Chapter 230 - Bang!

Happy New Year!

Seriously, 2021 was one of the worst years for me, if not the worst. My dreams were shattered. Probably the only positive take out from the year was the fact that I got into writing. Ironically, the reason I started writing was to get over my woes- and it did a pretty well job. Most importantly, I got to meet you guys. 

I still can't believe it's almost five months since I started the book, neither can I believe I have some loyal fans. It's definitely not the best book on this site. But I am still proud of this since it's my first book, despite the fact that I messed up a lot of times. And for a niche book, this is doing quite well.

It's all thanks to you, my dear readers. Best wishes for the new year to you, and to my book(s)- this one and the one I am currently outlining.

******

Dawn. 

The snowfall intensified, drowning the whole city in white. At this time of the day, everyone- especially the commoners- were supposed to set out to work. But today, a crowd gathered in front of the gates of the Citadel.

Most of them were garbed in ordinary light dresses, shivering. Their bodies were not trembling only due to cold, but fury. Their eyes were red. Tears slid through the face of all the women, and even some of the men.

A muscular man could not take it any more and walked forward. He kicked the metal gates with all his strength.

*Clang!*

"You bastards!" He screamed.

Some of the men mustered some courage after the scene. They stepped forwards and kicked the gate as well.

The guards kept standing behind the gates. They were commoners as well. At any other time, they would not have hesitated to kill others. They were paid by the Imperial family after all. But now, even their hands which tightly gripped their weapons were trembling.

The crowd outside got larger and larger. Loud cries could be heard as many faltered to the ground on their knees. Everyone's eyes were fixed at one direction.

Beyond the outer gates of the citadel, just above the massive main entrance of the citadel- there was a naked girl, crossed to the structure walls. She looked not any older than eighteen. Her lifeless eyes were open. Tears stained her sweet face. 

There were bruises all over her body. Stain of red and white trailed all the way from her private spot to her foot.

"You motherfuckers! You killed her!" The burly man shouted as his foot pounded the gates yet again.

More and more men joined the fray and began to curse and kick the gates, bent on felling it.

******

A few hours later. Morning. The snow ceased to fall as if the world itself was mourning for a great loss.

A caravan of horses trotted towards the centre of Uropolis. At the forefront was a bald man. His bloodshot eyes peered ahead. Just behind him were two hooded figures, followed by a company of men.

Soon, they reached the gates of the Citadel.

Just a few meters away from the outer walls of the gigantic structure, there was a circle of crowd.

Jonathon Berkeley, the vice leader of the Rebellion, and the one now in charge of its main base shoved through the wall of people. Adrian and Irene, who were just behind him followed.

Soon, they reached the centre. An cute young woman lied on a sheet, her eyes closed- lifeless. Her body was covered by a white clothe.

Jonathon bit his twitching lip. Tears he had been holding back for hours could not contain themselves in longer. They streamed out from his red eyes as he dropped on his knees, just beside the young lady.

He cupped the girl's cheeks and began to caress them. "Aaah… Tina… Tina…"

He sniffed and looked towards the woman kneeling beside the body. She was also a commoner physician. It's just that unlike Tina who had wood attributed magic, the woman did not know magic at all.

The woman's eyes were blood shot. Dried tears besmirched her face. The girl was her student, one she adored. But now- she was gone.

She gritted her teeth. "Those fuckers! Those beasts!" Her voice was not loud. But wrath endlessly surged from each and every one of the words- so much that it sent a chill down Adrian's spine. "They killed her."

The bald man looked back at Tina before turning to the Citadel his face grimaced.

"Not a single part of her body was left untouched." She continued, still gritting her teeth. "They raped her!" New tears joined the stains of old. "She had to suffer under their nasty grasps for hours!" She cried.

Each and every one of these words sent waves through the crowds. Fires of rage burnt in their eyes, their blood boiled as they internally vowed to avenge their angel.

The vice leader, Jonathon Berkeley, was not an exception by any means. He had the urge to declare war on those bastards right there and then. But he was the vice commander of the Rebellion for a reason- his cool head.

"We are taking her with us." He looked around. The fury within everyone's eyes worried him. These hot blooded youths might put themselves in danger. "We will do a rally tomorrow. We will come to a decision then."

Though his vague orders did not satisfy anyone, everyone nodded. Vengeance was a dish best served cold.

The vice leader wrapped the sheets around Tina tightly and took her in his arms. He gave her one last glance and looked away. The more he looked at her the more it pained his heart.

He has watched her grown up all the way from her infancy. Baldy Grandpa- that's what she called him. And from now on- that same sweet voice would not be calling him by that any more.

He walked out of the crowd. The physician and the duo followed.

A smirk hid beneath one of the hoods.