laura softly laughed.

"And that is the face I want to see. Since you're not interested in what I'm saying, I'll take my leave. My daughter wants to spend time with me."

"I'm really sorry, Miss Andrea. Please have some fun," Laura said, escorting Viscountess Andrea out of the room.

Laura sighed out loud once more and walked towards the window. Even if she told herself not to let her emotions control her actions, she failed. Somehow being alone, she felt lonely. 

She felt so used to having people around her, and now being a noble is sad. Always lonely and arguing. What is the use of being noble?

It's better to be in the orphanage where life is easy and quiet. Being noble is not as easy as it sounds. Everyone is your enemy, and only a few can be trusted.

Just why is the world so cruel?