An Awoken Monster

Chapter 40

Ashlyn's POV

"Ashlyn, dear," Someone called from outside the doors, locking me alone. Walls that hid me. I was sitting at the rails of my balcony. Looking at all four moons gathered in order. That knocked continued. It wasn't rough nor violent. At the same time, still, it keeps on knocking but it was soft. I was getting quite annoyed that the person didn't stop thumping. Even so, I stayed cool. Slowly getting off the rails. Walking to the door. Facing it as I open it. Revealing uncle Philip. "You okay?" I nod. I let him enter my door then lock it again. I came back to the rails to sight the moons.

"How's it going?" I asked, I left uncle sit at one of the chairs near my bed. I had already expected him to go to me and he did. He sat beside me. Now, both of us are sitting on the rails. My head is aided by my uncle's shoulder. "Brother agreed. He also said to find you a school but he also said if there's a university or boarding school you want to enter, just say it to me. Coz' I will be the one who will enroll you there. I'm going with you there as your guardian." He exclaims. "I'll tell you when we get there. Let's not bother ourselves with that matter." Uncle was not a problem. It was totally fine actually. We stayed mute for the whole hour. "What happened there? You shouldn't have said those words at elder brother. You've could have talked it out calmly." I did not move nor speak. I don't know what to answer, I don't know what lie can I tell.

Philip's POV

My dearest niece was unfazed. Ashlyn was directly staring at the moons. She hasn't answered my question. I did not want to sound like I'm forcing her to answer if I said to her to answer my question. We are staring wordlessly at the moons. As it turns into a deep ocean blue color. Right, it was the third year. A year where all moons change their color into a sea blue one. "It was the truth, after all, uncle." It was a whisper from her. I glance at her, her eyes are beaming, dull aquatic eyes yet alluring. What did this child experience to think like some adult who experience many things? "Have you ever thought of your real parents? Or maybe your real family?" I wonderingly ask.

I can't seem to see this child as a kid. I shut my eyes. I wish Ashlyn was part of us. It was like yesterday when I remember how I once asked my brother if Ashlyn was Odette's other daughter. He quickly denied it. Because he told me something about Odette, she was part of some village sect where all are identically look alike. Even though they aren't related by blood. I believed his words. But I can't rather believe Odette's words. Ashlyn and Odette are more like mother and daughter. However, that won't mean my thoughts will cross the line between the relationship that we are in now.

My niece slowly opened her mouth, "For me, my mother is always alive even if she died while giving birth to me. The truth is I have an uncle who raised me when I was still an infant. He became both my mom and dad. He was like an ultra-timing person where sometimes he was my dad, my mom, my uncle, my savior, my protector, my playmate, someone who made me happy. And all those years I felt I was special and I was cherished liked I have a family. He was everything I needed. But because of some circumstances, my uncle leaves me at the orphanage. Trust me, I don't hate him for doing that. For six years I lived with him. One year, I was in the orphanage. And four or five years I came to this family. If you are thinking about my father. I rather think he's dead." I stroke her hair. This was the first she opened up with me. I'm glad that it was me. Long story short; Her mother died, his father most probably alive or dead, and her uncle left her. Ashlyn's uncle. By no means, Mia's uncle. A deception of feeling rise through me. I feel like this had happened. Strange.

"Hunter," I gasped as I pronounced it. I felt deja vu. It's like it wasn't the first time I mentioned his name. Who is he? I look back at Ashlyn. Seeing if she saw or heard me say that name. Damn. Why did I say that name? I don't even know him. However, it doesn't seem like I hate calling him. Or I feel uncomfortable saying it. "Hunter," Again, I muttered underneath my breath. Calling his name sends a shiver down my spine. A tingling feeling.

Who is he? Asking myself. I flung my head. Seeing the whole dark pitch sky. For some reason, I want to see that person who has the name 'Hunter'. It made me smile a bit. It lightly took the heavy feeling I was carrying. Hunter. Shutting my eyes, I want to dream about him, my fascination is growing minute by minute. His name was an appealing one, I guess, perhaps he's also the same. He may be appealing too.

I huffed, violently opening my eyes, quickly going down the rails. Ashlyn was confused. Still, she stayed where she was. "Are you okay, uncle? You look pale." She questioned in a worried tone. "Ashlyn, dear, can we talk tomorrow? I had a nightmare perhaps I need to sleep it." I chuckled coldly, Ashlyn smiled then nodded.

I heavily breathe, closing Ashlyn's room. Leaning at her door while gripping the handles of the doorknob. Looking down, hoping to reach its abyss. Just now, I saw that 'Hunter' guy while dreaming. He was crying. For I don't know the reason. He was like shouting at me. It was blurry. I can't really see his face. But his figure was vibrant. His tears were real. It feels real. What I visioned was real.

"Hunter," Who are you?

Ashlyn's POV

Uncle walked away. It looks like he really did had a nightmare. I heard him mumbling something. But sad to say, I didn't hear what he was saying. I got down from the rails. Snapping my finger. A figure attended my room. In full black clothing. A wolf mask at its face, "Master, why did you seek me?" Strong and husky but soft as it is. "How are the recruitment? Our men?" I said. Approaching my bed, lying there, sitting up. With thoughts of my plans. "Doing good, master. Many people who are skilled and not are training their best. Some enhance what power they have. Those who are still weak. Are being taught by the master in years." I signaled her to sit. Lei sat at one of the chairs near my bed. She took hold of my pulse. Reading the beat in it. Her face brought all the whole distraught a person can handle. Lei shook her head. Touching my heart, "Master, it is still the same. There's no pulse nor heartbeat. But you are still breathing and alive." She exhaled.

No pulse. No heartbeat. But there is a breathing in me. And I'm alive. What really am I? Besides someone who repeats its life. What the damn am I? My life is really an extreme one. I have a warm body covering the corpse inside the shell. Lei is a nurse, she wanted to risk her job at doing what she didn't expect she will be doing. I hired her. Knowing she needed a job in my domain. I let her. As I said, I don't fully trust anybody. Once, when she checks on me. Lei notice how she can't feel my pulsation. Then, we ran some tests that I didn't have a heartbeat. It was kind of weird from the start because I remember correctly how uncle Philip ran many medical tests on me. He didn't say anything about my pulse though. On second thought, I hired Lei ten months ago. That was also the time when my uncle stopped making me go to medical tests. Well, he stopped doing tests but he didn't stop giving me check-ups. He still let me take the medicines he made. That was really helpful. Uncle thought that the medicines are working great. Yes, it's working but the poison is still in my body.

"Master, I suggest yo---" I stopped her, changing the subject. "How is finding an estate going?" Her gazed that was locked with mine. Remove to glare at the side. "We found a fifteen-hectare land. It was a burned place. It's located between the west and Lune continent. Thus it's more near the opening of the west continent than our mother continent. A small kingdom that was lived in. It said it was burned because of their princess's deed. She burned her own territory because her fiance was snatched by the queen of their kingdom, her sister. That was her wrath. Since then, many have left that land, believing that the princess cursed it. It was just beliefs and rumors that are spread there. To let people be scared of that place. And to let themselves be scared of it." Those people are pathetic.

"Tell Jess to spend the amount of money she needs. Build my territory large walls but breathable. A castle for where I can live with my family and where the higher masters can live. Also, arrange houses for the knight and mercenaries. Build shops. We'll be having our trading structure there. I'll be going abroad next week, call Noah to be at the meeting. You can go now. Spread a word I will hold a meeting two days after tomorrow." I proclaim. A wind strike me, Lei, on the other hand, go with the wind as she disappeared.

Philip's POV

I jolt out of my bed. Panting non-stop. Eyes widening. I was greeted by the sun from the terrace radiating into my face. My hazel hair and my topless body were mirroring the sun. Like a lunatic. I crazily laugh. My laughing is being heard in and out of my room. I, then heard people knocking on my door. Opening my door, I saw how many maids fall to their knees, seeing me. Their looks trembled. I had an aura of a stranger who had sinned many times. It was like I am ready to kill someone. "Master? Ar-are yo-u oka-okay?" One stuttered. Again, I am stupidly cackling. "Ridiculous people," I said. Walking away. I continued my lunatic laugh, not minding other's whispers. Waltzing to Mia's room. Gently opening it. Her room was always locked. But I have ways to open it. Taking a pin from my joggers. I ran to where I saw Mia lying on her bed. Soundly sleeping, "Mia, wake up."

A second has not passed when she woke up. "Uncle, what's up?" She was supposed to rub her eyes. When I made a move of doing it instead. I rubbed her eyes with a small towel that was placed on her small table near. "I'm sorry." I apologetic smiled bitterly. "Mia," Skepticism was written all over her face. "Mia?" Mia was not hesitant to repeat her real name. I couldn't help but chuckle cruelly, "It's your real name, Mia." My glimpse was getting blurry. Rather because tears are forming in me. I laughed like a madman. Laughing. Sniffing. Crying. And laughing again. Holding into my little niece's embrace. I repeated two words "I'm sorry" over and over again. Until I stopped when her personal maids came. I grinned. Nina was holding a basin of water, must be for Mia to wash her face. As I said, she was holding a basin, the basin fell out of her hands. Camille and Mina had towels that also slipped through their palm. Ava and surprisingly the head maid were on the side. Mirya was beside Nina. I manically laugh. Crossing my legs. Their trembling didn't lose to my mad laugh. All of them are assassins yet they are this scarred. I remember correctly, assassins are taught to hide their emotions, reactions, and what they feel. But seeing like this, I suppose they didn't acknowledge what they learn. Except for Mirya, she is, just an impulsive stupid maid.

I saw my first target, Mirya. "Knights, bring this pest into the dungeon," I ordered, pointing to Mirya. Who for an unknown reason back away. Scarred? Now she's scared? She wasn't even scared when that bitch is poisoning Mia for five years and more. Knights came running. Taking Mirya away. I just laugh it out. I heard a giggle from my side. Mia was giggling. While the others turned pale like they saw a horror or something. "All of you get out," I shout.

"What's that for, uncle? Taking Mirya? Shouting at the maids? Laughing like some nutty man." Mia asked, still, giggling. I lean closer to my niece's right ear. Whispering, "It's something I should have done in your first reincarnation you experience." I smiled. Mia's eyes slightly widen. Hiding the fact she's surprised. I stroke her hair, saying it was alright. "How?" I know her short response meant something. Only we know. "I woke up a while ago memories flooding my mind. Every single one of it. I'll tell you the rest when we go abroad. I will narrate some if you are that curious." A smirk light upon her, "You better be, uncle. This is making me wonder-struck but I want to calm down. Things aren't what I expected. Someone. Someone has remembered the past that was shared with me. Surprisingly, it was you. Where did my breezy uncle go by the way?" She joked the last part, lying again at her bed.

"I'm still here. Only for you and Hunter. However, I'll show others how they made a monster out of me when they killed you and Hunter. A monster was awakened. My memories came back. All of it. This monster will be the nightmare of them." An evil smile was carved on my face.

Mia jokingly hit my stomach gently. Then stopped, "Wait, you know uncle Hunter?" I coughed. "Long-story-short. I was his companion. I will also tell you about that when we go out of this place." Mia rolled her eyes. We then giggled. "Again, I am sorry, I was always too late to save you."

"It's fine. This is my curse. To let me die. And lived again. I'm not mad at you. I just don't completely trust you, not just you, but everyone. I can't absolutely trust anyone." Mia claimed. I hooked a strand of hair into the back of her hair. "This time, I'll be here to protect you. You have been protecting me silently without me knowing it was you."

All questions from my mind were answered when I woke up a while ago. Remembering every detail of what happened in every lifetime Mia had. Haha, this family. I don't want to call them my family. The only ones who are my family are Hunter and Mia. De Alegro? I will rip that surname off me when the time comes. Both me and Mia will rip that surname off of us. I pity this child not just because of her curse, her reincarnations, her death but because of her real family. Her own blood-related family tormented her. Yes, Mia is my niece in blood. Brother Victor's daughter in blood. Ezekiel and Adrian's sister in blood. Mia is a real child of this family. Every time the truth will be revealed I also had to die. It was repeatedly when Charlotte has gotten used to living with this family. Whether the truth was being revealed in ways that someone want me to know. My life was between life and death. Unknown persons keep threatening me after Charlotte came. Charlotte and my case are related at some point to what bullshit is happening to Mia.

And it's good that we are leaving this place. I will tell every particular detail she has to know. Charlotte hasn't come until Mia's coming-of-age ceremony. We can plan things grandly. I can start naming those suckers; My brother Victor, Ezekiel, Adrian, Eclipse, Arhad, Tristan, Alejandro, Claude, Roman, and lastly Charlotte. I will only do what Mia wants. This whole family has a large payments they need to settle paying. If Mia wants revenge, I'll be by her side, supporting her rage. If she wants to punish them, I will be by her side to hurt them also. If she wants to kill them. I will not let her hands be stained by their blood. Because, I, myself will kill them for her. There is no meaning of family if there will be a day that I'll kill them. Today, tomorrow, and the next day, my only family is Mia in this house. I will be ruthless. That's the act they showed when they slowly tortured my niece, her uncle Hunter. I won't care for the years I had my life with them, the single blood that is flowing within me and what's within theirs.

I don't want to care anymore. About people who will think I am a monster. I am a monster of my own. Because of that reason, I want to choose being that monster to protect two people who will die in their hands. I can't neglect everything now that I have recovered my memories for the past nine repeated lifetimes. Even though I know the truth, it doesn't mean I will tell them that. I will leak some information to my relatives. Nevertheless, I won't help them solve it. There were many memories of how they played a game of torments for my two beloveds. Now, I'll play the game of revealing the past.

"This time I will not let you or Hunter die before me," I promised, tightly embracing Mia's hands. Mia kissed my hands that is clutching hers. "This promise will earn your trust. Mia, my lovely niece." I widely smiled.