A Romance Between Serpents: Chapter 1 – A Love Story Written in Violence

Chapter 1 – A Love Story Written in Violence

“Same plan as always, Kane?” Idelle asks me.

“I don’t see why not. The people we target deserve less anyway,” I say as I manifest my ebony pistol and white revolver.

“You’re right.”

Armed only with superhuman strength and speed, golden armor, and a white snake and a black snake on her back, the love of my life, Idelle, punches through the wall of the convent we are targeting and begins breaking the arms and legs of false pious brothers and sisters, while I dispense justice with my pistol and revolver. My pistol kills and is reserved for those God has judged to die, while my revolver knocks out and is meant for those who deserve a second chance, regardless of how badly they’ve sinned or how similar they are to those who deserve death. Knowing their act is already up, the false pious members of the convent and their superhuman guards fight back against us with their guns and powers, respectively, to the best of their abilities. Idelle has no trouble exchanging blows with superhumans or enduring a barrage of bullets; however, I’m not as indestructible as she is, so I have to dodge between bullets and superhuman punches being thrown at me to avoid as much potentially lethal damage as possible.

Some know that they stand no chance against us, begging for mercy on their hands and knees, saying, “Don’t kill me! You’re good Catholics! Spare my life! I’ll go to jail if I have to!”

Some change their fate and receive mercy as God has decided. Others are given no such favor, and their heads are blown straight off their shoulders, horrifying others into truly repenting and earning mercy as a result. More superhumans arrive at the convent, saving us the trouble of tracking them down, and try to cover the retreat of their allies or extract them themselves by speeding or flying them away, but I shoot them before they can escape, and Idelle chases after them. While she’s away, I do my best to clean up here, going room to room looking for targets and executing justice. Unfortunately for me, I am met with a barrage of gunfire and hit by a laser blast from a superhuman. There’s me being a little too gun-happy for my own good again.

Barely back on my feet, I narrowly dodge the next laser blast and then dodge the next barrage of gunfire and return fire, killing a few of the gunmen, and blowing off the arm the superhuman is using to blast his lasers at me. Retreating further back, I run between the columns of the convent for periodic cover, picking off the last of my attackers until none remain. I double-check the rest of the area with more caution, being sure that no one catches me by surprise, which helps out when the last few targets try to catch me by surprise by hiding in dark corners and blind spots. By the time Idelle comes back, the area is clear and the job is done.

She and her snakes look me over like a cop looking for hidden weapons on a criminal as she asks, “Kane, are you seriously hurt? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?”

“I’m fine, Idelle. Just a few scratches, burns, and cracked body armor,” I say.

“That’s not fine. I should take you home to rest.”

“I’m fine enough to drive myself back on my motorcycle. You can run alongside or ride along, if you want.”

My attention is taken to the sirens in the distance and the approaching cop cars and accompanying superhumans. The red-haired, red-eyed killjoy and spitting image of a model police officer and superhuman leads everyone from the front. Her name is Polina Yelizaveta. Beside her is a blonde-haired, yellow-and-orange-eyed knight in modern crimson shining armor, Raziel Emundato, her blazing scythe when things get dirty. They approach us with a serious look on their face.

Polina, the most serious of all of them, says, “Conducting a raid again without permission or letting us know again, Kane? When will you learn?”

“I submitted my heads up to the people I know while I went on ahead,” I say.

“I know. As soon as I saw it submitted, I raced out here to prevent as much death and destruction as possible, but I guess I should have more eyes on you than I already do.”

“That hesitancy and dedication to due process is what costs you precious time, and you know it. After finding those children who went missing during a retreat and learning about the center where they were being trafficked from, I immediately told my contacts what I was doing and came here. If I didn’t, the people here might’ve escaped justice. You know that not every cop on the force or member of our Dominion is legit and could’ve given their friends a heads up like they did last time. If you’re worried about due process, then you should keep an eye on the people who are doing it because if they’ve infiltrated the Church, then they’re surely among our ranks.”

Polina grunts, sends her people to search the convent, and clean up the mess. She then tells me, “I have people on it of internal investigations and have already made arrests, so I have that covered. Anyway, you'd better get changed. Timeo and John will be in the city soon.”

“Oh, that’s right! I almost forgot my brother was coming,” Idelle says.

“Let’s head back then. Polina, thanks for the cleanup crew as always. Raziel, thanks for showing up.”

Idelle and I head back to the Dominion office to change clothes, then go to the spot where Timeo and John are supposed to be, one of the high-rise restaurants owned by our friend Lancetto Affare. I’m dressed as I usually am, with a crimson and black hoodie, black shirt, black pants, and crimson boots, while Idelle wears her pink dress made by her adoptive parents. Since we’re early, we sit at the bar and have a drink, a beer for me and a chocolate milkshake for Idelle, because she always picks ice cream over everything else. Seeing that she’s nervous, I ask if she’s okay.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Idelle says with a shaking leg.

“What’s there to be shaky about? John already knows about our relationship. Heck, he’s the one who set us up, read my soul, and saw that I was supposed to be his brother-in-law,” I say.

“Yeah…still.”

Understanding that nothing I can say will make her feel better, I hold her with one arm, and she hugs me tightly with both arms and snakes. I swear, she’s going to break my spine one day, but if this is what it takes to make her feel better, then it’s what I have to do. John and Timeo soon show up, and upon seeing his sister, John runs up to her with his super speed, hugs her, and tells her how much he misses her. John is simply dressed as always, with his red deacon hero shirt, jeans, golden cape, and farm boots. Meanwhile, Timeo, my mentor and inspiration, is dressed to impress as always, with his suit, this time wearing a black and white suit. I wave at Timeo, who smirks and waves back.

Suddenly, John grabs me and pulls me into a group hug with his sister, asking, “How’s my future brother-in-law doing? Did you propose to her yet?”

Idelle’s face is a bright red, but also remaining as straight and emotionless as usual. I deduced that Idelle was the one for me, and I wanted to wait to propose until I got confirmation from John. When I got it, I felt cornered. Who am I to deny the indelible mark for my love of Idelle left by God? So, I have a family wedding ring that Timeo gave me, which I currently have on me, and waiting for the right opportunity to propose. John is just too forward and much for me. His positivity and presence are overwhelming. When he met the one God made for him, he immediately confessed his love for her, despite the two having just met, and proposed to her not long after.

“Well?” John says while in my face.

Idelle is in my face and waiting in anticipation as well. I have never felt more dead to rights in my entire life. There’s only one thing I can do that won’t end painfully for me. Before I can say anything, Timeo comes in with the save and tells John to give us some space and greet the other guests who have just arrived.

“Okay, fine, but I expect an answer today,” John says with a smile.

I nod at Timeo, who nods back at me. I breathe a sigh of relief and take another sip of my drink before noticing that Idelle is still in my face.

Looking back at Timeo, he smiles and walks away while saying, “I can’t help you there. I told you the danger in girls like that.”

Great.

“Are you going to propose soon?” Idelle asks.

“I will,” I say.

“Are…are you sure? I don’t want to push you to rush it. Don’t let my little brother push you either.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I am significantly older than you, there’s my snakes, faults, and…”

Hugging Idelle, I say, “I accept it all. The age gap doesn’t bother me, and neither do your faults. When I say I love you, I mean it, and nothing you do is going to change my mind. We’re meant to be with one another and nothing will separate us.”

I kiss Idelle on the lips, who returns it over and over again, and then rests her head on my shoulders.

“Thank you, Kane.”

As I try to get up, Idelle sticks to me, like usual.

“Come on, let’s go see everyone else.”

“Can we stay like this a bit longer?”

“You say that back at home, but then refuse to stay in your own bed and latch onto me until breakfast.”

“Okay…”

More people arrive, including Timeo’s wife and children, John’s wife and children, Polina, Raziel, the owner, Lancetto, and numerous friends from the city. Meanwhile, Idelle holds my hand and gives nasty looks to any woman who may be single who talks to me with any interest. Later during the party and after eating, John approaches us, as Idelle and I appreciate the view over the city of Meridian.

He apologizes for his forwardness and says, “I just want my big sis to be happy, and I know you’ll make her that, Kane. Just let me know when and where you’ll have your wedding so I can take part in the celebration.”

“Thank you for your concern, John, but can you please give us some space?” Idelle says.

“Okay!”

John immediately walks away.

“I don’t deserve a brother like him.”

“John has always looked up to you. You’re perfect for him.”

“Sure. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m never doing as much. Both he and Timeo have changed the world through their efforts, while we hardly accomplish as much.”

“That doesn’t mean that what we do is useless. John’s primary goal was to serve God in every moment of his life, and look where that got him. We’re the pillars that keep their world-changing planning going and the reason why this city continues to be safe.”

“Yeah…you’re right. Sorry for bringing it up again,” Idelle says as she slaps her black snake, the source of her temptations.

I hold Idelle close and pray that she continues to stay strong and grow in holiness, and for the strength and wisdom to be the man she can always rely on without fail. While continuing to enjoy the view, I feel an off-putting presence as if a seventh sense of mine is picking up on impending danger. I feel Idelle shaking in my arms. Before I can say anything, she hugs me so tightly that I feel like I will actually break in two.

“Idelle! Stop! Let me breathe!” I say.

“Don’t you love me, Kane?” she says as she looks up with me with a disturbing smile.

Idelle has suddenly changed, along with the color of her body. Her skin is now completely pitch black, and her usual white and black eyes are now red and black, indicative that her sinful side has completely taken over.

“Idelle! Please!”

“You’re mine forever, Kane, and I’ll love you till the moment you die.”

With no other choice, I manifest my revolver and shoot Idelle with the little space I have. Catching my breath, I see that the revolver has not affected her.

“I knew I wasn’t worth keeping alive. Your revolver only spares those who deserve mercy, while your pistol kills those who deserve death and damnation. Go ahead. Give me what God has judged for me!”

“You deserve to live, Idelle! You have to live for John and me! You love us, remember?”

“Oh? Is that why you’re holding a pistol instead of your revolver?”

I look at my hands, and I’m suddenly holding my pistol. What? Wasn’t I just holding my revolver a second ago?

“You shot me with your pistol, Kane. I deserve to die.”

“I know what my eyes see! Your verdict on your soul is mercy!”

Idelle charges at me again, I manifest my revolver and shoot it, only for the revolver to switch at the last second into my pistol, and the shot hits her, dropping her to the ground. I run to Idelle and try pulling out the bullet, knowing it staying there will kill her, only for the bullet’s poison to infect me.

Grabbing my arm, Idelle says, “You deserve to die too, Kane The Guillotine Mundr. We can get married in Hell.”

I drop the bullet, turn towards the party behind me, expecting help, and find many people that I remember killing, some justified, others that didn’t. Among them are the bleeding faces of the people I love, such as Timeo, Polina, and Raziel.

“You’re a disappointment, Kane.”

“You’re a murderer.”

“A loose gun with no regard for who you kill.”

“The people you spare deserve to die as well.”

“You deserve to die.”

“You’ll reduce Meridian to ash.”

“It will fall because of the chaos you bring to it.”

“This isn’t real. Something is terribly wrong,” I say to myself.

Without realizing it, I’m holding my pistol to my head.

“See? You know it.”

“God has decided it.”

“Pull the trigger and save others the trouble of your destructive ways.”

“Shut it! You’re not the people I know!”

I manifest two revolvers and start shooting at the impostors around me. In the blink of an eye, I see that I’m holding two pistols, everything seems to be back to normal, but there are dead people everywhere in the bar and restaurant. Standing above the dead is Idelle, covered in blood. Stunned by what is happening, I make my pistols disappear and run to Idelle, who is looking at her bloody hands in horror.

“Idelle! Are-”

“Get away from me!” Idelle says as she runs off.

With her super speed, she’s gone in the blink of an eye, so I turn to her brother for help.

“John, you have to get your sister!” I say, feeling helpless to chase after her myself.

“No, you’re the one who is supposed to be there for her as her husband. We’ll handle things here while you go after her,” he says.

“But…”

“Hurry, Kane! I don’t know what is happening, but she’s in danger. You both are.”

In a panic and not wanting Idelle to get further away, I run out the door, out of the building, and use my motorcycle to chase after her, who is currently tearing through traffic to get away. I may not know what is happening, but what I do know is that I have to save Idelle. The time is now to prove my unwavering love for her.