I woke up in a dark and cold cell. I didn't know where I was, but I could feel something wasn't right. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I noticed other kids about my age in other cells. I slowly stood to my feet, trying to regain my balance, but they gave out from underneath me. Where am I? What happened? The last thing I knew, I was with the boy I liked.
One of the kids looked up at me with a mix of wonder and horror in her eyes. "What are you doing? Trying to stand is impossible. If you do, they'll kill you."
I looked at her. "I'm not gonna stay here. I have someone that I need to be with. I can't stand being away from him."
The door to the dungeon opened, and the man whom I had gathered was the leader of the cult, along with a few of his underlings, who came over to the cell. "You're finally awake. You've got backbone, you'll make a good assassin."
I stood back for a moment. "A..assassin? I want to be a weapons expert, not a killing machine."
The cult's leader opened the door to my cell and grabbed my hair. "You listen to me well, girl. You can achieve all of that. I can train you to fulfill all that and more. Besides, you want to see that green-haired boy of yours. Zoro. Am I right?"
I blinked. "How do you know about Zoro? And more importantly, about us?"
A cruel laugh escaped the man's lips. "What do you mean, how do I know? It's obvious that you and that boy are both destined for something great, but I will not let that happen." He grabbed me by the throat. "You don't get to make orders around here. I do."
As if on instinct, I grabbed his arm. "You can do what you like it me. But I will not allow you to hurt the one I love."
The other kids who were in the cell looked at me. "What are you? It's like you show no fear."
"I am a fighter and will stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves."
One of the younger girls who had brown hair and blue eyes stood up. "I'll fight with you."
The leader of this cult struck the girl. "Enough! All of you." His eyes darted back to me. "You have guts, and I like that. You're coming with me. If you wish to see your lover, then I will teach you how to use that fighting spirit."
I stood there meeting the leader's cold gaze. "If you do this, you promise that I can see Zoro again?"
"Of course."
Over the years, while being in the Order, I was able to use my skills to stand up for those who felt helpless. At the same time hoping that I would see Zoro again. The girl who had tried to stand up to the leader had become my roommate. Her name was Chealse. I was able to vent to her about everything.