Rise of the Eromancer

"So, you're really abandoning me, Recruit?"

"Ayesha…"

"I know, I know. We've had this talk a hundred times; the only reason you joined the Underworld Corps is to become an Explorer. Zeus, why take the long road for revenge? I can squash that Noble bitch like a bug — I'll do it before he becomes even more of a menace to society."

"Why don't you join me instead?"

"I don't belong here, Recruit."

Rhys could see the reflection of the sky from Ayesha's eyes — the looping horizon that always painted them, replaced by an endless blue instead,

"My place is down there — at least the monsters that live down there are honest with what they want and are. Here? You won't know the monsters until they stab you in the back."

"Hm, that is true."

"And you're one of those people, Recruit."

Rhys could really only stare at Ayesha as he heard those words, waiting for her to just burst out in laughter and hit him on the stomach. But even as Rhys's eyes already wandered across their base on the Surface, the only response she gave was just glancing back with a serious expression on her face.

"You're not a good person, Rhys…" Ayesha smiled as she gently placed her hand on Rhys's cheek, even as a lot of soldiers were there subtly watching them,

"I hope you do not get the idea that you're actually one of the good guys. The things you have been through made you what you are, but you can't blame them for what you are becoming from this point on."

"..." Rhys rested his cheek on Ayesha's palm as he held her hand.

"The last mission I gave you was a test of where your morals truly lie," Ayesha sighed, "You passed with flying colors as a soldier. Following orders without fail and delivering efficient results. But as a human, you have some things to work on."

"That is—"

"But the world doesn't owe you anything, Recruit," Ayesha removed her hand from Rhys's face, "If anything, it owes you everything. So, kill it if you have to, let it suffer as you have — but never forget which side you belong to."

"I… will remember that, Ayesha," Rhys nodded.

"Well, on that note… a lot more people are worse than you. A lot worse," Ayesha finally burst out in laughter as she started hitting Rhys on the stomach, "So…

…stand tall, Recruit."

And perhaps for the very first time ever, Ayesha took a step back and gave a salute; her powerful silhouette, covering the setting sun as it drowned her brown skin; almost turning it golden.

"You are… very beautiful, Ayesha," Rhys also stood up straight as he saluted to the Commander of the Underworld Corps, "Thank you."

"Until we meet again in the Underworld, Sergeant Rhys Wilder. I…

…am going to miss that large cock of yours."

"..." If only her beauty reflected the last words she uttered. But in a way, there was beauty in her brashness.

But as Rhys was about to step in the truck on the way home, Ayesha suddenly grabbed her from behind; once again not caring that the other soldiers were looking at them.

"I… love you, Rhys. I do," Ayesha whispered; her words muffled as she buried her face on Rhys's back, "That is the only reason why I don't question how… you've suddenly become this strong."

"..."

"And if you need me, if you truly need me…

…I will be by your side. Whether it is to help you, stop you, or to save you… I will be there."

"I…" Rhys removed Ayesha's embrace as he turned toward her, "I love you too, Ayesha."

That wasn't a lie. Although Rhys did initially chose the Underworld Corps solely for the fact of trying to win Ayesha's heart, he had also developed feelings for her — how could he not?

Eros gave him the ability to win the hearts of those he wanted, but in turn, it also seemed to amplify his desire to return the love he received; almost like payment.

But it was payment he would gladly give.

Lina, and now Ayesha. He truly feels guilty for betraying Lina's trust by sleeping with another woman, but it is still true that the love he feels for the both of them is equal.

And if the time comes for him to choose between the two…

…was there really any need to choose?

"..." And as Rhys stared at the Surface base of the Underworld Corps very slowly disappearing into the distance, he could not help but just close his eyes and rest.

6 months.

Rhys had only spent 6 months in the Underworld Corps, and yet it almost felt like it was already his entire life. The training, the missions, and all the departed almost made him forget about what he had set out to do…

…but it was time to wake up from the violent but beautiful dream, and return to the reality of nothing but just violence.

Even more so than Ayesha, he was the one that perhaps truly did not belong in the Surface.

But as Ayesha said, he could kill the world if he had to…

…mold it the way it molded him.

If he does not belong to the world, then the world should just belong to him.

Rhys looked at his fist, closing it tight almost as if he was trying to crush something — and perhaps he was, but it will only truly be known to him.

The first step to his plan is gathering influence. He could have already done that with Ayesha and the Underworld Corps, but it won't be his.

He needed the freedom to earn it by himself, and the only way to do that was to become an Explorer.

"Justice…" Rhys opened his hand and looked at his slightly red palm,

"...is on my side."

***

"Oh, you still need to go to the Academy and take supplementary classes for a week."

"...What?"

Rhys immediately headed to the nearest Explorer Association as soon as he returned to Old York, but what greeted him inside was a big red stamp that said 'incomplete' and a receptionist chewing gum.

"Explorer Academy…" the receptionist started waving her hand and gesturing to Rhys to move away,

"...1 week. Then come back here, but not on weekends because we are closed."

Alas, it would seem justice was currently resting on the side instead.