Apocalyse: Marked by Chaos-Chapter 17 - Into the Monster’s Domain

Olivia's hands clung tightly to the structure underneath the van. The fumes from the exhaust invaded her nostrils, and the debris from the road didn't make the task any easier.

Olivia's heart hammered in her ears. Sweat dripped from her face, her hands grew clammy, and her neck ached from the lack of support. She had to steady herself through every jarring bump.

A thought of giving up crossed her mind, but she shoved it away. She had to save Little White, she won't let this challenge stop her from achieving her goal.

After what seemed like an eternity, the van finally came to a stop. Olivia's hands and legs let go of their grips. She lies flat on the ground, her gaze staring at the iron coated with oils and dust. A tear of relief fell from her eyes, she actually made it happen.

The students stepped out from the van, standing in a line, Olivia took a deep breath, determination shined in her eyes. ' It's now or never.'

She crawled out from under the van, skillfully blending with the students. She carefully dusted the debris from her body.

Olivia's froze as sharp brown eyes bore into her. She nervously smiled at her. Her stomach twisted, a lump formed in her throat. Think. Think. What excuse would work?

But the girl turned, pretending not to see a thing. Blood drained from Olivia's face, despite the girl having turned a blind eye to her, she still doesn't know if she was safe.

The fact that the girl had turned a blind eye to her only made Olivia more uneasy.

" Remember the mission is to get an S level core, be safe." The teacher's voice disrupted Olivia from her thoughts.

" Move out."

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The student began to jog out through the gate. Olivia's breath hitched, seeing the fortress gate again made her chest hurt. 'Anna.' She muttered, her voice cracking with emotion.

Dread washed over her, memories of her first encounter with it send jolts of cold shivers down her spine. The sight of the gate gave her a feeling of sorrow, pain and death.

"Move out."

The teacher's voice stopped her trail of thoughts. She jogged towards the rest of the students " Hold on Little White, we are almost there."

After they had walked several miles away from the fortress, Olivia caught the girl glancing at her. A crawling sensation prickled over her skin.

She averted her gaze. This group seemed well trained, not amateurs. All she needs to do is hide when they encounter any monsters, take the cores after the battle is over, 'isn't that like manners from above?' A smirk tugged her lips.

Being here before, a breath away from death. Olivia's throat tightened, goosebumps forming all over her. Her heart pounded against the ribs of her cage.

" There is nothing to be afraid of, I made it out the first time, I will also survive this time." She muttered under her breath.

They stepped past the forest's edge, the air thick with an eerie silence. A decayed sign marked the boundary, beyond it, only death awaited.

"This is it."

Olivia inhaled deeply, steadying herself before stepping over the border with the others. She caught the girl from earlier glancing at her again.

"Do I have something on my face?"

Olivia asked, her eyes fierce, her words sharp.

The girl gave her a soft smile " No... but you have something on your hair." She softly replied.

Olivia's hands reached to her hair but she could not find anything. Seeing her plight, the girl stepped closer to her, her hand reached towards Olivia's hair to remove the debris from her hair, but Olivia instinctively grabbed her hand, backing away from her reach.

"Here."

The girl showed her the dried twig she picked from her hair.

Olivia let go of her hand, feeling slightly embarrassed by her own action.

" Thank you."

" You are welcome."

They made their way past a shallow stream, their legs making splashing sounds as they walked through it.

Olivia pushed back the few strands of hair, falling down her face, she wanted to ask the girl why she had kept quiet?

" Wondering why I didn't rattle you out?"

" Yes, I mean you saw me and you know that I am not part of your squad, so why?"

The girl's brown eyes stared at Olivia as if she could see all her past. " Because you have something important to do."

'How did she know?' A puzzled look contorted her face.

" How do you know?"

" All know all things, the past, present and the future, I see them all."

She answered with a smile.

" You're a....Seer."

Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief, had she really heard that right? She looked at her with admiration. The system was unfair, why did some get extraordinary abilities while she was stuck with a useless one?

Seers are very rare, they are most sought out by many people and revered. Seers don't go to the monster's domain to fight, so why is she here?

" I'm here because there is something I must do."

The girl answered before Olivia could ask the question.

Olivia nodded in complete awe, Olivia eyes gaze at curly black hair tied in a bun, her tall slim figure and her spotless face. She would have passed as a model if the world hadn't plummeted into chaos.

" So what is your name?"

"Diana."

Diana answered. They began to climb a hill. Olivia's eyes darted around as she carefully observed the terrain. This place was different from where they were the first time in the monster's domain.

"This is a different path."

Olivia stated, for some weird reason she had an unsettling feeling pooling under her stomach.

" Yes, we are hunting for an S level beast, we don't need to waste our time fighting with a low level beast." A guy with a huge bulky body stated.

He was so tall that Olivia had to tilt her head up to look at him.

" I'm Luke.... You look unfamiliar." He stated as he walked closer to her, his huge heavy metal sword hanging across his back.

" She is my friend."

Diana stated, she knew she can't hide her from them, they might well know it now.

" Is she a tribute to the monsters?" Another voice teasingly asked. His eyes held something sinister.

Diana stepped closer subtly shielding Olivia from his gaze.

"I am not...." Olivia's words were disrupted by Diana's.

"We have guests."

Diana's voice dropped to a whisper, her expression unreadable. The air grew still... something was coming.